No. 145: upward over the mountain

Yowzah.
Sometimes things fall apart. Friends have been breaking up. Mike and I broke up (uncomfortable, but for the best in the long run, I think). People in love are on the rocks right now. It's strange. The most beautiful and romantic time of the year and everything is turning cold again. It's not all bad though.

Today is my last day of Philosophy. Going to go take my test in ten minutes. Shouldn't be too bad. Then an hour and the first half of my Spanish test and thus the first half of my last day of Spanish (to be concluded Friday). Today is my last Nonfiction class (thankyouLord). Then I plan to take a LONG nap. Michael gave me the week off from Carma's. I need to talk to him b/c I'm going to be gone most of May and June. Sigh.

Here, quickly are the songs for Sunday. Sorry my posting is becoming a bit of a traditional lateness.

An aside: Chris just woke up and walked into the kitchen, scaring the bajezzus out of Nivia. Hearing the interaction from my room will probably turn out to be the highlight of my day. My apartment isn't all bad.

1. Kick, Push// Lupe Fiasco: Matt and Geof introduced me to Lupe's music last week. It's pretty great stuff. Intelligent, fun rap. Plus his voice is really nice. It's a little like Talib Kweli meets The Cool Kids, except replace BMX bikes with skateboards. "Superstar" is another amazing song, as is "The Cool". This is more appropriate considering the boys tried to teach me to long board with negative results.
2. Pangea//Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: A nod to Ian for the intro. Really fun music. Reminds me a little of I'm From Barcelona, but more refined. Check it. Or as Ian said, "Wrap your little ears around that, sunshine. Thank me later."
3. Tokyo // The Books: This song is from The Lemon of Pink album which is great. I was initially going to put "Read, Eat, Sleep" on here, b/c Thought for Food is my favorite Books album, but anyway-- this is amazing.
   
4. Superconnected // Broken Social Scene: Such a scarily beautiful song. All their music is generally intense, but it's great. I've been listening to a lot of them lately, just from hanging around people that do, and I've begun to incorporate them into the favorites. Anyway-- enjoy this.
   
5. Grounds for Divorce// Wolf Parade: The version on the playlist is live, or rough cut or something. I like it. But the version on the album is phenomenal. Great fast driving song, or early morning driving. His voice is so haunting. And intense. I saw Sunset Rubdown live last semester and they were phenomenal as well.
   
6. Set You Free // The Black Keys: Pretty in love with this song since I first heard it. I like that they sound so much like delta blues but with this intense rock sound that's a little AC/DC, a little Sabbath. This song is not really like either of those, but I like it anyway. I feel like BB King would nod his head and approve this, and that sits well with me.
   
7. Final Frontier// RJD2: Def. my favorite RJD2 song. Just go listen to the album, I can't even talk about the talent.
   

After Philosophy Test:

Ok, so that went alright. Only took me 25 minutes to finish, but I feel like I did a good job. Studied hard enough for it. Now I've got the mind numbingly frightening Spanish test to take and from then on my day is cake.

You should listen to Buena Vista Social Club. Because it's good music.
And take me shopping, too. If you wanted.

H.

No. 138: Honey, here's a quarter.

Right off: 7 More 2008 Songs to Live To:

1. "Undercover" by Pete Yorn: Brian and I love this song. I used to like "Crystal Village" more, but due to reasons of Stupid and other occurrences, it sort of depresses me now, despite being a great song. This song is amazing, and especially the line "If you take me to the cop car/I won't go". It just leaves you thinking-- Wha?!
2. "Moondance" by Van Morrison: I've started doing opening shifts at Carma's instead of the closing ones. Tuesday, I opened with Emily, Carma and Adam. My first time working with him. This horrible smooth jazz station was playing and they were passing off a miserable saxophone rendition of this song as music. Anyway-- Adam started whistling along and it got stuck in my head.
   
3. "One (Blake's Got a New Face)" by Vampire Weekend: Honestly, I just got this stuck in my head b/c it's what my arlam chose to wake me up with on Wednesday morning and I would've put Matt Diamond's "Errata" on here, but it's not an MP3 yet. When there is, it'll be up here. Anywho-- this is a fun song and sort of embodies how preppy these guys are. If you have something to say about this band, (Joe) you can save it. I know.
4. "Cannonball" by The Breeders: There was a used cd vendor in Levering quad that drew me in. I ended up buying 4 cds for $20 and while I may not eat for the rest of the week, I got some good stuff. I love this song. Classically kick @$$.
   
