The wonderful world of Esther!

It's been a very long time

2010-11-16T14:32:00.000-08:00

Hello out there in cyberspace or whatever space you are in! I know you haven't heard from me in a while so I thought I'd let you know everything that's going on. So I am still alive. So is Juicebox. He has his own spot now. He sits on a couch and has so many jungle pals he's going nuts. He also sits near a computer too but like I said he can't type so he always complains it's mocking him.
He hasn't had any parties just yet. He keeps trying to go sunbathing but I keep telling him you can't sunbathe without the sun. He also had a little bit of an anxiety attack when he saw the leaves changing color. He thought the world was ending. He ran around in circles screaming. It's okay though, I calmed him down, gave him a bag to breathe into. I also put on HGTV (I left the room) and now he's as happy as a koala can be in New Jersey. He even has an endless supply of Peach Iced Tea.
Let's see....I'm also happy here typing away in a library surrounded by Tennyson, Dickenson, and Stephen King. I've been sending out resumes all around New England even the places with dark alleys (just kidding). I actually just finished sending out a slough of them. So fingers crossed everyone!
As far as movies go, it's been a long time and I don't want you to read an endless blog about movies because hey that's what Roger Ebert is for. Instead, I'll just talk about the last three that I saw briefly. I'll start with the best: Scott Pilgrim Versus the World. Yes, I know false advertising, he does not actually face the WHOLE world just a couple evil exes but still it was good and now I can officially say I'm a fan of Michael Cera and Jason Schwartzmann (Yes they were in the movie, that was not just a random comment). I always appreciate when these indie films try to mix mediums where you look and go "huh, that's different." This one made the movie look like a comic book which was nifty.
Next "Morning Glory." Quite different from Scott Pilgrim, it was basically Devil Wears Prada with a Morning Show. I don't want to give anything away (alright she doesn't get run over by a train) but Diane Keaton raps and Harrison Ford says "fluffy." Got ya interested right? It was very cute and yes, a chick flick so now I can say I like a chick flick-I can die happy.
The last one was still good and it was called "Due Date." No, it had nothing to do with a school history report being due. It was all about a father driving to L.A. for his wife's birth with a very annoying roadtrip mate to ride with him. I don't really know what to say other than that about this movie. If you're a Robert Downey Jr. fan see it or if you just like goofy comedy see it. I personally cannot resist a movie with a pug...unless they're talking because that's just creepy.
Well that's all for now. Other than that, I'm still into my creepy, spooky phase with reading and television. I just finished watching "The Vampire Diaries." All I can say is poor Damon. I actually like it better than "Twilight" although that's not saying much because I didn't like those books or movies that much to begin with. And I'm kinda obsessed with "The devil in the White City." I know it's been out a while but I get into things after other people. It's a great book if you're into serial killers or if you like Chicago.
Gotta go, I think I'll pick up a book here and read-what a concept? Reading in a library? Well, I've really gotta go now. Hope all is well with everyone out there with all your fabulous lives!

Goodbye Santa Barbara!

2010-09-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hello again,
It's me, Esther. Yes you read that subject correctly, I'm finally leaving Santa Barbara. Now normally I hate to divulge too much on the internet because hey you never know who's going to read your blog, but today I thought I'd tell all you blog readers that I am leaving Santa Barbara and the reasons why (well some of them, I've left some out). As many readers already know Santa Barbara was never a place for me to settle down. I never particularly enjoyed it, I tried but I just couldn't. Monterey was my place but Santa Barbara not so much. (Juicebox loved it though).
I came to Santa Barbara to go to Brooks Institute thinking that I would get another degree in photography because heck that would be fun. Well, you know what I discovered? The first year and a half is where the school crams everything (and I do mean everything) you need to know to become a photographer and the last year and a half is essentially where you take electives and learn pretty much nothing new. Now I could take these electives and get a second bachelor's degree but the logical part of my brain said 'hey, why the heck do you want to take these classes and be miserable when you could get the same knowledge through experience in the field?' So I talked with professors, friends, did a little prayin' and the answer was to leave so that's what I'm doing. I'll be going back to the east coast (who knows it may work out, may being the operative word) and looking for a job in New York. Right now I'm just looking for internships. I just applied for one this morning with Mark Seliger, a noted portrait photographer.
I'm pretty sure I'm doing the right thing (I hope I'm doing the right thing). I'll be leaving though at the end of this month-aaah! Don't worry, Juicebox will be coming with me. He knows a good marsupial bar in Manhattan near Times Square.

Welcome to Napa!

2010-07-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
I'm here enjoying my very humble abode here in Napa which makes my apartment in Santa Barbara seem gigantic. I'm currently in an RV that just started running internet an hour ago so now I'm on the web. I honestly don't know how people live without the internet...after all without it how would I blog or get news about Juicebox? To answer all your questions, no there haven't been any noise complaints from the neighbors. Actually, I got an email stating that he's going away too! He had a huge fourth of July bash and it was such a success that all the animals decided to keep the party going, so they are going all over Southern California. If you see a pink-polka dotted van with a giraffe driving and tons of marsupials in the back, wave because that's Juicebox. He'd drive but he can't see over the steering wheel and to answer your question the van is a convertible van which is how the giraffe can drive.
I start work tomorrow-bet you never thought you'd see that written down about me but it's the truth. On Thursday we are going to start preparations for Burning Man which I'm already incredibly nervous about because call me kooky but I don't want to try hallucinogenic drugs. My brain's already screwed up enough as it is so why add more chemicals into the mix. Anyway my supervisor assured me that they stay away from it and are seasoned veterans. In any case they are doing an art piece that I am going to be involved with which is very very mixed media. They have this Jeep that they are converting into a dragon...so...um...yeah. I really hope I won't be the one driving it down.
Well I've gotta go-I'll take some pictures later in the week and post them. This town is so darling. It reminds me a bit of Carmel except it's flat (very flat which made my 5 mile walk around town today FUN) and the weather is like Santa Barbara. Plus, there's a TARGET which there wasn't in Santa Barbara. Alright, now I've really gotta go. Off to watch something from Netflix. Have a great day!

Hello everyone!

2010-06-28T06:15:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,
It's the end of June which means the year is half over-can you believe it? Before you know it, it will be 2011. Juicebox isn't looking forward to that date because he's decided to stock up for the end of the world which is in 2012. I've told him this is ludicrous because we have so much time to stock up but he disagrees. He plans on getting peached iced tea that will fill ten freezers-where I will put them is another story entirely. I told him perhaps we should get toilet paper and paper towels too but he doesn't see a need for them since he never uses them so he plans on only having a roll of each.
However this is really far away, right now he's more concerned with my apartment and making it into his bachelor pad. I'm going to be at an internship in Napa for two months so I told him I'd leave him and instead of crying, he bumped up the volume on the boom box. (I think I have the last boom box in use). He moved my bed into the living room (I know, he brought over some pals-a gorilla is freakishly strong) and put a hammock there instead. He turned my desk into a smoothie bar and the television is constantly on "Clean house." I really hope that when I return, I won't find him hungover on Peach Iced tea. If so, I have experience cleaning up after his animal parties.
Well, I've gotta go. Hope everyone's June ends nicely and the heat along with the humidity doesn't put you in a foul mood like it does so often for me. Have a great day!

