Sunday, October 31, 2004
I Feel A Whole Lot Safer Now....Don't You?!?!?
Homeland Security Agents Chase Down Toy Knockoffs
ST. HELENS, Ore. -- Toy store owner Stephanie Cox didn't think she was harboring any terrorist toys.
So she said she was shaking in her shoes when she got a call from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Two agents stopped by her store, Pufferbelly Toys, in St. Helens, Ore.
Pufferbelly Toys in St. Helens is not exactly the kind of place you would expect someone to be passing state secrets.
The agents weren't after sleeper cells. It turns out, the agents wanted toys. Specifically, a toy called the Magic Cube, which the agents said was an illegal copy of one of the most popular toys of all time -- the Rubik's Cube.
A spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the agents went to Pufferbelly based on a trademark infringement complaint.
The store's owner Stephanie Cox was told to remove all of the offending cubes from her shelves. She did -- as they stood by watching.
But the experience unnerved her.
Cox said, "I was shaking in my shoes."
After the agents left, Cox called the manufacturer of the Magic Cube, the Toysmith Group, which is based in Auburn, Wash. A representative told her that Rubik's Cube patent had expired, and the Magic Cube did not infringe on the rival toy's trademark.
Cox is still scratching her head over her brush with Homeland Security. She asked, "Aren't there any terrorists out there?
SOURCE:Associated Press/Channel 3000.com
ST. HELENS, Ore. -- Toy store owner Stephanie Cox didn't think she was harboring any terrorist toys.
So she said she was shaking in her shoes when she got a call from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Two agents stopped by her store, Pufferbelly Toys, in St. Helens, Ore.
Pufferbelly Toys in St. Helens is not exactly the kind of place you would expect someone to be passing state secrets.
The agents weren't after sleeper cells. It turns out, the agents wanted toys. Specifically, a toy called the Magic Cube, which the agents said was an illegal copy of one of the most popular toys of all time -- the Rubik's Cube.
A spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the agents went to Pufferbelly based on a trademark infringement complaint.
The store's owner Stephanie Cox was told to remove all of the offending cubes from her shelves. She did -- as they stood by watching.
But the experience unnerved her.
Cox said, "I was shaking in my shoes."
After the agents left, Cox called the manufacturer of the Magic Cube, the Toysmith Group, which is based in Auburn, Wash. A representative told her that Rubik's Cube patent had expired, and the Magic Cube did not infringe on the rival toy's trademark.
Cox is still scratching her head over her brush with Homeland Security. She asked, "Aren't there any terrorists out there?
SOURCE:Associated Press/Channel 3000.com
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Friday, October 29, 2004
Digital Cameras For Dummies
Drool, Drool, Drool
I think I like this one. It's a 5.0 megapixel with a 3x optical/4.1x digital zoom (12x combined)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Then there's this one:
But it's only a 3.2 megapixel with a 10x optical/3.2x digital zoom (32x combined) and that's quite a difference in the zoom.
They're the same price and not that I can afford it right now, but I'm trying to figure out which one is best? Anyone have a suggestion? Do you find the megapixels more important that the optical zoom? And what the heck does it all mean? And should I be allowed to have a fancy camera if I don't even fully understand it's features?
I think I like this one. It's a 5.0 megapixel with a 3x optical/4.1x digital zoom (12x combined)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Then there's this one:
But it's only a 3.2 megapixel with a 10x optical/3.2x digital zoom (32x combined) and that's quite a difference in the zoom.
They're the same price and not that I can afford it right now, but I'm trying to figure out which one is best? Anyone have a suggestion? Do you find the megapixels more important that the optical zoom? And what the heck does it all mean? And should I be allowed to have a fancy camera if I don't even fully understand it's features?
Holy Schnikes!
I got 4 comments in the last 15 minutes. People are actually reading the blog. That's really great. I hope you all like the pictures. I try hard. And I'm glad to hear that its motivation as well as inspiration or just amusement if anything.
Now, I just gotta get a "real" camera and become a real photographer.
(and hire kitty models for better photographs)
Now, I just gotta get a "real" camera and become a real photographer.
(and hire kitty models for better photographs)
Deady Roof
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
Halloween coming up this weekend. Bor-ing! I haven't found this holiday to be fun since I was a kid. This year, I'm not even excited about the candy. It's just sugar and carbs and junk. I don't like dressing up and I don't have any kids to take trick-or-treating. I s'pose I could wrangle the kitties up into a wagon, stick some horns on Danny and some fairy wings on TG and traipse through the apartment complex. The screaming alone from those two would turn heads. Yeah, I'd be real popular with the neighbors then!
