Toxicodendron radicans

thoughts from a reluctant extrovert

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:57:28 GMT

Introverted? Need help getting out of your shell? Here are a few experiments you can try in you own community!

1) Go to a concert with a friend or co-worker. While waiting for the concert to begin enter into light conversation. Books have proven to be a successful opener. Talk about your current reads, listen to theirs--even if they sound boring, act interested. Choose a subject from the conversed book list that you feel comfortable with and expand the conversation. After the concert, don't bottle up how you felt about the music. Feel free to share it, you might find that the friend feels the same way or may even be impressed with your ability to express yourself. Sharing your thoughts on art is not embarrassing. Please remember, fellow inverts, that this exercise only works if you bring someone who is NOT already in your "inner circle."

2) When going to a Folk Music Festival with close friend, don't be afraid to deviate from your intended schedule should an unexpected acquaintance arrive. Simply by "going with the flow" you may find that your traveling group has swelled from two to eight and that you are now talking about anything and everything with a complete stranger. Yes, you may have wanted to go listen to the music from China but by remaining with the crowd you may just get invited to a barbeque later that evening. Inverts beware: Not having talked to many people in the recent past may help you forget that thinking is required before speaking. Fortunately, other people are usually far less harsh on you than yourself, you can get over it if you make a mistake.

More thoughts to come in the next installment.
Good night and good luck!

this is not a hoax

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:29:18 GMT

www.firemeetsdesire.com

On a side note I was eating dinner before a concert on Wednesday and I suddenly had this thought:

"Are humans red meat or white meat?"

I have no good excuse other than pure curiosity.

busy bee

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:35:06 GMT

OK I was going to go to sleep at a reasonable hour but now I'm very awake. So I'll make a list insead. Things I've done in my free time for the past week and a half (I think):

Primed and painted dresser
fixed drawer
resealed leaky toilet
fixed 2 chairs
made chair cover
made 3 cushion covers
installed curtains on 10 windows
made 6 of the 10 curtains installed
finally took care of the paper I've been meaning to sort through for a year and a half
gathered kindling
reinstalled custom-made shelving (THAT's not moving ever again)
laundry
cleaned kitchen
washed all floors
cleaned the garage some more
went to a movie
built a house with building bricks
did a puzzle
watched all of shark week....... and about 10-15 other movies I think (all while doing other things on list)
finally befriended Lily

People helped me out with this list.

I think I'm almost to the point of simply maintaining this house. I still have some extra work to do but it's really going to slow down from here on out.

posting something

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:19:37 GMT

A
- Available: for what? signing autographs??
- Age: 25
- Annoyance: mostly myself
- Animal: pick one - they're all fascinating

B
- Beer: Greene King
- Birthday: The same as Victor Borge's only 75 years later.
- Best Friends: I'm pretty sure they know who they are
- Body Part on opposite sex: eyes
- Best feeling in the world: being loved
- Best weather: kite flying day in June.
- Been in Love: Yes
- Been on stage?: Yes
- Believe in Magic: nope
- Believe in God: yeah
- Believe in Santa: Nope

C
- Candy: snickers
- Color: green
- Chocolate/Vanilla: Chocolate
- Chinese/Mexican: depends
- Cake or pie: depends
- Continent/Country to visit: pick one
- Cheese: many kinds

D
- Day or Night: sunrise even though I don't particularly getting up then
- Dance in the rain?: hmmmm

E
- Eggs: over hard
- Eyes: varying shades of blue - mostly steel blue
- Everyone's got a(n): finite existence
- Ever failed a class?: yeah

F
- Full name: Elizabeth Catherine Wright
- First thoughts waking up: "What time is it and can I sleep in just a little more?"
- Food: I need to go grocery shopping

G
- Greatest Fear: heights and going to Hell
- Goals: I have a top ten list
- Gum: never
- Get along with your parents?: Yup
- Good luck charm: nope

H
- Hair Color: blonde
- Height: 5' 1"
- Happy: Yeah, mostly
- Holiday: whatever one the family gathers for that year
- How do you want to die: funny, I just had a conversation about this....

