I made a $100 bet that I could lose 10 pounds by my birthday. Please be very encouraging.
If I win, I am 10 pounds lighter (but not $100 richer).
If I lose, I am $100 poorer and a terrible failure.
Let the games begin.
(PS: Emma, I made this bet an hour before listening to my saved copy of the Talk of the Nation podcast where it was discussed. Must be in the collective unconscious right now!)
Ran this weekend 'round the park. Twice. Listened to many a podcast on the elections. Watched the politico shows. Watched "The Wire". Met up with Josh, Tom, and Hilary at R&B to see the Giants beat the Cowboys. Drank a Bloody Mary. Baked a pina colada cake. Made vegan jambalaya. Read the Times, now that I am a weekend subscriber, while drinking strong coffee on my couch. Re-watched "BSG" episodes.
Crossed my fingers. Made some progress. Put it out there.
Lyndia says, "Let's eliminate negative thinking."
47 days until 30 is up.
Why is Karl Rove being so sympathetic to Hillary Clinton? Calling her "appealing", acknowledging her "powerful moments", and admitting that her playful responses at the New Hampshire primary "couldn't help but [make one] smile"?
Why is Karl Rove harshly criticizing Barack Obama? Calling him "lazy" and accusing him of "saying one thing and doing another"?
Has Karl Rove found a soft spot in his hardened heart for Hillary? I mean, even his BFF admits that he thinks she'll scoop up the nomination.
Those Republicans -- they really believe in Hillary?
Not likely.
Call it sexist if you will, but the GOP needs Hillary to be the candidate.
Have you noticed that the introduction to the Milli Vanilli gem "Girl You Know It's True" sounds something like this?
Sexy female voice: "So, what are you doing back?"
Not Rob or Fab: "Well. I. Sat. Back. And. Thought. About. The. Days. We. Used. To. Do. It. Really. Means. A. Lot. To. Me. You. Mean. A. Lot. To. Me."
Sexy female voice: "I really mean that much to you?"
Not Rob or Fab: "Girl. You. Know. It's. True."
Well, you've convinced me.
Last night, T.Rich and I had a nice Thai dinner, discussed our Career Advancement Plan, and then headed to the Riviera for a returns-watching party.
Hillary upset Barack, yes. Onto Nevada.
I must say, it was a joy to be back in that sort of environment, the room buzzing with excitement and hope and determination. I hadn't been a part of something similar since watching the 2004 debates at Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta.
After the networks projected McCain as the winner and we had each finished one glass of the house red wine, we agreed to go our separate ways. I would finish up the night on my couch, flipping between MSNBC and CNN, diligently working on my knitting.
(Oh, and before heading to the train, we stopped by a palm reader. She was closed for the night. Next time.)
After a lot of back-and-forth over the last couple of months, I have finally – on this, New Hampshire Primary Day -- decided upon a candidate.
Some of you may be surprised that I'm not supporting Hillary, as I volunteered briefly on her senatorial reelection campaign, attended a fundraiser, and fully supported her husband (even volunteering on the 1992 campaign when my Republican parents had to drive me to the HQ). I believe in a lot of what she stands for ideologically, but I worry about her electablity: I feel she is far too polarizing of a candidate to win in the general election. Many Republicans are so fed up with the Bush administration that they are willing to cross party lines -- for anyone but Hillary.
Some of you may be surprised that I'm not supporting Edwards, as he was who I had predicted would win the nomination months ago. (One, unfortunately, can never underestimate the power of racism and sexism, even within the Democratic Party.) I voted for Edwards in the 2004 primary and supported his run for VP. My friend, Susie, has been working on his campaign doing advance work in New Hampshire for many months now. She believes in him, and I do, too; I think he's completely believable as a populist candidate, looking out for the working class, $400 haircut and all. After his relative failure in Iowa, however, I think it’s time to wake up and smell the future.
Obama.
The man embodies change. It has been said before, but he’s Kennedy-esque, no doubt about it. (In fact, he’s been described as JFK-meets-MLK – not too shabby of a hybrid.) When I re-watch his speech at the DNC in ’04, I still get chills. I remember that night, and I remember that speech, and I remember having that reaction at the time.
The man is special.
The man is inspirational.
Tonight, I’ll be attending a party to watch the returns in the West Village. I think New Hampshire voters are going to go with Obama and I think it’s the right move.
84% Hillary Clinton
84% Chris Dodd
84% Barack Obama
83% John Edwards
79% Mike Gravel
78% Dennis Kucinich
75% Joe Biden
74% Bill Richardson
47% Rudy Giuliani
37% John McCain
27% Mike Huckabee
27% Mitt Romney
27% Tom Tancredo
20% Ron Paul
16% Fred Thompson
2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz
7:19: Giuliani doesn't believe that our foreign policy instigates Islamic terrorism.
7:30: Huckabee says, "I'm not running for George Bush's third term." I'll agree he's a likable guy, even though I think he's nutty on the issues. On Leno last week, he argued that most Americans would rather have a president who looks like someone they work with (himself), rather than one who looks like the guy who laid them off (Romney). Clever. It got a laugh.
8:08: Romney doesn't believe that illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay in the country. Where do the American-born children of illegal immigrants go?
8:12: McCain and Romney are getting into it. It's rather annoying. I haven't heard from Huckabee in a while.
8:16: Now we're parsing what amnesty really means.
8:19: Honestly, I still don't buy that Thompson really wants to be president. I'm surprised he's still in the race. I would have thought that the day after Iowa, he would have awoken and remarked, with that whistle-ly voice, "Well, shucks. Looks like I didn't win. Okay, no more of that!" and moved on.
8:22: Ron Paul is a funny guy. I don't think any of the other candidates take him seriously. McCain just shot him a look of complete confusion. I think Ron Paul is the Dennis Kucinich of the Republicans.
8:28: Ah, a question about Obama. Since the campaign's infancy, the candidates assumed Clinton would be the nominee, and most pundits assumed they hoped she would be. So, Charlie's question is: Why should America vote for a Republican over Obama? (The question the candidates are thinking actually is: Is it easier to beat a woman or an African-American?)
8:27: McCain is taking pot-shots at Romney again. Yes, Romney is a threat, but honestly? This strategy isn't effective. It sounds like little boys on the playground. McCain is so pleased with himself. I thought he was doing quite well in New Hampshire polls, but now he's acting like he's got nothing to lose.
8:31: Huckabee gives props to Obama and recognizes his threat.
8:35: Listen, I don't agree with him on the issues, but Romney just looks presidential. I'll admit it: I find him attractive. Shoot me. I was telling Josh and Paul last night that I also have this unfortunate crush on Tucker Carlson. Sheesh.
8:41: Republican debate is over. Charlie is talking all about unity and bringing all of the candidates onto the stage now. Hillary and Giuliani are talking and I'd love to hear what snarky remarks they're exchanging, both with smiles plastered on their faces. I like that Charlie did this. Obama and Romney are chatting, too. Hill is laughing. Edwards and Huckabee look like they are about to smooch. The audience is still clapping, though growing tired.
8:50: The pundits are saying that John McCain had a great night. I'm not sure we were watching the same debate.
No more live-blogging. Settling in for the Democratic debate -- the one to which I really must pay attention.
me: did you see that obama won?
Jason: i heard, didnt even know it was going on
me: welcome to america, son!
Jason: what did he win? a prize?
me: ?!
are you serious?
Jason: he won to be da prezidant?
iowa?
primarys?
me: dude, you gotta read a newspaper!
he won the iowa caucus.
and huckabee won for the republicans.
Jason: so what does that mean?
hilary aint running?
me: hillary came in THIRD.
Jason: so she cant run?
me: no, she can run -- it's just that iowa and new hampshire are big b/c if you win those, you have more momentum in the other primaries.
obama will raise more money now.
makes him a more viable candidate.
