Short Excursions Into Allyson's Mind

Only 11 Years Later

2011-08-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

So, I got my ears pierced yesterday.

Mom and I went to the Valley Plaza to return some things and as we were walking she stopped in front of one of those piercing kiosks and said she was going to get her ear pierced (yes, only one ear as the other whole hadn't closed up since she stopped wearing earrings) and somehow she convinced me to do it as well. I really wanted pierced ears when I was a kid and I was told that when I turned 12 I could get it done. Obviously it didn't happen. I was a bit afraid and since my ears are small and close to my head anyway I didn't think it made much of a difference. After a while I liked that I didn't have piercings. It was always a surprise to people when they noticed or when I mentioned it. And now here I am. It feels kind of weird to get it done in adulthood. It's like I missed out on a rite of passage, but I seem to be missing all of the normal milestones so that's how it goes.

2011-05-20T00:10:00.001-07:00

I'm moving back to Bakersfield. Not sure if I'm happy about that or not.
I got an A in my Composition and Literature class after writing my final on how Hamlet and Horatio were probably hooking up between the scenes.
Got an A in Intermediate GIS. Of course.
Almost died fifty times driving home from the pub my Sustainability class went to after the final on Tuesday. It was thirty miles to my house, all downhill, it was pouring rain, the roads were completely inundated with water and I was constantly on the verge of losing control of my car. I finally saw another car spin out and drive up a mountain and that's I decided that I should probably take surface streets the rest of the way to my house. That is, after I stopped to make sure the people who spun out were okay. They were. It was, hands down, the most terrified I have ever been in my life.

2011-04-09T12:14:00.001-07:00

When I was in the first grade I was told I had bad handwriting. I had to do all of these stupid handwriting exercises whenever I had free time (which was a lot, because even though I was in a combo 1st/2nd class and I did all the 2nd grade work, I was still done way before other kids). Ever since then I've been convinced that I had bad handwriting. But I don't, really, it's just still in my head.

The point of this anecdote is that I'm trying to let things go. I'm trying to release my baggage into the wild. And it's really fucking hard.

Two Finals Down! One Paper Left!

2010-12-14T14:03:00.000-08:00

Just finished my Geographical Information Systems final. In it my professor had us work through a hypothetical situation under our fictional boss, "Mr. Big." We were asked what problems we might run into during the course of the project and me, being me, said "Mr. Big leaves you for Carrie Bradshaw. Again." I really hope that he is familiar with Sex and the City, or else he will be very confused.

My other favorite answer includes the sentence "It's entirely possible that your computer will explode at this stage in the project."

My brain is slowly turning to mush.

Soundtrack to My Upcoming Thriller Film, "The Editor"

2010-12-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

Set in present-day New York City. The shows were big. The thrills were bigger.

"This movie is so awesome. You could feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and fall back down again because they fainted because it was so intense. Seriously. Pay attention to your neck hairs." - Roger Ebert*

"Five Stars!" - Peter Travers **

*of the Lodi High School student-run newspaper.

*of the Folsom Lake College cafeteria

Soundtrack

Lady Gaga - Lovegame

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

The Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel

B.Y.O.B. - System of a Down

Carry Out (featuring Justin Timberlake) - Timbaland

O Sole Mio - The Three Tenors

The World Has Turned and Left Me Here - Weezer

Velocity Girl - Snow Patrol

On Your Bike - Heinz Kiessling

Eminence Front - The Who

Don't Rain on My Parade - Barbra Streisand

The Engine Driver - The Decemberists

My Favorite Things

2010-12-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

I figure since Oprah always does her favorite things episode at this time of year (it was a few weeks ago, I think) I should talk about some of my favorite things because I'm obviously as important as Oprah Winfrey.

1. Hats.

I've entered a hat phase. I'm not really sure what this means for my well-being but they keep my head warm. For years I thought I wasn't a hat person. I thought my head was funny shaped, or too big or that my face couldn't handle a hat being so close to it, but I was wrong. I just needed to find the right hat style so now I have four hats. Two knit beret things, one normal knit beanie-type hat and one that I bought to go skiing in earlier this year with earflaps that has found it's way onto my head in the privacy of my room more times that I'd like to admit.

2. Cranberry Sierra Mist

This is truly the cold, fizzy, non-alcoholic soda beverage of winter. Yes, I did have to qualify that an awful lot because it doesn't beat my other favorite cold, fizzy, non-alcoholic (but non-soda) beverage, Martinelli's Apple Cider. But Cranberry Sierra Mist is delicious. I bought a 12-pack of it a week ago and it's already gone. I'm thinking I should probably buy the sugar-free kind since obviously I can't control myself when I'm around it. It's like the drink equivalent of John Krasinski (though I've never met him and have no way of knowing how I would act if we were to ever meet, but I don't doubt that he'd fall madly in love with me, clearly).

3. The Social Network

Those few of you who have been privy to my obsession with this movie know that I think it's the best movie to come out in the last 15 years. I'm anxiously awaiting to see if it ever makes it to second-run theatres because it if does I will go every single day when I'm home over break. Yes, I have an "illegally" obtained copy of it (JUST KIDDING, FBI) but it's terrible quality and I really want to see it on the big screen again. I think that will tide me over until it comes out in all of it's Blu-ray glory and I can sit entranced for hours at a time, staring in wonder at the magic that David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin have bestowed upon us.

4. Tumblr

Now, I know that a lot of people think Tumblr is where all of the hipster kids hang out, and well, yeah, it's kind of true. I've had a Tumblr account (allysoninthemist.tumblr.com, only go there if you want to see all of the pop culture, pretty boys, and music I obsess over) for like a month now and it's pretty much ruined my life. I wasn't horribly obsessed with The Social Network before I found this place but it just wrapped me up in it's sweet arms and said "It's alright, Allyson, embrace your obsessive personality, we accept you here. We're all like you, way too apt to think that everyone is gay and Mark and Eduardo were secret lovers, and just slash, slash everywhere because everything is gay and nothing hurts. Shhh it's okay, come to mama, let me hold you here my soft bosom where you belong. It's okay to cry a little. Here's some links to some awesome fanfic, we know how into Harry Potter fanfic you were when you were twelve, and we know how ridiculously happy fic makes you even if it makes no sense at all and it just puts a silly smile on your face because we're just like you. We ship anything and everything even if it makes no sense, even if there's really no hint of any underlying sexual tension at all because we just like thinking about all the possibilties. And we understand why you love British television so much because isn't it the greatest? We're watching all of the sames shows as you, all of the weird ones that you're real friends don't watch because they have much better things to do with their lives than obsess over a British TV show that no one in the states has even heard of. Also, look at these pictures of pretty boys, look how pretty they are, they are so pretty how are they even real? And look at these freaking Jewnicorns right here. Look at how flawless these boys are, is this real life? It is real life. It's Tumblr life and we know you love it. And we love Sufjan Stevens, too, and we love our new hats and our cardigans, you're not a terrible person because you haven't written that paper yet, you have plenty of time, just hang out here a little longer, it's so fun here, can't you see how much you belong here?" As of this writing Tumblr has been down for about 24 hours. This may be a contributing factor to my writing this.

