There are additional environmental variables which I think have had an impact in the start of this relationship.  We both have had similar backgrounds, pasts, histories, and heartbreaks; so we both know the risks, and I think have formed a bond closer because of it.  Plus it has led to an absence of stress this time around.  Though we seem to be moving quickly in accepting each other into our own lives, there is no pressure of kids, marriage, forming up a stable relationship, settling down, or any of that.  As I said before, it is as if we are both teenagers again, experiencing it all for the first time, and with an entire world of possibilities opening up before us.

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We recently went up to flagstaff as a quick weekend excursion.  Nothing fancy, just an escape from the 110F (and muggy) weather of Phoenix.  Whilst up there we took it easy: a bit of hiking in the mountains, frolicking in the rain, a bit of shopping in town, and getting giggly in one of the local bars.

The next day we were to meet my sister at a lake she goes to for camping, knoll lake.  Well, unfortunately we missed her as the rain had scared her off, however we were gifted with a most unusual experience.  I could describe to you the sensations, but I think this time the pictures alone will express the surreal scene we encountered.

And in case anyone is curious, Agnes is not her real name.  But then Woody isn’t my real name either, so I suppose that makes us even

Well we get there and there was a 45 minute wait, so we high-tailed it to some other Applebees-like restaurant.  And it was there that the most amazing thing happened.  Looking over the menu, the girl I was with looked up  to me and said “There’s something I need to tell you.  I’m afraid I don’t really eat that much.”  I asked her to explain, she told me about how she feels the need to eat things a very specific way, that she only really enjoys bland flavours, and that she has a bit of an issue with textures.  And in this moment I got the biggest smile on my face and couldn’t help but think to myself “My gods, I think we may have a winner here!”

We then proceeded to talk and laugh and enjoy the rest of the night together sharing how much else we had in common.   I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time as I listened to her talk about our similar work environments, love of various esoteric tv programmes, opinions of arizona, style of driving, shared taste in food (French toast seems to be a common favourite for both of us),  outlook on stupid people, etc, etc.  I had to keep pinching myself to ensure that it was all real, as every time she would say something to me her face would just light up.  A massive spark of intelligence would appear in her eyes, a huge and wonderful smile would spread across her face as the words passed her lips, and I would just be left dazed and clinging on to each sentence she said.

And so I spent the entire weekend with her.  Neither of us seemed to want things to end, that we could just hold one another and smile and share just a little bit more of ourselves with each other.  And all I can describe it is like remembering back to the first time one ever fell in love.  I’m sure you all remember that experience, of finding someone for the first time as a teenager and naively giving your whole heart to them.  Sharing your thoughts and feelings freely without realising that they’re just going to leave you two weeks later for the high school football quarterback after receiving a wedgie from him so bad you can literally taste your underwear then watching as they walk off together crushing your very soul and making you never want to love again.  Well it feels a lot like the first part of that, where we just became one, where we could just share open and intimately caring emotions with one another despite only just having met.  Thankfully neither of us are in high school anymore so I doubt there’ll be any more wedgies :)  Or rather, at least we’ve both been through that before, so it feels even more free knowing that if there is an eventual collapse of the relationship that I will survive to see the other side.

Not that I want to give up now.  Not by a long shot.   I feel we’re only just getting started

-2 telescopes.  One small one made from scratch by me, another I mean to disassemble for parts to build a better one

-several strange metal cases under the table containing: one paintball pistol, a collection of telescope lenses, one tool set, and a tiny metal treasure chest with no treasure in it.

-shelf next to the door containing all manner of random film equipment and some of my undergarments (clean and waiting to be used).

-my bed, which is actually a futon folded out.  I like the extra stiff mattress that was on it plus it’s double the width of my old bed.

-my old bed, which is currently stood upright in the far corner

-a bookshelf posessing a random collection of manuals, books, and pencils

-a bag containing my firearms (out of reach of any child)

-and finally, a table, atop which one can see a small collection of lego (yes I’m a kid sometimes ), a silver metal carton with my 1920’s mad scientist goggles, several containers of random craft materials (electronic components, sawdust, paints, glues, etc), a dead 1986 macintosh computer shell, and a box of wood pieces left over from when I built my nephew’s toy train set.

