third or fourth post of the day! My neighbor and his bro just came over with a box of fireworks they bought in PA. nothing like a fireworks display in your backyard!

So, am I a day late? Am I missing some vital piece of historical information- as in, did we officially declare independence from Britain a day earlier?

I'm confused, why were so many places having fireworks on the third of July? Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lockprt, Niagara Falls Ontario (ok, well, it was Canada day and the Friendship festival was going on all weekend.. so perhaps that had something to do with it..)

Well, now that is is technically the Fourth of July, Happy Independence Day everyone.

Let me know if there is anything cool going on. Maybe there will be fireworks, say, on the Fourth of July? My plans are otherwise: clean apartment, get hair trimmed (maybe), gather school stuff and work on assignments, either super locally (Orange Cat) or venture a little further out to B-lo (Spot). But thats all during the day..

For your reading enjoyment: I provide you a link to the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies: nope, I didn't write it.. a bunch of guys did; not sure who they are.. ;)


more charters of freedom:

and

"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness), it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government."

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), from the Declaration of Independence

hmmm ,gets me thinking..

I am so intensely tired today! The weekend definitely caught up with me. Not all bad, but I have an apartment to clean and school work to complete..

forget all that!

I think I just need to get out of the house before I fall sleep. again.

So, a movie sounds good. I am going to go to (finally) see, An Inconvenient Truth at the Dipson theater on Main Street-- near UB south campus

7:00 pm come! (see you there, (e:chico) ? hahaha)
(MAP TO: 3500%20MAIN%20STREET%20AMHERST%20NY)


alright peeps, call or text me; (deleted)

...gotta get my phone up and running in this mobility stuff!

more info on movie: (e:theecarey,166)

see you later
~carey

drink it.

I find the idea of drinking a glass of ice cold lemonade on a hot sticky day to be a pleasant combination. Never had been much of a fan of the yellow stuff. Yet the idea of it is appealing. Add to this sitting on a comfortable chair under the shade of the canapy, and we could find ourselves having an afternoon siesta. hmmm perfect.

Instead, I was downing glasses of water while repairing and rebuilding my outdoor gazebo/canapy, which was blown over sometime in the early morning. Blown over, into the neighbors yard, twisted metal and flaps, loose bolts and flaps of material intersperrsed with dirt and colorful body parts from flower pots that toppled over as well.

I arrive home this morning shortly after 8am. oh boy, I didn't expect to see the canapy relocated and upside down. Not sure where to begin, I decide to tend to the flowers, as their exposed delicate flower bits would bake in the sun. As for the metal heap, that would have to be delayed until I had help, and a few hours of sleep.

Literally a few hours later I woke to my step dad knocking on my door. He guessed I would need help. And so we set out to fix what the tornadoous* wind took down... (check carey to english dictionary)

The whole situation was absurd to me. We were bending metal back into shape, re bolting areas that came apart and trying to accomplish something with two people that really should have had four.

I found myself laughing. Whether it was from severe lack of sleep, a carry over from last nights excitement, or just my typical response to a challenging moment, I was having fun with this situation. I just kept giggling. I was lifting a bar up over my headwith one hand, holding another bar in place (in another direction) with the other hand and kicking my shoes off so I could pick up a fallen bolt with my toes all the while maintaining balance and composure. I nearly lost it with my building laughter.

My step dad says to me, "Carey, this isn't funny"

I counter, "yes it is" *giggle*

"no. it isn't," he insists.

I continue, "It is! its absurd! .. is there anything better than rebuilding something that was just put up two weeks ago?" I ask, sardonically.

he follows up with, "glad you think this is a riot"

And then, while he is standing on the ladder, while I am doing this amazing balancing act.. the connector piece (thats holding three bars) falls, two metal bars slip to the ground and the black bolt drops to into the abyss of long dark grass..

and he finally laughs, and I laugh even more..

sweat dripping down our faces, my step dad leaves for a moment (he lives near by) and brings back two red cups full of lemonade.

We sip and we work and walk the canapy back into position.

We have it pretty much wrapped up and I work on the finishing touches -- which includes pulling out a roll of duct tape.

"Carey, you can't fix everything with duct tape"

here we go again..

"yes I can" *big smile* (i am mildly obsessed with fixing thiings with duct tape-- even when something better, more aestetically pleasing or more appropriate is available-- duct tape is it!)

I've fixed my car, I've fixed leaks, I've used it to tie things together, and I will use it to piece back together some of these snapped metal rods. And so I proceeded to do just that...

