Mind melding.

In an eerie series of pop culture-related events, I have recently had the following experiences.

Experience #1: For the last three weeks, I've been composing a post in my head titled "We didn't start the fire." The gist was a summary of the literal dumpster fire of our current world and country, my admiration for Sarah Marshall committing to learning every word to the Billy Joel song, and some sort of summary of how we all must persevere because what else is there...?

I thought the concept of the post was kinda clever. I was actually pretty excited about writing it. But I went down too many internet rabbit holes looking for a link to prove that I had once heard Sarah Marshall say she had committed to learning every word to "We Didn't Start the Fire." I never actually found internet proof, but by the time I resurfaced, I had given up on persevering because holy shit, y'all looked around lately? So thank you, kind person, for doing my job for me. I only wish I'd seen this three weeks ago - I could've saved myself a lot of time. 

Experience #2: One of my favorite podcasts is NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour. Approximately 95% of the time, I have no idea what or who they are talking about (I'm old, we don't have a TV, our local movie theater leans toward Jesus movies, etc., etc.), but this is one of my favorite podcasts for a few reasons:

• The podcasts are short enough that I can listen to an entire episode on one leg of my commute. 
• There is always so much camaraderie, laughter, and casual, friendly banter amongst the hosts. 
• They occasionally introduce me to new pop culture or validate my thoughts on pop culture things I am familiar with and did not really enjoy.
• But really, it's the first bullet that lands them as one of my favorite podcasts. A 33 minute commute isn't a joke, folks. 

My ride home tonight featured a pop culture "Hill You Will Die On" theme. Candice presented a verrrrrry complicated and amusing hill involving Timothée Chalamet, Tom Cruise, and the road to success. Stephen and Glen presented hills about certain songs needing to be retired forever (agree) and boss battles in video games adding nothing (no comment). And then Aisha presented her hill, and dear lord did it speak to me.

For over twenty years, I have theorized that music venues need to section off areas for the following:

• Short people. (They get the front. I'd honestly pay a dollar or two more for this, much like tall people have to pay for extra leg room on airplanes.)
• Tall people. (They get the middle.)
• People who don't care about the band and are just there because their friend/partner/spouse dragged them along. (They get the back.)
• People who want to talk to their friends the whole time. (They get the waaaaay back.)

This is due, in large part, to the PROVEN FACT that 95% of the time I go to a concert, the tallest person in the room makes their way across the floor to stand directly in front of me. It's laughable how predictable it is, at this point. 

So anyway, I'm driving home thinking this would be a cool thing to think about for a blog post to meet my writing goals (ahem don't look at me like that), and all that kept popping into my head as my "hill" was my theory above. And then Aisha nailed. So, thank you Aisha, for doing my job for me.

Wednesday five.

Today I ran across this blog post from a fellow Portland blogger. It appealed to my goal-making overachieving observant self, but I really had to think about my reply to her question at the end of her post.

Who am I now? Who have I been in the past? Who am I, consistently? 

After much deliberation (probably too much deliberation - word #6: OCD! - if that counts as a word), my five words were "learn, help, create, connect, explore."

Probably in that order, too - those are the words that guide how I live every day of my life, at least these days. I'm bored when I'm not learning, I'm frustrated when I'm not helping, I'm disappointed when I'm not creating, I'm lonely when I'm not connecting, and I'm stalled when I'm not exploring.

I deplore all of those feelings, so I try to employ those verbs in my everyday life to make it more enjoyable.

What are your five words? And why? (Word #7: curious!)

On hitting The Wall.

It's a long-distance runner's worst enemy: The Wall. The point where you are mentally and physically spent, where you cannot possibly continue, where you feel like you might puke and all you want is a warm bath and a soft bed.

And maybe a pizza.

And a kitty. Definitely a kitty.

During my marathon training eight years ago, I hit The Wall at 16 miles. I think that was the week our training run was 24 miles; somehow I pushed on for 8 more miles and finished the run. I had no issues while training after that training run, but interestingly (perhaps only to me), when I was actually running the marathon I hit The Wall at 24 miles. I never ran a full marathon again.

The Wall isn't specific to running. It rears its ugly head in any endurance activity.

