Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Tacoma-U District Bus
I already knew my bus, Route 586, was a veritable hive of Health Sciences/Medical Center employee chit chat and bonding, but I never knew it meant quite this much to those riders who consider themselves part of the "Living Room." In 586 lingo, the Living Room is the seats facing each other up front, always full of chatter and animated discourse. The Bedroom is the back, where people study and sleep. I always sit in the Bedroom. Have I missed out on a true community by being so reclusive? I have to say that most of the student-age 586ers, like me, prefer to remain silent on their daily commute, while the 25-and-much-older UW employees have a real discussion going. Sometimes I appreciate their cheer of a morning, and other times, they make me want to... well, fall asleep. It's 7.56 am, for crying out loud. What's with all the friendliness? Perhaps this attitude has manifested itself in my outward behavior as only other students (never the Chattering Classes) have asked me about myself. Or maybe the Chatterers only talk to fellow oldies?
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Piroshky Piroshky
I have lots to do, but I didn't get any of it done today. Why?! It'll just mean a crazy day tomorrow. I'm applying for Alternative Spring Break in El Salvador. One week building a school or laying water lines in some remote community with outhouses. On the plus side, the food is vegetarian, so no roasted cat, or whatever they eat in El Salvador. On the other hand, admissions are rolling, they close on Friday, I haven't written most of the application and I may not get in.
I called Katie Leung, the actress who plays Cho Chang in Goblet of Fire. She's gorgeous! I always thought so! Go to Getty Images and search for her in the Editorial section.
I went to Piroshky Piroshky today, that Russian place in the market. The apple cinammon roll was really good, but my dad called (to ask what time I was coming home) as I was completing the transaction, and I think the Russian lady behind the counter was displeased that I was talking on the cellphone as I paid. I decided I like the street where all the shops are lined up one after another in Pike Place Market, but I dislike the indoor areas.
When I live alone, I'm going to create marvelous meals with fresh produce from the market, and cook them for hosts of guests in my spotless apartment. Or, maybe not...
I called Katie Leung, the actress who plays Cho Chang in Goblet of Fire. She's gorgeous! I always thought so! Go to Getty Images and search for her in the Editorial section.
I went to Piroshky Piroshky today, that Russian place in the market. The apple cinammon roll was really good, but my dad called (to ask what time I was coming home) as I was completing the transaction, and I think the Russian lady behind the counter was displeased that I was talking on the cellphone as I paid. I decided I like the street where all the shops are lined up one after another in Pike Place Market, but I dislike the indoor areas.
When I live alone, I'm going to create marvelous meals with fresh produce from the market, and cook them for hosts of guests in my spotless apartment. Or, maybe not...
Sunday, November 06, 2005
boursin cheese is the best
Sigh... The end of another weekend. I didn't do anything much - didn't want to face the rain-slicked freeway and the Seattle buses, nor stay on SinRyan's couch - but it was a good weekend nevertheless. I went shopping with my dad, who is such a nice guy, really. With my mum, I can try to be all girly, but she's incredibly outspoken, about what looks good and doesn't, she always likes to pick clothes for me (and calls them "a little outfit" - as if I'm seven years old, because I thought it was girls of that age who wore Little Outfits), and she limits herself to discount stores: TJ Maxx, mostly - because she prides herself on being frugal, smart and bargain-spotting. Oh, and she occasionally makes comments about my figure, which my dad would never do. When I go shopping, I prefer to wander the brightly-lit, music-filled mall department stores (Nordstrom, Macy's) than browse the chaotic back-aisles of cavernous TJ Maxx. Yes, that is irrational and spendthrifty, but it's just nicer to see cozy corners overflowing with scarves and hats and colorful tights, than the sales bins. Anyway, I got two tops - a V-necked red knit one which is my new favorite, and a striped pink/blue/purplish one which is remarkably like Liz's, so hopefully we won't wear them on the same day... Also, a new bra, and some maroon tights, and a pair of training sneakers for the gym, and, best of all, some low-heeled ankle boots, because walking around in them is so much better than anything else - they give you height, they look so flattering in jeans (much better than sneakers), they're black and subtle, and - oh, I don't know - the small heel puts spring in your step, sass in your walk, it just works, what can I say. The ones I really wanted were the softest leather, but they were $239 on sale, so I decided to pass. The mall was absolutely jam-packed - Nordstrom was having its Women's Half-Yearly Sale, and the women's shoe aisles were bedlam, shoes and boxes littered all over the floor, teenagers preening in mirrors and tottering around on high heels and bumping into each other, awkward men being strong and silent, indulging their women (wives and daughters) in their ruinous Cole Haan habits, saying "Uhhh, the black ones are cute, honey" as they disappear into the pink armchairs.
