Changes.....

It's interesting how we all vow to ourselves to make changes- physical, mental, work related but then get stuck in a rut a comfort zone and don't do a damn thing to move forward. I am one of these people, although this morning I have started my changes.

I have a walking buddy- my Kiwi, one of my favorite people in this world. She and I can be super upset talk for a bit and be laughing so hard our faces hurt. She's my rock right now- my motivation. She made a decision to better herself a while back, and I am now ready to take it on right next to her. Thanks for being so excited to have me beside you so early in the mornings! This is going to be awesome.

I have also radically changed my eating habits. I feel so much better when I get good stuff. Veggies, fruits, wheat based starches, no soda, limit my drinking. So, on that band wagon I have also jumped. SSM is a big help with that and I thank you for that sweetness.

I came to a realization that I made one hell of a decision to better my health 13 months ago, and although I have come leaps and bounds with it, I have been slacking and that isn't what I signed up for. I made a promise to myself to change for life, not go back and forth and up and down and it's time that I honor that promise to me.

So i embrace this new motivation, and I am planning on making the most of it.

Here are a couple of songs, though sad that give me strength and make me wanna be a better me, I hope you can find the same strength I have found in them.

If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE Beatles fan (and a huge Ticket to Ride fan as well- they do one hell of a job with Beatles songs! )
I was downloading music one day and ran into a very interesting version of one of my favorite George Harrison songs. (He was too my favorite- love his lyrics and fingers), and I thought I would share it with everyone. It's he and Paul Simon, it's acoustic, it's awesome!



SSM turned me on to this guy, his juggling is amazing- and yes I know just about everyone has seen this, but I love this song, and this guy never gets old to me!




My mom used to sing this to me when I was younger. I'm a huge Pooh Bear fan, always have been, always will be.



Anne Murray- LOVE her voice! This is my favorite version of this song....




So these are my top 4 song to relax and smile with, at least for the next 10 minutes! :)

Yes, I am a bit confused. Confused about people, confused about situtations, confused in general. I was always taught to do unto others as you want done unto you. How hard a concept is this? Most of the people in my life are great. Mutual understandings of life and the like, even if there isn't an agreement on the situation there is at least understanding of the other persons take on the situation.
Lately I am seeing more people take and be self destructive than I would care to be around. I have a really hard time seeing people want to intentionally hurt another even if they are hurting. We know you are hurting though you say you aren't, it's okay be mad be hurt, don't be blatantly mean it will get you nowhere, and you know that. Put all of the upset energy into something positive into something that will lead to bettering you as a person, into making your life more meaningful and happy.
The other is the complete lack of thought towards others. When someone has offered something kind, be kind about the situation. When the situations are made that the offerer feels as though he or she has been taken advantage of, the offering stops. It's not a good feeling, it's not a nice feeling it's just not. So lets all stop for a minute and think before we make a selfish act on someone who is giving.
Am I totally off my rocker here, is it so damn hard to think of someone else in situations before thinking of yourself? Better yet is it hard to think of the consequences of actions before acting in an idiotic manner?
Monday's question... please feel free to let me know!!!!

from Lecram, who got it from tisch..........

katie - here are your questions. Envision the interview taking place at a cafe on the streets of Paris.

1. If you had your choice of what you are doing now (job-wise) and what you could be doing what would that be and why?

I would be teaching Elementary level Special Education. It's something that I always wanted to do, but couldn't seem to make myself finish the schooling. I have had the pleasure of volunteering in classrooms and with different groups of physically and mentally challenged kids, and there is NOTHING in this world more awesome than seeing them light up when they finally understand and accomplish a task.

2. If you were given a superpower zap... what would it be and how would you use it?
Super power.... hmmmm. B/S Radar. I would love to know when someone was full of it as it is coming out of their mouths. Then I would be able to speak up about the crap they are pouring on instead of believing it and later thinking of myself as a dip for believing.

3. Describe the most difficult thing you have ever had to do and what has happened since you've done it.

I chose to walk away from my support system of "friends" that I have known for about 8 years at the time. It was hard not having anyone to gush with, anyone to go out and about with, but it was time. They weren't really friends- they were "friends". Since that happened, I have become more aware of the great people I run into, slimmed down my inner circle, and become much more confident of myself.

