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Richard Cheese – “Man In The Box”

Quick recap of Friday night: I email Callie and Paul to say we want to do another pumpkin carving party this year, and they reply and say they want to go to a pumpkin patch. We all think this is a genius idea and so the four of us (Daniel too!) drove out to Sauvie Island to a pumpkin patch and corn maze.

I’d never been to either, and it was a lot of fun. A lot of the pumpkins were dead and rotting, since it was just a few days before Halloween and all the good ones had been taken already. Despite this, we each found one pumpkin, and Daniel and I got another to share.

The corn maze was really fun. It’s haunted on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 6:30, and we were there at 6 and didn’t want to wait, so we went in anyway. This meant that we were fine for the first half of the maze, but when it started getting dark and we were totally lost, then it was haunted and people would jump out at you in scary masks. Lovely. There were some people in front of us at one point, with a little boy, and a monster came out of the maze and the kid was TERRIFIED. Like, he jumped back and fell over and was screaming because he was so scared. We saw him later, with his parents (I think he was with a sibling before) and they were asking directions so they could take him out of the maze. I felt really bad for the little guy.

We started shaking corn stalks to freak at each other out because you started getting really jumpy by the end. I screamed twice at the same monster. I initially screamed because the corn stalks were moving and I assumed it was just one of us trying to freak everyone out, but then I saw the monster and screamed again, all within about a second and a half. Heh. We started running (erm, it was scary?) and ALLOFASUDDEN there was another monster! I shrieked and we started running faster and then it was the end of the maze. SO MUCH FUN.

Carving pumpkins was neat too, even though Callie and I had no idea what we wanted to do. I was contemplating Harry Potter, but the pattern I found was pretty complicated and I was convinced that if I tried it, it would come out looking nothing like Harry Potter and then I’d be sad. So I decided on a hilarious face I found on some website. During Sleepy Hollow, Callie decided she wanted to do the face on the jack-o-lantern so she drafted a pattern of what she wanted. I think all of them came out fantastically.

We watched Hocus Pocus and Sleepy Hollow, and then all of us got really, really tired and we decided to call it a night. Thanks, guys! It was lots of fun.

Weltenbrand – “Manes ad Lapidem”

My brain feels like a bowl of lukewarm oatmeal. Interestingly enough, I am about to have oatmeal for dinner because we are totally broke and rolled oats are cheap when you buy them in bulk. Sadly, I have not ever eaten bulk oatmeal (i.e., oatmeal that does not come from a cardboard tube that has the Quaker Oat Man on the front and INSTRUCTIONS on the back) up until earlier this week, so, um, I had to call my mom to ask how to make a goddamn bowl of oatmeal. I felt pretty dumb.

I got word today about a prospective job opportunity that sounds exactly like what I would like to get hired for. Web standards based XHTML and CSS, some PHP, XML, maybe some Flash. All things I am more than capable of doing. It pays well, they are close by, and I’d already done a bit of research into the company before I even heard about this. I’m terrified out of my mind about pursuing this, but they are willing to have the applicant work part time at first (they are good about accommodating student schedules) and then move up to full time later.

Someone stole our aloe plant from our outside window ledge. We have lots of empty baskets out there left over from when we killed all the other plants on accident, but someone flat-out stole our aloe plant. It’s fairly well-known that I am not a houseplant person, but dammit, I liked that aloe plant and now it is gone. I hope that person feels guilty.

The other day, at bowling, there was this little old lady behind the counter helping us pay and get our shoes. This girl Christina was attempting to get shoes for both her and our friend Amanda at the same time, and Daniel and I were at the counter waiting as well. The conversation went like this:

CHRISTINA: I’d like a size 8 and a size 10, please.
OLD LADY: All right. *turns around, grabs only the size 8 for Amanda* *hands Christina the shoes*
CHRISTINA: Um, and a size 10. I need a 10 as well.
OLD LADY: Now, just a minute here. *comes over to me* What size shoe do you need, dear?
MEGGAN: Um, 6 and a half?
CHRISTINA: *gives me weird look, like, seriously? Did she just do that?*
MEGGAN: *shrugs, laughing*
CHRISTINA: Um, I… Er, I still need a size 10…
OLD LADY: Now you just hang on a minute! I’m helping the ladies first!
EVERYONE BUT OLD LADY: *is speechless*

I almost died laughing afterward. Christina wasn’t being obnoxious about asking for her shoes, but I honestly think the lady thought she was a dude (even though Christina totally does not look like a guy) and was insisting on helping all the “ladies” first before she gave the guys their shoes. Ahh ha ha. Poor Christina.

