the story is in the soil

Jim Hensen meets Jónsi

2010-05-20T01:09:00.001-06:00

If Jim Hensen was still alive, he would've loved this video. If you don't know who Jim Hensen is, he's the creator/founder/artistic director for the Muppets, Sesame Street, and even Labrynth with David Bowie. And if you don't know who Jonsi is, you need to. He's the lead from a little band known as Sigur Ros. One of the best (probably the best to my knowledge) things to ever come out of Iceland. And now, he's out doing solo work. It's so nice to see true artistic expression-true joy in music. Go get a cd of Jonsi, or vinyl if you prefer. Help support musicians.

Broken Social Scene

2010-05-20T00:55:00.002-06:00

Check out Broken Social Scene! Their recent album brings back all the glory I found in them back in the day. If you're a BSS fan-you'll enjoy this new album that explores the depths of their complexities, and exposes their efforts to form symphonic beauty out of chaos. Enjoy.

Cry Baby

2010-05-20T00:12:00.003-06:00

If there's one type of movie that inevitably makes me emotional, it's got to be sports movies. I know-cheesy, bad acting, bad scripts, etc. But for some reason, the memories I have of my own athletic history (and my dad being a coach) get at me when I watch sports movies. It doesn't really matter what sports movies...Remember the Titans, Hardball, Glory Road, the Gridiron Gang, Hoosiers...

...if the movie has some lead actor that is trying his hand at comedic atheltics (aka Waterboy)-only tears of frustration and pain exit my eyes. One movie that gets me every time is Coach Carter. I know that it's extremely cheesy, but for some reason, I get so inspired by these flicks. Here's a speech given by one of the inner city players on Coach Carter, right after he's had an ephiphany about the direction of his life, and when he can turn to no one else-he turns to his coach.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
Thank you Sir, you saved my life.”

Proud Brotha

2010-05-13T15:03:00.010-06:00

I'm so proud of my sister. Kayleigh Sye is amazing on many different levels. I can't believe she's graduated college, and even a semester early! She's engaged and now has a three year old daughter. Basically, she's passed me up really quickly. The unfortunate thing is that she is back in Pomeroy for the duration of the summer. What a buzz killer. I'm praying that she doesn't get trapped there! I love her so much, and can't wait for the future.

Highschool Kayleigh.

Collegiate Kayleigh.

Little Kayleigh.

To infinity, and beyond...

Kayleigh Sye, love you.

Back to Boise

2010-05-13T14:32:00.006-06:00

I know that it has been an extremely long time since I've blogged. But I hope to get started doing it again. Since you last heard from me, I've wrapped up in Olympia, and moved my way back to Boise, Idaho. I know it doesn't make sense. I'm back in Idaho working on my Masters in Cultural Communication, and hope to be done sooner than later. But the plus is that I am back in Hyde Park-and really like my house. I love being so close to Camel's Back and to Harrison. It's the best play you could live in Boise.

I am still working for Abercrombie and Fitch, specifically in the Hollister here in Boise. It's been difficult because there's no way to move up in the company while I'm here, but I am just seein' how things pan out. My co-workers are interesting-to say the least.

I have just finished up semester number one at Boise State University, and have never experienced so much anxiety over school in my life. I am hoping that the Fall turns out quite differently. But we will see if that happens or not. Have learned lesson after lesson about grad school and how to survive in it.

Even though I know a ton of people in the area, I also know that being connected and staying connected has been a challenge. Keeping up those relationships take time and effort. I am happy to have rekindled some great friendships being back, and I'm settling into a great community of friends. I can't wait to see how things grow and develop.

Stay tuned for:
New friends coming back!
New work stories filled with ridiculous characters.
New reviews on the places that have opened up since I was here last.
Oh ya, and other new stuff.

Don't Pass the Chuck

2009-11-23T18:27:00.004-07:00

Probably my favorite author of this time, could be attributed to none other than Chuck Klosterman. He's written so many books that challenge every aspect of my intellect. Strangely, I first got turned on to his literary genius through a little show known as, the O.C. Seth Cohen was reading, perhaps his most famous book, "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs". I can honestly say, that this book was the first book I have ever read that coaxed genuine laughter out of me. It's a rather strange oddity when you're sitting by yourself, reading, and can't stop laughing. Chuck's satire is unparalleled in my opinion. He has also written books including: "Fargo Rock City: A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota", "Killing Yourself to Live", "Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas", "Eating the Dinosaur", and the book I'm currently enjoying, "Downtown Owl".

Perhaps it's because I grew up in a town not too different from Owl, North Dakota, or it may be Klosterman's subtle wit and ability to transfix the reader, transporting them into his own world. This is his first published stab at writing a full, fiction novel. I'm not done with it yet, but am enjoying it immensly. I've been so busy re-reading books that have movies coming out this season (i.e. New Moon, the Road, Precious, etc.) Now back to Chuck.

Lately...

2009-11-23T16:24:00.002-07:00

...I've been watching the following. Sometimes, I get home from work, and my motivation level is next to zero. So what happens...I read, eat, or watch television. Here are a few snippets of things that have entertained me.

Kathryn and Legacy from So You Think You Can Dance...not a season I've been watching much. But I did manage to catch this dance and loved it. It's supposed to be about a girl dealing with grief...it was beautiful.

The ridiculously hilarious new, primetime sitcom "Glee" cracks me up. The storylines are always a little vacant, but the performances are so funny. Here's a good mindless video to take you back.

Today on the Ellen Show...a really funny segment with a cute Chinese girl. Sarah, you will see a lot of these little kids soon.

Thank Goodness for Moms

2009-11-09T17:16:00.015-07:00

After looking at my friend Dusty's page, I saw that he took part in this hilarious exercise down memory lane. Evidentally, by the magic of technology, we can see how ridiculous we would've looked had it not been for our moms telling us we couldn't get a certain haircut, or piercing, or shirt. Mom...thank you!

I've always wanted dreads. After seeing this picture, maybe I'm rethinking that. I think I look like an extra from the Pauly Shore movie, Encino Man.

This is the Tiger Woods version of me...a Blasian.

When everyone wanted to be Zach Morris...ah...thank goodness I never had this ridiculous hair!

Is this an AC Slater look-a-like contest?

Um...I still see this hairdo on many people. They just shop at Walmart and aren't male.

Bahahahaha!

Carrot top...not really an Asian haircut.

Kelly will you please cut my hair like this? Haha.

In honor of MJ.

My dad had this hair.

I've never noticed before...but I look like that guy in all the tabs that they're saying is a "bad father" or "reckless parent"...what's his name again...oh ya...John.

No words.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to bring this hairstyle back.

Hope you laughed. I certainly did...am. Thanks for sharing Dusty. This was too funny!

Movie Quiz...why not.

2009-11-09T16:39:00.003-07:00

1What's the best sports movie? Hoosiers obviously
2What chick flick can you watch over and over? Sleepless in Seattle (I love my city)
3As far as musicals go, which one transcends? White Christmas will always be
4What movie can always make you cry? hmmm...any sports movie
5What's your favorite holiday movie? Love Actually
6What movie are you always in the mood for? Harry Potter
7Which movie can you quote in your sleep? Home Alone
8What movie brings back all of your childhood memories? The Goonies
9What movie do you wish they would remake? Wizard of Oz (c'mon Tim Burton)
10Even though most sequels don't fair too well, what movie deserves a sequel? The Incredibles
11What disaster movie do you love most? Twister
12TV on DVD can bring a series to life. What series do you enjoy most? the OC or Law and Order SVU
13Which movie was the bigest let down for you? The Secret Life of Bees
14What was the last movie you saw in the theatre? Where the Wild Things Are
15What movie are you most looking forward to seeing? The Road or Pirate Radio

Bringin' Back the Train

2009-11-09T15:51:00.003-07:00

The other day while I was watching 106 & Park on BET-yes, you heard me right-they did a modern day soul train. It looked like so much fun. We were talking about it at work, and everyone was telling me that soul train is what people of color do while midwesterners do the dance-line...or mambo. This made me truly bust a gut. And you know I'm not tryin to get down with the mambo, chicken dance, or macarena.

As the holidays quickly approach, I've been getting excited for all of my favorite Christmas movies. I think that it's really hard to make a good, quality Christmas movie these days. The classics are just too good. One that I did discover last Christmas that I enjoy, also features a soul train. Here's a clip. Enjoy.

Can you imagine doing a soul train with your family? Might be the funniest thought ever. I think that Christmas at the Wilde's might need to implement this tradition into their holiday traditions.

Asleep

2009-09-10T17:24:00.003-06:00

I know this song can seem a bit depressing, and the video is super old and a little out-dated. But I think that's what makes it great. The Smiths are one of the greatest bands in the last few decades...ya dig?

We don't krump...we jerk.

2009-08-23T16:21:00.002-06:00

This video is a couple of people from work. They're jerkin'. If you haven't heard of it already...jerkin' is the new scene dance. Get it.

Thanks for the Challenge Joey

2009-08-20T16:51:00.003-06:00

Use only the titles of songs of ONE ARTIST or BAND and cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat songs.

Pick your Artist: Bright Eyes (of course)

Describe yourself:
I Will Be Grateful for this Day

How do you feel:
Don't Know When But a Day is Gonna Come

Describe where you live:
Spent on Rainy Days

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
At the Bottom of Everything

Your favorite form of transportation:
Reinvent the Wheel

Your best friend is:
A Scale, a Mirror and those Indifferent Clocks

You and your best friends are:
Patient Hope in New Snow

What's the weather like:
Lime Tree

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
No One Would Riot for Less

What is life to you:
Down in a Rabbit Hole

Your greatest fear:
Falling Out of Love at this Volume

What is the best advice you have to give:
The Movement of a Hand

Thought for the Day:
An Attempt to Tip the Scales

How I would like to die:
Easy/Lucky/Free

My soul's present condition:
All of the Truth

My motto:
Sunrise, Sunset

I could've used some more cliche songs, but felt these were a better fit. Especially in the actual lyrics of the songs...so if you feel bored, and want to check out more search Bright Eyes lyrics and be awed.

Road Trip(s)

2009-06-11T17:24:00.014-06:00

I have been terribly bad about blogging lately, but I have been super busy. My company transferred me to ghetto Tacoma to try and turn business around there. It has been an extremely hard transition because of my lack of desire to be commuting. I have taken trips to Pomeroy, the Tri-Cities, Portland, and LA. I needed the vacations, so I'm very happy to have gotten the chance. Unfortunately, right when I returned home, I had to report to my new location...Tacoma.

I am really hoping that Tacoma is a short stay for me. I really do like my management team. Kyla and Alex are great. It's also a lot of fun to be in a mall with multiple brands...feels more like a community. It's a much bigger volume area, so that also helps. Still, I am praying for temporary stationing.

My trip home to Pomeroy was rather hilarious. I did get a chance to see a lot of friends from high school that I haven't seen for years!
Nikki Utke, Melissa and Jon Borley, Colin, Justin, Nick and Craig, Courtney, Corrie and Crystal, Clint and Jess, Brandon and Megan...and their cute daughter Olivia. Visiting my hometown is always a comical experience for me simply because I have changed so much, and it has not. Everyone still lives exactly where they always have. The majority of people still use dial-up internet. My visit was announced weeks before I got there, so my arrival was expected. I got a chance to go back to my high school and see some of my favorite teachers...and some of my least favorites. Haha. It was a surreal experience to sit in the teachers' lounge listening to them all talk about how great my graduating class was. I swear they have thought more about it than any of us have.

After Pomeroy, I got a chance to go to the Tri-Cities and see my grandparent's house. It was so much fun to spend time with them! We went and saw an amazing movie, "the Soloist". What an amazing story! My uncle Jeff has actually had the chance to interact with Steve Lopez from the LA Times. After the movie, grandad, grandma, and I went home and had a couple mini sandwiches. I don't know if I can really describe it, but the sandwiches somehow took on an overwhelming nostalgic attribute. I'm pretty sure it is the rolls and the sweet cucumber pickles.

Quickly after that, I went to spend a couple days in Portland. I got to see my friends Dane, Charles, Spicer, Katie, Becky, and my mom. After a dance party, a new introduction to a coffee shop off MLK, and the Deschutes' Brewery Restaurant...my trip was rounded out. Spending that time with my mom was so refreshing! I had an amazing time, and long for the days when those sorts of visits can be more frequent.

