tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258127772011-11-06T14:56:42.629-05:00The most characteristic mark of a great mind is to choose some one important object, and pursue it for life. - Anna Letitia Barbauld (English Poet)Amynoreply@blogger.comBlogger1601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-50740454182075096482011-02-01T20:14:00.002-05:002011-02-01T20:18:39.159-05:00

Clearly, I have abandoned blogging. But I have something to say now, and it's not even about me! Well, not really. It's Cheri -- best friend, roommate, tenant -- who I'd like to talk about briefly. She started a business! And my job, as her Director of Marketing Director (sounds more impressive with two "directors" in the title), is to help promote it. So here's the deal: if you need a dog-sitter

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-87423104158936207132010-01-30T11:37:00.008-05:002010-02-04T10:02:45.076-05:00

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-76145451260621579682010-01-20T12:24:00.005-05:002010-01-20T13:17:13.478-05:00

Haiti did not have a special place in my heart. I have never been there. I didn't even know where it was on the map. I'm not sure Haiti has a special place in my heart even now, but people do. The Haitian people, who are people just like MY family and MY friends, are hurting, and that does have a place in my heart.I thought I'd have more to say, more feelings to express, but I mostly just feel

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-63301469367410765092010-01-13T10:02:00.012-05:002010-01-14T11:28:59.259-05:00

I took a personality test today. I'm not sure why I did -- I've known for a long time that the Myers Briggs test says I'm an ENFP -- extroverted, intuitive, feeling, perceiving. But the test I took today had some great descriptions that I can't not post here. My reactions are in bold.ENFP outgoing (i'm kind of 50/50 on this one -- depends on the setting) socialdisorganized (although I love to

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-39117432499751190642010-01-12T12:08:00.004-05:002010-01-12T12:53:17.913-05:00

The ups and downs of the Israelites is, to me, a fascinating series of events.Possibly the most interesting part is that it was always the practical stuff that caused the Israelites to stumble. Their lack of resources (meat, bread, water, etc.) led them to curse their environment and turn their hearts away from God. It was their natural and immediate reaction to a crisis situation. I've been

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-69265012423616830582010-01-10T11:55:00.015-05:002010-01-11T12:25:35.692-05:00

I skipped church yesterday. Instead, I made a pot of coffee, sat on my window seat in the sun, and read my bible.In an earlier post, I wrote about the continuum of sin and God, and how "leaving sin behind didn't necessarily mean I was pursuing God." I concluded that post with more of a question than an answer, but with the knowledge that I couldn't just sit in the middle of that SIN------GOD

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-8647146642499378382010-01-06T12:38:00.004-05:002010-01-06T13:16:22.532-05:00

This is going to be one of those posts that touches on a bunch of topics. Thus, numbered list:1) Unauthorized third-party charges on my AT&T bill. ANNOYING. They were really pissing me off (got billed for the second time for something I didn't sign up for) so I finally called AT&T to have them put a block on my account. I also called the third-party company to have the charges refunded. Very

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-90246611020342318052010-01-04T13:20:00.007-05:002010-01-05T09:02:01.048-05:00

I am now more than 7 months into home-ownership and have learned a thing or two about this sacred right of passage. I like to call these things, "The Laws of Home Repair." Leaders may come and go, nations may crumble, religions may appear and disappear, but these Laws remain forever:Law #1 - Your awareness of your need for a repair will occur at exactly the most inconvenient time. More accurately

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-83136798537682941112009-12-28T16:09:00.006-05:002009-12-29T11:45:53.277-05:00

Pursuing some unknown thing:Though I'm a Christian and have always known my purpose is to honor God, I have still felt a certain ache for some unknown thing. I have relied on God and let him fill me, at least have tried, but it seems like there's something missing.The Trigger:I can't remember what it was, but something hit me this past weekend. I don't think it had anything to do with Christmas,

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-64375630160232166162009-12-11T09:55:00.004-05:002009-12-11T12:19:30.978-05:00

it took four million yearsand a river of tearsbut i finally said i was throughon a stack of good booksten feet tall, yes, i tookan oath promising i would be true the whole world was thereevery ear heard me swear"nevermore will i lie, i decree"but two seconds afterthey all died of laughterwhen i said, "except hyperbole!"

