this & that

Yes, it has been awhile since I have actually stopped to write something (pictures and movies with captions just aren't the same). You should feel honored: I am missing a very entreating episode of Judge Judy in order to write this. With all that said, I am pleased to excuse my absence by saying that I have been semi-hard at work on BoM. I say "semi" because the fire hasn't totally caught yet but at least it's evident after an entire month of sloth. School will be starting again in a month and a half so I want to make sure I get a good portion done while I still have my freedom.

Other than that the crack-kitty keeps me busy. Niko is very amusing in that when he is confined to his room (the bathroom) he will meow very sweetly as you stand nearby--but howl with all intensity and anger the farther you are from the door. It's quite amusing to go back and forth to hear the crescendo in his voice. He's confused very easily; it's great. Other times his meows sound like questions--"Meow...?" I can't help but laugh. Thomas is still coming around slowly... mostly with me. He's pretty much fine with Drew and Niko--it's Mommy Dearest whom he is holding his not-so-secret angst and hostility.

As promised, Drew and I took Gregory to Old Sacramento this past weekend to take "old time portraits." We had a lot of fun getting dressed up and making faces at each other. On our second pose, the store people actually asked if they could hang a copy in the store window because they loved it so much. Flattered--and in between bouts of laughter--we consented. Since Greg wants to come back and do a whole family portrait, we're hoping to see our picture there the next time we visit.

I thought it would be fun to include the two other western pix I've taken in my life: the first one with my good gal-pal Sarah about two years ago; the second with my folks when I turned sixteen (this one truly looks the most antiquated... not because of historical realism, but because of my suspicious youthfulness).

Looking at all the pix in comparison it's funny to see how... Wow, that cowgirl has really changed over the years... from the Jack-drinking Girl-4-Sale, to Blushing Belle, to Gun-Wielding, Bank-Robbing Debutante. Who will she be next?

So... speaking of changes (no, this is not a puberty lecture). My birthday is fast approaching and with much dread I must admit that a subsequent year is about to pass me by without much accomplishment (besides the cool western pix). I hope that if nothing more I can escape my nightmare job and enjoy a special piece of life I have not tasted yet... that is--the absence of a menial "civil servant" job (lol... Excel Saga rules!).

Or maybe, if nothing else (since becoming the "Great American Novelist" will not happen overnight), I will spend countless wasted hours trying to brush-up on my retro-Playstation games--that is, the goodness that is a box of Kleenex and Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. If only I can muster up the courage to spend $99 on the original (no, I don't have a PSP)... then I'd like to progress to Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria--though even with several years of technology advancement, I still hear the original cannot be beaten (in terms of excellence, that is).

For those of you are shaking your head and do not know what (or rather, who) a valkyrie is, here is the def:

"In Norse mythology valkyries are minor female deities who served Odin. The valkyries' purpose was to choose the most heroic of those who had died in battle and to carry them off to Valhalla where they became einherjar where the warriors were destined to fight by Odin's side at the preordained battle at the end of the world: Ragnarok."

Now... what's not incredibly cool about that?

...9...

View my self-portrait Haiku @ http://incinq.blogspot.com/
(under Friday, June 15).
&
Get In Cinq

The Titleless Post

This video was sent compliments of my Grandma Tita (not the granny in the movie).
Now I know where I get my twisted sense of humor from.

Welcome Home Baby

Little Orphan Niko
(aka "crack-addicted Jedi-monkey")

My Alter-Ego Is Multi-Faceted

I'm convinced that I would be a totally different person in my next life--if I believed in that. What's got me going tonight? Well, thanks to Genshiken--yes, anime again (I'm an otaku after all!)--I've stumbled upon the secret-not-so-secret world of "cosplay." Ya'll know about this stuff? It's pretty cool. Well, it's pretty cool when asian people do it. Whities like me just look pretty weird in anime get-ups. I'm not sure why, exactly: it doesn't work the same (though I have seen some pretty good pictures of two Chobits twins who were not Japanese). Had I room to adjust my life, I would be a beautiful thin Asian chick who looked good dressed as her animated heroes (er--heorines?).

