Aww... I'm in the depths of dispair...

Today... I was working my fingers to the bone as fast as I could so that I can come home, take a shower, and go to Santa Monica because Laurie Notaro (author of THE IDIOT GIRLS ACTION-ADVENTURE CLUB and AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A FAT BRIDE) was going to have a reading and signing at the Barnes and Nobel over there. I was so excited... I really wanted to see her in person because I LOVED her first book (and in the process of reading the second... so far so good) and was totally inspired by it. I was even READY to write about my big "I MET LAURIE NOTARO" outting too. But alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Because Nicole is a dumbass and got her dates mixed up. The signing was on the 30th... not the 31st. :( How tragic is that. I was all ready and wanted to double check that it was the BARNES AND NOBEL that I needed to go to. Turns out, I don't even have to go at all.

I know there are worst things in the world that are going on... and that makes me sad when i think about it. But all day today at work, I was kept on thinking "YAY! I GET TO MEET ONE OF MY FAVORITE WRITERS... WHO'S ALIVE!" It was that one thought that made me happy...

Aww... now I'm just bummed out. :(

ITS HARRY POTTER MADNESS!

euterpe 16: see, i'm ginny
spaznik: are you now?
euterpe 16: and ryan is harry potter
spaznik: um.. ok.
euterpe 16: and there was this girl named angela chang
euterpe 16: she's cho
spaznik: uh huh...
euterpe 16: they even have the same last name
euterpe 16: and i ended up with ryan
spaznik: not really.... but ok.
euterpe 16: so ginny has to end up with harry
spaznik: alright...
euterpe 16: ahhhhhh!
euterpe 16: do you WANT harry to be with cho chang?
spaznik: you've been thinking *hard* huh...
euterpe 16: i mean, who does she think she is, she has an asian name and she's clearly not asian
spaznik: uh huh...

euterpe 16: eww, ron and hermione are like...
euterpe 16: gross
spaznik: DO
spaznik: NOT
spaznik: SAY
spaznik: THAT.
euterpe 16: lol
spaznik: great... you just went and tarnished my whole HARRY POTTER WORLD.
euterpe 16: but ti's true
spaznik: NOW
spaznik: IM
spaznik: GOING
spaznik: TO
spaznik: HAVE
spaznik: TO
spaznik: KILL
spaznik: YOU
spaznik: STOPPPPPP SAYING THAT!!!

*meanwhile in another chat...*
Fyrestarta: kill her
spaznik: LOL
spaznik: what?
spaznik: you know i can use this as evidence if something were to happen.
Fyrestarta: lol
Fyrestarta: i see
Fyrestarta: well i have evidence on you too
Fyrestarta: euterpe 16: spaznik:NOW
spaznik:IM
spaznik:GOING
spaznik:TO
euterpe 16: spaznik:HAVE
spaznik:TO
spaznik:KILL
spaznik:YOU

*also in another chat....*
jeanyah: what are you doing?
spaznik: beth says that... are like ron and hermione.
spaznik: f*cking whore.

*back at the ranch...*
euterpe 16: i'm not a f*cking whore!
spaznik: F*CKING JEAN!!

no.. not really. I heart Jean. :) Plus she cuts and pastes back to me...
jeanyah: euterpe 16: i'm ruinging harry potter for nicole
euterpe 16: i just told her ron and hermione are like...
euterpe 16: she's going berserk

*but wait... there's more*
jeanyah: euterpe 16: tell her it's true
euterpe 16: i want her to have nightmares
euterpe 16: they are exactly like ron and hermione
euterpe 16: they're always off on their own, solving problems, causing trouble. they have a lot of tension because they're secretly in love...
jeanyah: you're stupid

*enter my godcubbie*
TaIksal0t: go to bed
TaIksal0t: its past your bedtime
spaznik: hahah i know...
spaznik: :-)
TaIksal0t: haha bad godmommy bear
spaznik: im having a intellectual conversation with beth...
spaznik: about HARRY POTTER.

*back at the ranch*
euterpe 16: irene just asked me: TaIksal0t:are you a harry-hermoine person
TaIksal0t:or a ron-hermoine person
euterpe 16: what does that mean?
spaznik: its like "dawson-joey" or "pacey-joey"
spaznik: or "ben-felicity" or "noel-felicity"
euterpe 16: how can anyone question? it's pacey-joey, felicity-noel, ron-hermione
spaznik: EXACTLY!!

*and we're good. :)*
euterpe 16: ah man, i really don't like that cho chick
spaznik: well... in bk 5 it doesnt end with them being a couple...
spaznik: if that makes you happy...
euterpe 16: YAY!
euterpe 16: my life is complete
euterpe 16: see, she's totally angela chang, ryan is totally harry, and i am totally ginny
spaznik: totally.

