a quote

we're neither as good nor as bad as we make ourselves out to be.

On words

Sometimes
words are enough.

And when the words don’t come,
the History
the Actions that led to this

Wordlessness

Do the talking.

There are things you can’t build with words;
can’t explain.

But they may not always
need to be said;

Sometimes people can get inside your head,
sometimes people should not be able to.

“There are no words to describe.”
“Don’t tell me, show me.”
(isn’t that what they say?)

you’re the only one who
I have wordless things
to say to—

But you have the ability
To just know.

Don’t you?


_________________________________________

I stumbled upon this poem I scratched out a few months ago. I like losing and finding my own writing; it offers a fresh perspective on your own work, I think.

Grad Adventures

Today was my first day as a grad student-- I had my first two classes, starting at 4 and going till 9:45. That means I left my house at 2:30 to make sure I found a decent parking spot, walked half a mile from my car to main campus in 90 degree weather, had six hours of classes, and then watched my back as I made my way back to my car after dark. I actually got out early, tonight being the first night of class, so I made it home around 9.
Since I haven't really mentioned on here before, I'm beginning a two year program for my MA in English. I can tell this is going to be a lot of work. I'm also quite excited about it: I'm taking a poetry writing class that I'm really looking forward to. I'm also taking an intro to graduate studies seminar and I start a linguistics class tomorrow night.
One thing that kind of surprises me about returning to school: I'm hoping it will inspire me to draw comics again. Some of you might remember my comic blog, which I have neglected to update since May of 2008. I finished my BA and graduated in May of 08, and that's when the comics stopped. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I think something about school stirs that inspiration in me. Interesting, as an English major...

And now, for an abrupt ending. I'm tired.

I don't remember where I got that picture, but I found it on my computer and really like it. If you recognize it as your own, tell me and I'll gladly give you credit.

"Useless" Things I Wish I Knew How to do

I've been thinking about some things I wish I knew how to do, just for the sake of knowing how to do them. Here are a few such things.

>>>make an origami swan (or, 'paper crane')



>>build a house of cards (that is more than one level)



>>>>design and sew a quilt

>>play the mandolin (these things are starting to be not-so-'useless')

>>>unwrap a Starburst inside my mouth (my friend Nick in Seattle can do this....as well as a handful of other 'talented' people)

Do you have any 'useless' skills you wish you possessed? I'd love to hear them! :]


images from ffffound

The Gazette Blog

I haven't posted yet about The Gazette blog, but it's definitely worth mentioning. We're trying to get better at updating it every day (we even assigned everyone to a day; mine's tuesday for now).

So, if you care to take an inside look at the goings-on in magazine production, check it out.

You can read my latest contribution here.

"Excited" is an Understatement

>>>>October 16th<<<<<

Instant Gratification

ISM put on a community art exhibit featuring the Polaroid art of dozens of local artists, including my good friend Shannon Leith. Jordan and I went down to Hibbleton gallery in Fullerton last weekend for the opening, and it. was. packed.



It was fun hunting for Shan's 50 polies among the hundreds that cloaked the walls.


It was also great to look around at the work of other artists. I love that polaroids are beginning to be seen as a form of fine art photography (so long dismissed as mere "instant gratification"---which is, incidentally, the title of the exhibit)




See more on Shannon's blog.

Laguna Bike Ride

Today provided the perfect weather for a nice bike ride through Laguna Canyon. Jordan and I went and filled up our tires and then set out on our 10 mile route.


Paused to take a few quick photos,



Wondered how many cow-skin rugs this guys sells daily (my guess was 0.5),



Then we stopped to see the seals,

These are the pups (not sure why some of them had green marks on their heads...),


and, crash.

All photos in this post taken with Jordan's iPhone. Surprised?

The OC Fair!

I went to the Orange County Fair for the first time ever this summer.
I caught myself on more than one occasion telling friends that the reason I'd never been to the fair before was because "I didn't grow up here."
"But how long have you lived here?"
"Eight years."

It's true. Despite the fact that I didn't grow up in California, I've lived in Orange County for 8 years (incidentally, this Saturday is the exact eight year anniversary of my move), and have failed to go to the fair every summer. Until now.

Jordan and I went on Sunday, the very last day of the fair until next summer.



I admit, I expected it to be kind of lame. I expected there to be one row of food carts and a couple dinky rides, and a handful of game booths monitored by very bored and unenthusiastic employees.
I was so wrong.

It was huge! There were miles of food and game carts, overflowing with anxious customers-- hungry to partake in deep fried delectables and win oversized plush Scooby Doos.

The first thing we did was go on the chair lift ride (since a nice young family on their way out of the park kindly gave us their leftover ride credits). It was amazing, and I can't think of a better way to have spent my first moments ever spent at the fair. You could see everything.


(I used a similar version of the above photo this week on the OC Daily Photo blog)


I love the way the angle of the sun stretches out shadows around an hour or two before sunset,


I think my favorite thing about the fair was the animals. I was really impressed by the quality and quantity of animals they had,






Just a couple of vilde-beest, ;)


"what do you do with a drunken sailor?"


I still can't believe how much food there was.

And how many choices. And food I've never heard of; food I didn't know existed. Deep fried everything,



I do not trust fair rides, in general. Something about traveling/transportable rides is so sketchy. I did, however, really want to go on this,

Seven foot Scooby,
I wonder if Coca Cola pays for this kind of advertising,


Ok, I may not have wanted a huge Scooby, but I could go for a jumbo Tin Man. They also had the lion and Scarecrow. So cool.


We skipped the fried frogs legs and went for the waffle fries. mmm,


And for dessert: a fried banana sundae. Surprisingly awesome.


I call this pose, "With child."
(we are not)
And we made a long stop at the petting zoo. Baby goats are the cutest. I think I would like one for a pet.




And then there was a camel.


We got to be pretty chummy.



And a llama, who was not quite as friendly.


To summarize: The fair was awesome. The food, the rides, the animals, the games--it was all so wonderfully entertaining. I can't believe I missed it seven summers in a row, and can't wait to go again next summer. !!

Coming Soon...*

Pictures from the fair. !!



There's just so many I don't know where/how to start..


*hopefully tomorrow

Jordan's whiteboard.

After we saw (500) Days of Summer, Jordan was inspired to calculate how many days he and I have been together. He's been updating it daily since then, which, combined with the spontaneous "BE NICE" on the whiteboard on his wall, melts my heart.

i am one lucky girl. <3