October 05, 2008

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

The repeat is the most important part of that process.

Steps in a week:
1) Be in denial about assignments due
2) Desire old albums you loved in high school
3) Go to Amazon and look up Get Up Kids
4) Remember you have that Elliott album
5) Think about buying a Mineral album instead
6) Read journal articles and pretend that you're going to make something of your life
7) Never return any phone calls
8) Repeat.

Posted by joan at 11:15 PM | Comments (974)

June 19, 2007

Have you ever read something that felt like it was staring right into your soul and saying, "You thought you could hide, there? HA." That is the feeling I got while reading "Everything That Rises Must Converge" after dinner this evening.

I got the job that I wanted. It pays pretty well for entry level and it's in downtown DC. I start on Monday, so I'm pretty excited about that.

I finished turning all the dirt in the garden. I can't decide if I want to just fence it all in or go ahead and make some raised beds. I've got seeds for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and pumpkins.

It's not that big of a garden, so I don't know what I was thinking.

Posted by joan at 11:33 PM | Comments (474)

June 14, 2007

From the Present

Less than two months ago I got accepted the the University of Maryland's College of Library and Information Science. I moved to Maryland two weeks ago. I have an apartment now; a room in the basement of a house that is about two minutes' walk away from the Metro. I made a list about 6 or so years ago of the cities I would like to live in, should big city living become necessary. Washington, D.C. was for sure in the top five. So here I am.

So far I've seen my first women's professional basketball game and a purse-snatching.

I've had a few job interviews so far and one position looks really promising. I've been looking for a church to go to, but haven't attended one yet. I start classes at the end of August.

There is a small garden in the backyard that is overrun with weeds. I did some raking and I turned the dirt on one side of it. I don't know what can grow there, but I am excited to find out.

Posted by joan at 09:52 PM | Comments (176)

March 08, 2006

Tuesday

Yesterday I tried going to the Library of Congress, but the Madison Building was closed off. I decided to go to the Bethesda public library, but I took a stop in Friendship Heights first. Ate at the (overpriced) Cosi. Not entirely impressive.

For dinner, Steph and I ate at this kickass sushi place in Dupont Circle. We ate pretty fast and pretty much decimated anything that the waitresses brought us. The miso soup rocked. I don't think I knew half the things I ate. I'm still alive, though, so it can't be too bad.

Posted by joan at 07:40 AM | Comments (822)

March 06, 2006

Bethesda

Hello from lovely Bethesda, Maryland. So far I have gotten my annual haircut and watched a Roma game in a bar for the first time. (We don't have bars that show soccer in Rapid City. Imagine that.)

If anyone has any suggestions as to what I should do during my time here, leave a comment.

I'll be posting pictures in the Rapidfish Gallery all throughout my journey.

Posted by joan at 11:21 AM | Comments (124)

December 20, 2005

A rare MLS post.

Seriously, now. Houston? That's a little bit tragic.

Posted by joan at 11:20 AM | Comments (193)

November 25, 2005

Entry feat. Lil John

Testing the new internets site from Dunn Bros.

Posted by joan at 03:17 PM | Comments (1340)

July 27, 2005

Ice tends to melt.

Right now I am sitting at the desk and quite literally watching ice melt. You see, I filled my bottle up from the tap at home yesterday, then when I got back to my parents place, I put it in the freezer, so it would be cold when I took it out later that evening to go for a nice walk and "shoot some hoops" (silly phrase) behind the gymnasium at my university. I eventually did go for a walk and I did the shooting, but I forgot to take the water out. In fact, it stayed in there all night and I only just took it out this morning. It's still not all melted.

I ran for a half hour a while ago and some water would be nice. I could fill it with some tap water from here, but the tap just isn't as nice here as it is at home. Tastes funny.

I got a call today from a job I applied to many weeks ago. They said my resume looked great and they wanted an interview. Unfortunately their schedule conflicts with the classes I'm taking this fall. Thumbs down. Thumbs down.

I think I will watch this Arsenal-Tottenham match repeat. I'm not sure if Thierry Henry was back for it. He is a pretty runner.

Posted by joan at 03:41 PM | Comments (2152)

February 09, 2005

I am dehydrated.

I think this site needs a redesign. Badly.

