Not sure I could have survived 5-for-5 this week. 3-for-3 kicked my ass pretty good.

Kicked it off with Fred's bday after work Thurs, where I was stared in the eyes by an "iced" Michael somebody from Roswell and told that my eyes were saying that I wanted to be naked with him right then. And that he had 3 missed call from me. Which was not the case, considering I had met him a minute and a half before, when he had grabbed my hand and asked me how it was feeling. Props on the creative pickup line, M...
Zack's birthday=Definition of success: started out at Bourbon St, ended at Loft. (Lindsay from Albany arrived right before the festivities. Had lunch with her today, and she wants yall to know she wasn't scared away from the legendary 18 Vine St, she just is enjoying spending time with her buddies.) They didn't need me at work Sat night, which was just as well because I was struggling from fri until A.Shaughn's bday dinner. Two things we need to do more: dj dance parties at 283, and N. Campus sprinklers at 3am.

It's lucky I happen to enjoy empty houses, because these new roommates of mine peace out pretty often. It's also lucky that I nomad my way into the comfiest of beds, because I have been sleeping in pretty well. I'm on the lookout for new, badass hobbies that are cheap. Big learning curves are ok, as I have plenty of time on my hands. One will be Georgia Cycle Sport spinning classes. They are literally my neighbors, and students get a 12-class pass for $25. Maybe I'll take up unicycling or something too.

I know I'm rambling now, but I'm at 2 on the birthday countdown. Really 1 because it's nighttime. I am so excited to not be the underage babychild anymore, although I've gotten pretty confident in my ability to distract people from the fact that I'm not a 24-yr-old jewish girl from Ponte Vedra. Can't wait to celebrate in Arkansas and hopefully with some of you Wise Women next week!

B is for ballin outrageous

Becky and I rocked downtown last week for 5 nights in a row. We made May-hem happen. Julia, Amelia, and Carson, made critical guest appearances. Highlights include (but are not limited to): chilling at Blue Sky for Fred's official 21st; Amnesty Night at Two Dollar Tuesday at Copper Creek; wine and halibut for an Inter-Tribal Feast before napping, fountain-wading and bar-hopping; Fred's bday party; late nighting at The Grill and around Carson's garden; Zach's bday party; killing it at the Loft on Friday, our crowning achievement of the week. Mama's Boy on Saturday morning. Then off to the lake with Becky, Elizabeth, Amelia, and Travis Jones. So. Much. Fun.

I also finished up working at the church and for the Buenos Aires office last week; no more job until the fall.

Tomorrow I will take my final and give a presentation to finish up my class. Then, to Atlanta before we leave for Wakarusa early on Wednesday (aka Carson's 21st bday!).

I can no longer avoid studying for my final or preparing this presentation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC1NR7AL_9s&feature=related

So much love,

Katie B

Happiness in Cali

Alright, no more whining! I love it now. Seriously, a huge 180. I went down to the Kings river on Saturday and was greeted warmly with a big "oh Hattie, ya we have been excited about meeting you!" Talk about a perfect way to arrive at a new job. Seriously beautiful. i still haven't taken pictures, but I plan on doing it soon. Maybe getting a few pics of the co-workers and camp and all that but it is amazing. My tent is 50 feet from the river so that knocks me out every night. We cook all meals for the guests and get to eat leftovers on our days off, and there are always a ton of leftovers. The food is amazing and fresh and organic believe it or not. So I am not having to spend any money which is fantastic. It is like an hour drive to an sort of civilization, like seriously. And like an hour drive on the windiest steepest cow-infestedd drive you've ever seen. I wish I were kidding. I think I am going to be here most of the summer, maybe with some trips back up to the Merced to take some trips. I have my first customer trip tomorrow, I have spent the past few days learning the river and such and had a check-out trip yesterday. We came into Fresno to get some supplies and make phone calls and use internet. I am in the Fresno State library right now.
Everyone is amazingly nice and just like happy you are alive. So much fun. Pretty much no partying at least not yet. They keep hinting that it is in the future, but I don't know if I believe. I can say though it has been a much needed hiatus. Got a new girl yesterday which is always a plus. She is a year younger and from Boston. She has never guided before and trying to learn, but very awesome. You guys would like her for sure. The boys are just uber hot and sexy....ya not really but awesome and fun! Got some kayaking buddies, so hopefully I'll be a badass by the end of the summer.
I miss you guys like crazy though, still lots of adjusting to be done. I hate not being able to text ya'll on the reg. I daily think of funny things I want to tell all of you.
So much love, it is so great to hear what everyone is doing. I am so proud of you wisdomful women! Kisses and hugs

