i <3 oscar.
whenever i watch pre-award show coverage, i am angered by how ridiculously lame the "reporters" are. this year is already no exception. billy bush's interview with a. jolie reeked of leering sketchball - the fact that he asked her to wave from the fourth step up the staircase and missed her turning a sharp corner made it all that much better.
i could do such a better job than this lame idiot ...
2.29.2004
happy leaping
ah, the 29th of february. that day that comes once every four years to mess up your train of thought and drag what is generally the dreariest month of the year one day longer ...
but it's all good - it's warming up. i know it's probably just a temporary thing, but i have this optimistic hope deep inside that squeals at the thought of spring finally approaching. march will begin tomorrow, a trip to d.c. will (hopefully) begin in a few weeks and the winter will be far behind us soon - i hope.
anyhoo. oscar day - which means i will be getting in touch with my pop culture-craving self this evening. i recall watching the oscars last year, sitting in the living room with chloe and nicole, eating delivered chinese and lamenting the fact that they had cancelled most of the red carpet arrival coverage. damned higher terrorism alert levels interfering in our star-gazing.
i'm obviously not at arthur miller this aftenroon - by the time i called for a ticket, all the $75 seats were sold out. i would have been willing to pay $125 for a chance to sit down for a drink with a.m. or perhaps have his brain transplanted into my head. but for a play that isn't earning very good reviews in a preview setting nearly three hours away, i wasn't feeling it. i know, i'm a horrible theater person.
yet i'm somehow over it. hmm.
ah, the 29th of february. that day that comes once every four years to mess up your train of thought and drag what is generally the dreariest month of the year one day longer ...
but it's all good - it's warming up. i know it's probably just a temporary thing, but i have this optimistic hope deep inside that squeals at the thought of spring finally approaching. march will begin tomorrow, a trip to d.c. will (hopefully) begin in a few weeks and the winter will be far behind us soon - i hope.
anyhoo. oscar day - which means i will be getting in touch with my pop culture-craving self this evening. i recall watching the oscars last year, sitting in the living room with chloe and nicole, eating delivered chinese and lamenting the fact that they had cancelled most of the red carpet arrival coverage. damned higher terrorism alert levels interfering in our star-gazing.
i'm obviously not at arthur miller this aftenroon - by the time i called for a ticket, all the $75 seats were sold out. i would have been willing to pay $125 for a chance to sit down for a drink with a.m. or perhaps have his brain transplanted into my head. but for a play that isn't earning very good reviews in a preview setting nearly three hours away, i wasn't feeling it. i know, i'm a horrible theater person.
yet i'm somehow over it. hmm.
2.28.2004
the world is my playground
in an unusual move, i chose to delete the post from this morning (well, ok, late late morning - practically early afternoon). i felt that today's adventures are such a continuation of yesterday's exploits that they warranted a single mass post of weekend goodness.
so, feeling rather redundant, i begin at the beginning - again.
yesterday was a blur of chaos and mayhem during the daylight hours. our intrepid reporter spent her now-atypical day shift getting into disagreements with law officials and tracking down all the news you could use - or at least, all the news she was determined to get to the bottom of. death, destruction, mayhem and scandal. whoo hoo, this is my life. or, rather, this is your life, northwestern vermont.
after the long day of feeling frazzled yet hooked on the rushing adrenaline, i raced home, reveled in calling out "hi honey i'm home" and hearing several voices respond in greeting and delighted in the arrival of more musical goodness from san diego - yay pete - before taking a bite of the sandwich beth and chuck brought home for my dinner (xoxoxoxo to you two), cleaning out the car, greeting becca, piling into the car and heading to bradford for musicial goodness of a different variety - the live kind.
we travel, we descend upon the musical hall nestled in the middle of bradford's surprisingly booming metropolis (at least by small town vermont standards) and we proceed to enjoy a couple of hours of performance by my favorite five guys from boston since nkotb.
the set-and-a-half worth of music was solid, per usual. i sang along and danced about, as always. witnessed more drinking - albeit less than last time (no need to keep the body temperature up this time around). good times had by all.
yet, for the first time in awhile at such a show, the band was an added bonus. the best thing was enjoying a mini-roadtrip with friends, chatting in the car and laughing, singing and dancing at the venue. i wasn't spending all of my time focusing on those standing beneath the lights - i was just as interested in interacting with the three people at my table in the shadows. i loved it.
special note: several new songs were performed - quite good. "with or without you" made its first appearance at a vickie-attended show since metronome. love the cover, loved the memories conjured.
said a hello, got a hug, made our way back onto the roads, on which we returned to the north and civilization. end of that story.
woke up to find the sun shining, sky gorgeously blue and the weather ready to cooperate with our tentative plans (finally). delightful lunch followed by walking around with hot chocolates/expressos/mint/tiramisu/don't-know-what-the-hell-it-was-anymore-but-it-was-good drinks. headed home and said some goodbyes-for-now before heading back downtown to meet up with johnoghue for tea and conversation. a walk while chatting led to the waterfront, where i was amazed to see people walking on the lake and playing hockey. after john's surprise that i'd never walked on the lake, we approached the shore and i took the first steps in my quest to walk on (frozen) water. my jitters about falling through quickly faded and we made our way to the breakwaters, then turned away from the fading sunset to look at burlington, lit up with neon and flourescence.
a few years ago, i wrote a story about kayaking and began it with something along the lines of "beyond the breakwaters of lake champlain lies a chance to see burlington in a new light." this evening, i finally saw that view and was amazed. so incredibly gorgeous - i felt a need to exclaim "I LOVE THIS CITY!!!"
during the walk back and several shortcuts and side routes to find new places i never knew existed, we walked up main street and passed the flynnspace. noticing james across the street, we wondered who the man was standing by him. deciding to say hello, we crossed and, when james turned, i exclaimed "OH MY GOD!!!"
he was with louns, my all-time favorite instructor EVER. i hadn't seen him since one of the last days of my junior year of college and had missed him tremendously. and had actually been talking about him a week and a half prior to this unexpected encounter.
with the day's events, what could have been simply a fun friday turned into a great weekend. i returned home feeling invincible and ready to take on vermont, the country, the world, the universe. ah. i feel almost as if i should mark this post so that i can return to it easily - whenever things are going badly, whenever i feel alone. because i have great friends, i live in a great place, spring is coming and life is grand.
but as i am on top of the world, i send thoughts of positivity to someone in need of hugs and sunshine. the one good thing about the lower left quadrant of the circle of fortune is that things must go up. and they will. and i'm arranging to be able to say that in person in mid-march, rebecca in tow.
ah ... i now turn to a movie, humming rilo kiley as i do so ...
... sometimes when you're on, you're really fucking on ... and your friends, they sing along and they love you ...
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo - victoria
in an unusual move, i chose to delete the post from this morning (well, ok, late late morning - practically early afternoon). i felt that today's adventures are such a continuation of yesterday's exploits that they warranted a single mass post of weekend goodness.
so, feeling rather redundant, i begin at the beginning - again.
yesterday was a blur of chaos and mayhem during the daylight hours. our intrepid reporter spent her now-atypical day shift getting into disagreements with law officials and tracking down all the news you could use - or at least, all the news she was determined to get to the bottom of. death, destruction, mayhem and scandal. whoo hoo, this is my life. or, rather, this is your life, northwestern vermont.
after the long day of feeling frazzled yet hooked on the rushing adrenaline, i raced home, reveled in calling out "hi honey i'm home" and hearing several voices respond in greeting and delighted in the arrival of more musical goodness from san diego - yay pete - before taking a bite of the sandwich beth and chuck brought home for my dinner (xoxoxoxo to you two), cleaning out the car, greeting becca, piling into the car and heading to bradford for musicial goodness of a different variety - the live kind.
we travel, we descend upon the musical hall nestled in the middle of bradford's surprisingly booming metropolis (at least by small town vermont standards) and we proceed to enjoy a couple of hours of performance by my favorite five guys from boston since nkotb.
the set-and-a-half worth of music was solid, per usual. i sang along and danced about, as always. witnessed more drinking - albeit less than last time (no need to keep the body temperature up this time around). good times had by all.
yet, for the first time in awhile at such a show, the band was an added bonus. the best thing was enjoying a mini-roadtrip with friends, chatting in the car and laughing, singing and dancing at the venue. i wasn't spending all of my time focusing on those standing beneath the lights - i was just as interested in interacting with the three people at my table in the shadows. i loved it.
special note: several new songs were performed - quite good. "with or without you" made its first appearance at a vickie-attended show since metronome. love the cover, loved the memories conjured.
said a hello, got a hug, made our way back onto the roads, on which we returned to the north and civilization. end of that story.
woke up to find the sun shining, sky gorgeously blue and the weather ready to cooperate with our tentative plans (finally). delightful lunch followed by walking around with hot chocolates/expressos/mint/tiramisu/don't-know-what-the-hell-it-was-anymore-but-it-was-good drinks. headed home and said some goodbyes-for-now before heading back downtown to meet up with johnoghue for tea and conversation. a walk while chatting led to the waterfront, where i was amazed to see people walking on the lake and playing hockey. after john's surprise that i'd never walked on the lake, we approached the shore and i took the first steps in my quest to walk on (frozen) water. my jitters about falling through quickly faded and we made our way to the breakwaters, then turned away from the fading sunset to look at burlington, lit up with neon and flourescence.
a few years ago, i wrote a story about kayaking and began it with something along the lines of "beyond the breakwaters of lake champlain lies a chance to see burlington in a new light." this evening, i finally saw that view and was amazed. so incredibly gorgeous - i felt a need to exclaim "I LOVE THIS CITY!!!"
during the walk back and several shortcuts and side routes to find new places i never knew existed, we walked up main street and passed the flynnspace. noticing james across the street, we wondered who the man was standing by him. deciding to say hello, we crossed and, when james turned, i exclaimed "OH MY GOD!!!"
he was with louns, my all-time favorite instructor EVER. i hadn't seen him since one of the last days of my junior year of college and had missed him tremendously. and had actually been talking about him a week and a half prior to this unexpected encounter.
with the day's events, what could have been simply a fun friday turned into a great weekend. i returned home feeling invincible and ready to take on vermont, the country, the world, the universe. ah. i feel almost as if i should mark this post so that i can return to it easily - whenever things are going badly, whenever i feel alone. because i have great friends, i live in a great place, spring is coming and life is grand.
but as i am on top of the world, i send thoughts of positivity to someone in need of hugs and sunshine. the one good thing about the lower left quadrant of the circle of fortune is that things must go up. and they will. and i'm arranging to be able to say that in person in mid-march, rebecca in tow.
ah ... i now turn to a movie, humming rilo kiley as i do so ...
... sometimes when you're on, you're really fucking on ... and your friends, they sing along and they love you ...
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo - victoria
2.27.2004
annual butchering of the oscars
thought i should quickly offer my annual oscar picks, which really means my annual oscar mishandling, as i rarely get the big ones right. but i'm hooked on the golden statues, so i'll give it a shot anyway.
best actor: i'm thinking bill murray for lost in translation, for a brilliantly understated performance. although i'd love to see johnny depp pull the upset.
best actress: i've heard she does an amazing job and shows her acting chops. but i really think charlize theron will get the oscar because she's a beautiful woman who made herself ugly for the sake of a performance. she'll follow nicole kidman, who has, in my opion, given much better performances than the hours, but was willing to get "ugly" for the role.
best supporting actor: i haven't seen mystic river yet (and really want to), but i worship tim robbins and i hear he does an amazing job.
best supporting actress: big surprise, renee will finally get the oscar. i think it's in the bag because people are also going to make up for the chicago overlook - the oscar she deserved (again, see nicole tangent).
best director: if peter jackson doesn't get this, i'm storming the oscars. billy crystal watch out.
best original screenplay: lost in translation. brilliant.
best adapted screenplay: i'm cheering for return of the king, but i predict it'll go to mystic river.
best picture: lord of the rings: return of the king. i've been waiting three years to see peter jackson accept the oscar for lotr. it's his turn.
whoo hoo - had my first argument as a journalist with police officers today!
thought i should quickly offer my annual oscar picks, which really means my annual oscar mishandling, as i rarely get the big ones right. but i'm hooked on the golden statues, so i'll give it a shot anyway.
best actor: i'm thinking bill murray for lost in translation, for a brilliantly understated performance. although i'd love to see johnny depp pull the upset.
best actress: i've heard she does an amazing job and shows her acting chops. but i really think charlize theron will get the oscar because she's a beautiful woman who made herself ugly for the sake of a performance. she'll follow nicole kidman, who has, in my opion, given much better performances than the hours, but was willing to get "ugly" for the role.
best supporting actor: i haven't seen mystic river yet (and really want to), but i worship tim robbins and i hear he does an amazing job.
best supporting actress: big surprise, renee will finally get the oscar. i think it's in the bag because people are also going to make up for the chicago overlook - the oscar she deserved (again, see nicole tangent).
best director: if peter jackson doesn't get this, i'm storming the oscars. billy crystal watch out.
best original screenplay: lost in translation. brilliant.
best adapted screenplay: i'm cheering for return of the king, but i predict it'll go to mystic river.
best picture: lord of the rings: return of the king. i've been waiting three years to see peter jackson accept the oscar for lotr. it's his turn.
whoo hoo - had my first argument as a journalist with police officers today!
2.26.2004
take that, mel gibson!
while everyone else is talking about "the passion of the christ" and that whole christ dying and rising again, i'm focused on a completely different kind of resurrection.
i never thought i'd say this, but i have been reuinited with the chair.
well, not the real chair - the lime green armchair i covered with a tapestry and fell in love with in my dc apartment. that is miles upon miles away from my burlington apartment. i wanted to bring it with me when i moved out, but it wouldn't fit in the car. i came close to tears. well, not really. but i took a couple of pictures of myself in it so i could always remember its comfortable goodness.
anyway. flash forward to today, when my parents came up to burlington to bring some more of the items i'd acquired from the family friend who provided the pineapple furniture. among the lamp and the wicker basket/table, my father lugged in a plush sky-blue armchair.
when he set it down in the corner and i was able to look at it for the first time, i squealed with joy. it was my dc chair, reincarnated in blue form! i sank into its plushy goodness and threw my legs over one arm and instantly felt like i was back in the mid-atlantic region, in my bedroom of old. i only needed paul playing guitar near me and chloe watching "the simpsons" in the next room for the feeling to be complete.
since i had neither, i focused on my happy memories and spun the chair around while i reminisced.
it waits for me now, as i finish my hours at the paper and prepare to return home, where i will likely pick out a book to read (as i finished the jones sequel yesterday), curl up and read in my chair of yesterday/today until i begin to doze off to sleep.
happiness.
in other news. after using the wonders of technology to chat with johnoghue and introduce him to pete's musical movie reviews last night, i did, as predicted, have one of the songs in my head all day today. i had expected it to be "the big bounce," but it turned out to be "big fish" after all. he had predicted he would be singing "big fish" all day - i wonder if we just wound up unconciously switching sometime during our respective rem cycles. hmm ...
big fish, big fish, big fish frickin rocks ...
while everyone else is talking about "the passion of the christ" and that whole christ dying and rising again, i'm focused on a completely different kind of resurrection.
i never thought i'd say this, but i have been reuinited with the chair.
well, not the real chair - the lime green armchair i covered with a tapestry and fell in love with in my dc apartment. that is miles upon miles away from my burlington apartment. i wanted to bring it with me when i moved out, but it wouldn't fit in the car. i came close to tears. well, not really. but i took a couple of pictures of myself in it so i could always remember its comfortable goodness.
anyway. flash forward to today, when my parents came up to burlington to bring some more of the items i'd acquired from the family friend who provided the pineapple furniture. among the lamp and the wicker basket/table, my father lugged in a plush sky-blue armchair.
when he set it down in the corner and i was able to look at it for the first time, i squealed with joy. it was my dc chair, reincarnated in blue form! i sank into its plushy goodness and threw my legs over one arm and instantly felt like i was back in the mid-atlantic region, in my bedroom of old. i only needed paul playing guitar near me and chloe watching "the simpsons" in the next room for the feeling to be complete.
since i had neither, i focused on my happy memories and spun the chair around while i reminisced.
it waits for me now, as i finish my hours at the paper and prepare to return home, where i will likely pick out a book to read (as i finished the jones sequel yesterday), curl up and read in my chair of yesterday/today until i begin to doze off to sleep.
happiness.
in other news. after using the wonders of technology to chat with johnoghue and introduce him to pete's musical movie reviews last night, i did, as predicted, have one of the songs in my head all day today. i had expected it to be "the big bounce," but it turned out to be "big fish" after all. he had predicted he would be singing "big fish" all day - i wonder if we just wound up unconciously switching sometime during our respective rem cycles. hmm ...
big fish, big fish, big fish frickin rocks ...
burnt orange
before stopping at red onion for a dinnertime sandwich, i had to run to my car to get the atm card that would provide the money for said sandwhich. lucky me for being forgetful. as i walked to my car, i crossed main street and gazed upon an abosolutely gorgeous sunset over the lake. i was just in time for my favorite time of day ... when the sky was still light enough to see clearly, but the neon of the streetlights and the flynn marquee glowed nearly as brightly as the lake appeared to glow.
when i arrived home after work this evening, the moon was a burnt orange crescent, so bright it took a few minutes to realize it was the moon and not a florescent streetlight partially obscured.
as i head to bed, i urge you to download this song. i'm shocked no one thought of it before. bloody brilliant.
before stopping at red onion for a dinnertime sandwich, i had to run to my car to get the atm card that would provide the money for said sandwhich. lucky me for being forgetful. as i walked to my car, i crossed main street and gazed upon an abosolutely gorgeous sunset over the lake. i was just in time for my favorite time of day ... when the sky was still light enough to see clearly, but the neon of the streetlights and the flynn marquee glowed nearly as brightly as the lake appeared to glow.
when i arrived home after work this evening, the moon was a burnt orange crescent, so bright it took a few minutes to realize it was the moon and not a florescent streetlight partially obscured.
as i head to bed, i urge you to download this song. i'm shocked no one thought of it before. bloody brilliant.
