The Kennedy's

When I was in 3rd grade my family went to Washington DC for our annual vacation. A few years before going I saw the movie Forrest Gump, and I really loved the part where Forrest is speaking in front of the Lincoln Memorial and Jenny, dressed in her hippie ensemble, calls out to him and, you know, treads through the Reflecting Pool. It just melts my heart; I still watch it on repeat. Well that, combined with my absolute excitement of getting to go inside the White House had me nearly peeing my pants for like 2 months leading up to the trip. I remember I got so into the whole President thing; I was just in awe of them. So, I use to go to the local Thomas Ford Library and for hours upon hours I would just look at books about the presidents. When it was finally time to go on the trip, I had memorized all the presidents names, what number they were, their wives names, and their children's names. I was a FREAK. Of course, just about all that information has gone bye bye.

But anyway, that brings me to the Kennedy's. The Kennedy's are one of those families that remind me of the olden days (and by the olden days, I mean the days I wasn't even alive for. Sighhhhh. The glory days that I was meant to experience but didn't due to that whole not being born yet factor). Whenever I read about the Kennedy's, learn about them, or see pictures of them, I think of my mom. Ya know, I think they were best friends; as if she and Caroline use to be buds and play hopscotch together. If only.

My mom always use to tell me how much she loved this poem that was printed in the newspaper the day after JFK died. It was written by Candy Geer, a 15-year-old high school student. I haven't thought about it in a long time, but recently I saw an article about JFK online and so I looked up the poem. I was in the quiet section of the library and started....crying. I don't know why, but it just made me really sad.

Six White Horses

Six white horses came today

to take my Daddy far away.

Mommy said I must be good

and stand as big as Daddy would.

And now I'm big so I won't cry

when I see my Daddy wave goodbye,

'cause Daddy is my special friend

he always comes back soon again.

I cannot wave, I don't see why,

there's just a black box moving by.

But Mommy says I should be still,

I'm a big boy now, and so I will.

I hear some drums, they're awful loud,

but Mommy is sad and so's the crowd.

And everybody's dressed in black,

but Daddy soon will hurry back.

We're going to take a walk to mass

then maybe I'll see my Daddy pass.

I wonder why we're only three,

he always comes to church with me.

Two men are talking, I can see,

they said they're very proud of me.

They said my Daddy's in that box,

that black one with six gold locks.

I have on a big boy's suit

and now it's my turn to salute.

I do it just like big boys do,

because I have to be one too.

They're going to stop, and then just leave,

but in that box, how can he breathe?

Though I do not understand,

there's Mommy here to hold my hand.

He's going to leave and not come home!

We just can't leave him here alone.

I want to hear him laugh and say,

"John-John, come here so we can play."

I don't see Daddy anywhere,

I want to cry and I don't care.

He's in the ground, he cannot be,

he should be right here holding me.

But Mommy says I must be good,

so I'll stand as Daddy would.

- Candy Geer, 1963

Caroline and John John

Oh and for old times sake....

Dad, even when it may have seemed like i wasn't listening...

I was.

Last night i was listening to Stevie Wonder's i just called to say i love you ...

No New Year's Day to celebrate

No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away

No first of spring

No song to sing

In fact here's just another ordinary day ...

...

I just called to say I love you

I just called to say how much I care

And it got me thinking. Why don't I let my loved ones know how much they mean to me? I mean on Birthdays and Christmas and on Thanksgiving I always show my appreciation, but why don't I do it more often? Why must there be a special occasion? There is no answer nor reason.

So dad, I thought I'd start with you.

Dad, thanks for...

1) Reminding me that when I am frustrated or when I think things seem unfair, sometimes the best thing to do is "Just grin and bare it."

2) Editing my countless English, Communication, History, etc. etc. papers. The phone conversation usually goes like this...

"Hi dad."

"Hi Kathleen."

"What are you doing?"

"Getting ready for bed. What are you doing?"

"Writing a paper."

"When is it due?"

"Tomorrow."

"..... ok."

"You think you can look at it in the morning?"

"..... sure."

"Thanks dad. Love you. Goodnight."

