Road Trip

Snape-licious

2010-03-15T23:03:00.000-06:00

apologies

2009-04-14T20:40:00.002-06:00

so sorry that i havent been on in such a long time. i have all week off, so'll try to make the best of it.

photo manipulation V

2009-01-31T21:44:00.000-07:00

photo manipulation IV

2009-01-31T21:42:00.002-07:00

photo manipulation III

2009-01-31T21:39:00.001-07:00

photo manipulation II

2009-01-31T21:38:00.001-07:00

photo manipulation

2009-01-31T21:35:00.002-07:00

the writing on the wall explained

2009-01-31T21:27:00.002-07:00

we've been reading various short stories and drawing in respone to them. the story that the poem below was a response to virginia woolf's through the looking glass. and in the sketch there is a plane window and all the words are in the background. it has no official title. but the reason that the title on the blog is the writing on the wall is because as a class we decided to draw our sketches on the brick wall in our classroom. mine however, isn't legible, it looks pretty much like heiroglyphics.

so this is for those of you who can't read the wall. or for those of you who like reading schtuff i write. but dont analyze it. it's purley for entertainment. and i based it off of a book that i'm reading.

the writing on the wall

2009-01-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

looking out the window, riding on a jet plane. far
away from home, from myself, from you. fluffy clouds
a pillow to my weary, tear-stained eyes. blue sky innocent.
jet engines screaming through the sky, drowning
out any other sound, hope, fear, anger, sorrow,
joy; drowning out the pain. Love.
gone, forgotten, burned away
into chaff and blown away by the turbines. i close
my eyes letting the sorrow overtake me,
drowning with its thorny tendrils. wanting
nothing more but to escape, to hide; the black
corners of the ever-beckoning blanket, hospitable
dreams, sanctuary. breaking heart, refining
edges of a winter-worn character. clouds pass
by, emptying into an ever-bluer sky. the tide
playing, forever burning behind my closed eyelids.
sunrise, promise, hope, greeting, open arms
yours, tenderly enclosing me. good morning, i
love you. smile. i love you too. sticky,
warm days, cooled in gentle, green-blue,
patient water. restlessly waiting for the velvet
embrace of the silky starlight. pure, soft,
simply dazzling moonlight, winking stars.
i love you. will you dance with me? arms around
each other, gentle swaying with the soft melody
of night, harmony with one another, hearts,
minds, and souls open and twining together. a
tear. what’s wrong? i love you so much, i never
want to leave you. tender kiss. i am always with you,
i love you. flying home, crying, alone, no shoulder
to rest a weary head on. looking out the
window, crying tears that stain an innocent sky.