I had a quick few days of work back in Olympia, then off to LA I went. The first day I got to LA, my aunt Wendy picked me up from the airport. We went to this great little place simply named "Home". It was a great restaurant with an array of delightful dishes. We also got to go pick up my cousins Caleb and Maggie at their school on Mt. Los Angeles. Caleb had no idea that I was coming to visit, so his face was priceless! Later that night I hooked up with Brian Gould and hung out at his place in Pasadena. I kid you not...the dinner Mike made for us...I would've paid good money for! Brian is lucky to have Mike. Marc later met up with us and we explored the wonderful Pasadena strip. I wouldn't mind living there at all. Marc and I spent the next few days around Hollywood. We hiked to the Observatory, went to the art museum, the Getty, checked out the greatest music store this side of the Mississippi, and got to experience Glendale, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and many other places.

Here's Marc at the Observatory.

After walking the Promenade out at Santa Monica, we took a night view of the pier.

Marc's Bailey's pancakes at the Griddle.

Glendale...right after watching Star Trek and eating out...but we passed a really hilarious taco shack, if only we would've known.

Marc and I spotted David Hasselhoff on our way to get music and coffee. He was shopping in Urban Outfitters of all places.

Brian, Marc, and I spotted this on Venice Beach...right by Muscle Beach ironically enough.

One of my favorite things about LA and its surrounding areas is that there is literally art everywhere you look. This is right by a bus stop in WeHo.

Had to get me some new glasses for the LA look.

Visiting Andrew at Red Bull in Santa Monica was such a turning point for me. That structure above their heads is a huge skate ramp. Behind them is a huge gaming room and to the left of them is a mini-theatre...what you don't see is people riding from office to office on their bright orange cruisers and pit-stopping at one of the many freezers full of Red Bull (which doesn't really have cocaine in it). Thanks for the Red Bull Cola, Gomez.

So, there are way too many stories to tell you about my time in California, but there were a few pictures from my time there. If you want to hear some crazy stories, hit me up, and we'll chat.

My Day Off

2009-04-22T16:20:00.009-06:00

Yesterday, I got to have an actual day off from work! It was so great! First off, I went to the gym, then to a meeting for work, then to brunch. Then Megan and I went to find luggage for her. Right after that, I ran into a new friend, Cameron, and hung with him at the park. Then I went back to the apartment to pick up Tyler, and was rather proud of myself for accomplishing so much before noon. Anyway, once Tyler got up and showered, we left for Alki.

Once we made it to Alki, we parked and mosied along the boardwalk. The beach was so glorious! The weather has definitely been good to Western Washington lately. People playing volleyball, laying out, and sailing. All things done on a normal Tuesday afternoon.

Later in the day, things got a lot busier. But for the time being, we shared the beach with only a select few. We decided to eat at this little hut. And to my surprise, the food was amazing!

On our way back to the beach, we spotted a tattoo shop. Tyler had to get one. So...Twise got his first tattoo. What do you think?

Directly after that process, we met Tal for a little dinner at Black Bottle in Belltowne. What a fantastic day it was.

Ode to a Squeeze It

2009-04-04T16:45:00.005-06:00

How I miss thee,
Dearest Squeeze-It.
The crazy faces that you had.

How I miss thee,
Juice of wonder,
the greatest refreshment fad?

Your flavors running wild,
amix the plentiful sweet.

Your crazy bottled figure
of which you cannot beat.

Juice boxes are so boring.
Your absence is so sad.

Cherry, Lime, and Blue...
Your flavors remain rad.

Lisa Hannigan

2009-04-04T16:40:00.002-06:00

One of my new favorite artists. I'm not sure what it is about her lullaby-esque tone, but I enjoy her greatly. Even though I am not a parent yet, I've found myself listening to many artists that I think I would love to have as a children's album for my kids to sleep to and such. When I was a kid, I grew up on Psalty the Singing Song Book and GT and the Halo Express. Plus, who can forget Sandi Patty, Steve Green, and Al Denson. But I think if I had kids right now they'd listen to Lisa Loeb's children's album (She made a "comeback" can you believe it? Haha). They'd also have to listen to Belle and Sebastian, Jack Johnson's Curious George Soundtrack, Meaghan Smith, Maria Taylor, and of course..Lisa Hannigan. Enjoy.

Stomp!

2009-04-04T16:35:00.003-06:00

Thanks to Melissa, I was able to see this hilarious video. You can't help but feel a little sorry for her, but that's what she gets for trying to cheat. Let that be a lesson. And now, she's got her own music video, too. Just watch the second video. Does she sound a little like a dying dog?

There's a Canyon in Thurston County!

2009-02-25T13:37:00.004-07:00

So today, I was driving to work, and approached a yield to turn green light. Coming in the opposite direction was another car, and they of course, had a regular old green light because they were going straight. So I yielded...go figure. And they slammed on their breaks (seeing my turn signal) and waved me through. I thought...wait, I am supposed to yield dummy. And they kept waving me through. The car behind them began to honk, and it turned into such an ordeal. I quickly thought this was a bit bizarre because I'm in Wasington...not Idaho anymore. Then, no joke and no surprise, I glanced down at the license plate out of habit. Much to my heart's pleasure, it was a 2C license plate from Idaho! They have followed me!

25 Things

2009-02-25T13:32:00.001-07:00

Thanks Meagan for showing me this video...cracks me up.

Bubba Bow-staff

2009-02-16T00:13:00.000-07:00

It's good to be back in Idaho.

Bo Staff Training from Shane Grove on Vimeo.

Is Vinny an Idol?

2009-02-14T23:38:00.005-07:00

Months ago, we were all under the impression that Vinny, Calvin Nicholas Arthur Mann, left for graduate school in Scotland. Up until a few weeks ago, I had never questioned this. But now...now that I've seen a few episodes of the hit show, American Idol I've discovered that this is most likely not true. Vinny is posing as Scott McInteyer. You be the judge.

Scott or Vinny?

Scott or Vinny?

You be the judge.

"Desmond is nowhere to be found..."

2009-02-12T11:13:00.003-07:00

Today, I got up early and flew out from Sea-Tac to Boise. It was an early morning, and with little sleep from the previous night as well...I was exhausted. I kept falling asleep waiting to board, and I realized that if I did, I would be dead to the world. So, I needed to do something to keep me occupied. I decided to play what I've named, "The Lost Game". Here's how it works. You look at all of the people that you're flying with, also waiting to board. You start pondering what their professions are and what they would contribute to the culture on the island, if we crashed. Then you look at the supporting cast, and those that are probably just going to be extras in the background. Today, I spotted someone that I think would've flipped and joined the Others if push came to shove. Two kids and their mom sat right behind me on the plane...and I'm sure they would've been casualties. Sad I know. And I think that I saw a brother-sister relationship that would've been much like Boone. A small role, but not much meat to the character development. This game definitely kept me awake, and I boarded the plane. Made it back to Idaho...and am set for a great, relaxing visit.

What was I thinking?

2009-02-09T21:43:00.002-07:00

How could I forget the Francey's! Mark and Rachelle have been such amazing examples of devotion to me. They truly challenge young people to better themselves. It takes special people to encourage someone to care. That's a gift that is straight from God. Mark and Rachelle lobby people to care. Although I haven't spent much time with Kenzie, I'm sure that she will be such a strong pillar. This family I admire greatly. If I had to sum them up in a nutshell, it'd be "adventurously caring".

Looks Do Matter!

2009-02-07T21:08:00.005-07:00

I have come to terms with the fact that I truly am treated differently based on what I'm wearing. It's unfortunate, but when I'm in my Abercrombie (work) clothes, people ask me the most ridiculous questions. Here are some of the comments.

"Hey, you a Duke man?"
"How often do you go tanning?"
"Didn't I see you on the treadmill yesterday?"
"Do you get to like, date every girl that works here?"
"Should I tuck the front part of this shirt in?"
"Will you come to Victoria's Secret with me?"
"Do you think T.I. is innocent?"

But when I'm in my normal get up...what I choose to wear when I'm not at work, the questions are totally different. They're more like:

"What'd you think of the new Andrew Bird album?"
"Don't you hate it when people buy albums only on iTunes?"
"Want some of my homemade granola?"
"Should I get a vegan tattoo?"
"Got a lighter?"
"How do you feel about Neitzsche?"

These are all things that I've been asked by complete strangers. Not people that I know...just random walk-by strangers. It's so bizarre to me that my clothes cause me to live such a double life. I mean...what's a vegan tattoo anyway?

Your Secret Admirer

2009-02-05T14:43:00.028-07:00

As dumb as it sounds, after I got one of those cheesy conversation hearts at work, mine said, "Your Secret Admirer", I started thinking about how much I loathe Valentine's Day. It's a day of extremes. We're set to promote extreme affection and love, or extreme loneliness. How fun. What a great day to celebrate. For me, more times than not, it has been a holiday that I choose to pass through. But this year, I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and pay tribute to the candy heart; to whom I admire. Please enjoy.

Krist and Kelly Wilde have shown me such great support. Not only just the amazing impartations of teaching, but their wisdom and constant faith in me is something that I have never experienced before. I admire both Krist and Kelly's desire to further the Kingdom. They are such strong pillars of faith.

In a similar way, Tracy Wilde has such a fervor for faith. But what I admire most about Trace is her vintage desire to disciple. Much like traditional rabbitical teachers, I believe Tracy has an innate ability to possess spiritual attraction. People seek her out. Her spirit is stretched in so many directions, and the giftings that God has given her are so diverse. The platform that God has built for her is grander than any I've personally seen. I admire her perseverance greatly.

Jolleen Quimba is the single greatest example of genuine empathy. Although my understanding of this is frequently ignorant, the ability she possesses to feel and genuinely care about people is magnanamous. People that she knows, she hears about, or sometimes even just sees can experience what I call "only's" solely because of her. "Only's" are those specific times, when in retrospect, you can look at your life and remember that one and only event. I really believe that Jojo is a minister of love. She'll talk to people with such a kind word, I believe her impact is far greater than we can ever imagine. She will change the world.

Another friend that I admire is Tom Foisy. I have this admiration of Tom because of his love for people as well. His love for God is so apparent when you're around him. Instantly, you know that he is a man of great faith; a man that believes there's nothing too big for God; a man of God.

On the flipside, Stephanie Rooks is one example of what God has asked women to be. She is a giver. Stephanie is so selfless. You will never meet someone that is so willing to give themselves to the "cause". The determination Stephanie has deserves great admiration.

My boy Adrian Gomez has such a desire to be better. To achieve. I can't believe how determined he is to get to the next level, whatever that is. I am amazed with him.

Meagan Murphy is a true worshipper of Christ. There's nothing more beautiful than someone opperating in their gifting that God has given to them. It's so amazing to see someone do what they love to do...what they were made to do. Meagan I admire you for your joy...for your Davidic worship...for your reckless abandon.

Of course my HLP, Marc Herring is someone that I can't express how much I admire. I know that if you know Marc, you know that he has a constant willingness to show grace to people. We talk about the grace of God so much as Christians, and I know that Marc has this down pact. Marc shows this grace and mercy.

Lastly, I have to include Shane and Kirsten Grove. Not only are they admirable as parents and husband and wife. But they are also examples of never-ceasing prayer. Prayer is something I've grown to love, desire, and cherish. This is greatly because of Shane and Kirsten. Without them and their direction, who knows where I'd be. Thank you to all of you.

Looking at all of these things I admire, they are mostly because of the way people interact with others. Their love for people. This is what I admire most.

Stalker?

2009-01-30T19:08:00.007-07:00

I know that in this day and age, everyone has different boundaries, and I would suspect that people's various definitions of voyeurism has changed. But I can't get over the fact that in my lifetime, we didn't have cell phones...let alone live webcams. As I have watched some of the Waiting Kind on mogulus.com, I have realized my uneasiness. It's like you're peering in on people's lives. It's not like television shows (i.e. Real World). It's more like peeping. I don't like it. But if you'd like to check out a really great, phenomenal, annointed worship band...check 'em out at:

http://www.mogulus.com/thewaitingkind

Enjoy!

How do you talk "Valley"?

2009-01-30T18:56:00.003-07:00

Does anyone remember back in the day when people talked with hand motions that included distinct hand gestures, not just floppy wrists? Now, if you're an individual that talks with over-exclamatory hand gestures, you're seen as a little femmie. But back in the day, talking with hand gestures was very common. For instance...do you remember using the "retard" hand gesture? You know, when someone says, hey put your right hand on your chest, and try and bite your left ear. Der...what? Haha. Or perhaps the Stephanie Tanner, "sick-en-ing" face. To do this gesture, all that you need to do is take your pointer finger and stick it partially in your mouth while rolling your eyes. This was the hand gesture that conveyed...gross. Or my personal favorite...the energetic "YES!". To do this...you simply bend your right arm, make a fist and act like you're elbowing a little person in the nose behind you. If you are really excited, you can add the lift of the right knee as well. I remember this gesture primarily being used in two different scenarios. The first being after someone got away with a prank or other devious acts. The second being, when an individual scores a hot date with someone totally out of their league.