Jason: snoozefest. wake me up when the real deal is happening
me: also, people who thought he couldn't win and were gonna go with another candidate may change their minds now.
THIS IS AWESOME. THIS IS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION!
this isn't the super bowl, yo!
Jason: so snoozefest. let me know who our next president is. i've lost faith in democracy
me: i wish there was an emoticon for : eyeroll :
Date went well.
But, I woke up on New Year's Day on a pull-out couch, sandwiched between two dudes, so I think it might just be that kind of year.
PS: Hillary must be losing her shit right now.
I bought a BlackBerry. I am thrilled with the purchase because I can never be too connected to God and everyone.
I have a date tonight. I want all that stupid old shit, like letters and sodas.
2008 began at Porkchop & Colleen's apartment, with a glass of pink Cava in hand, while wearing a party dress and 3" heels. Many kisses and hugs and smiles followed. Was joined in revelry by Scarny, Josh, Paul, Noreen, Tom, Zoe, Hilary, Mindi, Meg, Garett, Carol, AssCobra, and a bunch of people I didn't know.
We cut Josh's dreads off.
We danced to Peter, Bjorn & John.
We watched the sun rise.
We slept four to the bed.
We ate bacon and eggs and lard bread and drank Bloodys in the morning.
We watched "Knocked Up".
I think 2008 will be the year I have a baby.
What made 2007 memorable?
My 30th birthday with SM and KB in attendance
Settling into a new apartment and borough
Settling into a new job
Josh, Porkchop, Colleen, Paul, Tom, Garett, Noreen, Mindi, et al
Morning Gchats with Scarny
Splish Splash
Pitchers at GYC
Cheese fries at Trout
NYC time with AC
Glasses of wine with T.Rich
4th of July in Georgia with KM
Caribbean cruise
Still Flyin' show at Sound Fix
Rhianna's "Umbrella"
Jay-Z's "Roc Boys"
Watching "The Wire"
"LOST" finale
Watching "BSG"
Reading "Lolita"
Acquiring nice kitchenware
NYSC
Not leaving Brooklyn for weeks on end
...and too many other things to recollect at this time.
I wish you a happy, healthy, prosperous, fruitful, fulfilling, inspirational, and peaceful 2008.
xoxo
2007 MySpace survey!
BE HONEST
1-Did you kiss anyone?
Probably.
2-Did you date anyone?
Only those whose names I forget.
3-Are you going to kiss someone when the ball drops?
Doubtful.
4-Did you lose any friends?
TBD.
5-Did you gain any friends?
Mucho.
6-Did you do something new?
I ate bacon-stuffed sausage. Other than that, it was behavior-as-usual.
7-Did anyone important to you die?
Tammy Faye Messner, Norman Mailer, Benazir Bhutto, Anna Nicole Smith, Deborah Kerr, Leona Helmsley, Merv Griffin, Bill Walsh, Ingmar Bergman, Lady Bird Johnson, Liz Claiborne, Kurt Vonnegut, Don Ho, Arthur Schlesinger, Barbaro.
8-Did you change?
I am a work in process.
9-Are you happy with the year overall?
Yikes.
10-What's the best thing that's happened to you?
Gchat, NYSC, new friends, old friends.
11-Did you fall in or out of love?
Every single day.
12-Are you happy the year's almost over?
You don't even fucking know.
13-Are you going to change something about yourself next year?
I am a work in process.
14-Do you think 2008 will be a better year then 2007?
I will bet on it.
15-Are you looking forward to 2008?
See number 12.
16-How many things did you screw up in 2007?
One.
17-Did you go to an amusement park?
Only of the Splish Splash variety.
18-Did you go to a concert?
A couple.
19-Did you go to any parties?
Many.
20-Did you go on a summer vacation?
Topless beach vacation! HOLLER.
21-Did you lie to your parents?
I stopped doing this in my 20s.
22-Did you get into a fight?
Sure.
23-Did you leave the country?
Sure.
24-Did you have a good birthday?
I became an "adult". I ate delicious food. I drank many a beer. I hugged many a friend. It was quality.
25-Did anyone in your family get married?
My cousin.
26-Do you think you grew?
I regressed, I grew. Net zero.
27-Did you dye your hair?
Expensive highlights, bitches.
28-Who do you think you were on the phone with the most?
SM.
29-Did anyone sing to you?
I sing to myself.
30-Did you sing to anyone?
I sing to myself.
31-Did anyone tell you they loved you?
Kinda sorta maybe a little bit. Yes.
32-Did you ever go to the hospital?
Just on the cruise ship.
33-What did you drink and eat the most?
Cheap beer. Lentil soup.
34-Did you change your top 8 at least 8 times?
Yes.
35-Did you change your profile over 10 times?
Yes.
36-Did you change your default picture at least 20 times?
Yes.
37-Did you get a tattoo?
No. I am still regretting the one that I have.
38-Did you vote?
Not this year.
39-Are you going to make New Year's resolutions?
Done and done.
40-Did you stick to your 2007 New Year's resolution?
No, but I resolve to stick to the ones I make for 2008.
41.Think you'll date someone in 2008?
Eh.
42. Where will you be when the ball drops?
Looking classy in Porkchop & Colleen's living room, holding a glass of sparkling wine. Not kissing anyone. More sober than not.
43. Do you think you will make new friends in 2008?
Not sure if it's possible.
44. Are you hoping to meet someone special in 2008?
Fingers crossed I meet someone rich. With a yacht.
45. How do you feel, another year has passed you by?
YAY.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Sunbathed topless in public. Mmm hmmm.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more
for next year?
I broke my resolutions within a few days; I have resolved to change behavior in 2008, yes, and I hope to actually do it, yes. Thank you.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Melanie had Sophia, Mandy had Andes.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Thomas.
6. What would you like to have had in 2007?
Will power.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory?
July 18.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Meeting Terry.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Ditching Annette.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just a touch.
11. What were the best things you bought?
Food and drinks with friends.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
KM's, SM's, AB's, T.Rich's.
13. Whose behavior appalled you?
My own.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Alcohol.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My feet in the sand on St. Maarten, a Thai cooking class, numerous parties and potlucks, some dudes.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006 oops! 2007?
"Summer Breeze" by Seals & Crofts.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? Who knows? It varies.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Oh, that alcohol caught up with me.
iii. Richer or poorer? Oh, those credit cards caught up with me.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Dancing.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Falling down.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With family in New Jersey.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
No.
22. How many one-night stands?
Yes.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
"The Wire"
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate? No. Dislike? Sure.
25. What was the best book you read?
"Lolita"
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Band of Horses.
27. What did you want and get?
A tangerine-colored KitchenAid stand mixer.
28. What did you want and not get?
Crackberry.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
It came out in 2006, yeah, but I finally got around to seeing "The Departed".
30. What did you do on your birthday?
Appropriately, it was my 30th. Had dinner with Scarny, KM, SM, KB, and my bro at Devi, followed by drinks with many others at Hi-Fi.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Moderation.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
H&M on sale.
33. What kept you sane?
Scarny, SM, KM, my bro, T.Rich, Annette, Terry, Gchat, NPR podcasts, cigarettes, knitting, baking, glasses of red wine in my living room.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Bill Clinton. Always.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Presidential campaigns in general.
36. Who did you miss?
Only those I always miss.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Though I met some of them prior to 2007, I spent much more time with the following: Josh, Porkchop, Paul, Colleen, Garett, Tom, etc...
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
You can, seriously seriously seriously, only change yourself.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I'd like to think I'm the mess you'd wear with pride.
40. What would you like to be a year from now?
Classy!
Watching "Scrooged" in my pajamas and eating bruschetta and drinking egg nog and thinking about all that will happen in the New Year and that which makes me happy and hopeful and sated and all that I will leave behind.