Rettung edited

2008-12-29T02:21:00.004-07:00

The sun peeked slyly through the windows. She groaned and rolled over onto her back, cracking open an eye to peek at the warm invitation. She heaved a sigh and flopped onto one side, glancing at the clock. It read back 6:30. She shook her head and tumbled out of bed—cursing her ability to be up with the sun. Her cat heaved a growl and glared out of one eye—unhappy at being disturbed. She chuckled and reached out to stroke the offended beast. The cat responded with an enthusiastic chorus of purring. She smiled and stood up, stretching out. Taking a deep breath she realized that she wasn’t the only one up; someone else had gotten up and brewed some coffee.
She stood in the doorway of her room, savoring the gentle, warm pulsing of sunlight on her back and shoulders. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath—holding in all the smells and sounds of the house. The scent of coffee energized her and woke her other senses, preparing them for the long day ahead. She could hear the distant orchestra of sleeping that drifted through the walls and danced down the stairs, reaching her ears in the basement. She let her mind wander, and found that she was curious about what her family was dreaming about.
She opened her eyes and began to walk to the bathroom. She frowned—trying to remember what her dream had been about. She reached the bathroom and started brushing her teeth. When she finished she glanced at herself in the mirror, smiled, and then went upstairs.
She walked softly across the wood floor into the kitchen. In the soft morning light everything looked fragile—almost as if a single breath would diminish its nostalgic beauty. She peered further around the corner and saw her uncle pouring himself a cup of coffee. She tip-toed up behind him and caught him in a big ol’ hug. He reacted quickly—throwing his arm behind her and catching her in a one-armed hug. She buried her face in his chest and breathed him in. He nuzzled her hair roughly—she could feel him smile.
“Good morning, Sunshine,” he said. She could hear the smile in his voice. She grinned.
“Mornin’,” she replied, muffled by his shirt. She pulled away from him and looked into his amber eyes. His smile broadened.
“Are you ready for today?” he asked, stirring vanilla cream into his coffee.
She grabbed a glass out of the cupboard and pulled the orange juice out of the fridge. She glanced at the eggs, “Do you want some eggs? And, no, not really,” she added as an afterthought. She grabbed the eggs and set them on the counter.
She heard him stirring his coffee. “Sure, I’ll take a couple. What’s wrong?” He sat down across from her and the stove, watching her.
She took a long drink of her orange juice, mulling over what she wanted to say. “What do you think is bothering me?” She topped off her orange juice and set the carton back in the fridge. He was quiet for the time being while she looked around the kitchen for a good egg pan and spatula. After she found what she was looking for she looked over at her uncle and chuckled, “C’mon, Uncle Teddy, I’m not that hard to figure out,” she teased.
“No, Ellie, you aren’t. But you’re also a girl, which makes a big difference,” he smiled and took a drink of his coffee.
“How do you want your eggs?” Ellie asked, opening the egg carton.
“Surprise me,” he said. She shrugged and continued on in the kitchen.
He took a sip of his coffee and watched her. She met his eyes briefly. The sunlight spilled across his face, making his eyes glow like liquid gold. She stood motionless, for a moment, trapped in his eyes.
“I think,” he began cautiously, “that it’s the wedding—simply because you’re too excited for our road trip.” She nodded, that was true. He continued, “What I can’t figure out is why. You’ve shown nothing but support and excitement during the whole process,” he made an enveloping gesture with his hands.
Ellie sighed and cracked an egg. “It was one thing for Mom to get remarried—she deserves to be loved that much. She deserves a second chance. But, my dad,” she paused, then violently seized the next egg, “is a completely different situation!” The egg shattered in her hand, sending debris into the pan, onto the floor, and herself. She looked up at her uncle—expecting him to rebuke her for her negligent actions.
Instead he was looking out the window. His smiled disappeared—she felt a distance open up wide between herself and him. Then he looked at her. She felt her breath catch—his eyes were sad, forlorn, almost lost; his eyes pierced straight through her heart. “I’m sorry,” she stuttered, “I didn’t think about—” he held up a hand, she stopped.
“Don’t,” he began stiffly, “don’t worry about it.” She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. He put his head on her shoulder.
They started when they heard a door open upstairs. She unwrapped her arms from around him and walked back to the stove to clean up her mess. He watched her walk back—the raw feelings in his eyes dissolving into that black place where such things are hidden. He cleared his throat and whispered loud enough for Ellie to hear, as footsteps were heard coming down the stairs into the kitchen, “We’re not done with this conversation just yet,” he raised his coffee mug in a salute and drank.
She rolled her eyes and smiled. Then she spoke to the newcomer, “Good morning, Grandpa. Sleep well?”
Her grandpa smiled and yawned, “Of course I did. Did you?” Ellie smiled and nodded then went and gave him a hug.
“Couldn’t have slept better. Want some breakfast?” She gestured towards the eggs. He nodded in affirmation and opened the fridge.
“Mind of I add to the menu?” he asked, holding up a package of bacon.
“Good idea, Frank,” Teddy said over his cup of coffee.
“Well, good morning, Teddy! I didn’t even see you there. How long have you been up?”
“I was up long enough before Ellie to brew some coffee,” Teddy replied simply.
“Did you two catch any worms?” her grandfather enquired looking from her to her uncle. Ellie gave him a blank look. Teddy chuckled at her blank expression.
Ellie caught on and replied, pointing to the eggs, “I prefer poultry.”
“Well,” Teddy jumped in, matter-of-factly, “that means more pork for us.”
“If you prefer clogging your arteries that way,” Ellie countered quickly. Her uncle smiled and her grandfather laughed. She smiled in spite of herself, and began cleaning out the pan.
She set the pan on the stove as her grandpa sat down next to her uncle, also with a cup of coffee. He took a sip then looked at Ellie, “Your grandmother was right behind me, and I’ll bet she’d love some eggs.”
Ellie chuckled, “Maybe I should make something more filling?” Uncle Teddy and her grandpa shook their heads. She held up her hands, “Alright—just throwin’ the option on the table.” She smiled again, and picked up some eggs. She listened to her grandpa and her uncle strike up a conversation about the latest happenings in golf and a possible game between the two of them.
After awhile her grandmother came downstairs smelling soft and gentle. She turned on the radio and danced over to Ellie. “Morning, mi hija.” Ellie smiled, and gave her grandma a hug. ‘At this rate things are going to be difficult to get done,’ she thought.
Uncle Teddy got up, with his coffee in hand, and set up a pan next to hers.
A short while later the four of them sat down and ate their breakfast. Ellie was careful to etch the details into her memory and savor the moment. The sunlight wandered in—harmonizing with the warm feelings that puddled around everyone and shone in their smiles and eyes. Ellie let her mind wander. She finished her orange juice and excused herself from the table to go and shower.
She walked into the bathroom and turned the radio onto the oldies station. She smiled and turned the shower on. She undressed and got in, letting the steam relax her. She smiled when Louis Armstrong sang ‘What a Wonderful World’ and even started singing along with Louis Prima when ha sang ‘Oh, Marie’. She let the coconut, vanilla, and jasmine seep into her, cleansing the remnants of her anxiety and anger.
Ellie climbed out of the shower after rinsing and wrapped a white towel around her. As she walked by the mirror she stopped and gave herself a solid look before smiling and walking back to her room.
She was putting on her shorts and belt when she heard someone coming down the stairs. She ran over to the closet and was able to grab a shirt before she heard the knock on her door. She paused with the shirt in her hands, “Yes?”
“Are you decent?” the voice was muffled through the door, but it was definitely male.
“Not quite, uh…hang on a second,” she said distractedly, spraying on some perfume and throwing her shirt on. She ran her fingers through her hair and flipped it, then opened the door.
Uncle Teddy smiled at her. “You smell good.” There was an awkward pause, then he gestured with his hands, “May I come in?” Ellie shrugged, slightly unsure.
“Yeah, I guess so—as long as you don’t mind me finishing up here.” She turned around and walked back into her room.
He chuckled, “Of course I don’t mind—I’m used to it,” he finished offhandedly. Ellie smiled, and then thought sadly, ‘But it’s been awhile…’ He sat on her bed, extended his legs, and putting his hands behind his head, fully reclined himself on her pillows. Ellie finished drying her hair and pulled out her hair curler and straightener and turned them on. As she was waiting for them to heat up she turned to Uncle Teddy, “So.”
“So?” he replied, looking away from the ceiling and meeting her even gaze.
“You came down here for a reason…” he nodded. She continued, “Well, might I ask what it is?”
“Yes, you may,” he said, smiling.
She rolled her eyes and sighed, frustrated, “Why did you come down here…into my room?” He sat up and looked at her innocently.
“We didn’t finish our conversation earlier,” he replied simply. “I told you that we would.”
Ellie sighed. “What is it that you want to know?” She turned back to the mirror and started straightening her hair. He moved to the edge of her bed—leaning towards her.
“I would like to know, Ellie, what’s wrong—what’s hurting you,” he paused, almost uncertain of himself. “Since the accident…I’ve found that the only will I have to live…is…” She stopped straightening her hair and turned to look at him. Her eyes started stinging, she knew where he was going with this. His eyes were brimming with tears. He took her hand tenderly in his, “…is you.”
Ellie remembered that night a couple of years ago as if it had just happened moments ago.
There had been an accident…Uncle Teddy had been at work—working some big breakthrough on an important project late into the night. Her Aunt Allie—who was pregnant with a little baby girl—had gone to take her uncle dinner. A drunk driver had swerved onto her side of the road—colliding head on with Aunt Allie and killing her and the baby. Her Uncle had been lost and broken for a long time. Ellie dropped all of her extra- curricular activities in order to spend more time with him and so that he wouldn’t be so lost and lonely.
Eventually he came around—and he became a father figure to her—he certainly treated her like he would have his own daughter. She appreciated that—he acted more like a father to her than her own dad had. Her dad had left Ellie and her mom when Ellie had been between one and two.
It was as if Ellie and Uncle Teddy completed each other.
Ellie fell back into the present. Uncle Teddy still had her hand. She let go, stood up, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held onto her arms, and spoke quietly—trying to keep the tears at bay. “When I see you hurt, I hurt…Ellie, you’re all I have,” he whispered.
A tearing sensation ate at her chest, and a tear slipped out of the corner of her eye, “Uncle Teddy, it’s nothing that I can’t get used to,” she whispered—almost choking on her words. “I can’t be daddy’s little girl forever…” She tried to shake off the awful feeling in her chest by chuckling. “I’m glad that you’re coming with me tonight…I don’t think that I could do it without you.” She paused, feeling bile rise in her throat. She felt an ugly monster, which was normally kept behind the well-guarded door of her heart, raise its stiff neck and roar. She clenched her fists and let the following words seethe through her teeth like acid, “It’s not like he deserves me there anyways—he’s never been there for me…”
She let go of Uncle Teddy as he stood up. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. “Ellie. He’s trying to make an effort.”
“I don’t care! Why bother—I leave for college in less than three weeks! He had eighteen years…” She glared over his shoulder at the empty space above her bed. Then she crossed the room and turned her back to her uncle, glaring at her reflection in the mirror. “It’s too late,” she muttered darkly. She heard him sigh, she looked down at the floor out of shame.
“Ellie,” he started cautiously. She turned around slowly, and uncrossed her arms. He took her hands in his and peered down into her eyes, she looked into his brilliant amber eyes.
Her thoughts began to race. The anger was uncalled for—her uncle didn’t deserve it. Besides, she was more mature than that and she shouldn’t let her emotions best her. She sighed and apologized. Uncle Teddy carefully led her to the edge of the bed. They both sat down. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest—willing him to continue. He put his arms around her while looking for the right words. When he found them he took a deep breath and spoke softly.
“There’s always room for second chances…” She looked up at him, questions burning in her eyes.
“Ellie, I’m proof of it—you saved me from myself and the demons that I was struggling with. Without you I would probably be six feet under…”
He looked compassionately into her eyes, silently answering her burning questions. “You love your dad deep down. And you want him to love you like he should—like you deserve to be loved.” His voice broke, but he continued on, “Give him a chance to love you and be your dad—it’s taken him eighteen years to step up to the plate—he’s new at the whole father thing.”
Despite her efforts, Ellie felt hot tears trail down her cheeks. The monster began to rip away at her insides. All of her defenses crumbled under the staggering blow of Teddy’s truth. She tried to pull away from his arms—from him, but he wouldn’t let her go. He pulled her closer to him, and gently began to soothe her. Her last defenses, physical strength and will, gave way into the love that she could feel emnating from him.
“Let it out, Ellie—I’m here for you,” he cradled her in his arms. She finally gave in and cried, letting out all the anger and sorrow that had been dammed up inside of her. Teddy held onto her—he was her anchor in the flood of confusion from the emotions being exorcised from her. He closed his eyes, feeling her pain, but willing her to feel his love for her. Slowly Ellie’s tears began to dissolve into dry sobs, and finally into dry hiccups. She looked up at him, a silent apology spoke through her red-rimmed, tear stained eyes. He had never noticed how blue her eyes could be. She gave him a rueful smile.
He smiled back at her, “Should we finish getting ready?”
“Yeah,” she said grudgingly, “I guess I should give myself a second chance to get ready.” They both chuckled. He went upstairs to get ready while she finished.
She looked at herself in the mirror and chuckled half-heartedly at her appearance. She began to carefully remove the tear stains from her face. She glanced outside and, seeing the cloudless sky, decided to wear a fiery red dress. Ellie shed her clothes and felt relief seep through her as the silky dress graced her skin.
When she finished getting ready she went back upstairs. A strong smell of cologne bore down on her when she walked into the kitchen and saw Teddy waiting patiently for her. He smiled when he saw her. He was wearing the same exact shade of red that she was, with a black tie that matched his suit pants and jacket. She could tell by how the light glanced off his shirt that it was made from the same silky material that her dress was. She went to get her corsage, and his boutonnière. He quietly followed her.
She grinned when the light smell of roses tickled her nose. She took Teddy’s boutonnière out of its plastic container and turned towards him, “Shall I?” He smirked, and stepped closer to her. She carefully pinned it to his chest.
When she finished he reached around her to get her corsage. He held it up and cleared he throat, “May I, m’lady?” She chuckled and held out her wrist in response. He gently slid it into place, then, like the gentleman he was, he offered her his arm to escort her to his car.
They drove his white Lotus Exige to the wedding. On the way there they were mostly silent, preferring to listen to jazz and letting things be as opposed to trying to make small talk.
When they arrived Teddy escorted Ellie inside, where they had to part to be with the respective bride and groom parties.
Ellie couldn’t remember most of what took place at the wedding. She was glad to be there, and she was even happier that that which she felt was true. She was happy for her dad.
At the reception she told her dad how much she loved him while she was dancing with him. He apologized for hurting her and told her that he was going to make amends. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
After the next song had started her dad left to dance with his new wife and Ellie went to look for Teddy. She found him at the edge of the crowd, watching her with something akin to pride in his eyes. Wordlessly he kissed her forehead; then offered her his arm. She took it and they slowly wandered off into the garden.
They watched the sun set in passionate scarlet hues that set everything on fire. The night silently accompanied them as the moon began to rise. Ellie began to reflect quietly; Teddy’s warmth encompassed her, the faded scent of his cologne gently wafting through the air next to her. She peered at him through the corner of her eye. He was quietly watching her, waiting for her. She turned and looked at him.
They stopped walking. A stream gently played at their feet and the trees trilled their leaves ever so slightly above their heads.
Impishly a song stalked quietly into their space. Both Ellie and Teddy began to sway slowly to its tempting beat. He held out his arms to her; she snuggled into his chest and inhaled his scent. She could feel his warmth inside of her—healing what had long been broken for so long. He pressed himself closely against her and held her tightly against his chest.
Slowly they began to dance to the soft melody of the night. She began to feel a quiet harmony of stars enclose them. Teddy began to croon a lullaby softly in her ear. She closed her eyes and began to feel. The velvet sky pressed down on their shoulders as the ground underneath slowly shifted with their dance. Teddy was warm, the silk of his shirt comforting. She could hear him breath and feel his heartbeat.
Ellie paused in their dance, looking up at Teddy; he took her face softly in his hands. She stared into his eyes. He watched her—almost as if trying to read her soul. His eyes poured into hers. Ellie carefully reached up and kissed him on the cheek. When she pulled away she carefully looked back into his eyes to see his response. He smiled carefully and leaned into her, and kissed her tenderly.
Ellie laid her head on Teddy’s chest—listening closely to him breathe. “Uncle Teddy?” she called softly. He set his cheek gently on her head.
“Yes,” he answered gently.
“Thank you,” she closed her eyes, listening to his heart.
“No,” he whispered, feeling her heartbeat. “Thank you.”

