Fact: To Properly Maintain A Photo Account You Must Upload Photos

I am admitting I haven't been very good about keeping up with my photography.  However, I feel the winds of change a-comin'.  Or at the very least, someone just turned on a fan...

I've been registered on Flickr for a while.  I had no idea how awesome it was until approximately 5 hours ago...give or take.  With this realization, I have been on a photo rampage downloading images non-stop.  I fear I will fill up all of the available space that is the internet.

Be warned.

Haiku Time

Haikus continue to be my favorite type of poetry to write.  Probably because the ones I write end up being ridiculous, and most of the time they only have to do with what has been happening in my life recently.  Unfortunately, this is probably only interesting to me.

With that being said, there are some ridiculous haikus that only have to do with me:

I bought some groceries.
Organic food is not cheap.
Free range chicken breast.

Almond Breeze ice cream.
Homemade by me and Kayla.
Frozen fingertips.

Forgotten make up
Sits on the coffee table.
Dark circles attack.

I bought some groceries,
But forgot to get shampoo.
Realization.

The Toilet Story

It started as a normal day. It started as a normal toilet. It only went downhill from there.  

Nearly 6 years ago, Last Minute had one of their first rehearsals at Jen Cooke's house. The first to arrive were Dee, Meagan, Cyndi (Mercedes) Lewis, and me. Cyndi came to watch. We're still wondering why she decided to come that day (not that we weren't happy that she was there), but we are so glad she did because she really is the one that makes this story funny.

Let's review some LM history:
Dee was new to the neighborhood because she had just moved to Tennessee from Lansing, MI to become a singer/songwriter. Barbershop is close enough, right?  

Becca and Meagan knew each other from chorus and their riveting conversations usually went something like this:
"Hey, how are you?" 
"Good." 
"Good." 
"Good."  

Tiffany (who will not appear in this story) was LM's first bass, but I have no idea where she was that night. It is possible that she was having to work or finish up some stuff regarding the Navy because she was shipping out later that year.  

Anyway, just to set the scene for you, we were waiting to get started. Dee was sitting in the TV room eating an ice cream sundae out of a martini glass and watching "Good Will Hunting", and I had to go to the bathroom. I don't remember what Cyndi, Jen and Meagan* were doing, but I had other things on my mind.

What started as a normal bathroom trip turned into, what is now, the most infamous Last Minute story ever told.

I won't go into details, but I went to the bathroom. Use your imagination.

The toilet flushed, but then to my great dismay started to go the opposite way that it was intended to go. Panic. Imagine how you feel when that happens in your own house. Now, imagine that happening in someone else's.


I sheepishly opened the bathroom door and called for Jen.


"Jen? The toilet is overflowing and I cannot get it to stop."


Laughter.


We got the water turned off, but that stubborn toilet would NOT unclog. I put all of my might into getting that toilet to flush and it would not budge. I plunged and plunged and plunged and plunged. No dice. It was angry with me and refused to comply.


Keep in mind that Dee is still in the TV room watching "Good Will Hunting" and eating her ice cream sundae out of the Martini glass. So while all of the toilet fiasco is happening, Dee dropped and broke the Martini glass that held her chocolate fudge sundae. We heard the crash from the TV room. (I'm surprised Jen still allows us to come over.)

"Oops.", said Dee.

"What happened?", I called from the bathroom.

"Dee broke the Martini glass.", someone called back to me.

What a fantastic start to our rehearsal.

While they were cleaning up the suicidal sundae, Cyndi and I continued to figure out how to get this toilet unclogged. We had exhausted the plunger plan and decided we just had to go for it. We had to go in and there was no looking back. 

"I think we're just going to have to...(I hated to say it)...go in.", I told Cyndi.

"Okay, but just so you know I have a terrible gag reflex. I'll be fine.", she replied.

The idea to put full-sized garbage bags on our arms was mentioned, and since that was the only idea we could come up with, we went with that. Imagine if you will, Cyndi and I both clad with our garbage bag arms, tied off at the bicep with a ponytail holder.

At that point, Jen, Meagan, and Dee decided they needed to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately for them, I had tied up the only one in the house. The needed to go out for milk and bleach anyway, so they decided to visit the local gas station for all of their needs. Dee had told us that the bleach would brake up the blockage and at that point we were willing to try anything.

