Cant. Stop. Watchin...

"Has everyone here got a shovel?"

"Yes"

"Then why am I takin' mine for then?"

And hilarity ensues...

Reading the Rules

Because I had nothing else better to post. Enjoy!

Veteran's Day

Remember what this day is really about, not just an excuse to not go to school or a work holiday! Thank a veteran or current military for their sacrifice.

Sending all my love tonight to my Marine and his whole battalion somewhere over the Pacific.

Semper Fi!

KISS A MILITARY MEMBER OR A VETERAN!!! BUT FIND YOUR OWN! ;)

11/10 and 11/11: Today and Tomorrow I am thankful for the people who gave their life in service to this country and for the freedoms that they have earned for us all that we often take forgranted. Freedoms like the right to practice your own religion, freedom to live without fear of persecution for what you believe in, and freedom of speech.

And I sincerely pray for the souls of people like Fred Phelps (godhatesfags.com) whose actions are an insult to the very people who fight for their right to spew hate and evil in this world.

Month of Thanks...one day at a time

A few of my friends on Facebook started posting daily thanksgivings for the month of November. I thought it was a good idea so I started to do it too.

Today, I found it so hard to find one thing I was thankful for. Which is really saying something because I just went thru the driving day from the hell not too long ago. (More on that on a different post). Today I've just been frustrated and angry and I've been on the verge of tears more than once. I'm annoyed at everyone and everything and NO before you ask, I am NOT on the rag. Sometimes life just catches up with you and you're incapable of handling it all at once.

So I posted a random thanksgiving that wasn't really random nor was it really a thanksgiving...just to have something to say. I then proceeded to get all my books out and study for an upcoming test.

A few hours later, I hear my door open and in comes my dog. I looked at him all annoyed as he started to come near me to give me kisses...he got the picture and backed away and I ignored him as he settled down into his favorite spot by my bed. An hour after that, I just about had it with reading and studying and rereading and studying and still not knowing what the hell I'm doing. I shoved my chair back and dropped my books on the floor.

I guess I woke Rex up. In the middle of a pretty good frown and sulk and mental diatribe about how stupid I am and what a loser I turned out to be etc etc etc, I happen to glance over at him. He was staring right at me with a big doofy grin on his face and his tail wagging like there's no tomorrow.

"HI!! *wag wag wag* Are you done?? Can we play?? Will you rub my belly??? *wag* I've missed you!! *wag wag* Oh, you're not done yet?? That's ok, Ill just wait for you riiiight here! *lick*" Even now as I write this, he is curled up in an impossibly small ball at my feet ready to wake up at a moment's notice, just to tell me he loves me.

And just like that, I have something to be thankful for.

11/08/2010: Today I am thankful for Rex and his waggly tail. Because he loves me even when I don't love myself. And he reminds me that no matter what is going on in my life...there's always something to wag your tail about.

Hello?

Anyone still here?

It's been so long since I've posted here that it took me 8 tries to remember my password. Clearly, Im out of practice but I'll try my best to deliver the 1/2 decent material you've all come to expect from me.

This post however, will not be one of my masterpieces. I thought I'd take the time to update you on what I've been up to. What has kept my attentions away from you blog readers (or at least the 4 of you that decided to stick around in case I wasn't dead and came back).

Are you ready?

SCHOOL

Went back to school full time. Which really, doesn't make much of a difference as far as my daily life is concerned. It just means I have less time to sleep and spend a heckuvalot more on gas than I usually do. What am I going to school for? My graduate degree in blood, bugs, and body fluids. [Read: Medical Lab Sciences]. Im literally elbow deep in the stuff daily. Which I figure for a good thing since Ill have even more nicely grotesque daily caveats to impart on you poor people than before. Like that one time the girl spilled a whole vial of blood on me and I became a walking biohazard. Or the one time I volunteered to have someone practice drawing blood on me and ended up with an arm bruise the size of Wisconsin for a week. hahaha...ahhh, good times.

DOG

He doesn't really take up much time...I just wanted to introduce you all to Sexy Rexy (Rex for short)...since he will be filling in on some posts once in a while. You know...when I'm too lazy to write stuff myself. It's ok...he's even cuter and funnier than I am. You'll love him!

