Category Archives: Updates

Outfitted for Winter

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I went on a nice photoshoot around Corvallis today. Instead of bringing my Nikon D60 I decided to just tote around my Nikon S8100. I have edited a good handful of photos and have made them my rotating site headers for this winter. There are now six headers in total. The more times you click around my site, the more chances you have at seeing each image. This does, however, exclude postings that have featured image headers specially attached to articles.

Hope you have a chance to see the new headers! Enjoy!

Beautiful

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Studio Monroe has gone back to basics! Even premium themes weren’t cutting it for my standards — too many finicky matters to deal with and not enough elegance and simplicity. So, here we are, suited up in a helluva sleek theme. It makes Studio Monroe better than ever.

Autumn Vibes

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LaubBlätter10

Image via Wikipedia

The leaves have faded from lush greens to rich golden hues. The last time I posted we were just on the verge of this annual change, but it’s been a while and now pumpkin spice lattes and scents of apple cinnamon are in full swing. The first big rain is arriving within hours and I once again find myself in my cozy happy-place… None other than the Madison Ave. Starbucks on this grey afternoon. I love it here — and surprisingly I find myself more productive with my homework than I ever have before.

The majority of my midterms were this last week — going into them I predicted a distasteful wipe-out. However, thus far it seems I conquered the big kahuna and am smooth sailing again. Miracle, or skill?… Definitely skill. Aside from that, all seems mellow. Halloween is coming up and I’m sort of wishy-washy on a costume. See, you can’t just have any costume — there are definitely some difficult guidelines to work around.

First of all, you have to have a unique costume. You can’t be going around to people and having each one overlook you or question what the hell you are. You’ve either got to completely stand out and be bold — or be one of those that has a costume that everyone just nods at and you blend in. Placing in the middle of these roads will not have you looking so fly (like a G6).

Secondly, your costume needs to be functional. You’ll be at parties and walking around elsewhere. Your costume needs to be able to keep up with you and the different activities you will be doing. This (usually) means your costume should not need a mask nor props to make your image complete — because if you decide to ditch the mask or items you are holding, you’ll lose that identification factor and you’ll have to begin explaining to people what you are.

Finally, your costume needs to be something you are comfortable with. The Halloween stores sell overpriced, cheapy costumes that, if you look closely at them, you realize how low quality they are. Some people enjoy just throwing on some quickly-manufactured cloth and going as that creature or thing. Meanwhile, other people like me want to look good in a costume. Looking good is pretty much the primary target for us. We will alter all Halloween costume plans just to achieve this goal. We take advantage of Halloween to pull off our most GQ-esque appearance with, obviously, some creative spin to it. But, it often involves real clothing items which grope your wallet in that back pocket sometimes a little more than you’d hope. Anyway, I don’t know why I just am thinking of it now, but I think it’d be really swank to dress in a really awfull/awesome colored tuxedo — maybe avocado green or something! It’s just a silly idea.

Whew! I’ve lost track of time — past 4pm already. I’m hungry and feeling inspired to finish the rest of my homework back at the studio. My peppermint mocha is all finished and I’m shutting my books. Music… Off. WordPress… Posted!

Hey There!

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starbucks patio furniture

Image by bookish in north park via Flickr

Yikes! It ‘s been awhile. Here’s what’s up:

