On the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle

By the ferrry in Anacortes

By the ferry in Keystone

Harvest Moon...

Where've I been??

Well, I had corrective eye surgery (PRK) Monday and have been resting for the past week. The doctors say the surgery was a success, although last night I got up in the middle of the night and found that my eyes were dry. So, I went to put drops in, but b/c I was a little groggy --oh, and naturally clumsy-- I jammed that sucker right in my eye (the end of the dropper). I 'm afraid I may have done a little damage b/c I'm not even supposed to squint hard b/c it could change the outcome of my surgery. But I'll hafta wait until Tuesday to give the docs a call when they're back in the office. Other than THAT, the recovery process has been going well. Jennifer flew out here to help with my post-op, which was really great to have someone, especially a family member, here to help me recover. So since I was off work, I just laid low for the week. I have been so fortunate to be able to get this surgery for free from the Navy! One of many benefits. Even though I'm getting out, I've really gotten a lot out of my years in the military.


This is right after the surgery back in the hotel room where we stayed. If you look closely, you can see my eye area is a bit swollen. The silly ski-type goggles are what I had to where to keep from rubbing my eyes at night, but they always came off.


Here's all my meds -- yikes!

Jen and I did get out and about, but of course I couldn't drive. We went up to Vancouver one day so that she could check out Canada. It was alright. We both got a little scared when we started to head off to Chinatown but got semi-accosted by a bum in disguise. So we ended up just staying around Gastown.


Jennifer at Deception

I'm sporadically connected to the internet right now. If anyone out there is wondering why I haven't emailed them back in awhile, it's b/c I had to reformatt my hd and take my computer in to Best Buy. The whole of the story is that I've had the same problems with my laptop and have taken it in for repairs 3 times now. This is the 4th, and under Washington's lemon law, I should be getting a new computer here in the next week, if all goes as it should. I will never own another HP! But my buddy Meg has been kind enough to let me use her computer for a little bit.
That's about it for right now. Tryin' to catch up on some episodes of my favorite show tonight...

Aquarium

The largest aquarium in the world is the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/


This little guy was really cute. There were a bunch of them, and they'd pop in and out of their caves. They look kinda suprised, huh. They've got that look like, "Oh crap, here comes the giants again!!"


Walking underneath all this water must be something like SCUBA diving. I've always been afraid, but my good friend Meegan is really good at it, and has extolled the virtues to the point where I'm interested. This was beautiful, though. I liked watching how the people reacted, too.


The great whale shark! Magnificent. I'm not sure what the fish are in front of its' mouth, but they seemed to predict wherever the whale sharks went. I'm not sure, but I'd guess they're fulfilling some symbiotic cleaning purpose?? I'll try to read up on that.


This is an important picture, albeit slightly blurred. They say --the ubiquitous 'they'-- that you should visualize what you want in life. When I go fishing, this is what I visualize: a nice big fish with it's mouth wide open waiting just for me.

Yeah. Never works.


I've never been to a ballet. Never have seen The Nutcracker. Always wanted to. I saw Riverdance when it was en vogue. At the time, they had a flamenco dancer that played a part. She had a solo dance, and it was filled with stomping and a flurrying of her many-ruffled skirt. Her chin seemed to gravitate towards the ceiling, making her proud. Then she'd fling her head down and gaze up with her eyes, squinting like a scorned woman, all while stomping her tap shoes, a decidedly male behavior that was laced with the frilly feminine flings of her dress. Emotion through dance...I wouldn't say that these fish exhibit emotions on a detectable scale one-on-one, but their interactions with each other; the way they dart then float...and then the way the stingrays glide through, smiling...Which, come to think of it, isn't 'stingray' a completely inappropriate-sounding word for this animal? I think they should be called 'Feather-Spongy-Like-Animal' or 'That-Which-Floats' b/c of their grace. Okay, but I was taught to shuffle my feet off the beaches of Florida, so I do know they can hurt a human pretty bad. But to see them at this aquarium -- wow! Anyway, back to my original analogy, I think the display here was spectacular. I don't know if it was feeding time while we were there, but as we looked around, all the fish/animals/etc. freaked out and swam to a corner. It was like watching a cartoon of everyone going to the trough. But, yeah, it was like a ballet. Except wet. Underwater. With no humans. And with just fish and stuff. Okay, nothing like a ballet, forget it. *wink*

Oh, and by the way, click on the picture above to see it larger: doesn't it look like the fish at the bottom is wearing LIPSTICK?!


