So my holiday weekend was, as I mentioned, full of mundane, tedious, and frustrating tasks but it was a productive one...

I helped a friend move his stuff to the area...

I helped someone else drive all over kingdom come looking for a place to move into next weekend. (Which was oh so fun with a codependent dog with severe separation anxiety)...But he found a nice place so it was all worth it in the end...

I got a new aquarium set up with a big, fat, Blue Convict (a type of South American Chiclid) swimming around inside. There were supposed to be two new tanks but the second did not arrive on schedule. It will be set up in the coming weeks with several different types of shark swimming around for my amusement...I'll post some pics of them once they are up and running...

Bought yet another book I will only partially read for my summer school course...

Finished writing my paper for class tonight...

And, the best part of the weekend...the following statements/conversations:

I'm pretty sure that biker bitches have good pussy too...

Driving down the street, just before dusk, in a light drizzle of rain that refuses to go away...
A: (excited) You could have rented that house! (pointing to a large, new looking home, in the middle of a hard to find grassy area)
B: (with overwhelming sarcasm) Yeah...and I could run naked into traffic with butter on my ass...

Ah...the joys of random conversation...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 04:12 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 253 words, total size 2 kb.

Unfortunately I was not able to perform any ritual or enjoy a celebration this weekend...my time was spent completing much more mundane, tedious, and utterly frustrating tasks. However, I do not want today to go by unnoticed. I saw the rolling thunder and many service related flags and I longed to recognize those who deserve it so much. Instead, I will do my best to honor one man...

Dear Grandpa,

I visited our history last week. The plaques are a little more worn than they used to be but they are still there, overlooking the Ohio River. I was lost and asked for directions - no one hesitated in responding, they knew just who I meant when I asked to see the reminders of our past. It made me proud. Your brother has made a great name for himself as an honest farmer and his son is carrying on in the same tradition. But I'm sure you already know.

Today is a day I stop to thank you for your service to our country. Your service in the Korean War will always be remembered; your service in so many war torn areas ever apparent in their history. The Army knew you as a Lt. Colonel, but your family knew you as a great man. You are now a legend to my generation - something we chase but never entirely grasp. I wish I could hear your stories of life in Germany or Japan after WWII. I wish I could do more to show you how much you mean to our family and so many others. I wish more that I could have met you. You were taken from us all so early, with so much more life to life and so much more soldiering to do.

Thank you for all that you provided to the world, our country, and to my father in the time that we were graced with your life. Maybe you be at peace where ever you are in this world.

Happy Memorial Day!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:57 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 341 words, total size 2 kb.

I have always known that nothing is as we see it to be... our reality our own, made my the way we choose to see the world. But on some level I believe there are competing realities, some more real than others. Part of what brings people together is sharing a concept of reality...

...I no longer have this comfort...

My reality states that I am a strong and kind hearted individual. The reality of the two people closest to me believes differently.

To one, I am a weak individual - far weaker than she - because I am motivated to grow and change by others in my life. She honestly believes it with her whole hearted self. To her, unwillingness/inability to be entirely self-sufficient is weak. I know what I have been through in my life. I know I have not broken. I know I am strong. My struggle and disappointment has not altered what I believe to be right and wrong. I have not compromised the values I hold dear at my deepest core. I have had the strength to carry on and never be taken off track.

I do not care that she feels her character is stronger than mine. I know myself more intimately than she could fathom she does. I am hurt that she would think such a thing for so long and attack the ways I have helped people (to include her) because they aren't always in my best interest. I am disappointed that my reality is so very different from the reality of someone I held close to me.

To another, I am not a good person any longer. He took the statement back (this time) but it has been said many times over...his reality believes it is true. I will not sit by and let people I care about continue down a path of self destruction or negative behavior when I know that they are capable of more. Apparently this concern is wrong and the expectation of more just too much. I know that I am a good person. I see that his reality is different and I can't fault him for that. He cannot see into my heart where there is no ill will toward anyone - not even those who have done me wrong. All I ever want is fairness. To seek revenge would be to let the offending party have too much of my energy. Call it karma, call it life, call it whatever...those who do wrong will face what they are meant to...it is not my place to make them face it. I can look myself in the mirror and my reality says I am a good person, regardless of what anyone else's says. I just wish I hadn't believed that he saw it my way because the disappointment over being wrong just cuts like a knife...