5. Freaks and Geeks

I had been meaning to watch this show for forever because it has such a quality cast and crew and I finally started watching it on Saturday. You better believe that I zoomed through 17 of the 18 episodes in less than 24 hours it is that good. I haven't watched the finale yet, I can't really bring myself to watch it yet. I'll be too sad. But it pretty much cemented my endless love for Jason Segel and James Franco and Martin Starr. Everyone needs to watch this show. Another amazing show cancelled too early. Now I'm watching Party Down (yes, I do have school work to do and an entire book to read and a paper to write and a final study guide to work on, what do you mean?) which was on Starz for two seasons and is also ridiculously funny.

That's pretty good for now, yeah?

New Orleans

2010-04-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

Who knew that just one week of events could lead to so many potentially life changing decisions?

How much a part of my life do I want debate to have?
Should I take the necessary steps to insure that FLC will not have a program next year?
How do I keep these people in my life?

I thought I had my life somewhat figured out. I thought I knew what I wanted to do in terms of college and in getting my degree. But now I need to decide if I'm going to abandon this thing I've grown to love so much and go for the original plan or change everything and take the opportunity I'm being presented with. I've been told repeatedly that I have potential, I mean I've already competed to the tip-top of the novice division, I can be really good at this if I want to be. And to think that getting into this activity was on nothing but a whim, a curiosity, and I very nearly did not return for the second semester. Now what?

Okay, Maybe I am a Good Debater...

2010-03-07T19:48:00.000-08:00

As it turns out this weekend at the Western States Novice Debate Championships which was held here at Sacramento State (thank goodness, sleeping in my own bed meant I was way more rested for the insane amount of debate I did) we won five of eight rounds. We made it to eliminations and won the first round and lost in the quarterfinals to Cal Poly. I was more than relieved. Every time the judge(s) announced that we had won I was shocked out of my mind. And losing in the quarters lifted this huge weight of anxiety off of my shoulders, I'm still new and my debate partner just joined the team with no prior debate knowledge a full two weeks ago, we were exhausted. Each debate round is approximately 1.5-2 hours, and in eight rounds that means we debated at least 12 hours in three days. That's a lot. I'm so mentally tired that I can't even write.

I'm Not a Master Debater

2010-03-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

Seven months ago I was completely ignorant of the strange little niche in academia called policy debate, nor did I understand the way it will unexpectedly pervade one's life. The basics of a debate round are this:

Two people per team. One team is called the Affirmative (their job is to argue in favor of a change in some US policy) and the other team is called the Negative (who simply argues against the Affirmative, not the policy, per say).
Their are two types of speeches given in each round, a constructive speech (nine minutes) and a rebuttal speech (six minutes). Each person will give one of each, and in between the constructive speeches there is a three-minute cross-examination. The only true rules in policy debate are the time limits, almost everything else is fair game.

There are about a million other things about debate I can talk about, but that's the very basic gist of it. The problem I'm having right now is that it's basically taken over my life. I still have time for other things, of course, and I would go crazy if I spent all of my free time working on debate stuff, but I find it popping into my head at random times throughout my days. I will have dreams about it furthering the proof that it has somehow weaseled its way into my life. I was working on it last night and was so excited when I came up with a new argument we could use.

The good thing about debate is that I've met some really interesting people, I like the intellectual challenge of it, and I get to go to New Orleans in April. The bad parts include my partial dislike of the team coaches, the fact that I spent a weekend in Modesto last month (I'm convinced that Modesto is where dreams go to die), and the intense pressure that one experiences at a tournament. It's enough to make someone crack, as I did in the middle of a round in Modesto. I'm talking full-out, tears streaming down the face crackage (the funny part of this story is that I got up to do my speech and I said "I apologize for the waterworks, someone must be cutting onions in the building," and the judge said "It's just been raining on your face." Flight of the Conchords FTW!). And I'm not the only one who was like that! I watched a varsity (I debate in the novice division with all of the other newbies) debate and this poor girl from Cal Poly SLO started crying, and I knew exactly how she felt.

And that picture? First thing that popped up when I typed in "debate clipart" and no, it really looks nothing like that. Think more along the lines of unkempt and tired college students lugging around Rubbermaid tubs full of expandable file folders full of evidence and reading it as fast as humanly possible.

The Mailbox

2010-02-25T10:07:00.000-08:00

Tuesdays are the only days I get mail. Never has a subscription to Newsweek magazine brought me so much joy because that is the one day a week I can go to the mailbox and there is something for me. There is nothing quite like the tinge of disappointment in getting the mail and nothing is addressed to you. It's ten-times worse when you get a key to one of the big boxes only to discover that the package isn't for you. The rush of excitement you get when that key is sitting in your mailbox is palpable, comparable to the crushing defeat you feel when you finally read the name that isn't yours. People walking past me on the sidewalk as I meander back into the house look at me with pity and I know what they're thinking. "Poor girl, once again she got no mail. How very sad." I see it written all over their smug faces as they push their baby carriages and walk their dogs along the streets. How lucky they must feel when they open their mailboxes and see items addressed to them.

Photo Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaysantiago/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

#39

2010-02-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

People keep telling me that I'm overreacting, but I honestly think that I'm about to die. This cough is going to be end of me. It starts slowly, I open my mouth, about to say something, maybe to take a bite of food, or sip some water, and something goes terribly wrong. The real event begins when I inhale, something doesn't move quite right, something brushes over the trigger and I quickly close my mouth in an effort to stop the process, but then it's too late. My body starts to spasm in an effort to stifle the noise, my throat spasming uncontrollably, and I close my eyes and try to visualize what must be happening in my lungs. It's like a battle zone, my body is fighting itself and it's a battle to the death. I can't catch my breath, I clutch at my chest in an effort to demonstrate that the end is near. The people around me look at me with fear in their eyes, no one wants to watch someone die, but today they'll have to. Suddenly, with as much effort with which it began, the coughing stopped. I take a deep breath and sigh with relief. Everyone is asking me if I'm okay. Yes, I'm okay, I say, something just went down the wrong tube.

