Mimi and Pictures

Mimi, click HERE to get to my photos.

And everyone else, too.

New! (But not quite yet.)

Just got the domain katespace.net

Will have the new site up asap!

Featuring: Photos, Links, Cycling stuff, my recent works and publications, and exciting additions that will BLOW YOUR MIND!

But for now, Blogger will have to do.

'Yesterday's Post' or 'Stupid Blogger'

It feels so weird to settle in as an adult. An AAAAdult, as folks make fun of the way I talk, errr, speak.

I have a job, a place of my own, my own car for the first time in my entire life, I pay my bills (like I hadn't already, but bear with me), who would have thought I'd be on the ball like this?

Aaron is too. He got a call from SAIC today from one of their DC offices. Yay! Aaron!
Look at us, all grown up:

But we can still be goof-balls when we want to.

Exactly...

...what we need.

Things to do! (Or things we did.)

Between yesterday and today, the lost bird was a barrel of fun for Aaron, as you can see in these pics:



Its owner picked it up this evening.

We also went to Burke Lake today to enjoy the weather.



And this is a really cute pic of Aaron and his cat, Missy.

Jason, Birds, and Virgins

This weekend is my friend Jason's last in town for a while. He leaves for graduate school in Rochester, New York later this week.

Jason and Theresa!

Aaron has a new pet. Actually, the pigeon had been roaming around in his front yard and when we got home it was sleeping under my car. We brought it inside and called the number on its ankle band.

It's a cool pet, nonetheless.

And, if you haven't seen The 40 Year-Old Virgin yet, it's totally worth it. I don't think there was more than five minutes without laughter. I almost peed my pants at the end. Cos that's what I do, pee. It's cool, I promise.

Fixed. I hope.

Aaron and I went into my blogger account and removed all the spam comments. We (by we, I mean Aaron) added a word verifier to the comments page to keep spam-bots out. So, hopefully, from here on we won't have any problems.

And please keep things clean. My family reads this.

Artistic Expression, Kate Style.

I needed a hobby, but today, sitting at my desk, in my spacious but barren cube, I realize that "Colouring by Numbers with Pencil Crayons" never turn out the way they look on the picture. I saw the landscape, full of English wildlife (as the company that told me that I could "create this masterpiece with (above stated) coloured pencils" is based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England) and there are no species of mammal native solely to North America (like the raccoon).

There's a red fox, a quail, badger, red squirrel, an owl, a mouse (which may rightly be a rat due to its tail's prehensile nature), and birds, birds, birds collaged together to make quite a nice medley of wild species. I only need a toad to complete the casting call for A Wind in the Willows. And yet I look at the "main illustration on [the] sleeve," used, as the instructions said, "as [my] guide." And I'm disappointed in my efforts as an artist.

The shading and depth of my version of "Country Life" doesn't quite match that of the "guide." I coloured (for purposes of this post, I will use the English spelling, as I was trying to complete an English-produced piece of art) by number: my 8's matched my 8's, 3's went in to fill 3's. But maybe I was mistaken in the way I shaded the areas labeled (I'll use algebra to explain) x/y-- where x and y are two different colours. My balance did not match that of the guide. I assume x is applied first and y second, but somehow my pencil pressure did not match the colour shown in the guide. The next section I applied y first and x second, but the density of the colours which I applied with such dedication and what I thought was skill ended up looking like smashed cantaloupe on a bed of green olives. And this was supposed to be my regal fox, surrounded by his minions (that I have now imagined him to eat in a Wild America-esque fashion).

Except the badger, of course, because he's badass.

I read and re-read the section on "Density of Colour," trying to figure out why I can't "attain different shades of colour by applying greater or less pressure with [my] coloured pencils." Or how I can't "lighten a dark colour with the use of [my] soft kneadable eraser."

And then I realize that I'm not an artist. I never have been. Sure, I appreciate art in all of its forms: I take photographs, I played the piano, I visit museums. I visit museums. I don't actively draw or sketch-- although I doodle a hell of a lot (notice almost always straight lines).

I give you tenth grade:

I wanted to give my friend James a graduation gift. I got it in my head that a painting (by me, of course) would be the coolest high school graduation gift ever and he would hang it in his dorm room and it would be the palate for which he based his desk accessory and bed-sheet colours. A brash mix of a water-colour ocean and beach and a tempra lighthouse on a cliff complete with tufts of beach flowers and wild grasses and stepping stones matted and wrapped and given to James the last day I saw him.

An 8 x 10 piece of shit.

My name is Katherine L. Ray, I'm 22 years old and I cannot draw, paint, colour, shade, or bullshit art. Even by numbers.

Cheer Up.

via Aaron.

Last Friday

Last Friday I had a great evening with my dad. He came over to the apartment after he got off work and we installed my new(ish) kitchen table. Afterwards we went to Ireland's Four Provinces for a great dinner- I swear it was better than all those B&B and country inn dinners we had with Dad's old company.

Pictures that include the new table are found on my Flickr account.