Yo, yo, yo, yo, baby-pop
Yeah, you come here, gimme a kiss
Better make it fast or else I'm gonna get pissed
Can't you hear the music's pumpin' hard like I wish you would?
Now push it
Push it good
P-push it real good

Nothing like Salt-N-Pepa to make your day a bit brighter. :)

Should I be alarmed that my new shampoo and conditioner makes my hair fall out when I'm in the shower?

But then again, the strands that are left on my head are healthier and shiner than normal. Hmmm...

ARGH! The check engine light went off in my car. :( Why can't it be happy and healthy all the time? Poor poor buggy.

My bosses are out on their "Anniversary Trip" and since we have a couple of hubangeous weddings coming up, rather than have the week off, I get to stay and shop sit. :) "YAY!" I think. Well the really good thing is that since theres a lot of stuff that needs to be done in preparation for the 9th, I brought Sonny to work with me so that he can help. YAY! Someone I can boss around!! :) Just kidding, I wouldn't be bossy... his girlfriend might come and kick my ass. :P

Anyways, since the Canadian hasn't been able to go out of the hoose much, Sunday, we took him over to Hollywood so that he can see the sights. *STAHS* One of which included what I'm assuming was a punked-druged-out-hooligan with green hair THROW UP on the sidewalk. Eww. There went our appetites. But we had plenty-o-fun. Or at least Carlene and Sonny did... I followed them around like a wedding photographer. :P JK. I had fun... I'm always down to do the touristy stuff... you know... stars on the walk of fame... handprints at the chinese theater... looking for ghosts in the Roosevelt Hotel. :) After walking for a good portion of the afternoon, we met up with Carrie and Jean for dinner at CPK. Stalker Jean apparently had found some "actor from MTV's 'UNDRESSED's'" (wow. thats a lot of apostrophes) organizer, and had set up a date with him there too. Too bad our table was only meant for 5 people. ;) Afterwards, we went over to Luckystrike for some drinks and camera fun in their uber "chic" lounge/bowling atmosphere. Who wants to take a sexy picture? Hmm? :) Anyways, I would have kicked Jean's ass at pool... if we had gotten the table. ;)

Oh weird... I just looked out my window and theres a couch in the middle of my street. Anyone want a couch?

Good gracious... Yesterday had to be one of the worst work days ever...

I had to drop off the Brides personal flowers in the morning... my boss said she lived near Pasadena. PASADENA! Well, note to self, STEVENSON RANCH IS NOWHERE NEAR PASADENA. Its near Valencia... Magic Mountain territory... 30 miles away from Pasadena. You can bet I was slighty worried when I started to drive into boonie territory and my exit seemed like it was NEVER going to come. Oh my...

Then, when I finally get to the Brides, there was a huge miscommunication and I'm lacking an extra bouquet, 3 buttonieres, and 2 corsages. Oh my goodness... definitely something that wasn't my fault, but since I was put in the situation, I felt really terrible. Also a bit scared. I thought the family might throw down on my on their driveway. *gasp* But a call to Brandy to the rescue and everything is resolved. Only thing now is that I need to get supplies back in Corona in order to make the extra things...

Another 85 miles on the road, pick up the goods, then finally go to the event site in GLENDALE to decorate.

Finished in the late afternoon.

Back home... 7:30pm.

Leave home with Carlene and Sonny... 10:45pm. Its bring your sister and her Canadian boyfriend night at work.

Tear down in Downtown LA's Omni hotel... tear down at Glenadale site where Carlene managed to get a HUGE PIECE of wedding cake. The big Armenian waitor stopped her while she was working said " YOU WANT CAKE? I GIVE YOU CAKE" took her to the kitchen with a tow of other Armenian waitors and busboys where they chanted "cake cake cake" and gave her a piece. (Not a slice, mind you... but an ACTUAL sheet. Its HUGE! Anyone want some cake? Come on over.) Finish up around 2:45am.

Home sweet home.

Final milege total on my baby: 345 miles.

I could have went to Vegas. Another 80 miles, I could have gone to San Francisco.

Insane I tell you. Insane. But in the end, I love my work.. so it isnt TOO bad. :)

The air conditioning is now FIXED in my car. YAY! Everything is pretty much back to normal, despite not having the front license plate attached. Apparently, its just not possible. :P But big THANKS to my homies down in Covina VW and at M2. Thanks for fixing my car... AND putting up with my dad. *ugh* I swear, I think those guys probably get freaked/pissed/anxious when they see my car coming or get a call from him because if he steps in... its not going to be fun.

Gold medals for everybody!

YAY! I can finally say something aside from "FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY" as the last movie I've seen. WHOOOOOOO!

"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN" rocked. :) Way more then "FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY." Waaaay.

Is it "Pirates of the 'Care-e-be-an' or 'Ca-rib-be-an'"? Hmmmm...

Look.. its a quiz. Nicole has been bored lately.