#196

2010-02-11T10:00:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I was filthy, covered in dirt and grime, food and drink, grease and oil. But today I am clean again. Clean after a delightful and welcome scrubbing, the warm, soapy water running into every crevice and spilling over every inch. The view is clear now, the room smells fresh and I feel brand new. This new me is not going to last long. It only takes a few days, hours even, for me to return to the same state I was in. I don’t know what I did to deserve it, but people walk all over me. Nearly every day of my life I am trampled upon with no remorse. I remember the day I moved into this apartment, I fit perfectly in the space and was wonderfully clean, if not a little dusty. Life was good, until the day I wasn’t alone in my living space. The worst offender? The dog. Oh, how I loathe that dog with his constant slobbering all over me, dropping his food all over the place, plopping himself down wherever he wants. The cat is better, though she only deems to look down on me from the countertops. The people I can handle, since they are the ones ultimately in control of my condition. The lady is my favorite, she doesn’t seem to mind cleaning a dirty floor.

On Being a Voracious Reader

2010-01-20T21:28:00.000-08:00

I love reading. I love having a book with me everywhere and the possibilities that come with that. I like the escapism in reading a great book. I've been reading nonstop for the past few weeks. I've torn through no less than four full-length (each over 400 pages) books, several magazines (and not Cosmo, no, I'm talking The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Newsweek, heavier stuff), I read the assigned passages for my composition class right after class because I just wanted to read. Maybe my brain is going through a sponge phase? But, put something with words on it in front of me and I will read it. And then ask for more.

Things I Love in the New Year:

2010-01-02T21:28:00.002-08:00

Seeing my friends be truly pleased with themselves and their lives. Hearing of their ecstatic happiness makes me ecstatically happy! I could name examples but, just in general, I'm addicted to happiness.
Reading for pleasure again. After four months of only reading in a strictly academic sense I thought that I would be anxious to sit and read nothing for a month. This was not the case. I've been reading voraciously in the past few weeks and there's nothing better I could be doing with my time. (I'm currently half-way through In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson. It's absolutely hysterical, so much so that I can't read it in public without embarrassing myself. Next up is American Gods by Neil Gaiman.)
Nurses. Nurses are amazing. I've been spending a lot of time hanging about the medical world these days (my grandma fell a few weeks ago which resulted in a concussion, broken hip and a plethora of other problems) and I can tell you all that every single nurse I encountered from the advice nurse over the phone to the emergency room nurse to the nurses at the rehab center where she is currently staying are all incredible, caring, compassionate people. I can't thank every one of them enough.
United Airlines Frequent Flier Miles. My New Year's Resolution is to get enough points to do something, anything. I'm itching to get on an airplane again! A job would greatly help me in these endeavors.
Jury Duty. I don't mind doing my civic duty as it must be done this week, I actually want to be put on a jury! Honestly, I don't have anything better to do except read, which there will be plenty of time for while doing my jury duty regardless.
Wii Fit Plus. How fun is this little game? We got it for Christmas. I spent an hour on it the other day and didn't even realize that I was burning those pesky calories. I know I sound like a freaking advertisement, but I think it's really fun. Is it as fun as Mario Kart? Well, no. But still pretty entertaining.
Showers! I know this is a weird one, but I really, really love taking showers these days. I don't know why, but I look forward to them. Something about the hot water and the quiet. It's the only place in the house where I am truly alone (even my room does not afford me this luxury) and it's the only other place (besides my beloved car) where I can let myself feel my feelings, if that makes sense. It's cathartic.

I love plenty of other things, too! <3

It's December!

2009-12-02T11:45:00.003-08:00

NaNoWriMo was, once again, a bust. November is just a terrible time for students to participate, it's nearing the end of the semester and assignments that have been left around are suddenly needing to be completed. It's disappointing, yes, but at least I have a story that is somewhat outlined so if I ever want to finish it in the future I would be able to pick it up again.

In television news, I'm really into Dexter this season. This is by far the most intense season, I often have to pause it in the middle of scenes just to take a break from the tension.I've watched the show since the first season, but this one is just overall better. The writing is better, it's darker and funnier and there have been some really good twists and with only two episodes left I'm completely expecting to have my mind completely blown.

On the other end of the TV spectrum lies Glee. I love this show so much, I smile like a freaking idiot every time I watch it, it just makes me so happy! The fact that most shows, including this one as well as the very good V, are taking a substantial break over winter (for the Olympics, natch) is quite disappointing.

I have two weeks left of school and then I get to go back to Bakersfield where hopefully I can work some!

iPhone

2009-11-14T13:25:00.005-08:00

Yes, kids, it's true. The other day I went to AT&T after many, many hours of deliberation and anguish, and I purchased my very own piece of Apple phonedom. I was quite nervous and not a little reluctant, but the salesman, Alex, was just so cool in explaining every last thing to me and was very, very good at his job. But, I digress, I love it. It's just so pretty.

NaNoWriMo

2009-11-01T09:36:00.002-08:00

It's November 1st and we all know what that means (well, actually probably not, I don't think this is terribly well-known), NaNoWriMo. That's right, National Novel Writing Month was launched into full-tilt noveling at midnight last night. I am anxious to get started writing but I have one rather large problem, I have nothing to write about! I last tried this two years ago and I think I chronicled part of it here if you care to look for it, but at least then I had a plot and characters and a setting as weird as they all were, this year I'm completely drawing a blank! I don't have any inspiration and I've been thinking about it for like a week. I think I might write a romantic comedy thriller? Oh boy. Wish me luck!

2009-05-17T11:53:00.001-07:00

Andrew Bird

2009-04-10T17:43:00.003-07:00

This man makes my life just a little happier.

Armchairs

2009-04-03T11:33:00.002-07:00

I dreamed you were a cosmonaut
of the space between our chairs
and I was a cartographer
of the tangles in your hair

I sighed a song that silence brings
it's the one that everybody knows
oh everybody knows
the song that silence sings
and this was how it goes

these looms that weave apocryphal
they're hanging from a strand
these dark and empty rooms were full
of incandescent hands

awkward pause
a fatal flaw
time it's a crooked bow
oh time's a crooked bow

in time you need to learn to love
the ebb just like the flow

grab hold of your bootstraps
and pull like hell
‘till gravity feels sorry for you
and lets you go
as if you lack the proper chemicals to know
the way it felt the last time you let yourself
fall this low
time
oh time
it's a crooked bow
time's a crooked bow

fifty-five and three–eighths years later
at the bottom of this gigantic crater
an armchair calls to you
yeah this armchair calls to you
and it says that
some day
we'll get back at them all
with epoxy and a pair of pliers
as ancient sea slugs begin to crawl
through the ragweed and barbed wire
you didn't write you didn't call
it didn't cross your mind at all
and through the waves
the waves of a.m. squall
you couldn't feel a thing at all
you're fifty-five and three-eighths tall

2009-04-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

I miss my family. Boo. I've only been back for two weeks.

