madrona

Seattle would be so, so much better with the Volvo. Rather than moving several people place-to-place per day (most importantly, transporting myself), and serving as an adventure mobile, it rests, lazily, in our garage. If I were that car, I'd probably be so relieved for once. But I'm not. Instead, I miss its unconditional good times and transportation and have to depend on the King County Metro (AKA: Public Bus).

The nice thing about having your own car is that YOU get to choose exactly where you go and who you share your space with. However, public transportation doesn't exactly offer those luxuries. Instead, you must find the appropriate "bus stop" and await its arrival. $1.25 and you can go just about anywhere in the city. And if you remember a transfer, and make use of it within the next few hours, your return trip is paid for. So, the bus is cheap. But you pay for it with the amount of germs you pick up, and the strange people you must withstand in close proximity.

Thus far, I have already experienced some outré (bizarre) people...

Most recently, a man boarded the bus and began digging in his pockets for bus money. The bus driver, irritably told him, "You need to have your money ready before you get on the bus. We aren't leaving until you put your money in the machine, Mister."

The grungy, un-shaven man paused and replied, "Hey man, you just calm down. I've got plenty of money right here in my pocket. You just wait a minute. I'll put it in your little machine-doo-dad. You just stay right there and hang on and ever'thing is gonna be ok. No worries dude. See, here it is. I've got hundreds of dollars actually, Mr. Bus Driver. There ya go sir."

He eagerly took a seat near me and continued, "Ya know, life isn't hard. People just make life hard. Ya just gotta be. There isn't nothin' in this life that is worth gettin' all worked up over. People just make things worse for themselves. I mean, I just live, and everything is good for me..." -And he kept goin on like that.

As he kept rambling on about his self-assuring philosophies of life, I pretended to be ignoring him while examining his appearance from the corner of my eye. Other than his normal ho-bo-ish, torn, dirty clothes, he had an inner pocket that held a can of beer with a straw in it (probably for easy access). -No wonder "life isn't hard."

Also, this last week, I noted a handi-capped man with what I thought was just a bottle of apple juice in his little motorized wheel chair. -Upon closer examine of the ORANGE JUICE bottle, I realized it was urine.

And then there are the sick perverts who like to use full buses as an excuse to grope innocent girls. "Oh, sorry, let me just reach directly across your chest so I can hang on to this handlebar... Oh, woops, sudden jerk, sorry about having to grab on to your... Umm..."

"Yeah, mister, that was my boob!"

Riding the bus is posh.

hello mr. cello

Myself and a new comrade, Jason, legged our way to the "El Corazon" for a concert last night. One of the ugly things about living in the city is that when you have to "go," there is no where. We went into a McDonald's and there was a security guard next to the bathroom and he said we each needed to make a purchase before we could RELIEVE ourselves. So, I bought two small fries, and we were granted permission to the bathrooms. -I guess that complication explains why, while walking around, I am often overcome by a strong, urine odor. I mean, homeless people can't afford fries just so they can pee indoors.

Anyway, after walking quite a distance, we made it to the club and stood in line to be frisked and pay admission. Inside, was completely black, just like all of the patrons. I'm pretty sure we were the only ones not wearing all black. The opening band, "Eyes of Fire," well-represented the crowd as they yelled into the microphones, at the full length of their vocal chords, "IIII HAAAATTEEEE YOOOOOOOOU!" We were fortunate enough to be at the very front of the stage, directly under two large speakers.

At the end of their performance, the drummer threw his drumstick out into the crowd. It ricocheted off of the hardcore fan standing near me and fell to the ground where I bended and snapped just in time to snatch the drumstick. The darkly dressed girl, with a lisp, angrily murmered, "oh my goth..."

Several minutes later, the crowd began to woop and holler as the group members of Apocalyptica filled the stage. There were four cellists and a drummer. They lacked vocals, but made up for it with their electric-orchestral sound. They re-did songs like "Nothing Else Matters" and other rad, heavy songs. -There were parts where the whole crowd sang along, so I'm pretty sure they are popular songs, but I'm not very adept when it comes to screamo.

