To Our Continiuing Relationship

I promise to deliver something better tomorrow. "Better" being a post longer than a few sentences. Until then, though...please enjoy:




Um...yum.

XO,
SVR

4 In The Morning

I have to get up in about 5 hours.


Good night!

Opinion

Even though I didn't watch the Oscars last night or see more than one of the nominated films (Little Miss Sunshine), I still put my two cents in whenever I could today:

"Reese Witherspoon is my new fashion idol." Seriously, her hair? It's my new goal in life.

"Jennifer Hudson sucks, I don't like her." I don't like rags to riches stories. Not that she used to be poor because I don't really know anything about her, but she was on American Idol and that's bad enough. And she's not as good as people are making it seem. Do you know how many shows I've seen her on where she doesn't hit the correct notes? And I hate musicals where they sing everything. Yuck! (No, I haven't seen Dreamgirls.)

"I don't know if I'll watch them on TiVo when I get home...Brad Pitt was a no-show." I was hoping for some audience shots of my boo*. I fast-forwarded through it when I got home from work slowing down to take in m back-up boos, Clive Owen, George Clooney, and Leonardo Dicaprio**.

"That's the Oscar I'm going to win." Best Adapted Screenplay


I did buy Babel the other day, but haven't watched it yet. I know I'll like it, that's a given. I am still a little sad Brad Pitt wasn't there. I wish I could say it was because he was busy adopting me. Heh heh, adopting...

XO,
SVR

*That's for you, Senor Beavis.
**Not a conclusive list.

Swans

How could none of you warn me about Greys Anatomy?


Have I mentioned I am in love with this show and its perfection?


By my side
You’ll never be
By my side
You’ll never be

Cause I’m fake at the seas
Lost in my dreams
And I want you to know
That I can’t let you go

And you’re never coming home again
And you’re never coming home again

By my side
You’ll never be
By my side
You’ll never be
You’ll never be

I wanted to tell you I changed
I wanted to tell you that things would be different this time
I see you
You see me…differently
I see you
You see me…differently

You tell me that you love me
But you never wanna see me again
You tell me that you love me
But you never wanna see again
You tell me that you love me
But you never wanna see me again
You tell me that you love me
But you never wanna see me again

"Swans" By Unkle Bob

Long Distance Call

I had to call out from work today...sorta. I groggily woke up to see a Winter Wonderland outside. At least four inches on the ground and even more coming down. As much as I love snow, it makes me anxious on work days because I know that I will probably have to make that dreaded call.


We went out in a truck to check the "main roads," which turned out to be almost as bad as the back ones. Slipping and sliding was fun with someone who knows how to drive in the conditions, but the thought of my little Elantra trying to make it the 45 miles to work was not a good one. It's not my driving I worry about, but the other guy's.

So I had to call and say that there was no way I could get there now. I will try again later, but for now...I'm going to enjoy my mimosa:)



XO,
SVR

Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking

March is looking to be terribly busy so the decision last night to be thrifty was a good one. March is a weird month, and not one I particularly enjoy. Everyone starts talking about spring and the thought of upcoming warm days never puts me in a good mood. Ali and I will be heading down to Bald Head Island in North Carolina in April for our cousin's wedding and I am looking forward to that. See, it's different for it to be warm when a beach is involved.

So we have March with Into The Woods, the musical I am playing in, which will keep me quite busy the week after next. This next weekend is Ravena's birthday and then at the end of March is the much-anticipated Wine Week Extravaganza! Oh, and somewhere in there Ali and I want to take a trip somewhere-Boston, Chicago, etc?

And then April and the wedding...among other things, I am sure. And then it's going to be May. Ew! Warmth! Spring! Can I hibernate then?


Okay, slow down, Scarlet. It's still February. It's still cold. (Thank goodness!)

California

And now, a moment of silence for the end of an era:

Goodbye to The OC.


And shut up, Debbie Downers, I love(d) this show!

