A scent laced with artistic expression and stress..

The semester has officially begun...

and the last week and a half hasn't counted, why? you ask?

Well, my dear friends, my hands are now stained with the delightful smell of film developer and fixer.

Yum. Not.

If you are unfamiliar with this aroma, I would invite you to take a long whiff of a tub of vinegar, dump it on your hands, then procees to dry them with dirty gym socks.

Go ahead, I will wait.

This putrid odor reeks not only of the ingredients listed above, but also of stress, fatigue, and seemingly outstretched artistic expression that is often seen not worth the pain, but generally ends with a beaming pride of self achievement when you can put that picture up in front of the class and say to yourself, "I made that."...and then the stench on my hands is no longer bitter, but sweet, and welcomed, if not for the few moments that it shines.

=HOOT=

How are you..?

How strange it is that we in our society feel that we must be chipper and happy people who love life all the time..at least for everyone else. Even on the most awful of days, when someone greets you with inquiry of how life is, we most always say "fine" or "good" or even "great". When some one asks how you are, if you honestly responded with a "life sucks" or an "I'm actually terrible at the moment" people don't know how to respond. They awkwardly pause a moment before apologizing to you..probably for not having anything to say or for expecting the common response of "I'm good". So either we are too guarded or we don't genuinely care enough about those around us. So.. when we ask someone how they are doing..are we really wondering how they are? Or has that greeting become an empty phrase? A filler?.. just to start a conversation..a substitute for hello...making a hard truthful answer hard to hear, because we weren't actually asking..? Is this why we feel guarded when on the other side?..because we realize its just an empty phrase and the asker is really asking the ask-ee?..so there is no use in being honest. It's easier to just put on a smile and spit out a singularly syllable-d word...fine...good..great..

It's easier..until the weight of the fake smile becomes too much..and even the word "fine" is so bitter it makes a lump in your throat and nearly brings you to tears because you wish so badly to be fine..or even OK..but you're not either. And nobody will know.

The mere happenstance of thunder.

Not 10 minutes ago I had the deep and sinking inner desire to take a picture of thunder. 9 1/2 minutes ago, it rolled, tumbled, and cracked in a way that only Arizona thunder can, stirring up jealousy and severe inner angst and sadness inside of me because I could not, in fact, capture and frame what I so entirely wish I could.

I would just like to let it be publicly known that I felt personally victimized by this act of nature and I felt that its mocking was indeed childish and

quite unnecessary.

(Here is my sad and terribly disappointing excuse for portrayal of the greatness of Arizona's afternoon storm, completely incomplete without the representation of thunder)

copyright Katelin Roberts 2010

Obituary

Howie was born long ago on a rainy night in April.

He was given the name Howie after "Hungry Howie's

Pizza" but was never asked if he even liked pizza. He

was born and raised in Mesa, AZ and his childhood

wasn't the smoothest experiences, but as he grew into

adulthood he conquered any rocky or thorny patch in

his way. He was a fighter like that.

Howie was known and loved by all who met him. He

had a sparkle about him that could light up anybody's

eyes. He would greet everyone he saw with excitement

and genuine interest. He spent his time swimming and

relaxing in his home. He was a simple guy; he never

needed very much. Though he suffered from mild dep-

ression early on in his life, he was able to overcome

it and become the fantastic being we all knew him as.

His time with us was far too short as he took his own

life in a tragic household accident. He is survived by

countless family members and innumerable friends

that will forever have his imprint in their hearts.

Through all of his ups and downs, he proved to be a

first rate friend and a truly golden piece in every life

he touched.

R.I.P. Howie

The physical appearance of the please makes no difference..

I saw this movie....

..for the 3rd time last night.

And I still want one of these....

..REAL bad.

Oh...the stories of my life...

(ps..the water jug part is my favorite...just sayin'..)

=HOOT=

..and my heart just keeps on smiling..

I just happened upon something quite amazing..My heart is still smiling one of those "ear to ear smiles"..but perhaps, if its my heart, it might be "shoulder to shoulder"...

..Anyhow...please do this.

Step 1. Go to Google.com

Step 2. type in "who's the cutest"

Step 3. Click "I'm feeling lucky"

You're Welcome.

..and that's when she "quacked"..

I read today that a duck's quack doesn't echo.

I found this strange at first...

...then I grinned as I pictured a duck standing between to rocky canyon walls...

quacking...

I didn't hear an echo either. :)

=HOOT=