Posted by joan at 11:42 PM | Comments (1088)

December 26, 2004

Schadenfreude

And that's why I don't use Moveable Type.

Posted by joan at 08:45 PM | Comments (9664)

December 12, 2004

Requires Quicktime

Y'know, I know that Jesus would have dinner with

, but I'd like to think that it would be a really quick one.

Posted by joan at 05:44 PM | Comments (2888)

December 06, 2004

64k Gospel

See what I see, via the power of the moblog.

Posted by joan at 12:39 PM | Comments (3479)

July 16, 2004

Sports Day Camp

I just got done with a week of Sports/Bible Day Camp with kids. While each day is kind of stressful, I've never had a bad day working at camp. I've learned many things about the children, and many things about myself, including the following:

1) I'm the best overall athlete of all the counselors (there are three 20-year-old boys and no other girls) and that is kind of sad.

2) I'm not too bad at arts and crafts.

3) Eventually, I will get used to the frigid cold of Rapid Creek

4) I can't get children to share puffy paints. Ever.

Posted by joan at 09:54 PM | Comments (3127)

May 17, 2004

Will the circle be unbroken?

This summer marks the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests and subsequent events. Sadly, there is little improvement in China.

I don't know what to say about it; I rarely know what to write about political issues. For certain, I am less informed than many, and that makes me feel like I should keep mum about such things. But it does remind me of the song, "We Shall Overcome." When I think about that song, I think about who would sing it. About those fighting for civil rights who might not have believed that they would overcome. There must have been some who thought that all the marching and singing and sit-ins would never change anything. There were, of course, those who would pass away before seeing the fruits of their labours.

Posted by joan at 10:37 PM | Comments (3353)

May 07, 2004

Fascinating Rhythm

I've got an 'A' in Technical Communications I. I'll always have that.

Some points of interest:

  • The latest Del McCoury record, "It's Just The Night", is really good. Super good, my friends. I suppose if you don't like bluegrass, you'll probably not find it as good as I do, but oh well. Listen to "My Love Will Not Change" anyway.

  • The first and second seasons of The Office are as awesome as "It's Just The Night" is good, in my opinion. Maybe more so.

  • A large black and white cat has claimed my backyard as its territory. I already have a cat. I don't need another one. It's probably mean, anyway.

    Posted by joan at 08:58 PM | Comments (2747)
  • April 17, 2004

    Avengers Assemble

    Today I noticed a very tiny beetle crawling on my shirt. After a few mintues of playing with it followed by a few minutes of fearing the necessity of an exterminator, I flicked the little guy or girl away. S/he reminded me a little bit of the Blue Beetle, that DC Superhero who was a member of the Justice League of America for a little while.

    I don't actually remember what Blue Beetle's powers were, but I do know that nobody thought he was cool. I think he invented things, and that's about it. He was blue and had yellow goggles. Beetle's appearance doesn't exactly strike fear into the hearts of the cowardly and superstitions. I feel a bit sorry for him. I mean, even Aquaman had fans.

    Posted by joan at 07:21 PM | Comments (4024)

    April 07, 2004

    Signed, Sealed, Delivered

    So I'm reading this biography of Joan of Arc now. I am a total slacker.

    I need to crown somebody king, like, right now. We could skip the whole being burned alive thing and I could be canonized in a couple years.

    St. Joan II, Electric Boogaloo

    Posted by joan at 09:19 PM | Comments (532)

    March 04, 2004

    On The High Road

    I borrowed a copy of The Plays of Anton Tchekov (sic) from the library today, in order to read 'The Cherry Orchard'. This turned out to be rather pointless as not only was the translation contained within was clunky at best, painful at worst, but I already have a copy of 'The Cherry Orchard' in my AP English 12 textbook, the Perrine's Literature one.

    I'm sure I can connect this to some statement about happiness being right in your own backyard, but right now I'm a little annoyed that I have to lug around the thick textbook whenever I want to read the play.

    I did manage to borrow a copy of Killing The Buddha: A Heretic's Bible. I'm pretty certain that The Book of Ruth alone would be worth the purchase.

    Posted by joan at 11:11 PM | Comments (784)

    March 03, 2004

    the past is a cancelled check! your maximum point of power is NOW

    You do not want to know.

