No. 181: Better

I'm a day late, which is worse than last week, but better than usual. I'm not going to do a playlist.com thing b/c last time I got yelled at (for the first time ever) by the pirate police, even though I didn't pirate the song. Whatever.
Here's the 7:

1. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) // Jimi Hendrix: This song stalked me all last week. Everywhere I went, and on my ipod when on random and on XM at Saxby's. So there.
2. Gasoline // Audioslave: Because sometimes I just need to rock out. Plus I had to fill up my car and mom's car a lot last week and I just kept hearing it in my head as I drove away. But thankfully, it's down from $3.80 to $3.68, so... you know... things could be worse.
3. Thou Shalt Always Kill // Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip: This is courtesy of Mike N., of the Posse. At dinner last week, he played this for me. It's a song of generally good council. Everything from "thou shalt not judge Lethal Weapon by Danny Glover" to "thou shall give equal worth to tragedies that occur in non-English speaking countries as to those that occurred in non-English speaking countries" etc. I especially love, " Thou shalt not express your shock at the fact that Sharon got off with Brad at a club last night by saying; "Izziiit". For some reason it reminds me of Francesca, and now I miss that crazy kidd.
   
4. Lovecraft in Brooklyn// The Mountain Goats: I got hooked on this song b/c I heard a random remix that Aesop Rock did of it, which you should check out. I'm pretty sure it's on Aes's myspace. Anyway-- it rocks. The song in itself is great too. John Darnielle is just like that.
   
5. The Eraser (XXXChange Remix) // Thom Yorke: I'd heard it before but never paid too much attention. The album it's on is great, the song by itself is great, but Armani XXXChange is an incredible DJ and so the remix is sick nasty.
   
6. Soul on Fire // Spiritualized: Apparently they've been around for a while and I never knew about them. Mike, again, recommended. Very very very relaxed music, but worth a listen like you wouldn't believe. Pretty music.
   
7. Hey Now (Mean Muggin')// XZibit: Realized while watching Pimp My Ride that I had never actually listened to any of XZibit's music. So I youtubed the infamous X>Z and this song (among others) came up. I'll be honest: I don't like his voice. I don't love his rhymes. But the girl singing in this song and the chorus is pretty fun, so I thought I'd share.
   

So there's that.
Supposed to hang out with Jo tomorrow, but haven't heard from her, so that might not occur. If not, I have to decide whether or not I want to go back to Baltimore and hang out up there all week, or if I want to stay here. What I really would love to do is go to the beach. I don't know if any of my family members are there, but it would be nice to see them. Have somewhere to sleep at night, but spend all day sitting on the beach writing, reading, napping and listening to music in my giant headphones. I just want to whole heartedly center and restore before school starts again. Carlos and Greg come back to Charm City on Sunday. I'm excited.

Seeing Rosie was lovely. She's a whirlwind, and refreshing. She reminds me that I have no need to be self-conscious and that it's a waste of energy. It's good to be around people as direct as Roe. I was really glad to see her. Aaaand, she introduced me into the world of the Carvel banana milkshake. If you live in the A-town area, head to your local Carvel and partake, I say.

Cheers.
H.

No.140: Pretty much the greatest thing ever.

Carlos and Greg showed me this a week ago or so and I didn't think about it again until today. Got up at 5:40A to go to work and decided I HAD to hear this song on the way. It got stuck in my head. Consequently, I've listened to it 6 times today. I intend to listen to it more.
This is one of the best things I've seen in a long time. I have a huge crush on this girl (these girls?-- I can't figure it out). There are more videos, which I'll watch later. Anyway-- have a great day. It said it was supposed to be beautiful today but it's overcast, which is awful b/c I wanna go lay out. Whatever.
This morning, I cut off my thumb nail and a good portion of the skin on the top of my thumb. It doesn't feel awesome.

It can't all be wedding cake.

-H

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.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. 114: Today's Who's Who

Okay.... one of my best friends got married this weekend, I drove at least 1,000 miles, and I haven't slept for more than an hour in the last 48 hours. I'm a little tired.

I didn't do a 7 songs posting b/c cI haven't had Internet access, and while I had one ready and was gonna type it up from last week, my trip inspired the following list. Many of you will not like this list, and many of you will be shocked that I like this list, but I do. So get over it. I'll do some updating laters, but right now I wanna knock this out, start finishing up my anecdote for NonFic and then the film kid and I are getting some food items.

1. "Thanks for the Memories" by Fall Out Boy -- This is an important song to me because it's the song my two boys bonded with. Believe it or not, but the B Mo G was not always an entity in agreement, but driving back from NC last summer, they had a loooonnnngg talk, and this was the only CD in the car. We listened to it a lot this weekend.
   