From the family...

2008-12-25T00:39:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas!!!

New Toy

2008-11-01T23:07:00.004-06:00

I got photoshop 7.0 the other day for my birthday and installed it today. I've still got a lot to learn, but here are the first photos that I messed with. My two favorite is the beach one (fifth down) and the reflection one(sixth down)--they stuck to the theme that I was going for.

ever had a funny taste in your mouth for no reason

2008-10-25T20:07:00.001-06:00

i need to blog more. no promises. this last three posts have honestly just to take space. when i have something worthy to blog of i'll be back. 'til then, cheers.

turning 18

2008-10-25T20:04:00.001-06:00

I turn 18 next thursday. Wow.

college

2008-10-25T20:02:00.001-06:00

I have so many to apply to...I'm starting to worry just a little bit.

But never too much.

Missing Poems

2008-10-25T19:35:00.002-06:00

I removed all the posts by Eliot L. Wes. I finally convinced her to get her own blog so that I didn't have to 'steal' her work anymore. That, I suppose, means that I'm going to have to stick to my short stories. ;)

So now you can read her work on her blog!

Black, White, and Red All Over

2008-08-22T11:09:00.008-06:00

I'm a big fan of b&w pictures with one dominatinating color. And red is one of my favorite colors...Plus it was the color of the Cooper...That is a sick car-I'm not gonna lie. And crazy as it sounds I got to drive it briefly. Probably the nicest car I've driven yet-thanks for letting me drive it!

I've been thinking about the b&w pics with the one color. And I think that a lot of the time our memories are like that. Most of the color and details fade over time until you're just left with one dominating incident that refuses to fade with age. I know that a lot of details managed to escape story-telling when I got back, and I had to go back and dig them out after some thought. Course it could have been that I didn't sleep at all before I came home...

Anyways, there's my thought for the day.

And thanks again for trusting me enough to drive the Mini!

Natural Chai

2008-08-17T02:33:00.005-06:00

My pictures aren't in order at all. The last day is on top, whereas the earlier days are at the bottom. Well, enjoy 'em anyways!

Me and My Uncle fishin' in the gulf. Sooo much fun. Had to fight the waves to keep upright. And I had frozen fish in my pockets. Lucky that a shark didn't take my leg...
M & Em
M & Em...our true personalities show through
Sorry it's so fuzzy...
Aah. That's better. Yours truly in the black. Em in the white. Aunt Terri in the mint blue. Uncle Wylie in the pale blue. What a stud, eh?
Believe it or not I'm not in the water.
Just walkin' along the beach, lookin' for shells.
More ocean. Pretty, eh?
Morning shadow...
I'm still not in the water...

I'm a sucker for clouds reflecting in the water. It appeals to my right and left brain.
I'm still more of a rose person, but these caught my eye.
This was my most rewarding time in Florida. There were only about three other people on the beach when I went out. If I moved next to the ocean I would most definitely be a morning person; it provided me time to think about a lot of things. And unlike the night [which I'm naturally drawn to] it feels more welcoming.
Some more sunrise. Makes me wish that I had a better camera.
This is after the sunrise-it was threatening to rain. It never did...but it provided an opportunity to get a few beautiful shots.

I really want to say thank to my Aunt Terri, Emmie, and Uncle Wylie. Thanks for including me-I really appreciate it. Love you guys!!!!

