My Halloween Greeting to all
(God, I hate Flash. hehe. It's so hard. hard hard hard. I'm sorry if this is subpar.)
(God, I hate Flash. hehe. It's so hard. hard hard hard. I'm sorry if this is subpar.)
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Scarlet's Walk:
I tried to buy the limited edition yesterday, but Best Buy was already out of it by 11:45 am. So I ordered it from Best Buy.com. However, that doesn't mean I don't already have the album to listen to in mp3 format. hehe. That stated:
I think Wednesday kicks ass. Does anyone concur?
I tried to buy the limited edition yesterday, but Best Buy was already out of it by 11:45 am. So I ordered it from Best Buy.com. However, that doesn't mean I don't already have the album to listen to in mp3 format. hehe. That stated:
I think Wednesday kicks ass. Does anyone concur?
Monday, October 28, 2002
This weekend
Friday night:
After an extremely disappointing meal at Macaroni Grill (everything I had tasted like it came from a TV dinner) Jay and I were going to go see The Ring. It was sold out. Instead, we went to Barnes and Nobles, came home, and clipped the cat's claws. A more exciting Friday night has ever existed. After I took Jay home I... *gasp*... ORGANIZED MY TOP DRESSER DRAWER! WHOO HOO!
Saturday:
Jay and I bummed around random bits of Lexington until about four. He got a haircut. We did absolutely nothing of value. I got in my Halloween gear (a $5 black t shirt from Target with orange cats on it, orange/black eye makeup. The cat ears were for later.) At about 7, Aimee came home, and we went to grab some food at Wendy's, before we headed for the haunted "mazes" (in quotes because there was no maze to it. there was only one direction you could go. Making it winding does not make it a maze.) It was then I realized I'd left my keys (attached to my wallet) at Wendy's (doh!). Anyhow, I called Wendy's on Aimee's cell, and they said they'd found the keys and would hold them until I got there. Since we were already at Applebee's Park, we decided we'd go ahead and do the haunted house(s). We bought a double ticket to go through both events. Somehow, I ended up in front. With Aimee and Jay clutching onto my hoodie as I bravely lead them forward. It was kind of disappointing. None of it scared me. (Although I did briefly worry "I hope he doesn't really have a chain on that chainsaw.") The second maze had some cool painted effects going on. After the mazes we went back to Wendy's so I could get my keys, back home so Aimee could finally decide on a Halloween costume (every year it's the same: "I'm not dressing up!" Then at the last minute, she decides she wants to, so we dig through her closet coming up with a theme. This year she ended up as "Tattooed White Trash", wearing a denim skirt, blue eye shadow, and a shirt that showed one of her tattooes (the skirt showed another. The others were hidden. Honestly, I've lost count.) She had a sticker taped to her door that said, "Tattooed White Trash", so she punched a hole in it, and I put some sequin-cord through it. I think all of the sequin cord I've bought in the past five or so years on clearance has gone to Aimee's last minute Halloween endeavours. hehe. Honestly, if not for the sign, you wouldn't know if she was supposed to be white trash or a sorority girl. Anyhow. We only stayed at the party we went to for about an hour. It's an ok party (held every year), and some people really go all out for their costumes (which made me in my orange hair in cat ears, Jay in his abandonded Unabomber apparel, as he refused to put up his hood and wear his glasses, and Aimee as White Trash seem all the more pathetic. That's a horribly constructed sentence. I realize.) The most groan-worthy costume: A lady came around with a tray of Jello shots, in plastic covered cups (like you'd get honey mustard in or something.) She had fake cobwebs on her tray, and it looked very festive. I complimented her decoration, and she said, "That's my costume. I'm a web server." BOOOO! hehe. At least it wasn't bad as a teen-esque party.. most of the people there are employees at Joseph Beth, and are on the calmer side of the party spectrum. We headed out of there and found an open Dairy Queen, therefore satisfying our ice cream craving.
Sunday:
After bumming around most of the day, Jay and I go to see the 3:20 showing of The Ring. Because a stupid traffic light was screwed up, we ended up there right at 3:20, and just as Jay walked up to the window, the guy bought the last ticket. We bought tickets for the next showing (4:15), and bummed around some of the shops-that-pop-up-everytime-you-blink in Hamburg Place (if you live in Lexington, you know what I mean.) We went to the movie at 4:15, and Allen (from work) and his wife Rachel were there, so we sat with them.
Discovery: Jay and I are the only two people in the whole world that did not find The Ring to be frightening.
I don't know if something's wrong with us, or what. It just didn't scare me at all. It was creepy, sure, but it wasn't the scariest movie ever like all you people make it out to be. I guess I'm just blasé about the whole horror thing. I guess when enough personally frightening things happen to you, it's harder to be scared by fake things. That's how it was when I was depressed, at least. Sad movies didn't get to me, because my life was worse (to me, at the time.)
Anyhow. That's my weekend. Not terribly exciting, but eh, that's ok. hehe.
Friday night:
After an extremely disappointing meal at Macaroni Grill (everything I had tasted like it came from a TV dinner) Jay and I were going to go see The Ring. It was sold out. Instead, we went to Barnes and Nobles, came home, and clipped the cat's claws. A more exciting Friday night has ever existed. After I took Jay home I... *gasp*... ORGANIZED MY TOP DRESSER DRAWER! WHOO HOO!
