It was July 28, 2002. I was 20 years old and on summer break between my junior and senior years at James Madison University. I likely spent all of my time figuring out the perfect away message for my AOL instant messenger and playing Snake on my Nokia phone with the Roxy print cover. Also, along with three of my best friends, I had scored a ticket to the Area: Two festival, a show put on by Moby where the line-up included Blue Man Group, Busta Rhymes, and David mutha-freaking Bowie.
We road-tripped from Richmond to Bristow, Va to the Nissan Pavilion, where we cranked Reggie & the Full Effect and called 911 due to a brush fire on the side of 95 North. On the way, we discussed how we'd heard this rumor that he wasn't playing the classics anymore, and we desperately hoped this wasn't true. We all had songs we wanted to hear: Sherry hoped for a Ziggy Stardust (a song we all loved thanks to our time as fans of the X-Ray Dudes), Becky wanted a rendition of China Girl, and Amanda clearly longed for Let's Dance. As for me, I couldn't think of one song I absolutely felt I had to hear; more than anything, I just wanted to see the man in person, in all his glory.
So we arrived. We found our seats. We watched Busta Rhymes completely lose his shiz. We crossed our fingers that Bowie would go on before Moby so we didn't have to sit through his set. And finally, as the sun set off in the distance, we got our wish.
Years before this, my brother played Life on Mars? for me, and it changed my life. I dubbed it "the perfect song" because I feel that every note, every chord, every piece of it is perfectly placed. It doesn't progress the way you think it will. It goes beyond the scope of what I knew to be music-- to me, this transcended into pure artistry.
Back in 2002, the set began. I heard the opening chords to Life on Mars?, and I stood up without thinking. That beautiful man walked out on stage and began to sing, and I sang along too, knowing that I was witnessing something I would never see again-- the perfect song, pure artistry, live and in person. I was in the presence of a legend, and he was just killing it. This was the song I wanted to hear, only he knew it when I didn't. I couldn't stop smiling.
We all got our wish that night. He played all kinds of classics, plus all kinds of new songs from his then-just released album Heathen. Becky cried when we heard China Girl. We danced with the girls around us when Bowie played a stripped-down version of Let's Dance. And we all sang along to Ziggy and the Spiders from Mars.
We left that night feeling invincible, the way you can when you know you've seen something amazing, when you're 20 and the world is wide and open and the rest of your life lies ahead. I still remember so many details of that night like it was yesterday-- Bowie on the big screen, singing along to "Dwarf Invasion" on the drive up, the four of us running out of the amphitheater before Moby started with the chorus, "Nobody listens to techno, now let's go."
And now I am heartbroken. My brother eulogized that, to us, Bowie was like a family member, a distant uncle you've only heard tall tales about, who has an incredible record collection who really only exists in stories of legend. That's so true for me too. I cried myself back to sleep this morning when I read the news, knowing that this Earth wouldn't be the same when I woke up.
I've included a video of Life on Mars? below, recorded live in 2002 around the time I would have seen him. It's the best way I can think to honor this brilliant, unique, otherworldly, talented, remarkable man.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Friday, April 17, 2015
The Last Few Weeks aka The Birth of the Twinkies
This is the true story of what I've been through over the past few weeks. I know there have been a lot of curious folks, and I don't blame you at all. I did sort of disappear without warning, but to be fair, I didn't have much warning myself. So, grab yourself a snack, sit back, and listen to the story of how I owe everything to modern medicine and yet never want to be admitted to a hospital again in my entire life. Ever. I'll be adding some gifs to keep you scrolling.
On March 19, Jack and I went to our regularly scheduled appointment with the high-risk doctor at Inova Alexandria Hospital. I'd been seeing them for months because I have chronic hypertension (but I would have seen them anyway due to the fact that I was pregnant with twins). I was nervous for the appointment because a few weeks prior, we found out the babies weren't growing as fast as they should, which meant they would likely be born early. I'd changed my diet and been crazy about checking my blood pressure, and I was hoping for good news.
Instead, I found that my blood pressure had skyrocketed seemingly overnight, and the babies were still too small. They sent us upstairs to triage for monitoring. It all happened very quickly, but I still wasn't too scared. I thought I might end up on hospital bed rest for a while, which wasn't the best news of all time, but better than anything else I could think of.
Turns out, I was right. I was diagnosed with preeclampsia. They admitted me to the maternity ward, and they told me to expect to be there until I needed to deliver. The doctors didn't know when that might be, but they were hoping I'd be staying there for weeks. Frankly, that's what I hoped too. I would be more than happy to use them as a hotel, albeit a strange hotel that fed me okay-ish food and constantly took my vital signs and occasionally slathered my belly in jelly to listen to the twin heartbeats that sounded like wild horses running. I watched princess movies on ABC Family, I brought in clothes from home, and I got ready to settle in for the long haul.
That all changed on Monday, March 23. My liver enzymes tripled overnight, which is the thing the doctors were fearing. After a quick scan of the babies, it was decided that they needed to be delivered via c-section. I was 27 weeks 4 days pregnant. I thought it was too soon. I was terrified. I spent the next few hours crying and worrying.
The first step of the c-section was the magnesium IV drip. The nurse warned me that it would make me feel pretty freaking terrible, especially at the beginning. And it did, believe me. But after the bolus was done, I kept feeling awful. And then, the pain started. Out of nowhere, I had this terrible sharp agonizing pain in my shoulder. I told Jack it felt like a wing or a horn was trying to come out of my shoulder. Looking back, it was honestly the only pain I felt at the hospital that was a 10 on the 1-10 scale. I was especially over it because I was having a c-section, so I felt it was unfair to experience this kind of pain as well!
Finally, they wheeled me in, and it all began. It was strange and bright and somehow both incredibly slow and entirely too fast. Victoria Jane entered the world at 2:43 pm, and her sister Avery Francis followed shortly thereafter at 2:44 pm. I saw them both for a brief moment before they were taken up to the NICU. They weren't officially named for about a week, because I didn't want to name them until I was able to get a good look at them, and my one second, high-on-painkillers moment didn't count.
Why did it take me a week to be able to see my daughters? Well, that's the next part of the story-- the liver part.
I went back to my room to rest and recover while I was still being monitored. My liver enzymes continued to rise. The next day, I got a diagnosis of HELLP syndrome. Honestly, I don't know when I received this diagnosis because no one ever explicitly said it to me. It just happened. My HELLP complication came in the form of a hematoma on my liver-- a 13 cm bleeding gash. This is a very rare complication (I read somewhere that HELLP happens in 2% of pregnancies, and a liver hematoma happens in 1% of those), and it was also the cause of my intense shoulder pain. Something about "referred pain." Suddenly, I became the most well-known patient in the hospital as I met a surgeon, hematologist, nephrologist, infectious disease doctor, and a whole slew of nurses. They wheeled me down to get a CT scan to see how bad the damage was and possibly get a procedure done to stop the bleeding.
The scan showed that the bleeding was isolated to under the cap of the liver? (again, I think, but it was a lot of information all tossed at me while I was on painkillers and entirely confused), but I had the procedure to stop the bleeding. Afterwards, I was taken to ICU instead of back to maternity.
This was possibly the worst part of the entire process.
I definitely needed to be in ICU, but not for as long as I was. After about a day or so, I felt trapped there. I felt like no one listened to me, like no one understood what kind of patient I was. I came from having a c-section, from the maternity ward. They kept treating me like any other ICU patient, and that wasn't the case. There was a constant stream of people coming into my room at any time without warning-- nurses, doctors, hospital administrators. I was being hounded to start using the breast pump to get my breastmilk supply up, but no one would give me the privacy to do it.
Plus, ICU is very loud. The nurses' station is in the middle of all the rooms, and we had sliding doors and curtains, but that didn't keep the sound out. During a shift change, I couldn't sleep because it was so loud. I heard other patients screaming in agony for help, constantly pushing their Call buttons. It was an awful experience. This is what I never want to go through ever again.
There was also a truly agonizing ordeal with another CT scan where my nurses got my bed stuck in an elevator and decided the best plan would be to SHAKE MY BED WITH ME IN IT to get me out. Yes, shake the girl with the excruciating liver pain. Brilliant plan. But I digress.
