I never knew much about Pete Seeger

until I watched the American Masters show about him. I was completely fascinated. He started out with just a love for singing and playing his banjo and turned into one of the most important people in the American folk music revival.

Every moment of his life he based his actions on what he believed in. He wrote songs for peace, criticized wars he thought were wrong, supported the civil rights movement, and was a fervent environmentalist. He was blacklisted during the red scare, but pushed on anyway.

I want to live my life like that - for what I believe in. Definitely check out Pete Seeger, his life AND his music.

Every once in awhile

I get a glimpse of someone else's life and think to myself

"I wish that could be my life."

But then it hits me. No one has that perfect life. In fact, my life isn't half bad. The only one who can stop me from having the life that I want for myself is me.


From PostSecret.

Now watching

Bonnie and Clyde.

Getting cozy with Gary Cooper.

It was a Gary Cooper weekend it seemed on TMC. My parents came to visit (which is funny, since I will be home for the holidays on Wednesday) and we ended up watching THREE Gary Cooper movies.

I'd never seen anything he was in (which, my dad, was shocked by), but I did really enjoy Meet John Doe and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (which is WAY better than Adam Sandler's Mr. Deeds). I would definitely recommend each!

Oops.

I've read only 40% of the books I own, which is 329 books, unless there are others floating around that people have borrowed and haven't returned.

COUGHRYANCOUGH!!!

I think that's okay though, since I've still read 132 of the books I own (again, not including those that are floating in space with those I've lent to).

It's a good thing I have a lot of free time now so I can read the other 197 of them. :)

"But I really loved him."

"Big deal. So you fell in love with someone. Don't you see what happened? This guy touched a place in your heart deeper than you thought you were capable of reaching. I mean you got zapped, kiddo. But that love you felt, that's just the beginning. You just got a taste of love. That's just limited little rinky-dink mortal love. Wait till you see how much more deeply you can love than that. Heck, Groceries--you have the capacity to someday love the whole world. It's your destiny. Don't laugh."

"I'm not laughing." I was actually crying. "And please don't laugh at me now, but I think the reason it's so hard for me to get over this guy is because I seriously believed David was my soul mate."

"He probably was. Your problem is you don't understand what that word means. People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. It's over, Groceries. David's purpose was to shake you up, drive you out of that marriage that you needed to leave, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light could get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you had to transform your life...That was his job, and he did great, now it's over. You're like a dog at the dump, baby--you're just lickin' at an empty tin can, trying to get some more nutrition out of it. And if you're not careful, that can's gonna get stuck on your snout forever and make your life miserable. So drop it."

"But I love him."

"So love him."

"But I miss him."

"So miss him. Send him some love and light every time you think about him, then drop it. You're just afraid to let go of the last bits of David because then you'll really be alone, and Liz Gilbert is scared to death of what will happen if she's really alone. But here's what you gotta understand, Groceries. If you clear out all that space in your mind that you're using right now to obsess about this guy, you'll have a vacuum there, an open spot--a doorway. And guess what the universe will do with that doorway? It will rush in--God will rush in--and fill you with more love than you ever dreamed. So stop using David to block that door. Let it go."

--Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I just realized something.

I can't watch Good Morning, Vietnam. I think it's because I associate it with the beginning of a really horrible time in my life.

Huh.

I've decided

that I am going to leave out the films I'd already seen when I started my AFI endeavor (unless someone out there in cyberspace wants my take on them). For the record, I will give the name of the movie with the 2007 ranking first, and the 1997 ranking next in parentheses. So here is the list of those movies (which made me realize I'd only seen 25 when I started I guess):


#5(10) Singin' in the Rain


#6(4) Gone with the Wind


#10(6) The Wizard of Oz


#13(15) Star Wars


#17(7) The Graduate


#20(11) It's a Wonderful Life


#24(25) E.T The Extra Terrestrial


#34(49) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs


#39(26) Dr. Strangelove


#44(51) The Philadelphia Story


#50(-)The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring


#51(41) West Side Story


#66(60) Raiders of the Lost Ark


#71(-)Saving Private Ryan


#72(-)The Shawshank Redemption


#73(50) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid


#74(65) The Silence of the Lambs


#76(71) Forrest Gump


#83(-)Titanic


#89(-) The Sixth Sense


#99(-)Toy Story


#100(72) Ben Hur


#-(53) Amadeus


#-(58) Fantasia


#-(64)Close Encounters of the Third Kind

That. Was.

