Rebecca...and all that entails

We Have Moved. That's The Royal "We" In Case You Were Wondering

2009-06-26T16:37:00.004-05:00

Just had a thought (FIRST ONE IN AGES! YOU GUYS! IT'S LIKE A MIRACLE!) - this blog is still linked in some places, so if anyone checks it I guess I ought to redirect you to my NEW AND (totally un)IMPROVED blog!

The Cerebral Owl

If The World Were Cut In Half And Tied With A String

2007-10-15T18:21:00.000-05:00

Day 15 as a vegetarian/cheating vegan:

Thanks my awesome friend, Sara, I now know the joys of soy ice cream. Also, Mimis Cafe (no apostrophe? Really?) has a great grilled vegetable sandwich, and Guru's in Provo has some seriously amazing options.

Speaking of Provo... I got back last night from my 8 day trip. It was fun and relaxing and I so didn't want to come back. The end.

I think my sister-in-law, Chrissy, and my friend, Sara, may be some sort of crazy geniuses, because they see this switching from one direction to the other.

I met an awesome gay boy on the plane from Cincinnati/Kentucky to Newark and we talked the whole way. He was completely entertaining. We're going to be MySpace friends since he lives in India (expat from Cincinnati).

I'm pretty sure there was other stuff, but I forget.

Half A Flower Petal

2007-10-05T19:05:00.000-05:00

Exciting news! I think I may be able to get away with not checking any bags! I must remember to buy contact solution once in Utah - that whole 3 oz liquid thing... I'm happy about this because even with the earliest train to the airport I'm cutting it very close. Now I might be able to check in online. Excellent.

Also, I have a ZILLION books to read, which is great for planes because, with the noise of the engine, watching movies on my iPod is usually out of the question.

These are the books I'm taking:

The Late Bloomer's Revolution

The Fourth Bear

The Thief Lord

The Thief

The Supernaturalist

There was a 3 for 2 sale on children's fantasy/sci-fi lit at Borders.

It's An Illusion Done With Rubber Bands

2007-10-05T18:25:00.000-05:00

So much of the time - ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME - I really want to say "screw it all. I'm outta here," and just go do random things and not be all practical. But I am not as strong and independent as most people seem to think I am, and I just cannot chuck my safety net and go it alone. I so envy my brother, who is the only boy I know to have had a real soulmate kind of best friend. If I had a really good friend who was like, "Come on, let's go somewhere and just figure it out later," I would do it. In a second. Because a good friend is the strongest safety net.

A Metaphorical Hug Around the Torso Area

2007-10-05T17:59:00.000-05:00

I hate asking my friends for favors. I expect them to ask me - because we're friends and that's what friends do and I don't mind even a tiny bit - but then I always feel TREMENDOUSLY guilty asking for anything. Friends, reassure me that you don't mind doing me favors - that in fact you WANT to pick me up from the airport and drop everything and hang out with me when I'm in town, and that I shouldn't feel bad for asking.

Stardate Something Something Who Knows

2007-10-05T09:55:00.000-05:00

I think I killed a butterfly yesterday. I was driving and I saw something falling, but I thought it was a leaf right up until it smacked into my windshield. Poor butterfly.

I'm going to Utah tomorrow. I am GREATLY looking forward to a real vacation - away from here.

Captain's log, day 5 as a vegetarian/cheating vegan. Soon I will begin to gnaw off my own leg. Just kidding. So far - no problem. I'm completely enjoying it.

Fast Out Of The Gate

2007-10-02T11:12:00.000-05:00

Spencer's new comic book review is up. He makes me wish I'd gotten into comic books.

Kevin Nealon Is Not A Vegetarian

2007-10-01T17:41:00.001-05:00

Eat A Vegetarian Today

2007-10-01T17:15:00.000-05:00

Today I read the book Skinny Bitch, which finally convinced me to make the commitment and go vegetarian - something I've been thinking about doing for about a year. So I took the 30 Day Veg Pledge, and also found out, coincidentally, that today is World Vegetarian Day. The universe is so on board with this.

It's The One You Trust

2007-09-30T19:31:00.001-05:00

It must be a rule for writing a Lifetime movie that everything happens in the last fifteen minutes. Seriously - to the minute. If it looks interesting just watch the beginning to get the idea, then tune in for the last fifteen minutes. Awesome.

Way Divisible

2007-09-29T22:16:00.000-05:00

Kid Nation is completely disappointing. Supposedly the kids are creating this town and running it with no adults, but really it's Survivor Jr., except no one gets voted off. The structure of the town is dictated by the adults running the show. Instead of letting the kids just go at it and work out how to do stuff, they make the kids split into four groups and compete against each other.

First place is the upper class - they have no jobs and they get a salary of $1.

Second place is the merchant class - they get $.50 and they run the store and 'saloon.'

Third place works the kitchen and gets $.25.

Last place is the labor class - they clean the latrines, haul the water, do he laundry, etc, and get $.10.

I find this completely gross. Before they were split into groups and assigned to a social class (seriously - is that necessary?) they weren't actually doing too badly. It would have taken some time to get things running smoothly, but the laundry was getting done, water was getting hauled, one girl had taken on the job of running the kitchen - they were figuring it out.

The town council is 4 kids who were chosen before the show started. One is a snotty little beauty pageant brat named Taylor. Her group has so far been in charge of the kitchens, except that they never actually DO anything because this entitled snob sleeps in, slacks off, and just sits around giggling with some of the girls on her team.

As she says, "Beauty queens don't wash dishes."

Other kids have been covering the kitchen simply because they HAVE TO EAT. At the town meeting (led by an adult. *sigh*) a bunch of kids complained about Taylor, but no one actually did anything. I wish the kids would just take control of the game and oust Taylor. They seem to be waiting for permission to do ANYTHING. Hey, kids! It's supposed to be YOUR TOWN!

We Care! We Care!

2007-09-28T19:59:00.000-05:00

I have started getting spam from "me." Because apparently I am just that stupid.

I was in Target and I saw a rainbow.

Another Hymn, Another Dollar

2007-09-27T17:27:00.000-05:00

I get this news magazine called The Week, which I love, and the 9/21/07 issue has an article called "Mormons on a mission," by Daniel Brook. It's a really basic look at the MTC and what missions entail, and although it got a few things way wrong it's mostly just kind of fun to read. A few things I noticed:

Neither claim is correct, as far as I know: "Because they prohibit birth control, Mormons have apparently developed a remarkable tolerance for screaming babies..."