Hello Wise Women, just feeling the need to update. However, as it turns out, I really don't have too much to share. I'm mostly just embracing impromptu downtown visits, since my schooling has so often impeded this action for me. Katie Julia, and I may have had to put off watching Amelie two nights in a row, but I'd like to think it was a fair trade.

So instead, I have a proposition. I have always, ALWAYS had the nerdy ambition to have a book club. I did participate in one for a couple hot minutes in middle school, but that hardly counts because the moms were always vetoing our choices. Apparently, when someone picks out some scary-ass book about vampires that kept me awake for a week, it was fine, but when Hillary wanted to read something actually good about some chick being bi, it was inappropriate. In any case, I can read whatever I want now and I want to read with y'all. So any takers? And the invitation should of course be extended to any interested parties, not just our women that are wise. The blog could even be used for sharing thoughts, since we are often so spread apart. I am lobbying hard for this so think about it. I will even pick the first book, if that encourages anyone.

One love.

P.S. For those not in Athens, the Broasis lost the firepit. Howard gave us new gravel and is trying to fix the erosion. I'm trying to remember now why I thought this was interesting enough to put in a post, but can't now. Pretend I was especially witty about it and we'll call it a day.

B is for beach and bummed.

I read that the equation for happiness is reality divided by expectations. We all had some pretty big dreams for what our summers would be, and from what I can gather, so far reality is working out a bit differently than what we expected, resulting in a low happiness ratio. But life is what you make it and, if nothing else, it goes on. So just keep on keepin' on, lower your expectations, and enjoy the reality of the moment. Soon it will be then and you'll be wishing it was now.

The uneditted (and thus, interesting) version of my life is a bit convoluted right now and always ridiculous. Given the public nature of the internet, I'm going to keep it vague. Just know that, like most facets of life, there's a lot more to the story.

Which brings me to Surf and Turf. Team Shrimp and White Wine did not play frisbee very well, but we did bring the party. Played "Slap the Bag" all day with Franzia" (so classy), and then at the tournament party Sat. night instigated a 20+ person game of "Slap Shot" (you literally slap someone across the face and then pass them the handle; not a game that you being the evening with). The beach was glorious. The Swamp was classic beach club/bar trashy. In the car ride on the way down, I made the ominous declaration that someone needed to do something absurd to continue the tournament tradition, and that I was willing to volunteer myself for the job if necessary. Turns out, the ball was in my court. And I always play. Still sandy and sunscreeny so I'm going to go take a shower.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdlkFmDyoxA&playnext_from=TL&videos=bG_itfvrDeE

So much love,

Katie B.

double-this, double-that, double double this-that

I've had two weekends this week, or at least that's what it feels like. Not like every week isn't pretty much a weekend around here, but I didn't work a-tall tues/wed, and THEN i had fri afternoon/sat so, double-double weekend. So I know I have yall on the edge of your seats with my rambling, wondering what I did with all this spare time, but to tell you the truth, I don't remember all of it.

