Dave Eggers

I have fallen in love with someone new. The heart palpitations came on so fast, and without doubt, I felt my affection careen elsewhere.

He's taken me places where you refuse to go, and along the way, assures me it's ok to be strange. Reminding me of my adventuresome soul, there's anecdotes that slide out-which I found offensive at first, but reassuring after I learned to breathe. 

we exist on a different plain, me and him. There's an understanding that imagination shouldn't be kept to ourselves, regardless of where it comes to life. He has chided me about the way I internalize situations, instead making good use of self-expression.

there are times when I feel that we belong to the world, not each other. Holding one another back from experiences is what we could never-EVER do. I appreciate his way with the written word, and the way he has brought light back into my soul.  

He might not know this yet, but I think he may just be the one. 

Holga cooperation photos

Holga attempts at out smarting me each time I plunge the shutter. Her sassy mouth didn't get me this time:

My parents yard in MN

Might not be the BEST, but I dug it.

Pioneer-town, CA

The first shot was a Gargoyle, the second, the church

Appreciated how this double exposure turned out

Pesky light leaks

Already at December, excuses are flowing like the 405 at 3am. Projects I haven't finished that need completing - a friend commented: ghosts of hobbies past. which I have nick named the other space in my apartment where the shells of ideas and projects lay. Reprimanding myself has done no good, and there has yet to be motivation. My procrastination was cast aside when the ukelele I added to the pile knows what a G7 feels like...not sure what to do with all this extra serotonin.

Things I continue to lie to my self about

1. Finishing what I started:  I LOVE the first phase of deciding to learn a language/play an instrument/learn a new craft/read. When I decide to something, I really am enthusiastic. I tell everyone, half hoping the spread of my new hobby will encourage me to success. When I was asked a month ago how my Arabic was going, I responded: schwayay-schwayay (little by little) which was met by approving nods, and praise for my foray into migraine inducing linguistics. Little do they know, that was the only word I retained.

2.  I have lots of passion for what I do: The only thing I have it for is the one thing I can't have...a houseful of cats.

3. enrolling in a MMA or yoga class:  Surrounded by other people, sweating. Self-explanatory.

4. I'm going to write a blog entry that does not include a list:  Sarcasm not required. You already know it's not going to happen.

5. Finish all the drafts in my blogger:   refer to number 2.

Book Club!!

My coworkers and I, well, my coworker announced that we should have a "Star Wars" book club. After much debate, and interjection about needing some Wicket (he may have an untold biography out there), we settled on Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith. Apparently, my Ewok or Wookie suggestion was ignored, and abused. I didn't think it was that possible to conjure up that much stink eye from one person. Noted.

The e-book is free online, even though I am quite the stalwart supporter of regular old books. I will see how long I will be able to read this on my phone. I foresee that I will break down and buy this softcover book...I'll be known as Darth Impetuous by noon tomorrow.

When I learn to play the piano, I'm coming back, and stealing this one.

Zuma beach snapshots

I prefer the company of a paintbrush and a blanket, over a wetsuit and a cold ocean. After wandering the beach for my spot, I plunked my sack of activities down, and enjoyed the salt and the scene.

 

When you see a billboard with a seductive lass on roller skates, lounging in a hip, swim suited pose, waiting for a refreshing(?) beverage to gush; you start wondering if you are in need of this. Or really, is she selling a swimsuit? I always need another one of those. I finally bought another one last year, and have high hopes that this one is going to last. Ok, so this Cockta, I was very curious about this fab soda that I had seen around town(s). We had arrived at a cafe in Split, and scanning the usual suspects I realized I was in need of something rare...beautiful...refreshing...energetic. My blues hovered around this mystical beverage. So mysterious, I cleared my throat of uncertainty and announced my new beverage adventure to the waiter. Aha! I bet you thought I was going to order beer, or coke, as I eyed him up, embarrassingly waiting for his surprise. Or dismay. I just wanted some flicker in his eye of pride, or happiness that someone was ordering a beverage from the neighboring country, and not some Coca-Cola, or Pepsi. I live in my head a bit much, and perhaps I am just used to people in the U.S. getting excited about a character wanting something different. Or possibly it is a very popular beverage and it is ordered every few minutes so this is not unusual, and I am really over analyzing this moment in my mind...affirmative. Once the drink came to the table, I clung on to the berry flavor, and lamented on how it reminded me of OK soda. My partner had no clue what I was talking about since I lived in a test market, and had the chance to experience things he wasn't privy to. Suicide, or all the flavors combined. I got a raised eyebrow on the former. Apparently, that's not a tempting picture. I shrugged him off, watching the ill described soda slowly trickle into his mouth. I was crossing my fingers that drinking it would induce a roller skating bonanza! which would be me on skates trying to make it happen on cobbled stones. Sad for me, hilarious for everyone else. Someday Cockta, someday.

