“Today’s Date is November 29, 2010”

“Some days you just have to tell the story of, they are that absurd.” 

                                                ~Unknown

Here are the bullet points of my day: ALL TRUE

Woke up. Checked e-mails before breakfast, not generally a good idea, but it had been five days since I checked them. Made/ate breakfast and drank a cup of tea. Prepared to walk to the bus, protested wearing clothing to go to the bus stop. Walked out the door. Actually I wasn’t fifty feet from the house when I slipped on a dead rat and nearly tripped and fell. There was a yellow school bus shuttle parked less than fifty feet from me when that happened. People were inside and probably saw me. I squealed.

Got on the bus, people were loud, and I had to use my earplugs (thank you Milo!) to study. I didn’t use the upset flourish though, my dad had perfected that. Studied for a test that was one proof long in logic. Waited for a tutoring student that didn’t show up. Went to the art department, printed a paper for the wrong subject, went to register for classes, came back and went to logic class. I found some of the cardboard sculptures in the PUB°.

Noticed a blood drive sign on campus (the tier next to the theater above the library), I thought it would be a wonderful idea to donate blood. Walked to the art department. When collecting a pile of vessels I had made I spilled handmade beads all over a table and the floor, it took three people to collect them all. Remembered that I wanted to donate blood after seeing a classmate with a bandaged arm. Threw four vessels, mangled five. Eventually I forgot to collect my drying clay from the plaster slab on the wedging table(I remembered it on one of the busses home). Left class early due to soreness from throwing, I was tired but three of us wanted to donate blood so we went to the quiet dining room to donate. There wasn’t enough time between the time I got there and the time that I was supposed to tutor another student in which to donate blood, read the pamphlet talked to carly. Reintroduced ourselves and she went to donate blood. (I tend to make eye contact with everybody, so it’s weird when someone returns it) left and sat with three younger students soon to be joined by a fourth that promptly informed us that she did “shrooms” for the first time the previous day. Left to tutor, student didn’t show up. Returned to the quiet dining room to give blood filled out preliminaries, paperwork and printout. Met a blood technician named Zak. Began the survey before donation, knew that I couldn’t donate because I still have the sniffles from a cold, but was honored when he said “Aww I was looking forward to talking with you. You look like neat/cool person.” I said that I wouldn’t mind staying to talk, since I didn’t have much else to do. We talked about shoes, “strong like bull”*, dancing, acting, He double majored in acting and science, and is having a show this Friday. He has blue/green eyes, somewhat medium-length fingernails, dusty brownish hair, striped shoes and a nice smile.

Don’t worry, I am usually observant of everybody to this extent, I am not a creeper, I just pay attention to details. I won’t post his phone number, he didn’t give it to me. XP

 [Insert plug for his group here… At the Odd Duck Studio on the Cross section of Madison and 10^th Avenue in Seattle this Friday at 10:00pm the Human Prop acting team, of which Zak is a member (he writes sketches!) will be performing! GO SEE IT! Tell him the girl with painted spats told you to see him**!]

Also I learned that SCC exceeded expectations in the number of donors that came today. I was sad that I couldn’t give blood, but I know that I will be able to another day. So I left cheerfully thanking those that I could. I made it partway past the library when I completely forgot what it was I was supposed to do in the art department. Face palm. Walked back into the PUB, took a newspaper to read the comics. Went to wait for the bus, debated getting on the 330 instead of the 331, checked the times, and got on the 330. Went to Lake City, got off next to FredMeyer’s wanted to see a couple of friends working there; went inside. Didn’t see friends, bought the last food I’ll be able to buy for awhile. Left, caught the 522 to Kenmore, it was PACKED! Got to Kenmore transferred funds at the bank, went to the library, walked home and as I rounded the corner to get to the house saw the van leaving in the opposite direction.

That was the gist of my day. Now is time to study “strong like bull”. Cheers!

°I know that you’re not supposed to use the degree symbol for a footnote, but I couldn’t find the cross… The PUB is the acronym for the Pagoda Union Building on SCC’s campus. (Shoreline Community College). Not an actual pub, but an abbreviation. Home to the cafeteria, student government offices, The Ebbtide (newspaper), student store, international office, women’s center, mailing office, staff rooms, loading dock, temporarily houses admissions and registration, with quiet rooms, classrooms, bathrooms and many more offices. It’s a very useful building to be in.

