A WEARY WORLD REJOICES

"A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

Merry Christmas, everyone.
It is a weary world, indeed. But we have the hope of Christ! And I celebrate the day that He was born to die.

PLANES, TRAINS, AND MORE PLANES

Can you guess what state I was in on Thursday, Dec. 20th?

a. California
b. Oregon
c. Idaho
d. Washington

Well...
...

This was a trick question.

The answer was "e", for "all of the above".

In an airline debacle that I will not soon forget, I was routed from LAX to San Jose (CA), to Boise ID, to Seattle WA, to Portland OR. All in one glorious day. I woke up at 3:30 am, was supposed to be Portland by 10:30 am and didn't get into Oregon til 4pm. I was very tired and VERY fussy by the time I arrived. Oh, and they managed to break one of the wheels off my bag.

However, beer and wine is free on Horizon flights. So that was awesome. But I didn't figure out that perk til the very last flight I was on. Bummer.

Anyway, I made it. And I'm quite happy to be here. I've already been snow-shoeing, thrift store shopping (got some great martini glasses), I've cuddled with the kitten, cuddled with baby bunnies, baked sugar cookies, and slept a lot. Oregon is awesome.

PICS!

Here's a few photos (compliments of Andy Barron) of the 826 event!


1. Th' Time Travel Store!



2. Mister Norton, looking smashing with specks of gray.



3. Bartendin'



4. Lil Brudder (aka Brandon) on door patrol.

Holy smokes, what a busy week.

I thought my week was bad, and then the weekend was worse. I threw a dance/Christmas party on Friday night, volunteered at an 826 LA Party on Saturday night, and saw Magic Lantern on Sunday night. In between those things I baked a triple batch of shortbread, finished my Christmas shopping, played Balderdash with the Bryants, went to church, went to the WESC sample sale (and got a winter coat!) and managed to get most of the roommate Christmas cards mailed out.

(Side note: for those of you who don't know, 826LA is Dave Eggers non-profit organization that focuses on tutoring kids in Creative Writing. They just opened a new tutoring center and Time Travel Store in Echo Park on Saturday, and I was fortunate enough to be the bartender for the event.)

Highlights:

1. Meeting Dave Eggers. Having Dave Eggers personally thank me for volunteering with 826LA. Having Dave Eggers remember who I was later in the night and thank me again.

2. Serving Edward Norton a Ginger Ale. Having Edward Norton apologize to me profusely for only having Canadian money.

3. Pictures with Santa at the Magic Lantern show - I got the latest Cure album on Vinyl as my gift! And th' Lantern sounded awesome.

4. Giving Jenny Lewis a pep talk before she went onstage, as she was terribly nervous. She's really little and really nice.

Lowlights:
1. Knowing that Jason Bateman was at the 826 LA event, but never seeing his lovely face.

2. I got an average of 5 hours a sleep a night. Result: I'm sick. ug.

Overall, an amazing weekend.
I AM SO TIRED.
Thankfully, Portland is just around the corner.
I'm out of here on Thursday, kiddos!

THREE THINGS

1. Going on a cruise to Mexico today! I'll be back on Monday. Adios!





2. Militia Group Christmas party with Free Peroni on the 14th. Its free! Come!





3. I cut my hair off. And I like it. (Sorry for the cheesy mirror photo, its all I've got!)

ALL I NEED

this makes me incredibly happy and terribly sad simultaneously.

video by J. Tyler Helms (not the actual Radiohead video. Just a fan video). Footage from 1996 French Film, "Microcosmos".

I left my heart in Portland, OR.

Well, I know its not quite the new year, but it should be. I'm ready for this one to be over with. So, I'll do what I can in the meantime and revamp the blog. I hope that you like it.

My Thanksgiving was perfect.
I cooked the Turkey, made homemade cranberry sauce, savory apple rosemary stuffing, ginger apricot glaze, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and much, much more. Linda and Reichle came over, my parents and sisters were there (of course) and a myriad of Candyce's YWAM friends. We played scrabble. We played Squabble. We toasted over the $15 champagne the man at Safeway recommended. All in all, it was glorious.

I braved the Clackamas Towne Center on black friday. I got two shirts and a necklace at Forever 21 and I got my bridesmaid's dress for Danielle's wedding at Macy's. While the mall is no place to be the day after Thanksgiving; really, it was much better than I expected. I didn't even have to kill anyone for a parking spot.

My mom got a kitten. Despite my protests, her name is Pilgrim. I wanted to name her Ludmilla. In any case, I just called her "kitten" a lot. And I didn't move for like three days straight because she would lay on my belly and purr and sleep and who can move when a kitten is purring on their belly?

And, now for the bad news.
I am back in Long Beach. And I am back at work.
I love Long Beach. I love work.
But today my heart was heavy.