2.25.2004
notes from the future.
it's an interesting sensation, sitting at my desk during the evening of february 25, reading a new journal entry from february 26. time zones are so bizarre. sure, i'm aware of the whole sun striking portions of the earth at different times aspect - as anyone is - but really, when you have to tack on a whole extra day, things get really strange. i have a difficult enough time remembering how many hours to count back when i try calling utah - let alone thinking about what day it may be in japan.
nevertheless. i digress. (and rhyme.) new journal to enjoy, including a rather unexpected political statement. granted, i agree with it, but i was surprised nonetheless. i had to laugh when i read, "If you’ve never contacted your congressman before, now is an excellent time to exercise one of your last constitutional rights and defend nothing more than love."
thank you, but i have certainly contacted my congressman in the not-so-distant past. and then some ... but i laughed when i imagined godzilla storming down pennsylvania ave. i wonder if it would be like me and get lost while searching for a particular penn. ave. landmark and wind up in dupont circle ...
hmm. doubt it. godzillas probably have better senses of direction that i.
if one is not a fan of the ever-brilliant writing, the entry is worth viewing simply for the crash course in japanese he provides in conversational form. as i read the entry, though, i was struck by the sensation of having my wondering about what japan is like (from a few days ago) answered so succinctly. still want to get there - and shall, one day hopefully not so far away from today.
in vermont-based news. i'm actually quite upset to announce that higher ground will officially close on april 15. for those not familiar with the space, after club toast closed after my freshman year of college, higher ground became the place to see musicians. i probably can't even recall all the of the artists i've seen there, but just a few include glen phillips, matt nathanson, and cherry poppin' daddies. i interviewed john mayer at higher ground. i cursed missing elliott smith when he played there. mraz opened for howie on that stage (and i missed it). my senior slide show was there - most of my graduating class was packed inside the relatively small space, drunk and sentimental. it's a major piece of my college - and musical - memories.
so i'm going to go to higher ground at some point in the coming weeks and take photographs of the place. provide myself at least a few snapshots to assist my future storytelling endeavors when i try to describe to people why it was the perfect place in the area to attend a show. from the posters on the walls to the couch in the sitting area to the murals and pool table.
since the venue is closing on the 15th and damien rice is supposed to play there on the 20th, hg's alex said he's going to try to find another venue to host that show and the other handful that have already been scheduled. and he's hoping to find a new location for the club soon.
please hurry.
other news. arthur miller will be in vermont on sunday and i'm hoping to make a trip to see for myself. he's attending a preview of a new play of his and tickets are costly - but fuck it. it's arthur miller. my theater-loving soul would hate me forever if i passed it up. and then i can drive to southern vermont and arrive in time to watch billy crystal rock the oscars. whoo hoo!
Tai-kara denwa suru.
it's an interesting sensation, sitting at my desk during the evening of february 25, reading a new journal entry from february 26. time zones are so bizarre. sure, i'm aware of the whole sun striking portions of the earth at different times aspect - as anyone is - but really, when you have to tack on a whole extra day, things get really strange. i have a difficult enough time remembering how many hours to count back when i try calling utah - let alone thinking about what day it may be in japan.
nevertheless. i digress. (and rhyme.) new journal to enjoy, including a rather unexpected political statement. granted, i agree with it, but i was surprised nonetheless. i had to laugh when i read, "If you’ve never contacted your congressman before, now is an excellent time to exercise one of your last constitutional rights and defend nothing more than love."
thank you, but i have certainly contacted my congressman in the not-so-distant past. and then some ... but i laughed when i imagined godzilla storming down pennsylvania ave. i wonder if it would be like me and get lost while searching for a particular penn. ave. landmark and wind up in dupont circle ...
hmm. doubt it. godzillas probably have better senses of direction that i.
if one is not a fan of the ever-brilliant writing, the entry is worth viewing simply for the crash course in japanese he provides in conversational form. as i read the entry, though, i was struck by the sensation of having my wondering about what japan is like (from a few days ago) answered so succinctly. still want to get there - and shall, one day hopefully not so far away from today.
in vermont-based news. i'm actually quite upset to announce that higher ground will officially close on april 15. for those not familiar with the space, after club toast closed after my freshman year of college, higher ground became the place to see musicians. i probably can't even recall all the of the artists i've seen there, but just a few include glen phillips, matt nathanson, and cherry poppin' daddies. i interviewed john mayer at higher ground. i cursed missing elliott smith when he played there. mraz opened for howie on that stage (and i missed it). my senior slide show was there - most of my graduating class was packed inside the relatively small space, drunk and sentimental. it's a major piece of my college - and musical - memories.
so i'm going to go to higher ground at some point in the coming weeks and take photographs of the place. provide myself at least a few snapshots to assist my future storytelling endeavors when i try to describe to people why it was the perfect place in the area to attend a show. from the posters on the walls to the couch in the sitting area to the murals and pool table.
since the venue is closing on the 15th and damien rice is supposed to play there on the 20th, hg's alex said he's going to try to find another venue to host that show and the other handful that have already been scheduled. and he's hoping to find a new location for the club soon.
please hurry.
other news. arthur miller will be in vermont on sunday and i'm hoping to make a trip to see for myself. he's attending a preview of a new play of his and tickets are costly - but fuck it. it's arthur miller. my theater-loving soul would hate me forever if i passed it up. and then i can drive to southern vermont and arrive in time to watch billy crystal rock the oscars. whoo hoo!
Tai-kara denwa suru.
ms. jones ...
have nearly finished bridget jones sequel. must thank elizabeth for loaning it. feeling v. good. am adjusting brilliantly to new schedule, relaxing in the morning, reading, otherwise languishing around with no worries about obligation for several more hours.
looking forward to the weekend and visitors. musicial revelry in order friday, even if venue is in middle of nowhere. will make best of situation and endeavor on road trip with friends.
now will search for concerts for this summer. am still hoping to get to coachella. would a festival in pacific time be fun if attended solo? must ponder.
have nearly finished bridget jones sequel. must thank elizabeth for loaning it. feeling v. good. am adjusting brilliantly to new schedule, relaxing in the morning, reading, otherwise languishing around with no worries about obligation for several more hours.
looking forward to the weekend and visitors. musicial revelry in order friday, even if venue is in middle of nowhere. will make best of situation and endeavor on road trip with friends.
now will search for concerts for this summer. am still hoping to get to coachella. would a festival in pacific time be fun if attended solo? must ponder.
2.24.2004
aw...
i have been the happy recipient of some great emails lately. while some are random (including the beatgreets best of the 80s or whatever that was beth sent me that had me laughing my arse off) to surprisingly delightful messages from far-off lands to the latest, a congratulatory message from a former professor (actually, i should clarify - the professor who inspired me to push myself as a journalist before defender was even a possibility for my young self - and the professor for whom i wrote what i still consider some of my best somewhat-creative writing pieces), congratulating me in the kindest manner on my new job and inviting me to speak to current students who are contemplating entering this rat race of a profession i'm in.
i don't know what it is, i'm just full of smiles today. the sun is shining, it feels like spring is around the corner (i know, it's likely a tease, but i'll go with it), i have a press packet for the play i'm going to review (HURRAH!!!!) and i'm going to get my stories done - and they're going to rock, dammit.
i have wonderful friends, new and old, i have a great job (no matter how much i may bitch on occasion) and things are grand.
i have been the happy recipient of some great emails lately. while some are random (including the beatgreets best of the 80s or whatever that was beth sent me that had me laughing my arse off) to surprisingly delightful messages from far-off lands to the latest, a congratulatory message from a former professor (actually, i should clarify - the professor who inspired me to push myself as a journalist before defender was even a possibility for my young self - and the professor for whom i wrote what i still consider some of my best somewhat-creative writing pieces), congratulating me in the kindest manner on my new job and inviting me to speak to current students who are contemplating entering this rat race of a profession i'm in.
i don't know what it is, i'm just full of smiles today. the sun is shining, it feels like spring is around the corner (i know, it's likely a tease, but i'll go with it), i have a press packet for the play i'm going to review (HURRAH!!!!) and i'm going to get my stories done - and they're going to rock, dammit.
i have wonderful friends, new and old, i have a great job (no matter how much i may bitch on occasion) and things are grand.
yet another reason ...
why my favorite musician is held so highly in my esteem.
i came across this story yesterday and, like the others who were pointed in its direction, thought it was an incredibly sweet tale. it's great to see how someone's music and personality can affect a musiclover so much.
apparently i'm not the only one who feels that way, as i learned today that there was a comment made on the lj by the person for whom the message of gratitude was intended. check this out - it's great.
so why is no one alerting him to the literary references i make? hmm??? ;-)
why my favorite musician is held so highly in my esteem.
i came across this story yesterday and, like the others who were pointed in its direction, thought it was an incredibly sweet tale. it's great to see how someone's music and personality can affect a musiclover so much.
apparently i'm not the only one who feels that way, as i learned today that there was a comment made on the lj by the person for whom the message of gratitude was intended. check this out - it's great.
so why is no one alerting him to the literary references i make? hmm??? ;-)
2.23.2004
night owls
tonight marks my first night on the official "night beat." i'm here in my corner, the copy editors doing their thing over on the other side of the newsroom, my editor still diligently working away. otherwise, it feels as if the building is ours ... while i know there are still people working hard (or hardly working) within the four floors of office space, it feels as if i'm one of a skeleton crew waiting for the next bit of news to break.
head still hurts. i've resigned myself to the fact that it will ache until fall asleep tonight. still pissed off about it, though. not that it does any good.
also pissed off that i left the dvd i'd purchased in southern vermont at the parentals' place. in my continuing trend of watching movies with some form of "on location" theme, i bought "brokedown palace." it was on sale and i remember liking it when i saw it first. but that was also during the phase in which i wanted to be claire danes.
wait a minute. i still want to be claire danes. which means i'll still like the flick. good deal.
tonight marks my first night on the official "night beat." i'm here in my corner, the copy editors doing their thing over on the other side of the newsroom, my editor still diligently working away. otherwise, it feels as if the building is ours ... while i know there are still people working hard (or hardly working) within the four floors of office space, it feels as if i'm one of a skeleton crew waiting for the next bit of news to break.
head still hurts. i've resigned myself to the fact that it will ache until fall asleep tonight. still pissed off about it, though. not that it does any good.
also pissed off that i left the dvd i'd purchased in southern vermont at the parentals' place. in my continuing trend of watching movies with some form of "on location" theme, i bought "brokedown palace." it was on sale and i remember liking it when i saw it first. but that was also during the phase in which i wanted to be claire danes.
wait a minute. i still want to be claire danes. which means i'll still like the flick. good deal.
congratulations - it's a tension headache!
i'm surprised i haven't had one of these before. after all, i've gone through some pretty stressful times in my day. sure, i've had headaches - but as i sat here this afternoon, i experienced a different kind of head pain.
i contemplated my options. i'd taken medication not too long ago, so that was out. tried eating some fruit to up the natural sugar in my system, drank plenty of water to keep hydrated. yet the pain continued.
i haven't been feeling overly well anyway. so i suspect i do, in fact, have a touch of the burlington plague that's going around. but this headache has no reason to exist - and, as the ever-comforting voice of my mother suggested (ok. yes, i didn't feel well so i called my mom. i swear that works 99 percent of the time and makes me feel at least a bit better), i think i have a tension headache.
or, to describe in more colorful terms, i feel like i have a 168-piece marching band trying to squeeze through a narrow doorway. a lot of noise and pressure. the clicking of my keyboard hurts.
which means i'll stop my typing now.
i'm surprised i haven't had one of these before. after all, i've gone through some pretty stressful times in my day. sure, i've had headaches - but as i sat here this afternoon, i experienced a different kind of head pain.
i contemplated my options. i'd taken medication not too long ago, so that was out. tried eating some fruit to up the natural sugar in my system, drank plenty of water to keep hydrated. yet the pain continued.
i haven't been feeling overly well anyway. so i suspect i do, in fact, have a touch of the burlington plague that's going around. but this headache has no reason to exist - and, as the ever-comforting voice of my mother suggested (ok. yes, i didn't feel well so i called my mom. i swear that works 99 percent of the time and makes me feel at least a bit better), i think i have a tension headache.
or, to describe in more colorful terms, i feel like i have a 168-piece marching band trying to squeeze through a narrow doorway. a lot of noise and pressure. the clicking of my keyboard hurts.
which means i'll stop my typing now.
grr.
i worry all weekend, i come in early and i sit here convinced that i won't finish my story in time, since it's due in about four minutes. granted, i was going to be late, as i haven't heard back from a source yet, but it's just about done.
then i see in the paper that it's not due until tomorrow. a change that no one clued me into.
must have missed the memo.
but i've my silver lining ... actually a few of them. for instant literary gratification, i enjoyed a new journal entry.
I’ll let this entry end without a cute quote and care-not. It’s probably gone on too long anyway for us, the generation of readers who seek simplicity in radio edits and single page posts.
... while i exist among my fellow ramblers, digressors, and othersp in favor of the stream-of-conscious rants that make both the best reading and the best stories.
and my other silver lining? less than a week until musical revelry that i'm looking forward to with a bright smile.
as my head ached this morning before i headed to work, i popped a couple alleve (which i now have, thanks to saturday's experience feeling as if i was knocking on heaven's door) and decided to listen to something fun to brighten my outlook. this was good, but my listening selection is now stuck in my head. which is fine for me, but if i start singing lines from the ditty in my head, i think my coworkers will think i'm on crack.
xoxoxoxo - vickie
ps. read matt's latest. crazy bastard. i <3.
i worry all weekend, i come in early and i sit here convinced that i won't finish my story in time, since it's due in about four minutes. granted, i was going to be late, as i haven't heard back from a source yet, but it's just about done.
then i see in the paper that it's not due until tomorrow. a change that no one clued me into.
must have missed the memo.
but i've my silver lining ... actually a few of them. for instant literary gratification, i enjoyed a new journal entry.
I’ll let this entry end without a cute quote and care-not. It’s probably gone on too long anyway for us, the generation of readers who seek simplicity in radio edits and single page posts.
... while i exist among my fellow ramblers, digressors, and othersp in favor of the stream-of-conscious rants that make both the best reading and the best stories.
and my other silver lining? less than a week until musical revelry that i'm looking forward to with a bright smile.
as my head ached this morning before i headed to work, i popped a couple alleve (which i now have, thanks to saturday's experience feeling as if i was knocking on heaven's door) and decided to listen to something fun to brighten my outlook. this was good, but my listening selection is now stuck in my head. which is fine for me, but if i start singing lines from the ditty in my head, i think my coworkers will think i'm on crack.
xoxoxoxo - vickie
ps. read matt's latest. crazy bastard. i <3.
2.22.2004
wow.
i'm left most amazed at the fact that they showed the caller id on carrie's cell. biggest surprise of all.
it was grand.
side news: since it is his birthday, i should note that toca has a website. www's, name, .com and all ...
i'm left most amazed at the fact that they showed the caller id on carrie's cell. biggest surprise of all.
it was grand.
side news: since it is his birthday, i should note that toca has a website. www's, name, .com and all ...
the inherent stupidity of mankind (or womankind)
it's funny, the times when you know you shouldn't do something. past experience demonstrates why not to. common logic explain why not to. yet you still remain convinced that this time will be different. this time it will work. and you decide to give it one last shot - consequences be damned.
wow, that just made the actual action sound far more dramatic than it actually is. bwahahahaha.
and, in a delightful surprise, becca succumbs to destressing a couple of friends with a tactic that she knows will work at least some good for each of us. i can't help but laugh in gratitude.
it's funny, the times when you know you shouldn't do something. past experience demonstrates why not to. common logic explain why not to. yet you still remain convinced that this time will be different. this time it will work. and you decide to give it one last shot - consequences be damned.
wow, that just made the actual action sound far more dramatic than it actually is. bwahahahaha.
and, in a delightful surprise, becca succumbs to destressing a couple of friends with a tactic that she knows will work at least some good for each of us. i can't help but laugh in gratitude.
2.21.2004
... dream of a time when your heart was open wide and you loved things just because ...
a day of activity - some good, some decidedly not so good - that has left me feeling exhausted, but in a good way. full of laughter and catching up with friends, enjoying the new stories that have come up in the past week while looking back on memories from years past.
i have in my possession a stack of photographs from college, many of which i had never seen before, all of which are amusing in their own particular ways. it's always interesting to look back on photos and remember the emotions and thoughts present when they were taken. now that i look through the frozen moments, i realize how the situations depicted have changed with the passing of time - or, in the beautiful rare occasions, how the particulars may have been altered but the relationships remain as strong now as then.
i also have new musical goodness to enjoy. how did i miss hearing about the bens? i was giddy when i heard about it. even giddier when i listened to the ep.
as far as the not so decent aspects of the day ... biggest drawback to (temporarily) living alone. when something happens - particularly when you're sick - no one is present to take care of you. it sucks. you begin to think irrationally in your half-delusional state and become convinced that you'll be found, weeks from now, your ultimate demise a mystery for all time. and you think about how you would be ready to sell your soul for someone to place a cool hand on your forehead and tell you you're going to feel better. and get you some apple juice.
but hey, i made it through and - i should note - already feel better. and, for whatever reason, i've been singing rilo kiley all day ...
And sometimes when you're on
You're really fucking on
And your friends they sing along
And they love you
a day of activity - some good, some decidedly not so good - that has left me feeling exhausted, but in a good way. full of laughter and catching up with friends, enjoying the new stories that have come up in the past week while looking back on memories from years past.
i have in my possession a stack of photographs from college, many of which i had never seen before, all of which are amusing in their own particular ways. it's always interesting to look back on photos and remember the emotions and thoughts present when they were taken. now that i look through the frozen moments, i realize how the situations depicted have changed with the passing of time - or, in the beautiful rare occasions, how the particulars may have been altered but the relationships remain as strong now as then.
i also have new musical goodness to enjoy. how did i miss hearing about the bens? i was giddy when i heard about it. even giddier when i listened to the ep.
as far as the not so decent aspects of the day ... biggest drawback to (temporarily) living alone. when something happens - particularly when you're sick - no one is present to take care of you. it sucks. you begin to think irrationally in your half-delusional state and become convinced that you'll be found, weeks from now, your ultimate demise a mystery for all time. and you think about how you would be ready to sell your soul for someone to place a cool hand on your forehead and tell you you're going to feel better. and get you some apple juice.
but hey, i made it through and - i should note - already feel better. and, for whatever reason, i've been singing rilo kiley all day ...