(You Drive Me) Crazy

I'm not going to act like I know what BritBrit is going through or why she seems to have lost her mind. I am also not going to act like I am above those who are all over her case because every US Weekly* I buy continues the craziness that is the paparazzi. But I will say that every time they show her on TV, I almost have a seizure from all of the flashbulbs going off like fireworks. Imagine living with that constantly! And blah blah blah, she asked for it and blah blah blah, she's a gazillionaire. Well, I'm just saying that I wish the paparazzi would start taking some more artsy pics...sans flash. It reminds me of the time I saw The Strokes** and at one point I had to look away from the stage because the flashing lights were about to trigger a seizure and no, I don't get seizures!

Anyway, just my thought of the moment. "I'm A Slave 4 U" is still an all-time awesome hit for me so I'll always be on B. Spears' side.


XO,
Scarlet



*For the fashion, people...and the pictures of Brad Pitt.
**REALLY good show. I was surprised. I expected it to be boring and for Julian Casablancas to come out bored, but omg, one of the best shows I've ever been to...minus the seizure scare.

VioLENT

So today marks the start of Lent, right? I don't really know since I am not Catholic and generally do not participate in events that involve giving things up. Serena and I were emailing yesterday, though, and decided it might be a good time to do just that. However, being the positive creature I am*, it was changed into proactive statements and things to add to our lives. Go see her list after you read mine.

Things To Do Differently In Honor Of Turning 27 And It Being Lent:


+I will do my best to always refill my car's gas tank when it is 1/2 full instead of waiting until the gas light comes on.
+Once I get my passport I will use it.
+I will flirt everyday.
+I will not flirt with the wrong people.
+I will not order diet coke at restaurants. I will put that $2 into my travel fund....or at least my Starbucks or beer fund.
+I will find and use more new words and phrases. (Note: not made up words necessarily)
+I will take a lot more pictures. A lot. A lot a lot a lot a lot.
+I will sign up for the Praxis 2. (ooops, that's there just because I keep forgetting to do it. It costs money, though!)
+ I will get back in the habit of sending postcards to friends. (email me if you want to be in on the list of recipients!)
+ I will play more tennis. I'm taking my three private lessons soon (the ones I got for my birthday last year) and then I am going to need someone to play with. Is it you?


That's all for now...will add to the list as I think of things!



XO,
SVR




*Unless at work. Then I turn into Debbie Downer sometimes.

I Could Stay Away Forever

Friday night was a complete mystery to me. I was told to leave work at 630pm and head to my sister's apartment. Ali had told me to wear layers. She said I should wear leggings with pull away athletic pants and shirts that would easily allow me to put a harness on. She's a kidder, that one. Ali took me to the secret destination (Plan B) with only one near death experience involving a flying sheet of ice for some much needed grub and beer and PRESENTS where we had a grand ol' time that included honey mustard, people singing to me, amazing cupcakes, and the following people: Ali, Serena, Steven, Allie, Ravena, and Phil.

Then, my amazing group of boos took me to another secret destination. We were in two cars, with me and Steven in one and everyone else in the other, and I was quite confused by then. We started heading south and eventually ended up in a random neighborhood. I was racking my brain trying to think of who might live back there and why, if there was a party, my sister couldn't come with us? (She can't go to bars until 20 December 2007, guys.) But then Brendan came out and got in the other car and I realized that we were picking him up-ahhhh, made more sense then. A wee bit later we were in Arlington, parked on sheets of ice and waiting to get into that bar I can never remember the name of, but is the one we got kicked out of once.

The bar was fun, as bars tend to be. Serena, Allie and I tried to figure out our "moves" while trying them out on poor* Brendan. I would give more details on this portion of the evening, but divulging moves is like losing the playbook before the big game. Steven was the king of boos that night and the next day as he patiently let me flirt with him and gave us rides to all of our destinations. Another interesting part of Friday night was meeting some guy named Rhett and having the following exchange: "Is that really your name?" "Yes, why!?" "My name is Rhett." "WHOA! PROVE IT!" and he did. And it was. That always freaks me out.