About the only mention of girl missionaries: "The women wear dresses, sweater sets and skirts, or pantsuits--unified only by their uniform dowdiness." Way harsh. I knew some girl missionaries who looked super cute.

I am shocked - SHOCKED!: "After one drill, an instructor congratulates his underling: "That was awesome! Damn! Great explanation of why we need to be baptized!""

This is hiLARious: "Ultimately, he plans to go back to college and major in industrial organizational psychology, the study of how to control large groups of people."

That's The Smell Of Really Old Teen Spirit

2007-09-26T21:14:00.000-05:00

I was sure - sure - that I'd gained at least 10 pounds, so today I bought a scale and learned that I've actually only gained 5. So I'm happy that I haven't gained 10, but sad because I'd rather have lost 5 (50). It's also possible that the last time I weighed myself the scale was wrong, and I actually have gained 10. It feels like 10.

High On A Hill

2007-09-24T16:31:00.001-05:00

Elizabeth, on an offer of sex:

You're the last person - even after girls and animals.

The Good Of The Many

2007-09-24T15:39:00.000-05:00

When Mr. Cookie comes downstairs shirtless I am temporarily, and voluntarily, struck blind, and am therefore unable to answer specific questions about his appearance in that condition.

I would just like it on record that I do not walk around half clothed in front of people with whom I have a business relationship. I'm not judging; I'm just saying.

What's The New Catchphrase?

2007-09-24T10:29:00.000-05:00

The good news:

I'm selling some DVDs on ebay and I'm going to make at least $90.

The bad news:

I picked some friends up from the airport the other day and got COMPLETELY lost, only to later realize I hadn't been lost at all - I'd just wasted and hour and a half THINKING I was lost. Which really amounts to the same thing.

Other good news:

Lots of great shows are starting new seasons this week, and there are also some promising new shows. I'm particularly looking forward to Pushing Daisies, and Gossip Girl is my new I-was-a-dork-in-high-school-so-I'm-perpetually-stuck-there show. I love it, and am a little ashamed of that.

Useful tip: You don't need to type 'www' in the address bar - you can just type whatever.com and it will take you there. I've known this for a long time, and yet the habit of typing 'www' first is one I've not been able to break.

In The Name Of The Mother, The Virgin, and The Bombshell

2007-09-20T20:23:00.000-05:00

Best lines from tonight's "Beauty and the Geek." Please keep in mind that many words, and nearly all sentences, end with that rise in tone that makes it sound like a question.

1st Runner Up:
Hollie
Professional Betty Boop
Blondes definitely have more fun. I know this because I once dyed my hair brown and no one looked at me; I didn't get any attention. It was just like -- I was regular person.

Grand Prize:
Katie
Sorority Girl
I just recently got a boob job. I do feel like it was an investment because over my lifetime all the drinks that I'll have bought for me because I have boobs will probably pay for the boob job.

Leave Timmy In The Damn Well

2007-09-20T07:52:00.000-05:00

My front teeth are pretty normal-sized, I think, but when I picture myself in my head they are always huge.

I covet the new iPod. Remind me that mine still works and I don't need to drop $250-350 just because.

I kind of want to buy the book Skinny Bitch from iTunes because the title is GREAT, but I'm sure it doesn't have any dieting advice I haven't heard before. On the other hand, I feel like it might help keep me motivated for a while. But I'm trying to, you know, not buy stuff I don't actually need. What a novel concept.

A lot of people don't like Denise Austin's exercise videos because they think she's irritatingly perky. I get that - I do - but I'm going to go on record that I like her. She's pretty much the only exercise video person who doesn't irritate me, and when she says, "Squeeze those buttocks! You're going to look great from behind!" I feel like she means it. This is my favorite video of all time, and the VHS versions helped me drop a size back in the day when I didn't really need to drop a size. I just bought the DVD, and it's great for the following reasons:

1) Everything is broken up into 10-minute segments, so you can switch around and do however much you want.

2) They're fairly intense, so even if you just do 10 or 20 minutes you feel like you've actually done something (20 minutes most days was how I dropped that size).

3) Ten freakin' minutes. Anyone can commit to that.

I've cut back on my coffee consumption, mainly just because coffee? Is an expensive habit when you're not making it at home. Go me.

Walk In A Straight Line

2007-09-19T17:41:00.001-05:00

One day, when I was about 13 or 14, I thought, "I wonder if I can say the alphabet backwards," and I tried it and I could. It was pretty much as easy as saying it forwards.

I feel like that's how it should be with playing the piano: one day I should just sit down and be able to play. So far - nope.

Welcome To My Special Friend

2007-09-18T20:19:00.000-05:00

Oh please, don't pretend you never smell your fingers. It's not like I was changing diapers or something. While typing a blog post I was touching my lips, as I am wont to do when sitting and thinking, and I smelled fish sticks. So I smelled my left thumb, the thumbnail of which was pinching my top lip, and therefore right under my nose. It no longer smells like fish sticks, FYI.

I had a rant all ready to type up, but it lost its buoyancy and sank in the 2 hours between Thought and Getting Home. Now I am bored with it. However, I will leave you with this:

Saying, "It's not that I don't trust you; it's that I don't trust other people!" is basically the same as saying, "It's not that I think you're stupid; it's that I think the class is too hard for you!"

Don't Know Much About History

2007-09-17T18:34:00.000-05:00

I bought these pencils today because I thought maybe they would keep me mildly entertained while doing math, and also to remind myself not to take it all so seriously.

My left thumb smells like fish sticks, which is strange for two reasons:

1) I haven't eaten fish sticks in...??? Years. Many. Because gross.

2) Why just my left thumb?

My Whole Family...

2007-09-17T17:22:00.001-05:00

Kiss Rocks? Why Would Anyone Want To Kiss Rocks?

2007-09-14T12:26:00.000-05:00

My brother, His Most Awesomeness of Spencer, tells me he's running a 9 mile race tomorrow. Just because.

I called him because he knows every word ever and I needed a particular one, and he was like, "I had to buy new pants because I lost 15 pounds," and I was like, "You suck," and then he was like, "I'm running a 9 mile race tomorrow," so then I was like, "Oh, you rock!"