"Love you too. Goodnight."

3) Introducing me to some of my favorite films... "Going my Way", "Singing in the Rain", "The Sound of Music".

4) Sending me clippings from the Chicago Tribune whenever you see a column about the UW or the city of Madison. Even if it's about bike paths and helmet safety.

5) Surprising me with a blueberry muffin every once in a while when I was in high school. You'd make a run to get coffee before work, and then you'd drop off the muffin for me because you knew they were my favorite. What a wonderful way to wake up.

Eyes and Ears part 1

Listening to.... "The Funeral" by Band of Horses. Over and over and over. Also check out what "I am Fuel" had to say about the song and listen to Serena Ryder's cover. Her version is so sweet; it could lull me right to sleep.

Watching... "Strip Mall Trilogy part 2" by Roger Beebe. It's a short clip I watched in my film production class. Watch and you'll see the ABC's modified and a much more interesting look at strip mall store signs. Love Roger Beebe's work. Not to be cliche (but I'm going to), he takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. You da man !!

Well, now I am off to the library to sit for hours upon hours studying for my British Lit before 1750 midterm. YUCK!!!

around the apartment

Sometimes I get so use to my surroundings I forget to notice all the lovely things that dwell in my dwelling. These are some of my favorites...

My Winnie the Pooh Umbrella. When I was little it was my favorite. My mom bought this for me when I was in 3rd grade. I've used it ever since.

Dried flowers from the farmers market : )

My roommate Mallory made this frame for me last year. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received. She decorated the frame with some of my favorites like... The British Office, Bora Bora, James hotttttie Franco, Steve Miller Band, etc. I put in an old photo and a recent photo of my dad in it. I don't know if you can see it, but it's from my dad's high school days, and he is rockin the paisley shirt and eating an ice cream bar. awwww!

This isn't actually mine. It's Mal's. But I like it and sometimes drink my coffee out of it. Handmade! The colors are so perty. My roommate Lauren bought it for Mal when she was in Perugia, Italy this summer. So cute!

First of all, I love our green wall. I hated it when we first moved in. But it has grown on me. And love love love the chair. My mom bought it at a yard sale for just a few bucks. You go mom!

This is Ophelia. And this picture doesn't do her justice. This too belongs to Mal. I named her after the character from Hamlet. I think I found it fitting for some reason. I'm not really sure what that reason was. But anyway, at every hour she plays a new instrumental song and the middle part opens up and spins and and and it's just awesome! My favorite song she plays is My Heart Will Go On. oh celine.

This is our montage of posters/record albums in the family room. The framed albums were gifts from Mal's older sister Michaela. Sweet gift, right? We got a lil France, Journey, Elton, Billy Joel, John Mellencamp, and the Memorial Union Terrace. I like the blue theme we got going on on this wall.

A mug with my grandma Q's picture on it. This photo was in the newspaper back in the 40s for her engagement announcement! Isn't she darling?

Starry Starry Night, You never get old. And again, the green wall.

Homecoming Weekend !!! !!! !!!

James and I on the float. Holy moley I am PALE!

Sometime I pay attention to the game...

But usually I space out and watch the cheerleaders instead. woops

A few highlights from an eventful weekend...

1) Mrs. Madden and Mal's little brother Greg visited and treated us to dinner at the Nitty Gritty. So much fun and laughs were had by all! The only downer was that our waiter decided it would be a good idea to take our nacho platter away before we were even finished with it (who does that?) So obviously I made a mad rush to get one last chip. Unfortunately, in my haste I accidently spilled my chip's toppings (beef, sour cream, and cheese) into Lauren's beer. It was pretty gross. My bad.

2) James and I were on the Best Buddies (organization dedicated to est. a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.) float for the Homecoming Parade. We sipped on hot chocolate and threw Double Bubble to parade attendees. James was a cheering machine. His favorite and only cheer was... "Let's go badgers, let's go!"

3) Filmed my Light Journal project for my Film Production class. Got to use the Bolex camera and it was aweeeesome! Took shots of different lights and shadows around campus, in the capitol building, and in my apartment. I pray to god that it's not super over/underexposed. If the final product turns out alright I may post it at a later date!