Why not bring these back? I think we should. Deal?

Flurp?

2009-01-29T16:56:00.003-07:00

Has anyone heard of "flurping"? My co-worker Megan told us the following story the other day:

"I didn't have lockers in grade school. We had cubbies. I remember when I was in Kindergarten, I went to get something out of my cubby, and I flurped. Then when I went to stand up, I slipped on my flurp because some of it came out of my mouth! It got all over my skirt! Then Miss Bop had to clean it off and help me out."

Now, I understand we all had words we couldn't pronounce as children. And many of us had made up words that we used in common language. In fact, Cool Ric had one of the most priceless stories from his childhood that directly depicts this. When Ric was a young Korean-American child, his family would occasionally partake in a hot dog or two. Because Ric's mom, as precious as she is, couldn't pronounce the word "buns" very well because she still has a fairly thick accent. Young, impressionable Ric then went to a friends birthday party in Junior High! At this bbq, they were having hot dogs and hamburgers, like any normal bbq. There were hamburger buns on the table, but they had yet to bring out the hot dog buns. So Ric proceeds to say, "Hey guys, where are the bonzas?" Everyone looked at him, and were like, what are bonzas? Ric was flabbergasted and didn't know what to say. "You know guys...the bonzas!?!" Turns out, Ric knew that hamburger buns were buns, but thought that hot dog buns were called bonzas! Haha!

Well, evidentally, Megan (the above mentioned co-worker) has always heard the term "flurp". She says it so matter-of-fact; like we should all know what she's talking about. She explains it as a small burp, when a little bit of throw up comes up the throat. I don't know if this is a common word and I've been left out of the loop or what. Any idea?

So funny!

2009-01-29T16:49:00.002-07:00

As a follow up to my earlier, SNL version...you should watch this video. I can't tell you how funny it is!

Can You Hear Me Now?

2009-01-25T01:02:00.004-07:00

If you were to take one look at me...what would you think I was listening to? Don't get this confused with a previous posting by me regarding theme songs. Just by looks, what would you guess I was listening to.

Have you ever wondered what people are listening to on their ipods? I have found myself very curious of this lately. So curious, that I play a game with myself...guessing what it is that they're listening to. Today at Panera Bread, there was this guy, by himself...listening to his headphones and reading a play manuscript. "What is it that he's listening to?" I thought. In all actuality...I don't know. And I won't ever know, unless I go and ask him. I decided that I thought he was listening to either Wycle Jean's the Carnival or "Single Ladies" by Beyonce. Either way...it was kinda fun to guess.

For instance...

Jake Lee: Avril Levigne (sorry, don't be offended)
Katie Powell: Janis Joplin
Tracy Wilde: Michael Buble
Sarah Walker: Rascal Flatts (even though I know this isn't true)
Austin Zander: Linkin Park

Of course these are only if I didn't know these individuals. And I don't really think that this says anything about the person. But it is a fun game.

Eat at Mo's

2009-01-16T12:14:00.009-07:00

I'm not entirely sure why, but it always baffles me why somethings have lasting power, whereas others can't seem to withstand long at all. For instance, how is it that Lil' Wayne is still heard on every radio station...that man is nasty. Or why is it that after all of the ludacris happenings with Britney and KFed, Britney still manages to go on a sold-out tour and be heard everyday? My stock lead, Alyssa bought a birthday dress, which is kind of ridiculous to me in principle anyway, and it is zebra print with black sequence around the waist and the neck. Why is it that zebra print is lingering in fashion?

When I was a kid, my family and I use to vacation on the Oregon Coast every summer. There's this place called Mo's that has the most amazing clam chowder. Many of the waiters wear these t-shirts with a big shark's mouth on the back and in the frame of the jaw it says, "Bite me". What happened to this slang? I remember it being said all the time, whether it was my friend Brenda slightly upset but not willing to let others know so, or it was Urkel mad that Laura wouldn't go to the dance with him, or Kimmi Gibbler using it as an exit line..."Bite me blondie."

Or what about Freddie Prinze, Jr. Wasn't he a teenage hearthrob? Where'd he go? Could he not make the jump from child star to full-pledged movie star? The last time we saw him was on the Scooby Doo remakes, but let's be honest, we wish those movies weren't made to begin with. But where has this She's All That star fleeted to? It seems to me that if Sean William Scott can continue to get roles, Freddie surely should. Perhaps Freddie is hangin' out with Topher Grace somewhere...kickin' back and gabbin' about American Idol...they've both been MIA for quite sometime.

The last two things that seem absurd to me, but have without a doubt been out of commission for awhile are primetime sitcoms and children's books' stars. Sure we have television dramas...and I enjoy them from time to time.
But what happened to the humor of America? There are no sitcoms anymore! The ones we do have aren't funny, and are made for a very narrow audience. Where have they gone? Where are Friends? Where is Seinfeld? Have they been swallowed by what was once called Reality TV and is now simply just...TV?

And let us not forget about Harry Potter and Edward Cullen. Of course there are still children's book characters. But I miss characters like the Hardy Boys, or the Box Car Children, or best of all, Clifford the big red dog! Where are they?

Now, don't misunderstand me...all of these things that have gone missing are not necessarily things that I think we need. But c'mon...how does JC Chavez have more lasting power than Clifford? It just doesn't make sense.

Have we lost touch?

2009-01-15T21:33:00.008-07:00

I created a quiz that I hope you all do. It's called, "This is me". We'll see if you can get it done. Just copy and paste the address below into your browser.

http://www.quizyourfriends.com/take-quiz.php?id=0901152321071193&a=1&

Good Luck!

My Week in the Ghetto

2009-01-15T18:10:00.005-07:00

For those of you that don't know...Tacoma, Washington is the ghetto of the Puget Sound. It is crazy ghetto. Now, I understand that many people have taken this term "ghetto" and applied it to various meanings. When I use the term, I mean it plain and simple...the projects. Granted, these are nothing like South Central folks, but there is shadiness around every corner. I have been working at our company's stores in the Tacoma Mall for just over a week. In general, people steal from all retail stores more than they should. But in Tacoma...it happens more than not. Crazy, I know. After a week there, I was ready to return to my spoiled kids' store in Olympia. Good experience, and fun to be in a high volume store...but it was kind of like a toddler, testing his/her parents to see how much they can get away with. That is the comparison of not only the shoppers, but the workers as well. Back in Oly, we have recovered from holiday, and are ready to start perfecting the store again.

I can't believe that I've been back in Washington for almost six months now. It really is true mom and dad, time does fly by faster as you get older. Not a lot of anything has changed. I'm working. Sleeping. And occasionally eating. I wouldn't say that this is a bad season of my life, but I will be forth-coming and let you know its definitely a desert season for me. It feels like I'm just kinda wandering. Searching. And obviously in doing so, there's a lot of realization and growth that takes place. Marc and I were just talking the other night about our past life in Ada County. It would be naive to think that we would always live across the street from our friends, and have great jobs, and live in a desired community for the rest of our lives. Man, we basically just had it too good...right out of college. My dad told me that I would regret moving into a brand new home with brand new furniture right out of college because it'd probably go down hill from there. I took that to be very negative thinking at the time...but he has proven to be right. My great job...gone. My great house(s)...gone. My possessions...everywhere. And now, I'm living in Olympia, in a small, trashy apartment with not one picture hung on the wall. I have returned to college. I believe for better days. I hope that direction comes soon. Its so crazy how security is blinding. And now...we'll see where I end up. In spite of everything...I really do have this sense of temporary status. God will move me. I think that I get through each day becase I know that this situation is temporary. I don't mean that to sound as though each day is so tough, and hard to even survive. But I can't remember the last time I had a blissful, annointed day. That's a little daunting. Perhaps one is right around the corner.

Hello, Hee-Haw!

2009-01-15T17:52:00.001-07:00

This just shows how quirky Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley and other Saddle Creek compilations truly is. This music video makes me smile.

Patterns in the Sound

2009-01-15T17:49:00.001-07:00

This is an incredibly old music video, but I love it as much as I did years ago. Enjoy.

"T" Stands for Blog

2009-01-13T00:09:00.002-07:00

In case you haven't heard, my roommate now has a blog. You should probably check it out sometime.

http://anightschange.blogspot.com/

Put a Ring on It

2009-01-13T00:02:00.004-07:00

How is this not one of the most hilarious music videos of 2008? SNL went through a few years of a drought. The Bush jokes continued to get older and older. But with the Sarah Palin impersonations and cameos from Justin Timberlake...SNL is back on the right track. Too bad Chris Farley and David Spade aren't able to conjure up a reunion show of all the great comedians of SNL. Speaking of, I cannot wait for Jimmy Falon to take over as a late night talk show host. SNL live on.

Tunage of Two Thousand Eight

2009-01-02T23:13:00.008-07:00

Today I was thinking about how often we spent time making top ten lists for the Brick House's Top Ten Cafe. I don't even know if the Brick House continues its legacy, but nonetheless, in 2002, we spent a lot of time coming up with less than clever top ten lists. Top Ten Girls that are Marriage Material, or Top Ten places to Twix...and today, I have my Top Ten Albums of 2008 for you.

Now, the albums I listened to the most included some of the above albums, but mostly I spent my time listening to the following:

Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton-Knives Don't Have Your Back
Into the Wild Soundtrack-Songs by Eddie Vedder
Sunset Rubdown-Shut Up I Am Dreaming
Animal Collective-Campfire Songs
Neva Dinova-You May Already Be Dreaming
Arcade Fire-Neon Bible
Beck-Modern Guilt
Belle and Sebastian (everything)
Bright Eyes (everything)
The Cure-Wish
The Weepies-Say I Am You
Led Zepplin (everything)
Paul Westerberg-14 Songs
Georgie James-Places
Lullaby for the Working Class-I Never Even Asked for Light
M.I.A.-Kala
Maria Taylor-Lynn Teeter Flower
Azure Ray-November
Commander Venus-The Uneventful Vacation
Orenda Fink-Bloodline
The National-Alligator
Sorry About Dresden-The Inconvenience of Indecision
Bowerbirds-Hymns for a Dark Horse
Of Montreal-Sundlandic Twins
Rilo Kiley-The Execution of All Things
Jenny Lewis-Rabbit Fur Coat
Rocky Votaloto-The Brag and Cuss
Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin-Broom
Spoon-Ga Ga Ga

And the biggest disappointments...
Interpol-Our Love to Admire
Nick Drake-Family Tree

I feel like I'm in a little bit of a rut...so if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears! Happy listening.

Boomboxes and Bananas!

2009-01-01T20:23:00.004-07:00

My lovely sister came to town for New Years. After getting off work, we headed downtown with co-worker Megan and joined a few thousand other Seattle-lites at the Space Needle. There we froze, listened to a few cover bands, and watched an awesome fireworks show off the Needle. It was great. The guys running around with boomboxes strapped to their backs tackling each other in banana suits were definitely a highlight of the night.

As far as resolutions go...I don't know that I really have any. Here are a few things I'd like to attempt to correct, but I'm guessing I won't have much success.

-change my "house smell" (evidentally I smell like Melissa's friend(s))
-get accustomed to Rebecca Stevenson (let's be honest...I miss Steve Dorval)
-not make fun of people with transition lens (even highschool Urkel look-a-likes)
-and drink my beverage before the cup sweats too much and leaves a ring on the coffee table

I'll keep you posted.

Flash Cards?

2008-12-29T21:13:00.003-07:00

Some of us were talking the other day, and the topic of number-color corralation was brought up. We all agreed that certain numbers are associated with certain colors. Is this because we all had the same flash cards as little kids? For instance...

1: white
2: blue
3: green
4: brown
5: red
7: yellow
8: orange

The question is...what color is associated with the number 6 and which one for 9? For some reason, we couldn't come up with the answer. Weird huh. I kind of think that we must have all had the same coloring books from the same company that were color by number. The reason is unknown.

