Monday, April 29, 2002
HOOray for google finally adding gh.net to their directory. It's sad when you search for 'galactic hero' and this site doesn't even come up. I found lots of google search hits in my stats again today. I don't know why it even matters to me... most of the people come, don't really find what they were looking for, and leave. You never know who might stay... or even come back though.
BOOray for still not having anyone to take my apartment for the summer. I guess I should do some math and make sure that paying a little extra rent this summer will even be possible... but I think we all know, no matter what I say now, I'm so going to Florida and you can't stop me.
oh, and HOOray for getting my paper done finally. (A special thank you to my "Phi Bata Kaptacular" babysitter, without whom little homework would ever get done.)
Saturday, April 27, 2002
fe fi faux finish
some puns are just too bad...
People wondered how I ended up at the zoo by myself the other day... now we know.
(By the way, click on that image and go to that site. Drew has interesting things to say, awesome paintings that remind me a little of Sam at Exploding Dog, and 'block structure porn' which I linked to over a year ago when I think he was still calling it Lego Porn.)
I have a ton of pictures to put up for you guys when I get back to Iowa. I'd have time now, but do you think I thought to bring my adapter and stuff? Of course not.
I did get to see Connie this weekend. During my time in the Phi Mu house she was our cook, mom, confidant, therapist, mediator, and friend. She stopped by Kim, Deb, and Mere's graduation party for a bit. It was during that time I got to hear some of those choice phrases you only hear when you're with your sorority sisters. I miss those. Things like: "bitch better not have sex on my sandal" and stories involving Hooters girls, sex, pizza, and lethargic boyfriends... (yes, that was ONE story).
I also got to meet Jack today. He's the new puppy at my dad's. I got to see my Maggarino and Fletch, who is purring louder and louder every day. It's REALLY weird.
It's good to be home and to see everyone. I was getting stressed in Iowa and I'll be stressed when I get back but this is like a complete break from my current routine and it's nice because it's like a flash back to an old comfortable routine. I like Iowa. I like school there, and my job, and I don't have as many, or as close of friends there, but the friends I have are great. It still just takes some getting used to. It can be awfully lonely not knowing anyone or where anything is or how anything works. So, HOOray for always being able to come home again.
Here is a brief list of things I may actually NOT be able to live without.
Buzz Lightyear Beach Towel.
Buzz Lightyear Bathroom Set. (especially shower curtain and towels)
Buzz Lightyear Bedroom Set. (especially the 'wall decor' -to match mine from last year!, the throw rug and I really love the sheets, but you can only get them with the comforter which is only so-so.)
Friday, April 26, 2002
Observation Log: April 26, 2002
Potter Park Zoo
Animal and Human behavior and other possibly interesting things.
Bactrian Camels look like something out of a Star Wars movie.
Llama lips feel funny when they munch food out of your hand.
Patagonian Hares look just like baby Capybaras, plus they never move so the two species must be related.
Mandrills have a very deliberate way of artistically smearing their poo about the floor of their exhibit.
Mandrills will lick their finger then poke at rice tossed on the ground for them. A few grains stick to their finger, which they lick off then repeat the process. Smart critters.
Red Pandas may actually be the cutest things EVER.
I know animal foreplay when I see it.
Humans are stupid.
When a child pointed out what must have been an albino peacock to his father, the male human responded, "that must be a female peacock." Draw your own conclusions.
One female human was overheard complaining about the beautiful Detroit Zoo. She said the exhibits were all too far apart and too big and lush, making it hard to see some animals, especially up close. She prefered the barren, dirty 'pens' of the local mini-zoo because the animals were much easier too see... even if they must be miserable.
Multiple instances of parental idiocy were observed wherein a mother or father careful pointed out and described animals to their young in a completely inaccurate manner, dispite their close proximity to plaques naming and providing correct information about said animals. "Tony, can you see the cheetah? (snow leopard)." "Look at the fox (red panda). Remember the Fox and the Hound?" "Look at the Rhinos, Katie. They are extint."
Wow. My little sister talked me into going to a 'show' with her and some friends tonight. They go to "The Undergroud" every couple of weeks or so when they have said 'shows'. I was entirely frightened by the whole 'scene' but I did get to experience the 'finest' in local, primarily christian, punk and 'hard core' music.
You've never seen more piercings, tatoos, cuffed jeans, tight-fitting band t-shirts, and mary-janes in your life. Hilly seems completely normal compared to most of these scenesters, and if you've ever met my sister you know that means something.
I might have nightmares. Don't get me wrong, they were all very nice... even though *i* was a freak who stuck out like a sore thumb, but that doesn't make them any less scary.
I think I'll go put on some black eyeliner and buy a studded belt now....
Clearly it is peacock mating season.
