"When you told me about losing your virginity
your eyes drifted into the scene and I wanted to be there
to shake you and say wait, damnit
wait for me."

- Derrick Brown

These days it seems like I cannot get enough of Derrick Brown. That was an excerpt from his poem (one of my now favorites) called "Unsent." This stanza particularly caught my attention. I mean how many times have you or someone you've known thought that? "Wait, damnit, wait for me." Le sigh... Now this is getting a little too sentimental.

On another note, it stopped raining in Blacksburg, but it got a lot colder. Ironic isn't it? Actually, not really this is Blacksburg where you can have 4 seasons in a day. Anyway, I guess I don't really have much of an update today. It's crunch time for everybody so that's what we've all been up to. Patrick has to write his thesis. :( I sent him a card, but he doesn' t know it yet, so hopefully he'll get it soon. I accidently smeared the ink so I'll probably get made fun of because it looks like a disaster. I'm telling you ball point pens are > than gel pens for that reason.

In other news, a professor informed me that next year's incoming freshmen will be required to bring a laptop to school. I mean I guess they can have desktops in their rooms, but they will be needing a laptop in all classes meaning that the paper and pencil are on their way out and it will take 4 years to do this (obviously since they're not going to make seniors get new computers). I guess they're really emphasizing the Tech in Virginia Tech. Virtually every place on campus is wireless now so I guess that makes sense. I think it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. I know I am easily distracted and with wireless capabilities in all buildings, I don't think I'd be able to pay attention. However, I heard that they are making all intro professors change their way of lecturing to accomidate this process. I think this may have something to do with the top 30. Thought's anyone?

Zing.

This semester for one of my classes I had to watch 5 foreign films of my choice from the list that my professor provided. Tonight, I watched the last of my 5 and at first I wasn't very excited about it because I just thought it was going to be one of those blood bath kind of movies but it turned out not to be and after watching 4 movies for the class I had been slacking and was kind of stuck watching this one ton ight but I'm glad I did. If you ever get a chance to, go rent "The Twilight Samurai." It is very well made.

Also, I got a chance to read more Derrick Brown and I'm going to have to change my favorite poem in his book to "Unsent." It's so honest.

I guess that's all for now, I don't really have much to say.

In case you missed the concert...
(and I hope you didn't)

Here is the Washington Post's review for Friday night's amazingness.

Speaking of concerts... Army of Me will be playing at the Black Cat on December 17th. It will be a good show. Vince will sing is heart out for you - no doubt about it. Plus the Black Cat is an awesome venue, shows are always good there, and I promise you will meet some interesting people that you will never forget. Last summer I was there and saw A.C. Newman and Pedro the Lion and it was great because the setting was intimate in the sense that no matter where you're standing you can see the band. The crowd isn't too large, everyone is rather spread out and you have your space. I also met two guys attending Georgetown who claimed they were from Kansas and Arkansas or something random. It was good times. Also, that story was terribly irrelevant and I'm sorry you just wasted moments of your existance reading that. But.. there was a moral to it and that is... "whenever you're at the Black Cat you are sure to have a good time."

PS: Currently LOVING Audrye Sessions right now. I'm glad they came to play at Tech, one of the best nights I've had here...

"I'm the nerve in yo spasm
the if in yo riff
and the o in yogasm"

- Derrick Brown

The book I've been wanting came in the mail today! The mail room wasn't open when I went to go check, but the nice lady who gives us our packages went in and got it for me. I told her I had been trying to get this book for the past year and some odd days. Anyway, I opened the package in a fit of anticipation and saw that the author had signed the first page. This is what it said:

"Mary Anne, may these poems change your eyes at night and your mouth in the company of lovers."

I loved it. It was very appropriate. :D

Anyway, I've been reading it for the past half hour. Sadly, I have a lot of other work to do so I can't finish it in one sitting although I would gladly love to do that. It's a rainy day in Blacksburg so it's the perfect time to just sit in my bed and do a little reading for the soul... but alas. My favorite poem so far (note: this is subject to change since I have not finished reading this book) is called "QUARTER SLOTROCK for my friend, the end" and there's an excerpt from it above.