About two or three hours after we got back to Steven's apartment, we got up again to make it to DC to catch the bus to NYC. Ahhh, New York, how I love thee. Dozing on the bus ride was a good plan as we hit the streets running. Roughly 30 hours in the city gives a mere slice of what is offered. Basically we spent our time eating, drinking, and being merry. (See Serena's post for some more details.) I, too, held back from buying an amazing bag from LeSportsac and I actually was surprised I did manage to "just say no"** since, "It's my birthday" is the perfect reason to buy an expensive bag. The thing I love about NYC is the walking and what you see along the way. Mostly this weekend that involved dogs. Was it a citywide plan to take every dog on a walk between the hours of 1-9pm on Saturday? Well, thank you, NY, I do love puppies:)

After recuperating in the phat apartment Ravena scored for us, we headed back out to properly celebrate the fact that I was turning 27. I guess for me, the proper way to celebrate anything is with booze, hott guys, and A LOT of flirting. (Although, to be honest, except for the booze, that's how I spend many of my days:) The bar we chose did not disappoint and was so good we ended up staying there the entire night. The company we had didn't hurt in the least, though. At one point it was the four of us smack dab in the middle of a sausage fest with our expats*** on one side, and what seemed like the entire Air Force on the other side. With so much to relay from the evening, I don't even know where to start. I can't repeat half the things whispered into my ear that night, but I will never say "double fisting" again and might have to start calling certain articles of clothing "jumpers." I have also decided that the second I get my passport and have enough money for one of those random cheap flights, I am on my way to London. Or anywhere in the UK really.

So all in all, it was an amazing birthday and a gazillion thanks to my friends, family, and random strangers who helped make it so great.


XO,
SVR



*Ha, maybe if 'poor' means 'lucky' now.
**Thanks, Nancy.
***Will link to MY pics asap.

I Still Remember

If your birthday is February 17th:

You surround yourself with people who see a superstar spark in you. This is what helps you exponentially grow your talent through this year. Love blossoms in march, when you're so hard at work you barely notice at first. April's financial boost isn't to be wasted. Invest in yourself and your skills. A Libra or Taurus person's affection uplifts you.


All Libras and Tauruses (sp?) should just queue* up now, thank you. Please bring gum. Making out will ensue.


I had an awesome birthday weekend thanks to some amazing boos, but since I was out of town for my actual day, the celebrating is soooo not over. I don't even know where to start with my retelling of the events so far. It has been a whirlwind few days of eating, drinking, flirting, walking, and aging and it has left me completely exhausted. Let me get a good night's sleep and I'll be back in the am with a proper post on my birthday!


XO,
SVR





*The British terms are here to stay, my friends. I mean, mates.

Happy Birthday

I'm going radio silent until probably Monday as I have a FULLLLLLL and exciting weekend planned for my BIRTHDAY! Today I work 10-630 and then head off to something that I do not know about (thanks to the boos, although I don't know yet what I'm thanking you for.)

And tomorrow...omg....tomorrow we head to NYC!!!!!!! A full day in the city when it's my birthday? Paris Hilton, watch out. The city is MINE tomorrow.




*Tomorrow is also Paris Hilton's birthday.

Publish My Love

Random People And Things I Love (in no particular order):

+Brad Pitt
+puppy dog faces
+the way certain wood smells when burned
+when the cellophane wrapper comes off a new CD easily and also, "Mr. Cellophane" from Chicago
+magazines (including the ads)
+horoscopes/astrology (but not in a weird, "I have crystals" way.)
+the number 17...followed closely by other prime numbers.
+when I can hear someone's accent when they sing (Arab Strap, I'm looking at you!)
+the first sip of a nonfat, white chocolate mocha with whip
+email
+smelling chlorine and knowing a pool is near
+movies by Sofia Coppola
+wrapping gifts that are in boxes
+the sounds of tennis
+eyeliner
+Britpop
+taking pictures at concerts
+when the 1st clarinet player isn't at rehearsal and I get to fill in
+Gilmore Girls and anything related to it
+still not quite believing that lambs are baby sheep
+getting cold while on the beach even though it's sunny
+that last leg of a road trip when everyone goes a little crazy
+text messages (email me for my number;)
+tomatoes
+boy arms
+kissing
+XM radio especially channels 20 and 29
+the Style section
+putting books into order
+when class is cancelled because of snow (COME ON, UMW! CANCEL NIGHT CLASSES!)
+when Ali emails me history lessons and tells me who I'm for or against
+Just about anything having to do with Russia
+the color green
+cashmere
+New Release Tuesday
+birthday secrets
+classical music that turns me into a weepy lame-ass
+when my mom finds my old tests and papers and puts them on the fridge
+tax returns and ACTUALLY GETTING MONEY BACK THIS YEAR!
+my car
+games we play in the car when trying not to fall asleep
+wheat beer
+inside jokes
+the bassoon
+thai food