Habeas Chicken

2007-09-14T12:08:00.000-05:00

This blog post is evidence, in case of prosecution, that I have hereby given permission for anyone to burn me crispy at the stake if I ever (seriously) use any incarnation of the phrase, "I am an intellectual."

Censored For Your Benefit

2007-09-14T11:29:00.001-05:00

Sparkle made brownie cookies yesterday, and they are DE-licious!

I've been picking at my nails and cuticles a ton lately, and they're all ragged and raw. It's a habit I've been trying to break since I was 5. Maybe 4. I was going to post a picture, but my other think came.

I had the day off yesterday (Happy Rosh Hashanah!), so all day I've been thinking it's Monday.

I still don't know if I have the time off to go to Utah. Tickets are going to be wicked expensive by the time I find out.

You just cannot learn everything about politics. You just cannot.

Other stuff.

With One Second To Go

2007-09-12T22:26:00.000-05:00

There is no volume control dial-thing on my computer - volume is Fn and F5-7. Sometimes I think, "What if I were a spy in a dire and dangerous situation where I had to do something with my computer?" I'd be on a submarine, or in an abandoned skyscraper, and I'd hide under a desk or in the rafters and start my computer. But what if I hadn't turned the volume off before I shut it down the last time? There's no way to turn it off before the computer boots up, so the people chasing me would hear the startup chiming and find me and then the world would explode. There should be volume dials, for the safety of the world.

With Tongue And Cheek

2007-09-12T18:12:00.000-05:00

I don't know whether it's bad writing, bad directing, or bad acting, but I hate when television shows and movies do something like this:

Robin: What are you doing here?

Chris: I was just trying to find you.

Robin: Get out!

Robin turns and walks two steps away and stops. Just stands on the porch (or sidewalk, or wherever). For no reason. Just stands there, two steps away, back turned.

Chris sees how angry Robin obviously is, all back-turny and standing there, and walks away. Then slows down, for no apparent reason, right before:

Robin: (turning around) Wait.

Grrr.

Melted All The Way Down

2007-09-09T20:15:00.001-05:00

Today I:

Ate WAY too much, and it was all crap. And now I feel blech, and also guilty.

Saw a hot air balloon at twilight.

Grilled my long-suffering brother about the GRE, then ordered two prep books. The math is going to kill me, but I shall prevail. Which doesn't make sense when taken literally, but whatever.

Sang in the car.

Called a friend for no reason. Actually I called two, but only got to talk to one.

Found out I may or may not have a week off in October. If I do I shall go to Utah to visit my sister, and also to make her give me a crash course in math.

Found out I still know how to add, subtract, and multiply fractions. Small victories, people, small victories...

Take Seconds

2007-09-09T14:30:00.000-05:00

Because Christopher Mintz-Plasse was 17 during the filming of Superbad (he plays McLovin'), his mother had to be present while he filmed his sex scene. That is just about the most embarrassing thing I can think of.

A Review From The Outside

2007-09-08T21:45:00.001-05:00

I wanted to say that I'm having all these bittersweet memories, but then all I can think of is that song, and even though I can't remember who sings it, or even how the rest of it goes, I'm pretty sure I like it alright - or at least don't hate it - but I'm having mean-spirited feelings about it at the moment because now I need to find another way to express myself.

I just finished my Third Annual Summer of Buffy Marathon, so I'm feeling all movie-montage nostalgic-like. That is a great show. I wonder if I can get a PhD in television and write my dissertation on it. I shall look into it. I've been having problems lately with "into" and "in to." I've actually been re-wording sentences so I won't have to figure out which way is correct. I'm hoping it's a temporary brain-lapse because otherwise my future of grad school does not look bright and shiny.

Biff's Question Song (Stand-up Comedy)

2007-09-05T18:06:00.001-05:00

This is so my blog isn't all angst and all boring.

Turning Left In Traffic

2007-09-05T15:40:00.000-05:00

Here's the thing: I am in a quandary. I really, really want to apply to grad programs for next year, but deadlines are looming and I can't figure out what subject I want to study. Also, at this point I haven't taken the GRE, so I either have to do that (yikes) or apply to programs that don't require it. Which is fine since I'd really like to study in the UK, and most of the schools I've looked at don't require the GRE. Except that they do require lots of money, which I don't have and I'd kind of like to not have a mountain of crushing debt hanging over my head when I graduate. And I also don't know what my chances are of being accepted at various schools, and I don't know how to find out except by asking, and I don't think they generally tell you that.

Me: Hi, I'm applying to your school and my qualifications are (blahblahblah). On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being "Go pickle your eyeballs," and 10 being "We will pay you obscene amounts of money to study here," what are my chances?

School person: (click)

Me: Hello? HELLO???

So I am in a quandary, and I have no idea how to not be in a quandary, and things are poo.

Sparkle started school today, and Mr. Cookie actually went to work, so I was alone in the house on a weekday for the first time in months. It was nice. And a little strange. In a nice way.

Maybe I don't even want to go to grad school. Maybe I really do just want to be a traveling fortune teller.

Goodbye 12, Goodbye 13, Hello Love

2007-09-02T21:40:00.001-05:00

The other day I found a tiny spider in my bra. I was going to blog about it, but I forgot until just now. Oh - I wasn't wearing it at the time. Just FYI. I'm exceptionally organized, and because of that I always know that my bras will in their rightful place on the bathroom floor. The other day I picked one up and there was a tiny spider in it. I killed it, because that's what I do. I have no conscience. I ride with the wind and eat lightening for breakfast.

The Traction Factor

2007-08-30T09:43:00.000-05:00

My whole life I've been trying to find something I'm really good at, and then I finally find it and it turns out that the rush of being good at something? It's not sustainable if you don't really love to do that thing. How disappointing.

Mahi-mahi Is Not A Mammal

2007-08-27T09:19:00.001-05:00

The Nanny Diaries: A fun, mostly lighthearted summer romp with a copout ending. It's the ending you wish for, but also the ending you KNOW would never happen. Total copout. Still, enjoyable. Laura Linney is a goddess.

Derailed: A decent, fun thriller. It is, however, the height of arrogance for the writer to put in the following line (first scene, while Clive Owen is helping his kid with her book report): "The author intrigues the reader by twisting the narrative so you never know what's coming next." That line, of course, is like a shining beacon, making it impossible not to guess exactly what's going to happen. Not even remotely twisty or surprising.

