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. 158: Home!

Got back last night. Unpacked, started laundry, saw Kathryn, talked to folk.
So good to see Mom and Fred.
SO good to take a long, lux shower in a big bathroom.
SOO good to sleep in my bed, which has no perceptible coil-pokeage and I don't feel constantly at risk of falling out of.

Woke up to a gorgeous summer morning, read some Bible (something I haven't done in a long time and I think was moved to do by a late night conversation with Ben-- he's oddly inspiring, which after 3 years is sort of unexpected).

Now I just want to be awake at home, you know? It's early and I should still probably be sleeping, but I don't think it's jet lag that woke me up. I'm just excited to be home.

Need to call the Marylander today and figure out my rent and I need t o call Vidal and get a hair cut b/c I look like a strange mop head, hippie.
It's so HOT here, but it doesn't bother me b/c it was so friggin' chilly in London all the time.

I'm doing the songs tomorrow, b/c really, I don't feel like sitting in front of this computer any more.

Mwah!
It's good to be home.

H.

No. 157: Songs and all

Finished Something Wicked This Way Comes yesterday and started The Rum Diary, which I'm embarrassed to say I only realized was fiction after like ten pages. But it's great. My first Hunter S. Thompson novel. Jimmy Buffet reviewed it, which I found interesting. Anyway, it comes highly recommended so I look forward to having a good book to read the next few rainy afternoons and on the plane.

I'm ready to go home. It's been a good trip, but truly, I'm ready for the sun. Moving in the Marylander will not be my favorite picnic, but hey-- it'll only take a week or so and then I'm settled and can get back to the everyday. It will be SO good to see Mum and Fred and the girls and to hang around with guys again. I hadn't realized how different the energies are with just girls. Quite strange, actually. Not unpleasant. Just ready to see Bri and Geof and Jordan and Matt, etc. Plus I think Kuna's in town and after about a hundred years, it'd be cool to grab some pho with the hippie and argue theology. I am going to miss Francesca and the rest of the girls, however. But yes.. home calls.

Today was nice, despite the gross drizzly rain that persisted throughout. Francesca and I had a hilarious suitcase buying venture for her extra bag in the sketchiest suitcase store in the history of London. We went to Dullwich (pronounced Dull-itch), which was a really cute, sleepy little town. The gallery was designed by Soane, so of course it was interesting to look at. Anyway-- tomorrow we're going to Oxford for a walking tour and (my heart quickens) to visit The Eagle and Child!!!!! (aka the Bird and Baby aka the pub the Inklings spent all their time in). So psyched. Hope it doesn't rain all friggin' day.

So here's the songs. I'm particularly fond of this group.
Pray my suitcase weighs under 50 pounds. I've done some shopping, tee hee.

1. Search and Destroy// Iggy & the Stooges: Was watching The Life Aquatic the other day when it was rainy and I didn't feel like going out to dinner. I love the scene where Steve goes nuts when the pirates attack and he chases them off. This song plays and it's absolutely perfect.
   
2. Empty Shell// Cat Power: I hadn't really listened to The Greatest, although I've had it on my Ipod since it came out. But I gave it a really thorough listen while I rode back from Trafalger on the bus on like, Tuesday, and it's absolutely fabulous.
   
3. Garden Grove// Sublime: I've had this stuck in my head for days now. I think it's b/c it reminds me of home and The House, etc. But in any case, it's one of my favorite Sublime songs.
   
4. Kamera// Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is simply one of the greatest albums of all time. The end.
   
5. What Kind of Love Are You On?// Aerosmith: This song plays in the sketchy scene in Armageddon when the boys go out the night before they go up. Aerosmith was playing in a store when we went to Camden on Saturday and so I listened to all the songs of theirs on my Ipod. I had never really listened to this one though and then the lyric I love came up and I kind of freaked out for joy on the street while I was walking back to the Res from South Ken station. A little old lady with her umbrella was startled and I laughed. And then you found twenty dollars.
   