Introducing the Chloe Paddington Bag.
My parents usually get my sister and I presents for Thanksgiving which I think is totally unnecessary because we basically have everything we need and it's in such close proximity to Christmas, it is kind of an overload for them. Anyway, they asked me if there was anything in particular I wanted and I mean I think I'm a pretty minimal person. I don't really need much aside from your essentials: food, shelter, water. Well, I have been receiving Chloe catalogues at the house and I've always liked these bags. Classic italian leather with a nice modern twist (the lock and key). I guess my mom had been looking through these because on Thanksgiving I received one of the bags (see left, but think dark brown instead of black). I really like it. It's large enough to fit all of my essentials plus a journal I take with me eveywhere I go and a book or two. Again, it was really nice of my parents, but kind of unnecessary, however, I will not be complaining. Trust that I will put this to good use.

Mood: Chipper.

(That was so LJ, sorry... at least it didn't say "nostalgic" or "indifferent" or "melancholy")

In an earlier post, I said I would talk about my excitement over a poetry book so here I am delivering the news to the 2.5 people that read this.

I've been trying to track down a poetry book by Derrick Brown (former lead singer of The John Wilkes Kissing Booth) called "If Lovin' You is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Wrong" for the past year or so but nobody had it. I went to multiple bookstores that just told me it was out of print, I even went to his website and... well, nothing. Even Amazon didn't have it. AMAZON! How does Amazon not have a book? It's 2005! Anyway, I actually e-mailed the author and to my surprise, he actually responded to my e-mail and said he still had seven personal copies left. He said it was "out of print" because he hasn't been able to find a publisher that he really likes but said that he could send me a copy since I really wanted one. I sent in my money ASAP and waited a week and there was nothing. Well, over break I checked my bank statement and it said he had cashed the check (thank you online banking, my life is amazing with you) so hopefully, this book will be waiting for me in my mailbox when I return to Blacksburg. One year and some odd days of anticipation... I am very excited (naturally). This book will be food for the heart... or at least I hope so, I'll let you know how it goes when I pick it up in my mailbox tomorrow (hopefully)!

PS: It took Matt and I 6.5 hours to drive to Blacksburg today to get back to school when it should have taken 3.5-4 hours. Holiday traffic/accidents are really no fun (obviously).

Quick.

- We had the best red wine tonight
- I'm going to New York tomorrow! :D
- Currently packing
- I bought a fun pair of flats
- I got a haircut. It's short!
- Finally got that poetry book I wanted (will touch on this subject later)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm so happy to be home this week. I haven't come back since I left for school and with all the accidents on 81 and 15 getting home... I now see why I don't make that trip often. Anyway, for those of you traveling, do it safely and don't get too upset if you encounter 4 accidents within 30 miles (yes, I am still a little bitter). I hope you get to spend today with your family and loved ones and may you eat... EVERYTHING.

I am thankful for...
(you had to know this was coming)

- My amazing family
- You guys (my friends) for continually being there to make memories with
- A certain boy who strikes my fancy that is so good to me
- This semester being one of the best (socially, gradewise, sports, roadtrips, etc)
- Hokie Football. There, I said it.
- My school for being one of the best places I've known. For being a home away from home. For the southern hospitality of the locals to the "oneness" of our campus. I LOVE VIRGINIA TECH. I can't see myself anywhere else.
- Being able to go to New York City tomrorow
- Being able to catch up with old friends this week over lunch and/or dinner (I think I've eaten out every day this week at least once). It's okay I'm left with a stomach full of calories and a mouth that smiles!
- FOOD! And being home and having unlimited access to it.
- Thursday Night Socials :D
- The epic NYFC trip round dos.... this MAY!
- My Pre-Med adviser making sure I do not fail at life, ever. Seriously, I owe this man so much.
- Life

I cannot wait for the movie Factory Girl to come out! :D

Sharon (scarf crocheter extraordinaire) sent me this picture after she informed me she had finished my scarf. :D She is the bearer or great news. It's good to be a Hokie, no? In-State rivalries make for fun times and even better pictures.

