Strange things afoot, happy puzzling things, and not so nice things

Not sure if I mentioned this before, but our friend Rachel watched a disturbing documentary called What the Health on Netflix here at our house. One could claim it a documentary that totes the vegan agenda, but I'm not so sure, not when I've had a previous doctor talk about a couple of the things that were mentioned in the film. The film mostly talks about how meat and dairy affect our bodies and what happens when you stop eating those things. Yesterday, we watched a supporting film at her house called Vegucation, and that one you kind of need to be prepared for or skip some of the farm scenes because it is graphic. The vicious animal abuse the food industry gets away with is criminal. I've been to a farm many times growing up and I know it is possible to treat animals with respect and kindness, even if they are being raised for sustenance, so I was a bit shocked by just how horrible animals are being treated in the big industry farms. This film deals with the meat and dairy industry primarily. Since Amanda and I both love animals and have both been vegetarian in our younger years,  we decided become so again. Amanda wants to push toward being a vegan but I'm not quite there. I could give up milk just fine, its the butter and cheese I'm worried about. We are going to try a few substitutes though. 

While out to dinner with Amanda's cousin from Seattle and his family, he asked about when we are going to be in Seattle for our honeymoon in October. We didn't know exact dates just yet because we are still trying to finalize what all we are going to do, but we gave him a rough estimate. He said as soon as we know, let him know and where we would like to stay because he and his wife want to cover our hotel stay. I was shocked. I wanted to cry. I'm not used to people outside of my family doing such tremendous things for me or us and when they do I always wonder why. A couple of friends let us stay with them when Amanda was starting to work at the paper just until we could get into an apartment. They helped us move our furniture even. But its not just these big things, its the little things too. I don't know how I'm going to repay these wonderful people. 

In other news, my therapist stumbled on a place in town called Fat Girl Yoga and thought of me. The first class is free so she wanted to know if I would try it. I went to the website and looked at it and signed up for the first class. I also got Amanda signed up and showed my friend Chris and my friend Rachel. They are signed up too. I figure, heck yeah, I'll do it. Chris and I have been wanting to get Yoga started together for awhile, this just might jump start us. Also, I can ask some questions and see about what not to do in regards to my back. 

Lastly, another group of kids have been on our patio, this time to play with some of our stuff. Since we've already had a pumpkin stolen (which was why we decided not to plant them this year), we aren't going to put up with that crap. I scared the little brat who was trying to make off with our watering can and glared at her older sister who was heading over with some attitude. She shut her mouth quick and pulled her sister away. Definitely going to speak to the office about this. None of these kids have boundaries and none of the parents around here seem to care. My parents would have kicked my ass for this crap when I was growing up and no because they were strict, but for respect for others and their property. 

One final note, for my American friends, I hope you all had a happy and safe 4th of July! We ended the day by driving up a mountain high enough that we could see the fireworks from downtown Spokane and the ones in Airway Heights. Two shows plus what everyone else was shooting off for nothing. Then we sat in the dark to admire the twinkling lights of the city and the stars. The moon was so bright! It was awesome!     

Update on the bucket list, Happy 4th, and today is a no pants no bra day

Happy Independence day to my American friends and Happy 4th to my international friends just because.

Today, I finally got that stupid paper finished. It's several hours late but I don't care. I find myself seriously bothered by the fact that I don't care and I think I am just ready to be done with school for awhile. Grad school is just going to have to wait for a bit, perhaps even longer than I intended for it t. I need some time. That being said, while I did look at my assignments this week, I am going to shut the computer down for a bit today and just sit pantless and braless, on the sofa. I might nap, I might read, I might watch anime or a movie, I might just sit and stare out the patio window while the birds and other various life forms run, hop, or fly around. I refuse to clean or do laundry or any more homework. 

I just need to relax for a bit. I over did it last weekend, week, and even this latest weekend and am truly and wholly paying for it. I'm even starting to get a little sick. 

