We're going to Mule Days in Bishop, and I've got a lot of packin' to do! To that end, I'm sharing my packing list with y'all. If it looks like I'm missing anything, comment and let me know!

Sleeping supplies/camp:
x Sleeping bags (it's going to be cold and I hate being cold)
x Tent
x Ground pad
x Pillow
x Head Lamp

Kitchen:
x Pan (for boiling water)
x Stove
x Matches
x Skillet
French Press
Coffee
x Utensils
Cooler

Food:
Eggs (6 hard boiled, 6 raw)
Spinach
Parmesan Cheese
Veggie dogs
Buns
Ketchup
Wheat bread
Almond butter
2% milk
Coffee

Clothes:
x Cowboy boots (both black and gold)
x Suede duster jacket
x Jeans
x Brown velveteen pants
x Black lace skirt
x 3 black shirts
x Western shirt
x Swim suit
x Pajamas
x Sneakers
x Athletic pants
x T-shirt
x Sport bra
x Rain gear
x Hat (or buy one there... I do need a cowboy hat!)
x Underwear
x Socks

Toiletries:
x Towel
Hairbrush
Toothbrush
Meds
Washcloth
Face Wash
Face lotion
Body Lotion

Wood - do not actually need... covered at the campsite.

This weekend has been AMAZING. It was going to be May Trip, but everyone who had been going to go decided not to. We ended up having May Trip Substitute at Barbara's, which was depressing.

But the following morning, I had to get up all crazy stupid early to do the Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer!

It was fun. Usually, I just put on my headphones and plod along... the walks are always so crowded and I am pretty sketchy in big crowds, so I stay to myself. But yesterday, a really cool co-worker said, "Oh hey! Danielle!" and she and one of her friends and I ended up just walking and chatting the whole way. It was awesome. And I got to know Dalia a lot better... turns out, she's really neat!

After that, I was pretty cracked out. The Disney meet-up was at 7:30 in the morning (group photo!) and then I had to run around doing registration bullshit for about an hour. OH! And I had raised $555! (btw, if you didn't donate and you want to, I'm still accepting donations:
https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/mywebpage.cfm?pID=446979 )
So I came home and tried to take a nap... but the problem is that I promised JetFuel I'd come up and see Bugs's band play at Lucky Days and that was early (around 4pm or so). I didn't have time for sleep, but I tried to get an hour in before pulling myself together and heading up the hill.

A few vodka and Monsters later, I became the splendidly drunk person you see to the left. Bugs's band was awesome and it was so fantastic to hang with all the old Lake Hughes crowd, including Bonnie, Kelli, Nicki, and Jan... and, of course, JetFuel. I Love Love Love it up there.

Apparently, somehow it became a good idea to go for a drunken adventure in Jet's hot rod... BAD IDEA. Thank God we're not all dead now. After driving on a dirt road for a spell, the fuel pump broke AND the damn thing ran out of gas. So we're stranded. And then I mashed my left thumb in the door, breaking it. Buddah! (that's my new favorite saying, which means "Surprise!"... will explain soon)

Ben came and rescued us in his dad's truck. Hooray! Ben is awesome!

Here's some pee in the road:


When we finally made our way back to the bar, there were some lost PACIFIC CREST TRAIL BACKPACKERS! Holy shit! They were all, "ooh, bright lights" and came in to Lucky Days just because it seemed like a party. Wow, they were fuckin' RAD. Though I wouldn't realize that until today, because I was totally wasted last night and don't really have a good recollection of anything except eating a hot dog and Phoge's Cheetos.

And then the fight broke out. I don't really know how it started or what happened, but suddenly this guy gets beaned in the face with a fucking flower pot! He's spraying blood all over the place and it's a total mess... and by "it," I mean his face. But everything blew over fast and within a few minutes, Michelle had taken control of the bar, locked the doors and said, "OK EVERYONE'S EITHER IN OR OUT. IF YOU WANT OUT, GET THE FUCK OUT. IF YOU WANT IN, YOU BETTER BE HERE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME." It was great. She's such a strong bartender.

Needless to say, the hikers were very impressed.

Bonnie offered up her new trailer for the hikers and they slept there all happy. Yay, happy hikers.

In the morning, Jet and I had a very official mayoral meeting and took care of a lot of business that needed taking care of. Great work, mayors.

