year in review

This is here thanks to my seeing it on Erin's LJ - I added in the titles of the entries (because some of them didn't make sense without them) and otherwise played around a bit with the "rules"; hope you don't mind! Hehe.

Go to your calendar and find the first entry for each month of 2005 (not counting memes). Post the first line of it in your jounal, and that's your "Year in Review".

January: i'm very disappointed...

...in Kraft Foods. I just finished reading Culture Jam (Kalle Lasn, of Adbusters) the other day, did a little research, and found out that Philip Morris, a leading cigarette company, owns all of these foods.

February: about the biggest pair you ever seen, dingleberry!

Just wanted to say how much I think Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes rocked up at UConn yesterday night...well, I guess technically they talked into this morning, but you know.

March: good, i'm female

I know I've been getting girlier & girlier as time goes on (who doesn't know about my sordid love story with the color pink??) but I guess this just confirms it (thanks, Jess, since I found this on your MySpace site...) :

Your Brain is 73.33% Female, 26.67% Male

April: i'm sorry

I know I've been absolutely terrible about updating this. I'm going to try to be MUCH better.

May: staymakers

For your information, a staymaker is a corset maker. I had no idea!

June: whoah

Ack! I think I've got a lot of catching up to do!

July: "can you help me unravel my latest mistake..."

Gah. I've got that song in my head, and I've no idea what it even is!

August: what a girl wants

I was driving home at 3am last night (ugh don't ask...well, ok, me Dan & Kyle were at an Evil Robot Us' & etc. show in New London) and I came across this broadcast of what sounded like a talk radio show out of Boston (no idea how I was getting the signal all the way down here, although it was kinda fuzzy most of the time).

September: we're here!

Yay, we made it safe & sound to Boston! As did all (well, most) of our stuff.

October: it's like TKO, but different

The Boston Knit Out happened yesterday, and set-up went well.

November: the princess project

I just emailed this to most of the women I know, but I figured it couldn't hurt to also post it on my website:

December: catching up

To be honest, I'm surprised I'm even writing this - I thought for sure I'd be knocked out by a fever this morning.

I think it sums things up pretty well, since most of them talk about how I've been delinquent in posting...heehee. But I like that it mentions some of the fun things I've done, some of the things I've learned, and of course the most important (our move to Boston). I hope next year is just as good! xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Language Instinct AUTHOR: Steven Pinker

oh, the scandal!

I don't know where I found this (it's definitely not my own work), but I love it:

Hope everyone has a happy New Year's! I will try to write more soon, but you know how the holidays are... xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Language Instinct AUTHOR: Steven Pinker

she said howdy; i said hi

Last weekend was nice, overall...on Friday evening, I got a ride back to CT with Kevin, Bethany, and Ashu around 8. Unfortunately, this was in lieu of a party that was going on that evening, but since Kevin was driving, I didn't feel any authority to call the shots. It was okay, anyway - the ride back to my parents' house was fun, as Ashu, Bethany, and I talked nonstop (according to Kevin, haha). I also finished up a scarf out of some beautiful blue yarn that a picture won't do justice to - but here is one, anyway:

Saturday morning, we all bundled up and headed over to my grandfather's nursing home, where there was a lovely service. I sat with my mother and we cried, but it was a nice way to say goodbye. A lot of family showed up that I wasn't expecting to see, and ditto for some family friends. Afterward, we all went to Bertucci's for an early lunch; it was grandpa's favorite place to go eat, and we had been there many times with him over the past several years. I thought it was a fitting goodbye; I know he was there with us, in some way. And that he wanted us all to be happy and celebrate his memory instead of crying over him.

The rest of the day was spent just doing family stuff; we went back to my parents' house and played some games and decorated the Christmas tree (I can't believe how fast the holidays are approaching!). That evening, I caught the bus back to Boston, and arrived home around midnight. Dan met me at the station, and on our way home we decided to do our gift exchange that night - after all, we wouldn't get to celebrate Christmas itself together! So, why wait? :)

I enjoyed giving Dan his gifts (I hope he liked them!), and he gave me some wonderful ones in return. Highlights were Pink Sugar (lotion & eau de toilette, yum), a pink & camo handbag, and a Simpsons DVD. Oh, and wonderful star strung lights! Perfect for me. :)

The next morning, we arose bright & early (well, kind of...) to catch a bus (yes, another bus! augh) into NYC for the day. (We had been planning on spending a weekend there, but since the memorial service ended up falling on Saturday, we decided just a day would be fun, too.) During the ride, they showed Matchstick Men, which was an all right movie - Dan knew the ending right away, but I have to say I was surprised by it. Anyway, we arrived in the city and struck out on the mean streets, not really certain where to go...neither of us knows the city all that well. Fortunately, thanks to several NYC trips under our belt, we knew how to get to 5th Ave. and so we wandered around there, making sure to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, of course! We ate at a place called My Most Favorite Dessert Company, which had fantastic dinner food...but not fantastic desserts, surprisingly. Ah, well. You can't win 'em all. :)

We got home late on Sunday & collapsed into bed, but it was a lovely weekend, all in all. I always enjoy seeing my family, even though the circumstances weren't what we would have wanted... I'll be back in CT again next weekend, probably from Friday night through Tuesday sometime, as I have a work holiday party to attend on Tuesday.