I
- Ice Cream: depends
- Instrument: Trombone

J
- Jewelry: eh
- Job: pretty good

K
- Kids: I haven't made that decision
- Kickboxing or karate: Karate
- Keep a journal?: not religiously

L
- Longest Car Ride: Albuquerque, NM to Portland, ME
- Love: is all you need
- Letter: indeed
- Laughed so hard you cried: many many times

M
- Milk flavor: skim
- Movies: my preferred visual entertainment
- Motion sickness?: nah
- McD’s or BK: BK

N
- Number of Siblings: 3
- Number of Piercings: none though I have the scars from when I was young and stupid
- Number: 3

O
- One wish: my college debt instantly paid off

P
- Perfect Pizza: wiht almost no tomato sauce
- Pepsi/Coke: Coke

Q
- Quail: is he back in politics????

R
- Reason to cry: Grammie
- Reality T.V.: is disgusting
- Radio Station: 90.9 in the mornings
- Roll your tongue in a circle?: Yeah
- Ring size: ???

S
- Song: surprisingly I haven't had one in my head today
- Shoe size: 6.5
- Salad Dressing: none
- Sushi: yep
- Skipped school: sure
- Slept outside: Yes
- Skinny dipped?: nope
- Shower daily?: every other day
- Sing well?: I think I'm OK
- In the shower?: yep
- Swear?: Yeah
- Strawberries/Blueberries: strawberries when fresh

T
- Time for bed: after this
- Thunderstorms: exist

U
- Unpredictable: my dad

V
- Vacation spot: somewhere far away

W
- Weakness: chocolate
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: ... I don't know...
- Who makes you laugh the most: I laugh pretty easily, but I'd say Laura or Kate
- Worst feeling: gut wrenching guilt
- Wanted to be a model?: nope
- Where do we go when we die?: Which part?
- Worst Weather?: nighttime raining while I'm trying to drive

X
- X-Rays: once for my wrist
- Ex's: ....

Y
- Year it is now: 2008
- Yellow: Mellow

Z
- Zoo animal: cheetah

LAST PERSON WHO…
1. Slept in a bed beside you?: Pumpkin and Lily
2. You went to the mall with?: I hate the Mall
3. You went to dinner with?: the work crew?
4. You talked to on the phone?: Gomer
5. Made you laugh?: Pumpkin
6. Hugged you?: Uncle Bill
7. Said they loved you? Mom
8. Held your hand?: probably Mom
9. Spoke with? Gomer
10. You cried over?: Grammie

anxiety rising

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:01:15 GMT

My workload just exploded. I have so much to do and I have no idea where to begin.

Oh man, I even just stopped to make a few phone calls just now.

Back to work.....

I'm a nerd

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:26:07 GMT

Without Scrabulous Facebook seems almost useless.

I want to play scrabble.....

holy post batman!

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:24:30 GMT

It's vacation!

Went down to Frances's place this weekend and had a blast. Came back up here because I wasn't prepared to head south for the week before going to see Frances. Frances and I got into Mount Blue State Park for free using my now-defunct Maine Conservation Corps free pass -- and I didn't even remember to bring it with me! Good thing to because then they would have seen that it had expired two days prior.

It's 9 AM and I'm not at work. : ) Will be leaving later this morning for southern Maine but I have to stop off at work first to drop off the 60-pound steel spike that's sitting in my backseat. Also the shovel.

Going to enjoy myself this week except that I'll be making my first payment on the good old Stafford today. Getting paid will be great.

Oh yeah, Internship's over. You can all now despise me for collaborating with the government for the foreseeable future. I can't say I'm a Fed anymore because it's no longer true.

Moving out of here in September and August just cannot not come fast enough. I am so antsy to get out of here. When vacation is over I really only have a month and that will be great.

Many thoughts this morning. I have many problems but I know how to fix some of them. Others I will have to devise something.

