Continuation

Just decorated the Christmas tree with Jason to holiday music on XFM. Lit the fire, ate a few cookies...very romantic setting. You can guess what happened next. Now I suppose I'll read more of The Hobbit while he kills n00bs on COD. One might say we're a boring married couple (something I've confessed myself once or twice) but there's comfort in stability and sameness. And there's just enough spontaneity and craziness and unknown within our comfortable relationship to keep it from getting boring. How I love this man...even if my words come short.

Slow Start

Woke up around 8 this morning, started inputting "kindling" ideas, but never even started writing. Watched 2+ episodes of BSG, folded a few piles of clothes, slacked off. Need to decorate the Christmas tree, need to continue reading The Hobbit, need to finish the clothes and clean up the bedroom. Really want a laptop so my journaling can be done anywhere. Undecided about Christmas because I am excited to spend it with family but am completely unsure of what to get family for gifts. Part of me had planned on making gifts but time is running out and I'm afraid I'll have to shell out money for gifts rather than giving family cookies and such. (Though I'll probably still resort to food for friends.) Need to do Kenpo before dinner. Can't even write complete sentences.

Starting Fresh

So, I have been away for quite some time and I find that my emotions--particularly my anger and frustration--are bursting out at the seams (a la The Longest Journey). Bottling up feelings is definitely not the way to go and I have to make time to vent that bottle.

Not to mention the fact that blogging lets me export some of my words that tend to clog my brain...and sometimes these blogs house memorable phrases that metamorphosize into legitimate literary pieces. Approaching my graduation (after 6+ long years), I'm going to need to truly embrace words if I plan to make a career out of them.

Since I'm out of practice, I grabbed a journal writing guide from the local Goodwill...in hopes that it might unclog my cork. It may be completely useless, as the blurbs on the back cover peg it as a book designed to "spark your students' interest and improve their journal-writing skills," but perhaps not. I can't guarantee I won't succumb to the temptation of bitching about coworkers and cultural icons whose popularity angers me.

It seems to me that the key to good journal writing is to be consistent--something I have proven time and again to be horrendous at (that is, consistency). Going along with this, I suppose I'll have to be forgiving and persistent too... Well, enough blah-blah-blah.

Anticlimactic

Rostro (open air market), sauteed veggies at VIPS restaurant. tanned a bit at the pool, did some homework. pasta salad, kit-kat [ice cream, lol] drumstick, coke zero, paprika "pringals" (reminded me of chicken ramen) to watch game at school. should have gone out but i heard car horns and cheering throughout the night. and celebrated next day.

25 Random things

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. I have considered getting a pot-bellied pig for a future pet.
2. Part of me feels as if Mississippi and Tennessee need to buy a vowel.
3. Steve Martin (already awesome) is 47% cooler in my eyes now that I know he is a bad ass banjo player.
4. I LOVE POTATOES.
5. Zumba and Step Aerobics classes could only be more embarrassing for me if I were required to wear a fannypack during the workout.
6. Is it bad that I mourn the days when Team Dawson fought Team Pacey?
7. I'm not confident in my swimming abilities (on account of never having had lessons as a child) but am afraid to enroll at this stage in my life.
8. I seriously need to stop drinking coffee because it makes my stomach hurt...but it just tastes so good!

And today...stuff happened

paella, cauliflower/ham casserole; quiche, ham salad (leftovers, lol), anthropology museum. started The Angel's Game, played some Chronotrigger, talked to Jason twice.

Looking back

"Washed" clothes. Now they've been [color safe] bleached, [fabric] softened, but not [soap] cleaned. SIGH. Left for Granada at 12:30. Forgot my camera in (I hope) computer lab. Bought 3 Alhambra postcards and 6.50 euro (1/2 price of Sevilla) disposable camera. Kinda embarrassed to take it out, trying to even out usage (~7/day). Did homework on the way and enjoyed the view. Bought cute purse (wish I'd gotten more) at shop near hotel. A/C didn't work on the floor. Alhambra was beautiful beyond words. Inspired silence. Garden--in its time more so than today (tho' still powerful) engaged senses--fountain, tapestries, open roof, flowering vines. Fountain was being renovated/restored :( Only saw it on my postcard. Went off to GRANADA 10 after checking out a bar with an awesome playlist (US/UK classic rock...and a little alternative) and some interesting pieces of decor (two large stuffed monkeys/orangutans, photos of Yeats and Wilde). Had a vodka & pineapple juice, suggested by Anastasia. Club was 8 euros with free drink (also got a drink ticket of another not planning on drinking. Got a little tipsy...maybe also due to being tired & in my silver 3" heels that were killing my feet before we even made it to the club. Drank 2 tequila&sprites for Jason. <3 Also left the floor when Black Eyed Peas' sacrilegous sampling of "Miserlou" came on...and got hit on by a random guy who inquired about why I wasn't dancing (I explained I liked FOO FIGHTERS much better and he seemed to recognize them--yay). Then when I told him I was from the USA he said something about a trip he'd taken to Massachusetts...at this point, one of the girls took my hand and "rescued" me. I should probably note that the whole time this guy was scooting closer to me with a crazy grin on his face. From there, they guys just got creepier. Granted, my dancing was evidencing the fact that my BAC had risen but there were a couple guys who just tried grinding behind me (or in one case directly in front of me). Seriously, people?! In each case, I stepped to the center of a GA group to get away and was safe for a while. Is it like this in every club, or are Spaniards just horny bastards, lol? Stayed at the club until about 4 when I saw Anastasia, Lisa, Shanna, and Peggy headed out. I took my shoes off to walk home--which got us confused despite the fact that it was pretty much a straight shot. I took a shower in the hotel room (where Marita and Allison were already asleep) and began sweating immediately. Laid down at fiveish and had a fitful night's sleep...for a mere 2 hours. Arg.

-- Brought no normal bras...no white or black or strapless for gauzy/strapless new clothes. Sigh.
-- Only brought BOTTOM of Corona bathing suit (OK on beaches and many public pools). Opposite of work party at Alatoona last year, sigh.
-- Had buffet style dinner with various things I can't even remember. But I remember it was very fulfilling.
-- Need sandals!
Need to buy more souveniers for friends/family
Miss Nacho b/c there are so many dogs in Madrid!
Got a bit worried about money b/c the ATM @ "Museo de aceite" (yes, seriously) said my ACCT balance was 0 euros...even though I'd seen otherwise at lge.com. The ATM in Granada that night just fine.
-- Got some really cool souveniers from Dept. of Tourism.
-- Breakfast was also pretty good--scrambled eggs, bacon, coffee (attempted 3/4 coffee, 1/4 milk) halfway, fruit
-- Paid 1 euro for 30 minutes of computer use to email about my camera. Attempted to drunkenly update my FB status and send Jason an email...I remember something like "I only have 8 seconds but I love you." Not sure if it worked.

Parade day

chicken with peppers, french fries, eggs & bacon; ravioli and pepsi!! at PIZZA JARDÍN. homecoming parade, sardines in metro, played the waiting game, big crowd.

Getting lost is fun!

4.5-5 hours in El Retiro. McDonald's BIG MAC, COKE, "Deluxe" FRIES = too much food. Marita and I were very lethargic during our visit to Reina Sofia museum (which was amazing). Made it through floors 3 of 4 floors. Dying to go back again. VIPS [dry] sandwich for dinner, coke, Spanish version of PEOPLE or similar MEH-ness.