I think it's safe to say the most people go their whole lives without seeing a peacock showing off his tail feathers in person. I think up until this time I had maybe seen it happen once. Today I saw not one, not two, but THREE peacocks putting on a show for passers by. Well, two of them were. The third was CLEARLY trying to get some action. It was fascinating. There was a... peahen? right in front of him and he got out his lovely tail feathers. Then he proceeded to dance around a bit and do the weirdest thing i have ever seen. He would get really tense and sort of rattle his tail feathers. They would shake a little and stiffen up and he sounded a little like a maraca. Honestly, while I was intrigued, his lady friend went on pecking at the ground not paying much attention to him. When she would look up, she looked a little frightened if anything.
I saw all of this drama this afternoon when, out of sheer boredom and lack of anything else exciting to do, I went to the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing. I miss the animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom and I was looking forward to hanging out with some big furry things for awhile. Unfortunately my friend the Bongo was no where to be seen, but they do have Scimitar Horned Oryx which I didn't expect to see. Apparently they are EXTINCT in the wild. I was wholey unaware of this which makes me feel like a bad safari driver. Maybe I did know that and forgot? hmm...
Anyway, it's off to Clara's for dinner, but I have more zoo stories I might share later.
OK, I have no real recollection of writing the below post. It's not like I blacked out or anything... I kinda remember writing it, I just had absolutely no idea what it said... Which makes me wonder what else I must have written... Raise your hand if your got incomprehensible email from me last night. hehe.
The bar crawl was good fun though and I didn't feel TOO bad when I woke up this morning. I was woken up a little earlier than expected by a phone call. Not that me getting a phone call is weird, but I was at the sorority house, not MY house. I do have a vague recollection of calling my ex-boyfriend and telling him I was there... whatever.
So Joe called and we made plans to meet for lunch at the International Center. It was nice to see him, as always. I think we have both changed a lot over the last couple years. It's interesting to talk to him because he's always taking on some new hobby or challenge for himself, but sometimes I wonder what on earth we used to talk about. I'm so glad he seems to be doing well though. I used to worry about him a lot.
Also, I got my car back from "Chuck's". Now when I have my headlights on, my brake lights work AND my cruise control works. (don't ask.) Also, if my headlights are off, my parking lights don't come on when I hit the brakes. All very exciting, really.
In a little bit I'm meeting my dad and sister, and probably Luann for dinner at Clara's. That'll be yummy. I must also remind myself to do some more laundry and dig up the necessary info for my paper that's due. Tomorrow morning I'll get to meet Jack, my new puppy/little brother. (If Maggie is my little sister, I don't see why Jack wouldn't be a sibling as well...)
HOOray for weekends at home with really very little to do except squeeze in little reunions with people who miss me. It's nice on the ego. haha!
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Oh my Phi Mu Bar Crawl. I think that may be all I have to say right now. I'm not sure, other than that exceptional night at epcot a couple years ago, I have been so drunk so early in the day. Weird. Anyway, needless to say this post is costing me a considerable amount of energy. More. Later.
Before I forget to mention it...
This weekend Brian will be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Very cool. He'll be in the fine company of notables such as Henry Kissinger, Gloria Steinem, Alexander Graham Bell, Nathanial Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Eli Whitney, Tom Brokaw, and of course, Bill Clinton. We're very proud.
(look for him to start signing his updates, Brian Vegas, Phi Beta Kappa...
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
I've had a lot of stress and yuck and stuff building up lately and last night someone let me unleash the wrath that is my 'emotional bottling'. I just wanted to say thank you and make sure that person knew how much I appreciated it. Afterwards I heeded some good advice and took a nice bubble bath (Buzz Lightyear Bubbles, of course). I feel better.
I think it's important to remind people how much you appreciate them sometimes. I know a lot of times it goes without saying... but even so, it always feels good to hear it, don't you think?
I'm home in Michigan for the weekend. It rained the ENTIRE way here but I got home without any real trouble. My car is waiting patiently in the parking lot of "Chuck's" so he can get all fixed up tomorrow. I got to see my sister's 'lovely' new home in The Trailer Park God Forgot. (I'm not real excited about having a sister who lives in a trailer and works the graveyard shift at Denny's, but at least it's not me.) I also got to have some Nacho pizza at Georgio's (Home of the Georgio).
Nothing else to report at this time...
Monday, April 22, 2002
Two things:
CONGRATULATIONS, Myles and Erin!!!!
Happy B'EARTHday, Disney's Animal Kingdom! I miss it, but i'll be 'home' soon enough.
seriously, guys. someone from msu fess up. it's more fun to update when i know who i'm entertaining...
Thursday, April 18, 2002
Sadly my hits have dropped SIGNIFICANTLY since settling in here. I deleted the archives that were chillin' on the old site. They were still being tracked and I got most of my hits off of google searches. Of course google doesn't have the same respect for those same archives now that they've moved here... oh well.
