Thoughts on the Rockies While in My 12th Hour on a Train

These forests are massive and the pines strain up so tall and straight.
They cling with an awe-some tenacity to the barest lichen-covered rocks, dangling mere inches from the rolling, boiling river beneath them.
Arching in grotesque angles these trees desperatly grab for sunshine and moisture.
Some have not succeeded.
There lay strewn around the brown needle floor, withered, bare, emaciated remnants.
Though looking like mere toothpicks, most are beyond my grasp's span.
Stripped branches trail into the water, but there are no whole trees in it rush, for that has long since swept them away.
All around shards of multifaceted rocks and boulders of infinite sizes and shapes coat the mountainsides.
Whole lumps of mountain jut out from the lichin, moss, and needle-layered bed.
There is an audacity in their broad, even smooth shapes in the midst of so much striving and life.
Then -- with sudden bursts rarely heard or seen -- the smooth-faced stability shatters into rumbling, roiling shifts.
More trees have clattered down, and now lean wearily against survivors.
Over all this chaotic, eerie beauty a silent, still loon floats in a calm, twisting weave in the peace of a small pond where the sun is breaking through the trees and casting soft shadows on the sheen of the water.

Just so that everyone is aware -- I'm not dead. Yeah, Colorado was absolutely awesome, and the wedding was simply lovely. And I mean simple really is lovely. I liked the calm, casual tone everyone set. Casual enough that a bunch of people (minus the beautiful bride, still in gown) went swimming in the pool at the reception. Ahhh.

The trainride back was nice and peaceful. I was able to enjoy the beauty of the Rockies and the silence of having a row to myself, at least until we got to Denver. But by then it was getting later in the day, and I wasn't terribly concerned with the view. Over the course of both trips I managed to finish 2 1/2 books and write about 5 pages, not to mention have some great talks with Eryn. Maybe if I get ambitious I'll post a few of my ramblings.

I talked with a really nice new grandad traveling the same route I was. I attempted to sleep, mostly unsuccessfully, but still was wide awake when the train came into Omaha. Now, alas, I must do laundry. Sigh. How anticlimactic.

Mental Jumper Cables Anyone?

Yipes. I haven't added anything on here in quite a while. But as I observed lately, my brain is toasted, and sadly I don't think that any profound function will begin for some time yet. I've been reading a lot though, which hopefully will kickstart some original thought.

On the up side, I got to fly a real kite yesterday. That was cool. Really cool. Then I nose dived the poor thing into the ground. Thankfully I didn't kill it, but I scared myself bad enough to step into a giant thistle by my foot:P Apparently my coordination skills are also rather dead.

Played violin for a bit today. I missed the Chad, and I was proud to see that he even stayed mostly in tune, even if my fingers weren't quite. I did work on some sappy tunes, to passify Michelle and Eryn, who were subjected to listening to me through the door until I started dinner. Now when I get my cello, it'll be even crazier.

Here's a cool painting I found. This is what I want to look like:)

Meditations on an Iced Coffee

You Are an Iced Coffee

At your best, you are: hyper, modern, and athletic At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you're out with friends Your caffeine addiction level: medium

Why does life have to get so bloody complicated? I want to be an optimist, it's my nature! But I find it very hard to stay happy and content when I feel like my poor little world is crashing down on me. Sigh. I want to be an iced coffee. They have such an easy life. Just chill and wait for the end. This is their calling. I like it.