Bow before royalty.

Thursday, May 31

Monday, May 28

I remember



And I thank all soldiers who have given their life so I can be a big bratty American.

Sunday, May 27

My thoughts on 05/26/98 - 05/26/07

So I guess it must have been fourteen years ago that I started high school. I didn't particularly mind it until I transferred schools. The new school was full of obnoxious wannabe valley girls that wouldn't stop doing their makeup. I think I cried for months. The guidance counselor informed me that she was positive I would dropping out of school soon and that she was late for tea. I wasn't allowed to join the football team.

But I met Joann and John and Robert and Dave that first year. And then I joined honors classes - we hadn't had those at my other school. I made more friends - friends that liked math and science. I stopped crying.

I joined forensics, debate and theater, thereby changing my residence to the school. I had crushes on seniors. I went to prom with a senior. That senior forgot to call me. I saw Monty Python and the Meaning of Life and finally began to understand dirty jokes. I turned down an invitation to a rave before I knew what it was. I cheated in World Geography. I took Algebra II and Geometry at the same time because I really wanted to take Calculus. My Physics teacher told me not to date the boy that I was dating. I took my debate partner to the prom.

My guidance counselor handed me my diploma at graduation and my family did not hold their applause until the end. I had a steak at Lonestar before moving 8 hours away and finally learning how to live.

Next year is my ten year reunion. I don't think I have any of the tangible successes that one takes to a reunion to brag about how wonderful you've become after high school. But I think I started wonderfully and just learned to enjoy it properly. I don't think I'm gonna go.

9 years

It was one of those crazy days that has been standard of late. And I didn't get a chance to post about how it was 9 years ago today (rather yesterday) that I graduated high school. Hopefully I'll have time to reminisce later today about it. However, I have a date with Antonio. So.... it might be Monday before I get to it.

Friday, May 25

I think I am the only person on the planet who can purchase a "plug and play" device with instructions that read "plug and play" and not, in fact, be able to plug and play.

Thursday, May 24

A gift I'd like to return

This blasted heartburn has got to go. I will be crying all stinking day. I've tried rolaids and tagamet. Now I'm saying "Eff that! I'll drink my coffee anyway."

Wednesday, May 23

Monday, May 21

Today's Hawaii Picture

Weekend Movie Review

Dr. Strangelove: How amazing that one hour and thirty minutes are so vehemently devoted to impotence. Brief overview - Crazy general thinks that the Russians are polluting American culture through flouridation of the water. He plots unauthorized revenge. Really, this is just one very bad case of impotency leading to psychosis and then suicide. The movie ended, and I didn't particularly feel resolved. I suppose that's what I get for searching for entertainment among the modern movie era.

Borat: A letdown. Entirely too predictable since I'm very aware of the horrible things that the American people believe and say. I giggled at a few parts, but I don't think they were the parts everyone else must have. I didn't particularly find the nude fight between Borat and Azamat funny - not even when I noticed the censor bar discrepancies between the two gentlmen. And those that were offended - I don't think they could make it through a single day in our culture without their panties getting in a bunch.

Sunday, May 20

Everything runs together

Hawaii was a whirlwind of wonderfully beautiful things that I wanted to shrink down to miniature size and bring home with me. A summary that may not be in chronological order:

After the brief drama of a cancelled flight out of Milwaukee, I did in fact make it to Hawaii. I was lei'd twice with the most wonderful smelling flowers - which was great since I was not so wonderful smelling any more. I was tired.

I woke up at the crack of dawn and busied myself with smelling wonderful once more and drinking coffee. Did we snorkel the first day or the second? Let's say it was the first. Hanauma Bay is a preservation something or another. So you have to watch this video that was directed in the style of 1960's reproductive education videos. Then we donned our rented snorkel gear. I learned that the sharp intake of breath that most people do subconciously will make your snorkel stop allowing air to get to your lungs. Somewhat problematic when you keep seeing pretty fishies that you're afraid of because nature is scary. Scary or not - Hanauma Bay was one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been to in my life. And I learned that I am not too fat to wear a swimsuit. This is for two reasons. One - I'm not fat. Two - people who are fat were wearing little string bikinis. Ew.