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Now, I Really Wish I Was Home In Madison!
(source: AFP/Yahoo News)
That so kicks ass!
Even more so than Clinton's stop in the early 90's when he was campaigning. A whole lot of people showed up at the Capital for that show but it nowhere near topped 80,000 people!
Oh, I'd have given just about anything to have seen Bruce and Kerry.
Sah-Weeeeet!!!
Back To the Rain
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
Ok, so I shouldn't complain about it. After all, it's a million times better than the snow. And I get to see the green pine trees all year round. And flowers begin blooming late February or early March. And I get to gloat about the pseudo-winter to everyone back home. And did I mention its way better than snow?
I took my architectural history midterm today. I don't think I did as well as I could have. A couple of slides were completely unrecognizable to me. All those different Egyptian tombs and Greek temples were swimming around in my head. I hope the test is a C or even a C-. That would be acceptable. I did fine on the first quiz (45 out of 50) and I should do well on the second. I'll just have to kick it up for the final few weeks and the final test. I discovered that my notes were mostly useless. I kept looking for answers that were not there. I need to write more down and draw more diagrams and go back to my notes after class to review them and come to some solid conclusions.
On the bright side, I really like my community change class. It's just hitting on the edge of things I want to study; sprawl, land use, community development, social change. I'm totally getting into it. I have a paper to write this weekend that discusses the Republican and Democratic platforms and which one does a better job of pledging to improve community life and promote a better quality of life for citizens on a local level. I think that's sort of a "duh" question. For me, this election is so polarized. There's the good guy, and then there's Satan. Some people say that Kerry is no better than Bush. But I personally believe that it doesn't get any worse than stuttering 'W'. He's put my health at risk with his environmental policies. He's put my reproductive health at risk. He's put my civil liberties at risk and it seems to me that he wants me and all Americans to live by his religion and his ideals. How can someone be so religious and yet care so little for the welfare of the American people (not to mention the Iraqi people)? What Bible has he been reading?
Ok, so before my blood pressure goes up, I'm gonna stop there. I've already voted and my ballot already in the hands of the county officials. I hope to ignore all the political commercials running 24 hours for the next 5 days (seeing as we are one of those dubbed "battleground states"). I will take this weekend to enjoy the outdoors, even if it's raining and I will know that on Wednesday morning, a new president will have been elected and the reign of terror we are under will have only weeks to go.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Curled Tail
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
TG is a lumpy, plumpy, lazy cat. He doesn't like to race around the apartment like Daniel. He's unable to climb up to the top of the bookcase and watch over us pitiful humans down below. He prefers eating and sleeping (preferably at the same time) to any other activites. He's just a big ol' lounge cat.
Even so, I am finding it increasingly hard to get a good candid shot of him. He only sits still when my camera is not pointed his way. The minute my camera is turned on, he's hyperactive and pissy towards me.
When and if he does stop long enough to let me get a clear shot of him, like when he's tired of being chased around, he'll plop down and just stare at me with this look that says "You, my dear, will never, ever understand my complex cat mind." Although sometimes he looks as if he's trying to figure out how to off me. Will it be by tripping? Clawing and scratching? How about leaving the cupboard doors open for me to trip over?
*Sigh* Even still, he's just too cute to get rid of. He's damn lucky that he's so soft and adorable.
Chewy
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
Something I need to look into is whether I can get in trouble for taking a picture of a recognizable and copyrighted item such as this one above. I thought I heard somewhere that a certain percentage of it must be changed in order to be called your own. I wonder if that's true?
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Sometimes, It's The Small Things
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
I was just standing in a muddy garden, clicking away at some big pink flowers still in bloom when I turned around and caught the view of the underside of the flower. I never saw the ladybug until I zoomed in later on to crop the image.
