No. 165: A Softer World, because it's hilarious

I've been sitting outside for the last hour reading these with Geof and assorted others, laughing uproariously. You almost feel bad at some of them. But then you realize it's even more hilarious.

Anyway-- we liked this one a lot.

http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=157

Cheers!
H.

no. 132: we own... a horribly written script

Meredith, Geof and I went up to Baltimore for the St.Patty's day parade and Dad's big shindig. It was most excellent. Lots of food, lots of people, lots of people dressed up in ridiculous green clothing. Glad we made the trip.
Meredith and I watched We Own the Night last night and OH BOY was it awful. It's just hopelessly boring, and it tries to hard to be suspenseful, which just makes it annoying. Dunno. I felt bad for Marky Mark and Jaoquin Phoenix, b/c I like both of them. Eva Mendez is so gorgeous, but her character in that movie is sort of strange and not thought out very well. All in all: disappointing.

A while ago, Carlos introduced me to this guy, and his show, which is AMAZING. I highly recommend wiki-ing him and then beginning to watch all the episodes. Geof, Meredith and I killed about an hour and a half yesterday watching him. 7/31/06 is particularly excellent, in my opinion.

This morning, iGoogle ("Google is our dear and glorious leader") music brought me this Rolling Stone article about Obama. It's pretty well written and actually pretty interesting. I don't really know that I'm for Obama yet. I mean, I'm more for him than any of the other candidates, but I don't know enough about any of them to be gung-ho about it. I used to be really excited about the vote and about this campaign. Not I care in as much as I hope Hilary doesn't win b/c she terrifies me. And she has no idea what to do about war-- which is sort of my big issue anyway. I feel like Obama is a great campaigner, and really accomplished at speaking and being personable. I just have no idea if he'll do anything with the Presidency. Not that I think there's going to be a drastic change either way. This Congress has YET to pass the Farm Bill after two extensions. Meanwhile farmers are being gypped out of money and time and lobbyists, the ones who aren't crooked, are having their souls sucked out of them by maneuvering and in-fighting. Lord love the U.S. government, they take their sweet time.

Anyway-- I forgot to do the 7 yesterday, but it was a busy day so even if I hadn't forgotten, I probably wouldn't have gotten 'round to it anyway.
Today is a BIT slower: reading, writing, watching season 2 of West Wing and possibly hanging out with Nick. I really want to go see the Bank Job or In Bruges, but I don't know if that's going to happen. We'll see. I still have to figure out how Kendall and I are getting to the airport on Wednesday. Rah.

1. "My Lover's Prayer" by Otis Redding: This was featured on the two episodes of Season 2 of the Sopranos were Christopher gets shot and is in ICU. I love Adrianna sitting beside him holding his hand while this plays, especially b/c of their problems in the past few episodes. Very touching, but just a generally gorgeous song.
   
2. "Guns and Cigarettes" by Atmosphere: Uhm, so I know I've already done an Atmosphere song on this playlist, but I was listening to him the other day and realized he's awesome (although Michael likes Sage Francis better-- to each his own). It's the lines "I need ot start writing rhymes about other peoples' problems/ cause the strangers are starting to get worried" that bring this song to List level.
   
3. "Christina" by Patty Griffin: So sad, but SO gorgeous. "Liars can say it all just as well." Patty Griffin's voice is unparalleled and so worth it. I made a great mix of her songs @ Jenny's once and have been listening to it with regularity for the past few weeks. She's great. Also check out "Rain" and "Peter Pan".
   
4. "Fresh Feeling" by Eels: Talked about this song already, last blog. From the Scrubs soundtrack, and really excellent. I'm partial to Eels anyway, though they sometimes tend to be crass, but the musical production is great and his voice is incredibly soothing.
   
5. "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet: I have a great memory of this song from Beach Week, about three or four years ago. Chris Pittman, me, Beth Powell, Brian, Casey Grey (who I randomly saw in the Denver airport when I was there over X-mas break but did not say hi to b/c he intimidates me by being so gorgeous) on the bus coming back from the last beach day. Chris had his acoustic out and we were all singing this song. When we were done we kind of looked at each other Chris says, "That's probably not the best song for church camp." I just laughed and concurred. Man, I miss that kid. Anyway-- this song is great. "He Went to Paris" is another great one, though tragically sad.
   