BOYFRIEND

Again, he doesn't take up much time either. Mostly because he's deployed and I don't really get to talk to him as often as I like. I figured since Scope over at Scope-tech already introduced you all to his abs and pecs, I should probably introduce you to the rest of him. Now, since I have very limited contact with him at least for the next 2 months or so, I haven't really asked him if I can out him on my blog. So I'm just gonna refer to him as "the blue-eyed boy".

That's all.

I guess I should say something witty now and figure out a good way to exit.

Ok.

Bye.

Darn! And NEW feel good video

So the Seahawks bit butt this season... and neither my Cardinals nor my Vikings made it to the Superbowl. This officially ends my football season. Although if anyone is having a Superbowl party around my area, let me know and Ill bring dip! ;)

Some random thoughts I've been waiting to blog about but didn't have enough material to fill the page with:

-My new feel good video...again from OKGO (because they are super awesome).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJKythlXAIY

-No matter how cute you are, or how trendy you think your workout gear is...wearing a fanny pack to the gym is neither cute nor trendy.

-I fantasize sometimes about getting rid of my facebook, blogger, youtube, etc...and just living out the rest of my days as a fabulous bum in San Fran. But I think people would just wonder if I was dead in a ditch somewhere even more so than they do now.

-My FedEx guy looks like Brett Favre. No, not 1990s Brett Favre with the mullet and preteen "no I don't need to shave everyday" baby face. The rugged and oh so fantabulously hawt silver haired Brett of today... except more rugged and muscled (if you can believe that...he plays league rugby apparently). I told him so a couple weeks ago and he couldn't stop laughing. Dave, if you're reading this... quit laughing at me!

-It's easier to eat healthy and diet if you don't know how to bake. Conversely...since I know how to bake and make fabulous candies and desserts, I've gotten fat again. More on this later.

-I've recently been obsessed with Marching Band videos and such (see Feel good video reference up top). And before you guys ask, yes I was a band geek from 9yrs old all the way to high school, up to and including three years in Marching Band. Oh yes, I rocked out and jammed on my flute and piccolo!

-My 10 year high school reunion is this year. One of my best friends (who graduated at the same time as I did) asked if I was gonna go. Hmmm...lemme think...I didn't like any of those people while I was IN high school. Do I really wanna go back and find out that after 10 years, I STILL don't like any of them? Nah...

-This happens at least once a day:

Random person: "are you Vietnamese?"

Me: "Nope...not even a little bit..."

Random person: "are you sure?"

Me: "uhhhhh....yeah. I'm filipino"

Random person: "Well, I thought you were Viet because you're so pretty"

...well shiet. Now I don't know if I'm insulted that they think I'm too stupid to know my own ethnicity, or be flattered that they think I'm pretty, or be insulted again that they think I have to be Viet to be pretty. Oh, the dilemma!

-The random naked people I encounter at my gym's locker room are NEVER the hot and gorgeous babes I wouldn't mind looking at. Nay, they are always the out of shape slightly skanky women that sit their nekkid behinds right next to you on the bench and wanna chat about where you got your duffel bag from. Interestingly enough, these are also the women who wear skin tight shorts and just a sports bra and sweating all over your favorite treadmill right before you hop on.

-At a certain age...women should stop wearing g-string and thong type undies. Case in point, the 67 year old grandma bending over in front of me to pick up her keys at the Safeway baking goods aisle.

Cooking With E!

E is here!

But she is slightly busy with watching the NFL Playoffs...

Rest assured, she will be back soon with more nonsense posts and makeup vids.

In the meantime, I hope you all are having a wonderful time and writing wonderful posts for all your wonderful readers.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!

I WON!!!!!

I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON!

I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON!

*DEEP BREATH*

I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON! I WON!

*DANCING A LITTLE JIG AND SQUEALING LIKE A PIG*

*POOR NMOS IS ON THE PHONE WITH ME RIGHT NOW GETTING HIS EARDRUMS BLOWN OUT*

EEEEEEKKKKKK

EEEEEEEKKKKKKKK

EEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKK

I WON!

Please cross your fingers and toes!

