Diablo(ws) Cody

"Don't ever agonize about the hordes of other writers who are obstensibly your competition. No one is capable of doing what you do. No one else can ever be you."

Too true, Diablo, too true.

I've had a Xanga since I was sixteen years old...
I was a MySpace whore before the masses...
I'd blog about this. Jot a note about that.

NO ONE ASKED ME TO WRITE THE INDIE VERSION OF JAMIE-LYNN SPEARS.

I'm only scribbling these thoughts down in this manner, because now coming from Minneapolis (612 district, represent!) won't seem nearly as cool or interesting after the once CityPages writer went all Los Angeles. Which leads into my second argument: now she gets to ruin Hollywood with her quirky style and paint a new way of looking at main characters, vernacular, and humor before I'll ever get a chance to.

But in light of friendly joking, mad props to you, Diablo. I secretly (well, I guess it's not that much of one now that it'll be forever documented in the interwebs of digital space!) am obsessed with her and couldn't be more inspired and excited by her work. She's creating her own path, avoiding conventionality, and sticking to what she knows, and I respect that.

Moses

Moses "Kinky" Thompson
Dec. 16, 1995 - May. 11, 2008

Today marks the tragic loss of a beloved family member...

Moses, my beautiful, baby, Bernie, brother passed today on Mother's day. I already really miss him and the house doesn't have that same nostalgic feeling it once seemed to beam with when he was around. That was the thing that was most unique about my little friend: he was always around...always there to lend an ear, or a warm, fuzzy, shoulder to lean on. Even when I moved back home from my studio in NE MPLS, he was right there by my bedside, waiting, with that twinkling glint in his eyes. He never questioned where'd I'd been, or about the choices I make...there was zero judgement whatsoever. He'd just smile at me and give a wink. And how fortunate that I moved out of my apartment when I did. I was able to have 9 truly special months with Sweet Boy. He just enjoyed the company and always kept me warm at night. As I type this, looking around my room, I can still smell his funky earwax-like scent, that I have grown to love. And it scares me the prospect of it slipping away. He was an amazing dog. We were lucky to be granted such a special magical beast to come into our lives, and our hearts. It's so wonderful to think that out of all the families and humans he came to know in his long, and full life, we were the ones he called family. The ones he recognized, relied on, and respected. It's so cute. All he ever wanted in life was to hang out with us, a good pet, a nice walk up the street, hamburger and rice, and the occasional ear session of Pooh Bear's "Little Black Rain Cloud." A pup of simplicity.

There is some comfort in knowing that he knew how much we loved him and that he had a true sense of belonging. And now he doesn't have to be in pain anymore. This is going to be hard to deal with for awhile...Mom was telling Mere and I about the Rainbow Bridge and how after dog's pass, they go here. And when we leave this physical world, we too, will cross the rainbow bridge and Moses will be waiting at the other side for us. I like that. That in a small way, gives me solace while I cope with this morbid day.

Spinning Reels

Sometimes even I amaze myself! I've been really busy with school projects and the like but I'm really enjoying my film assignment. When people go into filmmaking, they often think in a digital format mindset. But the real, celluloid, sticky, material that creates wonder: film, is what you really have to master. I use to be so afraid of it, and literally needed someone to hold my hand through the experience, but after teaching myself, using my hands, and making a piece of art that I was pleased with, I felt a real sense of accomplishment and newfound pride in my education. I also ADORE film. I wish I had the funds and the time to create all my moving images in this medium. Although technology continues to change, it's awesome how historic is feels to load the reel, and cut and splice with just your two hands. It made me feel like an artisan. Like a bread baker or a jeweler maker. People that make it important to use their hands to make everything that they eat, wear, live by. Wouldn't it be pretty cool if we had to create everything with just our own physical labor? I hope that I have the opportunity to live this way for awhile at some point in my life...off the land, as a vagabond, making everything, and selling them at local flea markets. I'm going to make a promise to myself to at least explore this option more throughly. Maybe after school is out for the year...

Celebrating Grandma Mona

Grandma's funeral was held at the Chapel of the Roses...this cute miniature church that resembled something reminiscent of Snow White. But she picked the place out before her passing so it was adorable imagining her scheme up this place in her head. It was really nice to have the entire family out there and how she brought us all together to celebrate her life. My mom gave an amazing speech at her wake and we ate a lot of good food. I don't know how I'm going to catch up on school work or get use to this morbid weather again...but, I must continue forth.

West Coast Fun

I JUST got back from a life-changing Spring Break in San Diego with Mom and Mere. Above are just a few of an album-worthy amount of keepsake moments...it may appear like all we did was eat. And yes, that's true, we ate REAL good. But I also saw my mom in a whole new way and understand her a lot better. It was also really special because I got to reconnect with Sweet Meredy. For awhile, we both were just letting life get busybusybusy, all around us. So it was definitely reaffirming to get away from the hum drum of the city, spend lots of quality time with her, laugh, catch up, and soak up the sun. It was also a really amazing experience because we were granted the fortune of seeing our beloved Grandma Mona one last time. She past while we were in the room...I've never seen someone die before, but it was an out-of-body experience to say the least. Especially someone so beautiful and that we are an extension of her. It was almost harder watching my mom watch her die. I'm back for classes for a few days but then we are heading back west for the funeral. Please have our Grandma and my family in your thoughts.

"Cheers"

Take note people. I have found my future man. If you scour your eyes past my mop of hair, you will see a divine God in human form in the background of this picture. He was our server at The Hash House...his accent, his catchphrase, "Cheers," everything. If I could eat here (and absorb this many calories) every day, I would do that just for him.

It's always so fortunate but unfortunate moments like this...you people that come into your life, no matter how long or how brief, but you met them. And there's a reason, fate, happenstance, timing, that put both our your energies together for even that split wrinkle in space, in existence. And you wish you could grasp onto it with all ten fingers and keep it safe for even just a moment, and then before you know it, it's gone. At least in a physical sense...you'll always have that memory attached up there in your brain juices, but it's just interesting to think about. I like the belief in knowing that two energies can connect and feed off of one another. It makes me become a believer in humanity again.

OMG SHOES

Look at these glorious boots. They are the conjunction of great style and unique vintage and they pulled at my heartstrings the minute we met one another. Unfortunately, I don't (and wouldn't) have $300.00 to give them a home.

But there is one thing I can enjoy that is 100% FREE (and blog-related):