I'm Phoebe Buffay from Friends!
Take the Friends Quiz here.
created by stomps.





*gasp* I'm ditzy!?

I got my car back today! :) YAY! New paint job, front dent gone... AND they replaced the winshield! (It feels like I'm driving from inside a fishbowl!) Its a very happy car. Well except for the fact that they didn't fix the airconditioning. BOO. So technically, it sorta feels like I'm driving my rental convertible still since I have my windows down. Its just not as snazzy.

But on the really good side... my car isn't a giant gas guzzler like that rental was. GOOD GRACIOUS!

So as I was sitting here in my state of "NO LIFE" last week, I went over to EMODE and took some personality quizes... while I was there, I was invited to join this "emode match" thingie (where you get to meet and hook up with fellow single internet geeks seeking personality boosts from affirmative quizzes)... so just for fun, I filled out a profile and put up a pic. :) Since then, I've been getting some interesting responses... none that I have acted upon though. The whole thing just freaks me out in a way...

Anyways, every so often, I'd get an email from emode with a list of guys who would be "compatible" with me... today's list of bachelors included a fellow who coincidently is a CKI member.

First thing that came into my head: "OH NO. HE'S GOING TO THINK IM DESPERATE!"

Luckily, it was a guy I really don't know... but the thing with this organization is that everyone sorta knows everyone. And with the addition of Friendsters... people kinda have an idea of who's who and what not. (ew. I AM a internet geek!)

But still, what if he knows who I am, (ew. note to self: get over yourself!) and then tells people that he saw me up on emode match... and then everyone will go thinking "DAMN. SHES DESPERATE!"

Which, I'm not. :P

So while "sightly" freaking out over the possbility of being discovered, I tried to delete my profile... but no such thing exsist. I am forever to be "single and looking" in the eyes of emode.

DAMN YOU EMODE! DAMN YOU AND YOUR TRICKY WAYS!

OH wells. I'm over it. :) But somewhere, there's someone compatible for me... in CKI of all places. Wow. And I thought they didn't exsist. :P

SO, this weekend I was "somewhat roughing it." The whole idea of "somewhat roughing it" was about as unappealing as eating carrots... but I stuck it out and I think deep inside, I sorta liked it. I wouldn't do it everyday... but I liked the whole "being one with nature" feeling. It sure beats those naturesound tapes they have at Target.

OK. Friday woke up before the sun did. Mom, Carlene, Sonny, and I packed the car and drove to Queen of the Valley hospital to meet up with Tita Normie, Uncle Wilson, Adrian, and Joseph as well the rest of the rafting hospital group... Our destination... SACRAMENTO. Actually, I say Sacramento now because at the time, we seriously had NO idea where we were going and Sacramento was the only place we had been told it was near. In reality we were off to Coloma... "There's gold in them hills" territory... we were off to the AMERICAN WHITE WATER. The bus that was to take us there was one of those deluxe buses... and our driver was Johnny. I think perhaps Johnny was a bit sleepy by the way he's swerving in and out of the lanes, nodding his head back and forth, and holding his head up with one hand while driving with the other...(oh let me add that he's a bit on the "crazy driver" side. Huge buses probably arent meant to be going faster than normal cars while driving on the side of a mountain, nor are they supposed to be busing Uturns in busy intersections.... or taking shortcuts through parking lots.) But after watching LORD OF THE RINGS and ORANGE COUNTY, listening to "BEST OF PORN SOUNDTRACK", and catching up on some precious sleep... 7 hours later we were there.

Tents were to be our home for the next 2 nights. Sleeping bag and foam matresses... my bed. My bestest friend in the whole wide world... sprays of insect repellent and mosquito incent coil to KILL the bugs currently occupying my new home. I was hot... I was itchy... I was what you might say "roughing it." I can't exactly say it was "hardcore" because they had actual bathrooms and showers... granted they weren't the bestest facilites, but hey, its better than nothing.

After "unpacking" (aka rolling out the sleeping bag), we explored. First we went down to the river where the water was cold and of course splashing was inevitable. There was a group of guys in our bus (who we nicknamed the "testerone boys" because they looks like a punk band and your steryotypical "American Pie" BEST SUMMER EVER" guys) who came down to the river and proceeded to dive off of the rocks. We thought we were gonna witness some tragic accident right then and there... but thankfully nothing happened. Afterwards, we took our drenched selves up to the restaurant on the grounds where they had some pool tables and other gaming goodies... and we had some dinner. UNfortunantly, I think the tamales made us kinda sick and so in addition to just being TIRED... we knocked out early.

Rafting day #1!
My tent mate... mom... woke up early... which resulted in her insisting I wake up early as well. But since the tent next to me was still snoring, I logically allowed myself a few minutes of rest. After waiting for the bathroom, dressing in my tent, breakfast, and a "safty talk".... we were OFF!!