Finally, after almost a week, I was transferred out of ICU (but NOT back to maternity/postpartum for some reason) after way too long, and finally finally finally I was able to go see my girls. I was apparently so excited about this that doctors called the NICU to check on me because my heart rate increased so much! They were so small and delicate, but they're my girls and I adore them. They are my fighting warrior ladies, so strong despite their size, and I love to stare at them while they wiggle and wave and live.
I stayed in this new not-postpartum department for a few days, but it wasn't the best place for me either. I was still constantly interrupted by any number of people, and I still couldn't consistently pump. The nurses told me to put up a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door to alert them and others that I was pumping, but many doctors ignored it. One morning, no less than 20 different people came into my room before noon. I had to wear a heart monitor for reasons no one could adequately explain. I still felt very trapped.
Finally, my on-call OB came to check in on me, and she went through all of the things I needed to be concentrating on in order to get discharged-- a whole laundry list of things that I'd been trying to do but couldn't thanks to the constant interruptions-- and I lost it. I had an epic meltdown and laid it all out there for this poor doctor who just happened to be assigned to me that day. At this point, I'd been in the hospital for almost 2 weeks with no end in sight. I was exhausted in every possible sense of the word.
And she saved the day by getting me transferred to postpartum that very night. It took a few hours, but I felt so much better as soon as I got there. I finally felt like someone understood what I really needed. I started getting stronger, where I would walk up and down the hall (albeit very slowly). I was able to pump without interruption and sleep for hours at a time and get to the NICU with less stress. They worked together with me to try to get me back home rather than keeping me trapped there.
After a few false starts and setbacks, I finally got out of the hospital on Friday, April 3, two weeks and one day after I was admitted. This was my very first hospital stay, and I really hope it is my very last. I never want to go through this ever again. I am very thankful for every doctor and nurse who took care of me, for every person who cleaned my rooms and brought me food. I am grateful that I was in the hospital when I was, so the complications were caught in plenty of time. I am so glad that I am alive to tell this story. However, I never want to go through any of that ever, ever again.
I've been home recovering for a while now. My days are spent resting, pumping, and visiting the girls in the NICU. It's not very exciting, and I have my good days and bad days, but mostly I do my best to stay stress-free and try to "enjoy" this as best I can. Hopefully we will be able to bring our girls home soon (whenever it's best for them, of course) and start the new phase of life as Mom, but until then, I need to take care of me.
And speaking of taking care of me, that guy I married? IS A SAINT. He has been beyond amazing from the moment this all began. I didn't even think it was possible to fall more in love with him, but hot damn, I really did. Even though all of this, I must say I am so, so lucky to have married this man. I'm so glad he wore that Ben Folds Five shirt 15 years ago so I decided to become friends with him. It was definitely the best decision I've ever made.
So... that's my story. I hope you enjoyed it! If you made it all the way here, you deserve a cookie. Also, if you're reading this and looking to do anything to help us out, you can consider checking out our registries on Babies R Us or Target (which is much smaller and apparently nothing is in stock anymore-- SIGH), OR you could just send a message of encouragement. I'm entirely overwhelmed by the response I've gotten from friends and loved ones during this time, and I often don't feel emotionally equipped to handle it all. I can't believe so many people care about us so much. It's amazing. You're all amazing.
 |
| j/k this story is like the story of my LIFE |
Instead, I found that my blood pressure had skyrocketed seemingly overnight, and the babies were still too small. They sent us upstairs to triage for monitoring. It all happened very quickly, but I still wasn't too scared. I thought I might end up on hospital bed rest for a while, which wasn't the best news of all time, but better than anything else I could think of.
 |
| Spoiler alert: the news wasn't great. |
That all changed on Monday, March 23. My liver enzymes tripled overnight, which is the thing the doctors were fearing. After a quick scan of the babies, it was decided that they needed to be delivered via c-section. I was 27 weeks 4 days pregnant. I thought it was too soon. I was terrified. I spent the next few hours crying and worrying.
 |
| I joke now, but seriously, lotsa crying. |
Finally, they wheeled me in, and it all began. It was strange and bright and somehow both incredibly slow and entirely too fast. Victoria Jane entered the world at 2:43 pm, and her sister Avery Francis followed shortly thereafter at 2:44 pm. I saw them both for a brief moment before they were taken up to the NICU. They weren't officially named for about a week, because I didn't want to name them until I was able to get a good look at them, and my one second, high-on-painkillers moment didn't count.
Why did it take me a week to be able to see my daughters? Well, that's the next part of the story-- the liver part.
 |
| Apparently, neither could half of my liver. |
The scan showed that the bleeding was isolated to under the cap of the liver? (again, I think, but it was a lot of information all tossed at me while I was on painkillers and entirely confused), but I had the procedure to stop the bleeding. Afterwards, I was taken to ICU instead of back to maternity.
This was possibly the worst part of the entire process.
I definitely needed to be in ICU, but not for as long as I was. After about a day or so, I felt trapped there. I felt like no one listened to me, like no one understood what kind of patient I was. I came from having a c-section, from the maternity ward. They kept treating me like any other ICU patient, and that wasn't the case. There was a constant stream of people coming into my room at any time without warning-- nurses, doctors, hospital administrators. I was being hounded to start using the breast pump to get my breastmilk supply up, but no one would give me the privacy to do it.
Plus, ICU is very loud. The nurses' station is in the middle of all the rooms, and we had sliding doors and curtains, but that didn't keep the sound out. During a shift change, I couldn't sleep because it was so loud. I heard other patients screaming in agony for help, constantly pushing their Call buttons. It was an awful experience. This is what I never want to go through ever again.
There was also a truly agonizing ordeal with another CT scan where my nurses got my bed stuck in an elevator and decided the best plan would be to SHAKE MY BED WITH ME IN IT to get me out. Yes, shake the girl with the excruciating liver pain. Brilliant plan. But I digress.
 |
| Get me OUTTA HERE! |
I stayed in this new not-postpartum department for a few days, but it wasn't the best place for me either. I was still constantly interrupted by any number of people, and I still couldn't consistently pump. The nurses told me to put up a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door to alert them and others that I was pumping, but many doctors ignored it. One morning, no less than 20 different people came into my room before noon. I had to wear a heart monitor for reasons no one could adequately explain. I still felt very trapped.
Finally, my on-call OB came to check in on me, and she went through all of the things I needed to be concentrating on in order to get discharged-- a whole laundry list of things that I'd been trying to do but couldn't thanks to the constant interruptions-- and I lost it. I had an epic meltdown and laid it all out there for this poor doctor who just happened to be assigned to me that day. At this point, I'd been in the hospital for almost 2 weeks with no end in sight. I was exhausted in every possible sense of the word.
 |
| All the shambles. So much shambles. |
After a few false starts and setbacks, I finally got out of the hospital on Friday, April 3, two weeks and one day after I was admitted. This was my very first hospital stay, and I really hope it is my very last. I never want to go through this ever again. I am very thankful for every doctor and nurse who took care of me, for every person who cleaned my rooms and brought me food. I am grateful that I was in the hospital when I was, so the complications were caught in plenty of time. I am so glad that I am alive to tell this story. However, I never want to go through any of that ever, ever again.
I've been home recovering for a while now. My days are spent resting, pumping, and visiting the girls in the NICU. It's not very exciting, and I have my good days and bad days, but mostly I do my best to stay stress-free and try to "enjoy" this as best I can. Hopefully we will be able to bring our girls home soon (whenever it's best for them, of course) and start the new phase of life as Mom, but until then, I need to take care of me.
And speaking of taking care of me, that guy I married? IS A SAINT. He has been beyond amazing from the moment this all began. I didn't even think it was possible to fall more in love with him, but hot damn, I really did. Even though all of this, I must say I am so, so lucky to have married this man. I'm so glad he wore that Ben Folds Five shirt 15 years ago so I decided to become friends with him. It was definitely the best decision I've ever made.
 |
| You and me both, Rach. |
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
I got some 'splainin to do!
It's time to dust off the ole blog, but it's for good reasons. Seems I went and got myself into a situation of sorts...
And with this situation comes a lot of joy and a lot of people saying incredibly nice things to me and also a LOT of questions. I thought this would be the best way to answer the ones I can think of.
Q: ARE YOU SERIOUS?
A: Abso-friggin-lutely.
Q: How far along are you?
A: As of today, almost 13 weeks. My due date is mid-June, but for twins, full-term is 38 weeks. So we shall see!