Can't you stop the lies falling from the skies?
Down on me, I'm still standing.
Can't you roll the dice, I might be surprised,
conscience clear, I'm still standing here.
--Still Standing, The Rasmus

Posted by: Princess Cat at 04:18 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 515 words, total size 3 kb.

You Were Actually Born Under:

Full of spunk, you are the original party animal. You bring fun, activity, and stimulation to any event. Self-control is not one of your strong points; you have been known to over indulge. Cheerful and energetic, you can turn the most boring thing into something fun. You are most compatible with a Rat or Dragon.

You Should Have Been Born Under:

You are solid, methodical, and you do things right the first time. Even when no one else does, you always believe in yourself. You tend to see the world in black and white, right or wrong. A good memory and eye for details means you tend to thrive at near impossible tasks. You are most compatible with a Snake or Rooster.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:29 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 135 words, total size 2 kb.

I realize I don't have the greatest northern assets ever naturally gifted to a woman but today it felt like I do. On at least three occasions I got the "nice rack" look from men today.

It made me smile inside...

Woohoo for boobs!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:06 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 48 words, total size 1 kb.

I don't fly as much as I used to but I've had it up to here with the crap the giant airlines try to pull with their customers. If the prices were lower, I would be more understanding. But when I pay $500 for a flight, I don't expect to be treated like crap. Due to my frustration I've decided to use new airlines as much as I possibly can. For my upcoming trip to San Diego I booked the flight with Independence Air. I've heard good things about them but I was nervous. I haven't even flown on this airline yet and I am loving them more and more.

1. Their site is hella easy to use
2. Their fares are lower
3. They have direct flights were I want to go
4. They assign me a seat (as opposed to Southwest)
5. Their ticket change fee is lower than any other airline
6. It is their policy to give you credit for a fare you cancel (like Southwest)
7. There are no blackout periods for award travel
8. They provide you with estimated wait times at all airports they serve.
And the reason I'm writing this entry...
9. They changed my flight time by 30 mins on the outgoing flight and 10 mins on the returning flight and they e-mailed me to tell me! AND they gave me the option to cancel my ticket because of the change.

These guys are awesome! Go book your next flight with them at www.flyi.com!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:07 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 257 words, total size 1 kb.

I Am Unwritten, Can't Read My Mind, I'm Undefined
I'm Just Beginning, The Pen's In My Hand, Ending Unplanned

Staring At The Blank Page Before You, Open Up The Dirty Window
Let The Sun Illuminate The Words That You Could Not Find
Reaching For Something In The Distance
So Close You Can Almost Taste It
Release Your Inhibitions

Feel The Rain On Your Skin
No One Else Can Feel It For You
Only You Can Let It In
No One Else, No One Else
Can Speak The Words On Your Lips
Drench Yourself In Words Unspoken
Live Your Life With Arms Wide Open
Today Is Where Your Book Begins
The Rest Is Still Unwritten

I Break Tradition, Sometimes My Tries, Are Outside The Lines
We've Been Conditioned To Not Make Mistakes, But I Can't Live That Way

Staring At The Blank Page Before You, Open Up The Dirty Window
Let The Sun Illuminate The Words That You Could Not Find
Reaching For Something In The Distance
So Close You Can Almost Taste It
Release Your Inhibitions

Feel The Rain On Your Skin
No One Else Can Feel It For You
Only You Can Let It In
No One Else, No One Else
Can Speak The Words On Your Lips
Drench Yourself In Words Unspoken
Live Your Life With Arms Wide Open
Today Is Where Your Book Begins

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 231 words, total size 1 kb.

Even though its been a while since the place was updated I was reading this story over at Bastard Sword...

It was posted under science but I took away from it was something different. It seemed appropriate these days, in fact... Never be afraid to stand out and be different. It may be lonely for a while and you might face a tougher trail but in the end, you may be right. And if you're lucky, you may be right enough for it to matter beyond your own pride.

So often we believe that the consensus is right - how could so many smart people all be wrong in the exact same way? Probability may say that the likelihood is low but it still happens...and sometimes you can just tell. Something in your gut knows that it has happened. But most people, most of the time, are afraid to go with that hunch. Perhaps they don't trust themselves or they don't want to face the potential ridicule? But why? The concept of group think whereby a less than optimal decision is often made in group settings is well established. But we don't believe it actually happens?

