Dear Drunk Gay Men in Bars,
Yes. My breasts are fabulous. No. You may not come into contact with them in any way. I realize that you are homosexual and derive no pleasure from such activities. However, your sexuality does not win you a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, rather it merely absolves you from facing a harsher form of justice. So think twice before complimenting me dexterously again, or I may be forced to return the compliment to your face.
Sincerely,
Hottie in the Blue Top
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Long as there are stars above you
While filling out one of those "Awards of 2007" surveys on Myspace, I surprised myself with a memory. The question asked for High Point of 2007. I scrolled through the past year in my mind. I automatically considered the moment I was offered my job, then discarded it as too easy. Though I was quite giddy. There had to be something else in there. I've had a pretty great year. There have been definite lows, but nothing compared to how fortunate I have been. I've been to Vegas twice, drove for 10,000 miles with Lily exploring the West, moved to a big city in a strange land, got a new roommate, got an internship, got a job, got an iPhone. First year as a college graduate, first year of complete financial independence. And then I found it. This moment that I experienced in March on The Road Trip. I hadn't thought about it in a while, but it was a real showstopper.
Lily and I spent the week of my birthday in Los Angeles. From there, we drove to San Francisco along Highway 1, a winding stretch that hugs the coastal cliffs like a sexy tattoo snaking up the side of a woman's torso. The drive took about 12 hours. It was simultaneously calming, invigorating, and frightening. We saw a herd of zebras, were nearly blown over by the winds of sea lions passing gas, and teased catastrophe when we thought we were going to be stuck in the mountains without any gas of our own. But there was one moment when we just had to pull over to the side of the road. It was so beautiful. We stood on the cliffs, overlooking the Pacific. The waves were crashing up hundreds of feet below and the sun was setting. The speakers from the car played The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." With that repeating chorus, and those swelling waves, it was a perfect moment. We stood there silent, taking it all in. You see, not only was The Road Trip another adventure, it was a prolonged goodbye. A slow transition for Lily and I to cushion the blow. The reason I waited 5 months after graduation to move to Chicago. The only way it could have really been properly done.
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows what Id be without you
Lily and I spent the week of my birthday in Los Angeles. From there, we drove to San Francisco along Highway 1, a winding stretch that hugs the coastal cliffs like a sexy tattoo snaking up the side of a woman's torso. The drive took about 12 hours. It was simultaneously calming, invigorating, and frightening. We saw a herd of zebras, were nearly blown over by the winds of sea lions passing gas, and teased catastrophe when we thought we were going to be stuck in the mountains without any gas of our own. But there was one moment when we just had to pull over to the side of the road. It was so beautiful. We stood on the cliffs, overlooking the Pacific. The waves were crashing up hundreds of feet below and the sun was setting. The speakers from the car played The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." With that repeating chorus, and those swelling waves, it was a perfect moment. We stood there silent, taking it all in. You see, not only was The Road Trip another adventure, it was a prolonged goodbye. A slow transition for Lily and I to cushion the blow. The reason I waited 5 months after graduation to move to Chicago. The only way it could have really been properly done.
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows
God only knows what Id be without you
God only knows what Id be without you
Monday, December 3, 2007
One Laptop Per Child
Reverend Billy got you feeling down this holiday season for your consumerist ways? Put that guilt to work and make a real difference.
Please, check out One Laptop Per Child.
P.S. It's tax deductible.
Please, check out One Laptop Per Child.
P.S. It's tax deductible.
Dreamweaver I believe you can get me through the nii-iight
Like Katie, I too enjoy making lists. Here's a simple one that ran through my head this morning as the coffee buzz set in and I fully defrosted from the commute.
Dream Careers (other than current pursuit, no particular order)
Rock Star.
I really love to sing, despite the fact that it slightly horrifies me to do so on stage. Senior year of high school, the Homecoming Queen asked me to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at the Homecoming assembly, in front of the entire population of McCrory. I obliged and did so with my eyes tightly shut the whole time, then hid backstage till it was safe to sneak back to where the band was sitting and vent my frustrations on a bass drum. There's a wholly different kind of soul bearing that goes along with singing compared to acting. I still dream though of somehow being discovered as the next Fiona or Blondie through no effort of my own. As a child I believed that the stereo speakers in the back window of the car were also microphones, which music industry execs installed. And I would sing towards the back of the car, believing they were listening and would someday swing by with a contract and a collaboration with Ace of Base.
Astronaut.
Though most girls haven't indulged in this fantasy, I imagine it is probably a common dream among youngsters. The unconquered, the undiscovered, the unimaginable. Astronauts are also the quintessential scientist rock stars. I missed out on Space Camp as a child and am still disappointed. For like fifteen seconds, I considered going to the Naval Academy to start my aeronautical career. When indulging in this fantasy, I leave out the fact that I have motion sickness.
Author.
Assigned to write a short story in 6th grade, I churned out a 35-page thriller handwritten on wide-ruled notebook paper. When we got our first computer, if I wasn't designing silly posters in Print Shop Deluxe, I was hammering out my story The Bellwitch, whose main character had black hair and purple eyes and wore a black miniskirt with a purple leotard. The climax of this story took place in a tornado.