5. "Those to Come" by The Shins: I love this song. In big serious ways. It reminds me of the best parts of my junior summer and the best parts of my senior year. It reminds me of Chris Pittman before he went M.I.A. and then mean, and it reminds me of when I had positive feelings of falling in love and it reminds me most of all, way before the rest, of discovering the Shins (before the effin Garden State soundtrack). This song is slow and pretty and has a certain poetry. For me, anyway. *gag* (they didn't have this on project playlist-- you should have it anyway and if not, tough it out)
6. "You! Me! Dancing!" by Los Campesinos!: Michael put this on a mix for me. It's pretty incredible and very us appropriate, considering how our entire relationship began with and was strengthened by dancing. It's an incredibly infectious song and great for dancing. Los Campesinos! remind me of a more artistic Art Brut. Like Art Brut plus I'm From Barcelona. Dunno.
   
7. "Panda Panda Panda" by Deerhoof: Some silly experimental noise rock from me to you. I love the bit where she goes, "I like... PANDA PANDA PANDA". It's adorable. Mike has this ancient panda hoodie that a woman in the office he used to work in commented on the other day. She then showed him a video of a panda sneezing. Apparently it's hilarious. I have a history with this song. It doesn't haunt me, it just makes me laugh. This song, like a panda sneezing, is hilarious. And it should put you in a good mood. That or annoy the crap out of you. Either way.
   

Okay-- so that's over.
I finished the STUPID essay I had to write for Expos, so now my life is 30% better than it was before. I still have to go turn the thing into class tomorrow, and then work from 2-6:30. But no big. 4 1/2 hours, followed by the Mary Jo Salter and Brad Leithauser reading at B&N and then intensive Spanish studying for the test Wednesday. I feel a lot better about Spanish now after the review in class today. I can sight things a lot better. MMm confidence. After Wednesday, my life will be easy. Except for the second half the Spanish exam Friday. Okay, so after this week is over, life will be somewhat easier. Until next week.
Circuitous, life.

H.

PS. I keep finding out all these horribly interesting things about my friends that are either horrible or interesting. It's been a startling couple of days. Also, Charleton Heston died. Tchheez.

No. 135: i've been thinking again...

So I was all excited because I was finally going to have an honest to God Seven Songs Sunday. Except that my Spanish composition took me a lot longer than I thought it was going to and it's now technically Monday. In any case-- the songs are going to be Sunday-ish.

This weekend was sort of nondescript. On Friday night we went to Diamond's senior recital, which was GORGEOUS and wonderful (insert more well-deserved praise here). Afterwards errands were run and then we all convened at Maura's for a celebration of Diamond. Then a 90s party in Wyman Towers, which was hilarious. Mike and I were exhausted, though, so we called it a night. Saturday, Michael went to Jersey to have dinner with his sister for her birthday. I had promised Greg and Carlos I would take them to the mall, but I had also promised myself I would actually do some laundry this weekend. So I took them home with me, put my laundry in, and then we went to Tyson's. They met Mom, Fred, and Brian. Weirdest juxtaposition ever. Nice, though. We chilled, I folded laundry and then we drove back. I hung out with them, then hung out with Michael. This morning was practically narcoleptic. Read the rest of my philosophy assignment and then passed out again. Finally did get around to doing some work and have now almost finished all the assignments. I'm going to go to bed and get seven and a half hours of sleep and work on the last of my NonFic piece in the morning. Made dinner for 710 and watched part of the John Adams, HBO miniseries. Much like the new Counting Crows album, it's different than you think it will be, and actually not that bad. I was surprised on both accounts.

Joe's reading is tomorrow night @ Den @ 7, so all of you kids who know him/are in need of some literary entertainment should come. It's usually both high comedy and high quality, Lord love him.

Now here's the Seven, sort of on time. It's a dedicatory set.

1. "Big Kid's Table" by Thao and the Get Down, Stay Down: For Michael. I know I've already had one of her songs on here, but we did just go see the show. Anyway, the line, "You are strong, strong, strong/stronger than me/with a heart much more lovely" is so applicable. *insert expression of gross sentiment here*
2. "At Last" by Neko Case: For me. I love this song wholly. It was the first Neko Case song I ever listened to, and the first I ever loved. Fox Confessor Brings the Flood may be one of my Top Five Desert Island albums, but I'm not sure yet. I'll keep you updated.
3. "Leaf House" by Animal Collective: For Carlos. He loves this song, I love this song, and it's a good song for recreation. It spazzes and is a little crazy in places, but can be quiet and winsome, which describes how both of us view each other-- I think.
   
