Moody Meow

• I’m reworking my novel, but I think I told you this already. I’ve taken the characters that I really loved from Liberty, and put them into the same city, but renamed the city, and changed the hierarchy of the characters. With the tense shifts, POV changes, insecure writing, and confusion, most of you never read any of Liberty. Which is really okay, because that’s not the story that wants to be told. My new novel will take place in Shoal, Alabama, which isn’t anywhere near the coast. I don’t know why, but I love that. I’ve been working on it like a mad woman, and now I have to take a break for a bit. My brain is spinning, the emotions are right there…waiting to go to the page. I’m going to take the rest of the night off, but keep pen and moleskine handy, just in case the muse decides to be kind.
• Obama won SC. I have one thing to say: Huzzah! If you need the translation, I can’t talk to you anymore.
• We didn’t get snow this weekend. But we may tonight. I still don’t have a freaking ice-scraper. Stoooopid me!
• C&B and D and I spent time chatting, eating pizza, and playing Munchkin. ONE of these days, I’m going to win that damn game.
• I had a cigarette this weekend. I’m trying not to flog myself.
• I’m already tired of trying to cover up my tattoo.
• I need a hair cut. No, I won’t shave my head again, but a nice cut would be good. I need to tame the madness.
• It’s time for the LAST batch of laundry. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.
• But what makes me happiest !!!!!! I KNOW WHAT I’M WRITING!
• *insert eternal happy dance*
• Huzzah!

I played Halo last night with my sister and D. I realized a few weeks ago that she stopped blogging because of Halo, and I stopped writing. That’s changing. I think video games, at least for me, are like dessert. I’m allowed to have them, in moderation. Moderation isn’t one of my favorite words. Let’s see if I have any will power.

But I need the will power… really I do. I smoked my last ciggy last night, while playing Halo and drinking wine. The new elliptical trainer stared at me. Yes, machinery can stare, especially when you haven’t used it yet. And I admit that I didn’t help D all that much when he was building it. Lex and I were very busy looking for skulls. Don’t worry, it’s a Halo thing

D and Amandapants and I went to Powells yesterday for some book-lovin’. That places chews on my credit card and spits it back out. My addiction isn’t shoes, or the latest fashions (I know, to look at me, you totally wouldn’t get that, would you? *snark*), but I love  books and video games. The last time we went to Powells, I think we spent 50 bucks. We got out easy this time, because I had a list that I tried to stick to. I almost bought this book, but until the casssh starts flowing with the jobby, I won’t blow money on books I don’t technically need. Okay, so I didn’t need another Gaiman book… but I will call it “research.” Hehe…   Amanda loved the place, and I think she’ll make a few return visits.

I hate Old Navy and small children with inattentive parents. There is no excuse for a child who is allowed to lock the doors at a store, leaving customers banging on the glass, trying to get in. There’s no excuse for a child who is allowed to throw a ball in a store, nearly missing several employees and my husband. There is no excuse for a child who pulls all of the JUST folded sweaters on a shelf, just so he can sit in the pile. When I go on my rants about kids, it’s honestly less about the children and more about the parents. And I think that “sales” make people, mostly women, nuts. They were so intent on finding that “deal” that they ignored the pee-pee dances and wailing, and dug through the wrinkled messes, in the search for that perfect shirt. Let me just clue you in, ladies. It’s fucking Old Navy, not Dolce & Gabbana. I shop there because I’m too lazy to shop at other stores. But damn, if I could just get through there one time without having a near panic attack — that would be lovely.

I haven’t downloaded any podcasts for 3 weeks. My computer is being a little pissy as I write this. Who knew it would be so taxing!

So, I am finally able to write about the residency (a word I have a very hard time spelling for some reason). I should write about this stuff on my other blog, but I’ll just keep that for book reviews for now.  It was everything I needed it to be. Sun shone on the chapel, and happy voices filled the Potter-esque cafeteria. When the wine flowed, I got honest with myself and several others. I learned the importance of POV and that there are not original ideas, just ways to reinvigorate them. After discussing thing with my mentor, and analyzing the ideas for my novel, I’ve decided to kill my main character, and focus on the characters that I really like to write — the other protag and the antag. The fun part of this whole thing will be working on their story, without the one character I tried to write. My mentor was just as excited about this whole process as I was. It feels good to be on the right path.

