The power went out in the majority of West Plano today. My youngest sister, Jordy, was at school today reviewing for final exams when she called after two and a half hours sitting in the dark. Renner Middle School was canceling classes, and I had to pick her up. What started as an everyday chore turned into quite the fiasco.

Wearing only a hoodie and shorts, I grabbed Rocky and rushed out the door into the rain storm. Just as we were driving down the main street for our neighborhood, my right wiper blade flew completely off and into oncoming traffic, causing me to pull over, put on my flahsers, and rush into the rain without shoes to gather the parts. Once I got to the school, I had to wait ten minutes for the Plano mom’s that triple parked in the carpool lane. My frustration was steadily increasing as my techno pumped in the background.

After calling Jordan, it turned out I had to come into the building to sign her out. Perfect. Me in my pajamas with no shoes. I ended up parking in the fitness center lot across from the school, leaving the dog in the car with the windows cracked and trampsed through the mud without an umbrella. Once I got to the school, there were parents backed up all the way out the front doors, waiting in line to sign their kids out. Twenty minutes later, and I’m finally to the desk to sign her out. Pissed off, covered in mud and rain, and at my last nerve, I went up to the desk to sign Jordan out of class. As I’m opening my mouth to pull her out, the power turns on and the principal tells the parents that all the kids will go to 7th period and the parents should come back in an hour to pick up their children.

The tension is doubling as the principal and other administrators are rushing down the halls telling kids to get back to class and parents to go home. Frustrated, I tell one of the dumbass ladies at the desk that I’m Jordan Ellett’s sister, and I’ve waited this long so I’m taking her out of class. She looks at me and says, “I’m sorry but classes have commenced, and you may not take Jordan out of class unless you are on the emergency list.” With anger in my eyes, I looked at her, shook my head, and say “Fuck this” and left the office. It resulted in quite a few laughs from the parents standing in line, causing a majority of them to do the same thing: leave and try to take their kids themselves. After trying to call Jordan and get her out of class myself, I figured I should just leave and not cause any more drama.

So, after 45 minutes of trying to get my little sister out of school, I came back home, covered in mud, water, and dog hair and without Jordy. And, that has been the most exciting thing that has happened to me the past few days. I wish I had more fun stories.

Julia and Jess and I used to share music through flash drives quite frequently, so this is my way of sharing my love and passion for music with them and anyone else who might be interested. These are my picks for the month to kick off the summer. Enjoy!

1. DJ Antoine “This Time”                           2. Postal Service “We Will Become Silhouettes”

3. Stars “Ageless Beauty”                            4. Marcy Playground “Ancient Walls of Flowers”

5. Vast “Touched”                                       6. Counter-Culture “Vitalize”

7. Why? “The Vowels, Pt. 2″                        8. Pilotdrift “Elephant Island”

9. Flying Machine “Overachiever”               10. Ani DiFranco “Not a Pretty Girl”

11. Feist “When I was a Young Girl”            12. Broken Social Scene “Looks Just Like the Sun”

13. Howie Day “Come Lay Down”               14. McLusky “Kkkitchens, What were you Thinking”

15. Annie Lennox “Wonderful                     16. Belle and Sebastian “Funny Little Frog”

17. Built to Spill “Cortez the Killer”             18. Secret Machines “You are Chains”

The last few days have been devoted to refurbishing my once disgusting bookshelf. Before, there were creepy animal stickers adorning the front doors over yellowing paint on cheap plywood. I am pleased to say that it is now a beautiful blue with sea creatures.: perfect for my future home near the beach. Lovely.

For as long as I can remember, I have always brought out the crazy in people without realizing it. It’s a gift.

My encounters continued today. After paying an OUTRAGEOUS $25 for my eyebrow wax (gotta love being in a big city), I got in my car to drive the .6 miles to my house. In that short distance, I had to honk my horn three times! Two people tried to run into me in the parking lot…in my parked car mind you, and one lady decided to drive in the middle of two lanes with her middle finger up at traffic the entire way. And, no, she wasn’t old/senile or a Plano mom.

Anyway, before I even reached my house, I stopped in Wal-Mart to pick up paint and paintbrushes, and the man at the paint counter got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, no joke…I’m pretty sure I made some disgusting face, causing him to stand up quickly and apologize profusely. Awkward. He later explained that he had just been left at the altar, and his bride to be had my nose shape. Even more awkward/odd.

And, this all happened in a matter of ten minutes or so. As the crazies come, I will write.

May 22, 2008:

Although I am only six days into my break, I seem to have accomplished more than last month’s worth of things at school. That just proves the motivation I have not to be bored here. I made it home with my U-Haul from Columbia in a record 15 hours and 25 minutes. (The drive is usually about ten hours) Painful. And, with this newfound transporter for large things, my mom decided it was time for us to break down our trampoline and basketball court, both of which were rusted, ten years old, and broken. That was my Saturday/Sunday: hammer rusted bars, twist wrenches, lift heavy objects, transport to the city dump, do over again.

But, once Monday came, things turned around. I swear it was because of my yellow dress, but I ended up getting a free phone at Verizon. For Andrew, Jess, Kolleen, and Jules, I think you know what I’m talking about. This situation happened with our cable man also. So, I now have a beautiful red Chocolate and am loving it.

The week progressed with getting small things done, and I am now painting my crusty bookshelf a beautiful deep blue. I bought stencils and will be putting fish, yes, finally my yellow fish, and lovely ornate swirls around the edges. It will be my project for the next few days, and when I get it finished, I’ll upload a photo for your viewing pleasure.

Otherwise, Dallas has been, well, Dallas. My plans are to write a list of all the fun things I want to do in the city before work consumes my days. Once I buy another camera charger, I’ll be taking pics of this lovely city. Until then, I’m out.