Some Examples:

Here's some pictures of the Final Fantasy: Advent Children characters (Cloud and Tifa) and Final Fantasy X/X.5 (Rikku, Yuna, Paine). Compare them with their animated counterparts and tell me that I'm not a dork for envying their true-to-form lifelikeness!

If you nothing else in this post--make sure you click on the picture of Cloud (the only dude) to see a larger picture. The guy who cosplayed him spent a lot of painstaking effort into getting the hair and the outfit just right (even the ambiance of the photo-location).

Of course, cosplay is not limited to Final Fantasy. You can practically find cosplay of any anime series and/or game character--by a whole multitude of different cultures... which makes for some interesting interpretations.

All in all, I'm very envious of those who are so freakishly comfortable with their self-image that they can play dress up for a hobby--otaku-style. Maybe one day I'll surprise myself?

(yes, this Tifa is real! She's my fave)

Now compare the above to an Americanized version of Cowboy Bebop (Spike, Faye, Ed...?).
I think I would fall more in this crowd.

Cheers to *all* otaku out there.

The Ennui Symphony

I can't even begin to properly classify or explain the intense amount of apathy which has plagued me of late. Well--I guess technically that is a definition in itself, isn't it?

• Apathy: (noun) the absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement.

I guess if nothing else maybe someone out there learned a new word or two. What's up with apathy? Why does it come in undisclosed and unexpected waves of absent torment? I say absent because I'm much too apathetic to be tormented consciously. It's almost as if nothing can bother me--nor elate me at the same time. I have no interest in writing: haven't touched BoM well since the school semester's end. I haven't even found much anticipation in Niko's home-coming this week. A fact which has caused me to feel slightly guilty and even the more cautious because I don't know whether to take stock in these sudden, unexplainable changes.

I guess I can do what I usually do when I feel such strange phenomena: chalk it up to the almighty "hormones." That can be such a catch-all, can't it? No wonder it drives dudes crazy; it's a complete escape from realism with the simple undefinable label that seemingly cures-all.

Maybe it doesn't help that my brother's in AR right now spending time with the fam I never get to see. I know I'm jealous even though I shouldn't be. It's just that I'd really like to go back; I wish I had family here the way I used to... sometimes that can feel lonely at times (though I love my in-law family--it's just not the same). It doesn't make it any better that Drew's been in Los Angeles this week. He had to take his kids (from work) to Disneyland for a few days. Lucky him. Well--lucky I guess because he doesn't have to go to work everyday at my boring loser job. Even though I hate Disneyland with an un-American tenacity, I would rather be there with 12 screaming kids than my usual 7 a.m. destination. Anyway, I miss my BFF and I hate sleeping alone.

blah, blah, blah... I'm sure my ramblings hold no interest in the blogosphere. I think I'm mostly writing this for myself anyway. At least by watching my fingers move, I have evidence that I am still breathing.

An Eventful Weekend... Finally

So Drew and I did something new that we've never done before--we made a "date night" and went to a comedy club this weekend. The guest comedian was Sinbad (yes, he's very much alive!). It was a lot of fun. The guy was hilarious in person. Though, admittingly, I found him even funnier before taking sips from my seemingly-never ending cup of Love Potion #9--as the urge for sleep above all else began to take its toll on me. After the very long-winded show, we zipped through the Taco Bell drive-thru and dined on early-morning burritos while watching Samarui Deeper: Kyo (there's that blasted anime again--I'm a self-declared otaku) in bed until about 2 a.m. I still haven't recovered.
Now, if only Ray Romano would come and visit our quaint little town. I would be so happy. :)

Other than that, we got to hold baby Niko for the first time. Such a cutie. He was all purrs and kneads; he pleaded a great deal to not be put back in his isolation-hole. But, the little one must wait for Friday as he has not received the adequate surgery he needs for dismissal. I splurged in my excitement this weekend by buying him an orange collar and engraving a name-tag with his info. Somewhere in his gentle cerebrum, I do believe Thomas understands that something is about to change. I only hope that it's for the better for all of us.

