Pastafarians!

Italian funnel cake @ Vita Bella!

Catch Up (not to be confused to ketchup - eww)

Day 80

10-30-10

Today: Come up with you own Book page idea!

Thrift Store Day

Take $10 to your nearest thrift store (Salvation Army, Goodwill, ARC) and buy an ugly new-to-you outfit and wear it around for the rest of the day.  Try to look as purposefully mismatched and eccentric as possible; be sure to accessorize with a hat, scarf, belt, or handbag.  Embrace your new-but-used clothing trend!

Day 82

11-01-10

Stick a Message on a Fruit

I placed a sticker on a little apple in the fridge at work, “Be gentle with me.”

Day 83

11-02-10

Join a Political Party

In honor of Voting Day, I chose to register as an Independent.  This means that I rescinded my membership to the Democratic party and chose to go rogue.  I took a politics test that lined me up with Gandhi and said I was more of a liberal and more of a libertarian…  Meaning that I’m liberal when it comes to social issues and conservative when it comes to big government.  Since I still haven’t found a party that I can fully stand behind, then I choose the “Don’t Give a Damn Party.”

Day 84

11-03-10

Share Someone Else’s Pain

So, my dear roomy, Nancy, was having a crumby day.  I hate seeing others in bad moods, and I have even more trouble being around them… So, I set out to fix her.  Yes, that’s right, she was broken.  But it wasn’t anything that wine, cheese, crackers, sweets and a video couldn’t cure.  So, I went to the store and picked up a bunch of different wines, cheeses, breads, crackers, spinach dip, a rotisserie chicken, fruit tarts for dessert, and rented The Karate Kid remake.  We happily wallowed in munchies and nostalgia while sitting around in our pajamas and drinking wine.  So, whilst I didn’t quite share her pain, I did however help fix her mood.  :0)



Day 86

11-05-10

Day Off

Friday, Nancy and I had Qdoba for dinner, then went to see Heather’s art show during First Friday in the Santa Fe Art District.  Then we met Jason at the Celtic downtown for drinks and dessert.  It was a lovely way to spend a Friday night.

Day 87 & Day 88

11-06-10 & 11-07-10

No TV Weekend

Well, I don’t watch much television to begin with, but this weekend I did watch two movies.  However, I don’t count watching movies as watching TV if they are on DVD.

So, Saturday I kinda missed class…  And instead did a little thrift and dollar store shopping (I curb my shopping urge by only shopping cheap).  Then Jason picked me up and we went to his parents’ house for dinner.  The whole famdamnly was there: brothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, nieces, grandparents, uncles, etc.  His parents cooked a wonderful vegetarian meal, after which we all sat around and just chatted.  They did some family photos that I was included in…  That was sweet but a little odd.  :0)  Then, before Jason and I fell asleep on the couch, we headed over to the Robusto Room for drinks and were planning on seeing a movie.  Instead, we got a call from Jason’s dad asking if we could take his cousin and girlfriend downtown for the night.  This wouldn’t have been an issue, except that they were both vegetarian and didn’t drink alcohol.  Um…  We’re in Denver.  All we do here is drink beer and eat cow.  What else could we take them to go do downtown?!  Jason, bless his soul, thought of the Impulse Theater improve show at the Wynkoop Brewery.  I think they enjoyed themselves.  I know Jason and I were laughing. 

Anywho, Jason stayed the night, and it was lovely waking up next to him, and even lovelier remembering that it was Daylight Savings and we had an extra hour.  He went home and I slept until 11 or so, then I took a shower, grabbed coffee and a bagel, and headed to the office.  Why the office on a Sunday?  Well, I needed to create a rough draft of a technical manual for my Technical Writing class.  I chose to do mine on the bulk mail programs I use at work.  So, I spent 6 hours on Sunday afternoon in the office, all alone, typing a manual.  Woo-hoo!  Then I met up Jason and his roommate, Cindy, for dinner at Rib City.  We went back to their place and watched some Futurama (on DVD) and then I went home and watched Iron-Man 2 (also on DVD).

Day 89

11-08-10

Count Your Farts

I think this is hilarious!  I made sure to eat chili yesterday and today for lunch in preparation for this assignment!  Pretty sexy, huh?  I think I reached about a grand total of 55 farts by the time I went to bed...  Good thing I went to bed by myself.  ;0)

Canary Kisses

Day 73
10-23-2010
Kiss Someone Where They've Never Been Kissed

Last night, while on a sugar high, I kissed Jason's eye.  That part in between the eyebrow and the lid.  Hehe...  He laughed because I pulled his eye open.  Weird, but cute and silly.  Mission accomplished.


