Sunday, February 29, 2004
Let's play "Who is unnecessarily emotional today?"
Ok, first question: Who was just brought to tears by an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation? Raise your hand.
(oh, come on! am I really the only one raising my hand?)
I guess I win. I want chocolate.
Brian gave me a very literary Boxing Day, which spilled over to a very literary Birthday. I've been working on a couple of the books, one of which is The Universe: 365 Days. It's based on the Astronomy Picture of the Day website and it's very cool. It's so cool, in fact, that I anxiously look forward to checking out the next page each day.
Unfortunately, as you are all aware... today is Leap Day. The title is The Universe: 365 Days. You do the math.
I guess I can wait until tomorrow...
Last night a whole herd of Phi Mu dreamgirls invaded my place for a night of goofiness and gossip, complete with a Mary Kay cosmetics party put on by one of the girl's sisters, more cookies than anyone could ever eat, yummy frozen beverages, and all kinds of catching up... until the very wee hours of the morning.
It was a great time. I didn't get as many pictures as I had hoped to, but it was so nice to see everyone and to hear what they've been up to. I got filled in on a bunch of girls I haven't seen or heard from in ages. Of course, EVERYONE is getting married. There are like 7 Phi Mu weddings this year! And I don't think a one will be featuring Bash and Blush as their colors...
The best part of getting together is recalling all of the insane experiences we had while living in the Phi Mu house. There were always people who made such a fuss about having to live there, but I wouldn't trade those years for anything. You just can't even imagine the hijinks that went on up on the elusive second and third floors. It never fails to crack me up talking about who snuck who where, and who discovered what in which crawl space, and who left what on the roof after crawling through the third floor window.
Now we're looking to recolonize the chapter as early as this coming fall! It would be nice to get a new batch of girls in the old house... let them cook up a new batch of memories.
Friday, February 27, 2004
Disclaimer: Tired, well on my way to hungover already, and tired.
I went to a Bit show at the Irish Pub tonight and had a hell of a good time. I'm extremely poor at labeling music, but they're kind of hardcore punky, rocky, rolly... loud. Bottom line, one heck of a show.
And, ok, maybe I'm biased but any band that can hop from a Prince cover to ACDC and do it with style is a hit in my book... oh and did I mention they're fronted by a chick? Excellent. Rest assured they only did a set of covers then they busted out their own stuff... which may or may not have involved *me* practically getting a jam related concussion... don't ask.
And, yes, I'm biased because the aforementioned chick was one of my best friends during the early half of my life. In fact, she grew up across the street from me and I have lots of embarrassing pictures to prove it. I hadn't seen her in probably 7 or 8 years but I appreciated being spotted in nearly the back of the room and being called out in front of the entire bar. "Stephanie, is that you?" Busted.
Anyway, good times were had by all and you'll be sure to see me at the next show.
"I'm with the band."
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Trying something a little different. Links to my archives have been moved to an actual archive page and a little insight into what I'm doing when I should be writing essays appears to the right. If I get really motivated I'll give myself a little more room so I can add happy commentary like Loobylu has.
And, yes, Mike. I'm listening to Rancid Yak right this second. Go figure.
and one more thing:
Straight Plan for the Gay Man.
heh.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
What a long day!
I starred as Pig in The Pig Who Wanted to Fly, a puppet show put on twice today by Impression 5 Science Center staff. Our second performance, as well as the puppet-making craft time that followed was supposedly on the news, but I was busy swimming so I missed it.
And swimming I was, man. After a month or so, I can definitely tell the difference when I'm in the water. Plus, it looks like I really haul compared to all the geriatrics bobbing around the pool. It's hard enough to swim with 7 people in a 5 lane pool... add to that the fact that no one but me was under 60 years old and you can imagine the obstacle course I had to tackle.
Then it was off to another night of naked people at MSU. I wish it were as exciting as it sounds but it wasn't. I was really off tonight... maybe just tired. I did a bunch of so-so sketches but couldn't focus on one pose for more than a few minutes. After 2.5 hours, I only ended up with one sketch I liked at all. I did a lot of experimenting though so that was productive. I have been trying to loosen up my style a little, and it's coming along. I guess.
So, now I'm off to bed. Hoo-frickin'-ray for that.
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Thanks to Jennimafer, I celebrated Fat Tuesday in true Mardi Gras style for the second year in a row. She sent me my very own King Cake for my birthday and I managed to still have a little left for today. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of knowing a girl from Louisiana who can't finish a Boudreaux-Thibodeaux joke to save her life... here is the history of the King Cake as provided by King of the King Cake, Manny Randazzo.