Im breaking my holiday sabbatical for this very important announcement.

On my first year playing fantasy football, I managed to finagle my way up the ranks and sit comfortably at #2 seed for my league. I haven't said anything because I didn't want to jinx myself. Last week was first of two rounds of playoffs and I won.

Tomorrow we go for the gusto and play for league championship. Me and Moboobies.

(I'm not shitting you...his team name is "MOBOOBIES")

I'm asking you all to cross all fingers, toes, and eyes for me. And if you believe in such things, maybe a little kneel down to Jesus would help too. I need all the help I can get.

His quarterback is Aaron Rodgers. Need I say more?

Wish me luck people!

And I hope everyone is doing well and having a blast! Keep on smilin y'all!

---As requested...my lineup tomorrow:

QB: E. Manning (Giants)

RBs: M. Barber (Cowboys), K. Moreno (Broncos)

WRs: C. Ochocinco (Bengals), J. Knox (Bears), S. Rice (Vikings)

TE: T. Gonzalez (Falcons)

K: N. Kaeding (Chargers...already played)

DST: Cardinals (I also have the Giants on reserve...but the Cards' are playing the Rams and the Giants are playing the Panthers soooo...)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Moments of Idiocy

(Caveat: this post was written on 10/24/2009)

Today's moment of idiocy is brought to you by Lego and is inspired by Some Guy's Blog.

...

I hate Legos!

I know I'm gonna get a lot of flack about that because apparently Lego blocks are the equivalent to gold bricks and fairy dust to some people.

To me though, not so much.

Don't get me wrong, I used to love love love playing with those colorful little plastic bricks. And the day I graduated from the ginormous fist-sized, rounded corners, baby proof blocks to the littler, more deadly to the bare foot versions was one of my happiest memories.

When I was 8, I used to stack a bunch of those single bricks on top of each other and pretended to smoke it like a cigarette.

(my dad smoked and I thought it was cool to copy)

(don't hate though, other than that bad example...and of course cursing like a sailor, he is a top notch parent! ;) )

Where was I?

Oh yeah...

It became a favorite play activity of mine to go out for "smoke breaks" with my dad. Him with his Marlboros and I with my own little pack of yellow and white (of course) Lego ciggies in my pink Hello Kitty purse.

One day, as I was clogging my lungs with fake smoke, one of the loose ones on top came off and I accidentally swallowed it on a particularly vigorous suck.

(that's what she said...)

Have you ever had a square, sharp edged Lego brick go down your throat? Not so great feeling, I can attest to that. Now, I'm pretty sure that I've passed that brick some time during the 19 years since...but for all I know, I've still got a slightly chewed up yellow brick floating around me somewhere.

This was a public service announcement... Smoking is bad for your health. And your digestive tract.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Covering Tattoos

Ain't no rest for the wicked...

Why was it a really really bad idea to be a criminal in Queen Anne (Seattle) this Friday? There was a very large memorial and parade held for the slain police officer in Queen Anne's Key Arena early Friday afternoon. They closed down streets, blocked off roads. They estimated about 1500 people to show up including police officers from all over the country (and Canada). In case you can't see the above pictures, it was all blue and white and sirens for a 4 block stretch on one side of the street. And on the other was a 4 block stretch of "unmarked, undercover" Chevy Subarbans. There was even this one classic police car from the 50's that I wanted to snap a pic of, but seeing as I was driving at the time, taking pics with my cellphone, AND there was about 15 cops in dress black surrounding the aforementioned car, I felt it wise to refrain from any illegal activity.

In somewhat the same thread...I've really been digging this song from Caged Elephant. I think it brings out the badass in me!

Blast from the Past...

My mother had me help her reorganize all our photo albums a while back. She showed me this photo that I had forgotten about and whilst reminiscing upon good memories from Disneyland, I came upon one shocking realization.

No...not that Belle looks like she's been drugged or that the guy behind us has the unfortunate circumstance of picking that shirt to go to an amusement park in...

This was me at 14.

That's right... FOURTEEN. And before you say it UB, let me say it for you..."my poor poor dad, must be why he kept the shotgun loaded in the hall closet till I turned 21".