Our riverguide was Zach. He has a very good resembalance to PRINCE WILLIAM... so yeah... he's cute. :) But then, he announces that he's 14. EWW. First of all... JAILBAIT. Second... oh my goodness... this KID is going to lead us through the rapids!? OH lordy. But apparently Zack is a joker and that he's actually 20 and goes to college in Washington. Phew! No jailbait... but still too young. Cute nonetheless. :) Anyways, since there were only 7 allowed onto the boat, we spilt up with the adults and the 5 of us: Sonny, Carlene, Adrian, Joseph and myself teamed up with Matt and Eric, 2 other college students in our group and we were ready to hit the South Fork!

First of all, Zack showed us the strokes we needed to survived.
1) Front Paddle
2) Back Paddle

Yep. We're pros now.

The river for the first couple of hours was pretty tame. The current was slow and the every now and then, we'd hit some small rapids. But after lunch was when the real adventure started...

Oh my gosh.. it was awesome. :) I really can't describe it other than "ITS BETTER THAN AMUSEMENT PARK RAPID RIDES." It was just a lot of fun... got soaked from the water, boats just spashing around... but it was definitely a relief from the heat. :) OH I didn't fall out of the boat either! Well, no, I did go out into the water, but that was my choice. Unfortunantly, the current was pretty strong and those who did get out of the boat at that time... all drifted faster than we intended to. I almost got crushed by some boats.. but didn't. :) I just got pulled up into the boat very humiliatingly so and slapped on the butt by riverguide Zack. Thanks. :P

We were out on the river for pretty much the entire day... 15 miles is what I was told. It was REALLY nice... the scenary was BEAUTIFUL... and since we were in "gold rush" territory, we could see little flakes of gold in the water. Near the end, we all had gotten out of our boats and hiked up the hill were we got to watch other rafters hit the rapids. :) It was gorgeous AND I got to see up close some POISON OAK. Since I'm a wuss when it comes to heights, Zack held my hand and helped me down the hill. :) OoOo. Once we were done rafting, we loaded up the boats and Johnny drove us back to the site for a delicious dinner of steak, fish, chicken and lobsters prepared for us by the camp. :) Long line for shower... shower... some down time in the restaurant with live music... and sleep.

The day that Nicole almost died...
Sunday morning, woke up bright and somewhat cranky. The "testerone boys" had partied late into the night and that, along sore arms and the heat, made it somewhat difficult to go to sleep. But once again, Mom was awake and so that meant I must be awake as well. Anyways, after a hearty breakfast of omlettes... we were off once again! This time, we were going to drive up river to the Chili Bar and then raft down to the camp via the Upper South Fork... the ride itself would only be about 2 hours but I think we certainly made up for it with all the carnage.

SO first of all, before starting off down the river... we hit some rapids... but the really cool part about them is that if you hit this hole at the right spot, you could totally surf the wave and youre boat will turn to the point of capsizing. Well, the third attempt at this, we hit it PERFECTLY! Unfortunantly, while the right side of the boat was up... the left side was totally getting pounded by water. The result was Adrian falling out and getting dragged underneath the boat. When he fell out initally, we were all freaked that he was in the wave because it looked pretty vicious. Well, except Sonny, who had no idea that Adrian had fallen out and thought that we were freaking out over his paddle that had fallen out as well. NERD. But other than a cut on his nose... Adrian was ok. YAY! Ok... so after the drama of seeing Adrian bloody in the water... we were on to conquer more!

Ok. So this is my "battle story." A little bit further down the river from Adrians fall, we hit more rapids. Well, we went over a somewhat large rock, which cause the boat to tip a whole lot... and for me to FALL OUT. I remembered the first thing that they told us during our "safty" talk was to not attempt to stand up but instead keep your feet afloat... so once I reached the surface, I did just that- tried DESPERATELY to keep my feet up... I succeeded. But then another wave crashed above me and I went over some rocks... and when I resurfaced then, I was caught in the current and it seemed like I was drifting farther and farther away from my boat. I seriously thought I was going to die... because knowing clumsy me, if they were to throw out a rope for me to grab on to... I wouldn't be able to catch it in the first place. Also a weird thing is that while in the water, I FORGOT ALL MY SWIMMING SKILLS. Swimming lessons, growing up in a house with a pool and 3 years of swimteam... USELESS. It was me... my lifejacket, and my pathetic attempt at doggie paddling. But then, I saw my boat all paddling towards me and I wasn't going to die after all! YAY! I was saved!! Zack pulled me into the raft, slapped my ass and I was alive! MY HERO! Carlene and Sonny laugh at me now because I guess as I was drifting away, I had a sad puppy dog "I'm gonna die now" look on my face... and while I was going over rocks, I just said "Ow." HA. I also managed to keep my glasses and hat on while in the water. Scratched, only slightly bloody, and bruised... but alive. YAAAY! I have actual "battle wounds"... how cool is that! WHOOHOO! I'm NOT A WUSS.

