a brain fart

No, I didn't forget about this space reserved just for me in Cyber-land, I've simply failed to update all those times I reminded myself to. I'm actually quite busy on the cellular level.

Busy indeed, planning a wedding in 230 days. And I can't believe it's almost been one year to the date that we even got engaged in the first place. I think it's actually given me too much time to plan. I am ready! I'm not sure I can wait any longer!

Our little kitties keep us busy too---especially the little one, Prudence aka Copycat, because she's that typical little sis always following in the much larger footprints of her big bro, Mayfield. Albeit he doesn't venture around as much as his curious companion, he prefers to plop down on his side about ten seconds after entering the room/changing sleeping positions/playing. It seems the only time he's energetic is when we're trying to sleep and he's trying to capture whatever it is that's moving under the blankets. Prudence, however, is always ready to play....especially fetch. Now, we're not sure where she learned this amazing little trick or if she's just confused about what kind of domesticated animal she is. She's also the most vocal little lady I've ever heard. Whether she's hungry, lost her ball or trying to grab Mr. Mayfield's attention, she'll let you know all about it.

Other than that, I've been trying to motivate myself to get out more, but the subzero temperatures are not helping! Part of it is that I actually like being alone and having alone time. I find it very peaceful to just sit and read a magazine in my own space. Or play guitar. It's going to be hard to leave the apartment we're in, even though it's a mixed bag...good things v bad things. Good being the cheap rent, the amazing amount of space, the only place I've known as home other than my parents' house. The bad being the geographic location (the scenic yet torrential Paris Hill, where you can experience the harshest of all elements in a day), the outdated electricity, the basic falling apart-edness of the house. Oh, and one more to tip the scale...just found out that my downstairs neighbor is a two-time, checked-the-facts-out-online, sex offender. *Sigh*

Okay, on that topic...I realize that perhaps there were extenuating circumstances that led this guy to get charged, albeit if he's guilty or not. But the fact is, it makes me uncomfortable and I already felt like he was a seedy character, even just based on looks alone. Not gon' lie. I judged a book by it's cover and I feel that familywatchdog.us justified my convictions. But the problem here is that you can't discriminate. He's married now and that was 8 short years ago. So what if I don't like that the only song he plays on the electric guitar is Carry on My Wayward Son by Kansas, he pays his rent on time so we're stuck with him, rapist or not.

Anyhoo, that is my update for the time being. Happy new year!

It's beginning to look a lot like...that time of year I hate.

Snowy, snowy day here in the wonderful Upstate NY region, you know, you know just a little south and little east of those wonderful Great Lakes. It's very beautiful, I admit, looking out the big windows in the aforementioned house that I am sitting for again...the backyard is all blanketed in white, and it appears to be extremely blustery. I find it nicer inside. It's cozy here with a blanket, a cup of tea and I Love Lucy on the tube.

Other than that, not too much else is happening here other than SNOW. Tonight, we're supposed to go see Anthony (formerly known as BFF), Harley and Vinny perform at the Tramontane Coffee Shop as Draculatron. Plus I get to see my lovely Duchess G perform tonight for the first time. That is, if we're not snowed in.

Last weekend we went to the annual record fair and scored big!! $80 bought us about 50 records, including The Beatles' "Revolver", some CCR, alot of Clapton and Cream, unfortunately too much Dylan for my taste, Johnny Cash, a Simon and Garfunkel when we thought there couldn't possibly be more, and, the first box of $2.00 records that I began pawing through, I found an amazing 1986 'Til Tuesday album!!!!! Wooo! Aimee Mann in her punkish phase, with white-blonde hair and a rattail braid to match. "Welcome Home" is simply fantastic. She has yet to fail me. (Ok, "Superball" I said it.)

So, that dreaded holiday season is upon us and sorry to surprise any of you out there who didn't know I'm a total scrooge! I suppose it doesn't help that Travis and I are torn between families and each other. Being a scrooge, of course, doesn't mean that I can't have 90% of my shopping done. And on a budget!

In speaking of a budget, how would I go about selling my skills at being frugal and wedding planning on a budget, ebaying, secondhand store owner...? I need some sort of snazzy title or catchphrase...

Dryer buzzed, gotta go fold some clothes!

Well you just might find...

It's Friday afternoon and I am house-sitting for Travis' parents, one of my favorite things to do. I find myself in a sea of delicious yet low-fat munchies, the kind that are always too expensive to buy...endless bottles of red wine (if I like red wine, that is...Travis lucks out) and a wonderfully big bathtub...Okay, technically I am cat-sitting but their princess Fiona isn't quite keen on her catsitter, moi.

