yay ben folds

Um AWESOME!!!
More tomorrow...

-post from my iphone!

my lenten offering. (?)

I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do this year for Lent. I feel like in the past, if I've really thought it through, I end up giving up something that changes me for the better. Maybe I get a better handle on a fault or gain perspective or something. But it's helpful. Worrying. Carbon. Over-scheduling.

I thought about beer and then thought better of it--for me, it's not something that would make a difference in my life. Well, maybe my waistline. :) It is still on the possibilities list for another time, and perhaps I'll drink less anyway just because, but still.

So, then I was thinking...and one thing for sure is I'm giving up disposable paper products as much as possible. I don't think it will be 100% this way, but I can try. But even that seems like something I should do anyway.

And yesterday I'd decided to give up my temper. I have one, y'see. I credit my father with gifting it to me--and I say credit and gift half in sarcasm, but also half in gratitude. For as much as it gets me into trouble, my temper is also a huge blessing for me. It is why I am passionate about environmental issues and social injustices. It is why I have been able to make some hard decisions and stand by them. And for that, I am so very, very thankful.

But recently I've found that my temper isn't, well, very tempered. I go from zero to irate in 0.4 seconds, and that's just not fun for anyone. But then again, much more often than not, my being upset is warranted. And productive.

except then, maybe it isn't...it felt a little like I was justifying. but I couldn't tell which side I was on.

so I was pondering this last night, and then I was reading the last of the items for our final Bible Study, and I read this--it's a Franciscan Blessing.

"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done."

I especially like that last one, PS.

And even though I'm thankful for it, I'd never though of anger as a blessing. But it IS.

Anyway. Right now I'm not sure what I'm giving up. My temper is still something that needs some soothing, but maybe it's Carrie as a whole that needs some. Maybe for Lent I should take care of myself. Maybe for Lent I should give up words that I wouldn't say in church. Maybe for Lent I should learn more about social injustices and join the effort to rid the world of them. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

we shall see.

oh and:
tonight: ben folds! and miniature tigers!
tomorrow am: test #1. :( I'm such an irresponsible student. ;)
website: funny but mildly offensive if you don't like the f*** word. they don't actually write it, but they do allude to its use.
iphone blogging: I bought blogpress.

more later!

testing, testing one-two-three

This seems simple enough. Here's the sugarcane pic I took when I wasn't supposed to!


-post from my iphone!

and now the hotlanta pictures!

beer and rings and structures and buckhead and ranunculuses and brick store and yay!

this is the way we blog from our iphoneblog from our iphone blog from our iphone

so early in the evening...

on our way back from atlanta! we had SOOO much fun. got in super late Friday, slept in Saturday and then went to thrift stores, saw paste magazine's building and found out how buckhead got it's name. We also visited this awesome jewelercalled worthmore that had some really pretty opal rings. they showed me the ones at their other store but none were quite *it*and one didn't have a picture. They emailed it to me and it looked promising too! We also went to the brick store they always talk about in paste. Then Renee and I went to the supercool dekalb farmers market and I got some cheap spices and tea and olive oil! And took a picture of sugarcane even though I wasn't supposed to!

Today we visited the church where Renee serves as director of music. At the end of the service the guy in front of us turned around (to give me a very nice compliment on my voice!) and said realized that he knew matt 'cause they went to high school together! Crazy crazy!

And then we had brunch with Maggie (yes the kd!) at a place called sweetmelissa's. And we went to check out the opal ring and I loved it and I'm wearing it right now :) the end. Home in an hour and a half we hope!

a little message.

"When you can look beneath their behavior that hurt you, and you can see the frightened child - it becomes nearly impossible to be angry and carry a grudge."