AWESOME.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Read it. Love it.

I was enthralled by this novel almost from the moment I picked it up. I am such a sucker for mystery novels though - it's probably because I love hearing gossip (though not necessarily passing it around), reading tabloids, etc. purely for the knowledge of whatever the information may be. It could pertain to something that I don't have a care in the world for (please see: anything to do with celebrities) but I just want to know, otherwise just knowing there's something within my grasp to know would drive me crazy.

I digress. (That all makes me sound like a crazy person.)

Although the book is a translation from Swedish (which can sometimes be hit or miss), I could barely tell the difference. That's what good editorial work should get as a result!! Ahem. I got so engrossed trying to figure out the mystery that I was scribbling notes on scrap paper and cross referencing different things mentioned earlier in the novel. I think I've lost more sleep over this book than any other I've read for a long time. I couldn't put it down last night so I resolved to get only 4 and a half hours of sleep before putting in a full work day. AND THEN I am up til 1am again to finish it! Without a doubt I am sleeping in tomorrow.

In short, it's great. I would very much recommend it be added to your list of things to read.

Up next? The Girl Who Played with Fire, of course!

AFI's two top 100 movies of all time lists

The American Film Institute (AFI) has been making 100's lists since 1998. The first one they put together was 100 Years, 100 Movies, which is pretty self explanatory.

My freshman year of college, I heard about this list and immediately wanted to see which movies I'd already seen, and then watch any of the movies I hadn't already. If I remember correctly, I'd only seen something like 34 or so of the movies, which kind of surprised me because my family is full of big movie watchers. So Brooke and I decided to start making our way through them.

Then the AFI put out other top 100s lists, and then in 2007 they did their 100 Years, 100 Movies 10th Anniversary Edition. There were quite a few changes to the 1998 list, so I decided to combine the two, which made the list total 123 movies.

Here I am 4 years later (FOUR YEARS?!) and I am still making my way through them. I only have 25 left!

I am going to go through all of the movies I've watched so far and post little reviews/comments of my thoughts. Get ready!!

It's too late now

but I kind of wish I had written a short review or something of all of the AFI movie's I've watched. Maybe I can go back and do this retroactively in my spare time?

Things to consider, things to consider.

Also: I am losing sleep over The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It's just so good!!

It's been a

bed by 9:30 kind of week. Finishing the week out strong!!

...I just want to feel better.

It feels like

I have a billion cotton balls jammed up in my sinuses. That and a small child is sitting on my chest (thanks congestion).

In other news, I went to the dentist today and somehow I magically have two cavities. Maybe my old dentist was just a moron and didn't see them before, so somehow my teeth have gotten attacked in the last 6 months. Blurg. I hate hate HATE dental work (ESPECIALLY Novocaine) so this should be super fun. Something to look forward to next week...

Sick and miserable.

So this is still my life

always being a few steps behind and a few minutes too late.

To quote I Love You Man:

"I gotta get some fucking friends."

I feel ya, dude.

"No, I haven't heard your voice in two week now

and anticipation's been wearing me thin. And I just can't help but wonderin' baby if somehow we could tear these pages out and begin again."
-Matt Wertz

Migraine meds

in the middle of the day? Things could get weird.

ESPECIALLY at the Optometrist after work. (especially especially if they dilate my eyes!)

Welcome back

130s. It's been about 5 years since we last met. :)

I love that Ames

has a year-round indoor farmer's market. It sure is lovely to stop and chat with the little old ladies who run it after my weekly volunteering at the library. They sell the best coffee ever, so why not stop?