Happy Holidays, everyone!! xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Language Instinct AUTHOR: Steven Pinker
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.
Recently Read:	TITLE: Cosmopolitan Girls AUTHOR: Charlotte Burley & Lyah Beth Leflore

...

I can't sleep. We got back from seeing King Kong at the Loews on the Common, and all I really have to say about that is Well done, Mr. Jackson. Fantastic movie - very gripping. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Cinematography was great, editing well done, acting very good, script too. I don't remember the original very well, but I definitely think it's getting a run for its money. (I hope it wasn't sacrelige to say that...)

In other, much more important news, I just found out that a girl I went to Vassar with passed away in a bus accident on her way down to New Orleans this past week. I was shocked & saddened to hear this - I knew her only in passing at school; we often ran in the same circle of friends (mostly the Patrol group), and she was always very nice, and way too cool for me. Not that she ever acted like she was - I just thought that of her. She had a great sense of style, and I remember thinking that she was well-liked, and had a lot of friends. From what I read of the article about her, it sounded like she has been a big activist in many things these past few years since graduation. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing her at the graduation I attended in May.

And, all that being said, unfortunately that's the most I knew of her. I wish I had gotten a chance to know her better. But I guess that's always the way: you never get to know people well enough before they're gone for good. By the time you realize it was someone worthwhile, often it's too late. When I think of that, I'm so grateful I got to spend time with my grandfather before he passed away. His memorial service is this weekend, and I intend to pray for both him and Megan. May they both rest in peace, knowing they brought some true good into this world.

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: Just A Geek AUTHOR: Wil Wheaton
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

cherry-flavored pez

I am not a Trekkie. In fact, I think in my entire life, I might have watched a single episode of Star Trek, and I don't even think I saw the whole thing. I have never seen Wesley Crusher in action. Then why, you might ask, am I reading Wil Wheaton's book Just A Geek? Well, partly because, growing up in the 80s, I alternated between huge crushes on Wil and River Phoenix after declaring Stand By Me my all-time favorite movie. Partly because I, too, am a geek - and I find it interesting to see what Wil has to say about computers & programming & the like. And partly because I just am interested in what he has to say, period. He always seemed like a likeable guy; I'm finding out from his writing that he seems like an intelligent, witty, entertaining guy, too. I don't know what exactly impelled me to locate the book at the library; I think my interest was sparked last year some time, when Dan told me that Wil Wheaton had stopped by his website (stargeek.com - where he was writing articles on PHP at the time). I remember saying "no way! that's awesome", and then wondering what he's been up to recently, particularly if he's a computer geek like both of us! So I looked up his website (wilwheaton.net), and I would assume that's where I first saw his book. And I'm glad I added it to my (long) list of to-reads, because I am thoroughly enjoying it so far - even though every single Star Trek reference (except for those common-knowledge ones) is flying right over my head. But, the funny thing is, that doesn't seem to matter. I still laugh at all the jokes and understand what Wil is talking about. (I was tempted to call him Mr. Wheaton right there, but he just doesn't seem the type who would want me to do that.) Wil seems like such a down-to-earth, normal guy - which I guess is true of most famous people (at least especially before they make millions and can afford things, like, say, personal sonogram machines or private nativities for their babies - when you're rich, it's "eccentric", not "certifiably insane"), but I mean, still. It sounds like Wil was never the type of guy to let things get to his head - or, I should say, he definitely appreciates praise, but can also be terribly upset over the smallest criticism - just like the rest of us. And I love that he is geeky enough to teach himself how to create his own website, from the ground up - instead of just hiring someone else to do it for him! (Yes, I realize I'm using blogging software. So websites aren't my thing. I'm more of a program-programmer, heh.) Anyway, I am only about 50 pages into the book, so I don't have a ton to say about it yet, but I just wanted to note that, already, I'd recommend it - especially to geeks (Star Trek ones, particularly!), but really to anyone. It's a lot of fun, so far. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours, be they acting or writing.

Especially because I still harbor that lingering crush on Gordie. xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: Just A Geek AUTHOR: Wil Wheaton
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

weekend

I'll catch up quick, since there's not a ton to say about last weekend. It was fun, and busy, so don't get me wrong - it wasn't bad! Just, I dunno, basic.

Friday night, despite the snowstorm conditions, we met up with a couple of Dan's friends and went out to eat at Billy Tse's on the waterfront (in the North End). The food (Dan & I had crab rangoon appetizers, and then maki & sashimi for meals) was pretty damn delicious. I was especially in the mood for maki, since it had been ages since I'd had any! Yum.

Then the 4 of us headed over to Improv Asylum, which I've always wanted to go to while I lived in the North End (last time and this time)! So I finally got to go, and it was a good time. I definitely have seen better - what with the amazing Improv group at Vassar, I have to say I was a bit spoiled for any others - but it was funny and entertaining, which was all we really were asking for.

