Everything is Vanity

Oh weekend. You will be far too short, I'm afraid.

Last night was both enjoyable and ridiculously long. Mia wanted to watch Milk, so she came over and we watched in my room with Krista before Project Runway. Then since we all (sans Mia, but plus one other girl) had so much art project stuff we moved down to the basement where we watched in one of the TV rooms. Such comfy chairs down there. But I did have to still work on my homework. We went back upstairs eventually, but then Krista and I moved back down to the basement, because we were cramped in my room, and we worked down there until about 1:30. All the while we watched "Because I Said So" on my laptop. Eh, it was alright, completely predictable, but had attractive faces to look at. I was not aware that Tom Everett Scott was in that movie, so that was a pleasant surprise. Still convinced that Mandy Moore will never be a decent actress. But after getting to bed at 2, I was so tired waking up. I will probably end up going to bed early tonight, like a lame-o, but I'll have nothing else to do. Roommate and roommate's boyfriend will be on the futon, so no staying up late for me.

Spoiler Alert!!

SO glad they finally were able to shake off Christopher last night from Project Runway. He really does suck. I hate to say it, too, because he's from Minnesota, but my goodness, I haven't seen someone cry so much since Ricky from season 4. And I'm glad that Carol Hannah made it through, as well, she's my favorite. Since I can't have Logan anymore as a favorite.

Currently obsessed with Netflix. I must have added like 20 titles to my queue in the past three days. I'm gonna burn through my instant queue this weekend.

It would, of course, have to look like an accident.

This weekend was pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, I was not as productive as I could have been on certain school work, I deserved a break, I've been working hard. (For TRUE.)

My roommate was home this weekend, so I mostly watched videos on YouTube, episodes of Top Chef I have in my Amazon library, caught up on the Office, watched friends...ate a lot of food. On saturday afternoon I met my friend Pang at Acoustic Cafe for late lunch, and I found out they have delicious pita sandwiches. We talked for a couple of hours about how we hate being in the minority of liberals here at Stout. She's from Menomonie, too, so she's always had this problem. Then we went to the consignment store, and I bought some shoes and a jacket. Then we went to Mabel Tainter because she has fall season tickets. It wasn't exactly a work of art: The Missoula Children's Theater was touring and they cast local kids in their production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Cute, but I think we all would have preferred a real play....Plus we were the only college students there- mostly parents and their wee ones.

And how cool am I? On a saturday night, when there was a Halloween party going on in the student center, mind you, I turned in at a tremendous 8:30, and ate dinner consisting of cup of noodles, pizza rolls, diet coke, betty crocker warm delight, and chai tea. Then I polished off a disc of Friends. All the caffeine however, kept me up until 4 am. And I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Speaking of Friends, my roommate and I are currently obsessed. She just bought season 8, so we've been staying up much later than we should watching episode after episode. We are now talking about setting a bedtime for ourselves.

Aaaand, as promised: the Are You Afraid of the Dark? episode of the week:

This one was always a stellar episode. I think I used to have a crush on the kid who plays Marshall. Bad taste, right? I think it must have been his profuse yelling of Olly Olly Oxen Free that stole my heart.

Drown the Clown

164. Apr. 3: I tried things on in a store just for the fun of it.

Normally, I will just kind of pass by items that I don't really see myself buying, or perhaps am not in the financial situation to buy (J. Crew, anyone?) and so I don't really ever try anything on that I know I will not buy. But as I was at the Gap with Caroline and Emily, as a sister day we were having, they were both trying things on, and I thought, what the heck, because trying stuff on is fun. I don't know why I don't do it more often, even when, as I say, I have no intention of buying. I suppose I want to eliminate as much work for the employees as possible. But anyways, so I tried on some jeans, that fit really really well, by the way, I will be going back to buy them, and then I tried on a dress, that I would have never in a million years thought I would try on, let alone buy. Which I ended up doing, I needed an Easter dress. It's a strapless hot pink a-line dress, and it's adorable. So I was so glad that I made this my new thing, because otherwise, I would have never bought the dress. I will FOR SURE being doing this more often.