I am giving their spiced chai a go next. It smells wonderful.

Thanks Mom

for visiting this weekend.

Happy birthday tomorrow. ♥

Remember, remember

the fifth of November.

When you least expect it

BAZINGA!

the politics of notebooks

"at vassar, you take notes. you sit in class and you scribble whatever the professor says, whatever is written on the board, and/or whatever the idiot across the table from you has to say that sounds remotely interesting. for some, note-taking is a way to remember but for others it is merely a way to stave off in-class somnolence. it’s how you take your notes that is most important though… because, let’s be honest, you’ll probably never look at them again. it’s probably a given that whatever you just wrote down will stick if it’s really THAT important (i.e. you think about it when you can’t sleep at night).

here are a few modes of note-taking:
-moleskin: absurdly expensive, kind of “over” when you think about it, and oftentimes too small/not lined. covers easily tear. next please. they are pretty though.

-legal pad: the new moleskin. you don’t give a fuck if your papers end up looking raggedy… writers use legal pads dammit.

-plain notebook in some conservative color: whatever. i’m just here til the teacher says so. maybe i’ll doodle a bit…. woah, look at that cloud. has it been an hour and fifteen minutes yet?

-3 ring binder feat. notebook paper: does anyone use these anymore? hey, 8th grade called… it want’s its trapper keeper back.

-the fancy “enviro-note” variety they sell in the book store: i mean, i have to take notes anyway… i might as well be able to recycle this shit after the fact… but if i BURN this notebook at the end of the year will it emit less toxic fumes?
that’s all."

via Taylor Self

I am pretty sure that goes for all colleges/universities, though the first option is probably more rampant on campuses with a higher concentration of hipsters.

So homesick.

"I like you to be exactly the way that you are,

because in all my experience, I have never known anyone like you."
--A Streetcar Named Desire

My $1.25 costume:

Minnie Mouse!


...Man, my hands are going to get really hot!

Another day,

another headache. UGH. At least it's moved from the left side of my head to the right?



...sigh.

Oh, and one more thing

Stuck in my head. Stuck in yours.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW "Time Warp"

...You're welcome. :)

For dinner tomorrow:

Steak. I marinaded the steak and it's sitting in the fridge as we speak, taking the marinade in (I hope). I also hope it's delicious and not horrible (obviously).

It's never much fun to ruin a steak.

In other non-food related items: I went for a 4 mile walk today (and on Sunday)! I love walking so I think this is going to be my new mode of exercise for the time being. Maybe I'll get back into running once it gets nicer out.

Oh, also: WHAT?!

Related (but I can't tell which is worse): DOUBLE WHAT?!

Oh the internet. You harbor so many treasures.

And finally (!!!) I really hope my migraine is completely gone by tomorrow. Two days is quite enough thank you.

The best version of soft kitty yet!

(Nathan, if you read this, turn back now!!)

:)

My mom is coming to visit this weekend! Two whole weekends of fun (the first with Brooke)! What more could a lonely girl ask for? I need to start thinking of things for us to do!

I am trying to decide if I should brave the library's used book sale tomorrow night (the first night) when it costs moolah to get in, or wait til the books have been picked over and go on Saturday. I guess that's up to momma. Man, I love used book sales!

In other news, there was a HUGE fiasco with my new laptop purchase. It's a long story involving billing address confusion, many phone calls, and a super nice lady named Jackie, so I will spare you. BUT! It finally got resolved, and it should be on its way to me soon. Hooray! Then I won't need to use a computer without a functioning left-click button OR N key. It's more difficult than you'd think to hit the little key nub that hides under that shiny, plastic key on the keyboard.

Also, I am finally getting better at parking in my garage! That thing is super tiny. At least this way I don't need to defrost/defog my windshield in the morning now that it's getting colder.

I JUST REMEMBERED TOMORROW IS PAY DAY!

