Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Sickies Have Gone--HURRAH!

Right after opening my Christmas stocking, I was hit with a horrible terrible no good flu bug and spent the rest of my Christmas day curled up in my bathrobe sipping Sprite.

Hurrah.

Today--on day 4 of no Coffee *groan*--I awoke to a blazing headache and full body withdrawel caffine aches.

However, my tummy seemed (finally) calm.

So--I tenatively ordered a Mocha and took a tiny sip--testing the tummy status.

EUREKA! No rolling tummy!

I sipped the Mocha with glee and even managed to nibble on a bagel.

And now?

Hurrah! I feel grand!! GRAND I tell you!

So bring on the New Year. I'm ready for ya.

Bring it!


Sunday, December 28, 2008

Merry Post Christmas!

How was everyones Christmas?

Mine was fantabulous! :D

Family was able to make it through the snow--and we had a beautiful, delicious ham dinner Christmas Eve--then fell upon the presents with glee.

MiniWarrior cracked us up.

Right after dinner, he stood up and started going around the table collecting dirty dishes from everyone and said, "Now, you guys just rest and let your dinner digest. That way when you open your presents you won't yell JACKPOT! and get a stomach ache!"

*Snort*

His angle was to get us to move into the progression of eat dinner--open gifts. He had been asking all day as to when we were going to open them but had not gotten a definitive answer.

The kid is a born politician!

God help us...

Santa was very kind to me!

Here are two of my gifts: (the fridge in the middle was from last year)
Loveeeeeeeeeee them *sing song voice*




Annnnnnd...my main gift?

A telephoto 70-300 image stabilization lens for Chanda! WOO!!

You can see the Christmas Sunset I took with her new attachment HERE


Everyone was delightfully spoiled by Santa and his relative elves this year.

But *other then the awesome lens* the thing I love the most?

Was being cozied up with family, snowbound, enjoying the Ham feast and sharing the excitement and laughter of the holidays.

Good times. Good times.

I have tracked myself all over your blogs this morning checkin on how your holidays were. Seems everyone (who posted: *hint*cough*hint*) had a fabulous Christmas time!

Yay us! :D

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas Eve!



Hope you'v been good 'cuz Santa's on his way, Peeps!

WOO!!

Merry Christmas, my Peeps. Have a wonderful, fantabulous day!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Priorities!

I was hoofing it to Starbucks through the half shoveled sidewalks of Portland this morning.

There had been a slight thaw the day before but the cooler night temperatures had frozen the snow melt to a treacherous high gloss sheen.

I was walking on the snowy street along side the ice skating sidewalk when a man sightly ahead of me suddenly flew through the air and landed with a WHOMP! onto his back on the sidewalk.

He hit pretty hard and I was a bit alarmed.

"Sir, are you OK?" I asked

He didn't respond.

"SIR! Are you OK?" I asked moving closer to him.

He slowly moved to a sitting position and shook himself.

I reached down and started gathering up his belongings that had gone flying.

Handing him his book, I asked again if he was OK.

He didn't say anything but turned to look to to his right.

"Awww Sh*$! My COFFEE!" He suddenly bellowed.

I followed his forlorn gaze to his coffee cup laying upside down, spilling its contents onto the sidewalk.

"Bummer." I commiserated.

He rolled an eyeball to the Venti Mocha I held clutched to my chest and sighed.

I tsked in sympathy, helped him to his feet then patted him on the arm and stumbled my way to work.

Hey.

It may be Christmas time--but I ain't given up my morning Mocha.

No way.

Nuh uh.

*Z snaps*

Monday, December 22, 2008

New Photo Site!

I have organized my iPhone Portland City photos and have given them their very own home.

Check it out HERE!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Santa's Demise

I opened the front door to check on the snow status and found a grim sight...



Santa carcass!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Winter Storm

It's been snowing all night and day.




We stopped and bought chains for my truck this morning. The line of waiting people twisted around the store like a sleeping anaconda.

With chains on my truck tires making a comforting chug-a-chug-a-chug sound on the snow lined streets, we made a pit stop at the local grocery store to nab a few last stocking stuffers and groceries.



