additions
status check - productive
background ambiance - scanner. always, forever.
momentary lull in the action. taking a sanity break. and i'm sorry to say that for once, i have no emails awaiting my response. will someone bloody email me and give me something to do?
kisses - v.
3.31.2004
i've never felt like such a blonde in my entire life
status check - embarrassed, but so amused
background ambiance - steve poltz, "i killed walter matheau"
after waking up and hearing the pitter-patter of rain against my windows, i scrapped plans to go running and, instead, finally finished the book i've been reading ("running in heels" by anna maxted, for those who want to be in the know). after reading the last page of natalie's chronicles and basking in the fuzzy glow of fine chick-lit (we all need it sometimes), i looked around my living room and, suddenly, froze in confusion and apprehension.
a fragment of a phone conversation with my mother sometime in the last week was racing through my mind. "don't forget daylight savings kicks in - we're skipping forward, so you lose an hour's sleep!"
i suddenly couldn't recall when she had warned me of d.s.t. - was it this week or last? had daylight savings occurred and i didn't even realize it? had i been doing everything this week an hour later than i was supposed to? had time skipped an hour and i was still behind?
checked the clock on my cell phone - seemed fine. checked my alarm clock - it matched. checked the computer clock - still on the same page. but i was convinced that she had mentioned it as a warning at the beginning of last weekend. oh god, it's wednesday now - three days of non-dst living when i was supposed to.
now, rationally, i would know that it wouldn't have kicked in yet. i've been on time (or so i thought) for every meeting and appointment i've had this week. yet, for whatever reason, i wasn't convinced. maybe my clocks automatically skipped ahead. understandable with the computer and cell, but damn, if my alarm clock did it automatically, i'm going back to the store in dc and raving about it to anyone who's around. this is marvelous! i had made it through the switch without even realizing it! hurrah!
so, finally, i found a website with "the official u.s. time" in whatever time zone you want. and then found a site explaining when d.s.t. goes into effect - and confirmed that it is, in fact, this coming weekend that the switch will occur.
and promptly felt like an idiot. and laughed myself silly - as this is one of the new lessons i've learned in the process of living by myself.
if you can't laugh at yourself, you can't laugh at anyone else.
as i said, it being wednesday and all, i celebrated the fact that i'm almost halfway through the week - two days until i'm with friends, laughing, drinking and enjoying music while (probably) laughing at myself and those around me - particularly during friday evening's concert.
but for the first time in ages, when my lathargic mind thought of wednesdsay, tori's song floated through my head. "out past the fountain, a left by the station, i start my day in the usual way." i would sing the song to myself every wednesday when i was in dc, as i rode the metro to union station. i'd walk up the escalator steps, turn left and walk past the columbus statue as i made my way to the hill and my office. one more bit of "scarlet's walk" that struck ridiculously close to home.
i'm not sure why i thought of it today, standing on my small back porch, greeting the day with a semi-sleepy smile and loving the fact that the snow is all but gone and the snippet of lake i can see down the hill is finally melting.
completely different place, completely different time. but same day, same song, same smile.
status check - embarrassed, but so amused
background ambiance - steve poltz, "i killed walter matheau"
after waking up and hearing the pitter-patter of rain against my windows, i scrapped plans to go running and, instead, finally finished the book i've been reading ("running in heels" by anna maxted, for those who want to be in the know). after reading the last page of natalie's chronicles and basking in the fuzzy glow of fine chick-lit (we all need it sometimes), i looked around my living room and, suddenly, froze in confusion and apprehension.
a fragment of a phone conversation with my mother sometime in the last week was racing through my mind. "don't forget daylight savings kicks in - we're skipping forward, so you lose an hour's sleep!"
i suddenly couldn't recall when she had warned me of d.s.t. - was it this week or last? had daylight savings occurred and i didn't even realize it? had i been doing everything this week an hour later than i was supposed to? had time skipped an hour and i was still behind?
checked the clock on my cell phone - seemed fine. checked my alarm clock - it matched. checked the computer clock - still on the same page. but i was convinced that she had mentioned it as a warning at the beginning of last weekend. oh god, it's wednesday now - three days of non-dst living when i was supposed to.
now, rationally, i would know that it wouldn't have kicked in yet. i've been on time (or so i thought) for every meeting and appointment i've had this week. yet, for whatever reason, i wasn't convinced. maybe my clocks automatically skipped ahead. understandable with the computer and cell, but damn, if my alarm clock did it automatically, i'm going back to the store in dc and raving about it to anyone who's around. this is marvelous! i had made it through the switch without even realizing it! hurrah!
so, finally, i found a website with "the official u.s. time" in whatever time zone you want. and then found a site explaining when d.s.t. goes into effect - and confirmed that it is, in fact, this coming weekend that the switch will occur.
and promptly felt like an idiot. and laughed myself silly - as this is one of the new lessons i've learned in the process of living by myself.
if you can't laugh at yourself, you can't laugh at anyone else.
as i said, it being wednesday and all, i celebrated the fact that i'm almost halfway through the week - two days until i'm with friends, laughing, drinking and enjoying music while (probably) laughing at myself and those around me - particularly during friday evening's concert.
but for the first time in ages, when my lathargic mind thought of wednesdsay, tori's song floated through my head. "out past the fountain, a left by the station, i start my day in the usual way." i would sing the song to myself every wednesday when i was in dc, as i rode the metro to union station. i'd walk up the escalator steps, turn left and walk past the columbus statue as i made my way to the hill and my office. one more bit of "scarlet's walk" that struck ridiculously close to home.
i'm not sure why i thought of it today, standing on my small back porch, greeting the day with a semi-sleepy smile and loving the fact that the snow is all but gone and the snippet of lake i can see down the hill is finally melting.
completely different place, completely different time. but same day, same song, same smile.
3.30.2004
messin' with my eye candy
status check - humorously embarrassed
background ambiance - scanner (what else?)
what a gorgeous night. the perfect evening for walking down chuch street to get away for a few minutes. spring.
anyway. you know you do it too, so stop acting like you don't. you have someone that you see on a regular or semi-regular basis who just makes you smile. you giggle to yourself a bit and make sure that when you see him/her, you sit or stand a little straighter and try to look your best. you don't necessarily talk to the person often, but just knowing that he or she is out there keeps you on your toes and gives you something to look foward to, no matter how good or bad your day otherwise has been. it's the dopey, secret crush that's fun to have.
like everyone else, i have my own person who fits that description. i don't talk to him, but i try to smile each time i see him and give a dopey little sigh inside. while i'm always tempted to try to chat, i always talk myself out of it - i won't be witty enough, i won't have anything to say, yadda yadda.
the last time i found myself in such a situation, i was eventually disappointed - got to hang out a few times, which is a pro (not to mention a huge boost for my self-esteem) but found that getting to know the person really shattered the illusion. but one must admit - the illusion was pretty damn nice.
i don't want to ruin the fun of it now. older and wiser or older and more timid? either or.
i've grown so accustomed to the familiar sight of this fellow that, upon seeing a noticeable change today, i almost didn't recognize him. i didn't think much could improve something so lovely, but indeed, improvement has been made. almost makes me want to say something next time.
i said almost.
i don't know why, but somewhere in the middle of this pondering, i flashed back to a moment almost two years ago now (good god), when i was in a slightly similar situation and was convinced i'd actually say something about it. but didn't. and, now, i almost wish i had because really, i had nothing to lose.
it's amazing how the fear of potential mortification can disappear over time and divergent life paths.
but every once in awhile, i wonder if he knew.
status check - humorously embarrassed
background ambiance - scanner (what else?)
what a gorgeous night. the perfect evening for walking down chuch street to get away for a few minutes. spring.
anyway. you know you do it too, so stop acting like you don't. you have someone that you see on a regular or semi-regular basis who just makes you smile. you giggle to yourself a bit and make sure that when you see him/her, you sit or stand a little straighter and try to look your best. you don't necessarily talk to the person often, but just knowing that he or she is out there keeps you on your toes and gives you something to look foward to, no matter how good or bad your day otherwise has been. it's the dopey, secret crush that's fun to have.
like everyone else, i have my own person who fits that description. i don't talk to him, but i try to smile each time i see him and give a dopey little sigh inside. while i'm always tempted to try to chat, i always talk myself out of it - i won't be witty enough, i won't have anything to say, yadda yadda.
the last time i found myself in such a situation, i was eventually disappointed - got to hang out a few times, which is a pro (not to mention a huge boost for my self-esteem) but found that getting to know the person really shattered the illusion. but one must admit - the illusion was pretty damn nice.
i don't want to ruin the fun of it now. older and wiser or older and more timid? either or.
i've grown so accustomed to the familiar sight of this fellow that, upon seeing a noticeable change today, i almost didn't recognize him. i didn't think much could improve something so lovely, but indeed, improvement has been made. almost makes me want to say something next time.
i said almost.
i don't know why, but somewhere in the middle of this pondering, i flashed back to a moment almost two years ago now (good god), when i was in a slightly similar situation and was convinced i'd actually say something about it. but didn't. and, now, i almost wish i had because really, i had nothing to lose.
it's amazing how the fear of potential mortification can disappear over time and divergent life paths.
but every once in awhile, i wonder if he knew.
"oops - nevermind."
status check - amused
background ambiance - tv suddenly put on mute
started to get ready to cover a fire. no fire. return to desk. started to prepare to cover story. might not be a story. return to desk. it is a day of maybes, almosts and not quites. which i'm finding quite amusing.
time to add some certainty to things. so i'm off to definitely buy some dinner and absolutely enjoy it. take that!
by the way, howie made a statement. from the hdtb:
I’m sure most of you by now have heard about my arrest in Madison on Wednesday night. I’d like to apologize to everyone involved in this unfortunate incident.
Basically, a few people were on my tour bus after the show and things got a little out of hand, stupid things were said, feelings were hurt, and a cell phone was damaged. The police were called. Ultimately I was charged with disorderly conduct and damage to property. My lawyer tells me I will be given an opportunity to address these claims at the proper time, and of course I will do so. In any event, I deeply regret anything I said that offended anyone and, of course, I fully intend to pay for the broken phone.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, some wildly inaccurate and sensational stories seem to be circulating. I can assure you that there was never any improper physical contact, nor has any ever been alleged by anyone involved, and nobody was “Locked away in a bathroom”.
I want to apologize to my fans who were bewildered by this whole thing. Most of all, I REALLY am truly sorry to everyone involved in this incident.
Endless apologies.
HD
status check - amused
background ambiance - tv suddenly put on mute
started to get ready to cover a fire. no fire. return to desk. started to prepare to cover story. might not be a story. return to desk. it is a day of maybes, almosts and not quites. which i'm finding quite amusing.
time to add some certainty to things. so i'm off to definitely buy some dinner and absolutely enjoy it. take that!
by the way, howie made a statement. from the hdtb:
I’m sure most of you by now have heard about my arrest in Madison on Wednesday night. I’d like to apologize to everyone involved in this unfortunate incident.
Basically, a few people were on my tour bus after the show and things got a little out of hand, stupid things were said, feelings were hurt, and a cell phone was damaged. The police were called. Ultimately I was charged with disorderly conduct and damage to property. My lawyer tells me I will be given an opportunity to address these claims at the proper time, and of course I will do so. In any event, I deeply regret anything I said that offended anyone and, of course, I fully intend to pay for the broken phone.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, some wildly inaccurate and sensational stories seem to be circulating. I can assure you that there was never any improper physical contact, nor has any ever been alleged by anyone involved, and nobody was “Locked away in a bathroom”.
I want to apologize to my fans who were bewildered by this whole thing. Most of all, I REALLY am truly sorry to everyone involved in this incident.
Endless apologies.
HD
happy happy joy joy
status check - giddy
background ambiance - distant chatter
there is an absolutely brilliant photo of my former employer on the front page of the paper today. i'm cracking up just looking at it - he looks like he's leading a church service. i'm cutting it out and displaying it somewhere in my place, i love it so much. the bossman rocks. nothing but the best to say about the man. vote for him, yo.
hmm. what else? it's gorgeous outside and i'm feeling springy, feeling chatty and refuse to take off my sunglasses because they're working as a headband so perfectly. i'm sipping iced coffee that i picked up at dunkies before work. on my way to the office, i passed by nectar's and saw an averi poster displayed outside. no time listed, though - bollocks. but i did email chad last night to see if he knew - hopefully he'll have a chance to get back to me and let me know.
since i have those five days off in june (who knew two days could turn into five so perfectly?), i'm thinking that the much-delayed, hopefully much-anticipated trip to d.c. should occur. anyone interested in joining me on said excursion may feel free to drop a comment/email my way. and comments from the dc peeps are, obviously, more than welcome. :)
i've been a dopey fool for the past couple of days, with no real understanding of why. i suppose it's better than the alternative - and i plan to go with the giddiness as long as it decides to cooperate with me. it needs to continue through at least the weekend - i just want to be carefree and silly with my partners in crime and debauchery.
one of my editors caught my eye in the far hallway - doing a jig. apparently i'm not the only one hit by a wave of enthusiasm, eh?
status check - giddy
background ambiance - distant chatter
there is an absolutely brilliant photo of my former employer on the front page of the paper today. i'm cracking up just looking at it - he looks like he's leading a church service. i'm cutting it out and displaying it somewhere in my place, i love it so much. the bossman rocks. nothing but the best to say about the man. vote for him, yo.
hmm. what else? it's gorgeous outside and i'm feeling springy, feeling chatty and refuse to take off my sunglasses because they're working as a headband so perfectly. i'm sipping iced coffee that i picked up at dunkies before work. on my way to the office, i passed by nectar's and saw an averi poster displayed outside. no time listed, though - bollocks. but i did email chad last night to see if he knew - hopefully he'll have a chance to get back to me and let me know.
since i have those five days off in june (who knew two days could turn into five so perfectly?), i'm thinking that the much-delayed, hopefully much-anticipated trip to d.c. should occur. anyone interested in joining me on said excursion may feel free to drop a comment/email my way. and comments from the dc peeps are, obviously, more than welcome. :)
i've been a dopey fool for the past couple of days, with no real understanding of why. i suppose it's better than the alternative - and i plan to go with the giddiness as long as it decides to cooperate with me. it needs to continue through at least the weekend - i just want to be carefree and silly with my partners in crime and debauchery.
one of my editors caught my eye in the far hallway - doing a jig. apparently i'm not the only one hit by a wave of enthusiasm, eh?
3.29.2004
hit the road
status check - happy
background ambiance - the editorial process in work
things feel great. the sun is setting on a gorgeous day, full of sunshine, iced coffee (albeit damn strong iced coffee almost too potent for even my taste), drives around town (for work, thank you) and laughter. it's finally warm. it's finally spring. the lake is finally melting. things are finally starting to look like the fates could be kind.
for some reason, i'm giddy about this coming spring. i feel as if spring and summer are waiting to pounce upon me, full of excitement and significance. i can't recall being so excited about spring in years.
i have five days off in a row in june. i want to do something fun. brainstorming session. come up with ideas. i'm thinking maybe dc?
i worry that i don't appear as overly productive the last few days. but i'm working on a lot - all of a sudden, i'm going to have a million stories ready to print. just can't finetune them all quite yet. patience, please, dear editors!
in preparation for friday's celebratory events, i make a request to those attending (and, for those who have no idea of what i'm talking about but are in burlington - averi. nectar's. friday. be there.): if you can, please bring a sleeping bag or something similar. just to make sure everyone has enough to be warm/comfy. since several people have asked, i have no idea of what time averi's performing/ticket price/cover. ask the band boys (feel free to let me know, too).
status check - happy
background ambiance - the editorial process in work
things feel great. the sun is setting on a gorgeous day, full of sunshine, iced coffee (albeit damn strong iced coffee almost too potent for even my taste), drives around town (for work, thank you) and laughter. it's finally warm. it's finally spring. the lake is finally melting. things are finally starting to look like the fates could be kind.
for some reason, i'm giddy about this coming spring. i feel as if spring and summer are waiting to pounce upon me, full of excitement and significance. i can't recall being so excited about spring in years.
i have five days off in a row in june. i want to do something fun. brainstorming session. come up with ideas. i'm thinking maybe dc?
i worry that i don't appear as overly productive the last few days. but i'm working on a lot - all of a sudden, i'm going to have a million stories ready to print. just can't finetune them all quite yet. patience, please, dear editors!
in preparation for friday's celebratory events, i make a request to those attending (and, for those who have no idea of what i'm talking about but are in burlington - averi. nectar's. friday. be there.): if you can, please bring a sleeping bag or something similar. just to make sure everyone has enough to be warm/comfy. since several people have asked, i have no idea of what time averi's performing/ticket price/cover. ask the band boys (feel free to let me know, too).
3.28.2004
ruby, ruby, ruby ...
status check - dopey
background ambiance - tv - american dreams
he can even (kind of) pull off the vanilla ice hair. i couldn't help but laugh as my phone rang during the first commercial following - "the fella didn't do half bad - and i'm a dion fan myself."
picked up "shattered glass" today and was delightedly amazed to see that jamie elman (luke from "american dreams") is in it - i'd never even realized. so i decided to do some research and found out that, among other things, he was on an episode of "are you afraid of the dark?"! hahaha - i can't believe that show was on over a decade ago. we're old.
regardless - jamie is a delight. whether in this decade or another. ;)
status check - dopey
background ambiance - tv - american dreams
he can even (kind of) pull off the vanilla ice hair. i couldn't help but laugh as my phone rang during the first commercial following - "the fella didn't do half bad - and i'm a dion fan myself."
picked up "shattered glass" today and was delightedly amazed to see that jamie elman (luke from "american dreams") is in it - i'd never even realized. so i decided to do some research and found out that, among other things, he was on an episode of "are you afraid of the dark?"! hahaha - i can't believe that show was on over a decade ago. we're old.
regardless - jamie is a delight. whether in this decade or another. ;)
everyone needs a little ethan embry in her life
status check - content
background ambiance - clay aiken performing on snl (please shoot me)
ever since i heard c.a.'s "invincible," i've thought it just sounds like a major stalker song. anyone else with me on this? "i could just watch you in your room?" please.
watched the cheesiest of tv movies tonight, but found myself smiling nonetheless. i blame the smile on the fact that ethan embry was in it. i don't care what the film is, if i see that "aw shucks" dopey grin, i melt. i'm instantly back to watching "can't hardly wait" and swooning. i know, i know.
howie's remarks to police after the whole incident certainly aren't the most charming ...
