Echoes of Friends

03 July 2008 @ 06:32 am

A Date with Miss Siannan (Wall-E)

I got to go an another date with Miss Siannan last night and we drank strawberry-green tea-lemonades (more strawberry, less green tea) and ate popcorn, and watched Wall-E which, for those of you who haven't had a chance to see it yet, is the cutest movie ever. Not quite as good as Finding Nemo, but better than everything else Pixar has done. Though now I want to re-watch Monsters Inc. for a comparison ('cause it was really cute, but I'm reasonably confident that Wall-E is cuter). I completely want to call Wall-E my squishy so he can be mine and he will be my squishy. And Eve, who hadn't really impressed me in the trailers, is so cute with her digital eyes of happiness or anger. Also, how does one make a cute cockroach? Seriously?

And just by being around he makes everyone's life better. How wonderful is that?

Tags: movies, social

5 echoes | Shout!

earnbrand

02 July 2008 @ 11:17 pm

Saying farewell.

Tomorrow will be my last day in Urbana. The movers are scheduled to come sometime between 8 and 10 am to load up all the boxes I've packed over the past week and ship them off into storage until my apartment in Maryland is ready. All that I'll have until then is what I can fit into my car: Clothes, kitchen essentials, and electronics mostly.

I'll be up early to take my computer apart and double check that everything I want to ship is packed and ready, then after everything is loaded I just have a few errands to run before hitting the road Friday morning.

I'll miss this town, the people I've met here mean a lot to me, and I'm afraid that with the distance I'll drift out of touch. I know that to a certain extent this is inevitable, part of life is moving on, making new connections and all that, but it's really hitting me that I'm essentially going out there completely alone. That's just a little bit scary.

I feel:

pensive

1 echo | Shout!

coffeechica

02 July 2008 @ 02:47 pm

Don't throw this at a baby.

Don't throw this at a baby.
Originally uploaded by coffeechica

T-Mobile

This frisbee not only has sketchy origins (we didn't make it in China, we swear!) but carries a warning against under-threes. Are they just saying we shouldn't play frisbee with a toddler?

Jason: "More things should come with the label that you shouldn't throw it at a baby. A pound 'n' a half of pork chops. 'Aw, I can't throw this at my kid? But that's what I bought it for!'"

[Edit: Dear Flickr-to-blog -- why the double text posting?]

5 echoes | Shout!

fullburn

02 July 2008 @ 12:25 pm

Foundations

Foundations are very important. So far, they're saying that's what's damaged. Isn't there a rule of themb about buildings with foundation damage? Hint: yes there is.

But thus far management is responding appropriately, so let's see how this gets handled. For the time being it's nothing more than a bit of an inconvenient clutter to me, so whatever.

3 echoes | Shout!

coffeechica

01 July 2008 @ 10:11 pm

When life gives you bruises...

When life gives you bruises...
Originally uploaded by coffeechica

T-Mobile

Two weeks ago I bruised my calf on my bike pedal while trying to pull up the kickstand. It didn't hurt, it just looks ugly and I'm tired of looking at it.

So tonight, as we had built a fire outside, I thawed a cone of henna paste and tried drawing a lotus flower from memory.

It beats looking down at a blue figure 8.

4 echoes | Shout!

gameboyguy13

01 July 2008 @ 02:45 am

request for recipes

Dear LJ, please advise. We have a bucket full of lemons. What to make? Besides LMAOnade.

22 echoes | Shout!

noirem

30 June 2008 @ 03:29 pm

Home Again

Family, thunderstorms, alligator (singular), cousins, parties, disney, exhaustion, buses, trains, planes, automobiles, trams, a raft, home. Not necessarily in that order. Fall over now, go boom.

Tags: family, travel

4 echoes | Shout!

earnbrand

30 June 2008 @ 03:25 pm

another day, another boss down

( Rage be chillin no mo )

Other than WoW stuff, I've been getting ready for my move. I'm just about all packed up (and it's surprising how big the pile of boxes is) and the only issue I'm having is a miscommunication between the different offices at Prudential about who is to be billed for the moving company. As it stands, it looks like my last day in Urbana will be this Thursday, July 3rd. What better show of patriotism on the 4th than burning a lot of gas while driving cross-country! I plan to arrive in MD on the 5th, and will have a few temporary addresses until the current tenants move out in August. This is already arranged, though, so I just have to show up to sign the paperwork and cut the checks.

It's exciting to move out into the unknown, to be truly on my own, but I'll certainly miss all of the friends left behind. Once I'm all settled in, though, I'll be happy to receive visitors (and take the excuse to explore the area some more)

4 echoes | Shout!

big_bubba

30 June 2008 @ 12:23 pm

Hmpf

So, what do you call it when the following sequence of events occur:
1. You give your son the June commuter ticket before leaving the house in the morning, think it's July 1st today.
2. You miss the bus since you have to run back and get the right ticket after the light bulb finally comes on.
3. You make your wife drive you down to the train station so you can catch your train anyway.
4. Your regular train ends up being delayed an hour.