Starlit Hollows

2007-08-23T17:39:00.000-05:00

I've descended into that black, despairing depression that comes after finishing a book you've been living in. I tried to draw it out - tried not to read too much at a time - but still Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows only lasted about two and half days. I bawled my eyes out. Real Life has nothing on a good book.

Little Dragon

2007-08-21T18:56:00.000-05:00

My awesome and brilliant brother got a job reviewing comic books. He is cooler than you.

Fray and Mishmash of Potables

2007-08-21T18:45:00.001-05:00

Three Reviews In Nine Words:

Becoming Jane: Pretty people, sexy accents, meandering story. Passable - but just.

Superbad: Funny beginning, then got slow. Super crude humor. Meh.

Pan's Labyrinth: Lovely and creepy. Creative, intriguing, good story. High marks.

Tragedy at #71

2007-08-19T09:22:00.000-05:00

The Last Legion

Short review: Super poo.

Less short review:

There are so many things wrong with The Last Legion that it's hard to even choose the worst. So I guess I'll just go in the order I noticed them.

These are good actors. Seriously - Ben Kingsley, Colin Firth, Thomas Sangster, John Hannah - and yet, from the first scene, I was all too aware that these were actors doing their jobs (badly). I think it would be pretty coincidental if they all just happened to do some of their worst work on this particular movie, so I'm going to say it's probably more the fault of bad directing and a terrible script.

The CGI - ugh. So obvious.

The music is intrusive and overdramatic.

Zero - ZERO - chemistry between Colin Firth and his love interest. The best thing that can be said about them is that they don't physically repel each other like the matching ends of magnets.

No central conflict. First it's one conflict that seems central, and then - whoops! Leave that one behind and pick up a totally new conflict. And then another. Without ever really resolving the first, and without making the audience care at all about the second. Yawn.

Everything seems too easy. They gear up to fight the bad guys, and everyone's all scared and giving speeches, and then it's just like, "Okay, that's done. Next."

The fantastic dialogue, capped off with this gem:

Boy: You fought like a dragon.

Colin Firth: You fought like the son of a dragon.

Eek.

The Moves Make The Man

2007-08-12T19:52:00.001-05:00

No Reservations. Let me just say that I'm on the verge of swearing off romantic comedies. Every one I've seen lately has been roughly the equivalent of...something that's boring and really stupid. Basically George W. Bush, only with better vocabularies.

There were four good things about No Reservations. In order of goodness:

Aaron Eckhart
Abigail Breslin
Aaron Eckhart's manly dimples
Catherine Zeta-Jones

That's pretty much it. About halfway through the movie I pulled out a notebook and started writing down the cliches:

Woman inherits moppet
Woman doesn't know what to do with said moppet
Laid-back man is great with moppet, which opens uptight woman's eyes
Quirky, laid-back man shows uptight woman how to really live
Pillow fight, with feathers
Watching home movies of the dead person
Photo booth montage
Fakeout kiss - she thinks he's going in, but really she's leaning on his scarf
The "you don't trust anyone, it's okay to let people in" speech

And, for those in the audience with the IQ of aforementioned President, the Moral of the Story:

Uptight Woman: I wish there was a cookbook for life, with the recipes all spelled out.

Therapist: It's the recipes you create yourself that are the best.

Blech.

Reeks of Diversity

2007-08-11T22:18:00.001-05:00

It is a little disheartening to realize that a college degree is no help at all when trying to figure out how to navigate Facebook. Or the job market. Or life.

It's Just A Little Song And It Goes Like This

2007-08-10T19:37:00.001-05:00

What would you say if you were totally honest, and if you had someone to be honest with?

Bleed After My Beating

2007-08-09T10:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, while browsing in Barnes and Noble, I had this terrible urge to buy every self-help, change-your-life kind of book I saw. The advice is never new or surprising, but sometimes I need a reminder.

Safe To Come Out Of The Clouds

2007-08-03T18:41:00.000-05:00

Grounded for Life

(Conversational - not at all heated, but totally serious)

Man: I'm really happy for you but I cannot allow this.

Woman: Really? Well what are you gonna do?

Man: I could sue you.

Woman: And I could murder you.

Hilarious.

I love it when lame shows have this one perfect gem amidst the super-ordinary rocks.

The Many Faces of Scat

2007-08-03T14:05:00.000-05:00

I swear, I'm going to cry. No I'm not, but I'm so touched. Blech - what a horrible word. I feel joyful and grateful. That's a little better. That logic professor I randomly emailed? Who asked what I was up to? Well, I told him I'm nannying in Jersey, blahblahblah, and I want to go to grad school sometime soon, blahblahblah - and he totally offered to write me a recommendation! Dude. Duuuude. I think the dude usage is way outdated and I should retire it from my vocabulary*, especially seeing as I'm not a stoner. But I'm SO taking my professor up on that for the following reasons:

1) The other professors I feel comfortable asking for letters of recommendation are either in theatre or creative writing. I'd like to have some actual academic stuff in the mix.

2) There are two professors I'm comfortable asking, but many schools ask for 3 references. I was kind of sweating about that because, although I did pretty well in most of my classes**, I didn't get to know many professors.

3) Heck yes!

Also, I totally have this (harmless) flimflam going. I'm not going to elaborate here, obviously, but it is keeping me completely entertained.

*Constabulary

**Lowest grade ever: B-. In ONE class. Yes, I'm totally bragging. If you got a 4.0 in college you do not need to tell me unless you really feel strongly that the entire foundation of my self-esteem should be shattered.

Parallelogrammatically

2007-07-28T15:42:00.001-05:00

I saw the movie Once today (PS - The Frames are super-fantastico and you should get their music). It is awesome. AWESOME. I tried to buy the soundtrack on iTunes but it wouldn't let me. I will try again later.

I had this great thing happen today: I got a reply from an email I sent one of my college professors. Okay, so I was commenting on a blog and I was like, "Freeze! Hands up! That's a logical fallacy!" and the other commenter was like, "Nuh-uh!" but I was pretty sure I was right because I am super awesome and took Deductive Logic and Quantitative Logic in college. So I emailed my logic professor (who has a PhD in philosophy from Cornell, lest anyone try to question his credibility) even though I didn't really think he'd get back to me since I was just one in a class of...a lot. Actually two classes. However, not only did he write back (confirming, by the way, that I was RIGHT! Ha! Justification!), he also said he remembers me and that he'd love to hear what I'm doing. And that makes me feel GREAT.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

2007-07-27T17:35:00.001-05:00

It's All Because (The Gays Are Getting Married)

Mutant Bunnies

2007-07-27T15:04:00.001-05:00

My new keychain. The dollar store is the Best Place Ever.

