Lapsus Linguae

Truth hangs in the gallows, while lies sit on the throne.

2010-08-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

"There is a fatality about all physical and intellectual distinction, the sort of fatality that seems to dog through history the faltering steps of kings. It is better not to be different from one's fellows. The ugly and the stupid have the best of it in this world. They can sit at their ease and gape at the play. If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat. They live as we all should live, undisturbed, indifferent, and without disquiet... my brains, such as they are--my art, whatever it may be worth.. good looks--we shall all suffer for what the gods have given us, suffer terribly."

-Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Recent Publication

2010-07-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

Here's the most recent story I worked on that was published on Chicago Storytelling and was promoted via Windy Citizen and Gaper's Block.

If You Simply Must Know..

2010-07-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit lazy lately.

Reasons for this may include:

1) Locked indoors to avoid tornadoes.
2) Taking loads of prescription pain killers.
3) Not being able to physically move as result to the following possibilities:
a) Having hives
b) A crisp sunburn
c) Paralysis from spider bites
d) Swollen legs from mosquito bites
e) A stress fracture on my left foot
4) Crashed hard drive needing replacement and unable to retrieve previous data.
5) Swollen computer battery.
6) Nausea.
7) Sleeping pills.
8) Over eating.
9) Watching all six seasons of "Lost."

10) Unable to drive my vehicle because my replacement stickers for my car registration never arrived.

And finally, if you combine all those calamities together

what do you get???

My first week of turning age 27. Yessss! All of those things happening simultaneously in one week is actually quite hilarious, I hope you're all laughing - because I certainly am.

Yay!

2010-06-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

Best day of my life! No, not because the Hawk's game tonight...

My neighbor that always smokes awful cigars got evicted!!! I've been waiting a whole year for this!!!

Woo, woo - Holla!

Mitt Me?

2010-06-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Uh.. one post in May, I am horrible! Life was a little more hectic than usual. This was awesome though, today while I was filling up my tank of gas, this guy totally had an oven mitt on! Love it. Love, love.

7 Always Was My Lucky Number

2010-05-06T21:59:00.001-07:00

free enneagram test
Type Seven : The Enthusiast
The busy, productive type. Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness. At their Best: they focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous, and satisfied.

Ha ha, this is me to a T. (The extroverted part is a bit complicated due to my 'social anxiety' induced by groups larger than 3 people, and less than 100).

What type are you?

Find out your number and post your description in my comment section!

Ice on Ice

2010-04-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

Yay! I finally got around to editing this video footage that I captured in February. I used my new Nikon P90 to record the footage, I'm super happy with the way it turned out, especially because now I won't have to borrow equipment from the school to make movies.

Ice on Ice from Kristin Rencher on Vimeo.

Sub Office

2010-04-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

Periodically, I am required to leave the State of Illinois for work. But I don't just cross borders like a normal business professional would. No, no, no...

I go back in time.

Back to 1995 to be precise. Yup, when I go back in time, the cities I visit have Ponderosa Restaurants:

Other cool things from 1995:

Super Bowl XXIX: The San Francisco 49ers become the first National Football League franchise to win 5 Super Bowls. (YA! Steve Young from my home town SLC was Super Bowl XXIX MVP!)

Yahoo! is founded!

Mississippi ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment, becoming the last state to approve the abolition of slavery. The amendment was nationally ratified in 1865. (err.. ah.. not cool... Mississippi, shame on you). (For being so slow with your ratification, not for giving into ratification). (Just thought I should clarify).

The 67th Academy Awards, with Forrest Gump winning Best Picture.

The IOC selects Salt Lake City to host the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The DVD, an optical disc computer storage media format, is announced.

The first ever full length computer animated feature film "Toy Story" was released by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures.

Prodigy's song "Firestarter" was in creation. While the actual release of the song was March 1996 - I will argue the most important part (the creation) took place in 1995.

I used to watch this music video on "The Box," zomg. Crazy..

Other 1995 fav's from The Box:

Bush - Glycerine
Uploaded by Nate_Perro. - See the latest featured music videos.

Hey! My blog!

2010-04-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

There's my blog, right where I left it...

I've been forced to give all my attention to my WordPress blog (not a fan). Blogger makes me feel all good inside. Like I would never go to a Cubs game... (weird that I would say that, I don't even follow sports nor do I care to - but all the Cubs fans I meet, I don't like, so why would I want to be surrounded by them???) ...and I would never blog on WordPress if I wasn't being forced to.

Anyway.

There are many tales to be told, but too touchy of a subject right now to speak of them. There's also a game to be played, and a victory to be had; eventually, I will win the gold.

Kitty!

2010-04-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

I just wanna curl up with a cute little kitty and cuddle the rest the night. But no; I have to do homework. After a 12.5 hour day at work today, I still have homework to do that will take me the rest of the night. Lame.

Today's Life Story

2010-04-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

I've decided trying to explain my life to others through music posts is too cryptic. But on the other hand, it's quite nice to for me to know what I mean by the post and not have anyone else understand.
Aka: when you can't be honest, be vague.

Totally How I Love Spending My Friday Evenings

2010-04-09T19:08:00.001-07:00

I worked late - as usual. I actually got out early tonight, around 8ish. Forgot to use the restroom before my 45 minute drive home, only to find upon arriving to my apartment all three elevators were out of service. (I live on the 22nd floor).

Ugh. Twenty-two flights suck on their own, let alone needing to pee the whole way. Stupid elevator.

One of my co-workers was complaining to me today about what a crappy day he was having, when I jokingly told him to give up and slit his wrists he replied, "I've been trying to stick my hands in the paper shredder all morning, they won't fit," I cried with laughter.

This one's for Tory and Mark:
Computer Password: "Try..., Despair"

"Everything's crap. But the weather's nice."

2010-04-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

That's what I said tonight to a friend as I walked out to my car after an evening out. Generally, there are times in my life where I'm having a difficult time with work, or school, etc. - but for the most part it's just one or two things, rarely everything all at once.

But I can honestly say, this is one of the most difficult positions I've been in with work, school, my physical health, my personal friendships, my crazy love life (aka, my "I seduced you into doing it" lust life), my spiritual health, and my emotional health. Thank God I've been able to keep my mental health together, despite the loads of sleeping pills I've taken over the last two... three... I've forgotten how many months. (And I wasn't supposed to use them more than 10 days in a row... eeep.)

Anyway, the only thing I've concluded from all of this is that grace is the key.
I can't change the fact I'm endlessly blamed for things I had no part of, the fact that I'm too decent to throw someone else under the bus even though they insanely deserve it.
The fact that my Dr. has some negative things to report to me in the near future.
The fact that my job has completely destroyed any and all friendships that I valued because I haven't seen any of them in over 2 months.
The fact that my school is just a huge waste of time, money and effort.
The fact that I'm an amazing seductress but a horrible 'ideal' for a girlfriend.
The fact that I haven't been to church in who knows how long.
And up until yesterday, the fact that I was calling my mother (who lives on the other side of the U.S.) in tears 1-3 times a day just because I have no one here to provide me with any type of support.

So... I've collected myself, vented on my blog, and nobody knows that I'm even experiencing any type of issue whatsoever. (Aside from my mother). And the fact about that is, I can pat myself on the back, for handling all of that so gracefully.

Song of the day:

Home Sweet Home

2010-03-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

Ah, a place where I can come be myself... where I've never been so grateful to live alone in my life - I don't have to put up with any one's crap here. I can eat chocolate for dinner, and cheese for dessert. (Tasty, I highly recommend it).

Today was so gushy and fake I thought I was about ready to puke rainbows and poop butterflies.

f, f, f, f, f, f, f.

2010-03-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

I've been in bed for the last 29 hours. Everything hurts, my work has been neglected, and tomorrow's Monday meeting is going to one huge roast party for the HRS... which would be me. ODing on pain killers sounds super fantastic right now.

Mrs. Obama's Genealogy

2010-03-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

On St. Patrick's Day, my father presented Mrs. Obama with her genealogy at the White House. Click Here.

No More

2010-03-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

I shut my door to my apartment tonight and literally felt like I was shutting the world out, like the world was actually on the other side of my door pushing back, giving resistance, the same as an individual would.

Home. This is my time to revive in my sanctuary, away from everything. Music I love, food I can eat, my favorite pillow, no phone calls, no fake emotions, no deadlines, no more of anything I don't want to do. Days like today make me never want to leave my house again.

Love language of choice today:
words of affirmation, nice words would really do a lot right now.