But right now I'm in the basement in the midst of an unproductive workout...Hey, I did 10 whole sit-ups on the big purple ball...I'm in between reps. I got to wandering and found Travis' old brown rug from a previous apartment that will cover-up those beer stains in front of the couch quite nicely...I also came across some maps, maps are so interesting to me...places I've been, places I haven't been and incidentally that question that's been lingering in my system for quite some time now...where will we live once we're married? All the choices, all the dealbreakers. Lake effect snow? Con. Potential hurricane/earthquake/war? All cons. Big City. Con. Lack of social healthcare (there, I said it)...CON. In looking at the maps of the great ol' US of A I found a whopping 6 states...will it be Vermont? New Hampshire? New York? Montana? Wyoming? Colorado? And don't forget about America's hat...CANADA!

On another note...I'm really excited to see Jon Stewart tonight! He's speaking at Hamilton College and we have tickets. I'm also really excited to wait in line for a speaker at Hamilton College and actually get to see said speaker. Four or Five Novembers ago, I waited in subzero temperatures to get to see Bill Clinton only to be turned away.

Alright, back to those fab-ab sit-ups.

My Bubbies!!!!!

Dear Prudence...

My Mr. Mayfield...

It's not the end, just another road in the bend.

Well, well. AOL certainly has a way with their customers. If their infamous advertising scheme of '06 didn't vote you off the island, get ready to pack your bags...and don't forget to take your journal along for the ride!

This Egg can now be found at http://myeggiscracked.blogspot.com/
And where can I find all of you?

I'm not sure I want to get all sappy here---at least I have the last 5 years all backed up now. I guess all I will say is that this journal, this body of work, is my pride and joy and biggest accomplishment to date. I've laughed, cried, made amazing friends, used as a weapon, broke up, broke down, left to inevitably return...
Though most importantly, I have made tangible the memories of my past. Travelling, each New Year, life decisions, random rummage sales, death of a president, unofficial lists of Marissa's favoritest things ever, losing love, finding love, shoe counts...and not to mention the randomness that would have never been documented if it weren't for a little ol' blog that I call m'Egg.

Yeah so. Slightly sappy. Sue me, I have ovaries.

there she goes getting all political.

I don't know what it is, but lately I've been confronted with questioning my own political views. Could it be the SNL skits that shows the debates true colors, the mockery, the hilarity, yet the utter hopelessness of it all? Or could it be the TWO candidates that are supposed to represent each side of the spectrum, yet forgetting everyone and everything in between? Bipartisan? Why not Pan-partisan? People from all across the board, representing the many different beliefs that a melting-pot such as we encompass. But no. In this world of having any type of fast food to choose from, we only get TWO choices for who we want to govern our people. RIDICULOUS! So all us Nader fans are considered to have "wasted our votes" by voting for someone we truly think could the job, and do it well. So all us Nader fans can sit on the sidelines and watch as yet another chump gets elected to make too much money for his own cause (and his own class), while crushing everyone else under his big, authoritative boot.

GIVE ME SOME TRUTH!

In case you were wondering, my election selection is a Republican't. And a Democan't. Non-partisan.

So what's a girl to do? Move to Canada in hopes a benign government and socialized healthcare is all it's cracked up to be? Move away from my roots here in NY? This area is beautiful, all I've ever known to be home...yet I'm not sure how strong my attachment is...I called Dublin home for sometime, but if given the choice, I'd say Ireland was home...namely the rural countryside, as opposed to Dub's traffic and low-grade "thugs" with stupid haircuts and sweatpants tucked into their tube socks. Oh, and vomit and dog shit all over the sidewalks. Definitely not home.

Italy? Live out all the romantic ideals I have of that place...our life together would be one long date...Travis, Italy and I. Talk about roots, this Fiorentino is possibly meant to go back home.

Here in Upsate NY. Good ol' Utica. Home of the world's largest watering can (thanks Mayor Hanna!), the half moon, the tomato pie, outrageous gas prices. My family. My grandmas, and my brother & sister's, and my sister's pup's. Travis' parents. Our friends. Our commonplace. Uprooting.

I'm not sure how to approach this contradiction, the girl who always longs for flights of fancy, the desire to travel...to escape. The girl who is equally apprehensive and embracing of shifts from so-called normalcy...

In constant search for some sort of contentment in all of those things that make me uneasy.

another quick one? that's what she said.

First of all, a big SUCK! to not having internet at home anymore. But a big YAY! to not having an annoying neighbor anymore.

But other than that, life has been, in the words of Larry David, pretty, pretty, prettaay good. Travis and I are thoroughly enjoying our happy little fam, especially the middle of the night purr-fests...although not so much the knocking over of a certain cactus, and the other houseplants.

I must hit the dusty trail for now, to go home for the evening (finally), that's not to say I won't be back to tell you all how to find me again...