Dirigiblog

Little things

2010-06-04T10:25:00.002-05:00

I love the little things my husband does.

Sean and I got married two years ago this week and for all but about four of our married months together I have been taking classes toward my second Masters degree. I have a hectic schedule between work and school and I have been a terrible housekeeper. I just finished my final class leading into a 10 week break before my final year of the internship experience begins. My final class met last night and afterward I immediately felt a sense of relief and was energized. Today that energy continues and I am working to bring some order back to our disheveled abode. Since Sean and I bought our home and began our cohabitation there are little things he does or does not do that drive me up a wall, but when I see these reminders I remember that I am at fault too and I know there are equally annoying habits that must get to him. What I love is that there are many more little things he does around the house without my asking or nagging, such as taking out the trash, refilling the soap dispenser, keeping track of our toilet paper supplies, just to name a few. Sure these things seem miniscule to the much more obvious things Sean does for us like planning and preparing many of our meals, planning our getaways, keeping our social life alive, heck he practically planned our whole wedding. He has done so much for me, and does so much for me on a daily basis. He has provided me with so much love and support as I have worked toward my academic and career pursuits. His vigilance to keep my stress levels low and his daily expressions of his love for me, for us (whether through good-night kisses or always being the responsible one to turn out all the lights and locking the door before he comes to bed every night) probably go unrecognized on a daily basis. But I am so grateful for everything he does for me. I hope as I slough off the stresses and responsibilities of graduate school I can begin to repay his support and love because he deserves so much!

Solitaire (still building)

2009-04-07T22:01:00.000-05:00

Solitaire

from trees

Burnt orange floor
planked.
Cards spread,
rowed,
lined.
Looking out over
everything.
My Kingdom of wood
and leaf.

------------------------------

Flannel pajamas
wander to window--
frost covered.
Huddle under
blanket
over register.
Sleeves and legs fill
with warm breeze.
Fingernails scratch
first words on ice
on glass.

------------------------------

Silence, nearly
just a shuffle of adult stuff.
And darkness,
nearly
only slight strips from blinds
slice the rows of mats.

Maybe others sleep,

On this plot
journeys launch
for legendary treasures
and noble wars are fought.
It's here,
this placid restlessness begins.

--------------------------------

Ankle cast,
an anchor.
Dimmed classroom
emptied for lunch
open only to me,
weighted to this back row
Maps and books
out of reach.
Desks, windows, trees
doors and bookshelves
lessons
in line and wood.

--------------------------

Pitter-patter
pattern tapping
on panes.
Crack the window.
Wet air wafts
through wire mesh--
the soft sweet/sour scent
of mist and metal.

---------------------------

Silver maple seeds
helicopter down
to brick
to me
and anthills.
Under this shade tree
the closest to sun I'll get
bathing in the light of flutter.

---------------------------

run, launch and lift
let the line out
slack pulls in the breeze
the difference
between ground
and a slice of sky
above

Solitaire

2009-04-03T07:07:00.001-05:00

from trees

Burnt orange floor
planked.
Cards spread,
rowed,
lined.
Looking out over
everything.
My Kingdom of wood
and leaf.

------------------------------

Flannel pajamas
wander to window--
frost covered.
Huddle under
blanket
over register.
Sleeves and legs fill
with warm breeze.
Fingernails scratch
first words on ice
on glass.

------------------------------

Silence, nearly
just a shuffle of adult stuff.
And darkness,
nearly
only slight strips from blinds
slice the rows of mats.

Maybe others sleep,

On this plot
journeys launch
for legendary treasures
and noble wars are fought.
It's here,
this placid restlessness begins.

--------------------------------

Ankle cast,
an anchor.
Dimmed classroom
emptied for lunch
open only to me,
weighted to this back row
Maps and books
out of reach.
Desks, windows, trees
doors and bookshelves
lessons
in line and wood.

--------------------------

Pitter-patter
pattern tapping
on panes.
Crack the window.
Wet air wafts
through wire mesh--
the soft sweet/sour smell
of mist and metal.

Solitaire April 2

2009-04-02T15:22:00.000-05:00

SOLITAIRE

from trees

Burnt orange floor
planked.
Cards spread,
rowed,
lined.
Looking out over
everything.
My Kingdom of wood
and leaf.

------------------------------

Flannel pajamas
wander to window--
frost covered.
Huddle under
blanket
over register.
Sleeves and legs fill
with warm breeze.
Fingernails scratch
first words on ice
on glass.

Out of Retirement

2009-04-02T15:20:00.001-05:00

My husband has apparently also started writing poetry again.
Word.

Solitaire

2009-04-02T04:43:00.005-05:00

Tuesday evening I began a new class (as a student) in which I will be working with a group to write a research proposal that includes the first three chapters of a potential dissertation. It won't be my dissertation, I probably will not write one. While I appreciate the reason I have to take the class I was getting a little antsy and impatient, thinking "I friggin' teach inquiry, why do I have to take this class?" I'm not too upset about it as I realize there is value in it simply for the fact I will be learning the researched subject and I do love research. My frustration really came from how basic the class seemed at first. Sure, as someone who has always used MLA learning APA is kind of like taking on a new language--but I have the manual. That said, the instructor did an excellent job of getting us started and I will likely use some of her methods next time I teach inquiry.

What I really appreciated was my instructor's most important piece of advice: find something completely unrelated to go to throughout the research process. Her personal example was Tetris. Especially given my recent exposure to Compassion Fatigue and the idea of finding "sabbaths" to re-energize, this was welcome advice. I immediately thought of Solitaire (though my mind also briefly grazed over "poetry" then laughed and moved on). Solitaire has always been a sabbath for me, something about the peacefulness, patience-building and mind-engagement centers me every time I play a game. As a kid I played traditional Klondike for hours. Most of my life--since junior high at least--I've carried a deck of cards around stored in my backpack (also handy for the occasional game of War, Speed, and Gin with friends). I think I was taught by my Great Grandmother, if not a great deal of my appreciation for the game came from her. She played all the time, even when she was surrounded by other people, something I really loved about her--to find solitude amongst others is a beautiful thing. If I saw her working away at a deck, I would sometimes grab a deck myself and sit across from her at my Grandma Johnson's dining room table and start my own tableau. Once in a while she would even let me play Double Solitaire with her.

After getting my iPod touch one of the first apps I got was a free Solitaire game that featured four basic Solitaire games. I got a little bored with the limitations of four games and began yearning for the Book of Solitaire from which I learned many versions. After a couple of weeks I downloaded a paid app that includes 40 Solitaire games and I am very satisfied. I have been addicted to Scorpion for the last two days though I have yet to win a game. Best couple of bucks I've spent in a while.

There seemed to be a convergence of factors that brought about the next development.

It's spring and even though the highs are in the low 50's, it is April. April is my favorite month, always has been. Sure, sure it's my birth month, but I think there is more to it. I have a tendency to treat myself better every April. As most of my friends and family know I have a high tolerance and regular practice of driving myself into the ground, bordering on self-abuse at times and I get bogged down from all the responsibilities I take on. But in April I feel lighter and even though I rarely have less responsibility in April, I give myself a break, allow myself to have more fun, and generally take better care of myself. For instance, last quarter I had two classes and they killed me, I felt I was in survival mode from day one. This quarter, I have three classes, and I was really freaked out about that, until yesterday. I'm excited about them. When I leave class at night, I feel invigorated rather than exhausted.

Okay where was I?

Umm, April, Solitaire, oh yes, Poetry. I have not written anything new since Fall Semester 2006. I did a lot of editing/revision Spring of 2007, but I have not generated a single poem since December of 06. I have wanted to get back into it. But, I have also had a lot of other things going on, various part time jobs, new career path, second masters degree, marriage, new full-time position, etc. I have kept my creative side satiated in the mean time through crochet, but that's another story.

Yesterday my good friend Ryan posted a note on Facebook about National Poetry Month which included a poem about his daughter's name. It was very moving. I really have only been moved by the poetry of friends lately, which I am sure is part of the reason I was then motivated to take on the poem-a-day challenge Ryan mentioned in his note. I was playing a game of Scorpion Solitaire while waiting for my next student appointment when I saw the post. Though I never actually looked at the prompt I saw the word "origin" which somehow led to my childhood spent in tree(house)s or my bedroom (my two sanctuaries) and playing solitaire in those spaces. The results are below--a first draft. I don't normally post work, especially if it is drafty. But who cares, here goes. I think this is just a part of something larger, I have been writing in seriality since before I knew what it was. I also already know the line "Solitaire--my solitude" does not belong, but for the process, for now, is necessary to me--I am pretty sure Solitaire is the title of the series. I am hoping to continue to post my poems/pieces over the next 29 days. We'll see how this goes.

from trees

Burnt orange floor
Planked
Cards spread,
rowed,
lined.
Solitaire--My solitude
Looking out over
everything.
My Kingdom of wood
and leaf

Finally!

2008-12-04T07:11:00.004-06:00

Over the summer I was on my way to a Sox game, riding the train, fighting the urge to sleep because I had not slept much or very well the night before. I was not paying much attention to where I was when I looked out the window at a random stop and saw the words "I don't fall to sleep, I falter" painted on a column at the station. And I thought, yeah! that's exactly how I feel, I don't fall to sleep, I falter. Someone had captured my feeling precisely. This kind of woke me up and I thought, man those words are really familiar. Then I wondered, "why are there words painted on the columns." Then I realized the train had been stopped at the Harrison station and it clicked, those were my words. Duh!

Over two years ago I made a post announcing that a haiku of mine had been chosen to be included in the Harrison Haiku project. Well last Spring they began putting the poems up. About six or so were put up on the walls in the entrance area, with no word of when the rest would go up. I had pretty much forgotten all about it since I just figured they decided to downsize the project, after all, where else would they put the other poems? On the columns. . . so, here is the best I could do with a picture, I present "Impelled."

a few words of hope

2008-11-08T07:10:00.005-06:00

As much as I want to go on and on about how happy I am right now about the outcome of Tuesday's election I will refrain so as not to offend certain members of my family. I do not consider myself either republican or democrat, I vote for those I feel I can trust to make the best decisions and those who represent my values.

