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January 30, 2008

Wednesday, 1/30/08: Paperclips


Wednesday, 1/30/08: Paperclips
Originally uploaded by kayay5
So, humorous story:

My friend S's daughter, Little A, is eight. She's at that age where she's starting to not entirely trust her mom's opinion without third party collaboration. I think I mentioned having put together a toga for Little A's Greek Day on Friday. She wasn't there when we bought everything, and wasn't entirely sold on the idea when S showed her what we'd done. The following conversation took place:

A: Does Kate think this is how it's supposed to go?
S: Yes. Kate and I both think this is how it goes.
A: But does Kate think it's supposed to be like this?
S: Yes! Kate thinks it's like this, and I agree with her.
A: Okay. As long as Kate thinks this is right.

And then later, when S was trying to get her to eat Honey Nut Chex cereal:

A: I think this cereal will upset my stomach.
S: No it won't. It's just cereal.
A: I really think it will.
S: ...this is the cereal Kate has for breakfast. (She's lucky it's true.)
A: She does? Well, if Kate likes it, maybe my stomach will be okay.

Bwahaha! I just hope S doesn't try to pawn off every idea A dislikes on me! But I think it's awfully adorable that she values my opinion so highly. *g*

Going back to the toga thing, A insists that I come over to help them put the final touches on the costume. She doesn't trust her mom to "do it right". We'd made plans for me to come by after work tomorrow, and A insisted S call me tonight to confirm. S left the message, Hello, this is A's secretary calling to confirm our toga date for tomorrow night. Please let us know if there has been any change in plans.

A: Are you and Kate dating?
S: What? No. What do you mean?
A: You said 'date'.
S: It's just a phrase. Lunch date. Dinner date. Like an appointment.
A: But not a date date... (And apparently a long explanation on different meanings of words followed. Lol.)

Bwahahaha again! Kids, man. With how quickly rumors spread in our company, S had better nip that one in the bud. *laugh*


Theme: Colors

Tuesday, 1/29/08: Lights


Tuesday, 1/29/08: Lights
Originally uploaded by kayay5
Stopped at a stop light on my way home from dinner with D, I basically just held up the camera and took a picture. I kind of like the way the lights got all crazy.

Theme: Colors

Also, bonus: How can you not love this little face? She was purring on my lap. Love, love, love.




Sleepy!
Originally uploaded by kayay5



January 28, 2008

Monday, 1/28/08: Palette


Monday, 1/28/08: Palette
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I used to love to paint. I think I still would! For Christmas last year, Santa gave me everything I'd need to paint a masterpiece (or a regular old painting), and I even drew out a rough sketch, but I just haven't been able to sit down and do it. I want to, and I will. One of these days.


Theme: Colors

January 27, 2008

Sunday, 1/27/08: Butterflies


Sunday, 1/27/08
Originally uploaded by kayay5
The general color scheme in our apartment tends to include a lot of red. Our bathroom is a departure from that, with violet bath mats and this butterfly shower curtain. I like it!

I spent most of the afternoon buying fabric and making a toga for my friend's daughter's Greek Day at school. It actually looks like it'll be pretty cute, once the crown and arm cuff dry.

It's raining again. I'm not complaining. I'm not tired of rain. I just... hope traffic's not a beast tomorrow.


Theme: Colors

January 26, 2008

Saturday, 1/26/08: 5 3/4 x 7 15/16

So, for my last class, we made these greeting cards. And my professor instructed us to use "standard" sizing, for which we had a choice of several (3x5", 4x6", 5x7"). I chose 5x7", which you would think is a fairly common size, yes? Well, you would be WRONG. It is absolutely impossible to find envelopes to fit a 5x7" card.

The best I could do is these 5 3/4 x 7 15/16, which were $14 for 25 and don't even fit all that well. Jeez. This is after searching absolutely *every* store I could think of that would sell envelopes, from Target to Office Depot to Papyrus and everything in between.


Theme: Numbers

Friday, 1/25/08: 1st


Friday, 1/25/08: 1st
Originally uploaded by kayay5
When I got this button, it was a lie. It was definitely not my first time to Disneyland, but it was my first '1st Visit' button!

I took this picture because I've been having serious Walt Disney World longing. One of my coworkers is taking her son to WDW in June, and it'll be their first visit there for the entire family. I haven't been there in about five years, so I'm sure a million, billion things have changed, but I was telling her some can't-be-missed things from my experience. Disneyland is great, but it is no Walt Disney World.