Actress.
I've indulged in this one one too many times.
I know these seem like easy answers, but they're the absolute truth. Who really dreams of growing up to be an accountant anyway? Dreams shouldn't be practical. I'm sure you've got a few that you would like to share. I know we're all in creative fields, but one or two of my friends out there is bound to have dreamed of being a brain surgeon or something after mastering the game of Operation.
Dream Careers (other than current pursuit, no particular order)
Rock Star.
I really love to sing, despite the fact that it slightly horrifies me to do so on stage. Senior year of high school, the Homecoming Queen asked me to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at the Homecoming assembly, in front of the entire population of McCrory. I obliged and did so with my eyes tightly shut the whole time, then hid backstage till it was safe to sneak back to where the band was sitting and vent my frustrations on a bass drum. There's a wholly different kind of soul bearing that goes along with singing compared to acting. I still dream though of somehow being discovered as the next Fiona or Blondie through no effort of my own. As a child I believed that the stereo speakers in the back window of the car were also microphones, which music industry execs installed. And I would sing towards the back of the car, believing they were listening and would someday swing by with a contract and a collaboration with Ace of Base.
Astronaut.
Though most girls haven't indulged in this fantasy, I imagine it is probably a common dream among youngsters. The unconquered, the undiscovered, the unimaginable. Astronauts are also the quintessential scientist rock stars. I missed out on Space Camp as a child and am still disappointed. For like fifteen seconds, I considered going to the Naval Academy to start my aeronautical career. When indulging in this fantasy, I leave out the fact that I have motion sickness.
Author.
Assigned to write a short story in 6th grade, I churned out a 35-page thriller handwritten on wide-ruled notebook paper. When we got our first computer, if I wasn't designing silly posters in Print Shop Deluxe, I was hammering out my story The Bellwitch, whose main character had black hair and purple eyes and wore a black miniskirt with a purple leotard. The climax of this story took place in a tornado.
Actress.
I've indulged in this one one too many times.
I know these seem like easy answers, but they're the absolute truth. Who really dreams of growing up to be an accountant anyway? Dreams shouldn't be practical. I'm sure you've got a few that you would like to share. I know we're all in creative fields, but one or two of my friends out there is bound to have dreamed of being a brain surgeon or something after mastering the game of Operation.
Friday, November 30, 2007
I'm far too intellectually vain to pass on this
Get a Cash Advance
Stole this from Tim, who himself stole from Donna.
Addendum: I feel the need to add to this after I have already posted it. Doesn't this just seem ridiculous? Genius, really? Seems like an exaggeration. Or some computer's automatic reaction to me often using words like "Addendum" for no good reason. The site says that it works on most facebook/myspace profiles as well as most websites. I checked it on a friend of mine's blog (who probably uses bigger words/more complex sentence structures than me) and it came back Elementary Level! NYTimes.com registered as junior high! But it's not like I'm gonna delete it. Remove my genius badge or something. That would be madness. Just a little full disclosure.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tag. You're It.
My friend Sharon has tagged me. Here are the rules, which I edited for redundancy.
**People who get tagged write a blog containing 7 random facts/habits about themselves. At the end of your blog, you need to tag 7 people to do the same.**
RANDOM FACTS/HABITS
1. Being tagged, reminds me of the last memorable experience I had playing tag. I lived in Lake Village, AR from the ages of 5 to around 12. When I was finally moving away fo reals (there were some false alarms), my Aunt Vivian let me have a going away party at her dock house on the lake. The dock house was a real staple of my childhood, where most of my memories are situated. This party was boys allowed. (omg) The gender mixing wasn't too big of a deal for us. I often slept over at my best friend/boyfriend's house and we all generally just ran about barefoot and fancy free. However, that night it made for much shenanigans. We slept in the trailer, swam in the dark lake, and played on the dock. We also partook in games of truth or dare and Kiss Tag, a self-explanatory game of tag where you had to kiss the person that tagged you. Too bad this game isn't like that. My whole list of people to tag would have nothing to do with me wanting to hear what they had to say. Are there any games we play as adults that are so blatant in their intentions as truth or dare and kiss tag? Or are those sorts of games the adventures of deviants and swingers? Random parties where spin the bottle is vaguely enforced do not count.
2. If I could go back in time, I would like to be a suffragette. That is probably expected from me. I wave my feminist flag high. However, it is sincere. Human rights causes have always ignited me and I would have loved the opportunity to fight for an entire gender. I fight little battles now and then, but it would have been more empowering to wage that war. Plus, that would mean that David Bowie was singing about me. *swoon*
3. I have a secret tattoo. But is it really a secret if you have like 3 other ones and at least 7 people know about the secret one? After this blog, probably more like 10.
4. I suppose I should throw a habit or two in here. I habitually stop the microwave before the last second. It's like a game I play. I don't like to hear the bing. I let it count down to 1, then BAM! I pop that thing open.