I'm in a philosophical mood

2010-06-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,
I've been feeling very deep lately so this will be an incredibly incredibly boring blog. I attribute it to seeing two depressing films in a row. One of them "Up in the air" had a nice message about how it's the people in our lives that matter and not the places we go. However, the ending was sooooo bad. I never felt more lonely after a movie in my life. So if you see it, don't see it alone. I know, where was Juicebox? He actually went to the Chumash Casino with a new jungle pal-a possum actually-named Raphael. They've been having oodles of fun. Raphael's from India so he's absolutely in love with California. Juicebox loves being his tour guide. I've never seen a possum happier to be at the beach.
The other film I saw was "Seven." It didn't depress me initially but then I listened to the audio commentary (I know what a film dork). David Fincher (the director) mainly talked about the color temperature of the film and how he used Keno lights for the cool look of the film. Today's films are all about harsh, hard lighting. He seems very intelligent, he kept giving very very random facts about life and how at the time he was concerned with making footnote films (ones that have an important point but in the long run aren't remembered).
Then the writer (Andrew Kevin Walker) talked about how he came up with the idea. He came from Pennsylvania and just moved to New York. He was immediately depressed because he saw sins everywhere he went. He spent alot of the time talking about how we live in a society where you can't go a day without seeing one of the seven deadly sins. He talked about how we actually celebrate them. He then talked about the seven virtues and how the average person can't come up with them. So I was thinking to get me out of this depressed humanity funk, I would meditate on one of the seven virtues and stop dwelling on the seven sins, but we'll see how that goes.
Other than that, my industrial class is ending this week and I should be doing my portfolio, okay I'm going to do my portfolio, oh wait getting dressed would help. See everyone later!

Here are some fun pics from the industrial class-Enjoy

2010-06-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

Hello June!

2010-06-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Blog-readers!
So all of you are most likely shocked that I am blogging, because I normally blog maybe once a season but this is not a joke. And no, this is not Juicebox. Fortunately, for me he can't type. He can't write either...he tried once but the pen exploded into his fur. Although even if he could it wouldn't be useful to him-he can't read. Oh gosh, I hope nobody is feeling bad for Juicebox now. He does look at magazines. We get catalogs every week with Peach smoothies...it's amazing the type of containers you can get smoothies in.
Speaking of Juicebox, we are about to enter his favorite season-summer. I'm actually not sure if we're technically in it bc I never know the dates, but I always think June equals summer. Normally, he'd be out tanning, but it has been cloudy here so Juicebox was a bit sad. In order to cheer him up, I gave him full control of the remote control. So as you know, that means designer shows and chick flicks. Even as I type, he's watching "My sister's Keeper." (FYI don't see the movie, read the book). I can't wait till the sun comes out (from the clouds) so Juicebox can turn that frown upside down.
Apart from this, I had a fun memorial day in Riverside, CA. I was able to visit the rambunctious Michelsen's and see Sara's beautiful house and their new headboard. Actually, I even did a bit of sunbathing (I told Juicebox just to rub it in). Sara and I watched "The Education." I give it 3 stars. I'd only see it if you like movies written by Nick Hornby (or books for that matter). It was wierd but good.
I'm not quite sure where my life is headed right now. June has been getting me down lately (not because of the weather) because my sister's birthday is coming up and she is miles and miles away. Juicebox told me that we could have a party in her honor and serve nothing but spam and peached iced tea. He's going to invite all his jungle pals, just not the gorillas because they're against the apartment policy. Well I've gotta go. Have a great day everyone and I hope to blog twice a month from now on!

It's been a looooong time!

2010-05-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
I realized the other day that I hadn't written a blog in..um...months so I figured it was time to update it. Well I've seen tons of movies in 2010 and there's not one that was absolutely incredible. My horror phase is in full swing. I've watched most of the Wes Craven movies...next I'm going to move onto George Romero or zombies which should be interesting. I've already discovered there's quite a debate going on about them but I tend to zone out. Of course due to this phase I can not stop thinking about the world coming to an end, but I suppose that's part of being an American.
Other than this, I had my book edited by the best children's editor in Southern California and she said with a few minor adjustments, there's no reason it won't be published. There is a conference I'm going to be attending in January in New York where the top editors and agents meet, hopefully one of them will enjoy the book. The most difficult thing should be getting the confidence up, so if you have any suggestions I'm up for it.
I'm also taking an Industrial class which is basically fun with water. It's the first class at Brooks I genuinely enjoy. Actually, I think I'll put one pic I took in class on the blog since let's face it, Jade and Snowball have seen better days.
Other than that, I went to meet some of Jen's friends. It's was so great to meet her friends from Micronesia. They really are a nice bunch of people. I think Jen is blessed to have them and they are blessed to have Jen. They had so many nice things to say about her (which are all true) although one of them said she gets up at 6 am to go to the beach! That's nuts! Anyway, I really feel like she's meant to be there and I'm glad she's adjusting well.
I've gotta go because well I'm really sick which is probably why this is not the best blog in the world and probably why it's being updated. In any case, hope everyone has a great day!

Welcome to 2010!

2010-01-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!
I hope 2009 had a wonderful end for all of you bloggers out there. It had a wonderful end for me, I did the most exciting thing in the world-I watched the ball drop! (Yes it was on television but that's the same thing right?) It ended up being a white New Years and a white Christmas-how fun!
So Christmas was oodles of fun too...I have recently been in limbo as far as movies go. However I think I'm officially out of the genre limbo. I have now entered the supernatural genre and I absolutely love it! This is more fun than the gangster genre or my month stint on musicals. I just finished watching "The Uninvited" and it's the best American remake of a Korean movie I've ever seen (that made me sound like a geek-oh well). I kept thinking I knew the ending but I didn't. I've also added "Supernatural" (TV series) to my netflix so I'll be able to get the broad overview of all the supernatural creatures...aside from werewolves I've been told. I've also added all these supernatural movies to my queue but the downside is I'll have to wait so I can finish my previous genre (Classics).
Now I also went to the theatre during Christmas break because when it's white-what do you do? Normal people would stay inside, make hot chocolate and read with a cozy book but my family? I don't think so. We saw three movies-all of them wonderful. "Sherlock Holmes" can not be bad with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law with the greatest British Director around-Guy Ritchie! I kinda wish he wrote it because it could've been wittier but oh well it still had his great fight sequences. "Keeping Up with the Morgans" was good for a Romantic Comedy-I just find Hugh Grant hilarious. Of course "Avatar." Despite the fact that Cameron might've created a sacrilege by turning an Aussie American, the visuals were truly stunning and it made me want to sing Kumbaya (Is that how you spell that?) in blue.
Now it's off to getting ready for school. Surprisingly Juicebox has not done anything drastic while I was gone. He informed me he's going to Reno in two weeks to meet Eduardo's parents. He's incredibly nervous and when he's nervous he cleans. I wish I had that problem. So now my apartment is spotless...for a koala. He made sure the ground was clean but he put everything on my couch and I mean everything so now I'm off to put it back in it's place which means I've gotta go. Adios and have a great new year-hope it's the best one yet!

Hope everyone's holidays are extra merry!

2009-12-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
I've just come off of eight straight hours of studying (don't worry I broke for lunch) so my brain is completely fried. Hopefully tomorrow I will be unfried (or would that be defrosted, it's too late to be witty) so I can take an incredibly fun final all on everything I learned here in Santa Barbara. And after that....a portfolio review!!! Boy I just love December, don't you?
I actually just joined this website, don't worry it's not dangerous or anything, where you can see what all your friends are reading. In other words it's a social network for booklovers-it's called Shelfari. It's really nifty. And yes, I do realize this does solidify my somewhat hobbit status but in a good way. So if you like to read, I recommend you join so I can see what books I'm missing because there are plenty out there.
I finally saw "New Moon." And for all of you out there who are wondering, I took Juicebox. The attendant wouldn't let him in at first, but I reason there's a wolf in the movie so a koala was harmless. Juicebox is a sucker for romance and vampires (so I guess he fits in with mainstream society now). I think he was the only one who rooted for Edward in the theatre. He wasn't complaining though when Jacob took off his shirt in pretty much every scene (including to clean a very small cut on her head which I still can't figure out). In fact he was cheering...along with everyone else in the theatre. Now of course he had a Peach smoothie (I had to smuggle that in-don't tell anyone). He really wanted pistachios but unfortunately they don't sell those there and I was not about to go on a pistachio hunt before the movie.
I recently watched Audrey Hepburn in "Wait until Dark" without Juicebox (he went to a rave and he hates thrillers) and now think she's an incredible actress. I will never look at Alan Arkin the same again either-it was such a good movie! I wonder if thrillers have lost their touch since it's less about suspense now and more about the shock factor. Anyway I'm off to do something Christmassy-not quite sure what yet-maybe have hot chocolate or eat some plum pudding, oh what I don't have plum pudding shucks! Happy Holidays!