I know I've had beluga's as guests here before, but this guy is special. His name is Gasper (no sp prob), and he's from Mexico. He lived below a roller coaster, for cryin' out loud, at an amusement park. He was given to the aquarium so that he would receive better care, and he's obviously loving it. He hams it up for the spectators, swimming back and forth in front of the glass. He says hi.


Another playful critter, here is a california seal. He was a lotta fun -- probably my favorite part of the aquarium -- b/c he'd interact with people by peeking around the corner, and then coming up to the glass and bobbing his head when I'd wave. I couldn't get a clear shot b/c he was fast.


Let me take this opportunity to plug 'March of the Penguins.' Awesome movie. Amazing journey.

My traveling companions, my sister Avery and my Grandma.


Pirahnas -- Yikes!


I'm not sure what these are. I felt bad after I snapped the picture, b/c my camera puts out a red laser-like light that aims the shot. As I held down the button to focus the shot, these guys turned towards me, as if they were checking me out as much as I was looking at them. It was eerie. They look so dopey; kinda innocent. Their locomotion is completely prehistoric, like a gigantic amoeba.

Backtracking -- Vacation

I went home to Alabama in the beginning of January to visit with my family. I really had a great time while I was there. I never posted pictures from that trip, so I'm doing so now.

New York, New York

I'd love to live in New York. It would be so much fun. I found this 'audio slideshow' on Runner's World's website: http://www.runnersworld.com/nystories/. A photographer snapped pictures of certain runners at the NY Marathon after they finished and then had them talk about their experience.

So, ever wonder what people wish for when they blow out their candles? Well, there's a website I found where you can write wishes anonymously and see what others have wrote. (Would that be written? I've always wondered about that...) Anyway, here ya go: http://mbledug.com/wish/newest. Interesting. I've always been fascinated with the inner workings of people...Here's a peep inside.

And for my final link--defending yourself with a cellphone: it's not just for Super Bowl commercials anymore. http://www.instructables.com/ex/i/5F71B32281C31028A786001143E7E506/

Last Best Chance

Just watched the video I ordered from www.lastbestchance.org. It's a fictional account of what could happen if an organization such as Al Qaeda acquired nuclear weapons. The movie, based on the fact, was put to raise awareness of the threat of nuclear weapons. There's a short conversation between Tom Brokaw and two US Senators, Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar, who created legislation to help secure nuclear weapons. I recommend that you watch it to understand the danger. You can order it from the website for free.

Let me count the ways...

See, now this is just one of the reasons I love Oprah! I really respect this woman. I had been so disappointed in how she had defended author James Frey, especially after the huge expose of his lies. She defended him because she believed what he wrote -- really believed it. But today, she has him on her show and she is pinning him to the wall with her questions! Right on. He can't even speak at times b/c he has no explaination for the lies. Oprah looks as if she might shed a tear b/c of how she was duped. She even apologized for what she said on the Larry King Live show when she called in to support James Frey.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/26/features/peepfri.php
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-gleaner,1,7790850.htmlstory?coll=chi-news-hed
http://www.slate.com/id/2134926/ (Interesting perspective of Oprah's show.)

Amazing

These are sand animation artists:
http://sandfantasy.com/videoclips/videoclips.htm

http://www.cakostudio.hu/images/sand/sand.html
http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/006964.php

Big Brother is coming...

Daniel 1, Lions 0

http://www.nwf.org/news/story.cfm?pageId=2A22BB5E%2DF1F6%2D7B10%2D3750FF6628F88533

Proof that we CAN make a difference.

Thanks, Nisha, for bringing this to my attention.