The Mardi Gras or Carnival season officially begins on January 6th or the "Twelfth Night," also known to Christians as the "Epiphany." Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means "to show." Jesus first showed himself to the three wisemen and to the world on this day. As a symbol of this Holy Day, a tiny plastic baby is placed inside each King Cake.
The King Cake tradition is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France in 1870. A King Cake is an oval-shaped bakery delicacy, crossed between a coffee cake and a French pastry that is as rich in history as it is in flavor. It's decorated in royal colors of PURPLE which signifies "Justice," GREEN for "Faith," and GOLD for "Power." These colors were chosen to resemble a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited the Christ Child on Epiphany. In the past such things as coins, beans, pecans, or peas were also hidden in each King Cake.
Today, a tiny plastic baby is the common prize. At a party, the King Cake is sliced and served. Each person looks to see if their piece contains the "baby." If so, then that person is named "King" for a day and bound by custom to host the next party and provide the King Cake.
Mardi Gras Day has a moveable date and may occur on any Tuesday from February 3rd to March 9th. It is always the day before Ash Wednesday, and always falls 46 days before Easter.
Last february Jennimafer taught all the YES kids about King Cakes. I nearly lost it when she told us they bake a little plastic baby in the cake. I went around all day saying, "I want the baby!" in a scarily Fat Bastard-like voice. Needless to say, I got the baby, and like everyday, I was "King" for the day. Unfortunately, the YES kids were unable to come to my mardi gras party this year... being a thousand miles away and all... Incedently, this year I got the baby too... but, I mean, I practically ate the whole cake by myself.
I'm getting a King Cake every year now. Next year I'm going to order one of Manny's yummy cream cheese King Cakes. hmmm... yummy!
YEAH! for getting my taxes done... by myself, mind you. and in a couple weeks that direct deposit will look mightly nice in my bank account.
Yippy!
***
update: and 4 hours later, my federal return has been accepted. I'm totally done and I should get my refund deposited in like 10 days. excellent... I can think of somewhere warm and sunny I wouldn't mind blowing a tax refund check on....
Monday, February 23, 2004
I have four types of people in my life:
Those who send me forwarded email because they want to keep in touch but have nothing to say.
Those who send me no email because they don't know how to operate a computer or just have nothing exciting to say.
Those who send me email because they have something to say. (MJ)
Those who would send me negative email if it were possible... if only because they can. (Brian)
and today's favorite:
Those who send me forwarded email because it is relevant, hilarious, informative, or otherwise entertaining. Here's Jill's email of the day, forwarded from sfgate.com's morningfix:
And This Little Planetoid Sucked Away All The Cute Kittens
Astronomers think they have found a frozen object 4.4 billion miles from Earth that appears to be more than half the size of Pluto and larger than the planet's moon, or roughly 1/10th the size of Dick Cheney's massive poisonous overblown sense of his own importance to the world, when in fact he is merely a tiny dried pustule on the colon of time. If confirmed, the planetoid would become the largest object found in our solar system since the ninth planet was first spied in 1930. Preliminary observations suggest the frozen celestial body is 10 percent larger than Quaoar, a 800-mile-diameter object found in 2002. Preliminary observations also suggest the new planetoid's biogeothermal core consists of all the tens of billions of gum wrappers and missing socks cast off by Earth as it spins like a top, tossing off debris and spittle and giant balls of lint and small helpless kittens like one of those whirling spinning sprinkler attachment thingies you ran through in summertime as a kid, thinking you were invincible and beautiful and that life was simple glorious splish-splashy joy, just before they chained you to a curriculum and a cubicle and a mediocre sex life and force-fed you patriotic swill that tasted like bitter moldy orange peels and just before they excavated your spirit and opened a Starbucks franchise in your large intestine.
I love Jill. But who doesn't, really?
Have you ever really wanted to know which html color code most suited your personality but didn't know the best way to find out? Don't feel bad. You aren't alone. I too had this problem until I found this quick survey on spacefem.com!
Now, thanks to spacefem.com I know that I am a "violet #EE82EE" which means:
Your dominant hues are red and blue. You're confident and like showing people new ideas. You play well with others and can be very influential if you want to be.
Your saturation level is lower than average - You don't stress out over things and don't understand people who do. Finishing projects may sometimes be a challenge, but you schedule time as you see fit and the important things all happen in the end, even if not everyone sees your grand master plan.
Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.
*I* think it sounds like me... and that color violet is virtually indistinguishable from the color I use for my links on this half of the page. Coincidence? Yeah, most likely.
Sunday, February 22, 2004
I saw The Triplets of Belleville this afternoon.
