Money is an issue. I checked my account balance today. A total $403.45. Not a lot when you want to move out in September with a monthly rent of $375, plus utilities, electric, and miscellaneous expenses.

You should know (by now) that I am always thinking, planning, and formulating ideas. Two nights ago, I decided to check out the online flea market and see what's selling. The back seat of my small Toyota is completely occupied with "leftovers" from the sad and pathetic garage sale I tried having a couple weeks back. I figured I might be able to sell some of those things online. I mean... Why not?

To my surprise, there is an item category that happens to sell like really good tasting cakes. People are selling them, others are bidding on them, and so the economic cycle continues...

Original paintings are being sold at a rapid pace on Ebay. Landscapes, watercolor flowers, abstracts. They have them all. And people want them.

So I'm doing just that. I'm selling original paintings online! I've done some research and I have the support of my parents. I believe this could be a very successful stratagem.

I never saw the Internet as so beautiful... until now.

Who do I love? I think you know.



Alex and Nathan.

She Will Be Loved
Maroon 5

Beauty queen of only eighteen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else

I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times but somehow
I want more

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved

Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get insecure
It doesn't matter anymore

It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along
My heart is full and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved

I know where you hide
Alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls

Alex and Nathan are the coolest Oregonians I will ever meet. But Nathan's girlfriend needs to be slapped. And on more than one occasion. Sometimes, I hate being so nice... Because I would have really loved telling her off, I think.

People like her who abuse verbally don't deserve friends. Especially friends as spectacular as Nathan. Especially boyfriends as good-hearted as Nathan.

The girl has no idea what she has, but that's not exactly something I can prove to her. One day, she'll realize what she had, and hate herself for losing him.

I swear... If she ever says he's worthless again, either to his face or behind his back, I'm going to drop-kick her.

So I'm brown with a lobster face. It works for me, I think.

The skin on my lips is coming off... What does that mean? It means chapped lips are not fun, but very much worth the trip!

A few things:

From this year on, we will always be leaving between 3:00 and 4:00 am so to avoid the long line of traffic preceding the Gorge Amphitheater gates. It was beautiful.

Which do you find more entertaining? A band of four very "rock-star" type males going crazy on a stage or an umbrella flying through the air, upside-down, and showing no signs of coming back down? The answer is UMBRELLA.

If you lose the keys to your car, check underneath the seat of Travis' WRX, which would be the last place you sat.

Wear sunscreen.

If the line to the girls' cold showers are too long, just borrow someone's hot shower bracelet and proceed to the girls' hot showers location. Whilst you take advantage of having no line to wait at the end of, do not neglect to use the cold water provided. In 107 degree weather, hot water just does not suffice.

Switchfoot. Jon Foreman singing "We were meant to live!" into his guitar. Tim Foreman jumping off the platform. Jerome singing the back-up part, "New way! There's a new way!" And Chad's inevitable underbite when he gets "into" the music.

PAX217... While watching him perform on the main-stage in front of approximately 15,000 people, memories of Dave (the lead singer) back when he was 18 flashed through my head. Four years ago, we went to see PAX and we ended up being part of an audience totaling about 30 to 40 people. My friends and I were the core of the "mosh pit." After the show (which happened to be amazing, even then!), we chatted with Dave and he told us he was really hoping that the single from their first album would be "really awesome." I don't think worries about that anymore.

Water Wars. Coolers filled with water and ice chunks. Bottles that were never used for drinking. For the sake of getting the other person soaked--that's what it was all about.

Nathan gave the Honey Buckets a new nickname. "Portable Crap Ovens."

Cheese gets soggy when it's left in a cooler without a wrapper.

I love my fold-out mattress.

God paints beautiful sunsets and he made the Columbia River in the shape of a dove... on purpose, I'm sure of it.

And I'm back!!!

