Date: 2007-11-18 16:36 Subject: I'm still alive Security: Public Mood: blah

Today is one of those perpetual drippy Portland days that call for hot cocoa and books. Happily, I have both of those items, as well as the rare quality of free time. Do I have to go to school tomorrow, I wonder...

Work is going well, school is going well, and tango is going well. Oh, and I've learned how to knit things beyond scarves, and read patterns. Speaking of tango, I'm going to my first-ever outside of Portland tango event, up in Seattle! I'm going to drive up with some friends, and I'm really excited! It's a UW student run- milonga, so this means that most of the people will actually be about my age, plus, it's going to be Blacklit. The title? "Ravelonga."

Date: 2007-11-03 11:03 Subject: Heat/thanksgiving Security: Public Mood: calm

After two weeks, the heat is back! When I woke up this morning, it was 55, and it's already up to 59...mmm, how toasty!

And I'm curious- what are you're guys' plans for thanksgiving?

Date: 2007-10-26 09:46 Subject: (no subject) Security: Public Mood: distressed

The furnace has died at my house. I am home alone. I can't quite decide if I should freeze for the next few days until somebody else (my mom) returns to deal with it, or if I want to call the repair man myself.

Right now my current stratagy is drinking lots of hot tea and denial. I am warm, warm, warm. Toasty.

Date: 2007-10-21 15:22 Subject: Good story Security: Public Mood: amused

I arrive home at around 6:20 in the morning. As I get ready to put on my PJs to go to sleep, my mother stops by to welcome me home. I am standing in the hallway in my dress. She looks down at my ankle.

"Is that a tatoo?"

In confusion I stutter "Wha-?" and look down. There is a colorful, good sized tatoo on my ankle. Realization dawns.

"Oh, that's just advertising," I say comfortingly, lifting up my foot to show her. "It's fake. Everybody got one stuck on. It's for a tango festival in Boston."


"Wow," she replied. "For a few seconds there I thought you had an exciting night."

****

(And yes, this is also a picture of my tango shoe. What you can't see is the three inch heel)

Date: 2007-10-17 08:13 Subject: (no subject) Security: Public Mood: grumpy Music: Organito de la tarde, Di Sarli

This morning when my mother woke me up to drive her to the airport, it occured to me that the last time I had been up at 6:00 AM was when I was driving home after being up all night. I was supprised how alert I was- this whole getting up early thing wasn't as bad as I remembered.

Then 7:00 hit as I got back home. And it was then that I discoved that I truely couldn't remember the last time I had been up at 7:00. The adreniline rush of bolting out of bed had died. I missed my extra two hours of sleep, and needed to do the homework that I had put off last night. Blehhh.

Date: 2007-10-05 23:05 Subject: A landmark day Security: Public Mood: accomplished

Today is a landmark day. That's right- there is a milonga tonight, and I'm not there.

Due to the start up of a practica (a practice milonga) on Tuesdays at PSU, it is now possible to dance every night of the week in Portland. Six nights I can handle. But seven? I feel like I should give myself a brake, so I'm taking the night off! I thought it sad that I couldn't recall the last time I was home before 12:30.

It started out well. My dad and I bonded over a chick flick after dinner, during which he cried and I renewed my profound crush on John Cusack. After it was over, I glanced at the clock and noticed it was only 9 o'clock. Maybe I should grab my shoes and go? But no, I resisted the urge, and I had a cup of hot cocoa while flittering around on the internet. Watching tango videos on youtube. Reading tango blogs. Which I have been doing for last, oh, two hours. I would like to think that this means that I need a life, or an intervention program at least. But somehow I know that after I finnish writing this LJ post, I will go back to my blogs and videos guilt-free, enjoying my calm evening off.

By the way, to prove to the outside world that I do have a life, I would like to remind it that I am taking a Spanish Lit class, and I have a job. I am also taking a drawing class and a middle eastern drumming class. I have depth. So there.

