Kermit D. Blog

2003-03-17T00:29:00.000-05:00

Home again, home again

Jiggity jig. (I almost typed "juggity." Yeah, I'm a little tired)

Back from the Ray Kayser Memorial Bonspiel up in scenic Rochester, NY. Had the most fantabulous time EVER. We left after my Russian Lit midterm on Thursday, and made fantastic time. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, we lost 50 degrees. We think they're floating around Pennsylvania. So, yeah, we went from 70 degree weather to 20 degree weather, but it was more than made up for in the following days. Our first draw was at 10:15 on Thursday night, and we got there with time to relax and have dinner and all sorts of good stuff. I was approached by a woman there (I can't remember her name off the top of my head) who said that she had found my journal by searching for the Kayser, and had been reading it. A bit weird and disconcerting, but kind of cool, eh. So, a big shout-out to you if you're still reading, and drop a line.

We, unfortunately, lost our first two games, but we held our own pretty well. We lost the first to a home team that each had 4 years of experience, and only by 2 in the 8th end. Our second game we lost to another home team that had a bit more experience than us, and that was by mere *inches* in an extra end. Eeep! But, somehow, we managed to pull not one, not two, but three more wins out of our asses to make it to the third event semi-finals. I don't think I've had more stressful games than last night's and this morning's. But someone was on our side, because ended up pulling it off. 10 end game, score - 12 to 11. Big shiny pins, and a nifty wine glass to us. Not to mention our complete and utter wonder and surprise. But it was good. We've never played so well - either individually or as a team, so it really made us happy that we pulled together like that. Even in the first two games where we lost, we weren't at all upset, because we knew that we had played really well.

So, now it's off to bed, because work in the morning. But at least my big shiny pin will make the day a little easier.

(squeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

2003-03-04T16:56:00.000-05:00

ALSERTKJNEAWOIHFDLJN

That about sums up how I feel right now. Have a midterm at 6:10. ::looks at clock:: It's 4:53. I'm not at all prepared. This is that class where I really don't like the professor, and don't feel like I've learned anything useful. But I've heard that his tests are killer, and all about how *he* wants you to phrase things. Which really just trips me up. And there are going to quotes. I'm going to have to identify quotes. From about a bajillion speeches. "No, don't memorize them" he told us. Then how are we supposed to recognize them? ::sigh:: I just. Ugh. And I tried to study last night, but I was so tired I fell asleep. And today I've had *no* ability to concentrate whatsoever, which doesn't really surprise me because that's what happens to me before any big test. So, I've looked over my notes. Big deal. This is going to suck. A lot. But at least then we've got bad-tv-tuesday, and J will make me drinks. At least the day won't be a complete loser.

2003-03-02T02:13:00.000-05:00

Whoo whoo weekend

Or something like that. Friday, got my 2nd Russian exam back. 78. Not splendid, but significantly better than the 64 I got on the first one. So, that was a happy. Friday night. Huh. Been working today on about an hour and a half of sleep. Let's just leave it at that for now, k?

Today was our MACA at the curling club, which I ended up being the sole coordinator for. Spend most of yesterday and this morning in a state of near-nervous-breakdown, but things ended up going pretty well. There was enough food, there were teams for everybody, people had fun. Objectives fulfilled. But it was definitely a long and nerve wracking day. At least we've got a year before the next one. Eeek! After curling, headed over to JEB's to meet up with B for the They Might be Giants concert tonight. Hung out with J&B for a while (and Stephanie joined us for a bit, as well) and we went to Noodles & Co for dinner. Mmmm. Headed to the 9:30 club for the show. Opening Act? Ohmygod the most terrible thing I had ever heard. She only sang 4 or 5 songs, and it was 4 or 5 too many. B said the only opening act he's ever seen that's worse was this guy with just an accoustic guitar and a beat box. But she was definitely the worst I'd ever seen. Definite odd moment of the evening... between the opening act and the headliner, they play music over the loudspeaker, like just about any other club. So, this one song starts up, the first few bars, and I'm thinking "I know this song" and then the words start, and it's "Sonic Reducer" from HCL. So, then I had to explain to B why I was laughing. He probably just thinks I'm nuts. TMbG was great - I'm so glad I went. I had never seen them live before, and they're a lot of fun. I'm not a huge fan of theirs, but I enjoy their music. Sang along to the songs I knew, swayed to the ones I didn't, and generally had a good time. But it was definitely just what I needed - to be able to just close my eyes and let the music pulse through me. I feel better than I have all week.

2003-02-26T13:51:00.000-05:00

Funny how it works that way

Today’s going pretty well. In fact, aside from a) missing Int’l Finance. Again (this time it wasn’t my fault. I swear. I got out of the house on time. It’s just that I had to wait almost half an hour for a metro. Damn Washingtonians and their inability to deal with precipitation); b) not being quite sure what’s going on with this paper that I still haven’t written and c) this being the third day in a row that I get to spend pouring over cash register tapes – somebody shoot me now, dear god if I have to write the word “DONUT” one more time, I think the people around me may be in danger – things are going great.

I woke up on time today, which feels good, even if I still missed my class. Looked out the window, and saw the world covered with a fine mist of white. Too cool. More snow. And the little flakes, whirling around in the wind – sooo cool 10 stories up. I love it. Got downstairs and picked up my packages at the package-picking-up place. Not only had my Lexicarry book come in, but my Oz book finally made it to me, as well! Whoo! Took my Russian Exam. The oral part kind of blew (shut up. all of you), as what I was really good at was the recipes, but she had us talk about restaurants and service instead, because we had to write out the recipes in the exam. Bah. But I think I did fairly well on the written part, except for the last part where we had to pretend we were out of town, and write a note to fax to friends to arrange a birthday dinner for another friend. We had to talk about what restaurant we wanted to go to (and why) and where it was located, and what to get him for a present and all sorts of fun stuff. That part wasn’t really all that grand. But I knew the recipes, and I knew the conversation about restaurants. Am v. happy about this, especially considering I felt much less prepared than I did for the first exam, and I did *horribly* on that.

Last night was bad TV Tuesday. And it was utterly fantabulous. J and I ended up going to the mall to run some errands, and setting the VCR. I ended up getting the Making of the LOTR Trilogy book. Lots of great pictures and behind the scenes stuff. Very exciting. Also pre-ordered my DVD of Chamber of Secrets, as well as my copy of OoP. Whoo! It’s just been a HP kind of week. Got back to the apt, only missed a few minutes of 24. This week’s episode was good. Not as good as the past few weeks were, though. Then on to Buffy and Smallville. Now, I’ve seen, um, I don’t know how many episodes of Buffy ever. I can count them on my hands. But last night’s episode? I really enjoyed. It was funny and yet serious all at the same time. I think they used Andrew really well. And, yeah, a lot of other stuff that made it good but I can’t really talk about because I don’t know the show well enough. But it rocked. Smallville was utterly craptastic as usual, but ohmygod so slashy. I was dying. We all were. Even B. All I have to say is this – was it not *night* when Lex found Clark laying in the middle of the road? And where was the sun when he walked home? Yeah. That’s what I thought. Just checking. We then watched X-Files (okay, so it wasn’t quite the bad tv Tuesday that we usually have – no bad dating shows), and how sad is it that within about 10 seconds of the start of the show, we all knew which episode it was? (Die Hand Die Verletz) Watched the start of the second X-Files episode because it was Fresh Bones, and I wanted to see my Callum. E’s new boy J apparently really likes Callum, too, although he’s only ever seen him in Existenz and Memento. We need to get that boy some HCL, stat. Not to mention dS and Frank’s Cock. I’m on the job. Then I went home and studied and watched two of the four Stargate episodes that I taped Monday night. So, yeah. Not quite perfection yet, but I’m out of the corner, at least.

2003-02-26T08:51:00.000-05:00

And again

Yes, I'm being a busy little blogger. Or, at least as far as upkeep goes, I am. I added a few people that I unintentionally overlooked when I updated my reading list the other day. Sorry, guys!

2003-02-25T16:21:00.000-05:00

Inane Inanities

Ew. I’m writing this in word on my work computer, and the letters just look horrifyingly huge. Kind of scary. ::tinkers with word:: There, that’s better. Nothing of any import has been going on in my life. Nothing whatsoever. The move is finished. Haven’t been able to get the DSL to work on my computer. I’m still mostly living out of boxes. Couldn’t find Anna K to bring to class with me this morning, because I’m not quite sure what I did with my school books that weren’t in my bookbag. Oops. Then proceeded to feel like a moron in class, because I couldn’t pull it out to check quotes and such. ::sigh:: Ah well. My US Diplo midterm is quickly approaching, and I feel not at all prepared. But that’s because a) I’m behind on the readings (surprise, surprise) and b) the teacher is boring as all HELL and I don’t feel like I’m learning anything from his lectures. Definitely not retaining anything anyway. Tomorrow I’ve got yet another Russian Exam that I’m not prepared for. Last week, I ordered a book from Amazon.com to help me with my vocabulary (it’s called “Lexicarry” and new roomie MK introduced me to it), but it didn’t come until today, and by the time I get back to the apartment, the place where you pick up your packages will be closed. So, there won’t be any way for me to use it to study tonight. Bah.

I feel totally overwhelmed by work and school and life in particular, and have started being the master procrastinator again. Which, of course, means… more HP fic. I’d kept myself away for *so long * I’d been really good about it. But took a trip over to “We Read Crap…” the other night and was wandering around rec sites, and had the same experience that I did the first time I read HP fic, where I just stumbled across one story that was just so good and so true to me and the way I view the characters, that of course I want more. But is there just some kind of unwritten rule out there that says that for each good story you read, you have to read 10 crap ones? I think there must be. The love affair with Stargate continues. I just love Daniel so much. Am trying very hard to keep from buying Season 2 on DVD. I’ve watched J’s season 1 DVDs… you don’t want to know how many times. No, Rami. You should wait. Buy dS instead. Ugh. I’m being such an erratic fan. Hopping around. But having fun.

Oz was… well, I already talked about Oz. But I feel a bit freakish, as well I should, I suppose, as I’m feeling like I really understand where Joel Gray’s character was coming from. Yes, I realize that’s totally messed up. But I just feel like… I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. I can’t quite put into words the way I feel, and I’ll just have to resign myself to the fact that I was the only person who wasn’t going “what the fuck?” when he was explaining himself on Sunday.

But for now… work awaits me. And if anybody’s looking for me, I’ll be huddled in the corner, hiding.

2003-02-23T12:12:00.000-05:00

Well, It's Done

Mostly, anyway. All my stuff is here. I'm missing a few things, though, and hoping they'll turn up. (I sorta really need that shelf to that bookcase) My bed's set up, the TV's set up, the computer's (obviously) set up, although I'm a bit bummed. I was all psyched about getting here and being able to use the DSL, but when I tried to load the software last night, it was telling me I didn't have enough RAM (which I do, the computer was lying), which means that I'm going to have to do something about that before I can use the DSL. Bastards. The place is an absolute mess, there's stuff everywhere. But it's all my stuff, and it's here. And that's what's important. I'm a bit sad because I had to send out for a sub for curling tonight, because there's just no way that with my energy level being what it is (on four hours of sleep, I was up for 20 hours yesterday, and spent most of the time lifting and carrying heavy things), I'd be able to curl, and plus there's just so much that needs to be done here, not to mention homework. So, no curling for rami tonight. On the upside, I'll be able to watch Oz. But I'm still very sad.

I'm up on the 10th floor, and it's so windy right now that I had to shut my window when I got up this morning, because it was rattling around. There's a church a few blocks over, and I can see it from my bedroom. This morning it was playing songs on the bells. I think I like that. Well, I suppose I should go find my clothes and bathroom stuff so that I can start the day.

2003-02-22T07:16:00.000-05:00

Wheeeee!

Only benefit to being up at 6:30am? Bosom Buddies. Awww yeah, baby.

2003-02-22T00:56:00.000-05:00

Eeeep!

In less than 24 hours, I will no longer live here. I will live there. And yes, good stuff comes with it. Like a balcony. And a pool. And a workout room. And not crazy roommates. But day-amm. I have to finish packing. It's it's all just kind of scary.

2003-02-20T09:54:00.000-05:00

Keep Your Fingers Crossed...

I updated who I read. Put a few people up that I've meaning to for, well, for a hell of a long time. Some real life friends, some fannish friends, and all is better in Rami's World.

2003-02-20T09:14:00.000-05:00

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Okay, so there isn't actually an ugly. Just some good and bad stuff.

So, I actually made it to Russian yesterday. There are only five of us in the class, so although we get a few absenses, it's best to show up. In the class, there is one guy, and the other 4 of us are girls. The guy was raised in a polish household and so he speaks Polish fluently. Due to this, he's often ahead of us in vocabulary and pronunciation. The girls I at least feel sort of on par with. But yesterday? It was only the professor, this guy, and me. And let me tell you, I felt like a moron. ::sigh::

I also made it in to work yesterday. Was asked why I didn't call in on Tuesday. Funny, I had assumed that nobody was in. Well, yeah, most people hadn't come in, but I should have called anyway. And for all of those people who were salaried and didn't make it in? Had to use vacation days. Now, I'm not salaried, but that really blows. Because, for some people, it was physically impossible for them to get out. That's all I'm sayin'. Psycho bi-polar boss lady continues to be as psycho and bi-polar as usual. I don't think it would irritate me so much if she didn't always try to be nice to me after spending half the day reaming me out.

Got my camera back from Nikon! Whooo whooo! (okay, so there's no bad to go after that).

Ordered a book that will (hopefully) help me relearn the Russian vocab that I've forgotten. (okay, again, no bad).

Sat down last night like a good student to write my paper... even taped Stargate so that I wouldn't watch it and be distracted... and then didn't get it written. So, I'm not in class. Or, well, I won't be in 25 minutes. Because I have to write this damned paper. Not that I could have printed it out at home anyway, because I need a new printer cartridge, but that's not the point. I tried and tried and tried to get it started, and it just wouldn't come. Apparently, I've not only lost my ability to write fiction, I've lost my ability to write anything coherent. Something. Anything. A starting paragraph. I couldn't get anything out. And I know this is bad, and I know it's falling into patterns that I don't want to get into again. But I don't know what to do to rectify it.

I have, however, gotten at least 1/3 of my room packed. On the other hand, I still feel like I've got so much to pack, and I definitely don't have enough boxes.

But I have been (sort of) productive in other aspects... The lease is now signed by all residents of my new apartment, and I just need to drop it off at the office. I called the office and reserved the elevator for Saturday for the move in. Spent Tuesday evening with friends for bad tv night and chinese food, although it was in the new apartment, and I ended up going home after 24, so I suppose it doesn't exactly *qualify* as bad tv night... And I made cookies. And I finally finished reading Kat's new story, "End of the Road." If you haven't read it yet, or just don't care, you can stop reading here. Or keep going, maybe it'll get you to read it.

Wow. I mean, just wow. I sent Kat an LoC when I finished it, but I couldn't quite convey all of the emotions that I wanted to. I was totally blown away - not so much by the writing, although that was very good, too - but by the emotion and tone of the story, and where she was willing to go with it. It's not a happy one, boys and girls, but it was just what I've been looking for lately. I've been going through Oz-fic withdrawal. What with the show and the storyline getting so dark and "hopeless" as a lot of people feel, not a lot of people have been writing my boys, and of those who are, it's not the stuff I'm looking for. So, I haven't read a good, new Oz story in ages. And then the other night, Dargie and I were talking about characters actually being written as men, both on shows and in fanfic, and how, yes, men are human, and they mess up, and they do stupid, fucked-up things. And this story had all of that. I love dS, and I love that there is so much happy fiction. I love that, thanks to Paul Gross, we have Ben and Ray riding off into the sun, well, the sunrise, together, and that there can be post-COTW fic where they go on the adventure and then settle down and whatever. But sometimes it's nice to have that one where maybe not everything works out as planned. Maybe everything *can't* be happily ever after. Because you know what? It happens sometimes. So, yes, it's sad. Yes, it's dark. Yes, it's long. But, ferchrissake, go read it. Because it's GOOD.

2003-02-17T15:28:00.000-05:00

Back Home

Safe and sound, and looking around at all the shite I have to pack up this week. Bah. I've always hated moving. And I have a tendency to leave everything until the last minute. When I moved down into the basement, I did so at about 3am. When I moved back to the DC area, I didn't start packing until about Midnight the night before. This move, I'm determined not to let it go until the last minute again. For the simple reason that I may or may not have a lot of cars helping me out next saturday. We'll see. But as I look around, I don't even know where to start. Clothes? Well, I'm going to have to wear clothes. Granted, not all of them. But still. Kitchen stuff? But I have to eat. Books? But they're so heavy. Puzzles? Games? What if I get bored? Certainly, my tv and dvd and vcr are going to be some of the last to go, as well as my computer. But this leaves me in a kind of WTF situation. ::sigh:: I'm terrible at moving. Some day, when I'm making real money, I'm going to hire people to do it for me.

I finally made it back home. Yesterday was actually quite fun. M and I went out for Breakfast in Ballston yesterday morning, and she dropped me off at the Rosslyn metro station before she headed back home. It took almost an hour to get back (I had to wait almost half an hour for a blue train, but I was okay with that, because, as it was pulling in, they made the announcement that they were going to service level 3 - meaning they were only running one train and hour per line. Yikes! Apparently, later in the evening, it got pushed back to every two hours), and I decided to stop over at J,E & B's place instead of going straight home. We watched Sweet Home Alabama and were just generally lazy bums. E and I decided to go on a trip, so we headed over to my place where I picked up a change of clothing and some food (it's called the more we get rid of, the less we have to move), and then headed over to Harris Teeter. Yay 24 hour grocery stores. We were lucky we got there when we did, though, because they decided to close at 6 last night. Good decision. E and I picked up stuff for snacks and dinner and breakfast, and trekked on back to the apartment. Spent the night with J,E,B, another J, yet *another* J (whom I had never before met), and P. Good dinner, good company, good alcohol and lots of fun with Apples to Apples. What could be better? Slept in this morning (woke up in time to see that Anne couldn't come over *pout*) and then had pancakes and eggs and turkey bacon for brunch, along with hot chocolate and Bailey's. Mmmm. But I eventually decided it was time for me to get off of my lazy ass, so I dragged E the whole block back to my house, and now I'm just sitting in my cold basement, killing time, putting off packing. Anybody in the DC area want to come amuse me? Please? Good luck, though. My street's not plowed, and metro isn't running past Rosslyn or L'Enfent Plaza. Bitches. Looks like I'll be here for a while.