Yeah, so I am officially bad-ass and I am bringin' out my black apparel.

electric koolaid acid test (subject)

My roommate and I decided that we need to make some extra cash, and as I have not yet been contacted by Hot Dog on a Stick, I opted to go down a different avenue. I found an ad in "The Stranger," a local newspaper that targets the younger generation, that read something like this:

18-20 YEAR-OLD WOMEN CAN EARN $$$

Women of all ethnicities wanted for a study on social interactions between men and women.

Will be paid $10/hr up to $40.
Call Project WIN at (206) 685-3125 for more information and to determine eligibility.

So, I dialed the number and after answering a few questions, I "qualified" for their target research group. The lady made me an appointment for the following day and gave me directions.

The next day, I took the bus to the U-District (University of Washington area) and located the large, uncharacterized building. I took the elevator to the fourth floor and found Suite 441. A small plaque read, "PROJECT WIN". Next to the door was a doorbell and sign that said, "Ring doorbell for entrance." I did so, and within moments a younger lady answered the door and inquired, "Are you here for the 1:30 appointment?" I nervously said, "yes," and she continued, "My name is Kim and I will be your experimenter." She told me to take a seat while she gathered materials and other essential "experimenting" tools.

Within minutes she directed me into a very small, bare room with a big orange chair where I was to be seated. She began reading the instructions to me for the project and after I signed my name at the bottom of the disclaimer, she left me alone in the comatose room staring at a dull Dell. Hundreds of questions popped up asking me of my social habits regarding; ethnicity, sex, alcohol, friends, etc. When I was finished with the first section, I was instructed to "ring the bell." I did so, and the lady returned into my space of recycled office air and read me more instructions for the next part of the research. I completed three more segments similarly and then came the excitement...

I was told to completely engage myself as I read a "story" of a woman (supposedly, me) and a man, "Eddie." The story went on about how my friend, "Anita," hooked "Eddie" and me up. And after I noticed how I was drawn to his sense of humor, hotness, and other attractive features, we were left alone in a room. Things got a little "heated," and I was prompted to answer questions regarding things like my "arrousal status" on a scale of 1-6.

Click on the following links to read parts of the story: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 <--This is the best part, don't skip looking at these, they get better as the numbers increase!

I was also asked many other personal questions concerning my likely choices given that I was actually in the "hot" situation with "Eddie."

After enduring about two hours of silly, personal questions, I once again rang the bell and the "experimenter" returned with a checkbook. She wrote me a check for $25 and told me that I would receive a survey in the mail and upon completion, I would receive another $5! Haha.

So, that was the beginning of my career as a Professional Test Subject.

primary

Orientation is officially over. Softball try-outs are officially over. And so is summer. School begins tomorrow at 10 am for me. Woot, woot. Instead of thinking about all of the work and un-fun stuff that I must concentrate my mind on in the coming months, I'd rather muse over the past week... Saturday night, the school put on an "80s Dance." Upon first learning of the dance, I thought to myself, "Oh, how silly," and went into the "I'm-too-cool-for-that" mode. Well, after a little dorm spirit, I was convinced to attend. I rounded up my "Back to the Future" t shirt, put my hair in a side pony-tail, linked arms with my date (click here to see us), and entered the 80s dance atmosphere. We bumped to ABBA and "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and other fabulous 80s songs that I'm proud to say I DON'T know the words to...

My roommate, the famous Suzy, is here and we enjoy our Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Oh, and the big news of the week...

I applied to "Hot Dog on a Stick." Haha! Yes! The silly people in food courts that wear wacky primary colored (red, yellow and blue), hideous uniforms! So far, I have only filled out the application. Hopefully, I will soon hear whether I "got the job" or not. Here are some of my favorite aspects of the application:

Have you ever visited one of our locations? Where? Describe your experience:
I have been to several "Hot Dog on a Stick"s. However, the one that I have most commmonly visited, was the one located in the Westlake Center. I enjoyed the colorful uniforms, theme and even colorful ATTITUDES of "Hot Dog on a Stick."