And sometimes when you're on
You're really fucking on
And your friends they sing along
And they love you
insommmmmmnia
i'm sitting here in my living room, curled up on my favorite corner of the enormous pineapple couch. i always sit in this one spot. most likely because it's the corner closest to my table and lamp, also because it's closest to my computer. but you'd think that i'd give the rest of the couch at least a taste of equal opportunity sprawling. nope, it's this corner. even my papason chair is starting to feel the neglect, as it waits for me to cuddle deep in its center in the living room's bohemian nook, with windows, album covers and concert posters on the walls.
i'll settle back into you soon, dear chair. and couch, fear not - i have not forgotten you.
saw "lost in translation" tonight. i'd contemplated purchasing the dvd a few days ago, when i stumbled across a bargain on it while shopping with becca and michelle. i tried to be economical and hold off on the purchase. a few days later, with a sky full of snowflakes and an evening of empty relaxation, i caved and bought it - for a slightly less amazing deal. such is life.
as i expected, i thought it was brilliant. wasn't particularly keen on portions i won't reveal (i'm not a spoiler kind of gal), but it was absolutely fantastic overall. bill murray was once again the unknowning recipient of my esteem while i scored scarlett johanssen for being so fucking talented and beautiful. it's amazing how a film that deals with so little can deal with so much.
continuing the recent trend of transcontinental thoughts prompted by "under the tuscan sun," i now want to visit tokyo. just once and i'd be happy, even if only for a single night. while it looked incredibly interesting by day, i want to see the city by night and feel as if i've stepped a good fifty years into the future.
i had an open invitation to visit japan once - i wonder if the offer still stands. do open invitations ever come with an expiration date? i'd like to think that i could, if i ever found the means and latest contact information, have a smiling face waiting for me at the airport in tokyo were i to ever make the trip. i was promised a few years ago that my likeness would face the japanese horizon - i am confident that it did. that driver's license must have loved japan. i wonder where it is now.
i couldn't help but laugh when the movie ended and i wandered onto my back porch to clear my fuzzy head. my eyes were slightly glazed in my dozy state and i stared out at the house across the yard from mine. a party was raging down the street, the drunk giggles and shouts echoing as they reached my ears. i stared out, not really looking at anything in particular until my eyes focused on the blinking red lights of a tower in the distance. considering the use of similar lights in the movie, i felt like charlotte (scarlett's character) for a brief moment, staring out with the same half-present expression, wondering why i was still awake and realizing that it was not because there was anything in particular to keep me awake. sleep wanted to descend on me, but simply hadn't made the effort yet.
i just didn't have a bill murray around to help bide the time until it decided to. pity.
even now, as i type, my eyelids droop and my head rests against this couch arm. i'm only half awake as is ... so ready to fall asleep. but when i was in a similar state last night, i crawled into bed and stared at my walls for a good hour. i don't want the same to happen tonight. perhaps i should read. maybe i'll bring the computer into my room and listen to music until i fall asleep. not sure.
should mention that i picked up a copy of sondre lerche's full-length album this evening as well (i apologize if i butchered the spelling and will probably fix it tomorrow if i was incorrect). not sure what i think of it at the moment. just as i begin to form an opinion, a new track makes me rethink things. i'm not insanely crazy about it, i can say that with confidence. not bad, not grand. much like the steadman album i picked up awhile ago. listened to it a couple of times - haven't done so again in awhile.
the same was the case with matthew jay. until today, that is. for some reason, "the clearing" popped into my head and i've been unable to shake it. so i decided to give the album another listen and wound up liking it more than i'd anticipated. always a pleasant surprise.
I fall asleep and meet you there
And bring you into a strange affair
You live and breathe in other minds
And sell my future a thousand times
i'm sitting here in my living room, curled up on my favorite corner of the enormous pineapple couch. i always sit in this one spot. most likely because it's the corner closest to my table and lamp, also because it's closest to my computer. but you'd think that i'd give the rest of the couch at least a taste of equal opportunity sprawling. nope, it's this corner. even my papason chair is starting to feel the neglect, as it waits for me to cuddle deep in its center in the living room's bohemian nook, with windows, album covers and concert posters on the walls.
i'll settle back into you soon, dear chair. and couch, fear not - i have not forgotten you.
saw "lost in translation" tonight. i'd contemplated purchasing the dvd a few days ago, when i stumbled across a bargain on it while shopping with becca and michelle. i tried to be economical and hold off on the purchase. a few days later, with a sky full of snowflakes and an evening of empty relaxation, i caved and bought it - for a slightly less amazing deal. such is life.
as i expected, i thought it was brilliant. wasn't particularly keen on portions i won't reveal (i'm not a spoiler kind of gal), but it was absolutely fantastic overall. bill murray was once again the unknowning recipient of my esteem while i scored scarlett johanssen for being so fucking talented and beautiful. it's amazing how a film that deals with so little can deal with so much.
continuing the recent trend of transcontinental thoughts prompted by "under the tuscan sun," i now want to visit tokyo. just once and i'd be happy, even if only for a single night. while it looked incredibly interesting by day, i want to see the city by night and feel as if i've stepped a good fifty years into the future.
i had an open invitation to visit japan once - i wonder if the offer still stands. do open invitations ever come with an expiration date? i'd like to think that i could, if i ever found the means and latest contact information, have a smiling face waiting for me at the airport in tokyo were i to ever make the trip. i was promised a few years ago that my likeness would face the japanese horizon - i am confident that it did. that driver's license must have loved japan. i wonder where it is now.
i couldn't help but laugh when the movie ended and i wandered onto my back porch to clear my fuzzy head. my eyes were slightly glazed in my dozy state and i stared out at the house across the yard from mine. a party was raging down the street, the drunk giggles and shouts echoing as they reached my ears. i stared out, not really looking at anything in particular until my eyes focused on the blinking red lights of a tower in the distance. considering the use of similar lights in the movie, i felt like charlotte (scarlett's character) for a brief moment, staring out with the same half-present expression, wondering why i was still awake and realizing that it was not because there was anything in particular to keep me awake. sleep wanted to descend on me, but simply hadn't made the effort yet.
i just didn't have a bill murray around to help bide the time until it decided to. pity.
even now, as i type, my eyelids droop and my head rests against this couch arm. i'm only half awake as is ... so ready to fall asleep. but when i was in a similar state last night, i crawled into bed and stared at my walls for a good hour. i don't want the same to happen tonight. perhaps i should read. maybe i'll bring the computer into my room and listen to music until i fall asleep. not sure.
should mention that i picked up a copy of sondre lerche's full-length album this evening as well (i apologize if i butchered the spelling and will probably fix it tomorrow if i was incorrect). not sure what i think of it at the moment. just as i begin to form an opinion, a new track makes me rethink things. i'm not insanely crazy about it, i can say that with confidence. not bad, not grand. much like the steadman album i picked up awhile ago. listened to it a couple of times - haven't done so again in awhile.
the same was the case with matthew jay. until today, that is. for some reason, "the clearing" popped into my head and i've been unable to shake it. so i decided to give the album another listen and wound up liking it more than i'd anticipated. always a pleasant surprise.
I fall asleep and meet you there
And bring you into a strange affair
You live and breathe in other minds
And sell my future a thousand times
2.20.2004
i've been hazed ...
... fry-day at the paper. since i never worked fridays during my previous tenure at this establishment, i missed out on the tradition.
no more, i can now say. as the latest in the newsroom, i was the hazee today. off to pub & brewery i went to pick up the french fries. if this is hazing, i'm a lucky gal. snow was starting to fall, sprinkling my face with dots of cold as i thought of the look the waitress must have had on her face as i said, "hi, i'm hoping to order a whole lot of french fries for my office - how many baskets of fries would it take to fill two of those styrofoam containers from nectar's?"
when i arrived, i said i had an order for pickup and the bartender asked if i was "the fry girl." i fought the urge to call him caleb and simply laughed to myself.
but as i prepare for the weekend, i look forward to curling up on my couch and relaxing this evening. i'd been planning on heading south tonight for a weekend at "home," but decided to postpone said venture until tomorrow morning. for once, i'm being smart about the whole weather thing. who would have thought?
but enough of this work thing for a couple of days. i'll put away my stack of town meeting reports, bundle up and head out into the slippery winter wonderland during yet another snowstorm.
still waiting for spring ... perhaps i'll listen to that album (finally) this evening. and, speaking of music relatively new to me, i'm enjoying the two new hd songs from the 9:30 show (particularly "so, goodbye" - love the piano) and jm's newest "thank you" is absolutely gorgeous.
ok, bye.
... fry-day at the paper. since i never worked fridays during my previous tenure at this establishment, i missed out on the tradition.
no more, i can now say. as the latest in the newsroom, i was the hazee today. off to pub & brewery i went to pick up the french fries. if this is hazing, i'm a lucky gal. snow was starting to fall, sprinkling my face with dots of cold as i thought of the look the waitress must have had on her face as i said, "hi, i'm hoping to order a whole lot of french fries for my office - how many baskets of fries would it take to fill two of those styrofoam containers from nectar's?"
when i arrived, i said i had an order for pickup and the bartender asked if i was "the fry girl." i fought the urge to call him caleb and simply laughed to myself.
but as i prepare for the weekend, i look forward to curling up on my couch and relaxing this evening. i'd been planning on heading south tonight for a weekend at "home," but decided to postpone said venture until tomorrow morning. for once, i'm being smart about the whole weather thing. who would have thought?
but enough of this work thing for a couple of days. i'll put away my stack of town meeting reports, bundle up and head out into the slippery winter wonderland during yet another snowstorm.
still waiting for spring ... perhaps i'll listen to that album (finally) this evening. and, speaking of music relatively new to me, i'm enjoying the two new hd songs from the 9:30 show (particularly "so, goodbye" - love the piano) and jm's newest "thank you" is absolutely gorgeous.
ok, bye.
another reason to be cali-bound.
i owe a hug.
the more i hear about coachella, the more interesting it sounds. the timing is pretty great, all things considered, it's likely to be the only radiohead performance in the u.s. this year and, frankly, i just really want to get to california for a few days.
hit up one or both days of the festival, head to sd, give my hug, see the area and head back. airline ticket prices are ridiculously good right now to boot. it's all a sign ...
i owe a hug.
the more i hear about coachella, the more interesting it sounds. the timing is pretty great, all things considered, it's likely to be the only radiohead performance in the u.s. this year and, frankly, i just really want to get to california for a few days.
hit up one or both days of the festival, head to sd, give my hug, see the area and head back. airline ticket prices are ridiculously good right now to boot. it's all a sign ...
2.19.2004
OOH OOH OOH!!!
perhaps because i'm in a festival frame of mine due to bonnaroo thought, perhaps because i've been obsessed with the idea of california for months now, perhaps because i've yet to see radiohead, perhaps because i'm digging numerous members of the lineup.
whatever the reason, coachella sounds grand. eliz made a reference on her lj, for which i say gracias, chica.
may 1 - 2. indio, california - two and a half hours from san diego.
may 1 lineup:
Radiohead
The Pixies
Kraftwerk
Wilco
The (International) Noise Conspiracy
Sparta
Desert Sessions
Laurent Garnier
Hieroglyphics
The Rapture
Stereolab
Future Sound of London
And you will know us by The Trail of Dead
Peretz
Death Cab for Cutie
Kinky
LCD Soundsystem
Living Legends
Seb Fontaine
Sander Kleinenberg
The Black Keys
The Sounds
Howie Day
Junior Senior
Mark Farina
Moving Units
Sahara Hotnights
Electric Six
The Stills
22-20's
Da Lata
Juana Molina
Phantom Planet
Mindless Self Indulgence
Dios
Q and not U
Stellastarr*
Savath & Savalas
Erase Errata
The Section Quartet
DJ Icon
may 2:
The Cure
The Flaming Lips
Air
Belle & Sebastian
Basement Jaxx
Paul Van Dyk
Bright Eyes
Atmosphere
Thursday
BRMC
Cursive
Le Tigre
The Crystal Method
Dizzee Rascal
Ferry Corsten
Adam Freeland
Mogwai
Ash
2many Dj's
Muse
Sidestepper
Danger Mouse
Donald Glaude
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
The Thrills
Elefant
Richard Fearless
Broken Social Scene
Thelonious Monster
The Sleepy Jackson
Prefuse 73
!!!
Pretty Girls Make Graves
The Cooper Temple Clause
Sage Francis
Eyedea & Abilities
T. Raumschmiere
The Killers
Home Town Hero
The Section Quartet
hmm. california. music. radiohead and howie on the same day. two days less than three hours from san diego.
and, in other news, i now have my fourth set of business cards in three years. it's fun, seeing how the collection has grown - it feels almost like full-circle now. first set was a gift from my parents during senior year of college featuring my contact info as defender editor. latest set (hopefully last for awhile) features my info as staff writer for a daily newspaper.
i can follow my career path through my cards ... it tickles me.
yes, i'm an uber dork.
perhaps because i'm in a festival frame of mine due to bonnaroo thought, perhaps because i've been obsessed with the idea of california for months now, perhaps because i've yet to see radiohead, perhaps because i'm digging numerous members of the lineup.
whatever the reason, coachella sounds grand. eliz made a reference on her lj, for which i say gracias, chica.
may 1 - 2. indio, california - two and a half hours from san diego.
may 1 lineup:
Radiohead
The Pixies
Kraftwerk
Wilco
The (International) Noise Conspiracy
Sparta
Desert Sessions
Laurent Garnier
Hieroglyphics
The Rapture
Stereolab
Future Sound of London
And you will know us by The Trail of Dead
Peretz
Death Cab for Cutie
Kinky
LCD Soundsystem
Living Legends
Seb Fontaine
Sander Kleinenberg
The Black Keys
The Sounds
Howie Day
Junior Senior
Mark Farina
Moving Units
Sahara Hotnights
Electric Six
The Stills
22-20's
Da Lata
Juana Molina
Phantom Planet
Mindless Self Indulgence
Dios
Q and not U
Stellastarr*
Savath & Savalas
Erase Errata
The Section Quartet
DJ Icon
may 2:
The Cure
The Flaming Lips
Air
Belle & Sebastian
Basement Jaxx
Paul Van Dyk
Bright Eyes
Atmosphere
Thursday
BRMC
Cursive
Le Tigre
The Crystal Method
Dizzee Rascal
Ferry Corsten
Adam Freeland
Mogwai
Ash
2many Dj's
Muse
Sidestepper
Danger Mouse
Donald Glaude
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
The Thrills
Elefant
Richard Fearless
Broken Social Scene
Thelonious Monster
The Sleepy Jackson
Prefuse 73
!!!
Pretty Girls Make Graves
The Cooper Temple Clause
Sage Francis
Eyedea & Abilities
T. Raumschmiere
The Killers
Home Town Hero
The Section Quartet
hmm. california. music. radiohead and howie on the same day. two days less than three hours from san diego.
and, in other news, i now have my fourth set of business cards in three years. it's fun, seeing how the collection has grown - it feels almost like full-circle now. first set was a gift from my parents during senior year of college featuring my contact info as defender editor. latest set (hopefully last for awhile) features my info as staff writer for a daily newspaper.
i can follow my career path through my cards ... it tickles me.
yes, i'm an uber dork.
daily rations.
the other day, i downloaded a video file of "king stahlman's bail bond blues," recorded last month at java joe's. since i was both impressed with him on the video and had heard his name mentioned in some recent non-mraz discussion, i decided to do a little digging around and find information on pete thurston.
it was a good call on my part, if i do say so myself. while i'm waiting to download mp3s, pete's page on the 91x website alone demonstrates why i like this guy. for the past couple of months, he's been appearing on the morning show at 91x, a san diego radio station, to perform musical reviews of films. he started with "return of the king" and has since reviewed films including "the big bounce," "big fish," "barbershop 2," and "50 first dates." i've only listened to "return of the king," as i'm planning on rationing out these little ditties. the first review left me laughing uproariously. beth can confirm this, as she called during the song and i answered the phone mid-laugh.
he also has a great idea for songwriting. since he's been having so much fun with the 91x gig, he's accepting song ideas and will make a cd of the songs based on the stories he selects. i sent one in - we'll see what happens. and i think i might order an album. depends on what i think of the mp3s.
anyway, check him out.
and, in quick other news: i continue to be intrigued by the bonnaroo idea. i think i want to go. comment if you want to be further contacted about the possibility - i want to round up a posse.
chloe sends the best emails ever.
the other day, i downloaded a video file of "king stahlman's bail bond blues," recorded last month at java joe's. since i was both impressed with him on the video and had heard his name mentioned in some recent non-mraz discussion, i decided to do a little digging around and find information on pete thurston.
it was a good call on my part, if i do say so myself. while i'm waiting to download mp3s, pete's page on the 91x website alone demonstrates why i like this guy. for the past couple of months, he's been appearing on the morning show at 91x, a san diego radio station, to perform musical reviews of films. he started with "return of the king" and has since reviewed films including "the big bounce," "big fish," "barbershop 2," and "50 first dates." i've only listened to "return of the king," as i'm planning on rationing out these little ditties. the first review left me laughing uproariously. beth can confirm this, as she called during the song and i answered the phone mid-laugh.
he also has a great idea for songwriting. since he's been having so much fun with the 91x gig, he's accepting song ideas and will make a cd of the songs based on the stories he selects. i sent one in - we'll see what happens. and i think i might order an album. depends on what i think of the mp3s.
anyway, check him out.
and, in quick other news: i continue to be intrigued by the bonnaroo idea. i think i want to go. comment if you want to be further contacted about the possibility - i want to round up a posse.
chloe sends the best emails ever.
2.18.2004
thank ye, kind bostonians
averi is playing at nectar's on april 2. for those either not from burlington or not obsessed with phish, nectar's is a bar on main street that phish frequented back in the day when they were building their fanbase. many say nectar's made phish famous. it's also right below metronome, where averi played for the benefit show.
and paradise may 1 (well, technically also april 30, but work conflicts). boston ...
i'm in on both counts. who else? paul?
we now resume your broadcast day.
averi is playing at nectar's on april 2. for those either not from burlington or not obsessed with phish, nectar's is a bar on main street that phish frequented back in the day when they were building their fanbase. many say nectar's made phish famous. it's also right below metronome, where averi played for the benefit show.
and paradise may 1 (well, technically also april 30, but work conflicts). boston ...
i'm in on both counts. who else? paul?
we now resume your broadcast day.
...
new journal.
St. Valentine is honored for continuing to marry lovers without the approval of the church. He was busted and beheaded on the 14th of February. Supposedly he wrote letters to his jailer’s daughter and his last one was cleverly signed, “love, your Valentine.” Years later, a king recognized this and sent the first love letter on this day. Centuries after that, someone got smart in the Americas and copied the cause for correspondence for their own coital curiosities, thus giving hallmark something positive to cash in on, rather than cards about, “Sorry I died today, try to remember me.” (Like some other pretty important card giving holidays.)
thank you for giving me a perfect idea for next year's v-day cards.
after going to sleep around 4 last night and waking up a few hours later, i've spent the day driving around the great state of ours, trying to track down town clerks for the information they seemed quite unwilling to give. then tried to talk to people about the good vermont doctor's concession speech, which everyone seemed quite unwilling to discuss. and i drove up and down the hilliest road possible which was, naturally, packed down with snow to the point of bearing striking resemblance to ice. it was like i was riding this winter wonderland roller coaster - only i was technically supposed to be steering the roller coaster. since the road was so narrow and the snowdrifts so high on either side, i pretty much let the car go where it wanted. fortunately it seemed to want to stay the course. good red.
i love long conversations with a small group of people in which each group member feels more intelligent by conversation's end. especially when a good amount of alcohol is involved.
really, how can you not feel brighter after brecht is brought into the conversation?
new journal.