5. Sometimes I think about some of the plays or musicals I have been in and cringe. I silently cringe to myself a lot when rehashing past embarrassments. However, I still have a secret desire to pursue some sort of a role in theatre. Seeing The Sparrow really brought that back in my head. I don't think that I am necessarily an actress, but I think that kind of creation would really satisfy a lot of different parts of me and is a logical step forward in some of the art that I have created before. This kind of potential makes me very excited to be young.
6. Unlike Sharon, quitting dance lessons was probably one of my best decisions. I do wish that karate would have worked out though. Douglas and I watch that Human Weapon show a lot on the History Channel. I like to think that I could have been a bad ass warrior. My trainer figured out that I like boxing, it tricks me into cardio. Stairmaster is just too obvious about it. Who really likes to climb imaginary stairs that go nowhere?
7. I hardly ever delete emails that are from real people. Gmail is so handy and searchable. But I also hate to have unread emails in my inbox. Last week though, I was very busy and I got behind. I had like over 60. (doesn't sound like much unless you consider that I keep my email up all day long and habitually check the screen. then add to that my work email) It kind of drove me nuts all day, all week. I still haven't gotten through them all. There are 9 left. And they've been pushed back a page or two in my inbox by now.
Was that random enough for you?
Now I have the power.
TAG: Katie (blog buddy omg), Philthy, .beth. (even though I know everything about you, you keep me wanting more), Lacy, Jacob, Val, Erin
BAM
**People who get tagged write a blog containing 7 random facts/habits about themselves. At the end of your blog, you need to tag 7 people to do the same.**
RANDOM FACTS/HABITS
1. Being tagged, reminds me of the last memorable experience I had playing tag. I lived in Lake Village, AR from the ages of 5 to around 12. When I was finally moving away fo reals (there were some false alarms), my Aunt Vivian let me have a going away party at her dock house on the lake. The dock house was a real staple of my childhood, where most of my memories are situated. This party was boys allowed. (omg) The gender mixing wasn't too big of a deal for us. I often slept over at my best friend/boyfriend's house and we all generally just ran about barefoot and fancy free. However, that night it made for much shenanigans. We slept in the trailer, swam in the dark lake, and played on the dock. We also partook in games of truth or dare and Kiss Tag, a self-explanatory game of tag where you had to kiss the person that tagged you. Too bad this game isn't like that. My whole list of people to tag would have nothing to do with me wanting to hear what they had to say. Are there any games we play as adults that are so blatant in their intentions as truth or dare and kiss tag? Or are those sorts of games the adventures of deviants and swingers? Random parties where spin the bottle is vaguely enforced do not count.
2. If I could go back in time, I would like to be a suffragette. That is probably expected from me. I wave my feminist flag high. However, it is sincere. Human rights causes have always ignited me and I would have loved the opportunity to fight for an entire gender. I fight little battles now and then, but it would have been more empowering to wage that war. Plus, that would mean that David Bowie was singing about me. *swoon*
3. I have a secret tattoo. But is it really a secret if you have like 3 other ones and at least 7 people know about the secret one? After this blog, probably more like 10.
4. I suppose I should throw a habit or two in here. I habitually stop the microwave before the last second. It's like a game I play. I don't like to hear the bing. I let it count down to 1, then BAM! I pop that thing open.
5. Sometimes I think about some of the plays or musicals I have been in and cringe. I silently cringe to myself a lot when rehashing past embarrassments. However, I still have a secret desire to pursue some sort of a role in theatre. Seeing The Sparrow really brought that back in my head. I don't think that I am necessarily an actress, but I think that kind of creation would really satisfy a lot of different parts of me and is a logical step forward in some of the art that I have created before. This kind of potential makes me very excited to be young.
6. Unlike Sharon, quitting dance lessons was probably one of my best decisions. I do wish that karate would have worked out though. Douglas and I watch that Human Weapon show a lot on the History Channel. I like to think that I could have been a bad ass warrior. My trainer figured out that I like boxing, it tricks me into cardio. Stairmaster is just too obvious about it. Who really likes to climb imaginary stairs that go nowhere?
7. I hardly ever delete emails that are from real people. Gmail is so handy and searchable. But I also hate to have unread emails in my inbox. Last week though, I was very busy and I got behind. I had like over 60. (doesn't sound like much unless you consider that I keep my email up all day long and habitually check the screen. then add to that my work email) It kind of drove me nuts all day, all week. I still haven't gotten through them all. There are 9 left. And they've been pushed back a page or two in my inbox by now.
Was that random enough for you?
Now I have the power.
TAG: Katie (blog buddy omg), Philthy, .beth. (even though I know everything about you, you keep me wanting more), Lacy, Jacob, Val, Erin
BAM
Friday, November 16, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
.jpg)
Friday, October 5, 2007
Balls, Paint, and Play-doh.
Oh, yes. I'm talking about Sony Bravia. Watch the three commercials here.
http://bravia.sony.eu
They're beautiful. Bethy, you should especially watch the play-doh one, even if it is possibly a rip-off of this painting.
Addendum: Michael is right. The website's nav system is reaching a little too far if even I can't catch on at once.
http://bravia.sony.eu
They're beautiful. Bethy, you should especially watch the play-doh one, even if it is possibly a rip-off of this painting.
