i'm on a roll, so i may as well catch up best i can. it's been crazy these last two months. i've met up with J's neighbours a few times- Jen and i went to a couple of those mini- concerts at Barnes and Nobles- one was an open mike night and a delightful variety of people performed. a memorable performer, Johnny Earthquake, was this savvy old man with long and flowy hair, a beard down to his belt, a red high top and a green high top, and of course a pirate hat. he played some rockin' tunes that underscore the eventual demise of the government and we tapped our toes and flipped through books of ridiculous road signs.
on a dreary note, we've been have ridiculous amounts of snow the last month. it's been building up in piles. there was an icicle hanging outside my window that was longer than i was. i prayed it wouldn't fall when someone was beneath it- it would certainly pierce someone from stem to stern. my days have been consistently engaged in chiseling my car out of ice or shoveling snow from the driveway. naturally the snow plow would come just as i was making any headway, pushing all the snow back where it was to begin with.
it was on such a snowy icy day that i made my way to work. i was in a caravan of several slow-moving vehicles when a black cat ran between my wheels. all i could do was try to swerve but of course i hit him. if i'd stopped, the car behind me would slide into me, resulting in a domino of cars smashing into each other. of course i had the radio on and just at that moment came the line "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" and i just bawled into my steering wheel.
i don't like this cold.

on a cheerier note, i met up with Aaron Cali. holy crapola, batman! i hadn't seen him since college. he was my first boyfriend back in junior high. we were part of a little group that played truth or dare around the lunch table. we had nicknames for each other and were as nice as we were catty. i think everyone had a crush on aaron, although i secretly had a crush on rex ames. aaron and i were paired up a few times by dares from our friends. i think he went out with half my friends. oh, the good old days. now he's a dad with four girls and a lovely wife that i haven't the pleasure of meeting. he happened to be in town to teach a few classes. i headed out to meet up with him in boston, and got so lost, i missed out on meeting him for dinner. we did manage to catch a bruins game and we cheered them on as we talked about old times, new times, and recipes. it was great fun. parking cost $30, but the reminiscing was priceless.

That boy Oscar!!!!

Craig, that cute boy that plays pool

the Other gals: Leslie, Claire, me, Martonne

(below) Jeremy and Katrina, Jared and Claire











(far west) Louie and... rats. her name escapes me. Louie and his Gal friend.


and... Martonne, of course.

J pickin' noses that ain't his

Claire and Thorwald
Ammon Starr- reunited post-mission after... well, let's just say it's been many many years.
Cheesy gals- that's Amy, me, and Rachel.
Leslie, Thorwald (the side of his head, anyway), Amy, and Chip

Ma and Carter

Pa and Carter


Chase and his nametag










J and I with the troll...
Seattle skyline

kaesha and her baby (even crabby, he's cute!)








jared as cyclops









chase, goofy as always







joe and brandon



kaesha's step-squirts, kedyns and kaylani

the family gather with blurry vision and googly eyes




i'm fearfully behind in posting, so i'll get some photos out of the way, then conveniently backtrack.
J and i went to seattle for a few days and spent some time with the famdamly. it was post-thanksgiving, pre-christmas, and we were celebrating the birth of K's little squirt, carter. hilarity ensued as all the anjews siblings got together. dad made J learn 500 and every evening we played cards.

the boys be hungry!


i got a day up in seattle where i dragged J to pike's place, the pirate store, and ye olde curiousity shoppe, where he miraculously seemed very unamazed. then to claire's for some gossip and a quick trek to see aurora's troll. finally, an evening out where i met up with my nearest and dearest, with only a few beloved faces
missing. we ate at FLAME, which closed unceremoniously at 8pm. they let us stay until quite late, however, as our numbers packed their little restaurant. martonne convinced J and i to stay up even later and we partied hardy until i couldn't keep my eyes open so i drove us home and that was that.
the last fully day we were there, we had quite a bit of snowfall. undaunted, my family met at K's house, then drove out to the Key Arena where we watched the transiberian orchestra perform. although we were 20minutes late, we enjoyed a brilliant show. all stops pulled. the only exception to the joy was the woman behind me who Kept Answering Her Cell Phone during the performance. much as i would ordinarily love to hear how aunt betty is managing with her third ulcer, i was gnashing my teeth at the nerve. still, i loved the show.



