1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
A. Nope. Enjoying dating several people.

2) What was your dream growing up?
A. To have a 'normal' life. Dad was a fisherman, and gone 3 months of the year. Thankfully, I am no longer looking for 'normal'; happy is good!

3) What talent do you wish you had?
A. I have always wanted some artistic talent.

4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
A. Glass of red wine.

5) Favorite vegetable?
A. Depends on the season; currently, artichokes.

6) What was the last book you read?
A. Opening the Gates; a century of Arab Feminist Writing.

7) What zodiac sign are you?
A. Libra

8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
A. Piercings; nose, belly and ears

9) Worst Habit?
A. Over scheduling.

10) If you saw me walking down the street, would you offer me a ride?
A. Heck, yes!

11) What is your favorite sport?
A. Depends on the season; winter: snowshoeing, summer: hiking.

12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
A. Eternal Optimist

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
A. Give you a hug.

14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
A. Life is an adventure, and I've had quite a number of adventures. I can't think of anything I've not learned something from.

15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
A. My proudest moment was when my Dad offered me his boat.

16) Do you have any pets?
A. Nope.

17) What if i showed up at your house unexpectedly?
A. Come on in!

18) What was your first impression of me?
A. Cute, outgoing.

19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
A. Neither, more like odd.

20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
A. I like how I look, and would not change anything.

21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
A. Partner in crime.

22) What color eyes do you have?
A. Hazel

23) Ever been arrested?
A. Nope

24) Bottle or can soda?
A. None

25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
A. Travel!!!

27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
A. My house.

28) Do you believe in ghosts?
A. Yes.

29) Favourite thing to do in your spare time?
A. Read.

30) Do you swear a lot?
A. No.

31) Biggest pet peeve?
A. Tailgating. I move out of their way and let them tailgate someone else.

32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
A. shy.

33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
A. Mmm, yes; and give, too.

35) Do you believe in God?
A. I believe we are all god, so yes.

36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
Sure:

1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
A.

2) What was your dream growing up?
A.

3) What talent do you wish you had?
A.

4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
A.

5) Favorite vegetable?
A.

6) What was the last book you read?
A.

7) What zodiac sign are you?
A.

8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
A.

9) Worst Habit?
A.

10) If you saw me walking down the street, would you offer me a ride?
A.

11) What is your favorite sport?
A.

12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
A.

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
A.

14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
A.

15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
A.

16) Do you have any pets?
A.

17) What if i showed up at your house unexpectedly?
A.

18) What was your first impression of me?
A.

19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
A.

20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
A.

21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
A.

22) What color eyes do you have?
A.

23) Ever been arrested?
A.

24) Bottle or can soda?
A.

25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
A.

27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
A.

28) Do you believe in ghosts?
A.

29) Favourite thing to do in your spare time?
A.

30) Do you swear a lot?
A.

31) Biggest pet peeve?
A.

32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
A.

33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
A.

35) Do you believe in God?
A.

36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?

Took the littlest house-mate for a walk yesterday. She is coming down with something, and is coughing and sniffling and a tad unhappy. We  put her into the backpacker, and I took her for a walk. We went to the local organic market. All the way there she was talking and cooing. Very cute! We got to the market, and I grabbed the stuff I needed. I had just grabbed the last item, and she started saying 'bye bye, bye bye'. Her dad said the other day that she clearly indicates when it is time to go. Yup, that was some clear, concise, communication: time to go now. I paid for my stuff, she flirted with the cashier, and we headed home. About half way home, she stopped talking; I took a peek and sure enough, her little face was scrunched up in the corner of the backpacker and she was sound asleep. Wow, is she cute!!!

She is 11 months; when I moved in, she could barely hold her head up, now she is crawling and pulling herself up. So close to walking!!

Current Mood: loved

Attended SeaComp this year. In one of the domes the DJs were showing films, which included porn from the 70s. I found one of the films very disturbing, the images are still bugging me. The film was of a very young woman who appeared to be 16 or so, and an older man (40s?) with dark hair and aviator glasses. She was sitting on a mattress, he was leaned over her running his hands over her legs. She had a look of terror on her face - terror and defiance. I left the dome, and found somewhere else to dance.

So today, I was thinking about it again. Sev brought home a copy of 'Off Our Backs', and I was reading one of the articles about a feminist blogger. This blogger wrote a definition of rape while back (if she says 'no' you're a rapist, if you get her drunk you're a rapist, if you see a rape and don't call the authorities you're a rapist ... ), and I realized that I felt like I was watching a rape. I felt powerless to talk about it, or stop it, or do much of anything. It was a film. Fantasy. Not real. It looked like rape to me, though.