However, I just want to point out how stupid some alleged republicans are--the same people complaining about the possibility of higher taxes and socialized health care (and they say socialism as though it is a dirty word) are saying they are going to pack their bags for Canada. WTF? You're a bunch of idiots, I'm not even going to tell you why because you obviously have no grasp on reality and have about as much sense of the world as a certain hockey mom from Alaska.

I grew up with and maintained republican sensibilities most of my life although I always sympathized when it came to social issues because I have a hard time leaving fellow man and woman out in the cold. (And quite honestly, I feel the values I was raised with fall under liberalism.) Through my education and experience I have come to realize there are major systemic flaws in this country, a country which I love. I do not fault either republicans or democrats alone for these flaws. I have come to understand that I am not antiwar but I am for avoiding war at all cost. I am certainly not anti-military and I hold a deep respect for the men and women who devote and risk their lives for this country and know that they deserve way more than what they are given. My father was a Marine (joined by choice, not drafted), fought in Vietnam, underwent experiences I'm sure most of us could never imagine and I love and respect him with all my heart and soul for his decisions. To me, he, like all military members, is a true hero. I have always felt the two party society was necessary for checks and balances in our government, but hey I'm all for a third party to create an even greater sense of balance because at this point, neither party is working well in my mind. I've also come to understand why urban society swings more to the left and rural areas more to the right, and that it isn't just about good wholesome values.

I don't agree with the lack of regulation on large companies or the concessions allowed to them. In the mid 90's I watched as my parents' small business fell victim to a company that monopolized the flower business in Des Moines by buying out wholesalers and controlling prices and product. With the evolution of technology, economy and globalization in business and culture our government needs to keep up. Such lack of regulation is simply outdated. Our government was designed to evolve with us and we need a breath of fresh air to get that going.

One thing that I can't understand and cannot stand is when people are hypocrites. When people shame one man for straying from his wife, but ignore the same fault in another because he happens to be on their side. John Edwards strayed when his wife was ill. That's disgusting to me. But so did John McCain. His wife suffered catastrophic injuries while he was a POW, she did not tell him or want this to be public knowledge for fear it could worsen his conditions as a prisoner. When he returned he had extramarital affairs. That disgusts me too.

Another thing I can't understand and cannot stand is when people accept the usual rhetoric and do nothing to investigate on their own. (I don't care who you're voting for as long as you are educated on what and who you vote for). I feel the same annoyance with those who voted for Obama simply for his "cool" factor but have no idea what his ideals and views on policy are.

But the one thing I truly cannot understand or stand for is the disgust I have seen in those who did not want Obama elected. I do not expect them to be happy or be celebratory. But I do expect them to respect our new president. I was taught growing up to respect my president even if I did not agree with him because he is the leader of my nation. I admit, I have not agreed with W. I do not believe in the war we are currently "fighting," I have no idea why it is being fought or toward whom, it is a war that makes no sense to me. I do not believe in W's no child left behind policy, it has further stagnated our children, some of our nation's greatest assets. While I don't agree with W, I do not mock him and I certainly do not discount his efforts and I do recognize he has done a few good things. I feel he misdirected a lot of energy and did not use opportunities well. But I do not make him out to be a fool, (though I readily laugh and shake my head as I do at any human when he makes a fool of himself). What I have already seen though in the last three days is degenerate mockery of our president elect and it saddens me that all Americans cannot recognize this historic moment in our nation's history. It saddens me that there is such hate in people's hearts. That is sad. Very sad. All I can say is that I will do my best to hold on to my hope that this moment's significance is not lost on those who need it most.

Hmph. . .

2008-09-08T20:45:00.001-05:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted. Huh...

2008-07-29T18:43:00.002-05:00

Your result for Tarot Card Guide Test...

YOUR GUIDE IS THE EMPRESS

“And Behold, here she stands, Mother Nature.”

YOUR GUIDE IS THE EMPRESS

The Empress card is one of the easier trumps to read. She's Mother. Generally, she is Mother in a good sense, patient, loving, giving, and generous. If she is your guide, you can say that you are currently feeling like a mother hen, worried about your children, a new business, a new creation, or a new romance. Male or female, you want to dote and hover and fret over every little sneeze and problem.

Of course, the Empress can also be the worst aspects of an attentive Mom; she can smother, not know when to let go, be possessive and jealous of those who would take away her "baby." It is important that you realize that plants can die from over-watering as easily as neglect.

This card tells you that if you want this new romance, new career, new business, new creation to grow into all it can be you have to pay attention to it, baby it and be willing to let it take those first steps when it is ready. Most of all, like any pregnant mother or good gardener, you have to be patient. All things need time to gestate and sprout.

The Empress is the creator. She creates life, romance, art, or business. Think of her as the mother of us all, and the mother of things to be. The word that comes to mind in regards to the Empress is patience. Being the bearer of new life, she knows that it is fragile. She knows that for things to grow one needs to be patient and nurturing. One must provide love and attention, if they are to see the fruit of their efforts. She is telling you that your future will take time to build and create.

The Empress is the womb where your future gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. She is telling you to be patient, and to watch what happens. She wants you to truly experience the “now” and be prepared for the “then.”

Just Married!

2008-06-10T10:46:00.003-05:00

(photo by Evonne & Leif)

Some pix from the weekend are here. We will be posting the formal photos and more candids soon, so check again in another week or so.

Bye Bye 30

2008-04-23T20:24:00.003-05:00

So in two days I turn the big 3-1. It's hard to believe and a few months ago when it hit me I kinda freaked, until I realized how much I have done in the last year. I got to see the launch of Columbia Poetry Review 20 which I co-edited, I completed my MFA, I had work published in MiPoesias and Buffalo Carp, I began teaching in the Hands on Stanzas program, I went on two Caribbean cruises, went to Door County, went snorkeling for the first time, went kayaking for the first time (both in Lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico), I've done a lot of wine tasting (a lot), went skiing for the first time, ate some amazing meals, finally saw a lunar eclipse, got a ds and a wii (totally hooked on video games again), took a bookmaking class which was incredible, learned a lot of new crochet stitches and made a lot of stuff, figured out what I want to be when I grow up, applied to grad school all over again and got accepted by both programs, joined a gym, bought a home, got engaged, and along with my amazing fiance, have almost completely planned a wedding. I gotta say it's been a damn good year for this girl and I'm looking forward to everything 31's gonna bring.

I was the girl in the stall between them!

2008-04-22T10:32:00.003-05:00

A couple of weeks ago we went to see the Blackhawks kick some Detroit butt. After the game I used the washroom and here's what I heard.

Graduate School, part 2

2008-04-19T15:31:00.002-05:00

So, I got the news today. I have been accepted to DePaul's graduate program in Student Affairs. I'm hoping this time around I will be able to get a job that will pay for the degree, I'm pretty sure it will.

Weathering the whether

2008-04-08T21:30:00.003-05:00

It's been a long winter, and April being my birthmonth, I'm determined to see and feel spring. I have pulled the pedal pushers from the bottoms of my drawers and started packing up the sweaters for summer storage. We've been working through the cold months planning the wedding and thinking long and hard about our collective future, you know, the ever-pressing question of what we want to be when we grow up. A few months ago I finally figured it all out (for myself at least, the better half is still working it all out on his end). For my part I have been setting up the pieces to put my plan in motion, more on that later. The biggest variable remains how to support this endeavor, both with experience and money. Unfortunately, people who have no idea what I am working for (and quite frankly don't care) have had too much say in my future, and it has been hard trying to figure out where I can go from here. But I've done a rare thing for me and decided to stand up for myself and say something to someone.

But yeah, it's been a long winter. The last few weeks, snow and wind have managed to wedge themselves between a few nice days and seem to just be a reminder of how heavy some things can feel. Right now though, this is my favorite kind of weather. Flashes of lightning are breaking the darkness of the evening at home and thunder's pounding. Soon a steady tapping will splash the windows. I love the energy of a good storm, the feel of a spring shower and the smell of wet concrete. There is truly no greater relief. Perhaps I've been looking at things all wrong, maybe a few nice days have managed to wedge themselves between the snow and wind. Maybe, but all I know is right now I have the rain and I am going to bask in it.

TV meme, blar

2008-04-04T21:24:00.002-05:00

Empire Magazine has revealed its list of the "50 Greatest TV Shows" ever. Below is the list and here be the rules.

1. Italicize the shows of which you've watched every episode
2. Bold the shows of which you've seen at least one episode
2a. Star the shows you consider "top 50"
3. Post your answers

50. Quantum Leap*
49. Prison Break
48. Veronica Mars
47. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
46. Sex & The City

45. Farscape
44. Cracker
43. Star Trek *
42. Only Fools and Horses
41. Band of Brothers

40. Life on Mars
39. Monty Python's Flying Circus *
38. Curb Your Enthusiasm *
37. Star Trek: The Next Generation *
36. Father Ted

35. Alias
34. Frasier *
33. CSI: Las Vegas
32. Babylon 5
31. Deadwood

30. Dexter
29. ER
28. Fawlty Towers
27. Six Feet Under *
26. Red Dwarf

25. Futurama
24. Twin Peaks
23. The Office UK *
22. The Shield
21. Angel

20. Blackadder *
19. Scrubs *
18. Arrested Development *
17. South Park *
16.Doctor Who *

15. Heroes
14. Firefly
13. Battlestar Galactica
12. Family Guy *
11. Seinfeld *

10. Spaced
09. The X-Files
08. The Wire
07. Friends
06. 24

05. Lost
04. The West Wing
03. The Sopranos
02. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
01. The Simpsons *

Wiiii, oh wheeeeeee!

