Happy Holidays....

Equus...

It's been ages...I know.
Here are a few things to note of late...
• I got a new horse. His name was Rocket but I'm changing it to Phoenix because he was born on the day that Ferris died.
He is really fantastic, and I'm so happy to have him.

• On the subject of horses, Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame) is to star in a new production of the play Equus in London starting in February. This play is about a 17 year old boy who has a rather unhealthy semi-erotic obession with horses which drives him to blind six of them with a hoofpick. (based on a true story). While the outcome is rather tragic, the story seems intriguing and anything w/Daniel Radcliffe and horses can't be too bad. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be in England any time soon to see a performance.

• December is shaping up to be quite a month of celebration and fun. With many gatherings to look forward to and visits from my parents and Bible (my friend Bible, not that so-called "holy" book that everyone reads on Sunday), it shouldn't be to bad having to stay in Memphis instead of heading home to Ohio.

• I got to eat at the Meat Palace (aka Texas de Brazil) for Thanksgiving. It was pretty great, but I wish we could have dined longer so I could have enjoyed more of the indescribably good meat.

I suppose that should be all for now...
Cheers.

Inked...

So, I got my first tattoo this weekend (image featured above is said tattoo) and I have to say it was a pretty great experience. Though neither tattoo artist that worked in the shop had a single tattoo (weird...) they turned out to be excellent artists and their reputations and the six week waiting period were definitely deserved and worthwhile. For anyone considering a tattoo, I would have to say yes, it does hurt, but not that bad. I'm extremely happy with mine and like the way my body looks more with it that I did without it.

Still to come...Why I have the absolute worst luck in fantasy football ever....

Thesis, 10:13pm...

It's 10:13 on October 4th, 2006. After nearly 2 years of putting it off and avoiding it, I have actually written the first three pages of my graduate thesis.

Go me...

It's Fall and...

Here are some things I like to do...
1. Watch "Rushmore" and "The Nightmare before Christmas"
2. Listen to "Last Good Day of the Year" by Cousteau
3. Follow NFL Football. (Yes, I adore football. I know it is contrary to so many other things about me--my total lack of athletic ability, my detestation of all things inately "American", my feelings against hyped-up competitions, over-commercialization, and the concept that people get paid millions of dollars to play a game--but get over it...i did.)
4. Wear scarves
5. Drink Octoberfest beer or a good Red Zinfandel.

et tu?

Birthday...

Today I am one day older than yesterday....

Favourite things...

My new favourite thing...
I just came across this today and it is quite intriguing. It is based on the premise that wisdom can only be fully revealed when the questioner accepts sense within nonsense. I recommend reading the history first then pondering....
SAGE

Here was my reading from today:
Question: When our soul hides from us, where do we search?
Answer: Truth is a matter of individual perception. You may believe what you choose, unless you KNOW.

Other favourite things: (in no particular order--just ones I have thought about recently)
1. freshly vaccumed carpet
2. the smell of a horse
3. getting into bed
4. the "happy ending" at yoga (when it's not done by Chelsea)
5. tea

By the way, my birthday is coming up next week, and if I knew anyone who could afford it, here's what I'd be asking for because it is so damn cool...

ART FOR SALE

Top Five...

Top five shows currently on TV: (in no particular order)
1. Reno 911
2. Dirty Jobs
3. Hell's Kitchen
4. Arrested Development (alright, this one was cancelled last Spring, but still deserves a spot on the list)
5. M*A*S*H (of course these are classic episodes, and still running regularly 25+ years later)

Remarks....