Q: What did you do when you found out?
A: Well, nothing really? So, I found out around 8 weeks, at my second ultrasound at Shady Grove. They'd only seen one on the first ultrasound 2 weeks prior, so I wasn't expecting any big news. I told the AMAZING Dr. Levens I'd been feeling super zonked-out tired since my last appointment. Then, he and the ultrasound tech went quiet, which isn't something a brand new pregnant lady wants to experience. Right before I shouted, "I AM STILL PREGNANT, RIGHT?", Dr. Levens finally answered. "I see why you've been so tired-- there are two of them!"
Sure enough, clear as day, two little gummy bears were on the screen. I was mostly just shocked more than anything else. I started laughing a little maniacally as I am wont to do in new situations, and I told a story (shocking!) about how I'd made a joke months before about how it'd be easier if I got pregnant with twins so I'd only have to go through this one.
Ha. Ha. Ha.
That was my last appointment at Shady Grove. I "graduated" to my regular OB after that. But that day, I was the talk of the office. Half the staff came by to see the face of the lady with "surprise twinnies!" Said face was beet red for hours, and I had to GO TO WORK after I found out this news. Believe me, it was the weirdest day of work I've ever had.
So, that's my story of surprise twinnies.
Q: Do you know the genders yet?
A: Not yet, and I likely won't until the beginning of next year. I'll post that when it happens to see if I have a Cather & Wren or a Fred & George or a Brandon & Brenda. HOWEVER...
Q: Are they identical?
A: Nope! They are fraternal. Thus I'm far more likely to have Walshes than Weasleys. (Here's hoping for some gingers, though!) For now, we've been referring to them as "the twinkies" which is a nickname given to them by my father-in-law or, in typical Futurama nerd style, Wingus and Dingus.
Q: Do twins run in your family?
A: In my husband's but that's not how this happened. I mentioned Shady Grove above here and I wrote a post over at the incredible ladyblog collaboration I've been involved with called "Good Morning Good Morning" where I came clean about some struggles I'd been facing. Full disclosure: I wrote that blog before I found out, but it went live AFTER I already knew I was pregnant. Either way, I didn't feel bad publishing it because it was all true of what I'd been experiencing for the last year or so. If you'd like to know more about that, I'm more than willing to chat about it. In person or over email, though.
Q: Are you excited?
A: SO.
Q: Are you terrified?
A: SO.
Q: Will you name them all J names since you're Jessica and your hubs is Jack?
A: I don't want to go all Duggar-y, but it might happen. All J name recommendations in comments!
Q: How are you feeling?
A: Tired and, depending on the day, a tad barfy. That should go away soon hopefully. I mostly just want to eat all the things but by "all the things" I mean the four foods I find to be delicious and literally nothing else.
Q: Can I send you a ton of presents to show you how much I love you?
A: Always.
And with this situation comes a lot of joy and a lot of people saying incredibly nice things to me and also a LOT of questions. I thought this would be the best way to answer the ones I can think of.
Q: ARE YOU SERIOUS?
A: Abso-friggin-lutely.
Q: How far along are you?
A: As of today, almost 13 weeks. My due date is mid-June, but for twins, full-term is 38 weeks. So we shall see!
Q: What did you do when you found out?
A: Well, nothing really? So, I found out around 8 weeks, at my second ultrasound at Shady Grove. They'd only seen one on the first ultrasound 2 weeks prior, so I wasn't expecting any big news. I told the AMAZING Dr. Levens I'd been feeling super zonked-out tired since my last appointment. Then, he and the ultrasound tech went quiet, which isn't something a brand new pregnant lady wants to experience. Right before I shouted, "I AM STILL PREGNANT, RIGHT?", Dr. Levens finally answered. "I see why you've been so tired-- there are two of them!"
Sure enough, clear as day, two little gummy bears were on the screen. I was mostly just shocked more than anything else. I started laughing a little maniacally as I am wont to do in new situations, and I told a story (shocking!) about how I'd made a joke months before about how it'd be easier if I got pregnant with twins so I'd only have to go through this one.
Ha. Ha. Ha.
That was my last appointment at Shady Grove. I "graduated" to my regular OB after that. But that day, I was the talk of the office. Half the staff came by to see the face of the lady with "surprise twinnies!" Said face was beet red for hours, and I had to GO TO WORK after I found out this news. Believe me, it was the weirdest day of work I've ever had.
So, that's my story of surprise twinnies.
Q: Do you know the genders yet?
A: Not yet, and I likely won't until the beginning of next year. I'll post that when it happens to see if I have a Cather & Wren or a Fred & George or a Brandon & Brenda. HOWEVER...
Q: Are they identical?
A: Nope! They are fraternal. Thus I'm far more likely to have Walshes than Weasleys. (Here's hoping for some gingers, though!) For now, we've been referring to them as "the twinkies" which is a nickname given to them by my father-in-law or, in typical Futurama nerd style, Wingus and Dingus.
Q: Do twins run in your family?
A: In my husband's but that's not how this happened. I mentioned Shady Grove above here and I wrote a post over at the incredible ladyblog collaboration I've been involved with called "Good Morning Good Morning" where I came clean about some struggles I'd been facing. Full disclosure: I wrote that blog before I found out, but it went live AFTER I already knew I was pregnant. Either way, I didn't feel bad publishing it because it was all true of what I'd been experiencing for the last year or so. If you'd like to know more about that, I'm more than willing to chat about it. In person or over email, though.
Q: Are you excited?
A: SO.
Q: Are you terrified?
A: SO.
Q: Will you name them all J names since you're Jessica and your hubs is Jack?
A: I don't want to go all Duggar-y, but it might happen. All J name recommendations in comments!
Q: How are you feeling?
A: Tired and, depending on the day, a tad barfy. That should go away soon hopefully. I mostly just want to eat all the things but by "all the things" I mean the four foods I find to be delicious and literally nothing else.
Q: Can I send you a ton of presents to show you how much I love you?
A: Always.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Phenomenal Woman
(I wanted to type this out, physically, piece by piece, so that the words would sink into my skin and my soul would absorb them. Perhaps you need that experience as well, so I pass this on to you. Thank you for your soul-absorbent words, Dr. Angelou. The world will miss you.)
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Friday, April 25, 2014
20 Ways To Piss People Off in 1999
Look at this treasure of a gif I found today!!
So, while on vacation last week (oh, I went on a two week vacation to Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco, and I hope to blog about it soon, but that's another story for another entry)... what, where was I?
Oh, right.
While on vacation last week, I was thinking about some old saved emails I have in my Yahoo email account, which I've had since... the late 90s? I think? Man, old lady is old. Anyway, yesterday, I decided to take a little sneak peek into the email archive to see if I had any beauties. And boy howdy, did I!
Today, I would like to share with you an email I received from one Ambuler81 on July 28, 1999, entitled, "20 Ways to Piss People Off." Of course, I had to share this with Ambuler herself, which I assume made her day. After many requests to share the entire list, I find myself here today. If you're having a bad day, please see the list below. I hope this makes you smile. If it doesn't, look at the gif at the top of this post again. I will never stop laughing at it.
Right... to the list!
1. Go to the library. About every 15 minutes, walk up to the same guy and joke, "Working hard, or hardly working?"
2. At the dentist, start screaming as soon as you open your mouth.
3. Stand in front of the T.V. when your dad is watching a big game.
4. Every 30 minutes or so, call your friend who is baby-sitting and breathe into the phone.
5. Whenever someone asks you a question, say, "What?" as soon as they start to ask again cut them off with another "What?"
6. When someone asks to borrow paper, say, "Do you think paper grows on trees?" Then laugh hysterically.
7. Send e-mails to your friends with subjects reading "You'll never believe this!!!!!" Then leave the inside blank.
8. Put garlic powder inside the shower head in the bathroom (of course after you have taken a shower first).
9. Break into your fave celeb's house, wear their clothes and wait patiently to be arrested.
10. Fill your mouth with crackers at the table and talk to everyone.
11. Go to McDonalds and order lobster. After they explain they don't have it, storm out shouting, "I should have gone to Wendy's!!!!"