D-Love is such a renaissance man.

Well... with the anticipation of moving into a townhome next fall. I can't help but get excited about all the art I get to fill my walls with (after I paint them a light coffee color of course). So far, I've been fortunate enough to have some good friends of mine send me their beautiful artwork. Michael L. for instance, sent me amazing black and whites of city things like bridges, metros, buildings etc. I am planning to blow these up and put them in black frames. I think the contrast with the light coffee colored walls will be phenomenal. Anyway, today Dylan (or D-Love) randomly sent me a piece he was working on just to get some feedback. (It's featured to the right - Jonathan Meiburg from Shearwater) I really liked the idea behind this and asked if he would mind doing a few pices like this for me to put up in the townhouse next year and he agreed! I'm really excited. I'm not really sure what pictures I should get him to D-Love up but I still have a little while to figure it out. In the meantime, if any of you guys have suggestions of what would look good blown up and turned into a degree of Pop Art, let me know! I would love to hear what you guys think.

Oh I almost forgot...

In case you were wondering, Eric Williams wasn't there on Thursday night so I didn't get to meet him. He had an away game. I guess my dreams of taking a picture of him while we are both flexing in the mirror have been shot... however, I am not giving up. I will have a picture with him like that and it will be a part of his webshots album. You will get the reference if you have seen it.

Bright Eyes x 2.

By now I'm sure you guys have read about me being excited to go see Bright Eyes two nights in a row. And now that I have crossed that off my list of things to do... I feel like I owe it to you to write about my experience. Okay so I guess I should start by explaining the ticket incident and how I got tickets to two shows within 24 hours of one another. I originally had planned on going to see Bright Eyes with Patrick on Thursday in Asheville at the Civic Center (where I saw Conor play last year with Josh and Drew1). Patrick bought tickets for that and everything was fine until he realized that the concert was on the same day as the last Wake Football homegame against Miami so to remedy this issue I told him I could just get us some tickets to the show by my house the day after at DAR Constitution Hall in DC and just make a weekend out of it. Afterall, the Andy Warhol exhibit is on display right now in the Corcoran. Anyway, a week before the show Pat told me the Wake game had been rescheduled and we could still go to the Thursday show. So, that's what we ended up doing and Kathryn said she would come to my house for the weekend and go to the Friday show with me. So now that we're clear... I'll finally tell you about the shows.

Thursday :: Bright Eyes in Ashville, NC

I absolutely love this venue. I saw Conor play here Spring semester of last year and it was wonderful. It's a beautiful opera-like venue with the most comfortable seating imaginable. You walk in and are greeted with people selling you all types of great drinks. It was the same this year, I loved it. Pat and I were pretty stoked we had 7th row seats because he is amazing like that. The show was fantastic. I don't know what else to say. Feist is just ridiculous, I really wish I were her. Her voice has this eerie retro feel to it. Her music is very mellow... like a deep rich wine (I don't know how to explain it). It's jazzy, and makes you want to snap and act as a metronome for her live soundtrack. Her breaths inbetween the songs... all the vocalized pauses wer basically perfect. I mean this girl is just beyond words. Seriously Feist, let's swtich lives, think about it and let me know okay? Next was Conor and as usual he was extraordinary. I loved every minute of his set as did Patrick. He did a lot of stuff from Digital Ash and I'm Wide Awake. And a few of my old favorites such as The Calendar Hung Itself. He also played 3 new songs, I only caught the name of one of them which was called "Napoleon's Hat." I really enjoyed it. He said you could download it off of iTunes or buy it off of Saddle-Creek. It's on a split CD that benefits Hurricane victims. The sound quality was also great. I didn't feel like I had just gone deaf afterwards. Unfortunately, there was a harpist (Sabrina) that was supposed to play at the show and was there but tore off her toe nail and had to go to the emergency room so Conor and the band went on without her. I wouldn't have really known if they didn't bring it up. I still thought everything sounded great. It's one of those things where it's like you can't miss something you never had. I think the highlight of the show for me was the Feist-Oberst duet of the song "Mushaboom" which is a great song (download it if you have the chance). I highly recommend it. My only one complaint would be that the crowd was full of middle school wanna-be hipsters. I think I saw about 800 Conor clones with the exact same haircut and collarshirt/tie combo. Patrick and I felt really old because we were part of the 10% there that could actually vote. These kids don't even know what the guy is talking about. I mean, I don't care if you like his music, but please for my sake, listen to his music for the right reasons.

