Start of 10 Things I don't like.

There are things that I don't like. Of course, there are more than 10, but I have to prioritize. This list is not going to be the "Top 10" because they are in no particular order. My level of dislike for things that make the list is subject to change. And, as I am perpetually stubborn, things will likely not be dropped from the list. This whole thing is an opportunity for me to rant....I enjoy ranting. :) 

Holy shit. Finally a vacation post!

The short version: I went to Europe. I had a good time. I took pictures. Go here to see them: http://grumpledumps.photoshop.com

A better version:

Some say that if one is in love, the object of their affection crosses their mind first thing in the morning and last thing before sleep. Well, that settles it. I am in love with the Alps. It seems mundane to merely recite all the places I went and all the things I saw because it was more a matter of "something coming over me" than  just visuals. I will say that Switzerland, Liechtenstein (sweet little Liechtenstein), and Austria are some of the most beautiful places I have have experienced. I experienced culture shock and jet lag (jet lag being worst of the two). I won't even get into the whole experience with the doctor with the fluffy hair (that might be another post!). 

The historical sites are absolutely breathtaking, but little things are what did it for me. I loved small markets packed with fresh food and no need for organic because nothing was a cocktail of fake sugar and transfats anyways. I loved the cheese. I loved how there was entire aisles full of chocolate, but only a few choices of cereal. I loved kasekreiner in the middle of the night from a street vendor. I loved cobbled streets. I loved small towns and random castles. I loved the trains. I loved the ease in which I found goods not made in China. I loved the little Viennese cafes and people watching. I loved feeling safe in a big city (Vienna). I loved the attitude of both working and playing hard.  I loved that everything was cheaper than it is in Juneau, Alaska. 

The best thing about the trip was being able to take time off and do some "nothing" in such a splendid place. I am a person who doesn't always know how to relax or stop and just enjoy the moment. I am constantly filling up all of my time (work, climbing, skiing, yoga, running, court sports, JMR, keeping up with soccer games, book club, creative writing club, studying for GREs, brushing up on Spanish, trying to learn German, oh, and friends (who help me take time out for beer and the like)). For the first time in ages, I was able to just chill out and not worry about filling every moment with something productive  And really, taking a train through the Austrian countryside is the perfect way to enjoy the moment. Indeed, most of the time, I was so captivated, that I forgot about my camera (sorry to all those who wanted to see tons of photos).  I spent my last moments in the airport in Zurich staring out onto the airstrip. I wondered what exactly would happen if I just never went home?

I hope to return as soon as possible....for as long as possible. 

Creative Writing Club

I have three months of posts to make soon. I have been an absolute lazy slacker not posting the writing club stories.......

Haiku: Theme undecided

I am still catching up - then I will have regular entries and themes. These are the ones in the beginning which only used the word of the day, but was without theme.

Word: Noctilucent 

By Debbie

Noctilicent white

Into the night my crane flies

Silent drifting down

By Sarah

Head craned out window

Rain drowns me in chilled silence 

Cold keeps me awake

(I was being a smartass using the word "crane")

Noctilucent eyes

Penetrating kiss

Only for tonight

Bonus because I was, at the time, feeling poetic....

Hard saying goodbye

Shall we ever meet again?

Your scent fades from me

Damned the heart and mind

Catharsis lost on Sarah

Attachments cause grief

Response by Debbie:

If ever alone

Let my heart be ripped away

Allow me solitude

Response to Debbie by Sarah

Solitude in twos

Lonely twin souls shall comfort

Spared of lonely night?

We were a couple of cheerful women that day.....

Haiku Theme? None.

These were the haikus which came first. We decided to have themes just to reel ourselves in a bit :)

Shit! Must go to work

I will continue this soon

More haikus to come!

Seriously folks, it is time for work....lost track of time.

Haiku Theme: Animals

Word: salubrious 

Salubrious grass

Breakfasting hedgehog delights

Run Fast! Lawnmower!

Contributed by Me.

Haiku

Debbie (my glorious roommate) and I have been on a haiku bender. It all started on fateful day with an emotional stream of cathartic haiku action via email. Then, they took up the our "Word of the Day" which we both get in our inbox in the morning. Following this, we began one daily haiku using the vocabulary word and our assigned theme for the week. I am going to start posting these. I know what you are thinking. This will be yet another thing online that I should be updating and don't. I didn't do a thing much during the winter (sorry, I really do ski enough for it to affect what I have time for).  Now I can make a new attempt with the haikus! I will post some or all of Debbie's as she gives me permission. There are quite a few for me to upload, so this will take a few days. :) Enjoy.