6. Gold and a Pager// The Cool Kids: I was rapping this (the bit about how he's got a hold of his jeans b/c they're falling off) b/c my jeans, too, were falling down on Saturday night when we went out for Sam's birthday and we were running around Piccadilly. It was apparently impressive to Francesca until I told her it wasn't just a free style. I don't own Nikes anyway. Or a pager. Still, it's a great song.
   
7. Glamorous// Fergie: We were discussing our guilty music pleasures on the train to Dullwich today and it came up that we sometimes love Fergie, even though she's ridiculous and peed herself on stage (which I found out about today for the first time... so I'm late). We also love the part where Ludacris raps. Because it's ludicrous.
   

So that's it.
Cheers. H.

156: "Woah-- there's an image."

So this morning we went to the National Gallery and met with Jenny, who's a curator there, and dang good at it. But after the presentations the girls gave (well done, everyone, btw) I got really pale and dizzy and was at that awesome "about to pass out" stage. So when we broke for lunch, I walked really slowly around Trafalgar Square and decided I really couldn't handle the half hour walk through the park to Ken House. I feel bad about it still, and would've liked to go, but when I huffed it to get back to the museum to meet up , I got woozy again. Rather than push it, I decided to sit this afternoon out so I can be up to the rest of the week (which is going to be so much fun!).

I am, however, a bit bored now. Going to finish my novel in a bit, though. Maybe write some, if I'm up to it. I haven't written anything lately. It's pretty bad.

Miss home. But the weather is supposed to get better here and I think that the rest of the week is going to be a lot of fun, and I'm excited for Dad to come on Saturday. London isn't my favorite city, but it's growing on me. Love the girls, but walking around alone is really settling and the people watching is exceptional.

Love.
H.

No. 155: Here is What I Learned This Week

1.

People

are

difficult.

2.

It is not just a stereotype that London is cold and rainy when it ought to be sunny and bright.

3.

Love is not about yourself, but the one you love and what makes them happy. If you're consumed with how and if and why they love you, your love for them isn't true. Also regarding love: you need to think about how everything you do affects the persons you love. Shielding yourself can push them away.

4.

I am not cut out for English living.

5.

I like home a lot more than I thought I did.

I find it interesting that the longest lesson is about love.
I suppose the weather is making me sappy.
Or the PMS.

Cheers from across the pond,
H

No. 154: big red buses, etc.

London is a weird, weird place. It's a gagillion people with not a lot of money pretending they have as much money as the 10% that do. It's very NYC in that way. Going to Brighton was wonderful and I wish we were staying there. Much more like Baltimore. Still expensive, but really very friendly and bright and bohemian. If Dad's up for it, I'm going to try to take him next weekend or something. I've never been so glad to have my father in my area and am really excited he's coming. Hopefully we can have a few meals, even though he'll be going up to Cambridge for a stint.
Today we went to Spittlesfiled Market which is AMAZING and I spent a bunch of money. Got some gifts, though, so I don't feel horrid about it. Plus I've been trying to be really good about spending. Everything is so friggin' expensive though.

In any case, I feel bad about being so remiss in my song postings. I thought about just skipping last week all together, but the idea is to have 365 songs by the end of the year, and having that one random week wherein I was a lazybehind is just stupid. So here's a double header. I'm not explaining any but a few of them, b/c it's 10pm here and I want to read and go to sleep so I can be a functioning human for class tomorrow.

I miss everyone terribly and hope everyone is having a great break. Congrats to the graduates!

1. Between the Lines// Atmosphere
2. Tears in Heaven// Eric Clapton: Kathryn and I saw a kid playing this insanely well on guitar today in the Tube station. It was amazing and we both started singing along and then sighed at how sad a story it is.
   
3. Moped// Thao Nguyen
4. About Her// Malcom McLaren
5. When You're Falling// Afro Celt Sound System ft. Peter Gabriel
6. If I Ever Leave This World Alive// Flogging Molly: This was in P.S. I Love You, which I watched on the plane (which was a bad idea b/c it's the saddest movie ever).
   