But pretty soon, the call of the breakfast burrito was too great and we had to get our butts over to The Rock for some breakfast. We picked up our hikers, Bonnie, and Bugs, and all went over to the Rock. Deeeelicious. And Kelli brilliantly recommended that we buy our hikers breakfast. Man, they're some funny guys and it was so great to hear all about why they started doing this, what their takes on it was, and stuff like that. Totally wonderful. And we told them all about Burning Man and Lake Hughes and showed them all over Lake Hughes and Lake Elizabeth. We showed them Jet's hotrod and windmill.

And Jet asked a very good question. "What makes you tick when you're not hiking? What do you like to do?" and they all talked about stuff... Evan was into Formula One and airplanes, so Jet and he hit it off right away. Ben REALLY wanted some In N Out burgers because he'd heard of them and how incredibly good they are. Phoge was really into Disneyland and we started talking about Club 33 and Ben and Evan were stunned that anyone could be as into Disneyland as Phoge was.

And then we were off! We went down into Lancaster to check out the Blackbird Yard for Evan (planes). Jet rattled off incredible amounts of detail and facts about the planes. Incredible stuff. I can't believe he keeps that all in his noggin.

Next stop was In N Out for Ben. Yes, just look at how incredibly excited he is! He's like Jesus at Christmas!

Outside, it was time for me to go home and call my mom in China, so I gave everyone hugs and unearthed one of my prized possessions: my napkin from Club 33 at Disneyland. Phoge was stunned. "You're giving me this? Seriously?!?" Hell yes, I was. I asked him to take photos of it in exotic places along the path and send them to me when he finished the hike. I may never see those photos, but he was so happy.

It all felt so good.

And then I came home and talked with Mom for Mother's Day, all the way over in China where she's teaching English until July. I miss her so much and it was great to see her on webcam. So yes, it was an amazing weekend. Totally amazing.

This is him. I'm completely sprung on this guy. Everything about him is so awesome. At least, everything I know. We just spent well over 24 hours together, going to Disneyland, having cocktails, having brunch, driving through the mountains, and seeing "There Will Be Blood." I don't know that I can get tired of him. He's so... twisted, but also quite exciting.

But at the same time, I'm so worried that he will somehow stop liking me. I've gotten attached too fast... it's only been two weeks and yet everything feels like we've been together for months. We hang out so comfortably, always joking around, and then sometimes talking about serious stuff, and then switching to what we'll be doing in the coming week. As I left him tonight to come home, I thought of how I just wished I could spend the night with him. But I know that's absurd. I mean, we just spent ... geeze... lots of time together and we probably should spend some time apart. We're not siamese twins.

He even made sure we went through Storybook Land in Disneyland so I could see the dioramas (which are amazing, btw). I mean... who does that?

First, Farmer's Market and mexican food and margaritas. Then, we went to the Museum of Jurassic Technology today and had a great time. What an amazing place! And he dug it too, which is pretty amazing. If you've been to the Museum of Jurassic Technology, you would probably know that anyone who doesn't like that place will probably also not like me. But he was fascinated. And we held hands and looked at dead mice on toast and such. And then he kissed me... really kissed me... as we were watching a movie about the origins of the Museum of Jurassic Technology.

The rest of the day was great. We had cocktails at the Arclight and watched "Be Kind, Rewind."

And now I'm home and I miss the sound of his voice. Isn't that weird?

So, I met this guy through a dating site. He's cool and very funny. We've been emailing for a couple weeks, I always look forward to his emails, and we make each other laugh. A lot. All the time. I almost peed my pants last night from laughing so hard.

But things have been really platonic between us as we get to know each other. We first hung out on Tuesday and it went splendidly... just laughing and sitting across from each other and making jokes about inappropriate things like killing children and watching "Two Girls, One Cup" (maybe even at the same time, but that hasn't explicitly come up).

And then, Thursday, we met up for a beer (he lives about 8 minutes away, so it's easy to call and say, "let's go") and again had a great time. Again, hug, but nothing else.

And then last night, we went out to the Tonga Hut (tiki bar in North Hollywood) and we kept touching each other's hands in conversation, and again, total hysterical laughter, great conversation, and general great times. And at the end of the night, when he leaned over to hug me, he kissed me on the cheek. And then I turned and kissed him on the mouth, just a peck, and then we both awkwardly did the sitting equivalent of looking at our feet, and I mumbled something about having a great time and he mumbled something about seeing me tomorrow, and then he evacuated.

I love this pace. It feels just right on so many levels. We're not springing into bed or careening off of a cliff together. But I can't deny that I like him. I tend to drive this stuff forward like a horse late to deliver an urgent message in the old Westerns, but he doesn't seem that way, and I have to say, it's such a relief. It's so hard for me to control myself, but if I'm kept in check by his speed bumps, it's easier.

