Sunday project

This weekends project was finally building a table to create more countertop space in the kitchen area. When living in a small apartment, unused space is a sad site and I had wanted to make this corner nook area usable for both Karza and myself. So, with a free scrap of plywood and some old 2" x 4"s, I went o work. Cutting the pieces was surprisingly easy, but putting them together, that was another story. The 2" x 4"s were so hard that after drilling hole through the wood, the screw was still having trouble and if I stepped up a size w/ the drill bit, the hole would have been too big. So many frustrating hours later, I had a somewhat stationary table. I didn't even screw the plywood onto the frame... it still needs some help. However, as long as one doesn't sit or stand on it, the table is sound.


Having big plans for the new addition to the apartment, I was sad at how quickly the space was filled. However, it is nice to have more countertop space and some room to crop veggies or better yet, for projects.... like drying herbs. I clipped back some the herbs and found there to be a plethora. I think I will hang them next time, but for now it a pleasant site to have lying around. I would like to note the tomatoes in the dish are delicious and cultivated by hers truly. I have not had the greener one yet; it is a heirloom variety and recently added to potted veggies outside, but the smaller ones are from the patio tomatoe and are delish. They are not very big, but just the right size for a sandwich, although I would suggest eating them on their own too. I forgot how good a tomatoe can taste. I can't wait to someday have a garden, in the ground, and grow lots of edible goodness year round.

Windy, but warm

Last weekend a few of the Geo girls and myself headed out to the OBX to try, unsuccessfully, to recover a logger that has gone M.I.A. As usual, the day turned out to have perfect weather, a little breezier than I would have preferred, but I've come accustomed to not actually getting in the ocean when I go to the beach up here, since it's usually too cold, i.e. 70 degrees or below.

However, the day was very pleasant and we even had enough time to make it down to the 2007 Nation's #1 beach, according to Dr.Beach, himself.

From left to right: Ari, Kat, me, Reanna, wth Karza infront

Out of all of us, Karza gets the poser award.

Plantings

The warm weather makes getting dirty and sweating irresistible, two things I have loved as long as I can remember and with nurseries overflowing with herbs, veggies, and perennials, I couldn't handle it anymore.... I have to add some to my backyard. With my neighbors having moved, after finishing nursing school, I was sad but happy entertaining the thought of having plants freely growing were I can tend and gaze at them outside my door. I had attempted planting a few echinacea, one of my favorite perennials, but Sampson, the K-9 resident slowly put an end that with his accurate urinary aiming capabilities. However, once I decided to make a plant bed in the backyard, I had the hardest time deciding what to put in it and how to go about it. Slowly over a few weeks, I played with dimensions and what plants to put where, never really deciding one way or the other.

Finally, I woke up Sunday morning, my first day off in weeks, and decided to do it. If it was a successful venture or it flopped, either way, I tried. After wandering around Lowe's hardware store I finally decided on the size: 6' long x 2' wide. I bought three 4" x 4" x 6' pieces, cut one piece into three 2' long pieces, and borrowed a shovel to break up the earth. The day was overcast and rain from the tropical storm that had wet the earth and was sprinkling here and there. It was the perfect day to make a bed.

I quickly got to work, before I could talk myself out of it, something I seem to easily be able to do and almost had accomplished while at the hardware store, and in about 2 hours I had broken up the earth, arranged, and planted to plants. I stepped back and admired my hard work, gleaming with pride. I couldn't walk away from my new accomplishment and was eager with anticipation to watch the plants grow and flourish, wishing I had done it when I first moved in.... thinking of how large the plants would be now.

However, I will only have the next year, or at least through spring semester, to watch the plants grow and they have been pleasant friend keeping Karza and I company while we enjoy the summer sunsets.



The bed consists of, from left to right back: lavendar, primadona echinacea, hyacinth bean, snow white echinacea, rosemary; from left to right front: creeping rasberry, garlic chives, strawberry, chives, and a creeping groundcover I can't remember the name of.

Happiness is the longing for repetition.

~ Milan Kundera

Over the past month I have been doing something I do not normally do... spreading myself thin, and handling it rather well. Normally, I am very hesitant to take on too much for the fear of not being able to follow through. However, I am finding joy in being able to manage the tasks and above all else, it keeps me busy and wanting to accomplish the various tasks. Sure there are hundreds of things I would rather be doing, but when I have a minute to reflect on the current moment, I am pleased with what I am doing. Though this sounds like something not that fantastic, it is for me. My time here in North Carolina has been begrudgingly arduous both personally and otherwise. Though I have often tried to create a schedule for myself, I never hold to them, but lately things have working along those lines and my planner has become a close companion. What is it about the familiar that is so comforting?

Unknown future

I've been thinking of my hometown a lot recently. I often ponder living there again, but wonder if it's just familiarity that I seek. When I visit, it is the wierdest feeling to walk down a street or enter a shop that is so familiar, yet I am a stranger.... a visitor. Even though I do not feel like a different person, than the one that left 8 years ago, the life I live now is much different than the life I had there. It would be interesting to give it a try, but there is so much saddness lingering there.

I wonder if I am seeking something from a memory that may not exist anymore.

The day has come and gone; slowly it seemed to pass, yet within the blink of an eye it's over....

open

Interactions and activities were cared for consciously, retarding time. I felt somewhat like a child, wide open and vulnerable taking great care in the simple actions of the passing moment. It was blissful and carefree, fulfilling.

New Music

I've been listening to the new Bright Eyes album, Casadaga, continuously. The video for Four Winds, one of the songs on the album and the EP put out before the album, is below.

The album as a whole is good, including a variety of sounds yet cohesive enough to flow from song to song. I am fond of the lyrics in the last song on the album, Lime Tree ....

The window closes, shocks roll over in a tidal wave
And all the color drains out of the frame
So pleased with a daydream that now living is no good
I took off my shoes and walked into the woods
I felt lost and found with every step I took

Sun brings smiles

The sun is out and the air is humid.... a bit chillier than I prefer (80 degrees F), but I am going to enjoy it. I feel free today. Why? That I am not sure, but I feel as though a release has occurred and although I have many tasks to accomplish before leaving town for a week, I am surprisingly not stressed.

I just hope the weather holds out for next week and is warm enough to enjoy the ocean water.... field work on the OBX is torturous stuff.....

Roanoke Rapids

In part of completing the coursework requirements for the current degree I am pursuing, The faculty decided I had to sit in on a field methods class. The class was not difficult, although I did not understand everything. The last assignment for the course is a big mapping project that takes place in Hot Springs, NC, but the weekend on which the field excursion occurred, I could not attend. So I arranged to do something closer and accomplishable within a day, at least the field component. However, since I did/do not know how to map geology, I coerced a few fellow grad students to accompany me.

The three of us + Karza headed up to a canal east of a damned river to look at outcrops. For those non-geologic folk reading, an outcrop is an exposure of rock or mineral deposit that can be seen on surface, i.e. that is not covered by soil or water.

Can anyone say outcrop?