Obsessions: Forever and New

2009-03-20T16:15:00.005-07:00

Old:
National Public Radio

New:
Rachel Maddow

Old:
Guitar Hero
New:
Piano

Old:
Diet Pepsi

New:
Coffee

Old:
PopTarts

New:
...PopTarts

"Bakersfield? Where's That?"

2009-03-01T09:52:00.003-08:00

There is a question I am commonly asked when talking about my home in Bakersfield, California. Variations include "Isn't that the capital? and "Bakersfield? I've never heard of it." Over these past few months I've come up with an informative, accurate, and short answer to this question.

"Bakersfield is in Central California, about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, in the agriculture sector of the state. It's a very residential city with close to no tourist value, which explains why you've never heard of it."
And when asked more about it I usually spit out these statistics:

The city has over a half million population and like 20 high schools.
Yes, only have one mall (East Hills doesn't warrant the title), but we like outdoor shopping centers better (The Marketplace, Northwest Promenade, etc.)
We're within five driving hours of everywhere you would possibly want to go in California AND Nevada (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Las Vegas to name a few)

Poor Bakersfield, it seems like the only time it gets attention is when someone kills their whole family. And I'm okay with that.

This Might Sound Creepy...

2009-02-06T09:18:00.002-08:00

But I honestly think that Mates of Sate is the cutest band ever. And they have the cutest kids ever! They are just an adorable, loving family. I've never met them, but I'm pretty sure that if I did I would want to be their best friend. Like, I don't like babysitting, but I will babysit their kids because they are probably as awesome as their parents.

Steelers Wooooooo

2009-02-01T20:14:00.003-08:00

It's 11:15pm here in Pittsburgh and I can still hear thousands of people one mile away from me celebrating in the streets. It's a little worrisome, I've heard some explosions and on the news they were showing some things that were definitely on fire. I can hear car horns, so many car horns and sirens and helicopters. And there was just another explosion. Some places have canceled school tomorrow since people are going to be pretty drunk for the next year or so. Good job Steelers, I'm pretty happy to be in Pittsburgh tonight.

LOST! And My Adventures Therein.

2009-01-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

My dear readers,

Gather round and allow me to tell you a story about what happened this last Wednesday night in my quest to watch LOST, here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It was a dark night, chilly as usual, and I was preparing myself for a nice, long night of watching LOST, only one of the more brilliant and amazing shows on television today. I had long written on the TV schedule in the common room that I was intending on using said TV for a period of 3 hours, from 8-11pm. Someone had already written The Real World at 10pm, but I didn't care, I was fully prepared to fight someone to get my LOST on. At 7:30pm I left my room and went to the Sun Room, where I told the two people who were there that my show was starting at 8 and that I wrote it on the schedule, so they better back off. One girl was trying to find SciFi on the TV because HER show started at 9. She was being a little mean about it, and I, avoiding any confrontation, decided that surely there was another TV on campus that no one was using so I told her that I'd go somewhere else. I was trying really hard to be accommodating.

I decided that I would try the Carriage House, which is the student lounge, to see if there were people in there watching TV, and naturally there was. I didn't go in, but I saw through the window that they were watching a movie, so I didn't go in and ask them. Instead I went and grabbed some dinner and set out to find another TV.

Next I went to Laughlin House, which is another dorm, and usually has an empty TV room. Tonight, however, the did not. There were two girls studying, and not wanting to disturb them, and also knowing that there were other places on campus, I left them and went to the next house, Rea. When I walked into Rea I found an empty TV room. I was happy! I sat down, turned on ABC and watched the last 15 minutes of Entertainment Tonight. At 8pm the LOST recap episode started, which unfortunately coincided with American Idol, that which I quickly found out when two girls came in looking to watch it. They point out to me that it is written on their TV schedule, and again, not wanting to be rude and unwilling, I left there and went to the last place on campus I could think of to watch LOST.

This last place was Fickes Hall. Now, I'd been informed by a few people that there was a fair number of fellow Losties on campus, and that they usually watch in Fickes, so when I went in I expected to find a bunch of happy fangirls watching the recap episode. This is the opposite of what I found. I walked into Fickes and found CHAOS. There were people everywhere playing Wii on a bunch of TVs placed around the front rooms. When I went to the TV room, I expected more Wii, but what I found was more American Idol! This was the worst possible thing, and I though I had nowhere else to go.

So, what was I supposed to do? I went back to Laughlin and asked, begged on my knees, and apologized profusely to the girls who were studying, who weren't happy, but let me watch LOST. I was happy and relaxed, just casually watching the recap episode in peace.

Until disaster struck. Again.

At five till nine one of the Laughlin residents came in and I asked if she was planning on watching some TV. She said yes. I, hoping desperately that she would respond with LOST, asked what she was planning on watching. Lie to Me was her answer. Lie to Me is a new show that is on NBC at 9 on Wednesdays. This was the worst possible thing. Knowing that I couldn't do anything, I packed up and left, and went back to Rea where I assumed American Idol would be ending at 9pm.

When I arrived at Rea a few moments later I looked at the TV and noticed that American Idol didn't really look like it was ending. Which was just great. So I went back to the Carriage House. They were watching American Idol but it was ending! I saw the credits! So I went in and asked if they were watching something after American Idol, and of course, they were goign to watch Lie to Me! But at this point I knew that American Idol was over so I RAN back to Rea where I knew the TV was free after 9. I ran so hard, I ran up the steps and ran ran ran into the common room. The girl who was watching had subsequently turned to E!, but I zoomed in and switched to ABC.
For another hour I was left in peace. The first episode was simply amazing and I was happy. The second episode started at 10. I was watching it, still in Rea, when some other girls came in and told me that they were going to watch The Real World. The. Real. World. The dumbest show ever. I don't understand the obsession with stupid people on reality TV, but that's another story. But this upset me. First of all, they were watching that in Woodland! I expressd my concerns to the girls, I begged them to just watch it somewhere else, I'd already run everywhere on campus to watch my show. They were sympathetic, but obstinant. I had to leave, or watch The Real World. At this point I was almost ready to give in. Almost. So I went back to the Carriage House, hoping that the people had left after the show. They had not.