I’m still doing horribly on my exercise goals. Disappointed. I have been walking a bit more than usual, but… ehh.

As you may have seen in my Flickr photostream, I ordered a CSS book from Amazon in mid-August. They sent me an email ages ago that said “your item will be delayed, is that okay?” and I said, sure, whatever. They claimed it would come in early-ish October. I got an email the other day that said “your item will be delayed, estimated delivery date may be as late as DECEMBER 5th.” They are lunatics if they think I’m going to approve that delay. Seriously? August to December? Is the book really that hard to find?

Mmm. Oatmeal. What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast? My latest one is vanilla yogurt with some Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds sprinkled on top, kind of like having cereal with yogurt instead of milk. It is delicious.

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I almost won the high-score bowling wristband tonight. I won the first game with a 138, which I think is my highest score ever. Then somebody beat me in the second game with a 145, so I suppose at least I got second. How awesome would it have been though if I won? :dork:

Nine Inch Nails – “Reptilian”

I’m going to begin by saying everything went really well and my week was great.

Tuesday, my cousin Kalena was visiting by sheer coincidence and we got to hang out for a bit. Wednesday and Thursday I spent around the house, not doing a whole lot. Friday, I found the perfect brown ballet flat shoes at Target (not the ones I linked to – EVEN BETTER) so that was awesome. I also found a nice wedding gift.

Zach and Danielle’s wedding was beautiful. They said lovely things at the ceremony, and the thing I liked best about it was that they did traditional things in a bit of an untraditional way. They had something like seven or eight bridesmaids (“Best Women”) and I think eight or nine groomsmen (“Best Men”). The bridesmaids wore black dresses (any style) and carried black fans, and the groomsmen wore black shirts and khaki pants (some wore sunglasses too.) The reception was tons of fun and they played great non-current music. Daniel and I even danced. Daniel’s mom caught the bouquet, and our friend Seth caught the garter. Needless to say, Daniel and I are both very, very happy for the new couple.

Sunday, we went to breakfast with Daniel’s dad and stepmom and then had brunch at Zach’s mom’s house. Afterward, we drove out to my parent’s place where we had hamburgers. I milked a goat (WEIRD) and got my foot stepped on by an ancient, hungry mule. I was not a happy camper and my foot has a bruise on it now, but I don’t think there will be any lasting damage. My grandma served us ice cream, we lost my grandpa, found him again, and then I packed up all of my stuff. When we got back into town, Daniel’s mom served us homemade vanilla ice cream and then we napped until the train arrived.

I’m happy to report there were no major train incidents (other than us being an hour late, due mostly to freight train interference). We made it back safe and sound, and pictures are on Flickr. (Wedding) (Cousins) (Goats)

Big Fish DVD

Just got done making sugar cookies. I don’t think they’re spectacular, but they’ll do. The frosting is a makeshift chocolate one that I made up myself, and it involves powdered sugar, no butter (we were out), too much milk, some Kahlua, vanilla flavoring, and some weird canned hot chocolate powder. You use what you’ve got.

Daniel’s sister Heidi called today to let us know that her/our friend Jake was going to be driving to Ashland, Oregon today and may be stopping by Portland, and could he stay the night? She called back later and come to find out, it’s Jake, a friend, and their dog. They’re still not here yet (quarter to midnight) and Daniel and I have to be up at 5:30am tomorrow. Not that I’m usually asleep, because I’m not, but AUGH I have never met this other person, I am in my pajamas, it is nighttime, I didn’t shower today, I am tired, hot, and there will be a dog. And I am supposed to be doing homework, not preparing for unexpected houseguests and baking.

