Shut Up, Alarm

Today I reset my alarm 6 times. Yikes-a-roni! I had very little motivation to get out of bed. Ya know, it's dreary out and it's sorta raining, sorta not raining. One of those days when you can hear cars going through puddles and you see people with closed umbrellas because they know it's going to start raining any moment.

Well anyway, you can only imagine my relief when I got this e-mail...

Dear Kathleen, you're tired aren't you? You want to go snuggle up to a blanket and watch The Magic School Bus, don't you? Particularly the episode "Kicks Up a Storm" where Ms. Frizzle and the gang try to make a thunderstorm? Yeah, I like that one too. Well, you know what? I'm gonna cancel classes for the day and mandate that you stay in your pajamas, eat a bowl of Cheerios, and sit on the couch and watch movies (and maaaaaybe study for that test of yours tomorrow. only if you can squeeze in the time to do so).

Love,

God

The only problem is that I guess my professors didn't get the memo.

Don't worry, I won't leave you hanging. Here is The Magic School Bus theme song.

Sherbert Skies and Lazy Lenny

A quiet day with Lenny, is a day well spent.

Yesterday I woke up to a soft breeze from across the room. My mom had tiptoed into my bedroom before leaving for work at 6 a.m. (thanks momma!) Chicago broke the record for highest temperature for April 1st. It was 83 degrees out, breaking the record set in 1946! After spending a few more moments lying in bed being grateful for being on spring break rather than cramming my head with tedious facts at school , I proceeded downstairs where I was greeted by my dog Lenny. I grabbed a bowl of Cheeios, cut up some strawberries, made a Chai Latte using the mix from Trader Joe's (heavenly), and then plopped down on the couch to watch old episodes of The Office. Success!

After being a bum for a good two hours, I decided that maaaaaybe I should do a little homework. I mean, that 15 page paper due next week probably won't write itself (though I sure wish it would). So I went upstairs to do some homework in my favorite chair in my bedroom. Lenny isn't suppose to come upstairs, but when no one else is home (everyone was at work) I bring him up anyways. We are rebels. Since I don't have any younger siblings, Lenny has taken that role. And I am definitely the older, annoying sister who entices him to do bad things. So I was just doing some homework/daydreaming while Lenny rested by my side. After awhile he got up. I figured he went back downstairs. Twenty minutes later I got up to go the bathroom, and on my way, this is what I saw...

I caught Lenny just staring out the front window in my parent's bedroom. The window was just the right height for him to be able to stick his snout over the ledge and sniff for all the glorious wonders of outside. It reminded me of the scene from 101 Dalmatians when Pongo looks out the window to find a suitable mate for his owner.

Later in the day, we went for a walk where rude dogs barked at Lenny. Didn't even faze him, he just kept trotting along like the well behaved doggy he always is.

{Here is a cute garage/picket fence we passed one block away from my house}

When we got back from our walk, I played basketball (just shot around) while Lenny watched. He's my number one fan.

And finally we sat on the patio and admired the beautiful spring day.

Fallin in Love with The Beatles Over & Over Again

Ok well I never really fell out of love with them. But until a few weeks ago I had never heard this song of theirs. Blaspheme! Well I really, really like it. I thought I'd share in case you haven't heard it either.

In other news:

1) I got a haircut. I was just in the mood to chop it all off. And so that's what I did.

2) I watched "An Education" last night. That Carrie Mulligan sure is pretty. And don't even get me started on Peter Sarsgaard. Oh, and the boy Graham who has a crush on Jenny... of course I have a soft spot for him. Where is my British prince? (yes Harry Windsor, I am talking to you!)

3) Go to GAP!!! They are having a SALE. And they have lots and lots of cute clothes. I went last night and used my Old Navy gift cards from 1996. They still work like a charm!

Whenever...

... someone takes the liberty to call me 'Kathy' or 'Katherine', I want to shout "THAT'S NOT MY NAME!" (Ting Ting style) But I never do. I usually just let it slide. Or if someone else is around they usually correct the person. I guess I get slightly offended just because I am pretty good with remembering names, and if I ever see someone I know I try to use their name in conversation. Except for that one time this summer at a friend's barbecue when I called a kid who lived on my floor freshman year in the dorms Greg instead of Dave. Greg was his roommate. My bad. I didn't even notice I called him the wrong name until like a half hour later I heard someone else say, "Dave, you want a hot dog?" I immediately felt terrible. I went right over to him to apologize. He laughed and said he didn't even notice. I have never called him the wrong name since.

{Just for kicks and giggles}

"You're Daddy's Little Girl"

This is me and and my dad in 1990 at the pool we belonged to at the time. This picture was in the local paper. I am a CELEBRITY!!!! You can't tell in this picture, but my bathing suit says, "Daddy's Little Girl."

