Well poey!

I really hate that my laptop screen decided to stop working. It's putting a damper in me getting this blog accomplished. It's been over a month!! I might as well start making a list of charities I am going to donate to for items not completed.

This past weekend I drove out to Dodge City, KS to see my nomadic friend, Sarah. Had a great time. Saw some beautiful scenery. Learned some history about KS. And found out why people got the hell out of Dodge....

IT STINKS!!!!

Behind me are just a few of the feedlots. There are more cows than humans in Dodge thanks to these industrial feedlots. Actually, there are more cows in Dodge than humans in the whole state of Kansas! But, like I said, I had a great time. It helps that Sarah has a major travel addiction which has given her the ability to be a good tour guide. We went to the Boothill Museum, a replica of what Dodge would have looked like back when it was "the wickedest little town in the west". Watched a shootout. Found out thanks to an ignorant little shithead that "Indians" were the first drug addicts. Normally I'd say something to point out the stupidity of such a racist argument but there were a lot of Nascar shirts. And those people scare me. (I guess that was a bit of a racist comment in itself). I settled on giving the child's father one of my famous evil looks that quickly stopped him from egging on his child. Ah....Kansas!

We also got to see some ruts from the Santa Fe trail. Once I figured out what I was looking for it was pretty awesome. Whenever I drive through Kansas I always have to wonder how it must have been for the settlers. And how similar some of the landscape is to this day. Below is a picture of the ruts. Ok, well, you can't really see them. I guess you'll just have to go to Dodge to see it for yourself.

They're to the right in the picture towards the top of the prairie. They kind of look like waves.

Saturday night we trekked over to Greensburg. I have the utmost respect and admiration for the people of that town. It's been two years and it still looks devastated to a degree. We went to see a Celtic guitarist play at their new arts center. It is the only LEED certified building in Kansas. It looks out of place but it's awesome. And the people we talked to from there were all nice and open about their experience. Words really cannot express what it felt like being there.

Oh, and on my way to Dodge I stopped at Oz Winery in Wamego, KS. They have some gooooood wine. Well, the three I tried were good. They were out of a lot of their varieties. I guess I'll have to go back. Wendy, add it to your list. More and more wineries are popping up within an hour of the metro. So I think I'll be able to cross that one off soon.

Well, I guess that's it. Oh, I'm going to dye my hair blonde here soon thanks to my cousin Kelly. I'll be able to cross that one off my list. Yay!

Brain Fart

I got an artist's journal today. On clearance. I'm cheap. I thought of making one to make it even more "creative" but it would've cost more money. I think I have artist's block. More like artist's coma. My creativity is alive somewhere in the recesses of my mind and surface briefly here an there. A little movement to give hope. But when I go to interact with it, it lies still and motionless. I need to revisit my list. I'm starting to forget what I'm supposed to be doing...

When will the rain end?!

Getting closer to getting rid of all non-organic cleaning agents. Thanks to my boss at the farm I now know a recipe for an all purpose cleaner that will be waaay cheaper than buying any from the store. I've also been reading some books that have some recipes for other types of cleaners. Have nothing else to say. I have very little energy to put towards knocking a few off the list. Did have the desire to do a painting the other day. Unfortunately I was not home and by the time I got home I was pooped. And all this rain doesn't help. I just want to sleep or read. Tomorrow is First Friday. A friend from high school has an opening that we are going to. Perhaps we should have dinner at YJ's or another place that was listed on Diners, Drive Ins & Dives... That way I can feel I accomplished something.

Ichi, Ni...Perhaps 3?

Went to Stix in the Legends Friday for a friend's birthday. It's an Asian/ Hibachi style restaurant where they grill your food in front of you. Not a great place for someone with a shellfish allergy. The chef tosses a small piece of shrimp to each person and they try to catch it in their mouths. I got to sit out that round. Yay allergies! But I had a good time. One ethnic restaurant closer to completing # whatever that was. Debate: Jazz Cajun restaurant. Does that count as ethnic? Somebody (not you Eric) let me know what you think. I'd like to give a shout out to my Aunt Bea! Hollaaaa!

Massacre of the Bunnies

Dang it. I never keep up with anything. If I make two postings in a week and skip one week could that still count? I mean, what if nothing happens in a week? Like this week. I didn't accomplish jack. I was going to try to participate in an Easter egg hunt but my sister wouldn't let me wake up my niece. I didn't want to ruin the other kids' fun. Although one of my young cousins is taller than me now, at age 12. I hate being short. So, I have two more chances of doing an Easter egg hunt or else we're doing one on Thanksgiving 2011. Which is probably what will happen. Massacre of the bunnies, you ask? Do you really want to know? Job hazard. Big dog. Little bunny. Two cats. Yummy bunny. Squeak, squeak. Not the best day on the job. But I guess they won't be eating the cabbage. OH! Yes! I did get closer to crossing off #60: 5 ethnic restaurants... German. The Rhineland Restaurant in Independence. "Es war gut." (It was good). AND I'm still working on #71: Finish Pimsleur's German lesson. The food is really good there. Definitely try it out!

Finally...

I get to cross something off my list. #33: Plant a tree. I actually planted about 12. Pears & apples. Yay. I also planted some grapevines. Catawba. A grape that makes some great wine. Yum. I can't wait until I get to eat fresh fruits & veggies. I also decided how I am going to amend #88: Open Roth IRA... It will now be to detox the house and (almost all) toiletries. I say almost all because, unless you have used natural/ organic deodorant then you just don't know. Sorry Tom's. I'm not the only one. I might give Nature's Gate a chance, but definitely wait until after the farming job is over. I can just imagine trying to drive home in August after working 9 hours in the heat & humidity. It's a long drive home. I'd probably suffocate myself and cause a 10 car pile up on I-35. Once again, I am doing the world a favor by continuing to use Dove. I'll take that nomination for a noble prize, please & thank you.

Roth IRA

One of my "to do" is to open a Roth IRA and make 6 contributions per year. I spoke with someone at my bank yesterday. You have to have $1000 to open one. By the time I have $1000 it will be when the 1001 days are over. I need to ammend this number unfortunately. I don't know what to change it to. Any ideas?