Bamboo Ragtime

apartment get, MOB life

2009-11-06T06:34:10Z

So, I'm in my new apartment. The first couple of nights were kinda hard, but I'm getting to like it now. I got to stay down after rehearsal with the MOB tonight, and go out to chick-fil-a and get a tasty peppermint shake and hang out and talk about Tolkien until they kicked us out. It was a lot of fun. I love the MOB people, and the SAs are the best. This is definitely as much fun as anything I did in high school.

For the away game on Saturday I am Iran, desperately trying to hide my nuclear bomb baby from my USA boyfriend. My silly bomb baby will not stop jumping up and down and trying to get attention, unfortunately, and the USA leaves me in disillusioned tears. But he rebounds in the next song enough to have a fling with both Afghanistan and Iraq, (who subsequently realize they are being two-timed and both slap him before storming off of the field.)

I was complimented by Jamie, one of the drum majors, on how cute an Iran I was. It made me all warm and fuzzy.

I should now either write one of the various papers I should be doing, or study for the GRE some more. Curse you, fiendish geometry from Sophomore year! ::shakes fist::

Mental note: Ask Victorian Culture teacher if she knows anyone in the Architecture school. Repeat with Art History teacher next Tuesday.

. . . And there's a creepy doll/ that always followes you

2009-09-25T06:05:17Z

Took a break from studying and watched Destination Truth while eating.

In this episode, Josh and his team investigate a haunted island in a Mexican canal with 200+ dirty, decomposing dolls hung in trees and around an old shack by the (deceased) caretaker to appease the little girl who drowned there. . .

one of the dolls opens its eye while Josh is talking to it. . .

Yeah. Not sleeping tonight.

psi_fer @ 2009-09-15T23:18:00

2009-09-16T04:19:48Z

Me: Human kind can not gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange.

Judy: you are such a nerd.

Me: Thank you!

school - work - life balance

2009-09-14T00:04:08Z

[plate spinning music]

Spent Thursday and Friday on paper due Monday

Spent Saturday doing some of the reading for Monday and Tuesday

Spent Sunday drafting and meeting with clients about their kitchen. Now, after dinner I'll start working on my paper again, and then after that do more reading. And more reading. And still more reading. I'm trying to get as much of the reading for Tuesday done as possible, so I can do shin shin on Monday night.

Did not get to clean the bathtub like I wanted.

Oi.

First thing: eat. Then paper. Then reading. (Then maybe my FullMetal Alchemist reward of the night, one episode, for getting everything I'd assigned to myself done. We'll see if I can get it all)

This is, quite possibly, the best pic ever.

2009-08-21T05:23:11Z

Or this week, anyway.

http://pictureisunrelated.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/wtf-pics-dial-a-llama.jpg

Flannan Isle

2009-08-04T07:06:46Z

Watching "Doctor Who: The Horror of Fang Rock" tonight (streaming netflix is shiny) and the doctor quoted part of this poem. Liked it so much I posted it here to have a copy.

FLANNAN ISLE

THOUGH three men dwell on Flannan Isle
To keep the lamp alight,
As we steered under the lee we caught
No glimmer through the night.

A passing ship at dawn had brought
The news, and quickly we set sail
To find out what strange thing might ail
The keepers of the deep-sea light.

The winter day broke blue and bright
With glancing sun and glancing spray
While o'er the swell our boat made way,
As gallant as a gull in flight.

But as we neared the lonely Isle
And looked up at the naked height,
And saw the lighthouse towering white
With blinded lantern that all night
Had never shot a spark
Of comfort through the dark,
So ghostly in the cold sunlight
It seemed that we were struck the while
With wonder all too dread for words.
And, as into the tiny creek
We stole beneath the hanging crag
We saw three queer black ugly birds-
Too big by far in my belief
For cormorant or shag-
Like seamen sitting bolt-upright
Upon a half-tide reef;
But as we neared they plunged from sight
Without a sound or spirt of white.

And still too mazed to speak,
We landed and made fast the boat
And climbed the track in single file,
Each wishing he were safe afloat
On any sea, however far,
So it be far from Flannan Isle;
And still we seemed to climb and climb
As though we'd lost all count of time
And so must climb for evermore;
Yet all too soon we reached the door-
The black sun-blistered lighthouse door
That gaped for us ajar.

As on the threshold for a spell
We paused, we seemed to breathe the smell
Of limewash and of tar,
Familiar as our daily breath,
As though 'twere some strange scent of death;
And so yet wondering side by side
We stood a moment still tongue-tied,
And each with black foreboding eyed
The door ere we should fling it wide

To leave the sunlight for the gloom:
Till, plucking courage up, at last
Hard on each other's heels we passed
Into the living-room.