Juicebox's adventures and book publishing

2009-11-21T10:03:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone,
I have humungous news. It so big, it's the size of an elephant...or bigger. I wrote a book a couple months ago due to multiple multiple school frustrations. Then I had some people read it and my goodness people actually enjoyed it-I was shocked with a capital S. And now...I've decided to publish it. It will be finished with all the grammatical editing on Tuesday-I'm so excited! In any case, I found a company named Authorhouse who is willing to publish it for me. I know-self publishing yuck! But the book has already been rejected by fourteen agents and publishers-however I never give up and they all said the writing and storyline were great but due to the economy they can't take any more clients. Now I did quite a bit of research and found out Mark Twain and Virginia Woolf started the self-publishing route and even John Grisham sold books out of his car so I'm trying to be optimistic, trying being the operative word.
So Juicebox is very very excited about it because he is one of the characters. It's called "Into the Lens." It's basically about two girls who discover a camera in their room that transports them to another world where animals can have wonderful conversations with them. Of course there's more to it than that. You'll have to read it to find out!
Well Juicebox has been telling all his friends about it and they would like to have a little party for me but as you all know his friends are party animals-literally. Well I should go now-off to do more assignments! Talk to you all later.

Happy Fall!

2009-11-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
Autumn is in full swing if you can believe it...well I can't mainly because it still feels like summer here in Santa Barbara. I'm not a summer bumpkin (is that a word..it sounds like something my Grandma would say) so I stay inside as much as possible. I actually don't think there is much of a temperature difference here...there is a rainy season but it only lasts for two weeks-it's very odd. Wow I should get the award for randomest thought of the day.
Well I saw "Paranormal Activity" last night-the movie not an actual ghost. For those of you who don't know it's about this couple who movies into a new house in San Diego when things go bump in the night. The entity (it's supposedly a demon) only comes out at night so it's supposed to be a movie where you can't fall asleep because you think you'll be attacked or something. It actually ended up being incredibly incredibly funny (if you've seen the movie you'd agree it deserves two incrediblies). It might be because it was filmed with a family camcorder so it looked like one of those cheesy family movies. Or it could be because the dialogue and acting were so cliche. It had all the elements of a classic horror movie but it just missed the mark...by a yard. I'm not quite sure if I enjoyed the ending because it was really the only scary part...although I've talked with other people (not strangers but friends) and they think the ending is incredibly dumb. So anyway I'm not quite sure why this movie has been called the scariest movie of all time-maybe people were on acid when they saw it (then it would be freaky).
Actually Juicebox refused to go because he can't stand scary movies. He played a prank on me yesterday and I'm a little mad at him. I accidentally left my computer on last night and he went online. He went on this website that imports Peach Iced Tea from Indonesia. He ordered 200 containers! He said it's going to be a surprise for Eduardo because his birthday is coming up in December. We are supposed to make invitations today and where does it say it's being held-my apartment. Now Juicebox is quite the popular Koala-he's planning on inviting 100 marsupials. There is no way all 400 could fit in my apartment but Juicebox sealed the envelopes and said he'd make it work (he even did a Tim Gunn impersonation). So I was in the middle today for shooting my architectural assignment (I had to shoot an interior room so it would look pretty ) and who knocked on my door but a black Koala (he's not African American, he just is actually black). He had a boom box with him which he put right in my living room. Then he went on the table and began dancing. I looked at Juicebox who was on the floor laughing. Apparently the invitations were not for guests but for surprise Go-Go Dancer auditions. Clearly I can't have a dancing koala in my picture (my teacher's more of a Grizzly Bear man) so I have an agreement with Juicebox that the auditions can take place after five. And that's an incredbly long story on how I was punk'd by Juicebox.

Website and fun adventures!

2009-10-09T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone out there in cyberland! How is everyone today? It's 8:30 am here in Santa Barbara. And why am I up so early? Well Eduardo entered himself and Juicebox in a dance contest. Since Eduardo is the more graceful of the two he came up with all the steps and let me tell you, I can barely do half of them. There's even a lift but everytime they do this, Juicebox giggles because Eduardo holds him by the love handles. So last night I heard "Lady Marmalade" played over and over again. Every once in a while I'd hear Juicebox's head bash against the wall because (don't tell him I said this) he has two left feet. The competition is going to be next Saturday. They are the only koalas entered. Eduardo thinks their biggest competition will be the giraffes because they can move their necks in ways that shouldn't even be possible. And Juicebox has been on a very strict diet. I've been ordered by Eduardo not to give him any Peach Iced tea and let me tell you-Juicebox without tea is not a pretty picture. Can you say cranky?
Other than this, I've been at work on my promo and creating my website. So here is the link-erydzikphotography.com I hope it works for all of you out there. And yes I realize it isn't anywhere near being finished (I plan on putting up the product section this week) so if you have absolutely no life except the internet feel free to check it monthly and something will be different.
Oh I nearly forgot, I spent the beginning of the week in Oxnard since my Dad had a business trip in Carpinteria. I know what you are thinking-Oxnard, that can't be pretty. The name alone sounds like something a cow might say. But it is right on the water and has a pretty nice harbor. It also has a very nice Maritime Museum (what can I say I'm a museum buff) where I learned all about scuttlebutts and the poop deck. (I couldn't resist) In addition we went to some great restaurants, I've already eaten half the leftovers! So I give Oxnard two thumbs up! I must go, more shooting, then finance, and then a fun afternoon of photoshop! Who knew computers could be sooooo fun!

Juicebox's new beau

2009-09-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,
It's me again (in case you forgot it's Esther). So I have multiple movie reviews and I have come to the happy conclusion that entertainment and intelligence can go hand in hand. So perhaps Satan is not present everywhere in hollywood as I originally thought. So this weekend I was a tad lonely so I watched "30 days of night"-a wonderful vampire movie where vampires are back to being scary and they have their own language. The protagonist's name is Eben which is the strangest name I've heard. In addition, Josh Hartnett is in it but he dies in a very poetic way. Actually it was one of the best death scenes in a vampire movie I've ever seen. (sorry people but I doubt my readers watch vampire movies). Okay, then with much trepidation I saw the new Guy Ritchie movie (which isn't that new anymore since it's on DVD) called "RockNRolla." It was absolutely and positively incredible. I now am back to my belief that Mr. Ritchie just might be the cleverest director in terms of dialogue in hollywood today. This adds to my assumption that if you are depressed or single you are at your peak artistically. (He broke up with Madonna if you live under a rock or you have a life) Alright and today's movie was "Pandorum." It was nothing like I expected but in a good way. It is one of those movies that really makes you think just how dangerous our minds are and what would happen if our nightmares came to life. Wow-that was a long movie review but hey I just couldn't stop until I found a bad movie...I guess I'll have to see a chick flick.
Now why was I alone this weekend? Well, Juicebox went on a fun filled weekend to Catalina Island because he has a new boyfriend-Eduardo. Yes it is still the stripper. Juicebox has been going to his club every day for the past couple of weeks. This has been incredibly annoying because he keeps taking one dollar bills from my purse. (I didn't want to ask where he sticks them). And during the day they go wakeboarding at the beach. So in other words they've been inseperable. And Juicebox jumped up and down when Eduardo asked him to go to Catalina with him. I tried to remind Juicebox of his fear of boats (He doesn't get seasick, he's just afraid of being hit by an iceberg) but he's bringing a black blindfold and his IPOD shuffle filled with Bon Jovi. Don't worry he survived, he texted me. He was in the middle of his third peach iced tea. Now I know what you are all thinking, I made sure Juicebox will be safe in all departments. His suitcase is completely full with a first aid kit and clothes for every occasion, even snow. He also brought a hula skirt because there is going to be a hula competition tomorrow for all the marsupials. He's not competing but Eduardo is and he wants to support him-isn't that darling. Well I must go. Now that Juicebox is gone, I might actually get something accomplished...or watch another movie-lol.

