Not sure why, but it's been in my head.
there once was a farmer who took a young miss
in back of the barn where he gave her a
lecture
on horses and chickens and eggs
and told her that she had such beautiful
manners
that suited a girl of her charms
a girl that he wanted to take in his
washing
and ironing and then if she did
they could get married and raise lots of
sweet violets
sweeter than the roses
covered all over from head to toe
covered all over with sweet violets
the girl told the farmer that he'd better stop
and she called her father and he called a
taxi
and got there before very long
'cause some one was doin' his little girl
right
for a change and so that's why he said
if you marry her, son, you're better off
single
'cause it's always been my belief
marriage will bring a man nothing but
sweet violets
sweeter than the roses
covered all over from head to toe
covered all over with sweet violets
the farmer decided he wed anyway
and started in planning for his wedding
suit
which he purchased for only one buck
but then he found out he was just out of
money
and so he got left in the lurch
a standin' and waitin' in front of the
end
of the story which just goes to show
all a girl wants from a man is his
sweet violets
sweeter than the roses
covered all over from head to toe
covered all over with sweet violets
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Music makes the people come together
Are you ready for this novel of a post? Get comfy…
Muse. Was. Awesome. Really, I don’t know what to say other than that. They totally rocked. The stage was all lights! Pictures! Lazers! And this intense NOISE, but you know, good noise. Musical noise. And then I put my earplugs in and, ironically, could finally hear the music and lyrics. It was wonderful. I have no words. The talent, pure talent, of these three men… holy crap, man. It was so good! If you get a chance to see Muse live, you should definitely take advantage of it. Mostly because they’re just epic (and I don’t use that word lightly—it’s become overused and meaningless).
(Side note: I have my iTunes on random, and “Sara” by Jefferson Starship just started playing. I cringed a little before I let it finish. This is NOT my song. I feel very passionate about this. “Sara, storms are brewing in your eyes… no time is a good time for goodbyes.” Now, maybe if her name was spelled right… No, not even then; I’d have no one to sing it to me!)
OK. Coachella. Wow.
I went with Marie and Jana, of course, and a handful of friends (Lindsay, Amilia, Durfey, Paul, and Teddy). Two cars, obviously, and we camped onsite. We didn’t get to camp next to each other, though; we got separated on the way there, so the other car had to come find us every morning for their breakfast. Suckas!!
There were something like 130 bands there. Of course we couldn’t (and didn’t want to) see every single one of them. We (meaning Marie, Jana, Lindsay, and I) ended up seeing 9 on Friday (Deer Tick, Sleigh Bells, Yeasayer, She & Him, Passion Pit, Echo and the Bunnymen, Vampire Weekend, Jay Z, and the Whitest Boy Alive), 9 on Saturday (Rx Bandits, Zoe, Old Crow Medicine Show, Band of Skulls, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, the XX, Hot Chip, MGMT, and Muse), and 9 on Sunday (Local Natives, Deerhunter, De La Soul, Yo La Tengo, Jonsi, Spoon, Phoenix, Thom Yorke, and Gorillaz). So, yeah, we saw 27 bands for the low low price of $315. Oh, plus gas, the campsite, and food we spent about $450 each. Which means we saw each band for $16.67 each. We paid $17 to see Jay-Z!
And Jay-Z was freakin’ awesome. We left his show early to see the Whitest Boy Alive, but what we saw was incredible. I’m really kinda sad we left, though, cuz Beyonce performed the last song with him and we missed it!
Vampire Weekend was AWESOME. I was already crushing on Ezra (the lead singer) but during their show I fell in love. They were SO good! Highly recommend catching their show if you have the opportunity. They were fun and energetic and engaging. High quality.
Also, if you don’t know Old Crow Medicine Show, you should. They’re a blue grassy, rockabilly band, REALLY REALLY good, and super fun concert. I wish I had seen them in Salt Lake when they were there. I’m for sure planning on going to see them the next time their in the area.
She & Him--Happy, peppy, fun, clean show. I know some guys out there just don’t get the Zooey Deschanel thing. To be honest, I don’t get the obsession, either. Sure, she’s cute and somewhat talented, but I don’t have a girl-crush on her. I can see how she is attractive to both sexes, though. Anyway… all that aside, I really like She & Him. Fun music.
MGMT was good, but not very enthusiastic, which was sad, cuz I really wanted to rock out, you know? I mean, I still did, but not as hard core as I feel like I would have if they were more into it. It was a little disappointing, even though I still got excited when they started playing “Electric Feel.” Oh, my, how I love that song.
The XX was awesome. I have no other words for this band. So… cool, you know? Just cool. Chill. Awesome.
Passion Pit lacked some passion. And the crowd was really stupid for this one. But the music was good. I’m totally impressed with the lead vocals. Dude sounds like a child; it’s insane.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were totally trippy. Like, for real, I kept thinking, “This is so Woodstock!”
How awesome is it that we saw De La Soul? I mean, come on! That was a fun one. “Me Myself and I.”
The Whitest Boy Alive was like being at a dance club. We had been going going going going for about two days straight (with a nice little three hour-or-so nap somewhere in there), so I kinda fell asleep standing/dancing. I’m not even kidding. I was SO tired that night, I was swaying, bouncing, singing with my eyes closed and I think I really did kinda blackout for a few minutes. But their show was really, really good.
Muse was freakin’ awesome, of course. They were A-MAZ-ING!
Thom York was crazy! His show was really awesome. Loved it, really. But he was kinda spastic. I kept laughing at him. And dancing. Then laughing, then dancing…
Zoe, who I had never heard before, was really really great. They’re on my list of bands to check out, now.
Jonsi was great. I spent part of that show just sitting, soaking in the music. I wish it had been a “seating ONLY” show, forcing everyone to just chill. But, no. Oh well.
Phoenix was really great. Just a big ol’ dance party! Everyone seemed to be at that show, and everyone was dancing. It was so much fun.
Spoon was a little lack-luster, but there were these dudes in front of us… man, they were funny. The dancing these guys were capable of was, in a word, interesting. In two words, intimidating and insane. I still giggle just remembering their moves. I mean, right now, as I type, I’m giggling almost uncontrollably. I tried to get some video of it, but they kinda stopped as I started recording. It’ll have to just live in my memory, I guess.
