Carrot's New Zoo Review

In West Philadelphia, Born and Raised

2008-06-29T22:03:00.000-07:00

The people at this airport don't know the difference between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. We are going to the city of brotherly love, people! Quit trying to board that other plane!

Maybe it's because they both start with P. Like how I can't tell the difference between Mendota, Modesto, and Madera.

The East Cost Girls Are Hip

2008-06-29T21:20:00.000-07:00

So I'm at SFO waiting to go to the East Coast for a week, and finally I have internet access. I've been without it for about three days, except for the pirated wireless I occasionally get from my neighbors, and I have an hour until boarding, so now's as good a time as any to write about the move!

I'm moved. Completely. The kittens and the last of the furniture went over yesterday. And, it might be too early and naive of me to say this, but...it might actually work! Turns out I happen to have a very conscientious roommate! Whoda thought it? He cleans, organizes, loves the kittens, and pays rent! I can't really ask for anything else, and I feel kind of bad for being so pessimistic about it before. The only downside is that people at the zoo are talking. But people at the zoo talk when one of your shoelaces is untied, so there's not much I can do about that. A few days ago, I was upset about the trapped-in-a-year-lease situation, but I'm prone to freaking out lately, so I'm going to ignore that little spaz out as an anomaly and live in rommated bliss from now on.

In other news, I'm going "home" for a week! It couldn't've come at a better time. My adopted town is surrounded by massive forest fires, and it's already terrible air quality has really gone to hell as a result--you can SEE the brown in the air. It's surreal. Also it's hotter than hell, roommate will unpack and rearrange furniture while I'm gone, and I can do with less zoo work at the moment. Clearly the East Coast is my best option! East Side!

Now let's board this mofo already!

2008-06-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

I made a huge mistake : (

On a happier note: Mazel Tov Rachel and Phil!!!!!

Boxing Day

2008-06-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Moving Day
Is a Holiday!
'Cause on Moving Day
We realize exactly how much crap we have and how hard it is to move it even a few miles down the road!

I used to looooove move-in day in college! That's kind of what this feels like, except my roommate situation is going to be a little odd this semester.

I forgot to mention that when I hiked half dome, I forgot my hiking boots. The ONE thing you really need to hike, and I forgot it! I ended up borrowing Kelsey's friends sneakers.

Ok, time to get this show on the road!

Here a Lee, There a Lee, Everywhere a Lee a Lee

2008-06-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

Omigosh omigosh omigosh!!!

Tomorrow is moving day! TOMORROW! He hasn't backed out of it yet! Or gotten fired! What if this really happens????

Upset

2008-06-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

I'm inexplicably depressed today.

I hope tomorrow's better.

Bring on the WHOLE Dome!

2008-06-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

I did it!

Kelsey and I spent a grueling, fantastic weekend hiking 16.2 miles up Half Dome! See that pointy part? I saw a marmot there. See the rounded part on the other side? I ate a turkey sandwich there. It was a HARD hike! I'm so tired!

Half-baked Plans

2008-06-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

I'm going to hike half dome on Wednesday! It's supposed to be a really tough hike. One of my friends from Hawaii and I are going to try it and then try camping in Yosemite without really having much of a plan. I'll let you know what happens! I'm super excited. I keep reading all these things that are like "this is a really hard hike! Be prepared!" and I'm like, "Tcha. Hard for OTHER people maybe." I hope I have some good hiking karma stored up!

2008-06-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

New TV Love: Dexter

Happy Flag Day! (belated)

Talk Talk Talk Talk Happy Talk

2008-06-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day! I love my coworkers. Most of the time. Today started out with a chocolate donut and a mint chocolate frappachino. How can any day be bad after that kind of start?

I really want to go swimming.

12

2008-06-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

Twelve is my lucky number. Today is the 12th.

Ummm....that's about it for today. Not every day is monumental.

Is It Gonna Be a Daisy or a Rose?

