holiday wrap up

Well, this is part of what I've been doing this week...here's some more evidence. Making cookies is exhausting, but of course I feel like it is my responsibility. Truffles, on the other hand, are totally easy in comparison. I should give up on cookies.

moments of awesomeness in the life of me

Some key moments during the past week that highlight how cool I am:

1. Falling off my chair in front of my students.
2. Getting my car stuck in the snow no less than two times on the unplowed residential streets by my school.
3. Taking a nap at a holiday party last night at the ungodly late hour of...12:45.


I am a champion. This winter break is truly needed.

my top songs of 2005

Let's get a few things straight before we get this party started. I did not buy an extraordinary amount of cds this year - probably about 10 total. And I was not disappointed by any of them. It's hard making a list of the best, especially since some songs seem to stick to me like glue for a few days, after which I get over them. So maybe this isn't the best, but a small sampling of some music I really liked over the past year. In chronological order of when they came into my life.

The Blow - Hey Boy
This is admittedly cheating - this song is actually from an album released in 2004, but I did not really hear and appreciate this song until early 2005. Dancy, poppy, and all too relateable, this song is the perfect "Learning to Be a Loser Theme Song" as Khaela herself calls it. I wrote more about it (and other songs like it) here, on my wordier, partially abandoned blog endeavor.

Sleater-Kinney - Jumpers
The first time I heard "The Fox", I found it really grating and I wasn't too excited about hearing the new Sleater-Kinney. But those girls turned me around in the end... The Woods is fabulous. Not to mention, seeing them live again this summer reminded me that they are the hottest band ever. Period. No argument. Were it possible, I would have 10,000 of their collective babies. But enough swooning! "Jumpers" always struck me as particularly haunting ever since I read the New Yorker article that inspired it. And I have still been somewhat obsessed with articles about suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge. I still often get chills when I listen to this one.

Hockey Night - For Guys' Eyes Only
I bought this cd right in the middle of the summer, and it pretty much exemplifies summer fun. It makes me want to clap my hands and jump around.

Sufjan Stevens - The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!
Although the whole album is a gem, this song eventually stood out as the strong point for me. It's just so pretty and moving, the way it builds and falls continuously. And, I think it's cute that he sings about wearing legwarmers.

Fiona Apple - Parting Gift
I'm not sure how many times I played this in my car over and over again (back when I could), but it was enough to memorize it. Now that I'm driving in silence I still sing it because, baby, I've got it down.

The New Pornographers - Sing Me Spanish Techno
Yes, it's true, I have a huge weakness for finely crafted pop songs by bands that have multiple musicians who can shine on their own. I love that the lyrics are somewhat nonsensical, and yet everything about it works.

Best Pop Songs That I'm Not Going To Upload Because You Should Have Heard Them Already, Unless You Live In A Cave
Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone

Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl
Yeah, that's right. It's good. Love the tubas.


Worst Pop Song of the Year (and quite possibly of all time)
Black Eyed Peas - My Humps
When I first heard this song completely with my sister I said, "This song is awful." She thought I was referring to the lyrics and the message, but I meant the actual song by itself. The beats are bad, the melody is non-existant, and listening to Fergie sing about her lady lumps is not at all cute or sexy in any way. I'm willing to look past bad lyrics if the song is good, but I cannot find anything good about this one.

give me everything i want

I LOVE THIS.

My thing with mp3 blogs is that I'm just not as music hyper as I was a few years back...I don't have the time or the energy to listen voraciously to everything new that comes my way. Hell, I have not had a stereo in my car for nearly SEVEN WEEKS. I got a 20 gig ipod and I only use it go running. Getting off track here... What I was trying to say is that I usually scan most mp3 blogs and download things that I've heard of before, and sometimes get around to actually listening to them. But this list, this is good. Taking the best of the year, and putting it into a giant downloadable mixcd or tape or whatever you want to call it. Maybe I'll make my own list...weekend goal.

Anyway, I want to do a lot of things that don't involve me sitting at a computer. I want to go running outside and not freeze or get snow and slush all over my shoes. I want to use big words confidently without checking their definitions first. I want to listen to NPR in my car instead of waking up to tales of Iraq every morning. I want to read for pleasure. I want to move into a new apartment without having to do any of the work. I want to sew a straight line and make things that look cute. I want to sleep. Right now, actually. G'night.

so, friendster.

I deleted myself from friendster a few months back, since it felt like virtual clutter - I never logged in anymore, my friends never logged in, and I just didn't care. I was on there today trying to find someone, and....wow. What the hell happened? First of all, it's funny that friendster is "the fun and safe way to stay connected with friends." Hey kids, it's safe! You won't get any diseases like you do from myspace! But, you can really tell it's safe because the whole site looks very...clean. A little too clean.

Ok, but that's not even the best part. What the hell is up with all the promotional pictures? Did they hire models or what? I decided to take the tour and was greatly amused.



Shiny happy people wearing gross shirts and outdated cargo pants are AWESOME! JOIN FRIENDSTER TODAY! BE CONSUMED WITH HAPPINESS!


These people are happy because the giant smiley faces aren't going to attack them. And again, the clothes. Birkenstocks and tie-dyed wrap skirts? What? MORE orange shirts? There's really zero hipster appeal in this picture, but maybe they already lost that demographic.


This is actually stock photography, it was originally used in an ad for Playtex tampons.


The flow chart is amazing. People go into him, and information comes out! He's like some kind of fantasy Human-processing machine that completely defies any and all technology to date. Whooaaa...on closer inspection, his right arm is MISSING. I guess that's one of the dangers of being a robot.

I've had enough for the night.

unreachable

I am sitting at home waiting for my sister to come home so I can borrow money to buy food and tea. Because I realized on the drive home that I had left my purse in my desk at school, something I knew was bound to happen eventually. I thought of turning that car around right then and there, but I also realized that I would be back at school in about 13 hours, and I can live without my cell phone and wallet for 13 hours. Also, that is super sad. My life is consumed with work right now. I should be working now, but screw it for the time being. Oh yes, and I do have food AND tea in the house, but I need to go to a coffee shop with paid wireless so I can actually get work done. Yeah, it's complicated.