Honey, don't expect me home at the normal time tonight...

4 echoes | Shout!

amyty

30 June 2008 @ 01:50 pm

Stay a while and listen..

It's already all over my friends page, but it bears mentioning again... They're digging Deckard Cain out of mothballs!

This makes me so happy. Squee! No question about this, I have to get DIII.

17 echoes | Shout!

blueness

29 June 2008 @ 08:22 pm

Death Rides the Forest

As promised, vintage fire prevention posters! It's interesting to think of the relationship between the posters and the eras of American history that they come from. Since they're pretty much propaganda pieces (though extremely important ones - don't start forest fires!), there is definitely a correlation.

Here's the earliest one that was displayed, and one of my favorites:

From Fire Prevention

Start a forest fire; unleash the grim reaper!

( Read more... )

2 echoes | Shout!

lonelysunday

29 June 2008 @ 10:30 pm

Give yourself up to the allure of Catcher in the Rye

Stolen from

zoe_kirian

( Book Meme! )

5 echoes | Shout!

amyty

29 June 2008 @ 03:42 pm

Terpsichore turning in her grave.

( PS )
I don't know that she'll ever speak to me again, but it seems she's reminiscing aloud.

Tags: music

6 echoes | Shout!

m1nxalot

28 June 2008 @ 11:59 am

The one week stretch...

Actually, that title is quite literal, I truly mean stretch. As in my stomach is stretching and expanding at lightning speed. I guess the licky stars I thanked for not being huge weren't so lucky. But that's ok, as my baby seems to be more of a reality to me, due to the ultrasound, I really don't mind growing exponentially.

All last minute things like music and food is figured out, and this week I can take it easy, in fact I'm heading out soon to lounge by the pool with my soon to be mother in law. Lately the fact that nothing fits me anymore, and everything is uncomfortable (whoever made bras, let me know where they live) is really getting to me. I still can't sleep 100%, though by cutting down my liquids after 8 and resting more during the day, I'm doing a little better.

I am actually very excited about everything, and things are starting to look up alot for us. After the wedding Kevin is starting a communications position at Omega Communications here in Kelowna. It's well-paying with chances for advancements and raises. He's excited because he'll have a job he wants and is interested in.

To tell you the truth though, my bridesmaid and maid of honor are truly just flighty and slow. They get to me just yesterday and say hey, I can't afford to get my makeup done (it's $45), these appointments which they agreed to, and made WITH me weeks ago. Am I really supposed to pay for everything? I mean I got the dresses, I'm doing the hair, can they not cover something themselves? They just seem so selfish. And I'm beginning to wonder if they even know their duties: to make my life easier. *groan*

We'll see if the bachelorette party is planned or even happens. I won't hold my breath.

Do you ever get the feeling that people areeeee lying to you but you can't prove it? And you don't say anytthing, you just wonder? My Maid of Honor, Shantelle, who is, granted, there for me when I need her, bails on me for just abouit everything claiming her doctor's appointment has changed three times. It's for a 3D ultrasound, which you have to make a month in advance, which she did. It's a private clinic, am I really supposed to believe that? But again, i say nothing, I just give her the benefit. I don't know how much I'm being walked on, and if I am, is it time for me to find someone who wants to be around me? I just need to find some good friends around here, it's just hard right now.

Anyways, onwards with music selection and poolside-ness? Ciao.

Current Location: Home

I feel:

aggravated

I'm listening to: You've Got A Way - Shania Twain

Shout!

shawn

28 June 2008 @ 10:32 am

...And the heavens shall tremble...

Fuckin' finally.

2 echoes | Shout!

ladysunrunner

27 June 2008 @ 06:41 pm

What decade am I in again?

Today I parked at a building that had two parking spaces marked off:

"Parking for Moroccans only"
and
"Parking for Lebanese only".

WTF? I looked around for the Moroccan or Lebanese restaurants just to make sure I wasn't really confused, but there were no such things.

I was not aware that parking spots were still racially segregated in this country. WTF?

I feel:

pessimistic

3 echoes | Shout!

zyada

26 June 2008 @ 03:28 pm

Ironic headline of the day?

"Bomb on belt kills sheikhs in Karma"

Shout!

coffeechica

26 June 2008 @ 12:30 pm

Posted using TxtLJ

I don't get why they ask me how to spell Carrie when I order. They just call my name; I'm not offended if "Kari" is on the receipt. Is anyone?

20 echoes | Shout!

belongtoautumn

26 June 2008 @ 09:29 am

Sudden things that break my system aren't cool

Life is kinda funny. Just when everything is going fine and I have my timing worked out, it throws something new at me. I got the test for the level design position I want just before finals week. Bad timing. I wanted to see someone after life settled and I had a job. He moved to Colorado. Bad timing. I resolved to finish my level by the end of the week. I now work tomorrow through Sunday (possibly not Saturday *hopehopehope*), 41 hours today included. Very bad timing. It means no fun plans with Becca for today and little time to work on my level (I have already had to sit down and hammer things out with people over). Kinda sucks. I like my current job, and I like being helpful, but this is a little sudden, and I don't know when I'll get a break again. I guess my summer is over...