Tues I know we had a nice time at Copper Creek. Wed I fell asleep by the pool and just tempted melanoma...no sunscreen=ouch! Saw my buddy from camp. Thurs went to the quarry and swung off the rope swing, which was awesome, and was late to work for the first time (and also I was not clean), which was not awesome but not the terribly awkward experience I expected. My other weekend started very rain-ily. But I got to see all kinds of folks that I don't see all that often: parents&sister, Sarah, middle school buddy Hannah & her fam, high school friend Sarah Beth. Hattie--I struggled with that awful bike rack for my NEW BIKE! and we rode out to stone mt.

So, now Darbs has brought home a kitten to get adopted. I'm not marketing to you people, but if any of your friends want a fuzzy (haha i typed fuxxy first) siamiese kitten, let me know. We're brainstorming ghetto names right now. That, or Little Shit.

Had to throw this in here, that last post was too much of a downer. And if the wise women are NOT one thing, its downers.
This is how you make it through a 14 hour day of driving. It was a good night

I could use my wise women right now. I am living a truly vagabond lifestyle Becky. I would say you would be proud of me, but I'm not sure considering our final decision on the lives of vagabonds. I live in my car. Well I sleep in my tent, but have literally set my car up with clothes in piles and a small kitchen area and everything else stuffed in corners. I have just left the merced river and am heading to the kings. I hope things are a little better over there. There was no real closeness in the guides on the merced. everyone is always running a million different directions. I really want to just get y feet under e and get to know this place, but i can't really do it yet with all the confusion and running around. I am hoping the kings presents a little bit more hope for work. It is still so beautiful around every corner. I drove up into Yosemite yesterday after I got off the river and it is just so amazing. If I do end up working for a while at the Kings I will be sad not to be close to it anymore. However now I will be by Sequoia nat'l forest and get to go see all the big redwoods! Been doing a lot of journaling and learning about myself and being on my own. Maybe not all I thought it would be. I am determined to give this a chance and to have the summer I envisioned. It'll happen, just not as soon as I may have thought.

I miss you all with every moment! You are such great friends, something that becomes very evident when you aren't around. Love you!

Whats Your Road, Women?

We have made it across the entirety of the country. Here is a quick highlight the past few action packed days with a few photos. Mostly just the Highlander making her way. I will leave it to Becky to weave out travels into a most intriguing and interesting tale. But I know everyone is just dying for an update so here goes...

My life


Painted Desert


Grand Canyon


Advanced Filing System


Joshua Tree


and keeping it touristy in LA

well i am going to keep this short and sweet because lets be honest, the more i try to drag this out, the more it will turn into me attempting to entertain you with jokes and poems that i find off of other websites. My summer thus far has been exactly what i hoped for. sleep, food, and relaxation. I have been oil painting and playing the piano most of each day since i returned home on thursday. it has been a dream. i of course chose a chopin because he and i just go well together (nocturne in E flat- look it up, its baller).

while i have enjoyed my rest, i am now getting slightly antsy with nothing to do, and have decided to pick up a few classes at ramsey. i will be returning to athens tomorrow for the remainder of the week, soooo if anyone is in athens come take my bodypump class at 6 tomorrow :)

lastly, amongst all the madness and chaos of lounging that has been my summer, i have somehow found the time to catch up on my youtubing ( i know what youre thinking, "how did she find the time?!") so i would like to share with you my favorite so far. i think we can all learn from this little girl. Jessica's "Daily Affirmation" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg

My Life- exciting as it gets I should think

First off for this cul de sac of ours in the future this should be the house design. They of course all must look the same so none of our children ( that is, if i don't decide to become asexual) are jealous of certain houses. Or hang out at a certain house, because then I would definitely have to compete for the coolest house. But anyways check this out:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/6VuIxQ/www.simondale.net/house/index.htm
It's from my most recent exploration on StumbleUpon, the sweetest thing on the internet (besides Women's Health Fitness) and this blog of course. Umm jk, but not really.
So my happenings have been what could be said to be dramatic if you're bored in Atl. My small cousins arrived Friday. Their dad is a competition bbq er (another new goal in my life), so the large smoker was in tot behind their SUV. We all headed off to Felini's for dinner. $5 Yeungling pitchers were a part of my mom's order and i almost died when I was offered a glass. I took it without hesitation. I have now accepted beer into my life. I'll admit i don't savor the taste, just swallow (that's what she said?), but liquor is just not appropriate for all occasions.
I was displaced to the bulldog room (yes, this is a real room) where i slept a max of 4 hours and then awoke to the pitter patter of small feet and the scraping of matchbox car wheels on the hard wood floors above me. Ugh today was the day where I had to sit through a 5 hr graduation and smile and laugh at things that weren't funny.
So i went prepared. I made my phone die i texted (is it text or texted?) so much and sketched four pages worth of things that were going on. The most memorable part may have been when the headmaster commented on Aus' lastest hair style. Mohawklet ( mohawk + mullet).
Then it was off to see all the family and friends and eat massive amount of ribs and butt. Delicious I should think. I spent half the night chasing all the cousins out of the house so they wouldn't eat all the cookies. Can i be 6 again?
While playing cars + what flavor popsicle do you want with my cousin, Brooks (3) I asked him what time he had woken up that morning. He replied, "4 hrs... yeah I have to a sleep a lot in the day time". It was hilarious. We also found a bunch of worms, which he insisted on "washing" in the bird bath. Austin and I tried to save the fate of these worms, but dirty worms were just NOT OK with Brooks- "but they're dirty. Wash them".
Today I went shopping with the goofiest/ maybe most hilarious guy i know from pi-hi ( 007- what what) where he preceded to almost walk into a cubicle like area at DSW ( he needed converses and flip flops). The windows were reflective and all he could see were the cashiers in the reflection. They straight up laughed at him, i threw my head back and bellowed ( KB i challenge you) and he just tried to explain himself. The lady cashier asked if he had seen Family Guy last night. Apparently someone had walked into a mirror in the show too. Ahhh all cartoons must be real life then, I guess. Well that's all for now
Ohh and Abbey saw JAMES FRANCO in the RISD library. Luckily, she made out with him for me. She did say it was HOTTTT. I can only imagine

I say ONE, you say PIECE!

That's right, I rocked the one-piece swim suit and took the Youth Group to the lake; what did you do today? After a blissful early morning ski run, I drove back to Athens in my parents' van and lead a 3 car caravan of 19 people (13 out of the 15 kids were boys) to Lake Oconee. Those kids crack me up. So much tubing; so much wakeboard instruction. 2 kids successfully passed Branscomb ski school. Another was about to jump in when it started lightning, something I would've shrugged off under normal circumstances, but when you're in charge, potentially dangerous situations matter all of a sudden. So I called in the troops. Everybody headed out after my mom and dad fed them all dinner and took a group picture. I hope I grow up to be just like my mom.

Now, back in Athens (still with the '96 Quest with 220,000 miles on it; probably going to cruise for dudes later). Maybe a little movie action, maybe a little homework action (let's be real, probs not the latter). For interested parties, Glenn is doing well in Oxford and was thrilled to hear that there is another hottie to scope for in Athens (Mia, watch out).

muscle tees

First, just thought you people might want to see one of my Wise Women of last summer who helped coin the phrase:
This is Mary, one of my favorite campers ever.

I've had a few moments in my day that I really hope you guys will find as amusing as I have....

- Saw a guy at the gym wearing a muscle tee of the cut-out sleeve variety. As he walked by the benchpress, his "sleeve holes" got caught on the little bar that sticks out. It was Wes (your bud from freshman year, Mia). He doesn't know i saw.