Tarantino and Juicebox's new club

2009-09-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

Hey out there everyone, it's me again. I always complain that people don't post enough and then I realized I haven't posted in over a month so I'll keep my mouth zipped (maybe not because I don't have a zipper aside from on my pants).
I am pretty pepped up right now. I just came from seeing "Inglourious Basterds." (I know what a weird spelling) And let me tell you it was wonderful with a capital W. I mean who doesn't love to see Americans scalping Nazis? (jk) I wanted to see this movie opening day but that was during my cold when I began hallucinating so I probably would've seen monkeys in the theatre or something. But while I was in bed coughing and doing other things, I watched interview after interview with Tarantino. (Let me tell you he has a huge ego with a capital E which leads me to believe he is compensating with something) After watching them though I enjoyed the movie and understood it alot better. I think if I ever see another Tarantino movie, I'll watch one of his interviews beforehand bc I generally don't like his stuff (sorry if there are any fans out there). One last thing I will say about the movie and then I'll get to Juicebox is there was Italian in the movie (by Brad Pitt no less-rather comical) and I didn't have to read the subtitles so as much as it pains me to say it-Tringali actually might be a good teacher (might being the operative word)-Does this mean I'm bilingual?
Alrighty roo-Juicebox did not go to the movies with me. It's not due to the "No Koalas" policy in Santa Barbara-I could easily smuggle him into my purse. He prefers chick flicks and he didn't like the title. He would've gone if it were called "Inglourious Illegitimate Men" to be politically correct. Instead he roamed State Street and found a Marsupial disco. And tonight they were serving Peach Smoothies for free because a kangaroo was having a bachelorette party. Juicebox thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only did they play "Elton John" and "Culture Club"(his favorite bands) but the party hired a Koala stripper. Apparently Juicebox was impressed by what he saw (I didn't ask him to go into details as much as he wanted to) because he gave the Koala his phone number....well actually my phone number bc Juicebox doesn't have a phone (that'll be another blog). He's been patiently waiting by the phone. We only got back twenty minutes ago so I'm sure it'll ring any second. I'll blog later to tell you what happens (hopefully it won't be a month).
I really should go to keep his mind off of the phone. He loves playing Monopoly, so we'll probably play that. I'll even let him be the thimble. See y'all later!

Hi again-it's been quite a while!

2009-08-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,
I'm sure by now you all know I am back safe and sound from Korea. Sometimes I wish I were back there. (sigh). In any case, I returned to a very clean place, I was shocked. Juicebox, it seems, has decided he would like to be Susie (or the male version of Susie) homemaker. However, as you all know he has a fear of the microwave..and now the oven so he doesn't really cook but he makes a wonderful salad, even if it is all peaches with a peach smoothie for dressing (don't knock it till you try it).
He's so darling with his little dustbuster. He wanted to use the vaccuum...but then I informed him of the so-called accident with Snowball. You won't believe it but one day while I was school, Juicebox took the vaccuum out of the closet (he has been working out). Snowball was playing very nicely with my bell in the living room. Juicebox claims he was just cleaning, but when I returned home there were little white dustballs and the vaccuum bag was really white. Juicebox denies that he pretty much killed Snowball, but the cat has been gone for three weeks, ever since the incident. He still tells me Snowball went on a walk and never came back-a likely story.
Well that's all on the Santa Barbara front. I've started a class where we are taking pictures of small products. Juicebox wants to come in the studio with me but unfortunately Koalas are not allowed in there. Yet they do allow dogs and cats so maybe I can put Juicebox in a disguise. Hope everyone is doing well. I have to go, mind is slowly losing thoughts. I must catch them because they are so few. Adios, Sayonara, and Arrividerci!

Hey there everyone!

2009-06-30T04:45:00.000-07:00

Hi again all you bloggers! How is life treating you? I hope you put on your smile today or at least wore a t-shirt with a smile (I actually don't have one so I am constantly smiling aside from when I sleep or am meditative).
Well my trip to South Korea is still teaming with excitement. Everyday, adventure is lurking (or maybe it's springing) around the corner. And I accept it's challenge head on. Now I know what you are thinking-no I have not jumped off any cliffs or gone skinnydipping. I haven't done anything nude aside from showering. No my adventures are more centered on exploring this great city everyone likes to call Seoul. I would tell you all of my adventures but then you might be at the computer for hours and then you would really have no life or you would need to go to the bathroom or you would need to eat and I don't want to keep you from that at all.
So I'll just tell you of my mini-adventure today. I went on my favorite subway line-the Green one to City Hall...and got married. It was a very quiet ceremony. Abby took the day off and served as the witness. Just Kidding!!!!!
I really did get off at the City Hall station where I took a nice walk to the Art Museum. On the lower level were Korean artists displaying monsters as humans-it was very interesting. In addition, there were english explanations of the paintings-thank goodness! On the second and third floor was their premier exhibition-Renoir. I've always been a fan of his nudes because they aren't the skinny minnies you see in today's culture. Every time I look at his nude paintings (this makes me sound like a pervert), I always think this gal finally ate something. There were over one hundred paintings in the museum of his, most of them weren't nude but that didn't make them any less interesting. However the explanations were in Korean (I know shocker)...and French. So I stared at the little white plaques for pretty much twenty minutes trying to figure out what the heck this dancing picture could mean.
After this, I went to the largest outdoor souvenior place in Seoul that I've been to and went crazy with gifts for the family. I think my Grandmother with love her gift-she uses them everyday. I wanted to buy something for everyone but one tiny drop fell on the ground and suddenly the street was in an uproar. The shops all closed up and people were running frantically to the subway station. I will probably go back because I still have to find something for a teenage boy, my father, and my grandfather. Although I might get something for Gramps at the Korean War memorial tomorrow.
So after this, I figured there's really no point in my staying here unless I'd like to recreate Gene Kelly's "Singing in the Rain." I decided might as well go on the subway back to Abby's and write this fabulous blog. Big Mistake! Every Korean in downtown Seould must've been in that subway stop and every Korean seemed to be going towards Incheon-oh joy! Now since I was feeling adventurous, I figured I'd join the mass of Koreans plow into the subway. Well, my body was pressed against the glass door (I got up close and personal with my Nikon) and I suddenly knew what Korean BO smelled like. Luckily about 1/4 of them got off at the next stop so then I could breathe. I was never so happy though when they called Sungnae (Abby's stop). I belted out of there. But on the bright side, I now know how many Koreans it takes to fill up a subway!
Hope everyone is peachy! I'll try to keep you posted on my life. I haven't heard from Juicebox yet so I hope he's okay.