Like, for example, editing 700 vacation photos. Or attending a five-day work conference. Or my most recent encounter with The Wall: hiking the Annapurna Circuit.

We had been trekking every day, at least 4 hours a day (and usually more like 6-7), for 10 days straight. We started at 840m/2756f*; each day we gained hundreds of meters in altitude. The air got thinner, the trees became sparse, our packs seemed to get heavier with each step. It was beautiful and exhilarating and exhausting. We were working toward a culminating ascent of 5416m/17,769f (also known as 3.4 miles above sea level) on Day 11.

Somewhere around Day 8 (4076m/13,372f/2.5mi**) as we got closer to Thorong La High Camp, I started to freak out.

Just mildly at first, so I kept it to myself - but really, 3.4 miles above sea level? Was that safe? Was it sane? Were we prepared - physically and mentally - for this? Were human beings really supposed to climb that high?

On Day 9 we skipped a side trek to Tilicho Lake because my old leg injury (from aforementioned marathon) had kicked in and I didn't want to risk the rest of the trek or WWOOFing through the last six months of our adventure. Was my *leg* prepared for an ascent of 5416m/17,769f/3.4mi?

The last hiking hour of Day 9 was the hardest hour we'd seen yet. It wasn't even hard hiking. It just sucked. We moved at a turtle's pace and stopped every few minutes to rest. At the frontier-like guesthouse (4200m/13,780f/2.6mi) we skipped cold bucket showers and laid around all afternoon in prep for Day 10 - a 725m/2379f climb - and the inevitable Day 11 pass crossing.

Day 10's ascent went surprisingly well but for whatever reason, at High Camp (4925m/16,158f/3.1mi) above sea level, all my emotions culminated into a gigantic wig out. I was terribly agitated all afternoon; I couldn't concentrate on conversations or crosswords or my book; I wasn't hungry.

I started to wonder if I had altitude sickness.

(I SO did not have altitude sickness.)

I actually sat under the blankets in the cold, damp guesthouse room for an hour, "what-iffing" and trying not to cry, while Patrick went around camp exploring. He was loving the physical and mental challenge of this trek... I usually love a challenge but I most certainly did not love this challenge. That didn't help my mood.

That night we attempted an early sleep for our 5am wake up but all I could do was freak out whenever his breathing was slightly irregular. "If either of us has a heart attack, how will they get us off this mountain?!" He barely slept; I barely slept. "What if our lack of sleep causes us to fall off a mile high cliff?" We didn't have down jackets. "What if we are hit with hypothermia or frostbite?"

We didn't have heart attacks. We didn't fall off cliffs. We were plenty warm the whole climb.

We climbed to the pass without issue and took celebratory photos. It was awesome.

I wrote most of this post two days after we summited Thorung La Pass but never finished it - I couldn't get past the whiny tone and I kind of wanted to forget that I had been so silly about the whole thing.

Today we learned of the lives that were just claimed on that same pass during freak blizzards. Those people didn't get their celebratory photos. Five weeks ago that could've been us.

So even though I still can't get past the whiny tone and I really want to forget that I was so silly about the whole thing, I am posting this to remind myself to be grateful.

Even when the moment sucks - even when the whole damn day or the entire week sucks - I am here. I am taking the sucky celebratory photo. And I am grateful for that.

----------------
* Isn't the metric system fun?
** Isn't this obnoxious? Just giving you a small taste of my world over the last 18 months.

I look how *I* feel.

To the three people who might actually ever read this blog... I have an announcement. Next week I will turn one-year-from-the-new-thirty.

While it might not be the-big-four-oh just yet, OH MY GOSH. Never before have I felt so very one-year-from-the-new-thirty...

My back and neck persistently ache. My hands are getting wrinkles. The silver stands out in my hair more every day. I really will need those dreaded progressive lenses at some point. The TV is ALWAYS too loud. I refuse to pay full price for anything.  Overspiced food and bad coffee give me heartburn. I go to bed early and get up early. And I absolutely do not understand today's youth.

None of this is a result of nine months of travel. It's a result of being one-year-from-the-new-thirty.

Friends my age are still having babies. I don't know how they do it. Finding the energy is one thing. Patience is a whole other story. Some days I barely have enough of that for myself, let alone my partner in crime, and heaven help anyone else around me (including those of the vertically-challenged, non-communicative, poopy-diapered variety).