So there I was. Standing in the cold between the Carriage House, Anderson Dining Hall, and the Athletic and Fitness Center. What could I do? I assumed that I'd lost this battle and I was about to go back to Woodland and just cry over my loss. And then I had an epiphany. The AFC had TVs in it. In the workout room you could watch TV if you have a little FM tuner to hear the sound, and I walked in planning on asking th front dsk if they had an extra. Instead I remembered that the TV on the second floor could also show TV, so I asked how to change the channel, got some generic instructions, so I ran upstairs. I couldn't figure out how to change the channel. It was about 7 after 10 now, I was running out of time, I needed to see enough to get the context, I didn't want to miss it or it wouldn't even be worth it to watch, so my very very last chance for LOST was on the third floor.

The third floor of the AFC is a little common area/cafe for students. I walked in and lo and behold there it was. LOST! On the TV screen, well, one of them anyway. I ran over, turned the volume to the top and tried to figure out how to watch it. The radio was up very very loud, and it was practically drowning out LOST, but I figured out how to turn the TV up enough so I could both hear it and see it if I stood in the right spot. But I saw it! I only missed a few minutes worth due to commercials but I saw it! Even with all of my obstacles and running around and such, I saw LOST!

But never. Never again will I do that again. This was a special occasion, the season opener. From now on I will claim the TV in MY dorm! That TV doesn't even GET SciFi so it didn't even matter that I let her watch it, because she couldn't! Never. Ever. Again.

Oh, CNN and Other Texting No-nos.

2009-01-12T13:43:00.000-08:00

Today I signed up to get CNN text alerts when something amazing or incredible happens in the world (at least what CNN is reporting, which we all know is NOT the whole story). However, upon receiving my "confirmation" text I was greeted with this:
"UR now registered for CNN Breaking News Mobile Alerts...Reply 'HELP' 4help."
What? CNN. Shame. On. You. First of all, UR is NOT an acceptable substitute for 'you are', in fact the only substitute for those two words is 'you're'. And 4?? Is it too much to get a 'for' instead? Is CNN trying to appeal to the demographic that texts like that? 13-year-old girls? OMG leik cnn is ttly txting meeee 4real
No. I expected better of you, CNN.

Also, I received an IM the other day that included the abbreviation "jw." At first I thought I was being called a Jew. That or something about my jaw. But no, apparently it means "just wondering." This is also not acceptable. People, when you have a full keyboard at your disposal USE IT! I am firmly behind the school of thought that encourages proper grammar and spelling. Text-spelling is going to be the downfall of the English language, so please, please don't let it go to the teens.

Best/Worst

2009-01-09T06:03:00.000-08:00

Following in the footsteps of others I've decided to create a Best and Worst of 2008 list. This is by no accounts comprehensive and no doubt I can't remember everything, so, with all that said, we I go!

BEST

Comic-Con in July. I met some pretty cool people, BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling, the cast of the Sarah Silverman Program, and freaking Damon Lindeloff! Unfortunately, I have a very poor sense of celebrity and didn't take pictures or get signatures of any of those people. Also that may have been the only time I saw Megan Walker that entire year.
Seeing Mates of State! In the front row! And Jason Hammel looked at me I swear it so!
Leaving Target. This one event was months in the making and when it finally happened things just got better. I still miss it somehow, but I went somewhere that gave me SO much more money.
Coming home for Christmas. Although I didn't get to do everything that I had on my list, I still had a great time and was desolate to leave so soon. Oh well, that will just have to go on my "Worst of 2009" list.
Coming to Chatham? I suppose this should go on here. It was a huge change and I think I'm a little better for it. I had to pick up some skills like how to catch a bus, how to wake up on Saturday mornings without my mom waking me up, and hardest of all, how to deal without my family at arm's reach.
My summer reading program. I set up my own reading program this summer called "The Summer of Future Dis-Utopian Societies in Fiction" and I think I did a pretty good job. Selected titles included 1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451 and Little Brother.
Barack Obama winning the hearts of the people, the popular vote, and the electoral college by an absolutely amazing landslide.
Moving out of my childhood home. My entire family moved this past spring and it's an experience I'd never had before. It was hard to pack up my entire life and move it, but we all managed it. And I love my new house.
The DOOM of July that turned out to be very un-doom like and an event I'm quite happy finally occurred.
Parts of working for Valley. I liked when I did nothing.
Seattle! I loved Seattle and I had a fabu time with my Auntie.
Spring Break in Sacramento. I always love spending time with the ladies up there.
Misc. things like Barnes and Noble time, sleepovers, Tuesday Movie Nights, THE OFFICE, John Krasinski's beautiful face, Kate Harding, and my brand new comfy bed!

Worst of 2008!

Prop 8... No comment lest I go off on a rampage.
Getting the 24-hour stomach flu when I was practically alone on campus.
Leaving Bakersfield.
Riding the wrong bus all the way to the end of the line.
I don't want to think about the bad things anymore.

Yay New Year!

My Saturday

2008-11-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

It was a very positive affair. No laws were broken, we had a permit, we didn't block traffic or the sidewalks. We waited at lights and when the group was separated by a do-not-walk sign we waited for them to cross before continuing our march. There were no slights to anyone, all of the signs were good, nothing that attacked any church at all, people honked in solidarity as they passed us, we chanted positive messages "What do we want? EQUAL RIGHTS! When do we want them? NOW!" or "Gay, straight, black, white all we want are equal rights!" The Pittsburgh police even helped us at one point by blocking traffic at one intersection so our entire group could cross at once. All in all there were about 500 people at the march, a very good turnout for something put together near last minute and in the rain.

Pennsylvania

2008-09-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

There is torrential downpour going on here in the state of Pennsylvania. I can't even begin to describe the differences between here and home, but I can try.

The Weather - So far this has been the biggest. The weather here is wet. Always kind of wet, whether it be humidity or the rain (it's already rained more here than an entire season in Bakersfield). It's mild though, it's 70 degrees currently and won't get much hotter, only much much colder through fall and winter. I'm looking forward to the snow, but not to being cold. In a way I'm already looking forward to going home for Christmas and getting out of the cold. And, you know, seeing my family and friends.
The People - The demographics are completely different here on the opposite side of the country. The biggest contrast to me is the complete lack of Hispanic people. There is maybe one Mexican food restaurant in all of Pittsburgh, which is weird to me coming from a city where there was practically one on every street corner. The niceness here is kind of contagious, too, but it's not as extreme as I thought it was in July. Yes, the people in the city are generally nicer than what I'm used to at home, but it is taken to the extreme at Chatham. My RA explained it to me, saying the just average niceness here isn't nice enough, so everyone is super-duper-nice to prove that they really are nice. It's just the general attitude.
The Food - Have I mentioned how much I miss good Mexican food?
The Trees! - Oh my goodness there are so many trees. Everywhere! Driving through main parts of the city, buildings on one side of the bus, a freaking forest on the other side. It's crazy. Like, I can look at my window right now and see trees, trees, trees, and over there is the city. Interspersed between all of those trees. It's just so green!