Hello From Korea

2009-06-26T02:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!
It's been such a long time since I've blogged that I'm sure everyone was in tears! Don't worry I'm okay. Actually I'm better than okay! I'm in Korea if you can believe it! Don't worry, Juicebox did not kick me out of my own apartment, although I did leave him in charge so I'm a tad worried. In any case, I'm typing to you now from Bucheon, South Korea (don't worry I don't plan on crossing the border-lol-that could be applied in America too). I arrived pretty late on Sunday night. Since then I've become quite familiar with the subway system-been riding and rolling. I've also become quite familiar with Seoul (the capital). Abby lives about an hour (not even) from the center. So I've been going on excursions there nearly everyday. Let me tell you it is such a great city. It has these fourteenth century palaces mixed with huge skyscrapers!
Aside from that, I visited a Buddhist Palace today. I actually got a private tour. I went into the tourism office (if you can call it that, it was tiny) requesting a brochure. This old cheerful woman that looked like a Korean troll asked where I was from and I said California. Then she kept saying orange and Hollywood. I nodded and a young woman came out from behind me (Koreans are very very quiet) and offered to give me a tour free of charge. The old woman came with us and the two of them explained the temple and all the practices. Afterwards she said I could walk around because that's what foreigners like to do (she had many odd stereotypes about foreigners) but don't disturb the Buddhists because they cannot be distracted. I really wanted to take pictures of the prayer and the four huge drums but I figured this would be disrupting their sacred space so I kept my Nikon in the backpack. As I left, the old tour guide (her name was Mi-Sa although she couldn't pronounce my name) asked if I was travelling alone. I then explained to her that Abby, my friend, is teaching in Bucheon. I really wanted to walk around Seoul some more and find some Buddhist souveniours (the hats are darling), but she took my hand and led me to the subway station. Of course as I thanked her in Korean (or my version of it-she kind of gave me this very odd look of why the heck does this foreigner even try) and she responded by showing me a picture of her son. That's another big thing in Korea I've discovered-random parents trying to set you up with their sons. (Somehow the language barrier would be a problem). I shook my head, thanked her (in English, she seemed to respond better to this), then headed on my way to the Station and back to Bucheon.
Oh and on a sidenote to any bookworms-English books are 20 bucks here in most bookstores because they are imported so I was shocked today to find "Little Women" for four dollars. Now I have to read it! Goodbye everyone and hope everyone is having a great summer!

Another very random blog!

2009-05-31T16:37:00.001-07:00

Hi all you bloggers out there in far off lands! How are you all? I'm sure everyone is doing something incredibly exciting. What is Juicebox doing you may ask? Well he's sleeping. He went to this very hip disco bar on State Street last night. He was hopping away and bounding about till five in the morning-I was beginning to get worried. Oh and I forgot to tell you-Tripp and him broke up! I know I was sad too. Tripp has to go back to his native country Bulgaria because his brother got in a very awul taffy incident (don't ask). Juicebox wanted to go with him for support but Tripp said he couldn't ask Juicebox to go to a country without a beach and they parted ways. He was crying for weeks eating Mac and Cheese. One day he actually wanted to go into the microwave. That's when I told him he had to leave the apartment. Initially he just would go out for five minutes around the neighborhood. And then a homeless person gave him a harmonica and he began to play that endlessly at the "Ralph's" store. (He had a sign that said "Please give me peaches to make peach iced tea but he never got any). And finally yesterday he went to a nightclub and danced the night away. I think he's happy although he is in dreamland so he could be having some strange dream about Tripp.
Other than that my people photography class is interesting. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet. I like the projects we get to do but the teacher reminds me of Morley (she's even a folk singer who is anti-creationism). Actually this week I will be photographing a violinist and a harpist in the studio so I'm pretty excited for that-I just hope the images are in focus.
And I don't know if any of you want to know what's on my bookshelf, but I'm reading three right now to keep my mind extra busy. My favorite one is "Dead until dark." My friend recommended it to me because my guilty pleasure is the "True Blood" Series which is based on the books. So far I must give props to HBO (everything is somewhat accurate) but I'm only on Chapter two. The second book is because for some very odd reason I miss Monterey (I must be a massichist) so I thought I would give Steinbeck another try through reading "East of Eden." It's good so far but some of the things he says are really outlandish (hey that's what makes great literature!) And finally I am reading "Korea" because get this I am going there in less than a month! I'm trying to talk Juicebox into going with me but he's not a fan of dogs (sorry Abby) due to a terrible incident with a chihuahua.
I suppose another common theme in these blogs are movie reviews so here are two that I have recently seen and were impressed with. "Star Trek" was a great typical summer movie. I finally know who Scotty is! And now the saying "Live long and prosper makes sense." Although I sat in front of two Trekkies that hated the movie due to inaccuracies (Get a life guys!) The second movie I saw was "Angels and Demons." Even though they skipped half the book it was much better than the "Da Vinci code" although brace yourself for Tom Hanks in a Speedo (it still gives me chills). Of course it wasn't nearly as good as the amazing book but I still really liked it. I think I'm finally learning to look at movies and tv series independent of the books.
Alrighty-roo-that is everything! I know this was an incredibly long blog and if you've made it this far-congratulations you've completed your reading for the day. Well, I'm off. I still have to prepare for summer trip to Korea! Adios bloggers!

Santa Barbara's burning up!

2009-05-06T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!
How is everyone out there in those fun faroff places? Well I'm hot hot hot here in Santa Barbara. I'm not talking about this in the ego sense but the temperature sense. The hills of Santa Barbara are on fire-can you believe that? And I know what you are thinking-no I did not start it...I think. Juicebox certainly did not, although he is out now to check out the firefighters. I would've gone with him, but that might look a bit strange. He also thought I would not make a good wingman (or wingwoman if you are a feminist), can you imagine that? I did help him make peach smoothies to give to them, but I told him they'd melt by the time he got there. Darn that Juicebox, he didn't listen and came home in tears (and tons of sweat). The peach smoothies apparently became peach tea and nobody would even try it. It's alright though, I told him we could send the peach tea to Alaska where it's cold. He jumped up for joy. Although now I wonder if you could send liquids by mail.
So all you blog readers don't come to Santa Barbara now, the stop lights are not working at all. If you walk down State Street, you'll be inhaling ash. And I was thinking about it and maybe I could tell people that I tried smoking-jk. And not to mention you'll be drenched in head to toe with sweat-I know what a wonderful picture! Well I'm off to watch the mansions go up in flames!

Hi again everyone!

2009-04-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hey,
I haven't blogged in so many weeks, maybe even months that I thought I'd drop you a line. Well, another class has come and gone-phew. So now I know quite a bit about flashing people-photographically speaking. Tomorrow I have my accounting final and what have I learned about accounting-absolutely nothing. And you know what? I have to give a presentation in it tomorrow so hopefully I can just pretend like I know what I'm talking about-huh that reminds me of capstone.
I had an interesting conversation with a girl in my accounting class yesterday (I can't even remember how to spell her name). Actually she's my partner, not in that way because I don't swing that way, but my partner for the presentation. She was telling me all about how her friend goes to the University of Texas and is majoring in Archaeology, yada yada yada (I kinda zoned out). Then I told her about my degree and she became fascinated. Anyway I was telling her how I kinda miss Archaeology and digging in the dirt. She asked me if I'd go back to it if I didn't change my mind and go into photography. Then she told me she considered going into the Culinary Arts (I've tasted her cooking and it's a good thing she's in photography). Obviously I told her I didn't regret it but then she kept talking to me about the Masters program, so I'm back to considering getting a Masters, but I don't know how much longer that'll take. Yes I do realize that was an Esther story, but you know you've missed them.
Well, Juicebox says hello. The weather here has been a bit hot....okay alot hot. I cannot stand it, let's just say some of my other personalities have come out today. Juicebox on the other hand has gone everyday to the beach. He's really tan now-it's incredible. Well I should go. I don't know if any of this blog makes sense-I'm still working on zero energy, but hey. That's what school's all about!

Can everyone believe it's the end of March?

2009-03-27T18:05:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,
How is everyone out there? I can see all your smiling faces in my mind as we speak! Some of you really need to brush! In case you are all wondering I am doing much better (if you can't tell from my exhuberant blog). I just had one of my wonderful freak-outs (part of the Festher personality).
Well Santa Barbara is very blue today...I mean the sky. It's so blue and so hot, not the best thing for a New England gal! Yet I am dealing with it, my skin not so much. I look like a pomegranate, but a happy one-I do have lots of seeds in me too.
Juicebox is loving the weather. He goes to the beach daily. This is problematic though because he steals my photographic reflectors for tanning. Sure he's not so white as before but do you know how hard it is to explain the need for a correct exposure to a koala? Although he does understand f-stops.
Well, I went to Ventura with him the other day and he almost went swimming...then I reminded him he can't swim so he drowned-but just for a second. You see, a giraffe was also in Ventura at the time. Her name's Molly. She just stuck her head in the water and saved him. Now Juicebox and I are thinking of a reward for her. Of course Juicebox wants to send her Peach smoothies but you can't send that through the mail...well you could but it becomes peach tea. Well I have to go!
Have a great week! Easter's around the corner-can you see the bunnies?