2003-02-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

Snow!!!

Whooo! Snow!

::ahem:: Anyway. Updating from E's place (hi, E!), looking out at the purty snow. We were supposed to go ice skating tonight, but that didn't exactly happen. Although, when we trekked out to the grocery store, they were running the zamboni, but it didn't look like there was anybody actually working there. Hmmm. Ah well. So, there was also no curling tonight, which means that my crap is at the club for a whole week. Which is fine, but it'll be really cold by the time I get it back and have to wear it again. :-D

Found out that they already shipped my camera, it (was) scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. What with the "blizzard" and all (DC News Media just cracks me up) who knows when it'll get here. Also, my Oz book is on its way. Yay!

And here's the best part. Friday? Got keys to the new digs. Will start moving stuff in this coming week, and the big stuff next saturday. Am somewhat excited and somewhat nervous. Wish me luck!

2003-02-13T18:48:00.000-05:00

Oh, and did I mention...

That I think I'm getting sick? Because I think I am. Throat was a bit bothersome yesterday. Today it's dry coughing (ow) and my ears are aching. Yep... I'm coming down with something.

But in better news... contacted Nikon today about my camera. When you send a camera into their shops, you're supposed to get a service order number in the mail. Then you can use that to go online and approve any repairs that need to be made. I, however, never received a service order number. So, I wrote an e-mail. "Hey, Nikon! Why the hell didn't I get a service order number? And what's up with my camera? Will it be sent back to me before I f'n move?!?" Or, you know, something along that vein, only not at all that. Got a lovely e-mail back from one of their service reps, Melanie, giving me my service order number, and letting me know that the camera is in quality control now, and should be shipping "soon." Gawd, I hope so. Used the service order number to track the service on their website, where it says the camera is still in the shop, so who knows. But let's just say - so happy for warranties. My camera was judged a class "C" - Major Repair: Major Parts Replaced. Yay no money. So, keep your fingers crossed for the safety of my camera.

2003-02-13T15:28:00.000-05:00

Welcome to My Life

Or, at least, you’re welcome to it. Take away, far far away where I never have to see it again. I want a vacation from my life. Bring me back in a few months when I’m done moving, done school, and have secured a job. Yikes.

So, for those of you I know are *dying * to hear about how I solved my many paperwork problems… I drove up to Pennsylvania yesterday. My Russian Professor is allowing me to retake the test tomorrow (she won’t be in her office, but it’s in her inbox. I can take it in the department and put it back in her inbox. Don’t you just love the honour system?) I had already planned on leaving work at 2, so I picked up B’s car (thaaaaaaank you, B) and headed over to the apartment building to pick up the paperwork. Was informed that, since my mother is the guarantor, she has to fill out an application as well. Okay, fine. Except for that I have to pay not only the $60 application fee for myself, but one for her as well. But whatever. I made fantastic time (although I didn’t get to leave until about 3 – makes me glad that I left early instead of trying to leave the city at about 5) and made it to my mom’s house before she did. Went and did the paperwork, did a little shopping, and even got to have dinner with the fam. My brother stopped by from his apartment and spent the evening with us, so that was nice. And I got to meet the new kitty cat (Tessa. Who is adorably, and just lives to torment Tigger. But the fat old bitch deserves it :-D ). Made it back to DC around 10:30, so it wasn’t even all that late an evening. Tomorrow, F and I are going to the leasing office to fill out all the appropriate paperwork. So, contingent upon my mother passing the credit check and me passing the criminal background check (oooh, I know I’m a shady character), I’ll be moving in next weekend. I’m so excited. People have started calling about the room, and I’m confident J (gawd. there’s a fourth, isn’t there?) will be able to pick somebody out of the myriad of applicants in time for them to move in on the 1st.

However, this means that I’m now beyond busy. I think I’m going to bail on class tonight – I have a Russian Quiz tomorrow, in addition to the test retake. I have to do laundry tonight, or else I’ll be showing up at the leasing office nude, and I have to clean my room before J4 shows it to people. Might as well try to pick up some boxes and start packing… Won’t have time to do any of this over the weekend. Tomorrow I’ve got classes, then the leasing office, then I have to go *back * into the city to retake the exam. Then we’ve got curling. Saturday is the second to last MACA of this year – which I’m excited about, but a bit stressed because it means that the one we’re hosting is just that much closer. Sunday, more curling, and then the crew’s going ice skating in Pentagon Row, which I’m muy excited about. And then Monday, I’m hanging out with Anne. Hurrah for long weekends!

P.S. Seekrit message to V and N: Good luck at the dykes!

2003-02-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

A Funny Article, and a Conundrum

Thanks to V for the article, it made me laugh. :-D
CANADIAN WARSHIP SEIZES TANKER IN... WAIT... CANADA HAS A WARSHIP?

So... Conundrum. I'm supposed to be retaking my Russian exam this afternoon at 2:30. I didn't do too well on it, and the professor allows retakes. I figured why not. However, I haven't had the time (or energy, or inclination) to study a whole lot for it. I've been a bit disheartened, as the section that I did most poorly on was due to the fact that I couldn't remember the verbs. I've found this a lot, with simple words that you don't realize you've forgotten until you're asked to remember them. 2.5 years is a damn long time to take off from a language. And so, here I am, asked to put verbs into their imperative forms, I can't remember how to say "do your homework" or "eat eggs every day." The section where I had to write paragraphs and paragraphs of directions, and it all had to be original, I did fine on. Only 2 points off. Imperatives? 16 points off. But how does one go about tackling all of these things they've forgotten? Becuase, on the retest, there are certainly going to be *different* verbs, most of which I've also probably forgotten. And so, I'm not altogether certain that I'd be able to do significantly better on the retest if I took it this afternoon. But I really should. Because a 64 just blows giant chunks. Second problem is... I have to drive up to Pennsylvania this afternoon. Long story short, my mom's going on vacation for a week, and she has to fill out and get notarized her application as my co-signor on the new apartment before she leaves. Tomorrow morning. So, I'm picking up the paperwork, driving up there, filling it out with her, going to the notary public, and driving back. Maybe with a little dinner thrown in for good measure. So, I'd like to leave as early as possible to a) get back as soon as possible and b) avoid rush hour traffic. If I don't take the retest, I'd be able to leave around 2:30, instead of at 4. Gah! I'm just so torn. Advice?

2003-02-12T10:06:00.000-05:00

Fitting Quiz, I Suppose

Seeing as I just bought myself the DVD. Snagged from Dargie:

You are the French knights. A crazy bunch with
outrageous accents, you enjoy hurling strange
insults at others and throwing various items at
whoever may be outside the castle.

Which Monty Python's Quest For the Holy Grail character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

2003-02-11T13:23:00.000-05:00

Mmmmm

So, happy birthday to J! Well, a day late and a dollar short. But we (being our Kayser team) gave him his present on Saturday, and I was actually *with * him yesterday for his birthday, so I think the blogging thing can be excused. :-D For dinner last night, a bunch of us took him out to the Melting Pot up at Dupont. I had never been there, but had high expectations. And I was not disappointed. I think I’m in love. Thank the gods for cheddar fondue, as well as the baileys and chocolate and the amaretto and chocolate ones for deserts. Mmmmbananasandchocolatemmmmmm. A bit pricey, but TOTALLY worth it.

Sunday was curling. I skipped my second full game ever, with N and another friend subbing in on my team. Had loads and loads of fun. And playing against an experienced skip, only lost 6-4; we kept it close the whole time, and even took more ends than they did. I am very pleased.

Tonight’s Tuesday, and that means TV night. Can not WAIT for the next episode of 24. But can’t I take a nap first?

2003-02-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

I got a letter in the mail

yesterday. From my school. I'm always hesitant to open mail from the university. I don't know why. I always sort of have an automatic panic. How many unopened letters have gone into the trash, I can't even tell you. But I've been working on it. I opened the last one I got, and it was just my copies of my paper registration and intent to graduate forms. Not so bad, right? So, I put the letter on my dresser and let it sit until today. 'Might as well open it,' I think. Get it over sooner than later. So, I opened it.

For the first time since my freshman year, I made dean's list for the semester. Wow.

Other than that... blah weekend. I mean, it's been good, but I've been blah. Friday evening I slipped into a piss poor mood for no discernable reason whatsoever. Just one of those moods where I don't want to talk to anybody or do anything or deal with anything, and everything bothers me, and I just wanted to curl up into a little ball and cry. Yesterday was a little bit better, but I still kind of feel like I'm in a fog. Spent the day yesterday at the curling club, first practicing with my Kayser team, and then for a wedding reception. Much fun curling and imbibing and talking to SCA folks. Tonight, it's back to the curling club again, and we'll see if I can't put into practice the things I was working on yesterday. We'll see.

In the meantime, I've gone through three and a half DVDs-worth of the first season of Stargate. Am still enthralled. Hoorah. Do I really have to go back to classes tomorrow?

2003-02-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

So, I Have This Friend

That I went to high school with. Nice guy, sweet, fun. Had a bit of a crush on him. So, of course, I always had my suspicions. When I came out in college, he was one of the first people I told. We don't see each other very often, but it's just one of those relationships where we can talk about anything. When I was living at home for a year, we would hang out now and then. He'd always ask me questions, and talk about his college roommate, who was super religious, and had kinda... not so happy views on homosexuality. (huh. go figure) So, last summer, we're talking, and he brings it up very subtly. Talking about how he always loved that I could talk to him about anything, and he feels like he could talk to me about anything, and really, he'd rather I didn't talk to other people about it, but he'd been thinking about guys. A lot. (Yeah. Like I was still in contact with anybody from high school who would even *care*, but whatever) And so, occasionally, he'd call or IM me, and we'd talk. He went online and talked to a few people. Met a few people. Just curiousity, he assures me. "okay, okay. it's fine. but, you know, if it's more than curiousity, that's fine, too," I'd tell him. "I know. I'm so glad you're there to talk to," he'd say back. And it was good. So, he IMs me a few minutes ago. How are things doing, yadda, yadda, yadda. Are you seeing anybody, etc. "Well, I just started seeing somebody," he tells me. "Really?" "Yeah. His name's Bill."

Congratulations, kid. I love ya.

2003-02-06T23:32:00.000-05:00

Crime & Punishment

Is coming along nicely. I'm almost finished. Just 20 pages or so left. And quite enjoying it, except for the whole movement through dialogue aspect of it... 'oh, and isn't it convenient that we've left the apartment and gone down the stairs and out into the street and around the corner, where nobody can see us.' But other than that... it's great. Of course, it deals with a lot of themes and ideas that I've always been fascinated with. Crime, murder, what happens after death, what goes through these criminals' minds... Well, yeah. Anyway. Read today, and wanted to share. I read through it, and ended up reading the paragraph a few times, it caught me so. From Part Six, during the confrontation between Dunia and Svidrigailov. After Svidrigailov tells Dunia that, if he *did* kill his wife, it was her fault anyway... "Even if it were true, it would ahve been because of you ... you would have been the cause of it." But moving on to the important part.

"Dunya raised the revolver and looked at him with her great black eyes flashing fire in her white face. Her lower lip was pale and quivering, but her resolve was firm and she estimated the distance between them and waited for the first move on his part. He had never seen her look so beautiful."

2003-02-06T23:08:00.000-05:00

Happiness is...

The first season of "Six Feet Under" on DVD. Yes, I succombed. But look at it this way - think of all the money I'll save on buying blank tapes with the tapes that I can reuse that had SN and SFU on them! ;-D

Unhappiness is...

Getting a craving for popcorn and giving in, and then eating too much so that your eyes get all itchy and you get a bellyache and kind of nauseated...

2003-02-05T12:58:00.000-05:00

Rami’s No Good, Very Bad Week

Which, of course, it’s not at all. It’s actually been a halfway decent week. Work is boring the crap out of me, but this is nothing new. My request to transfer credit for the classes I took while living at home went through which means that, granted I pass my classes this semester, I’ll officially be graduating. Scary thought, but good. I’m still in a very good, happy, post NYC, post Lee euphoria. I keep looking at the pictures and going “I was there!” And the pictures of Lee and I that Danielle took got to me Monday, so I have physical proof, even. I’m zipping through Crime & Punishment (and enjoying it quite a bit). Monday I watched Oz with J, and then there was Stargate SG-1. I had never seen an episode before. So, we turned it on. And there was Daniel. And he was pretty. And he made me laugh. So, yeah, I borrowed J’s DVDs and have started back in season 1. I don’t quite see the slashy goodness that Christi sees in the show (although I’ll continue to keep an open mind, dear), but I’m enjoying it a great deal. Then, last night was 24 night. Buffy and 24 with J (the other one. I’m going to have to give out numbers at some point) and S. Much goodness there, and so happy to be having the 24 back! The episode was muy muy excelente. B came home, E came home (and brought with him yet another J), S left and J (the second one) pumpkined. But new J was inspecting the games, and we decided to play Trivial Pursuit.

Now, I would like to preface this by saying that I’m not a stupid person. I’m not all that brilliant, but I’m not stupid. Neither is E. And yet, somehow. B and J kicked our asses in, oh, about fifteen minutes. They won. We had two pie pieces. It was just… wrong. And embarrassing. But it was a fun night nonetheless.

The bad part of the week is again with the sleeping. I’ve been taking the vitamins (which have been bothering me because they’re changing my smell. Everybody’s got a smell, and I don’t mean like a BO oh my god you reek smell, but a personal smell. And you get used to yours and it’s comforting in a way. But the vitamins are oh-so-subtly changing my smell, and it’s a bit disturbing) and yes, they’re helping me sleep. Only thing is, they’re not helping me fall asleep any faster, they’re helping me stay asleep longer. Which isn’t something I had problems with. But last night, I got, oh, 8.5 hours of sleep. Only problem being, I didn’t go to sleep until about 2. I need to be able to drag my ass out of bed when I need to, and this is not helping me do this. So, I missed my morning classes today. Called my Russian professor, it’s only my first absence, and we’re allowed five, so it’s no huge deal. But still. ::sigh:: What I need isn’t to be able to sleep 8 hours no matter what (okay, so, the sleeping 8 hours was NICE. it doesn’t happen that often to me). What I need is for the extra sleep to come at the beginning of the night, not the end. I need to not be laying around for an hour, hour and a half after I get home and try to go to bed, simply trying to fall asleep. I would be so much happier. And my professors would, too. But, I’ll keep with this for a while longer and see what happens.

In other fronts, I’m contemplating buying SFU on DVD. Mmmmmm.

2003-02-03T13:32:00.000-05:00

Weekend Catch-Up and a Quiz

Overall, it was a good weekend, although at this point I’m still not quite convinced that it’s already Monday. Friday night was curling, and I ended up falling twice – this being more than I had fallen all season up to this point. Not so happy about that, but whatever. Got our asses KICKED, but had lots of fun. Back to J’s with M for Pizza and TV, but I ended up snoozing out on the couch, so they dragged my lazy ass home.

Saturday was shopping. Now, any of you who know me know just how much I adore shopping. ::cough, cough:: But even if I did end up with a raging headache and general overall unhappiness, we got nifty stuff. Patches for our Kayser team. Hair Dye. Fruit chocolates (mmmmmmbingcherrychocolates). We stopped at the health products store and talked to one of the guys there about insomnia, and he recommended vitamins before moving on to something like Melatonin, so I got a small bottle, and we’ll see how well that works. And then M and I went to see TTT again. First time I’d seen it since I’d finished the trilogy, and I just felt like I got so much more out of it. Am even more impatient for RotK. We were going to dye my hair on Saturday night, but unfortunately we found out that there were no instructions or gloves in the box. Oh no!

So, Sunday morning we went and exchanged the hair dye and then dyed my hair. So it is now a luscious shade of red. Hurrah. More curling. There are now two draws in the Sunday night league. My game wasn’t until the second draw, but one guy was the only person from his team to show up, so another woman and I played for him. And I was having a great time, and actually playing quite well (we were up 8-0 after the fourth end) and then I fell. Again. Doh. Wasn’t able to twist my body to do a good curler’s fall because I was next to the hack, near all the stones, so I ended up cracking my kneecap on the ice pretty hard. I sat out the game I was supposed to play and iced it. It’s now a little stiff and sore, but the swelling has gone down considerably, and it pretty much only hurts when I touch it. But I’ve been told that it will hurt like this for a few weeks, minimum. Fun. So, headed home and then charged over to J, B & E’s place where B helped me study for my Russian exam (which I feel none too confident about, let me tell you).

Today? Woke up late, realized I would never get to my 8am class on time. Checked syllabus to ensure that we had at least one more class to cover this material so that I would be able to ask questions, and then rolled over and went back to sleep. Set the alarm for 8, woke up at 9:45. Oops. Got to the metro and wasn’t paying attention, so I got on the yellow line instead of the blue line. Ended up getting to class just as the exam was starting instead of 15 minutes early, as I had planned. But now the test is over, and I’ve already done my readings for tomorrow. So, all I have to do is survive work, and I’ll be home free for the rest of the day.

And finally, gakked from Laura JV:

You think you're deep, tortured and misunderstood.
You're not, you're just incoherent and a bit
silly. Now you know.