Yesterday was Alicia's birthday; nothing major but it was a nice to to just relax and watch a good movie (Night At The Museum) while eating a slice of pizza or two. We actually picked up a pair of mountain bikes yesterday as well. Drew and I have it in our heads to regain the ancient childhood art of biking for both transportation as well as leisure. O, how I've missed that. Apparently it hasn't missed me, though, as I quite clumsily fumbled over getting on the dang thing much less steering it around while playing with the gears and gadgets. Alas, it seems that part of my childhood has been sucked dry. On top of that, my butt sure does hurt today (and I do believe there's some bruising!)--seems my backseat capacity exceeds the bike's.

Oh well. I guess that's what gel pads are made for.

Verbal Art

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Wordless Saturday

Farewells & Adieus...

Madeline ("Maddy")
Rest In Peace 6/7/07
May you enjoy your new freedom in Paradise
(It's okay if God wants to pet your belly).
We will miss you.

The Importance of Promptnes...

...yeah, right. "Prompt" will probably never be among the key adjectives to describe the enigma that is me. Anyway, now that I have your attention, I want to talk to you today about a meme I was tagged for some three weeks ago... It was a self-motivated meme topic by Christine.

The challenge? "What are your goals in wifehood? What are the 5 things you love most about your husband and what are five goals you would like to accomplish in being a wife?"
Not that it took me four weeks to come up with something--that's not it at all. I've legitimately been busy... or at least entertained elsewhere (see the previous three posts if you don't believe me). What, only five...?

So, here we go: I'm taking a crack at it...


5 Things I Love About Hubby

1. My guy is very sweet. Yes, sweet. He used to joke about that when we were dating--about how he was always the "sweet guy" in high school (which, no dude ever really wants to be when looking for a girlfriend; they'd rather be the "hot guy"). To me, well, I think he's hot and sweet (not sweet and sour... hot and spicy?). My first real memory of his sweet, compassionate side was when my father lay comatose in the hospital (and eventually died later the next morning). Drew was with me the whole time; he drove my step-mom, best friend, and I to the hospital where my dad was air-lifted, he let me nest my weary head on his shoulder through the many sleepless hours of the never-ending nightmare night. He stayed up with me--made me feel safe and cared for... less alone in a place of utter lonelinesses. And when we crashed on an abandoned gurney outside in the hospital hallway--well, he was still right there by my side. I will never forget his devotion that night... and then we were naught but early-budding friends, not yet aware of the promise of love in our hearts and future. However frightening it was for him to go watch me go through such tragedy, his loyalty never faltered.
   
   
2. Something about watching him function in his passions and hobbies gets me excited. Whether the wild world of Warcraft or the even wilder world of sports--well, let's just begin by saying that I'm not a sports gal... In fact, I'm among the clumsiest people on earth without factoring a football or basketball into the equation. Drew never makes me feel that way; rather, he enjoys immensely to share that world with me even though I'm sure he's aware of my idiocy. Since knowing him I will admit that I get a kick out of tossing a baseball around or practicing throws with a handful of pig-hide. And when football season comes around to summon his soul--well, I find an immense amount of peace just lying on the couch with my head in his lap as I listen to him and his father yelling and cheering the teams on TV. Drew knows this is my special "nap time"... not because I'm bored--but because I find so much peace. And when it comes to his passions--I love to listen to him speak publicly: he's such an amazing people-person, more than I could hope to be. He's got a real great way with people; able to teach, able to encourage. It's really a thrill to witness--especially when I get to say, "Yeah, that's my husband."