St. Valentine is honored for continuing to marry lovers without the approval of the church. He was busted and beheaded on the 14th of February. Supposedly he wrote letters to his jailer’s daughter and his last one was cleverly signed, “love, your Valentine.” Years later, a king recognized this and sent the first love letter on this day. Centuries after that, someone got smart in the Americas and copied the cause for correspondence for their own coital curiosities, thus giving hallmark something positive to cash in on, rather than cards about, “Sorry I died today, try to remember me.” (Like some other pretty important card giving holidays.)
thank you for giving me a perfect idea for next year's v-day cards.
after going to sleep around 4 last night and waking up a few hours later, i've spent the day driving around the great state of ours, trying to track down town clerks for the information they seemed quite unwilling to give. then tried to talk to people about the good vermont doctor's concession speech, which everyone seemed quite unwilling to discuss. and i drove up and down the hilliest road possible which was, naturally, packed down with snow to the point of bearing striking resemblance to ice. it was like i was riding this winter wonderland roller coaster - only i was technically supposed to be steering the roller coaster. since the road was so narrow and the snowdrifts so high on either side, i pretty much let the car go where it wanted. fortunately it seemed to want to stay the course. good red.
i love long conversations with a small group of people in which each group member feels more intelligent by conversation's end. especially when a good amount of alcohol is involved.
really, how can you not feel brighter after brecht is brought into the conversation?
2.17.2004
quick notes of appreciation
dear david gray -
thank you, once again, for "babylon."
dear church street busker -
thank you for brightening my day by playing "babylon" this afternoon. thank you for your appreciative and knowing smile as i softly sang along as i passed by.
dear theater company -
thank you for still wanting me to review your performances and thank you for the opening night tickets. i'm hoping that perhaps i'll be able to attend.
dear david gray -
thank you, once again, for "babylon."
dear church street busker -
thank you for brightening my day by playing "babylon" this afternoon. thank you for your appreciative and knowing smile as i softly sang along as i passed by.
dear theater company -
thank you for still wanting me to review your performances and thank you for the opening night tickets. i'm hoping that perhaps i'll be able to attend.
couldn't make it up if i tried
ladies, if i could make five of myself, i'd go and marry you all. ... i'm sorry to have interrupted. no, i'm really not. i'm like the black care bear. there's a big heart on my chest.
somehow that's getting into the great american novel when i finally sit down to write it.
wisconsin doesn't have to be a rubber stamp for the media and the pollsters. - howard dean
thud, thud, thud. the horse is so beyond dead. stop beating the poor thing and let it rest in peace.
apparently i'm going to be a speaker/representative at a networking social.
and, finally, while i experienced desires to move to tuscany and restore a villa after watching "under the tuscan sun," i also realized how much i like david sutcliffe. as far as the movie itself - quite nice. i was laughed at for cheering and coaxing along characters on several occasions and was caught with my jaw dropped on numerous occasions at the sheer beauty of the locations.
ladies, if i could make five of myself, i'd go and marry you all. ... i'm sorry to have interrupted. no, i'm really not. i'm like the black care bear. there's a big heart on my chest.
somehow that's getting into the great american novel when i finally sit down to write it.
wisconsin doesn't have to be a rubber stamp for the media and the pollsters. - howard dean
thud, thud, thud. the horse is so beyond dead. stop beating the poor thing and let it rest in peace.
apparently i'm going to be a speaker/representative at a networking social.
and, finally, while i experienced desires to move to tuscany and restore a villa after watching "under the tuscan sun," i also realized how much i like david sutcliffe. as far as the movie itself - quite nice. i was laughed at for cheering and coaxing along characters on several occasions and was caught with my jaw dropped on numerous occasions at the sheer beauty of the locations.
2.16.2004
2.14.2004
side note, as i start the 12th hour of my workday ...
some major finds on my still-intact college network drive. my jim morrison/shamanism paper for a kirk class, two papers (one of which became a defender article) about john mayer (the defender article includes this: if mayer's performance feb. 26 at lupo's heartbreak hotel in providence, r.i. is any indication, mayer is well on his way to becoming a bona fide rock star. unfortunately for long-time fans, it also indicates a step in a new musical direction--one that pales in comparison to the style that earned his success in the first place.), various other amusing papers in which i write with wit and biting sarcasm, a thought paper about a kirk class during which i was focused on morrison and james dean, and a response to 9-11.
and, perhaps most amusing, a review of sse's "faustus" i wrote for acting class, in which i say: yet brandhagen did a fine job, providing some comedic aspects to the character. his lack of respect for his superiors was hilarious, showing the tendancies we all have in the backs of our minds when faced with showing mandatory respect to those higher than us. through wagner, we were able to get in touch with our own temptations.
oh and one of my favorite interesting photos - i thought i'd lost it permanently.
some major finds on my still-intact college network drive. my jim morrison/shamanism paper for a kirk class, two papers (one of which became a defender article) about john mayer (the defender article includes this: if mayer's performance feb. 26 at lupo's heartbreak hotel in providence, r.i. is any indication, mayer is well on his way to becoming a bona fide rock star. unfortunately for long-time fans, it also indicates a step in a new musical direction--one that pales in comparison to the style that earned his success in the first place.), various other amusing papers in which i write with wit and biting sarcasm, a thought paper about a kirk class during which i was focused on morrison and james dean, and a response to 9-11.
and, perhaps most amusing, a review of sse's "faustus" i wrote for acting class, in which i say: yet brandhagen did a fine job, providing some comedic aspects to the character. his lack of respect for his superiors was hilarious, showing the tendancies we all have in the backs of our minds when faced with showing mandatory respect to those higher than us. through wagner, we were able to get in touch with our own temptations.
oh and one of my favorite interesting photos - i thought i'd lost it permanently.
whoa. scary flashback.
as i type this, i am sitting in the second floor st. ed's computer lab on the st. mike's campus. i was surprised - pleasantly - to discover that my account still exists ... i'd thought it would be deleted the day after graduation (last time i worked user support, it was scheduled to ...). but, joy of joys, it still exists, which gives me the opportunity to write the first part of my cheerleading story in between divisional competitions. whoo hoo!
i'm not going to pretend that it's not a really strange experience sitting here, though. to think that the last time i did was almost two years ago ... probably finishing up some task or, perhaps, working on defender work. the computers have all changed ... much posher equipment than we had at the time, which was cutting edge as far as we were concerned. to think that ... what, five and a half years ago i walked in here for the first time to do a lab checkup on all of the macs (burn in hell, mac shite!) with jesse on my first day at user support ...
anyway. surreal sensations aside, i'm making the most of my day in pom pom land. upon walking into ross (for the first time since wearing a cap and gown for the end of life as i knew it), i immediately ran into will and chatted for most of the hour i had to kill before competition started. i love conversations where you and your fellow converser ask questions about what each has been doing since graduation, but it has a feel to it as if time hasn't really passed. it's grand ...
... apparently the admissions board is only accepting students now who could have (or should have) been in an a&f ad. good thing i had already made it through the system ... otherwise i'd have been looking at a definite four years at elmira.
ok. time to capture the cheerleading moments in print. wish luck ... i'll be needing it. maybe i'll just try to convince myself i'm working on another kirk paper. or perhaps not ... that would require for me to go make a screwdriver or vodka cran and pull another hemingway.
as i type this, i am sitting in the second floor st. ed's computer lab on the st. mike's campus. i was surprised - pleasantly - to discover that my account still exists ... i'd thought it would be deleted the day after graduation (last time i worked user support, it was scheduled to ...). but, joy of joys, it still exists, which gives me the opportunity to write the first part of my cheerleading story in between divisional competitions. whoo hoo!
i'm not going to pretend that it's not a really strange experience sitting here, though. to think that the last time i did was almost two years ago ... probably finishing up some task or, perhaps, working on defender work. the computers have all changed ... much posher equipment than we had at the time, which was cutting edge as far as we were concerned. to think that ... what, five and a half years ago i walked in here for the first time to do a lab checkup on all of the macs (burn in hell, mac shite!) with jesse on my first day at user support ...
anyway. surreal sensations aside, i'm making the most of my day in pom pom land. upon walking into ross (for the first time since wearing a cap and gown for the end of life as i knew it), i immediately ran into will and chatted for most of the hour i had to kill before competition started. i love conversations where you and your fellow converser ask questions about what each has been doing since graduation, but it has a feel to it as if time hasn't really passed. it's grand ...
... apparently the admissions board is only accepting students now who could have (or should have) been in an a&f ad. good thing i had already made it through the system ... otherwise i'd have been looking at a definite four years at elmira.
ok. time to capture the cheerleading moments in print. wish luck ... i'll be needing it. maybe i'll just try to convince myself i'm working on another kirk paper. or perhaps not ... that would require for me to go make a screwdriver or vodka cran and pull another hemingway.
2.13.2004
a festival every five years?
in 1999, an 18-year-old victoria endured the oppressive heat, excessive prices and huge hordes of people to see some of her then favorite musicians at woodstock '99. the three days also included a medical tent visit and subsequent IV (prompted by the now infamous name identification of "vickie ... tori ... drew ... any of them really. hi."), peaceful slumber in an airplane hanger and getting lost with at least 249,999 of my closest friends.
since i left before the riots, i ended my woodstock experience with a surprisingly positive opinion, believe it or not. at the time, i said i would definitely come back for woodstock '04 - they'd have to work out the kinks, right?
oddly enough, no plans for woodstock '04 that i've heard. hmm, wonder why.
but the lineup for bonnaroo '04 is looking pretty tight ... do i dare consider taking a tennessee mini-vaca in june?
among others, dave & friends, medeski martin & wood, dylan, damien rice, m5, moe., the dead, string cheese incident, willie nelson (come on, he's a legend!), ANI, etc ...
but it's funny - looking at the website, it's deja vu. feels like i'm just visiting the woodstock festival site half a decade ago ...
i have heard great things about bonnaroo, though. anyone been before? comment and let me know if i should consider devoting my time and energy to the possibility ...
in 1999, an 18-year-old victoria endured the oppressive heat, excessive prices and huge hordes of people to see some of her then favorite musicians at woodstock '99. the three days also included a medical tent visit and subsequent IV (prompted by the now infamous name identification of "vickie ... tori ... drew ... any of them really. hi."), peaceful slumber in an airplane hanger and getting lost with at least 249,999 of my closest friends.
since i left before the riots, i ended my woodstock experience with a surprisingly positive opinion, believe it or not. at the time, i said i would definitely come back for woodstock '04 - they'd have to work out the kinks, right?
oddly enough, no plans for woodstock '04 that i've heard. hmm, wonder why.
but the lineup for bonnaroo '04 is looking pretty tight ... do i dare consider taking a tennessee mini-vaca in june?
among others, dave & friends, medeski martin & wood, dylan, damien rice, m5, moe., the dead, string cheese incident, willie nelson (come on, he's a legend!), ANI, etc ...
but it's funny - looking at the website, it's deja vu. feels like i'm just visiting the woodstock festival site half a decade ago ...
i have heard great things about bonnaroo, though. anyone been before? comment and let me know if i should consider devoting my time and energy to the possibility ...
so that's what all the fuss was about ...
about a week ago, i received a letter from new york that had been sent to my parents' home in my name. as it was uncermoniously tossed onto my coffeetable by my messenger parents, i was told that it was from "james somebody, i think?"
turns out it was from james houghton of the o'neill - and he had sent a letter to anyone who had participated in the playwrights conference during his four years as artistic director. he wrote to inform us that he had resigned from the position and wanted to thank us for making the conference everything it was during his time there.
perhaps overly optimistic, perhaps just unsure of where i could find out what happened, i assumed he was moving on to tackle some new challenge or whatnot. i met him briefly at my festival, but it was more of a polite "hi, i'm the director, you're one of the critics i'll talk to about criticism and the theater." at the time, we were informing him of how the trustees had treated us during a discussion period, so he wasn't exactly relaxed and in the chattiest of moods anyway.
but i digress. turns out the o'neill is experiencing much more controversy than i had realized ... as reported by playbill and, in an article i missed, the times. frankly, reading about the decision to change the playwright submission policy, i'm exasperated. invite playwrights to submit their works? one of the conference's strongest assets has always been that anyone could submit. the work would stand on its own - in theory, new unknowns would be on equal footing with playwrights far more established.
i understand that the staff faces an arduous task, reading all of the plays. but the conference works so well (in my opinion) because it's open for anyone with a desire to put structure to the stories in his or her head. i just feel that the conference will be missing out on some absolutely brilliant work if this practice becomes permanent policy. and the sad thing is that no one will even realize it.
about a week ago, i received a letter from new york that had been sent to my parents' home in my name. as it was uncermoniously tossed onto my coffeetable by my messenger parents, i was told that it was from "james somebody, i think?"
turns out it was from james houghton of the o'neill - and he had sent a letter to anyone who had participated in the playwrights conference during his four years as artistic director. he wrote to inform us that he had resigned from the position and wanted to thank us for making the conference everything it was during his time there.
perhaps overly optimistic, perhaps just unsure of where i could find out what happened, i assumed he was moving on to tackle some new challenge or whatnot. i met him briefly at my festival, but it was more of a polite "hi, i'm the director, you're one of the critics i'll talk to about criticism and the theater." at the time, we were informing him of how the trustees had treated us during a discussion period, so he wasn't exactly relaxed and in the chattiest of moods anyway.
but i digress. turns out the o'neill is experiencing much more controversy than i had realized ... as reported by playbill and, in an article i missed, the times. frankly, reading about the decision to change the playwright submission policy, i'm exasperated. invite playwrights to submit their works? one of the conference's strongest assets has always been that anyone could submit. the work would stand on its own - in theory, new unknowns would be on equal footing with playwrights far more established.
i understand that the staff faces an arduous task, reading all of the plays. but the conference works so well (in my opinion) because it's open for anyone with a desire to put structure to the stories in his or her head. i just feel that the conference will be missing out on some absolutely brilliant work if this practice becomes permanent policy. and the sad thing is that no one will even realize it.
ich liebe freigtag der dreizehnte
guten tag, meine damen und herren ...
wow, total flashback to the "deutsch actuel!!!" videos we used to watch in high school. "das ist thomas huber. er wohnt im hamburg ..."
anyhoo. friday the thirteenth - traditionally one of my favorite days. and the weekend approaches ... and what a hectic weekend it shall be. becca arrives this evening for her night at casa victoria, where she will finally be able to experience all that is the apartment's pineapple-furnished goodness. on saturday, i spend my least favorite of calendar holidays at st. michael's, where i will experience hour upon hour of cheerleading for the story i'll be writing. seems somewhat appropriate - at least i'm not spending a good holiday on it, right?
saturday also marks michelle's arrival in northern vermont, where she'll also experience casa victoria and the pineapple apholstery. it should be a fun visit and will include returns to various haunts i have not explored in ages (including a return to red square grippo mondays, which will become a much more regular event once my new work schedule goes into effect).
i'll likely continue my valentine's tradition of wearing black on the hallmark holiday - although i expect to, per tradition, find some way of fitting red into the mix.
since tomorrow is sure to be a day of hectic activity and little blog time, i thought i would offer up my annual analysis of valentine's day a day early. beat the rush, if you will (which really isn't beating the rush at all, since we've been seeing valentine's items everywher since the second of the year, but hey).
i was looking back on old posts around this time to see if my opinion of the holiday has changed at all. it turns out it has, although only more in the direction of annoyance or indifference, depending on how many hallmark ads i've seen on a given day. i can remember being younger, filling out all of the store-bought cards so i could be sure to hand out one to everyone in my class (and know that everyone would, in turn, hand one to me). i still have the best valentine's card i ever received - a small card with a little green monster on the front, a hand-drawn cartoon of myself falling down the stairs on the back. andrew gave it to me in sixth grade and i loved and hated it at the same time - i knew i'd keep it for awhile. over a decade later, it's still packed away in a box with other childhood keepsakes.
other than being teased about a pre-teen reminder gravity's forces, i've had few, if any, truly memorable valentine's days. the closest thing i've had to having a valentine would be the long-distance call i received from someone buzzed and feeling alternately gruff and sentimental two years ago. i'm not exactly a juicy source for successful v-day drama.
but even if i did have a valentine, i think i would find the day just as annoying. why do people feel the need to devote one day to telling people how they feel when they should really spend the other 364 calendar days doing just that? why force chocolates and flowers down the throats of those in and out of relationships? and why have a day that, in its own sneaky sort of way, is designed to make those who do not have someone special feel somehow inferior? oh look, there's the girl with the roses - and there's the girl without.
there's too much pressure on valentine's day - for everyone. i don't intend to spend tomorrow evening thinking about how i'm not in a relationship, but i'm sure i'll walk by some lovey dovey couple and the thought will at least flutter through my mind. and for those who are in relationships - whoa. what are you going to do for valentine's day? how are you going to make it Special? how much money are you going to spend? bah.
i'm going to spend at least a portion of the day (the portion that's not drowning in a sea of pom poms) laughing and enjoying a saturday night. i intend to exchange hugs and smiles with the friends i'm with, make and receive phone calls from the friends farther away. if i'll celebrate valentine's day at all, it'll be a celebration of love for the people who are in my life that i care about. it may not be hallmark worthy, but it's good enough for me this year.
"Wann faehrt der naechste Kuh nach das Congo?"