What Lord of the Rings engrish subtitle are you?
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2003-02-01T11:52:00.000-05:00

Well, shit.

Not quite appropriate, I know. I've never been good with tragedies, be they in my personal life or on a grander scale. It's not that I feel ambivilent or crass, it's just that I'm not really very good with public emotion. I'm terrible at being comforting, and I never know what to say. So, I'll just say, peace be with them.

2003-01-30T22:07:00.000-05:00

You know

I'm avoiding work when you get multiple posts. Aren't you lucky? I've been simmering over this for a while, and it's really kind of bothering me. Mind you, I enjoy sports as much as the next person, and ESPN. They've started a new ad campaign here in DC and I know in NYC as well. I'm sure it's in other major metropolitan markets around the country. It involves the idea of "what if there weren't sports?" which I think is cute. "Without sports, we'd have to talk about politics." "Without sports, weekends would be weekdays." But there's one that just kind of rubs me the wrong way. The background is a photo of two women from the WNBA, one of them dribbling, and the other one standing about 5 feet behind her. And the saying is "Without sports, who would we follow?" And there's just something about that that really bothers me. That's all.

2003-01-30T21:51:00.000-05:00

Random, Much

Online at amazon.com just now, looking for titles of books on World War I. Open up a possible book, and underneath, where it usually says "Customers who bought this book have also bought..." I get:

Customers who wear clothes also shop for:
Clean Underwear from Amazon's Target Store

Um, yeah. What about the customers who don't wear clothes?

2003-01-30T16:52:00.000-05:00

It’s the Impact That’ll Kill You

I tend to accumulate things. Unfortunately, for the past two weeks or so, it’s been a lack of sleep. I’ve never been a morning person, always a night owl. No matter what time I go to bed, I’ll be grumpy in the morning. But usually, if I have to get up early a few days in a row, I’ll be tired enough that I go to bed in time to get a decent amount of sleep. Not now. Which I’m a bit worried about, because severe lack of sleep tends to both cause and be symptomatic of Bad Things for me. But everything seems to be going okay…

But starting last week, I haven’t been able to get to sleep. 2:30 am is ok, not so much when you’ve got an 8am class. Once isn’t a big deal, though. But I don’t think I’ve fallen asleep earlier than 2 in the past two weeks. I’ve been walking around life through a perpetual haze, not nearly the fun and witty me that people know and love. :-D And then Tuesday night was New York (eeep! NYC! More on that later.) I slept some in the car, but that’s never very restful for me. I ended up not falling asleep until after 7, and had to get up at 10. So, um, yeah. So much for that. But hey, Wednesdays I’m done at 4. Home by 5, PLENTY of time to sleep, right? Wrong. By the time I got home and tried to sleep, I was in that horrible place where you’re so disgustingly tired that you can’t fall asleep. Went down the street and hung out with B. Watched our wonderfully horrid television programs, and then ended up playing a warped game of catch. But even running around in circles didn’t tired me out enough. Got home around 1:45, but didn’t fall asleep until almost 3. Was nearly late for my class this morning, and I’m not sure I’ve had a coherent, rational thought all day long. Don’t know how I’m going to make it through US Diplo.

Save me!!!

2003-01-29T21:16:00.000-05:00

Found... somewhere. I don't remember where. In a friend's friend's friends list. Or something.

I will mauled by a mob of midgets.

How will you die? Take the Exotic Cause of Death Test

2003-01-27T13:31:00.000-05:00

Gakked from Ardent

Are you damned?

You can laugh at the silly superstitions of the religious, safe in the knowledge that we are only dust and lies. All that will be left of you after you die is a slow decay and some fading memories in the minds of your friends. Hope you're enjoying your life at the moment- there's nothing better to come.

2003-01-27T10:07:00.000-05:00

Oh, and...

In all of my tired rambling-ness last night, I forgot to mention something very exciting. The GNCC Mixed Playdowns were this past weekend, and a rink from our club won, which means they're going to Nationals! They're great people, and I'm so excited for them. And worse, Nationals are the week of my spring break, and so I *really* want to go watch them play. But, unfortunately, they're in Medford, WI. Does anybody even know where that is???

In other news, I'm not tingly any more. At least not from the shock. I'm no longer worried that there's electricity frying my brain. Not that any damage would be noticeable. I am, however, still rather tingly over last night's episode of Oz - but even more so over the scenes from next week. Only four episodes of the show left, and there's going to be some bad sh*t going down. Awwwwyeah. That's the Oz I know and love. Am having a wonderful love/hate relationship with Chris and Toby right now. Am thoroughly pissed at Sean. THOROUGHLY pissed. I can't even... anyway. Totally heartbroken by the Cyril storyline, and I'm right alongside Ryan in thinking that Cyril and Jazz's positions should be reversed. Storylines I couldn't care less about... we have Norma and Omar pretty neck and neck. And I think Rebadow's crush is cute, so long as *I'm* not the one who has to see them naked. Although it was kind of rough to pull the card like they did. Maybe now Patty LuPone will get a crush on Dr. Nathan. So, needless to say... sooo happy Oz is on again (and much love goes out to Anne and J and N who let me crash their places to watch it). And tomorrow, Anne and I are heading up to NYC for Lots 'o Lee Lovin'. (trademark NJD) Sooooo excited.

2003-01-26T21:53:00.000-05:00

Hahahaowwwwwwwwwwwww

So, I'm over and J&Ns, and I touch the light switch plate and get shocked. Ow. But where my watch was on my wrist, there's a little mark, and now I'm all sorts of tingly. And this does not make me happy.

I've always carried a large magnetic charge on myself. I have serious static electricity problems year 'round, not just in the winter. I wreak havoc on watches, various electronic devices and cars. But this. just. hurts. ::unhappy rami::

Fun fun weekend, though, and got so much accomplished. Friday, I dropped off all my paperwork at the school. Handed in intent to graduate form, put in my form to get registered for my classes and to transfer credit; went to financial aid and turned in my paperwork. Found out that I am expecting a refund, but it could be over a month before it actually gets to me - they'll only send it, they wouldn't let me pick it up. Poop on that, I say. But then Friday evening was curling; it's the start of the new session, but not a lot of people were there, so we just had pick-up games, and it was fun. And then yesterday M and I went up to the club to help with a Junior Friendly Bonspiel that the club was hosting. Which is just basically a lot of kids getting together to curl. Soooo much fun. Sooo much work. Remind me to never do it again. (N says 'hi") I ended up on the sheet with the leftover kids and the itty bitty kids who couldn't play a full game, and so we played games with them. Games like "get the stone down to the far end of the sheet" and "get the stone as close to the cone as you can without hitting it." And let me tell you, they were bored out of their minds. Until we decided to play for candy. Then they turned into MONSTERS. But at least they were having fun. I think the most successful game was when we'd put candy on top of a stone, and they had to throw a take-out, and whatever candy fell off of the stone, they got to keep. Much fun. Today, we went up again to help out with the second day of a Learn to Curl session. I got to be an "instructor." People listened to me and everything. Hah! But they were very enthusiastic, and we had loads of fun. Played part of a pick-up game tonight, and then practiced shots for a while.

Have I mentioned that I love curling?

It was snowing out earlier tonight, and I really wish it would continue. Not just because it's purty (which it is) but because I could really use a snow day....

2003-01-24T00:39:00.000-05:00

Accomplishments

Yes, it's been a long day. And, no, I haven't even done my Russian homework yet. And yes, I've got class in 8.5 hours. BUT.

I remembered to mail the power bill.

I sent my camera to the repair center via UPS.

And I got ready for tomorrow...

I have my on-paper registration ready to drop off.

I filled out my intent-to-graduate form, ready to drop off.

I filled out the transfer sheet for the course I took while living at home, which has to be transferred before I can graduate, ready to drop off.

I have the checks from the housemates to deposit, so that the power bill won't bounce.

I signed the financial aid paperwork (which was due January 1st, but I did not get it until Tuesday) so that I can drop it off tomorrow. And, it seems, that I should be getting a refund. A refund that will pay for my books. And my curling. And my rent. For, oh, 5 months or so. We'll just keep our fingers crossed, shall we?

2003-01-22T13:02:00.000-05:00

Random Ponderings

Every semester since my sophomore year (the year I started working off-campus, not just work-study) I’ve bought my own books. I rarely have enough money, and usually end up not getting them until a month or so into the class, and then I’m behind on readings and such. But I hate to ask my mom for book money, since she helps me with rent, and pays for so much else. And every semester, she says “well, why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve bought your books for you. Let me know next time.” But I don’t. Until now. I finally ::doing little dance of joy:: have registered for all of my classes, albeit on paper only. I’ve bought books for one of them, another’s text is online. So that only leaves three classes. It’s my last semester. I’ve never asked for book money before. So, I send my mom an e-mail. I don’t have a lot of money, could you help me out this once. Her reply “Well, buy what you can, then let me know what else you need.” Huh? But this brings me to a more serious problem. Do I buy what I can with what money I have, period? Because, you know, I have to buy food. And pay for transportation. And power, and gas, and the telephone… not to mention money I owe the curling club (which is actually something I asked for for my birthday and Christmas, and didn’t get it for either). What’s a girl to do?

In Washington, DC, today, it’s colder than I can remember it ever being here in five and a half years. At 11, it was 18 degrees, not taking into account wind chill. Which, y’know, okay, I’d like a scarf (my old, kick-ass one got lost), but whatever. However, walking across campus, I saw a kid in shorts. Somebody explain that to me, please.

And, finally. I’m a bit bummed. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to take out my tongue ring. It’s messing with my pronunciation in Russian. I’m having problems pronouncing words that I’ve never had problems pronouncing before. It could just be my lack of practice, but it’s the same sounds I’m having problems pronouncing all the way through, not just words in general. And it’s always sounds that involve a soft sound and then an “r” and I think it has something to do with the way my tongue is hitting the roof of my mouth. “shr” and “shchr” and “zhr” but most noticeably “hchr”. Does anybody who actually knows about this stuff know anything about this stuff? Because I’d rather not take it out, but if I’m going to have this problem all semester, I might as well.

And that, my gentle readers, is all the news that’s fit to read.

2003-01-22T10:34:00.000-05:00

Aaaaah, gag

It's not true. Not true, I tell you! ::covers her eyes in abject horror::

what's YOUR deepest secret?
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2003-01-22T02:38:00.000-05:00

2:34am

And I've got class at 8am. Which means that my alarms are set for me to get up in approximately 3-3.5 hours. Hmmm. Think my sleeping patterns are messed up just a little? But after crap-o-rama today, tonight was fun. Buffy with J, and then we were going to watch 24, but alas, it was replaced by American Idol. Which we somehow ended up getting sucked into. And then S was there, and we watched Smallville ("Dad! Stop, you're embarressing me in front of my boyfriend!"). B got home, and S left, and then it was time for our weekly fill of crap aka blind date shows. Although, I must admit, we came to a bit of a tough spot when Elimidate had twins, and Ex-Treme Dating had f/f action. Or, rather, f/f/f action to be more correct. What were we to do? Damn not having pic-in-pic. ;-) But now it's crashing for a few hour nap, and hopefully I can make it to 4pm tomorrow, at which point I can come home and collapse and not wake up until 8am Thursday morning.

2003-01-21T13:08:00.000-05:00

Once More, With Feeling

Haven’t I lived this day before? Got to the metro station around 9am, and ended up half an hour late for class. Again. Why? Derailment. This time a passenger car, instead of a service car. Apparently it derailed last night around 8:30, and they thought (hah) that trains would be running on time by this morning. That’s funny. Went into the station and waited for about 15 minutes before realizing that the blue line was only running on the opposite platform. Crossed over, waited another 15 minutes for another blue line train to come, which was so full that we couldn’t even get on. 10 minutes for a second train, and I forced my way on. So, yeah. Late again.

And here I am at work. Printing out exhibits for (take a wild guess) that hell of a trial they’ve had me working on. The trial that was supposed to start today. The trial for which one of our Paralegals is in the air, right now, as I type, and for which we shipped 91 boxes to the middle of nowhere Texas. And today, one of the plaintiffs filed for bankruptcy. Told the judge they’d need some time. “Okay,” he says. “A month.” A month?!? Excuse me? So, we’ve left messages for the paralegal to come on back, we’re changing plane tickets, we’re figuring out what the hell to do with 91 boxes, and yeah. Just let me go home, already!

2003-01-20T05:44:00.000-05:00

5:21am

Latest I've gotten home since... I suppose since the 6:30ish arrival last year after the night with my friend and that boy and that other boy. Hrmmm. Although, I suppose, E and J will be pleased to know that nothing nearly that interesting happened on their futon. ;-)

Anyway. Ice skating was faboo. We really should do it more often. I went from clutching the railing, to going around at a decent speed, and I didn't even fall once (although I had some close calls and was saved by various friends). My arches hurt a lot, though, which is something that happens to me when I roller blade, too. I'm not sure what to do about that. But overall, great. Party was great, too. Yum for hot chocolate with Bailey's. And some people were there that I didn't expect to be there, which was a good thing. And Nick's going curling tomorrow, and I think I'll go with him. But for now, bed. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2003-01-19T14:37:00.000-05:00

What a bright, new world it is

What? Three posts in two days? Yes, I see you all scratching your head. But that's okay. I'm just on a kick. So sue me. My life has been wonderfully boring, and I'm loving it. Friday was the last night of curling for this session. Our team came in third in the league. Aside from that, I'm extremely happy with how we played. Granted, only two of us were actually there (we played with a spare, and the other team only had three as well), and so I got to skip. And yes, we got some lucky breaks, including one that probably just sealed it for us, but J and I played extremely well. And we had lots of fun. And won 11-5. It was great fun. Yesterday was an open house at the curling club, and J and I went up to help, and again had fun. S came with us, and she played a bit (I hope you're not feeling *too* sore this morning!). And then back to J's for pizza and tv. What's better? And, best of all, last night was the first time in... hmmm. The first time in over three weeks (including weekends) that I went to bed without having to set my alarm. Such a glorious feeling, let me tell you. And then tonight is ice skating and hanging more with the friends, and tomorrow will be the first minor holiday since I've started working at the firm that I've had off both work and school. So, I'm just a little pleased, can you tell? The only thing that would make me happier is if my camera weren't broken. But my friend's bringing hers tonight, and maybe I can pursuade her to let me take a few pictures with it. Now, if only I could get myself to write some, all would be perfect.

2003-01-18T23:22:00.000-05:00

Is it a bad thing...

When the line from a show that most resonates with you is "You can even marry Harry, but mess around with Ike"... ?

Just wondering.

Not that I even ever invision myself getting married. Which is a totally different story. Unless E sucks it up and agrees to marry me for back rubs and tax breaks. :-D And I'll bet he thinks I'm kidding. Hehe.

"You can like the life you're living, you can live the life you like..."

2003-01-18T22:22:00.000-05:00

Instant Gratification, Much?

It's gotta be bad for my health. Was having such a crappy week that I caved and ordered the book on Thursday. There wasn't any information on shipping time frames; when it would be shipped, or how long it would take. The book came today. Now that's service. Rami is muy muy happy with her purchase. Muy happy.

2003-01-16T11:34:00.000-05:00

What’s that sound?

Oh, that would be the sound of my money being drained out of my account. So much for that nice paycheck. I am glad that I bought the CD last night (which totally rocks, and I’m starting to think that “We Both Reached for the Gun” is my favourite number) even if E does prefer the original (which he has every right to), because from here on in… I got nothin’. Okay, so I suppose it’s not that bad. But today I faced the harsh reality of starting to buy my books for the semester. 3 paperback books. And a notebook. $64. Chaching. Ouch. Every semester, my mom offers to help me pay for my books, and this semester I may just take her up on that, because the books for my other classes are between 70-120 each. ::cry::

And let’s not get into the ordeal this morning of me trying to get to class. I really am having a lot of do-over days lately. I had class at 9:30, so I wanted to leave by 8:45 in order to get there a little early. I woke up… at 8:33. After much cursing and running around in a panic, I managed to shower, get dress, and gather my stuff and be out the door by 8:50. Ran over to the metro station, was there by 8:55. ‘Triumphant!’ I think. But alas, it was not to be. Up on the street, there were about 30 people waiting in lines for taxis, and umpteen more, just milling around. So, I went underground, to find a mob of people around the information booth, and the entire left side of the station (the side that heads into the city) taped off with “do not enter” tape. Everybody who needed to go anywhere was down on the right platform, and up the escalator, and through the lobby, and we ended up snaked around the lobby about 3 times. Long story short, I had to wait 40 minutes for a train, because there was apparently a derailment between the airport and crystal city. So, all the trains going both north and south were running on the same track, and they were all packed because of the delays due to the time the trains were stopped for the derailment. I ended up about 25 minutes late for class, which, considering how long I was in the metro station, isn’t half bad. But let’s just hope that the rest of my day goes better.

2003-01-15T18:58:00.000-05:00

Squeeeeeeeeeel

I suppose it's been a good day. Granted, it started far too early, but I got over that (although I'm ready to collapse into bed now, and it's not even seven). Classes weren't too horrid. Then went to work (where I got absolutely *nothing* accomplished, except for starting to clean up the huge mess that this case has left on my desk), where I got free lunch. 'Yes,' you said, 'It's Wednesday - Pizza lunch.' Ah, it was. But that was not my free lunch. One of our associates is leaving, and today was his last day, so we took him out for lunch. 18 of us at Red Sage. All picked up by one of the partners. Lemme tell you, you do not want to know how much that bill was. But hey. Yummy tomato leek soup, and then a fantastic chocolate and pistacio (which I just realized I don't know how to spell) mouse desert. Yum yum.