2008-03-05T18:34:00.017-06:00

Until a few weeks ago I never thought I would be on skis. It was then that in passing Sean mentioned he'd like to try it sometime and the thought had recently crossed my mind as well. So, I said, yeah we should look into doing that next year. This of course led to Sean (the activities director) coordinating a ski weekend. He managed to drag Kelly and Christina into the plans (much to Kelly's chagrin). But after realizing that there is no way we could justify spending money on an entire weekend on such a trip, I thought I was safe from this inevitable fiasco. I could just imagine the two of us being wheeled down the aisle in full body casts (his painted to look like a tux, mine with flowing lace).

But, at this point both Christina and Sean were determined to put something together (freaking Scorpios). After some research Christina found a cheap spot just over the border near Milwaukee. So this past weekend we headed out for Crystal Ridge. On our way I gave in to Sean's inexplicable obsession for Cracker Barrel and we stopped to load up on complex carbohydrates. I hoped he would forget where we were going and we could just turn around and go back home.

The sign said "cheese" so Christina took its picture.

Once we got to the ski lodge we all geared up, and by then I actually was looking forward to it, but I had trouble finding boots that would fit without cutting off my legs at the calves. Finally the equipment folks fitted me with a snazzy pair that reminded us all of LA GEAR. All fashion woes aside we were finally ready to ski. Christina has skied before and even owns her own gear, so Kelly, Sean and I went in together and got semiprivate lessons from Jana (pronounced Yana). Jana was awesome, she spent at least 3 hours with us. Totally worth the money (only 20 bucks each). Because I was busy learning, Christina was responsible for the pix (between her hundreds of times down the hill).

Learning to go uphill sideways

After about two and a half hours of trudging around on single skis, making herringbone marks uphill and having our arms yanked out of their sockets by the tow rope by the bunny slope, Jana managed to trick Kelly and I to make our way down to the actual ski lift. Sean's knee had given out on him by then so he was warming up in the lodge.
Getting down to the skilift from the bunny slope was no problem, it felt great in fact. However, once we got off of the skilift and were at the tip-top of the highest hill we were faced with a new challenge, getting back down to the lodge.
Hmmm, luckily Jana was still with us and she did a good job of helping us navigate our way down this steep steep icy hill. I made it down only falling twice and I was able to get back up on my own and without removing my skis both times (a big feat for me).

I wasn't the only one to wipe out a couple times that time down, here's Kelly praying I don't run over him.

In fact I was feeling pretty confident by the time I was halfway down the hill and Christina snapped this shot.

At that point it was already after 2, the lessons were over and we needed a break. So we found Sean in the lodge and got some horribly unhealthy food. After lunch we decided to get back out there. Our first goal was to get Sean down to the lift. He went down, again and again. Poor thing, between the hole in his left foot and his backwards right knee, skiing was probably not in his better judgement. Fortunately Kelly and I (the skeptics) were having a great time. I waited probably 15 minutes at the bottom of the hill to help Sean get on the lift, when I saw him walking around the bend with the ski patrol. Uh-oh. They accompanied him to the top of the hill on the lift then after convincing him trying to ski back to the lodge was not such a good idea Sean got to live out his NFL fantasy of being driven off the field.

After watching Sean being carted away Kelly, Christina and I started back down the slopes. By this time the steep slope from the lift was even icier and seemingly even steeper. I wiped out twice, kept getting back up, but somehow my nerves got the better of me and it took me forever to get back up after the third fall. But I did, and then I started going once more, and going and going, trying to slow down using the "pizza" stance Jana had taught us. But I didn't slow down, not even after my legs were over my head, then under me and over my head again. When I finally stopped my skis were about ten feet away from me. I quickly gathered my senses and my skis and called it a day. As I got up, another ski patrol dude came walking up behind me to make sure I was ok. After assuring him I'm durable he mentioned what a hectic day they were having, and that another guy just twisted his knee. I told him that was my fiance and explained it was our first time skiing. He was shocked and said he has been learning to ski, but that he is still on the bunny hill. He asked what in the world we were doing going up and down the lift hill. I explained Jana had been our instructor and she's tough teacher.

All in all it was a great time, I had a lot of fun and I now understand the value of thick powdery snow. And the best part is on the way home, I found Waldo.

Brainnnnsss

2008-02-15T16:14:00.002-06:00

If Mr. Peaches Wigglebottom could walk, he would be shambling off to see Diary of the Dead right now.

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-02-11T07:43:00.000-06:00

Finally.

tagged again!

2008-01-17T18:02:00.000-06:00

So, I have once again been tagged to list odd/weird/little known facts about me, my life and goals. I listed seven not too long ago, but this meme demands 10. Well, let me try to list some new things.

1. I currently have five jobs. Six if you include the one week gig I just finished working today.

2. I won 100 bucks at Bingo last week, as well as a mechanical stuffed pig that walks and oinks.

3. I used to play the saxophone. (Saxomophone . . . saxomophone).

4. Though I already have two degrees, I am pondering another, soon, very soon.

5. I love Nintendo.

6. More specifically, I love Legend of Zelda games.

7. I invented a drink I call Tropicalia. It's delicious.

8. I have keloids.

9. I have started making monster hats, crocheted and felted.

10. I am currently planning my wedding and going insane doing it. If anyone wants to help, wonderful, but we will ask when we need it. If anyone has advice, please save it until we ask. If anyone wants to know how it's going, it's going really great, but please don't ask about it. If I have to go over where we stand right now, I will take Sean up on his suggestion to go to vegas. Don't mean to be a bitch, but we are at the stage where we are getting info/details worked out. And people trying to "help" are only adding to the stress of it all. A bit ranty I know, but I have had to repeat the same things a million times over the past couple of weeks and I just can't take it anymore.

Christmas Questionnaire

2007-12-24T21:57:00.000-06:00

I got tagged by Aaron because I read his blog first, and I am going to use the same rules as he did, read on:

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends."

1. Wrapping or gift bags?

Both

2. Real or artificial tree?

Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree?

I have always tried to put it up soon after Thanksgiving, and usually manage to get it up at least two weeks before Christmas.

4. When do you take the tree down?

Shortly after New Years

5. Do you like egg nog?

Sometimes, but much like Pumpkin Pie, it is one of those things I have to really be craving to want at all.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

No question, my Schwinn Pixie at age 4 from Santa.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Somewhere I have a little nativity scene made from popsicle sticks by my college band director. He made over a hundred of them and gave one to each band member.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

The same year Aaron got a muffin splitter I got napkin rings. I was about 15 at the time and I had no idea what to do with them.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?

No, I used to want to do them, but since my career path has been so academically driven I have pretty much given up. I suppose if I did them in August before school started I could send them out.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Toss up between Nightmare Before Christmas and Love Actually.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I try to do as little shopping as possible. I suppose I usually start halfway between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

I love too many things. Potato Baloney, Gramma's Spritz Cookies, and anything my future mother-in-law makes.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Multi-colored

14. Favorite Christmas song(s)?

I would say almost all of the contemporary Christmas songs Sean has turned me on to. Most of all, the album Snow Angels by Over the Rhine.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

It looks like the new tradition will be Christmas eve in the burbs with Sean's folks. Christmas day at home. And the weekend after Christmas in Des Moines with the Johnsons.

16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Yes.

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

both and then some.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

The shitty attitudes of people. I hate going out to do any errands this time of year. I have had to deal with too many ass faces in the last two weeks.

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?

Nope, just all the miscellany I have collected over the years.

21. What do you leave for Santa?

Nothing, he doesn't come here.

22. Least favorite holiday song?

I don't know for sure.

23. Favorite ornament?

I love all of the ornaments people have made for me, and my favorite one is a blue star with swirly coils and glitter that Theresa made for me a few years ago. While each ornament has a story and is special to me, that one is definitely one of the best.

24. Family tradition?

not any more/not yet

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services?

Yes.

Now, I am to tag seven people. I hereby tag the first seven people that read this. After you have read this post, say so in comments and do your duty. We're working on the honor system here people, so no cheating, it's Christmas after all.

Another day, another blog

2007-11-07T19:59:00.000-06:00

I started my residency with Hands on Stanzas a few weeks ago. You can follow the progress of the year and see selected works of my students on the new blog:
Burbank Blog/

Enjoy!

Movies!

2007-09-25T07:05:00.000-05:00

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.

Star Wars

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.

Kill Bill vol. 1

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.

Christian Bale

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.

I'm with Sean and Kelly on this one (and hopefully all intelligent life-forms)
Dane Cook

5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from.

As big a geek that I am, I don't really quote movies. I can quote them, I just don't do it. But the one I probably have quoted the most in my life is The Princess Bride

6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.

Annie

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with.

I don't know if I've been known to do so, but when I was little I would sing along to Annie

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.

Little Miss Sunshine

9. Name a movie that you own.

Undercover Brother

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.

Marky Mark, He has done some decent roles

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?

Nope

12. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't yet gotten around to it.
Rashomon, I have had it out from Netflix for two months, I think I am going to show it to my students next week, just so I can see it.

13. Ever walked out of a movie?

No, but I remember going to see the sneak of Species with Adam and Mark and afterwards we all expressed our desire to leave, but not wanting to abandon the others.

14. Name a movie that made you cry...

Iris, I sobbed the whole time (in the theater) but I did watch it while I was taking care of my grandma.

15. Popcorn?

yes please! Can I have cookie dough bites too?

16. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?

I used to go a couple times a week cause it was free, but now that I have to pay Chicago prices it's very rare. Maybe once every two or three months, but like Sean, more in the summertime.

17. What's the last movie you saw in the theater?

Transformers

18. What's your favorite/preferred genre of movie?

Comedy

19. What's the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?

Pete's Dragon

20. What movie do you wish you had never seen?

Frailty

21. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?

Sasquatch hunters, it was hilarious

22. What is the scariest movie you've seen?

I'm easily scared, so I don't do scary movies. So this might be a weird answer, but I found Signs to be quite scary.