Beyond the writing, because residency is so much more than just the writing, I attended a wonderful class taught by graduating students. One really stood out. She gave us 3 index cards and had us pick a movie, a book, and a myth. On each card we had to write the : protag, antag, theme, setting, and story. Just brief little snippets and descriptions, nothing major. Then we had to mix it up - take the protag and theme from one, add the setting from another, and the antag from the last one. Then we had a brand new story to write. I’m not explaining this very well, but it’s a project I look forward to goofing off with. I’m going to write those cards down for all the books I’ve read, and the movies I have seen. If I can’t find anything to write about, I will dig out the cards and shuffle them about. An idea will fall into my lap, if I am patient.

While I braved the wilds of PA, I ignored the tv news stations, and remained blissfully ignorant of the political bullshit that has become that primaries. Let me just say this: name calling on either side of the isle does nothing to the “discussion” we should be having as Americans. That being said, it is a shame that the media is the true power in this country, not the voter. I’m jaded and bitter because the message that should be out there is : how are we going to make this country better. It shouldn’t be about Hillary crying, or McCain’s stupid bus. People don’t take this shit as seriously as they should, although if you pay attention, it will make you sad.

Oh — and Liberal isn’t a bad word. If you are middle class and think the conservatives really “get” you, you should take a deep, dark look at what that party represents. Be honest…then talk to me.

On another note, I start the job tomorrow. I’m salary. I bought adult clothes (no jeans….sigh), and I am nervous. Miss C was kind enough to invite D and me to dinner, but we had to pass. I have to go brave the wilds of the grocery store and Target. I need more shirts. While I love the tattoo on my chest, it’s a pain in the ass to hide when I go to work. I’m going to wear turtle necks for 3 months. Why 3? After 90 days I am permanent. I know how to play this game.

I would like to say: I love Portland. I missed being home. I’m glad that I finally got a job. And it is interesting how things work out —– when I need something to pull through, it does. But I have to need it first…. it doesn’t come at will. And for that… I am grateful.

Hope you had a groovy weekend.

I wrote briefly about a job interview I had scheduled for today. Well, after meeting with the company at 11 this morning, they called me at 1 for a second interview. In truth, they wanted me to come back in to offer me the job. I wasn’t the most qualified, but they said they liked my attitude (no, I wasn’t snarky — so hush!) and my drive. I’m now the Project Coordinator for a construction firm. Of course, I won’t post the name of the place here, for the sake of anonymity, but suffice to say, it’s a good place to be employed. I had a little tit for tat with the CFO, who is snarky and funny. So I gave him a little back. The benefits are outstanding, and the environment is pretty cool. I think it will be a fun place to work.

I have a LOT more to write, especially about school, but D and I have a date with our favorite veggie restaurant. And I’m a hungry, hungry hippo !

So, I’ve been in a huge funk, been sick, been less than my 100%. But today is the first day of the new year, and I spent it wearing my new necklace, recovering from too much wine and conversation, and cooking my favorite meal. The clouds and cold reminded me why I love this place. The people here are brilliantly colored, like tropical birds. And they soar and preen in the oddest places. And it doesn’t matter how cold it is or how the wind tears at your bones — there will always be a very cute girl in a very cute skirt with the coolest boots. It almost makes me wish I wore leather.

I realize there’s a lot to catch you up on. But I’m not going to. X-mas was great at Lex’s house. My family is amazing. Apparently my father is eager to contact me. I find the cycle interesting — as my relationship with papa-san, the stepfather that never really ended up being my dad, ends — the sperm-donor, my daddy, wants back in. I am willing to see that through, although cautiously. I’ve wounded a lot of people in my time. I hope those wounds healed.

I head to Seton Hill on Thursday, on a red-eye, and I will be gone to school for 7 days. I’m hoping that this will help me move forward. I’ve been stuck in neutral for too long.