I'm at a loss for words. It was really a unique and beautiful movie. Very 'artsy', quite funny, and certainly a capable contender for the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
Except... call me biased, because I am, but for as generally delightful as I found the movie, I simply don't condone what I consider "poor sportsmanship", if you will. The movie contained two offensive and comletely unnecessary shots at Disney which certainly cost it my vote. Unfortunately by doing so it virtually garanteed itself the nod from the Academy.
It saddens me because it seemed so innappropriate. The movie was not drenched in social commentary; why such graphic disrespect for the Disney Company? Shrek was funny. The anti-Disney sentiment was one of the only things the movie had going for it, frankly. Triplets, however was beautifully animated, full of funny and charming characters, and would likely have even won me over for Best Aminated Feature. These pointed insults toward Disney were completely out of place, had no purpose in the movie whatsoever, and only served to distract and detract from an otherwise exemplary piece of animation.
Sure, Disney has served up some straight to video sequel crap in the last few years, but they have also consistently delivered Oscar-worthy features as well. I'm just proud that despite whatever problems the company may have, they are never in a position where they feel they have to resort to belittling other studios.
So, here's my final analysis:
The only good thing about a nod for Triplets, would be that the Oscar would go to a primerily Traditionally Animated film, which I feel is important in this time where animation studios are turing completely toward CG animation.
I'd like to see Pixar snatch the Oscar for Nemo because they were robed with Monsters, Inc. and because it would be kind of an well placed F YOU to Disney for being suck bullheaded pricks and not working harder to continue a relationship with Pixar. Those kids rock, and I am behind them 100%.
But, my vote goes to Brother Bear. I mean, honestly... did you see those backgrounds? Again, I'd like to see Traditional Animation win this one (not that I don't love Pixar and their CG work... but we know that isn't going anywhere.) In short: Beautiful story, beautiful animation, beautiful addition to the Disney family.
and on a not unrelated note:
everyone keep your fingers crossed for Destino for Best Short Film (Animated).
http://216.205.76.233/news/se/destino.asp
http://www.movienet.com/destino.html
Saturday, February 21, 2004
The more time on my hands, the less I am really able to get myself to do. I am so frustrated. I just want to get done with this class so I can be DONE with school. You'd think then that I wouldn't have a problem just sitting down and writing a couple essays!
It's impossible. How have a made it this far with so little discipline? What a mess!
I need a study buddy. Or a personal assistant. Or someone who likes to write essays. I need someone who will sit my butt down in a library or coffee shop or anywhere and hover over me until I have done what I need to do. Any volunteers?
There never are, are there?
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
If Barbie and Ken can't stay together, what chance do the rest of us really have?
Monday, February 16, 2004
So, today I was on a mission. I had a ton of errands to get done, which can mean only one thing: Federal Holiday. That cut my errands to less than half. No trip to the bank, the post office, or the middle school pool for me. *sigh* However, one of my errands was purchasing a few super-comfy Layer Tees at the Gap.
When I thought of my list of errands and mentally checked them off, I cracked up everytime I said Layer Tees to myself. Further evidence that I'm a total geek.
Oh, Hamlet....
Sunday, February 15, 2004
It's never too late for a New Year's Resolution is it? Good.
Self-deprecation is out. If you catch me telling you I'm a loser or that boys never talk to me or that I'm fat and ugly and disgusting... Tell me to knock it off, because we all know that's not true. I'm the coolest chick in 10 counties, boys DO talk to me... (whether I like it or not), and fat and ugly? Please. Repeat after me: Knock. Out. (knock. out.) Very good.
I don't care how attractive, smart, funny, blah blah blah you are. If you have no confidence and a rotten self-image (*cough*MJ*cough*) it's a total turn off. And, I don't care how big of a loser you are either; a little confidence and a sense of humor about yourself goes a hell of a long way. Nobody is perfect. I've never met anyone who came close. EMBRACE your inner loser. Love him.
And for god's sake, in the wise, wise words of Brian the Omnipotent, "Don't poison the well." First dates are for selling yourself (not literally... um, how about 'marketing' yourself?) not lowering expectations until your date loses interest altogether.
Another valuable lesson learned... In the Twilight Zone.
Saturday, February 14, 2004
Babs pointed me to an entertaining website via her AIM away message:
http://www.laddertheory.com/
I found it entertaining, if not sadly true to some extent... I never quite believe stories about how often guys think about sex or spend some quality alone time with themselves or how you can't be friends with guys because they just want to sleep with you. Apparently I am one of those women who only thinks they have male friends, and apparently they really all just want to sleep with me. I was also certain I had an exception to the rules... until I encountered the friends with benefits section, which was, unfortunately, probably completely accurate.