4. Name one of your "heros" and why is this person your hero?

Not so much 'heros' as they are women I hold in the highest regard. First is my Grandma. She lived through the depression, losing a father and brother very young, taking care of a farm with her sisters and mother, marrying an asshat, raising four successful children on her own, and still being as spunky as ever. Second is DeeAnna, who is the most thoughtful woman I have ever met in my life. She takes care of the world before she even thinks about herself, she is strong, wise, and has the best laugh! Third is my mother. She and I have a love hate relationship most of the time, but she is so strong and loves with her entire heart. I haven't ever met someone with as much passion for life as she has.

5. Red wine or white wine?
It's all about the Pinot Noir! Super yummies! :)

If anyone would like to be interviewed, here's how to keep the meme going:

Leave me a comment saying "Interview me." I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions. You will update your weblog with the answers to the questions, and let me know that you answered. If you don't have a blog, but would still like to play, I can send you the questions, and you can answer them in the comments. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Favorite Places to shop

I have my favorite places to browse, to purchase, to waste time. But I think one of my favorites of all time is Trader Joe's.
I skipped over there on my lunch break to pick up what I need for dinner tonight, and a few of my other daily items I adore, and as I was walking through the store I realized how much I enjoy their products, the people that work there, their prices, and even the bags they bag groceries in.
It's so nice to have a friendly low key place to shop.
I know, kinda funny post- but it's the little things that matter, right?

Photos that make me smile

i was scrolling through my photos online the other day, and rand across these and realized how much they make me smile. I've gotta share them! :)




The gang at the Starline on New Years Eve 2006
Jaded Girl, Rachel and my Kiwi singin it up at Toyoko

Jen and I before we went to "Goth Prom"


Rob, Jen and I cheering on the UC Davis Crew teams


SSM and I at Toyoko


Kristina, Chris, Emily and I in Santa Barbara for FOTB 2005


Mike, Kim and I at Old Town


The Norcal gang at Pebble Beach circa 2005


Anna, Dad and I in Virginia City for Anna's 21st


Rob, Jen and I on our Norcal Vinyl install day at the Ogre's casa

Hope you enjoy them! :)

My thoughts.....

Somewhat in a straight line, somewhat circular- but still there......


1. Friendship is more important than sex any day of the week
2. Treat people as you wish to be treated
3. Think before you speak, you never know what you are going to say that may effect another in a bad way
4. Confide in those you trust, and only in those you trust
5. Take a step back and analyze before jumping feet first into any project
6. An eye roll can say so much more than words
7. Talking louder than and/or cutting people off is NOT okay
8. Tell the people you love that you love them

Rice-a Roni.........

Well, the trip was awesome. Just what the doctor ordered for Fish Stick and I. It is always very nice to get out of town, but the crisp air, fog and beautiful architecture of San Francisco was killer!

The drive down:
We took off Friday afternoon. Fish Stick took me on a route I haven't ever been on. Madera to Firebaugh to I-5 up to San Francisco. It was beautiful driving through the valley. Drives like that make me realize how I couldn't live anywhere else. I love the rows of grapes, the farmhouses, the smells (yes cows are counted in that LOL), tractors kicking up dust, people planting crops. It is beautiful, serene. The drive was nice, super windy, but nice, until we hit the Bay Bridge. In all of my trips down south I haven't ever seen cars smooshed together like that before. It took us a good long while, some fun tunes on the radio and a few cigarettes later we were through the toll. (BTW- $4 to cross the bridge). Once we were over the bridge our hotel was off of the 2nd or 3rd exit on the freeway.