- I was doing the rowing machine, just grooving to my GirlTalk. About 14 minutes in, I realized that my rowing machine had scooched itself up literally in front of its whole neat little row of machines. I really couldn't help but laugh. T
hen, I saw the folks that work at the desk laughing. Do you guys ever know you're doing something ridiculous and suddenly get self conscious that everyone is laughing at YOU? (yeah, me neither. )

-This Hattie might appreciate: I had literally just taken 3 plates to a table and almost sat them down at table 11 when one of the waiters said Carson, table FIFTEEN, when Hugh asked me how I was doing. I told him I about took food to the wrong table....apparently these are not the kinds of things you tell the owner.

California here we cooooooooommmee (Hattie)

It is 11:11 pm on May the 12th, exactly 30 hours and 49 minutes until Becky and I head out into the great expanse of the American West. I just made a wish and kissed that clock about a trillion times just for you Mia. All my stuff, to my mother's joy, is still in compact little piles about my parents house. The plan is to have it all by the door ready to be placed with puzzle like precision into the back of the Highlander in the morning. I am really gonna do this aren't i?
Just bought my ticket to Costa Rica for those who that matters to. I chose U.S. Scareways and plan on returning 2 weeks after our program is over so got my return flight on Dec 3rd. Hoping someone will join me on that...

Anyways, I've been having a super fun time getting ready for this departure. Trying to get together with all of you I wont be seeing for some time, as well as getting a few last things in order. Such as applying for a new passport (that i thought was safely in the filing cabinet...it wasn't). Thank you postal service for the wonderful 3 hours I spent in one of your pleasant and enjoyable establishments. You really know how to make customers feel taken care of and appreciated. Not to mention the efficiency all of your workers use to carry out their tasks with to ensure a most timely response to the requests of these customers. Really, my deepest appreciations.

This past weekend was the perfect beginning to summer. Tellico plus friends by the fire of Friday followed by a half-assed attempt of the Ocoee on Saturday followed by a beautiful wedding atop a mountain overlooking Lake Burton. Got some pictures and video of from the Tellico (thanks Daniel for making Baby Falls look so massive).

Going to have a little goodbye dinner tomorrow then all that lays ahead is the open road...here goes.

Life continues in the Broasis

I shared a huge amount of Pasta-Chicken-Tomato derishishness (courtesy of Mama B and J Dog - leftover from Sunday's Mother's Day Extravaganza) with some fellas in the Broasis. Proceeded to join their chauncery, mixed vices, and became too sleepy to make it to Copper Creek. My apologies, Carson; it was a struggle. Posted up in your bed last night, Mia (alone and clothed, don't worry).

My class started yesterday and I think it's going to be really interesting - the Ecology and Evolution of Human Disease. We watched a video called "Rx for Survival" and part of it addressed polio in India, which was apropos as I got an adult polio vaccine on Monday when I went to the travel clinic.

Snuggled with Carson on Monday night after I met her, Grayson, and a few of his friends at Cali 'n Titos. So Becky, be ready for some lovin tonight. Three nights, three beds, same house. Might just sample Hattie's bed tomorrow night to make it a home run.

Jacqueline, I am very glad that your name on this blog is "poop." This needs to be a post-label, because I have a feeling that this excrement will be a motif (please see Amelia's very first post).

Holler at this blog, for sure.

Thus far, my summer has not been the A+ experience that I'd hoped for, but don't worry, I fully expect to bounce back. After working my full day at Ben and Jerry's on Sunday (no big deal, made an ice cream cake) I drove home to Roswell to say what's up to my mom since it was Mother's Day. Conversation did not take long to focus on my approaching trip to California with Hattie, and it was mentioned that, in fact, my parents thought getting home using the AirTran U program was just not gonna fly (thank you in advance, Katie, for laughing at that pun.) My dad, seasoned traveler that he is, felt that I would be stuck in LAX for days, which is good to know, but maybe like more than a week before I leave. So there was a big fuss (probs like yours with the sheets Amel) and I had to concede to buy a ticket rather than do the standby thing. Just $225. It's fine, I made 8 dollars in tips on Sunday, I can afford things like this. But not really.

