So today is Halloween. Happy Halloween to everyone. I'm currently at my office. It's still dark outside. And, this is the part that relates it to Halloween, there are about 1 million crows outside of my building and as I started to walk up to the door to get in they started crowing...loudly...and they are still at it. They've been at it for a long time now. Did you know that a group of crows is called a Murder?
A murder of crows is stalking me at the moment. Spooky, no?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The Weekend - Campfire Tale Edition Part 2
When we last left our intrepid heroes they were sitting at a campsite preparing to make some lovely dinner and enjoy their night of nature-inspired fun. The tent was up, the bed rolls made, the food and all was in order and pretty. It was time to settle in and enjoy the evening.
The evening started out harmlessly enough. We made Spaghetti O's with Meatballs. Perhaps the most delicious food known to man. Tiny, canned meatballs are a weakness for me. I don't know why. Maybe it's all the preservatives. At any rate, we ate them and then some candy bars (it's near Halloween, plus we had to keep our strength up). Then we settled in. I read my book for a bit. We sat on the rocks and watched the sun set over the lake. We had the fire going by now which was necessary because it was cold. So we sat by the fire and talked and read. It was nice...
Until I started to notice that it was dark. And then, honest to God, I don't know what happened, but it was like a switch flipped. I started thinking that it was awful dark and awful secluded and though there was a couple of troops of Boy Scouts in other parts of the campground, surely a sicko killer would choose us because there is safety in numbers and 2 is the loneliest number since the number 1. Yeah, I freaked out. I blame the large quantity of murder mysteries, crime dramas and other macabre things that I fill my time with. I was mostly fine. I kept it together for a bit, but then I decided that I really just wanted to get into the safety of the tent. Except once we were in the tent I started thinking that the flimsy fabric might not be the safest of all places to be, but whatever. I covered up with the blankets and tried to tough it out. Did I mention that I made Zach take the hatchet with us in the tent? No? Well, I did.
So there we were in the tent. The cold, cold tent on the hard, hard ground. I was dressed in layers, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. I was pretty warm, but also pretty damn uncomfortable. The ground is unforgiving. And so began the long night. I think I fell asleep for awhile. Then I was awoken by crashing in the leaves around us. I was convinced that the murderer was coming for us, but it turned out to be something else...
I call him
I basically stayed awake all night. Listening for killers and animal attackers and being cold. I decided some time during the night that I would just make Zach start a fire a 6 AM (because it would still be dark) and then we could leave as soon as the sun came up. I must have fallen asleep some time around 5:30 or so because I was startled out of sleep at about 7:23 AM to the sound of gun shots. Nice. Maybe hunters. I didn't know. I didn't care. I just knew that the sun was up and that I wanted the hell out of there. Zach wanted a fire and to make breakfast, but at this point I had decided that all of the food in the cooler was tainted by rabies and that we just needed to get the hell away.
Dial in tomorrow for the exciting conclusion of The Weekend!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Weekend - Campfire Tale Edition Part 1
So we went camping this weekend. We packed up on Friday and on Saturday morning we woke up and we set off. Exactly 24 hours later we returned and what ensued in those 24 hours is story-worthy in my book.
Here goes...
I sit here writing this blog entry via the pioneer method of paper and pen. Laura Ingalls Wilder has nothing on me. We're currently (though as I now sit here typing this on Monday, not currently...it's so mind blowing!) at Lake McBride Recreation Area in the Fox campsites. I should probably do like they did for Iceland/Greenland and say that Fox #8 campsite is terrible, but like George W. (the first one), I cannot tell a lie. So I must say that we are in the most beautiful campsite ever. It's really pretty. It's also a L-O-N-G walk down from the car- especially lugging the delicious camp food (read: everything I am not supposed to be eating), but well worth the trip. We have the most awesome site. It's got its own separate grill (separate from the fire pit) and a totally awesome view of the lake. It's right on the lake with rocks the go out onto the water. It's the most secluded spot as well because it's farther down from the other campsites.