I would be very interested in hearing the thoughts of my male "friends" on the Ladder Theory. I never believe complete strangers, and it'll be even harder to believe from guys I think I know well. :)
What do you call that type of writing... like Catcher in the Rye... oh yeah, stream of drunkeness.... so here I go...
What fun! Tonight I went out with people I barely know to three bars I have never visited and I had the time of my life! How random too. We started at a pub type place... lots of locals, just outside of the college town scene. nice place for actual conversation. You know these people were just my type because at one point one of the guys brought to our attention, "We're talking about spelling." That's what happens when you hang out with people who work at a science center, my friend... We progressed to a happening spot in Old Town with live music and an eclectic group of people. From there we ended up on the outskirts of town... hickville really, at this total dive. It was great though. People were dancing (the music was a sorry flashback to my sorority girl days... snoop doggy do-o-o-o-ogg) and the crowd was bizarre... everyone from people I recognized from having graduated with my baby sister to dirty old men. College Kids to trailor trash. Scary bar guys to the guy I gave my number to, written on a bar napkin... (who the hell do I think I am!? who does that???) All in all it was a great time...
And if I don't get a phone call in the near future, Dave will regret it for the rest of his life... ;)
(also, you know you're a total geek when you make Catcher in the Rye references when you're less than sober.... FYI)
Friday, February 13, 2004
I want more room. Here, this page. I want little spaces for miscellaneous pictures or quotes... whatever pops into my head that doesn't really need an entire post. Maybe I'll work on that when I give Movabletype a try... as soon as Mike gets a chance to help me install it...
anyway, here is what would appear in that magical space right now:
And your skin, oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
D'you know?
For you I bleed myself dry
-Coldplay, Yellow
I just saw Monster, which was, of course, amazing. It was horribly ugly, in such a beautiful way. I don't know what else I can really say about it. It was a snapshot of a life that I'm glad isn't mine. And while so not the point of the movie, it did a lovely job of summing up why I don't like Florida.
Though seeing "Fun World" (a.k.a. Fun Spot on I-drive) did make me a little "homesick"...
James and the Giant Peach... now that was a good book. I thought of it today, and so I thought of you.
I wrapped up in a blanket and you sat at the end of my bed, in the dim green light of my rocketship lamp. I buried my toes under your thigh to keep them warm and fought off sleepiness, listening to your deep and soothing voice. You read the entire book out loud, giving each character it's own voice and infusing them with life. I closed my eyes and watched the story swim around, smiling at the sweet scent of peaches, the sound of your voice, the warmth of your leg against my feet, and the sheer perfection of it all.
I can't recall ever having been more content than that.
FYI: I was more inspired than I thought! (see post below)
I just rigged up a new comment-collecting deal-y, so comment away. not that anyone ever did. but now you can.
Thursday, February 12, 2004
sometimes people inspire me to be more than i am... or maybe just to put more effort into being just exactly what i am. today cameron lawrence was that person. what a great read.
Dear Bubby,
I worry that GW Bush is the worst president the U.S. has ever had and that this is the most critical historical period the U.S. has ever been in.
The combination of those two worries keeps me up at night. Now I have dark circles under my eyes and a permanent back ache, and I'm only 33.
Since you've seen a lot more of life than I have, can you reassure me that things have been this bad before, or maybe even worse, and they got better? Where does a person find hope in the dark moments of life?
Thanks,
Lily
Dear Lily,
Yes, Bush is the worst President we ever had. But we have had bad times and got through it. Do you listen to the programs on some of the political programs like CNN? Listen to as many as you can. I am a Democrat and that is the party of the people. I'm for Kerry and I would like to see Edwards as the No.2 man. I think they are both sincere and will try for the common people -- schools, health, jobs, etc.
Don't give up hope. This is your country and my country and is the best in the world. The trouble will dribble out and our men will come home. I lived through a few wars. Remember the storm is over and the sun shines again. Just like Noah and his ark. Trust in G-d. Keep your spirits high and do what's right.
Good Luck. (heart), BUBBY
run, click, surf... as fast as you can to the Help Me, Bubby website! way to exploit your grandma! if only i still had a grandma...
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
there is a fine line between brilliant and evil genius and the creator of a certain piece of adware that spreads itself through AIM is walking that line.
what better way to get marketing material and other annoyances out to a billion people? first you get a link... from a trusted someone on your buddylist no less, and if you're bored enough to follow it, you sneakily get conned into downloading software that sends itself to your buddies and will continue to send you ads and crap... which will continually get sent to your buddies.... forever and ever. or unless you follow the directions in this article.
http://weblog.infoworld.com/techwatch/archives/000276.html
i appreciate the brilliance... but how effing obnoxious.