Getting to the hotel:
So the Tenderloin of San Francisco is worse than driving in downtown Fresno. One way streets, no turning- you will only be able to travel up and back. LOL no turning, no parking, nothing- it was cracking me up! We sorta missed the street we needed to turn on, and ended up driving so far in one direction, just to be able to turn around. Needless to say- I was very happy I wasn't driving! It blows me away how people just walk out in front of cars, cars drive like nut cases, and buses and delivery trucks do whatever in the hell they please! We got to the hotel, asked them to park the car- and didn't have to see it again until we left Sunday morning! :)

Friday evening in the city:
The hotel we stayed at was great. The staff was so helpful and friendly, and our room- though not big was very clean and more than adequate for our stay. The elevator, however scared the crap outta me- it "ker-chunked" every time it was at the requested floor. Yikes! :) We check in, and are called a married couple- which made me laugh. Get up to our room, and I decide to take a shower before we scout out a place to eat. Note to self: old hotel are awesome, old hotels need to work on the water temperature control. It was either as cold as the bay- or so hot I coulda fried my eyebrows off. I didn't quite figure it out....... the entire weekend. So we start walking looking for a place to eat. We passed by many restaurants, nothing seemed to strike our fancy. We are approaching a street corner, look up and see "Vietnamese"- okay lets go! We found an amazing place! We were the only non-Asian people in the restaurant. Everything we ate was out of this world. And with our leftovers- Fish Stick pillaged a fork in the name of Jaded. We did however eat the entire meal with chopsticks- and managed quite well! A stop off at a market and back to the hotel for a couple of drinks and some much needed sleep.

Saturday:
Woke up early to no sunshine. Keep in mind we had tickets to a Giants game. It was super drizzly- to the point of me not being able to wear my glasses (needed windshield wipers for them!) We walked down to a coffee shop in Union Square and had coffee and a bagel. I was awestruck on our walk with the buildings, the people, the hustle and bustle- it's all so amazing! The neatest thing was seeing the Cable Cars turning around on their wooden circle deal. I had no idea they were turned around by hand- super cool. We had our coffee, people watched and walked to catch a bus to North Shore. Taking a bus through China town on a Saturday morning is funny- bus packed- as soon as we entered China town- bus almost totally empty! Lots of street vendors, farmers market type places and people! The buildings were beautiful down there! Get to North Shore walk around, make a pit stop at a store and off we go again.
We picked up an F-Line electric bus which was AWESOME! Rode that back down to Market and 2nd and started our stroll to the ball park.

At&T park:
Though very beautiful, very small. But, the view of the bay is awesome! The rivalry between Giants and Dodger fans is nuts. People, it's a game. nuff said. The hot dog was great, the weather was cold and had beer not cost as much as babies on the black market, I might have had one of those too. We walked around, Fish stick took a bunch of pictures, it was a nice time. Yes the Giants lost, but all in all- awesome time! :) We found Generik at the game, and met up with him afterwards out in front of the park.

Post Game:
Generik took Fish Stick and I to his local dive to have a few cocktails. The place was awesome- packed as it wasn't too far from the park, but we had a great time. I do believe pictures will be posted of that at some point in time! LOL We all chatted for quite sometime, and realized that Mrs. Generik would be waiting for her Mister, so we grabbed a cab and said we would call them in about 30 minutes to meet up for dinner. We ended up at this great Hoffbrau called Tommy's Playce. (I think) Food was amazing, drinks put me on my ass! The conversation was wonderful- Generik you and your wife are AMAZING people! I had so much fun. Then we all walked back down the street to our hotel, said our goodbye's and good night's and promised that we will all meet up sometime very soon together.

Sunday:
Woke up, took a shower and start packing everything up. I put something in my purse and realize that my wallet is G-O-N-E gone. Fantastic! I freak out, because well, my wallet is gone. Fish Stick tells me it's gotta be at the restaurant we were at the night before. So I give them a call, they said they would be open at 10 and to come by and look for it. So we walk down to have some food- all I wanted was coffee and to throw up. As we are walking, two lesbian hookers are screaming at one another- one was upset that the other seemed to be enjoying servicing a man.........
I believe this was referred to as "street theater". Excellent. We have breakfast at this cute little hole in the wall place, and walk over to the Hoffbrau. I called, the guy came down to let me in. I walked over to the table we were at, felt around for a few and there it was. THANK GOD!!!! Everything was that much better! :)
We headed back to the hotel, loaded up the car and headed out.