Umm… what else can I tell you? The music was awesome. I keep listening to the bands we saw and thinking about the shows and getting excited all over again remembering how great the shows were. Sad it’s over.
And sad that I missed out on some of the other bands. I wish we could have seen all of the Jay-Z show and all of the Gorillaz show. And I wish I had gone to Them Crooked Vultures and Mutemath. And in retrospect, I think we would have had a lot more fun at As Tall As Lions than we did at Sleigh Bells. That was just noise. Yuck. Also sad that I missed Grizzly Bear, Imogen Heap, LDC Soundsystem, Devo. Matt & Kim, Portugal the Man, and Camera Obscura…
There was so much smoking going on, my throat still hurt a week after we got home. And people kept walking in and through and around us during the shows and that’s just rude and annoying. There were SO many people there that some of the shows weren’t as enjoyable as they could have been. People talking during the music instead of listening or dancing or singing along. Annoying. The vendors were expensive, of course. A 16-oz water bottle cost $2. But, on the bright side, if you picked up 10 empty plastic bottles and brought them to the recycling tent, you got a free bottle of water. So, really, I think we each paid for two or three water bottles the whole time we were there, and got about 10 for free just for picking up recyclables. The campsite we were in was about a mile away from the venue, so getting to and from the music everyday was a long walk. And it was SO blasted hot during the day!
All in all, it was miserable and wonderful! It was a great experience, one that I’ve wanted to have for a long time. I’m glad I went, but I don’t ever have to go again!!
And that’s my novel on Coachella. I could go on and on for a long time about it. I have lots and lots of interesting stories to tell (missionary moments, sunburned lips, public make-outs, boobs, people passing out, being offered weed, being asked if we had weed….), but I’ll stop here. If you want more on this, just ask. I’m not tired of talking about it… yet.
Muse. Was. Awesome. Really, I don’t know what to say other than that. They totally rocked. The stage was all lights! Pictures! Lazers! And this intense NOISE, but you know, good noise. Musical noise. And then I put my earplugs in and, ironically, could finally hear the music and lyrics. It was wonderful. I have no words. The talent, pure talent, of these three men… holy crap, man. It was so good! If you get a chance to see Muse live, you should definitely take advantage of it. Mostly because they’re just epic (and I don’t use that word lightly—it’s become overused and meaningless).
(Side note: I have my iTunes on random, and “Sara” by Jefferson Starship just started playing. I cringed a little before I let it finish. This is NOT my song. I feel very passionate about this. “Sara, storms are brewing in your eyes… no time is a good time for goodbyes.” Now, maybe if her name was spelled right… No, not even then; I’d have no one to sing it to me!)
OK. Coachella. Wow.
I went with Marie and Jana, of course, and a handful of friends (Lindsay, Amilia, Durfey, Paul, and Teddy). Two cars, obviously, and we camped onsite. We didn’t get to camp next to each other, though; we got separated on the way there, so the other car had to come find us every morning for their breakfast. Suckas!!
There were something like 130 bands there. Of course we couldn’t (and didn’t want to) see every single one of them. We (meaning Marie, Jana, Lindsay, and I) ended up seeing 9 on Friday (Deer Tick, Sleigh Bells, Yeasayer, She & Him, Passion Pit, Echo and the Bunnymen, Vampire Weekend, Jay Z, and the Whitest Boy Alive), 9 on Saturday (Rx Bandits, Zoe, Old Crow Medicine Show, Band of Skulls, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, the XX, Hot Chip, MGMT, and Muse), and 9 on Sunday (Local Natives, Deerhunter, De La Soul, Yo La Tengo, Jonsi, Spoon, Phoenix, Thom Yorke, and Gorillaz). So, yeah, we saw 27 bands for the low low price of $315. Oh, plus gas, the campsite, and food we spent about $450 each. Which means we saw each band for $16.67 each. We paid $17 to see Jay-Z!
And Jay-Z was freakin’ awesome. We left his show early to see the Whitest Boy Alive, but what we saw was incredible. I’m really kinda sad we left, though, cuz Beyonce performed the last song with him and we missed it!
Vampire Weekend was AWESOME. I was already crushing on Ezra (the lead singer) but during their show I fell in love. They were SO good! Highly recommend catching their show if you have the opportunity. They were fun and energetic and engaging. High quality.
Also, if you don’t know Old Crow Medicine Show, you should. They’re a blue grassy, rockabilly band, REALLY REALLY good, and super fun concert. I wish I had seen them in Salt Lake when they were there. I’m for sure planning on going to see them the next time their in the area.
She & Him--Happy, peppy, fun, clean show. I know some guys out there just don’t get the Zooey Deschanel thing. To be honest, I don’t get the obsession, either. Sure, she’s cute and somewhat talented, but I don’t have a girl-crush on her. I can see how she is attractive to both sexes, though. Anyway… all that aside, I really like She & Him. Fun music.
MGMT was good, but not very enthusiastic, which was sad, cuz I really wanted to rock out, you know? I mean, I still did, but not as hard core as I feel like I would have if they were more into it. It was a little disappointing, even though I still got excited when they started playing “Electric Feel.” Oh, my, how I love that song.
The XX was awesome. I have no other words for this band. So… cool, you know? Just cool. Chill. Awesome.
Passion Pit lacked some passion. And the crowd was really stupid for this one. But the music was good. I’m totally impressed with the lead vocals. Dude sounds like a child; it’s insane.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were totally trippy. Like, for real, I kept thinking, “This is so Woodstock!”
How awesome is it that we saw De La Soul? I mean, come on! That was a fun one. “Me Myself and I.”
The Whitest Boy Alive was like being at a dance club. We had been going going going going for about two days straight (with a nice little three hour-or-so nap somewhere in there), so I kinda fell asleep standing/dancing. I’m not even kidding. I was SO tired that night, I was swaying, bouncing, singing with my eyes closed and I think I really did kinda blackout for a few minutes. But their show was really, really good.
Muse was freakin’ awesome, of course. They were A-MAZ-ING!