My dad said he wanted Montesquieueueueue's (remember him? That's right, Halvorsen History) Essays for his birthday, which made me feel rather guilty, as although I'm not an anti-intellectual, and really want to read and enjoy Literature, not for snobbish reasons or bragging rights but just because it's insightful, and important, but I wouldn't ask for something like that for my birthday. My mum may give them (Important Books) to me anyway, but not as the big gift, not the Main Attraction, which I prefer to be something of the electronic or clothing nature.
Anyway, my mum got home shortly after we came back from the mall, the earliest she's gotten home from work in weeks, and my parents watched KCTS Cooks, which is a pretty bad cooking show indeed, but they got all fired up about this recipe for Butternut Squash Soup, featuring Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Onions, Curry Powder, Nutmeg, & etc. Subsequently, my dad (after watching a four-hour Seahawks game with his friends. Ick. I mean, I thought he "didn't care about football." Right, no, he cares about anything involving a ball...) got all the ingredients, plus gourmet cheese, pate with truffles in, salami, and salad stuff, and they made dinner tonight. The soup was golden in color, Autumn leaves, and very cold-winter-nights-in-front-of-the-fireplace-with-a-cat-on-your-lap-reading-a-good-book-and-listening-to-jazz-whilst-the-snow-falls-outside-and-your-family-is-gathered-around-you-contentedly-with-blankets-on-their-laps-and-Mummy-is-knitting-sweaters-for-your-cousins-in-Maine, humming-contentedly-to-herself. That sort of soup. Except that we don't have a working fireplace or a cat, we never listen to jazz, snow?! This is Seattle for God's sake (sorry God) and Mummy hasn't knitted in God knows how long (oh whoops) although she does, in fact, know how, and is suprisingly and impressively competent at those Householdy things (knitting, sewing, even crocheting, cleaning, cooking especially...). Oh, and no cousins in Maine. Don't even know why I put that bit in. But anyway, it (the soup) was tasty, although a little thick. The gourmet cheese was the best part. Boursin is the best cheese ever, it's wonderful but completely clogged up with cholesterol and fat. Every bite is one part sodium to six-bajillion parts Fat. But does that moderate my intake of Boursin? No, no it does not.
So my parents are downstairs digesting their soup and pate and talking to their guests, the famous Sharon (my not-wealthy benefactor) and Debbie, my mother's good-natured friend, who also works in my dad's university, about the Plagiarism Scandal. There's been a Plagarism Scandal in my dad's department which has been the subject of constant discussion in my house. It involves Sex, both Licit and Illicit, Violence, Irresponsible Journalism, and Corruption and Intrigue at the Very Highest Levels of Power!!!!!!!! Oh, and Death.***
***To be fair, there has been no Violence or Death yet, although certain facts have yet to be revealed to the wider community, so it may still descend into a bloodbath. The UPS Administration is, perhaps, not the Very Highest Levels of Power, but oh well. Everything else is there, although there isn't an awful lot of of Sex, but there is some.
So, yeah. Gossip Galore.
Oh, what else? They assigned me to the Japanese Textbook Task Force (that's an International Studies requirement, very intense, Winter Quarter) although I really wanted Medicines in Third World Countries, or Covert Action with a former Johnson White House Staffer. But we can't always get what we want, as the Beatles say. :-( Japanese Textbooks it is, folks. Oh well... (makes hands into fists and mutters mutinously, Japanese-Bloody-TEXTBOOKS!) Also, I was accepted into Departmental Honors. So my plan for graduation is not ruined. Depending on my successful completion of Spring Junior Seminar, I will be writing a Thesis. A Senior Thesis. God help us all...
I'm thinking of getting my hair cut short. Not chin-length, that's the worst style for me, but short - as Dr.Sisko/Ariel style. I'm not going to do anything for at least a week and most certainly longer, so let me know what you think, readership... Liz. Also, personal-appearance wise, it has become increasingly clear to me that deep, royal red is my best color. Who'd a thunk it? But it is. Maybe it's the dark hair/pale skin combination? [That sounds rather disturbing, doesn't it? As in, "I'll have #5 - the dark hair/pale skin combination," said Hannibal Lecter menacingly, smacking his lips, "with a smattering of freckles, and a helping of medium-sized breasts."]