Asked for his version of events, Day told an officer that it is common practice for consenting females to "hang out" and "get together" on the bus after shows. He said there must have been a misunderstanding if the women went to the bus with intentions other than to "hook up or to drink," the complaint states.
*flashback to standing around outside mhz studios, in case howie came out so i could say hi and hopefully chat because he seemed real chill* ah, if i knew then what i know now.
anyway. rockin the southern vermont lifestyle. as i drove the final mile to my parents' house last night, the rain and warmth prompted tiny little frogs to hop their way across the road. i, of course, did my best to avoid them, but there were so bloody many ... i felt as if i was in some warped version of frogger, only the rules had changed and i was losing ...
i end with a stolen challenge ...
Directions: Choose a band or artist and answer only in the titles of songs done by that band / artist
My choice: rilo kiley
Are you female or male:
Describe yourself: my slumbering heart
How do some people feel about you: don't deconstruct
How do you feel about yourself: the good that won't come out of me
Describe your ex-girlfriend / boyfriend: asshole
Describe your current girlfriend / boyfriend: my slumbering heart
Describe where you want to be: spectacular views
Describe what you want to be: pictures of success
Describe how you live: capturing moods
Describe how you love: three hopeful thoughts
Share a few words of wisdom: absence of god
My Choice: jasonmraz
Are you female or male: white girl in a soul train line
Describe yourself: childlike wildlife
How do some people feel about you: so unusual
How do you feel about yourself: laughing inside
Describe your ex-girlfriend / boyfriend: 10,000 motherfuckers
Describe your current girlfriend / boyfriend: stranger in the sky (make believe)
Describe where you want to be: falling all over the world
Describe what you want to be: life's great work
Describe how you live: sleeping to dream
Describe how you love: take me away
Share a few words of wisdom: the world exploded into love
status check - content
background ambiance - clay aiken performing on snl (please shoot me)
ever since i heard c.a.'s "invincible," i've thought it just sounds like a major stalker song. anyone else with me on this? "i could just watch you in your room?" please.
watched the cheesiest of tv movies tonight, but found myself smiling nonetheless. i blame the smile on the fact that ethan embry was in it. i don't care what the film is, if i see that "aw shucks" dopey grin, i melt. i'm instantly back to watching "can't hardly wait" and swooning. i know, i know.
howie's remarks to police after the whole incident certainly aren't the most charming ...
Asked for his version of events, Day told an officer that it is common practice for consenting females to "hang out" and "get together" on the bus after shows. He said there must have been a misunderstanding if the women went to the bus with intentions other than to "hook up or to drink," the complaint states.
*flashback to standing around outside mhz studios, in case howie came out so i could say hi and hopefully chat because he seemed real chill* ah, if i knew then what i know now.
anyway. rockin the southern vermont lifestyle. as i drove the final mile to my parents' house last night, the rain and warmth prompted tiny little frogs to hop their way across the road. i, of course, did my best to avoid them, but there were so bloody many ... i felt as if i was in some warped version of frogger, only the rules had changed and i was losing ...
i end with a stolen challenge ...
Directions: Choose a band or artist and answer only in the titles of songs done by that band / artist
My choice: rilo kiley
Are you female or male:
Describe yourself: my slumbering heart
How do some people feel about you: don't deconstruct
How do you feel about yourself: the good that won't come out of me
Describe your ex-girlfriend / boyfriend: asshole
Describe your current girlfriend / boyfriend: my slumbering heart
Describe where you want to be: spectacular views
Describe what you want to be: pictures of success
Describe how you live: capturing moods
Describe how you love: three hopeful thoughts
Share a few words of wisdom: absence of god
My Choice: jasonmraz
Are you female or male: white girl in a soul train line
Describe yourself: childlike wildlife
How do some people feel about you: so unusual
How do you feel about yourself: laughing inside
Describe your ex-girlfriend / boyfriend: 10,000 motherfuckers
Describe your current girlfriend / boyfriend: stranger in the sky (make believe)
Describe where you want to be: falling all over the world
Describe what you want to be: life's great work
Describe how you live: sleeping to dream
Describe how you love: take me away
Share a few words of wisdom: the world exploded into love
3.26.2004
in honor of our relative youth
status check - antsy (weekend begins < an hour!)
background ambiance - doors opening and closing
i came across this as i waited to receive the phone callbacks i never received and cursed myself for presenting little, if anything, worthwhile today - albeit not for lack of trying. considering that i've felt like this on many an occasion, i thought my peers might appreciate the lyrics i humbly present you with below (now i just have to listen to this guy's music - i've heard he's pretty good. kind of a jazzy pop type of british bloke).
so, in conclusion, have a grand weekend.
cheers,
victoria
"twentysomething" - jamie cullum
after years of expensive education, a car full of books and anticipation, i’m an expert on shakespeare and that’s a hell of a lot, but the world don't need scholars as much as i thought. maybe i'll go travelling for a year finding myself or start a career. i could work for the poor though i’m hungry for fame we all seem so different but we're just the same. maybe i'll go to the gym, so i don't get fat, are things more easy with a tight six pack? who knows the answers? who do you trust? i can't event separate love from lust. maybe i’ll move back home and pay off my loans, working nine to five answering phones. don't make me live for my friday nights, drinking eight pints and getting in fights.
i don't want to get up, just let me lie in, leave me alone, i'm a twenty something.
maybe i'll just fall in love that could solve it all, philosophers say that that’s enough, there surely must be more.
love ain’t the answer nor is work, the truth alludes me so much it hurts. But i’m still having fun and i guess that's the key, i’m a twenty something and ill keep being me.
i’m a twenty something. let me lie in, leave me alone. i’m a twenty something.
status check - antsy (weekend begins < an hour!)
background ambiance - doors opening and closing
i came across this as i waited to receive the phone callbacks i never received and cursed myself for presenting little, if anything, worthwhile today - albeit not for lack of trying. considering that i've felt like this on many an occasion, i thought my peers might appreciate the lyrics i humbly present you with below (now i just have to listen to this guy's music - i've heard he's pretty good. kind of a jazzy pop type of british bloke).
so, in conclusion, have a grand weekend.
cheers,
victoria
"twentysomething" - jamie cullum
after years of expensive education, a car full of books and anticipation, i’m an expert on shakespeare and that’s a hell of a lot, but the world don't need scholars as much as i thought. maybe i'll go travelling for a year finding myself or start a career. i could work for the poor though i’m hungry for fame we all seem so different but we're just the same. maybe i'll go to the gym, so i don't get fat, are things more easy with a tight six pack? who knows the answers? who do you trust? i can't event separate love from lust. maybe i’ll move back home and pay off my loans, working nine to five answering phones. don't make me live for my friday nights, drinking eight pints and getting in fights.
i don't want to get up, just let me lie in, leave me alone, i'm a twenty something.
maybe i'll just fall in love that could solve it all, philosophers say that that’s enough, there surely must be more.
love ain’t the answer nor is work, the truth alludes me so much it hurts. But i’m still having fun and i guess that's the key, i’m a twenty something and ill keep being me.
i’m a twenty something. let me lie in, leave me alone. i’m a twenty something.
whoa! or should it be "wo!"?
status check - surprised!
background ambiance - printer
and i thought the mini-bottles would provide the only amusement for the day ...
why no takers, eh?
related story
why do we care? because i almost freelanced for the magazine - had the powers that be on the hill not told me that the eleventh hill commandment is "that shall not write for publicaitons."
status check - surprised!
background ambiance - printer
and i thought the mini-bottles would provide the only amusement for the day ...
why no takers, eh?
related story
why do we care? because i almost freelanced for the magazine - had the powers that be on the hill not told me that the eleventh hill commandment is "that shall not write for publicaitons."
long live the mini-bottle!
status check - happy
background ambiance - hilton debate
my amusement for the day. it also rules at dan's cafe!!!!
it's a gorgeous friday. as i waited to pick up a bagel at breugger's, a young girl, probably four years old, danced around in her yellow boots.
"spring is coming! spring is coming!" she chanted over and over - so cute.
yes, yes it is. hurrah!
status check - happy
background ambiance - hilton debate
my amusement for the day. it also rules at dan's cafe!!!!
it's a gorgeous friday. as i waited to pick up a bagel at breugger's, a young girl, probably four years old, danced around in her yellow boots.
"spring is coming! spring is coming!" she chanted over and over - so cute.
yes, yes it is. hurrah!
a new extended vacation.
status check - delighted
background ambiance - that ol' rattlin' wind
since i'm surprisingly alert for 9 a.m., i decided to check out some of my favorite haunts in online land. a pre-gym perusing, if you will. naturally, it took my inquiring eyes jmraz's way. good thing! said songster sent a message to the boards, filling his fans/friends in on what's happening on the studio front and more.
the not-so-good: since elektra's recent sale has pushed back the releast plans for both the yet-to-be-recorded album and the mysterious dvd that was supposed to be out in - what, january or february? late summer now, mraz says. and the album will be early next year.
but it means he's going on tour again - twice. once in may and june, then post-recording in the fall (kicking off with the dmb stints on the west coast, including *sob* the gorge). the may/june tour concept actually sounds mad cool - he'll have to get over to the east coast. which means i'll have to be able to hit up a show. and elizabeth, you will finally see him live. hurrah!
good way to start my friday - now off to the gym and then prepare for the weekend meeting of the SMCSSVS.
status check - delighted
background ambiance - that ol' rattlin' wind
since i'm surprisingly alert for 9 a.m., i decided to check out some of my favorite haunts in online land. a pre-gym perusing, if you will. naturally, it took my inquiring eyes jmraz's way. good thing! said songster sent a message to the boards, filling his fans/friends in on what's happening on the studio front and more.
the not-so-good: since elektra's recent sale has pushed back the releast plans for both the yet-to-be-recorded album and the mysterious dvd that was supposed to be out in - what, january or february? late summer now, mraz says. and the album will be early next year.
but it means he's going on tour again - twice. once in may and june, then post-recording in the fall (kicking off with the dmb stints on the west coast, including *sob* the gorge). the may/june tour concept actually sounds mad cool - he'll have to get over to the east coast. which means i'll have to be able to hit up a show. and elizabeth, you will finally see him live. hurrah!
good way to start my friday - now off to the gym and then prepare for the weekend meeting of the SMCSSVS.
3.25.2004
tour bus blues
status check - nostalgic
background ambiance - printer
i have no idea of why i feel the need to update with the info, but nevertheless. here's an objective story about the howie day incident (i found the headline in the first story more than a little sensationalized).
funny how hd has infiltrated my thought process this week. first thinking back to the old days of solo tours and funny dances, then the suprise of the road journal update (twice in less than a week?!?!), then the news that he faces a court date.
so yeah. short story for those not interested in clicking out. tour bus incident, smashed cell phone, misdemeanor charges of disorderly contact, criminal damage to property and intimidation of a victim, court hearing scheduled for april 1. tonight's opening act for bnl was cancelled.
too bad. i'd say i don't care about the person, i just dig the music, but let's face it - i'd be lying. i am interested in following this and i do care about what happens as a result. i don't just listen to music - with my favorite musicians, i like to find out what makes them tick.
pity. but it's rock and roll, i guess. let's see what happens.
status check - nostalgic
background ambiance - printer
i have no idea of why i feel the need to update with the info, but nevertheless. here's an objective story about the howie day incident (i found the headline in the first story more than a little sensationalized).
funny how hd has infiltrated my thought process this week. first thinking back to the old days of solo tours and funny dances, then the suprise of the road journal update (twice in less than a week?!?!), then the news that he faces a court date.
so yeah. short story for those not interested in clicking out. tour bus incident, smashed cell phone, misdemeanor charges of disorderly contact, criminal damage to property and intimidation of a victim, court hearing scheduled for april 1. tonight's opening act for bnl was cancelled.
too bad. i'd say i don't care about the person, i just dig the music, but let's face it - i'd be lying. i am interested in following this and i do care about what happens as a result. i don't just listen to music - with my favorite musicians, i like to find out what makes them tick.
pity. but it's rock and roll, i guess. let's see what happens.
all good for me, not so much for hd.
status check - just groovy
background ambiance - newsroom chatter
all good, i'm back. that was fun, in its own random sort of way.
but for howie, not so much.
news: singer jailed after show
status check - just groovy
background ambiance - newsroom chatter
all good, i'm back. that was fun, in its own random sort of way.
but for howie, not so much.
news: singer jailed after show
if i'm not back in the office by 5, call a search party
status check - puzzled
background ambiance - police scanner
someone called me this afternoon, asking if i could meet with him to talk about someone who briefly attended college with me and worked with me on "midsummer" - apparently it's for a reference/character check/something along those lines. not familiar with the area and whatnot, but wanted to meet with me in person to discuss this person.
it sounded random, but i figured i'd go with it - sounds legit, i guess - but i figured i'd be smart about this, just in case. paranoia pays off every once in awhile, maybe. if i'm not back at my desk by 5, be worried. i'm going to starbuck's on church street, wearing a black peacoat, maroon turtleneck, kakhis and black boots. i'm meeting someone 6'2 with a black coat and tan pants. i'm sure it'll be fine, but whatever - i'd rather be safe than sorry and it was a really suprisingly random call to receive.
i'll post again when i get back.
status check - puzzled
background ambiance - police scanner
someone called me this afternoon, asking if i could meet with him to talk about someone who briefly attended college with me and worked with me on "midsummer" - apparently it's for a reference/character check/something along those lines. not familiar with the area and whatnot, but wanted to meet with me in person to discuss this person.
it sounded random, but i figured i'd go with it - sounds legit, i guess - but i figured i'd be smart about this, just in case. paranoia pays off every once in awhile, maybe. if i'm not back at my desk by 5, be worried. i'm going to starbuck's on church street, wearing a black peacoat, maroon turtleneck, kakhis and black boots. i'm meeting someone 6'2 with a black coat and tan pants. i'm sure it'll be fine, but whatever - i'd rather be safe than sorry and it was a really suprisingly random call to receive.
i'll post again when i get back.
arrests, apartments and annoyance - oh my!
status check - lazy
background ambiance - raindrops
i haven't seen any official news about this, but supposedly, hd was arrested in wisconsin around 1:30 this morning local time. disorderly conduct, impersonating "someone" (like i said, this isn't the official word) and one other charge, currently unknown.
let the drugged-out, alcoholic rumors begin. my thoughts? he probably did something stupid - probably was drinking at the time - and whatever. so he was arrested for it - what 23-year-old hasn't gotten messed up and done something dumb at one point or another? i think he should find the humor in it - much like the jail stories of another crooner i know ("about 8:30, i believe that i saw god. in the form of a texas state COP!").
my landlord called and wants to know if i want to renew my lease. must ponder.
it's raining and i'd wanted to go running. i spent my morning lounging around and chatting on the phone, listening to the pitter patter of the rain as it falls onto the roof and splashes against my windows. a lazy spring day, it feels like - wait, did i say spring?? yahoo!
status check - lazy
background ambiance - raindrops
i haven't seen any official news about this, but supposedly, hd was arrested in wisconsin around 1:30 this morning local time. disorderly conduct, impersonating "someone" (like i said, this isn't the official word) and one other charge, currently unknown.
let the drugged-out, alcoholic rumors begin. my thoughts? he probably did something stupid - probably was drinking at the time - and whatever. so he was arrested for it - what 23-year-old hasn't gotten messed up and done something dumb at one point or another? i think he should find the humor in it - much like the jail stories of another crooner i know ("about 8:30, i believe that i saw god. in the form of a texas state COP!").
my landlord called and wants to know if i want to renew my lease. must ponder.
it's raining and i'd wanted to go running. i spent my morning lounging around and chatting on the phone, listening to the pitter patter of the rain as it falls onto the roof and splashes against my windows. a lazy spring day, it feels like - wait, did i say spring?? yahoo!
3.24.2004
vegetarianism - take two
in honor of the great american meatout that was held on saturday, i'd decided to give vegetarianism another go. i'd been thinking about it for awhile and, in fact, did go veggie for a brief time a little over a year ago and found it quite pleasant. granted, when i tried it the first time, i wasn't the brightest and didn't find ways of supplementing my diet with the necessary components of a veggie lifestyle - you know, protein and all. live and learn, right?
so this time, i'm armed with the knowledge and know how to give it a shot. and now, after about five days under my belt, i'm actually really liking it. it encourages me to make my own food (as opposed to my recent pattern of takeout madness) and i'm finding new tasty treats to make and consume.
related to this, i must thank the ljer i've been reading lately and the makers of luna bars for introducing me to one of my favorite treats lately - there is not much better lately than a peppermint stick luna bar. mmm.
so, for all the vegetarians out there, or semivegetarians or people who just like a good veggie-based meal every once in awhile, i ask you to please feel free to send any recipe suggestions my way. i'm really getting a kick out of this whole process of getting in touch with my culinary side.
a conversation held in the newsroom tonight made me feel better about my age, although it came as the result of having to miss a conversation i wish i hadn't missed! i inadvertantly left my cell phone ringer on when i got back to the office, realizing this when my phone started to ring.
i have beth's id set for my fraggle rock ring (which i love - how can you not?), so when i started to hear the fr theme, i scrambled to say "hi, can't talk, will talk later." but i wasn't quick enough and my editor says, "what the hell is that???"
"fraggle rock, of course," i reply.
"what???"
"fraggle rock. come on, have some appreciation for the '80s!"
"the '80s? you grew up in the '80s???"