Thom York was crazy! His show was really awesome. Loved it, really. But he was kinda spastic. I kept laughing at him. And dancing. Then laughing, then dancing…
Zoe, who I had never heard before, was really really great. They’re on my list of bands to check out, now.
Jonsi was great. I spent part of that show just sitting, soaking in the music. I wish it had been a “seating ONLY” show, forcing everyone to just chill. But, no. Oh well.
Phoenix was really great. Just a big ol’ dance party! Everyone seemed to be at that show, and everyone was dancing. It was so much fun.
Spoon was a little lack-luster, but there were these dudes in front of us… man, they were funny. The dancing these guys were capable of was, in a word, interesting. In two words, intimidating and insane. I still giggle just remembering their moves. I mean, right now, as I type, I’m giggling almost uncontrollably. I tried to get some video of it, but they kinda stopped as I started recording. It’ll have to just live in my memory, I guess.
Umm… what else can I tell you? The music was awesome. I keep listening to the bands we saw and thinking about the shows and getting excited all over again remembering how great the shows were. Sad it’s over.
And sad that I missed out on some of the other bands. I wish we could have seen all of the Jay-Z show and all of the Gorillaz show. And I wish I had gone to Them Crooked Vultures and Mutemath. And in retrospect, I think we would have had a lot more fun at As Tall As Lions than we did at Sleigh Bells. That was just noise. Yuck. Also sad that I missed Grizzly Bear, Imogen Heap, LDC Soundsystem, Devo. Matt & Kim, Portugal the Man, and Camera Obscura…
There was so much smoking going on, my throat still hurt a week after we got home. And people kept walking in and through and around us during the shows and that’s just rude and annoying. There were SO many people there that some of the shows weren’t as enjoyable as they could have been. People talking during the music instead of listening or dancing or singing along. Annoying. The vendors were expensive, of course. A 16-oz water bottle cost $2. But, on the bright side, if you picked up 10 empty plastic bottles and brought them to the recycling tent, you got a free bottle of water. So, really, I think we each paid for two or three water bottles the whole time we were there, and got about 10 for free just for picking up recyclables. The campsite we were in was about a mile away from the venue, so getting to and from the music everyday was a long walk. And it was SO blasted hot during the day!
All in all, it was miserable and wonderful! It was a great experience, one that I’ve wanted to have for a long time. I’m glad I went, but I don’t ever have to go again!!
And that’s my novel on Coachella. I could go on and on for a long time about it. I have lots and lots of interesting stories to tell (missionary moments, sunburned lips, public make-outs, boobs, people passing out, being offered weed, being asked if we had weed….), but I’ll stop here. If you want more on this, just ask. I’m not tired of talking about it… yet.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Update
I have no time to update!
But I will soon. As in, I graduate next Friday and will have more time. A lot of time. More time than I'll know what to do with.
Is it weird that, as much as I hate school and am SO happy to be DONE, I think I'll miss it? Not that I'll miss the homework and the lectures, but I'll miss having something to do, making friends, and discussing literature. ("Who gives a f*** about an Oxford comma?" I do.)
That said, I promise to post about Muse and Coachella ASAP.
Oh, and "D" guess what. I'm going to Sting and the Royal Philharmonic. Ask me how freakin' excited I am. Go ahead. Ask.
But I will soon. As in, I graduate next Friday and will have more time. A lot of time. More time than I'll know what to do with.
Is it weird that, as much as I hate school and am SO happy to be DONE, I think I'll miss it? Not that I'll miss the homework and the lectures, but I'll miss having something to do, making friends, and discussing literature. ("Who gives a f*** about an Oxford comma?" I do.)
That said, I promise to post about Muse and Coachella ASAP.
Oh, and "D" guess what. I'm going to Sting and the Royal Philharmonic. Ask me how freakin' excited I am. Go ahead. Ask.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Excitement
In seven days: Muse
In seventeen days: road trip to Coachella
In thirty-two days: graduation
And later this summer:
(with some luck and love) Sting and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
James Taylor and Carole King
home to California for the Heywood family reunion
...and anything else that presents itself (like hopefully a new job and new living arrangements)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
For some reason, I absolutely love this photo. It has something to do with the cuteness of Jana's little smile and the dress she's wearing, Marie rubbing her eye and holding that little flute, and my hair with the funky crimp in it, probably from having it up and then taking it down. And the purple pants. Also the tree. I have such fond memories of that tree. It was the landmark that told people which house was ours. "The one with the big Chinese elm in the middle of the yard." And the wall behind us, aka "the balance beam." Oh, the hours spent doing "gymnastics" on our "balance beam." It also has something to do with the image itself. The sharp contrast between the focus on us three girls, and the fuzzy plants and wall behind us. I wish I knew what year this was taken. I think it had to have been just before I started kindergarten, which was the same year we moved into the house, and the year David was born.I read a post on Facebook the other day by a friend who wished for the days of her childhood, to go back to when her biggest stress was when she couldn't find her Barbie doll. I sometimes think back to my days as a kid, spending all summer outside and shoeless, riding bikes around town with my friends, putting on plays and making up dances with the neighbors, when my biggest stress was not being able to get my little brothers and sisters to do what I told them to do. Those were great days. They were fun. But as great and fun as they were, I don't want to go back. There are so many great and fun things to look forward to that I don't want to spend time living in the past. I look forward to my future. I just hope I can make it a good one.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Nickelback or...?
Jana and I played a game today.
"If you had to listen to only Nickelback or Britney Spears the rest of your life, which would you choose?" Britney, hands down.
Nickelback or Christina Aguilera? Christina.
Nickelback or 98 Degrees? 98 Degrees.
Nickelback or Evanescence? Eww... I can't... Uh... Evanescence, I guess.
Nickelback or Linkin Park? Agh. Gross. Well, if I have to choose... Linkin Park.
Nickelback or Fergie? Just Fergie--no Black-Eyed Peas? Um... neither.
Question: who would you rather listen to over Nickelback? I guess, for me, it's pretty much anyone. Except Fergie.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
I've been thinking...
Miracles happen.
Thinking about things you're looking forward to helps to lift your mood.
Prayer is can be a real communication with God.
Laughter releases endorphins.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Life.
I'm gonna be 30 soon.
Well, OK. I'm gonna be 30 in two and a half years. But that's soon.