Saturday:
Jay and I bummed around random bits of Lexington until about four. He got a haircut. We did absolutely nothing of value. I got in my Halloween gear (a $5 black t shirt from Target with orange cats on it, orange/black eye makeup. The cat ears were for later.) At about 7, Aimee came home, and we went to grab some food at Wendy's, before we headed for the haunted "mazes" (in quotes because there was no maze to it. there was only one direction you could go. Making it winding does not make it a maze.) It was then I realized I'd left my keys (attached to my wallet) at Wendy's (doh!). Anyhow, I called Wendy's on Aimee's cell, and they said they'd found the keys and would hold them until I got there. Since we were already at Applebee's Park, we decided we'd go ahead and do the haunted house(s). We bought a double ticket to go through both events. Somehow, I ended up in front. With Aimee and Jay clutching onto my hoodie as I bravely lead them forward. It was kind of disappointing. None of it scared me. (Although I did briefly worry "I hope he doesn't really have a chain on that chainsaw.") The second maze had some cool painted effects going on. After the mazes we went back to Wendy's so I could get my keys, back home so Aimee could finally decide on a Halloween costume (every year it's the same: "I'm not dressing up!" Then at the last minute, she decides she wants to, so we dig through her closet coming up with a theme. This year she ended up as "Tattooed White Trash", wearing a denim skirt, blue eye shadow, and a shirt that showed one of her tattooes (the skirt showed another. The others were hidden. Honestly, I've lost count.) She had a sticker taped to her door that said, "Tattooed White Trash", so she punched a hole in it, and I put some sequin-cord through it. I think all of the sequin cord I've bought in the past five or so years on clearance has gone to Aimee's last minute Halloween endeavours. hehe. Honestly, if not for the sign, you wouldn't know if she was supposed to be white trash or a sorority girl. Anyhow. We only stayed at the party we went to for about an hour. It's an ok party (held every year), and some people really go all out for their costumes (which made me in my orange hair in cat ears, Jay in his abandonded Unabomber apparel, as he refused to put up his hood and wear his glasses, and Aimee as White Trash seem all the more pathetic. That's a horribly constructed sentence. I realize.) The most groan-worthy costume: A lady came around with a tray of Jello shots, in plastic covered cups (like you'd get honey mustard in or something.) She had fake cobwebs on her tray, and it looked very festive. I complimented her decoration, and she said, "That's my costume. I'm a web server." BOOOO! hehe. At least it wasn't bad as a teen-esque party.. most of the people there are employees at Joseph Beth, and are on the calmer side of the party spectrum. We headed out of there and found an open Dairy Queen, therefore satisfying our ice cream craving.
Sunday:
After bumming around most of the day, Jay and I go to see the 3:20 showing of The Ring. Because a stupid traffic light was screwed up, we ended up there right at 3:20, and just as Jay walked up to the window, the guy bought the last ticket. We bought tickets for the next showing (4:15), and bummed around some of the shops-that-pop-up-everytime-you-blink in Hamburg Place (if you live in Lexington, you know what I mean.) We went to the movie at 4:15, and Allen (from work) and his wife Rachel were there, so we sat with them.
Discovery: Jay and I are the only two people in the whole world that did not find The Ring to be frightening.
I don't know if something's wrong with us, or what. It just didn't scare me at all. It was creepy, sure, but it wasn't the scariest movie ever like all you people make it out to be. I guess I'm just blasé about the whole horror thing. I guess when enough personally frightening things happen to you, it's harder to be scared by fake things. That's how it was when I was depressed, at least. Sad movies didn't get to me, because my life was worse (to me, at the time.)
Anyhow. That's my weekend. Not terribly exciting, but eh, that's ok. hehe.
Friday, October 25, 2002
My mom's surgery went well. They closed the hole in her heart. yay!
I'm incredibly bored today. It's grey and ugly outside. I only have 37 more minutes of work.
Ben Folds was great on Tuesday.
I have nothing else to say.
I'm incredibly bored today. It's grey and ugly outside. I only have 37 more minutes of work.
Ben Folds was great on Tuesday.
I have nothing else to say.
Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Monday, October 21, 2002
I feel like someone has punched me square in the mouth. Ow.
I had a dentist appointment this morning, and he fixed some stuff on my upper front teeth. They look great; you can't even see any differentation between the old tooth and the fillings, but Jesus, does it hurt.
I had a dentist appointment this morning, and he fixed some stuff on my upper front teeth. They look great; you can't even see any differentation between the old tooth and the fillings, but Jesus, does it hurt.
This is freaking ridiculous. $135/ticket for row N??? The ticket only cost $45 with Ticketbastard surcharges in the first place.
This is funny.
Tomorrow I see Ben Folds in Lexington (!). However, immediately afterwards I have to drive to WV for my mom's heart surgery on Wednesday. It's a minor surgery, compared to other cardiac surgeries, to repair a congenital hole in her heart. They think it was the reason she had the stroke. But she doesn't even had to be put under, just sedated. They do it via a vein in her leg, much like a catherization. so blah blah blah, send us good thoughts, prayers, etc. Positive energy. How New Age do I sound?
This is funny.
Tomorrow I see Ben Folds in Lexington (!). However, immediately afterwards I have to drive to WV for my mom's heart surgery on Wednesday. It's a minor surgery, compared to other cardiac surgeries, to repair a congenital hole in her heart. They think it was the reason she had the stroke. But she doesn't even had to be put under, just sedated. They do it via a vein in her leg, much like a catherization. so blah blah blah, send us good thoughts, prayers, etc. Positive energy. How New Age do I sound?
Thursday, October 17, 2002
The last of the profiles
Who?
Nicole
Age/Location:
26 (err, is it 27? She just aged a year last week. hehe.), Washington DC
How do I know this person?
Via the One with No Soul. We stayed at her apartment in Salisbury, MD when we went to the DC 1998 Club Show at the 9:30 Club.
When/where did we first meet?
Her apartment, April 22, 1998.
Since then...