Acting as if.
It is what it is.
Happy Christmas, everyone.
Greetings from the 'burbs.
I have decided to truly indulge the masochistic side of myself, as I have yet to complete a lick of Christmas shopping. The plan is to hit the mall tomorrow and knock it all out. (Knock out some whiny children, as well, I'm afraid.)
I have been living in yoga pants and tank tops and my vintage apron and unwashed hair and barefeet. I am a mess -- albeit quite comfortable.
I have been baking up a storm (pumpkin muffins, apricot jelly roll, cranberry apple pie, sugar cookies), watching football (Giants clinched a post-season spot), getting along with both of the parents (ahem, a first!), etc.
Etc.
I'm ready for the '08, when tough meets classy.
I want to be Jay-Z at 0:49 in this video.
The way he pulls up his overcoat? Yes, that.
(Oh, and that's Tristan Wilds playing the nephew; he was Michael in Season 4 of "The Wire". Finished all that up, and though Koryn spoiled me, the death in the final episode was nevertheless devastating.)
As I've been told my blog is treading too far into emo territory as of late (and I might be inclined to agree), I'll mention something superficial: "LOST" begins again on January 31, 2008 -- this time on Thursdays.
Oh, what a hiatus it's been.
I might be ready for some social networking suicide.
Why does it feel like it would be so hard to do? I mean, I'm 30 years old and sick of collecting friends like baseball cards.
I sound like a broken record, I know. Things need to change. They aren't good. Another Monday morning approaches and things. Are. Not. Good.
Things could be fine. Things will be fine. I need to make some changes.
I am regressing.
If you find yourself at work with nothing to do, and you wanna use some of those brain muscles, and you wanna play a game of Scrabble via email, hit me up. I'm serious.
I am currently a bit disheartened as Paul threw down SOVIET as his first word -- for 30 points! -- but will persevere.
Paul: What are you yentas talking about now
OMG WE'RE GONNA CUDDLE WITH BOYS HE HE HE EH HE
me: !!!
Mindi: !!!
don't hate paul
Paul: You guys are retarded
and what does this mean
me: it means that eating a peanut butter cup is hot.
Mindi: who doesn't love a reeses???
how did you not get that paul?
me: mmmmm!
because he's gay.
Paul: That's not what you were screamin this summaaaaaaa
me: :-|
Paul: ahahahahaahha
omg i think this is my favorite group chat of all time
Mindi: its good
me: ahem
Mindi: it's reeses chomping good
me: it's pretty hot
Paul: jen are you blushing on the other side of that screen
me: i am not.
Paul: mmhmm
you can admit it its just me and mindi
me: no blushing.
Mindi: me either
i wish someone would make me blush
can a girl get a blush already?!
Paul: Mindi
Mindi: paul
Paul: you're so beautiful you make Supergirl look like Spidergirl
me: that's an authentic compliment coming from fanboy over there.
Mindi: SHUCKKKKKKSSSSS PAUL
thanks for the blush friend
me: her blush was nicer than mine!
wait
i wasn't blushing.
never mind.
Mindi: hahaha
true
don't let your guard down!
me: shit!
Paul: suckaaaa
me: i hate you.
What to say? Things have been put to rest neatly and succinctly. Epiphanies are popping like corn kernels.
Is this the last hurrah? True superficiality? I feel like I am on the brink. I feel as if I am teetering on the edge and could either fall into bliss or remain an adolescent forever as my insides shrivel like raisins.
In my old age, I've become paralyzed.
A mere three years ago, I moved to New York without a job, without an apartment, without any sort of real plan. Eight years ago, I moved to Texas -- a state where I knew nobody -- to subsist on an annual salary of $9000.
Now I find myself at a job where I don't use any skills, don't do any work, don't have any true satisfaction (think "Office Space" but less funny) -- and though I apply for other jobs, it seems I am just not following any sort of passion.
I think about returning to school but then am seized with fear from the financial burden I would undertake.
I am beginning to think, however, that it may be more emotionally costly to spend every day doing absolutely nothing. I can't chat online with my friends forever, nursing a hangover from the night before. These friends are moving forward with their careers. Meanwhile, I go out at night because I know that I have no responsibilities at work to tend to.
I am a fucking grown-up and I need to do something.
You have invited AC to this chat.
This is now a group chat. Add another person.
AC has joined.
AB has joined.
AC: group chat is better in theory than practice
AB: hahahahahahahaha!
Me: ;)
AB: did you invent group chat, AC?
Me: i feel like we're back in creswell!
AB: only i would be crying!
Me: hahahahaha -- omg, and i wouldn't be saying anything but rather just listening through a closed door
AC: i would be afraid, much like i am now
Me: you would have a reason to be!
AC: anyway i don't see anything wrong with getting a dander free cat for allergies, but you people are purists and afraid of technology
AB: and you will be the one that gives our defense codes to our robot masters!
AC: they may prefer dander free humans and breed us selectively
Me: well, i prefer dander-free humans, but cats, i can live with
look, AC, just buy me diamonds and a smush-faced cat and you can have your genetically engineered feline
AB: yes! diamonds for me, too!
AC: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Me: yay! diamonds for everyone!
AB: or really nice shoes?
AC: maybe i need more diamonds
AB: i can send you the link to these $940 burberry shoes i want!
AC: how about this: we don't buy anything
Me: also, buy me this
http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=9987&category_id=788
thx
AC: it's like a rap video up in here
Going to bed at 5am on a school night is not a smart way to start the day.
Feeding yourself bacon and eggs and toast and a big cup of coffee is an honest attempt at normalcy, but next time, you simply need to tell your friend beside you that you need to go home.
Oh, and watch out for that slippery black ice.
Group GChat is fun and exhausting. Using AIM-within-GChat is efficient.
My brother is covering many a song from the '90s, which fits nicely with his sister's new college-era hairstyle.
I would prefer to communicate with everyone via someecards.com.
Josh heads to Dubai on Thursday and, while stealing a joke, I cannot wait to see what he Du-bais me.
"Juno" arrives today.
I asked Paul yesterday if I should wink at a boy whose online profile was LongShlong69 and his response was, "Do it. Do it and never look back." (I didn't do it.)
I am researching restaurants for a date that is not my own.
I am in-between knitting projects.
Aaaaaand...
I have not eaten a proper meal today.
(Pictures from last Tuesday and Saturday here.)
In falling snow, I walked to the supermarket to buy bacon and eggs and prosciutto bread for breakfast. I cheerfully wished a good morning, with no sense of irony, to everyone I passed along the way. While perusing the goods in the bakery aisle, I encouraged myself to remember how happy I was at that moment because things would most likely change later.
Events of the previous night included the RK show at the Knit and the after-party at Mona's with the crew. Cab ride home was spent listening to the born-and-bred New Yorker discuss his knowledge of ska. Watched some cable but surprisingly, no VH1 Classic.
Later on Sunday, the unhappiness never arrived. Instead, movies were watched and fake meatballs were fried and pasta was boiled and tea was drunk and brain-busters were posed.
Awoke at 6 this morning to an irritating alarm. The snow had all melted away. It is, as Scarnsworth would say, the proverbial Monday morning.
Things are odd.
"Have you seen 'Napoleon Dynamite'? I mean, have you ever heard of a movie called 'Napoleon Dynamite'?"
Um, no, art-school-student-with-your-shocking-purple-eye-shadow and your UWS-cronie-who-pocketed-my-matches. (Yes, I saw you.) Never even heard of it!
("Google? I've heard of that!")
Attended the birthday party at Rope tonight and my peanut butter Bundt cake with chocolate chips came off without a hitch. The entire bar sang to Garett on his 28th. Good times. Tom and I discussed how Knitting Club will, from here on out, be more stitch and less bitch. Mindi and I discussed the pinata at Gold Scorpio. Paul liked the cake, even if he doesn't like baked goods. (Really? Who doesn't like baked goods?) Josh took some photos that I'll get around to uploading eventually.
