"Tattoos; We'll Remember this Moment Forever"

The Scene: Senior Trip, July 2002, the lovely island of Oahu, Hawaii. 

My dear friend Jamie eagerly searched the sketches and photos at a local tattoo parlor for her first ink. 

I knew getting a tattoo wasn't for me, but I was perfectly content assisting Jamie in this permanent endeavor. 

As Jamie scoured the pages I noticed an adorable little butterfly and couldn't help but to entertain the idea of getting a tattoo myself. Jamie saw the flicker of excitement in my face and quickly pounced on my potential change of heart. My initial response to her pleading was, "No way, Jamie, I'm not getting a tattoo."

After some contemplation and conversation Jamie looked me in the eye with that adorable Jamie grin and said, "Erin it will be so great if we get tattoos together, we will remember this moment forever."

Well, that's all it took for me. Here I am almost 12 years later with my little butterfly tattoo and you know what, I love it. In addition, Jamie was exactly right, whenever I look at my tat I think of my dear friend Jamie with a smile.

Love you Jame!

Written by: Erin Fleming 

Seal Carcass for Jesus

One of my favorite Ja stories goes way way back to when we were freshman in high school and very religious. Praise Jesus. 

We went to Mexico (Tijuana maybe? I don't know, we were only 14) on a mission with the rest of our church youth group. We learned some absurd skits about God to preform for Mexican migrant workers. Obviously this was some of the finest work done by missionaries ever. 

Poor Jamie and I were all by ourselves in a different bunk room from the rest of our group with a bunch of religious wackos. After a few days we needed an outlet and something more entertaining than pure worship. We decided it would be a great idea to pull a prank on the boys that were in our group. And what could be better than collecting a maggot covered dead baby seal from the syringe strewed beach nearby to put in the boys' shower. Naturally we were elated with our plan. After collecting the carcass we needed to store it under our bunk bed in a garbage bag until the perfect opportunity arose for us to strike. Well after a few days we were found out before we could even act. Probably one of the wackos ratted us out. The director of the program had to get involved, I guess. They weren't really mad at us, just shocked. I remember them saying they had never 'dealt with a church like ours before.' Who knows, maybe they are still telling this story too about too exuberant, but troubled, youths from Seattle.

Written: Eva Burns

Growing up with Jamie, or Jaime, or Ja, or Ja-Face, or Himay, or Jizzum, or James.

Jamie! I didn’t really meet Jamie until 7th or 8th grade (I don’t know when…I have a terrible memory for dates) when her and her family moved in across the street from me. It was the coolest, I mean, your best friend, across the street, what?! We could just walk out the door and shout to say hello. Jamie and I share a lot of firsts together, here are a few:

• The first time I got drunk (sorry mom and dad, it happened and I think I was 16…again, not sure on the age). We were at her parents “cabin” in Kingston…I remember spilling Coors Light on the floor and then licking it up, gross.
• The first time we froze someones underwear. We had a sleepover in Jamie’s basement…Megan, I am sorry. In hindsight, that was really mean!
• Driving a stick. Jamie taught me all I know! The Friction-Point, I think about it every day. And if you think about letting someone who can’t drive a stick, drive you home from school…wow Jamie, you kick-ass, or you have huge balls, I am still deciding.
• Power-Smiles (see image example) — we ruined a lot of photos with those :)))))))
• Looking good in swim caps. That’s right, we made it happen, we worked those caps and sexy-speedos. Who knew being on the swim team could be cool?
• Challenges. Jamie LOVES challenges. I can’t even remember the bet now, but I lost and had to eat sardines and cooked egg yolks, two things I despise! I think mustard may have been involved too…good work Ja.
• This isn’t a first for Jamie and I as a team, but it did make me pee my pants. Jamie’s car, The Waffe Mobile (don’t ask), was CONSTANTLY loosing it’s muffler. You would think it was because it was old, but really it’s because Jamie drove that Civic like it was an off-road vehicle (not really, just being dramatic for effect). One day Jamie was driving home and there was a branch in the road. She tells the story that the branch was a “twig” and she figured it would be okay to drive over…well the branch was a branch and she drove all the way home with it stuck under the good ol’ Muff. In Jamie’s defense there were twigs involved, they were just he smaller branches coming off of the giant branch she ran over.

There are a lot more of these stories, but I don’t want to hi-jack this bog. I love you Jamie, looking forward to doing more fun and stupid things with you!www.PoorDescisions.com, let’s make it happen.

Written by: Danielle Bellert

Friendship Without Fear

You see the robe was a $40 value.

