Things I learned this weekend.

Chipmunks are not birds. Nor do they migrate to Florida in the winter, either by flying themselves or by hanging on to the backs of eagles.

Wild Turkeys are quite tall.

Sometimes, being pelted by wind, snow and ice isn't a bad thing.

There are many shades of grey.

Buddhist nuns can also be rap artists.

Chocolate cake doesn't always taste like chocolate cake.

English language

Why do the words "smite" and "smitten" have opposite meanings?

Just wondering.

Agate

damn you cows and your damn cow juice.

Tom Selleck?

I had a bad dream last night that I'd like to share with you.

In my dream, one of the members of the Aquanaut Yoga Force Team was friends with Tom Selleck. So, he invited the Aquanaut Yoga Force Team to Tom's guest house. I have no idea where this house was. Tom's guest house was lovely, just lovely. My room was all white, beautifully furnished. Oh, and Tom kept photos of himself all over the house.

The dream goes downhill from there. As I'm checking out my room, I realize the the ENTIRE Aquanaut Yoga Force Team had left for a hike in the wilderness...without me. They were gone. :( So, I decided to practice some poses in my room. Unfortunately, when Tom decorated the room, he put in this really long shag carpet. So, every time I jumped back into plank, my legs got tangled up in the carpet. I was sad.

Sad kitchen appliance news.

My dear cousin, the Chocolate Prognosticator or whatever the heck her handle is, I kinda forgot, just bought an ice cream maker. I really wish she had done some shopping around. Because I found the PERFECT ice cream maker. It's a dream come true, really.

Hello.

If there is one thing you need to know about me is that I LOVE Hello Kitty. Seriously. And, I need this. This would sooo annoy people at work. But, it is sooo cool.

OK. So here's the deal...

I had a great day today. Yeah, you heard me right. You haven't heard (read) words like that from me in a long time. Here are the reasons why I had a great day:

Work was steady

I stood up for myself and held my ground

I wasn't attacked by badgers

My favorite sandwich guy was at my favorite sandwich place

I saw some really nice people today

I got totally blissed out at yoga

I am totally loving everyone today, including that mean girl from seventh grade

Everyone around me seems to be in great moods

I spoke to my long-lost cousin, my not-so-long-lost cousin and my sister today

I'm planning an urban photo shoot with two of my dear photo friends

And lastly, just to restate an important point, I wasn't attacked by badgers


OK. So, here's one little teeny eenie problem. I usually run into bad Karma when good things go too good. So, I have this teeny tiny fear that everything is going to come crashing down. I hope it doesn't.

Love,

Agate

Some photos from the yoga retreat.

Schedule

For those of you keeping up with my official schedule, here's what's going on...


For dinner these days, it's been black bean dip and breadsticks. Yes, I'm again living the life of an advertising professional. But, it's even worse today. I haven't had time for laundry, so when getting ready for work today, I was forced to wear a sports bra under my top.


So, yes, I'm a tad busy. I'll try to keep in touch as much as possible. But, it looks like until July 4th, things are going to be craaaazy. I guess, if you'd like, you could send some bean dip and breadstick recipes. Right now, I'm going with chipotle hot sauce in the dip and garlic powder on the breadsticks. Any variations?

Love,

Agate

Huh?

I was looking at some old text messages of mine. I found one that I sent to myself. Obviously a reminder of some kind. Of what, I don't recall. There were three words in this message: Zombies eat cake.

What the heck does that mean? Why would I send myself a text message saying: Zombies eat cake? It makes no sense. Do zombies eat cake? Aren't they the undead? Wouldn't the cake just fall out of their rotted heads?

Anyone?

Happy Thursday

Yes, I am happy today. I took a surprise vacation day. It was lovely not to be at work. Yes, there was one drawback of being home. The annoying accident that befell me due slipping on a patch of mayonaise. Yes, only I would drop some mayonaise on the floor and slip in it. Yes, I'm fine. Yes, my elbow which I fell onto is fine. Sore but fine. Even though I have an aching elbow (yes, BC, it's the one I already broke once), I still am happier than being at work. I have spent the day working on photos. Reading (not scanning as usual) the newspaper, and just breathing. But, I guess my question to you Willow is if I know my arm isn't broke, as I can put weight on it and move it, and it just hurts, is there any reason for an x-ray?

agate

It's National Scurvy Awareness Day

Passover is officially over...

now that I ate the last of my mother's homemade chocolate-covered macaroons. MMMMMM. I miss them already.