After the soulless one dumped me the next day, I didn't have any contact with her for awhile, until I joined the Purple People mailing list in November. After I kinda fell out of that scene (was I ever really IN it?) she found me via Sarah's blogger. She knew Sarah via the Kids in the Hall wackiness that they love so much. I saw her last year after the Tori show at Constitution Hall in DC, and we hung out for awhile (and I met Tara, as well.) There were others there, but other than my cousin Emily, we won't acknowledge them. hehe. Last April when Jay and I went to DC, she went to the very-crowded Smithsonian with us (and Beth and Nathan), and then we went to Tom Sorris' House of Orleans in Rosslyn.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Nicole's cat originally had a name that didn't involve the word "poop". It doesn't anymore, and I'm sure it's all the cuter for it.
She moves apartments more than anyone I've ever known.
Nicole was the first person to conceptualize the blue-raspberry flavor that is now so prevalent in Slurpees and Icees.
Nicole can be appropriately bitchy when attacked and/or slandered by morons. I admire this trait.
Who?
Tara
Age/Location:
26 (she's less than a month older than me), Baltimore-ish.
How do I know this person?
I met her through Nicole. I'd read her blog a few times before I met her, though. hehe. It was "random person with Nicole", it was "wow, I've heard of you!" I love the internet sometimes.
When/where did we first meet?
October 6, 2001, at Constitution Hall in DC. Later, we went out to Uno's.
Since then...
We've kept in touch via bloggery and commenting. I love commenting systems on blogs. It's all so interactively happy. I think Tara and I have a lot in common. hehe. Reading over her 100 things list makes me go, "Me too" alot.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Tara was born in Iran.
Her family has a lot of cats, and I think this is very cool. Pets rock.
She used to be a huge Marky-Mark and NKOTB fan, and hung out in the hotel room (innocently) of one of the members of NKOTB (Donnie?). She currently has excellent music taste, with BNL and Ani Difranco being among her favorites.
Wearing sequined pants and with appropriately teased hair, Tara performed a duet of "Summer Lovin'" onstage with Marky Mark at a Baltimore-area concert in 1994, thusfor making her part of the "Funky Bunch"
Who?
Sarah
Age/Location:
21, upstate New York
How do I know this person?
Via the tmbg.org mailing list, and later via the TMBG Offtopic list.
When/where did we first meet?
I have never met her in person.
Since then...
Honestly, I'm not really friends with Sarah, but her blog never fails to amuse me, and contain a lot of great links, so I keep her linked. She seems to be a pretty cool person.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Sarah is an excellent graphic designer. (I saw a link on Sarah's blog to An Exquisite Corpse, and when I went to the page enough, my friend Liz had a college on the front page. Sarah and Liz are linked to EVERYONE.)
Jay sent her blank cassettes a few years ago to get mix tapes made, and didn't get any. He doesn't care about them anymore. hehe.
It was because of Sarah that I met Beth, I guess. Sarah got Beth hooked on TMBG, which is how I met Beth. And through Sarah I also re-found Nicole. So although I've never met the girl, she's brought good things my way. :)
I am jealous of Sarah's little sister (well, and Sarah), because Moxy Fruvous actually knows who they are, and her sister has had a cheetoh stuffing contest with Murray Foster.
Sarah's secret passion is to become a flamenco dancer.
Who?
Nicole
Age/Location:
26 (err, is it 27? She just aged a year last week. hehe.), Washington DC
How do I know this person?
Via the One with No Soul. We stayed at her apartment in Salisbury, MD when we went to the DC 1998 Club Show at the 9:30 Club.
When/where did we first meet?
Her apartment, April 22, 1998.
Since then...
After the soulless one dumped me the next day, I didn't have any contact with her for awhile, until I joined the Purple People mailing list in November. After I kinda fell out of that scene (was I ever really IN it?) she found me via Sarah's blogger. She knew Sarah via the Kids in the Hall wackiness that they love so much. I saw her last year after the Tori show at Constitution Hall in DC, and we hung out for awhile (and I met Tara, as well.) There were others there, but other than my cousin Emily, we won't acknowledge them. hehe. Last April when Jay and I went to DC, she went to the very-crowded Smithsonian with us (and Beth and Nathan), and then we went to Tom Sorris' House of Orleans in Rosslyn.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Who?
Tara
Age/Location:
26 (she's less than a month older than me), Baltimore-ish.
How do I know this person?
I met her through Nicole. I'd read her blog a few times before I met her, though. hehe. It was "random person with Nicole", it was "wow, I've heard of you!" I love the internet sometimes.
When/where did we first meet?
October 6, 2001, at Constitution Hall in DC. Later, we went out to Uno's.
Since then...
We've kept in touch via bloggery and commenting. I love commenting systems on blogs. It's all so interactively happy. I think Tara and I have a lot in common. hehe. Reading over her 100 things list makes me go, "Me too" alot.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Who?
Sarah
Age/Location:
21, upstate New York
How do I know this person?
Via the tmbg.org mailing list, and later via the TMBG Offtopic list.
When/where did we first meet?
I have never met her in person.
Since then...
Honestly, I'm not really friends with Sarah, but her blog never fails to amuse me, and contain a lot of great links, so I keep her linked. She seems to be a pretty cool person.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Wednesday, October 16, 2002
More link profiles:
Who?
Jamal
Age/Location:
23, North Jersey
How do I know this person?
Yet another person I knew of on the tmbg.org mailing list, whom I got to know better on the Offtopic mailing list.
When/where did we first meet?
At one of the many Au Bon Pains in Port Authority on June 9, 2000. He was wearing a Penn and Teller shirt. Later, we stayed at Jamal's parents' house. Jamal told us his parents didn't know we were "Internet People", since it might alarm them that three people their son had never met were staying at their house (which was quite nice). However, I didn't realize (or forgot) they think we went to college with him. This required me to lie on the spot talking to his father. I am a bad liar. Nathan and Jamal were of no help (I think Beth was changing in the bathroom at this point.)
Since then...