3. He thinks my idiosyncrasies are sexy. Well, most of them. I'm sure there are some in there that drive him crazy in a negative way. Understandable. Yet the majority of my goofy, clumsy, quirky mannerisms are strangely appealing to him--he thinks they're "cute." He will listen to my emotional tirades and rantings without passing supreme judgment--he will let me cry on his shoulder any time I need to. Even though I complain when I'm upset about how much he doesn't understand me--well, truth is, he's probably the foremost knowledgeable person in this world (other than Mom) when it comes to dissecting the nuances of my character. He doesn't mind doing things with me like listening to me read from my novels--even though I read out of order and inconsequentially in the storyline. He gets lost and confused--but he's always right there in his attention span. He believes in me. He believes in my goals and passions in life. What's more--he helps me bridge the gaps between my ideas and the cataclysmic writer's block. He admits that my taste in entertainment is somewhat odd at times--like my incessant attraction to court and Disney shows--but eventually enjoys sharing them with me. Things I know he'd never watch if I wasn't in his life (including Anime). Just tonight I got a kick out of watching Hell's Kitchen with him.

4. His heart. I love his heart for people. I guess this goes back to the sweet, compassionate thing in #1, but no--this is different though encapsulating. It's not just that he's sweet, it's also that he's got such a tremendous heart for Christ and for the good things of this world. He's grounded; he's ethical. He loves me and his family and friends. He's a loyal friend. He loves my mom and he loves my son; he's the best step-dad I could have asked for. He even loves and wholly accepts my equally idiosyncratic cat! (hey, what's not to love?). He's tender yet thunderous when he feels justice is threatened. Which I will add here: I also love his brain. Though we clash many a time--well, he's intellectual and God knows I couldn't have married anything else lest I would spend the day banging my desk against my head. So, heart and brain. Two very good qualities. And what's more--he's funny to boot! He's goofy and weird in his own ways. He always makes me (and Gregory) laugh. Could I have possibly gotten a better deal? (we'll work on the clashing part in later meme's... lol).

5. He's willing to try. Drew's got a willingness to grow as a person, a man, and as a husband. He's also got a strong sense of responsibility and commitment. Sure, we butt heads because we're both pretty indignant and self-knowledgeable... but the Lord has tempered a grace within us that we can eventually come together and compromise heart-fully. We're better friends than we were when we started out years ago; we've come along way in the three years as friends (and five more as acquaintances). I can't wait to see what the lifetime of years left has to offer us--as we grow and learn together, as we walk hand-in-hand into the destiny laid out for us.

My Desired Accomplishments as... "THE WIFE"

1. What's with the stubbornness? Okay, sometimes the Shrew really needs to be tamed.

2. Can I possibly one day really be happy with myself and my appearance? He is--when will I get that? I know that he cherishes me... he makes me feel it all the time.

3. Supportive, supportive, supportive... I want to be supportive of his dreams. And oh, that he would feel loved and respected by me.
   

4. I want to represent Proverbs 31:10... "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life... She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
   

We're Having A Baby!

Yes, that's right: make room for one more 'cause we're expecting a newbie to our clan very soon. Yet this time I won't be the one doing the birthing--we're adopting. Well, that is we hope we are.

Though we've been wanting a girl, there is a little fellow out there at the "orphanage" who caught our eye. Drew and I just fell in love with his mischievous, affectionate (yet passive) personality; I've gone to visit him three times now and even had a dream about him last night! He called me over to his "room" with a very brilliant plea... broke my heart to see him that way and I just wanted to rescue him on the spot!

We tried to see if we could take him home today--but he's been sick and is intensive care for now, even though he has the appearance of a totally healthy little baby boy. He and his brother are "quarantined" for at least another week or so... hopefully by then he'll be okay and ready to come home. His new brothers at home will be very excited to meet him.

We have a place and a name waiting for him: We will call him Nikko, which translates roughly into "sunlight" and "cat" in Japanese. Believe it or not, but I actually thought of the name before I knew what it meant.

Hope you enjoyed the story.