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.