That's a picture of our camp site and that's me blogging. See, just like in the olden days of yore.
It's peaceful and wonderful now. We just went over to the raptor center and looked at the disabled birds. Then came back to our own roost.
Everything was going fine until some special freaks decided to walk through our campsite to go look at the water. That's nervy. That's like paying for a cheap hotel room and having strangers come in to your room to watch tv. I mean, we don't own the nature, but we paid for it for the night and we're hanging out here. There's plenty of other places to sit on the rocks and look at the water as well.
Here's their photo...
You come into my campsite, I publish your picture on the internet. That's the price you pay.
Here are some other sweet, sweet pictures of our campsite.
That's the long view of the campsite. I'm still working on my blog entry or maybe I'm just contemplating why those women are still in our campsite.
That's some of the awesome food we ate. In case you can't see it's from left to right - Generic Frosted Pop-tarts, Spam (Hickory smoked) - we actually didn't end up eating that, and some Spaghetti O's with Meatballs. I am such a sucker for tiny, canned meatballs. It's a sickness.
That's the fire that Zach built.
Here's the view from our campsite beautiful, no?
This is the sunset over the water. We watched it from the rocks. Nice stuff.
Special and wonderful right? Well, that was just the first part of the trip. Stay tuned for Part 2.
Here goes...
I sit here writing this blog entry via the pioneer method of paper and pen. Laura Ingalls Wilder has nothing on me. We're currently (though as I now sit here typing this on Monday, not currently...it's so mind blowing!) at Lake McBride Recreation Area in the Fox campsites. I should probably do like they did for Iceland/Greenland and say that Fox #8 campsite is terrible, but like George W. (the first one), I cannot tell a lie. So I must say that we are in the most beautiful campsite ever. It's really pretty. It's also a L-O-N-G walk down from the car- especially lugging the delicious camp food (read: everything I am not supposed to be eating), but well worth the trip. We have the most awesome site. It's got its own separate grill (separate from the fire pit) and a totally awesome view of the lake. It's right on the lake with rocks the go out onto the water. It's the most secluded spot as well because it's farther down from the other campsites.
That's a picture of our camp site and that's me blogging. See, just like in the olden days of yore.
It's peaceful and wonderful now. We just went over to the raptor center and looked at the disabled birds. Then came back to our own roost.
Everything was going fine until some special freaks decided to walk through our campsite to go look at the water. That's nervy. That's like paying for a cheap hotel room and having strangers come in to your room to watch tv. I mean, we don't own the nature, but we paid for it for the night and we're hanging out here. There's plenty of other places to sit on the rocks and look at the water as well.
Here's their photo...
You come into my campsite, I publish your picture on the internet. That's the price you pay.
Here are some other sweet, sweet pictures of our campsite.
That's the long view of the campsite. I'm still working on my blog entry or maybe I'm just contemplating why those women are still in our campsite.
That's some of the awesome food we ate. In case you can't see it's from left to right - Generic Frosted Pop-tarts, Spam (Hickory smoked) - we actually didn't end up eating that, and some Spaghetti O's with Meatballs. I am such a sucker for tiny, canned meatballs. It's a sickness.
That's the fire that Zach built.
Here's the view from our campsite beautiful, no?
This is the sunset over the water. We watched it from the rocks. Nice stuff.
Special and wonderful right? Well, that was just the first part of the trip. Stay tuned for Part 2.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Nature Girl and Boy
This past Thursday Zach and I went on a big, long walk over at the Mormon Hand Cart Trek Park Complex and Sports Field Recreation Area...at least that's what I think it's called. We went on this "hike" as a compromise. It involves walking on a paved path, free of ticks (which is my requirement) through the woods and prairie (Zach's requirement). Truly, we are nothing if not awesome compromisers. And that's really what a relationship is - a series of compromises leading to equality of misery for both parties - right?
So we went on this walk and all told it was 5.5 to 6 miles! Sweet, yes? We were awesome worker-outer people, but don't worry, I'm sure I consumed enough calories this week to keep up my figure (round and puffy).