"born in '80, my friend."
this shocked said editor. you're so young, editor says. i feel much better about my 23-ness. no bridget jones-like worries for me for a loooong time. hurrah!
v. good.
status check - pleased
background ambiance - letterman monologue
in honor of the great american meatout that was held on saturday, i'd decided to give vegetarianism another go. i'd been thinking about it for awhile and, in fact, did go veggie for a brief time a little over a year ago and found it quite pleasant. granted, when i tried it the first time, i wasn't the brightest and didn't find ways of supplementing my diet with the necessary components of a veggie lifestyle - you know, protein and all. live and learn, right?
so this time, i'm armed with the knowledge and know how to give it a shot. and now, after about five days under my belt, i'm actually really liking it. it encourages me to make my own food (as opposed to my recent pattern of takeout madness) and i'm finding new tasty treats to make and consume.
related to this, i must thank the ljer i've been reading lately and the makers of luna bars for introducing me to one of my favorite treats lately - there is not much better lately than a peppermint stick luna bar. mmm.
so, for all the vegetarians out there, or semivegetarians or people who just like a good veggie-based meal every once in awhile, i ask you to please feel free to send any recipe suggestions my way. i'm really getting a kick out of this whole process of getting in touch with my culinary side.
a conversation held in the newsroom tonight made me feel better about my age, although it came as the result of having to miss a conversation i wish i hadn't missed! i inadvertantly left my cell phone ringer on when i got back to the office, realizing this when my phone started to ring.
i have beth's id set for my fraggle rock ring (which i love - how can you not?), so when i started to hear the fr theme, i scrambled to say "hi, can't talk, will talk later." but i wasn't quick enough and my editor says, "what the hell is that???"
"fraggle rock, of course," i reply.
"what???"
"fraggle rock. come on, have some appreciation for the '80s!"
"the '80s? you grew up in the '80s???"
"born in '80, my friend."
this shocked said editor. you're so young, editor says. i feel much better about my 23-ness. no bridget jones-like worries for me for a loooong time. hurrah!
v. good.
status check - pleased
background ambiance - letterman monologue
catching up
for those who didn't make it over to the lj side, i figured i'd update this with my written rambling for the last week or so. for your consumption and my archives.
enjoy.
xoxoxo - v.
p.s.
to: beth
from: victoria
re: message
huh???
--------------------------------
back when the buzz back was the buzz [Mar. 24th, 2004|04:21 pm]
[ status check - | ancient ]
[ background ambiance - | ben folds five is playing in my head ]
imagine my shock this afternoon to head to the grocery store cranking the buzz - not realizing that it was, in fact, the buzz's "buzz back lunch." (for those not in the buzz know, 99.9 fm up in hea) now why i didn't realize it is the alarming part. because i was rocking and singing along to ben folds five (army), the cranberries (zombie), live (i alone) and the like.
when did songs i remember from high school and college become dated and retro-like? and, as a result, when did i become retro? when did i get old(er)?
nevertheless. i have embraced jet as my "i don't give a damn, i'm rocking out" band of late - "cold-hearted bitch" is a great rock song and you can't deny it - and contemplating picking up an elbow album. recommendations are welcomed.
only took me a year to re-realize ... [Mar. 24th, 2004|10:30 am]
[ status check - | shocked ]
[ background ambiance - | mraz - the darkest space ]
first, good news in the etherphyte realm - the site is back up. check it out. i've always liked etherphyte - never much of a poster, but i tend to lurk from time to time. it's good to see where that old gang is and what people are up to. thanks to rewt for the heads up.
after that, i was looking through my blog archives and came across something shocking. terrible. so disappointing. from 11.16.01
in other news, i found a bunch of new music yesterday. gabe dixon band, god street wine, ari hest, jason mraz, stephen speaks, onelinedrawing...very excited about it!
now i know i downloaded mraz before i knew who he was and how brilliant he was. i realized this when i went through my "new stuff to listen to" folder (pre-electronic labotomy) and found mraz mp3s, to my utter shock. but i made reference to him in my blog and never realized it until now? apparently i listened to the mp3s, but i didn't realize how great the music is until about a year later???
oy. so much wasted time. hehehe.
game on [Mar. 23rd, 2004|11:03 pm]
[ status check - | geeky ]
[ background ambiance - | bushwalla & jmraz - jesus bo bezus ]
for all those anxiously awaiting confirmation of the nectar's gig, let me be the first to alert you to the fact that the show is confirmed on the venue web site.
let the dual birthday celebration preparation officially begin. good times!
you may now return to your tuesday evening while i sing myself to sleep.
bush w what?
honeysuckle whore [Mar. 23rd, 2004|10:38 pm]
[ status check - | feisty ]
[ background ambiance - | captain obvious theme song (words? there are words?) ]
open up the cracker jack box, take out the secret spy glasses, and read between the fucking lines!
the ying for the previous yang [Mar. 23rd, 2004|07:58 pm]
[ status check - | amused ]
[ background ambiance - | i wish i was listening to rilo kiley ... ]
to balance my previous deep, soul-searching post, i offer this bit of superficiality. just to keep you guessing. hell has frozen over, as hd updated his rj. i think it's a march thing. generally gives it about a year, then updates. i found it amusing, considering yesterday's rambling about days gone by. sounds happy (happy or Happy?), and he reaffirmed my belief that everyone needs to do a better job including shiznit in their lives.
what's meant to be will be was said by some other man to make himself feel better [Mar. 23rd, 2004|05:51 pm]
[ status check - | enlightened ]
[ background ambiance - | snow-related accident reports on the scanner ]
as i drove through today's gray afternoon, sipping the first decent french vanilla iced coffee of the season (i <3 thee, dunkies), i listened to a long-forgotten mix cd i came across in a frantic car-cleaning session (parents visited last night and stayed until today). i laughed when i heard the first strains of "the sweater song" and realized i still didn't know the damn second verse to "daffodils." i know it better than i did the night at metronome, at least. it's all about taking steps.
it's been a good couple of days, although quite random, i should say. while happy to have company in parental form, i felt badly for having to maintain my odd schedule while they relaxed in my apartment. while my schedule, however odd, is generally pretty set in its ways - whenever i'm not anticipating company. last night i received a press release about a fatal at five of ten, then was on hold waiting to talk to a hospital for fifteen minutes. i was not amused. and today i had a meeting an hour earlier than i usually head into work. my guests, naturally, understood and we enjoyed our brief visits nonetheless. they were awarded extra bonus points for bringing my bike (although with the snow falling again, i expect to use it in august - maybe) and the unexpected gift of a new toaster oven. yeah gardenburgers and veggie nuggets!
i slept last night without pulling a judy garland - i'm making insomnia my bitch. today has been productive - the day racing by (she says this fully aware of the fact that time will, from this point on, drag). i'm doing my best to not be bitter about the thick snowflakes, instead smiling because i'm not on 89 this time. and listening to the accidents come in on the scanner.
i'm determined to excise demons in the coming days. it was prompted by the realization of my own foolishness, confirmed by reading words i stumbled across yesterday.
waiting to rush about and race deadline, i looked around online, clicking a link here and there until i stared at my own thoughts, written by someone i've never met and with whom i will likely never speak. some of the details were vastly different, but the core emotions, hopes and fears were exactly the same. i spent the next hour reading voraciously, realizing the author of these echoed thoughts was, in many respects, in the same place as i am and have been (emotionally, at least). and has damn good taste in music, which didn't hurt. it made me realize the waste of time and thought in which i incessently partake with hopeless infatuations. save my energy, save my strength. maintain my childlike wonder and optimism, but maintain it for something worth focusing on.
it felt good to realize. now i just have to do it. the easy part, right? indeed.
like [Mar. 22nd, 2004|07:09 pm]
[ status check - | thoughtful ]
[ background ambiance - | a's "telephone voice" across the room. ]
whoa.
new to you maybe ... [Mar. 22nd, 2004|05:39 pm]
[ status check - | reflective ]
[ background ambiance - | clickedy click of the keyboard keys ]
shortly before turning onto 89 (and into the blizzard waiting ahead) yesterday, i listened to wbos fade into static. but before i completely lost signal, i experienced one of those moments of joy that have popped up with increasing frequency lately.
i heard familiar guitar chords and raced to place them in my mind when the dj mentioned that the musician had just been in town recently and that this was the newest off his major label debut. "here's 'suspended' by matt nathanson."
while i had my window down (as it was still warm in new hampshire, thank god), i'm glad my fellow travelers did not. because i squealed and cranked up the radio, singing along. i think hearing one of your favorite musicians on the radio for the first time is one of my favorite musical moments. they haven't blown up and gained stardom, but they're still getting radio play and you can bask in the glow of knowing all the touring and recording is starting to pay off. while those unfamiliar with the musician could perk up their ears at an intriguing new sound, you know the words by heart and recall singing along in a club somewhere, downloading shows and laughing over road journal posts.
after the first radio play is over, i'd prefer for them to return to where they were before, but it never happens that way. but at least you can recall realizing how significant that first radio play was.
i thought of this later, mid-storm, when i popped a cd into the stereo without looking at it and realized i was listening to a 2000 howie show for the first time in years. i listened to the 19-year-old boy with funny hair sing while on cold medication and grinned like a fool. i sang along with songs i love but, at the time, didn't think i liked and laughed at the banter he offered between every song. talking about learning to use the pedal he'd recently purchased and asking the audience if anyone knew how "slow down" started because, in his medicated state, he couldn't remember.
i miss shows like that.
musically minded [Mar. 22nd, 2004|02:51 pm]
[ status check - | productive ]
[ background ambiance - | the scanner - up and running again. ]
well, i'm not going to coachella on eqx's dollar, i discovered today. kansas beat my pacific tigers in the second round. bollocks. one contest opportunity remains, but the odds are slim to none. c'est la vie.
speaking of concerts, i have no idea of what the hell is going on with the nectar's show. according to averi's site, the show's on and they're playing with spookie daly parade. according to the nectar's and sdp site, spd is palying with honey roasted nuts and doors open at 9. according to hrn's site, they're playing at 8. needless to say, i have no clue of what's going on with it - i have a feeling no one else really knows what the deal is either. if i was feeling more ambitious, i'd email nectar's or something. but i'm not right now and hey, the show is two weeks away. it'll get figured out. i won't email the band because much as i love their music, far too many times i've relied on info on the web site and learned the error of my ways at the venue (ex: arriving and shivering at the living room before the band showed up). we'll see what happens.
speaking of averi, check out the new front page on the site. they played. looks good.
what i would give for five minutes and a pair of scissors.
for your enjoyment. [Mar. 21st, 2004|10:35 pm]
[ status check - | medicated ]
[ background ambiance - | steve poltz - california ]
i started to fill out this whole survey thing. got bored, lost interest. c'est la vie. you'll live.
but i offer a consolation gift - a consolation gift much better than the original gift.
( listen and thank me later. )
with that, feeling very judy garland, i drift off to sleep.
kisses - v.
ich liebe boston. [Mar. 21st, 2004|08:24 pm]
[ status check - | happy ]
[ background ambiance - | tv - american dreams ]
early yesterday afternoon, i walked down a street in chinatown, feeling melting snow drip onto my head from the ornate tower that stood behind me. as i chatted with tom, we came upon a corner market. people moved from box to box, inspecting piles of oranges, mesh bags of nuts and packages of spinach. dozens of conversations mingled together, many in languages i did not understand.
we continued past the market, looking at the white signs with red chinese figures on them. i watched an older woman pick up an orange and draw it close to her face. after a careful once-over, she put it back, repeating the procedure with another.
as i observed this, without the knowledge of today's winter wonderdoom, i smiled and felt a flush of happiness spread across my face. a small moment in a delightful spring afternoon full of conversation, laughter and exploration of city streets.
while heading to davis square on the t later, we spoke of the realization that comes with age, that a brother or sister is a friend more than just a sibling. we spoke of how grand it will be when i progress to boston journalism life and we can meet up for coffee on a weekly basis and chat. we joked of how the family will finally make the complete progression back to the area from which it came. i rested my head on his shoulder, happy to be able to laugh with my brother in person.
i wanted to spend time this weekend wandering the city, relaxing and chatting. tom's impromptu schedule catered to those needs perfectly. vegetarian goodness for lunch at the south street diner (including what i now call "the five dollar shake on sale"), a walk around and a chance to see emerson (i stress again, see "true west" when it goes up). seeing his enthusiasm over showing me the partisians statue and being equally amazed by the piece. returning to davis square and taking him on in my first games of candlepin bowling since i was four. and winning one, despite the fact that it looked more like i was pitching softball again than bowling. sipping coffee at the someday cafe before heading home. "don't squeeze the shaman." it was the best afternoon i've had in ages. i can't wait to visit again. as long as he can deal with me. ;)
steve poltz brings me joy. stopped at newbury comics on the way home (naturally) and found, to my delight, a copy of "chinese vacation." who else could write a haunting song called "i killed water matheau," i ask? and he covers tlc's "waterfalls" - left eye's rap and all. and it's amazing. my envy of pete seeing him perform (with the rest of the rugburns, no less!) last week increased tenfold.
heading home this afternoon, i drove through the snow and wondered how people could be so foolish. 89 in snow? of course you'll race by me now and wind up in a ditch later. what did you expect?
blah blah blah [Mar. 19th, 2004|10:54 pm]
[ status check - | medicated ]
[ background ambiance - | ben folds - someone always cooler than you ]
some sleep medicine and a couple of phone conversations later, i am ready to float away to dreamland. i'm as ready for tomorrow's trip as one can be - that is, without packing and all - and looking forward to hitting the open road with a full tank of gas, a box of cds to sing along to and - ah yes - a skyline to blow a kiss to.
here's to adventure, wandering and the weekend to come.
pro and con [Mar. 19th, 2004|04:58 pm]
[ status check - | listless ]
[ background ambiance - | police scanner on the fritz ]
pro: while i love hearing response about stories i've written from readers/friends/etc., there's nothing quite as satisfying and a completley unprompted compliment about a story from a colleague. since i'm the newest (and youngest) on staff, it's grand to hear one of the writers i respect and admire tell me they enjoyed my work. especially when it's about my review (which, i'll say, i wasn't overly satisfied with, but all in all thought was pretty ok) and i'm told i should do those more often. damn straight!!!! i needed that today - especially since that story's editor continues to ignore my existance. whatever, dude.
con: someone hit my car today. either while i was at home or in the gas station. fortunately only hit the back bumper. not enough damage that i can't drive (so road trip is still on, baby!), but enough that i think i'm going to have to either have the bumper repaired or replaced next week. and whoever did it didn't even leave a note. bastard. i have enough shit to deal with.
but anyway. three more hours until i head home, clean, pack, sleep (ithinkicanithinkican), rise and hit the open road! nothing will stand between me and my favorite skyline except a few hours, miles of road, and a stop at panera along the way for a frozen coffee drink* and a bagel. good times.
* many thanks to panera bread execs for brining your delights, one of my favorite dc treats - closer to me - lebanon is still a bit far away, though. make that last push. set up shop in burlington. thank you. xoxox - v
it's all the good that won't come out of me ... [Mar. 19th, 2004|03:12 pm]
[ status check - | listless ]
[ background ambiance - | scanner and printer noises ]
the past few days have been filled with posts decidedly unenthusiastic. i know they don't make for the most cheery of reads (and, to be honest, i have felt more like a secondary character in a dreary 18th century british novel where it's always raining and everyone dies of a cold). but things are dreary and posts reflect.
the thing is that nothing is really going horribly wrong. i could deal with that easily. remedy the situation and move on or just ride out the bad stuff and wait for the good. but i've felt the past week has consisted of watching situations crumble, each event collapsing onto another and another. little things that are largely imperceptible to others that just frustrate the hell out of me.
a few examples: the need to find a new place. realizing my car is pretty much on its last legs. feeling lethargic. sleep patterns with no pattern whatsoever. the random oblivious editor. writer's block. planning for events that probably won't happen. long days, longer nights.
when someone asks, "hey, how's it going?" i can't say things are going poorly. there's nothing significant fouling things up. but i can't say i'm doing particularly well. as i sit here, working my last five hours of the week, i wear my glasses because my eyes are exhausted. i'm in decidedly comfy wear (although i do think, for my current situation, i look rather cute - i have to find some silver lining) because i hadn't the energy to iron or search through the wardrobe. i have an apartment to clean when i get home and a bag to pack for tomorrow's trip. cleaning my car won't happen, as i'd hoped. and the back bumper's making me nervous.
i think this weekend will be a last blast of sorts. when i return, i must begin my burlington rejuvenation process. grow stronger in mind, body and spirit and organize this mess my life has descended into. find a spark to light things up. and have fun this weekend with friends and relaxation. it's going to be fun. i'm going to have fun. and things are going to shape up.