chase and carter and kedyn

frightening kibbles

i really need to take a few weekends back and see if i can't get caught up.
the weekend just before halloween was entertaining. i'd bought a few odds and ends just in case i made it to an event for dressing up- no one i knew was really in the mood. i got a wee bit of a celebration in, however, when J, marissa, and derek met at my place and we headed out for freak parks unknown. took us a while to find the one we were looking for, but we weren't disappointed. after paying a hefty fee of $25 each, we were given entrance to 3 haunted houses and one haunted hay ride. each had a different theme, including one which was 3-D. squeamish though i am at frightening things, none were too terribly terrifying. J pulled me along and as we somehow managed to end up first of every group that went in, would often use me to shield him from anything jumpy.
J and derek decided to go on this ridiculous ride that spins you and throws you in the air so high it makes you feel like you left your stomach behind as you come back down. marissa treated me to some steaming hot cocoa as we watched the boys scream like banshees. when they came out, we ran to the next haunted house line. the boys were in a tither (or is it a dither?) about the possibility of J getting jumped. apparently, this big guy tried to get into one of the seats on the ride. the fellow in charge of the ride couldn't get the safety bar over the guy. J, trying to be funny, said: "I hope you fall out!" the fellow, NOT finding it funny, grumbled while the girlfriend chastized J for being an old man and picked on persons younger than he. as he was telling us this in the line for the next haunted house, he noticed the big guy and his girl in the line right in front of us. J tapped his shoulder to apologize, but the fellow wouldn't have any of that.
humbug.
after we got through all the haunted houses we could handle, J and derek convinced marissa and i to go on the ride with them. we did and it was as nauseating as i thought it would be. finally it was over, though, and the safety bars were released. marissa, looking a delicate shade of green, slid off her seat and beat it over to the side. i was a bit slower, unfortunately, and didn't make it off the seat before the other 6 riders chanted: One More Time. the safety latches lowered and i was stuck for another long nauseating spin. i felt my head about to pop off my shoulders and my stomach about to empty and just as i was close to passing out, the ride slowed. this time, before the ride even came to a stop, the chanting started up and the Ride Man sent us for another spin. three rides in a row. when we finally came to a stop (finally!), i was genuinely surprised i hadn't lost my lunch. i slid to the ground and we dizzily made our way to the car. as we drove home, every lurch in the road made my head spin and i felt sick, sick, sick.
what a great night.

the next day, sylvi came out for a few days. i was up bright eyed and ready for visiting early sunday morning when she sent me a text saying she missed her flight. she arrived much later in the day than either of us expected. even so, we had a great time putzing around town, getting good food, gossiping, and walking our socks off. that night we headed over to J's to watch the red sox kick some butt (as i have no cable) and eat leftovers. monday she had an interview to attend which was all very well as i had work. when she got back, we headed over to the 99 where we gossiped some more and were hit on by a man who jealously watched us share this volcanic chocolate cake sunday. mmm. headed back to my place for a little bollywood. we danced along to Bride and Prejudice and laughed at love's antics (particularly in the form of a gospel choir serenading the young love on a beach). we tried to get her in bed at a reasonable hour, but my suspicion is that she missed her return flight. i think she sneaked out the door around 5.30am and i could swear her flight left at 6. i won't know for sure, though, as she didn't wake me up before she go-go'ed.
ahoy!

baby bloomers

my baby sister has gone and multiplied, replenishing the earth. she had a rough labor which ended in a c-section, during which time i was attached to my phone, waiting for hourly updates. i was frustrated i was in MA rather than WA where i could be more supportive.
she's my younger sister by six years and it's weird to think of her having babies. i mean, this was little crabby cupcake- the kid who would cry when she didn't get her way, who would bite you then tell on you. when mom told her to clean her room, she would pile all of her things on her bed, then throw a blanket over it. mom didn't suspect a thing until kaesha forgot to make her bed one morning and we saw how she slept on all of her clothes and toys, princess and the pea style. fondly known as 'the pest,' she was one of those kids that had to sleep with every stuffed animal in the house, buried under a pile of toys.
i was there when she met malua- we were both working in hawaii at the polynesian cultural center. she had the more prestigious job of hostessing luau's, while i was chopping pipikaula in the back kitchen. i made more money, but she was flirting with her to-be husband.
so here is the little rascal now. i'm not sure of his name- kaesha always said she would name him parker if he looked like spiderman- carter if otherwise. now it might be me, but this kid looks more like samoa joe than spiderman, so i'm assuming it's carter. his nose certainly looks samoan- in that regard, he looks like his father. what an adorable little bugger!

crazy day. i worked late last night, pulling in at 10pm. so today i was in a state of chaos, heading out the door to work.
i get into my office, start up the computer, and have about 3 coworkers stop by to update me on the status of my clients.
and i realize-
i forgot my brassiere.
i quickly altered the angle i was sitting in, finished the conversation i was then having, snuck out the door... and headed home. thankfully i live only a couple miles away.
after a short day of work, i headed out to the gym. midst lunge, i received a call from my neighbour, informing me the door to the apartment was open and little nike, goddess of victory, was wandering the hall. i was quite lucky she didn't find her way out the building.
it's a good thing for me i have nothing to steal. my neighbourhood is seedy at best. i woke this morning to find i hadn't locked the door last night. hopefully the downstairs neighbours don't discover this bad habit of mine, as they are certainly suspect.
i treated myself to a vanilla bean coolata at the local D&D to soothe my rumpled spirits.
oh! i wanted to mention that a couple weeks ago i was logged onto Joost and stumbled on a few episodes of a terrible show called 'anything for love' (FOX). i was letting it play in the background as i traced pages for my grail diary- when suddenly i heard a voice that was very familiar. it was R*, from SLC- the brother of a fellow i dated my sophomore year of college. i met these boys at a concert they were putting on. they were in a band with their sister. the boy i dated was sweet and exceptionally gifted (he was the first significant talent i dated). his brother, R*, was very arrogant and obnoxious. he married a girl with long blonde hair who was several years his senior. that was the last i heard of him until his voice caught my ear on this show. apparently, you have to completely humiliate yourself to win the affection of whoever you're after. R* had a crush on a girl he'd met a few years ago, but at the time was 'engaged in another relationship' (his marriage). now that he was free, he wanted to tell this girl he was ready to do 'anything for love.'
the girl, stunned she was invited to humiliate herself on national TV, politely turned him down and let him know she was certainly not interested in him.
poor R*. if he hadn't embarrassed his brother so many times and put him down in front of me, i might have graced him with a little more sympathy. nothing doing.