I'm Not Blonde, Really... I Promise

2010-03-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

Upon waking up this morning, I noticed both the clocks in my house requiring batteries coincidentally died at the exact same time. After throwing the batteries away and putting new ones in, it occurred to me:
Today... might be daylight saving time.

ItsGreenItsGreenItsGreen!

2010-03-13T18:38:00.000-08:00

Amidst the thick Chicago fog, the traditional dying the river green festivities continued...

ItsGREENItsGREENItsGREEN! Was the phrase a repeated like a little giddy girl upon approaching my first time at the Chicago River being dyed green.

Although I have lived here for almost two years, I missed last year because I thought they would do it on St. Patrick's Day, not the prior Saturday before. But, I finally made it!

This line was one of the shortest ones... Ridiculous.

I Found Myself In Wonderland

2010-03-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

I was cruising around with one of my account managers today checking out all his sights, and apparently I space out, a lot. I know I do this, I'm fully aware that my mind wanders off into some sort of nothing. However, most of my friends gab too much to notice that I'm trailing off, so it sort of freaked me out when my account manager called me out on it.

He asked where my mind was, and then when I replied nowhere of course he didn't believe me cuz I'm female and supposedly it's impossible for a females mind to think about nothing. But I'm telling you, I'll blank out for who knows how long and won't have thought about a thing.

The cute thing about it though, he totally thought I was thinking about a certain thing that has been bothering me lately (which I actually hadn't thought about for a few hours) and he totally just dove right into the conversation and gave me this huge pep talk when I really wasn't even thinking about that thing. (I love pep talks, not the patronizing ones, but the ones that they're actually trying to make you feel better and trying to convince you that you made all the right decisions... love those).

Anyway, Alice In Wonderland has been on my mind ever since Monday night (The Tim Burton film, not the cartoon). Turns out that movie was much more insightful about who I am as a person than I ever thought it would be. Err, ah, I mean - I can totally relate to Alice in that movie.

Lapsus Linguae At It's Finest

2010-03-10T19:04:00.000-08:00

This morning I was completing this guy's hiring process and getting him his uniforms. The size he needed wasn't on the rack so I turned to our huge pile of dry cleaning that hasn't been put away for a few weeks and mumbled - "okay, I'll look threw this pile for your size." The second item from the top was the one I was looking for, so naturally I got all super excited and blurted out, "Yay! On top... just the way I like it."

Ya, genius.

He kind of stared at me blankly (good looking mid-twenty/my age) and I felt my face start to turn slightly red as I laughed and shrugged, "Not like that, oh boy." (Awkward Pause). Luckily he just got a kick out of my blunder and we both went about our business. But ya... the HR for a company making comments like that?! Seriously, internal dialogue NEEDS to stay internal. Bagh!

Underground

2010-03-10T05:33:00.000-08:00

This is absolutely my new favorite song. Theme song. Life song. Describes my life perfectly at the moment song.
**Additionally, had a very special moment during this song while it was playing in the background.
Favorite. Favorite Favorite.

To: Day

2010-03-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

This has been the song of the day, played on repeat over and over and over on the way to work, the way to school, driving home in my amazing city.

Day 4 of not eating, feeling great - minus a pounding headache earlier that I took care of with some Excedrin and a bottle of 0 calorie vitamin water. Seriously, I just have to make it until the end of the day Friday and then I can test out eating again and see if I'll get sick or not. Bahzinga.

Also, got out of school early today which NEVER happens!! So, I'm feeling extra good.

Last but not least, I'm blogging again. I know I said that a couple months ago, but really - I'm back for good this time. I think I was having too much socializing, then had to counteract/balance all that with too much social withdrawal, and now I'm starting to find my happy medium.

Still haven't delved back into the social scene cuz it was just getting to be too much to handle. Honestly, I don't understand how being around people constantly isn't emotionally taxing. I'm a bizarre introvert. Probably because everyone thinks I'm extroverted. But that's not the case; a simple mixture of boredom and obligation forces me to "appear" extroverted, but seriously - opening up to people, talking to them, exposing myself, good gracious - scares the dickens out of me...

However, interestingly I have an unexpected boldness... combine that with my natural citrus scent and what do you get?? Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Sonoma, California: The palate is bold and fruity with rich, dense, ripe fruit. A sweet melon character. (Odd that my favorite wine just so happens to be the one that best describes me, no?)

Who do you think you are??

2010-03-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

Hee Hee. My Dad was on the news last night:

Click Here to watch.

And next week he's meeting Mr. and Mrs. Obama.

The Good Ol' Days...

2010-03-06T12:07:00.001-08:00

...When I could eat, and the only side effect was looking a little crazy.

Off To A Slow Start

2010-03-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

Okay, so.. My luckiest month of the year isn't kicking off with a bang like it normally does. I'm actually writhing in pain because of a lame-o allergy that I have. I suppose I could view this as the opposite of luck, however I am now unable to eat for the next 24+ days which will result in my body being in bikini condition right before my trip to Los Cabos - so, even the unlucky crap I'm dealing with at the moment will ultimately result with a positive aspect.

In the mean time, I just want to curl up into fetal position and die. Work, life, anything, and everything is simply unbearable at the moment. And I can't believe how moody I get when I'm physically not feeling well. Sorry to anyone that has to deal with me for the next 24+ days. Yikes.

On the plus side, laying on my bed all day, doing nothing, feels fantastic. Typically I would feel guilty for wasting my entire day doing such a thing, but when you're sick - laying in bed all day is totally justified. As is blowing off ANY and ALL obligations.

Awesome. I'm loving March already. If this ordeal wasn't so painful I would probably subject myself to it more often and purposefully. But holy cow, spending 24+ days just wanting to rip all my insides out would never be worth doing it on purpose.

I just hope it doesn't interfere with my party plans for St. Patrick's Day:

Getting Down

2010-03-02T19:51:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, March if my favorite + luckiest month of the year... yay! Unfortunately my graduate program has stupified me to the point that I am unable to articulate myself well enough to produce anything worth reading. So you should just probably quit reading, now, at this exact moment, at this point in time, stop reading, you're eyes will burn from boredom, generalized assumptions, and tacky humor.

My craptacular experience in my graduate program is not entirely the fault of the faculty (with the exception of the psycho ticking time bomb I was stuck with last fall), but I would say a large majority of me wanting to heavily sedate myself prior to attending any class is partially a side effect from dealing with my fellow students. Majority of them never pay attention to the professor, so after he/she's already explained a concept, they ask the same question moments later as if the topic was never brought up. Gah.

Wait.

That Gah., should have been a gah!

Alprazolam will be my new homework aid. Forget the loads of caffeine I had to consume during my undergrad in order to complete my B.S. with a double emphasis, two minors, graduating in >3 years on the Dean's list. Thank you, thank you. Please, throw that applaud in the trash, cuz it adds up to nothing. Next time I want to increase my academic status I'm just going to chuck wads of rolled up hundreds at the institution and request that they give me the degree without having to take any courses because I really can't afford to get any dumber.

Anyone down for helping me get my throwing arm in shape? I have wads of $1's we can practice with until I use the magic powers my graduate program has taught me to change those $1's into $100's. Inanimatus Conjurus.

Rueful Plight

2010-02-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

It's time for me to console myself. Why does writing help? IDK. Maybe because I can just broadcast random words out into the Universe without having to deal with anyone's responses.

Work today left me feeling:

aching, aggrieved, agonized, all torn up, battered, bruised, buffeted, contused, crushed, cut, damaged, distressed, disturbed, grazed, harmed, hit, impaired, in pain, indignant, lacerated, marred, miffed, mutilated, nicked, offended, pained, piqued, put away, rueful, sad, scarred, shook, stricken, struck, suffering, tender, tortured, unhappy, warped, wounded.

Ugh. Serious frowny face.

I'm Batman

2010-02-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

I've been saying, "I'm Batman" all day. The exact same way Sheldon says it at the end of this clip.

Crossed The Finish Line

2010-02-15T19:04:00.000-08:00

Well, it's official -
I never have to worry about impressing anyone ever again,
for the rest of my life.

My Mom called me today just to say,
she loved me and that she's proud of me.

Mission complete.

If my character from here on out appears indolent,
and all of you feel I'm not trying to impress you or win you over,
it's because I'm not.

Cha-ching.

Puny Hands vs. Clever Modification

2010-02-13T09:01:00.001-08:00

I bought this chocolate milk for breakfast and
have been trying to open it for over an hour.

Luckily, where I lack in strength,
I exceed with innovation.

Ever Moore

2010-01-31T00:10:00.000-08:00

Wow, totally sucked at making any type of consistent entries this month - been way too busy.