Why do you want to work at Hot Dog on a Stick™?
I think my attitude and strong work ethic would fit quite well at Hot Dog on a Stick. I enjoy working hard and serving the public (with a smile). I believe that I could give a lot to Hot Dog on a Stick and its customers.

The uniform is our special trademark. Describe its appeal and why you might be drawn to it:
I love the uniform! It seems so fun and even a bit silly. People who are having a bad day can't help but smile when they see someone in a bright, cheerful blue, yellow and red outfit. -That right there is enough to make me enjoy the uniform. I enjoy influencing people's days to be good ones.

walking, just walking

Today was the first day of try-outs for softball. It wasn't considered an "Official Practice," but instead, a "Captain's Practice." -The only difference was that it was cut two hours short (yeah, luckily, we didn't have to do the conditioning today). Tomorrow, on the other hand, WILL include the two hours of conditions, so it will be twice as long in the 70 degree sun! -Four hours of softball with intense pressure. There are four other girls walking on. Two are returning from last year (givin' it another go), one from California, one who hit THREE homeruns today and about four at the bottom of the fence (she's probably going to make the team), and myself... From Sitka, Alaska, where we play softball for less than three months of the year (in the cold rain). Anyway, I did alright today... Nothing special, but just fine.

The team seems about the calibur of our good friends at JDHS. Seattle U even wears RED AND BLACK! -I might feel kind of dirty if I have to wear those colors... If I DO make the team, I will get lots of super cool gear! All of the "returning scholarship players" have like twenty t-shirts (in multiple colors), pairs of sweatpants, shorts, shoes, sweatshirts, you-name-it, that say "Seattle University Redhawks Softball." -I mean, really, that's why I'm trying out... Its all about the "gear." Haha.

In the event that I DO NOT make the team, I will get a job, have a more luxurious social life, and probably gain the freshmen fifteen... So, either way, a Redhawk or not, there are options...

small town vs. big city

After much internet investigation and research, I decided to take the bus downtown today. The ride there was quick, and despite the general aura of filth, enjoyable. I anticipated all of the stores that decorate 5th avenue and the surrounding area. When the bus arrived on 5th, I jumped off, and excitedly began walking what I recall as "left." I walked, and walked and walked. I managed to cover about six blocks and pass about a hundred hobos, until I heard a some construction workers gathered around an open sewer cover say, "Oh, yeah, we've got a lot of waste down here... It looks like dumpage from a meth lab." I then realized that I was in the one place my parents warned me not to go near; The International District. The INTL Dist. is known to have the worst crimes and gangs... Woops.

Well, I spun around in mighty morph time and began walking the exact way I came from. About ten blocks later, and I was one of thousands of other shoppers! Albeit I was among so many, I still managed to detect a few familiar faces; Robby Teas, Corey Teas, and the infamous and supposedly missing/dead, MARIO KLANOTT. Well, folks he's alive and... Not well. Greg reminded me that Mario was the who, in elementary school, tried to convince us all that he fout in "'Nam" (Vietnam). He and some other groupies were all sitting on the corner, filthy from lack of proper hygeine, with grocery carts filled with their possessions.

1 of 1.3 million

I made it through the first two days, and one night at Seattle University. The dorms are quite empty; there are just a few people on each floor as school hasn't really begun (only select athletes are here). I have already managed to make a couple friends; Stephanie (from California) and "Kaha" (from Hawaii). Supposedly, Kaha is short for some big, long Hawaiian name meaning something about breasts. (FYI: Kaha is pronounced like "AHA!", but with a K at the beginning... Well, that's how I remember it anyway.) I am also aquainted with the rad softball players. -They are not what I expected. I expected BIG, burly hardcore girls. However, they are all semi-small, petite, and very, very preppy. After finding out that I was from Alaska, one girl inquired, "You mean, you can play softball in Alaska?" And then seconds later, another girl asked, "Don't you only get like three hours of daylight per day?" So, I am working on educating these people, one at a time, how Alaska really is. -Maybe some day we will not just be known as the strange Igloo Area "next" to California.