My horrible aunt called me twice last week. I didn't answer because I didn't recognize either phone number from which she was calling. The 1st call was to tell me that she was in the hospital and was being treated for a blood clot in her lungs and that she'd been trying to get a hold of my mother for the last couple of days. Well, whether or not that was true, I wasn't up to playing her game, so I didn't return her call. I did, however, call my Dad and let him know so he could pass the message along to my Mom. Two days later, my aunt called again and left quite a long message stating that rehab couldn't give her what she needed, that she couldn't deal with my Mom, and that she wanted my Dad to give her injections. Also, and here is the best part, she didn't know what I had heard but that she has and will always love me and Amanda. That was when I deleted her message. I'm sorry, you don't get to tell your daughter that her best friend deserves AIDS because he is gay and then turn around and tell me, your niece, that you love me and my girlfriend when we live the same life style. Also, I've had it with how abominably she treats her daughter and my parents, especially my Mother. Actions have consequences bitch, it is time someone said enough is enough. I love my aunt and always will and it was really hard to cut her off, especially how family centered I am. However, I don't have to and refuse to put up with her shit anymore. Thankfully the people I care most about back home are finally starting to shut her out as well. 

Moving on to fun, happy stuff. I have an update to my Summer/Fall 2016 Bucket list.

1.Try Das Stein Haus I previously wrote about this, it was delicious. If anyone is ever on the North side of Spokane Wa, look up Das Stein Haus for authentic German food, you won't be disapointed. 

2.Silverwood with Amanda's Mom. Silverwood is always fun, lots of walking, but worth it. There's tons to see and do.

3.Stargazing (I actually want to do more and am going to break out my telescope one of these day)

4.Make Soap

I made soap. I will take it from the container today, cut it, and set it someplace safe to cure for the next 4-6 weeks. I really had fun doing it and would love to make some again, but I need to get some supplies of my own. Even though my friend was amazing and let me use a lot of her stuff, the next time I make soap, I want to use my own so I am not using up hers. This stuff is kind of expensive. 

5.See Lord Chaddum at Le Chateu Galunt on July 3rd (game) It was a good game. I had a lot of fun and my character drop kicked sulfur into a bunch of zombies and killed three. YAY! We are also looking at an online gig to play on for when we can't get together but can play for just an hour or so in our own respective homes. 

6. Get into the SCA (already started doing that- still a work in progress. However I do know that I am going to run two personas, one will be Viking- not sure which time period yet- and the other will be Chinese from around the 400s-600s, big time gap I know but I am narrowing it down. 

It occurs to me that a lot what is on my Summer/Fall 2016 Bucket List is geared more for the Fall months. So, I have been thinking about what else I can do during the summer, today. I may add more to my list and I may move some things, like some of my craft projects from the fall months into the summer months so they are ready for fall. I like this momentum I have and would very much like to keep it going. 

Might be a long night...

This is me, Skoora.

I took my girlfriend, Skoora, to the airport tonight so she could fly out to Boston for her MFA residency. she'll only be gone for two weeks but that's two whole weeks that she's there and not here, with me. Last time she went to one of these I flew home to visit my family and some friends back in Kansas. It was different. But, I am very happy she is in this program and that she has the opportunity to do this. I already miss her.

I won't be staying home with her parents the entire time that she's gone. Nope, I am going to visit a friend in another town for a few days and will be bringing her back to my house, where she in turn will spend a few days. Our plans are to discuss Neo-pagan topics (there are some things I need to read before I leave), explore the area she lives so I can get some pictures and she can get out of the house (as long as my back holds out), and she's going to teach me to crochet. Which reminds me, I thought of an idea for a quilt.

I haven't decided exactly what I plan to do for the 4th of July. If my friend stays until then, I thought I would see about watching the city's fireworks show. I know I am invited to Skoora's aunt's house for swimming, games, and a cook out. Whether or not my friend stays or goes home by then, I will at least attend for a little bit. Then of course, I need to get online and play Guild Wars with my Dad.

Oh speaking of my Dad, he got his first tattoo! He hates needles so I am proud that he stuck it out. His tattoo is the snake from the Gadsden flag. I wonder if my Mom will get a tattoo now? I have two and hope to one day get something on my back, between my shoulder blades, something pagan, but what, I haven't decided. I have to keep in mind cost, time in the tattoo chair, if I will have to have more than one appointment, ect...

As of right now, I'm kind of tired, but I don't know if that will be the case once I lay down to sleep. I have decided that I will keep the TV on tonight, for noise. It's going to be so weird to sleep in our bed without Skoora, at least here. However, I will have the kitties, and if I can't sleep, I will read.