Yet as we crowded through the door
We only saw a table spread
For dinner, meat and cheese and bread,
But all untouched and no one there;
As though when they sat down to eat,
Ere they could even taste,
Alarm had come and they in haste
Had risen and left the bread and meat,
For at the table-head a chair
Lay tumbled on the floor.

We listened, but we only heard
The feeble cheeping of a bird
That starved upon its perch;
And, listening still, without a word
We set about our hopeless search.
We hunted high, we hunted low,
And soon ransacked the empty house;
Then o'er the Island to and fro
We ranged, to listen and to look
In every cranny, cleft or nook
That might have hid a bird or mouse:
But though we searched from shore to shore
We found no sign in any place,
And soon again stood face to face
Before the gaping door,
And stole into the room once more
As frightened children steal.
Ay, though we hunted high and low
And hunted everywhere,
Of the three men's fate we found no trace
Of any kind in any place
But a door ajar and an untouched meal
And an overtoppled chair.
And as we listened in the gloom
Of that forsaken living-room-
A chill clutch on our breath-
We thought how ill-chance came to all
Who kept the Flannan Light,
And how the rock had been the death
Of many a likely lad-
How six had come to a sudden end
And three had gone stark mad,
And one, whom we'd all known as friend,
Had leapt, from the lantern one still night
And fallen dead by the lighthouse wall-
And long we thought
On the three we sought,
And on what might yet befall.

Like curs a glance has brought to heel
We listened, flinching there,
And looked and looked on the untouched meal
And the overtoppled chair.

We seemed to stand for an endless while,
Though still no word was said,
Three men alive on Flannan Isle
Who thought on three men dead.

Wilfred Gibson
Fires 1912

Phantom of the Opera

2009-08-04T06:22:46Z

Went to Phantom of the Opera and wow. Just wow.

****Spoilers for Phantom of the Opera if you haven't seen it*********

Don't know quite what it was that blew me away, probably a combination of set design, music and acting. I don't think I've ever seen a set that cool. Well, possibly the Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas, that was about as awesome as a set can get. But this was still a really, really cool set. How does that back piece even work? And the candles that come out of the ground are just freaking cool.

I knew basically nothing about the show going in, so when there was that pop and the organ music started up and the chandelier started rising . . . wow. One of those incredibly rare moments when my left brain SHUTS UP and I get to experience something without the monkey chatter. I really appreciate those moments. They're probably the closest things to a religious experience I have, and they're always when I've been overwhelmed by something incredibly beautiful or cool.

So I had the soundtrack to Phantom on continuous play in my head for about two weeks. It's finally wearing off, but it was darn cool.

a just right moment

2009-06-21T06:22:46Z

Stepped out this evening during twilight, just after the sun set, and took a moment out to watch the bats. After an unbelievably hot day the temperature finally dropped into the 80's and there was just the faintest of breezes so it was actually pleasant to be outside, sitting in the lawn furniture, hearing the pond and the crickets and the chirps of the bats as they fluttered and jerked and zipped around eating mosquitoes.

psi_fer @ 2009-06-20T22:19:00

2009-06-21T03:24:19Z

If there is one person or more on your friends list who makes your world a better place just because they exist and who you would not have met (in real life or not) without the internet, then post this same sentence in your journal.

I've met some really wonderful people through the internet, and made some great friendships. I've gotten encouragement, advice, and a good kick in the pants from my internet friends, which is a big part of how I've made it this far. Thank you.

reminising on past Comic Cons, even though I can't go this year.

2009-06-17T16:56:46Z

Favorite Con memories:

Joss and the Firefly panel, where the actors came out and couldn't believe the people there, especially Jewel's face of incredulous delight when she walked out to a roaring crowd, and Adam's face when he saw a whole group of people wearing Jayne hats. Nathan starting the Hero of Canton song, and having the audience sing the next verse back to them. Joss and the Dr Horrible panel. Joss in anything, really.

Seeing Steven Moffat, and hearing him talk about how excited he is to run Dr. Who. (When he was little he was told if he was good he could watch Dr. Who, so now he must be THE BEST BEHAVED BOY IN THE WORLD!)

Seeing the Mythbusters live, and watching some of their outtakes, including Adam running on a treadmill while drunk, getting slapped while drunk, their paintball printer, and Adam telling about how he walked around the con all day dressed as Hellboy so he wouldn't be mobbed. And listening to the nerdiest, most scientifically intelligent question and answer session imaginable.

Watching Mike, Bill and Kevin riff live on Plan 9 from Outer Space. (and getting my picture with Crow and Tom Servo)

Watching Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick heckle two monarch henchmen. ("Oh, excuse[i] us[/i], were we interrupting you? We're just the ones who [i]created your characters[/i].)