Expanding on today's title, I am doing as much as I can in terms of the small things to keep myself on track with my weight loss. I haven't been following Atkins very well, however, when I do eat something way off the charts, I can feel it for hours afterward. I made a huge pot of chicken and dumpling soup this weekend. That was always my favorite dish to eat when I was a kid. I always knew there were other items in the soup like chicken, potatoes and vegetables, but I only remember the dumplings and I remember a lot of them! I ate maybe 3 servings during dinnertime. Well, the two things that I noticed this time when we had the soup were 1) the potato rolls bought for the soup tasted just awful. I haven’t had a straight up bakery item in awhile and for some reason, the smell and texture and taste was just off. The roll was fine physically, I’m sure that the grocery store had just made it that day. What I’m thinking is that my tastes have changed and I no longer crave the taste bread like I used to. I just found the rolls to be repulsive and I even had to go as far as covering up the taste by dipping them repeatedly in soup. Covering up the taste of rolls? I’ve gone mad!! And the second thing was the horrible crash I experienced after lunch on Monday when I had leftovers. I don’t get lethargic after any meal when I’m eating low carb. This was such a low; I was falling asleep at my desk! It hit me like a ton of bricks. I remarked to my roommate that I was going to have to cut back on the dumplings and eat more of the chicken and vegetables. How could my favorite childhood dish be so bad to me?!?!?
The little things I do to keep myself on track are eating smaller portions, buying one 10 cent piece of candy for the taste instead of a whole candy bar, passing up the free donuts at work (not to hard on that one seeing as I think I have a slight allergy to donuts anyway), looking high and low each day for food that is going to fill me up instead of leaving me hungry and depressed later. I ate chicken salad today for the first time in my life. I didn’t exactly enjoy it but I knew that it was a much better choice than humongous sandwiches wrapped in bread or scarfing down pizza or even a big-ass serving of Chai tea. When I did finally break down this afternoon to get something really sweet, I went for a Cliff Bar. I know the 40 grams of carbs were not spectacular, however, it was a much better choice than anything else that would have had trans fat in it. So, I am working on the little things, the little habits. I walk as much as I can, choosing the long way to the bus stop instead of the one right outside my lecture hall’s door. I have been beating myself up for not losing as much weight as I’d like. But I realized that with all the little things I do all the time, and all the time I have to spend at work and school and doing housework or studying instead of being able to get exercise, I have lost 3 pounds since I got home from September’s vacation. I think 2 of those happened in the first month of school. I’ve never lost weight while going to school at the same time. It’s always been too stressful to maintain it. I think I’m doing much better right now. Sometimes, it is just the small things.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Somebody's Baby
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
I saw this pretty thing in the parking lot of the mall on Sunday morning. Very few people were around so I decided to jump out of my car and get a couple photos. I like the end result.
Someone is taking very good care of it, at least on the outside.
I don't know anything about cars, so at the risk of sounding like a girl, let me just say that it was very pretty, very blue and very curvy! I'm glad I got the type of car in the shot otherwise I wouldn't have known what it was at all.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Reprieve
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
While the rainy season has officially begun here in Oregon, and shall last until at least March, today's unexpected reprieve has made for some excellent pictures. The big poofy clouds are lazily working their way across the blue sky and the sunshine is making the puddles sparkle.
Sometimes I'm never sure what I'm going to get until I download my photos. This one has turned out to be one of my all time favorites.
Saturday, October 23, 2004
This Is Why I Will Never Do Well In Japan-
The "squat toilet"
Um, YUCK!
Kudos to my cousin for surviving it even if her shoe did not.
hahahahahaha
Um, YUCK!
Kudos to my cousin for surviving it even if her shoe did not.
hahahahahaha
Friday, October 22, 2004
Leaf On Wood
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
I don't have a real strong reaction to this picture. I don't hate it but I don't love it either.
I'm beginning to like Friday's. I get my assignments out of the way by Thursday and it feels like the weekend starts early! I turned in my review paper of a chapter from the book 'The Life and Death of Great American Cities' by Jane Jacobs. I also took my first Indian art midterm and as far as art history midterms go, it was extremely easy.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Another Pound Down
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
So that makes 63 total.
Not too shabby! Definitely the most I have ever lost. And this is the last of the 210's. I won't ever see them again.
Be kind this sunrise picture and the other one. I was on the Interstate between Illinois and Wisconsin and zooming by at 80 miles per hour. No, I was not the driver!
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Eye Above
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
Another vocabulary word from my architecture class is oculus, which is a round window of some sort.
This photo is taken inside the new Lillis building on campus. Most of the business classes are held here now. I had an economics class here at the beginning of 2004 and the lecture room reminded me of one of those new theaters at a 14-screen cinema-plex. The seats were the large bucket type, cloth covered with heavy duty plastic backs. The room was off white and shiny with pretty earth toned carpet and seat cloth. When it got late enough in the day, the shades on the windows would automatically lower. Everything in that lecture hall was hi-tech. The only thing missing, I thought, was a cup holder for each seat.
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
It seems like a rather spiritual dome, doesn't it? I don't take the time to look up there that often, and without my camera, I've never noticed the religious vibes of that part of the building. The dome reminds me of something that should be in a church or something, not a building dedicated to college business classes. Unless one prefers to worship money.