extra photos:
UR with his pretzel








me trying to line up my shot

and lots of feet!

weekend flurries

last weekend, i must confess, i spent a delightful handful of days back at the ol' MD stomping grounds. i admit i didn't get to see all the people i wanted to see- too many persons found themselves caught up in the quagmire of busy'ness that usually takes over our lives... a few couldn't make the drive out to arlington...
still. utterly delightful.
friday j and i flew out to baltimore. we promptly parted ways as bsal picked me up at the airport. we promptly hied out to crystal city where we putzed around looking for raclette grills and laughing at the ridiculous proliferation of kitchen gadgets. we then met up with stephen at some little french bistro where i gorged on crepes. mmm... crepes.
we then caught the underground to go downtown where she could register for her triathlon (that girl is HARD CORE) where she returned some bicycle gear and then we went back to her place, gossiping about miscreant porch roofs and boys. i stumbled over a gathering place for acorns, falling gracelessly to the ground and skinning my knee. i limped pathetically back to her house where RB and stephen were waiting for us. RB had brought olives and artichoke hearts with him and, true to tradition, some funky beverage (something with pomegranates this time).
delicious.
we made pizzas, lit the candles, and had a brilliant time eating our food in her dimly lit backyard. good food, great company. we huddled around stephen's massive TV and watched a few shows, keeping bsal up too late to make it to her triathlon.
saturday morning uncle richard picked me up for some good times at the anjews household. i sorted through my piles of boxes, then went to whitney's soccer game. got to pal around with zak who's all grown up and smoking cigars at college (so debonair!)
that evening to dennis' where he fed us delicious foods and gave me a jar of squirrel meat to take back with me to NH. i couldn't figure out how i'd stash it on the plane, though, so i left it with him- waiting for me for the next time i show. we played frisbee, then hit the pool table. yah- generally i suck at pool. and this time was no exception.
sunday- to paul's for pretzels! his sister was there as well as mega who is as lovely and as swiss as always.
off to opa's. he's not doing so well. he fractured something new and is completely bedridden. i broke my heart to see him. i desperately want him to move back to seattle to stay with my folks.
naja.
grabbed my bags now stuffed with books from my boxes- i didn't check anything so my bags were heavy- no less so when my backpack strap broke and i had to drag everything around by the straps.
a hearty thanks for a gorgeous time and a bis spater to those i leave behind.
ahoy!

road bumps

so here's the skinny on the car.
first off, i love my car. that is... i loveD my car (note past tense). i loved him so much, i flew drove him out to seattle so i wouldn't have to sell him. when i found a job in boston, i flew out to seattle so BSAL and i could drive him back. Methus'leh and i have been around the block a few times and i knew every creak and grumble.
a few weeks back, i woke up running a little late. i showered, grabbed a bite to eat, then threw on some work clothes. just as i was grabbing my bag, i heard a heart-wrenching *crash*. the downstairs neighbour raced up to my apartment and pounded on my door. i ignored her as i continued to get dressed. i raced downstairs, figuring i would see her after work. climbed in my car and turned the ignition. twisted the steering wheel- and the car wouldn't move. i double checked the shifter- it was in first gear. checked the e-brake... it was off. i climbed out of my car- and noticed the wheel.
the rest of the car- perfect shape as usual. i calmly called the insurance company, called the police. got everything in order. the neighbour came out and said she heard the crash and noticed some woman across the street who saw the accident, but that the woman didn't speak english and wouldn't talk to me. so i was a sad victim of a hit-and-run. no one owned up to hitting my car and with a huge deductable- i just sat on the curb and cried. the insurance company totaled my methus'leh and i had to fork out for an imposter.
sucks to be me- i just paid off the car six months ago and now i start again...

it's just a girl

life is too chaotic not to keep a journal of some sorts. so here i am...jotting. jotting and tittling, perhaps?
anyhow.
i'm currently residing 'twixt new hampshire and massachusetts. i honestly never thought i would end up here, yet- here i be.
i live in a decent-sized apartment in a crappy neighbourhood where my car was recently totaled outside my apartment in a nasty hit-and-run.
i live with a cat (Nike, the little goddess of victory), a houseplant, and a fish. that picture, by the way, is of nike- not the houseplant, not the fish, and certainly not of me. she's got this 'thing' where she gets the devil in her and she runs like a crazy person (no references intended) throughout the house, knocking everything over. i tried to put a puzzle together on my kitchen table- 1/3 completed, and she knocked the entire thing off, then hid several pieces throughout the house. hmm. cats.