All said and done, we had a good time blazing overgrown trails and looking at rocks, although I was somewhat preoccupied looking trying to i.d. the plants.

We always have fun in the field!
From left to right: Kat, Ari, Karza, and me

The day is overcast and water laden cooler air moves freely running a chill up my neck. There is a 30 percent chance of rain and the temperature outside is currently 65 degrees with an expected high of 72, a drastic change from the warm and welcomed 90 degree sunny weather of yesterday. Surprisingly, I was looking forward to today... the cooler temperature and clouds swollen with precipitation are an unalluring, yet motivating reason to stay inside and write, something I have found somewhat difficult the past few days.

Days like these make me want to curl up with a book and snuggle into a soft blanket or work on projects, anxiously awaiting attention, having been cast aside physically, though mentally still being developed and perfected. Memories of the mountains is where my mind goes on days like these, of my last adventure that of a trip to Yosemite. Hiking through changing topography with a slight chill in the passing air, just enough to offset the little perspiration accumulated from not being accustomed to the terrain. The clean, freezing-cold freshwater flowing down the mountain was a refreshing surprise as we made it to the top of a waterfall. We were only able to spend one night, but it was one of the best camping excursions I have been on yet.

So, I return to reality and the surmounting task laid before me. It is time to begin chipping away before the task at hand becomes too large. It's 9 a.m., time to start the work day.

... and so my thoughts wander back to memories....

Sometimes I wonder if the ideals and preferred life I am working towards is simply non-existent or unrealistic. For instance, I have fond memories of my home town, a small Atlantic coast laid back beach town. So fond, I yearn for the community and positive attitude that I associate with it, where things are slow moving, but people take the time to chat, have conversations with strangers, and the weather influences more than the decision to take an umbrella into work.

I cannot help but think that perhaps my fondness has become skewed and no such thing exists. When I am able to make it back to my home town, I can see it... hidden in the small locally owned and run businesses, dwarfed by large corporate chains. Although I could go off on a rant about development of small towns causing the community and culture to go extinct, that is not the purpose of this post.

It is not as though I am suggesting to prohibit growth and change in society, but more so I cam concerned that what I am working towards does not exist. Why worry about it, you may be saying... well, because soon my time here will be done and I am considering where I would like to move onto and in evaluating the positive and negative attributes of the few places I have spent a reasonable amount of time... I return to the fond thoughts of my home town. However, it is no longer what it was and has evolved.

Evolved....

Over the years I too have evolved and life has shaped not only my experiences but my memories. I have outgrown my home town and feel lost, searching for a new place to call home. As I type this a common phrase, reminding me that focusing on the present is often more beneficial than reflecting on the past or worrying about the future...

Wherever you go, there you are.

Successful Sunday

This spring has brought warmer weather, meaning sandals are an afternoon possibility, only a light fleece is required in the morning hours, and an hour of mid-day sunbathing can occur on breezeless days. With the excitement of warmth coming, I have invested in the pleasant company of those on the greener side, i.e. a few herbs (chocolate mint, varigated Thai sage, and lemon ?), a patio tomato, and some leafy lettuce.

Yesterday afternoon I finally planted three confederate jasmine plants I bought last fall and have neglectfully left sitting their 1 gallon pots for far too long. Weaving the vines through the fence, it made me wonder how much they will grow before I leave and if the next renter will hack them down.

Warmth and motivation

This morning I was able to raise my sleepy body from bed at a decent hour and successfully meet up w/ a friend to play racquetball. Although the previous night I stayed up later than intended, partially due to the good company and being able to sit outside after the sun had set without a jacket, I was pleasantly able to make it to the gym only slightly later than our 7:30 a.m. time to meet.

Although I was not overly energized, the early morning physical activity was pleasant and made the remaining day even more so. Being that the weather has been warmer recently, also aids in me pleasant mood. When others are moaning in any available spot of shade possible about the miserable heat, my spirits lift... not because of their discomfort, but for the heat is what motivates me to be active and enjoy the outdoors. Conversely, during the colder times, which last far too long here in North Carolina, I am the one grumbling about the awful weather while others glare with looks of insanity.

By the end of the summer my goal is to have a kick @ss Chaco's tan.

bodacious

Popularized in the comic strip Snuffy Smith, bodacious is probably a blend of the words bold and audacious, whose combined senses are evident in the following description of Sevier County, Tennessee, as "the most bodacious display of tourism this side of Anaheim" (Los Angeles Times). A more traditional meaning is "remarkable, prodigious": "a bodacious amount of smoke" (Springfield MA Morning Union); "the most bodacious tale of hidden treasure" (Lawrence E. Will). Bodacious can also be an adverbial intensifier: "She's so bowdacious unreasonable when she's raised [irritated]" (William T. Thompson). African-American speech in New York City retains this Southernism as bardacious. Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary cites the form boldacious, which is the likely source for bodacious.

Painting by Gil Marosi

Mineral Sale

Annie, Amanda, and me from left to right in the back and Kat is in front.

Saturday, was the first Greenville, NC Pirate Festival and the geology club rented a space to sell their rocks and mineral, which is our fundraiser normally held on campus twice a year. It was a lot of work, but we did well and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Hilariousness

John Cleese Letter to America
(Notice of Revocation of Independence)

Variant of 'Notice of Revocation of Independence' purportedly authored by John Cleese (Dec. 2004)


To the citizens of the United States of America, in the light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today.

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. Except Utah, which she does not fancy. Your new prime minister (The Right Honourable Tony Blair, MP for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a minister for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. You should look up revocation in the Oxford English Dictionary. Then look up aluminium. Check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'favour' and 'neighbour', skipping the letter 'U' is nothing more than laziness on your part. Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters. You will end your love affair with the letter 'Z' (pronounced 'zed' not 'zee') and the suffix ize will be replaced by the suffix ise. You will learn that the suffix 'burgh' is pronounced 'burra' e.g. Edinburgh. You are welcome to respell Pittsburgh as 'Pittsberg' if you can't cope with correct pronunciation.

Generally, you should raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. Look up vocabulary. Using the same twenty seven words interspersed with filler noises such as "like" and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. Look up interspersed. There will be no more 'bleeps' in the Jerry Springer show. If you're not old enough to cope with bad language then you shouldn't have chat shows. When you learn to develop your vocabulary then you won't have to use bad language as often.

2. There is no such thing as "US English". We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of -ize.

3. You should learn to distinguish the English and Australian accents. It really isn't that hard. English accents are not limited to cockney,upper-class twit or Mancunian (Daphne in Frasier). You will also have to learn how to understand regional accents - Scottish dramas such as Taggart will no longer be broadcast with subtitles. While we're talking about regions, you must learn that there is no such place as Devonshire in England. The name of the county is Devon. If you persist in calling it Devonshire, all American States will become shires e.g. Texasshire, Floridashire, Louisianashire.

4. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as the good guys. Hollywood will be required to cast English actors to play English characters. British sit-coms such as Men Behaving Badly or Red Dwarf will not be re-cast and watered down for a wishy-washy American audience who can't cope with the humour of occasional political incorrectness.