12. Tell a friend they have something on the face when they don't. Keep telling them to wipe harder.
13. When the lights go out at the movies, make barfing noises.
14. While on vacation with your family, suddenly scream, "Did someone remember to unplug the iron!?!?! "
15. Make up a joke that takes 10 minutes to tell and has no punchline.
16. When answering the phone say, "Yellow?"
17. Go to the store and buy a lot of things, only use all pennies to pay with.
18. Keep asking people at the bus stop "Cold enough for ya?" every couple of minutes.
19. While someone is taking a shower, steal their towel.
20. Speak with a fake British accent all day.
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| forever lololololol |
Oh, right.
While on vacation last week, I was thinking about some old saved emails I have in my Yahoo email account, which I've had since... the late 90s? I think? Man, old lady is old. Anyway, yesterday, I decided to take a little sneak peek into the email archive to see if I had any beauties. And boy howdy, did I!
Today, I would like to share with you an email I received from one Ambuler81 on July 28, 1999, entitled, "20 Ways to Piss People Off." Of course, I had to share this with Ambuler herself, which I assume made her day. After many requests to share the entire list, I find myself here today. If you're having a bad day, please see the list below. I hope this makes you smile. If it doesn't, look at the gif at the top of this post again. I will never stop laughing at it.
Right... to the list!
1. Go to the library. About every 15 minutes, walk up to the same guy and joke, "Working hard, or hardly working?"
2. At the dentist, start screaming as soon as you open your mouth.
3. Stand in front of the T.V. when your dad is watching a big game.
4. Every 30 minutes or so, call your friend who is baby-sitting and breathe into the phone.
5. Whenever someone asks you a question, say, "What?" as soon as they start to ask again cut them off with another "What?"
6. When someone asks to borrow paper, say, "Do you think paper grows on trees?" Then laugh hysterically.
7. Send e-mails to your friends with subjects reading "You'll never believe this!!!!!" Then leave the inside blank.
8. Put garlic powder inside the shower head in the bathroom (of course after you have taken a shower first).
9. Break into your fave celeb's house, wear their clothes and wait patiently to be arrested.
10. Fill your mouth with crackers at the table and talk to everyone.
11. Go to McDonalds and order lobster. After they explain they don't have it, storm out shouting, "I should have gone to Wendy's!!!!"
12. Tell a friend they have something on the face when they don't. Keep telling them to wipe harder.
13. When the lights go out at the movies, make barfing noises.
14. While on vacation with your family, suddenly scream, "Did someone remember to unplug the iron!?!?! "
15. Make up a joke that takes 10 minutes to tell and has no punchline.
16. When answering the phone say, "Yellow?"
17. Go to the store and buy a lot of things, only use all pennies to pay with.
18. Keep asking people at the bus stop "Cold enough for ya?" every couple of minutes.
19. While someone is taking a shower, steal their towel.
20. Speak with a fake British accent all day.
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| thx for the lols, past amber |
Sunday, January 26, 2014
"Roll again-- don't be stupid."
This weekend, we hosted my in-laws, as we usually do around this time of year. I always love spending time with them, and this time was no exception. We explored the National Building Museum, ate our collective weight in chicken taco soup and banana pudding, and agreed that when someone asks if you're a god, you say yes.
As is our tradition, we also gathered around the dining room table for a rousing game-- this year, we decided to go with Skip-Bo. Brother-in-law won by leaps and bounds, for which we are equal parts proud and envious. See, we are a very competitive lot, and while we love one another, we also love to school one another in any way possible. These games get very intense, and there are often "disagreements" that result in threats of divorce. Everyone has their own strategy, and no one should ever question it. In fact, the only thing we agree on comes from Trivial Pursuit: when given a choice between a Roll Again or a Question space, you always "roll again-- don't be stupid." It can be said in one quick exhale to speed the game along; it can be shouted at your teammate when they try to move your pie in the wrong direction; it is usually declared in unison by all six of us while raising our glasses in the air. It's not much, but it's all we got.
I bring up games with the in-laws because of an interesting conversation I had with my father-in-law. After dinner, while we were avoiding clean-up, FIL asked me a question that usually sends me into a mental panic.
"So Jess, with all of your reviews and writer friends and such, when are you going to write us a book?"
That is a good question, FIL.
Anyone who's ever told loved ones about their passion for writing has heard this question, and those folks know there were many ways I could have answered. I could say that writing doesn't interest me. I could tell him that I don't have any ideas for a good story. I could change the subject to something, anything, else. However, I'm going through my own personal things right now, and I don't have room in my head or heart to be anything other than honest.
So, I tell him the truth. I tell him that writing and completing a novel is ultimately my goal. I tell him I have story ideas that I need to get out of my head and onto paper. I talk about my writer friends and how they've been so helpful just by asking me about my progress and keeping me honest. I even break bad on myself and tell him how much I find myself to be my own worst enemy. "I'm so full of excuses," I say. "I just need to shut up and write." He mentions NaNoWriMo (which I tried in 2012), and I tell him the story of how my brain turned to mushy goo when I tried NaNo, how I hid myself away that year while spending Thanksgiving with them to try and write, but it didn't work. I shrug and say, "It can get a little daunting and scary."
He nods, and with a knowing smile, he says, "Well, roll again-- don't be stupid."
Maybe it's just been so long since I've blogged that I found inspiration in a silly place. Maybe I need a little more sleep and a little less banana pudding. Or maybe, just maybe, I should take a breath, believe in my own words, and push past the doubtful demons that live in my psyche. Roll again, Jess. Don't be stupid.
As is our tradition, we also gathered around the dining room table for a rousing game-- this year, we decided to go with Skip-Bo. Brother-in-law won by leaps and bounds, for which we are equal parts proud and envious. See, we are a very competitive lot, and while we love one another, we also love to school one another in any way possible. These games get very intense, and there are often "disagreements" that result in threats of divorce. Everyone has their own strategy, and no one should ever question it. In fact, the only thing we agree on comes from Trivial Pursuit: when given a choice between a Roll Again or a Question space, you always "roll again-- don't be stupid." It can be said in one quick exhale to speed the game along; it can be shouted at your teammate when they try to move your pie in the wrong direction; it is usually declared in unison by all six of us while raising our glasses in the air. It's not much, but it's all we got.
I bring up games with the in-laws because of an interesting conversation I had with my father-in-law. After dinner, while we were avoiding clean-up, FIL asked me a question that usually sends me into a mental panic.
"So Jess, with all of your reviews and writer friends and such, when are you going to write us a book?"
That is a good question, FIL.
Anyone who's ever told loved ones about their passion for writing has heard this question, and those folks know there were many ways I could have answered. I could say that writing doesn't interest me. I could tell him that I don't have any ideas for a good story. I could change the subject to something, anything, else. However, I'm going through my own personal things right now, and I don't have room in my head or heart to be anything other than honest.
So, I tell him the truth. I tell him that writing and completing a novel is ultimately my goal. I tell him I have story ideas that I need to get out of my head and onto paper. I talk about my writer friends and how they've been so helpful just by asking me about my progress and keeping me honest. I even break bad on myself and tell him how much I find myself to be my own worst enemy. "I'm so full of excuses," I say. "I just need to shut up and write." He mentions NaNoWriMo (which I tried in 2012), and I tell him the story of how my brain turned to mushy goo when I tried NaNo, how I hid myself away that year while spending Thanksgiving with them to try and write, but it didn't work. I shrug and say, "It can get a little daunting and scary."
He nods, and with a knowing smile, he says, "Well, roll again-- don't be stupid."
Maybe it's just been so long since I've blogged that I found inspiration in a silly place. Maybe I need a little more sleep and a little less banana pudding. Or maybe, just maybe, I should take a breath, believe in my own words, and push past the doubtful demons that live in my psyche. Roll again, Jess. Don't be stupid.
Friday, July 12, 2013
In Which I Drop Some Honesty, With Gifs
This is going to be one of those "honest" posts. I'll inter-cut it with gifs to keep you reading.
I'm sure this comes as absolutely no surprise to the scores of people who read this blog (Hi Amber!), but I've been feeling very uninspired lately. Call it a rut, though it's been lasting a long, long time. I've even started a few posts-- one about the amazing Postal Service concert I went to last month that I accidentally referred to as a Rilo Kiley concert because I was so into seeing Jenny Lewis, one about books I've read that I was excited about, one about Book Expo America 2013 where there were no star penises but there were tons of laughs and excellent books-- but I've finished exactly none of them. With the Postal Service one, I was mentally writing it the entire way back home from Merriwether Post Pavilion, thinking about how excited I was to get it all down and how it would be fun to blog again, and then I came home, opened the laptop, and... nothing. The excitement, the words, the fire-- they all drained out of me in an instant.
