Overused Words in the Twilight Series or Why Not Get A Thesarus, Stephanie?

I have been holding on to a list made while listening to the Twilight series on audio book late last year. The list is made up of THE MOST overused words by Ms. Stephanie Meyers. I understand that there are rules for YA fiction, but really!

Here they are:

1. fierce--fiercely

2. incredulous--incredulously

3. anxious--anxiously

4. grimace--grimaced

5. glower--glowered

6. spluttered

7. pursed

8. infinitesimally

9. wearily

I'd also like to add that the series was awful! With the exception of the last book, Breaking Dawn, where Bella seems to grow a spine and actually manages to become a somewhat likable character...too bad it took three books to get her there.

I Have Been Broken Open.

What follows are the poetic lyrics to "Broken Open" off The Cold War Kids new album, Mine is Yours. I'm really digging this song, and really, the whole album. Shout out to these Long Beach natives, Sarah loves you.


I locked my keys in the car
I'm pleading for some change
The meter treats me like a stranger now
Flashing zeros

I'm juggling a drink too full
While tugging on a leash that you pull
And jogging my memory for
The way to your door

I have been broken open
By my most trusted friend
I was the wild card
You were the safe bet
I've been broken open

I'm up and down that way
I'm up and down that way
It's easier to say that I'm doing okay
Than bother to explain
The water rising

Threw out your crystal ball and your weather vane
Picasso don't premeditate he just paint
Tonight it's so easy
To overflow

I have been broken open
Was a perfect gentleman
Now I'm smashing champagne, tying cans
Feel like celebrating

I have been broken open
Dug to China with bare hands
When you ask me if I'd like to dance
I've been broken open

Flow over me, flow over, flow
Overflow

It feels so strange to feel good
And when I was the fire you were wood
So when I was petrified
You understood

I have been broken open
This was not my master plan
I was comfortable watching from the stands
I've been broken open

All my edges are exposed
I was once content alone
Now you are the one that I call home
I've been broken open

Flow over me, flow over, flow (x7)

A Taste of Humboldt

As we prepare for leaving this wonderful place, that we have been so very lucky to experience for as long as we have, I'd like to offer a glimpse into the special nature of this place. The following is in no way emblematic of Humboldt in its entirety; however, it is emblematic of a particular sect of Humboldt society--a sect that, I believe, is absent almost anywhere else. Please enjoy.

So, there's a farmer. He does not grow carrots, or kale. He lives on a mountain top and scans the skies for helicopters in an attempt to keep his product safe. This man is a pot farmer.

This farmer, let's call him Sean. Sean has a pet chimpanzee. The chimp really enjoys partaking in herbal refreshment with his owner, and partake they do. Some time passes, and Sean moves from refreshing himself (and the chimp) with pot, to yorking line after line of cocaine. As it turns out, the chimp also enjoys cocaine. So Sean and his chimp snort cocaine, live in the mountains, and tend the pot farm.

Until one very fateful day when there was only enough cocaine for Sean. Apparently the (now coke head) chimp did not approve as he literally ripped Sean's ears off of his head!!

The moral of this story: One should never own a wild animal; but if you do, you definitely shouldn't get your animal addicted to cocaine. Or, if you do own a wild animal AND you get it addicted to cocaine, you better be sure you NEVER run out!!

Oil Oil Everywhere.

These photos come from The Los Angeles Times website. A picture is worth a thousand words, which is helpful in this situation where language seems to lack the breadth to be useful.

A Pelican, covered in oil.

BP head tours this affected area; bastard.

Oil sits atop the water, 10 miles off the coast of Louisiana.

A helocopter view of the Gulf.

Another helicopter view, oil swirls in the Gulf.

Edge of the spill. In the Gulf, near The Chandeleur Islands

Where to?

Never thought, coming from you
Words slung like weapons
No peace to make?

Never thought,
kindred could be severed
Haunted by phrases spoken and un

Augenblick
feelings can change
Augenblick

Always love in my heart
Always concern
Never thought though,
simply never thought.

Dear Brother,

I'm up on the tightwire
one side's ice and one is fire
It's a circus game with you and me.

I'm up on the tightrope
One side's hate and one is hope
But the tophat on my head is all you see.

And the wire seems to be
the only place for me.
A comedy of errors
and I'm falling.

Here. There. Everywhere.

Gotta love The Beatles!


To lead a better life I need my love to be here...

Here, making each day of the year
Changing my life with a wave of her hand
Nobody can deny that there's something there

There, running my hands through her hair
Both of us thinking how good it can be
Someone is speaking but she doesn't know he's there

I want her everywhere and if she's beside me
I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share

Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there

I want her everywhere and if she's beside me
I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share

Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there

To be there and everywhere
Here, there and everywhere