1 a.m. [Mar. 19th, 2004|01:04 am]
[ status check - | awake ]
[ background ambiance - | silence ]
Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. ~Fran Lebowitz
as i lay in bed, staring at the walls, the ceiling, the window on the opposite end of my room, i started wondering if there was a reason i was still awake. i dozed briefly this evening, about a half hour's worth of slumber curled up on my couch in the living room while the tv droned on. when i woke up, the exhaustion continued, but little else.
i remember reading - or imagining or dreaming - of writers who spent their sleepless nights huddled over a notebook or manuscript, scribbling off new lines of work. perhaps i'm meant to start this myself. who knows what else it could be ... i'd like to think there's some creatively satisfying reason.
ok then. a deal. i'll give in to the midnight muses. as long as it's not tonight. as long as i can finally rest my head on the pillow and just leave consciousness for awhile. make that happen and then i'll do whatever i'm supposed to.
i have a feeling i'll be pouring nyquil into a shotglass tomorrow night. bollocks.
insomnia - the cheap girl's liquor [Mar. 18th, 2004|06:03 pm]
[ status check - | crazy ]
[ background ambiance - | police scanner ]
6 p.m. and still going strong. well, perhaps strong is a slightly exaggerated word choice. does it matter? i didn't think so either.
it's appropriate to be in the newsroom as the no-sleep feelings rush back for the first time since college. i remember this during defender mondays, as i tried proofing and writing and whatever else as the loopy haze fills my head. it is just about as much fun now as it was then.
i'm currently waiting for comments on my review. i continued my trend of totally pysching myself out as i prepared to write - truth be told, i was busy thinking about what i would/should/could write last night while i was supposed to be enjoying some short-lived REM cycles. the feeling continued as i raced deadline this evening, earning surprisngly nasty glances from my editor as i tried to phrase things properly. hey, i tried to get out of the conference today and wait, i'm helping you out. a "thank you" would make the glares so much more acceptable.
but who am i to bitch? just a writer monkey feeling drunk. looking forward to (hopefully) getting out a little early tonight, enjoying some dinner and curling up under the covers for a long winter/spring/whatever's nap. soon. soon.
hey! damien rice's performance at higher ground will actually be at higher ground! according to the website, shows will continue there until at least april 25. see? anything can happen. maybe pacific will win the ncaa and i'll win the coachella tickets or a million dollars or whatever.
maybe i should not write while incoherent. yeah.
new high, low? [Mar. 18th, 2004|07:17 am]
[ status check - | loopy ]
[ background ambiance - | sell out - reel big fish ]
my alarm went off this morning at 6:30 and i had to start the day, which is filled with a conference i don't really want to go to (and tried to get out of last night), a review i need to write and the other requirements of my job.
surprisingly, i had no problem getting out of bed that early.
i think it had something to do with the fact that my insomnia dealt me its harshest blow yet.
i did not sleep last night. at all.
time for a fun day! whee!!!!
hurry up and wait [Mar. 18th, 2004|12:06 am]
[ status check - | sleepy ]
[ background ambiance - | bushwalla - say anything game (with jmraz & pthurston) ]
today was an exercise in patience, followed by the frenzy to get everything done in the most narrow of possible timeframes. such is life. such is deadline.
after waiting and cursing with frustration, i heard from police officials about a story i was working on. or trying to work on, as the case was. my patience (in a manner of speaking) was rewarded, as i received much more information than i would have anticipated.
but as i began to compose a story out of the facts presented, i realized i had to run off to the play i was reviewing. yes, i was reviewing a play - hurrah! about damn time. but there's a catch - i was playing guinea pig to a new system they're trying to put into place. so instead of just writing the review tomorrow, i wrote a short blurb when i returned tonight. that'll be on web in the morning. the full review will be in the paper friday. just need to, well, write it.
so i raced back to write the blurb, finish my cop story and make all the necessary end-of-night calls. a whole lot of running around while the rest of the normal world was celebrating st. patrick's day and their irish heritage (whether real or imagined is anyone's guess and, frankly, it doesn't matter). it was strange to be sober in burlington for st. patty's. i wasn't overly fond of it. making a note for next year and looking forward to the parade in southie on sunday.
now i sit, my adapted sleep schedule already bitching about my need to be at the paper at 8 a.m. tomorrow (later today?). one-day conference to attend. review to write in the car (i hope). then ride out the rest of the day and grumble about attending work friday. i'm determined to get the 2nd off so we can relax before hitting up the boston band at nectar's. i should have just taken the overtime.
c'est la vie.
speaking of friday. revised weekend plans. leaving here early saturday. mofa and wandering with tom for part of the day, after that, not sure (that's where you massachusetts types come in). returning sunday mid-afternoon. hopes: relaxation, wandering, fun. discuss.
for those who didn't make it over to the lj side, i figured i'd update this with my written rambling for the last week or so. for your consumption and my archives.
enjoy.
xoxoxo - v.
p.s.
to: beth
from: victoria
re: message
huh???
--------------------------------
back when the buzz back was the buzz [Mar. 24th, 2004|04:21 pm]
[ status check - | ancient ]
[ background ambiance - | ben folds five is playing in my head ]
imagine my shock this afternoon to head to the grocery store cranking the buzz - not realizing that it was, in fact, the buzz's "buzz back lunch." (for those not in the buzz know, 99.9 fm up in hea) now why i didn't realize it is the alarming part. because i was rocking and singing along to ben folds five (army), the cranberries (zombie), live (i alone) and the like.
when did songs i remember from high school and college become dated and retro-like? and, as a result, when did i become retro? when did i get old(er)?
nevertheless. i have embraced jet as my "i don't give a damn, i'm rocking out" band of late - "cold-hearted bitch" is a great rock song and you can't deny it - and contemplating picking up an elbow album. recommendations are welcomed.
only took me a year to re-realize ... [Mar. 24th, 2004|10:30 am]
[ status check - | shocked ]
[ background ambiance - | mraz - the darkest space ]
first, good news in the etherphyte realm - the site is back up. check it out. i've always liked etherphyte - never much of a poster, but i tend to lurk from time to time. it's good to see where that old gang is and what people are up to. thanks to rewt for the heads up.
after that, i was looking through my blog archives and came across something shocking. terrible. so disappointing. from 11.16.01
in other news, i found a bunch of new music yesterday. gabe dixon band, god street wine, ari hest, jason mraz, stephen speaks, onelinedrawing...very excited about it!
now i know i downloaded mraz before i knew who he was and how brilliant he was. i realized this when i went through my "new stuff to listen to" folder (pre-electronic labotomy) and found mraz mp3s, to my utter shock. but i made reference to him in my blog and never realized it until now? apparently i listened to the mp3s, but i didn't realize how great the music is until about a year later???
oy. so much wasted time. hehehe.
game on [Mar. 23rd, 2004|11:03 pm]
[ status check - | geeky ]
[ background ambiance - | bushwalla & jmraz - jesus bo bezus ]
for all those anxiously awaiting confirmation of the nectar's gig, let me be the first to alert you to the fact that the show is confirmed on the venue web site.
let the dual birthday celebration preparation officially begin. good times!
you may now return to your tuesday evening while i sing myself to sleep.
bush w what?
honeysuckle whore [Mar. 23rd, 2004|10:38 pm]
[ status check - | feisty ]
[ background ambiance - | captain obvious theme song (words? there are words?) ]
open up the cracker jack box, take out the secret spy glasses, and read between the fucking lines!
the ying for the previous yang [Mar. 23rd, 2004|07:58 pm]
[ status check - | amused ]
[ background ambiance - | i wish i was listening to rilo kiley ... ]
to balance my previous deep, soul-searching post, i offer this bit of superficiality. just to keep you guessing. hell has frozen over, as hd updated his rj. i think it's a march thing. generally gives it about a year, then updates. i found it amusing, considering yesterday's rambling about days gone by. sounds happy (happy or Happy?), and he reaffirmed my belief that everyone needs to do a better job including shiznit in their lives.
what's meant to be will be was said by some other man to make himself feel better [Mar. 23rd, 2004|05:51 pm]
[ status check - | enlightened ]
[ background ambiance - | snow-related accident reports on the scanner ]
as i drove through today's gray afternoon, sipping the first decent french vanilla iced coffee of the season (i <3 thee, dunkies), i listened to a long-forgotten mix cd i came across in a frantic car-cleaning session (parents visited last night and stayed until today). i laughed when i heard the first strains of "the sweater song" and realized i still didn't know the damn second verse to "daffodils." i know it better than i did the night at metronome, at least. it's all about taking steps.
it's been a good couple of days, although quite random, i should say. while happy to have company in parental form, i felt badly for having to maintain my odd schedule while they relaxed in my apartment. while my schedule, however odd, is generally pretty set in its ways - whenever i'm not anticipating company. last night i received a press release about a fatal at five of ten, then was on hold waiting to talk to a hospital for fifteen minutes. i was not amused. and today i had a meeting an hour earlier than i usually head into work. my guests, naturally, understood and we enjoyed our brief visits nonetheless. they were awarded extra bonus points for bringing my bike (although with the snow falling again, i expect to use it in august - maybe) and the unexpected gift of a new toaster oven. yeah gardenburgers and veggie nuggets!
i slept last night without pulling a judy garland - i'm making insomnia my bitch. today has been productive - the day racing by (she says this fully aware of the fact that time will, from this point on, drag). i'm doing my best to not be bitter about the thick snowflakes, instead smiling because i'm not on 89 this time. and listening to the accidents come in on the scanner.
i'm determined to excise demons in the coming days. it was prompted by the realization of my own foolishness, confirmed by reading words i stumbled across yesterday.
waiting to rush about and race deadline, i looked around online, clicking a link here and there until i stared at my own thoughts, written by someone i've never met and with whom i will likely never speak. some of the details were vastly different, but the core emotions, hopes and fears were exactly the same. i spent the next hour reading voraciously, realizing the author of these echoed thoughts was, in many respects, in the same place as i am and have been (emotionally, at least). and has damn good taste in music, which didn't hurt. it made me realize the waste of time and thought in which i incessently partake with hopeless infatuations. save my energy, save my strength. maintain my childlike wonder and optimism, but maintain it for something worth focusing on.
it felt good to realize. now i just have to do it. the easy part, right? indeed.
like [Mar. 22nd, 2004|07:09 pm]
[ status check - | thoughtful ]
[ background ambiance - | a's "telephone voice" across the room. ]
whoa.
new to you maybe ... [Mar. 22nd, 2004|05:39 pm]
[ status check - | reflective ]
[ background ambiance - | clickedy click of the keyboard keys ]
shortly before turning onto 89 (and into the blizzard waiting ahead) yesterday, i listened to wbos fade into static. but before i completely lost signal, i experienced one of those moments of joy that have popped up with increasing frequency lately.
i heard familiar guitar chords and raced to place them in my mind when the dj mentioned that the musician had just been in town recently and that this was the newest off his major label debut. "here's 'suspended' by matt nathanson."
while i had my window down (as it was still warm in new hampshire, thank god), i'm glad my fellow travelers did not. because i squealed and cranked up the radio, singing along. i think hearing one of your favorite musicians on the radio for the first time is one of my favorite musical moments. they haven't blown up and gained stardom, but they're still getting radio play and you can bask in the glow of knowing all the touring and recording is starting to pay off. while those unfamiliar with the musician could perk up their ears at an intriguing new sound, you know the words by heart and recall singing along in a club somewhere, downloading shows and laughing over road journal posts.
after the first radio play is over, i'd prefer for them to return to where they were before, but it never happens that way. but at least you can recall realizing how significant that first radio play was.
i thought of this later, mid-storm, when i popped a cd into the stereo without looking at it and realized i was listening to a 2000 howie show for the first time in years. i listened to the 19-year-old boy with funny hair sing while on cold medication and grinned like a fool. i sang along with songs i love but, at the time, didn't think i liked and laughed at the banter he offered between every song. talking about learning to use the pedal he'd recently purchased and asking the audience if anyone knew how "slow down" started because, in his medicated state, he couldn't remember.
i miss shows like that.
musically minded [Mar. 22nd, 2004|02:51 pm]
[ status check - | productive ]
[ background ambiance - | the scanner - up and running again. ]
well, i'm not going to coachella on eqx's dollar, i discovered today. kansas beat my pacific tigers in the second round. bollocks. one contest opportunity remains, but the odds are slim to none. c'est la vie.
speaking of concerts, i have no idea of what the hell is going on with the nectar's show. according to averi's site, the show's on and they're playing with spookie daly parade. according to the nectar's and sdp site, spd is palying with honey roasted nuts and doors open at 9. according to hrn's site, they're playing at 8. needless to say, i have no clue of what's going on with it - i have a feeling no one else really knows what the deal is either. if i was feeling more ambitious, i'd email nectar's or something. but i'm not right now and hey, the show is two weeks away. it'll get figured out. i won't email the band because much as i love their music, far too many times i've relied on info on the web site and learned the error of my ways at the venue (ex: arriving and shivering at the living room before the band showed up). we'll see what happens.
speaking of averi, check out the new front page on the site. they played. looks good.
what i would give for five minutes and a pair of scissors.
for your enjoyment. [Mar. 21st, 2004|10:35 pm]
[ status check - | medicated ]
[ background ambiance - | steve poltz - california ]
i started to fill out this whole survey thing. got bored, lost interest. c'est la vie. you'll live.
but i offer a consolation gift - a consolation gift much better than the original gift.
( listen and thank me later. )
with that, feeling very judy garland, i drift off to sleep.
kisses - v.
ich liebe boston. [Mar. 21st, 2004|08:24 pm]
[ status check - | happy ]
[ background ambiance - | tv - american dreams ]
early yesterday afternoon, i walked down a street in chinatown, feeling melting snow drip onto my head from the ornate tower that stood behind me. as i chatted with tom, we came upon a corner market. people moved from box to box, inspecting piles of oranges, mesh bags of nuts and packages of spinach. dozens of conversations mingled together, many in languages i did not understand.
we continued past the market, looking at the white signs with red chinese figures on them. i watched an older woman pick up an orange and draw it close to her face. after a careful once-over, she put it back, repeating the procedure with another.
as i observed this, without the knowledge of today's winter wonderdoom, i smiled and felt a flush of happiness spread across my face. a small moment in a delightful spring afternoon full of conversation, laughter and exploration of city streets.
while heading to davis square on the t later, we spoke of the realization that comes with age, that a brother or sister is a friend more than just a sibling. we spoke of how grand it will be when i progress to boston journalism life and we can meet up for coffee on a weekly basis and chat. we joked of how the family will finally make the complete progression back to the area from which it came. i rested my head on his shoulder, happy to be able to laugh with my brother in person.
i wanted to spend time this weekend wandering the city, relaxing and chatting. tom's impromptu schedule catered to those needs perfectly. vegetarian goodness for lunch at the south street diner (including what i now call "the five dollar shake on sale"), a walk around and a chance to see emerson (i stress again, see "true west" when it goes up). seeing his enthusiasm over showing me the partisians statue and being equally amazed by the piece. returning to davis square and taking him on in my first games of candlepin bowling since i was four. and winning one, despite the fact that it looked more like i was pitching softball again than bowling. sipping coffee at the someday cafe before heading home. "don't squeeze the shaman." it was the best afternoon i've had in ages. i can't wait to visit again. as long as he can deal with me. ;)
steve poltz brings me joy. stopped at newbury comics on the way home (naturally) and found, to my delight, a copy of "chinese vacation." who else could write a haunting song called "i killed water matheau," i ask? and he covers tlc's "waterfalls" - left eye's rap and all. and it's amazing. my envy of pete seeing him perform (with the rest of the rugburns, no less!) last week increased tenfold.
heading home this afternoon, i drove through the snow and wondered how people could be so foolish. 89 in snow? of course you'll race by me now and wind up in a ditch later. what did you expect?
blah blah blah [Mar. 19th, 2004|10:54 pm]
[ status check - | medicated ]
[ background ambiance - | ben folds - someone always cooler than you ]
some sleep medicine and a couple of phone conversations later, i am ready to float away to dreamland. i'm as ready for tomorrow's trip as one can be - that is, without packing and all - and looking forward to hitting the open road with a full tank of gas, a box of cds to sing along to and - ah yes - a skyline to blow a kiss to.
here's to adventure, wandering and the weekend to come.
pro and con [Mar. 19th, 2004|04:58 pm]
[ status check - | listless ]
[ background ambiance - | police scanner on the fritz ]
pro: while i love hearing response about stories i've written from readers/friends/etc., there's nothing quite as satisfying and a completley unprompted compliment about a story from a colleague. since i'm the newest (and youngest) on staff, it's grand to hear one of the writers i respect and admire tell me they enjoyed my work. especially when it's about my review (which, i'll say, i wasn't overly satisfied with, but all in all thought was pretty ok) and i'm told i should do those more often. damn straight!!!! i needed that today - especially since that story's editor continues to ignore my existance. whatever, dude.
con: someone hit my car today. either while i was at home or in the gas station. fortunately only hit the back bumper. not enough damage that i can't drive (so road trip is still on, baby!), but enough that i think i'm going to have to either have the bumper repaired or replaced next week. and whoever did it didn't even leave a note. bastard. i have enough shit to deal with.
but anyway. three more hours until i head home, clean, pack, sleep (ithinkicanithinkican), rise and hit the open road! nothing will stand between me and my favorite skyline except a few hours, miles of road, and a stop at panera along the way for a frozen coffee drink* and a bagel. good times.
* many thanks to panera bread execs for brining your delights, one of my favorite dc treats - closer to me - lebanon is still a bit far away, though. make that last push. set up shop in burlington. thank you. xoxox - v
it's all the good that won't come out of me ... [Mar. 19th, 2004|03:12 pm]
[ status check - | listless ]
[ background ambiance - | scanner and printer noises ]
the past few days have been filled with posts decidedly unenthusiastic. i know they don't make for the most cheery of reads (and, to be honest, i have felt more like a secondary character in a dreary 18th century british novel where it's always raining and everyone dies of a cold). but things are dreary and posts reflect.
the thing is that nothing is really going horribly wrong. i could deal with that easily. remedy the situation and move on or just ride out the bad stuff and wait for the good. but i've felt the past week has consisted of watching situations crumble, each event collapsing onto another and another. little things that are largely imperceptible to others that just frustrate the hell out of me.
a few examples: the need to find a new place. realizing my car is pretty much on its last legs. feeling lethargic. sleep patterns with no pattern whatsoever. the random oblivious editor. writer's block. planning for events that probably won't happen. long days, longer nights.
when someone asks, "hey, how's it going?" i can't say things are going poorly. there's nothing significant fouling things up. but i can't say i'm doing particularly well. as i sit here, working my last five hours of the week, i wear my glasses because my eyes are exhausted. i'm in decidedly comfy wear (although i do think, for my current situation, i look rather cute - i have to find some silver lining) because i hadn't the energy to iron or search through the wardrobe. i have an apartment to clean when i get home and a bag to pack for tomorrow's trip. cleaning my car won't happen, as i'd hoped. and the back bumper's making me nervous.
i think this weekend will be a last blast of sorts. when i return, i must begin my burlington rejuvenation process. grow stronger in mind, body and spirit and organize this mess my life has descended into. find a spark to light things up. and have fun this weekend with friends and relaxation. it's going to be fun. i'm going to have fun. and things are going to shape up.