Snow, Syrah, and Saddle Creek

2008-12-29T20:55:00.003-07:00

While others decked the halls and climbed their Rose Suchak Ladders...I sat at home with T-wise on Christmas. Working in retail is a tough profession for various reasons. One of the biggest reasons is because of the phenonmenon known as the "Holiday Rush". Now, while most people are listening to Christmas music and hanging Christmas lights on their houses, we in retail are pushed to our last nerves. Between angry customers, crazy kids let loose in the mall, and working all hours, everyday...is there any reason why we wouldn't be in festive moods? Basically, on Christmas, all I wanted to do was sit back, eat, and relax. It ended up being so snowy, there was almost no way to get out of the house anyway. Granted, T-wise and I did go and see a movie, "Bedtime Stories" (kind of a cute family movie). After all of the lovey-dovey, happy endings from the movie...we rushed home and I had to put on a Saddle Creek vinyl. Listening to the humdrum of mandolins and piano put me right back into the right mood. All in all, my Christmas was anything but festive...and yet, everything I needed. At least as far as I can tell, all I needed was rest. But family and festivities definitely lacked, and if I dwell on their absence too long...I might sink into a melancholical haze.

"You're afraid of the dark, too, Marv."

2008-12-15T14:20:00.004-07:00

Well, if you've been keeping up on my infrequent postings on this blog, you'll know that I have posted a few different times regarding my co-workers. Considering work truly is my life, it's really pretty much all that I have to talk about. But don't worry, I still have an arsenal of random ponderings that will soon surface on this blog again. But for today, I wanted to introduce to you one of our new managers at 589. Her name is Melissa. Now, I decided to start calling her "Mel" thinking that it would be funny (I don't know why), but it wasn't. She didn't even respond to the predictable nickname. Anyway, she is such a breath of fresh air at the 589. Our previous manager had many interpersonal issues, some of which I'd be happy to discuss with you over the phone. Then Melissa stepped in...instant fun.

Melissa hails from Port Orchard. Quite frankly, I don't know one thing about this place except that they had a delayed start of two hours in their school district this morning on the account of snow. Other than that, I know nothing about the joint. I envision it to be a lot like Port Angeles...but I think that's only because they are both port towns. Melissa graduated from WSU with a psychology degree early because she's a brain-iack, or because she got a lot of "extra credit" time with her professors. Who knows really. She brings the most random comments to work, and yet I love them all. Tyler frequently finds himself confused at why we're laughing. Over brunch the other day, we laughed and reminisced about various made-for-Disney-channel movies we'd both watched as youngsters. We also both love the movies Home Alone and Swiss Family Robinson. Oh Roberta. Oh Fritz. Melissa claims to not see movies that everyone else has, but random old movies she knows by heart (All of the Brat Pack movies are included). The other day, we were doing orientation for a group of newbs, and NSync Christmas came on over the sound system, we started singing and laughing at work...then she busted out the Kevin McCallister. Do you remember the scene in Home Alone when he's trying to fool the burglars into thinking that there's a party going on at his house so he's got string attached to his foot and two hands and he's waving them around to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"? Well, that's the Kevin McCallister. Try it out...its a great move. Our newbs proceeded to let us know how weird they thought we were. Haha. But we're their bosses, so they can deal. Mel is nortorious for saying things that I haven't heard since I was a youngster in Pomeroy too (i.e. hot bombalottie, ahnah-hellnah, etc.). Cracks me up. I wish you could all know her. You'd probably pee your pants, at least a little if you knew her.

The Dark Reunion of Archibald and Humphrey

2008-12-08T22:38:00.005-07:00

Well, as some of you may know, my old college roommate and I, Tyler Weisen have once again moved in together. I know...big surprise. Tyler and I have known each other since we were just little tykes. I remember at Family Camp at Pinelow, my family would rent out Lanman A and Lanman B. And the Weisens, along with the Herrings and Sterks would rent out Koinanea right next door. We were never really friends at that time, but we definitely knew that the kids next door were pretty cool with all of their fancy nerf guns and water pistols. Tyler and I didn't really become friends until junior high at junior high camp...back when we made out with the Grandview girls (and yes Geebs, this includes you from Prosser too). Despite our early friendship, T-wise and I did not see eye-to-eye in college. But all roads lead back to this untimely duo.

We are now living together in Olympia at this sweet little, shady, scary, apartment complex known as Holiday House. In case you're wondering, we live behind a McDonald's and across the street from Motel 6...classy I know. Anyway, we are getting a long so well. It's really quite entertaining. We had better be careful...this reunion could prove to be detrimental to all that is good...aka Global Warming, the hunt for Sasquatch in Western Washington (Kyle you're right, he/she does exist), and the gross ticket sales from the new Fast and Furious movie. Basically, life with T-wise is udderly unpredictable...and that's why I love it.

Late Bloomer

2008-11-08T23:14:00.004-07:00

I admit, I have felt very apprehensive about posting anything too political on my blog. I just haven't wanted to sucumb to any cliches of posting something just to post it. Even after the results have been tallied and announced. It has been very interesting to hear the "fall out" from many people surrounding the election results. Despite my disagreements with some of Senator Obama's beliefs and morals, I do believe, in faith, that good things can come from his term. It is going to be a long, hard trek, but it would be for any man or woman stepping into office at this juncture. I hope that our response, as the American people, will not foreshadow the belief systems of Senator McCain and Senator Obama. Despite their imperatively opposite belief systems and campaigns, I hope that we, as Americans, can truly unite in prayer...in support. Let us continue to be the United States...the united people that pledge allegiance, with one voice. Although overused in the past eighteen months, let us "believe" in faith. Obama's win may perhaps really test our faith as believers, but let us step up to the challenge. No matter what our personal beliefs are of President Bush, America has seen better days; this position not laying on just the hands of the president and his administration, but on circumstance. Let's believe for better days...whatever those may be. Perhaps they'll come sooner than we think, or perhaps things will simply grow dimmer. Regardless, I take this election as a call to faith. Not simply a call for change, but one of belief. It might be foolish to believe that we can all join together as one entire country...but I have the faith to believe that we will overcome. We are a country ready to respond...ready to believe.

I am in prayer for you Senator Obama...and in doing so, I'm in prayer for our nation.

Go Bananas!

2008-10-31T20:56:00.003-06:00

I have a question for you. Do you remember those crazy toys Bananas in Pajamas? They were stinkin' scary! But my question actually doesn't pertain to these scary toys. Okay...here's the question...

Are bananas the only non-juicey fruit?

I realize that fruit has to have seeds in it...and bananas do. But why is it that all other fruits are actually juicey. Sure, I know that you can get banana juice/nectar but when you bite into a banana, it's not juicey. Why is that? Am I forgetting another juice-less fruit?

Galaxies and Burbs

2008-10-29T11:11:00.002-06:00

I was sitting outside on my back porch, and realized, that here, in the Burbs of Olympia stars and galaxies can be easily viewed. I was listening to my obsession, Conor Oberst's newest album. The fourth song on the cd, "Lenders in the Temple" seems to be the best description of where and what I feel right now. If you need an update on my life, here it is.

A short delay, the pair of blues
Little voices mimic you
It's not so hard to make that sound
So watch your back, the Ides of March
Cut your hair like Joan of Arc
Disguise your will, they'll find you out
And when they do
Look out

There's money lenders inside the temple
That circus tiger's gonna break your heart
Something so wild turned into paper
If I loved you, well that's my fault

A bitch in heat, the alpha male
Not something she'd ever tell
Except when she got deathly high
And out it came like summer rain
It washed the cars and everything
Felt clean for just a little while
A telephone
We drunk dialed

Those starving children, they ain't got no mother
There's pink flamingos living in the mall
I'd give a fortune to your infomercial
If somebody would just take my call
Take my call, Take my call

Hello
Patterns in my mind now moving slow
Sorrow all across the surface roads
Smoothing out the edges of the stone
The lights are out, where'd everybody go
Alone

Erase yourself and you'll be free
Mandela destroyed by the sea
All we are is colored sand
So pay to ride the ferris wheel
Smile, all that you can feel
Is gratitude for what has been
'Cause it did not
Happen

There's money lenders inside the temple
That circus tiger's gonna break my heart
Something so wild turned into paper
If you love me, then that's your fault

There's money lenders inside the temple
This crystal city's gonna fall apart
When all their power turns into vapor
If I miss you, well that's my fault

Love Without Reason

2008-10-25T21:00:00.003-06:00

I know that this is a delayed post, but last weekend was easily the best weekend since the big move. I drove up to Seattle, and stayed with the hospitable 613...also known as Steve McMahan, Travis Gingrich, and some other dude named Wes. Anywho...I had the best Greek food I've probably ever had. It was phenomenal. I think I loved it more than words can express. Plus, any weekend is great when you get to spend time on the Ave.

But the greatest part of last weekend was my boy Adrian. I can't even express how amazing he truly is. It is a sad defecit for most of you readers because you haven't had the chance to meet him. Perhaps I should catch you up.

When I was a freshman in high school, I had the chance to go and play on a men's volleyball team in Lewiston, Idaho. A coach asked me if I would join the team, so I went to a practice with little to no expectations. I admit, I was a little cocky. But skepticism was trumped. My life was going to be changed. There I met a guy named Andrew, also playing volleyball. He took me under his wing. He was a senior at Lewiston High School (Go Bengals!). Andrew's entire family is the first family that I can easily recollect that took me in...and I could literally describe as a home away from home. Although my time in hours was not abundant at the Gomez house, it to this day remains invaluable to me. The things that Mike and Barbara taught me and opened me up to span from peppercinis, cold pasta salad, and Grapefruit Sobe to the importance of honesty, transparency, and faith. Adrian at that time was only 12. His viraciousness for life remains unprecedented. I can't describe his sincerity. So often, I remember thinking about the effects that Mike (Adrian's dad) has had on my life even to this day. The way that I practice my life has been influenced tremendously by this family.

So now you're caught up. Adrian is amazing. When I went up to Seattle, I got to see Adrian for the first time in about two and a half years. After his fantastic rookie year on the UW baseball team, he chose to go on his mission. He just got back from Guadalajara. Needless to say, he got back, re-started school, re-started baseball, and got engaged. There has been so much to talk about! We went to sushi, then B&N, then UW Bookstore, then his place on Capitol Hill. It was awesome to reconnect. He is the perfect example of love without reason. He genuinely loves people without any rhyme or reason. I have never witnessed a more charismatic guy. People are drawn to him...and he genuinely wants to seek people out...with thanks. I have greatly missed him. It's strange, but I feel a greater sense of stability with him. Its fantastic to be around someone that I can truly express myself with. Its been a long time since I had that person. All you need to know is that Adrian is joy and ambition rolled into charisma. You should know him.

Word, Keiks.

2008-10-23T16:58:00.002-06:00

I want one of these. Let's pray hard for them. Haha. Any combination of boston terriers, french bulldogs, and boxers.

Smile! You're on Candid Camera...

2008-10-22T00:56:00.004-06:00

Thought that I should post a few pictures from work...enjoy.

The only perk about closing some nights...is pranking the morning manager. Have fun Megz.

Lindsay and I representin'...

Alyssa, our crazy stockroom girl...sneaking up on Megan.

These are just a few of many pictures from work. Basically, things get out of control here. Hopefully, we'll survive the Christmas Season!

Seriously?

2008-10-17T14:01:00.001-06:00

This Is Why I'm Hot

2008-10-13T22:03:00.003-06:00

Number one, I had a boss that secretly liked this song, so this post is partially dedicated to him. (You know who you are). But the main reason for this post is a simple conundrum that you may or may not have experienced. Have you ever seen a person blow on cold food before? Clearly, when you're little, your mom blows on your steaming hot mac and cheese so that you don't burn your toddler, sensitive mouth. And we all have various degrees of sensitive teeth. But why on earth would you ever logically believe that blowing on a spoonful of ice cream is going to help at all. Have you seen this? The other day, I went to get pumpkin ice cream with oreos and whipped cream from Cold Stone (thought of you Keiks and Trace)...and saw a middle-aged woman blowing on her ice cream as if to "cool it down". Am I missing something here?

The Infamous Campbell's Brain Washing

2008-10-11T15:21:00.002-06:00

Is it truly a naturally innate reaction to say "mmmm..." when we taste something that is pleasant/desireable to our pallet? Or do we do that because we've somewhere along the line been influenced to believe it's the proper reaction?

We're Not In Kansas Anymore...