I've been randomly thinking of terrible B-names for cars. On the treadmill, mostly, to save myself from stultifying boredom and Rage Against the [Workout] Machine. Bennet? Maybe you should choose the name of a character from a book or movie you like.
So, I think that's a nice long blog for this week. Less whiny than the last one, but dear Lord, I don't want to go to school tomorrow. I don't, don't, don't, don't, DON'T!
Alright.
I also started writing a screenplay for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Yes, you read that right. Do you need to read it again?
I have started to write a screenplay for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which, incidentally, is 870 pages long.
I haven't actually written anything yet (and probably never will), I've just highlighted some lines and scenes that I think are indispensible. Beginning the pruning process, you know. But why, you ask. Why?!?!? After all, they already have a screenwriter. And he's already written a script.
Well, I dunno. I just thought it might be interesting, and I never have any ideas for writing. And I was pretty bored.
Oh, Liz? Two things. Somewhat related. (1) I'm really sorry that the picnic didn't work out. Friday was a bit of a dismal day and I know the little things can be upsetting - because they work that way on me too. I totally owe you Thunder Thighs Coffee. Probably even a doughnut, as well. (2) I would really like to help plan the dinner party. Boursin Cheese, the official website of Boursin (www.boursincheese.com) has a bunch of tips for parties under Entertaining & Recipes, and we could make invitations and set the table with flair and elegance, and invite lots of people, and it would be much fun. Although I have to admit, they scared me when they said,
"When your guests ask what variety of cheese you're serving, dazzle them by casually mentioning that Boursin® is authentic All Natural Gournay Cheese."
That wouldn't dazzle so much as alarm me, if I were a guest, but that being said, their tips in general are interesting.
Right, toodle pip.
My dad said he wanted Montesquieueueueue's (remember him? That's right, Halvorsen History) Essays for his birthday, which made me feel rather guilty, as although I'm not an anti-intellectual, and really want to read and enjoy Literature, not for snobbish reasons or bragging rights but just because it's insightful, and important, but I wouldn't ask for something like that for my birthday. My mum may give them (Important Books) to me anyway, but not as the big gift, not the Main Attraction, which I prefer to be something of the electronic or clothing nature.
Anyway, my mum got home shortly after we came back from the mall, the earliest she's gotten home from work in weeks, and my parents watched KCTS Cooks, which is a pretty bad cooking show indeed, but they got all fired up about this recipe for Butternut Squash Soup, featuring Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Onions, Curry Powder, Nutmeg, & etc. Subsequently, my dad (after watching a four-hour Seahawks game with his friends. Ick. I mean, I thought he "didn't care about football." Right, no, he cares about anything involving a ball...) got all the ingredients, plus gourmet cheese, pate with truffles in, salami, and salad stuff, and they made dinner tonight. The soup was golden in color, Autumn leaves, and very cold-winter-nights-in-front-of-the-fireplace-with-a-cat-on-your-lap-reading-a-good-book-and-listening-to-jazz-whilst-the-snow-falls-outside-and-your-family-is-gathered-around-you-contentedly-with-blankets-on-their-laps-and-Mummy-is-knitting-sweaters-for-your-cousins-in-Maine, humming-contentedly-to-herself. That sort of soup. Except that we don't have a working fireplace or a cat, we never listen to jazz, snow?! This is Seattle for God's sake (sorry God) and Mummy hasn't knitted in God knows how long (oh whoops) although she does, in fact, know how, and is suprisingly and impressively competent at those Householdy things (knitting, sewing, even crocheting, cleaning, cooking especially...). Oh, and no cousins in Maine. Don't even know why I put that bit in. But anyway, it (the soup) was tasty, although a little thick. The gourmet cheese was the best part. Boursin is the best cheese ever, it's wonderful but completely clogged up with cholesterol and fat. Every bite is one part sodium to six-bajillion parts Fat. But does that moderate my intake of Boursin? No, no it does not.
So my parents are downstairs digesting their soup and pate and talking to their guests, the famous Sharon (my not-wealthy benefactor) and Debbie, my mother's good-natured friend, who also works in my dad's university, about the Plagiarism Scandal. There's been a Plagarism Scandal in my dad's department which has been the subject of constant discussion in my house. It involves Sex, both Licit and Illicit, Violence, Irresponsible Journalism, and Corruption and Intrigue at the Very Highest Levels of Power!!!!!!!! Oh, and Death.***
***To be fair, there has been no Violence or Death yet, although certain facts have yet to be revealed to the wider community, so it may still descend into a bloodbath. The UPS Administration is, perhaps, not the Very Highest Levels of Power, but oh well. Everything else is there, although there isn't an awful lot of of Sex, but there is some.