***please note the edit on the interview post***
***additional edit: anti-valentine's day tirade aside, i will say that it did make me smile when i arrived home from work to find the two red envelopes waiting in my mailbox. neither was from hallmark and both were from people prone to sending me bits of thoughtfulness, so i attributed it to sweetness rather than anything completely prompted by v-day. - vmw, 6:41 p.m.***
guten tag, meine damen und herren ...
wow, total flashback to the "deutsch actuel!!!" videos we used to watch in high school. "das ist thomas huber. er wohnt im hamburg ..."
anyhoo. friday the thirteenth - traditionally one of my favorite days. and the weekend approaches ... and what a hectic weekend it shall be. becca arrives this evening for her night at casa victoria, where she will finally be able to experience all that is the apartment's pineapple-furnished goodness. on saturday, i spend my least favorite of calendar holidays at st. michael's, where i will experience hour upon hour of cheerleading for the story i'll be writing. seems somewhat appropriate - at least i'm not spending a good holiday on it, right?
saturday also marks michelle's arrival in northern vermont, where she'll also experience casa victoria and the pineapple apholstery. it should be a fun visit and will include returns to various haunts i have not explored in ages (including a return to red square grippo mondays, which will become a much more regular event once my new work schedule goes into effect).
i'll likely continue my valentine's tradition of wearing black on the hallmark holiday - although i expect to, per tradition, find some way of fitting red into the mix.
since tomorrow is sure to be a day of hectic activity and little blog time, i thought i would offer up my annual analysis of valentine's day a day early. beat the rush, if you will (which really isn't beating the rush at all, since we've been seeing valentine's items everywher since the second of the year, but hey).
i was looking back on old posts around this time to see if my opinion of the holiday has changed at all. it turns out it has, although only more in the direction of annoyance or indifference, depending on how many hallmark ads i've seen on a given day. i can remember being younger, filling out all of the store-bought cards so i could be sure to hand out one to everyone in my class (and know that everyone would, in turn, hand one to me). i still have the best valentine's card i ever received - a small card with a little green monster on the front, a hand-drawn cartoon of myself falling down the stairs on the back. andrew gave it to me in sixth grade and i loved and hated it at the same time - i knew i'd keep it for awhile. over a decade later, it's still packed away in a box with other childhood keepsakes.
other than being teased about a pre-teen reminder gravity's forces, i've had few, if any, truly memorable valentine's days. the closest thing i've had to having a valentine would be the long-distance call i received from someone buzzed and feeling alternately gruff and sentimental two years ago. i'm not exactly a juicy source for successful v-day drama.
but even if i did have a valentine, i think i would find the day just as annoying. why do people feel the need to devote one day to telling people how they feel when they should really spend the other 364 calendar days doing just that? why force chocolates and flowers down the throats of those in and out of relationships? and why have a day that, in its own sneaky sort of way, is designed to make those who do not have someone special feel somehow inferior? oh look, there's the girl with the roses - and there's the girl without.
there's too much pressure on valentine's day - for everyone. i don't intend to spend tomorrow evening thinking about how i'm not in a relationship, but i'm sure i'll walk by some lovey dovey couple and the thought will at least flutter through my mind. and for those who are in relationships - whoa. what are you going to do for valentine's day? how are you going to make it Special? how much money are you going to spend? bah.
i'm going to spend at least a portion of the day (the portion that's not drowning in a sea of pom poms) laughing and enjoying a saturday night. i intend to exchange hugs and smiles with the friends i'm with, make and receive phone calls from the friends farther away. if i'll celebrate valentine's day at all, it'll be a celebration of love for the people who are in my life that i care about. it may not be hallmark worthy, but it's good enough for me this year.
"Wann faehrt der naechste Kuh nach das Congo?"
***please note the edit on the interview post***
***additional edit: anti-valentine's day tirade aside, i will say that it did make me smile when i arrived home from work to find the two red envelopes waiting in my mailbox. neither was from hallmark and both were from people prone to sending me bits of thoughtfulness, so i attributed it to sweetness rather than anything completely prompted by v-day. - vmw, 6:41 p.m.***
2.12.2004
next up: nick and jessica
i'm still laughing.
CNN.com: It's splitsville for Barbie and Ken
Couple 'will remain friends,' says Mattel
Thursday, February 12, 2004 Posted: 1:06 PM EST (1806 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Just like J.Lo and Ben, the romance is over for Barbie and Ken.
After 43 years as one of the world's prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple's "business manager," Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time -- apart."
"Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end," said Arons, who quickly added that the duo "will remain friends."
Arons denied that there was any truth to rumors that the breakup was linked to the Cali (as in California) Girl Barbie, arriving in stores now. To better reflect her single status, Cali Barbie will wear board shorts and a bikini top, metal hoop earrings, and have a deeper tan.
This new style already has attracted a new admirer, Blaine the Australian boogie boarder.
Barbie -- the most popular fashion doll in the world, according to toy maker Mattel -- met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married. All those bridal Barbie dolls in toy chests around the globe are really just examples of Barbie's wishful thinking, she explained.
Another possible factor is Barbie's career. The doll who was "born" Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959 has been everything from a rock star to military medic, and she's currently marketed in more than 150 countries. According to Mattel, every second, three Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.
So where does that leave Ken? Said Arons: "He will head for other waves."
i'm still laughing.
CNN.com: It's splitsville for Barbie and Ken
Couple 'will remain friends,' says Mattel
Thursday, February 12, 2004 Posted: 1:06 PM EST (1806 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Just like J.Lo and Ben, the romance is over for Barbie and Ken.
After 43 years as one of the world's prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple's "business manager," Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time -- apart."
"Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end," said Arons, who quickly added that the duo "will remain friends."
Arons denied that there was any truth to rumors that the breakup was linked to the Cali (as in California) Girl Barbie, arriving in stores now. To better reflect her single status, Cali Barbie will wear board shorts and a bikini top, metal hoop earrings, and have a deeper tan.
This new style already has attracted a new admirer, Blaine the Australian boogie boarder.
Barbie -- the most popular fashion doll in the world, according to toy maker Mattel -- met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married. All those bridal Barbie dolls in toy chests around the globe are really just examples of Barbie's wishful thinking, she explained.
Another possible factor is Barbie's career. The doll who was "born" Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959 has been everything from a rock star to military medic, and she's currently marketed in more than 150 countries. According to Mattel, every second, three Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.
So where does that leave Ken? Said Arons: "He will head for other waves."
perhaps inspired by last night's "no, not me, let's talk about YOU!" ...
... and also a fun way to work my interviewing skills. nevertheless, i stumbled across this concept today and liked it. while most of y'all don't have blogs/ljs/anything of that nature, perhaps it'll encourage you to get one? (wishful thinking?)
****edit: email works too, for those blog/lj-less souls****
An Interview - The rules:
1 - Leave a comment, saying you want to be interviewed.
2 - I will respond; I'll ask you five questions.
3 - You'll update your journal with my five questions, and your five answers.
4 - You'll include this explanation.
5 - You'll ask other people five questions when they want to be interviewed.
... and also a fun way to work my interviewing skills. nevertheless, i stumbled across this concept today and liked it. while most of y'all don't have blogs/ljs/anything of that nature, perhaps it'll encourage you to get one? (wishful thinking?)
****edit: email works too, for those blog/lj-less souls****
An Interview - The rules:
1 - Leave a comment, saying you want to be interviewed.
2 - I will respond; I'll ask you five questions.
3 - You'll update your journal with my five questions, and your five answers.
4 - You'll include this explanation.
5 - You'll ask other people five questions when they want to be interviewed.
before i knew of the power of the blog
i stumbled across this today. i can't recall precisely when i started it, but i believe it was early junior year ... perhaps a little earlier. i even had a blog without the blogger for awhile - sophomore year, but because people were fooling around with it (i.e. adam), i printed out all the pages and then deleted it.
and now have no idea where the pages are. pity.
anyway. i played with the idea of a site for awhile, so be amused. some of the info was updated to the last time i really utilized it - the bio page for instance - and i am particularly amused by my use of john mayer lyrics on several occasions. and my pledge (on the links page) to someday see a full-scale dmb concert.
for whatever reason, i chose not to post this on the blog, but i posted it on the site ...
i still love that david gray quote, though.
i stumbled across this today. i can't recall precisely when i started it, but i believe it was early junior year ... perhaps a little earlier. i even had a blog without the blogger for awhile - sophomore year, but because people were fooling around with it (i.e. adam), i printed out all the pages and then deleted it.
and now have no idea where the pages are. pity.
anyway. i played with the idea of a site for awhile, so be amused. some of the info was updated to the last time i really utilized it - the bio page for instance - and i am particularly amused by my use of john mayer lyrics on several occasions. and my pledge (on the links page) to someday see a full-scale dmb concert.
for whatever reason, i chose not to post this on the blog, but i posted it on the site ...
i still love that david gray quote, though.
seething with frustration
OR
oh fuck off
i am going to be composed, cool and collected. so i'm an idiot - big deal. so i can't write - hey, it'll be ok. so i feel as if i am the moron of the office - alright, we'll deal with it.
i have lost the ability to write anything. i have not had a day yet during which i have felt capable of ... well ... doing much of anything. i'm planning on taking a walk in a few minutes - going outside to cool off among the falling snowflakes, get a cup of coffee and relax.
did i really learn so little during my college education? am i really that stupid? or is it that i'm just not supposed to do this afterall? am i just making things more difficult for myself by doubting my abilities? write what you know - well, i was. and now i'm writing about things i don't know. and i'm getting fucking pissed off.
i'm a good writer and i know it. but trying to figure out how to fit that writing into the necessary style - figuring out how to find the quirky things, the things worth reading - it's proving much more difficult than anticipated. i'm reminding myself that this is a first step. and that it takes everyone a few months when they begin in this type of setting to settle in and have things come more easily. but even the basic writing is leaving me frustrated. for christ's sake, what's my problem?
i worked so hard yesterday and felt as if i had accomplished so much. and now i'm feeling like the thrashing machine i'd been avoiding is on top of me.
i know it's impossible to write your own ticket and do exactly what you want all of the time, but still ... i never thought it would feel more like Work than anything else.
OR
oh fuck off
i am going to be composed, cool and collected. so i'm an idiot - big deal. so i can't write - hey, it'll be ok. so i feel as if i am the moron of the office - alright, we'll deal with it.
i have lost the ability to write anything. i have not had a day yet during which i have felt capable of ... well ... doing much of anything. i'm planning on taking a walk in a few minutes - going outside to cool off among the falling snowflakes, get a cup of coffee and relax.
did i really learn so little during my college education? am i really that stupid? or is it that i'm just not supposed to do this afterall? am i just making things more difficult for myself by doubting my abilities? write what you know - well, i was. and now i'm writing about things i don't know. and i'm getting fucking pissed off.
i'm a good writer and i know it. but trying to figure out how to fit that writing into the necessary style - figuring out how to find the quirky things, the things worth reading - it's proving much more difficult than anticipated. i'm reminding myself that this is a first step. and that it takes everyone a few months when they begin in this type of setting to settle in and have things come more easily. but even the basic writing is leaving me frustrated. for christ's sake, what's my problem?
i worked so hard yesterday and felt as if i had accomplished so much. and now i'm feeling like the thrashing machine i'd been avoiding is on top of me.
i know it's impossible to write your own ticket and do exactly what you want all of the time, but still ... i never thought it would feel more like Work than anything else.
2.11.2004
121 minutes?
v: let's say, hypothetically speaking, that i were normal and hadn't developed such infatuations. who would you be infatuated with?
b: i wouldn't know! i just don't get celebrity crushes the way you have. it's like i crush vicariously though you! i'm not normal either!
...
b: there are guys i'd now say i'd have celebrity crushes on, but i wouldn't have if i didn't know about their personalities. and how did i find out about their personalities? you!
nearly two hours of completely superficial banter about "what if" scenarios. hilaritiy ensues. sometimes you need to abandon deep thought and just be silly.
and, since the question was posed and i've had time to ponder: tv news type: jon stewart.
as i'm writing this, beth calls to inform me of what construction worker she'd sleep with. beth reply: ty. victoria reply: evan on "while you were out."
"ooh! i'd sleep with him too! i could be a beth construction sandwich!"
colin farrell and justin timberlake get the "shut up, don't ruin it" award. lenny could just stand there and howie, according to my partner in crime, would just have to sit on a table. in his jeans.
what? guys do it all the time ... why can't we?
v: let's say, hypothetically speaking, that i were normal and hadn't developed such infatuations. who would you be infatuated with?
b: i wouldn't know! i just don't get celebrity crushes the way you have. it's like i crush vicariously though you! i'm not normal either!
...
b: there are guys i'd now say i'd have celebrity crushes on, but i wouldn't have if i didn't know about their personalities. and how did i find out about their personalities? you!
nearly two hours of completely superficial banter about "what if" scenarios. hilaritiy ensues. sometimes you need to abandon deep thought and just be silly.
and, since the question was posed and i've had time to ponder: tv news type: jon stewart.
as i'm writing this, beth calls to inform me of what construction worker she'd sleep with. beth reply: ty. victoria reply: evan on "while you were out."
"ooh! i'd sleep with him too! i could be a beth construction sandwich!"
colin farrell and justin timberlake get the "shut up, don't ruin it" award. lenny could just stand there and howie, according to my partner in crime, would just have to sit on a table. in his jeans.
what? guys do it all the time ... why can't we?
running the hamster wheel
there's an old analogy i came across at some point during college that compared journalism to running in front of a thrashing machine. you're constantly running running running, offering something to feed the machine while you have time to start creeping away. but the machine catches up and persues you until you come up with a new story and buy some extra time.
i've been running like the wind today. the day raced by, as i was busy focusing on three, sometimes four different stories at once. phone calls and messages left that needed to be recalled when the person returned my call. "oh yes, hello!!! how are you doing today?" as i scurry to find my notes.
but i've accomplished much. not as much as i wanted, but, then again, i never accomplish as much as i might like. i'm not crazy about the fact that i still feel as if i'm a monkey trying to speak in ambic pentameter, but i have a feeling that this will be a sensation i am likely to experience for the rest of my days. realize, accept, embrace.
i'm a lass of simple needs this evening. head home sometime in the (hopefully) near future, collect my gym gear and head out to work out. i have a feeling that an active body will help create an active mind. the part of me that whines about a good concert drought is pestering the rest of me to head to the o.a.r. show tonight but, even though i know i should, the week has already been too long and i would be dead to the world tomorrow. instead, i've promised myself to catch an o.a.r. show sometime soon (i know, i know, always promises. i've got a list a mile long.) some dinner, some relaxation time and then i'll be in a good mindset for the coming few days - all quite full of work but also visits from smiling faces and good times. cheer fever, yes (much to my chagrin), but hey, it's gotta pay the bills.
speaking of which, the whip's cracking behind me again. back to work ... it's a good thing i want to spend the next few decades of my life devoted to something along these lines, eh?
xoxoxoxo - koko
there's an old analogy i came across at some point during college that compared journalism to running in front of a thrashing machine. you're constantly running running running, offering something to feed the machine while you have time to start creeping away. but the machine catches up and persues you until you come up with a new story and buy some extra time.
i've been running like the wind today. the day raced by, as i was busy focusing on three, sometimes four different stories at once. phone calls and messages left that needed to be recalled when the person returned my call. "oh yes, hello!!! how are you doing today?" as i scurry to find my notes.
but i've accomplished much. not as much as i wanted, but, then again, i never accomplish as much as i might like. i'm not crazy about the fact that i still feel as if i'm a monkey trying to speak in ambic pentameter, but i have a feeling that this will be a sensation i am likely to experience for the rest of my days. realize, accept, embrace.
i'm a lass of simple needs this evening. head home sometime in the (hopefully) near future, collect my gym gear and head out to work out. i have a feeling that an active body will help create an active mind. the part of me that whines about a good concert drought is pestering the rest of me to head to the o.a.r. show tonight but, even though i know i should, the week has already been too long and i would be dead to the world tomorrow. instead, i've promised myself to catch an o.a.r. show sometime soon (i know, i know, always promises. i've got a list a mile long.) some dinner, some relaxation time and then i'll be in a good mindset for the coming few days - all quite full of work but also visits from smiling faces and good times. cheer fever, yes (much to my chagrin), but hey, it's gotta pay the bills.
speaking of which, the whip's cracking behind me again. back to work ... it's a good thing i want to spend the next few decades of my life devoted to something along these lines, eh?
xoxoxoxo - koko
hmm ...
front page of today's paper:
Bush says he recalls showing up for drills in Alabama, but his supporters have struggled to prove it . ... While Kerry surrounds himself with fellow veterans on the campaign trail, the White House has not een able to produce fellow guardsmen who could testify that Bush attended meetings and drills. "Obviously we would have made people available" if they had been found, McClellan said.
ponder that ...
meanwhile, i'm pondering finding information about dream analysis. i'm back on a vivid dream pattern. last night i was at my high school prom. we had to do skits partway through the evening, each class doing something unique. ours was a baseball theme and i was playing first base. i remembered rehearsing it, but suddenly grew anxious, as i realized i would be, for the first time, playing baseball wearing a gown and heels. as i stood before the stage, wishing the other skits would go on forever, bethany came up behind me and laughed about how we'd better not drink too much before we go onstage. i replied automatically that i wouldn't be drinking until the post-prom parties. she gave me a strange look and i realized that hey, i could drink if i wanted to - in the dream setting, i was 21. i decided to calm my nerves and go find our "shortstop" - ashton kutcher (or, i should say, someone i knew was ashton kutcher, who acted like ashton kutcher, but i thought of more as kelso from the lucky bar last spring). i was off to find the bar, kelso/ashton/whoever in tow, when i woke up.
??
front page of today's paper:
Bush says he recalls showing up for drills in Alabama, but his supporters have struggled to prove it . ... While Kerry surrounds himself with fellow veterans on the campaign trail, the White House has not een able to produce fellow guardsmen who could testify that Bush attended meetings and drills. "Obviously we would have made people available" if they had been found, McClellan said.
ponder that ...
meanwhile, i'm pondering finding information about dream analysis. i'm back on a vivid dream pattern. last night i was at my high school prom. we had to do skits partway through the evening, each class doing something unique. ours was a baseball theme and i was playing first base. i remembered rehearsing it, but suddenly grew anxious, as i realized i would be, for the first time, playing baseball wearing a gown and heels. as i stood before the stage, wishing the other skits would go on forever, bethany came up behind me and laughed about how we'd better not drink too much before we go onstage. i replied automatically that i wouldn't be drinking until the post-prom parties. she gave me a strange look and i realized that hey, i could drink if i wanted to - in the dream setting, i was 21. i decided to calm my nerves and go find our "shortstop" - ashton kutcher (or, i should say, someone i knew was ashton kutcher, who acted like ashton kutcher, but i thought of more as kelso from the lucky bar last spring). i was off to find the bar, kelso/ashton/whoever in tow, when i woke up.
??
2.10.2004
what in hades are you doing in delaware???
i heard three magic words spoken into the other end of the phone conversation.
"listen to rufus."
what did you expect?
what a delight ... i didn't even realize rufus was on a new leg of his tour ... and, of course, he will not be anywhere even remotely close to me. naturally.
but, through the wonders of cell phones and the beauty of friendship, i was able to hear rufus in all his concert glory ...
it's funny - every time i'm going to call paul, he's at a kickass concert. it reminds me that i'm losing out on the concert scene. granted, nathanson was an amazing show. but howie last week, rufus a week later? i need to visit dc - and soon. charming company, cheesecake, chipotle and concerts. the alliteration alone is amazing - the experience would exceed any expectations.
i think i'm just going to have to go on a musical revelry tour sometime in the coming months. i turn to you now, dear readers, to find concerts - or other performances, i should say - of note in your various areas. i'll visit, we'll rock out and it'll turn into some great cross-country adventure. i'll return the favor by hosting some soiree here in the near future.
riiiiiight.
