No. 159: u.s.

The first day back in the States was pretty sweet, let me just say.
Woke up, made myself some tea and yogurt and then talked to Mom-- one of the most surreal conversations I've ever had. But much needed.
Then I got ready.
Ben picked me up and we got lunch at Whole Foods and talked (first time I've seen the kid in 3 years. It was a whole day of surreality, let's just say that). Got coffee at Murky (YAY! I missed that place so much) and then went grocery shopping for Mum. Hilarious. Came back, went to Frontline with the family. Afterwards Ben and I went to Jammin' Java where Chris was running sound and met up with Kendall who is recently back from Greece. It was SO good to see KP, whose 19th birthday is today.
Today marks another occasion of les temps perdu, but I'm not giving it more than a passing thought. Which is now passed.
I hope to get a pedicure today, hopefully with Kendall. Then hair cut at 2:30 (YES!) and maybe hanging with Ben. Want to visit with other people but I've got to work distances and times. Gas is absurd now. $4.07? I mean, it's less expensive than in England, but in England I wasn't driving! Blech. I feel like I've got to go get a $1 Big Gulp just to remind myself of how inexpensive the States are and regain some perspective.

Finished The Rum Diary on the plane and started reading Under the Net by Iris Murdoch, which this far is a little obvious but really good. The narrator is extremely likable and most of the descriptions are entertaining. As a good philosopher, I expect her to be a good analyst of persona, so I think her characters are going to be really good. More so than I'd expect from a novel by say... Kant. Anyway: the songs.

1. Heart// Stars: I listened to my entire collection of the Stars (all three original albums and then Do You Trust Your Friends) while I was going from the res to the V&A to the Tate Britain and then the two hours I sat in the cafeteria of the Tate Britain researching Degas. I like this song the best.
2. Homeward Bound// Simon & Garfunkel: Because I went home last week and it was all I could think of on the plane.
3. God Save the Queen// The Sex Pistols: Bought the authorized "autobiography" of The Sex Pistols by John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten in a music store in Oxford for 3 pounds. Read the first three chapters on the bus ride back. It's great writing. Like Dylan's in its erratics, but you know-- English.
4. Somewhere Only We Know// Keane: Frank and I were singing this to each other when we made a brief trip into Accessorize. It's the Claire's of London. They played old pop hits and we got mad dramatic.
5. Believe// Cher: This. Is. My. Jam. JK. But the girls and I were all talking about how we all have our individual nostalgia moments with this song. Mine is with Mum, in the Cabrio, top down on the way to school every morning for like a month when it first came out on CD. Hilarious. Anyway, it was playing as we walked into our favorite London pub, Henry J.'s the last night we were in London. We were all shocked and then Frank took a video of me diva-singing it, which I hope never sees the light of Facebook.
6. A Foggy Day in London Town // Michael Buble: Obvious. Plus it was all I could hear in my head the whole time we were in the British Museum.
7. Rewind // Paolo Nutini: Off the P.S. I Love You soundtrack. But I'm not going to lie, I kind of love him. This song is mad gorgeous, though.

and there's that.
Cheers, H.

No. 133: Alive, So.

Just had the last fire of the season, fueled by the last remnants of the great drama that was Evil & I. It was cathartic, is all I can say about it.

I never thought I would miss B-more this much, but I don't think it tis in fact the More that I miss so much as those who occupy it but are currently at their respective homebases. I.E. I miss the Posse. A lot.

Rosie says she'll come visit when I get back from break. I AM EXCITED!! Haven't seen her in way too long and want to show her everything/one, etc. Should be good times.

Tonight, Chris is dropping Kendall of late and then tomorrow we're catching a plane to CO. Gone til Saturday, but there's wireless, etc. in the condo, so I'll be updating if the mood strikes. Also-- if anyone is up for Scrabulous challenges, I am so down.

Plan for my evening: Writing, watching more Ze Frank, then actually reading the stupid Hemingway book. Bull fighting... hmm.

Despite the weather and my recent activity, I am surprisingly lacking in emo. It's fantastic.

H.
Blogging inanely so you don't have to.

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.