interventio

Intervention by Arcade Fire (old I know) is probably one of the best songs ever written. I can listen to it over and over and over and the passion that is sparked by the lyrics and epic sounds of this song never die. I tear up every time I hear this little ditty.

Just wanted to share that... now back to the workload that will keep me up all night. DAMNIT!

AND

Palin needs to stop saying "heck". The world stage don't play that, yo!

Also, the suffix -ing, is not pronounced -in.

Thanks.

Joe Biden

Ummm.... Joe Biden is an attractive old man.

Doctorate Comps and Presidental Debates

I am watching the vice president debates right now, realizing that this will be almost exactly what I will be doing for my oral comps for my doctorate just on an extremely smaller scale. How do they know how to answer everything. Well actually, whether or not they are able to answer questions is yet to be seen. But name dropping, confidence, history, theory and unshakable knowledge is what I need to gain in the next 2.5 years. YIKES!

I am also pretty peeved that Dr. Bud called me Munchkin Palin because I wear glasses. Grr

Feeling Thankful

First off... listening to a song that is giving me chills... Sweet Disposition by the band Temper Trap. Really cool sound and dude's voice is very sexy and cool.

Had the most wonderful birthday weekend. I wouldn't have changed a thing. All my family, all my friends, dinners, lunches, and drinks. I know I say this often, but I have some amazing friends. So fun, so supportive and always down for a great time. It make me feel so lucky to know that my friends and even acquaintances are pulling for me in life. I have been very privileged so far in my life that things have gone mostly the way they should. Even if it doesn't seem like it at the time, the circumstances in my life are always happening for a reason and that is to make another part of my life that much better.

Thanks friends, Thanks family and Thanks to the person who carried my ass home and then cleaned up my apartment while I slept.

Saying Goodbye to 26

As I prepare to leave 26 behind and embrace my late twenties, I think back on the year past. This year has been filled with triumphs such as starting my doctorate program but has also dealt me many hardships and disappointments. One amazing thing is that in my last week of being 26, some of the most recent annoyances have worked themselves out. So I am able to start my 27th year with a new start.

I can't wait to see what 27 has in store for me. Although I believe that you make opportunities, they are not given to you, I know only the best is yet to come.


See you soon 27!

Who wants to be a Craker?

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Holy smokes.... This is a beautiful book. Oryx and Crake is the second book that I have read by Margaret Atwood. The first book of hers that I read was the Handmaid's Tale. I loved that book and treasured it. I savored every word. I reread pages as to fully lap up her words. I was nervous to read this book because I was so enchanted by Margaret after the Handmaid's Tale.

I chose Oryx and Crake as my second Atwood read because I knew this book had dystopian elements in the plot and I know my own affection towards books about utopian or dystopian society. Oryx and Crake did NOT disappoint.

This book starts out slow because you have no idea where Margaret is going in the first few chapters. However, knowing the beauty of her other book, I stuck with it because I knew where it went was going to be wonderful.

Long story short: Snowman is the watcher of the Crakers. Crake is Jimmy's (Snowman) best friend growing up and Oryx... well that is a funny story so I will let Margaret tell you. Crake is a genius (leaning toward Aspergers Syndrome) and pretty much decides that he is going to rule the world. The book starts at the end of this dystopian fantasy and we flip flop between the story of Snowman and Jimmy as we learn how the Earth got to be in this disastrous state. The story is interesting, smart and keeps the interest of the reader. Again, I read this so slow because I wanted to savor the story.

Now I will be immersed in Communication Theories as per my doctorate class schedule requires but I think there is more Atwood in my future.

I highly recommend this book as well as the Handmaid's Tale. I will post my old review of that book a little bit later when I am feeling more up to par.

PS I liked this book so much I am thinking about naming children/pets after Orxy and Crake. Either or haha :)

Getting ready to indulge in adult beverages

I read the following question and answer from the Belle & Sebastian website...

From: DaniQ .Hurry up and do something! tour, release an album, update the news section with something about a new album. you have been away for to long.

A. Somethings coming out pretty soon actually.
Stevie - 09/09/08

Holy hell and crackerjacks. Is it real? Are Belle & Sebastian putting out a new album? Well jee whiz... count this girl in. I might add some B&S to the power hour masterpiece I just made.

Whoohooo!

Do NOT burn after watching....

Last night, I went to see Burn After Reading. Here is my short but sweet review.