While getting ready for church on Sunday morning, I stopped and just stared at myself in the mirror for a while, looking at the wrinkles that are beginning to appear, the spots that weren't there before, my hair that has changed so much since high school--no longer thick and full like it was, but kinda straggly and dull--and I kept thinking, "I'm almost 30. When did that happen? How did I get this old so fast?"
I despaired.
I'm getting older, and I'm finally graduating from college. Now what? I thought I'd be married by now, and have kids to take care of and a husband to feed. I have no idea what I'm going to do as far as a job or career goes. I have no prospects staring me in the face. No opportunity has presented itself so that the next step becomes an easy one. I have no clue what to do with my life.
After a while, I literally picked myself up off the floor and looked at myself again. I'm only 27. My wrinkles represent all of the smiling I've done so far in life. The spots mean I've spent some time in the sun. And my hair isn't dull or lifeless when I spend a little time doing something with it. I'm not really old. I'm just getting older. I almost have a BA in English. I can find opportunities to use what I've learned and grow in new ways.
I am intelligent, responsible, strong, creative, happy, and beautiful.
I am a daughter of God.
Well, OK. I'm gonna be 30 in two and a half years. But that's soon.
While getting ready for church on Sunday morning, I stopped and just stared at myself in the mirror for a while, looking at the wrinkles that are beginning to appear, the spots that weren't there before, my hair that has changed so much since high school--no longer thick and full like it was, but kinda straggly and dull--and I kept thinking, "I'm almost 30. When did that happen? How did I get this old so fast?"
I despaired.
I'm getting older, and I'm finally graduating from college. Now what? I thought I'd be married by now, and have kids to take care of and a husband to feed. I have no idea what I'm going to do as far as a job or career goes. I have no prospects staring me in the face. No opportunity has presented itself so that the next step becomes an easy one. I have no clue what to do with my life.
After a while, I literally picked myself up off the floor and looked at myself again. I'm only 27. My wrinkles represent all of the smiling I've done so far in life. The spots mean I've spent some time in the sun. And my hair isn't dull or lifeless when I spend a little time doing something with it. I'm not really old. I'm just getting older. I almost have a BA in English. I can find opportunities to use what I've learned and grow in new ways.
I am intelligent, responsible, strong, creative, happy, and beautiful.
I am a daughter of God.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
I'm completely enamored by the Olympics. I get the warm-fuzzy feeling watching these amazing athletes and hearing some of their inspiring stories. I've actually teared up... Yeah, that's how tender I am, or the Olympics are, or something.
So far, some of my favorite moments:
Ohno taking bronze in the men's short-track 1000m. Man, he sure knows how to pull it out at the very last second!
Vonn taking gold in the women's downhill. She was so elated to win that gold, the tears flowed and flowed and flowed...
Lysacek taking gold in the men's figure skating. Talk about a glorious victory!
White kicking ass, flat-out dominating the men's half-pipe. 'Nuff said.
Miller's first Olympic gold in the men's super combined. Go Bode!
Davis/White taking silver, with Virtue/Moir taking gold in the ice dance. Those were some pretty awesome performances.
Nesbitt taking gold in the women's short-track 1000m. She was awesome.
Not to mention the commercials. I kept giggling over the Old Spice Body Wash commercial. And I groove out when the AT&T commercial comes on, with Ohno and the XX. And the "say 'ah'" morphing into "Ode to Joy" for GE... pretty cleaver.
I watch way too much TV during the Olympics. I need to get out of my apartment!!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Zucchi's portrayal of Bathsheba
Gentileschi's portrayal of Susanna and the Elders
Ruben's portrayal of the judgment of Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena by Paris
Van Balen's portrayal of Potiphar's wife and Joseph
Orpen's The English Nude
Rembrandt's portrayal of Bathsheba
Vecellio's portrayal of Adam and Eve
Beside the fact that they're all nude, do you notice anything in particular about these paintings? These portrayals of the human body, particularly the female body?
"She represents love, beauty, purity, the ideal female and the moon...and she's the mystère of jealousy, vengeance and discord, AND, on the other hand, of love, perpetual help, goodwill, health, beauty and fortune." (Zadie Smith, On Beauty)
"...this is what a woman is: unadorned, after children and work and age, and experience--these are the marks of living." (Zadie Smith, On Beauty)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The YA Novel
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to apologize for reading YA literature. Just so you all know, I will never hold it against you. That's all.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Hall of Wonders
Yesterday, as I walked to class, I saw the following:
2 pairs of purple shoes...on boys
1 pair of SUPER TIGHT skinny white jeans with lots of holes...on a boy
1 pair of knee-high black leather boots (aka "hooker boots")...on a girl
1 pair of red shoes...on a 70-year-old woman
1 ukulele being played by a completely different ukulele man!
3 guys with hair grown past their shoulders (all wavy, of course, rendering me completely jealous)
2 pairs of purple shoes...on boys
1 pair of SUPER TIGHT skinny white jeans with lots of holes...on a boy
1 pair of knee-high black leather boots (aka "hooker boots")...on a girl
1 pair of red shoes...on a 70-year-old woman
1 ukulele being played by a completely different ukulele man!
3 guys with hair grown past their shoulders (all wavy, of course, rendering me completely jealous)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Soft Cell: the Musical
I'm sitting in the Hall of Flags.
I hear the "duh-duh" of David Ball's synthesizer in the intro to "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell.
I look up from my reading to see a tall, skinny boy dressed in tight jeans and a black t-shirt holding his iPhone out to a shorter girl in tight jeans and a gray blouse.
The boy starts bobbing his head along to the song. As Marc Almond's vocals come in singing "Sometimes I feel I've got to run away, I've got to get away from the pain you drive into the heart of me..." the boy begins to sing along, making the girl giggle in delight, though the boy is horribly out of tune. "You're crazy," she says as she laughs and lightly pushes him and his phone away, clearly sending the message that she wants him to come closer.
I smile to myself as my ankle and knee take on a mind of their own, tapping and swinging along to the beat. "Take my tears and that's not nearly all. Tainted Love..."
The girl starts singing, too. My imagination says she's trying to sing over the boy, who is still seriously off. I find myself humming softly, trying to help the boy find the pitch.