Not much has changed. I feel like calling up dead ancestors (and of course my mother) and thanking them for the good genes. Just goes to show what good Filipino food and lots and lots of milk can do. LOTS.

I'll be sure to send them the plastic surgery and chiropractic bills too...

I had a dream...

Sorry for the video quality guys...I'm trying out a new webcam and I tried to edit it using the included software and the quality was even worse. I'll keep messing with the settings and see if it's a viable way to record my vids from now on, otherwise I'll just go back to the good ole' digicam.

However, I was too lazy to rerecord this topic so bear with me? It's about a dream I had and was wondering if you awesome people could help me analyze it. Or you can watch it, realize how freaking psycho I must be to be having such random dreams and then promptly unfollow me...

Either way, watch the vid??

Thanks!

(Inspired by: Sawdust and Cowpies)

PART 1

PART 2

On Today's Episode of "WTF were they thinking?"...

"What better way to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month than to show off the pink and boob? Now if you'll excuse me, I'll just gouge out my eyes with this rusty spoon."

On a less disturbing note...but strangely enough also about boobs and the color pink *shudder*...please visit Scope's blog! He's got an inspired and clever and oh so wonderful (if I do say so myself) charity event going on for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

That would be THIS month for those of you who didn't know.

Read the rules, consider entering...and remember, it's for a good cause!

And if your perky lady muffins (or your lady's perky lady muffins) brings a smile to some lonely guy out there, then that's just a BONUS!

Sort of a shout-out...

Thanks to Unbearable Banishment who clued me into an unexpected shout-out in one of our bloggy-buddy's post.

Check it out here at Sid's Verbal Diarrhoea.

Those of you who know me will know why I found this sooo funny, I just had to put up a post about it.

(I mean really know me...)

(in the carnal sense...)

(no I'm kidding...)

(really tho, those of you who know me...)

5 cool points to the first person to comment back what I found so hilarious!

With only yourself for company...

It isn't that I despise being alone.

In fact, I am perfectly content to sit in my room or on my deck or out in the yard with a book in hand and tunes at the ready and wile away the day without ever laying eyes on another soul for hours upon hours. In college, there was many a day when I'd drag myself out onto the quad and plant myself under a tree or stake out my favorite spot at the library or off to a cafe somewhere to study all by my lonesome

It isn't that I despise being alone.

However, when I'm out and about and not running errands, I usually prefer to be accompanied by another soul. I suppose because it's the normal thing to want to be with someone else. Isn't it the "normal" thing to lunch with a friend, or see the sights with a buddy? Shouldn't you want to spend your free time lazing away the day with someone else to talk to?

It isn't that I despise being alone.

Call it an experiment in security or a mediocre rebellion against societial norms if you will (or maybe I just wanted to be left the hell alone)... Finding myself with 4 hours of time on my hands a few days ago and needing to be in the city for one thing or another, I fought my automatic urge to call up some friends to see if they could meet up for lunch or a quick person to person hello. I bravely set out to spend the day with someone I've been wanting to reconnect with for a long time now...

Myself.

Is it really being alone if you're enjoying your own company?

First step...first step...baby steps, E.

I had lunch by myself. I have never had lunch out by myself (other than the quick lunch breaks from work...). Pagliacci's Pizza on Queen Anne. I picked a spot next to the wide windows that faced the street, and awkwardly spent 45 minutes filling my belly and watching the world pass me by. More than once I wanted to turn to the companion that normally I would have to remark upon something I saw. Instead I had to discuss it with myself in my head. "Oh look E! That beemer across the street is getting a parking ticket!" It turns out, I'm a great conversation with a very witty sense of humor. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Next step...

I pop in my headphones and walk the 3 blocks to the Seattle Center. I've never been to the Center by myself before. It was always with friends or family and as I walked past one of the many entrances, I felt slightly lonely and intimidated.

Soldiering on...

I can tell you the exact moment intimidation left me and was replaced by wonder. As I walk under the overhang that lead to the main Center I was greeted with the sight of an old man, sitting on a bench just inside the entrance underneath a copse of maple trees... they were red and gold and bathed with an indian summer light. I've been to the Center many many times before. Used this entrance many times again... And I've never noticed that copse of maple trees. Normally I would be chatting with my friends or planning the day with family. Too busy planning to tour the forest...and I would never have seen the trees.

