I just found out Ani DiFranco has a new album coming out in 26 days.
Not that I am now counting or anything.
I love Ani.
I do.
Sorry if that bothers you, but chances are, if that bothers you, you probably can't name me two Ani original songs. Try it. Don't look it up, just try it. Can you? The woman has like 17 albums out. In 15 years. 17 albums. 15 years. Talk about efficiency.
Sorry again, when I listen to lot of Ani I get confrontational. She's like "Jock Jams" for the quasi-hippie types, we just get ready for some football, or making hummus or protests or whatever we are planning to do. I just love that she gets me so motivated, to stand up for whatever, in whatever. Whether it's "Face Up and Sing", "My IQ", "Shy", "Shameless", or even "Self-Evident"--wow. Riles me up, makes me want to curse loudly. I love music with a purpose. It's the same reason I love Dar Williams' "I Had No Right", John Prine's "Sam Stone", Indigo Girls' "Philosophy of Love", Sublime's "April 26, 1992"--most about deep issues (and one about looting, but eh). I didn't know about the plight of the Berrigan Brothers until I heard Dar's song and I love to be educated on social issues and activists like that...I mean if two priests top the FBI most wanted list for protesting Vietnam, that is noteworthy.
But Ani? Oh man. God love her. She has such power in her words, can make blood boil and voices shout. And she lives it, that's what I really love. Man. So pumped. Ok I'll shut up now. I'll leave with an Ani quote, it is, after all, my blog.
" 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
And yer done
Yer done for
Yer done for good
But tell me did you?
Did you do all?
Did you do all you could?" -Tamburita Lingua
Friday, December 31, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Roaring Twenties/(Christ)mas/Speed of the Sound...
There are times when I have nothing to say, then I am blinded by everything to say. My life is a fit of feasts and famines. I know its going to be a day of thought when I wake up with a Patty Griffin song in my head. The weekend and holiday we wonderful and difficult simultaneously--I opened the package from my family last night and cried multiple times. The things that hit me today are really three separate ideas and inclinations and thus will be treated as such. I'll split it up into little juicy nuggets for us ADD kids.
(Christ)mas:
I was convicted this morning when I got to work especially early. If I'm opening I can't go in until the second person arrives so I had an extra 15 minutes or so to sit in my car. I keep my tiny bible in there for situations like this. I opened up the beginning of Matthew and read the account of Christ's birth, and I realized I went through the entire Christmas holiday without even really considering what it was all actually about. I got thinking about family, and booyah bowling, and friends, and logistics, and a myriad of other totally inconsequential things. I got distracted. And the greatest trick the devil owns is distraction, no?
Roaring Twenties:
I am still obsessing over my writing samples, as much for myself as for my actual applications. I wonder about telling personal stories, because I sincerely believe that the lives of twentysomethings are glamorous and exciting only to other twentysomethings. To everyone else they are boringly similar to every other fashionably unique twentysomething out there (notice I said 'fashionably unique'--it's impossible to be, but since it is currently fashionable to be unique, I can make statements like that. booyah) and simply a stage that every other person passes through--it's like telling everyone's stories about puberty. Funny but overwhelmingly similar. I'm wondering if all I have to say is like that. How terrifying for a storyteller.
"Speed of the Sound of Loneliness":
If you knew that was a John Prine song, then you are way too cool to be reading this. Regardless, recently I've been rereading Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, which has rapidly become one of my favorite books and I'm in love with the author and want to marry him today, but I digress. I know I've been talking about loneliness in this journal a lot and for good reason; I'm lonely. Then I read this today and it convicted me.
"Loneliness is something that happens to us, but I think it is something we can move ourselves out of. I think a person who is lonely should dig into a community, give himself to a community, humble himself before his friends, initiate community, teach people to care for each other, love each other. Jesus does not want us floating through space or sitting in front of our televisions. Jesus wants us interacting, eating together, laughing together, praying together. Loneliness is something that came with the fall. If loving other people is a bit of heaven then certainly isolation is a bit of hell, and to that degree, here on earth, we decide in which state we would like to live."
Ouch.
(Christ)mas:
I was convicted this morning when I got to work especially early. If I'm opening I can't go in until the second person arrives so I had an extra 15 minutes or so to sit in my car. I keep my tiny bible in there for situations like this. I opened up the beginning of Matthew and read the account of Christ's birth, and I realized I went through the entire Christmas holiday without even really considering what it was all actually about. I got thinking about family, and booyah bowling, and friends, and logistics, and a myriad of other totally inconsequential things. I got distracted. And the greatest trick the devil owns is distraction, no?