This rutful feeling doesn't just cover my personal blog life. I haven't written a review for WPP in about a month, despite the fact that I have read some books worth reviewing (in case you're curious, Winger by Andrew Smith and the upcoming Fire With Fire by Richmond native and general awesome lady Jenny Han and her bestie and general awesome lady Siobhan Vivian). I didn't notice it until I went to update my spreadsheet of Books Read in 2013 yesterday (yes I have a spreadsheet you shut your mouth), and this is the first time I've finished a book since June 19 (thank you, audiobook for Outlander). I've started a bunch, but they're all in limbo. That's very rare for me, especially the me of the past few years.
Part of it, I know, is burnout. Writing reviews is hard, y'all. Especially now, because I know what I like, and I'm growing increasingly tired of reading books that don't compel me. Being a reviewer means that sometimes you have to slog through a story that you do not care about in the slightest. I could mark it as DNF (that's Did Not Finish for you folks playing at home), but I really, really hate doing that. I don't judge someone for it, but I want to finish what I start. So, when I start a new YA book, and I'm immediately smacked in the face by 14 of the same tropes I've seen in the last 50 books I've read, I just can't imagine going on any further. I don't want to.
There are exceptions to the above. I've been "reading" this one book since I took the train home from BEA. It's a short book, and I could've easily finished it on the train, but I reached a certain point where I knew the story was going to break me up inside, so I put it down to finish at a later date. Now, it sits on my dresser, staring at me, willing me to finish, and I'm too scared and/or sad to find out what happens. What even is that about?
I've also been trying to write more since I got back from BEA. Hanging with the authorly types (especially the talented, passionate, creative authorly types who happen to be my friends) showed me that this is what I want to do. I want to tell the stories I've carried around for so, so long. I want to get them out of me and on paper and into the world. But it's the same as the blog thing. In fact, just yesterday as I walked home from the metro, I started hearing snippets of conversation in my head, and I knew which characters were speaking. I couldn't wait to get home and get this out, let these two characters share this nonsensical conversation and reconnect. However, I get home, complete my Getting Home routine, and when I finally sit down, I actually fall asleep. I could have picked the story up at any point in the evening, with more than enough happy wishes from Hubs (and begrudging shrugs from the Mutt Who Really Just Wants Belly-Rubs), but instead? I watch super mindless TV and then catch up on other less mindless TV. Granted, I was spending time with Hubs and Mutt, which is always a blessing and happy-making time for me, but then I start thinking... How badly do I actually want this? Not bad enough to look away from Exes Wipeout, apparently.
Okay, so this is a lot more honest than I intended, but it's already out so it's staying.
My point is, I'm in a rut. I'm doing my best to break out of it, but it's like my brain is floating in molasses. It's like I'm caught in suspension, but not in the good way that it sounds like in the Mae song. I'm just here. And I don't know how to do anything more than exist right now. It's got to be me that breaks out of this cycle, but I don't know how to do it.
I'm not asking for your sympathy, and, unless the advice is something magical, I'm not asking for that either. I'm simply stating my facts right now as I see them. Frankly, it feels kinda good to get them out of me. Maybe this is what I needed all along, to get these negative nellie vibes out of my brain so that space can be taken up by, like, more song lyrics or, you know, PLOT FOR A BOOK I SHOULD BE WRITING. I know what I need to do to break free of this, but (and this will be the dumbest thing I've ever said) it's hard to do the hard thing. But that's what I need to do. Here's hoping I stop being scared and just freaking DO IT already.
Anyway, thanks for reading, if you're all the way here. You right there? You're my favorite.
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| it's feelings singing time. |
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| much like Dean's coffee |
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| this is how i usually feel about books |
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| presented w/o comment |
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| what IS up, j.law? |
Okay, so this is a lot more honest than I intended, but it's already out so it's staying.
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| ugh, the accuracy. |
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| asking life's important question |
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Day 30 – Saddest Character Death
Warning: Spoilers for The Wire and Downton Abbey are below. They are detailed and super-duper-extremely sad-making. If you haven't watched those series and you plan to and you don't like spoilers, then quit readin' already and get busy watchin'.
I think this post is the reason I didn't update the challenge for a month.
I'm a crier, and I have cried at many a TV death in my day. I won't tell you the specific ones here, in case that will spoil you, but let's just say that my sofa has seen its fair share of my tears and then some. The two listed below are the ones that hit me the very, very hardest-- even though I already knew both of them were coming.
First, Downton Abbey's Lady Sybil Cora Crawley Branson
I had heard all of the rumors about Dan Stevens wanting to leave the show, but I hadn't heard the Jessica Brown Findlay ones at all. I watched this latest season on a slight delay (as in hours and days after the UK airings), but I knew a big, big death was coming, and I couldn't help myself. I took to the tumblr, and there it was. So I watched the episode. Even with the warning, I wasn't prepared for how entirely heart-breaking it would be. Stupid Robert Crawley and his stupid pompous fancy doctor! And Sybil's death scene... that was one of the more harrowing things I've ever seen on TV! They are all utterly helpless as she seizes and dies while her mother and her husband wail separately and simultaneously. Tore. Me. UP. Now, our dear Tom is left all by his lonesome... with Baby Sybil, of course.
And second, The Wire's Wallace.
The Wire is a hardcode show, and it is not for the faint of heart. The following paragraphs aren't for the faint of heart either-- this is your warning. It is also not recommended for people who live in Baltimore but don't know a lot about it. Basically, you'll start thinking that everyone sells drugs. Everyone's got them WMDs. Here's a little backstory to set the cry-making mood. There are a couple of interweaving plotlines in the first season, and one of them revolves around a gang of teenage drug dealers, including Wallace (played to bittersweet perfection by a baby-faced Michael B. Jordan). His crew gets robbed by Omar (one of the best characters in the history of television). Wallace spots Omar's accomplice and calls it in, which leads to said accomplice being tortured and brutally murdered by Stringer Bell (another brilliant character). Wallace gets a cut of the bounty due to the information, but he also sees what his information wrought, so he wants out. Unfortunately, that's not how things work for these kids, and so his very best friends are ordered to kill him.
So Wallace shows back up because he wants to get his life back together. He sees his friends, and at first he's all happy. Then they point a gun at him with shaking hands, so naturally Wallace wets himself and cries. And then, his best friends pull the trigger and kill him. It's awful. I will never forget it.
Hubs had watched this episode before me, and (again, because I am a spoiler reader) I already knew what was coming, so I asked him, "How sad is it?" He replied, "It's not too bad." YEAH, "not too bad" = tears pouring down my cheeks faster than I could wipe them away and pressing my hand to my mouth to keep from sobbing breakdown-style. "Not too bad," my aunt Fanny. Just remembering it makes my chest ache.
This is a depressing post. To make up for that, here's a gif of my favorite part of While You Were Sleeping.
I think this post is the reason I didn't update the challenge for a month.
I'm a crier, and I have cried at many a TV death in my day. I won't tell you the specific ones here, in case that will spoil you, but let's just say that my sofa has seen its fair share of my tears and then some. The two listed below are the ones that hit me the very, very hardest-- even though I already knew both of them were coming.
First, Downton Abbey's Lady Sybil Cora Crawley Branson
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| she loved those stupid pants |
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| Sorry, Tommy. |
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| Just looking at this picture makes me want to sob. |
So Wallace shows back up because he wants to get his life back together. He sees his friends, and at first he's all happy. Then they point a gun at him with shaking hands, so naturally Wallace wets himself and cries. And then, his best friends pull the trigger and kill him. It's awful. I will never forget it.
Hubs had watched this episode before me, and (again, because I am a spoiler reader) I already knew what was coming, so I asked him, "How sad is it?" He replied, "It's not too bad." YEAH, "not too bad" = tears pouring down my cheeks faster than I could wipe them away and pressing my hand to my mouth to keep from sobbing breakdown-style. "Not too bad," my aunt Fanny. Just remembering it makes my chest ache.
This is a depressing post. To make up for that, here's a gif of my favorite part of While You Were Sleeping.