By the way, I haven't been posting very much due to my tango-centered thoughts. I figure that you would be skimming by the 18thbagillionith post about "well, so tonight I got to dance with so-and-so, and it was amazing, I did this fabulous boleo that I've never done smoothly before...," or "I had an ok night tonight. Nothing spectacular." So I've been sparing you the details. I do have exciting news right now, though: I'm learning to lead. Which is kinda hillarious, because these guys keep giving me tips on how to be manly. That's right, I'm getting in touch with my inner manly man! It's more like an outer manly man, though, a bit like putting on a constume. When you come back for thanksgiving brake or whenever I next see you, I'll demonstrate for you my progress.

Date: 2007-09-27 14:39 Subject: Bwahaha Security: Public Mood: accomplished

I just discovered that I already have 18 college credits, not counting the four that I'm getting this semester! Maybe this means that I could graduate a semester early? (Or a semester late, depending on how you look at it.) I just checked the PSU websight, and at the end of the semester I'll already have enough credits for a minor in Spanish. Is that cool or what?

Plus, when you add in my AP credit, then I already have thirty credits. Crazy!

So, wait- how many credits do you take each semester anyway?

Date: 2007-09-25 09:29 Subject: Spanish Lit class Security: Public Mood: cheerful

I love love love my spanish lit class. The teacher is my hero, and the subject matter is blissful. It combines my favorate subjects of literature, history, and Spanish all in one big happy bundle. My classmates....are a mixed bag. Some didn't know that Franco was the dictator of Spain after the revolution (!), while others are genuinely smart, and know the starting and ending dates to Franco's reign and other little details.

I'm excited for the next class!

Date: 2007-09-23 10:42 Subject: Reality Security: Public Mood: annoyed

Classes start tomorrow. Grumble Grumble. Why am I doing this again? Wasn't I taking the year off? Hmm, I guess the academic environs keep calling me into their twisted web of learning. Will I never be free?

Date: 2007-09-20 20:29 Subject: Life continues on. Security: Public Mood: relaxed

I'm enjoying my work, despite the fact that I now dream about labeling yarn. It's nice to have a routine again. I leave the house about ten or eleven, depending upon how many hours I want to work, and then I walk twenty minutes to the bus stop. I get off the bus on Alder, then walk the seven or eight blocks to 11th. On the way I greet the parking lot attendant, (we're friends now,) stare in the windows of the shoe stores, and admire the smells wafting from the food carts. Once I get to work, I descend down to the basement, and don't come up for air until about six. Then I walk back to the bus stop, stomach rumbling, envying the people in the restaurants already nibbling their bread and eating dinner.

While at work I’ve taken to listening to audio books. Right now I’m trudging through “Mao.” It’s something like over thirty hours long, and is amazing. I had no idea that a) Mao was worse then Hitler, and that b) Mao was realllly worse then Hitler. Many reallys worse.

The book also covers several pivotal world events that I’ve never known much, if anything, about. Like the Korean War. Do you know anything about the Korean War? I didn’t either, until I read (ok, listened to,) this book. It’s amazing. You should all read it, even if you have no interest in Chinese history.

Oh, and I’m definitely going to Argentina. By the way.

Date: 2007-09-18 23:46 Subject: What will Kaye do now? I know you're wondering... Security: Public Mood: pleased

I'm thinking about going to Argentina for five months, from March-July. I will work, and live at home to save money untill then. Crazy!

Date: 2007-09-17 20:18 Subject: (no subject) Security: Public Mood: cheerful

Last night I went to my first all-night tango milonga! The highlight may have been the fresh waffles at 3:30...or discovering that your brain and feet are still conected at 4:30 in the morning. It was much fun. Anyway, I didn't get home untill 6:00 in the morning. It was odd to think that just as I was drifting (alright, more like falling like a brick) asleep, that so many students of St. Mary's are just rolling out of bed, groaning at their alarm clocks. Quite surrial.

