WORLDS ARE FORMING

So, I'm Not That Old, But Get This...

The other day, I turned 28. Not that old, in the grand scheme of things, I know.  But, the signs of aging are beginning to show, friends.

On a recent break from the hospital, I walked down the street, into Jamba Juice.  I ordered my beverage of choice (Peenya Coolada). 

Upon ordering a beverage, the nice customer service woman asks, "Would you like a boost with that?"  "Sure," I say.  I almost always get a boost, you know, to give me a boost.  Usually Energy, sometimes Immunity. 

Considering my newly achieved old age, and that which the old folks tend to gravitate towards, what do you think I got this time?

a. Energy
b. Fiber
c. Immunity
d. Protein

Ah, old age.  Things change.

Blog Vulnerability: I'm Not Vain, But...

How can good haircuts be so good...and bad haircuts...so...bad?  Sigh.

Seeing that I am not posting a picture, guess which camp I am in today?

My New Best Friend.

Every day as I leave the hospital parking garage, I give my parking ticket to Advar, a nice guy, about my age.  I smile and nod and sometimes say, "Have a good one" as I pull away.  Since I have been at the hospital for two months now, I don't even have to show him my badge to get my ticket validated, and I'm pretty sure we are best friends now.  Case in point...today at 5:30, I left the hospital an hour late because of a conference we are participating in.  Advar smiled, and said, "You're late." 

He's never said anything to me before.  He knows my schedule!  I told you, I am pretty sure that we are best friends now. 

We Partied Like It Was My Birthday.

Between the generous presents and my favorite Thai food, shaky faces, and the chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing, and the hanging out on the lawn and the the piggyback rides and laughs...it was a dang great day.  Only thing that could have made it better was if the whole family was around!  Dad and Sister and Brother-in-law had to work.  (Who does that?)  I'll get to have another fiesta on Friday with some Princeton and Seattle and Austin friends, too!

Thanks for the birthday well-wishes!  Here are a few pictures to peruse.  Seriously, we partied.

(P.S. Can you tell that I like my niece and nephew?)

Dear Twenty Seven,

Dear Twenty Seven,

I am sorry.  This is how I feel about you right now.  (Please see the picture above.)  It has been a good year.  Really.  It has.  We've laughed, we've cried.  We've learned so much together.  But, now, I am...well...older.  And, you are...well...just too young.  They don't call me Old Man Bro, Old Man Cleve, Grandpa Bro, etc. for nothing.  If I am going to live into my name and my identity, you cannot be part of me any longer.  And besides, Twenty Seven, you know how I love those even numbers, and you are, lets face it, odd.  I'm sorry.

Starting today, Twenty Seven, I'm Twenty Eight.

Love,
Josh

Favorite Smell of Summer 2006...

Lavender. 

My niece and I planted a pot of it earlier this summer, and I just can't get enough. I get a little mesmerized, and just keep smelling it.   I don't know what it is.

Last year was the first time I ever knowingly smelled a plant, and look at me know.  A big old fan of the stuff.

What about you?  What's this summer's smell?

Hook a Brother Up.

It is the middle of summer, and I am hankering for some new music...at least to listen to on Pandora. What are you listening to? Any suggestions?

For Some Reason, Wednesdays Inspire my Long-Latent Poetic Self.

My training in poetry is limited to 7th and 10th grade English, and amazing Professor Brower's speech class at Princeton.  That's it.  Well, I guess that I enjoy a good poem or two once in awhile.  And I admire Rilke, Cummings, and Frost.  Now, that's it.  Well, I also enjoy people with poetic patterns of speech, bloggers like Reno, April, and the blogger formerly known as Kellen.

In recent weeks, Wednesdays have inspired my poetic self.  Seriously, I have written more poems in that past three weeks than I have in a few years.  I will not say that it is "good," but it has been coming from my heart and my experience.  Good enough for me. 

So, you may see a few poems in the weeks to come.  But, I'm not promising anything. 

Fearing and Trembling No More.

Finally. He's out of here.  Kellen, I'll miss your blog.  You are a wise man to make the break and live in the real world again.  Lets do have conversations.

I Confess: I Stink at Clamming.

I know.  Really hot pictures.  Seriously, guys.  It took me FIVE stinking minutes to uncover my first clam, whereas my almost-five-year-old-nice had about 25 by then.  Ha. So much fun...

Click below to see more pictures from our Crabbing / Clamming / Oystering / Being Lazy Weekend on beautiful Hood Canal.