Day163 - Hip Hop You Don't Stop

Wednesday, June 11, 2008: The Brewery: Hip Hop Caberet.

Yana dragged me from my anxiety laced den of Gypsy tonight. I felt bad about leaving Troy alone with the truck - there is too much to do. But he assured me that it was alright and pushed me out the door. I went begrudgingly.

I didn't make it to the Brewery without having a major freak out. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good and I was near Troy by the time I finally got a hold of Troy. Yana did the best job of calming down and a few Corona's later I was doing much better.

The Hip Hop Caberet… well that was freaking awesome. It was put on by Love and Light Productions. I think the best part of the night was probably The Clover doing a cover of Rapper's Delight. It was so fucking good. Yes, good enough for me to cuss over.

Yana and I shot pictures for it. I didn't bring my camera because I'm awesome like that, but I did end up shooting quite a few with Yana's. I think we ended up taking over 350. If she tosses some my way after reading this, I will post them here.

Thanks Yana! I don't want to get all over, but I don't know how I would have gotten through the tonight or the week without ya!

Day161 - Half of a half of a half

Monday, June 9, 2008: It's half ours.

We went to Log Cabin Motors in Bellefonte today to have the truck finally registered. Imagine my surprise when Troy asked me to be added to the title. Wow! I had to sign some papers and show my i.d. and then walk out of the office with a shiny new plate and a bright pink slip.

I've never owned a truck and certainly never had a co-signer for any vehicle so that feels weird. The fact that Troy chose me to sign with him is even weirder, especially for two people so committed to non-committal, it is a big step.

I'm so happy I could burst. What a day.

Day153 - Rocking out with my 329 out.

Sunday, June 1, 2008: State College area: Photoshoot

I went on a photoshoot, the first for 3twenty9 today, with Yana and Steph. It was for Noah Wotherspoon, a musician whose website we laid out: www.noahwotherspoon.com

It was a beautiful day, the property is absolutely gorgeous and my friends are awesome - what more can you ask for? Oh, you want a donkey. Well there was one. And a minihorse, and chickens and baby turkey chicks. So yes, the day was complete.

It was also the first time I held a baby turkey. It pooped on me! But it had the cutest turkey baby butt that I didn't care. Yana, if you have a picture, I would be much obliged to steal it from you.

Said chickens:




A chicken of another sort:




Noah:










Mrs. Yana on the gorgeous property:




Thanks to Yana and Steph for such a great photoshoot.

Day143 - Like eating a hot donut.

Thursday, May 22, 2008: Boalsburg Fair: Fried Green Tomatoes

I must admit, when we were kids we watched Steel Magnolia and Fried Green Tomatoes all the time. This was due mostly to my Nana having HBO and 5 grandkids and the fact that HBO still, 20 years later, runs movies into the ground.

We watched Nadia a lot too.

Oddly, I only started to eat raw tomatoes around age 23. I didn't eat tomato soup until around 10. I guess I'm a late bloomer. So, for me to eat a fried green tomato, well I've obviously come a long way.





I'm sure real fried green tomatoes taste entirely different than these, but I like them all the same. Yana and I split some chicken fingers too. And, if that wasn't enough grease to get you going, we split a Baby Cake, which is a smaller, fluffier version of a Funnel Cake. I was kind of like eating a hot donut.





Yana and I were on another photowalk. She is the BEST photowalk buddy you can ask for. Just the right mixture of giggling and actual photo taking.

Here are a couple I took. Again, one hour before this picture - total crap outside:











What can I say, I'm a sucker for lock jaw and love to hang around rusty metal.

Day139 - What a classy mess.

Sunday, May 18, 2008: My House: Lunch

We had Yana and Allen over for lunch. Yes, they have been to our house before, but never for lunch, so I'm calling it new. (It's been 139 days - please leave me alone). We had every expectation to work, but that almost never happens when we get talking, so we didn't.

I made my garlic chili cheeseburgers (they came out good, but not hot. I should have added some more hot sauce) and the ever famous spinach artichoke dip. I used a half a head of garlic between the two. Yum.

After lunch, we took a walk down to the park. It was supposed to be Bellefonte's Spring Festival, but most everything was cancelled including the kayak demo and fish launch. We did walk around and joke about shit your not supposed to joke about so it worked out. And I saw baby ducks which never gets old.

Here are some pics:

Shot from the bridge. One hour from either side of this shot it was shitty and raining. This is truly Bizarro May.