This week had some humorous moments. I interviewed a guy that listed he had worked for company XYZ on his application, and I asked him what some of his tasks were at company XYZ and he responded, "What? I never worked for XYZ." I looked at him peculiarly and pointed to company XYZ on his application and he stuttered, "Oh - ya, um... I walked around, punched in, punched out..."

Seriously?!

Since when did "punching in & punching out" become a job skill?!?!
I was trying not to laugh during the rest of the interview because after he said that all I could think about was this clip from
The IT Crowd:

Decompress

2010-01-24T20:09:00.000-08:00

This weekend I decompressed for hours, and hours, and hours...

Let It Be Known

2010-01-16T10:57:00.000-08:00

Apparently people get confused that since I am feisty and speak my mind, that means that I MUST be a gossiper. Ha ha, ya sure. From all my previous encounters with gossipers, they were always the ones that were really nice and pleasant to your face to cover up the fact that they were talking trash behind your back.

In which case, I've recently been accused of talking trash about someone I basically NEVER interact with, think about, or for that matter have any desire whatsoever to gossip about. But I was thinking if I'm going to get blamed for crap I'm not going to do, let's have some fun with it and actually start spreading some good rumors.

Rumors about a boy named Ross:

His first kiss was at age 26, and it was his grandmother.

He wears women's underwear cuz he knows that's the closest interaction he'll ever have with it.

Sometimes he tries making out with his male roommates and they frequently have to remind him that they're not interested in either gay or bi-sexual behaviors.

He checks out every girl that walks past him and tries to get their number.

He only goes to church to hit on girls.

He told his girlfriend she's the only one he has feelings for.

He cries when people call him egocentric.

He hangs out with his mother on Friday nights.

****Let it be known, that if I were to spread rumors, these would be the types of rumors I would spread. Apparently working 50+ hours a week, attending school, having a social life and hobbies isn't enough to occupy my time - so I have to entertain myself with spreading rumors about people I never see and never talk to, cuz that's what really makes my life fulfilling.

Plus & Minuses

2010-01-09T15:19:00.001-08:00

Today had some things worth blogging about.

The laundry room was COMPLETELY empty this morning at 10:30am, which NEVER happens, so I was in heaven.

Swung by home depot and overheard a couple of gay guys asking the clerk what isle the cock was on, I couldn't quite determine if they were being serious or pulling a prank on the poor kid.

I'm depressed about the economy being down because instead of Target having super cute color options for kitchen items and car scrapers, all they had was RED. Ugh, of all the ugly colors in the world, they had to go with red. They act like it stands for something, pff.

On the bright side, they had super cute shot glasses for when I serve my house guests cookies and milk. Yay!

Last but not least, I will NEVER go to whole foods on a Saturday afternoon ever again. Crowded chaos. Not my cup of tea, unless I'm at a rock show with lots of "yummy" guys to look at.

Chicago Christmas, Partying, Etc.

2010-01-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

L to R: Kim, Kit, me - I L-O-V-E the snow in this picture!

L to R: me, Kim, Katie

Kit at the American Doll Hair Salon.

Me answering the American Doll Hotline.

"Let's be friends, BEST friends."

"I can't stop partying, partying." (I'm drinking fuzzy grape juice, not liquor).

Time

2009-12-29T17:01:00.001-08:00

I'd like to think I will be obtaining more free time to be more dedicated to my blog entries, however - it looks as though things will only become busier during the first portion of next year.

My job keeps me quite busy and adding school into the mix makes having any sort of hobby practically impossible.

Christmas was wonderful, I was able to fly home for three days to visit my family. New Year's will be fun, going to a black and white attire party. Yay!

My Own Initiative

2009-12-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

My best motivation to cosmically kick ace is for people to start betting against me. Let's just say things have paid off this week, and :p to all the people thriving on watching me crash and burn. Sorry to leave you all sorely disappointed.

Huge thanks to the individuals supporting me!

On a lighter note, supposedly when playing the game "Apples to apples" whatever green cards you win describes you. Our group of nine people ironically all collected cards that described them perfectly. The cards I collected were pretty flattering:

Cosmopolitan
European
Radiant
Attractive
Elegant
Fine

Flying home to SLC tomorrow for the holiday, yay!

Cameo Role: Take Two

2009-12-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

Friday night I had an eventful evening.

First, the restaurant my date and I went to had actor Dustin Hoffman sitting at the table across from me! I glanced at him and thought to myself, 'he looks familiar.' I went about doing my thing and then I finally remembered that he looks familiar cuz I've seen him on the big screen! It was quite exciting, I wanted to be an obnoxious fan and get his autograph - but I refrained and just continued to pretend I didn't notice him in the restaurant.

Then, my date and I were taking some escalators and he was 1 step down from me. I was wearing a pretty cute dress with my adorable coat, and as he went to go put his hand on my lower back he started to touch me a little sooner than planned and his hand totally went up the back side of my dress and credit card swiped my butt! Omg! I almost turned around and shoved him down the escalator!

But he got a bit frantic and was all like,
"I'm sorry! I was trying to touch your lower back! I'm so sorry....
....but did you like it?"

OMG!!! Seriously. Idk how my life perpetually experiences these sort of things, it seems as though I've been graced with chronic weirdness.

Studio Party!

2009-12-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

I hosted a little party at my place in Chicago.

(And I actually made my own video with the photos, instead of using the pre-made slide shows by hallmark....)

Studio Party! from Kristin Rencher on Vimeo.

Photos by Ikie Gioshvili

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flâneur— "a person who walks the city in order to experience it"

2009-12-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

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Dictators Call It Rebellion. Free-Spirited Humans Call It Revolutionary.

2009-11-27T18:32:00.001-08:00

Okay, fine. Regardless of whether you call it revolutionary or rebellion, I took these photos at the Art Institute today and wasn't supposed to. (It's not like it was Le Blaiser by Auguste Rodin... err, ahh, never mind).

But this is the first thing I've been impressed with in the new wing.
Monica Bonvicini's 'Light Me Black.'

I was shocked to see a room glowing from across the museum,
and at the same time completely mesmerized.

"Equal parts beautiful and menacing, Monica Bonvicini's sculptures, installations, videos, and drawings provoke an acute awareness of the physical and psychological effects of institutional, particularly museum, architecture."

If it makes any of you 'straight arrows' feel better, karma totally caught up with me on the bus ride home. I've lived in Chicago for over one year now and have never felt threatened. Well, this middle-aged drunk man got on the bus and cornered me in my chair. I politely asked him to excuse me and found another seat, well.. he didn't fancy that so much. He started belligerently yelling at me to get back into the original seat. I attempted to ignore him, but he was getting more irate - and the bus driver could have cared less about what was going on. At one of the stops I waited until the bus started taking off again and then forced the doors open so I could jump off. I had to jump off a moving bus so that some crazy drunk guy wouldn't follow me!

The story gets more entertaining...

After I jumped off a moving bus I started running in the opposite direction and some cab was giving me the 'cab available' honk, so I flagged him over and dove into the back seat. The driver asked which direction I was going and when I told him he said to me, "but you were running in the opposite direction." And I said, "Ya, some crazy drunk guy was trying to hustle me." The cab driver bolted after the bus and was practically as crazy as the drunk guy and he's all, "which guy was it?! I'm gonna jump on that bus and beat the crap our of him!" (Oh em gee...) I had to convince the cab driver just to let it go, I handled the situation by getting away from the man, he didn't need to cut the bus off, get on the bus and beat the guy up! In America (I later found out the cab driver was from Kenya) we don't do that!!

Ugh.

These are the sort of stories you don't tell your mother when you're living in a big city by yourself. But it's okay, I'm okay, and I'm looking at condos in a nice neighborhood to purchase by the end of next year.

Photos Of The Week

2009-11-21T14:15:00.000-08:00

Taken from Abe's car while commuting to work.

Paparazzi photos of Abe and KK

My dirty Harajuku Lovers Shoe

Mixed Feelings

2009-11-21T12:51:00.000-08:00

Part of me thinks this sweater is totally hot, it says:
"Ya.. Santa keeps my marriage concupiscent and lewd."

And the other part of me thinks:
"Gross, Santa is a child molester?"

That's Not My Name

2009-11-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

This post is to kick off the new "Living The Soundtrack" blog which will consist only of music posts.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

This month I have been called the following: Kris, Alex, Lucy, Helen, Christine, Pixie, Emily, Jane, Christian, Darling, and last but not least... Chewy. This song seems fitting.