The reason I was at the Gap, as I mentioned, was that I was having a sister day with Caroline and Emily, because Emily was on the tail-end of her spring break, and I was just starting mine. And so we went to target, and I tried on some dresses there too, which were a little too ridiculous for words. And then we went to Woodbury Cafe for lunch, and I got a mondo burger with fries, and then we went to Woodbury lakes, where the gap was. We went back to Emily's house so she could look for some of Josh's old sunglasses for Caroline, and then I ended up getting some glasses from her as well, and I was complaining the whole day about how I didn't have a spring purse, so Emily gave my one of her old ones, and she also gave me a shirt. It was just like a little sister swap get together. Then we went out for some Jamba, and brought one over to Josh's house, where we proceeded to play Wii with Izabell. All good fun.


I must mention, that I was OBSESSED with Friends this week. I just suddenly got in the mood to watch some, and since I had Season 10 on DVD, I just watched a few episodes, and then I eventually watched the whole season, and then, since I still had Season 5 on loan from Lizzie, I watched some of that too. Target put a price cut on all of the seasons, so I bought 6 and 7 as well. I have yet to buy 8 and 9, but I'll get there. I don't think anyone in my house was too happy with me during this explosion I had going on over here.

Get behind me, Satan!

137. Mar. 7: I watched Raging Bull.

It has always seemed like this great piece of film that I had never seen, but must, because it's one of the greats. And it was great, but not amazing. It was really well directed (though, not as good as Goodfellas) and Robert DeNiro was very good. But not very attractive when he gained 60 pounds. Now, I need to watch Taxi Driver, and I'll be able to tide myself over.


This past week, I've been so obsessed with Indiana Jones, it's crazy. It always seems to come in phases with those movies. It all started when we were talking about optical ilusions in Psychology, and whenever anybody talks about optical illusions, I think about the part near the end of The Last Crusade when Indy has to take the "leap of faith", and then the stone walkway appears beneath his feet, as sort of an optical illusion. Yeah, well so, I've been watching Last Crusade a lot, but I keep falling asleep, but then I was babysitting Sig and Stellan on thursday night, and they wanted to watch it! I didn't even influence them. I'm getting pretty good at getting them to share my tastes. Although, I need'nt be reminded 100 times that "oh yeah, that guy melts at the end, yeah he's the bad guy." Got it. But then I watched Raiders of the Lost Ark yesterday, and then Temple of Doom while I was cleaning my room.

But, as I expected to happen, I'm also really obsessed with Billy Joel, and Movin' Out. I've been trying to perfect Scenes from an Italian Restaurant on the piano like a madman, and I can't stop thinking of how amazing the dancing was in the show. I just think people who aren't fans of Billy Joel are crazy. But I respect their choice...I suppose..

Running Down a Dream

I'm currently obsessed with the Oscars, and essentially all things film related. Since the Oscar season got me so jazzed, I've been super into movies right now, especially really good ones. But also in this Oscar season, I got a little fed up with constantly having to be intellectually engage during a movie. Don't get me wrong, I loved a lot of the Oscar noms this year, but I also took time out of my schedule to see He's Just Not That Into You twice, and when I saw Yes Man, that was a nice break, and I plan on seeing other easy movies soon.

Also ever since my Film Studies class started I've been able to appreciate film more, and understand a directors motive when they do something a certain way. I also can recognize all the techniques. I was watching The Shining a couple of weeks ago, and I had never noticed before how well directed it was, and how thoughtful it was. I really like being able to notice those things.

I guess I could also say that I'm obsessed with Martin Scorsese as well. We just finished watching Goodfellas in film studies class, which I had seen before, but I was like 13, so I didn't appreciate it that much back then. But it is just such a good movie. Fricken Dances With Wolves had to steal the Oscar from it, didn't it? But anyways, he's just such a cool guy. I really want to rent and watch a lot more of his movies now, because I haven't seen too many. And that includes The Depaaated.

Sleepless hours and dreamless nights and far aways

118. I baked Macaroni and Cheese.

I pride myself on my homemade macaroni, because it's awesome, but it was just my mother and me tonight, and we are the only ones who like macaroni and cheese baked style, so we had that, and since it takes literally forever, I made it. It went much better than other things I have tried to make. Add that to the list of things I actually can do.


I guess I'm obsessed with Quiz Bowl right now. a.k.a "that young qb," if you ever get confused. There's been an influx of tournaments lately. Including Academic Worldquest, our last NAQT Mac meet, the super un-legit run for the roses last saturday, and this EP tournament this saturday, which is said to be the antithesis of last year's EPIC, which will be disappointing, but it was a well run tournament last year anyway, so hopefully that won't be compromised. I want to give myself a plug by saying that I placed 5th in EPIC last year, and I won't be modest about it, because that will be my peak of my acheivements when it comes to individual standings in Quiz Bowl tournament. It was a pop culture tournament, so figures.