I reserve the right to add to this list whenever I want:)


Happy Valentine's Day, my gorgeous boos!


XXOO,
SVR

For Reasons Unknown

"Mercury goes retrograde until March 7 and- despite your excellent intentions- getting situations/money organized could be subject to the kind of delays usually associated with commuter airlines. Keep on truckin' (while maintaning your sense of humor)."


Freaky. Maybe when my bills are due I can say, "Well, let me check my horoscope and I'll get back to you about that payment thing." I can't wait until 7 March, though. Things better be worked out way before that! I don't want to talk about it, though. Work sucks. It's like when I was working my office job, bookstore job and had orchestra-it was a bit too much and I ended up hating life so much every time I was at my part-time that my friends would tell me I should just quit. Well, I didn't quit (because that's scary) and now all I want is a consistent paycheck at a job that's not too difficult so I can finish up these stupid classes. BUT NOOOOOO, it can't work out like that, can it? Whatever, I don't want to talk about it.


XO,
SVR

Today

High Point Of The Day:


Someone told me I have "stunning eyes."



Low Point Of The Day:


The rest of it.




I had planned to listen to Snow Patrol on my breaks at work because I own a lot of their stuff and have been missing it lately. However, about 30 seconds into the first song I realized that it was doing nothing for my mood, which was one that was about to be accompanied by tears. I don't know what is wrong with me at work lately. I'm supposed to be the callous one. Anyway, so instead of listening to Snow Patrol, I decided to put on a song that would instantly put me in a better mood. I scrolled through for a moment and then remembered: Smashing Pumpkins, "Today"

What Goes Around

Giving Mary J. Blige Grammys is just going to encourage her to make more bad music.


So my weekend is winding up and, I have to say, it was quite successful. Not successful in a "I made out with [fill in the blank], but definitely successful in many other ways.

The date with Phil was very good. I definitely showed a small percentage of DC my dance moves, which is always a terrifying thought after the fact, but I had a good time and that is all that matters. I also had wine, rum and coke, and vodka/redbull all of which contributed to the evening. I don't want to say I'm shy, but I am. As much as I flirt and talk to people, I am a core of shyness. There will always be the four-year-old Scarlet in there who slid under the table at her birthday* party when the waiters came out singing "Happy Birthday." So put me in a fun situation with a few drinks in me and watch out;) (I feel the need to clarify that I don't need drinks to have a good time...at all.) But it's weird to go on a double date minus the second guy. It's not like we were in competition a la Elimidate** at all, but I think we both wanted to make sure the evening was fun, relaxed, and enjoyable for both us and our date.

Saturday was a LONG day. I guess I got promoted at work, but it's still weird and I don't really know what it means so I'm not talking about it (remember how I said I'm shy? Yeah, that.) I also got to meet the Post Secret guy, Frank Warren, when he came into the bookstore to sign our entire stock of his books. That was pretty cool. I helped to get him set up and got him a latte. (Skim- good guy.) Saturday NIGHT was amazing. Ali, Serena, Steven, Allie, and I headed to Mousetrap at the Black Cat for an evening of mainly dancing. Lots of other stuff occurred, but I encourage you to check Allie's blog for the complete list. Mousetrap brings back so many memories for me. We used to go every week back in college (omg, over 5 years ago!) and even though I hate to be 'that girl' I can't help but get excited when my favorite songs come on and then I sing them and dance to them and just have a grand old time. My favorite dances include:

+Verbing (Someone yells out a verb-hence the name, and you act it out to the beat. "Shovel the snow!" "Bake!" "Swim!" etc.)
+Soul Train (This is tough is people are drunk and don't want to form two lines, but if they'll participate, you form two lines and take turns dancing down the middle.)
+The ????? (What is the name of those things where you push the bottom and they collapse? Because that is what this dance would be call. It's awesome and we made it up last night.)
+The Glass Wall (Two people dance in front of each other and pretend a glass wall is between them.)
+The Statue (The guy just stands there while two (or more?) girls dance around him. No touching.)
+The Klagges (Only Ali and I can do this one because it involves us performing dance routines from our youth. Mrs. Klagges was our dance teacher. *Jazz hands!*)

And today was my concert. It went well, save for the one guy who said something incredibly rude to me and almost made me cry. Luckily, I calmed myself down and reminded myself that I am better than him and anything he says does not matter. Also, when later calmed down my sister helped me to realize what he must have meant. I still hate him, though, and he is now dead to me.


That is all.


XO,
SVR



P.S. Why does Mr. JT's "What Goes Around" have me completely obsessed? (But why is he playing on an up-right? That seems odd. He deserves a grand piano! With me on it...)


*Speaking of birthdays, mine is in 6 days. The 17th!
**The thought did cross our minds to bring "TimeOut" cards, though.

One By One All Day

I have a full weekend ahead of me, and for my own mind's sake of keeping it all straight, I am going to have to list it here:

Friday:

+Wake up before breakfast.
+Do a lot of laundry and e-flirting.
+4ish- leave for BN where I will get a white mocha and try to ask about hours. Probably will flirt with people. (Most likely coworkers.)
+6ish- Leave with Allie to go to DC to meet up with our date, Phil. Yes, two girls and one guy and no, do not get the wrong idea. It's going to be a blast, of course, but it's for charity, hence the two of us.


Saturday:
+930am- Orchestra dress rehearsal until 1230pm. This has the potential to suck as we have never played Pictures at an Exhibition all the way through before.
+1230pm- Race off for work. I'm supposed to BE there at noon, oops!
+1ish- 830pm- Work.
+830pm- Leave work with Serena and head to Ali's to change, get hott, and eat fast food.
+930ish- Head to DC for Mousetrap at The Black Cat. (You should go! Look for me, I'll be the brunette wearing black. Oh wait...me and every other girl there;) I love Mousetrap and hope there are plenty of people to interact with. Or to "interact" with if youknowwhatI'msayin'!
+Sometime in the AM- Head back to Ali's. She's letting me stay there.

Sunday:

1pm- Orchestra call time.
3pm- Concert.
6pm- Home to collapse from exhaustion.


I am happy and grateful for a very full weekend:) It's fitting, too, since today marks my self-made start to the BIRTHDAY CELEBRATING!!!!!!!!!!! A week from today is the day before my birthday. I am so excited.


XO,
SVR

The Passives

If it is possible to hate and embrace something at the same time, then I have done that with ambiguity. Both friend and foe I use and abuse it and then get frustrated and angry when used against me.

I hate for people to tell me what to do, but I get annoyed when the directions are lacking.

I flirt with the best of them, but get confused when that is it and at the same time, a lot of what I say is open to interpretation.

I want people to read and hear between the lines, but I get impatient when others write and speak in the same style.

I think ambiguity is the ultimate safety net.

What I Would Say To You Now

My day was spent riding what is apparently the fine line between Mama Bear and Flirt Extraordinaire. I oscillated with frightening ease between sincere questions of health and happiness to innuendos and euphemisms. At one point in my work day I had the following conversation:

Me: Are you okay?
CoworkerB: Not really. My neck really hurts and I don't know what's wrong.
Me: Oh no! I feel so badly for you:( I hope it feels better soon.

Roughly an hour later

Me: Awwww! I hate that you're hurting. Let me know if I can do anything to help.


At another point in the day I had this conversation:


Me: I really want some chocolate.
CoworkerS: Is that what you kids are calling it now?
Me:Oh, I didn't know you knew your new nickname.



I was on the ball with witty, flirty comebacks today. Anytime I received one I would one-up it on my reply. At the same time, though, and with the same people on the receiving end of my wickedly fun words, I was thisclose to making homemade chicken soup and tucking them in.