Plus, pay day. Paycheck was a bit higher than usual, due to the OT from the case. Not a lot, but enough to pay off some more installments on my membership at the curling club. So, on the way home, stopped at a few stores. Neat store in the mall is going out of business, and I got a small shiny blue tinsel table-top tree for 5 bucks. Yay! It's my new favourite thing ever. Then stopped at the bookstore and got a journal that has drawings in it based on LOTR (the books, not the movies), and the soundtrack to "Chicago" - hurrah! You all have a good night, I'll be sitting here all night blasting "When You're Good to Mama" and "Cellblock Tango." Sweeeeet.

2003-01-15T10:02:00.000-05:00

Three!

We're up to three classes now, with a fourth hopefully on the way. There is a fifth, too, but the hope on that is a bit less. This is not a good thing, seeing as it's something I need to graduate. So, um. Hmm. Guess we'll just have to wait until Friday (when the class meets) and see if I get in...

The one thing I'm most upset about, though? Econ 182 (International Finance) at... 8am on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Now, I'm not a morning person. I have *never* been a morning person. Just ask my mother. And I went to the first session of this class this morning, and I was hardly awake enough to form coherent sentences. I could barely make 8am classes when I lived off campus; now I have to allow myself 45 minutes in order to get there in time. This is not going to be pretty, folks...

2003-01-14T16:24:00.000-05:00

Meme

Because what I really want to do is the 100 things meme, but I don't have the time, or the energy, and I have sort of a fear that I wouldn't even be able to come up with 100 things about myself. So I give you, instead, "Where were you?"

1. When John F. Kennedy was shot (11/22/1963)

I was not yet born. In fact, if I wanted to make y'all feel really old, I could tell you that my mom was only 3, herself...

2. When Mt. St. Helens blew (5/18/1980)

I was too young to have any recollection of this at the time, but I remember as a child being subjected to special after special about it by my step-father.

3. When the space shuttle Challenger exploded (1/28/1986)

I was at school. We were actually watching it in our classroom as part of a special program my teacher was doing. I just remember every freaking out.

4. When the 7.1 earthquake hit San Francisco (10/17/1989)

Again, I don't really remember. I do remember my parents being panicked, because my step-dad's folks in in the SF area, but aside from that...

5. When the Berlin Wall fell (11/7/1989)

School. I remember all the teachers talking about it, and then at night I went home and watched all the news footage, and it was just amazing to me.

6. When the Gulf War began (1/16/1991)

Again, school. I don't remember much about when it began, but I do remember the afternoon that it began, our teacher told us what was going on. And then, every day, we would watch those news strips in class, and we had a big project where we had to do a timeline of all the events leading up to and then going on during the war.

7. When OJ Simpson was chased in his White Bronco (6/17/1994)

Oh gawd. Did I care? Not really. I honestly don't remember. I do remember being so disgusted by so much that went at that time. And I do know that I was in my english class when the jury gave the verdict, because we turned it on and watched that instead of discussing whatever it was we were supposed to discuss, and I just remember them reading the verdict and then cutting to the scenes of all the protestors, from both sides, out in the streets and thinking what a complicated world it is we live in.

8. When the building in Oklahoma City was bombed (4/19/1995)

I was at my dad's house. I remember this because I was also at my dad's house when the bomb went off in the olympic plaza, and thinking that maybe I should visit my dad a little less...

9. When Princess Di was killed (8/31/1997)

I was in my dorm. It was just before classes started, and we were all, well... a little innebriated. And then somebody came out into the hall and told us she had been killed, and we all thought he was joking. And so all of us on the floor crowded into this one guy's room to watch the news.

10. When Bush was first announced President (11/7/2000)

Watching the news at my mom's house, waiting for it to be announced. Let's just say that we were not a happy household.

11. When the 6.8 earthquake hit Nisqually, WA (2/28/2001)

Say what? I vaguely remember an earthquake happening...

12. When terrorists knocked over the World Trade Center (9/11/2001)

I was in my bed, asleep. It was actually the plane crashing into the Pentagon that woke me up. I live right between the airport and the Pentagon, so I wasn't really sure what was going on until I got online and everybody I knew started IMing me, freaking out, because they couldn't get through on the phone lines. Then turned on the television to see the news reshowing the images over and over again. Spent the day basically trapped in my house, trying to reconcile all the things I was seeing on tv and all the things I was hearing and smelling and seeing outside.

Wow. So, that was depressing and pointless. But it killed time, and that's all that matters. :-) In other news, found more links to more pictures by Viggo, and am even more in awe of him. I think I need help.

2003-01-14T12:59:00.000-05:00

How

Could I possibly have forgotten how much I hated people?

Seriously. Not individually. Just on the whole. There are many types of people that I hate. But for three weeks, I had managed to put out of my mind the college student. There are few types of people I hate more than them. They're obnoxiously loud, they walk so slowly, and have a tendency to stop, right in the middle of the street. They then congregate, taking up the entire sidewalk, making it impossible to get by them. ::sigh:: What I wouldn't give to be able to walk a block without being pushed or jostled. Or, you know, in less than 15 minutes.

An in other news, I still need three more classes. But we won't get into that, because I'll just get all upset again. In *good* news...

Last night got to hang out with friends. We wanted to do a Krispy Kreme run because they're closing to move to the building next door, but it turns out we were but two hours too late - they had closed at 8 last night, and won't be opening again until January 28th. Damnit all. But we got store sold KKs and then went and played Cranium, and had a darn good time. And then I went back to J & Ns, and we played a deformed version of Apples to Apples wherein we just had ourselves laughing so hard. Either we're really funny, or it was just that late. Tonight is 24 night, and going to be watching it with B & J (but not that J, another J... um, yeah), which is fun, b/c we haven't watched it together in over a month. So, hurrah for that.

Well, back to my fruitless search for somebody who wants me in their class...

2003-01-13T14:08:00.000-05:00

Excuse me

While I crawl off to the corner and cry a bit. Okay. I've got one class. Just one. Let's see what happens next...

2003-01-13T00:35:00.000-05:00

Addendum

Okay, so it turns out that not *all* of the classes aren't being offered, only some of them. I'm simply a moron, and far too tired. So, I've got times and names of all the classes I can take to fulfill what I need (and don't worry, N, I'm going to do everything in my power to avoid taking your class with crazy professor man), so tomorrow all I have to do is pick up a registration form, and commence the chicken-like running. Wish me luck.

2003-01-13T00:13:00.000-05:00

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Why yes, that's me, falling asleep in my chair. Le sigh. And here's where I ramble on and on again about how busy I've been. But first - last night? Chicago. All I have to say is Too Cool. I'm a sucker for a cinematic experience, and this was quite a ride. I swear, every time I watch a movie, I'm reminded of why I want to work on those things. I just... I don't know. I'm far too exhausted to try and put together any kind of coherent thought on the subject right now, so we'll save it for later.

So, anyway. Yeah, basically all week I've been getting home from work and then falling into bed and finding myself waking the next morning, not really conscious of anything that had happened the previous night. Asleep by nine. Ack. Does this mean I'm a grownup? Thursday I worked until 8:45, Friday I was there until 10:45. Then went in yesterday (Saturday) and worked a full day until 6. Have I mentioned that this is a part time job? But, it needed to get done, and I don't mind working, and I was asked, and hey - OT. Especially since my company does daily OT. So, even though my 2 week paycheck will only have 40 regular hours on it, it will have 15 OT hours. Kick ass. Except for the whole being exhausted thing. And then last night the movie. And then M asked if I wanted to go watch the women's playdowns with her this morning, as she had to be there officiate. Sure! 8:30 games, be there by 8, done by noonish. Why not. Plenty of time to do the other things I had planned, and still get to Anne's to watch Oz. Anyway, in the game for the championship (which decides the GNCC Women's Champions, which is also the team that goes to Nationals for us - if we can send two teams, the second place team goes, too), the team that had lost one game won. Which meant that the two teams were tied. Which meant that they had to play another game. Which didn't start until one. And didn't end for FOREVER. And so, long story short, no time left. Rami's so tired. And feeling like a shitty gf. Which I probably am being right now. And I feel terrible for it, but I just don't have any energy, and I don't know what to do about that, other than try to get about 2 weeks of sleep before classes start. But seeing as that's tomorrow ::looks at clock and changes that to "today":: I don't think that's going to happen. Le sigh. Somebody just needs to bitch slap me, really.

And in the whole "classes" department... Financial Aid is still screwing me over, along with help from Sallie Mae or Chase Manhattan or whoever it is holding my mom's PLUS loan, which I don't even know, as they wouldn't tell me since I'm not my mom. So I still haven't registered. Which means that tomorrow and tuesday I get to run around like a chicken with my head cut off, attempting to get signed into classes that I'll hopefully be able to actually register for once my hold is lifted. And mind you, all the classes I need are closed. Well, except Russian. It's not like people are banging down the doors to get into second semester intermediate russian. But Econ? Closed. PoliSci? Well... the ones that are available are closed, but that's an interesting situation in and of itself, as it seems the classes I'm supposed to take to graduate (one required, and then a required choice of three) are not being offered. Um... huh? Yeah, colour me confused. Aaaaarrrrrrrgh! So, rephrase, I'll spend tomorrow running around to my advisor (which is the least fun thing EVER, as she's close to the stupidest person I've ever met), and various department heads, saying "I'm a second semester senior and I need this to graduate!"

But to end on a high note, I finished the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Holy cow. I just. Wow. Yeah. I am so totally immersed in this world right now, it's ridiculous. Plus, got to watch Oz again. Hurrah! I suppose not all is lost.

2003-01-08T21:16:00.000-05:00

Soooo...

I was totally going to come home tonight and clean my room and do all sorts of productive stuff. But instead, I've IM'd (Hi, Shell!) and watched more special features, and I'm about to crawl into bed and read the last bit of TTT. Hoorah! In the mean time, while not updating my blog from work, I've been... taking more quizzes. Yay.

I thought this was cute:

what decade does your personality live in?

quiz brought to you by lady interference, ltd

And I actually had to take this one again here at home, and got this one, which was much preferable to my first answer, which was "I am not a Nazgul..." Say what?

Which Ringwraith are You?
By Lisa

Saw this on dargie's blog, and thought it was interesting. I don't have much to say, but anyway...

The Rings Thing

For those who have read the books: Did the changes from book to screen bother you more or less (or the same) in TTT vs. FOTR? Any TTT changes that you found particularly distressing, or any that others are harping on that bother you not at all?

I hadn't actually read them before I saw the movies (although that will be different for RotK), so what I have to say mainly has to do with things that I'm finding as I'm reading. There's so much that I didn't *quite* understand until I read it. Or saw the extended DVD. Such as the thing with the Elf Cloaks making you hard to see to your enemies. The whole thing with Frodo and Sam, the first time I saw TTT, I just didn't get. Then I was reading the book, and kind of did a little dim-witted "ooooohhhhhh". Then I watched the extended DVD, and they had put back in the scene where the Fellowship is given the cloaks. And it made a bit more sense. I have to say that I'm very happy with Gollum, but was a bit surprised at the Faramir that I found in the book after his depiction in the movie. Not that I'm saying this is a bad thing, necessarily. I'll need a bit more time to think on it.

But really all that was just an excuse to talk about LotR more. I've gone into a bit of a tailspin. I can't talk about anything else. I'm but pages from the end of TTT, and I was going through withdrawal all day at work. I've been watching my DVD, I've been watching a co-worker's DVD. She has a personal DVD player that she brought to work, and we watch during our lunch break. That's not obsessive, is it? Mainly, I've become a bit concerned, as I seem to have developed a Viggo thing. Mind you, I already knew I had an Aragorn thing. Love Aragorn. Love him. Viggo, I don't even find attractive. I mean, okay, he's easy on the eyes, but other than that... whatever. But then I picked up the Premier magazine with his interview in it, and I'm gone. Mind you, I still don't find him attractive, I just want to be his friend. I want to go and hang out with him. I want to go fishing with him and go on long drives with him and take pictures with him. And just, well, talk or not talk. Just hang out. That's not too much to ask, is it? I suppose I'll just curl up with my book and be happy with that...

2003-01-06T16:54:00.000-05:00

Redo!

Last night, I spent the night at Anne’s after Oz. Today, her kids had a snow day. I wanted nothing more than to stay home, rest, and maybe play some. I should’ve. Noooooo, instead, I had to be responsible adult. Bah!

Lessee… first of all, I’m posting surreptitiously from work, because, not less than an hour ago, I got chewed out by bi-polar boss lady for checking my aol e-mail, when it was an e-mail from my mother, about stuff that needs to be done a) quickly and b) during business hours. Grrr. Second, one of the things we’ve been conversing about is the fact that my camera is broken. My beautiful, wonderful camera. I turn it on, and it tells me “system error”. It still reads pictures off of the compactflash card, though, so this leads the Nikon technicians to believe that the system hardware got messed up, and I’m going to have to send it to their repair center. ::cry::

Third of all, I feel like utter crap. Better crap than last week, mind you, but still all icky. All I want to do is lay in bed and watch movies. Well, lay in bed and watch Fellowship, to be more exact. But the bed part of the equation is essential.

Fourth – Crazy lady next to me was talking to a co-worker this morning, and I overheard a comment about her making a nasty comment to a gay couple that lives near her. Apparently, her son was all like “I can’t believe you said that” (and I don’t even know what it is she said), and she was like “but they were out there hugging and kissing, and the one had rainbows on his car – a rainbow sticker on his car, can you believe that? It’s disgusting. I would think it was disgusting if it were on my car.” To which I interrupted their discussion to say “but it’s not your car, it’s theirs, so what does it matter?” Needless to say, she walked away. Bah part deux.

I just can’t wait to get out of here. But there were good things, really there were. Lessee. Thursday, a friend came into town that I hadn’t seen for a while, and she and S and I went to see TTT at the Uptown. We ended up in the second row (resulting in headaches for S & B), which was a bit… intense, but way fun. Had forgotten to mention that (wheee!) J got me the Animal play set for Christmas. I love it! Friday, called off of work because I felt so bad. Slept until almost noon. Then M was back in town, and she and B and B and I went out to Tyson’s. Oh! And the presents that my mom had ordered that hadn’t come in had come, and she sent them to me – a curling broom, back, and turtleneck. Too cool. All of which I was able to use Friday night at league (got our butts kicked but good) and Saturday at the MACA (eh. had a fair showing). Saturday MACA was great fun, although soooooo tired. After not being able to fall asleep until around 2:30, we got up at 4 to hit the road a little after 4:30. Needless to say, we were not all that coherent. But we had fun, nonetheless (or at least, I did), and I got to play on a team with two pretty cool guys from Plainfield. (but alas, no pictures, because of the BROKEN CAMERA. GRRRR) Dropped B off at the bus station. Fox headed home. I Slept. For 13 hours. Then went to TTT again yesterday, with Anne and some other DC area slashers, which was beyond fun. Then off to Anne’s for the premiere of the final season of Oz. Le sigh. That’s just… there’s not even enough room for me to get into that here, so I won’t.

And then, I still haven’t been able to register for classes (which start next Monday) because Financial Aide is saying that I still owe them about $3500… um, no. But in the process of messing with that, found out my grades for this past semester – B in Politics of Central & Eastern Europe (which I thought I had totally bombed; I’m convinced she must have curved the grades), A-‘s in Int’l Economics and Statistics, and then an A (surprise surprise) in Early Russian Cinema. So, I suppose not all is lost. But, you know, I’d really like to get some classes…

Right now, I’m just looking forward to going home and curling up in my nice, cozy bed and watching some more of the special features on the extended DVD.

But first, is it my own fault, or can I blame Cassandra if, on Saturday, listening to “Into the Woods” and the lines “It was lonely atop of the tower” and “I was not company enough for you?” had me picturing Gandalf and the Balrog?

2003-01-02T00:56:00.000-05:00

Quickie

Before I retire. Or die. Whichever comes first. Ugh. So sick. New Year's was fun. Went to two parties, both a good time. Unfortunately, cold bug wreaking havoc with any socializing I actually want to do. Having problems breathing. We don't really need to breath to survive, do we? I didn't think so. Soooo tired. Went to J's for dinner and games tonight, had a blast. Then went to see S perform at the drag king show - you did mahvalously, my deah. A friend is coming into town tomorrow and spending Thursday and Friday nights, and then M is going to be spending the night Friday night, and my room is an absolute wreck, and I just. can't. bring. myself. to. care. I really don't feel even well enough to go to work tomorrow, but due to the killer project from hell, I really probably should. Which means that I'm going to go, get off of the computer, crawl into my warm, comfy bed, and forget about the dishes and the dirty clothes and all those things that need to be done and just SLEEP. (end: whine)

2002-12-31T19:20:00.000-05:00

So, in case anybody was wondering

This is the adorable bastard who got me sick

And *this* is what the sky looked like when I was walking home from work tonight

Too cool, no?

2002-12-31T18:58:00.000-05:00

Well if that isn't just the bitchiest of bitches...

*grumble* *grumble* damn case sensitive host *grumble*

Anyway... tadaa! Picture. :-)

2002-12-30T22:18:00.000-05:00

Hmmmmm

Nope. Help?

2002-12-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

Let's see if we can't get this to work...

2002-12-30T21:00:00.000-05:00

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...

It just seems that way sometimes. Just a quick check-in. I've been working. Working, working, working. Got back from PA around noon on Saturday and went out to lunch with my mom and brother, and then headed to work. Worked until 7:30, and then on Sunday from 10 until 6:15. This is the first time since I've started at the firm that I've worked on a weekend. But it needed to be done, and I get OT for coming in on the weekends. Seeing as I didn't work at all last week, I need all the money I can get. It's all very interesting, I assure you... click on the hyperlink, look through the document, make sure it's okay, put an exhibit number and box on it, write down any problems, go on to the next one. Today alone, I looked through and edited 360 documents. That brings the count since this project has begun to almost 1200 (there are 1800 exhibits altogether, but there were some other people working on the project, too). Now, we're done. Which simply means that, starting tomorrow, I get to go in and make all the changes to the list. Does the fun ever end? But in all honesty, I like working hard, and I work better when I've got a task or a project that I'm set on, so it's all good.

