penn

Revelation

All of a sudden, today, when I was walking around, I realized something:

I am a biologist.

It blows the mind, seriously. I'm now kinda anxious to get into grad school and learn even more.

The She-Mullet

The other day, we had a whole slew of people check in from some tiny Oregon town. Thankfully, I showed up at the tail end of it, so I didn't have to be here through the check-in craziness of trying to check in six or so rooms at once. However, I did have to deal with the needs of said people.

Two of the rooms were checked out to ladies with she-mullets. You know what I'm talking -- normal long hair in the back, but the spiky punk-rock, could have belonged to any 80's band look in the front. I'm not really sure why women find this to be an acceptable hair style.

Anyway, I had to take a coffee pot to one of them, which involves getting all sorts of little packets of stuff out of the crazy housekeeping back room. (the OCD little person inside me is screaming whenever I go in there. I'd like just one day to go in and oragnize the darn thing.) The coffeemaker thing wasn't so bad, but then I got to her room.

The Motel

I started working at the motel today. I also worked at the port, so I'm pulling a 13 hour day (and doing the same tomorrow). A little crazy, but it'll allow me to bank some extra cash.

I've mostly got the computer figured out, and I know how to fold laundry. I also find that my tech support experience -- especially with customer relations -- has come in handy. And, most importantly, I already have funny stories. But those will be other posts . . .

And Thoughts on Growing Up

You know you’re all grown up when you fall down, hurt yourself, look around, realize nobody saw it happen, and have to pick yourself up and continue on with the day.

Humans on Display

Crowds go ape over 'humans' zoo exhibit

about darn time, that's what I have to say. We may be different than other animals, but we're still animals. Y'know, the blood, brains, spinal cord, all that good stuff.

New Goals

I’ve started jogging, and even after only eleven miles it’s gotten much easier. Around August 7th, I set a goal to run 15 miles in August (one at a time), which means I had to run two days in a row sometimes. I had company last week, so I missed several days of running because we were doing other outdoor pursuits (mostly hiking, kayaking, and oogling the redwoods). Therefore, I have fourmore miles left to run in sixdays, and I’m scheduled to work both my jobs on two of those days (thereby leaving me not much time to run unless I get up in the morning, which I might just do).

I’ve really come to love running. I learned to enjoy the pursuit during high school, when my obligatory year of physical education came to haunt me senior year. I decided it would be strange not to graduate high school purely because I didn’t want to do a little exercise. Somehow, in the course of that year, I grew to enjoy running. I never improved much, but I did like what I was doing. However, four years of college seemed to get in the way of my pursuit, despite my best intentions each and every year to work out. This summer, however, I had no excuse not to exercise, what with all my free time. What else do you do in a small, coastal town when you only work 40 hours a week?

My new job will probably get in the way of the running, but I’m committed to finding ways to make things work. I’ve been setting mileage and time goals for myself, and I get little encouragement prizes when I make these goals. It’s actually quite exciting, because there are several things which I’d like to own but can’t justify just purchasing, since I’m trying to save up money for some potential pursuits over this next winter/spring (plans pending). But I’m quickly approaching that 15 mile mark, which means that I will purchase myself a season of the Gilmore Girls (or a camp stove; I’m still undecided). Then, the next goal is the ten minute mile, and I think that is definitely achievable while still in Gold Beach (right now, I’m at an 11 minute mile, roughly, which is quite an improvement over my initial start). Continuing goals include the 8 minute mile, 30 and 45 mile marks, and the ability to purchase new pants because I’ve dropped a size.

Thoughts on moving

I’m moving out of my apartment on September 30, since my job here will be done. Technically, since I now have a second job (evening/nights at a motel), I’ll still be here until October 7th, so I’ll be in Gold Beach but not in my happy little apartment. The thought of moving is quite bittersweet; I’ll be happy to be in Seattle, but I truly love having my own place where I can be completely alone.

Today, my landlord showed my apartment to a lady who is interested in renting. It’s strange to sit in my chair, reading a book, and listen to the two of them discuss the apartment. I know I’m leaving soon, but I’d like to maintain the illusion of this place being all mine for a little while longer.

Juno & Juliet

An absolutely wonderful, somewhat dark look at a year's journey undertaken by twin females. Juno & Juliet, by Julian Gough, starts as Juno and Juliet arrive in Galway from their native Tipperary and takes us through their first year of university. Unlike many college books, this one does not focus on classes, studying, and other minutia but rather discuss life occurences from Juliet's point of view.

Mostly, I enjoyed this book because of it's introspective portions. Gough comes up with some amazing lines, and I often found myself looking up from the book and delving into my own mind.

two examples:

Flamenco

Mark Taylor and his flamenco quartet came to Pistol River this weekend, and I went along with some friends. The concert was $15, which seems a little steep for the southern Oregon coast, but it was well worth the price. In fact, the concert hall (a quaker meeting house) completely sold out.

The music was absolutely delightful. I wasn't sure what to expect (and was secretly disappointed that they didn't bring dancers along). The quartet included two guitarists, one flutist who also did percussion, and one percussionist. Percussion varied, but it mostly included palmas (hand clapping), tablas (table drums) something like bongoes, and cajones. Far and away, the cajones were the coolest percussion; they are boxes that the performers sit upon and use to tap out the rhythm. The cajones got my feet going on more than one occasion, and I would have loved a dance floor.

The quartet was quite delightful, and I'd definitely recommend that you catch these gentlemen if you ever have the possibility.

A Strange Sign

I swear I couldn't make this up. This sign actually exists in Gold Beach, Oregon. I think the phrase "cleanliness is next to Godliness" is quite apropo here.