Spring is coming! (in 2 months...)

Just for the record, today is WAY. TOO. COLD.

Anyway, I mentioned in a previous post that I've been through several job transitions in the 5 years that I wasn't keeping up with DomoArigato. I'm currently (very) happily placed working at my church as a graphic designer, and right now I'm busy working away at Easter graphics. What's that, you say? It's only January? Truth. But I'm working ahead :) So far I'm torn between the following options... I'll probably end up using a combination - one for announcements and one for worship slides, and a mix for our bulletins, or something like that. We'll see. Anyway, I just wanted to not be lazy about posting, so here I am, making a quick post.

In other news, I'm trying to buy 'DomoArigato.com', but it's abour $70 on GoDaddy to get it, so I'm trying to decide what I'd like to do with this blog - I own TheMintyPeach.com, so I might transition all of my stuff over to that, but I have so much great history here... It's fun to look back on old blogs! I'll let you know when I do.

Peace out!

The 21st day of January, 2013

It's 2013, people. I can't believe we survived the Mayan Apocalypse, that we don't have flying cars, and that Zombies haven't taken over the world.

Today is MLK day which means, as I mentioned last week, that I have the day off. I'm dog sitting for my parent's neighbors, but I was excited to know I could sleep in until about 9am before heading over there, since she'd been let our late last night. But there's a house at the bottom of the hill that's being worked on, and we were woken up at 7:15 by hammering and beeping trucks. I almost called non-emergency police to complain - in Arlington you're not supposed to make noise like that before 8 am - but then I would have felt guilty about it all day, so I just rolled out of bed, stumbled into some sweat pants, took care of the dog, and then finished reading a novel I'd started earlier in the weekend (The Sugar Queen, by Sarah Addison Allen - I recommend it if you'd like some nice, light reading).

I also watched a Smithsonian program on Bog Bodies (all before 9am)! I mean, wow. Bog bodies are kind of amazing. So I've been doing mild internet research on them for the last 20 minutes, and discovered some interesting facts. First, in case you didn't know, a bog body is a cadaver that's been very well preserved in the peat bogs of Europe by a combination of acidity, cold, and lack of oxygen. Thousands of them exist. Here's some other interesting info...

• The earliest bog body supposedly dates back to 8000BC. EIGHT THOUSAND BEECEE! That's old!
• Many scientists believe that bog bodies from the bronze age were human sacrifices deposited along king's land boundaries. Most of these bodies were between 16-20 years of age.
• Many bog bodies were killed by trauma, which either supports the sacrifice idea, or suggests they may have been criminals that were executed.
• One body they found had Bronze Age hair gel (a Spanish resin), indicative of high social status. Others are similar - found with jewelry, headdresses, and fine textiles.
• They've found hundreds of American "bog people" in Florida that date back to 5000+ BC.

Anyway... now I sort of wish there was a bog cemetery that I could be buried in, as a time capsule for another age to find thousands of years from now. Maybe J and I can move to Denmark and start one.

my life according to google, 5 years later.

My last post on this blog before I left for greener pastures was "my life according to google (thanks to vero)". Since it's been 5 years since I posted anything, I think it would be nice to check how Google thinks my life has progressed! For the record, #4 is probably my favorite. Without further ado...

Type in the following and fill in the first choice:

1: Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search:
Marianne needs a new iPhone.   (OMG, Google is right!)

2: Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search:
Marianne looks like a very cute 80s pillowcase. (btw, this picture accompanied that sentence. It's true, Marianne DOES look like a very cute 80s pillowcase.)

3: Type in "[your name] does" in Google search:
Marianne does not approve of hiding her emotions.

4: Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search:
Marianne hates her lab partners, for not copying down their own data and making her send a long and tedious e-mail.

5: Type in "[your name] goes to" in Google search:
Marianne goes to France.

6: Type in "[your name] loves" in Google search:
Marianne loves wandering around in the forest.