First off... I give it 4 out of 5 stars. PLEASE note, this is NOT an 8/10 but a 4/5. 8/10 sounds so much worse than 4/5. But I digress.

Plot: So weird and kooky but really intricate and excruciatingly funny. It's not even a plot that is easy to explain. The CIA get's rid of Cox citing a drinking problem. He then decides he would be a consultant and write a memior.... you know what? There isn't a point to attempting to describe the plot and still leave you wanting to see the movie (which you should). Key words: Gore, shock, disgust, sex, murder, adultery, vanity, stomach splitting lines and paranoia all in a dark comedy. If that sounds even MILDLY interesting... go to it.

Characters: Brad Pit annoys me JUUUST a little but I couldn't look my trainer in the eye without laughing and only barely overcame the huge urge to call him Chad. And Harry (George Clooney's Character) was wonderful. He played him with style and finesse. I was extremely impressed. Harry is a sex maniac, liar, paranoid and anxiety filled man. Yes... Clooney played him! And again... when on the treadmill today, I had to hold in the urge to text my movie going friend "Bet I can still get a run in". You have to see it to understand.

So go... see it.

9/11

The kids I teach were born after the September 11th tragedy. They have no idea about what happened on that fateful day. Not even a moment of silence at my school. In my opinion, there was not enough done by the media and towns to commemorate this day. 9/11 needs to be remembered. Yes, it's hard to see and remember. Yes, we have moved on as a country. But we need to be reminded that we are not invincible. We need to be reminded that we are a proud country. We need to be reminded that we should be a cohesive entity. A friend of mine and I had our own 9/11 memorial as we watched countless documentaries about that day. I hope we never forget the men and women that died on that day.

Currently Reading: Oryx and Crate by Margaret Atwood (Freakin awesome distopian society book)
Next Book: The Cell: Inside the 9/11 plot by John Miller
Then: only education books from now until next summer :)

oops she went there again....

You know there might be a problem if when you are on a date and walk into a conshohocken bar on a Friday night and the bouncer takes one look at you and says... OOOH I know you... go on in. And then proceeds to say to your date.. dude I don't need your ID either. If you're with her, you're good with me. I was a bit ashamed. Good thing my date was a good sport.

Random things I <3

I <3

- ra ra riot
- Thai food
- red wine
- my planner
- purple pens
- cuddling all night long
- swoopy sound effects in songs
- disco screaming
- my green couch
- my new red bag
- friends that you pretend to be close to but in fact you are still only grasping at strings
- birthdays
- restaurant week
- air from fans as long as it's not directed on my face
- the smell of books
- turtles
- re framing new pictures
- purging the old
- welcoming the new
- being me
- being the "weird" friend
- teaching
- learning
- loving
- sleeping

bye

Kevin and Umbros

Well all... the day we've waited for for almost a year has finally arrived. Kevin Barnes has released his new song Id Engager (above for your listening pleasure). Mixed emotions occur as a result of this song. I am going to reserve absolute judgement until I hear the entire album. Although this song was obviously released as a single "leak" type of MP3, it might not make sense without the full understanding of the album. The song is a bit confusing and schizophrenic. It kind of goes between yelling about ninjas, to leftover disco screams from Hissing Faunas and then also to a wonderful song. I am hoping that, again, this song makes a little more sense in the context of the entire album. Goodness knows Sink the Seine (from Hissing Faunas) doesn't make total sense by itself unless you know where it is coming from and where it's going. On another note, looks like Kevin is over his heartbreak and is now writing about the large amount of hooha he got as a result of being an "indie star".

Umbros: I <3 class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">umbros at the gym. He's new. He walked in with skinny jeans, a tight polo and some chucks. Then worked out in a grey little T and red (short) umbros... like late 80's style. He and I are going to be best friends.

Music To Come

Three albums I can't wait to get...

The Ting Tings - have wanted this for well over a month now and have been too lazy to get it. I need some girl rawk in my life. However, since I am so lackadaisical about getting it, maybe it's not meant to be.

Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer - Heard a few of these new songs and I can't WAIT to get this album. I just recently (in the past 3 months ) have fallen in love with the other Wolf Parade Album I have and I can't wait to get my ears on this little gem!

Ra Ra Riot - Heard about these people from A Rubber Door. This dude Spencer has recently played albums and I liked a few of the albums on his list so I thought I would give Ra Ra Riot a try and really am enjoying it.

