Friday, April 29, 2005

My VW Days Revisited

I grew up in a "VW" family. My parents first service van was a VW Bus, we had a yellow bug, another bus, and a VW Thing.



I remember driving around in the Thing and seeing other VW drivers. We'd wave excitedly to one another as we passed. Something about VW's - at that time the new bugs weren't out - having one, driving one meant you loved them and when you saw someone else with one - well you had that common bond. It's not like driving a Ford Escort or Chevy truck... they're are fewer and fewer old VW's on the road. Anywho... that's the only time I'd experienced that sense of.... community amongst car owners (although I think it exists with everyone who owns classic cars) until now. There are loads of Elements in TX, so I never had this experience there, but up here in MN there aren't that many. Three times now, when I've passed another Element I've been waved at and smiled at. It's nice. It reminds me of the old days, toodling around town in our Volkswagons. :)
Ironically enough I had a conversation with Stephen, back during spring break, on the long drive to Fargo. He had taken out all of my cars books/manuals and was reading through them (Stephen digs vehicles). I also had one of the selling books.... the ones that show you pictures and detail the features of the car. He made the comment that it was interesting that Honda was appealing to the "Bug people." - to which I responded "Huh?"
"Beetles/Bugs, people who drive VW's. You know when they design advertising for things, like cars, they have a specific audience they are targeting. This book looks like they're appealing to the VW people."
Ironic, no?

I really want to see The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy which comes out today.
*cough* *nudge Aya* *cough*

Something I haven't done in quite a while.... Word of the day: Acerbically
I kind of got out of the habbit at some point, but I ran accross this word today and had to link it.

Last night there was a Dodgeball game in one of the gyms. It was put together by a couple of our male RA's. There were about 12 other people and myself. I officiated, both because I don't particularly enjoy being hit by balls and because I am sick. Ugh, and getting sicker - it took me over 3 hours to get to sleep last night. Hard to sleep when you're hacking up a lung =P
It was fun though. There was one guy, Jack, who is very... spry. He was the best dodger, without a doubt. For five games in a row he was the last one left on his team - facing 4-6 opposition. He was hilarious to watch. Interesting technique; he'd hoard all the balls and then at one point, to throw the other team off, he threw a ball directly at me.... well.... over my head by about a foot... but yikes! Totally unexpected! but it worked. It threw everybody off, including me.
Fun stuff.

Tomorrow we are going paintballing. I signed up, but I don't know if I will be feeling up to it. I'll go and cheer them on though. Three of the BB's are going... I think 28 people in all signed up - way more than last year.

Done with both of my presentations - just the paper left to finish up and then I'll be done with my academic stuff until next fall! Woot!

Still need to sign up for the Praxis test this summer, think I'll go do that now.

Monday, April 25, 2005

Winding up

Nothing too terribly exciting has happened lately.
Just closing down the year.
I have a presentation on Wednesday for my Ad Ed Psych class (by myself).
Aya and I are presenting on Thursday for our Teaching Writing with Technology class.
I have a 3 chapter research paper for Educational Research due next Monday.

Other than that I have to move out of the dorm (already started boxing things up) and I will be checking out a lot of residents since I don't have any finals. WOOT to that - first time in my life to NOT have finals!
/bounce

I've applied for two more GA positions, keeping my toes crossed on that.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Double Birthday

Happy 59th Birthday to my Mommy and Happy 27th Birthday to Jer!

Talked to my mom this morning and this evening - they're leaving for New Mexico tomorrow morning.

Had a big Birthday dinner with Jer and Aya and a bunch of their friends.

All in all it was a good day :)

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Random Text Generators

Hummmm too many people with too little time create these sites - and even more people use them!

I found the following at Malevole:

Ten years ago a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem and no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-team.

I never spend much time in school but I taught ladies plenty. It's true I hire my body out for pay, hey hey. I've gotten burned over Cheryl Tiegs, blown up for Raquel Welch. But when I end up in the hay it's only hay, hey hey. I might jump an open drawbridge, or Tarzan from a vine. 'Cause I'm the unknown stuntman that makes Eastwood look so fine.

---- From 2 of my favourite TV Shows!

Also they have:

Thunder, thunder, thundercats, Ho! Thundercats are on the move, Thundercats are loose. Feel the magic, hear the roar, Thundercats are loose. Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats! Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats! Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats! Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats! Thundercats!


hehehehehe!


Apparently there was a major drama on my floor last night. Having decided I WOULD get a good nights sleep I had turned my fan on high and had my headphones on. I had no clue until I was speaking with a fellow RA this morning that anything had happened. I'll have to get the rest of the details this afternoon.