7: Type in "[your name] eats" in Google search:
Marianne eats peas. (no, Google. I do NOT eat peas.)
8: Type in "[your name] has" in Google search:
Marianne has a unique way to paint using fabric.

9: Type in "[your name] died" in Google Search:
My dear sister, Marianne died 1986. (Accompanied by this photo. I like her. I wish I'd known her.)

10: Type in "[your name] will" in Google search:
Marianne will haunt your dreams.

I'm back! (but AM I back? We'll see.)

To be 100% honest, I'd completely forgotten about this blog until a dear friend posted a link to one of my old softies on my FB page. I proceeded to spend an hour reading posts about things I didn't remember doing or thinking about - it was actually kind of wonderful!

In the years since then, I've given several other blogs a go, but never really kept up with them. I mean, let's face it - I had a lot more time on my hands in 2005-2007 than I do now, in 2013! I've gotten married (I REALLY wish I had a blog from those days, when we were dating and falling in love, planning out future... I'd love to look back on my thoughts, but... oh well :). Anyhow, as I said I've gotten married, worked several different jobs, rediscovered pottery, gotten cats, rabbits, a dog, 2 coral tanks, and some praying mantids (not all at the same time, of course), and we even housed a sweet teenager for a year! Talk about going from zero to sixty in your second year of marriage - get a teenager ;) She was sweet, wonderful, and challenging. But that's a long story; maybe I'll tell you someday, but not today.

So, in other news - as a means of recording life instead of having a blog with particular meaning, this weekend is Inauguration weekend. Obama will be sworn in for his second term on Monday. We have a long weekend at work because of it, which means I've had some time to sit and do nothing. This leads to me feeling like I can waste time on my old blog! So, in a round-about way, I supposed I should thank Obama for my post.

I think that's enough of an "I'm back" post, so ta-ta for now. Maybe I'll see you again soon; maybe I won't. Hopefully I will.

my life according to google (thanks to vero)

Type in the following and fill in the first choice

1: Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search:
Marianne needs to be rescued.

2: Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search:
Marianne looks like a very smart, friendly, 10-year-old baby.

3: Type in "[your name] does" in Google search:
Marianne does NOT agree.

4: Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search:
Marianne hates the sea, and wants to go dance in the town.

5: Type in "[your name] goes to" in Google search:
Marianne goes to the prom in a dress she made by hand, with a boy she knows well and trusts.

6: Type in "[your name] loves" in Google search:
Marianne loves knitting and spinning.

7: Type in "[your name] eats" in Google search:
Marianne eats well.

8: Type in "[your name] has" in Google search:
Marianne has a mural on a bus.

9: Type in "[your name] died" in Google Search:
The Venerable Mother Superior Marianne died at 10:50 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 1918, at the Bishop Home, Kalaupapa, Molokai; then the waiting Angels most assuredly guided her Spirit heavenward.

10: Type in "[your name] will" in Google search:
Marianne will be serving as Master of Ceremonies.

hm...

What's going on? The weather and natural phenomena around the world this week is sketching me out.

At home: yesterday was the rainiest day in the history of Washington, DC. Ever. And last week there was an earthquake in Annandale? Whaaaat?? I mean, I know we *are* on a fault line, and earthquakes have occurred before. But still. Weird. And also, there are, apparently, sinkholes opening up all over the place too, because of all the rain.

Nationally: Tornadoes and severe weather is sweeping across America. Fires in Florida (albeit, caused by arsonists, they think).

Internationally: The earthquakes in the Sichuan province of China that have killed over 12,000, with people still buried and needing to be rescued. The cyclones in Myanmar... I'm especially torn up about Myanmar, and how the government is continuing to refuse aid-workers access to the country, and what relief *does* get in is being siphoned off for money instead of going to those who desperately need food and water. What food the government decides to give out is rotten. So many more people are going to die if these militant leaders don't open their country up for aid (pray for their hearts to change!). Their souls are at stake, and it really breaks my heart to see this tragedy still occuring. 35,000 are already dead, another 28,000 are missing, and thousands more could die of disease.

