Awake in Theory

Crisis of the Vain

2010-04-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

Its been 3 crazy weeks of work, work, and more work. But guess what folks? Its not over. I have 4 finals, a quiz, a presentation, an article critique and a review document to create--most of which will be occurring in the next 5 days. My brain has atrophied from all the critical thinking. I don't think this is a permanent condition, because the whole point of graduate school to learn more and be smarter, right?

Anyway, the real issue I am having right now is all I have to show for my toils are bad hair and lots of clothes that don't fit. My pants are all too big; to the point where I can pull them off of me with out unbuttoning or unzipping them. This is nice for sure from a vanity and possibly health perspective***, but as a former shopaholic and current poor student it blows. All of my clothes are now baggy and I have ZERO $$$ MONIES to buy things that fit. And then there is my hair. I've been so busy that I don't really do much with it. I do acutally blow dry it, but then I don't care to spend the time to straighten out the waves. So I end up with a mushroom shaped fro thing happening. Only adding to the rotund look I feel like I am rocking. Granted I am growing it out, really....big bad hair and baggy clothes. I look like I need a makeover. Stacy and Clinton where are you with my $5000 shopping spree?

***While I have been carrying some extra pounds the last few years, a diet of coffee, vending machine cupcakes and Panera bread broccoli cheese soup cups, alternated with stress anorexia is not a recommended weight loss plan.

Eff Poughkeepsie

2009-06-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

This move is surreal. I mean I see it on the calender, looming. I have lists on all the shit I've got to accomplish here and there and in between. But I know I am unprepared.

I had a moment recently where the reality of what is to come settled squarely and clearly in my consciousness. It was like someone punched me in the chest and I was overcome with panic, anger and tears. "No I don't want this! I want everything to stay the same!". Stasis.

I've lived here for twenty years (!) and never moved in a permanent way. I spent half of that time thinking and planning my next move, always 'knowing' it would be outside of Texas, out of Austin. And ultimately, I never moved more than 15 miles away from where I started.

So now I'm getting what I want. The change I've craved for so long. Just one day it seems I awoke from the routine of complacency, and did the things that needed doing. Its go time or its die time. I choose go.

Zombies--What?

2009-06-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu is the new zombie.

This map was created for the City of Austin's GIS DAY 2007. It explores areas of risk in the event of a zombie apocalypse by time.
Now while I don't have a pretty map showing areas of risk in relation to swine flu, I will give you a visualization. Imagine a red buffer zone of 3 feet around any child you see. That, my friends, is the area of risk.

Thats all I got today. And by today I really mean yesterday.

First Post

2009-06-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

I am not a writer.

I mean, sure, I've written stuff and my writing resume could include the normal emotional journal entries, college papers/essays, and technical writing for work (usually explaining the difference of say mortality rates in two different geographies or describing an experience operating a medical needs shelter for hurricane evacuees), but I don't consider this 'real' writing. I'm not personally saying anything, and I think this is what I want to accomplish with this 30 Days of Write exercise. I want to find my voice.

Soooooo....here are my writing intentions. Humor, Interest, Authenticity. I want to write about my life / my thoughts in a way that is real, funny and true. I want to speak up and out and have it be relatable and truly myself. I hope to discover new parts of myself that take me deeper in to the living experience.

Jumping Right In - - - Animals

2009-05-28T12:03:00.001-07:00

I've deleted all my posts on this thing to create a fresh start. Don't be sad, you haven't missed much as those posts were pretty random in frequency and topic. I covered my derailed attempt at the Master Cleanse two years ago(damn you pizza and beer) and mused about things like ketchup (gotta love those little jars).

Now though, I'm focused on creating a little window into the daily happenings of my life to share with the people I know and love (and anyone else who comes along).

And speaking of daily happenings are some pictures of animals. Seen below are Maya the cat, Onyx the dog and various lizards brought for play, by Maya of course.