I'll be back in just a shake

My VISTA term ended last Friday. I don't feel any differently; I'm not experiencing any momentous rite of passage for having completed a year of domestic service. But I am looking back at the last 12 months of my life in Alaska and thinking, "Wow, what an amazing year... People here are crazy... but I love them... I'm crazy too... Where do I go from here... and what's left unsaid in all these ellipses?"

I'm pretty sure the answer to those questions lies in a three week beach bumming bonanza in the sun-and-tequila drenched Pacific coast of Mexico. Or maybe that's just a good excuse to swing in a hammock and drink margaritas the size of my face.

So goodbye poverty income! Screw you rainy weather! See you on the flipside.

When you’re on a golden sea
You don’t need no memory
Just a place to call your own
As we drift into the zone

no eyes or squinting?

Friend: You must really hate me.
Me: Why?
Friend: You told me to watch Thumbsucker so I rented it and even invited a couple of my friends. And they all left before it ended, and it'll be a cold day in Florida before they take my word on films again.
Me: Ohhh. Well, I didn't say I actually *liked* Thumbsucker. I just thought *you* would. For some reason. Because, apparently, I do not know you at all. But you should definitely go see "Me, You, and Everyone We Know"!
Friend: Shut up.

So in retaliation, he sent me this scary ass picture to stalk my nightmares. I, in turn, will find the actual poster and mail it to my sister. It's not just good deeds that you gotta pay forward. Creepy paintings and bad movie ideas are right on up there, and more effortless to do.

Happy Birthday America

Happy Belated Fourth of July. My four-day weekend highlights:

- Filipino wedding reception
- running the 5k Only Fools Run at Midnight charity fundraiser as part of "Jane Fonda's Workout Team" (Go Team Fonda!)
- grilling a delicous rainbow of chicken skewers with pineapples, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, tofu, cheddar wursts, and big honkin sausages
- fireworks
- all day beach bumming on the actual Fourth
- Anchorman