It's not as if I didn't have anything to say. But the whole blogging thing ended up seeming a bit, passé? Not that I care about such things... I still like my french macarons, even though everyone else seems to have discovered them in the meantime and made them into what will sure to be a passing fad. Dear Macarons, please know that I am not a fair-weather fan. I will still be here for you, even while the others have moved on to other fancier desserts. 

I started this blog back in 2004. The entries span 4 years of my life, detailing odd things, things only interesting to me, things that frustrate me, strange stories, and just about anything else that comes along. This blog has no purpose other than for me to empty out the contents of my head. 

I am currently working on a new plan... I have two new (and completely unrelated) projects in the works. The first one is an online magazine to support my mom's yoga studio and yoga training. The second... is still under wraps until the first prototype is complete. Let's just say my love of all things sleepy-eye'd doll and circus big tops combined with my former profession of seamstress is combining to become something odd and hopefully marketable. And don't forget pancakes. Always have to mention those. 

For now, I am going to try and write again. Going back through the last several years of posts, I think I've learned a bit about myself. I'm hoping that continuing to write here will provide myself that opportunity again in the future. 

 

 

Travel:
Phoenix is a scar on the earth. While I enjoyed my trip and the people I was with, the flight in was a sad observation in the damage that humans have inflicted upon our planet. And a reason to wonder why people would flock to flesh-searing heat to live among too many other people, one too many strip malls, and the possibility of dust storms. I had expected it to be somewhat similar to New Mexico, but in comparison to the stunning landscape and quaint town that I was in awe of back in August.... well, Jay said it best when he commented that it was pointless to tell someone to go to hell while in Phoenix, because essentially you are already there. I had a good time, really, I swear. And I didn't really mind the 106° heat as much as I thought I would. But obviously I won't be moving there for any reason, unless I suffer some kind of severe brain damage or I am hit by an ice cream truck and win a lawsuit award of a lifetime supply of ice cream and a walk-in cooler big enough to have an entire house full of furniture in. Speaking of which... has everyone seen this??? Penguin Shopper My new goal in life is to have a penguin as a pet. Or at least I need to go volunteer at the zoo.

Shopping:
I had to expand my wardrobe to accommodate the impending heat of my travels, and along with the loss of almost 2 sizes since last summer, shopping had to happen. It is true: the 80's have returned. A step into one of the many hip and young targeted fashion stores, and all I can think of is: The 80's have thrown up in here. Not the good part of the 80's that I enjoyed, but the bad, trashy, discount department store kind of 80's style. The ghosts of Hills and Ames and Montgomery Wards lives on in a high-end, flashy, pounding teeny-bopper music kind of environment. It's very odd. And I just don't get it. Damn it. Am I getting old? Crap.

And not only in the juniors-mall frenzy kinds of fashion, but I saw it last night at SteinMart. Middle class country-club-hopping 80's fashion with pink polo shirts and hawaiian button downs were hurting my feelings as they were hanging from the racks. I half expected everything to be covered in 20 years worth of dust, half expected to see deck shoes and Members Only jackets at the next display. It was like some kind of freaky time-travel, twilight zone kind of twisted messed up experience in a place where people looked at me like I was some kind of punk kid with no right to be in their store.

People:
SteinMart and it's upper-middle-class cold and quiet feel about it made me feel small and inferior. Luckily they had some funny little housewares items that caught my eye. One was a VW bus knick-knack thing (I don't know how else to describe it) that reminded me of the things we have in our office, same style. Metal, antique finish... we have several airplanes hanging, a hot air balloon, and a zeppelin. I was giving the rundown of these items to Mordock as we were approaching the cash register... and the clean-cut, well spoken young cashier man says to me "What exactly is a zeppelin?" Uh. A blimp pretty much? "Oh! Well that's good to know, because I didn't want to accidentally look at a cat and say 'Hey there's a zeppelin!' and seem really stupid" Uh. No. I think you've just shown us all your intelligence, right here and now. Your brain just caught fire and crashed to the ground. The biggest disaster of thought in SteinMart's housewares history.

now, keep in mind this thing is 3 feet wide, and about 8 inches off the floor.
This list was marked "Trampoline Instructions for Use"


1. Do not attempt or allow somersaults. Serious injury or death my occur. (fair enough. i won't.)

2. Do not allow more than one person at a time on the trampoline. (where would they stand??)

3. Use trampoline only with mature supervision. (they want me to have a senior citizen spot for me?)

4. Do not use trampoline as a springboard, even if jumping onto the middle of the bed. (Lawsuit because someone brought this into the bedroom without their partner's consent, do you think?... Hey sugar, here I come! *giant belly flop*....)

5. Bounce in the center of the bed. (but what about the trampoline??)

6. Avoid bouncing when tired (I guess this is one time when "I have a headache" is mandated...)

7. Do not use while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (jump, when drunk... wouldn't that = puke??)

8. For skill training, contact a trainer certification organization (or ask a guard where the profession trainer is. Isn't there a new trampoline profession in the expansion...wait....)

9. Do not use in windy conditions (cause you know how bad the weather can get in your living room...)

10. Read instructions before use (now, don't you think that should have been FIRST on this list??... WAIT, these ARE the instructions!!!)

11. Secure trampoline against unauthorized use. (yeah, trampoline fraud is rampant these days...)