2008-10-09T02:11:00.004-06:00

I now understand what Sarah has been saying the passed couple years. When you work a ton, and you have certain clothes that you wear to work...the rest of your clothes just gather dust in your closet. For those of you that know me at all, this means a lot of clothes are gathering dust. At work we have all of these stipulations with our work clothes that we need to follow. This is all fine and dandy...and overall, very understandable, but sad nonetheless. I realized that I have been so spoiled with my last couple jobs. My clothing was not restricted much at all. And well, I miss wearing color. At work I have to wear jeans and a navy, white, or gray top. I'm tired of this. I wish I could wear color again. Needless to say, when I'm not working, my clothing looks like Silly Whim has thrown up all over me (that's for you Kylee). Too much color is not a good thing, but when you're going through withdrawls, its just what happens.

We Work Hard for the Money

2008-10-07T01:11:00.001-06:00

This is a legitimate video that we use for training. You might wonder what I'm doing these days...well, here's a little glimpse.

Hogan left and it suddenly got trashy...

2008-10-07T00:51:00.003-06:00

When I was little, before reality television, the exaggeration of familiar things was all the rage. The leader of this television movement was none other than the vogue sport, wrestling. Now, I'm not talking about the wrestling that many highschoolers still participate in, I'm talking about where many people got their great launches into stardom. Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, and Andre the Giant are just a few of the original stars of Wrestle Mania. After this came WWF Monday Night RAW, WWF Smackdown, and many others followed. In junior high, I don't remember why or how, but everyone had "NWO" t-shirts. It was a commodity. Then out of the blue, wrestling and all its theatrics fell from the rating charts. Few survived the great decent into the trashy realm. "The Rock" hung on with all he could and "successfully" filmed blockbusters such as, The Mummy Returns, Game Plan, and many other less than enjoyable films. But Coors Light, trailer parks, and mullets have been replaced with professional wrestling and Nascar. How did this happen? Did the American people just lose interest in folding chair concussions or back flips off the corner posts? We lost the insatiable desire to see spandexed men and women walk down a runway towards the rink with crazy smoke machines and lights. Sad to see Triple H fall, but I think it's a good thing for the futures of the upcoming generations.

Car Twins...Sike!

2008-10-04T16:48:00.003-06:00

Here I am...in the lovely Evergreen State. My days consist of work and coffee, then coffee and work. You might wonder why my posts have been so infrequent, but that is because I have had little to no internet access at my current house. But guess where I am now...another coffee shop. Go figure. Mudbay Coffee. It brings me back to Flying M. I love it so much.

Anyway, ever since I traveled back to the City of "Trees" for the D-Baby/Squaw wedding, I have been seeing car twins everywhere I go. Its been a constant letdown. For instance, I thought that I saw Derek's car the other day, and Austin's car today...everytime, a letdown. But if I emphatically ponder the possibilities of this happening...I realize that this isn't probably going to ever happen. A friend from hours away all of a sudden shows up just to do a drive-by wave. Nonetheless, it would be nice. However, I surprisingly haven't been lonely over here, just busy.

Today, Megan and I have been blogging and facebooking (cool, I know) at Mudbay. Then we're probably going to go and see "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist". I'll let you know how it is. Anyway, it has gotten me longing for the Flicks. I'm pretty sure that a place like the Flicks would rack in the dough here in Oly. Also, we went out for dim sum and Nordstrom's last night...and she has never been to a Nordstrom's. Megan didn't even know what it was. She also doesn't know what Burberry is. North Dakota (Norda) has sheltered her for too long! Haha. In other news, my boy Adrian got back from his mission, engaged, and is living right by me! Its so good to have him home.

Hopefully, I'll get to see some people from home...yes I'm still calling Boise home...as soon as possible. If it wasn't for my car breaking down once again, I would've been able to see Char and Kern this weekend. But it turns out it is a no-go. Perhaps one day, I'll drive by you on the 101, and think, man that looks like Shane and Kiki's Murano, and it'll actually be you. Here's to hoping.

Ode to the BCC

2008-09-14T18:00:00.008-06:00

For those of you that don't know, BCCs are better known as Banana Cake Cookies. Since I have moved, this is one of the many things that I have found myself missing. Obviously friends are the top of that list, but nonetheless the BCCs are missed, too. I knew that once I got here to Oly, if I could find a record store and a coffee shop, I could start to make this place home. Batdorf and Bronson's brings me great french press joy, and Rainy Day Records has the best low-priced vinyls anywhere. I have found myself reading books that have a little bit more intelligence than my passed fiction novels starring the Cullen family. Here I am reading Banker to the Poor in Batdorf's...(Stephanie, you must read this book! Jojo you too.)

Also, I have been working at Hollister Co. which is a very different atmosphere from my previous job, but not unfamiliar still. Here are a few of my co-workers...they are so much fun. Patrick
Sooyun
Bre
Lindsay
Mary
Gret
Tom
Brandy and Nicole
Shannon
Megan

Enclosed are a few things I've began to ponder since being back in Washington:

1. Why was Miley Cyrus wearing shovies? (Short ovies, short over-alls)
2. I miss the nights wear we all sat around in the North End cottage discussing important things like, "Sarah: 'Lay off my creamy!' Austin: 'Poke Sarah's creamy!'
3. I wonder what Moof looks like speaking Korean (on-yung, hah-say-oh)
4. How many times will I run into Pip over here.
5. Will we ever again have a family reunion? Perhaps in Tahoe, or Venice, or NNU 2016.

I will start posting again. Internet has been limited. Boise, you are missed. 2C, not so much.

Hit Me Baby One More Time

2008-08-15T12:56:00.005-06:00

Today features the final member of the immediate family of friends. If you have been keeping up with my blog lately, you will have had a few different clues as to who the baby of the family is...she has just started dating this foreign guy from 2C, she is the "heart" of the family, and...she is Asian/Pacific Islander. It is our little sister, Jolleen! Ms. Quimba has this innate way of relating to people. Jolleen can walk down the street, see someone, and suddenly develop a heart for them. I don't think that I've ever met someone so full of blessings. Often times in church, we hear about this metaphor of being "over-flowing". I sometimes wonder if Jojo will ever run out of encouragement. When you see her, you are greeted with one of two faces--a big smile and a little giggle, or what I affectionately call her Filipino face (which is when she scrunches up her lips and turns her eyebrows down). Regardless, she is always full of emotion. Jojo is the baby of our family for many reasons. For instance, Jolleen always has to go to bed early (because of her job), she is sometimes unconsciously ignored when she makes comments, and she lives with Mom still. Plus she's mom's favorite, so clearly she is the baby.

Joey is an elementary school teacher, so she has many art supplies and is more crafty than she gives herself credit for. Just two Christmases ago, I got Jojo a Magnadoodle, and perhaps I'm biased, but I think it was an amazing gift! Growing up in this family (with a bunch of talkers) Jolleen has learned to be a great listener. If you have any concerns or stresses, our little sister is the remedy. I'm sure our tiny, little sister would be a huge blessing in anyone's life. Unfortunately, Uncle Marc is headin' to L.A. to try and make it as a musician, I'm moving for a job, Auntie Moof is traveling again, Dad has left mom and is pursuing other dreams, so we will be missing out on our blessing-refueling sibling. But good news for all of you--Joey will have more to go around. So look her up...and be encouraged.

Gibler's got nothin' on Zandaddy!

2008-08-14T13:45:00.005-06:00

In our great family of friends, we have discovered that every family needs a neighbor boy. There's Rudy's chubby friend, Peter on the Cosby Show; Urkel need I say more; and Roger from Sister, Sister. Without a doubt, we all need a neighbor boy. Unfortunately, they are often portrayed as the annoying nuissance. Zandaddy is not this person in our lives. He was dubbed the "neighbor boy" because he didn't live with anyone from the family. But Austin is far from annoying. Zander approaches life from an angle of excitement and eagerness. It was quite a surprise when Kristen started dating the neighbor boy. Granted, I have like Austin for quite some time, so I didn't feel the need to be too protective of my little sister Kristen. Plus, she's a handful on her own. Kristen sometimes has a tendency to get bored quickly...and this is a perfect fit because Austin is one of the most talented people I've ever known. He's the type of guy that can try and anything once and be a pro at it. Kristen and Austin have this in common, which makes them a great fit. The neighbor boy has a natural ability to sense the mood of things. And if its too heavy, Austin can always be the comic relief. Zandaddy is incredibly sincere and thoughtful. He has always been more than understanding--and seeks out ways to think of other people and show it. His insight is also pretty impecable. It almost makes you feel like he's spying on you, because he seems to always know what's going on. Even when our little sister (she will be revealed tomorrow) started dating this foreign guy (from the land of 2C) Austin knew before Kristen. The neighbor boy may have aqua pony tendencies and cold ankles, but he is well informed, and thoughful beyond compare. We all just kind of ignore the ankles (similar to DJ ignoring Kimmi's stinky feet) and deal, because we wouldn't trade Zandaddy.

O-L-S-E-N...what does that spell?

2008-08-13T18:06:00.006-06:00

The Twins! Today's post is dedicated to the family's twins. Kyle Rooks and Kristen Brewer may not be biologically related, but they sure act like they are. They don't act just like brother and sister, but they act like twins. Their interactions with each other are hilarious.

Kyle is so easy going.

Kristen is the twin that looks for adventure and isn't satisfied until she finds it.

Between the two of them, mischief is always at hand. Kristen is the idea girl; and Kyle is the persuasive one. They claim many of the same traits. For instance, they both claim to be the "bringer together of friends". Which I just realized isn't even a word..."bringer". Ha. They also both get a litte offended when you suggest that their idea(s) aren't good ones. And usually, they are good ideas...just not plausible ones. I'll never forget the time when the twins were just kids...and it was their birthday (and by birthday I mean, it was Kristen's birthday). There was a beautiful cake that mom made for Kristen, naturally...and we're all singing "Happy Birthday" as mom walks the cake to the table. Kristen is anxiously waiting. Right before she blows out the candles, she takes a deep breath (not to be out-done)...Kyle beats her to the task at hand and extinguishes the candles before Kristen can exhale. What a brother. The slight uproar that followed characterizes their relationship so well. These two are the two people that bring joy into our lives. Kyle and Kristen liven things up in the family. Sometimes, things can get to be a little too serious, but with the twins, there's always something to keep us on our toes. The twins represent the vigor of the family. Mom is the hands, Dad is the brains, little sister (who will rename nameless at this time) is the heart, and the Twins are the eyes. They're the creative ones of the family. The see and do without conviction. If Daniel and Ruth were twins...we'd have a great match. Kyle and Kristen might be a little upset that I posted just once for the two of them as opposed to two seperate posts, but c'mon now, they're twins, they should be used to it by now.

In a Van, Down by the River

2008-08-12T13:08:00.006-06:00

How many of you remember that infamous, comedy sketch from SNL with the tag line, "...in a van down by the river"? Granted, Chris Farley is nothing like today's family member. Unlike Farley's character in this particular sketch, uncle Marc (Herring) is an optimist. He has taken this tagline, that was supposed to increase fear in the hearts of delinquent children, and transformed it into a lifelong dream. Uncle Marc (that guy from Covenant) truly does want to live in a van down by the river...preferably a VW bus. This in an odd way represents Marc to a "T". He is so uncoventional. Granted, his sisters growing up were Auntie Moof and Mom (Sarah Walker)...so its no surprise he marches to a beat of a different drum.
No matter how abnormal Marc is he excels in areas that need abnormality to be special. For instance, Marc remembers statistics from when he was in third grade; he has an incredible nack for remembering numbers. This comes in handy when you need to remember phone numbers, statistics, etc. He also listens extremely well. Which is why I get along with my uncle so well, he listens to me jabber on and on...I get my communication fervor from mom. I'm not sure why, but Uncle Marc is still single. He seems like such great marriage material, but I suppose since his music is such a high priority, it must make things pretty tough. His music is so close to his heart; it expresses him in a dimension that his words don't ever say. Aside from everything, Marc is a very loyal friend as well...just like dad. When I went away for college, I stayed with Uncle Marc. He really is not your typical bachelor. He always keeps a clean house, cooks regularly, and maintains a tip-top lifestyle, except for his shower habits of course. If you don't know my Uncle Marc, you need to. His humor is beyond abnormal...and that's what makes him so funny. His uniqueness makes him a person that you need to have in your life...otherwise, you're just missing out.