23. What is the funniest movie you've seen?

Hmmm, that is tough. I can't answer this one because as soon as I say one, someone will remind me of something better.

pay it forward thingy

2007-09-22T20:36:00.000-05:00

So, I just saw this post on a friend's livejournal. I agree to send a gift (handmade or not) to the first three people who respond to this post (it will be sent in the next 365 days). BUT you have to do the same (post the promise to a blog and keep it going). Make sure you tell me who you are too, if you're anonymous I won't know who to send it too.

Tagged! I'm it.

2007-09-22T17:51:00.000-05:00

So quite a while ago my big brother tagged me for this meme, but being both very busy and lazy in my free time I am just now getting around to it.

I'm supposed to list seven random/interesting facts about myself, then, tag seven people to do the same.

I tag Sean, John, and I don't have any other friends with blogs, so you're it!
Now on to the interesting bits:

1. I have seen all 4 copies of the Magna Carta in their various locations with no intent of ever doing such a thing. On school related trips I usually wandered off by myself and just kind of came upon them at different times and would say to myself, "hey, it's the Magna Carta...cool."

2. I can make a pig noise. (That's much more interesting if you can hear it in person, but it also freaks a lot of people out).

3. I know how to crochet, and I love to do it. I made my first afghan this summer and now I am making rag rugs. If I could crochet for a living I would totally do it.

4. I got my English degree through the aid of a Math scholarship.

5. I won a pony when I was 15.

6. I won a cruise when I was 30. (despite what Sean may tell people, it's MY cruise!)

7. I was Valedictorian of my high school class, even though I wasn't recognized for it (they forgot to award the academic medals at our class day, which is the one day that our school recognizes academic achievement, oops!). By the way mom and dad, I'm still waiting for the car I was promised.

Oh. Okay.

2007-08-30T11:14:00.000-05:00

Well, that explains the dozens of cops that passed me and the 4 helicopters hovering over me as I left my old apartment this morning. I know that shit happens all over the city, but these sorts of things seem to be happening a lot more near there lately, which makes me a little sad because I have always defended Rogers Park against other's negative opinions. Still, considering the shooting that happened right outside my front door two months ago and the other similar incidents since then, AND the overwhelmingly growing presence of weirdos in my building, I am glad more and more every day about leaving my old place.

lookie what i got

2007-08-05T21:19:00.000-05:00

I haven't been able to wear it much since I have been so busy painting our new home. But soon we'll be settled in and it will be settled onto my finger.

my future husband's the best.

Long time, no post

2007-07-13T13:23:00.000-05:00

So, it's been a while since I last wrote anything here, well, it's been quite a summer.

Graduation weekend was a blast, seriously. My Mom, Dad, Grandma and friend Kay came to see Sean and I get our degrees, woohoo! We spent the day at Navy Pier, got some good grub at Joe's Bebop cafe, walked around and went on a boat tour, then headed to the Southside for a Sox game. Despite the Sox having a horrible season that game was awesome and there were fireworks to boot. The next day Kay and I met up with the family and had mothers day breakfast, and said so long to the folks.

Kay stuck around for a few days to keep me entertained and we went to see Spiderman 3 and to the Damien Rice show that Monday night.

The next week Sean and I headed south for a 4-day Western Caribbean cruise. Our first stop was in Key West, where we went on a Ghosts and Legends walking tour. The next day our port of call was Playa del Carmen, Mexico where we went for a cavern exploration hike and underground snorkeling tour (which was the most amazing experience I have ever had in the water). Our third day was a sailing day and we started that day off at the spa and the rest of the day swimming, playing mini-golf, winning various trophies for trivia games. Oh, yeah and I won a five day cruise at Bingo! I rule.

When we got back to Miami we had a few hours before our flight home, so we topped off the trip with an air-boat tour through the Everglades and watched lots of alligators snapping about.

Once we got back to the midwest I decided on a whim to go visit my family back in Iowa, so I spent about a week there. Nothing too exciting, except seeing lots of free summer movies and hanging out with Theresa and my mom and her friend Trudy. It was really fun and the most relaxing trip home since I moved here (probably because I didn't have any major work to do when I got back to Chicago). While I was there though, Sean started to reconsider our financial situation and the future and so we got back into looking for a condo, as soon as I returned (literally). The night I got back we had an appointment at the bank and our first showing an hour later.

The first few places we saw were absolutely tiny and I began to feel a little discouraged. However, that weekend we saw a couple of co-op apartments that were priced right and quite roomy. We didn't want to miss our chance so we put in a bid on our favorite and a few days later they came back with a counteroffer. We came up with a new offer and the sellers accepted. But, there were lots of bumps after that. They took a lot of time in dealing with their end of things, which has been very frustrating, especially considering their impatience when it comes to our end. So, all of the paperwork needed to get taken care of, but I was headed out of town yet again.

I went up to Minneapolis for a bookmaking workshop at the Split Rock Arts program. It was wonderful. I got so inspired, which feels very corny to say, but it's true. I came back with a lot of great ideas, that hopefully come through.

So while I was away, poor Sean was dealing with the lawyers and mortgage guy and the real estate agents, and who knows who else, while I was making books and playing with my niece Elsa. I swear I am the luckiest girl in the world.

So, once I was back the only thing in our way of getting our new home was the co-op board interview. We had a long stressful week of just waiting. Blar!

Finally our meeting came Wednesday night. It was a little scary. There were two really nice ladies an older gentleman and a younger guy (who was really just there to fill a seat). Anyway, they were all very nice, but the older man kept getting very gruff with us and often went on tangents that confused me. Everyone else was very straightforward and helpful. I understand the other guys concerns, but it made me very nervous about all that we had gone through and the possibility of it all coming crashing down at the last moment.

Well, of course, we wouldn't find out about our approval that night because they had to bring us up at the full board meeting the next night and then contact us today.

So just a little while ago our agent called and we've been approved. YAY! In two weeks we will officially be homeowners. I can't believe it is finally (nearly) over.

I mean I know that the whole process has gone by very quickly, but it has been killing us. I feel really sorry for anyone that has had longer periods before closing because if I had to live with anything longer I think my brain would explode.

Another really nice thing is that we have a nice long period to move in. I have my apartment through the end of August. This will give us plenty of time to paint and plan the layouts of the rooms and move small things over slowly. Then we figure toward the end of August we will rent a truck for an afternoon to get the furniture over. But, I only have one last week of summer before I start teaching again, so I better start packing. I am (finally) so excited!!!

DONE!

2007-05-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

So, I am all finished with all of the work for my MFA. I finished my paper this morning, and I am actually pretty pleased with it. I just have to hand it in. It feels nice to be done with everything, but it is a little sad. Now what do I do?

someone take my temperature, please. . .

2007-05-03T16:30:00.000-05:00

I must be sick. I have a 15+ page paper due in 4 days and I have written 10+ pages already. Normally, I wouldn't reach that point until 5AM the day it is due. Something must be wrong.

Wheeeeee!

2007-04-30T15:41:00.000-05:00

So, I turned my thesis/manuscript in a little while ago. I am all but finished with my MFA. I essentially just have to get one last assignment to finish--a 15-20 page essay on the Objectivist poets--not to be confused with anything Ayn Rand related. Anyway, I have to get this paper written, teach six more classes, two of which will be just the students turning in papers then I am pretty much done. Other than that, I have graduation and our manifest reading, and that's about it. Then I will be busy having fun. We are going to the Damien Rice show Monday the 14th, see Spiderman 3 on the IMAX at some point that weekend, and the Cubs/Sox games at Wrigley the next weekend.

And Finally: Three weeks from right now I will be boarding a cruise ship in Miami to explore the Western Carribean for a few days. I am so excited I just made a paper chain to count down the days. Not just any paper chain, this paper chain is made from 24 lb, acid free, 100% cotton paper. No construction paper for this MFAer.

Countdown to thesis due date: 7 days

2007-04-23T08:41:00.000-05:00

This story was so much funnier before last week when my computer decided to self distruct. My things just can't take the poetry program anymore. A month ago my water bottle with the Gumby sticker kept disappearing until it finally vanished into thin air. I bought that bottle my first day here in Chicago at the Columbia bookstore. My backpack's zippers no longer work, they keep ripping themselves open in hopes of me losing my books and writing. Now, every time my laptop comes unplugged it doesn't just go to sleep when it is out of power it completely shuts down and loses everything I am working on. Come on things, we're almost done.

fourth grade invasion!

2007-04-20T13:18:00.000-05:00

So, this morning I helped out with a program in the writing center at school where they hosted about 60 fourth graders from a local school. They brought all of these kids here to work in small groups with consultants on stories they were writing and to work in groups on poetry. I had two groups of 6-11 kids and they were great. I am not the best at handling kids, I tend to be an enabler when it comes to inappropriate behavior. But I found in the large group environment I did pretty well.

Being a lover of word-play I thought a great exercise would be experimenting with Abecedarian poems. I gave them some examples of older alphabet poems for kids and then some contemporary examples by Lisa Fishman and Harryette Mullen. A lot of them wrote word lists and list poems of people's names. One did a list of animal names. I talked to them about how they could work from their initial lists to create a more complex poem. The most creative was a narrative poem about Mario. The boy who wrote it was really shy and didn't want to share, but he finally came around. It was great. I then talked about how they could do a variation with their names, an acrostic poem. Some of them had done that before and one girl, Mackenzie wrote hers down for me to keep. During lunch she brought one to me that she had just composed for me:

Artistic
Magnificent
A crazy person
Nice
Dauntless
Amazing

It's a little disconcerting that she picked up on the crazy bit after only being around me for half an hour, but it was sweet nonetheless.

I really hope I get into the Hands on Stanzas program next year. This was so much fun.

the funnies

2007-04-17T10:24:00.000-05:00

Sean sent this to me this morning. It made me laugh.

goodness sakes alive!