Lack of patience isn't due to nine months of travel. I can only hope that my lack of patience is due to being one-year-from-the-new-thirty. Right? The whole "life is too short to waste on nonsense" thing that makes it okay for your grandma to do whatever she damn well pleases after eighty years on this earth thank you very much? (If not, I am just a jerk.  I hope it's the former.)

Friends older than me are having babies and I don't even have an address right now. This IS a result of nine months of travel. Once in a rare while, this makes me feel irresponsible and makes me wonder if I am missing something. Perspective comes in the form of a screaming kid on a plane, or the thought of sending someone to college when I'm almost 60... or the fact that I while I generally enjoy their presence I have actually never wanted to have children.  (Perhaps all I am missing is that nagging biological clock that other women seem to have?  I'm okay with that.)

Most of the time, though, this makes me really happy - mentally picturing where I am on the globe, tasting authentic foods, constantly being outside of my comfort zone, seeing things no one I know has seen or even heard of in some cases, knowing that at any given moment only one other person knows exactly where I am (whether we know exactly where we are or not). My friends have their priorities and I have mine.  And that's how life should be.

So I will ignore my aching back, and I will shush my quiet-but-ever-present fear of lack of steady income, and I will put off wondering what the hell I am going to do with myself when I do get home, and I will enjoy kid pictures on Facebook from across the globe.

And I will have a kick-ass one-year-from-the-new-thirty birthday somewhere in Spain.  Or maybe Portugal.

Almost ten years of blogging later, we're still not there yet.  But we're definitely enjoying the ride...

park güell

barcelona, spain

january 2014

Well, duh.

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings. Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you.

What Season Are You?

(OK, but this one was pretty funny...

You Are Cilantro

The bad news is that there are some people who can't stand you. The good news is that most people love you more than anything else in the world. You are distinct, unusual, fresh, and very controversial. And you wouldn't have it any other way.

What Spice Are You?)

50 questions. (I prefer 20.)

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7am (usually, 6am, but THE HOT)
2. How do you like your steak? vegetarian
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? (500) Days of Summer
4. What is your favorite TV show? The Daily Show
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? right here, right now... for now
6. What did you have for breakfast? a browning banana
7. What is your favorite cuisine? all of it except #8
8. What foods do you dislike? red meat, white meat
9. Favorite place to eat? home (specifically: couch) (thanks, C)
10. Favorite dressing? Annie's Goddess
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? used Toyota Corolla
12. What are your favorite clothes? flip flops, t-shirts, boxers
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? there is always a chance for anything
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? wait - you got a cup?!
15. Where would you want to retire? a cabin in the woods July-Dec, a house on the PNW coast Jan-Jun
16. Favorite time of day? quitting time
17. Where were you born? in a suburban MD hospital
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? hockey!
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? n/a
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? n/a
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? n/a
22. Bird watcher? only if they are big or teeny tiny, otherwise I tend not to notice
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? um... mid-afternoon
24. Do you have any pets? not anymore
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? not yet
26. What did you want to be when you were little? teacher
27. What is your best childhood memory? summers at the community pool
28. Are you a cat or dog person? cat
29. Are you married? (heck) no
30. Always wear your seat belt? ehhh... usually
31. Been in a car accident? no
32. Any pet peeves? OMG where do I even start...
33. Favorite pizza toppings? the Greek ones
34. Favorite flower? anything still in the ground
35. Favorite ice cream? B&J peanut butter cup
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? does Burgerville count?
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 0 in MD, 1 in CA, 0 in OR
38. From whom did you get your last email? one of the US
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? REI or maybe Powell's
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? yep
41. Like your job? nope
42. Broccoli? it's what's for lunch tomorrow... and the next day
43. What was your favorite vacation? all of them
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? myself (unless David Foster Wallace counts?)
45. What are you listening to right now? Jon Stewart in the background
46. What is your favorite color? orange
47. How many tattoos do you have? 2, and another coming at some point
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? o
49. What time did you finish this quiz? 8:38pm
50. Coffee Drinker? aw yeah

Because I couldn't decide which to post on Facebook.

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST [The Decemberists], cleverly answer these 15 questions.