Reina Sofia notes

FRANCIS PICABIA "Femme au foulard rouge" <3 blue/green/yellow colors with the spot of red.
LUÍS QUINTANILLA's war drawings
DALÍ "Portrait of Joella" (and MAN RAY)
ANTONIO RODRÍGUEZ "Luna," Spanish Civil War drawings
HORACIO FERRER Spanish Civil War drawings
PICASSO "Sueño y mentira de Franco"
JOSE MARIA LOPEZ MEZQUITA "Cuerda de Presos"
OSCAR DOMINGUEZ "Cosmic Composition"
DALÍ "El enigma sin fin" (WOW)
DALÍ "El enigma de Hitler"
PABLO GARGALLO "Grand Prophète"(part angel-part man, yelling [the Good News?])
PICASSO "Crying Head V" (face mutating, color/essence/passion escapting through her pores)
172-Old woman @ table eating, sitting, waiting (like widow after husband's death)
157-Jesus on cross, Bible, skull
154-Eve gives apple to hairy apelike man (creationism+evolution?). Eve is surprised, man eager for food.
38-Chris/faith keeps one isolated
33+34-beheaded
207-David??
9-What was subtracted?
19-:) Arches
16-Man reading/hiding in chapel
136-Woman crushed by house (domesticity), wears ballet slippers in midst of dance
128-observe!! analyze
107--?? chart
73-trippy! on graph paper
68-fruit in geometric shapes=unnatural
54-photo with awesome lines
51-nice series
49-lol
STEFAN BRECHT 8th AvenueMANUEL MILLARES "Cauduo" [sp?] Black on woven fabric. holes torn through and strings all that's holding painting together (in some cases it's a touch-up where knots were made)
JORGE OTIEZA "Disoccupation of the sphere series" (forged steel, circles still exist but connected in nontraditional ways)
LUCIO FORTANA "Spatial Concept, The end of God" Egg (came before chicken?) with holes in it. egg sparkles but there's no way yolk/embryo could stay contained not to mention it's been pierced
WILFREDO LARR-"La Fruta Bomba [mango]" hints of color and nature
FRANCIS PICABIA "Amsel ou sagesse" Face superimposed on woman
PICASSO "El pintor y la modelo" [series] The model's monstrosity is coming out (in her arm). Body easily misconstrued, artist halfway there himself. PROGRESSION: painter fades away, loses detail. Model begins to smile but loses her true self in the process. Painter attempting to paint perfection (which isn't there) and in so doing, they lose themselves. 1st: canvas=mirror. 2nd: canvas towards us 3rd: canvas toward painter.
JUAN MIRÓ PAISAJE "Painting (snail, woman, flower, star)" nice orange->green/brown gradient. Abstract shapes. brushstrokes=landscape. only color is STAR, blue dot, black line + dot and red dot. WIKI artist; blind?
DONALD MOFFETT
OSCAR SCHLEMMER "Figurine" Colors! "Toy. Good Fairy" Looks like priest to me, rigid steps in/to/from faith.
CHRISTOPHER WOOL -- creation=passion, huge abstract, photos all B+W. WIKI
ZOE LEONARD -- covered up windows (filled in with concrete), very detailed walkways/sidewalks. only of scenes (brick building, tree with plastic bags; one with man is cleaner but bags in tree are minimal. PROGRESSION: 2->8+->4->+++++++
GABRIEL OROZCO nice eye for color/angle/perspective
JENNIFER BOLANDE world lookikng out the window, Kodak supplies illuminated but enclosed. globe hanging, GLOBES!!!
ANTONI TÁPIES figure in newspaper and thread, scrap of newspaper is out of the stitching of time
GRAHAM SUTHERLAND "Three Standing Figures" lips/breasts/butt...each focuses on one area; to do so is to ignore the intrigue of the whole
SAM FRANCIS "Diptych" -- in light of mysticism: upper left: yellow=heaven/divine, right entirety: body of red, dripping from top to bottom: figure appears to have LEGS FOLDED BEHIND, HANDS TIED. muted remant of yellow at bottom, masked by dark blue and red.
ADOLPH GOTTLIEB "Eclipse" -- wheelchair symbol w/ wheels removed and placed on top (white+black circles) is one man among many (unique) but not because of chair. WIKI artist
ESTEBAN VICENTE "(Emerich) Number 14" <3 But no interpretations. Green=nature with rough urban black thrown in
LEANDRE CRISTÓFOL (sp?) "Moment Vital" penis on top? incorporated into mother birthing child
ALBERTO SANCHEZ "La profanación de lafe"
DALÍ "Los esfuerzos estériles"
ALBERTO (Sanchéz?) "Bailarina"
MURUJA MALLO "La verbena"
CARLOS PÉREZ SIQUIER upside-down umbrella, catches rain but doesn't repel it (why?)
FRANCISCO GOMÉZ "Bicicleta en atrio de iglesia de Paris" bike below = Jesus is the vehicle but it takes effort from us too.
"Patio de Toledo" old column holding up roof, looks hazardous. Stairway is gorgeous ironwork.
FRANCESC[O?] CATALÁ ROCA "Sala de espera en el aeropuerto de Barajas": those waiting are totally oblivious to Espagne photos of beautiful scenes above them (blind to the beauty of one's own home)
"Llegó la Navidad" -- two girls with dolls...one with dark-haired doll=happy, one with lighter haired is pouting. (b/c not like her? Plessy V. Ferguson?)


THANK YOU, LORD...THAT TOOK FOREVER AND A DAY TO TYPE OUT. (IT DOESN'T HELP THAT I SCRIBBLED ALL OVER THE PAGE IN EVERY SINGLE DIRECTION ON EVERY POSSIBLE INCH OF SPACE. SIGH.

Field trip

El Prado. Many off to Portugal.

El Greco -- trained in Venice
bright colors=Christ held by God & angels VS later darker paintings (even San Antonio de Padua (1577-9), the friar studying in darkness) San Benito (1577-9), founder of Benedictine order has a little more light. San Jeronimo (1600) (by dark but illuminated from within) *Lighter, elongated bodies are almost floating in space. 3D of La Resurrección. La adoración de los pastores (baby has little detail, the light emanating from Him more important). Paisaje con Santa María de Cerrello Lorena prays in darkness faithful that light exists nearby. Note light from within.

Velazquez -- naturalism (Baroque)
queraoscura (sp?) = strong light/dark
diagonal light is common of period.
entire family within La adoración de los reyes magos.
theatre=artificial light
Los borrachos invite us to join in their revelry
Menina=maid of honor (Las meninas)
Jonathan Brown=scholar. Aerial perspective

Goya -- not a fan of the roayls but they were his patrons
El dos y tres de Mayo (only horses make eye contact)
El gran  cabrón when one has lost faith. La Romería de San Isicho (sp?) party through his eyes in old age.