Picking Tulips With A Sledgehammer

2007-07-27T11:30:00.000-05:00

Air Conditioning Wars, 2007
or
The Neverending Drama of Stupid

Mrs. Cookie's resetting doesn't work. She asks Mr. Cookie to reset. He says he will.

The AC still does not come on at night. Rebecca feels awkward about it, so she waits until everyone is asleep to sneak out and turn it on each night. This means she has to stay up late rather than get enough sleep to be rested for her 6 a.m. wake-up.

One night Rebecca decides that this is so lame - she wants to go to sleep! So she goes out - in her pajamas, no makeup, and wet hair - to turn the AC on, even though people are still up (although she can't tell who - she hopes it is Mrs. Cookie). Rebecca walks into the kitchen, where she finds both Mr. and Mrs. Cookie. She mumbles something about turning the AC on, and before she even takes one more step Mr. Cookie makes a beeline for the other room, where the AC box is. Rebecca suspects this is because he does not want her to see that he has not reset it - as if she doesn't know. Mrs. Cookie says that if Mr. Cookie has not already reset it she will make sure he does, and to tell her if it's still a problem.

Several days go by. It is still a problem. Rebecca is quite sure Mr. Cookie has not reset the AC, but she is too tired to stay up to turn it on, and she can't turn it on before he is asleep because if it HAS been reset she will look like a moron. Finally one night she stays up to turn it on. Sure enough, it has not been reset.

Rebecca emails Mrs. Cookie, saying, very nicely, that if there is some reason they'd rather not set it lower, please tell her and she will just deal with it.

Sparkle, who is aware of all this, texts Rebecca to tell her that Mr. and Mrs. Cookie are arguing - that Mr. Cookie is possibly the most childish person ever because he is saying he doesn't want to reset it - he feels Rebecca can just come out and turn it on every night if she wants it. Mrs. Cookie insists, but Mr. Cookie refuses to tell her whether or not he has reset the AC.

This morning he gives Rebecca some convoluted excuse about how he didn't realize it was a problem, which proves that he is either a liar or the stupidest person ever.

One Person, One Vote...Or Something

2007-07-25T19:14:00.000-05:00

This gets my vote. Because my Philosophy of Life (today) is:

Why Not?

I feel that "eat me" is a valid viewpoint. Kind of like "bite me," only creepier and less antagonistic.

In Order To Form A More Perfect Union

2007-07-25T10:03:00.000-05:00

I know "blog" is short for "weblog," but whenever I see that I think, "We blog!"

This Is Not The End

2007-07-25T09:46:00.001-05:00

Me: You degenerate.

Sparkle: Isn't that's Ellen's last name?

Me: DeGeneres? Degenerate is a word.

Sparkle: So is DeGeneres. It means not generous.

We Kind Of Won

2007-07-24T20:10:00.000-05:00

"Once More, With Feeling," aka "My Favorite Buffy Episode of All Time" is getting its Rocky Horror on. I am so going. Don't act as if you were unaware of my geekiness - that's beneath you.

Give It Eyes, Make It A Pet

2007-07-20T20:19:00.000-05:00

Just one of the many reasons I adore my family: My conservative Mormon sister and I can have debates/discussions about politics (including the gay marriage issue) and she not only doesn't get angry or offended, but she ENJOYS it. And even if she doesn't agree, she sees that I have a point (something I will admit I'm not as good about). My family rocks.

Apple Dumplin' and Huckleberry Pie

2007-07-19T14:52:00.000-05:00

Today I ordered strawberry shortcake for dessert. I've never had strawberry shortcake with frosting. This is the frosting I didn't eat.

Be Kind, Rewind

2007-07-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

As I was walking into the library a woman was coming out. She looked at me, smiled, and said, "I wish I could just sit back, relax, and enjoy."

In the library study area there is a sign that reads, "Cell phone users will be eaten."

I keep thinking I should sit where I can see the clock, forgetting that my computer HAS a clock.

Martian Law

2007-07-18T21:41:00.000-05:00

I hardly ever paint my fingernails. The only color I ever paint them is blue. I love the sight of water droplets on painted nails.

Also,

Air Conditioning Wars, 2007
Or
A Wary Peace

Wednesday night. Mr. Cookie is due back from out of town. Rebecca takes advantage of him not being around (unusual) to talk to Mrs. Cookie. Mrs. Cookie is sincerely apologetic about the problems. She resets the AC.

From Outside Her Body She Watches Her Head Spin Around

2007-07-16T07:07:00.000-05:00

Air Conditioning Wars, 2007

(abbreviated)

*There are separate AC units for the upstairs and downstairs. Rebecca's bedroom is the only one downstairs.

Round 1:

Rebecca leaves a note, which reads, "I haven't been sleeping well because my room is too warm. Can you please set the air conditioning to about 72 at night? It usually doesn't go on if it's any higher."

Next Day

Mr. Cookie: I set the air conditioning at 73. We'll see how that is.

Next Day

Mr. Cookie: Did the AC go on last night?

Rebecca: No, but it was cool outside last night.

Next Day

Mr. Cookie: Did the AC go on last night?

Rebecca: No.

Round 2:

Next Day

Rebecca leaves another note, which reads, "The AC still isn't going on at night - can you please turn it down?"

Mr. Cookie: (making quite a show of responding, most likely because his wife is right there and she would be terribly upset if she realized he was making this so difficult): I got your note. I didn't realize it wasn't going on! In your first note you said, what, 72? I'm not sure what I set it at, but I'll turn it lower.

Next Day

Mr. Cookie: Did the AC go on last night?

Rebecca: Yes, thanks! It was perfect.

Mr. Cookie: Do you know if it stayed on all night?

Rebecca: Um, I don't know.
Rebecca's internal dialogue: How would I know that? I was asleep.

That night (a Sunday) the AC goes on, but in the morning Rebecca awakens to a very warm and stuffy room. This happens all week, but at least our heroine is sleeping, so whatever.

Round 3:

The next weekend comes. The AC does not go on. Rebecca has to go across the house to turn it on manually, which she HATES doing because she feels AWKWARD about it.