You become marked when you buck the system, your name blackened, and your head painted with a target for those in charge. That stigma can be lasting and painful but sometimes it is necessary. Of course, choose your battles wisely but be different when it can make a difference...in solving a repeated injustice...in correcting misdeeds...in pointing out an error in consensus conclusions...It doesn't have to be a gesture as grand as those by Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, Jr but your struggle, no matter how small, may mean a world of difference to those yet to come.

So go out and if the system is screwing with you, screw with the system...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:29 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 317 words, total size 2 kb.

The morning has been full of learning the appropriate chain of command and drafting letters to get things moving. This bastard instructor is using up way too much of my blogging time...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:48 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 34 words, total size 1 kb.

So, my "I'm too good to answer my students' emails" Sci/Tech instructor sent out a mass mailing today explaining what he expected of our papers and thus why we ALL received poor grades in the course. Well his 'criteria' were complete and utter shit. Four bullet points, one of which was essentially stating we should spell correctly. The other said we should use sound reasoning. Thank you Captain Obvious! His first 'criteria' was something he NEVER mentioned to us:

I looked for references to the themes and conclusions from the course. In the seminars, we discussed different models for innovation, decision-making, and for linking science/technology to national security. If there were no references to any of the material discussed in the class or to the assigned readings, it counted against the grade. The final essay was in lieu of an exam, but a requirement to demonstrate familiarity with the subject matter and readings remained.

Well, Mr. "I knew what every student planned to write about before hand and didn't argue with them on it" ... You failed to mention this. And no, we did not need to assume you wanted us to do it. It is not uncommon for final research papers to be independent projects. Each and every one of us discussed the topic and goals of our paper with you at least twice. If this was one of your expectations, how come NO ONE knew about it? Oh...that's cuz you didn't tell us...

Little do you know Mr. Instructor...I am queen of bucking the system at this institution and I no longer fear rocking the boat. It's not just me that's pissed off this time...I'm rallying my classmates and we will have retribution...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:50 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 293 words, total size 2 kb.

I don't have many rules that MUST be followed in my house but one of them was violated today.

I pulled back the curtain after taking a shower and saw a black spot on my mirror. Upon close inspection I discovered it was a nasty black spider. This would NOT be tolerated.

Rule: Crawly things serve a purpose and thus shall be left alone to do their duty in the ecosystem, so long as they are outside. Crawly things that enter my house are immediately on death row and shall be executed immediately upon discovery. (Unless they are really icky in which case I will scream until someone else kills them or freak out until I can discover some method for killing said crawly thing without touching it).

Today's offender was immediately met with several blasts of windex that caused him to twitch, slide down the mirror, and then be squashed by the paper towel I used to absorb the cleaner that had collected in the gap at the bottom of the mirror.

...I did get a clear mirror out of the deal...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 03:34 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 187 words, total size 1 kb.

Lin Lin was the type of woman that still considered herself a girl. Her life resembled a rollercoaster, but never the kind that gains top billing at the amusement park. She was the roller coaster that people rode when the line was too long for the one they really wanted to ride. The loops were not exhilarating enough and the drops not frightening enough to thrill the true fanatics. Her highs burned bright but brief, like a shooting star. They were recognized by only a few and very rarely ever the same few twice. Her lows were long and lasting, like an endless winter that promises to block out the sun for more months than the calendar says it should. Nothing too tragic ever happened to her so this extreme too went generally unnoticed in the world. She was too average to be great and too fortunate to be worth sympathy, leaving her to fall through every crack life afforded to society.

Her trust in people had waned so far that she trusted people whom she'd never met far more than she trusted those who dared say they love her. Those were the worst kind of people. They used it as an excuse for everything. They were always asking her to forget the wounds they had caused because they loved her. It wasn't the strangers who had betrayed her; it was always the ones she told herself never would. But somehow, she continued to let them. All the while she knew deep down that she couldn't ever completely forgive their transgressions, no matter how many times she told herself that she had.

Tonight, as she stood in the bathroom waiting for the shower to heat up, she felt more lost than usual. She stood in front of the mirror but she was in a daze and never saw her reflection looking back at her. Suddenly she realized that there was no reflection to see because hot steam had filled the room and completely fogged the mirror. She undressed, tied her hair in a knot, and stood at the edge of the tub, attempting to cool the now scalding water. Finally she was able to touch the water without yanking her hand away in pain and she climbed into the lonely enclosure.