Monday, October 18, 2004
Arcade
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
One of my classes, Western Architecture, is covering buildings from Ancient Egypt to the Gothic period. I have a list of 100 vocabulary words to learn. One of them is arcade which can be "a series of arches with their columns or piers".
Let's see.....
my weight is stalled at the moment. I am at 212. That's not all that bad considering how hectic my life has become in the last month. While I'd like to hit my goal of 199.5 by the end of the year, I am learning to be realistic and I don't think it's possible right now unless I focus more on that aspect at the risk of something else going to the back burner. It's ok. I am happy just learning to eat healthy. I really enjoy food that sustains me throughout the day and doesn't leave me feeling lethargic after a few hours. I am not following Atkins perfectly but I'm not eating gobs of bread or pasta either. I like my fruit and trail mix and gold fishies (no trans fat!) and I do the best I can.
Sunday, October 17, 2004
The Commercial I'd Like To See
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
Number of people killed on 9/11-------------- 3,030
Number of Soldiers killed in Iraq*------------ 1,228
Number of innocent civilians killed in Iraq---- unknown
Voting for a change on November 2----------- priceless
*as of 10/15/04 (source: cnn.com)
I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 tonight. It did not sway my vote because I already believe that to live right, one must vote left. But the movie still left me very angry. I know Michael Moore is one person with a one-sided view, and he makes his documentaries in the way that he does to get attention but so does the whole Fox network.
I will not live my life in terror.
I will not let my voice go unheard.
In Oregon, we get our ballots by mail. As far as I know, we are the only state to do so completely. Guess what the first thing was that I did? Sure I care about who my next mayor is going to be and voting against Measure 36 (amending the Oregon constitution to state marriage is between a man and a woman...just between you and me, the REAL Christians of this world have REAL compassion for fellow human beings and know that everyone deserves EQUAL rights and protections under the law) but I felt that the first stroke of my pen start at the top of the ballot with the Presidential category. Because if enough of us decide to treat our votes as worth something, then we will have something to look toward in the future- BETTER LIVES.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Sun Tipped Petals
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
I like how the colors came out on this one. I think its a keeper.
I just had this giant weight lifted off of me this week. I turned in a finished paper that I was dreading and I made it thru an architecture quiz that I was stressing over. Ten minutes after I left campus, I just felt so free that I was walking on air as I strolled to the bus stop. I have 13 more assignments or tests to go this semester. And the semester has only 8 weeks left as well. It doesn't seem so bad when I put it that way.
I like how the colors came out on this one. I think its a keeper.
I just had this giant weight lifted off of me this week. I turned in a finished paper that I was dreading and I made it thru an architecture quiz that I was stressing over. Ten minutes after I left campus, I just felt so free that I was walking on air as I strolled to the bus stop. I have 13 more assignments or tests to go this semester. And the semester has only 8 weeks left as well. It doesn't seem so bad when I put it that way.
Friday, October 15, 2004
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Library Dog
© Punkin Dunkin Productions
As I take more and more pictures, I am often worried about getting approval to photograph people or their homes. I don't know the right etiquette and what's ok and what's not without written consent. It is my fear that I will be clicking away somewhere and have some prick run up and yell at me or try to grab my camera. I am so self conscious when I'm shooting around other people. This little guy was just waiting outside this morning and his master was no where to be found. I don't think he minded the camera but he looked like he wanted me to come closer and pet him.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Monday, October 11, 2004
A Letter To A Former
Dear Toby Trew Martin-
I have a million things still left to say to you. I want to talk to you about everything, nothing, and anything. I just want to stand in front of you, with my eyes and ears wide open and I want to really listen to you. I want to respond to you, yell, cry and talk until dawn. I want to use words like ‘sorry’, ‘regret’, ‘maturity’ and most importantly, ‘friendship’.
But I can’t do any of these things.
You’ve rejected my attempt to start up a new friendship with you and I’m not exactly sure why. If I knew why, I could stop mulling it over and I could completely move on. Trust me, I have moved on- almost. But knowing why you did what you did, would help me to better understand. You were so rude to me, so uncharacteristically so…that I still shake my head in confusion more than a month later. I sincerely hope that the person that blew Jessica and me off that night is not the person that you really are today. It would be such a shame for you to have grown up into such a rude asshole. And you know that you were being an asshole that night, I certainly didn’t have to say it for it to be true.