Shout!

blueness

25 June 2008 @ 10:23 pm

California's on fire

I didn't mention in last night's post that there was a thunder and lightning storm on the evening of my backpacking trip. I did, however, post this photo:

From Mumford Bar

I didn't know it at the time of taking the picture, but this was one of a staggering eight hundred fires started by lightning over the weekend in northern California. I live in Sacramento, which for those of you non-Californians is in the central valley. If you click here you can see a topo map of California. Yeah, you see that long flat strip running down the middle? I'm somewhere in the upper half of that, and it's pretty much one big smoke bowl right now. Not pleasant. Forest fires are bad.

Somewhat aptly, I am attending a training for work that is being held at a Forest Service fire training center (my training has nothing to do with fire). There are these awesome vintage fire prevention posters gracing the hallway outside of our training room. Smokey the Bear shows up somewhere in the late 1940s, but its very interesting to see what kind of propaganda methods were being used before him. One of my favorites is the one that basically says "start a forest fire, help the Nazis." That's a paraphrase. I'm bringing my camera tomorrow so that I can post pictures. As much as I laugh at these posters, fire prevention is a very serious issue, especially here in dry California. These lightning fires couldn't have been prevented, but a lot of fires could be if people would just be careful, and be sure to put their pipe ash out on bare ground! (That last part was another paraphrase of a crazy poster. You'll see tomorrow, or rather next week when I've managed to get the photos online.)

2 echoes | Shout!

coffeechica

25 June 2008 @ 03:00 pm

basket o' child

basket o' child
Originally uploaded by coffeechica

T-Mobile

Yes, she put herself there, and she's fast asleep.

9 echoes | Shout!

bluedolfyn

25 June 2008 @ 01:58 pm

So everyone knows...

I am still alive. Home from our trip, and finally getting online. Finally caught up on sleep, too. Yay!

Wonderful, amazing trip. I am now inked. (and ITCHY! And sad, because I want it to stay textured. *pout*) And so many happy things on the trip, but I'm still not good with the words. For now, that is all.

19 echoes | Shout!

coffeechica

25 June 2008 @ 12:51 pm

WARNINGS

WARNINGS
Originally uploaded by coffeechica

T-Mobile

1. No yodeling in your captain's chair.
2. Don't let your nine month old play Astronaut Baby.

2 echoes | Shout!

noirem

25 June 2008 @ 12:53 am

Tomorrow I Leave for Battle

Actually, tomorrow I leave for vacation. After work I will get on a train and go up to my parents house and then Thursday morning I get on a plane to florida where there will be sunshine and humidity and, hopefully, cake. Riding on public transit, other than the fear that one will fall asleep and miss one's stop, is fairly relaxing. You get on, you sit down, and then everything is out of your hands. This will be the nice thing about the train ride up.

Vacation with my family, otoh, may prove a little more problematic. I'm worried that I've forgotten to pack something. My deoderant and cellphone charger are next to my bag. I packed pjs. I've got enough underwear, and a different shirt for every day. I have a nice dress for the party (and cute shoes to match) and I've packed the pearls, though I don't know if I'll wear them. I have a toothbrush and razor and a hairbrush and hair ties, I have sunscreen and facewash and conditioner in little containers in a quartsize bag. I've got sunscreen and contact solution, I've got books for the plane and knitting (though only a small project, on plastic needles). I've got my ID and my camera. I have a DVD I want to loan to my mother. I've got shorts and a swimsuit and flipflops and real shoes. Well, heck, it's only 3 days. If I've forgotten something they'll have a Target.

-and- on the bright side, I don't have to close on Monday after flying back. It was, for a while there, a possibility 'cause Matt and I confused each other so he scheduled me to open on Monday when I'm not even in California again, yet. Instead I'll be opening on the 4th, which means no Davis party for me, but I'll get off work at 1:30 so I just might be able to make the picnic in Berkeley -and- I didn't have to decide which incredibly cool party full of incredibly cool people with whom I want to hang out to attend.

Okay, tired now. I'll see you guys post-vacation, which may or may not have any relaxing qualities :o)

Tags: update

17 echoes | Shout!

fullburn

24 June 2008 @ 08:07 pm

Water Damage

Looks like the spot outside where we've had water pooling from the heavy rains isn't 100% outside after all...

We'll see how the apartment managers deal with this crisis tomorrow morning I guess. Casualties thus far, my seven-foot bookshelf which was packed double deep. The bottom third was books, which are now in my room, the rest movies, which are now stacked up on the hearth.

Another strike against this place, it seems.

1 echo | Shout!

blueness

24 June 2008 @ 05:50 pm