This left me with several questions: Why was it chosen to show at a burner event? Why was it filmed?

If I were to do it over again, I would have talked with the DJ. Much of my exposure to porn has been Nerve.com, Comstock Films and films like 'The Crash Pad'. Thank you Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and all the women who came before. I know that that type of porn still exists, and is sold a few blocks from my home. By not speaking up when faced with it, I missed an opportunity to speak out against it - an opportunity for my voice to be heard.

Current Mood: thoughtful

Anyone want a cat, or know of someone who does? Novio (short for Casanova, also boyfriend in spanish) is 2 or 3 and is black with green eyes. He is extremely outgoing and very, very loving. Lots of cuddles, lots of purring; a very beautiful boy.

Unfortunately, he attacks my roommate's geriatric cat. When he and I lived in my old apartment, he could go outside, and we had no issues. We have a mama coyote teaching her pups to hunt in one of the parks near my new home, and lots of neighborhood cats and dogs have become food. I really don't want that for Novio, so he can't go outside here. This makes him very restless, he gets bored and, well, you know teen-aged boys. He has been living with Shaun and Julia for the past couple weeks, and has recently started attacking their geriatric cat. He sits on their dining table and waits until she wanders by, and then pounces on her. (Hence the Kato reference.) I believe he really needs either to be the only cat and allowed out-of-doors, or to be with other cats in his age group - someone he can run and play with.

If you know of anyone who can give Novio a good home, please let me know.

Current Mood: hopeful

I colored my hair red, a couple weeks ago. Love it!! I was worried when Angelo first rinsed it out, that it did not go with my skin color. I think it was the lighting.

Current Mood: satisfied

I arrived at work this morning to find Redmond had a power outage last night, and my computer was fried. Nothing is recoverable. I think the goddess was smacking me upside the head ... save to the file-server, dork - it is backed up every night. Ah, well; great lesson. Made for a rather stressful day, though; we have an install tomorrow and my scripts were on my machine.

Started working with a trainer tonight. Great workout, which always makes me happy; plus a good run this morning - the light was amazing. Now I am very very sleepy.

Current Mood: chipper

Went to my 30th high school reunion Saturday night. I recognized a number of people, but they weren't people I spent much time with. Had a number of funny encounters:

I had just walked in, Guy 1 is talking to Guy 2 in the doorway.
Guy 1: She looks great!
Me: 'Pardon me' , then walk by them.
Guy 1: So do you!
Guy 2: Some people never change!!
Guy 1: I don't remember you, did we go to school together?
Me: Yes. We dated for a while.
I turn to guy 2 and wink.
Guy 1: No, really?
Me: No. We didn't.
They both laugh. We ended up joking much of the night, and I did prove to them I attended high school with them.

Later in the evening, two women walk up in *very* expensive matching dresses.
Woman 1: Who are you?
I say my name
Woman 1 turns to Woman 2, both shake their heads.
Woman 1: We don't know you. Both turn and walk off.

I had a lot of fun dancing, and exchanged information with a couple folks I would like to stay in touch with. I did enjoy seeing some of the people I went to school with again, but the experience really made me appreciate my friends, who are warm and welcoming and loving and fit me just right. I am blessed.

Current Mood: content

stolen from perkyevil

Thanks!

BOLD: Have been

Italic: Want to go to

1. Times Square, New York City, NY

2. National Mall & Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C. (Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the war memorials)

3. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.:

4. Trafalgar Square, London, England

5. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, Calif.

6. Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York

7. Fisherman’s Wharf/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, Calif.

8. Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea, Tokyo, Japan:

9. Notre Dame de Paris, Paris, France

10. Disneyland Paris, Marne-La-Vallee, France:

11. The Great Wall of China, Badaling area, China

12. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina:

13. Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan

14. Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, Paris, France

15. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

16. Everland (amusement park), Kyonggi-Do, South Korea

17. The Forbidden City/Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China

18. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

19. Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, Fla

20. SeaWorld Florida, Orlando, Fla

21. Pleasure Beach (amusement park), Blackpool, England

22. Lotte World (amusement park), Seoul, South Korea:

23. Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Japan

24. Hong Kong Disneyland, China

25. Centre Pompidou, Paris, France

26. Tate Modern, London, England

27. British Museum, London, England

28. Universal Studios Los Angeles, Calif.:

29. National Gallery, London, England

30. Metropolitan Museum, New York, NY

31. Grand Canyon, Ariz.

32. Tivoli Gardens (amusement park), Copenhagen, Denmark

33. Ocean Park (amusement park), Hong Kong, China:

34. Busch Gardens (amusement park), Tampa Bay, Fla.

35. SeaWorld California, San Diego, Calif.

36. Statue of Liberty, New York, NY

37. The Vatican and its museums, Rome, Italy

38. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

39. The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

40. American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

41. Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Calif.:

