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January 13, 2003

Fighters in the Streets!

Kati: "Hey Sean, what do you think the M. Bison's animal image is? Do you suppose it's a bison?"
Sean: "I don't know. No. I think that's too obvious..." furrowing his brow and then shaking his fist angrily at the sky, "I'll crack you yet, Bison."
Kati: "Well it doesn't matter. Chun Li kicks ass."

While I grew up primarily in a world devoid of video games, I did have a few chances in my youth to practice my skills at the occasional game of Street Fighter. Just recently, I got to play again and enjoyed the affirmation that the time in childhood was well-spent: I am still at about the same level of play that I attained all those years ago - mediocre at best. Yes, I pretty much only play with Chun Li, and no, she can't throw any fire/energy/sonic charges at her opponents - so I am usually at a disadvantage. But hell, I appreciate her plucky demeanor and cool air-throw move.

Today marks the first day back at school after the Christmas holiday. I find myself to have gotten out of the swing of things a bit, and notice the intense longing I have to go back to preschool, or the equivalent. How blissfully simple it seems to be led by the hand from one paste-eating project to another, handed a juice box and a graham cracker to snack on, and told to take a nap. In college, there is less occasion for group singing, show-and-tell, etc. I, for one, am missing these things right about now. Now, for instance, there is a girl shouting Korean into her cell-phone directly next to me and a greasy-haired individual two seats down who won't stop staring.

Maybe if I started eating paste it would freak him out. Maybe it wouldn't.

Oh what I wouldn't give for a game of Simon Says right now! Ah, my wasted youth!

Posted by kati at 09:54 AM

January 09, 2003

Small children, Elton John, and acts of sheer lunacy.

“People are … really sick!”

I spent a good portion of my day today with a 4-year old child named John. I would not consider myself a “kid person” per se, but 5 hours of this little boy running rampant in my home in light-up shoes, making screeching noises at my dog, and enthusiastically recounting innumerable and unintelligible stories about events that may or may not have actually taken place – well it was a change of pace to say the least.

I ran straight into a wall the other day and managed to scratch/cut my face. I am a lame-ass.

Over the last few weeks I have become aware of something that I do, that maybe isn’t as normal as I had just always assumed it was. I realized that I tend to personify non-living things, inanimate objects, etc. I give random objects human characteristics all the time, assign genders, even names! My car has a name, a gender, as does my computer, stereo, stuffed animals, blah blah blah. I’ve noticed myself asking people if they’ve named their inanimate objects, or saying things like, “Gene’s computer was talking” and “I was fighting with my bedroom light,” which really makes no sense at all. I don’t know where this came from, or why I do this, but I realize it’s something I always have done, since I was a child I guess … and that it is not something that everyone does. Huh. Maybe I do it because then I never really feel alone. It’s not like I *talk* to these objects. Well, not much anyway.

Mike burned me a copy of Elton John’s greatest hits (the most recent, 2-disk release). Folks, I am now officially at maximum Elton capacity. It’s hard to feel too sad when listening to Elton John – although it’s easy to feel slightly less cool.

Ah well, the day is meandering by. Perhaps I can amuse myself by going through other people’s mail looking for white powder… Hmmm. Anthrax, cocaine, whatever.

Posted by kati at 04:29 PM

January 05, 2003

Art

My friend Don just moved down to San Diego to attend private art college there. Before he left, however, he was able to complete the painting you see here. That's actually me! I'm not really sure where we got the idea to do this, but about a month ago I began sitting for him and he sketched and squinted and furled his brow. About 6 sessions and 20 hours later, we had this. It's kinda distorted and abstract - as is Don's style, but I think it's pretty bitchin'.

"Our son just called me a bitch."
"You're not a bitch.....you're bitchin', but you're not a bitch."

Posted by kati at 01:03 PM

January 01, 2003

A year's worth of partying in ONE night.

It is with some effort that I pull myself back into consciousness, and stare blankly at my computer in an effort to remain communicative. New Yearïs Day has finally arrived, and all the parties of last night have all undeniably drawn to a close. So, a review of the festivities:

At the outset, a twinge of sadness that I could not carouse and carry on with the Assassin and his co-hosts at the frat. Talked with Sean via telephone at about 11, and the overpowering loudness on both ends of the line signified to me that the frat was bumping too. Missed you guys. Hope all present had a good time.

My more traitorous plans included an evening at Casa de Matt McT. An added bonus was the unexpected presence of Amber Turnock ï the craziest of all that are crazy ï at the event. DVC and San Jose State partygoers ran amok, preparing to ring in the new year with as much drunken excitement as they could muster. As has been the trend at more recent McT events, several rounds of Irish Car Bombs were enjoyed by one and all. Someone complimented my ïcute Irish curls,ï so I figured I had better indulge as well. A couple shots of B.G.R.ïs Absinthe also put a golden glow on the wait for midnight. At about 20 till, the contents of the house had spilled into the street. The build-up was rowdy, but at midnight all hell broke loose. After not one, not, two, but three ridiculously enthusiastic countdowns, the assembled crowd toasted on (or rather were showered by) champagne, and drunkenly lit off fireworks in the street. Got some groovy New Yearïs action! Even gave a little out myself - what the hell itïs midnight and Iïm drunk! After a significant period of hollering, and smooching one another, the dancing got going and the party raged on in itïs expanded form ï which was more inclusive of the neighborhood than the house alone. (even some of the intoxicated neighbors came out to join the fun!)

No cops, no ambulances, no problems. Lessons to be learned of course, but really the biggest lesson is: if it smells like rubbing alcohol and comes in a large jug marked XXX, donït drink too much of that.

**************

Met some cool SJSU guys and ex-DVC folk. Marcus Potter ï Iïm going to remember you when youïre famous. Cute and famous.

Many thanks to Jack Small & co., who made a most pleasant and unexpected cameo in the evening. It got me in the best mood!

Many *many* thanks to Matty, for another rager to top all ï. Until next time, oh wait, this was the LAST time, or not.

And thanks to those who I was lucky enough to spend a wonderful evening with. It was an uninhibited night, and a joyous time!! Yay!

Posted by kati at 03:15 PM