5. You should relearn your original national anthem, God Save The Queen but only after fully carrying out task 1. We would not want you to get confused and give up half way through.

6. You should stop playing American football. There is only one kind of football. What you refer to as American football is not a very good game. The 2.15% of you who are aware that there is a world outside your borders may have noticed that no one else plays American football. You will no longer be allowed to play it, and should instead play proper football. Initially, it would be best if you played with the girls. It is a difficult game. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which is similar to American "football", but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like nancies). We are hoping to get together at least a US Rugby sevens side by 2005. You should stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the 'World Series' for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.15% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders,your error is understandable. Instead of baseball, you will be allowed to play a girls' game called rounders, which is baseball without fancy team strip, oversized gloves, collector cards or hotdogs.

7. You will no longer be allowed to own or carry guns. You will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous in public than a vegetable peeler. Because we don't believe you are sensible enough to handle potentially dangerous items, you will require a permit if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

8. July 4th is no longer a public holiday. November 2nd will be a new national holiday, but only in England. It will be called Indecisive Day.

9. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and it is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean. All road intersections will be replaced with roundabouts. You will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time,you will go metric with immediate effect and conversion tables. Roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

10. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips. Fries aren't even French, they are Belgian though 97.85% of you (including the guy who discovered fries while in Europe) are not aware of a country called Belgium. Those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut and fried in animal fat. The traditional accompaniment to chips is beer which should be served warm and flat. Waitresses will be trained to be more aggressive with customers.

11. As a sign of penance 5 grams of sea salt per cup will be added to all tea made within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this quantity to be doubled for tea made within the city of Boston itself.

12. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all, it is lager. From November 1st only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer,and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. The substances formerly known as American Beer will henceforth be referred to as Near-Frozen Knat's Urine,with the exception of the product of the American Budweiser company whose product will be referred to as Weak Near-Frozen Knat's Urine. This will allow true Budweiser (as manufactured for the last 1000 years in Pilsen,Czech Republic) to be sold without risk of confusion.

13. From November 10th the UK will harmonise petrol (or Gasoline, as you will be permitted to keep calling it until April 1st 2005) prices with the former USA. The UK will harmonise its prices to those of the former USA and the Former USA will, in return, adopt UK petrol prices (roughly $6/US gallon- get used to it).

14. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not adult enough to be independent. Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're not grown up enough to handle a gun.

15. Please tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us crazy.

16. Tax collectors from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all revenues due (backdated to 1776).

Thank you for your co-operation and have a great day.

John Cleese

While reading a friends blog, I was reminded of this 1993 Porno for Pyros song...

It's sad to know that even though over a decade has passed, humans are still in the same state. How can numerous people individually progress, but the population as a whole remains static? Is there hope for the human race? Sometimes I think we deserve the outcome.... it is our actions that create them.

Sick in Savannah

This is the tale of one students excursion to a coveted vacation spot....


At the end of May, a group of geology grad students headed south to Savannah, Georgia for the Southeastern Geological Society of America (SEGSA) conference. Obligatorily, we created posters and prepared to present our work, our research, what we have been living and breathing for over a year now. Nervous for fear of ridicule and uncertain of events to unfold, we laboriously worked on our posters.

Finishing ahead of schedule, one student makes the last revisions and prepares to print the final version. However, at this same time, the printer has decided it does not want to print the poster correctly. Distraught and aggravated, she stays up until 3:30 a.m., with only a pixelated version of her crisp detailed poster. In a last effort, she send the file off to the mediacenter on campus, hoping their printer will be able to print it correctly.

Early the next morning, a day before they are to leave for Savannah, she wakes feeling horrible, only to progressively worsen during the day. With a fever growing, she retrieves the printed poster from the mediacenter in a delusional state. Somehow, the mediacenter was able to fix the issue and the poster looks crisp, clear, and ready to present. However, her feverish state is making her feel nauseous and riding in a van packed full of people for 6 hours does sound appealing, let alone presenting a poster. Not sure what to do, seeks out one of her advisers.

While he is trying to dismiss her, she informs him she is not well and may not be able to attend the conference. Trying to be responsible, she asks what she should do. Should she give her poster to one of the students ans ask them to hang it up for her? Should she find someone to stand by it and tell people that the presenter is ill? He tells her that he or her other advisor will present it, if she cannot make it and with that she leaves the poster in the hands of one of the other students and heads home to rest, hoping she will feel better after some additional sleep.

Later, much later that day, she wakes in a cold sweat, feeling somewhat better, having finally broken the fever. A kind friend brings her food and although she is not hungry, she eats and within a few hours is feeling much better. Even though she knows she is not well, she arranges to make the journey and attempt to follow through what she has started.

After a long night's sleep she loads herself into the van and with the other students, she heads south on I-95 to Savannah. Ah, Savannah... she has wanted to visit this place for many years now and has made multiple attempts and planned trips, all of which did not come to fruition. Now, she is finally going, but will she be able to enjoy it?

Surprisingly, the drive down was not bad. A fellow student and kind friend, comfortingly sat next to her on the drive, helping to create a buffer so as to keep the sickness from infecting others. Her constant coughing did nor seem to upset anyone but she was fading as they approached the hotel in Savannah. After checking in, the students headed out to explore the town, but she decided to stay in and rest. Her poster session was at 8 a.m. the next morning and she wanted to feel as good as possible. She did manage to make it out to grab dinner. The hotel was located next to River Street with a beautiful view. Walking to a restaurant, the air was chilly and slightly weighted with the warmth of humidity. The old facades and tourist feel of the town reminded her of her home town and how much she missed it. There were people out strolling along the uneven brick streets and live music drifting from the restaurants and bars.

Accompanied by a few other students, she resigned to the hotel room to rest before her poster presentation in the morning. She endured the deep dreamless sleep of sickness only interrupted by a inconsiderate drunken phone call. Regardless, she rose early and after yet another trip to a nearby drug store, she made it to the poster session on time. Although she couldn't really talk, because the cold had settled in her throat, she tried to interact and communicate with people perusing her poster. When her session was finished, she packed up her poster and rested the remainder of the afternoon.

The second day of the conference, she was not feeling much better, but the fever had seemed to cease. Trying to make the best of it, she headed out into the town to see how much she could explore. However, little effort exhausted her, so she spent most of the time, sitting by the river enjoying the warmth of the sun, wishing she was in better health and capable of exploring the town as she had wanted to for long. However, by the afternoon, the days effort caught up with her and she was ready to head home.

As they came, the students loaded into the department vans and headed north on I-95. Missing her dog and her comfortable bed, she wondered if she would make it back to Savannah another time. A time when she could enjoy the town and its southern beauty.

Another day....

Good Friday. What's so good about it? Besides the fact that campus is closed, yet I am still expected to work. Granted, I enjoy working when campus is empty; however, it frustrates me that I am expected to be here, yet no food is available for purchase because all the vendors are closed.