The trip was awesome, and the fact that I had my own fish stick tour guide made it that much better- thanks sweets it was so fun.
Mr. and Mrs. Generik- you two rock, I can't wait to spend more time with you! :)

Things I learned about the city:

The bum's are rather nice.
The best places to go are local
Check your damn purse every time you pick it up
Wash feet before bed when wearing sandals
Always carry sweatshirt with you
XXX rated movies sales and "Chinese Massage" Places make me laugh

Fish Stick should have pictures up soon! :)

Going on an adventure!

I am so very excited- not like that is anything new in my life or on this blog, but it is definitely a new kinda deal for me! This weekend I am going on a sort-of impromptu mini vacation to the beautiful city of San Francisco, California. Now, to most Californians this isn't such a big deal- okay so you're going to the city.... have fun? - but I haven't ever been to San Francisco as an adult. The last time I visited I was 14 years old, on a school field trip to a German Restaurant and a kick ass science museum. So, yeah I'm pretty stoked. It's interesting how our perceptions of places change as we age, and the fact that I am venturing someplace I haven't seen in 10 years, make it just that much more awesome!
Have a couple of things planned, one of which being to see a few people from the city while in town. Two of those- being Mr. and Mr.s Generik! I had the pleasure of meeting the Mr. during the Rogue festival, and can't wait to meet his other half! :)



The other killer thing, I am going to a Giants game! Oh yeah, in the new park, oh yeah! (I love me some baseball!) SSM and I were talking about baseball one day (talk about a baseball fan!), and how when I was younger I was going to marry Will Clark- that's right he was my studly piece of man meat! LOL I later fell for different cuties of the MLB persuasion, but my all time favorite- Matt Williams! I have a ball from a game at Candlestick that someday I would love for him to sign! :)
So this is what is on my agenda for the weekend, and because of being excited- this has been the longest week ever!!!!!!
So yeah, hopefully there will be pictures to post when I'm back! :)

Pickles..........................

These are my favorite pickles ever. So crunchy, so sour- mmmmmmmmmm good stuff.
This week I have been housesitting for my folks while they are on a wonderful vacation with another couple. I went to the grocery store, and forgot to pick up a jar of this wonderful treat, but found a brand different, but still kosher in the cupboards at the folks house.
Stuck it in the fridge to get nice and cold........
First pickle out of the jar...............
the pickle isn't crunchy. What in the world is a pickle good for if not for the crunch? So here I sit, in a big almost empty house with a jar of cold, not so crunchy kosher dill pickles........
*sigh*

The first BBQ of the year

Although there are no pictures to document the fun we had, (I borrowed this one from google.com ) it was awesome.
Friends came, I cooked- yes I am now almost a "grill masta", we laughed we drank we had a great time! The weather couldn't have been more perfect. I am a huge fan of charcoal BBQ's, the smell, the taste when the meat is all done- all of that. I love it! :)
We had chicken, spare ribs, veggie burgers, apple chicken sausages, pilaf, salad, fruit salad, beer, more beer, vodka, water, ice tea....... yeah
So if you were invited but couldn't make it- shame on you! :P You'll just have to be at the next one. If you made it- thanks a million for coming, I love just sitting in the backyard kicking back with laughs!
SSM, thanks for all your help sweets- you rock, and yes I know that you know that! :)

Verbal affirmation

we can know it, feel it, see it
but why it is so damn important we have verbal affirmation?
it's there, right in front of us,
but no we need to hear it

are we less if we don't hear it?
are we half, three quarters
no, still whole, still there
and we still feel we need it

someday maybe we wont
but until that day comes we will always feel less
because of that damn thing we need
verbal affirmation

Had an amazing set of conversations last night with a couple of friends (and by friends I mean the people you can always count on, the one's that call out of the blue to find out what's been going on, the kind that can look at you and tell something is wrong). Our talks stemmed from dreams, chicken, self image, loving yourself and others, people you can count on, dreams, goals, loves and hates. Commonly we were all a bit unnerved when the topic of "people's self importance" came around.