Addendum: Michael is right. The website's nav system is reaching a little too far if even I can't catch on at once.
And something's gotta change, cause our love's the slowest moving train.
*I do not purport to offer the world any kind of unique insight with this blog. I just be a babbling. Here goes.
When I l o v e music, I listen to the album over and over and over again, usually as I sit at my computer working on something, or stewing on working on something. And singing. Always singing. It used to annoy Lily. Even if our bedrooms weren't adjacent, she would learn the whole album as I sang along nonstop for hours. "Michelle, you need some new music." I would get new, but then wear it out on repeat. I find that certain albums come to represent some sort of an emotional journey or period of time in my life. For example, 8th grade will always be associated with Fiona Apple's Tidal for me. I had just moved from Virginia to Arkansas, complete emotional turmoil, my first real boyfriend and I broke up, and I felt like an outcast at my tiny country school. Thank you, Fiona. She's helped me out a number of times. Her albums always seem to come out just when I need them. I got Extraordinary Machine in the Spring of my 4th year of college, right around the time when The Break Up happened. 6th grade- Alanis. Ooh puberty is so much easier when Alanis shares your angst. The summer of 2004 Lily, Beth, and I went on our Grand European Adventure. Our friendship was still young and I think we were all still very intoxicated with one another. The album I most associate with those memories is Rilo Kiley's The Execution of All Things. I have one gem of a memory-- we were riding a train across the continent. I don't remember where to. And Lily had brought along a discman. (no iPod? what?! We didn't even bring digital cameras. I had my dad's old manual Olympus from the 70s. It could have really been any decade on that trip) And we all sat together listening to Rilo Kiley while holding crappy foam headphones from her discman between our heads. We probably did that a million times on the trip. Now, though, it feels like a solitary memory or some kind of a really beautiful vignette. Three very young girls, blazing across the European countryside on a train. I would be in the middle, to give the composition balance, and Lily and Beth would sit on either side, their heads titled in towards mine. A triangle.
I also use albums to reminisce. Today, I'm listening to Rilo Kiley.
Addendum: After reading this, Lily informs me that on the train there was a nun sitting in our compartment with us that became very uncomfortable as we sang along aloud to Rilo Kiley, or possibly because Lily is unforgiving with her leg room. And, also, I agree with her-- The Famed Road Trip of 2007 is set the music of Rolling Stone's Magazines 500 Greatest Rock and Roll Songs of All Time, which we listened to in its entirety as we drove up the West Coast-- Los Angeles to Seattle. With Wild Horses being a stand-out song for me.
When I l o v e music, I listen to the album over and over and over again, usually as I sit at my computer working on something, or stewing on working on something. And singing. Always singing. It used to annoy Lily. Even if our bedrooms weren't adjacent, she would learn the whole album as I sang along nonstop for hours. "Michelle, you need some new music." I would get new, but then wear it out on repeat. I find that certain albums come to represent some sort of an emotional journey or period of time in my life. For example, 8th grade will always be associated with Fiona Apple's Tidal for me. I had just moved from Virginia to Arkansas, complete emotional turmoil, my first real boyfriend and I broke up, and I felt like an outcast at my tiny country school. Thank you, Fiona. She's helped me out a number of times. Her albums always seem to come out just when I need them. I got Extraordinary Machine in the Spring of my 4th year of college, right around the time when The Break Up happened. 6th grade- Alanis. Ooh puberty is so much easier when Alanis shares your angst. The summer of 2004 Lily, Beth, and I went on our Grand European Adventure. Our friendship was still young and I think we were all still very intoxicated with one another. The album I most associate with those memories is Rilo Kiley's The Execution of All Things. I have one gem of a memory-- we were riding a train across the continent. I don't remember where to. And Lily had brought along a discman. (no iPod? what?! We didn't even bring digital cameras. I had my dad's old manual Olympus from the 70s. It could have really been any decade on that trip) And we all sat together listening to Rilo Kiley while holding crappy foam headphones from her discman between our heads. We probably did that a million times on the trip. Now, though, it feels like a solitary memory or some kind of a really beautiful vignette. Three very young girls, blazing across the European countryside on a train. I would be in the middle, to give the composition balance, and Lily and Beth would sit on either side, their heads titled in towards mine. A triangle.
I also use albums to reminisce. Today, I'm listening to Rilo Kiley.
Addendum: After reading this, Lily informs me that on the train there was a nun sitting in our compartment with us that became very uncomfortable as we sang along aloud to Rilo Kiley, or possibly because Lily is unforgiving with her leg room. And, also, I agree with her-- The Famed Road Trip of 2007 is set the music of Rolling Stone's Magazines 500 Greatest Rock and Roll Songs of All Time, which we listened to in its entirety as we drove up the West Coast-- Los Angeles to Seattle. With Wild Horses being a stand-out song for me.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Buy Me This for Christmas and I Will Marry You
But it would have been way cooler if I didn't have to tell you about it.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
In response to Katie's post about the lingering summer
If seasons were tangible, you would see me scratching to hold on to Summer for dear life, while Winter stalks up from the corner and drags me away by my flip flops.