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
i have been a loyal blogger for years and years and years and i have always loved it, however lately i have been contemplating the use of movabletype. a lot of times i surf to webpages i really like and notice that they use movabletype. i don't know if that's a coincidence, or if they really help create and support better sites, but i'm looking into it. they do have lots of fun features which blogger does not yet have, like comments and whatnot... and as you can see, my comments just don't work dispite my best efforts.
we'll see. i'm afraid of change. but change can be good.
Monday, February 09, 2004
While it is widely accepted that safaribrian is the funniest man I know, have known or will ever know... Jarrad does run an extremely close second. Here is just a small excerpt from his now so-called-defunct livejournal. This is from months ago, but that doesn't mean it didn't make me feel the need to skip my daily workout, as my abs have had quite enough.
- If you look up the word 'miasma' in the dictionary, there will be at least a paranthetical reference to the UMD Theatre Co.'s presentation of "A Christmas Carol."
- Slightly akin to the old proverb "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings," is the saying "Every time an able-bodied person uses the handicapped button to automatically open a door, a completely vital and healthy high-school football player is inexplicably rendered paralyzed from the neck down."
- McDonald's marketing geniuses came up with the brilliant and child-friendly character name 'Grimace' after rejecting such worthy candidates as 'Wince,' 'Harelip,' and 'Dysent-ERIC.'
- If vaginas were indeed capable of utterance, do you think it would come out as sentimentally witty monologues? Maybe. Or perhaps they would ask for a breath mint.
and perhaps my favorite:
- If you ever wondered what the Disney chestnut "The Mighty Ducks" would be like with profanity-laced tirades instead of Disney Magic (tm) and wildly acerbic freestyle rapathons instead of all-for-one ice hockey hijinks, I highly suggest 8 Mile.
Notes from Birthday Festival 2004:
I journeyed to Columbus... which is actually a pretty cool place, considering the state in which it resides. I did get a little lost along the way and also was blessed with a traffic ticket from a kind police officer who wanted to make sure he didn't leave me without a birthday gift. Once in c-bus I visited a happening little place known as Little Brothers, where the infamous Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party was playing their last show.
The show was amazing. It really was. They were a pretty impressive band that defied any description I could come up with... but unfortunately they are no more. Perhaps the best part of the show was seeing world renown rockstar, The Mike, in action!
I hadn't seen The Mike in years and it was great to finally get to see him play. And he looked great, by the way! I think the having-an-adoring-girlfriend thing agrees with him. While I'm at it, big thanks to Katie for being super friendly and making me feel really welcome and not like some loner in a corner who doesn't know anyone. She's way cool. Way to go, Mike!
I got to celebrate my birthday with a new birthday buddy, a good friend of Katie's. Thanks to Mike's other super cool friends I got to sleep on the cushy futon (where apparently Mike does all his pimping...) rather than the hard wood floor. I also got a yummy pancake breakfast before I hit the road. Good times all around.
Oh! And thanks to my brand spanking new cell phone (with which I did perform the requisite "drop on a hard wood floor the day you get it" maneuver) I got lots of timely birthday calls and voicemails from friends and family in various states. yeah for technology!
When I got home, the fam and I, including bear hugging Matty V who I hadn't seen since returning to Michigan, went to B-dubs for some much enjoyed wings and buffalo chips. yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. We then partook in the usual cake and ice cream. Incidentally, I can't believe "partook" is a word, but my god, does it look cool! (and unlike about every other word I typed, it wasn't flagged by spellcheck. Who knew?)
Finally settled enough to unpack some delicate and cherished collectibles, I carefully opened a box full of my favorite spaceman only to find my three favorite pieces, the most fragile, in various states of damage.
Apparently at some point during my cold journey to Michigan, or during their brief period of storage in the garage, the water in my tiny, rocket-shaped snow globe must have frozen, expanded, then shattered the thin glass dome. Wrapped in the same piece of newspaper was "breakable buzz", a birthday gift from someone who was once known to call me on my birthday. ;) Thankfully it suffered only a couple minor chips in not-so-obvious places.
And finally, one of my favorite and most unusual pieces, a really cool bobble-head doll, suffered a broken wing and two broken legs, presumably due to the aforementioned explosion. While the snowglobe is ruined, it is, with any luck, replaceable. "Breakable buzz" will be fine, and I hope to do successful krazy glue surgery on the bobble-head.
Happy birthday from the cosmos.
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