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-34621831247352957182009-11-25T11:03:00.000-05:002009-11-25T11:04:11.797-05:00

the holy garment i had a dream last night the vivid kind that wasn't quite righti was shopping in a storefor a winter coat, and maybe more i was alone, enjoying ittrying on jackets but nothing fitdiscouragement was growingmy forehead wrinkles starting showing then a scruffy-looking mana cup of coffee in his hand spoke unexpectedly through his black and yellow teeth "hey, try that one," he said

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-23910472294898292052009-11-20T20:51:00.011-05:002009-11-20T22:36:58.097-05:00

I'm so used to doing short updates now (because of Twitter and Facebook) that I'm not quite sure how to write a full blog post. It's been too long. In fact, I'm not even sure this blog gets any traffic any more. If I were a real blogger -- a with-it blogger -- I'd be tracking stats and I'd know exactly what state all my readers were from, but I just don't care that much I guess.What I do care

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-20880226928086710262009-09-01T11:41:00.003-04:002009-09-01T11:52:52.609-04:00

It's September 1st, thank goodness. I'm so happy fall is on the way. It's not that I dislike summer--not at all--it's just that fall is my favorite season and I'm ready for fall-y things. So for the coming season, I hope to:- walk through fallen leaves at the park near my house- have a harvest party in the backyard, complete with pumpkin-carving, campfire, butternut squash soup, and mulled cider,

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-25416481411064275652009-07-10T12:49:00.003-04:002009-07-10T13:38:06.385-04:00

Where did this seemingly new vernacular circulating on social media sites come from? I mean, I'm finally beginning to understand the use of the pound sign and the "at" symbol, but there's one thing I have a small beef with, and that's the use of the "win" and "fail" terms.I guess people are using these words as a single-word summary of their level of success in a given situation. But my issue is

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-77862714438164789652009-06-22T09:03:00.004-04:002009-06-22T09:45:23.420-04:00

Okay, but I have a really good excuse. Several, actually. You MAY want to consider reading this in two sittings. Or none. Your choice.1) May 15. I bought a house. Everything was finalized when I signed about a hundred pieces of paper without reading 99% of them, quite literally. Shortly thereafter I was handed the keys and Cheri and I picked up sushi and cracked open a bottle of champagne at the

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-84911163594253083582009-04-29T12:13:00.002-04:002009-04-29T12:38:04.359-04:00

I have only good news to report on the house-buying process. 1. The bank approved my end of the loan. Yay! I still think they're crazy for lending me more than a hundred thousand dollars, but whatever. It's not my problem they're nuts.2. The house appraised for more than I'm paying for it. Fantastic. 3. Lawyer says the titlework looks good, nothing abnormal.So everything is on track. Sweet.I just

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-43600865659214394842009-04-15T21:41:00.006-04:002011-07-15T13:34:29.890-04:00

Today is the first day of the last month of renterhood for me. Put more simply: I will be closing on my first home May 15th.I've done everything I need to do on my end (signed the contract, met with the lawyer, applied for my loan, had the home inspected and appraised) and now I'm just waiting for the bank to approve my mortgage and approve the house. After that, I'll just be waiting for May 15th

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-44916737434160001232009-03-19T12:24:00.001-04:002009-03-19T12:24:36.170-04:00

It's a little funny that my last post, noting how much more accessible my blog would be now that I know how to post from my phone, was more than a month ago. In the meantime I've been through some ups and downs with my house search. First I found a house I loved and made an offer. In order to afford the house, the seller would have to knock a good twenty thousand off the asking price, but they

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-10393056540276444382009-02-16T16:20:00.001-05:002009-02-16T16:20:46.677-05:00

i'm testing out posting to my blog using my email. this will allow me to post from places like the dentist's office, or the car. yes, i text and drive. and email and drive. i've gotten very addicted to having internet access on my phone. i have some updates about my house search, but that will have to wait until i'm at the allergist's office this afternoon.

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-55252384194115108342009-01-23T17:37:00.006-05:002009-01-23T18:32:32.240-05:00

So now that I'm 26, or as Cheri said, "in the twenty-six to thirty-five bracket on surveys," which is supposed to make me feel terribly old (thanks a lot Cheri, it worked), I guess it's time to start doing grown-upy things.I've got a lot of these things under my belt already -- a steady job, a pet (whom I refuse to call by name after she threw up on my bed at 6:30 this morning), and an automobile

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-8216727407579348192009-01-12T20:13:00.005-05:002011-08-26T13:43:42.859-04:00

I returned home Sunday afternoon after an 8-day, 7-night cruise to the Caribbean. Because I was too lazy to keep an actual journal, I kept a food log instead. All week there was a running joke among my family (10 of us from Dad's side of the family went) about how I couldn't pass a bar or restaurant without stopping for something, which led to a running joke about my "boat gut." Yes, I gained

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-8223876155391166312008-12-22T13:54:00.002-05:002008-12-22T14:35:30.427-05:00

When two people, in the same day, say that I don't write here anymore, it's hard to ignore the things I start to feel. Can't say exactly what those things are, but I'm feeling SOMETHING.I'm feeling... content, in a way. Like it doesn't matter whether I write or not, my life still goes on. And yet I'm feeling disappointed in myself, like this is just another one of those things I've started that

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-69958674535565043032008-12-04T08:26:00.002-05:002008-12-04T08:27:19.060-05:00

You know you've been working a lot of hours when you arrive at work and try to unlock your office door with your house key.

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-24049577356685280422008-11-19T12:45:00.002-05:002008-11-19T12:46:40.475-05:00

You know what I hate? I hate when I eat my dessert for breakfast and have nothing to look forward to after lunch.