1. Are you male or female: Sons & Daughters
2. Describe yourself: Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect
3. How do you feel about yourself: I Was Meant for the Stage
4. Describe your ex-boy/girlfriend: The Hazards of Love 1-4
5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: Won't Want for Love
6. Describe your current location: Summersong
7. Describe where you want to be: On the Bus Mall
8. Your best friend is: Billy Liar
9. Your favorite color is: Shiny
10. You know that: My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist
11. What’s the weather: Isn't It a Lovely Night?
12. If your life was a television show what would it be called: Margaret In Captivity
13. What is life to you: The Perfect Crime
14. What is the best advice you have to give: We Both Go Down Together
15. If you could change your name what would you change it to: Bandit Queen

I do love how both #15s included a "queen" reference, though.

Just the interesting facts, ma'am.

No one cares about most of the stuff on the original FB list making the rounds, so I pared it down to some rarities.

You can ONLY answer Yes or No. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and asks.

Held a snake? --- YES
Driven a vehicle at more than 100 mph? --- YES
Sang karaoke? --- YES
Ridden a motorcycle? -- YES
Ridden in a helicopter? --- YES
Shaved your head? --- YES
Eaten a whole habenero pepper (or other hot peppers)? --- YES

Actually, I don't think anyone will care about this stuff either...!

Me ABCs.

A - Age: 34 (I had to argue with the doctor recently to come to this conclusion)
B - Bed size: full
C - Chore you hate: laundry
D - Dogs or cats: ... well, duh
E - Essential start your day item: 94.7 fm
F - Favorite color: orange
G - Gold or Silver: silver
H - Height: 5'4"
I - Instruments you play: a couple of chords on the geeeetar
J - Job title: spreadsheet monkey
K - Kids: no thank you, but I love everyone else's
L - Loud or quiet: quiet
M - Mom's name: virginia
N - Nicknames: shaf, nnej
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: once, in college for an unidentified abdominal pain
P - Pet Peeve: turning drivers who inch up on you when you're crossing the street on the walk sign - is that 3 seconds REALLY going to get you there any faster, jackass?
Q - Quote from a movie: "life's like a movie, write your own ending, keep believing, keep pretending..."
R - Right or left handed: right
S - Siblings: brother
T - Time you wake up: 6:00 am
U- Umbrella*: yes... still haven't acclimated to the no umbrella rule
V - Vegetable you dislike: lima beans... that might actually be the only one
W - Weight: according to my cheap Target scale, 124, and while I don't believe it, I'm not arguing with it
X - X-rays you've had: teeth numerous times, abdomen (see overnight hospital stay above)
Y - Yummy food you make: any food I make is yummy, to me anyway - I just don't "make" food very often
Z - Zoo favorite: giraffes

________________
* Original U was underwear. What kind of answer does one put for that, other than "yes"? So I changed it.

Eeeeeeerie.

I was supposed to do this to an iPod shuffle, but ran across the 'random quote' option on this site and decided to see what would happen if I shuffled quotes instead of songs. The results were spooky - especially that funeral one! and the motto one too - and only three don't really make sense. Can you guess which three?

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern. Lord Acton, Letter to Mary Gladstone, 1881

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all. Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742 - 1799)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Dignity comes not from control, but from understanding who you are and taking your rightful place in the world. Real Live Preacher weblog, 05-01-05

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself. Christine Bovee

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
A doctor saves lives - it's up to people to create lives that are worth saving. Philip Gold, Doctors: Jokes, Quotes and Anecdotes 2005 Calendar

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile I caught hell for. Earl Warren (1891 - 1974)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I think that little by little I'll be able to solve my problems and survive. Frida Kahlo (1907 - 1954), Letter to Nickolas Muray, 12-18-1939

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language. Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889 - 1951)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference. Jane Goodall (1934 - )

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Much of the social history of the Western world over the past three decades has involved replacing what worked with what sounded good. Thomas Sowell (1930 - ), Is Reality Optional?, 1993

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
A person's abilities are tested best when defending rather than attacking. Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Without tenderness, a man is uninteresting. Marlene Dietrich (1901 - 1992)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair. Arnold Toynbee (1889 - 1975)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
They can conquer who believe they can. Virgil (70 BC - 19 BC)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
It isn't kind to cultivate a friendship just so one will have an audience. Lawana Blackwell, The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter, 1998