I hope you didn’t make resolutions….it’s easier just to change your mind.

And on that note….my onions are burning. Blessed Be

I’m listening to this song. Every time I hear it, it makes me happy.

For all those who stood up and were counted
For all those for whom money was no motive
For all those for whom music was a message
I want to thank you

For making me
A little more sure
A little more wise
And courageous

You told me to look much further
You told me to walk much more
You told me that music matters
And to chase the dogs back from my door

I won’t stop here
I won’t be still until the sun sets
On us all..

Under the sheets with my radio
Turn down low
So nobody know
It’s the late night show
Hopin’ to hear ‘Hey Joe’
Jimi was my hero
Head blown by Todd R. A wizard a true star
From Dali Lama to Tanamo
Curtis Mayfield
to Kurtis Blow
Singing into my pillow
And praying I don’t dose
Until my 9 Volt battery goes..

You told me to look much further
You told me to walk much more
You told me that music matters
And to chase the dogs back from my door

I won’t stop here
I won’t be still until the sun sets
On us all..

You told me to look much further
You told me to walk much more
You told me that music matters
And to chase the dogs back from my door

I won’t stop here
I won’t be still until the sun sets
On us all..

You told me that music matters..
You told me that music matters..
You told me that music matters..
You told me that music matters.

What song makes your day better? I’m having a great day, actually. Working hard on my writing. Looking forward to picking up Amanda tonight. I really need to vacuum, but that’s going to wait. D is at work, so I can listening to my cheesiest music without being tormented ( hehehe)…but he likes this song too. I can see myself singing this loudly in the car. I really do like singing, I just wish I sounded less like a dying cat and more like the woman who sings this… alas. My gift was not a good voice.

PS — if you can - try to find the video for their song “Bombs” — I really like it and it kind of gets me choked up a bit. the imagery is pretty damn cool

*doin happy dance*

A placement company that I’ve been watching just e-mailed me for an interview. They want to place me permanently and one of the jobs was for a Jr. Tech Support/admin position. Dude — that’s essentially what I was doing before!! WHOSE YOUR DADDY!?!?!?

*note: I’ve been manic for 2 days…so pardon the overabundance of excitement*

I go in on Monday.

And they guy I spoke with on the phone heard my dogs (who decided to go apeshit over nothing), and said he brings his dogs into work and that I could meet his puppy on Monday!

I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!

Mmm okay… Ineed to get off this cloud and get back to work.

The tide is turning….I can feel it

I fucked up with school in a big way, so I’m digging myself out of the muck and mire and trying to get back on track. It’s hard right now. I thought not being in Florida for my first holiday would be a breeze, but I kind of miss driving on the 408 as the sun sets, bitching about the fact that its still hot in November. It just feels really strange to be me right now. We are isolated. Without jobs (more on that later), we have buried oursevles deep in this experieince, but it’s not working out as we wished. I don’t regret leaving Florida. Being stuck on a hamster-wheel of mediocrity for almost a decade really helped spurr this forward motion we have now. But I feel stuck again. That will change.

We got some great news this week. D just took a 1 month contract from Nike for some work. We are so freaking broke right now, it’s not even funny, so this is a great break for us. It’s just contract work, and a limited term at that, but it’s something and it will keep us in tofu and heat for one more month. After that, it’s back to the grind of finding jobs. As for me, I’m blanketing Portland with my resume, but nothing’s come of it yet. As many times as I’ve rewritten it, I thought I would have a bite by now, but it’s all for nothing. I’m hopeful some of the recent positions I applied for will pan out. Gotta keep the chin up, that’s all we can do.

It snowed on Saturday!. Yeah, it was for 5 minutes, and nothing stuck on the ground — but I live somewhere it snows! How freaking awesome is that? Mt. Hood is blanketed by the snow now. I wish we had the money to go skiing (and the car — Vader won’t make it up the mountain without snow tires) , but that’s for next year.