4. "The Way" by Fastball: For Greg C. Reinvention of memory for a song.
5. "On Call" by Kings of Leon: For Brian. Because he always (usually, haha) are and I always will be.
6. "Get Innocuous" by LCD Soundsystem: For EVA/Posse, with special regard to the DJ. Because we dance and we have fun and because John loves this beat.
7. "Kind and Generous" by Natalie Merchant: For Tess. Because her birthday was last week and she is all these things and my sister.
   

That's all for now, folks.
Bon Nuit.

H.

No 134: Busy Busy Busy like a Bokonoist

Okay, so it's been a little more than a week since I've posted and it's Thursday and still no seven (more) songs.
I do have them, though. It's been a bit of a hectic week, which slows down after the end of this day.
Tonight Mike and I are going to see Thao Nyugen @ the Black Cat. I am VERY excited since I've been listening to the album pretty much nonstop. She's opening for Xiu Xiu, who we could care less about since it's frightening, angry, dissonant music (and all in a bad way, not in a Sex Pistols way). So there's that. Plus other things.
Here's the 7-- posted rapidamente, because I've gotta go to class:

1. "Age of Consent" by New Order: Because Xiu Xiu covered it and then I wanted to hear the real version and then it got stuck in my head.
2. "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon: Went over to Mike's the other night to hang out and read and while he was working he had Carly Simon on. We discussed how it takes a secure man to like Carly Simon as much as he does. Then he had this song stuck in his head and subsequently-- mine.
   
3. "Icecream" by Muscles: I was wearing my "Peace, Love Ecstasy" pin on my jacket and Mike started talking about the Icecream is Gonna Save the Day pin which I lost somewhere and got the lyrics completely wrong. It was cute. Anyway-- I listen to this song when I go running, which I am later on.
4. "D-A-N-C-E-" (MSTRKRFT Remix) by Justice: Went and saw the MSTRKRFT show the other night at Ottobar. Phenomenal dance music. This is just a fun song, and equally able to be lodged in your brain for days.
5. "Woke Up This Morning" by A3: Known to many as the Sopranos theme song. It's a mix, actually, the one they use on the show, and of course I like it better. But anyway-- it's a great song. Especially the chorus-y bit.
   
6. "Ride, Captian, Ride" by Blues Image: This is from the Anchorman soundtrack. Been meaning to watch the film again for a while now. Anyway-- I found the copy of this I thought I'd lost and have been listening to the album. This is a fun song, yo. And "mystery ship"... someone explain that.
7. "Start to Melt" by Peter Bjorn & John: This song does now and probably always will remind me of Michael. Probably why I like it so much. Plus it's just a gorgeous song.
   

So those descriptions were all pretty lame, but ah well. Off to Expos to hand in my really quite terrible first draft.

H.

No. 126: "Blue! Hit the blue one! Pinky finger!"

Currently, I'm sitting on the couch in Mike's living room, listening to/watching Will KC play Guitar Hero. It's been a LONG time since I've played this particular game in any serious fashion. I made an attempt at the casa of crazyFace over break, but it was half hearted due to extreme sleep deprivation. In any case, I think the last time I played The GH with any sort of sincerity was last year in Dan's room. I used to be good, and now I am just sort of sad. Playing "Same Old Song and Dance" was pretty great though. I forgot how much I'm a sucker for that band.

Last night was fun. I found my second wind/was afraid Gayle would shiv me if I didn't and went out with everyone. TAXLO was hilarious and awesome and I met Draven and RANDOMLY I think I saw "Myspace legend" Brazdon (who if it was in fact him, is just as fantastic looking in person, let me just say). Haven't danced that much in so long. Music was way too loud, but then you sort of drown it out. We then decided to meet up with some of Maura's roommates at a Lithuanian Hall where they throw dance parties. This, apparently, is where Baltimore's hipsters go to party. It was FANTASTIC. They were playing all these great reggae tunes and Motown classics and everybody was sweaty and pierced and tattooed but smiling and dancing silly.

So today is a brunch day for the EVA/Posse crew. I'm excited since I haven't had one of these any more. Maura and John are late and I'm starving, but now Mike is playing "Sabotage" by the Beasties and it's pretty awesome. Nothing else really to report, aside from the fact that I've got about 13 things to do that I in NO way want to. Also that my head hurts and I'm probably not fully well yet. Being sick blows.

Peash.
H.

PS. Will has never heard "Sabotage". Weird culture splash moment.

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. 110: start to melt

I'm sitting here, about an hour after waking up, listening to Frank Sinatra sing my favorite of his songs, "Summer Wind", still in kind of a daze about a conversation I had last night. I won't go into details, but a certain Mikey Rocks, at the very least, isn't angry with me any more. It's just... nice. What's weird about it is that I prayed about it, and there was a very immediate answer. Totally caught me off guard.