Anyway, for some reason all of this relates to my life in the bigger scheme so Monday I got to sit down with my parents and for OVER TWO HOURS go over my life plan. Turns out, even though I'll be graduated next May, I still don't exactly get to choose what I do. You wanted to go to grad school? You're not. You wanted to teach abroad? You're not. Surprise on my life. But again, not really.

I'm sounding a bit like a diva I feel, but really, it was quite stressful. Thinking about starting the real world in a year, and not the TV show where I would be able to live in an awesome house with a bunch of wackos, is hella weird. I can't imagine having a real job, or living not in Athens, or even just not living in the Broasis. You can see how this might set me up for a bit of a melancholic start to my summer. Have no fear though, because I have rallied and realized that, if all this is coming at me so soon, all the more reason to kill it right now. So, in conclusion, holler at this blog, holler at my wise women, and holler at not being a real person right now.

Got back from an epic wedding weekend last night, and am now getting ready to do the old skeedadle (for those of you that have read Glass Castle) and move things from home to Athens and from 18 Vine St HQ to our old stomping grounds, Towne Club.

As I was checking my email, I was of course extremely excited to find the creation of this blog, but also just so proud that the tridelt listserv came through for me again (just a little too late for my job search)...here is an email posted this weekend:.

show details May 7 (3 days ago)

I know a lot of people have been wanting to find a job this summer in
Athens, well dooo nooot worry!
Fantasy World is hiring professional models NOW!
They are taking applications from now until next week and I know they
are very interested in sorority girls.
(They've heard a lot of about tridelt too!)

good luck!

For more information:
http://www.clubplanet.com/venues/101436/Athens/Fantasy-World


Luckily... I won't be partaking, because I am coming back to Athens today for my first day working in the ORC. (Thanks, Beckaliss, for reading material).

So many children

Amelia, that was hilarious. There is nothing I hate worse than putting sheets on beds, so I am glad to hear that you were spared that horror.
Hattie, again, mad love for the creation of this.
My weekend was filled with so many children. Becky and I babysat 10 incredibly well behaved children at a wedding in Peachtree City (the golf cart rumors are true). Then today, I oversaw the Youth Group (8 boys and 1 girl, so typical) as they served a Mother's Day feast (provided by my own mom, who is ballin outrageous) to 60 congregation members. All in a day's work.
For you running nerds- I bought new running shoes Saturday. Always an exciting purchase. btw- Aileen's Harvard team made it to Nationals!
I have nothing to do tomorrow; this is a wonderfully unique experience for me. I'm going to do all my favorite things (maybe even eat all my favorite foods, though that will require a grocery run early on as I am out of Cheerios...but there's plenty of chips and salsa on deck).
6. So much love.

King Bed

So while exploring this new and exciting blog, I was told ( there may have been a hissie fit involved) that I must change the sheets on this brand new king bed that has now replaced the epic princess bed in my room. Now mind you, there is still the princess canopy but just to one side. My room is now the guest room I guess, but there is still the 'man wall' and Usher's rock solid abs- any visitors delight, if I may say so myself. So after 20 minutes of nagging, I finally gave in and went to put on the new sheets. These sheets are not worthy of company, just for me only- aka very ugly. The Rene' opened the sheets to find... oh yes, that would be rat poop. I almost broke into a Katie B laugh, but refrained. Just the perfect ending to a blog post and that was that. No new sheets to put on the bed for me. This was the highlight of my evening. Good day

May Madness_The first post

Dearest Family, Friends, and Wise Women far and wide,
Summer is here, let the madness begin! This blog will be a collaboration of the 7 ladies of 18 Vine St, a.k.a the Broasis. While all of these women (who are no doubt wise beyond their years) may not live in said house, they sure have slept more than 40 winks there and their residence is more than honorary. It is here that we will all be able to not only keep up with each other, but also tell all you others what we are up to. So let the summer begin! Much love to you all and we wish you wisdom in all endeavors.

Hattie