Since I have been not feeling well the past few days and it has been raining constantly, I decided to watch all three Lord of the Rings films in order. I felt like a forty year old nerd who has a house full of mint condition action figures, but on the other hand it took my mind of the agony of my throat. I don't have strep or anything, but whenever I breathe I get a sharp and jarring pain, but enough about that for now. I had a brilliant idea today when I was thinking about the fact that I will be missing about 3 weeks of blogging when I go to Europe. The idea is to actually write a journal by hand of my travels in a little old notebook my grandpa gave me, and then put them on here when I get back!
Random thought of 12:01. Everyone has there own ideas, stories and problems and the fact that we all try to understand each other over the course of our lives is intriguing. I wish I was better with words to describe the maze of thoughts in my head right now. Summer Skin by Death Cab

I woke up this morning and felt just as shitty as I did yesterday, so I lay in bed for a few hours, staring at the ceiling, which did the trick and I felt much better. My family went to the beach today with the Friedman's and it was a fantastic day. It was by no means stereotypical beach weather, but I prefer the ocean when it's cloudy and windy with a 70% chance of rain. I really want to go to the beach in the winter sometime, like in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (thats a link to see it). The sound of the surf hitting the shore and the gulls shrieking are ones I can't go long without, I realized. Imagine living in Kansas and never seeing the seaside. I found that the hour and some car rides each way were almost as good as the beach, as we listened to so many songs. If this day was a facebook status I would 'like it' probably twice, if thats even possible.. My street cred and self-respect is in tatters after that last sentence. Lua by Conor Oberst is my favorite song of the voyage to Plum Island today.

Right now I am 'knackered', to steal a word from Alexander. I woke up this morning with a sore throat and this evening I was shivering cold and have a painful headache. My ailments could not derail what has been a superb day. My head feels so tired that I cannot possibly describe the evening justly. Canoeing/kayaking was lovely and the sunset was picturesque. My head feels like its floating oddly now, probably due to the NyQuil I just consumed. Spending time with friends that make everything perfect is hands down the best part of summer. My head is nearly using the keyboard as a pillow. One ending note, there has been a bizarre question afloat in my head since I arose this morning: Why do films never involve sneezing? People sneeze A LOT, and it is never on the silver screen. I'll end this random series of tangents while I still moderately can.
A Whisper by Coldplay

I've wanted to blog so badly the last few days, but I haven't been able to for a combination of reasons. My cousin arrived from England a few days ago so I have not been alone much, and some family friends with little kids are staying, so my duties as a host have overwhelmed any chances to blog.
It's 1:04 and I thought I was tired about ten minutes ago, but as usual, waves of energy surge and keep me up. It is really nice having my cousin here. We never see each other during the year, but during the summer we do, and catching up with the contents of a year always makes us very close and really good friends.
The past few days have been surprisingly filled. Since a bunch of people are here I am making a big effort to always find something to do. Tonight we had a big monopoly game and I never lose. I had some qualms about being so gleeful beating a ten and seven year old in the game, but I had spoiling little kids and letting them win at everything. It's not a good preparation for life is it?
Yesterday I realized how atrocious I am at tennis, even though I had a good time in my struggles. As it was rainy today, the nine people at my house decided to go see Harry Potter, FINALLY! It was extremely good, and definitely the best so far. People complain that it was lacking 'action' and such, but I think the relatively slow pace (compared to the previous films) allowed for much more character development, and better captured the brilliance of the books. As a huge fan of the books (reading each at least ten times), I always feel the movies are bittersweet, as they are often unfaithful to the books or like the earlier ones, catastrophic to the images created in my head. This time I just sat back and enjoyed it greatly, especially because of all the little things. Movie Review of the Day. For the past two nights I have been sleeping on the porch and it's the best thing. The rain at night in the past few days has been beautiful. It's so peaceful listening to it and feeling it against your face as you drift into sleep. Overall these past few days have seemed busy and satisfying, although I haven't done very much. Summer in a nutshell for you. Plans by Bloc Party

My cat Isabel strutted onto the newly finished screened porch as if she had always owned the place. She had a spring on her step and an intent look in her cattish eyes that seemed to disdainfully say "What are you doing here on my turf joseph?". God, I'm odd, inventing non-existant conversations between me and a small feline creature. Her brother Mister Fred was tentative and cautious, silently moving, alert to the most miniscule of noises. I was so glad they are getting to experience a bit more of the outdoors, as they have seemed lethargic the past few months.
I sat outside and read all day until my cousin arrived. Then we went to the roof and chatted.
Just Like Heaven- The Cure

One whole calendar month of blogging woohoo! I've only missed three days so far and I wasn't going to be able to blog tonight, so I decided to right now. It's 6:03 and it feels odd. I usually begin writing my entries at closer to midnight. I realized how much of a problem my nocturnal nature has become when for the past week, it has been physically impossible to go to sleep before 2:30am. The screened in porch is done and its fantastic. I have never painted more in my life. My cousin from England, Alexander, is coming tomorrow and staying for 10 days. I am glad since we are really close, despite only seeing each other a few weeks each year. Plasticities by Andrew Bird. I never get tired of this song.

This morning I walked to a pool and heard a jarring and shrieking sound, which I soon discovered to be two hawks fighting high above in the sky. After a refreshing swim and non-descript afternoon, I was home alone for the evening. I blasted music and cleaned the whole kitchen. A song came up called Sleepy Shores by Michael Price. It has no words, and I had never heard it before. I sat down and put it on repeat. It's from the soundtrack to Children of Men and something about it is so powerful to me, as if it tells its own story or something. If I had to see one film for the rest of my life it would be Children of Men and if you haven't seen it please do, or at least listen to the song. You have to be in the right mood though, I guess.