    Posted by joan at 01:44 PM | Comments (7032)

    February 25, 2004

    Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head

    DSC00864 (65k image)

    Goat at Central States Fair

    Posted by joan at 09:41 PM | Comments (6299)

    February 21, 2004

    There's always someone cooler than you

    Now, when I am not guiltily listening to the Avenue Q soundtrack, I am listening to Franz Ferdinand. (Thanks, Christopher!)

    Girls, beware of the whimpster. Boys, make sure you're not a whimpster.

    If anybody knows any bluegrass guitar instuctors in the Black Hills area, please let me know.

    Posted by joan at 11:17 PM | Comments (4091)

    February 19, 2004

    Out of Control. My hair, that is.

    There is not a single scrunchie in the house. Not a hair tie to be found. What kind of long-haired girl am I, who cannot even tie back her hair? A frustrated one. I had no idea how much the occasional braid can improve productivity.

    To follow up on the previous post, I'm suprised the Red Wings lost. I was almost sort of rooting for them.

    There's only sport team that I moderately care about would be the All Blacks. To a lesser extent the Barcelona football team. Mostly because of their pretty uniforms.

    Posted by joan at 08:46 PM | Comments (2372)

    February 11, 2004

    Help! I need somebody.

    I have way too much to do and not a lot of time to do it in.

    Posted by joan at 08:12 PM | Comments (2500)

    January 31, 2004

    on earth as it is in heaven

    Have you accepted Cheesus as your personal saviour? When he comes back, the milk will curdle and the holes of the swiss will be filled.

    The aroma of our lord be with you all. Amen.

    Posted by joan at 10:53 AM | Comments (1929)

    January 24, 2004

    Flightless birds

    I am a little afraid. Let me explain.

    I am taking Data Structures at Tech. In order for me to succeed in this class, I need to install Linux and possibly learn to use it. I don't know how to do either. I have a Sony Vaio, with Windows XP, and for a Computer Science major I happen to know very little about it. I've been looking up how to install it on my old laptop, but my old laptop has some corrupted sectors or something. Maybe it needs therapy.

    There is an installfest this afternoon and I don't know if I have the courage to go. I can feel the embarassment creep up in my head every time I interact with these code geniuses. I am a poser. I don't belong. I wonder how long I can go on at this school, pretending.


    I am listening to This American Life right now, which tends to be my only plan for Saturdays. It makes me think I should record myself doing things. Playing, letters, fretting. Maybe this will end up like my movies, though.

    After a stop to the dentist, I am now an oral hygiene nazi... ow.

    Posted by joan at 01:48 PM | Comments (846)

    January 20, 2004

    "Where's that from?"

    The new semester is at hand. I'm taking classes that might be killing me. Not sure yet. I've read three Palanhiuk books, though. That's something.

    I am a big copycat, so I did a audioscrobbler thing.

    Jesse, I replied to your Slackjaw inquiry.

    Posted by joan at 09:43 PM | Comments (773)

    December 16, 2003

    Thank you, Utter Wonder

    Right now I am wondering if it is possible to die from soreness. Instead of talking about the circumstances behind that, though, I will quote this thing that made me laugh like a thing that laughs all the time. Why you should own every Radiohead album:

    5. Radiohead, "Hail To The Thief"

    If you want to have a sophisticated and trendy CD collection you can't afford not to have every Radiohead album. I've actually listened to a song on this CD more than a few times (the single "There, There") which thankfully is similar to a lot of the music from their earlier pre-oh-my-god-they-have-become-too-self-important-for-their-own-good period. Unfortunately, everything else on the album sounds like their oh-my-god-they-have-become-too-self-important-for-their-own-good period. Still, if you have one Radiohead CD, you have to have them all. Otherwise some Radiohead snob will notice you're a few CDs short and they'll jump all over you about it and call you lame for liking "Creep," which to them is easily the band's least important and lamest record, and then you'll say "But 'Fake Plastic Trees' is actually my favorite Radiohead song" and they'll be all like "What? You see the pretty video for it on lame MTV and fell in love with the record's lamosity?" and then you'll be like "Lamosity isn't a word" and they'd be like "Shut up, Lamey McLame! Go buy 'Kid A' and get me some chips on the way back! I'm hungry!" So you go buy the CD and then stop off at the market and they're like twenty-seven different kinds of chips and you're not sure which ones the Radiohead snob won't find lame, so you get all huffy trying to decide which chips to buy and you think of the Radiohead snob back at your house shuffling through your CDs, hungry for chips and ready to tell you just why your entire CD collection so incredibly lametastic...yeah, I just don't need that kind of aggravation; hence that's why I own every Radiohead CD.