Fortunately, I have learned to use duct tape in moderation; the canapy is still in its original beige. As I have learned to use duct tape in moderation, it hasn't morphed into a giant shiny gray mummy-pod in my yard, as with other duct tape induced projects and fun. :)

My step dad is happy that it is over and I am happy to have my little hang out standing stong once again. He leaves and I turn to my peaceful surroundings..

After a few hours of cleaning up after the wind/canapy fiasco, tending to my garden (deadheading!) and chatting with visitors.. I found myself sitting in a comfortable chair, in the shade under the canapy, sipping the remainder of my lemonade and thinking about possibilities...


Hope everyone is feeling fine today

~carey

Ahhhh!!!!!!!! I am watching Americas Hottest Amusment Parks of 2006 on the Travel Channel. Amusement parks are awarded Golden Ticket Awards for outstanding, fun rides. There are various "best of" categories, such as water rides, new rides, and ROLLERCOASTERS!! (to name a few)

I want to be the person who tests and evaluates the fun actor of various rides. I would like to specialize in rollarcoasters. I would take that job very very seriously...

W00H00!!!

so, there is this neat little theme park over in Sandusky Ohio, you may have heard of it.. hehe

I am ashamed to say that I have never been to Cedar Point! I used to order their guide every year and drool over the rollercoaster pictures..

Now I just go to the web site.
And watch tv shows on rollercoasters.. mmmmmmm

I need to go on this: (you do too)


oh oh oh yes yes yes ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh lets go!!!!!

Sometimes, like tonight, when it gets to be 2 am.. and I know I should be asleep, there is something within me that isn't allowing it to happen.

I havent actually tried to go to sleep yet tonight. I am sure I would drift off quickly... but occasionally it creeps me out to go to sleep, especially the later it gets to be. And then, my dreams get to me..

When its late, like 2am, I begin to hear, imagine and think about things. What do I think about? well, its not anything in specific... just some sort of psychological dissonance that I can't quite figure out.

Sometimes I am just silly. But not this night at 2 am.

Then when you have had a house full of people all evening..talking, eating, laughing (as the night wore on, laughing *really* hard) and then at 2am it is suddenly quiet.. its even more pronounced. I hear the kitchen clock ticking..

I hear the crickets and frogs outside..

I hear the neighbors cats playing with a bottle cap

I hear a late model car drive past my apartment..

I've locked the doors and have turned out most of the lights.; perhaps whatever I am trying to keep out is already inside.

I'd turn the music back on, but it doesn't help..

I am just kind of awake, just hanging in there until I can't keep my eyes open any longer.. No, night tea wont help.. my dream state will only be zanier! (e:theecarey,161)

Why do I have the urge to check under my bed and take a peep into my closet?

Its 2 am and my mind is playing tricks on me.

Ha

Lap top on lap and nose in the books as usual; good stuff but very heavy. My short mental breaks are bringing me to (e:strip); a lot. I also notice that when I am on a break/vacation from work, I become a serial (e:strip) poster. I think it has been everyday this week.


In less than two months I will be finished with school, which makes for a busy summer. There are multiple projects, papers, reading and working on thesis/capstone deliverables. You know the deal.

Btw, as promised, here is your weekly *thesis kick*, (e:paul) :)

It is imperative that I chip away at the school projects. This is one time that I can not procrastinate. I have gone as far as setting up a daily framework of expectations. Yeh, sounds silly, but I know that I will otherwise push everything until the last possible moment. Basically what this means is that I am aware of what I need to do and I broke it down into chunks of what should be completed each day. So far, so good; of course I allow for fun and loafing--but not much. This is the approach I intend to use straight through to the end of August.

But by all means, feel free to sway me into taking breaks, having fun, getting out and doing fun stuff (such as Friday bon fire at my pad-s'mores and mojitos, anyone?). I don't want to give up being ME.. I just want to make sure that my normal mode of operation (procrastinate then work fervently just prior to deadline) is not the driving force. If it were just one or two things due, you know I would be pushing it until then... heh.

So, right now I am on a short break from work. It is only Wednesday and I have accomplished a lot so far. My rickety car is an incentive in staying closer to home; sadly, day trips at this point are not an option until I get another (used) car --soon I hope, soon! Just today I took down phone numbers of potential cars.. *crosses fingers*

On the bright side, during this time, I am home catching up on everything I haven't had time for previously; such as laundry, gardening and cleaning out closets.
Oh, and grocery shopping. It is indeed as fabulous as it sounds! :)

On that note, my excursion to Tops- which is morphing into something I like- was entertaining. The store isn't entirely changed yet, but it is incorporating a higher volume of organic, vegetarian and neat-o products that I normally find exclusively at health stores. Hmmm lavender shampoo, vanilla essential oil and all natural face wash... and bulk lentils.