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
I am just going outside and may be some time. Captain Lawrence Oates (1880 - 1912), last words

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Before he sets out, the traveler must possess fixed interests and facilities to be served by travel. George Santayana (1863 - 1952)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside. Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
It is well to give when asked but it is better to give unasked, through understanding. Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931), 'On Giving,' The Prophet, 1923

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
The family is changing not disappearing. We have to broaden our understanding of it, look for the new metaphors. Mary Catherine Bateson

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
One must not lose desires. They are mighty stimulants to creativeness, to love, and to long life. Alexander A. Bogomoletz

It's not easy being me.

You are Kermit the Frog. You are reliable, responsible and caring. And you have a habit of waving your arms about maniacally.

FAVORITE EXPRESSIONS: "Hi ho!" "Yaaay!" and "Sheesh!"
FAVORITE MOVIE: "How Green Was My Mother"
LAST BOOK READ: "Surfin' the Webfoot: A Frog's Guide to the Internet"
HOBBIES: Sitting in the swamp playing banjo.
QUOTE: "Hmm, my banjo is wet."

What muppet are you?

One word.

Where is your cell phone? - charging
Your significant other? - who?
Your hair? - ponytailed
Your mother? - giving
Your father? - protective
Your favorite thing? - dark
Your dream last night? - forgotten
Your dream/goal? - l-i-v-i-n'
The room you're in? - small
Your fear? - lots
Where do you want to be in 6 years? - everywhere
Where were you last night? - home
What you're not? - contradictory
Muffins? - bagels
One of your wish list items? - longevity
Where did you grow up? - suburbs
The last thing you did? - type
What are you wearing? - pjs
Your TV? - dusty
Your pet(s)? - lap
Your computer? - slow
Your life? - satisfying
Your mood? - depends
Missing someone? - sometimes
Your car? - full
Something you're not wearing? - earrings
Favorite store? - music
Your summer? - cool
Your favorite color? - tangerine
When is the last time you laughed? - lunch
Last time you cried? - Tuesday

Hmmm... I do love a challenge.

Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.

1. What is your name: Jen(n)
2. A four letter word: jonx
3. A boy's name: Jacob
4. A girl's name: Jael
5. An occupation: jewel thief
6. A color: jaundice
7. Something you wear: jammies
8. A food: jerk tofu burger at Barney's
9. Something found in the bathroom: janitor
10. A place: Juneau
11. A reason for being late: just didn't want to go
12. Something you shout: JMFC on a pogo stick!
13. A movie title: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
14. Something you drink: juice
15. A musical group: Jayhawks
16. An animal: june bug
17. A street name: Judah
18. A type of car: jeep
19. Something scary: JMFC on a pogo stick!
20. Ice cream flavor: jamocha® almond fudge

"You scored 5 out of a possible 12..."

"Rather ignorant, I’m afraid. You’re clearly reading in slavish obedience to the censors. Are you going to be voting for Sarah Palin?"

GADS!! No, and I'm not moving to Alaska either. I'm just slightly optimistic about worldly views. (How is Call of the Wild "too radical," Yugoslavia? Too cold, maybe. Too cruel, definitely. But too radical? Really?)

Oh, and also, I haven't read half those books. Now adding them to my list so that one day I can wear this with pride.

[Digression... Was Lord of the Flies ever on a banned list? That was a truly great book that I should re-read someday soon. What about Catch-22? End of digression.]

Anywho, what's your score? I already gave you one answer!

Um... Saturday... four? six?? I have no idea...

... but it's all about me so that's all that really matters:

> A) Four places that I go to over and over:
Trader Joe's, the gym, the park with the waterfall near my office, Hawthorne Street

> B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly):
Barack Obama, David Plouffe, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama (seriously... it's bordering on spam)

> C) Four of my favorite places to eat :
Spettro (always! I hope I don't ruin it with hype), the taco cart near PSU (mmm, $1.50 fish tacos), the Indian cart near 9th and Alder (mmm, palaak paneer with the best cheese EVER), sitting on my couch (mmm, couch)

> D) Four places I would rather be right now
snorkeling in Queensland, exploring Antarctica, sitting on the beach in Santorini, kayaking in Alaska

> E) Four people I think will respond (/comment):
maybe Connie? on a particularly bored night, Melinda? I can't think of anyone else.

