i done stared down a fear, yo

Last night found me hanging out in the dugout (that really creepy outbuilding that's off the lawn by the fire pit) drinking Founder's IPA (compliments of the brand spanking new growler I purchased!), watching an artist chisel away at a stone sculpture (seriously this is INSANE. It began as a big old block of limestone and now is shaped like a woman), teaching someone how to purl, and just generally hanging out. Sounds pretty innocuous, right? Well, there were 2 big things that occurred.



1. There was a mummified dead bird lying not 5 feet from where I was sitting and I didn't freak out.



2. I spotted a swooping bat, pointed it out to everyone and remained calm. Really calm. I mean, creepily calm. I even talked someone down from a possible freak out--"Nothing to worry about just remain calm he's way more freaked out than you are he really doesn't want to be in here and no he can't see in the traditional sense, but honestly flailing around will only confuse him more so just ignore him as he won't hit you seriously it's no big deal he'll probably just find his way out plus he's eating all the huge moths that are attracted by the light and as no one's spent any time in this building for probably 30 years or so there are generations of animals that are confused and freaked out by our presence be cool!" It was zen, man. Completely zen. I am someone who 10 years ago locked herself in a bathroom while other's dealt with a bat situation. I am someone who 25 years ago threw yogurt in the air and ran screaming because a bat was in the house.



I kill spiders with my bare hands. I calmly squish many legged centipedes between small squares of toilet paper. I do not run screaming in the presence of bats.



I know. It's weird.



Oh and I survived HP. Only 83 people were in attendance (holiday week we're thinking), but we had some kids dress up and everyone had a great time. The Sentinel covered it and will be back Thursday night to follow up for a story that should be out next week sometime.



Erinbone Press is back in action! Thanks to my Mom casually mentioning to her sister that I was in the market for a manual typewriter, I am now in possession of a Smith Corona Galaxie. It's awesome. And oddly a fun party tool. I mean, it's no Wii or anything, but hanging out with a bunch of cool people, listening to records and taking turns typing up whatever comes to mind can make for a good night. AND I talked to the infamous Shadetree about my ideas/visions/insane notions regarding a press and he reminded me he's an engineer. An engineer who completely loved the idea for said press and is interested in designing/helping me make some sort of press device. It won't be ready for the first run I'm hoping to do by Christmas, but for a spring something we might be in business. I used to be hesitant about talking to people about my crazy ideas, but the number one thing I learned from my Aunt and Uncle in Colorado was to talk it to death. You never know who you're going to meet who can help you on your way. They were completely right.

Tomorrow is Independence Day. I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing. There was discussion of going to see the Transformers. There was discussion of heading to GR to hang with some peeps up there. There was discussion of the beach. There was discussion of dinner with some parents. Regardless, I will most definitely spend some time meditating on the birth of this great nation--the brilliance of our forefathers to create 3 equal branches of government--the outstanding example of democracy the current administration projects throughout the world--

I heard he was at a 26% approval rating. 26% and he still commutes Libby's sentence. 26% and the Supreme Court spends the week raping the Constitution. 26% and Cheney won't turn over documents.

Happy Fourth of July, America.