I get these messages in my inbox on weekdays and it kind of sounds silly, but they are such a positive thing. I am SUPER glad Patty told me about them. :)

i think i need an algorithm.

or, alternatively, an al gore rhythm, yes? which is apparently an actual thing, either mocking his mannerisms (is it just me or did he get a lot more animated and human-like after he was robbed of his office decided to focus on the environment?) or something about his campaign's success graphed out or something about an actual dance move or something about a youtube video showing his green accomplishments. uh-huh, right. I just like the clever name. 'specially 'cause it's nerdy AND punny. my very favorite kind.

moving on...

back to my algorithm...I think I need one. for dresses. I am attending...lessee...at least eight weddings where I'll need to wear a dress (i.e. not one I'm photographing) and with those there are at least...five more times I'll need to wear dresses for rehearsal dinners. also, of these groups there are three weddings that should have essentially no overlap--no four--del, betsy, leanne and sydney. it's a small small world if there is. and then four of them will, but I should only be attending one of their rehearsal dinners. and anyway...I told matt yesterday that I will probably need some complex equation to figure out what to wear when and in front of whom.

don't get me wrong I don't care THAT much...but I also am going to get damn tired of my awesome green dress if I wear it to all of them. :) it's already seen a rehearsal dinner, two weddings and gone to a wedding with jennifer...

right. these are the things that go through my head when I *should* be thinking of, oh, my air testing homework and facility lists, ha!

ooooh AND--any of y'all live in the dallas area? I'll put this info on my photography blog and website, but I can think of quite a few of y'all who read this...and well, when I go in town for Leanne's wedding in July, on Friday, July 3rd I'll be doing some mini-photo shoots. Keep an eye out on the blog for details. I already have two of them taken and it's only been official since yesterday! woohoo!

"in the morning when the sun rise, look in the water, see the blue sky"

as if heaven had been laid there at our feet.
~conor oberst

I am thankful it is friday.

I am looking forward to tomorrow, because Matt and I have fun plans involving beer and organization. And maybe some valentine's day fun.

I get my girl scout cookies this weekend!

And my garage is going to have real actual storage.

And I am choosing not to stress out about work. And I like that.

Additionally, I am kind of in love with this camera I rented. And with how amazing it makes those lenses I own. And with my new programmable thermostat. And with the paper orchid and the hope sign I bought last weekend.

I am also excited about photography. I have some fun stuff happening. And I am in need of some opinions. If you are up for opinion giving, let me know. Perhaps I shall reward you with a thank-you print. :)

off to bring George some Subway. He and his awesomeness leave today, and that makes me sad. BUT I will see him in...forty-five days and Tonya and the rest o' the Frys will all be there, so I'm pretty pumped. :)

february is a winter month.

so, I know all the people in raleighwood are thrilled about this unseasonably warm weather. I mean, the sun is shining! It is warm enough for shorts, or at least flip flops. I am not wearing a heavy puffer coat! Hooray!

Except, um, yesterday we were one degree away from matching the previous record high. And that's never good (records either way aren't good, but at least if it were cold it wouldn't be an unseasonable one). And that word explains the problem. unseasonable. out-of-season. we aren't SUPPOSED to have weather this warm in february.

It just...it says all sorts of alarming and worrisome things to me. I can't be happy for the warmth and the spring-like day in midwinter. All it makes me do is think of things like climate change. and global warming. and trees migrating (yes, they can migrate). and plant's life cycles. and it's freaking me out.

moving on.

so, whoever told me that participating in a CSA was super expensive was TOTALLY telling me lies. Dude, it isn't. I found one that is $12 a week for a couple AND she emails out every week and I get to pick what I want. Could it GET any better? Seriously. Signing up and mailing it out tomorrow--I've already printed out the forms, I just have to get an envelope!

Also, I've decided I'm having a little eco-conundrum. I am going to get that iphone, right? My current cell phone is three years old and I bought it used, so that's good. But cell phones are HUGE sources of waste. HUGE. And I don't exactly need it. I want it. It will be very useful, but still...it kind of makes my skin crawl to think of the wastefulness. I mean, I'm totally going to get it. My budget told me it starts to be okay as of tomorrow, but...well...yeah. Gotta find a way to offset. Because all of the water and metal and plastic and scraps and transportation from the production of the iphone...I don't even want to think about it. Le sigh.

"there can't be good living where there is not good drinking."