After work, headed over to the mall. Bought a new adaptor so that I can use my keyboard which I brought from home. Then went to Suncoast to exchange my SN DVDs that my brother got me for Christmas. Paid off the rest of the deposit on my Oz DVDs and then bought... The FotR Extended Edition. I had to. I just couldn't stop myself. Watching it now, actually. I've been reading the books. I had bought them last January, and started into them, but then didn't have time to read when my spring midterms came up. For whatever reason, when midterms were over, I never picked them back up again; I just read other things. So, last week, I decided to give it another go, and I've finished FotR and am well into TTT. Let's just say that I'm a little bit... focused. :-D Well, off to relax and then... mmmmsleeeeeeeppmmmm. Pictures, when I have enough energy to futz with the software.

2002-12-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

On the Second Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me...

(Warning: LONG)

Okay, I confess. I have no true love, and they gave me nothing today. But I will be visited that are the most adorable terrors of my two youngest cousins. Their mom and dad are going to a wedding tonight, and my mom and I are last minute babysitters. I love them, they're adorable, but... the five year old tends to enjoy just running around and screaming, and won't eat anything. The one and a half year old eats *everything* and, well, he's really quite sweet and even-tempered. It's just that he's one and half. So, anything within grabbing vicinity gets put in the mouth, or thrown at somebody. And walking has made *everything* in grabbing vicinity. And he likes to climb stairs. Only problem? He can't get back down. Should be interesting...

I'm still basking in that post-holiday glow. I really can't quite express how they effect me. I was reading Dargie's journal earlier today, and I have to agree with her that they're not the same as they used to be for me, but I think that's something that everybody goes through. I've never really felt (not since I was about 10, anyway) that I got into the Christmas spirit. But the past few years, I've realized that I do, just in a different way. I feel very peaceful around the holidays - granted I don't get stuck watching commercials. I think just about my favourite thing to do is sit on the couch at night with all the lights turned off but those on the christmas tree. There's just something very calming about it. But it's been a very busy "vacation."

I got home Saturday afternoon, which was the day of my step-father's birthday. While my mom and he went out to dinner, I was assigned the task of taking my brother shopping for them, which he hadn't done yet. But he knew what he wanted to get, and it was very painless. And had oh-so-yummy dinner at new pizza place in the shopping center called "Peace A Pizza." Really good.
Sunday, my mom, my aunt, my cousin and I all went to see "The Secret Garden" at a local professional theatre. It was the last day of the run, and really quite impressive for such a small theatre. It still gives me the chills. Such a great show.
Monday, I took my mom for her Christmas present. She was absolutely surprised. She knew something was up, because I'm a terrible liar, but she hadn't any idea what it could be. We both enjoyed it - it's much different seeing it as an adult - and it turns out that she had never been to Winterthur for the Yuletide, so it was completely new for her. We got some new ideas for decorating, and really just had a good time looking on at all the neat stuff. Both of us later lamented not bringing a camera. We had assumed that photographs wouldn't be allowed, but we were wrong. Ah well. I treated her to lunch, as well. Overall, it was a great day. It was so nice outside that we walked back from the house to the parking area instead of taking the shuttle. I'd really like to go back some time just to look at the furniture collection. Just... wow.
Tuesday, we went to a new place that opened in town called "Gingerbread Kids." It was supposed to be for my five year old cousin, but it ended up being more fun for the adults. You go, and they've got an already built gingerbread house for you. You get to decorate it and everything, they provide the icing and the candy, and you get to take it home. But anybody who's ever tried to make a gingerbread house will tell you that the hardest part is the house itself. So, it was nice to not have to worry about that part. My brother and I made one, and my mother and my aunt made another. I think I can quantitatively say that the one my brother and I made was better. :-D We had a tile roof and a log pile and a christmas tree. But we did get into a number of... creative arguments. My brother tends to be of the "more is better" school, and I tend not to be. But all in all, I think it turned out well, and I hope the place survives. They plan to stay open year-round, doing different themes for each holiday and month and such. We've decided that it will become a Christmas Eve tradition.

Christmas Eve. My grandfather came over for dinner. It was a bit strange, because usually my grandparents would not arrive for dinner until at least seven, having gone to see the pageant at the 5 O'clock service at church. But my step-dad went and picked up my Grandfather, and they got back to the house around 4:30. We ate at seven, which is the earliest we've eaten in years (not to mention in the entire week that I've been home). Yummy dinner of homemade soup (Italian Wedding Soup... mmmmm) and Kielbasa and black bread. Nothing better. So then there was lots of time to kill before we had to leave. So, we opted for a Christmas movie - Trading Places. I do so love that movie. My brother opened one of his presents, and that got played with. My mom and my brother and my grandfather and I then headed off for the 11 O'clock service. We met up with one of my aunts and one of my uncles there, and we all sat together with my grandfather, which was weird, because he usually ushered on Christmas Eve. I also ended up next to my mother, which was strange, because I honestly can't remember the last time I sat next to her at a Christmas Eve service. I was always on the end, next to my grandmother, or between her and my aunt. Some women who worked at the church with my grandmother had given flowers in memory of her, and that was really sweet of them. The service was quite beautiful, and the choir sounded great. They sang some neat songs - one with a violin accompanying them, and one with clarinet. But then the pastor got to the reflecting on the year past part, and that's where things started to go downhill. By the time they shut the lights off for us to light our candles, we were pretty much all bawling, and there wasn't anything that could have gotten me all the way through Silent Night. But still, we did it, and no matter how much pain I felt all the while, there was still that wonderful feeling of peace and unity that I get when we do that.

Christmas day... was sadly awoken at 7:15 by my brother. Hadn't gone to bed until almost 3, and was none too happy about this development. Went downstairs to take goodies out of the stocking - presents stopped coming from "Santa" a few years ago for my 20 year old brother and I, but had fun doing that and watching the 12 year old brother get his presents. Although I'm not sure it was the greatest idea to get him an amp - I'm sure my parents will be loving that. Do have to say that I was a bit disappointed, as this was the first time in about six years that we didn't get new toothbrushes in our stockings. I'd really come to rely on that new toothbrush. Ah well. And then off to open presents. Honestly, I don't think I can say that I've ever gotten a bad present. Some strange ones, yes. And it's never a Christmas unless my step-father's mother gets me something purple. But I've always been of the mind that it's the thought that counts, and this year was just the same. My brother (the 20 year old one) came in flouting that he had found the perfect present for me. "If you knew it existed, you would have it, but I don't know if you know it's out there," he had been saying the night before. Well, I'm glad he knows me so well, but alas, I did know they existed - he got me Sports Night on DVD. But I loved it just the same, and I can use that towards something else. My other brother got me a thoroughly comfy thermal shirt. So cozy. The "Big" present (there's always a "big" present, and then smaller ones) was... a digital camera. I'm so happy. I'm delirious. My family thinks I'm nuts, because I'm taking it everywhere with me. It's a Nikon Coolpix 2500, and I love it. The lens swivles back into the body to protect it, and I can put it at angles, and it's small enough that it fits in my pocket, and it still takes good pictures, and I've just been having a field day. Expect in the near future (when I get home and everything set up) to see lots of pictures here. Yay, pictures! I got, among various other things, a new outfit, some lotion and body spray and a larger memory card for the camera. A check and a giant purple fleece sweatshirt from my step-dad's mother, and bookshelves (yay!!!!) from his father. Breakfast was not quite the same with the bobka (my mother forgot to order it until it was too late), so we had french toast instead of eggs, lean scrapple (trust me, if you're going to go for scrapple, just get the regular), potatoes, and pineapple. Yum. After a brief nap, we headed over to my grandparents' house. My grandfather says he's gotten a lot more comfortable in the house, and no longer feels the need to move out into a living community, and that makes me immeasurably happy. Although I feel a bit selfish in that. It's a huge house, and it's just absolutely beautiful. I lived there, and it's where we have big holiday celebrations, and it just wouldn't feel right if it weren't there any more. The house was all decorated for Christmas, apparently my mom and her sisters had gone over the week before and helped him trim the (8 foot) tree, and put up the decorations and put out my grandmother's santa clause collection. However, my uncle who had driven down from the poconos had set up the table, whereas my mother and I used to be the ones who helped my grandmother do it. Note to self: don't let uncle do it again. He kept insisting there was enough room, I kept telling him there was a table missing, and in the end, all 20 of us ended up crammed around a too-small table, unable to move because our chairs were all snug against each other. But anyway. Superb appetizers. All the kids opened their presents (ET! Hurrah! Plus, my aunt got her canadian friend to sneak me some individual sized aero bars, and knit me a "curling cozy" - basically a lap throw, but it's adorable, and I love it!), and the the grown-ups opened their presents. My mom and her siblings all chipped in and got my grandfather a really nice digital camera, and he was very excited about that. We tried to get him to use it some that night, but he's an engineer and very... well... like *that*, and so it'll probably be a month or so for him to read *all* the directions and such before he tries to use it again. Dinner was great, what I had of it. Alas, with a beef dinner, I don't eat much, but after 23 years, I've grown used to it. My aunt made a superb carrot... thing. I got to make the Yorkshire Pudding this year, which I was a bit worried about because not only was it what my grandmother made, but it was the one dish that everybody *always* looked forward to. It was received with rave reviews. Well, people said it was good, anyway. And I'm glad. More food was consumed than should have been, and everybody went home happy.

I suppose I should stop here, as I've gone on for ages, and not much else interesting happened. Saw "Two Towers" again yesterday (and absolutely ready to see it again - anybody want to come with me???), and got to spend some time with a friend last night that I hdn't seen in a long time. I'm not really ready to go home tomorrow, but it'll be nice to sleep in my own bed again. Until then...

2002-12-21T03:13:00.000-05:00

Packing

Yes, at 3 am, why do you ask? Curling was a blast, a total success. Curling was fun, the food was great, and the present exchange was hilarious. Seriously. I had so much fun, I'm really glad I went. Then drinks at Freddie's, and really, I meant to be home earlier, but it just didn't happen. Le sigh. So, here I am packing. And realizing that I left my Diskman and CDs at work. Doh! I guess I'll be reading instead of sleeping tomorrow on the train. Sigh again. And here's hoping that they don't disappear. I suppose I could e-mail somebody who's working next week to see if they'd grab them for me...

In the car, on the way to curling, remembered that there were things I had wanted to say about Wednesday night's television. Is it sad that I'm just oh so excited about having Jeremy *and* Natalie on Wednesday nights? I was watching Ed (for what reason, I'm not really sure. I don't watch it often, but it's a guilty pleasure), and they showed scenes from the next new one... complete with Sabrina Lloyd. I'm beyond psyched. Kept seeing commercials for this new Mr. Smith Goes to Washingtong-esque show, and I can't decide whether it'll be interesting or horrible. Only time will tell. And is it bad that I'm half hoping that somebody did screencaps of the wedding on Providence? Yes, it's sad. I know. But every time the commercial came on, with the pictures of M.K., I was just picturing these gawdawful photo manips that are possible. I really need to get a life.

Well, back to packing.

2002-12-20T01:52:00.000-05:00

Two Towers High

That would be *two* towers. Two. Not one, but two. That's why it's in the tittle. No, Tolkien wasn't being metaphorical, pretty much meant two when he said two. Plus, there was the whole showing both of the towers. Sometimes even in the same shot. And one had a big fiery red eye on top of it. Yes! Exactly! Two.

Didn't get to go see it Wednesday night, so went tonight with J & N and R, who I hadn't even met before. He was a real sweetheart. Really. And I had been warned. But seriously? That above conversation? Took place. With him. And, um, yeah. But anyway. About the movie. I loved it. I really did. I know some people are having issues with book discrepancies (and I'll bet those people could even spell discrepancies correctly), but I haven't read Two Towers yet. I hadn't read FOTR before I saw that, and then I ended up getting sidetracked on my reading, and I wouldn't have had time to finish TTT before the movie came out, so I just decided to go in and be totally surprised. I was quite happy with the result. It didn't quite have the emotional attatchment that the first film had, but I think I may like it better. There were good things and bad thing. I really (REALLY) could have done without all the Liv Tyler stuff. Really. *Loved* Gollum. Am eagerly anticipating the end result of that story arc. I thought the music was used much better in this film than in the first. That was really my only main gripe about FOTR, the use of music. I felt that some of the music just didn't go with the movie. I don't recall even once feeling that with TTT. Um, what else. Had to struggle very hard to keep from making dirty comments when Gandalf was riding bareback. And J, N and I were all laughing hysterically during the scenes with Frodo and Sam near the end of the movie. Too cute. The battle scenes were amazing (and I was even more impressed after having watched the behind the scenes special the other night where they talked about everything that went into filming the battle for Helms Deep), New Zealand was, as always, majestic, and the special effects were way cool. So, overall, a big 'ole happy.

The night overall, however, was rather stressful. I ended up at work until after 6:30. I've been working on a case, doing the filing and helping out now and then. The case is going to trial in January, and the primary paralegal just left for a 2.5 week vacation. Which means that I get to make the exhibit binders for the judge. Which is fine, and a lot of fun. However, there are about 1800 exhibits. They've all been scanned into the computer system. My job is to check them, edit them to contain exhibit numbers on the system, then print them out, double check them, put real exhibit stickers on them, punch them and put them in a binder. Well, lots of binders. So, it's really interesting, and much better than filing, but it's extremely time consuming. So crazy boss lady today was freaking out b/c I only got about 50 exhibits done. Keep in mind, however, that I had to go to our section luncheon, I had to switch computers (because mine is a big 'ole POC that doesn't run the image editing software that I needed), and then had many questions about how to fix certain things, one of which took an hour to get answered. So, I'm estimating, at the rate I'm going, that I can do about 120 exhibits a day. But this means working late. And eating in the office. And all sorts of fun stuff. Which I don't mind. Except for that I'm supposed to stay until 6 tomorrow. And I'm curling tomorrow night. And so, somehow, I have to figure out a way to get to M and N to get out to curling. And I haven't bought a present for the gift exchange yet, and I hadn't had a chance to make the candy, and seeing as I have to be at work in about 7 hours, that's not going to happen tonight, so I'm going to end up bringing bought dessert to the pot luck. Which is just totally lame. So, I'm in a bit of a tizzy about that.

Oh! But the remainder of the stressful evening. Driving to the movie theatre, J's car just kind of... stopped. No bad noises or smoke, no lights going on or whistles going off. It just kind of... sputtered a bit and then died. No tow trucks for a couple of hours. So, we pushed the car off to the side of the road and found a cab to take us to the theatre. But this, of course, is the abbreviated version of us standing there, and J stressing out, and me feeling bad, because I didn't have any advice, and all of this on the side of a busy road, in the dark and the rain. But at least E was nice enough to come pick us up after the movie was over. Nice because we didn't have to deal with a cab, and nice because I haven't seen him in forfreakin'ever, and he lives just a block away. Come visit, E! But I hope things work out for J with the car, because he's been having some bad issues with that thing lately, and he deserves better. To not have to worry about it for a while. J, that's my christmas wish for you - no car trouble for all of next year. Okay? :-)

Now, bed. Mmmmmmmmmmmmbedmmmmmmmmmmm

2002-12-19T13:36:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, I do a little dance

That would be the dance of being done with finals.

That would be the dance of going home for quality family time and happy holidays in two days.

That would be the dance of potluck, gift exchange and curling tomorrow night.

That would be the dance of working at the first job where I've ever received a holiday bonus.

That would be the dance of coming back to my desk to find a card, signed by our attorneys, with a little gift.

It's a good day.

2002-12-17T18:27:00.000-05:00

Imagine You're a Soviet Director

In 1949. You're in a western country, and need to come up with an idea for a film that would please Stalin and Zhdanov. Give the title and a brief synopsis of the plot.

"Somewhere Over the Volga" A remake of the recent American blockbuster, "The Wizard of Oz," wherein Dorothy learns that the only way to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West is to lay more yellow bricks than her.

Yes, I actually wrote that on my exam. It was the extra credit question. So, in case you were wondering, here's the count. Three down, one to go. Stat was last week (and hard as hell), but this morning was the killer. Politics of Central and Eastern Europe. Wahoo. N came over last night to help me study, and he tried hard, but I just didn't know anything. No, that's a lie. I knew a little bit about everything. As opposed to the midterm, for which I knew a whole lot about only a little. I just... After the midterm, I felt really good, really confident about how I had done. I felt like I knew things really well. And I got an 80. This test, I am nowhere near as confident about. I don't think I'll get the 'B' I was hoping for. Le sigh. But then was Russian Cinema which, as you can tell from above, was much more amusing. Although I thought my hand was about to fall off by the end. Choose 15 out of 20 IDs. I accidently did 16. Doh! Then two long essays. One of them in the form of a journal, which is always fun. Six journal entries. The other essay was nowhere near as interesting, just an in-depth description and discussion of socialist realism and how it was depicted in cinema. And then the extra credit question. I was so looney by the end of the exam, that was the best I could come up with. But it seemed to amuse the professor. Plus, she told me that she'd give me credit for all of the IDs that I did. Which means that if I don't get an 'A' on this test, there's something seriously wrong. Now, if I can only get through Econ tomorrow, I'll be free for a whole three weeks. Yay!

Hoping to go see "Two Towers" tomorrow night as my de-stressing fun. A and I saw "Real Women Have Curves" on sunday, which would make December my movie-heavy month of the year. :-) As for RWHC, it was really cute. I enjoyed it a lot. The girl who played the main character was adorable, and it made a nice statement or two without shoving them in your face. We also exhanged gifts, which was fun. Yay for my new warm long sweater, and a new cage for mouse. It totally freaked him out at first. He kept running around in circles, not quite sure what to do with himself. So then I put him in the petting area up top, and he was stuck there for a good twenty minutes. He has a fear of heights, and every time he'd head down the tube to go back to the main part of the cage, he'd get to the point where his head was facing downwards, freak out, and run back up. He has since gotten used to it. He loves the wheel, and he crawls up into the top area a lot. He hasn't stopped trying to escape, though...