I am being a complete and total spaz at the moment. I think it's because I am super tired. I guess this means goodbye for now.

Goodnight moon.

My computer

is on it's way out. I had to pry up the left-click button on my laptop because it doesn't pop up anymore and was stuck down and I couldn't do anything because my computer thought I was left clicking everything at lightning speed! So now I have to tap on the touch pad to click things, and it's just not as effective. I COULD just get one of those portable mice with the USB connection, but my computer overheats like nobody's business, I can't close it or the screen will get stuck turned off, and it's moving slow/still running on XP.

So, it's time for a new one I guess. I just don't know anything about computers (except, on the whole, Macs are super expensive and Dells are crappy). So here's to hoping that doing some research can help me. I don't want to spend a huge chunk of money either. If I wanted to do that, I'd just go ahead and buy a Mac.

In other technology related news...the servers went down at work today and we were without an internet connection for over half the day. That was super. :) Good thing I had other things I could work on that didn't require sending emails or searching things online.

Man, I am so tired. I just can't seem to ever stay asleep. I wake up about a million times for one reason or another - a passing train is blaring it's horn, I have to pee, I dreampt my alarm already went off and I wake up in a panic even though my alarm never did go off, and "just because" are a few of my favorites.

Yawn.

I think I might go get my new Iowa driver's license this week! I also am going to register to vote in Iowa. Caucus, here I come!!

I found

a green caterpillar (large inchworm?) in my lemon thyme!! It was a cutie, but I put it outside because I don't want him running around in my apartment unattended. :)

Going to give sweet and sour chicken a go

and hope I don't majorly screw it up. I am finding that I am not a very good cook, even though I somehow managed to cook for Pete and Lexie all of last year fairly successfully.

At least no one is around to experience my blunders (i.e. Lemon Pepper Chicken, Cornbread, Chicken Herb Rice)? Yeah, that's the spirit!

I have some pictures to post, but haven't gotten around to it. I've been feeling rather lazy in that aspect. Oops.

To the person who hurt my car:

The HUGE scrape on my car is unacceptable and rude. I am very upset about this. Like, really upset.

:(

This just made me even more exhausted.

EDIT: Karma Police just came on my iTunes. You've been warned, whoever you are!!

Meet Basil, Thyme, and Rosemary!

I just planted some herbs to put on my patio so I can use them for cooking. Yum yum!


Their little nook.


Basil. He's a boisterous one.


Lemon Thyme. He just goes my Thyme.


Rosemary. She's shy and hates being picked on by her brothers.

:)

Adventures in Friend-making

When I got to Ames, the only people I "knew" here were a friend of a friend, and my uncle's daughter and her husband. And I have seen neither since arriving.

That being said, after a week and a half in Ames, I still am friendless.

It's not that I am a hopeless case, it's just that making friends takes time.

BUT!! I am not without hope!

But for now, I am going to finish my episode of How I Met Your Mother (the 2nd go 'round) and go to sleep. It's LATE for this granny. Thank you 6:45AM Mon-Fri.

"Life isn't simple

it's complicated. We're all just thrown in here together, in a world full of chaos and confusion, a world full of questions and no answers, death always lingering around the corner, and we do our best...you have to go for what you want in life because you never know how long you're going to be here. And whether you succeed or you fail, the most important thing is to have tried. And apparently no one will guide you in the right direction, in the end you have to learn for yourself. You have to grow up yourself."
--Death at a Funeral

So sleepy.

My first two days of work have been both overwhelming and wonderful. I definitely think I'm going to like this place a lot. The people are great. The benefits are great. The amount of time off I get is great. I especially love my HR contact (she is in Indy and not in the Ames office because we're small!) which is a good feeling. Hopefully everything stays that way. I have a LOT of systems to learn, and just a lot to learn in general. Hopefully, once I get the hang of things, everything will make a lot more sense and thus me less overwhelming.

My apartment is all moved into and set up. See?


The living room!


The dining room!


