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Sunday, June 28, 2009

No title.

Not much has been going on here...just chilling out, taking pictures, and working.

I apologize that these pictures look so shit-tastic here...the resolution is all messed up. To see the originals check out my Flickr.





I was very surprised to hear about Michael Jackson's death, though in all honesty it's not as if I think of Michael Jackson on a regular basis, so any sort of news I guess would be surprising. I think it's a veritable tragedy, truth be told. A very sad end for a very sad, troubled person.

I've been working on my amateur photography hobby on a regular basis, though in all honesty I am generally pretty discouraged. One of my least favorite attributes of myself (of which there are many) is my perfectionism. Often when I embark on a new project, activity, hobby, etc., I imagine in my head that I will be an expert in it instantly. Unfortunately this is rarely the case and I am left frustrated and filled with self-loathing (yes, loathing). I'm working through this particular issue, since, well, I have a $600 camera in my hands. I damn well BETTER start believing in myself.

Rob bought a rifle the other day. He's been talking about it for months; I think he wants to start shooting as a hobby. He never shot a firearm before the Army but I think he came to enjoy it. I am not a huge fan of guns, perhaps because I never grew up around them and hey, they're pretty fucking frightening. He's told me that he plans on making me shoot it to increase my comfort level...we shall see how that goes.

THIS IS NOT A WEDDING BLOG so I don't really want to go into my latest wedding plans. The plans are also ever-changing so really there's no point. Suffice it to say: ocean, family, inclusive, informal, vows. Is that enough?

Oh, and one more thing: if the rain doesn't stop I will drown in my bed.

Friday, June 26, 2009

To share.

Rob's father shared this poem with me. Basically it's a poem about how we as a society (in this case, England, but I think it's like this everywhere) only seem to care about our soldiers when we actually need them...I thought it was pretty appropriate.

"Tommy"
By Rudyard Kipling

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

New Post, New Post, New Post

I've been pressing that damn New Post button over and over again but then closing the window after a few seconds. I have blog anxiety.

Lately I have read some BORING blogs. None on my reader list (so don't be self conscious, I and everyone else love reading what you girls have to write) but blogs that I have come across at random times. And damn, they are BORING. I have a fear/anxiety that my blog is BORING. Which is why I've been contemplating eradicating it completely.

So here goes, trying not to be boring...

My new job is amazing, but I didn't realize that working from home could actually make me stir crazy. I've noticed a heightened sense of annoyance at silly things that wouldn't have annoyed me before, and I think I've been far less patient with both my fiance and my beast. It's frustrating feeling so snarky at everyone and everything. I also get antsy more often and worry a lot about...well, nothing. I'm hoping this is just a phase and I can work through it. We bought some exercise equipment (nothing special, just a ball and some 8-lb weights) which will hopefully help a bit. Let's see if I actually use them, HA!

The new apartment is also amazing. We have a ton more room (two floors) so I am able to work in complete and total piece while Rob can do whatever he wants downstairs. Cypress has taken to sleeping on the guest bed in my office to keep me company (or just enjoy its amazing comfiness). We finally had to put a sheet on it because she was getting so much dirt/hair all over the damn comforter. It's almost like she's a dog or something.

So, as much as I hate to put it in writing, Jon and Kate Gosselin are getting a divorce. And as much as I hate adding my opinion to it--since I think other peoples' opinions were what caused this kerfuffle (who on earth says "kerfuffle," really?!)--I really think it's rather disappointing. If you look at the timeline of Jon and Kate's relationship (at least from a television perspective), it's pretty obvious to see the effects of the gradual "corruption" (for lack of a better word) and media frenzy. Kate, to me, was always an absolute psycho. But before this season, she was a loveable psycho. She was anal and obnoxious, but she got shit done. Then she just turned into an all out super-psycho. And is it just me, or is Jon one of the most immature 32-year-olds EVER? I'm sorry dude, earrings are not my thing on a guy, especially one your age who has 8 children. Maybe you didn't get to "sow your wild oats" because you married Kate and had a whole litter of children...but that's life. That's adulthood. Suck it the F up and be an adult. You don't need to go out partying with some random chick. There are tons of ways to have fun away from your kids.