Thanks to a friend who shall not be named [waves] I have a lovely Mark picture, made by cmshaw. I love it. I do. :-D

Note to self: go to Union Station and have ticket changed so that I can use it on Saturday.

Test tomorrow. Two Towers. Work thursday, then making candy and cookies all night. Work friday, then curling. Then, home! Hurrah!

2002-12-16T13:45:00.000-05:00

Are we there yet?

Alas, it's Monday, again. And this monday means that I'm *that* much closer to being done this semester. Unfortunately, that means I'm also *that* much closer to finals (two tomorrow and one on wednesday) as well as *that* much closer to the next semester, for which I have yet to register for classes, due to financial holds on my account. Fun fun fun!

Saturday in Baltimore was a blast. Not a whole lot of people showed up (of those that did, some were scary, eeegads!), but those of us who did, had a good time. Crab Dip. Yum. Hot chocolate from the grind. Yum. The Miracle on 34th Street, which never ceases to amaze me with it's wonderful gaudiness. The lights, the figurines, the music, oh my! And I always love the house where the artists live that has a tree made out of hubcaps, and also a "maryland tree" complete with metal crabs, old bay seasoning, and "natty bo." Too funny. Then, on to "Hometown Girl" where I got a new magnet. I have a bit of a thing for magnets, and especially these. They're the 50's style pictures with the sayings next to them. They actually had an hilarious one in a picture frame, but not in magnet form, which had a young, attractive woman on it, and the saying was "Have you seen my hormones?" Heh. Last time, I got one that said "Mary Decided to go with Naughty this year." This time I got one with a man showing a woman how to play golf, and the saying is "She had told him that she liked to swing." What can I say? I'm amused.

And in the spirit of family and sharing and all of that (and because I finally learned how to use the colour scanner at work), here's a picture of my mother's family:

2002-12-14T14:07:00.000-05:00

Super, Super Saturday!

Or, um, something like that except not like a slogan for a department store sale...

I've spent all morning watching figure skating. I'm not quite sure why. I'm not at all a big dance fan, but there's something about figure skating that always sucks me in. Hurrah, Aleksei Yaguden. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.

Curling last night. Not quite fun. Took almost two and a half hours to get from just south of DC to just north of DC. I ended up with a raging headache and stomache ache, which was not at all helped by two of my teammates (one of them was a sub) being particularly frustrating. But we played with switching positions, like in the MACAs, which is always fun. I can't say that I'm getting much better at actually calling shots, but I'm definitely getting more confident about making the calls, which is a good thing. And then we stayed afterwards to practice some. My crazy curling friends and I have decided to try and form a rink for the Kaiser this year. (For those of you not in the curling-know, the Kaiser is a mixed - meaning two men and two women, alternating - for "Five and under" - that would be people playing for five years or less, not for five year olds, smartasses) I think it's going to be a lot of fun, and we'll probably get our asses kicked, but everybody's got to start somewhere, right? Anyway, all this has me really excited, and I can't wait for January to come so that we can start playing actual games as a team. Wheee!

And much fun... tonight I'm going up to Bmore to get together with my crazy Homicide friends. I haven't seen them in far too long. Mmmmcrabdip, Fells Point, and The Miracle on 34th Street (the actual street, not the movie). What could be better?

2002-12-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

Doh.

Courtesy of Esti

Which "Saved By The Bell" Character Are You?

At least I'm not Screech...

2002-12-13T11:29:00.000-05:00

Quiz Time

How do you go about getting in touch with the Deputy Secretary of State? Or at least his secretary?

And, if anybody knows, could you let me know? Please?

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job?

2002-12-13T11:14:00.000-05:00

Yay!!

Yay for having seen the Nutcracker last night. Final judgment? I love it as much as I always have, but it was only a fair production of it. The orchestra was amazing - too bad they weren't amplified at all. It was sometimes hard to hear them. The scenery was phenominal, the costumes were okay. The dancers were amazing. AMAZING. Seriously. Unfortunately, the choreography blew major chunks. That was really my only major complaint. There was no sense of... emotion. I mean, there was happy, smiley dancing. And that was it. I felt like there was no attempt at all to match the mood or tone of the music. There also no attempt to build up to a climax (again, matching the music), tempting the audience with little teases of what the dancers were capable of. It was... here's a spin near the beggining, here's one in the middle, and here's one right before the end, too. I have very vivid memories of watching it as a child, and the dancers would start off with very non-extravagent moves, and build their way up until you've got the music urging you forward in your seat, and the dancers are just spinning and spinning, and how is it possible for them to do that? This, I just felt like... it was "look what we can do!" the whole time. Which was nice in a way, because, like I said, they were amazing dancers and could do a whole lot, but it didn't really mesh with the music. But that's my only major complaint, and I really did have a great time. I swear.

Yay for payday!

Yay for rich lawyer-y type people sending other rich lawyer-y type people large baskets full of goodies, including these kind of chocolate covered dried cherry things that... man. Sooo good.

And, finally, a great big Yay for this article about bisexuals, which I came across by way of a friend, from "Bay Windows":
"Try Coming Out as Bisexual."
I think I love this man.

2002-12-12T11:41:00.000-05:00

Just a Few of my Favourite Things

Since my last entry (all of half an hour ago), I've been wandering around the office, driving my co-workers nuts. Christmas songs, everywhere. Except for that they're not. They're only in my head, and so I'm wandering around, singing and whistling, and I'm pretty sure they all want to kill me. So, I thought I'd take this time to talk about Christmas songs here. In addition to the "traditional" songs that I love (yay, Carol of the Bells - and double yay for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's version of it), as well as the "popular" christmas songs (can everybody say Alvin and the Chipmunks? I knew you could), I love those wacky, strange versions of christmas songs that pop up now and then. Heard a rather disturbing one at last week's drag king show, but we won't get into that now. So, I'm going to post a list of strange christmas songs that I enjoy. It's a short list for now, since I'm at work, and don't have access to my whole play list. But more will be coming.

Walkin' Round in Women's Underwear by Bob Rivers. How can you not love a christmas classic turned song about a secret cross-dressing affair. Tell me that.

Bob and Doug McKenzie's Twelve Days of Christmas "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, beer." Need I say more?

Like I said, short for now, but there will be more to come....

2002-12-12T10:46:00.000-05:00

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Wherein I spend my days whistling Christmas songs everywhere I go. I make peppermint bark for my friends, and I'm dirt poor, but it's okay, because I've spent all my money buying things for other people. And if only - if only I had more money, I could buy more things for more people!

I really do tend to get into the Christmas spirit. I'm all about the spirit of giving, and friendship, and I just want everybody to be happy. I wish I had a tree, but I went out and bought lights to hang up anyway. (The ones I had died this past summer) Last night I downloaded Bruce's version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," because I have no idea where my record of it is. It's just been added to my growing collection of Christmas-time MP3s, because all of my holiday CDs have disappeared. As of right now, I'm done shopping for my immediate family. I don't really have any, well, any money with which to buy other people presents, but I get paid tomorrow, and I'm going to do my darndest. Tonight's the Nutcracker and, while I know I can't quite get back to that childhood place of awe and wonder, I'm going to try. And, inspired by Shell, I even have addresses on the envelopes for my holiday cards. Okay, so I still have to actually write things in them, but addresses are a good first step, right?

My mom's other present, which I just got, are tickets for her and I to take the Yuletide tour at Winterthur. If any of you live in the PA/NJ/DE/MD area and haven't been there, you're missing out on something great. It's a beautiful place to start with - part of the old Dupont Estate. There's a 60 acre garden, and amazing architecture and furnishings, and all the fun stuff. They even have kid-focused exhibits. But starting in November, it transforms into a winter paradise. In the main house, each room is decorated in a different Christmas tradition, and on the tour you learn all about the different celebrations and foods, and... I'm getting all excited just thinking about it. I've been once, when I was about 13 or so. Every year my mom and I talk about going, but never do. So, this is our year. I just can't wait for it to be two weeks from now, for it to be the time of family and food. Yorkshire pudding, hot of the oven. Crackers for everybody. I can't wait.

2002-12-09T23:22:00.000-05:00

Roller Coaster Ride

Someone let me off!

Up: Kick Ass Weekend. I apologize to all of you who maybe expected comments out of me this weekend. Am so so SO jealous of the play crowd. Le sigh. But curling. And then more curling. And then the company party (which was far more fun than I was led to believe) and then party on Sunday afternoon. Much fun.

Down: Issues at work. Iss-ues. And the trying to help thing and the pissing the boss off thing, and seriously? Let's just not go there. Thanks.

Up: Roomie is taking me to see The Nutcracker on Thursday! She just now asked me what I was doing, and said that she's got tickets, let's go. I'm beyond excited. I was seriously jumping up and down and squealing like a little girl. It was rather sad, really. My grandmother used to take me to see it in Philadelphia, and I haven't seen it in years. It's one of my absolute favourite things. I don't think there's any way I could be more excited than I am right now.

2002-12-04T17:55:00.000-05:00

Yes, Another Test.

I just don't have the energy to write about anything. Although, granted, there isn't really anything going on for me to write about. So, there. Except for that I've got a cold. Ick, petewey. Anyway.

Glad to know I'm Mentally (un)Stable:

Disorder	Rating
Paranoid:	Low
Schizoid:	Low
Schizotypal:	High
Antisocial:	Low
Borderline:	Low
Histrionic:	Moderate
Narcissistic:	Low
Avoidant:	High
Dependent:	High
Obsessive-Compulsive:	Moderate
-- Click Here To Take The Test --

2002-12-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

Welcome, kid

to this f'd up world we call home. Housemates A &B were pregnant. Due tomorrow. Guess what? They had the baby. Last week. When did we find out? Yesterday. And by accident. You know, I think perhaps something's wrong in a situation where three people living in a house don't even know there's a baby in it. Just a thought.

I didn't even cheat, I swear! Gakked from Ardent:

Which Sesame Street Muppet's Dark Secret Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Bert & Ernie's Gay Love Affair Look, everyone knows you two are lovebirds. Why not do the brave thing and admit it to the world? The times are kinder nowadays. There may be the odd ultraconservative bigwig or overprotective mom, but so what? Piss on 'em. Come on out of the closet. It's ok.

2002-12-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

Washing Woes

Seriously, I should not have been allowed in the vicinity of a washing machine yesterday. At all. Or, more precisely, in the vicinity of a dryer. That's the ticket. Ugh.

Saturday night, I decided to do a load of laundry at my mother's house. Around midnight, it was finished, and I put it in the dryer. Unfortunately, I was so tired, that I set the dryer using the settings on the dryer at *my* house, which are completely opposite. So when I woke up in the morning, the clothes were still damp. Ick. I set the dryer correctly, but there was not enough time to finish drying them before I had to leave to come home. So, I stuck them in a plastic bag, and pulled on my khaki pants instead of my jeans. This will be important.

I came home, popped those clothes in the dryer. Decided that I might as well do all my laundry. So, I stick a load of lights in the washer. Realize that, hey, I probably want to wear these pants to work tomorrow, I should put them in the washer. So, in the khakis go. Time passes, and I'm getting ready to go shopping with S. Can't find my chapstick. Oh no - could I have left it in my pants pocket? I rush over to the dryer, where I had just put in the load of lights, and find the pants. No chapstick. I scrounge around the bottom of the dryer, just in case it fell out. Still no luck. I grab a different chapstick (because, yes, I prepare for situations just like this) and head out. Come back a few hours later and take the laundry out of the dryer. Big. Pink. Spots. On my white shirts. On the colored lights, it looks more like oil stains. They're probably on about half my clothes. Found the now empty tube of chapstick. Resisted the urge to cry, and perhaps yell a bit. Resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to need to get new clothes. ::sigh:: At least Christmas is coming up...

2002-11-30T10:40:00.000-05:00

Post-Holiday Wrap-up

Have I been watching too much "Sports Night" if I refer to it as a post-holiday wrap-up? Do I care?

Thanksgiving was a success. There weren't as many of us as I thought there were going to be, but it still ended up being 22 or 23. I opted out of playing football, chose to stand on the sidelines, mocking my family. Hey, it's what I'm best at. And it's not like anybody in our family is especially "athletic." But we always have fun. My grandmother's brother and his family drove out from Michigan, and that was good. They often do, but I wasn't sure if they still would. My control-freak uncle made the gravy, even after he said that I could, but that was a small price to pay for a wonderful day. Plus, I know that my gravy is better than his. :-D Was a little more bitter about the fact that, before dinner, he said a prayer instead of doing what we usually do, which is go around the table and say what we're thankful for. If it were up to him, I'd be thankful for Dubya. I chose to distance myself from that. I know what I'm thankful for, and so does the Universe, and that's all that matters. Ardent, if I ever come visit you, I'll teach you how to make gravy. And Yorkshire Pudding. And Plantation Bars and Butter Cream Eggs and all the other yummy stuff my grandmother taught me how to make. Was completely shocked (in a pleasant way) when we got to my parents' house Thursday night, to find snow on the ground.

Yesterday, we got to hang out with family more. We went over to the memorial garden and visited my grandmother. Then we all went out to lunch. Nothing like an *actual* Phily-style (chicken) Cheese steak. Had planned on going to the Brandywine River Museum, but we couldn't even find parking, so we scrapped that idea and did what we do best - went shopping. Back to my grandparents' house, where more of the fam showed up. Got to see my two youngest cousins, which is always a delight. My grandfather had made some chicken and corn chowder, and we had an oh-so-healthy dinner of that, with all the leftover appetizers and such from Thursday. Not to mention the pumpkin pie and chocolate cake, and then the chocolate-covered potato chips that my aunt bought while we were shopping yesterday. Ugh. I feel full again just thinking about it. Today is... I don't know. Whatever. Hanging out. It's nice to feel restful for a while.

I was a bit peeved, becaues my parents' computer wouldn't let me copy and paste in the comments box to reply to you guys. So, I'll just do it here. :-)

Ardent - I think I covered you. And yes, we were missing her. My aunt had set up pictures of her on the side table in the dining room where we ate, so that was nice.

Meara - Yes, "Home for the Holidays" is the one with Holly Hunter and Robert Downey, Jr. I. love. that. movie.
Trasker - Homicide? You want Homicide? Hmmmmm... I'm sure there are things that can be arranged. And on the 7th, we can sit together (virtually) and mourn our not being at the play. Which reminds me, I had a dream last night that I was at the play. I won't get into it here because, like all of my dreams, it was incredibly surreal and confusing. So, we'll just leave it "I had a dream." :-)
And Shell, darling Shell - Yes, it is I who have the tie. "By the way, detective, love the tie." ::sigh:: And yes, I agree that some of the best ones are some of the darkest. Have I mentioned that I miss Schism? Now that I have *time* and actually am somewhat *verbal* on my lists... and my Homicide list is gone. Ah well.

Off to the craft store, time to get supplies for holiday crafts and cooking, yay!

2002-11-27T23:50:00.000-05:00

How do you spell 'Hodgpodge,' anyway?

Another week, another update. I feel like this week disappeared, and I'm not really sure what happened to it. Just a bit old blur. Of course, last weekend was the bonspiel up in Philly. My first traveling bonspiel, and I had a fantastic time. We lost bitterly, but we had fun, and that's all that really matters. :-) I think that, between my bum knee and missing our skip, we actually pulled off a fair job. Our second of our three games, we actually played *really* well, came back for a tie and forced it into an extra end, and then lost in the 9th. It was great to curl with and against people that I'd never played with before, as well as to see some people that I'd met before. Being able to see another, and more established club (physically, anyway, where we're curling now only just opened last January) was really interesting. I still love our club, but they had a very homey feel to theirs. Plus, elevated viewing area. And cameras for the far houses. I think that's what I'm asking for for Christmas. :-)

Just got home from Anne's, where we finally got to hang out. Back in the day, we'd get together something like once a week. But now I have a job that expects me to work real hours, and curling, and she's been doing NaNoWriMo (and I'm so impressed with her for keeping up the pace!), so it had been almost two months since we'd seen each other last. It was great to finally get to see her again, but I feel bad, because I just had no energy. I've been tired for weeks now. It feels like it's just all been non-stop since midterms. And I've been a horrible student. Not at all responsible about getting work completed in a timely manner, causing me to stress out and get restless sleep, and just generally be unhappy. I was worried because last week I started wheezing while lying down in bed. While many members of my family have asthma, I am not one of them. However, I tend to come by stress-enduced breathing problems very easily. For a large portion of my sophmore year, I was on steroids as well as a rescue inhaler just so I could walk across campus. Luckily, that went away, and I'm going to attribute it to (for now) spending so long sleeping solely on my back, because of my knee. And then today, I was pissed at people at work (everybody does know that March is the third month, and not the fifth, right? Just checking.), and had a stomache ache, because I made a foolhardy attempt at tasting the chilis that were in the chili cookoff today at work. The metro was beyond packed, so I had to stand, and my knee kept cracking and popping out of place so that, by the time I got to her station, it was hurting pretty badly. I wanted to be all happy and excited and fawning over fanishness, but I just didn't have the energy. Sorry, hon.

And then, on my Oz lists, people have been going nutso over the new promos. I'm a bit sad because I don't have HBO anymore, so I can't watch them. But I've seen the screen caps, and am very psyched about the new season. I just can't wait. But I feel very out of the loop. I used to be really involved in the fandom, and it seems like lately, it's all I can do get online and check my e-mail. And a bunch of people are going up to New York on the 7th for a play with a bunch of the actors, as well as Tom Fontana, and I really want to go, but can't. So that's bringing me down a bit.

