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Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Kids Will Be Skeletons

Maybe it came with the recent start of orchestra, or maybe it came with the recent acquisition of some amazing CDs, but I am out-of-control into music right now. (More than usual. I know. Scary.)

So, with that said, I want to create a new October/Fall mix like I did last year. However, I'm tired and busy and just can't focus so I would love to get some suggestions from you guys.

This is last year's mix and I would prefer not to repeat tracks, but take it as a guideline for the type of stuff I like (although really, I'm open to almost anything.)

October Chill 2007:


Oh, I lied. That mix was made pre-harddrive crash and I don't have it on iTunes anymore.

Come Alive

The new Foo Fighters album came out yesterday. It didn't get the best reviews, but since I don't care about other people's opinions I got it anyway. Besides, the earth would stop moving if I didn't buy whatever Dave Grohl put out. I like it so far. I always wish for him to do harder stuff and to scream more, but the man has been screaming for years now and that, along with all those cigs, has probably done crazy stuff to his vocal cords.

I really like "Stranger Things Have Happened" and "The Ballad Of Beaconsfield Miners" so far. The former is just the type of song I would fall in love with and I love his line about loneliness. The latter is a kick-ass instrumental that sounds bluegrass-inspired at times and also has one of my favorite things-when one can hear the fingers on the strings. Mmmm!!!

Check it out and let me know what you think!


XO,
SVR

Monday, September 24, 2007

Everybody Knows That You Are Insane

I went to a friend's party on Saturday and, while I had a lot of fun, I left the evening being completely sick of the following two questions:

1) Are you two dating?

and

2) What happened with you and whatsherface?


I guess it's good to set things straight and dispel incorrect rumors, but after telling the same stories over and over, I start to get bored with them. Question #1 is easy. Basically it's no one's business and if anyone knows me at all, they'll know not to ask me in front of a large group. Question #2 is more difficult if only because it is so old and I am done explaining it. Or explaining what I can. I think at this point I might just make stuff up. People want to hear something salacious anyway and I'm here for the people, right? Haha. Or, what also works is letting people fill in the gaps with their own guesses since 9 times out of 10, they're right, and, if they're not, I can always correct them, right?


XO,
SVR

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Run

I have to get going this morning, but since I haven't written since...Saturday (?), I wanted to check in. Lots going on right now! (None of which is sleep.)

XO,
SVRZZZzzzzzz

Saturday, September 15, 2007

When You Were Young

I want to meet the Kindergarten me. I'm in this class right now that is about identification of the gifted and talented and I recently acquired the forms used to begin the process of identification for the county where I went to school. I asked my mom the other day what I was like as a 6 year old, but, being the mom she is, she merely said I was "adorable" and "inquisitive". Is it possible for a 27 year old to get a hold of her academic file from 20 years ago? If so, I want it. I want to go back in time and see myself as a little kid new to school.

My memory of elementary school isn't very good, actually. I remember my Kindergarten teacher and aide and various aspects of the year, but much of it is sort of blank. I know I never napped that year and would instead try to stake a spot by the quiet toys so I could entertain myself for that 1/2 hour. I remember staying after on certain days (although for what reason, I don't know) and playing with a robotic-like car thing. I remember the time I took my mom's lipstick to school and put it on in the bathroom, thinking I could emerge without anyone noticing. Bright. Red. Lipstick. I remember the time we were in such a hurry for me to make it to school in time that I forgot to put knickers on (slut). I remember sitting at the little cluster of desks and rewriting on every paper I had that my new name was "Ginny." I didn't want to have the unique name and, even though my mom wouldn't let me be the oh so popular "Jenny" she did allow me to alter my middle name of Virginia. I remember my teacher crushing my spirit by telling me that my name was not Ginny, it was Scarlet.

I am so grateful that happened.

It's weird to be 27 and to think to being 6.

From The Ritz To The Rubble

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but sometimes I get this crazy-weird allergy thing where for like 12 hours I sneeze almost constantly. It is miserable. It hasn't happened for months, but of course, today, when I was wearing liquid black eyeliner, it happened.

I spent the day at work willing myself to stop sneezing and carried around a box of tissues all day. People kept telling me to go home and some would ask if I was sick. "I'm NOT sick! It's allergies!" I got a lot of sympathy, though, and even a mystery Benadryl I questioned as ecstasy.

I made it through the day, though, and then I went to a party with Ali in Arlington. Some of her museum friends were having a shindig and it turned out to be a lot of fun!

Anyway, it's 2:50am and I have to be at class in 6 hours. Awesome.


XO,
SVR

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Voyeur

Sometimes I think my neighbors must think I am a hooker. I keep weird and random hours.

Example:

  • Sunday:
    • 1230pm- Leave with a large purse and a medium-sized suitcase.
  • Thursday:
    • 3pm- Return home* for 20 minutes and leave again with a large bag.
    • 7pm- Return home.
  • Friday:
    • 10am- Leave with large purse and bag (with spare clothes).
    • 830pm- Return home.
  • Saturday:
    • 815am- Leave with laptop bag and large purse.
  • Sunday:
    • 7am- Return home.
    • 1230pm- Leave with large purse.
    • 11pm- Return home.
  • Monday:
    • 10am- Leave home.
    • 830pm- Return home.
  • Tuesday:
    • 530am- Leave home with large purse, bag (spare clothes), laptop bag, and mystery bag (clarinet).
  • Wednesday:
    • 1230am- Return home.
    • 230pm- Leave home
  • Thursday (Today):
    • 1230am- Return home.
    • 9am- Leave home.
    • 915am- Return home with iced coffee.