Anyways, gotta get ready for the day... today, we're going to the Museum of Jurassic Technology.

Well, the people have voted, and they voted Spoons!

I'll be announcing the new category over at my Grilled Cheese Blog.

By the way, if you want to do some search engine optimizing for me, you could put that above link somewhere on your favorite links. You know, just so people come to recognize me as the Grilled Cheese Authority that I am. heh heh.

You decide!



Reposted from http://www.grilledcheeseblog.com

I guess on the bright side, I didn't re-break my arm (thank goodness for my little brace). Diva pulled me over in a wild attempt to kill another dog, and I fell directly on my brace, and scraped the hell out of my knees. They're really bloody pulps and hurt like motherfuckers.

Am I really just the kind of person who's always banged up in some way or another?

... also two functional arms?!?!

This girl!

I got my cast off yesterday, and my wrist is still pretty messed up. Sadly, looks like it won't ever get better. On the plus side, there's this: http://linein.org/media/screencleaner.swf

http://www.okcupid.com/death

Last time I took the test a couple years ago, I was dead at 79. I've pushed that to 82.1.


WHY YOU DIE?
56% heart attack
24% ulcers/bowel toughness
13% overdose
5% drowning of the lungs
2% wounds

Hmm... heart attack. I seriously doubt it. My cholesterol is low, unlike my Virginian relatives. I don't eat meat for the most part, and I live an active life.

How do I combat bowel toughness? Fiber? Vitamin E?

What about you? How are you dying today?

Ho ho!

It's been a while... and it'll be a while more.

But a brief update:
1. Got over bronchitis
2. Broke arm
3. Russell dumped me
4. Got over Russell
5. Moved into new place (actually, friends moved me in. I just pointed)
6. Got personal computer
7. Hooked up with cute bike boy
8. Got over cute bike boy
9. Fell in love with Slab City and a bike gang:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/normaleigh/sets/72157604023429528/
10. Diva got in a brawl and lost

Other:
1. Working like mad. Really.
2. Still not smoking. I think I've really kicked it.
3. Cast comes off March 11th at 2pm
4. Dive bar night at Frolic Room:
http://losangeles.tribe.net/event/Dive-Bar-Friday/los-angeles-ca/b4236a86-b374-4ca9-b4a6-e108535ce739

Ok, thx, bie.

 Wow. What a weekend!

So, yeah, I went to the hospital yesterday and found out I don't have pneumonia (yay!) but I do have bronchitis (ugh). The doctor gave me a breathing treatment for my asthma, some antibiotics, and some predisone. I'm sad to have to take the prednisone, since it's terrible for one's liver, but I also don't want to feel like crap all the time. And the sooner I can get back in the saddle again, the better.

Speaking of "in the saddle," I GOT LAID. Ok, so that makes it sound a lot more one-track than it is... I'M TOTALLY SPRUNG OUT ON THIS HOT GUY (yes, the one from Friday). We discussed and we're ok being public with this information (I was hesitant, given Gigsville's incestuousness)... Russell. He's so awesome and soooooo hot. I could roll around with him for days. Raor.

He petted my hair and we watched movies when I was sick. awwww. And he made me a mix cd (2, actually) that I left at his house this morning as I staggered out of there, trying not to leave, but also trying to leave. You know how it is? Yeah. It's like that. Anyways, he's smart and funny and so hot I just can't believe it. And he's got tattoos. And piercings. And he's so sweet.

*swoon*

Ok, enough about that. I've got to get to work. :-D

Though my fever is gone, my lungs seem to be getting smaller and smaller. This morning, a chorus of whines kept me awake as air traveled past my irritated upper lungs. I can't walk a block without getting winded (ordinarily, I can walk fast for about 4 miles before I think about feeling tired).

So, I'm going to take a shower and drive my sorry, sick ass to the hospital. 

I think it's just a symptom of the physiological turmoil that my body is going though, what with the quitting smoking, the working out, and now, of course, the sick. Everything is kinda out of whack. But honestly, I'm still very cheerful. Aside from being really sick, I have an awesome thing going on... My job rocks, my place (when I move in) is gorgeous, and I've got the most wonderful friends in the world. And personally, I'm making lots of positive changes, like quitting smoking and signing up for a Wilderness Training Course. And SMOT (Secret Masters of Task) are very supportive and awesome. (what is SMOT? I can't tell you... elsewise it would just be MOT)

Right now, I'm drinking a big cup of coffee before I motivate to get the shower on. Mmm. Coffee.