We saw the Golden Compass on Saturday. I will just tell you that I loved it, and I haven’t read the books. D didn’t care for it and he’s read the books. He said the movies lacked the depth of the novels, and that we were spoiled by Peter Jackson’s interpretations of the LOTR novels . I didn’t care. I had a lot of “holy shit that was cool” moments, and I left the theatre happy. They played the Narnia preview - I hated the first movie. I won’t see the second.

So, I’m still cat-sitting. Bax and Margo are in my very lovely basement, chillin out with the fluffy pillows and blankets and every single cat toy in my house. They are here because Bax was taking out his anger at Amandapants on her clothing and peeing on her bed. We thought the basement would be easier for them. They’ve been there before, when Amanada moved to Portland, and because it’s not their home territiory, I didn’t think they would be as apt to show their displeasure. I was wrong. I went downstairs yesterday morning. Both a shoe box and my empty laundry basket had piss in them. Then I woke up this morning to find Valentine pissing in my sink! WTF? It’s nearly kitty death time.

Okay, now that I’m caught up on stuff, I eagerly await the arrival of miss C and Amanapants so that my crew gets back in town.Have a great Tuesday.

Happy Belated Burpday to Miss Hollie!! Sorry honey! I totally spaced.

And I think Julie got married this weekend…so congrats love!

I really should pay more attention to my iCal

this is an “ish” recipe. But this is kind of a guesstimate.

• 10 roma or plum tomatoes
• 5 regular tomatoes (vine ripened ones —- I don’t know the names, I just use the pretty ones)
• 1 regular yellow onion
• 8 cloves of garlic-ish (I usually use a full head because I love garlic)
• 10 jalapenos — try to get a few red ones…it helps the color. I usually go half and half — de-rib and seed them if you don’t want it as spicy
• 1 tlbs apple cider vinegar
• salt to taste

Put the oven to broil.

Clean the veggies. Put the jalapenos and maters on a broiling pan and put it in the oven on the 2nd highest rack setting. You are going to roast those bad boys until they are soft and have some black on them. I honestly can’t tell you the time. I cook them my touch rather than time.

When everything is roasty and toasty, pull it out of the oven, and put them to the side to cool.

Set the oven to 400 - slice the onion thick, and unravel all the layers into a glass baking pan. Also put in the garlic cloves, which are NOT cut. Bake until the garlic is soft and the onions start to get transluscent. They will get a little golden, which is good, it adds sweetness.

After everything cools, bust out your food processor.  Blend the onions and garlic and peppers until you get a good consistancy. I like mine kind of thick, so it blends into a paste. Put that aside.

In the food processor, put the meat of the tomatoes — not the seeds and the core. I put in the meat and the skin. I like the charred flavor myself. Blend until you like the consistency.  Now here is the pain in the ass part. I like the juice, but the tomato seeds gross me out, so I press the seedy mess through cheesecloth, and add that liquid to the tomoatoes. This takes a long time and it always hurts my hands, but it is well worth it.

Mix everything in a bowl- tomatoes, garlic/onion/pepper mess, tomato juice, and the apple cider vinegar. Then add salt to taste.

Enjoy!

It’s been a crazy few days. Amandapants came back from her trip, only to find that her pissed off kitties pissed on her pillows. We spent the next few hours doing laundry. Then we went to dinner. It didn’t sit well with her, but she said she enjoyed the place I felt bad.

Lex, due to come to help me with the sewing machine again on Saturday, slept till 4 on , when she finally woke up, she threw (and I giggle at that image) the kids in the pimpmobile, and hauled ass down here. Meanwhile, Amandapants finished laundry. But on Saturday I think we finally solidified the menu for Thanksgiving. Lex and Amanda are working around the menu with me. This whole thing is  big deal to me. I live to entertain. Besides, D and I went to his familys’ house every year, and then we hung out with friends. This time around,  we are in a new city without that circle we used to have. It feels good to have the family here. My only concern is that my brother in law is allerigc to cats. I’m going to be vaccuuming the shit out of my house.

I printed out my novel (I’m working on it) and Amanda was here.

“Is that it?”

“What?”