I just really feel like blogging right now, because I need to express how tired of winter I've become. Which is unusual for me, because I'm usually the last person to want to say goodbye to winter, (except for last year, jeez) and I really just want summer to be here. Not especially for the weather, but just to have my days back. I have a lot of full day projects lined up, and that's the season where most of my good ideas for new things have gone to. See I don't want to waste a whole day on doing stupid things when I have the whole day, so I'm getting little things out of the way. Sue me. Things I'm really excited to do: Build a bookshelf, watch all six Rocky's/Star Wars in a day (respectively) bike around all of the lakes, speedreading a book, reading an entire series of books in one day (short books of course). I don't want to spoil some of my really good ideas, so I won't say any more.


Sometimes I hate and sometimes I love the connotations certain music has for me. I'm listening to Ben Folds right now, and it's reminding me of summer, but I guess not really in a good way. Listening to Rockin' the Suburbs on Ross's ipod on the summer trip is probably what's doing it. I had fun this summer, but I guess I relate this music to the worst parts. But then when I listen to Billy Joel, I'm reminded of every summer in the best way possible, and when I listen to John Mayer I'm reminded of my eighth grade year, which was the "year of dreams" in my young life. Coldplay will always remind me positively of winter, Elton John of fall or late summer. I guess what I'm saying, is that I haven't really been able to acquire any new music tastes lately without it gathering a negative connotation. Does anyone have anything they can do for me?

Finally, and after this, I swear I'll stop ranting, I just miss last year. I miss all the boys who graduated from Quiz Bowl, I miss not having the insane pressure of not being an editor, and merely a designer on newspaper, I miss everyone who graduated at church, I miss the excitement of going to France for the first time. I had a dream last night that I was back in France, and it was just like I was there last night, I remembered it so clearly. I woke up with the taste of Wheetabix in my my mouth, which I'm sure I manufactured myself. I miss going to work after school and feeling awesome and grown-up. I miss being able to say that I really want to go to Eau Claire in the fall, I miss the friends that I made last year, but don't see this year, I miss my sister living at home, I miss all the classes last year, I miss the feeling of knowing that I will still know everyone at my school the next year, and not being scared to death that I made the wrong choice for next year, and I just miss not being so stressed all the time. It's not even tangible stress, it's the kind where I'm just thinking about how different things are going to be next year, and I really just want to cling to the comforts I've built for myself over the last 18 years.

And I shrugged my shoulders, as people do in novels, but never in real life.

105. I updated my blog from school.

Isn't it lame that I updated my blog from school, and it was my new thing, but I didn't write about it in that post. I don't know why not. That's a little anti-climactic.


I am currently obsessed with Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. I finally cracked open my season 3 eight volume set that I finally got in the mail, and I have been watching non-stop. Emily, you have to come over and watch with me, or I'll let you borrow it. Either way.


Why is Hank in this picture?

I don't understand the same things as you

I had a sister date last night with Caroline and Emily, and since we're sisters, we didn't really do anything new, but upon Emily's suggestion, this is my thing:

95. Jan. 16: I watched a shaz ton of featurettes on The Princess Bride DVD, and also the movie, but I'd def seen it before. Def.

There were just a lot of special features, because it was the special edition, so we watched the making of featurette, like a minute of Cary Elwes's video diary, all the TV spots, the theatrical trailer, and two whole other featurettes, I don't remember what exactly they were. So, yeah.

So sister date was Caroline, Emily, and myself, going to Baja Sol, and being there for a long time, and sampling a lot of the salsa's, and me giving Caroline a mock interview, where I was trying to be really abusive and unpredictable (I just want to prepare her for the worst) and we pretty much just talked sisterly things, and then we went back to Emily's house, and tried to decide on a movie to go see, but we couldn't really decide, so we just decided to stay there and watch a movie, and I mentioned how I've been watching Princess Bride non-stop lately, and wish I had brought it, and Emily said she had a copy, so we watched that. And I ate some Trader Joe's chocolates, that weren't that good, and a whole box of Sweet Tarts, and that was pretty much it. It was much more fun than I make it sound, believe me. You'd have to be a sister to understand.