I miss my family, I miss my house, I miss my cat, I miss the simple life.
I live in two places, and I'm not quite sure how to reconcile the two. I always promise that I will move back someday - but I dont know when and I dont know how. And I've been in southern california for 6 years.

And, as if the troubles of the day were not enough; I left my office at 5:30 to find that my new Schwinn road bike had been stolen. It was vintage and maroon and beautiful. I loved that bike. And some jackass cut my lock in broad daylight in front of the valet / parking attendant.

I know its just a bike, but it felt like being punched in the gut. Welcome back to California, eh? It was a long day; and walking outside my building to find nothing but a severed lock cable was sickening and depressing.

Thank the Lord for kittiens and Christmas and vacations and cruises and family and red wine and coffee and chocolate. These are my saving graces.

An excerpt I particularly enjoyed from "Everything Is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer:

He awoke each morning with the desire to do right, to be a good and meaningful person,to be, as simple as it sounded and as impossible as it actually was, happy. And during the course of each day his heart would descend from his chest into his stomach. By early afternoon he was overcome by the feeling that nothing was right, or nothing was right for him, and by the desire to be alone. By evening he was fulfilled: alone in the magnitude of his grief, alone in his aimless guilt, alone even in his loneliness. 'I am not sad.', he would repeat to himself over and over, 'I am not sad.' As if he might one day convince himself. Or fool himself...He would fall asleep with his heart at the foot of his bed, like some domesticated animal that was no part of him at all. And each morning he would wake with it again in the cupboard of his rib cage, having become a little heavier, a little weaker, but still pumping. And by midafternoon he was again overcome with the desire to be somewhere else, someone else, someone else somewhere else. 'I am not sad.'

HAPPY FRIDAY. I AM READY FOR THE WEEKEND.

I'll be chilling hard this weekend. like this guy.

things that get me through the day (and/or week).

1. Tim and Eric.
2. Double tall iced egg nog lattes
3. The new Radiohead, Beirut, and M.I.A
4. Any/everything related to Christmas (the spirit of giving, christmas carols, egg nog, Jesus, vacation, family, and everything GOOD ever.)
5. Knowing that I get to go home in two weeks.
6. 3 day weekends (even tho I have to work a half day on Mon., I'll take it)
7. "Bad Kitties" Calendars (thank you, brandon. best gift ever.)
8. My new bicycle (I bought a beautiful old Schwinn for ten bucks!)
9. Vientos Y Aguas
10. Penelope (pictured). She really is the cutest kitty ever.

UPDATE

Tim and Eric were life changing.

Side note: I have 43 unheard voicemails. WHAT IS MY PROBLEM???

HERE SHE COMES

Tim and Eric are doing stand up comedy. In LA. Tonight.
I hope I hope I hope I hope we can get tickets.
I have come to the conclusion that they are, in fact, the funniest people on the planet.

a brief recap (if you will) .

New York was awesome (and exhausting).




San Francisco was awesome (and beautiful and Tom Waits was magical).








Halloween was epic (Sparklehorse may be my best costume ever? Yes.).









Hooray for a magical month!
Hooray for a weekend with no set plans or shows!
Hooray for 15 hours of sleep last night!

AT HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD (?)

I'm looking outside my window right now, and its all very apocalyptic. All I can see is brown sky and leaves and debris blowing about in the streets.

As the old expression goes... "The world is going to hell in a handbasket".

The whole of southern California is burning. The Santa Ana winds are raging. I know 3 people who have gone to the hospital this week, all for different reasons. My cat, Clifford, died unexpectedly. New York was a madhouse. Late night conversations in bars about Jesus over Vodka Tonics. Old friends telling me things I never expected and didn't want to hear.

Its all a bit much, really.

My heart goes out to my friends who are grieving. My prayers are with Linda in Ohio (and Mike, and the rest of the band).

What a week. Hope you're all holding up allright.

IN NYC ALL WEEK...

And I'm really looking forward to a couple days away.

A LOLCAT IS WORTH A THOUSAND (OR MORE) WORDS

Iloveitiloveitiloveitiloveitiloveit!!!!!!

"An Open Letter to the Large Orange SUV that nearly ran me over on my bicycle this morning."

Dear bald man with bad sunglasses driving down Broadway at approximately 9:15 am this morning,

You were stopped at the intersection; you looked up. Was it my imagination, or did we make eye contact? I could have SWORN you looked me in the eye.

I proceeded cautiously. It was my right of way, after all. But you drive a big orange car, and I tend to be mistrusting of big Orange cars. Especially this particular metallic "burn sienna" brand of Orange.

You look down. Maybe at your cell phone, maybe the stereo, maybe your shoes? You look up again, but this time you are not looking at me. You are looking to make a right hand turn. You forget about my existence.

You proceed to make your right hand turn; and you do not take this turn slowly. Quite the contrary- you step on the gas!

