Greatest hits.

In honor of my bday tomorrow, here's some of my best work:













And some words to live by from my 11 year-old self:

How are my "symbals" doing? I have no idea what this means. I do know that it's storming up a storm outside, and the wind'sa blowing.



You have to get to learn things.

Dear girl, do you know what you have in your hands?

Have I ever told you how much I love American Movie? I've never seen any movie as many times as I've seen American Movie. I love it so much that it is music to me. Seriously, there was a period of time when I constantly had it playing, no matter what else I was doing, and that's how it became a real part of me. I believe it's accurate to say that I reference a line from the movie at least once a day, usually just to myself.
I saw it for the first time in high school, and I actually slept through the last half, but I knew it was something special and watched it again, and after that I was just hooked. I love documentaries, and I've seen many that are true get machines, with hilarious and heartbreaking characters, but none of them have ever gotten me like this one.
Every single person featured in the movie is special. Not a single person could be described as average or boring. Every single line is quote-worthy. Everyone seems to be trying to do their best (except for Mark's brother, Alex- yikes). There's a real kind of unity among the people involved, and it's actually really beautiful. Everyone is kind of tragic but so accepting of themselves and each other.

I LOVE how hard Mark tries. You know, this is the first time I've noticed he reminds me of Zero. I think it's the Ol' Squinty eyes and unique way of speaking. But anyway, Mark is a real artist, and he is also a real human having real issues. I love his obsession with death, of course. I love that he actually said these two things:
1. "The graveyard is like a stage. And then, you know, all of these dead people, too- it's like they can't bitch at you, you don't have to hear their opinions; they're there, though. They're here as decent human beings, finally."
2. "When you go in the grave, and you're just lying there in the casket- the last hurrah, the final goodbye- what are you going to be thinking about?"
I love that he thinks that being in the graveyard with a film camera in one hand and a beer in the other was and is the joy of life. I love that he struggles and perseveres. I love that his new girlfriend is slick, she's cool. I love that he has good auditory senses.
And, oh, can I even begin to talk about Uncle Bill? What a jewel of a man.

"So here's to the joys we had together, when we met in June.
Let us be the way we were.
Sorry, I miss you so much since you died.
Since you wanted to die."

"So goodbye, dear.
Hope you're in Heaven where you belong.
I still love you.
I'll visit your grave every day-
Not every day, but I'll visit it some time if I ever find it.
Don't tell me where it is."
It's the best poetry ever, let's just be honest. He is the greatest. He would like a peppermint schnapps with a Sprite and ice in it, and two gobs of it. It's got a good taste. I just love him and his cranky sense of humor and cuteness. Science photo? Science class?

I love this movie so much that I actually drew portraits of both Mark and Bill back when I was having marathon repeat viewings:



And of course, because it's classic:

My birthday's at the end of the month.

Husband alert.

I love this man on Parks and Recreation, and I love his moustache/dimples combo all the time.

Story Time.

Michael Ian Black reads from his children's book, Chicken Cheeks. It's the best, if only I could embed.

Smell like Gelfling.

Well, it's settled. Icarus descends from the urRu Mystics.

Just skip to the end, a little over 9 minutes in, and watch the way that Mystic rests his head. Icarus.

Also, learned how I'll be looking around the age of 400. Maybe 40, too. You never know!

Here's to hoping!

If he could, I would.

Oh Layne.



I know you'll always be in my nightmares.



P.S. Don't bother with shirts, boys. SWOON!