Bosch -- El jardín de las deliciasAdam & Eve & Jesus left panel
animals coming from lake (predates evolution theory) EDEN
Regular earth (crazy stuff: orgies, animals, humans)
Right = hell (weapons, injury, bestiality, dark. animals rule over man)
LOVE has been twisted into something ugly (wild abandon, lust, gluttony, sin)
El paso de la laguna estigia -- man traverses a narrow strait between Heaven and Hell. easire path to hell than heaven (rocky shores)

Virgin de Lovaina
-- huge church but the focus is on the mother (Mary) and child (Christ)
-- mystics attempt for concentrated faith
-- God grows into a huge church

Bautizmo del enunuco de la reina Candace
-- origins (dawn) of Christianity in Ethiopia, conversion

Noli me tangere: Magdalene in 16th century dress. Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my father. Not "ready" for Christ.

Arch of Jesus' story ends above cross-eyed man...signifying importance of knowing oneself in order to know God?

---

NEED to go back.

Sturf

Very few students left in town. Huge group to VALENCIA--thought about it but opted to stay in town to get acquainted with the city. Took two METRO lines to get to the University just down the street, arg. Spent 8€ for a ticket that elcorteingles said I could retrieve by simply bringing the credit card I'd used to pay online...then the woman at the ticket window turned us away because we hadn't printed our confirmation pages. Is the U.S. the only place that makes ticket pickup as easy as bringing your payment method or was this lady just bullshitting me? It was better not getting in anyway because Marita and I were able to sit on a stone bench just outside the venue and listen...talking to one another and enjoying the tunes (which were uniquely European--having a world sound I hadn't heard before (Arabic tradition + Jewish tradition = cool). It occurred to me later that I'm terrible about sitting in the traditional orchestral/musical event seating...I need the freedom to move/talk/interact. Had tapas with Marita during our long wait between when I'd thought the show started (20:00) and when it actually did (22:00). They were good, even if there is a 10% surcharge for sitting on the terrace and our waiter was terrible and some of the meat on our plates was mysterious.

Looking back squinting

Spain beat Germany! Went to Real Madrid stadium with thousands (!!) to watch game. Bocadillas & water @ bar.

Museo de America

trojan helmets woven. influence of greeks?
catholic church split S.A. between portugal (brasil) and spain
different ways of initiating children into society vs. my own
juguetes: tea party, dolls, furniture for doll house
tejido usado port los hombres jóvenes (pattern indicates family & indiv.)
separated from family & linked to spouse to start new family
pottery trains in sexual positions, etc.
indigenous rosaries (shells, beads)
pottery even captures the look of the deformed/sick (leprosy, deformity=beauty in some cultures)
teepee: circle=life, wholeness, eternity, mother nature. @ top=interaction between heaven & earth. bison skin=father sky. posts=spiritual road.
putting a long held ritual into words/on paper gives said ritual validity? (p. 190)
impressed by large pieces but most impressed with the tiny detailed pieces (pottery/gold/bronze molded into intricate designs)
the ceramic faces (partial) are much like David's work--the question is whether time has caused the deterioration or if--like David--the partial image was intended.
Spanish conquistadors crucifying Jesus on the cross. Death & Renewal. Remake=cocky? Remake=constant applicability. La Crucifixión.
Maracas y tambores del chaman
¿El juego de pelota en religión? Es verdad hoy mismo.
Escenas de mestizaje. Many complex terms for mixed races.

-----

Also "watched" Holland-Uruguay game on ESPN.com.

Museo de America

trojan helmets woven. influence of greeks?
catholic church split S.A. between portugal (brasil) and spain
different ways of initiating children into society vs. my own
juguetes: tea party, dolls, furniture for doll house
tejido usado port los hombres jóvenes (pattern indicates family & indiv.)
separated from family & linked to spouse to start new family
pottery trains in sexual positions, etc.
indigenous rosaries (shells, beads)
pottery even captures the look of the deformed/sick (leprosy, deformity=beauty in some cultures)
teepee: circle=life, wholeness, eternity, mother nature. @ top=interaction between heaven & earth. bison skin=father sky. posts=spiritual road.
putting a long held ritual into words/on paper gives said ritual validity? (p. 190)
impressed by large pieces but most impressed with the tiny detailed pieces (pottery/gold/bronze molded into intricate designs)
the ceramic faces (partial) are much like David's work--the question is whether time has caused the deterioration or if--like David--the partial image was intended.
Spanish conquistadors crucifying Jesus on the cross. Death & Renewal. Remake=cocky? Remake=constant applicability. La Crucifixión.
Maracas y tambores del chaman
¿El juego de pelota en religión? Es verdad hoy mismo.
Escenas de mestizaje. Many complex terms for mixed races.

-----

Also "watched" Holland-Uruguay game on ESPN.com.

Thoughts

1. I don’t care how fit you are; spandex does not flatter any figure.

2. There were a group of guys practicing their LARPing skills on the Campus Green today.

3. There was a lone guy a few feet away doing pushups at an alarming speed for no apparent reason other than to afford him the opportunity to check out s passing by (yes I noticed, Mr. Strangerman).

4. Why does KSU insist on coating the crosswalks with a glossy paint? My flip-flops do not behave well on the slippery surface, especially when it’s sprinkling outside. I fell and scraped my big toe. Ouch.

5. The KSU “Cyber Café” doesn’t let me access Facebook or (for my blog, which is currently on life support). Why???

6. Definitely need to bring back the Mr. Cartman cartoons. Granted, the character is likely nothing like the real man…but his naïveté is amusing to me somehow.

7. Love failbook.com.

8. Oh dear Lord…save me from Wedinator.com.

9.

Dreams

Current mood:awake

I need to write these down before I start breakfast...and the long list of tasks that follows. I dream rarely and I will forget these in a matter of minutes if I don't put them down on [virtual] paper. Hell, I think I already forgot one. Forgive me for the crappy style, as I'm just trying to get my thoughts out...

1. I am at Megan P's (soon to be F) grandparents house...which is a mix of Megan's current house, Erika K's house in Greenwood, and my current house. (Really don't know where the grandparents come in, though I do seem to notice a generational mixture of clothes on the floor--continue reading--and they may or may not have been standing to the side watching me fumble around with the telephone during the dream.) I am scared to death because I'm supposed to be in Milledgeville for the Madrid orientation day 9-4 and yet I'm scheduled to work 9-6. I get the distinct impression that it's a Monday but am completely certain the orientation is today. I am freaking out a little, but decide that I have no other option than to call out from work. So I locate a phone and try for at least 30 minutes (in dream time) with no success to call a simple number that I can dial without thinking. Here's the problem: the "telephone" has a rotary dial and a sort of touchpad that you have to use, which makes little to no sense. As far as I can tell, you have to actually input the telephone number twice in order to make a call--once on the rotary dial, once on the touchpad. To make things even more confusing, the "touchpad" is made up of piles of clothes stacked by size. And the "touchpad" is upside-down--though I realize now it was just organized like a number pad on a computer (7-8-9 on the top row) rather than a telephone (1-2-3 on the top row) and I guess that's why I was confused. Even when I figured out the "secret" of these piles of clothes, I couldn't figure out how to call work. Then I realized the clothes were scrambled up, with some size 3s in the spot for 6 or such. (Apparently this "touchpad" didn't work unless it was completely perfect...the sort of OCD one relies on for games like Myst or The Longest Journey/Dreamfall.) As you can imagine, I got a whole lot of wrong numbers--at least one went to some guy's voicemail, another connected me with a Spanish speaker, and several gave me an operator's error message. I woke up before I could complete the call, feeling very stressed and worried that I would have to be a no call/no show because I couldn't get the phone to work. I was much relieved when I awoke, as I knew immediately that the orientation is over two weeks away.