***I was just out with some friends, and we can now add Glute to the list. Seriously? What is Glute? Half of a butt?

Kerr B & B

2009-11-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

This weekend, KK and I drove to St. Louis. We stayed in the loveliest bed and breakfast at the Kerr residence.

While we were there, they served us delicious egg omelets, roasted chicken, BBQ ribs, and all sorts of yummy desserts. Additionally, they had an adorable puppy named Penny that insisted on cuddling with me all weekend. All together, our short stay there was enormously entertaining.

The previous blogged pictures of the Arch were taken and sent from my phone - so here's a few nice photos taken with my favorite Nikon. After I do some editing tomorrow, I might upload some video footage I captured with my new Kodak in HD. But, we'll see... the week always seems to be full of surprises now-a-days.

Base of The Arch.

Elevator to get to the top of The Arch. (Reminds me of Men in Black).

Shadow of The Arch on The Mississippi.

The Cardinals Stadium from The Arch.

Downtown St. Louis.

2009-11-14T14:22:00.001-08:00

Chilling in St. Louis for the weekend.

2009-11-14T14:20:00.001-08:00

Gateway to the West.

The Past Is Pending

2009-11-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

I finished reading Volume V of my life over a month ago,
yet I find myself mulling over the chapters in my mind.

But the book is finished,
it's time to start a new one.

Volume VI is sitting on the shelf,
all I have to do is pick it up.

Sui Generis

2009-11-05T21:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, during a very short lunch break, I ran over to the gas station to give my car a quick vacuum and wash. I was wearing one of my new fancy European scarfs, and while I was vacuuming the floor of my hybrid, the vacuum hose sucked up my scarf.

The scarf was wrapped around my neck, and due to one end being sucked into the vacuum and me gripping the other end to prevent it from being completely eaten by this air sucking monstrosity - I was being choked to death - in the middle of a parking lot - by an inanimate object.

As some of you poor people out there know - the vacuum cannot be manually shut off, it just shuts off when the time is up. Meanwhile, everyone in their vehicle waiting in line for the car wash is watching, gaping at me in disbelief that this is actually happening.

I don't know how I manage. My daily experiences are beyond ridiculous.

The scarf survived, unharmed. I survived, slightly harmed.

v. Requiem aeternam (2)

2009-11-01T20:16:00.000-08:00

Today, I went to see the Chicago Chorale perform
'British Music for All Saints,'
Featuring Herbert Howells' Requiem.
The performance was breath taking.

From the beginning of the performance,
to the very end, I had chills.

My favorite piece was v. Requiem aeternam (2):
Requiem aeternam dona eis.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

Grant them eternal rest.
And let perpetual light shine on them.
Grant them eternal rest, Lord.

This link shows some behind the scenes and practices that went into putting together this particular performance.

I especially applaud my friend Sharon Harris, she is the Managing Director for the Chicago Chorale, in addition to performing in the choir.

As much as I enjoy the summertime, the vibrant artistic performances that take place during the winter months in Chicago are worth living in such a cold region.

I ardently await Chicago Chorale's performance of Rachmaninoff Vespers. It will be interesting to see how they compare to Stephen Cleobury's Choir Of King's College Cambridge.

Me and Kim at The Morton Arboretum

2009-10-31T17:05:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

"You're On My 'To-Do' List"

2009-10-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

No joke: my friend Ikie periodically leans over to me and says in a flirtatious manner, "You're on my 'to-do' list."

Oh, the irony - look what ended up on my 'to-do' list tonight before I head over to Kim's Halloween party.

"Nice Slide-Show... Did You Make That On Powerpoint?"

2009-10-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

(The title of this blog is an inside joke between me and Ikie, and is unrelated to the actual post).

I went on a cruise earlier this month to the Bahamas with my sister. Here's a few photos from our trip. (I didn't put us in any of the photos cuz we're not exactly... UM, modest).

BAHAMAS

ATLANTIS

SCUBA DIVING

What? Who, me?

2009-10-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

My boss doesn't talk a lot, he's a man of few words. But the other day during our weekly meeting, he was checking with everyone to address needs/concerns/etc. Typically, I don't have anything to discuss cuz all I do is show up and work - nothing too special.

I don't remember ever discussing with my boss that I've studied some philosophy, or anything of that nature - when he asked if I had concerns to discuss with everyone, I indicated that I did not - and he said to me, "Well, could you at least provide us a little philosophy then?"

I sort of just giggled, cuz I wasn't anticipating such a heavily weighted request - I was thinking I could just get away without saying anything, like I usually manage to do.

After giving it some thought, I have concluded that this quote by Oscar Wilde would be the most beneficial for the daily events around the office:

"The more one analyses people, the more all reasons for analysis disappear. Sooner of later one comes to that dreadful universal thing called human nature."
-- “The Decay of Lying”

Everything that occurs in our office requires us to analyze individuals and situations, ultimately deciding both their immediate and distant future.

Editor's Note: I have probably been semi-vague on what I do for a living throughout my blogging entries. There are multiple reasons for this; one, I try to remain modest about my position within the company. Secondly, I don't want individuals I don't know contacting me for reasons unrelated to my personal blogging. Business if for business, and play is for play. This blog is for play.

Before giving someone a piece of your mind, be sure you have enough to spare.

2009-10-24T06:19:00.000-07:00

Even though I am dying to tell everyone about the events of my week, I think it would be tactful to refrain until a later date. And by the time I am able to discuss it, the desire to do so will probably have died. In the mean time, just enjoy these random thoughts that I have had during the week:

I'm objective; I object to everything.

Don't let schooling get in the way of your education.

Alcohol and calculus don't mix. Never drink and derive.

Enough with the censored "beep, beep". I'm old enough to know what Road-Runner is really saying to Wile E Coyote.

Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

Don't wait for the hearse to take you to church.

"You know what, I give up... he's impossible." "I can't be impossible, I exist. I believe what you meant to say is, 'I give up... he's improbable.'" --Sheldon, Big Bang Theory

Anyone who says an onion is the only vegetable that will make you cry has never been hit in the face with a pumpkin.

Rules. Life has rules.

2009-10-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

The last 24 hours have been a bit surreal.
My life is WAY stranger than fiction.
(That's a good movie btw).

At the moment, I have to deal with someone who has a choleric disposition. My jaw has been dropped on the floor since last night, and I'm not entirely sure when all the shock will fade. Crazy people. I am surrounded by people who are completely insane.

New VO Package

2009-10-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

Ikie and I spent yesterday filming some shots for our
converged newsroom VO package.
Today we completed the editing.
Like always... we had WAY too much fun!

VO Package from Kristin Rencher on Vimeo.

(P.S. We are soooo getting an "A")

Klutz

2009-10-16T06:13:00.001-07:00

Apparently things with lids and I don't mix. In addition to spilling my tooth picks everywhere, I also dumped my Qtips all over the floor the other morning. I thought I would buy these with a sliding lid instead of a pull lid. That way if I drop the box or whatever maybe I won't spill ALL of them.

Savant?? Not so much..

2009-10-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

My bibliophile friend Kim has got me hooked on a new book, so I've been doing more reading than writing recently. However, I realize I've been neglecting my readers - I know there are not many, but they are loyal, non-the-less.

Additionally, my life is overwhelmingly amazing - which makes it difficult to write in general, because usually my best writing is when I'm drowning in angst. (As is with most writers. Or is it poets?)

So...

Pretty much the story is, I'm heating up some mashed potatoes for my dinner. Kickin' it in my apartment - aka - the "accessory lounge." I'm wearing an adorable skirt with my lightly sun kissed tan from visiting the Bahamas last week, with some comfy knitted stockings from Nordstrom to keep my legs warm. And my hair and make-up look amazing, as usual.

Although it is my preference to publish detailed stories, I figured at this juncture, the best I can do is provide a brief update:

1) School is totally lame, I'm only doing one class this quarter because my job requires me to put in an average of 60 hours per week. I'm forced to take this class to fulfill my degree requirements, and most of it involves broadcast - I'm really not a fan of broadcast journalism. And my instructor thinks she's the next Oprah... right... like Kanye West is the next Michael Jackson. Seriously. I was totally going to wait until the end of the quarter after I received my grade to blog about how much I despise my class and the instructor (in the event that she somehow miraculously stumbled upon me writing about it), but I just can't take it anymore - it needs to be written!

2) Work is awesome! I don't even mind that I slave an average of 60 hours per week to make sure everything gets done. I love what I do, and I love the people I work with. Most importantly, when I go to bed at night I feel like I've actually accomplished something as opposed to just producing money exchange the same way an ATM would. After breaking away from six years in the banking industry, I would rather end up homeless than ever work for another bank again.