Saturday morning, we got up to meet our friend Jess for breakfast at Theo's (yum again - I had an omelette with veggies and cream cheese, which they never fail to do awesomely there), and then Dan & I hung out a bit at home for a few hours. Around mid-afternoon, we bundled up to go out to the Punk Rock Flea Market at MassArt, which was pretty neat, but really crowded and full of hipsters. Ah, well. There were some cool crafts, although we got there too late to get most of them - Dan left with 2 cool t-shirts, but the one that he really wanted at first, he'll have to wait for a reprint of. Oh, well - teaches us to be late for events like that!

Saturday night, really late (like 11pm, I think), we decided to go see Aeon Flux at the Loews on the Common. The movie was pretty good, considering all the dismal reviews of it! I had never really gotten into the TV show all that well (probably because it was a fantastical cartoon), but the movie was very easy to follow despite that I didn't know a whit about the back story. And Charlize Theron is beautiful.

Other events from that night (JB's party that I had kind of been looking forward to for months, since I haven't seen him since September - sad! - and an afternoon party I was supposed to attend with my sister) were unfortunately cancelled, but it was still a pretty full day.

Sunday, we met up (after wandering around, uncertain of our direction for a bit following a disabled train one stop before the one we wanted to get off of) with Sarah (sister), Liam (her fiance), Bethany (sister), and Sarah C. (her art-ner-in-crime , heh) at a cafe in the South End. As there was no room, Dan & I decided to eat next door at Perdix, where we ended up having a fabulous lunch of quail & lobster, whew. Delicious. I highly recommend the place.

Then we headed across the street to the Cyclorama, where this year's Bazaar Bizarre was taking place - Bethany & Sarah C. (they have a clothing company called Ink in the Sink) had a booth there this year, so we (me, Dan, Sarah, & Liam) were walking around as advertisements for a while (wearing shirts they had made) as we did a bit of Christmas shopping. I got a couple of presents for others & one for myself (a craft book). Around mid-afternoon, Dan & I said our goodbyes and headed back home, where we ended up spending the rest of the day. I did a bit of knitting in front of a movie and some old Daria episodes (yay), and managed to finish off a bag I am knitting for a friend, and get significantly through some washcloths I am making! Cool.

All right, I know I said that would be short, so I'm gonna get going for now - that's it. Ciao until later! xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: Just A Geek AUTHOR: Wil Wheaton
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

monkeys!

I just came across the cutest monkey picture...I don't even remember where. But boy, do I love those pygmy marmosets!!

acid burn

Last night I had a dream that I got...well, rather intimate, with Angelina Jolie. Okay, I think it was just kisses. Still - not bad, not bad...haha.

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: Shopgirl AUTHOR: Steve Martin
	TITLE: Angels In America (Part One: Millenium Approaches) AUTHOR: Tony Kushner
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

catching up #3

So, yesterday I dropped over $300 on three cavity fillings, all in one pop. I've never had a cavity before in my life. I guess that's what not going to the dentist for a couple of years (because I haven't had dental insurance since 2003) will do to ya. And apparently it's not over yet. Ugh.

Anyway, yesterday I also raced to finish knitting the scarf & hat set that I agreed to do for a soup kitchen in Providence - they are having their holiday party on the 10th, and I had agreed to knit some things to be included in a gift for an older woman. Here's how they turned out (hey, I had to try them on!):

I hope she likes them all right! I tried to find a pretty-but-neutral color, and a nice pattern. I'm crossing my fingers it's a success, although I probably will never know...

Anyway, I still have a mad amount of catching up to do! So, let's see...where was I? I guess we can start with last Friday, when I had to get up at 5am in order to be showered and at the bus station in time to catch an early bus back to Hartford. Why would I do something crazy like this, especially when I had just been back to see my parents for Thanksgiving? Well, see, here's the thing: a couple of days before Thanksgiving, I had been to the dermatologist to get a certain patch of potentially malignant skin removed from my back. As I was on the table and they were sewing me up, the doctor informs me she'll see me again in 10-12 days. I say "you'll WHAT?!" NO ONE told me of this requirement. (No one told me of anything else, either, like that I couldn't shower for 48 hours post-op!) They know that I'm from out of town. The receptionist really could have informed me of this rather vital tidbit of information. (And don't even get me started on the reception there, which already has misscheduled and had to reschedule me once prior to this...) In any case, to make a long story short, I frantically called around Boston to try to find a place that could remove subcuticular (beneath the skin) stitches, and when all else failed, I rearranged my entire schedule/weekend plan so that I could come back for day #9 (unfortunately #10 and #11 were over the weekend, when the office is closed!!) for suture removal. Whew.

So, anyway. I took the bus home, was picked up by my ever-helpful father, and after a few stops (one being to my grandfather's nursing home, to pick up all of his belongings, which was terribly difficult), I made the appointment, the stitches were removed, and SteriStrips put in their place, with no further incident. But, I don't plan on seeing that doctor ever again. Which is unfortunate, because it's not her that's the problem, it's her damn reception area. (Who, by the way, are all terribly pleasant ladies - it's just that someone there doesn't know how to do their job!) Oh, well. Hopefully I won't have much need for dermatology in the future, in general....

Anyway, that done, I picked up my mom's car and drove down to Woodbury to spend the afternoon at the office. That went well, and I managed to make it back home and pick my mother up from work without incident; we met up with my father and all went out to Panera for a quick dinner.