The odd thing is, I actually have gotten used to my early waking hours. I sort of like my 6:15 am drive to work. It's so dark and quiet and peaceful. I still haven't gotten my stereo fixed so I sing and talk to myself and no one knows cause it's pitch black out!

Here's what I want, for now and the future:
-food
-my own place closer to work
-travel. Hopefully someplace domestic over spring break, and someplace foreign over the summer.

I'm gonna go dig around the house for money now.

the perfect breakfast

I have discovered the perfect Saturday morning/early afternoon breakfast. First, I put on a pot of tea. [Quick aside - I am stupidly attached to using the teapot my old roommate got me when it is actually quite slow at boiling water. I really should listen to this article, but like I said, stupidly attached.] Then, in one skillet, I start frying up some hash browns in oil. While these are all a sizzlin', I prepare my eggs (3 whites, 1 yolk, and milk, all scrambled with salt and pepper). I also shred some pepper jack cheese. When the hash browns are starting to brown, I start frying the scrambled eggs in butter. Now my tea is ready...so I get that good to go (milk and sugar, please). Now! The grand finale...since the hash browns are almost done, I put the scrambled eggs in the skillet with them, and then add the shredded cheese. I fry this for about a minute until it becomes a gooey, cheesey, eggy, hash-browny pile of goodness. Then I put it on a plate and add some ketchup, drink my tea, and read the paper. MMMM.

sing me spanish techno

Dear New Pornographers,

Please punish me for listening too long to one (your) song. Also, I hope you don't mind that I don't replace the stolen copy of your cd. Also! Please come back to Minneapolis like you're supposed to.

XOXO,
E

P.S. Threadless is having a sale and I have money but the site is soooooooooo slow right now. Boo.

fuel.

When I went to the coffee shop last Friday morning, it was far too early. I walked in before 6:30, and the cashier was impressively perky. Not annoyingly so...I was simply amazed at how awake she was considering she probably got there an hour or so earlier. As I waited for my white mocha to be made, the other girl working asked how I was. "Tired," I replied. She said that she was tired too, and we chatted idly while she topped my drink with whipped cream. After she put the lid on she picked up a couple of chocolate-covered espresso beans and placed them on top. "These will help keep you awake," she explained. It made my morning. I need to remind myself to remember things like this when I'm having trouble making it through the day.

too good to ignore

...Even with all the business. Here is Ted Leo rocking out with children. The cynic in me wants to say that they're actors, but I still love it.

j-o-b!

So, I got a real job. Which means that I will be very busy very soon. Which means that this blog here will likely not be updated all that much. Yep!



While you lie around saying, "Oh when oh when is Erica going to update her blog again?" you can also read this article about Liz Phair and feminism.

sunday laziness

Best rejected advertising
This is just really cool. Yep.

A dot for every second of the day
Yeah, I don't know why I like this.

Interesting article on the politics of fat
It's such a mess. In the 50s, people did not have expensive gym memberships and Atkins. And I definitely think that people are responsible for staying healthy and taking care of themselves, but come on! There is certainly something about the mainstream American lifestyle that makes people fat. I went to Europe and lost 15 pounds without trying. Yeah, I should go back.

so good, it deserves its own entry.

You knit WHAT?
Hahh. Oh, knitters. Hilarious.

sleepy.

My long weekend started off nicely. I went to a pumpkin patch and a corn maze on Thursday (pictures), and it was lovely. On Friday I saw the Decemberists, and they put on a fine show as usual. My friend and I were going to buy tickets for the New Pornographers the next day, but it was cancelled. We went to hang out, and my car got broken into. (pictures) HOORAY! So awesome. They took the crappiest cd player on the planet, I swear. And some of my favorite cds, without cases. AND two boxes of Viactiv Calcium Chews. Wow, that's some hardcore thievery - your next outing will not be thwarted by threats of osteoporosis, for sure. They left a Harry Potter book, my map book, my umbrella, and a few random cds. I'm gonna list the cds they stole, just for my inventory. I probably won't replace most of them since I won't be getting any insurance money from this (not enough lost to offset the deductible), but hopefully I can get burned copies from friends for the ones I don't have on my computer.

Sleater-Kinney - Dig Me Out, The Woods
The Decemberists - Picaresque, Her Majesty
Beulah - When Your Heartstrings Break
Mirah - C'mon Miracle, Advisory Committee, You Think It's Like This But Really It's Like This
Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
That Dog - Retreat From the Sun
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - The Tyranny of Distance, Shake the Sheets
Sufjan Stevens - Illinois, Michigan
The Arcade Fire - Funeral
Hockey Night - Keep Guessin'
The Microphones - The Glow Pt. 2
Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
The Shins - Oh, Inverted World
Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die
Q and Not U - Different Damage
Elliott Smith - Either/Or
A. C. Newman - The Slow Wonder (case too)
The Blow - The Concussive Caress
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

Urgh. Some people, I swear. I took care of my window, now I just have to figure out the stereo business. I'm tired.

food, glorious food.

When I woke up today (before 6am), it was still dark out. That's to be expected. When I left (6:45), it was still dark out. And even when I got to work about a half hour later...still fairly dark out. It was unnerving. Falling back will be good.


This just in! Fantastic Falafel in a box is good stuff. I was always scared of homemade falafel (that is, if you count homemade to mean "adding water and frying") because I figured it would be inferior. But no! It is pretty darn good. Have you ever tried to explain falafel to someone who's never had it? I still am confused about what it actually is even after scanning the boxed ingredients several times. I always just tell them it's good.

Speaking of food, I'm in fall baking mode. I made some banana bread last over the weekend (my one Sunday accomplishment), and soon I hope to make pumpkin bread of some sort. I usually go for pumpkin chocolate chip, but this apple pumpkin bread looks damn good. I should take more pictures of food. Also, I need people to help eat my baked goods.