We forgot the camera because we are super lame, but I am going to insert photos of some of the things we saw anyway. I have a few points that I am especially proud of.
1. I touched 2 snakes! Then I felt a little bit bad because I thought I might be stressing them out. But I only touched them for a second and then we shooed them off the path because the place is crawling with snakes and bikes. And let me tell you a little something about snakes and bikes - they don't mix. Their like Eighth grade girls and boys at a dance. Seriously. Poor bastards. We keep seeing some on the path that are dead and it makes me really sad. So if we snakes on the path we stand like crossing guards waiting until they slither off. I really seem to love them.
This is basically the snakes that we saw and I touched. They are Eastern Garter Snakes apparently. I guess they didn't get the memo that we are in the Midwest.
As we walked for almost 6 miles we played a game for a bit. The alphabet store game. Know it? One person says, "I am going to the store and I am going to by..." and then a food or store item with a letter and then the next person builds on it. It was fun.
We also saw a Walking Stick...in nature. That's awesome in my opinion. I hadn't seen one in real life before. It was cool. We saved it from a jogger. We looked at it and then were walking away, but it was still on the path and this jogger was coming toward it, so I said, "Um...hey, watch out over there because there's a walking stick." And she kind of stopped jogging a bit and sort of looked around and then I walked back and I was like, "See, it's here, it's really neat." And she sort of looked at me like I was a freak, but I thought, whatever, I want the walking stick to continue to live because it's neat. Here's a picture of a walking stick:
And that was Thursday. It was an awesome time. A good walk, good company. Cool animals. I felt really good because we exercised a lot and that was nice. So there you go. It's another awesome tale from my life. Jealous?
So we went on this walk and all told it was 5.5 to 6 miles! Sweet, yes? We were awesome worker-outer people, but don't worry, I'm sure I consumed enough calories this week to keep up my figure (round and puffy).
We forgot the camera because we are super lame, but I am going to insert photos of some of the things we saw anyway. I have a few points that I am especially proud of.
1. I touched 2 snakes! Then I felt a little bit bad because I thought I might be stressing them out. But I only touched them for a second and then we shooed them off the path because the place is crawling with snakes and bikes. And let me tell you a little something about snakes and bikes - they don't mix. Their like Eighth grade girls and boys at a dance. Seriously. Poor bastards. We keep seeing some on the path that are dead and it makes me really sad. So if we snakes on the path we stand like crossing guards waiting until they slither off. I really seem to love them.
This is basically the snakes that we saw and I touched. They are Eastern Garter Snakes apparently. I guess they didn't get the memo that we are in the Midwest.
As we walked for almost 6 miles we played a game for a bit. The alphabet store game. Know it? One person says, "I am going to the store and I am going to by..." and then a food or store item with a letter and then the next person builds on it. It was fun.
We also saw a Walking Stick...in nature. That's awesome in my opinion. I hadn't seen one in real life before. It was cool. We saved it from a jogger. We looked at it and then were walking away, but it was still on the path and this jogger was coming toward it, so I said, "Um...hey, watch out over there because there's a walking stick." And she kind of stopped jogging a bit and sort of looked around and then I walked back and I was like, "See, it's here, it's really neat." And she sort of looked at me like I was a freak, but I thought, whatever, I want the walking stick to continue to live because it's neat. Here's a picture of a walking stick:
And that was Thursday. It was an awesome time. A good walk, good company. Cool animals. I felt really good because we exercised a lot and that was nice. So there you go. It's another awesome tale from my life. Jealous?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Better Late Than Never
I also think that "Better Late than Dead" would sort of be funny on a tombstone. You know? Because people say "late" as a kind word for dead? I think it works on so many levels. But I think a lot of things that have yet to be grounded in cold, hard facts.
Sorry for the lack of posting. Well, actually, saying sorry shows weakness...so I'M NOT SORRY! But I've missed posting. I like reading about everyone else's stuff, so I feel I should give back. Except for Adam. Adam, I'm noticing a sorely lacking posting profile from you lately. You really need to get back on the wagon...right? On the wagon or off the wagon? Whichever one means that you post more. I hate when a euphemism doesn't go well, it just throws off my day.