You were always the boy with the heart of gold. That sounds corny, but it’s true. You were the person who cared about others, before yourself and you were so likeable, without trying too hard (or, I think, even knowing yourself that you were trying at all). You had a good soul and it took me years to realize that what I really wanted was to be like you in that respect. I wanted to be happy, almost obliviously so and I want to enjoyed my life like you seemed to have enjoyed yours. I wonder now, if after our encounter, if something is wrong in your life. If perhaps you are not in a happy spot? Maybe you are angry or frustrated or something else that causes you to blow people off like that. I hope like hell that the person I saw for a brief moment that night, is not who you are today. I also wished that I had been given a chance to show you who I am four years later, and how I’ve changed both physically and emotionally.
These last few years in Oregon have been a turning point for me. A fresh start does not begin to describe what’s happening to me. Would you believe that I can go days without yelling and screaming or crying? I don’t use physical abuse towards anyone. I spend time in the outdoors, exercising and learning to enjoy everything around me. I don’t go through terrible highs and lows. I don’t have the health problems that I had when we were together. I am no longer a couch potato- on a regular basis anyway. I find it’s easier to laugh at the things that go wrong, then to sob. It’s easier to talk things out then to get all huffy and stomp away. And it’s certainly easier to face my problems then to hide from them. It’s funny, the more that I think about it- for every pound of fat I lose, I seem to lose a pound of anger too. It's taken me a long time to learn to live without being angry. I’m not sure what to chalk all the changes up to- maturity? I hardly feel like a 27-year-old. Moving 3000 miles? That was incredibly hard in the beginning, so much so, that I feared I would come home before the first summer was done. Losing weight? My problems haven’t exactly melted with the 62 pounds gone. Making headway on my goals? Possibly. I find that I take pleasure in school because I know it is the next step to getting where I want to go, but, damn is it hard! I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. And with design school on the horizon, I see it getting only increasingly harder.
Oh, Toby, I’m so different than I was before. I genuinely regret that you are not able to experience the person that I am today.
Maybe that is why I contact you last spring. I knew that I was moving in the direction of being a whole, lovable person and I wanted one chance to show you who I was becoming. Because you deserved that. Among many other things, you deserve to see the person that I really am, that I can really be. Because you were there when I was at some of my lowest lows. And if I remember correctly…you loved me, even then. I just wanted a chance to show you that I could be a better friend than I ever was. I was hoping to transcend the pain of our break-up and the subsequent silence. I wanted to find a relationship with you that I didn’t have before. A mature friendship that was emotionally level and even between us. That sounds like a load of crap, but I am totally serious here. I just really wanted to be friends with you again Toby. And for reasons that I can only speculate on, you have rejected me.
So, by the way, what was the reason? I’m just curious. I want to type some angry quips, jabs and rants here but I won’t. But I would really, REALLY like to know what the hell happened that night. Why would you invite us over, and according to Jessica, be ecstatic that we were all going to hang out…only to run out on us, literally turn your back at the last second because you ‘had something more important to do’. Seriously, was it payback? Cause if it was, I can take it. I’m a big girl. But if it was payback, why drag Jessica into it? What did she ever do to you? As far as I know, she’s always been nice to you and wanted your friendship. You ruined things between all three of us…and why? Just because you were mad at me? Dude! What the fuck?!?! What an inappropriate way to show your anger towards me. You’re 26-years-old and you felt that the best way to deal with not wanting to deal with me was to blow me off like that. And why were you putting up with the communication between us for the prior 3 months? Why did you hang out on the phone all the time and talk to me? Pity? Boredom? What’s wrong with you? I really wonder if you were high. From the things that I’ve been hearing about you before we dated, I wouldn’t be surprised. How sad. I hope that something as dumb as drugs has not taken over your life. It would be such a waste with all the talent that you possess.
And Toby, you are really fucking talented, you know?!?
I am so proud of you and your accomplishments with your art. Graduating from MATC, your art gallery shows in Madison, even your mock portfolio website…these things are really something to be proud of. You are so talented and it’s really a joy to see you working with your art, even if it’s still on the side. I always knew you could do it. I just wish that we were closer as friends to share success like we had shared the failures.
I’m sorry for a lot of things Toby. But the biggest thing I’m sorry about is not appreciating you for who you are (or were?), even above the whole breakup fiasco (which ranks a very close second). I’m sorry that I couldn’t see past my own selfish little life and see what a great person you were then, and how you treated me, as well as how you lived your life. If there was just one thing that I could say to you, it would be this: You have affected me profoundly in many ways, dear Toby. I am only beginning to understand what you meant to me as my first boyfriend. I am just starting to take on the guilt of hurting you so. I am healing and learning to be a good person early on in life, before it’s too late and I want you to know that you have inspired me. Along with my family and friends, you have made a difference. Although you may never see that difference, I just wanted to let you know that it happened. And I am very grateful for it.