Lucky for you, Mr. Bald SUV-driving man, I have the reflexes of a cat.

I swerve left, ramming by bicycle into the curb. I nearly eat it and narrowly avoid a telephone pole. At the last moment I recover and remain upright. I am wobbly, I am scared.

You drive off (in a huff). You do not stop to see if I am ok. You leave me to to contemplate life and death and the dangers of riding a bicycle. I think about these things for then next two blocks as I peddle ever-so-slowly to work.

And even though you don't care...let me tell YOU, sir -- I AM OK (No thanks to you!). My bike is unscratched, I'm only slightly paranoid of any/all bike riding and things that are orange, and I have one large blackish purple bruise on my thigh. Its very ugly, but I like to think of it as a souvenir.

So, if I do, in fact, have the courage to ride my bike down Broadway at 9:15 tomorrow morning -- I certainly hope I do not see your ugly orange monster barreling in my direction.

Because if I do see you tomorrow, I will fight you.

Or at least take down your license plate number and make a few phone calls to the proper authorities.

PHIL COLLINS? GORILLA ? YES, PLEASE.

Case of the Mondays.

I was told my car would be done today. Its not done yet, not sure when it will be.

I've been waking up at 6 am every day, for no reason -- even though I go to bed at 1 or 2. Needless to say, I'm tired.

Just found out that my dear friend Nick was hit by a Suburban while riding his bicycle in San Francisco. He went through the windshield, and apparently its a miracle that he's alive. He'll be in the hospital for at least a week, will need reconstructive surgery, and massive amounts of physical therapy.

Pray for Nick, please.

Not usually a fan of Mondays. Definitely not a fan of this particular one.

ITS A WONDERFUL WORLD

OHMANOHMANOHMANOHMAN

Big tip of the hat to Mike Sycz, who so graciously called me yesterday to give me the news.

Yep, that's right folks.

Tom Waits is coming to the west coast.

He's playing the Bridge School benefit with Neil Young (yessssss), Eddie Vedder, Metallica (?), Jerry Lee Lewis, Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor, and John Mayer (ug).

Tickets go on sale Sunday @ 10 am.

I'm going, I'm going, I'm going!

Who's with me?

FEELIN LISTY

1. Who knew I sucked at online scrabble ?
2. I drink far too much caffeine for my own good.
3. Some days, work is just stressful.
4. Some days, cheesy hip hop is good for the soul.
5. Every day, Pink Berry is good for the soul.
6. Screw bikes getting flat tires. I want my car back.
7. Some days, it is good to talk to your besty on the phone. Even if she moved to St. Louis and talking to her is a constant reminder of that depressing fact.
8. Some days you just need to make lists.
9. TV shows I want to watch: Heroes, Project Runway Season 3, Friday Night Lights, Deadwood.
10. This isn't actually a list and it doesn't make much sense, but it makes me feel better, thank you.

GOOD THINGS:
*Not hot as hell today
*Coffee, blueberry museli, Proverbs 16
*The New Frontiers

BEST WEDDING CAKE EVER

FYI: I have now posted and re-posted a picture of Gogol Bordello 5 different times (tried 2 different pictures) and no matter what I do, all I get is these silly gray lines instead of a picture.

What can I say? I'm a 1 at the internet.

Anyway, I felt the need to explain myself and the lack of Gogol photo. The whole thing makes me sad as I think Eugene is fantastic to look at. I like the gypsies.

WHAT A WEEK!

TONIGHT: GOGOL BORDELLO @ THE HENRY FONDA





TOMORROW NIGHT: WILCO @ THE GREEK (W/ RICHARD SWIFT)

happy friday to me!

My car isn't totalled. I just found out today!

And it will finally be ready and driveable in two and a half weeks.

I love it.

And as much as I love the bike, I kinda miss the Passat.

I'm ready for her to be home.

MAN, I LOVE MCSWEENEYS

NO-STRESS,LOW-FUSS, HASSLE-FREE SUMMERTIME RECIPES FOR THE CONFIDENT,INDEPENDENT, SELF-SUFFICIENT GAL ON THE GO.

BY ELLIE KEMPER

Spicy Veggie Stir-Fry

If you're a vegetarian, then this is the dish for you. If you're not a vegetarian, then maybe you should consider becoming one. Could you be scaring away men with the amount of meat you eat? Veggie stir-fry is a fuss-free way to make sure you're getting your 5 to 17 recommended servings of vegetables a day. (Sound overwhelming? Eating lots of vegetables is much easier when working as a team. Try creating a sensible meal plan with your husban— Try liquefying your vegetables and pouring them in the humidifier. Presto!) Don't have a wok? Just eat three big bags of baby carrots and a can of okra. Recent studies have shown that okra is likely to reduce the chances of breast cancer, HPV, and pregnancy.* So eat up!