Although it sounds like I'm trying to bitch, which ok maybe I was, but there is something about today that sets it apart form the monotony of other days. Is it the exemplary dichotomy that the day had already displayed, the lightness of the cold air, or the fact that it is Friday? Unfortunately, for grad students, Friday does not really mean anything. It is just another day, although we like to think there is something special about it. Perhaps it is the end of the semester vibe, that is resonating from anxious students, scrambling to complete projects and reports. Not being enrolled in any classes, thankfully deceases my stress level, but it can still be felt emanating from others.

It feels like things are coming to a head, a climax of sorts. Up until now, I have been worried, scared, and hesitant, but today I feel liberated and free. Why? I have no idea, but I have tried to stop asking such questions and simply revel in the feelings, both negative and positive... although the positive are so much easier to accept without question.

In googling 'freedom', the image below was the first to appear. Simplistic, with vibrant colours, I can easily identify with the artist's representation of freedom. I see a child-likeness in his simplistic forms and colour choice. Perhaps that is what makes it so easily identifiable.

~ Freedom by Kent

Hopefully, this euphoria will remain throughout the weekend....

Coastal field trip winter 2006

Last winter, our coastal processes field trip headed over the the OBX and met up with a class from VIMS to discuss various processes and see erosional hot spots. Here are a few pix taken from during those very cold days on the windy beaches, courtesy of Mr. Hornsberger.....

ECU Geo girls posing for the camera.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse shining in all its glory.

Sunset on the marsh facing west into Pamlico Sound.

The day breaks and everything is new

I forget how fulfilling it is to make early and watch the sun rise behind the clouds, slowly igniting the earth. There is a lightness with rising early, as though you are ahead or capable of moving with the day... like rising mid morning or later you are constantly trying to catch up having the weight of the day resting on your shoulders.

St. Patty's Day

Saturday morning started off well, with a dinner invitation from Sophie. We got started rather late, but around 8 p.m. I around with a hefty salad, while Katie was finishing up a wonderful Irish dish, and Soph showed me how to easily prepare homemade mac & cheese. After a wonderful dinner,we headed downtown to meet up with some of the bio. grads.



We all hung out there for awhile and then headed over to the Euro pub and local geology hang out. It was packed! I didn't even try to make it to bar and hung back in the roomier area near the front door.

All in all it was a fun time with new faces and good conversation. Ending up back home, much later than originally planned, I was extremely pleased and content.

yesterday, today, tomorrow

questions asked
answers given
nothing's changed
life's a dream

conflicting perceptions
askewed views
nothings clear
to those who choose

expecting more
receiving less
connections lost
self remains

stronger and wiser
life goes on
the moon sets
and the sun will rise

After not being to focus the past few days and having the glimpse of warmer weather, we headed over the beach. Unknowingly the beach was in the process of being renourished, a nicer way to say they pumping sand and critters from offshore onto the beach so that the $$ houses do not wash away.

However, the beach has the wonderful capability of clearing the mind and settling the nerves. Returning to good 'ole G-vegas, I felt much better. It amazes me how something so simple can make such a difference. Although I do not understand why, I am simply happy that I know it does.

Organic

Dismal and dull.
Larger than life.
We strive to move forward,
without looking behind.

The sorrow and pain,
lingers and flows,
through one's veins.
Helpless, no?

The energy to live...
to fight for one's life,
is an unconscious action
finite in time.

Like each breath in,
an exhale follows.
Until one day
the air is gone.

Punctuated Point

uneasy emotions...
riding the swells,
stationary
rising and falling.

sadness
for what might of been
or what was?
hard to distinguish
between the two.

so much has occurred
in little time passed.
the same
I feel...
yet hollowed
by experience.

hopeful,
yet empty...
with little to give,
and no one
to receive.

like a child,
dancing in the street.
not for money
but for the audience.

it's become harder...
to continue to dance
when no one is listening.

what's the point?

The most wonderfully unused doghouse in the world!

After receiving a generic warning for not having 'proper shelter' for Karza and being threatened of having her taken away, two of the most wonderful people helped me build a doghouse to appease the @ssh*le. It's a grand doghouse, the most fabulously wonderful one in the world! The sad thing is that Karza won't go in it unless I make her. But it sure does look pretty and if I ever get locked out, I'll have somewhere to sleep.

Moving music

For those whose feet touch the earth and those whose spirit soars above the clouds............

I see you sleeping
Only in my mind
And I have been away
And on this season
I waste so much time
Thinking of when I
Would hold you gently
And I'd look into your eyes
And I would be the one
To calm your shaking
When you would cry

I miss you in my life
I miss you in my life
I miss you in my life
So miss you in my life

You had your answers
Within every smile
And time and time again
I'd lose my chances
To reconcile

And even if I had my time over
It would take awhile
To reveal all my best intentions
That I let slip by

I miss you in my life
So miss you in my life
I miss you in my life
Now I miss you in my life

~ Xavier Rudd

.... you are not forgotten.

Even though it was the middle of February and the beach was cold, I couldn't resist spending a few moments on the heavily modified beach that used to be F/A during a friends wedding. There was a strong wind, but the sun's rays helped me keep warm. The ocean was not very rough and the small swells were rolling in nicely.

A new day's promise

How long one's path may seem
as seasons change
and leaves turn green.

When darkness falls
and the crescent grins
one's unmet goals, simmer
beneath the skin.

Rest and dreams...
await
desired by one
to start a new day.

"I want to be 100 percent here.... When I am writing, I am inside the sound and meaning of the words, playing with them, curving them around eachother. When I am eating, I luxuriate in the taste and texture of everybite. When I am alone, I listen to and communicate with the silence within me and the noises and messages of the world around me. And when I am with people, I am really with them..."

~ Rita Golden Gelman
Tales of a Female Nomad

Optimism

Trees are the ultimate optimists.... always reaching for the sky, growing taller and stronger. This is one of the trees greeting the morning sun as its rays broke the horizon, attempting to warm the cold earth. Leafless, the naked tree's beauty sang silently loud and stoic... a reminder of virtues to manifest.

Technological advances degrade human communication

Just the other day I was thinking about how the advances in technology may be decreasing communication between people and today, I came across this well written essay. The author does a good job of pointing out relevant studies on the topic however, I feel she does not bring up the simple aspect of laziness. The lack of communication between people in society today is exacerbated through technological advances but stems from sheer laziness. The downside of this is that there is more room for error from misinterpretation and inability to pick up on things not communicated in words, just as body language and feelings.

Life... it's not just a boardgame

But on this stage
I've learned to fly
Learned to sing
And learned to cry

Life is but a play, with people and roles that come and go. We are touched by some, so deeply, the impression lasts eternal. As the next scene begins, our attention turns, to focus on the next new plot that unfolds. It is during those times of reflectance, that the memory is reawakened, happiness remembered, and sadness knowing it will not reoccur.