Theme: Numbers

Thursday, 1/24/08: 123456789


Thursday, 1/24/08: 123456789
Originally uploaded by kayay5
My Sudoku Rubik's Cube. I'm good at sudoku, but not at Rubik's cubes, so I haven't ever solved this one. It sits on my desk, though, and I pick it up every now and then to see if I can make any headway. Usually, I just mess it up worse. Hee.


Theme: Numbers

Wednesday, 1/23/08: 1


Wednesday, 1/23/08: 1
Originally uploaded by kayay5
One gimpy roommate. This is Gen's boot. It looks like a walking cast, but she is under strict instructions not to put any pressure on it for at least two weeks. It is very sad seeing her hobbling around, and pretty amazing how many things are nearly impossible when you only have one good foot! She's a trooper, though, and is managing better than I think I ever could.


Theme: Numbers

January 22, 2008

Tuesday, 1/22/08: Emergency Room


Tuesday, 1/22/08: Emergency Room
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I had to abandon my weekly theme because holy cow, Day of Doctors. I woke up at 5:15 absolutely *convinced* that I'd overslept my alarm by half an hour and it was 6:15, before I realized Gen was awake much earlier than normal. See, last night, Gen bruised her foot. Only overnight, she came to the painful realization that said foot might actually be broken. And thus, I made my first ever trip to the emergency room, not-so-bright and early this morning.

I was fine with waiting in the waiting room, watching the nearly intolerable Good Day LA (or whatever the heck Fox 11 tries to pass off as a morning show... if I had to hear about Grandma getting arrested over wanting salt-free fries at McDonald's one more time, someone was going to hear it). I sat while a pregnant woman came in with a 102* fever, a little old man brought his wife in with chest pains, a middle-aged gentleman came in with a scratched cornea, and a Spanish-speaking couple came in with a tiny little girl bleeding from a rather large gash on her head. But when the youngish guy all hunched over and moaning was dropped into the chair next to me, and then given a bucket, I was out of there. I do NOT do vomit, and I was deathly afraid that's what was coming. At that point, two and a half hours after arriving, it occurred to me that I might be able to go in to Gen's room and wait with her there. If only I'd thought of it sooner, we could have been bored together.

So, that was that. Broken foot, huge cast, no driving for two weeks (OMG in LA??). And that would have been plenty of the medical profession for one day! But then I had an eye doctor appointment in the afternoon, "squeezed in" between patients, which meant more waiting rooms. Ha. Luckily, that was much quicker and did not involve the possibility of bodily fluids. All this driving back and forth took me past the old medical center Scrubs films in *four times*. At my old office, I drove past it daily, but I haven't been down that road in ages. This is all because I started watching Season 6 on DVD yesterday! Ha.

January 21, 2008

Monday, 1/21/08: 8


Monday, 1/21/08: 8
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I celebrated Dr. MLK, Jr. by... decorating? Since the new House Rules say that we're not to hang anything new on the walls, I suddenly had the intense need to hang everything on the walls. The rules go into effect on the 24th, so I spent today sort of redecorating. I got some new picture frames to create the collage centered around the Walt & Mickey picture my sister gave me for my birthday, and then a wall shelf to put above the fugly air conditioner.

None of the new frames have real pictures in them. There's a little girl I don't know, and daffodils I don't know, a dog I don't know, and a happy couple with a puppy and a little girl I don't know. That's next weekend's project.

Also amusing, you can see my reflection in the TV as I sat on the couch to take the picture. *g*


Theme: Numbers. [Number of picture frames hung: 8]

January 20, 2008

Sunday, 1/20/08: 25


Sunday, 1/20/08: 25
Originally uploaded by kayay5
This is the Year of Surprise Parties, apparently. Last weekend was Sean's, this weekend we had one for Jessie. It's always good to catch up with everyone, and we sort of set plans to re-energize our weekly game night, so yay!

And since this week's picture theme is numbers, today's picture is 25, for the number of candles that should have been on the cake (there were actually only six).


Theme: Numbers

Saturday, 1/19/08: I'd be rich


Saturday, 1/19/08: I'd be rich
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I went to see 27 Dresses at the new ArcLight Sherman Oaks. This used to be the Pacific Galleria, which was fine, as far as I was concerned. Now, it is a swanky, swanky theatre. I have to admit, I enjoy the idea of assigned seats. And the twinkly lights behind sheer curtains decorating the walls? Nice touch.