Line jumping with Char, and watching the smoothest line jump ever (Chris, to the very front of the line, inches from the door, in front of a employee)

Bruce Campbell panel, where it turns out he's a professional at working convention crowds, marvelously funny, and completely comfortable with his worst movie roles.

Booing the Stargate people for killing Dr. Beckett. [face_tongue]

Eating lunch while watching Quick Draw, and the SCA practicing sword fights.

Christopher Judge explaining in the Stargate panel why he wouldn't got to the arctic to shoot the Stargate tv movie because he is seal colored.

Seeing the pilot episode of Lost and hearing them talk about it for the first time.

People in costumes, including a solder from 300 (post battle), the Doctor, the entire cast from Torchwood, Ghostbusters, Inu Yasha, and of course, the beautiful tvjen.

TVJ and Chris heckling the Masquerade from the viewing room.

And Con related memories:

Meeting TVJ and Jen, Darthbrian, Travis, Rachel, TLA, weap and more. Having heavenly pancakes and lively discussions in the mornings, post-preview night dinner with delicious greek food, and dinner at Bocha de Beppo. (mmmmmmmm, food. [face_tongue])

Late night BS sessions with TVJ, discussing books and tv shows, anime and everything else.

Disneyland, especially the Haunted Mansion, guided by the Disneyland experts darthbrian and his friend. Staying at the decadent Sophia Hotel. Seeing the tall ship, and going on a ghost walk in old town San Diego. Hanging out at the beach.

good quotes

2009-05-29T22:52:15Z

For every minute you are angry, you loose sixty seconds of happiness.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.
-Samuel Butler

psi_fer @ 2009-05-24T22:27:00

2009-05-25T03:30:27Z

I was poking around in the cupboard looking for a snack, when I pulled out a Ritter Sport Alpine Milk Chocolate bar. These are my favorite candy of all time, and I haven't been able to find one for at least 6 months.

GO MAGIC CUPBOARD!

Overly Dramatic Things People Say in Movies that would sound ludicrous in a normal conversation:

2009-05-22T06:24:31Z

It'll be dark soon, we'd better keep moving.

I have the strangest feeling, as if I've been here before.

Go! Save yourselves!

psi_fer @ 2009-05-12T02:08:00

2009-05-12T07:09:37Z

I desire a noodle-based food product. Unfortunately, the universe is not accommodating my whim.

Stupid universe.

psi_fer @ 2009-05-02T23:39:00

2009-05-03T04:40:26Z

"Whenever you feel an impulse to perpetrate a piece of exceptionally fine writing, obey it -- whole-heartedly -- and delete it before sending your manuscripts to press. Murder your darlings."

-Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch

chicken puppet

2009-04-14T15:51:34Z

Tom: Yeah Mike, I was wondering that myself. Weird, isn't it?
Mike: Oh hey Tom. How'd you get here so fast?
Tom: Aw, he'll be along. I have his chicken puppet.
Mike: Hey, where's Crow?
Tom: Talking like what?
Mike: Why are you talking like that?
Tom: No I'm not, I'm just way ahead of you Mike.
Mike: Well, like that. You know, you're answering my questions before I ask them. I dunno, I'm just asking him the same thing.
Tom: No, you dope, I mean I'm moving faster than you temporally speaking.
Mike: Hey, whadda you mean you're way ahead of me?
Tom: I asked you for it Crow. You were right here.
Crow: Hi guys! Hey, how'd you get here so fast?
Tom: That's what I've been trying to tell you, Mike. I'm ahead of you by about three seconds.
Mike: You know what, guys? I think there may be something wrong with the spacetime continuum.
Crow: Servo, how'd you get my chicken puppet?
Gypsy: Nope, sorry. Everything's on the fritz. My burrito was done before I put it in the oven.
Tom: All right, all right. Take your damn chicken puppet. I'll have it back before you know it anyway. Hee hee!
Mike: Hey, Tom, why don't you just give him his chicken puppet back. Alright? [gives chicken puppet to Crow]
Tom: Say, why don't we ask Gypsy to mess with the warp engines?
Crow: Well, all's I know is I want my chicken puppet back! Hey, how'd that happen?
Mike: That's a good idea. Gypsy, there's something wrong with the spacetime thingy, isn't there anything we can do?
Tom: Well, Ok, Gypsy. I guess all we can do is ride it out. I'm outta here. [leaves]
Mike: Ok, Gyps, I guess all we can do it ride it out. I'm gonna. . wow, that's a weird deja vous.
Tom: [walking past with chicken puppet] hee hee hee hee hee!
Mike: Yeah, that's a good idea, Crow. You do that. This is really weird. We'll be right back. [leaves]
Crow: Well, I'm just gonna play with my chicken puppet 'til this blows over. I'll see you Mike, Tom. [leaves with puppet, whistling] [wait a beat] Hey, anybody seen my chicken puppet?