Also on the trip, there were these 2 little girls who were... um... very bratty. More bratty than usual for 9 and 12 year olds... Anyways, after playing a very spiteful game of UNO with them Saturday night (in which 9 year old Erin HIT me everytime I skipped her), Adrian and I walked away from the situation with the conclusion that these 2 little girls are going to grow up to become EVIL B*TCHES. I think it was this kind of "negative" thinking that gave us bad karma... which resulted in our boat demise the next day.

*falling in the rocks*
Bratty girl Amy: Falling in the water is fun!
Nicole: Not if you're getting hit by rocks...
Amy: Not ah... I got hit by a rock this morning!
Sonny: Oh. Is that why you talk that way?

BRAT. :P

Our trip sunday morning was only 2 hours long (boo) and then it was time for lunch... and off to pack up the bus and leave. (boo) THe bus ride was LONG and HOT. and then we were HOME!!! :)

What an experience to remember! :) I had a LOT of fun and I definitely want to go again! :) I think maybe nexttime we go, we'll hit up some class 4 rapids. We got the strokes down. Whoohoo! GOOD TIMES!!

What a week! I'm so beat... its not even funny.

I started summer school last monday. Oh lordy its a math class and I have yet to see a number. Crazy logics... it isn't too bad though. It just starts EARLY. You'd think by now I could avoid taking 8am classes... but luckily this was open and didn't really screw around with my work schedule... so yeah. I'm waking up bright and early now... of course, thats after 3 alarm clocks go off and Sonny knocking on my door telling me to wake up.

Well in addition to summer school, I've been getting more hours at work... YAY! Except for the HOT warehouse... work is still a lot of fun... I think its mostly because of my bosses. :) They're just fun to talk to. So added hours is a bonus... but I'm just seriously tired when I get home.

Tuesday kinda sucked because I didn't wake up on time... thus making me 20 minutes to class (damn you traffic!). Since I was late to class, I didnt have time to get a parking permit.... and so when I saw the parking police in front of my car staring at the license plate... I knew the ticket was coming. OH and while dying in the sun at work, I spilled bleach on ME. So now my clothes are ruined and my sneakers stink. Ew.

But other than that... that was my week. Nothing exciting or life changing. Still me... just darker. I still got the convertible (lame carplace is holding my baby hostage until insurance pays its ransom) and stupid me keeps forgetting about sunscreen.

Ahhh NOW... sweet glorious weekend! Normally, I'd say "oh yay. Weekend. Bring on the weddings." but I'm actually going have a fun weekend were I get to rest and play! (not that work isn't play... it is... but it definitely isnt "rest.")

*I'm gonna go rafting... yay??*
Zasher816: yer gonna have frizzy hair!
spaznik: awww..
spaznik: i dont want frizzy hair!
spaznik: :-(
Zasher816: yah cuz u know water gonna be flyin all over the place
Zasher816: hair gonna be flying all over the place
Zasher816: wind
Zasher816: equals firzzy hair
Zasher816: well
Zasher816: MSSED UP HAIR
Zasher816: .MESSED UP HAIR
spaznik: why are you being so mean!?! :-(
Zasher816: i'm just telling you how it is

I have friz-ease packed and ready to go. Bring it on!

I got my "river sandals". In addition to a waterproof disposable camera, insect repellent, sunblock and visor... I'm now properly equipped for the weekend. Bring on the rapids!

Not too wild and rough though... I'm a wuss.

So I had this weird dream... I went to this combination Indy/Florida/Buffalo place for an ICON. It was hot, they had a gator museum, HOOTERS, and EVERYONE was there! Anyways, so apparently the "convention center" it was being held at was actually a haunted mansion... but it wasn't like your steryotypical "haunted mansion" thats all gloomy with tons of cobwebs... it was more like a southern plantation mansion where ghosts live. You'd see a ghost, which was like a white cloud, just floating around... and if it were to pass through you, your heart would suddenly beat 10 times faster and you'd have this funny feeling of not being in control anymore . Anyways people were getting possessed, I was flying around because a ghost had flewn into me and just took me along in the process, and people REALLY wanted to go to the Gator museum that had some kind of gator stunt show... kinda like the "Miami Vice" stunt show at Universal Studios from back in the days. But before I could really "explore" the place... my phone rang and I woke up.

Weird Stuff.