~benjamin franklin

I keep forgetting to pick up my sheet that lists all of the beers we tried. I know we had Bell's Two-Hearted Ale, Hoegaarden, Boulevard Wheat (imported from OK), PBR, Kennebunkport Apricot, Redhook ESB, Tire Bite Golden Ale, Grolsch, Guinness, Seadog Blueberry, Schlitz, Abita Jockamo, Kona's Coffee beer, Negra Modelo, Carolina Brewing Company's Groundhog's Day, Heavy Sea's Winter Storm, a beer by Blowing Rock, Carolina Blonde, Eliot Ness (From Jennifer Lee!), DogfishHead's 60 minute IPA, Dixie Blackened Voodoo and then some people had Miller Lite when they got impatient. :)

That's A LOT of types of beer. Three past where we got last time, so I'm super impressed. We had a lot of fun, toasted Jennifer Lee and her brilliant request that started this whole idea, and then began drinking.

We took breaks for yummy cheesy meatballs and entertainment and cheese and meat, and then got right back to it. And we even got to send people home with beer, it was definitely win-win.

Here are some of the pictures I took--I actually took one of everyone with the schlitz, but I didn't want to put 'em all up. I found the little glasses at target (I looked at 2 thrift stores and kmart to no avail!) and the words on the cups are little static cling affairs that are awesome for labelling cups! We had a good time with that. I was President Geek. Matt was Confused Genius. But Betsy's was pretty hilarious--one side said fabulous (or another positive adjective) and the other said passe--so she'd turn her glass accordingly. Oh and that's our vase o' beer caps--clearly, not all from last night. There are projects planned! and I liked the reflection in the bottom of the bowl--Christy was an amazing cleaner-upper! People stayed waaaay longer than we had anticipated, but that's just 'cause time flies when you're having fun. :)

If you missed it or we didn't know to invite you, fret not, there will be more and we'd enjoy the pleasure of your company--just let us know!

u can't touch this

or maybe you wouldn't want to...

okay, so there have been all these throw-backs to the 80s going on recently. some aren't so bad--I mean, I love Carebears and Strawberry Shortcake, though I do wish they'd teach the chick-a-dees a history lesson and let them know that they've been around for a while, but okay fine, fine. they're cool. And I wish Jem would come back. and I heart jelly shoes. but moving on...

WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE?

apparently they are called zouave pants, after the baggy pants worn by French infantry troops in the 19th century. and the look vaguely familiar to me...

I'm pretty sure even MC Hammer himself does not want to see any girls wearing these. Ew. (and if you happen to own a pair and happen to think they're cute, then please feel free to prove me wrong in my assessment of these alarming zouave pants. what the hell does zouave even MEAN?)

something less fashion-oriented soon. promise.

first fryday in feb

tonight I hang out with the fry boys. I know you're jealous. :) turns out matt and I were both hallucinating and george got her TODAY not yesterday. gracious sakes alive.

yesterday I went to fedex to pick up my rented camera, and can I just tell you, that thing is FANTASTIC. the lens is pretty rocking too, but I might get a different one. but WHOA. I was like a kid in a candy store figuring out the settings. fortunately gobi and hazel are good subjects. :)

also, I am stuck on the song "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects.

and last, but absolutely not least, if you haven't seen it already you NEED to go here. right here. right now. and check out my first post! :)

alright, time for pizza, beer and the fry boys!

thank ye computer gods

so, know how I complained about my dell? like, A LOT? well, together Matt and I have it working!!! I did the hardware, he did the software. Who knew I could install a hard drive? And troubleshoot? TWICE! (okay honestly it's not that hard)

but yeah!
xp-check
firefox-check
office pro-in process
picasa-in queue
itunes-in queue
photoshop-in queue

I have never used this word before but you know what? WOOT! :)

steelers, cups, cookies and plans

so, I never told you about the FANTASTIC super bowl party that lara and kevin hosted. they are BIG Steelers fans so it was pretty amazing. That and lara cooks yummy yummy things. and imports smiley face cookies.