2008-06-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

Oh my Gosh! Last night we went out dancing and closed down my town's only dance club and towards the end of the night in between all the raunchy dancey music and hip hop songs they played Mmm Bop!! I swear! So what else can you do when you're all skanked out for dancing at what is basically a hillbilly bar? That's right: you dance dirty to Hanson. And the most awesome part of all! In the middle of the song, this guy with longish blond hair comes boppin' over to my circle of pals and someone screams "Oh my God! It's Hanson!!" And we all dance together! The DJ was watching us droppin' it like it was hot to such lyrics as "In an Mmm Bop you're gone/in an mmm bop you're not there..." and cracking up! Highlight of the night. No doubt about it. Fun times.

Work this morning was OK too. I got coffee, so I could appear normal and cheerful despite my hour and a half of sleep. During this afternoon's recovery nap, my old boss' boss from HI called to chide me for not responding to his email (he NEVER responds to mine and never fails to make me feel inferior), totally ruining my repose. F you, old boss' boss. That's what I say. I have no regrets about my recent decision to stay where I am for the time being. I just feel like it's what I need to do.

Now I'm out to see about this townhouse deal. I have no idea what L's feeling about this whole situation. I get vague feelings like I did before he dumped me, but since I haven't talked to him in two or three days, I have no idea whether they're justified. I do know his nice boss is giving us a couch! We'll see!

Well That's Alright if You're a Kind of Crustacean

2008-06-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

Happy!

I slept like 20 hours yesterday and woke up this morning feeling fantastic. L came to work and so is apparently not fired, so bonus.

Tonight I'm going dancing! Tomorrow I'm working half a day, so I get overtime! The next day I'm probably going back to the lake! So far in my California adventures, it seems like yesterday has no effect on today. One day is depressing and horrible, the next is wild and carefree, the next is confusing...seriously, I feel like anything can happen! I like the unpredictability.

We think all we want is a lifetime of leisure, each perfect day the same. Endless vacation.

2008-06-09T18:28:00.001-07:00

I went home sick. L didn't show up for work at all this morning. So much for "today's a new day."

I Went Through Hell

2008-06-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the worst day EVER.

I now know how this whole townhouse thing will fall apart, and it'll be all L's fault. He'll get fired for too many unexplained absences. He can charm his way out of a lot of trouble, but not indefinitely. He's already on thin ice at work, so one or two more days like yesterday, and I'll be carrying the whole rent by myself.

When am I going to figure out I need to move back east?

But today's a whole new day.

June is Busting Out All Over

2008-06-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

And the girls who were contrary
Way back in February
Aren't quite so contrary anymore!

June is busting out all over!
~Carousel

Carousel is a strange musical involving a defense of spousal and child abuse. On the whole, I didn't like it. But I do like the "June Is Busting Out All Over" song. And there's a character who shares my name.

Tonight was Zoobulation, so I ended up working until 830 tonight. It wasn't too bad. For dinner I had 10 lollipops (little, organic ones) and a diet pepsi.

I think history is repeating itself. January's history, to be exact, but it's repeating in a bizzarro way. I'm not sure of all the details yet. I'm just going to let it unfold. Drama-wise, this is one of the most ridiculous jobs I've ever had.

There's a black tie zoo shindig going on two weeks from today! I'm so excited. I'm going to it, not working it. I already know what I'm going to wear. Because how many chances do you get to look pretty when you deal with animal poop all day? Especially in the very same venue where the animal poop resides! Plus there will be free food and drinks!!

Big things ahead!

Shocking!

2008-06-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

So it turns out that over my weekend a five-year-old kid ran through the 10,000 volt hotwire surrounding the giraffe and eland (large hoofstock) enclosure at the zoo and provoked the animals. They charged at him! It could've ended very badly, but our heroic curator jumped through the 10,000 volts and rescued him! 10,000 volts! It's enough to knock you backwards on your butt if you just brush it. It'll kill you if you hold on to it.

Crazy!

Today was boring by comparison, but it was a good day. I bought lollipops and guacamole after work, so I'm pretty happy.

I Lived Alone So I Took Him Home

2008-06-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

He doesn't love me but/he keeps me company
Everything's alright

Oh Kimya, we are so on the same wavelength these days!

Today L and I went to the lake. It was fun. Then we decided to move in together.