2007-04-16T11:07:00.000-05:00

If I have to explain the structure of a resource review to one more student in the next week I will have an aneurism. I spent an entire 3 hours per section explaining it in the first place! 2/3 of them got it right, so I know it's not me. Garrrr. I am about to give up on the other eight students.
And by the way, I really can't afford to have an aneurism since I just had to haggle with a billing representative (who asked me if I spoke spanish and let out an exasperated gasp when I said "no") about paying off my last MRI.
Blar.

halfway around the world in 30 days

2007-04-14T10:42:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about driving from Chicago to Paris but step 20 is going to be a bitch.

Make the homies say "Ho!" and the girlies wanna scream

2007-04-13T14:08:00.000-05:00

Number one in the 'hood G!

One word meme

2007-04-13T14:04:00.000-05:00

So, this is my last "day off" for a while. Don't feel too sorry for me yet though. I will have about 90 days in a row off come May 13. What better way to spend my valuable free time than to do a meme?

01. Where is your cell phone? somewhere
02. Describe your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/lover? wonderful
03. Your hair? long
04. Your mother? sweet
05. Your father? strong
06. Your favorite item? blanket
07. Your dream last night? watery
08. Your favourite drink? water
09. Your dream car? Frank
10. The room you are in? light
11. Your ex? none
12. Your fear? weight
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? home
14. Who did you hang out with last night? nobody
15. What you're not? mean
19. The last thing you did? veg
20. What are you wearing? ATHF
21. Your favourite book? inviting
22. The last thing you ate? steak
24. Your mood? mellow
25. Your friends? few
26. What are you thinking about right now? poetry
27. Your car? Frank!
28. What are you doing at the moment? meme
29. Your summer? relaxing
30. Your relationship status? bestestever

God Bless You, Mr. Vonnegut

2007-04-12T07:41:00.000-05:00

This news was the first thing I heard this morning. Not a happy day. Rest in peace Kurt.

It's Opening Day!

2007-04-02T06:52:00.001-05:00

Being from Rogers Park, I'm curious to know too . . .
"What exactly is a parking space?"

There are tons of helpful tips available here
if you're planning a trip to the southside. I know I am looking forward to my first visit of the season. I can taste the seared meat now. mmmmmm kosher dogs.

Sean is going this afternoon, I hope he doesn't have any trouble with the currency conversion.

. . .and, breathe

2007-03-30T15:01:00.000-05:00

So, it's been busy in Amandaland lately, hence the lack of posting. Don't know if I really even have any readers out there but whatever.

Despite being hectic, things are falling into place, as they always do, eventually. The biggest news is that I am essentially done with my manuscript. It is just about 64 pages, the maximum length allowed, phew! It has been an amazing semester with my one-on-one adviser, pulling this whole thing together. She is amazing and has been receptive to my work, unlike most instructors I have had. She understands my intentions and goals and gives my work the care and attention it deserves. Don't get me wrong, I have had a couple of mentors along the way, Stephanie Strickland and Ed Roberson, both of whom encouraged my exploration of language and experimentation. But Lisa has worked very attentively to help me understand where my work can go.

So, I will be getting my MFA in a little over a month. I feel really lucky, because unlike others I know I have not gotten sick of the program or being in school, although at times I have been stressed and had intermittent moments of doubt. I feel like my experience has lasted just long enough.

I am defintely feeling spring fever/senioritis pretty strongly. I just want to go out and play. And I can't wait for summer. Sean and I are celebrating graduating by taking a little cruise. We have a 4 night stay on a Carnival ship booked. We stop off at Key West and Calica, Mexico, and we have a couple of excursions planned at those stops. I am very excited, ever since I went on an Alaskan cruise I have wanted to do another. It's a short cruise, but it will be so nice.

We are also planning another trip to Door County, which will be very nice too. This time it will be warm enough to really enjoy the outdoors as much as we enjoyed the food and the lodging.

Also, I am venturing up to Minneapolis this June to take a weeklong workshop through the Split Rock Arts Program. It is in mixed media bookmaking. I will create two artists books in that week. This is another reason I am excited about my manuscript. It is made up of two long projects which I could use as a basis for the two book projects.

As for the rest of the summer I hope to do some work with orientation and any other opportunities that pop up, to keep me busy. But for now it looks like I won't have much else going on. Ahhh, a real summer. I have had so few summer breaks. I can't wait.

it'll grow back, it'll grow back, it'll grow back . . .

2007-02-20T18:07:00.000-06:00

Hey all,
Sean is cleaning up his image for a good cause. St Baldrick's day is just around the corner and folks are gearing up to shave their heads to raise money for kids with cancer. Sean will probably look even more like a serial killer than usual, but hey he's willing to make that sacrifice. And, since he won't let me cut my hair I have to at least help him spread the word.

To help him raise money, go here
and donate.

Thanks everyone!

5 Questions from Sean

2007-02-12T22:26:00.000-06:00

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I respond by asking you five questions of a very inane and creepily surreal nature. (Or maybe they'll just be questions...)
3. You will update your LJ/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

1. What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Easy

2. What is the deal with Jack Horkheimer?
If you don't understand the wonderfulness that is Jack, you'll never understand me.

3. How stunned are you that your mother hasn't disowned you?
"Whaa-ah?"

4. What have you done recently to prepare for the zombies?
I have contacted a woman willing to sell me a penguin, but it might mean not having a down-payment on the condo.

5. Who would win in a fight, Rivers Cuomo or a typical 5 year old?
5 year old hands down. Even the 5 year old Rivers Cuomo would win against the present day Rivers Cuomo and send him away to a corner crying.

2007-01-04T11:53:00.001-06:00

Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey.

VA-CUUM

2006-12-05T22:49:00.000-06:00

So, I have been pretty stressed out, and just all around sick of responsibilities lately. The other day I got to the point of entertaining ideas about how I could avoid responsibilities for the rest of my life. I thought maybe I could fake retardation like slow Donnie(David Cross) on Just Shoot Me. Apparently, I'm not the only one who's considered this option

This time, they've broken the contract

2006-11-30T11:19:00.000-06:00

It's no secret, I don't care for pigeons. But I admit, a couple of months ago as I sat down on the train and two landed next to me I wasn't totally freaked out or annoyed. It was kind of amusing. But now that these pigeons are apparently making a daily commute from Roger's Park to Uptown, it's gone too far. You've got wings, use 'em!

passing it along

2006-11-16T20:18:00.000-06:00

unfortunate URLs

thanks Daniela!

I still want my hour back

2006-10-29T06:50:00.000-06:00

So, last night Sean and I went to a birthday/Halloween party at a pub in Lincoln Park. For the most part the night was going well. I managed to score a sweet parking spot right outside the pub which made me think, hey my luck is really good right now. And even though I was really tired all night I stuck it out as well as I could knowing it's time to turn the clocks back an hour plus I have nothing to do tomorrow but watch the Bears at noon so there's plenty of time for sleeping tomorrow. So after hanging at the bar for a while we head out to get food because we hadn't eaten dinner. Eat our late night meal, say goodbye to Sean's roommate (who is biking to the same neighborhood as us) and head home about 1:30. It's way later than I can normally stay awake but I know I will have no trouble getting home. Lake Shore Drive is pretty empty and we're making good time. We stop at the red light as LSD turns into Sheridan/Hollywood and with the lack of motion I realize how much I am looking forward to getting to bed and hoping I won't have a hard time finding a parking spot (after all I have been pretty lucky lately with parking). Then BOOM-JOLT we're hit from behind. You've got to be kidding me.

I get out and get my phone to call 911 and find out what to do, I'm freezing by the way. I've never been in an accident as a driver before so I'm really not sure what you're supposed to do, but I know from experience that you have to fill out a report and exchange information. There is little damage to my car, as far as I can see, scratches. And the other person's car is fine. I'm told by the operator to exchange drivers licenses and insurance information and drive to the nearest station to fill out a police report. The other woman driving was very nervous, but at least willing to give me what information she can (a state ID and non-owners insurance) and as I am shaking (freezing and exhausted) writing everything down she starts asking me how much the damage will cost and can she pay me in installments and I am like shut up I'm not a body repair person and I don't know how this works. I don't actually say that, I am writing, but Sean says let's get the information taken care of and worry about that later. She apologizes for hitting us saying, "I was looking at the baby." And I think "that's great you're a dumbass and a mother." So I tell her where the police station is and she looks at me blankly and we tell her to follow. So we start driving and I go pretty slowly keeping a close eye on my rearview mirror to make sure she hasn't decided to just make a wrong turn and ditch us. About a block and a half from the location the operator told us the station is at I see a cop car and wish I could stop and ask him more specific directions because the alleged station is at an intersection I pass on a near-daily basis and I don't recall ever seeing a station there. Well then I hear CRASH from behind, but no . In the rearview mirror I see our companion has hit a car parked on the side of the street. The cop does a U-ey and I pull to the side put on my blinkers and Sean and I go back to find out what we are supposed to do now. The cops are at her car scolding her for something I hadn't realized before, the baby wasn't in a car seat. The other passenger in the car moved from the front to the back when we were exchanging info before which I thought was odd, and now I understand. The cops look at us like we're crazy for approaching them and we explain that we were on our way to the station because she hit us a few blocks back, so what do we do? They roll their eyes, one continues berating her calling for an ambulance for her and the baby. They aren't sure at first what to do with us and finally send us ahead to the station.

