The Christmas Bunnies.

I was super bored and decided to make a video using some cool bendy bunnies Lori gave me this summer. I hope you enjoy it.

A Drive Thru Smile

A few weeks ago I had to go shopping for a tri-fold presentation board at a place called "The Craft Warehouse." Scary, huh? Let's just say that for me the idea of crafts usually involve second degree burns from skin scalding hot lava guns, or for those of you who can perform crafts without visits from the EMT they are usually called hot glue guns. Well, back to the story... I found my cool tri-fold cardboard display board and began seeing all kinds of adhesives that don't involve thermal dynamics and began to feel a little more confident in my craftiness. I began seeing all kinds of possibilities of creativity in the rows of stickers, stamps and fun shaped scissors. Honestly, why hadn't I been scrap booking for all these years! I know I could be the scrap booker of all scrap bookers. I would be on the Oprah Winfrey show and make Oprah go into the ugly cry because the beauty I could create with a hole punch and multiple colored brads.

Then, it hit me, I don't like doing stuff like that. I like taking a picture and storing it away in the cyber-world that is my computer. I don't do crafts. Oh, my goodness! They almost got me. That craft warehouse almost sucked me into the world of cute chronicling devices!

I bought my presentation board and walked out wondering what kind of creative commerically induced delusion did I just have? I started my car and drove out and then I noticed a Burger King. Oh, America the land of commericalism and spending money! Every where I go I could spend all the money I have for stuff I don't want and won't do me any good!

In the middle of my anti-capitalism tirade I found myself pulling up to that very comforting drive thru menu board wondering if I should order the regular Whopper meal, the Junior Whopper meal or screw it all and get the double Whopper and throw some bacon and cheese on there too!

In the middle of my fast food fiasco, I noticed that there were two head lights shining right at me. It took me a few seconds to figure out that I was in a drive thru and there shouldn't be any head lights shining AT me, I should only be seeing tail lights. Right? What is going on? Was I going the wrong way? Is it all ready 2012 and the world has gone crazy and about ready to end? WHY ARE THOSE HEAD LIGHTS COMING TOWARD ME?!! We never went over this in driver's education!

In the middle of a slight mind melt in my car, I notice that the passenger handing money to the drive thru lady. I then see two teenage boys laughing hysterically. Oh, the imagination of youth. They drove thru the drive thru backwards. I pulled up after ordering my Junior Whopper meal and a DIET Cola giggling at the two kids I was no staring at waiting to get my food. The driver smiled, laughed and waved. I feeling oddly happy waved back and laughed too. Their food came and they backed all the way out of the drive thru and on their way someplace else in the world. When I got my meal, all the employees at Burger King were laughing and smiling. I was laughing and smiling too. I got my meal and drove off to work on my presentation strangely and surprisingly happy. Here were two geeky boys deciding to do something simply dumb as driving backward through the Burger King drive thru and took something so mundane and typically American and tweaked it enough to make my day just a little brighter. I realized that creativity doesn't need to be in cutting paper and sticking them to a board or a scrap book. It doesn't have to take any materials at all because it can be as simple as looking at something ordinary just slightly enough to make it more enjoyable.

So, to those geeky boys somewhere in Kennewick Washington, thank you so much for a great giggle!

OK...We were bored!

If you have a lot of bored adults inside because it's freezing outside and you're stuck watching football for 12hrs, I think you get a little loopy. We found a random binki that someone left under a bed probably like, I don't know, three years ago. Then, for some reason we thought, "hmm. we have a cute dauchsund, Charlie, and some peanutbutter...I know let's put peanutbutter on the binki and make Charlie put it in his mouth and then take a picture!" All adults involved (Mom, Marie, and myself) decide what a great idea! Here you go world!

Remember that time...

I was recently at a local Mexican restaurant eating some Mexican food (big surprise) talking with some school friends and realized that I had a story for almost every bizzare conversation we had. I guess I've done a lot of really bizzare things and apparently I'm not afraid of sharing these things in conversations. I also realized that in almost every situation I had been recounting I had the choice of either remaining calm, over react, or make the situation more bizzare than it originally was. I have a great knack for doing the last two. Over reaction and adding bizzareness are my forte! If there is some random force that increases bizzare behavior in myself and others, I have decided to accept it, enjoy it and if I'm motivated about it I really should have some of these things made into movies!

During some periods of my life, it really does seems like I was living a quriky comedy. I've actually been in the middle of some bizzare moment and thought, "This would be a funny scene in a movie." For example: The time I called the police because someone left on my doorstep a hit man's killing kit, which actually turned out to be a gourmet bbq case. I nearly died of embarassement when the cop opened the case to show me a basting brush. Believe me there's more to that story and I really don't have the energy to write it down for you tonight.


Anyway, I have really been blessed with this odd magnetic force that follows me through life because I always have a story that can cause soda to fly out someone's nose.