Man versus himself | Man versus machine | Man versus the world | Mankind versus me | The struggles go on | The wisdom I lack | The burdens keep piling | Up on my back | So hard to breathe | To take the next step | The mountain is high | I wait in the depths | Yearning for grace | And hoping for peace | Dear God... increase

Healing hands | of God have mercy | on our unclean souls again | Jesus Christ | Light of the world | Burning bright | Within our hearts forever | Freedom means love | without condition | Without a beginning or an end | Here's my heart | Let it be forever Yours | Only You can make | every new day seem so new
-Five Iron Frenzy

~Art

I hate money, but I love it. I hate it, because it is so hard to come by. It is so needed, but not plentiful. At the same time, you can't help but love it, because of what you can do with it when it is there. Having plentiful money would solve a lot of my problems. But hey, God is faithful, right? He has never led me into a dead end before, and I'm sure He is not doing so now.

~Art

Much to the delight of Carly, who actually doesn't even know yet, Jason Killingsworth's blog is back. It looks kinda funky, but hey, whatever floats your tomato.

~Art

Your parents leave for the evening. There isn't any food in the house that does not require effort. You are being lazy. Everything in town is closed. What do you do?

Well, if you are me, you would rather drive an hour for food than cook a burger or something. So I did. I drove to Reno, Nevada for a hamburger instead of making one for myself. Actually, I had a chicken sandwich, but you know, close enough.

Carly comes back soon. Thankfully. I am not sure that you guys can tollerate much more of me. Because I'm not Carly, that's for sure. :)

Yeah, well you get one more day of me. Sucks for you.

~Art

A few of the most beautiful words to grace the English language: "Unlimited Nights and Weekends, Free National Long Distance". And all this for $10/month less than I was paying before. God bless AT&T.

~Art

Waking up to the sound of rain is one of nature's greatest ways of being nice to us.

Then, there is Josie and the Pussycats, which is one of Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont's greatest ways of being nice. The other, of course, being Can't Hardly Wait.

But the real point is that every now and then, something comes along that changes your life completely. Everything you've ever thought to be true is false. Up is down. And you get T'inated. Enjoy.

~Art

I am Art of Fuego. Bow before me? Right.

Carly is not actually gone yet. They are not hitting the road for a couple of hours yet. But hey, the early bird gathers no moss, right?

So, today the DMV clerk hit me with the surprise of the century. "Umm... There is a warrant outstanding against you." "There's a WHAT?" It was nice to know.

I had considered actually acting as if I was Carly, and writing about her day, making you think that she was somehow giving me updates. That would be fun. But she might get back and call me a moron or something. So we'll pass on that one. I will instead do what she told me to. Which is this. Have a nice day.

~Art

A decision has been made. Art of Fuego will be keeping the blog updated while I'm away. I fully trust he'll keep you all well-read and entertained. And if he doesn't... Well...

"Go sell crazy somewhere else. We're all stocked up here." -- quoted to me by Art from the movie As Good as it Gets

So today has been pretty... different.

I was hanging out in the kitchen with my dad and my brother when this lady appeared in front of our house. We watched her from the window as she talked with Solomon, my brother-in-law, who was on the front deck at the time.

"Who is that?" dad asked.

"I'm not sure... Maybe one of mom's clients?" I offered.

"Yeah, maybe..." dad nodded.

We continued to observe as Solomon appeared to be handling the situation. The woman appeared to be quite anxious and shifty... About a minute of watching her, and we started to wonder what was really going on. We were about to go out and learn who she was when she turned and trotted out of sight and Solomon came into the house, totally wide-eyed.

"Jerry next-door has been dead for a couple days," Solomon put blunty.

"What?!"

"Yeah," he said. "That lady is a client of his. He was supposed to go to her house and shoe her horses about four days ago, but he never showed up. She came to find out what was up, and she found him in the kitchen... She thinks he's been dead a whole week."

Jerry was a grumpy 60-something old man who lived alone with his two horses, a few cats, and a recently attained terrier puppy. Divorced about five years ago... Jerry wasn't exactly a man I ever wanted to get to know. Mom, God bless her heart, was always willing to go to his house and talk to him. Sometimes, she'd take him food or just go over there to offer friendly conversation. She liked him, but I never really saw why. He was a definite grouch.