Kept in touch via AIM, etc. He went to Japan for a year in late July 2000. Last June he met up with me (and my cousin + friends) in NYC. We went to dinner and to an Upright Citizen's Brigade show.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
For a large part of Jamal's stay in Japan, he was actually using fabric softener instead of laundry detergent to clean his clothes. Let that be a warning to anyone with their heart set on living in Japan. hehe.
Jamal graduated from Grinnell College with a degree in Computer Science (I think it was CS, not something like Applied Math. I could be wrong. Same difference.) He currently works for Verizon's cell phone customer service.
Jamal enjoys building models of WWII era bombers out of shellacked Cheerios.
When Jamal was in Japan, his loving grandmother sent him a care package. One of the contents: Ramen noodles.
Jamal's the only person I've ever known to actually go to Burning Man.
Who?
James Herbert Cunningham (aka Jay)
Age/Location:
21, Lexington, KY, originally Florence, KY
How do I know this person?
He's my one and only. Aww. I knew of him from the tmbg.org mailing list, and Karen Riley gave him my AIM name because she knew we lived relatively close to one another. We talked for awhile, and then I asked him to attend a concert with me.
When/where did we first meet?
March 04, 2000. Florence Mall, outside of Waldenbooks. We spent the day together, and in the evening saw the Brothers Creeggan at Bogart's. Afterwards, we went to Steak 'n Shake in Florence, and then I took him home.
Since then...
We started dating a little over a month after we first met, and have been together since then. He came to Lexington to attend the University of Kentucky (where he was on the Dean's List both semesters of his freshman year). We're buying a house together in late spring/early summer of 2003. He's only updated his blog twice, but I keep him linked out of loyalty.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Jay has two cats at his apartment, Sophia and Eleanor. Sophia is a pretty Siamese mix, and Eleanor is a chubby Tortoise-shell. Eleanor was scrawny when she first moved in to Jay's apartment. Jay also has Catherine, who lives with his mom in Florence.
Jay's weekday diet consists of almost solely beef jerky and dry-roasted peanuts.
When Jay met John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, Jay didn't ask John for an autograph, just a handshake. This got him a handshake and a befuddled look.
Jay was a huge fan of Family Matters and has a huge signed picture of Jaleel White (aka Urkel) framed in his living room
Who?
Nathan
Age/Location:
24, Philly areaish Pennsylvania
How do I know this person?
hehe. blah blah blah, the same way I know everyone else. The .org followed by the Offtopic List.
When/where did we first meet?
June 9, 2000, when I met Beth and Jamal.
Since then...
Beth and Nathan started dating not long after that. I've seen him when I've seen Beth. I keep in touch with him via AIM and more bloggery.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Nathan has a canonical knowledge of all things Simpsons and Wizard of Oz related (the whole entire series of books, not the movie.) I mean, truly canonical.
Nathan has a degree in History from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters in Library Science from Drexel University.
Nathan is a big fan of XTC (the band, not the drug) and Camper Van Beethoven
Nathan was the owner and sole proprietor of the failed .com startup www.pajamasdelivered.com. I wish him the best of luck in his next venture.
Who?
Jamal
Age/Location:
23, North Jersey
How do I know this person?
Yet another person I knew of on the tmbg.org mailing list, whom I got to know better on the Offtopic mailing list.
When/where did we first meet?
At one of the many Au Bon Pains in Port Authority on June 9, 2000. He was wearing a Penn and Teller shirt. Later, we stayed at Jamal's parents' house. Jamal told us his parents didn't know we were "Internet People", since it might alarm them that three people their son had never met were staying at their house (which was quite nice). However, I didn't realize (or forgot) they think we went to college with him. This required me to lie on the spot talking to his father. I am a bad liar. Nathan and Jamal were of no help (I think Beth was changing in the bathroom at this point.)
Since then...
Kept in touch via AIM, etc. He went to Japan for a year in late July 2000. Last June he met up with me (and my cousin + friends) in NYC. We went to dinner and to an Upright Citizen's Brigade show.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Who?
James Herbert Cunningham (aka Jay)
Age/Location:
21, Lexington, KY, originally Florence, KY
How do I know this person?
He's my one and only. Aww. I knew of him from the tmbg.org mailing list, and Karen Riley gave him my AIM name because she knew we lived relatively close to one another. We talked for awhile, and then I asked him to attend a concert with me.
When/where did we first meet?
March 04, 2000. Florence Mall, outside of Waldenbooks. We spent the day together, and in the evening saw the Brothers Creeggan at Bogart's. Afterwards, we went to Steak 'n Shake in Florence, and then I took him home.
Since then...
We started dating a little over a month after we first met, and have been together since then. He came to Lexington to attend the University of Kentucky (where he was on the Dean's List both semesters of his freshman year). We're buying a house together in late spring/early summer of 2003. He's only updated his blog twice, but I keep him linked out of loyalty.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Who?
Nathan
Age/Location:
24, Philly areaish Pennsylvania
How do I know this person?
hehe. blah blah blah, the same way I know everyone else. The .org followed by the Offtopic List.
When/where did we first meet?
June 9, 2000, when I met Beth and Jamal.
Since then...
Beth and Nathan started dating not long after that. I've seen him when I've seen Beth. I keep in touch with him via AIM and more bloggery.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Ok. I'm attempting to update some stuff down there in my profiles. Let's see if this gives me access to them.
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Out of boredom, I've decided to make a list of the people I have linked over there to the left, and how I know them. Here are the first three entries. I'll do them all in alphabetical order.
Who?
Beth
Age/Location?
22 (23 in exactly a month), South Jersey (Philly area)
How do I know her?
I first knew of Beth on the They Might Be Giants mailing list on tmbg.org. I got to know her on the TMBG Offtopic mailing list.
When/where did we first meet?