But now it's time
To say goodbye
Some might laugh
But I will surely cry

Lyrics from 'Lady' by Regina Spektor

Drowning in a sea of fluff

So, a lot has been going on lately... to the point where I've yet to be able to take it all in. Through each 'growth' experience endured, I feel myself becoming stronger, but at the same time weaker. It is as though the range between the peaks and valleys become wider, meaning when the next 'growth' experience occurs I feel like the depth of pain fallen to is deeper and the point to rise above it is farther away. The positive spin on this is that the new point arisen to [if capable of enduring the depth] is higher than previously reached.

The routine of emotional oscillation does not feel nor does it logically seem like a productive way to move through life... but what other choice is there? One option is to simply ignore and not deal with life's occurrences, but frankly I've tried that and am still working towards undoing the by-products. The approach as of late has been to allow myself to delve into the emotions, giving them the attention they are wanting, screaming for, like a child, and once satisfied, they are content and I can move on my way. This approach has been more beneficial than the one previously stated, but the moving on part is where I seem to get hung up.

Forgiving and forgetting has never been something that came easily to me. However, as you may have guessed, holding grudges is second nature and is something I have been and still am diligently working on trying to overcome. Holding a grudge, building walls, and retreating feels ingrained and once hurt, there is little one can do to reconcile it, although taking responsibility for one's actions has always been a positive act in my eyes.

This all sounds self-centered and possibly self-righteous and hey, maybe I'm the f*cked up one who needs to get with the program.... but it just doesn't seem right. Hurting someone you care about just is not acceptable to me. Perhaps I'm the only one who feels this way and is simply not ready to be ostracized. Intimacy is the beautiful glue that holds relationships together, without it people are simply animals in close proximity. The lack of intimacy in relationships that occurs as we get older is what feels ostracizing b/c the rest just seems like fluff.

A daze work

With most of time being consumed with work, it's not surprising that the majority of my posts are work related. So,in keeping with the recent trend, I've posted the pix below.



It's a map of the study area of the project with the shoreline change rate for two sites within the study area. I'm hoping to map the entire area, but may not be able to due to time constraints. Thought some people might find it interesting to see what I'm always yapping about.

Kings Of Convenience - Misread

So truthful and simple.... as relationshps should be.

Half way there....

The semester has begun and with it the aggravation of a university system that makes previous institutions, like UF, once thought of as in effective uses of state monies now look like exquisite examples. Yet another bur to irritate the already infected sore that this new 'growth' experience called a Master's Degree.

Why such a dismal outlook, you may ask, from someone who is generally a pleasant person. I wish I could say, but it is just one thing after another that has made this 'experience' more aggravating than enjoyable. Only 1.5 years left... that's what I keep telling myself. Then, I can go on to where ever to do whatever. I just hope it is more enjoyable than the present.

One ending and a new begining

The year 2006 has ended... and 2007 has begun. Spending the past week and a half in Florida was sullenly refreshing, as contradicting as it could be. It was wonderful to catch up with family and friends, some of which I had not seen in many years. Although many encounters were brief, it was refreshing to reconnect. There is a fine space in time when a visit becomes too much and it then turns difficult to leave. The familiarity becomes comforting and leaving causes sadness. That time was surpassed during the visit, but regret the visit, I do not. It makes me ponder plans post master's degree and if I will be returning to Florida. There are many positives that are lacking here and North Carolina has yet to be a place I'd enjoy calling an extended home. However, that time is still in the distant future and much is to be accomplished before then.

As for the new year that lies ahead.... I am focusing on health, clarity, and simplicity.

Is it Friday yet?

It's almost 5 p.m. and I have yet to print the poster I finished late last night (see below). Even tho it was a pain in the ass, I'm proud of the thing. I'm itching to get outta town though.... got the bug.



If you want to read the information on it, just click the pix. a larger image of the poster will open in a new window.

Fire Coming Out Of The Monkey's Head

Once upon a time at the foot of a great mountain, there was a town where the people known as Happyfolk gloond.(Chorus in background humming)Their very existence a mystery to the rest of the world, obscured as it was by great clouds. Here they played out their peaceful lives, innocent of the litany of excess and violence that was growing in the world below. To live in harmony with the spirit of the mountain called Monkey was enough. (Chorus stops humming) Then one day Strangefolk arrived in the town. They came in camouflaged, hidden behind dark glasses, and no one noticed them; they only saw shadows. You see, without the truth of the eyes, the Happyfolk were blind.

Falling out of aeroplanes and hiding out in holes
Waiting for the sunset to come, people going home
Jump out from behind them, and shoot them in the head
Now everybody dancing the dance of the dead
The dance of the dead
The dance of the dead.

In time, the Strangefolk found their way into the higher reaches of the mountain, and it was there that they found the caves of unimaginable sincerity and beauty. By chance, they stumbled upon the place where all good souls come to rest. The Strangefolk, they coveted the jewels in these caves above all things, and soon they began to mine the mountain, it's rich seam fueling the chaos of their own world. Meanwhile, down in the town, the Happyfolk slept restlessly, their dreams invaded by shadowy figures digging away at their souls. Every day, people would wake and stare at the mountain. Why was it bringing darkness into their lives? And as the Strangefolk mined deeper and deeper into the mountain, holes began to appear, bringing with them a cold and bitter wind that chilled the very soul of the Monkey. For the first time, the Happyfolk felt fearful for, they knew that soon the Monkey would stir from its deep sleep. Then there came a sound. Distant first, it grew into castrophany so immense it could be heard far away in space. There were no screams. There was no time. The mountain called Monkey had spoken. There was only fire. And then, nothing.

Oh, little town in U.S.A
The time has come to see
Oh nothing you believe you are
But where were you when it all came down on me
Did you call me now?

~ Gorillaz

...going thru the motions

never could stand what i saw
under a light looked so wrong

the spotlight is on

had to be sure it's not me
had to be pure conscious free

the feeling is gone

going thru the motions

to be sure....

                                          ~ The Mysteries of Life

Distractions

As the semester closes in, I find myself looking feverishly for distractions. Why? I have no idea; they are the last thing I need, but none the less are what I am focusing on. So, I bought a fluorescent fixture and tubes to light the sun thirsty plants that must reside inside away from the freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, the two aloes look like they are not going to make it, as the cold over the past few nights has caused their succulent leaves to grow limp form the water freezing and expanding, bursting the cells.

However, being that the fixture was only $8 and the tubes were not much more, I decided it would a low cost hobby and would allow me to spend time learning something I have been wanting to do for ages anyway. So, I plan on buying some seeds and trying my hand at propagation and will hopefully have some little seedlings by the time winter break is over. Since I am going to be in Florida for about a week at the end of the month, I am going to start some seeds at the green house under the light benches there.

It is exciting! Just in trying to figure out what type of light and fixture to get, there was a plethora of information. Reading up and researching has always been my favorite part of learning something new. I just hope it does not increase the electric bill; that is the main reason I had not started growing plants inside before. What has changed my mind? Surely it is not the decrease in the price of nrg.... no, but the fluorescent lights are supposed to be good on nrg consumption and the way things are going, I felt like I needed something pleasant and rewarding that was not time consuming. So, in essence I'm being selfish; however, since I plan on sharing the plants, giving them to others, I feel that offsets the selfishness.