This is the dream, right? Mama Bear by day, Flirt Extraordinaire by night. Apple pie and jack and ginger. Loves it.

Surprise!

Apparently, I am the model bookseller at work. I was bestowed this honor almost 12 hours ago and I am still not entirely sure what it means. I got to work today at 11 and was met by the manager and assistant manager who told me, through some giggles and exagerated faces, that I had been voted the Model Bookseller that morning at the Manager/Lead meeting. I was honored, of course, as I am always excited to be voted #1 by my peers and my 'trophy' is really cool- a miniature manequin-like thing with a dress crafted from a shopping bag. It's really quite cute!

It's so cute that for a moment I thought that maybe the voting was about fashion and my constant reading of Elle, Bazaar, and Vogue was finally being recognized. But then I thought about them meeting at 7am, before the store opens, to vote on people's fashion sense and execution and decided that probably wasn't very likely. But to be voted a model bookseller? It just seems odd and ill-timed since for the past week or so I have been wishing arson and electrical problems* on the place because they made me really angry the other day when they took away one of my shifts.

But I guess I am pretty awesome, right? I mean, I show up. I work everywhere. I don't call out. I create new names for myself and others. I flirt with many coworkers. I tease the high schoolers. I scope out hott customers**. I play The Last Kiss soundtrack whenever I can. I never talk about plan and I am generally a joy to be around. I think I'm going to try to get the award next time, too. OR, maybe they can rename it The Scarlet Award. I kind of like that.


XO,
SVR





*For legal reasons, I don't really wish for that to happen. Should something happen there, I am ready and willing to take a lie detector test to prove my innocence.
**Lacking lately, by the way. If you're hott and read...hell, even if you don't read, please come there.

A Warm Place

I only have time for a complaint today:


Why do establishments insist on keeping their buildings so warm during the winter? This makes no sense to me. Winter is cold, yes. That is why we wear sweaters and coats and scarves. To make it so warm that a sweater makes me hot is not how it should be. Lately, when I have been getting dressed to go to work I have found myself considering outfits I would normally wear in the spring. (Hold on...*vomit*) We shouldn't be using the heat to allow us to wear short-sleeved shirts and such. We should be dressing warmer. Do we all try to wear sweatshirts in the summer and make buildings freezers? No, we don't. Get with it, people. Put on a sweater and turn the heat down.

Best Of You

Prince <3 Foo Fighters!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Things I Am Overhearing While Using WiFi In The Barnes & Noble Cafe*:

"You're not a Republican. That means you're a Conservative Democrat. No, you're a Federalist."

"Once I can vote, I will care."

"I have a moderate amount of gelatinous material that surrounds...(I missed the rest because I literally laughed out loud."

"Hot chocolate has no coffee in it."

"I have had three years of cottillion ettiquete courses." "So have I!"

"I'm a hopeless romantic."

"Dude, How rich are you?"

"My Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are all 19 hour days."

I can't do this anymore. I need to listen to my iPod.





*Or almost titled, "Things Too Good To Miss By Turning My iPod On"

Silent Spring

I know this doesn't mean much, but even teasing about Spring coming sooner makes me want to scream. I loathe spring and think it's the most disgusting time of the year. Full of warmth and humidity and pollen. And pastels. I detest pastels. Even though summer is far warmer, at least it has the feel of vacation to it and I can kick it back mentally to being a kid with no school for three months.

So damn you, Punxsutawney Phil for not seeing your shadow and bringing joy to the freaks out there who don't enjoy winter. But I'll have the last laugh, PP, as I preduct a March Blizzard and frigid temps at least through April. (Ok ok....I'm trying, ok?)

XO,
SVR

The Final Countdown

Not only will I be flipping the pages on my Dogs and Scotland calendars today, I will also begin the final countdown to the greatest day of the year.

17 February

The birthday of yours truly.

It was the coldest day of the year in 1980 when J and P Rose headed to Loudoun County Hospital in Virginia to welcome the arrival of their new daughter. But how does one prepare for such excellence?...


to be cont.