Is that a blue raspberry candy on your eyelid?

Last night, sitting bored in my Tucson hotel room, I caught an episode of the bachelor. Now, I know I resigned myself to not watching TV but I was so tired I really didn't have the energy for Chaucer or Shelley. I used to love The bachelor back in the day. I loved the spats between 20 females vying to one man's attention. I bathed in the delusions these women had, each feeling like they were making great connections, never doubting the fact that they were dating a man who was dating 20 other women. I especially loved the episodes where the guy would make out with like 5 different women in 5 different hot tubs. Ha!

I'm here to report that not much has changed in the show. This season the bachelor is a looker, a doctor, and falling madly for many women at one time. I sat through the episode perturbed. Not because of the absence self-esteem, the petty bickering and backstabbing, or even the fundamental backwards leap these women have taken by submitting to this absurd situation. My feminist sensibilities took a back seat to the sheer amount of bright blue eyeshadow present on the scene. Since when did it become acceptable to wear neon blue eyeliner? Each and every single woman on last night's episode was wearing atrocious blue eyeshadow.

Some women in some circumstances can pull it off. A small town brunette beauty queen cannot. Seriously, everyone wore it all the time. It was weird and I have to say, if these are the kind of people The Bachelor is going to put on their show I may just have to cross it off my list.

go-getter

I'm finding myself much more focused on my career these days. I want to succeed, I want to do well by my colleagues and peers. I want to get my numbers up for the almighty bonus. I'm trying harder than I ever have with a job and that's rewarding. It's nice to have something to focus on and to work towards.

I'm not sure though what it's doing to my libido. Over the past month or so I've been so busy, I think I've lost track of a very important part of my life. I need to rekindle the burning fire that once rocked my nights and mornings. I'm not quite sure how I plan to do this. I definitely need to work-out as the pudge that's forming around my middle makes me feel decidedly unsexy. Perhaps I need to up my intake of chocolate, although that would probably jinx the forementioned gym time. The real kicker is the TV. It's got to go. When I sit and veg out after dinner I almost always find myself snoozing. When it's time to transition to the bedroom my body is exhaustified and half-way to slumber already. This makes any kind of romping around a feat of motivation I often can't muster at 11:00pm. It's sad but true.

So, in summary, I guess I need to get off my ass to get some ass.

still checking for new posts?

Life has been tres crazy as usual so I apologize to my loyal reader(s) for the lack of interesting and, more importantly, current posts. I'll tell a short tale from last weekend.

Zack and I, always ready for adventure and exploration, headed up to Sedona for a day of hiking. We planned to hike Boynton Canyon a well-known Vortex spot. For those of you who don't know about the Sedona Vortexes, they are places of high energy. Some say these sacred places are good for healing, meditation and spirituality. They certainly are filled with beauty. Zack and I actually climbed right into a vortex and spent some time sitting, listening experiencing the place. I can't say that I felt any change in my energy level and I don't think I had any epiphanies while sitting in the Vortex, but I did experience a sense of calm and serenity that I often feel while hiking in AZ.

I think I might have jinxed our experience at the Vortex though. On the way up we stopped at what we thought was a tourist information station to get a National Forest Pass. When we went in to inquire about trail maps and a pass, we were accosted by a salesman. He offered us $100 and 2 nights/3 days stay at a beautiful resort in Sedona. All we had to do was sit through a 90 minute presentation about time shares and we would reap these rewards.

Now, attending the session meant cutting short our hike. We didn't get to do the all out, all day hike we had planned because we needed to be at the resort by 4:00. We justified this because Zack was recovering from a cold and when we returned for our 2 night stay, we could hike all over the place. The presentation was fine and the whole deal sounded kind of interesting. However, when the presentation was over we were accosted by a rude and flighty sales person who tried to get us to purchase a $28,000 package at 17.8% interest, payable over the next 10 years. Now, we would get a 'deed' which would give us enough 'points' to take a one week vacation anywhere in the world (not including airfare, food, or entertainment) for the rest of our lives. Yikes! Needless to say we spent the next hour arguing with this dude and his buddies about why we couldn't purchase this insane package right then and there.

All in all, we ended up coming out with a real check for $100 and some bs mail-in certificate to claim our 2-nights mid-week at their choice of date mini-vacation. I can't help but wonder if our succumbing to corporate temptation and monetary reward might have jinxed our Vortex experience. We did get a really nice, free dinner out of it. Next time, though, I think I'll chill on the freebies and focus my attention fully to the majesty of the Red Rocks.

catching-up

When I'm at cocktail parties or business functions or any gathering of well-educated, well-read individuals I always feel like I'm playing catch-up.

I am out of the loop. No matter how hard I try, I seem to be paces behind my contemporaries. What do they read? Is there a secret manual or newsletter for up and comers? I've decided to start on this road to political, cultural, and literary enlightenment by reading some of the classics. I have to say there is much in the canon that I really have no attention span for (perhaps this is part of the overarching problem). I just can't sit down on a sunny Saturday afternoon and read Triolius. I can try though to broaden my horizons.