* Not having a male companion will also reduce the chance of pregnancy.

(Side note: there are plenty more of these gems on McSweeneys.net)

And Friends are Friends Forever...

All Michael W. Smith songs aside, today is a sad day for the Triniti (otherwise known as myself, Linda, and Becca).

Becca and her new husband are off to St. Louis as of this morning, and Linda set sails for central Oregon.

There are a lot of things I COULD say on a day like today, but I'll keep it simple. I love these girls with my whole heart, and while I'll miss them terribly - I'm excited for what the future holds. These gals are true blue and I have no doubt that they will be part of my life forever.

So, that being said...

Bon Voyage, bestys!

See you soon(ish).

BICYCLE!

I got a bike!

And I love it!

Happy Birthday to me.

Today, I woke up in a fog. My brain felt cloudy; as if I'd woken during some crucial cycle of REM sleep that my body would not forgive me for disturbing.

I sat through church, virtually a zombie.

I went to Vientos Y Aguas and pounded my triple iced espresso, and it helped. A little.

I went to Shants game day b-day party. Despite my best efforts to remain uninvolved, I participated in the gaming. I even won a round of Nerts. We ate artichokes and drank Pellegrino.

But...I'm still in a funk. And I dont think its today, I think its semi-permanent. Like I'm constantly hungover; but without any fun had the night before. honest to goodness, I don't recall a word of the sermon today. I was too busy thinking about my toothache and the prevalence of nasty canker sores on the bottom right half of my mouth. Or thinking about the future and what I'm going to do with my life. Or thinking about turning 26.

I really don't want to be 26.
There's some debate as to whether its mid or late twenties. Either way, I don't care. I'm not ready for this milestone. I'm not where I thought I'd be. I'm still totally broke, single, fiercely independent, over-exerted, selfish, and stubborn. I still dont know what I want to do with my life. I still don't know who I am. In some ways, I feel like I've regressed. Like I'm letting everyone down and they are all just waiting for me to snap out of it and grow up and get a real job and a husband.

I just read Danielle's blog and got terribly inspired. My little sisters are amazing people, with a zealous faith that outshines most others. Is it ok to want to be like my little sisters when I grow up? Its funny, I always it imagined it to be the other way around. But I look up to them both -- and I am ridiculously proud of them -- and I dream of the day when we will form our familie folk band and traverse the world together, as only Strannigan sisters can do.

I saw a pretty terrible movie last night, "The Painted Veil." While
mostly forgettable, there was one scene that got me. This old Nun is talking to Naomi Watts (the main character) and tells her this:

"I fell in love when I was 17. I fell in love with God. I was so passionate about Him, and He was everything to me. But since that time, God has dissapointed me; He's let me down. And now we are sort of indifferent to each other, like an old married couple who sits next to each other on the couch without speaking. But no matter how indifferent we are, He knows I'll never leave Him. I can't."


I was temped to identify with the old nun. I heard her words, and they resonated with me. And to tell you the truth, sometimes I feel indifferent to Christ. Sometimes I can't hear his voice at all. Sometimes I just don't want to hear His voice.

But the problem with the nun's logic is that Christ is not indifferent to any of us. Quite the contrary, He loves us. The only indifference in the equation would be my own.

Literally, the only thing I remember from this mornings service is the verse Pastor Lou read before Communion: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"

The correct answer is: nothing. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

And that is a terribly comforting thing to know.

HUZZAH!

The last two weeks have been a blur of activity. Becca's wedding, Linda in town from South Africa, borrowing cars, work, riding borrowed bikes, more work, shows, sleeping in cars, Park Pantry, Pasadena, champagne, a boy from North Carolina, haircuts, flea bites, and more work.

Despite my fascination with stress, and my tendency to be a busy-body; I've had quite my fill of such things. I'm ready to be quiet, even if only for a day.

Its Friday, and I've never been happier.

I dont have a SINGLE plan for tomorrow, and I intend to keep it that way. I have a date with my bed, a good book, and copious amounts of coffee.

I hope your weekends treat you equally as well. Huzzah, and Happy Friday!

SHE SAILED AWAY ON A WINTERS DAY, WITH FATE AS MALLEABLE AS CLAY

For some reason, I'm having trouble with words about Uganda.
So, pictures it is.

Check em out.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lindsay.strannigan/Uganda

RESTY

Her name is Resty.
She's my African daughter.

BACK!

I'm back from Africa and am currently in Portland, OR.

I have lots of tales to tell, and I'll get to that soon (I promise).

For now, here's a couple pics. There are more on the myspace.

SEE YOU SOON(ISH)

Tomorrow morning.
6:15 am.
I will officially be en route to Kampala, Uganda.

I've been preparing for months, and I can't say I'm entirely ready.

But I'm excited. And scared (but more excited than scared).