Another wedding at the most horrid hotel. I don't like the Embassy Suites near LAX... it seems like everytime I go there, things go wrong. Granted little things go wrong every so often at these weddings, but things are especially painful at this hotel. Last time, our seatcovers were too small for the chairs... there had been no AC in the ballroom and so flowers were wilting... the cake came late and apparently was top heavy so the top part started sinking into the lower layers... one hour set ups... 30 minute tear downs... faulty security alarms... get the idea? Today wasn't too bad though... although the heat was killing everyone which probably put some folks in pretty nasty moods. Apparently the florist HATED us and constantly yelled at her timid husband (ABUSE!!)... and the DJ was a jerk and threated to run his equipment on "batteries"... we forgot chiffon panels but made do with what we had... and our water was warm. Eww. I guess it could have been worst though... we could have had to Febreeze stinky chaircovers. THAT was yesterday...

Anyways, although looking extremely crap-tacular... afterwards I joined Carrie in "OPERATION RESCUE JEAN" which in the end turned out really fun. Lots of walking... food... and talking. Put 3 single girls at a table and you know where the topic is gonna head... Boys. (Or I SHOULD say MEN being that I'm a 23 year old woman. Thats right... no more wedge heels for me! I'm OLD!) So yeah... lots of *good times* :) OH and I'm not moving anywhere... Brat. :P

Look! Jean writes poetry...
jeanyah: hold on
jeanyah: i might be back
jeanyah: but for now
jeanyah: i'm gone
jeanyah: adios

Wow. That was so deep. Soo deep. :)

The St. Regis in Monarch Beach has now gotten onto my list of "PLACES I WANT TO GET MARRIED AT." Its just absolutely BEAUTIFUL over there... granted its EXTREMELY EXTREMELY expensive... but hey a girl can dream can't she? If I can save like a dollar a day or something, I should have enough for the perfect wedding in 50 years!! By then I should have the perfect groom to go along with that. Hopefully... *crosses fingers and wishes on a star... err oops thats an airplane*

Anyways, the wedding today there was really pretty... but a tad bit over done. It wasn't us though. The bride had gotten another florist (some "well known" European guy who was sitting atop of a ladder, arranging flowers with one hand and smoking a cig in another) whose arrangements were a tad bit... um... BIG and ORANGE. I believe the bride wanted an equal combination of orange and purple (don't ask) but it was overwhelmingly ORANGE. The ballroom seemed a bit cluttered with these GIANT orange centerpieces on the tables... but hey its what the bride wanted. The ceiling drape and sweetheart table backround came out great... as usual. ;)

But because of this "well known" European florist... we MIGHT get into a bridal magazine spread. OoOooo. How exciting huh!

Its hot. I have bug bites... my skin is dry... my hair is in shambles... and my legs are in dire need of shaving.

AHHH. Summer. Don't you love it!!

Awww... I'm making myself all sick with sadness and pity looking at animal shelter websites. These pets are just too gosh darn cute... if I could, I'd adopt them all and just shower them with love and hours of hugs. But alas I can't have them all... I'm allergic to cats and I have white carpet. CURSE THE WHITE CARPET! But if YOU are able to adopt, go check this site out.... it has pictures of cats and puppies all over California who needs a good home. Uh huh... spread the love.

So about 4 months ago, I read "The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Club" by Laurie Notaro... and I really really liked it. REALLY liked it to the point where I emailed the author and gushed on and on about how much I enjoyed it. It isn't a life-changing work of fiction nor a grand epic... it's just a collection of short, funny stories that she had written about her life. :) Anyways, so yeah, like I said, I emailed her. But I didn't get a response... which was fine because I assumed that she had a life and well had better things to do than to write back to me. It makes sense...

Anyways, when I got back from Indy, I found this letter in my mailbox that TOTALLY made my day...

Subj: Re: I just read your book...
Date: 7/3/2003 6:13:30 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: laurie notaro
Sent from the Internet (Details)

Hi Nicole!!
Okay, I am indeed quite embarrassed. Now, I'm not exactly sure what
happened, but when I was cleaning up my email folders, I came upon some
letters that have just appeared, as in time travel, with old, ancient
dates on them. I changed webhosts some time ago, so maybe that explains
the time warp, but I must send you profuse apologies for not responding
to you in a timely, polite manner, because I am guessing that I did not.
In essence, I am indeed the idiot I profess to be. If it makes you feel
any better, I got married seven years ago and never sent out the
thank-you cards. They're written, sealed, addressed, some of them are
even stamped. But mailed? no. Of course not. That would mean WALKING TO
THE MAILBOX!!!
OK, so my point is thank you so much for your note that you wrote me
about seven hundred years ago. I am a dork, but I am so happy you liked
the book, thank you extensively for reading it. Again, I'm so sorry I
lost you in the email vortex--I've been wrapped up trying to finish
number three (deadline was April 1st--see what I mean?) My house is a
wreck, the trash needs to be taken out, my mother thinks I've been
kidnapped and I'm freaking out big time. Anyway-- you rock, and I can't
tell you how much I appreciate your taking the time out of your day to
let me know that you liked my dumb old book!

Rock on,
your pal,
laurie n.