7. Love You Til the End// The Pogues: see above.

Set II:

1. Some Things Last a Long Time// Beach House (thanks for the referral M.G.)
   
2. Blackbird// The Beatles: The aforementioned kid played this right after.
3. Marketfresh//Broken Social Scene: Sat outside of Westminster Abbey, writing and listening to these guys and the Books. It was amazing.
4. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps//Cake
5. Typical Situation// Dave Matthews Band
6. A Sunday Smile// Beirut
7. Blame it on the Tetons// Modest Mouse

and that's about it.

-H

No. 153: London Calling

okay-- so i haven't blogged, i didn't put the songs up (though i do have them written down) because i left the journal with them written down at home. BUT:

I am in London. I got here on Sunday and will be here until June 7th. It is excellent.
Update is that it's cold but I brought more clothes than a person should, so I think I'll be alright. It's expensive but I'm spending (mostly) wisely, getting gifts for people out of the way and budgeting for food, etc. London is amazing. The accents are great, the cars are amazing (I saw at least 30 Porches today), and the art I've been studying is INCREDIBLE. I got to see the original Degas, Two Dancers on a Stage and it almost made me cry. I've decided to write my course paper on Degas. Apparently he was kind of horrible, so this should be an interesting paper. Plus the Courtauld is a beautiful gallery.

Tomorrow we're going to about 5 different museums and then the Championships Manchester vs. Chelsea are tomorrow, so London is going to be NUTS. I've very excited. Sam's birthday is on June 1st and we're already making adventure plans.
Ursula, my "aunt", is meeting Natalie and I for dinner on Friday night and then Daddy comes on the 27th. Then Artie should be done with finals by then and he'll come to chill as well. It's going to be quite a trip. Natalie and I have plans for a day venture to Brighton Beach this weekend on Saturday. I think Sam and Kathryn are going to Paris. Monday we're all having Danish waffles for dinner at this place that does all you can eat for 5 quid.

This country is insane.
And now I'm going to bed b/c it's 1 something here.

I miss home. But London is lovely.

H.

No. 151: Because I can't understand anything the lady at the CVS Pharmacy Counter is saying and it's driving me nuts.

The leisure parts of today have been wonderful. Lunch with Tess at Bluemont was gorgeous.

The logistical business bits of today have been FRUSTRATING. But that's alright.
England is three days away.

Packing is going to be miserable.

H.

No. 150: Half Way Through

Last Tuesday I finished my Sophomore year. I will probably end with a 3.08, or some such B+ nonsense. Next semester, I think, will be more productive and I an step it up with Writing Sems. I'm going to have to for Glen Blake and Jean McGarry.

Moving into the Marylander in June, which should be nice.
Leave for London for three weeks of study abroad on Saturday. I'm really excited, but it's also going to be kind of nerve wracking. My first time in a foreign country without any real adult presence. It'll be an experience, that's for sure. Natalie and I keep sending each other facebook message that equate to: "Blah blah blah ENGLAND blah blah blah EXCITED!" It's gonna be a good time.

Things are so weird right now. And I took Tums before I went to bed so I have HORRIBLE aftertaste morning breath, which you didn't need to know, but I felt like sharing.

Today I'm having lunch with Tess and then probably hanging out in Arlington, then having dinner with Fred @ Faccia Luna. Tomorrow I MUST clean my car before I go hang out with Travis. It's pretty grode right now.

Anyway--- that's what's up right now. Without further ado, here's this week's 7, late as usual.

1. Love You Madly// Cake: Found this on a mix I made Freshman year. It reminds me of Money Mac who I miss desperately and is St. Lucia in the 80 degree, sunny weather. Merr. Great song, though.
   
2. The Crunge// Led Zeppelin: One of Zeppelin's greatest. I was cruising to it in the sun a few days ago and it just worked. Houses of the Holy is an incredible album anyway, so that makes sense.
   