So, yeah. Gossip Galore.
Oh, what else? They assigned me to the Japanese Textbook Task Force (that's an International Studies requirement, very intense, Winter Quarter) although I really wanted Medicines in Third World Countries, or Covert Action with a former Johnson White House Staffer. But we can't always get what we want, as the Beatles say. :-( Japanese Textbooks it is, folks. Oh well... (makes hands into fists and mutters mutinously, Japanese-Bloody-TEXTBOOKS!) Also, I was accepted into Departmental Honors. So my plan for graduation is not ruined. Depending on my successful completion of Spring Junior Seminar, I will be writing a Thesis. A Senior Thesis. God help us all...
I'm thinking of getting my hair cut short. Not chin-length, that's the worst style for me, but short - as Dr.Sisko/Ariel style. I'm not going to do anything for at least a week and most certainly longer, so let me know what you think, readership... Liz. Also, personal-appearance wise, it has become increasingly clear to me that deep, royal red is my best color. Who'd a thunk it? But it is. Maybe it's the dark hair/pale skin combination? [That sounds rather disturbing, doesn't it? As in, "I'll have #5 - the dark hair/pale skin combination," said Hannibal Lecter menacingly, smacking his lips, "with a smattering of freckles, and a helping of medium-sized breasts."]
I've been randomly thinking of terrible B-names for cars. On the treadmill, mostly, to save myself from stultifying boredom and Rage Against the [Workout] Machine. Bennet? Maybe you should choose the name of a character from a book or movie you like.
So, I think that's a nice long blog for this week. Less whiny than the last one, but dear Lord, I don't want to go to school tomorrow. I don't, don't, don't, don't, DON'T!
Alright.
I also started writing a screenplay for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Yes, you read that right. Do you need to read it again?
I have started to write a screenplay for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which, incidentally, is 870 pages long.
I haven't actually written anything yet (and probably never will), I've just highlighted some lines and scenes that I think are indispensible. Beginning the pruning process, you know. But why, you ask. Why?!?!? After all, they already have a screenwriter. And he's already written a script.
Well, I dunno. I just thought it might be interesting, and I never have any ideas for writing. And I was pretty bored.
Oh, Liz? Two things. Somewhat related. (1) I'm really sorry that the picnic didn't work out. Friday was a bit of a dismal day and I know the little things can be upsetting - because they work that way on me too. I totally owe you Thunder Thighs Coffee. Probably even a doughnut, as well. (2) I would really like to help plan the dinner party. Boursin Cheese, the official website of Boursin (www.boursincheese.com) has a bunch of tips for parties under Entertaining & Recipes, and we could make invitations and set the table with flair and elegance, and invite lots of people, and it would be much fun. Although I have to admit, they scared me when they said,
"When your guests ask what variety of cheese you're serving, dazzle them by casually mentioning that Boursin® is authentic All Natural Gournay Cheese."
That wouldn't dazzle so much as alarm me, if I were a guest, but that being said, their tips in general are interesting.
Right, toodle pip.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
A Blog for Liz
Whoo! So, let's see... this past week has been not so hot. Friday I went to a really boring EEP get together for about 20 minutes, involving Christine showing a few inches of creamy thigh, which was pretty unnecessary, and Max and Tyler... shirtless. Unnecessary, also, but funny. Until Liz suggested going to the HUB, which was a brilliant idea, and bowling was fun. Everyone went off to do stuff, but I decided to go home because when I got into my mom's car I looked into her eyes and said something along the lines of "Well, people were going to Red Robin but I thought I should get home in time for dinner [unspoken subtext] Maybe acting like I am so happy to be home with my beloved parents might allay the regular evening shouting-match?" Sharon came for dinner, and asked me to go to a piano concert with her on Saturday night. I was like, "Oh hell. No excuse... no social life... what to say... oh God oh no... erm... yeah, why not?" So on Saturday, after swimming (ew... swimming laps is not fun) and studying, I went to this "Russian virtuoso"'s concert at Sharon's church. There were about 15 people there - literally 15. It was sad and pathetic and although the pianist was very good, nobody likes to be somewhere empty, the energy is just sucked out of a place. Sunday, I worked out (trying to make a habit of it) and came back feeling faintly ill. Spent most of the day lolling around, not-studying. Monday, I had a midterm which I wasn't prepared for, and in the evening, my parents and I are being all chummy and I make the mistake (but the inevitable one) of mentioning that unfortunately I have a midterm the day after the premiere, and BANG! There goes my chances of doing the one thing that I was really looking forward to, and kept checking my planner to see how many weeks were left until it occurred. I tried to make my case (that lack of sleep won't affect my performance on a midterm if I'm prepared, which is actually true) but I couldn't get a word in edgewise. Also, the tickets are unexchangeable. So, I'll be spending all of Thursday afternoon and night trying to concentrate on studying, wishing I was at the premiere with Team Innocent featuring Sinclaire - and that'll really make me do well. Damnation!