Rettung* or Second Chances

2008-07-30T13:54:00.003-06:00

The sun peeked slyly through the windows. She groaned and rolled over to one side, cracking open an eye to peek at the warm invitation. She heaved a sigh and rolled onto her back; she glanced at the clock. It read back 6:30. She shook her head and rolled out of bed—cursing her ability to be up with the sun. Her cat heaved a growl and glared out of one eye—unhappy at being disturbed. She chuckled and reached out to stroke the offended beast. The cat responded with an enthusiastic chorus of purring. She smiled and stood up, stretching out. Taking a deep breath she realized that she wasn’t the only one up; someone else had gotten up and brewed some coffee.

She stood in the doorway of her room, savoring the gentle, warm pulsing of sunlight on her back and shoulders. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath—holding in all the smells and sounds of the house. The scent of coffee energized her and woke her other senses, preparing them for the long day ahead. She could hear the distant orchestra of sleeping that drifted through the walls and danced down the stairs, reaching her ears in the basement. She let her mind wander, and found that she was curious about what her family was dreaming about.

She opened her eyes and began to walk to the bathroom. She frowned—trying to remember what her dream had been about. She reached the bathroom and started brushing her teeth. She glanced at herself in the mirror, smiled, and then went upstairs.

She walked softly across the wood floor into the kitchen. In the soft morning light everything looked fragile—almost as if a single breath would diminish its nostalgic beauty. She peered further around the corner and saw her uncle pouring himself a cup of coffee. She tip-toed up behind him and caught him in a bear hug. He reacted quickly—throwing his arm behind her and catching her in a one-armed hug. She buried her face in his chest and breathed him in. He nuzzled her hair roughly—she could feel him smile.

“Good morning, Sunshine,” he said. She could hear the smile in his voice. She smiled.
“Mornin’,” she replied, muffled by his shirt. She pulled away from him and looked into his amber eyes. His smile broadened.

“Are you ready for today?” he asked, stirring vanilla cream into his coffee.
She grabbed a glass out of the cupboard and pulled the orange juice out of the fridge. She glanced at the eggs, “Do you want some eggs? And, no, not really,” she added as an afterthought. She grabbed the eggs and set them on the counter.

She heard him stirring his coffee. “Sure, I’ll take a couple. What’s wrong?” He sat down across from her and the stove, watching her.

She took a long drink of her orange juice, mulling over what she wanted to say. “What do you think is bothering me?” She topped off her orange juice and set the carton back in the fridge. He was quiet for the time being while she looked around the kitchen for a good egg pan and spatula. After she found what she was looking for she looked over at her uncle and chuckled, “C’mon, Uncle Teddy, I’m not that hard to figure out,” she teased.

“No, Ellie, you aren’t. But you’re also a girl, which makes a big difference,” he smiled and took a drink of his coffee.

“How do you want your eggs?” Ellie asked, opening the egg carton.

“Surprise me,” he said. She shrugged and continued on in the kitchen.

He took a sip of his coffee and watched her. She met his eyes briefly. The sunlight spilled across his face, making his eyes glow like liquid gold. She stood motionless, rooted to the spot, for a moment.

“I think,” he began cautiously, “that it’s the wedding—simply because you’re too excited for our road trip.” She nodded, that was true. He continued, “What I can’t figure out is why. You’ve shown nothing but support and excitement during the whole process,” he made an enveloping gesture with his hands.

Ellie sighed and cracked an egg. “It was one thing for Mom to get remarried—she deserves to be loved that much. She deserves a second chance. But, my dad,” she paused, then violently seized the next egg, “is a completely different situation!” The egg shattered in her hand, sending debris into the pan, and onto the floor and herself. She looked up at her uncle—expecting him to rebuke her for her negligent actions.

Instead he was looking out the window. His smiled disappeared—she felt a distance open up wide between herself and him. Then he looked at her. She felt her breath catch—his eyes were sad, forlorn, almost lost; his eyes pierced straight through her heart. “I’m sorry,” she stuttered, “I forgot about—” he held up a hand, she stopped.

“Don’t,” he began stiffly, “don’t worry about it.” She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. He put his head on her shoulder.

They jumped when they heard a door open upstairs. She unwrapped her arms from around him and walked back to the stove to clean up her mess. He watched her walk back—the raw feelings in his eyes dissolving into that black place where such things are hidden. He cleared his throat and whispered loud enough for Ellie to hear, as footsteps were heard coming down the stairs—into the doorway of the kitchen, “We’re not done with this conversation just yet,” he raised his coffee mug in a salute and drank. She rolled her eyes and smiled. Then she spoke to the newcomer, “Good morning, Grandpa. Sleep well?”

Her grandpa smiled and yawned, “Of course I did. Did you, Sunshine?” Ellie smiled and nodded then went and gave him a big ol’ hug.

“Couldn’t have slept better. Want some breakfast?” She gestured towards the eggs. He nodded in affirmation and opened the fridge.

“Mind of I add to the menu?” he asked, holding up a package of bacon.

“Good idea, Frankie,” Teddy said over his cup of coffee.

“Well, good morning, Teddy! I didn’t even see you there. How long have you been up?”

“I was up long enough before Ellie to brew some coffee,” Teddy replied simply.

“Did you two catch any worms?” her grandfather enquired looking from her to her uncle. Ellie gave him a blank look. Teddy chuckled.

Ellie caught on and replied, pointing to the eggs, “I prefer poultry.”

“Well,” Teddy jumped in, matter-of-factly, “that means more pork for us.”

“If you prefer clogging your arteries that way,” Ellie countered quickly. Her uncle smiled and her grandfather laughed. She smiled in spite of herself, while cleaning out the pan.

She set the pan on the stove as her grandpa sat down next to her uncle, also with a cup of coffee. He took a sip then looked at Ellie, “Your grandmother was right behind me, and I’ll bet she’d love some eggs.”

Ellie chuckled, “Maybe I should make something more filling?” Uncle Teddy and her grandpa shook their heads. She held up her hands, “Alright—just throwin’ it the option on the table.” She smiled again, and picked up some eggs. She listened to her grandpa and her uncle strike up a conversation about the latest happenings in golf and a possible game between the two of them.

After awhile her grandmother came downstairs smelling soft and gentle. She turned on the radio and danced over to Ellie. “Morning, mi hija**.” Ellie smiled, and gave her grandma a hug. ‘At this rate things are going to be difficult to get done,’ she thought.

Uncle Teddy must have heard her thoughts. He got up, with his coffee in hand, and set up a pan next to her pan. Either that or he remembered her intense dislike of handling any sort of raw meat.

A short while later the four of them sat down and ate their breakfast. Ellie was careful to etch the details into her memory and savor the moment. The sunlight wandered in—harmonizing with the warm feelings that puddled around everyone and shown in their smiles and eyes. Ellie let her mind wander. She finished her orange juice and excused herself from the table to go and shower.

She walked into the bathroom and turned the radio onto the oldies station. She smiled and turned the shower on. She undressed and got in, letting the steam relax her. She smiled when Neil Diamond sang ‘Hello Again’ and even started singing along when The Beach Boys came on. She let the coconut, vanilla, and jasmine seep into her, cleansing her anxiety and anger.
Ellie climbed out of the shower after rinsing and wrapped a white towel around her. As she walked by the mirror she stopped and gave herself a solid look before smiling and walking back to her room.

She was putting on her shorts and belt when she heard someone coming down the stairs. She ran over to the closet and was able to grab a shirt before she heard the knock on her door. She paused with the shirt in her hands, “Yes?”

“Are you decent?” the voice was muffled through the door, but it was definitely male.

“Not quite, uh…hang on a second,” she said distractedly, spraying on some perfume and throwing her shirt on. She ran her fingers through her hair and flipped it, then opened the door.

Uncle Teddy smiled at her. “You smell good. May I come in?” Ellie shrugged, slightly unsure.