As industrious as she is fashionable this tale of Jamie took place in April of 2010 on the west side of Los Angeles. Richard Randolph Geiger the Third was leaving to make a movie and going away festivities were in order. Jamie - never one I welch on a bet -  owed Rand and Dave the Duke Warburton a dinner at the effortlessly named bastion of surf AND turf known simply as Sizzler. Myself and Sona Ram (not yet bearing the name or ring of the Geiger clan) joined in what could only be described as a reasonably priced yet barely edible meal. But Rand and the Duke were quite giddy by the experience and the night was far from over. A seemingly innocuous stop at CVS followed. Jamie was lacking a jacket but found a more than suitable replacement. It was a robe of the finest polyester and was a hue that reminded people what the color pink was supposed to look like in its purest form. Stylish and warm it exemplified what Henri Labrouste and Louis Sullivan had pontificated over a century before - form truly follows function. So with new garment in hand the five compatriots ventured to the lands end, Dockweiler Beach, to sit peacefully at the waters edge lit by the stars and warmed by a fire made by their own hands. The revelry would appear to be short lived as it was quickly discovered that polyester is in fact highly flammable and should not be worn in front of a large bon fire while smoking a cigar. Every spark and ash was a potentially life ending ember floating gingerly toward her and the robe. Undaunted by the danger to herself Jamie championed on despite several instances of holes burning into the robe threatening to immerse her in flames at any moment.The night of stories, laughs and farewells came careening towards an end much like a wave descending back to the ocean. The lasting memory from the night was definitely of Jamie Anderson, a person who would literally risk being engulfed in flames for a night with her friends. Could she use better judgment, that is not for me to say but a better friend could not be found. And that robe that exemplifies Jamie - her brazen disregard for her own safety and her commitment to her friends - hangs proudly in her closet today.




Written by: Antonino Charles Saccoccio
Posted: CC - Monday, 8:37pm - December 30th, 2013 

Back to the Future: Ithaca College Edition

My favorite Jamie story is an exciting one.  Jamie and I had our final film class together during our senior year at Ithaca College, and were randomly paired together as partners to complete the big end-of-semester presentation.

Because the only thing we really cared about at the time was the future success of our rock band, Jamie and I procrastinated and saved our project until the very last minute.  Only in the final few days did we learn that a failing grade might actually prevent us from graduating on time.  Needless to say, we were in danger of flunking most heinously .  An additional semester of college was looming for Jamie, but if I didn't graduate my father was threatening to send me to military school.  We were doomed.

Just when it seemed like all was lost, our advisor Professor Rufus approached us with a solution.  This began what Jamie and I now refer to as our most excellent adventure.  With some help from Professor Rufus, Jamie and I travelled back in time, collected history's best filmmakers into our phone booth, and used their knowledge to ace our final presentation.  I know this story sounds like something you might see in a farfetched 80s movie or something, but Jamie can vouch for the validity of it.  We nailed our presentation, graduated college, saved the future, and began a most excellent friendship.  Jamie is amazing, and definitely the best time traveling companion a person could ask for.  Happy 30th Jamie!!

Written:

Day 27 of 30 

Dawn to Dusk - 3TL

Finding inspiration and strength from the early 2000s girl group, 3LW (aka: 3 Little Women), 3TL (aka: 3 Tough Ladies) was born in the Spring of 2012.  I can't speak for the rest of the girls but I can personally say this was and is one of the hardest physical and mental challenges I've ever put myself through.  The Dawn to Dusk Adventure race is also, easily, one of the best races I've ever completed. When Jamie invited me to compete in this race, I had no idea what I was getting into.  I'm very thankful she pushed us all to do this and that I got to experience this bitch of a race with her.  

"Dawn to Dusk" is a 12-hour adventure race typically held in San Luis Obispo, CA.  It's a self-guided race, by that I mean that we were not designated to any specific trails/routes.  With simply a map and a compass, we were challenged to race to various check points throughout San Luis Obispo.  No cellphones or gps devices permissible.  Failing to make the check points was not only a forfeit or time penalty, it was our only access to fresh food and clean water.  Away from said check points we were completely dependent on the camelbacks and power bars on our backs. 

I found an email from Jamie detailing our journey: 

Kayak Total (includes pulling the kayak through the stream) - 6.6 miles

Run Total (includes carrying the kayak) - 16.8 miles

Bike Total (includes nothing related to the kayak) - 20.1 miles

Grand total: 43.5 miles

This adventure didn't come without struggle.  There were cuts, spills, wipeouts, lots of sweat, and too many bruises to count.  Megan had basically broken her ankle a month or so before the race.  I had to abandon a broken bike after flying over the handlebars.  We almost gave up in a delirious and misguided 10 mile run through rolling hills, and still, we kept running.  Through it all, we were the first all-female finishing team.  

Of all the adventures and challenges I've tested myself against, this will forever be a favorite of mine. For that, a huge thanks goes to Jamie for pushing us all to not only sign up, but to crush the race.  

Bleed black and pink. 3TL 

Written by: CC 

Posted: CC - Sunday, 2:51pm - Sub for December 27, 2013 -  - Day 26 of 30 

Seattle Seahawk Sunday

The 2013 Seattle Seahawks are currently 12-3, 1st in the NFC Western Division. The Seahawks will be taking on the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field at home today.  

The 2013 Seattle Seahawks season is the franchise's 38th season in the National Football League, and the fourth under head coach Pete Carroll. For the first time in franchise history, the Seahawks have recorded double digit victories in consecutive seasons. Currently, their 12 victories compiled through week 16 is the second best start in franchise history, only surpassed by the 13–2 mark achieved during their 2005 NFC Championship season.

Hoping Jamie and the Seahawks take home another W today. 

Written by: CC 

Posted: CC - Sunday, 1:42pm - Sub for December 26, 2013 -  - Day 25 of 30