Progress

And our cracking bones make noise

I've had a terrible week. Between three days of meetings, my bosses being stressed, finding out I might not get that promotion due to cutbacks after all, and just an overall weariness I couldn't shake, by the time Friday rolled around I was on my last string of sanity. Then, I went to Mike's condo to help him move.

Moving. SUCKS.

He calls me outside and I go, thinking he needs help with something. Instead, he shows me this:

As I stood in awe of the weak being over and the view being so beautiful, Mike came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"Beautiful sunset; beautiful girl."

Vitamin D

To de-stress before we went back to work at 6 pm today after meetings all day long, Jen and I went to see the baby geese we have been watching outside our office window.

We like grass.

Unfortunately, no one knew we needed to go back in, so they locked us out. People, those are not A-cups I'm trying to get through that dadgum gate! Seriously. Don't try this at home.

Ample parking day or night

Here are 3 facts of which you were probably not aware:

1. South Park is a real town that is in the mountains of Colorado.
2. I've actually been there...
3. I LOVE the South Park cartoon show.

It is SO wrong on so many levels, but it is equal-opportunity in the people religions, beliefs, and countries it makes fun of on an episodic basis. So, needless to say, I was thrilled when I found a website that allowed you to create your own South Park character! What started off as a distraction quickly turned into an obsession.

You'll have to click on the picture to get the full effect (and, not working in this office, you probably won't quite get how funny and dead on these are, but)...here is my office, South Park Style!!!

Do-It-Yourself Motivational Posters!

I laughed so hard while making these, and many more...that I almost peed my pants!

"There are no exceptions to the rule that everyone thinks they're exceptions to the rule"

Stick a cigarette in this bird's mouth and you'd have one of Banksy's ingenious pieces of grafitti art. I am fascinated by Banksy. I've been following his illegal work in countries across the globe for years now. I bought his book Wall And Peace and finally sat down to look through it. I was delighted to find not only pieces I hadn't seen, but little tid bits from the artist himself. I think what I love most about him is he's an artist that doesn't act like one. He puts himself in the same category of those to whom he's trying to make a statement. The lack of haughty, egotistical artist dribble pretty much makes my day. So, today's post (and since I now see parts of his art everywhere) is my little tribute to Banksy.

"You can win the rat race but you're still a rat... What we need in this race is a lot more streakers."

"Sometimes I feel so sick a the state of the world I can't even finish my second apple pie."

"If you want someone to be ignored then build a lifesize bronze statue of them and stick it in the middle of town."

"I need someone to protect me from all the measures they take in order to protect me."

"The time of getting fame for your name on its own is over. Artwork that is only about wanting to be famous will never make you famous. Any fame is a by-product of making something that means something. You don't go to a restaurant and order a meal because you want to have a s***."

"Remember crime against property is not real crime. People look at an oil painting and admire the use of brushstrokes to convey meaning. People look at a graffiti painting and admire the use of a drainpipe to gain access."

The Golden Touch

Red String is the first web comic that I began following religiously every M/W/F in college. I love the silly romance and honest, innocent entertainment. So, when the artist Gina Biggs posted a fan art contest using her characters in a fairy tale, I really wanted to contribute.

In one of my Amazon packages was K.Y. Craft's King Midas & the Golden Touch. I read it today on my big comfy chair, loving her illustrations with my life, and was inspired. This is Eiji, who FINALLY gets the guts to kiss Reika in this picture (I can't wait til they finally realize/admit they love each other), and the moment he touches her she begins to turn to gold! The fan art will eventually be found here, and the characters this is based on are here.

It's not good, but I'm so happy I did it that I don't really care! I TOTALLY COMPLETED A PIECE OF FAN ART! This is a whole new level of nerddom for me. I'm basking.


By the way...this is my 500th post! 500 days of 1001 Word-worthy photographs! WOOHOO!

Lucky Strike Lanes

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

For every bad thing that happened to me today, something good did too. It was really strange...

The weather was terrible...but I weathered it in an Infiniti!

I had to check in early because I woke up late and ran to the airport without a chance to shower or make myself look presentable. And then, I find out, I'm the guest of the day?! There's a first.

And I had really bad dreams. So I woke up, grabbed Jean, and fell instantly back asleep.

It was a busy Thursday...

This NEVER happens

I keep emails in my Inbox until I've either responded to or taken care of whatever was in them. Then I file them either under the dealership they pertain to or the business area they talk about. I'm incredibly anal about organization and follow-up. So when I filed the last e-mail in my Inbox today, my breath stopped momentarily when I realized: my Inbox was empty.

Empty!

It was a Kodak moment.

Over Kansas the whole Universe stood still

We'll make the best of what's around

Halfway to Turkey Day!

Eating on the porch!

We had turkey and Southwestern Soup and potatoes, salad, asparagus & dip, chips, hotsauce, bread, sundaes and lots of great wine!

Even the kids had a good time! Including the big ones...

I LOVE this dog!

And getting everyone together for a crazy pot luck.

And Jen's house!

I'd say I have many reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving at LEAST twice a year! :-D

Then I saw her face...now I'm a believer!

I surprised Mike by taking him to dinner at the Aquarium!

He's been wanting to go for a while now...

So we perused the fish & animals...and I told him about the last time I was there, the Tiger watched me the entire time I was near his area. I swear to you, I'd move, and his eyes would follow me. I'm sure he was thinking, "Mmmm...BBKendra."

We ate a nice meal in front of a bunch of fish, none of which were dinner...

But the highlight was walking through the giftshop on the way out. I was partial to the otters, since we couldn't see any live ones because it was too late. It was Mike, though, that pointed out Jean. "Look at that face!" I crooned. And before I knew what was happening, Mike had grabbed him and was checking out. I was so happy! Jean will now be going on every trip I take!

These are a few of my favorite things

Since December of 2006 when I discovered the wonder of wonders that is Amazon.com, I've accumulated around $500 in books that I've wanted to add to my collection. Some of them were childhood favorites, some of them are adult addictions, and some of them, admittedly, are Japanese comics about which I've finally come to terms. So, when I earned a hefty chunk of money in incentive bonuses for my performance in April, I finally clicked "Checkout".

These are the first 4 shipments...I've only just begun!

The Red Ripe Strawberry...classic...

You always said destiny would blow me away

The Land of my Sojourn

In the 2 years I've been trapsing about the country, I can honestly say that arriving at EBR-I after offroading somewhere on INL property was the most scared I've ever been. Here I am having just driven up to an ancient nuclear power plant outside of which are these incredibly creepy looking reactor heaters, kicking myself, "What in the world am I thinking?!" When I realized, the more important question would have been: "What in the world were we thinking?!" We had no idea what we were dealing with. And I'm sure that it never occured to those first scientists they'd be burying two of their own in lead coffins after the first fatal nuclear accident. I can't explain my morbid fascination with INL, Arco, and the history of nuclear development, but I alway enjoy this drive...



When the old world started dying...

Nobody tells you when you get born here
How much you'll come to love it
And how you'll never belong here

So I call you my country
And I'll be lonely for my home
I wish that I could take you there with me

Who wants to be a millionare?

Me! Oh oh! Pick me! PICK ME!



There's really no PC way to tell your dealer principal that the garage he's showing you that he's so proud of costs more than you make in 5 years. The bathroom alone is the size of your bedroom. And the custom urinal WITH automatic flush probably equals about 2 months worth of my apartment rent.

So I just keep my mouth shut; and keep the jealousy to myself!

Perks

Blue for the sky, and the color Green

It's somebody's birthday...somewhere!