This is the first year in my life when I will have to face a real winter. I've lived in Arkansas most of my life. I've experienced ice storms, but never a need for scarves and gloves and a coat and a hat November through April. It seems like Fall may be skipped over entirely! I'm upset. Seriously. I've visited wintry places, but only for wintry fun. It's become sort of a running joke at work. They're waiting for me to freak out and migrate home with the birds.
I am excited about soup for lunch and cute scarves. And I had a pumpkin latte a week ago when a strange early chill hit. But I have no winter clothes or shoes. Or socks for that matter. The wind is fierce and commuting will be tough. City life takes a whole different kind of toll on your body any time of year. All I feel like doing is hibernating. Perhaps I will take a lover and hole up in my apartment for LotR marathons.
This is the first year in my life when I will have to face a real winter. I've lived in Arkansas most of my life. I've experienced ice storms, but never a need for scarves and gloves and a coat and a hat November through April. It seems like Fall may be skipped over entirely! I'm upset. Seriously. I've visited wintry places, but only for wintry fun. It's become sort of a running joke at work. They're waiting for me to freak out and migrate home with the birds.
I am excited about soup for lunch and cute scarves. And I had a pumpkin latte a week ago when a strange early chill hit. But I have no winter clothes or shoes. Or socks for that matter. The wind is fierce and commuting will be tough. City life takes a whole different kind of toll on your body any time of year. All I feel like doing is hibernating. Perhaps I will take a lover and hole up in my apartment for LotR marathons.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Puttin' Fitty out of a job
Badamn.
I am loving this new Kanye album.
Courtney and Phil came to Chicago this week and they found an apartment on OUR street of all places! They are literally two blocks away from us. They're moving up the first week of October. I'm quite excited. When I cook dinner at nite, more people than me can eat it. Instead of heating it up for Douglas. And they're bringing Darwin up here, which I am quite excited about as this overly dog-friendly neighborhood has given me canine envy. Especially since I am so over cats at the moment. That is probably a phase though. Once I'm a little older, the spinster instinct will kick in I'm sure and I'll have like 4 cats named after Dada artists. The king cat will be Marcel and his favorite resting spot will be the toilet. ha.
It was great to have friends up this week, but I am exhausted. This has been the craziest week at work. So, instead of staying insanely late every nite, I worked till around 7pm every day then left to spend time with them (this gave time for a number of yummy meals--Ethiopian, Chicago pizza, lots of frozen yogurt). But then I woke up before 6:30 every morning and got to work around 7 am, meaning 12-13 hour work days anyway. It comes and goes though. I've left on time quite a bit relatively. Does make you wish you were getting paid hourly though. Salary is nice. So is health insurance. He-ey! I'm totally gonna get my teeth cleaned. Yummy.
I'm looking forward to my parents visit to Chicago (tentatively the second week of October). As well as the movie Across the Universe.
There are a couple of other individuals I'm looking forward to seeing as well. But that just seems to be a constant state of longing. Some kind of a soul division, solved only by geographic relativity. And occasionally a nice long Skype or an elaborate package. Those are only temporary solutions though. Right now, I'm in a constant state of un-balance. It kind of floats beneath. Unaffecting only in that it has completely affected me, leaving nothing the same. Ascribing some kind of a new standard of normalcy, completely unwelcome but self imposed. What ever's a girl to do.
I am loving this new Kanye album.
Courtney and Phil came to Chicago this week and they found an apartment on OUR street of all places! They are literally two blocks away from us. They're moving up the first week of October. I'm quite excited. When I cook dinner at nite, more people than me can eat it. Instead of heating it up for Douglas. And they're bringing Darwin up here, which I am quite excited about as this overly dog-friendly neighborhood has given me canine envy. Especially since I am so over cats at the moment. That is probably a phase though. Once I'm a little older, the spinster instinct will kick in I'm sure and I'll have like 4 cats named after Dada artists. The king cat will be Marcel and his favorite resting spot will be the toilet. ha.
It was great to have friends up this week, but I am exhausted. This has been the craziest week at work. So, instead of staying insanely late every nite, I worked till around 7pm every day then left to spend time with them (this gave time for a number of yummy meals--Ethiopian, Chicago pizza, lots of frozen yogurt). But then I woke up before 6:30 every morning and got to work around 7 am, meaning 12-13 hour work days anyway. It comes and goes though. I've left on time quite a bit relatively. Does make you wish you were getting paid hourly though. Salary is nice. So is health insurance. He-ey! I'm totally gonna get my teeth cleaned. Yummy.
I'm looking forward to my parents visit to Chicago (tentatively the second week of October). As well as the movie Across the Universe.
There are a couple of other individuals I'm looking forward to seeing as well. But that just seems to be a constant state of longing. Some kind of a soul division, solved only by geographic relativity. And occasionally a nice long Skype or an elaborate package. Those are only temporary solutions though. Right now, I'm in a constant state of un-balance. It kind of floats beneath. Unaffecting only in that it has completely affected me, leaving nothing the same. Ascribing some kind of a new standard of normalcy, completely unwelcome but self imposed. What ever's a girl to do.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Saturday, September 1, 2007
I can have a pedicure and still be a badass.