Today I bought Anna Karinina and The Grapes of Wrath. I read East of Eden a few weeks ago and really enjoyed Steinbeck's portrayal of the Salinas Valley. I'll be interested to read his take on the dust bowl. Outside of the world of literature I really need to pick up more current events, history, some political science, maybe I'll even break into the world of contemporary psychology. I really need to get a subscription to the NY Times, at least the Sunday paper.

Hopefully this dose of inspiration to better myself doesn't end with my burnt-out and over-exposed. Nobody said I can't do all this reading poolside, right?

luck had nothing to do with it

Today was a day that truly tested the limits of my memory. I don't have a good memory per se. I can't remember what I had for dinner last Tuesday, I don't remember half of the people I went to high school with, and some of my fondest childhood memories just barely scrape the surface of my conciousness. My memory is not something I bank on.

So, today, was really a testament to the inner workings of the ol' brain. I woke up with a long to-do list of preparations for a business trip to Santa Barbara. The first misstep occurred when I was changing wallets and I realized my license was no where to be found. I looked through all the cards, the receipts, the few dollar bills and came up with nada. I began to retrace my steps. I was at the bar a few nights ago, I know I showed ID. No...I bought beer at the grocery store the other day. I remember the cashier entering my birthday into the computer. And then, I went to the bar again. That's right. And I gave my ID to Zack when he got me a drink.

Then I had to drive to his work, interrupt him, and get the ID back. It would have been real hard to get on that place without ID.

I went through my regular packing routine, picking my outfits for the week, making sure I've got the necessary shoes, and stuffing my toiletry bag with all the products I need to make it through the day without looking like a troll. As soon as I had everything in place I took my bag out to the car, put my tea in the cupholder and slid my Nas CD into the player. As I was backing out of the parking spot I stopped...did I forget to pack underwear? Uh, duh!

The last and perhaps the most comical is that I forgot the notebook I rely on totally when I'm traveling for work. That one I completely left at home, no memory switch for me there. I've got to ask Zack to overnight it to me, much to my chagrin. I guess the ol' noggin can't go on quite as well as I would wish.

I can't complain too much though as I'm sitting comfy at my favorite Holiday Inn Express (gotta love the HIE), eating pad-thai, and waiting patiently for 7th Heaven on the WB.

bleach and football

The house smells like bleach and there are vacuum marks on the carpet. How I love a freshly cleaned apartment. I even scrubbed out the garbage can, cleaned out the fridge and brought the bathroom tile back to white-white. Yeah.



Pats tonight, playoff game. Yeee-hoo! I'm drinking Fat Tire for the first time and am loving the Amber Ale. Yum, beer and football what could be better. I think the buffalo chicken fingers I plan on drowning in later on will top it all off nicely. Go Pats!

warewolves are dandy, like candy

Happy Friday the 13th ya'll! The moon is full and I'm feeling random.

Here are some tidbits from my life:

1. I measured PingPong today and found that his shell is 7 inches long and 4 inches across. When he extends his neck and legs full-out he's probably 10 inches. One day when I'm rich enough to build my dreamhouse (mod-renovated barn compound) I will build an indoor pond for my turtle. There will bask in the sunlight, eat exotic plants, chase fish, and wiggle his little tail off.

2. I bought Kite Runner today at the ASU booksore. 25% of all best sellers so I got it. I've been needing an interesting story after reading this Jodi Picoult novel my mom gave me. I don't know if it was just the one I read, but I found it kind of dull and predictable.

3. My car thermometer said it was 82 degrees today. Bright and sunny, gotta love it!

4. Did anyone watch the PBS Frontline special this week called Country Boys. It was a three part documentary about the lives of two guys growing up in a Kenucky holler. It was so beautifully done, the images were true to life and to the story but they echoed a glimpse into the heritage and heart of Appalachia. You can watch all 6 hours online. I would totally recommend it if you've got some serious time to kill.

5. It's national de-lurking month. I don't get very much traffic but I do get some which means somebody out there is reading this. I don't necessarily believe in he whole 'lurking' concept. Who said anybody had to comment on blogs they read? I mean this is the blogosphere right? We do what we want.

Anyway, if you want to shout out to your homeslice do it yo.


(this is not a link, this has been a test of the emergency link broadcast system, this is only a test. seriously though show me some love)

tempe town

Since moving to Scottsdale, AZ a few months ago, I have to admit I've been living in a social vacuum. Between my borderline obsessive work schedule and my empty pockets, I haven't had a whole ton of interaction with people here. Z and I were on the edge of meltdown yesterday as our boredom levels hit record highs. There's only so much sitting in front of the laptop/tv a person can take before he or she hits rock bottom.