> F) Four TV shows I watch over and over:
Buffy, Scrubs, Daily Show, Animal Cops

And you?

You have GOT to be kidding me.

You Should Live in Alaska

What State Should You Live In?

(Oregon was runner-up #5. At least there's that.)

For the record, I am also a whole wheat bagel, Cookie Monster, 40% pirate, Buffy, fall, France, fraud, Sneaky Twinkletoes, a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup...

... fairly impressed with how spot-on some of these silly quizzes are...

... and oh so happy that this is how I'm spending my Saturday night. Seriously. Low key, no obligations, pizza dough rising, wine poured, cat sleeping... If I make it through SNL's debate spoof tonight, this might actually qualify as one of the best Saturday nights ever.

Jen(n) is...

... cutting gym time short in favor of a beer (or three), ice cream and perhaps some real food at some point.

... tired and cranky.

... foregoing her rule of no computer after work.

... thinking about the fine line between a boss who gives great positive feedback and terrible constructive feedback, and a just-plain-bad boss.

... intrigued by the concept of tattoos that are only visible under black lights.

... wondering what infotainment to look forward to after finishing season 4 of the Wire tomorrow night. (Other than season 5, of course, but that won't come until next month.)

... thinking she needs to start remembering that Portland actually has seasons (so it would be wise to enjoy the long hot summer days while they last), and that the farmer's market isn't year-round.

... catching up on quality emails to friends.

... excited about the new Batman movie.

... feeling much better now.

... turning one box off and the other on.

In that order.

Early Friday five.

There were five color-related quizzes on the home page of this web site today, so naturally I thought - hey! It's Wednesday!

Results below. Absolutely true stuff in green, somewhat true/somewhat false stuff in purple. Completely false stuff in blue. [Editorial in brackets.]

1. Your Mind is Green
Of all the mind types, yours has the most balance. [Um... define "balance"?] You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver. You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).

2. Your Aura is Blue
Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people. Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor.

3. Your Power Color Is Lime Green
At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?"

4. You Need Some Green in Your Life
Green will make you feel alive, renewed, and balanced. And with a little green, you will project an aura of peacefulness and harmony. [I thought I was already balanced!! I'm so confused.] If you want stability, you've got to get a little green in your life! [Hmmm...] For extra punch: Combine green with blue or purple. [Check!*] The downside of green: It can promote jealousy in yourself or others. [Quiz, meet Adam. Adam, quiz.] The consequences of more green in your life: You will be drawn to a new life path. You will feel free to pursue new ideas and interests, no matter how strange. You will be released from the demands and concerns of others. [File under: THERE.]

5. Your Heart Is Green
Love completes you, but that doesn't mean you seek it out. When love comes your way, you integrate it peacefully into the rest of you life. [Quiz, meet David. David, quiz.] Your flirting style: Laid back. Your lucky first date: Walking around aimlessly and talking. Your dream lover: Is both enthusiastic and calm. What you bring to relationships: Balance. [Oh, for pete SHAKES already.]

To sum up - it's not easy being green. Or balancing on one of those freaky exercise balls, for that matter.

So what color(s) are you?

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* OK, I promise I'm not making this up... I cut and pasted all this text without reading it first, and chose the colors based on what would show up and not look awful against the background... and the colors I chose just happened to be green, blue and purple. Spooooooooky.

DON'T. CALL. ME. JENNY. (Gaaaar.)

Unless it's preceded by "Mad" and followed by "Bonney." Because, you see, my pirate name is Mad Jenny Bonney... Every pirate is a little bit crazy. Me, though, I'm more than just a little bit. I can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.

Your Result: Social Nerd.

"You're interested in things such as politics, psychology, child care, and peace. I wouldn't go so far as to call you a hippie, but some of you may be tree-huggers. You're the type of people who are interested in bettering the world. You're possible the least nerdy of them all; unless you participate in other activies that paled your nerdiness compared to your involvement in social activities. Whatever the case, we could still use more of you around."

What Be Your Nerd Type?