Several things currently on my mind...
• One of the things that I find most difficult about living in Memphis is the challenge of finding the foods I eat at all one store. I'll be the first to admit that I am quite picky and do tend to latch onto particular things (specific brands, etc.) and then buy them constantly. But, it's not like I need hand-picked, organic, can-only-get-them-in-one-part-of-the-world, only growing for 2 weeks a year vegetables or something. I don't even eat vegetables. (I'll speak about my aversion to green foods at some other time). These are the simple things I like which require me to go to at least 5 different stores:
1. Skyline Chili-Everyone who knows me knows this is my very favorite food. It hails from Cincinnati and has been made according to secret receipe since 1949. If you are unfamiliar with this product I'd urge you to check out their site. Now, when I moved to TN I had to write all kinds of letters to Kroger (the only grocery down here that can order Skyline) to get them to carry it in at least ONE of their Memphis locations.
2. Bigelow Earl Grey Green Tea-For some reason, Bigelow is the only brand I know of that makes Earl Grey in a Green Tea variety. It smells amazing and is a great thing to unwind with. Currently only available at Kroger.
3. Alexis Organic Oven Fries (olive oil and sea salt variety)-Ok, yes, they are organic. But, I don't really care about that. What I like about these fries is that they can be cooked in the oven (as the name implies) and they actually taste like potatos. I owe Sheri thanks for introducing me to this, and for getting me hooked on them. Target used to carry this variety (they still carry the brand) but now I have to go to a place called Fresh Market (upscale fancy expensive grocery like West Point Market for those Ohioans)
4. Pete's Summer Brew (beer)-for domestic, mass-produced beer, this stuff is good. Actually unfiltered (as all beer should be) with real beer taste. Unfortunately it's only seasonal, but I'm trying to enjoy it while its around. Usually available at Target, sometimes Kroger.
5. Twinings Darjeeling Tea-Ok, yes, I am a tea freak. I drink tea in some form or fashion almost exclusively. Almost every store I go to carries the Twinings brand. Yet, for some reason you can only get the Darjeeling variety at Fresh Market or World Market. I have no idea why.
So, to sum up, for ALL my groceries I usually have to go to at least 4-5 stores which is more than aggrivating given the current gas prices. Today however, I happened to stop by a Kroger near my work and found (to my surprise) numbers 1, 2 and 4 on my list! So, while this doesn't solve all of my grocery shopping issues, it at least elimitates a few stops.
• It absolutely refuses to rain here. It has not rained any significant amount in almost a month. Today is the closest we have come and the rain gods have done nothing more than torture us with humidity so thick you could cut it with a knife, clouds, and some wind. Every time the radar shows a spot of rain coming close, it somehow manages to jump over or avert our poor, drying out, withering city. It really sucks.
• And finally, a big thanks to all those who have "quoted" my blog entry entitled "Inventory". You make me feel loved! Thanks for reading!

Thought for the Day...

(Discovered during yoga last night)
Let go of all expectations. Without them you will never suffer dissappointment.

RECENTLY LISTENED TO:
1. Hollaback Girl-Gwen Stefani
2. Disappointed-Electronic
3. Natural Blues-Moby
4. Wanna be Startin' Something-Michael Jackson
5. Cuts You Up-Peter Murphy

MOOD: Resigned

Inventory...

A partial list of things currently in my desk drawer...
1. a heart shaped box displaying a photo of my neice and containing 12 quarters and 2 dead butterflies (nicely preserved)
2. a can of spaghettio's
3. two sheets of papyrus, unmarked
4. a small plastic baby from a Mardi Gras King Cake
5. a bag of dinosaur bones, unassembled
6. a leg bone of an animal (cat or dog?) found in yard
7. a bag of 100 calorie cinna-swirl soy crisps
8. two tiny decorative erasers: penguin and zebra
9. the manual to a 2001 honda civic (my car)
10. a blue rubber trout AKA "the flogging fish"

Some say the things around us serve to define who we are. I wonder what these things say about me....

Some interesting things that happened this week...

1. A friend of mine, Colin , tried out for the Blue Man Group in Chicago. Unfortunately he didn't make the cut, but I have the utmost confidence that he will get in someday if he truely wishes it to be so.

2. My sister and her dog got stung by a scorpion in Las Vegas. Both are doing ok after 72 hours of pain.

3. At work, we found a shoe in a tree that had been lost over 2 weeks ago. According to eye witnesses, the owner of the shoe "flung it into the bush when he got mad at his brother". According to the shoe's owner (in tears at the time)..."sniff...sniff...it just flew up there." Either way, the shoe has miraculously re-appeared (thanks to some aimless teens who were kicking a soccer ball TRYING to get it stuck), which is really something considering it is a green croc that was in a HUGE green hollybush.

...the picture is random, but I found it while looking for stuff for our nature week camp and it made happy.

A poem...

His name was Jack
He was orange and black
And I got him on Halloween...
He was the very best fish
that one could ever have wished
another like him will not soon be seen.

Bravo Part Deux...

In response to the posting on Official Rumours, here are my answers to the 10 questions always asked by James Lipton:

1. What is your favorite word? Serendipity
2. What is your least favorite word? Bun Raku
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, emotionally? Yoga
4. What turns you off? Deliberate ignorance, green food
5. What is your favorite curse word? Bloody hell
6. What sound or noise do you love? Running water
7. What sound or noise do you hate? Crying children
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Yoga master
9. What profession would you not like to do? Algebra teacher
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Sorry for the confusion..."

Ahoy matey...

Oy, Oy, Oy A pirates life for me....


I just like this picture.

Every day is the same day...(or, The Youth in Asia...)

"Racked by guilt, the youth in Asia sat at their desks and wept bitter tears..."

David Sedaris

Quote of the Day...

"Life IS pain, madame. Anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you something."

The Dread Pirate Roberts to Princess Buttercup in "The Princess Bride"

The Lost (part 2)...