I knew a girl
Her name was Truth
She was a horrible liar.
She couldn't spend one day alone
But she couldn't be satisfied.
When you have everything,
You have everything to lose.
She made herself
A bed of nails
And she's plannin' on puttin' it to use.
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
Diamonds
A candle throws its light into the darkness
In a nasty world, so shines the good deed
Make sure the fortune that you seek
Is the fortune you need.
So tell me why the first to ask is the last to give, everytime
What you say and do not mean
Follow too close behind
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
Diamonds
Like a soldier standing long under fire
Any change comes as a relief.
Let the giver's name remain unspoken
For she is just a generous thief.
But she had diamonds on the inside
Cos she had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds
Oh diamonds
She had diamonds
She wore diamonds
Diamonds ...
- b. harper
i heard three magic words spoken into the other end of the phone conversation.
"listen to rufus."
what did you expect?
what a delight ... i didn't even realize rufus was on a new leg of his tour ... and, of course, he will not be anywhere even remotely close to me. naturally.
but, through the wonders of cell phones and the beauty of friendship, i was able to hear rufus in all his concert glory ...
it's funny - every time i'm going to call paul, he's at a kickass concert. it reminds me that i'm losing out on the concert scene. granted, nathanson was an amazing show. but howie last week, rufus a week later? i need to visit dc - and soon. charming company, cheesecake, chipotle and concerts. the alliteration alone is amazing - the experience would exceed any expectations.
i think i'm just going to have to go on a musical revelry tour sometime in the coming months. i turn to you now, dear readers, to find concerts - or other performances, i should say - of note in your various areas. i'll visit, we'll rock out and it'll turn into some great cross-country adventure. i'll return the favor by hosting some soiree here in the near future.
riiiiiight.
I knew a girl
Her name was Truth
She was a horrible liar.
She couldn't spend one day alone
But she couldn't be satisfied.
When you have everything,
You have everything to lose.
She made herself
A bed of nails
And she's plannin' on puttin' it to use.
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
Diamonds
A candle throws its light into the darkness
In a nasty world, so shines the good deed
Make sure the fortune that you seek
Is the fortune you need.
So tell me why the first to ask is the last to give, everytime
What you say and do not mean
Follow too close behind
'Cause she had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
Diamonds
Like a soldier standing long under fire
Any change comes as a relief.
Let the giver's name remain unspoken
For she is just a generous thief.
But she had diamonds on the inside
Cos she had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds
Oh diamonds
She had diamonds
She wore diamonds
Diamonds ...
- b. harper
.
from a random site that amused me:
Go out and find things that people want put in the paper
And things that people don't want put in the paper.
And interesting things.
Like that rain of dogs a few months ago?
There was no rain of dogs two months ago.
But...
One puppy is not a rain. It fell out of a window. Look, we are not interested in pet precipitation, spontaneous combustion, or people being carried off by weird things from out of the sky...
Unless it happens.
Well obviously we are if it does happen. But when it doesn't, we're not. Okay? News is unusual things happening...
And usual things happening...
And usual things, yes. But news is mainly what someone somewhere doesn't want you to put in the paper ...
Except sometimes it isn't.
...News all depends. But you'll know it when you see it. Clear? Right. Now go out and find some.
from a random site that amused me:
Go out and find things that people want put in the paper
And things that people don't want put in the paper.
And interesting things.
Like that rain of dogs a few months ago?
There was no rain of dogs two months ago.
But...
One puppy is not a rain. It fell out of a window. Look, we are not interested in pet precipitation, spontaneous combustion, or people being carried off by weird things from out of the sky...
Unless it happens.
Well obviously we are if it does happen. But when it doesn't, we're not. Okay? News is unusual things happening...
And usual things happening...
And usual things, yes. But news is mainly what someone somewhere doesn't want you to put in the paper ...
Except sometimes it isn't.
...News all depends. But you'll know it when you see it. Clear? Right. Now go out and find some.
...
as i sat in a middle school library yesterday evening, my memory suddenly flew back to my elementary days. i started thinking about a series of books that i had loved as a young student -- only i couldn't remember who wrote them and, really, what they were even about. all i could remember was that there were these cities, all under domes, where the technology was uber-futuristic. outside the cities, life had reverted to medieval times and this one boy had to, for whatever reason, get into the cities without being killed.
not exactly much to be able to search for on google, i admit. but i decided to give it a shot. while the details were obviously fuzzy, i could still remember the excitement of reading them - i was absolutely hooked on them.
a few tweaked searches later, i found it - "the tripods" trilogy by john christopher. anyone else read this while growing up?
... bah. with do desire to actually wake up this morning, i dozed until far later than i had intended. fortunately, with meetings this evening, i was due in to work later than normal. i swear i've started redeveloping my college sleep schedule, for whatever reason. stay up all night, sleep all morning ... not overly wise of me, considering that my post-college schedule varies drastically from those bygone days of higher education ...
and you know that you've been in winter for far too long when you fight the urge to wear spring clothing because it feels so balmy outside. compromising and wearing light winter ware, you walk outside and feel the warm breeze push back your hair and the sun shining down. putting on your sunglasses, you smile as you revel in the fact that the temperature is in the mid-30s. whoo hoo! make me up a frozen drink and meet me on the beach ...
yep, i need spring. or california. either one, really - i'm not picky.
as i sat in a middle school library yesterday evening, my memory suddenly flew back to my elementary days. i started thinking about a series of books that i had loved as a young student -- only i couldn't remember who wrote them and, really, what they were even about. all i could remember was that there were these cities, all under domes, where the technology was uber-futuristic. outside the cities, life had reverted to medieval times and this one boy had to, for whatever reason, get into the cities without being killed.
not exactly much to be able to search for on google, i admit. but i decided to give it a shot. while the details were obviously fuzzy, i could still remember the excitement of reading them - i was absolutely hooked on them.
a few tweaked searches later, i found it - "the tripods" trilogy by john christopher. anyone else read this while growing up?
... bah. with do desire to actually wake up this morning, i dozed until far later than i had intended. fortunately, with meetings this evening, i was due in to work later than normal. i swear i've started redeveloping my college sleep schedule, for whatever reason. stay up all night, sleep all morning ... not overly wise of me, considering that my post-college schedule varies drastically from those bygone days of higher education ...
and you know that you've been in winter for far too long when you fight the urge to wear spring clothing because it feels so balmy outside. compromising and wearing light winter ware, you walk outside and feel the warm breeze push back your hair and the sun shining down. putting on your sunglasses, you smile as you revel in the fact that the temperature is in the mid-30s. whoo hoo! make me up a frozen drink and meet me on the beach ...
yep, i need spring. or california. either one, really - i'm not picky.
2.09.2004
i <3 wireimage.
after working hard for a couple of hours, i like to give myself a few minutes to smile and be amused. fortunately, wireimage always comes through for me.
my amusement for this minibreak:
the obligatory photo ops at free swag tables
and another, equally amusing
the uber dork
and, in other musical favorites amusement
i love being a journalista
no words necessary
after working hard for a couple of hours, i like to give myself a few minutes to smile and be amused. fortunately, wireimage always comes through for me.
my amusement for this minibreak:
the obligatory photo ops at free swag tables
and another, equally amusing
the uber dork
and, in other musical favorites amusement
i love being a journalista
no words necessary
2.08.2004
music trivia:
boredom and the desire to do nothing other than sleep leads me to play around online. which led me to the following.
now here's your trivia for the day. what musican wrote the following, once upon a time? ***note: these are snippets from several different bits***
2am. Just about to get packing for this. Our flight tomorrow is at 7am, ouch. We ARE however equipped... we have clothes, we have music-making kind of equipment, and above all, we have ROLLER COASTER TYCOON. It is now time to go do this. It is now time. It is now.................time. First things first, where are my favorite underwear? It is now...........time.
our hotel threw a toga party tonight!!! TOGA! TOGA! TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!
GIRL ADVICE REQUEST: what can i wear with dark grey teflon pants???
Most importantly we went to SPACE CAMP man, SPACE CAMP.
So right now we're on Highway 59 on our way to Fargo, North Dakota..... it's 10 of midnight, we're listening to #3 on OK computer, and needless to say, it's pretty freaky. Honestly...... this is the kind of road where the aliens will swoop down- and take us aboard their beautiful ship, and show us the world as we'd love to see it...
After two flights being cancelled to Columbus, US Air stuck us on first class... I was in seat 1A--- so I thought I would take advantage of this rock star situation. I put on my gawdy blue sunglasses and made an "Oasis" face. I got a cheap thrill watching people's reactions to the "rock star figure" in 1A.
comment with guesses while i find something to do that requires little energy. i'll probably nap and further mess up my sleep schedule. i'll be hooting with the night owls tonight ...
boredom and the desire to do nothing other than sleep leads me to play around online. which led me to the following.
now here's your trivia for the day. what musican wrote the following, once upon a time? ***note: these are snippets from several different bits***
2am. Just about to get packing for this. Our flight tomorrow is at 7am, ouch. We ARE however equipped... we have clothes, we have music-making kind of equipment, and above all, we have ROLLER COASTER TYCOON. It is now time to go do this. It is now time. It is now.................time. First things first, where are my favorite underwear? It is now...........time.
our hotel threw a toga party tonight!!! TOGA! TOGA! TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!
GIRL ADVICE REQUEST: what can i wear with dark grey teflon pants???
Most importantly we went to SPACE CAMP man, SPACE CAMP.
So right now we're on Highway 59 on our way to Fargo, North Dakota..... it's 10 of midnight, we're listening to #3 on OK computer, and needless to say, it's pretty freaky. Honestly...... this is the kind of road where the aliens will swoop down- and take us aboard their beautiful ship, and show us the world as we'd love to see it...
After two flights being cancelled to Columbus, US Air stuck us on first class... I was in seat 1A--- so I thought I would take advantage of this rock star situation. I put on my gawdy blue sunglasses and made an "Oasis" face. I got a cheap thrill watching people's reactions to the "rock star figure" in 1A.
comment with guesses while i find something to do that requires little energy. i'll probably nap and further mess up my sleep schedule. i'll be hooting with the night owls tonight ...
2.06.2004
a john-iversary.
from three years ago today:
words cannot even begin to describe how cool this evening was.
i officially adore john mayer.
i love glen phillips (when he's playing--i hope he feels better soon)
i blew john a kiss.
he played some of "babylon" for me during soundcheck.
he played some of "love song for no one" for michelle during soundcheck.
we bonded over david gray.
i told him my incredibly embarrassing story about "victoria".
we got steve to sign our flyers. i'm a punk.
john signed my flyer as well. out of all the interviews (music or non-music) i've done, he was by far the one i felt most comfortable around right off.
i'll describe more later, but i must sleep now and begin to process it all.
what a kickass evening.
john's favorite song at the moment is "say hello, wave goodbye"--the first david gray song i could listen to time after time after time...i told him i officially loved him after he said that.
funny the way last night's nathanson comment worked out. almost three years to the day later, there was another funny reference to "your body is a wonderland" made at higher ground. 2001: i laugh at john's remark because i love the song. 2004: i laugh at matt's remark because we're making fun of it.
from three years ago today:
words cannot even begin to describe how cool this evening was.
i officially adore john mayer.
i love glen phillips (when he's playing--i hope he feels better soon)
i blew john a kiss.
he played some of "babylon" for me during soundcheck.
he played some of "love song for no one" for michelle during soundcheck.
we bonded over david gray.
i told him my incredibly embarrassing story about "victoria".
we got steve to sign our flyers. i'm a punk.
john signed my flyer as well. out of all the interviews (music or non-music) i've done, he was by far the one i felt most comfortable around right off.
i'll describe more later, but i must sleep now and begin to process it all.
what a kickass evening.
john's favorite song at the moment is "say hello, wave goodbye"--the first david gray song i could listen to time after time after time...i told him i officially loved him after he said that.
funny the way last night's nathanson comment worked out. almost three years to the day later, there was another funny reference to "your body is a wonderland" made at higher ground. 2001: i laugh at john's remark because i love the song. 2004: i laugh at matt's remark because we're making fun of it.
huh.
this weekend marks the first in ... awhile (too lazy to do the math) that my column won't be there. ok, granted, i took the weekend after christmas off, but that doesn't count. i'm actually going to be a little sad. i loved doing that column, much as it might have given me numerous headaches along the way ...
but nevertheless. free weekend. it still snows. damn white shite. makes it all that much more difficult to make plans. i've decided that something must happen to my ID over the course of the weekend, as i intend to get a new one on monday. in the past two weeks, i have had more people ask me for a second form of identification that in my previous ID-touting years combined. ok, yes. my license photo features yours truly with long blonde hair and mine is now bobbed and brunette. but really, do i look THAT different? is it THAT hard to picture me as a blonde? apparently so. so its time for a new photo.
maybe i'll just say i lost the one i currently have so i can keep it for myself. weird, i know, but i love my current photo. which is why i've tried to hold off from getting a new one. but having to show people my aaa cards, sign my signature and fish out old college IDs is getting old. especially since in my college IDs, wait! i'm still blonde!
i don't think i look so different ... but maybe that's just me.
i might actually have people heading to middle earth with me ... come on, let's get our own fellowship together to travel the miles to a show ...
this weekend marks the first in ... awhile (too lazy to do the math) that my column won't be there. ok, granted, i took the weekend after christmas off, but that doesn't count. i'm actually going to be a little sad. i loved doing that column, much as it might have given me numerous headaches along the way ...
but nevertheless. free weekend. it still snows. damn white shite. makes it all that much more difficult to make plans. i've decided that something must happen to my ID over the course of the weekend, as i intend to get a new one on monday. in the past two weeks, i have had more people ask me for a second form of identification that in my previous ID-touting years combined. ok, yes. my license photo features yours truly with long blonde hair and mine is now bobbed and brunette. but really, do i look THAT different? is it THAT hard to picture me as a blonde? apparently so. so its time for a new photo.
maybe i'll just say i lost the one i currently have so i can keep it for myself. weird, i know, but i love my current photo. which is why i've tried to hold off from getting a new one. but having to show people my aaa cards, sign my signature and fish out old college IDs is getting old. especially since in my college IDs, wait! i'm still blonde!
i don't think i look so different ... but maybe that's just me.
i might actually have people heading to middle earth with me ... come on, let's get our own fellowship together to travel the miles to a show ...
... and the shirt is a lying asshole!
this is a song about a shirt that you just love. it's your favorite shirt and you wear it all the time, which means, in the natural progression of things, it starts to get ... tighter. and it clings and becomes so tight that it's squeezing your chest until it's going to kill you. so, naturally, you have to cut off the shirt. but you're left with these scars where the shirt used to be. and the shirt is a lying asshole!
this is about sex, but not like in "your body is a wonderland." i mean, really, a bubblegum tongue? who has one of those? my favorite part is when it gets to "won't let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it." what does he mean? ***practical demonstration of the possible interpretations*** but who am i to judge? the kid's a millionaire now.
you don't say that at catholic colleges in new hampshire. they got these looks on their faces like i'd taken a vial of christ's blood and smashed it in front of them.
seeing matt nathanson tonight was ever so necessary. he gave me a taste of how shows used to be and made me realize that that's the closest i'll get to experiencing that - at least for awhile.
it was an all-ages show and there were quite a few minors in attendance - a fact made all the more evident when they were screaming along all of the words to songs (which actually didn't annoy me - it was cute. and i was too busy feeling embarrassed for the idiots standing immediately to my left. the three guys there were ridiculous. and matt called them on it. i loved it.). but i had such a fun time - matt is one crazy motherfucker. i spent time trying to figure out a more appropriate phrase to describe him, but that's really it. the guy is so hyped up with energy and he just explodes on stage. a dirty, dirty man who makes listening to his music so much fun - and provides the best stage banter i've ever heard at a concert. no one else has even come close. not even mayer's rapping.
sorry, couldn't resist.
hmm ... songs i can recall from the setlist (entered in no particular order, other than my memory): "sad songs," "i saw," "laid," "answering machine," "wings," "bent," "angel," "suspended" - my mind's clouding over. my insomnia from last night is catching up. i'll just post a setlist as soon as i find one.
while we joined in a sing-a-long for "answering machine," the best crowd chorus was certainly the impromptu rendition of "here i go again" - as we all screamed out the lyrics and got down with our inner hairband rock stars.
good god - that man is insane. i <3 matt. go see him live.
i should note that part of me wanted to say hello after the show. john was actually laughing at me as i contemplated embracing my inner giddy fan spirit. but as i saw the younger fans clutching t-shirts and waiting to say hello, i realized that i didn't need to. or shouldn't. maybe a little of both. let's face it - i'm 23 and a working professional. i can appreciate music - i don't have to say hello to the musicians in order to do so.
so i left with my newly purchased cd (still waiting for spring - about damn time i got it) and the sticker that cracked me up when i saw it.
ok fine - i also left with a poster - but that's because john knew i wanted one, so he asked the hg crew if he could take it off the wall. but that's not being fan-ish - that's adding to my music art collection. one day it'll be worth millions. just an investment.
as i head to sleep, i'm happy to have been at a show where i stood in the third row, watching the singer-songwriter-guitarist directly in front of me rock out, joined by the greatest rockstar cellist i've ever seen live (ok, the only - but fish was amazing). simple lights, up close and personal, everyone just having a good time.
that's what i've been missing.
this is a song about a shirt that you just love. it's your favorite shirt and you wear it all the time, which means, in the natural progression of things, it starts to get ... tighter. and it clings and becomes so tight that it's squeezing your chest until it's going to kill you. so, naturally, you have to cut off the shirt. but you're left with these scars where the shirt used to be. and the shirt is a lying asshole!
this is about sex, but not like in "your body is a wonderland." i mean, really, a bubblegum tongue? who has one of those? my favorite part is when it gets to "won't let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it." what does he mean? ***practical demonstration of the possible interpretations*** but who am i to judge? the kid's a millionaire now.
you don't say that at catholic colleges in new hampshire. they got these looks on their faces like i'd taken a vial of christ's blood and smashed it in front of them.
seeing matt nathanson tonight was ever so necessary. he gave me a taste of how shows used to be and made me realize that that's the closest i'll get to experiencing that - at least for awhile.
it was an all-ages show and there were quite a few minors in attendance - a fact made all the more evident when they were screaming along all of the words to songs (which actually didn't annoy me - it was cute. and i was too busy feeling embarrassed for the idiots standing immediately to my left. the three guys there were ridiculous. and matt called them on it. i loved it.). but i had such a fun time - matt is one crazy motherfucker. i spent time trying to figure out a more appropriate phrase to describe him, but that's really it. the guy is so hyped up with energy and he just explodes on stage. a dirty, dirty man who makes listening to his music so much fun - and provides the best stage banter i've ever heard at a concert. no one else has even come close. not even mayer's rapping.
sorry, couldn't resist.
hmm ... songs i can recall from the setlist (entered in no particular order, other than my memory): "sad songs," "i saw," "laid," "answering machine," "wings," "bent," "angel," "suspended" - my mind's clouding over. my insomnia from last night is catching up. i'll just post a setlist as soon as i find one.
while we joined in a sing-a-long for "answering machine," the best crowd chorus was certainly the impromptu rendition of "here i go again" - as we all screamed out the lyrics and got down with our inner hairband rock stars.
good god - that man is insane. i <3 matt. go see him live.
i should note that part of me wanted to say hello after the show. john was actually laughing at me as i contemplated embracing my inner giddy fan spirit. but as i saw the younger fans clutching t-shirts and waiting to say hello, i realized that i didn't need to. or shouldn't. maybe a little of both. let's face it - i'm 23 and a working professional. i can appreciate music - i don't have to say hello to the musicians in order to do so.
so i left with my newly purchased cd (still waiting for spring - about damn time i got it) and the sticker that cracked me up when i saw it.
ok fine - i also left with a poster - but that's because john knew i wanted one, so he asked the hg crew if he could take it off the wall. but that's not being fan-ish - that's adding to my music art collection. one day it'll be worth millions. just an investment.
as i head to sleep, i'm happy to have been at a show where i stood in the third row, watching the singer-songwriter-guitarist directly in front of me rock out, joined by the greatest rockstar cellist i've ever seen live (ok, the only - but fish was amazing). simple lights, up close and personal, everyone just having a good time.
that's what i've been missing.