Every teller aisle was crammed with people loading up on supplies.

There is a strange sense of camaraderie that comes with such moments. Where normally people groused at long lines, they now stood patiently leaning on their filled grocery carts, texting on their phones or chatting with their companions.



Lord V and I spent the afternoon by the fireplace watching TV while the wind blew the falling snow in swirls around the house and across the river.



So wild. So beautiful. So cold.

I am thankful we have a warm house tonight.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas Ships!





Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Christmas Party Goodness!

The Christmas party was awesome.

Our house was filled with the sights and sounds of many friends and their families.

You know what I enjoyed most?

No one stood around. Everyone flung themselves into the kitchen and started digging around and cooking--it was like one huge family gathering where no one was the "guest".

The Christmas ships passed our house all decked out in their light displays. Most people piled out of the house and stood by the fire pit to wave and cheer at the ships as they cruised by.

On the way back by us the ships stopped and turned their ships towards our house and played a bit of their music. My girlfriend, MiniWarrior and I were whooping and hollering at the ships screaming "MERRY CHRISTMAS! and THANK YOU!!"

I spent some time trying to get every individual family to pose by the Christmas tree so I could take their photo. I was able to get a lot of family shots. I'm so looking forward to my weekend and having some time to work on the photos! I feel passionate about being able to capture those rare moments where the entire family gets the opportunity to be complete in a casual photo. I tried to capture every ones unique personalities--I hope I was able to do so.

One of my friends asked if I would take her daughters Senior photos. I am a little intimidated by that as that's an important time of a kids life--but I am also honored that they felt it was something I could do. I lay in bed last night with my mind spinning with ideas of locations and ideas for the photo shoot. There will be no charge--but I feel the weight of the responsibility and want to be able to give them some memorable photos :)

When I was done with taking the Christmas family shots, I walked into my kitchen and my friends had cleaned the entire place! There was not a stray cup/napkin/plate or dirty dish to be found and they had packaged up all the leftovers in baggies for us.

They rock. Seriously. R.O.C.K.

I don't know how I got so lucky to have such wonderful friends.

I'll try and post some Christmas ship pics this weekend. Not sure how well they came out as I need to get a different lens for my camera that will allow me to take distant shots.

Good times, Peeps.

Awesomely good times :)

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A Meme

To put a smile on Cindy's face I am participating in her Meme...

*i want. More coffee!
*i have. Too many hobbies and not enough time :)
*i fear. rejection
*i hear. space heater cookin' my feet under my desk.
*i search for. The rare gotta-have-sell-first-born-for purrrrfect Hello Kitty
*i wonder. If I'll ever do anything professional with my photos
*i regret. not being brave when I needed to be
*i love. my little family
*i always eat. unhealthy snacks
*i try not. to upset people
*i seem. too complicated
*i know. I am probably annoying to those close to me
*i feel. many things too deeply
*i dance. awesome in my imagination...and totally suck in real life.
*i dream of. making a living from my photos
*i sing. when I am alone :)
*i laugh because. I find many little things hilariously funny
*i can't. forget making someone upset at me
*i write. less then I used to
*i cry. when I feel helpless or angry
*i sleep. easily but not enough
*i am. excited about big christmas party at our house tonight :D
*i see. a slightly skewed version of the world then others around me
*i need. to belong
*i should. go back to work on my projects! :D
*big hug sent out to Cindy* Please visit her and bring a smile to her face today.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

The Apple of Santas Eye



Its snowing in Portland!!

Not a big deal for some...but super cool for us Northwestern Peeps who are used to sky moisture drizzling on us in rain form.

Wanna see pics of our snow?

Go HERE!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Guido~ness

Mrowr!

I am most pleased that my Christmas lair is returning.

Stay tuned to my slaves Masters blog for adorable pics of me inside my Christmas lair.

*Purrrrrrr*

Guido-the-cat

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

MiniWarrior~ism

Mom? Do only married people have babies?

No. You don't have to be married to make a baby.

Oh. Hmm. Then how are babies made?