Coming from the opposite direction, a guy is taping his soda cup to the beat. "Duh-duh." I thought it was a happy coincidence at first, but he did it again, and he was smiling.
"We're almost a musical," I thought. "Someone should start dancing."
Just then, the tall, skinny boy did a little hop-step to the beat, and starting shaking his hips. "Don't touch me, please. Can't stand the way you tease."
I love sitting in the halls on campus.
I hear the "duh-duh" of David Ball's synthesizer in the intro to "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell.
I look up from my reading to see a tall, skinny boy dressed in tight jeans and a black t-shirt holding his iPhone out to a shorter girl in tight jeans and a gray blouse.
The boy starts bobbing his head along to the song. As Marc Almond's vocals come in singing "Sometimes I feel I've got to run away, I've got to get away from the pain you drive into the heart of me..." the boy begins to sing along, making the girl giggle in delight, though the boy is horribly out of tune. "You're crazy," she says as she laughs and lightly pushes him and his phone away, clearly sending the message that she wants him to come closer.
I smile to myself as my ankle and knee take on a mind of their own, tapping and swinging along to the beat. "Take my tears and that's not nearly all. Tainted Love..."
The girl starts singing, too. My imagination says she's trying to sing over the boy, who is still seriously off. I find myself humming softly, trying to help the boy find the pitch.
Coming from the opposite direction, a guy is taping his soda cup to the beat. "Duh-duh." I thought it was a happy coincidence at first, but he did it again, and he was smiling.
"We're almost a musical," I thought. "Someone should start dancing."
Just then, the tall, skinny boy did a little hop-step to the beat, and starting shaking his hips. "Don't touch me, please. Can't stand the way you tease."
I love sitting in the halls on campus.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Stressed? Me? Never.
As of Saturday, I was doing really well on the stress-level thing. I felt pretty good about life, wasn't letting school stress me out, balancing "fun" time with "work" time and "me" time. And I had a really great friend point out to me that she had expected me to be more stressed out about this semester, but that she thought I was handling everything really well. I thanked her, and felt really good about myself, because that was exactly what I was working on: balance and not letting myself get stressed.
Then I realized this afternoon while sitting in one of my classes that I hadn't finished three assignments, all of which were due today, and I had no break between classes to work on them. Talk about a mini freak out! I skipped one class (Modern English Grammars) in order to finish the other three assignments...
Now I'm sitting in another class, thinking about all of the new assignments I've been given and I'm starting to freak out again. I don't have anymore time to finish all of my homework. All of my time is full of school and work already! When am I going to read an entire novel in the middle of the week and get all of my other assignments done as well? When am I going to revise and perfect my pretty much already finished paper for my Senior Portfolio? And on top of that, when am I going to read my scriptures and go to the temple?
It's all about priorities. After my mini freak out this afternoon, and after contemplating all of the work I have to do this week and over the weekend, and getting a little bit short of breath just thinking about it, I decided something: school is important, and I need to do my best, but I don't need to kill myself or get super stressed out about it. I'll finish in April, whether or not I get straight A's. I'll get my degree and that's all that matters. When I look back on my last semester of university, I wanna remember all of the good things I did, all that I accomplished, and the fun I had along the way. I don't wanna remember stress and anxiety.
This is a boring post. I apologize if you got bored reading this (though I'm impressed that you took the time to read it at all). And, if you care at all, I ask that you help me remember to not stress out!
Then I realized this afternoon while sitting in one of my classes that I hadn't finished three assignments, all of which were due today, and I had no break between classes to work on them. Talk about a mini freak out! I skipped one class (Modern English Grammars) in order to finish the other three assignments...
Now I'm sitting in another class, thinking about all of the new assignments I've been given and I'm starting to freak out again. I don't have anymore time to finish all of my homework. All of my time is full of school and work already! When am I going to read an entire novel in the middle of the week and get all of my other assignments done as well? When am I going to revise and perfect my pretty much already finished paper for my Senior Portfolio? And on top of that, when am I going to read my scriptures and go to the temple?
It's all about priorities. After my mini freak out this afternoon, and after contemplating all of the work I have to do this week and over the weekend, and getting a little bit short of breath just thinking about it, I decided something: school is important, and I need to do my best, but I don't need to kill myself or get super stressed out about it. I'll finish in April, whether or not I get straight A's. I'll get my degree and that's all that matters. When I look back on my last semester of university, I wanna remember all of the good things I did, all that I accomplished, and the fun I had along the way. I don't wanna remember stress and anxiety.
This is a boring post. I apologize if you got bored reading this (though I'm impressed that you took the time to read it at all). And, if you care at all, I ask that you help me remember to not stress out!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
I got an A in every class this semester. Don't ask me how I did it. I have no clue. I'm especially confused because I spent more time playing and procrastinating this semester than I ever have before. And I've never gotten straight A's in college. Can you tell I'm pretty freakin' proud of myself? Cuz I am. And I'm grateful for merciful teachers and the bell curve--and so I should be grateful for other lazy students, since they helped keep the curve down, right?
I'm also very happy and grateful that my family will be together for Christmas this year. Yay for happy things.
Merry Christmas!!
I'm also very happy and grateful that my family will be together for Christmas this year. Yay for happy things.
Merry Christmas!!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
More Musings...
I know I'm not the only person in the world who has ever fallen in love with a fictional character. In fact, I admit to being in love with many, many, many fictional characters. Recently I've fallen for Jackson Brodie. Even though he's old enough to be my father.
I also know I'm not the only person in the world who sings along to "...Baby One More Time." In fact, I admit to singing along to "Bye Bye Bye," "You Got It (the Right Stuff)," "Gangsta's Paradise," "Nookie," and "I Wanna Know What Love Is."
I can't possibly be the only person who tears up during the songs while watching The Sound of Music. For that matter, I defy anyone to watch Fiddler on the Roof and not feel that teary feeling, even if the tears don't actually fall. Man, I watch almost any movie and find something to feel teary about, from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to Lars and the Real Girl to Labyrinth and everything in between.
And I know I'm not the only one who watches the four or five hours of NCIS reruns on USA Wednesday nights. Or catches up on Lost on Hulu. Or never misses an episode of Heroes on NBC. Or keeps Law and Order playing as background noise almost any day of the week.
