Nothing but Song

Feeling :  hungry  Listening :  Justify My Love - Madonna  Reading :  League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1

I went on a camping trip with my family to the Grand Canyon Caverns and Inn this weekend. It was probably one of the best camping trips we’ve had so far.

Friday night, as soon as I got home from work, we loaded up what was left to load up from that morning (we all had work and school) and started winging our way out of Vegas.

Traffic was really good. I reckoned it was because it was still early for tourist season in the area. Drove over the Hoover Dam without incident, and marveled at how much work was done from the previous summer (The Hoover Dam Bypass Project), what was still left, and how low the water level has gotten.

The Grand Canyon Caverns are really hard to find. They don’t even have an official address. If you put it in Google, all you get is “25 miles west of Seligman, Peach Springs, AZ 86434.” The mile marker is 115, in case you wanna know, haha. I fired up my dad’s GPS that we got him for Christmas (we christened “her” Rihannah Montana Magellan) and used her to plan the trip up. After three hours of driving in the dark, my sister’s eyes were bothering her.

So towards the end of the night, driving in the dark like that, she was pretty irritated. She made a U-turn, but I had a gut feeling that if we just kept on driving, we’d find the Grand Canyon Caverns. So I urged her to keep going, and we found it. It’s pretty isolated.

Since it wasn’t busy, none of the spots were assigned, so we just chose a random one. Set up was a pain ’cause we were all tired and didn’t want to do any of the work. At least we had air mattresses. Unfortunately, we thought that cramming 4 people (2 adults, 2 kids) on one queen sized air mattress would be okay, but alas, I was on the end and spent most of the night trying to not fall off! It was great! No sarcasm intended, it was annoying, but I look back and see the fun. Also, when I was filling up the air mattress, my hand that was holding the pump slipped and sprayed dirt everywhere.

It was cold too! I didn’t realize how cold it still gets at night in the desert. We learned our lesson by the next night though.

We woke up leisurely and made breakfast: eggs and corned beef. My niece and me sang Panic at the Disco songs from “Pretty. Odd.” because we planned to see them on HCT but won’t because her mom made other plans. We put on our hiking boots and walked over to the restaurant. I bought our tokens for the guided tour of the Caverns.

It was so cool for a 45-minute tour. There’s so much history underneath the surface. 210 feet below the surface, to be exact. People have gotten married there, and left their bouquets behind from as far back as the late 90s, and hardly any of them have deteriorated. The Caverns used to be used as a fallout shelter, and the supplies are still there. There’s also a mummified bobcat, and a Mystery Spot. Although they don’t use it anymore, they have the original entrance still around for show. It was built by public works employees from the 30s/40s. The local university put up a representation of a three-toed sloth, based on the nail marks left behind by one from a few millennia ago. Thing was huge, well over 7 feet tall!

I bought my postcards for the memories (since I collect ‘em), and we walked back to camp.

After the trip, we loaded back into the truck and winged our way back to Kingman for lunch, gas, and some shopping. I suggested we stop at the little park that we stopped at last time, but instead, we ended up at the Powerhouse across the street from it.

“Built in 1907, it is the largest historical industrial building in Kingman. The Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce in 1997 relocated the Tourist Information Center to the building. Other uses include: the Carlos Elmer (Arizona Highways photographer) Gallery, Route 66 Gift Shop, Memory Lane 50s Diner, Model Railroad Store, Western Gifts Shop, Powerhouse Route 66 Museum, and theater.”

We watched a little documentary film at the end, and it made me wonder how much history has really been created on that little highway. It was decommissioned in the 80s, and subsequently removed from maps and things. But because of a resurgence of interest, people are referring to it as Historic Route 66. It’s been making a comeback because people don’t want to let go of that history.

We had lunch afterwards, right outside the Powerhouse. And by buying our entrance in, we got a free pass to go to the Mohave Museum of History & Arts. We had a run-in with some bikers for some reason, they thought my sister was gonna run ‘em over. And they yelled at us, “watch out for the bikers,” all sarcastic-like. Then he called my cousin an asshole for staring at them, which she wasn’t. Kinda put a damper on the beginning of that excursion, but the Mohave Museum was lovely.

“Offers a good introduction to the history of northwestern Arizona. Dioramas & murals show development from prehistoric times to the present. A special exhibit on Andy Devine, local-boy-turned-movie-star. History buffs can dig into the museum’s library. Outdoor exhibits display ranching, mining machinery, plus a 1923 railroad caboose.” I got all that from a map I snagged from the Route 66 Museum.

Speaking of Andy Devine, he was in Stagecoach with John Wayne! And if you know me, I love me some John Wayne.