Friday night, I got to go over Sarah's house and hang out, which was awesome. We always have such crazy, long, nonstop conversations, it's great. And I love hanging out with my friends & not having to spend a single dime, while still feeling like I have had a great time. Yay. <3 Anyway, we managed to get addicted to Soduku and then force ourselves to abandon it, haha. But mostly we just sat & talked & I had a blast. Wonderful, stimulating conversation. What could be better?

Saturday, I spent most of the day racing to finish reading Wicked so I wouldn't have to cart that big tome back home with me on the bus, and, despite a pleasant interlude when Sarah & Liam stopped by with some Chinese for lunch (yum, Green Tea!), I was successful! Hurrah!

Around 7:45, I had to pick Dan up from Union Station, and we drove around Hartford for a few minutes being lost (I know, how was that possible??) before managing to actually locate the Bushnell (good thing we all know it's right next to the huge capital building...heh) and park. We were going to see my friend Jen (and the rest of the Hartford Chorale + the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, hehe) perform Handel's Messiah, which was fantastic. I especially loved when they sang the Hallelujah chorus at the end, because that brought high school chorus memories crashing back...I was surprised to realize I remembered every single word of that song, and the timing! Neat.

Following the show, I got to see (and congratulate) Jen briefly & give her a couple of roses I had picked up, and then Dan & I drove back to Farmington, chatted briefly with my parents, and then got driven back into Hartford in order to make the 12:30am train. Yes, I know, incredibly complicated plans, but I am so glad it worked out. My parents are the best - I don't know what I would do without them! Always coming to my aid. :)

It was a good, if exhausting time in CT. I always like to be there, even when I am itching to be back in Boston, at the same time.

Sunday (I'll make this quick), I rushed around making cucumber finger sandwiches & packing them up, then stopping quickly at Bethany (my sister) & Sarah's open studio in JP to say hello before hopping back on the train to trek all the way to the other end of the city for a CodePink meeting, our first! Yay! It went really well - all the women in that group are wonderful, and I have a feeling I will learn a lot from them. I'm so energized & excited, now. I can't wait to see the group evolve & coalesce into a powerful voice.

After the meeting I rushed home to get ready to go out again, even though I wasn't feeling so hot, because we couldn't miss the Against Me! show in Revere! After quite the mix-up with the blue line being bustituted and dropping us back almost where we had started, Dan & I made it to the Wonderland Ballroom...and waited impatiently for AM! to come on. When they finally did, though, it was all worth it - they played several of their old songs, which I was definitely rocking out to (by jumping around in my chair like a 4-year-old, haha!). They did play some new stuff, but you could tell by the vibe in the room that their older songs were what was making the crowd excited. All in all, a good show. And, I got a t-shirt (a girly one! finally!), and managed to wrangle Dan a $13 (instead of $15) shirt, when we realized we only had $13 in cash, and there was no ATM in sight...score one for me for Best Girlfriend Ever! :)

That night after we got home, I ended up in bed with a terrible case of fever-shivers...and now, you've been completely caught up. So sorry for the delay!!! I'll try to be better next time....xoxoxo (extra kisses to make up for being slow)

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: Shopgirl AUTHOR: Steve Martin
	TITLE: Angels In America (Part One: Millenium Approaches) AUTHOR: Tony Kushner
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

catching up #2

Now, as for last week...I have to start with Monday, because I got to wander around Boston a bit with Karen, yay! We had an early dinner & some gelato, and of course excellent conversation. I don't know what it is about those New Britain girls, but I've had 3 of the best conversations in quite some time this past week or so - with Tanya on the ride back up to Boston, with Karen the other day over dinner, and then with Sarah the other night when I was back visiting CT. Maybe I was meant to be a New Britainite, and that's why I so enjoy the company of NBers! Who knows. But really, those girls rock my socks. :)

Anyway, Monday night my sister Bethany came over & we made & jarred some more applesauce. It's so fun! And not a terribly lot of work, although we made 2 pots of it, so it took a while for all the apples to soften on the stove. But it's very yummy, so it's worth the effort, I think.

The next evening (Tuesday), Dan & I had a library date at the main BPL branch at Copley. I have to say, I just adore the Boston Public Library. So big, and so comprehensive! It is the rare book that I am looking for that I can't find a single copy of, anywhere. Of course, it's a city library, so I guess that's to be expected, but still. Very cool. I'm a big fan of libraries, and this one especially makes me happy. :)

Wednesday morning Dan wasn't feeling well and decided to stay home from work again (I really wish he'd go see a doctor about his dizziness!), and it was wonderful to have his company when I heard the news that my grandfather (my dad's dad) had passed away. I really needed Dan's hugs & comfort. No one was surprised to hear that grandpa had passed on, as he had been really tired this past year or so, and in & out of the hospital. He kept fighting there for quite a while, though, and I was so grateful to have had some time one-on-one with him, when my parents were in Africa this past summer. I visited him every day they were gone, and we really got to do some bonding, which I am now so very glad of. I think Grandpa just needed to rest; I hope he is happier now, spending time with my grandmother and all of their dogs...

So, it's been difficult, but I'm just glad it wasn't a shock - that would have made things so much harder. We were told that Grandpa was smiling and so sweet to everyone right to the end, and he will be sorely missed at the home. And by my entire family. Grandpa, we love you.