“Your novel?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I just got goosebumps”

It’s hard to think about everything I need to do to this thing, but I’m still working on it.

Lex decided against going to Colorado for Xxxxmas. What does that mean? We are heading up to Tacoma (with Amanda in tow) to do the HappyJesusDay with them. Hopefully my family will come, at least my Mom. She’s hoping papasan will show up, but I doubt he will if he knows I’m going to be there. Then again, he may surprise me, because he loves his grandson more than almost anyone. I’m not sweating it though. I’ll be happy to be near the fam again.

D and I may have some great news in the coming weeks. Cross your fingers and your toes for us.

My nephews played Ratchet and Clank on my PS3. I have an egg timer. They can only play for an hour, but let me tell you, they had a good-ass time with that hour.

It  stopped raining. After I make dinner, I think I am due for a good run.

Now, It’s time to make salsa!

I owe that bitch a beer, and a hug when she gets back. She’s going to be in Cleveland until tomorrow, and when she gets home, we are going to a bar she found (it’s not like there aren’t a million here), and we will celebrate. Her cats have missed her terribly. I have too. We have had our spats, butted heads, and been ready to throw things at each other — but she is like family to me. I can’t wait for Thanksgiving when she’s going to be right in the middle of the maddness with our family. It all works.

I’ve run 2 days in a row now. Taking responsibility for my illness is hard most of the time. I want to just take a pill, and then feel better. Not having insurance, a job, or money kind of kills that possibility. The solution is moving my ass. I’m not running fast, or elegantly, but my  heart rate rises and I can feel my muscles moving. It’s good stuff. D walks the dogs the opposite route through the park. They are good running partners, but they are easily distracted, so they often yank my arms off. The new game is called “hunt for mommy.” D lets them off the lead and they run up to all the runners looking for me. If Pip sees me, he hauls ass. I should take a video or something, because he can REALLY run. What’s amazing is that he can jump high enough to hit D’s shoulder, and he does it just for fun. I love my doggies.  If you know anything about me at all, you know that I love Ein dogs.  There are several that frequent the park. No matter how hard I’m running, or how out of breath I am, I laugh and smile each time I see my beagles, or the Corgis. They simply make me happy.

This is where I stop being a total slacker and I get back into the groove of everyday writing. I almost applied to write for Portland Metroblogging, but I thought it would be silly. I can’t get myself to write every day right now, so why add another stress when I have a shitload of stuff to do for school?

The Halloween Party - My sister and Amanadapants did my hair, put my makeup on, and cursed the gods because I look cute when I’m trying to dress up as preggers white trash. I’m still trying to figure that out. Was that really a compliment, or were they just being nice because I was wearing a mu-mu, and a girl needs all the love she can get in that kind of outfit. Amanda was a man —- the best part — her freaking chest hair. She has the pictures. When she gets back from traveling for work, I will share. Overall we had fun. Lex and D and I stayed up till almost 4 in the morning, giggling while we smoked in the fireplace and recalling the days of our past. It was small, and a good starter-party for the coming years. I can’t wait till next year.

Writing for school - I am plodding through some reviews and critiques. I already have a list of books I want/need/lust for after we get jobs. When I wrote the reviews of the books I read for the semester on my other site, the author of one of the books responded. I love the internet. I’ve got a lot of work to do (what’s new?) but I think I can manage it.