1 a.m. [Mar. 19th, 2004|01:04 am]
[ status check - | awake ]
[ background ambiance - | silence ]
Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. ~Fran Lebowitz
as i lay in bed, staring at the walls, the ceiling, the window on the opposite end of my room, i started wondering if there was a reason i was still awake. i dozed briefly this evening, about a half hour's worth of slumber curled up on my couch in the living room while the tv droned on. when i woke up, the exhaustion continued, but little else.
i remember reading - or imagining or dreaming - of writers who spent their sleepless nights huddled over a notebook or manuscript, scribbling off new lines of work. perhaps i'm meant to start this myself. who knows what else it could be ... i'd like to think there's some creatively satisfying reason.
ok then. a deal. i'll give in to the midnight muses. as long as it's not tonight. as long as i can finally rest my head on the pillow and just leave consciousness for awhile. make that happen and then i'll do whatever i'm supposed to.
i have a feeling i'll be pouring nyquil into a shotglass tomorrow night. bollocks.
insomnia - the cheap girl's liquor [Mar. 18th, 2004|06:03 pm]
[ status check - | crazy ]
[ background ambiance - | police scanner ]
6 p.m. and still going strong. well, perhaps strong is a slightly exaggerated word choice. does it matter? i didn't think so either.
it's appropriate to be in the newsroom as the no-sleep feelings rush back for the first time since college. i remember this during defender mondays, as i tried proofing and writing and whatever else as the loopy haze fills my head. it is just about as much fun now as it was then.
i'm currently waiting for comments on my review. i continued my trend of totally pysching myself out as i prepared to write - truth be told, i was busy thinking about what i would/should/could write last night while i was supposed to be enjoying some short-lived REM cycles. the feeling continued as i raced deadline this evening, earning surprisngly nasty glances from my editor as i tried to phrase things properly. hey, i tried to get out of the conference today and wait, i'm helping you out. a "thank you" would make the glares so much more acceptable.
but who am i to bitch? just a writer monkey feeling drunk. looking forward to (hopefully) getting out a little early tonight, enjoying some dinner and curling up under the covers for a long winter/spring/whatever's nap. soon. soon.
hey! damien rice's performance at higher ground will actually be at higher ground! according to the website, shows will continue there until at least april 25. see? anything can happen. maybe pacific will win the ncaa and i'll win the coachella tickets or a million dollars or whatever.
maybe i should not write while incoherent. yeah.
new high, low? [Mar. 18th, 2004|07:17 am]
[ status check - | loopy ]
[ background ambiance - | sell out - reel big fish ]
my alarm went off this morning at 6:30 and i had to start the day, which is filled with a conference i don't really want to go to (and tried to get out of last night), a review i need to write and the other requirements of my job.
surprisingly, i had no problem getting out of bed that early.
i think it had something to do with the fact that my insomnia dealt me its harshest blow yet.
i did not sleep last night. at all.
time for a fun day! whee!!!!
hurry up and wait [Mar. 18th, 2004|12:06 am]
[ status check - | sleepy ]
[ background ambiance - | bushwalla - say anything game (with jmraz & pthurston) ]
today was an exercise in patience, followed by the frenzy to get everything done in the most narrow of possible timeframes. such is life. such is deadline.
after waiting and cursing with frustration, i heard from police officials about a story i was working on. or trying to work on, as the case was. my patience (in a manner of speaking) was rewarded, as i received much more information than i would have anticipated.
but as i began to compose a story out of the facts presented, i realized i had to run off to the play i was reviewing. yes, i was reviewing a play - hurrah! about damn time. but there's a catch - i was playing guinea pig to a new system they're trying to put into place. so instead of just writing the review tomorrow, i wrote a short blurb when i returned tonight. that'll be on web in the morning. the full review will be in the paper friday. just need to, well, write it.
so i raced back to write the blurb, finish my cop story and make all the necessary end-of-night calls. a whole lot of running around while the rest of the normal world was celebrating st. patrick's day and their irish heritage (whether real or imagined is anyone's guess and, frankly, it doesn't matter). it was strange to be sober in burlington for st. patty's. i wasn't overly fond of it. making a note for next year and looking forward to the parade in southie on sunday.
now i sit, my adapted sleep schedule already bitching about my need to be at the paper at 8 a.m. tomorrow (later today?). one-day conference to attend. review to write in the car (i hope). then ride out the rest of the day and grumble about attending work friday. i'm determined to get the 2nd off so we can relax before hitting up the boston band at nectar's. i should have just taken the overtime.
c'est la vie.
speaking of friday. revised weekend plans. leaving here early saturday. mofa and wandering with tom for part of the day, after that, not sure (that's where you massachusetts types come in). returning sunday mid-afternoon. hopes: relaxation, wandering, fun. discuss.
3.18.2004
minibreak.
don't know how long it will last or if it does at all, but i'm taking a break from blogger and trying a new medium - again. kind of. my frustration with templates and the damned ad title has prompted me to turn to a slightly easier method of chronicling. so i dusted off the ol' lj (i know, i know, i swore i'd never use it). i'm sure i'll return to blogspot soon enough, but for the time, look for my rambling here.
don't know how long it will last or if it does at all, but i'm taking a break from blogger and trying a new medium - again. kind of. my frustration with templates and the damned ad title has prompted me to turn to a slightly easier method of chronicling. so i dusted off the ol' lj (i know, i know, i swore i'd never use it). i'm sure i'll return to blogspot soon enough, but for the time, look for my rambling here.
3.17.2004
"it's a darn good day to be irish!"
top o' the mornin to ya! sure and begorrah it warms the cockles of me heart to hope that you and yours have a fabulous day o' the irish!
as i sit here, all too sober for a st. patrick?s day, i have to laugh as i think of my expoits on this day in history. digging through the snow to get to the annex for pre-class vodka crans (little has changed, eh?), freaking out as the snow fell into my shoes. laughing as kathleen freaked (while laughing) about being buzzed during dress rehearsal for a show. lining up at rira?s for early morning celebration and downing long island iced teas. trying to get into the 3 p?s to meet up with colin and participate in the guinness toast, only to realize the line stretched down the block. and, when i finally did get in, choosing vodka cran over guinness anyway.
it?s a good day, certainly my favorite of holidays. but i don?t think i?ll be doing much, if anything, to celebrate tonight. i?m postponing it until this weekend, i think. it?s hard to celebrate when one works until 10 at night and is reviewing a play (whoo hoo!!!). but i?m wearing green and i put my hair in my little pigtails (per recent tradition) and i made sure to listen to all of my classic irish music today.
by classic, i obviously mean dropkick murphys, flogging molly, house of pain ... the good stuff.
so have a grand day, drink for me and celebrate your irish heritage. and if you don?t have any irish blood in you, celebrate my irish heritage instead.
top o' the mornin to ya! sure and begorrah it warms the cockles of me heart to hope that you and yours have a fabulous day o' the irish!
as i sit here, all too sober for a st. patrick?s day, i have to laugh as i think of my expoits on this day in history. digging through the snow to get to the annex for pre-class vodka crans (little has changed, eh?), freaking out as the snow fell into my shoes. laughing as kathleen freaked (while laughing) about being buzzed during dress rehearsal for a show. lining up at rira?s for early morning celebration and downing long island iced teas. trying to get into the 3 p?s to meet up with colin and participate in the guinness toast, only to realize the line stretched down the block. and, when i finally did get in, choosing vodka cran over guinness anyway.
it?s a good day, certainly my favorite of holidays. but i don?t think i?ll be doing much, if anything, to celebrate tonight. i?m postponing it until this weekend, i think. it?s hard to celebrate when one works until 10 at night and is reviewing a play (whoo hoo!!!). but i?m wearing green and i put my hair in my little pigtails (per recent tradition) and i made sure to listen to all of my classic irish music today.
by classic, i obviously mean dropkick murphys, flogging molly, house of pain ... the good stuff.
so have a grand day, drink for me and celebrate your irish heritage. and if you don?t have any irish blood in you, celebrate my irish heritage instead.
.new.
i played. bright, i know. but i was so frustrated that spring isn't arriving yet that i decided to do something about it, dammit. at least if only on my blog.
dear kate winslet -
hi kate. longtime fan, first time writer. thank you for being wonderfully british and fantastic. as well, thank you for your anecdote about giving birth - "i wasn't listening to welsh music, i was listening to rufus wainwright. i was giving birth, listening to 'cigarettes & chocolate milk.'"
yeah!
i played. bright, i know. but i was so frustrated that spring isn't arriving yet that i decided to do something about it, dammit. at least if only on my blog.
dear kate winslet -
hi kate. longtime fan, first time writer. thank you for being wonderfully british and fantastic. as well, thank you for your anecdote about giving birth - "i wasn't listening to welsh music, i was listening to rufus wainwright. i was giving birth, listening to 'cigarettes & chocolate milk.'"
yeah!
3.16.2004
GO PACIFIC!!!!!!!! or I'M SO SCREWED!
so i signed up for the coachella madness contest at weqx and did get into the bracket. however i am paired with pacific. 12th seed in st. louis. if i win against providence, i advance to probably play kansas. if i win that, i take on kentucky. and that's just to the elite eight. which basically means i'm sure as hell not going to coachella.
but i will be optimistic! this is a year of upsets! and my name was paired with pacific, which is the time zone in which coachella is being held. which is the time zone in which i will be, at coachella, thanks to pacific!
confused yet? look here.
random question for teh day: why does liz phair feel the need to be so sleazy? her ad for extraordinary is in rolling stone and, frankly, i'm not impressed. she's pretty and, from what i hear, used to be good. why the panties and fishnets getup?
so i signed up for the coachella madness contest at weqx and did get into the bracket. however i am paired with pacific. 12th seed in st. louis. if i win against providence, i advance to probably play kansas. if i win that, i take on kentucky. and that's just to the elite eight. which basically means i'm sure as hell not going to coachella.
but i will be optimistic! this is a year of upsets! and my name was paired with pacific, which is the time zone in which coachella is being held. which is the time zone in which i will be, at coachella, thanks to pacific!
confused yet? look here.
random question for teh day: why does liz phair feel the need to be so sleazy? her ad for extraordinary is in rolling stone and, frankly, i'm not impressed. she's pretty and, from what i hear, used to be good. why the panties and fishnets getup?
chronicles of a writer dork
i sat in a room today, listening to a pulitzer prize-winning journalist talk to us about what it was like having covered nearly 50 years of politics and news. needless to say, my uber-dorky self was soaking up every single word. especially as he spoke of being a newbie and being thrust into a beat, learning as he went.
fascinating man. good, unexpected way to start my day.
i sat in a room today, listening to a pulitzer prize-winning journalist talk to us about what it was like having covered nearly 50 years of politics and news. needless to say, my uber-dorky self was soaking up every single word. especially as he spoke of being a newbie and being thrust into a beat, learning as he went.
fascinating man. good, unexpected way to start my day.
one, two, three and to the fou'
come on motherfuckers, let's rrrrrock some mo'
good thing to have stuck in one's head first thing in the morning. i had planned on waking up earlier and accomplishing many great things (including a run), but it's cold out and i slept so well for once that i decided to give myself an extra hour (or two). ahh ...
i would like to urge people to do me a favor. and yourself, really, if you live in the area. go to bushwalla's site, send billy email to sign up for the mailing list (as you should do anyway because bushwalla is great) and also mention that burlington is a fabulous place to play during the summer, so bushwalla should certainly make a vt stop on the tour it's putting together.
ok, finally, i leave this. because, well, i didn't want to wake up quite yet and answering a survey meant i could still relax.
1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE WHERE WOULD IT BE?
probably massachusetts, but in a dreamistic manner of thinking, i'd say notting hill or souther cali.
2. FAVORITE ARTICLE of CLOTHING?
a wonderfully comfortable pair of jeans can't be beat.
3. FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
eyes, laugh.
4. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
jonatha brooke, back to the circus
5. WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
a doctor's office.
6. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED?
neck and upper back.
7. WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT, STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY?
strong in mind, baby!
8. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
who says you have to wake up in the morning? and who says you have to sleep?
9. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
COFEEMAKER.
10. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
the way they killed jen off at the end of dawson's creek. i mean, was there any need for that, really? the girl had a slutty background, but she cleaned up her act and everything! ok, so she slipped with charlie, but she really liked him. and how do the writers repay her? pacey, joey and dawson are dancing around their little love triangle, while jen is working her ass off as a single mother who then has to go and DIE! of a mysterious heart ailment, no less! what kind of lousy way to go was that? did jack really need to raise a kid with officer doug that badly? JESUS CHRIST! ok, i feel better now.
11. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
as always, guitar!
12. FAVORITE COLOR?
i've been into blues, greens and black lately.
13. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR SUV?
i've always wanted an suv, but my heart belongs to my lil saturn sports car. :)
14. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
not sure.
15. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
anything shel silverstein.
16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
autumn.
17. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
flight would be cool.
18. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
n/a.
20. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
lexi.
21. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
saturday.
22. WHAT'S IN THE BACK OF YOUR CAR?
what's not in the back of my car right now?
23. WHICH DO YOU PREFER SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
gardenburger, please. sushi if it's strictly a vegetable roll.
27. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CARTOON?
powerpuff girls.
28. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
chipotle
come on motherfuckers, let's rrrrrock some mo'
good thing to have stuck in one's head first thing in the morning. i had planned on waking up earlier and accomplishing many great things (including a run), but it's cold out and i slept so well for once that i decided to give myself an extra hour (or two). ahh ...
i would like to urge people to do me a favor. and yourself, really, if you live in the area. go to bushwalla's site, send billy email to sign up for the mailing list (as you should do anyway because bushwalla is great) and also mention that burlington is a fabulous place to play during the summer, so bushwalla should certainly make a vt stop on the tour it's putting together.
ok, finally, i leave this. because, well, i didn't want to wake up quite yet and answering a survey meant i could still relax.
1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE WHERE WOULD IT BE?
probably massachusetts, but in a dreamistic manner of thinking, i'd say notting hill or souther cali.
2. FAVORITE ARTICLE of CLOTHING?
a wonderfully comfortable pair of jeans can't be beat.
3. FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
eyes, laugh.
4. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
jonatha brooke, back to the circus
5. WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
a doctor's office.
6. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED?
neck and upper back.
7. WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT, STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY?
strong in mind, baby!
8. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
who says you have to wake up in the morning? and who says you have to sleep?
9. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
COFEEMAKER.
10. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
the way they killed jen off at the end of dawson's creek. i mean, was there any need for that, really? the girl had a slutty background, but she cleaned up her act and everything! ok, so she slipped with charlie, but she really liked him. and how do the writers repay her? pacey, joey and dawson are dancing around their little love triangle, while jen is working her ass off as a single mother who then has to go and DIE! of a mysterious heart ailment, no less! what kind of lousy way to go was that? did jack really need to raise a kid with officer doug that badly? JESUS CHRIST! ok, i feel better now.
11. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
as always, guitar!
12. FAVORITE COLOR?
i've been into blues, greens and black lately.
13. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR SUV?
i've always wanted an suv, but my heart belongs to my lil saturn sports car. :)
14. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
not sure.
15. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
anything shel silverstein.
16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
autumn.
17. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
flight would be cool.
18. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
n/a.
20. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
lexi.
21. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
saturday.
22. WHAT'S IN THE BACK OF YOUR CAR?
what's not in the back of my car right now?
23. WHICH DO YOU PREFER SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
gardenburger, please. sushi if it's strictly a vegetable roll.
27. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CARTOON?
powerpuff girls.
28. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
chipotle
jim carrey is a fucking genius
how can you not think he's absolutely brilliant? as i contemplated going to sleep, i decided to postpone my inevitable frustration over the coming insomnia by turning on the telly and checking out letterman. to my delight, the wonderful mr. carrey was a guest.
the man is a fucking riot. out of control hilariously funny. but the thing i love about jim carrey is that he has grown past the whole ace ventura-type of humor (well, ok, most of the time). my favorite bits out of this evening:
- the attempt at counterprogramming. he and letterman sat there for a good three minutes, saying nothing, staring off into space, twitching nervously, etc. carrey's rationale: "people will be glued to their televisions because they won't know what's going on!"
- cell phone interruption. the silence was broken by the ring of a cell phone. carrey: "you should KNOW BETTER! you should KNOW! this is new york! this is largely a THEATER COMMUNITY!" *grabs phone, yells into it, throws it down, stomps on it* dave, cut to commercial! i need to take a walk!!!"
- film clip. shaves a square on his head on which the clip can be projected.
good god, i want to have a conversation with that man.
i know i should go to sleep. and i'm tired. but i'm almost scared to. i'm going to try to fall asleep and not be able to. tossing and turning for hours. i just want to sleep ...
how can you not think he's absolutely brilliant? as i contemplated going to sleep, i decided to postpone my inevitable frustration over the coming insomnia by turning on the telly and checking out letterman. to my delight, the wonderful mr. carrey was a guest.
the man is a fucking riot. out of control hilariously funny. but the thing i love about jim carrey is that he has grown past the whole ace ventura-type of humor (well, ok, most of the time). my favorite bits out of this evening:
- the attempt at counterprogramming. he and letterman sat there for a good three minutes, saying nothing, staring off into space, twitching nervously, etc. carrey's rationale: "people will be glued to their televisions because they won't know what's going on!"
- cell phone interruption. the silence was broken by the ring of a cell phone. carrey: "you should KNOW BETTER! you should KNOW! this is new york! this is largely a THEATER COMMUNITY!" *grabs phone, yells into it, throws it down, stomps on it* dave, cut to commercial! i need to take a walk!!!"
- film clip. shaves a square on his head on which the clip can be projected.
good god, i want to have a conversation with that man.
i know i should go to sleep. and i'm tired. but i'm almost scared to. i'm going to try to fall asleep and not be able to. tossing and turning for hours. i just want to sleep ...