Night time on the Danube

To say I had an amazing time on my trip is an understatement. Presently, I am not sure there is an adjective that could properly define my adventure. Although I will say one: frustrating. I wished so badly that I could communicate with all these brilliant people I came across. I was fortunate to be a anglophone in this instance, as many spoke it as their second language. Two, there was some self-damnation for having a camera that lacked a viewfinder. Santa already has my wish list for Xmas 2012.

I will kill you.

If there's no more posts, now you know.

Reptiles like to snuggle

It's known that birds can tell other birds based on sight, however, I was unaware that turtles have this capacity as well. Cosmo has grown quite found of "Archie", she does mating rituals with it, and oddly, curls up for a sleep as well. While I'm unsure of the sex of this "Archie", I know she's a fan of the childrens comics bearing the same name.

yeah, that's definitely more reasonable.

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I find myself in the same situation each year, making a list of the year past biggest offenders. Somehow, I allowed myself to continue this oddly destructive behavior. Would it be possible for me to instead elevate my present to positive change? Feeling more and more that all I have done is re-create the scenarios that have made me who I am - unfortunately I wallow in the negative, reminding myself consistently of my failures. How is that? I review my successes, mumbling under my breath how I finally(!) had woken up, and started moving forward to make progress. It has been a journey, indeed, but I am frustrated and generally baffled by this odd situation.

rainy day festivities

Not limited to painting with watercolors, and feasting on roasted butternut squash

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Lately feeling life wind down, all I can see is work with the occasional nap. Internet has been taxing my ability to remain patient. International excursions invade my daydreams, hope they become memories. Fingers drum lightly, the swaying melody isn't sure where it's headed...gathering my tentacles as if they were blackberries...

A couple tips for leading a satisfactory life.

1. Paint: Even if you suck like myself, it releases a great amount of tension, and I find it quite relaxing. It could even lead you to some startling realizations. Ones like, maybe I shouldn't listen to Ravi Shankar while painting.

2. Indulge in Dessert: I sort of do this more often than not. You probably noted this awhile back if you were reading past entries, and think I wear dentures. Here, I am partaking in a lemon bar. I use the excuse that I need my vitamin C.

3. Shoot photographs: I have been tinkering around with a Holga 120S, and I enjoy it. Granted, it does not afford me the ease of a digital due to not seeing each frame; but the lack of instant gratification strengthens my critical eye. Lord knows I don't want to pay fifteen dollars for 12 pictures of my feet.

4. Go to a museum that suits your fancy: I LOVE the Mesozoic era, and there's nothing I find more delight in than prehistoric reptiles. (except for number 2) The Natural History Museum can count on more of my business with this new Dinosaur hall.

5. Act completely ridiculous: I look just like a Joshua tree, don't I?

6. Make faces: Sort of a repeat, but really, does this ever get old? Especially when you do it at a fellow driver who's cussing at you. He most certainly isn't going to expect this.

Whoever thought that "build your own pinhole camera" was a great idea needs to be fed to zombies.

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happy labor day!

I know if you're a MCO, or work in broadcasting, you'll be reading this at work like I'll be doing.

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Possible Maurice replacement?

If you are one of the few that know me personally, or have just read a lot of my blog entries, then perhaps you remember that sweet lil' mooch that lived next door. He would use me for a warm napping area, and a meal, meow his thanks, then dash into the night. He left me feeling used, and a little manipulated, really. Maurice understood the agreement; he was the Part-time cat. He would come in for some meow mix, and in turn, I would get a warm sleeping kitty. It worked. Since then, we both moved away, and I have longed for that mildly symbiotic relationship.

Fast forward to last night: I'm walking into the court yard of my dwelling, and what do I hear? The haunting cries of hunger, and loneliness, that could only belong to a cat, or to someone that was mocking a cat. I frantically waved my arms at her to follow my footsteps. "C'mon, you're gonna wake up the whole building with that howl". She continued her defiant talk, as she sniffed at each door, hoping for a snack. Rolling my eyes, I coerced her to come with me, sweet talking her along the way. Little did she know, I was terribly unprepared. She came in, we snuggled, not before she ransacked my kitchen for a bite. I apologized profusely, and blamed my significant other for his inconsideration when he tossed out a can of cat food. She didn't care, and frankly was not paying the slightest bit of attention. Cosmo, who had commenced her daily annoyances, was now a point of interest.

After wrestling with the collar, I found out her name was Meko. It was very crucial that I discovered her real moniker before I graced her with my own. Especially since I found out that "Maurice" was indeed, a "Pucker". He later explained that after many attempts on his life, the renaming brought him much needed machismo. I would have felt just dreadful gifting him with a name like "pudding", or "skittles". There's a lot of guilt I don't have to concern myself with.

"Meeeeeeow'.

I guess Cosmo is only so entertaining. Meko, now situated at the door, was ready to roam. Apparently, she only enjoys the attainable; since chasing Cosmo and eating a hearty meal were out, so was she.