2.04.2004
amusement of two forms, both from waaaay back
i was looking around and found two bits of amusement. one is somewhat relevant, the other just makes me smile.
3.29.01 - so after her talk, i went to alliot to see matt nathanson perform. i was very excited because i arranged for matt to be able to perform here. i told him about the venue, i set him up with who he needed to talk to--it sort of felt like my own little baby project. only not really because it's ian and jillian's...but whatever. only 15 people showed up. if sister helen hadn't been here, i honestly think he would have had a much larger crowd. but it was small, and i felt badly enough about that, and to make things worse, it was his birthday. i felt like a tool. but then i realized that those who were there really enjoyed his music and it was a great opportunity to hear him play and see his live show.
after his set, i spoke to him briefly and introduced myself, so he could put a face with the emails, and he was very nice. he was packing up when a group of four wandered in and jokingly asked if he'd play a song since they missed the show. matt pulled out his guitar and we (10 of us, i'd say) circled up in couches and chairs and he played for awhile longer. i requested "maid", and he did an amazing rendition of it. i'd say i preferred the second set because he sounded fantastic unplugged and completely accoustic. there's something about someone who can just sit down, strum a guitar, and sing that amazes me...even more so when there isn't anything electric (mics, amps, what have you) around. he also played "wings" for michelle because she missed it during the first set, which i thought was awesome.
3.25.01 - the murder mystery is all done and whatnot--at least round 1...i don't know if we'll be doing another performance, but it went well. it was a lot of fun, and people in the audience got into it!!! they were obnoxious at times--i think the funniest was when i had to hug albert (stefan), and the table nearby burst into squeals of "OOOOH!!!" it was so hard for me not to burst into laughter. everyone would pull me aside and say things like, "CARA! sit down! we have a few questions for you--like if cordelia is actually ALBERT'S? come on, don't try lying to us, we know!" ... and i got to slap my father for accusing me of being an adultress. ;)
all in all, i was very happy with how it turned out--other than louns, who will be beaten profusely tomorrow for messing me up. i had to act distraught because my husband had just died, yet he's spouting things like "my name is dr. corneilius von baron von mindbender the fourth, thank you. yes, i'm a psychologist also. no, i didn't go to school, i just wrote up a diploma and bam! i was in business."
bastard. ;)
p.s. alliteration gets old quickly.
p.p.s. funny how my "west wing" moments are still there. this week:
"how's it going?"
"no one ever talks to me. i don't think anyone likes me."
"yeah. they don't."
hahahahaha.
i was looking around and found two bits of amusement. one is somewhat relevant, the other just makes me smile.
3.29.01 - so after her talk, i went to alliot to see matt nathanson perform. i was very excited because i arranged for matt to be able to perform here. i told him about the venue, i set him up with who he needed to talk to--it sort of felt like my own little baby project. only not really because it's ian and jillian's...but whatever. only 15 people showed up. if sister helen hadn't been here, i honestly think he would have had a much larger crowd. but it was small, and i felt badly enough about that, and to make things worse, it was his birthday. i felt like a tool. but then i realized that those who were there really enjoyed his music and it was a great opportunity to hear him play and see his live show.
after his set, i spoke to him briefly and introduced myself, so he could put a face with the emails, and he was very nice. he was packing up when a group of four wandered in and jokingly asked if he'd play a song since they missed the show. matt pulled out his guitar and we (10 of us, i'd say) circled up in couches and chairs and he played for awhile longer. i requested "maid", and he did an amazing rendition of it. i'd say i preferred the second set because he sounded fantastic unplugged and completely accoustic. there's something about someone who can just sit down, strum a guitar, and sing that amazes me...even more so when there isn't anything electric (mics, amps, what have you) around. he also played "wings" for michelle because she missed it during the first set, which i thought was awesome.
3.25.01 - the murder mystery is all done and whatnot--at least round 1...i don't know if we'll be doing another performance, but it went well. it was a lot of fun, and people in the audience got into it!!! they were obnoxious at times--i think the funniest was when i had to hug albert (stefan), and the table nearby burst into squeals of "OOOOH!!!" it was so hard for me not to burst into laughter. everyone would pull me aside and say things like, "CARA! sit down! we have a few questions for you--like if cordelia is actually ALBERT'S? come on, don't try lying to us, we know!" ... and i got to slap my father for accusing me of being an adultress. ;)
all in all, i was very happy with how it turned out--other than louns, who will be beaten profusely tomorrow for messing me up. i had to act distraught because my husband had just died, yet he's spouting things like "my name is dr. corneilius von baron von mindbender the fourth, thank you. yes, i'm a psychologist also. no, i didn't go to school, i just wrote up a diploma and bam! i was in business."
bastard. ;)
p.s. alliteration gets old quickly.
p.p.s. funny how my "west wing" moments are still there. this week:
"how's it going?"
"no one ever talks to me. i don't think anyone likes me."
"yeah. they don't."
hahahahaha.
envy. emerald green envy.
i didn't even think about it until now - and to think, i almost called to say hello and see how things are going in dc-land.
let's say there's the typical 10-15 minute delay, as is customary at most concerts. that means that as i write this, paul is either just beginning or preparing to begin enjoying a howie day set. at the 9:30 club, no less. and, to top it all off, paul recently finished hearing a stereophonics set.
had i realized the dc show was today, i would have dropped a line telling my favorite dc music friend to have an amazing time. but i didn't - so instead i'll say now that i hope he's having an amazing time ... and i promise that i'll get down there soon and we can hit up a show at the 9:30 - finally. or, in the ultimate irony, we could go to iota. hahaha!
i suddenly had an urge to hear "more you understand" - perhaps i'll play a howie playlist as i drift to sleep a little later. and i'll prepare to keep "beneath these fireworks" on frequent play tomorrow for my own musical revelry!
ps. paul, did you decide to hit up gavin too?
i didn't even think about it until now - and to think, i almost called to say hello and see how things are going in dc-land.
let's say there's the typical 10-15 minute delay, as is customary at most concerts. that means that as i write this, paul is either just beginning or preparing to begin enjoying a howie day set. at the 9:30 club, no less. and, to top it all off, paul recently finished hearing a stereophonics set.
had i realized the dc show was today, i would have dropped a line telling my favorite dc music friend to have an amazing time. but i didn't - so instead i'll say now that i hope he's having an amazing time ... and i promise that i'll get down there soon and we can hit up a show at the 9:30 - finally. or, in the ultimate irony, we could go to iota. hahaha!
i suddenly had an urge to hear "more you understand" - perhaps i'll play a howie playlist as i drift to sleep a little later. and i'll prepare to keep "beneath these fireworks" on frequent play tomorrow for my own musical revelry!
ps. paul, did you decide to hit up gavin too?
middle earth indeed ...
according to the averi website, the band will play in vermont on feb. 27 - a friday night, i believe. this is, obviously, a good thing.
however, they will be playing the middle earth in bradford.
if you're like me, you've never heard of bradford. i learned, however, that the town is just outside barre. which means, according to mapquest (a driving direction source i have never liked, but hate after last night's antics in essex), it involves a 90-minute trek from my apartment.
i find it kind of cute that the place is called the middle earth concert hall. but i'm not a fan of the road trip - although admittedly a much shorter trip than previously made treks to see the band.
anyone up for the trip? it's a pretty early show - averi's on at 8, i believe, which means it wouldn't make for a super late night, even with driving. go to the show, head back to my place and either relax there or head downtown?
not that it would matter to anyone involved if i went or not, but i feel like i should ... i've been repeatedly saying the band should come back to vermont and now it is.
but by vermont, i meant burlington. note to self: specify next time. c'est la vie.
according to the averi website, the band will play in vermont on feb. 27 - a friday night, i believe. this is, obviously, a good thing.
however, they will be playing the middle earth in bradford.
if you're like me, you've never heard of bradford. i learned, however, that the town is just outside barre. which means, according to mapquest (a driving direction source i have never liked, but hate after last night's antics in essex), it involves a 90-minute trek from my apartment.
i find it kind of cute that the place is called the middle earth concert hall. but i'm not a fan of the road trip - although admittedly a much shorter trip than previously made treks to see the band.
anyone up for the trip? it's a pretty early show - averi's on at 8, i believe, which means it wouldn't make for a super late night, even with driving. go to the show, head back to my place and either relax there or head downtown?
not that it would matter to anyone involved if i went or not, but i feel like i should ... i've been repeatedly saying the band should come back to vermont and now it is.
but by vermont, i meant burlington. note to self: specify next time. c'est la vie.
2.03.2004
snow showers bring silver flowers
there's something about winter storms. when i know i'm tucked away somewhere safe and warm for at least a few hours, i can go outside and feel the snow fall. the snow falls so heavily that the light from lamp and streetposts all over the city is caught shining against the white and it feels like a perpetual twilight, seeming to contradict my watch and the various clocks in my apartment telling me it's time for bed - time to prepare for a new day. it's warm enough to snow and i think i could stand on my small porch in a light sweater and be perfectly comfortable.
best of all, the snow is damp enough to cling to every available surface - tree trunks, branches, wires, even my dark coat - which makes the world appear to be frozen in a winter wonderland.
i hate winter, but at times like this, when the snow falls and the oddessey of navigating the roads is hours away, i can smile. because it's not all bad when it's like this - sure, palm trees would be much more pleasing a sight at midnight in early february, but there's time enough for that - for now i'll take any positive winter moment i can.
sleep well.
p.s. i watch "one tree hill" for the first time since the first episode and who has their music featured on it?
the fellows of stereophonics.
DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!! will the WB let me enjoy my music in peace?!?!
there's something about winter storms. when i know i'm tucked away somewhere safe and warm for at least a few hours, i can go outside and feel the snow fall. the snow falls so heavily that the light from lamp and streetposts all over the city is caught shining against the white and it feels like a perpetual twilight, seeming to contradict my watch and the various clocks in my apartment telling me it's time for bed - time to prepare for a new day. it's warm enough to snow and i think i could stand on my small porch in a light sweater and be perfectly comfortable.
best of all, the snow is damp enough to cling to every available surface - tree trunks, branches, wires, even my dark coat - which makes the world appear to be frozen in a winter wonderland.
i hate winter, but at times like this, when the snow falls and the oddessey of navigating the roads is hours away, i can smile. because it's not all bad when it's like this - sure, palm trees would be much more pleasing a sight at midnight in early february, but there's time enough for that - for now i'll take any positive winter moment i can.
sleep well.
p.s. i watch "one tree hill" for the first time since the first episode and who has their music featured on it?
the fellows of stereophonics.
DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!! will the WB let me enjoy my music in peace?!?!
super bowl gambler loses big, jumps off bridge, lands in snowbank
from today's new york daily news
the man just could not get any luck ... that's what you get for betting against the pats!
from today's new york daily news
the man just could not get any luck ... that's what you get for betting against the pats!
a show to keep an eye out for
averi is supposed to be playing vermont sometime in the near future. if it's in burlington - which i hope it is - i hereby announce tentative plans for a pre-concert party at my place.
i'll keep y'all posted - paul, depending on when it is, perhaps an opportunity to coordinate a first trip to the frozen north could coincide with a first experience with all that is the boston band i've spent so much time raving about?
also - i was amused to find that dj lars, who gained reality television fame from "real world: london" will be playing at metronome this month. wow, flashback to the mid-90s ...
in other news - i've spent the past day and a half going through our digital archives, trying to find everything i can find about the towns i'll be covering. i came across a story discussing people charged with "sexually assaulting a minor trusted to his/her care by authority of law." apparently, the term is
controversial because it's hazy in regard to teachers.
now perhaps i'm looking at this too simply. but how can a teacher not b considered a person responsible for minors trusted to her/her care by authority of law? they are responsible for shaping their students' minds five days a week in class. parents trust their children in the hands of educators. is it really that much of a technicality to deal with the "by law" issue - while technically the idea of students being legally required to attend school is obviously not an issue, i just can't believe someone could cop out of the allegation by saying "hey, i'm a teacher - i'm not under the authority of law when it comes to relationships with my students."
someone care to enlighten me? please do ...
averi is supposed to be playing vermont sometime in the near future. if it's in burlington - which i hope it is - i hereby announce tentative plans for a pre-concert party at my place.
i'll keep y'all posted - paul, depending on when it is, perhaps an opportunity to coordinate a first trip to the frozen north could coincide with a first experience with all that is the boston band i've spent so much time raving about?
also - i was amused to find that dj lars, who gained reality television fame from "real world: london" will be playing at metronome this month. wow, flashback to the mid-90s ...
in other news - i've spent the past day and a half going through our digital archives, trying to find everything i can find about the towns i'll be covering. i came across a story discussing people charged with "sexually assaulting a minor trusted to his/her care by authority of law." apparently, the term is
controversial because it's hazy in regard to teachers.
now perhaps i'm looking at this too simply. but how can a teacher not b considered a person responsible for minors trusted to her/her care by authority of law? they are responsible for shaping their students' minds five days a week in class. parents trust their children in the hands of educators. is it really that much of a technicality to deal with the "by law" issue - while technically the idea of students being legally required to attend school is obviously not an issue, i just can't believe someone could cop out of the allegation by saying "hey, i'm a teacher - i'm not under the authority of law when it comes to relationships with my students."
someone care to enlighten me? please do ...
fun times on the hill
early tests on senate powder indicate ricin
nothing like the smell of ricin in the afternoon (before i get any comments about the odorless nature of ricin - i know. but i just saw reference to "apocalypse now" the other day and the phrase stuck my mind. deal). to think how strange an experience it was to have buildings shut down during potential chemical attacks (particularly when we knew the letter sitting on my desk was probably fine, but due to procedural steps, we still had to seal ourselves in) ... fortunately there was never anything quite like this while i was there. yes, certain buildings were closed at times because of scares, but they were never quite this close to being confirmed as an actual chemical delivery.
early tests on senate powder indicate ricin
nothing like the smell of ricin in the afternoon (before i get any comments about the odorless nature of ricin - i know. but i just saw reference to "apocalypse now" the other day and the phrase stuck my mind. deal). to think how strange an experience it was to have buildings shut down during potential chemical attacks (particularly when we knew the letter sitting on my desk was probably fine, but due to procedural steps, we still had to seal ourselves in) ... fortunately there was never anything quite like this while i was there. yes, certain buildings were closed at times because of scares, but they were never quite this close to being confirmed as an actual chemical delivery.