While they were gone Cyndi and I took turns pillaging the toilet, but because of Cyndi's sensitive gag reflex every 5 seconds I would hear her gag and then follow it with "I'm okay."

This is not a sound you want to hear just above your head.

When we found that nothing was in the toilet, we located some cleaner that had bleach in it so we threw some of that in the toilet to see if it would dissolve any blockage. When that didn't work we threw some Pine Sol in for good measure. Please note important fact. Bleach and Ammonia are NOT to be mixed. Apparently, that combination of cleaning products makes a lethal gas. Fortunately for us, we didn't use straight bleach. We probably would have been dead by the time the others came back from the gas station.

After our near death experience, we determined we needed to completely empty out the toilet. Why? You ask? It seemed like a good thing to do at the time. I think it was because every time we turned the water back on to see if the chemicals dissolved the stubborn blockage the toilet would fill back up again. Still rocking our garbage bag arms, we found some Glad Tupperware in Jen's kitchen and began to scoop the water out of the toilet and put it in the bathtub.

After a few minutes of this, Cyndi turned to me and said, "I have to go to the bathroom."

"I'm sorry, but this one is occupied at the moment. Why didn't you go with the others to the Gas Station."

"Oh no, I can't do that. That's not sanitary. I'll just go outside."

I just stared at her. Speechless.

When Cyndi returned from her more sanitary bathroom selection, we gave up on ever unclogging the toilet. When they returned from the gas station, I told Jen that I was just going to have to pay for a plumber to come and unclog the poor toilet. Of course Jen wouldn't allow it, but I knew secretly that I would somehow pay for it.

Jen had called her husband Chris and told him what was going on. When he got home I told him that I would have to pay for a plumber to come out to unclog the toilet because there was no way that a plunger was going to do the trick. Even though we explained every method that we had used to attempt to extricate the blockage, he went in the bathroom and tried it anyway.


The door was closed for about 5 minutes and while we were all waiting patiently, we expected him to come out of the bathroom defeated.


This was not the case.


After a few hits with the plunger, Chris was able to achieve the impossible.  He freed the toilet from its despair.

I still say we just loosened it for him. 


*Meagan, feel free to correct any information that is incorrect in this story.

Resolution

My goal for this year is to read 3 books a month.  So far this year I have read Eclipse (in four days).  I've started on Breaking Dawn and Alice in Wonderland, and I am listening to Pride and Prejudice.

How is it that I have never read Alice in Wonderland?  Actually, I still haven't.  But, I have read more now than I ever have.  What a fantastically, imaginative, trip through dreamland.  To be as creative as Lewis Carroll, how amazing would that be? 

I love writers who inspire me to write.

Just pick up the poop...

I mean, really, how hard is it?  Yes, it is disgusting, but you chose to have a dog at an apartment complex.  And, for those of us who like to walk through the grass in the morning on their way to work, just pick up the poop.

It's easy!  

Here are five easy steps telling how to clean up after your pet:

1. Locate where the package landed.
2. Take an inside out Wal*Mart, Target, or Kroger bag and place it on your hand.
3. With the hand that has the shopping bag, retrieve the package.
4. Is package is now safely on the inside on the shopping bag? (If not, repeat steps 1-4.)
5. Discard in the nearest receptacle.

See?  Wasn't that easy?  I think you're ready to do it on your own now.

Clumpers of America, UNITE!

First of all, Happy New Year...

So far, it has been.  I just returned from a fantastic church meeting at Grace Chapel in Memphis.  Though my first intentions weren't solely to attend the meeting, I have to say I was truly blessed.  Blessed by the messages, blessed by the people, blessed by the friendships.  It is amazing how God works in our lives.  

Though I got little sleep, I wouldn't trade that for the late night/early morning Clump Club.  I learned some invaluable information from my fellow Clumpers, whom I dearly love.  We laughed.  We cried.  We taught.  We learned. 

How I wish I could bring all of my dear friends with me, but it just makes it that much more special when I do get to see them and spend time with them.  Though, when I come home, it reminds me how much I miss them.  I suppose I will just have to do some more traveling this year.  :)

As for the past six months...

I am an employee at the Barbershop Harmony Society.

I am trying to bring different types of art into my life.

I sing with my best friends.

I was in Daniel and Brittany's wedding.

I am going to be an aunt!

I love going to parties at my parents' house.