Roaring Twenties:
I am still obsessing over my writing samples, as much for myself as for my actual applications. I wonder about telling personal stories, because I sincerely believe that the lives of twentysomethings are glamorous and exciting only to other twentysomethings. To everyone else they are boringly similar to every other fashionably unique twentysomething out there (notice I said 'fashionably unique'--it's impossible to be, but since it is currently fashionable to be unique, I can make statements like that. booyah) and simply a stage that every other person passes through--it's like telling everyone's stories about puberty. Funny but overwhelmingly similar. I'm wondering if all I have to say is like that. How terrifying for a storyteller.
"Speed of the Sound of Loneliness":
If you knew that was a John Prine song, then you are way too cool to be reading this. Regardless, recently I've been rereading Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, which has rapidly become one of my favorite books and I'm in love with the author and want to marry him today, but I digress. I know I've been talking about loneliness in this journal a lot and for good reason; I'm lonely. Then I read this today and it convicted me.
"Loneliness is something that happens to us, but I think it is something we can move ourselves out of. I think a person who is lonely should dig into a community, give himself to a community, humble himself before his friends, initiate community, teach people to care for each other, love each other. Jesus does not want us floating through space or sitting in front of our televisions. Jesus wants us interacting, eating together, laughing together, praying together. Loneliness is something that came with the fall. If loving other people is a bit of heaven then certainly isolation is a bit of hell, and to that degree, here on earth, we decide in which state we would like to live."
Ouch.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
It's beginning to look at lot
One really shouldn't work retail too long because they end up with this intense disdain and/or hatred for the holidays. It's your fault consumers, your fault. Christmas this year will be very different than normal--it's my first away from my family and so my traditions and customs are out the window. It's hard because I really don't have the money to buy anyone anything anyway, and I wish I could. It's humbling to try to recieve gifts without being able to give one in return. I guess it's more of this 'understanding where my worth lies' lessons.
After work tonight I"m meeting up with Dylan and Liz in Syracuse for some QT time in ol' Westcott Nation and possibly a stop at Taps! WOOHOO! Then the night of the 23rd bring booyah bowling in Oneida, then Christmas with the Watkins family (shout out Watkins family), then a dinner with my dear Peter in Syracuse on the 26th. I'll try to post when I can. I'm looking forward to basically everything except the actual holiday itself. Maybe I can just sleep through it...
After work tonight I"m meeting up with Dylan and Liz in Syracuse for some QT time in ol' Westcott Nation and possibly a stop at Taps! WOOHOO! Then the night of the 23rd bring booyah bowling in Oneida, then Christmas with the Watkins family (shout out Watkins family), then a dinner with my dear Peter in Syracuse on the 26th. I'll try to post when I can. I'm looking forward to basically everything except the actual holiday itself. Maybe I can just sleep through it...
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Potsmoking Hippie Alcoholics
The other day I got to talk to my friend Hatcher on my drive to work, all 50 minutes of it.
This was so vital and so so so wonderful. She's my friend, and she rules.
Toward the end of the conversation, I told her that I was going out with my coworkers after work. I laughingly mentioned how my coworkers are potsmoking alcoholics. Hatcher made the observation that no matter where I go, I end up with potsmoking alcoholics somewhere in my life.
This is, indeed, very true.
Except for Hatcher, who is neither a potsmoker nor an alcoholic.
But it's true--I do end up with a disproportionate amount of these people in my life, probably because it feels like a big ol' family reunion, as that is most of my family anyway. Hatcher said, "I don't know too many people like that, probably because I couldn't relate to them--they would distrust me and I wouldn't know what to say to them." or something along those lines. But me (as clearly we all know, this blog is all about me)? Why in a room of my friends, family and coworkers I couldn't throw a stick without hitting one. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing--they are my friends/family/coworkers, so I love them dearly. But this does seem to be the kind of people I know and am comfortable with. Very strange. It's hard to balance who I am now with the stories of who I was--how does one relate without reliving?
I believe it is so so so important to know what you are saved from. To stand on that line and look in the eye of the could have been and realize just how held onto you are; how the life you live is one of a rescued mess. And to look at others and simply love them where they are and not how you'd want them to be.
I dunno.
This was so vital and so so so wonderful. She's my friend, and she rules.