Thanksgiving -  My family is coming to the house for a nice dinner of tofurkey and roasted animal flesh. I’m not eating any of their fleshy stuff, but I’m going to make them ALL try the tofurkey. It’s a must in my house. I’m very excited. My Mom’s never seen this place, and my little brother needs to fall in love with Portland so I can get him to move here. That’s a part of their visit, although he’s not aware yet that his sisters are going to be beating him down with the idea of moving away from Colorado. With the demise of my parents’ marriage, I honestly think it would be best if he got the hell out of dodge. Granted, Mom would be alone in Colorado, but it’s not that far from here to there. Mom and littlebro are flying into Seattle to meet up with Lex and her family. Then they are driving down the Wednesday before thanksgiving, and then they will spend the night here. But it gets more and more exicitng. Lex and I met a couple when we went to Colorado in August (remember the trip to “save” my brother?). They were staying at the B&B and we  ended up hanging out with them all night, exchanging numbers, and promising to hook up again. They travel a lot, and coincidentally they were at the B&B  the other night. Normally they come to Portland (they live in Houston) for  Thanksgiving. She’s got family here, but they planned on staying @ home because her family is going out of town. They are very tight with Mom, so when Mom told them she was coming to Portland, they decided to come anyway. So, Angel and Chris will be another addition to the insanity at my house. As it stands now we will have: Me, D, Mom, Lex + 5, littlebro, Amandapants, Angel and Chris. It’s going to be madness, and fun. I’ve got “that” kitchen where everyone can hang out. I’m going to try to set up the basement for the spawnlings (oh yes — ALL three of them) so they can play without being bothered. I really can’t wait.  (that was very incoherent, but I’m too lazy to edit right now…so hush)

Cat Sitting - Amandapants is out of town for her new job. I’m watching her kitties. Poor Bax is seriously depressed. I think he misses her. She’s going to be back in two weeks, and when she is home, I think I am going to ground her to her house. Her kitties miss her. But I do love going to her apartment. It’s cute.

I’ve got a creature community in my back yard now. My squirrel feeder is feeding not only the two species of squirrels, but finches, this small black and white bird and a wierd kind of bluejay/raven thing that’s freaking huge. It’s also attracted the neighbor’s cat. The freaking thing is stalking all my little animal friends, so I send Pip out after his/her ass. Pip LOVES to chase things. It makes him happy, so now he sits on the gold chair and stares out the back window, waiting for that stupid cat.

Oh, and I beat Ratchet and Clank. I love that game.

Now I’m off to make enchiladas. More semi-interesting crap tomorrow.

I could say all kinds of flowery stuff, give you a list of things I love about him, or go on and on. But it’s very simple.

As of today, I’ve been married to D for 3 years. And they have been the best, years of my life.

I love you Snoogs.

Happy Anniversary.

PS - Happy Halloween to all.

Have a blessed Samhain.

It’s a kid’s movie, but it looks pretty badass. Anything with witches and familiars and I am in.

We’ve noticed chalk writing creeping down the familiar streets of our neighborhood, and then the writing came to our door. (I took pictures, but I will upload them later).

And by the way, if you have certain jobs, you could be more prone to depression. I should tell my brother about this. Maybe he’ll get out of the service industry.

This is soooo damn cute. I’m easily amused.

I finishes all of my critiques. Some of them were good, and some of them were painful to read. I am amazed at how muddled a story can become when people are rushed. Admittedly, I suffer the same fate when I push things to the end. So, I am writing ahead of time now, trying to get the best draft possible now, and not at the last minute.

For all you Florida people, today is the most amazing fall day in Portland. It’s clear and cool and beautiful. The sun is out. A sweet wind kisses the air, and I can smell the savory scent of burning wood from fireplaces throughout the neighborhood. My pictures can’t do today justice. I won’t even try.

That’s all from the west coast. Perhaps tomorrow I will be more inspired to write, but I’m waiting for D to get home so we can finish watching the Heroes dvds (I’m a junkie) before starting on the new season. I’m such a nerd-burger

May all your x-box wishes come true. And today, I shall call you and sing to you, because I am that kind of an asshole!

I love you little butthead!

I fell asleep at 8:30 this morning (I just got up, and it’s just after 12). I know that sounds awful, but if I could show you the colors of my mood from yesterday to today — you would be impressed. I think I can call myself a nice emerald green. Yesterday, I felt more pea green, all puke-colored and watery. So, it doesn’t make much sense. Shuddup. I feel better. And that’s just that. D is making me pancakes and fakin. I’m drinking my juice and planning my day. It’s going to be a good one.

