Contemplate something beautiful...

I was watching a movie that took place in SF the other night. There was a scene of the golden gate bridge on a sunny CA day. I asked my friend DMP who once resided in the Bay if he thought people regularly commuting over the bridge lost the sense of its beauty? He answered without hesitation, yes. I was at first stunned by the matter of fact answer, and then saddened.

I always wondered what would happen when I moved to Arcata? Would I myself be bored by the Pacific Ocean or giant redwoods after seeing them on a consistent basis? The answer is simply and clearly no. I fall in love with this place I call home a little more each day. A large and most likely geeky smile overtakes my face every time I ride my bike up the hill to campus and get a brief glimpse of Humboldt Bay. Tire of the ocean??? Is that really possible? I hear it call my name anytime I'm within a mile. Get bored of the redwoods? Never. It's too much of a mystery with discoveries to be made upon each visit. I love all of it. Big and small.

Back to the movies... A woman in one of my favorite films Next Stop Wonderland says, "I think it's important to contemplate something beautiful each day."

It's all a matter of pausing, taking a breath, and remembering whom you are and where you are. Here's to not taking this glorious life for granted and not letting beautiful things go unnoticed.

Jordando says HAPPY THANKSGIVING Mom...

The following photographs depict the proper way to eat black olives.

this 'ol guitar

Emily Fact: I quit band in 10th grade because I didn't want to wear the marching band uniform.

I then turned to the guitar, where I could wear anything or nothing while playing. This instrument has served me well. (Thank you Grandma for buying me my first and only guitar)
I've spent most of my guitar playing years as a closet player, but have been cracking the door open a bit more lately. I owe much of this phenomenon to my dear, dear friend TSky, the only one whose ever gotten me to play with her and for her . These days I'm working on a song currently titled "Creeps Need Not Reply."

I love the challenge of coming up with a thematic song. Got any ideas, suggestions? Let me know. I've got a half written pickle song if anyone needs one.

JORDANDO!

Yep, my favorite little dude in the world. Besides the fact that he's incredibly adorable and gives the best hugs, I believe my Mom loves Jordando simply for the fact that my relationship with him gives her hope that one day she may be a Grandma. Tis true my track record of wanting children has not been the best. I believe I made the announcement when I was 25 that the chances of me producing a little being went from 100% NO WAY all the way down to 97% NO WAY. This was a big worry to me at the time, but thank goodness only lasted a short few months. I was able to regain control and keep the clock from ticking. Ask any of my close friends now and they'll probably tell you that I'm all talk these days and I'd probably have to agree. The ticking is slowly getting louder and I'm slowly beginning to acknowledge it, while still half trying to convince myself otherwise. Then again all this baby lovey dovey talk could be due simply to the fact that having one right now could serve as a good excuse as to not complete my thesis :)

Spell check wanted to replace "Jordando" with "coordinate"
In the words of Fuego, "Enough said."

European Beachgrass Harvest and BBQ

Today was a big event I've been coordinating for the last month. We had 50 folks out on the dunes pulling beachgrass and then had a great BBQ with a Slough view. Yep, I think I have about the best office possible and great folks to work with. For those of you who don't really know what my job is you can find out more at the Friends of the Dunes website.

Bedbug...

I've had spiders in my bed. When I lived in North Carolina there were the real no-seeum bedbugs. This is the bug I awoke to this morning. It's actually a Western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis). While this is a common bug it is rarely seen for it spends the majority of it's life in tree canopies. I consider myself lucky to be witness to this beautiful beetle in my bed and all.

statistics take home midterm...

I'm currently in the trenches of statistical combat. Yesterday I was on the defense as the outliers have been on attack. Today I shall make my move. It shant be easy but it must be done. These outliers are of another planet and will require several strategies of computer powered analysis. Have no fear, these outliers will not bring me down but the dummy variables that follow... well, I'll let you know how I fare after facing them.

Tonight was Jordando's 2nd B-day celebration. Ask him what color is this? The answer will either be "green" (for every color) or his new favorite word, "yep." I prefer yep. I think I might try to incorporate the word into my vocabulary more often. Yep just seems to be a little bit more fun than yes.