So, If you couldn't tell, I've been completely obsessed with The Princess Bride this week. It was probably my favorite movie as a child, and as we were watching it last night, we could all practically quote along with every line, and get the intonation down, even. That was a Royce family classic. I saw it on TV recently, and I watched it the twice in a row that it was on, and then I really wanted to watch it again, but I only had a VHS of it, so I bought it at target like a week ago, and I've been watching it a ton. But, pretty much always falling asleep during the first half hour. So, yeah, pretty obsessed right now.

Festivus Dinner

67. Dec. 19: I went to downtown Macy's for lunch during my open hour on Friday.

The reason I get so specific there is because, I'm not sure if I've ever actually been there (Macy's 12th Floor) before or not for lunch on the regs, but I know for sure that I've never gone on a school day. The reason I went was because Meera kept talking about how she wanted to go and get some mac and cheese, and I thought it sounded good, so she suggestion we go during my open hour. Emma and Tianna also accompanied us. We cut it kind of close, time wise. But the food was really good.

And last night Tianna and I had the lamest sleepover. It's pretty much all my fault though. Because I was like "Tianna, do you want to have a Christmas treats baking day?" and so we decided that we were going to have a sleepover last night and do it. But, I was all Christmas treated out, thanks to the lovely Gingerbread house Andy made for me, and I decided I didn't really want to. Also, I hadn't really planned any of it out at all. And when Tianna first came over, I was watching Top Chef, and didn't really want to stop, so I pretty much made her watch two episodes with me, and I also read a magazine. And I was taking forever to decide what food to order for dinner. And I also kind of made us watch Family Guy. And then we went on the computer to do some shaz, and then I made her watch me play Word Twist. And then another draw of the evening was going to be us watching Donnie Darko, but when Tianna opened the case, she only had the second disk, so we didn't get to watch the movie, and she was really pissed off about not knowing where the actual movie is, (we pondered it maybe being at Lizzie's house...) and so, we just kind of hung out for awhile, and then we decided to watch Pride and Prejudice, but less than an hour into it, we got really tired, and went upstairs and went to sleep. All before midnight. And then I wouldn't get up this morning, because I was really tired, and as some of you may know, I don't say words at all when I'm tired, so I spoke to her only in hums, and texts and sign language. So, sorry, Tianna. I know I was really lame-o.


68. Dec. 20: I went to the State Theater.

I saw the Nutcracker Fantasy. It was really good. I went with Meera and Evelyn, and since Meera is a dancer, she knew like everyone and their mom, so I would feel bad saying anything bad about anyone. But I think the dancing was really good. Sometimes I wish I was a dancer. They're so cool, and who doesn't love a dancer? But I'm truly a terrible dancer, with awful balance, so it is not written for me. Le sigh...


This week I've been obsessed with Little Women. I'm currently re-reading it, and I've been watching the movie a lot, because it's my favorite book, and one of my favorite movies. Also, it's great for Christmas, but then you have to watch out about getting all sad when it's spring, and then the second part is just...ugh, a big old mess, but it must work out that way. Christian Bale!

Shut up Glen!

I'm sorry that I keep on posting a day late. I've just gotten into the habit of doing it that way. My bad...

56. Dec. 7: I cleaned my vanity area, and turned it in to a functional work space.

I decided to make more use of it, because I was trying to make a Christmas shopping list and cats were on my bed, and I didn't have my chair cleaned off, and my fouton had a ton of stuff piled on it, so I decided to clear off some space. I mean, do I really need to keep empty bottles of hair products? Or proudly display that I still have mascara bottles from 4 years ago? No, so I threw some stuff away and put all the not-useful shaz in my drawers, and organized it.


My obsession right now is definitely Hulu. It is the best website ever. Way better quality, and better clips than Youtube of shows and SNL skits. I don't have enough good things to say about that site.

I want to ride my bicycle

Definitely not something I went out and did on a whim.

40. I got my wisdom teeth out.

I would post a picture, but I'm not the hugest fan of my face right now. I guess you could also count that as "getting surgery," as it was my first one. It was really not as bad as everyone says. The surgery wasn't bad at all, although I expect I seemed a little insane when it was over. The hardest part is trying to eat anything. Especially since half my face was numb for about 11 hours. And surprisingly enough, even with drugs I didn't fall asleep until about 6. I would have never suspected that to happen. And it took me about 2 hours to make a small dent in my Noodles maccaroni, which my mother graciously picked up for me. Is it normal for my arms to feel all weird?

AS to be expected, I am completely obssesed with Coldplay, still. Especially:

Yeah...what a stud.

museum.tv

Another food related thing. There just seem to be a lot of these. According to Jessica.