Mostly, I want to know if I'm the only one who feels lonely enough to keep some kind of media playing at all times while at home, unless reading. Otherwise the apartment is full of silence which only serves to remind me that I'm all by myself.
I also know I'm not the only person in the world who sings along to "...Baby One More Time." In fact, I admit to singing along to "Bye Bye Bye," "You Got It (the Right Stuff)," "Gangsta's Paradise," "Nookie," and "I Wanna Know What Love Is."
I can't possibly be the only person who tears up during the songs while watching The Sound of Music. For that matter, I defy anyone to watch Fiddler on the Roof and not feel that teary feeling, even if the tears don't actually fall. Man, I watch almost any movie and find something to feel teary about, from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to Lars and the Real Girl to Labyrinth and everything in between.
And I know I'm not the only one who watches the four or five hours of NCIS reruns on USA Wednesday nights. Or catches up on Lost on Hulu. Or never misses an episode of Heroes on NBC. Or keeps Law and Order playing as background noise almost any day of the week.
Mostly, I want to know if I'm the only one who feels lonely enough to keep some kind of media playing at all times while at home, unless reading. Otherwise the apartment is full of silence which only serves to remind me that I'm all by myself.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Life's Little Pleasures
There's this guy who walks the halls on campus smiling, and playing his ukulele. He's most definitely on his way to and from classes, since he's carrying his backpack. He looks around him as he walks and plays. Last Thursday I heard him approaching and had to smile to myself. A fellow student also heard the approach and turned to face the Ukulele Man. He said something about the Ukulele Man and his banjo. The Ukulele Man stopped and turned.
'A banjo is like a drum with a neck and strings that you pluck, but don't really strum. It's bigger and sounds different.'
'Well, what's that, then?'
'This, my friend, is a ukulele.'
He turned back the way he was walking before and continued on his way, smiling.
I just saw the Ukulele Man again, Tuesday early evening. He was smiling again, and playing a gentle rhythm, the notes smoothly flowing into one another, "do do do, do do do d-do..." I can still hear it. And I'm still smiling.
'A banjo is like a drum with a neck and strings that you pluck, but don't really strum. It's bigger and sounds different.'
'Well, what's that, then?'
'This, my friend, is a ukulele.'
He turned back the way he was walking before and continued on his way, smiling.
I just saw the Ukulele Man again, Tuesday early evening. He was smiling again, and playing a gentle rhythm, the notes smoothly flowing into one another, "do do do, do do do d-do..." I can still hear it. And I'm still smiling.
Monday, August 17, 2009
So, there are exactly nine days until school starts up again. How excited am I? Not very, to be honest. Though I'm also not as down-hearted about it this semester. I think the fact that this is my second to last semester has something to do with my not-so-sad-about-the-end-of-summer feelings.
But first, a recap of the past few weeks!
The Chinn family reunion was quite fun. It's always amazing to me that our entire family can get together without too much drama. Of course, there are little spats and some sore feelings, but all-in-all we get along pretty stinkin' well. Each family was assigned a holiday to use in decorating their meal table. The Heywood's got Halloween. As part of our decore we hung up a stuffed man with quite a hideous face--a mask, of course. Well, on the last day we were all there, Uncle Matt put on the stuffed man's clothes and his ugly mask and proceeded to scare the living daylights out of quite a few family members. 
Me excluded, of course. I'm just too smart to fall for something like that. Besides, I had heard the screams from the tent about fifty yards away. Still, pretty darn funny. We had a ducky derby, which was kinda fun. We floated rubber duckies down the little stream just outside our campsite. And the Aunts put on a little show--lip-syncing and dancing to "Take a Chance" by Abba. Pictured is our t-shirt. 55 points to whoever can pick out all 55 names on the CHINN family tree--good luck!
The Heywood family reunion was fun as well. Marie, Jana, and I missed the camping and beach stuff, but we got there in time for the swim party at Aunt Becky's, and we were there for church in the Wasco Ward (which is still weird to say, since it was the Wasco Branch my whole life until just earlier this year). We had a lunch and talent show after church (Tyler and Jana performed "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once), and just enjoyed each other. 
This picture is of those of us who were able to be there. There are 32 people in this picture, and 25 are missing. Yes, that means this is just over half the family. We're quite a group, right?
While in California, Jana and I, along with Kelly (aka Kel-Kel--What do you get when you put Jana and Kelly together? A Kana Jelly. haha, get it?) were able to go play at Knott's Berry Farm. Note: go in the afternoon. I know that sounds nuts, but seriously, the crowds thinned out and the sun was going down and it was much more enjoyable later in the day!
They have a new ride called the Pony Express. Oh, man, that was the best. It's like a kiddy ride at the zoo; it just goes around this little circle with not much of a climb or drop and no loops, but here's the kicker: you ride a horse! Like a carousel horse. That alone made me giggle like a school-girl. Well, OK, let's be honest. It made me giggle like I always do. But then the back (the black thing behind me in the picture) comes up and presses you into the "riding" position and doesn't let you sit back up until the "ride comes to a complete stop." That made me laugh flat-out.
There were other highlights, but I think I'm boring my reader... Well, I would be if there is anyone even reading this. So, I'll just wind up with this: a trial in modeling with Jacob. Hunter got this soul-patch stick-on from a vending machine in the dollar-movie theater. It got itchy (and Hunter got bored) so he put it on Jacob. I told him to make a face. This is what I got: Angry Face, Worried Face, Pensive Face, Sad Face, and Happy Face. Go ahead and try to tell me that this isn't the cutest kid in the world. His only competitors are his older brother and sister. Equally cute and sweet. I love these three kids to death. I love being an aunt.
Some movies for your consideration: (500) Days of Summer (if you were one of the little girls who thought little Joseph Gordon-Levitt was cute back then--in the days of Angels in the Outfield--you're gonna be one of the big girls who thinks he's hot now), I'm Reed Fish (from 2006--I missed it when it came out, but was recently exposed and really liked it), and Julie and Julia (want a clean, girly movie--you know, a cute story about a girl minus sex and stupid men?--then go see this one).
And I'm done. For now...