:) Awwww... How exciting is that!! YAY! =:) :) :)

HOME SWEET HOME!! YES!!

OK. Let me break down the last couple of days since I know you are all "dying" to know what I've been up to. Ha. Ha. Ha.

My Trip To Indy







"Hello.... helllo"
July 2 -
After going to the children's museum, Norma, Maritza, Jean, and myself probably got into a cab with a psychotic cabdriver. He kept on insisiting that we were Mexican (only Maritza could hold that title), then got into a fight with Jean over "differences" about Taiwan and China and other countries... THEN proceeded to mock her while she was on the phone. We were dying of laughter in that cab... not to mention EXTREMELY eager to get out of it. After crazycabbie got us back to the hotel, we met up with more folks who had just gotten in from California, and it was off to STEAK AND SHAKE (the somewhat Denny's of the east) and then to the Indianapolis Convention for Opening session and DANCE. The dance was ok... music was bleh. But still a lot of fun.


I like Pic.

"He may be short... but he has a tongue like a rattle snake"
July 3- Caucus during the day. Because of our long and late dinner at "HOOTERS", Beth and I took quite a while getting ready for the awards session... and when we were finally finished and over at the convention center... it was over in 30 minutes.


Carrie and Jean


The roomies... Irene, David, and me!


Twinzees! Yay!


I was taking a pic with Rupert when new guy interrupts the pic. Who is this guy!?!


Thats the money shot Petey!


Awwww!

Grreeeeat... back to the hotel (do do do do dooo) to change once more and back to the convention center to watch a hypnotist make Hanan and Alice as well as a whole bunch of other folks do some things I'm sure they wish they hadn't. (Alice rubbing her face against a giant globe... yeah.) That night, Jean, Tonya, and myself attempted to go to the Sunshine service "party", but instead went to the "hugs and toga" party. While we were there, we looked outside the window and saw that the streets below were littered with people and motorcycles... so we decided to ditch the CKI goodness and went out with the commoners instead. With Pic, we went over to this "Tiki Bob" club where it was skanky GIRLS GONE WILD night over there. Serious, I don't think I've seen so many bare breasts (and stickers), girl ass, and whipped cream in my life. Once again, music was kinda bleh... but it was only $5 and at least we got to play with the locals as be able to say that I got to turn down a free shot from a big midget a top of a bar. Oh yeah.

Sorry. No pics here.

"I feel like we're on MAID OF THE MIDSTS"
July 4- This day started off on the wrong foot. Irene, David and myself were all delegates and so we needed to be at HOD at 8. What time did we wake up? 8:27. Actually my alarm clock went off at 6:30am and I completely remember looking at it and saying out loud "We have to get up in 30 minutes..." well almost 2 hours later, I woke up feeling rested and I know something was wrong. I think the moment we woke up, everyone else in the House woke up as well and discovered that we werent there because thats when all our phones started ringing off the hook. The funny part was although we were late... what does David do? He hops into the shower. Ahhhh! :) Anyways, we eventually made it. Afterwards, it was the joint Key Club and CKI session where more awards were given out and Rupert gave a cool speech. More caucus after that... and then we walked over to VICTORY FIELD for baseball and fireworks....

Oh my gosh, I was so excited for the baseball game because it was my FIRST EVER! I got CRACKER JACKS! Anyways, at first, it was sunny. Rupert threw out the first pitch and we were all very happy looking at the cute baseball players. But then during the 3rd inning, the ground crew came out and started rolling out a tarmac onto the field... then thunders started rumbling... and it got DARK. Then... it was raining. At first, the rain wasn't really tounching us because were swere sorta under an awning, but then it started coming in sideways and the stadium folks starting having us go into the box area. After an hour or so... the storm passed and game was back on.




Rupert throwing the first pitch... note how sunny it is.


Uh oh...


and it gets worst...


and worst...


and worst...


Get the idea?


While waiting for the storm to pass... Jean falls asleep.


But the storm passes...


Not a bad view huh...


You need some rain.... to make a rainbow.


*pretty*


GAME ON!

The Indianapolis Indians lost, but the game was still good. Late into the game, fireworks started going off in the city which made an awesome sight.. and 15 minutes after the game finished... we had our own fireworks. Granted they weren't as impressive as the big city ones but their display of 2 ships battling was EXTREMELY memorable. :)






"I'll shake your steak..."
After the district pow-wow... we went over to STEAK AND SHAKE where I had my life flash before my eyes. First of all, when went walked outside the doors of our hotel, it learned it was POURING RAIN. So we ran down the block to the Steak and Shake... I was wearing flip flops and while running into a puddle, my shoe fell off and started to float away in the mini-river. Luckily, I got it before it could get too far. Now, we're soaking wet and inside the restaurant... our waitress is a herculean of a woman. She looks she can BEAT ME DOWN, has a slight resembalance to like Pink (the singer) and had a booming voice. Anyways, I ordered a turkey melt. I REMEMBER saying TURKEY MELT. So when another waitress came by our table asking who ordered the Turkey club... I didn't answer. But our waitress, came over, pointed to me and said "its from this side of the table." Confused, I said "I ordered a turkey melt". The waitress glared at me and boomed "YOU ORDERED A TURKEY CLUB." I didn't want to die... so I agreed with her. I ordered a turkey club. Don't kill me. Anyways, she asked if I wanted a melt... I replied "yes" and she stormed off. A while later, she slapped a plate with a melt on it in front of me. I ate as fast as I could and ran out.