The water that had burned her fingers just moments before somehow felt cold as it landed on her skin. She hugged her arms close across her breasts with her back to the water, begging her body to warm against the chill in the air. Her pleas went unanswered no matter how many times she turned the knob to release more hot water. The temperature rose but her body remained numb to the heat. She wanted to cry but no tears would fall. Resigned to a lackluster experience, she abandoned her hope for a relaxing and refreshing escape. She ran the soapy sponge over her body but hardly felt its touch. She rinsed away the bubbles and let her hair down, motionlessly standing under the water for a long time. The need to wash her hair finally occurred to her and she complied with the urge to do so. It felt tedious and monotonous. Once she was finished she wasn't even sure she had done it. Maybe she had just dreamed it so vividly that she believed she had done it. Either way, she ran conditioner and a comb through it before rinsing it once again.

She knew that she was clean, the basic purpose of taking a shower had been satisfied, but she stood under the water hugging herself again. She twisted left and right at the waist, forcing the water to dance down her back in new patterns as she tried to come up with a legitimate reason to remain so secluded. Nothing came to mind. She turned off the water, wrapped herself in a towel, and stepped out of the shower with new emotion in her heart. Now, instead of hopeful that she had found a brief shelter she felt disappointment. Even the shower had let her down today. But still, no tears escaped from the place that they hid in deep inside her soul.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:03 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 704 words, total size 4 kb.

I've spent the last couple of days trying to help people move to the area and I have to say the only thing I hate more than moving is moving someone else. The only thing I hate more than that is packing... Packing, regardless of how wonderful the reason I'm packing, is the bane of my existence. I'm great at it - but I hate it with every ounce of my being. That being said, when it comes to moving... inefficient use of space, disorganization, and wasting time are my hugest pet peeves. To make matters worse, the girl that was moving had her mom there to 'help.' UGH! This was a nightmare.... 4 people all trying to pack one 10ft truck and tell each other the best way to do it. I don't really know the girl that well so I initially stood aside and did what I was told. Finally I had enough of people debating on things for 30 mins every time something was taken to the truck and I just jumped in. They brought stuff out and I put it in the truck. End of complication, for the most part. Her mom kept trying to jump in from time to time but the mom-wrangler kept her occupied most of the time. We finished packing up the truck just as it started to rain. I stood out in it for a few minutes because it just felt so cleansing.

We drove the truck up to DC bright and early the next morning (read: at my least favorite time of day) in the middle of a huge downpour. I ended up sleeping in the passengerÂ’s seat of the moving truck for about an hour or so...so it wasn't all bad. Once we got there things were sort of the same so I just hopped in the truck and started unloading. Now I'm known as Ms. Delegation...

Things took a lot longer than planned so I ended up going straight from there to my summer school class last night. I was most definitely not thrilled about that but nothing could be done. I came home, had some wine, and everything was all good.

Unfortunately I get to do the same thing again in 2 weeks for someone else...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:29 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 381 words, total size 2 kb.

Things that just keep happening in my life have me a little upset and stressed out at the moment so I have decided to take up creative writing again as a way to distract myself from the annoyances.

I don't have a storyline developed just yet but I am in the process of developing characters. You should be seeing them introduced one by one in the coming weeks. Be sure to look for them under the category "Story Time."

Posted by: Princess Cat at 07:49 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 83 words, total size 1 kb.

Lil Bro has not finally and officially graduated from Washington University with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in economics (So proud...he's following in my footsteps on that one).

There were two ceremonies, one Thurs afternoon, the other Fri morning, that were everything graduation should be expected to be...long, drawn out, only semi-organized, but a proud moment for all. On Thurs one of the valedictorians made a very subtle reference/joke about this video which I of course understood and promptly laughed at as my family looked at me in a state of complete and utter confusion. I then discovered I am an 'engi-nerd' for catching the reference. Friday graced us with a speech from Richard Gephardt that rambled on before wrapping up in a 20 min diatribe that made undeniably clear he is cut from the political cloth. I really don't remember much of what he said in specific but I shook my head a lot at the time...so apparently I disagreed with him... It was cold...I was in a short, sleeveless dress...and there was a 'draft' ... my mind was not on his speech... ;o)

Friday night brought the graduation reception for which I did the decorations. People were impressed and loved the custom printed M&M's to commemorate the occasion. My only disappointment about the night was my lack of total inebriation at the end of the night. But, good times were still had by all... tossing mixed nuts across the room to see if they would land in one girl's cleavage... watching my mom play 3 man with the 22 year old... watching my aunt speedily stumble her way from the game of 3 man to various anchor points across the room as she came to join slur in our conversation with stories of my childhood... Lil Bro with confetti in his hair... His friends drunkenly crashing the Boeing party next door (and coming back disappointed over the lack of available women)...