Charlie the Chocolate Bunny

Charlie has this new trick. OK it's not that tricky, but I impress easily. When he walks on his back feet and is begging for food he'll get tired and just sit down on his butt. I thought this was really funny. Then, I realized he looked awfully close to a chocolate bunny. You be the judge...

Confessions of a Goob

OK, you know those stupid things you do that aren't bad or anything, but you'd probably feel totally embarassed if anyone knew about it. Well, this is one of them that I feel I'm ready to confess...

When Toy Story 2 came out...deep breath...I went by myself to Edward's theatre and sat by myself with a big drink and enjoyed every single minute of it. Wow! Now everyone knows how much of a goober I am.

And, just so you know I haven't grown out of that...I went to Harry Potter this summer all by myself and enjoyed it. This time, however, when I came out of the movie tearing up a little, I ran into two nursing students and totally tried to pretend there was something in my eyes.

After that experience I've decided to beat people to the punch and let everyone know I'm goob.

Uh...Brain Cloud.

Did anyone ever see that movie, "Joe Versus the Volcano?" It isn't one of the amazing cinematic jewels that Tom Hanks is usually known for. The weird thing about this movie for me is that I only saw it once and there are some really odd things that have stuck with me. First, I remember that Joe is diagnosed with something called a Brain Cloud (or was it Brain Fog) and he is convinced that he is going to die. Second, Joe buys this indestructible luggage trunks that survive all the adventures he ends up going on. The other thing that's strange for me is I remember that Joe meets this girl on his trip and I just realized it was Meg Ryan. So, before there was "Sleepless in Seattle" or "You've got Mail" we had Hanks-Ryan duo in "Joe Versus the Volcano." (weird huh?)

Anyway, the reason I'm even talking about this is the fact that there are days when, especially lately, that it feels my brain has a cloud blocking transmission. I think it has to do with overly anxious about school and realizing that time is going by regardless of me thinking its not. It was just a couple of days ago I was walking around Boise Idaho on new years eve 1999, dreading Y2K, with this drunk Russian named Ivan and my neighbor Bill. (Who couldn't stop talking about how he missed his fiance.) Now look it's almost 10 yrs later! (I wonder if Ivan ever felt at home in the Gem state?) I can laugh about how we were so paranoid the world was going to implode. I have to admit that I had my car all gases up, my 72 hr kit was packed and in the trunk, and I had $100 cash hid just in case. I also have to admit that January 1, 2000 was very anticlimactic...No computer I knew about even showed the slightest signs of freaking out!

It's now September 2009 and I wonder if I've changed much? I think of me at that time and wonder what I would think of that person way back then and what she'd think of me now... and that's when the brain cloud hits. It's probably a time-space continuum thing that prevents me from making any conclusions from that type of free verse thought.

This is usually the time I wish I could call someone and just talk random about life and where it takes you and where it doesn't. And this is probably where you all who might be reading this should be glad I don't.

So, where am I now...Oh, yeah, I've got one year left of nursing school, an overwhelming desire to put together a first aid kit that an EMT would be proud of to keep in my car, four bottles of aspirin to give to each of my four uncles in case of heart attack, a gallon bottle of water in my car in case I'm stranded, a sleeping bag as well, and apparently, from looking at this list, I am still in the, 'oh, my we're all going to die but, me' frame of mind from Y2K. I guess I haven't changed all that much...outta here and I'm taking my water filter with me!

Dosie turns 7!

Dosie Doe, my ever loyal Germador (German Shepherd + Labrador mix) turned 7 years old! Oh, the memories. The time she squeezed herself through a tiny cat door and ate 3 loaves of zucchini bread. The time she figured out how to open the garage window and walked a drunk girl home at three o'clock in the morning (That was an interesting phone call). The time she jumped up, placed her paws on Sandy Chandler's shoulders and stared her in the eyes because Sandy happened to be eating an ice cream cone! The time I decided to shave her because it would be cooler for her during the heat of summer...Even though Dosie can't talk she definitely let me know she was not pleased with my hair cutting skills (see picture).

Dosie is always happy to see me and always wags her tail when I get her. She loves people and all she needs to make her happy is a good scratch behind her ears or a ride in the back of the truck. She has laid down with me when I've been sick, protected me from freakishly random birds that fly at my head, stood guard by my aunt after she got knocked down, and would bark to let us know when the grand kids got too far away. She has even gotten used to Charlie the little wiener dog and lets him chew her ears to the point that they are soaking wet from the dog saliva...weird, but true.

Dosie takes a little longer to get over her mountain adventures than she used to but, her sweet gentle nature is still there even with the occasional limps and sore muscles.

One Day in Portland Oregon!