(oh crap)

Um. Well. You see. Um. Well...boys have things in their bodies called "sperm" and girls have "eggs" inside them. The sperm finds the egg and makes the egg turn into a baby inside the girls tummy.

Really? But how are babies made?

(crap crap crap!)

I'll tell you that when you're older. Just know that you don't have to be married for a girl to get pregnant.

(I so suck at this...)

Oh, yeah--that's true. You have to be careful when you sit by a girl...

(oh god, I've warped him against girls...)

...in the cafeteria. 'Cuz they may eat something they're allergic to!

Monday, December 08, 2008

Daily *snort*

Lord V just sent me THIS!



A nurse tends to a baby inside a Hello Kitty themed maternity ward inside a hospital in Changhua County December 4, 2008. Mommy, daddy -- and Hello Kitty -- welcome newborns at a cat-themed Taiwan maternity hospital that hopes the Japanese cartoon icon will ease the stress of childbirth as well as boost business. The 30-bed Hau Sheng Hospital in Yuanlin in central Taiwan claims to be the only institution of its kind authorised by the popular cartoon cat's parent company Sanrio Co Ltd. Newborns get everything Hello Kitty but a set of whiskers, including pink or blue receiving blankets, nurses dressed in pink uniforms with cat-themed aprons, cot linen and room decor. Picture taken December 4, 2008. To match Reuters Life! TAIWAN-HELLOKITTY REUTERS/Christine Lu (TAIWAN)

The header of his email?

"The next batch of future serial killers is being raised here"

*SNORT!!*

He's convinced Hello Kitty is evil and plots our demise. :P

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Katmas Cheer!

Holiday Craze

After dropping MiniWarrior off at his Dads house yesterday, I decided to get a few errands done while in that neck of the woods--and then zip on home to enjoy some World of Warcraft play til you drool "me time".

It started off well.

I hit the Pharmacy to refill a prescription and had a relaxing time perusing the Christmas aisles while waiting for the pharmacy.

Prescription in hand, I headed out to the local Craft store humming a Christmas tune and plotting decorating ideas in my head.

La la la la.
La la la la...


Oh my. Lotsa people out and about today...

Dee dum dee dooooo
Dum diddly deeee...


Ooooh! Look at all the neat Christmas stuff!

la la la...

Oh, 'scuse me.

Pardon me.

'scuse me!

I'm sorry. If I just need to get over to this...

Just let me grab this....

OMG Peeps! MUST you ALL stand in the middle aisle?!

sorry sorry...let me just...

Where are the freakin christmas balls?!

OMG its crowded in here.

Sweet Jesus, just let me find the stupid christmas balls and I'm outta...

Oops sorry didn't mean to bump into you.

Good Lord that kids got a pair of lungs on him.

'scuse me.

Oh sorry! 'scuse me!

Where the frack are the &%#! Christmas BALLS!

'scuse me, Ma'am? Where are the Christmas balls?

Ma'am?

MA'AM!

I can't believe she just freakin' blew right by me!

ARGH!

OK. Can't find Christmas balls...gonna use gold packages instead.

Excellent.

Good.

Now let me just pay for...

'scuse me.

'Pardon me.

The line starts...WHERE?!

sweet Josephine. I'm never getting out of here.

Why isn't this line MOVING?!

Sweet mother of...is she pulling out a checkbook?

Who freakin pays with checks anymore?

oh sweet lord. I'm gonna die in here.

Archaeologists will dig up my bones and be mystified as to how a person died standing up without a sign of mortal woundage.


Finally!

Yes yes. Merry Christmas to you, Ma'am.

Yes yes. I found everything I needed.

'cept the freakin' christmas balls!

ARGH.

Here's a note my Peeps.

Never.

Never ever EVAHR

go out Christmas shopping on the weekend.

Ever.

ever ever ever EVER.

Amen.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Peek-A-Boo!



My lastest insanity was captured in a shop window ;)

More images of insanity found HERE

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Guido-the-Cat

Guido-the-cat watchin' TV with me last night! :D

UM....YIKES!!!!

Cool new template, hmm?!