Get your tix while they last.....

After posting the MOFRO info and songs, I saw they are playing three shows at Freebird, leading up to New Year's Day. The tix for the show on the 29th and 30th are only $18each night, whereas the New Year's Eve show is $28. Since I am most likely going to be driving north on New Year's Eve, I am hoping to attend one of the earlier shows. So, if you are going to be in Jax. and want something fun to do on the 29th or 30th, I recommend heading to the beach and trying to catch the show. However, showing up the day of may be futile, since the other concerts have been sold out.

Music soothes the soul

The colder weather and culmination of holidays makes me home sick. The holidays have not been a very joyous occasion as far back as I can remember. I have tried various tactics to make them more enjoyable, but every year, they still drag me down a bit.

This MOFRO song is prolly my favorite of theirs and their front porch FL music soothes a home sick heart....

hOt cHoCoLatE

Who knew there were so many different ways to make hot chocolate... and for those less informed there is a difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate, described here. Tomorrow I plan on cooking up cup... I'll let you know how it goes.

... and now for educational purposes....

The United States and capitols




and.....

The Nations of the World

Evolution of dance

What a beautiful morning......

Today is the first day of the last month of 2006. The year has come and is going by quickly... about as quickly as my life ended a few minutes ago while biking to campus.

A slight drizzle began to fall during my four block commute to work this morning. After waiting for the walk sign and appropriate light signal, I began to enter the intersection. After looking to the right and noticing a large size sedan maintaining constant momentum, I began to slow down, when normally I would proceed being that I have right of way. During this time a Lois and Fargo truck has entered the intersection and is waiting for me to cross through the intersection so as to turn across my lane. As the car is approaching the where it should already be stopped at the light, the driver must have finally noticed the large Lios and Fargo Truck infront of it and began to apply the brake. While sitting in the now heavier falling rain, I watch as the sedan comes within a few feet of slamming into the side of the Lois and Fargo Truck with screeching brakes, which is coincidentally the place I would have been, if I had not been PAYING ATTENTION and stopped.

So, since when is it acceptable to NOT PAY ATTENTION to traffic lights and intersection, especially when visibility is hindered due to weather?

Perhaps each infant should be flooded with the feelings of the repercussions that would ensue if they were to perform every action possible, then maybe, just maybe people would pay a little more attention and not have to F*&#% up other people's lives to learn their own damn lessons. I think it's damn selfish that other people have to succumb to the ignorance and/or learning experiences of others.

seems there is something to monopoly afterall!

All morning I've been anxiously waiting for the battle inside my head to seize. I've been going back and forth between to want and desire to drive down to FL for the tx-giving break and staying here to work, study, and have some personal time. It is one time that I am angry I cannot have my cake and eat it to and like a child, I'm on the verge of throwing a tantrum. Guess these reactions to life's dilemma's never stop, we just decrease the intensity with which we display them.

Although a little voice in my head keeps piping in with soon, I may be further away and will not have the ability to travel for the holiday, but the rational side consistently drones on about the lack of financial funds and the added stress that will be waiting when I return to write a paper and take a test that I did not study for or research.

So, I have accepted the logical conclusion and will not be traveling down, now I must embrace this decision so as to actually use the time effectively and not waste it, then I will merely hate myself for not driving down.

..... listen up

Supposed To Be

Maybe it’s up with the stars
Maybe it’s under the sea
Maybe it’s not very far
Maybe this is how it’s supposed to be
This is how it’s supposed to be

Maybe it’s trapped in a jar
Something we’ve already seen
Maybe it’s nowhere at all
Maybe this is how it’s supposed to be
This is how it’s supposed to be

Looking forward as we rewind
Looking back is a trap sometimes
Being here is so easy to do
If you want to

~ Jack Johnson

Essay from Take Home Midterm

Q# 2: Summarize and explain factors that control relative sea level.

Pirazzoli (1996) groups the causes of sea-level rise into three main topics: changes in the quantity of ocean water, deformation of the shape of the ocean basin, and variations in water density and dynamic changes affecting the water masses. In analyzing the components of the hydrological cycle, Pirazzoli (1996) points out that the volume of ocean water can increase from ground water due to overpumping. This can lead to relative sea-level rise through an increase in the volume of ocean water from ground water that was deposited within the earth years prior being released into the oceans as runoff. Changes in ocean water volume that can lead to relative sea-level rise also include deforestation and draining of wetlands (Sahagian and Zerbini, 2002).

Regional subsidence, uplift, and changes in isostasy can deform the shape of the ocean basin, influencing relative sea-level rise. Being that the Earth is composed of layers varying in density, these layers move and react at different time scales. However, sea water reacts instantaneously and the lag time reaction of the land aids in relative changes in sea level (Pirazzoli, 1996). Relative sea-level changes over the past hundred years has been attributed to the subsidence and uplift caused by loading and unloading during the Little Ice Age in the coastal area of Juneau, Alaska (Motyka, 2003). Thomson et al. (2002) discuss how drought conditions in the Mississippi River Delta Plain lead to primary production stress by increasing the salinity and decreasing the amount of sediments delivered to the delta. This study further discusses how the lack of primary production can decrease coastal stability turning vegetated marshes into unvegetated mudflats, which would exacerbate the rate of relative sea-level rise (Thomson et al., 2002). Overpumping can lead to land subsidence, causing relative sea-level rise (Pirazzoli, 1996). The compaction or subsidence of sediments with a constant water level would aid in a relative sea-level rise decreasing the elevation. Subsiding Holocene sediment deposits in the Mississippi River Delta area were found to have doubled the rate of sea-level rise (Penland and Ramsey, 1990).

Thermo-isostasy is a term used to describe the increase in density that occurs at the mid ocean ridges. When new material is produced and extrudes from the mid ocean ridges, it cools on the ocean crust, increasing in density and subsiding the material underneath (Pirazzoli, 1996). This occurs in tropical waters where corals grow and increase in size, as the ocean floor beneath subsides. The depression of material due to lava repeated extruded has been termed volcano-isostasy (Pirazzoli, 1996). As the lava flows and cools, the material becomes dense and depresses the underlying material.

Conversely, areas undergoing tectonic uplift or isostatic rebound, due to glacial retreat, would exhibit a decrease in relative sea-level is the rate of uplift and rebound is greater than the rate of sea-level rise. In Juneau, Alaska there has been debate on whether the rising earth is caused by tectonic uplift or isostatic rebound from deglaciation (Motyka, 2003). Motyka (2003) dated the locations of coastal forests and marine terraces finding a correlation between uplift and regional glacier retreat during the mid 18th century, identifying glacial retreat and expansion as the primary mechanisms responsible for subsidence and uplift in the Juneau area during the last several hundred years.