6. "Books from Boxes" by Maximo Park: I found Maximo initially on the Stranger Than Fiction soundtrack, when "Going Missing" was on there (another great song-- also good is "Girls Who Play Guitars"). This song is the perfect mix of great music and story telling in lyrics. It makes me happy b/c it's got a great driving beat, but his voice and the general gist of the story is kind of melancholy.
   
7. "Sleep Tonight [Junior Boys Remix]" by Stars: Uhhhm, if you haven't heard of either the Junior Boys or Stars, you need to get on that immediately. I've loved the Stars for a LONG time, and was maxi excited when In Our Bedroom After the War came out. I found this remix on hype.com a while back and listened to it again today. Turns out it's off an album called Do You Trust Your Friends, in which the premise is Stars turned over Set Yourself on Fire to their rockstar friends and told them to remake the album. It's amazing. This is my favorite though.
   

That's all for today, kids, unless something fun and exciting happens.
This is the palindrome, inanely blogging so you don't have to.

H.

PS. Apparently my roommates hate me. This came as sort of a discomforting shock. Makes me even more centered that I'm living in the Marylander next year by myself. Apparently I cannot keep friends I live with.

no. 130: why am i still awake?

I believe the following are responsible for the fact that it is 4:52am and I am still awake:

a) two twiggys (earl grey and skim milk with vanilla syrup) and a large coffee
b) anxiety over things beyond my control
c) fear of dreaming things which will only further my anxiety
d) the cough i've again developed

aside from those things, i think i'd be zonked b/c it's been a long day, and i was OH so ready for sleeping.

in other news, my supposed best friend is utterly incomunicado, which is driving me insane and making me feel horrid. thusly carlos officially took his spot as male best friend today. geof was rightfully astonished, but i spent a decent amount of time with the cuban-american and as i told him-- i tell him everything anyway and even if he doesn't really need to know or care, he listens anyway and responds with helpful commentary. he also possesses the necessary skill of being able to tell me i'm being an idiot in a nice way, but not a too nice way.

greg called me today. it was good beyond description to hear from him. i've wanted to call him for weeks, but i figured he'd be busy with the whole being married and living in another state and carrying on a full time job thing. but he "missed his hannah" and i so i merited a time slot. for those who care: he's doing really well-- work, home, wife. savannah and he are discussing moving back to NoVa in a few years at the latest, which is good news.
me: there's no reason to come home any more! brian's no fun without you and geof and i never come up with any plans. you were the life of the party.
greg: yep, i agree with that completely.

i'm so ready to fall asleep it's ridiculous. tempted to watch an episode of firefly first and see if that helps, but i don't see it going that way. i'd just end up listening to alan tudyk's commentary and laughing hysterically and waking up Red. a thing to be avoided.


dear God, please send sleep.

h.

no. 128: same denial

had the weirdest argument with geof last night and it bothered me a lot. mostly because i was arguing with geof, and not necessarily what we were arguing about, but anyway-- logic: people aren't really good with it, and especially not me.

in any case--
it's wednesday. i felt miserable and sick all day. but the week is almost over. one class tomorrow which will consist of watching snippets of and discussing the movie Troy (ridiculous), and then Friday, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to section and after that, Spanish, which is just learning the pluperfect subjunctive-- no big. I kind of love my TA, he's phenomenal. I'm actually understanding/liking Spanish. Beautiful thing.

been listening to R.E.M., Sting, and Annie Lennox all day. Just been that kind of mood.
"Ghost Story" by Sting, while being largely hokey in places, still manages to move me and make slightly emo. It's that part where he starts in on "what is the force that binds the stars?" Gets me every time.

i hope in the near future to be fully well. haven't been exercising like i should and i'm feeling like as my butt is gaining in size to dwarf Pluto, it might soon be declared a planet. in any case--
tonight's assignments are watching Troy and relaxing after a long day and looking over my philosophy midterm prep. with a chance of nail painting. and noodles.

h.

p.s. for an actually, authentically good song involving Sting, "So Lonely" by Sting and the Police. SO good.