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-18337949247242564922008-11-17T08:44:00.006-05:002008-11-19T12:48:03.919-05:00

Oh MAN was Saturday eventful. Actually, there were only two events, but they took up the whole day, and really each event was made up of several small events, so it was kind of a wild day.Event #1: Amy thinks she's a mechanic.I decided earlier this week that I would try to change the brake pads on my car. The brakes have been a little ''squishy'' lately so I figured that was the problem. I've

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-3664924720745436162008-11-14T12:30:00.004-05:002008-11-14T12:41:55.605-05:00

Part of my job is managing the art gallery at the airport. This involves, in part, calling artists whose art pieces have been selected for display in the gallery and arranging the details with them -- when to bring their pieces to the airport, where to park, where to meet me, etc. So this week one of the artists, an older gentleman, met me in the art gallery so we could set up his artwork. Toward

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-37754930453579541812008-11-02T17:13:00.005-05:002008-11-02T17:17:15.745-05:00

To the woman at the laundromat who used dryer #6 right before I did:1) Thank you for giving me the 5 minutes left from your quarter.2) I have the bullet you left in the dryer.

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-82097094697749927622008-11-01T13:57:00.007-04:002008-11-02T17:21:49.556-05:00

*I love Saturdays. Typically on Saturday mornings Cheri and I head to Hendersonville to have coffee and good conversation at Black Bear Coffee Co. Since Cheri wasn't available to do that today, I decided to go ahead and go by myself. The coffee was still good, but the conversation was a bit... lacking.I ended up texting back and forth with my brother, checking my email, checking facebook, and

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-908014333694079162008-10-13T14:40:00.001-04:002008-10-13T14:45:11.721-04:00

I'm way overdue for a post, and this one isn't really going to count because all I'm going to write are a few excuses for why I haven't been writing. And, actually, I'm just going to go ahead and sum up all those excuses with one word: Stress. STRESS.I'm coping to the best of my ability. More later, when I've sorted things out.

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-32646363933815450922008-09-23T21:49:00.002-04:002008-09-23T21:54:09.161-04:00

This is how retarded I am:Tonight after work, I pulled in the driveway, parked and shut off my car, walked to the front door of the house and proceeded to try to unlock the door by pushing the "unlock" button on my car's automatic lock/unlock keychain thing.It took three tries before I realized what I was doing wrong.

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-53271416306259061092008-09-23T12:51:00.008-04:002008-09-23T13:14:28.786-04:00

This is my 150th post since I started writing in 2006. My first thought is, I should write more. My second is, I can't believe I've kept with it.So, I'm excited that my 150th post is about my first opening gig. This Friday night I'll be opening for an Americana band called Mama Said. (You can listen to Mama Said on their MySpace page.)Yesterday I e-mailed the owner of a place called Feed & Seed.

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-30682747399883139352008-09-21T14:01:00.006-04:002008-09-21T15:26:26.910-04:00

Yesterday Cheri and I went on a field trip to Flat Rock, NC, which is about 20 minutes from our place. We were looking for a coffee shop we had stopped at in 2005, right after we first moved to Asheville. On our way, we stopped at a graveyard/old church and wandered around. I love graveyards, and this one offered some good photo ops. Too bad Cheri's good camera's batteries were dead, and my

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-79336514464241526942008-09-16T21:04:00.004-04:002011-08-26T13:41:28.922-04:00

It's finished! And not only finished, but released! This is great news for several reasons (list time!): 1) I can FINALLY get the CD to the people who pre-ordered it and haven't stopped pestering me about when it's going to be done. 2) I'm done forking over large amounts of cash to the recording studio. 3) I'm ready to accept large amounts of cash in exchange for CDs. Or maybe just small

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-69943993159762915052008-09-11T10:20:00.004-04:002011-08-26T13:41:55.778-04:00

I'm glad to finally anounce that the recording, mixing and mastering of my new nearly-full-length CD is complete! I'll be working tonight to get them packaged and ready to send to everyone who was brave enough to pre-order the CD. If you haven't ordered it yet, you still can. I'll also be updating the site soon, hopefully to include some upcoming shows, as well as an accurate track list for the

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-5316768497637854942008-09-09T10:32:00.001-04:002008-09-09T10:33:10.884-04:00

Some days 16oz of strong, dark coffee just isn't enough.