Date: 2007-09-14 19:49 Subject: Postcard from home Security: Public Mood: calm

For all you gone from home, I just wanted to let you know that fall has arrived in Portland. The misty mornings have arrived, and the leaves are beginning to fall. I huddle over my teacup in the evening for warmth. The shades of green outside are muted in the dull gray light.

I confess: I missed our rainy Portland, even though I never actually left.

I hope you're all doing well. Are the glorious fall colors beginning to show yet in New England?

Date: 2007-09-08 17:37 Subject: Corny phrases Security: Public Mood: content

***
Somebody actually said this to me today: "Enjoy where you are. You'll never be there again." In retrospect, this was very Hallmark-cardesque, and could almost have come out of a movie. But it's still nice to think about.
***

Date: 2007-09-05 21:00 Subject: Work! Security: Public Mood: tired

I have a job! Yay! I love it. Ok, so it's sorta dull, but I like my co-workers, and I like where I work. It also starts at noon and goes untill six, four days a week, which is amazing and perfect. It also pays above minimum wadge. All this = love.

Those of you who knit might recognize my current haunt: Knit Purl! It's the yarn shop on 11th and Alder downtown. I am a now a yarn lacky. Currently my task is the inventory, which means I spend lots of time counting.

Yay!

I miss all you. I hope you're doing well, and that you don't forget me. ("Hi. My name's Kaye. I exist.")

Date: 2007-09-03 18:57 Subject: It could always be worse Security: Public Mood: content

Last night I met somebody who recently graduated from U of Alaska Anchorage. Apparently it’s true that in the winter if you throw your cup of coffee out of the window, it really will freeze before it hits the ground. Also, the winters are so long and dark and depressing, everybody turns to drugs/drinking/suicide. She said that she knew five people last winter alone that “didn’t make it.”

I’m glad I’m not in Alaska.

Date: 2007-09-02 02:50 Subject: college Security: Public Mood: sleepy

Hearing (or reading) all your stories about college is quite insightful. It also feels like lowering a canary into a mine. I’m on the outside, leaning down towards the pit to discover if you’re still singing / alive.

Good luck guys. I love you.

Date: 2007-08-31 17:01 Subject: Why Trimet is AMAZING! Security: Public Mood: cheerful

I actually got everywhere I needed to go today. It took six different bus rides, but thanks to trimet, I did it!

I took the 56, then the 15, then the 70, then the 8, then the 8 again, and lastly the 44. Whew.

Date: 2007-08-30 18:06 Subject: (no subject) Security: Public Mood: contemplative

So! I actually have something to report!

Firstly, I essentially got fired. The truth is that somebody is coming back from maternity leave far sooner then expected, and there’s not going to enough hours to give me. Yay! I hated working there. It was nice to pick up my eighty dollar check and hightail it out of there.

Now I have to look for work again….

Secondly, I visited St. Mary’s today. It was an experience too bizarre for words. St. Mary’s has never felt more over and done with, more firmly placed in the past, then it did today. It also made me realize that I actually have grown up and matured since I left in June. Not tons, mind you, not in some great and impressive way, but I'm not the same person I was when I graduated.

Date: 2007-08-28 22:07 Subject: In case you were wondering Security: Public Mood: content

I have no idea what I'm doing. If you ask me, I will tell you I have no clue. None. Zippo. What will I be doing this year? Hmm, I have a million thoughts about what might happen, but no definate plans. Actually, I lied. I do have a definate plan- not spend the year sitting around! That's no. 1.

My life right now: I am registered to take Spanish Lit at Portland State. I might take more classes at PSU. We'll see. I have a part time job at at children's clothing store, which I do not care for. I am still living at home. Which actually isn't too bad, because I don't have to pay for rent/food. When will I move out? When I get another job and have a better idea of how many classes I'm taking at PSU. FYI, I'm still tango dancing. Madly. The only reason why I'm not out tonight is that there is no tango dancing on tuesdays...

Anything else...noope.