As The Summer Fades Away.

School starts in three weeks for me, so I've been reading like crazy, trying to enjoy the precious last few moments of free time before diving back into my studies. I bought "Confessions of A Crap Artist" by Phillip K Dick, and Hesse's "Siddartha". I'm still working my way through the Dante Valentine series, which is pretty nifty.

I haven't gotten as much reading done lately, but I have the next few days off, and tend to remedy this.

I decided over the summer I want to learn some basic Japanese and go to Japan in a few years to experience it. I feel so uncomfortable going to countries where I don't know the language, where I get in line behind all the other tourists, and feel as if there is a wall between me and the local culture. I loved going to France because I knew enough French to explore the streets, ask for directions, order a meal, shop in the stores, etc. I hated Italy because I didn't even know how to say hello, so I just followed the tourist groups everywhere, saw all the sights that the tourists are obliged to see, that are set up and preserved for the tourists, and I feel like I missed out on a great deal of culture.
So when I go to Japan, I want to go to Japan, I want to experience it. I want to get lost and eat at little local holes in the walls and crash at cheap motels and hostels, laugh with everyone around me, local and tourist alike.So I looked at the Japanese offerings at the University. It's a popular language to learn here, so the program is pretty good. I can't take any Japanese classes this fall because of my work schedule, but this spring I should be able to figure something out. As I was looking at the course listings, I found out that the Japanese department is offering a Zen Buddhism class, and only had one spot left.
How nifty is that? It is only one credit, and doesn't collide with my work schedule. I was giddy for the rest of the day.

Bookcase Buddha

These past few days have been eventful in their own subtle way.

I rearranged my room earlier this week. It actually turned out surprisingly well, the best arrangement I've done so far. I think I'll keep it this way, I actually have floor space now.

Yesterday I saw Dark Knight with Jason yesterday. It was freaking awesome, the nerd in me is soooo happy. I know everyone has said it, but it really is a shame that Heath Ledger is dead, that character was so beautifully done.

Today is Sony's birthday. I called her, but only got her voicemail. She is still out of town being a carney for Jamie. I wanted to buy her fire fans for her birthday, but they will have to wait. I have something else in mind until then.

I was only supposed to work for three hours today, but it was so crazy busy that I stayed for another three hours. It was pretty exhausting, especially since I didn't sleep well last night.

I collected my paycheck and went to the mall to pick up a little Buddha statue for my alter. A quick browse through the Pier 1 clearance rack turned up an awsome zen-style candle holder. It was only $7.48, down from $20. I love clearance. I noticed afterwards when I got home that it holds four candles, one for each Noble Truth.

Patty didn't in fact leave on the 26th, which he had originally planned. He leaves for grad school tomorrow, so after work I drove to his house and played Munchkin (the Munchkin Impossible version) with him and Thomas. I hugged and kissed him goodbye afterwards. I am going to miss him soooo freaking much. I'll see him for Christmas, I promised him we would have some alone time.

I stopped by Moose's place where Darlene and Daniel were playign Changeling. Darlene's daughter, Chelsea, flew into town tonight, which makes me happy. She is so freaking cute. A perky goth. She brings out my inner child. Paul also happened to be next door at Oni's, so I got to cuddle with him. He just moved close by, so I plan to visit him more often. He is one of the most cuddlable people I've ever met.

When I finally got home, around midnight, I found a huge box sitting on the porch with my name on it. A bookcase, from my dad. And not a cheap one either. Nice dark expresso-colored wood, two shelves, very elegantly designed. I was soooo excited when I saw it. I tried to call him to say thank you, but he didn't answer his cell. I set it up in the last remaining open space in my room, and set my alter up on the top of it. It is beautiful, Buddha looks very peaceful in the candle-light.

I called Christian today, asking him if we could have tea again. He laughed and said perhaps tomorrow, he would call. I need to figure out my schedule for next week in case tomorrow doesn't work. I need to know it by tomorrow anyways to figure out my plans for next week, I'm hoping to meet Mom for lunch or dinner, and see some friends when I have the time.

After relaxing bath, I split a pizza with Darren, and now we're watching Tin Man, a modernfantasy-style Wizard of Oz, and Kira is attacking a q-tip.

Book Goodness

Another quiet day. Since I now have gas in my car, I could actually get out and drive around. I made my way to a local bookstore, and after browsing for a while, I found some graphic novels to put on hold, including.....{insert drumroll}........ the first two volumes of Antia Blake Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton!
YAYYYYY!!!!!
I'll admit, I am a LK Hamilton fan. She has been on of my favorite indulgences since my senior year of high school. I'm so glad they're doing comics of her works. Granted, I am not under any dilusions, her work is certainly not outstanding, it is hit or miss at best, but I love the characters, and theres a familiarity I get when reading her novels that I don't get from other books. And yes, like many paranormal novels these days, there is sex involved, but I love the fact that there is no manipulation or lies about it. The sex is just sex, and not full of prose usually found in dimestore romance trash, and niether is the sex confused with love (unless Anita happens be with someone she truely cares about). I have a whole soapbox rant about people who confuse sex for love. But that is for another time. I do hope that in the future, Hamilton will write more about Anita's necromancy, or more police cases. The last book, The Harlequin, had a plot the revolved entirely around vampire politics, which gets old after a while.

I eagarly await my paycheck so I can pick them up and spend all day tomorrow in wonderful nerdy goodness.

I logged onto blogger today and found out my entire list of blogs had disappeared, probably because I changed the blogs address to dreamingtangerine. So I spent an hour searching through google and blogspot trying to locate my favorite blogs, as well as dicovering a few new ones. I also added blogs involving comics (because I am a part time nerd), and transgender folks. I am not transgendered, but I am a huge advocate for transexual rights. The rest of my blogs pretty much revolve around Buddhism, feminisim, philosophy or politics. Check them out and enjoy.