Just wanted to blurb that. I need to get some Spanish reading done and then go to expos (*insert sarcastic "woop"*) but afterwards, WKC and I are going to the aforementioned Charm City Cupcakes, and what is better than cupcakes? They're certainly an upgrade from, say, a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Still trying to figure out what to do on Superbowl Sunday. Bert's? Father's? Who knows.

H.

PS. Had an insane music download fiesta this morning after deciding just to download all the albums on my Amazon wishlist. It may be that Johns Hopkins University undergrads are responsible for the plummeting CD sales. Ah well. Vinyl went out too, for most people. Anyway-- point: I will probably start doing album reviews on top of the 7 Songs. Maybe. If there's time.

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. 80: Work all night if you have to

Finished the first essay for History of Africa. The fact that I finished the whole thing today and also got some Psych studying in is bringing me hope. Psych is going to be disastrous though. Ah well.
Trying to decide whether to go back to school on Saturday or Sunday, or to go to Nick's Friday night or Saturday morning, or to stay home til Sunday after church. Blech.

Oh, really quick: a shout out to Baked Ziti and McShane. It's ever so strange that you read this, but the other night was completely off the hook (G-spot, you looked so sharp).

Trying to decide which ink I want next, how much it's going to cost, and when I should get it. Christmas gift to myself? I think so.

Tomorrow is going to either be wonderful or incredibly stressful. Have to:

• Go grocery shopping so I have something to eat. I'm dying for soup, whilst battling this stupid, extremely poorly timed cold.
• Go to Target and get mom's silly fake Christmas tree for her.
• Plan/write the second essay
• Study Psych
• Watch kung fu movies with Givens
• Trifecta.
  
• Not get sicker

Been listening to Mountain goats and cello music all day. Forgot how much I love the Mountain Goats. Just make me think about when I saw them (him) live at Sonar. Which makes me think about Mike. Meh. I know it's stupid, but I miss him. 705s keep saying it'll be okay soon. Being friends with Diamond and WKC still is awesome, but it makes me miss the tall kid more, sometimes. Why do people even allow me to get into relationships? Seriously. I'm such a disaster.

Had breakfast with Tess the other morning @ Saxby's. Deliriously happy to hang out with her. We had a candy buying adventure of epic proportions. I've missed her so much. Can't wait til Kathryn comes home. Things will feel saner and safer then, I think.

I've been sleeping on and off all day, and now I get to go in for a solid eight hours. Am inordinately excited.

As an aside: facebook Texas Hold 'Em may be an emissary of the evil.

H.

No.68: Ugg- a vestment of the foot and a gutteral sound

I wore Uggs today. And leggings. And felt preppy and self conscious about it. Changed immediately after class into something appropriately "hipster" and went to see Josh about some ink. Took the red head with me, which was nice. All went well and I'm pleased. The car ride home was a bit ridiculous A) because traffic was horrific on 83 and B) because there was a creepy pale spider on Lauren's window and she would periodically freak out about it and I would follow suit. Because spiders, no matter how good they are for the consumption of nasty bugs, are gross and terrible. I have a giant welt on my foot-- evidence of the common spider bite. I'm just glad it wasn't a brown recluse and my flesh is now falling off, or something. Doesn't that happen? I should wiki that.

Mike and I broke up last night, officially. This is in no way awesome. But it's for the best, 9 out of 10 friends and family agree. I'm not exactly a stable table for fine china. No good. But I think eventually we'll be alright. He's a good guy.

Also, thankfully, (though right now it's more one less concern than a real comfort) I think Diamond, Will and possibly also John (though I think he's, sort of surreally, more indignant than the rest), as well as Nicci (thank God) are alright with me. Not that I deserve it. But I'm thankful, b/c they're good people.

I'm going home tomorrow. Only two classes (noticed an hour ago that Drigotas canceled psych!) and then home. That'll be nice. I have to find a way to copy the stupid African History reading, though. Or just not do it. But I think that would set me up to fail pretty hard for the final. Blah.

I haven't been writing a lot, but there's been a general flow. I've got two stories going at the same time, three if you count the one I started this summer, but nothing looks particularly promising or appealing right now. I could follow the one I feel strongest about, but the characters are a little close to home, and it could be a while before I get some distance and perspective on them. Joe and I talked once about how eventually in a story, most of my characters tend to start looking like people I know. With the exception of the stripper story. I have NO idea where those people came from. Bad movie stereotypes is my general reflection.

Exhausted. Ready for a break.
Happy Turkey Day.

-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. 58: Bloggety Blog Blog

There is no cure/ I am sure/ for this ten cent blues....