2. This one I don't remember as clearly, because it was from a few hours ago. What I DO remember is that Jason, Matt S., and I were involved in a Indiana Jones-Amazing Race-Tomb Raider hybrid. We were running away from some unidentified enemy (Nazis?) and doing some seriously impressive parkour on historical relics (I seem to remember a huge elephant statue of gold and precious stone). I also remember a zip-line from said elephant to another equally valuable artifact. That's all I remember but it was, needless to say, very very strange.

It's improbable...

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Randomness Again

None of these damn socks match. I just can't bring myself to put together these two obviously mismatched socks together, despite the fact that NO ONE WILL CARE WHETHER THEY MATCH as long as they're the same color and such...so I find more socks to go in my MISMATCH DRAWER.

I think I might go cuddle for a while, provided that Charles is in a cuddly mood, provided that Charles is still asleep.

We rented "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "The Matrix Revolutions" (or whatever the third one is called)...and didn't watch either of them. Charles was in the mood to play a sports videogame apparently, almost instantly putting me to sleep. And then, two or so hours later he decides he hates the game and expects me to watch a movie with him. Hmmm...I'm sleeping, don't think I'll stay awake for a movie.

Things are...shaky...lately. Nothing more to say here...I'll keep it in my head for now and see what happens.

I used "Mystic I-Ching" on my cell phone the other day (want it?) and it said I could learn to fly but only if I tried it right then. I hesitated and therefore crashed into the pavement and cracked open my skull.

I'm writing you from the other side.

Oooohhh...

(That "oooohhh" was supposed to come out as a ghastly, ghostly "oooohhh," not a sensual, sexual "oooohhh." Just so you know.)

Daylight Savings Time gets on my nerves. I mean, I realize I'm being upset by an abstract concept...but it's soooo stupid. I mean, didn't they set that up so farmers had an extra hour of daylight? Why the hell can't the farmers set their alarms back an hour instead of making the whole world screw with their clocks?

I've got a screw loose.

I work today at 1:30 - about 3hr10min - and I don't wanna. Working full-time sucks. Why can't I have some trust fund...or a job that isn't so bleh. Why can't I like win the lottery?

Why can't I stop whining...I think it's hormones.

Gotta get going...to fit that cuddle time in...if possible.

Forgive me for the pointless note.

Why not?

Finished my homework (reading the last two acts of Taming of the Shrew) earlier than expected and am now cleaning out my email box, oldest mail first. I just found this survey from January. Enjoy.

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING?
For what is probably the first time in my life, I woke up at 8AM without hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock. I'm pretty impressed with myself.

2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS?
I've got a few diamond rings but they're getting to the point where they're overdone. I want some pearls!

3. WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN THE THEATER?
Alice in Wonderland in 3-D

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Either Community or Attack of the Show or The Soup or It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia or Metalocalypse or Greek (my guilty pleasure).

5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
Oatmeal, water or tea, and a piece of fruit if I've gone shopping.

6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME?
Rebecca

7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE?
Green olives, collard greens, corned beef, calamari, bitter varieties of lettuce...

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD AT THE MOMENT?
I'll do this like they do in Entertainment Weekly...
YESTERDAY: James Morrison, Songs for You, Truths for Me
TODAY: Jason's Jesse Cook playlist
TOMORROW: Led Zeppelin's Mothership

9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?
2002 Pontiac Sunfire

10. FAVORITE SANDWICH?
I am really into tuna sandwiches right now, though Atlanta Bread Company has an awesome Chicken Pesto panini and Roly Poly has some awesome wraps too.

11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE?
Pretention.

12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING?
This will sound silly, but I love my bra & underwear collection. If I must choose something that those lacking X-ray vision can see...I'd probably say my purple/black/grey dress that--shockingly enough--I only wore ONCE (on Halloween weekend in Atlanta).

13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
Well, since I'm already going to Spain, I guess I can scratch that off the list. ;D Either Greece or Chile or Argentina or New Zealand or... I really want to travel. A lot.

14. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING?
Whatever's cheap. Brands are meaningless to me. ...I do buy a lot of MUDD branded undergarments, though that's probably because KOHL'S always has them on sale.

15. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RETIRE TO?
Somewhere in Europe.

16. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY?
I've had a lot. I liked my 17th, before moving south...and I liked my 21st, spent with my family...and I liked my 24th, because cookouts are awesome and everything went off without a hitch.

17. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
I'm an Indiana girl, what do you think? Basketball all the way. (Though I do like football and I'm starting to get into soccer.)

18. FURTHEST PLACE YOU'RE SENDING THIS?
Time and space are meaningless on the interwebs.

19. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY?
June 28, 1985.

20. ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT PERSON?
Morning person, without a doubt.

21. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE?
Seriously, why do you care? Are you buying me shoes or do you just have a foot fetish? Size 8.5.

22. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?
Yes. Nacho, 6-yo blond chihuahua and Nadia, 5-yo ragdoll.

23. DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
Just got my [free aside from shipping costs] save-the-date cards. Love them. Going to Spain for study abroad from July 1-August 5. Excited. Getting married in September. Thrilled. Just started MONTH TWO of P90X exercise program. Finally getting motivated. Successfully abstained from coffee for the entirety of Lent. After having had a medium Dunkin Donuts iced mocha this morning and having an upset stomach for hours as a result, I'm thinking of stopping for good.

24. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE?
A farmer, a writer, a zookeeper, a musician, a mother.

25. HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to ask this question first? It just seems weird in the middle of a survey. I'm doing pretty well, except that I need to throw out these contacts and get another pair. I'm approaching the one-month mark (when I'm supposed to toss them) and the pollen this week is not helping anything.

26. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY?
Very touch question, as it changes frequently. I love Reese's of all varieties (though the dark chocolate is not my thing, generally speaking), Hershey's Cookies & Cream, Cadbury Cream Eggs, Carmello... I am not one to turn down candy if it's offered.

27. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?
I can't just pick one...I love them all for different reasons. Daffodils, crocuses, gardenias, forget-me-nots, marigolds, zinnias, gladiolas, gerber daisies, irises, lilies, hyacinths...the list goes on and on.

28. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO?
May 7th -- going to see my family at Hungry Mother's!!

29. WHAT'S YOUR FULL NAME?
This seems ill-placed as well. Not to mention the fact that you could have skipped the whole "middle name" question to avoid being redundant. Sigh. Emily Rebecca Palmer.

30. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
People typing and sighing about homework in the KSU Library.

31. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Half of a chocolate cupcake.

32. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
Only if I am in a playful mood and have nothing better to do. I'm in a really good place right now so I really don't have a lot to wish for. :D

33. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
I have always liked "robin's egg blue" and "purple mountain majesty." I think I'd probably be the first one because it's bold but still natural.

34. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW?
It's actually really pretty outside right now. The rain cleared up for the moment, the sun is out, and a breeze is blowing. It's probably a little cold for the shorts and tank top outfit I chose, but it LOOKS nice.

35. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO EXERCISE?
Something outdoors. Hiking, volleyball, frisbee, kickball, etc.

36. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SOFT DRINK?
During Lent, I also cut back on my soft drink consumption. I guess I'll take a little PEPSI, but I'd much rather have sweet tea (which I realize is only a baby step up from pop, but I'm getting there).

37. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Umm...I guess La Parilla.

38. PICK ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.
BAMF.

39. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
My stuffed animals! Especially Rosie. (Though Bob & Mary-Ann & Don & Shirley get honorable mentions, lol.)

40. DO YOU PREFER SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer, though I do dread the Southern humidity.

41. HUGS OR KISSES?
Don't get me wrong; I love kisses. BUT I like hugs better because you can hug pretty much anybody you want and it's no big deal. (Somehow I think I'd get in trouble for kissing everyone I meet.)

42. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
Chocolate.

43. COFFEE OR TEA?
Tea.

44. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Let me preface this story by telling you that I was premenstrual when this happened. I was online, reading potential verbiage for wedding invitations and I suddenly felt a tear slide down my cheek. I am such a softie.

45. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED?
Dustbunnies, miscellaneous magazines and comics. We really should use that space for storage, sigh.

46. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT?
Trivia at Twisted Taco (if you read my status, you already knew that) with Megan, Jason, Bruce (my newest FB friend!), Cheryl (sp?), and some other Ken Stanton folk.

47. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?
Failure. Time (sometimes). Driving on busy roads at night (but I'm getting better). Never accomplishing my goals because I fear they'll never be accomplished (very cyclic fear, I know).

48. SALTY OR SWEET?
I like to alternate, but generally speaking I crave sweet things. (Probably because there's so much sodium in everything else I eat.)

49. HOW MANY KEYS DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR KEYRING?
4 or 5.

50. HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN AT YOUR CURRENT JOB?
Six.

51. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK?
They all blend together for the most part...though Wednesdays and Thursdays are probably at the top of my list.

52. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN?
Woodstock, Marietta, Acworth, Kennesaw, Kokomo, Greenwood, Richwood, Berkeley. I guess that makes NINE, though the first five are all in the same area.

53. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY?
Yes.

**And because I hate to end on a weird number, I've made up two more questions!**

54. WHAT BAD HABIT MOST FUELS YOUR ROAD RAGE?
People oblivious to the fact that every car comes equipped with blinkers.

55. NAME ONE GEEKY HABIT/INTEREST OF YOURS.
I like correcting others' grammar and spelling.

Looking through stacks of old papers

...and I found this plastic sheet protector full of slips of paper. I seem to recall typing up a "to-do" list back in probably the sophomore year of high school with the plan of drawing one out at a time and completing the task before moving on to the next. ...Considering the fact that there are lots left (in addition to the nature of the tasks), this particular method of creating/completing a "to-do list" does not work. Yet I am very amused at the items on this list. Take a look:

1. Play video games.
2. Write poetry.
3. Clean out iguana cage.
4. Go to Payless.
5. Make jewelry.
6. Comb the guinea pig.
7. Work on job applications.
8. Surprise someone with a visit/favor.
9. Cook.
10. Design Pokemon Club flag.
11. Write in iambic pentameter.
12. Burn CDs.
13. Post on message boards.
14. Brush the dogs.
15. Get pumice stone. Use it.
16. Design and make a purse.
17. Sew.
18. Ride go-karts.
19. Save money.
20. Make picture frames/crafts.
21. Clip iguana's nails.
22. Write songs.
23. Organize computer files.
24. Go to antique store.
25. Play sports with friends.
26. Walk the dogs.
27. Make calendars.
28. Play with guinea pig.
29. Dance.
30. Run.
31. Write ~cheesy~ scripts.
32. Start an e-group.
33. Play The Sims.
34. Work on college applications.
35. Think on home decorating.
36. Write college essays.
37. Learn how to crochet.
38. Design clock.
39. Decorate walls.
40. Have picnic with Mom.
41. Practice dynamics, tempos, scales, etc. with voice.
42. Make magnets.
43. Write in diary.
44. Sort old schoolwork.
45. Organize AOL mail.
46. Practice clarinet.
47. Watch movies at home.
48. Sort old letters.
49. Work on website.
50. Sort through clothes.
51. Get a vanilla Coke.
52. Expand vocabulary.
53. Play cards.
54. Email friends.
55. Compose music.
56. Work on iguana cage.
57. Watch movies in theater.
58. Draw.
59. Cut out from magazines.
60. Vacuum for money.
61. Write letters.
62. Learn HTML.
63. Read Writer's Inc. book.
64. Make a list of CD "wanted list."
65. Write stories.
66. Send e-cards.
67. Clean/organize closet.
68. Color.
69. Get books from library.
70. Practice piano.
71. Go to the arcade.
72. Give guinea pig a haircut.
73. Paint fingernails.
74. Read books for "book club."
75. Practice dynamics, tempos, scales, etc. on piano.
76. Pokemon Club newsletter.
77. Read Les Miserables.
78. Clean/organize garage.
79. Wash guinea pig.
80. Wash dogs.
81. Make up new sport.
82. Sort old school notes.
83. Clean/organize pantry.
84. Find garage sale junk.
85. Paint toenails.
86. Paint watercolors.
87. Form debate questions.
88. Write email.
89. Start a scrapbook.
90. Roleplay.
91. Do garden "nature sketches."
92. Make own catch phrase.
93. Learn Japanese phrases.
94. Clean/organize room.
95. Take pictures.
96. Invite people over for potluck dinner.
97. Have a popcorn fight (may require movie theater).
98. Make puppy chow.
99. Research majors/careers.
100. Make puppets.
101. Practice dynamics, tempos, scales, etc. on clarinet.
102. Make collage.
103. Listen to music sing.
104. Organize bookcase.
105. Study drama.
106. Write in online journal.
107. Get a pedicure.
108. Write in Spanish.
109. Complain about the state of education.
110. Make videos.
111. Go to Ritter's [Frozen Custard].
112. Read drama.
113. Catch up on National Geographic.
114. Research colleges.
115. Build houses on The Sims.
116. Make hamburger cookies.
117. Get manicure.
118. Record music.
119. Tan.
120. Wash iguana.
121. Make wooden shelf.
122. Play online games.
123. Hang out with brothers.
124. Catch up on news.
125. Draw up clothes designs.
126. Clean/organize refrigerator.
127. [Create] magnetic poetry.
128. Plan "book club" list.
129. Revise favorite links [on fledgling website].
130. Speak Spanish.
131. Read.
132. Get a new screenname.
133. Go to dollar store.
134. Start a "reading group."

Miscellany

I was just planning on checking up on bills...and now I have about 15 windows open. Nope, not my new favorite toy, StumbleUpon. I simply looked through the "hot stories" on att.net (the homepage on the desktop). And then things led me to other things and videos and such. I have so much I want to share with you!

*******************

As much as I try to hate it, I can't help but fall for KE$HA's "Tik Tok." I am completely against the stupid computerized voice phenomenon and there's about 1 minute total of actual singing in the song, but I can't help but bob my head when I hear it. My only solace is the fact that it will likely be a one-hit wonder. (Or, alternatively, the rest of her album will showcase some actual talent.) I'm going to surf over to her myspace page and listen to some of her other stuff...and satisfy my curiosity. If you have a minute to waste, take a look at her "musical influences" and try to tell me it's not all bullshit. Wow.