3. Work It (Remix)//Missy Elliot: This is only on here b/c of a saying that goes in our group that comes from this song. If you're being a little slow or stupid, for whatever reason, and you have a moment wherein speaking is harder that it should be, someone who catches you basically just goes, "Why you act all like errrr, duhh?" So that stupid phrase got stuck in my head and now this song (which is actually pretty sweet)is on here.
   
4. Party for the Fight to Write// Atmosphere: People (like Carlos) tend not to like Atmosphere. Mike likes him, but likes Safe Francis more. I personally love Atmosphere, I don't know why. Not all his music is super deep, but almost all of it is really nicely written, lyrically, and the beats are quite good. I mean, why not? It's a great song anyway. Have a listen.
   
5. Better Days// Citizen King: Watched the Malcolm in the Middle finally on My 20 a few days ago. You find out they've always destined Malcolm to become the working man's president. I like that. They played this song and then we all remembered liking it when it first came out. Then it got stuck in my head and was ruined for me. But here it's on the list, b/c it's actually a pretty good song.
   
6. Now That You Got It//Gwen Stefani: I don't really like her new direction. I got as much of a novelty kick out of "Hollaback Girl" as the next person, but then she kept going! and now I'm sort of ready for Ska Gwen again. Anyway-- I wanted to hear "Rich Girl" and "Wind It Up" yesterday, so I cut the album on. This song came on when it was on shuffle and I actually think the beat is one of the best beats I've heard all year. Check it.
   
7. Just Dropped In (To See What Condition my Condition was in)// Kenny Rogers: Three words: The Big Lewbowski. End of story.
   

Aaaaaand, the end.

H.

to circle the earth

She's gorgeous, isn't she? Look at the curve of her arm and the way she brings the fan over. I love the movement of the photograph. Her name is Maria Osende, and she's a flamenco dancer for a professional dance company. The dress does it, too, and the line of her neck. I used to wish I could move like that. I was talking to Mimi today and she was saying how she wanted to get back into dance classes. I think I'd like that. As a kid, I was way too gawky for ballet. I didn't have the body for it, even though I've got alright feet. Flamenco dancers are seriously shaped women. I like that about them. Plus there's so much stillness and then snap to their movements, as opposed to ballet which is a little more fluid, some how. I don't know. Maybe I'm just babbling.
Dancing like that is one of the reasons I believe in God. There's something too definitely poetic about dancing and the beauty of the complexity of emotion that moves dancers for it to be accidental.

If it seems like I'm babbling, it's because I am. I'm three or four paragraphs away from being done with my last Expos essay. I don't want to finish it because then I have to work on my Nonfiction essay, which is weighing on my soul. I've actually really enjoyed doing the work and research for the Expos one, though. It's a great topic (funerals in Homeric society), and the flow came really well for this paper. The Nonfiction essay feels a lot like getting my wisdom teeth surgically removed with no anesthesia. Never ever again will I be in a Non Fiction class. Not my thing, and the English department is taking it over anyway.

Tomorrow I'm going to Red Maple with Mimi and maybe Carlos to have tapas and watch flamenco. Then Wednesday at 1 I'm going to the BTM to talk to Josh Griffin about making the graceful Miss Osende a permanent art piece. We'll see what he says.

I believe I'm coming home Friday or so. Need to work out the moving situation. Have to come back for a Passport appointment on Friday in any case. Blech. At least it will be over and I can stop worrying about it and just enjoy London. Packing is going to be hellish, though. London chique is a pain. Ah well. If an essay and packing for a cross-continental adventure are the biggest of my worries, life's pretty good.

H.

No. 146: It's going alright, it's going alright. more insane by the minute.

So... I took my last Spanish test today. Nada mas. Yay!

The rest of the day looks like me working on my Nonfiction paper in the DMC for three hours and then going to see Iron Man. Maybe. Some movie anyway. It's GORGEOUS outside, people.

You should listen to this, because it's brilliant:
Lupe Fiasco doing a Gorillaz thing. It's great. And provocative.

Then go outside and enjoy the sun!

Two weeks left. Then London. Ai yai yai.

H.