Ha! I'm kidding.

We decided to be roommates BEFORE we went to the lake! So we got this great townhouse on the other side of town, closer to the zoo, less rent, more square footage, next door to our other zoo friend...the list of benefits goes on and on!

We're going to have a pitbull and three cats. Actually, I'm kind of alternating between shock, panic, and happiness with this decision. I think it'll work out, but a lot can happen between now and June 21st. And a lot can happen after that too.

We have basically nothing in common other than we both like animals enough to work at a zoo. Seriously: that's about it. It's amazing we dated as long as we did, really. I think this'll be a challenging roommate situation! I'll keep you posted. The lake was really fun.

My Rollercoaster's Got the Biggest Ups and Downs

2008-06-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

I might be moving into a townhouse for a lot less rent than I'm currently paying for my little apartment!!! I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope it happens!

Tonight is our last volleyball game. Sad. But soon it'll be too hot to move let alone prance around in athletic skorts and poneytails with your coworkers and bosses.

I love:
-->Sheets and pillowcases just out of the dryer
-->When kittens run
-->Natural highs from exercise endorphins
-->Kimya Dawson songs (but we already covered that)
-->Morning Glories when the vines climb all over stuff and the flowers are blue and purple
-->Lotion with glittery stuff in it
-->Swimming outside
-->Volleyball with my boss' boss
-->My new shorts
-->Being the center of attention at work

Time to change into skorts!

2008-06-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

What Did We Learn Today?

Today we learned that nocturnal South American porcupines do not like going outside at 6 in the morning. Or ever.

Today we learned that you can start rumors by answering questions. Or by not answering questions. Or by answering "that's kind of personal" to questions. It doesn't matter!

Today we learned we really, really need to drink enough water during the day or we will get killer headaches.

Today we learned that there is an emotion without a name that can only be described as "I vaguely feel like I am about to make a huge, irreversible mistake, but I will have to learn the hard way."

Today we learned we can use shampoo as body wash if we really need to wait until Payday Friday to go shopping.

Today we learned the grilled cheese sandwiches at the Safari Cafe is inferior to those of Friendly's, but will do in a pinch.

Today we learned we are good zookeepers! We saved a duck's life! (<-- highlight of the day so far!)

Think about what we'll learn tomorrow!

Remember That I Love You

2008-06-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

I love Kimya Dawson! She has at least two songs that reference Scrabble. Awesome.

Listen to "Loose Lips." Call me up before you're dead/we can make some plans instead

Now it's time for work. It's my Friday! What will this day be like? You never can tell when you get up in the morning. That's what I love about this place and this job and these people.

My war paint is Sharpie Ink.

2008-06-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,
Today I was pompous, and my sister was crazy. Today we were kidnapped by hill folk never to be seen again. It was the best day ever.

Ok, not really.

Welcome back, blog! It's been awhile. So much has happened! But let's ignore it all and focus on today.

I think today was "If you married your cousin you are entitled to free zoo tickets" day at the zoo. I swear I have never seen such a collection of...(what's the PC term? Aw screw it, you all know what I mean by the incest reference)...individuals in my life, and remember: I lived in Kentucky.

Example: A woman picks up her barefoot 5-year old son as they enter the rainforest and says, "I'm gonna carry you through here. It looks DIRTY." Because the rest of the ZOO, where animals CRAP ALL DAY and people WALK THROUGH IT, is spotlessly clean. When I asked "Excuse me, does he have shoes?" she gave me a very rude and belligerent "NO!" So sorry for challenging your parenting style. It's a public place, you cretin! It's not the beach or the pool, the only two public places it is socially acceptable to be barefoot, and it's filthy!

Today I stole L's radio for a joke. He left it sitting on a bench, so I swiped it and ran gleefully toward the rainforest. Ten minutes later, a panicked L calls over what turned out to be his boss' radio asking if he could call my cell. I said no, I left it at home. Then I skipped joyfully back to maintenance, and smugly asked if he was missing something. He told me he got into trouble for losing his radio.

Awww crap.

This boy does NOT need any more trouble at work.