Those are the main differences. Other things include political persuasions (this is a really liberal school in a pretty moderate city in a swing state, as compared to a conservative school in a conservative city in a blue state), all of the brick buildings, basements, and the general lack of males. Also, not having a car is something I'm starting to get used to. It's not easy though.

Most of all. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss Target (weird, right?), I even miss the oilfields. But I still have 13 weeks to go before I go home, so I'm going to stick it out!

All my love,
Allyson

Life Stories

2008-08-30T07:18:00.001-07:00

I found this in My Documents the other day, it's a simple list, something I was sent no doubt, where you create the soundtrack to your life.

Here's mine from 2007:
Opening credits – Girl Inform Me – The Shins
Waking up - This Fine Social Scene – Zero 7
First Day at School – Tell Me What To Do – Jim Noir
Puppy Love – The Celibate Life – The Shins
Fight Song – Unwell – Matchbox 20
Breaking Up Song – Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer
Prom – SexyBack– Justin Timberlake
Life is Good – Be Gentle With Me - The Boy Least Likely To
Driving – Walk Away – Franz Ferdinand
Flashback – Kill – Jimmy Eat World
True Love – Spin – Lifehouse
Wedding – Brand New Colony – The Postal Service
Moment of Triumph – The Perfect Crime #2 – The Decemberists
Death Scene – Slow Hands - Interpol
Funeral Song – Hell – Foo Fighters
End credits - Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac

And again in 2008:

Opening credits: Bryn – Vampire Weekend
Waking up: Sleeping Lessons – The Shins
First Day at School: Tell Me What To Do – Jim Noir
Puppy Love: Make Someone Happy – Jimmy Durante
Fight Song: Mutha’uckas – Flight of the Conchords
Breaking Up Song: Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer
Prom: I’m Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You – Black Kids
Life is Good:Be Gentle With Me - The Boy Least Likely To
Driving: Learn To Fly – Foo Fighters
Flashback: Action/Adventure – Andrew Bird
True Love: Like U Crazy – Mates of State
Wedding: I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
Moment of Triumph: End Theme – Zero 7
Death Scene: Heartbeats – Jose Gonzales
Funeral Song: Parachutes – Mates of State
End credits: Drop and Anchor – Mates of State

Only a little overlap, I hope to keep doing this from year to year to track how my tastes change.

Eight Things

2008-06-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

Eight Things I'm Passionate About:

Coffee
China
Family
Friends
Cantaloupe
Chapstick
Sleeping
Day-old sandwiches

Eight Books I've Read:

The Great Gatsby
Jurassic Park
The Catcher in the Rye
The Princess Bride
The Andromeda Strain
Ella Enchanted
A Wrinkle in Time
The Grapes of Wrath

Eight Things I Often Say:

Shivawhat?
I'm bored.
TFAGNRF
What are you doing?
Like
Great story Jeopardy contestant!
Ugh
Pshaw

Eight Things I Look For in a Friend:

Humor
Wit
Sarcasm
Energy
Musical Taste
The Office
Appropriately placed harsh language
Humor

Eight Things I Would Like to do Before I Die (Or Really, Before I'm 35):

Get a Masters degree
Marry
Have Kids, Maybe
Buy a Hybrid vehicle
Travel back to Europe
Learn to like tomatoes
Learn to Meditate
Beat Zelda on DS AND Wii

Eight Things I Learned in the Past Year:

What a true friend is
I'm completely worthy of going to college
Parents are never finished parenting
I'm pretty funny sometimes
I heart NY
I needed to leave, and come back
Target will eat your soul
Happiness is sugar-free chocolate Jello pudding cups

Multimedia message

2008-06-10T15:30:00.001-07:00

Heavy metal 3 little pigs?

Give Me Back My Television!

2008-04-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

Years and years ago I came across a blog called Television Without Pity (commonly abbreviated to TWoP). It offered snarky recaps of some of my favorite shows and also had forums for each show where fans could connect and talk about what was going on etc. I loved TWoP, would spend way to many hours on the forums, and I genuinely enjoyed the recaps because they were written by people who liked the show. When the site started it didn't have any kind of media affiliation, it was powered by ads and by profits generated in the store which sold hilarious shirts that I never bought. Two years ago the site was purchased by Yahoo! in order for it to be incorporated into Yahoo!'s TV section. I didn't have any problem with this. The layout remained the same and I was happy to see it get a little more exposure by referring Yahoo! readers to TWoP to get the latest recaps and gossip. Recently it was again bought out by Bravo, which is owned by none other than NBC Universal. Massive changes have been brought. The entire layout has changed, I see ads on TV for it, the original founders of the website have jumped ship, the writers of the recaps are boring and they are now about half as long and dry as a bone, and worst of all, active moderators have been established in every forum. This may not seem like a bad thing, but I used to LOVE participating on the Office forums, until Moderator "TWoP Barnes" showed up on the scene. So many rules were established that I couldn't even type straight. The entire forum was rearranged, she changed the titles of a lot of the actor threads to only say ACTOR: and then their name. John Krasinski's thread used to be called "John Krasinski: We'd Climb Him Like a Tree" and now it's just "ACTOR: John Krasinski." What. The. F**k. Honestly. I once aired my grievances about the new methods on a thread that this moderator started in order for us to ask her questions and get accustomed to her presence or something only to have my post DELETED. Deleted! She up and deleted my post because I was criticizing her methods. That is censorship, my friend. I have since all but eliminated any ties I've created with TWoP. I think everyone who reads this (all two of you) should make fake accounts and spam the hell out of them. I will if you will!

What Rules?

2008-04-20T22:42:00.002-07:00

Rules that would be acceptable to break with John Krasinski

Doing drugs
Having pre-marital sex
Breaking the dating range
Getting totally wasted
Speeding down the freeway
Shoplifting
Sneaking into the movies
Mooning passing cars
Calling out of work for no reason
Double parking
Going into the men's room
Jumping the check
Indecent exposure
Going to Hart Park after 10pm

There are no rules when John Krasinski is involved.

This has nothing to do with rules, I just felt like quoting Brixtnezy: "I'm pretty much not going to have sex with anyone covered in blood unless it's John Krasinski." Word.