Laughing...

... because I just read a review on iTunes that just says "Weezer has sucked since 1996".

yaayyyyyyyyy!!!

Stephen got me some awesome espresso cups that I want everyone to see! They're so pretty :)

Five things I'm thankful for today:

1. My new bunny: so fluffy! So soft!
2. Murky Coffee: delicious caramel lattes, hot chocolate, single macchiatos, regular customers who become friends, and playful coworkers.
3. Jamie: kind, strong, supportive, trustworthy, wonderful.
4. My Ford Escape: a means to miniature, temporary escapes.
5. My parents: unconditional love and support.

SS and WVA

Have decided that I really love Sufjan Stevens' version of "come thou fount of every blessing" (it's on the Christmas album).

In other news:

I had a really nice weekend in West Virginia with Jamie. There was lots of lazing about, watching home videos, touring the "Aids Magic Mart", and skipping around the Lost World Caverns without interference. We also saw about a million deer.

<3 - M

Fix it up, have a cup, hazelnut or coconut!

Latest Survey

1. Who will you be with Saturday night?
probably Jamie, maybe other people too.

2. What woke you up this morning?
unofficially: Oliver meowing. officially: my phone’s alarm

4. Is tomorrow going to be a good night?
well... I hope so.

5. Did you kiss or hug anyone today?
so far, Janet and Allie

6. Who was the last person you rode in a car with?
Jamie

7. How many myspace accounts do you have?
Only one. C’mon. I’m not a stalker, people.

8. What was your first thought this morning?
”But I don’t WANT to move to Liberia!!!” (It was thought with panic, as I woke up from a very bizarre dream.)

9. Do or did you like school?
yes

10. Would you take a bullet for anyone?
would it be fatal?

11. Where would you like to live?
Japan, Seattle, where I am now, Florence, London, the beach… NOT in the deep suburbs…

12. Do long distance relationships work?
Not for me.

13. What do you want to be when you grow up?
an artist, a business owner, an Olympian, a translator…

15. Who is your number one on myspace?
Jamie.

16. Who do you wish you were with right now?
catdog :(

17. Who was the last person that left you a comment?
Pete

18. How often do you log in to myspace?
Usually once, maybe twice a day.

19. Would you rather talk on the phone or chat in IM?:
usually IM because phones can have those weird silences, but it depends who I’m talking to.

20. How many car accidents have you been in?
One semi-major, and a couple of fender-benders

21. Do you listen to music every day?:
of course!

22. Do you still go trick or treating?
no, but I like Halloween parties.

23. What was the last thing you ate?
a rice krispies treat

24. Are you a fast typer?
pretty fast, yes.

25. How many speeding tickets do you have?

Several. Three or four maybe? That’s not *terrible* for 11 years on the road, right? :\

26. What are you doing tonight?
laundry, job searching, and sleeping

27. If you had one whole day to yourself, what would you do?
sleep, play with the cat, shop, play online

28. Is anything bothering you?
yes.

29. Do you miss someone?
everyone tends to miss *someone*

30. What do you want to do right now?
take a hot bath and pay someone to do my laundry for me

31. Are you listening to music right now?
mmhmm!

32. Are you in a good mood?
meh…

33. What are you doing this weekend?
working, sleeping, hanging out with friends, eating. Nothing spectacular, I think.

34. Are you talking to anyone while doing this?
no

35. When were you the saddest in your life?
A few situations come to mind; each involving a man.

36. Do you own more than one cell phone?
no, I don’t need another one

37. Do you use EBay to buy or sell?
occasionally

38. What makes you angry?
people who hurt me or the ones I love, and people who don’t use their turn signals when they drive.