Were they always there and I just never noticed?

Walking along the kiddy pool that is emptied in preparation for the upcoming weather, I see my first sight of the space needle. It's alone just like me, and perfectly content to be so. I find myself asking...well, myself...what to see first, where to go next.

You know what self? Just keep the tall white tower in sight and you can go wherever you want to.

I caught sight of the fountain...the fountain that I always try to touch every time I'm there. Saying hello to childhood and daring fate to catch me with a spray. Not today...no one to watch my purse in case I get drenched. I settle for posting myself on the empty ledge, warmed by the sun at my back and just sitting for awhile to read. Sophie's World...A Novel about the History of Philosophy (less pretentious than it sounds).

Nobody telling me to move on. No forced conversation to fill the time. No time limit or agenda to see the next thing. Did you come all the way to the Seattle Center to just sit down and read? Why yes...Yes, I did.

The wind shifts and I feel the spray of the water misting me across the face. I set my book down and glance up. The empty fountain had filled up with kids and parents running around. With my eyes, I follow a small boy with his dad running up to try and beat the spray and touch the metal half-globe. My eyes wander upward to see if he will make it, and instead see a rainbow. Dancing and straining to manifest under the force of the water. Isn't this "contentment"? To be able to sit still and wait...not for someone to tell you what to do next or to force yourself to suggest the next sight to avoid boredom for the other person. Just to sit still and wait...for a rainbow to appear.

It's not horrible being alone.

I leave the fountain to the children and continue on... I come up to the carnival area. Also closed down for the season. Is it too melancholy to say I can hear the echoes of carnival music still ringing in the air? The horses and cars and coasters are alone too. Sitting still and waiting for the next time...just like me.

Something snaps me out of my mood and I glance towards my right and see my old friends...pan flute and mountain music from the Andes. Quichua Machis...still repelling the Alien Death. I sit across from them, tuck my knees under my chin and just listen. I listen until they announce (just for me...no one else was there, too busy with a purpose...just me) that they will break for lunch and be back in 30 minutes.

Are you bored sitting here and listening E? Would you like to move on to something else? Would you like to discuss the cultural impact and ramifications of Peruvian music and politics to fill the void? No, thanks...I want to just to sit here and feel.

I leave when they leave and eventually find myself on the path towards the street. I look behind me...the tower is still there...I won't be lost.

I keep walking...not really paying attention until I hear the crunch of gravel and sand under my feet. Gravel and Sand? I snap back to attention and find myself in a little Japanese garden...off the beaten path so to speak. Completely out of the way of all the "things you really come to the center to see". Did anyone else know it was here? Has it always been here? Deja-vu of the copse of Maples.

I work my way out by following a path and come upon The Tubes. That's what I call them anyway. I drive past this statue at least twice a week. Twice a week for the past year and a half and I've never stopped to get a closer look. Always wanted to be close enough to touch them.

Walk underneath them to look up and out and all around.

Never got a chance to before...because it was out of the way. I was too busy and in a hurry. And I never wanted to ask my usual company if I can just sit underneath and look up. It's just a bunch of plastic tubes anyway. Maybe I was embarassed. Maybe I figured they had better things to do than indulge in a little kid-like wonder.

No matter, you have only to please yourself today.

I've seen the EMP more than many times. Have you ever wondered how those tiles look up close? How they feel when you touch them? Where exactly does the monorail go when it dissapears amidst its curves and corners? Of course I have. Have you ever found out? Today I will!

As my time alone wound down and I found myself walking back to my car with Priestess in my ears and a lightness in my step, I took one look back before passing the gates. It is very rare that I find such contentment anywhere, let alone by myself. It isn't so bad...in fact it was surprisingly pleasurable to sit back and just contemplate on life rather than having to actively live it for once. I understand now... Pleasure and happiness can be found anywhere. You don't have to find it in other people if you learn to grown it under your own feet. Contentment does not have to come from friends, family, or other acquaintances. Take a trip, plan your own day, schedule your agenda (or not) and rely not from the presence of others, but with only yourself for company.