So, we get to the station and at first as we try to explain the situation the woman behind the desk seems a little confused and annoyed with us. She questions me about having Iowa license plates and drivers license with Illinois insurance, this is something that has baffled me too. I explain I am a student and my permanent residence is Iowa but my insurance agent wouldn't cover me being out of state most of the year. As she works on the report her demeanor is less surly. She asked the other officer there a couple times info about the computers, something about it's just after one, blah blah blah--I have totally forgotten about daylight saving by then. So she finishes filling out the forms saying, "you have a choice, because of the time change our computer system is down right now, so you can either sit down and wait 45 minutes or you can come back and pick up the report tomorrow or we can mail it to you." Then the other officer pipes in, well you're over on Pratt right?" and I say yeah, and he says "oh we could just have a car pop over and drop it off, do you have a mailbox?" and I explain no, just numbers and they're locked. He says oh, you should just come by and pick it up. Which is what I decide to do. So the one doing the report says, ok I'll just put it in an envelope with your name on it and tape it here to the desk and you come back for it tomorrow. They were so nice to us at this point, how sweet. So, finally we leave and it's only 1:15 and Sean points out that his coworker probably beat us home on her bike by like half an hour, and I'm glad for her I didn't offer to put her bike in the trunk and drive her.

But hey, Sean won the contest for the scariest costume. It's too bad he took it off before we drove home, it might have made the incident way more interesting.

Return of the Weekend

2006-10-20T12:51:00.000-05:00

So, for once I don't really have any obligations for the weekend, no meetings, no appointments, no major crises (yet). And Sean is out of town for the weekend (boo). He just left this morning (I assume he left, he was supposed to) and I have already been going through withdrawal of two of the sites he visits over and over and over and over. So I thought I would inflict them on the rest of the world.
This commercial has resulted in a new version of slug bug. Every time Sean sees an Element he now pinches me.
This one is for John.

YAY weekend!

more writing on the walls

2006-10-19T22:20:00.000-05:00

I received news today that one of my poems was selected for the Harrison Haiku project. YAY! Once they install the pieces in the subway I will be sure to post a pic. Of course, that means I will have to go to the Harrison subway stop at some point. I'm also thinking that maybe I should send some work out to journals, maybe.

one reason I miss des moines

2006-10-17T18:27:00.000-05:00

yeah

Woo-hoo-hoo.

2006-10-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

A couple of days ago I realized that a shirt a got at the Rentals show this summer has been missing since I bought it. I also knew I had to work on rearranging the summer/winter clothes in my dressers and closets. My mania for wanting to find the rentals shirt helped me along. I cleaned out my dressers last night but never found the shirt. Today I started getting itchy to find the shirt again so I went through my whole closet. Finally, I gave up. My winter clothes are more accessible, yay, and I managed to get rid of two shopping bags of old clothes (this is a huge step for me--I'm awful about holding on to clothes I don't/can't wear). (of course I also bought three bags worth this morning). But. at least I accomplished something. So after giving up, I started to ponder doing some laundry and I was straightening up the last bits of stuff that got moved around while trying to sort out the clothes situation. Last night I had put a small pile of random items that were on the floor of my closet on top of my laundry basket, and holy shit, there's the shirt. I'm so happy right now. I got this huge task done and found my shirt. I just wish it fit. damn!

I had no idea

2006-08-16T21:03:00.000-05:00

Wow! I am pretty sure when New Horizons reaches Pluto in 2015 it will discover the 70's. I just never imagined one of our planets was a giant disco ball!

mneh

2006-08-03T21:05:00.000-05:00

blah blah blah

Everything's coming up Milhouse!

2006-08-01T19:15:00.000-05:00

Looka' me I'm in the duggout!!

Last week Sean & I went to Grinder Bash at Sox field. It was fun. See don't I look happy.

We got free food and got to hang out in the visitor clubhouse and in the Scout Seat Lounge. It woulda been even cooler if we got to chow down on all the munchies in the clubhouse:

I know I haven't posted much over the summer. Before I started working I was busy, doing nothing. And as we all know nothing comes from nothing so I had nothing to say. Now I am busy working. I just finished one of my jobs yesterday. I loved it, it was so much fun. I am now in the midst of my second job which I am loving even more. Plus it's nice to finally have a little money, no matter how little. Just to know I am getting paid makes things a little easier.

Also, over the last month I have been trying to lose some of my happy fat (since dating Sean I've gained a little, it happens). But I have lost about 10 pounds so far. It's not exactly melting from my middle but I know I have to be patient and it will take more than 10 pounds to really make a difference there anyway. Plus I already feel the benefits of eating better and exercising (semi) regularly. (no i haven't been very good about biking in this heat). But I know my blood pressure and pulse have improved--probably also due to the drastic cut in caffeine.

Otherwise I've just been hanging out. We've gone to a lot of Sox games, which are still fun even if they aren't doing so well lately. Also, Sean and I have been trying to make our season passes to Six Flags worth it. I never thought I would enjoy water parks so much. Oh yeah, and I have been reading, a lot. Way more than I usually read. I've torn through about 12 books in the last 3 weeks. (all prose, I am on a poetry diet for the next two weeks). It's been about half and half fiction and non. Lots of David Sedaris and Italo Calvino, some Yoshimoto, Marquez and Nabokov--all my faves.

I'm also looking around for books/essays for my classes that start this Fall. I don't think I have ever been so excited to start teaching again. I usually get nervous. But I am going back to Composition One which I really think is my niche. Plus I will be teaching Intro to College Writing, which I am really excited about. Yay for ending sentences with prepositions! As for the class I am teaching now, it is going really well. It's really small, only 7 students. And they are all really terrific. Every semester I feel like I am blessed with the best students. And I feel like I am back in the swing of it. Last semester felt off kilter and the semester before I never felt like I was doing enough for them. But it all feels right again.

Life is good.

Happy Birthday Ken Burns!

2006-07-29T17:59:00.000-05:00

Yay! to celebrate I forsee watching discs 2-4 of The Civil War tonight.

My heart going boom boom boom

2006-07-29T14:32:00.000-05:00

The Shining was nothing like this trailer promised.

God only knows how much worse my recent phase of nightmares will get now that I've finally seen it.

Overheard in Chicago

2006-07-21T12:01:00.000-05:00

The other day on the train there were these two guys that got on (middle aged white men) and one of them sat down next to me and immediately I got a whiff of that wet-the-bed odor. Yuck, anyway, after I got over that, Man #1 opened the Red Eye and started reading some stats on ethnic make-up of different neighborhoods, stating some out loud to Man #2. Then this happened
Man #1: No, you'd be white non-hispanic.
Man #2: I'm not white, I'm German.
Man #1: Oh, I guess you'd be other. What is other? You're either black, white, Asian or Hispanic, what the hell is other?
Man #2 sits silently looking uncomfortable.
Man #1 finally says: Maybe other is Ecuadorian. It must be Ecuadorian.
Man #2: Where is Ecuador?

I just had to share.

Speaking of overheard tidbits, my bro overheard a gem at the beach, check it out

"Punch" A.J.

2006-07-04T08:47:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone in blogland. Please go here (then click the appropriate link below the headline) and vote for A.J. Pierzynski for the final spot on the all star roster. You can vote 25 times per email address.

It was glorious when A.J. got his revenge on the Cubs' catcher Barrett by hitting the 3-run homer to win Saturday's game at Wrigley. (and despite having to go to Wrigley to see it I'm glad I was there) But it would be even more beautiful for him to get to the All-Star game through this ingenious campaign.

By the way, I have to say my first experiences at Wrigley were not that great and honestly I don't care to ever return. I was going to go on with a list of complaints but there's no point. I'm sure people love it for their reasons just as I love Sox Park for mine. But I came to this town totally neutral, if not leaning for the Cubs (after all I am from Iowa). But after experiencing obnoxious fans on the train, in and around Wrigleyville and now inside their own park I know I made the right choice. I would be ashamed if I were associated with them after seeing what the fans did to the field on Saturday--throwing cups and trash and cubs hats--out on the field because of A.J.'s homer. What sorry sad losers. I was also annoyed by having to watch where I was walking because there was so much trash on the concourses as we left, come on people throw your stuff away in cans like civilized people.

Anyway, that's all. Now go vote for A.J.

wow

2006-06-20T11:10:00.000-05:00

I just can't stop shaking my head. I usually try to speed right by them not looking, but now I understand what people mean when they compare things to car wrecks, I just couldn't keep myself from looking at this.

And then there's this. When I first heard this version in a Chuck E. Cheese's I was appalled, but now I am delighted.

Really you should just go here and enjoy them all yourself.

I don't want to live on the moon

2006-06-13T11:38:00.000-05:00

This post was brought to you by the letter "C" and the number "4"

2006-06-05T11:23:00.000-05:00

You scored as Jean Grey. Jean Grey is likely the most powerful X-Man. She loves Cyclops very much but she has a soft spot for Wolverine. She's psychic so she can sense how others are feeling and tries to help them. She also has to control her amazing powers or the malevolent Phoenix entity could take control of her and wreak havok. Powers: Telekinetic, Telepathic

Jean Grey

85%

Colossus

85%

Cyclops

80%

Gambit

80%

Storm

70%

Nightcrawler

70%

Wolverine

65%

Rogue

65%

Beast

60%

Emma Frost

60%

Iceman

50%

Most Comprehensive X-Men Personality Quiz 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com

home again

2006-06-02T09:38:00.000-05:00

So, at least I posted a couple quizes in the mean time, but I have been gone a while. After school ended I spent a week in Des Moines & Adel, Iowa, working on cleaning out my parents' basement and clearing out a farm shed. I got to spend a couple of evenings with friends and I indeed did get to see Cloris Leachman get her honorary MFA from Drake. It was a pretty good trip. When I came back I went to a couple Sox games and went to my first night of the summer class I am taking. Then I hopped back on the highway and spent a few days with my family in Minneapolis for my niece's belated birthday party. She is now 14 months and absolutely adorable.

I drove back Sunday morning and I have been an invalid ever since. I think my brother saved up some of his cold germs and passed them on to me before I left the cities. I have felt like crap and the hot weather has not been helping. It's also been driving me nuts that my apartment was a wreck before I left (because it always gets nasty at the end of the semester) and so the few days I have been here I have tried to get it tidied. I rearranged my bedroom last week and I spent yesterday getting my livingroom back in order and I feel much better. Now what do I do?