Well, I had a quick stop in Portland for just a few days and I only had my camera with me once and I got these pictures that just struck me as very Portland. The picture of the guy with the pink shoulder bag looked, talked and smelled slightly like a pirate. He stopped one of the people in our group and explained to us all the history of his tee shirt. Interestingly enough, I don't remember what Andy's shirt was because I kept looking for this pirate-ish guy's cutless to be pointed at us at any moment to spit at us in his pirate-ese, "Avast there me hearty. Ye, have no idea-r what ye have there. I know three sea dawgs that would make ye walk the plank fer wearing such a foul garb out here in the open. But, I won't tell a soul about yer mistake for a pint of rum." OK, if you know me you know my imagination runs away with me sometimes.

Then, I found this sign for gluten free pizza...I have no idea why I thought that was funny. I mean I really like pizza and if I had to eat pizza without gluten due to some kind of medical situation, I would really appreciate someone making pizza without the offending gluten!

After the pizza and before the pirate we walked into the pioneer courthouse square thing and there were all these sand sculptures. I was amazed that someone would have the patience and the desire to make a sculpture out of sand. (I mean you are in Portland and one good rain would wash away hours of work and I hear it rains in Portland.) Then, out of all the things in the world you are inspired to make a Sponge Bob Square Pants...beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Genius on itunes worked!

I thought I'd give itunes genius a chance and took a listen to a group they recommended to me...I found this group Rilo Kiley (tah dah)! I've enjoyed this alt/indie group a ton. If you like people like Ingrid Michealson, Regina Spektor or Meiko you'll love Rilo Kiley.

I also found at the college radio station I DJ at a group called Miniture Tigers and their album, "Tell it to the Volcano." Very entertaining... If you enjoy They might be Giants...check this group out too!
check it out at www.myspace.com/minituretigers

Sad Van Memories

The "Silver Bullet" or The "Tin Can on Wheels," is what they called it (my friends and siblings). I called it embarrassing to drive. However, you could seat a bunch of fellow high school students and run down to Dean's Deli, Dairy Queen, or Denny's with no space issues. On Sunday driving around Portland I saw one of these for sell and had a instant flood of memories (which probably made my eyes roll in the back of my head for a second).

I remembered how I totally hung out with a couple of friends all the time and during free periods we would hop in the van and go have wholesome-all-American fun. That was my junior year of high school and arguably the best year of my high school career. It was the first time in my school life that I had friends I would do all kinds of stuff with. Well, my senior year I didn't get to drive the van because my mom thought it would be a good idea to carpool with a family friend to and from school. I lost my cool factor. I was sad and weirdly embarrassed about it. But, the saddest part was when my two friends that were the highlight of my junior year stopped hanging out with me. It was the first real-life lesson I learned... People will use you for your stuff even though they pretend to like you... I grew up that day (I'm just kidding, I never grew up) and felt a little betrayed and it all rushed back on some random corner in Portland Oregon. I need to cut back on free energy drinks.

I am amazed with AGATHA CHRISTIE

I've been really reading Agatha Christie for many years --and though some people would call writing murder mysteries a bit low brow-- I am continually amazed at how she writes and am often caught off guard at how funny she really is. My favorite quote is from A Murder is Announced, "...I really like dogs with legs." If you read the entire monologue the entire thing is simply hillarious. These are super fast reads and entertaining. You can usually pick one up from a used bookstore or a garage sale...step away from the t.v and try reading one if you want.

The main benefit of reading her books, for me, is they inspire me to write more...not necessarily murder mysteries, but simply writing. Agatha's life is wonderfully interesting as well.

Charlie Finds a Peanut Butter Jar

Mom likes to give my dog, Dosie, empty jars of

peanut butter despite me telling her not to. This time her sweet, innocent, little Charlie got to it. I found this guy with his head stuck in the jar and instead of helping him get his head out, I ran upstairs and got my camera. Ha!

I was bored and had a remote control car...

Another moment in my life when studying Epidemiology just wasn't as fun as tormenting Charlie.

Putting it out in the world and see what comes back

I was sitting in my room looking at itunes and I was struck by this random and yet profound avalanche of thoughts. I know that the thoughts were mostly for me, but I felt that if I let it drift out to the world that perhaps it increase the hope factor in a messed up world. Who knows. I hope this helps more than me...

It’s Time to Heal.

The world isn’t fair. What goes up doesn’t stay up and what comes down will smack you in the head. You can decide to keep fighting against that law or accept it and make a game out of throwing something up and catching it when it comes down.

When you let the future just come to you instead of taking ownership in your path in life you are just floating by everyday instead of living it. By doing this you’ve lost hope in the future. You can’t envision yourself in your own future. You’ve lost the vision because you’ve lost yourself.

It’s not important to figure out which came first the injury or the hurt. The point is, if you work on either you are working on both. But it is important to realize that the cause of the injury and the hurt must be resolved completely, honestly and thoroughly or they will come back. And it’s not cheating to get help to resolve the cause, it’s just smart.