Ferris
June 8, 2003-May 2, 2006

In spite of all my efforts, 2 vets, and a trip to Mississipi State Vet Clinic, Ferris passed away last night from a disease that is called Bastard Strangles.
I am completely, totally, and utterely devestated, and my heart is broken. I am so sad that I won't be able to share the long life that I expected I would have with him. I cannot express in words how much I will miss him. No horse can ever relpace him, and I can't imagine that any horse in my future would be as special to me as he was. I will always love him dearly, and I will never forget him. I have to believe that he has come to a better place full of green, grassy fields where there is no pain or sickness, or else the pain and emptiness of his loss would be too much to bare...

Save Ferris...

This is my horse Ferris. I love him very much, more than almost anything else (except my husband & parents) in fact. Right now Ferris is sick. He has lost a lot of weight and he is not eating well. The vet, who is very kind, came this evening and gave him a plethora of medications to try to help him feel better. (I am sure this will be costing me a small fortune that I don't have.) Anyway, the results of the blood tests will back tomorrow which should give some indication of what's wrong with him. Hopefully, it will be not too serious and easily treatable. Hopefully. Until I know for sure what's wrong, I will continue feeling very sad and like I am the worst horse mother in the world...

My celebrity dinner party/last supper

Since it is the easter season, people have been talking about a particularly significant dinner party AKA "the last supper", which as we all know was a most exclusive event featuring such biblical celebrities as Judas, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the super-star of the day Jesus. As a result of all this talk, I have been thinking about who would be invited to my own celebrity dinner party/last supper kind of event. I have decided that my dinner party would have 12 guests (seems like a good number) and so as to keep it realistic (hey, it MIGHT happen some day, you never know...) all of my guests are currently alive. Jesus chose a bunch of people he already knew, and in fact, they followed him around ALL THE TIME which I think might be kind of annoying. Unlike Jesus, my invitees are people who don't follow me around day in and day out all over creation. Those people can stay at home for once.
I think I only have about 4 people who have definitely made the list so far and they will be listed below with an explantion of why they have made my list. More will follow until I have arrived at the magic 12. I invite you all to think of your own lists and post them on here too, just for comparison.

1. DAVID SEDARIS-for anyone that knows me, this would be a very obvious choice. I just had the opportunity to meet David at a reading/book signing in Akron and I am convinced that everything he says is funny. It's nice because he's not funny in a comedian jokey kind of way. It just happens that his perspective on life and his complete and utter (sometimes painful) honesty is always amusing. He is humble but quick-witted, and I think he would be able to keep just about any conversation going. Congrats David, you made #1 on my list.

2. ALTON BROWN-This guy is a walking cooking/food encyclopedia, but without a pompous, stuffy Julia Child kind of attitude. His television shows on Food Network are both informative and entertaining, and anyone who can incorporate puppets into a cooking show gets an A+ in my book. I will of course do all the cooking at my dinner party (which Alton will compliment wildly) except for the dessert, which will be complicated and take a long time. I will make Rachel Ray prepare this dessert so she has to stand in the kitchen the whole time listening to our fascinating conversations, and be terribly disappointed when she hears Alton describe her concoction as "blah" and "only slightly better than average."

3. MARK PENNELL-Ok, Mark is not a huge celebrity the world over, but he is the best classical music DJ on the radio (WKSU 89.7 in Kent). Mark is another walking encyclopedia, but his head holds all human understanding about classical music. His stories about the pieces are simply fascinating, and he will delight us with his little tales and quips as the bose radio plays my carefully selected music.

4. DAVID DUCHOVNY-Ok, in spite of every effort to kick him off of this list because of his cheesy hollywood fame status, I just feel obligated to include David. Aside from the fact that I think he one of the finest specimens of male human flesh living today, he does have advanced degrees from ivy-league schools, which makes me think he might be capable of carrying on some interesting conversations with the rest of the crowd. Of course, his wife would NOT be invited, not just because of the obvious jealousy reasons, but mostly because I think she is too dim-witted to keep pace.

SO, there it is...the first four. I'm carefully considering the other applicants, so check back soon for more.

For Colin...

The remnants of my car...

So, this is the only piece of my car that I have right now. Yep, it's the little logo thingy that was (up until today) on the hood of my Honda Civic. I was in a car wreck this afternoon involving my civic and a large white truck that stopped without signaling and without break lights (i think). I AM FINE by the way, for anyone who might read this and anxiously worry. I hit my knee on the dash board, and I'm sure I'll be stiff tomorrow, but I am very lucky that is all that happened. My car was not so fortunate. The large trailer hitch on the back of the truck that I rear-ended did a number on the front of my car: nearly tore off the bumper, crunched up the hood, broke the thingy that holds the antifreeze, and cracked the lights. I also believe that the engine block and several other important car innards have been somewhat rearranged. It did not look good. The large, sturdy, heavy truck, by the way, did not have so much as the smallest ding in the bumper.
So....
As the 600lb greasy man with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a scary bandage around his leg swept up the scraps of my car after loading it on the tow truck, I found this piece on the side of the road. B suggested that I use my creativity and art supplies from my work to turn it into some "bling". It has also been suggested that I make it into a belt buckle. I think I might frame it so when I look at it I will remember how glad I am that it was this little piece of plastic that got smashed up and thrown across the road and not me. I never want to drive again...

