Oh, so hopeful

Stranger danger

2007-08-03T06:26:40Z

I love broken English comments from strangers on my livejournal. I finally decided to reply in my own broken english. Taken straight from a first year writing paper.

See December 29th 2006 entry.

11_outof_10 @ 2007-06-01T07:49:00

2007-05-31T21:51:31Z

I woke up sleepwalking last night. For some reason, the jet pack on my back stopped functioning as soon as I fell off my bed.

why?

2007-05-30T08:52:58Z

I have a crush. On an American. How depressing. Anyway, he's leaving very soon, so I may not even get the chance to do something worth explaining. I'm so predictable, I should write a book, under a pseudonym, of course.

Me vs Mother Nature

2007-03-28T09:08:10Z

We have not been getting along. So far, I have battled with a giant spider and a gecko for shower space, I have been dive-bombed by magpies and lorikeets, and most recently been shat upon by what I can only assume was a very healthy cockatoo, based on sheer volume. All thanks for having saved a beetle from the pool, a tree frog from clinging dust bunnies, and an entire household from a giant sack of rotten potatoes. Have I mentioned I ride my bike and turn off lights behind me? Dear Madam Nature, a little thanks is in order.

Reasons I love my adviser

2007-02-28T04:51:12Z

He used the word "fuck" as every part of speech when describing his printer.

He apologized for wearing long pants and shoes when he met me. “I don’t usually look like this.”

11_outof_10 @ 2007-02-22T11:02:00

2007-02-22T01:06:50Z

I just bumped into the cook from my field program last summer. He asked if me and what's his name are still together. I didn't know if he was talking about Deane or Chris, so I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

Also, there is a lady who works down the hall from me and she has Angelina Jolie's exact same dragon tattoo on her shoulder. How gay.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-12-29T14:16:00

2006-12-29T21:16:03Z

eh, so I've decided to give my notice on January 12th to my work. Just so happens to be the same day sweet Alyssum comes to visit. Sure hope they don't just tell me to piss of right then and there, but I guess I'd be ok $$ wise if they did. I've put way too much though into this whole thing and I hope I haven't over-analyzed, which I enjoy doing.

I think I've finally rediscovered my creative outlet. I got a used Nikon D100 for Christmas/bday and I've been taking pictures like mad and also sprucing up older pictures I've taken over the last few years. I'm just out having fun, but if you like you can see some of my personal favorites at photobucket, username fourseas.

new journal?

2006-12-21T03:30:09Z

I'm thinking of starting a new journal. Something pg-13 rated for the fam so I don't have to do the stinking mass emails. Something a bit less personal than those pesky IM conversations that always seem to get me into trouble. It's pretty much just going to be Australia and school related, which could be interesting or terribly boring, depending on who you are in relation to me. I'll post the new name once I set it up and start updating it. Friending me will be compulsory for some of you. I'll probably update this journal occasionally too. i guess check here to find the occasional unrated version. 51 days.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-12-03T21:01:00

2006-12-04T04:01:43Z

11_outof_10 @ 2006-11-12T15:43:00

2006-11-12T22:43:13Z

I went to the bank the other day to open a savings account and it appears as if someone else has been using my identity to do the same. They were caught in 2003, but no one bothered to let me in on it. Now my name is attached to "unresolved fraudulent activities" and no bank in the country will allow me to open an account of any kind until the mess is cleared. Don't think this is a lecture to get your annual credit report, because I did and it tells me nothing except that I owe that sweetheart sallie mae more money than I expect to make in a year.

On the other hand, Australia's beginning to look good for February. The hardest part, which was the money thing, has been secured. Now all they have to do is let me in. I'm pretty sure I haven't let anyone in on the details of the latest scheme, so here it is:
earth sciences at James Cook University doesn't offer the graduate certificate program for people who want to do research, but have no experience, like me. Instead, they let students with BS degrees do honors similar to Wellesley's, but instead of it being one class per semester, it's full time research for an entire year. They've told me they're going to accept my BA as equivalent to a BS, and at the end of the year (about this time next year) I can submit my application to begin a PhD. There's really no American equivalent, but I figure if I get sick of tropical beaches, corals, and an average yearly temperature of 82 degrees, I can always come back with some serious research under my belt to add to any graduate application I'd want to submit (perhaps to Scripps Institute of Oceanography...)

Work sucked this week. Spent 40+ hours smelling soil for diesel. Makes pissing off so much easier to think about.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-11-11T08:05:00

2006-11-11T15:05:18Z

Woke up today and my laptop had taken a plunge from my 4 foot high bed.

My turd of a roommate whined last night that when he passes out drunk on the living room couches I'm too loud in the morning making my breakfast before I go to work. Mind you, previous to this I was woken up by him knocking on my door at 3am asking for money to pay the cab waiting outside, then another night because girlfriend vommed in the toilet and plugged it up, and on another occasion, also at 3am, having a lovers quarrel just outside my door. None of which I was going to bitch about until he decided to be prickish. He's going to wind up with a bit of my boot lodged in his backside if he's not careful.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-10-24T17:29:00

2006-10-25T00:31:18Z

It's the quiet little sound of nail clipping in the adjacent office which keeps me in bed an extra 10 minutes every morning.

Hazwoper lines

2006-10-17T03:20:46Z

Eh, I just finished my first week of training. Worst work week ever, mostly because learning about safety is not fun, but there were some real gems. Here are some things I learned from the training manual:

"Injuries can result from equipment hitting or running over personnel or impacts from flying objects."
Amazingly understated if I do say so myself.