Thank You,
Punkin
P.S. In case you were wondering, as I'm sure you were, I sent you the poem because it was the only way that I could say some of the things that I needed to say. You mean a great deal to me, and I just wanted a chance to explain what really meant the most to me in our relationship. I was trying to convey not only that I am not a shallow person but also that I am deeply sorry for what happened and that it will affect me forever. I'm sorry if it may have upset you in any way. I just had to get it off my chest.
I have a million things still left to say to you. I want to talk to you about everything, nothing, and anything. I just want to stand in front of you, with my eyes and ears wide open and I want to really listen to you. I want to respond to you, yell, cry and talk until dawn. I want to use words like ‘sorry’, ‘regret’, ‘maturity’ and most importantly, ‘friendship’.
But I can’t do any of these things.
You’ve rejected my attempt to start up a new friendship with you and I’m not exactly sure why. If I knew why, I could stop mulling it over and I could completely move on. Trust me, I have moved on- almost. But knowing why you did what you did, would help me to better understand. You were so rude to me, so uncharacteristically so…that I still shake my head in confusion more than a month later. I sincerely hope that the person that blew Jessica and me off that night is not the person that you really are today. It would be such a shame for you to have grown up into such a rude asshole. And you know that you were being an asshole that night, I certainly didn’t have to say it for it to be true.
You were always the boy with the heart of gold. That sounds corny, but it’s true. You were the person who cared about others, before yourself and you were so likeable, without trying too hard (or, I think, even knowing yourself that you were trying at all). You had a good soul and it took me years to realize that what I really wanted was to be like you in that respect. I wanted to be happy, almost obliviously so and I want to enjoyed my life like you seemed to have enjoyed yours. I wonder now, if after our encounter, if something is wrong in your life. If perhaps you are not in a happy spot? Maybe you are angry or frustrated or something else that causes you to blow people off like that. I hope like hell that the person I saw for a brief moment that night, is not who you are today. I also wished that I had been given a chance to show you who I am four years later, and how I’ve changed both physically and emotionally.
These last few years in Oregon have been a turning point for me. A fresh start does not begin to describe what’s happening to me. Would you believe that I can go days without yelling and screaming or crying? I don’t use physical abuse towards anyone. I spend time in the outdoors, exercising and learning to enjoy everything around me. I don’t go through terrible highs and lows. I don’t have the health problems that I had when we were together. I am no longer a couch potato- on a regular basis anyway. I find it’s easier to laugh at the things that go wrong, then to sob. It’s easier to talk things out then to get all huffy and stomp away. And it’s certainly easier to face my problems then to hide from them. It’s funny, the more that I think about it- for every pound of fat I lose, I seem to lose a pound of anger too. It's taken me a long time to learn to live without being angry. I’m not sure what to chalk all the changes up to- maturity? I hardly feel like a 27-year-old. Moving 3000 miles? That was incredibly hard in the beginning, so much so, that I feared I would come home before the first summer was done. Losing weight? My problems haven’t exactly melted with the 62 pounds gone. Making headway on my goals? Possibly. I find that I take pleasure in school because I know it is the next step to getting where I want to go, but, damn is it hard! I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. And with design school on the horizon, I see it getting only increasingly harder.
Oh, Toby, I’m so different than I was before. I genuinely regret that you are not able to experience the person that I am today.
Maybe that is why I contact you last spring. I knew that I was moving in the direction of being a whole, lovable person and I wanted one chance to show you who I was becoming. Because you deserved that. Among many other things, you deserve to see the person that I really am, that I can really be. Because you were there when I was at some of my lowest lows. And if I remember correctly…you loved me, even then. I just wanted a chance to show you that I could be a better friend than I ever was. I was hoping to transcend the pain of our break-up and the subsequent silence. I wanted to find a relationship with you that I didn’t have before. A mature friendship that was emotionally level and even between us. That sounds like a load of crap, but I am totally serious here. I just really wanted to be friends with you again Toby. And for reasons that I can only speculate on, you have rejected me.