I think that’s all rather reasonable isn’t it?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49188904@N02/?find=rroth1000%40yahoo.com

Somehow the table has come out looking far smaller than it is in real life.  The legs are actually quite thick and it looks really good from a sideways angle.  Just can’t get that where it’s currently standing I suppose, nor does the camera seem to give a sense of proportion.  At least one can see how nice the top of it came out.  Not to mention the gazebo I did last year looks great, especially with the flower baskets I got up on it whilst there this last time.  Happy birthday mom btw, those are for you

Frankly it’s a mystery that I have such a great grasp of immediate time (I’m usually never late and can read my internal clock no problem) yet my perception of long periods of time is hazy and blurry.  Things just tend to disappear in the background, and I swear nothing drops to be more than 3 weeks away in the past.  People I know I haven’t spoken to in years (or decades) it feels like I’ve just spoken to a few weeks ago, and I just haven’t bumped into them lately.  Guess it goes hand in hand with my absent-mindedness.  I’ll make a great mad scientist (Professor Farnsworth style) when I’m old I bet.

Anyway, I’ll see what I can do

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com

I don’t usually do product placement but I do feel these shoes are absolutely wonderful.  Well, for most things anyway.  My legs and feet ached for the first few weeks as I used muscles I’d not been using in years.  Plus they offer no insulation so I can feel the parking lot heat really well down here.  Beyond that though I play paintball in them, run, walk, hike, etc.  They are so nice

First and foremost is I’ve started hanging out with my various groups of friends again.  I still haven’t made contact with all of them but it’s nice to have some time again to just “chill” with them.  The France trip and the classes/work before that took a huge chunk out of my schedule, and it was neglected for the first few months of this year.  All that over though, I’m now left with a huge time gap.

This time gap has given me a chance to do a few things, like read through HP Lovecraft’s works and insulate my car.  As it turns out, the aircon in it is running at full tilt without making a dent in the heat so now I’m down to strapping space blankets to the roof and styrofoam to the seats.  Hopefully that’ll help a little.

But ignoring that for a moment, other news is I’ve moved into a new office at work.  Straaange affair that, as we’re now located in a main hallway rather than buried at the back of the building.  It’s like moving from a small town to a large city really.  Always afraid now of stepping out in case anyone walks by and steals my laptop.  The good news though is they have given us a bar, though the bad news is they won’t let me serve drinks behind it.  “It’s for assisting our customers!” “We have to maintain a professional atmosphere!” “it’s against federal law to bring alcohol into a government building!” “You don’t even drink Woody!” all seem to be prevailing arguments against me offering such a service anyway, and far be it from me to go against the flow.I’ll leave you all now, though I did want to prop up a couple links I found today.  The first are for some really interesting wedding bands.  Not that I’m thinking about this, nor am I even in a position to ask anyone’s hand in marriage.  But I love the designs and want to make sure I have a log of this link for later.  That and I wouldn’t mind trying to build one myself.  I’m always a sucker for carpentry.

 Wooden wedding bands

And the second link well, not sure what to make of it.  But regardless,

Meanwhile, in Norway

Hallucinations came easy tuesday morning.  Whilst forcing myself to try and sleep I got trapped in the halfway state, where I was aware I was asleep but still in control.  To make matters stranger though my brain had shut down my ability to move my arms and legs.  This didn’t bother me though, because I was conjuring up a 3 inch high mental avatar of myself dressed in regal 18th century robes to fly around my room.  Sadly this didn’t work and after what felt like an eternity my body shuddered and I got control of my limbs back.

Tuesday afternoon was even more crazy though.  Soon as the 5 p.m. passed I realised I was too tired to drive home without killing myself.  As such I decided to just pass out on my desk at work for an hour to get a refreshing nap.  That went well and I was able to wake myself an hour later, only to freak out again.  This time I couldn’t remember who I was, where I was, or how to get home.  My brain, groggy and punch-drunk, swimmingly searched through my memories trying to dredge up my name or a map of where I was.  Thankfully it all came flooding back moments later, but it was super freaky I can tell you.

Tonight I’m starting to fade once again.  I got 6 hours sleep last night, but sadly it was from 8-2 and it disrupted all my efforts.  So now I’m back to basics, trying again.  Some alcohol would probably do some good.