I'll do my best to post a couple times while over there - but NO promises. I have a feeling internet access will be scarce at best.

So, I'll leave you with fun Wikipedia facts about Uganda. That'll have to tide you over until I get back.

*Uganda is home to the Nile River
*The most widely spoken language is Luganda
*Uganda became and independent nation in 1962
*In 1966, the Prime Minister of Uganda overthrew the President- establishing a tradition of coups and overthrows.
*Idi Amin took power in 1977 and his rule cost Uganda around 300,000 lives.
*Their currency is the Ugandan shilling

I'm sure I'll have a few more fun facts when I get back, and alas, that is all for now.

I leave you with this benediction:

"The amazing grace of our master Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit be with us all."

Now go in that grace.

WE HAVE SUCH TALENTED FRIENDS (AND SIBLINGS)

The new Militia Group sampler is available for your personal sampling @ VIRB.com. Just click the pic and you'll magically be transported to the proper VIRB page.

I'm especially excited because my lil sis, Candyce, did the artwork for the sampler!

Hooray for woodland creatures! And for talented friends! And three cheers for talented siblings.

Kitties Can Make Films, Too.

(Thanks to Becca for sending this to me. I'm not sure why, but I found this terribly entertaining.)

BEST NEWS I'VE HEARD ALL WEEK.

Dakoda Motor Company is getting back together.

After taking an 11 (yes, ELEVEN) year break and really only having a fanbase of nerdy Christian kids like myself -- they've decided to record album number FOUR.

Read about it HERE.

OK, so its not REALLY the best news I've heard all week. And Danielle is probably the only person who will find this as amusing as I do.

But seriously, a frontwoman named Davida? She was my childhood hero. And she was all rock n' roll to me.

UPDATE:

Not so sure it was the shots that made me feel horrible?

Maybe I"m just sick? Really, stupidly, sick.

Whatever the case, I'm in the throes of full-blown illness. When I laugh, I sound like a 70 year old smoker (Its not so much a laugh, but a wheeze...).

Side note: My parents left for Nulato, Alaska today and they will have no means of contacting the outside world for a week. Considering I leave for Uganda in a little over a week and that I'm fairly ill - I found little comfort in the fact that I'm parentless for a week. You could say I had a "minor" meltdown when the realization hit me. But, then I had some iced Chai from Vientos y Aguas and Kelly bought me tennis shoes for Africa...and I'm back to better (Planet Unicorn quote? yes.).

All of that to say: its getting down to the wire. I have a lot to do, and a little time to do it. I've got funds to raise, mosquito repellent to buy, and suitcases to pack.

But you know what?
I'm gonna be OK. Because I'm supposed to go to Africa.
And that's that.

P.S. Happy Birthday Becca (aka LP). I love you to bits.

Things they don't tell you when you get Hep A, Polio, Yellowfever, and Typhoid shots:

You will feel awful, achy, terrible, sore throaty, and like someone took a baseball bat to your head, face and arms. Thank you, I'd rather just contract Yellowfever than take that shot again. (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating?)

The good news, is, that a Cat, by the name of Mr. Lee is a rather good photographer.

Check out his adventures here: http://www.mr-lee-catcam.de/

I'VE BEEN HAVING PREMONITIONS

- "The Buzz" party / Africa fundraiser was a hit. I am overwhelmed and blessed by my friends generosity. Plus, I got to do 12 haircuts in lil white high heels. Awesome.

- Mama Strannigan comes into town tomorrow. Watch out Long Beach thrift stores, we're coming for you.

- The Everybody Else show @ Mauve last night was also a hit. The beers abounded, the music was great, the art was cool, and it was only like 140 degrees in there. No biggie.

- R.I.P Dan's car. It was a good lil car and she went out in a blaze of glory.

- Drew and co. came to town, and its always good to see old friends. It made me miss Portland.

- My body does funny things when I am busy and/or stressed (currently: BOTH). I have four canker sores on the inside left lower lip. FOUR.

- Listening to a lot of Kelly Clarkson today. She gives me so much perspective.

- Penelope is the best cat ever. Just thought I'd share.

- Lollost.blogspot.com is still taking over the world.

- Yes, I missed the season finale of LOST to throw a show / event. And I'm not even that bitter about it. But I will be bitter if anyone ruins it for me before I can watch it on ABC.com

- I go to Africa in less than a month. The excitement level has stayed the same, the fear levels are rising a little bit.

- The grace of God abounds. I don't know how else to say it other than that. I am struck by His grace everyday - in the big and small things - and I am grateful for it.

That's all.

