pimp my snack

Some people have way too much time on their hands (along with money), but I really do think this cake is awesome. I also really like the giant sushi.

yummy weather

I'm totally loving this weather. It's time to start making Slurpees.

MMM, yum!

Snail mail me

Kind of a cool idea. Though something about it makes me kind of wary. It doesn't seem normal (though maybe that's my cynical side coming through, not believing there's people who want to do good just to help others and do good...)

While looking for more info on it, I came across The Letter Project, which is also pretty cool. I wish it did different pictures each time though...

various responses

"Hey, do you know if Joe is in with Schmoe?"

Now, what answer do you give here? Yes, you know that Joe is in with Schmoe. So you say yes.

Then, person asking the question takes off, mumbling that ok, Joe is in with Schmoe.

However, that is not what you were saying. You were simply saying you knew the answer to the question of whether or not Joe was in with Schmoe.

Along the same lines - "Is Joe around?"

Yes, Joe is around. Is he available is really what you want to know, so when I say yes, he's around, and then you ask to talk to him and I say he's not available, you're a little perturbed that you went through that and I said yes he's around...

Ask the question you really want the answer to people. Think about it just a second more and be real.

Coolest shops in Leavenworth

We recently went to Leavenworth, WA with my family for a few days. We had a really nice time. The coolest shop in Leavenworth is The Metal Waterfall Gallery. The guy does his own work, in a small space behind the counter. We got a cool grape vine wall sculpture. There were so many cool things, I'm kinda glad I don't live there (or closer), as I'd have to go back and buy more.

The next coolest shop in Leavenworth was a little shop that sold things from all over the world. They get things from different sections of the world - art, woven baskets, greeting cards, drums, jewelry, clothing, carvings from wood, bones, rocks... I think that was about it. The stuff in the shop was neat and some really cool things, plus it was decently priced. Most of the cards had very realistic sayings on them - like 'I wanted to change the world, but I wanted to do it from the comfort of my own home'. Some made me sad, because they were so true. It again made me realize how blessed I am in my life and to be an American, but also of how selfish and uncaring I/Americans can be about the suffering in the rest of the world.

The coolest thing about the shop was how it operated. The people that worked there were volunteers and they kept business expenses to a minimum. They raised the prices of items 10% over cost (I think that's what the lady said). The money from the sold item went back to the person who made it, and their community, then 5% to the local food pantry and 5% to the local Habitat for Humanity.

The third coolest shop was a Belgian chocolate shop. What made it great was that the lady there was super nice and friendly - not in an annoying way though. She just made you feel at home. I felt the chocolate was good. The chocolate covered espresso beans were the best though I think.