As for dorm life... Well, the showers suck. The shower head is about three inches too low, so I have to do this weird neck, body bend thing in order to rinse the shampoo out. Its kinda lame. And the water pressure is SO intense, I think I'm bruised. Oh well, I imagine some people like rough showers...

And for entertainment... Well, all I have to do is look out my window and down below in the evening there is a Asian girl doing Tae Kwan Do... Or Kung Fu... Or something of the like. She has a sword, and a gown, and everything. HERE IS THE VIDEO!

Well, as Casey DiGennaro once said (in a frightening voice), "College is EEEEVVVERRYYYYTHING and MOOOOORE."

coollege

The last group of former high schoolers are finally beginning new lives of their own... Some people are most likely doing wonderful, great things, some are probably just discovering every single different kind of alcohol that is available in this country, some are finding that they are horribly homesick, some aren't sure why exactly they went to college, some forgot they even left home, and some are probably doing absolutely nothing. But from the "some" that I have heard from, here's where they are, and what's new with them:

Who: Kaari Stockel
Location: Alexandria, Virginia (Pretty much Washington D.C.)
Status: Kaari is finding out that, as a white girl, she is a minority in the capital of the United States of America. Most of the people she sees from day to day are Asian, Hispanic, or African American.

Who: Clea Will
Location: James Madison University in Virginia
Status: Clea is currently enrolled in EIGHT classes. One of which I heard is called (in pronunciation format) "Oral Skills."

Who: George Wathen
Location: Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado
Status: George went running the other day, and "the altitude kicked his ass."

Who: Emily Blair
Location: University of Montana in Bozeman, Montana
Status: Emily is now a brunette.

Who: Brianne Hanson
Location: University of Alaska: Anchorage
Status: Brianne's roommate is from "Tatitlic." And apparently it really sounds like "ta-TIT-LICK."

Who: Hannah Hutton
Location: Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Status: Hannah's favorite class is "Psychopathology." -Apparently because she can relate... Also, according to Hannah, "It is also becoming quite obvious that I am not "East coast" enough. While no one is mean, there is a definite distance between the traditional white, wealthy, popped collar girls and basically the West coast or international people."

Who: Danielle Cassedy
Location: Willamette University in Salem, Oregon
Status: Danielle is especially enjoying the train track that runs about 20 feet from her dorm... And also the treacherous sky bridge that she must cross to get from her dorm to the main campus. But other than that, she says "things are just wonderful."

Who: Jennifer Vallion
Location: University of Alaska: Anchorage
Status: Jennifer has been hearin' it all, up in the Northern part of our home state... She says that the walls are pretty thin in her dorm and she is well aware of her roommate and roommate's boyfriends' activities. Also, while she rode the shuttle, a crazy "black girl" from the basketball team said, "Hi, I'm Crystal. Don't mind my friend here. She's grumpy because her chlamydia just came back."

Who: Robyn Schlins
Location: Everett, Washington
Status: Robyn is still on crutches. (She attempted to learn how to skateboard before leaving Sitka.)

Who: Coral Pendall
Location: Bard College in New York
Status: Coral recently attended an "Underwear Only" party...

Who: Kristina Bidwell
Location: University of Alaska: Anchorage
Status: Kristina is taking a class called, "Introduction to Logic." -She is learning lots.

Who: Lauren Wild
Location: Brandeis University in Boston, Massachusetts
Status: Lauren is unreachable, but from what I hear she is "just being Lauren."

Who: Tawny Hoyt
Location: University of Montana in Bozeman
Status: Tawny needs to call me when she sees this because I have called her several times and her phone just rings, and rings, and rings, with no answering machine.

Alright, that's all I have folks... If you're sad because you don't have a personal update, well then you should have called me or something... But its never too late. Let me know what's up peoples...