    Posted by joan at 10:08 PM | Comments (1049)

    December 06, 2003

    My favorite chord right now is C9.

    I must admit that I am a bit lost when Rob doesn't update for awhile. Where is my anchor, my serious thought for this week?

    These past few days have been filled with paper-writing avoidance and learning the guitar part to "It Doesn't Matter" by Alison Krauss and Union Station. It's a haunting song, usually, but not when you play it at 40bpm. It is that ever elusive Fmaj9 chord. I cannot play it. More specifically, I cannot pick it. It makes me cry. It is a woman's chord, and I am just a girl. A girl with bare bones chord knowledge and the hankering to play "Offend In Every Way" without provocation.

    I miss Kissing Chaos.

    Posted by joan at 12:48 AM | Comments (1116)

    November 28, 2003

    A constant waltz

    Finals at Tech are coming and I am very worried. Not because of the tests, per se, but because of all the things I need to get done before they come. I have papers to write, books to read, differential equations to understand. I worry if I am able to communicate with the people I need to communicate with, or how well I can.

    I wish I could really implement those self-help things, and just stop worrying. Start doing everything, with that Northern kind of efficency, because I lack the Southern charm.

    In case you were wondering, I bought nothing today, unless you count the 30 cents I paid to make copies at the library. Everyone should have mince pie for Thanksgiving.

    Posted by joan at 11:23 PM | Comments (1069)

    November 26, 2003

    Tango Nora Zebra

    I'm in the middle of a change for the blog. The old layout was kind of like baby drool. It's cute for those first few seconds, but after that it's just a mess. Everything's going to be better from now on.

    On an unrelated note, if anyone has ideas for a controversial topic that I could write a short (4-7 pages) paper on, feel free to leave a suggestion.

    Posted by joan at 10:20 PM | Comments (461)

    November 25, 2003

    Qui c'è il buio fuori di me ed anche un pò dentro di me.

    I worry, I do.

    In the words of a very wise man, "Beware the electronic soul molestors".

    Posted by joan at 11:47 PM | Comments (665)

    November 06, 2003

    This blog could have an expiration date.

    Winter has hit the Black Hills in a big way. I will be 21 next Tuesday. Matt Sharp is playing keyboards for Tegan and Sara on their super Canadian tour. I have an update for this previous post:

    California would be nice right about now.

    The Bee Eaters, new local band of legend, have a website where there are some songs that you can listen to.

    The Believer is published by McSweeney's. It covers the non-fiction angle and is kind of expensive. It's ok, though, because the writing is so darn good.

    Posted by joan at 11:48 PM | Comments (2417)

    October 23, 2003

    Not exactly the haunted mansion...

    I think the air conditioner unit upstairs is possessed. And I need a new layout. Suggestions?

    Posted by joan at 09:11 PM | Comments (319)

    October 15, 2003

    October 05, 2003

    A resturant in Redondo Beach, California

    DSC00897 (52k image)

    Posted by joan at 08:51 PM | Comments (2624)

    October 04, 2003

    One of them has a coin in its mouth.

    Little Jesus visits the Spearfish Fish Hatchery

    Posted by joan at 01:33 AM | Comments (961)

    October 02, 2003

    Bringeth It On

    Two weeks ago I wrote Rob a letter. It's tucked inside my weekly planner because at first I had no envelope, and then I had no stamps. But I have both now, so the outdated letter will soon be sent. I rather enjoy handwritten letters.

    I've been bad about updating this. I should probably redesign it, too. Let's talk about what has happened since I last updated substantially...

  • I saw Alison Krauss + Union Station, one of my favorite bands. They were quite amazing. The musicianship contained within that group is astounding.