39. Have you ever had a song written about you?
I don’t think so!

40. Have you ever sang in public?
yeah

41. What songs make you happy?
Genuinely HAPPY? California Stars, (Billy Bragg & Wilco), All You Need is Love (Beatles), Don’t Worry Baby (Beach Boys), Under Pressure (David Bowie/Freddy Mercury), Fresh Feeling (eels)… there are others, that’s just what comes to mind.

42. What do you like to listen to before you go to bed?
nothing, really. Sometimes music, I guess.

43. Do you have a job?
yes, and I’m looking for another one!

44. What does your ipod have in it right now?
Um, like…. 4,000 songs or something. Do you want those alphabetically, or what?

45. How many close friends do you have?
Probably around 5 that I confide everything to.

46. What makes you happy?
travel, new experiences, being with loved ones, finding beautiful things, dressing up

47. One wish?
more control over my emotions, or at least giving them up to God more.

48. Have you ever loved someone and were too scared to tell them?
no

49. Next concert?
I dunno.

50. Name one song that explains your current life.
Fidelity (regina spektor)

plaguarism, via the 'plain white ts' (a band with several [and *only* several...] songs I like)

I can't stand to watch you go
Cause in my head deep down I know
I don't wanna live without you
I love the way we stay up late
The way you laugh at your mistakes
I love everything about you

a series of short comments on my situation in life

I am excruciatingly content with life right now. It's the first time in a long time that I've been so... at peace with everything that's happening.

Most integral to my current state of mind (I think) is that my constant companions, restlessness and wanderlust, have been temporarily held at bay thanks to a recent trip to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Exploration of the holy land was the best thing that could have happened to me at this point in my life, when I felt like I was starting to flounder and lose sight of things that are important in favor of things that were definately less so. And now, with a renewed perspective and stronger will to love God above all else, I've had more peace in my soul over the past month than any time in recent memory.

My current employment is uncertain, but it's a good thing, and has (for the most part) added to my contentedness. I've been getting more and more uneasy there over the past month or two because a combination of two things: bad leadership and the growing knowledge that there's something bigger to seek. Again, I "blame" my trip to israel. Going to work was just... different after I got home. I felt no purpose in it, and for someone who's very used to moving forward with purpose, that quickly became unbearable. And so, I've given my notice, and I'm waiting for guidance as to where I should go next.

My family life is good. I (still) love my parents, who just got home from London tonight, and my brother is coming home for Christmas for two weeks. I haven't seen him for several months, and am always glad to spend time with him.

A couple of months ago I moved into a townhouse with a friend from work and her friend from college. We have ample space, a cat named oliver who is very, very silly, and a 70s 'boom-boom-room' in our basement. The house is warm (when we remember to turn on the heat), the roof doesn't leak (now that our pipes have been fixed), and my bed is more comfortable than your bed.

Finally, for two weeks now, I've been the happy girlfriend of a wonderful man who compliments my psyche in (at least seemingly) every way I could hope. He makes me laugh, he has quiet strength coupled with a gentle presence, and he's a man of God. He's the first guy I've ever met who will spend a half hour with me doing nothing else besides playing with my/his cat (anyone who knows me at all will know that's important!).... And he is, of course, quite handsome :)

Anyhow. That's me, for now. Lots of changes, all in good ways.

::smiles::

.

decisions, decisions...

My big decision of the night is whether to sleep around Oliver (anne's cat), or to make him move from the center of the bed so I can fit. Pro: I would be comfortable enough to go to sleep. Con: I might lose my bed buddy.

Hrmmm....

As a side note, I think The Cure's 'letter to elise' can make me kind of melancholy no matter how good a mood I'm in.

An ode to the Beatles, with possibly, maybe, one of my favorite songs, which *also* happens to coincide with my current mood.

I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink.
I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink.
I wonder, should I get up and fix myself a drink?
No, no, no.
I'm so tired, I don't know what to do.
I'm so tired, My mind is set on you.
I wonder should I call you?
But I know what you would do...
You'd say I'm putting you on,
But it's no joke - it's doing me harm!
You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain;
You know it's three weeks, I'm going insane.
I'd give you everything I've got for a little peace of mind.

good and interesting!