"Blah Blah Blah": Just as produced as the first. Very fitting title. Very bad.

"Your Love is My Drug": Very trite "love" story with elementary rhymes. Ouch.

"Take It Off": Another guilty pleasure. Will likely be a dance club hit.

"Stephen": This song had potential, before the producers decided to mix pop effects with KE$HA's annoying talk-singing, not to mention the electronically-altered harmony. (Honestly guys, it's okay to use background singers that are NOT other tracks of the lead singer.) This song would be much improved with a slower tempo, REAL singing, and perhaps more traditional orchestration--strings, piano? The lyrics to this song are supposed to express pain and loss, but the music does not convey that.

"Backstabber": This is actually works really well. The husky, intimate voice shifts over to a defiant shout. I feel like there could have been more dynamics, but there are very few pop songs (even successful ones) that truly use volume to their advantage.

So, final verdict? I will not be pursuing this artist...but I will probably dance just like the rest of them when it comes on in the club.

*******************

Before I made it to MySpace/ke$ha, I took a look at one of YouTube's "related" videos. Apparently Tay Zonday (Google it, if this name is unfamiliar) pulled a William Hung and "polished" his awesomely bad classic into "Cherry Chocolate Rain." Very very lame. Definitely proves to me (for the second time) that I have no further interest in Tay Zonday aside from than "Chocolate Rain" and its parodies...

*******************

As KE$HA's music continues to play (until I gouge out my eardrums, anyway), I'm going to whittle down my Firefox tabs. First, Askmen.com's "Top 10 Video Games We'd Like to See in 3-D."
     10. Assassin's Creed II
      9. Bayonetta
      8. Final Fantasy XIII
      7. Super Mario Galaxy
      6. Gran Turisimo 5
      5. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
      4. Heavy Rain [in development]
      3. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
      2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
      1. Bioshock 2

*******************

Halfway through the previous list, I checked out Grace Jones on MySpace. They call her the new dance queen or something similar. Now, I've never truly been to a dance club so I had no idea [until Independent told me on Jones' MySpace] that she's been around since the '80s. Let's see what all the fuss is about.

*******************

Proof that I haven't been watching/listening to/reading E!/Entertainment Tonight/EW/People/Entertainment reports on the radio: I had no idea that Katy Perry & Russell Brand were dating, let alone engaged. Not that anyone really cares, but I just thought it strange to discover how dark it is under this rock I live beneath.

*******************

Thank you, Yahoo, for giving this caption to a photo of Jay Leno:

"So Jay Leno got his old show back. Looks like we're going to be treated to more stale jokes from the past-his-prime comedian for the next millennium! In an attempt to salvage his tarnished image, Leno will be the featured entertainer at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner on May 1."

Considering Obama is/was a Conan fan through everything (except, perhaps, his administration's choice--3 months ago--to hire Leno as the emcee of the aforementioned dinner), I predict Leno's reception at the White House will be just as cold as on NBC.

*******************

While reading a blurb about Hayden Panatierre's "newsworthy" dye job -- she's now a redhead, which looks silly with her skin tone, a few words stuck out on side of the page:

Price PENS tune about Minnesota Vikings

Tents ERECTED around SEX clinic reportedly housing TIGER WOODS

That alone was enough to make me LI (laugh inside) quite furiously.

...Looking a bit closer at the right column which housed these "news" stories, I found a title that was legitimately inappropriate:

Reporter Tries to Grab David Beckham's Crotch in Bizarre Stunt

Oh, how deep in the gutter my brain is submerged...

That comment didn't help the situation.

*******************

U.S. News & Report compiled a list of 21 Things We're Learning to Live Without. Check it out and let me know what you think:

1. Monthly Payments
2. Window Shopping
3. Bells and Whistles
4. Clutter
5. Cable TV
6. Home Phone
7. Privacy
8. Prepared Foods
9. Tupperware Parties
10. Packaged Cigarettes
11. Lattes
12. Guilt
13. Extra Calories
14. Newspapers and Magazines
15. Healthcare
16. New Gifts
17. New Cars
18. Comfort
19. Daily Commute
20. Fancy Dates
21. Debt

*******************

Askmen.com's "Top 99 Women 2010 Edition"

99. Jamie-Lynn Sigler
98. Arianny Celeste (MMA Octagon Girl)
97. Sasha Grey (XXX)
96. Diora Baird (Wedding Crashers)
95. Erin Burnett (CNBC)
94. Alexa Chung (MTV)
93. Audrey Tautou (Amelie, DaVinci Code)
92. Carey Mulligan (An Education, Brothers, Pride & Prejudice--KITTY!)
91. Julia Allison (Nonsociety.com)
90. Carrie Underwood
89. Denise Milani (model)
88. Angelina Jolie
87. Maria Menounos
86. Kristen Wiig
85. Blake Lively
84. Cate Blanchett
83. Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds)
82. Jessica Simpson
81. Whitney Port (The Hills)
80. Selita Ebanks (Victoria's Secret)
79. Anna Paquin
78. Chelsea Handler
77. Joanna Krupa (model)
76. Kristen Bell
75. Leighton Meester
74. Eva Longoria
73. Alesha Dixon (singer/entertainer)
72.Ana Ivanovic (tennis player)
71. Sophie Monk (actress)
70. Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica)
69. Leona Lewis
68. Gina Carano (Female MMA)
67. Izabel Goulart (Victoria's Secret model)
66. Halle Berry
65. Maria Sharapova (tennis)
64. Jennifer Hawkins (Miss Universe 2004)
63. Aishwarya Rai (Bollywood actress, Miss World 2004)
62. Ivanka Trump
61. Anne Hathaway
60. Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse)
59. Coco Rocha (model)
58. Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
57. Lucy Pinder (model)
56. Rihanna
55. Emma Watson (Harry Potter)
54. Marion Cotillard (Big Fish, La vie en rose)
53. Emily Blunt (actress)
52. Holly Weber (model/actress)
51. Taylor Swift
50. Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire)
49. Olivia Wilde (House)
48. Megan Gale (model)
47. Brooke Burke
46. Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica)
45. Lakshmi Menon (model)
44. Emily Scott (model)
43. Elisabetta Canalis (George Clooney's g/f)
42. Kim Kardashian
41. Ashley Greene (Alice in Twilight)
40. Zooey Deschanel
39. Emma Stone (Superbad)
38. Shakira
37. Giada De Laurentiis (Everyday Italian)
36. Katy Perry
35. Audrina Patridge (The Hills)
34. Salma Hayek
33. Zoe Saldana (J.J. Abram's Star Trek)
32. Mila Kunis
31. Brooklyn Decker (model/actress)
30. Olivia Munn (Attack of the Show)
29. Odette Yustman (model/actress)
28. Heidi Klum
27. Jessica Biel
26. Malin Akerman (Watchmen, The Proposal)
25. Layla Kayleigh (ex-host of "The Feed" on Attack of the Show)
24. Adriana Lima (Victoria's Secret model)
23. Scarlett Johannson
22. Keeley Hazell (model)
21. Kristen Stewart
20. Paz Vega (Spanglish, The Spirit)
19. Monica Bellucci (The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions)
18. January Jones (Mad Men)
17. Natalie Portman
16. Kelly Brook (model, entertainer)
15. Padma Lakshmi (model, cook)
14. Erin Andrews (ESPN)
13. Bar Refaeli (model)
12. Gisele Bundchen
11. Megan Fox
10. Miranda Kerr (Victoria's Secret)
9. Eva Mendes
8. Cheryl Cole (singer, X-Factor judge)
7. Penelope Cruz
6. Beyonce
5. Jessica Alba
4. Alessandra Ambrosio (Victoria's Secret)
3. Kate Beckinsale
2. Marisa Miller (Victoria's Secret)
1. Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage)


*******************

The Pulmanator was 100% right about FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE. And the Brit Awards was right to nominate PIXIE LOTT three times.