3) Everything else is just really, really good. I had an awesome time in the Bahamas last week with my sister, I have a really great group of friends, and there's always tons of things to do in Chicago, so I'm never bored. Hopefully I'm not jinxing myself by writing how wonderful everything is right now. And I painted my nails, the prettiest color red you've ever seen, they're sexy.

Oh my sweet Lola Bella.

2009-10-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned before on one of my previous blogs,
that I have a sister.
One sister.
One, little, sister.

We had the opportunity to go on a cruise to the Bahamas last week,
and her 'little sister' characteristics really chose to shine.

First:
We were grabbing some food.
She asked me if she should go grab us a table.
One next to the window?
So we could have a view?
When I arrived to the table,
my lil' sis had a wonderful view.
And I had a view of a metal pillar.
Genius.
I kind of laughed at her and said thanks
for snagging a table with such a great view.

Second:
We were being seated at the fancy crystal restaurant.
The waiter escorted us to our table,
pulled out the chair for my sister,
and my sister reluctantly chose to sit in the other chair,
that he did not have pulled out.
Coincidentally, giving her a fabulous view
of the amazing restaurant we were in.
And I, had a view...
of her. Just her.

I couldn't help but make fun of her for stealing the fabulous view
two nights in a row.

Third:
The ocean was amazing, so warm and pleasant.
The waves were soothing,
the larger waves that rolled by were of course,
the best ones to float on.
This brilliant, ginormous wave,
was headed my way-
and then out of no where,
my lil' sis totally crossed in front of me
and snagged it. o-m-gosh...

Fourth:
While we were applying sun screen,
she thought it would be better to stand on
my towel with her sandy feet,
as opposed to her towel one foot away,
so that hers would stay sand free.

Fifth:
Towel number two...
We were eating sushi at this posh restaurant,
where they bring you hot towels,
and she totally snagged my towel.

By now,
I'm rolling with laughter after having tallied all her 'I'm a princess' moves.
And by all means,
I'm indulging myself by pointing all of them out to her.

Sixth:
Last, but not the least - she ate the last bag of Ranch Doritos.
To the average person, this would not be a big deal.
But I'm plagued with Celiac Disease,
and regular Doritos have wheat in them,
therefore I cannot eat regular Doritos.
Ranch Doritos however,
are gluten free.
And I can eat them.
But,
I Can't,
Eat Them,
If There Aren't,
Any
To
Eat
!

Bah!
Those of you who have a little sister share my heartache.
I guess I'm just so used to being the little princess in my neck of the woods,
that when someone else comes along and steals my thunder,
it throws me a little off kilter.

Love ya sis!
I'm looking forward to the next trip.
That I'm going to book myself the luxury suite for,
and all the upgrades,
while you wallow in everything that's 'cosmically average.'

Editors Note: One of my peeps mentioned this entry seemed like I was being a sour grape, which is entirely not the case - my sister and I were rolling in laughter when each of the events were pointed out, and continue to find the reoccurring circumstances quite hilarious. This post was all in good humor.

62 hours, coming to a close.

2009-09-26T23:48:00.000-07:00

1:55 A.M.

The end of my 62 hour work week is finally coming to a close.... phew.

62 hours at work, plus school, plus church, plus the little amount of a social life I can squeeze into my day has left me a little sleep and "me time" deprived.

Going to the Bahamas next week could not come at a more perfect time.

2:03 A.M.

You Don't Even Know.

2009-09-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

17 hour shift on 4 hours of sleep... no problem.

2009-09-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

Today, while I was completing some training with some of our security officers, I was observing the lobby area of the building we patrol. The handicapped door next to the revolving door was propped open, and numerous amounts of people continued to line up one behind the other to wait their turn to go through the revolving door - they even looked right at the door that was propped open!

Hello??? Did they go to the University of Duh??

Speaking of stupid moments, I had my own this week that I thought was semi-funny. The training I'm working on is practically mission impossible with as many security officers as I need to meet with this week, so I've been working bogus hours all 24 hours of the day to get it done. Late Friday night last week, I finished up at one of the buildings that is separated from the rest of the hospital campus and you have to walk past a few dark alley ways and dumpsters to get back over to the main buildings. As I was pacing past all the scary, dark alley's I was thinking to myself,
"I totally need an security officer escort right now."
And then I looked down at my hospital ID badge that said
Security Administrator and remembered,
"Oh ya, I am security..."

Converged Newsroom 2009

2009-09-21T20:06:00.001-07:00

Here's my newest online occupation. We were asked to blog on something we were passionate about, hope you all enjoy the only thing I feel comfortable broadcasting to the public in a 'lecturing' manner.

Sorry about the cop-out by just linking all of you to something else I'm writing, as opposed to just writing it on this blog. I'm just super busy.

Love, with a capital L.

Now and Later

2009-09-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

I've made three separate attempts to blog this week, and the combination of the blog topics and my schedule have not allowed for me to complete any of them. They require additional investigation and thorough articulation, hopefully I will be able to complete them by the end of the month - however I'm semi doubting it will happen.

Thus, I'm blogging 'now,' but I will blog better blogs 'later.' Ugh - where to start. First of all, September 16, 2009 was a significant turning point in my life - and excitedly, my life will never be the same again. Annual celebration on September 16 will be required for the rest of my life, in all its meekness and glory.

Thanks to everyone for their continual encouragement and support!

Observe.

2009-09-13T20:05:00.001-07:00

Girls hearts are attached to a pendulum,
we give it away and we eventually get it back.

Boys hearts are attached to an anchor,
they give it away and they're sunk.

Wrong Until, You Make It Right

2009-09-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

I missed my open window
When the momentum was good.

Made a fool of myself
Trying to get it back again.

I'm building a cocoon of happiness
To replace my row of scattered ducks.

Forget the past
And all our old ways.

Let's find a new form of play
To go out and seize the day.

Think of me when you read this
All these lyrics are for you.

I'm Always Good For A Laugh

2009-09-08T18:21:00.001-07:00

This is by far the most difficult toothpick container I've ever tried to open in my life.

Today while I was getting ready for work, I needed to unclog my CHI hair gloss. I went to the kitchen to get a toothpick, and when I tried pulling this stupid container open - the whole thing exploded all over the floor, table, sink... everything.

This container was full - these are the only toothpicks I chose to put back into the container for further use because they landed on my table.

Yay.

It's really not natural to have this much fun, especially in the morning.

I left them there all day just so I could laugh at myself every time I walked into my kitchen.

Stupid, stupid girl.

Starved Rock

2009-09-08T10:10:00.001-07:00

Here we are getting ready to start our hike up to Starved Rock.

I'm not sure where Starved Rock ended up being, but we had an awesome time.

Nature.

I think that's Starved Rock, way out there, in the distance.

Yesterday was fantastic.

What a brilliant way to spend Labor Day; wake up early to hike a mountain with some friends, BBQ, drink IBC's and play poker all night.

Wonderfully marvelous.

Happy Labor Day.
My last day of freedom.
Before I sell my soul, to a year's worth of extreme laboring.

The Luckiest

2009-09-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

Many of you are familiar with the fact that I always win just about everything. Not necessarily games that you play with your buddies (although, I am currently undefeated for Sunday game nights, and everyone is now obligated to address me as Miss Kristin Camelia Rencher Undefeated The III). That's beside the point. I win free cruises to the Bahamas, free trips to Vegas, Puerto Vallarta, small shopping sprees, when I play craps I win between $1000 - $2000 (out of all the times I've gambled, I have never walked away with the casino keeping any of my personal money), etc.

However, when I was younger, I always wanted to win the "win a free soda - look under the cap" game. It wasn't like I 'sort of' wanted to win, it was like, 'If I don't win this I'm going to freakin' die.' No joke. I would even buy 10 bottles of soda if it said, 'Every 1 in 10 wins.' Dead serious. And I never won. So, I've secretly been bitter about not winning a free soda since about age eight. I'm not even kidding. And every time I buy a soda, that's hosting a win under the cap game, and I don't win, it twists the dagger.

I find it a bit ridiculous that I continually win all this other stuff I really don't care about winning, but the thing I really want to win (which btw - costs less than $1.50! Ya, I'm a dork...) I never win.

Well...................... Drum Roll Please......................... I FREAKIN' WON MY FREE SODA!!!! Today. And it's hilarious, cuz I looked right at the stupid promo on the bottle and said, "Whatever. I don't even want to win it anymore." And of course - that's when I win it.