Suntan Oil Changes Sex of Fish in California

http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article340237.ece

"Scientists have found that male hornyhead turbot and English sole, feeding near sewage outfalls on the Californian coast, are being feminised - and a chemical found in sunscreens is the likely culprit."

Makes me wonder what this chemical is doing to us...This is just one chemical in one product that people frequently use.

Conmen

Still watchin' 20/20, and they've exposed Kevin Trudeau, the 'Natural Cures' guy as a phony. I did a little searching on the net and found this:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0826051trudeau1.html

While I was on vacation, I was watching Larry King Live one night and saw James Frey, the author of A Million Little Pieces. I read this book a while back and found it captivating -- a great triumph over addiction. Well, come to find out, the guy's a fraud and just about everything he wrote in the book is bunk. He even conned Oprah! Bastard. Says so here:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0104061jamesfrey1.html I'll warn you, this article is long, but if you've read the book, especially, you'll find it a good read.

Been a long time, been a long time, been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lone-ley tiime

Back from vacation in Alabama. Flew back Monday. The trip was great. The return was not.

I did quite a bit while I was home, but I didn't have enough time to do all I wanted. I got out there on the 4th, and while I was at the airport waiting to be picked up, none other than Wade drives by! What a blast from the past. This is the brother of an old friend from childhood, who I was also friends with during college. Wow. He hollered out, but b/c of the traffic, I was unable to talk with him. I would have liked to.

I spent the first few days visiting with my grandma, and we had a great time. I was able to finally get my package in for the repair of my breakfront that was damaged by the movers when I moved to Washington. This is something I've been meaning to do for a long time, and I am finally through. I spent a few days with my grandparents, aunt, and cousins after that. I had a great time there, too. It was sooo good to be home! I also was able to visit with my sister...Less than ideal, but good to see her. Maybe it's her age -- preteen --, or maybe it's her situation...We did enjoy going to the world's largest aquarium in Atlanta. Huge whale sharks & belugas. Lots of other creatures of the deep, too.

Before I left, I got to see some old buds from college -- Suzann & Nisha. Good times, good times. Got my ass beat at a few rounds of pool. :)

Jennifer had it right when she said I was in airport hell Monday. I missed my connecting flight in ATL b/c of the weather which subsequently caused all kinds of havoc with my arrangements for getting home from Seattle. I had to be home that night b/c I had a pre-op appt in Bremerton for corrective eye surgery. I have been on the waiting list for this surgery for a year, and if I missed this appointment, I would not be able to have the surgery (I'd be out of the Navy before I'd come up again on the list). So it was imperative to get home that night. Only thing was, I could not find a ride that late in the game. I was really bitter about the situation b/c I felt betrayed by some people. I was finally able to get a co-worker to pick me up -- someone who had also helped me move a while back when people I considered friends wouldn't. He stayed for hours helping me move into my new apartment, and now he came down to Seattle to pick me up. He's turned out to be a friend as well as someone who has gone out of his way to help me. He & I share strong opinions about politics -- in fact, he introduced me to Mike Malloy. We listened to him on the way home, and you can download daily shows either on podcast or here: http://www.airamericaplace.com/archive.php?mode=show&id=8

I got over the anger and the hurt feelings after awhile. There was one person who I later had a talk with about the situation. I feel she is a good friend, and I'm glad we'll be hanging out again.

I am ready, so so ready, to get out of the Navy and go on to grad school. This trip home made my feelings stronger. I hope that my remaining time in the service will be alright. I was told the other day that I didn't seem to be putting the Navy as a priority b/c I had taken leave instead of making an effort to be put on a crew to go out to sea. After thinking a while on it, I realize I really don't care. Leave is a right, and yeah, seeing my family is a priority. I'm kinda in a f-you mood about that. I'm not a bad Sailor, but I'm at the point now where the Navy is no longer a priority of any sort, other than getting through the next year. I'll do my job and perform my duties, but I'm not gonna go out of my way...My priority now is preparing for grad school and my transistion to civilian life.

I think I'm gonna grow some dreads when I get out. I'm so sick of wearing a bun! Maybe by then the Princess Leah look will be in. That'd be cool.