Some very very random thoughts

2009-03-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
So I'm in the middle of a spring cleaning (wow that actually works here) and I thought what better time to blog. Well I wish this could be a very happy upbeat blog but hey you've gotta be depressed sometime-I blame it on the cleaning. Well, anyway the main reason I am a little under the weather is that I've come to the conclusion that most people at Brooks are backstabbers and cannot work in a group worth a darn! But then again maybe that's everyone in the artistic field because I've heard of tons of selfish artists. I had this friend (this is a real person) who I made an agreement with that we would do all the homework together and today she said she didn't want to work with me (I'm not quite sure what that was all about) anymore. And in the middle of Lent!
And on top of this I saw three different incidents today of Santa Barbarians being very inconsiderate to workers, once at Starbucks, once at Ross, and then once at the Grocery Store (that gives you an indication of my morning)! So all in all today was a day that did not give me faith in humanity. I think it's just one of those days...or weeks where I just want to get out of Santa Barbara. On the bright side, I woke up this morning!
Hope everyone is doing better than I am. This weekend should be fun though-I just hope the sun goes out or else I'm going to be in deep trouble for my environmental portrait!

St. Patrick's day in Santa Barbara

2009-03-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
I hope everyone is just peachy keen today. I must tell you I'm more plummy today. So I have always thought St. Patrick's Day was a day that nothing really happens aside from you get to pinch people that do not wear green. (By the way I was the only person in my class yesterday that wore green but I couldn't pinch anyone because of sexual harassment). However it is much much more than that in Santa Barbara! Especially for tourists!
Yesterday bagpipers were tooting up and down State Street. I requested they play "I can get no satisfaction" but they didn't have that one memorized. Aside from that it was the farmer's market and everything was green! The venders had green face paint on, some of the vegetables were green (don't worry I didn't buy them because call me crazy but I don't eat any fresh produce that's green aside from broccoli, celery, and cucumbers, oh and lettuce). Now I didn't really have tons of time to appreciate this since I had accounting which makes me green.
So he let us out early because he's an Irish wannabe (don't ask). Actually I felt bad for him yesterday because a student said accounting is pointless but that's a blog for another day on how teacher's are underappreciated. Well, I had to go to flash a classmate yesterday in the studio (it's required in photo). By the time I got out of there it was 10 and another tradition of St. Paddy's day-drinking! I never saw so many swaying pedestrians or passed so many taxis in my life. And on the way home, I passed three, yes three sobriety checkpoints. Do not worry though-the coppers didn't check my drinking capability....probably because I didn't have any time for that tradition.
Well, I hope everyone St. Patrick's day was FUN! Next year if you want to come to a place that somewhat celebrates the tradition come on down to SB. Juicebox'll even paint his fur green. Although now I have to give him a bath in the sink which he hates because he hates being wet!

Hey there cyberworld!

2009-03-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
I hope everyone out there is having a splendid day with a capital S. Well, I am back in Santa Barbara after a week in New Jersey. During that week, I experience the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good-snowstorm and great food! The bad- degrees in the single digits. The ugly- some very talkative New Jersians.
Now I know what you are all thinking (actually I don't because I'm not psychic), what about Juicebox? Well-I would not let him alone here in SB with Snowball because I'm pretty sure she would kill her. Instead, he went on a roadtrip to Yosemite with Trip. He's always dreamed of climbing mountains and hiking! His dream has been achieved. Unfortunately there are no pictures because he has an odd fear of cameras. He didn't bring back a souvenior,but I don't hold it against him. After all he has tons of fun stories and memories! I've never seen him so happy even if they don't have peach iced teas. He did eat alot of trail mix, and when I say alot I mean alot. He told me he ate 5 lbs a day.
Well I must be off-school has begun yet again and right now I'm just whelmed. I finally had my first accounting class and it seems like it'll be about as much fun as statistics but a heck of a lot easier. My photography class will be consumed with shooting people (with a camera not a gun) out in the open and we get to flash them too! Have a great day everyone! Thanks for reading.

It's me again!

2009-02-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
It's been quite a long time since my last blog so I figured why not write another one. Juicebox's jumping around because it's Oscar night and I said he could invite some of his friends. My goodness, who knew Koalas loved disco music. Don't get me wrong I love koalas as much as the next gal but now there's peach iced tea everywhere-have you ever tried to get that off a carpet? It's more difficult than it sounds. They've also stuffed Snowball in the oven but I wouldn't let them turn it on so Snowball is just napping.
So all of Juicebox's jungle pals are rooting for "Milk" (although Trip really wants Brad Pitt to win for Best Actor but I think that's just because that's his favorite actor). I finally saw it yesterday with Juicebox. I stuffed him in my purse but I gave him a hole to breathe through (is that technically abuse?). Anyway, great movie. Way to go Sean Penn! Now I want to go to San Francisco and see his camera shop (not Sean Penn's but Harvey Milk's). I'd recommend the movie to people that really want to look at how screwed up America is.
As for me, I am rooting for "Slumdog Millionaire." I just can't get enough of that movie! So far I am winning, much to the animal's dismay. I love to watch the Indian acceptance speeches and Danny Boyle looks sooooo happy-it's so cute (Grandfather cute not hunk cute.) Every time they show him he's smiling, all the other director's look grumpy.
Other than the Oscars the big news is that it is my final week of classes and I pray I pass as I do with every class at this school, so please pray I pass. I'm so excited because it is also the last week with my apathetic group! Tomorrow is the last meeting then I don't have to work with them ever again!!!!!!
Oh gosh-I should go-one of the koalas just threw up peach iced tea in my camera bag-aaaahh!

Hi again!

2009-02-01T23:00:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,
Am I the only one that has no clue how to title these blogs? Anyway, I don't really know the subject of today's blog other than my creativity is back and you'll never guess how. So, I've been reading all these supernatural books lately-and one very depressing one about Catholicism (don't ask, but it had nothing to do with the scandals), then I thought wait,this just isn't working for me. So I picked up a book I've always wanted to read "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S. Thompson. Incidentally it's a book about these two guys that are pretty much high (On drugs not life) in search of the American dream in Vegas. I don't know if it's because of his style or if I just have a desire to go to Vegas but I began to get ideas. Then another thing happened-so everyone that knows me knows that I am not an impulsive buyer (or maybe I am and I'm in denial)-well anyone last night I saw "Slumdog Millionaire" (My God what a great movie!) and I just loved the soundtrack so today I bought it. And I played it on my walk with my Nikon around my neck and all of a sudden my creativity came back in a whirlwind-phew. I'm so glad it's back! Next time, it should tell me where it goes so I can follow it.
Well, Juicebox just came back today from his trip to the Channel Islands. You should see his lovely tan. I asked him what is secret is-because now instead of white, he's tan, and he told me he put peach smoothie all over himself instead of lotion. That might explain why he stuck to me for a bit when he hugged hello. And of course now the whole apartment smells like peach iced tea. But it's better than the previous smell. In any case, he's zonked out now. I think he got a hangover on something-I keep asking him but he's so tired he hasn't woken up. Don't worry he's still breathing!

