A New Twist On Medical Illustration

(Get it? Huh? Huh? Because of the balloon animal thing? ...yikes.)

Pneumatic Anatomica by ~freeny on deviantART

click on the image to see it larger

We Got SEALEGS

The Shins. were. awesome.

They played at a smaller venue here in the city and when we walked in, we saw that it was an "in the round" setting. So we scoped out where we thought the front was going to be and chose our seats. The opening band came out to start their set (The Shaky Hands - they were great!) and as they played their first notes, things started moving. I thought I was dizzy or something--but nono - it was a rotating stage. It slowly spun so everyone got to see the front of the band at one point or another. It was so cool.
And, as I mentioned, The Shins. were. awesome.

I Know, Right?

I'm just saying...

So, a while ago I saw a picture of my sister that, as soon as I saw it, made me think, "whoa...that is freaky." Not because she, you know, looked freaky or anything. But because it reminded me of a picture of myself that was taken a few years ago. And I realized that we have the EXACT same "Um...ok..." face. Don't believe me? BAM!So, this made me laugh and I hadn't really thought about it since. UNTIL...a couple months ago I was mindlessly perusing the internet and you know how sometimes you get bored and you wander into...sites you wouldn't normally visit? You know what I mean...you look and you enjoy it and then you hate yourself afterwards? Don't judge me. You know you've been there, too. We've all done it once or twice. So there I was at icanhascheezburger.com (What? What did YOU think it was? GOSH.) and I saw THIS and it was all I could do not to spit diet pepsi all over my keyboard.
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Are you ready?
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I KNOW! :)

"You Look Really Nice Today

for some reason."

...I think that's a compliment?

Top Fours!

Things I did this weekend:
1. Saw Across the Universe with Brad, Ashley, Katie and Haley. Good movie, good tunes. Bono did an awesome job with his little part AND sang I Am the Walrus (coocoo ca choo). If you like the Beatles and maybe a little Moulin Rouge, you'll probably like the movie.
2. Cheated on Borders with the more conveniently located Barnes & Noble. Oh the shame. I sat in the cafe with my purchases and with each sip of my Starbucks nonfat no whip pumpkin spice latte, I died a little inside...but the deliciousness brought me back from the brink.
3. Bought a crossword puzzle book. Did you know I am 78 years old? Whatever. I love crossword puzzles. I have a system, I work in pen, and I get to use words like epee and falcate and termagant.
4. Went to Oktoberfest. It was a great day to be outside - fun atmosphere and the weather was perfect. We sat on the grass and talked and listened to the bands on the main stage and drank our requisite beers (mmm...Hoegaarden). It was fun.

Things I'm looking forward to:
1. The Shins on Tuesday night.
2. San Diego on Friday.
3. Seeing Bea and everyone a week from Tuesday.
4. Sean and Keffy's wedding a week from Friday.

Aaaaand I'm spent.

Just Some Things...

My grandpa died last Friday. It wasn't sudden or even all that shocking--he was 94 and hadn't been well for quite a while--but it's never easy to know that someone who has just always been there suddenly...isn't. It seems like not that long ago that I was in the same little town in Kansas for my grandma's funeral, but it's actually been nearly a year.

My grandparents were married for 62 years. They were farmers, raising sheep and wheat and milo and my mom and her sister and two brothers. They were good, honest, hardworking people with a strong, quiet faith and an absolute love for family and friends.

His funeral was hard for me, not only because he was my last remaining grandparent, but because I heard so many stories from so many people that made me realize how much of a life he lived - things that I knew little or nothing about. How he and his friend took off for The West during the thirties to "find their fortunes." The pranks he and my grandma's brothers used to pull on each other. How he and Grandma and my mom and her siblings would all work together to bring in the harvest each year. Just things that gave me a bigger picture of the man I clearly only knew a glimpse of.

Grandpa was a World War II veteran (a maintenance crew chief on the B-24 bombers), so at the grave site they conducted a military burial. As we pulled in to the tiny country cemetery we saw, all lined up, backs straight and proud, eyes ahead, a line of men wearing their military best--not one of them under 70 years old. The pastor read a few verses and spoke a little, and then a tottery old man left his place in line, came over, saluted my grandpa, and presented my uncle with a folded flag. He gave a very formal speech thanking my grandpa for his service to his country and at the end, in such a sad and sincere voice, simply said "We're gonna miss 'im." Oh, did I cry. Then they did the three-shot volley and one of the men played Taps. I don't think there was a dry eye.

My cousin Brian spoke at the funeral service - of all the grandkids, he knew Grandpa best. At the end, he read this verse by Walt Whitman - a tribute to my grandpa who loved the land.

I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love.
If you want me again look for me under your bootsoles.
You will hardly know who I am or what I mean,
But I shall be good health to you nevertheless,
And filter and fibre your blood.

Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,
Missing me one place search another,
I stop somewhere waiting for you.

As hard as it is to know people are gone, I'm so happy for Grandpa. He lived his life. He had a solid faith. And I know Grandma's probably up there talking his ear off right now.