Police arrived, coroners arrived, and a vetinary hospital truck arrived to check on the animals that hadn't been attended to. One of his horses is currently away, so his other horse was the only one that hadn't been cared for. Very much dehydrated, she was in need of medical care. So we loaded her into our trailer and took her to nearest horse hospital, where she is currently being rehabilitated.

Amazing how life works... I feel like I saw Jerry driving in his farrier truck just a couple days ago... Time seems to disappear when you recall someone you never knew.

So... Goodbye, Jerry. I wish I had known how to talk to you... I feel awful now that I'll never learn how. Maybe the next person I meet who's like you, I'll have that opportunity to change my perspective and give it another go. Until then, I apologize for not being more willing. Like my mom.

There's that. The there's the fact that I'm leaving for Creation on Wednesday morning and basically, all preparations have been made in the last four hours. We have tomorrow, too, but it's going to be a little hard because I have a dental appointment that will last... hours...

We have a small group going this year. A total eight or so people. Very, very small. Still, there's a lot that needs to be taken care of.

Pray for good organization skills.

In the meantime, would anyone like to volunteer to take over my blogging for the days I am gone? Wednesday, June 23rd through Saturday, June 26th. You can email me if you're interested. I would just hate to see a day where my blog wasn't updated. That's just not exciting.

Hope your day has been better than mine. Just as interesting, but in a better mood.

I am devastated. I'm not sure how this could happen and I'm scared to death that it won't go back to normal... But someone has hacked into Jason Killingsworth's blog and it's the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

I have a strong impression that if you work in retail, you will meet many classified "crazy" people who you never thought you'd live to see walking the streets. At least not without the straight-jackets.

I now have a much deeper understanding of how a diverse work history really helps the writer and his or her creative muse. If you spend a significant amount of time working in any of the following settings--office, store or shop, doctor's office, dentist's office, toy store, daycare center, vetinary hospital, or zoo--you will have no trouble writing out fascinating pieces of literature for years and years to come.

Because people are the funniest creatures known to the world.

I was working yesterday evening with one of my managers, Darla. We were nearing closing time. The store had quieted down and very seldomly, someone or a couple of someones would stroll in, have a look around, and then stroll back out. One particular came in and meandered around the store for the better half of an hour. They didn't say much, simply stared at all corners of the store. They were young, possibly married or about to be married. They seemed nice and generally easy-going. The last thing I suspected from either of them was random questions no one has ever been asked before.

The man stopped walking, shoved his hands in his pockets and turned his head to me. "So," he began everso casually, "I've been told that bulls' penises can reach up to six to seven feet long. Have you heard that?"

My thoughts...

Who on earth starts a conversation with a question about bulls' penises?

And...

I'm not sure if you noticed... But this is a family store...

I was at a loss for words. Eventually, I had to say something, "I'm sorry?"

But Darla quickly jumped in. "Actually, no. I've never heard that before. The ones we have are only about three to four feet."

My mouth hung ajar. I stared at Darla out of the corner of my eye and while the man was explaining where he had heard about the length of a bull's... yeah... I whispered to Darla, "Bull's penis?"

She whispered back, "The bully sticks."

The bully sticks. The ultimate doggy chew treat recommended by all dog-lovers. What I thought was something manufactured and created with multiple ingredients turns out to be a dried out bull's whang.

And now I wash my hands each time I ring up one of those "tasty" edible... delicacies...

Yesterday.

I dressed my best and looked fabulous as I walked into Totem Lake's Washington Mutual, resume in hand. I felt great.

"Hello! My name is Carly Bishop and I read in The Seattle Times that your branch is looking for a new teller."

"...Are we?" A young man about two or three years older than me looked over his shoulder, "Jane? Hey, Jane?" He looked back at me and pointed in the direction where Jane stood.

Jane looked at me, smiled and asked, "How can I help you?"

"Hi! My name is Carly and I read in the newspaper that you are looking for a teller?"

"Yes, we are! Part-time?"

"Yes!"

"Great! What we need you to do is go to our webpage and submit your resume to us online. It'll ask you to indicate which branch you're applying for, and you simply say Kirkland. That information will be forwarded to us and then we contact you."

I like Jane.

"Excellent! I can do that! Thanks so much for your help!"