I am a little excited for fall. Moving on from a tainted summer with a new bag, disgustingly ugly shoes that I love so much and new season of shows! (Prison Break season premier on NOW!) Yay!

Shopgirl

Shopgirl is a great movie. I haven't seen it in so long. Today as I was getting ready for the gym and came upon this movie on the TV listings.

This movie makes me feel happy. Smiling on the elliptical happy. But the reality is that I watch the entire movie to feel the way that Mirabelle feels so that when the last monologue is said, it means something:

Ray Porter:
As Ray Porter watches Mirabelle walk away
he feels a loss.
How is it possible,
he thinks,
to miss a woman whom he kept at a distance so that when she was gone he would not miss her.
Only then does he realize
that wanting part of her
and not all of her
hurt them both
and how he cannot justify his actions except that... well...
it was life.

Shivers! I have watched this movie about twice in a year and a half. And each time that monologue makes me think of different situations and different people. Today it just made me smile.

doggy talk

Dear Assholes with annoying pets,
I really can't stand it when you are on the phone with someone having a conversation and the person breaks into all out baby talk, cooing at their animals. Or worse yet, when they start barking orders like Go Potty Spot, while on the phone with you. It's like they act like these dogs are children. It's not cool. I don't think you're cool cause you have a dog and all this additional responsibility. Stop pretending you're a parent, realize you are a mid-twenty something kid and stop talking to your frickin dog while I am on the phone.
Your X Friend,
GatesyGirl

Top 10 Best Songs I am Listening to Right Now

In NO particular order:

1. Stranger - Sunny Day Sets Fire
2. Creeper - Islands
3. White Winter Hymnal - Fleeting Foxes
4. Eve of the Girl - Dappled Cities
5. I was the Landscape of your Dreams - Of Montreal
6. Omaha - Tapes N Tapes
7. Nude - Radiohead
8. Run Away - Super Furry Animals
9. When I Grow Up - Pussycat Dolls
10. In Other Words - Ben Kweller

On the search for new fun bands as of NOW.

Need to get the Ting Tings still... dropping the ball on that one.

Conshocken Lovin'

Last Wednesday I took my sister to college. I didn't know that visiting my good old Bloomin Alma Mater would effect me so emotionally! I fell in love with the Bloomsburg campus for the second time in my life. I walked around looking at the interesting and beautiful buildings, admiring the places to sit and just had an overwhelming feeling that THIS was the place for me.

Though walking around, I suddenly identified this feeling and love for an area as the feeling I feel for Conshohocken. I think I could be a lifer here in good ol' conshy. I love that we are sort of isolated by a big road and a river. You can walk almost everywhere and everywhere else is only 5-14 minutes away. One word: Scoops. It just seems like such a town's town. I love all of the traditions where everyone from the grandmothers to the college kids renting town houses participate in. As I continue forward into my adult life, I look forward to many more wonderful years in Conshohocken.

Count me in for Radiohead

Radiohead Concert
Last Tuesday, I went to a Radiohead concert. It was my first experience with live Radiohead other than what I saw on TV on New Years Eve... and that wasn't live. So yeah... first time.

I loved it.

A few things:
1. I have come to realize that your enjoyment of concerts really depend on who you are with. The past two concerts I have been to I have sang, danced and really gotten into it. Getting "into it" really makes a difference. I don't care that my friend and I might be the only ones dancing, if it feels right, do it.
2. Nude by Radiohead is the single most sexy song ever written. It literally makes me melt. It makes me just want to make out and slow dance with someone. That is, until the end of the song, which reminds me of Ariel singing in the little mermaid. At that point, the making out has to stop because everyone is thinking of Disney.
Lyrics: "You'll go to hell with what your dirty mind was thinking" Oh Thom... it was you that made me think those things!
3. Going to concerts ALWAYS makes me appreciate the music more.
4. I would love to be a fly on the wall and listen to the shit that comes out of Thom York's mouth on a daily basis.
5. All I Need on In Rainbows is also a freakin awesome song. You can't sit next to someone of the opposite sex and feel neutral about them listening to this song.
6. I think the In Rainbows album should only be used for make out scenes inmovies.
7. I need to not listen to this album with someone that I don't really enjoy the company of ha!