Well, I think I'm off.

lame.

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:51:47 GMT

This whole week has been gorgeous and I've had to spend it all inside the office.

Today I have to write a grant.

Soooooo lame.

This weekend was really great though. I'm a little sunburned but not nearly as bad as I could have been.

I really don't want to work on this grant...... I want to go kite flying.

I need a new kite. Should I make one or buy one? I'm definitely going to buy a trick kite, but I could make one or buy a cheap one to tide me over. I must inventory my materials....

Akright, I'm going to attempt productivity now.

Sweet!

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:25:34 GMT

I've been hired on with the Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District after my internship. They like me so much that I'm the first person in my position that they've offered insurance to. Needless to say, I'm feeling pretty good tonight.

Oh, and my sister lent me her n64 so when rehearsal ends tonight I get to go home and play Ocarina of Time....... ok I'l be using my landlord's TV for that.... but whatever.

Today = very pleasant.

random quiz

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:32:47 GMT

Your True Birth Month Is January

Loyal

Social

Logical

Easily jealous

Loves children

Rather reserved

Highly attentive

Likes to criticize

Needs close friends

Ambitious and serious

Smart, neat and organized

Hardworking and productive

Loves to teach and be taught

Quiet unless excited or tensed

Sensitive and has deep thoughts

Knows how to make others happy

Searches for the greatest romance

Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds

Romantic but has difficulties expressing love

Always looking at people's flaws and weaknesses

What's Your True Birth Month?

More accurate than I expected... or want to admit sometimes. Though still not entirely.

www.peepresearch.org

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:18:02 GMT

This site is worth visiting.

PS- I have a new cousin, his name is Cedric Mardon.

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:49:42 GMT

I finished researching my presentation topic. Now all I have to do is put together the presentation, but really that's going to have to happen when I have access to my personal computer which is at home. At the moment I'm waiting for the day to end so that I can go to York County for the weekend.

Since I have some free time, I've been pondering.

I've decided that last night I heard one of the worst conceivable ideas for foreign policy. I mean it didn't really sound that viable on face value, and then one must consider the affected populations; countless externalities; side effects/world reactions; and, of course, the human propensity for irrationality. The scope irrationality on all counts nearly baffles my mind.

I'm listening to some flute jazz right now. I don't know if I should feel depressed or awe....

I have to work 46.5 hours this week, so I'm staying after today.....for way too long.

Do you guys know that Nutrigrain commercial with the "Babies Everywhere!" quote? That's kind of what it feel like right now. My cousin's girl is overdue by almost two weeks and my colleague is due in April and I'm going to a baby shower this weekend. Too many babies, man.

I just finished having this incredibly odd conversation with one of my co-workers about where my career is headed and how I could change things within District operation. Man I just wanted to goof off a little and instead I ended up having serious discussion about my future. Apparently my "youthful" career days are starting to wind down and I have to start making some real decisions about my future. Whatever, I have some semblance of a plan that will suffice for the next few months. No need to think further than that for right now. Besides, I've only just entered the work force, how could my beginning years have ended so quickly?

"Questions, questions, so many questions. You want a shard? Here, here's a shard!"

You know what's pretty lame?

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:55:57 GMT

I just woke up from a dream in which I was back in Marching Band. So was Gomer and this other guy that I don't know. Anyway, I was back in Marching Band because Chris said he needed me as a trombone and I said OK. How friggin' lame is THAT? But then again, that was Gomer's reason, too.

OK, I've been crashing and burning way too early these past few days, hopefully the sleep I got last night will take care of that. I really like dreaming.

Yesterday I took Dottie out for the afternoon, which was good, and then watched a movie with Laura and Amy. Despite its name, Marylin Hotchkiss's Ballroom Dance and Charm School is a film well worth watching. It was a Sundance Film Festival entry if that will convince you. Plus I own it so borrowing is allowed. Anyway, we all had a very good time and it was nice to chill with Amy again.