The kitchen!


My bedroom!


The bathroom!


My amazing walk in closet!!

So I am all settled. Now I just need to make me some friends!

Welcome

to my new home. (Ames, IA)

I start my new job on Monday!

My new(est) favorite blog

can be found HERE.

I am officially

an employee of Wiley-Blackwell!! I officially accepted the Editorial Assistant position offered to me last week and I start August 30th. Yikes!

I AM SO EXCITED!!

Yeah baby

I GOT A JOB OFFER!!

...more details to come once everything is figured out!! :)

"In Congo...

a slashed jungle quickly becomes a field of flowers, and scars become the ornaments of a particular face. Call it opression, complicity, stupefaction, call it what you like, it doesn't matter. Africa swallowed the conqueror's music and sang a new song of her own....I can hardly think where to cast my stones, so I just go on keening for my own losses, trying to wear the marks of the boot on my back as gracefully as the Congo wears hers...To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know. In perfect stillness, frankly, I've only found sorrow."
--The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver

It's times like these that I am almost positive

that I am going to be alone. Just me an my books. Forever.

Things to think about:

"We're willing to be less successful financially to be more successful as whole human beings."

I like this. I have a feeling this is what I will be striving to do my entire life.

Feeling really

down.

Throwback to last summer.

This was funny last summer, became our theme music for anything that was a major fail, and then was forgotten about...



Until Pat posted this next biddy on Julia's wall. Hilarious!

I didn't send this in...

but I am afraid of the exact. same. thing. (via Post Secret)

Note to self:

Never use Crest Whitestrips again. They hurt your teeth. Ouch!

14 new job applications in,

one phone interview down, one face-to-face interview to go! Fingers crossed SOMETHING pans out. I'd really love to have a more secure job than working part-time at Target.

However, my 90-day probation period at Target is almost at it's end. After that I can be cross-trained in other areas of the store, so I can do other things besides just cashiering! So that wouldn't be completely awful, if need be.

In other news, an Editorial Assistant position at Simon & Schuster opened up in their Children's Division and I am doing everything I possibly can to get an interview with them.

Sigh.

So of the 24 days of July

I've been scheduled at work (I don't have the last week's schedule yet) I will work 20 of those days. Craziness.

That's what I get for picking up extra shifts. Bring on the big bucks, Target. :)

My friend Hallie

is a wonderful photographer (I mentioned her a loooong time ago) and she took a whole bunch of portraits of me. :)

If you'd like to see, visit here. If you can't see them because it's locked, I'm sorry.

In other news, another successful free pie day (thanks to Baker's Square!) has ended with me, Ruthie and Nathan chowing down on some delicious pie and enjoying some nice conversation. I made the mistake of teaming mine with diet coke so I have a feeling I will be up for awhile. Nathan got two cups of coffee with his, so I have a feeling it'll be much worse for him. Oops!

I guess I will do a bit of writing or reading or both. I've currently worked five days in a row and might not be off again until next Friday unless someone takes my shift on Monday (fingers crossed someone will!). If not, I will work...16 days since June 29th with only one day off. Eesh.

Other than the pie I think I've been eating better and snacking less when I am bored, which is a good start. My exercise regimen is off because of my awkward work schedule, but tomorrow it's supposed to pour rain so maybe I will work out inside?

The A/C

is broken. :( Trying to think cool thoughts.

I am still really sleepy. Maybe I will sleep it off?

Now the question is...do I try to get in a little exercise in while in my really hot room and then take a cold shower before attempting bed, ooooor just go to bed?

I am thinking the former just because of what I posted yesterday.

Unrelated--I are a seriously delicious key lime mini cupcake at work today. Seriously, if you can get your mitts on one of these babies, do it. It was delicious.

Okay, if I am going to exercise, I better do it now before it's too late.

So far today:

I had one serving of dry Rice Chex (100 calories)
Ran/Walked for 30 minutes (-231 calories)
Ate a salad for lunch with carrots and ranch dressing.