"I only stand when Carrie stands..."
July 5- Woke up in time for the final HOD... which had to be the LONGEST HOD EVER. EVER. EVER. In the end, we had to stay in the convention center just a bit longer because of a tornado warning. After the sirens stopped... went over to Hard Rock cafe for dinner and then back to the conevention center for closing. The new International President and Vice president have got to be the GOOD-LOOKING duo... or like Ryan says "Zack and Slater." :) THe dance afterwards... um... ok... I didn't like much because they had a live country-type band that was alright I guess. We just couldn't dance to any of the music. On the other hand, those who typically couldn't dance at these events were in their element while the rest of us felt... um... "white." Lets just say it was side step clapping galore!! :) But it was held in Union Station which itself was beautiful... so that was the good part. OH and seeing Jean collapse onto the floor in laughter at least 3 times... don't ask. :)

"Draw 4 b*tch..."
July 6- After staying up the whole night (which the exception for a 15 minute nap in which I learned that I snored...) playing Harry Potter uno, chit chatting, and mistaking no smoking signs for awards I left the hotel at 6:30am for my 8:30 flight for Dallas. My cab smelled. Bad. Eww. Anyways, the moment I sat on the plane, I knocked out and woke up slightly to find that we were in the air and finally landing. Same thing happened on my flight to Ontario. HOME SWEET HOME! :) Waited at the airport for an hour or so because the family FORGOT ABOUT ME... and once they did get me, they kidnapped me and took me to Sears to look for a new stove and fridge. Finally though, I got home... (YAY SWEET GLORIOUS BED) and went to sleep. And now I blog and upload my pictures.




My last picture. I had to run right afterwards for fear of being struck by lightning.
That Indiana weather sure is moody!
(more ICON pics could be found HERE)

And that was my trip to Indy. :) There were UPS and there were DOWNS... but it was definitely memorable. :)

Whooohooo!! I'm here in Indiana blogging live from the CHILDRENS MUSEUM! :) Its pretty cool over here... A lot of things to do and see... not to mention a LOT of kids just running around. :) They have this Titanic exhibit where they give you a name of a person on the Titanic and you get to see if they survived or not in the end. Ok.. that's not really THAT EXCITITNG... it was darn right depressing, but in a way... it was still fun! :)

Hmmm... I left Ontario at 12:50am, got to Dallas at 5am (their time) stayed there for 2 hours, and got here at 9am. :) The weather here is pretty ok.. kinda humid and warm, but not like ILL muggy like Florida. :) Since then, I checked in at my hotel (The Omni), registered, had lunch at the mall that next door to the hotel with Petey, Ryan, and all the other LSSP foolios who got here early... and now... I'm here at the Children's Museum! And well... Norma, Maritza, Jean and myself just found this neat section of the museum that allows us to check our emails and take care of our true *computer* nerd fix.

Ok. I'm gonna go play!

HI MOM! HI CARLENE! HI SONNY! I'M BEING GOOD!! LOVE YOU!!

"So why are you going to Indiana again?"
"I have a convention..."
"Trekkie?"

ohhh yeeeeah. ;)

"Just say one word and tell me if you're killed!
No... but I think I've been rendered unconscious."

So apparently Sonny, the CANADIAN, has never seen "ANNE OF GREEN GABLES." I thought that was a national treasure over in Canada or something. That and Alan Thicke. Oh.. and Celine Dion. But anytime Carlene and I say that we want to go visit Prince Edward Island... he'll say "there's nothing there"

Carlene and I are gonna fix that. There are 4 video tapes downstairs with his name on them. He will KNOW the magic of "ANNE OF GREEN GABLES." :)

Anyways, I'm leaving for Indy tomorrow (er...tonight) and my room has BLOWN UP. Actually, it isn't as bad anymore, but a few hours ago... it was horrid. I was also organizing my new tall bookshelf (oOooOo.. shelves are sexy) and so it was just a mass pile of clothes, books, and then some just laying about. So while that pile has minimized considerably... its still pretty ill. But just a few more things and I shall be done packing and ready to go to. :) YAY!! I really can't name all the cool places that I'll get to go visit while there (because I really don't know whats there) but I'm just excited to hang out and play with all my lovely *oh so cute* friends! :)