My apartment smells like a bakery.
Time for bed. By "bed" I mean, time to watch some Netflix.
Thank you, Porkchop-Colleen-Josh-Mindi, for getting me to the F train via cab, even if you had to squeeze four in the backseat. Did I mention I hate the G train?
Zzz.
me: tom thinks i'm single because all i do is hang out with dudes.
Josh: that doesn't make sense
me: i think he means that me hanging out with dudes makes me unapproachable in social settings.
Josh: prob
a guy would have real balls to enter that ring of fire
me: seriously.
but it's a good vetting process.
if he can get through hanging out with you fools, he can get through dating me. maybe.
Josh: if you have patience
might take u a while to find a man with those kind of balls in this city
me: yeah, i think you're right.
Thanks to FutureMe, I received an email from my 29 year-old self two days ago. At the time of its writing, I was packing up my belongings in the city, ready to spend a month with my mom, not sure what the year ahead would bring. Dealing with my feelings for J. Possessing all (or most) of the same neuroses that I do today.
Thanksgiving was what it was. A lot of loud, country people yelling at the dinner table, ending with a stuffed belly. Not sure if going back there will ever be a necessity. SM was a lifesaver, even if she didn't realize it.
I flew back Saturday night and headed straight to Scarny's for Sweaters Wide Shut. Good times, pictures here. Appearances were made by KM, Josh, Paul, Garett, Tom, and others. Ended at Brother Jimmy's and Green Kitchen. No more disco fries ever, please.
A portion of yesterday was spent on a couch at the Tea Lounge knitting with Tom. Working on a cable knit hat, but for whom, I do not know.
Josh: where the fuck have you been!?!?!??!
me: hahahahahaha
you miss me already!
fool.
Josh: DUDE
me: DUDE
Josh: where the fuck r u
me: knoxville, yo
Josh: you didnt tell any of us
Seriously, though, I told them I was going to Tennessee.
I mean, I think I did.
Maybe I didn't.
Maybe I really did inadvertently sneak outta town.
Who knows?
Anyhow, it's hot as shit down here.
Had to stay in transit on Friday, rather than sit around the apartment waiting for things to begin. Slipped on new boots, headed to the UES, grabbed Scarny, and off we headed to the outer regions of god-knows-where (actually, Williamsburg) for ever-so-slightly-B&T party with Josh, Porkchop, Colleen. Dipped into salsa club. Finished things off with lattes at Rosemary's.
Woke up feeling amazing! (Lack of a hangover will do that for you, no?)
Met KM & Scarny for lunch at Curly's and then shopped until my credit card burst into flames. Acquired new coats (puffer, wool). I am now ready for winter. (Apparently we have skipped the season of autumn.)
Hopped train to Josh's and sat around for hours waiting for him to make a decision, one way or the other, as to if he would be attending Gold Scorpio party in Bed-Stuy. Yes. No. Yes. No. I finally jumped into a cab (after running into Porkchop and Colleen on the street), headed to Fort Greene, and off we headed to the frat-meets-Pratt party. Talked to college senior about his dreams. Paul arrived. Hugged on M & L. Ended night attempting to play Guitar Hero.
Woke up feeling amazing! (Lack of bad decision-making will do that for you, no?)
Met Scarny for brunch at La Palapa. Waited to hear from Paul as to whether or not football party was on. Yes. No. Yes. No. Finally hopped train to UES, worked on Facebook event invite for Sweaters Wide Shut, headed home, and fell exhausted into my welcoming bed.
In the vein of this, I'm currently enjoying and/or thankful for the following:
Brunch Club
Book Club
Holding hands with strangers
Co-mingling
Free therapy
The color black
The F train arriving as I descend the stairs
The man behind the counter at the gas station
The <3 on Gchat
A hunk of brie in my fridge
Apologies
Being known as a proficient Googler
The scent of winter
txt msgs
Unexpected party guests
Unexpected party invitations
A clear head
Freshly painted toenails
Ira Glass
Trips into the city at 5pm
Wool coats
Stuffed pumpkins
Dance class
Bread baking
Acronyms
Potential Knitting Club
American Apparel short shorts
Puffy omelets
"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" by the Beatles
Acquiring a nickname
Hoodies without hot dogs in them
Lipstick that never comes off
Discovering our New York Knicks (Marbury drama included)
Removing names from my cell phone directory
Thanksgiving is a week away and for people who are passionate about food (ahem, myself), it's an exciting time. My holiday will be even more special this year, as I'll be able to spend it with my dad (whom I haven't seen since our trip to Kiawah last summer) and with special-guest-from-the-ATL, SM! She and I have been discussing what we'll contribute to the dinner table.
We're currently batting around the idea of making Brussels sprouts, shredded and tossed with caramelized onions and hazelnuts (a KM family recipe -- thank you, KM). We're also thinking an apple pie, perhaps -- and I think I'd like to make an upside-down cranberry pear cake. (I'm a sucker for the thrill of turning out a cake onto a platter and the potential disaster that can occur -- but never has.) Finally, we're in the mood for a dish that incorporates roasted apples, candied walnuts, and some type of squash (butternut, acorn, pumpkin).
Any ideas? And what will you be eating?
Not to get all Live Journal on your ass, but I've been having one of those weeks of self-reflection, have made some changes, some decisions, blah blah blah. In that spirit, I lopped off a foot of hair from the back of my head last night, and nine inches in the front.
I sorta resemble myself circa 2000.
It was simultaneously liberating and scary. I thought about all that time I had spent growing my hair and all that I had done and seen and said and thought in that time -- and then, in an instant, it was just lying there. On the ground. Being swept up.
I'm, like, a season late on this (as with everything) but I'm gonna practice my shit and bring it out to the clubs in the LES and W'burg this weekend.
Scarny, are you with me?
Remember when I was gonna start up that Fly Girl-esque dance troupe back in Athens?
Who knew? I actually won the college football pick'em this week. Not that it means anything monetarily, but I win $26 and it's a nice surprise!
Friday I was planning to cook and relax and spend time by myself but, wouldn't you know it? Before I could say I-need-to-detox, I was on a train to the East Village for drinks with Josh, and then to Crif Dogs, and then to B-Side where we were joined by T.Rich & Co. and Scarny and a room full of toilet paper and ended at a diner eating omelets and disco fries.
The following morning was spent watching episodes of "Undeclared" with Josh and eating leftover disco fries. Gross.
Cooked Saturday afternoon (five dishes: black bean chili dip, smashed white bean dip with truffle oil, berry oat squares, curried cranberry couscous salad, almond-stuffed figs wrapped in vegan bacon). Entertained. (Guests included Porkchop and Colleen and Karen with delicious black bean cakes, KM with a spinach phyllo dish, T.Rich & Co. with olives, hummus, cheese, crackers, Scarny with wine, Tom with spiked cider, Josh with lasagna...) Got shut down by roommate at 11pm. Stressed. Headed to Commonwealth with the crew. Attended after-party. Slept on a pull-out couch with three (!) others.
Woke up to breakfast of bacon and eggs.
Watched the game on Sunday with Josh and ordered Indian food and talked and realized that I NEED TO SLOW DOWN. This ain't college anymore, kids.
After three years and many plays of the Jackson 5's "Can You Feel It", it may be time to invest in another iPod. Mine now holds a mere 50 minutes of charge on the battery. (Just long enough for the daily commute.)