42. Empire State Building, New York, NY

43. Natural History Museum, London, England

44. The London Eye, London, England

45. Palace of Versailles, France

46. Yosemite National Park, Calif

47. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

48. Pompeii, Italy

49. Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

50. Taj Mahal, Agra, India:

51. Angel Falls, Venezuela

52. Pyramid Kukulcan in Chichen Itza, Yucatan Mexico

53. Temple of the Descending God in Tulum, Quintana Roo Mexico

54. Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

55. Star Trek: The Experience, Las Vegas, NV

56. Space Needle Seattle, WA

57. Macchu Pichu, Peru

58. Amber Palace in Jaipur, India

59. The Smithsonian in Washington DC

60. Scotland's western and northern isles

61. Durham Cathedral, Durham, England

62. Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna Austria

63. WWII Normandy Beaches/American Cemetery, Colleville sur Mer, France

64. Shrewsbury Abbey, Shropshire, England

65. Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior

66. The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

67. Stonhenge, Salisbury Plain, England

68. Newgrange, Boyne Valley, Ireland

69. Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France

70. Lucca, Italy

71. Knossos, Crete, Greece.

72. Petra, Jordan

72. Ephesus, Turkey

73. Belgium.

74. Milford Sound, New Zealand.

75. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

76. Volcanos National Park, Hawaii

77. Phuket, Thailand

78. The Stari Most (Old Bridge), Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

79. Ankor Wat, Cambodia

80. Devil’s Tower, Wyoming

81. Venice, Italy

82. Antarctica

83. Pražský orloj (Astronomical Clock, Prague)

84. Chungará Lake, Chile

Current Mood: cheerful

Attended Ignite Seattle Thursday evening. It was amazing!! I walked away feeling enlightened, energized and inspired. A couple of the speakers had projects I would love to participate in, particularly Peer Wisdom and Waggle Labs. Karen, one of the speakers, did a great job of discussing the different styles the participating speakers used to deal 20 slides in 5 minutes. I think my favorite was Jordan's talk on bee keeping, wow!

I am so glad I went. I was a bit afraid of going alone, but ended up knowing quite a few people there and had a great time.

Current Mood: pleased

hee hee, that was fun!

Current Mood: chipper

Got Golden Girl back Wednesday. It was very nice driving the PT Cruiser, but I really missed *my* car.

Current Mood: pleased

Novio brought me a mouse! I went to let him in this morning, and found a dead mouse and *very* proud kitty-boy on the doorstep. I praised him, petted him, and let him know how very proud I am of his mighty hunting skills. I went out while he was eating, picked up the doormat, and dumped the mouse into the garbage. Can I just say 'EEEEWWWW!!'? I am not usually a squeamish girl, and really am proud and honored he brought me a mouse, but eew!

Wonder if I could teach him to fish? Now that would be something useful to find on the doorstep some weekend morning. Fried trout and waffles, yumm! :)

Looks like his ear is healing well. He came home the other morning with a split, bloody ear. I cleaned it up, put some ointment on it, and have been checking it every day for signs of infection. The scab is nearly gone and it is stuck back together, hooray! Shaun and Julia think I should feed him more and make him fat and logy.

Current Mood: pleased

My car was rear-ended two weeks ago. I was driving south on i-5 and suddenly a barbecue grill appeared in front of me. I slowed down, and went around it on the shoulder. The car behind me went around it, but did not slow down. I was going about 35, he was going 60 . My rear bumper had a few holes and lots of scrapes, and the driver's seat was permanently reclined; his front end was smashed in and the radiator was leaking. He was at fault, and received a ticket for driving too fast.

Golden Girl went into the shop Wednesday morning. I clearly stated that the seat gear needed replacing, along with the bumper damage. I called Friday to check if the car was ready, they stated it would be and that they would call when it was. I returned my rental car, had a friend pick me up this morning and drive me down to retrieve it. The bumper looks great! You cannot even tell it was not part of the original car. However, the seat gear was not replaced. Very disappointing! I was really looking forward to getting my car back.

The repair shop has been quite frustrating to work with. They did not call with an estimate of when my car would be ready, they did not call and let me know if they had the parts available, I heard nothing from them until they called to say it was ready. I called them a couple times to check their progress. I am spoiled, my mechanic, Eric, calls me a couple times when GG is in the shop to let me know what is going on. I like that! Not so much with the deafening silence. I will let them know when I do get my car back, and let my mechanic know - he recommended them.