Links

Our beloved professor, Scott Berg, on The Happy Booker as a guest blogger: "If I Only had an 8-Track"

The Happy Booker is run by Mason Alum Wendi Kaufman. She writes free-lance for The Washington Post and other publications. She visited the class I had with Chris Thaiss.

If you haven't already, check out today's McSweeney's. My favorite round of dispatches are available here. I'm working on my own; stay tuned.

My "told you so" moment. Yes, portions of The Outsiders, Francis Ford Copolla's adaptation of the S.E. Hinton novel, were filmed in my hometown of Owasso, Oklahoma. The football stadium is still there and used by the middle school and ninth grade football and soccer teams.

Interesting paper/article/editorial on the state of NASA and the space program. Care of Kottke.

And, if you don't quite know where you stand politically, this may help.

Tyson's and DC

Today was fun and eventful. My oldest brother, Phillip, spent Satuday night over at my place. We were supposed to wake up early and go for a bike ride, but we kinda slept in. We went to Tyson's instead because his iPod mini wasn't working. The folks at the Apple Store fixed it and we were on our way. I needed some casual shirts for work (and play) so we went to H&M and to the GAP where I bought some jeans. I knew I was losing weight, but I didn't know that I actually lost so much that I was back to my normal size! I'm back to a size 8 (comfortably, no sucking in!). We bumped into Jason and Theresa while we were at the GAP, they were shopping around for a hostess gift, but got a tad side-tracked.

While we were heading back to the car, BR called me and invited me to see The Edukators with he and Travis. They got to my place at the same time I got back from the mall. I actually think that they followed me home (they were on rte. 7, too). We picked up the West Falls Church Metro and saw the movie at the E Street Cinema on 12th Street. It was a good film, German, which I don't know very much of, but good none the less. I recommend checking it out when it comes out on DVD.

We walked around the National Mall the rest of the evening. We walked up Capitol Hill and around the National Museum of the American Indian (which I haven't been to, but would love to go! Hint! Hint!









It was a hot and hazy afternoon, but that's typical of Washington in August.

We picked up the Metro at Capitol South and stopped at Wendy's for some supper when we got back. I just wanted a chicken sandwich and my salad, but when it came to drinking my HiC, Mr. Mohamed (the owner/manager, for that is what his name-tag said) didn't put the top on all the way. It looked like I had peed my pants. Granted, peeing your pants is cool-- but not when it's HiC and at the Wendy's. Glad everyone got a kick out of it.

Kate is Back!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have an announcement: After struggling for the most part of a year, I find that I once again fit into single-digit blue jeans.

I'm back to my hot hot hot size 8. I totally rock.

Yay for eating right and cycling!

Carolyn and Razieh's

Last night I went over to Carolyn and Razieh's apartment. I hadn't seen them in about a year (I know, bad me!) I didn't know very many of the people there, but catching up with the girls was fun. Razieh is starting grad school this fall and moving home (saves money) and Carolyn is moving to London.



Everyone gathering around the beautiful hookah. I, for once, did not partake. The double-apple smelled so good though. More photos from the party:


Ah, Razieh.


Edward and Razieh. Razieh had something with pinching people that night.

OK, I can't quite get the pics to work. I'm using Flickr now, and I'm not sure how to link the images. Give me a little time, I'll figure it out. I hope. My Flickr account is available at Potage32.

Having an O.K. Day

It's Friday. Again. Work is going all right. We have a deadline coming up, so things have been a little hectic. I have some down-time since my assignments are in my editor's hands-- we have an editor for the editors.

The job is going pretty well. I've gotten used to the routine a bit and the software is pretty easy to understand and use. I was talking to my supervisors about graduate school. They suggested I get my M.B.A. It's feasible; the company would pay for most of it, but it would be concentrated in something like Information Systems or Security.

It's kinda weird to think that all of this computer stuff I took up as only a hobby may turn into my career. It's great that people, I guess, see this potential in me to suggest school and the sort, but I really want to write. I'm taking another look at that piece I did on circumcision last year. I read it now and want to change it all up and move parts, pieces, the like. Sometimes I just want to hold down the delete key. I do the same thing with my Tulsa piece. I'll find an audience. Soon, I hope.

My dad's coming over to the apartment today after he gets off work. We're finally going to install that table in the kitchen. I told him I'd take him out to eat. I haven't seen Dad in two weeks and we haven't had any father-daughter time in FOREVER. Afterwards I head to Razieh and Caro's for their "Farewell to Our Apartment" party. Should be fun times. I just need to remember to get my DVD remote back from Carolyn. She's kept it for me for over a year!

Music

What I'm listening to:

Riding

Today I went on my first 20-mile ride. It was great! I left the apartment around 4:45 or so, and rode up to the trail. I started roughly at mile marker 5.5 on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and I turned around at marker 15.5 (just before Reston) to come back. I almost thought I couldn't do it and I got a little nervous because I didn't know quite where I was (I had to call Mallory to ask).