Or should I perhaps just purchase another battery? Install it myself? Though the thought of opening my iPod and tinkering inside causes me some anxiety, if Katha Pollitt can learn to drive late in life, I think I can teach myself to fix this piece of tin.
jbd is the ownership of buffers
jbd is elevated behind my aircraft
jbd is the journaling layer
jbd is not obligated to me in any way with respect to my submission
jbd is carried out by committees
jbd is water cooled to prevent the extreme heat for the exhaust from melting its surface
jbd is up and afterburners lit
jbd is operated remotely and people stay clear of it
jbd is given the appropriate opportunities to manage the journal
jbd is in this upright position
jbd is not playing
jbd is now available in more than just english
jbd is an amazon
jbd is the jet blast deflector
jbd is a rich cheapskate
jbd is the unit
jbd is a good template for this program
jbd is a module
jbd is clear for vertical launch
jbd is on fire
jbd is defined as being
jbd is broken
jbd is the cause
jbd is simply a fat porky son of a bitch greaseball that thinks he's god's gift
jbd is an organic system for which interface between systems is key
jbd is raised or lowered
jbd is in order
jbd is smaller
jbd is not contagious
jbd is greater than
jbd is right along side him
jbd is right
Try it here.
The closing of GYC gets a shout-out in the New York Times (and you can just barely make out Josh, Paul, and Tom in that sub-par picture) -- but no mention of our marathon. I mean, hello? That's real human interest!
I guess Josh really should have butted in when the writer was interviewing the girl next to us.
me: let me tell you the best part of my day so far
Scarny: tell!
me: i went to a GAS STATION for coffee
aaaand
Scarny: how?
me: not only was it amazingly delicious pumpkin spice coffee
BUT
Scarny: is there a gas station?
me: i got 24 ounces of it for...
99 MUTHAFUCKIN CENTS
gas station on ft. hamilton pkwy on my walk to work
my new fave coffee joint, yo
Scarny: WOW
that's tres impressive
how is the coffee?
me: mmmmmm
pumpkin spice! my fave!
Scarny: at a gas station??
wow
me: it was so good, i think i'm going to blog this chat right NOW.
I honestly think I've gained about ten pounds overnight thanks to a marathon GYC outing.
It's time to get my ass in gear, stop drinking myself silly, start subsisting on sugar-free Jell-O and bottled water, and go to the gym more than once a week.
Yesterday was GYC Last Day; our bar will sadly be closed until Spring 2008.
Josh, Paul, Porkchop, Colleen, Tom, TRich, Noreen, and I bundled up and paced ourselves, played Connect Four and Gin Rummy, cut the fingers off of our gloves, rallied 'round the fire, ate roasted marshmallows, swooned over the owner, and watched people come and go.
We also watched Paul make that face at least a thousand times.
More fun times here!
Polls are closed -- and thank you to the 16 people who voted on my future. I guess I'll stay in Brooklyn for another month or so. Or maybe I'll reassess in the '08. I'm flexible.
me: call an undertaker.
friend: omg i am on gchat?!?!
fuck
what the fuck happened omg
me: are you still drunk?
friend: how did last nite get so crazy?
yes
i'm all hungover sorta
maybe drunk
it's making me anxious
me: i am eating a sandwich as big as my face.
friend: i thought it was sunday!
GOOD
where can i get a sandwich as big as my face?
me: at an italian joint.
omg
last night was fucking off-the-hook insanity.
friend: yea
how did that happen?
me: two words:
SANGRIA FOUNTAIN
Halloween pictures are forthcoming, and boy, do I have a lot of 'em around 40 that came out well. It's quite a smart idea to give your camera to your friends while at a party; you can enjoy yourself and they can document you doing so.
Started night off at Josh & KM's place (sans KM, as she was in Bushwick). Josh decided, after seeing my costume and apparently being overwhelmed with inspiration, to also be a gym teacher. Went to GYC (Justin-the-bartender dressed as the GYC bathroom wall, an idea I had given to Josh many weeks back) with the boys for a pitcher. Met Scarny on the corner of Lorimer and Metropolitan. Drank a beer at Alligator and ate half a free pizza. Watched Scarny play Buck Hunter. Went to party. Danced danced danced. Drank from the sangria fountain. Witnessed many a make out. Somehow got to work only 18 minutes late.
Other stuff happened -- but, whatever.
Oh, dude, I need a bagel and two Excedrin.
Top 5 Favorite Costumes of Halloween Past:
5. Nancy Spungen (2000)
I was dating someone who, after shaving his chest, donning tight jeans, and securing a lock and chain around his neck, did bear a striking resemblance to Sid Vicious. I made a pretty good Nancy with lots of eye makeup and pleather skirt. Together we looked great; that is, of course, until he'd walk away to get a beer and without any context, I looked like a two-bit hooker.
4. Alice in Wonderland (sometime mid-1980s)
I loved the Disney animated movie in third grade, and so my Mom slaved away for weeks on her sewing machine, making me the most perfect Alice costume ever. With my long stick-straight (?!) blonde hair, I felt just like her.
3. An extra from "Caligula" (2005)
It was my first Halloween as a resident of New York, but I spent it in Athens, GA. I thought it would be appropriate to be Athena -- or some sort of Greco-Roman goddess. Upon seeing my revealing costume, however, someone (KB?) remarked that I looked more like an extra in the infamous Penthouse flick. And so I was.
2. Pregnant bride (1997)
I had a plastic bouquet of flowers and a garter with a shotgun on it. I went to a party with my then-boyfriend and a stranger remarked (as I stepped outside for a cigarette) in all seriousness that smoking was "bad for the baby". Realistic costuming, I guess.
1. Tippy Hedren from "The Birds" (2003)
I bought an authentic blue vintage suit from Agora and ripped it up, ratted my hair into oblivion, and applied fake scratches, fake birds, and fake feathers to myself. At our annual Yonah H'ween party another girl attended as the same character, but damn if I didn't look better. I'm just sayin'.
Sometime between the end of my love for the New Kids on the Block (yeah, yeah) and the beginning of my appreciation of Nirvana, I was living in San Diego, skipping school on a regular basis, volunteering as a peer counselor, and eating too much ice cream.
I was also a wee bit obsessed with the Beatles, a little-known band that broke up seven years before I was born.
I announced to my family (with a requisite dramatic flourish) that after my death, my ashes were to be scattered in Central Park's Strawberry Fields.
I incessantly listened to "Abbey Road" on vinyl, whose Side Two medley alone secured the entire record as (still) my favorite of all time.
I even wore out my VHS copy of "Help!", a film that I certainly preferred over "Magical Mystery Tour" and "A Hard Day's Night" (though the latter was most critically-acclaimed).
Though John Lennon later publicly complained about the filming, and even said that they "felt like extras" in their own movie, don't they look like they're having a good time?
"Help!" was on the Sundance Channel tonight and I watched it for the first time in over a decade -- but could still recall almost every line.
My Halloween costume is slowly morphing into gym teacher, rather than camp counselor.
I absolutely scoured thrift stores this morning for a camp t-shirt, which I personally feel is necessary (though I know some of you do not), but found an old NYC public school shirt instead.
I think that paired with sweatband, whistle, shorts, tube socks, etc. it just may work. Sort of a hybrid of Robbie Beers' costume circa 1999 and KB's summer camp party of 2007.
Either way, who cares?! I always put too much pressure on myself regarding this holiday and inevitably just end up just tipsy and having a good time, anyhow. I think I need to relax and concentrate more on where the hell I'm going to meet up with the crew before we hit up the Greenpoint party.
So, the Sox won it all last night, and I watched from my perch at Angry Wade's with a light beer in hand, popcorn in my belly, and Josh next to me who just wouldn't let me leave until the bitter end of the game. This, even though I was tired, cranky, and achingly full of Halloween candy. I'll admit it: it's nice to have friends who want you around even when you're being sorta pouty.
We discussed getting a big Victorian home in Ditmas Park with multiple bedrooms and a wrap-around porch and room for a studio and having communal dinners.