I’m re-planning my novel. The core story that I wrote back in the spring that started my whole idea is the best part of what I’ve written. I am trying to take into account that I’ve edited the hell out of it, and it has a lot more flavor than the rest of my stuff, but my workshop group seems unenthusiastic with the beginning part of the novel. My solution is to retype the whole thing. That may seem kind of extreme, but for me, it’s cathartic and brings clarity. Besides, I have to change the tense. Everyone wants it in past tense. I’m still not sure how I feel about that, but I am going to do it for now and see how it feels when its finished.

C and I spent the other night in the NW part of the city - in her favorite neighborhood. We had dinner (of french fries) and drinks at a place called Gypsy. It was quiet there. The interior glowed with warm light, and I loved most of the music they played. Although, then they later rocked it out with Guns and Roses - not one of my favorites. Throughout the night, C and I were smiled at and talked to by strangers. But people in Portland are just like that. An older gentleman and his companion parked next to our table (we were sitting outside) and he asked me, jokingly, to keep an eye on the car. His smile warmed me. Then two very interesting suits came up and sat with us, well next to us. I didn’t offer our table. That would have been too familiar, but they sat in the table next to us. You could tell their change in demeanor once they saw our wedding rings. It’s funny how that happens.

**later in the day

I feel a lot better now. D and I rode. It took me forever, but the route is beautiful, if a little hairy in some places. We have to go over this short flyover with a very thin bike lane and fast cars, but beyond that it is the river, rolling hills, and lots of neighborhood scenery. The river is amazing. gnarled, twisted wood juts out of the water in random spots and because the river is low, you can see where old docks once sat. Now they are just remnants, but beautiful ones. The bike trail, and the river for that matter, run parallel to the airport. So when you ride it feels like the planes are going to land on you. It’s fun to watch them, although I should pay attention to where I am riding rather than the behemoths overhead.

Due to my blues and my lack of progress with school, we are going to forgo Foolscap. It hurts me to do this, but we just don’t have the time. D and I are going to head up to Tacoma to see Lex and the fam, but only for one day. She’s made a lot of treks down here to see us, so it’s our turn. It should be fun.

CONGRATS TO AMANDAPANTS!! She got hired by Progressive and starts next month. She rocks.

And C & B head to the coast for their anniversary trip. I’m sure she will take a million fantastic photos for us to drool over. That girl has an eye that is unrivaled.

And now that I am going to make dinner. We are starving after that ride. Have a good night all…

Tonight, I went to Powell’s in Beaverton to listen to him speak about his new book Little Grrl Lost. He read from the first chapter, and although it’s a YAF book, I am thinking that I would like to read it. I renewed my love for his writing. My two favorite books of his are Trader and Memory and Dream. They really inspired me. And these many years since I first read them, I am re-inspired to write again. He talked a little about writing as a craft - as an art. He seemed so at peace with his focus and his art. I guess that comes with time although he said that it is harder with each book he writes - letting go of the characters and such. I hope, pray, wish, desire to be in a place where the next peice will be harder than the next. If only I could finish this novel with peace and passion, or is that asking too much as an artist? D and I are going to Foolscap next week. I think I need it, and it will be so much fun listening to him and Charles Vess. I don’t know what to expect really, but I hope it is another night like tonight. A night full of conversation and where I hide in the back rows, trying not to be noticed.

We went to C&B’s house. I watched them play Heavenly Sword, and got my ass handed to me in Puzzle Fighter. Of all the strange things and feelings that have come over me since the move, the one thing I am truly grateful for is that some of my posse are here with me in Portland. It feels good knowing I can shoot on over to their house, drink wine and laugh till I snort, then head home to our fuzzies. It’s just a good feeling!

I have work that must get done today. Must. Get. Done.

and then tomorrow we (the posse) are heading to the NW part of the city to see this (thanks to C!!), and then everyone is coming over for enchiladas.

Oh, and I made more salsa. It’s VERY different from my other stuff, because the water content of the tomatoes was higher. It’s slightly sweet too. The experimentation continues.