No. 120: "come away to neverland"

so i'm on a bit of a j.m. barrie/peter pan kick as of right now. i've always loved the story, since mom married fred and i met his brother glen who has an (unhealthy?) obsession with "the boy who wouldn't grow up", so much so that he first noticed his wife, robin, because she looks like tinker bell, and he named all his pets after the lost boys. plus, givens, who i was pretty much in love with for a year or so, is a lost boy. and j.m. barrie's whole psychosis is fascinating and attractive to me. no idea why. in any case-- found the coolest drawing of pan and am thinking of inking it. we'll see. have to pay of my ridiculous HOV ticket.

anyway-- went home this weekend. was nice, but too short. brian was all weird and i was busy and didn't get to hang out w/geofs as much. but i did get some decent chill time with me mum and worked junk out with fred for my apartment and the ticket and vail (still have to talk to kendall 'bout events). plus i got to see george and deb, which was great. now i have to finish unpacking the absurd amount of laundry i did, edit my spanish composition for tomorrow, and do my nails. i was gonna watch the oscars, but bah-- whatever. i hope juno wins best picture. just to spite 'em. and because michael cera rocks yer face. go diablo! good luck.

okay. and now: seven more songs to live to.

(A Super Eclectic List-- Aren't they all. Next week's will be themed, I think.)

1. "No Bad News" by Patty Griffin: Okay-- I love her, and I've been jonesing to hear her music for a while, but I kept forgetting to put her on my Ipod and my discman died and I hate playing cds on the computer b/c it's slow and my computer gets all stressed out. Long story made longer, I bought batteries for the discman and now I'm listening to her. I WANT HER VOICE! Song specifics: this song makes me sooo happy (it should, given the title). Doing a little Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club dancing to it earlier. Meh. Go have a listen.
   
2. "Lose It" by Cartel: Brian's fault. The Greek and I were discussing how Brian's been listening to the same genre of music since he started listening to music. This is sort of true (I mean, he knows the Beatles, etc) but sometimes he strikes gold. This song makes me kind of happy despite being really emo. Their new one is quite good, though, I think. Have it a listen. "Wasted" also a great song. Way more depressing. But epic.
   
3. "Put Your Hands Up" by Family Force 5: Another "Blame Brian". But seriously-- HILARIOUS! Any song that starts off with "Ugly people/put your hands down" has to be good for a listen. Great for a sing along, really. Kind of reminds me of Bobby's "I'm Thinking No", for some reason, but yeah. It's pretty good.
   
4. "For Nancy ('Cos It Already Is) by Pete Yorn: This song is one of his happier ones. I think it may be one of two. Someone needs to a) stop breaking up with and b) give a hug to that man, b/c all of his songs are either about being sad or about random things like burritos or cops. In any case... this is one of those songs you just feel good about listening to. Like-- it could actually be a good year afterall. Haha, good for you Pete, for instilling us all with momentary joy.
   
5. "Breathe" by Pearl Jam: How do more people not obsess over them? I do not know. Edddie Vedder's songs for Into the Wild were great, and his voice is so intoxicating. A lot of people overlook "Breathe" too. But it's flipping amazing. I'm just saying. "If I knew where it was/ I would take you there..." and oh, Eddie, I'd go.
   
6. "New Day" by The Robbie Seay Band: Mom got me into him. I love his music b/c despite being Christian based, he's still sort of musically conscious, which is rare amongst the recording artists of that realm. This song reminds me of Mom and I, dancing like idiots in our kitchen on summer mid mornings while we make our coffee. This weekend just totally brought home how much I love and admire my mother. She's an incredible lady, I must say. A punk who pushes me around sometimes, but the only person in the world worthy and valid in doing so. If you know Rika, you know what I'm talking about. Plus she's a total babe. And I gots her genetics!!!! (Yess!)
   
7. "I Believe (When I Fall In Love With You It Will Be Forever)" by Stevie Wonder: So---- this song is on here a) b/c it's awesome and b) b/c I watched High Fidelity with Mike last week and it was at the end and it makes me happy. So there. This is, with the exception of "Breathe" a list of songs that give me a joy-boost. Good for twirly dancing about and being a general romantic sap to, in my opinion. I dunno. Give it a whirl.
   

Okay-- so that's it for me, for tonight. Unless something fabulous and excellent happens that I find blog worthy. But as I said before-- unpacking, nails, spanish. Not really a Cloverfieldesque preview of excitement. Maybe read a little Virginia Woolf if I get crazy. Who knows. It's only 8:48.

H.