And the complaining about fame is hilarious. You both brought this on yourself and your children. If it was too much, you should have just stopped it.



I hope this was marginally less boring than usual.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Excuses, excuses

So today I soaked my nails in nail polish remover and now the cursed acrylics are GONE. I really hated those bitches, except in terms of scratching. Scratching an itch felt amazing with those nails.

Nick and Jessi's wedding was wonderful. It went much smoother than I originally expected. I posted some pictures on my Flickr if you're interested. They pulled one of those unique first dance things...it started out all slow but then transitioned into a medley of fast songs, to which they had choreographed this insane dance. Hilarious and tons of fun. Rob had a bit too much to drink--as did I--so we had to take a personal day on Monday.

I started my new job today. I'm working from home, which is...interesting. It's difficult to focus sometimes but at the same time, I've dedicated one whole room to my office and that helps.

I really, really, really want to buy Phish Food ice cream right. now.

Delay

I know I haven't blogged in awhile, and here's my excuse.

Nick (Rob's brother) had his wedding last Sunday and for the occasion I got my nails done...specifically acrylics.

It is EXTREMELY hard to type in acrylics.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Regular Monday.

The past few weeks have been jam-packed with events and news of various natures.

I got a new job which is quite exciting indeed. I start work next week and could not be happier about it. I’ll write more about the position later, once I’m more entrenched in my duties.

Rob and I finish the moving process this week. We’ve already been moving stuff to the new place slowly and this week comes the final push. I’m so excited to move in officially. I walked in today during my lunch break and the house was incredibly cool, despite the outside temperature hovering around 70. In Maine few houses have central air or air conditioning (since if you’re going to spend money on a heat-control device, you best spend it on something that provides heat for those days that get down into the negatives. Buying an air conditioner for 2 months of hot weather just doesn’t seem worth it) but because this new house is built on rock, it is naturally cooler than most houses, and certainly cooler than our current 2nd-floor apartment. It really was like stepping into air conditioning. I’m sure I will love that this summer but come winter…I might just have to buy myself a Snuggie.

This weekend is Rob’s brother’s wedding, which Rob and I are both in; I’m one of the 3 bridesmaids and Rob is the best man. It’ll be nice to see family—Rob’s mother is coming and is bringing her family, most of whom I’ve yet to meet—and hopefully everyone will behave. My dress fits perfectly and I’m bringing the Nikon D60 to see if I can take some cool portraits at the reception. I’ll share them if there are any worth sharing.

Speaking of photography, Rob and I went to a Civil War reenactment rally yesterday with the primary goal of taking tons of pictures (primarily portraits). A few came out really well and I posted them on my Flickr account (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebluevixen). I would post them here but we have the slowest internet connection ever and they’ll take forever to load.

The rally was pretty interesting. I’d never been to one personally and I was fascinated by the level to which the reenactors involve themselves in their respective characters. There were a lot of people there, too, which is surprising for an event so far in the middle of nowhere.

During the battle I heard a little boy ask, “Dad, which side are we cheering for?” to which the father replied, “The Blue Team. We want the Blue Team to win.” Sorry, my Southern friends, but I do live in one of the northern-most states! The Confederates did put up a great fight though, despite being heavily outnumbered.

After the battle we went to the “hospital” area where the reenactors actually got to “act.” One “injured” Union soldier said to a Confederate, “I’ll see you later!” and the Confederate replied, “See you in hell, Billy!”

Maine is very into its Civil War history (though admittedly not as much as a lot of Southern states). The movies “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals” chronicle the history of the 20th Maine, led by Joshua Chamberlain, who Mainers still revere today.

All in all it was a very interesting excursion. We also got to meet someone who was in Rob’s unit in Alaska in 1995, which was pretty cool.

Well I suppose that’s all the news that’s fit to print. I hope you’re all doing well.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Surprise

Surprise, my life is boring as hell and I haven't had anything to write about.

I've been practicing my photography, so go check out my Flickr if you are interested!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebluevixen

I certainly hope your lives are more exciting than mine!