*I had filled the heart/lung “yes I have problems” bubble of which he asked me about. I have asthma, but I have a strong heart, or so I’m told He then added “Whenever I hear someone say that I continue on in my head “strong like bull” in a thick Russian accent.” That reminded me of a story that Marco Carrabba a ballet instructor of mine when I was with Cameo/Carrabba Dance Company told the dancers. He used to study under a Russian lady that would say that even the ballerinas had to dance “strong like bull”. That was an extension of the phrase that was repeated, to which we both laughed. It was funny. It is still funny, and it will continue to be funny. Ha… Ha ha…. BWAHAHAhaha…. J

**I now realize that you might have no bliddy clue as to what I am talking about… ahem, typing about. I had a pair of shoes that I bought and shined for a role that I played in a high school mock trial. I was the governor of Illinois. Yes, I was playing a male part. Yes it was fun, yes I did go all out on the costume and makeup (for which I got extra credit, thank you!), and yes I found the full wool suit that fit me perfectly for $1.00 at the value village in Lake City. I still had them (the shoes) in my closet, and they fit, so I decided to use them, a. because I was wearing out my airwalks, and b. because It was becoming the rainy season, and I need shoes that can withstand the water, and not allow my feet to be soaked and chilled. But I couldn’t wear MEN’s shoes… it’s not… biblical. So I painted spats on them, acrylic paint, I’m sure I have a picture somewhere. Now they are totally my women’s shoes… right?

If I highlight anything it’s because I have made a mental note to remember something having to do with that word or phrase. And if I quote something that’s from an unknown source, it’s generally because I made it up. I am brilliant, but also too modest to tell you that.

Snow

There is snow in little Kenmore, Washington. It is falling outside, and very, very cold.
I was under the impression that it would stop snowing soon after it started, between 7:00 and 8:00am yesterday but it didn't. So I bundled up, got ready to go and left for the bus. Washington, or at least this area of the state is not entirely prepared for storms such as the one that is affecting the whole of the Seattle area. All the buses were running on their snow routes. the bus that we were waiting for didn't come for about half an hour after it was supposed to come. so we fearless bus riders froze our little feet off as it just kept flaking down upon our happy little heads. I got halfway to school before I called and found out that the campus was to be closed by 10:30am. so, I got off the bus at the transit station, and took the next one homeward. it took me about 1.5 hours to get halfway, and none of the buses would take the hill that SCC is on. There was a complete cancellation today, so I have time to prepare for classes that will (hopefully not) meet tomorrow.

On another note, I have been employed through Kodak/Qualex to take Santa pictures for a seasonal job! Orientation/training is today, and I'm so excited! of course I have to reach the University Village Mall by bus before I can celebrate, but after that it'll be a blast! I love working with children, and it has been quite some time since I have gotten to do so. I just hope that I will have the warmth to not freeze on my journeys. I need more insulation!

Here is a poem for snow:

Snow snow, love the snow
hate the cold, don't you know
My feet, they freeze, as the wind does blow
but I'll soon reach indoors where there's loads of cocoa

Fancy that, there's snow in Kenmore...

Sixth Day Dance Company

 I am a dancer. I dance modern, ballet, ballroom etc. and I'm a member of the Sixth Day Dance Company found in Seattle, Washington. This weekend we are performing at the Everett PUD Theater in Snohomish County, Washington. It's on the 13th and 14th at 8:00pm and 3:00pm respectively. Tickets can be found online at brownpapertickets.com or they can be bought at the door. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under and for seniors over 65. (ALSO... if you sign up for the free online newsletter you'll get a coupon for a discount on your ticket!)

So far it's a great show! Incorporating comedy, drama and a few guest performers that only add to the brilliance that is "LIFT"!

I helped with some of the costume designing. It's epic. So come and see it!

(You won't want to miss the first dance)

Study of a hiatus from Facebook

By Carole

This is quite fascinating. I have taken a month off of Facespace, and my findings are as follows.

(I made a new hat! Ok, so I actually made maybe five or more hats during my “break”)

1. Long elf hat

2. Funky fabric hat with pompoms and paper mache feathers

3. globe helmet that I need to put a chin strap on

4. newspaper hat(s)

5. Paper hat(s)

6. Crocheted hat in picture

7. I’m currently working on the needlework on another hat I’m sewing.

I also made a giant heron head/sculpture that fused some of my features with that of the heron. It’s the biggest that the art department has seen so far and it was nearly too big for the cone 06 kiln. I was really scared that we would have to cut it down and fire it in separate pieces. But God is good and it just fit!

