Like Spinning Plates

9:05AM - New House!

I have been reminded by the lovely bubblesnap that I have been very  negligent in updating lately - particularly given that I have BIG news.

Simon and I bought a house =) We are moving in this weekend. It is in San Carlos, a 2 bed/1 bath built in 1948. It is absolutely adorable and perfect for us. The previous owners had some very strange taste (think old/dark museum ambiance for their 18th century art and rare book collection) and they had painted the majority of the living spaces a dark eggplanty brown. Thanks to the help of djinneth , my brother, and Dave we have obliterated the brown with a gorgeous buttery yellow. Every once in a while I feel overwhelmed thinking about all the improvement projects we want to do (nothing major, just lots of little things), but mostly I am very excited.

I have today  off of work for Cesar Chavez day, so will be off to the house to tinker some more. :)

Current mood: chipper

11:45AM - Documenting A Random Act of Kindness

So this morning, I got up early and skipped breakfast so I could go to the doctor for a check-up and routine lab stuff. Grumble, grumble. Not exactly the best start to a morning.
After getting the blood drawn, I ran to the coffee cart at the hospital to grab a quick latte before my exam and realized as I went to pay for my $3 coffee that I was out of cash at a cash-only place. The very sweet and wonderful doctor behind me in line did not hesitate for a moment before offering to pay for me. She said "I just hope someday when I am in a similar situation someone would do the same for me." I certainly intend to. I was in such a pissy mood this morning, and she turned me completely around with her kindness. I hope I get the chance to pass it on today and in the future.

Current mood: grateful

9:23PM - Borrowed from bubblesnap

alotheria's Halloween party:

_shahara_ dressed as Meatwad, and it suited them all too well.
angelretsis dressed as Gerald Ford, though it looked more like Elizabeth Regina on steroids and roller skates.
angry_wolf dressed as Trent Reznor.
brandeks didn't dress up, spoilsport.
bubblesnap dressed as Sybil - except that Sybil didn't show but the other 15 personalities did.
camille dressed as a disturbing self-made character called "Flunky Barftushie", though it looked more like Barbra Streisand.
catstab didn't even show up and doesn't get any candy.
dangrmous dressed as Ichabod Crane, the schoolmaster from Sleepy Hollow.
davebydesign dressed as the Brady Bunch -- all of them.
djinneth dressed as Camilla Parker-Bowles when she becomes Queen.
figbash dressed as Ellen DeGeneres.
flynne dressed as Nosferatu the Supreme Vampire.
geecat dressed as a outfielder for the Indians.
grendelsm dressed as a skeleton.
ipsafictura dressed as your uncle.
j_fortune dressed as Matt Hasselbeck's brother.
john_whorfin dressed as a honest priest.
kasul dressed as Mde. Lachienne Foutue d'Enfer -- you don't wanna know.
lanienc dressed as the Limestone Power Ranger.
lemurling dressed as a 1980's yuppie child, though it looked more like Jeri Ryan.
medancer dressed as Lady Godiva without the horse and far too little hair!.
monicat dressed as a bottle of Novazac.
moonwhispers dressed as Elizabeth Regina on steroids and roller skates.
nehpetsca dressed as the resurrected dead -- complete with the most convincing coffin.
opportunitygrrl dressed as O. J. Simpson - tarred and feathered.
pixie0fd00m dressed as Ted Williams.
redstreets dressed as Ivan the Terrible of Russia.
shutt3rg33k dressed as a marriage.
spdrwn dressed as a walking Guillotine.
spideyj dressed as Squidward.
spiritrover dressed as a elk.
the_wolflord dressed as a very fake witch-doctor complete with a collection of shrunken skulls.
thwaxdj dressed as a KX&D ConstructionCo. employee.
wootandpeep dressed as a goblin.

Throw your own party at the Hallomeme!
Created by sigma7: More info here.

8:20AM

I realized that I haven't posted at all in 2008.
Just wanted to let y'all know I am still checking in here.
Life has been busy. The good stuff has been really really good and the sad stuff has been really really sad.
I have a feeling most of 2008 is going to pass in a blur, but I am trying to slow it down and savor it as much as possible.