Toward the end of the conversation, I told her that I was going out with my coworkers after work. I laughingly mentioned how my coworkers are potsmoking alcoholics. Hatcher made the observation that no matter where I go, I end up with potsmoking alcoholics somewhere in my life.
This is, indeed, very true.
Except for Hatcher, who is neither a potsmoker nor an alcoholic.
But it's true--I do end up with a disproportionate amount of these people in my life, probably because it feels like a big ol' family reunion, as that is most of my family anyway. Hatcher said, "I don't know too many people like that, probably because I couldn't relate to them--they would distrust me and I wouldn't know what to say to them." or something along those lines. But me (as clearly we all know, this blog is all about me)? Why in a room of my friends, family and coworkers I couldn't throw a stick without hitting one. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing--they are my friends/family/coworkers, so I love them dearly. But this does seem to be the kind of people I know and am comfortable with. Very strange. It's hard to balance who I am now with the stories of who I was--how does one relate without reliving?
I believe it is so so so important to know what you are saved from. To stand on that line and look in the eye of the could have been and realize just how held onto you are; how the life you live is one of a rescued mess. And to look at others and simply love them where they are and not how you'd want them to be.
I dunno.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Yelling in Cars with Girls
Last night my roommate and I decided rather late to go rent a movie. For some reason, while we were riding in the car we just started yelling. It was hilarious. It felt so good to yell--I don't feel like I yell enough. We were just riding in the car, yelling our conversation. It reminded me to not keep myself so seriously.
We rented "Bourne Surpremcy" and, not gonna lie, I have an irrational crush on Matt Damon. Well I loved the first movie and the second was just as good, and such quality just forces me to have an irrational crush on Matt Damon. Look at that smile! Look at those eyes! There's something else in there; I appreciate that.
It's snowing--hasn't stopped for days and isn't supposed to stop til the weekend or so--just happens I guess.
We rented "Bourne Surpremcy" and, not gonna lie, I have an irrational crush on Matt Damon. Well I loved the first movie and the second was just as good, and such quality just forces me to have an irrational crush on Matt Damon. Look at that smile! Look at those eyes! There's something else in there; I appreciate that.
It's snowing--hasn't stopped for days and isn't supposed to stop til the weekend or so--just happens I guess.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Baby It's Cold Outside
I have nothing insightful or interesting to say today, so I will give you this. At work today I started to make a list of things that annoy me (it was a slow day) and that's all I have to share with you. Sorry for the scraps.
List of Things That Really Annoy Me:
* People who say, "How are you?" without ever expecting any sort of response, even the lame "Good and you?" that I say instinctively--like some horrid knee-jerk reaction I am powerless to stop.
* Berl Ives. All Berl Ives. Any and all Berl Ives.
* The song "Baby It's Cold Outside." Doesn't matter who sings it; I hate it. Nick/Jessica: This includes you.
* Those people who wait until I fold a stack of sweaters, then decide to unfold the stack I just finished to look at it--"Hey this looks just like a V-neck sweater, but what does the back look like? Oh, it's the same.Wow." Jerks.
* Watching VH1's "John Mayer Show" and the fact that it actually made me like John Mayer. I don't want to like John Mayer, but the bear suit really did me in. Jerk.
* Those people who have to touch EVERYTHING in the store--didn't your mother teach you anything? Look with your eyes, not with your hands, you schmuck.
* That stupid Hummer that was parked outside--what the crap? Hey, want to help support the war on terror? DON'T DRIVE A FRIGGIN' GIANT, GAS GUZZLING SUV, YOU GREEDY HOG.
That's it, that's my list.
I'm having some hormonal distractions right now, so I can't concentrate on anything. I blame all boys.
List of Things That Really Annoy Me:
* People who say, "How are you?" without ever expecting any sort of response, even the lame "Good and you?" that I say instinctively--like some horrid knee-jerk reaction I am powerless to stop.
* Berl Ives. All Berl Ives. Any and all Berl Ives.
* The song "Baby It's Cold Outside." Doesn't matter who sings it; I hate it. Nick/Jessica: This includes you.
* Those people who wait until I fold a stack of sweaters, then decide to unfold the stack I just finished to look at it--"Hey this looks just like a V-neck sweater, but what does the back look like? Oh, it's the same.Wow." Jerks.
* Watching VH1's "John Mayer Show" and the fact that it actually made me like John Mayer. I don't want to like John Mayer, but the bear suit really did me in. Jerk.
* Those people who have to touch EVERYTHING in the store--didn't your mother teach you anything? Look with your eyes, not with your hands, you schmuck.