Mostly I've just been trying to keep busy since then, to not dwell too often on the loss. The keeping busy part hasn't been too hard, since I had a busy week scheduled, already. Wednesday night, I went to my first meeting of NYMBC, the book club I was invited to by Julia, a fellow Vassarite (and very cool girl). It was really great; the girls in the group are fantastic, and definitely the kind of people I like to surround myself with. I look forward to getting to know them better at future meetings. We have already started discussing having other "clubs" for movies and crafting, hehe. I'm very excited for this group!

Thursday night, I had my yarn-spinning class, as per usual, and that was pleasant, as per usual, heh. Nothing much to report on, but I really am getting to enjoy the company there, too. I feel like I'm really getting to know some fabulous women here in Boston. I've never been one for surrounding myself with pheremones, but I think it's a nice balance now, as I see Dan 24/7, otherwise. Not that I need or want to get away from Dan ever! But it's nice that we both have our own things, you know?

All right, this entry has been pretty emotionally draining, and besides I have a lot more to say about Friday & the weekend, so I'll stop here for now. I can't believe how much catching up I have to do! That'll teach me to take so long to post entries, from now on! Ugh. Anyway - more soon. xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: Angels In America (Part One: Millenium Approaches) AUTHOR: Tony Kushner
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

catching up

To be honest, I'm surprised I'm even writing this - I thought for sure I'd be knocked out by a fever this morning. Last night, I went to bed and, while trying to fall asleep, was completely overtaken by feverish shivers, for what felt like hours. Violent shakes, where my teeth wouldn't stop chattering and my body was just nonstop moving. I figured there was some infection that my body didn't like and was trying to raise the temperature to kill it; between whimpers that I hope didn't keep Dan up, I worried (a bit delusionally, I'm sure) that my body would get too hot and I would die. Yeah, a kind of bad night. Dan was wonderful, although there was a point where I was terribly angry at him for not getting me more blankets, haha (again with the delusional, I think). But he held me and reassured me that my body wouldn't burn itself to death. Weirdly enough, I woke up this morning with no fever (I don't think), and I wasn't nearly as achy as I thought I'd be. I did sleep until right when I had to start work, which is odd for me, but I think my body needed the rest. I'm still a bit out of it & cloudy this morning, but honestly I didn't think I'd be getting out of bed at all today. So, I'm not complaining. Very much.

I think I need to catch up about this past week, particularly the weekend. But I should start with last weekend, the one post-Thanksgiving. That Saturday, I got to ride back up to Boston with Tanya, which was great because we got to spend the entire time talking & catching up! I love that girl. I don't think I've ever not had fun with her.

Speaking of fun, after we got to Lisa's house (where Tanya was staying), I went back home for a bit (I was unbelievably anxious to see Dan again, after only 4 days of being apart!), and then he & I met up with Tanya & Lisa and a few other of their friends at Ned Devine's at Quincy Market...apparently that club/bar is pretty popular, and there was a long line...which we got to cut entirely! (Lisa was "on the list", as she knew one of the bouncers there.) We didn't even have to pay cover, it was great! The place is pretty cool, especially because it's got 3 connecting rooms, all with very different atmospheres. I liked how it was much more of a rock bar than a dance club. I don't really like clubs.

Anyway, the ride up with Tanya & the bar were probably the highlights of that weekend; the next day Dan & I just ran some errands & otherwise stayed in. But it was really nice to be back in Boston. I love how it really is "home" to me, now.

All right, I've got plenty more to add (I have an entire week to catch up on!), but that will have to wait. I don't want to write just one entry about everything, because it'll just get so long & out of hand. For now, I am going to go write some code. xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: Angels In America (Part One: Millenium Approaches) AUTHOR: Tony Kushner
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

threadless.com

I'm posting this one for Tanya, cuz she asked where I bought my t-shirts, and I hope she goes here & buys some awesome ones & supports Threadless! They are so fantastic.

Here are the shirts I've bought from them:



And the ones that Dan has bought:



I'm sure we'll continue to purchase shirts in the future, especially during their $10 sales! :)

xoxo

and 8 is my favorite number

i know this is morbid, but i was interested...

You Will Die at Age 88

88 Congratulations! You take good care of yourself. You're poised to live a long, healthy life.

What Age Will You Die?

numbers

i filled this out on Thanksgiving...am just posting it now. sorry 'bout that!

TEN FIRSTS
First Thing You Ate Today: 2 English muffins. (it's best to eat a little all day instead of stuffing yourself all at once on the traditional meal! which i didn't; i'm so proud of myself)
First Best Friend: Amy Crump/Lindsay Ware
First Screen Name: SinDLuWho
First Pet: Daisy (the family puppy)
First Piercing: ears
First Crush: i think Ben Straub, in first grade, because he had Garfield pencils. definitely Ryan P (can't spell his last name!) in second grade was my first conscious crush. i know, i got started early! hehe
First CD: Classic Queen, by Queen (duh)
First Car I Drove: the Tercel from Hell - a red automatic (ugh) Toyota with a yellow sunflower my sister painted on the gas door...was passed down from both my sisters, and ended up stalling on me in the middle of intersections THREE TIMES before my father decided it was time i got a new one.
First Stuffed Animal: no idea. i was a stuffed animal collector/freak right from the start, so i had lots.
First Concert: this free show WHCN was putting on at the Meadows, with my sister & her college roommate. first REAL concert was probably the Smashing Pumpkins, but i didn't go to many - i was much more of a small-ska-show kinda girl, so i ended up at the Webster a LOT. i wouldn't call those concerts, though, just shows.