“Yeah, I guess so—as long as you don’t mind me finishing getting ready.” She turned around and walked back into her room.

He chuckled, “Of course I don’t mind—I’m used to it,” he finished offhandedly. Ellie smiled, and then thought sadly, ‘But it’s been awhile…’ He sat on her bed, extended his legs, and put his hands behind his head, fully reclining himself on her pillows. Ellie finished drying her hair and pulled out her hair curler and straightener and turned them on. As she was waiting for them to heat up she turned to Uncle Teddy, “So.”

“So?” he replied, looking away from the ceiling and meeting her even gaze.

“You came down here for a reason…” he nodded. She continued, “Well, might I ask what it is?”
“Yes, you may,” he said, smiling.

She rolled her eyes and sighed, frustrated, “Why did you come down here…into my room?” He sat up and looked at her innocently.

“We didn’t finish our conversation earlier,” he replied simply. “I told you that we would.”

Ellie sighed. “What is it that you want to know?” She turned back to the mirror and started straightening her hair. He moved to the edge of her bed—leaving only about two and a half feet between them.

“I would like to know, Ellie, what’s wrong—what’s hurting you,” he paused, almost uncertain of himself. “Since the accident…I’ve found that the only will I have to live…is…” She stopped straightening her hair and turned to look at him. Her eyes were stinging and his were brimming with tears. He took her hand tenderly in his, “…is you.”

Ellie remember that night in her sophomore year as if it had just happened moments ago.

There had been an accident…Uncle Teddy had been at work—working some big breakthrough on an important project late into the night. Her Aunt Allie—who was four and a half months pregnant with a little baby girl—had gone to take her uncle dinner. A drunk driver had swerved onto her side of the road—colliding head on with Aunt Allie-killing her and the baby. Her Uncle had been lost and broken for a long time. Ellie dropped all of her extra- curricular activities in order to spend more time with him and so that he wouldn’t be so lost and lonely.

Eventually he came around—and he became a father figure to her—he certainly treated her like he would have his own daughter. She appreciated that—he acted more like a father to her than her own dad had. Her dad had left Ellie and her mom when Ellie had been between one and two.

It was almost as if Ellie and Uncle Teddy completed each other.

Ellie fell back into the present. Uncle Teddy still had her hand. She let go, stood up, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held onto her arms, and spoke quietly—trying to keep the tears at bay. “When I see you hurt, I hurt…Ellie, you’re all I have,” he whispered.

“Uncle Teddy, it’s nothing I can’t get used to,” she spoke softly, feeling her voice shake. A tearing sensation ate at her chest, and a tear slipped out of the corner of her eye. “I can’t be daddy’s little girl forever…” she whispered—almost choking on the words. She tried to shake it off and chuckle, “I’m glad that you’re coming with me tonight…I don’t that I could do it without you.” She paused, feeling bile rise in her throat, “It’s not like he deserves me there anyways—he’s never been there for me…”

She let go of Uncle Teddy as he stood up. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. “Ellie. He’s trying to make an effort.”

“I don’t care! Why bother—I leave for college in less than three weeks! He had eighteen years…” She glared over his shoulder at the empty space above her bed. Then she crossed her arms and turned her back to her uncle, glaring at her reflection in the mirror. “It’s too late,” she muttered darkly. She heard him sigh, she looked down at the floor.

“Ellie,” he started slowly. She turned around, and uncrossed her arms. He took her hands in his and peered down into her eyes, she looked up at his amber eyes. “There’s always room for second chances…” She stared evenly at him. “Ellie, I’m proof of it—you saved me from myself and the demons that I was struggling with. Without you I would probably be six feet under…” He let go of her hands and took her up in a tender hug. “You love your dad deep down. And you want him to love you like he should—like you deserve to be loved. Give him a chance to—it’s taken him eighteen years to step up to the plate—he’s new at the whole father thing.”

Despite herself, Ellie began to cry. Raw feelings were eating away at the inside of her. Feelings that she had buried, and had kept buried for years—her own demons.

“Let it out, Ellie—I’m here for you,” he cradled her in his arms. She gave in and cried until there were no more tears to shed. Uncle Teddy held her and cradled her until the last of her dry sobs had dissolved into soft hiccups.

He smiled at her, “Should we finish getting ready?”

“Yeah,” she said grudgingly, “I guess I should give myself a second chance to get ready.” They both laughed. He went upstairs to go get ready while she finished.

They drove his flashy black Ferrari to the wedding. Ellie couldn’t remember most of the wedding—it was small and everything happened just as it should have.

She remembered that at the reception she and her Uncle Teddy only mingled with the other guests long enough for Ellie to dance with her dad in the father/daughter dance—which she enjoyed.

After the father/daughter dance they wandered off on their own, Ellie’s arm tucked into her uncle’s. They walked along quietly—taking in the dusk with all of their senses and with one another.

They walked through most of the garden, enjoying the young night unfolding around them and delighting in the beauty of the garden surrounding them. They found a gazebo—nestled safely in the heart of the garden—that overlooked everything in the city that lay sprawled out in the valley before them. The moon began to peep over their shoulders while the sun set in front of their eyes.

They sat for awhile on a swinging bench. After some time they got up and slow-danced to the music that was calling to them innocently from the reception.

Ellie laid her head on Teddy’s chest—listening closely to his heart. “Uncle Teddy?” she called softly. He set his cheek gently on her head.

“Yes,” he answered gently.

“Thank you,” she closed her eyes, listening to his heart, “for giving me a second chance.”

“No,” he whispered into her ear. “Thank you.”

* German, meaning ‘rescue’
**Spanish meaning ‘my daughter’

'sup?

2008-07-30T13:32:00.002-06:00

So it's been awhile, I apologize.

I've come back to post a short story I've been working on...I would put it on fanfiction........but I forgot my username and password.........

So, I'm gonna put it up here instead-let me know what you think!

just enquiring

2008-06-05T14:04:00.001-06:00

So... I'm at school, just feeling really ho-hum. How is everyoneelse out there?

Ouch

2008-05-23T11:30:00.000-06:00

The Three Stooges

2008-05-21T21:23:00.001-06:00

Wes, Vis, and Yours Truly.

Seattle Conclusion

2008-04-27T15:28:00.002-06:00

....so I'm not sure what I want to do. I'd really like to leave everything behind me and just go on to something new.

but that's not really possible.

what's a person to do?

*shrugs* Live and Learn........

Seattle continued

2008-04-27T15:26:00.002-06:00

Flying back into Salt Lake I also came to the conclusion that I didn't want to come home either....

Seattle continued...

2008-04-27T15:25:00.002-06:00

I mean, it was nice to get away from home and all, but I really didn't want to go to Seattle, and that set the personal tone for me during the whole trip.

Seattle

2008-04-27T15:24:00.002-06:00

I got in Friday from Seattle.

In all honesty, I think, the trip sucked.

Just Thinkin'

2008-04-18T13:53:00.003-06:00

It's been a long day, which isn't even close to being over yet.

I've just been thinking a lot on relationships, especially. My thought process just goes round and round--always on the same bloody track. I need to get off of my way of thinking and open up to someone else's....but I feel pretty antisocial....

I should write more often at school...I seem to be a little more 'witty', if you will.

I'm not really looking forward to the Seattle trip with most of my class--it's next week. i'm screwed...

Crap.

.....

2008-04-03T20:43:00.000-06:00

More Philosophy

2008-04-03T20:39:00.004-06:00

I apologize. It's been a loooong time. And quite frankly life sucks. There's no sugar coating it. I honestly wish that I could somehow change eveything.....

*Sighs, then shrugs shoulders*

Oh, well. You live....

....and you learn.