4) Andrew's mom made us apple pie! Gahhhh delicious!!!

5) Discovered there is a song called "kathleen" by Josh Ritter. And I kinda like it. Mainly because it has my name in it. Woo Woo!

Matt and Bacon Talk

Matthew and I taking a nap in 1989. The ugly brown carpet, his shirt, and the floral pillow case scream 80s!

Matthew and that other kid (just kidding, love you too Kevin) on Valentine's Day.

Don't I (the one in the middle...yes, that is a girl) look like a baby version of Chris Farley?

My brother Matthew said he has little reason to read my blog if I continue to write about Emerson or other "boring things." Well excuuuuuuse me, you bully. So to trigger your interest, I guess I'll talk about you. Here are a few random things about Matt...

1) When he was little he use to love MC Hammer and recently we came across his notebook from like first grade and it had stick figure drawings labeled "Hammer Time".

2) When I was little I was such a brat (but not really) and I'd wait behind doors and pop out to scare him. I liked seeing my older, "tough", brother scream like a girl.

3) He use to ride a black horse that he named "Silver". It wasn't a real horse, but one of those toy horses on springs. He was pretty bad at sharing Silver with others. Video footage of that, but unfortunately it's on VHS and mother dearest hasn't converted them into DVD's.

4) In 8th grade he broke both his arms from hanging on a basketball hoop and then falling hard to the ground. I guess you're not suppose to try to break your fall and stick out your arms (though I think it's a natural reaction) because you end up with major bone breakage. But I don't really know what the alternative is... I think I'd rather have broken arms then a broken nose and shattered face. But maybe not. Anyway, he had to wear cement casts from his shoulders all the way to his fingertips. He literally could not move his arms. I was a nice sister and use to feed him during this time. He liked me feeding him the most because I was only in 3rd grade and liked playing "mom" and thus was very attentive to his needs and food eating pace (fyi his food eating pace is medium to fast. closer to being fast).

5) Matt asked for a dog every Christmas and never got one. Finally when he was a junior in high school my parents gave in. Matt named the cute (and now extremely handsome) puppy "Lenny" after the character from the Simpson's.

6) He doesn't like Canadian bacon. And he doesn't like it even more when restaurants only serve Canadian bacon. And he doesn't like it even more more when he orders regular bacon and the waitress brings out Canadian bacon, assuming that the two are equals and that Matt wouldn't care what kind he got. He has made a shirt design that expresses his discontent with the Northerner pig (and if whoever is reading this shares Matt's attitude they should order one too)!!! Click here if you want the contact information!

The shirt is actually gray with black writing, but blogger messed the coloring up. Boo!

Speaking of bacon, you've seen this clip right? WHAT?!?!?! You haven't!?!?! Blasphemy. Well consider this your lucky day...

All photos, illustrations and text copyrighted.

The Good Ole Days

Well here I sit at 6:05 AM in the Communications building. I have a light journal (a film project) due in two weeks and have to reserve a Bolex Film Camera (they are soooo bad ass!) to check out this Friday-Sunday. The room to check out all the cameras opens at 8 and last week people were here at 6 AM. And supposedly it's a mad rush to get the equipment, and I like NEED to check it out this Friday. And so I said in my head, "Welp, better safe than sorry." So I drudgingly woke up at 5:45. Splashed water on my dry and red face. Brushed my teeth. Made coffee. Changed clothes. And left. And ya know what? I'm scared! The building was open but the lights were off. And since I am in Madison, Wisconsin, and it is basically as cold out as the water was in Titanic (I don't know about you, but whenever I picture something really cold I picture Jack and Rose in that final scene in the Atlantic Ocean), I decided to sit indoors. And then the lights went on. But anyway, no one is here and it's kinda eerie. And so now I guess I'll just wait. And wait. And wait.

Well nevermind that, there are more important things to get to. These are pictures from when my mom was really little. She grew up in the 1950s in Beverly, Chicago. And these pictures crack me up. Especially the ones of my grandma and her sister in their bathing suits. Oh My God I want beachwear like that!!!

