La Primavera Es El Verano Nuevo...

April 27. 80-some odd degrees. Wasn't spring supposed to be about rain and mild weather? I see no mild weather. I just see the heat mirages floating off the hoods of the cars jammed up on a crowded highway. The heat is turned up by the tempers of the drivers; flaring because they're dying to get home.

All I need is a big shade tree. Too bad I'll never find one. You won't find shade trees in the middle of a city, though. Those had fallen victim to urban sprawl long ago.

Too bad.

Hope the swamp doesn't catch again.

Dogwood's Plight

A cute (but true!) story from my aunt. A unique perspective, seeing the world from the eyes of a tiny bird...


Hi, I'm Dogwood the hummingbird. I'm in rehab 'cause my right wing is not working so good.
Here's the story: I was just returning to my summer home in the lovely foothills of North Carolina when I spied a yummy swarm of fruit flies and raced straight for them, then, BOOM! I hit this invisible force field. I was knocked out cold and when I came to, my whole right side wouldn't work, bummer!!! I just flopped around and ran in circles when I tried to fly, cause only one wing worked.
Here's the scoop: Then...I was scooped up (punny huh?) by this giant and taken away. It was sort of like flying but with no wind and no wings. I'm so confused.
Day 1: well you already know that story.
Day 2: I feel awful. I can't fly, I can barely move and I'm so depressed, plus I feel like I've been hit by a truck!
Day 3: I slept in this small dark place last night and I feel a little better today. I have a branch to perch on, Hey, I can perch!!! There is a giant container of nectar over there, think I'll have some. Yum. Wait, there are some pretty pink flowers if I try really hard I can go over to them. I am learning to motivate! I can go pretty much anywhere I want in this little box sort of place. Wonder where everybody else went? But, I still can't fly and still go in circles, boohoo.
Day 4: The giant took me outside today. This is where everybody else went. I have been practicing walking up and down my branches and even tried to jump off today. I think I felt my right wing move a little, Yea!! I'll just keep trying.
Day 5: I feel really down today I worked and worked yesterday and I still can't fly. I just keep going in circles but I did get some fresh raindrops from the pink flowers the giant brings everyday. It even brought some nectar filled lilacs today, but I'm still depressed. Wish I could fly away!!!
Day 6: I spent a long time outside in this cool place with flowers and rocks and stuff today. I got new food that had what the giant called nutrients in it. I climbed to the top of my perch and practiced flying all day. I know my wing is starting to move now!!! I'll just keep trying till it gets all better.
Day 7: wait, it is still day 6 . Catch up with you again in a couple of days.

That photo was also taken by my aunt. She's a great photographer.

O'Reilly randomness.

So I was watching some clips of "The O'Reilly Factor" yesterday. This dude is a loco *expletive not entered*. I mean, does he actually think he's a valid newsperson or is he just there to piss people off?
This one segment I saw was an interview with Marilyn Manson. It was gold. He was doing everything he could do to make Manson angry. Manson just keeps his composure and sticks it to him. He spoke respectfully and intelligently, all the while O'Reilly was trying to discredit him. Really puts a spin on the artists behind the netherworld of music-- and makes O'Reilly look like a mook.
All this guy does is *attempt* to make people mad. It's great for a laugh. His show should be on Comedy Central rather than on FOX.

Then again, Colbert and Stewart have more credibility than him, and they don't even claim to be the REAL news. Pathetic.

My Reaction to My Grandmother's Fight With Leukemia

The month was December, I believe. I don't recall exactly what day. I was walking down the road on a cold, windy night. It was actually quite nice considering that I find the cold weather comforting. A few minutes down the road I get a phone call from my father. I was a bit alarmed because he hardly ever calls me. I answer the phone and he sounds upset. I knew it was going to be bad news, but never as horrible as it actually was. He told me of my grandmother's condition. I can remember dropping to my knees on the road and crying. My grandmother was visiting my father in New Jersey that week when she fell ill. My father drove her to the hospital and they ran the usual blood tests on her. Her white blood cell count was dangerously low. It was the worst news no one wants to hear. She had leukemia and she was dying. The chances of survival were fairly low. She was losing weight and hair. She had dreamed of seeing me graduate high school, and seeing the realisation that she may not, she was devistated. But despite the odds, her condition eventually improved after many intense and tiring chemotherapy sessions.

Today she is doing awesome, and she's passed her first year in remission, and her hair has grown back. She looked great when I saw her at my graduation. She was so happy to live to see it, and I was ecstatic to see her. It is a defining moment in my life because it made me realise that even the strongest can fall and you can't take anything for granted.

Horrible pic of me, but my grandma looks great!