The Number Two Flop

2008-04-20T20:55:00.001-07:00

Why is it, in this day in age, that a movie that doesn't come in number one in box office totals on it's very first weekend is considered a flop? For instance, I was just reading about a movie (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) that I want to see in the theatre. It did not come in at number one and the tag of the article I was reading said "Marshall gets dumped." It only made 17 MILLION dollars and opened in about 2900 theatres, that's 250 less than the number one movie, The Forbidden Kingdom. That movie made about 20 MILLION dollars. Let's average that out. $6623 for Kingdom, $6200 for Marshall per theatre, using the exact numbers from Yahoo!. A difference of about $400, which is roughly 40 people per theatre during the entire duration of the weekend, which is Friday through Sunday. Now let's say that there's ten showings per day and that's less than one more person at each showing. Broken down like that it doesn't seem like there is a big difference, if one more person had been at each showing of Marshall then it would have won. The point is, from what I gather, about 89% of the people who saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall this weekend, that's about 1.5 million people, liked the movie, so just because it debuted at number two doesn't make it a flop.

It's True

2008-04-19T20:10:00.001-07:00

I was at Disneyland. Pirates of the Caribbean got my butt really wet. It wasn't sexy.

Andrew Bird

2008-04-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

But if you think there's something else
well, you're right
there is
something else
but if you think I'm gonna tell you
think again
why should I even think of telling you what there is
yeah 'cause silence is knowledge
and knowledge is power
I'm on explicit orders to dare not speak it's name
listen up, I just work here
oh I dare not speak it's name
I can't keep talking about it
oh I dare not
speak it's name

Alright

2008-04-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

I guess I feel like writing today so I'm going to share the story of when I decided to watch The Office (new episode in 2.5 hours!). It was the fall of 2005 and I was flipping casually through my People Magazine's Sexiest Man Issue and there he was. My beautiful and talented John Krasinski. Naturally I had absolutely no idea who he was, but he was gorgeous and I really had been meaning to watch The Office. It was not much after that when I went to Target and lo and behold, The Office Season 1 was on sale for a mere $12. What a steal! I purchased it, went home and popped the disk in. The first episode was alright, nothing spectacular, I continued and episode two was BRILLIANT. I could not get enough. I watched all 6 episodes back-to-back and then promptly went onto iTunes, where I heard the episodes were being sold, and purchased all of the episodes available for season 2, which went all the way to Valentines Day I believe. I watched all of those episodes that same day. I was officially caught up and had only a minor crush on John Krasinski, more on Jim Halpert actually. I have seen every episode since. I own all three season and I still have that first picture of him from People magazine. Since then he has pretty much become my number one celebrity crush ever, even more than the Josh Hartnett phase of 2002. The End.

Just Shut Up Already

2008-02-01T14:39:00.000-08:00

This is a new post.
I sure am glad I'm making new friends.
I guess I need to find someone to go to this freaking wedding reception with me.
OK, I had ONE drink at a party last night. So sue me. It was good, too.
MySpace is freaking stupid. I shouldn't be all offended that I'm not in someones "top friends." Sometimes I'm just retarded.
Oooh, I illegally downloaded some music before it was released. I'm such a badass.
I guess I'm feeling a little bitter.

So, Pretty Much Nothing Has Happened?

2007-12-22T02:31:00.000-08:00

Let's see. Um, I had to scrape frost of my windshield so I could drive home from work at 2am. That was cool. I am 98% done with my Christmas shopping, and if you aren't family, expect a gift card at most, sorry, it's been a tough year and I'm still totally broke from NYC. Only three days until Christmas and when you work in retail those are pretty much the best words ever, except for two/one day[s] until Christmas and then Yesterday was Christmas. It's pretty cold outside, yeah? Hmmm, there's lots of stuff I could talk about but pretty much nothing I'd want to have publicized.

Another Music Post

2007-12-03T23:04:00.000-08:00

Lately I've "downloaded" some new tunes. The following is a list of groups/artists I've been listening to obsessively recently:

Andrew Bird. You gotta love a guy who plays violin and whistles, not to mention his amazing voice.
Rilo Kiley. This is a recent one, I only have their latest CD and it is addicting. I must have listened to it 5 times today.
Yo La Tengo. I have no clue what their name means.
Cat Power. When I get depressed about life in general I listen to Cat Power. Until that song about how she just hates life and wants to die comes up and then I put on something cheerier, but not too cheery.
The Decemberists. I have loved them for years now, but I've gotten some of their older albums and also a recent live EP and my love is cemented forever.
Daft Punk. Now, I know it's "trendy" to be into Daft Punk, but I can't help it, that shizz is catchy.
Feist. Who doesn't love "1234"?

That is pretty much what my iTunes has been playing for the past few weeks. I still adore but haven't listened to the following in a while:

The Shins. I still love you, but too much is too much.
Arcade Fire. Eh.
Belle & Sebastian. My love, I adore you. I know you don't like being called "twee" so I won't, but you're too cute to listen to 24/7.
Zero 7. I don't really need to be mellowed out as of late, but when I do, you're my "Speed Dial No. 2."

List

2007-12-02T22:46:00.000-08:00

I would rather listen to music all night than sleep.
I told my dad about Pittsburgh and not going to Cal State and he seemed alright with it.
No one looks at my MySpace, I linked to this blog and I don't think anyone is that interested in me. I don't blame them.
I don't illegally download music, I simply store other people's archive copies of songs on my hard drive, and my iPod...

YouTube, You Too?

2007-11-26T21:42:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to post these videos that I really enjoy. Just things that make me think, and things that make me laugh.

Novelicious

2007-11-20T17:25:00.000-08:00

It looks like there is no way in the world I can finish my novel by the end of the month. I missed 6 days by being conveniently out of town and then when I get back I get sick! Yes, you heard me correctly. I'm sick with Strep Throat and I can't go back to work until Friday. Ohhhhh this sucks. What sucks even more is the fortune I'm going to have to pay because I got re-kicked off of the health insurance, but whatever, when you need antibiotics... It feels like I'm being repeatedly stabbed in the throat, especially when I swallow, which I can't do without making a face like I'm being stabbed in the throat. So, my main characters might just have to continue to live where I left them, 10000 words in, at night, them thinking about each other. Of course, the entire point of my novel hasn't come to fruition yet, I'm still two days from their "date", but what can I do? Nothing. It hurts for me to sit up and type this, no way can I make 40000 words in the next ten days. Oh, well. I guess I'll wait until next year.

Love/Hate

2007-11-19T15:43:00.000-08:00

I updated my Hate list by moving into the side bar. I also added a Love list. I think my Love List is going to be much longer than the Hate List. Enjoy.