Saturday in the city. Brunch with Douglas. Awesomest feta cheese omelet ever. Walk through a farmers market, stroll the city, Cinnamon Toast Crunch for dinner, Heroes marathon. But, boy-oh-boy, do I hate Peter Petrelli's haircut.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
And my red sheets.
I really like my blue bra. I'm having one of those days. Just a calm satisfaction with things. A pleasant curve to my lips. Of course, there are occasional twinges. Things left undone, emotions unresolved that kind of grab you for a moment. But ignoring those neuroses lurking about, I'd say I'm feeling good right now.
I had a sandwich down the street in my fabulous neighborhood. An iced raspberry mocha to-go. And I put together my new little spinning file cabinet thing and computer desk from Ikea. Also I bought the new Rilo Kiley album from iTunes. Now that I am a grown-up, with a steady income, I refuse to download music anymore. Aren't I all high and mighty. Now that I've downloaded 30+ gigs of free music all throughout college, I take the moral high ground.
I've also decided to start this blog. (of course only after I messed with the html and designed myself a snazzy banner) Lacy and I recently spoke about doing Project 365, where you take a photograph everyday as a sort of visual journal. I really liked the idea at first, until I missed a few days in a row. My camera is fantastic, but too bulky to just throw in my purse everyday and risk damage. I considered buying a snazzy little pocket camera. But why spend $150 bucks when this blog is free! So I intend to still take pictures occasionally, but also to blab on here. I think that combines my visual/verbal tendencies a little more efficiently.
I went ahead and reposted any blogs I had on my myspace page, but only those I have written since moving to Chicago. Any other exploits you would like to read about (road trip, NYC last summer), you'll have to go there to check out my older posts.
Here's hoping I actually keep this up.
I had a sandwich down the street in my fabulous neighborhood. An iced raspberry mocha to-go. And I put together my new little spinning file cabinet thing and computer desk from Ikea. Also I bought the new Rilo Kiley album from iTunes. Now that I am a grown-up, with a steady income, I refuse to download music anymore. Aren't I all high and mighty. Now that I've downloaded 30+ gigs of free music all throughout college, I take the moral high ground.
I've also decided to start this blog. (of course only after I messed with the html and designed myself a snazzy banner) Lacy and I recently spoke about doing Project 365, where you take a photograph everyday as a sort of visual journal. I really liked the idea at first, until I missed a few days in a row. My camera is fantastic, but too bulky to just throw in my purse everyday and risk damage. I considered buying a snazzy little pocket camera. But why spend $150 bucks when this blog is free! So I intend to still take pictures occasionally, but also to blab on here. I think that combines my visual/verbal tendencies a little more efficiently.
I went ahead and reposted any blogs I had on my myspace page, but only those I have written since moving to Chicago. Any other exploits you would like to read about (road trip, NYC last summer), you'll have to go there to check out my older posts.
Here's hoping I actually keep this up.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
August 22, 2007
Our apartment at nite. The air conditioning isn't fixed yet. We don't have a couch or dishes. But we do have Wifi and I watch Heroes on Doug's laptop. We lay on the floor in the living room and pretend like we're not uncomfortable.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
August 20, 2007
After my first day of real work at Euro not as an intern. I just got back from my visit to Arkansas yesterday, sunburns fresh. Arranging my new bedroom. Yes, Lily I stole your scarf.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Summer Summarized
It has been nearly 8 months since I graduated. Suffice it to say, much has happened. I moved home for a little bit, did some freelance design, drove 10,000 miles around the country with Lily (and Jacob!), designed my portfolio, bought a one-way ticket, flew to Chicago, moved in with Douglas, interviewed, got an internship at an amazing advertising agency (paid!), flew home for a wedding, back to Chicago, flew to Vegas to have a fabulous week with my momma, back to Chicago, visit from Kellie, started working, work, work, work, see plays, work, there was some drinking interspersed as well, work, work, movies with Douglas, work, work, work, visit from Adam Box, work, work, work, looking for an apartment, work, work, got a new apartment!, work, work, HARRY POTTER, visit from Nathan, Jacob, and James, work, some more plays, some more working.
Then in the middle of working, BAM! I got a job offer. A real one, they pushed the contract across the table kind of real. And, of course, I accepted. Starting August 20th, I am a full time salaried employee of Euro RSCG Chicago, a junior art director on the Sprint account specifically. Only 8 months after graduating, I am in in advertising. This Friday though, is the last day of my internship, so in between now and the 20th, I am coming back to Arkansas! I need to pack all my stuff and actually move to Chicago. Douglas and I just moved into our new apartment yesterday and we need art on the walls.
So, next Wednesday, I believe we'll be doing dollar beer nite at Willy D's. And I will of course visit Fayetteville, and the lakehouse! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. I just can't get rid of this smile.