* That stupid Hummer that was parked outside--what the crap? Hey, want to help support the war on terror? DON'T DRIVE A FRIGGIN' GIANT, GAS GUZZLING SUV, YOU GREEDY HOG.
That's it, that's my list.
I'm having some hormonal distractions right now, so I can't concentrate on anything. I blame all boys.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
I heart Jimmy Carter
So last night the great Jen Cash came out for a visit, which was all too brief but chock full o' stories about weddings, bus trips, skinny dipping, Vegas, baking and all that happened in between. Here's to you, Casher! Yay!
I have to admit something: I'm self-conscious about not being funny in my blog. I mean it's meant to be my thoughts on things, and my thoughts tend to be serious (though my stories trend toward funny) so I guess I shouldn't be worked up in this, but my life is super boring so at least its something to be worked up about.
The other day I caught part of a show on CMT featuring Willy Nelson and Jimmy Carter, from Plains, GA. I was blown away by the interview with Jimmy Carter--I don't even remember the question that was asked to him, but his response was, "I serve the Prince of Peace. I am proud to say not a single rocket or missile was fired in anger during my presidency. I promote peace." It was so refreshing to be reminded that Christianity and peace are not mutually exclusive (as a certain current administration would have us forget) but rather that peace is integral in walking in Christ. Here is a man who last year won the Nobel Peace Prize, who started Habitat for Humanity, who is the first American sent into tense situations as a mediator--here is a man who has made his life a life of promoting peace--and he serves the Prince of it. If he has a grandson who's like that and who's single, hook me up.
Anyway, I'm beat. Not sleeping well. It's snowing. Ugh. It's not bad unless I have to drive in it. And I have to drive in it everyday.
I have to admit something: I'm self-conscious about not being funny in my blog. I mean it's meant to be my thoughts on things, and my thoughts tend to be serious (though my stories trend toward funny) so I guess I shouldn't be worked up in this, but my life is super boring so at least its something to be worked up about.
The other day I caught part of a show on CMT featuring Willy Nelson and Jimmy Carter, from Plains, GA. I was blown away by the interview with Jimmy Carter--I don't even remember the question that was asked to him, but his response was, "I serve the Prince of Peace. I am proud to say not a single rocket or missile was fired in anger during my presidency. I promote peace." It was so refreshing to be reminded that Christianity and peace are not mutually exclusive (as a certain current administration would have us forget) but rather that peace is integral in walking in Christ. Here is a man who last year won the Nobel Peace Prize, who started Habitat for Humanity, who is the first American sent into tense situations as a mediator--here is a man who has made his life a life of promoting peace--and he serves the Prince of it. If he has a grandson who's like that and who's single, hook me up.
Anyway, I'm beat. Not sleeping well. It's snowing. Ugh. It's not bad unless I have to drive in it. And I have to drive in it everyday.
Thursday, December 9, 2004
The Same Boat
I apologize, I have neglected my promise to give you weird NY towns for the day:
Caledonia
Canajoharie
Canandaigua
Canaseraga
Cattaraugus
Hope that satisfies you for now.
I must also apologize for not being very funny. I don't know why I'm not very funny in my blog, for I promise you, dear reader, that I am funny in real life. Well, in the non-blog world at least. So the other day I talked to my friend from college, the great and delightful Emilie. I get down on myself for not really doing anything spectacular with my life and talking to Em made me feel a bit better, as she divulged that she was working at a French Restaurant and I was, of course, in the high-glamour world of retail. I figure if someone that talented isn't in the "real world" yet then I'm not as far off as I thought. Today I caught up with my fantastic roommate from college, the ineffable Jen Cash, who just finished biking the west coast with my other roommate, Alexis. Makes me feel like I don't do anything my life, but another issue for another time. So Jen is also not doing much and very close to broke. In fact, most of my friends my age are up in the air with everything--it's kind of a relief to realize this boat I'm in is the same one as a lot of my friends.
Caledonia
Canajoharie
Canandaigua
Canaseraga
Cattaraugus
Hope that satisfies you for now.