Salt in the wound...

So, by chance today, I happened to discover the blog, hosted by this very site, of the grad student from Memphis who is currently working on the KV10/KV63 dig (aka MY DIG). Now, I have been doing ok with getting past the Starbucks girl and the 7 year old kid in my class (not to mention every friend, family member, or casual aquaintence who knew I was going to try to go to Egypt this year) who had to bring up to me the fact that I am not in Egypt now, and what a bummer that is, blah blah blah....but this reading this blog sucked 10 times worse than that. It makes my gut twist into endless knots to read (in her bubbly, happy, yet sort of humble and semi-naieve tone) about the day to day happenings of what is going on over there and how great and fascinating and interesting it is.
I have been asking myself over and over again why I care so much. I chose to leave Egyptology (albeit under some rather shitty circumstances). I even chose not to go to Egypt this year (mostly because I didn't have the $). I am not unhappy with my life now. Yet, everytime I run across something like this I can't help but feel sick in my stomach as if I made some terrible decision. Those people were MY people. KV10 was my thing. I guess I felt that it was what distinguished me from everyone else at school. I had already worked on a dig. I was invited back every year. Now, the filthy school has its mangled and narly claws sunk so deep into the project that I doubt it will never let go. And now, there's a grad student from Memphis that was there for the big stupid important find. Now she's friends with my friends. Now E is making the same kinds of jokes with her that once he did with me. I guess it's the feeling of replacement that sucks so much.
I apologize for whining about this again. No one here really wants to listen to it, so this is the outlet....

You saw it here first...or maybe you didn't....

Here's the first pic of the new tomb, now called KV63, from the AP. Wow, exciting!

My deadly sin....

The archaeological mission that I have worked with for 2 seasons announced the discovery of a new tomb today in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt. For those of you not in the field, this is a huge and remarkable discovery. Here's the link to the story if anyone's interested....

Tomb Discovery


And, while I am happy and excited that my fellow team members are experiencing something that is truly once in a lifetime, I find myself more consumed with envy and regret than anything else being that I am sitting here writing this blog and not there actually helping dig the stuff up. (Plus, due to the circumstances, certain people that I HATE, but won't name, are now a huge part of this even though THEY DON'T DESERVE IT because back when we were just a boring little dig with nothing exciting to offer they didn't really want anything to do with us.) Anyways, here's to hoping that karma will continue to reward those who deserve it (Otto, Earl, Heather, Betty, Elaine....)and come back to bite THOSE THAT DON'T in the ass really soon....

Finally, something that doesn't suck...

I was going to devote this entry to explaining why I hate Catholic funerals, but I received a phone call that warrented something nicer....

CONGRATS to Scott for getting into grad school! Welcome to a whole new world of academic torture! (Just Kidding) Seriously, way to go....and Happy Birthday too. Isn't 30 wonderful?

The Lost...

Today a good friend and one of the kindest souls I've known passed away.
She was a great friend to all creatures, especially those whom had suffered abuse in their lives. She always looked out for others and would go out of her way for any one, animal or human, in need. Her kindess and generosity will be painfully missed for many days to come.
If I ever hoped there was a heaven, I can't imagine hoping that more so than today...

Here...and nowhere...

I'm here. Sorry for the delay. I just haven't felt like writing much because the only 2 people who read my blog are the 2 that live with me and I talk to them every day. Plus, nothing terribly interesting has happened.
BUT, since an entry has been requested, an entry you shall get...

I just want to take a minute to say that who ever you are, and what ever situation you find yourself in please do not get yourself into debt if you can avoid it. Whatever it is you think you want or need (unless its some real emergency i.e. food, shelter, basic needs) you don't need it bad enough to suffer the hell that is caused by being in debt and trying to get out of it. It is one of the worst feelings in the world to think that you are an otherwise smart and capable person who is more or less a financial failure and that you will have to spend a good portion of your young life paying for bad or unavoidable choices you made in the past. Take my advice. Live with your parents as long as you can....eat at home all the time...don't buy crap you don't need....don't go to art school unless you have a full ride....and whatever you do, live simply and smartly. Do with less, and you'll find yourself ahead down the road.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox now.