Family Philosophy

2008-02-16T19:50:00.005-07:00

I had a lot of fun today. I got to bake a Red Velvelt Cake. It came out really well. It's for my Grandma's Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA, I LOVE YOU!!!! I had a good time making it, hence I decided to share the recipe with you. Now, my Mom and I made a few adjustments. Normally this is a layered ckae, however we made it a bundt cake, so there are a few tweaks here and there. We didn't figure out the frosting--there's enough for maybe two bundt cakes--we'll have to work out that kink some other time. So, be warned. Have fun---and don't spill any dye on yourself, I got it all over my hands, what a mess. Oh, and if your Mother helps you, be sure to thank her!

Cake:
2 cups sugar
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter at room temperature

2 eggs

3 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder

2 ounces red food coloring

2 1/2 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees . In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mix well after each addition. Mix cocoa and food coloring together and then add to sugar mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Blend in vanilla. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and add to mixture.

Bundt Cake:Pour batter into greased budnt pan, bake for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool completely before frosting.

Layered Cake:Pour batter into 3 (8- inch) round greased and floured pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool completely before frosting.

Icing:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1 stick butter, softened

1 cup melted marshmallows

1 (1 pound) box confectioner's sugar

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

Blend cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl. Add marshmallows and sugar and blend. Fold in coconut and nuts. Bundt: Spread onto cooled cake, don't forget the center. Layered: Spread between layers and on top and sides of cooled cake.

***The coconut is uneccesary, if you're like me and loathe shredded coconut. Also, i didn't put the nuts in the icing, I sprinkled them on top--do what you want, it's your cake. I also used that marshmallow spread, not melted marshmallow, but again it's up to your discretion. Have fun, be creative, who knows, maybe you can do it without turning your hands red!****

The batter--after everything's been mixed.

Still pouring...there was a lot of batter...

I had a little fun with the bowl and such after...

Cleanin' up.

'Out of the frying pan and into the fire...' (Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Ubbervilles)

Sorry, AP English thing--But, uh, the cake once it's been baked.

Fully iced and such...

Bird's eye view...

Who said you can't play with your food?

Which, incedently, reminds me of a poem...

Ma And God

God gave us fingers--Ma says, "Use your fork."

God gave us voices--Ma says, "Don't scream."

Ma says eat broccoli, cereal and carrots.

But God gave us tasteys for maple ice cream.

God gave us fingers--Ma says, "Use you hanky."

God gave us puddles--Ma says, "Don't splash."

Ma says, "Be quiet, your father is sleeping."

But God gave us garbage cam covers to crash.

God gave us fingers--Ma says, "Put your gloves on."

God gave us raindrops--Ma says, "Don't get wet."

Ma says be careful, and don't get to near to

Those strange lovely dogs that God gave us to pet.

God gave us fingers--Ma says, "Go wash 'em."

But God gave us coal bins and nice dirty bodies.

And i ain't too smart, but there's one thing for certain--

Either Ma's wrong or else God is.

-Shel Silverstein

"Where the Sidewalk Ends"

I love you, Mom, thank you for all of your help!

EQ [emotional intelligence...]

2008-02-14T14:28:00.001-07:00

Your EQ is 147

You are remarkable when it comes to relating with others. Only the biggest losers get under your skin.

You are warm and open. Even when life gets you down, you're unafraid of the world and its challenges.

You are comfortable with who you are. And you accept your weaknesses - as well as the weaknesses of others.

While you are quite stable, you don't respond perfectly to every bad situation that comes up.

But you have enough emotional intelligence to know when you need a course correction.

What's Your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)?

IQ [it's probably wrong...]

2008-02-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Your IQ Is 115

Your Logical Intelligence is Above Average

Your Verbal Intelligence is Exceptional

Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius

Your General Knowledge is Above Average

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

Relax...

2008-02-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

'Allo, 'oo iz eet?

2008-01-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

'Allo, remember me? Sorry, it's been such a long time. I'll try to do better.

I had banquet on Saturday. I went with one of my best friends, Vis. It was a lot of fun. Banquet is my school's formal event--alomost like prom, only there's no dancing because I go to a small Christian school, and some christian's belive that dancing's a sin. I don't belive that , but it says in the Bible not to trip your brother up, meaning don't make your brother sin. Anyways, catch you later!

Me and Vis, he did an awesome job matching. His shirt was the exact same shade as my dress. Give that boy a gold star!
Me and my evil counterpart. We're going to rule the world someday, just as soon as we disover the secret to immortality.
Vis, Me, and My Evil Counterpart.
One of my favorite pictures. We were playing a game of spoons and stopped to pose for a picture.

The Stork has landed!! [sorry it's a little late]

2008-01-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

I've got a cousin now!!! Her name is Olivia and she is adorable!!! Her birthday is January 5th, sorry I was so late.

Ali and Olivia, about an hour after birth.
Isn't she just adorable?
This was last night. She makes alll sorts of faces at us. I think this one was because Grandpa and I wouldn't let up on the pictures.
Daddy and Baby. This was just after she was born.

Personality

2007-12-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

My personalDNA Report

So True

2007-12-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

This is so true. I read these things and think to myself 'Oh, man, whatever.' You know? But anyways, this is true. And it's hilarious, enjoy!

1.) “Fine”: This is the word women use to end an argument when they areright and you need to shut up.
2.) “Five Minutes”: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour.Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five moreminutes to watch the game (or use the computer) before helping around the house.
3.) “Nothing”: This is the calm before the storm. This means something,and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with “nothing”usually end in “fine”. (Refer back to #1 for the meaning of “fine”.)
4.) “Go Ahead“: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!
5.) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statementoften misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are anidiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguingwith you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of “nothing”.)
6.) “That’s Okay”: This is one of the most dangerous statements a womencan make to a man. “That’s okay” means she wants to think long and hardbefore deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7.) “Thanks”: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say“you’re welcome”.
8.) “Whatever“: Is a women’s way of saying something ugly that can’t be printed here.
9.) “Don’t worry about it, I got it”: Another dangerous statement, meaningthis is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, butis now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking “What’swrong?” (For the woman’s response refer to #3.)

Giving Thanks

2007-11-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

How's it goin'? I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I know I did. I love it when family is in town. Here are some pics.

Aunt Terri, Cousin Emmie, Uncle Wylie, Yours Truly, And Little Bro Coty
Uncle Travis on the far left
And Cousin Edan in the back
Me and Uncle Calvin...I mean Wylie. ;-)

I would have to say I am very, very thankful for my family.

Stand by Me

2007-11-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

I love this edition of this song. =D

...stays in sculpture and ceramics.

2007-11-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, I got a no go on that video. I guess my buddy was pretty embarrassed. I don't blame him. I'm not exactly sure what our art teacher knows what to do with us anymore, Good Ghandi only knows how much we put that man through....

Well, anyways, later.

A Sidenote

2007-11-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

Also, no promises, but I have a video of sculpture today, but I'm tenative to put it up. I have to talk to the person in it and make sure that he's ok with me putting it up. If I can I will, but no promises. So, until then. Ciao.

What happens in sculpture and ceramics...

2007-11-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Lucky catch...

Secret Agent Man...
And next, a lion jumping through a ring of fire!
Hey,batta, batta, sa-wing, batta!
Got slip?

Hey look, it's the headless sculpture!

Not Frankenstein

2007-11-02T21:32:00.000-06:00

First quarter is over. I'm still alive.

Yay.

Later.

Rocks

2007-10-29T11:20:00.000-06:00

Dragostea Din Tei

2007-10-23T21:25:00.000-06:00

This is pretty sweet. I like the song more than anything else. I found the english lyrics for it as well. Pretty poetic. I love it. By the way, thes guys are Romanian.