My weekend

After a week from hell, I finally had some respite. My weekend was wonderful. I only did three things: Temple, visited with my sister, and yoga. But these three things brought calmness and relaxation to my life. It felt very healthy. Plus, I ate a gizillion macaroons! So, all is well.

Love,

Agate

p.s. I spoke to a dear friend on the phone as well this weekend and her advice was very welcome and calming as well.

Buses

Ok, dear reader,

I know, I know, I've been complaining a lot lately, but all I can say is that I guess this is the outlet I feel comfortable with to get things off my chest. So, here's one more...

It's a beautiful afternoon. It is definitely spring out. But, am I outside? Am I enjoying the spring Am I worshipping nature?

No. I am reeling from being thrown under the bus. In a series of e-mails between someone who is not you dear reader, I can assure you, I discovered I was thrown under the bus. One of those big double-decker tourist buses. And I just discovered who it was who threw me under said bus. I had thought that person was a nice person, but obviously not.

It's just an awesome afternoon! It's all puppies and rainbows here in Agatestone land.


I need a nap.

see post below

Dear Reader, I've decided to forego life as a mime and will continue on the yogic path. I don't know what I was thinking!

Some of this may be true...sorta.

So,

I know this will come as a shock to you dear reader, but I've decided to forego my plans of becoming a yoga teacher. Yes, I know I only have one class left. But, after much soul searching, it's time I decided to follow my heart. And my heart dear reader, does not sing the joyfull tune of yoga, but the melodic melody of mime. French street mime to be exact. My classes start next week. It's a 14-week course, and for the final exam, I must travel to an urban area and mime on a street corner. I will only pass the course if I garner at least $100 in donations. Any less, and I will become a mime-school flunky. I know, I know dear reader, you may think me odd. But, I can't help what I feel. Mime is my heart. Mime is my soul. I just never realized it until now. In fact, I was thrown out of sushi restaurant tonight. All for my craft. Yes, I was vigorously miming, but, of course, as it was miming, I was very quiet and surely not distracting anyone. Nevertheless, the head sushi chef himself came out from behind his sushi enclave and asked me to leave. It was mimism, pure mimism, dear reader. Well, I left. But I left a stronger person, dear reader. No one, not even you can dissuade me from my dream.

Love,

Agate

(Obviously, the miming isn't true. The getting kicked out of the sushi place is kinda sorta true)

Please, please forgive me.

Dear, dear reader,

I humbly apologize for all of the complaints I have subjected you to for the past few weeks, either via this blog, on the telephone, by IM or in person. I am in a complaining mood lately. But, it is friday, and today, I will not complain to you. Or at least not complain too much. Here are some good things.

1) Yes, we have three inches of snow out there, but at least it is white and fluffy.

2) I'm having vegan pizza tomorrow night. Yay no cheese!

3) Work doesn't suck today.

4) My office isn't infested with badgers.

5) I don't have to hem the new yoga pants I recently purchased.

6) My socks match...today.

7) The smoothie place is selling HUGE cookies today.

8) I'm reading a book on how to heal the world. I'll let you know what I come up with.

9) I'm seeing Elvis Costello in July.

10) The world is filled with beautiful art and music.

Well, that's 10 things. I know there are other good things to talk about, like that even though we have 3 inches of snow on the ground, it smells like spring. If I can think of anything else, I'll update this list. In the meantime, have a great weekend.

Agate

I scream.

Isn't ice cream the perfect drug to combat the nautical disasters in life? I had some soy ice cream the other night that was wonderful. Fluffy and ice creamy. I may go pick some up from the store and make that my drug of choice in these trying times of bad gallbladders (not mine), work horrors (yes, mine), not enough time in the days, manditory overtime combined with lack of time to eat (it's a wonder my fingernails haven't fallen off yet, the way I'm eating).

nautical disaster

Life is such a disaster right now that I had to take desperate measures: I'm sitting on the floor, listening to a Bollywood remix and eating ice cream.