Day 20: Cheese.

Day 19: Warhol-ism.

My room is such a mess at the moment. But ignore that. It's the prints I finally hung on my wall that actually matter here.

Day 18: The Last Lecture

He really was--is--the most inspirational man to open his mouth. Absolutely amazing. I watched his lecture and read his book all in one day. It's funny--I bought it on a whim. It was sitting on one of the tables in the middle of borders, and I thought it sounded nice. It had a sticker that said 40% off for Borders Rewards members. I never expected it to change so many of my ideals.

My childhood dreams:
- To own and care for many cats
- To become fluent in Japanese
- To become a great scholar

I don't remember much of them other than those.

Day 17: Parking Lot

When you spill bits of glass on the ground, buttons, pins, birds will probably come along and try to eat them.

Day 16: Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Sometimes I think there's really nothing better than a long, thorough shower after a long day of constant sweating.

Day 15: Chocolates as ice.

If it's really hot out in the summer, you should keep chocolates in the freezer. When it becomes unbearable you can suck on them like hard candy. It cools you down almost instantly.

Day 14: Bakeneko

Due to watching モノノ怪 the short anime series, I've become really interested in 化け猫--Demon Cats of Japanese legend. Which is why this journal's cover caught my eye, even though the cats don't look the least bit evil. But the coloring and design still reminded me of them nonetheless.

Day 13: Lessons in Language

Lately I've become increasingly more interested in learning Japanese--in picking up where I keep leaving off. About two or so weeks ago I heard a man at Barnes & Noble speaking Japanese to someone over the phone, and I caught myself thinking "that could be me..." So I downloaded a bunch of free broadcast lessons and got a membership at JapanesePod101.com. Watch me try to succeed one more time.

Day 12: Small City

Day 11:Tradition.

Day 10: Break free from the pack.

Such a small and sleepy little Bear.

When I went out to lunch today, there was a cute guy playing "Wonderwall" at Potbelly. Then when I left the skyway to head out to the square and eat in the sunlight, there was a man playing "Blackbird" on the street for change. And in the morning I'd had the most lovely horoscope in City Pages:

I really do feel that you're here with me as I create these horoscopes. In a sense, you're my assistant. Our telepathic connection is utterly palpable and practical. The hopes and questions you project my way stream into my higher mind, coloring my psychic environment and enriching my desire to give you exactly what you need. Now, in accordance with the astrological omens, I'm asking you to give our collaboration more conscious intention. It's time for you to be aggressive about seeking help and inspiration -- not just from me, but from everyone. Try this for starters: Once a day for five minutes, visualize that you and I are sitting face-to-face and discussing the issues that feed your longing to be brave and free and authentic and smart and loving and creative.

And I sat in the shade, ready to eat my lunch and study kanji while the temperature was perfect and the sun was shining, and it occurred to me that. at least for today, life was good.

Day 9: Sunrise, Sunset

It's not every day you wake up to a golden sky.

Day 8: Gift Giving.

Just a little late.

Day 7: Who could this be?

Impossible! Did I actually get a picture of the elusive Black Baby? This must be an illusion!

Day 6: And more kittens.

I love when they still have that fuzzy undercoat.

Day 5: Endless kittens.

Day 4: So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

Day 3: Star Wars

Did you know that the wrinkles on Yoda's face were inspired by Einstein? I thought that was really interesting.

Day 2: Room work.

It's a rejection letter addressed to Andy Warhol from when he was just starting out as an artist. It came with a bag I bought with one of his designs on it, and it really struck me as powerful that they put in something where he was rejected as opposed to something where he was being schmoozed all over. Even the great an magnificent Andy Warhol can get rejected.

But anyway, I framed it and hung it on my wall because, since I want to be a writer, I'll probably be getting many the rejection notice in my lifetime. And I guess I just wanted that letter to be a reminder to myself that just because you're rejected doesn't mean you aren't brilliant.

Andy Warhol just kept going. And so will I.

Day 1: Do-Over

Been a while, hasn't it? I was really busy all June and the beginning of July, but I just got back from a vacation so I'm really refreshed. While watching a documentary on the Galapagos islands on the National Geographic channel in the hotel room, I because really interested in Darwin. Also, I spent a ton of time at the beach. Enjoy this picture someone drew of Homer on a drift log.