:) Good start.

So, I'm trying to be healthier

...and not just for Anne's wedding, though that is another incentive.

So according to this BMI calculator on webMD, I am 23.5% body fat, which is within the healthy range. However, the healthy range is from 18.5 to 24.9, and I'd rather be toward the lower end than the higher end, or somewhere in the middle. In general, I don't want to be skinny (read: ) but I'd just rather eat healthier, exercise more than I do (i.e. almost never), and sleep more regularly.

And what better time than now? Sure, I work at Target around 30 hours a week, but I don't have classes to go to, or clubs to participate in, or even meetings to attend, so I should be filling my time with something worthwhile.

I am also looking into volunteer opportunities as well. But that's beside the point.

Ahem.

So I guess from time to time I will update you with my progress (though "you" is really vague, since I am fairly sure NO ONE reads this. Which is okay.)

So as of today, July 1st, I weigh 150 pounds. Let the games begin.

Feeling off kilter

isn't entirely a new feeling for me, but y'know, it's never easy.

I am already restless with the way things are post-graduation. I'm trying to keep the restlessness to a minimum, but it doesn't seem to be going so well. I'm just trying to stop and enjoy the world around me as much as I can.

I'm trying, at least.

How I Met Your Mother

has completely captured my free time. I absolutely love it. On to season 3!!

Strep in the summertime.

How does this always happen?

I don't think I could agree any more

with what is said here.

Currently Reading

Reading Lolita in Tehran.

Graduation is tomorrow...

(Elphaba):
I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda):
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda):
Because I knew you

(Both):
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both):
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda):
And because I knew you...

(Elphaba):
Because I knew you...

(Both):
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...

My new favorite blog

From my new favorite blog.

Here is the point in my life

when I wish I knew what was ahead. I don't want to know intricate details or anything, but I would like to know things like how long I will have to live at home working at Target, if I will get a job in publishing or if that's just a fleeting dream, etc.

Sigh.

I will be back home in Wheaton in one week from today. Probably around this time too.

...I wish this cold would beat it.

"I'm not in any rush

What's your rush for? Just let me be. I don't rush you."

17 days until graduation...

cue the nostalgia.

Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?

I can't stop listening:

Shoes are something we all take for granted

Tomorrow is TOMS Shoes' 3rd annual "One Day Without Shoes."

What is it? Simply put, a day without shoes. TOMS is challenging people across the world to go a day, an hour, ten minutes, whatever they can, completely barefoot.

Now you're probably thinking, "Why would a SHOE COMPANY encourage folks to go BAREFOOT?" Easy. TOMS is not just a shoe company; TOMS is a movement, an advocate for change. They want to raise awareness for the MILLIONS of children around the world who go every day without the luxury of something as simple as shoes.

Why Shoes?
Fact #1: In some developing nations, many children must walk for miles to school, clean water, and to seek medical help
Fact #2: Cuts and sores on feet can lead to infection
Fact #3: Often, children cannot attend school barefoot
Fact #4: In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil
Fact #5: Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes

For TOMS, April 8th is not about selling shoes. It is a day of recognition, of awareness, for those children who are hindered on a daily basis because they do not have something as simple as a pair of shoes.

Tomorrow is the day to get involved in something bigger than yourself. I'm going barefoot on April 8th. Will you?

Here comes the sun little darling

It's absolutely beautiful outside. I wish everyday could be like today weather-wise. Just enough sun and warmth and breeze.

In other news, I have to give my very first presentation for the United Way tomorrow about the Success By 6 pre-assessment results. Eep! It's kind of nerve wracking, buuuuut I know Maggie will have my back.

I have a lot of things to do by the end of the semester, but don't really feel like doing them all that much. Oops.

45 days til graduation...holy shamoley.

Happy Birthday Peter!

On my agenda today: Homework, lunch at Olive Garden, homework, meeting at 4, then doing as little as possible.