This is me, being interesting, because Stephen said that I needed to be.

Actually, it's got nothing to do with me. It's just my favorite picture of a cow (that I took. I'm sure there are much better pictures of cows out and about, doing cowsy sorts of things).


This also reminds me that Mike downloaded Picassa for me, and I need to master it, and organize my photos. Maybe I'll spend most of tomorrow sitting at murky doing just that.

And THAT reminds me that Alex told me to get on last FM, so I should also do that... although if I'm honest I probably won't, because I really don't want the world knowing that "Yes. I DID just listen to Dido before bed."

Which brat pack character am I?

Take the Which Character Am I? Quiz

SHAKE IT!

My Binary Name...

In case you were wondering:

010011010110000101110010011010010110000101101110011011100110 010100100000010001010010111000100000010010000110100101101110 0110010101110011

random things...

+ I think that my guppy must be incredibly bored, all of the time. Maybe my blowfish is too, but especially my guppy.

+ Some fabrics were just NOT meant to be made into softies.

+ I wish that cut flowers lasted a lot longer than they really do.

+ Apparently I've developed allergies in one nostril only. Not in my eyes... not in my other nostril... only in one. This makes me feel weird... and not in a good way.

+ I bought a little easel today, and got out all of my paints and brushes, but couldn't think of anything to paint. And so I went downtown to paint with watercolors instead. Yay!

+ My iPod desperately needs some new and improved playlists. Additionally, the photos on my computer need to be organized. I don't know where any of them are located.

+ I signed up for Facebook last week, and I really feel like I'm missing something... it just doesn't seem that great...

+ Espresso being extracted through crushed hot peppers is not something that you want to drink if you want to have any tastebuds left.

+ It is time for a nice, hot bath.

Dramatic Look!!!

OMG, LEAVE ME ALONE!!!! (says the pd)

Zombie Prom - a lovely couple

Zombie Prom01 - a lovely couple, originally uploaded by domo_arigato.

Saturday night was 'zombie prom 2007' at murky coffee. Everyone who is Anyone was there (er... well, the employees were there, anyway...) It was, to date, possibly the best murky party of all time.

Garth was my zombie date. He didn't want to be - he tried to fight me off, but then I ate his brainz.

At the Arlington Civitan's Garage Sale this morning I bought a Kodak Duaflex II Camera. It only accepts 620 film, and was produced between 1950 -1954... I'm hunting online for film right now, and hopefully will be able to start taking some incredibly awesome photos very soon! I feel all starry-eyed and excited... ^_^

Time for a favorites switch up

I've long held Diesel shoes in the highest esteem, perhaps all other shoes. But I'm ready to say it proudly and in public: NO MORE!!!

Has Diesel done something bad to me? Are their shoes bad this season? No, and no. I'm afraid it's as simple as... I have found another lover.


Enter the Camper.

Seriously, what's not to love??

300 reasons to see '300'

I'm sure someone has thought of 300 reasons, but it's not going to be me. I have a thesis to finish up. I will, however, tell you that you should see this movie. That's right, a blatant plug.

Let me just start by saying that I thought I'd appreciate this film for being pretty, and probably not that much else.

I was wrong.

We saw it on Friday afternoon, and it was just amazing. I know it's gotten mixed reviews, especially as far as the story goes, but it's an epic film, and the visuals are simply stunning. There wasn't any moment when I wasn't engrosed - because of the story, yes, but also because I didn't want to take my eyes off of the screen for fear of missing something beautiful. There's also the argument of whether it's pro- or anti- Bush, but I'm not going to gander. And let's be honest. I don't really care. After art school I know that any artistic medium can be over-analysed, and to immediately take this film about war and insist that it has to be one or the other simply because we're at war right now isn't what the film is about. To me it just detracts from it. Leave the politics to the politicians, and let this film stand on its own as an artistic breath of fresh air from an industry that has recently been turning out more politically-biased sludge than my darling DC. Seriously. I read the paper when I want to think about politics. I go to the movies when I want to be entertained.