Changes in sea level are affected by changes in sea water density. Sea water density controlled by the temperature, salinity, and pressure of sea water. Density of sea water increases with depth and with increasing salinity and pressure. However, as temperature increases, the density of water decreases. Lower density sea water requires a larger volume due to the thermal expansion of water molecules. Over 400 m an increase of 1°C or a decrease of 4 ppt in salinity would cause a 60 cm rise (Pirazzoli, 1996). With temperature increases caused by climate change, thermal expansion is thought to be more influential in sea-level changes. In a study performed by Lombard et al. (2005), the authors looked at thermosteric sea-level changes, changes in sea-level cause by temperature alone, over a 50 year period (1948-1998). Lombard et al. (2005) found regional sea-level trends from 1993-1998 were mainly explained by thermal expansion. The authors also found that thermosteric sea-level trends have a decadal lifespan and are influenced by El Nino Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and North Atlantic Oscillation.

Works Cited
Lombard, A., Cazenave, A., Le Traon, P., and Ishii, M. 2005. Contribution of thermal expansion to present-day sea-level change revisited. Global and Planetary Change. 47, 1-16

Motyka, R. J. 2003. Little Ice Age subsidence and post Little Ice Age uplift at Juneau, Alaska, inferred from dendrochronology and geomorphology. Quaternary Research. 59, 300-309

Penland, S., and Ramsey, K. E. 1990. Relative sea-level rise in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico: 1908-1988. Journal of Coastal Research. 6 (2), 323-342

Pirazzoli, P. A. 1996 Sea-Level Changes: The Last 20,000 Years. John Wiley an211 pps. 211pp.

Sahagian, D. and Zerbini, S., eds. 2002. Global and regional sea-level changes and the hydrological cycle. Global and Planetary Changes. 32, vi-viii

Thomson, D. M., Shaffer, G. P., and McCorquodale, J. A. 2002. A potential interaction between sea-level rise and global warming: implications for coastal stability on the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain. Global and Planetary Changes. 32, 49-59

All and all, I guess today is going quite well. The same sh*t is still hanging over my head and work has not changed, but I found out the Subway on campus now sell the veggie patty sub, which used to be a staple of my diet before moving to the nonvegetarian friendly town of Greenville. Also, I busted ass on a take home midterm the past few days and turned it in on time yesterday, allowing myself to partake in watching a sneak preview of the Tenacious D moving coming out: Tenacious D in 'The Pick of Destiny'.

The government looks as though it may start moving in a more positive direction, finally! Unfortunately, it seems that things have to get horrible before people think about how their actions influence others. How long will it last? Prolly not very long, but let's hope it long enough to make somewhat of a difference in the current state and at least lasts through the next presidential election.

Plans for the weekend don't look very exciting, but I really enjoyed writing some of the essays for the lengthy midterm I recently completed and am hoping to get some more accomplished this weekend. I haven't decided what the topic of my final paper is going to be yet, but I'm leaning towards 'Sea-Level Rise: Causes and Effects'.

Events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves they find their own order the continuous thread of revelation.

~Eudora Welty

Road........ trip

Tomorrow morning I'll be racing up the highway in a van packed full headed to The City of Brotherly Love, i.e. Philadelphia, which happens to be the fifth most populated city in the U.S.

.... and it couldn't have come too soon.

I've been on edge the past few weeks and finally snapped yesterday; however, I'm putting that behind me and looking ahead. The end of October is going to be rather busy and work has been going less than pleasantly lately, so a small break and new place will offer a much needed shift in perspective.

At the current moment I am just trying not to think about being stuck in a packed vehicle with a/c on for 10 hours straight.... I'll let you know how I fare in that venture.

Well, it's official, when I die I will be struck down by a meteor!



Click the pix above to determine how your end will come.

The United States has grown to a poulation of 300 million. Here is a run down of price comparisons over the past century.

Changing seasons

Winter has come and with brings darkness
the sun is out fewer hours each day
it is as though it shines brighter
to make up for the hours that are stolen

Influential speaker

On Thursday evening, after failing to accomplish work, I headed over to Chapel Hill to see Michael Pollan speak. Having only visited Chapel Hill once prior, I had forgotten how much I liked it as I rolled onto town. The college just appears from curving residential roads, it seems. The area reminds me of Gainesville, but with higher elevation changes. Seeing the plethora of bicycles chained to every building made me miss the times I enjoyed riding in Gainesville.... going to the Hipp to catch the movie of the week. Ah, but those days have past........

I was able to quickly find a parking garage and although I made it there 30 minutes early, a line had formed around the corner and into the arboretum. The half hour passed quickly, and soon we were filing inside, srambling to find a seat. The room filled quickly and had I arrived on time, instead of early, I would not have had a seat. Quietly waiting, I glanced around the room and took in the perfect people watching opportunity. It was an interesting crowd and made me ponder what growing up in an academic family would be like. Many of the young parents brought their children with them and I wondered how exposure to such events shaped the children's lives.

After lingering on that thought for awhile, a gentleman approached the microphone and the room became quiet. There were a few introductory speeches and then Michael Pollan came strolling up to the podium. A very casual person, he was one of the best speakers I have seen yet. His comfortable approach and delivery makes one feel like he carrying on a personal conversation with them.

The topic of the night was the topic of his recent book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, the dilemma being "what should we eat for dinner?" Throughout his speech, Pollan read excerpts from his book, offered background information, and discussed problems he encountered along the way. It was an entertaining and educational experience. At the conclusion of his speech, I felt fulfilled and was happy to have made the 2 hour journey.

I hope to have the opportunity to hear his speak again and look forward to reading The Omnivore's Dilemma.

For some reason, this add does not say contacts to me.....

Free tea

So, I received an email today with a coupon code for a $10 Gift Certificate with no minimum purchase. Why am I posting this here? Well, although the coupon code can only be used once per person, it can be used by an endless number of people.


Therefore, if you are tea drinker click here to check out the teas they carry and if you find something you like, enter the following code:

Promotion Code: WCF1096

NO minimum purchase required. Valid only on purchase of tea. Limited to one use per customer, expires October 31st 2006.

Enjoy!

New muzak.... yipee!

After waiting through what seemed like and endlessly long weekend, I was able to listen to the cds I ordered what seemed like years ago. With the aid of commercialism in society today, I seem to become more and more impatient. It actually wasn't that bad and was worth it. Getting two good albums for a mere $3.... I think I'm going to get spoiled.

The MOFRO album is great, encompassing many sounds including blues, soul, and country front porch story telling. It is soon to become my new favorite Florida cd. Listening to the sultry music pulls on my heart strings feeding that longing of Florida, family, and all that makes sense.

The debut album by Etienne de Rocher is good. I must admit,I had high expectations for this artist and they were definitely met. Although the artist has been playing music for awhile now, one can still hear the developing artist nurturing his talents. Perhaps this is because this is new label with which he constructed this album. However, the artists experience is evident within his lyrics, yet he keeps the songs simple and potent with the lingering essence of his message.

Whoo hoo

So, I have to rave about The Herb Goddess. It is a great site for herbs, oils, tea, and tea accessories. In addition to free shipping their orders are processed and mailed quickly. I have received and used a tea strainer I ordered from them and have yet to even get an Amazon order I placed days before this one. Within the package they sent, I received a pen, with their business name logo on it, the tea strainer, double the number of cloth reusable teabags I ordered, and a scratch off coupon for 10% off my next purchase.