2. "Won't Go Home Without You" by Maroon 5-- I think this is one of the only songs from the new album I actually like. I miss Songs About Jane, which we did listen to a lot. In fact, also add "The Sun" from that album to this list as well. But anyway-- I liked the video for this song a lot.
   
3. "Piece of Me" by Britney Spears-- I blogged about this silly song earlier, but seriously-- I'm making believers one at a time here. Had B listen to it on the way back and there was a positive feeling in the car. She's a nut! I have to pick up the new RS b/c there's a feature about her in it. Anyway. Great song.
   
4. "Wind It Up" by Gwen Stefani: I have such mixed feeling about her. No Doubt was such a kickin' band and she betrayed so many people, starting with Rock Steady and going on ward. I blame Gavin Rossdale for pulling a Yoko, but who really knows. Anyway-- the video for this made me laugh so hard when it came out last year, so I think I just think of it fondly, despite the fact that the song itself is crap.
   
5. "Rockstars" by Nickleback: Someone dedicated this to Greg and Savannah at the reception. I find that hilarious, b/c it's SO Greg. Anyway-- I can't stand Nickleback any more, but this song made me really happy when it came out. The lyrics are fun, and I think it's cool that Chad Kruger is going for irony and being sardonic. It's cute, kinda.
   
6. "If You Don't, Don't" by Jimmy Eat World: This is probably the most respectable song on the list, honestly. Bleed American was a rockin' album, and I'm telling you, if you've been driving for 10 hours and it's 2am and you need a wake up, it works. Plus it's fun.
   
7. "All I Ever Wanted" by Train: I'm actually incredibly tired of Train. "Drops of Jupiter" was a really pretty song, but how many times are they going to try to write the same song (which is a funny comment, I think, considering the fact that I have a Fall Out Boy song on here). Anyway-- this is really pretty anyway.
   

So there's that. Enjoy the poppy yummy. Hit me up this week, people, if you want to chill. And NoVas-- I think I'm going to visit either this weekend or next weekend. Love yas.

Also, just to recap: GREG IS MARRIED! There is now a Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Glaser. Strange beyond belief. But gorgeous. There are a milion pictures, approx. Post 'em on the book, soon.

-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.

(Technically) No. 104: The M-Word

so i'm finally watching The Last Kiss (which, as everyone told me, isn't quite as good as Garden State). there's this scene in it where zach braff's girlfriend says she won't talk about the "M-word" because he freaks out when she does and he says that he told her he'd marry her when she could name 3 happy couples who've been together more than five years. (I love her response: "And I've still only come up with my parents and that couple from the pond." To which Zach responds, "Ducks don't count." Girl: Ducks mate for life! Come on!")
So I'm thinking about it and here's what I've got:

- Mum & Fred (although they weren't always happy but are now)
- Gram & Gramps
- The Franklins
- The Vogts
- The Wards
- Chuck and Dana
- Paganinis
- Sutherlands
- Morgenthalers

It's sort of interesting to me that most of those are people who are Christians. Every other couple I can think of is divorced. Un poco depressing, actually.

GregGs gets married in two and a half weeks. The first of us to tie the knot. He's 20. She's 19. Jeebus.

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.

No. 59: the greatest thing since bread came sliced

Had a dream about Greg last night. Totally weird. In the dream, we decided to get married, in spite of the fact that he's engaged to Savannah. So we had this huge elaborate wedding that was really really rapidly put together and this giant reception and all our friends were there.
Matt was there, and he was really really bitter with Greg the whole time. Later in the dream, a bunch of our friends were over at our new house and Matt was sitting at the table just glaring at Greg and drinking heavily b/c he and Tiffany had broken up because she was moving to Africa. For some reason, Brian was not present and we kept asking where he was.

Then the dream totally shifts, and it's years later and Greg and I are still married. Joanne and Nick come over to the house to visit and decide to go driving in our red Mini Coop convertible. But they're gone FOREVER! and we're wondering if they're okay. Greg and I get into his box and go looking for them, but it dies, so we're basically just drifting along the big hilly streets of our neighborhood. Later we see them coming in from the main road, and Joanne tells us that they were gone for so long b/c Nick couldn't drive stick and they got stuck on the highway.

Woke up feeling a little disconcerted.

Psych studying is a pain. I don't understand classical conditioning tonight.
I'm also trying to write my misogyny story before tonight, but even if I do finish it, the rapidity in which it was created will promise something unworthy for reading. Maybe I should just write it anyway for my own health. Joe and I were talking about stories last night. His excitement at finishing his was incredibly motivational. Or depressing. I'm not sure yet.