I have another rental, and am now driving a PT Cruiser. Mom will be so jealous! She loves them.

Current Mood: annoyed

Traveled to Portland to attend my Great Uncle's funeral. We had a huge family reunion over the summer to celebrate his 90th birthday. He was so happy all these people showed up to celebrate him, about 100 people attended that day. Today we had about 30. He was diagnosed with cancer, and just over a month later he was gone. Today, the family got up and told stories of Harold; his one remaining sibling, sons, grand children and nieces, all telling stories of this charming, warm, wonderful man. It was a beautiful ceremony. Harold and Daisy were together 50 years. Daisy is so strong, beautiful and elegant. Harold was in the Army, and stationed in Dutch Harbor, Alaska during the 2nd World War. The chaplain handed Daisy a flag to commemorate his service, and the entire room started sobbing.

Goodbye, Uncle Harold. Thank you for your warmth, kindness, and love. You will be in my heart forever.

Current Mood: thoughtful

Walked around Green Lake this morning with Dr Kate. It was beautiful. The lake is partially frozen, and the ducks were paddling about in the unfrozen bit. The trees were shimmering in the pre-dawn light. There were very few other crazy people on the path. Like I said, beautiful. Kate took pics with her camera, perhaps she will post them later.

Current Mood: energetic

I was at a dear friend’s wedding last night. It was beautiful. The sister of the groom, a gorgeous young woman, had a camera and was wandering around taking videos. She asked each of us to give the couple some advice on relationships. Having never been married, or in a relationship longer than 3 years, I did not feel comfortable giving them advice. I should be asking them!! I ended up saying that I was certain they would figure it out. Their vows were full of loving things they promised to do for one another. Although they have been married for over a year, they sounded giggly and so in love. They obviously do have it figured out already.

June was a long time ago, life has changed so much. I am working out; running 3 times per week, weights or yoga once a week adding one more this week. Did not make the triathlon goal, but am still hoping to summit Rainier this year. Triathlons can wait...for a while. Met a lovely, yummy, man at Burning Man, we are open dating and I am quite happy. All that work last year has helped tremendously. I am honest with my needs, but still doing too much care-taking, so I still have work to do. Not the best – best would be me not care-taking – but I am getting better. Most of all, I am happy, that is what is important! Hey, if I had it all figured out, what would I have to work on? I get scared occasionally, and so does he. We talk about it, and it does seem to work out.

Adopted a cat last week, he is black with green eyes and is quite the lover-boy. Within a minute of meeting him, he was curled up in my lap purring. I did not stand a chance. He is about a year old, definitely a teenager and testing boundaries all the time. Need to work on the 'what is ok to sharpen claws on, and what is not'. My sofa is *definitely* out, he gets a bit confused on that occasionally.

3 months since my surgery, and I have worked out perhaps 5 times total in those 3 months. My goals are to summit Mt Rainier next spring, and do an Olympic triathlon in the fall. Pre surgery, I was strong - benching 180, running 5+ miles, and leg pressing 1.1k. Should be easy to get back, you'd think. Funny, but I can't seem to get motivated. Inertia is way too strong in the morning. My belly is getting flabby, and my jeans are tight. Yuck! I need goals!, vision!!. First, though, I need new running shoes. I will pick them up in the morning, and some insoles to go with. I also need another running bra, as my old one has died. (Shall we give it a burial? Burn it? :)

The plan:
This Weekend:
Walk(28 min)/run(2 min) 30 min Saturday morning. (This gives me two days this week)
Next week:
3 days/week. 2 Aerobic, 1 wts.
Thereafter:
increment from there, working up to 5 days/week: 3 aerobic/wts, 2 aerobic w/1 long (hour +).

Mantra:
I am lean, and lithe, and luscious!

Current Mood: cheerful

Found this in Nipper's blog, and decided to try it. True, to the point of pain, in some places. That part about stubborn and missing out on opportunities? That one!

Your Life Path Number is 4

Your purpose in life is to build your vision. You are practical and responsible. You work hard, knowing that there are no shortcuts in life. You work for a better life for yourself and those you love, but you are not an idealist. Trustworthy and honest, you also demonstrate great courage. People can count on you. In love, you are a loyal and committed partner. You are the ideal spouse. You don't give up easily, and sometimes you can be too stubborn and unwilling to change. You also can be too conservative at times. You sometime miss out on good opportunities. Also remember that not everyone can work as hard as you, as disappointing as that is!

Current Mood: amused