As for this year...

I am training for the Country Music Half-Marathon.

I am starting voice lessons.

I know that I haven't kept up with this blog like I had thought that I would, but I hope this year I will be more diligent.  I know that writing is a good outlet for me, however silly I may be.  I know being silly is a good outlet for me, however serious I may be.  Anyway, the point is, I want to keep up with this blog so that I can remember more clearly the things that have happened in my life.  I still enjoying reading past posts and I'm sure in future years I will enjoy it the same as I do now.

I'm blessed...

for many reasons, but I have one specific reason in mind:  

I have an incredible friend who will sit in the car with me for over an hour when we've already arrived back home and talk about deep stuff.  While having some ice cream.  I think that may be the only way to talk about deep stuff.

The plan was to put my clothes away...

Four and a half hours later my room was clean and completely rearranged.

I like it.

Friday Flashback: The Note Edition

I previously had posted a note that I found while cleaning my room back in November of aught six.  I found another one (because I cleaned my room again), but this one has to do with high school relationships.

"Becca Box - 

Hey!  How's it going?  Everything is great here.  Did you hear about Ashley & Ryan?  If not I'll tell you Ryan asked Ashley to the little dance thingy.  But, Ashley is still stuck on Paul so she won't go with NE one else.  So sad :(!  Also unfortionate for her Pauly Poo has a girlfriend. (She apparently goes to another school and her name is Jennifer.  But if I believe it is another story.  B/C I'm not sure if I do.  As for my b-day I have no clue what I would like.  Just NE thing that you would like to get me.  I'm open to any idea.  Right now I am in Stelmies class and we are supposed to keep our nose out of the upstairs and stick it in the downstairs.  Don't ask what that is supposed to mean b/c I sure have no clue.  He's really a psychotic I think.  Well I G2G learn Algebra I now.

- <3>

Kristen"

25

Well, its my birthday again!  A quarter of a century.  

When I was little, I always imagined 25-year-olds as grown up and mature.  I'm still waiting to get there, but I'm having a good time meanwhile.  

I was thinking today back when I was 15, and I was asked where I thought I would be in 10 years.  I was sure I would be married with 2 kids.  Its interesting how God leads you down a path where you don't know exactly where you're going, but with enough faith you know you'll get to your destination someday.  

I am happy.  

Though its far from where I thought I would be when I was 15, its pretty awesome to be 25, happy, loved, and loving life with my incredible friends and family.

Friday Flashback

Apparently, we were learning how to write poems this day in class, and we're still with the 6th grade theme.

"Sep. 20, 1994

What is a 6th Grader?

A 6th grader is

a very smart person,

very funny,

a worker,

a good listener,

always busy,

fun to be with,

a caring person,

also understanding,

always entergetic,

and really a very good friend

and that is a 6th grader."

Friday (actually Sunday) Flashback

Sorry folks.  This whole Friday Flashback is new.  Okay continuing on with 6th grade...

"Things I Like to Do

I like to go to go to Opryland and ride all

to rides.  I like skating at the Skate Center.  I have

a pair of rollerblades.  I like rollerblading with my dad

but doesn't have a pair of rollerblades.  I also

like playing basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis,

fishing, and swimming.

One of my favorite things to do is go to Fort

Walton Beach, Florida.  It's so warm and the water

most of the time is clear.  Last year we say

rays swimming in the water.  Two years ago

we were 10 minutes late seeing a sea turtle

lay eggs.   That would have been neat!

I like going to my cousins house in Georgia.

Most of the time I stay for a week.  She has a 

trampoline and I like jumping on it.  Her school is

nice.  It's really big.  Those are the things I

like to do."

Friday Flashback

So as I was cleaning my room yesterday, and I found a treasure.  My sixth grade reading journal.  I have decided to give you excerpts from it every Friday because it is quite hilarious.  I also want to write it just like I wrote it then, misspellings and all.  Teacher comments in red.

Here is the first entry in my journal:

"6th Grade

I think 6th grade will be neat.

The only bad part will probally be

dimerits.  I the the teachers will be

great!  I look forward to imural sports, band,

field trips, and more.  I hope science and

social studies will be fun.  In the cafiteria

food is good.  I look forward to computer lab,

teen living, p.e., and tec lab.  I don't look for-

ward to tests.  I hope to make alot of new

friends and keep the old ones.  Hopefully

they can get it a little warmer in the 

classrooms.  The teachers seem nice.

