Hello Cupcake!!’s Neighborhood

"Look out, Kat's got a case of latex fever - she got bit by the latex bug!!"

I am so ballooned out!  Last week, Dan, James, and I all drove down to So. Cal to attend two balloon conferences, Diamond Jam and Balloon Camp.  We were also invited to perform for Balloon Camp, so it wasn't just a vacation - it was a working one!  (Although, I bet my work conferences are a lot more fun than most people's work conferences...!)

Our week started out with Diamond Jam - a primarily twisters conference.  This was my first twisters convention and boy - talk about being inspired!!  I was lucky enough to be able to take classes from some of the world's best twisters, including from Ed Chee, Rie Hosokai, Ori Livney, Ralph Dewey, and Robbie Furman (just to name a few!!!).  I also got to jam with some of the best, as well as make a lot of new friends! 
 

I think James made even more friends than me and Dan combined - he was such a hit among the balloon artists!  So much, in fact, that at one point, people started to ask "where is my baby?"  He tried his best to make as many appearances as possible, but unfortunately he did have to sleep, and sometimes the smoke in the casino got so bad that he had to retire to the hotel room for the evening.  I found out from Dan that sometimes he would try to caffiene himself up to stay awake.  Too bad he couldn't open the can...

Because it was my first balloon convention, I decided not to enter any major competitions just so I could see what these competitions are like.  I did, however, enter a few minor competitions, and actually won 2nd place in a Halloween twister competition, and 1st place in a 40 minute endurance competition (you have to use three of every type of balloon in the jam room, including 160s, 260s, 350s, geos, hearts, 640s..etc and create it into a wearable hat).  I think next year I'll enter into the "big boy" leagues!

I've recently been inspired to read the full Encyclopedia Britannica from A-Z.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to tell people I'm the first person in the world to have done it, though - an author by the name of A.J. Jacobs beat me to it and wrote a book about his Britannica quest already.

goods:

no appointment after work = nap during thunderstorm

baby girl laying her head on my neck to 'hug'

getting to know Stereolab

embracing euphoria

 

go to hell's:

senseless banter

the often stale environment of a classroom when the kids aren't in it and the adults congregate to talk snobby b.s.

the comment that I 'do not act 31' (maybe this should be in the goods list)

University police

 

 

 

 

Well, I'm not sure of the exact number of chapters we'd be at, if I were in fact, writing a memoir but 20 sounds about right for this stage of life. We are entering into Chapter 21. I think about T's middle school years and how quickly they came and went. Three years...

What is relevant? I did not have another child, get married or experience a death. I did fall in love, find hope in the trenches and learn the strange art of Goodbye. I met sides of myself that I did not know existed. I remember at one point, barely being able to walk at work I was so stifled with the agony of depression. It was sucking my entire being away with a power unparalleled. How did I get out of that hole? Was it Divine Intervention yet again? I cursed everything Holy during those times. Each time the cyclical thoughts of finally ending the torment would arise, a huge BUT would impede. BUT, TAY. That thought became a nuisance actually...as cold and harsh as that sounds. I just wanted more than anything, a way out, no strings attached. She was my only string and therefore, my exit was blocked. Thankfully so.

That little saying "God never gives us more than we can handle" makes me giggle. Does God think I'm a fucking Gladiator?

 

 

 

 

 

I am exhausted.  Last week, Dan, Dan's dad, James, and I all drove down to Las Vegas for two balloon conferences, Diamond Jam and Balloon Camp.  I'll write more about that later.

Because we had won two free passes into Magic Mountain, we figured this trip would be the best time to cash in on those passes - and what fun we had!  James got to experience several more "firsts" - he went on his first "roller coaster" (the Daffy Duck Tour Bus):

He went on his first Mini-Carousel:

Then he graduated to riding the "big people" carousel:

He discovered what it is like to locked behind bars (seriously locked in, at that!  Is this supposed to be a kid's ride or a punishment!??!)

And he even got to pretend he's Elmer Fudd! 

While we didn't get to ride many rides, it was a wonderful family trip that we hope to do again (maybe in 10 years or something - mom needs a buddy to ride with on Superman...if it's still there...!)

Ms. Amos nailed that on the head.

Today, I go to pick up Tay from the dreaded h.s. orientation and realize that a handful of young men in the 10th grade or so who are in their 'I'm a retarded jock" gear, think it would be cool to whistle and stare at me. Attention all mothers of puberty stricken boys: whip your son's ass into gear and teach them an ounce or two of respect. The most disgusting thing about a salivating man is when he can't swallow it and it just drips out of his gaping mouth. And, quit buying your fucking kids brand new vehicles.

I'm glad I don't teach high school, I would be inclined to slit ballsacks with a razor blade. :-)

(yeah, I'm disgusted, sorry for the rant)

 

My daughter, my baby, is starting high school Monday. Today is her orientation. My insides churn at the thought of her being anxious in the least. It feels like it was another lifetime ago when I held her incredibly tiny, 2 lb. fragile body.

She has grown into a strong young woman. She doesn't follow. Her will is iron. Her heart is still pure.

 

I will smash the fool that fucks with her in the least.

 

I can´t think about mushrooms anymore without hearing my 3 y/o little Au-Pair boy calling for "Ki-Ki-Kinoko" (kinoko means "mushroom" in Japanese). I am doomed to say "ki-ki-kinoko" for the rest of my life now, haha! 

anyway, i enjoy making these little baskets, because they are done in about an hour or two and i can use them immediately. no boring, time consuming pinning up and straightening like i have to do with doilies. God, i have so many little doilies lying around, just waiting to receive their right shape.

 I am glad, i finally found some proper use for the mushroom stamps, which i already made some while ago (about a year or two before :D )

 

 

Animal, reasons you were my favorite as a little girl: (and now)

 

you're not into conformity or shoes

you're handsome, even with a unibrow

you're an all around bad-ass

you're mysterious in your silence and adorable in your monsterous grunting

when I was little, you protected me at night. You didn't mind being the underdog with me on the bottom bunk.

I like your teeth.

 

ps: we still cuddle

 

 

 

goods:

Receiving a random, genuine compliment from a coworker.

Dimples on 2 year-old chubby cheeks

Watching my tiny student try to bite into an orange, not realizing that you have to peel it, then showing her how to peel it and witnessing the look of awe and accomplishment on her sweet face as she does it all by herself.

Oscar the Grouch singing "I LOVE TRASH" (& his worm Slimy)

Poetry that awakens me

 

annoyances:

being gawked at by several rather pathetic men at 6am while pumping gas, I wanted to run over them

perfectionists who have tunnel vision

the phrase "oh my stars!"  um. no.