"Any time! What was your name again?"

Stretching my hand across the counter, "My name is Carly Bishop."

Taking my hand and smiling, "I'm Jane."

"It is great to meet you," I'm totally schmoozing at this point, but I could care less.

So I came back home, submitted my resume and filled out a little questionaire and what's done is done! Now, I simply wait... So please keep praying! I need this more than anyone could know.

Everyone dreams of being the love of someone else's life. Everyone would like to be everything someone could ever dream of... and more... When it's right, someone will give their heart more-than-willingly to that person of their dreams... And it will hurt in the best way imaginable.

Last night was an incredible blessing. I will tell you why.

For one thing, I have awesome friends. Best friends. They are there for me whenever I need them and it seems that I always do. I have no idea what I would do without them in my life.

The next thing is God's incredible timing. Yesterday was my last day of ART 110 with Leah. Monday through Thursday, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, will no longer be consumed by class time. So last night, I decided (quite randomly) to search The Seattle Times' online job classifieds. I did this for approximately two hours. Just before I finished looking (having found hardly anything), an ad popped up at the bottom of my screen. The heading of the ad was "Teller - Totem Lake (Kirkland)." Washington Mutual is looking for a bank teller in Totem Lake, about 15 minutes away from where I live. The date they started looking for the position was 7-17-2003. Yesterday. In the job description, they are looking for someone to work Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Do you understand how incredibly awesome this is? The day my class ends is the day I find a job that fits into the exact same time frame! Not to mention, on Saturday's, Sue doesn't have me come into work until 2:00, therefore making it perfect to work from 9:00 to 1:00 and then leave straight for Eastside Dog, about five minutes away!

I am presently dressed and fully read to leave to apply for this job. I am asking you all to do me the hugest favor and pray for God's blessing on this very outgoing attempt at an awesome job.

I just can't wipe the smile off my face. Too good.

Leah and I have made a crucial decision.

The Alex Golden Movement is going back to the source... Back to... Creation.

Riding the Burke Gilman again this morning. I'm always looking for interesting things. Obviously to blog about later, because let's face it, I'm a total geek and have to look for things to blog about.

There was something I found intriguing on this particular morning, however. I was coming up on one of the last few bends leading to school, riding parallel to the highway, when up ahead I saw a man in roller blades. He was bent over at the waist and on my side of the path. If he was an intelligent man, he would have been on the left side of the path so I wouldn't have to go around him. I mean, he was going the opposite direction as me--it simply makes sense. However, this was not the case, and due to the fact that he was bent completely over, it was apparent that he wasn't paying attention to who was coming. I watched him, careful not to crowd him due to how he was coasting toward the middle line. I watched him carefully and eventually saw why he was keeled over, face to the ground. The 30-something man held a small hand-broom and was brushing away individual pebbles off the trail, one-by-one.

One cannot help wondering... Is that his job? Is he paid to brush pebbles off the path with a hand-broom the size of a small dinner plate? Or does this man simply spend his free-time whisking way stray rocks, even though they will surely make their way back onto the pavement within two minutes' time? Who is this man? And is he some kind of super hero?

Roller-blade Guy: Saving pathways everywhere. One pebble at a time...

Naps that last from 5:30 in the evening to 9:30 at night are simply too good to describe.

Creation tickets are bought. Kyle and I are going. July 23-26. It will be my fifth consecutive year attending the festival.

Stoked, I am. Stoked.

Last night was entertainment at its best. Ryan held a bean dip party at his house yesterday evening. I arrived late, but just as well. I entered in and found everyone watching The Animatrix, the DVD that Ryan had borrowed from me. I couldn't bring myself to sit down, so I ended up standing the entire time we watched. I would commute from the living room to the kitchen because while there was still bean dip left, I was much more interested in the baked cookies Ryan made on Friday. I think I ate four. Then downed a Sprite Remix, something I've never tried. And yes, Sarah is correct. It tastes like Skittles in liquid form.