No.119: B-Mo-G

I just want to say how both sad and happy this photo makes me. These two, Brian and Greg, kind of rescued my sanity these past few months. Yeah--- LOTS of drama surrounding our friendship, but enh-- they're still my favorites. I had two bouquets of roses on my lap at the time, but I had Aaron take this picture while we were on our way to the wedding. This is the picture of the last Box drive of B-Mo-G. True, Brian and I did drive Greg and Savannah in the Box to the reception, but it's not the same-- that was Mr. and Mrs. Greg W. Glaser.
A lot of my summer and a lot of my winter break, and many many weekends home were spent driving around with these two (and sometimes w/the Geof), listening to music (crappy or excellent), being retarded or having big scary conversations about lives. I also think we lost approximately 85 lighters in this car. And countless change. And for a while a record player lived in the trunk.
I guess I'm just feeling nostalgic. Greg is married and doing well with "Savvy" in Tennessee. I'm proud of him, but I miss him, too. And I know Brian HAS to. It's strange, having a married friend. None of us ever thought it would be Gregs first. Maybe me, we thought, although that came to a sudden obvious halt, but then maybe Brian (to get it out of the way and get back to business- lolz) or Chris. We'll see who follows it up, I suppose.
Going over to Geof's tonight to watch Across the Universe with the boyses. It'll be good to see Bri, but mostly I just need a break. So glad I finished all my work (sans editing my Spanish composition, which I suppose I'll have to do tomorrow night). Have to read A Room of One's Own for Wednesday, but it's shortish, and I like Virginia Woolf. Just glad to not be reading Henry Adams any more. I was shocked to find out in his e-mail yesterday that the Fox loved Education. Unexpected.

Need a nap.
Costco run was successful, but that place is nerve wracking.

H.

no. 116: tell me

Sometimes, things pour all together.

Girls etc., and I are going for the show at Arrellano Theater tonight, which should be a blasty blast. But first I have to read a TON of Plato and plan out my essay for Moral Philosophy, which is only four pages and shouldn't take me very long, but I'm not really jazzed to work on b/c I want to take a nap instead. So I think I'm going to for like, an hour, and then really work. Suppose to go with Carlos to get his film developed at some point today, but hey-- the boy can bus it. ;)

Tomorrow, more reading, maybe breakfast w/Daddy, and then Brian is coming to visit! I'm excited. I haven't seen or heard from him in a week plus and it's awful. Geof posted some incredible photos on The book this morning, one of which is a really cool one of B's eyes in the rearview of my car and I got all homesick for mis amigos. There was an incredible photo of El Muchacho Psycho, as I've taken to calling him. It elicited a weird feeling, a mixture of utter dislike and complete aesthetic appreciation. Sheez. Sigh.

In other news: Found some awesome hipster junk @ the Hot Zone yesterday. Cool new plaid shirt, leopard print framed glasses, peacock feather earrings-- it was bliss.

Also: I miss Mom a lot. And Fred. And Tess (SO much). I wonder how GWG + wife are doing. Meh, can't wait to go home next weekend, although in truth, the Hop has significantly grown on me.

H.

No. 113: Oh! Darling

So--

I finally saw Across the Universe and while it wasn't as good as it could've been, it was still visually stunning with some great singing and generally awesome acting. Dana Fuchs as Sadie was incredible and T.V. Carpio singing "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" is one of my new favorite things.

Driving to NC either late late tonight or early early tomorrow for MY HOMEBOY'S WEDDING! Not thrilled about the driving, but that's alright. Hopefully Geof can drive for a while and I'll get a nap in. It'll be so nice to see everyone, especially KP. And I severely miss Brian.

Watched Yellow Submarine again last night with Carlos, Red and Greg. A-mazing. Forgot how great that is, and the dialog is actually surprisingly witty.

Anyway-- I haven't been awake for very long, and I have a class at 12, but the conversation I just had makes me quite smiley so I thought I'd share it and then go off to Expos (Woot).

hannahannah: I've been good to my immune system lately, so hopefully it'll be good to me in return.

Boupell: well thats what i thought!

hannahannah: haha, i take immune booster!

hannahannah: and drink vitamin water like it's goin' out of style.

hannahannah: ... but yeah. i hope i don' t get sick. i'm the most lethargic sick person in the world.

Boupell: yea

Boupell: it would be nice to just do nothing for no reason, instead of because you're sick

hannahannah:exactly

Boupell: thats kinda unrelated to what you said, but I'm standing by it

hannahannah: haha, i'll back it up with affirmation, no worries.

Boupell: thats why i like you

hannahannah: plus... CUTE!

Boupell: well....

Boupell: sure

hannahannah:ouch!

Boupell: jk!

Boupell: i was being ironic, flirty.

Ah, the "ironic, flirty".