Speaking of pumpkins! I am planning on going to a pumpkin patch later on in the week, and I am super excited about it. Yes. I'm a dork. Ok, nostalgia time. I'm including a little story from four years ago about falling in love with a pumpkin. It's from my very first blog. Memories!

...As we're walking [through the farmer's market], what should we come across but a stand selling pumpkins. The perfect pumpkin, in mine eyes, was sitting there on the ground. A vibrant orange. Taller than it is fat. It was so beautiful. I picked it up and cradled it in my arms. Kari says, "Are you gonna buy it?" and I say, "What am I going to do with a pumpkin?" But looking at it somehow brought me immense joy. I didn't know what to do. Kari says, "You're not going to be able to put it down. You love it." So I decide I better put it down. IMMEDIATELY after these girls come over and start looking at my pumpkin. MY PUMPKIN! I look at Kari with a gasped/pained look on my face. We laugh, and I think the girls sensed my jealousy and left. By then, my fate was sealed. That pumpkin was mine. I paid the lovely old man $3. He gave me 2 quarters back. And I carried it around for like...2 more hours. But it's so pretty. And well worth $2. Now the pumpkin sits on my windowsill.

Well, that's quite enough for a Monday update. Sheesh.

this is how we know

Sitemeter is fun. Yes, I know when you look at my site, along with other various things. No, not many people come here but that's okay. But the best are the ones who get here via odd msn searches. Compiled below:

-pictures of fiona apple's eyes
-disgusting pictures
-creepy cupcakes pictures
-pictures of cupcakes (2x)
-cheerleading cupcakes
-martha stewart shirt folder
-i don't even own a gun let alone
-cupcakes
-my pictures (2x)

Interesting. I didn't even know people used things besides google or maybe yahoo to look up stuff. But these are the same people who look up "pictures of _____" instead of simply looking up the desired item in a google image search. Hmm, I should really make some cheerleading cupcakes sometime. That would be awesome.

i feel right all the time

...except now. My dinner consisted of beer and nachos, and later on a rum and coke, and now I feel absolutely disgusting. Ugggggghhh.

Mates of State + Hockey Night was fun. There was a minor flood, but I was wearing sturdy shoes that could take it.

This is just to say that I made an awesome fairly cool bag for my new laptop [pictures!] and I am quite proud of it, in pictures anyway. Because in pictures you can't see all the minor flaws. Also, it needs straps.

Now all I need to do is learn Spanish and then I can take over the world.

Someday I will post links again.

oh, wee blog.

Listen to this...I have been WORKING! Hence the general lack of updates lately. There is a lot to look at on the internet, you know? It's exhausting trying to keep up. So I have not been doing that as much.

Show update: So far I can check Sufjan Stevens and Architecture in Helsinki off my show list.Both shows involved 8 (or sometimes more) people on stage and lots of instruments. Sufjan had matching costumes and pom-poms. Architecture had none of that. Sufjan was good, but I had really high expectations that were not met, and I left disappointed. Architecture had all the energy that Sufjan and his band were lacking. Architecture had tubas! and trombones! and triangles! And all the members played multiple instruments, working to recreate the layered sounds on In Case We Die. Sufjan's band had fun instruments as well, but for all the people up there often sounded really minimalist. In case you can't tell, Architecture in Helsinki wins so far.

Oh my gosh, I feel like I have so much I want to get done today. I should work on that.

i woke up with the power out

So, there was a pretty big storm last week to officially end summer with a bang. And some blowouts. No power at my house for two days. It was inconvenient, yes, but also kind of fun. It definitely got me out of the house. I took some pictures of storm damage around our neighborhood. Yeah.


I guess Fiona Apple's album is finally coming out. Hooray! Also, here is a fascinating article about birth control and other related things. It's five years old, but good.

i, i, i

I haven't been posting lately because I've been too busy playing with my new ibook. Annnnnnd my new ipod. Yes, I have given in! I've been trying to transfer files, and generally get maclimated, so to speak. The mac thing is going fine, but I've been really annoyed with itunes and also my ipod somewhat (even though it is lovely to run with). Change is good, but I hate it sometimes. Buying all of this was a trip cause it ended up costing about as much as my car (before mail-in rebates). Man, technology! Insane.

Anyway. As a rare treat to my loyal readers, or loyal random stopovers, here's an mp3 for you.
Mirah and Friends - Oh! September
Summer isn't over yet, you see. To me this song is a tribute to that pre-autumn time that is just lovely. So what if the random singers don't have the best, on-key vocals. It's fun.

martha! martha! martha!

I'm not one to really believe in "guilty pleasures". Most people have certain songs that are guilty pleasures, but this is silly. Yes, it's true! "Since U Been Gone" is my most listened to song according to my audioscrobbler. Yes, it's true that "Behind These Hazel Eyes" is pretty high up on that list too. It's true that if you check that page in a week, Pat Benatar will definitely be on the list of most listened to artists for the past week. But I refuse to make excuses for liking any of these songs, and I will not refer to them as guilty pleasures - because I do not feel guilty when I enjoy them so much.

I will admit one slightly guilty pleasure, and that is Martha Stewart. Martha, you brought out the DIY in me when you pranced around your immaculate house making chandeliers for a small dinner party. I love you for that. But I hate the way you recommend that I buy my wire cutters from this fabulous wire cutting store in the outskirts in Maine. I hate that your version of DIY is so expensive - isn't the point to save money? I hate that you are so smug, so pretentious, so ...better than everyone else, clearly. How could we expect anything less? Even in prison you were a class above the rest, I am certain.