Then we got back into the truck and went back to camp. We had bratwurst for dinner (one of them suckers and I was done), and we kept the fire going for s’mores. They were delish! We watched this husband and wife team of Western performers put on a little show for the Boy Scouts who were making too much noise nearby, haha. Their troop leaders were in on the joke though. But it was still nice of them to do that. We packed what we could in the truck because we had to leave super early the next morning. We stuck blankets underneath the cover of the mesh windows to block the cold air, which helped immensely.

Woke up at 5AM and took an hour to pack up the remaining gear. Hit the road and made good time. We got back an hour and a half before I had to be at work (I couldn’t get the day off). I was able to take a shower and get out of the house on time. Whew.

All in all, this trip was very laid-back. Our previous camping trips felt like cramped for time affairs. We couldn’t really sit and enjoy the scenery. During breakfast on Saturday, they ran to buy firewood and crap, I just sat on the table by the tent and breathed. “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode was running through my head. Then after dinner, I was sitting around waiting for the fire to die out. I just sat in front of it, and watched it burn.

Anyways, I had a great time, and luckily, it wasn’t too busy at work. I was able to just chill and relax.

I also decided to use my Muxtape for Three. So I have the subdomain pointing to my Muxtape. Go check it out. They’re a day late, only ’cause I was recovering from the trip and work yesterday.

?: “Last trip you went on?”

Feeling :  indescribable  Listening :  I Want You - Savage Garden  Reading :  Stardust - Neil Gaiman

OMG! I got my hair cut the other day, and I think I look like Gwen from Torchwood, rofl. It’s all layered and fringe-y. I <3 it.

I decided to get rid of two projects already: Cotton Club Topsites and the 21st Century Social Forums. The script for the topsites list was too insecure for my liking. I have a hard enough time trying to get conversations going on the forums I personally frequent. How the heck am I gonna get other people to talk? haha.

Now I’m gonna focus my energy on Discotheque (which I revamped to use WordPress), That’s My Song!, and Three. Plus I updated Three with a whole new batch of songs. I’m gonna change the layout too. It’s a bit boring, ahahaha.

Humaira pointed me in the direction of iGoogle. I guess I had done it previously, but my default home page has always been the boring Firefox one. iGoogle is way cooler.

Because of my job, I am up by 8am on the weekdays without fail. I cannot sleep in for anything now, yuk. I’m sure I’ve complained about that in the past, but alas, I am a complainer.

I decided to turn on the TV to help wake me up this morning, and I tuned in to “The Legend of Billie Jean.” For some reason, my brain must’ve been on “film student” mode when I woke up this morning, because I was analyzing the film from a film student’s perspective.

There’s the innocent outlaw Western subgenre (doesn’t hurt that the movie takes place in Texas), a feminist perspective that’s pretty easy to catch if you watch it from the beginning to the end, the classist perspective, the obligatory romance, the strong family bond perspective, the manipulation of media (newspapers, TV, radio) on both sides, the sexist villain, a religious aspect in the way she cut her hair (which I completely approve of ’cause I was confirmed under St. Joan), etc.

I wish I had stuck with my “American West Through Film” class this semester. I would’ve found a way to discuss the film in depth for that class. Oh well. You live and you learn. I just found out through the wiki that it’s a retelling of another story and Pat Benatar hates the movie. Hmm. Interesting.

Speaking of work, I have a semi-permanent schedule, with split days off and certain days when I have to call in. Yuk. I can’t really complain, because I am extra board and the newest employee. Our manager was laid off (corporate did some hardcore downsizing) and one other employee quit. So a couple of other people are picking up the slack. We have to make do with the staff that we had, since we’re not gonna be hiring. I got in here in just the nick of time.

We got the obligatory positive reinforcement lecture since the hammer fell, but it’s all talk to me. I know what I’m supposed to do. You tell me where I need to be, I’ll show up when I’m scheduled, I’ll do my job, and you pay me. That’s how it works. I won’t involve myself further than that. Because when you do, it gets messy. I’ve been in enough corporate peon jobs to know how that feels and I don’t want that for this new position. I want to keep it as distant as possible.

I can’t register for fall classes because my “records are on financial hold.” *le sigh* I’m glad I am getting paid well, otherwise I would be shit outta luck. Hopefully I can knock out most of my spring fees in the next couple of paychecks. Plus I’ve still got my stimulus check to look forward to! I love money, haha. Please God, don’t take this job from me. *prays*

Anyways, I guess life is pretty OK. My sister is planning on a trip to Oregon for us in June, as well as Warped tour in Salt Lake City! I’m gonna burn through my week’s vacation for both trips, but I deserve it dammit.