Fuck this shit

My stupid lazy thumbs brushed up against the mousepad and somehow navigated backwards, effectively deleting the awesomeness which was my original blog. I will start again.

I'll take an energy refill, please

Over the course of last night, I came across a buff which has boosted my health regeneration. My mana gauge is still empty. Perhaps I should have chosen the mage over the rogue. Though my pitiful stamina and particularly vulnerable health over the last week or so suggests that I am clothed in a magician's robes rather than the garb of a glorified pickpocket. I can only hope that I soon regain all of my hit points...

1. 4M. L33T.

Anyways...

Woke up around 10. Took the dog out. Cuddled with Jason and played some Dr. Mario on my DS until 11 rolled around. Went downstairs to make lunches. When Jason left 30 minutes later, I made myself some breakfast. A couple scrambled eggs with some leftover pico de gallo and a few frozen pancakes which were a helluva lot better than you'd expect.

Sat down in front of the TV and channel surfed...watched a few minutes of Las Vegas, and the tail end of an "Adoption Stories" episode on TLC. That show always makes me teary-eyed.

Threw on some clothes, worked 1230-930. Ate a turkey sandwich, carrots, apple, pretzels, lavender tea. Tea wouldn't cool down quick enough so I ended up buying Pepsi. It was delicious...

Nothing too exciting at work. Didn't get out until about 10. But it was all good because Jason had decided to grill out so there were hot dogs and hamburgers. Add some potato salad and baked beans to the mix and that's some good eatin'!

Now Jason's playing COD:MW2 with some friends and I just had a Kroger-brand Nyquil tablet. My nose appears to be clearing so I will probably begin to feel a bit sleepy soon. Will probably play some Dr. Mario before dozing off. Must remember to set the alarm.

In other news, I am ready to boycott NBC over the Conan debacle. How DARE they pick Leno over O'Brien? It's pure insanity.

Breathing

...despite the fact that I cannot find a single interior space with an air temperature below that of hell. Sigh. Cannot figure out whether I'm feverish or if the KSU library and Social Sciences building are hella hot.

Enough about the underworld...

...and on to a few tastes of hell on earth. Or just a few examples of human banality:

1. Just walked by a guy wearing red skinny jeans and an Abercrombie shirt. One of these items alone on a guy would be enough to earn a scoff...but the two combined just make me wonder what statement he's trying to make with his clothes. PUNK + PREP = trying too hard. Not to mention the fact that both items of clothing were purchased at a knockoff store. HOT TOPIC is not punk, people. And Abercrombie is not Ralph Lauren or Nautica or Lacoste. I do not attempt to follow fashion--hell, I'm blending into the background with my KSU t-shirt, ratty blue jeans, and New Balance tennis shoes--but people just IRK me soo much sometimes with little things.

2. I am not against buying clothes from Aeropostale or Old Navy (though I have been unable to find anything with an attractive pattern, let alone made out of quality material in the last 5+ years at ON) or any of the "trendy" stores in the mall (though I have been harrassed for my frugality-at-all-costs philosophy). And I cannot sit here and tell you that I have never been caught up in the river of group-think or joined one of those "cults" with identical clothing/music taste/attitudes (grunge/Hanson/politics). BUT, whenever I find myself swimming against the river's current, I cannot help but harrass those who are pulled beneath the water's surface by the undertow. If you allow me this much, I allow you all the opportunity to harrass me when my convictions color me a fool. (As I am sure will happen time and again...)

3. Another clothing choice I find particularly engaging/amusing/ridiculous: an embarrassing/questionable high school t-shirt. (We all had them; don't hide from your torrid past, people! I'll pull mine out of the dirty laundry in the coming days and share the silly details with you all soon.) As I have spent a great amount of time harping on red-Abercrombie putz from before, the offender has evacuated the premises...but the back of the shirt in question showcased a "fun" phrase whose words traditionally begin with E-X. The "ingenious" creator of the shirt decided to omit the E's in the phrase which was something along the lines of "extremely exceptional." (For my own sake, let's say the shirt read "XTREMELY XCEPTIONAL.") I chuckled at the phrase, considering the contradiction inherent to the words. My inner devil jabbed the "stylish" individual in the eye, cackling, "XTREMELY XCEPTIONAL" XCEPT when it comes to spelling, you jackass!"

4. I don't care if you don't find #3 amusing. I do.

5. #4 should be read in a tone approaching that of a cheeky 4-year old: "I don't care if you don't agree with me, poopyhead!"

6. I must make the observation that my blog has shifted from an overabundance of ellipses to a preference for slash-constructions (with a sprinkling of sarcastic quotation marks throughout). What can I glean from this shift in punctuation...how shall I interpret these tendencies? All I know is I am a evil S.O.B. (that happens to be a D).

7. It occurs to me that during my last two visits to the building, I have been treated to doormen (and women). There are no uniforms, no movie-esque utopian Mr. Belvedere/Geoffrey hybrids (as I envision true doormen)...

** Just wanted to interrupt to make a note on my brain's retarded idea of laptop functionality: I was trying to pluralize a word in the middle of the paragraph...so I moved my mouse to the desired point of insertion (Yahtzee!) and began typing S's...but nothing appeared. I was baffled for a few seconds before I noticed a case of snake onomatopoeia (which sounds quite uncomfortable) at the tail end of the text box. I pressed the S-key two or three more times before finally using the mouse button to actually move my cursor to its desired location. Apparently, some part of my psyche believes that I can control this laptop with the power of MY MIND!!!**

7. ...but there was a slight smile from each person at the door as I expressed my gratitude and passed by. My question is this: Are these people just doing a little "community service" between classes? Or are they slyly performing a social experiment (it is the SOCIAL SCIENCES building, after all)? The first seems hardly worth the energy/time and a little laughable, considering an equally minimal effort could be applied to a more laudable pursuit (i.e. donating a can of food for the Haitian food/supplies drive on campus, dropping an old pair of eyeglasses into a GLASSES FOR AFRICA dropbox, giving some old books to the less fortunate, etc.). In fact, such an act would almost earn them my ire rather than my appreciation, after some introspection. I don't need you to hold the door for me when there are people suffering from the natural disaster in Haiti!! Shouldn't you be studying?? But even this line of thinking leads me to feel a bit ashamed...why should I be butting into someone else's activities? Perhaps holding the door makes them feel important and earns them smiles from strangers on campus (which some people get off on, but I digress). Perhaps they are trying to cool down the hot interior of the building by creating some air flow? Perhaps it doesn't even fucking matter in the least?! And it is here that I have created my own experiment and analyzed my own reaction to a simple stimuli...whether or not it was intended.

8. I think that's all I can take. And my computer surely agrees.

I'm baaack!