NO SRSLY I LUVZ THE LOLS

I don't know how to explain my new favorite pastime.
Theres no words I can use. Just go look @ these:

1. Icanhascheezburger.com

2. lolcats2.com
(HERE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE LOLCAT IMAGES)



(make sure you look at a few on each page -- get a good feel for the lingo. If you want to know more you can Wikipedia "LOLcats" to find a wealth of information)

3. Now that you are familiar with Lolcats, its time to delve into LOLost. Please note that LOLost is a group collaboration between myself and a few of our comrades...to bring the lingo of LOLcats to the magic of LOST.

This is my new favorite thing. NO SRSLY.

LOLLOST.BLOGSPOT.COM (GO THERE NOW!!!)

BECCA'S GOT A POSSE

THE STORK STRIKES AGAIN

Abbie has been trying to get ahold of me for the last few days -- but, sadly, I'm terribly hard to get ahold of -- but her persistence made me suspect that something was up.

Finally, I got to talk to her this morning. And I was right! Abbie is pregnant!

Abbie and Steve dont actually know if they are having a boy or a girl (dont let the above picture fool you) -- as Abbie's not very far along (due in Dec or Jan). She just found out two days ago and it was quite the "surprise" for both of them. Even thought its a surprise, they both couldn't be happier. Abbie will seriously be best mother EVER. She was made for this...

Anyway, I am SO happy for Abbie and Steve! Congrats guys!

Raw Food Report

So, the raw food diet has been interesting to say the least. After a day or two of munching on carrot sticks and avocados I looked up some raw recipes. Since then I've "cooked" guacamole, Raw Pad Thai, and Red Pepper Gazpacho.

And you know what I've decided?
Its really not even comparable to real food (i.e. cooked food).
Raw pad thai consists of julienned zuccini, bean sprouts, red peppers, olive oil, cashews and lime juice. It tasted FINE but you're hungry within an hour after consumption.

Plus (sorry, gonna be "real" with you right now), the raw food diet and my digestive system just dont really get along. At all. I've done all this for the sake of my body (i.e. my stomach) and what I found out is that my stomach just doesn't like ANYTHING.

So, I'm easing out of the raw diet. I haven't eaten sugar, bread, eggs or dairy since last monday. Sunday I ate organic blue corn chips with my Gazpacho. Yesterday, I had a few more blue corn chips (with leftover Gazpacho for lunch) and for dinner I sauteed some peppers and onions with quinoa and liquid amino acids.

Can I just say that after a week of raw food I felt utterly and totally GUILTY for sauteeing my vegetables last night? it was WEIRD.

And, today I had a veggie wrap from Subway (no cheese). For dinner I made veggie stir fry with Quinoa. Still no meat, sugar, tofu, or dairy in the diet. But I did add coffee back into the mix! I missed it SO much and I kicked it for a week so its OK, right?

I will admit, that on Friday when I went to Taylor's art opening and there was free beer and BBQed hot dogs - I was downright angry. I was tired, I was hungry, and I wanted beer and hot dogs. But NOOOOOOO. I sat and watched the peoples happily consume their food and beverages. I wanted a hot dog,dammit. I was so so so hungry. And I couldn't eat a thing.

But its been a good lesson in self restraint. And its given me a newfound love for fruits and vegetables! I forgot how yummy they are. Most notably: the avocado. How I've grown to love avodcado! On my salad! Plain with a lil salt and pepper! Cubed in my Gazpacho! Sliced in my subway wrap!

Hip hip hooray for avocado!
And hooray for some semblance of cooked food in my life again.
I miss chocolate badly, but that will be back soon.
All in moderation, right?

the great cleanse caper.

I had every intention to start the week with a post about my cleanse endeavor.

I wanted to inform you all about the cleansing adventure I was about to embark upon: The Master Cleanse.

Nothing but lemon juice, maple syrup (Grade B), Cayenne Pepper, and water for 10 days. Count 'em: TEN.

I started the cleanse on Tuesday (Erica, Cameron, and Kelly joined in the cleanse as well). I woke up early to make myself a few batches of the master cleanse potion to last me for the entire day. This entailed squeezing 8 lemons and mixing them with the water, cayenne, and maple syrup and putting it into a large jug for my "convenience".

I made it through the day just fine and Tuesday evening came and I still wasn't hungry. I'd drank my fair share of the lemonade (if you can call it that) and all I'd gotten was the WORST headache imaginable. I know you aren't supposed to take advil on the diet, but after a couple hours of the misery, I gave in.

Then, I went to the Prospector to see my friend Judita play. I was tired, my head hurt, and I should have gone to bed. But I didn't go to bed. Instead, I sat at the Prospector and listened to many arguments as to why the Master Cleanse isn't the healthiest way to go and the negative side effects that it has on your body. Granted, I already wasn't feeling well and I already loathed the cayenne lemonade. The thought of drinking it for nine more days was unbearable.

So, I asked...if THIS isn't good for me, what is?

(**MIND YOU, I had done a lot of research on the Master Cleanse and there are proven benefits of the cleanse. However, with my particular job and lifestyle it does seem somewhat impossible.)

