2500 pages later...

last sunday, my SO soon-to-be new sister handed me a bag containing 4 books: twilight, new moon, eclipse, and breaking dawn.  she warned me that i would become obsessed.  she warned me about the draw of edward cullen and how he can make even the most wonderful guy seem like a jerk.  even her sister told me to be wary of how jack may react and how he would not understand.  i opened twilight that following monday and starting reading.  since then, i have devoured all 4, cover to cover.

i've been wanting a new story to cling to since my beloved harry potter ended.  i know it's silly, but i spent years with the characters JK created, and to be finished with them left me something to be desired.  granted, i loved deathly hallows, but it's sad to have it end at all.  this complex tale about eternal teenage vampires seemed so ridiculous on the surface, but it drew me in with as much charm as edward cullen as on... the entire female population.

what makes me love it more that i thought is that reading these tales has inspired me.  i feel like there's nothing i can't do, nothing i'm not capable of.  there is nothing holding me back, and no reason i should ever feel held back.  i should never be ashamed to express myself as i feel, be who i am, act like i feel.  as i've gotten older, i feel like i've lost some of the fire and passion that used to accompany me everywhere.  i seem to feel much more awkward in my head as the years go, and it makes me feel sort of trapped.  now, for some reason, my mind has cleared, and i'm realizing that i have no reason to feel so trapped, to feel so awkward.  i am who i am, and i don't have to apologize for that.  i feel like i'm 15 all over again, only... with hindsight.  i'm ready to take on new challenges and open new doors for myself.  i have some personal plans in mind, but i need to compile and organize them a bit first.  in general, though, i've had an awakening.

and i love it.

the weeks ahead

so i'm pretty excited about the coming weeks.  it's getting back into our busy season, which seems to always be looming over us.  it starts this weekend with my trip back to richmond for sherry's baby shower on saturday and melissa's charlottesville shower on sunday.  i haven't met any of those friends before (well, only a few) and i'm looking forward to it.  also, for sherry's shower, my aunt kris will now officially be there, and it's always a treat to see her :)

at melissa's shower, i hope to get her copies of the twilight books so i can read them and complete devolve into a 13 year old girl (between that and the 90210, it shouldn't be too hard).  then, i want to go see the movie, but i'm betting jack won't be too keen on it.  i may have to make some sort of ted leo negotiations, but it could possibly fly.

THEN, that weekend, there's nothing.  i don't know why i started a new paragraph.

the week after that is thanksgiving, and i'm very excited for that!  we are going to new york to see jack's sister (and their parents as well, who are joining in the fun).  on thursday, we're gonna stand out in the cold and be one of those crazy peeps you see every year at the Macy's parade!  Then we'll head back to the Heights so we can warm up and eat turkey made in a teeny NY apartment kitchen!  on Black Friday, jack and i have tickets to see Spring Awakening that evening, and i'm reeee-heeeeally excited.  it's closing next year, and i've been wanting to see it for about a year now (and i've had a big recurrence due to, again, 90210).  on saturday, we have tickets to see they might be giants.  i know like 2 of their songs, but i bet it's going to be a really great show.  all the while, we're supposedly seeing friends?  or something?  who knows, but it's gonna be legendary.

and then, the week after thanksgiving, it is tony's wedding.  melissa's too!  we'll be in cville for the weekend, eating at christians and getting coffee at the mudhouse and getting pictures in the photo booth and wearing a SPECTACULAR dress and possibly having bodo's as well... we'll have to see.  oh yeah, and also seeing my big bother get married to an awesomely wonderful chica.  all in all, amazing weekend.

so yeah, busy bees we be.  after that, we've got christmas time, which we have no real plans for yet, and then it's 2009.  i'm pretty much banking on 2009 being the best year ever, so let's see if it listens to me.

i really didn't have much of substance to say during this entry, but... whatever.  deal.

I LOVE LUCILLE BLUTH!

i do not care that arrested development is over; jessica walters will always be lucille bluth to me.  even though she's on 90210 now.  however, she just sang MY karaoke song!  hit me with your best shot!  amazing!  love it!  sometimes she is just so overdramatic... it just makes me want to set myself on fire.

promises, promises...

i always say i'm going to update this more, and then i never do.  awful.  either way, i'm here now so i'll update.

back in northern va, back in the apartment with jack, gots a new job at a law firm in reston.  it's not too bad, sometimes boring but nice co-workers and free bagels on wednesdays.  so, that's alright.  being back in town was an adjustment, but now we live much, MUCH closer to eddie and miguel, and that's been really awesome.  plus, in tysons, there is everything... except a convenient grocery store.  other than that, though, i can get just about anything ever.  it's pretty awesome.