Anyway-- have to catch a bus after class to get my car. Kind of a pain, but I'm alright with it. Not a long bus ride, and I can start writing my anecdote for Non Fiction. Kind of excited about that class, actually. Have to go in on Monday and talk to Glen Blake (Writing Sems adviser). He was frowny with the prospect of my leaving Hopkins. I'm leaning away from coming home, now, though. I kind of like the thought of living in a one bedroom in the Marylander and just getting through the next two years with flare. Perhaps. We'll see.

Off to the land of Expos.

H.

NO. 98: Blogdate Tardiness and 7 (more) songs to live by.

I know, I know, I totally failed on my musical playlist update on Sunday. But here it is now, so you can all forgive me. It's been a slightly crazed/strangely dull last few days. Lots of knitting (almost done with the scarf I started SENIOR YEAR) and viewing of films (Vanilla Sky, War, Brick, Rushmore, episodes of Rome and the Sarah Connor Chronicles). Greg is getting married in three weeks, but leaving NoVa on Friday, and it's sort of just hitting home that he's really leaving. So that. Plus this completely disastrous conversation with Michael, which just consisted of me being an idiot (as usual). But I think that's going to be better for everyone anyway, despite understandable Posse/EVA bitterness. Meh. One day I'll get it together.
Had a giant conversation with Mum, too. Didn't cry for once, but it was close. Really good though. I miss her, and talking to her, etc. Mostly we just bicker lately. Not my favorite thing. But I think it's alright for now.
Took Gregs some lunch today, got the speaks for the turntable from Geof, saw Dave Cook, who was surprisingly low key and inviting. In any case-- tried to get the speaks to work with the receiver but I'm technologically retarded with anything but Ipods and cell phones so I mostly just tangled cords and made things make loud noise before giving up, drinking tea, and returning to my knitting needles. Geof and B are on there way over to make it work.

So-- with that updated, here's seven more hits and wonders for you pleasure and mine.

• 8. "Englishman in New York" by The Police-- Just a really great song from a classic age. I was listening to it in the car today and felt amazing, though I'm not sure if it was just that I was in a good mood or the song. In any case, still a fabulous tune and back when Sting really had to be humble about something.
• 9. "Woodstock" by Alice Smith-- She performed with Citizen Cope and did one of her own songs at the show Geof and I saw at Ramshead a while ago. She impressed me then, so I bought her album today (finally). She's got this incredible voice that comes from the middle of some deep river of soul. I say it's incredible and I mean that literally, because she's such a tiny woman that you sort of wonder how it's possible that voice comes out of her body. But the song is gorgeous, and the single, "Dreams" is better. I put this one on here, however, because I was in such a chill mood this morning, and that's kind of what the song's about.
• 10. "Human Racing" by St. Vincent-- Joe put this on the Cities and Signs best of 2007 playlist. I'd never heard of her/them before but am ever so pleased at the discovery. She's so cute and mellow and it makes me happy, thought the song isn't necessarily.
• 11. "Secret" (Live Version) by Maroon 5-- Greg and Brian and I were listening to this in the car on the way to I-HOP (one of which Charles Village is in desperate need of) the other night and I realized that despite being overplayed and slightly overrated, Maroon 5 is actually highly enjoyable and Adam Levine extremely attractive. If that song were a woman, it'd be a tall, slender woman in a slinky black dress... is how I'd imagine it.
• 12. "Shameless" by All Time Low-- Emo music to the max, but what can you do? It's great to slam to whilst getting ready, the lyrics are generally cover, and the music doesn't suck. Plus all their press pictures are them not quite dressed, which makes me laugh. The song is only decent-- but all time fun.
• 13. "Passenger Seat" by Death Cab for Cutie-- Just because. Well, reasons. But yeah. It's an "oldish-ie" but a goodie.
• 14. "Your Favorite Music" by Clem Snide-- I can't remember what made me dig them out again a few weeks ago. I listened to Clem Snide all through high school and was pretty much obsessed with Eef Barzelay for months. Then I kind of tapered off (I think they broke up, too), and stopped listening to them, except for the occasional audio adventure into their cover of X-Tina's "Beautiful". But the other day I really wanted to hear "Ice Cube". A venture to their myspace (shut up) led me to this song, which is now one of my favorite songs. Sad and sweet, which is kind of their modus operandi, really.

OK, that's it for now. Hopefully my record player will be up and running soon and we can do an all vinyl weekly 7.

H.