Rewind: saw KM and Dave at the bar, too, where they'd been since 4-ish to see the Chargers slaughter the Texans. Prior to that, split a pitcher with Josh at GYC and remarked several times on the cold weather. (Note: Our regular bar of the summer will close on November 3rd and we may have to wear parkas to the party.) I arrived at GYC after spending the night in New Jersey, where I made my Mom a delicious (if I may say so!) birthday brunch of baked french toast with raspberries and walnuts, cheese souffle, and spicy Bloody Marys.
Friday night was spent melding groups of friends (or, rather, introducing TRich to Josh, Paul, Porkchop, and Colleen) and eating beef jerky and playing Rampage (poorly) and drinking hard cider -- that is, until Josh, Paul, and I took a cab to Rope. Home at 5:30 AM.
In other news, what shall Halloween bring? I'm certain one of my smart and clever pals out there is ready to whip out a brilliant costume, yes? I've decided I'll be a camp counselor, if I can finally track down the elusive (and quite necessary) camp t-shirt.
Tell me what you'll be.
I need more coffee. I want to subsist on only coffee for a few days.
Post-interview (ugh, don't ask!), I met TRich at Teany for a delicious vegetarian chef salad, a glass of wine, and fabulous conversation. I then ran home, made a batch of Alice Medrich's Mexican chocolate cookies (whose flavor improved the more the dough chilled -- and I know this because I had a spoonful of it later in the night), met Porkchop and Colleen at Angry Wade's, headed to Camp, watched the game, headed back to Angry Wade's, met up with Josh and Mindy, and finally ended up at home around 2:00 AM.
I need to stop going out on school nights.
Kurt Cobain's suicide was brought to my attention one April day after school while I was watching MTV. I called my boyfriend, Donald, and told him the news.
Donald was actually my ex-boyfriend at that point -- I remember this because Kurt's death saddened us to the point that the only thing we could even think to do was head to Kaldi's coffeehouse in the French Quarter, smoke clove cigarettes, and decide that we should just get back together.
On the way to work this morning, I was listening to an interview with Dave Grohl on NPR's "Fresh Air". Terry Gross played snippets of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Heart-Shaped Box" during the piece and it was the first time I had heard those songs in years.
Call it Clinton Nostalgia, but I miss the 90s.
So, yeah, what the hell have I been up to, other than facilitating haiku contests, you ask?
Let me think.
I was in my pajamas, drinking a glass of red wine, and catching up on "Tell Me You Love Me" last Wednesday night when I was rousted out of my apartment and toward the GYC and Abilene to hang with Josh, Porkchop, and Pat.
(Stayed up waaaaay too late.)
I traveled to Albany on Friday and interviewed for a job that I don't believe I got -- and I'm not so sure I'm bummed out over it.
I awoke early on Saturday and painted at a Fort Greene elementary school with Porkchop and Paul. (Please note my talent in the picture above. Ended the day with an after-party at Bowlmor Lanes where we were happily able to hang with Colleen for a bit.
Later that evening, I was in my pajamas, drinking a cup of tea, and catching up on "Real Time with Bill Maher" when I was rousted out of my apartment and toward the GYC to hang with Josh, Tom, and Pat. We later hit up Trout and various establishments in Williamsburg.
(Stayed up waaaaay too late.)
Baked cookies and watched "60 Minutes" on Sunday, naturally.
Monday night was spent with KM, her pops, Dave, and Josh at Joya and Angry Wade's and finished the night off at Brooklyn Social.
(Didn't stay out too late, relatively.)
Tonight is the gym, tomorrow is yet another interview and some QT with TRich, and this weekend I travel down the shore for a birthday celebration for my Mom.
Yawwwwwwn. I'm a party girl.
As the winner of the Overundulating Fever Haiku-for-Cookies Contest, you win the prize of two dozen cookies, baked from scratch by yours truly.
Please consult with your cronies and choose from:
chocolate chip
double chocolate chunk
chocolate toffee
mocha chocolate chip
chocolate peanut butter chip
peanut butter
peanut butter chocolate chip
peanut butter & (any flavor) jelly
oatmeal
oatmeal raisin
oatmeal cranberry
oatmeal chocolate chip
oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip
oatmeal raisin chocolate chip
oatmeal cranberry chocolate chip
oatmeal butterscotch chip
oatmeal molasses
molasses
molasses white chocolate chip
gingersnap
soft ginger
pumpkin ginger
pumpkin chocolate chip
pumpkin butterscotch
pumpkin white chocolate chip
ranger
snickerdoodle
sugar
m&m
Congratulations on having many fans and friends who voted for you.
Big ups to the other haiku finalists: (1) Scarny, (2) Cocaine Bref, (3) Caddy, and (4) AC.
Good show!
Leaving house at eight
Train to volunteering site
Bring me coffee, chump.
Eggplant sandwich lunch
Tiny waters and bagels
Stolen from the team
After-party time
Bowlmor Lanes and many beers
Sleep time comes early
So, the contest entries have been submitted, and though I at first felt I could judge this solely by myself, and then felt I could narrow it down to a mere three gems, the response has been overwhelming.
I'm going to need to narrow it down to five.
I give you the finalists:
(1)
seventeen dollars
a bloody from the carlyle
where's my reacharound?
(2)
Science may sex me
With all of its mighty brawn
I touch your lazer?
(3)
Big Papi. My heart.
You swing and make the world right.
Save this series please.
(4)
call for a good time.
577-7
775
(5)
This is very dumb
I hate this stupid haiku
I hope this blog dies
(Oh, and though I did love his entry, Porkchop purposefully took himself out of the running by posting in the original comments section. You know I'll make you and Colleen cookies eventually anyhow, buddy.)
Okay, kids, vote in the comments section or shoot me an email, please sidebar. You have until 12:01 AM ET on Tuesday, October 23.
Let the (relatively) best poet win.
Date: Oct 18, 2007 11:14 AM
Subject: what's up jen
Body:
this is pat, an old friend of your brother's. i don't know if you remember me but, hello.
this is going to sound stupid/dorky but i always felt bad for using your expensive soap when we were kids. you probably don't remember, but i am sorry, so i'm sending some to your brother's house for the next time you are over there.
well. much love and keep in touch
-patrick
I have received some excellent haiku submissions, folks, and I'm not sure I can even choose between them. You have until 12:01 Saturday morning to send me your entry and I think I'll go ahead and post my favorite three and let you, the reader(s), choose the big winner.
Did I mention you have until 12:01 Saturday morning to send me your entry?
Did I mention cookies?
In other news, this succinctly sums up my Wednesday:
Having absinthe drinks
Partying late in the night
Oh my head, it hurts
It's the First Official Overundulating Fever Haiku-for-Cookies Contest!
I want you to write me a haiku. It can be about anything your little creative heart desires, but it must be written in the traditional 5-7-5 syllable haiku format. You may submit as many entries as you wish.
The haiku that I deem the bestest will be published on this here blog AND (if that weren't enough!), will receive two dozen cookies (of any variety you choose) in the mail -- baked and shipped by yours truly.
Email your entries and post any general comments here.
You have until 12:01 AM on Saturday, October 20. Go go go!
Yay! It's a contest!
When I hear Bush yak about his S-CHIP veto, it makes my skin crawl.
The new Springsteen tune, "Radio Nowhere" is rad.
After baking many peanut-butter-chocolate-chip cookies for AB and successfully shipping them via USPS, I'm thinking that I have a new weekend hobby. Email me with orders, please.
I'm visiting my Dad in Tennessee for Thanksgiving this year. It will be the closest I get to Georgia for a while, I'm afraid.
I'm in love with Carl Kasell's voice.