So, by the way, what was the reason? I’m just curious. I want to type some angry quips, jabs and rants here but I won’t. But I would really, REALLY like to know what the hell happened that night. Why would you invite us over, and according to Jessica, be ecstatic that we were all going to hang out…only to run out on us, literally turn your back at the last second because you ‘had something more important to do’. Seriously, was it payback? Cause if it was, I can take it. I’m a big girl. But if it was payback, why drag Jessica into it? What did she ever do to you? As far as I know, she’s always been nice to you and wanted your friendship. You ruined things between all three of us…and why? Just because you were mad at me? Dude! What the fuck?!?! What an inappropriate way to show your anger towards me. You’re 26-years-old and you felt that the best way to deal with not wanting to deal with me was to blow me off like that. And why were you putting up with the communication between us for the prior 3 months? Why did you hang out on the phone all the time and talk to me? Pity? Boredom? What’s wrong with you? I really wonder if you were high. From the things that I’ve been hearing about you before we dated, I wouldn’t be surprised. How sad. I hope that something as dumb as drugs has not taken over your life. It would be such a waste with all the talent that you possess.
And Toby, you are really fucking talented, you know?!?
I am so proud of you and your accomplishments with your art. Graduating from MATC, your art gallery shows in Madison, even your mock portfolio website…these things are really something to be proud of. You are so talented and it’s really a joy to see you working with your art, even if it’s still on the side. I always knew you could do it. I just wish that we were closer as friends to share success like we had shared the failures.
I’m sorry for a lot of things Toby. But the biggest thing I’m sorry about is not appreciating you for who you are (or were?), even above the whole breakup fiasco (which ranks a very close second). I’m sorry that I couldn’t see past my own selfish little life and see what a great person you were then, and how you treated me, as well as how you lived your life. If there was just one thing that I could say to you, it would be this: You have affected me profoundly in many ways, dear Toby. I am only beginning to understand what you meant to me as my first boyfriend. I am just starting to take on the guilt of hurting you so. I am healing and learning to be a good person early on in life, before it’s too late and I want you to know that you have inspired me. Along with my family and friends, you have made a difference. Although you may never see that difference, I just wanted to let you know that it happened. And I am very grateful for it.
Thank You,
Punkin
P.S. In case you were wondering, as I'm sure you were, I sent you the poem because it was the only way that I could say some of the things that I needed to say. You mean a great deal to me, and I just wanted a chance to explain what really meant the most to me in our relationship. I was trying to convey not only that I am not a shallow person but also that I am deeply sorry for what happened and that it will affect me forever. I'm sorry if it may have upset you in any way. I just had to get it off my chest.
Projected Class Schedules
Seagull On Edge
Updated Projected Classes
Scenario 1:
fall 2004
history of indian art (4)
western arch arh 314 (4)
macroeconomics (4)
community change (4)
(16)
winter 2005
math112 (4)
arh 315 (4)
regional change 326 (4)
pppm core class (4)
(16)
spring 2005
math231 (4)
pppm core class (4)
global change 327 (4)
pppm core class (4)
(16)
fall 2005
pppm 494 (4)
american architecture I (4)
physics 201 (4)
hist 360 amer city (4)
(16)
winter 2006
internship (1)
american architectII (4)
physics 202 (4)
pppm core class (4)
(13)
spring 2006
physics 203 (4)
senior paper (4)
american architectIII (4)
internship (4)
(16)
fall 2006
applied research (5)
senior paper (3)
chicago arch (4)
internship (3)
(15)
winter 2007
internship (4)
senior paper (4)
pppm core class (4)
(12)
Graduate March 2007!
Scenario 2:
fall 2004
history of indian art (4)
western architecture (4)
macroeconomics (4)
community change (4)
(16)
winter 2005
math112 (4)
arh 315 (4)
regional change 326 (4)
pppm core class (4)
(16)
spring 2005
math231 (4)
global change 327 (4)
pppm core class (4)
pppm core class (4)
(16)
fall 2005
senior paper (3)
pppm 494 (4)
american architecture I (4)
physics 201 (4)
internship (1)
(16)
winter 2006
senior paper (4)
internship (4)
american architect II (4)
physics 202 (4)
(16)
spring 2006
senior paper (4)
american architect III (4)
internship (3)
pppm core class (4)
(15)
summer 2006
pppm core class (4)
(4)
fall 2006
applied research (5)
chicago arch (4)
internship (3)
hist 360 amer city (4)
(16)
Graduate December 2006!