  • Things have been busy and mellow at the same time. It’s confusing. Anyway, my teeth of great wisdom were taken out end of August. It was a challenging recovery full of moodiness, fatigue, frustration, and — oh yeah — a trip to the emergency room with a mouth infection. Great, huh? So… Once the prescribed Penicillin took hold in my system, recovery seemed to double and my green/grey furry, shag carpet-like tongue was nice and fleshy again. I’m back to normal , however I was unable to exercise for a couple weeks and now it is just so difficult getting back into the swing of things. Such work.
  • The family and I have one last outing coming up before I return back to school. As always, it’s a bit bittersweet. But, I’ve gotta admit I’m very much looking forward to my studio and the upcoming (but challenging) school year.
  • I got an iPhone 4 a few weeks ago. However, for some reason I am having battery issues and my battery runs down very quickly. It’s a bit troubling but I hope Apple will take care of me when I bring them my issue.
  • Again, I’m really excited for the school year. Unlike my usual self, I now look outside and it’s much darker earlier and it’s raining and dreary — but I really like it. I think about being at the Madison Street Starbucks in Corvallis — staying warm and cozy with my iPad, book, homework, and music. I daydream about my studio and getting comfy and having a movie or sports on TV as the rain falls heavy outside. I even enjoy the idea of running in the rain and giving no care to how soaked my clothes and gushing shoes get. Well… Okay maybe I’ll take my workout to the gym instead. But I want to do much more this year than last year. So far, my sophomore year was better than my freshman year — now let’s make it so that my junior year continues the succeeding pattern. I think it’s possible now that I have even more friends than before. I can see this being a great, great year with many opportunities. Plus, I am determined on a major and am ready to go gun-ho on achieving my goals. Like I’ve said before… Bring it on!
  • Anyhow… I think this sums up most of it. I need to get my body back in gear for my running class I have this upcoming term. I need to make sure I’m at the top of my game and not a straggler.
  • I need an internship too! Oh jeez now I’m getting overwhelmed. I think I have to have four internship credits to graduate — whatever it is, it equates to about four terms of being an intern. I need to get my guns firing right now! Aye… I feel so behind.
  • So, y’all… That’s it for now. Hope your summer is wrapping up well… And I hope you’re just as ready as I am for another awesome year in the 541!

Mid-August Monologue

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Things have been relatively slow, but interesting around here since coming back from vacation several weeks ago. I plan on writing a small book review for the novel I finished while in Hawaii — but for the time being I just can’t get around to doing it. It will happen eventually, though.

As of right now I’m getting progressively nervous for Monday… the day all my wisdom teeth are removed. Not only am I nervous but just overall worried how out-of-business I’m going to be — meaning how long I won’t be able to do my usual things and it’ll take for recovery. I’m seriously bummed out.

Aside from that, time is just ticking away this summer. I can’t believe it has gone by this fast. Bittersweet. I can’t stand just sitting here — I need to do something. So… Hopefully I won’t leave this blog too stagnant for too long. Just hang with me. I’m figuring certain things out.

F1: April 29, 2010

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Here’s what’s going on en mi vida:

  • Taking a trip to Eugene, OR tomorrow with Lander and Matt to go visit our buddy, Arunava, who attends University of Oregon. That should be a fun time.
    • Hopefully on Saturday we will go check out Eugene’s Farmer’s Market. Not only can I get extra credit in my GEO-300 class, but I am also interested in seeing what kinds of food they have to offer. Maybe I will try some local organics (“Local 6″) and see what types of ingredients I can incorporate into my cooking. I am curious about local, organic foods – and although a bit pricier than imported grocery store items, I believe, through my own experiences, that they are healthier and better for the community. It is a trend I hope to adopt.
  • My recent segue into OSU’s public health major is going great. I don’t know why I didn’t acknowledge this interest earlier. I enjoy my classes and am comfortable participating in discussions and knowing the answers when the instructor(s) ask a question. Good stuff.
  • Diet… Yes it’s going pretty slow. I’ve been in the 150 range for… almost two months. However, I just started working on muscle now, so that will take this experience to a whole new level.
    • And this weight-loss/muscle-build business is a big dealio. The fam-bam and I are hitting the islands (Maui) this July right after my summer session class here in Corvallis at OSU is completed. It will be an awesome transition from nose-to-the-grindstone consistency dealing with macroeconomics, to pure relaxation. And this is why it is so important to work on this muscle and finish up the losing of weight. I’ve got a challenge ahead, but I am crazy excited!

Public Health 225 is about to begin. Gotta go!