I need to:
- Finish up my presentation for Advanced Ed Psych for next Thursday
- Turn in my papers for Grad
- Plan presentation with Aya for next Thursday
- Do Ch. 2 & 3 of paper for Ed Research
- Start packing and putting stuff in storage
- Use the rest of my B$'s


On Sunday evening, while I was playing Halo with the guys the fire alarm went off. Firemen showed up in gear with hoses and axes... didn't miss that adventure! All over burned popcorn!
Some residents were a bit cheeky to me, but I spoke with their RA and he set them straight :)

Monday, April 18, 2005

I'm Tall

Weekend flew by, more so than usual.
I spent some time working on school stuff.
Sat in the sun, by the lake and read a book by a Kiwi author, The Bone People by Keri Hulme.
Went to Feast of Nations on Saturday afternoon. Got to play with my RHD's 3 kids for awhile - they turned me into a jungle gym!
Spent Sunday afternoon at Aya's grandparents - was her grandpa's bday on Saturday.
Had a yummy mocha thingy at a local coffee shop with British G and a short night class and got laundry done = good Monday.

And somebody's been giving me a hard time about being tall lately - I think they're just jealous ;)

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Charger

Picture this....
I'm driving along with 4 other people, 2 of whom happen to be British. All of a sudden I hear (from the back seat) "PULL OVER! NOW! OMG OMFG! Aspen! Stop this car! You must pull this vehicle over as quickly as possible!"
Of course I comply, though I have no clue what is going on.

"Go back that way! There was a CHARGER!"

"A what?" I reply.

"It was an F-ing DODGE CHARGER! Oh My GOD!"

Yes... that is correct the 2 BB's who had never seen a real life "Dukes of Haazard" car were having a conniption fit.

It was really quite hilarious. And kind of cute really.
Another fellow, who was with us was as equally fascinated by the vehicle.

I think that's part of what I love so much about the BB's. So many things are new to them, it's like watching children see something for the first time - it makes it all new for you as well.

See for yourself... And I am 100% serious, those were their real looks, they didn't know I was taking the picture... the were THAT captivated!





I thought it was cool that it was purple, inside and out.
And he even had a Darkwing Duck on his antena!
The guy came out to his car when we were still there and the boys were too shy to say anything so I explained to him that there were a couple of Englishmen drooling on his car because they'd never seen one before and they wound up chatting for a good 20 mins about Chargers.

Hilarious.

"Buff! Man"

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Whose Line Is it?

OH MY GOD!
FUN!

Aya, D, British G, D (hereto after referred to as MC Nope Nope) and myself went to a casino last night to see two guys from Whose Line Is It? :
Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood.

The ride there was somewhat uneventful, just chatting with MC Nope Nope and G and talking to Aya and D on the walkie talkies.
We gambled a bit for about 1/2 an hour when we got to the casino. And then it was time for the show... I've never laughed so hard for so long in my life. GOOD stuff. It was an hour and forty-five minutes of improv, like Whose Line and they used people from the audience. Good stuff.
We had a yummy dinner at one of the restaurants at the casino.
The ride back was great. We were all energized from the show and Aya and MC Nope Nope had a quote war on the walkie talkies - quoting lines from Monty Python (Holy Grail) and a few Spaceballs quotes. I never thought I'd live to see the day when Aya was outdone... Kudos to MC Nope Nope! ;)
G zonked out 1/2 way home... in a very uncomfortable position. He cracks me up! I find him sleeping half out of the lounge chairs and I keep expecting him to fall off, but honestly, he'd probably sleep right through it!

Raining now. Been raining off and on since we got back to town last night. BIG crash of thunder at one point this morning - woke me up! LOVED IT! Shook my windows.

Anywho... LOTS AND LOTS of fun last night. Definitely ranks at the top of my FUN THINGS I'VE DONE list!

See... don't I look happy?! =0)

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Go Fly A Kite

I took the hint.
I received a box in the mail on Monday and was surprised at it's contents. I expected mail from Texas and instead it was a kite! Just a kite and instructions on how to fly it. I knew instantly it was from my father... and that it was a hint.
Stress less and "Go Fly A Kite!"

So today, I did.




4 of us, 2 kites, the slowly melting lake, and over an hour of FUN!

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Blue Steel vs Magnum...

Watched Zoolander Sunday night with D and a couple residents who popped in and out.

Went to see Sin City on Saturday with a bunch of people, Aya, her cousin H & her bf, D, B, Am, G, J... ugh too many letters. Let's just say a bunch of friends/residents :)

G's bday was last Saturday and R's is this Saturday.
Several of us have tickets to see Colin Mochery and Brad Sherwood perform this Saturday night. Wondering if G is still going since he planned to party with R... hmmm...

My pretty new plants are still alive, despite the reappearance of my root-nibbling mouse. I wake up in the morning to a counter full of dirt, where he has been devouring the roots.

Making a huge decision to change majors. Leaning towards a Masters of Science in English (as opposed to Education with Emphasis in Technology). Now would be the time to change if I wanted to - all the classes I am taking this semester count for the new degree.

Deadlines pressing in on me.
Bulletin Board to finish up today.
Get quotes and pictures of residents for Display board for OBLC.
OBLC website.
Paper for Ed Research.
Presentation for Ad Ed Psych.

Spring has sprung and Summer's right behind her.