Autumn falls

I can't think of anything that dies as beautifully as a leaf.

Hi Bill

Not going to be many more days in 2010 for this kind of study session.

Ratbirds galore

Had to run up and see my financial aid planner which lead to me being in Philly with nothing to do about two hours before class. So I got some grub and I ate it alfresco in the park. There was a lot of people sitting in the grass enjoying themselves, but for some reason, I was the one that the pigeons wanted to hang out with. They weren't really bothering me. They were just walking around my general area. This one pictured just stood there for the longest time. Just a few inches away from me. Kind of weird. But also pretty amusing. I guess I was the only one sitting by them self on the grass so the pigeons felt for me. I appreciate it. Even if I hate pigeons. haha

Later I went to my last algebra class and got a perfect on my final. That's an absolute first for me. Practically unbelievable.

Toozday Twosdays Tuesdays

It was nice outside so we tried to enjoy it before I had to leave for Philly. Apparently I was enjoying it more than Gizmo. Sorry I bore you, Gizmo! Actually, he was just singing. He likes to rock and roll all night and part of everyday. That's what he tells me.

Photoshop Wednesdays

This photos is from the one time I left the house and the computer the entire day. I suppose I should get used to that kind of thing considering my major. Man, I'm really good at relaxing and enjoying my days off school, huh?


ps. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TEAM! <3

We're gonna be okay

One day of sun and people done got spoiled. The day before the park was packed. Today? Completely different! It wasn't cold. Just wasn't sunny. People are spoiled! They missed a lot of commotion! There was girls posing as statues, adorable little yorkies comin up to say hi to me, kids crashing and burning on their bikes, a man with a vest covered in real pennies, and so much more! Ah well. At least I was there.

ZOOOOOOOOOBA!

Once upon a time, the Panera Bread establishment had a sweet deal. If you came in and spent over $10, you would receive a free ticket to the Philadelphia Zoo. My mama didn't raise no fool so we got ourselves to Panera Bread and had a lovely meal. This marketing ploy was absolutely win-win. I love their food and I love the zoo! And the Philadelphia Zoo is not a cheap ticket. It's $18 rather than the $10 I spent and I wouldn't have gotten a delicious meal at Panera bread to boot! So, we've had the tickets for a few months now and have been holding off on using them. I love the zoo, but I'd prefer to go when it isn't massively crowded. With orientation coming up on Friday and classes starting next week, the window of opportunity was closing in so luckily we were able to go! It was pretty much the perfect day for it; a sunny, crisp autumn day. I borrowed my mother's amazing camera and got a lot of great pictures. I go to so many shows where you're not allowed to have cameras I actually felt like they might tell me I can't bring my camera into the zoo. But yeah, it was really nice. I wish I could go to zoos like that more often. Maybe when I live in Philly I'll go more often. Not that I'll have any money. I'll have to work out a way to break in. Come to think of it, I never even went to our sad little Bridgeton Zoo this year. Damn, I need to get with the program.

ps. check out more of my zoo pictures at my flickr page

JeNell & the Yets jam on the lake

Jam on the Lake 2009 was welcomed with sun, sun, sun! Made for a really fun day despite the bees and low flying planes. We played a set around 2:30 despite some technical difficulties and were well received. A gig where we actually sell CDs! Imagine! Not to mention that throughout the rest of the day people were stopping me to tell us they enjoyed us. It was definitely a good atmosphere. We nearly didn't play this gig; glad we decided to do so. If we hadn't, we never would have been on the coolest hippie bus ever! Not only was Bono himself on that very bus (while filming his scene in "Across the Universe"), but it's also just a very awesome psychedelic bus. Fully loaded with beds, umbrellas, and a sweet antique typewriter; not to mention a super cute puppy dog! We took lots of photos in that bus. We must have looked like huge Bono fans. We were more "cool hippe bus" fans, really. No offense, Bono. I do love your work! Just not in that movie. Not that I saw that movie. I digress, it was a fun day in the sun! I want to have more of them! Stay away cold weather! I'm not ready for you!

You smell like a flower

When I tell people that I'm going to go over my friend's house to weed their mother's garden, they think it's weird. But at the time I agreed to do it, I was basically unemployed and doing just about anything I could to make some money to keep me afloat. Despite having a job now, I stuck to my word and I fulfilled my commitment. It's not an easy job, but Gizmo and I had an alright time. I just hooked his leash to a loop on my jeans and he was able to enjoy the outdoors while I worked. It was cute. Well, he was. I wasn't so cute. Especially when a bee flew in my soda, which I dropped and then ran. Luckily, no one was around to see the mess I made or the panic I was in... this is why I weed when no one is home!

Just another manic Monday

Finally got around to getting over to my grandmother's old house to mow the lawn. It was getting a bit out of control and my family would not get off my back about it. So despite some uncomfortable conditions, I set out to get it done. I always fill the tank up with gas before I get started, but for the first time, I ran out mid mow. It just suddenly stopped. At first I thought I stalled it, but then, considering how old it is, I thought it died. I hoped and prayed all the way to the garage that that wasn't the case. I was lucky and it started right back up after a fill up! Later I stalled it right at the side of the road and had quite a time of getting it unstuck and restarted. More panic ensued, but, again, I lucked out. Lots of mishaps, even more grasshoppers later, but at least it's done.

Shot out of a cannon!