So, today, what fantastic adventures did I have today?. Spent two hours sitting in a bus in the pouring rain. Got to class halfway through section, got back a paper with another perfect score, and my fourth note from a professor/TA asking if they could put it on the course website - hooray, clearly I can spend the rest of my life writing papers and be supremely well-qualified! Went to work out at the IMA, bought a celebrity magazine to read because I can't exercise my head and body at the same time. Vogue, a "classy" mag - i.e. how to strengthen your vagina, and make him breathless with pleasure - was almost $5, so I went for InStyle, and learned that Jude and Sienna have split for good and Nicole Kidman might have had breast implants. But I couldn't concentrate on that even, because when I'm exercising it's always like "Oh, this is SO boring. I just want to curl up in a chair. When will this end? Gah! Booooooring" and the magazine didn't really help. I talked to Greg in the annex, then went to the library, read Liz's blog, discovered that I'm not sexy enough to wear low-rise jeans, and now I'm writing this - just like SpaceBalls, the past merges with the present! I have a feeling this rather unstructured entry was not up to the standards of my previous ramblings, but it will have to do.
My Current Life Goal: Convince my parents to let me go to the premiere. This means:
-Study/practice violin every single minute I'm home, or at the very least stare at my books and sigh meaningfully as if I'm studying, because I've perfected that (God if my parents somehow find this blog, I am so dead)
-Be perky and polite and share fascinating details about my classes and life
-No parties or otherwise fun activities if my parents show any signs of reluctance
-Get back tons of good grades
-Do not mention the premiere - number 1 rule of parent-handling.
We'll see how it turns out. Any suggestions let me know. Oh, Liz - congratulations on the blue Honda!! YOU HAVE A CAR!!! Let's see... the only name that keeps popping into my head at the moment is Davis, and I have NO IDEA WHY.
So, today, what fantastic adventures did I have today?. Spent two hours sitting in a bus in the pouring rain. Got to class halfway through section, got back a paper with another perfect score, and my fourth note from a professor/TA asking if they could put it on the course website - hooray, clearly I can spend the rest of my life writing papers and be supremely well-qualified! Went to work out at the IMA, bought a celebrity magazine to read because I can't exercise my head and body at the same time. Vogue, a "classy" mag - i.e. how to strengthen your vagina, and make him breathless with pleasure - was almost $5, so I went for InStyle, and learned that Jude and Sienna have split for good and Nicole Kidman might have had breast implants. But I couldn't concentrate on that even, because when I'm exercising it's always like "Oh, this is SO boring. I just want to curl up in a chair. When will this end? Gah! Booooooring" and the magazine didn't really help. I talked to Greg in the annex, then went to the library, read Liz's blog, discovered that I'm not sexy enough to wear low-rise jeans, and now I'm writing this - just like SpaceBalls, the past merges with the present! I have a feeling this rather unstructured entry was not up to the standards of my previous ramblings, but it will have to do.
My Current Life Goal: Convince my parents to let me go to the premiere. This means:
-Study/practice violin every single minute I'm home, or at the very least stare at my books and sigh meaningfully as if I'm studying, because I've perfected that (God if my parents somehow find this blog, I am so dead)
-Be perky and polite and share fascinating details about my classes and life
-No parties or otherwise fun activities if my parents show any signs of reluctance
-Get back tons of good grades
-Do not mention the premiere - number 1 rule of parent-handling.
We'll see how it turns out. Any suggestions let me know. Oh, Liz - congratulations on the blue Honda!! YOU HAVE A CAR!!! Let's see... the only name that keeps popping into my head at the moment is Davis, and I have NO IDEA WHY.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)