I'm not so sure I like $12.75 for a movie. Whatever happened to $4.50 matinées? (I saw the movie at night, but I'm sure their matinée price is not $4.50.) It wasn't so long ago that Mom would drop us off at the new AMC for an afternoon movie. Or, hey, student prices in college at the Savoy 16 were only $5.50, and that was an evening show! And that was only five years ago! Maybe it's a California thing. Are movies this expensive everywhere?

Anyway, the movie was cute. The theatre was nice. If I had a million dollars, I'd have my own home theatre, but until then... I'll be saving my pennies.


Theme: If I Had a Million Dollars

Friday, 1/18/08: Kraft Dinners


Friday, 1/18/08: Kraft Dinners
Originally uploaded by kayay5
We wouldn't have to eat Kraft dinners. But we would eat Kraft dinners! Of course we would, we'd just eat more!

I know y'all saw this one coming. Ha.


Theme: If I Had a Million Dollars

January 17, 2008

Thursday, 1/17/08: Sleepy Cat


Thursday, 1/17/08: Sleepy Cat
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I laid down, just for a couple minutes, to watch an episode of Friends. Before I knew it, two cats were curled up with me. It was so warm and soft in bed that I might've dozed off for a moment. Or two hours. Can I just say, this whatever-I-brought-home-from-Illinois-with-me is still kinda kicking my butt? I've still got the cough and runny nose, and haven't got my energy back. Obviously. It's been three weeks! Anyway. When I woke up, I still had two cats with me, but one scattered when I reached for the camera.

January 16, 2008

Wednesday, 1/16/08: Glassware


Wednesday, 1/16/08: Glassware
Originally uploaded by kayay5
As I was washing dishes, I started wondering what glasses would look like on the scanner. And if they would look different full of water or with ice cubes. I deviated from this week's theme a bit with this picture, but I suppose that if I had a million dollars, these would all be Waterford crystal. But I don't, and they're not.

I got a gift in the interbranch mail this morning. It was a cute little pouch and a note, from a girl I was in a training class with three years ago after I'd gotten the teller supervisor position at my last office. It said: I don't know if you remember me, but we went to teller training together. You taught me about credits and debits, and really helped me because I was new to banking and didn't know a thing. I see that you are an operations manager now and probably on your way to branch manager. I am now the teller supervisor at my branch. Just wanted to thank you for helping me from the beginning. I'm glad to see you're still with the bank.

HOW SWEET IS THAT? I was totally blown away. I do remember her, but haven't had reason to interact with her since that training class. And she sent me a note and a gift! For doing something I probably wouldn't have thought twice about.


Theme: If I Had a Million Dollars (sort of)/Scanning

January 15, 2008

Tuesday, 1/15/08: But not a real green dress...

...that's cruel!

I had the entire day off, and I couldn't find anything to go with this week's theme. So I dressed my previously not-dressed monkey up in a not-real green dress, fashioned out of a real green tank top.

Our property owners put out a new set of 'House Rules'. We're not allowed to wash our cars in the parking lot (which I haven't done, but feel that I should be able to do), can't put pictures on the walls (um, too late?), can't use the laundry room after 9:00 (so the last load has to be in by 7, making it a tight fit after work), among other things. Is this normal? If I had a million dollars, I'd so own my own house. Dang.


Theme: If I Had a Million Dollars

Monday, 1/14/08 - I'd buy you a monkey.

Haven't you always wanted a monkey?

I've had this monkey for over a year, and he still only has shoes and socks. I bought material to make an outfit, and I haven't gotten around to it yet. Poor monkey.


Theme: If I Had a Million Dollars

January 13, 2008

Sunday, 1/13/08: BNL


Sunday, 1/13/08: BNL
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I thought my first homework assignment for class would take a couple hours, maybe three at the most. I got up before 8:00, and aside from a couple breaks here and there, I was working on it until 5:30. I think more of the problem was figuring out the design, as there was zero direction, and then answering the questions we had to include. I pretty much hate 'tell about yourself' assignments, so it's a little cheesy, but I'm satisfied with how it turned out.