Then in the middle of working, BAM! I got a job offer. A real one, they pushed the contract across the table kind of real. And, of course, I accepted. Starting August 20th, I am a full time salaried employee of Euro RSCG Chicago, a junior art director on the Sprint account specifically. Only 8 months after graduating, I am in in advertising. This Friday though, is the last day of my internship, so in between now and the 20th, I am coming back to Arkansas! I need to pack all my stuff and actually move to Chicago. Douglas and I just moved into our new apartment yesterday and we need art on the walls.
So, next Wednesday, I believe we'll be doing dollar beer nite at Willy D's. And I will of course visit Fayetteville, and the lakehouse! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. I just can't get rid of this smile.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
And I'm so far away.
You know that you've been gone a while when you start to notice your picture dropping down/disappearing from your friend's Top Friends lists. Just a new silly way the digital revolution reminds you of the march of time and/or your own negligence in personal relationships. I do refuse to believe though that some of the friends I made in college aren't going to be very important in my life, my whole life. Or at least 4, or 5. I've only been here for weeks so far, not yet months plural. So this past week, I was feeling really good. In love with where am I going and where I am. Thinking forward, not back. It's just that this kind of reminder that really stops you midway. I guess I had really taken for granted that big parts of my past would be in my future. Not really seeing the division between the two, the wall that only a few are willing to climb over. I've moved a lot throughout my life, leaving best friends, boyfriends behind. And not a single relationship remained intact or at least reminiscent after it was all settled. There were phone bills and letters and promises in all instances. And sincerity as well in most. But none have gone on to play any kind of a role in my life. I suppose I never thought it would be the same this time. This time the move was my decision, the destination my choice. I guess that this time any losses will be my responsibility.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue
I went to see the documentary Helvetica tonite at the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown. It is only showing this week in Chicago. It really excited parts of me that I hadn't exercised in a while. I was exhilarated by the aesthetic debate amongst the designers, the belief and devotion that each of them felt for their own way of working. However, I was not swayed either way—grid/chaos, neutrality/expression, modernism/youknowwhat. But not because I have disdain for either cause, or claim to champion anything new or revolutionary. It is just that I can find myself as truly affected or satisfied by a perfect alignment of squares as I can a cacophonous typographic assault. I'm not riding the fence, or anything sinful like that. I just don't see the choice as required, or the two options as exclusive. What a boring argument, Michelle! "Why can't we all just get along?" Such bullshit. I've never been one to straddle the issue to avoid offense. Though once, in Core II, I did manage to get through an entire final without actually picking a side in the debate. At the end of the class, Charlie Gorman called me on it, with an amusing look in his eye. In my defense, I had the flu that day. But I still remember it quite clearly, so Charlie affected my conscious somehow. Today, though, I am not ill.
It is hard to discuss the contemporary when you are in it/doing it. Perspective is feigned, self-awareness unachievable. But we have moved on. That can be the only thing for sure. To what? Who knows. All I can attempt to do is rationalize my own simultaneous fascination with structure and pandemonium, my tumultuous need for design restraint as well as anarchy.
Riding home on the L, I started to be able to grasp this concept about myself. I love the L, even more so I believe than the NYC subway system, my previous summer fling. But not because of either's efficiency or utility. Nor does it have anything to do with a preference of public transportation versus driving. I can truly appreciate a good, long drive. The control you have over your own changing environment, the way a car's momentum can be a catalyst for your mind's own wanderings. This desire for movement and change translates over to my pleasure riding the L as well. However, most of the romance of the L to me has to do with its constant—the city.
I have known for a long time that I was not a country girl, though I expect I will always be a Southern girl. It was the way things fit, much more than the typical teenage desire for freedom. And I realized today, on the train, that it is more than the pace and the excitement and the possibility of the city that fulfills me. There is something aesthetically satisfying about it as well. Chicago trains are elevated, thus making far better use of their windows than their counterparts in NY. The windows provide a frame as we tear through the city, between the buildings, the train beating against the tracks, the sunlight make a rhythmic game out of the chase.
It's the way the battered brick buildings hold their ground, wearing old painted advertisements like faded tattoos. And across the street a shining glass tower soars above, a beacon of perfection, its geometry obvious and balanced. In between, wooden billboards are slicked over with glossy paper and glue, some ripped or berated by the wind, others pristine and immune. But all these things do not compete, or form "isms" and force you to take a side. They are pieced together in grids, connected by concrete. Individually, they are as different as David Carson and Massimo Vignelli. Together, they become a whole new aesthetic. A city is a problem and these elements are solutions. They are relative to one another, in all senses of the word. Their association produces new associations. And their compromise is not compromising. In the distance the buildings blur, neighborhoods combine to form shapes. They blend, their materials of no consequence, their origins no longer evident. Their impact doesn't fade, but changes shape. A silhouette, a strike of black against the orange sunset.
Recently, an interviewer asked me where I get my inspiration from. Overwhelmed, I stammered something about architecture. This is what I meant.
It is hard to discuss the contemporary when you are in it/doing it. Perspective is feigned, self-awareness unachievable. But we have moved on. That can be the only thing for sure. To what? Who knows. All I can attempt to do is rationalize my own simultaneous fascination with structure and pandemonium, my tumultuous need for design restraint as well as anarchy.