We first met in person in Port Authority in NYC on June 9, 2000. I met her and Nathan at the Au Bon Pain (one of the thousands, thanks, Em), and them wandered around the station until we found Jamal at another Port Authority Au Bon Pain. That day we went to Sbarro's in Times Square, the Museum of Radio and Broadcasting, and a show at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre. Later, we took the train from NYC to South Orange to stay at Jamal's parents' house.
Since then...
Since then we've kept in touch regularly through AIM and blogging. Her and Nathan met up with me in the DC area about a year ago, and again in March of this year.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Beth has two cats, named Kit and David. She has a daschund puppy named Dewey, and a hamster named Caremelita.
Beth once was awarded the New Jersey State Medal of Excellence for her delicious apple pie.
She's a big fan of the Monkees, and has seen them several times.
My excellent placement of Tori Amos songs on a mix cd helped Beth realize the wonder that Tori Amos is.
Beth will graduate in May with a degree in Communications (focus on TV and Radio) and a minor in Psychology from Rowan University.
Who?
Elizabeth (aka Liz, at least to me.)
Age/Location?
26, Lexington, KY
How do I know her?
Our circles of friends have overlapped many a time, whether it be via theatre, geeky stuff, etc.
When/where did we first meet?
TA 106, taught by Margo Buchanan (Margo rocks!), fall semester 1995. She knew my ex-boyfriend Sam. When Sam and I walked into acting class (TA 106) the first day, she called us over. I remember liking her immediately.
Since then...
I hired her to be a consultant when I managed the Jouralism computer lab my senior year. She was a damn good consultant. We had a few other theatre classes together (including TA 125, Principles of Production. We were quite the pair in that class, along with Willy and the guy's whose name I can't remember but who was pretty cool but quiet.) Since we've both entered the "real world", we've seen each other and kept in touch via email and bloggery. She helped me put my cheap-ass Wal Mart dresser back together after Jay and I did something screwy assembling it. Don't mess with Liz and a drill.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Liz and I once witnessed an unfortunate argument about peanuts in the computer lab. It was very ugly.
Liz is a graphic artist. I'd like to think I had some small hand in this by hiring her as a consultant, thus helping send her down the path to Photoshop bliss.
She likes Ani Difranco. Alot.
Liz once went on a single date with Adam Duritz of Counting Crows. He later wrote the song "Goodnight Elisabeth" about her.
Who?
Erika Rae
Age/Location:
19, Wright State University
How do I know this person?
Another Offtopic Listee. I knew her on the tmbg.org list, but got to know her better when I joined the Offtopic List. She and Jay also used to be good friends.
When/where did we first meet?
July (?) 2000. Florence Mall. I spent the day with her and her cousins, and we walked her cousins' dog.
Since then...
In late August of 2000, I drove up to Bolivar to attend a Moxy Fruvous concert with her and Shavonne. I stayed overnight at her parents' house. There are pictures of us with 3 out of the 4 members of Moxy Fruvous. (Mmmm. Jian.) As a side note, Shavonne has one hell of a sense of direction.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Erika's name is really spelled "Erica", but she prefers to spell it with a K.
She was once the poolboy at Drew Carey's Akron mansion.
She has a female cat named after a famous news anchor.
She likes Japanese cats.
Who?
Beth
Age/Location?
22 (23 in exactly a month), South Jersey (Philly area)
How do I know her?
I first knew of Beth on the They Might Be Giants mailing list on tmbg.org. I got to know her on the TMBG Offtopic mailing list.
When/where did we first meet?
We first met in person in Port Authority in NYC on June 9, 2000. I met her and Nathan at the Au Bon Pain (one of the thousands, thanks, Em), and them wandered around the station until we found Jamal at another Port Authority Au Bon Pain. That day we went to Sbarro's in Times Square, the Museum of Radio and Broadcasting, and a show at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre. Later, we took the train from NYC to South Orange to stay at Jamal's parents' house.
Since then...
Since then we've kept in touch regularly through AIM and blogging. Her and Nathan met up with me in the DC area about a year ago, and again in March of this year.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Who?
Elizabeth (aka Liz, at least to me.)
Age/Location?
26, Lexington, KY
How do I know her?
Our circles of friends have overlapped many a time, whether it be via theatre, geeky stuff, etc.
When/where did we first meet?
TA 106, taught by Margo Buchanan (Margo rocks!), fall semester 1995. She knew my ex-boyfriend Sam. When Sam and I walked into acting class (TA 106) the first day, she called us over. I remember liking her immediately.
Since then...
I hired her to be a consultant when I managed the Jouralism computer lab my senior year. She was a damn good consultant. We had a few other theatre classes together (including TA 125, Principles of Production. We were quite the pair in that class, along with Willy and the guy's whose name I can't remember but who was pretty cool but quiet.) Since we've both entered the "real world", we've seen each other and kept in touch via email and bloggery. She helped me put my cheap-ass Wal Mart dresser back together after Jay and I did something screwy assembling it. Don't mess with Liz and a drill.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Who?
Erika Rae
Age/Location:
19, Wright State University
How do I know this person?
Another Offtopic Listee. I knew her on the tmbg.org list, but got to know her better when I joined the Offtopic List. She and Jay also used to be good friends.
When/where did we first meet?
July (?) 2000. Florence Mall. I spent the day with her and her cousins, and we walked her cousins' dog.
Since then...
In late August of 2000, I drove up to Bolivar to attend a Moxy Fruvous concert with her and Shavonne. I stayed overnight at her parents' house. There are pictures of us with 3 out of the 4 members of Moxy Fruvous. (Mmmm. Jian.) As a side note, Shavonne has one hell of a sense of direction.
Fun facts: (Which one isn't true?)
Monday, October 14, 2002
I had the weirdest dream last night.