I must also apologize for not being very funny. I don't know why I'm not very funny in my blog, for I promise you, dear reader, that I am funny in real life. Well, in the non-blog world at least. So the other day I talked to my friend from college, the great and delightful Emilie. I get down on myself for not really doing anything spectacular with my life and talking to Em made me feel a bit better, as she divulged that she was working at a French Restaurant and I was, of course, in the high-glamour world of retail. I figure if someone that talented isn't in the "real world" yet then I'm not as far off as I thought. Today I caught up with my fantastic roommate from college, the ineffable Jen Cash, who just finished biking the west coast with my other roommate, Alexis. Makes me feel like I don't do anything my life, but another issue for another time. So Jen is also not doing much and very close to broke. In fact, most of my friends my age are up in the air with everything--it's kind of a relief to realize this boat I'm in is the same one as a lot of my friends.
Monday, December 6, 2004
It's A Hard-Knock Life
Another day off to pour over obsessively this grad school thing.
The problem with creative writing is its so subjective; I'm not even sure what is "good" and what isn't, I just know what I can produce and what I can't. Last week my friend Liz was writing a paper on creativity and it got me thinking about the whole process. To create anything is mindboggling; I don't ever plan to have children, so my writings may be as close as I get (as melodramatic as that sounds). I'm sure ya'll are really sick of me talking about these writing samples I have to produce, but it's all that's in my life right now so it's all I can talk about. Sorry.
First I have the statement of purpose, which is supposed to sum up me, my entire background, my writing experience, why I want to study creative writing and what makes me a good canidate. It's the most important part, and I have to say that I'm so stressed about it I almost don't know how to go about doing it. Today I spent half the day staring at what I'd written so far. I think I wrote maybe one new sentence.
Then there are my short stories. I have to submit two stories. The problem is, I have yet to finish one story. I've started plenty of them, I just can't finish them.
Oh no now I'm having a panic attack, doubting my abilities or my desire to study this.
I want to, I know I do...I just don't know how.
AHHHHHH!
I may rip out all my hair.
The problem with creative writing is its so subjective; I'm not even sure what is "good" and what isn't, I just know what I can produce and what I can't. Last week my friend Liz was writing a paper on creativity and it got me thinking about the whole process. To create anything is mindboggling; I don't ever plan to have children, so my writings may be as close as I get (as melodramatic as that sounds). I'm sure ya'll are really sick of me talking about these writing samples I have to produce, but it's all that's in my life right now so it's all I can talk about. Sorry.
First I have the statement of purpose, which is supposed to sum up me, my entire background, my writing experience, why I want to study creative writing and what makes me a good canidate. It's the most important part, and I have to say that I'm so stressed about it I almost don't know how to go about doing it. Today I spent half the day staring at what I'd written so far. I think I wrote maybe one new sentence.
Then there are my short stories. I have to submit two stories. The problem is, I have yet to finish one story. I've started plenty of them, I just can't finish them.
Oh no now I'm having a panic attack, doubting my abilities or my desire to study this.
I want to, I know I do...I just don't know how.
AHHHHHH!
I may rip out all my hair.
Friday, December 3, 2004
The Best and Worst of 2K4, version 1.1
So I told ya'll I was working on this list, and now that the end is nigh (of 2K4 at least) I figured I'd post the beta version of the list. It's meant to try to capture the year that was in my life, so if its a wide spectrum that's because the year was crazy. So here it is (I'll probably keep adding to it in subsequent posts...actually, you add to it people. Send comments, changes, your feelings on the purple sweatpants. I want to hear from you):
BEST AND WORST OF 2K4
Best Wedding: Dave and Shelby Boynton, July in Lancaster, NH
Key: Open bar before the wedding, the whole wedding party in chacos.
Best After-the-Wedding Moment: Chris Parcell cuddling with a watermelon in Hatcher's car, June in Purcellville
Key: "I love you watermelon...I do...you wanna see who's gonna die first, watermelon? Cuz YOU'LL LOSE!"
Best Hangover Party: The breakfast after Dave and Shelby's wedding, Lancaster, NH
Key: I think Dan was still drunk...
Best New Scar: Right forarm in the battle of me vs. tray of apple pies
Key: I got it while baking, and I don't bake
Worst New Scar: Accidently burning the tip of my nose while trying to light a cigar and talk on the phone at the same time
Key: Neosporin smells HORRIBLE.
Best Book (tie): Life of Pi by Yann Martel/Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
Key: 450-lb bengal tiger named Richard Parker/He wants to marry Ani DiFranco
Best New Album: "O" by Damien Rice, January or February
Key: He's Irish...
Best (or Worst) Irrational Celebrity Obsession: Suzy Gilgrist and Liz Watkins, on Usher
Key: It's USHER. He's got some confessions.