NINE LASTS
Last Alcoholic Beverage: a screwdriver at Paradise Lounge, just before Dan got sick...
Last Car Ride: back from my aunt's house after Thanksgiving dinner there (my dad drove)
Last Movie Seen: probably Citizen Kane
Last Phone Call: talked to Jen about going to the movies, but she was sick (sad!)
Last CD Played: American Idiot (Green Day) and my oldoldold-school Johnny Too Bad & the Strikeouts tape!
Last Bubble Bath: i think it was at Sarah's house (my sister, i mean) last Christmas season, because i haven't had an apartment with a bath tub since Woodbury!
Last time you cried: on the bus a little bit when i had to leave Dan, i think
Last concert seen: Green Day & Against Me! at Foxboro Stadium (9/05), ugh. not as good as we had hoped for!

EIGHT HAVE YOU EVERS
Have you ever dated one of your best friends: Yes (James)
Have you ever been arrested? No
Have you ever skinny dipped? No
Have you ever been on TV? Yes (with Jerry Springer! on that MTV karaoke show)
Have you ever kissed someone, and then regretted it? Yes
Have you ever had a sex dream about someone? Yes (not telling any more)
Have you ever cheated? No

SEVEN THINGS YOU ARE WEARING
1. brown corduroys
2. green cowl neck sweater
3. necklace my parents brought me from Africa
4. pink watch from Danny
5. big black (fuzzy!) boots
6. "Tart Like Lemonade" t-shirt
7. red & white striped underwear

SIX THINGS YOU'VE DONE TODAY
1. woke up at 6am to help my mother prepare the turkey
2. drank some raspberry green tea with my mom & sister
3. started to knit the hat in a hat-and-scarf set i'm donating to a soup kitchen's Christmas party
4. played Scrabble with my sister & cousins
5. missed Danny lots
6. sponge-bathed, because i'm not allowed to get my stitches wet for 48 hours!

FIVE FAVOURITE THINGS IN NO ORDER
1. Danny :)
2. reading
3. Christmas lights
4. animals
5. letters
(that was lame...i have a zillion "favorite" things...but nothing really came to mind. those were the first to pop into my head!)

FOUR PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ALMOST ANYTHING TO
1. Dan
2. Jen K
3. Tanya
4. Chandra

THREE CHOICES
1. Work or LiveJournal? LiveJournal, i guess...i've always loved to write. i just never thought this would be the venue...if work were reading & writing all day, i'm sure i'd choose that. although i always thought i'd want to code all day, every day...hmmm...
2. Workout or read? read, definitely. i've become lazy since my hip surgery. but i definitely used to bring books to the gym to read while on the elliptical. people thought i was crazy, but how else could i make the time fly by??
3. Caffeine or no caffeine? caffeine, definitely. except when i can't fall asleep, and i need to. then i hate it. :)

TWO THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE
1. not before i die, but always, i'd like to just be happy, content with who i am.
2. write a book.

ONE THING YOU REGRET
1. not putting more time & effort into writing...now i just feel like i've lost all motivation for it, and i can't seem to find my muse again. =\

yay, Christmastime!

Yay, Dan & I have our tree up! We bought it last night, at Urban Outfitters - not exactly what we'd been planning to do, but it's already the Christmas season, so ordering one online would have been a pain, since it would have probably taken several weeks to arrive, and by then it would be mid- if not late-December! So yeah, we bought a 6-foot silver tree and awesome pink lights, and we put it together along with some star lights you can vaguely see in the background (I really need to get a camera other than just my cell phone! But I know I'd just lose it...), and some blue lights that are adorning our bookshelves. I LOVE LIGHTS, so it's definitely making me very happy to see those, and all the others up around the neighborhood & the city. Yesterday night on our way home, we walked through a local park that has a long tunnel with a solid ceiling of blue lights, it was amazing. I can't wait to go back there and take a walk during the next snowfall - how magical it'll be...

I have plenty to catch everyone up on, I know, but I hope y'all had lovely Thanksgivings! Mine was great, although small this year, family-wise (we were missing a good 5 people, and my family isn't huge to begin with!). But it was fun to see my cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles, and especially my parents. I ate lots of yummy food, of course, so I'm not complaining! :) Not much else to report, though, about the holiday itself. I did get to see Jen, Tanya, and Sarah while I was back, though, yay!! Really the only people who are in CT that I wanted to see, other than family! So that was awesome. I got to have good, long talks with both Tanya & Sarah, which I think I really needed - I miss both of those girls so much! I can't wait until they move up here! Teehee...maybe that's just wishful thinking, but still... Hey, at least I get Karen! :) Maybe we can manage to convince the others....!

I will post more later, about my weekend in CT and particularly my doctor appointment issues. For now, though, I've got to go get some work done! As per usual. xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: Wicked AUTHOR: Gregory Maguire
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

ugh

I'm fighting off the sick, and I feel like ass. Danny's staying home today; he's sick, too. I don't know if we're sick in the same way, but whatever, it sucks.