3.15.2004
3.14.2004
planning ahead.
aurgh. i feel as if i spend so much time looking ahead to the tasks that need to be completed that the present is passing by with little fanfare to draw my attention. it's not entirely my fault, as the details that need addressing now will ensure that the months to come will arrive with as little stress or drama as possible. but it's still ridiculously frustrating.
like several others i know, i am beginning the fun task every renter looks forward to - looking for a new place. during my all-too-infrequent-right-now jogs, i've found myself perking up the second i see a "for rent" sign. i never manage to have a piece of paper and pen (which is natural, as i am running and all), so i always mean to return at a more leisurely pace to jot down the address, phone number and thoughts about the building/location/etc. haven't yet - planning on that this week.
and, of course, i'm pouring through the classifides - good times there. deciphering the classified lingo (example: "cozy," naturally, means "small") while testing my local geography so i can place street names to areas. trying to figure out where i want to be and if there's anywhere in that area that might work. or, most accurately, seeing where there are places and figuring out if that's where i want to be. love it.
while i spent time looking around a bit when i first moved up here, i've been relatively lucky in the whole apartment search thing - in the past, at least. the apartment i moved into in dc was the first i'd looked at - granted, i checked out other places, but i loved the apartment. and it was great - good location, good place, great roommates, excercise room, roof pool (which i, unfortunately, never used, as i left right when it was opening up for the summer). i was spoiled.
the apartment in which i'm currently typing away is also great - although vastly different from my first. quirky, comfy, a space i've tried to really make my own since moving in in december. but there's no way i could continue living here in this manner for another year. just not feasible.
so i'm looking forward to finding somewhere new just as much as i'm dreading it. there are just a bunch of things i need to figure out and then just do it. i mean, it's not difficult to move. i've done it twice now, so i know the nervousness that comes with it never fully go away. you wonder if you're doing the right thing, if this is the right place, what you'll discover after the lease is signed and all of those little jitters that pop up along the way. over the course of living in my two apartments, i've encountered a pretty wide spectrum of renter experiences, so there's not a lot that could phase me now (she says, waiting for something else to happen now that she jinxed things). i mean, i handled the indoor waterfall bit like a champ, if i do say so myself.
so i guess i'm excited about it as much as i'm dreading the drudge work that comes with it. i'll start off june with a new place in the area. perhaps i'll claim a cozy studio as my own, perhaps i'll begin a domestic partnership with someone - old or new, who knows? but it'll be good, regardless. it's something we all go through and we've all come out of it relatively unscathed. ;-)
aurgh. i feel as if i spend so much time looking ahead to the tasks that need to be completed that the present is passing by with little fanfare to draw my attention. it's not entirely my fault, as the details that need addressing now will ensure that the months to come will arrive with as little stress or drama as possible. but it's still ridiculously frustrating.
like several others i know, i am beginning the fun task every renter looks forward to - looking for a new place. during my all-too-infrequent-right-now jogs, i've found myself perking up the second i see a "for rent" sign. i never manage to have a piece of paper and pen (which is natural, as i am running and all), so i always mean to return at a more leisurely pace to jot down the address, phone number and thoughts about the building/location/etc. haven't yet - planning on that this week.
and, of course, i'm pouring through the classifides - good times there. deciphering the classified lingo (example: "cozy," naturally, means "small") while testing my local geography so i can place street names to areas. trying to figure out where i want to be and if there's anywhere in that area that might work. or, most accurately, seeing where there are places and figuring out if that's where i want to be. love it.
while i spent time looking around a bit when i first moved up here, i've been relatively lucky in the whole apartment search thing - in the past, at least. the apartment i moved into in dc was the first i'd looked at - granted, i checked out other places, but i loved the apartment. and it was great - good location, good place, great roommates, excercise room, roof pool (which i, unfortunately, never used, as i left right when it was opening up for the summer). i was spoiled.
the apartment in which i'm currently typing away is also great - although vastly different from my first. quirky, comfy, a space i've tried to really make my own since moving in in december. but there's no way i could continue living here in this manner for another year. just not feasible.
so i'm looking forward to finding somewhere new just as much as i'm dreading it. there are just a bunch of things i need to figure out and then just do it. i mean, it's not difficult to move. i've done it twice now, so i know the nervousness that comes with it never fully go away. you wonder if you're doing the right thing, if this is the right place, what you'll discover after the lease is signed and all of those little jitters that pop up along the way. over the course of living in my two apartments, i've encountered a pretty wide spectrum of renter experiences, so there's not a lot that could phase me now (she says, waiting for something else to happen now that she jinxed things). i mean, i handled the indoor waterfall bit like a champ, if i do say so myself.
so i guess i'm excited about it as much as i'm dreading the drudge work that comes with it. i'll start off june with a new place in the area. perhaps i'll claim a cozy studio as my own, perhaps i'll begin a domestic partnership with someone - old or new, who knows? but it'll be good, regardless. it's something we all go through and we've all come out of it relatively unscathed. ;-)
3.13.2004
3.12.2004
we interrupt this post
i was starting to write this whole in-depth, philosophical discussion of music and the progression musicians make as they climb the ladder of fame/success/fill-in-the-blank, when i was torn away from my writing by the need to run out of the building, down the street and into my car, where i practiced (perfectly legal) boston driving skills to make my way to the airport. shortly before my arrival, i was called and told i could return, as the potential accident that was being dealt with was dealt with successfully and, thankfully, without major problems.
notes: i do not recommend running anywhere in doc marten boots. chasing firetrucks may be fun as a kid, but not as a 23-year-old. but the adrenaline was awesome and i still have the sound of sirens ringing in my ears. and my in-depth philosophical rant will have to wait for another time. but check out the new rolling stone when it hits the stands. ben affleck is on the cover and there is a photo spread inside that manages to amuse me, sadden me and make me wonder what will happen in the progression of my favorite musician's career. but i remain optimistic.
and i'll laugh so hard when i meet up with becca tonight, after she saw me whip my car into the driveway, look at her, then run into the house and out of the house, speaking briefly before hopping back into the car and whipping back out onto the roads.
never, EVER forget to bring your cell phone ANYWHERE.
i was starting to write this whole in-depth, philosophical discussion of music and the progression musicians make as they climb the ladder of fame/success/fill-in-the-blank, when i was torn away from my writing by the need to run out of the building, down the street and into my car, where i practiced (perfectly legal) boston driving skills to make my way to the airport. shortly before my arrival, i was called and told i could return, as the potential accident that was being dealt with was dealt with successfully and, thankfully, without major problems.
notes: i do not recommend running anywhere in doc marten boots. chasing firetrucks may be fun as a kid, but not as a 23-year-old. but the adrenaline was awesome and i still have the sound of sirens ringing in my ears. and my in-depth philosophical rant will have to wait for another time. but check out the new rolling stone when it hits the stands. ben affleck is on the cover and there is a photo spread inside that manages to amuse me, sadden me and make me wonder what will happen in the progression of my favorite musician's career. but i remain optimistic.
and i'll laugh so hard when i meet up with becca tonight, after she saw me whip my car into the driveway, look at her, then run into the house and out of the house, speaking briefly before hopping back into the car and whipping back out onto the roads.
never, EVER forget to bring your cell phone ANYWHERE.
winter's last stand
it's trying its damndest to torment me once again, but i'm embracing this morning's bout of blustery winter weather. what? i know, the gal who's been cursing winter like it's going out of style is fine with some snowflakes? yep.
because i know it's one last frenzied flurry of white stuff. one last chance to wrap a scarf around my neck and pull my knit hat over my head for warmth. one last cup of coffee bought primarily as a way of keeping my hands warm as i walk to work. i can look at the spring and summer fashions in shop display windows and think to myself, "soon. soon." i can enjoy the spots of cold hitting my face as i look up at the snowflakes coming down because i know i won't be enduring it with regularity again until months upon months from now.
it's a vermont winter and i know there's no way it is going to go out without a fight. so for today, i'll bundle up and feel the chill - i know the snow will be melting shortly after it hits the ground and flowers will be popping up from the ground in no time.
my good mood is further bolstered by the fact that it's friday (always a bonus) and a story i greatly enjoyed writing was published today. besides the fact that it was fun for me, i had email and a voicemail waiting for me, thanking me for the story. the voicemail said it was "a beautiful story about a beautiful gesture." i thought it was a beautiful message to lead.
and, i wish someone would take the higher ground building. it's free! no, i'm serious.
it's trying its damndest to torment me once again, but i'm embracing this morning's bout of blustery winter weather. what? i know, the gal who's been cursing winter like it's going out of style is fine with some snowflakes? yep.
because i know it's one last frenzied flurry of white stuff. one last chance to wrap a scarf around my neck and pull my knit hat over my head for warmth. one last cup of coffee bought primarily as a way of keeping my hands warm as i walk to work. i can look at the spring and summer fashions in shop display windows and think to myself, "soon. soon." i can enjoy the spots of cold hitting my face as i look up at the snowflakes coming down because i know i won't be enduring it with regularity again until months upon months from now.
it's a vermont winter and i know there's no way it is going to go out without a fight. so for today, i'll bundle up and feel the chill - i know the snow will be melting shortly after it hits the ground and flowers will be popping up from the ground in no time.
my good mood is further bolstered by the fact that it's friday (always a bonus) and a story i greatly enjoyed writing was published today. besides the fact that it was fun for me, i had email and a voicemail waiting for me, thanking me for the story. the voicemail said it was "a beautiful story about a beautiful gesture." i thought it was a beautiful message to lead.
and, i wish someone would take the higher ground building. it's free! no, i'm serious.
3.11.2004
brrr.
just when you think winter's gone, the very-early-spring night makes you shiver and zip up your coat. especially when you stand outside a fire for almost an hour.
no, no, not one i set (this time). decided to hit up the scene of a fire to see if there was enough for a story. i feel the need to state this because of half-frantic phone calls yesterday, when my parents thought i'd died.
my mother called my cell as i walked to my car before heading to a meeting i was covering and, after realizing my cell's battery was dying, i said, "shit! my cell's going."
she, however, only heard the "shit!" part and thought i'd died or been maimed or something. whoops. sorry, ma.
anyway. spoke to the journalism kiddies. i think it went alright. good times. and i'm now typing on a screen that, for whatever reason, refuses to show me what i'm actually writing. spelling errors aren't my fault this time - you know how picky i am about them. i'll go back and edit later.
just when you think winter's gone, the very-early-spring night makes you shiver and zip up your coat. especially when you stand outside a fire for almost an hour.
no, no, not one i set (this time). decided to hit up the scene of a fire to see if there was enough for a story. i feel the need to state this because of half-frantic phone calls yesterday, when my parents thought i'd died.
my mother called my cell as i walked to my car before heading to a meeting i was covering and, after realizing my cell's battery was dying, i said, "shit! my cell's going."
she, however, only heard the "shit!" part and thought i'd died or been maimed or something. whoops. sorry, ma.
anyway. spoke to the journalism kiddies. i think it went alright. good times. and i'm now typing on a screen that, for whatever reason, refuses to show me what i'm actually writing. spelling errors aren't my fault this time - you know how picky i am about them. i'll go back and edit later.
have time, will travel.
requesting off june 24-25, which allows for a four-day weekend with the possibility of traveling wherever, be it cali, chicago or whatnot. i hate having to try planning ahead. i don't generally know what i'm up to next week - let alone months down the road. c'est la vie.
speaking to a writing class at st. michael's this afternoon. i have no idea what i'm going to say. i hope they have questions.
is it friday yet?
requesting off june 24-25, which allows for a four-day weekend with the possibility of traveling wherever, be it cali, chicago or whatnot. i hate having to try planning ahead. i don't generally know what i'm up to next week - let alone months down the road. c'est la vie.
speaking to a writing class at st. michael's this afternoon. i have no idea what i'm going to say. i hope they have questions.
is it friday yet?
flashback
i walked into a store this afternoon and was thoroughly traumatized (and amused) to hear "bigger than my body," a song i'd managed to avoid for weeks. cursing to myself as the infectious pop tried to bore its way into my head, i flashed back to a happier time, musical and magical with the one they now call a rock superstar. or legend in the making. or one-boy boy-band. i don't follow anymore, so i don't know what the latest label is.
but nevertheless, i thought back to how much fun it was at paradise during a june night of laughs, glances from microphones, leans on monitors and, of course, out-of-hand renditions of "wanted dead or alive."
those were the days.
p.s. added a new feature. see here ------------------------------>
please enjoy it. use it. chat with others. sign as a guestbook - both regulars and newcomers or lurkers. have much fun. please. thank you.
i walked into a store this afternoon and was thoroughly traumatized (and amused) to hear "bigger than my body," a song i'd managed to avoid for weeks. cursing to myself as the infectious pop tried to bore its way into my head, i flashed back to a happier time, musical and magical with the one they now call a rock superstar. or legend in the making. or one-boy boy-band. i don't follow anymore, so i don't know what the latest label is.
but nevertheless, i thought back to how much fun it was at paradise during a june night of laughs, glances from microphones, leans on monitors and, of course, out-of-hand renditions of "wanted dead or alive."
those were the days.
p.s. added a new feature. see here ------------------------------>
please enjoy it. use it. chat with others. sign as a guestbook - both regulars and newcomers or lurkers. have much fun. please. thank you.
3.10.2004
let the search begin.
i've begrudgingly come to the conclusion that i am going to have to begin the apartment search process - again. while i love my current place, there are certain aspects that i can't work around - and since the lease is up in june, that leaves me with about two months and a half months to look around and find somewhere new - and some time to decide if i want to have a roommate and go for another two-bedroom or if i want to get a one-bedroom.
armed with the classifieds and a small list of phone numbers for places right around my current home (because i do love the location), i begin the search. if anyone happens to know of any great one- or two-bedrooms in burlington that they think i'd like, please don't hestiate to let me know!
in other amusing news - since ups had tried to deliver my package from texas (that needed to be signed for - good god, it's a fucking t-shirt, not dna) without luck, i left a note on my door yesterday telling them i am home and available to sign until 1:30 p.m. i had a response waiting for me saying they don't do time committments and that they'd try delivering it between 10:30 a.m. and whenever.
if they don't do time committments, is it just coincidence that the ups man was at my doorstep as i was leaving at 1:30? HA!
i didn't have to go out of my way to pick it up, ups man didn't have to knock on my door for the third time in as many days and, best of all, i now have waterloo (waterLOO!!!) goodness. yeah yeah.
i've begrudgingly come to the conclusion that i am going to have to begin the apartment search process - again. while i love my current place, there are certain aspects that i can't work around - and since the lease is up in june, that leaves me with about two months and a half months to look around and find somewhere new - and some time to decide if i want to have a roommate and go for another two-bedroom or if i want to get a one-bedroom.
armed with the classifieds and a small list of phone numbers for places right around my current home (because i do love the location), i begin the search. if anyone happens to know of any great one- or two-bedrooms in burlington that they think i'd like, please don't hestiate to let me know!
in other amusing news - since ups had tried to deliver my package from texas (that needed to be signed for - good god, it's a fucking t-shirt, not dna) without luck, i left a note on my door yesterday telling them i am home and available to sign until 1:30 p.m. i had a response waiting for me saying they don't do time committments and that they'd try delivering it between 10:30 a.m. and whenever.
if they don't do time committments, is it just coincidence that the ups man was at my doorstep as i was leaving at 1:30? HA!
i didn't have to go out of my way to pick it up, ups man didn't have to knock on my door for the third time in as many days and, best of all, i now have waterloo (waterLOO!!!) goodness. yeah yeah.
late night laments
i haven't gotten a good night's sleep in at least three days.
i'm sick of getting spam in my email accounts.
i'm sick of getting virus-riddled spam in said email accounts.
i'm sick of deleting virus-riddled spam in said email accounts.
i'm sick of the template i'm using for this blog, but can't find any i like.
i'm sick of insomnia.
i'm sick of waking up too late in the day to do anything before work.
i'm sick of being sick of stuff.
but it gives me a chance to also go through the archives to see what was going on on this day in vickie history. you lucky readers you.
one year ago, i was in washington, preparing for cherry blossoms and the visitors that were to arrive in a few weeks.
two years ago, i was at school, yet preparing to leave for new york, where i was to attend a collegiate journalism conference at the new york times. i was, therefore, freaking out.
three years ago, i was in long island, covering the men's basketball team as they competed in the sweet sixteen. i was, therefore, thoroughly loving my job as sports editor.
four, five or six years ago, i was doing god knows what. wasn't blogging, that's for sure.
i haven't gotten a good night's sleep in at least three days.
i'm sick of getting spam in my email accounts.
i'm sick of getting virus-riddled spam in said email accounts.
i'm sick of deleting virus-riddled spam in said email accounts.
i'm sick of the template i'm using for this blog, but can't find any i like.
i'm sick of insomnia.
i'm sick of waking up too late in the day to do anything before work.
i'm sick of being sick of stuff.
but it gives me a chance to also go through the archives to see what was going on on this day in vickie history. you lucky readers you.
one year ago, i was in washington, preparing for cherry blossoms and the visitors that were to arrive in a few weeks.
two years ago, i was at school, yet preparing to leave for new york, where i was to attend a collegiate journalism conference at the new york times. i was, therefore, freaking out.
three years ago, i was in long island, covering the men's basketball team as they competed in the sweet sixteen. i was, therefore, thoroughly loving my job as sports editor.
four, five or six years ago, i was doing god knows what. wasn't blogging, that's for sure.
3.09.2004
if this doesn't make you want to buy his album, i don't know what will
since there's not much going on this evening and every time i try to write the story due tomorrow the news system crashes on me, i'm finding amusing things online. temporary stress break before i try writing - and thus crashing the system - for the 4573823th time.
so i come across this. and this, my friends, is one of the reasons i'm looking forward to finally finding (or sending away for) a steve poltz album.
I have been wondering lately what beverage has more caffeine? Coffee wigs me out. Is it a different kind of caffeine or am I insane? Last night I came home after a fine night of dining and several glasses of ice tea and I fell asleep 10 minutes into Letterman. Yet I woke up at 5 in the morning ready to rearrange my sock drawer with my mind full of thoughts like; "can dogs read my mind?" "Who invented liquid soap and why?" "When is a good time to take a nap in a trash compactor?" "I wonder if some of the episodes of Star Trek were real?" "I should try to pull out all of my teeth with a pair of pliers."
Now what I'm wondering is if there is a delayed reaction to the type of caffeine in ice tea? Was it just pulsing through my veins on a time delay like some sort of out of control alarm clock? Does anyone oot there have the answers? You see, if I had had a couple of cups of coffee after dinner I would have tried to shoot my television set last night because of an overflow of instant energy only to be followed by a crash not unlike that of an 8 year old after too many candy bars.
how can you not want to find out more? hmm?
oh, slightly sucky amendment to previous overjoyous post. probably won't make "what the folk?" - it starts at 8, i work til 10. but i'll still try to swing by and catch some of the g.d. set ... i should probably listen to his stuff sometime soon anyway.
since there's not much going on this evening and every time i try to write the story due tomorrow the news system crashes on me, i'm finding amusing things online. temporary stress break before i try writing - and thus crashing the system - for the 4573823th time.
so i come across this. and this, my friends, is one of the reasons i'm looking forward to finally finding (or sending away for) a steve poltz album.