Speaking of which, I have had this song in my head all week. It's called "Daddy's Little Girl" by The Knux. Now the lyrics don't apply to me in the least, but I sure do like to listen to it when I'm walking to class, on the bus, or at the gym. Do you ever wonder what other people are listening to on their iPod? I do. I'd probably be really embarrassed if people could hear what I was listening to ... ya know, the occasional Backstreet Boys jam, an old Everclear favorite, Hanson's Mmmbop. Don't judge. You probably listen to them too.

New Bedford, Massachusetts

Last night I returned home to Chicago after visiting my brother Kevin in New Bedford, Massachusetts, which is "the world's most famous whaling era seaport and the number one fishing port in America." (I could have said something along those lines, but the city's website was able to put it a little bit more elegantly.) Anyway, I am officially enamored with the city, its history, the school my brother teaches at, his students, and all the people he has befriended since being there.

Kevin teaches at Nativity Preparatory School of New Bedford , a tuition-free school for boys grades 5-8 who come from low-income families. All the boys I met were extremely cordial and well-behaved. They have so little, and yet, their positive attitude, work ethic, and determination to succeed are unmatched by any middle schooler I've ever met.

Ten of the highlights from the trip:

1. I've never had my hand shaken so many times in my life. And I think it was the first time I was officially called "Miss" by anyone other than one of my school teachers or the receptionist at the dentist.

2. Eating a cannoli at Mr. Markey's home.

3. Listening to 7th graders share creative writing pieces in which the assignment was to have a character overcome an obstacle and be victorious in the end. (one kid wrote about a squirrel finding nuts... awesome!)

4. Getting a tour of the school building from a 5th grader named Roand and a 6th grader named Zepherine.

5. Grabbing late-night food and beers with some of Kevin's peers at Freestone's City Grill.

6. Watching Jerry Maguire.

7. Exploring the city and seeing the Frederick Douglass mural.

8. Checking the plaques with the dates on all the ancient homes. A few were from the 1700s. Whoa nelly!

9. Catching a 3 second glimpse of Matt's (another teacher) dance moves.

10. Attending the 6th annual MABACH challenge, a tournament of math, basketball, and chess. Nine nativity prep schools participated and New Bedford ended up winning! Those math skills paid off.

{Frederick Douglass, probably the most well-known escaped slave, lived in New Bedford from 1838-1841. I really admire this man. He overcame so many obstacles in life. With little help, he taught himself how to read and write. My favorite work of his is "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"

{The bay}

{Cobble stone streets}

{A typical confused Kevin expression}

{A cute shop that was closed}

{The Icebox}

All I wanted was A Simple Kind of Life

I'm experiencing some hardcore nostalgia for the 90s.

In a recent snail-mail letter to a friend (Claire, get ready!!!), I wrote

...

"Lately, I've been obsessed with the 90s, not really the music or anything, but just nostalgic for those days. You know, when I watched "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" and didn't really know what was ever going on, but was amused and scared nonetheless. (That show is seriously weird). Or, I miss the days when when I woke up and spent the morning in my Beauty and the Beast nightgown, and ate drippy popsicles at noon, and rang Kerry Fox's doorbell at dusk to play cops and robbers with our older brothers. Man, gimme some of those days."

{Circa 1995, I'm sure all I wanted was a simple kind of life. Plus Barbies.}

{But circa 1990, I'm sure all I (on the right) wanted was a steak burrito with extra cheese.}

In 1996, the summer after Tragic Kingdom was released, I loved loved loved No Doubt. I remember sitting on my cousin's patio, drinking lemonade, and listening to "Don't Speak" on the boombox on repeat. Those were the days.

St. Patty's Day

If I am going to be ghastly pale 365 days a year (minus the occasional, treacherous sunburn), you best believe I am going to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. And what a day it was. It was beautiful out - sunny, warm, blue sky, ducks quacking, one class canceled, sitting at the lake with Rachel and Kyle, mint chip ice cream, cheeseburgers for dinner with the roommates, etc. etc.

{Rachel and me}

{Lake Mendota melting}

{Even the duck wore green}

{Anne and me}

{Shauna and Lauren at Dotty's}

{Shauna and Kaylee at State Street Brats}

{What night is complete without a lil piggy back ride?}

The Exploding Girl

{via}

Here is one of the many films I look forward to seeing at the Wisconsin Film Festival. The girl's name in the film is Ivy. I like that name. Others don't. What do youuuuuuu think?

Also, someone commented on the trailer saying, "The movie where everyone looks into space." That made me LOL LOL.

Check out what my screenwriting for film professor, JJ Murphy, had to say about the film. One statement of his that peaks my interest in the film even more is, "Gray has mastered how young people communicate (or don’t) with each other." Hmmmm that sounds familiar.

Speaking of explosions (ok well it's in the title)...

Here are some sweet pictures of volcanoes erupting (aka exploding)

{this isn't even a volcano... but that's ok}

{via}

Around 1:01 you can just see this guy's head explode. Poor guy.