Isn't it interesting how you can sit with certain people, and never be asked how you are doing or whats new? From minute one the "conversation" is dominated by what they are doing, going through, observing, but never once are you asked what's going on in your life......

There are times and situations when letting someone just ramble because they need to are warranted, but when it is an every time kinda deal, it starts to get very heavy on the mind and the heart- why am I not important enough to be included in the conversation, why am I always being used as a listening device, but never "allowed" to ramble when my life warrants it?

I have come into contact with these types of people my whole life. And it always ends up frustrating me. I am not a loud person, I will not interrupt what you are saying to inject my 8 million cents, I will however walk away when I have had enough, when the attention to the other person or persons doesn't turn to anyone but themselves, when I find myself losing interest in what is being said, because of their self importance.

We know that these people are all over in the world, but some manage to slip into our daily routines, into our minds and hearts. After a while, our emotions overthrow all logic and we are upset that we have become shells around these people, that we are always used and never given the option to use when we need to. How in the heck do we let that happen?

The discussion group I was with last night are two amazing people, so different but similar in all the right ways. Both care with their entire being, both immensely spiritually tuned into themselves and the people they are close to, both emotional, both wonderful.
I need both of them to understand how important they are in my world. Genuine interest and love among friends is such a hard thing to find, and you two rock at it. I wish both of you the best in your life journeys you are going through right now, but I know in my heart you are going to come away from all of it on top. On top of the world, on top of your troubles, you will triumph and I can't wait to see you do it!

I love you two very much, and I am so blessed to have you in my life.

Okay Apj's got me goin again!

Write exactly whats in your head and don't change it..

1. My 'ex' is still.... so lost it isn't funny. I do hope he figures it out someday.

2. I am listening to.... Loggins and Messina- House at Pooh corner- one of my favorites!

3. Maybe I should.... dance around in circles

4. I love....smiling it feels so darn good!

5. My best friend(s)... drive me nuts at times but damnit if I don't love them!

6. I don't understand..... self destructive people, keep it simple babes

7. I've lost my respect for..... certain aspects of certain people. Treat others as you wish to be treated, pretty easy eh?

8. I last ate...... half a mushroom jack burger and it was yummy!

9. The meaning of my display name is.... me, plain and simple!

10. Love is.... everywhere, sometimes you just have to look for it!

11. Someday.... I will accept things as they are, listen to my heart, and say what I need to when I need to!

12. I will always.... look for the good in people and things

13. Love seems to be.... a super scary thing

14. I never ever want to lose.... my self respect

15. My mobile phone is.... imaginary, I don't use it any longer

16. When I woke up this morning.... I wanted to just stay in bed

17. I get annoyed at/with.... any number of the following: people that refuse to accept responsibility, people that do not use turn signals, cats that pee on everything, things that are unusually loud.

18. Parties…. are fun, but I'm not a big party animal

19. My pets... she's a nut case, and I was told we look alike! LOL

20. Kisses.... are a favorite thing of mine

How 'bout you?

I am not a photographer, nor do I try to be. But every once in a while I snap a photo or two I am pretty proud of. These are the two I recently took that I think came out pretty neat. These are of a fountain full of raw opals I was given as a Christmas present this past year. I love this fountain, so calming, so beautiful- just plain amazing! Enjoy! :)

APJ got me started again.......

Your Personality Cluster is Extraverted Thinking

You are: Organized and logical - a master at puzzles Competitive in almost any arena of life Objective when necessary, but passionate about what you truly love Intolerant of excuses and incompetence

What's Your Personality Cluster?

You Are Ruby Red

You are warm and inviting - yet a little wild and outrageous. Well aware that you have a dual personality, you work it as much as you can! You like for people to be comfortable around you, but not at the expense of you stealing the limelight. Popular and well known, you make friends easily. You have your big personality to thank for that.

What Color Red Are You?

Your Stripper Song Is

I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred "And I'm too sexy for your party Too sexy for your party No way I'm disco dancing" Yes, you're super sexy. But you never yourself too seriously!

What Song Should You Strip To?