Raw food.
This is what my friend Chris told me. And it makes sense. No preservatives, no sugar, no bread, no processed foods. Nothing cooked. Just raw food.

It makes sense to me. So, I kicked the Master Cleanse after one measly day (though, to my credit I didn't eat ANYTHING for a day and that's pretty good for me) and now I've taken to raw foods.

So far, so good. I have more energy and I am saving money by not going out to eat or drink. I think the hardest thing to give up (hands down) is coffee. I miss it dearly.

The menu thus far:

Weds:
Breakfast - Carrot Sticks
Lunch: Green Peppers, Carrot Sticks, and Raw Almonds.
Dinner: Tomato and Cucumber Salad. Half an Avocado. A smidge of pineapple for dessert.

Thurs:
Breakfast: a Braeburn apple
Lunch: Red peppers, broccoli,carrot sticks, raw cashews.
Snack: Pinapple Cucumber Apple Juice from Mothers. SO GOOD!
Dinner: Guacamole (fresh cilantro, garlic, lime, avocado, tomato and jalepeno) with Carrot sticks.

I've looked up a few raw recipes and am excited to make Raw Pad Thai and Gazpacho soup. If you have any recipes, feel free to share them -- as I am looking to expand my raw food horizons. I am already tiring of carrot sticks. :)

I'm not sure how long I will stick to the raw food diet. Probably until next weekend when I go to Big Bear with Becca. Because I have to eat at Teddy Bears and that's all there is to it. I can already taste the tuna melt with an ortega chile....

(seriously I need to not think about such things)

anyway, I may update from time to time to tell you what I'm eating. Maybe you'll find it interesting. Probably not. But it'll be here.

things I like.

1. Pictures of Puppies (see below) and such cheesy sites as dailybunny.com and dailypuppy.com

2. Woodland creatures. Specifically cartoon drawings of woodland creatures by my little sister. those kind are the best.
3. Iced Chai from Vientos Y Aguas. Its changing my life.
4. The Arcade Fire. And friends that buy you tickets to see the Arcade Fire. Yay Kelly!!
5. Quinoa. Its the new rice (and better for you!).
6. The Danielson Familie. Everything about them makes me gleeful. Go watch the documentary, its phenomenal.
7. Sisters. I like my sisters a lot. I've gotten to see them recently, and I am a better person for it.

There are many good things about my life.
Today, these are the things I am especially thankful for.

THIS WAS PURELY ACCIDENTAL

Wyatt and I took 3 pics.
I was showing off my hair cut.
We made the same face.
3 different times.
Totally accidental.
And funny to look at.




SMIRK!



SMILE!



SCRUNCH!

An Interesting Read.

I'll post the first paragraph (which is prob my favorite) but I encourage you all to go to the following link to read the whole thing. Its a rather interesting take on the reaction to the Virginia Tech shootings.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/

by PEGGY NOONAN

Cold Standard
Virginia Tech and the heartlessness of our media and therapy culture.

Friday, April 20, 2007 12:01 a.m. EDT

I saw an old friend on the Acela on the way to Washington, and he told me of the glum, grim faces at the station he'd left, all the commuters with newspapers in their hands and under their arms. This was the day after Virginia Tech. We talked about what was different this time, in this tragedy. I told him I felt people were stricken because they weren't stricken. When Columbine happened, it was weird and terrible, and now there have been some incidents since, and now it's not weird anymore. And that is what's so terrible. It's the difference between "That doesn't happen!" and "That happens."

...

(read the rest at the link I posted)

If you pick up the latest issue of Death + Taxes Magazine you just might see a picture of Paul and I @ our SXSW party.

(Issue 7, with Explosions in The Sky on the cover)

Pleasant Discovery of the Day!

Trader Joe's Mediterranean Hummus (complete with olive oil, pine nuts, etc on top) is the real deal. Or the bees knees, whichever you prefer.

For years, I've relegated myself to the Spicy Hummus, with the occasional Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus.

But no more!

This is the best store-bought hummus money can buy. You are probably all in the know and I am light years behind, but I had to share my discovery.

P.S. Yes mom, my posts are random. Its because I dont have the mental prowess to actually write about things that matter. Well, most of the time.

P.S.S. You can call me "Lindsay The Red". Why? I have red hair. 'Nuff said.

I just tried those Bjore "pore cleansing" strips for the first time.

Not only are they not easy to remove from ones face (they literally tear your face off) but now my face feels numb, tingly, white hot, and burning all at the same time.

You know how when your leg falls asleep and when its waking back up it feels like little tiny knives are stabbing your muscles or like little tiny ants are crawling inside of your legs? That's how my face feels.

I'd say I'll never do it again -- but if I wake up in the morning with magically delightful skin...I just might.

FEIST

I never really liked Feist.