Unfortunately, I've lost the links to all my blog Peeps!

If you visit and want me to visit, please leave your blog URL in your comment.

Please please please

I have blog visitin' needs!!!

*cries*

Buddy Can You Spare A Coin?

Hi.

My name is HaphazardKat.

I am addicted to Photography and WoW (world of warcraft).

I have neglected my blog Peeps.

I have neglected my overflowing laundry baskets.

My conversations with Lord V consist of:

"Yes, Hun. Just a minute. I have to finish this quest"

or

"Check this one out! I took it with my iPhone!"

or

"I'll help you with that in a minute. I gotta finish my kill and get to a safe place..."

It's not pretty, Peeps.

Addiction.

And all its ugly faces.

Send help.

And while yer at it?

Send gold.

I need 110 gold pieces to purchase riding training and a horse.

Don't be mac'n on me...the World of Warcraft is a fracken huge place and I've wore out 6 pair of leather boots running everywhere!

Right now I've got 26 gold jinglin' in my leather hip pouch so I need...(hang on a minute)

*110 minus 26 equals*
*cross out the zero, make it a ten*
*cross out the 1, subtract one cuz I borrowed from the zero to make a ten*
*cross out the 1 cuz you borrowed and subtracted...*


brain cramp. brain cramp!

Well whateverrrrr.

I need a whole shizzle more.

I put my soul up for auction in Stormcity and someone named DaRkDoMiNiOn bought it for 6 gold.

*snort*

sucker.

I'd have taken 2.

hehehe

noobs.


Sunday, November 23, 2008

Another Soul Passes

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes to me during my sickies.

I seem to have conquered the flu bug that held me in its grip last week...and successfully (?) passed it onto Lord V. (sorry, Hun)

So far MiniWarrior remains unscathed. I hope this stays that way through the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend!

I had some sad news when I returned to work this morning. Seems one of my coworkers from our team in the South, suddenly passed away this weekend. Apparently she had been battling cancer. I had no idea as there was not a day that hasn't gone by where I haven't seen an email from her detailing some network issue she was working on.

I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that she is gone.

It's not clicking.

It's unfathomable to me how a person can one day be here and then gone.

There has been a lot of loss this year.

I think the Universe is in the RED karma wise.

She better start filling up the gaps she's been leaving behind or she and I are gonna have a pissed off kat on her back moment. ;)

Ever have an angry feline on your back?

MMmm hmm.

It's a scarring experience.

I'm just sayin...

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Work Train Reflections

I am not well this morning.

The flu lurks behind my skin, slithering inside my joints and muscles leaving behind slug trails of misery.

*sigh*

It is very hard to be at work on days like these.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Self Portrait

I was walking during lunchtime at work (yet again) and trying to capture the brilliant colors of a warm Fall day in the City with my iPhone eyeball--when I inadvertantly took a picture of myself.



Wanna see more? Go HERE!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Rainy Lunchtime Walk



I snapped up my umbrella and headed out into the wind and driving rain on my lunchtime at work today.

I love wild weather and how it changes the normal every day world into a moody, shadowy place.

I couldn't resist trying to capture a piece of it with the tiny eye of my iPhone.

Want to see more? Go HERE.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Busy Busy Crazy Busy

Today was a holiday a work. Normally that would mean a quiet, relaxing day for me, but alas, it was not to be.

We had an air conditioner meltdown that had me scrambling on my hands and knees frantically pulling floor tiles to try and find an outlet to plug the emergency air cooler in before everything melted like the wicked witch of Oz.

Just a wee bit frantic busy as I was the only one working, but I managed to get things fixed and the Wicked Work Witch lives to melt another day ;)

I came home to relax and play me some World of Warcraft and guess what? THEIR wicked witch of the server realm apparently melted as its now 7:43pm and their servers are still down.

BOO.

HISS.

*sulk*

*shakes a hat in your direction*

Psst. Hey Buddy. Can you spare a server?


Friday, November 07, 2008

Rain Rain Go Away....

I'm sulky this morning 'cuz it's raining and I can't take Chanda out to capture the colors of Fall.