Then, of course, when I turn on my car to go home I can see right away that one of my lights has blown. No big deal, but annoying. Fine, I plan to call Dad in the morning and get it set. I drop Amy off at Talmar and head out towards Pushaw. Not 30 minutes after my bulb first blows I get stopped by the Police because my headlight is out. "Are you a student? Have you been drinking? Where are you going? Where is home?" Whatever, but then he gives me a ticket that says I have to fix the headlight within 48 and I wasn't planning on going to my Dad's until next weekend. Now That really is lame.

He said I could try to go until Saturday without fixing it although it was likely I'll get stopped again if I drive late at night, which has to happen at least on Tuesday. He told me to just be polite and explain the situation and I'd probably be fine. But my question: is it worth it to possibly get a real fine and wait for Saturday? I was going to head down next weekend anyway, but I don't want to pay a fine.

Time to be constructive...

It is snowing again

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:13:09 GMT

I just figured it out, and if I can work 43 hours every week until the end of my internship then I'll be fine. There just can't be anymore snow days. I could handle it, but I'm not going to be getting a vacation until sometime in 2009.....

For anyone reading this and in the area Amy Gagnon's back in town this evening for the closing of her exhibition in Fogler Library. She'll be there 5PM - 7PM and then we're going to Bayka's recital in Minsky at 7:30PM.

If you wish to skip all of that (but it will be very cool) we'll be heading to Pat's Pizza for about 8:30-9PM.

I think I may be twice cursed.

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:38:35 GMT

First: I can't seem to own a phone for longer than 3 months before it somehow malfunctions.

Second: Whenever I choose a topic to present on I always think it will be really easy to come up with supporting material but it never is. Maine is mysteriously lacking literature on soil conservation history.

On the up side I've spent the day in Fogler Library trying to find sources. I have to admit that I missed doing spending a whole day in the library. It felt pretty good to flex my "research" muscles. And I spent the day in the MRC chatting with Larry every once in a while. That was really nice.

Also while in the library I walked in on a chick have phone sex in the bathroom. It did get a bit disturbing when my presence didn't even stifle her vocally. But whatever, finding another bathroom was too much trouble.

Soil Conservation by Hugh Hammond Bennett

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:05:37 GMT

"...What happened to the bountiful land that inspired early explorers to enthusiastic comment and rhapsodic description? The answer lies largely in a false philosophy of plenty, a myth of inexhaustibility, which prevailed generally for many years and persists, in some quarters, even at the present time."

This was written 79 years ago by the founder of national soil and water conservation in America. I'm sad at how valid this statement is still today.

PS- This is how he wrote, the whole book is like this. Informational texts have become so boring; we need to bring back some style. If nothing else maybe people would have a wider vocabulary available.

Tonight!

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:11:20 GMT

This evening Laura and I are going to be crafty in various formats. The possibilities include:
- cooking something complicated
- origami
- drawing
- painting
- legos
- scrabble/other board games
- chilling out with music
- DDR
- insert idea here

If we're lucky we'll get to do all of these things.

The point is this: if you're in the area and would like to join us just give me a call or something. If you're not in the area and would still like to join us then you should do something crafty tonight at the same time so we'll almost be doing them together anyway.

Cheers!

stealing from Laura

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:31:24 GMT

You are The Lovers

Motive, power, and action, arising from Inspiration and Impulse.

The Lovers represents intuition and inspiration. Very often a choice needs to be made.

Originally, this card was called just LOVE. And that's actually more apt than "Lovers." Love follows in this sequence of growth and maturity. And, coming after the Emperor, who is about control, it is a radical change in perspective. LOVE is a force that makes you choose and decide for reasons you often can't understand; it makes you surrender control to a higher power. And that is what this card is all about. Finding something or someone who is so much a part of yourself, so perfectly attuned to you and you to them, that you cannot, dare not resist. This card indicates that the you have or will come across a person, career, challenge or thing that you will fall in love with. You will know instinctively that you must have this, even if it means diverging from your chosen path. No matter the difficulties, without it you will never be complete.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I don't think I understand this one. *shrug*

PS - I got home from the dentist 4 hours ago and am still slightly numb. Hooray.