So I've been watching Martha's new show the past two days, and it has been...interesting. Yesterday was a bit of a mess, with Martha punctuating every other thought with "uh" or "um". It was almost fun, knowing that she doesn't have style and grace at all times. Today was much improved, and now I am somewhat hooked. Maybe it was David Spade having to explain the foreign concept of tater tots and how to cook them to Martha. Maybe it was the audience, who looked collectively hideous in their crocheted ponchos. It's probably just Martha, though. Martha, I love that you made nachos for your cellmates [in the microwave, even!!]. I love that you consistently screw up your guests' names at least once. I love that you have taught the art of t-shirt folding two days in a row, even if it only shows that you are a better folder than everyone. You are welcome addition to my daily routine, as long as I can snicker at you while I watch.

adventures with new toothpaste - a story with pictures

For whatever reason, I have always been partial to Aquafresh toothpaste. My brand loyalty is so strong that other brands of toothpaste literally scare me. Unless there is some huge emergency, I only brush my teeth with Aquafresh brand toothpaste. [A huge emergency would probably have to include not brushing my teeth for 3 days and only having Colgate or something else available. Confession: sometimes when I drink too much and end up staying at a friend's house, I do not brush my teeth. Even if I brought the requisite supplies! There, now you know.] There's something about the red, white, and green paste that is comforting. I treat my tubes of paste right, too...as directed for best results, I only squeeze from the bottom. See this picture? This is a huge no-no with me. If my tube of toothpaste looks like that, it is only because someone else has used it and in the process was disrespectful to the glorious paste.

Now you that you know about my finicky brushing habits, I can tell you about my adventures in trying a new toothpaste. It's still part of the Aquafresh line ot toothpastes, but new to me. I decided to try the Extreme Clean EmpowerMint toothpase, now with whitening! I was unimpressed with the fancy packaging which had too much orange, but I wanted something with whitening and it was all I could find. Take a deep breath. Here we go.

After opening the overly sophisticated box, I was not at all surprised to find the silver, space-age looking tube of paste. They're pulling out all the stops here! And there is no comfort in the red, green, and white stripes. In fact, there is no red at all. I was worried but moved onward. I removed the cap, and my worst fears became realized: the paste was ORANGE AND WHITE AND HAD NO RED OR GREEN WHATSOEVER. As you can see, I was wary of this unwelcome change. The fact that it now matched my toothbrush did nothing to help.

There was still a job to be done - this teeth brushing thing. I put the paste on my tongue as I usually do (to smash it into the bristles so it doesn't lose fall off the brush), and NOOO! It tastes like dentist toothpaste! I am even going so far as to post this horribly unattractive picture of me to show my disgust. I put up with the taste and started brushing anyway, and it started this weird foaming stuff. According to the box:

Its dynamic foaming action seeks out hard to reach places - even the back of your tongue - fighting the sources of bad breath.

I can tell you that this is bullshit. There is no way this magical foam is going to crawl to the back of my tongue without some assistance from yours truly.

I managed to finish brushing with only a little gagging. I then remembered a tip my friend told me once - certain toothpastes are ADA approved and have a little symbol on them. I knew that my beloved red and green Aquafresh was, and I even dug an old tube out of the trash to confirm it. [Aww, just look at it - it's so cute and unpretentious. Sigh.] I checked all over the new fancy tube, and there were no ADA markings of any kind. Maybe it's too new to get approval, but this pretty much settled it for me: Extreme Clean "EmpowerMint" toothpaste SUCKS. But I'll probably still use it until I can finish this blasted tube.

concert calendar

You could read this guide, which contains 10 concerts that will supposedly ROCK YOUR WORLD! That is, if you're into super predictable lists containing mostly sold-out arena shows. What else are they going to add? The Rolling Stones? Bruce Springsteen? I hear they're good.

Or you could browse through my list. It's actually pretty predictable as well, if you know my taste in music at all.

Sufjan Stevens - 9/18 @ First Ave.
This is a must, and I am praying that it's not sold out yet. I always assume that shows do not sell out, but sometimes they do. I will cry and kick myself if it is.

Sigur Ros - 9/24 @ the State Theatre
It's a little pricey, and has assigned seats, and no one I know wants to pony up the money to see them even though they are spectacular live. We'll see what happens.

Architecture in Helsinki - 9/29 - @ 7th St. Entry
They're playing the same night as the Arcade Fire...hah. But the Arcade Fire is sold out, and I am somewhat over them. Whee.

Mates of State - 10/3 @ the Triple Rock
With Hockey Night opening! Sweet! Both very fun, very cute bands.

The Decemberists - 10/21 @ First Ave.
I'm actually not super interested in seeing them again, but I know it's only because the Fine Line is stupid and overcrowded. They always put on a good show.


The New Pornographers - 10/22 @ First Ave.
Given the choice, I would definitely see them over the Decemberists. Speaking of which, I still haven't heard Twin Cinema yet. I'm way behind.

There's a few more that piqued my interest but I'll leave it at that for now. So much to choose from!

it doesn't really feel like a holiday...

There's the good and the bad about extreme media saturation. On the one hand, I am at least constantly aware of the problems that are happening right now. It's difficult to be willfully ignorant when it is shoved in my face. On the other hand, it has made me completely numb and overwhelmed. As a former sociology major, I find this disaster fascinating for all the wrong reasons. It's been pretty central in my mind for the past few nights, to the point of losing sleep.

And of course there are the rants. I love the Internet because it allows anyone with the right access to complain about whatever they choose, whether it be broccoli or President Bush. But at the same time I don't feel that just because a certain site has more traffic means their opinion is any more valid than another's. I'm choosing to link to this one in particular, and not because it is the one I agree with the most (this is not to say that I disagree, either), but because it provides some musical context to go along with directives. Just an idea.

Part of the problem is that I am still woefully unemployed, which makes it easier to get caught up in all of this. Luckily I have found a few distractions. One was going to the Minnesota State Fair finally. [Pictures from my adventures here.] I've also been doing lots of Sodoku puzzles. I tried these before but was driving myself insane because I was missing out on a crucial part of the instructions (the 3x3 part). It makes a lot more sense now, obviously. I've also been running more and that feels good.

To close, a quote of seemingly unknown origins.

A society is ultimately judged by how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members.

(whoops, spoke too soon...) Ah geeze I almost forgot! Editorial Cartoons. So succinct, they help clear up some of the media clutter wracked in my brain.

katrina.