my birthday was last saturday (as in the FIRST of the month), and it was kinda weird and awesome.  i was a bridesmaid in matt & ashleigh's wedding (with my matchy-matchy date, the groomsman hubby), and it was quite awesome to get all dolled up on my b'day.  ashleigh made sure to sing to me before she walked down the aisle, looking like a spectacular amazing bride.  they also called me out at the reception, as well as someone's grandpa who was also celebrating his birthday.  getting to see my friends and being drunk and rocking out was pretty friggin' fun, i gotta say.

so, now i'm 27.  i think it'll be a good year because the past 8 days have been particularly AMAZING.  after the birthday, it was election day, and we all know how that went.  america voted in droves, and finally, FINALLY, my candidate won!  president obama!  i was moved to tears by his acceptance speech, and i know i'll never forget that night or that moment for years to come.

and now, it's a KIND of lazy sunday.  i'm watching csi, and it's one i've seen like 3 times.  it's where mr. arnold from wonder years is an old cop trying to close a cold case, and there's deadly night shade or some crap.  either way, some guy just said his face was melting, and now i'm distracted.  plus, DH just came home from camping, so i should be nice and say hello.  peace out, readers.

strange day

first, much love and prayers and thoughts to my katie.  she knows why.

ALSO, very sad, estelle getty!  died!  no way!  every girl picks which golden girl they are, and i am totally a sophia.  it was the original "which sex and the city girl are you" question.  (btw, i'm a miranda.)  either way, her whole tale of dealing with dementia and all of that in the past few years is really heartbreaking, and it's good that she doesn't have to suffer anymore.  HOWEVER, life without sophia?  sad.

and thirdly, perhaps most random, i'm watching i love the new millennium... yeah... on vh1.  and it is kind of ridiculous.  BUT, i'm on year 2002, and they just did a little tribute to andrew wk (when it's time to party, we will party hard).  then, they cut to commercials but did a tease about how botox will be in the next segment.  michael ian black says, have a stroke!  it's cheaper!

so... hope your 7-22 has been equally or more random.  here's hoping.

godfather or godfather 2?

I recently re-watched "The Godfather" and I have to totally agree with myself that it's fantastic.  Lots of drama and intrigue and revenge and betrayal.  It's pretty freakin' perfect.  So, since I have the trilogy box set, I moved on to Part II this evening.  There is much debate over which one is better.  MANY critics says that II is better than I.  I am not one of those critics.

Yes, I like II; in fact, I know of love it.  It's a whole new Michael, completely different from the Mikey we met at Connie's wedding.  He's hardened, angry, solitary.  That's why the flashback at the end is so gripping; you see what a few years has done to him.  BUT, does it match up to I in my book?  Not really.  I like the 

whole DeNiro/young Vito storyline in II, but it does seems sort of choppy.  The storylines are supposed to coincide, but mostly, they seem to make you forget about the OTHER plot line.  The first movie is just so compelling, so perfectly done.  Granted, II is basically the best sequel of all time (though, from a personal standpoint, Empire may top it... but that might just be my childhood talking), but still.  Godfather?  Part I?  Fugitaboutit.

I updated my Ravelry today with pictures of stuff I'm working on.  I know, surprise!  I'm really excited about this Lace Ribbon scarf.  The yarn is just so yummy and squishy.  I wish I could buy a lot more, but then I'd be so suuuuper poor.  I added a pic so you could see my work and the delightfulness of this yarn.  I probably should be asleep.  Anyway, it's kinda technicolor, but I like it.  Anyway, I'd better git, since I've gotta get up early to make the big bucks.  I'm also meeting the girls at Captain George's tomorrow.  Expensive, yes... but I also get to eat my weight in shrimp, and who DOESN'T love that??

So... peace out until next time.  I'm going to try to be a bit more frequent with these updates, though I don't think anyone actually reads this.  Eh, who cares?  Check out that Lacy Scarf Action!!

you know how i know you're gay?

i know i'm way behind on the curve with this one, but get over it.  i'd never seen "the 40-year old virgin" before.  so, when spencer offered to let me and jack "rent" some of his DVDs for about, oh, two years, i took it.  and while it was about what i expected, i will say this: the last 5 minutes made it totally worth it.

i've been working on the Lace Ribbon Scarf using some Claudia's yarn i got at the knitting sisters. it's dyed by a woman (i assume named claudia) who lives in harrisonburg, which is why i bought it.  it's kind of technicolor, but whatevs.  i love it.  so deal.  i'll post some pics once i'm a bit further.

phone just rang.  gotta entertain the DH so peace :)

some good news for a change

i gots me a job!  it's true.  i'll be an office assistant (with lots of possibilities) at the cullom eye & laser center in williamsburg, va.  woooot!  apparently, i could also get free lasiks... lasix?  whatever, i'll be able to see through my own eyeballs, which i haven't done since sometime in the early 90's.  so that's kinda hot.