Best Unnecessary Event: Dodgeball, Interns vs. Summer Staff, Saranac
Key: My Little Pony and Ninja Turtle balls, Cat Wade in pigtails.
Best Party (tie): David Hasselhoff/"Crabfest!...Now Leave."
Key: Homemade shirts, pinatas and mix cds (and crabs)
Best Reunion: Taps Week reunion, April in Syracuse
Key: Murphy came in a dress!
Best Victory: Red Sox came from 0-3 to beat Yankees in 7 in ALCS championship
Key: Oh yeah, and then the won the World Series. But they beat the Yankees!
Best Girl Moment: Hot tub, ALI ski weekend, January
Key: Bubbly in the bubbly
Best Outfit: Vikings in grass skirts and guard tubes, September in Saranac, NY
Key: Headlamps, pieces and bling-bling as lifeguards for "Slide for the Brave"
Worst Departure (inanimate): Mosby's Tavern, Middleburg, VA
Key: 1/2 Price Burger Night, Pyramid Hefeweizen
Best Upgrade: Roy the Raging Tempo to Rudy the Rugged 'Roo
Key: Only 15 years, ABS, airbags and a working seatbelt
Best Gift: 2ft Dubya Pinata from Caroline, September
Key: Pinata is still smarter than the original
Best Catch-phrase: Dawn of the "LoCo" shirts, Leadership Weekend, Feburary
Key: LoCo makes LoCo sound cool...and no Wal-Marts in Bethesda?
Best Departure (inaimate): My VA drivers license photo
Key: It was so bad even the NY DMV man laughed
Best Showdown: Murphy vs. Spooner, undefeated carbomb champs, April, Planet 505, Syracuse
Key: DEAD TIE! TAPS FOR LIFE!
Best Movie: "Napoleon Dynamite" September with Hatch
Key: "Tina, come get your dinner you fat lard!"
Best Astronomical Sighting: The Seven Moons of Saturn over Saranac, August
Key: The Doc's brother had a telescope...
Best Orginal Song: "If Jesus Were a Sanitizer", by Cris and Spooner, September, Saranac
Key: Cleaning all the public bathrooms at Saranac in a driving rainstorm and the fumes as inspiration
Best Freebie: Bar Mitzvah shirt from 13-year-old boy, Dave and Busters, Bethesda, MD
Key: "Guest List Finalist" on front, "David's Bar Mitzvah" on the back
Best Fest: ODB Fest, Old Dominion Brewery, Ashburn, VA in June
Key: It's a festival for cigars and beer. duh. Prank call to Amy..."NIPPLENIPPLENIPPLE!"
Best Karyoke Moment: "Forever in Blue Jeans" by Erin Hatcher, returning from Campaigner Overnight
Key: We were on a bus full of high school students...
Best Business Card: Grafton DeButts
Key: Grafton DeButts
Best Rock Opera: The August Bakery's Rock Opera, as performed by Beener, Caroline and Spooner
Key: "Things to Do While Beener Poops"
Best Concert (tie): Ani D, 9:30 Club, Live DVD Taping, May in DC/Mindy Smith, Old Towne Theatere, Alexandria
Key: Elena crying and twitching/literally running into Mindy in the bathroom before the show, Amber, Erin and I eating a 17 course meal afterward.
Best Sex Talk: Elizabeth Maskey
Key: "Build a bridge and stand on it."
Best New Extreme Sport: Mattress Sliding, August, Saranac
Key: Hal and JC, the "we can be friends" boob grab--"How old are you guys?"
Worst Reality Check: Cancer scare and bone scan, June
Key: Hatcher and 2 hours at Ikea
Best Nickname: Uncle Jimmycake, Saranac
Key: "I licked your Jimmycake!" "Sweet!"
Best Chase Sequence: Hatcher vs. Lars, Rockbridge in October
Key: the Purple Sweatpants...Maskey's "Awww crap."
Best Gang: BB 1818 at the Brothers
Key: Emil, Marco, Jorge, BB 4 Life!
Best Drink: ODB's Oak Barrel Stout
Key: This one stays the same every year
Best Dance (tie): LoCo Contra Dance, Saranac dance parties
Key: J.Wags, J.Shui, Hot Pat and Grafton/Erin C. dressed as a Twinkie, JC's "A Whole New World"
Best Fashion Statement: Purple Sweatpants
Key: Still trying to figure this one out
Worst Fashion Statement: Purple Sweatpants
Key: I said I was still trying to figure this one out....