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-57021549250249445802008-08-20T13:28:00.004-04:002008-08-20T13:53:00.953-04:00

Saturday was studio day - from 10am until 6:30 with an hour for lunch. I could get used to hours like that. Lanslide Studio, in north Asheville, is owned and operated by an amazing sound engineer named Andrew. If I thought I could spell his last name, I'd include it here, but I'm pretty sure I can't. After a quick tour of the small studio, lounge, and sound room, we headed straight for the

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-89641238458534433792008-08-05T16:26:00.002-04:002008-08-05T16:51:02.859-04:00

Okay, "Staying Young" -- whoever you are -- this post is for you. But you had better allow me to view your blog, or at least identify yourself!So SOMEONE was complaining that I haven't posted in a while. I guess I've been a little busy getting ready for recording. It's 11 days away and I've written a new song that I've been working on to make sure I've got it good enough to record. I've also been

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-27159357998547121022008-06-21T15:17:00.005-04:002008-12-08T20:39:07.111-05:00

I've been thinking about picking up a guitar that I can use for camping trips or around the fire, since I don't want to mess up my nice Washburn. I've wanted to buy a guitar that I could leave in the car on too-hot days and not worry too much about it getting ruined.So I've been scouring the local paper and craigslist to find something cheap, like under $75.I thought I had found one last week (

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-21506663987123932342008-06-12T11:53:00.003-04:002008-12-08T20:39:07.446-05:00

Because public relations is such a dangerous job, our department has been issued hard hats. Actually, we only received one hard hat, which to me says, "Whoever is the most important person in your department gets to wear this. The rest of you will probably die from falling debris but we just don't care."I'm not making any assumptions, but the hat was put on my desk. And it looks GOOD.

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-85140781673328714382008-06-10T12:54:00.003-04:002008-12-08T20:39:07.599-05:00

The past week has been a busy one, between moving into the new house on Saturday, contracting some kind of skin infection (folliculitis?) on Sunday, discovering a cavity in one of my teeth Tuesday, coming down with a sinus/chest cold Thursday, the family coming to town Friday through Sunday, playing a gig on Saturday, and tubing on the Davidson river Sunday. Thankfully not EVERYTHING that

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-66676407459133627942008-05-29T14:19:00.002-04:002008-05-29T14:19:54.778-04:00

I signed a lease last night!More later...

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-74436131360440463422008-05-27T11:53:00.002-04:002008-05-27T12:35:50.383-04:00

The only thing that's changed since my last post 8 days ago is the time that has passed.Cheri and I put an application in on a house last week and I just assumed it would work out, since we didn't have any other options in front of us -- no real back-up plan. So yesterday when I called to follow up (and in my mind, find out what day we could start moving in) I was... shocked to find out that the

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-9687378628517545962008-05-20T12:30:00.005-04:002008-05-20T15:39:05.114-04:00

You know, it's funny how people want you to freak out when you're approaching a deadline of some sort and don't have any answers. I'm starting to understand how Cheri feels about not having a job and people always saying to her, "You don't have a job yet??? Aren't you stressed?"Cheri and I are 12 (11.5, by the time I finish writing and posting this blog) days away from the end of our lease and

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-1353056233904151822008-04-17T11:55:00.015-04:002008-12-08T20:39:07.744-05:00

Last night Cheri and I went to a concert at the Grey Eagle in Asheville. I've heard about this place a million times and understand it to be a pretty big deal, meaning that if you're a musician and you are invited to play at the Grey Eagle (and you do have to be invited) you've pretty much made it. So I was excited to see this place for the first time. It's located on Clingman Avenue, which is

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-12790750058141129042008-04-05T14:14:00.003-04:002008-04-05T14:23:01.632-04:00

I really can't believe how long it's been since I've written. It feels like nothing has happened since then and everything has happened.The biggest thing is that I sold my Subaru a couple weeks ago and bought a Hyundai Elantra to replace it with. It's a good, solid car and I hope it will last me a long time! I've been meaning to take a picture of it to post, but it's been pretty rainy, and when

Amynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-48021913886481109292008-03-17T21:17:00.005-04:002008-12-08T20:39:09.158-05:00

I spent Saturday afternoon at the race track, and not the one where people wear fancy hats and order Mint Juleps. No. I went to Bristol, where people wear camoflage and drink Miller or Budweiser only, with the occasional coffee to sober them up enough to see the cars go around and around and around. My neck actually hurt after a few laps of trying to keep my eyes on the lead car - must not have

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-73812840277580011322008-03-07T12:38:00.005-05:002008-12-08T20:39:09.963-05:00

I have lots to catch up on... starting with my office. SOMEONE insisted that I have an "after" picture, showing what my office looks like now that I've got it decorated. Unfortunately, it's not that much different.The art on the wall was from Cheri - an office-warming gift. They do make my office feel warmer.My desk isn't usually this clean. I had to tidy up for the photo shoot. Normally there

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-28486273933878327272008-02-27T12:11:00.003-05:002008-02-27T12:28:47.072-05:00

I never used to understand the Carpenters song with the lyrics, "Rainy days and Sundays always get me down." However, as I age, it's all starting to make sense.I'll start with Sundays, which means I have to go all the way back to Fridays.Everyone loves the weekend. Every sane person with a "normal" job schedule anyway. I love the weekend. When friday afternoon rolls around, somewhere around 4:40,

Amynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-57553890642977644392008-02-25T12:36:00.002-05:002008-02-25T13:03:45.974-05:00

I wish I had something interesting to write about. I spent the last thirty minutes browsing through my older posts and am amazed at how interesting my life APPEARED to be. It wasn't really that fascinating, I just somehow made events seem appealing when they weren't. I'm not sure I can do that anymore.This past weekend was pretty laid back. It's amazing how old I act sometimes. It seems that most

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-72913431872903757782008-02-17T17:14:00.005-05:002008-02-17T17:24:56.489-05:00

Loving you is like lighting a matchAnd letting it burnHolding it tight, watching it closelyAnd letting it burn, burnAnd the longer I hold it inThe greater the scarsAnd when it starts smolderingBaby, then can I start healing?

Amynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-78743403619437665012008-02-13T23:00:00.003-05:002008-02-13T23:19:41.460-05:00

This is my first attempt at posting a song on Blogger. They wouldn't let me post an audio file, so I had to make it into a movie. If you can ignore the crappy recording quality, you'll get a sample of my music... although I can't say this one is particularly representative of my style... just my food preferences. :)(I don't know why it's posting two images of the video... so just click the

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-26668364901064373962008-02-01T20:29:00.000-05:002008-02-01T20:38:50.079-05:00

What better thing to do on a Friday night than stay home and write a song. It would be a better story if the song was one that was deep and raw and stirring, but no. No, the song I wrote tonight is about the county just North of the one in which Asheville rests.... it's the county I was warned about when I first moved here: Be careful in Madison County - everybody there sits on their front porch

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-11689906758289733952008-02-01T09:10:00.000-05:002008-12-08T20:39:10.223-05:00

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-53921642311908209082008-01-24T12:27:00.000-05:002008-01-24T13:13:25.670-05:00

I made it!For a person who always thought they'd be dead by the time they were 20, I guess I'm doing pretty well. Actually, as a kid, I didn't ever think I would make it past 18. I remember writing my will at age 11, and then again at 11.3 when I decided I didn't want my brother to inherit my legos after all. I was always writing and rewriting my will. Kind of morbid, I know. I even knew it was

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-27673939827424218592007-12-30T14:52:00.000-05:002007-12-30T15:21:19.372-05:00

I'm right in the middle of a four-day weekend (because I'm taking New Year's Eve off just for fun) and I haven't yet done any of the things I thought I'd do... like read, hang out at a coffee shop, get a tattoo. I guess the weekend is still young, in a way.I guess I haven't written since Christmas, so I have a bit of catching up to do.Christmas Eve I got a voicemail from my brother (because I

Amynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-89945112988385358522007-12-18T20:37:00.000-05:002007-12-18T20:50:35.096-05:00

I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but I haven't been able to blog because I've been blogging elsewhere. That's right, I've been cheating. But I'm ready to confess my sins and even introduce you to the other blog.I've started a blog for my business, Carbonated Creative. It's basically a place for me to talk about all the stuff I love that actually has a point, very much unlike this blog. So

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-29714006823124845862007-11-28T12:32:00.001-05:002007-11-28T12:51:56.570-05:00

I had both my computer and my car in the shop this week. It's amazing how little can be done when both of these things are missing. I'd think, "Oh, I should go do some Christmas shopping!" But no, car's in the shop. Or, "I guess I could shop online -- er, nevermind."So in the midst of my crisis, I took Cheri's car and used Cheri's computer.Living with a roommate was one of the best ideas I've

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-33599721519106915482007-11-14T08:01:00.000-05:002007-11-14T08:27:15.906-05:00

Well, I felt like I had something important to say when I was driving into work this morning. Unfortunately, I can't seem to remember why I felt that way.It's been a busy couple of weeks at work, so I feel pretty accomplished. Yet it's the type of accomplishment one might feel just after passing the half-way mark in a marathon -- I'm glad to have made it this far, but I know I have just as much

Amynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-35775275939179870702007-11-07T12:54:00.000-05:002007-11-07T12:55:31.238-05:00

I met a guy today who travels and writes books for a living and is an artist on the side. That is SO unfair!

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-41336797540716659172007-11-06T13:04:00.000-05:002007-11-06T13:14:57.399-05:00

I only have a couple minutes, so I'm going to have to put my interesting thoughts for the week into list format. Actually, I'm just lazy. And I love lists. Here goes:1) I have lost two inches around my waist since I started working out 3.5 weeks ago. Yay. Pants fit now.2) My boss has said "poop" three weeks in a row. I think the standards for "professionalism" have been lowered since the last

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-82532877959001918242007-10-26T12:05:00.000-04:002007-10-26T12:20:52.881-04:00

I realize I'm a little behind in blogging, but there is good reason for that. It's called "dicipline," which is a big word in my life right now. I actually started pondering this word about two weeks before going to Cancun. It started when I realized I was undisciplined in nearly every aspect of my life: finances, spiritual stuff, relationship-building, etc. The one that really got my attention,