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:58:22 GMT

Rambo = Worst Movie I've Ever Seen.

I'm quite certain that Stallone only hired actors whose acting skills were inferior to his own. The music was completely mismatched to what was happening on screen (please note the ending credits for the most obvious example) and the plot was entirely incredible. The film was an exhibition marriage of blood, violence and special effects (this, of course, being set in a primarily Bhuddist nation where bigamy is still allowed under the laws of that religion). But even the action was totally implausible.

At the same time, I'm glad I went to see it. Having witnessed this abomination I can now appreciate the more mediocre films such as.... Kindergarten Cop or Cat Woman. Actually, I take that back, I will NEVER watch Cat Woman. I'm told the Rambo II and III are worse than IV and I would gladly watch those in succession with W. relating commentary rather than see Cat Woman. Seriously, Rambo IV may not be wholly without merit... and though I have yet to figure out what that is, I'm willing to watch it again to find out.

I guess it's like academic research. It was so bad I feel the need to reexamine it.

On a side note: I've done absolutely nothing productive this weekend. Well, I have been reading some and watching a few things I got for Christmas. I've also been checking out some new blogs that I've been recently introduced to. I can confidently recommend DamnInteresting.com. I think that everyone who might be bothering to read this would thoroughly enjoy it.

Interesting but not AS interesting:
gizmodo.com
geekologie.com

hmmmm, other things....

No, I guess I'm just not that interesting.

Later!

Victory is almost mine?

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:55:15 GMT

Tonight is our Annual Banquet, the thing I've been doing endless mass mailings and making innumerable phone calls for. Did I also mention that I've been combing the county for donation items for the Silent Auction since October? This has consumed so much of my time at work that I'm behind on education preparation and design work. I almost can't stand to wait for this evening to be over.

PS- If any of you happen to be terribly interested in seeing the productive side of my office in slide show and presentation format as well as a presentation on African wildlife then please feel free to come to this cursed event I call the Annual Banquet. I can honestly say that there are some really cool items in the auction and the whole thing is at the Sea Dog so the food will be tasty. Plus you're allowed to drink. : )

PPS- Auction starts at 5 PM, Dinner starts at 6PM and it is unfortunately $19 a person. But it will be fun for everyone not me, I promise.

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:04:58 GMT

60 Things You Possibly Didn’t Know About Me [But Now You Do]

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
A few books and papers, and puzzle .... and an empty bottle

2. When was the last time you threw up?
A few weeks ago when I hit my gag reflex accidently

3. What's your favorite curse word?
friggin'

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
driving to work

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
writing my bio for this blog I have to do

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
no

9. Whats the last thing you said aloud?
"yes"

10. Favorite flavor of ice cream?
unsure

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
water

12. What are you wearing right now?
green sweater, jeans, joint service shirt

13. What was the last thing you ate?
cinnamon bun

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
nope

15. When was the last time you ran?
last week

16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
don't remember

18. Who is the last person you sent a comment/message on myspace?
no one

19. Ever go camping?
lots

20. Do you have a tan?
never

21. Have you ever lost anything down a toilet?
I don't recall doing so

22. What is your guilty pleasure?
chocolate

23. Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot?
I started doing that because my brother hated them, now they're just part of what I do. But I only like text smileys, I can't stand the cartoons that appear on instant messenger.