Updated Projected Classes
Scenario 1:
fall 2004
history of indian art (4)
western arch arh 314 (4)
macroeconomics (4)
community change (4)
(16)
winter 2005
math112 (4)
arh 315 (4)
regional change 326 (4)
pppm core class (4)
(16)
spring 2005
math231 (4)
pppm core class (4)
global change 327 (4)
pppm core class (4)
(16)
fall 2005
pppm 494 (4)
american architecture I (4)
physics 201 (4)
hist 360 amer city (4)
(16)
winter 2006
internship (1)
american architectII (4)
physics 202 (4)
pppm core class (4)
(13)
spring 2006
physics 203 (4)
senior paper (4)
american architectIII (4)
internship (4)
(16)
fall 2006
applied research (5)
senior paper (3)
chicago arch (4)
internship (3)
(15)
winter 2007
internship (4)
senior paper (4)
pppm core class (4)
(12)
Graduate March 2007!
Scenario 2:
fall 2004
history of indian art (4)
western architecture (4)
macroeconomics (4)
community change (4)
(16)
winter 2005
math112 (4)
arh 315 (4)
regional change 326 (4)
pppm core class (4)
(16)
spring 2005
math231 (4)
global change 327 (4)
pppm core class (4)
pppm core class (4)
(16)
fall 2005
senior paper (3)
pppm 494 (4)
american architecture I (4)
physics 201 (4)
internship (1)
(16)
winter 2006
senior paper (4)
internship (4)
american architect II (4)
physics 202 (4)
(16)
spring 2006
senior paper (4)
american architect III (4)
internship (3)
pppm core class (4)
(15)
summer 2006
pppm core class (4)
(4)
fall 2006
applied research (5)
chicago arch (4)
internship (3)
hist 360 amer city (4)
(16)
Graduate December 2006!
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Saturday, October 09, 2004
A Life In Pictures
Horizon
I traveled home this past weekend for my Uncle's funeral. I went out to my Aunt's house is an attempt to help out during this sad time. I often felt like I was in the way or I was saying the wrong thing or I wasn't doing enough for my Aunt and cousins. There were a few times where I felt that all I could do was the dishes. I didn't know where to begin to help the family. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say. Sometimes, there are no words that seem fitting. Sometime it seems like nothing can be made right or whole again.
There were a few moments, however where I felt a close connection to everyone around me as I learned about my uncle's life. One of those moments was when we sat down to piece together some picture boards for display at the funeral home. I didn't know my uncle very well at all, but the stories and the pictures that were shared, gave me a better sense as to who he was. I watched my Aunt pull out album after album, picture after picture and memento after memento to share. So many little stories were shared about his life and the life that the family has together. There were tons of pictures from throughout his life. He was a professional photographer who shot weddings and portraits along with beautiful vacation and family photos. There were pictures of my cousins on their first day of school each year. There were photos of painted Easter eggs, carburetors on the kitchen table, goofy wedding pictures, birthday celebrations and doggies throughout the years.
I walked away from those few hours of sharing, laughter and tears and realized that every photo, every homemade gift is something to be cherished. These items, along with all the memories will make up the fabric of one's life. These pieces of life will come to be cherished and prized while trophies, money, and expensive knickknacks will all pale in comparison. The best things in life are always shared with others and nothing can be shared again and again like a memory.
I traveled home this past weekend for my Uncle's funeral. I went out to my Aunt's house is an attempt to help out during this sad time. I often felt like I was in the way or I was saying the wrong thing or I wasn't doing enough for my Aunt and cousins. There were a few times where I felt that all I could do was the dishes. I didn't know where to begin to help the family. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say. Sometimes, there are no words that seem fitting. Sometime it seems like nothing can be made right or whole again.
There were a few moments, however where I felt a close connection to everyone around me as I learned about my uncle's life. One of those moments was when we sat down to piece together some picture boards for display at the funeral home. I didn't know my uncle very well at all, but the stories and the pictures that were shared, gave me a better sense as to who he was. I watched my Aunt pull out album after album, picture after picture and memento after memento to share. So many little stories were shared about his life and the life that the family has together. There were tons of pictures from throughout his life. He was a professional photographer who shot weddings and portraits along with beautiful vacation and family photos. There were pictures of my cousins on their first day of school each year. There were photos of painted Easter eggs, carburetors on the kitchen table, goofy wedding pictures, birthday celebrations and doggies throughout the years.
I walked away from those few hours of sharing, laughter and tears and realized that every photo, every homemade gift is something to be cherished. These items, along with all the memories will make up the fabric of one's life. These pieces of life will come to be cherished and prized while trophies, money, and expensive knickknacks will all pale in comparison. The best things in life are always shared with others and nothing can be shared again and again like a memory.