Race, class? No Matter. We're all in this together.
[Please note sarcasm.] I feel this is a much better read than over-analyzing the looting/finding photos.

And now for the creepy prediction articles: Drowning New Orleans, New Orleans is Sinking, and Gone With the Water. This country would be a lot better if we lived by the Boy Scout's motto: Be Prepared.

let's savor August for 30 more minutes.

Blog about going to the State Fair every day
How does one afford that, anyway? I will go this year though, I promise. Maybe.

Libelous Claims About Large Corporations
So. Awesome. I love you paint.

i suck at life

Aww, the MN State Fair made the NY Times
Except they're probably using this as some cultural study to prove, "God, the midwest is weird."

Cats in Sinks!
hehe!

I've been doing Encarta quizzes all day. After I aced the 8th grade math test, I tried the SAT sample math test. Aced it! Then I thought I'd try the writing section. Whoa, that sucked. THEN I tried some grammar test and did horribly on it. And thus we have proof as to why my original career path [math teacher] was actually a better choice than my current one [ESL teacher with no job].

let's pig out and go running so we don't feel fat.

Cupcake photo pool on Flickr
Oh. My. God. That's over 500 pictures of cupcakes, and counting. I like this one so far.

In other news, I think my friends and I are going to do this 5k beer run!!! With costumes! I don't know what yet. I need to get in better shape.

triple word score.

The winning board from the Scrabble Tournament
Conclusion: the Scrabble Dictionary is bullshit.

i love ira glass

Interview with Ira Glass

IG: I'm sorry, I don't talk about that.

(Glass hangs up. Thirty seconds later, he calls back.)

BM: I can't believe you actually hung up.

IG: See, that felt good. I want to do that every interview, now.

After reading that I wanted to marry him. But then I finished up the piece and found out he's engaged. Shucks.

i'm almost on empty

Dear Friend,
Do you drive a car? Take the bus? Maybe you only bike or walk anywhere, which obviously makes you better than most other Americans. Congrats to you. Have you noticed that gas is expensive? And it just seems to be getting more expensive? Sucks, huh? And even though we keep saying, "Man, gas is expensive!" the price never really seems to go down.

Sometimes I like to watch the news when I am making dinner and the reruns of Seinfeld aren't on yet. Every single goddamn day the news has to remind us that gas is expensive. New all-time high! Now show some stock-footage of people filling up their suburbans.

But today the news reached its lowest point. CBS has decided to, ahem, drive around the country exploring the rising costs of gas and how it affects people. Um, hello. People pay more for gas, have less money for other stuff, consider other options, complain a lot, take less road trips, complain some more, but mostly just keep on driving and paying for gas like everyone else. Fascinating stuff. I expect many heart-breaking stories about the man with the giant truck who paid $100 to fill his tank. I will be tuning in all week. So should you.

Hearts,
Erica

in case you miss me.

Minnesota Historical Society's list of everyone who has played at First Ave. or 7th Street Entry, ever
I don't have time to study this thoroughly, so I thought I'd check out my day of birth: no one played on the exact, but U2 played 4 days later [Feb 21, 1982]. That makes me feel really young somehow.


To anyone who cares: my absence is due to my busy week - I've been putting in long hours nannying for an energetic 4-year-old. We've been doing the usual: catching ants for hours, mistaking logs for crocodiles, and spending way too much time at the mall on the climbing apparatus since it was crappy out today. I need a massage.

Only a real man can be a lover*

An overview of the book 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America
I don't know what I was expecting when I clicked this, but when George Bush wasn't at the top that was a pretty clear sign.

Birth Control for men could, uh, change things

Posters recruiting subjects for male contraception trials showed the “First Man on the Pill” dressed as an astronaut, striking a confident pose, boldly looking to the future.

haha, that is SO awesome.

Sufjan Stevens declared not Christian enough by the Christian Music Trade Association
Man, why do they always have to be so holier-than-thou?

Related: Illinois is declared to be superbly wonderful by many including me. Thank you B-Side in Madison for actually having it in stock. Yum.

*That subject is strangely related to everything in this post even though it wasn't intended to be.

apple, you win.

I have managed to fend off the ipod crazies who have been invading the universe for a while now. I've read the countless articles about how someone's ipod changed their life without feeling too left out. I've maintained the idea that yeah, ipods might be okay if I could afford one, but I'd rather spend my money on other, more important things. Even after I had explored other people's ipods and marveled at how freakishly small they are, I still managed to hold on to my ambivalence about the damn things. That's until last week, when I decided to borrow my brother's mini to go on a run alongside some farmlands up north. And it was quite convenient to have ALL THAT MUSIC literally in the palm of my hand. Of course, it was my bro's music so I had to filter through a lot of crap. Which is why if I had my own it would be even better! Sigh.

So anyway. That means my current wishlist is:
1. Apple ibook
2. Apple ipod
3. A job to pay for all of these things.

See, it's like I'm already one of those Apple fanatics even though I'm typing this on a Dell computer that is too old to even support itunes.

143

I saw Me and You and Everyone We Know a week ago, and I cannot stop thinking about it. I want to tell my friends about every scene that I liked (which is much of the movie), but I stop because I don't want to ruin anything for them in case they want to see it. After I saw it I knew I liked it, but the feeling has grown since. It's like a visual earworm, if that makes sense at all. So anyway, in the absence of being able to watch it again right now or even being able to gush about it with someone who's seen it, I've been reading the movie's blog again. I started exploring it when I wanted to see the movie initially, but it's much more relevant now. I like the way Miranda deals with her success (such as talking about paying off debts and buying new shoes). I like the way she is proud of her movie and yet nervous as she sees people in line to see it. But most of all, I adore Brandon's blogs (the adorable 6 year old actor). They're so honest and heart-warming. I hope he can read those when he's 16. So, yeah. Go see this right now please.

/gushing

have a nice WEEKEND?