Q (my grandma) and Aunt Eileen (her sister) soaking up the rays.

Q, I want those sunglasses. Correction, NEED them!

My mom and her grandparents on Easter. She's probably being a spoiled brat by the looks of it.

Papa Quinn. I am in love with this photo.

Lolla and Papa Quinn. The hat, the tie...priceless.

My aunts and uncles. This looks like it should be a Norman Rockwell painting!

Aww my grandpa looks so charming. And Q, again with the glasses!

Oh my!!! Look at those pale tummys. Gotta love being Irish. Again, my aunts and uncles.

My darling Grandma.

My mom's oldest four siblings. Uncle BIll, Aunt Sharon, Uncle Pat, and Uncle Bob.

Uncle Pat's sidepart is out of CONTROL!!!

(all photos copyrighted)

"A Diamond at the Bottom of the Drain"

I must have a thing for redhead singers. Because Neko Case's and Jenny Lewis's voices are hot, hot, hot! This track, Magpie to the Morning, from Case's album "Middle Cyclone" is so calming. I like to listen to it before I go to sleep & when I'm walking to classes in the rain.

Emerson

"In the woods, is perpetual youth.

Standing on the bare ground,

head bathed by the blithe air,

and uplifted into infinite space ...

I am nothing."

Found Here

Currently taking a break from reading Emerson. I should have read him 9 days ago for class...but I fell slightly behind. And now I have a midterm on Thursday, so I need to read, read, read. But Ralph (we're on a first name basis) really has a way with his words that just makes me want to be in nature. I just wanna plop down in the woods next to a pond surrounded by orange, red, and yellow leaves. And then some ducks will come my way and I'll feed them bread. And then I'll pull out my thermos (and by "my", I mean my roommate's because I don't own one) and drink hot apple cider.

WHY aren't these things real???

James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach holds a special place in my heart. And Tim Burton's film creation is just as wondrous. Living inside a peach would be gross, but Roald Dahl makes it seem enticing. I wish I could meet a bunch of friendly insects who play the violin and such, and I wish I could fly, via a piece of fruit, to NYC. I remember always hating James' aunts and I wanted to punch them in the nose for being so mean to lil Jamesy poo. Aunt Spiker (the one with the severe cheekbones) frightened me. And rightfully so. She looked like an anorexic clown and she whipped James with a belt!!! Aunt Sponge however was never quite as threatening. She was like a plump rollie pollie.

Harry Potter

I know I am probably the 5 millionth person to be stating that I wish Hogwarts was real. But I DO! I truly believe that I could just fit right in with the bunch. Hermione and I could study together, Ron and I could make out and tell jokes, and Harry and I could play quidditch. The four of us would travel to Three Broomsticks and drink butterbeer all day. And then we'd sit in the common room area by the fire and, and, and we'd just do EVERYTHING! The way I feel when I read HP books is ineffable. It is the numero uno book at making me feel like I live in another world. Dear Harry, Ron, and Hermione, if you are real, come find me. I will leave behind the life I live if it means I get to be your pal and live in your magical world. Contact me via Hedwig please. Or just use floo powder and show up in my family room. Either one will make me pee my pants. (Sidenote: this is my favorite HP bookcover. The colors, the prancing unicorn, the whimsical purple and orange sherbert sky, the two lit windows in Hogwarts... I love it all!)

Clouds

Ok well obviously I know clouds are real, but the whole jumping on them...not so much. But they should be bouncy. They should be just like trampolines, and they should smell like candy, and they should have complimentary milkshakes with whipped cream every time you went on them, and you should definitely be able to jump from cloud to cloud. When I was little I was convinced that the aforementioned actually happened, but just not until you went to heaven and became an angel. Last year when I took a weather and climate class and we talked about clouds and how they are just vapor, I wanted to standup and shout at the professor, "You're wrong!!! You're wrong!!!" But I never did.

things that never fail to make Me smile

1) This picture of silly, young English lads wearing galoshes. The one hanging upside down is supposedly Emma Watson's boyfriend.