On the fandom plus side... I ended up dragging a few boxes back down from PA this past weekend when I came back from the bonspiel. I had been looking for my Russian books, but my mom wasn't sure which box they were in, so she just kind of gave me a bunch of them. And in one of them was all of my Homicide stuff. Well, almost all of it. My Bayliss-shirt is MIA. I have a feeling that, when my mother put the stuff in the box, she pulled it aside and put it with normal clothes. ::sigh:: What's a girl to do. But my Bayliss and Meldrick ties are there, along with some pictures and articles and artifacts that I had almost forgotten I had. Evidence of my life long ago. That, and all the talk of Kyle on Shell's LJ, has really got me in a HLOTS kind of mood tonight. Perhaps I'll pop in some eps.

One of the things that I'm really excited about, and yet really nervous about at the same time, is our office holiday party. I've pretty much decided to come out to all the people I work with. Many of them will have no problem with this, and I'm betting some of them will, but luckily, none of them are people that have any bearing on my job. This is the first place I've worked where I didn't come out right away, or even sometimes they already knew, because I was friends with people who worked there, so this is going to be a very interesting experience. And at this point, I'm glad that I've made the decision, but scared as shit all at the same time. That's normal, right?

And finally, before I wander off to pack, a few thoughts on the holidays (which I am looking forward to especially this year, as it is the first time in... I don't know how long... that I am traveling home without taking school work with me, or having to worry about returning for work). I am not at all a religious person. I don't pretend to be. I am very spiritual, but organized religions and I don't get along so well. But I just adore the holiday season. Not the prepackaged, fake snow, winter sales type holidays. But the spending time with the family ones. You know, the ones they always make horror movies about? (On second thought, perhaps I'll pop in "Home for the Holidays" that one always gives me a chuckle) On my mother's side of the family, at least, we're all very tightly knit. We actually *gasp* enjoy spending time together. Tomorrow, we'll be gathered at my aunt's house, our family, and her husband's family, and there will probably be at least thirty of us scattered around, looking for a place to sit. And it will be great. I am worried, as this is our first holiday season without my grandmother, and she was always just such a fixture. She taught me how to make gravy from scratch. When we went through her clothes, one of the dresses that I ended up getting was one that she often wore on Thanksgiving. And my mother and aunts all said that I "just have to wear it". But it just doesn't feel right to me. I don't know why. And then Channukah is coming up (here's a pre-emptive "happy channukah" to all of my jewish friends out there), and then the Christmas season is upon us. I go to church once a year, and that is on Christmas Eve. I think that, the whole year around, there is not one single time that I feel more at peace than I do when, at midnight, all the lights are turned off, everybody's candles are lit, and we all sing "Silent Night" together in the dark. There's just something about being there with family, friends, strangers. No frills. Just darkness, fire, and voices. Bring it on.

2002-11-21T13:01:00.000-05:00

Forgot to Mention

And decided to just do a new post instead of editing the last one, because I'm lazy like that.

Am sort of horrified/grossed out by one casting choice in Harry Potter. Came home the other night and popped in Bridget Jones's Diary and start thinking, "that woman looks familiar..." "OMG. It's Moaning Myrtle." I look it up on the IMDB. Sure enough, it's her, and she's thirty-six. Which is all fine and dandy, until I rewatch the movie and see her hitting on Harry. *Then* I'm disturbed. Yeah, yeah, her character was around his age, and all of this, but whatever. *I* know that she's thirty-six, and Daniel Radcliffe is, like, 13?. Yeah, so, um. Yeah.

And, on another note, I love Blogger. I do. But every now and then, I wish this were a LJ, because I'd really like to have that "friends only" option. Sure, I know a lot of the people who read it. They write to me, I talk to them, I know them in real life. But there's something comforting about being able to control who reads some things. That is all.

2002-11-21T12:15:00.000-05:00

In your search for things that are newsworthy, let the word "routine" serve as a danger sign.

I am of the mind that, anything that is more than, say, 50 pages, should not be allowed to call itself a "brief." I don't care what the title "brief" actually refers to, but it should not be allowed to be used in conjunction with a document of that length, let alone one that is 135 pages long.

It's been a week since I've written anything, and I apologize for that, it's been a bit of a hectic week. And then I was afraid that my entire entry would become a bitter diatribe against public transportation, which I normally love. So I waited. But hell, I just might put that in anyway.

Last Friday, saw Chamber of Secrets. Not a phenominal movie, by any stretch of the imagination, but I enjoyed it greatly. Disagreed with some of Christopher Columbus' directorial choices, and I'm interested to see what the new guy does with Number 3. Was grossed out by the spiders (I have spider issues, and was actually bitten by one this past summer - my face swelled up and all sorts of fun stuff), but I am proud to say that, while I squirmed a bit, I did not scream like a little girl, as my friend E apparently did. I felt bad for some of the kids' awkward performances that were due, for the most part, to the fact that they're growing up. Also was saddened by watching Richard Harris, seeing him on screen, but also listening to him, it felt (to me, anyway) like he had to force so much of the performance. Very sad. Kenneth Brannaugh *was* Gilderoy Lockhart. I laughed so hard. But I do have to say that my favourite casting choice was Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy. He just absolutely dripped evil. I love him so much. Unfortunately, did not get to see the extra that was apparently at the end of the credits, as I was still gimping around in my knee imobilizer, and so we were on the end of the row, and had to get out before the rest of the people in our row could get out. I guess I'll just *have* to go see it again. Preferably at the Uptown. Ooh, that would be cool.

Then, last weekend was to my father's house for my sister's birthday. A Harry Potter birthday, no less. So, yeah, got to see the movie a second time, but that's not to say that I could actually concentrate on the viewing. There were 30 kids. 30 of them. Most of them 7 or 8. Talking, walking, my sister on my lap (she actually covered my eyes during the scenes with the spiders, because I had told her that they grossed me out), up for more popcorn and soda, up to use the bathroom, up because it was a scary part, but heaven forbid any of them actually admit it was scary. It was a cute birthday party, though, and an absolute success. My sister wore her Halloween costume, which was Hermione. It was really kind of scary how much she looked like her. I'm jealous of the costume. I'm hoping I can get my step-mom to send me some pictures of her so that I can show my friends. Also got to see a lot of my step-mom's family that I hadn't seen in a few years, and that was nice. But visiting my father always leaves me with a sort of discontented feeling, and I'm not quite sure why. He and I don't fight, but we certainly don't get along. And there's just always this awkward air between us. But overall, it was a good weekend.

But then, hell. My father dropped me off at Newark Penn Station around 5:15. I gimped my way up the stairs (the escalator was broken) and just watched the 5:20 train pull away. No big deal. I'll just take the 6:20. I've been in train stations for much longer than an hour before. Well, 6:20 comes along, and the sign says '15 minutes late'. No biggy. As I stood there watching, it changed to '1 Hr. Late'. Okay, now I'm a bit peeved, as all the trains until 8:10 are expresses or reserved, so I can't get on them. But whatever. Long story short (or, well, at least not as long), it ended up being over two hours late, so I got to spend 3 and a half fun-filled hours in Newark Penn Station. Anybody ever been there before? I rest my case, thanks. And then, the train ride that was supposed to take 3 hours took 4. And E, in his infinite kindness, offered to come pick me up, but I stood outside for a half an hour before either of us spotted each other. From leaving my father's house at 5, I didn't get home until about 1:30. Tired, cold and muy muy unhappy.

I've spent the rest of the week basically recovering from that, and trying to get ready for this weekend. In but a few hours, N will be picking me up so that we can head up to Philly for the Harvest Bonspiel. Yay! I'm very excited, but a bit worried about my knee. It's getting much better. I haven't worn the imobilizer since last Saturday, but have still been using a brace or an ace bandage, depending on how it's feeling. I can walk again (hurrah!). I think I'm proud to say that I never took walking for granted, and I was very upset when I wasn't able to do it. Last night, I walked from campus up to Dupont Circle, and I was happier than I could ever imagine. I can also do steps. I'm a bit hesitant on them, but it's not because I can't do them. I think it's just me thinking that my knee won't support me. Which, after a few days of walking around, I should be more confident about, but there it is. I have a cover (finally) for my slider, which means that I'll be walking instead of sliding when I sweep, and the only time I'll have to apply full pressure to my left (bad) leg is during delivery. And I'm taking precausions. But I'm still worried. And then we got an e-mail from our vice yesterday, saying that our skip isn't going to be able to make it (she was supposed to be coming up from Texas), so I don't know what we're going to do about our extra rink-member. Plus, the car that N and I were supposed to take to PA broke down (again) the other night. So, we had to rent a car. I feel like someone, or something, is trying to keep us from playing in this bonspiel. It's a conspiracy, I tell you.

I suppose, really, that's all. There have been lots of good things going on this week, too, but I just feel very bogged down by all the utter crap that's been going on. It'll be nice to get away for the weekend, even if I do have to do Econ and write a paper. And then next week is Thanksgiving, which will be wonderful, and probably awkward and sad at the same time. But we'll save that for next week.

2002-11-14T13:49:00.000-05:00

Warning: Fannish Ponderances

The other day, in her LJ, Aerye said: One of these days I'm gonna get lucky enough to be in a group of dSers talking about "Victoria's Secret". Of course, I've been thinking about it non-stop. As much as I love RayK and the RayK episodes, I have to say that "Victoria's Secret" is probably my favourite episode(s) of the show. And not just because they're so well done, either.

Anybody who knows me will tell you that I go for the angst. Dark, painful, I suck it all up. Yum. But I'm also a fiend for backstory. And character development. And this episode is one of the most informative for both of these, in regards to Fraser. I also think that the writers and producers did a phenominal job, over the first season, as building Fraser up as a kind of Myth. He always does what's right, even at his own peril. He wanders the city doing Good Deeds for Others. He's Superman. Hell, they even use "Superman's Song." But anyway, they build him up and build him up, and then here comes the end of season one, and hey! guess what. The guy's only human. He's loved, he's lost, he's made mistakes, and he'll probably make more. While he's built up this shield, this armour against other people, we get to see that really it's only that - something on the outside. Inside, he needs just like everybody else. He needs human contact, he needs love, he needs a second chance. Or at least he *wants* so badly that, to him, it is need. And here's this woman, come back, seemingly ready to give him just that. Everything he needs and more. And he falls right into it. Why, Fraser, why? And, yes, he does things that are seemingly unthinkable for somebody like him. I have to say that the part that absolutely rips my heart out, every time I watch it, is when the old woman runs up to him. Her purse has been stolen, and she asks if he can help her. But he can't. Yes, he's got to go get the diamonds, but you can also just see on his face, how much he's fallen in his own esteem, almost like he feels he doesn't deserve to be able to help her. And he does things throughout the episode that seemingly contradict everything that he tries to be. But, are these things that are totally out of character for him, that's he's drawn to do because of this woman? Or are they things that are lying right below the surface, just waiting for a good enough reason to come out?

It's hard for me to decide. Depending on when you ask me, I'll probably give you a different answer. But right now, the idea that it's a part of his personality is winning out. I think back to all of the things he did for Victoria. And sure, she did threaten him, forcing him to do a lot of them, but a lot he did out of his own will. And then I think to other episodes, and the way he treats his friends and those he loves. He risks his career to protect both RayV and RayK, and, of course, there's Mark. Everybody waxes poetic about Fraser's sense of right and wrong and his duty and feelings of justice, but he wasn't going to turn Mark in. With Victoria, he was basically forced to turn her in, to try and help her every way that he could. There was evidence, they were going to get her anyway, and he thought that the best thing for her would be for him to bring her in. But with Mark, there was no evidence. So, he wasn't going to turn him in. I'm sure he had a long talk with Mark, resulting in the press conference, but what happened to Fraser's sense of duty? Wouldn't that require him to turn Mark over to the police?

I don't really have answers to any of these questions, and I'm not really sure what the goal of this post was, but there it is.

2002-11-14T00:12:00.000-05:00

Update

Look, Shell! I added a bunch of people that I've been reading on a regular basis. So, welcome to them. I wanted to add Kat, but I've been having issues getting to the MRKS blogs, so I didn't want to do that until I figure out what's going on with that. Also, Emeralda, been having issues linking to you. Are you meaning to put a '.' instead of a '@'? (And yes, I've read your entry, but you do realize that you have to have a comments system set up for people to reply to your entry, right? Love you!!!) Having issues updating the links on my archives, though. Having issues *getting* to my archives in the first place. Grrr. I think that's about as much work as I can handle for the day. Bed it is.

2002-11-13T18:14:00.000-05:00

Obsessive, much?

Thanks to all of you who have been posting kind messages about my knee. It's slowly getting better. It still hurts, but it's at that point where I'm starting to get really restless, and I'm concentrating really hard on being good and keeping it in the brace and keeping it elevated. Really, I am.

In addition to the whole knee-thing, there was a HUGE blow-up with two of the housemates. The other two were on vacation, and therefore it was me vs. them. Not at all fun. A big fight. And by fight I mean I stood there saying "can I just explain this to you?" while one of them yelled and cursed me out. And yes, this all relates back to that check that I accidently wrote for much more than I should have, causing me to have zero money. Grrr. One of the housemates that was gone this weekend (and hadn't yet heard about the fight) actually sent me an e-mail today saying that something's got to change with the attitudes of these other guys. Because, seriously, we can't go on living like this. Homey don't do drama.

I've always been convinced that I have OCD to a slight degree and, sitting here at the computer in the lab, I only feel it even more. My brother was diagnosed with it a while back, but he has it to a severe degree. I used to be much worse when I was a child. If I was in the living room, I couldn't concentrate unless the shades were exactly right, or if the blanket over the back of the chair was a little off-kilter. Things like that. I've improved a great deal since then, and I almost never think about it. But every now and then it pops up. I can't remember the last time I sat down at a computer that wasn't mine without checking out the ball on the mouse. I can't stand it when there's crud built up. But that I can at least justify because, if there's crud, it's a pain to move around. I can't play a game of computer solitaire without having it just the way I need it to be set up. If one thing is different - the pattern on the deck, the style of draw, even whether it's keeping score or not, I get really distracted and frustrated. But the main thing that I do is something I've done all my life. I've tried hard to kick it, but haven't been able to, and it's only been in the last few days, with my messed up knee, that I've come to realize that I don't have any control over it, and that's not trusting myself in my before-bed ritual. Namely, the alarm clock. I have two of them (I used to have three, but I broke one last year), and I never trust myself to have set them correctly. I'll set them, and then turn them on and go to bed. Once in bed, I will get out of bed no fewer than twice to ensure that they're set to the correct time, and actually turned on. And, let me tell you, that's a bitch to do with a sprained knee. I've got to get over this.

Heh. As if y'all didn't think I was strange to start with. :-)

2002-11-11T23:41:00.000-05:00

"Are you okay?" "Not even close."

I love Danny. I love him soooo much. But anyway. Hmmm. The knee. While still misshapen, the swelling has in fact, reduced. Pain... pain is relative. Compared to how much it hurt on Saturday, it hurts very little. Which is to say, still quite a bit. However, it took me twenty minutes to walk from my house to the metro this morning. Which usually takes about 8 minutes. Twenty. In the rain. Fun. I just don't quite understand how people can see me, look down, see the brace, and then proceed to walk smack into my leg. Or how the woman in the metro today could watch me hobble all the way over next to her, and then stand in front of me and take the last seat. ::sigh:: Okay, that is enough bitching about people for now.

In other news, I now have my Sports Night DVDs. Whooo! They are beautiful in all their digital beauty. ::sigh:: I'm so easy.

2002-11-09T20:28:00.000-05:00

*Sigh*

I hate hospitals.

2002-11-09T03:53:00.000-05:00

Owwww

At first glance? A wonderful night. Curling. Out with friends. Yay.

Walking home, tripped in grass. Totally f'd up knee. Not sure what's wrong. Lots of swelling badness. Pain. Owww. *cry*

2002-11-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

Randomness

! Two posts in one day! Amazing! No, just killing time before I (go to class? don't go to class?).

I am *all* with Carla on this one. And I already know the words, too.

I did that google thing (yes, I'm late, I know, I know, but I honestly didn't know what people were *actually* doing! Yes, that is how tired I am) and came up with some interesting ones. Following Fox, I did both my online name (Rami, instead of Ramius, which only pulled up quotes about The Hunt for Red October) and my real name. So, omitting many that just plain didn't make sense:

Rami is for freedom.
Rami is sick.
Rami is the ultimate answer.
Rami is a retirement planning tool.
Rami is known for his beautiful love songs.
------ is online.
------ is a shakankay ho.
------ is Lynx's mom.

and my favourite (are you reading this, anne?)
------ is right, Lucas is wrong.

:-)

Still wanting to drop-kick the boss out of the window. Feelings not quite as strong today, though, as I haven't actually had to see her today.

I still love my Early Russian Cinema professor. A few weeks ago, she waxed poetic about men's asses for, oh, ten minutes or so. Today's fun (if subtle) quote: "It's a homogeneous, if not homoerotic society..." Plus, she said that it would be great for me to write my next paper using mostly the relationship between the two men in "Bed and Sofa," comparing the attitudes of the society that created the film and the 'official' reaction to the film. Should be fun.

2002-11-07T13:09:00.000-05:00

Not Dead

No, I'm not dead. I'm feeling much better. :-) I actually tried to post yesterday from work, but my evil computer decided to freeze and force me to restart in the middle of it, and by that point, I was too tired to start over. Damn Citrix. I swear all of my office supplies are plotting against me. My staple remover has a tendency to go crooked, right at the last minute, so that I miss the staple and put a gaping hole in the piece of paper. The stapler itself rarely even gets through two sheets of paper. But I'm telling you, they were all fine when I first started. It's the computer that's the ringleader. It's infected the rest of them.

