CSTAR

Just wanted to update everyone on the living situation in Bloomington.

After partying the afternoon away with Bob and Joy on Monday, I returned home from MPRI and slept from 1600 until 1030 the next day. I was up for a bit to have something to eat, but let’s just say that’s about 17 hours of sleep. I really needed it, and I thank you all for the opportunity to get so much rest. 

Like Oprah, I have a list of favorite things (although, fittingly, my list exceeds hers this year in both value and utility). Of the hundreds of things present, here are my favorites:

9. This snowman pot holder. I spent a few moments lost in its dichotomy while heating up some of Joy’s bean and sausage casserole. 
It’s for handling hot things, yet is illustrated with cold imagery. A play on irony? 
It’s an insulator, with a picture of another insulator, depicted adorning a man made of snow. An examination of the futility of existence?

The casserole should have made the list, but there was none left at time of judging.

8. The bottle of “Jarhead Red” wine. Continuing in a prestigious line of fine military branded spirits (military special rum, anyone?), I expected this bottle to rival any pre-1994 bottle I had ever sampled. I don’t mean aged wines, by the way, I mean I expected it to taste like something I drank in high school. It didn’t disappoint. 

7. These bowls are awesome. I don’t know why, by the way, I just like them. I guess it’s the shape. Plus, they’re blue. 

6. “Betty Crocker’s Living with Cancer Cookbook”. I really appreciated seeing this, for two reasons. It means the food I am eating out of the fridge was prepared with this in mind, and I can keep this to use for my own cooking in the future. Thanks. 

5. The artwork generously on loan (indefinitely) from Ava and Aiden. One is clearly a train, and the other a wonderfully rendered Santa Claus. They both say “I am a master of this medium, capable of blowing your mind at my whim”. Neither work is trying too hard, as if to say “my art pours forth from within my soul at its own rate; it is neither to be drawn out nor pushed forth: it must simply be”.

Obviously, the works flirt with the idea of a hyper-realization of self. They refuse to be defined by irrelevant classification. Are they modern? Postmodern? These pieces dare you to dream, and then call your dreams stupid. They are both stunning and intimidating.

Thanks childrens.

4. The “Hello Kitty” bathmat. Thanks. It’s nice to have a reminder every morning about what’s important in life. Namely, Japanese animation from Sanrio.

3. These two are especially important. I am so thankful for the opportunity to get quality rest. Brand new mattresses will do a lot to enhance my ability to recover every day. Coupled with the high thread count sheets (2.), and it’s a recipe for recuperation. It means a lot to me, and I really appreciate the effort.

1. What else could be the number one most notable item in the Bloomington, IN estate? Three powerful words: plastic. Christmas. flamingo. While not competing with #’s 2 and 3 on a functional level, its symbolism and spirit are what carry it to the top of the list. It says “I am a unique creature, my outward appearance is a direct reflection of what’s inside (beta carotene), and my posture is both unique and unexplainable” and “I am a secular Christmas activist”. 

I can truly say that my new digs reflect the character and class of the surrounding community. This depository of goodwill (literal and figurative), is filled with borrowed items from many families. I can feel all the good energy that has travelled with them. Thanks to everyone for making this happen. I can’t think of a better place to recover and regroup.