Day 74
10-24-2010
Try a New Kind of Fruit

Jason bought me a canary melon in LaJunta, CO.  Nancy made me an omlette this morning for breakfast and served it with some of the melon.  It was REALLY good.  In fact, I think it might be my new favorite melon.  It tastes like a cross between a canteloup and a honeydew.  Yummers!

42

Day 67
10-16-2010
Don't Spend Any Money Today
 
With thanks to Jason and Jim, I was able to accomplish this!  I had school, which I've prepaid (or I suppose the government has), then did some fruitless thrift store shopping.  I went home and grabbed the roomy and dragged her to meet up with Jason at The Robusto Room.  Instead, Jason had met Jim at the Robusto Room, who in turn invited us to his place for scotch.  So, all four of us sat and chatted and drank Jim's leftovers from the scotch tasting.  It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.  Nancy went home, and Jason and I swung by his place then headed out for dinner.  He took me out to Jing for dinner and then to see Titus at Comedy Works in the Landmark Center.  Dinner was yummy, but the show was AMAZING!!!


Day 68
10-17-2010
Discover the Meaning of Life by Looking up the Definition
 
Courtesy of Google.com...
 
Definitions of Life on the Web:

• a characteristic state or mode of living; "social life"; "city life"; "real life"
• the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities; "he could no longer cope with the complexities of life"
• the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living; "he hoped for a new life in Australia"; "he wanted to live his own life without interference from others"
• animation: the condition of living or the state of being alive; "while there's life there's hope"; "life depends on many chemical and physical processes"
• the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death); "the battery had a short life"; "he lived a long and happy life"
• the period between birth and the present time; "I have known him all his life"
• the period from the present until death; "he appointed himself emperor for life"
• a living person; "his heroism saved a life"
• liveliness: animation and energy in action or expression; "it was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it"
• living things collectively; "the oceans are teeming with life"
• the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones; "there is no life on the moon"
• biography: an account of the series of events making up a person's life
• a motive for living; "pottery was his life"
• life sentence: a prison term lasting as long as the prisoner lives; "he got life for killing the guard"
  wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
• Life (cf. biota) is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have self-sustaining biological processes from those that do not The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, published by Houghton Mifflin Company, via : *"The property or quality that distinguishes ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life

Definitions of Meaning of Life on the Web:

• The meaning of life constitutes a philosophical question concerning the purpose and significance of life or existence in general. This concept can be expressed through a variety of related questions, such as Why are we here?, What is life all about?, and What is the meaning of it all? ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life
• The Meaning of Life is an Irish television programme, the first series of which was broadcast on RTÉ One in 2009. It is presented by the veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne. Each episode involves Byrne interviewing a well-known public figure. The series is broadcast each Sunday night at 22:20.
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meaning_of_Life_(TV_series)
• Ixnay on the Hombre is the fourth studio album by the American punk band The Offspring. Released on February 4, 1997 it was the follow-up to the highly successful Smash and also the band's first collaboration with record producer Dave Jerden. ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meaning_of_Life_(The_Offspring_song)
• The Meaning of Life is a 35mm animated short film, written and directed by Don Hertzfeldt in 2005. The epic twelve minute film is the end result of almost four years of production and tens of thousands of drawings, single-handedly animated and photographed by Hertzfeldt.
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meaning_of_Life_(animated_film)
• The Meaning of Life is the fourth studio album from German thrash metal band Tankard.
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meaning_of_Life_(Tankard_album)
• The Sickness is the debut album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. The album was recorded in 1999 and released on March 7, 2000. Unlike their later albums, which are mixed in style, The Sickness consists primarily of heavier tracks. ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_Life_(song)
• A hypothetical answer to all of life's questions, the ultimate answer which one seeks. 42
  en.wiktionary.org/wiki/meaning_of_life

Day 69
10-18-2010
Start Today on your Left Foot
 
Well, I'm feeling better than I did over the weekend, but still sleepy.  My left eye is twitching.  Kinda annoying.  But I wouldn't say that I've had particular luck today, either good or bad.  In further news, yesterday evening involved lots of Jason, pets, Titus, and homemade chilli.  Yum!  I'd say that the Left Day was pretty good.