I had a pretty nice weekend, especially Friday night & Saturday. It kind of went downhill Sunday afternoon. Yuck.

I didn't even get around to calling Karen to wish her a happy birthday, even though I had it written on my hand all day Saturday to remind me. I had wanted to send a card, but I didn't have her address! :( Anyway, I'm really sorry about that, Karen. I plan to call you soon, especially about the 28th! When I'm not all scratchy-throated.

Also, I'm sorry, but I have to turn comment word-verification back on, on my Blogger site. I have been getting way too many random spam posts, and I don't even know where they are anymore. I am tired of having to hunt them down. I don't even know if doing this'll help, but I have to try. At least for now.

Okay, I have a feeling this post is blubbery & inconsistent, so I'm going to sign off for now. I promise more, soon. Just when I'm feeling slightly better. xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay AUTHOR: Michael Chabon
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

happy birthday, baby

Okay, so this is just a silly little post to wish Danny a very happy birthday...I hope he likes the presents I got him, for real! And isn't just saying that he does so I feel better! :)

Also, he looks wicked hot in his new dark locks - y'all will have to see him soon.

And lastly, I knitted him a scarf - not specifically for his birthday (he did buy me the yarn, after all - like a good boyfriend should, heehee), but it was completed this morning at the cafe so he could wear it to work...so I don't have any pictures of it in its final stages, but I do have some shots of it while it was a work in progress:


All right, that's it for now! I know I've been terribly delinquent about posting, so I'll try to be better about it from now on. Things have just been busy. And you know. xoxo

p.s. Check out Chris Maher's music, an old college radio friend - I just recently rediscovered his music & am rocking out to it right now. Definitely worth rediscovering. Or discovering, if you haven't gotten that far yet. :)

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay AUTHOR: Michael Chabon
	TITLE: Off The Map AUTHOR: CrimethInc.

haha i'm getting a puppy

Weirdest quiz ever, but I heart Green Day:

Your Green Day experience by XxunwantedxX
Age?
Color?
Nickname?
Number?
Member?
Album?
Mike will...	Hug you.
Tre will..	Go swimming with you.
Billie Joe will..	Get you a puppy.
Do they like you?	Yes.
Who thinks you're kinky?	Billie Joe
Who will propose?	Tre Cool
Quiz created with MemeGen!

Couldn't decide between American Idiot & Kerplunk, but hey, this one gave me better results...xoxo

congratulations!!

Sarah & Liam are engaged!!! YAY! Congratulations, you two!!

I just wanted to share my happiness at the news.

Plus, it'll be nice to have my first brother! Hopefully one of two (the other being Kevin...you proposing anytime soon? Eh??).

Hehe - anyway, no date set yet. But still, how exciting, huh? We've all been waiting for this. Liam proposed to Sarah at the top of the Eiffel Tower, at night.

I told Sarah to tell Liam: "It's about fucking time!" :)

(I'm kidding about that. I am just giddy-happy for them!)

xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay AUTHOR: Michael Chabon

quizroll

Just a couple of quizzes I stumbled across today...I like 'em.




Which My So-Called Life Character Are You? Find out @ She's Crafty

instructions for life

I know these lists can get cheesy, but I really like the messages in this one (from the Dalai Lama):

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three Rs:
-Respect for self
-Respect for others and
-Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

I want to live a good & fulfilling & honorable life. I try to do my best. xoxo

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay AUTHOR: Michael Chabon

this past weekend

...and one more post, and I promise I'm done for the day. :)

Just wanted to update quickly on my past weekend, let's see...Friday night Dan & I went to see Jarhead, which I hadn't really been very eager to see, but I enjoyed well enough. A pretty good war movie (in which I mean it portrays the whole "war is hell" theme well enough) along the lines of Apocalypse Now and Platoon, although I definitely prefer both of those to Jarhead. I have to say, though, I've never really been a huge fan of Jake Gyllenhaal, but he did a good job, too. As did Peter Saarsgard and Jamie Foxx, who I do like.

Saturday morning I went to the Emerson open house, to learn more about their editing & publishing masters program, which I am interesting in pursuing. Not quite sure if I want to go there - I forgot how much I dislike the pretentiousness of academia, although I have a feeling if I got in, I'd enjoy the other students in my program - a lot of it could have just been the over-eagerness (and annoying, incredibly specific questions that were completely irrelevant to everyone but the asker) of the other people who were interested in the program - and I have to keep in mind that at least half of the people in the auditorium with me were there for the creative writing program, which is something I wouldn't want to touch with a 10-foot pole...I love to write, but I do not enjoy the cattiness & competitiveness that is professional writing. I know it's probably just me, and my own insecurities. But I am going to write on my own, if I ever do. For me. (Yeah it'd be nice if it gets published, but I know that's a pipe dream, so I mostly will be happy with myself if I finish something that I'm happy with...I hope...)