Oh, and Satan's Cheerleaders didn't win at trivia last night (big shocker there, kids), but I did learn that a) Twinkies used to be stuffed with banana-flavored filling (not as yummy as lard, I'm afraid), b) I can successfully identify 4 out of 5 porn stars in the visual round (I'm sorry you slipped my mind, Annie Sprinkle), c) the word "ornery" needs to be used more often, and d) Jean-Paul Sartre couldn't give a fig about the Nobel Foundation.
Anyone ever been to the capital of New York, the town known informally as "SmAlbany". (No, really. It is.)
Taking the train up next Friday for a job interview in the field of childhood obesity prevention. If nothing comes of it, I always have the LSAT waiting for me -- and a day off of work to enjoy Upstate.
I may have sabotaged myself at work today, exasperatingly remarking to my supervisor that, despite attempting to take initiative, I haven't done much work in, oh, eight or nine months. I also mentioned that I feel my skills aren't being effectively utilized (or utilized at all, for that matter). What does he suggest? That I sit on some committee. More meetings! All meetings and no action have made me a relative basket-case.
It's not all bad: I have time to IM and email my friends and job hunt and blog (!) and count the minutes before lunch and count the minutes before an afternoon snack and count the minutes before I race to the train to go home.
If only I were one who could eloquently document my boredom and slap a cover on it and call it a novel.
It's an italics-heavy post.
You know those so-called "fat camps" for kids? I want to work at one.
This morning I was asked, "So, you want to work at a fat camp and work at a prison?" Yes, smarty pants, and I want to practice law and work on a political campaign and I want to decorate cakes and I want to finally land that elusive job at the CDC and I want to do it all in Atlanta or San Francisco or Iowa or Seattle or Brooklyn.
It's all I ask.
Alexis Stewart, daughter of Martha, is spending $28,000 of her mother's money each month to get pregnant because, in her words, her 42-year old eggs are now "old and crusty".
The things we learn on Oprah, kids.
Went to the gym for boot camp class on Monday and I'm still sore. My severely out-of-shape body (thanks to a summer of beer and chorizo) will just have to suck it up, however, because I'm going back for more weight training this evening.
And that's all I got today.
As I am gearing up to begin LSAT prep courses and have been retrieving letters of recommendation, I am still working on my personal statement.
I asked Scarny for some assistance in the matter.
Dear school,
It is with great pleasure that I pen this letter to inform you of my intent to matriculate to your much lauded academy. All of my life I have pondered the difference between right and wrong, the thin blue line between lawful and unlawful. Years ago when my mother read to me from the Old Testament and I heard the story of Adam's sons Cain and Abel and their fratricide, I've been beset with a burning desire to defend the weak who are savaged upon by the mighty. Please congratulate me in joining your much heralded institution.
Yours in passion,
JBD
Watched the last half of "Le Charme Discret de la Bourgeoisie" today while nursing a touch of a hangover after raging until 6am. (Note: that is, if "raging" means falling asleep while boys play Wii.) Porkchop was right; it was quite good. I should watch the first half at some point.
Randomly: oatmeal made with chocolate soy milk is decadent and delicious, whiskey shots are never a good idea, balloons make everything much more festive, I want to be a debutante, I want to travel to the South for Thanksgiving, I want to travel to the South and remain there permanently, I want to do all of my holiday shopping before December begins, I change my mind a lot, I change my mind too much, my nails are so long and manicured that I fear they resemble Lee Press-On Nails, watching "60 Minutes" is my favorite way to end a weekend.
Where is Scarny? He was supposed to call me back.
I'm taking a forensic psych class at CUNY this month and we kicked it off last night with a 90 minute lecture on sexual offenders.
I still don't understand how Dateline NBC's "To Catch a Predator" doesn't constitute entrapment, but whatever.
Used car salesman-esque fellow, slicked back salt-and-pepper hair, with tight, black V-neck shirt, slacks, a chunky, brown cable-knit cardigan, a bright and shiny silver chain around his neck, and sporting weights Velcro'd snugly around both his ankles and wrists.
Asleep.
On the Manhattan-bound R train around 6:45 this evening.
Spent almost an hour last night talking to KB and in the course of the conversation, the idea of the adopted home was broached; it is still quite clear that Georgia is mine, even after three years in New York. Perhaps it is because I have just come down from a weekend in which I was able to spend good times with former and current Georgians, but I do miss the state and its people so. I love New York for what it is, but it still just doesn't feel like being at home. I've had fleeting moments when it did, I suppose, but overall, no.
We briefly discussed how I have been able to bounce around from place to place for years: three different towns during my high school career alone, driving off to Texas where I didn't know a soul, hopping over to Atlanta for four odd months, being willing to pursue a job in Iowa.
Am I just perpetually restless?
Alcoholics Anonymous members often talk of the "geographic cure", whereby one blames a place, rather than oneself, for one's woes; if you escape the location, you'll escape the frustration.
This is not lost on me.
I am contemplating lopping my hair off.
I am broke as fuck.
You should check this out if you have not already.
You should check this out if you have not already.
4:31 pm on a Friday, dinner, nap, train to UES, Ship of Fools, six-pack, KB arrives, train to Park Slope, stuck at Smith-9, Union Hall, whiskey shots, KM, Porkchop, Colleen, SA Rawls, Mindy Mook, Thrilla, DANCE PARTY!, cab to Windsor Terrace, sleep at 5am, train to LES, brunch at Freeman's, conversation, train to Windsor Terrace, nap, train to UES, Brother Jimmy's, conversation, PBRs, Bama football, burritos, train to Williamsburg, SA Rawls, Mindy Mook, Thrilla, Bren, Alicia, Iceberg, Alan, Cowboy Dan, Vaughn, Robin, Francis, Baby Dottie, other assorted Athenians and ATLiens, STILL FLYIN'! (best show ever), taking a knee, sweating our asses off, dancing our asses off, procuring two CDs and my new favorite t-shirt (thanks, Mook), Greeenpoint Tavern, beer lattes, cab to UES, sleep at 5am, train to LES, brunch at Cafe Charbon, train to Windsor Terrace.
Zzzzz.
KB arrives today! We will all dance and eat Southern food and watch Southern football and hang at Southern bars and drink beer and vodka sodas and have a good ol' time.
Heading to the UES to meet up with Scarny around 10 PM tonight (after napping, naturellement) and then we'll jet to BK for a (free!) dance party that shall run 'til the break of dawn.
Can't wait to see the ex-Athenians of Still Flyin. Mookers, KB, and I haven't hung out together in a while -- seems like it's been ages since we were roommates and I suppose that's not far from the truth...
Today at lunch, a co-worker divulged to me that she is pregnant. Exciting news. We got to talking about baby names and I found myself deliberately not mentioning my favorites, as these are the names that I have picked out for my children (though offspring in my future is certainly not a definite).
It was as if I didn't want her to steal these names.
Listen, I've been reading baby name books since I was 10 or 11 years old. I mean, I really dug them. Between baby name books, Childcraft, and the encyclopedia, I didn't have much free time to read anything else, save Judy Blume's entire catalog.
Anyhow.
I don't really want to tell anyone my names, in fact, lest they bestow these gems upon their children and drive them up to the top of the popularity list and one day, my kids will have to endure having three or four similarly-named classmates, as I did.
I just really didn't like being Jennifer D. throughout elementary school.
And apparently, I have way too much time on my hands.
Couldn't go bowling (or to GYC) last night because I peeked my bank account balance, much to my horror. Need to save cash for KB's visit. Porkchop & Colleen, rain check!
Instead I got sucked into an episode of "Losing It: Tales from Fat Camp" and was asleep by 10:00 PM. I only squeezed in a mere hour of "The War" viewing time, but I'm sure it will be replayed ad nauseum, so I'm not worried.