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| omg best |
Monday, April 29, 2013
Day 29 – Current TV Show Obsession
I have two. Duh. Because I listen to Keith Mars and always take back-up.
New Girl
This has essentially been My Jam since the very first episode-- I mean, Zooey's character's name is Jessica, she sings as she speaks a lot, and when she lists her DVDs, it's like she just looked at my own shelf and started naming titles.
I didn't think it could live up to its first season of actual-LOL hilarity, but somehow, this season has been even LOL-ier. We cackle through just about every episode, from soup to nuts. Who's that girl? Who's that girl? (it's me)
Game of Thrones
This is the newest new obsession. I held off on watching for a long time because I knew I'd love it, but I really didn't think I'd love it this much. Hubs and I blew through the first two seasons in about a week and a half, so now we have to wait each week for new episodes. We have to do what common people do. Common people like you.
I'm getting off track.
So yeah, when you first start watching, the violence and graphic nature are kind of... difficult to watch. Now, I'm like, "STAB THROUGH HIS ARMOR! CHOP OFF HIS HEAD! GO GO GO!" One of the most recent episodes ended with an amazingly bad-ass attack that caught me off guard (as I haven't read the books), and it made me want to stand and applaud. Heck yeah, you are Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryan, of the blood of old Valyria!! Yeah, it's violent and yeah it's not always as good to women as it should be, but... man, do I love it. I hear that the blood and gore and terribleness will only get worse from here, and I'm way too excited about it. I've even stopped reading spoilers! I KNOW.
And Tyrion Lannister aka Peter Dinklage. I love me some Dinklage. Man is too talented and too hilarious. It shouldn't be allowed.
New Girl
This has essentially been My Jam since the very first episode-- I mean, Zooey's character's name is Jessica, she sings as she speaks a lot, and when she lists her DVDs, it's like she just looked at my own shelf and started naming titles.
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| Also, I do this often. Gif from here |
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| gif from here |
This is the newest new obsession. I held off on watching for a long time because I knew I'd love it, but I really didn't think I'd love it this much. Hubs and I blew through the first two seasons in about a week and a half, so now we have to wait each week for new episodes. We have to do what common people do. Common people like you.
I'm getting off track.
So yeah, when you first start watching, the violence and graphic nature are kind of... difficult to watch. Now, I'm like, "STAB THROUGH HIS ARMOR! CHOP OFF HIS HEAD! GO GO GO!" One of the most recent episodes ended with an amazingly bad-ass attack that caught me off guard (as I haven't read the books), and it made me want to stand and applaud. Heck yeah, you are Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryan, of the blood of old Valyria!! Yeah, it's violent and yeah it's not always as good to women as it should be, but... man, do I love it. I hear that the blood and gore and terribleness will only get worse from here, and I'm way too excited about it. I've even stopped reading spoilers! I KNOW.
And Tyrion Lannister aka Peter Dinklage. I love me some Dinklage. Man is too talented and too hilarious. It shouldn't be allowed.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Day 28 – First TV Show Obsession
As a lifelong fan of TV, it's hard to gauge what my first TV show "obsession" was. Should I go with something from childhood like My Little Pony or Strawberry Shortcake? What about a show I watched mostly in reruns, like Saved By The Bell (which most kids of the 90s know aired every day 4 times a day, and you betta believe I watched all 4 episodes daily, which means I have seen every episode of the OG SBTB at least a billion times) or Boy Meets World? For this, I decided to go with the show I chose for me as Must See TV, even though the ads told me that's exactly what it was.
Friends
This was another show I watched with my family, but it was one of the first shows I really chose to watch that made me feel like a grown-up. It wasn't a sitcom with kids my age in it, and occasionally there would be jokes that went over my head, but it was my appointment show. Seeing as I was a busy kid in high school, it was hard to have appointment shows (what with the band practices or play practices or chorus practices or clarinet lessons getting in the way) (yes, I was that artsy kid), but this was the first. It also helped carry me through my freshman year of college, which is always a weird, weird year. My roommate and I would watch the late night syndicated reruns, and it was one of the first things we bonded over. I still think of her every time I see The One After The Super Bowl. It also also helped carry me through another tough time in life. I was there for them, and they were there for me too.
Another fun fact: I'm somewhat of a Friends trivia genius. I have retained a ton of information about these 6 characters, which is sad considering they aren't real people. Oh boy, I may quote Scrubs a lot, but this show... this is my home base. Brother once tried to challenge me to a duel. He lost, though not by a landslide. He was a worthy opponent. I still kicked his ass, though. So, take that.
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| credit to fyeahfriendsgifs.tumblr.com |
Rumors circulated recently about a Friends reunion. Personally, I wouldn't want that. I loved this series, even in its not-as-funny years (though, that 9th season finale!! SO funny!), but I think it ended on a perfect note for itself. Everything doesn't need a reunion just because. It would be fun to find out what the characters are up to now, but it wouldn't be the same, and it shouldn't be forced.
In closing, one thing I do when I'm feeling down or blue is watch blooper reels on YouTube. I definitely frequent the Friends ones, because Matthew Perry is legit hilarious and Lisa Kudrow has a GREAT laugh. I've watched them so many times, but I always laugh.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Guess who's back? Back again!
Jeskuh's back. Tell a friend.
Honestly, whoever reads this should know by now that I only blog when I have something to say, or when I'm doing a challenge or a list. Yes, I'm aware I was in the middle of a list that I didn't finish. Well, here I am to tell you that I will be finishing my 30 day challenge one month late. Hoo-dee-hooooo. Be on the lookout for those posts coming to a blog near you (aka this blog. This blog is where they will be.).
Since you came by here to see some new content, here's a video from Mental Floss where John Green teaches you 50 Weird Laws. Have a good day! Learn something!
Honestly, whoever reads this should know by now that I only blog when I have something to say, or when I'm doing a challenge or a list. Yes, I'm aware I was in the middle of a list that I didn't finish. Well, here I am to tell you that I will be finishing my 30 day challenge one month late. Hoo-dee-hooooo. Be on the lookout for those posts coming to a blog near you (aka this blog. This blog is where they will be.).
Since you came by here to see some new content, here's a video from Mental Floss where John Green teaches you 50 Weird Laws. Have a good day! Learn something!
Monday, April 8, 2013
The Margaret Thatcher Story
I have a Margaret Thatcher story. Because I have a story about everything. And so, on the day of the Iron Lady's passing, I share my story with you.
In March of 2007, Hubs (who was simply Boyfriend back then) and I went to visit some awesomely awesome friends in London. It was a super fun trip full of adventures and pubs and crazy weather and crumpets with Nutella. Essentially, I've wanted to go back since the moment I left. Also, going to London with someone who studied British history makes for a busy, busy trip full of atypical destinations. You don't always know what you're getting into, but it usually turns out great in the end. One of those destinations was the Imperial War Museum. I had no idea what to expect, but it was actually one of my favorite stops on our trip. The museum is comprehensive with a capital C, and so I wouldn't recommend trying to see all of it at once. Your brain will not be able to take it.
Anyway, so we're there on a lovely gray afternoon in March, and there were all sorts of vehicles in the atrium, and Boyfriend's running from place to place telling me what they all were ("This was the smallest boat to participate in the Dunkirk evacuation! Take my picture!"). We notice that the atrium is starting to get kind of full, which we think is strange for the middle of the week, but being DC people like we are, we understand the randomness of tourists. Then, we notice that it's filling up with older gentlemen in bright red jackets holding musical instruments. This is admittedly a bit weirder. Then, we get pushed back into the sidelines-- not like we're being cordoned off, but just being kept to the side. The band starts to play, and I peek around the shoulder of a older woman dressed in a smart green suit standing a few feet ahead of me to see what all the fuss is about. I see another older woman next to the band, smiling and carrying on. They play "Happy Birthday," and we all sing along. During the weird commotion, I take a moment to look at the smartly dressed woman nearby.
And I swear it's Margaret Thatcher.
I turn back to Boyfriend, who's snapping some pictures of the Birthday Girl but mostly taking a moment to admire the total randomness of the moment. I want to tell him that I think I'm standing, like, an arm's length away from Margaret Thatcher, but then another thought pops into my mind: is it really Margaret Thatcher? Or is it just an older woman in fancy clothes and you simply think it's her because she's of a certain age and British and wearing fancy clothes and you're an American tourist? So, I don't say anything. I look at her once more, take a peek at the Birthday Girl who is simply beaming and loving the attention (we ask and find out she's a famous war-time singer who's celebrating her 90th birthday), and then move on out.