I have noticed an unusual amount of traffic coming from msu.edu which can only mean that someone from home is spying on me. I wish I knew who... I miss everyone! Luckily I'll be home in a couple... er, a week actually. Crap. I have so much to do....
Wednesday, April 17, 2002
A class of business students here at the University of Iowa have set a great challenge for themselves. Each semester this entreprenuerial business class developes a business and tries to make their goal profit. This group has decided to raise $350,000.00 by selling t-shirts. 100% of their profit will go to reburbishing a fire house in New York City.
I think it's a pretty amazing goal, and they are off to a heck of a start. Obviously they aren't going to have the money raised by the end of the semester. It will be an ongoing project. $350,000 is a lot of t-shirts.
What YOU can do to help is check out their website: www.heroeswanted.net. It's mostly complete at this point. You can even order one of their nicely designed, high quality t-shirts right off the site. They process, pack and ship all of their web orders themselves.
I've seen the shirts in person. They're very nice. I was impressed by some of my classmates who are involved in this project and wanted to do my part to spread the word. I wish them luck.
Yesterday was very exciting. I got my freckles and a library card all on the same day! HOOray!
And in the random observation category; I've sadly noticed I don't have much to say lately. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's that I'm so busy trying to wrap up the semester. I guess I just have so much on my mind that it's too clogged to come out yet.
I still REALLY need to find someone to take my apartment for the summer. Anyone have any good suggestions for ways to find a sublettor?
Monday, April 15, 2002
I've been dying to get back down to Florida... but I have to tell you it's like 80 degrees here in sunny Iowa and it's way too hot for me! I guess I have to ease into this whole summer thing before I try to endure the stifling sauna that is Orlando in July.
In other news, I desperately need to find someone to take my apartment for the summer. If you know anyone who wants to move to Iowa, let me know!
Sunday, April 14, 2002
I came down with a nasty cold about two weeks ago. It lasted a full week and boy did I feel yucky. Well, the good news is late last week I finally started feeling better. The bad news is Saturday night I got hit by a sneak attack cold that popped out of no where and clobbered my right between the eyes.
This is so unfair. I hate being sick. Back to back colds are just so uncool.
Thursday, April 11, 2002
Seriously, I have become anti-productive lately. It seems the more I try to get done the less actually GETS done, and the more that NEEDS to get done. I still maintain I need a personal assistant. And I bet I could work out some sort of disability related reason why the government should pay for said assistant... I do have a 'disorder' and all...
Meanwhile I've got things to mail, calls to make, essays to write, agency representatives to interview, work to do, showers to take, food to eat... yet I think it would be in my best interest to sit here and babble to you. What a special relationship we have...
Wednesday, April 10, 2002
By the way, this is the 2 year anniversary of my first blogger post. aw... Happy Birthday.
Ok, I don't know if you've heard about this but I'm totally jealous.
These Australian guys are just quitting their jobs and trying to get corporate sponsorship to sail a huge yacht from Sydney to Athens, stopping in like 65 countries along the way and arriving in Greece just in time for the 2004 Olympics.
Here's the deal: They need your help. They are trying to get 100,000 people to 'sign up' (basically like a petition) to show potential sponsors how much support they have. All you have to do is go to the website and fill in your name. Not too hard... plus, you could win a trip to join them on a leg of their voyage. Excellent.
Sunday, April 07, 2002
Consider this the 'soft opening' of GalacticHero.net. This is the first post being published directly to GH.net instead of ALL*STAR. It's all very exciting. Really.
Saturday, April 06, 2002
i grew up having this book read to me. i recently had it read to me again. i HIGHLY recommend it. also, i recommend someone purchase it for me. that'd be sweet.
(and, of course, you should substitute the name 'stephanie' every time he mentions the princess saralinda... but you knew that.)
Thursday, April 04, 2002
do you like how i complain below about not being able to publish on blogger yet somehow you're magically reading the post? i know, i know. but really, i haven't ACTUALLY been able to publish all day. the only way i am updating right now is by using blogbot on AIM. handy little sucker. somehow he can publish, yet i can't through blogger. oh well... i don't ask questions. i just type.
how annoying that i walked all the way to the nearest computer lab just to work out some kinks on my current web project and blogger is only semifunctional? so sad. not only can i not publish, i can't even work on my template. what's that all about? i can't even ACCESS my template to cut and paste it to wordpad or something. *sigh*
Wednesday, April 03, 2002
i'm still stressed out. i have too much to do and i just don't seem to be able to do it. i need a babysitter standing over me, reminding me to send in all of my necessary forms, and find roommates, and call certain people, and read chapters, and do projects.
how did i ever become so lame that i can't handle this?
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