I was up at the family cabin last week for a few days, and my sister brought the premiere issue of Weekend Magazine (which apparently has no website I can find). It's pretty much the exact same thing as Real Simple, except more based around things one might do on the weekend, like have clambakes, visit expensive spas or redecorate the already spotless and neat laundry room. Yeah...there was one hilarious article where the laundry room was in "disarray" because...well, we never really understood why. But after some fresh paint, an expensive laundromat style hamper and turning the ironing board around it really did look better! Anyway, you get the idea. An emphasis on organizing and relaxation skills for people with time and money. They had a survey and since I was bored I decided to fill it out.

If you were to visit the Weekend website, what would you like to see?
Pictures of men wearing J. Crew clothing in various stages of undress.

What do you like best about Weekend?
The upper-middle class idealism that we all strive to achieve.


If additional editorial content was added, what would you like to see?
More articles about cluttered laundry room that show me how bad mine is - I am so embarassed. Shocked and appalled, even.

If you decided not to subscribe to Weekend, why would you not subscribe?
Because it would increase the clutter in my life, causing me stress, nausea, and malaise.*

*also: ennui.

gah! typos!

Bottled Water = Bad News
This makes me feel better about drinking (GASP) tap water. I knew a girl who wouldn't even give her CAT water that hadn't been through her Brita. Also, I don't remember where I got this link anymore but at the end it says "YOUR REG SYSTEM IS EVIL". Interesting!

Interview with MarkDefamer
Interesting stuff, especially the love/hate relationship with celebrities.

Flickr "Interestingness"
Fun. I wish I took nice pictures.

Warning! Adorable/future hipster Finnish baby photo link
Lots of other stylish people there, depending on your definition of stylish.


I'm out of town for a bit. Northwestern MN, and then Madison. I get to spend something like 8 hours in a car Friday NOT listening to This American Life. Whee!

get rich now! ask me how.

WOW! Not buying lunch actually saves money
I love it when rich people are like, "I have this new way to save money that includes not buying something!!" Duh. Meanwhile, there's the people like me who have been brown-bagging it for years because, um, $7 for lunch everyday is way more than we can afford. How am I not a millionaire yet?

Fake Jennifer Aniston love letters on ebay
hehe, I actually don't mind at all that he's making some cash from this.

Snopes "urgent" unanswerable questions
There's just so much goodness in here. My faves:

If someone was too eat a huge clump of wasabi paste..Could they choke to death from being unable to breath?

If you sneeze and get into an accident, are you still at fault? Are there any laws?

Is Ciara a MAN????? PLEASE ANSWER ME BACK!!!!!

worms are fun when they're not in your leg

David Sedaris in the New Yorker


Two fun things as of late.
1. I left my car windows open and it started raining. While I was drying off the inside I found a change drawer, that after a year of ownership, I never knew was there. It was so full of change it was really hard to open.
2. Yesterday I bought an eggplant (among other things) at Super Target. The cashier kept paging through the produce codes, continually leafing until she finally asked, "What is this?" I tried to pass off my amused grin as being caused by a nearby baby.

podcasts shmodcasts

The types of stories my mother tells
Sadly, I'm sure I will tell stories the exact same way when I'm a mom. Sigh.


So today I spent, well, way too much time wandering around various DIY/independent websites, looking at homemade bags and skirts and jewellry that all the crafty folk are selling. Lots of cute stuff, some horribly overpriced. But I think this vulva hand bag is the funniest. "Conceal all your personal female hygiene items (like tampons!) in this chic little hand-bag." Yes. Because if I honestly feel the need to hide my tampons (god forbid!!), I'm going to carry them around in a hideous furry vagina so NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS INSIDE. It looks more like a muppet smoking a tampon than a purse.

i want candy

Google Moon
Things I love: 1) The moon. 2) Big dorks. 3) Cheese.

15 pound homemade gummy bear!
My sister and I have wanted to do a similar thing with meltaway mints. It would be a work of art.

Designers vote on colors associated with the days of the week and make shirts
I don't know, this doesn't seem right at all. The only one that makes sense to me is Sunday.

i like to ride my bicycle

Shameless celebrity haircut link
Only posted because when I saw it, I thought...Brad Pitt got breast implants and is wearing a dress? Not even kidding. Click. Learn.

Now you can buy The Postal Service from the Postal Service!
Is that really how they got the name? I never knew.


______
fuck.

what's your favorite word?

My Favorite Word
Asking me my favorite word is like asking me my favorite movie: there's a lot that I like but it's really hard to pinpoint a favorite. Right now I'm tempted to add "moist" but it seems very childish.

Slow day, eh.

yeah, it's been a while.

Classic novels for ADD readers
All are 250 words or less. I've read 6 of those, I think. (Why can I never remember the books I was forced to read in high school?)

I'm currently at Unicorn University majoring in English, with a concentration in Unicorn Poetry
I am so getting published once I graduate.

Wow! The only two movies I'm really interested in seeing this summer come out this weekend.
If you were curious, they are Me and You and Everyone We Know and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which I keep wanting to call Willy Wonka, dammit.


I've been ridiculously tired this week and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the heat. Maybe I have mono. Maybe it's because those 8-year-olds we played kickball with last night really wore me out. Ayy.

books and stuff.

Guy Takes Picture of Everything He Eats in a Year, Puts in Book
Wow, just wow. I want to see that.

Q and Not U to split
Sucks, just sucks.

The anal-retentive method for finishing library books on time
I prefer renewing a book twice (the maximum), returing it, checking it out again and renewing it twice more, and finally finishing it as my parents drive me to move into my freshman dorm. That was Catch-22 by the way, which is now one of my favorite books even if it did take me so long to read. Speaking of books, Everything is Illuminated is due tomorrow, and I still have 50 pages left. Totally doable, but that unexpected phone call really threw me off course. MUST READ.

radio, radio.

NPR bit about Arkansas also features Sufjan Stevens
Honestly, I would say more Sufjan, less bird story, but okay. At the very least, you can download his song about Arkansas at that link. I hope his next CD isn't about Arkansas. No offense! Stay with the midwest, that's good stuff.