  • I visited family in California. People that I haven't seen in over 10 years. The Sunset Junction fair was wonderful, and makes me wish Rapid City was bigger. I met new cousins and saw Lauren Graham and Melissa McCarthy on the WB studio lot. I also got sorted by a Harry Potter Sorting Hat and it put me in Slytherin. The cool house.

  • I saw All Girl Summer Fun Band last Sunday. Sadly, they're kind of a one note act. I liked The Bee Eaters, who opened for them. I will have pictures soon.

  • I started reading The Believer, a magazine where article length is no object. There's some really amazing writing happening there, I suggest you check it out.

    I'll have to resize most of my photos, but you can be sure they will be posted. Now, I have Differential Equations homework to do.

    Posted by joan at 11:33 PM | Comments (331)
  • September 19, 2003

    Geek is good people

    Cheers for the Periodic Table of Poetry. Neat.

    Posted by joan at 09:48 PM | Comments (437)

    July 31, 2003

    Time to pass out.

    26 Things are up. There are some pictures from my daycamps and Yellowstone trip in there.

    Try as I might, I could not fit in this picture from a recent trip to the grocery store.

    Posted by joan at 10:18 PM | Comments (795)

    July 22, 2003

    Amer I CAN!

    Thank heavens for the Star Spangled Ice Cream, hey?

    I normally don't take stances regarding patriotism, but in this case, I'm ashamed to be an American. I knew we could be corny, but not that corny.

    Posted by joan at 10:59 PM | Comments (784)

    July 13, 2003

    Do it again

    I'm back from Yellowstone and the longest camping trip ever. Now I have to go camping again.

    Get me outta this stinkin' fresh air!

    Posted by joan at 06:06 PM | Comments (321)

    July 05, 2003

    It's a conspiracy

    Three blogs on the fish with Movable Type now? Pah! I still wuv you, Greymatter.

    I'll be in Yellowstone for the next week. Say a prayer for me to be not eaten by bears and/or mountain lions and have a good week, everybody!

    Posted by joan at 12:27 PM | Comments (1800)

    July 01, 2003

    Numbers

    I've started on the 26 Things photo project, and it's making me keep my eyes open.

    Also, welcome, Dan, to the Rapidfish family. Yes, the two statements are connected

    Posted by joan at 08:38 PM | Comments (2779)

    in the world that He created as He willed

    The afternoon started simple enough. Every monday I volunteer for a center downtown. Normally I take the stairs down to the street, but for some reason the fire escape called to me. It's a bit romantic, I think, when you take the fire escape, when you could take the interior stairs or an elevator. It was hot, over 90 degrees, but I didn't mind. I made my way carefully down the three stories. As I got to the bottom, I noticed something beneath the wrought iron steps.

    the dying bat, US Quarter for perspective


    It looked like a frog, at first. I'm afraid of frogs, but I got out my digital camera and decided to at least get a picture of it before fleeing. As I bent closer, I noticed that it looked like no frog I had ever seen. Dark brown, with strange limbs. It was as I got nearer, that I realized it was not a frog, but a bat. A baby. Its eyes were not even open.

    It did not look good. It reminded me of newborn puppies I'd seen in books and movies. It could open its mouth and make a noise that seemed a cross between a bark and a chirp. I looked for a nearby nest, but I couldn't find any, assuming it had fallen the three stories from a rain gutter. I couldn't think of anything to do, paralyzed by the frailty of this creature, while the air was as hot as an oven. I thought of carrying it somewhere, but I couldn't think of anyone that would care. It looked about dead. Its breathing was not steady. Sometimes it would not move for several seconds, then sort of spasm and breathe quickly. I thought of calling the animal shelter, but something inside me knew that the bat was near death.

    I felt helpless. I couldn't leave and I could hardly stand to watch. I whispered to this bat, "I'm sorry." Absurdly, I prayed for it. Not for a miracle survival, the way I might have if I were more of a dreamer, but that God would take care of it, make sure he was OK, wherever he was to go next. I almost began the Kaddish, but I am not Jewish, and I only knew the first few lines in English, which aren't very helpful. I stayed with it for a while. Until it didn't move. I wanted to bury it, but I was afraid of touching it. I don't know why.