I just imagine them looking out of their windows and wondering to where I am going and why. "Why does she come and go in the middle of the night?" "Why does she carry so many bags?" "Why does she sometimes leave with more than she comes back with?"

Makes me laugh.

XO,
SVR


*I was in San Fran...remember? No SVR car in the driveway all week.

Monday, September 10, 2007

California

I had never been to the West Coast. Hell, I had never been further west than Pittsburgh, PA, so to hop on a plane and head to California was quite exciting for me. I got there Monday afternoon, a day after Serena, who was there for a work conference, and made my way from SFO to meet up with her while she was on a lunch break from sessions and presentations. I'm not sure what I pictured in my mind when I thought of San Francisco, but while I was there, I kept feeling like I was in Philadelphia for some reason. Palm trees and the Pacific Ocean helped me acclimate, though.

A good time was had in San Francisco, the Windy City*. I feel like we hit the appropriate amount of everything we set out to do: shop, touristy things, eat, randomness, and Berkeley.

Shopping:
  • Amoeba in Haight/Ashbury (or "The Haight" as I guess I'm supposed to call it) where I found the most amazing imports and out of print CDs. I had to put blinders on to get to the cash register.
  • KidRobot and Giant Robot (did I get those names correct?) I bought the little "No Smoking" guy.
  • Whatever store that I found Cold War Unicorns for Ali!
  • The vintage store where I bought a skirt for $1!
Toursity Things:
  • Fisherman's Wharf- Cool for the boats and seeing Alcatraz**, but a bit overrated and also mfing hot when there!
  • Cable cars- Yes, we rode one. Almost ran over some guy, too. I kept wanting it to go faster, though.
  • Lombard Street, the most crookedest street- Holy hell do legs burn after walking up this! I felt like jelly on the walk back down.
Eat:
  • The BEST Italian food and cocktails at a restaurant in North Beach with an incredibly sexay waiter.
  • Mexican in the Mission area.
  • Iced coffee wherever we could find it.
  • Carl Jr.s in the middle of the night (See "Berkeley")
Randomness:
  • Vesuvio
  • Specks- Don't go there. Definitely don't order a Jack and Coke there!
  • Sneaking into a fancy hotel for the restroom and then asking at the front desk how to get to the Bart.
  • The Bart
  • San Fran Barnes & Noble!
  • Bums. A lot of them. Who like to talk to you. And come right up if they think you're a tourist.
Berkeley:
  • What happens in Berkeley stays in Berkeley, but I will say that it was a kick-ass time.
  • Oh, and we got stuck there.
  • And had to find a way back to the city.
  • And I found out I like feta!
  • Party People!
All in all a fun trip! Take a look at my pictures.

XO,
SVR

*Just kidding. I know that's Chicago, but my mom kept calling it that and it cracked me up.

**Cue Mr. T!

Return To Sender

Dear Mother Nature,

Cool the eff off!

XO,
SVR

Saturday, September 08, 2007

In The Fade

School is kicking my ass. No, let me rephrase: School is trying to kick my ass. I won't let it. I'm working on what is currently a 16 page paper that isn't even near completion. After this I have to write a 3-5 page paper for Thursday, and a presentation for the following week (that I have to meet with my partner for on Wednesday morning). Meanwhile, I need to be thinking about two research papers...no, three a few more baby papers and at least three annotated bibliographies.

1) I feel busier than ever and I'm not sure why. I had to email my paper partner my schedule and I apologized for the lack of free time. Now that school and orchestra are back in session, my hours unplanned are severely limited.

2) I loathe group work. With such passion that I can't think of words bad enough to describe it. It's not that I dislike working with others or get bad partners, I just feel like it takes more time than it could if I did it by myself. And I don't like being told when to work. I would rather procrastinate on my own!

3) I think a class that is on a Saturday from 9-430pm is cruel.

4) THIS IS MY LAST SEMESTER!!!!!!!

OK, #4 really helps. Back to writing this paper because as soon as it's done, I can write about San Francisco! In the meantime, go look at my pictures and comment, please.

XO,
SVR

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Motown Philly

Please check my Twitter for the next few days as I won't be updating here most likely.


XO,
SVR

P.S. 555-2424
P.P.S. I can do it with my eyes closed.
P.P.P.S. 555-...2424

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Walkin' On The Sidewalks

Last night, as I drove home way too late, I opened my moonroof, turned the AC off, and enjoyed what has turned into an awesome night. The air was crisp and cool and it almost made me giddy. My love for fall runs deep. I had been outside a little earlier, wearing short sleeves and found myself actually shivering. Now, to be fair, I get cold really easily*, but putting on a jacket was beyond exciting for me. I know, I know. I'm crazy about fall. Do you understand the joy I get from stepping on a fallen, crunchy leaf? How happy it makes me to need to carry a scarf with me for chilly evenings?

I plan on spending a lot of time outside this fall. Who is with me!?


XO,
SVR




*I also get hot really easily.

Turn, Turn, Turn

It's amazing how things can shape up in a matter of days. How plans and situations can change so much. I love it! It's like mini surprise parties going on randomly. I love surprises.