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-85071317721557763302007-10-14T07:52:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:11.564-05:00

Well, I'm back from Cancun, have been since Friday night. I only paid for two souvenirs (yes, I had to look up how to spell that word) but was fortunate enough to be able to bring back three. The two I paid for were a little ring made out of palm fronds or some such thing, and a cheap Mexican bracelet for Mom, the grand total for BOTH items being $5.00. But they always say its the free things in

Amynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-57567264491438083922007-09-29T11:48:00.000-04:002007-09-29T12:11:02.532-04:00

I'm so glad it's Saturday. I slept in until 9 this morning, and when I finally did get up I made a nice strong cup of coffee, with lots of cream, and made some grits with butter and sugar. Not a bad way to start the weekend. My dream Saturday consists of good coffee in the morning, a trip to goodwill or some garage sales in the early afternoon, a nice lunch out in a new restaurant, a trip to the

Amynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-40762264549544754542007-09-18T10:59:00.000-04:002007-09-18T11:01:36.770-04:00

I couldn't help but notice my co-worker's collection of framed photographs in her office. Most of the pictures were color photographs, but one silver frame held a collage of black and whites. From where I stood, they looked like great photos, so I said, "Oh, Deb, is that your family?"Said Deb, "No, but they're better looking than mine so I figured I'd just leave 'em in there."

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-4523414969891620152007-09-13T11:46:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:12.686-05:00

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-28320771085203333362007-09-10T12:35:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:13.630-05:00

There is so much ugly in this worldIt's true of so many aspects of life: character, landscape, architecture, writing. But I'm specifically referring to design. Honestly, if I have to look at one more ugly sign, logo, label, poster, brochure, business card or t-shirt, I'm going to puke.I was sitting in the lunch room today flipping through a design magazine when I accidentally removed my focus

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-37943097317598523542007-09-05T12:42:00.000-04:002007-09-05T12:58:43.353-04:00

...going to be really happy that I'm finally posting!I would like to start by saying thank you to all the contestants. All 8 of you. Your guesses were obviously thoughtful, as only three-digit number can be, and I'm very pleased to announce that we do, indeed, have a winner.I'm really tempted to have another contest where you all have to guess the winner and the person whose name turns up the

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-33971485849635500542007-08-27T12:52:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:14.041-05:00

Saturday morning Cheri and I went to Craggy Gardens, which is about 35 minutes northeast of Asheville. Really we were just trying to kill some time while the Meineke people fixed the rotors on my car and we thought driving into the mountains sounded like a cheap way to entertain ourselves.Turns out it was not only cheap, but also rewarding, in terms of blueberries. Apparently mountain-grown

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-62613668212547147292007-08-20T11:55:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:16.012-05:00

As promised, this is a contest post, which means you have the chance to win a prize you probably don't want and most certainly don't need. Congratulations in advance.Not only is this a contest post, but it's also an update on my American Idol audition on Saturday.I'm guessing about 6000 people showed up in Charleston for the auditions, although probably only 3500 of them were there to sing - the

Amynoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-60637675343707271962007-08-17T15:38:00.000-04:002007-08-17T15:39:33.894-04:00

For those of you who don't already know, I have a bit of interesting information to share.I haven't told too many people because it feels a little silly, but I think I'm ready to admit it:I'm auditioning for American Idol.Just typing that makes me want to laugh out loud. I can only imagine the things people think when they hear that: Wow. Wonder how bad she sucks. Or, Simon's going to tear her up

Amynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-82299115551660973732007-08-16T16:04:00.000-04:002007-08-16T16:19:16.489-04:00

I wish I had something funny to write, but there's nothing funny about it being ten after four on a Thursday afternoon. Even though it feels like I'm almost free (because 5 is almost here), it's really a cruel illusion because there is still another whole day before the weekend starts.I've been trying to think of some upside to the situation, but there aren't any real upsides. Unless you give a

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-91315151187064045552007-08-16T08:31:00.000-04:002007-08-16T08:49:44.586-04:00

I want to prepare you that we're quickly approaching my 100th blog post. When I reach my 100th post, it will be a contest - much like the "Guess the scent of the candle" contest from '06.I haven't been writing much lately because I've been spending my lunch hour reading. That's right, reading books.It's a fascinating pasttime.Right now I'm reading Mere Christianity - good book. I have this bad

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-86697145620204213512007-08-09T12:28:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:16.844-05:00

Mom and dad came to town last weekend. They arrived Sunday afternoon and came to Carrier Park to watch Cheri and myself play Ultimate Frisbee with a group of friends. From the sidelines, Mom was making gestures and faces that seemed to communicate that she thought some of the guys were pretty darn attractive - you know, flashing her eyebrows, making an emphatic "OK" sign with her hand. I

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-80001346251126502712007-08-02T12:37:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:17.430-05:00

...but not until October. Still, check out the pictures!I made my reservations last night. VACATION!