    I walked back to my car, three blocks away. I didn't cry, but my eyes were watering, mostly out of rage and a lesser amount of sadness. My hands became fists that dug into my pockets as I passed downtown window shoppers. I began to think of the unfairness of it. The thing had just come into the world. It didn't even get a chance to fly yet. That's what it was supposed to do; fly. Then I became angry with myself, getting so worked up over a little bat. Nothing earth-shattering, the sky has not fallen.

    I began to think about the things I'd seen from nature, and fate. The horrible things. Last summer, I saw a duck nearly kill another duck by drowning and vicious pecking. It would have been absurd, had it not been so violent. Last summer my Siberan Husky who had been my friend for nearly 15 years had to be put to sleep. I wonder what I'm supposed to be learning from this. I feel like God is trying to teach me something. Perhaps I am over-thinking this.

    I don't know.

    Posted by joan at 12:03 AM | Comments (1845)

    June 03, 2003

    A geek in desperation

    If anyone has a genuine like or interest in Alison Krauss + Union Station and will be in the Rapid area on September 5th, I have two 5th row tickets and no one to go with.

    My patheticness has reached unprecedented heights.

    In other news, I'd like to take Probability and Statistics, but I don't want to take Calc III.

    Posted by joan at 10:46 PM | Comments (345)

    May 29, 2003

    Washington Faith Underground

    It is strange that something can be slightly beautiful and truly terrifying at the same time. Jeffery Sharlet's article Jesus Plus Nothing uncovers the connection between theocracy and power in United States and world politics today. While the format is clunky, I still found myself riveted. Were I reading it in print form, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to put it down.

    Posted by joan at 11:07 PM | Comments (950)

    March 30, 2003

    Cleansurface.org is a great site

    Cleansurface.org is a great site to browse and contains some of my favorite peices of grafitti ever.

    Posted by joan at 11:57 PM | Comments (3971)

    March 15, 2003

    You say it's your birthday...

    It's March 16th, 2003 on the East Coast.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JIM!!!

    Posted by joan at 10:56 PM | Comments (557)

    February 20, 2003

    Yes that's the book for me.

    I know the Bible says that the word of the Lord is supposed to be your strength and all... but REALLY... you shouldn't hurl it at people.

    The sad thing is, now I sort of want to take a stack of those little New Testaments and throw them at people when the make me angry. "God loves you, JERK!" Wham. Right in the bean.

    Perhaps I should get more hobbies.

    Posted by joan at 09:04 AM | Comments (870)

    February 16, 2003

    La la la

    So the end of a job that I really loved came on Friday. I am very grateful for the experience of working at the library, those people taught me a lot about life and I hope I gave them back something as well.

    In other news, per a wise suggestion, I am reading Letters To A Young Poet. I'm also taking a Geology course. One of these things is considerably more painful than the other, and I'll leave you to guess which one.

    Posted by joan at 09:42 PM | Comments (326)

    January 15, 2003

    I've started to read Rilke

    Yes, it's true. I've started reading Ranier Maria Rilke. The library withdrew an old copy of the Duinesian Elegies with German text and translation with commentary. I am thrilled to find out that I still know SOME German from high school.

    I'm taking it the slow route, even though my immediate reaction is to plow right through it. I trip that way.

    Posted by joan at 07:02 PM | Comments (78)

    January 11, 2003

    Current situations complicated uncomplication

    Right now I'm listening to the wisdom of Lauryn Hill through headphones and thinking about what these next few years hold for me. I'm not sure what sort of career I want. I'd like to leave and move somewhere else, but I am ever afraid that I don't know how. Well, I DON'T know how. There's a lot of things about life that I don't know.

    Then again, this could be true of everyone. You can learn through experience, but I keep expecting some book to land in my lap, the answer to all my questions.

    I am consumed by my self-doubt. And this whole time, I know it. I am quite self-aware, yes. I am. I usually know how stupid I am, if not in that moment, moments later. So gifted am I in self-consiousness that my life is filled with regret.

    Self, self, self.

    Tomorrow is Sunday. Outside of self day.

    Posted by joan at 08:23 PM | Comments (2858)

    January 01, 2003

    Happy New Year

    Here is an obligatory update. I've been enjoying my vacation very much, and I dread the start of another semester, but I know the kind of stability it can bring.

    Hopefully, this year I can keep from drifting.

    Posted by joan at 05:49 PM | Comments (879)