Unrelated: At the gym today, getting skinny (later to be ruined by all the cookies I ate) and heard The Shins - Pressed in a book. Heard a quote that so fits my life..

"We don't always want what is right"

THe end... so long!

What in the world?

LEt's be honest. I am only this blubbering idiot right now because I have been watching the Notebook. I cry when the title of this movie comes on and then I cry about 18 times throughout the movie. It's the single most romantic movie I have ever seen and I only hope that I meet a man that loves me half as much as Noah loves Allie.

Live and love is so confusing. I don't know what to think. I have felt this way about 3 people in my life - including this one and not one has ever been my boyfriend. And all three three are still in my life and pop up at the strangest times. Being single, I feel like I am exactly in the same drama that I was in when I met my x. It was like nothing happened - no time had passed.

eh... as Allie says in The Notebook "I am a stupid woman" but for now being stupid feels really good. I'll sit here being stupid until someone who makes me smart again comes along! :)

2 things

1. I am computer dependent... and lazy. A little under the weather on this fine Sunday morning, I thought it might be raining. Instead of getting up and looking out the window... i checked weather.com. Pathetic

2. When all my friends are away... i don't make good choices. How many dumbasss things can I do while my friends are gone. Trina comes home on Monday. Let's hope the madness stops there :)

first first one

They say humans can't remember physical pain. You can remember the pain was intense but you can't actually feel pain from the past. They say that's why women will have more than one child. They remember the actual act of giving birth was painful but they can't actually feel that pain again until they go through it again.

I think the inverse applies to love/lust/like (take your pick). I feel like humans may not be able to feel the hormonal rush of love until they are actually faced with it again.Remember? When that certain someone touched your arm and you got light headed? When there was actual electricity passing between your hands that are just inches apart, aching to touch. Remember when you actually fell asleep smiling... and then turned towards the person next to you to find that they fell asleep smiling as well?

I think that maybe that rush of ... whatever it is... that we feel when we are with certain people is forgotten when it's not there.

And then once you feel it again, you remember what it's supposed to feel like. It's the feeling that leaves you walking away from his house with your soul on fire. The feeling that gets you lost in your thoughts.So, as a reminder, I think Animal Collective hit it right on the head...

I've gotta big big big big heart beat, yeah
I think you are the sweetest thing
I wear a coat of feelings and they are loud
I've been having good days
Think we are the right age To start out own peculiar ways
With good friendly homes?
You get me freaked freaked freaked on preakness
Never met a girl that likes to drink with horses
Knows her chinese ballet
Must admit you smell like fruity nuts and good grains
When you show my purple gaze

A thing or two at night
Make me sick sick sick to kiss you and
I think that i woud vomit
But I'll do that on mondays
i dont have a work way
I like it when I bump you an accident's a truth gate
I'm humbled in your pretty lense

I'll hold you dont you go
Sometimes you're quiet and sometimes I'm quiet. Hallelujah!
Sometimes I'm talkative and sometimes you're not talkative, I know....

Well i'd like to spread your perfume around the old apartment
Could we live together and agree on the same wares?
A trapeze is a bird cage even if its empty and defintintely fits the room
And we would toooo

And my dear dear dear khalana
I talk too much about you
Their ears are getting tired of me singing all the night through
Lets just talk togetherYou and me and me and you
And if theres nothing much to say
Well, silence is a bore
I've gotta big big big big heart beat, yeah
I think you are the sweetest thing
I wear a coat of feelings and they are loud
I've been having good days
Think we are the right age
To start out own peculiar ways
With good friendly homes?
Sometimes you're quiet and sometimes I'm quiet hallelujah
Sometimes I'm talkative and sometimes you're not talkative i know....
Sometimes you hear me when others they can't hear me. Hallelujah!
Sometimes I'm naked and thank god Sometimes you're naked. Well, hello.....

Can I tell you that you are the purple in me?
Can I call you just to hear you, would you care?
When I saw you put your purple finger on me
There's a feelin' in your bottleFound your bottle, found your heart
Gives a feeling from your bottled little part

Hey ooooooGotta crush high
Thought I crushed all I could
Crushed all I can then I touched your hand
Crush highDont want it to stop
Cause stories of your brother make my crush high pop
And you couldnt really know cause its in my toes
And sometimes i wonder whered that crush high go
Crush high then i go and take some pills
Cause i cant do all of my dos and still feel ill
You get that whooooooo