3:54PM - Meme from Gwynne - seems eerily psychic

9:32AM - Charles Daniel Callaway, III

My friend Dan was shot and killed Friday night at his home in Portland. Probably interupted a burglary.
I had all these thoughts rushing through my head and I felt like "I have to write!" but now that I am sitting here, I don't know where to start.
Dan was an amazing person. I tried to work it out last night and I think I've known him for over 10 years. It feels like just yesterday that I got to meet the U of O/Corvallis folks, but 10 years is actually a long time for a friendship. Of all the gang in Portland, he was one of the people that I felt I knew least well because he could sometimes be aloof and he was always teasing me by telling me these fantastic stories made up of lies upon lies. Then, I would get so fed up with him, I would refuse to believe anything he said, so then he would start telling me amazing stories that were all true and I would not believe them, so that was his way of having another little joke.
Other times he would get so wound up he would litterally be bouncing off the walls, clapping his hands, calling for the cats, or Jon, or whomever was closest to come play with him. I never saw him tired or sad.
Despite his quirks, which I would give anything to have annoy me right now, we had many points of connection. I admired his intellect, his curiosity about the world, and his wanderlust. He knew all the best camping places in the Northwest. He could debate politics and actually knew what he was talking about. He was tall and thin but he gave great bear hugs.
I know that he and Jonny were so proud of the home they had built together and I have now-bittersweet memories of them hosting me for a quick visit in September. I am glad that I got to see them blossoming and so obviously enjoying their life together.




I am going to miss you, Dan.

11:30AM - Mad Libs!!!!!

(stolen from djinneth)

Dear alotheria,

I _____ you. You have a nice _____. You make me ____. You should _______. Someday I will _____.
You + me = ______.

We should __________. If I saw you now I'd _______. I would build a _______ just for you. If I could sing you any song it would be _________. If I could, I'd give you ___________.

We could __________ under the stars.

Love,
_______________

P.S. ______________.

1:23PM - where have I been???

I have been meaning to write some kind of update entry, but it seems entirely too overwhelming.
I have been reading lj and enjoying staying "in the know" about all of you, but never seem to find the time to contribute an entry of my own.
I think, since I last wrote, I have been on a trip to England and Scotland and another to Portland. Both excellent trips.
I have started looking for a new job - one that has a bit more fun to it - but no nibbles yet. At least I have an updated resume.
Simon and I have a silly wedding website.
I am almost done re-reading the Otherland series and I have been getting better at rock-climbing.
I am excited to be helping Gwynne in planning lavispera.
I am turning 32 in a couple weeks and have nothing exciting planned. I just can't work up too much enthusiasm about this one. Not 'cause I mind getting older or anything, it just seems like there alot of other things to attract my attention.
I think that's about it!!!

6:18PM

I have a new green hammock.

I also found the complete Otherland series by Tad Williams at a used bookstore for less than $20.

Summer is wonderful. I may not leave my hammock for several weeks.

Current mood: mellow

Current music: birdies and distant traffic

12:39PM

Life can sure change alot in a 18 days. The biggest news is that Simon and I got engaged on Friday. =)
This is a very good thing. I am not sure I can even put into words yet how wonderful this is.

We also walked the Bay to Breakers yesterday (pics).


And we got a kitty (pics) named Tolstoy.


I have been a busy (and happy gal).

8:33PM - time for an update

I wanted to write before the experience of Coachella has completely faded from memory. What follows is a rather raw list of the ups and downs of Coachella (documented in pics here).



The Heat! Sooooo hot. Arriving at the hottest part of the day after sitting in traffic for two hours and going 10 miles and then being directed to the wrong parking lot and dragging suitcases through 110 degree dust sucked. The first day was almost a total waste except for seeing the Arctic Monkeys, a band I hadn't listened to much before, and Bjork - she's fabulous and redeemed the entire sweaty, dust-choked day. When she first bounded onto stage she was dressed in a crazy muumuu dress with an insane phyllis diller/poodle wig. She soon shucked all that to reveal a Xena-like set of rainbow-ribboned "armor." She was accompanied by a norse goddess brass band/choir. Seeing Bjork has always been a desire of mine and it certainly met my expectations. Drinking beer and grooving to the Jesus and Mary Chain was also fun.

On Saturday we started to acclimate more and discovered the campground Clubhouse, where we hid and drank bloody maries until midday. We also crashed out again in the shady grass once going into the venue, causing us to miss meeting up with Carl & Crew. Once we finally could handle the music and the setting sun, the parade of awesome music began: Travis, The Decemberists, !!!, and the Arcade Fire. Unfortunately, we waited around down around the farthest tent-stage for the Rapture to show, which they never did (at least not while we waited). The far end of the site did have the amusing advantage of housing all of the e-kids, lying around in silly piles and making for funny people watching. Also, DRAGONS!