Jon Johnson lay sprawled across the couch with his head against Leah's thigh. Sometime during the movie, he mentioned the new "additions" to his body. "Yeah, dude. Got my nipples pierced. Check it out!" He lifted his shirt and revealed two swollen nipples and a very thin, hairy belly. We all leaned in to have a gander, while Leah turned her head away, pulling a hand up to block any stray vision of nipple that may trespass her gaze. All the questions proceeded of how long it took, how painful it was, who was there when Jon had it done, and so on and so forth. We pushed Leah to look for herself, but she absolutely wouldn't. Jon tried tricking her a few times, but it wasn't happening. So he gave up... temporarily.

The movie ended and Jon Johnson thought he'd give it another whirl. To Leah's surprise, he pulled his shirt up as fast as he could and screamed, "Nipple! Nipple! Nipple!" Leah screamed again and pulled up her hands. We all started to egg Leah on, pushing her to dare herself and look at Jon's nipples. It wasn't happening. Eventually, Jon screamed other words as he played with the silver rings, "Nipple! Nipple! Supple! Supple! Flippy! Flippy! Nippy! Nippy! Squeezy! Squeezy! Look, Leah, look! Piercy! Piercy! Ringy! Ringy!" But Leah didn't catch one look.

Ryan walked us all out to our cars and amidst the "goodbye's" and "goodnights" and hugs, Jon Johnson gave it one last shot. He pulled his shirt up all the way and ran after Leah like he was a demented leprechaun. By this time, the whole group was bent over in laughter and watched as Leah basically jogged around the culdesac, not once looking back at Jon Johnson's nipples. I could have watched it all night. It was that funny.

And yes, eventually I did ask Jon if I could touch a nipple. He said of course. I did. It was... interesting. I figure it's like any other nipple in the world. Simply one with a metal rod going through the middle of it.

So that's that.

Remember Jon Johnson? The eyeball-licker? Well, the stars and planets aligned and now the universe is back in balance because tonight, I touched and semi-squeezed his freshly pierced left nipple.

More details later... I promise...

Nothing is more humorous than a clearly seen butt-crack hanging over the seat of a bicycle just a few short minutes before the sun goes down.

WARNING! People who bike! Wear your biker shorts correctly or be mocked by onlookers for an eternity!

When music defines my state of mind.

On Legendary
Further Seems Forever

Now that we're one now
Softly whispers saving grace 6:19 as I awake
And stronger than last year
My eyes closed
Stars can see me
Stars will meet me on the ground
On the ground

Summer is gone and winter is never too far now
And my poor arms (my arms are aching) outstretched so long that my bones are now breaking
But there you come with a smile that'd send any man to his knees
And I feel I've begun now that we're one now
You graciously add to
I graciously add you to my heart
To my heart

Summer is gone, and winter is never too far now
And my poor arms (my arms are aching) outstretched so long that my bones are now breaking
But there you come with a smile that'd send any man to his knees
And I feel I've begun now that we're one now
Now that we're one now

"How can you write if you can't cry?" -- Ring Lardner

$16.00... I made a whopping $16.00...

I've decided it's not worth it. A garage sale is simply too time consuming. I could have worked all day for my mom at $10/hour and made... well... Way more than $16.00.

Anyone want some crap? My car is overflowing with it.

The garage sale is on.

Ryan Wiedmaier's place.

Friday.

9:00 am - 5:30 pm.

Be there! BE THERE! BE THERE!!!

Me: It's getting hot in here...

Jon Johnson: So put on all your clothes.

I'm about to become whiner of the year and someone may have to "yotch"-slap me, but the heat of this day is detestable. And my strawberry-kiwi juice drink isn't doing me any kind of justice.

Leah and I have been biking to school every morning. She said something yesterday afternoon I hope to turn into an actual comic strip.

"I've decided," she shouted from behind me as we coasted toward home, "to proclaim ourselves 'The Speed Princess' and 'Maneuver Queen.'"

"Why's that?" I yelled back.

"Because you are wicked good at maneuvers and turning corners and such, while when it comes to straight-aways, I school you."

She really does, too. The girl smokes on those flat paved trail ways, while I can be found zig-zagging back-and-forth and leaning heavily to the right or left.

"I'm too scared of falling," Leah said in response to my sharp turns.