Creativity slump

2009-01-29T23:05:00.000-08:00

Hi again,
I bet people did not expect to see another blog from me for i don't know another week or two-well booyah! I'm blogging again! In any case, I'm blogging because Juicebox and Trip are back together and so I can now get back to my solitude.
Classes are going relatively well. Relatively being the operative word. I have finally hit a creativity wall-where ideas are just going out the window-look there goes another one. We had a critique today and like everybody laughed at my images because they were so random. In any case, i figured out the cause...or should I say the excuse. You see-I think creativity is with your left brain (or is it your right-I always get sooo confused) and the right part is the technical part. This class and pretty much every class for the next couple sessions are technical so the right part's working wonderfully and the left part's thinking hey I can go on vacation-but alas no. I try to wake it up, but every time I get a creative idea it ends up being with writing which I think might actually be the right brain-but I have no idea. (LOL what a bad pun there). In any case, I talked to my teacher about it and he kept giving me all these ideas-take long showers, brainstorm... well I tried all of his ideas and still I'm here blogging. But maybe it's because I haven't been walking since the weather's so bad-I really don't know but I hope my left brain wakes up soon! Wake Up Brain! Wake Up! Hope everyone is doing well and blog ya later! If anyone has any ideas please leave a comment-I'd be forever grateful!

It's been quite a while

2009-01-25T21:45:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone out there in Cyberspace. How is everyone today? It's the beginning of the end of January-can you believe it? One month out of the way for 2009. Before you know it, it'll be 2020 and we'll have robots or something. Personally, I hope we can discover how to teleport because that would save a ton on airfare!
But I'm sure most of you do not want to read about my hopes and dreams for the future world, unless you are incredibly bored than I'd be happy to share it with you. So why have I not been blogging since Benjamin Button? Well, school has come into full swing and it's been incredibly cloudy out. I've been sick like you wouldn't believe and call me crazy but I do not want to sneeze on my computer.
Most of you probably do not want to know about my shenanigans, you are all probably reading for Juicebox. He always was the popular one. He played soccer in elementary school, although it was rather difficult becuase he's as big as the soccer ball but he made it work. I wish I was there to see the raccoon cheerleaders yell his name. Now though, he's taking a break from Trip. Mostly because Trip had to see his family due to a freak ice cream machine accident that killed a member of his family(don't ask). So now Juicebox has been incredibly bored. What does Juicebox like to do when he's bored? He likes to watch designer shows and awards shows! Even right now we are watching the SAG awards-no it's not a show to see who hasn't the saggiest rear. He's sooooooo happy Meryl Streep won even though he hasn't even seen this movie. He's been praying Milk will win. Yet he hasn't seen that one either. He keeps bugging me to take him but you can't take animals in a theatre unless you have some kind of impaired ability. Even though I might be a tad (okay alot) mentally challenged, that doesn't pass and I can't really smuggle him in. Ohh-Sean Penn's up for Milk-will he win? I'm hoping on Brad Pitt but don't tell Juicebox. Juicebox wins. If you'll excuse me, I have to go calm down a very excited koala.

New Year New FUN

2009-01-06T17:07:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone,
It's been literally ages since my last post so I thought I'd post one. I must sincerely apologize for everyone that has called me. Ironically my NY resolution is to keep in touch with people yet I never answer the phone. I have a reason though. Juicebox has been hosting raves like you wouldn't believe and I cannot hear the phone at all. He especially likes George Michael. He doesn't like Michael Jackson though-however he does love Thriller. You haven't lived until you've seen thirty marsupials do the Thriller dance-granted many of them were drunk on peach iced teas.
His rave days are over though because I told him I am done cleaning up throwup....and since it's his friends it's all stuffing. He's not mad though-he's out at a beach bonfire right now. He wanted to go without swim trunks but I told him we don't have any nude beaches.
Other than Juicebox's hijinx, the holidays were interesting. Our family found a remedy for being together-going to the movies! That way we are together but don't actually have to talk to each other! In any case, I have seen "Seven pounds" (no that's not the new Carl's Jr. burger), "Marley and Me," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" twice." In case you are wondering my pic is the dog one. I normally don't care for animal movies. I mean that lab with that fur and no artificial coloring-it's not natural! But this one was the best family film I've seen in quite a while. After viewing it, I wanted to move to Pennsylvania-and not just to scare the Amish! I'd also recommend the Benjamin Button movie. I know what you are thinking-nearly three hours of a movie with an old guy, really? Well let me tell you it isn't sci-fi at all, it isn't like the short story at all (sorry F.Scott it wasn't your best work), and Ben Button is only old for the beginning. Besides, need I remind you of another long movie that is considered to be the best romantic movie ever (big hint-sinking boat.....still no-Celine Dion.....still no-"I'll never let go".....if you haven't gotten it now you are an idiot).
Seven pounds I will create a new paragraph for because I don't think it should be with the other two due to the fact that it pales in comparison. I don't really want to think about it but I do give it props for the jellyfish exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium-hoot hoot! See it for that and to get a nap, it's the only movie either than one about Africa that I could sleep through.
Hmmm....other than that I got up close and personal with Wii fit and found out specifically why people like it. I also watched movies on DVD-highlights "Rent" (why do I always end up watching this movie) "27 dresses" (which I've seen 27 times) "The dark Knight" (tear-Heath Ledger's last role-tissues in hand) "Burn after reading" (what a dirty sense of humor but brilliant I could not stop laughing, I would quote it but I don't swear-maybe I'll censor myself). I think that's it.
I hope 2009 will be a fantastic year for all of us and we'll have oodles and oodles of adventures! Juicebox's new year's resolution-to get over his fear of microwaves! Snowball's-to kill Juicebox. Does anyone have any ideas for Juicebox on how to overcome it? I don't want to help with Snowball's. I must go now because this is the longest post in history. Adios, Ciao, Sayonara!

False Alarm!

2008-12-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone again!
Wow two posts in one day. So anyway, my computer is back to normal. It was very strange because I just took out the battery, then put it back and magically it worked! I'm so happy. Although as soon as I checked my email my professor sent a mass email saying we could use our notes for the final this morning. Which is a relief because I thought everyone was cheating. I should get an A for effort.
Well I must go now again! I hope everyone is doing swell and have a great day!

Some sad news or good news depending on how you look at it

2008-12-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!
I just wanted to let everyone know that I will probably be very very late in getting back to emails because my computer has decided to completely crash. I mean it will not even turn on. I thought-fiddlesticks. So now I will simply be checking emails at Brooks which might explain the tardiness.
I think it was a curse the cat put on the place.
Other than this, I suddenly felt an explosion of creativity and have decided to use Juicebox as a minor character in a book. Don't worry I had a long talk with him about it when he returned from the Channel Islands and he said it was okay. I wanted written documentation but he can't write. He's doing well. He came back early from his vacation because of the rain and the fact that he really didn't get along with the seals. Snowball is doing somewhat well. She keeps running out in the rain. She started dancing the other day and I pretended I didn't know her. A cat doing the macarena? Not a pretty picture. In any case, she kinda smells now. Well-I must go-homework calls just until the end of the week.

Hi everyone!

2008-12-12T14:16:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is have a decadent December. Yes, Christmas is in the air-the lights are streamed on the trees lining State Street. Carolers are around every nook and cranny. Tourists are doing Christmas shopping with Santa Barbara t-shirts and depression has finally set in. It seems that every person I've talked to (and these are real people) has been depressed. Which begs the question, what is it about the holiday season that makes people sad? Should we blame it on Hallmark? Or the fact that people have a certain annoyance of the color green? Maybe people just hate giving gifts and getting them. Or maybe it's that we don't look forward to yet another reason to see our family-who knows.
I have some good and bad news though. Juicebox is going away for a week with Trip to the Channel Islands. Trip is very outdoorsy so he is looking forward to some hiking. I will make sure Juicebox packs an inhaler! He asked me if there were any peach smoothies on the islands, I told him I don't think so. He's determined to find one. He said lemurs can make a pretty mean smoothie.
Let's see, what else? Does anybody have any good new years resolutions? I came up with two, let's see if they'll last longer than a week. One is to email people as soon as I get their emails instead of a month later. The second one is to be more organized with my photography. I've got tripods coming out of my eyeballs! (Not really, that would be odd) Well I should go now and work on homework, in other words more procrastination!
Hope everyone is having a great day! Have fun!