Other happenings... Went to see Josh Ritter and Jamie Cullum perform last night on campus. Josh was his great happy self. I must admit I had a bad attitude concerning Jamie prior to the show. Jamie Cullum is a young British bloke that sounds very similar to Harry Connick Jr. He came out on stage all punked out, jeans sagging just a bit, hair hanging over the eyes, kicking his piano bench down purely for dramatic purposes. I was not impressed, but as the show went on I couldn't help but be swept off my feet. He may have a bit of an ego but he is super talented in many ways. His voice gets inside you and touches you whether you want it to or not. I guess that's why music is just so awesome. YEP!

Hurray for coffee and bike helmets!

I owe the discovery of this comic strip to Duaneo. Saying I like coffee would be an understatement. I LOVE COFFEE! Albeit, I'm not one of those who awakes droopy eyed and unable to function without a cup or two. No, I often arise from a nights rest and make freshly ground coffee just for the wafts of aroma it creates. I might wait an hour or two before I take my first sip. My love of coffee is not for the extra boost of energy (sure, I need it from time to time) but more so for the enjoyment of enjoying a good cup of dark coffee. The smells, the aromas, the conversations to be had with others enjoying the same brown concoction.

Bicycle aftermath update - My bruises are beginning to fade into green. My rib cage is increasingly sore; it's having a delayed reaction. I now have about 85% use of my shoulder and right arm. Zed, the bike surgeon stopped by to discover my bicycle tire had done a complete 360, thus wrapping wires in ways they weren't meant to wrap but was able to mend the bike with only minor scars. Thanks Zed! And remember kids, always wear your helmet.

Hurray for bicycle helmets!!!!

Didn't get much sleep Saturday night and was in a bit of a mood Sunday morning when I decided to go for a "get in a better mood bike ride." Within 5 seconds of launching down the semi-steep path behind my house my trip came to an abrupt end as a bush overgrowing the pathway snagged my handlebar and gravity through me head and shoulder first into a cement ditch. Yes! I did have my helmet on. Needless to say my bike ride did not continue or make me very happy. As soon as I got a hug from my roomie, Everafter, I was much better. Now I'm walking around like an old lady. It's amazing how many different places on your legs are involved in a bike accident. The worst is my shoulder and neck that took all the impact, but I'm basically fine. Just VERY sore and very bruised. Thank goodness I already have a massage scheduled for Wednesday.

I think my bike took the worst of the crash for the two of us also ran into a sturdy pipelike light post before hitting or simultaneously hitting (it all happened rather fast) the ditch. I called my friend Zed, the bike surgeon, right away to make an appointment to bring the bike in. At the moment I'm not able to even straighten the handlebars

What does this all mean? Where's the lesson? One theory is that if I hadn't been wearing my bike helmet that it wouldn't have happened at all (yes, a bad theory). This stems from the fact that I wear my helmet about 3% of the time I ride my bike. That percent will most likely be higher once my bike recovers from surgery. Next theory, an obvious one, is that I need to slow down in more ways than just on my bike, but don't we all? A final theory, this is just good mental practice for healing and remaining happy with life. I'm already feeling much better.

harvest time...

Yes, there are many folks behind the redwood curtain that are very excited this time of year. I mean very excited to harvest their crop. Then there are the orgainc farmers who are quite happy with their crops- not quite as excited. Well, the second group of farmers are my favorite. Even though I live in an often coldish and foggy climate, there are many great farmers residing just beyond the fog belt that are nice enough to deliver their farm fresh organic goods at many local farmers markets throughout the week. I've been indulging all summer and it's all winding down with a bang of melons, peppers, corn, and grapes.

Last weekend I made a big pot of my tortillaless tortilla soup with lots of fresh veggies. A favorite of close friends and roomies. For dessert, the cutest ever cantelope. Tonight I dabble with jalapeno peppers.

hugs and kisses

Today I was enlightened to the fact that I've been misusing my hugs and kisses. My entire life I've believed that X=Hug and O=kiss. You can only imagine the shock I've been exposed to realizing I've had it backwards all along. I instantly felt like a cyber hor sending plentiful kisses to countless friends, when I really thought I was sending platonic hugs. In disbelief of this news I asked my roomies and my friend Zed who all agreed with the correct use of X's and O's. This led me to looking it up online to yet find more proof of how wrong I've been.

So, to anyone I've ever sent a seemingling innapropriate cyber kiss, please forgive me. I did not know. Just think of the O's as being a friendly little peck on the cheek. And please forgive me in advance if I have a hard time breaking this habit, afterall, I've been doing this for nearly 20 years now.