The funny thing about growing up on your own is that you learn independence from a young age. While generally a positive attribute, it can have a negative impact when it comes to relating to people on a personal level; hence my emotionally reserved and self-sufficient nature. This is a by product of viewing many horrors as child, having people leave and fending for myself in many areas of life. Although this could sound like a caveat to a life story of dissonance and the makings of a lifetime movie, it is more about awareness, appreciation and the perpetual desire to live each day with quality and excitement.

When you are estranged from most of your family, you learn to not talk about them and eventually redefine who and what family is. I cherish my friends and although I do not always demonstrate that sentiment, I consider them my ‘family’.

My sister and I experienced many of the same ordeals during our formative years. How each of us dealt with these issues lent to significantly different lifestyles and perspectives, and eventually our estrangement. I use experience and mistakes as fuel for learning and direction. I will not give in, give up or sit life out when it goes bad. I seek no entitlement or source of blame. My choices, how I deal with things belong to me. My sense of humor and the ability to find the positive in a situation, albeit a bit warped, vulgar and twisted, are some of my best tools in dealing with life.

I have gone many years without so much thought of the family that is scattered throughout the planet. I haven’t seen nor heard from my father in sixteen years, my sister in over two, and the list goes on. It has never been a surface issue, as I focus on the future and rarely dwell on situations I cannot control.

However, a new friend had engaged me in a conversation about family. Most topics are open territory with me, and while this seemed foreign, I felt no major discomfort. We had realized that our lives have many parallels, which led us to talking about family. He had just reunited with his mother and father after many years of zero communication. I thought this was fascinating and had many questions. The idea of reconnecting with some of my family did not seem an immediate possibility but perhaps an eventuality, after I did some research on where they might be. Later that night I logged onto the computer, as we wanted to check something on Map Quest. I also checked my email and found an email from a person that had a vaguely familiar name; usmc67. In opening the email, I was astonished to see that it was from my father. How freaking weird that was. I had not talked about him in many years, and just moments prior had engaged in an in depth discussion about him. I was more weirded out over this than actually receiving the email from him.

And so, in these past three months we have been regularly emailing each other and it is a bit surreal. Today I woke to an inbox of a ton of email from friends and.. family. My father, an architect and web designer, put together a birthday website with pictures of me, along with birthday designs and included a guestbook for people to sign. Apparently he has been compiling a family tree and has sent been in contact with numerous family members. I had people send me messages that I had never knew existed, a few I haven’t seen since I was a child and even one from my sister. I am really not sure how to feel, but it isn’t a bad feeling. But this is was perpetuated this post.

Its been quite a year with gaining entrance and since starting my graduate program, making a slew of new contacts and friends, learning to experience more from an emotional standpoint (but I am still quite skittish) and just being more aware and compassionate.



Alas, I must end this, more on this topic later. Timika just walked in the door, my friend Lynn is here, I am sure my mom, niece and step dad are sure to follow.

I will resume more thoughtful and reflective posts in the near future, as returning from vacation, getting back into the work schedule, and engaging in all this party business has left me with minimal mental energy. So on that note:

Yes, it is true, I am celebrating my birthday and so, mark your calenders because on Saturday September 17th at my apartment, a fabulous affair is in order.
(e:ladycroft) [inlink]ladycroft,67[/inlink] has already provided a heads up on this festivity. I believe directions have been included.

The low down:
1. Get in a car and enjoy the scenic half hour drive. (e:alison) had a brilliant idea of a bunch of you carpooking. [inlink]alison,70[/inlink] Go for it!

2. Dress in layers, as it will be a gorgeous 70 degree day, but the night will be cool, which brings us to the..

3. Bonfire! I have a yard, plenty of parking and lots of room to move. When was the last time you had an authentic over the fire S'more? yum.

4. Plenty of spots to squat.. fun for all but safety too. Bring a pillow :)

5. A luau, Tiki theme. Although planned for a mid freeze-your-ass off winter party, I bought into the idea for my Birthday instead. Think torches, semi tacky decorations, huts (tents), Hawaiin Punch ;) and ...

6. Food. All kinds and lots of it. Come hungry or come for just munchies.

7. A spot will be arranged for dancing, jumping around and howling.

8. The doors officially open at 6:00 PM, but come earlier or later.. just come! No excuses!!

It would be fabulous to chill with everyone from (e:strip) in my neck of the woods. Mix in a few more friends, classmates, coworkers and we have a very cool gathering for my 30th.


P.S. Should I have cake?

I am open to all ideas and suggestions

9/11

the e-strip student loan count needs a boost.. where and how do I add mine????

My first post including pictures. (e:paul), I might need your help :)

The process of the illustrious pinata bashing began with a purusal of found objects up and down elmwood. Bicycle pieces, eating utensils, random toys and other questionable material were fair game for said pinata decoration. Can't have a naked pinata, can we?




The body. Never knew how much pinatas pooped, thankfully a used shower curtain served as pinata pooping paper.




Another unknown fact not listed in the Official Guide to Caring for Your Pinata, is that they are pissy little creatures that plot nefarious schemes when neglected. This picture taken moments before the traumatizing blood bath/poop slinging began. Documentation of such events were left out of this post; the images alone would entice deep psychosis. I read somewhere about Axis 1 Pervasive Post Pinata Production Disorder. (I still wake up screaming, laughing hysterically, drooling.. whether any correlation here, well thats still being analyzed).




This Kamakazi Pinata was dressed and ready for a beating. Bets were that it would crumble with one wack, but the super poop that (e:ladycroft) used to hold this creature together proved us all wrong. More than a dozen e-peeps, at various stages of debauchery, took turns wacking at it with a stick.







(e:terry) creatively securing the rope


































Ahhh, busted at last. The inside of the stubborn pinata full of tasty delights, including the now infamous, Intense Sensation condoms. Those barely hit the ground before everyone pounced on them! Don't let them expire, kiddies. (that would be 2010 and sad),
Or something may happen much like what is depicted in the giant poster in the really cool room at (e:pmt). Such horrors should be kept in the basement that which it was found! (babies, spider monkeys and clowns scare me)




Plenty of evidence, I mean, pics depicting the adventures of (e:ladycroft), the total on (e:theecarey) camera hitting close to 150. I know (e:paul) had quite a few as well. A few more to wrap it up:




cheers! (e:ladycroft) and (e:paul)


chillin: (e:ladycroft) and (e:alison)


(e:ladycroft) with my favorite casanova (e:terry) (memories of dancing to the key of goat)


SWAK! Birthday girl and (e:drchlorine)


not in jail (yet): (e:ladycroft) and (e:theecarey)

Good times for all..Even the odd delay inwhich we, (e:ladycroft) and (e:theecarey) stationed ourselves at various points along elmwood (one of which included my doning a grass skirt in front of Kunis) and Timika down the street hanging on the street corner. The looks we suffered through.. so funny.
Eventuallywrapped it up after 6am. Hope we didn't make too much of a mess. Thanks for coming, little things mean so much, ya know :) A special shout out to (e:pmt) for making it happen!

Hope all is well!
Carey