Today's picture is of my Barenaked Ladies Greatest Hits CD. It's admittedly a cop-out picture for this week's "If I Had a Million Dollars" theme, but after sitting in front of the computer for nine hours, it's all I got. *g*


Theme: If I Had a Million Dollars

Saturday, 1/12/08: Surprise Party


Saturday, 1/12/08: Surprise Party
Originally uploaded by kayay5
Sean's 28th birthday (don't be fooled by the '26' candles; they were in the bag of birthday supplies, and someone thought a '26' with two regular candles would do) was Friday, and we had a little surprise party on Saturday. It's kind of an awful feeling, before the party, when you let your friend think no one cares about his birthday! When I called him to wish him a happy birthday, I had to pretend to be too busy to celebrate. And then I hear that he was all mopey, and it made for a better surprise, but still.

He had absolutely no idea. He came home from grocery shopping, and we were waiting for him with balloons and cake, and then we went out for sushi, and it was fun! I think it made up for everyone 'not caring'.

January 11, 2008

Friday, 1/11/08: Weirdness


Friday, 1/11/08: Weirdness
Originally uploaded by kayay5
Don't ask what this is a picture of, because it isn't. I mean, it's technically of a candle holder I think is neat. But when I scanned it, it came out all dark, so I brought a lamp over and held it over the scanner. The lamp didn't help the candle holder to be any easier to see, but it made a strange pattern. I realize it isn't at all artistic, but it's... unusual. And so.


Theme: Scanning

January 10, 2008

Thursday, 1/10/08: Icicles


Thursday, 1/10/08: Icicles
Originally uploaded by kayay5
Our Christmas tree has been down since before we went home for the holidays, but we haven't quite gotten the decorations back out to the storage unit yet. These icicle ornaments are a bit of a tradition in our family, going back at least as far as to be a staple on my grandma's trees. When I got my own set, I knew I'd become a real adult, and no Christmas tree is complete without them.

Theme: Scanning

January 09, 2008

Wednesday, 1/9/08: Thai Scarf


Wednesday, 1/9/08: Thai Scarf
Originally uploaded by kayay5
This year, a few people are doing themes for the Photo Project. It's a good idea and, in theory, should help with those days when there's absolutely nothing to take a picture of. KC and I are sharing weekly themes, but since we're not starting that for a few more days yet, and I have a sort-of theme going myself this week, I figured I'd continue with the scanning.

Today's scan is a scarf Aarti brought back from Thailand for me. Isn't it gorgeous?

January 08, 2008

Tuesday, 1/8/08: Scanned Cat


Tuesday, 1/8/08: Scanned Cat
Originally uploaded by kayay5
So if Gordon Coale can scan his cat, I can too! This is the second in an apparent sort-of series. Her paw looks funny because she kept moving it to get a better angle on those treats as the scanner was going. That cat'll do anything for food!

January 07, 2008

Monday, 1/7/08: Scanned Hands


Monday, 1/7/08: Scanned Hands
Originally uploaded by kayay5
Today was my first day of class for the semester. I'm taking a course on digital photography and Photoshop, which is actually looking to be much more different from the Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign class I took last semester than I'd imagined it would be. Which is good! I think I'll learn a lot.

The major revelation for today, though, was that a scanner is a type of camera. I'd never thought of it that way, but my professor talked a bit about the history of cameras, and how the way a scanner works is almost exactly like some kind of large-scale camera I was unfamiliar with. Then he brought up a bunch of websites that use scanning as their main medium, and I thought it was totally cool. I think I'll be scanning a few things this semester. ;)

January 06, 2008

Sunday, 1/6/08: The Storm Continues

Day Three of rain continues to make me smile. I have high hopes that the hills into Simi Valley will actually be green this year--something that hasn't happened since I first started working at this office, nearly two years ago.

January 05, 2008

Saturday, 1/5/08: Groceries


Saturday, 1/5/08: Groceries
Originally uploaded by kayay5
The rain continues, which is quite nice. We need it. The cold/flu/whatever also continues, which is...less nice. It leaves me drained of energy. Luckily, there is nothing pressing to do this weekend and rainy days are a good excuse to not do much.

After work, I did go grocery shopping with Gen. And we did a massive clean-out of the fridge and freezer. (Y'all are *totally* jealous of my exciting life, I know.) It's nice to know the fridge is stocked, and that everything in it is fully edible. *g*

And now we're having a high-thrills evening of Smallville watching. There may be wine and/or ice cream in my future. Yay, Saturday night!