At any rate, I originally meant the title to refer to my week and my many fun activities (no, not really), but I got a little sidetracked there. You will have to forgive me, I'm working on about 4 hours sleep - but more about that in another post...it's a cliff-hanger!!
So this week in review (allow me to preface this by saying that Zach's last day of work was last Friday (well, I guess now it's last, last Friday) so this past week was not productive for me...although I'm so lazy lately that I can't blame it on anything else...sigh):
Monday - Stayed home and watched videos with Zach. Monday is 99 Cent movie day at Mr. Movies (the dude who owns it is named Noah Movies...no, that's a lie, but I totally like to pretend that every time we go in). So we rented Fantastic 4 Rise of the Silver Surfer, Clerks 2 and Curb Your Enthusiasm (apparently season 2 vol. 1, although we though it was season 1, vol. 1). Here's a review: Silver Surfer - snorefest in my opinion. Clerks 2 - pretty solid. Go Kevin. Zach wants me to mention that he LOVED this movie. I think you might have to be a male to appreciate the subtle wonder, but I also think that might be true of most Smith movies. I don't think he reaches all that far, but still, good stuff. Larry David - always awesome.
Tuesday - went into work for a bit. Became anxious. Left and went home.
Wednesday - went to work all day. Gave a presentation in my class. The professor said, "Rose is going to start us off. She's very prepared to present these articles." And I thought, "Am I?" Wow. Ok. Well...I'll try not to disappoint everybody.
Thursday - Went on a sweet "hike" with Zach. That's a post in itself...and will likely appear up here soon. I can't give away all my good material in one post. I've got to stretch. My posts are like meatloaf you have to add some oatmeal or cornflakes to stretch the substance. Or my posts are like Meatloaf - lots of bravado little substance. Was that too harsh? God, I hope Mr. Loaf doesn't read my blog and get offended.
Friday - I had every intention of doing work. And I did. I didn't go into work I worked from home. I did a little on my comps (an exam...oh so much fun for later) and I wrote most of a paper. I would say I basically wrote the whole thing. But unlike my blog entries I have to go back and edit for grammar and to make sure that it makes sense.
This weekend is also the subject of another blog. Trust me. For now, I will sign off, but stay tuned. I'm back, baby!
Sorry for the lack of posting. Well, actually, saying sorry shows weakness...so I'M NOT SORRY! But I've missed posting. I like reading about everyone else's stuff, so I feel I should give back. Except for Adam. Adam, I'm noticing a sorely lacking posting profile from you lately. You really need to get back on the wagon...right? On the wagon or off the wagon? Whichever one means that you post more. I hate when a euphemism doesn't go well, it just throws off my day.
At any rate, I originally meant the title to refer to my week and my many fun activities (no, not really), but I got a little sidetracked there. You will have to forgive me, I'm working on about 4 hours sleep - but more about that in another post...it's a cliff-hanger!!
So this week in review (allow me to preface this by saying that Zach's last day of work was last Friday (well, I guess now it's last, last Friday) so this past week was not productive for me...although I'm so lazy lately that I can't blame it on anything else...sigh):
Monday - Stayed home and watched videos with Zach. Monday is 99 Cent movie day at Mr. Movies (the dude who owns it is named Noah Movies...no, that's a lie, but I totally like to pretend that every time we go in). So we rented Fantastic 4 Rise of the Silver Surfer, Clerks 2 and Curb Your Enthusiasm (apparently season 2 vol. 1, although we though it was season 1, vol. 1). Here's a review: Silver Surfer - snorefest in my opinion. Clerks 2 - pretty solid. Go Kevin. Zach wants me to mention that he LOVED this movie. I think you might have to be a male to appreciate the subtle wonder, but I also think that might be true of most Smith movies. I don't think he reaches all that far, but still, good stuff. Larry David - always awesome.