I have been wondering lately what beverage has more caffeine? Coffee wigs me out. Is it a different kind of caffeine or am I insane? Last night I came home after a fine night of dining and several glasses of ice tea and I fell asleep 10 minutes into Letterman. Yet I woke up at 5 in the morning ready to rearrange my sock drawer with my mind full of thoughts like; "can dogs read my mind?" "Who invented liquid soap and why?" "When is a good time to take a nap in a trash compactor?" "I wonder if some of the episodes of Star Trek were real?" "I should try to pull out all of my teeth with a pair of pliers."
Now what I'm wondering is if there is a delayed reaction to the type of caffeine in ice tea? Was it just pulsing through my veins on a time delay like some sort of out of control alarm clock? Does anyone oot there have the answers? You see, if I had had a couple of cups of coffee after dinner I would have tried to shoot my television set last night because of an overflow of instant energy only to be followed by a crash not unlike that of an 8 year old after too many candy bars.
how can you not want to find out more? hmm?
oh, slightly sucky amendment to previous overjoyous post. probably won't make "what the folk?" - it starts at 8, i work til 10. but i'll still try to swing by and catch some of the g.d. set ... i should probably listen to his stuff sometime soon anyway.
try to tell me how next week could possibly suck.
monday & tuesday - work per usual.
wednesday - play to review
thursday - syd & gregory douglass at "what the folk?"
friday, saturday, sunday - boston road trip
and, to add another layer of happiness to my already happily anticipating state of mind, i also learn that the great maryland recovery project was successful.
good times, indeed.
monday & tuesday - work per usual.
wednesday - play to review
thursday - syd & gregory douglass at "what the folk?"
friday, saturday, sunday - boston road trip
and, to add another layer of happiness to my already happily anticipating state of mind, i also learn that the great maryland recovery project was successful.
good times, indeed.
this raises the ultimate question about creativity ...
it was a shame to see the news of spalding gray’s death on the front page today. since he disappeared, i’d been hoping he’d turn up — in my often idealistic frame of mind, i’d hoped that he’d vanished for a bit to excise his demons and then return — perhaps even with a new play.
but alas, that is not the case. another brilliant, troubled playwright turns up dead. aurgh.
but it made me think again of the question that has popped up with increasing frequency over the past month and a half. if someone's creativity stems from sadness, heartbreak, etc. is it better for them to be unhappy and creative or happy and without material to write? had gray's life not been laced with suicide, depression and whatnot, would he have been as creative and, therefore, would he have influenced the arts in the manner he did?
and, speaking of disappearing acts: paul. drop a line or comment so i know you're still among the land of the living, ok? thank you.
one other thing - i need to start planning out the summer, as i have to get requested vacation time into the calendar. any ideas for trips/activites from now through july out there (also known as: anything planned and anyone up for a trip to california?) let me know ...
it was a shame to see the news of spalding gray’s death on the front page today. since he disappeared, i’d been hoping he’d turn up — in my often idealistic frame of mind, i’d hoped that he’d vanished for a bit to excise his demons and then return — perhaps even with a new play.
but alas, that is not the case. another brilliant, troubled playwright turns up dead. aurgh.
but it made me think again of the question that has popped up with increasing frequency over the past month and a half. if someone's creativity stems from sadness, heartbreak, etc. is it better for them to be unhappy and creative or happy and without material to write? had gray's life not been laced with suicide, depression and whatnot, would he have been as creative and, therefore, would he have influenced the arts in the manner he did?
and, speaking of disappearing acts: paul. drop a line or comment so i know you're still among the land of the living, ok? thank you.
one other thing - i need to start planning out the summer, as i have to get requested vacation time into the calendar. any ideas for trips/activites from now through july out there (also known as: anything planned and anyone up for a trip to california?) let me know ...
goldenrod bitch
the scary thing is that the two words do sound quite lovely together. and, after discussing this and many other things that would condemn us to hell, were we already not condemned to driving (me) and navigating (elizabeth) the shuttle bus to hell and back, i am reminded yet again that long phone conversations about everything and nothing all at once are the greatest. and that i need to introduce beth to all that is "cellar door" and donnie darko.
i'm starting a new project. hence the goldenrod bitch bit. i've decided to get in touch with my artistic side. first this project, then i am going to pick up a couple of canvases and try my hand at painting.
yes, i am being serious. i've bought enough "artwork" for my place ... it's about time i made some of my own. i still have some wallspace left ... somewhere ...
after several continuous evenings of battling truly warped sleep habits (i swear i haven't been able to fall soundly asleep before four thirty in days), i'm determined to fall asleep by one o'clock. i'll sleep soundly, wake up (relatively) early, the sun will be shining, the snow will have already melted and i'll be able to go running without worry about falling on ice and breaking myself.
if i do my part, mother nature shall do hers.
wish me luck.
p.s. as i write this, shortly after midnight my time, i think good thoughts for pete, who should be rocking the casbah around 9ish left coast time. hells yeah.
the scary thing is that the two words do sound quite lovely together. and, after discussing this and many other things that would condemn us to hell, were we already not condemned to driving (me) and navigating (elizabeth) the shuttle bus to hell and back, i am reminded yet again that long phone conversations about everything and nothing all at once are the greatest. and that i need to introduce beth to all that is "cellar door" and donnie darko.
i'm starting a new project. hence the goldenrod bitch bit. i've decided to get in touch with my artistic side. first this project, then i am going to pick up a couple of canvases and try my hand at painting.
yes, i am being serious. i've bought enough "artwork" for my place ... it's about time i made some of my own. i still have some wallspace left ... somewhere ...
after several continuous evenings of battling truly warped sleep habits (i swear i haven't been able to fall soundly asleep before four thirty in days), i'm determined to fall asleep by one o'clock. i'll sleep soundly, wake up (relatively) early, the sun will be shining, the snow will have already melted and i'll be able to go running without worry about falling on ice and breaking myself.
if i do my part, mother nature shall do hers.
wish me luck.
p.s. as i write this, shortly after midnight my time, i think good thoughts for pete, who should be rocking the casbah around 9ish left coast time. hells yeah.
3.08.2004
for those attempting to reach me in the evening hours ...
and otherwise to update anyone who's wondering where the hell i am. i'm working evenings now (for those who tried calling today - just forgot to change my away message from earlier today). best way to reach me is email - either my hotmail or the one listed here. email me - i like email love.
xoxoxo - vittoria (yes, i spelled it incorrectly on purpose)
and otherwise to update anyone who's wondering where the hell i am. i'm working evenings now (for those who tried calling today - just forgot to change my away message from earlier today). best way to reach me is email - either my hotmail or the one listed here. email me - i like email love.
xoxoxo - vittoria (yes, i spelled it incorrectly on purpose)
let's give it up for litigation!
eons ago, i and god knows how many other music purchasers filed claims to get in on the compact disc minimum advertised price antitrust ligitation. i had almost forgotten i'd even filed until last week, when i was asked by a fellow filer if i'd received my portion of the settlement was starting to be sent. i'm pleased to report that - yay! - i have finally received said settlement. a whole whopping $13 that i will probably use to - surprise, surprise! - purchase more music.
but in an effort to not completely contribute to the cycle, i will use this to purchase independent music. but who should it be? suggestions? i'm thinking perhaps bushwalla or steve poltz, as those are the two names i've heard or seen mentioned by several of my current favorites as friends and/or recommendations ... hmm. must ponder.
eons ago, i and god knows how many other music purchasers filed claims to get in on the compact disc minimum advertised price antitrust ligitation. i had almost forgotten i'd even filed until last week, when i was asked by a fellow filer if i'd received my portion of the settlement was starting to be sent. i'm pleased to report that - yay! - i have finally received said settlement. a whole whopping $13 that i will probably use to - surprise, surprise! - purchase more music.
but in an effort to not completely contribute to the cycle, i will use this to purchase independent music. but who should it be? suggestions? i'm thinking perhaps bushwalla or steve poltz, as those are the two names i've heard or seen mentioned by several of my current favorites as friends and/or recommendations ... hmm. must ponder.
3.07.2004
ajfjakjdijeaijowj
eyes drooping. head resting against the side of my nice nest of a popason (how does one actually spell it? i'm too lazy to look it up. comment and tell me), where it could very happily remain for eight hours while i drift to sleep ...
the weekend's over, but it doesn't feel like it even began. a new week beckons and i must obligingly answer the call ...
finally experienced a few things i've been meaning to experience. the postal service - v. good. i wasn't sure if i would, as i tend to be more acoustically minded. but it hooked me in. i was particularly struck by the sensations evoked by "the district sleeps alone tonight." also love "nothing better." "you've got a lure i can't deny, but you've had your chance so say goodbye." right on.
and i finally watched "amelie." well, bought it, as i've been told on many an occasion that i'd like it. so i trusted that those people knew me as well as they thought they did and, sure enough, they were right. LOVE IT. would obsess over it more, but sleepy brain won't cooperate.
i'm planning on a roadtrip in a little less than two weeks. the dc plans appear to have fallen through, as we weren't (ok, i wasn't) able to make sure i had the time off and all that fun stuff before the two-week window when prices go up and up and up ... but it turns out that i do have friday the 19th off and i'm thinking an adventure on a slightly less distant scale is in order. perhaps dc in april - cherry blossom time??? adams morgan without worrying about jackets time??? hmm???
back to the 19th. roadtrip to boston. my bike's making the trip with me, as tom has promised to give me the official tom bicycle tour of boston. it'll be fun, as long as i don't die in the process. here's to optimism!
who else in the land of the big dig is free that weekend? let's hang out. it'll be wicked. i sweah.
jfakljdlfajieiejzzzzzzzzgoodnightzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
xoxoxoxo - me
eyes drooping. head resting against the side of my nice nest of a popason (how does one actually spell it? i'm too lazy to look it up. comment and tell me), where it could very happily remain for eight hours while i drift to sleep ...
the weekend's over, but it doesn't feel like it even began. a new week beckons and i must obligingly answer the call ...
finally experienced a few things i've been meaning to experience. the postal service - v. good. i wasn't sure if i would, as i tend to be more acoustically minded. but it hooked me in. i was particularly struck by the sensations evoked by "the district sleeps alone tonight." also love "nothing better." "you've got a lure i can't deny, but you've had your chance so say goodbye." right on.
and i finally watched "amelie." well, bought it, as i've been told on many an occasion that i'd like it. so i trusted that those people knew me as well as they thought they did and, sure enough, they were right. LOVE IT. would obsess over it more, but sleepy brain won't cooperate.
i'm planning on a roadtrip in a little less than two weeks. the dc plans appear to have fallen through, as we weren't (ok, i wasn't) able to make sure i had the time off and all that fun stuff before the two-week window when prices go up and up and up ... but it turns out that i do have friday the 19th off and i'm thinking an adventure on a slightly less distant scale is in order. perhaps dc in april - cherry blossom time??? adams morgan without worrying about jackets time??? hmm???
back to the 19th. roadtrip to boston. my bike's making the trip with me, as tom has promised to give me the official tom bicycle tour of boston. it'll be fun, as long as i don't die in the process. here's to optimism!
who else in the land of the big dig is free that weekend? let's hang out. it'll be wicked. i sweah.
jfakljdlfajieiejzzzzzzzzgoodnightzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
xoxoxoxo - me
the confessions of a 23-year-old freshman.
sunday morning - er, sunday afternoon. i woke up to brilliant sunshine streaming through my windows and thought to myself, "wow, self, that's odd ... that bright that early?" i had, after all, set my alarm for 9 a.m.
upon examining the clock and vaguely remembering attempting to re-set my alarm when 9 a.m. rolled around far too quickly, i realized that it was 12:30 p.m. my alarm-setting attempts had apparently failed me. bollocks.
i haven't slept in that late since college. granted, i couldn't fall asleep until 3:30 or 4, but still ... felt like i needed to roll out of bed, throw on a sweatshirt and head to alliot to witness the culinary mastery that was/i-hope-still-is the omlette man.
somewhat appropriate, i suppose, considering that i spent some of last night back at the old collegiate stomping grounds. met up with andy to see the theater department's latest offering (and the first show with british accents since my days in arcadia) and, as i hoped, ran into a few of my favorite still-smcers, jane and joe ... during intermission, i was invited to the cast party following.
i decided to make an appearance so i could catch up with friends still in the department, despite the ridiculously bizarre feelings that are conjured by preparing to go to a party at the college from which you graduated almost two years prior. walking into a party that's being held across the way from the house you lived in as a senior. and realizing that you don't know many of the people who are now shaping the department you helped shape in years past. one of the guys who actually lived it the house said he didn't recognize me, so i must be a freshman. i waited until i was on my way home to laugh hysterically.
the visit was brief but good ... good to see faces i haven't seen in awhile and hear how much people miss having me around, good to see that most of the lifestyle hasn't changed a bit (although i felt oddly maternal when i wanted to urge the a&f-ad clone girls present to put on some damn clothes - it's not quite warm enough to run outside in tank tops). but wow - to hit up a party in a townhouse across the courtyard from where you lived as a senior - two years ago - bizarre. i just wanted to grab my legal friends and head to rira's and get a vodka cran. i felt old - justifiably so.
after four years of college and two years post-grad, i still don't know the proper response to a greeting of "vickie! i kissed (insert name) at the festival too!"
hmm.
time to move my arse and be productive - running, possibly picking up music by "the postal service," then continuing the process of redectorating i started yesterday. my living room looks like the "trading spaces" crew went on strike halfway through a makeover.
and it's one of hildy's designs. ugh.
sunday morning - er, sunday afternoon. i woke up to brilliant sunshine streaming through my windows and thought to myself, "wow, self, that's odd ... that bright that early?" i had, after all, set my alarm for 9 a.m.
upon examining the clock and vaguely remembering attempting to re-set my alarm when 9 a.m. rolled around far too quickly, i realized that it was 12:30 p.m. my alarm-setting attempts had apparently failed me. bollocks.
i haven't slept in that late since college. granted, i couldn't fall asleep until 3:30 or 4, but still ... felt like i needed to roll out of bed, throw on a sweatshirt and head to alliot to witness the culinary mastery that was/i-hope-still-is the omlette man.
somewhat appropriate, i suppose, considering that i spent some of last night back at the old collegiate stomping grounds. met up with andy to see the theater department's latest offering (and the first show with british accents since my days in arcadia) and, as i hoped, ran into a few of my favorite still-smcers, jane and joe ... during intermission, i was invited to the cast party following.
i decided to make an appearance so i could catch up with friends still in the department, despite the ridiculously bizarre feelings that are conjured by preparing to go to a party at the college from which you graduated almost two years prior. walking into a party that's being held across the way from the house you lived in as a senior. and realizing that you don't know many of the people who are now shaping the department you helped shape in years past. one of the guys who actually lived it the house said he didn't recognize me, so i must be a freshman. i waited until i was on my way home to laugh hysterically.
the visit was brief but good ... good to see faces i haven't seen in awhile and hear how much people miss having me around, good to see that most of the lifestyle hasn't changed a bit (although i felt oddly maternal when i wanted to urge the a&f-ad clone girls present to put on some damn clothes - it's not quite warm enough to run outside in tank tops). but wow - to hit up a party in a townhouse across the courtyard from where you lived as a senior - two years ago - bizarre. i just wanted to grab my legal friends and head to rira's and get a vodka cran. i felt old - justifiably so.
after four years of college and two years post-grad, i still don't know the proper response to a greeting of "vickie! i kissed (insert name) at the festival too!"
hmm.
time to move my arse and be productive - running, possibly picking up music by "the postal service," then continuing the process of redectorating i started yesterday. my living room looks like the "trading spaces" crew went on strike halfway through a makeover.
and it's one of hildy's designs. ugh.
3.06.2004
burning the midnight oil
around 1 last night, i was preparing to go to curl up in bed when i felt the need to write. quite happy, as i haven't felt that nagging "i have something to say and dammit i'm going to say it" urge in at least a couple of weeks, i put pen to notebook and, after initial hesitancy because i wasn't sure where to begin, i started scribbling madly. a hour and a half later, i had the beginning of a collection of stories. not the novel - that's going to come in time. but i had finally begun the process of taking memories i've stored away in my mind and putting them to paper, trying to capture and flesh them out in a more creative way than my typical quasi-journalistic recounts.
ah ... it feels great to have it all started! i'm going to try to devote some time to it each day ... a memory every couple of days should be feasible. and i'm setting up a new little space to post them while in progress ... i'm not quite sure of when i'll let others see them, but if you want to be alerted to when i do offer them to other eyes, comment here and i'll let you know.
i've already got a title for the collection, too, which amused me greatly. and it's not "the great american collection of short stories." i know, i'm shocked too.
around 1 last night, i was preparing to go to curl up in bed when i felt the need to write. quite happy, as i haven't felt that nagging "i have something to say and dammit i'm going to say it" urge in at least a couple of weeks, i put pen to notebook and, after initial hesitancy because i wasn't sure where to begin, i started scribbling madly. a hour and a half later, i had the beginning of a collection of stories. not the novel - that's going to come in time. but i had finally begun the process of taking memories i've stored away in my mind and putting them to paper, trying to capture and flesh them out in a more creative way than my typical quasi-journalistic recounts.
ah ... it feels great to have it all started! i'm going to try to devote some time to it each day ... a memory every couple of days should be feasible. and i'm setting up a new little space to post them while in progress ... i'm not quite sure of when i'll let others see them, but if you want to be alerted to when i do offer them to other eyes, comment here and i'll let you know.
i've already got a title for the collection, too, which amused me greatly. and it's not "the great american collection of short stories." i know, i'm shocked too.
nice moment.
tonight is my night off - much needed relaxation. i've spent the evening curled up with a movie (finally watching "sidewalks of new york" - i like, by the way - a nice change of pace) and doing nothing. ah ... but anyway. i took a break from the movie to stand outside and clear my mind.
but instead, i stood on my porch and felt the breeze. spring-y (forecasts be damned, this is spring) and surprisingly blustery. for some reason, i decided to close my eyes and let the breeze blow over ...