I have pinkeye

2009-04-14T14:46:11Z

Really horrible pinkeye. Stop people in their tracks pinkeye. What the hell happened to you pinkeye.

Ow.

psi_fer @ 2009-03-28T22:56:00

2009-03-29T03:57:36Z

Stupid dog food bowl! Just because you've been in the exact same place for the last 10 years is NO EXCUSE for being where I'm walking while carrying a bowl of hot chili.

psi_fer @ 2009-03-25T23:30:00

2009-03-26T04:31:47Z

You know, you never really appreciate toenails until you loose one.

psi_fer @ 2009-03-25T16:05:00

2009-03-25T21:08:54Z

odd/amusing moment of the day:

The silver-haired Sears repairman finishes fixing the ice maker and I escort him out. As he's leaving and I'm closing the door, he calls out "Lock the door behind me!"

. . . um, ok, I was going to do that anyway. I'm more amused than offended, but do I really look that young, or just like an idiot?

psi_fer @ 2009-03-24T21:02:00

2009-03-25T03:00:07Z

starbucks ginormous cranberry orange scone + front rolls in hapkido = poor decision. (urp.) (hey I could make that an indexed.com graph!)

Also, unrelated to hapkido, the toenails on both little toes seem to be falling off. I wonder how concerned about this I should be? The two things I can think of that would do that are creepy toenail fungus and maybe leprosy. I guess I'm hoping for the toenail fungus? (although leprosy makes for a great excuse: "sorry, I can't come in to work today. I have leprosy, and my toe just fell off." Another good excuse: "I seem to have the plague.")

(And just try looking for lost body parts in the lost and found. You would think if you lost it and somebody found it that would be the end of it, but noooooo, they are so close-minded and squeamish.)

(Yes, I know real leprosy doesn't cause bits of fall off, but that spoils the joke so I'm going to ignore it.)

After four days and actually getting frustrated to the point of tears (something that hasn't happened in the last 20 years?) I finally finished the four presentation boards I'm putting in my former high school's arts festival (in the alumni section) as examples of what I'm up to these days. I was invited to show some of my work (project photos) by my old art teacher, but put off actually getting the boards ready until ridiculously late. I did get them done though, with four hours to spare! And I got a compliment from my old teacher about how professionally they were mounted. They weren't as good as my friend Michael can do, but I've told him repeatedly he should teach a class to the incoming students on presentation board making. (and charge $50)

Extreme Sheep

2009-03-20T04:23:29Z

Sometimes when life doesn't seem so pretty, especially after watching depressing network news (more blood spattered crime scenes and unethical behavior at 11) or reading about the deflating economy (your life will suck and you should be stockpiling dog food to eat), you need to find something that reminds you how creative, hard working and freaking brilliant human beings can be.

I give you this:

You're welcome.

(*Shamelessly stolen from Rachel, who shamelessly stole it from Jacob, who shamelessly stole it from the interwebs)

Go away, Girl Scout Cookies

2009-03-17T02:23:33Z

la la la la la la la la la la la la la

I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

pi day

2009-03-15T00:09:57Z

In celebration of pi day, blackberry pie was consumed today. With vanilla ice cream.

Totally negating the hour previously spent at the gym. Ah well. Pi day only comes once a year. Viva la pi day.

initiative FTW! or, Google SketchUp rocks

2009-03-08T05:39:25Z

Friday I was on the phone with my client, (one of only two, which is a source of anxiety all of its own, but one story at a time), and he asks me for some way I can help him and the general contractor visualize what I'm doing in this master bathroom. It is hard to visualize from a floor plan and an elevation a shower that's going to be curved and slightly nautilus shaped. So I spend most of Friday and Saturday fretting about what to do. I already did a hand drawn one-point perspective, but that apparently didn't help enough. If only I had taken this last month to learn Revit!!! Curse my procrastinateive nature!

I try a crash course in Revit this afternoon, but the thing has a learning curve like a brick wall, and I get nowhere. However, the book I'm attempting to teach myself from does say something about Google SketchUp, and, figuring I can't get any more screwed than I already am, I download it and watch the tutorials.

Well, a scant six hours later, and WOOT! It's not beautiful, but it definitely gets the point across, in pretty, pretty scrolling and panning and zooming splendor. Bless those good people at Google SketchUp, who made such a marvelously intuitive program!

(and now I keep trying to pan around things in my browser window)

In fact, the only blot on the whole thing is that I have to miss Hapkido on Monday to present the pretty pretty thing, but I was the only one who turned up today for informal practice, so I got a private lesson! Go me!