Worst Letdown: Twilight Polo rained out, July
Key: Amber and I with wine and cigars, complaining the whole time
Best Job: Assistant Baker, Saranac
Key: Beener, Caroline, Butts, Tex, Jacque, Aaron, Courtney, Lauren, the pits...sneaking tastes behind April's back
Best Real-life Cartoon Character: Kristen Beil
Key: Seriously, who are you right now? I love you times 10 to the 3rd power...
That's it! Add to it if you want!
Here's to 2K5!
BEST AND WORST OF 2K4
Best Wedding: Dave and Shelby Boynton, July in Lancaster, NH
Key: Open bar before the wedding, the whole wedding party in chacos.
Best After-the-Wedding Moment: Chris Parcell cuddling with a watermelon in Hatcher's car, June in Purcellville
Key: "I love you watermelon...I do...you wanna see who's gonna die first, watermelon? Cuz YOU'LL LOSE!"
Best Hangover Party: The breakfast after Dave and Shelby's wedding, Lancaster, NH
Key: I think Dan was still drunk...
Best New Scar: Right forarm in the battle of me vs. tray of apple pies
Key: I got it while baking, and I don't bake
Worst New Scar: Accidently burning the tip of my nose while trying to light a cigar and talk on the phone at the same time
Key: Neosporin smells HORRIBLE.
Best Book (tie): Life of Pi by Yann Martel/Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
Key: 450-lb bengal tiger named Richard Parker/He wants to marry Ani DiFranco
Best New Album: "O" by Damien Rice, January or February
Key: He's Irish...
Best (or Worst) Irrational Celebrity Obsession: Suzy Gilgrist and Liz Watkins, on Usher
Key: It's USHER. He's got some confessions.
Best Unnecessary Event: Dodgeball, Interns vs. Summer Staff, Saranac
Key: My Little Pony and Ninja Turtle balls, Cat Wade in pigtails.
Best Party (tie): David Hasselhoff/"Crabfest!...Now Leave."
Key: Homemade shirts, pinatas and mix cds (and crabs)
Best Reunion: Taps Week reunion, April in Syracuse
Key: Murphy came in a dress!
Best Victory: Red Sox came from 0-3 to beat Yankees in 7 in ALCS championship
Key: Oh yeah, and then the won the World Series. But they beat the Yankees!
Best Girl Moment: Hot tub, ALI ski weekend, January
Key: Bubbly in the bubbly
Best Outfit: Vikings in grass skirts and guard tubes, September in Saranac, NY
Key: Headlamps, pieces and bling-bling as lifeguards for "Slide for the Brave"
Worst Departure (inanimate): Mosby's Tavern, Middleburg, VA
Key: 1/2 Price Burger Night, Pyramid Hefeweizen
Best Upgrade: Roy the Raging Tempo to Rudy the Rugged 'Roo
Key: Only 15 years, ABS, airbags and a working seatbelt
Best Gift: 2ft Dubya Pinata from Caroline, September
Key: Pinata is still smarter than the original
Best Catch-phrase: Dawn of the "LoCo" shirts, Leadership Weekend, Feburary
Key: LoCo makes LoCo sound cool...and no Wal-Marts in Bethesda?
Best Departure (inaimate): My VA drivers license photo
Key: It was so bad even the NY DMV man laughed
Best Showdown: Murphy vs. Spooner, undefeated carbomb champs, April, Planet 505, Syracuse
Key: DEAD TIE! TAPS FOR LIFE!
Best Movie: "Napoleon Dynamite" September with Hatch
Key: "Tina, come get your dinner you fat lard!"
Best Astronomical Sighting: The Seven Moons of Saturn over Saranac, August
Key: The Doc's brother had a telescope...
Best Orginal Song: "If Jesus Were a Sanitizer", by Cris and Spooner, September, Saranac
Key: Cleaning all the public bathrooms at Saranac in a driving rainstorm and the fumes as inspiration
Best Freebie: Bar Mitzvah shirt from 13-year-old boy, Dave and Busters, Bethesda, MD
Key: "Guest List Finalist" on front, "David's Bar Mitzvah" on the back
Best Fest: ODB Fest, Old Dominion Brewery, Ashburn, VA in June
Key: It's a festival for cigars and beer. duh. Prank call to Amy..."NIPPLENIPPLENIPPLE!"
Best Karyoke Moment: "Forever in Blue Jeans" by Erin Hatcher, returning from Campaigner Overnight
Key: We were on a bus full of high school students...