Yeah, I know. There are those things called "rain sleeves" that I can put her in (saw one on CSI last night--pretty cool)--but seriously, Peeps...that would require me to go in the rain...

Yeah.

Not gonna happen...

So.

Plans for the day?

World of Warcraft.

Yes. I have joined the WOW lemmings.

*hangs head*

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Election Watch

A Kats Eye View of History in the Making :)

Innerestin' Day, Ain't It?

The air seems abnormally charged today with the energy of thousands of people moving in sync towards the Voter Booths.

No matter the preferred choice for Candidate...I feel closer as a Nation--and that ain't a bad thing :)

I revel in the fact that we have the right to make a choice without fear of reprisal and this year? This year we are moving forth in record numbers to exercise that choice.


We rock :)

Monday, November 03, 2008

I Gots a Fevah!

I have cabin fever, Peeps...and its Fall.

Isn't this phenomenon only supposed to happen in the Springtime when birds are chirpin' and the smell of fresh cut grass is in the air?

*Sigh*

I'm suffering.

S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G.

I feel like I'm gonna pop right outta my skin.

And that ain't good.

Not good at all.

This world couldn't handle skeletal me.

*Mutter* *Hiss*

*eyeballs the clock*

*SIGH*

I've got 6 more hours of work left...

Bah.

Humbug.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Good Evening...

Go HERE!

If. You. Dare.

Mwahahahahhahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

*cough* *hack* *wheeze*

...

Dang hairballs.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

A Boy And His Cat



Wanna see more? Go HERE!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Mantis Boy

MiniWarrior has managed to capture what is probably the last two living Mantis's of the season.

Lord V carting MiniWarrior back to his Dads house on Sunday packed in his trunk:

2 Mantis cages and
1 Hermit crab cage.

What MiniWarrior didn't pack was his school backpack or cricket victims for his caged prey.

So, last night after work I slipped by the pet store and picked up a baggie of crickets and toted them and MiniWarriors backpack over to him at his Dads house.

With my iPhone eyeball always at the ready...I bring to you--images of Mantis Boy and his creepy Prisoners.




Sunday, October 26, 2008

Love Outside The Box

I was walking back from my lunch break at work today. The sun was shining, the ground beneath my feet was littered with colored fall leaves, the wind blew just sharp enough for me to enjoy the comfort of my sweater vest and just soft enough for me to smile at it tugging at my hair.

Two men walked down the hill in front of me. One tripped and stumbled off the sidewalk. I smiled as his friend reached out and caught his arm before he could fall and then watched him rib his friend good naturedly on how goofy he looked falling off the curb.

They strode on turning to chat at each other along the way then the one who had stumbled reached over and ran a loving hand across and down the other mans back.

How nice, I thought. They obviously care deeply for each other.

My foot crunched down on a brittle pile of leaves and the one who had stroked the other guys back turned sharply at the noise and gave me a quick look.

He stepped further away from the other guy and assumed a more macho walk.

How sad, I thought. That we still live in a time where loving affection for another is smiled or frowned upon depending on the gender.

That we aren't fully free to be who we are without fear of reprisal.

The sunshine dimmed a bit for me and I shuffled back to work with a moody heart.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Pillow Thief


Friday, October 24, 2008

MiniWarrior aka Dr Doolittle

MiniWarrior, my 10 year old insect, animal, vampire loving, special boy--now stands as tall as my eyebrows.

This morning I woke and crept out of bed as the house and all its occupants lay sleeping.

I shuffled to the coffee maker and filled its belly with ground up beans and water and set it to work.

With the sounds of the water steaming I did a quick check of email and headline news then walked softly up the stairs to MiniWarriors nest.

The red light over Jabba-the-frogs cage illuminated the mantis habitats on his desk. Joset-the-green-mantis and Willy-the-brown-mantis hung upside down, their cages littered with the bodies of half eaten crickets.

A rustle of movement from the cricket cage told me the sacrificial creatures were busy nibbling on their breakfast of lettuce leaves and grapes.