Now, somebody knows how to do business... I'm definitely going to be a repeat customer. At least not every business has lost the ability to conduct good business.

The weekend is here, but almost gone.....

This weekend seems different for some reason. Perhaps it's because there are things to do and things to be done. So far, it's been wonderfully productive and very service oriented. Last night the Pitt County Humane Society had their 4th annual Martini Party fundraiser, which I happily helped out at. It was an interesting night and being that I did not know anyone, there were lots of people to talk with. I am not much of a social butterfly and seem to be unable to mingle, but overall I had a nice time and got to try a few martinis, including the Felime, Red Hot Chihuahua, and Pomeranian. It made me think that our next party should be a martini party with science themes.

After getting home later than anticipated, I quickly fell into slumberous sleep to be awoken very early this morning by a loud alarm clock. The weather outside look chilly and I was reluctant to get out of bed, but I was able to make it to the Town Commons area in time to help with the Big Sweep this morning. It is held once a year, where people pick up garbage along the Tar River. There was so much trash to be picked up... it was horrible. Many odd pieces were found: a few tires, a bed mattress, some unknown items, and lots of plastic bags and bottles.

So far the weekend has been nice. The weather seem to have gotten colder as we on the river and it's only October. I'm not looking forward to the winter this year.... but then, I never do. I just keep thinking that before long, this will all be in the past, clumped into a time period when I did my Master's, and hopefully I will be living somewhere warm and coastal.

That is my happy thought for the day.

Sitings

Apparently, a southern Baptist preacher from Georgia has found a large population of 'sinners' amongst the ECU students. Walking back from an unsuccessful free lunch (unsuccessful because it was lacking in vegetarian options) I bore witness to that which is apparently a new thing for students around here. As we walked past, unacknowledged the bible bearing babbler, I noticed that the few people who had paused to take in the spectacle were not reacting nor engaging the emphatic speaker. It seemed to me that he was speaking to hear himself speak. It just seemed to me that such an energetic soul could do so much, but instead he chooses to focuses his energies elsewhere.

It makes me realize how much nrg I waste. If each person was more conscious, it would make a huge impact on society today.

Old new music

So, apparently I am a little slow with the posting possibilities. Apparently posting a video is as simple as posting a pix nowadays. The video below was taken last winter when MOFRO played with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, which I believe they are due to do again soon.

It was at the show that I saw and heard MOFRO for the first time. Almost a year later, I get around to ordering one of their albums.

....better late than never, right

Due to a $25 amazon coupon, I was able to order the latest MOFRO cd, Lachloosa, and another artist on the same label, Etienne de Rocher.

MOFRO concert

MOFRO with the Jaksonville Symphony Orhestra 11.26.05.

Propinquity

A friends blog states the word propinquity. Curiously, I looked it up and found the following definitions:

the tendency for people to work better or bond with those geographically near them

one of the main factors leading to interpersonal attraction. It refers to the physical or psychological proximity between people. For example, two people living in on the same floor of a building have a higher propinquity than those living on different floors.

It surprises me b/c I have noticed it before, but seem to be immuned.

Birthday dinner

Tonight I was fortunate to be treated to a belated birthday dinner at the Curiosity Shoppe, in Washington, located 30 minutes east of Greenville. The meal started out with some delightful bread perfect for dipping into an oil mixture. Then, we ordered martinis, a first for mwah and after tasting the other two ordered, mine by far was the best one. Next was the appetizer. Since there were three of us we ordered an appetizer, dinner size salad, and dinner entree and split all three. For appetizer we delved into the crab cake with flat bread. It was de-lish with fresh blue crab, yup that's right, no k-rab there. Then, there was the organic mixed greens salad with marinated cherries and toasted nuts with a gorgonzola cream dressing. Scrumdiliumptious! However, it was topped by the garlic mashed potatoes and seared yellowfin tuna we had for dessert. Perhaps I'm showing my roots, but those mashed taters make my mouth water just thinking about them. Smooth and creamy with a bit of the potatoe skin in them, I couldn't get enough. For dessert, we had key lime pie, the thin homemade style that is slightly creamy, topped with fresh strawberries and few blueberries.

It was a wonderful evening. I was pleased to get dressed up and go out, something not done often enough. Dinner was followed by a stroll on the boardwalk, but alas we had end the evening and venture back to reality.

Last night, I went and saw the new Zach Braff movie, The Last Kiss. He did not write nor direct this film and the soundtrack was no comparison, but the story was somewhat similar in tone to his previous film Garden State. It was a bit older, hitting on the late 20's approaching 30 years old. Being that my birthday just recently passed, I can say that I can somewhat relate. However, in the film the main character are 'settling' into the family time in their life, a period I cannot relate to presently.

Perhaps this is because I am not in a relationship, but the period of marriage and/or children does not seem near in my future. Truthfully, I am not sure if I want to have children and I am not hard pressed to be married either. Not to say I do not want to make a long term, i.e. infinite, commitment to someone, I just do not think marriage is necessary. I am going to step away from that soap box before I start.

Ah, another year has passed and I have once again survived to see it. Each day time moves more quickly and there seem to be additional tasks to accomplish. Weekends, once reserved for fun and new experiences, are now a time to catch up and perform additional work to get ahead. Keeping busy is a positive thing, but the lack of personal time can be draining.

The passing of another year, leads to thoughts of family, memories of the past, and yearnings to see those one cares about. Sometimes I think keeping busy is merely a distraction, distracting me from the sadness that lingers inside. Then, smiling faces look back and it all doesn't seem that bad.... but is it just a time of making due?

Regardless, things are going well. My day of birth has come and gone, during which I enjoyed laughs and good conversation. Considering the past few birthdays were on the verge of unbearable, this year is a step in the right direction.

It's all a daze

Summer has ended. Although it is only the beginning of September I can feel it... there is a sadness in my heart that aches to see it go. Ernesto, the first tropical storm to impact North Carolina this year, past through last night. It was a mere rain storm to me. However, the college is closed today, the first day of September.

Overcast clouds outside staring back coincide with stagnant emotional lull I feel. Missing things that will never be, saddened by what is, and not having anything to look forward to. What is it all for?

Melancholy retrospective days with urges to create. How does cluttering up the earth with new creations make existence worthwhile?

Cool air, a long sleeved shirt, and curling up watching the daze pass.

Time and stress

The semester is approaching and already I can feel the crunch of time. I am already planning the next six months, including meetings, academic related trips, and trying to figure out when I will have time for myself and to see those I care about. It seems as time passes, these things become more juxtaposed and it takes more nrg to address both.

So, what does this tell me? It triggers questions of present choices and those that will be made upon the conclusion of this transitory time in my life. However, that is too much to deal with at the moment. Instead I hold the happiness of fun weekend plans and tend to the plants.

Morning realization

thine age is told
by the grey hair shown
on thine head
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Translation: Damn! I'm gettin' old......