That night, we go back to our friend's place in Brixton, and I take a minute to do a quick search. A news article pops up for the celebration of the 90th birthday of Dame Vera Lynn, the Forces' Sweetheart, which occurred earlier that day at the Imperial War Museum. And who was in attendance?
Sometimes you're that American tourist. Sometimes you're right.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Day 27 – Best pilot episode
Ehhhh, I have no feeling about this. My choice is The OC pilot, because I've watched it about a billion times and I never tire of it. I also think it really works on its own. It tells you everything you need to know about the series in 42 minutes. That's a well-done pilot.
Here are two reasons I like this pilot so much-- Ryan meets Sandy, and Ryan meets Seth. I love The Cohens.
Also, Pushing Daisies because it's called "Pie-lette." It's also really good in that same way of telling you everything you need to know about the series. The whole struggle is right there. I love the 2nd episode of Pushing Daisies more than the Pie-lette, though. Olive sings in the second episode. It's kind of brilliant. It was the exact moment when I know this show would always be in my heart. She did it again in the second season with "Eternal Flame," and I loved it just as much.
I'm going to fall down a rabbithole of Pushing Daisies videos now.
Here are two reasons I like this pilot so much-- Ryan meets Sandy, and Ryan meets Seth. I love The Cohens.
Also, Pushing Daisies because it's called "Pie-lette." It's also really good in that same way of telling you everything you need to know about the series. The whole struggle is right there. I love the 2nd episode of Pushing Daisies more than the Pie-lette, though. Olive sings in the second episode. It's kind of brilliant. It was the exact moment when I know this show would always be in my heart. She did it again in the second season with "Eternal Flame," and I loved it just as much.
I'm going to fall down a rabbithole of Pushing Daisies videos now.
Day 26 – OMG WTF? Season finale
I don't have a ton to say about any of these topics, so this might seem a bit uninspired. It will be more stream of consciousness.
There have been so many WTF finales in this world, but the two I remember the most are as follows:
*Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Finale, "Sanctuary/Death and All His Friends"
Geez, this episode was a cry-maker. There's a shooter in the hospital and he wanders around taking characters out. They'd had this storyline of merging two hospitals, and a ton of the new characters just weren't all that great. There was one in general named Reed Adamson that people flat-out hated and probably wanted to shoot in the head. And then she died by getting shot in the head. It was rough. I basically sobbed for the entire two hours. Ooooh, also the one where George got hit by a bus. That was crazy too.
*CSI Season 5 finale "Grave Danger"
This is also known as "the CSI episode written and directed by Quentin Tarantino." That's how you know it's messed up. It's the one where Nick is buried alive, and the team is left clues to see if they can find him. There's also a camera feed in his coffin so the team can see him lose his shiz while he's in there. It's also rough. I basically sobbed for the entire two hours. I hope you're seeing a pattern here.
*The OC Season 2 finale "The Dearly Beloved"
Or, when Marissa shoots Ryan's brother. This one hit me super hard because of the fight between Ryan and Trey. Dude, that fight is bruuuuutal. Also, this was the first time I'd ever heard Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek." That song is hauntingly beautiful.
Now that I've sufficiently bummed you out, here's a video of Black Simon and Garfunkel singing "Thrift Shop."
There have been so many WTF finales in this world, but the two I remember the most are as follows:
*Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Finale, "Sanctuary/Death and All His Friends"
Geez, this episode was a cry-maker. There's a shooter in the hospital and he wanders around taking characters out. They'd had this storyline of merging two hospitals, and a ton of the new characters just weren't all that great. There was one in general named Reed Adamson that people flat-out hated and probably wanted to shoot in the head. And then she died by getting shot in the head. It was rough. I basically sobbed for the entire two hours. Ooooh, also the one where George got hit by a bus. That was crazy too.
*CSI Season 5 finale "Grave Danger"
This is also known as "the CSI episode written and directed by Quentin Tarantino." That's how you know it's messed up. It's the one where Nick is buried alive, and the team is left clues to see if they can find him. There's also a camera feed in his coffin so the team can see him lose his shiz while he's in there. It's also rough. I basically sobbed for the entire two hours. I hope you're seeing a pattern here.
*The OC Season 2 finale "The Dearly Beloved"
Or, when Marissa shoots Ryan's brother. This one hit me super hard because of the fight between Ryan and Trey. Dude, that fight is bruuuuutal. Also, this was the first time I'd ever heard Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek." That song is hauntingly beautiful.
Now that I've sufficiently bummed you out, here's a video of Black Simon and Garfunkel singing "Thrift Shop."
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Day 25 – A show you plan on watching (old or new)
So behind, so behind, la-la-la-la so behind. And you know, I kind of care but also, I'll get it done. I'm not worried. I've been really good about my other blog challenges in the past. Plus, I need to give myself a break. No guilt here.
Oh, you didn't come here to read my mental nonsense? You wanted to hear my opinion about TV and such? Well, la dee dah, then. Here you go!
What new show do I plan on watching?
Halt and Catch Fire, a new AMC show.
Why do I plan on watching it?
My bb Lee Pace and his delectable Eyebrows will be starring in it. Also, it's about the early 80s and IBM, which are two things I am fond of. It's a long story, starting in the early 80s and starring a dude who works at IBM who goes by the name of Dad. My dad works for IBM, is what I'm saying.
What old show do I plan on watching?
Parks and Recreation. Because I haven't watched it yet. I hear it gets better after the first season, which I assume is because Adam Scott joins the cast, and he's a party down kind of guy.
See what I did there?
(More posts will arrive shortly)
Oh, you didn't come here to read my mental nonsense? You wanted to hear my opinion about TV and such? Well, la dee dah, then. Here you go!
What new show do I plan on watching?
Halt and Catch Fire, a new AMC show.
Why do I plan on watching it?
What old show do I plan on watching?
Parks and Recreation. Because I haven't watched it yet. I hear it gets better after the first season, which I assume is because Adam Scott joins the cast, and he's a party down kind of guy.
See what I did there?
(More posts will arrive shortly)
Monday, March 25, 2013
Day 24 – Best quote(s)
I may have added the (s) to today's (technically yesterday's) entry. Because I simply cannot pick one. This is my most quoted in everyday life show.
It's Scrubs.
I've actually been on a ban from watching Scrubs, a ban started by The Hubs. He said I watched it too much. He's not wrong. I'll try to break these into Quotes That I Love Because They Are Good and Stuff That Always Makes Me Laugh.
In truth, my favorite quote is from this video. It's the last thing Kelso says. However, this whole entire video is why I like Bob Kelso as a character. This episode happened to me at a time when I needed it most. In fact, I needed it today quite a lot as well. Maybe I should just favorite it and watch it daily.
So basically, that's the Favorite. And this one.
All the rest of these? Stupid hilarious scenes from a show that brightens my day.
Best and most comprehensive Dr. Cox rant. I wanted to pick my favorite quote, but I honestly can't pick. I also love Dr Cox in this moment here so very much.
And here is Neil Flynn being hilarious for 8 minutes.
Oh and Drill Fork. And Bob Kelso's two thumbs. And MY MACHINES. And this so many times. This isn't even scratching the surface.
Hubs requested I add this one, which is his favorite.
omg i love scrubs.
It's Scrubs.
I've actually been on a ban from watching Scrubs, a ban started by The Hubs. He said I watched it too much. He's not wrong. I'll try to break these into Quotes That I Love Because They Are Good and Stuff That Always Makes Me Laugh.
In truth, my favorite quote is from this video. It's the last thing Kelso says. However, this whole entire video is why I like Bob Kelso as a character. This episode happened to me at a time when I needed it most. In fact, I needed it today quite a lot as well. Maybe I should just favorite it and watch it daily.
So basically, that's the Favorite. And this one.
All the rest of these? Stupid hilarious scenes from a show that brightens my day.
Best and most comprehensive Dr. Cox rant. I wanted to pick my favorite quote, but I honestly can't pick. I also love Dr Cox in this moment here so very much.
And here is Neil Flynn being hilarious for 8 minutes.
Oh and Drill Fork. And Bob Kelso's two thumbs. And MY MACHINES. And this so many times. This isn't even scratching the surface.