2.02.2004
matty, matty ...
a snippet from the mixed-up files of mr. matt nathanson - how much am i looking forward to seeing him on thursday?
yesterday, during an interview o.a.r. did with some paper, i sat in and pretended that i was marc roberge, their singer.
it was obvious that this kid who came to interview the band knew NOTHING about them.
his questions were totally ignorant.
and he had done no research.
and that is just obnoxious.
so marc and i switched places... and i sat in and did the interview as him.
it was hilarious...
so the new story of o.a.r, at least according to this paper, goes something like this:
i, marc roberge...singer for o.a.r., grew up in deleware but was actually born in the wilds of alaska..
and for my people, the inuits, struggle was a part of everyday life.
and it's their struggle that inspires every song i write... even 'poker'.
the struggle also inspired a story i wrote from which we took the bands name.
also... the hardest part of touring for me, marc roberge, is the way it irritates my hemmeroids.
you get the picture.
i don't think he bought the real outrageous answers...
he just thought 'boy their singer likes to say shit that's not true'.
little did he know the troof.
and later, all i could think of when fish and i hit the stage was, this kid is watching us now and must be so confused...
then when o.a.r hit the stage, i thought, i bet he's getting a little pissed right about now.
and i'm all for that.
hopefully next time he interviews a band, he'll do his homework.
i wish the whole matt/vickie interview could have worked out. for all intensive purposes, it would have. it would have been email, but i had it set to do - but with the whole job thing, it fell through the cracks and we wouldn't have been able to get it in. i suppose, looking at the email aspect of it, it wouldn't have been as much fun as i would hope. besides, if i had my journalist hat on, i would have had to be serious and professional-like. since i realized i would just be heading to the show as a music fan, i've been able to play "beneath these fireworks" constantly while singing along and will head to the show as a matt fan, where i will enjoy the show and say hello after. perhaps i'll even play uber dork and request to take a photo with him. i haven't been uber dork like that in ages - i think since ... good god, since the november mhz show well over a year ago now. and we all know how that photo turned out (and if you don't, use your imagination. a big ol' not so much on my part, although hd looked quite grand). besides, my past experience with matt is so favorable that i don't think he'd mind it. i had no problem asking mayer those couple of times, but i felt foolish and old asking howie and i'd never ask mraz (although i will admit that that would be the photo i'd want most - i just would never be yet another one of the fans screaming for a photo op - i'd much rather chat and appear sane). matt would be the one i'd ask for a photo with and wind up making funny faces at the camera.
random post - not making sense ... just waiting for my editor to arrive and need something to look busy. what other random things can i write ... turns out that there is an exercise room in the building. ??? i've been wandering the building off and on for over two years and never knew we had an exercise room. needless to say, i immediatel signed up for access to it - how much better could that possibly fit into my hopeful schedule? end the workday, head upstairs and work out, then head home?
aw ... yeah ...
anyhoo. again i ramble. might as well end a random post and turn to more research ... but who's up for checking out matty on thursday?
xoxoxoxoxo - the monkeys at victoria's keyboard
ps. for the record, while doing pre-work internet browsing, i learned the answer to the question about janet 'n' justin's halftime performance. for those inquiring minds - and i know there were some, as you were asking last night - let me provide the answers - she pulled a lil kim.
pps. chad is a strange fellow.
ppss. i've pretty much accepted the fact that all the work i did on an old progject has been abandoned, but it still irks me to see the area i worked on showing signs of definitely not being worked on ... aurgh!
a snippet from the mixed-up files of mr. matt nathanson - how much am i looking forward to seeing him on thursday?
yesterday, during an interview o.a.r. did with some paper, i sat in and pretended that i was marc roberge, their singer.
it was obvious that this kid who came to interview the band knew NOTHING about them.
his questions were totally ignorant.
and he had done no research.
and that is just obnoxious.
so marc and i switched places... and i sat in and did the interview as him.
it was hilarious...
so the new story of o.a.r, at least according to this paper, goes something like this:
i, marc roberge...singer for o.a.r., grew up in deleware but was actually born in the wilds of alaska..
and for my people, the inuits, struggle was a part of everyday life.
and it's their struggle that inspires every song i write... even 'poker'.
the struggle also inspired a story i wrote from which we took the bands name.
also... the hardest part of touring for me, marc roberge, is the way it irritates my hemmeroids.
you get the picture.
i don't think he bought the real outrageous answers...
he just thought 'boy their singer likes to say shit that's not true'.
little did he know the troof.
and later, all i could think of when fish and i hit the stage was, this kid is watching us now and must be so confused...
then when o.a.r hit the stage, i thought, i bet he's getting a little pissed right about now.
and i'm all for that.
hopefully next time he interviews a band, he'll do his homework.
i wish the whole matt/vickie interview could have worked out. for all intensive purposes, it would have. it would have been email, but i had it set to do - but with the whole job thing, it fell through the cracks and we wouldn't have been able to get it in. i suppose, looking at the email aspect of it, it wouldn't have been as much fun as i would hope. besides, if i had my journalist hat on, i would have had to be serious and professional-like. since i realized i would just be heading to the show as a music fan, i've been able to play "beneath these fireworks" constantly while singing along and will head to the show as a matt fan, where i will enjoy the show and say hello after. perhaps i'll even play uber dork and request to take a photo with him. i haven't been uber dork like that in ages - i think since ... good god, since the november mhz show well over a year ago now. and we all know how that photo turned out (and if you don't, use your imagination. a big ol' not so much on my part, although hd looked quite grand). besides, my past experience with matt is so favorable that i don't think he'd mind it. i had no problem asking mayer those couple of times, but i felt foolish and old asking howie and i'd never ask mraz (although i will admit that that would be the photo i'd want most - i just would never be yet another one of the fans screaming for a photo op - i'd much rather chat and appear sane). matt would be the one i'd ask for a photo with and wind up making funny faces at the camera.
random post - not making sense ... just waiting for my editor to arrive and need something to look busy. what other random things can i write ... turns out that there is an exercise room in the building. ??? i've been wandering the building off and on for over two years and never knew we had an exercise room. needless to say, i immediatel signed up for access to it - how much better could that possibly fit into my hopeful schedule? end the workday, head upstairs and work out, then head home?
aw ... yeah ...
anyhoo. again i ramble. might as well end a random post and turn to more research ... but who's up for checking out matty on thursday?
xoxoxoxoxo - the monkeys at victoria's keyboard
ps. for the record, while doing pre-work internet browsing, i learned the answer to the question about janet 'n' justin's halftime performance. for those inquiring minds - and i know there were some, as you were asking last night - let me provide the answers - she pulled a lil kim.
pps. chad is a strange fellow.
ppss. i've pretty much accepted the fact that all the work i did on an old progject has been abandoned, but it still irks me to see the area i worked on showing signs of definitely not being worked on ... aurgh!
2.2 has always treated me well ...
i'm surprised i never reminisced here about 2.2 in the past. for the past few years, i always set aside a few minutes to smile and think about years gone by - apparently i just never set aside a few minutes to blog about it as well.
as i sit here, preparing to round up my things and head to the newspaper for my first day of FTFP (full time fping), i'm smiling and thinking back to this same day a few years back, when my 19-year-old college sophomore self wandered into alliot to avoid studying and found a guy with funny hair, an even funnier dance and a fake british accent performing at the coffeehouse.
yep, today marks four years of listening to and enjoying the sound stylings of one mr. howie day. i wish i had been blogging back then, as i'm sure i would be amused by what i had to say after the show. i remember writing about it - i jotted down a bit in one of my many spiral bound notebook journals. while i kept all of those journals, they've been packed up and put somewhere, probably not to be found again for years to come. i think it would be hilarious to see what i had to say about this new guy i'd just listened to, now that i know how his music influenced me over the years.
actually, this week has served me quite well, in musical terms, over the years. howie day in 2000, john mayer in 2001. we braved the cold and snow to head to higher ground on 2.6.01 to see john open for glenn phillips and interview them both for our radio show. i need to find that tape - it's packed away in a box of college items and i should really put it aside somewhere else for safekeeping. and i'm hoping to continue the good musical experiences for this week in history, as i'll be making a trip to higher ground today to buy a ticket for thursday's matt nathanson show. i'm looking forward to it - i think i'll say hi and make reference to the smc show junior year and see what his reaction is ... hehehehehe.
but 2.2.04 is shaping up to be a grand day in and of itself. my first day at the paper, the first full day of the patriots' reign as super bowl champs and whatever else may come with the day. i'm looking forward to it, feeling good and ready to it all on.
i'm surprised i never reminisced here about 2.2 in the past. for the past few years, i always set aside a few minutes to smile and think about years gone by - apparently i just never set aside a few minutes to blog about it as well.
as i sit here, preparing to round up my things and head to the newspaper for my first day of FTFP (full time fping), i'm smiling and thinking back to this same day a few years back, when my 19-year-old college sophomore self wandered into alliot to avoid studying and found a guy with funny hair, an even funnier dance and a fake british accent performing at the coffeehouse.
yep, today marks four years of listening to and enjoying the sound stylings of one mr. howie day. i wish i had been blogging back then, as i'm sure i would be amused by what i had to say after the show. i remember writing about it - i jotted down a bit in one of my many spiral bound notebook journals. while i kept all of those journals, they've been packed up and put somewhere, probably not to be found again for years to come. i think it would be hilarious to see what i had to say about this new guy i'd just listened to, now that i know how his music influenced me over the years.
actually, this week has served me quite well, in musical terms, over the years. howie day in 2000, john mayer in 2001. we braved the cold and snow to head to higher ground on 2.6.01 to see john open for glenn phillips and interview them both for our radio show. i need to find that tape - it's packed away in a box of college items and i should really put it aside somewhere else for safekeeping. and i'm hoping to continue the good musical experiences for this week in history, as i'll be making a trip to higher ground today to buy a ticket for thursday's matt nathanson show. i'm looking forward to it - i think i'll say hi and make reference to the smc show junior year and see what his reaction is ... hehehehehe.
but 2.2.04 is shaping up to be a grand day in and of itself. my first day at the paper, the first full day of the patriots' reign as super bowl champs and whatever else may come with the day. i'm looking forward to it, feeling good and ready to it all on.
2.01.2004
washington chopped down the cherry tree to make a baseball bat.
excerpts from a phone conversation with beth:
- i have far less of a problem watching people compete to win a person. competing to win money is sleazy.
- i'm a fan of sleaziness for sleaziness sake.
- the red sox have been saying that every year since 1918 - 1918 was the year when it actually worked.
- ah, i remember the sox's good old days - the victorian age.
- after the civil war, the red sox pursuit of a world series brought the original colonies back together.
- who needs alaska and hawaii? we've got baseball to focus on.
- they haven't won since before there was a national bank! they last won while we were working with the gold standard!
- celebrating is far better when it's warm out - baseball season is perfect.
- lewis and clark deliberated - travel to the pacific or play for the sox?
excerpts from a phone conversation with beth:
- i have far less of a problem watching people compete to win a person. competing to win money is sleazy.
- i'm a fan of sleaziness for sleaziness sake.
- the red sox have been saying that every year since 1918 - 1918 was the year when it actually worked.
- ah, i remember the sox's good old days - the victorian age.
- after the civil war, the red sox pursuit of a world series brought the original colonies back together.
- who needs alaska and hawaii? we've got baseball to focus on.
- they haven't won since before there was a national bank! they last won while we were working with the gold standard!
- celebrating is far better when it's warm out - baseball season is perfect.
- lewis and clark deliberated - travel to the pacific or play for the sox?
omen be damned
after a great last day of free time, i returned home to settle in and watch the patriots deliver on super bowl expectations. however, as i opened my front door and pulled the key from the lock, the string on my keychain snapped, sending square beads across my welcome mat and into the front entranceway.
if this was a normal keychain, i'd make little note of it. however, i'm currently referring to my "lucky" keychain, a string of beads saying "get lucky" on it that i received at leap senior year.
it's all good - it's not a ridiculously big deal, but it had a great deal of sentimental value ... i'm going to restring it at some time soon. but i'm not going to let my overly active imagination try to tell me this is a sign ... nor will i think about what it could be a sign of. not about the job and not about tonight's game! we're going to pull it out ...
after a great last day of free time, i returned home to settle in and watch the patriots deliver on super bowl expectations. however, as i opened my front door and pulled the key from the lock, the string on my keychain snapped, sending square beads across my welcome mat and into the front entranceway.
if this was a normal keychain, i'd make little note of it. however, i'm currently referring to my "lucky" keychain, a string of beads saying "get lucky" on it that i received at leap senior year.
it's all good - it's not a ridiculously big deal, but it had a great deal of sentimental value ... i'm going to restring it at some time soon. but i'm not going to let my overly active imagination try to tell me this is a sign ... nor will i think about what it could be a sign of. not about the job and not about tonight's game! we're going to pull it out ...
run of the mill?
i suppose i always knew it would become routine, but i didn't think it would happen so quickly.
i was running errands this afternoon, taking care of the day-before-work necessities i had thought of, when i figured i should pick up a copy of the paper, as my last column as a correspondent ran in it. i've actually grown rather lax about making sure to get copies. when i first started (and during my defender days), i made sure to grab numerous copies of each paper that included a column or story i'd written - a copy for myself, a copy for the family, a copy for clips, etc. lately, however, i've simply been picking up a copy for clips purposes - and that's when i'm particularly pleased with what i wrote. i had a story that ran yesterday and completely forgot to get a copy - and when i remembered this morning (well, ok, this afternoon, as i woke up just before noon), it was brief flash through my mind that i quickly set aside for more important things.
it's nothing shocking or particularly profound to note, but it intrigues me, now that i think about it. when i thought about how things would be when i was writing professionally, i assumed i would have stacks upon stacks of papers, all preserved in their newsstand form so i would eventually have an extensive archive of my work. i knew i'd get a copy of the paper as quickly as i could so i could tear through what i'd written and be sure it met my high standards.
now, even just a few months into being published on a semi-regular basis - just before i start working full-time - i already have stacks of papers and realize that while my apartment has ample shelve space, i don't want to keep newspapers everywhere. trying to keep track of every article in a complete newspaper would be a pain and quite wasteful on my part. instead, i'm creating an archive of clips that i'm beginning to file away in my own little system - i plan on ultimately getting a filing cabinet to keep them in.
it's just funny to me, i suppose, to realize that i love writing for a newspaper, but i'm now looking at it as a profession and something to excel at, whereas before there was a good part of me looking at it as a chance to see my byline in print.
in other news ... i wish to offer a counterargument to a certain downtown establishment's owner, who informed me that i hate that establishment and karaeoke a few months ago (the result of a column i'd written about the downtown scene on a particular night). if i hate these things, why was i there for several hours last night, rocking out with friends and singing karaeoke, hmm? i had a grand time ... after being amazed by the work of the improv asylum (yeah boston!) last night at the flynn, we went to enjoy karaeoke goodness for awhile, which turned into almost 2 a.m. and i had a blast.
my last attempt at karaeoke is somewhat blurry in my mind, the result of grateful deads, red death and a mellonball at a bar on the south shore a couple of years ago - i do recall that michelle and i gave a stirring (or is it slurring?) rendition of "bitch" and that we sang several other songs - but the rest of the night (well, the part of the night i would prefer to remember) is hazy, as this little songbird wound up living the rockstar life a bit too much.
this time? johnoghue and i duoed with "babylon" and i went solo on "one week" and "flagpole sitta." johnoghue nailed "cat's cradle" and "you can call me al," while liz rocked the cashbah with "cabaret," "you learn," "hit me with your best shot" and "piano man." it was a great end to an evening of caffeinated goodness, catching up, comedy and carousing (sorry, couldn't help it - i needed to take the alliteration as far as i could).
my captain obvious statement for the day: the pats are in the super bowl, which kicks off this evening. when the pats won two years ago, i was in the defender lab, checking proofs while running to the other room to get the score update on the television. while the rest of campus went crazy, i was sending out my photo editor to get celebration shots he never actually wound up getting. needless to say, i missed out on the fun super bowl victory celebrations. this year, i'd intended to travel down to the boston area to watch the game somewhere and go crazy with the rest of the hometown crowd. but since i start work tomorrow, those plans were pretty much scrapped (as were the plans to travel to tuesday's victory celebration - grr). so i'm going to be smart and hang out at my place to watch the game, enjoying some relaxation and, hopefully, some decent commercials (generally the only reason why i watch the game any non-patriot year). good times. relaxing times, which is probably a wise plan of attack, considering.
i should note, however, because i was so shocked and thrilled about this, that i, not-a-fan-of-american-football-even-though-brady-is-amazing girl, managed to answer a patriots trivia question correctly when my father, mr.-i've-been-a-fan-through-thick-and-thin-former-season-ticket-holder-sat-through-the-snowstorms-with-just-a-coat-and-hat man, answered it incorrectly. and, FURTHERMORE, i added insult to injury by offering the correct score of the 1986 super bowl, when he was off by 10 points and was convinced i was in the wrong.
take that, i say.
i suppose i always knew it would become routine, but i didn't think it would happen so quickly.
i was running errands this afternoon, taking care of the day-before-work necessities i had thought of, when i figured i should pick up a copy of the paper, as my last column as a correspondent ran in it. i've actually grown rather lax about making sure to get copies. when i first started (and during my defender days), i made sure to grab numerous copies of each paper that included a column or story i'd written - a copy for myself, a copy for the family, a copy for clips, etc. lately, however, i've simply been picking up a copy for clips purposes - and that's when i'm particularly pleased with what i wrote. i had a story that ran yesterday and completely forgot to get a copy - and when i remembered this morning (well, ok, this afternoon, as i woke up just before noon), it was brief flash through my mind that i quickly set aside for more important things.
it's nothing shocking or particularly profound to note, but it intrigues me, now that i think about it. when i thought about how things would be when i was writing professionally, i assumed i would have stacks upon stacks of papers, all preserved in their newsstand form so i would eventually have an extensive archive of my work. i knew i'd get a copy of the paper as quickly as i could so i could tear through what i'd written and be sure it met my high standards.
now, even just a few months into being published on a semi-regular basis - just before i start working full-time - i already have stacks of papers and realize that while my apartment has ample shelve space, i don't want to keep newspapers everywhere. trying to keep track of every article in a complete newspaper would be a pain and quite wasteful on my part. instead, i'm creating an archive of clips that i'm beginning to file away in my own little system - i plan on ultimately getting a filing cabinet to keep them in.
it's just funny to me, i suppose, to realize that i love writing for a newspaper, but i'm now looking at it as a profession and something to excel at, whereas before there was a good part of me looking at it as a chance to see my byline in print.
in other news ... i wish to offer a counterargument to a certain downtown establishment's owner, who informed me that i hate that establishment and karaeoke a few months ago (the result of a column i'd written about the downtown scene on a particular night). if i hate these things, why was i there for several hours last night, rocking out with friends and singing karaeoke, hmm? i had a grand time ... after being amazed by the work of the improv asylum (yeah boston!) last night at the flynn, we went to enjoy karaeoke goodness for awhile, which turned into almost 2 a.m. and i had a blast.
my last attempt at karaeoke is somewhat blurry in my mind, the result of grateful deads, red death and a mellonball at a bar on the south shore a couple of years ago - i do recall that michelle and i gave a stirring (or is it slurring?) rendition of "bitch" and that we sang several other songs - but the rest of the night (well, the part of the night i would prefer to remember) is hazy, as this little songbird wound up living the rockstar life a bit too much.
this time? johnoghue and i duoed with "babylon" and i went solo on "one week" and "flagpole sitta." johnoghue nailed "cat's cradle" and "you can call me al," while liz rocked the cashbah with "cabaret," "you learn," "hit me with your best shot" and "piano man." it was a great end to an evening of caffeinated goodness, catching up, comedy and carousing (sorry, couldn't help it - i needed to take the alliteration as far as i could).
my captain obvious statement for the day: the pats are in the super bowl, which kicks off this evening. when the pats won two years ago, i was in the defender lab, checking proofs while running to the other room to get the score update on the television. while the rest of campus went crazy, i was sending out my photo editor to get celebration shots he never actually wound up getting. needless to say, i missed out on the fun super bowl victory celebrations. this year, i'd intended to travel down to the boston area to watch the game somewhere and go crazy with the rest of the hometown crowd. but since i start work tomorrow, those plans were pretty much scrapped (as were the plans to travel to tuesday's victory celebration - grr). so i'm going to be smart and hang out at my place to watch the game, enjoying some relaxation and, hopefully, some decent commercials (generally the only reason why i watch the game any non-patriot year). good times. relaxing times, which is probably a wise plan of attack, considering.
i should note, however, because i was so shocked and thrilled about this, that i, not-a-fan-of-american-football-even-though-brady-is-amazing girl, managed to answer a patriots trivia question correctly when my father, mr.-i've-been-a-fan-through-thick-and-thin-former-season-ticket-holder-sat-through-the-snowstorms-with-just-a-coat-and-hat man, answered it incorrectly. and, FURTHERMORE, i added insult to injury by offering the correct score of the 1986 super bowl, when he was off by 10 points and was convinced i was in the wrong.
take that, i say.
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