Friday :: Bright Eyes in Washington, DC

I was really excited about Bright Eyes playing in DC not only because it is my "hometown" but because he was playing at Constitution Hall. Obviously we know what his political views are and for him to play there was so symbolic. I was really excited because I knew he had something good in store. Because of ridiculous traffic on 81 due to 4 accidents and then 1 accident on 15... I didn't arrive home until the concert had already started and to make it worse, parking in DC on a Friday night is practically impossible so we ended up missing the first two openers. The one I missed on Thursday and Feist. I felt really bad because I really wanted Kathryn to experience Feist but I guess there will be other tours right? Anyway, we got there during the set change and made it just in time to catch Mr.Oberst. The first song was "Sunrise, Sunset," and the harpist was able to play and it was just astounding. It sounded phenomenal. I wish Patrick could have experienced it with the harp because I think it did make it 10 times better. Anyway, he didn't play as much of his new stuff so I didn't have to sit through the same set two days in a row which I was very thankful for. During one of his songs he invited people to waltz and a bunch of people did. It was really beautiful watching thousands of people waltzing up and down the asiles in Constitution Hall mind you. Kathryn and I looked at each other and we were just like "damn, wish we could have brought some guys with us." This went on for a few minutes until security made everyone sit down. Yeah I know, jerks. Anyway, the show was great, my friend Erik came up from Tech to go see it so we met up with him which was a lot of fun. The show was great. The crowd (thank goodness) was not filled with angsty hipsters but rather people of voting age and people who actually cared about what was said. Well I mean, what would you expect in a city like DC? It was great. My only complaint in regards to this show was that it was a little loud and I don't know if that's just because we we had awesome seats (again) and we were just closer to the speakers or if it really was ridiculously loud. I'm thinking it was the latter. It didn't ruin the experience for me by any means, I just don't like walking out of concerts and not being able to hear properly for an hour or so. Other than that, I had a really good time, picked up the Fiest CD (which you should do too if you get a chance, or stick it on your Holiday list) and the Live Bright Eyes CD which is good too. I'm really glad I went two days in a row.

I got my street cred back today.
(according to Hunter)

The glorious away complete with my version of "Damn it Feels good to be Gangsta":

Hey remember that time we beat UVA 52-14? :-)

Damn it feels good to be a Hokie a real gangsta ass Hokie plays his ball right. A real gangsta ass Hokie always runs the fuckin ball cuz a real gangsta ass Hokie knows the plays right.

Response a la Hunter Kern who I've been "fighting" with lately.

Hunter: mad street cred to you
Hunter: damn girl
Hunter: you were in a slump for the longest time
Hunter: but damn
Hunter: you earnin mad respect yo
Hunter: have a good thanksgivin

*Note 1: The "slump" was due to 3 exams every week for the past month in addition to Pre-Med stuff and conducting Psyc research. Rest assured... I'm back.
Note 2: Hunter never says "mad respect yo" ever. So this is a FIRST. Be excited that you got to experience it HERE.

landsbergo: omfg, i'm stealing that from you
landsbergo: you are awesome

I didn't know this recreation "remix a la Mary" would have been so widely accepted. I'm gonna have to say this was my great accomplishment of the day.

PS: It should have taken me 4 hours (at most) to get home yesterday but there were 4 accidents on 81 within 30 miles and one on 15... almost missed the Bright Eyes show (which was awesome both days... this will be saved for another post) and ended up spending 7 hours in the car. Poor Tommy had to listen to me sing the whole way and got to deal with my abrupt stops and usage of breaks because I had come to the realization that traffic was backed up yet again by another accident. Sager sums it up by saying:

Sagar: Yeah I know worst effing drive home ever

I saw Erik at the Bright Eyes show yesterday. Apparently he hit all the traffic too... and agrees that it was one of the worst trips ever.