Best Business Card: Grafton DeButts
Key: Grafton DeButts
Best Rock Opera: The August Bakery's Rock Opera, as performed by Beener, Caroline and Spooner
Key: "Things to Do While Beener Poops"
Best Concert (tie): Ani D, 9:30 Club, Live DVD Taping, May in DC/Mindy Smith, Old Towne Theatere, Alexandria
Key: Elena crying and twitching/literally running into Mindy in the bathroom before the show, Amber, Erin and I eating a 17 course meal afterward.
Best Sex Talk: Elizabeth Maskey
Key: "Build a bridge and stand on it."
Best New Extreme Sport: Mattress Sliding, August, Saranac
Key: Hal and JC, the "we can be friends" boob grab--"How old are you guys?"
Worst Reality Check: Cancer scare and bone scan, June
Key: Hatcher and 2 hours at Ikea
Best Nickname: Uncle Jimmycake, Saranac
Key: "I licked your Jimmycake!" "Sweet!"
Best Chase Sequence: Hatcher vs. Lars, Rockbridge in October
Key: the Purple Sweatpants...Maskey's "Awww crap."
Best Gang: BB 1818 at the Brothers
Key: Emil, Marco, Jorge, BB 4 Life!
Best Drink: ODB's Oak Barrel Stout
Key: This one stays the same every year
Best Dance (tie): LoCo Contra Dance, Saranac dance parties
Key: J.Wags, J.Shui, Hot Pat and Grafton/Erin C. dressed as a Twinkie, JC's "A Whole New World"
Best Fashion Statement: Purple Sweatpants
Key: Still trying to figure this one out
Worst Fashion Statement: Purple Sweatpants
Key: I said I was still trying to figure this one out....
Worst Letdown: Twilight Polo rained out, July
Key: Amber and I with wine and cigars, complaining the whole time
Best Job: Assistant Baker, Saranac
Key: Beener, Caroline, Butts, Tex, Jacque, Aaron, Courtney, Lauren, the pits...sneaking tastes behind April's back
Best Real-life Cartoon Character: Kristen Beil
Key: Seriously, who are you right now? I love you times 10 to the 3rd power...
That's it! Add to it if you want!
Here's to 2K5!
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Red Ribbon
As it is my day off work I like to lounge, as it should be. On VH1 a special on AIDS and popular culture was on and I guess I just sort of forget it all--like my generation was raised in awareness but I don't think it's something we actively worry about now. We were too young to be shocked by the deaths of Rock Hudson, Freddie Mercury or Easy E--too blissfully ignorant to even know what was happening. Now all we know is "wear a condom" and think of "Rent" when we hear the word AIDS. We kind of dismiss it as the epidemic of the 80s and that we've conquered it now, when in actuality, in 2003 AIDS cases in the US rose for the first time in 10 years, most between the ages of 15-24. WHAT? Last year alone, 42,000 Americans contracted HIV/AIDS. A disproportionate number of new cases are occurring in young, heterosexual women. Now there are 42 million people in the world living with AIDS. A recent statistic said that by 2010, 20 million African children will be orphans due to HIV/AIDS.
One child every minute dies from AIDS.
A child.
I don't tend to get all mushy about things like this, but for some reason this has especially hit me today.
Watching that show I was blown away by the initial protests by the Christian Right about the disease, saying it "Served [homosexuals] right," implying that this horrific epidemic was God's wrath. That took my breath away, because in those faces behind the huge "GOD HATES FAGS" signs, I saw not one ounce of compassion or love. These people are dying, they don't know how or why, and your first reaction is "serves them right?" How do I make sure I never become like that? I am shocked and digusted.
It's World AIDS Day and I'm convicted that I don't do enough if there is even something I can do.
Ugh.
Stats taken from:
www.whatudo.org
www.unaids.org
One child every minute dies from AIDS.
A child.
I don't tend to get all mushy about things like this, but for some reason this has especially hit me today.
Watching that show I was blown away by the initial protests by the Christian Right about the disease, saying it "Served [homosexuals] right," implying that this horrific epidemic was God's wrath. That took my breath away, because in those faces behind the huge "GOD HATES FAGS" signs, I saw not one ounce of compassion or love. These people are dying, they don't know how or why, and your first reaction is "serves them right?" How do I make sure I never become like that? I am shocked and digusted.
It's World AIDS Day and I'm convicted that I don't do enough if there is even something I can do.
Ugh.
Stats taken from:
www.whatudo.org
www.unaids.org
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