Sunday night. The AC comes on (no surprise, as it was over 90 that day). But at 3:30 in the morning Rebecca awakens, too hot to sleep. She goes across the house and turns the AC down one degree - down to 72. It goes on. She sees the AC is set at 73 (see first note, in which Rebecca tells Mr. Cookie the AC does not usually go on if it's higher than 72). She is now wide awake, and does not go back to sleep. She knows when Mr. Cookie gets up because the AC turns off - a few minutes later she hears him in the kitchen.

Monday morning. Rebecca is angry and frustrated. She does not feel she should have to beg to be comfortable enough to sleep at night - it's demeaning. Mission accomplished - she feels demeaned. And angry and frustrated. She does not want to ask again.

The Loser Cough Is Making A Comeback

2007-07-14T21:34:00.001-05:00

I saw the movie Sicko. I've decided I'm moving to England, France, or Canada.

If I can just figure out how...

Tilt a Little to the Right

2007-07-12T19:57:00.000-05:00

Things I Thought Today: A Progression

My head hurts.
Maybe my sandwich was poisoned.

My brain is trying to pulsate its way out the top of my head every time I stand up and move around.

I imagine my brain right now looks all swollen and green and covered in slime.
With a big, bloody heart beating right in the middle of it.

My eyes hurt.

My elbow hurts.

My wrist hurts.

I had cereal last night - I wonder if someone contaminated the milk with a deadly strain of the flu (here I picture a nondescript man in a lab coat and protective goggles (and also pants and a shirt- not JUST a lab coat and goggles) using one of those little dropper things to contaminate my milk. He doesn't seem psychotic so it's probably a government conspiracy).

Wherein The Pastel Doesn't Know What To Say

2007-07-10T09:47:00.000-05:00

Remember that commercial advertising compact tampons, where one girl passes a tampon to another and the teacher is like, "I hope you have enough for everyone!" because it doesn't look like a tampon? You just GAVE IT AWAY. What, do you think boys don't watch commercials marketed to girls?

Never switch cottage cheese brands.

Re-creating the circumstances never really gives you the same experience. Apparently life is not a science experiment.

Pennies From Heaven

2007-07-08T16:08:00.000-05:00

I know I've mentioned this before, but the prom episode in season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer never fails to make me cry. I keep thinking I've seen it so many times that it won't affect me, but then they give her the Class Protector award and I lose it. Every time.

Straight Out

2007-07-07T19:17:00.000-05:00

I hate it when people honk at me for not driving illegally.

Wake Up Potter!

2007-07-07T16:34:00.001-05:00

Last week I found out that I was going to be off work the Thursday and Friday after Independence Day (for those of you keeping track, that would be yesterday and the day before). Most of my family is gathered in Utah for my grandfather's 80th, but by the time I found out I'd be off work I couldn't find a plane ticket for anything short of hideously expensive, although I could have maybe looked into selling my eggs. It's not like I'm using them. My friends all had to work, so I've been using the five consecutive days off for my Third Annual Summer of Buffy Marathon. Don't worry - I have left the house. All in all, an enjoyable way to spend the time, although not recommended on a regular basis.

Buffy always makes me miss California like crazy.

All In A Row

2007-07-02T09:57:00.000-05:00

I have suspicions that the Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru people put cream in my coffee instead of skim milk. There is a reason I ask for skim milk - because cream is GROSS. I do not like the way it TASTES. Which is why I ask for MILK. It seems like all the weekday Dunkin' Donuts people are from some eastern European country (should that be capitalized?), so I suppose I can excuse the occasional mistake on the grounds that my life is way better than theirs. The drive-thru at Dunkin' Donuts is not really the American Dream.

Panopticon

2007-07-02T09:39:00.000-05:00

I always feel guilty when I read about Virgos because they (um, we) are supposed to be all organized and meticulous, and those are two words that pretty much describe what I am the opposite of.

I finally got up the guts to ask Mr. Cookie to reset the air conditioning so it will actually go on at night - it's been so hot that I haven't been sleeping - and then what do you know? Today it's not hot AT ALL, and I feel like an idiot.

And Old Cheese

2007-06-27T19:30:00.001-05:00

It's like pulling teeth to get the monthly rates for a gym over the phone. Those people DO NOT want to tell you how much they charge. Do they REALLY believe I'll be so impressed by the tour that I'll throw my wallet to the wind and sign up, no matter how much it costs? Especially after they were so obnoxious and made me come all the way down there JUST to get the price?

In The Sixth Place...

2007-06-22T18:11:00.001-05:00

Another niece was born today. Happy birthday, niece! Her name is Olivia, which was totally my suggestion and I'm not going to let anyone forget that. Ever. Olivia was formed and carried in my sister's uterus, which is close to, but not the same as, her tummy. Look how hard to explain that WASN'T.

Spellcheck, Please!

2007-06-18T19:35:00.000-05:00

Why do people tell kids that mommies grow babies in their tummies? Kids aren't stupid. Is it that difficult to explain what a uterus is?

Lights Up On The False Eyelashes

2007-06-14T20:31:00.000-05:00

How much do you totally hate it when you say nice things and people are all like, "Oh, no, I don't deserve that"? And how much more do you hate it when you find yourself doing EXACTLY THAT, because you just don't feel as awesome as people are saying you are? Embarrassing. Remind yourself to say "Thank you," and believe the nice things.

Some Assembly Required

2007-06-13T13:56:00.001-05:00

Conversation #1

Me: What flavor would you be?

Sparkle: Of anything?

Me: Yeah.

Sparkle: You're gonna laugh.

Me: What?

Sparkle: (laughs) Cheese.

Conversation #2

Me: This frozen yogurt is so good.

Sparkle: This vanilla bean ice cream is so good.

Me: Mmm, live and active cultures.

Sparkle: Mmm, beans.

Shiny and Belligerent Coins

2007-06-13T07:19:00.000-05:00

Just when I think I've made up my mind, all the corners come untucked.

Where Does It Hurt?

2007-06-12T19:09:00.000-05:00

I am patient with children. I am not patient with my life.

Being No One Is Technically Not A Superpower. Disqualified.