Was a little restless, so I decided to make use of a warm, sunny day and go back in time; to 1950s Millville. Visited the General Store to get some yummy candy. Then took a stroll down to their brand new jungle gym. If you ever wondered why that shoot in the Wheaton Village Playground looks like it's from the Holocaust, well, news flash, it was! I also learned that cumin is a very good spice and that feeling like flying on swings doesn't mean that you should try it. Then I saw magic flying fish and the oldest woman in the world. Despite having such a good time in 1950, I'm back in 2-0-0-9. It's ok, but I might go back for another Skybar.

We didn't say lose weight

Been keeping myself busy the past few days taking care of things around the house. Gave myself a little creativity break. But Jamie and I did step out today and visit the new foot bridge over the Maurice River. I just made up that term "foot bridge" since I'm trying to say it's a bridge for people to walk over, not automobiles or trains. So, yeah, foot bridge. It's a pretty nice little bridge. It's also a safe haven for the most spiders I've ever seen. So, even if people aren't loving it, spiders are. And, guess what, we didn't kill a single one!

One more time with feeling!

Is it just me who is really annoyed by this? This has got to be one of the stupidest things I've seen. Who in their right mind would do this? And if you're looking at this picture and have no idea what's off about it than you're an idiot along with the people that did this!

Then your butt falls off

Braved the growing summer/holiday traffic and made a little visit to the beach. I was a little weary of rain while I was getting ready, but it turned out to be a really good day for the beach. There was clouds rolling by, but it was warm, mostly sunny, and breezy. But it wasn't all sun and fun! While I was relaxing on my towels, I was thinking that I should move further away from the tide in a bit. But there was a girl further down from me and she hadn't moved so I figured I could chill a bit longer. I was wrong. Suddenly *whoosh* came water. Just one wave and my shit was soaked. And so were all the other people around me, which goes to show you how unexpected it was. But it sucked! Luckily for me, my aunt lives a few blocks away from the beach I frequent so I went down there and threw my clothes in the dryer and threw myself in the pool. Spent the rest of the time chilling out down there with my little Republican, Obama-hating cousins. I told the littler one, Lauren, that my name was "Jenell". Apparently this name was too hard to remember so she wanted to nickname me. First one she came up with? Jenny. I vetoed that. So her next one? Jennifer. People that know me will see the irony!

So that's what's happening with that

Best time to go play in the rain: right after you work out
Worst time to work out: while there's a thunderstorm

Gizmo was not pleased. About either thing. But we worked it out.

Just hiking around the forest..

When you're low on cash, get back to the basics. Be one with nature. That's just what Jamie and I did. I have the mosquito bites on my foot and forehead to prove it. Jamie made out a bit better since she killed a bug and left its dead, lifeless mush on her hand as a warning to all other bugs. Though I suppose the moths couldn't avoid her even if they tried. Bugs asides, we had a nice, toll free time. Not to mention I unintentionally posed as the high school photographer, which was such an honor. Luckily there was lots of recreational things to photograph.

Life is a strange fast trip, I'm just glad we all have seats

I may or may not have mentioned in previous posts about the fantastic camera my father made the executive family decision to buy with my mother's money before their trip to California earlier this year. Despite the large financial weight a camera like this cost us, it's a great camera and when they move to California, I think I'm going to hide it from them. The really cool thing about this camera is my mother can use her lenses from her old film camera. So, she put this big sick lens on with the intent of trying to snag some close up shots of birds, and I did just that. But not some wussy bird feeder shot! Hell to the naw! Way up in a tree! Sick! I'm going to have to hide this lens too!

She was an American girl

Due to extreme temperatures in my room, I'd lost touch with my music. Since my father put my air conditioner in my window yesterday, I was able to be reunited. Creativity was flowing til visiting family arrived and I had to leave it and go and be social. Which normally leads to my mother getting a fire going and me just playing with Gizmo and my camera. I quite like this photo. Gizmo is like king of the castle. Not a very fabulous, glamorous or regal castle, but it's home!

take off my heels, i dont want to be a hooker ghost

Spent the day with Eavvon in Philadelphia. In the planning of this day, we planned to not make plans. I wasn't exactly thrilled with this plan, but he insisted and it turns out that not making plans is a bad plan. Doesn't mean that we had a bad day, but it did result in my having some serious blisters and not being able to show off my amazing bowling skills the following night. Despite that, I learned some things about Philadelphia that I didn't know. I also learned some things about my feet and my flip flops. And I learned a lot about the care of blisters too. Too much to share in any great detail, but trust me. I know a thing or two about a thing or two. Mmmmhmmmmm (Sling Blade)

You grow it, I mow it.

It's gotten to the point where I'll do just about anything for a little money (within reason!). It's come to hard physical labor; mowed my grandmother's enormous yard. It wasn't too terrible since I got to use the riding mower! I wouldn't say it was easy, but it was clearly a lot easier than pushing a mower around that yard. The grass was higher than my knees in parts. I was on that thing for about 3 hours and it was actually pretty enjoyable. Felt nice to be doing something outside that required no thought, talent, or emotion. I could just do it and not think for awhile. Next time I think I'd like to bring my ipod, but it wasn't that bad without it. I felt like my brain got to rest from its constant circles. It surely doesn't stop to allow me to sleep. So, I would suggest lawn mowing. It's blissfully mindless. But don't forget your sunblock! Speaking of which, why does sunburn itch?