Dragostea Din Tei
by O-Zone

Ma-Ya-Hi
Ma-Ya-Hu
Ma-Ya-Ho
Ma-Ya-Ha Ha
Ma-Ya-Hi
Ma-Ya-Hu
Ma-Ya-Ho
Ma-Ya-Ha Ha

Hello, Salute, it’s me, your Duke
And I made something that’s real
To show you how I feel

Hello, Hello, it’s me Picasso
I will paint my words of love
With your name on every wall

When you leave my colors fade to gray
Whoa I whoa I aaa
Whoa I whoa I whoa I aaa
Every word of love I used to say

Now I paint it everyday

I sold my strings, my songs, and dreams
And I bought some paints to match the colors of my love
Hello, Hello, it’s me again, Picasso
I will spray my words of my love
With your name on every wall

When you leave my colors fade to gray
Whoa I whoa I aaa
Whoa I whoa I whoa I aaa
Every word of love I used to say
Now I paint it everyday

When you leave my colors fade to gray
Hey, little lover stay
Or all my colors fade away
Every word of love I used to say
Now I paint it everyday

Ma-Ya-Hi
Ma-Ya-Hu
Ma-Ya-Ho
Ma-Ya-Ha Ha
Ma-Ya-Hi
Ma-Ya-Hu
Ma-Ya-Ho
Ma-Ya-Ha Ha

Ma-Ya-Hi
Ma-Ya-Hu
Ma-Ya-Ho
Ma-Ya-Ha Ha
Ma-Ya-Hi
Ma-Ya-Hu
Ma-Ya-Ho
Ma-Ya-Ha Ha

When you leave my colors fade to gray
Whoa I whoa I aaa
Whoa I whoa I whoa I aaa
Every word of love I used to say
Now I paint it everyday

When you leave my colors fade to gray
Hey, little lover stay
Or all my colors fade away
Every word of love I used to say
Now I paint it everyday

Every rose has it's thorn....

2007-10-21T10:14:00.000-06:00

I love the snow, I love roses. What a beautiful combination...

Blue Man Group

2007-10-19T18:52:00.000-06:00

And of course, the Blue Man Group, because they're just outstanding.

I promise, I'm not going to be one of those bloggers who just does you tube videos, but I have to do something, so bear with me, please.

Ok Go

2007-10-19T18:46:00.000-06:00

These guys are freakin' awesome. I'm gonna get their CD ASAP.

Partay Time

2007-10-14T17:17:00.000-06:00

Sweet silhouettes, eh?

What a crowd.

The mafia is involved too?! There goes the partay.

Oh, boy. I have a notorious history with cake...and people's faces.

Hi, again.

2007-10-14T16:31:00.000-06:00

I haven't been on in awhile. I've been way busy with life pretty much. That and I really didn't want to blog because our computer was reallly stinkin' slow. We have high speed now, I'm very happy.

I had a combined birthday party last night with one of my friends. It was a costume party. I'll be back later with some pics.

Just came back to tell you I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.

Philosophy: The Poem

2007-10-06T17:03:00.000-06:00

I wrote this for a friend. That person knows who they are.

Philosophy

Come with me
to a place
where we can be
Plato and Socrates

Relax your mind
you'll be okay
let us find
some time

To look up
into the sky
and maybe show up
the grown ups

There's a mystery
in everything
and we have a history
of solving these things

And even if we don't
answer the infernal question
we won't
forget to show

That it doesn't matter
we still had fun
even if we appear to be mad hatters

Who ever said
philosophy was sane?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2007-07-21T20:52:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I sent out an e-mail, asking if it's too early for Christmas. Here are some of the answers.

- For sure. Without a doubt. If it's too hot to think, then it's too early.
-Yes. Christmas music makes people warm and cuddly and fuzzy, and in the middle of July when it's hot and sweaty, the last thing you want is warm and fuzzy and cuddly. It would be like wearing a wool sweater in a crowded smelly bus in the heat of the day.
-Yes. Christmas music sucks anyways, get some country. That’s how I roll,
-It is most definitely too early for Christmas music.
-Yes. Here's another good reason not to listen to christmas music: WWSD (what would sinatra do) I know he wouldnt listen to christmas music this early because he would be thinking about his most recent song which for sure isn't christmas music.

-Are you kidding? It's never too early! Fa la la la la la la la la!
-Nope, I still listen to christmas music in fact I was listening to it the other day, I love christmas music, it is like the best of all... to me of course.
-Nope. I sang the entire "Jingle Bells" yesterday. Music is year-round.

Anyways. I hope you got a kick out of that. By the way, It's never too early. =)

Stanley Lake

2007-06-13T12:41:00.000-06:00

This is Stanley Lake, Idaho. If I ever had another love apart from Oregon, it would be Idaho. We went there last summer in high hope of catching some fish, but we didn't catch anything. (It was a full moon. I've beeen told that you fish better on a new moon.) In the same breath, however, I [re]learned how to play cribbage, and I think that I attempted to teach everyone how to play ERS (Egyptian Rat Screw). Although since our trip (my class and I) to San Francisco, I have a totally new arsenal of card games that we can play. Or I can just whip out the 'ol speed/california speed deck, Bwa-hahahahahaaaa!!! Only one person has ever beaten me in California Speed, and I plan to wreak my revenge on you, *cough, cough* Joey Day. I'm just playing, but, I do hereby challenge you to a game of California Speed.

But the whole point of this was to say that I've finally shaken off the 'summer boredom' and I look forward to going camping once again. I've been told that we're going to Wild Horse Resvoir in Nevada. I'm ecstatic. ... YAY!!!!

Here's another pic from Stanley Lake. The one to your left is a majority favorite. This one is my favorite.

Of course, I don't have any pictures from Oregon (seeing as how I was only 11 last time I went). It looks like Idaho doesn't have any competition.

GOD is awesome.

Stupidity

2007-06-04T11:48:00.000-06:00

Hey, look, I fixed it! I figured it out, I swear, I can be the stupidest person sometimes. The problem witht the picture was that it was to big. So, next time I put up a picture, I have to make it 'small' or 'medium'. Geeze louise. Did I tell you about the Monty Python and the Holy Grail thing? No? [Well, some of you have heard it.]

Okay, so I had just finished watching MP&tHG. And the part where the french guy says, "You dont frighten us, Eeenglish pig-dogs! Go and boil your bottoms, sons-of-a-silly person! I blow my nose at you so called 'Arthur King', you and all your silly eeenlish ka-nig-its," I had never understood, I just always wrote it off. Because here's the thing, I never knew what ka-nig-its was. But I was lying in bed that night and thinking ka-nig-its, ka-nig-its...and it hit me. Knights! He was saying knights!

So yeah, point proven. I can be pretty stupid sometimes. =)

Studying

2007-06-04T11:28:00.000-06:00

Here's my proof. I was actually studying for finals. My friends, Alyssa and Vis, caught me thinking. It kind of hurt, actually. I'm just playing. Seriously, though, I don't think I was home once last week. On Monday we met at Vis's house to study everything[and we watched Van Helsing] . Then Tuesday we went to Wes's house and studied Spanish and Algebra. Wednesday Wes came over to my house and we called everybody and we studied Church History and World History. Thursday we went over to Alyssa's and studied more Spanish and Algebra [and we also played a killer game of softball]. Then, Friday, after school got out at 12:15 [Yeah!], we all went over to Vis's house and partied. So, it was fun. It was a terrific way to end the school year [Vis, you're a genius!] Then, Saturday, mi familia abandoned me and went to a pool party [my little sis got burned so bad, her shoulders are bright pink.] That's my past week, exciting, eh?

