[ Here's to new beginnings. . .]

Well, it seems Xanga isn't letting people give me any love [in the form of comments] without them first selling out to Xanga.  Not cool.  So, here's the new blog. . .

I'm Audi.

[ get ready for some more half-baked observations. . . ]

I just realized one of my many personal contradictions.  As long as I can remember, whenever a thought occurs to me that is noteworthy, I jot it down on the first scrap of paper I can get my hands on.  I think this is partially due to the fact that my short term memory is somewhat. . .how can I say this without insulting myself. . .scattered.  I always seem to be overloaded with information, ultimately finding myself overwhelmed and unable to focus on any one given thing [see entry from 02.14.2005].  It can really suck sometimes.  Anyway. . .I'm getting off track again.  See how easy it is?  Back to the catalyst of this entry.  Another one of my widely-known personal traits is my meticulous attention to detail.  I should state the disclaimer now that this only applies to specific areas of interest. . .specifically my work and related aspects.  I guess a more blunt way of stating the obvious is that I am anal.  Everything has its place, everything has to line up, everything has to have a specific meaning, everything has to be derived from something concrete.  This is why it is so suprising [even to me] that all of these random nuggets of insight and thoughts ultimately end up on a scattered series of post-it notes, scrap paper, napkins, etc.  If I were to abide by my obsessive-compulsive nature, wouldn't I naturally keep all these items neatly organized in a college-ruled spiral notebook, complete with annotations and references?  No.  For some unexplained reason, I prefer a blank sheet of paper, sans any form of ruling, notes jumbled and chaotic.  I find that the minute I resign myself to an organized structure, I become entrenched in some excruciating minutiae and lose sight of the big picture.  Why is it that some things drive me absolutely nuts if not properly organized, arranged, what have you. . .while with other things I am perfectly content just to let the cards fall where they may.  I don't know how these two radically different mentalities manage to coexist. . .still trying to wrap my mind around that one. 

Then again, maybe it's just because I'm thoroughly exhausted from a long Labor Day of inactivity and I have nothing better to think about. . .yeah, that must be it.

Wow, two entries in one day. . .at least I did something productive!

Until next time.

[ so, it's been a while. . . ]

Okay, first things first.  I have now been in Eau Claire, Wisconsin [from hereon in referred to as "the EC"] for just over one month.  For those of you who didn't get the memo, in early August I took a position at the corporate headquaters for Menard, Inc. [you know, the unexplainedly peppy white-haired old guy with the Harry Caray glasses who does those campy commercials with the banjo jingle urging you to "Save big money @ Menards."  Apparently, he has a name, and it is Ray].  Anyway, for those of you who aren't midwesterners, Menards is a regional home retail center [think Home Depot and Lowe's, only better].  If you live in Ohio, you will probably be familiar with them in the near future, and all trends point to eastward expansion.  I could tell you more, but I would have to kill you.  But I digress. . .

What am I doing here, you ask?  As it turns out, I actually found a real job that relates to my field.  Who'da thunk it?  I'm now ensconced in the world of retail design.  It's not exactly what I had in mind after graduation, but at least I can now apply my four +  years of grueling architectural curricula to something relevant, and I am learning quite a bit along the way.

I am very much enjoying my time in Wisconsin thus far.  It's true what they say. . .it really is God's Country.  Such a nice change of scenery from the flat, featureless landscape that is Central Illinois.  And I could really get used to the mild climate.  Well, seeing as this short-lived holday weekend has come to a close, it's time for bed.   More to come. . .

[ the relentless stenographer ]

My hands are constantly trying to keep up with my brain. . .ideas, emotions, realizations; self-reflection.  There is all this information just bursting to get out, but seemingly no way to capture it all for reference.  I can only try my best to remember, to take hold of each precious insight and store it away forever.

Sometimes I wonder what might be revealed to us if there were some way to record every thought, every impulse, every second of every day.  What could we learn from such a relentless stenographer?  How much of what courses through our minds over the period of any given day is actually discernable?  How many truly great thoughts are lost in the deluge of our constantly streaming minds?  It is beyond comprehension.

At least for now. . .

Currently Playing Oh, Inverted World By Shins see related

[ "Can't talk now, eating doughnuts. . .experiencing nirvana" ]

Za's, you cause my poor digestive system so much trouble, but I will continue to eat your Zesty Meatball Paninis. . .you taste so good, I don't mind the colonic chaos you induce. Oh, how I have missed you. . .

I want:

:: A job
:: to see Dad soon [won't be for two weeks now. . .]
:: to climb to the top of a color-drenched autumn maple, breathe in the crisp air and sway in the breeze
:: to jump into a pile of freshly raked leaves
:: those stupid ladybugs to die, already. . .I was ambushed thrice in one day.
:: a camelhair topcoat [they're quite schnazzy. . .]