Riding home on the L, I started to be able to grasp this concept about myself. I love the L, even more so I believe than the NYC subway system, my previous summer fling. But not because of either's efficiency or utility. Nor does it have anything to do with a preference of public transportation versus driving. I can truly appreciate a good, long drive. The control you have over your own changing environment, the way a car's momentum can be a catalyst for your mind's own wanderings. This desire for movement and change translates over to my pleasure riding the L as well. However, most of the romance of the L to me has to do with its constant—the city.
I have known for a long time that I was not a country girl, though I expect I will always be a Southern girl. It was the way things fit, much more than the typical teenage desire for freedom. And I realized today, on the train, that it is more than the pace and the excitement and the possibility of the city that fulfills me. There is something aesthetically satisfying about it as well. Chicago trains are elevated, thus making far better use of their windows than their counterparts in NY. The windows provide a frame as we tear through the city, between the buildings, the train beating against the tracks, the sunlight make a rhythmic game out of the chase.
It's the way the battered brick buildings hold their ground, wearing old painted advertisements like faded tattoos. And across the street a shining glass tower soars above, a beacon of perfection, its geometry obvious and balanced. In between, wooden billboards are slicked over with glossy paper and glue, some ripped or berated by the wind, others pristine and immune. But all these things do not compete, or form "isms" and force you to take a side. They are pieced together in grids, connected by concrete. Individually, they are as different as David Carson and Massimo Vignelli. Together, they become a whole new aesthetic. A city is a problem and these elements are solutions. They are relative to one another, in all senses of the word. Their association produces new associations. And their compromise is not compromising. In the distance the buildings blur, neighborhoods combine to form shapes. They blend, their materials of no consequence, their origins no longer evident. Their impact doesn't fade, but changes shape. A silhouette, a strike of black against the orange sunset.
Recently, an interviewer asked me where I get my inspiration from. Overwhelmed, I stammered something about architecture. This is what I meant.
Friday, June 1, 2007
On the subject of employment and post-graduate life
I apologize for not answering any questions until now about my job hunt in Chicago. Thanks for all of your support though! I didn't want to say too much until I got my contract, and as things are progressing positively, I can now share some details with you guys.
I came to Chicago May 16th. I'm living with Douglas in Northcenter. I did the whole round of interviews for a week and got some interesting prospects. Then I was offered an opportunity at Euro RSCG's Chicago office. Euro RSCG is one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world. They won 2006 Global Agency of the Year. The program I am doing with them is a full time paid internship for the summer. At the end of the program, they hire interns as Art Directors. Throughout the program I will get to work directly with Creative Directors on real projects for real clients (like Sprint). The building is in downtown Chicago and there are ping pong tables. It is very colorful, befitting of a multi-million dollar creative agency. They also do a class once a week for the interns to learn more about the advertising business. I am so excited about this opportunity! My internship last summer was fantastic as well, but it was a small agency. Now I get the chance to try out the other side of the field. I have a feeling that it will be perfect for me, but at least I get the chance to try it on to see if it fits. Even if I don't work for Euro RSCG full time after this summer, I have another offer from a fantastic creative studio in Chicago or I can shop my new advertising talents around to some more of the big agencies downtown.
So I would say that I had a week well spent in Chicago. As soon as I got the job offer, I flew back to Arkansas just in time to make it to my cousin's wedding in Missouri. I got to spend a couple of days with my family as well before coming back to Chicago to work. But then I found out today that they are pushing the start date of the internship back one week. So I don't actually start work until June 12!!!!
What am I to do with another week? Well, I'm probably going to go to Vegas with my mom. Seriously, we just decided this. Crazy life. I'm going to go look at airfare now.
I came to Chicago May 16th. I'm living with Douglas in Northcenter. I did the whole round of interviews for a week and got some interesting prospects. Then I was offered an opportunity at Euro RSCG's Chicago office. Euro RSCG is one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world. They won 2006 Global Agency of the Year. The program I am doing with them is a full time paid internship for the summer. At the end of the program, they hire interns as Art Directors. Throughout the program I will get to work directly with Creative Directors on real projects for real clients (like Sprint). The building is in downtown Chicago and there are ping pong tables. It is very colorful, befitting of a multi-million dollar creative agency. They also do a class once a week for the interns to learn more about the advertising business. I am so excited about this opportunity! My internship last summer was fantastic as well, but it was a small agency. Now I get the chance to try out the other side of the field. I have a feeling that it will be perfect for me, but at least I get the chance to try it on to see if it fits. Even if I don't work for Euro RSCG full time after this summer, I have another offer from a fantastic creative studio in Chicago or I can shop my new advertising talents around to some more of the big agencies downtown.
So I would say that I had a week well spent in Chicago. As soon as I got the job offer, I flew back to Arkansas just in time to make it to my cousin's wedding in Missouri. I got to spend a couple of days with my family as well before coming back to Chicago to work. But then I found out today that they are pushing the start date of the internship back one week. So I don't actually start work until June 12!!!!
What am I to do with another week? Well, I'm probably going to go to Vegas with my mom. Seriously, we just decided this. Crazy life. I'm going to go look at airfare now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