Matt made pigs in a blanket and other people brought things and Lara bought 4 feet of bread for our sandwiches. for reals. mmmmmmm food. We got to have leftover meatballs with spaghetti and bread the next day. We enjoyed the commercials, we yelled at the amazingly gigantic television a lot and celebrated the fun. :)

Also, I saw this on my way to work from class on Tuesday.

And yesterday my mentor/boss and I had our last lunch as mentor/mentee. I took him to Piper's to show him my pictures on the wall, and I was SUPER SUPER excited. 1. Piper knew me by name and spelled it correctly. I felt like a "regular." 2. My boss was tres impressed. 3. They have finally stopped using styrofoam cups, and are using these guys instead. Yesterday was the FIRST DAY for the new cups. How fortuitous! And how much better for the earth! 'cause, y'know, styrofoam is bad.

Otherwise...
-George comes in town today. That's Matt's brother.
-today I am officially acting as ghg guru all by myself. my boss is out and so is my co-coordinator. I am a tinge nervous about the 3pm conference call.
-Bible Study tonight, yay! It is a very heart-warming and thought provoking experience.
-I need to order those business cards. I keep getting halfway done and having to stop. Boo.
-This weekend I will try my hand at maternity photos. This pleases me. :)
-And this weekend we are having a smallish get together known as Beer Tasting #2. Thank you again, Jennifer, for your inspiration. All of the founding attendees will be there, with some superb additions. I am pumped, 'cause it is going to be amazing. (and if you didn't get invited fret not, we just didn't know you were interested so let us know for next time!) Expect pictures. And extra good ones at that, 'cause my camera is being cleaned so I rented the ultra-spiff one I plan on buying this summer!

"the mind is everything. what you think you become."

~buddha

This weekend was...let's go with interesting. Friday night I worked late, late, late. And then we had an out of town visitor from DC coming to have her pictures taken on Saturday--I had only met her twice and that was briefly--she's very nice and I like her, but it was a little like having a stranger in my home. Or maybe a distant cousin. She played pool that night and had some down time while we went out.

Matt and I went to go celebrate J's birthday with "the group." It was nice to see everyone, especially the out-of-towners.I have to say, it was kind of weird to be one of only two girls wearing jeans (the rest were in dresses), but what can I say, I'm a jeans girl. :) We started at the birthday girl's place and moved over to a three-story bar on Glenwood, and on the way Matt and I grabbed some chargrill since we hadn't eaten. It was like a haven for cops! We met up with everyone and got to chit-chat and all. I was definitely among the more sober people there, which can sometimes be a bad thing, but this time wasn't at all. :) Some people were especially chatty, and it was nice to catch up with them and hear what was going on in their lives.

Oh AND I heard something kind of neat from Dave--I was saying how Mike didn't even recognize me in my glasses and Matt had reminded me about how the guys were like "who was that girl in the glasses?!?" when I went to the St. Pat's party nearly two years ago--and how I thought it was funny that that was what I was known for. And Dave said--well, look around--how many girls wearing glasses do you see? (none) You're the only one who has guts enough to do it.

that made me smile.

Sat AM was full of Chapel Hill pictures, and it spilled over into the afternoon too, but I didn't mind--we got some really fun shots and I think she'll be really happy!

And then we hurried and scurried to the house of the wonderful Andersons! Can I just tell you, little Davis is ADORABLE. He gives the best little kid hugs and plays peek a boo like a champ! After he went to bed (way to set that 19 min record, Patty!) we settled in for some adult conversation and some scrumptious fajitas. carne asada. cilantro. guacamole. mmmmm.

oh yeah, and mexican beer!

I have to tell you, though, the best part was just talking. Just sharing our lives and thoughts and opinions. And hearing quotes like the one that's my blog title today "the mind is everything. what you think you become." ~buddha

And I have to say--all of the decisions and conclusions I've come to the past few weeks about who I am and who I want to be and what I want to do and how I want to do it--kind of can be summed up in that nine word quote.

And when I googled to find the exact quote (the end of which is on patty's necklace) I also found this--"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."

I think I'll just remember that one too.

And move on with trying to just breathe it all in, release the negativity and to only be me. I'll let you know how it goes.