Sort of makes me laugh that when the odds are against me I win, and when the odds are in my favor, I don't win.

Ha ha, that totally reminds me. This one time, after a rock show, my two girlfriends and I were invited to go grab food with the bands that had played that night. It was me, my two girl friends, and about 15 guys - no other girls. While we were all waiting to get situated at the restaurant my friend looked over at me and whispered, "The odds are good... but the goods are odd." Ha ha, oh how I love Mandee and her bizarre wittiness.

I'm Sorry, This One's A Bit Dark.

2009-08-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have a list. I suppose it's a "bucket list," but not really. Not in the sense that I will accomplish something that will be significantly gratifying upon completing the task and checking it off my list. But, I do have a list of things I would like to do before I die. (No... I'm sorry to disappoint some of you - I won't be dying anytime soon).

My list is pretty random, and more or less consists of devious acts - as opposed to reckless ones. For the most part, I try to keep everything on the list legal as well. I suppose there have been discrepancies concerning "trespassing" for a couple things on my list - but I made it a point to accomplish those in my earlier days so that I could blame my poor choices on my lack of maturity.

Examples of things on my list:

Jump a moving train.
Get in the Guinness World Records.
Sneak into a morgue, etc...

Well, last summer I jumped a moving train (in a dress and high-heels!! Yeah!). Earlier this year I was part of a group that was entering to win the title for most people wearing Groucho Marx glasses - I haven't heard yet if we won. And today, I snuck into a morgue. I suppose I didn't really "sneak" because I'm authorized to go in there whenever I need to. But, I did go in there today without any real "need." I basically just "needed" to check it off my list.

Ugh. Talk about regrets. It wasn't the adult bodies that bothered me, but what a freakin' genius I am... I went into a morgue inside of a hospital, right next to the women's center, where they deliver all the babies. I can't bring myself to publish the vivid details of the newborns bodies out numbering all of the other bodies combined. For every one adult body there were about eight newborn babies.

I've been accused of romanticizing "life" and "death." After what I saw today, no wonder I've made a conscious effort to romanticize life's hardships. For a split second I allowed the realness of the heart wrenching tragedy that an anticipating mother has to hold a new, happy, healthy baby upon arrival into this world only to immediately have it revoked upon receiving, must have felt a loss beyond any other tragedy one could feel in this lifetime. A loss so real, so deep, and so harsh, that no amount of romanticizing can turn this dark image into a flowery portrait. I can imagine, that even a woman who was possibly in the predicament of not wanting a child, or having it be bad timing, etc., would still experience a bitter, harrowing deprivement of one of life's sweetest joys.

Editor's Note: Interesting, that a mother can care for a baby so dearly, even though she has never spent "time" with the child, and the child certainly has not done anything to "earn" the care it receives from it's mother, but the mother cares for it none the less. The explanation on "how" or "why" it could be that a mother can care for something in less than an instant of becoming acquainted with it, I'm sure can be elaborated by medical scientists using chemical/neurological reasoning, etc-etc. Although I'm convinced no amount of caring can be compared to the level of a mother caring for a child - it does seem to make a point that we, as humans are capable of caring about and/or for things we are not familiar with, or haven't spent a significant amount of time with in order to warrant a certain level of "caring."

Shooger Booger

2009-08-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

Is it weird that I wrap a long sweater around myself and use a bathrobe tie to keep it shut? Probably. But here's the thing, two of my bathrobes are too thin to keep me comfy, and my thick bathrobe is much to bulky to allow me to perform functional tasks; such as cooking, typing, etc. So, the only solution I've been able to find is using a soft, long, cozy sweater. Unfortunately, the lack of a waist tie accompanying the purchase of my long sweaters has left me to my crafty innovations.

The last couple of days I've been thinking back on how my sister and I used to run a muck in the city of Salt Lake.

A typical evening for us consisted of sneaking out of the house in our hoodies (sneaking wasn't really necessary - but it was fun to just sort of shrug our shoulders and mumble "idk" as we slipped past our parents while they were questioning our hasty exit), blasting loud music in the car, driving around aimlessly, debating on whether we'd get buzzed on energy drinks and run around Walmart with empty carts until our energy levels hit a wall, or whether we could make it to Ichiban before they closed and then follow up our sushi meal with a cup of ______ at Sugarhouse Coffee or SLC Coffee Break.

Sometimes we would actually go to the trouble of making plans; such as going to a concert at the Salt Air, The Avalon, or chilling at Kilby Court, etc.

Regardless of whatever it was that we did, or didn't do, the time I spent with my sister created many sweet fond memories of my life in SLC. Last night while driving home after an evening with some friends, I couldn't help but think that as much as I love my life in Chicago, sometimes I miss the good times we used to have.

I messaged her this morning and mentioned something about missing her and she replied, "ohhh i miss you to love :) but i never thought you would miss me..." How could she possibly think I wouldn't miss her??? Just look at how adorable she is!

Love Ya Sis!

Is it weird that I start out my blog entry with a story completely unrelated to the main post? Probably. But here's the thing, it's my blog, and I'm making it a point to break the rules of intelligent coherent writing.

Yesterday's Reality Was Marvelous... No Dreaming Necessary.

2009-08-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning started off with me falling in love with the song, "Across the Universe." During the chorus it sings, "Nothing's gonna change my world." Which coincidentally changed everything. No need to get into the details on how it changed everything, but I'm sure many of you who see me on a frequent basis will see a more peaceful me. Not that I'm not peaceful anyway, it's just that what I have that's already good - I'm just making it better.

It was my last day at my internship. I'm not going to lie, I bawled my eyes out driving through Itasca for the last time. I'm such a baby. It's just not everyday that you land your dream job. Maybe someday I'll have the opportunity to be there permanently, but alas - with the current economy the company had been letting people go all summer, so they definitely weren't in a position to offer me a job.

Lunch time offered a splendid blessing. I met a man named Sam, he was just a stranger - but I suppose we were all strangers at some point, and he helped me out. He did something for me, I couldn't do for myself, and he didn't even ask for anything in return. Not only that, he provided me with splendid conversation. My day went from crying, to grinning in a matter of minutes. (Don't worry, nobody ever saw me cry - I just did it when I was by myself, in my car, with my huge sunglasses covering my face, I HATE crying in public).

Finished off my internship, kissed my goodbye's, and headed east on 290. Uggg-ghhh. Thankfully Abe knows every possible route back to the city, so when I phoned him for an alternative route he had me home in less than 30 minutes, which otherwise would have been a two-hour commute.

Made a few attempts to call my brother since it was his birthday, but couldn't quite get our timing right.

My last event for the day: had a good conversation with one of my acquaintances that clarified a lot of things I'd been wondering. Maybe I was only choosing to escape reality, because I could create my own clarity with my imagination. But since clarity was created through communication, escaping reality wasn't necessary. In fact, it made reality quite nice; thus, no dreaming necessary.

Past, Future, and Present.

2009-08-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

Cuteness from my past:

My childhood puppy was a Boston,
this video is not of my puppy - but mine was just as adorable.

Dreams for my future:

Yea-ah, kissing my hottie future spouse.

And last, but not least... my current state in life:

...Not so pretty.

Although, I'm not quite to this point yet:

So, I'm grateful for that.

I wonder what the word "dots" looks like in braille.

2009-08-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

1: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4.
PARAGRAPH 8 (That's what line 4 says, is 'paragraph 8' - lame).

2: Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?
The wall.

3: What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Um, there was a golf tournament on in the background at Kit's party on Sunday.

5: Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?:
2:06pm

6: With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Radiohead, "High and Dry"

7: When did you last step outside?
1 hour ago.

8: What were you doing?
Getting my lunch at Starbucks, a Grande - no whip - soy - hot chocolate, I haven't been eating lately, what else is new??

9: What are you wearing?
This really cute long blouse with a bohemian flower print and black slacks.

10: Did you dream last night?
Zomg, I hope nobody from the branch reads this... I dreamed Seth kissed me. Ha ha, maybe I can't help but think of him while I'm sleeping since he built my mattress supporter.

11: When did you last laugh?
This morning when I read this, "Can't you just see him? A broken and pathetic figure, sitting by himself on a folding metal chair in an empty Washington Park, cheering imaginary runners as they fly by in his shattered mind." And yes, I lol'd.

12: What is on the walls of the room you are in?
NOTHING, cuz I have an awesome view from my fabulous office high rise - in the middle of Chicago.

13: Seen anything weird lately?
Not today, it's been pretty mild.

14: What do you think of this quiz?
Something to pass the time, the office I'm posted at today is slow.