Days In and Days Out

Day 60
10-09-2010

Indulge Yourself

So, I had a test that morning and was freaking out and paid to park on campus so that I knew I wouldn’t be late.  I ended up finishing the exam pretty quickly, so I had a lot of time to kill, which I wasted by going clothing shopping on the 16^th Street Mall at Ross.  Later, Jason’s birthday worked out well in my favor.  We went over Jim and Val Guthrie’s for a scotch tasting event.  There I indulged in tasting seven different scotches!  Jim had also made his infamous Scottish Hunter’s Stew (which I think had about 5 different meats), and Jason brought along cigars to enjoy.  After that, the two of us went down to Mario’s Two-Fisted Pizza for an after dinner snack.  Then we met up his buddy, Chris, and my gals, Nancy and Heather, over at Delaney’s for a few beers.  All in all, I had a wonderful day of indulgence and Jason had a fantastic birthday.

Day 62
10-11-2010

Today, do something that could save you a lot of future hassle.

I went through some of my moving boxes until I found the spare key to my car.  I then strategically hid it in the living room and made sure Nancy knew where it was...  Just in case.

Day 64
10-14-2010

Learn to tell one joke properly.

I love this one!  Props to Natalie Moran for telling me this joke in high school...  I still use it to this day to help cheer people up.

Day 65
10-15-2010

Make sure your name is on the internet

I love Google.  There are approximately 315 pages about "Laura Latterman".  That's me!  :0)  I'm such a happy little narcisist.

Bloggedy, Blog Blog.

Day 59
10-08-2010

Change Someone’s Mind Today

I tried to explain to someone that most transvestites were not gay.  They adamantly said that I was wrong.  I know for a fact that I am correct and yet still they would not budge.  I understand not changing an opinion, since those are typically based on personal thoughts and morals, but this is a FACT - One that I can prove!  Ugh.  I hate knowing I’m absolutely correct and have the data to back it up, and yet someone just won't listen. 

Vested Interests: Cross-Dressing and Cultural Anxiety

“Most cross-dressers are not, repeat, are not gay.”

“[…] Experts will vouch for this, the cross-dressers are not gay, they’re not homosexual, they’re not transsexual either.”

“The term ‘transvestite’ was invented by the German sexologist and homosexual rights activist Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) in the early part of the twentieth century.  Hirschfeld observed in Die Transvestiten, on the basis of his own research among (and friendship with) hundreds of cross-dressers, that transvestism was not in itself a sign of underlying homosexuality and in fact occurred most frequently in heterosexuals.”

Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity

“A true transvestite is almost always a heterosexual male (Docter, 1988; Wheeler et al., 2008), although perhaps this is because cross-dressing for women is much more acceptable in our society.


Day 61
10-10-2010

Today, Return to Childhood

In honor of Jason's birthday, his parents took us all to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily circus!  It was awesome.  First, Jason and I had yummy Chinese food on S. Broadway, and then we headed up to the Denver Colosium where the show was being held.  I met his mom, Cheryl, his dad, Gale, his sister, Abby, his brother-in-law, Nathan, his niece, Kylie, and Nathan's nephew, Max.  The show was a blast.  There were seven tigers, a punck-rock clown, and a baby elephant named after President Obama (oh the irony).  Jason bought me a snow cone that came in a white horse mug/stein thingy... It was awesome because it looked like I was eating pony brains!!!

After the show (Jason was SOOOO happy, BTW),  we were invited over to the Page abode for pizza.  His family was very sweet and made me feel quite at home.  In fact, they invited me back over for dinner last night (Tuesday, Oct. 12th) for Jason's and Abby's (her's was a few days earlier) birthday dinner with the grandparents.  That's right...  I met the grandparents last night.  ;0)  I think I passed the test though.  Jason's mom thinks I'm pretty.  Hehe.

Day 63

10-12-2010

Bleed Here Today

That was a convenient paper cut on my left pointer finger’s lower knuckle.  :0)

Cha-cha-changes

Well, as you may have noticed, although Nancy has not fallen off the face of the planet, she has however fallen of the book wagon.  Sadness.  So, I'm thinking I might revamp the site a little.  There's still the chance of a cameo from her here and then, but I think I'm the only one crazy enough to keep up with this.  Also, I'm the only one with enough bordom spent in front of a computer while at work.