In other news: Michael brought me the recent R.E.M. live collection to burn onto my computer. I've been listening to it all morning. I love R.E.M. so much. They're climbing up a little on Talking Heads, which I know some of my readers will gasp at as blasphemous. Live with it. "Bad Day", "Half a World Away". It's not "This Must Be the Place" or "Wild Wild Life", but come on, they ain't half bad. In the latest issue of Q, there's an article where Rufus Wainwright and Michael Stipe interview each other. Must sit in B&N and read when things slow down.

Must find out who the slender pixie cut girl is. I see her everywhere and it's distracting.

H.

No. 53: Full Communication with You

You smile/shine a little light/alright...


It's about time for a blog. Here goes.

Got my hair cut. It's not super short, but I have Beatle-esque bangs. Should be enough fodder for John to use to tease me. "Hipster scum"... so I've become, it seems.

Being home is interesting. I was sort of dreading it, that whole inevitable scary moment wherein I might run into Case. Hasn't happened yet, and because I'm sure he's sort of not psyched about the prospect of that occurrence either, it probably won't happen.

Had a nice talk with Mum this morning. No yelling, just love. I'm really glad she's taking off work Monday so we can bruncheon. Tomorrow I will see my beloved Tess. Seriously-- being without my best friend for so long is just NOT cools.

Have seen a lot of Greg and Brian, though. Which is terrific, b/c I hadn't realized quite how much I missed them until I saw them again. Brian has this delicious looking coat that I've forbidden him from wearing. I've been forbidden from wearing glasses with this hair. I look like Natalie Portman, apparently, which is ABSOLUTE CRAP! But it was a nice compliment anyway. Was going to get more ink tonight, but decided to wait til I get A) another pay check and B) back to MD. But at least I've decided on what I want for reals.

I miss Michael. Strange. We haven't been dating that long, but I like being around him. Not being around him is sort of... I don't know... less interesting? I feel, to steal Interpol's words, "colder than myself" not being around him. Being home is a little surreal, honestly. I'm waiting to wake up.

Church tomorrow should be nice, though. I miss MBC.
But going to Tyson's today to get my hair cut reminded me afresh how utterly narcissistic NoVa is. It needs reminding that it's still Virginia and not, in fact, NYC.

-H.

My Boys (?)

Today. was. wonderful.

Listen, okay-- those of you who know me know that more of my friends are guys than girls. I'm tighter with the girls, Tess being my absolute sister and Kathryn my bff. 705s-- you know you're loved beyond belief as well. But the guys I'm friends with probably out weigh the girls.
This has counted against me a few times. My ex and hopeful future boyfriend hates this in an intense way. But still, it is so.

There are a few guys in my life though, a group of four especially, who have been around for the past six or so years and I hope will always be there. It's these guys who made my day wonderful. John and I, of course, dated. So things have been a little strained. But we're still friends and I still hugely appreciate his humor. Most of my day, however, was spent with Brian, Chris and Greg.

Until a few months ago, Greg and I were having... let's say "issues". These issues consisted of me hating him for playing and hurting two dear friends and then getting engaged at age 20, and him hating me for breaking the heart of one of his best friends. Fair. I beat the crap out of him in church and then we reconciled while Brian played the piano. Things have been kosher (ha, yesh! Jewjoke!) ever since. He and Brian are incredibly good friends. Today, Brian, Greg and I went shopping. Greg needed a hoodie. Brian wanted a watch and a new shirt.

First of all: Greg is a psycho. Fun, but loud. He's that guy that makes a scene. It is, however, hysterical. Brian is indecisive. But he got the BEST shirt today and is going to look fabulous in it (trust me, B.) We then went to Chris's aka Greek aka Lou. There were nachos and lots and lots of tea. Poker and cloves were in order, so we headed to B's.

Mrs. Morgenthaler is an amazing woman. After a long walk with the boys there was white-cheese bunnies and cocoa almonds and a lot of money loss. I had the worst cards in poker all night. It was horrendous. I folded on a 9-3, which was a GOOD fold, except for the fact that I folded a full house. Who knew.

Then Brian, who bought in twice and decided that it just wasn't worth it after that, and I went on a long walk and sat outside and talked for about two hours. It was a much needed conversation and extremely encouraging. I also think he may be coming up to B-more with me tomorrow. At least I hope so, b/c I'm going to need help carrying junk. Haha. I'm hoping he doesn't fall in love with Natalie at first sight. But it's a large possibility.

I'm going to miss these guys in a big way. I made Greg promise to bring Savannah up and see me soon. Aquarium trip? Yesthanks.

Hopkins in three days. Weee.

-h.