Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Ireland

I'm saving up for Ireland. $1.00 a day. Trying to find a jar that when you look at it, it basically says, "Cheers!"


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

down at the reservoir


Madison Square Swim Club 1940 archive via


I always said that if I were ever to hypothetically audition for American Idol, I'd sing "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman.

I've changed my mind. "The River" by Bruce Springsteen. That's my final decision.

For now.


I can confidently say that I don't think "car" and "reservoir" have ever been so purposefully and well utilized in a song. Lyrically beautiful. Compositionally beautiful. All around - beautiful.


The River
I come from down in the valley
where mister when you're young
They bring you up to do like your daddy done
Me and Mary we met in high school
when she was just seventeen
We'd ride out of that valley down to where the fields were green

We'd go down to the river
And into the river we'd dive
Oh down to the river we'd ride

Then I got Mary pregnant
and man that was all she wrote
And for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat
We went down to the courthouse
and the judge put it all to rest
No wedding day smiles no walk down the aisle
No flowers no wedding dress

That night we went down to the river
And into the river we'd dive
Oh down to the river we did ride

I got a job working construction for the Johnstown Company
But lately there ain't been much work on account of the economy
Now all them things that seemed so important
Well mister they vanished right into the air
Now I just act like I don't remember
Mary acts like she don't care

But I remember us riding in my brother's car
Her body tan and wet down at the reservoir
At night on them banks I'd lie awake
And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take
Now those memories come back to haunt me
they haunt me like a curse
Is a dream a lie if it don't come true
Or is it something worse
that sends me down to the river
though I know the river is dry
That sends me down to the river tonight
Down to the river
my baby and I
Oh down to the river we ride

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Feels like summer


Even though I was caught in traffic on the way home from work, I didn't mind. The windows were down, the wind was a blowing, and this song was blasting.

1. Lace detailing on a new blouse
2. Valentine's Day chandelier garland
3. Lake Harriet
4. An afternoon in St. Paul
5. Cozy on a Saturday night with some friends
6. My roommate Allison

Friday, March 2, 2012

Friday

Feeling Free via

A little survey for fun. You should do it too!

A. Age – 23.

B. Bed size – Twin... still not quite a grown up.
C. Chore that you hate – Doing dishes by hand.
D. Dogs – Lenny - the love of my life.
E. Essential start to your day – Coffee. Calling my mom just to say hi.
F. Favorite color – Light blue.
G. Gold or silver – Silver
H. Height – 5’7"
I. Instruments you play – Clarinet for a solid 3 months.
J. Job title – Elementary Special Education teacher
K. Kids –Love em. But don't have any of my own. But I see kids non freaking stop.
L. Live – Minneapolis
M. Mother’s name – Colleen
N. Nicknames – KQ - my initials
O. Overnight hospital stays – Three times in college. Twice for kidney stones. Once for chin stitches...waited in the waiting room for 5 hours.
P. Pet peeves – When people don't use coasters.
Q. Quote from a movie – "Teach me play piano!!!!!" - said by the cutest lil boy from All the Real Girls
R. Right or left handed – Left.
S. Siblings – Two older brothers - my best friends!
T. Time it takes you to get ready – 45 minutes. My hair can be a real beast to dry.
U. Underrated celebrity - Kyle Chandler - Friday Night lights love
V. Vegetable you hate –I think carrots are overrated (but I don't hate them).
W. What makes you run late – Sleeping in for a few extra minutes (...or 20)
X. X-rays you’ve had – Kidney stones. Broken nose.
Y. Yummy food you make – Chocolate covered pretzels.
Z. Zoo animal – Giraffe. Brown Bear.