I need some ice water.

Wolf Parade – “Shine A Light”

Daniel and I just got home (1:45am) from hanging out with Callie, Paul, and their friend George at a bar. I smell horrible. It was a smoking bar, and Callie and Paul both smoke -

SIDE NOTE: Paul decided to start smoking months ago so that he could quit. As much as I love Paul, IT WAS A STUPID IDEA AND YOU KNOW IT. Who wants to voluntarily experience quitting smoking? NO ONE. I still love you Paul, but it was a bad idea.

- and now I smell like an ashtray. I probably smell like the ashtray they used, too, because Paul for some reason kept sticking all of his lemon wedges in it after using them, and by the end of the night he was having difficulty picking up the lemon wedge out of his drink so he could use it and I got covered in lemon juice. Hilarious.

I lost a game of 5-player cutthroat pool. Paul won. I got one ball in the whole time, but I was doing better than most people for some parts. I am awful at pool.

George was around because has just returned from an eight (?) month tour in Iraq, so this was a much needed break. He and Paul got totally drunk; Callie was their DD so they were free to drink however much they wanted to and OH LORD, did they. Daniel had a Coke or two and I had a Long Island Iced Tea (they made really good ones) and the bartender warned me that they only ever serve two of those to someone. You’re welcome to have whatever you want after that, but only two of the Teas. I only had one anyway, because after about 3/4 of one my vision starts going, in the sense that I will turn my head to look at something and… THEN my brain will follow.

Paul got really loud at one point and started declaring that anyone who likes Nascar is not only stupid but also white trash, and the rest of us were giving each other embarrassed looks and cracking up. I think Paul doesn’t realize that his volume level increases when he drinks. Heh. George just got incredibly giggly. At the end of the night he pretty much stopped saying words and was just laughing the whole time.

Paul and George ordered some horrible concoction of tequila and 7up in a tumbler glass to chug before we left. It was obvious the bartender thought they were idiots but she brought it out anyway, and it smelled like pure death but they both drank the whole thing. As Paul was trying to explain to her what he wanted, she looked at him funny and was like, “You’re not driving, are you?”

YOU’RE NOT DRIVING, ARE YOU? Seriously? We had been there for two, two and a half hours by then and they were wasted and she knew it. Driving? Did she think the rest of us would LET THEM? I know she was just trying to cover her butt so she wouldn’t be responsible, but god that was a funny question. George laughed about it for forever.

You’re not driving, are you? You who cannot squeeze his own lemon wedge?

Daniel and Josh playing Guitar Hero

Today after going bowling for Amanda’s birthday, Daniel, Josh and I walked home from the MAX station. We randomly saw a guy they used to work with named Craig, whom I’ve never met. I’ve just heard lots of things about him. We were introduced, and he said, “Oh, yeah! I’ve seen your picture on MySpace.”

I sort of felt like a walking Hot Topic t-shirt. :o Heh.

Otyg – “Nar Alvadrottningens Krons”

Registration/logging in is back. I’ve upgraded to WordPress v2.0.4, so hopefully everything is all right now.

Soooo, this weekend has been interesting. Most of it has been me attempting to do homework and failing miserably (I need somebody I can just pay to do my work – maybe they would like to be paid in cakes and muffins? Anybody know anything about marketing/business? Want to write me a paper?) and the rest of it has been hanging out with Daniel’s sister Heidi, her friend Meagan and Meagan’s boyfriend, Jake.

The only things I bought today were a pair of Chaco sandals (on clearance from $75 down to $30. How could I resist?) and a nice jacket I can use this winter when it gets all windy and rainy. It was on clearance too. Then on the way home, somebody was arranging a “FREE” pile on the sidewalk and included in the free pile were two sleds. One was a toboggan and one was an old-school runner sled. I have no idea where they came from or why they were putting them out on the sidewalk for free, but, um, we took them. I don’t know what we’re going to do with them, but we will have sleds if the weather calls for it.