... and i was suddenly convinced that, were i to open my eyes and look off to the left, i'd see the policeman statue. were i to open my eyes and look ahead, i'd see the side of the apartment building across the street. the park would be off to the side, small fountain lit up, chesstables waiting for a midnight game, benches sprinkled with fellow late-night wanderers not quite ready to turn in for the evening. perhaps a small group would walk past, on their way home from a meetup for drinks or heading out for a night in dupont or adams morgan. the last time spring beckoned, i was hundreds of miles south. perhaps on a friday night right around a year ago, i had navigated the metro with paul and chloe, taking the red line and walking toward a new place to check out, a new vodka cran to taste, another slice from pizza mart to devour (with too much hot pepper, per ususal).
i was looking forward to spring at this point a year ago, anticipating cherry blossoms and visits from family and friends while wondering how to alleviate the stress weighing down on several areas. the stress was absurd - obviously not something i miss - but there were more good things going on than i was willing to admit. i think a large portion of my discontent was simply because i was (well, admittedly, still am) young and thought things had to be completely perfect in order to be right.
i know that things often take on a rosy sheen when you look back on them from a different place. i'm preparing for the arrival of another spring somewhere else. but knowing that i still have some of the best parts of dc included in my life, knowing that some of the best parts of my future are right around the bend and knowing that i'm content with things at the moment (a huge realization for me at any point, as i generally refuse to accept contentment as anything less than resignation - also a huge realization for myself), i can enjoy the sensation of experiecing a truly happy memory of a moment that must have made me smile a year ago.
i smiled when i opened my eyes and was surprised to see my back door in front of me. and felt startled when i rested my hand on a wooden porch beam, instead of the small cement wall.
that's the great thing about trying new things and being in different places. dc is still with me, even as i'm miles away. and i'm glad i have it with me.
i just look forward to seeing those small things - the tiny details that make up the best of memories - with my own eyes, sometime soon. it just makes me wonder where future springs will find me - what memories i'll smile upon in the future.
tonight is my night off - much needed relaxation. i've spent the evening curled up with a movie (finally watching "sidewalks of new york" - i like, by the way - a nice change of pace) and doing nothing. ah ... but anyway. i took a break from the movie to stand outside and clear my mind.
but instead, i stood on my porch and felt the breeze. spring-y (forecasts be damned, this is spring) and surprisingly blustery. for some reason, i decided to close my eyes and let the breeze blow over ...
... and i was suddenly convinced that, were i to open my eyes and look off to the left, i'd see the policeman statue. were i to open my eyes and look ahead, i'd see the side of the apartment building across the street. the park would be off to the side, small fountain lit up, chesstables waiting for a midnight game, benches sprinkled with fellow late-night wanderers not quite ready to turn in for the evening. perhaps a small group would walk past, on their way home from a meetup for drinks or heading out for a night in dupont or adams morgan. the last time spring beckoned, i was hundreds of miles south. perhaps on a friday night right around a year ago, i had navigated the metro with paul and chloe, taking the red line and walking toward a new place to check out, a new vodka cran to taste, another slice from pizza mart to devour (with too much hot pepper, per ususal).
i was looking forward to spring at this point a year ago, anticipating cherry blossoms and visits from family and friends while wondering how to alleviate the stress weighing down on several areas. the stress was absurd - obviously not something i miss - but there were more good things going on than i was willing to admit. i think a large portion of my discontent was simply because i was (well, admittedly, still am) young and thought things had to be completely perfect in order to be right.
i know that things often take on a rosy sheen when you look back on them from a different place. i'm preparing for the arrival of another spring somewhere else. but knowing that i still have some of the best parts of dc included in my life, knowing that some of the best parts of my future are right around the bend and knowing that i'm content with things at the moment (a huge realization for me at any point, as i generally refuse to accept contentment as anything less than resignation - also a huge realization for myself), i can enjoy the sensation of experiecing a truly happy memory of a moment that must have made me smile a year ago.
i smiled when i opened my eyes and was surprised to see my back door in front of me. and felt startled when i rested my hand on a wooden porch beam, instead of the small cement wall.
that's the great thing about trying new things and being in different places. dc is still with me, even as i'm miles away. and i'm glad i have it with me.
i just look forward to seeing those small things - the tiny details that make up the best of memories - with my own eyes, sometime soon. it just makes me wonder where future springs will find me - what memories i'll smile upon in the future.
3.05.2004
afternoon chitchat
editor walks by desk, sees mraz desktop wallpaper
editor: who's that pretty boy?
me: absentmindedly, while highlighting notes that's mraz.
editor: ma-who? what kind of name is that?
me: smiling a good one. my favorite musician.
editor: oh geez. mraz? hmm. walks away
two and a half more hours til the weekend and relaxation. thank goodness.
editor walks by desk, sees mraz desktop wallpaper
editor: who's that pretty boy?
me: absentmindedly, while highlighting notes that's mraz.
editor: ma-who? what kind of name is that?
me: smiling a good one. my favorite musician.
editor: oh geez. mraz? hmm. walks away
two and a half more hours til the weekend and relaxation. thank goodness.
curses!
there's nothing worse than having a great story all set - it's fun, it's going to be well-written and it's going to stand out from the typical day-to-day stuff - and then you learn that you can't do it. i understand my source's desire to remain anonymous, but it would have been
so
much
fun
*whimper*
anyhoo. finally caved after hearing my can-can ringtone one (thousand) too many times. joined the ringtone downloading group ... i know. so one of Those People.
you don't know how tempted i was to download "bigger than my body" or "your body is a wonderland" in wretched midi form to show just how bad this mayer thing has become. but my sense of ironic humor couldn't overcome my disgust with all things "new john."
oh and this morning, as i prepared for work (and cursed the dreary weather for keeping me indoors when i wanted to be running - tomorrow, tomorrow), i decided to see if i could take a streaming live listen to 91x - in time for pete's review! i could ... we need a morning radio show like that over here ... i haven't had just a fun start to my day in awhile. phone interview with jack johnson!
and they played "creep." when's the last time i heard that on the radio??? i loved it.
there's nothing worse than having a great story all set - it's fun, it's going to be well-written and it's going to stand out from the typical day-to-day stuff - and then you learn that you can't do it. i understand my source's desire to remain anonymous, but it would have been
so
much
fun
*whimper*
anyhoo. finally caved after hearing my can-can ringtone one (thousand) too many times. joined the ringtone downloading group ... i know. so one of Those People.
you don't know how tempted i was to download "bigger than my body" or "your body is a wonderland" in wretched midi form to show just how bad this mayer thing has become. but my sense of ironic humor couldn't overcome my disgust with all things "new john."
oh and this morning, as i prepared for work (and cursed the dreary weather for keeping me indoors when i wanted to be running - tomorrow, tomorrow), i decided to see if i could take a streaming live listen to 91x - in time for pete's review! i could ... we need a morning radio show like that over here ... i haven't had just a fun start to my day in awhile. phone interview with jack johnson!
and they played "creep." when's the last time i heard that on the radio??? i loved it.
analyze this
last night i dreamt that i walked into work on a monday afternoon and found a newsroom full of surprised, yet relieved faces staring at me. after asking someone what had happened, i was handed a news release from state police. it said that during the previous weekend, i had been reported as a missing person. i was out visiting my cousin caroline (note: i don't have a cousin caroline, but in my dream it made sense) in california, where we were staying at my cousin rick's place in san diego (note: i do have a cousin rick). we went to a professional sporting event of some variety and i left to get something and never came back, the report said. there was a picture of me at the event, where i'm laughing and looking to the side of the camera, but my hair was long like it was a little over a year ago and i was wearing a bandana. the report said my mother described me as, among other things, being 5'10 1/2" tall.
so as i read this, i'm laughing because it makes no sense and i hadn't been in california. so i call the bureau of missing persons and explain to them that i am in fact myself and i was never in california. i spent the weekend in burlington, per usual.
right before i woke up, i recall the police saying that i needed to stay on the line because things were odd ... they had found me in california that morning.
??????
last night i dreamt that i walked into work on a monday afternoon and found a newsroom full of surprised, yet relieved faces staring at me. after asking someone what had happened, i was handed a news release from state police. it said that during the previous weekend, i had been reported as a missing person. i was out visiting my cousin caroline (note: i don't have a cousin caroline, but in my dream it made sense) in california, where we were staying at my cousin rick's place in san diego (note: i do have a cousin rick). we went to a professional sporting event of some variety and i left to get something and never came back, the report said. there was a picture of me at the event, where i'm laughing and looking to the side of the camera, but my hair was long like it was a little over a year ago and i was wearing a bandana. the report said my mother described me as, among other things, being 5'10 1/2" tall.
so as i read this, i'm laughing because it makes no sense and i hadn't been in california. so i call the bureau of missing persons and explain to them that i am in fact myself and i was never in california. i spent the weekend in burlington, per usual.
right before i woke up, i recall the police saying that i needed to stay on the line because things were odd ... they had found me in california that morning.
??????
3.04.2004
public service announcement
i've noticed many a web-type person has come across this little space by duplicating an error i made awhile ago. so, for the good of humankind and music lovers everywhere, i provide this bit of info.
IT IS SPELLED "BONNAROO." the link is here. i couldn't spell it at the time, but i can now. enjoy the festival. perhaps i'll be there. you can thank me in person and we can meet over a drink or something. but there you go, that's where you want to be.
i've noticed many a web-type person has come across this little space by duplicating an error i made awhile ago. so, for the good of humankind and music lovers everywhere, i provide this bit of info.
IT IS SPELLED "BONNAROO." the link is here. i couldn't spell it at the time, but i can now. enjoy the festival. perhaps i'll be there. you can thank me in person and we can meet over a drink or something. but there you go, that's where you want to be.
vic's picks
i've seen so many posts on various ljs/blogs/journals about who people are listening to right now that i felt an overwhelming urge (well, not really, but still) to post the albums currently on my frequent rotation list. as always, feel free to comment about the picks and also pass along any suggestions for things you think i should listen to.
(note: as i began this earlier this afternoon, i'm listened to the josh ritter album i just picked up ... golden age of radio. not bad. quite mellow and intimate ... reminds me of dylan, only with a lovely voice. i'm not overly crazy about it, but i suppose it would really click with others. it's odd, though, as i opened the case and did a doubletake, as the picture of him on the back cover of the booklet reminded me of lars. i think it's mostly just the hair, though. still, it startled me. ok, ramble over.)
in no particular order ...
1. matt nathanson, beneath these fireworks - matt, besides being one of the craziest live performers i've seen in recent memory ("it's a four digit affair tonight!"), has the ability to craft wistfully delicate songs while singing them with both sadness and incredible optimism. he jokes about how he only has two happy songs in his canon. ok, so maybe he does. but he manages to give the sad songs such hope that you find yourself happy while singing along about loves lost and those you never had a chance to experience. standout: "sad songs" - it needles its way into your head and stays there. and the best intro to a song i've heard in awhile.
2. teitur, poetry & aeroplanes - ok, so i just picked this up a few days ago, but i haven't been able to stop listening to it. teitur presents a unique voice, but it reflects shades of david gray, rufus wainwright, elliott smith and everything good in male-singersongwriters. the quiet, almost bare songs rise above so many of the overly-instrumentalized songs that are coming out today. they don't need to hide behind layers of instruments - they shine on their own. great, great stuff. standout: "poetry & aeroplanes" and "i was just thinking."
3. jason mraz, live at java joe's - i know, big surprise. but jason mraz is brilliance and this album is the best collection of his music i've come across. "the remedy" is only a fragment of "rand mcnally" (where it belongs) and the accompaniment is only mraz's guitar, ian's bass and toca's percussion. he's wily, saucy and he embodies love. i can't recall listening to any album on such a regular basis ever. it never gets old, even when i'm singing along with every ad-lib, scat or run. standouts - the whole damn album.
4. rilo kiley, execution of all things - i am a lass of simple needs. one of those needs is to have a night during which my friends and i all burst into a rendition of "with arms outstretched," with all the gusto and clapping present on the album track. so start learning the lyrics, people. i love this album, just a shade more than i love take offs and landings (which, were this a top 10 list, would also be present). no matter what my mood, this album fits. besides, i think "a better son/daughter" is an anthem for anyone in their twenties. oh, and i want jenny lewis' voice, thank you very much. standouts - "with arms outstretched," "a better son/daughter," "the good that won't come out."
5. pete thurston, look what i can do - a demo - pete balances the humor of his musical movie reviews with this demo, which features his strong songwriting and fantastic guitar skills. and besides, pete just rocks! everything comes together - music, lyrics, voice - for a great demonstration. listen to him, email him and tell him he should take a break from cali life for a short visit to new england, where he will perform for fans/friends and we'll all drink and be merry after. standout - "whiskey song" and "30down."
5 1/2. averi, live at paradise - since pete's is a demo, i figured i was entitled to one more full-length pick. averi live in two discs of paradise glory ... i realized the other day that i've seen averi as just as many times (or pretty damn close) as i've seen howie day, the artist i thought would always stay at the top of my "repeat concert visit" list. the five men of averi have grown and honed their sound in the two years since i began roadtripping to see them perform. this live disc is recorded at paradise, my favorite musical venue in boston (perhaps anywhere), where (short story coming) people know how to have fun at a concert. this includes joining the band onstage, dancing around to "this liminal life," with 50 or 60 other people.
anyway. you can listen and rock out to their original songs, enjoy a couple of covers thrown in to spice things up, and imagine the facial distortions chad makes when he's really into the music. standouts - "flutter" (my second favorite averi song - the rarely played "daffodils" still holds first place), "this liminal life" (the techno or "shake your ass" version), "she waits," and "land of confusion" (yes, a genesis cover. or was it just phil collins by that point? does it matter? it's a damn good song).
honorable mentions: gregory page - unhappy hour; jeff buckley - grace; guster - parachute; counting crows - films about ghosts
anyone else think averi should contact richard at firstlisten to be part of a mailing? i do ...
i've seen so many posts on various ljs/blogs/journals about who people are listening to right now that i felt an overwhelming urge (well, not really, but still) to post the albums currently on my frequent rotation list. as always, feel free to comment about the picks and also pass along any suggestions for things you think i should listen to.
(note: as i began this earlier this afternoon, i'm listened to the josh ritter album i just picked up ... golden age of radio. not bad. quite mellow and intimate ... reminds me of dylan, only with a lovely voice. i'm not overly crazy about it, but i suppose it would really click with others. it's odd, though, as i opened the case and did a doubletake, as the picture of him on the back cover of the booklet reminded me of lars. i think it's mostly just the hair, though. still, it startled me. ok, ramble over.)
in no particular order ...
1. matt nathanson, beneath these fireworks - matt, besides being one of the craziest live performers i've seen in recent memory ("it's a four digit affair tonight!"), has the ability to craft wistfully delicate songs while singing them with both sadness and incredible optimism. he jokes about how he only has two happy songs in his canon. ok, so maybe he does. but he manages to give the sad songs such hope that you find yourself happy while singing along about loves lost and those you never had a chance to experience. standout: "sad songs" - it needles its way into your head and stays there. and the best intro to a song i've heard in awhile.
2. teitur, poetry & aeroplanes - ok, so i just picked this up a few days ago, but i haven't been able to stop listening to it. teitur presents a unique voice, but it reflects shades of david gray, rufus wainwright, elliott smith and everything good in male-singersongwriters. the quiet, almost bare songs rise above so many of the overly-instrumentalized songs that are coming out today. they don't need to hide behind layers of instruments - they shine on their own. great, great stuff. standout: "poetry & aeroplanes" and "i was just thinking."
3. jason mraz, live at java joe's - i know, big surprise. but jason mraz is brilliance and this album is the best collection of his music i've come across. "the remedy" is only a fragment of "rand mcnally" (where it belongs) and the accompaniment is only mraz's guitar, ian's bass and toca's percussion. he's wily, saucy and he embodies love. i can't recall listening to any album on such a regular basis ever. it never gets old, even when i'm singing along with every ad-lib, scat or run. standouts - the whole damn album.
4. rilo kiley, execution of all things - i am a lass of simple needs. one of those needs is to have a night during which my friends and i all burst into a rendition of "with arms outstretched," with all the gusto and clapping present on the album track. so start learning the lyrics, people. i love this album, just a shade more than i love take offs and landings (which, were this a top 10 list, would also be present). no matter what my mood, this album fits. besides, i think "a better son/daughter" is an anthem for anyone in their twenties. oh, and i want jenny lewis' voice, thank you very much. standouts - "with arms outstretched," "a better son/daughter," "the good that won't come out."
5. pete thurston, look what i can do - a demo - pete balances the humor of his musical movie reviews with this demo, which features his strong songwriting and fantastic guitar skills. and besides, pete just rocks! everything comes together - music, lyrics, voice - for a great demonstration. listen to him, email him and tell him he should take a break from cali life for a short visit to new england, where he will perform for fans/friends and we'll all drink and be merry after. standout - "whiskey song" and "30down."
5 1/2. averi, live at paradise - since pete's is a demo, i figured i was entitled to one more full-length pick. averi live in two discs of paradise glory ... i realized the other day that i've seen averi as just as many times (or pretty damn close) as i've seen howie day, the artist i thought would always stay at the top of my "repeat concert visit" list. the five men of averi have grown and honed their sound in the two years since i began roadtripping to see them perform. this live disc is recorded at paradise, my favorite musical venue in boston (perhaps anywhere), where (short story coming) people know how to have fun at a concert. this includes joining the band onstage, dancing around to "this liminal life," with 50 or 60 other people.
anyway. you can listen and rock out to their original songs, enjoy a couple of covers thrown in to spice things up, and imagine the facial distortions chad makes when he's really into the music. standouts - "flutter" (my second favorite averi song - the rarely played "daffodils" still holds first place), "this liminal life" (the techno or "shake your ass" version), "she waits," and "land of confusion" (yes, a genesis cover. or was it just phil collins by that point? does it matter? it's a damn good song).
honorable mentions: gregory page - unhappy hour; jeff buckley - grace; guster - parachute; counting crows - films about ghosts
anyone else think averi should contact richard at firstlisten to be part of a mailing? i do ...
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