So now, I'm sitting here, thinking 'bout summer. And to be honest I'm already bored. Sad, isn't it. Oh, well, I'll find something to do. Oh, I know what I can do. I can go set up my English class account. [Yes, we do have homework over the summer. Why? That's totally ridiculous. But it's a good subject to save for later and rant on.]

So, I'll catch you later. Ciao!

Alcatraz: 'The Rock'

2007-04-28T19:42:00.000-06:00

So, to recap San Francisco. There were only a handful of things that I enjoyed. Among these was Alcatraz.

Under normal circumstances I'm a history nut, so I was already looking forward to this. When I got there I was, for lack of a better term, a gaping idiot.

Seen from the bay, it doesn't look like much, just some crumbly old buildings. But once you arrive on the island, it's magnificent, towering above you as it towers in legend.

And, I'm going to admit my other guilty pleasure...reading. I'm a total bookworm as well. So, I bought a book, 'Battle at Alcatraz' written by Ernest B. Lageson; it's about the escape attempt by Bernie Coy, whose plan was to take over from the inside of the prison, well, not necessarily 'take over', more like gain control from the inside. Which was pretty genius, but at the last moment his plans were foiled. But he had gone through a great deal of trials to gain control, so he and his accomplices started a riot which resulted in the warden calling in the Marines, Navy, and the Coast Guard. It's an amazing tale...and I'm not going to ruin the ending for you, you'll have to read it yourself. =)

Sorry about the picture, it was taken from inside the ferry.

Five outta Five

2007-04-13T12:44:00.000-06:00

So, this is for those of you who don't know Ali and Coty. (Going Clockwise from the bottom left) Coty, Ali, and Your truly. So there you have it, the two missing links.

I'm bored, so I'm gonna tell you a joke

2007-04-13T12:29:00.000-06:00

There was these two little boys, and they asked their mom if they could go out and pick walnuts off the walnut tree. She said yes, nut under the condition that they were home before the sun set. So, they went out and picked and picked and picked...and they lost track of time. The younger brother looked up and saw that they sun was just about to set. Panicked he went to his older brother who told him, "Don't worry, we'll cross the highway and cut through the graveyard, and be home in time for supper."

So, the younger brother picked up all the nuts and they cut across the highway and jumped the graveyard wall, where the little boy dropped all the nuts, two of which rolled onto the other side of the wall. He got on his hands and knees and started counting, "One for you and one for me. One for you and one for me. One for you and one for me..."

Now, a drunk comes walking by and he here's the little boy counting "One for you and one for me. One for you and one for me. One for you and one for me..." And he runs back to the bar as fast as a drunk can run, he finds his pal and says "I heard the lord and the devil dividin' up souls!" His friend looks at him and says, "Oh, yeah! Prove it!"

So they walk down to the graveyard wall, put their ears up against it, and the little boy is still counting, "One for you and one for me. One for you and one for me. One for you and one for me. One for you and one for me..." Then he stops, and it gets really quiet.

Finally he says to his brother, "Now let's go get the two nuts on the other side of the wall."

Betcha ya didn't know...

2007-04-09T11:37:00.000-06:00

I dunno how many of you know that I write. But I've got a fanfiction account. So, if you ever wanna read any of my story, or you're just bored you can go look at it. Here's the URL:

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1249041/
or
http://www.fanfiction.net/~wittyfool

Hope to see you [or your criticism] there!

My brothers

2007-03-31T09:10:00.000-06:00

You guys really, to tell the truth, only know Ali and Coty, and some of you may not even know them. But these guys right here are my other brothers. (from left to right) Talon, AJ, and Ethan. And, yes, I'm still the oldest. So, yeah, my other half of the bloodline!

Away-from-home sickness

2007-03-24T20:04:00.000-06:00

I miss the ocean. :'(
(and I need some new pics)

European or African Swallow

2007-03-23T21:00:00.000-06:00

Last week a couple of masterminds came up with the idea to kidnap Baby Sasquatch and ransom him. Now, let me back up and explain who, or more accurately, what baby Sasquatch is and why he is so significant.

Baby Sasquatch is a five pound flour sack covered in nylons that are stuffed with cotton in order to represent head, arms, and legs; Baby Sasquatch is supposed to represent a baby. This was a middle school project, take care of their own five pound sack of flour dressed up like a baby. Baby Sasquatch was my history teacher's baby flour sack.

So, here's what happened. A couple of people kidnapped Baby Sasquatch and asked me to write the ransom note. So, long story short. The kidnapping was successful...for a day. Then, I got sick and the whole scheme fell to bits; and I guess that I was ratted out, or figured out. So, our punishment was to carry around our own five pound baby for the remainder of the week (as of Tuesday).

Here's my point. Carrying around a five pound sack of sugar reminded me of when I was about two and I had a pet coconut. I loved that coconut, it was the best pet I ever had. Then my stepfather, at the time, took it out back and smashed it with a hammer, I was heartbroken; and, to be honest, I can't believe that I still remember it, I guess it was sort of traumatizing.

So, yeah, there's my little walk down memory lane. Hope you enjoyed it.

By the way, if you don't get the title then we need to chat.

Meh, I'm out of it today.

2007-03-18T17:55:00.000-06:00

Okay, so you're probably fed up with pictures, but I like having them in the blog. But today I just felt like putting up a picture and not ranting or anything. I'm still not at my full 100%, I'm just getting over strep, so don't expect much out of me. Oh, yeah, and not during the school week either, ok? Cool. So, enjoy the pic! Oh, and all these pics were taken by yours truly! Enjoy!

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

2007-03-17T21:02:00.000-06:00

Now, here's what Rousseau believed:that people are basically good, but that they're corrupted by society. I like that, quick and to the point. But I don't necessarily agree with him. This is what I think.

People are 'bad' to a certain point, the point where we all sin. But we're not as bad as Hobbes made us out to be, just sinful, we're born sinful. Then society steps in, and depending on which 'society' you're a part of depends on how 'good' or 'bad' you'll be. That's what I think.

Please, feel free to debate with me, I won't mind. ;)

Thomas Hobbes

2007-03-17T08:36:00.000-06:00

In history we're in progress of learning about the Enlightenment and American Revolution. What caught my attention and intrigue were the philosophes, more so Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rosseau. They both had very different takes on humanity.

Hobbes belived this: that people are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish; that life in the 'state of nature'-without any laws or other control-would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' To escape this life people entered a 'social contract', an agreement to give up the state of nature and enter into an organized society. I would have to say that my own beliefs lie somewhat around here.

more to follow, later...

Road Trips

2007-03-11T14:58:00.000-06:00

This is another one of my faves. This was also taken in California, only this place is called 'Subway Cave'. And it doesn't have anything on Timpanogas, for those of you who have been there. It's a pretty short cave; it's an old lava tube, and it's just a long stretch of darkness, the walk out to the cave is longer than the walk in the cave, and that's all it is it's just a walk, no hiking. It's so dark, like any cave is, that when you put your hand in front of your face you can't see it. But, on a lighter note, it's a nice little walk when you've been in the car with you younger siblings for over four hours. :) I would gladly make any road trip with my brother(s) and sister just for the sake of the road trip...I love road trips.

Santa Catalina: The Island of Romance

2007-03-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

This is probably one of my better pictures from last year. And I know that it's blurry, I made it that way; because sometimes the past can just fade away into the present and when next you look at it it's not as clear as you would have hoped it to have been. But, anyways. This is Catalina Island. My class and I went to it last year as a part of our marine biology unit for biology, and I must say that I think that we bonded more than we learned. Which isn't a bad thing, rather it's a very good thing. And I must say that I am looking forward to our San Francisco trip, this time for 'history'. Maybe this time I'll get a clearer picture.