2007-06-09T19:36:00.000-05:00

Since it is still spring (despite the skin-melting heat), and since I hadn't done any spring cleaning yet this year (or, if I'm being honest, ever) I thought my MySpace profile could be my First Ever Spring Cleaning Project. It's like Project X, only without the monkeys. So I deleted some people from my friends list who I met and then never really interacted with again. When I went to edit the list I saw that there were five - FIVE - profiles that no longer exist. Who are these people? Why do their profiles no longer exist? Why don't I remember who is on my friends list, since there are fewer than 50 people on it? 50 isn't that many. It's the number of states in the United States of America (that is the Fact of the Day. I'm throwing you a freebie). I feel like I should be able to remember 50 friends. Apparently not. Apparently I don't really care about any of you. Take note.

Too Many Ways And Too Few Eyes

2007-06-07T08:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I bought this awesome messenger bag from American Eagle, and it's a good thing Sparkle was with me because I couldn't decide between the brown and the blue and would have ended up not getting either, but Sparkle was like, "Ew. The blue one is ugly. Get the brown." So I did. Even though the blue one is for sure not ugly. It is good to have someone to cast a vote so it's not always a tie between the two halves of me that do not agree on anything.

Awards To Follow

2007-06-05T08:06:00.000-05:00

It might be a sign that you are seriously tense if twelve ounces of coffee relaxes you.

Iffenstein

2007-06-04T17:17:00.001-05:00

Blarg. Today is stupid. Stupid, stupid today.

My eyelid is still twitching.

Enchanted Newts

2007-05-31T18:39:00.000-05:00

Apparently I have incurable Eyelid Twitchyitis. This has an actual name - Blepharospasm - which I learned when I Googled "twitch" to find an amusing link.

-I did not find an amusing link.
-I didn't really look for an amusing link after finding that my tragic condition has a name, therefore making it legitimate. I do not have a bastard eyelid.

The Corner

2007-05-31T14:05:00.000-05:00

I feel like an IDIOT checking blogs to see if there are replies to my comments.

The Woodpecker Cried

2007-05-31T13:54:00.001-05:00

Sparkle: "I just assumed you had ubiquitous coffee."

Headfirst

2007-05-25T11:35:00.001-05:00

Nachos. The ones at Tiger's Tale in Montgomery, New Jersey. I have no doubt - NO DOUBT - that when I move away I will fantasize about them.

This installation of Things You Should Know is brought to you by the public blogging system, and also by my awesome friend, Jess, who introduced me to Tiger's Tale nachos, and who is in Brazil right now. I am both jealous of, and sorry for, her since she got a free trip to Brazil but has to work practically 24/7 while she's there. Those commas seem awkward.

Magical Properties In Turquoise

2007-05-23T10:58:00.000-05:00

I just realized my underpants are on inside-out. It does not matter and I am not fixing it.

Zoinks! Although I Always Liked "Jinkies!"

2007-05-22T10:59:00.000-05:00

It's already noon - where has the day gone? My right eye has been twitching intermittently for several days. It's starting to get on my nerves, which is, I think, making it twitch more. There's something I'm thinking about doing, but I know it's pointless so I'm not sure whether or not I should. But it's also (basically) free, so I probably will. And then I'll think I'm not emotionally invested in it and be totally shocked when I'm crushed that it didn't work out. So,

Option A) Don't do it.
Option B) Do it, and be crushed.
Option C) Be lazy and put it off until it's too late.

I'm going with Option B, because what's one more crushing? I have bones of titanium. It's possible, however, that Option C will sneak up and preempt Option B. If I didn't know how "preempt" was pronounced I would probably think it was preem-pt, which is kind of hard to say and sounds like it would be the name of a talking bug in an animated movie.

Just Like Pants

2007-05-18T12:17:00.001-05:00

Things about you that were maybe kind of sweet and charming when you were 20 are no longer sweet or charming now that you're pushing 30.

All Hail The Greenest Of The Little Green Men

2007-05-18T10:44:00.000-05:00

Sparkle sent this to me and I almost peed my pants. No I didn't, but it is pretty funny. Don't get all smug and start pointing out the logical fallacies. It's HUMOR. Plus, every time you think you're smarter than I am, somewhere a fairy drops down dead.
***
Some suggest gay marriage will merely undermine one of our most fundamental societal institutions, causing countless straight couples to get divorced because exclusion of gays was the only thing holding their marriages together. But we know better. Gay marriage killed the dinosaurs. If we let liberal activist judges in Massachusetts and California set the course, the blood will run in rivers. Mixed with molten lava.

10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage is Wrong:

1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.
9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

...Hello?

2007-05-18T10:38:00.000-05:00

I heard ringing and I think it was coming from my stomach.

The Name Game

2007-05-17T11:33:00.000-05:00

Today I am embracing my inner white trashiness and officially retracting my hatred of Wal-Mart. It's the only store I could find that had an affordable CD alarm clock (seriously - $80? For an alarm clock?) with two essential qualities:

A) A display face that is NOT bright enough to be a beacon for lost ships
B) Not ugly

I also saw a stack of awesome green cups for 98 cents, which I didn't buy because I don't need cups, but now I know that when I finally have my own apartment again I can stock the kitchen for under $100, or at least buy 800 cups.

Back Off - You're In My Brainspace

2007-05-16T09:35:00.000-05:00

Some days I wish I knew what it was like to be beautiful - inarguably, irrefutably, incontestably beautiful. Some days I'm kind of glad I don't.

New Math

2007-05-16T08:22:00.000-05:00

I always thought I was not one of those people who is always creating drama, but recent reports do not support this theory. Further research required.

All The Modern Inconveniences

2007-05-15T07:59:00.000-05:00

This morning I slept in half an hour later than usual. BECAUSE THE VOLUME ON MY PHONE WAS MYSTERIOUSLY TURNED ALL THE WAY DOWN SO I DIDN'T HEAR MY ALARM (insert cry of helplessness and frustration here). I awoke with a start when Sparkle knocked on my door wondering where I was at 5 minutes past the time we usually drive away. So I got out of bed and took 3 minutes to get dressed and put my contacts in, dropping one down the sink in my hurry, so then I had to get out a new one, which cut into my mascara time, and I DO NOT leave the house without mascara on due to my Amazing Disappearing Eyes. I am vain. Whenever I start a new job or a new semester I have nightmares about oversleeping and getting in Big Trouble. Nearly every weekend I wake up and check to make sure it really is the weekend and I haven't just overslept. Every night I check at least three times to make sure my alarm is set. I am paranoid about this, and WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED??? So I'm completely on edge and I'm going to buy an actual alarm clock because apparently my phone cannot be trusted. Or I have a ghost. I am not ruling that out.