January 04, 2008

Friday, 1/4/07: Thunderstorm


Friday, 1/4/07: Thunderstorm
Originally uploaded by kayay5
So Storm Watch '08 actually is producing a storm. The rain's coming down pretty steadily and I heard thunder! I love thunder. It's the perfect night for popcorn and a DVD.

January 03, 2008

Thursday, 1/3/08: Organization


Thursday, 1/3/08: Organization
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I pulled enough clothes out of my closet to fill a 22-gallon Rubbermaid container. I have a second container for the dresser. You know what they say about things you haven't worn in a year? I figure that, if I haven't opened the containers by next January, I'll just take it all straight to the Salvation Army.

I'm still not feeling well. I actually have a fever, which rarely happens. I have to go to work tomorrow; it's the last day to submit end-of-year reports, so I'm hoping one more good night's sleep is all I need. =o/

January 02, 2008

Wednesday, 1/2/08: Friends


Wednesday, 1/2/08: Friends
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I haven't quite decided whether I'll be taking a picture every day in 2008. On the one hand, it's become so much a habit now! I'm used to having my camera with me. And it's mostly fun to look back through all the pictures from last year. On the other hand, there were enough days that I struggled to find something at least slightly interesting to photograph, and I'm kind of afraid I've exhausted my resources on 'everyday' pictures.

Do I have another 364 pictures in me at this point? Any suggestions??

Today's picture is of my newly acquired Friends: the Complete Series. I had some gift cards and Christmas money to spend, and it was on sale. It turned into a bit of an epic journey, though, across two Best Buys and probably two hours of the day.

For the record, the Burbank store is super disorganized. There was no one working in the DVD section, and when we *finally* found someone to help us, he told us they had two copies left, but it would "probably take a really long time to find them in the back." As if I was going to say Oh, if it's too much trouble, nevermind. No, dude, I'm giving you $170. WORK FOR IT! I did ask him that, if he couldn't find one, if he could call ahead to another store and have them hold it for me. Luckily, it didn't take more than a few minutes for him to return with it.

Tuesday, 1/1/08: Rose Bowl


Go, Fight, Win!
Originally uploaded by kayay5
I never imagined I'd see the University of Illinois playing in Pasadena, but the stars aligned and 2008 started with the Fighting Illini vs. the USC Trojans. Sarah had obtained a few extra tickets, so Aarti flew out and we attended the game. And what fun it was! The energy was high (as would be expected with more than 93,000 attendees), the Marching Illini were in top form, and the team gave it the old college try, at least. *g* It was a pretty sorry loss at 49-10, but hey, Illinois scored. Twice, even! A touchdown and a field goal.

There are more pictures in the Rose Bowl set here.

It was a truly *excellent* way to start 2008, even with the outcome of the game as it was. It was fun to remember the game day traditions and to be in a sea of orange. And among people who call pop pop, instead of soda. Hee.

I-L-L! I-N-I!!

January 01, 2008

December 31, 2007


December 31, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay5
Because I ended 2007 just as terrible-cold-sick as I'd started it, we had a low-key New Year's Eve at home. Aarti arrived from Chicago, and I picked her up from Burbank Airport and made it home just in time for Keri to arrive. We ordered pizza and played games, and rang in the New Year with Dick Clark, but without any hoopla. And y'know what? It was fun.

And HAPPY 2008, EVERYONE! *throws confetti* I truly hope 2008 is great!

December 30, 2007


December 30, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay5
After our inevitable travel woes--one misplaced suitcase and two stranded-in-a-closed-parking-garage cars--we finally made it home (suitcases, cars, and all) to the kitties, who we'd deserted for an entire week (with a friend checking in on them, of course). It took them a while to decide they'd stopped hating us, but we finally won them over. The suitcases helped. Our cats love suitcases! As soon as I had one unpacked, I put it out in the hallway and Monet immediately staked her claim. (She did let Cymbeline have her turn... once a second suitcase was out for her to investigate.)

December 29, 2007


December 29, 2007
Originally uploaded by kayay5
Saturday was my last day at home, sadly. I went to lunch at Olive Garden with Megan (thanks, m'dear! Great to see you!), and then we hopped over to Woodfield to do a bit of browsing and shopping. It was a very pleasant afternoon.

Then my family and I ate at Wildfire, the best restaurant ever. HOMG. The Wildfire Chop Salad? *drools* Absolute salad perfection. Blue cheese encrusted fillet? *licks lips* And mini key lime pie for dessert? *dies* Delicious.