We decided to venture out with our few friends and explore Tempe. It's a college town, home of ASU. And as such, it's crawling with young'ens. I was so happy though to see the main street all lit up, lined by hip shops, bars and restaurants. I even saw a few hippies in dreadlocks and hemp necklaces wandering around. We found ourselves at a bar called The Big Bang, where young peeps at dueling pianos rocked out to a wide variety of tunes. It was interesting to note the male to female ratio there as well. It had to be at least 3 or 4 males to each female. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Of course I was the designated driver so I didn't get to have as much fun as the boys. I've always taken the position of DD very seriously. I feel like I have a responsibility to get my wasted friends home safe and sound when they depend on me. Here though, there is an entirely different level to the issue. The level of the law. It's standard in this area to serve at least 3 days in jail for DWI--even for the first offense. Normally, I would say that drunk driving is a serious offense and that it does deserve a hefty penalty. But, when cops start setting up road blocks and pulling every Joe Schmoe over just looking for someone with a little alcohol on their breath, I have to say it's unfair.

Well that was a random post. Let this be the day though that I resolve to get out more. Socialization is so important. I've got to come out of my shell, my safe little hole of an apartment, and find me some friends.

Truman Capote

Last night I read "Miriam", a short story by Truman Capote. What a master of the short story. I have so much respect for the short story author. I am amazed at the level of detail, emotion, character development, and suspense that one can so eloquently convey in 10 pages or less.

Who is your favorite short story author?

home again, home again, jiggidy jig

It's nice to be home after a very long week in San Fran. At my first large company meeting I felt myself running the gamut of emotions. At one point I was high on life, wheeling and dealing, ready for anything. At other points I found myself doubting career choices, my ability to make friends, my personality! It's odd what happens to people when they are stuck in a large group environment for a prolonged period of time.

The thing that struck me as being the most odd was that we were required to have roommates. I've never heard of a company that makes it's employees share living quarters for a week. While I guess it's a good way to get to know someone, it leaves one with absolutely no time alone to reflect, call home, or take a dump.

It was nice though to get to know so many people and I am reassured that I'm working for a great company alongside great people. Oh it was nice though to sleep in my own bed last night curled up in my boyfriend's arms. Today I've enjoyed a full day of solitude to catch up on work and prepare for the next season.

i am my turtle

Sometimes I get paralyzed by myself. Like a turtle I am stuck inside my shell. I want to come out, I want to be myself but I am unable to speak. Somehow my ideas are not up to par, I don't follow the authors and topics of conversation. Where does this stuff come from? Since when did I find myself living under a rock?

I'm missing one of my best friend's weddings right now, traveling for business, doing all kinds of corporate stuff, learning a lot, and participating in more small talk than is natural. Pray I come out alive!!

cream cake revealed

Here are the before and after photos of the living room. I still do not have a proper digital camera so please forgive the dark, grainy nature of these photos.

I didn't take a before picture for some reason.

I did take a 'during' though...


And here's the finished product...


The room looks way darker in this picture than it actually is. I'm loving the bright new space. It's warm and bright and creative all at the same time. It also offers a nice contrast between the intense, hungry color in the dining room.

yeah for painting. double yeah for it being done!

2005, a Year in Review

Here are the first lines from the first entries of each month in 2005 (except for January as Brinki-Dink was born in February of 2005)

February: avenue b.
My name is Brinki, I'm 26 year's old.

March: neatnik
vacuum marks on carpet
like frosting on cake
are perfect ripples of simple pleasure

April: cat burglar
my cat, Obi, is not a graceful cat. he falls off banisters, beds, and laps frequently. it's really quite funny to see him proudly strutting along a window sill then suddenly loose his balance and tumble onto the floor

May 02: nip
it’s 11:07 and the cat is attuned
to the whistling wink of the harvest moon.
flickering for ages on fireflies’ eyes

June 01: in through the out door
the sun seems to be making an appearance so that's nice, even if i only get to experience it through glass. only 8 more days until i leave for Bonnaroo! damn, this girl needs a vacation badly.

July 01: independence day
My internet at home is slooowww, so I'll post my Independence Day wishes today. I'll be bbq'ing in Maine under the stars, next to the cows.

August 01: baby I've got your money
I'm so happy to report to you, dear reader, that my site meter busted the 1,000 original hits mark. Sweet ass!

September 01: dreaming tree
I've been having the most vivid dreams this week and they all seem to be connected in some way. Last night I dreamt that I was a fugitive of sorts. I was on the run, escaping with a girlfriend who was in cahoots with me.

October 03: smashing my internal odometer
There is so much to do and to consider right now I am certainly feeling overwhelmed. Finding a super-lovely-safe-pretty apartment in a city three thousand miles away is not easy.

November 08: untitled
Hi, Internerd!Long time, so typey. So sorry! I have been busy, you see, very busy. When we last talked I had accepted the new job and was planning the move to AZ. Well, here I am!
(nice typo, eh? i left that in for authenticity)

December 03: Squeaky Squeaky
I love Saturday mornings. I love getting up with only personal tasks on my agenda. The sun is shining brilliantly today (as it usually does in AZ) and as I breathed in the fresh crisp air this morning I set my sights on cleaning.

Well, there they are. They certainly aren't from the most interesting, emotionally bare or thought provoking entries of the year, but they are me.

Happy New Year!