I am unemployed until July when I will have two jobs. (oh yeah, I got another job that I didn't apply for, which starts just before Bridge and runs alongside it for a week). I am hoping to get by on 2200 bucks until I get some more cash, which might not be until the end of July (possibly later eek!). In the mean time my goal is to not worry about money and just enjoy a month of joblessness. But I promise I will not become a lazy bum. Here's my to-do list for today:

Watch Kill Bill Vol. 1
Do some origami
Go for a long walk
Read something that is in no way related to poetry, maybe a comic book or Mad magazine.
Do some Sudoku
Go to the beach
take a nap

Maybe tomorrow I will do something more constructive like reconstruct my Comp 1 class or prepare for Bridge, or maybe start writing poetry again, do my homework. Oh wait, no, tomorrow's Saturday. I really should just enjoy the weekend.

androgynous

2006-05-25T23:42:00.000-05:00

You scored as Either. You brain is neither specifically male nor female dominated in the way you perceive things and as bad as this sounds it can easily mean that you are capable of combining both limiting gender aspects to your advantage. Rather than being genderless you are possibly able think freely. This does not nec. mean that you are bisexual or androgynous or indecisive, though it might.

Either

75%

Female

61%

Male

39%

Neither

25%

Should you be MALE or FEMALE?*
created with QuizFarm.com

just call me "inveny"

2006-05-22T03:41:00.000-05:00

My Personal Dna Report

i am so going to hell

2006-05-21T16:18:00.000-05:00

Your Deadly Sins

Pride: 100%

Envy: 80%

Lust: 60%

Wrath: 60%

Greed: 40%

Sloth: 40%

Gluttony: 20%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 57%

You will die of malnutrition, after the Olson twins make dying of malnutrition trendy.

How Sinful Are You?

p.s. I can't believe they misspelled "Olsen."

Clorox Bleach Man

2006-05-12T12:20:00.000-05:00

You take the good, you take the bad, you take 'em both and there you have, Amanda's triumphant return to Des Moines. So I just got the call inviting me to the official Facts of Life dvd release party hapnin' tomorrow night around Drake. The next day I get to see Cloris Leachman receive an honorary Masters of Fine Arts degree from Drake. This is all just bonus for going to see some of my old employees (and very good friends) walk across that stage. Now, if only Mackenzie Astin was going to be there.

Another year done

2006-05-12T10:59:00.000-05:00

I have just finished calculating the grades of my students, they've been submitted and now I am finally done. (Oh crap, I just remembered one more thing I am supposed to do, but it is something for work that I was asked to do by someone who isn't my supervisor. Do I have to do it?)

Well I am done for now anyway. This was a pretty great semester over all. I feel very accomplished in many ways. I am already thinking ahead that next year there will be even more new responsibilities; but in the mean time I am going to bask in my success while I can.

Teaching this semester really was very refreshing. While last fall I started to doubt this calling, the success of my students this semester should stand as testement to my abilities. I know that probably sounds egotistical, but I have to start admitting my abilities to myself. It was pointed out to me yesterday what a great accomplishment it is to not lose or have to fail any students (especially in an enhanced class). In three semesters I have only lost one student and that feels really good.

Working in the advocate program has also been incredibly rewarding. I have gotten to know so many other people on the faculty and more doors have opened to me. It's been such a great experience.

As for the upcoming hiatus in learning, teaching, & advocating, I am dedicating my time to preparing for applying to PhD programs, working on my thesis and manuscript, getting back in shape, hanging out at the beach, and maybe even start thinking about looking into this whole publishing thing.

Edit: Oh yeah, in other good news, this morning I fit into an old pair of jeans I've been avoiding. I suppose I will continue to work on my eating habits since it's paying off.

Happy summer y'all.

75 Bands

2006-05-05T07:48:00.000-05:00

Can you find the 75 bands in this picture?

a couple of us have listed our answers in the comment section

a quote

2006-05-04T14:25:00.000-05:00

"Everyone starts at the beginning of the road, and the world is an endless state of childhood."
(from Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih)

Columbia Poetry Review Launch Tonight!!

2006-05-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

Come one, come all to the CPR release party & reading. Lots of us have been working our butts off to put it all together, so come and celebrate with us.
It's taking place in Collins Hall (the sixth floor) of 624 S Michigan Ave. Festivities begin around 5:30 (TONIGHT MAY 4th). Copies of the journal are hot off the presses and will be on sale at a super special price (five bucks). And as the flyer says, Refreshments will be awesome!

end transmission

Now an important message from Amandapants

2006-05-02T23:39:00.000-05:00

Good juvenile fun:
put ITunes on shuffle, take first 20 titles that come up, and add "in my pants" to the end of it (I of course can never stop when told to do so, I kept on going)

1. The Gash in my pants
2. Closer in my pants
3. Reconsider Baby in my pants
4. St James Infirmary Blues in my pants
5. Breathe me in my pants
6. LP Retreat in my pants
7. Where It’s At in my pants
8. St Clarie in my pants
9. My Dog Was Lost But Now He’s Found in my pants
10. There’s a Doctor in my pants
11. See/Believe in my pants
12. Dirty Harry in my pants
13. You Were Always on My Mind in my pants
14. I’m So Lonsesome I could Cry in my pants
15. The House that Jack Built in my pants
16. Bye Bye Bird in my pants
17. Everything’s Not Lost in my pants
18. The Wrong Band in my pants
19. Rollin’ and Tumblin’ in my pants
20. She Bop in my pants
21. Chemistry in my pants
22. We Didn’t Start the Fire in my pants
23. It Could Be You in my pants
24. Sign of Love in my pants
25. Tales of Brave Ulysses in my pants

Blar. boredom

2006-05-01T17:07:00.000-05:00

So, I am finally finished with most of my responsibilities--to the point I don't really have anything to do in my "free time"--the time I usually use getting things done. So, now it really is free time. And now I don't know what I am supposed to do with all this time. If I were at home I would be cleaning my apartment or getting caught up with all my netflix movies. I just don't know what to do with myself right now.

done & almost done

2006-04-28T14:42:00.000-05:00

The Composition Colloquium is over & now I can insert experience in the "teaching workshop" section of my slowly growing teaching resume. It went so well. I was a little scared about teaching teachers, especially considering their experience compared to mine (I was literally the least experienced instructor in the room with only 9 credit hours under my belt). But they were all so great and fully participated! What a great experience.
YAY!!!

I go sleep now?

NO! Actually I am feeling energized, so I am going to get as much work done in the next few hours that I can.
Just a few more tasks before summer. I can do it.

MERCY!

2006-04-27T19:49:00.000-05:00

okay okay, I give. I am burnt out.

Good Idea / Bad Idea

2006-04-27T12:03:00.000-05:00

I just learned that Animaniacs will be released, finally, this summer: July 25th. I have been waiting.

In the mean time let me provide you with some advice I wanted to give to a man I saw this morning on my way to work:

Good idea: taking your dog out
Bad idea: wearing in-line skates while taking your dog out

he almost really did take his dog out: "ker-splat" poor pooch.

KLUGMAN!!!

2006-04-27T11:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Jack! (he's 84 today)

the coolest people ever are Taureans.

This is why I should not be allowed to think. . . ever

2006-04-26T22:34:00.000-05:00

This morning waiting for my bus to come, another was pulling away from the curb and for the first time I really noticed how big the tires on the bus are and I thought, "god it would suck to get a flat on a bus."

Tonight, I just missed a bus by like seconds. Grr, so I patiently waited for the next. It came finally and we started out northward. Then halfway up LSD we pull over. WHY GOD? WHY DOES MY MIND HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN? The driver crept up to our exit until finally he pulled over and we had to wait for another bus to come and pick us all up. I finally got home, uggh.

I want to sleeppp
but first, I wonder what it would be like if the Sox could beat Seatle tonight?

29 day 1

2006-04-26T00:04:00.000-05:00

Well at least the Sox were nice enough to win for me today, even though I was too tired to stay awake to root for them. Oh no! It's now April 26th. Bye bye birthday.

p.s. Happy Birthday Joe Crede!

Free Ice Cream

2006-04-25T08:33:00.000-05:00

Go out and get yourself some free ice cream today. In honor of moi Ben & Jerry's is giving away free scoops! Really!

Brirthday Meme

2006-04-25T08:32:00.000-05:00

Wikipedia Birthday Meme
Go to Wikipedia, enter in your birth date but not the year. List three neat events, three births and two deaths, include the year.

3 Neat events: Whatever, it's MY birthday, I am listing 4
1792 - Highwayman Nicolas J. Pelletier becomes the first person executed by guillotine.
1847 - The last survivors of the Donner Party are out of the wilderness.
1901 - New York becomes the first U.S. state to require automobile license plates.
1983 - Pioneer 10 travels beyond Pluto's orbit.

3 Births: I'll compromise, I am putting 3 living & three dead
1908 - Edward R. Murrow, American journalist (d. 1965)
1911 - Jack Ruby, American assassin (d. 1967)
1917 - Ella Fitzgerald, American singer (d. 1996)
1940 - Al Pacino, American actor
1964 - Hank Azaria, American actor
1970 - Jason Lee, American actor

2 Deaths
1744 - Anders Celsius, Swedish astronomer (b. 1701)
2002 - Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, rapper (b. 1971)

More Bragging Rights

2006-04-20T10:20:00.000-05:00

At some point in my life I might actually have to interview for a job. But as long as people want to continue dropping them in my lap, I am happy to accept.

I recall about a year ago I was spending many afternoons at the beach and at one point had the thought, "god I really don't want to apply for a summer job, surely something will come up." A day later, prayers were answered and I got the advocate gig which included a month of "training" and just enough dough to slide through summer. Well since I am trained that means no summertime advocate hours this time around. So, this spring I started having the same feelings as last year--how nice it would be to spend my time at the beach rather than working at some crappy summer job.