however, it's not as much as i got at the FORMER job, and therefore jack will stay here in alexandria to look for jobs (not here but other places) while i take refuge with my in-laws.  it won't be too bad, since they are pretty nice people and i'll get to live with cats again.  i'll miss jack, though.  when you spend all your time with someone, it's weird when they're not around.  i don't start until april 28th, so there's lots of time to figure out what goes where and who takes what and rock crushes scissors.

i'm excited to have a job, though... and my reasons are 3 fold.  1- money that's not called "unemployment."  2- health insurance!!  3- something to do!  it's true; i got too bored, and that's really an accomplishment.  here's a list of all the entire series of tv shows i watched while not working:

-arrested development (at least twice)

-futurama (also, at least twice)

-scrubs (don't ask how many times, please)

-six feet under

-friends (almost; i'm on season finale of 8 now)

-how i met your mother

-sex and the city

-ER (through season 7)

-grey's anatomy (through season 3 TWICE)

-the office

-the OC seasons 1 & 2

that is a lot of logged hours on the sofa.  i can see a plot device coming from a mile away.  so many gag reels and deleted scenes and featurettes.  it truly boggles the mind.  i can't wait to tell my future children about the time in life that i was unemployed and sans cable TV.  they will think i lived in the dark ages.

i've started a new knitting project using my new Denise interchangeable needles!  this is the first time i've ever used circulars, and i think i'm doing alright.  i'm making the Ribbed Lace Bolero, and i think it's going to end up being giant.  i'm a tight knitter, so my gauge is different than everything i've seen on ravelry, AND when i did the initial shoulder measurement, i got 20 inches across... which makes me feel like a freakin' LINEBACKER or something.  so, it might be my Ribbed Lace Humpback Warmer for when i'm an old lady and i can't stand up straight any longer.  now i feel guilty about my posture.

DH is making eyes at me about wanting to go to 7-11, so i'll peace out.

holy crap.

so... how i met your mother?  seriously hilarious.  i love any show that makes fun of itself or has shout-outs to previous work the cast has done, like a little inside joke for people like me.  so, to see neil patrick harris blogging on a blue screen at the end of tonite's episode to some VERY familiar 80's sounding electronic music... why, my heart just fluttered a little.

i am so happy right in this moment :)

How I Updated My Blog

So remember like 5 months ago when I said I was gonna update this and change the "format" and all that?  Yeah, that went well, right?  Sure it did.  I'm trying something new this time and actually updating, and I'll do my best to update everyday.  There's really no excuse for my lack of updates, since I still have no job and basically no friends and therefore lots of time.  

However, since I have been wishing I could write for a pop culture outlet or something similar, I thought I might actually try that out on my own.  From time to time, I'll be posting my opinions regarding the shows I watch, the movies I see, good albums (or bad) that I may hear, and general ponderings on life in these United States... though different than the Reader's Digest versions.  And for starters, check this out.

It is a well-known fact amongst my friends and loved ones that I have a predilection for television addiction.  In fact, I sometimes hold off on shows that I hear are particularly good and engrossing to save myself years of sedentary couch time, but I usually fall victim anyway (see also: LOST).  However, it has been quite a while since I have been interested in a laugh-track sitcom, especially one on CBS.  Due to the writer's strike and the complete lack of ANYTHING on television (also since we are apparently Amish and don't have cable), Jack and I have taken to watching whatever's on.  This has led to hours of Deal or No Deal and other mindless variations.  So, when we flipped to How I Met Your Mother one Monday eve, we chose to watch it since it was the only non-reality show on at the time.

I am so glad.

I've had friends tell me for a while that this is a funny show.  Due to my previous addictions and the large amounts of DVDs on the shelves in our place, I tried to stay away.  I had plenty of Scrubs, The Office, Gilmore Girls, Six Feet Under, Sex and the City, and 10 whole seasons of Friends to entertain me (and that's just scratching the surface).  It didn't matter.  Something about HIMYM stuck with me, and it wasn't just Neil Patrick Harris.

HIMYM is one of the first shows I've seen that seems real.  It's less like a show and more like watching videos of old times.  The dialogue is the first thing I noticed that seemed believable.  The gang all talks like other people my age.  They have their own set of lingo, and that is certainly the case with my group too.  After that, I found myself drawn to Lily because we are so much alike.  She starts out as the lone girl in a sea of silly boys, dating a guy she's been with all through college and beyond.  She's fun and silly, and she can joke and drink with the boys.  It wasn't until later in the first season that I really saw myself in Lily, when she goes out to a bar with Robin and no one hits on her or even notices her, but they certainly notice Robin.  I don't mind not getting hit on by random strangers, but at the same time... I'm not invisible.  When I saw that, I knew this was the show for me.

So now, I'm addicted.  Sue me.  It's gotten to a fever pitch almost, where I have the third disc of the first season coming in tomorrow via Netflix BUT the mail doesn't get here until almost 4... and we just bought the second season with a Target wedding gift card (thanks Paul & Stef!)... so we'll just have to work backwards.  Eh, whatever.  It's not like I've got anything better to do.