I know! Yana totally looks like she is going to reprimand me…




But she took the exact same shot seconds earlier…





But I was busy looking at this classy mess.





More loveliness.




The we switched it up some - just to prove we were both there…







Thanks Yana for the pictures (I nicked them) and thanks to Allen for the improper conversation. Such a good day.

Day124 - We abused them mercilessly.

Saturday, May 3, 2008: Centre Co. fun: Maura's Visit.


Today your friend and mine, Maura, came up for a visit. We spent most of the afternoon overeating at the Dellos partying like it was 2007. Some pictures were taken like this alumni shot of Affinity.




Jess bought a variety case of Sam Adams. My new favorite beer is Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. Thanks Jess to paying mind to my aversion to canned beer.





The place was littered with babies. It was wall-to-wall babies. I thought I was going to get pregnant just sitting in the living room. But it was very nice of Mark and Jodie and Anna to host us all, baby lovers or not.

That night, after a quick trip to the Dode, we went to Kelly's to see The Clover. I've only been to Kelly's once before, and it was not to see a band in a bar. It was to pig out to a point that was not fun. Tonight, the only thing I had was a glass of water and some of Jess' nachos. Some crazy good nachos.

At each table they have these little fake candles in the shape of a votive with a flame. Needless to say, we abused them mercilessly.

Troy is magic:




This is how we party on weekends:




Jess and Maura:





It was a great day. Thanks for a great time guys!

Day117 - Of cheeseballs and 10 spots

Saturday, April 26, 2008: Sean and Kim: Greencastle.


The past couple of days, we have been all over PA looking for parts for the truck. The few remaining bits that will make it move or pass inspection. Since we would be close to them, today we stayed over at Sean and Kim's. Like always, they were extremely awesome in there care of us.

We went to the local Food Lion in search of dinner, and Lucky Troy found a 10 spot on the ground. You would think he won the lottery he was so happy.




He of course handed it over to Kim for dinner. The same Plaza held a Goodwill and we stopped in. I found this pin which I am deeply in love with. It is so bright and happy. How can you be sad with this thing on?





I also found this bag. Wow. An argyle pleather bag. Lucky girl.





Then came dinner and a fashion show. Sean bought this outfit. It is fetching. He is missing leather sandals.





We had some Port Wine Cheeseball. Jess, I am sorry, but this was a little better than yours. I feel like I cheated on your cheeseball.





Then Sean made us these gigantic pork loin cheeseburgers. Wow, were they good. It was a bit of a trip to munch on a burger and have it be white - not red. Otherwise, just fantastic.




And yes, it was gigantic.




Later on that night we got into a fight about whether or not "The Punisher" sucks as a movie. It does. I'm not saying it's not entertaining, but it is bullshit. Grandma's Boy, on the other hand, was fantastic and I loved it. So, so funny. It was co-written and starred Nick Swordson (Terry, the gay rollerskater from Reno 911). What else do you need me to say to get you to watch?

Day108 - Spring has sprung itself all over happy valley.

Thursday, April 18, 2008: State College: Photowalk


Today, Yana and I went for a walk with Brad around State College. We started at the corner of Beaver and Frasier and quickly ended up at Penn Skate to photograph some kids skating. Then it was on to old main and some nicotine addled squirrels.

We had a really great time. Lots of giggling for sure. And the boys at the skate shop were cute, yelling, "we are going to be famous" after getting their picture taken. They made me miss Tyler for sure.

After the walk, we ended at Zeno's. Thanks to Yana, I now know that they have Framboise Lambic on draft. The best faux beer for those like their beer to taste like jolly ranchers. Also, we finally got to talk to some of our fellow walkers. Everyone was really cool and very friendly. It was a great experience.

I'll post pictures after they are developed. Yes - developed! I took Troy's 35mm, as mine is still battery-less. I did not snap a single digital shot (although I will not stop short of stealing some of Yana's).

On the way home, Yana wondered why we had never done it before and I thought the same thing. It's such a good exercise for actually 'seeing' instead of 'looking' as Mr. Murphy, one of my teachers from college would say. And loudly.

After the walk, we went to Troy's garage to meet up with Troy and Allen. They worked as much as I thought they would, and the garage was not ablaze, so I thought was a win-win. We ate not healthy food and talked about life and work and dead parents. So good.

Really, just a great, good day. I've been having a lot of those lately.