But first, a recap of the past few weeks!
The Chinn family reunion was quite fun. It's always amazing to me that our entire family can get together without too much drama. Of course, there are little spats and some sore feelings, but all-in-all we get along pretty stinkin' well. Each family was assigned a holiday to use in decorating their meal table. The Heywood's got Halloween. As part of our decore we hung up a stuffed man with quite a hideous face--a mask, of course. Well, on the last day we were all there, Uncle Matt put on the stuffed man's clothes and his ugly mask and proceeded to scare the living daylights out of quite a few family members. 
Me excluded, of course. I'm just too smart to fall for something like that. Besides, I had heard the screams from the tent about fifty yards away. Still, pretty darn funny. We had a ducky derby, which was kinda fun. We floated rubber duckies down the little stream just outside our campsite. And the Aunts put on a little show--lip-syncing and dancing to "Take a Chance" by Abba. Pictured is our t-shirt. 55 points to whoever can pick out all 55 names on the CHINN family tree--good luck!
The Heywood family reunion was fun as well. Marie, Jana, and I missed the camping and beach stuff, but we got there in time for the swim party at Aunt Becky's, and we were there for church in the Wasco Ward (which is still weird to say, since it was the Wasco Branch my whole life until just earlier this year). We had a lunch and talent show after church (Tyler and Jana performed "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once), and just enjoyed each other. 
This picture is of those of us who were able to be there. There are 32 people in this picture, and 25 are missing. Yes, that means this is just over half the family. We're quite a group, right?While in California, Jana and I, along with Kelly (aka Kel-Kel--What do you get when you put Jana and Kelly together? A Kana Jelly. haha, get it?) were able to go play at Knott's Berry Farm. Note: go in the afternoon. I know that sounds nuts, but seriously, the crowds thinned out and the sun was going down and it was much more enjoyable later in the day!
They have a new ride called the Pony Express. Oh, man, that was the best. It's like a kiddy ride at the zoo; it just goes around this little circle with not much of a climb or drop and no loops, but here's the kicker: you ride a horse! Like a carousel horse. That alone made me giggle like a school-girl. Well, OK, let's be honest. It made me giggle like I always do. But then the back (the black thing behind me in the picture) comes up and presses you into the "riding" position and doesn't let you sit back up until the "ride comes to a complete stop." That made me laugh flat-out.
There were other highlights, but I think I'm boring my reader... Well, I would be if there is anyone even reading this. So, I'll just wind up with this: a trial in modeling with Jacob. Hunter got this soul-patch stick-on from a vending machine in the dollar-movie theater. It got itchy (and Hunter got bored) so he put it on Jacob. I told him to make a face. This is what I got: Angry Face, Worried Face, Pensive Face, Sad Face, and Happy Face. Go ahead and try to tell me that this isn't the cutest kid in the world. His only competitors are his older brother and sister. Equally cute and sweet. I love these three kids to death. I love being an aunt.Some movies for your consideration: (500) Days of Summer (if you were one of the little girls who thought little Joseph Gordon-Levitt was cute back then--in the days of Angels in the Outfield--you're gonna be one of the big girls who thinks he's hot now), I'm Reed Fish (from 2006--I missed it when it came out, but was recently exposed and really liked it), and Julie and Julia (want a clean, girly movie--you know, a cute story about a girl minus sex and stupid men?--then go see this one).
And I'm done. For now...
Monday, July 27, 2009
Argh!
This is my new favorite thing to type when I'm feeling particularly yucky. I'm determined to make myself feel better, to force myself into a good mood. I've been very ornery lately. My apologies to those who unknowingly fell into my war path.
I don't care what people are saying, I loved Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Was it off a bit? Yes. Of course. What do you expect? Taking an insanely long book and trying to put it into two and half hours, you're bound to miss out on some stuff. Get over it.
My Forks trip got moved to October. But I'm really OK with that. I mean, what's the best time to see Forks as it's meant to be seen, completely wet and green? The fall, of course. I'm very excited.
I watched an OLD Hanson video yesterday (at Jana's request, believe it or not) and about died laughing. I can't wait to see 'em in concert again. Yay.
This is going to be the longest five days of my life. I cannot wait to go home. I'm so homesick, it isn't even funny. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's why I've been so crabby of late. I just really miss my parents and my brothers, and I can't wait to go home. Sunny, hot, muggy San Joaquin Valley, good ol' Kern County, and the sleepy town of Wasco.
I don't care what people are saying, I loved Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Was it off a bit? Yes. Of course. What do you expect? Taking an insanely long book and trying to put it into two and half hours, you're bound to miss out on some stuff. Get over it.
My Forks trip got moved to October. But I'm really OK with that. I mean, what's the best time to see Forks as it's meant to be seen, completely wet and green? The fall, of course. I'm very excited.
I watched an OLD Hanson video yesterday (at Jana's request, believe it or not) and about died laughing. I can't wait to see 'em in concert again. Yay.
This is going to be the longest five days of my life. I cannot wait to go home. I'm so homesick, it isn't even funny. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's why I've been so crabby of late. I just really miss my parents and my brothers, and I can't wait to go home. Sunny, hot, muggy San Joaquin Valley, good ol' Kern County, and the sleepy town of Wasco.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Oh, the joys of life!
Seriously. I am in love with my life this week. And the rest of the month, really, and on into August. And September. Let me explain.
This Friday, I will be making a t-shirt. Well, not really making a t-shirt. I'll be decorating a t-shirt with an iron-on of something fun, maybe even witty. And I'll be spending that afternoon/evening with some of my favorite people in the world. And that's just the beginning!
Tuesday night (or, technically, Wednesday morning), I will attend a midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, wearing said t-shirt. (I'm leaning toward a "Weasley is Our King" logo.) Oh, boy! And that event will be made even more enjoyable by my friends and family. Heather and Hunter, Jana, Julia, Ashley and Doxey, and a handful of Jana's friends/roommates. I'm very excited.
Then on Thursday evening, Ashley and I are going to see Incubus! This will be my second Incubus concert, and Ashley's first. I'm very happy about this. I really like Incubus, and I'm still secretly in love wiht Brandon Boyd, and so I'm very much looking forward to seeing/hearing them in concert again. And what makes it even cooler is that we got our tickets for about half the regular price, and we got good seats. SEATS! At the USANA! Yay! No grass for us, baby. Nope, we get to sit!