On my walk though, I picked up a jar of Chipotle Sabrosa Spread (basically, a spicy mayonnaise). When I looked at the label to read the ingredients, I noticed there is a "suggested usages" section on the label, which to my amusement (and maybe yours)reads as follows:

"Suggested usages: Spread 'em around! Use on sandwiches, veggies, pasta salad, baked chicken, fish or your spouse. Sabrosa!"

That's funny.

Pasta salad it is.

I saw a bush in my front yard moving and it scared me. Seriously. It wasnt windy out.. My front door was open and I expected Slayer (my pet name for aforementioned stalker) to be standing there. Instead, it was a porch full of eyecandy.

score. lol


My neighbor and his bros came over to invite me over for a drink,

shit. an Irish car bomb at tthat.

Oh and some SoCo and Lime. Dude, they make 100 proof. (e:kangarooboi) we have a date with that when you come home,!!!!hahaha--or before then.. :)


Yeh, so other than my semi ill fated attempt at my first Mojito of the season (jury is still out on whether it was spearamint or catnip)-- which was 12 parts club soda to one part rum (read: not *really* an alcoholic drink).. its been numerous months since I have had an appreciable amount of alcohol. Its really not my thing-- I get bored with all that easily.. but if its there.. yo, so am I.

Normally I leave it.. tonight I take it.

That mixed with my exercise regimine and strict eating habits during the week (it *is* only Tuesday), I was not sure what kind of effect a drink would have on me. As is, I am a light weight in that department. I never really drink much. What I drink in a year can easily be the amount that someone drinks in a weekend.

But it was cool. My brain ached from all of the school work I have been doing--

so why not chill for a bit?

hehe.

I didn't have much, but again, it was much more than I have had in a long time (and it still wasnt much). The primary effect that occurs when I have some beverages is that I become very lovable, much more than I already am. I am just a relatively happy, laid back person. I am very much still in tune with eveything.. I am just enhanced.. so yeh, I love you man, hehe. kidding.. But yeh, if you ever want to know stuff.. this is when you ask. But only ask what you want to know answers to! ;)

after a couple of drinks, we headed over to the Stone Jug. It was quiet, but the patio was very nice. How great it was to sit in the fresh air (ok, not exactly fresh, as there was a smoker in the vicinity, yuck).. and to overlook the Niagara River. It was sooo nice of a night.

i want to be in a boat. RIGHT NOW!

and my neighbor has a sailboat (which he is selling, darn.. ) and a big motot boat-- which needs some work (yeesh, get it fixed! this girl is jonsing for a boat ride!!) and a very fun jet ski, which I am pumped for going on, the next outing. YAY!

It is really just a consequence of living in this area. It is a big sailboat/ water toy area.. with the river and lake at the end of the street.

Level Regatta is in a few weeks..

Anyway, it was an impromptu fun night.

And since my brain is not ready to fall asleep or dive back into school work, I thought.. why not make a post.

later gators


ps check my last post on (e:sbrugger) 's last ditch attempt to sell his worldy belongs before he heads out to the the other coast. (*still* not buying a couch for my garage, friend)

Would someone please buy Austins couch, lol

Otherwise a couch is going to end up on my doorstep, with a bill of sale attached to it... as he insists my garage needs a couch, lol

My garage does not need a couch. It needs to be cleaned. It needs a lot of things.. but it doesn't need a couch.

Seriously though.. there is enough stuff to outfit an apartment!!

Contact him if you are looking for something. Seems he has a little bit of everything. Microwave, table, full bed, couch, fan, (cats!) etc.. You need this stuff, or you know someone who needs this stuff... He's moving and won't be taking it across the continent with him! (and I wont be putting a couch in my garage!! haha)

((while I am at it..I am even selling a refridgerator and stove. I am not going anywhere.. just manage to find myself with extra kitchen appliances?))

I should have a garage sale. I need to clean out.. I think I have enough stuff for a sale. Not really sure... If I decide to pull one together, it would probably be successful, as I live in a prime spot of Y-Town for a sale. Its been years since I have had a garage sale. Maybe someone would like to join in on it with me? I have a big yard, long driveway and the requisite garage...

Anyway..hellp the frazzled guy out.. go to Crazy Austin's Mad Sale..