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
I try not to drink soda at all

25. What did your last text message say?
damn you spam text!

26. Are you someone's best friend?
I don't know

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
I don't know that either

28. Where is your mom right now?
working?

29. Look to your left, what do you see?
my pashmina

30. What color is your watch?
gold and green

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia?
longing

32. Ever ridden on a roller coaster?
yep

33. What is your birthstone?
garnet, not a big fan personally

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
inside

35. Do you have any friends on myspace that you actually hate?
nope

36. Do you have a dog?
nope

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Barry Higgins, a farmer we work with

38. Have you met anyone famous?
yep

39. Any plans today?
yep yep

40. How many states have you lived in?
2

41. Ever go to college?
si

42. Where are you right now?
at my desk

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
my fat, probably

44. Last song listened to?
classical stuff on the radio last night

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
my blue sneakers

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
yeah

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
I don't think so

51. What time is it?
9:58 AM

52. Do any of your friends have children?
how close are we talking about?

53. Do you eat healthy?
kinda

54. What do you usually do during the day?
lately: work, practice, yoga, movie

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
not anyone I have any connection to anymore

56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
practically

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
26

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
possibly on a band trip, but I really don't remember

60. How did you get one of your scars?
my cat scratched my ear from my earring hole to the edge

home-ish

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:02:38 GMT

Christmas/birthday was pretty OK. I have to take Dot down everytime I head south now, so that adds to cost and time. But she's a really great person and does wonders for my grandmother when she's around. Speaking of Grammie, she was doing Really Well this weekend, better than she has in weeks. She was talking regularly and finishing her own sentences and she was able to walk around and move pretty easily all things considered. I can't remember the last time she's been so lucid. I think it was a relief to her as much as for everyone else. Grammie has never lost her mental faculties, only her ability to speak due to malpractice by her doctor (definitely getting sued, BTW) so I'm sure we all can relate to being stifled and unable to do anything about it. Every gift she got was something to help her stay warm, and I'll admit, I'm very proud that she liked my gift best. : ) It was a winter hat with ear flaps that is fleece on the inside and wool on the outside. She wore that and the Peru swaeter I gave her to church this morning.

Dad almost didn't show up but did finally make an appearance. Carla made Jason leave first thing Sunday morning so he couldn't go to church with the rest of the family. They needed to "recuperate" from the taxing evening of opening presents. Rachel made a stink about the delicious chicken pot pie that Unlce Bill hand-made for us and put a picture of Dr. Who on my ice cream cake. But other than that, Saturday mostly went off without a hitch. Everyone seemed to like what they got. I had gotten Danny the Firefly series and as it turned out he got me the same thing. Sweet! Then we both bought Dad the same "Illustrated History of Weaponry" book. (PS- How does one italicize or underline web-based text?) I also got some mutes and a music stand, another dollar bill origami book, some more movies, etc.

After all was done Mom got pulled over by an exceptionally bored cop. That's when we all found out that her license has been suspended since October, apparently the DMV doesn't believe she has insurance anymore. This is obviously going to screw things up for a while down in Buxton, but in terms of this weekend it screwed up Sunday morning pretty well. I wasn't going to church with everyone else because I was going to see Mr. Thomas (neighbor) during that time. And I didn't end up doing so but because the plan kept changing around so much I ended up only being able to spend less than an hour with him. This is really lame because I didn't get to see him the last time I was down and he's as much my grandfather as anyone could be. But I did get to see him and I'll be sure to spend more time with him next visit.

Family get-togethers are never vacations but this one was fairly chill and I had a good time. OK, I guess I'm talked out. Time for bed.

I don't know how to make all of this a link....

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:40:47 GMT

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? I saw a hedgehog.

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I never make new years' resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? no

4. Did anyone close to you die? no

5. What countries did you visit? Ireland

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? money to travel more and better social skills

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I'm not that interesting to have one of those

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? not having to ask my parents for extra money once I started my job

9. What was your biggest failure? losing some people

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? sort of

11. What was the best thing you bought? probably the hangers that can hold multiple shirts or pairs of pants.

12. Who's behavior merited celebration? I always feel like my mom should get the Congressional Medal of Honour

13. Who's behavior made you appalled and depressed? do I really need to vocalize this one (insert sarcasm here)?

14. Where did most of your money go? loans

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Peace Corps, but it didn't work out like it was supposed to