:)

LOVE

Ben Haist's Guide to Hipster

Can't stop listening

to this:

sharkattackzz:
perfection

jawdrop:
the music in this is my favorite part.

I definitely agree on both accounts.

Two days in a row

of feeling the same exact way is overwhelming. (See yesterday: March 5, 2010)

I've performed my first and last ever Vagina Monologues performance. Spent time with my parents. Experienced the Peoria Zoo. Drove down Grandview Drive and enjoyed the beautiful day. Shared food and drink with some of the most unexpected friends. Spent time with Anne and Brooke, both of which I've missed very much.

Man.

☮ ♥ ({})

Signing off. Goodnight and good luck.

Today is one of those days

when I am struck my how beautiful the world is and it wells up in my chest and I don't know whether to burst into tears of joy or hysterical laughter.

A Countdown of sorts.

SIXTEEN2-color pages, 16 2-color pages, 4 4-color pages, 16 2-color pages, 4 4-color pages, 16 2-color pages, 4 4-color pages, 20 2-color pages = THE BEST BROADSIDE EVER!
FIFTEENDays from now I have to go to the dentist.
FOURTEENThe number of times I've counted days on my hand to make this list.
THIRTEENThe number of prose selections that need to be whittled down to eight.
TWELVEPerfect full color art selections for Broadside!
ELEVENDays til Spring Break "officially" begins.
TENDays until I get to go home!
NINEDays from now I have to take a test in Film.
EIGHTDays since I slid down the stairs and hurt my back. I am feeling restless, want to go work out but am afraid my bruised back muscle isn't ready yet.
SEVENThe number of perfect black & white art pieces selected for Broadside
SIXdays until the last Monday before Spring Break (my last).
FIVEdays til I have Ruthie! Anne! Brooke! together/with me againnnn. Sheer excellence.
FOURdays until the Vagina Monologues opens and I get to see my parents!
THREEThe number of chocolate vaginas on a stick I still need to sell. "/
TWOThe number of meetings I am missing on Friday because of Vagina Monologues.
ONEday(ish) until another episode of LOST! I love Tuesdays!

Geranium kisser

Skin like silk and face like glass
Don't confront me with my failures
Kiss me with your mouth open
For your love, better than wine
For your cologne is really fragrant
Call on me, call on me, call on me

Your hair is like an eagle
Your two eyes are like two doves
But our bed is like a failure
All day up in the family
At the waning of the light
To the chamber that conceived me
Call on me, call on me, call on me

Geranium killer
Throat of soil of and mind like stone
Please don't defend a silver lining
Around the halo of what is already shining
When all the planets are aligning
For an afternoon that's never ending
Call on me, call on me, call on me

"I woke up this morning, you know...

and the sun was shining, and it was nice, and all that type of stuff. And the first thing, I saw you, and, uh, I said, "Boy, this is gonna be one terrific day, so you better live it up, because tomorrow you'll be nothing. You see? And I almost was."

One of my new favorites

To do list:

-Re-do resume/cover letter.
-Apply for jobs posted at HarperCollins, John Wiley & Sons, and Pearson.
-Work on Dr. Volturno Award application.
-Write treatment for screenwriting.
-Work on ideas for DeGise Professional Writing contest.
-United Way Success by 6 stuff, grant website.
-Film for class at 7.
-Take out trash/recycling.

Jack fell down and broke his crown, Melissa came tumbling after.

Ouch. The stairs have finally gotten the best of me. I fell down our stairs in our house (nice hardwood stairs to catch my falling body) and was/am in such excruciating pain. I gave in and went to the ER after dinner since it hurt so badly and prompt care was closed.

Apparently I have a deep muscle contusion and now am on Tylenol with codeine and a muscle relaxer I don't remember the name of. It's making me rather sleepy.

I can't go in to the United Way tomorrow because I can't drive like this, so HOPEFULLY I can be productive tomorrow since I sure as hell wasn't today because I spent four hours in the ER.

Should've turned around and left before the sun came up again

But the sun came up again.