By Sunday, we had finally adjusted more to the heat and figured out some valuable survival skills. This meant a far more successful music experience. We went over early to catch Kid Beyond and then discovered this nifty punk-bluegrass band, the Avett Bros. Then it was time for a siesta to the sounds of Explosions in the Sky. Once the sun was lowering to the horizon, we went to see the Kaiser Chiefs - pretty good tunes but obnoxious stage presence. Caught Will Nelson  and Crowded House over some evening beers and watched the crowds amass for Rage Against the Machine and tried to tune out the eye-gouging sounds of Placebo. Air and the Happy Mondays were okay, but not quite what I expected. Fortunately, we finished the entire experience by dancing our asses off to VNV Nation.

So now there are a bunch of new albums I need to own: Arctic Monkeys, Travis, !!!, Arcade Fire, Kid Beyond, the Avett Brothers, VNV Nation.

I'm not sure if I'll repeat the experience - at least I wouldn't do it in the same way - staying with the hordes in a communal campground in a tiny, poorly ventilated tent and relying on scanty shade and nasty fairground food for three days. The assortment of music is unmatched though.

11:56AM - Can't resist the meme....

Crush this person!
Get your own ThisCrush.com CrushTag!

6:19PM - "Quiet Pat was a good soldier"

12:11PM - Thwarted by rain?

What is up with the weather today? Oh, yeah. I guess it is supposed to be rainy in January. But I want to go out and play. Flora and I were scheduled for some urban hiking in San Francisco. Oh wait, I see some patches of blue after all. Maybe all hope is not lost.
In other news - LINKS!
If you have a few moments, please take this brief survey on surveymonkey for a friend-of-a-friend who is working on a sociology thesis.
And if you haven't had enough of my New Zealand trip, here are some fascinating videos of bubbling mud.
Ciao!

7:26PM - Yar! Here be pictures!

Finally got some photos up from my recent travels. Here's one of my favorites:

If you want to take a peek, I have a couple galleries @
Best of New Zealand
Sarah and Tim's Wedding
Complete New Zealand Gallery

3:29PM - Holidays are almost over

Well, I am finally back from all my travels. Between New Zealand and Whistler, I've seen quite a good bit of this fine earth. I think I've logged over 28 hours and 25,000 miles in air travel. That's enough of that for awhile. Only a few moments of panic on the planes, so I'm feeling pretty good about that.
I can't believe the extremes I've been to in the last few weeks - from summer in the southern hemisphere to skiing in -12C. I've gone from sunburns to potential frostbite.
I feel so blessed to have been able to have such a wonderful winter holiday. Here are a few pics from Whistler. More from New Zealand soon!

Current mood: relaxed

1:32PM - happy new year

Greetings from nz!happy holiday wishes to you all!

11:13AM - It's been awhile

I just had to post after receiving the most adorable email from my grandmother regarding the Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. She asked if she could bring a "fresh foot bowl". Ahhhh, to be a doddery, lovable 91-year-old.
Also, I was just gifted with a Thanksgiving sombrero by my co-workers.
I hope everyone else's Thanksgiving is as full of fun surprises.

Current mood: chipper

6:57PM - Goodbye to 3135 Campus Drive

I just finished cleaning the old apartment and will soon pack up the computer and the last of my goodies and close the door for the last time.
I am feeling a weird combination of emotions that I can't quite sort out yet. A mixed bag of memories are tied up with this place. I know I'm on to bigger and better things but I feel a bit wistful and sad saying "goodbye" to the place that has been my sanctuary for the last two years.
I guess that's normal.
It has been such a sweet, cozy home for me and I am trying to soak up the good energy one last time to carry my new place.
At least I am moving by choice. And it's to an amazing apartment that already feels like a new home and it's with someone I adore. What more can a person ask for?
So, "Ciao!" to my little studio on the hill.

8:46AM - New Digs

Woooooooot!
It is official. Paperwork has been signed and deposit paid.
Simon and I got our dream apartment in Menlo Park *gringringrin*
We'll be moving sometime at the beginning of October (like Gwynne said, a new house for me for my birthday).
I am just so darned excited - after 3 years of being cooped up in studios, I finally get to spread out and enjoy all of my stuff again. And I get to do it with my fabulous, darling boy.
Here's some pics online - deniseslist.com.
Address, phones, etc to follow -- along with a plea of moving assistance once the dates are finalized.

Current mood: ecstatic