Consumed by guilt, I hastily hand over the radio, apologize, and dart into the office to explain to the maintenance boss what happened. Unfortunately, it's the BIG boss today. The one who is wiry and ferrety and disapproving of all things hijinky. I explain, he says "I see. Well we all must have fun at work," in a totally expressionless deadpan, and I beat it out of there. Usually, I can do no wrong with most of the maintenance guys...with the youngest of them, it seems I can do nothing right.

Tomorrow I resolve to be nice to people. ALL people. Even members of the public. Because I caught myself rolling my eyes at the zoo-going masses a couple of times today, and I wear a nametag, so I can't do that too much.

I have had two memos (or "Toolbox Safety" communiques, as they're now called: basically little notes at our bi-weekly meetings that are supposed to be reminders for everyone, but are only issued after someone has done something wrong) directed at me so far in my short career at this zoo. Both were about wardrobe, specifically acceptable shorts length (no less than 7'' from the inseam) and appropriate socks (must blend, must not stand out). Apparently I'm aiming for several more "This means YOU" memos, including "Respecting our coworkers," "The customer is always right," and "Radios are not toys." If I sexually harass someone and use bad language in the break room, I can collect the whole set!

I was such a model employee before I came here! What happened?

What did we learn today? I'm, of course, embarrassed and guilt-stricken about the whole L's Radio episode, but mostly I'm worried about this not-so-subconscious desire to hurt L. Whenever we pal around, I always end up hitting him (playfully!), or kicking him (flirtatiously!), or almost getting him written up (in the spirit of good-natured ribbing!) but in the end, it's all violence, right? And that's never good.

Tomorrow I'll be nice to people. ALL people. Maybe one in particular.

What I Did On My Random February Vacation

2008-02-06T12:32:00.000-08:00

I spent my Random February Vacation at my dad's house in Kansas. Here is what I did.

I accidentally taught my youngest sister to say the phrase "thoughtless bastard." She says it in a very cute, Cindy Brady-style accent: "Foughtwess bastawd!"
I ate far, far too much junk food. Luckily there isn't a chocolate-based holiday on the horizon or anything.
I went shopping and bought girl things like nail polish, hairbands, and two actual DRESSES! They're both far too formal for any occasion I can see myself attending anytime soon, which means I'll probably wind up wearing them to the next non-work-related event I attend regardless of appropriateness. Those guys who spray disinfectant in the shoes in the bowling alley will be soooo impressed!
I wrote part of my novel! Yes, it still lives! This is the accomplishment of which I am most proud.
I saw actual, falling snow! TWICE! I was the only one excited about this. I took pictures.
I neglected lots of obligations I have back in Fresno, including but not limited to paying my rent. As a result, I may be evicted when I get back! Excitement!
I got a haircut I actually like!
I went to Pop 'n' Play and trampled copious toddlers.
I "pwayed fawm" a lot and gave lots of plastic animals baths.
I pissed off lots of people with my pathetic pining for Leigh.
I stuck my foot on a rat skull and nest of rat turds that was lodged in my stepmom's ski boot for some reason.
I had a photo shoot with most of my siblings. It was hilarious! Like trying to wrangle a pack of eels.
I went to Kansas' only indoor waterpark! It was not the greatest waterpark ever, but on the other hand it WAS because waterpark in February? You just can't beat that!
I lost a superbowl bet and had to wash one of my dad's cars.
I won a game of Scrabble against my sister and dad. This was my second proudest accomplishment of the trip.

So all in all, an eventful vacation! Now to go back to Fresno for approximately a week of work, then take off four days to go skiing with Rachel and Dianne! Not working is the BEST!

Meeeeeem

2007-12-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Rachel's blogs place these responsibilities on me. I MUST do as they say!

Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself.

1) I made up my own religion. It involves a lot of superstition and quasi-paganism, but only in a lackadaisical kind of way. If we ever have another Inquisition, I am in trouble.

2) I eat dessert concurrently with the main meal. I like the contrast of flavors.

3) I martyr-eat my salads. I eat the things I dislike the most first so by the end of the meal, there's nothing but tomatoes in the bowl. Then I eat those!