Yes. Eat hearty my little victims. Think not of being speared on Mantis spines while your head is being noshed on nor think upon the lightening fast frog tongue that will pull you into its mouth and suck you down into its amphibian belly.

I passed by the hermit crab as he lay quietly, nestled against empty shells, its cage tucked into shadowy corners of the table then turned and walked into MiniWarriors bedroom.

He lay sprawled across his bed, rubber crickets and grasshoppers, stuffed cats, frogs and dogs, lay entwined in his sheets.

I lay beside him for a moment, stroking the soft outline of his ear. He stirred and pressed against me mumbling in his sleep.

I wrapped my arms around him and held him like I have for so many years now. The memories flickered through my head of a brown eyed baby, chubby legged toddler, now a lanky boy-man running on sun brown legs, chasing after another victim to add to his collection of cages.

Is it possible to love a human being more than I do this child?

I cannot imagine how.


Thursday, October 23, 2008

Sunrise

I awoke this morning to this view. Being the geek that I am--I lept out of bed, wrapped both my cameras around my neck and dashed outside in my Hello Kitty PJ's to capture it. :)




Wanna see more? Go HERE

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

What the...?!!

So. I was driving home from work and stuck in the corner of traffic where there is a stupid timed-wait-your-turn-traffic-signal-on-ramp light. I was waiting my turn...muttering at the light...when I see this hot car pass me by on the right.

Well...hmm...what do we have here?



Niceeeee car.

HOT!

Must inch closer and see what hunk of man is driving this hot car.

*inch inch inch*

Yes. That's it. Turn your head. Let me see you. That's right. Turn. Turn your hea...

What the...?!!



Are those...headphones?

And...and...duct tape??

Good lord.


The dude had duct taped headphones to his head.

I shizzle you not.

Foggy Tuesday

I've been insanely busy of late.

Every spare minute I have I've devoted to my new craze hobby, photography...

It's gotten so I'm taking pictures in my sleep. I'll be dreaming (apparently I dream in color)...and I'll see a particular dream image and think, "Wow...I should take a picture of that!" and then I spend the rest of my dream editing the pictures.

Yeah.

I might be needing an intervention soon.

If you do host an intervention for me? Could y'all wear black and white? It would add to the grittiness of the scene and make a fabulous urban addict shot.

I'm just sayin...

I've joined a new photography site--which after viewing 3 billion and 6 really BAD photography sites--ROCKS.

If you are interested, Check it out HERE. My photos are under Haphazardkat :)

Just to show you how NUTS I've become with taking pictures of everything?

I snapped this shot with my i-Phone while I was waiting for the train this morning.

At 5AM.

Clutching a steaming cup of coffee.

My lunch bag.

My work bag.

And a Louis L'Amour book.

My fellow platform congregants watched me then did the "she's one of those crazy's sideways step away dance" to the opposite side of the platform from me.

*sniff*

Oh. And (most) of the blurriness of this shot? Is Fog. It was thick as clotted cream out there.

Clotted cream

That there is a genuine artistic description.

*Z snaps*

Friday, October 17, 2008

Apple Strudel

And...here it is! The Apple Strudel I baked for the Dinner Club :)

A TAG by Jadey (*mutter* *mutter*)

The Photo Meme (*shakes my fist to the sky cuz Jadey tagged me!!!*)

A) Answer the questions below, do a Google Image search with your answer, take a picture from the first page of results, and do it with minimal words of explanation. B) Tag 5 other people to do the same once you’ve finished answering every question.

1) Age you will be on your next birthday.



2) A place you want to travel.



3) your favorite place.

*no google image of me being home with Lord V, MiniWarrior, thedog and Guido-the-cat :) *


4) your favorite food.



5) Favorite pet.



6) Favorite color combination.



7) Favorite piece of clothing.




8) Favorite tv show.




9) First name of your significant other.



omg...this one cracks me up!!!


10) Town in which you live.




11) Your first job.



12) your dream job.



13) A bad habit you have.




14) your worst fear.




15) What you'd like to do before you die.



and NO! I'm not going to tag anyone else :P You'all OWE me for this one!!