Root Juice, Sequence, and Almonds

2008-08-11T12:47:00.004-06:00

I know that it has been a few days since I last posted, but the Olympics have been consuming most of my time. Today, I am posting about the infamous Moof. This is our affectionate name for our aunt, Stephanie Rooks. She is fantastic. Granted, Stephanie is our aunt because she's the girl that lives her life to the beat of a different drum. Auntie Moof (short for Mufasa) has many quirks that maker her who she is. Some of these things are: the constant insatiable desire to consume almonds, her bottle of root juice (a natural sweetner) that she constantly carries in her purse...speaking of purses, she also has a sequenced purse that leaves behind beads and sequence everywhere she goes. One of the things that I appreciate about Aunt Stephanie is her desire to be used. She lives a true servant's life. I am guessing that only true television fanatics will remember this, but on Home Improvement, Jill's sister comes to visit a few different episodes. Jill's sister travels the world, brings back crazy artifacts for the kids and Tim and is an adventure seeker. Moof is a dose of this concept, with a heavy ingredient of humanitarianism. In Acts, we see that we are called to go into all the world telling them about the Good News of God. This sums up Stephanie. She has this desire, and lives it out daily. Soon, our aunt will be leaving us again to go to Korea and serve. It'll be a sad day; our family is disbanning. Perhaps, Moof will bring us back tea, chopsticks, and other crazy things from her un-ending travels.

Who's Your Daddy?

2008-08-08T18:23:00.004-06:00

Today is dedicated to DAD. Calvin (Vinny) Nicholas Arthur Mann. The voice of reason can generally be attributed to the father figure. However, in times of stress, at least in my family, the dad is the first to jump to conclusions. Vinny on the other hand is our father figure in our family of friends because of what he does in his maneurisms and anectdotes. Vinny is never short on information. We can all be sitting around talking about work or something...then Vinny chimes in with statistics from CNN or something he read in the NY Times. It is frequently mind boggling. Vinny has a specific stanse that includes a coffee mug as well. There's just something about his actions that make him "dad-like". I would venture to say that many of the girls in the family also would agree that Vinny is extremely protective. He's a guy that defends his friends, and in this case, family to the furthest extent. He is amazingly committed to his friends/family. You'll have a hard time finding a guy that is more loyal than Vinny. Our friend Cara called Vinny to have her come pick her up when her car broke down. Vinny is that type of dad. The one that bails you out. He's the dad that is on your side...and you know it. He's not the Danny Tanner dad that just lectures you with "dad talks", nor is he Tim Taylor who just doesn't get it. He's more like Tony Danza from "Who's the Boss" or the dad's from "My Two Dads". He's the good friend, dad-type. He's always got your back. Unfortunately, Vinny will soon be in Scotland. Hopefully we won't need bailed out from jail, or break down on the side of the road...farewell Vinny. Can't wait to see dad in a kilt.

A Tribute to the Family

2008-08-07T16:18:00.004-06:00

I think that no matter what situation you're in; it is completely natural to create a family-type unit. From birth, most of us experience some sort of family atmosphere, and become accustomed to it. When you leave that traditional home, you surround yourself with a similar unit and take on roles whether you mean to or not. Post college, some of us have realized that we have all began to form this sort of family. We are known as the "Leftovers" because many of us didn't hang out while in college, but since we're out of college, live in the area, and have mutual friends--we are now "family". In honor of this family unit, I have decided to dedicate one person to each day, that way you can get to know them as well.

Today, I have decided to start with our mom. Because I am truly a mama's boy (I love my mom)...I thought it only appropriate to start with the mother figure in our new family unit. Sarah Walker. She is such a fantastic person. She is the type of person that bakes cookies for guests...or picks you up from work/school...and when you tell a sketchy joke, you look to see her reaction (you know, see how much you can get away with). Haha. Sarah is a woman that lives a life you can't help but respect. She has such charisma and is directed by an empathetic pull. When you're little, typically, you want to go to your mom for compassion and understanding. Many dads struggle with this concept a little. Which is exactly why Sarah is our mom. She deserves a day off...is there such thing as "Fake Mother's Day"? We should have one in her honor. She works her tail off. Hats off Sarah...we look up to you in more ways than you'll ever know.

The Hand-y Man

2008-08-06T22:12:00.004-06:00

I have come to realize, that I have quite a few friends with two door cars. I know that this seems like a rather strange realization to have, but let me tell you why I have noticed. Between Stephanie, Kristen, Marc, Cortney, Keiks, etc., this little happening occurs quite often. What happening? The unexpected, hand-on-hand contact. How many of you know what I mean? One of two things happen...

A: You're the guy in the back...you wait to be let out from the back. The person in the front seat goes to let you out...but you are just a little too hastey and reach for the lever as well. Then what happens? Hand-on-hand. Or,
B: You're the person in the front. You hesitate for a second, and the over-zealous back-seater grabs the lever. Then you're just the guy standing outside trying to inter-digitate with you friend...aka: the hand-on-hand.

We have all learned from Zach Morris, that one bucket of popcorn is key on a date. Much more opportunity for the static hand-to-hand contact. This is desired on a date. But with you pal, buddy, bro...not so much. It is indeed one of those small happenings that no one in particular attributes much thought to. Should you grab with fervor? Or wait and shuffle your reach to see who actually grabs it? What is the correct ettiquette?

You Make Christopher's Heart Hurt...

2008-07-30T22:56:00.007-06:00

I don't know if this is incredibly true, but it has proved to be true for me. You go to Seattle, and see tons of Asian symbolled tattoos; Portland-band tattoos; Florida-dolphins, dolphins, and more dolphins; and Idaho..."tramp stamps" and Superman tattoos. Now, I don't know why this is...but the fact that there are so many bros with Superman tattoos running around Boise, is reason enough to leave. Why would someone want to do this to themselves? Is it in memory of Dean Cain, Teri Hatcher, and the New Adventures of Superman? Is there a weird boy-to-boy infatuation with Jimmy Olson? I haven't been able to figure out the motivation.

Now, perhaps these bros (AKA: destroyed denim, Abercrombie shirt, frosted-gelled hair, and backwards cap with diamond earrings) are trying to say something to their egos or to the girls they hope to meet/date. Either way...the only word for these tattoos is...SAD. But for our purposes, they can put a smile on our face...and we can not be sad about these poor choices, but smile, and laugh. Here are a few pictures to brighten your day.

Smile...

Have a hoot...

Gut rollin' good times...

Have a nice day.

Friends are Friends Forever

2008-07-26T23:22:00.005-06:00

Although it has only been a couple of years since I graduated college, I have realized that much of the memories are dimming. I however am fortunate, because I still live in the general vicinity of my school. Friends from college remain all over this area. Boe and Charla live just South of us...Kristen, Austin, and Stephanie live across the street from us...Josh, Hillary, and Taylor represent for Caldwell...and then there are copious amounts of friends that remain Nampons. Why is it so different from college still? Well, for one, we're all tired and in bed before midnight these days, whereas, in college we didn't even start homework till 1am or later. We also have to worry about jobs, money, and for many, spouses. College brings us all together.

Last night, I was pleasantly surprised to see the eclectic group of friends that gathered together at nothing less than the Canyon County Fair. First of all, Canyon County's fair is not the same as the Ada County fair, or the Hyde Park Street Fair. Secondly, like it or not, Kelly Pickler may be attractive (to say the least), but she can't write...all of her songs she had to say were "co-written". Nonetheless, as we were sitting there listening to Kelly Pickler, I saw friends...with friends...with friends...with spouses. It was a blast. After the highly anticipated fair, we went to Applebee's for 1/2 price appetizers. It was fantastic. All of those in attendance were:

Teri and Tony
Trista (Vote for Me-e-e)
Karen (welcome back from Seattle)
Marc Herring (the NNU Covenant legend)
Josh and Hil (the newlyweds)(http://joshandhil.blogspot.com)
Boe and Charla
Kristen and Austin
Me (token minority)
Taylor Lobb
Travis Green (the turtle)
...and the Moof.

No matter what...people may say it over and over again, but you must cherish those friends and memories. You never get it back.

Hello at the Urinal

2008-07-24T11:56:00.004-06:00

Have you ever walked into a bathroom and been apaulled at what you see? Now, I'm not talking about the cleanliness, but about the people and the interactions. I have decided to post a few of my personal rules for correct ettiquette while in a public bathroom.

10. Never go into the bathroom to change into the concert t-shirt you just bought at the merch table so that you can be seen wearing the band's tour shirt for the concert. That is dumb.
9. Don't ever fill up a water bottle in the sink. That faucet is a water slide for germs of all sorts.
8. If its a rest stop, and its a hand dryer that blows air on your hands...don't use it. Dry your hands on your shirt/pants. It is healthier to do so then to have other peoples' fecis heated up and blown back on your hands.
7. Never ask for toliet paper underneathe the neighboring stall.
6. If you must take a ridiculously embarassing picture for your blog or myspace page with your shirt off...do so at your home bathroom not with your cell phone in the mall bathroom.
5. The vending machines with cologne samples are never a good idea.
4. Brushing your teeth in the public bathroom has to be the last resort.
3. No sponge baths...ever.
2. Eyes always forward.
1. Cell phones at the urinal make everyone uncomfortable. Use at your own risk.

Hope this has helped make your public bathroom endeavors better.

Andrew: 1, Josh: 4

2008-07-22T22:02:00.003-06:00

Last night, my HLP, Marc Herring, got us tickets to Andrew Bird and Josh Ritter at the Knitting Factory. Between the tall, loud bros in the back and the dancing olds obstructing my view, the night proved to be rather eventful. Needless to say, the show was fantastic. Well, let me re-phrase that. Andrew Bird was amazing! Josh Ritter, not so much. I understand that he is a local guy, so he has a large following here, but he was no match for the Bird. But the whole point of this post isn't to discredit Josh Ritter. He is a good guy, that loves playing music. He's very talented. But the guy has got to know when to stop.

This brings me to my first and last point. Encores are worthless. It doesn't matter what the crowd response is...everyone plans an encore, and plays it. Its not like the good ole days of Led Zepplin or Paul Westerberg, where people played when the crowd threatened anarchial breakouts if they didn't. These days, you can stink and you'll still play an encore. What's the point? The anticipation? Josh Ritter played four stinkin' long songs for his encore; whereas, Andrew Bird played one song that he thought up earlier in the day...a heart-felt melody. My goodness, I love Andrew Bird. Next to Connor Oberst...Andrew is the runner-up.

Can You Hear Me Now?

2008-07-18T18:25:00.004-06:00

I know; I know. It's been a long time since I have blogged. But give me a little break...it is summer, and there is so much on the schedule. However, I have not forgot to think about all of life's random quandries while on break. Nonetheless, last night, me and the roommates went to go see "The Dark Knight" at the midnight showing. Now, I'm not sure if its just Boise...or if its because it was a midnight showing...or if its a combination of many little things...but people were drunk! It was kinda ridiculous. We were sitting there and seeing person after person walk in--totally trashed. I had an epiphany last night while observing these fellow movie-watchers. First of all...when you're drunk, you think that no one can hear you. You continue to yell something over and over until people give you a satisfactory reaction. When in all actuality, everyone has been staring at you for a long time. Not only do drunk people think no one can hear them...but they also think no one can see them. So they wave their hands and do outlandish, crazy things for attention. When again, in reality, we've all been staring at your for some time. Why is it that people do this? I haven't figured it out. But aside from the drunks...the movie was great. Heath Ledger, you will be missed.

Mark and Chelsea!

2008-06-28T02:03:00.002-06:00

I don't know why, but from day one, I decided that I was going to pull for this couple. I like them so much!

Week #1

Week #2

Week #3

...and really, I know weird, but I love this group performance as well. Basically, I'm pretty much a fanatic.

Liar Liar, Pants on Fire

2008-06-26T14:36:00.003-06:00

Marc, Kyle, Stephanie and I traveled down to Winco last night to pick up some groceries. It reminded me of the days in college where a few people would all mob to Walmart and there we would find so many treasures. And by treasures I mean mullets, unibrows, and such. There were always an extremely eclectic group of people at the particular Walmart we would frequent. In fact, I'm sure we were gawked at for some of the crazy clothes and hair-dos we wore. And last night, many treasures surfaced as well. I was reminded of the early 90s. Remember when there was a slew of girls that would walk around with short shorts, perhaps jean cut-offs or plaid...with a long t-shirt? In my head, I tend to remember big, baggy t-shirts with tigger or dopey on them. But this gave the illusion that the individual was not wearing shorts. It looked like just a long shirt. How odd. Why would this style be? I suppose that coullots, skorts, and the wave-do were also style conundrums. Nonetheless...if you want to see the surfacing of any of these styles...go to Winco on Front Street. It's a treat.