4) Almost every day I feel a compulsion to sing songs from Les Mis at work. If no one's around, I sing really loudly.

5) I often purposely mispronounce the names of foods.

6) I like slightly burnt popcorn.

7) When it's almost dinner time, and I'm trying to write something, all my thoughts turn invariably to food. Maybe that one's not so weird, but I need to wrap this up because it's dinner time!

Yay!

2007-12-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

I love this thing!

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Got a real, full-time job, moved to California, got my own apartment, lots of grown-up things ike that.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I was going to work out every single day. Well, I got closer to that goal this year than last year, and I'm really happy with my body right now, so we'll call that one accomplished!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Elaine! To half-brother Roro aka Robin.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, knock on wood.

5. What countries did you visit?
None. Sad!

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Airplane tickets to Alaska, vet school acceptance.

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 25th: the day I left Hawaii. Again: sad!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The ability to move to a completely new place where I know no one and actually do ok for myself.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Gave in to emotion too easily.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got strep again! Tcha! I will do my own tonsilectomy with a rusty spoon before I got through that again!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Rental cars! Also my futon-couch Munkarp.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Rental cars. Also rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
People coming to visit me in Hawaii, trips up Mauna Kea and to Hapuna, the 5k with Jackie, New Hampshire, the S2P mini-reunion, the October road trip, trips to Ikea

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Tilly and the Walls' "Rainbows in the Dark," Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry," Avril Lavigne's "Hey Hey," Plain White Tees' "You and Me."

17. Compared to this time last year, are you
happier or sadder? sadder, I won't be home for Christmas : (
older or wiser? Wiser. I know what I don't want now.
thinner or fatter? thinner! Thanks to being poor!
richer or poorer? Poorer! Wtf, full time job??

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Staying in Hawaii.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Thinking.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Working. But working with Chrissy at the zoo!

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Love is such a tricky word. I'll say yes.

22. How many one-night stands?
Not a one.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office! Also Arrested Development and Mr Show.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I intensely dislike someone.

25. What was the best book you read?
Life of Pi.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Shins! Also, I assume it'll be the Killers' new CD, but I'll have to wait two more days to make sure.

27. What did you want and get?
A genuine full time job with health insurance and my own apartment.

28. What did you want and not get?
I got what I thought I wanted, but it turns out I don't actually want it.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Maybe Hairspray? I can't even remember what I saw this year. Oh! Blades of Glory! How sad. Rachel had movies that require, you know, brain cells. Also The Mist because it was so incredibly bad!

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I threw a tantrum. I was, and am, 24. Actually, I'm gonna go ahead and say the MRxL beach party was my birthday party!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
NOT getting a real job.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Awesome! Knee-high boots figured in heavily, as did swimsuits.

33. What kept you sane?
The beach! Also TV, sad to say.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Dwight Schrute. Kidding! Probably Zach Braff.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Global warming.

36. Who did you miss?
Family and friends. As always.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Jackie! also Sara, Emily, Rachel K, Robbie, and Roro!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
You never know what you got til it's gone.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
For Jan-June:
"It was just another night
with the sun set
and the moon rise not so far behind
to give us just enough light
to lay down underneath the stars
listen to all the translations
of the stories across the sky
we drew our own constellations" ~Jack Johnson

Also:
"Hey hey, you you, I don't like your girlfriend."

For October:
"Love is war/I'm your soldier"

For Nov-now:
"I never really gave up on/getting out of this two-star town." ~The Killers

2007-12-02T00:55:00.001-08:00

It's quarter til one in the morning, and I have work tomorrow. I've been sick for the past two weeks. The new cat's been sick since I got him. I just found out two interesting facts. First, you can get a long-lasting flu-like disease from being snotted on by a cat. Cat Scratch Fever is a real disease. Thank you WebMD. Second, aforementioned cat has been peeing in my closet for quite some time. I was just extolling his peeing-in-the-catbox abilities to my dad, saying this cat is a keeper. I think he's gotta go. His constant illness and terrible hygiene are sources of unbearable stress. Why can't I handle pets anymore? Also I think someone's been stealing my Netflixes out of the mailbox.