A big group of people who I knew all went to France. Me, Liz, and Aimee were in all room. I had woefully underpacked (bringing only a small carry-on bag, no toothpaste or toiletries, and mostly shorts), and Aimee, Kenji, and I had lost most of the group. I went back up to the room and Liz was there. It was then I discovered I had this horrible rash all over me. On my trunk it just looked like the rash I had when I had my reaction to sulfa drugs (well, the original rash, before it spread. Kinda chicken pox-ish.) However, on my arms, it was this horrible red swollen mess with all sorts of swirly patterns and dry skin. All of a sudden, for some reason, we're following some British doctor. He tells me I have Botox pox, and not to be worried, it's not small pox. Even in the dream, I'd never even thought about using Botox. hehe. All so weird.
A big group of people who I knew all went to France. Me, Liz, and Aimee were in all room. I had woefully underpacked (bringing only a small carry-on bag, no toothpaste or toiletries, and mostly shorts), and Aimee, Kenji, and I had lost most of the group. I went back up to the room and Liz was there. It was then I discovered I had this horrible rash all over me. On my trunk it just looked like the rash I had when I had my reaction to sulfa drugs (well, the original rash, before it spread. Kinda chicken pox-ish.) However, on my arms, it was this horrible red swollen mess with all sorts of swirly patterns and dry skin. All of a sudden, for some reason, we're following some British doctor. He tells me I have Botox pox, and not to be worried, it's not small pox. Even in the dream, I'd never even thought about using Botox. hehe. All so weird.
Friday, October 11, 2002
From About a Boy, by Nick Hornby.
(Marcus is a pre-teen geeky kid who had been infatuated with Ellie, a black-eyeliner-black-lipstick-goth-Kurt-Cobain-lovin'-kind-of-girl. Everyone else are adults in their late 30's, early 40's.)
___________________________
"Why was Ellie with you in the first place?" Will asked him.
"I can't remember now," said Marcus. "She just wanted to come."
"Was she going to stay with us?" asked Clive.
"Dunno. S'pose so."
"Thanks for asking us first."
"Ellie's not right for me," said Marcus firmly.
"You've worked that out, have you?" said Will.
"I think we'll always be friends," Marcus continued. "But I don't know. I think I ought to look for someone less...."
"Less rude and mad? Less Violent? Less bloody stupid? There are any number of lesses I can think of." This contribution was from Ellie's mother.
"Less different from me," said Marcus diplomatically.
"Well, good luck," said Katrina. There are a lot of us who've spent half our lives looking for someone less different from us, and we haven't found them so far."
"Is it that hard?" asked Marcus.
"It's the hardest thing in the world," said Fiona, with more feeling than Will wanted to contemplate.
"Why do you think we're all sing?" said Katrina.
Was that really it? Will wondered. Was that what they were all doing, looking for someone less different? Was that what he was doing? Rachel was dynamic and thoughtful and focused and caring and different in more ways than he could count, but the whole point of Rachel, as far as Will was concerned, was that she wasn't him. There was a flaw in Katrina's logic, then. This thing about looking for someone less different... It only really worked, he realized, if you were convinced that being you wasn't so bad in the first place.
___________________________
I liked this passage alot. It spoke to me. heh.
(note: passage slightly edited for brevity and relevance)
(Marcus is a pre-teen geeky kid who had been infatuated with Ellie, a black-eyeliner-black-lipstick-goth-Kurt-Cobain-lovin'-kind-of-girl. Everyone else are adults in their late 30's, early 40's.)
___________________________
"Why was Ellie with you in the first place?" Will asked him.
"I can't remember now," said Marcus. "She just wanted to come."
"Was she going to stay with us?" asked Clive.
"Dunno. S'pose so."
"Thanks for asking us first."
"Ellie's not right for me," said Marcus firmly.
"You've worked that out, have you?" said Will.
"I think we'll always be friends," Marcus continued. "But I don't know. I think I ought to look for someone less...."
"Less rude and mad? Less Violent? Less bloody stupid? There are any number of lesses I can think of." This contribution was from Ellie's mother.
"Less different from me," said Marcus diplomatically.
"Well, good luck," said Katrina. There are a lot of us who've spent half our lives looking for someone less different from us, and we haven't found them so far."
"Is it that hard?" asked Marcus.
"It's the hardest thing in the world," said Fiona, with more feeling than Will wanted to contemplate.
"Why do you think we're all sing?" said Katrina.
Was that really it? Will wondered. Was that what they were all doing, looking for someone less different? Was that what he was doing? Rachel was dynamic and thoughtful and focused and caring and different in more ways than he could count, but the whole point of Rachel, as far as Will was concerned, was that she wasn't him. There was a flaw in Katrina's logic, then. This thing about looking for someone less different... It only really worked, he realized, if you were convinced that being you wasn't so bad in the first place.
___________________________
I liked this passage alot. It spoke to me. heh.
(note: passage slightly edited for brevity and relevance)
Thursday, October 10, 2002
Links, etc.
Etiquette Hell
Comparing Fake Dr. Peppers
We got super-crappy seats to the Tori show in Columbus. Row AA (aka Row 26.) I also had a panic attack complete with heart palpitations during the ordering process. That really sucked. Hopefully, we can find some better tickets and sell these on Ebay or something.
Any takers?
Etiquette Hell
Comparing Fake Dr. Peppers
We got super-crappy seats to the Tori show in Columbus. Row AA (aka Row 26.) I also had a panic attack complete with heart palpitations during the ordering process. That really sucked. Hopefully, we can find some better tickets and sell these on Ebay or something.
Any takers?
Wednesday, October 09, 2002
I really think I'm going to like the new Tori Amos album. All of the tracks I've heard have really sounded good. Some of them even remind me of Little Earthquakes-era stuff. Kickass.
