Hello! Welcome! THIS is the text for the about page. And, being the about page, I am required herein to (at least pretend to) discuss the who, what and why for of this site. It is an unwritten blog rule. Those who break the rules are subject to stoning with particularly strong smelling spam. Or so I hear.

So, hello again! I’m Kerri (Anne) Ladish.

On your average day, I look mostly like this:

(I’m the one on the left.)

When I’m deliriously happy and slightly out of frame, I look mostly like this:

(This time I’m the one on the right.)

When I’m talking (to myself) I look mostly like this:

I started this online endeavor on Thursday, June 24th, 2004, as a way of keeping myself consistently writing, and as an attempt to be even mildly entertaining and articulate on a semi-regular basis. The jury is still out on those initial intentions. I’m simultaneously thrilled and frightened that I’ve been maintaining this site, and the content herein, (mostly) consistently for FOUR years.

Since the genesis of this site, much has happened. State migration has occurred, little sisters have been married, karaoke cherries have been popped, multiple trips to Alabama have been wrought, pugs have been purchased, Peet’s coffee has been correctly spelled, and correctly consumed, hair colors have changed (a few times), mysteries of the universe have been pondered.

Also, as of July 9th 2006, I am was engaged! To this handsome fellow. You can read the story here. It’s a pretty good story. You know, in my completely unbiased opinion. You can also read about how we met through our respective websites four years ago this past November here, and here. I like that story, too.

Our wedding date: June 23, 2007. April 5, 2008 April 12, 2008. September 21! 2007. The wedding is going to be was tiny. And on the Oregon Coast. And perfect. It was a mock-elopement, if you will. And, we will. (And no, I’m not pregnant.) You can see all of the pictures I’ve uploaded from the trip and day of vow-taking here.

As to some general specifics of me, a few years back I graduated from college with a BA in English Literature and Sociology. I think in RealWorldSpeak that degree translates to me being destined to be destitute for the rest of my natural-born life, stuck writing prolific prose on napkins picked up from the tables I wait. On the contrary, and thankfully, since graduating I haven’t had any trouble finding myself perpetually employed. Unless you count those months I spent living in a van down by the river.

In the past few years I have perused the non-profit sector of things, type of work including: grant-writing, patient services representing, website maintaining, development director assisting, bartending, being really really ridiculously good looking.*

I love being barefoot, finding sand in my pockets, making lists, the Realist and Naturalist movements in American Literature, buying hand-made notebooks, throwing a frisbee at my little sister, being immersed in water, keeping my nose stuck in a book, mailing cards, Priest Lake, rain on my head, singing in the car, and telling horrible pun-laden jokes. My family and support network make me happy, and make me feel incredibly blessed on a daily basis.

If I ruled the world you would be able to have at least two “selves,” one of which could be reading at all times, thus providing me with ample time to read Moby-Dick once a week. Also, water would refill itself in your glass, The Soup would be a required daily staple, I would be able to do long-division in my head, and every person on the planet would be happy in their own skin. I someday plan to visit London, own a dog named Atticus Finch, and remember how to speak French.

*Making playful reference to “Zoolander.” If you didn’t smirk, or have no idea what I’m talking about, PLEASE, I beg of you, rent and watch that movie. Or email me. I’ll mail you a copy. I’m helpful like that.

Correspondence Aside, The First: I’m admittedly not a big actual bird advocate (they give me the creeps), but I do partake in the stream of internet consciousness that is Twitter. In fact, I probably tweet more often than I should, but I will be the first to tout the wonder, and the hilarity, that is Twitter. I was skeptical at first, but I will have been tweeting for a year in May and I’m a big fan. It’s like instant messaging meets crack and note-jotting.

If the image of cracked out people instant messaging one another about grocery lists and the number of people they saw picking their noses on public transit didn’t hook you, also: people are HILARIOUS.

Exhibit: Chris’ Twitter Favorites.