15: What is the last film you saw?
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in the largest 3D IMAX theater in the world, it was AWESOME!

16: If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first?
My harp from my Mom, I want it sooooo badly!

17: Tell me something about you that I don't know:
My shoe size is a 6 1/2.

18: If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
You know - Gandhi once said, "You don't have to be a God, just stop hurting people." I think I just want to support his candid advice.

19: Do you like to dance?
I've been waltzing in my head all afternoon, with a tall dreamy man.

20: George Bush:
I think this quiz is old...

21: Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
I've had her name picked out since I was 15, you'll just have to wait and see what it will be. And what does it matter if she's the first child or not? Wouldn't it just be your first girl? Stupid.

22: Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
Again, it's irrelevant whether or not my first child is a boy or a girl.

23: Would you ever consider living abroad?
Yes, I plan to someday - I'm just waiting for the right time.

a~p~p~e~a~r~a~n~c~e

Height= 5' 4"
Hair color:
Natural= Blonde
Colored= Warm brunette with a hint of Mocha
Skin color= White... with subtle shades of pink, I have a natural blush.
Eye color= Crystal blue

r~i~g~h~t~n~o~w

What song are you listening to right now?
Karma Police

What taste is in your mouth?
I just finished my hot chocolate.

What's the weather like now?
Warm.

How are you?
My mental state: Fantastic. How people think I should be based on the conditions of my circumstances: not so good. But I don't agree with what they say, I'm loving life.

Get motion sickness?
Only on boats and CTA buses.

Have a bad habit?
I'm a silent critic.

Like to drive?
Meh, I'm good either way.

f~a~v~o~r~i~t~e~s

T.V. show:
Haven't watched t.v. in a while. My favorites used to be Chowder, Foster's Home of Imaginary Friends, Hannah Montana (I know, I know, don't make fun of me), and Wizards of Waverly place is pretty funny.

Conditioner:
Biolage

Book:
Anything non-fiction, unless the author is C.S. Lewis.

Non alcoholic drink:
Mt. Dew

Alcoholic drink:
Alas, I don't drink.

Thing to do on the weekend:
In Chicago??? Whatever I freaking want, I love this place.

h~a~v~e~y~o~u

Ran away from home?
Yes.

Snuck out of the house?
Yes.

Ever gone skinny dipping?
No.

Ever tipped over a porta potty?
Gross, and no.

Used your parents' credit card before?
No.

Skipped school before?
Yes.

Fell asleep in shower/bath?
Yes.

Been in a school play?
No, and no thank you.

More, from my luxurious office view.

2009-08-17T14:43:00.001-07:00

The sky cleared up, why would I ever want to leave this place?

Ooh.. I'm Runnin' The Show Today

2009-08-17T09:24:00.001-07:00

Check out my office.

And here's the view from my office...

It's certainly a long way down.

What's So Wrong With Dreaming Anyway?

2009-08-15T09:09:00.001-07:00

Why did God give us an imagination?
Why did He give us the ability to dream?
The ability to create whatever type of reality we desire?

Was it because He knew the realities of our lives would crush us,
without the ability to mentally escape for a while?
Was it so we would work hard to achieve the dreams we dream?
Is it simply a part of the equation, of testing faith and hope?

Would I appreciate my reality more,
without the ability to dream;
because I would always be satisfied with what I had,
or be grateful for what I once had,
because I would be unable to desire for a grass that's greener?

Or would I instead despise my reality;
because I would spiral down in despair,
as a result of my inability to imagine something better?

How much of my time is spent dreaming?
Living in another reality?
Where I have a loving and respectable man,
who holds me and kisses me whenever he is near.
How I would take care of him, and love him.
How we would enjoy music, movies, and plays together.
Take long walks in the park,
sit on the beach and watch the boats sail by.
Hold hands, and talk about Monet,
and where we want to go travel.

How long have I been dreaming for these things?
How long have I been waiting for the man of my dreams,
to get lost in a stare,
then hold me close and whisper that he loves me?

Is it so bad to dream?
If my dreams were to ever come true,
will I cease to dream?
If all these things happen,
will I prefer my reality to my dreams?

Is there anyone even out there that exists,
who has the ability to surpass the satisfaction of my dreams?
Or am I expecting too much?
Am I asking for too much?
To want for a phone call,
just for the right man to say,
"Let's go out and play."

I suppose I'll keep dreaming,
and be grateful God gave me the ability to dream.
At least that way,
I can falsely be elated,
which I suppose is better,
than never being elated at all.

Collage of Random Thoughts for the Day

2009-08-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

The witty come-back I should have originally used for a reply last night during an obnoxious conversation with a girl painfully oblivious to her surroundings, and somehow she thinks she comes across as endearing: Her, "Ya... married life is AMAZING!" What I should have said, "Really?? It seems like it would be such a drag!"

"White Houses" by Vanessa Carlton caused me to reminisce on an old memory from many years ago.

Where is the nearest Starbucks?

Why do all good things come to an end? Whatever happened to, "hey you" and the random visits? Now it's all about the 'Art of Avoidance.'

The smart ones know when they're in trouble:

Where's my Sudoku Puzzle?

"I'm tight, like a dish."

Wondering about Michael.

Wondering how I can get my stomach to stop hurting.

Mmmm... Peter.

"Make it quick, like a bandaid"

Grateful someone didn't turn their back on me when they had every right to, and looking forward to spending more time with them in the near future.

Who should I take to the Bahamas with me?

And the last random thought: I suppose I could have twittered all these thoughts.

Mandee, and her blog of Poo

2009-08-11T05:05:00.000-07:00

This post's for Mandee,
And her blog of Poo.
When Mandee’s not with
Her beloved Poo,
She feels lost, alone,
And cannot make do.

Does she get upset,
Sometimes at her Poo?
When it’s tough and firm?

Does she love her Poo,
If it is soft and
Complacent? “Nice Poo.”

When she’s mad at Poo,
Does she call it Poop?
Or more explicit,
A freakin’ shiznit?

Mandee’s Poo is more
Elite from the rest,
Her Poo has traveled
Around the whole world,
And scares terrorists.

More about Mandee
And her lovely Poo,
Do not make her mad,
She’ll throw Poo at you.

She seems so happy,
Sweetly more divine,
Now that Mandee knows,
She can keep Poo for
All the rest of 'time.'

Editor's Note: As per Mandee's request when she commented on my previous blog entry, she asked me to write my next blog entry as an iambic pentameter. Her husband's nickname since he was a little boy is "Poo." He works for the government, and really does scare terrorists. They were sealed earlier this year, for all time and eternity.

"The time is past for worrying about appearances"

2009-08-09T07:32:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time, I used to appreciate a good rhetorical argument, but the pendulum has swung - and now I find it rather annoying.

Exhibit A:

When should we ask ourselves when we should (and should not) say "The x is F" in order to find out what an F(x) is? (For "The x is F" read "The action is voluntary (or pious)," or "The statement is vague (or false)," or "The question is misleading.")

Oh philosophy... how I've missed you - but only in the way, that one would miss a bad habit.

Yesterday, I attended a world premier musical for "The Minister's Wife," which was brilliant for a number of reasons.

One of the lines delivered by a young poet explained that the things we talk about with logic and reason, are just as 'real' as the things we do not talk about with logic and reason.

The play beautifully portrayed the reality of three main characters, and how they were all living the "same" reality; however, all of them were interpreting the realness of their circumstances differently.

(Metaphysics/epistemology, blah blah blah - try to refrain from over-analyzing the point I'm trying to make).

It wasn't until the three of them discussed their feelings of reality, truthfully with one another, that the chaos and discomfort existing between all of them was allowed to pass. After they had expressed what they truly thought and felt - they were able reach a comfortable level of understanding with one another, and the confusion between them was laid to rest. They had once again restored peace into their lives, but only after expressing the truth in plain and simple words.

Hence my utter annoyance for rhetorical arguments, the peace that is desired by one or both parties to achieve through discussing the circumstances, is no better resolved than it was at the beginning of the rhetorical discussion. Thus, it all becomes just a waste of breath, causing more irritation than before any discussion had even been attempted.

Q): What shall one do if the other party(s) are unwilling to have a 'real' discussion?

A): Embrace the ambiguity, or just quit caring all together - I've found both to work quite well.

At The White Sox Game

2009-08-08T17:57:00.001-07:00

Freakin Sweet!

Happy 30th Anniversary

2009-08-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

Thirty years ago, my mother made an intelligent choice when she chose to marry my father. After thoroughly weighing her options for a suitable mate, she ended up choosing someone truly admirable. The following story describes my father's level of 'greatness' I witnessed him achieve throughout my lifetime. I hope to someday be as intelligent as my mother, by choosing a spouse who possesses the same level of 'greatness.'