Last night allowed myself to be dragged out by Meara. It was my first time going to an actual club in three years. And my first time to a drag king show. I was excited for the show, but a bit apprehensive about actually going to the club and possibly be put in a situation where I'd have to, you know, dance and stuff. I ended up having a good time, though. The show was very entertaining, and I did, indeed, dance. And I was informed that I am actually an okay dancer. In my head, though, I either look like I'm something out of the fifties, or Elaine from Seinfeld. I don't know which is worse. I think, though, it would have been better (and more fun) if I a. hadn't been wearing a skirt (it was what I wore to work, and I didn't want to bring an *entire* change of clothes) and 2. hadn't been ASS tired from only getting four hours of sleep the night before, and then having to work all day and then go to class all before going out. So, hopefully I'll go again. And it will be fun. Fun will be had. It will be fun-tastic. Okay, I'm going to shut up now.

2002-11-01T16:31:00.000-05:00

See This, Anne?

Ardent says I'm shy. Shy, I tell you. Anything else is just a dirty lie.

2002-10-31T23:00:00.000-05:00

Just One of the Many Reasons...

I love the movie "Men With Brooms."

"This water's glacial!" "That's because it's fed by glaciers!"

That is all.

I love you Anne. No, really. I love you. :-)

2002-10-30T23:35:00.000-05:00

Feeling My Age

Which isn't old at all. I'm a youngin'. I know this. And should I forget it, I would be repeatedly reminded by my parents, my family, and almost all of my friends. Was reminded of this by the kindly woman I helped negotiate Virginia Avenue last night. And then I went into work today.

At work, there are two of us who hold part-time positions, as we're still students. While I am someone who spent time away from school for a bit, the other girl is a freshman. Which means that I am six years older than her. So, today, I was talking to her and our boss, who was typing something on one of our actual typewriters, and I recalled my old typewriter, and the excitement of my mother getting one that had enough memory to hold two lines before it actually typed them. Other worker: "Why would you need a typewriter?" Ummm. To do work, maybe? I wanted to tell her about the hours I spent typing reports and papers for school on a typewriter without a correction ribbon. About how we didn't have a computer of our own until I was in high school. They were available, we just couldn't afford one. But sometimes, my mom's school would let her bring home the little Mac from her classroom over the summer, and we would play "Treasure Island" and other such games on it that we rented from the library. But we never had it during the school year, and we definitely didn't have a printer for it. But I just told her, "for school work." Her: "How old are you?" Me: "23" Her: ::stare of disbelief::

Hmmph. First time somebody's made me feel old. Guess I should get used to it, eh? My friend N mentioned to me the other day that the teens that are coming up now don't remember Germany being two seperate countries. I'm not sure I can deal with this.

2002-10-29T13:00:00.000-05:00

Can I Start Over?

This has been one of those days where I'd really just like to get back in bed and try it all again. Please.

I've come to the realization that posting through my sleep-deprived haze perhaps wasn't such the best idea, and I'm not sure my last few posts are at all intelligible. I hope you'll all forgive me, as now I have other things to bitch about.

It finally happened. I'd been waiting for it all semester, as it happens to be a trademark of mine. But I was quite proud of myslef for not allowing it to happen for so long, and then this morning? Yeah, I overslept. Had class at 11am. Woke up at 10:30. Mind you that it usually takes over half an hour to get to campus from the time I leave my house. Ran around like a chicken with my head cut off, but I managed to shower and get dressed and leave my house by around 10:45 (albeit without my calculator, so now I can't do my Stat homework), and to class by 11:20, dripping wet. And we didn't even get our midterms back.

But no! I was going to have a *good* day! Because I got birthday money, which meant that I could buy groceries, and perhaps put a downpayment on the Sports Night DVDs. It was to be joyous! So, I plodded through the rain to the bank to make my deposit. "While I'm here," I thought, "I might as well check my balance, make sure nothing wonky has happened." As I calculated it, I should have had between 5 and 10 dollars in my account, allowing for much joyous spending of the birthday money, as I also get paid this week. But then, I hit 'check balance'. "Your Available Balance is -$116.56." What? WHAT? So, I rush to the 'puter lab and go onto the website. Turns out that last week, in all of my sleep-deprived, stressed-out feeble braindedness (and yes, that's a word now. I say so), I wrote a check to the power company for $212. You know how much it was supposed to be for? $112. ONE hundred and twelve dollars. One. Not two. One. So, it went over my balance, and then they charged me the overdraft fee. Which, the going over the balance isn't a big deal. It'll get credited towards my next power bill, and that's all fine and dandy, simply means that I'll be able to keep the checks my housemates write me, since it's already been paid for. But that $31 is money I'll never see again. And I'm poor. I can't afford to lose $31. I just... somebody let me know when it's time to wake up, okay?

2002-10-28T00:31:00.000-05:00

All Good Things

must come to an end, and this weekend has done just that. The first bonspiel of the season is over and done with, but I had such a blast. They did a phenominal job planning it, and it was just so much fun. We had teams from various places along the East Coast, all the way up to Utica. I've started collecting club pins, and I have a feeling it's going to become quite addictive. I got to meet a lot of great people, and learn a lot more about the game. Didn't get yelled at by my skip (too much ::g:: ), and he told me I'm actually doing a great job for how short of a time I've been playing. And in a month, I'll be playing in a 'spiel up in Philly with N and two of the people from his team - the team that kicked our asses *all* over the ice this morning, and then proceeded to win their event final. Was so happy for him, and am so excited about playing with them in a month. Can't wait to see what other clubs are like.

Came home and watched Due South and general Paul Gross-goodness with Fox. Yay for PG-goodness. And then later in the evening got to hang out with the gals for a little while (albeit a *very* little while, considering the lack of sleep in the past few days, and the working at 9am) before they head back to their respective cities tomorrow. There's nothing I like better than sitting around with a group of grown women and talking about wonderfully pervy things. I wish I could have spent more time with them, but what could I say? It was *curling*!

Well, it's back to work and school tomorrow; after the long weekend, I'm not sure I'll be able to handle it. But at least my tests and papers are over (for now) and I get get my (relative amount of) free time back. Yay!

2002-10-25T03:20:00.000-04:00

More late night ramblings

You know, I wish I could come up with better 'titles' for my entries. Although one could argue that I don't need to put the headings up there at all. But I digress.

It's 3:14am, and I am at the point of lack of sleep where I'm not tired any more. But I'm going to force myself into bed soon so that I can be awake for curling tomorrow. Yay!

Didn't get to sleep until almost 6am "last night" and then had to get up this morning to take my midterm. It went much better than I could have hoped for (N, you're my new personal hero. Seriously.), and I think I may have actually passed. Wheee! Printed out a clean copy of my paper since, apparently, the quality of my printer is not up to my professor's standards, and then handed the paper in at my 2pm class and went home. Got some food, as I hadn't eaten in, oh, 17 hours, and then took a nap. Yay, naps! I was awoken from my nap by the call from Pam, and headed over to the hotel, along with the tapes of Oz stuff that I've had sitting here in my room for over a year. I'm terrible. It was great to see the gals again after more than a year, and I finally got to meet Ardent, and I got to meet some other nifty people, too. Small gifts were bestowed upon various persons, and I ended up with a magnetic sculpture thingy for my desk as well as, hmm. It's not quite describeable over the internet. :-) But it's interesting, and I *love* it. Free drinks, fun dinner, all in all it was a good night. Just spent hours talking about everything imaginable, and it was really the perfect way to destress after the past few weeks of midterms. Later in the evening some of the others showed up, including Linda, who I had met in New York, and Rowan, who I only know through her blog. Wish I could have spent more time with them, but it was rather late by that point. Hopefully there will be more opportunity for visiting later this weekend. We can only wait and see. :-)

But for tomorrow? Curling! And Plantation Bars. Mmmmmmm.

2002-10-24T05:24:00.000-04:00

S'late

Studying? As much as I'm going to have gotten done in one evening. Paper? Written, albeit very *very* poor quality. At this point, I don't think I could care less. It's 5:30am, and I am going. to. bed.

2002-10-23T10:57:00.000-04:00

Sugar and Spice and all that is nice

Dargie's blog had a link to this article, which just infuriated me beyond belief. But then, I went and took this, which made me laugh (and made all my co-workers look at me strangely):

Why Will You Go To Hell?
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You like Harry Potter, you scum. It's the deepest pit in Hell for you.

Your very existence is a crime against Nature.

2002-10-22T13:50:00.000-04:00

Rock!

Score: Rami 1, Econ 0

Got a 95 on my Internation Economics Midterm. Am very very very beyond happy. I should be getting back my Early Russian Cinema midterm later today. While I don't think I got a 95 on it, I feel fairly confident. Now, if only I can gather together my two brain cells that I have left so that I can do well on my Central and East European Politics midterm. N has again agreed to help me, but I'm not sure even that will work. I tend to have this problem with my classes. I take classes (usually) that are on topics that I find fascinating (sometimes I take classes because the evil bureaucracy in the Elliott School requires that I take it). And I often find classes interesting. Sometimes I'm bored out of my mind, but usually I can manage at least fifteen minutes of actually paying attention. I take notes - when I can't make it to class, I get somebody else's. For the most part, I'm a Responsible Student. However, I don't learn very well from being lectured at. I can look at my notes the next day and not even remember 3/4 of the things that were said in class. Add to this the readings. When I try to do readings, the words have a tendency to blur in front of my face until I am taken hold by an overwhelming urge to just beat myself over the head with my textbook. I've tried it. Doesn't help me learn any better. Does feel good to get a little of that agression out, though. I've always been what the school system considers a "smart person." I was in the programs in elementary school, honours classes, AP classes, all that jazz. But here's the rub - they didn't want me there. They didn't actually think I was smart. Why? Because I do poorly on exams. I'm not exactly... consistent about turning in projects. I turn in average papers, because I wrote them about fifteen minutes before they were due. That's me. I've always been like this with the blurring and the beating over the head with textbooks (a desk works nicely if there are no heavy books in the vicinity). And now I feel like maybe they were right. Maybe I'm a Not Smart Person. Because I get lost in classes, I can't pay attention. When I do, I have *no* idea what they're talking about. I can count the number of readings I've actually done this semester on one hand, because I've gotten fed up with reading the same paragraph over and over again, trying to figure out what it actually says. I made it through high school fine, with a minimum of effort. And then I got to college, and found myself way over my head. I've only just recently started giving serious thought as to why there was such a dramatic change (aside from the extra work load that frightens most freshmen). And I think it's simply because of the way I learn. As I said, lectures and readings aren't enough for me. I can see something, or hear something, but it won't necessarily sink in. I need to be able to talk it out, take it in, work it through, and then talk about it with somebody who actually knows what's going on so that they can let me know if I'm totally off base. In high school, smaller class sizes led to more discussion, and if that failed, I always had my mother to ask questions. But once I got to college, most of my friends were in different classes, and I'm not one of those people who's all rah-rah-study-groups. So, I would try to study by myself, and things were just bad. I mean, they were Very, Very Bad. The number of times I'd return to my dorms in full-blown panic attack because of an exam or a paper that I'd had. I have a very vivid memory of a phone call to my mother, in tears, after an exam once. I told her about how I couldn't remember something that was really quite simple - I tried and tried, and the professor actually helped us, but I couldn't remember it, and I felt so stupid. "Well, you should feel stupid," was her reply. Not exactly helpful. So, I haven't done so hot in college, and I feel like any knowledge I had before has since left my brain and I simply wander around, muttering like an idiot. The point of this ramble being - I have this midterm on Thursday, and while I've been to classes and taken notes and watched the films and tried to do the readings (but was not exactly successful), I still feel like I know nothing. We have a review sheet, and everything that is going to be on the exam is on the sheet somewhere. "So, I have higher expectations," the professor said last week. Well, that's nice, but I'm screwed, because I look at that review sheet, and for the most part just have nothing. Absolutely nothing. And I know the knowledge should be in there somewhere, but it's not, and man. It's going to suck. A lot.

But, today (in same class) we watched an amazing movie called "No Man's Land." I highly recommend it. A not-exactly-warm-and-fuzzy theatrical take on the wars going on in the Yugoslav Federation (namely Bosnia). Well made, well acted, just a great film.

But even better was the film in our Russian Cinema class last Thursday. "Bed and Sofa," formerly known as "3 Petty Bourgeois Lane," formerly known as "Menage Trois." It's the story of a woman and her husband, and his, um, old army buddy. In addition to being a well-made movie, it was quite humorous. A laugh riot, in that 1927 Soviet kind of way. :-) Apparently there was a remake made in the late nineties. I'm definitely going to be checking it out.

2002-10-21T11:34:00.000-04:00

All the cool kids are doing it

Not that I agree with this one, but:

Which fandom archetype are you?
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And, not that I'm at all a "Big Name Fan" - whatever that *really* means :-):

What Kind of Big Name Fan Would You Be?
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2002-10-21T10:10:00.000-04:00

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

I have returned, unscathed, from a weekend with the family. It was actually quite nice. I had brought all my school stuff with me, but got absolutely nothing done. Saturday, we went over to my grandparents' house to do some paperwork and clean things up. We ended up going through about 2/3 of my grandmother's clothes. There were a lot of nice things that people didn't want to part with, so we ended up splitting up what clothes we could. Which is how I ended up with two bags full of clothes, including a few skirts and a pair of slacks that are *just* too small. I'm hoping it will be some added incentive towards my endeaver to get into better shape. We also had a joint late birthday/early birthday dinner for my cousin and myself. (28 imaginary candles on the cake - I'll let you figure out how they're divided) Got to spend some time with a friend whom I hadn't seen since the beginning of the summer, and was saddened to learn that I had missed (by about 12 hours) a friend who had moved up to New York. Sunday, we went to the outlets, where my mom bought me a few things for my birthday. Yay, nifty warm curling pants. Yay new work shoes. All very exciting, I promise you. After that, it was on to the curling club for the open house. The mom and the future-of-gay-america brother ended up on the ice, going through the workshops. They had a good time, or so they tell me. Mom's not too bruised from taking a fall or two (it was fairly obvious to the club members running the stations where I get my coordination from), and the brother, being twelve and all the obnoxious that twelve brings with it, thinks he the best curler ever. I will say that I was pretty impressed with how well he was doing, though. :-) Then it was off to dinner with N, J and E (J made meatloaf), followed by a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit - 80's edition. I'm proud to say that, although I came nowhere near close to winning, I made a fair showing for myself (read: I finished with at least *some* pie pieces).

So, that was my fun and oh so exciting weekend. Aren't you glad I took up this bit of bandwidth to share it with you? Moral of the story is - I have a whole lot of school work to do this week. I think I'll be waving goodbye to sleep for a while. But the light at the end of the tunnel is that Thursday, I get to see Pollitt and Star and Data, and hopefully, at some point get to meet Ardent. :-) And then Friday is the bonspiel. I am beyond excited about this coming weekend.

2002-10-18T16:29:00.000-04:00

One Might Think...

That by the time somebody were old enough to get a job, let alone a job at a law firm, they would know the difference between April and August. Or perhaps February and November.

One would be WRONG. I am out. of. here.

Until Monday, at least.

2002-10-18T15:13:00.000-04:00

Surprise, Surprise

Stolen shamelessley from Dori before heading to my mother's for the weekend.

What type of slash writer are you?

And this surprises anybody?

2002-10-17T23:51:00.000-04:00

Owwww - reprise

But, like, in a *good* way. Occupancy Permit finally in the club's possession, curling was able to start tonight. Friends and I went up and snuck into the delivery clinic that was being offered, since ours had been cancelled. We did that and then hung around a little while to practice extra after it was over.

Oh, what fun. It was incredibly exhilarating to be out on the ice again, and it made me even *more* excited for the Bonspiel. However... new slider? *Very* slippery. Everybody was falling, as it was our first time on the ice in six months, but I fell more tonight than I did the *entire* time I was playing last year, including a big one where I tried to catch myself with my hand (big no-no) and my wrist got the brunt of it - it's very unhappy. Going from Duct Tape (which has a speed rating of maybe 2 or 3) to a thin teflon slider (speed rating of 5) is a big jump. I'm now having issues with my delivery that I didn't have before, because I feel like I can't put all my weight on my sliding foot, as it keeps. sliding. out. from. under. me. Towards the end of the evening, however, I finally got some stones at approximately the weight I was aiming for (guard weight, for any of you who know anything), meaning that they made it to about the hog line, or just short of it, without sweeping. So, I'm pleased with that, but hoping I can get more practice in before the Bonspiel. We did some sweeping tonight, but not a whole lot. Enough to hurt, though, and I know I'm going to be hurting bad a little less than two weeks from now. Damn, I need to get in shape.

2002-10-17T00:11:00.000-04:00

Too Late For Me

Two midterms down, one to go. And a paper. And a problem set. And... well, hey! Two down! Mucho excitement. I think I actually maybe didn't fail my Econ midterm, which would be a good thing. But I've been known to delude myself into thinking I've done well in the past, so only time will tell. In celebration of my happiness over having taken my Econ midterm, asked Nick (who now has a lj, yay nick!) if he wanted to go out drinking. Instead, we stayed in a drank and watched hours upon hours of Law & Order, with a little bit of West Wing thrown in. But alas, my lack of sleep put together with my cider made for one tired Rami, and so I headed home. Of course, now that I'm here, I'm exhausted, but can't sleep.

(pssst. you know who... I did you know what... course now I have to type things in, and you *know* what a lazy sheit I am! love ya! )

So, I've been wanting to write more of my Oz story. I'd call it a "saga" with how long it's been taking me to write, but it's nowhere near long enough to justify that title. Just one section left to go. Just one. I wrote a bit more yesterday. And by a bit, I mean about a sentence and a half. And that one sentence was replacing a different one. But hey, that sentence didn't want to be there in the first place, so it's all for the better, I suppose. I love this story, and I'm really quite attatched to it, but at this point, I'd really just rather it be over and done with, you know? Simply because then I'll feel like I can move on to some due South ideas I've had. Bad me. *Of course* all of this will wait until after next week, when I'm through with my midterms and papers and such. Of course.

;-)