New Additions

2008-12-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!
I have some big news! It's so big my heart's rolling in my chest. There are two new additions to my family. I know what you are thinking-no I did not get pregnant that one drunken night in Antarctica nine months ago. Instead I have adopted again. This time it is a Jade plant named Jade (I know very creative) and a cat named Snowball (bet you can't guess what color she is). I'm sure many of you are wondering how Juicebox is handling this. He's been an only child for....5 years now.
I would love to tell you he hugged Snowball and smiled at Jade but that would be a lie. I thought he was hugging Snowball but it was actually Juicebox strangling her. As for Jade, I asked him to water Jade yesterday and he added a liquid alright-urine. It was not his finest hour. So today I had to go to UCSB yet again (I feel like I should enroll there) and I only took Juicebox because I thought we needed to talk. And you'll never guess what we saw-two women going at it by the arts building. Juicebox jumped up for joy while I walked in the other direction.
I set up my camera and saw Juicebox was over with the lesbians talking. He told them about how he was a homosexual too and then he talked about Trip. Then the lesbians invited him on a double date. I never did have the talk with Juicebox though because he kept talking about what he was going to wear on his date (then I informed him that he is always naked). As for now, I'm trying to keep them as far away from eachother as possible.
Hope everyone is having a swell day!

Break from Homework

2008-12-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
I'd planned on typing a blog yesterday but unfortunately homework called and I had to answer. And unfortunately I showed my professor my pictures and unfortunately more reshoots! But hey practice makes perfect!
So due to alot of pent-up anger and the fact that it was cloudy so I could not work on more reshoots, I decided to see a movie. So I saw "Quantum of Solace" finally! I give it two thumbs up. I'm so glad they kept Vesper in the storyline! This one though was much more Bondy (is that a word) than "Casino Royale." I wondered though if that necklace is still in Russia? Wouldn't that be nifty? I was going to bring Juicebox but he doesn't like movies with heterosexual couples. It makes him very uncomfortable as many of you know. Too bad because he would've loved the chases!
Don't worry he still had a fun day! Luckily he was able to check out the new club in town specifically for single Koalas. He's been bouncing off the walls ever since and he can't stop talking about this koala named Trip. I haven't met him yet though. Juicebox wants to take the relationship slow, unlike all his other ones. Well I have to go-he has scissors in his paw and the blades are getting close to his head! AAAAHHH!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
This'll be a nice short blog. I just wanted to wish all my bloggers a Happy Thanksgiving, although now it's Friday so everyone already had Thanksgiving. In any case, I am in Auburn with an overcast sky and will most likely see a children's movie.
Oh maybe the better thing is to wish every one happy Black Friday. Do you think African Americans have protested the name of today? In any case, I hope everyone is not out shopping or if you are, then bring kneepads. Juicebox wanted to go out this morning, but he didn't have his protective head gear. And you know soccer moms-he'd be squished in a second!

A Twilight day

2008-11-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone again!
Today was a very odd day. It began with church surrounded by little children and a sermon on goats and ended with screaming teenagers-but no other animals. Well church was relatively normal-I sat in back of a couple who had two children and one on the way. I really thought she was going to give birth right there, luckily she didn't. When I left, it was overcast so I figured what a great day to see Twilight.
I must tell you I really didn't want to see this movie because I kind of wanted to throw the book in the garbage at least ten times-sorry Stephanie Meyer if you are reading this, but then again if you are reading this then you aren't that famous of an author- but I went. So the theatre was literally packed to the brim with teenager girls. One of the parent's around me referred to the movie as this generations' Titanic. I thought that's going a bit overboard. The teenage girl in front of me had already seen it four times. Anyway, there was so much whistling and hoot hooting (I don't know if that's the proper word) that it was nearly impossible to fall asleep to the dull movie. When I walked out, my ears were ringing and I thought "Should've seen Quantom of Solace." In any case I can say I've seen it and I know the opinion of many swooning fifteen year olds.
Other than that, simply business law homework. Juicebox went hiking today. I hope he doesn't fall in a hole like last time! Don't worry-I gave him a rope and a walkie talkie with great range so he can call me. However I just remembered I don't talk Koala.

UCSB and Juicebox

2008-11-22T12:59:00.000-08:00

Hello again everyone!
So I visited yet another college but this was actually for a purpose. I had to photograph a building in UCSB. My goodness what a campus. I have a feeling I would never study there. In any case, Juicebox is still a bit depressed so I decided he could come along. He jumped in my camera bag-don't worry I left an airhole for him- and we were on our way.
Now I'd been to UCSB twice before due to troublesome film and was nearly run over by bicycles so I warned Juicebox to be careful. Unfortunately as soon as I unzipped my camera bag he hopped out and walked away. I tried to catch him but Juicebox is on this new diet where it makes him incredibly fast so he was gone in a second. I let him roam around for a bit (big mistake) and took my shots (with a camera not tequila shots). I packed up my camera and then I saw him right in front of the building. He waved his furry little paw. I yelled, C'Mon Juicebox. Time to go."
He scurried over to me and unfortunately did not look both ways when crossing the street and caused a Japanese college student to fall over. Juicebox quickly ran towards me, jumped in the camera bag and we were on our way. As for the college student, she's alright. No cuts or bruises. I think she was more surprised to see a running koala than anything else. Well, hope everyone is having a splendid day. Blog you soon!

What ever happened to Leonardo?

2008-11-18T20:21:00.000-08:00

So I should've prefaced the previous blog with an explanation of just what happened to Leonardo. I really thought they'd be the next Ross and Rachel but alas no. So Juicebox and Leonardo did everything together, they went to the Monterey Bars and ordered peach smoothies. Leonardo would lovingly put Juicebox in a cyllindrical box. They would go mountain climbing. They spent every minute together.
Then something happened. Juicebox-as you all know has a fear of microwaves. Leonardo initally was okay with this, but then he began to crave EasyMac. One day he succumbed to the craving and surprised Juicebox with EasyMac for dinner. As soon as Juicebox put a macaroni in his mouth, he could taste the microwave. He gave Leonardo an ultimatum-either him or the microwave.
They spent a day apart. Juicebox was so annoying that day because he was constantly talking to me about how much he missed Leonardo's fur. The next day Leonardo returned and he chose the microwave. Juicebox was heartbroken. Now he can't even bear to look at a microwave.
Now, though Juicebox is attempting the club scene down in Santa Barbara. I told him if we ever play hide and seek again-he would have to return within 24 hours and would automatically win.
So now you all know....and you know why I can't have EasyMac in the house.
Well, I don't know if you all would like to hear about my day-but here it is. I have to do four, count them, four assignments by next Tuesday. So I will probably remain being antisocial this week. Other than that, I keep getting sheets for early Christmas presents. Wow-Santa must really want me to sleep! Thanks to everyone who's sending me sheets!
I really must go now-the only show I religiously watch is about to start-yay "Fringe." Joshua Jackson finally grew up (Oh Pacey) and became Mulder. Thanks for reading!

Hello everyone!

2008-11-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
I've always wanted to join the blogging revolution so here I am. Watch out world. So why would anyone want to read this blog? You're reading it so you tell me-jk. Well, juicebox finally came back from a massive game of hide and seek. He was hiding in the bathtub drain of all places and wants his fame back so you'll be hearing alot about juicebox. For those who do not know-Juicebox is my lovable Koala who is also a homosexual. (I don't really want to type a blog of how that was figured out). He had a long term relationship with a koala from Venice name Leonardo but Leo left him because he could not handle Juicebox's fear of the microwave.
Other than reading Juicebox's rambunctious adventures, I'll attempt to tell you what's been the delio with my life. (Don't worry-I will never say delio again) As of right now, everyone knows I attend Brooks. So far it is tons of fun. I still don't like the competitive atmosphere. Make photographs not war. So I will figure out how to add photos and then you can look at them as ooh, aah, or go 'wow that sucks.'
You can also read my innermost thoughts and desires-actually no you can't because this is the internet, you don't know what kind of perverts are out there. Well I must be going now. I'm taking a break from writing the great American novel or attempting it anyway.