This is why I'm hot, hot.

I've realized I have immature musical tastes. If we rate "Revolutionary soundscape of psychological alienation" by "Edgy ambient-jazz European fusion band with a revolutionary command of harmony and emotional content" as a 10, and Hanson's MMMBop as a 1, I would probably be hovering at a 3-4. With a certain generosity of spirit. Of course, that's assuming that the tastes of trendy hipsters are good, and those of 13-year-old girls are bad. But even if that is an overstatement, because obviously I'm not a hipster, and some bubblegum pop is great, I have a feeling that I have yet to discover the pleasures of a whole world of music that's out there, waiting. There was a whole post under this, but it was just a lot of blather, so I think I'll stick to that. If any one of the 2-3 readers this illustrious blog is known to has any recommendations as to stuff that is melodic, upbeat and not just a lot of "danceable," pseudo-catchy noise, I would be eternally grateful and repay you with the use of one of my kidneys on alternate Tuesdays (non-refundable). It doesn't matter if I don't like it, obviously - I'll be grateful for the chance to try to expand my horizons, and all that.

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a suggestion. The band Guster, the CDs Keep It Together and Lost and Gone Forever.

PS. Obviously, classical music is a major exception to this. I like classical music, and most Americans don't, or at least not beyond the basics. So I can pat myself on the back for that. (In fact, sometimes, going through the radio dial, I almost feel guilty for wanting to listen to 98.1 again).

the great satan

Well, I had my Starbucks interview yesterday morning, so light candles in your cathedrals for me. :) The interview was ok- I started off quite peppy, but I think by the very end, it wore off a bit. I came up with some great answers, but in a couple of the questions, I froze up, concentrating on the letter instead of the spirit of the question. It's too painful to relive anything in specifics, but overall it was all right; it it had gone very well, I assume he would have offered me a job on the spot, but he didnt'. I'm still waiting to hear back, and to hear from Tully's. It'll be something to do while I don't know what I'm doing.

Things I Should Be Ashamed Of

1. I actually like Ryan Seacrest. He's like a puppy, a dumb, excitable, puppy.

2. I haven't shaved my legs for, like, a month. And it's August.

3. I check Television Without Pity's Blake Lewis thread approximately five times a day.

4. After getting job applications at Tully's and Starbucks today, I suddenly was unable (unwilling?) to walk into Fox Hollow Coffee and ask if they were hiring. Why? I don't know.

5. I spend more time fantasizing about being a writer than I do actually writing.

6. I haven't read any serious literature in donkey's years.

7. I had a good friend from middle school who sent me a card informing me of her high school graduation in the spring of 2005 and encouraging me to keep in touch, and despite my liking this girl and wanting to sustain more friendships, I have never written her back.

Oh dear...

Pictures

So, I started many posts down and you're supposed to scroll back to the start and work your way up here. If you've done that... you're awesome, wow, go give yourself a cookie.
-Emma, now with braces on both sets of teeth

After my parents came back from Germany, Prague and the Wedding, I took some pics in London. And Brighton, where my aunts live.

This unfortunately sideways pic is of the awesome new building in the City of London called (unofficially) the Gherkin. It's really an incredible building, unfortunately it is an office building and we weren't allowed inside.




Aunt Lily looks extremely like my dad with less testosterone (I'm sorry that was rude - but, true).




From left: dad, nonna, aunt Jackie, aunt Lily, me (flattering! grr), cousin Sam who is going to Japan to do the teaching English thing, uncle Peter (Norwegian!). Yes, this was a candid picture. >_<




She's pretty damn cute.



The following might be my favorite picture with me in it!








I wasn't even trying to be emo... Hampstead Heath





Kenwood House, on Hampstead Heath, in North London

Camargues (cliff lined inlets with beautiful clear water) near Marseilles - I didn't get to swim :/

For some reason, we took no pictures of the rest of Marseilles, including the lovely Old Port. Oh well... if I realized anything from this trip, it's that I don't take enough photos, except when I'm taking too many of the wrong things...

Marseilles beach (I swum), Martigue canals, Les Baux: ancientish citadel, medievalish village

Village of Gordes, delicious lunch with an AMAZING view, Abbeye de Senanque in lavender fields

The Ochre trail and Ochre formations, the nearby village of Roussillon (made with ochre), a Roman bridge

Bastille Day parade, the town of Apt from our hotel window, a medeival/Renaissance chateau, the village of Lourmarin (reverse chronological)

More Aix pics, plus a long Roman acqueduct

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My pics don't really capture the beauty of this city with the market and all. :/