Except there is, Eisley! So take that.

Things, in bulleted form, for faster posting purposes, due to the fact that I'm exhausted and am going to bed and getting up absurdly early.

• I found out at 11 o clock today that I have a Psych midterm on Wednesday that I haven't studied for. I have yet to study for it because I also found out I have a Spanish composition due on Wednesday that I hadn't begun to write. I care more about Spanish (a requirement) than I do about Psychology (not), so I chose to write the entire composition tonight as opposed to study Psych.
  
• Went to Den. Caolen (whose name I will never spell correctly) and John read, so it was definitely worth going, but my stomach, for various reasons, turned on me and I felt MISERABLE by the time I got back to my room so....
• I dove into bed and pulled a blanket over my hair, which smelled like Den and called Mike, which did not go well, for not fault of his, and then tried to sleep. That didn't succeed so...
• I had a total rant session with Red. It was helpful, except that I went a little crazy in letting all my pent up emotional and physical stress out. Meh. Then I had chocolate ice cream and read some more James Joyce, which I'm actually getting into. Then...
• I made tea. It was really amazing organic Earl Gray. Joe called me back from when I called him earlier to complain he wasn't at the reading when I'd finally remembered his flipping cook book. We talked for a long time, and at the end of the conversation and the end of my mug of tea, I felt almost totally better. The shower following the end of the conversation did wonders as well.
  
• I've finished my Spanish composition and gathered notes for studying tomorrow. I'm getting up to study at Carma's hideously early until my 10 o clock, the exhilarating Art History of the Ancient Amerias, the reading for which I have yet to catch up on, and then Psych, which is a review session, I hope, and then more studying, probably at a table in Bloomberg, until Spanish, after which there will be more studying before the absolutely scintillating History of Africa class and its subsequent section where all we do is moan about how horrendous the reading was. But yes. The good news is that after this semester, I don't have to take any more history classes ever. So that's nice.
  
• Dinner with Mike tomorrow night, amidst tons of studying, and then I'm reading at the undergrad doo-dad at the Hop Deli at 8. And I retract my previous "don't" for coming. Come, it'll be hilarious.
  

In summation:
- Thanks Red, Joe, and Mike, who later called me back and was wonderful and kind and incredibly boyfriendly.
- PMS blows.
- Earl Grey.

Looking forward to Pittsburgh this weekend.

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.

NO. 52: Why I've decided not to speak any more

Blech.

To room mates: I'm really sorry. I don't know what else to say than that. I'm really sorry. I'm my own person too, and we've all got our own things going on. I'm indelicate and you all know that. I'm sorry.

Got a lot of reading to do. I don't really want to do any of it.
My Intro. to Fiction class was miserable today. Really truly unenjoyable. Mary and I discussed how this is such a bummer after last year. I agree. I was looking for a stretch. This isn't even exciting.

Michael and I went to a nice dinner at Gertrude's last night. Our first "going out to dinner" date. It was actually quite lovely. He looks like an extra from Igby Goes Down when he wears a suit jacket. I love it. I swear, if that woman messes up his hair this weekend, I will drive to New Jersey and perform harsh acts upon her with cutting shears.

I'm going home for the first time this weekend. There are so many people I want to see, and so many people I won't see. But I'll do my best b/c it's been a WHILE. I'm so excited to see Tess, it's silly. And it turns out Kendall's coming home at the same time. Which could be excellent. Or awkward. We'll see.

In other news, In Rainbows came out this morning. The listening party tonight should be a blast! Working at Carma's tomorrow and Friday from 10-5 so you should all come see me. I hear there are some crazy hipster kids having brunch there on Thursday morning. So that' should be fun to be around!

H.

No. 50: Inauspicious Blog Post

I love grocery shopping. Is that weird? Probably.

Andrew Bird was AMAZING!!!!! Mimi and I squee-ed like fangirls. It was delicious. He played all of my favorite songs. The intro to "Fake Palindromes" being my personal favorite. But dancing to "Plasticities" in my Frye boots and floral little girl dress in the middle of Sonar, WATCHING Andrew Bird is now included in the top 15 best moments of my life.

Went to Whole Foods with Michael and Nicci and bought a huge amount of yummy groceries, and then we made veggie stir-fry and cat fish. Delish! I love cooking with the women. It's all very family oriented, my dorm life.

Had a tidy little break down this morning. Lasted about two and a half minutes and then I recovered. Natalie's right in saying that I just sort of need to stop worrying about things. Vague, I know, but it's my right.

And now I must away to church.
This post was largely useless.

I have so much reading to do tonight! Don't want to do any of it.

.H.