First, take responsibility for being in the hole; you walked into it, no one pushed you there. Don’t blame others NO MATTER how tempting it is.
Second, work on getting to the point where the pain isn’t constant; to the place where you can peer outside of the hole you’ve gotten yourself into.
Third, realize that being in the hole or out of it is your decision. If you don’t want out as badly as wanting to breathe; you’re not ready to get out of the hole.
Fourth, realize that there will be days that that hole will feel more tolerable than being outside in the world and that’s another reason you need to drag yourself out of that damn hole.

The law that you must chisel in the heart and mind of your being is this:
A positive excitement in your ability to own your future will allow you to use the tools that will build that future!

And that's pretty much it folks. I'm not sure if it even makes any sense, but there you go. Happy Easter and slip some hope out to the world anyway you can

The Adventure Before Spring Break

(I’m not even joking about this!)

I was helping a friend from school who was having surgery in Boise. It started off with me driving her down and back the same day. It ended up being me, her two sons, her recovering in a Super 8 hotel room for 3days.

Her two sons 9 and 10 are great, imaginative, and extremely high energy. (That’s code for a 10 year old with autism and a 9 year old with ADHD.) Before we leave, she lets her sons back their own suitcase…This includes a set of samurai swords, a hole punch, half of a jump rope and a giant toothbrush that’s really a back scratcher. “Hmm,” I ask my self, “are they planning on being attacked by evil giant tooth that throws Chinese Ninja stars made of paper?” Well, the evil tooth never showed up; so, they used the weapons of mass imagination against themselves in varying ways of demented little boy torture.

I took my friend to same day surgery and then took the boys to Borders, the video game store, Target and the hotel swimming pool. The whole time they kept asking about Toys R Us. I might not be a parent, but I know trouble when I hear about it. Toys R Us was going to be the fixation of the day and I wasn’t going to fall for it. I knew that the whole time they would be asking me if they could: get this or buy that! Wondering the whole time why my purse didn’t have the equivalent of Fort Knox’s reserved gold bullion.

As, I was trying to decide my best mode of action against this toy obsession I got a call that my friend was ready to go home. “Ah ha! Take that; little boys!” Diversion is the best policy at least for the short term. I was given instructions about where to pick up my friend’s prescriptions and drove there to get them.

Apparently, getting narcotics at a pharmacy is a little more complicated than picking up a couple of Happy Meals at the McDonalds drive through. I had to show ID, find her insurance card, then find the correct insurance card, sign my name to a computerized sign sheet and a give a full retinal scan! (I am showing no signs of retinal detachment at this time, in case you wanted to know.)

Needless to say, I had to leave before getting the prescriptions because of issues with the insurance. I picked up a very groggy friend, ask her about her prescription plan, got her information and headed back to the pharmacy. I left the kids and their mom in the car with the radio playing and strict instructions to the kids, that if they ever wanted to see Toys R Us again in this life time they better be good. I picked up the drugs, got back in the car, turned the ignition and nothing happened. The battery was dead. “Aggggggggh!” You’d think I would have gained some Karma points for helping out. Anyway, I found two frat guys to give us a jump start and had to teach them how to jump a car. (That was funny.) And we were off back to the hotel and I needed a nap!

The evening went pretty much without a hitch. I got everyone food and we watch Willy Wanka and the Chocolate Factory (the one with Gene Wilder). I took the kids to see a matinee of Pink Panther 2 and then went to Wal mart to get them coloring books. I lost one kid and had to have him paged. (I forgot to mention that there were complication and all four of us stayed in that hotel room another two days! Yippee!)They fought the entire time and I wasn’t sure if it was just being stuck in a small hotel room with these kids, not having a good nights sleep, or the sound of them fighting over who was more stupid, but I snapped. I lost it. What ever good karma I had been building up was gone in a few, stress relieving seconds. “OK, I’ve got a quarter; Colin your heads, Sam your tails and which ever one it lands on is the one I’m going to drown to set as an example for the other one! Do you understand?! I want you to fold your arms as we go out to the car and so help me the only sound I want to hear is you breathing!”

I can hear the gasps of disapproval from across the vast reaches of cyber space! Don't judge me. I was raveling! I snapped. I wanted to slam my head against a cement wall, jump off a cliff and light myself on fire. I'm not even exaggerating; not even a little...I would have rather enrolled myself into a fire walking for beginners class than hear another word from those two very sweet boys.

And the award for best babysitter goes to…

Snow Mobiling with the Dogs

We had a big afternoon in the snow with Charlie and Dosie. Charlie got to ride on the snow mobile and Dosie, being the chicken she is, ran along side. Charlie is the right size to fit in your coat while you're driving and loves the trip!

Charlie, Mom's New Dog

To all that haven't met Charlie this is him.