I told mom about my idea of writing the family into a play and asked her if she thought anyone would be upset about it or take offense. She said no, she didn't see why they would. "Just change the names to protect the innocent," she said. "Working on it," I replied, and told her about Uncle "Joe" and Aunt "Meg". I told her about the overlying plot of everyone being in the middle of something unfinished, and the pivotal point that changes everything. Actually, the more I think on it, I don't think I could ever make it a play. For one thing, coming up with a functional set where all of the action could take place seems impossible. I could put it all in the kitchen, but it would limit me so much in respect to where I could take and develop the characters. Secondly, I don't think I could ever find an acceptable cast for these characters. I don't know. I'll think on it. Things at the Castle Arroyo haven't improved much. Mom and I have been busy decorating every room with chochkees, pictures and mirrors. We're still searching for a big frame for one of my photographs for the hall. I'm working on a photoshop image to blow-up for my own room. Haven't started it yet--haven't had the time. But on the subject of my room, I finally have drapes! Kristofer and I are very excited. They're absolutely beautiful, too; heavy and rich looking. My room is much cooler now that the sun is blocked. I also got my bedding; my duvet and some "damned" decorative pillows. It would just figure that I have to move-out and leave all these beautiful things in two weeks. I'll get to that. As for the family, well, there the friction lies. The Queen and the Lady are still at ends. My mother has had it, and I don't blame her. Grandma treats her like a servant. Cinderella, Cinderella. The only time grandma talks to mom is when she needs something done or fixed. It's just a disgusting arrangement. Jackie has been sick nearly every day on account of being pregnant. I haven't seen too much of my dad but when I do, he's always very sweet and pleasant with me, which I expect because after 19 years, I know how these patterns run. Kris and I are doing fantastic. Our 2 year anniversary is quickly approaching and while part of me can't believe it, another part of me is amazed that it's only been that. It feels like we've been together forever. At any rate, we know everything about each other and each other's lives. I give him a lot of credit for bearing with me during these difficult months. Even though I don't really want him to hear what's going on, it's a comfort for me to know that I don't have to hear it--go through it--alone. I'm not crazy because you're my witness. I'm not broken because you're my cruch. I'm not scared because you're my hero. *super hero Kris theme song plays* ~.^ Cutie. So in two weeks I pack up all my crap to move back into the dorm. I have a week of training (which is awful timing because it's the week of band camp, wich means I have to disappoint Saguaro by telling them that I can't go and be their photographer this year; I was really looking forward to it, too). Anyway, a week of speakers talking about sexual harassment and abuse, a lot of get-to-know-you games and "bonding" experiences. Anyway, I'll put on my leadership face and be done with it. I hope this RA bit turns out to be a good idea after all. So far I've kept up my enthusiasm. I mean, I've been in contact with some future villagers and have gotten to know some of them, answered their questions and what have you. I like being a guide. I also have to keep in mind that I'm not really that much older than they and have to remember what I felt like last year. Interestingly enough, I got an email from Leah yesterday about room assignments and as it turns out, I'll be in the room right next door to my old one. In fact, I'll be the only one in CV to have a suite room. Everyone else is stuck in A wing, which means they have small rooms, which sucks for them and rocks for me. I get a huge room all to my self (well, almost...*looks over at the Bear*). The only reason I'm not excited to move-out is because I absolutely love my room. It's so relaxing and soft. Green; very, what's the word, fung shei (sp?). Today mom, Kris and I went and visited my Aunt Kim, Uncle Billy, and grandpa. They've been doing work on their yard and it looks amazing. They moved a wall on their front yard so now their side yard is a lot bigger and they're putting in a really nice pool. It just looks fantastic. As for grandpa, he was prescribed medication to help his parkinsons, but had a bad reaction to the medication and started hallucinating. Aunt Kim took him off of it right away of course, but it's taken him some time to come round. The good news is that he was aware he was just hallucinating. Today he told us all about his "travels", about how he ended up in New York without his wallet or anything and saw grandma, a vision in white. He went somewhere else, too, but I can't think of the name of it right now. Anyway, he was much more alert and present today than he has been in days past, so it was a pleasant visit. I don't know what made me think of it, but the other day something hit me hard about appreciating the ones close to me while they are here so that when nature does take over, I don't have to say I wish I had spent more time or this and that. Gramps loves talking to Kris about drumming. Next time, we'll have the video for ya, gramps. I kissed gramps goodbye and was very happy to see how good he looked (for an old man ~.^) Not that this matters at all but this week I got two very cool things. The first is a really funk floor lamp that's like a very stretched out paper lantern. The other is a speaker deck for my iPod that also has a clock and alarm system built in, which is exactly what I was looking for because I can't stand beeping alarms and I really didn't want to lug my stereo with me. And it wasn't even that expensive. At any rate, I made it my early birthday present from mom. : ) So life has been absolutely up and down. Everyone's bipolar and every day is an adventure. Carrie