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? there probably isn't one. I'm not able to compartmentalize memories by year or day. In another year I won't be able to recall whether these internships I'm in happened in 2006 or 2007. I'll remember them, but not when they took place.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. Happier? probably sadder

II. thinner or fatter? fatter

III. richer or poorer? I'd say richer because even though I don't have much on hand I still paid off 2 of 4 loans

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? travel

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? eating

20. How will you be spending Christmas? with the entire family at my aunt's house this weekend. Yay ice cream cake!

22. Did you fall in love in 2007? sadly, no

23. How many one-night stands? oh, one for every night of the week, of course

24. What was your favorite TV program? BSG

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? no

26. What was the best book you read? I really loved reading Zodiac. I read alot of great ones that I couldn't put down, but Zodiac was the first one that came to mind so it must have really stood out for me.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? I missed singing in a group, even though the group I sang in was beyond lame, I enjoyed the thought of making music that way. I missed making music that way.

28. What did you want and get? Time to read.

30. What was your favorite film of this year? maybe "Driving Lessons", are you talking about movies that came out just this past year?

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? "poor college grad who stubbornly refuses to give up her ragged goodwill attire"

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? not really anyone

36. What political issue stirred you the most? probably school consolidation

37. Who did you miss? Jackie and Marie

38. Who was the best new person you met? probably Dan, we get along the best out of the entire office

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007: Things always change.

I very rarely take stock of a single year. I think I prefer looking over my life as a whole, a single year is a poor sample size.

Is toner toxic?

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:00:06 GMT

OK, I've been working on this flier for 2 days now. Let me give you some details:

This is a 3 part flier, one of which is 3 pages and two of which are double sided. So basically I've been trying to copy off 14,391 pages. Then I have to put the 3 parts together, fold them, staple them and address them. I also have to separate them according to zipcode. I still have 2,006 more pages to print and meanwhile I've only completed the process for 610 of the 1,599 documents. Needless to say, this is a tedious process.

But is it also unhealthy? Of course the repetitive motion is no good, but this morning my periferal vision went all wobbly and if I work with the documents long enough I start getting a headache. The copy machine gives off this smell while it's copying the the pages seem to retain it, I think that's the culprit.

I could write about the Holiday, but it's not done yet. Plus I think my head is beginning to clear now so I might as well go back to work.

filling the empty hours of printing

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:31:40 GMT

I AM: trying to keep myself occupied as I copy off 1,600 fliers for a mass mailing.
I WANT: to not have this cold anymore
I HAVE: a spherical gourd on my desk
I WISH: I could say hello to friends I can't seem to find anymore
I HATE: how inept my MCC supervisor is
I MISS: travelling
I FEAR: scary movies and heights
I HEAR: the copy machine
I SEARCH: a good deal of the time
I WONDER: therefore I learn
I REGRET: not having been able to see my Grammie this weekend
I LOVE: easily
I ACHE: yeah
I AM NOT: tall
I DANCE: when the mood strikes me
I SING: alot
I CRY: way too easily
I AM NOT ALWAYS: asleep
I WRITE: well when inspired
I NEED: more money
I SHOULD: practice more

1. Name: Elizabeth
2. Nicknames: Bessie, Old Thing
4. Feet size: 6.5
5. Do you have a crush: nope
6. Age you act: wouldn't a 3rd person observer be better to answer this question?
7. Where Do You Live: in a house
8. Where you want to live: in an underground house
9. Birthplace: Portland
10. Favorite Salad Dressing: none
11. Ever gone skinny dipping?: no
12. What are you watching?: the window?
13. Last person you talked to verbally: Ken, a fellow office mate
14. Favorite movie: I couldn't say
15. Favorite Book: definitely couldn't choose just one
16. Favorite Type of music: these are all impossible questions
17. Favorite types of cars: hatchbacks
18. Favorite Actor/Actress: back to the impossible questions..
19. Favorite Saying: "We shall never give up."
20. Favorite Fast Food: Dairy Queen
21. Favorite Ice Cream: Ice Cream Cake
22. Favorite Alcoholic Drink: possibly wine?
23. When Do You Go to Sleep?: 10:30 - 11:00
24. Most Embarrassing Moment: I don't think so
25. Stupidest Person you know: hmmmm.... GreenPeace Members
26. Craziest Person you know: Phase (yes, that's her name)
27. Favorite holiday: probably Christmas
28. Favorite Food: green beans or chocolate
29. Favorite Song: possible Whiter Shade of Pale
30. Favorite Television Show: Nature
31. Favorite Radio Station: NPR
32. Favorite junk food: chocolate
33. Favorite color hair: black
34. Favorite color: green
35. Favorite Sneakers: ones that stay tied
36. Favorite Video Game: ocarina of time
37. Favorite animal: Felidae, belugas, turtles