CONOR OBERST 'nuff said.

Tomorrow at this time, Patrick and I will be in Asheville, North Carolina at the Bright Eyes shizzo. :)

I will be coming back on Friday for ONE class, so, let's do lunch or something before we all leave for break... (Friday!) And, if you're in town for break, I would like to see you. (Jason, that pretty much means you... and Mike L., you too). I won't be home all week but I would love to get coffee or do lunch or something at some point because I really want to see you guys.

Anyway, back to Conor Oberst.... he has put out a live CD with Elliot Smith and Feist covers... oh and by the way Feist will be opening tomorrow!

PS: Pat lives with Eric Williams... maybe he will be around tomorrow? Maybe I'll catch a glimpse and feel like a total pre-teen at a BSB concert? This should be an interesting juxtaposition no? Conor Oberst and Eric Williams. It's gonna be good times.

Shameless Plug on D-Love's behalf.

Dylan's site has been revamped. It is hot and you should check it out if you get a chance. His wit will suck you in and eat you alive and you will fall in love with him and listen to his radio show Saturday night and it will be the most glorious moment of realiziation ever.

Get Your Jollies!

Horseback Riding?

Yep, the rumors are true. I will be spending the first part of my break (pre-New York) Horseback riding in Western Loudoun. I'm more than excitied. I haven't done this in awhile. It's been 9 years or so which means I'm pretty much starting from scratch. I think it will be fun to learn how to do this again and see if I'm still any good. My friend Kathleen is a pro, she's been in some competitions so she has pledged her time to help me through this whole process. I'm really nervous, but hopefully it won't be too bad. I will document this experience and post pictures up when I have them. I think we're going to be having some really good weather over break so at least I have the elements on my side. If anything, it will be gorgeous with the leaves changing and we have the mountains as a nice little backdrop. I imagine this will be ideal. I'll let you know how it goes, but as for now, I'm full of aniticipation and excitement.

Yeah I mean, at one point, the bartender and I got into a fight and as you can see in this picture. I'm totally winning, hands down. 

Yeah we're cool.  

Unlike a normal person's reaction when somebody sits on their pelvis... I grab an ass. 

If I could name this picture, I would name it, "Defeat." 

I look at them and I think to myself, "that's love."

Today marks my parent's anniversary and my Mom's Birthday. My father called me this morning to remind me to call my mother and wish her a Happy Birthday (a reminder I didn't need because I had marked my calendar). Anyway, it was nice to talk to him and congratulate him on another year around the sun with my mother. Out of curiosity I asked him what he was doing for her this year, and as usual I got the same answer. "Oh you know, flowers and a cake." My dad isn't one to remember many details, but as far as Birthday's and anniversaries goes (he's a smart man, they're both the same day) he's got it down. Anyway, every year my dad goes to the man who made their wedding cake and gets a replica of the top layer of their wedding cake re-made. My mom loves it, as do my sister and I. He always remembers and he usually does this weeks in advance. I never knew he was that thoughtful. My dad isn't a very emotional person and I don't see him as being very romantic, but man.... that's love. To go as far as tracking down the guy who made their wedding cake so they could relive that moment years later is really sweet. I hope to one day have that with somebody...

Not in vain.

A VT student who has been in critical condition since Saturday died today. His name was Brian McCloskey and he was a Freshman at Tech. I wasn't friends with him but those that were absolutely adored him. I guess I don't have much to stay other than this is certainly a tragedy, but I do have to say that times like these get you thinking a lot about life and the choices you make. It teaches you to value your life a little more and to always tell your friends and family you love them. It makes you hug your friends a little tighter and to overlook petty things because life is far too short for all of this. It teaches you to help your friends in their times of need no matter how annoyed you are at the moment. For example, when a friend gets too drunk for their own good and is sick. You've experienced it or have seen it happen. You surely don't want to be the person cleaning this up because it shouldn't have happened in the first place, but it's times like these that your friends need your help the most because they can't help themselves. It's better to help them and be mad at them for awhile than to turn and walk away and regret it.

