one of these things is not like the other ones…gotta watch out for my bro, yo.

spring is here, which always means a mood lift.
i spent most of friday and saturday playing in the dirt
it’s strangely satisfying to have dirt underneath my fingernails
and green things growing
even if the squirrels have eaten most of the crocus bulbs.
lesson learned: sprout seeds (and bulbs) before putting in the dirt.
otherwise the critters (Critters!) will have tasty little snacks.

work has been going fantastic
it helps that i got an unexpected – but much deserved – raise
and also that i’m working on my first ‘real world’ application development
my ‘whatever happens’ attitude has been working pretty well for me.
(blame it on my protestant midwestern work ethic)

food not bombs is almost a thing of the past
this makes me sad
people have too many ‘real world’ obligations
studying, getting paid, getting laid,
i too will be happy to have my sunday’s “back”
and in saying that, i realize that i am ready to move on
move up, recharge, switch coasts,
and maybe try again.

hillary is creeping me out
the correct answer to “what will you do if iran attacks israel”
is not “obliterate them”
but
“that is crazy talk, now ask me a serious question”

This morning I was looking through the publix ads, trying to figure out what to buy for this week, when i saw lamb shank was on sale. Instantly my mouth started watering, hard core.

I first became a vegetarian because of my interest in Buddhism (the “do no harm” thing). I certainly don’t have a problem with other people eating meat, and I don’t have a problem with people hunting for food or even raising animals for slaughter. As soon as I was old enough to get a hunting license I did so, and the deer and antelope my dad & I killed were the meat my family ate during the year. Every now and then – as a special treat – we would get a side of beef or sheep from the ranch, and I remember taking part in at least two chicken killing operations there – my cousins and I would have to catch the headless chickens and keep them from running into the water reservoir.

I came to the realization today that I *do* have a problem with large scale factory farming, but not with eating meat. I’m not saying I’m going to change my diet to one of meat and potatoes only, just that when I get a craving, I’m not going to kick myself about including organically raised free range (or wild) meat into my diet.

And, I’m really going to enjoy eating that slow cooked braised lamb shank tonight.

i have been sick this week. i didn’t realize how sick i was until i started feeling better. i still sound sick, and i’m still hacking up half a lung regularly, but i am at least able to function without cold medicine.

on a whim i bought a bunch of whiskeytown cds, and i’m listening to them through my stereo (and with headphones). the sound difference from the mp3s i’ve been listening to for the past, oh, forever is amazing.

work has been great this week (i think the cold medicine helped). jack hired someone…finally…which is awesome news. not sure when he starts.

a few weeks ago my great uncle Harry turned 100 (he’s my grandma’s youngest brother). mom went out for the birthday party and had a great time. that week i got a package in the mail…an afghan that Harry’s wife Hazel had knitted for me in the last year of her life. it is awesome – i can’t imagine how much work went into it. and it came in a giant Depends box (hilarious!). Hazel made an afghan for mom, too…they were the last two things she made. In 2001 mom and i both went out to the family reunion…a great trip where i flew to montana and then we road tripped to california. good times.

alright, i’m going for a walk.