Kirk Cameron's Best Friend

2008-06-20T12:37:00.003-06:00

Growing Pains was a great, wholesome family show. Hearthrobs like Kirk Cameron and Leonardo DiCaprio found their fanbase acting side-by-side with Lifetime channel's star Tracy Gold. The father played by Alan Thicke wrote the theme song, along with many other theme songs for popular television shows of that decade. Some of his work can be listened to on re-runs of Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts of Life, or Wheel of Fortune. So much greatness came out of this show! Families across the country tuned in to watch this sitcom. As soon as you heard, "Show me that smile again..." you knew it was time to get to the couch.
But the strangest part of the entire show can be summed up with one character, "Boner". Mike's best friend's name was Boner. Looking back, Carol (Mike's mom) would always emphasize his name. Why is it that we didn't make the connection? I mean, as kids we were all okayed to watch certain shows and asked to refrain from others...all for small reasons. Was this a reason to not watch the show? Did our parents not care? Why did the king of Left Behind have a best friend named Boner on primetime television? I am stumped.

You look sick...

2008-06-19T10:09:00.003-06:00

Don't you love it when someone comes up to you and asks if you're feeling alright? It's one thing when you are actually sick...it's a completely different story when you're feeling fine and someone says, "You look like you're not feeling very well." Tracy and I have decided that we are going to redeem this phrase. So from now on, when someone says, "You don't look so good"...we are going to say, "Thank you so much!"

Somewhere there's a pack of big, fat mice...

2008-06-18T13:51:00.007-06:00

Growing up, my family didn't have much money. I remember living in our little trailer eating pb and honey sandwiches for lunch. Fried spam, fish sticks, and mac and cheese were in the rotation of dinner items, with the exception of Sunday brunch...that was meatloaf. All of these wonderous foods seemed very normal to me at the time. But once in a blue moon, we would get to go to McDonald's. Back in the day when Happy Meals were only 99cents. Needless to say, most of these foods I don't miss too much, but there are some foods that I really feel have disappeared. Here are my top 3:

cheeseballs (the ones that came in the cylindic can with the pop top)

cookie crisp (who didn't love this non-nutritious breakfast cereal)

chocolate malts (by Darigold...frozen...Spokane Colliseum)

Where have these foods gone?

Did they run out of fabric?

2008-06-17T10:45:00.002-06:00

As many of my friends have moved on and gotten married, it has been inevitable that some of them have started having kids. At first it seemed incredibly daunting, but I'm over it. I think. Anyway, because of the sudden upswing in children...I have found myself in the infant/toddler sections of stores from time to time. I discovered that there are many clothes that have the "layered look" for kids. This is obviously just a look. It is a hastle to put on actual layers, so they simply sew the clothing to look like it is layered. This totally makes sense...for toddlers.

I went to Karcher Mall with Jeremy a week or so ago...and I was persuaded into venturing into Burlington Coat Factory (we're more than just coats). Here I found loads of clothing, most of which was made for the Big and Tall shoppers. But I also found shirts with the "layered look" for adults. This I don't understand. Did they simply run out of fabric and decide that it would be too hard to put on two shirts? Or did the "designer" decide that this piece would be for the thrifty shopper that is too cheap to buy two shirts? Hmmm...I wonder.

Greased Lightning

2008-06-05T10:11:00.002-06:00

I have a conundrum that I sincerely wonder if anyone knows the answer. Why is it that when we have dry skin we put on lotion? And many times this lotion, like Body Butter from the Body Shop is fairly greasy. This doesn't seem consistent. Let me explain. Have you ever been sitting next to someone in an airplane, or on the bus and looked over only to find that there is a large pile of coconut shavings on their shoulder. Well, let me clue you in...its not coconut. Its not snow either. In fact...it is dry skin, better known as dandruff. If you let your eyes, inconspicuously of course, wander from their shoulders to their hair...you'll most definitely find a greasy coif. Now...why is this? If their hair is greasy, why is there dry skin flaky off for us all to inhale? What is it that gets rid of dandruff? I mean, sure we all remember the Head and Shoulders commercials. I thought that Head and Shoulders must kind of be like hair lotion. But this doesn't make sense...if you're hair is greasy, you'd think that we wouldn't have a problem with dry skin. But its just the opposite. Dry scalp equals greasy. How baffling. Why is this?

Again and Again

2008-06-04T11:00:00.002-06:00

Have you ever wondered why it is that you bite the side of your mouth or your tongue? It's not like you just all of a sudden forget how to chew. And at the same time, it's not as if the side of your mouth decided to jump in between your teeth either. How is it...and why is it that this happens? The worst part is that after you bite it once...you keep on biting it. How miserable! The passed couple days, I have continually been biting the right side of my mouth. It feels like what a fried egg looks like. Don't misunderstand me...it doesn't feel like a fried egg is in my mouth...it feels like what a fried egg looks like. Ugh...I hate eggs.

The Dandelion of the Computer World

2008-05-23T09:43:00.003-06:00

Right now we're obviously in this economic slump. But despite the financial straps people have had to put on their budgets a few things remain as necessities. First, people still need food. Granted, even though food prices are going up and the rate at which people are eating out may have declined (not for me unfortunately), people still need food. The big fuss that everyone seems to be talking about is the price of gas. Here in the Treasure Valley, we don't have a lot of options because public transportation is so poor. But the two inevitable things that you know will be brought up in that conversation with your distant relatives are the weather and the price of gas. The last necessity that seems to be surviving this economic crunch is Cartridge World. I don't know how this franchise has survived. They're everywhere! In fact, there are probably more of them than there are McDonald's. I have a lot of trouble understanding the business plan of Cartridge World. So your printer runs out of ink, and you need new stuff; do you automatically think..."I need to go to Cartridge World?" I for one generally think Wal-mart...or something of the like. But evidentally people have and continue to support this business. Its a baffling success. Why do people continue to buy cartridges for their computers? Perhaps I'm just out of the loop and there is a world of cartridges waiting for me to discover them...

Theme Songs

2008-05-22T13:26:00.003-06:00

Sometimes I feel as though everyone should have their own theme song. As you watch people walk around and operate in their daily lives, you can imagine what song might be playing in the background of their documentary movie about their life. I think that everyone has a theme song, but they're not always easy to identify. Here's a list of few that I've come up with...I think that you'll enjoy them. If you have more ideas, let me know. I also have had trouble coming up with my own theme song...perhaps you have some insight.

“Here I Go Again”-Vinny
“Yellow Submarine”-Marc Herring
“Trolley Wood”-Jojo
“Puff the Magic Dragon”-Stephanie Rooks
“Duck Tales Theme Song”-Rachel Jacobsen
“Cope Cabana”-Char Harvey
“Two Pina Coladas”-Austin Zander
“Theme Song from Lavern & Shirley”-Pastor Char Grove
“Iris”-Kyle Rooks
“Jesus Take the Wheel”-Kristen Brewer
"World Spins Madly On"-Kylee Pearson
"Jump (For My Love)"-Claire Griffith

The Watering Hole

2008-05-21T13:06:00.003-06:00

I think that I have a certain amount of pride now that I'm a post-graduate. Things that use to be kosher are no longer acceptable in my mind. For instance, tipping a server 10% because it's all that you can give them seems hardly appropriate anymore. When you're in college and you have no money, some of these things can slide. But for some odd reason, I don't like being belittled or put in a box. I hate walking into a restaurant with friends and having a server look at us like, "Oh man...this table is hardly worth the time." I have waited tables, and believe me, sometimes you think these things.

But the best way to top it all off is to come in and sit down in a party of five or more. You are acting your usual jovial self, and as the server comes back to take drink orders...one by one you all chime back "just water for me". Some people think that it has the reverse effect if you say "...with lemon", but c'mon now...it's still just water. Now, perhaps this is just my insecurity birthed out of pride, but sometimes I order a drink that I don't really want, just to give a little hope to the server. Is this dumb? Of course it is. But I can't seem to help myself from saying..."I'll take a diet coke."

The Home-boy Stance

2008-05-20T10:23:00.004-06:00

Perhaps I will be ridiculed for this...and perhaps no one else has ever noticed this. But Giordi, if you read this, you know I'm right. There is a particular stance that I have begun to label as the "home boy or home girl" stance. In other words, homeschooled stance. Granted, there are other people that execute this stance that are simply shy or socially awkward, but I tend to find that most of these individuals are indeed home boys and girls. If you would like to attempt this stature, please do the following:

1. Stand with feet one to three inches apart.
2. Bend your right knee slightly in towards your other knee.
3. As you do so, drop your left arm to your side...let it dangle.
4. Then take your right hand and grab your left elbow/forearem behind your back.

Congratulations! You have done it! Now, I don't exactly know why this is the case...but it is. Watch for it. You see people of all ages executing this particular stance. Happy watching.

In Honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

2008-05-16T09:55:00.002-06:00

Watch him dance!

Call me barbaric or chauvinistic...but I prefer meat-eater!

2008-05-15T15:35:00.001-06:00

Perhaps it has something to do with my upbringing in good ole eastern Washington, but I really love steak. I realized that I crave steak so often. As cliché or redneck as it may sound, I really could eat steak every night. Growing up, we always had a full freezer of meat. Whether it was pheasant, fish, beef, chicken, or venison, there seemed to be an endless supply. Hunting was a must-do in the town of Pomeroy, and all-in-all, I took for granted what assurance hunting brought to my appetite.

Since then, I have moved away from my beloved Washington, and settled in a mid-sized city. Now don’t get me wrong, Idaho is still very much a “huntin’ state”, but I think I may live in the one area of the entire state that is anti-killing. You take Weiser, Idaho and they’re going to have you over for dinner with a big, ole wild turkey as the main course. You brave the hospitality of Fruitland, Idaho and you’re going to see three barefoot kids running down the highway with a dead raccoon and rattlesnake in hand, being chased by their moo-moo, wearin’ ma. But you travel to Hyde Park and all you see are “COEXIST” stickers and “Vote for Clinton” paraphernalia.

Needless to say, even though I may have a freezer full of livestock (or as Stephanie likes to call it, “flesh”), our neighbors might look down on us if they knew the abundance of frozen life we have in our kitchen. But regardless of the imagined opposition of our neighbors, steak is amazing! Its good right off the grill or next-day-cold; I can always eat it. But when there is a shortage of steak I have discovered a more than adequate replacement. Jerky is always a good road trip, take-with-you steak replacement. However, jerky’s cousin, the beef nugget is so much more flavorful and far less credited. The name “beef nugget” may scare you…as it did me, but you must get over the fear of the nugget, because the only thing more wonderful is actual steak. Embrace your inner caveman…when you can’t get a smoked turkey leg from the fair…walk down to your local Stinker Station and grab yourself a pack of nuggets.

Chalk One Up!

2008-05-13T10:47:00.002-06:00

I know that for many people the sound of fingernails on a chalk board is excruciating. And for Kyle, the sound of felt or cotton gives him the heebie-jeebies. Although, I'd never heard of it...you know the hologram stickers and things that change when you tilt them in different directions? The sound that a fingernail makes across it (zip, zip), Keila can't handle. It makes her pee her pants. Well, not really, but...she hates it. We all have sounds that for some reason or another resonate in us so negatively that our blood pressure rises and we want to escape. For me, this sound can be found while partaking in eating. Growing up, I always hated putting the dishes away because of the clanking of silverware. Since then, my peeve has evolved...I now am unable to cope with the sound some make while scraping their teeth off the end of their fork or biting things off of their spoon. For some reason, I literally get sick to my stomach. Good ole Emily made me dry heave a few times when we lived together for the summer...out of all of us, I think I was the only one that was troubled by this noise infraction that summer. But I ask of you...why not use your lips? Or your tongue? Your teeth are not needed to eat with a fork!

The Nose Knows

2008-05-09T09:26:00.004-06:00

I'm pretty sure that I was not the only 5 year old in the 80s that succumbed to watching the Pound Puppies. There was something awesome about Howler, Cooler, and Bright Eyes. They were young, hip, and so much fun. But there was one snooty dog that I never had an affinity for...the Nose Marie. She could always sniff things out even as a kid, it didn't totally make sense.