Personally, I like the idea of scraped elbows. Rasberries and scabs up to whazoo! If and when I finally do lean too far and eat pavement, I will proudly exclaim, "Battle wounds! I love it!"

I've found myself cutting up a T-shirt every morning before leaving for school. I tend to run out of decent tank-tops and resolve to convert one of my many 99 cent thrift store T's into an 80s style work-out tank. I am proud to say that no, I do not have a farmer's tan. Rather, I have a biker's tan. And it makes all the difference.

That's it...

The Alex Golden Movement starts today or it's NOT happening!

There. I've said it. Now let's make it happen.

Click.

Think of the one thing you always wanted. The only thing you ever dreamed about having. Growing up, daily fantasies were projected in your brain whenever things got slow or boring. A place to retreat and dream and wish desperately for because it was the one thing you'd do absolutely anything to have.

When I was four, instead of Barbie's, my parents bought me Bryer Horses. For my eighth birthday, I asked for a halter and lead rope, despite lacking a horse to fit them to. The Black Stallion and Black Beauty were my favorite movies, as well as the Australian family classic The Rogue Stallion.

My favorite day-dream was the one I would have whenever we went to Long Beach's most popular horse stable. They had pony rides and gave horseback riding lessons. Whenever we would go, I had this dream of some poor, inexperienced tyke who loses control of her pony and is in desperate need of rescuing. Because of my insane amount of skill, I jump the next available horse, turn him on his heels and speed off like lightning to rescue the child from imminent death. Of course, I always triumphed and as a reward for saving the kid's life, the overjoyed stable owners give me the horse.

When I was twelve, I would sit in my room and become so overwhelmingly bitter at my lack of having a horse of my own, I would take my pillow, hold it against the wall, and punch it countless times until I didn't feel like it anymore.

A horse was the one thing I always dreamed and longed for. Imagine my joy when my parents told me they had bought one. I was thirteen. The feeling of happiness was also of ridiculousness. Had I imploded, no one would have been shocked.

Now, about five horses later, the one that has meant the most to me has been offered to a woman in Redmond. She has an eleven year old daughter, 20 acres, and four other horses. I just found out about it today. I didn't even realize mom or dad or I had even begun to put Tuffy up for sale. Mom called me and after she told me about the lady, I was both reassured that it would be a wonderful place for him, but also devasted that I couldn't keep him forever. And I cried really hard after I got off the phone wth my mom.

I think I'll always consider Tuffy as technically "mine." Even though I think I'm more bonded to him than he is to me, I still believe he loves me. He follows me around and hugs me from behind when I'm not looking. Yes, horses do give hugs. Strong ones.

Saying "goodbye" is going to be one of the hardest things I'll ever have to do. Because even though I wanted A horse my entire life, Tuffy was THE horse for me. It's the fear of never finding another one like him that makes the "goodbye" seem so difficult and so bitter.

Technically, he's the only one I've ever had a "long-term" relationship with. It's like we're breaking up. And I'm crushed.

Nothing suits me finer than late night homework and a Disney flick.

Tonight's special feature is A Goofy Movie, and it couldn't get any better.

Right now, they're singing about the last day of school and how they're going to change their lives forever after the moment the bell has rung.

"After today, I'm gonna be cruising! After today, our brains will be snoozing! Things will be going my way! After today!!!"

Seriously... Those are meaningful words, if I do say so myself.

It's a shame really... A shame that I cannot be within 100 feet of this man's personal bubble, let alone marry him!

"I am in love with the thought of a whole future crouching, just waiting to pounce. Like Hobbes. I want to kiss the idea of stepping out of a boat. I want to feel a sloshing lake hold beneath my Wal-Mart flip flops. I want to hide my life in the back of a U-Haul truck and unload it in a town full of restaurants. A town full of servers who don't instinctively bring over a glass of Mountain Dew when they notice me sitting in their section. I want to gather up all the things I will be forced to leave behind. I want to hitch them to my U-Haul. So I don't have to see my reflection breaking down like an old Nissan. When I check the rearview mirror one too many times. Empathizing with Lot's wife." - Jason Killingsworth

Be sure to check out my newest project.