Anyhow, with that out of the way... This movie shows a tight-knit group of men who believe in comraderie, backbone, pride (the good kind), self-sacrificing love, and dedication. Also, basically, it was a visual tour de force. Snyder did a magnificent job bring the pages of Miller's graphic novel to life while staying true to its origins in comic-land. The dark wash over the entire movie, the sparse use of color, etc, etc... it just read as a graphic novel... only on a movie screen.

Of course people disagree with me. 'Mixed reviews' means just that. But for anyone who wants a graphic punch accompanied by, yes, a little violence (haha... a little?) - go see this film!

fishy!!

fishy!!
Originally uploaded by domo_arigato.

I'm not allowed to have pets at my new apartment, but my land-lady has graciously allowed me to get a fish! And that fish is...

MR. TUMMY-BEAN, ESQUIRE!!!!!

He's a figure-eight puffer, who is endearing, adorable, and at the moment a bit shy.

Murky in the News

Murky Coffee was just featured in the Washington Post's food section. Hooray for us!! There were actually two mentions:

Wake Up and Cup the Coffee

Worth the trip: Hot Chocolate

Also, btw, this $5 Hot Chocolate that they photographed? I MADE IT! My hot chocolate was in the Post. I'm so, totally famous, man.

I always wanted to be a poet.

As most of you know, I've moved into a place of my own now, and I'm slowly going through the crap I have left at my parents' house. Well, I took an advanced writing class as one of my electives for senior year in high school, and today I came across the notebook we had to turn in at the end of the year. Here's a ridiculously funny sampling...

The assignment here was to write a poem about cliches:

the sweet little girl,
with hair full of curls,
looked down upon the spider with fear.
as she screamed like a banshee,
her curls fell out,
and her eyes grew as large as tea saucers.

Another assignement was to make a pillow book. A pillow book is a collection of things that are described by a single word. A sampling of my tragedy:

elegant things:
a black funeral casket, lined with silver trim, and silk insides.
The beautiful child lying inside of that casket in her lovely dress.
Velvet. Black velvet, red velvet, blue velvet, all velvet.
Furry things:
Afros
puppies who have been brushed with a silver comb (why silver, Marianne??)
Brown things:
Teddy bears that have been sitting on your bed for years and years, which you refuse to admit that you own.
The bark of an old, gnarly tree in the wintertime.
Sad things (as if the casket wasn't enough??)
a newly hit racoon lying peacefully, but perished, on the side of the interstate. We all know that it's fate was sealed as soon as its tiny, unknowing paw touched the asphalt.
A man who is too old to learn much of anything new and technological working at McDonald's (DAMN!).
Seeing a child cry over the dead sparrow who ran into the window; or for the tiny, baby squirrel who has been mauled by a dog and is painfully awaiting its death (HOLY CRAP! Graphic, much??)
Disgusting things:
Walking around with your fly unzipped for three hours.
A spider that was smooshed on the wall and left there by some kid for the world to see.

Also, apparently I was "angry at the m&m's for melting in my hand" while I was writing a poem, and trying to rhyme with "sand".

It's way too cold outside today.

No, seriously.

It is.

Peach Blossom tea at Ching ching cha in Georgetown

Peach Blossom tea at Ching ching cha in Georgetown
Originally uploaded by domo_arigato.

It's one of their "artisan teas". It starts out as a tiny little ball, and opens up to a very pretty blossom as it steeps (It tastes like a Jasmine green tea).

Garth and I went there today as part of my research for my thesis. You know you're spoiled when eating delicious cuisine and drinking the finest teas is considered "research" for your thesis... :)