I’m working on making wings for the heck of it, and I need a base, straps and a whole lot of tinfoil, however… I’m pretty much broke.
I’m constantly marveling at what can be done when you have little to no money, ingenuity and resources of your positioning and time. There’s so much I haven’t discovered yet!
If you didn’t know yet, I lost my job over the summer and I need a new one. I am however quite busy so it would be nice if the hours were quite flexible.

What I like about not being online

What I do not like about not being online (aka: What’s not cool about unplugging from the cyberworld of chaos) What’s not cool about being out of cyberspace

I log back on and I find: _6_ friend requests, _4_ notifications, _15_ messages,  a boatload of invitations and  4 tags I’m not constantly concerned with what is necessarily going on in the “drama department” and whether or not people’s actions and reactions will be sophomoric in nature. Every part of society is dissected online no matter whether it is of any consequence. This concerns me because no matter how small an issue is, it can be blown way out of proportion by someone’s offhanded remark. She said, he said, I thought… not really relevant, huh? I appreciate your wanting to include me in your activities, but if you would like to schedule an appointment please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail, or better yet, by mail! Time is limited and appointments fill up quickly! (I’m not really joking, this is a true fact, and I don’t mean to sound snooty, but seriously!) I simply don’t have time!!! I sincerely, love you all, but I don’t have enough time right now to be around everybody always. For the people I know and am around weekly, bi-weekly, and daily I find it wearying to see your every facet of life posted for all to see. It’s not that I disrespect you in any way, but I simply grow tired of what new drama is attacking the every fiber of your fragile psyche, and how it affects the terminal  mentality of those you are influencing I don’t get a headache from checking what someone else has posted in response to some inane thing I have just posted, or asked about. I don’t get frustrated with emoticons. XP I have BROKEN THE HABIT OF LOGGING ON TO FACEBOOK EVERYTIME I GO ONLINE!!! I can read the bible and have more peace of mind in the morning than constantly thinking about what a person may think about the newest picture that I was tagged in, and how it may affect my “image” on a global level. I have more time for homework, art, crafts, people, and in general living life outside of a screen. I find I like people better than profiles. I like writing letters, and sending letters, and receiving letters. Do YOU REALLY want to know what I have been doing with my time? I’d rather tell you in person I can just as easily check out cnn.com and many other news sources for updates in world headlines I can hear first person what is going on with people in their lives rather than being the seventh in a row to try and keep up with what they are going through in a feed I can see snippets of other things online if I really want to find them myself, I REALLY like the show Community now… community college is really like that sometimes I am not hammered by status updates, tags, pokes, notifications, club invites, invitations to things I don’t have time for I can work on my attention span and not get sensory overload by listening to music and trying to read my textbook at the same time while riding the bus… and wondering what’s for dinner while texting someone to see if they have the homework question 6.a. as a certain logical-operation-that-I-can’t-remember Subject matter doesn’t carry over from real life to the digital world. I met a lot of new people… In person! Less drama; more sleep

I don’t know how the people in other states and countries are doing; whether or not they are adjusting well to the culture shock (because I couldn’t find your address!) I’m out of contact with a large portion of the people I know; whose only link to me contact-wise is “Facespace” I can’t tell a lot of people about what new performance I’m in, or where my art will be on display, or what funky new adventure I have been on recently, unless I post it in my blog, e-mail notifications out, or write a newsletter…wait… I’m not as tech savvy as I could be I’ve been meaning to ask: would anybody have an extra contact juggling ball that they would be willing to part with? I would really like to learn how to contact juggle. Also I would like to learn how to drive and how to ride a horse this year. Does anybody have a horse?... My “social network” is fascinatingly condensed to the people who actually take the time to find me without my presence on the internet, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but a good perspective builder When the habit’s stuck: go online, sign onto Facespace, e-mail account login and password etc, I feel like something is missing (but it’s really not needed) I like keeping tabs on people, networking, communicating, and introducing people to each other, especially if they would find interest in other associates of mine, and/or that come to mind I can’t do as much social research into the backgrounds of people that wish to stalk me in cyberspace. “I can’t constantly know what Gaga is going through, and how she loves her little monsters so much… no she <3’s her little monsters, and thanks them for their support. (take in mind I really do know how much effort it takes her to get up in the morning, and that she lives for her fans now and not for herself-she really does exist in that persona just for the world.) I’m out of communication with people in general

Interesting.