Your Element Is Water

A bit of a contradiction, you can seem both lighthearted and serious. That's because you're good at going with the flow - but you also are deep. Highly intuitive, you tune in to people's emotions and moods easily. You are able to tap into deep emotional connections and connect with others. You prefer a smooth, harmonious life - but you can navigate your way around waves. You have a knack for getting people to get along and making life a little more peaceful.

What's Your Element?

The Rogue- my take

This was my first ever experience with a festival, let alone the Rogue. I fell into this festival while having drinks this past summer, and like I said in previous posts no one could prepare me for the magnitude of this great event. The variety of shows, the areas the performers come from the whole festival is just crazy amazing.
I loved volunteering. It was really neat to hear people's takes on various shows, seeing the artists get nervous or even a bit nutty prior to a performance. I got to see everything from the front and "back" stage views. Ashtree is an amazing gallery- wonderful art, and a great venue for intimate audiences.
I was only able to see three shows, but able to hear many more from my post outside of the gallery. Jag Bennett's solo comedy is awesome, Naked guy Kevin and Co. (although he wasn't naked!) were out of this world, and RP, Lecram and Nate were a fun Friday evening nightcap. All three shows so very different, but so very awesome in their own right.
Met some great people through SSM. Old friends to him, hopefully new ones to me! :) It was a pleasure meeting you all, so nice to meet people with smiles! :) The whole festival was great and as tired as I am, I am so very looking forward to getting started on next years festival now!
I hope next year's be a bigger success than this year, fewer snafoo's, more laughs, more talent, more VOLUNTEERS! :P
Everyone that busted their rears on this- you are all amazing. It's great to see a community of people come together like this to produce something as awesome as this was!
So this week I am out for the count, need some major snuggle time with my couch and cat, as I do believe they both missed me like crazy!
Congrats Rogue 2007 performers, directors, volunteers, venue managers, accounting persons, owners of venues, patrons, everyone for making my first Rogue experience pretty damn neat!

Yowza, that was fun! :)

I had one hell of a time with Rogue this year. It all started for me this past summer, hot meetings at Liparis, handing out sponsor packets, more meetings, building stages, running various errands, taking tickets, helping with money, seeing shows. It was awesome. I got a little taste of all that is the Rogue. I met some amazingly talented performers, some super dedicated fans of the festival, and some just really nice people and patrons.
The dark circles have started to fade, but having them were a "badge" of honor- if you will- for how much fun I had. Early mornings, late nights, running around- it was so worth it. I loved seeing performers walk outside of their venue's with HUGE smiles on because of the crowd they had inside. That is what it is ALL about!
This was my first festival and although I had so many veterans describing to me the events, I couldn't have ever been prepared for what I witnessed. I'm still taking it all in. After the stressers and what not that I was a part of this past year, I can't wait to get going on next year's festival.
That's all I've got for right now, more later! :)

Writers Note

I got a very interesting look from a few people about my last blog. I am fine, I promise. I had a mighty stress filled last weekend, and needed to vent.

No I am not upset anymore, nor am I irritated for the moment. All is well, Rogue is rockin, Thai food is super yummy and warm snuggles make me smile.

I am looking forward to seeing a few shows later this week, as I have only been able to listen to them from out side of the Ashtree Studios. (Yes, Lecram I will get my ass to your show at some point in time.)

But, for the moment I need to give some serious attention to Mr. Jag Bennett. He again sold his show out last night. We were turning people away. Jag- you rock! I am so excited for your success with your show! You should be grinning ear to ear. I can't wait to see your total numbers! Congratulations sweetheart! Your hard work paid off!

Mustang, It was so nice to see you last night, you always make me giggle!
APJ- I love you and your tata's. MEOW (But really, get a skank tank and show those babies off with me! ) :)
SSM- you big goober, me now talk like cave man- *grunt*
Kien- I can't wait to see your show! (or at least hear it from outside). You are a funny funny man!

So yeah, thanks to those people that seem to always be a smile and a hug when you need one. Tonight is a late night for SSM and I at Ashtree- so come see a few shows!

www.roguefestival.com

*smooches*

Being in the back seat, behind the scenes, out of the way is where I prefer, but being totally invisible, not quite my cup of tea. I help you out, listen to you vent, help you with things both physically and mentally, and yet I become invisible.