This is pretty much the most miserable I've ever been and for the longest amount of time.

Cat Scratch Fever

2007-11-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, now that I'm recovering from my flu of death and have cleaned my apartment of cat urine, I feel a lot better about Fresno and life in general. Don't get me wrong, I'm still busting out of this place in a year. But I feel more confident I can survive until then.

The cat's still sick. I'm going to write an amazing novel and get it published and never have to have a real job again. Real jobs are lame, I'm discovering. But planning for the next thing is not! My head is full of dreams of seasonal work and internships and living with a billion roommates in a rent-free house. What I was doing before this, basically. It's like they say: you don't know what you got til it's gone. In the meantime, I'm going to take some kind of class here and try to save some money and just be me!

It's like the Beach Boys say, you just gotta have a little faith in yourself, darlin'. And everything that you do. New love: Arrested Development. Old, rediscovered love: Mr Show. Ahhh TV, you never let me down. Wait, yes you do. All the time. "Next Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader" much? Scrap that. Ahhh carefully vetted Netflix reruns of old TV series, YOU never let me down!

This Thanksgiving weekend, I was and still am thankful for my family, my friends, my relatively newfound sense of independence, the fact that the holiday season lasts for a month and a half, dark chocolate, cranberry sauce attractively displayed, Martinelli's and the fact that living in California has brought me into contact with this incredible sparkling cider, my boss' benevolent views on sick days, and the fact that I live somewhere and in such a way that I can afford to worry about whether my current job is fulfilling and where I have the freedom to quit and move anytime I want but the convictions to stay for at least a year.

Every Day I Want to Cry

2007-11-23T06:13:00.000-08:00

I am not having the best adjustment period here. This parade of terrible cats (I traded in Rosey and got Jayne) makes me question not only my abilities as a pet owner, but whether I like animals at all anymore. And if I don't like animals, what am I going to do? I had a fever last night. I think the cat gave it to me. Jayne peed on a lot of my stuff. I found out I'm happiest when I'm driving away from this place.

Good thoughts:
Mom's here in two weeks; two weeks after that, Chrissy's here; six weeks after that, Rachel's here
I got paid today
Thanksgiving at Dianne's was excellent

I would give anything for some do-overs.

Keep on the Sunny Side

2007-11-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

The situation here in the 'no is getting a little desperate. I'm overdrawn (almost) on two bank accounts, the cable guy is coming, and I owe a tuition payment today. Payday is Friday.

Rosey the garbage cat is not working out. I didn't really feel a connection with her when they brought her into the vet hospital in a trap cage full of fish heads, but I assumed, because I love animals, I could forge one. It's a little more than a week later. She's looking good--put on weight and flea free--but I do not like this cat. Maybe I don't like animals anymore. She keeps me up at night, she's destroying all my stuff, she smells terrible, and her little meows are not cute, they're annoying.

I'm having a little trouble getting on my feet here in Fresno. It'll all be better after payday. I hope.

His Name is Garbage Because He Eats Garbage!

2007-10-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

I got a cat!

Well, actually the keeper who's responsible for pest control trapped me a feral garbage cat. Her name was going to be Opala, Hawaiian for Trash, but I went with Rosey instead. It's sort of an homage to my late Uncle Jim, who had an awesome old cat name Pinky who sort of resembled my trash cat. She's a black and orange calico kitten with a broken tail, stink-butt, and a nasty case of fleas. She's also my project! Just watch. In ten days or so, she'll be a gorgeous picture of kitten health. You'll be able to pass her off as a dutchess at the embassy ball.

Now repeat after me, Rosey: The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain...

Rockabye

2007-10-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

As I just wrote in an email to Rachel, I'm so homesick I might die. Not literally. Anyone who knows me knows I'm prone to hyperbole. I'm just really, really, REALLY homesick. If you offered me a plane ticket home right now, I'd take it, consequences be damned. I guess it's a good thing I get jobs in expensive plane ticket areas of the US, because I always cope. I always feel horrible for the first ten days after a move, and then I always get over it. And then I love the place/job/situation I'm in. I KNOW that's what happens. I know this wretched feeling won't last. You'd think that would help me through these rough times, but it doesn't. California feels farther from home than Alaska or Hawaii. Is it because this is the real deal, job-wise? Not an internship or a school semester with a set ending date? Do I feel like I'm trapped here? I'm not. I KNOW I could leave anytime. But I'll get over it. And then I'll feel great again. I always do.