On Friday I get to go down to join the Chinn family at Maple Grove Campground the "THE BEST DARN NEW YEAR’S, VALENTINE’S, EASTER, 4TH-24TH, HALLOWEEN, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS DAY EVER!!!!" Well, at least that's what we're calling our Family Reunion this year. It's going to be completely overdone and hectic, but absolutely wonderful and fun. Plus, my parents and brothers will be there, and I'm so stinking excited to see them! I miss my momma's hugs and daddy's kisses. Can't wait.
Then it's back to life, working on campus and going home to read the afternoon and evening away. I love that part, too. Work isn't too complicated and I have some pretty great co-workers and supervisors. And to spend the afternoon with a good book is like spending time with friends. I'll do some exercising and eating and cleaning and regular "life" stuff, too. And then I get to say "farewell" to Taylor, the son of the owners of the pizza place my sisters and I spent time working at. He's going on his mission to Argentina, and his farewell is that Sunday. And then some more of the regular life that next week...
Until the afternoon of Friday, July 31st, when Marie, Jana, and I will be heading home. California, here we come! We'll be there for the Heywood Family Reunion (which doesn't have a theme, but will be equally fun). After the reunion, Marie and David will fly to Guatemala for a week, while Jana and I spend time chillin' at home, going to the beach, hitting Six Flags, and all that fun stuff you get to do while vacationing at home: sleep, eat, read, watch movies, and don't feel guilty about it at all.
Then back to life and the real world for a while. Until Labor Day weekend, when Julia and I are going on a road trip to Washington state. Yep. Forks. (Shut up! I hear you snickering... you're just jealous cuz we'll get to see the forest and the beach and you won't!) I'm looking forward to the road trip. As long as you have good company and good music, any road trip is at least bearable if not enjoyable.
And then the end of September, in which we'll have a new member of our Heywood family. Our little David will marry the little Britney! And they will be David and Britney Heywood. And I'll have a sister-in-law. She's very sweet, very cute, and very much in love with my brother.
And because they're getting married in L.A. and the reception will be in Bakersfield, I get to go home again! And since I'll be home and they're going to be playing at the Kern County Fair that following Monday, I'm going to see Hanson in concert. For the second time. In eleven years. haha And they're probably going to play "MMMBop" and I will be happy.
I'm so excited for the next two months of my life. Seriously. And I'm sure I'll be posting updates on the blog... which no one reads... But since this is more for me than anyone else, I don't really mind. Yay for on-line journaling. Journaling. Yes, I just made it a verb.
This Friday, I will be making a t-shirt. Well, not really making a t-shirt. I'll be decorating a t-shirt with an iron-on of something fun, maybe even witty. And I'll be spending that afternoon/evening with some of my favorite people in the world. And that's just the beginning!
Tuesday night (or, technically, Wednesday morning), I will attend a midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, wearing said t-shirt. (I'm leaning toward a "Weasley is Our King" logo.) Oh, boy! And that event will be made even more enjoyable by my friends and family. Heather and Hunter, Jana, Julia, Ashley and Doxey, and a handful of Jana's friends/roommates. I'm very excited.Then on Thursday evening, Ashley and I are going to see Incubus! This will be my second Incubus concert, and Ashley's first. I'm very happy about this. I really like Incubus, and I'm still secretly in love wiht Brandon Boyd, and so I'm very much looking forward to seeing/hearing them in concert again. And what makes it even cooler is that we got our tickets for about half the regular price, and we got good seats. SEATS! At the USANA! Yay! No grass for us, baby. Nope, we get to sit!
On Friday I get to go down to join the Chinn family at Maple Grove Campground the "THE BEST DARN NEW YEAR’S, VALENTINE’S, EASTER, 4TH-24TH, HALLOWEEN, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS DAY EVER!!!!" Well, at least that's what we're calling our Family Reunion this year. It's going to be completely overdone and hectic, but absolutely wonderful and fun. Plus, my parents and brothers will be there, and I'm so stinking excited to see them! I miss my momma's hugs and daddy's kisses. Can't wait.
Then it's back to life, working on campus and going home to read the afternoon and evening away. I love that part, too. Work isn't too complicated and I have some pretty great co-workers and supervisors. And to spend the afternoon with a good book is like spending time with friends. I'll do some exercising and eating and cleaning and regular "life" stuff, too. And then I get to say "farewell" to Taylor, the son of the owners of the pizza place my sisters and I spent time working at. He's going on his mission to Argentina, and his farewell is that Sunday. And then some more of the regular life that next week...
Until the afternoon of Friday, July 31st, when Marie, Jana, and I will be heading home. California, here we come! We'll be there for the Heywood Family Reunion (which doesn't have a theme, but will be equally fun). After the reunion, Marie and David will fly to Guatemala for a week, while Jana and I spend time chillin' at home, going to the beach, hitting Six Flags, and all that fun stuff you get to do while vacationing at home: sleep, eat, read, watch movies, and don't feel guilty about it at all.
Then back to life and the real world for a while. Until Labor Day weekend, when Julia and I are going on a road trip to Washington state. Yep. Forks. (Shut up! I hear you snickering... you're just jealous cuz we'll get to see the forest and the beach and you won't!) I'm looking forward to the road trip. As long as you have good company and good music, any road trip is at least bearable if not enjoyable.And then the end of September, in which we'll have a new member of our Heywood family. Our little David will marry the little Britney! And they will be David and Britney Heywood. And I'll have a sister-in-law. She's very sweet, very cute, and very much in love with my brother.
And because they're getting married in L.A. and the reception will be in Bakersfield, I get to go home again! And since I'll be home and they're going to be playing at the Kern County Fair that following Monday, I'm going to see Hanson in concert. For the second time. In eleven years. haha And they're probably going to play "MMMBop" and I will be happy.I'm so excited for the next two months of my life. Seriously. And I'm sure I'll be posting updates on the blog... which no one reads... But since this is more for me than anyone else, I don't really mind. Yay for on-line journaling. Journaling. Yes, I just made it a verb.