Cat Power

{she may or may not have been 73% of the reason I got bangs}

This is my favorite track on her album "The Greatest".

all that is left is an empty shell
of my heart that is crushed
i don't never wanna see
what my mind has seen
when you loved me
every night, every night alone with you
every night alone now

when she sits on your lap
try to pretend to laugh
when she does stupid things
just like i used to do
do no hate her
don't you even try
for to leave her is to love her
the same as you and i
I love you
and i miss you too
i really do love you
and i really miss you too

but i don't know you
and i don't need you
and i don't want you anymore

every night, every night alone with you
every night alone now

{and no, this is not directed toward anyone. i just like the song}

If there is one thing I am certain about, it is this...

My future husband, whom ever he may be, better be ready to dance to this song with me:

A) At our wedding

B) While making dinner together on a weekly basis

C) Whenever the hell I want to

Suitable wedding reception arrangements are the following

{via}

{via}

{via}

Suitable kitchen arrangements are the following

{via}

{via}

A Wintery Walk

My parents visited me last weekend. And it was just what I needed. A small break from that whole school routine that can be so exhausting (for me and every other college student). We went for a walk on the lake-shore path by the Union, drank coffee, and just enjoyed one another's company. Later we went out to dinner at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse where we ate the best bruschetta I think I've ever had.

{pops on the frozen over Lake Mendota}

{canoes}

{trees}

{lake-shore path}

{the Red Gym}

{ma and pa}

{moi}

The Third Man Ending...

... is breathtakingly beautiful -- the culmination of everything worthwhile -- the GREAT BAMBINO!

*if you don't know what I'm talking about in that last one, either A) you need to brush up on America's pastime or B) need to watch the Sandlot.

I suppose you shouldn't watch the clip if you haven't seen the move yet and intend to do so. But if you have seen the movie or never will (BIG mistake), you should bask in the glory of this ending.

The tall dying trees, the long take, the stationary camera, the lighting of the cigarette -- it's all just really grrrrrreat.

Here is Ebert's review.

***

Smalls: Oh yeah, the Great Bambino. Of course! I thought you said the Great Bambi.

Ham Porter: That wimpy deer?

In Unrelated News:

- On my exam this morning, we had an essay question on an article that I didn't read. First part was to name the author's 6 main ideas. My thoughts upon reading the prompt, "Well, I am in quite the pickle."

- Handed in the first draft of my screenplay. Turns out it is a lot easier to write a screenplay in your head than on paper.

- I can't pronounce Amadeus.

- I need to get a new sleep pattern.

- Alec Baldwin is kinda foxy in Beetlejuice.

"Astute" observations

Ok. Well maybe they aren't astute observations, but they are observations nonetheless.

My life would be a lot easier if...

1) I didn't procrastinate.

2) I didn't have bangs

3) I didn't have scissors (that way I wouldn't attempt to cut said bangs)

4) I called my mom more often just to say "hi".

I just realized that Audrey Hepburn and I have the same bangs (super thick and a bit pushed over to the side). And while she can clearly work them, mine just look like I have a huge, unflattering brick of hair on my forehead.

Wowza. Work it, Audrey! But I have a question, who did Gap pay to make this? Did Audrey's relatives receive any royalties?

Bottle Rocket

Picking out my favorite quotes from the movie Bottle Rocket is all kinds of fun! Writing a ten page narrative analysis on Bottle Rocket... not so much. On Thursday I promised myself that I would be DONE with the paper by Sunday. It's Monday and I have one page down. Well what is a promise to one's self unless it gets broken? Am I right or am I right? I don't think I have kept a school related promise to myself since like 2003 when I was an ambitious, overly organized student. Those were the days.

But anyway, how about some quotes?

1) Dignan: How does an asshole like Bob get such a great kitchen?

2) Anthony: You..you've really gotten into the bad habit of asking a huge amount of questions, lately.

3) Dignan: When I was little I wanted to know what caused thunder.

4) Anthony: Okay, one morning over at Elizabeth's beach house, she asked me if I'd rather go water-skiing or lay-out. And I realized that not only did I not want to answer that question, but I never wanted to answer another water sports question or see any of these people again for the rest of my life. Three days later I was on my way out to the desert. And that was that.

5) Anthony: Wow, that guy was a real chatterbox.

6) Kumar: Man, I blew it. I blew it, man!

Anthony: Kumar, what were you doing in the freezer?

Kumar: I don't know, man; I lose my touch, man!

Dignan: Did you even have a touch to lose, man?

If you haven't seen Bottle Rocket, two things....

1)Go see it ahora!!!

2) Sorry for boring you with quotes. But hey, it's your fault for not yet seeing the movie. Just kidding.

OK so about that paper...

Oh and Luke Wilson is such a hunk in this film. Hubba hubba!