My Fotolog!

Definitely fun stuff.

It has to be my job that's getting to me. Because I suddenly wish I had a dog.

I remember when my sister first left for college. She got her own apartment and she was living on her own, alone. Eventually, she wished to have someone to keep her company. A sort of responsibility to make her feel better about being on her own. So dad and Cassie left to seek after a dog from the pound. Long story short, Rudy is in the living room now, gnawing on any one of the following things: A) a bone B) a sock C) a piece of wood he stole from the fireplace area.

Rudy is perfect for Cassie. He's a comedian and he loves to cuddle. They're both total goofballs and funny to watch. They're entertaining for everyone as well as each other. They are a perfect match.

I'm about to move out of my house. And by "about," I mean in a few months from now. Probably in the fall. There is nothing more that I would enjoy than to have a good ol' pup by my side. That may be cheesy to some, but it's true! Dogs are great! And they're fun! And I'm sure I'm going to wish for the company.

Anyways... There's a Saluki convention coming up. It's being held in Marymoor Park in Redmond. There will be puppies. And my mom is going to go with me. I am so excited.

So, here are some pictures of the kind of dog I'm praying for. And I was thinking... If I get him... Should I name him "Blogger?" Just wondering...

Picture.
Picture.
Picture.
Picture.

"Learning to write comes from your own recognition of what is wrong in your own work." -- Nadine Gordimer

I did a "similar pages" search on my blog and the following pages turned up. If you notice any common themes, you really shouldn't be surprised.

A man who loves cars.
A woman who posts for her "future" husband.
Not sure what this is, but at first glance, looks to be like some kind of cult.
A postmodernistic guy seeking a "new kind" of ministry.
A fellow ranter.
Could he be daily and/ or random?
The one and only Josser Brown, aka Jason Kill's little brother.
A not-so-foolish girl.
Oh Canada, where the "mikao" does roam!

So, that was fun.

To my fellow pyros...

Everybody and their mom was out on the trail today. I got called into work and took that opportunity as one to ride my bike to work. This year's Fourth of July has been the first fully-sunny, non-clouded day for perhaps the last three, maybe four years.

Needless to say, getting to work was a bit of a "crowded" issue.

I have discovered that taking a public trail to work can become a very social endeavor. First of all, there are lots of people who have all gathered on a specific day in a specific place. Secondly, for the most part, everyone there has the same or like goals in mind. In this particular case, we have come to exercise, to be outside, and/or to get from one point to another. And don't forget the ongoing communication with multiple individuals. You would be amazed as to the varying ways you can say, "On your left," whenever passing someone who is walking, running, roller blading and/or whoever else slower than yourself.

On a side note--I saw a woman come into the store today and her skin was so overexposed to the sun, I swear it wasn't right that she was still living. Cancer should have claimed her life eons ago. No joke. I actually wanted to ask her what living with dinosaurs was like.

I want this!!! I want this so badly!

I had a nectarene instead of my usual pear this morning... It just wasn't the same.

Thus far, classes are going well! I have scores of 100/100 out of my three most important, ART 110, ART 130, and GEO 101. I still need to pick up the syllabus for my BIT 160 class (digital imaging), but that's a walk in the park.

Sorry for not really writing a whole lot of substance these last few days. Been a little distracted with getting jobs and doing homework. I'll try harder, I promise.

Express yourself.



So fun.

How do the things we grow up hating suddenly change in appeal and become something we can genuinely appreciate? The transition can happen in a mere minute's time.

Tomatoes. At what point in time did my mouth decide that hey! These aren't too bad!

The world is a strange and mysterious place...

The "neverending" search... for Strong Bad...

Ever cry bitter tears over the loss of a friend? And once through, feel overwhelmingly peaceful about the whole situation? Whether you decide to believe me or not, I will tell you where that peace comes from, and really it's the best thing ever.

When you've cried, when you're friend is still not there, the warm sensation that dwells in your chest afterward would be Jesus holding your heart in the palm of His hand. No joke.

Finally, a blogger cult that wants me...



And no, I have no intentions on joining... I just want to know how the guy got my freaking email address.