Back

20070519 | Waikiki | Tanning
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

I made it back. Back with a nasty airplane cold, but also back a little bit tanner. Back after meeting Jose's parents, and back as a newly turned 30-year-old.

We started in Waikiki, our spot upgraded last minute due to drainage problems, and despite the tourists and sky-high prices, I really did fall in love with Hawaii just like everyone else on the planet. Jose's fantastic friend spent some time with us and even lent us her car, so we were able to creep white-knuckled through Waikiki traffic until we broke free and headed up to the North Shore and a few places in between.

We also spent time with Jose's godchildren who are just about the cutest kids ever. Not only that, but they have the best mom ever, too. Of course we are therefore crafting a plot to trick them into moving to Seattle. So many stories, but I get sentimental thinking about them, so instead I'll just move on.

Guam was about a humid as can be. Jose's folks were equal parts pure generosity and craziness. I helped clear out their backyard from the last typhoon, winning unfathomable brownie points. This was done in 100% humidity, so I could feel every one of those points as they were being earned.

I was introduced to countless relatives and friends all of whom I've heard about before but finally the stories had faces and locations. Even though a drive around the island takes only half a day, even though we had a good amount of time at our disposal, I know there is a lot to Guam I haven't seen.

I hope to go back.

Remains of the Day

20070509 | Pepe (and Pierre)
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Our trip is fast approaching and we've got our apartment-sitters lined up. We're had our fair share of setbacks and, as a result, still have a staggering lump of last minute planning to wrap up. I'm looking forward to the sun (as we roll through another overcast day in Seattle), hiking and possibly cycling about. I can't deny my anxiety over our transportation plans and abandoning our cats for what seems like an eternity, however.

Silent Partner

2007 | Amanda's Tattoo in Paper
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Jose is sending out this construction paper mock-up of Amanda's tattoo today. I really wish I would've heard back from her about her address, although I did end up finding it after a while.

After going boxing and giving my cats a bath Saturday morning, Kerry's birthday shenanigans in Ballard Saturday evening and a bloody mary and coffee-soaked brunch Sunday morning, I was completely dried up and useless for the rest of yesterday afternoon.

Birthday Season

20070417 | Kerry's Birthday Card
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Cutting paper is messy. I'm getting a bit better about cleaning up, mostly because if you leave the tiny scraps of paper around too long, they end up migrating to hard to reach places and entangling themselves within the fibers of the couch, etc. Maybe I should move my project area from the middle of the living room to the kitchen, but who knows where the scraps would end up then.

This project was completed for my pal Kerry's 30th birthday. We had blah sushi at Sushiland, but a fine evening of wine and merriment is planned for the not too distant future.

Constructing Craft

20070331 | Maria's Birthday Card
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

The weekend before last was Maria's birthday party, and I'm always excited to embrace my crafty genes and make construction paper cards for people. Who cares if Maria isn't a 5-year-old? I'm making her an octopus playing the keyboard and that's that.

The granular, woody smell of the paper, even setting up a work station with glue, tape and scissors makes me giddy. I like to imagine my love of construction paper comes from my mom's job as a teacher's assistant back in the 90s. Maybe this explains the subconscious "mom" written in Maria's octopus bow. At first I thought I was simply pasting on her first initials, but who am I kidding?

All Cat All The Time

20070312 | Seattle, WA | Pierre
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

Unfortunately, the only way I'll probably ever write in this is if I write about my cats or post photos of my cats or at least allude to my cats in some way or form. So here it is: a picture and complementary paragraph about the two beasts who, as of now, are probably licking out the bathtub drain or at least conked out in the livingroom.

I just finished a few Nancy Drew books. I read them when I was a kid and have recently regressed, I suppose, to reading them again. And now I'm addicted. Nancy can leap over flames, endanger her friends and confront kidnappers all in the space of 10 pages. She's a pro at everything she does and puts up with her fat friend Bess. I'd hate Nancy in real life, so why can't I put down these books? I'm ankle deep in Sylvia Plath's Bell Jar now, so hopefully that'll put a bit of space between me and that meddling kid.

Otherwise...I've proudly started up boxing again and seek praise for it every chance I get. An hour of profuse sweating three times a week is reason enough for compliments, I should think.

That's it!

Under Weather

20070109 | Storm Cloud
(c) JS. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

I have a crazy cold or allergies or something. Whatever it is has terrorized me for a while and it's driving me crazy. I took a decongestant and the day off and now I'm looking outside and we even got a bit of flurries coming down. It's the end of the world.

Anyway, Jose and I are getting closer to our trip to Guam. I'm anxious about planning for the trip and all that stuff, but I can already tell the trip itself will be excellent. I'm looking forward to some heat. What I'm going to do with the cats for two weeks is still up in the air. Seeing as how they can open the shower door all by themselves, maybe I can just train them to feed and clean up after themselves?

Super Frustrations!

Vicky Pimplowski and Mandy Ann d'Andi
(c) Tricia Beigh. Originally uploaded by Three Heavens And Hells.

We're officially in the middle of our Super Females! run, and simultaneously in the middle of oh-so-many-more trials and tribulations.

Here Vicky and Mandy look amazed and awed (and slightly unshaven) at the daunting tasks ahead!