The Ben Folds Live album is awesome. I can see where a non-fan wouldn't enjoy it was much, though. If you want the free DVD, get it soon. It's only coming with the first pressing, and Best Buy was out by the time I got there yesterday (they only had ten copies in the beginning). I found it across the street at Disc Jockey for $19, and they had only received two copies in to start with. I don't know how long the first pressing will last, so get it soon.
The Ben Folds Live album is awesome. I can see where a non-fan wouldn't enjoy it was much, though. If you want the free DVD, get it soon. It's only coming with the first pressing, and Best Buy was out by the time I got there yesterday (they only had ten copies in the beginning). I found it across the street at Disc Jockey for $19, and they had only received two copies in to start with. I don't know how long the first pressing will last, so get it soon.
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
And a happy belated birthday to Nicole!
I just realized today that yesterday was mine and Jay's 2.5 year anniversary. Wow.
Unrelated: Counting Crows are playing a date in Dayton. However, it's during my concert hell weekend (two weekends of traveling), and DaVinci's Notebook is in my own town on the same date. I will see DVN. hehe.
Unrelated: Counting Crows are playing a date in Dayton. However, it's during my concert hell weekend (two weekends of traveling), and DaVinci's Notebook is in my own town on the same date. I will see DVN. hehe.
Is anyone else having trouble with their archives disappearing every other day? Or is it just me? I keep republishin' them, and they keep disappearing.
Monday, October 07, 2002
Ben Folds' live album (aptly titled Ben Folds Live) is in stores tomorrow. Go buy it. The first pressing of it comes with a bonus DVD.
In other relates news, two weeks until Jay, Aimee, and I see Ben Folds in Lexington. YAY!!!!!
This weekend was ok. My cousin Emily was in town. On Friday me, her, her friend Greg went to Bella Notte. It was good, as always. They serve hot bread with what they call "italian butter" (spicy herbs with olive oil). Emily put way too many herbs on her bread (as I always do), and couldn't get the garlic taste out of her mouth most of Saturday. That amused me. I warned her.
On Saturday Jay's mom and sister, Lizzy, came up for the day, and we all went to the Double Stink Hog Farm Pumpkin Festival. We had some good food, including the best popcorn in the world (kettle corn, that is both sweet and salty.) I tried a very very hot sweet pickle that tried to incinerate my mouth. Jay, Lizzy, and I went to the petting zoo. I petted giant tortoises, llamas, a camel, goats, sheep, animals I can't remember the names of that were deer-like, minature horses, and more animals I can't remember. There were two alpacas (like llamas, but white), and we couldn't tell if they were vying for domination, or trying to get it on. (If they were attempting to procreate, they were going about it wrong, as one was trying to mount the other from the side. Honestly, it looked like one was trying to climb the other in an attempt to escape over the fence, a la Scooby Doo or a bad sitcom where people get locked in a broom closet.)
When we got home I made everyone chicken cacciatore (with Jay's help). The bottom of the pan got scorched (blech), but I managed to get most of it off (the cacciatore itself didn't really burn.) Later, we went to Cold Stone Creamery. Mmmm. hehe. I ate alot on Saturday. Sunday was pretty uneventful. Emily and I went to Old Navy, Goody's, and Barnes and Nobles. Jay and I went to Pizza Shark for dinner (it was a bad buffet day. At one point they had NO pizza. Stay away from somewhere offering a buffet when they're having a $4 pizza-any-way-you-like-it day.
This morning I had a dentist appointment. I was supposed to have two areas on my front teeth worked on, but since my stupid temporary crown fell off again, I had to have a new one made. This one is better than the last one, though. My student-dentist guy accidentally hit my tongue with the drill, though, when he was preparing my tooth for the crown. It hurts. Outh.
In other relates news, two weeks until Jay, Aimee, and I see Ben Folds in Lexington. YAY!!!!!
This weekend was ok. My cousin Emily was in town. On Friday me, her, her friend Greg went to Bella Notte. It was good, as always. They serve hot bread with what they call "italian butter" (spicy herbs with olive oil). Emily put way too many herbs on her bread (as I always do), and couldn't get the garlic taste out of her mouth most of Saturday. That amused me. I warned her.
On Saturday Jay's mom and sister, Lizzy, came up for the day, and we all went to the Double Stink Hog Farm Pumpkin Festival. We had some good food, including the best popcorn in the world (kettle corn, that is both sweet and salty.) I tried a very very hot sweet pickle that tried to incinerate my mouth. Jay, Lizzy, and I went to the petting zoo. I petted giant tortoises, llamas, a camel, goats, sheep, animals I can't remember the names of that were deer-like, minature horses, and more animals I can't remember. There were two alpacas (like llamas, but white), and we couldn't tell if they were vying for domination, or trying to get it on. (If they were attempting to procreate, they were going about it wrong, as one was trying to mount the other from the side. Honestly, it looked like one was trying to climb the other in an attempt to escape over the fence, a la Scooby Doo or a bad sitcom where people get locked in a broom closet.)
When we got home I made everyone chicken cacciatore (with Jay's help). The bottom of the pan got scorched (blech), but I managed to get most of it off (the cacciatore itself didn't really burn.) Later, we went to Cold Stone Creamery. Mmmm. hehe. I ate alot on Saturday. Sunday was pretty uneventful. Emily and I went to Old Navy, Goody's, and Barnes and Nobles. Jay and I went to Pizza Shark for dinner (it was a bad buffet day. At one point they had NO pizza. Stay away from somewhere offering a buffet when they're having a $4 pizza-any-way-you-like-it day.
This morning I had a dentist appointment. I was supposed to have two areas on my front teeth worked on, but since my stupid temporary crown fell off again, I had to have a new one made. This one is better than the last one, though. My student-dentist guy accidentally hit my tongue with the drill, though, when he was preparing my tooth for the crown. It hurts. Outh.
Wednesday, October 02, 2002
I am such a geek. For so many reasons.