Sassy and I won’t be able to see Panic on HCT this summer though. We had tickets to their show here in Vegas (Sassy’s friend bought them for us). But her mom made other plans without checking with us, and so she won’t be able to go. And I refuse to go without her. It just wouldn’t be right. Panic was our first concert together, and if she can’t see them, I won’t either. Plus I’ve got Richard Cheese with Corinne to look forward to in August and hopefully a day trip or two back to Cali soon.

I’m just gonna enjoy this summer. Catch up on my reading, keep up on my bills, my sites, my friends, go swimming, enjoy my last few months as a 24 year old, get a tan, lose those last 5 pounds.

Hopefully God won’t send anything bad my way. *crosses fingers* I deserve just a few months of pleasure. Just a few. He can throw me for loops in the fall, after I’ve got everything out of my system this summer!

?: “Any big or exciting plans for the summer?”

Feeling :  hopeful  Listening :  Come on Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners  Reading :  League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1 (yeah, I know it's taking me forever!)

So on my flist on LJ, someone posted a personality test they had taken recently.

My results - like hers - were scarily accurate.

Neuroticism

Overall Score: 58
Anxiety: 85
Anger: 84
Depression: 19
Self-Consciousness: 39
Immoderation: 43
Vulnerability: 63

You feel tense, jittery, and nervous and often feel like something dangerous is about to happen. You may be afraid of specific situations or be just generally fearful. You feel enraged when things do not go your way. You are sensitive about being treated fairly and feel resentful and bitter if you think you are being cheated. You very rarely feel depressed and are usually in a good frame of mind. You are not generally self conscious about yourself. You often resist any cravings or urges that you have, but sometimes you give in. High levels of stress can lead to you feeling panic or confusion, but usually you cope with day to day pressures.

Extraversion

Overall Score: 21
Friendliness: 1
Gregariousness: 18
Assertiveness: 76
Activity Level: 6
Excitement-Seeking: 42
Cheerfulness: 61

People generally perceive you as distant and reserved, and you do not usually reach out to others. You tend to feel overwhelmed by, and therefore actively avoid, large crowds. You often need privacy and time for yourself. You like to speak out, take charge, and direct the activities of others. You are usually the leader in group activities. You lead a leisurely and relaxed life. You would prefer to sit back and smell the roses than indulge in high energy activities. You enjoy some excitement and risk taking in your life. You have a generally cheerful disposition.

Openness to Experience

Overall Score: 61
Imagination: 90
Artistic Interests: 81
Emotionality: 82
Adventurousness: 7
Intellect: 77
Liberalism: 13

Often you find the real world is too plain and ordinary for your liking, and you use fantasy as a way of creating a richer, more interesting world for yourself. You love beauty, both in art and in nature. Sometimes you become easily involved and absorbed in artistic and natural events. You have good access to and awareness of your own feelings. You prefer familiar routines and for things to stay the same. You can tend to feel uncomfortable with change. As a person who is open-minded to new and unusual ideas, you love to play with and think about ideas. You also like to debate intellectual issues and often enjoy riddles, puzzles and brain teasers. You prefer the security and stability brought by conformity to tradition.

Agreeableness

Overall Score: 23
Trust: 21
Morality: 59
Altruism: 14
Cooperation: 34
Modesty: 40
Sympathy: 44

You generally see others as selfish, devious, and sometimes potentially dangerous. There are times when you believe that a certain amount of deception in social relationships is necessary, however you are mostly candid, frank and sincere. People find it moderately easy to relate to you. You do not particularly like helping other people. Requests for help feel like an imposition on your time. You do not enjoy confrontation, but you will stand up for yourself or push your point if you feel it is important. You are willing to take credit for good things that you do but you don’t often talk yourself up much. You are mostly a compassionate person, however you prefer to make objective judgments when possible.

Conscientiousness

Overall Score: 94
Self-Efficacy: 90
Orderliness: 96
Dutifulness: 59
Achievement-Striving: 49
Self-Discipline: 97
Cautiousness: 82

You believe that you have the intelligence, common sense, drive, and self-control necessary for achieving success. You are well-organized and like to live according to routines and schedules. Often you will keep lists and make plans. Your sense of duty and obligation is average and although you are mostly responsible you can sometimes be unreliable. Mostly you work towards achieving your best, although in some areas you are content just to get the job done. You have strong will-power and are able to overcome your reluctance to begin tasks. You are able to stay on track despite distractions. You take your time when making decisions and will deliberate on all the possible consequences and alternatives.

I’ve taken a few personality tests in my time (rofl). And for one so short, it got me pretty well.

I took the advanced test on the site, but I blitzed through it pretty fast. Ahh, radio buttons, how I adore thee.

I kept nodding my head as I was reading the evaluation, going, “Yup, that’s definitely me, yeah, I definitely do that. Whoa.”

?: “Have you ever taken a personality test before? Was there any truth to it?”