Some measure greatness in height and weight,
but a great man is never so tall as when he
stoops to talk to a child
or bends his knee to help a hurting friend.

Some measure greatness in physical strength,
but a great man is never so strong as when he
shoulders the burden of the downtrodden stranger.

Some measure greatness in terms of financial gain,
but a man who shows generosity to his family and friends,
he is the one who is truly rich.

Some measure greatness in applause and accolades,
but a man who seeks opportunity to serve
in the quiet places of the world,
his is the higher reward.

Some measure greatness in commitment
to achieving in material ways,
but a man who spurs others on to reach their goals
is great indeed.

A great man has vision
and does not keep the truth to himself.

A great man has passion for life
and is not ashamed to show it.

A great man expects the best from others
and gives the best of himself.

A great man knows how to work and how to play,
how to laugh and how to cry,
how to give and how to receive,
how to love and how to be loved.

There are many men who are by the world called "great,"
but a man who bears honor in his heart,
who can, in the evening hours,
lie upon his bed and peacefully close his eyes,
knowing that he has done all that is within his power
to live his life fully and fruitfully,
that is truly a great man.

-Randall S. Weeks

Today, I'm feeling sort of...

2009-07-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Blahg.

Trip to Nauvoo

2009-07-28T14:55:00.001-07:00

Abe and I started our mini-vacation at the National McDonald's headquarters. This is the coolest McDonald's I have ever been to in my life!!! They had flat panel tv screens in front of almost every booth. They also had a cute little corner cafe' (with nice little cushioned couches, chairs and coffee tables).

And the best part... were the fries. They were the best tasting fries I've ever had in my life (because I have celiac disease I frequently eat McDonald's french fries, so if anyone is a McDonald-french-fry-taste-expert, it's me).

After traveling past miles of corn fields...

...down random side roads...

...and checking out local "middle-of-nowhere" entertainment...

...we finally arrived at Nauvoo.

Our first stop was the Nauvoo Temple. I was the giddiest little girl you've ever seen (well, my only physical expression of being giddy is silently grinning from ear-to-ear, so maybe the average on-looker would not have been able to identify that inside I was jumping and squealing).

This is a statue of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith while they rode their horses away from Nauvoo for the last time, before they would become martyrs.

We then headed over to Pioneer Village, where they had fun activities - such as sack races. This brought back some truly sweet memories of sack racing with my father when I was younger.

Then we located a fabulous spot on the grass to chill and watch the Nauvoo Pageant.

Ran back up to the temple after the pageant for a second round of pictures.

We started out day 2 by walking the "Trail of Hope."

The "Trail of Hope" was the street the saints walked as they were leaving Nauvoo.

Along the path there were excerpts taken from a few saints journals:

At the end of the "Trail of Hope" was the Mississippi river, where the saints would cross into the unknown, in the dead of winter, abandoning everything, including the Nauvoo Temple.

We then visited Joseph Smith's home.

Visited Joseph, Emma and Hyrum Smith's final resting place overlooking the Mississippi.

Then we swung by Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store.

This is the second floor of the Red Brick Store, where many important revelations were received, the first temple endowment took place, and the Relief Society was organized.

We finished up our trip in Carthage, where the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were murdered in the Carthage County Jail. After Joseph Smith was shot twice in the front, and twice in the back, he fell from the 2nd story window.

As we were driving home to Chicago, we couldn't get over how perfect the trip was. Abe and I were both in agreement that it was just what we needed, the perfect weekend get-away. I will definitely repeat this vacation.

Historical Site

2009-07-26T10:46:00.001-07:00

This is the exact place where the saints left Nauvoo, crossed the Mississippi, and traveled to the Salt Lake Valley.

It's Such a Perfect Day

2009-07-26T10:43:00.001-07:00

How fitting for my circumstances, that today-
I walked "The Trail of Hope."

The Nauvoo Temple

2009-07-25T16:51:00.001-07:00

I've been waiting for this moment my entire life...

...it was everything I had hoped it would be.

Happy Pioneer Day

2009-07-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

It has taken many years for me to learn to appreciate my heritage
as a Latter-Day Saint. I am proud to be a modern pioneer.

There is not a man or woman in this Church
who doesn't have a specific mission to perform
in helping build up the kingdom of God.

We are in the last wave of laborers in the Lord's vineyard,
and we have been born now for very specific reasons.

Yes, we're here to receive bodies and ordinances and to be tested.
But the doctrine seems to be clear about the fact that, for us,
it goes even further.

We know that our Father has held us in reserve
until the latter part of the latter days --
that, in fact, as President George Q. Cannon expressed it,
he held those in reserve who would have the courage
and the determination to face the world
and all the powers of the evil one
and to yet be fearless in building Zion.

Our times are fraught with peril...
But peril is not a new condition for the human family.
Revelation tells us that 'there was war in heaven.'...
What a perilous time that must have been.
The Almighty Himself was pitted against the son of the morning.
We were there while that was going on.
That must have been a desperately difficult struggle,
with a grand, triumphal victory...
Why were we then happy?
Because we turned our backs on the adversary and aligned
ourselves with the forces of God, and those forces were victorious.

The forces of God will again be victorious,
despite the perilous time in which we live.
And God will be victorious in part because of each of us.

Here is the simple, sobering, spine-tingling truth:
By virtue of who we are, what we know,
the covenants we have made,
and the fact that we are here now,
we were born to help build up the kingdom of God.
As mothers and grandmothers, father and grandfathers,
sisters and brothers and friends and teachers and colleagues
who will defend truth in every setting,
we were born to be a light and a "standard for the nations."
We were born to open our mouths and declare the gospel
"with the sound of rejoicing."

Only if our testimony of Jesus Christ
penetrates every aspect of our lives
will we be able to do what we have come here to do.

Faith is the first principle of the gospel for good reason.
For it is our faith -- our fervent trust that the Father
and the Son will do for us what they have promised to do--
that unlocks the power of the Atonement
and the promise of eternal life in our lives.
The very Restoration was undertaken so that faith...
might increase in the earth.
There is nothing we need more than to increase our faith.

Nothing is left to chance for us.
The Lord has chosen a small number of choice spirits
of sons and daughters out of all the creations of God,
who are to inherit this earth;
and this company of choice spirits have been kept in the spirit world
for six thousand years to come forth in the last days...
to build... up and to defend the kingdom of God.
None of us come to this earth to gain our worth;
we brought it with us.

Exaltation is for everyone who is wise in this agonizing,
magnificent probation of ours.

Jesus is the Christ. He redeemed us from the Fall.
There is no other way nor name given...
whereby we can be saved in the kingdom of God.
And there is no greater joy and no greater work
than helping the Lord with His work,
because His work is our work.
"Whither thou goest, I will go;...
thy people shall be my people,
and thy God my God" (Ruth 1:16).

To sum up this tribute to this glorious occasion,
I am happy to report that a dear friend I gave a
Book of Mormon to a few months ago,
will be getting baptized this Sunday.
I am overwhelmingly ecstatic,
and am grateful for the opportunity and trust
God gave me in being a tool in His hands,
and for giving me the faith and the courage
to contribute my small part
to help build up the kingdom of God.

*Quotes taken from Sheri Dew, President Hinckley, and the scriptures.

Survival Tip of the Day

2009-07-24T09:01:00.001-07:00

Scary neighborhood survival 101:
Walk closely behind a lady carrying a frying pan.

Blonde Moment

2009-07-24T08:02:00.001-07:00

Couldn't figure out why my purse was so heavy today- then I looked in it and found this.

Apparently, I meant to put it in the sink, and whatever it was that I drank from it this morning did not help me wake up.

(BTW - I'm naturally blonde, so I can make fun of blondes as much as I please).

We all need a little extra push

2009-07-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

"The road to success leads through the valley of humility, and the path is up the ladder of patience and across the wide barren plains of perseverance. As yet, no short cut has been discovered."
-Joseph J. Lamb

"The giant oak is an acorn that held its ground." -Anonymous

"The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices
and lined with determination.
And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way
and may go in more than one direction,
it is marked with faith.
It is traveled by belief and courage,
persistence and hard work.
It is conquered with a willingness
to face challenges and take chances,
to fail and try again and again.
Along the way, you may have to confront
doubts, setbacks, and unfairness.
But when the path comes to an end,
you will find that there is no greater joy
than making your dream come true."
-Barbara Cage