In order to stave off senility, I've made a list of the dates of all the artists I've seen multiple times, and who I went with (to the best of my memory.) It really bothers me to forget shows, and it's harder and harder to remember what you've seen when you've seen the same artist over ten times.
Anyhow, read the list here. It's like where's Waldo.. find your own name!
(lemme know if I've left someone off the list.)
In order to stave off senility, I've made a list of the dates of all the artists I've seen multiple times, and who I went with (to the best of my memory.) It really bothers me to forget shows, and it's harder and harder to remember what you've seen when you've seen the same artist over ten times.
Anyhow, read the list here. It's like where's Waldo.. find your own name!
(lemme know if I've left someone off the list.)
Tuesday, October 01, 2002
Various notes:
1) Sweet Home Alabama was a decent romantic comedy. Nothing substantial, but enough to hold my attention for two hours. It was cute. However: Jewel needs to be eliminated from humanity for her cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama." She's from Alaska. Maybe she just forgot which "A" state she's from.
2) More proof that I don't want children: spending the afternoon with my niece. Don't get me wrong; I love her and she's great fun to hang around with, but Jesus Christ, I can't imagine taking a child to Wal Mart on weekly basis. "BARBIE BARBIE BARBIE BARBIE BARBIE!!!!!" At one point, she said, "I'm gonna pull you down to the ground if you don't buy me a Barbie!" I'd say that was 80% joking, 20% serious. hehe. It was her birthday-treat-lunchday with my sister, my mom, and I, so she got her Barbie (actually, it wasn't even a real Barbie, but it's what she wanted.) For her birthday, I'm starting her a college fund. It won't be much, but at least she'll have something.
3) I made pumpkin bread last night. It's pretty good, but I think I'm going to look for a recipe that's a little less sweet and a little more pumpkiny. Actually, I'll probably just modify the recipe I already have. Discovery: Pumpkin bread is better the day after you cook it, and it's been wrapped up overnight. I brought one loaf into work, and left one at home.
4) Three weeks until Ben Folds! Ooh! random unrelated note: The Kentucky Ballet Theatre's doing the Nutcracker. I'm SO there.
5) Jill Sobule is having a website design contest. Runners-up receive $25 worth of merchandise from her online store. The grand prize is a Vagabond guitar (a small travel guitar) like she uses. hehe. I want $25 worth of merchandise. I can't play guitar, and my carpal tunnel syndrome makes it all but impossible to learn. (Jay plays guitar, but he already has one that's better than the one they're giving away.) Here's my entry.
6) This weekend was Aimee's birthday. As such, I picked her up at her parents' (I was staying at my grandma's, not far away). There were many many deer. It's a running joke between her and her parents, but seriously, I've never seen so many deer in my life. When I took her home at about 2 am, there were two does in the front yard of her across-the-street neighbors. This is a residential neighborhood (albeit in the middle of nowhere.) It was so weird. I just stopped for a second and stared at them, as they did to me.
7) More about my niece: I've discovered it's very difficult to explain the concept of a college fund to an 8 year old (especially one whose parents wouldn't know what a savings account was if it walked up and bit them on the butt.) Also not grasped by the 8 year old mind: How the evil music industry influences pop radio until there's nothing good on most stations. This really befuddled her. I think she said I gave her a headache. hehe.
1) Sweet Home Alabama was a decent romantic comedy. Nothing substantial, but enough to hold my attention for two hours. It was cute. However: Jewel needs to be eliminated from humanity for her cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama." She's from Alaska. Maybe she just forgot which "A" state she's from.
2) More proof that I don't want children: spending the afternoon with my niece. Don't get me wrong; I love her and she's great fun to hang around with, but Jesus Christ, I can't imagine taking a child to Wal Mart on weekly basis. "BARBIE BARBIE BARBIE BARBIE BARBIE!!!!!" At one point, she said, "I'm gonna pull you down to the ground if you don't buy me a Barbie!" I'd say that was 80% joking, 20% serious. hehe. It was her birthday-treat-lunchday with my sister, my mom, and I, so she got her Barbie (actually, it wasn't even a real Barbie, but it's what she wanted.) For her birthday, I'm starting her a college fund. It won't be much, but at least she'll have something.
3) I made pumpkin bread last night. It's pretty good, but I think I'm going to look for a recipe that's a little less sweet and a little more pumpkiny. Actually, I'll probably just modify the recipe I already have. Discovery: Pumpkin bread is better the day after you cook it, and it's been wrapped up overnight. I brought one loaf into work, and left one at home.
4) Three weeks until Ben Folds! Ooh! random unrelated note: The Kentucky Ballet Theatre's doing the Nutcracker. I'm SO there.
5) Jill Sobule is having a website design contest. Runners-up receive $25 worth of merchandise from her online store. The grand prize is a Vagabond guitar (a small travel guitar) like she uses. hehe. I want $25 worth of merchandise. I can't play guitar, and my carpal tunnel syndrome makes it all but impossible to learn. (Jay plays guitar, but he already has one that's better than the one they're giving away.) Here's my entry.
6) This weekend was Aimee's birthday. As such, I picked her up at her parents' (I was staying at my grandma's, not far away). There were many many deer. It's a running joke between her and her parents, but seriously, I've never seen so many deer in my life. When I took her home at about 2 am, there were two does in the front yard of her across-the-street neighbors. This is a residential neighborhood (albeit in the middle of nowhere.) It was so weird. I just stopped for a second and stared at them, as they did to me.
7) More about my niece: I've discovered it's very difficult to explain the concept of a college fund to an 8 year old (especially one whose parents wouldn't know what a savings account was if it walked up and bit them on the butt.) Also not grasped by the 8 year old mind: How the evil music industry influences pop radio until there's nothing good on most stations. This really befuddled her. I think she said I gave her a headache. hehe.