Tonight I apply for a replacement Social Security card so that I may finally obtain a drivers licence in the state of New York. My Georgia license expired over six months ago but my Mom, who is stuck on the couch with a broken leg, still lets me drive when I visit: "Shhhh -- don't get into an accident and don't tell your stepfather. Now, go to Wal-Mart and pick me up a box of hair color!"
My interest du jour is a study of the history of the conservative movement, beginning with the writings of Ayn Rand and moving through the Goldwater campaign of 1964 and into the rise of Reaganism.
I just finished "Anthem" on the train to work today and have been giving myself a history booster shot by re-listening to a few of Dr. Jennifer Burns' lectures from UC Berkeley.
Perhaps the impetus for this fascination lay in my viewing of the Alan Greenspan media blitz as of late?
If I can peel myself away from the television, I'll attempt to tackle "Atlas Shrugged" next.
(And yes, I still self-identify as a liberal.)
Note: If you decide to get all cultured with a dear friend and go to a reading of Don DeLillo, don't have two glasses of wine and a deliciously filling sushi dinner beforehand because you will have to fight yourself from dozing off.
And that's a shame.
'Cause Don DeLillo is great.
Life has been the antithesis of blog-worthy as of late. I highly ancticipate some quality hang time with KB, as he arrives in just a few days.
I mean, really: between the LSAT and the CDC deciding to become interested in me again, it seems I've got a lot of good things coming my way (and I'm afraid to say that you're not one of them) but they're all out there, in the future, somewhere.
Last night I had a dream that I survived the sinking of a large ship, only to find myself in a lifeboat with no oars.
Analyze that.
For someone who acknowledges that she tends to like the sound of her own voice and has kept a blog for over two years, I'm sure having a heckuva time writing about myself in this personal statement for law school.
Ugh, enough about that.
Drank beer and watched the Yankees game last night with Josh. Got an invite to the game on Wednesday. ("Suuuuuuure, I'll skip the gym!") While at Yankee Stadium, I'll eat a hot dog, drink a beer, and check off one of those things-to-do on The List.
Tonight brings Thai dinner with my brother, a person with whom I haven't spent any one-on-one time in ages. I miss him. We've contemplated interviewing each other for the StoryCorps project and then presenting the CD to our Mom for her upcoming 55th birthday. Of course, I'm not sure I could get through the process without crying. I'm kind of a baby like that sometimes.
(I know, I know, it's hard to believe.)
The weather in New York is absolutely gorgeous -- exactly how I like it: dry, brisk, sunny. Autumnal.
Um, that's about it.
Well, now it's official-official:
I'm taking the LSAT on December 1, 2007.
Some of you already know this. Many of you don't. Either way, I finally paid the chunk o' change to register for the test and the LSDAS this morning. I signed up for my LSAT prep course a week ago and begin in a month or so. I am studying on my own between now and then.
I'm certainly not treading into this lightly. This is a very serious, labor- and time-intensive undertaking, but one that I've been thinking about for a long time. More so since March.
So, there it is: it's done, I've registered, I'm a bit lighter on cash, and I'm going to do it.
Wish me luck.
(And if you've been through it, which I know some of you have, privately email me with any advice. I'm like a sponge right now.)
I honestly think it's taking less potent alcohol (and less of it, in fact) to induce a hangover in me now. God bless my 30s!
Went out for Josh's homecoming get-together last night. GYC, naturellement. Josh was half-awake, having not slept in a couple of days. KM was beat and had to work in the morning. Me? Well, thanks to a little day we like to refer to as Rosh Hashanah around these parts, I have the day off!
After closing down GYC (which I've rarely done), the bartenders, my pals, and I moved it to Brooklyn Social and kept with the booze consumption. A lot of unsavory talk was had, I recall. Hey, we had about a month to catch up on.
So, Porkchop, what do you think?
Ugh, I need a Diet Coke.
PS: It's my 500th post! Somebody bake me a big cake.
I can eat the same thing for lunch for weeks on end.
I am often lulled to sleep by the sound of Charlie Rose's voice.
My Myers-Briggs Type is ENFP.
I have had DayGlo-painted toenails all summer long.
I was a peer counselor in high school -- at the same time I had a bad habit of skipping class.
I shop at Old Navy but wear Christian Dior perfume.
I haven't seen my Dad in over a year.
I have consumed a six-pack of Cherry Coke Zero in one day.
I jog to NPR podcasts.
I hate horror movies but can watch documentaries on even the most vile serial killers.
I'm not so sure I want to have children.
I like baking more than cooking because I can't seem to improvise.
I am fascinated by JFK assassination conspiracy theories.
I used to have eight holes pierced into one ear.
I wrote a letter to the ACLU when I was ten years old, asking them how I could someday be hired.
Okay, like, not to be a total girl or anything, but I was talking with someone this morning about the debacle that was Britney Spears' performance at the VMAs last night. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Britney makes me sad.
Other individual: She's fat now.
Um, wait.
Fat?
Is this really what constitutes fat now?
Apparently it is.
Sure, her dancing was sloppy, her lip-synching not synchronized in the slightest. She looked nervous, self-conscious, and even a bit hungover.
Sure, she doesn't have the abs she used to have.
But fat?
Oh, and to be completely fair to the aforementioned individual, s/he later amended the statement by remarking, "Well, I mean, she's not as skinny as she used to be."
Yeah. So what?
Did anyone else watch HBO's new Sunday night drama, "Tell Me You Love Me"? (Otherwise known as, "Holy Christ, are those actors actually fucking on screen?")
It was racy, yes, but a touch slow at times. The sexless couple interested me the most and there's great potential in the storyline between the therapist and her husband.
The other couples (one even including Penny of "Lost" fame), though? Eh, not so much. I mean, fertility drama, shmertility drama; I suppose I don't yet understand the anxiety that accompanies the ticking of the biological clock.
Oh, and "we're totally hot and we have amazing sex but we don't, um, really talk" kinda bores me now.
Still, it had its merits and I'll tune in next week, I'm sure.
(I will admit, however, that around the 15 minute mark, I thought to myself that I'm happy to still be single.)
Porkchop's comment has inspired me: instead of jogging to the sound of Terry Gross' voice, I downloaded some songs last night for my morning run.
I'm curious: if you run, walk, stair-climb, elliptical, bicycle, and/or weight-lift, do you have five favorite workout songs that you load onto your iPod (or other similar device)?
Five on my playlist today:
The Go! Team: "Huddle Formation" (yay!)
Kanye West: "Stronger"
Kook & the Gang: "Misled"
The Von Bondies: "C'mon C'mon"
The Knife: "Heartbeats" (for cool-down)
And I'm off!
From: Jen
Date: Sep 8, 2007 10:20 AM
A question: who sings the song that is featured on the series preview of "Clark & Michael"? It's driving me mad.
From: Clark
Date: Sep 8, 2007 3:07 PM
I honestly don't know... sorry!
(Update: I did some detective work and discovered it is the Go! Team. Like, duh. I should have known that. Moreover, Clark should have known that.)
If you're one of the three or four who haven't watched yet:
It makes me wanna live in LA and make a TV show.
I'm feeling slightly less bitter and pouty tonight than I did on Friday. I mean, man, am I a baby or what? It was just a stupid date. The dude is obviously a moron. That's that.
Weekend was decent: saw a couple o' flicks at the local cineplex (wait for Netflix when it comes to Julie Delpy's directorial debut, please), baked a chocolate and strawberry bundt cake for a party at KM's place, contemplated yet another career change, read the memoirs of an NYPD officer, had a big Mexican brunch with Scarny (two Bloodys!), walked around my borough for hours, went to church to quell my spiritual hunger, made pizza dough from scratch and topped it with pears, rosemary, and Gorgonzola cheese for a party at my bro's place, drew wrist tattoos onto strangers at Barcade after doing a shot of whiskey, reconnected with lost pals...
Spent more time alone, however, than I have in a while and it was nice, needed, necessary.
