Curious Notions

is because they’re still my favorites.

“Nothing is better than the unintended humor of reality.” – Steve Allen

We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations. – Anais Nin

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.
- Alan Cohen

The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
- George Bernard Shaw

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.

- William Henry Channing

Brandi calls me earlier this week suggesting the three of us (Jessica, Brandi, and I) get together soon since we’ve been slacking with Brandi all moved to Smithville now. So we managed to schedule Friday night to get together (the first time since March) and “share how horrible our lives are going.” I love Brandi’s enthusiasm. Well, it’s Friday and I just got a text from Brandi having to cancel because of work.

I really am seriously bummed. I miss my girls. But what makes this a sad story is that I’m also relieved that I can spend more of my Friday evening at work.

P.S. Indiana Jones sucked. This is coming from a big Indiana Jones fan.

P.S.S. Priceless was adorable and light.

I need to find some more joy.

I’m there! Bought my ticket. It’s kind of pricey for a book signing at 46 dollars but the book’s included.

BookPeople is very excited to be hosting Chuck Palahniuk at McCullough Theater (2500 Robert Dedman Dr)! Chuck will be interviewed by Sean O’Neal, editor of The Onion A.V. Club, followed by a reading of his latest novel SNUFF. Q&A will follow. The event will be raunchy, insightful, hilarious and just what you’d expect from someone as wonderfully bizarre as Chuck Palahniuk. He’s even brought some very special giveaway prizes!

Tickets are $35, and are available through UT Performing Arts Center online (www.texasboxoffice.com) or by phone (512.477.6060). An autographed copy of SNUFF will be free with each ticket!

Plus, the first 150 people to arrive at the event will receive wristbands allowing them to get their copy of SNUFF and up to 2 other books personalized. Doors open at 6PM, so get there early!

BookPeople will be on hand at the event selling Chuck Palahniuk’s backlist titles – all autographed copies.

Be warned – this performance is not suitable for younger audience members!

I’ve been slacking on recording new things of the week and movies and posting pictures. I have been doing new things weekly and have been watching movies and taking peektures. I’ve just been bad.

Last week, Roomie and I tried out a restaurant he drove by on 360 called Dragon Gate. It looks like it might be a little modest hole in the wall but you walk in and can’t help but me impressed by the size of the place, the ambiance and the decor. Nice. Sushi was pretty good too. Roomie liked that the waitress called him honey. Overall, a surprisingly pleasant experience.

Movies? Of note, I saw Iron Man not but a couple of days after it came out. I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars. I don’t really know anyone who hasn’t seen it yet but if you haven’t, stay to the very end.

Sunday, Dave and I saw My Brother is an Only Child. Italian foreign film. Really good but somewhat depressing. A family caught up in rivaling political parties. Workers and Fascists. The two brothers active in opposing parties. Good drama. 3.5/5. I just wasn’t in the right state of mind to watch that heavy of a drama.

I think it’s funny that Sex and the City has become a popular event. I already have two invites. One to Alamo Draft House opening day requesting that you dress up as a character. Second is Kate’s Wine & Cheese & Sex and the City party.

Did you know my first time recording weekly new things was July of 2005? I’ve been doing this for nearly 3 years now. I think I’ve only missed 2 weeks in the past 3 years.

I haven’t done anything scary since the Brazilian Wax but this weekend I might go to a Roller Skating Disco Birthday party. I really really REALLY don’t know how to roller skate. Shitbags. Maybe I can find some disco armor.

I had kind of an emotional day where I got caught up in something I shouldn’t be caught up in. Resulted in me being distracted, quiet, angry, anxious, disillusioned and a little withdrawn. My supervisor asked me if I was feeling “frazzled.” My coworker asked me if I was okay because I look “dazed.”

So I finally just told them I felt weird.

I mean I’m not pregnant but they just gave me the urge to pee in a cup. And wrap a blood pressure cuff around myself. And yes, even take my temperature and measure my waist.

P.S. Our office’s running joke is that you might be pregnant if you’re not feeling well. Regardless of whether you’re having sex or not.

My little brother graduated yesterday. My mom and dad were in town for a few hours to see him walk. They’ve only closed down shop now 4 times in the last 15 years. My high school graduation, his high school graduation, my college graduation and then now his. We had a fun family meal with Nino and Nisreen then it was good bye. It felt weird to be sad and happy at the same time. I’m extremely close to my parents. I haven’t been completely honest with them this year and that’s enough to make me cry, but I don’t.

I’m having an odd Sunday. I’m on the receiving end of a pair of cold shoulders, aching a little for my parents, accidentally picking a depressing matinee with Dave, and finally depressing life discussions with Dave. I haven’t even had lunch yet. All this is enough to make me cry, but I don’t. I called my dad on the way home from hanging out with Dave. He tells me he almost cried yesterday when he saw me walk away and then drive away with my brother.

“Daddy, don’t cry!”

“I didn’t! I’m a man. Men don’t cry.” He laughs that laugh I love.

That’s enough to make me cry, but I don’t.

“You just seem always busy. And I look at you and talk to you and you’re not always fully there. You’re tired. Maybe sad.”

“Daddy, I’m not sad. Mostly, I’m tired.”

“Sleep more! Take care of yourself.”

We say good bye and that’s when for the second time in my life I can hear him cry through his words on the phone. That’s more than enough to make me cry, and I do. At least I managed to wait til he finished hanging up.

I’m now at work by myself. Locked in. No one can come in as I have the only key card.

And I haven’t stopped crying.

This is his email to me. He sometimes sings to my voicemail as well. Awwwww.

Subject: the visitor! you’re priceless!!

dear sunshine of my life, i was lookin at movies at da arbor and i found one called “The Visitor” check the trailer out:

http://www.fandango.com/thevisitor_94700/movieoverview?date=5/18/2008

i think it’ll be good! what do you think?

sunday at 2:30?

my second pic would Priceless. will prolly be dumb, but cute i guess :) that one plays at 2:40 on sunday

ooo la-la,

davey

How can you be sad if you’re someone’s sunshine?

Where’s mine?

I’ve been exhausted from work again. A coworker, who is almost as overwhelmed as me and I decided to stop being negative about our current overload of work. I think our words were, “Let’s be joyful,” and “Let’s be more positive.”

Difficult feat when your mind and body are so exhausted at the end of the day and then again when you wake up.

Today on the way out of the gym, I ran into one of my ex-boyfriends for the first time in three years. We were together for four and miraculously never ran into each other in this town. I’ve been told we were in the same bar at the same time a couple of times but my friends have always maneuvered me around so that I was none the wiser. Three years later, I run into him and I didn’t even recognize him. I just noticed someone squinting at me as if he knew me and wondered, what’s this dude doing? I guess my eyes finally flashed with recognition because he then waved.

Nino said he would have acted angry if he was me. I just find it amazingly funny I didn’t recognize someone I used to do stuff with and thought I was gonna marry.

I awkwardly waved back.

I was talking to Jen T. today and we were talking about how she’s moving away from NYC for school and how it almost makes her wish she never went anywhere so she didn’t have to say good bye to anyone or any place. It kind of dawned on me that that’s a growing lesson I keep learning. Goodbyes are inevitable. Isn’t that thought a little depressing? I know it’s life and all, but shieeet, man.

Speaking of goodbyes, this is my view from a chair in our leasing office today when I put in our notice to vacate in the beginning of July. I loved/love living here. The view was nice to come home to, the area is grown up and quiet, I was 15 minutes away from work, and the poolside view was breathtaking.

My roommate wasn’t half bad either.

Anyway, I’m officially apartment hunting.