Also, you may have noticed, if you've convinced yourself to purchase your very own copy of the book, that I've been doing all my days out of order.  I quickly realized that there are just some things that I cannot accomplish, or cannot attempt on working days, and therefore I've been re-numbering my book.  It's actually ore fun to be going through the book with a Sharpie and knowing what I can accomplish on certain days.  :0)

Today, I'm on an Astrology kick, so today I'm "Touring My Stars" for Day 42.  I got a personalized chart courtesy of Chaos Astrology which I'm going to read all 13 pages of today and see what I think of it.

Text message from Jason this morning: "Hey, we've been dating for a month.  Happy Lunaversary."  Which he followed up this evening with flowers!

After dinner with Heather, I made an effort to straighten, organize, and bring in more stuff from the garage.  It's looking pretty good!

~ Laura

Mega Blog Part 5

Day 31
09-11-2010
"Control your dreams"
Well, I wish this was easier said than done.  I've been having some weird dreams lately.  I had a baby named Ian, Renee and I were stuck in a torrential down poor while dog-sitting, and Lisa was put into witness protection and was given a house.  I tried doing a little research as to what was going on in my subconscious.  Apparently I was trying to protect my inner child from dark emotions; Ian means Gift from God, so I guess a new beginning or relationship is a gift from the heavens right now (Jason?); And I'm keeping too many secrets for my friends and I feel responsible for their well-being.

Unwelcome Rain:

• A feeling of actual or feared challenge, punishment, bad luck, or untimely circumstances in your life somehow
• Nuisance, frustration, challenge, criticism, or a perceived attempt by someone else to "ruin your fun" or be a "downer"
• "Dark" emotions such as depression, anger, or despair

Pets:

• Responsibility
• Unconditional love or acceptance
• Innocence or other childlike qualities
• Your own inner child

Having a Baby:

• A new beginning or a new phase in life, relationship, career, etc.
• Your subconscious mind exploring what it would be like to have a baby

Protecting:

• Dreaming that you are protecting someone or something can represent the following feelings or actions:  Protectiveness or empathy, Responsibility or duty, Secrecy or keeping secrets
• Consider who is protecting whom and why, and the possible parallels with your feelings about your real life.

Day 32 & Day 33
09-12-2010 & 09-13-2010
"Apply for Knighthood" & "Patriotism Day"
Seeing as how I am not a member of the United Kingdom, I cannot apply.  However, after attending the Scottish-Irish festival, I've been rather fascinated with researching my heritage and discovering what clans I'm a member of.   I found the form to register with Clan McFie.  Apparently, the Duffys of Ireland were part of the Scottish clan McFie.  I'm asking my mom to send me information on our family tree so that I can research what clans and crests I belong to.

Day 34
09-14-2010
"Write to a dictator to stop torture"
Well, I signed up at Amnesty International's USA site and protested unlawful detentions to the Prime Minister of Iraq.  I printed out a copy of my letter and placed it in my book to follow up on later and see if I made any difference.  I was also intrigued to discover that UC Denver has an Amnesty International student group...  I might need to look into that.  I enjoy activism.

Day 35
09-15-2010
"Be on the lookout for the paranormal"
Well, that night I marathoned through Warehouse 13 which is kinda like researching the paranormal.  Actually, I've been thinking about ghosts a lot lately, since I'm living in a new home now, and there are lots off noises that happen.  I know that I can chalk them up to the house settling and the neighbors, but it's more fun and creepy to consider that perhaps one of the gazillion thrift store items I have is perhaps possessed, or maybe there's a ghost keeping an eye on the house.


~ Laura

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Festival

Albannach totally rocked at the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Festival!

Jason and I went and had an blast!  We saw celtic drummer-rock, drank Scotch with new friends, I got to see Nikki, my little Irish Dancer (aka Nicole the non-choir girl), do some step dancing, bought earrings, had yummy food, met some more of Jason's friends, and watched jousting!  It was flipping awesome, the weather was gorgeous and with Estes as a backdrop, you can't get more beautiful.  Click here for more photos on Facebook!

~ Laura

Ben Folds w/ the Colorado Symphony!!!

I'm seeing Ben Folds! Woo- hoo!  *happy dance*

~ Laura

Life As I Know It

Things have been crazy lately.  So, bare with me as I play a little catch up.  I think I was a little overly ambitious with trying to move, start school, date and have my mom come and visit all in the same 2 weeks.