You ignore my thoughts, wishes and hopes because they aren't as important to you as your drama, you are upset when I fire back, when I decide I can't take anymore of it but a few days later, here you are requesting from me what I cannot yet give.

Someday I hope someone treats you as you treat me and that you despise the feeling Then you might have a tiny clue of how it feels to not have the World spin the way you think it should, not to be able to call the shots, to be used and tossed aside to be invisible.

A bit frazzled

With many a situation. I say it all the time, but I really don't understand things so much of the time. I thought the older we got, the more things make sense. I guess I am just totally naive or something. On a normal day I am the biggest optimist you will ever meet. The sun will always shine, doors never close without a window opening, silver linings always present. Not this week. This week has been a headache, possibly from thinking entirely too much about certain situations that I have been presented with, that pose the following questions:

1. You bring up a big problem to a person, this person listens, no advice given, just questions asked to get a better grasp on said situation. The you don't hear from said person. Shoot them an email or two to check in- a phone call as well, and no return anything. Communication completely cut off. What is that all about? How can you cry on someone's shoulder and then not follow through with how things are going with the situation??? It's a bit frustrating to say the least!

2. The word "Thank you". Where has it gone exactly? It seems as though it isn't a part of peoples normal day to day routine to say thanks anymore. How hard is it? Two words, spoken after something is done, said or presented to another.
From Dictionary.com:

thank you

noun

a conversational expression of gratitude

and just in case you needed to use it in any other language:

thank you

I thank you
Example: Thank you (very much) for your present; No, thank you.

Arabic: شُكْرا، أشْكُرَك Chinese (Simplified): 谢谢（你） Chinese (Traditional): 謝謝(你) Czech: děkuji Danish: tak Dutch: dank je Estonian: aitäh, tänan teid Finnish: kiitos French: merci German: danke Greek: (σε, σας) ευχαριστώ Hungarian: köszönöm! Icelandic: þakka þér Indonesian: terima kasih Italian: grazie

Japanese: ありがとう Latvian: paldies; pateicos Lithuanian: ačiū Norwegian: tusen takk (for) Polish: dziękuję Portuguese (Brazil): obrigado Portuguese (Portugal): obrigado Romanian: mulţumesc Russian: благодарю Slovak: ďakujem Slovenian: hvala Spanish: gracias Swedish: tack !, tackar! Turkish: teşekkür ederim

3. When did being the only person in existence become a hip thing to do? No one else exists, no one else has feelings, no one else matters. It's a very interesting concept that I don't think I am very comfortable with. If this is the way we are evolving- I might as well retreat into a cave for the rest of my existence.

4. Human beings bury their heads in the sand? I was unaware of this as well. They can have lots of information presented to them from various sources, but choose to not take said information into their action or thought process. Even when it comes from a loved one.

All of these things have been tossing around in my head all week. Makes it a bit hard to sleep, especially when they are all things that I am passionate about. Treat people as you wish to be treated, keep it simple, less drama is better. I will never understand why people choose to complicate issues that don't need to be. If presented with a challenge, a question, a task, simply would be my preference to handle whatever it may be.

I am starting to think that I care too much about certain people or situations, and that is why they affect me this way. Perhaps it is time to not care about things the way I do, or care for the people I care for the way I care. I don't know. I'm very lost with people's actions and words lately I am pretty glad I am going on a short "vacation" this weekend with my family- the people that always keep it real, keep it simple, keep it full of love.

Team work

Last night an amazing group of couples gathered at the home of Rachel and Kowboi to build tons and tons of platforms for a festival that is scheduled to take off next week. 24 beers, one pizza, 4 hours, a Beatles cd and a million laughs later, we had them complete. It is truly amazing when crunch time is presented and phone calls are made, who cares enough to help a very stressed friend out with a task one person shouldn't ever be asked to accomplish alone.
Last night was amazing. Really showed me who cares, who understands the frustration, and who wanted to have some fun with a few wonderful individuals.
Kowboi is amazing when it comes to building things, I can do nothing more than look on in amazement with his skills, his precise measurements, his organization, his dedication to the things he loves. And damnit he needs some really big "thank you's" from certain individuals. A technical mind is awe inspiring to me. Precise things are hard for me to achieve, but putting things together, like making phone calls, and setting things up are quite easy. You tell me what and where, I'll tell you who and when.
I want to thank Mustang, Dana, Kowboi, Rachel and SSM for making last night one of the best nights I have had in a very long time. I love you guys! Thanks for stepping up when this festival really needed you!