Tuesday - went into work for a bit. Became anxious. Left and went home.
Wednesday - went to work all day. Gave a presentation in my class. The professor said, "Rose is going to start us off. She's very prepared to present these articles." And I thought, "Am I?" Wow. Ok. Well...I'll try not to disappoint everybody.
Thursday - Went on a sweet "hike" with Zach. That's a post in itself...and will likely appear up here soon. I can't give away all my good material in one post. I've got to stretch. My posts are like meatloaf you have to add some oatmeal or cornflakes to stretch the substance. Or my posts are like Meatloaf - lots of bravado little substance. Was that too harsh? God, I hope Mr. Loaf doesn't read my blog and get offended.
Friday - I had every intention of doing work. And I did. I didn't go into work I worked from home. I did a little on my comps (an exam...oh so much fun for later) and I wrote most of a paper. I would say I basically wrote the whole thing. But unlike my blog entries I have to go back and edit for grammar and to make sure that it makes sense.
This weekend is also the subject of another blog. Trust me. For now, I will sign off, but stay tuned. I'm back, baby!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Back by Popular Demand (well...Sara and Heidi)
I keep meaning to write and I keep thinking of fun stories to tell, etc., but then I get down to it and nothing much comes out. Perhaps that's because I'm all distracted and stuff. And still the laziest person I know.
But in answer to Sara's question: this year for Halloween I will be a dissatisfied grad student. Or just a regular grad student. I've lost all my cool creativity and also you and Heidi aren't here to sew my costumes.
In other fantastic news of the lame, I've got a lot of work to do. And still no motivation. But I am spending some quality time with Zach lately. His last day of work was Friday and we hung out yesterday and today. I managed to do some work in that time as well, but lots of nice time together. It's funny because we spend all our time together anyway, but I always miss him when we're apart. I've been listening to Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier on SModcast and it seems like Kevin Smith and his wife are the same way...except they are rich so they can afford to just hang out with each other.
Ok, baby steps people. I have to get back on the sauce slowly. I'm going to try to work up a wonderful entry for tomorrow. Stay tuned.
But in answer to Sara's question: this year for Halloween I will be a dissatisfied grad student. Or just a regular grad student. I've lost all my cool creativity and also you and Heidi aren't here to sew my costumes.
In other fantastic news of the lame, I've got a lot of work to do. And still no motivation. But I am spending some quality time with Zach lately. His last day of work was Friday and we hung out yesterday and today. I managed to do some work in that time as well, but lots of nice time together. It's funny because we spend all our time together anyway, but I always miss him when we're apart. I've been listening to Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier on SModcast and it seems like Kevin Smith and his wife are the same way...except they are rich so they can afford to just hang out with each other.
Ok, baby steps people. I have to get back on the sauce slowly. I'm going to try to work up a wonderful entry for tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Still No Takers
So, no one commented on yesterday's bid for topic suggestions. I can take from this one of two things (and because I'm me, it's only 1 of these 2 options):
1. No one reads this blog and it's just me here.
2. Everyone just likes to hear me ramble on about nothing.
Both of which seem a little far-fetched. Although the latter more than the former. Whatever, I'll do it. I'll ramble on. I don't care. Let's see, what to ramble about, what to ramble about...um...
Yeah, you know what I got nothing. Except apparently sort of an angry tone. What happened? We used to be so close and now there's all this animosity between us. I feel so sorry. Look, Ike's sorry baby. I didn't mean it. Let's just go back to the way it was.
1. No one reads this blog and it's just me here.
2. Everyone just likes to hear me ramble on about nothing.
Both of which seem a little far-fetched. Although the latter more than the former. Whatever, I'll do it. I'll ramble on. I don't care. Let's see, what to ramble about, what to ramble about...um...
Yeah, you know what I got nothing. Except apparently sort of an angry tone. What happened? We used to be so close and now there's all this animosity between us. I feel so sorry. Look, Ike's sorry baby. I didn't mean it. Let's just go back to the way it was.
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