The Mushaboom single from her last album was a nice lil' track, but the rest of it sounded like adult contemporary Norah Jones crap to me.

I'm not sure what changed -- me or her -- but I have an entirely different attitude towards her. I can't stop listening to her new album, "The Reminder" (Out on May 1).

So, here. Take a listen, see if you like it.
(Take note: this is my first song post attemtp. Be gracious if it fails).

Feist - I Feel It All

Somehow I'd never seen this picture until today.

OTTERS HOLDING HANDS (I am sucker for this stuff)

Uganda!

So, I'm going to Uganda this summer.

I will be going with a team of people from my parents church in Oregon -- and we will be partnering with Christian Life Church in Kampala, Uganda. We'll be setting up a medical clinic, bringing supplies, building a multi-purpose room, and conducting a VBS for the kids. The tenative dates of the trip are June 21 - July 9th.

I'm currently in the process of getting my visa and all my shots and vaccines -- and somehow this all doesn't really seem real to me (yet).

I had a really hard time with the decision whether or not to go. I'd be using up ALL my vacation days for the entire year -- and with the job I have its quite difficult to take a few days off -- let alone take a few weeks off. I waited until the last possible minute to make my decision, and I was a bit of a basket case because I had to figure out my plans in a matter of 8 hours. I thought about it, prayed about it, worried about it, etc -- and then I got this text message from a friend:

"Go to Uganda. Life will figure itself out."

Granted, many of my friends had been saying the same thing in many different ways -- but the truth of those words struck me. It will all work out. It always does.

So, that's my big news!

I honestly can't wait to go...I know that God is at work in Africa and I am privileged just to be a very very small part of it. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for this trip!

Let me know if you are interested in more details of my trip -- I'd love to tell you all about it. :)

"Happy As A Bird In The Early Morning"

I am the lucky owner of a Norwegian trivet (a square tile that you place a hot pan or dish on) that says these delightful words. And, for no particular reason, the other day I took notice of the cute little trivet. I've been thinking about those words ever since.

Happy as a bird in the early morning -- it has such a nice ring to it.

Along the same lines, I've been listening to a song called 'Quiet as a Mouse' on repeat this week. Honestly, I can't stop. its very strange, as I'm not normally a fan of song overkill. However, this one is the exception. And there's this line in the song that says "When I awoke, I felt love and life and hope infesting my bones."

There is nothing terribly profound about either statement I've listed here. But I like them. The words stand out to me. Maybe its because I want to wake up every day with a sense of hope and love and life. Or maybe its because I've actually woken up feeling happy this week.

Whatever the case may be, I do know that God is at work. Like Danielle so aptly said in her last post; there is a river of truth that runs underneath everything. And no matter where I go, or what I do, that there is truth - even on Norwegian trivets. :)

I'm setting my alarm a little early for the morning. My hope is to wake up, have a good cup of coffee (Peets Kona), do some quality reading (the book of Genesis and Steinbeck), have quality Penelope time, and...to be happy as a bird.

I'm back.

- Pictures (and stories) to come from Austin soon.
- Happy birthday, Kristin.
- Danielle comes into town next week! And I get 3 vacation days!!!
- Lost / Americas Next Top Model / Wine and Cheese TONIGHT!
- I can't stop listening to Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos

I HEART AUSTIN

Man oh man, I'm gonna be busy in Austin. I leave tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn and I'll be back sometime on St. Patty's Day.

Here a a few gems (i.e. parties) that I have the good fortune of working with:

Team of The Dragon Fire

1. This is my new favorite pastime.

2. These are the best pictures ever taken

3. My "off the wall" signature serve will wreck you.

this is a test of "googleability".

Linda Nagle
Kyle Davidson
Rebecca Banghart
Matt Maust
Kristin Wagner
Cameron Stallones

All of a sudden, I miss everyone.

As I write this, I can still taste the minty chalkiness of Peptol Bismol in my throat; I've been drinking a lot of the pink stuff lately. In good time, I'll see a doctor about this business, but for now I chug the Peptol and hope for the best. If I were self-diagnosing (and maybe I am) I'd say it was a stress-induced ulcer that will magically disappear after SXSW.

I've been meaning to pick up the new Explosions in The Sky album, appropriately titled "All of a sudden, I miss everyone."

And I do miss everyone. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I miss everything.

A few nights ago, I wrote a lot about the things that I miss. Unfortunately for you, I'm too much of a weenie to actually post it here. It wasn't anything terribly personal -- it was the usual "I miss Linda, I miss my family, I miss being SANE." You know, those types of things.

But, really, friends. I do miss you all. I've been a bit M.I.A. as of late, and I'd like to think that after Austin, it might get better. It probably wont...but here's hoping.

:)

ROTHCHILD H. SEMESTER VS. ARISTOCRAT P. CHILD