Article here.

Uh oh...

So I have a neighbor who found out that I painted and she has commissioned me to paint her room over my Winter break. Little does she know, I really suck at painting. How I will pull this off, I do not know. I told her I could do some abstract expressionism but that's about it. I don't think she really cares. I think she just wants something on her walls, even if it's not all that good. I think it would be cool to replicate the iPod adds with the darkened silhouettes and a bold background, but instead of silhouettes of people, I'd do something else. I'm not sure what. I'm not an artist. Talk about having a HUGE canvas to work on. I think it will be fun though and most definately a big challenge, but I'm glad to do it and I'll keep you posted as to how it turns out. Maybe I'll take some pictures if it's not terrible. I guess we'll see... I hope she still talks to me after I destroy her room/house.

New York and I shall reunite again.

And I'm all smiles.

Thanksgiving break is coming up and this will be the first time I go back home since I left for school. I can't wait to see my family and friends. Also, the first night I get back I will be going to the Bright Eyes concert and I couldn't be more excited (although I am going to be seeing Bright Eyes the day before with Pat in North Carolina... there's something special about it being in my hometown, plus I really enjoy Mr. Oberst's work so I don't think I would tire me two days in a row). Anyway, I was really looking forward to going home but my mother had mentioned something about possibly spending time at our beach house since I haven't seen it yet and I was really opposed to that just because Thanksgiving should be a time that you spend with your loved ones (or at least that's how I feel) but I told her it was up to her. Well, she just called me to tell me that instead of going to the beach we will be spending half my break at my Grandmother's house and the other half in New York. I couldn't have been more excited. This was like the time she called to tell me I was going to Cancun randomly. I fell head over heels for New York this past summer and I've been planning a trip with my friends to go back this coming summer and I've just been counting down the days to that, but being able to see it now in the Fall makes me really happy. I cannot wait. Moms are awesome, somehow they have a way of reading your mind. Also, I'm also really excited because Kathryn is going to be spending a weekend with us since she will be accompanying me to Bright Eyes. I have a feeling this break is going to be amazing.

I found this really funny. Via A-tizzle.

People are getting creative with their Birthday Invitations these days. Here's the latest.

Via rach

This is hilarious (or at least I think so)

We are just friends...

How many times have you said that to someone explaining your relationship with a person of the opposite sex? Or how many times have you heard someone say that? Millions of times. Well, there's a movie about it. (Duh, this is America kids) I really want to see it. Ryan Reynolds is in it and I think he is absolutely hilarious. You can view the trailer here.

Also... there's a funny website where people act out video away messages that you can put up. I think you'll get a kick out of this, I definately did last night at 1:30 am.

It would be awesome if...

I got this book.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Post Secret project, it's where people make postcards with secrets or their fears and mail them into somewhere in Maryland. It started as an art project but become so much more. It's amazing what some people send in.

A Heartbreaking Loss...

So I'm sure you guys watched the game yesterday or heard people talking about it. It was devestating. To make it this far and have everything slip from under you on YOUR homefield hurts. I'm generally not a huge sports fanatic, but when it comes to Hokie Football it's a different story. My heart hurt during the third quarter yesterday. I couldn't bear watching what was happening. I'm not even going to lie. We played terribly yesterday. I've never seen my team play that badly ever. It's just sad because this is our year to prove ourselves as a solid team, a lot of different people have been saying that last year was just luck. We started the season 8-0, number one in the ACC and 3rd in the Nation. I didn't even check our rankings this morning, I was too sad to. Anyway, I don't really know what else to say. I'm sad, obviously. This hurts. I talked to Patrick who was nice enough to proudly wear a Virginia Tech Orange Effect t-shirt yesterday after the game and he sent his condolences after watching the whole game from Wake. Jason also called this morning to tell me how painful it was for him to watch the 4th quarter. Well, I guess this goes to show you can't think you're invincible. I think this is a good humbling experience though. Live and learn right?