Section 2: THE FUTURE:
1. School: maybe, I'm enjoying not being in school for right now.
2. Where You Want To Live: so many places
3. How Many Kids You Want: unknown
4. What Kind Of Job You Want: I'd like to have one where I can see the world, I want to be a perpetual student of sorts.
5. Song in your head: Debussy
6. Age to wed: I'll let you know when and if that happens

Section 3: HAVE YOU EVER:
1. Been In Jail: no
2. Done Drugs: no
3. Run Away From Home: no
4. Hit A Girl: yeah, but it was either my sister or in jest.. or both
5. Lied: yeah
6. Stolen Anything: from siblings
7. Broken A Bone: chipped a bone in my wrist
8. Cheated On A Test: no
9. Been In The Hospital: yep
10. Let a friend cry on your shoulder: yes
11. Fell asleep in the shower/bath: no
12. Gone to Church: yep
13. Never slept during a night: yep
14. Been on a hike: yep
15. Been to a camp: yep
16. Sat in a restaurant w/o ordering: yep
17. Seen someone die: yes
18. Gone a week w/out shaving: yep
19. Didn't wash your hair for a week: camping is the definition of poor hygeine
20. Streaked the streets: no
21. Screamed at someone for no reason: no doubt
22. Said I love you and meant it: of course, every time
23. Stayed up till 4 am on the phone: no

Section 4: WHICH IS BETTER:
1. Coke Or Pepsi: I like to keep my teeth
2. Cats Or Dogs: cats
3. Dvd or vhs?: DVD
4. Deaf Or Blind: blind?
5. Pools or hot tubs: fresh water
6. Television Or Radio: radio
7. Cds Or mp3's: CD
8. Apples or oranges: apples
9. Gap or Old Navy: goodwill

Section 5: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU:
1. Took A Shower: this morning
2. Cried: Monday
3. Watched a Disney movie: I don't remember
4. Given/gotten a hug: last night
5. Went to the movies: Saturday

Section 6: WHAT IS:
1. Your Fondest memory Of This year: the hugs
2. Your Most Prized Possession: Mrs. Thomas's violin
3. The Thing That Makes You The Happiest: loved ones
4. Your Favorite Food For Breakfast: pancakes
5. Your Favorite Food For Dinner: I can't choose
6. Your Favorite Slow Song: maybe "Lush Life"

Section 7: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT:
1. Bill Clinton: they were strong years for us
2. Love at First Sight: I don't know about that
4. Teenage smoking: gross
5. Pot: indifferent
6. Eating disorders: sorry
8. Marilyn Manson: indifferent
9. Suicide: dismal
10. Drinking: enjoyable
11. Life: complicated
12. Death: not yet

Section 8: RANDOM QUESTIONS
1. What are your favorite forms of jewelry/accessories: necklaces
2. Have you ever liked someone too old for you?: I don't think so
3. Do you think you have multiple personalities?: no
4. Ever walked in on someone changing or shower?: can't recall that
5. What is the first thing you say on the phone?: "Conservation District, this is Bessie, can I help you?" at work anyway
6. What are you wearing?: free EES t-shirt, blue pants, brown fleece
7. What did you do today?: got up, came to work, started printing, filled out this survey.