I know for a fact that the luau was the first day. I tried every fruity drink available. They're all too sweet. I posed for pictures with tropical birdies. Then I watched amazingly sculpted Polynesian men shake their hips in a very sexy fashion. I also watched the sunset over the water, but did not get to see a green flash. I tried poi in two forms. There was a poi biscuit that was quite tasty. And the other form was like applesauce. It was not so good. And you could buy a souvenir drink that came in a coconut monkey bank. How awesome is that!

Day two gets a little foggy. We might have hiked Diamondhead. Or that was day three. But I know we went on a dinner cruise. They had shrimp appetizers, salad, lobster, beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes and a raspberry-chocolate desert. Lobster is not worth the work, or the eyes staring at you as you decide whether you can stomach cracking it open. Needless to say, Robert played with his lobster and I ate the meat from it. About the time the main beef course was wrapping up, the entertainment started. It was so off, we enjoyed the rest of the cruise from the deck. And we saw an amazing sunset and a pretty lighthouse and a tugboat and a lot of planes. And then I had heartburn. The worst heartburn of my life. No more lobster for Ashlee!

Day three we must have swam with dolphins. Bugs, Buster and Maui. It was at Sea Life Park overlooking some other pretty islands. We got to pet the dolphins, kiss the dolphins, and ride them via their fins and noses. All in all, it was ridiculously fun.

After that, we viewed the blowhole and hiked Diamondhead. Okay, so Diamondhead was day three. I think. That was really friggin awesome. Except the part where Robert is one foot taller than me and I couldn't keep up. But the view rocked.

That might have also been the day that we went the Cheeseburger in Paradise in Waikiki. Waikiki is very crowded, but it has all sorts of great places to shop. Can't wait to be there with lots of money:)

Day four we did a submarine dive and saw more fishies and a sea turtle and my red toes turn brown. The toenail polish turning colors is because of the filtered light in the sea. We were about 115 feet below sea level. Then we went to a lagoon and hung out. I started Barack's latest book and watched yet another sunset over the water. This time a huge rainstorm hit just before the sunset started. So we played in the rain too.

The last day we went on a kayak trip. Aside from learning that Robert and I do not do well in teamwork situations, I got to lounge on a peaceful beach and swim in Shark's Cove and swim in beautiful waters. Then I forgot to apply sunscreen during a bit of the trip. And my legs were SO painful.

A few regrets: The last day we stopped by Pearl Harbor. Next time, we have to get tickets to see the USS Arizona. The museum is powerful, don't get me wrong. Everything is amazingly somber. But I think seeing the Arizona would drive it all home in a more powerful way. Also, I think a little less planning and a little more hanging out with my friend would have been more relaxing and more fun. Lastly, I wanna learn to surf next time! I suppose I could have this time, but then there would have been no kayak trip. And kayaking was totally fun.

So here I am, typing this in my apartment and wondering why the stink it's only 45 degrees here. Stupid Milwaukee. Warm up!

Saturday, May 19

What's that ugly bruise and indentation on my calf? Oh, it's where I WALKED INTO THE FRIGGIN BED THAT'S BEEN IN THE SAME PLACE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. Yes, I'm crying it hurts so bad.

Friday, May 18

What the blazes are we advertising?!


Is the middle picture saying "You'll get some if you join the Navy"?

Picture was taken at the museum just outside of the USS Bowfin at Pearl Harbor.

Thursday, May 17

The part that sucks...


Ten hour first day back.


But I'm tan!

Tuesday, May 15

Friday, May 11

Fraidy cat!

I am scared of tropical fishies. But they are so pretty. I hope to post pictures when I'm back to Mil-town - but the pictures were with a cheapie underwater camera, so who knows how they'll turn out.

Tuesday, May 8

Google's "How To Of The Day"

How to Learn Pole Dancing

I love not-winter!

I forgot to turn off my alarm this morning. So at a very early time, I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep. So I got out of bed and showered. Then I had breakfast and coffee on the porch. Then I checked my email on the porch. I filed my nails on the porch. I waved at neighbors from the porch. I ate cake on the porch. And now I'm typing this from my porch. I listend to music on my porch. Also, I got sunburned on my porch!

Not-winter rocks!

Saturday, May 5

I know I'm picky....

But I don't think I'm this picky. I have started branching out and discovering foods that I do enjoy. Cherries are on this list, as are green peppers. My plan for this summer is to try mangoes and papaya. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.