NaNoWriMo

2007-11-08T00:15:00.000-08:00

I have nothing better to do than write my novel. I think it's going quite well. My FMC is house-hunting and my MMC is having vivid sex dreams about one of his students. That was difficult to write, it's kind of hard for me to imagine that kind of stuff not having any first hand experience, and honestly, it's not exactly the kind of research I'd really like to do in order to write. The carnal act isn't committed though, I got right to there and stopped. It was a dream after all and how often do we actually finish dreams? It is not sexy in the least, I tried to make it funny. I had one of her girly parts hit him in the face and his boxer shorts talked to him. The greatest thing about WriMo is that you can write whatever you want and no one will judge you. I've been browsing through some of the other authors excepts and some are bad, very very bad, makes mine look like it can win the freaking Nobel Prize for Literature. I got to about 8100 words before calling it a night. I wrote about 4000 today, which is progress although I'm still 2100 behind quota. I hope I can catch up tomorrow and then hopefully bank some before losing 6 days to NYC (YAY!). I'm still considering taking my lappy, after all, I'm sure Alex and Melina would love to go there.

Little Things

2007-10-21T23:45:00.000-07:00

My ears finally stopped ringing.
My old friend from school posted another "vlog" and I still couldn't watch it.
My Birthday is in 2 weeks and 4 days.
I went to the Valley Plaza today because I wanted to go to Sephora and buy make-up but they close at 6. Stupid.
My feet are cold.
NYC in 21 days.

New York State of Mind

2007-10-17T00:55:00.000-07:00

New York City is waiting for me. I think of it all the time. I wait. I am excited beyond the physical. Mmm. Jake Gyllenhaal is on Conan right now. Yummy. I think it would be amazing is John Krasinski was the guest when we go. Ohhh, my John is going to be there on October 25th... Lame dash O. How amazing would that have been. I may have just died right there on the spot. New York is probably enough anyway. I was on Yahoo!Maps and looking at various restaurants around the hostel we're staying at and there is this sandwich shop nearby called Lunch Boxes Etc. that can make just about any kind of sandwich you want. We MUST go there. You've Got Mail makes me want New York. Love.

Michael Crichton

2007-10-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a lot of books lately, most of them by one of my new favorite authors Michael Crichton. I started with Jurassic Park because I love the movie and was pretty much addicted. I went to Barnes and Noble and bought two more: The Lost World and Prey. I read Prey next and could not put it down. I literally sat at my desk upstairs and read the last few chapters when I was on the clock because I was in such suspense. Then I read The Lost World, Timeline, Rising Sun, and now I'm finishing up State of Fear. I have The Andromeda Strain/Terminal Man in my bookcase for my next book. After that I will read Sphere, Congo, The Great Train Robbery, Airframe, and then Next. I am really looking forward to Next and although it's already been published, I'm waiting for it to come out in paperback because I carry my books around in my purse and hardback books are heavy. I have to wait until November for that.

The reason I like his books so much is because of the way he can wrap you up in the story. With Jurassic Park I recall being huddled on my bed during the scary parts even though I knew the story. I also enjoy the obvious research he puts into these books, it's not often you read fiction with a bibliography several pages long in the back, also, footnotes referencing real journal articles and studies. State of Fear is about global warming, and I feel like I'm learning while enjoying a well-written thriller. Prey was about nano-robots (but not government-created killer nano-robots) , Jurassic Park and The Lost World was genetics, Timeline was time travel. Fascinating novels built on the backs of strong research and obvious intelligence. The only thing that bugs me, albeit slightly, about these books is that sometimes he goes too far into the sciency stuff and seems to be thrusting his own personal opinions onto us. But I forgive because the stories are so good. Also, the main characters are almost always male, and are usually normal, somewhat knowledgeable, are kind of dense, and always find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Also, lots of people die. Lots. I learned to not get too attached to one person because they'll probably die. I think in State of Fear maybe only one main character has died but they talk about him all the freaking time so he may as well be alive. No wait, I take it back, the first 4 chapters concluded with a death. So much death.

I still totally love these books though.

The Epitomy of Sexy

2007-10-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Let's Decorate!

2007-10-01T00:11:00.000-07:00

My family is doing a lot of redecorating of our house. The entire family room/living room is in it's final stages (thank goodness considering we started 4 months ago) and I recently started to slowly clean out my room in hopes of moving out sometime in the next decade. I decided that I'm going to use Van Gogh's Starry Night as my inspiration and color palate. So far I've painted one shelf. I also replaced my light switch by myself! I am so proud of the fact that I can do basic electrical work. I should be able to considering that my family has renovated more than one house (two) in the past 10 years and I've spent months and months (spread over 8 years) painting and installing various house things. I am also cleaning out all of my books, which, sadly, means I will be getting rid of a lot of books. I don't want to give them away, although that would be charitable, I really want to sell them and get some of my money back. I also packed up a lot of things from my childhood (awards, dolls, etc.) into a storage container which is now in my closet with a bunch of clothes I need to actually give a way. The major phase of my room renovation will start next Sunday, the day my parents leave to go on a 9-day cruise to Mexico. I will clear my room of everything and paint it. I'm still undecided on the color but as long as it's not the stark white as it is currently I think I'll be OK.

Hate List

2007-09-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

SpongeBob SquarePants
Nancy T. from work
Needles

Television

2007-09-28T12:30:00.001-07:00

I probably watch more TV than I should. The following is a list of shows that I watch:

The Office- Hands down one of the best shows on television. Perhaps EVER. I watch this show religiously. I know most of the lines, all of the characters, their stories, and I'm a little bit in love with Jim Halpert. (NBC, Thursday, 8:30pm)
Ugly Betty - This is a close second to TO. I have seen every single episode (mostly online) but I don't obsess about it. It's very funny and smart and sometimes heartbreaking (I totally cried at the end of both the season finales last season AND the season premiere last night). (ABC, Thursday, 8pm)
Jeopardy - I love trivia shows, I don't watch Jeopardy THAT often mostly because I'm at work at night, but, when I can watch it I will.(ABC, M-F, 7pm)
Project Runway - I vowed to never ever watch PR again after last seasons devastating finales wherein the WRONG PERSON won. That guy is ridiculous, but I know that this season I will not be able to control myself from tuning in. Tim Gunn is my hero. (Bravo, Wednesdays, 10pm)
Lost - When this show returns (in freaking January) I will be either a) totally into it or b) completely uninterested. This is the risk the showmakers need to take in order to avoid what happened last season which was a lot of reruns and a 9 week hiatus. I would rather have a 30 week hiatus and then get 16 weeks in a row of new episodes. It should keep the continuity going. Hopefully.

Those are my current/returning shows. The shows I want to come back so desperately but aren't are: Gilmore Girls (totally my guilty pleasure), Arrested Development (which will live in infamy in my DVD plater), and Will and Grace (there needs to be more gay people on TV, honestly). But I'm realistic and know that even in a perfect world, all things must come to an end.