I knew I really wanted to push myself today, and I think I did. The trail was great, the people riding on it are really courteous, and the weather was hot, but not too hot. And I sweated. A lot. I was soaked by the time I got home, hair and all. It only took me 35 minutes to ride the ten miles out, but almost an hour on the way back. I took it a little slower. I loved the ride and I could really push myself cos I could see the distances, count the miles, and try to basically out-do myself. I want to train so that I can maybe do a race by next summer.

And to make this night complete, I get home, shower, eat a good, healthy dinner, and guess what's on the TV?

Not one of my favorite movies about biking? Breaking Away is on! (I have LOVED this movie since I saw it for the first time in eighth grade!)

"And if I die / Won't you bury me / in the parking lot / of the A&P." Dennis Quaid (I think this may have been his first movie) sings this at the beginning of the movie when they're all at the quarry. I really do love this film.

Afternoon

Obviously not yet, but the afternoon is only 35 minutes away. Sooner by the time I'm done with this post.

Work is going well. Everyday I learn to do something new. I would say "new and exciting," but that would be lying.

The weather is looking pretty good at the moment, but we're supposed to get storms this afternoon. I'm going out on the trail for some riding as soon as I get off work and as long as there isn't any lightning.

So, in other words, see you on the W&OD this evening!

-----

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Doober, himself. My brother Danny turned 16 today!

Shout Out to the Newly-Weds

I'd like to congratulate from the bottom of my heart:



Nancy and Garrett are two of my closest friends from Tulane. They got married the day after all of us graduated! I wish you the best at Ft. Knox! (That hasn't changed, has it? Please let me know!)



Chris was another friend from Tulane. He married his Christina, who I met while I was still at school down south.



And then there's my good pal, Terry. He and I were really tight in high school, and really the only person I've regularly kept in touch with. I wish you and Lauren the best in life!

In the Meantime...

I've been catching up on some reading this week. Yes, I know it's only Monday. To get back into the swing of fiction, I've become totally engrossed in the rockin' book The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. One of the funnest reads. Is funnest a real word? I recommend it to everyone.




And just for fun, I bought the new Hot Hot Heat album from iTunes.

Sunday?

Is it really Sunday already? 4:51 p.m. on Sunday afternoon means I have five hours, roughly, to complete all weekend activities.

As many of these log entries begin with tales of my excellent adventures, I think this one will be a bit different. I beg you, my reader, to ponder this marvel that I have now discovered: the 401k.

The 401k is, as many assume, the magic entity that allows future employees of corporations, conglomerates, lemonade stands, etc. that exciting push and/or bribe into their clutches. These companies offer a good base salary and benefits, but the magic word is 401k. Not 401g, h, or i, but article 401, paragraph k. Do I know exactly what it is? Will this make my retirement (a whole 45 years from now) that much better than it would be if I just filled my piggy bank? I'm not too sure, but I have the paperwork right here.

And now I don't know what to do.

~

On another note: My weekend was entertaining to say the least. Friday night I visited Bennett at his apartment before heading over to Mary, Sarah, and Wendy's for their housewarming party. Bennett and I sat on his back porch shooting the breeze and watching the lightning roll in. It was a beautiful evening, not too hot and the breeze was just right. I headed out just before the storm rolled in and met Christine and Jason at the Safeway so I could follow them into the apartment complex without getting lost.

Wendy, Mary, and Sarah hosted a great party. Everyone there spent the night, and the evening/early morning activities included every normal drinking fare and jumping the fence to get into the apartment complex's pool at 4 in the a.m. I jumped the fence (after some coaxing from Steve, the solo male of the group), but did not partake in the swimming for I am but a lowly chicken. And Jason and Theresa are WONDERFUL.

Saturday night, although fun, was not as eventful, or embarrassing, as Friday night. Carl, Curtis, Joey P. , and Joe H. came over to finish my case of beer in the fridge. We played Trivial Pursuit for five hours. It was fun times, and I should have some pictures up sometime in the future as I took them with my Rebel and not a digital camera. Kudos to Curtis and Carl for winning. And Pikachu, only because he's not the Road Runner.

My parents are supposed to be coming over this evening, or at least they said they would. They went into Washington today with James and Danny. Danny, the baby brother, is turning 16 on Wednesday. Holy Cow.

Ah, the Weekend.

I can actually say, "thank God it's Friday." Feels good, too. This week was interesting to say the least at work. I like my coworkers and my office, it's just that sometimes there's not very much work, so, like when I worked at the library, I spend a lot of time twiddling my thumbs and waiting for work to come in. It's funny because this is exactly what my Dad's going through at his job. I'm not saying that I don't like the job, and I know that when books and tasks come in that it can be stressful, I just kinda wish I didn't have to wait for it.

Last weekend I had a housewarming party to get my apartment used to having people in it. It was a definite success! Everyone brought beer to share and now my fridge is chock full. *Note* Housewarming Part Deux: Drink Kate's Beer is tomorrow night, feel free to drop by.



Bennett and BR



Although sitting in the same chairs as Bennett and BR, they seem to be having a better time.

A GREAT time was had by all. Next time: Bowling.