2) This scene from A Charlie Brown Christmas. My favorite line is, "Charlie Brown is blockhead, but he did buy a nice Christmas tree."

Reminiscing of Christmastime when I was little is my favorite. Only fond memories. Snuggling with my mom, dad, and brothers and watching Home Alone, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Snowman (ahhhhh this is actually probably my favorite favorite), PeeWee Herman's Christmas (the one with Charo and where everyone brings PeeWee a fruitcake).

3) The song "With Arms Outstretched" by Rilo Kiley

- The lead singer is beautiful and I'm jealous of her red hair.

- The guitarist is from Boy Meets World AND Salute Your Shorts!?!?! JACKPOT!

- I like how she silences the guitar with such a swift and gentle hand movement. You go, girl!

Oh Abe

So this semester is going to be a lot, lot, lot, lot of writing. I'm taking two writing intensive courses: American Lit and British Lit before 1750 (yikes!), Creative Writing, and Film production. All of the classes (minus the Early British Lit) are subjects that really interest me. But after looking at the syllabi, I think I want to cry. Sooo many papers and projects. And in such little time. It seems as though professors make their syllabus with the intention of making everything clear and organized, but often time I feel like they just confuse and overwhelm me. But you know what? It's ok. Because I have other things on campus that make me non-overwhelmed. Things like this...

Going to Badger football games with my friends!!! Sporting the red, tailgating, the whole crowd singing Build Me Up Buttercup, Sweet Caroline, Shout, Hey Baby I want to know if You'll be my Girl, etc. etc

Going on dates with Andrew at the Cabana Room and eating some of the most delicious food ever. And the interior is so nice. Red and turqoise walls and dimmed lighting (oo la la) and paintings.

Reading in between classes on Bascom Hill. Whispering sweet nothings to Honest Abe and people watching as students walk to classes.

Tie Dye Love

The final products

Tie Dying out on our balcony on the last day of summer

Extra comfy Hanes v-necks :)

Tuesday was the last day of summer and it was gorgeous out. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and everyone was in a super good mood. That is, except me. I was so freaking cranky!!! And I think the fact that everyone else was in such a good mood got me even crankier. I usually love being on campus in Madison at the beginning of the school year because everyone is excited to be back and is outfitting their new apartments. And I usually love taking in State Street and the crowds of people who inhabit it. So many different characters: a guy dressed in an orange jumpsuit playing a piccolo next to the Lutheran church, the tiny woman who waves me over to taste a sample at her Chinese food stand, nervous freshman walking around with their parents buying their books (acting embarrassed that they are with moms and pops and yet secretly sad they have to say goodbye), the hippies playing hacky sack on Library Mall, the hipsters drinking their coffee at Espresso Royale, students playing frisbee on Bascom Hill, and the crazy, uber religious guy that shouts into a microphone about being saved from the wrath of hell. Usually I welcome them all (even the "wrath of hell" guy because he is kinda funny to watch) and have come to recognize them as predictable and familiar, something to take comfort in because they give an iconic stamp to the college I have grown to love. But not on Tuesday. All I wanted to do was flip everyone the bird. Things that were making me mad: 1) Woke up feeling really hot and uncomfortable 2)Major headache 3) Had to go back to the bookstore because my teacher decided to add ANOTHER $60 book to the list of 7 books I already bought for his class 4) TOOOO many people on State street and I'd say most of them were slow walkers 5) Walked to the fruit stand and picked out all my goods only to realize I only had my credit card on me and they only took cash GRRRR 6) Had to make a hundred calls to Madison Gas & Electric and figure out billing stuff because they screwed up my new apartment address 7) Walked to another bookstore that is really far away and find out they just sold the last copy of the book I needed 8) Someone nearly knocked me down while running to catch a bus 9) Went to go make a turkey sandwich and remembered that I used the last of my turkey the day before

But then my roommates suggested we tie dye shirts and all was well. And now that I actually write down all the stuff that was making me cranky, I see that I wasn't actually having that bad of a day. Whatever, I was just being a crab, and every once in a while I think it's okay to be one.