Speaking of music about states...
The Current presents "50" songs for 50 states, aired on the 4th.
I wonder how many people listened to the whole thing. But the playlist looks pretty solid.

ode to ridiculous weather icons

Galleries of weather icons!!
I am always thoroughly amused by yahoo!'s weather icons, so these pages, well, FLOOR me. My personal faves:

This is a rare phenomenon indeed, the thunderstorm hat/moon eclipse.

I don't know either! Weather icon, you are not helping!!

Ooohh, this is just a mess. Think I'll stay inside.

It's so foggy I hardly even know that it's foggy!!

There's a chance of dusty horizontal blinds!


hehehe.

4 day weeks are almost as good as 3-day weekends

How to Make Pizza!
Exciting. Now I can master my pizza making ways. Only, how the hell am I supposed to eat two pizzas? Who wants to come over?

Eco-Car more efficient than lightbulb
This wins for most disappointing headline link ever. The car looks like a lightbulb and tops out at 30 miles per hour.

Slideshow History of the Vibrator
"By 1917, there were more vibrators than toasters in American homes." Huh, I wonder what the ratio is now. It's like..devolution.

mini pop culture review

So, after watching TRL for about 15 minutes and some other stuff on MTV, here is what I have learned.

1. It's a really good thing that Destiny's Child is breaking up.
No, I don't hate them. But that new song, "Cater 2 You" (Cater 2 U?), is just awful. Seriously bad. For one, the lyrics are completely submissive and contrary to the days of "Independent Woman" and singing about payin' their automobills. Not to mention, THIS SONG IS JUST CRAP, END OF STORY. Whatever happened to the beats from Bootylicious? I hope Beyonce has a good solo career.

2. My Chemical Romance.
More like My Chemical Induced Suicide Isn't Working Fast Enough. Ok, that was super lame, but WHY are they on MTV???


3. Gwen Stefani = way cute as a brunette.
Also, "Hollaback Girl" is still awesome, and I will stand by that until I get sick of it.


4. I can't believe they replaced NEXT with Date My Mom.
I curse American Pie and Fountains of Wayne for this whole hot mom bonanza that's gone on for way too long. And as a sucker for cheesy dating shows, I can say that Date My Mom is the most horribly scripted and incredibly lame dating show of all time. At least on other horribly scripted shows they could incorporate some drama and scandalousness, but no. Not on this super happy, let's hug and twirl while the sun sets behind us piece of crap show! Bring back Next, please.


Until next time.

first post of july, woo?

Sculptures made from unwanted CDs
This reminds of those days in elementary school when we would bring in garbage and try to make "art" out of it. And it always looked like crap. This is much better, seriously.

Pedestrian Hacker Group Releases Crosswalk Button Hacks
1. "Pedestrian hackers" makes me think of serial killers with a penchant for walkers.
2. "For the love of humanity, can't you people just jaywalk?" hahah TRUE. You don't need a frickin' hack to "walk without oppression."

smorgasboard

google map of Iraqi casualties

Rich, attractive people get more attention in online dating world
Woo! Now we have proof for something we already knew. For more obvious research studies, go here.

Sugar Ray interview effectively summed up in 4 sentences

Mark McGrath is one lucky guy.

"I'm not one of the most talented songwriters out there, obviously, and I've got an on-again, off-again relationship with key," said the 37-year-old singer/actor/TV host during a phone interview from Los Angeles. "I've now had two jobs, neither of which I do very well.

"I ask myself every day why I'm here."

So do I, Mark. So do I.

Dessert homage to Spoonbridge and Cherry Sculpture [from here]
That cake looks kinda weird, but I still want to eat it. Mmmmm.

I acted like a robotic cowboy

Interview with Craig of craigslist
"...the Internet is allowing people of goodwill to realize that most everyone is OK, means well and wants to get along."
While I optimistically agree with this statement, I think it's funny coming from the founder of craigslist, where the anonymous forum option allows people to be exceedingly snarky* and downright offensive. Rants and raves often makes me sad to be a human.

Proof that being a packrat can pay off, big time
Literally thousands upon thousands of 45s on ebay. This guy must need a separate apartment to store them all. yikes.

*Any excuse to use the word snarky is a good one.

miss me?

A bunch of dorks organize a "mass missed connection" at a grocery store in uptown (any link that has "Lund's" in it)
Oh my gosh, this is hilarious. Someone told everyone to hang around the Cliff Bars section and stare at each other so people could get missed connections about themselves on craigslist. Some quotes:
"You: Absolutely soaked to the skin and freezing in the store's A/C.
Me: Absolutely soaked to the skin and freezing in the store's A/C." [It rained tonight, like a ton.]
"It did seem like an odd kind of crowd. I've never seen anyone wear a tiara grocery shopping..."
"We should grab some hipster coffee at a hipster coffee shop and talk about indie music, or something."

and no, I didn't go.

This desert island is a bummer.

Article explaining why teachers should get paid more
As if there was anything to explain about that. Also, I refuse to take on a second job.

Some McSweeney's lists I am enjoying
"We're becoming homogenized, pasteurized robots." hahah.

A cupcake photo set!!!!!
yummmmm. Related: a cupcake blog.

I don't even own A gun, let alone many guns...

"Top" 100 Movie Quotes
Wow, I am SO GLAD I did not waste three hours watching this stupid show. I can't even read the damn list. WHY DO THEY KEEP MAKING THESE LISTS??? They just keep getting worse. And this is coming from a fan of lists! Wow.


Item!! That temp job I took ended up being the worst job EVER and made me hate life, but I managed to score a super stellar summer teaching position through pure luck. Oh, and I quadrupled my pay rate. YAY!

songs with handclaps

Sarah asked and it's really bugging me that I can't think of more.