It seems that the only way for me to get back to my roots--that is, blogging in a way that is both compelling and completely special-ed--is to avoid journaling my daily experiences and instead consider my surroundings. I NEED to give people a hard time for petty things and I NEED to be self-centered sometimes and I NEED to jump right into stupid issues that don't truly affect the world because that's what I am good at. Nitpicking.

I sure hope to see more blogs like the last one from myself in the future.

Though I will likely offer more that are more journalistic in nature in those cases that my surroundings are stagnant and uninspiring. I definitely need to keep up the consistency at all costs (despite the fact that I missed three days during my prolonged--and ongoing--sickness).

Thank you to Sara Elizabeth, my new stranger (for although we are MySpace "friends," I know nothing about you, aside from what your profile tells me) for inspiring this rein of thought with her profile and simple--albeit rambling--words. I echo you today.

I sure hope that doesn't come off the wrong way. It makes sense in my head.

TRULY, thank you.

Screw NBC

June 1, 2009 was a day I will remember for the rest of my life. On this day, Conan O'Brien assumed the throne of NBC's Tonight Show. I remember setting aside the time in my schedule to watch the episode LIVE, gasping as Conan walked onto his gorgeous set. I remember excitedly planning a trip to L.A. with Jason and Chris to see this witty, charismatic, hilarious, admirable man host a legendary show.

Conan is--and forever will be--a legend among men.

And this Friday, NBC is throwing it all away.

Turning back the clock to a man whose jokes could never match up, whose power of improvisation was severely lacking, whose interview style made it impossible NOT to change the channel mid-sentence.

Never will I forgive you, NBC.

You will pay for your mistakes. This isn't a threat on my part, though I vow to stop giving NBC any of my time or attention. You will see your ratings drop. You seem to think that Leno will give you back the ratings that you weren't seeing from Conan (due to your lack of support and advertising for his talent). But all you're doing is throwing away an audience that thanked you over and again during every single episode of Coco.

We're leaving. And we're never coming back.

Speed-blogging

I have class in 15 minutes and I'm pretty sure that even if I speed-blog, I will take at least 20 minutes to get to the end of this. So with no further delay...

I woke up to the alarm around 8:45. Pushed snooze but ended up waking up about 2 minutes into it because my throat was terribly sore and I knew that if I dilly-dallied any longer, I would not work out and that would end my streak before it had even started.

So I woke up, threw on some gym shorts and a tank top. Took the dog out, put on some huge socks and shoes. Tried "Core Synergistics," which Matt had built up as the "hardest workout in the entire series." Granted, I only completed half of the DVD due to time issues and the fact that my heavy breathing was making my sore throat even sorer and I am a baby when it comes to pain...but I feel like I could have made it all the way through with no problem. I may need to see about getting some weights, though...as the band doesn't seem to work very well with that workout. Should also get a mat, as I almost gave myself rug burn during the course of the exercise routine.

Took a shower and had enough time to either eat breakfast or blow dry my hair. I chose the latter, and ended up getting a bagel sandwich (egg & cheese) and medium caramel iced coffee at Dunkin. Need to go grocery shopping to buy some bread, multi-grain bagels, brown sugar, fruit...for future breakfasts.

Made it to school before the teacher arrived, which was cool. Watched Doll's House (Masterpiece Theatre version) and chatted a bit more about Henrik Ibsen. Looking forward to watching the other halves of his plays (as we've gotten through the first acts of both Doll's House and Hedda Gabler).
Went to HPS (P.E.) class, talked about some basic health and nutrition facts and rehashed some stuff from the syllabus. Took 4-5 pages of notes before he announced that the powerpoints would be available online. Oh well...it's probably more conducive to my knowledge acquisition to write this stuff down as he's discussing it.

Ate the other half of my bagel sandwich on the walk from the Convocation Center to the English building.

Then headed off to Jazz in American Culture. Listened to some Ragtime and took waaay too long taking attendance (he tried to ask questions about the material to every single person during roll call...very few people had answers for him, lol). Need to get the book.

Then I was off to Women's Ensemble, where we received the rest of the music. There's a song in Hebrew/Yiddish (which will require some phlegmmy phenomes) and another in Spanish. The newbies did mock-auditions which basically just consisted of scales to determine your range. Despite the sore throat and chest congestion, I got a nod of assent and was sent on my way.

Headed to the Dining Hall...I will exhaust my meal credits halfway through the semester if I keep going everyday. Might end up adding some meals, as I find myself eating more veggies and fruit there than I would otherwise. We'll see. Ate half of a burrito (pork, pinto beans, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, lettuce, sour cream), a bowl of seafood stir fry and lo mein, a plate full of fruit salad, and a small piece of carrot cake. Tried drinking some hot tea but could not handle the flavor (Tazo "Passion" tea) so I ended up drinking a carbonated beverage (BAD EMILY!), whose carbonation actually ended up soothing my throat a bit.

Now I'm 3 minutes away from my Shakespeare class and I suppose I'll be going. Love ya!

Getting fuzzy...

Note to readers: any time you see a post made at 11:59 PM, it means the entry was made day(s) later, relying on memory to list off the day's happenings. Right now, I'm attempting to do this because I want to have a blog for 2010 without any breaks...so I'm cheating, I suppose. But this is my blog and I can do what I damn well please!

Sunday.

Worked 7:30-4:30. Came home to find Jason already there--having returned from USMC Reserves weekend drill early. After a little piddling around the house, we (and Nacho, the chihuahua) headed over to his parents' house in Marietta. We ended up watching a football game (Cowboys V. can't remember and too lazy to Google it) and eating some supreme pizza from Pizza Hut. Debbie was playing a little Harvest Moon and Chloe was busy with something on her XBOX upstairs. The boys and I watched a little TV, and I fell asleep on Jason's lap while he nagged his sister to come downstairs and play COD with her siblings.

We ended up going home about 9:30, and fell asleep around 10:15. Pretty boring day, I suppose you might say...but it was great to see the family.

It's Saturday!

I don't remember squat about this day. I worked 9-6 or something along those lines. I think I stayed late to help cover lunches at service desk and for Jenell (closing head cashier; my boss). I hate this about laptops...I always end up dragging my thumbs across the mouse pad and deleting everything I wrote. UGH. Entertained myself in the evening by going through Cathy's wordsearch book and circling all of the dirty-sounding words. Have to indulge your middle school self every once and a while. This morning, Megan called out because her car slid on an icy patch and into a ditch off the side of the road. Luckily all is well with both car and driver, but Megan didn't sort things out until later in the afternoon. I guess if I can get a day off (Friday) due to ice, she can too. It's only fair.

Went with Jason to La Parilla, where he had a #17 (burrito, enchilada, rice) and I had a seafood burrito (shrimp, fish, awesome). He indulged in some Dos Equis (TWO 32-oz mugs) and I had a couple glasses of cherry coke. We made it to the movie theater as the previews were starting...and watched the SPECTACULAR Sherlock Holmes (or "Iron Man Holmes," as Jason calls it). RDJ did not disappoint, nor did Guy Ritchie, or Jude Law. Or Rachel McAdams, for that matter. Can't wait to see it again...or own it. ON BLURAY!! (Should have the new TV in another couple weeks!)

Went home and fell asleep. I don't think there is much else to say.