So yesterday I saw the Walmart movie. http://www.walmartmovie.com/

Now, don't let me fool you. I am (shamefully) a Walmart queen. Oh how I savor the beckoning lights and whisk of air that hits once I step through the sliding doors. And there to push a cart my way with a smile is an elderly person that reminds me of homemade food. I push past the crowds to begin my perusing in the kitchen ailes. Cheap, cheap, cheap! I move on to the arts & crafts, finishing in the sporting goods. And the clearance ailse? Oh, ho ho! I swear they pump oxygen in there like they do in the casinos. The only frustration I face is using the self-checkouts. Getting home with my goods is like Christmas all over. It's sick.

Friends of mine joke about how much I shop there. (My truck is easily identifiable, and I get accusatory phone calls when I've been caught). I went to the movie, though, to see what all the fuss was about. Yes, I have heard about how people in China slave to make products so that we here in America can buy them cheaper. I've thought in the back of my head, "How awful!," but have never tried more than telling myself I ought to -- I have never tried to stop shopping at Walmart and start shopping at local stores on a whole. My justification has been, well, all the other stores are selling the same China-made goods, Walmart just offers them at a discount. Hey, it's one of my faults. I'm a Walmartaholic. Also, hearing about deplorable conditions in factories over in China and actually seeing video of it makes a world of difference to me. I have a hard time conceptualizing pain in that sense -- I understand it when I can see it. And naturally, I have heard many bad things about Walmart, but it's hard for me to shop at more expensive stores when every dime counts on my budget. So, all this in mind, I tromped off to the screening.

Well, it definitely has made in impact on me. The whole of the movie did not focus on the situation in factories overseas, although this was definitely explored. It showed how the corporation of Walmart has created an unfriendly -- even hostile -- working environment for its workers, especially women, for the benefit of cheap products. Walmart has railroaded small businesses without a thought or even an apology, and they have effectively managed to keep the union out of most of their stores. Their treatment of workers here in America is shameful, and they make their employees rely on supplemental incomes from the government to avoid the cost of providing them theirselves. The movie is a must-see.

I honestly do not think I will completely stop shopping at Walmart. I have definitely made a commitment to shopping at alternatives when possible, and I will make efforts to seek out ways to avoid them. The alternatives are nearly the same (i.e., getting my home goods at The Home Depot is more expensive, and most of their products are made in China, too), but I will try to avoid Walmart specifically b/c of their nasty business practices.


Clips from The Daily Show's expose were shown throughout the movie:
http://video.lisarein.com/dailyshow/jan2005/jan202005/01-20-05-daily-walmart.mov

Links to anti-Walmart organizations: http://dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Business/Allegedly_Unethical_Firms/Wal-Mart/








Well, I haven't even finished unpacking yet b/c I've been so busy this week. The appt with the eye doc went great -- it looks like everything's a go for the surgery. It'll be PRK as opposed to LASIK. I'm a little frightened, especially after the possible problems were explained, but if everything goes right, I'll have so much freedom -- no more waking up, fumbling for my glasses just to see the clock. It'll be a blessing.

Watching 20/20 now about a woman that infiltrated 'male society' for 18 months. The most revealing part of her journey (to me) was a retreat she went on with a bunch of men under the guise of a man. These men spoke of violence towards women, among other things. I would have been scared to death to be out there in the middle of the woods with a bunch of men...That group mentality could turn quickly to a manifestation of their secret desires to harm women. She said she was pretty concerned.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670034665/qid=1137823777/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-4516107-5241403?s=books&v=glance&n=283155 I'm gonna order it and I'll letcha know how it reads.


I'm heading to Bellingham tomorrow to attend a Team In Training meeting. http://www.teamintraining.org/hm_tnt The Luekemia/Lymphoma society trains people to run marathons or cycle long distances all over the world in exchange for fundraising. It sounds like something I might be interested in, so I'm dragging a friend up there to check it out. I've gotta hit REI, too. He wants to go geocaching and do a little hiking there, so I hope the weather works out.