I found another photo thief, this time on livejournal. I was about to post the URL here because seeing the hotlinking image on her page (and on all 73 of her friends’ “friends” pages) was hilarious, but she took the photo down and deleted my comment before I could even post this. So, just know that it worked. Heh. Hotlinking is bad, but stealing a totally crap photo of my living room and passing it off as yours by asking people to come hang out in “your” room with you is really bad.

A friend of mine from school named Ben H. got into a horrible accident recently. We don’t know any of the details, but he apparently was on a bike and then ended up with his head through a car window. He is okay. He needed some stitches and such and messed up his shoulder (may need surgery to avoid future arthritis issues) but is generally okay. Think good thoughts about Ben getting better!

Also, please send me some “do homework” vibes. Just check out my to-do list for this week only:

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Ryan’s birthday party was today. I was an idiot and didn’t recharge my camera battery before we left, so I only have a few photos, none of which have Ryan in them. We celebrated at Oak’s Park, a weird little amusement park around Portland. I have never seen so many fat kids in my life.

Oh! And I got to go on one of these big slide things and it was lots of fun.

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The Beatles – “Because”

I’ve been thinking a bit lately about what I should do for my 21st birthday. As most of you probably know already, I’m really not much of a drinker, and I don’t plan on getting totally wasted when I turn 21. I know I’m lame, you don’t have to say it. I can’t say I see the point in drinking so much that you throw up, black out, can’t remember what happened the night before and then feel awful the whole next day. Um, it doesn’t sound appealing to me. That’s all.

However, I am not quite so lame that I don’t want to do anything, so I’ve been trying to come up with something. And I’m having a hard time, for a few reasons.

1. Drinking isn’t really that important to me.
This means that I don’t really want to go out all night and bar-hop. WTF else am I supposed to do when I turn 21 if I don’t do that?

2. Finding people to invite is, um, difficult.
I really, really wish I had a close group of girlfriends to go out with, but alas, I do not. I am, apparently, not a very social person. Who knew?

3. I start thinking about #2. A lot.
Then I get all upset, like, OMG I HAVE NO FRIENDS, when really, I do, it’s just that most of them live thousands of miles away and I only “hang out” with them through the computer.

4. Then I start thinking about #3. A lot.
I begin to wonder if there’s something wrong with me and HOW COME I CAN NEVER MEET ANYBODY FROM SCHOOL? I have a gazillion acquaintences, very few close friends. And most of them are male anyway. I can’t imagine getting drunk in front of people I know well, how would I do it in front of a bunch of guys I don’t know that well? Besides, the one time I tried inviting someone over who I met in school (I’M LOOKING AT YOU, KEITH) he didn’t show. So, there’s that. I do not want to end up the person that sends 20 invites and has 3 people show. Or no one. Gah.

There has to be something I can do, save for going back to Idaho and hanging out at the 219 with Heidi and Meagan, listening to Black Lightning play, which is actually what sounds most appealing at this point.

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They wouldn’t let me give blood today. My iron level was at 35, and they require it to be at 38 before they let you donate. This makes me sad – it’s the only time I’ve been turned away from donating blood. Lame. I even took a multivitamin this morning, ate a big bowl of nutritious cereal and drank 32 freaking ounces of water.

Callie’s birthday was super – I didn’t suck at golf as bad as I imagined, though we didn’t keep score or really even make a note of how far over par we went so I may be terrible after all. I haven’t heard any word on how everyone’s doing this morning. Also, you may have noticed, but I uploaded the photos I took to my Flickr account so they’re there for viewing. The title of this entry is based on a phrase that was uttered about 23957 times over the course of the night to explain why none of our golf balls actually landed on the green as opposed to zooming right over them and rolling off the side.

I haven’t mentioned this, but last Friday, Callie, Paul, Ryan, April and I (and Daniel, he came over specifically to tell me that I forgot about him in this entry. So Daniel too. Sorry.) went to the coast for a bonfire get-together thing. Ryan and April were already out there by the time we left, so it ended up being the four of us on the highway at 9pm heading for the ocean. It takes about an hour and a half to get there. Heh. We made it fine and hung out for a few hours, eating S’mores and caramel corn. Ryan and April stayed at a hotel on the coast, so the four of us drove back to Portland at 12am.