Hubs requested I add this one, which is his favorite.
omg i love scrubs.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Day 23 – Most annoying character
Whoops, I missed yesterday! I'll blame it on having a wonderful day date with The Hubs. We went to see My Neighbor Totoro at at theater in the district, and I simply adored it. I haven't seen the vast majority of Studio Ghibli movies before, and I must say, I have enjoyed every single one wholeheartedly. Totoro, though... it was just so wonderful.
I wanted to put something cute up here, because I'm about to go on a bit of a rant. It's okay, though. It's Most Annoying Character day. There can only be one, and she annoys me very much, especially lately.
Rachel stinkin' Berry.
Look, I get that the point at the beginning of the series is that Rachel is annoying. I know that her annoyance is sort of part of her charm. I get it. I do. But it's been a couple of years now, and I'm just... I'm really tired of watching The Rachel Berry Show. Lea Michele is enormously talented. She's got a voice that I can't comprehend. Girl can wail. But... I'm kind of over it. I want to know more about other characters and less about her. Why is it that so much of the New York storyline follows her and not Kurt? Or even when if involves Kurt, it's him talking about or worrying about her. He had his own life. Chris Colfer also has a voice I cannot comprehend. LET THE BOY SING.
It's possible I'm still a twinge bothered that she got into this fake NY performance school after she flaked on her audition when Kurt didn't get in and he nailed his. Yes, I know it's an entirely unrealistic TV show that I should have broken up with a long, long time ago. Suspension of disbelief and moving on.
I'm very open that I'm only watching Glee at this point to hear Chris Colfer and/or Darren Criss sing. I know that's not the point of the show. However, if I have to sit through one more oversung solo, especially one oversung popped out solo of a RADIOHEAD song, I don't know what I'm going to do.
Clearly, I won't stop watching. These are all idle threats. But either give Rachel something to do besides diva out, or GTFO.
Look, I get that the point at the beginning of the series is that Rachel is annoying. I know that her annoyance is sort of part of her charm. I get it. I do. But it's been a couple of years now, and I'm just... I'm really tired of watching The Rachel Berry Show. Lea Michele is enormously talented. She's got a voice that I can't comprehend. Girl can wail. But... I'm kind of over it. I want to know more about other characters and less about her. Why is it that so much of the New York storyline follows her and not Kurt? Or even when if involves Kurt, it's him talking about or worrying about her. He had his own life. Chris Colfer also has a voice I cannot comprehend. LET THE BOY SING.
It's possible I'm still a twinge bothered that she got into this fake NY performance school after she flaked on her audition when Kurt didn't get in and he nailed his. Yes, I know it's an entirely unrealistic TV show that I should have broken up with a long, long time ago. Suspension of disbelief and moving on.
I'm very open that I'm only watching Glee at this point to hear Chris Colfer and/or Darren Criss sing. I know that's not the point of the show. However, if I have to sit through one more oversung solo, especially one oversung popped out solo of a RADIOHEAD song, I don't know what I'm going to do.
Clearly, I won't stop watching. These are all idle threats. But either give Rachel something to do besides diva out, or GTFO.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Day 22 – Favorite series finale
Look, so Lizzie and Darcy finally kissed yesterday, and it's been basically all I can think about because SERIOUSLY such a fangirl I love it. It's actually made me feel so fangirly that I haven't been able to read a book I've been dying to read for over a year because, while well-written and entirely entertaining, it's also really angsty and I ain't got time for that right now.
Which is why it's super random for me to use this as my favorite series finale, because it is full of angst.
It's Six Feet Under.
WARNING: IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN SIX FEET UNDER AND YOU PLAN TO WATCH IT AND YOU ALSO DON'T LIKE SPOILERS, YOU SHOULDN'T READ OR WATCH ANYTHING ELSE AFTER THIS SENTENCE.
SFU is definitely one of my top 5 favorite shows ever. I always get a little scared to tell people that because I feel like it marks me as a super morbid person. But it was just so good. I started watching almost right from the beginning (yay super cheap college cable with HBO!), and I fell in love with it, with all of it. What can I say? I'm a fan of stories about death.
Which is exactly why I love the series finale. Everyone dies. Seriously. Six Feet Under was always about death (literally), so they showed the deaths of every main character. It's effing perfect. Below is an almost 10 minute long video that shows the end of the finale. I remember watching this at my parents' house the night it aired, crying my Fisher-loving eyes out. The Fishers were one completely jacked up family (and you'd be lying if you said any member of that family was crazier than Ruth, because Hooch is crazyeeeee) but goshdarnit do I love them. They've been with me through some very trying times, and I'm grateful to them for keeping me afloat.
(side note: Peter Krause is way more Adam Braverman than Nate Fisher at the beginning of this. Also, I cry every time Ruth sees him on her deathbed.)
Which is why it's super random for me to use this as my favorite series finale, because it is full of angst.
It's Six Feet Under.
WARNING: IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN SIX FEET UNDER AND YOU PLAN TO WATCH IT AND YOU ALSO DON'T LIKE SPOILERS, YOU SHOULDN'T READ OR WATCH ANYTHING ELSE AFTER THIS SENTENCE.
SFU is definitely one of my top 5 favorite shows ever. I always get a little scared to tell people that because I feel like it marks me as a super morbid person. But it was just so good. I started watching almost right from the beginning (yay super cheap college cable with HBO!), and I fell in love with it, with all of it. What can I say? I'm a fan of stories about death.
Which is exactly why I love the series finale. Everyone dies. Seriously. Six Feet Under was always about death (literally), so they showed the deaths of every main character. It's effing perfect. Below is an almost 10 minute long video that shows the end of the finale. I remember watching this at my parents' house the night it aired, crying my Fisher-loving eyes out. The Fishers were one completely jacked up family (and you'd be lying if you said any member of that family was crazier than Ruth, because Hooch is crazyeeeee) but goshdarnit do I love them. They've been with me through some very trying times, and I'm grateful to them for keeping me afloat.
(side note: Peter Krause is way more Adam Braverman than Nate Fisher at the beginning of this. Also, I cry every time Ruth sees him on her deathbed.)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Day 21 – Favorite ship
I have many favorite couples, but just one OTP. This has been my OTP since before I knew what OTP meant. This is the couple to love, the couple to end all other couples.
Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence!
I just love them, okay? I watched so, so much Boy Meets World back when it aired, but I got particularly bad about watching it in reruns on The Disney Channel after I graduated college. I stayed up until 3 am crying over these two. They were made for each other, yeah? They complement each other and understand each other.
So you better believe I'm so excited about Girl Meets World. I'm not expecting it to be the greatest thing ever, but I still love the fact that it will exist. Danielle Fishel herself tweeted out the below pic with the caption "Cory and Topanga... together again." I say, squeeeeeeee.
I just love them, okay? I watched so, so much Boy Meets World back when it aired, but I got particularly bad about watching it in reruns on The Disney Channel after I graduated college. I stayed up until 3 am crying over these two. They were made for each other, yeah? They complement each other and understand each other.
So you better believe I'm so excited about Girl Meets World. I'm not expecting it to be the greatest thing ever, but I still love the fact that it will exist. Danielle Fishel herself tweeted out the below pic with the caption "Cory and Topanga... together again." I say, squeeeeeeee.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Day 20- Favorite Kiss
Since I can't choose Lizzie Bennet Diaries since freakin' Lizzie and Darcy haven't KISSED YET (fingers crossed for tomorrow!!)... I already talked about this topic. Like, 10 months ago. All of those choices still apply. In fact, I was going to talk about Jim and Pam again. But... I already did. And you don't want to read something you already read. You already read it already!
Instead, let's talk about how JMU IS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT!
I can't help but be excited. I know it's sports and I really don't care all that much about sports, but I will always have a special place in my heart for JMU. I met some of my favorite people there. Like my husband. Without JMU, I wouldn't have this guy in my life. And that would be a tragedy.
And speaking of that guy and his tuba playing days, the JMU Pep Band has been getting some coverage for being, well, the JMU Pep Band. I mean, they're no Peppas, but they hold their own. Their big thing now is a cover of (warning, the video link included is reeeeeally random) Gogol Bordello's "Start Wearing Purple," as JMU colors are purple and gold. It pretty much rocks my face off. So, to celebrate our big win, START WEARING PURPLE.
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