32. I ate Eggs Benedict.

I believe my brother once called them "God's gift to man." I'm not so sure I agree. I just can't eat fried eggs ever. I have some weird thing about eating the yolk. But I tried it, and that's what matters. Not sure I'd have those again.


I saw Pirates of Penzance at my school tonight. Starring the famous Willis Batz-Kamby as Frederic, it was totally awesome. Although, it could have clearly been better, it was high school, so whatevs. I strongly recommend anyone who is in town this weekend to go see it.

Even though I was not able to watch The Office this evening, I am still completely obsessed with Jim and Pam right now. Does anyone have a favorite Jim and Pam episode?

Morphology

25. Nov. 6: I listened to a Jonas Brothers song.

Even though I claim to hate the Jonas Brothers, it's all about them as individuals. I have never given their music a chance, because I expect not to like it. So I hate them for little to no reason. Sue me. And by the way, I was...not a fan.

26. Nov. 7: I got a steak burrito from Chipotle.

I see no reason for me ever to get a steak burrito again. Chicken is so much better, and that burrito was just most dissatisfactory. I'm sorry to all the steak fans.

In other news, I turned in my senior picture and quote today. My picture was just a random one that I took of myself freshman year, although you can't really tell that I took it 3 years ago. My quote was from Zoolander: Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty. I did not want a serious/inspirational quote at all. Those are lame-o.

Also, my obession this week has probably been either: The Election, and we all know how that turned out, or using the word "Manifest." As in: Me using the word "Manifest" has just manifested itself all week long, and I think everyone's getting annoyed.

Even more things:
I was really happy today when two of my friends who hate eachother, but need very much to work together all the time, talked over there issues, and resolved some stuff. They both always complain about eachother to me, and I feel so awkward always being in the crossfire. I end up saying things I don't mean about the other, for which I feel bad. But they had a kind of "hug it out bitch" moment a la Michael Scott, so hopefully some things will be better. At least for now.

What'll you do when you get lonely

Didn't update on yesterday's thing because it was rather late.

21. Nov. 2: I watched all the Harry Potter movies in a day. In the biz, we call this a "Marathon"

If I am ever to do that again, I will plan it way better. Start way earlier, take 5 minute breaks for Calisthenics (because, I'll be honest, I did start to doze off around 9:30) and buy a larger variety of snacks. a.k.a. not just starbursts, lays potato chips, and sorbet. And, a public apology to T-Pain: I'm sorry I fell asleep so many times.

I'm gonna come clean a little bit, I started the fifth one after midnight, so technically they were not all in one day, but I still have never watched more than one in a day, and I think that counts towards something.

My obsession this week has kinda been thinking about college. Either in a positive of negative way. Just kind of thinking of how it will be when I'm college next year. Weirds me out a little bit.

Common Watchers

12. I filled out a college application.

Note: This is not the same as applying to college, because I didn't submit it. And to address the bigger problem, yes I have waited this long to even start applications. It was an application to Bethel, and I'm not sure that I will actually send it in. Upon further investigation, I'm not sure that I really want to go there. And by not sure, I decided to apply on a whim, so...yeah.

On another note, I will be taking the ACT tomorrow for the FOURTH time. Yeah, I'm pretty glad that this will be my last time, because even If I get another crappy score, this is for sure THE last time. And I've spent all week studying. That is why my new things have been pretty lame-o....

So, I've been incredibly obsessed with Andy Samberg this week. I think ever since I got back from New York, SNL in general has been my obsession, but more specifically my favorite cast member, Andy. I just about died last night during his "Jam the Vote" segment of the special Thursday night Weekend Update. I found the video on Hulu, it's about two minutes into the entire thing:

What part of "holler" don't you understand?

Second day of new thing. Going pretty well, so far. I was going to have my thing today be to donate double red blood cells, as I participated in the blood drive already last year, but only did a single donation, but I missed my appointment, and couldn't do it. Good thing I had a back-up plan....

2. Write a facebook note.

Surprisingly, I have never written one. It took me about a million and one years to do it, too, because I guess I'm not as facebook savvy as I thought I was.

Remember to send suggestions my way, If you ever think of any.

And, I swear, they're not always going to be so boring...


I might also use my new blog as an actual blog, too. I might get kinda bored just saying the new thing I did.

Like I might take this oppurtunity to talk about how amazingly awesome Teen Wolf, and Teen Wolf Too are. Those movies are probably my obsession of the week.