Of all the pros and cons, I find I dislike Facespace more and more with each passing comment. Perhaps when I have logged back on I will find I like it more, but sorting through a month’s worth of “STUFF” will be an interesting adventure.

Now I challenge you to a duel to the end of an attention span. Can you do it? Can you take a hiatus from the world of interconnection and interdependence of a method never before seen in our history? Peel off the suction cups from your eyeballs. It would be quite the feat. I’m not saying it has been easy, but as soon as you break the habit of logging on every other second of the day you may find that a LOT of worry, concern, peer pressure, condescension, and frustration may evaporate (Not to mention a great deal of other things too). I’m not saying that you have to abandon the relationships that you have kept and keep in contact with if you need to be online quite often. But think about it, do you really need to stay online? Can’t you just talk to them? Most of your “friends” are real right? I’m sure they’d appreciate a word or two offline, or even better: in person. I’m not speaking for everyone though! As for me, if I could I would live with letters via snail mail or messenger.

Here’s the challenge:
Start with taking ONE whole day off of Facespace
next, progress to taking two consecutive days off of Facespace.

Day three: if you check your profile more than once you have an addiction and you need to take Facespace out of your applications and favorites toolbars on your computer/phone

Day four: if you MUST log back on and find out whose phone numbers and/or addresses/e-mail(s) you don’t have and ask for them, that way you can still keep in contact, but not constant (stalker) contact.

Day five: log off for 10-30 days

Day 11-31 figure out how much time online you spend outside of Facespace. If your answer is 0 minutes 0 seconds then you need to find a new hobby. Contact a friend via e-mail instead, ask about how their day is going, go for a walk, or meet someone new. Live life unplugged form the matrix, or at least partially unplugged.

When your month is up… Post your findings/results/feelings/thoughts/frustrations. Find out what they mean to other people/your friends as well as just you.               

And if you want to, send me a letter, or email me, you can reach me at my e-mail address. Make sure I know it’s you! I filter very carefully.

Oh, and you can quote me in your papers if you wish, just comment and let me know what information  you need for citations.

Happy Friday!

Copyright ©2010 Carole Bronson. All rights Reserved.

Humming at School

I enjoy proposing ideas for scientific study in society while interacting with the populace that exists within my school. For example: How do people react to humming? I have found that when a person hums in tune it is not displeasing to the people who hear the hummer. However when the hummer jumps all over and does not hum in tune, then it can sometimes be painful for the people who have better pitch. So I strive to have perfect pitch when I hum in the hallways quietly. For the extra-loud hummers, I sometimes wonder what will happen if their teeth start vibrating when they reach the resonant frequency of their incisors. 

 Oh well, I guess I'll never know. 
>crunch< 

Silliness

When I have just gotten out of a dance class, I am usually a bit loopy and in high spirits. This weekend with my dance company we had quite a long day, class and three rehearsals after class. Needless to say it was fairly intense. I love dancing with this group of ladies because it's a supportive environment where we encourage each other to learn, grow, and dance to the fullest extent that we can. As a side note, I like to make people laugh, when I know that they need a laugh, or just to see their reaction. My Anthropology teacher described what makes people laugh, and doubtless I'll remember which u.... word she used before "expectation" , later.
So after dance I was getting a ride with one of our other dancers, and she was having a tough time, so I turned off my filter and let the randomness go. What came out was this:

"When I'm speaking in the third person it's not because I'm crazy, it's because she is."

Oh Martha Graham what a nice quote you had about walls.

My Brother

My brother is twelve years old and he will turn 13 in November. He is still really small for his age but has a good sense of humor about it, most of the time. Every once and awhile we have conversations in which the punch lines are not physically  painful, but quite random and hilarious. So one time we were discussing the combination of my will to make a cake and a student broadcast of a notification system. I remember telling my brother that he would have loved the broadcast because the main anchors would often times bring a device out from beyond the view of the camera, place it down in front of them, and smash it with a hammer as they exclaimed: "Breaking news!".
Sam (my brother) loved this of course, and because he is on a diet for football, he couldn't have cake. He was quite frustrated that I would make a cake while he would not be able to take part in eating it. so he combined the two subjects to form: "Breaking news in the form of... a Cake!" (suitable pantomime took place while he said this.)