Smells Like Chicken

2007-05-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

Apparently Transcendental Meditation costs a few thousand dollars to learn, so there goes that goal. I figured I could just pick up a book about it, but I guess not. Maybe I'll get a book on regular meditation. I always though yoga was kind of neat, but I can't do it because it's too slow. If I'm going to work out I want to FEEL like I'm working out. Yoga makes me feel stressed. I think that defeats the purpose. Also, I dislike being upside-down. This would be the ten year anniversary of my high school graduation, if I had graduated from high school. You can get green tea in juice box form.

Next Up: Polyurethane Offspring

2007-05-11T08:44:00.000-05:00

In my head I pronounce potato "potted oh." The Real Fact (#362) on my Snapple cap reads: "'Arachibutlphobia' is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth." This phobia makes a brief appearance in the (one and only) play I wrote, Properties of Quicksand, although I use the alternate name "arachibutyrophobia." I was going to use linonophobia, which is the fear of string, but I couldn't figure out how to pronounce it. Plus peanut butter is funnier than string.

Round Up

2007-05-07T17:31:00.000-05:00

I think I lost $20 today, and I can't figure out how or when or where (or who or what or why). Also, honeybees are dying and/or disappearing, which means no more pollination, which means we are DOOMED. Help us Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're our only hope.

I Am The Air. I Am Human.

2007-05-04T18:51:00.000-05:00

Today I was sitting in the car reading with the windows down. I feel like that sentence needs commas somewhere, but nothing looks right. I heard an empty plastic bottle rolling across the parking lot and all of the sudden I had this weird deja vu moment. I felt like I was back in my hometown, and that is a feeling of vast emptiness, but also a familiar feeling, and there is comfort in even an unpleasant feeling of familiarity.

Right now I'm sitting at my desk with the window open. The air is a little chilly and smells like campfire, which evokes lovely, pleasant feelings of familiarity. I want to seep into that smell and live there.

That One Guy, Who Did That Thing...

2007-05-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

You know that really profound quote that's become a total cliche - about evil triumphing when good people do nothing? Keeping that in mind, I recommend that everyone listen to this week's This American Life podcast, entitled "Habeas Schmabeas 2007," which won the prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting and cable. Get it here, or go to iTunes, scroll down, and on the right there's a box for "Top Podcasts," in which This American Life is listed. It will only be available until next Sunday or Monday, so GO! DOWNLOAD IT NOW! IT'S FREE!

In a traditionally junior high gesture, I tag anyone who isn't an idiot to pass this podcast along. If you don't you are SINGLE-HANDEDLY letting evil triumph! You are ANTI-AMERICAN! You are EMBOLDENING the terrorists (or possibly the Bush administration, which is pretty much the same thing)! How's THAT for pressure?

I will gladly burn a copy for anyone who wants it if, in return, you will agree to not be a heartless bastard.

But Yet It's Redundant

2007-05-03T10:27:00.000-05:00

I keep thinking it's Friday. What a disappointment.

In The Course Of A Delightful Soiree

2007-05-02T09:38:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I just don't feel like posting, mainly because my brain feels like it's encased in something uncomfortably wet and fuzzy, and today I was like, "Heeey! I think maybe my brain feels suffocated and itchy when I'm stressed, which is why I don't feel like posting! REVELATION!" I am so totally the smart one in the family.

So today I feel like the underneath part of my skin is rubbing against the same wet and woolly sweater that is buttoned up around my brain, but I have all these notes that I've jotted in my jotting notebooks. So...

Last week I saw In The Land of Women. Worth it (barely) just for Adam Brody and his lovely voice and Dimples of Happiness. It's almost a good movie, but there are two big problems that I can see:

1) It seems like it's going somewhere, but then it turns out it isn't. Going. Anywhere. Whoops - my bad.

2) The movie is about the wrong character. It's focused on Adam Brody's character (what's his name? I have no idea) which feels forced. The way pushing an elephant through a doorway for midgets would feel forced. And you're watching the elephant on TV, and across the street from the midgets' house Jesus has come from Heaven to save everyone, and you're like, "Wow, I should probably be paying attention to Jesus, but the damn camera is pointed at the elephant." The movie would have been way more interesting if it had focused on the relationship between the mother and daughter, and Adam Brody had been the catalyst for the mother and daughter coming to terms. Instead the camera is focused on the elephant (Adam Brody is the elephant. Which makes the mother and daughter Jesus. I think this analogy has gotten away from me).

But it was entertaining-ish, and not a total waste of money, unlike that movie Diane Keaton was just in (I love you Diane Keaton! But that movie sucked).

Hm. I'm looking through my jotting notebooks, and the rest of the notes aren't for blog posts. So I guess that's it. Over.

Don't Tell Me; Let It Be A Surprise

2007-04-30T12:53:00.000-05:00

I promise if it's over 60 degrees, I'm sweating. I'm not even hot, and I'm sweating. I'm not even WARM. I'm just a comfortable wind-temperature. AND I'M SWEATING. Not much, but still. I hate that.

My niece was born over a week ago, and I didn't post about it. Just because. I didn't.

Spencer and Chrissy had their baby, and her name is Adia Charlotte. I'm going to call her Ace, because if your baby's initials spell something you have to expect people to call her that.

A Reluctant Balance Is Restored

2007-04-25T17:37:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday I drove to Pennsylvania to chill with my homies - my homies who are white, and also not prone to using outdated slang. So, Sue and Charlotte organized a game night at their house, which they thought was slightly boring as far as game nights go, and which I thought was AWESOME because

1) I've never been to one of their other game nights and therefore had no basis for comparison
2) Playing games is fun. I forget that since I go to the dentist more often than I play games.

I stayed overnight, and on Sunday we went to the first annual Philadelphia Book Festival, where I heard John Flynn's music for the first time. If you don't like folksy music you won't like him. I love folksy music - except when it's lame - and John Flynn's music is healing my soul. I am not kidding. I feel like rainbows and butterflies and yellow daisies. It's the kind of music that makes you feel guilty, but also makes you feel glad that you feel guilty. So maybe guilty isn't the right word. Maybe responsible is better. His music makes you feel like you have some responsibility for the Big Picture. And for the rainbows and butterflies and yellow daisies.