Anyway, I left before the campus tour, because I just didn't feel like sticking around. Headed home and spent the afternoon around the house with Dan. We made it to the kung fu video store in Downtown Crossing just before it closed, and bought a couple of movies - with some help from the awesome guys who worked there, I located Battle Royale, a movie about Japanese high school students who have to kill or be killed on a Lord-of-the-Flies like island...it's terribly hard to explain (I could barely do it, myself!), but definitely worth checking out. The guys at the store knew what I was describing only one sentence in (I said something like "the movie about the Japanese high school kids on an island who have to kill each other?" and instantly they had the title for me). I guess it's a pretty well-known movie in certain circles; I had watched it a few years previous with my friend Alex, and had only vague (but disturbing) memories of it, heh...

So, we got home, made some dinner, and were about to settle in to watch, when we got invited out for drinks at The Waterfront...long story, but we went, had a few drinks & a good time, and then came home & watched. We had planned to watch the 2 movies Dan had bought, but we ended up falling asleep halfway through the second one.

Then on Sunday, I met up with DiRoberts for breakfast at The Pour House, and we had these *incredibly good* pumpkin pie pancakes...yum. I am so going back there before autumn ends! Then we wandered around Back Bay for a bit before meeting up with Brian, who surprisingly shares my passion for Bostonian history, and particularly that of the MBTA! So we had a bit of fun discussing all that before I parted ways with the 2 of them to head home...I never did make it there, though! I ended up wandering around Downtown Crossing for a bit, spending some time at the Borders there, and then hopping on the orange line to head out to Circles to pick up some skeins of yarn that I had ordered, yay! I'm excited to start project #872 that I am in the middle of...haha...

Then I got back on the T to ride over to Harvard Square, where I met Dan after his ABC meeting. While I was waiting, I got myself a "birthday cake tea" at Tealuxe, which Amber has raved about in the past - and I have to say mmm, I agree! Very yummy. I sat in the shop and read/planned out a pattern for the yarn that I had just picked up. A pleasant way to spend an hour or so on a beautiful-but-slightly-chilly Sunday afternoon. I really enjoyed watching all of the people out the window; Harvard Square is always hopping, and at times I tend to get lost in imagining up stories about the passerby!

When Dan & I finally met up, we ran some errands around the Square (mostly in The Garage), and then I finally, finally got to head back home after a long day out! I was exhausted, and settled in to watch Finding Neverland and work on Dan's 2005 scarf (I think I will make this a yearly thing - provided he wants to supply the yarn!) for the evening.

We stopped at Bethany's briefly to pick up a chair she wanted to give to us, and to hear a little bit about her trip to AZ that she just returned from. It sounds like she had a great time - I can't wait to catch up over blueberry tea sometime soon! Besides the great chair, she gave me a beatiful pair of red sea-glass earrings that she had bought for me down South. I'll have to take a picture of them sometime so I can share them on here.

Well, as usual, I've written way more than I intended! But, I have to get going now - it's almost time for self-defense class! xoxo

i heart the North End

I've been meaning to post this for a while; I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago, but just because I'm lazy & didn't get to post them in a timely manner, doesn't mean I shouldn't...right? :)

Anyway, reasons I love the North End?

I've got my sister down the street, who gives me awesome presents:

I've got fantastic little stores where I can buy yummy food products

(yes, that's pumpkin gnocci - aren't you jealous? hehe don't worry, it wasn't actually that great...), and isn't this just the coolest bottle you've ever seen??

I also just love the atmosphere, the people, the small, community feel of it. I hope you all get to come visit soon so I can share it with you! Yay.

And, I can't forget to mention that I have a Danny that I love very much. (Sorry for the cheesy.) xoxo

i know this is old news, but...

...Sheryl Swoopes came out recently, and I just wanted to congratulate her for finally finding the courage to do so, and to wish her luck - it sounds from this article that she expects to encounter some resistance and/or disappointment, and I really just wish that weren't the case. She's a wonderful role model for so many young, female athletes - and I don't think that anyone's sexuality - or personal life at all, for the most part - should affect that. Really.

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay AUTHOR: Michael Chabon

the princess project

I just emailed this to most of the women I know, but I figured it couldn't hurt to also post it on my website:

hi girls,
for those of you who read Bust magazine, you probably already have come across this (it was in an issue a few months back), but i wanted to make sure everyone had heard of it, cuz it's think it's a fabulous idea:

i don't know about you, but i've still got several dresses that i'll never wear again, hanging in my closet, from proms & weddings past. what i've always hated about those events is that you are supposed to only wear a dress once (otherwise it's a social faux pas) and then get another one, etc. i never really thought of the economic impact that might have on girls who can't afford even a single prom dress for one of the most important nights of their young lives. now, whatever your views on proms (i'm not a huge fan myself), just please keep in mind how important of a night this is for most high school girls.

with those things in mind, an organization was founded in 2002 to collect old wedding/prom/event dresses and "recycle" them, by giving them away free to young girls (who probably couldn't otherwise afford such nice formalwear) to wear for their proms! i love the idea - check it out at

http://www.princessproject.org/

and then, hopefully, make a donation! i'm definitely planning on doing so. i'd much rather see those old dresses go to use (and hopefully make some girl's special night magical) than collect dust.

all right, that's all from me for now! thanks for listening. :)
love,
Arianna

Currently Reading:
	TITLE: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay AUTHOR: Michael Chabon