I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

You know how people tend to exaggerate certain circumstances for the sake of humor, never dreaming that the literal situation could actually take place? Can you tell that I'm about to reveal that some such thing has, in fact, happened to me recently? Do you continue to be surprised that I am so willing to reveal humilating stories about myself for the sake of humor?

Typical exaggerated comment about the ongoing North Texas drought:
"The cracks in our yard are so wide and so deep, you could fall right in!"

Ahem.

Yes. Last night, as Alex and I left my in-laws' house, we stepped into their yard. My right foot stepped down about four inches into a crack before realizing there wasn't any ground to hold my weight. I quickly stepped forward to avoid the void.

And stepped right into a bigger, deeper crack. So far, in fact, that I immediately sank down to the point of sitting on the ground, my right leg over half encased in the crack--rather snugly, I might add.

Although I'd had a good day up until that point, I began to mutter some words of frustration and confoundment that I have rarely uttered, which I think only increased the incredulous laughter of Alex, who was attempting to pull me from my Dorf-like position. He managed to pull me up, but my good work shoe remained firmly wedged in the jaws of North Texas clay, which has a strength and tenacity that would shame a mastiff.

After fumbling around awhile with my entire arm down in the crack pulling at the shoe, I finally dislodged it, so that we could go home and watch Eureka, and I could forget my abyss-mal (oh, ouch) woes.

Obituary: Baby, Albino Squirrel

Baby, the second of UNT's famous albino squirrels, died yesterday of natural causes, following an assault by a hawk. He is survived by the UNT community and his fellow non-albino campus squirrels. UNT is not pressing charges against the hawk.
NT Daily Story
UNT InHouse Newsletter Story

student-created chalk memorial outside Willis Library

Ironically, I've been at this school for more than seven years now, and only saw the squirrel for the first time this past summer.

Unrelated Banter

Last night, we hosted a "Facebook Live" event at Willis Library, in which students used a "speed dating" model to make new friends and exchange Facebook or MySpace names. Read the UNT Daily story on it for more.

I just finished reading Stardust--it was exceptionally good. If you like fairy tales, fantasy art, and/or graphic novels, read it.

Do ya like Renaissance painting, parody, and Star Wars? Have I got a link for you.

The Templates, They Are A-Changin'

Bear with me while I switch my blog over to Google's new, nifty features. Unfortunately, they're not yet offering raw HTML editting, which means that, as you've probably noticed, I no longer have an all-lowercase blog title or a nifty flickr badge. Also, some formatting seems a little wonky. And furthermore, I can't track any blog stats until they let me edit the HTML. Sigh.

It's kinda hard to switch over to something so easy.

P.S. Look, I've got categories!

Improv in the Kitchen

I'm trying to be good (and save myself some grief) by creating a menu schedule and rotation.

While you're waiting to hear if I actually go through with it or not, try my new improv from Friday night, Starr's Sausage Stew Invention. Hope you like pickled okra!

(Okay, is this the best motto or what: "Happy okra, because it's pickled!")

Things You Can't Do During a Blackout

(...for 8 1/2 hours.)

• cook
• read after dark
• play games after dark
• shower after dark (not advised, anyway)
• blowdry your hair
• light candles (too hot)
• use A/C or fans
• get online
• use power tools to finish putting up crown moulding
• snuggle (too hot)
• sleep in the bedroom (too hot)
• set the alarm clock

Things You Can Do During a Blackout

• order pizza
• read before dark
• look at stuff (offline) on the computer until the UPS's power runs out
• listen to the UPS warning beep for forty-five minutes
• discuss home improvement projects
• look at the IKEA catalog by flashlight
• be thankful that it rained so hard that the drought-hardened ground is actually muddy
• fold a paper fan and cool yourself the old-fashioned way
• fold laundry
• sleep on the couch because it's cooler in the living room
• set the alarm on your cell phone
• be startled awake at 1:34am when the power comes on, simultaneously turning on the kitchen light, living room fan, bedroom light, and TV
• (thereafter have trouble getting to sleep and then have really bizarre dreams)

(Also, I got Blogger Beta from Google--hooray! Nifty features like categories to appear soon in a blog near you.... er, this one, to be exact.)

Normal Life to Resume Shortly

Lots of meetings... becoming library liaison... getting registered... paying for classes.

I'll catch up with you guys later.

We Interrupt Your Lunch Break to Bring You this Bulletin

Stargate SG-1 has been cancelled; June 2007 will mark its end.

It is now appropriate to play a funeral dirge and dress in mourning (if you're not already wearing black). And time for me to feel guilty, as my finally breaking down and getting satellite--inspired in the first place by the desire to no longer wait a whole season to watch SG-1--is, no doubt, the reason that they decided to finally cancel.

Meanies.

Surprise Party (Kinda)

A delightful surprise awaited me Saturday evening, when Alex and I went over to his parents' house for my birthday dinner--I walked in, and there was my Mom!

I blinked a few times, thinking that maybe I shouldn't have had caffeine and Tylenol in the same day--but there she was, flesh and blood. Apparently, our two moms had spontaneously conspired on Friday for her to drive the 6 hours from San Antonio. I was thrilled--we had a long, fun conversation after dinner, cake, and raspberry-so-good-you-could-die ice cream, with Alex, Mom, my parents-in-law, and my brother-and-sister-in-law (nephews, by that time, being tucked securely in bed).

She spent the night and then treated us to a scrumptious lunch at Genghis Grill before heading home.

Unrelated Banter:
Wii = Weee! Listen to this fun and funny podcast reviewing the Nintendo Wii.