The next night, Daniel and I rented the movie Madagascar, which is SO CUTE. I am absolutely in love with Mort. And I liked the hippo and King Julien. Oh! And the penguins! I loved the penguins. The movie was pretty good, but I liked it more for the characters than anything else.

I’m off to class (I get to find out how well I did on my test last week), where I’m sure the huge amount of water I drank this morning will interfere with my taking of lecture notes.

The Arcade Fire – “Wake Up”

Callie turns 21 today! We’re going to go medium-golfing (it’s not real golf, but it’s not miniature golf) at Edgefield, some place a bit outside Portland. It’s only a nine hole course, so hopefully it won’t be too scary. I’ve no idea how to golf – I’ve been miniature golfing before but the last time was probably five years ago, so I’m sure I’ll be awful. Afterward, those of us who are of age (ie., not me) will go out to bars and have fun drinking and being crazy. Good times.

Daniel’s video game

Okay, I’m going to do something DasBecca does on occasion, and it is what she calls roll call. Basically, I’d just like to know a bit more about the people visiting my site. Feel free to copy and paste, and I’d love to hear from you regardless if I know you in real life, if I know you over Teh Intarwebs, if this is your first time to my site or if it’s your millionth.

My name is [blank]. The last CD or song I listened to was [blank], and I [have/have not] seen them in concert. The last book I read was [blank], and the last dream of mine that I remember was about [blank]. I have been visiting your site for [length of time] and I wish you would talk more about [a subject]. Also, [Pepsi/Coke] is better.

Also, since I sort of collect silly foreign stationery, if anybody would like a letter from me I would be more than willing to write one to you. Just email me with your address. I hereby solemnly swear not to stalk and/or kill you, and to not sell your email to spammers. I’m just not like that.

The Sisters Of Mercy – “This Corrosion”

I’m home! We survived, and did so without any fights or cars breaking down. I’ll try to recap as best as possible, starting from the beginning.

Friday, March 24
We leave Portland at about 8:15 in the morning and head for Pullman, WA. The drive goes well and we meet Paul’s friend Lucas for lunch. I try to get ahold of my friend Freya, but I have the wrong phone number. I finally get a call from her while we’re at lunch, and she comes over to meet us and we talk a bit about people we know from high school (note: they’re all pregnant).

We take the scenic route from Pullman to Spokane on accident and end up getting into Sandpoint later than we intended, but still in time to catch Daniel’s dad, brother, and dad’s friend playing music at a local wine bar. After the music, we head to Eichardts (a pub) to grab some garlic fries. The wait was way longer than we intended, but we got them and headed to Daniel’s dad’s for the evening. We stay up late, just talking, and Daniel and I sleep on an air mattress that deflates halfway through the night.

Saturday, March 25
Daniel’s stepmom Tami makes us a huge breakfast. We eat that and then head over to his mom’s house, where we drop off our stuff and then go visit my parents for a bit. On our way back into town, we stop by JC Penney and grab some white towels to dye later, as well as some Taco Bell. We etch clay pots and dye towels.

Tons of people come over for dinner, which is homemade falafels complete with homemade pitas. Then we go bowling. We come back, watch some scary short films by David Lynch, and then go to bed.

Sunday, March 26
We have breakfast at a restaurant called DiLuna’s, where I have a Belgian waffle, and then we locate Daniel’s dad and stepmom to say goodbye to them. Afterward, we head to my parent’s place and investigate the field and animals and watch some TV. On the way there, we see a giant goat in the back of a pickup.

My brother’s 18th birthday was in two days, so we had an impromptu birthday party for him with both sets of my grandparents. The four of us stay up to play dominoes (Callie won) and roast to death because my dad stoked the fire way too much.

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Songs have been imported into iTunes, iTrip has been installed on all applicable iPods, bags have been packed.

Spring Break 2006 starts in four hours.