Since growing up (a little), I have realized that having a good sense of smell is kind of a curse. Sure there are useful things that come with such a gift. For instance, everything that is said to be "unscented" is never in fact unscented. So be aware of this...you don't want to walk around with weird smelling lotion all over you. When this happens, you just want to yell, "It was supposed to be unscented!" We value good senses...vision, touch, hearing...but when it comes to smell, it's not a good thing. Here's why:

1. You're always the first to smell a fart. No matter how old you get, a little thought creeps into your mind like...it was probably them, they're the ones that smelled it first. You know, "the one that smelled it, dealt it." Mature, I know.
2. When you walk by an unkept person...and you can smell them as you pass by.
3. When you walk by a teenager that just shopped at Abercombie & Fitch.
4. You know those times when you really have to go to the bathroom; so you stop by a reststop and use the bathroom. How many of you have played the game to see if you can hold your breath the entire time you run into the bathroom, drop drawers, and execute?
5. When you're dieting or fasting and all you can do is smell food everywhere you go. I know that this can't happen, but I think I can smell food through the television screen sometimes.
6. Picking up dog poop in you yard. It seems like since there's open air, that you really shouldn't be able to smell it very much. But lets be honest; you do. So now you have a choice, do you choose to smell it...or choose to inhale it through your mouth...where you eat/taste? Dilemma.

Overall, having an over-active smeller is hard to cope with. You're faced with hard decisions everyday. Do you tell someone their breath stinks? Do you eat something without smelling it first? Or do you let that co-worker of yours know they smell like their pet(s)? What's a nose to do?

Who wants a round thing in their face...just to get sprung?

2008-05-08T10:31:00.005-06:00

In the passed few years, we've seen songs such as No Scrubs turn into No Pigeons; and "Umb-er-ella" transform into the lyrical genius of "Cin-der-ella". These are all dismal attempts if you ask me. But in all seriousness, it seems as though we are much more likely to change a song produced/written/performed by a girl into a chauvinistic melody than we are the other way around. Perhaps this is because most songs written about girls are somewhat degrading...but with the rise in "girl power" music, why has it not been covered? Why is it that we haven't ever taken a song like "Baby Got Back" by Sir-Mix-a-Lot and turned it into something about women liking "big boys". I'll tell you why, because women don't. I've yet to meet a woman who is genuinely attracted to a man with a "juicy double". Let's be honest...there are those guys that have "Baby Got Back" as their anthem by blasting it as their ringtone. As for women...they don't want big buns...sorry Pillsbury, but you're out of luck.

out of TOUCH and drenched in SMELL

2008-05-07T10:21:00.004-06:00

Perhaps this is the first sign that I am at the starting line of being out of touch with teenagers. I remember five years ago when I was an assistant manager at Abercrombie and Fitch and I thought that my dad was so out of touch because he consistently called it Abercrombie and Finch. And now today, five years later, I find myself questioning a couple different things about this "clothing" company. First of all, I got summoned to testify when many different law suits were taking place regarding the physical appearance of the employees versus those who did not get hired. And in all actuality, every retail place I have worked for asks that the employees look the part. It's kind of like that old saying, "Never trust a skinny chef."

But secondly, is the younger generation all of sudden unable to smell? If you walk by the Abercrombie or Hollister stores in the mall, you smell like them just walking by their entrances. Its not really luring, but I suppose it does help directionally. It's not just the stores themselves, but the frequent shoppers as well. There are times when you walk by that guy with his popped collar hand-in-hand with his girlfriend and destroyed denim mini-skirt...and the smell radiating from their pores pollutes the air for an entire block. Do you put one squirt of the overly-expensive, generally not long lasting fragrance and decide that's enough? Then the next day you don't smell it anymore so you put on three squirts...then four...then five. In a couple months you'll be puttin' on full bottles of the dang stuff. And when this happens, we get that couple walking around, oblivious to all of the flowers they're killing with their odor as they pass them.

Let's be honest...forget worrying about the sexually suggestive advertising they're causing American teens to accustom to--what about the physical downfall of smell they're marketing to young people. There are many other things to disagree with when it comes to this company (i.e. the "models" baring close to everything welcoming you at the front of the store). All I have to say is protest all you want...but I'm pretty sure my sense of smell is on top of my priority list of protecting.

Christina says, "Wanna get dirty..."

2008-05-06T13:03:00.004-06:00

Today, we live in a country where cleanliness has almost gone out of style. We've even reformed and progressed passed what many would call the "Grunge" phase. Other countries such as China are bringing people in to teach about hygiene and the importance of being clean. But here in America, parents are supposed to do this task...and clean has almost begun to go out of style.

The other day, I was talking with some friends about how Stephanie should keep the possibility of dreads open. Many of our friends think this is a terrible idea. They think that Stephanie has beautiful hair already...which she does. But in my mind, dreads are not the option you do because you have bad hair...but just another hairstyle to consider. There are clean and dirty dreads; it all depends on what you want. But it is weird to me that aside from dreads, bed head and unwashed hair is kind of a style. I admit, I fall into this stereotype sometimes, but why is it that we are okay with dirty hair, but not other dirty things. Could our society have just as easily made dirty feet or dirty armpits a trend? So do you have dirty hair?

Punch Drunk Love

2008-04-30T15:14:00.002-06:00

Remember when punching was okay? It used to be a sport...a fun little game...light-hearted fun. There was the buddy punch...the little soft punch-push to the shoulder or the cheek of your pal. Or the slug-bug...a fun, travel game with the family and friends. And the tootsie pop. I remember as a kid (who knows who came up with it and why)we would eat those tootsie pops and save the wrappers. If the wrapper had an Indian (politically correctness overlooked) and a star by its bow and arrow...you got to have free reigns to punch someone. Now the wise old owl, from the tootsie pop commercials, tried to get kids to buy into a different game...a game where you guess how many licks it takes till you get to the center of the tootsie pop...but we're the kids of America (whoa, oh) and all we wanted to do was sucker-punch!

It takes two to tango, but I'd settle for too many cooks...

2008-04-25T14:00:00.003-06:00

I could be completely wrong here, but it seems to me that most everyone I've ever talked to about this subject agress...if there are only two people dining together...sit across from each other. And yet, it seems like I can't go out to eat without seeing a couple hip-to-hip. Number one, this makes for conversing with each other to be an awkward task. You have your food in front of you, but you want to turn and talk to the person next to you. I think that you sit next to each other when little conversing is expected (i.e. rollercoaster, movie theatre). The only time that you sit next to each other and are still supposed to talk is in the car. Two rules of social dating and pda...don't sit on the same side of the table and don't walk one in front of the other with hands intertwined (aka junior high walk)...it just makes everyone uncomfortable.

But aside from those that intentionally sit in this socially taboo position, how about the people that don't want to do so? For instance, Kyle, Cortney, and I were all dining at the Macaroni Grill last weekend. I got up to go the bathroom and when I came back...there they were, snuggled up next to each other on one side of the booth. It was quite comical to me because there were no intentions, and yet anyone that walked by them during that period of time judged them deeply for sitting as they did. All in all, I think its hilarious. I was literally laughing out loud when I returned to the table. I think I might purposefully try and desert people in this position whenever I see the chance.

I enjoy making people feel awkward, and if you are intentionally breaking the two rules of pda to make others feel awkward...then break away like a gym teacher's swishy pants.

Lady in the (pink) Water

2008-04-23T10:43:00.002-06:00

Generally, when I go out to eat, I just prefer to get water. On a rare ocassion I'll get something else, but generally, I love the H2O. However, there is one thing that can ruin water. Some people like lemon with their water; whereas others enjoy a lime or cucumber. But no one, and I repeat no one enjoys the polluting of pink lemonade. I understand the pickiness of tap versus filtered water, and all the like. But when you go to pull down that little lever to get your water from the soda fountain, don't forget, someone probably had pink lemonade right before you, or the spout has not been cleaned for sometime. Either way...pink water is a "no, no".

Who says that?

2008-04-22T10:46:00.003-06:00

You know the saying, "You say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to"? Seriously...who says "to-mah-to"? No one.

Discipleship is awesome...

2008-04-20T23:18:00.002-06:00

My boy Jared...being who God made him to be...

The Line of Pressure

2008-04-18T11:35:00.003-06:00

You know, you go to a restaurant and you get the bill. You think, "hmmm...what should I tip them?" But you go and get fast food or something quick, and you run that credit card...then you get the slip back with that dreaded tip line. There is so much pressure as you sign. First of all, they're looking over your shoulder. Secondly, you feel like you should probably put a total so that they don't charge you for a tip when you didn't put one down. Doesn't it feel like insult to injury when you write down that total definitively saying, "I don't want to tip"? Basically, I never know what to do...so I usually give in and tip a dollar just so that I don't feel so bad about it. Yes, I'm the sucker that gives into the pressure. And now I have no money.

Bratty Bratz

2008-04-17T11:04:00.003-06:00

My younger sister and I used to fight constantly. When we were little, we would simply pick fights with each other. Its strange how often siblings do this. I remember getting into verbal fights, bantering back and forth, for quite awhile...and for some reason frequently in the car. Life is not like Full House despite what many people might think. In fact, its as far from that as possible. If I have to hear another "Sorry Deej" from Stephanie I might hurl. I'm pretty sure that parents make their kids watch these shows with hope that their kids will mimick this lifestyle...but of course that doesn't happen, kids just mimic video games and other violence.

For me, it was an ultimate satisfaction to call my sister the dreaded "b" word...BRAT! She would give me a great gift of appaulled reaction...and I knew that this was the key to winning the fight. Doesn't it seem weird that little kids are now calling each other names that we never would have dreamnt of voicing, especially in the presence of our family. But nonetheless, kids today shout a completely different "b" word towards each other, siblings, and maybe even authorities (i.e. teachers, parents, etc.). What has happened? Is there going to be a new "s" word...

The Dreaded "D" Word

2008-04-16T09:11:00.003-06:00

This might be a bit more serious than most of my previous posts, but I've lately been thinking a lot about what many people label, "The plague to American families...divorce." Sometimes, I wonder what this does to influence the youth of today. I come from a divorced home, but have not thought about it much on the grand scheme of things. Last night thanks to the miracle of DVR, I watched the teen drama, One Tree Hill. One thing that the character Brooke Davis says as she's applying to be an adoptive parent is, "I don't come from a two parent household, I come from a no parent household." Her reasoning for this was to point out the neglect that she had growing up by her parents. Obviously, this is fictional and a little extreme, but I started to wonder how divorce and "broken homes" are viewed by the younger generation. With the frequency of divorce or even kids brought into the world to a single parent home, one has to wonder what the perspective is. Brooke was obviously upset about the lack of direction and support she was given, but at the same time, blame was strictly put on her parents. But then we see movies like Juno, where Juno McGuff flippently talks about sex and having a baby, but when it comes to divorce she seems to break down and still find so much value in a "traditional" home. Overall, yes, "broken" homes are everywhere, and you have to entertain the idea that there are probably many "broken" homes where there has been no sign of divorce as of yet. But I haven't lost faith in the All-American family...but I don't know exactly what that family unit looks like. Regardless of the specific events, I tend to think that no matter what, most kids are going to take a divorce or separation pretty hard, but how that affects the majority of young people, since so many come from a home that has experienced this, might begin to think of divorce as benign. Hopefully, morals are not inextricably attached to this ideal of family.

A Little Tunage

2008-04-15T13:28:00.004-06:00

What do you think Connor Oberst's message is in this song? What was he trying to say? I really love that Bright Eyes frequently writes in a unique narrative format that paints a picture, but not a picture that seems to fit together completely. In some ways, I like to think of his lyrical genius much like many thought of various impressionistic artists and abstract/multi-media artists during their revolutionary upswing. His song fits in a way that seems so unfitting. What message do you get?

The Cleanse Song

Hear the chimes, did you know that the wind when it blows
It is older than Rome and all of this sorrow
See the new pyramids down in old Manhattan
From the roof of a friend's I watched an empire ending
Heard it loud and long the river's Om
Time marching on to a madman's drum

Don't forget what you've learned all you give is returned
And if life seems absurd what you need is some laughter
And a season to sleep and a place to get clean
Maybe Los Angeles, somewhere no one's expecting
On a detox walk through a Glendale Park over sidewalk chalk
Someone wrote in red, "start over"
So I muffled my scream on an Oxnard beach
Full of fever dreams that scare you sober
Into saltless dinners

Take the fruit from the tree, break the skin with your teeth
Is it bitter or sweet? All depends on your timing
Like a meeting of chance with the train station glance
Many lifetimes had past in a instant reminded
Of a millstone house in a seaside town
When your heart gave out in a mission bed
So your wife gave birth to a funeral dirge
You woke up purged as a wailing infant
In Krug Thep, Thailand

Hear the chimes, did you know that the wind when it blows
It is older than Rome and our joy and our sorrow

Gal Pals

2008-04-14T12:42:00.003-06:00

What makes girls think that its cool to dress like each other, then go out for the day? It never works out well...I mean, who told girls that this was a good idea?