Some horrible part of me worries that maybe this is the real thing. Maybe this is the time I don't snap out of it.

But no, it'll be OK. Like the song goes, "everything's gonna be alright."

I feel like I hold the world record for failure to leave the nest.

2007-10-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

The big road trip was more than two weeks ago. Time for some introspection.

Things I Learned on The Road Trip
1) You can find places to go out dancing any night of the week if you try hard enough.
2) LA lives up to its stereotypes.
3) Santa Barbara is an underrated town.
4) If you find a band-aid on your pillow at the hotel, you should complain in person.
5) I have no reason or desire ever to go to Utah.
6) If you see billboards for roadside zoos with six-legged cows and the world's largest prairie dog, you MUST stop.
7) If you wear false eyelashes and a cocktail dress to a Burger King in Wyoming at noon on a Tuesday, you might get some stares.
8) Reno is not all it's cracked up to be, and it's not cracked up to be all that much.
9) My car can go 60 miles after the gas light comes on.
10) Speaking of my car, if you let it sit unused in a garage in South Carolina for a year and a half and then take it 3,000 miles at an average of 75 mph through mountains, plains, snow, and rain, fully loaded, it might have a problem or two by the time you get to your destination.
11) College night at the clubs is still fun when you're not in college anymore.
12) Vodka is not my friend (unless mixed with grape soda), but beer is!
13) The San Diego Zoo might still have the same black jaguars (or their offspring) it had in the critically acclaimed 1987 film "Rainbow Brite at the San Diego Zoo."
14) Coronada: fact or fiction? Fact: it has good Thai food.
15) Just because you get to Fresno doesn't mean the trip is over! You can always go back to San Francisco.
16) Cool travel companions make all the difference.

So now I'm in my new home city, trying to weasel an apartment out of the people at my chosen apartment complex. It's not even particularly nice, but I can't afford to lose my deposit. So I call the manager and her idiotic trainee manager everyday trying to convey the idea that I WILL GIVE YOU MON-EY (vigorously nod head, smile) IF YOU GIVE ME AN AP-ART-MENT! speaking very slowly, loudly, and angrily. In the meantime, I started my job yesterday, and it looks like it'll be a good one.

Halloween is just around the corner! Today I will hit up the discount stores for Vampirate costume components.

Turn, Turn, Turn

2007-10-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow starts the big Road Trip West!

One of my best friends from Hawaii is flying here and together we will drive Route 70 to San Fransisco over the course of three days--two if we're feeling ambitious. Then we'll meet up with Dianne and head south along the coast. This marks a new era in my life: the "responsible adult era." The "irresponsible sponge on my parents era" is going out with a bang, though. I have big plans for these road trips!

Moving west to California seems like such a cliche thing to do. Isn't it part of a song or a graduation speech or something? "Live out West, but don't get too soft; live out East, but don't get too hard." Well cliche or not, it's my turn! Time to live somewhere I've never lived and do things I've never done before. Whenever I tell people I'm moving to California, the first thing they usually say is "oh it's so expensive out there." Tcha. I'll manage. I'm a little nervous about moving away from the East Coast, stronghold of my friends and family. It won't be like the internships where you have at least a few other displaced, new people ready to be your pre-assigned friends. This is another step outside my comfort zone, but I'm looking forward to it. All the best things happen to me when I get away from what I know. My life goal is never to be stagnant. I stole that from Jackie, because I like it so much. It'll be great! And if it's not great, which it will be, it'll be a learning experience.

I'm also a little nervous about starting a full time job. It seems to go against the "don't be stagnant" philosophy. But if I don't like it, if I feel stuck, I can always do something else! I can always get a new job or internship and move. Moving is good. Moving frees the soul.

So there ya go: new job, new state, new life, new blog!