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-74734814519696337782007-07-30T12:25:00.000-04:002007-07-30T12:47:04.996-04:00

The dogs were so great last week.I left them out of their kennels for a couple days and they behaved like saints. When I came home, the house was just as I left it - all the cushions were still on the couch, the screens were intact on the windows, the carpets free and clear of stains, birds, sticks, and other debris. The backyard was still in one piece - no holes, no felled trees, no downed

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-29954588689986580542007-07-25T15:03:00.000-04:002007-07-25T15:11:00.994-04:00

Two days ago I received a piece of mail that caught my attention. It looked like a birthday card, felt a little thick, even. It's odd to get a piece of mail that looks like a birthday card when your birthday is a good six months away in either direction.Not wanting to wait until January to open it, I ripped open the envelope, but not before noticing it was from my mother. Surely she knows when my

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-44575312068123978752007-07-17T12:55:00.001-04:002008-12-08T20:39:18.337-05:00

Cheri and I have been leaving Norah and Derby out of their kennels during the day while we're at work. We leave the back sliding door open so they can go in and out as they please. This new system was working out really well.Was.Sunday, when Cheri and I came home from church, this was the scene in the hallway:Apparently my little Derby is a hunter now. I didn't really have a problem with the bird

Amynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-86404141432953706062007-07-12T13:00:00.000-04:002007-07-12T13:02:12.967-04:00

After two full years of post-college work, I have finally "made it" in the professional world: yesterday, the intern fetched coffee for me. And put the cream in.Joy.

Amynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-16869292633332009292007-07-02T12:24:00.000-04:002007-07-02T13:15:15.659-04:00

I don't quite know what to write today, although I'm thinking about a lot of things. Trying to decide whether to focus on the physical stuff - like what I did this weekend, or last weekend, or how my business is progressing or how things are going at my job - or whether to write about all the intangibles I've been thinking/feeling the past week or so...I know I touched on some of the art-related

Amynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-88392479658358735672007-06-27T16:04:00.000-04:002007-06-27T16:25:18.750-04:00

"Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing."Aside from the oddly placed comma, I think I like this quote by Salvador Dali.I have been struggling to define myself, as an artist, and have been searching for an identity that is original. Of course I know this is foolish because there's "nothing new under the sun" -- Bible -- but I still feel like it's possible to create in ways that

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-37520543985873370142007-06-20T18:14:00.000-04:002007-06-20T18:15:32.526-04:00

YAY! Internet at home! It's been a long time coming. Thankfully Carbonated Creative is footing the bill. Oh, wait. I AM Carbonated Creative.Oh well. :)

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-1952962783134612812007-06-20T17:04:00.000-04:002007-06-20T17:05:33.075-04:00

I found a draft of an old blog post that I never finished and thought I'd share it. I know it's a little late, but what the heck:So I'm back from Orlando, trying to catch up on sleep. Unfortunately my desk isn't the best place to do that. Everyone can see. That's why I'm lobbying for a real office, with a real door. I'm sure my boss will understand my motives.I have to say the highlights of my

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-22920666952144453382007-06-19T16:57:00.000-04:002007-06-19T17:07:22.732-04:00

"I keep wanting to write, but I don't know what. Colors, shapes, textures. But letters can't create those things, can they?What am I really gifted with?Words?Graphic design?Music?What should I pursue?What colors are mine? Brick red? Gray blue? Tan? Sage green?What about flavors? Smells? How do you translate jasmin or assam? Creme brulee? White rice?Dirt and sand and brown and forest green; fresh

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-39121941878405442852007-06-18T12:41:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:18.720-05:00

My hair now falls into the category of "ridiculously long" which is actually a different length for everyone. For me, it's this length:The picture is dorky, but you get the point. I can almost pull my hair back without it falling out of the hair tie. But I can't drive with the windows down. It's the same as driving without eyes. Also in the category of "hair" - I tried this Nair stuff, or

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-85403216613900543992007-06-11T16:11:00.001-04:002008-12-08T20:39:19.356-05:00

Some random pictures...Norah and Derby are going on a diet. A trip to the BP station with Mom and Dad. A lovely memory.Nascar race in Charlotte.Motorcycle ride with Duane from work.