Q and not U - a line in the sand
Mirah etc - oh! september
Rilo Kiley - the frug
Self - Pattycake
Sleater-Kinney - Turn it on
The Blow - some chocolates
The Blow - Hey boy
The Decemberists - the sporting life (am I remembering this right?)
The Postal Service - Clark Gable
The Shins - kissing the lipless

what else?

ow ow ow ow

Nerds Make Better Lovers
True, but who ever thought that Tiger Woods is a geek? Am I missing something? Adam Brody I don't really get either, but okay.

I had no idea Resusci Annie was French!
I also had no idea that when I was saying "Resusci Annie" I was speaking French, although probably horribly mispronounced.


I don't know if this will work, but I'm going to try to do crossword puzzles while lying on my back now. Chairs suck.

i'm waiting on dinner to update this, you know.

Turn your digital photos into polaroid photos
Sweet! see? [if that even works.]

Go forth! and watch the moon this week
I am so happy to be alerted to this.

But don't stay out too long, because tomorrow night you MUST watch PBS
The Education of Shelby Knox looks fascinating. The politics of sex education are just so... baffling. Hm, maybe I'll write more after I see it. [Thank you THOM for reminding me about this, I would have forgotten otherwise.]

During a female orgasm, part of the brain shuts off
“At the moment of orgasm, women do not have any emotional feelings.” INTRIGUING.

weekend update

go here for the video of "Knowing the Things That I Know [with The Blow and YACHT.]
Another video I should have seen months ago were it not for quicktime being stupid! ahhh. But anyway, this is cute, they are cute, the song is cute, everything is cute.

Edible Disney Tortilla Decals
ohhh...kay...

Possible Bill to Allow In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants
Interesting stuff, for me especially. That's all I feel like saying now.

morning news, celebrity edition

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise engaged
Yeah, really. The Eiffel tower is soooooo cliche. And I never thought I'd say it, but I feel sorry for Chris Klein. His ex-fiancee gets shitloads of publicity, and he gets a DUI. poor thing.

Paris Hilton to "retire"
This is old news, but I find it funny that an article with such eloquent quotes as, "I don't enjoy going out anymore. It's such a pain. It's everyone saying, `Let's do a deal! Can I have a picture?' I'm just, like, `These people are such losers. I can't believe I used to love doing this.'" only got a two-star rating.

Chris Noth on the subway
Mr. Big! Where's Raul???

Since I'm a celebrity as well, you should know that I got a temp job, and as such will not be able to read blogs all day. Or maybe I will. It's like a cliffhanger, but not at all exciting.

melts in your mouth

Ted Leo in studio performance/interview on The Current
I saw him last night, what a cutie. I'm amazed at how his voice is so deep and yet he sings so high!

David Sedaris interview
"Because I'm not a funny person." hah, that in itself is funny. Speaking of David Sedaris...

David Sedaris backlash
Their main critique is that Mr. Sedaris is writing about a difficult airplane seatmate, and seems to have run out of familial writing material. Possibly, but it's not like he can ONLY write about his family. My favorite Sedaris work is Me Talk Pretty One Day, which has very few stories about his family. I think Sedaris' writing is great because it's very relateable - the stories aren't so far out there that you think the situations could only happen to a few people [that was my problem with Augusten Burroughs' Running with Scissors]. Not to mention, who hasn't had an uncomfortable experience on an flight?

21 itunes sold per ipod
OH MY GOSH, do you think people might be illegally downloading music? THE HORROR!

chocolate + high fashion = yumminess in more ways than one
wow.

I'm seeing sleater-kinney tonight. Hell yes.

monday, monday.

Not the days of the week really hold much relevance when you don't have a job. Anyway.

Katie Holmes Converts to Scientology
"...the 42-year-old actor [Tom Cruise] was asked if Holmes is curious about Scientology. "Yeah, absolutely. She digs it,'' he tells the magazine."
42? Are you sure he's not like...18? egh.

Dancing Geek
I think his dance moves are just alright, but things like this fascinate me. Geeks using the internet to redeem themselves!

BCBG inspired handmade dress
Even though I doubt I would ever feel comfortable wearing this, it is awe-inspiring. I drool whenever I walk by the BCBG section at Marshall Field's, but please, can I afford designer clothing? This gives me hope. [note to self: get off internet, start sewing.]

I kinda never want to buy processed/pre-packaged food never again.
I stumbled across this looking for pictures of cupcakes, and ...yuck. Look at this picture for apple pie filling!

But yeah, to start the week off right, here you go.

yum!!

Friday! Friday! Friday!

Fortune Cookie Writer Faces Writer's Block
"...it soon became apparent that its antiquated catalogue of fortunes would have to be updated. (“Find someone as gay as you are,” one leftover from the nineteen-forties read.)" hahah.

Gay Rights Battlefields Spread to Public Schools
From a Georgia State Senator: "I just don't feel like homosexual clubs have anything to do with readin', writin' and 'rithmetic." Because football, danceteam, cheerleading, etc. are SO RELATED to the "three R's."

NYT Op-Ed about giving more recognition to the high school teachers who make a difference
Aww, it's the feel-good op-ed of the year. *sniff* I'm not being sarcastic, either! I want to be one of those teachers.

Trailer for Me and You and Everyone We Know
I really want to see this!! Also, I really want a version of quicktime that works on my sorry, old computer. Or, a nice ibook would solve the problem.

trying something new.

we'll see how this goes, eh?

Magnetic Poetry Online, with a twist
At first I didn't get why all the words were arranged in a snakey deal, or why they kept moving, but the site updates itself every 4 seconds, AND you can see what anyone else on the site is creating as well. Which means people can steal your words and rearrange stuff anonymously...FUN!

Kerry Grades Near Bush's While at Yale
"[Kerry] had four D's his freshman year - a 61 in geology, a 63 and a 68 in two history courses, and a 69 in political science. ... Mr. Bush received one D in four years, a 69 in astronomy, and his grades improved after his freshman year, the transcript showed."

At first this made me feel good about my awful 2nd semester Freshman year, because these highly successful people got some really bad grades. But then I remembered that these highly successful people also have millions of dollars. Also, does this attest to grade inflation or what?