I'm mostly moved in with Nancy.  I'm living here now, and my mom and I spent the last two days rearranging and decorating my room.  Moving the cats was hilarious - I've never heard Dora meow more than while she was free range in my car, driving down the highway, while people drove by pointing and staring.  It's all working out nicely, though.  But, sheesh, I am SO sore.  My shoulders and wrists hurt from all the heavy lifting.

School started back up this past week as well.  I had my first Saturday class last weekend, and I think that I'll actually find geology an interesting field - Or at least the field trips will be awesome.  So far technical writing is okay, but I think I might actually need to read the text.  Ugh.  Whoever heard of putting in effort for school?!

On a sad note, a family friend lost a battle with acute myeloid leukemia last weekend.  Craig Brandemeier was a strong man, husband, son, brother, friend, and an inspiration.  I'm happy to have had him touch my life and my thoughts go out to his family.

On the lighter side of life, however, things have been going very (very) well with Jason.  It's so nice to meet a genuinely fun and sweet guy who is both cute and nerdy and also a gentleman.  I'm quite happy and he makes me all stupid.  I really hope this works out - So keep your fingers crossed.

My mom flew in for Labor Day weekend and I've been having a blast just hanging out with her.  We've been doing a lot of shopping and thrift store bargaining (thank the gods for student loans) to get some decor and furniture for my new digs.  Saturday we had dinner over at Nancy's family's - That went really well.  I wanted my mom to meet them, since I don't have too many people out here that she knows, and so that they would know an emergency contact for me just in case.  Sunday we redecorated more and then went out for Vietnamese and ice cream.  Good stuff.  And, today, Labor Day, we're considering checking out the Taste of Colorado downtown.  We'll see - Unfortunately my momma heads home tonight.  But, I think I might plan a little 3-day trip of my own back in November or such.  I just miss everyone so much.

And, as for our blogging attempt...  It's hard when life gets in the way.  I have the feeling I'll be the one doing most of the blogging, but Nancy might pop in now and then.  So, the next few posts, aside from the few pics I posted, will be catching up with our Book adventure!

~ Laura

Playing Catch Up

So, I will be mega-blogging tonight after I do some super cleaning and straightening...  I've been busy!  Moving, school, dating, work, friends, more moving.  Eek!  In the mean time, here's a pic of Jason and I from last night.  :0)  He's so cute.  We one free shots by coming in 3rd in a trivia contest.  As you can tell by the blury photo, the gal that took the pic had been at the bar for a while.  ;0)

Flowers, Tattoos and Flipping the Bird

So...  This nice man, Jason, asked me out for Tuesday night.  I had a lovely time.  He impressed me by ordering ceviche that wasn't even on the menu, quoting Eddie Izzard, and knowing his Joss Whedon.  During the date, I managed to fall into a bar.  Most people fall out of bars, but not I!  I fall into them fully sober.  On the upside, I received this yesterday:

With a note reading: "Hope your wrist is feeling better. I can't wait to see you on Sunday. - Jason"  Yes, that is a cocktail made out of flowers.  :0)  I've never gotten flowers after a date before.  He's quite the gentleman.  We're going out again on Sunday for a movie and maybe some live music.

On a pissed off note: I was stood up on Wednesday by Andy.  Please feel free to haze him, seeing as how I never ever heard back from him, and I actually felt bad for him for a minute because I was afraid that maybe he was in an accident or something.  But, no.  He just blew me off.  Kinda like the last boyfriend did...  But, I got my revenge on that one.  I never thought I'd be the bitter sort, but this past year has gotten to me a little.  So, I helped get Tom's car towed***.  I felt a lot better about things after that.  >0)

*** Clarification:  A repoman came by my place and left his card looking for Tom's car and threatening to send a warrant officer out next.  I was not okay with repo guys and warrant officers coming by my apartment.  So, I called the guy and told him where he could find Tom, and, consequently, his car.

In other news, I got my very first tattoo last month.  Now that it's all healed up and what not, I thought I'd post a pic.  I apologize for my pastiness.  I can't do much about the extreme whiteness of my legs.  But, major props to Christie at Primitive Soul Tattoo for making my first experience so awesome!  I love it.

So, today is Subtly Flick People Off day!  Thus far, I'd been doing the stealthy ones where you're holding something or gesturing.  It's kinda amusing and devilish.

Tonight, Nancy and I are going on a girl date to see a movie at the local second run theater and grab some foodage.  Then, tomorrow, I have my first Saturday class.  Woo-hoo!  :0P  Then, on with moving.  More later.

~ Laura