Fruity People Are the Best

This afternoon at work, I had a few moments to chat with friends online. Breaks have not come often recently, so I decided to multitask. I was chatting AND enjoying a sweet nectarine, cut by mine own hand. In fact, I brought my favorite pocket knife to work in order to cut it. Fruit, to me, tastes so much better when it's cut finely at sharp angles -- which is one reason bananas aren't my favorite -- that's not to say I don't like them, however.

Whilst chatting, my friend mentioned her carefree day near the poolside, where she consumed several cherries. She also mentioned that a mutual friend had a distaste for the small fruit, and she simply couldn't believe it. "Cherries are a mediocre fruit," I told her. The debate was on --

Plain conversation between friends is a blessing under-appreciated --

"Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne're succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need."

Assuming all fruits are equally fresh and ripe, I've compiled a top 10 list. Many fruits can be combined one with another, and many can be added into desserts, pancakes, muffins, and more. All aspects of the fruit, including taste and health, were taken into account.

"Forbidden Fruit a flavor has
That lawful Orchards mocks --
How luscious lies within the Pod
The Pea that Duty locks --"

10. Lime/Lemon
9. Apple
8. Clementine
7. Kiwi
6. Mango
5. Strawberry
4. Huckleberry
3. Pineapple
2. Raspberry
1. Nectarine

Berenice

Today, July 4th, I rose from bed and made pancakes. Then, I attended church. I anticipated too many patriotic testimonies, so I brought a biography of Edgar Allan Poe. Interestingly, his lonely, difficult life caused me to reflect on mine. I had a different kind of spiritual experience ... I think I will attend fast and testimony meetings without a book to read nevermore.

I returned home to a posse of suspicious citizens partying in the apartment complex pool. I walked up the stairs leading to my apartment door. I switched on the air conditioning, gathered my dirty clothes, and headed back down the stairs toward the laundry room on the far side of the pool. I passed the barbecued corn, the limes, and the Gothic tattoos and reached the laundry room door. As I pried it open I heard a caw. The posse turned its head away in time to miss my glance, but the raven's obsidian eyes gazed into mine. The washer started and the charcoal raven took flight over the grill and out of sight.

The persistent heat of Phoenix does not relent for a holiday. And so I relaxed inside as the fireworks celebrated the bringers of victory. This day in my life was simple. I observed The 4th of July in my pajamas, and on my bed I felt a reverence for my Independence forevermore.

I will never forget July 4, 2010. It was a simple day spent with a friend.

PHX & COX

I moved to Phoenix, AZ. I work for Cox Media as a Research Analyst, and I am primarily responsible for cable programming. It's my job to know what's on TV and what time, day, and channel programs air. Eventually, I might know a lot about TV ... well, cable TV. As a perk, Cox provides me with free internet and virtually free cable TV (including expanded cable like NFL Network, Tennis Channel, HBO, etc).

I arrived to Phoenix, a city completely unfamiliar to me, on a Thursday and started my new job the next Monday. I had precious few days to search for an apartment. Fortunately, a high school friend of my mother's let me stay with her family while I searched. I found a place near the Phoenix Zoo.

For the first time in my life, I have my own apartment. I have access to a pool and spa, a fitness room, and even my own covered parking space. However, I did not have a bed, dresser, or any furniture when I moved-in to my new place. IKEA saved the day, and Wal-Mart of course ... and don't forget Family Dollar. I still don't have much, but I don't need much. Strangely, I keep finding that I need more, though. I am continually thinking of things I need in my apartment, like a vacuum for instance.

Buying stuff sucks, pardon the pun, but it can be fun. I am done buying "essentials" for now. Wait, I still need a couch, a lamp, a desk would be nice, a Crockpot, a nicer frying pan, a toaster ... the list goes on.