Here's an article that details the game if you missed it which may have been impossible since "all eyes from New York to California were on Blacksburg" according to ESPN on Friday.

ESPN Article

Buruss from el side. I recently went on a photography kick. My last class ended early today and I had some time to kill so the pictures below are VT on the most perfect fall day ever. 

Your typical autumn is here picture. 

Looking up. Golden Yellow is so hot right now.  

On the side of Buruss. It's kind of dark, but you get the idea. Look how beautiful the sky looks.  

I love red leaves.  

Our campus is absolutely gorgeous in the Fall. I love the contrast between the Hokie stone and the changing leaves.  

Up close. :) 

They got rid of the cinder blocks and this is all that's left. No one has moved it or tampered with it in the late hours of the night.  

Looking down into the pyramids. In between the blinds you can see the desks and all the brave architecture students working on their masterpieces.  

Architecture pyramids. I love these. They remind me of the museum in France. I know these kids practically live in these things. 

I think I have a secret admirer... I've been getting notes like this every week. Ha ha New Zealand mike also graced my board. I'm sad, his semester at Tech is almost up. :( 

I think this would look lovely painted directly onto the walls. Artwork by Amy Ross. Bloom Series #17 

Beautiful contemporary piece by Christine Kesler. I would one day like to fill the walls of my home with the artwork of local artists.

Via D-Love (Dylan, whatever he is to you). I thought this was hilarious. Click to enlarge and get the full effect.  

Survey by way of my cousin Dane.

1. Your name spelled backwards?
yram

3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
A video of Jerry falling off of a scooter on our trip to visit her brother at UVA. Ask me, and I'll send it to you. It's pretty glorious. Not gonna lie.

4. What's your favorite restaurant?
I love food. Favorite in Blacksburg is either The Cellar or Macado's. In Winston-Salem, I thorougly enjoy Village Tavern and back home in NoVa there's so much good food, but I like La Madeline (great light French cuisine), and Manhattan Pizzaria.

5. Last time you swam in a pool?
August

6. Have you ever been in a school play?
neg.

7. How many kids do you want?
deux, one of each

8. Type of music you dislike most?
Yodeling or Whale/Dolphin cries (they do make CDs with this stuff on it. Try walking through Wegman's CD secition. You'd be surprised).

9. Are you registered to vote?
yes. Vote or Die (die meaning P.Diddy will hunt you don't if you don't).

10. Do you have cable?
I'm not sure what I have, at school it's cable. At home, my house is wired b/c we are a Verizon enhanced neighborhood, whatever that means... so I don't even know.

11. Have you ever ridden on a moped?
yes!

13. First Best friend?
I have a few. Kathryn, Rach, Jase, Matt

14. Would you go bungee jumping or skydiving?
skydiving, but I'm scared.

15. Farthest place you ever traveled?
Mexico... ha ha yeah, you're impressed. A whole 3 hours on a plane. Actually, it took me longer to get to California.

16. Do you have a garden?
not really, we just moved so we haven't really had time to landscape. I hope after I graduate I'll be able to buy a place in New York with a rooftop garden. That would be delicious.

17. What's your favorite comic?
Calvin & Hobbes hands down.

18. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem?
Indeed I do.

19. Bath or Shower, morning or night?
Bath, and night.

20. Best movie you've seen in the past month?
Motorcycle Diaries

23. What color lipstick do you usually wear?
not a fan of lipstick. I'm more of a chapstick kind of girl. But the lipgloss I do wear is called "goddess"

25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?
neg

26. Orange Juice or apple?
Apple usually, but Orange when I'm sick

27. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with?
Sarah

28. Favorite type chocolate bar?
I love cholate bars. I like dove chocolate or Symphony bars. mmmmm.

30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato?
probably this past summer. My mom likes buying stuff from the farmers market so whenever she made salad's that's what was in them.

32. Are you a good cook?
I try... I think I can cook well enough to feed myself and stay alive.

33. Do you know how to pump your own gas?
Yes although, I took my parents car to school this year and the first time I got gas was kind of embarassing because I didn't know how to open the gas cover.