Ever since I was a little girl, coffee has served such an important role in my life. I've been drinking it since I was 11ish (with a lot more milk then), and I wasn't the least bit surprised when studies showed that coffee has a bronchio-dialator effect on asthmatics. I guess we always are drawn to self-medicate ourselves. And that's why, when I woke up wondering why a chorus of demons was crying so loud, I decided to get up and fix some coffee.

Ok, enough with the posting to livejournal... I figured it would be something productive while I was drinking my coffee and having my toast. Wish me luck!

DAMN IT! I got sick. You know that thing that everyone has... you know? with the coughing and the gurgling in the throat and the fever? Well, I got it.

I wasn't sure I could make it through last night. When I'd wake up, I'd be shivering so hard I could barely re-arrange the blankets. My hands just wouldn't do it. Finally, I zipped myself into my sub-zero sleeping bag (and I'm in my footie pajamas, which are really warm), and took a hell of a lot more nyquil. It seemed to help, and I feel mostly better today.

The pain's still there, but the fever seems to be gone.

Well, on the bright side, I never even care a bit about smoking when I'm sick, so it won't even cross my mind. :-)

And on the double bright side, I've got a hot date tonight with a guy who's totally ok hanging out with a sick girl and watching movies!! YAY! *wiggle* yay, hot date!

I had decided not to date anyone for a while, after MattShaw's and my terrible attempt at dating. I just realized that I wasn't ready to settle down to the degree that he seemed to want to (I'm still into, you know, pouncing around all over the place and getting shit done. He's taking it easier these days.) and then I wondered if I really ought to be dating at all.

But a couple weeks ago, I decided I was ready and this awesome guy (who will not be named) kind of showed up on the scene, so I've got a date! hoooray! 

The thing I really had to work out for myself, though, was that the other person can't necessarily inspire me to do all the things I want to do. You know? Like, if I want to go camping, I'm not going to wait for the other person to arrange that, I'm going to get out and do it myself, even if it means going alone.

Ok, now it's time to take the Diva for a walk and get shuffling to work!!

Thanks for your support on quitting smoking, yo!

I finally did it! I went a full 7 days without smoking (the first since before I did the AIDS Lifecycle). Believe it or not, I'm totally craving-free. I think this is mostly because I haven't been drinking more than one drink either at home or out, and I haven't been anywhere that other people are smoking. Other times when I've tried to quit, I end up giving up after a few days in a fit of drunken spontenaity.

So I decided not to drink more than one drink (if I'm having a drink, which I usually do every few nights) until I've quit for 90 days.

I also started working out Every Day.

And, like I said, I'm not hanging out with people smoking.

Between these three things, I've barely even noticed not smoking. It's kind of like it had been a convenience thing of a certain kind of atmosphere... you know, at a party or hanging out at the bar, if there's a pause, just having a cigarette.

Now, it's only been one week. Since many of my friends are really heavy smokers, I don't know if I can not hang out with them for 90 days so I can stop smoking. And I don't want to ask them not to smoke.

Well, so far, none of them have called to want to get together anyways. They seem completely absorbed in their Brewery life and only remember who I am when I show up at their house. So it's kind of a moot point.

Back when I was looking for places to park my corral, I was driving around La Crecenta and such. One of the funniest things I saw was a "Warning, Mountain Lions Have Been Seen in this Area" sign directly above a "LOST DOG" poster. I wanted to write in marker "answers to 'Snack'" below the photo, but it seemed cruel.

To that end, I've written a Point/Counterpoint piece for your enjoyment:

POINT: Warning, Mountain Lions Have Been Seen in this Area
Raaaaaaahhhh!!!! I'm a MOUNTAIN LION! I'm huge and powerful. I prowl the streets day and night, just looking for a tiny dog or cat that can't run as fast as my powerful, made-to-kill legs can carry me! Rooooooaaaaarrrrrr! I'm sleek and beautiful (sometimes a little mangy, but nothing a quick mani-pedi and a trip to SuperCuts couldn't fix) but I'm DEADLY! Nothing really scares me, and I'll even go after a jogger, if they look small enough. Heidi? Oh sure, I'd take her.

COUNTERPOINT: Lost Dog
Yip! YIP! Yip!Yip!Yip!Yip!Yip! Yip! YIP! Yip! YIP! YIP! YIP! YIP! *crunch*