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-54472011895314369012007-06-11T09:44:00.000-04:002007-06-11T10:01:01.260-04:00

Erin has just lodged a complaint that I haven't written anything on my blog in about a month. Anyone who's anyone knows I only write when I have nothing to write about. And this past month I happen to have been very busy. To appease my angry fan, however, I'll try to give a summary of the events.1) I opened an art gallery at work. That meant coordinating with 14 different artists to install 37

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-58432346977406411872007-05-25T16:30:00.000-04:002007-05-25T16:57:51.728-04:00

I keep thinking it would be nice to go see a movie in the theater, since I don't do that very often, but what is the deal with all the freakin' sequels? Doesn't ANYONE have a fresh idea for a film? And as I recall, the first two Spiderman's sucked -- why on God's green earth did they have to make another one? Shrek the Third I don't mind so much - the first one was pretty amusing so I'll probably

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-5723815294550835822007-05-24T09:52:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:20.207-05:00

HP just sent me my replacement camera (it only took 4 business days). So here are the pictures of the new house:

Amynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-1942876680333568872007-05-22T13:14:00.000-04:002007-05-22T13:50:18.038-04:00

Remember how I bought a new car because the old one kept stalling every time I put it in gear? Well, now I have it (the old one) for sale - $300 - and a woman is coming to look at it tonight. Yesterday I went to start it up and the battery is completely dead - won't even jump start. So I went online (I'm so resourceful!) and tried to find out more information about the kind of battery it needs.

Amynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-41038961702657659642007-05-17T16:45:00.000-04:002007-05-17T17:02:58.143-04:00

So after troubleshooting my camera online, and then spending thirty minutes on the phone with HP support, a nice Indian lady informed me that my camera was permanently defunct. The good news is that they're replacing it, but I'm wondering how long the new one will last before it, too, dies.Enough of the sad news. Here's the good news:I have tomorrow off and I'm going to spend it signing a lease

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-74294187212685947522007-05-15T13:07:00.000-04:002007-05-15T13:15:10.060-04:00

I was going to post pictures of the new house Cheri and I will be renting, but my camera is broken. I don't know what happened to it, but when I try to turn it on the screen says things like, "I don't feeeeel like it," and "Just five more minutes...five more..."I'm trying to contact tech support and they said I'd receive an automated message within an hour. That was this morning. Now it's after

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-7098324532276465042007-05-14T08:28:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:20.375-05:00

Well, I never really finished talking about Seattle, but my last three posts have been about it and the trip's been over for a couple weeks now. So we're just going to have to put it behind us. Well, except for this one last photo of a homeless man in Seattle.But I didn't get his permission to post his picture, so don't tell him.In other news, the house-hunting for a new place to rent might be

Amynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-55264223282662717912007-05-11T11:12:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:21.143-05:00

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-4168372690347268132007-05-04T10:07:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:21.541-05:00

One of my faithful blog readers, who shall remain anonymous (and no, it's not Dawn, who often leaves comments in the name of "anonymous" but then signs her name below that), has lodged a complaint about there not being any pictures/stories about my seattle trip. So here are a couple pictures WITH stories to keep you satisfied for a little while, ERIN.Mount Rainier from the plane... Cheri and I

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-46303868924192973572007-04-20T17:07:00.000-04:002007-04-20T17:28:22.518-04:00

It's Friday again. The only bad thing about Friday is that it's too close to Monday. But I'm probably not the first one to think of that.Derbo is at doggie day care today, along with Norah. When I left them there this morning, Derby was surrounded by six other captive dogs, trying to keep them all out of her crotch and ears. She was obviously panicking. I say "obviously" because she was darting

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-69568767855106924872007-04-19T11:53:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:39:22.024-05:00

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-24613937907357270952007-04-16T12:44:00.001-04:002007-04-16T13:14:16.093-04:00

I think the following two stories are related, I'm just not sure how:Story #1Last week my Mom was telling me how she and my dad went out for a fancy dinner - just the two of them. Or maybe with another couple. I don't remember. Anyway, they went out to this really nice restaurant at a Disney resort. The conversation went something like this:Me: "Where did you go out to eat last night?"Mom: "Oh.

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-46041392891335930542007-04-11T19:08:00.000-04:002007-04-11T19:15:36.263-04:00

I just sat down in a little coffee shop in downtown Asheville called the Dripolator. I just noticed a plaque on the wall that says this place was voted a "Hometown Favorite" by the listeners of a local radio station... I like it here too.I'm really here to work - get some stuff done for a new Carbonated Creative client. Hopefully I can get a decent amount done tonight - I have a meeting with him

Amynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-48114237163914857922007-04-05T12:05:00.000-04:002007-04-05T12:43:49.532-04:00

I'm trying to get in the habit of blogging more often. Maybe it will inspire me to pay more attention to the world around me... If I actually listen to people when they talk to me, maybe I'll have more to write about.Do you ever catch yourself nodding and saying, "I know, I know" when really you have no idea what the other person was just saying?Yeah, me neither. I was just wondering.On another

Amynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25812777.post-30136208740405722632007-04-03T12:46:00.000-04:002007-04-03T13:10:49.615-04:00

Yesterday my boss described someone like this: "He looks like an unmade bed."A few weeks ago I heard someone say, "I love shoes. If only I had more feet."If only I was so clever. I always end up saying dumb things like, "I love fonts. If only I had more... uh... fonts."Sometimes I call my younger cousins just to chat and catch up. They never answer the phone. Or if they do, I end up saying things

Amynoreply@blogger.com1