(e:sbrugger) has enough stuff... buy it all.

the sale ads:
(e:sbrugger,43)
(e:sbrugger,44)
(e:sbrugger,45)

On a recent visit at my mother's house, we were in a conversation about my favorite toys and activities as a child. I still have some of my cherished belongings and it has been years since I have looked at any of it.

She took me to the part of the basement that stores these fun artifacts. It seems that I have about twenty treasure filled boxes, but we only rummaged through two of them. She has been threatening for years to drop them off where I live (not that I had any extra space). Now that I have ample space to store stuff and that so much time has passed, I am kind of excited about this excavation. I am sure to find toys, school papers, notes to friends, pictures, and all sorts of remnants from my past, until I was 19 years old.

I intend to be selective in what I keep and will toss the rest. I am sentimental at times, but I am not a "pack rat". I think a few good picures and a small sampling will provide plenty for memories in years to come.

I brought home a handful of toys. I never cared much for dolls. Admittedly, I despised them. Instead my favorite toys were stuffed animals, matchbox cars, army men (I called them Marine men, as my dad was in the Marines. I was taught that they were so much cooler than the army dudes), Fisher Price Little People, and anything that I could use to enhance my creativity- house hold items such as boxes, garbage cans, sheets, rope, spoons, etc; things that castles, spaceships and jungles were made of. The large back yard and woods behind it provided me with many hours of imaginative entertainment.

My toys were rarely new as we were pretty poor (I never really felt it though..)Most often they were second hand from family friends or purchased at garage sales. I never knew this or cared. As I reflected upon my absolute favorite toys and moments with them; my mom told how she acquired them. I don't have a lot of those items any longer; but toys that I had as a kid were ones that I had for a long time.

I took very good care of my belongings (unless someone unknowingly gave me a doll.. then,well off with their hair!) and I am surprised that what I do have is in as good of condition that it is.

I hope to find pictures of the items I no longer have.

So what I did find so far..

These were big in the mid 80's. My late friend Mike and I were big Garbage Pail collectors. They really were warped and gross. Wisperin' Woody and his cigarrette butts, and Ronnie Reagan, haha. I have a pile of them, here are a few.. remember these??



















I split my head open when I was two years old. Obviously I had to go to the hospital for some plastic surgery. I was annoyed with the doctors that they made me lay at the end of the bed, as opposed to the "pregnant ladies" side of the bed, where all the pillows were at. I was tired and just wanted to go to sleep. I couldn't understand why no one would let me doze off--either in the car ride to the hospital or while I was lying on the bed. Ofcourse, I know it was to keep me from slipping into a coma.

Later that day, just before being released from the hospital, my parents bought me Mongo, this thumb sucking monkey, as I was quite fond of my thumb as well-- and for many many years to come. I loved Mongo dearly. He now resides with me, sitting on a shelf in my office/exercise room.




CO2 wooden car we made in 7th grade shop class. Very cool.. mine kicked butt in the end of project race.


My beloved kitty, given to me at about two years of age. I still have it on my bed, next to my infamous stuffed turtle, Bob.


Mom made this horse for me, as a Christmas gift. I think I was around four years old. I believe it was a popular type of toy back then, and she decided to make on for me as opposed to buying somehting. I played with this a lot. It is in great condition! I brought that home with me as well.





This is a Whooly Woo. What exactly is a Whooly Woo? Well it was fluffy and cute, and all I needed to love it.


This little poker game machine predated my time, but I always played with it.


hmm, thought I had pictures of the little people and a few other items.. must be saved to the other computer.

Now, I must ask..

What was your first gaming machine?

I had an Odyssey 2. It had two contollers and a flat keyboard. Played games such as KC Munchkins Crazy Chase (just like Pac-Man, but more fun and cute looking. Odyssey was sued for this uncanny similarity), Helicopter Rescue, Wall Street (yawn!), Crypto Logic (a word scrambler. You put in the word, the system scrambled it, your opponent tried to figure it out-- it kept tally of guesses. Imagine all the dirty things we came up with..) and a really cool car race game. Not bad for the early eighties..

Then I skipped to (original) Nintendo.. and a few others. I still have the Nintendo. The Odyssey was tossed out or stolen when my car/apartment/car port was broken into a few years ago. The other systems are no longer around as well. I wouldnt mind something to play on, but I like playing on the PC.. who knows, maybe I will find something. Yeesh, there are so many toys and gadgets I want..

I am stil very much in tune with my playful, creative adventurous side. It comprises much of who I am and how I deal with things. Some of my interests are expensive, but mostly I am able to do a lot with very little. It just takes a little imagination.. a sense of humor.. and the wonderment of exploring life.