Thanks Kowboi

for this beautiful picture of me

*smooches bitch*

LOL

Question of the day. Why is it so easy to spout off about certain things and so very hard to talk about others? Sometimes things that upset us just spill out of our mouths, sometimes you keep them trapped in until one day it just explodes out. The day to day things are easy to let out, but the minute there is something that effects us in one way or another we can't seem to let ourselves talk about it.
Things that frustrate me are usually a bit easy to let out, usually. Then the things that I feel very deeply about, I can't ever find the words.
Someday I pray there will be a balance between my thoughts and my words....

uncertain
adjective
1.	lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
2.	not established beyond doubt; still undecided or unknown
3.	not established or confirmed
4.	not certain to occur; not inevitable
5.	subject to change
6.	not consistent or dependable
7.	ambiguous (especially in the negative)

un·sure (ŭn-shŏŏr', -shûr')
adj.

1. Lacking confidence.
2. Uncertain of the facts.
3. Precarious; unstable; unreliable.

un·sure'ly adv.

And because APJ did it,
so am I LOL! :)

Get Your Sexy Name

Wanted to wish everyone out there a very Happy Valentine's Day. Yes, I do understand that you are suppose to love daily, but having that one day a year to be able to be super smooshy in public, and get super romantical (yes I said romantical), needs to be wished to all!
I hope yours is full of lots of hugs and kisses- maybe even some chocolate! LOL ;)


Happy Valentine's Day!

at least for today! :)


Conversations with friends over a cup of coffee, especially when they just show up at your house. Even when the topics may be a bit confusing to both parties or being hard to talk about, knowing that I have people in my life that will just show up when they need an ear, shoulder or cup of coffee means so much to me.






Having super long conversations with friends that live too far away to just stop by. Getting caught up on moves, loves, children, family, jobs- everything. Then having super long conversations with people that live close by and their day, the killer conversation they had, help understanding certain things in the world. Events to conspire the next day, and the following week.

The sunrise I saw on the bus this morning. Scattered clouds, all pink on the bottoms. How calm and beautiful the sky is while the world is just waking up. How the sun feels on my skin even when it's still a bit chilly outside. How much sun in the morning changes my entire outlook on the upcoming day- that it's going to be good, going to be filled with warmth and smiles.




This small but wonderful collection I have slowly acquired of original, local photography. How it's so different and so beautiful in each pieces own way. I love art- think it's amazing. But there is something I love even more about photography. It's someone's personal view of something we all see on an almost daily basis. It is very interesting to see what others see through a lens.


I woke up this morning so thankful for many things, realizing how lucky I am.

M&M bloggers #2

:)
Zen Bunny


Kowboi after a crazy Rogue day! :P


Rachel

Bloggers as M&M's

A few bloggers as M&M's. More to come- promise! :)




SSM.....





APJ






Katie

Lecram

The Simple Life, Katie style

So, I have decided to make life a bit more streamline. Got rid of the cell phone, I have a house phone- why do I need 2 phones???? I don't, so the cell is going to be used for road trips and out of town excursions- so I have a way to phone if I need to.
I am working on the no smoking train. I've been on the patch for 4 days now, and with the exception of 2 random cigs I haven't been smoking...... a more healthy person and some serious cash saving in the near future.
I test drove a car that was super cute last night, but as most things go- cute doesn't get anyone very far- now does it? LOL The thing was a POS. So, the car hunt continues, something in decent shape that will get me a million miles to the gallon works just fine for me.
So in the recent past, I have cut out the cell, most booze, cigs (well close enough), and am aiming for mucho afford ability in a vehicle.

Simple-
that's the theme to 2007! :)