I band I want to play clairnet.  The

reason why is I hope it will be fun and

if you don't want to play anymore you

can play a different insterment.

I hope to go to Chicago with every-

one.  I wander what we'll do besides

watch a baseball game?  Go to lots of museums!

I think riding on the bus is

fun.  I get to sit and talk with my

friends.  Then the time comes for us

to leave.

I hope I get to come in 7th and

8th grade.  Woodland Middle is a great

school! I agree!  WMS is #1"

Ode to the Sewing Team

My quartet, Last Minute, had a very interesting time getting our dresses for our annual contest that is held every year at the end of March. This year we ordered some from David's Bridal in plenty of time, but we didn't receive them until the day we were to leave for Chattanooga. Fortunately, we had a sewing team down there who are members of the TuneTown Show Chorus (we are also members of them too) and they hemmed Erica's dress for us.

We honored them on Monday in poem.

We ordered our dresses
In plenty of time
"They'll be in March 18th"
We said, "That'd be fine"

We waited and waited
For that glorious day
We called to check in
And to our dismay

No dresses were found
A week had gone by
Not Tuesday, not Wednesday
Give Thursday a try.

The day before contest,
They arrived at the store.
Only one other problem,
Erica's dress dragged the floor.

We left for the Choo Choo
In hopes that we'd find
A team to sew quickly
And put in the time.

On Bonny, Lynett
Cindy Knight, Fish, and Judy!
(Jane and June are a set.)
They sure worked their booties.

She stood on a table
With hands on the ceiling.
Bonny taped up her hem
And had a good feeling.

They worked through the night
They cut, taped, and sewed.
When morning had broken
10 piggies now showed!

Cursed by our name
Our dresses were late
But you saved the day
So now we may state:

You all helped us win
what we have on right now
So honorary Last Minutians
Turn and take a bow!

Accio Purse!

I need to get up off the couch and get something out of my purse, but its cold and I have a cat on me and I don't want to get up and its cold.

I'll just will it to come in here to me.  That, or use my Jedi mind powers.

..............

Hmm, I seem to be a little out of practice.

I'll have it medium rare.

While I was enjoying a chocolate chip cookie from Lenny's Sub Shop, (by the way, there is one just around the corner from me again!) I was noticing that it was not quite cooked all of the way but still very delicious.

Which made me think of steak...

When ordering steak, (which is very rarely) I order it medium well.  Now, this is a step up from a few years ago when I would order it well done.  I can handle a little pink now, but for the most part I like it not mooing.

On the contrary, when ordering a cookie steak, I order it medium rare.  Edges are done, the middle is gooey.

See how that doesn't translate to regular steak?  I don't know about you, but gooey steak doesn't sound as appetizing as gooey cookie.

...and, There is nothing worse than a well done cookie steak.

I am Internet

Look out! We're famous on the internet.

YouTube legends.

Inspiration by Katy

Its amazing how you can be so much like someone that you are never around.  This came to me today when I was walking out of front row rehearsal and Jen was on the phone with her sister Katy.  I don't remember what they were talking about, but I chimed in on the conversation and Katy said the exact thing I did at the same time.  

So for my next trick, I would like to bullet point out how we are very similar:

• we both like to use bullets
• we're both geminis
• we both have the same sense of humor
• we like one word sentences.  fun.
• we both want to go on a cruise.
• we both can quote obscure movies and know what the other is talking about
• we both get confused for celebrities on a daily basis

See?  

The list could continue, but you would stop reading.  So really, I just did you a favor.

We're basically the same person.  

Except:

• you have a sister
• you have children
• you live in maryland

That's about it.

Cheers.

LOST

Who else is super excited about Thursday season premiere? 

This is how much of a nerd I am.  I have been watching all of the episodes to catch up, so I can remember what has happened.  Its important that you know what's going on so you can follow along with the show.  If you haven't watch or now anything that is going on, you'll be...well...lost.

On Wednesday, I'm going over to a friends house who has never seen an episode and we are going to watch a few of the first episodes.  Then, I have to "sum up" what else has happened.  We'll see how that goes.

Any suggestions?

Awesome Moment of the Week

I sang with Johnny Cash's sister in Applebee's.

"Amazing Grace. Key of C."