But after being told to do so, I submitted my resume to teach in the college's bridge program. I expected there to be this tedious interview process, and since I am still kinda new at the teaching thing, I didn't have high hopes. Well, a couple days ago the coordinator asked if we could talk about it, I assumed it would be an interview or pre-interview thing. Well I went down to chat with her and she handed me some materials so I can start preparing for the job. YAY!! I love being the golden child with amazing luck. (And I love only having to work one month out of 3). I know you are all thinking that I am lazy and that I totally suck. Yeah, I do. Whatchya gonna do about it?

I'm picking out a thermos for you . . .

2006-04-19T12:38:00.000-05:00

Strange Day

First, on dreams:
I've been having some crazy-ass dreams lately. The dreams I had last night weren't even all that weird--the last one was something about one of my brothers turning into Darth Vader and taking over the world. At some ceremony to welcome him to power and the upcoming end of the world there was a procession of people carrying free thermoses, which he was handing out to people. They were snoopy thermoses and I got really sad because I couldn't have one. (I didn't show up in time). So I was picking through this table of other free stuff, all snoopy items, keychains, coinpurses, etc and just taking everything I could get my hands on, but I really wanted a thermos.

Anyway, what was amusing to me about this dream was the scenery. I have realized that my dream is recycling sets from old dreams, but the decor has been changed to fit the dream. I guess it's not so much "sets" but there are certain layouts to buildings or houses or whatever the place I am in that are recurring, but like I said the decor has been changed. While waiting for bro-vader to arrive I ran into an Italian restaurant to use the bathroom and it had the same floorplans as a recreation and fitness center I had been to in another dream months ago.

Another thing that was odd was that in my dream I had trouble seeing things because I got an aura migraine in the dream. When I woke up I actually did have an aura migraine, it was at the end of its cycle just skirting my vision. I am way too tired right now to even ponder how the aura made it into my dreams--I mean it does make sense, I suppose it's like when you are dreaming and hear something that makes its way into your dream, but it still was very odd.

After all this the day started off really crappy--annoyed by miscommunications and buses that never come. I did a bunch of class visits to promote the advocate program and got reassurance that it is in no danger of being cut. Yay, i might still have a job next fall. So slowly things have turned around. Teaching went really well, the students I wanted to strangle a week ago have improved their attitudes and caught up on their work. We are essentially workshopping for the rest of the semester. The students have picked up really quickly how to give constructive feedback and directing a workshop comes pretty naturally to me. The last couple of sessions have gone really well and I just feel energized now.

I hope the rest of today goes as well.

Yay! for Baseball & Spring

2006-04-14T15:37:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to post these for a while, they're from a couple weeks ago at my first Sox game of the season. It was the second game, where they did the ring ceremony. They gave away 20,000 replica rings, but Sean and I didn't get there early enough, boo! I'm going to my second, third, and possibly fourth games of the season over the weekend. I am very excited.

Life has been good the last few days--not that it wasn't before, but I can definitely feel the relief of a lot of stress passing. Things are going okay for the events I have to plan and I only have one "big" assignment left (actually a minor presentation for a class I'm not even enrolled in). Anyway, the weather has been amazing and if I hadn't been so downright lazy today I would have gone out to play. I wish I were a little more tough against the elements too, allergies and sunsickness have already hit me bad this spring. The good thing is I have quit Mt Dew, (for rill rill). It's been almost a week, and actually I haven't had any caffienated beverages, but I have had chocolate--mostly in ho ho and donut form. mmm ho hos. Its strange though that without drinking mt dew, I haven't been craving candy the way I normally do. I have tons of Robin Eggs around and I haven't even wanted them, poor unwanted robin eggs.

blimp sighting

2006-04-14T15:29:00.000-05:00

21 Jump Street

I can't wait until I win the name the blimp contest and my ultimate lifelong dream of flying in a dirigible comes true. One of the best parts is I will have control of the message board and I will tell the world how I really feel.

weeee! (oh . . . WE)

2006-04-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

Create your own Music List @ HotFreeLayouts!

641family

2006-04-11T22:02:00.000-05:00

I wish I could find more on this show, it is my new favortite thing in the world. It airs at random times (well somewhat random around 10:20-11:50 on Saturday mornings) on the Korean Broadcast Station. I gather it is somewhat like a Korean kid-friendly version of Malcolm in the Middle about this family of geniuses. But all you really need to know is it rocks.

WTF?

2006-04-11T19:50:00.000-05:00

Well I certainly didn't expect to find this, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. It's kind of like the time I happened across a bounty hunter site.

umm, happy Easter???

Then I remembered these.

the end of an era

2006-04-11T18:46:00.000-05:00

Saturday was the last time I drank Mt. Dew. I had a can in the morning and then just decided to stop. I've been addicted to it since I was about 5 years old. I have never really drank anything else on a regular basis (except water). I have only "quit" drinking it three times before, twice while traveling abroad and once when I was on a medication that made it taste awful (along with everything else I ate and drank). Anyway, I have made it through the last few days just fine as far as not wanting to drink it anymore. I've even got like 18 cans left hanging around in the kitchen and I haven't been tempted. I am going to move them down to my car trunk later and donate them to the CPR launch party. But I have felt kind of crappy. I thought quitting would also help me sleep well, something that is rare for me anyway. However, I have been having an even harder time sleeping and feeling exhausted all the time. I'm assuming if it's related to the lack of dew it is temporary. It probably seems like I am making way too big a deal about it, but I know others who are addicted to Mt Dew and they understand the need for it. Sure, it's not like I am quitting smoking, but I've tried to do it before by weaning myself from it, but always failed. Anyway, I am hoping cold turkey works and that this is a permanent thing. Wish me luck.

mmmm Crab. . .

2006-04-07T20:24:00.000-05:00

So I was watching Check Please, a kid's version, and they reviewed a crab place. I want crab. . . again. Also, very entertaining was how the two little girl reviewers were trying to talk over each other and they were shooting looks at each other like they were gonna fight. it was great.
i'm bored. and i want crab.

2006-04-07T15:52:00.000-05:00

Take the quiz:
Which Full House Character Are u?

Michelle
Aww..You're the cute one...

Well DUH!! Just look at me
<--------------

Rip Van Winkling

2006-04-07T10:04:00.000-05:00

SLEEP, GLORIOUS SLEEP.
I finally got a good long night's sleep. 9 hours. I got up feeling energetic, did some time on the bike and I'm still going strong. I think I might have finally kicked the exhaustion. I want to go outside for a walk but it is raining. I might go anyway. I suppose I should get some things done soon. But I don't want to stress myself out too much. My only real duties this weekend is to catch up on sleep, and I am going to do that like it's my job.

Things I have realized while doing homework

2006-04-01T23:20:00.000-06:00

Watching Svengoolie is condusive to writing talking points.

Chuck Woolery and Erik Estrada are trying to sell me land, and I actually was compelled to look into it. I'm worried about me.

Fast food commercials are getting more and more disturbing.
exhibit A
exhibit B

And then there is this which I find slightly amusing, but still a little strange.

But the most important thing I have taken away from this is that I need to finish school because then I will probably watch a lot less tv.

While channel surfing before delving into my homework I came across "The Ring" then I came across this:

2006-04-01T21:09:00.000-06:00

When the girl from The Ring climbed out of Vin Diesel's TV, he stood up, cleared his throat, stretched calmly, and booted her straight back in.

get your facts here

Then I found this:

A random fact about Mr. T...

When Mr.T was on the price is right in 1979, he pitied Bob Barker, then he held the wheel still as he spun the world around it.

CRAB

2006-03-31T15:02:00.000-06:00

The downside of spring is that it beckons my crab cravings from the depths of my hunger. I got my first taste of the season last week and I have not stopped thinking about it since. I WANT CRAB LEGS!!! I have been promised crab a couple times toward the end of April, beginning of May. BUT I WANT CRAB LEGS NOW!!!

LATER . . .

Amanda's craving: 1
Amanda's willpower: 0

to the beach!

2006-03-31T12:58:00.000-06:00

I just had to go.

If this isn't an invitation to go outside, I don't know what is. . .

2006-03-31T10:30:00.000-06:00

I love East window.
I love clouds.
I love lake.

Bragging Rights

2006-03-29T23:01:00.000-06:00

I rarely flaunt my accomplishments, but something recently happened that I just have to share. I was nominated for an Excellence in Teaching award. I have only been teaching for three semesters, but nothing in my life has felt so natural. What makes the nomination feel really great is that I have only had a total of about 30 students in those three semesters, and one of them took the time to write up a nomination for me. I got similar warm fuzzies when six of them sought me out for a second semester of composition. I know people always say they are happy to just be nominated for such things, and now I know what they mean. The fact that it came from a student though is what makes it so special.

As natural as teaching feels though, it's strange how awful I have gotten at giving presentations as a student. I used to be good at presentations--really good. Despite my quiet manner and all around anti-social way of life I have always been really good at getting up in front of people and being an expert. But yesterday I blew it, big time. Ick. Luckily I know that I'm not that big of an ass in the classes I teach. Hey, I have the nomination to prove it.

A-? I am such a failure

2006-03-29T12:24:00.000-06:00

You Have A Type A- Personality

A-

You are one of the most balanced people around
Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want
You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you.

When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back
Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love!
You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Never come between a girl and her pickle

2006-03-29T12:07:00.000-06:00

The last time I went to Panera I ordered a new sandwich and it was supposed to come with a pickle, according to the menu board. I looked in my bag to make sure that I got my side, an apple--because sometimes they forget--and I saw the apple, but there was no pickle. Well I told the dude & he told me hot sandwiches don't come with pickles. Well this sandwich is a "Signature sandwich" and according to the menu, it does come with a pickle. So this time I decided to ask if they actually come with pickles like it says on the menu, and the cashier walked over to the preparation area and told them to give me my pickle. The only problem was that the one guy who gave me a hard time about it in the first place wasn't there. On the bright side however, I got two pickles.