• The squirrels have finally arrived at my feeder. Happiness.
• D and I found my favorite Zin again… but we are calling it Follie of Doom.
• I haven’t had a hang over like that in eons.
• When a drunk E says “just one more bottle” — it’s a bad thing.
• I love playing dominoes.
• Puzzle games are crack.
• B makes damn good pizza.
• The raccoons here are massive
• I hope Frankie does well in NY
• Sometimes, all you need is some salsa
• Congrats to Miss Amandapants! She gotta job!
• She also has a blog — and will update it if I have to beat her!
• This is a little scary. Jeesus.
• We went here yesterday. Nice store - amazing jewelry.
• Happy trails to Hollie who’s in Dallas now
• Things like this make me want to cry.
• Yet another reason I want a PS3
• We bought a compass so I don’t get lost in the city.
• It’s huge.
• The Parks near my house are amazingly beautiful.
• It’s time to get to work.

An additional reason why I love living here — Charles DeLint - my favorite author will be doing a book signing on the 14th @ the Beaverton Powells. How cool is that ?

I don’t normally do that fan-atic type of stuff, but I’ve really loved his writing for a number of years. Knowing me, I will get to shy to get an autograph of his book, but perhaps I will grow some balls for once.

This is chunky… I’m not up to editing.

I’ve taken to this whole “unemployed” thing. I spend my days reading, exploring the city, writing, and today I will garden. The yard is a blank canvas. It needs some love. We went to Home Depot the other day, Friday I think, and when I tried to pick up a bag of garden soil, my bare toe caught the wooden pallet. I ripped a chunk of it open. It bled profusely. D looked very worried as I insisted that we continue to shop for a trowell and a little shovel. My toe is fine. I’m wearing a pirate band-aid. And today I will plant my jasmine and the johnny jump-ups that I stole from my mother. Actually, she dug them up for me, but I thought it fitting that she gave me flowers.

Speaking of things from Mom. My mother has a major stash of jewelry. Much of it is costume, sparkley and dated, things that I don’t really want. But she has pieces, like a few opals, that I lust after. Then there were the bangles. See, when I decided that I wanted to wear bracelets again (yes, this was an active decision), I searched high and low for jangly bangles. I couldn’t remember where I got the longing from, but now I remember. My mother wore a set of 9 or so when I was a child. They sounded cheerful. Lex and I went through Mom’s stuff, with her permission of course. She sat with us, told us the stories behind some of the pieces. We saw things that Mom wore when we were kids, and some awful charms we bought her. She still has the Gonzo charm, and the little frog. Kids don’t have much taste. Then she pulled out the bangles. I traded my traveler’s bracelet. It means a lot to me, but I love that Mom’s wearing it now. And on my wrist, the happy bangles jangle, and I think of her and my childhood.

The road trip with Lex was fun. I took some amazing pictures of rocks in Utah ( I really do hate that state), but I drove a lot of the way, so I don’t have very many pictures. We spent a lot of time with Mom, and we had some good discussions. One thing I will have to do in the future is to protect the posts about my family. I refuse to let my contemplations and observations to be used as weapons against my family. Unfortunatly, that could and would happen. So, I get to talk shit as usual, I’m just going to limit who sees what. The password will be different this time, but e-mail me when I post somehting and you are curious.

D and I went to C and B’s house last night. He has a PS3 —- I WANT ONE! So purdy. *stars in eyes*

Now, before I go and eat.. a list for you.

• D fixed the garbage disposal. Yay!
• Bean dip is a good dinner.
• Stumptown coffee is the best.
• I’m now addicted to Portland Metroblogging
• I was a part of Orlando Metroblogging for 5 minutes, but I didn’t write (I had my senior thesis to finish) so they cut me off.
• Ooops
• I’m dreaming of more tattoos
• I don’t have enough walls for all of my stuff
• We need to get the fireplace serviced.
• The birds still don’t like my birdfeeder.
• I’m smoking too much these days
• We finished unpacking finally.
• I still don’t have a place for my cds
• The beagles love C’s house.
• They are especially fond of running up and down the stairs.
• I really missed C and B while I was gone.
• We are planning a big Thanksgiving with family and friends
• Although we don’t usually celebrate holidays, I think I can make an exception this time.
• We went to the worst and best restaurant on the same night.
• It’s coffee time.