Good times were had in the casino but eventually everyone had lost enough money for the night. We ended up in my cousin's room with a sink full of beer, practicing our 21 skills with cheezits/cheetos/animal crackers until the boys were so worn out they fell asleep one by one at the table. Then it was just me and his wife talking until 5am.

Saturday brought the family together for 'brunch' and then a Budweiser tour for a few of us. We didn't get to see the bottling portion of the plant since there had been a spill a few days before and things hadn't been reopened to the public but there was free, fresh beer at the end so I was willing to forgive them...this time...

Sunday was time to say goodbye...and had in store a rather long drive back to Virginia... it was rather anti-climactic since people were more stressed about packing up Lil BroÂ’s apartment and getting him moved out but such is to be understood. I only had my feelings hurt for a few minutes until I remembered that I paid very little attention to anyone following my graduation eitherÂ…(then again, I was somewhat hungoverÂ…)

Overall, it was a good trip to see the family and I was very happy to see the aunts & uncles & cousins again. They are definitely the best part of being a member of this family...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 07:26 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 566 words, total size 3 kb.

I swear I'm not dead...the past couple of days have been a nightmare in the making so blogging went by the wayside. I'll be back later today to blog my little heart out...there are just too many things to write about and I don't know where to start.

Be back soon, loyal subject...soon...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:50 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 57 words, total size 1 kb.

I missed the opportunity to blog about this very important day while I was away so I'll do my best to honor our troops in a belated post.

Today we have troops, not just in Iraq, not just in Kuwait, not just in Afganistan, but in many places across the globe. Some may feel forgotten or resent those that march in protest of war. Some may be safer than others and some may be coming home sooner. Some have never had the much desired opportunity to defend our country themselves and wish to join their fellow military overseas but, they cannot. Some long for things we take for granted in our lives.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 03:20 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 235 words, total size 2 kb.

I've made it back to the East coast... I'm not quite home yet but more important than that...I've made it back to a stable blogging environment...

Thank you goes to Blog-daddy for keeping the loyal subjects entertained in my absence. Great job on the car...it's everything I've been looking for!

Things in St. Louis with the fam went as could be expected but I'll tell you all about that later. Right now I have to go figure out what's wrong with this picture...

I came home to find the blog is in one piece, everything still in its place, and its quiet...too quiet... This is not what I expected to find... No plastic cups strewn about? No strategically placed flowers to cover the scratch on the dining room table? Not even the slightest sign of a drunken smoke filled poker tournament...
I'll have to go figure out what is lurking behind this blanket of peace Eric has so masterfully spread through the place...

...starting with the liquor cabinet...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:38 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 174 words, total size 1 kb.

1 ... nope.. everything's clean.. I was a good boy, I promise..

Posted by: Eric at May 23, 2005 02:57 PM (YlwMq)

2 BOO! What, you didn't expect me to be hiding behind the bathroom door?

Posted by: Ogre at May 23, 2005 03:25 PM (/k+l4)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

... you know, I used to think that Skippy's sidebar photo of the hot devil-chick was the bomb... but, I have to say... his latest banner kicks ass, people...

... hey, I'm just saying...

UPDATE! UPDATE!

... I am beginning to see a trend... more breasts.. sorta...

... behold, rubberneckers...

"So, for the remainder of May and all of June, if you visit my site, you will be exposed to large, veiny udders. If this offends you...hopefully I'll see you back in July. And if you like it, you are one sick bastard."

... they say these things come in 3's... Lord, help us...

Posted by: Eric at 06:30 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 106 words, total size 1 kb.

... hello, Swift Kick Minions... Eric from SWG here... the lovely Miss Cat has asked me to handle the reins for a while as she enjoys a holiday...

.. I was wondering what y'all might like to see here... and then, it hit me like a freight train... you guys probably want to know what the REAL Princess is like... right?... well, having met her, I feel I might be able to shed a wee bit of light..

... for instance, while strolling through DC with her, I was truly impressed with her wit and intelligence.... guys, she's a real keeper... but she is also keen on military and political affairs... a very pleasant surprise... as we strolled the Mall, I couldn't help but imagine that when she finally starts commuting around DC, she'd love to have one of these babies... I think it'd suit her personality perfectly... oh, yeah...

Posted by: Eric at 11:45 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 158 words, total size 1 kb.