34. Ever ordered from an infomercial?
yes.

35. Sprite or 7-up?
neither

37. Last thing you bought at a Walgreens?
I don't go to Walgreens. We don't have one at home. We have one at school but I don't go.

38. Ever thrown up in public?
Nope

39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love?
Probably true love. A million dollars isn't worth much these days or at leas in Northern Virginia it's not.

40. Do you believe in love at first sight?
no. I believe in attraction at first sight because that's what makes you talk to a person, no?

41. Can ex's be just friends?
yes. Gosh I hate when people end on a bad note or when people don't stay friends afterwards. You obviously cared enough about the person for you to spend/share x-amount of time with them. You can't love somebody one day and hate them a month later, no matter what you think, you always carry a piece of that person with you. At least, I think so.

42. Who was the last person you visited in a hospital?
Rachel Neiman.

43. Did you have a lot of hair as a baby?
yes

44. What message is on your answering machine?
"Hey guys, it's Mary, I can't come to the phone right now but leave a message and I'll call you back." Yeah, pretty default.

45. Where would you like to go?
Europe or New York.

46. What was the name of your first pet?
Widdley

47. What kinda backpack do u have, and what's in it?
Gap bag. I have folders, Notebooks, Pens, Pencils, Highlighters, my calculater, cellphone, fruitsnacks, and iPod

48. Who was your FIRST best friend of the opposite sex?
Mike

49. What is one thing you are grateful for today?
This amazing weather we're having.

50. What do you think about most lately?
Med-School, MCats... all that good stuff and THANKSGIVING (the dinner aspect)

Terriffic Thursdays...

The upside to taking Chem for Pre-Med requirements is that you get to blow stuff up at 9:30 in the morning.

Today we played with liquid nitrogen and poured it into 2 L bottles and put the cap on so that the pressure would build and eventually blow the bottle up. It was great. I wish I had my camera. It was also really loud.

In other news. I love my guy friends so I am going to save your asses by introducing you to this site where you can save anniversary dates and have flowers automatically sent to your girlfriends on other important dates that you will forget. Thank me later.

Mary is awesome and is Saving My Ass everyday.

Patrick is so ridiculous sometimes.

Pat: hey hey
Pat: whats up?
Pat: new font color?
Me: haha you know you like it
P: like it?
P: i love it.

*****************************************
after I told him I'd been playing the same song on repeat all day and I'm pretty sure my roomate hates me because of it. PS: this conversation is a joke, i hope i don't offend anyone.

M: it's okay, i could probably silence her with the flick of my wrist (my friend colin says this all the time)
P: you probably should
M: she's not here right now
P: well, surprise her when she gets back
M: ha ha what should i do?
P: hide in her bed until she's ready to go to sleep.
P: then ninja strike her ass.
M: good plan except i think she'll know if i'm in her bed
P: not if you do it right
M: and how would i go about ninja striking her or anyone... i don't think i know what that entails... i don't want to hurt anyone
P: search your soul.
P: for the answers lie within you.

Ha ha "search your soul, for the answers lie within you" who says that?! Ha ha... ridic.

You didn't think I was going to bust out the Vick jersy 2 days in a row did you? This was my Saturday night costume. Cliche? Definately. Comfortable? You bet.  

Grown men crying never gets old.
Link and laughs provided by the one and only Pat.

Yeah so I know men are passionate about their sports and right now, their baseball especially. But, is this really necessary? Was it that heartbreaking? It's as if one of the guys lost his mom or something. Anyway, pay attention to the guy on the left. He's the best one and it's HILARIOUS.

Cardinals Fans

Right leg, bruises times deux. It hurts and I don't know where this came from either. Trust me, nothing sketchy went down this weekend. This I promise you (you being Mom or Dad, whoever is reading this that aided in my creation). Yeah so I'm pretty sure Andrew McMahon wrote the song "Bruised" about my legs. Despite the fact, I'm rocking my "battle wounds" today by wearing a skirt since it's nice out. I do what I want... what of it? :P 

Left leg ouchness... and I don't really know where this came from.  

Had to get the 'fro from the side. It's amazing and 100% real.