"Not walking through areas of obvious contamination would reduce the probability of becoming contaminated."

"Persons engulfed in sawdust or grain cannot breathe and become asphyxiated in a very short time."
Gives a whole new meaning to "forbidden by law for use in purposes other than intenteded."

"In an oxygen enriched atmosphere, a person's hair, clothing, and even skin will burn rapidly if ignited."

"If personnel must be located near the drums, place explosion-resistant plastic shields between them and the drums to protect them in case of detonation."
Yes, let me go grab my explosion-resistant plastic shield.

Anorexia is a symptom of lead exposure

Another point of entertainment was the man walking his dog on a 20 food clothes line past my window. I guess life could always be harder.

Muriel said it best

2006-10-04T20:00:19Z

Bye, street.
Anybody could be that guy

Bye, mall!
Night is young and the music's

Goodbye, beach!
High

Goodbye, tourists!
With a bit of rock music

Bye, plaza!
Everything is fine

Goodbye, Surf Club!
You're in the mood for a dance

See you, surfies!

See ya, high rises!
And when you get the chance

Bye, Fun World!

Goodbye, Porpoise Spit!
You are the dancing queen

Holly

2006-09-26T07:38:46Z

I sometimes do stupid things under the influence of alcohol. Like when I missed the last bus home and tried to hitchhike on Friday. No one picked me up, which is probably why I'm sitting here writing this and not at the bottom of a deep well with a basket of lotion. So I took a cab instead and managed to get myself dropped off 3 miles from my house. A slight inconvenience, but nothing a quick jog wouldn't remedy. At some point I landed face down in the bushes. I remember thinking I had tripped over a brick. Right. Whereas in Boston this might be conceivable, in this city, bricks are for buildings. It took me 3 hours, 45 minutes, $20, and one cell phone (as I left it in the cab) to go 12 miles. But I made a friend and her name is Holly.

re: showgirls!

2006-09-19T00:00:48Z

Apparently I didn't even have to impress them with my incredible time management/conflict resolution skills because 1.) they didn't ask that question, and 2.) they want to hire me regardless. BAI is flying me down to Las Vegas next week for a chance to check out the city and the office. What a relief- I had given myself an informal deadline of 4 weeks of job hunting before taking drastic measures, possibly to include insurance fraud or sex work or both. I have been spared, and now I'm going to go buy a new pair of shoes.

it was big

2006-09-17T18:11:03Z

last week I was walking the dogs barefoot because it was warm and this is a clean neighborhood. I got something lodged in my heel and it hurts every once in a while when I step on it wrong. tried using steak knives and tweezers to get this thing out but it was really fucking deep and I just ended up gouging a crater. finally I found a pin and started rooting around and hit GLASS. I worked out this sizable hunk that's been stabbing me and it popped out into my hand. took a picture, but the macro on my camera sucks.

then like a tool I dropped it on the bathroom floor and can't find it now. I'm too lazy to find the broom. house cleaner will be back on friday. I'll just avoid that bathroom until then. it's already sunday. shouldn't be too hard.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-09-14T13:26:00

2006-09-14T20:28:45Z

eh, i just realized certain portions of my interview questions post aren't suitable for all audiences. you'll have to log in now to read it.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-09-12T11:33:00

2006-09-12T18:36:29Z

was in the store yesterday and saw Sparks+. It's Sparks, but now with increased alcohol content. 3 words: A maz ing.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-09-11T14:38:00

2006-09-11T21:44:34Z

so while I'm looking for a job to no avail, my mother, who has not stepped a foot into work in 9 months and spends the majority of her waking hours mastering text twist, has received a promotion and a raise. She even got a "meets expectations" on her annual review, which means bonus. She's getting a better title and more money for JUST EXISTING. I kid you not.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-09-07T07:16:00

2006-09-07T14:18:08Z

one of the interview questions was "do you play softball? we have a team and we're really good."

I think this is a job that would agree with me.

showgirls!

2006-08-30T02:36:22Z

How does Las Vegas sound? Sounds warm to me. I'll environmentally consult during the day and gamble my way to the top by night.

11_outof_10 @ 2006-06-23T19:31:00

2006-06-23T09:31:34Z

so i guess one of the warning signs that you're gay is that you think you look cute when you just look gay.

OK GO!

2006-04-12T02:36:40Z

i'm so happy: ok go is going to be our spring concert. i heard the rumor a few weeks ago, and now i know it is true.

no rest for the weary. back to work. i am rejuvenated

Things to bring

2006-04-10T04:12:04Z

I'm going to Australia and this is what I'm bringing:
"swimmers"
snorkel
sunscreen
surf shirt
water shoes
I'm sure there are other things on the list, but I don't care. Nights can reach a chilly 60 degrees. I'll be sure to bundle up and bring my warmest pair of shorts. Here's my itinerary:

begin program part one-->4 days in Townsville-->7 days in the outback 100km west of TV-->17 days near Cloncurry (900km west)-->end of program one, one day of recuperation, begin program part two-->2 days between TV and Ayr-->4 days between TV and Ingham-->6 days on Orpheus Island's fringing reef-->4 days on Magnetic Island-->2 days back in TV-->end of program part two, begin "personal week."

Cloncurry is in the middle of absolutely nowhere, but part two is mostly in and around Townsville, so hopefully there will be more social opportunities to take advantage of. James Kodera has asked me to drink many Fosters for him, during my senior exit interview no less. Apparently it's his favorite.