I think I have a vacation hang-over. Rob and I went to Tybee Island last week and had an amazing time, but I've had a horrible headache ever since we got home. Rum withdrawal, perhaps?

the trip was awesome. here's some stuff...

downtown Newport


Newport Bridge. my dad helped build it.


mom and April at park next to bridge


dingy

the dogs and I are hitting the road this afternoon. first to meet up with my mom in Wilmington, then we're off to Rhode Island to visit the family! I haven't been "home" since I left there over 10 years ago, so this is going to be fun. I plan on eating nothing but chowda and clamcakes and drinking only coffee milk the entire time I'm there. don't count on any pictures, since I still don't know how to take a decent photo on this camera unless I cheat and use the auto mode. damn technology.

in the deck where I park everyday works one of the nicest men I've ever met. everyday he gives me an update what he's been up to, how is wife's feeling and some great commentary on whatever he's thinking about that day. one day he asked me if I liked cookies. without a moment's hesitation I said 'of course'. he then offered me what he called 'the best cookie ever' - it was a little debbie star crunch cookie.

today when I talked to him he told me he had a real rough weekend because his wife had to go to the hospital. he's seemed so tired and worried about his wife, it made me really want to do something nice for him. since he loves these cookies so much, I thought I might try making him some. I searched the web, but couldn't find any recipe for them. anybody ever come across one? I know I can always buy him some, but I thought it would be fun to make them from scratch.

Team Snackstin

I am loving my new birthday toy. If you can't tell, I am literally hugging it. Mwah! PS - Rob is quitting law school and starting his racing career

I'm taking a swimming class, which is very serious business. I figure as soon as I get over this whole swallowing water thing, I'm gonna start racing professionally.

I spent the weekend in ATL with Rob. It was a fun, but a whirlwind. The time flew by and all of a sudden it was time to say goodbye to him. suck house. I'm trying to look forward to having this time though. My first hurdle is getting up and running in the morning - 6am. oof.

Advice

I've fallen in love with photography, and want to invest in a digital SLR to keep shooting without having to turn my bathroom into a dark room (which would be awesome, by the way!) Anybody have any advice? Angela, I'm talking to you!

such a sucker

I saw this in the supermarket and couldn't keep myself from trying it. I know, I know... but I can't help myself. All those pretty colors on the label sucked me in. You should see me in the toothpaste aisle - if the box is shiny, then fuggetaboutit!

photo class is fun

go dawgs

don't be scared

of how cute I am

tiny me

bigger me with snappy coat and pants ensemble

bride of christ me

High in Fiber

This is a small accordian book based on the books Ahab's Wife and Moby Dick that I made for a recent fibers-based class gallery show titled 'High in Fiber'. We wanted to be more casual about our approach, so we chose a silly title. We did, however, go all out with posters and announcements and a closing reception with lots of wine and treats. It was a weird experience, to be honest. We had two weeks to design and execute our pieces. Mine is appoximately 4"x6" (one of the smallest in the show), and is comprised of tea-stained 100% cotton linter paper, cotton fabric, pigments, & inks, and is titled 'The Locket".

Hello. My name is Melissa and I am addicted to pain killers

Two weeks ago, I was trying to be helpful at work by putting away some boxes. Long story short - I zigged and the boxes zagged. I felt ok until I was getting in my car to leave and my lower back starting throbbing. I hung in there through the weekend with ibuprofen and laying flat on my back, but ended up calling in hurt and having to go to the doctor for a workers comp exam. After the drug pee test AND alcohol blow, the doctor finally saw me. He poked around and then handed me a prescription for a painkiller and a muscle relaxer. Sweet. The next few days were hazy and blissful - not so much pain in the back, and not so much of anything else either. I was perfectly content to lay there, watch tv, and get better. Towards the end of last week I realized that the painkillers weren't working as well. They weren't putting me out like they had been, and the creeping pain in my butt and leg wasn't disappearing like before. No biggy though, cause I think overall I'm getting better. Move ahead to this past monday. I woke up in the morning feeling pretty crappy, like I had been drinking all weekend long. I was dizzy, dehydrated, and shakey. Weird. My back was also still twinging, shooting pains down my butt and leg. Gotta take my owie pills. But first I have to shower, brush the choppers, iron my clothes, lube up with the appropriate lotions and products, put make-up, clothes, and shoes on, wander around aimlessly, and finally eat my breakfast. By the time breakfast comes around I'm in the car riding shot gun trying to eat with a shakey hand and keep the milk from dribbling down my chin. What the hell is going on?? I get to work, get settled, get a drink, and finally take my pills around 9:30 am. Within a half-hour all the shakes, aches, pains - everything - is gone. I feel great. Today I wake up shakey and dehydrated again. Around 11:00 I take a painkiller, cause my back is twinging sitting in that damn chair all morning and I'm terrified of hurting myself again or undoing any healing I've done. Soon after I notice how normal I feel. Ok kids, let's think this over. The pills aren't fun anymore, and I feel like crap when I skip taking them - can we say my body is accustomed to these drugs? Is this what addiction is? How scary is this? Very. VERY very. So obviously, I'm not taking the pills anymore. I'm gonna tough it out with ibuprofen and walking and stretching. What is most distressing to me is how fast it happened. It took about 7 days total to get to a point that I could have started taking MORE since it felt like they weren't doing anything anymore. Jesus. I've never been more glad that I'm paranoid about taking medicine. After my physical therapy appointment this coming Monday I'm getting back to the gym and back to normal. I'm sick of being sick.

Project Runway Rant: what the hell??

Can anyone tell me why this jackass and his frickin basket hat didn't get tossed in the first episode? Anyone?? I happened to like Stacey's floaty little see-thru number, and she sewed it by HAND, for christ's sake. Granted, she did that because the machines confused her, but so what. Her dress was league's above that goddamned basket and ugly-ass granny shift.

nya nya nyanyanya

we're going to see Tom Waits

are you?

go shawty

Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go shawty
It's your birthday
We gon' party like it's yo birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's your birthday
And you know we don't give a fuck
It's not your birthday!

Except that it is.
It is my motherfucking birthday.
And I shall party as such.

Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go sushi boat
It's my birthday
I'm gon' eat you up on my birthday
Everybody eat some cake too on my birthday
Cuz' that's what I want fo' my birthday!

cutey patooty

well, hello there

I know, I know. There are a million things I should be posting about - mostly what I've been up to for the last 4 months, but this trumps it all.
You all know the bottom of the dog pile - Ms. Greta If You're Nasty - but the top of said pile is a new addition just added this week. Everyone, this is Frank. Frank, this is the interbot. Frank is an 8-ish week old chihuahua that was found on the side of the highway in his little doggie carrier. He was with my mom for a couple weeks, but has now moved in with us.

ass clown

I just heard the words "ass clown" on NPR.
I love public radio.


SPRING BREAK!!!