pass this video along

Too many lives have been lost from texting while driving. This is, by no means, a happy video, but it gets the message across. Keep yourself, your loved ones and complete strangers safe by taking the pledge to NOT text and drive.

Whatever you want to say, it can wait.

writing writing writing

I'm currently attempting to finish my 90 page screenplay. I really wish I could just hand in the script to, like, Tommy Boy or Magnolia and call it a day. I'm sure in some other life I possibly could have been creative enough to write such brilliant films.

{He's a big dumb animal, isn't he, folks?}

{I'm quiz kid Donnie Smith}

Bloopers

Best bloopers in the history of cinema. 1:43-2:06 are possibly the cutest moments of all time.

Blue Valentine

I'm glad that I have no idea what this movie is about even after watching the trailer. Absolutely love Michelle Williams. She is so quiet and gentle. And Ryan Gosling. What a silly, charming singing voice. I'm looking forward to this.

i JUST discovered

Freaks and Geeks audition tapes!!!

I've been mulling it over, and I think this character might be my ideal boyfriend.

Actually, no. Jason Segel is my ideal boyfriend.

Such a sweetheart.

In da park

Lots of slobber (the dogs, duh!), sniffing plants and trees, staring at squirrels. Ya know, just the usual.

{Lenny and me almost falling down}

{Finally made it}

{Katie and her dog Molly}

Tech literate

In addition to being able to give paw, lie down, sit down, put his head down on command, play red light/green light, my dog Lenny also knows how to USE THE COMPUTER. He is so so so so smart. A few days ago I was on skype and this little fellow called me.

And yes, if you are looking at my itunes, I do have a playlist called Bathtime and Kelly Clarkson's "My life would Suck without you" is my #1 played song.

I don't really have an explanation for either of those details.

*Also, VERY important. My 21st most played song is NOT With Arms Wide Open by Creed. It's With Arms Outstretched by Rilo Kiley. I felt it was necessary to make the distinction.

"I want to go to there"

At the moment, this is my vacation dream spot. An Austrian inspired resort. All Van Trapp-ish. Pure beauty.

Sleigh ride, book by the fire, hot chocolate, family movie before bed = heaven

{All images via}

Also, if you didn't get the "I want to go to there" reference, then you need to start watching 30Rock. Tina Fey quotes her daughter on the show.

"The days and the nights all feel the same"

I can't stop listening to this song. The line, "You are the man who ruined her life," is exceptionally heartbreaking. Love his voice - raspy but not overdone. I still need to see this movie. Once finals are over... me, couch, movie, popcorn.

Weary Kind by Ryan Bingham

Your heart’s on the loose

You rolled them seven’s with nothing lose
And this ain’t no place for the weary kind

You called all your shots
Shooting 8 ball at the corner truck stop
Somehow this don’t feel like home anymore

And this ain’t no place for the weary kind
And this ain’t no place to lose your mind
And this ain’t no place to fall behind
Pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try

Your body aches…
Playing your guitar and sweating out the hate
The days and the nights all feel the same

Whiskey has been a thorn in your side
and it doesn’t forget
the highway that calls for your heart inside

And this ain’t no place for the weary kind
And this ain’t no place to lose your mind
And this ain’t no place to fall behind
Pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try

Your lovers won’t kiss…
It’s too damn far from your fingertips
You are the man that ruined her world

Your heart’s on the loose
You rolled them seven’s with nothing lose
And this ain’t no place for the weary kind

A movie I can snuggle up to after a plate of mashed potatoes

I'm the youngest of all my cousins on my mom's side. When I was growing up, my grandma only had one VHS in her house - Planes, Trains and Automobiles. So, even though I was only in kindergarten, I'd join my older cousins and watch that movie in her family room on holidays. I remember crying when I found out John Candy's character was homeless and a widower. Honestly, it was really sad and eye-opening; probably the first moment I realized there was a world outside my own. I was a pretty deep and profound child... meh not really actually.

Anyway, it's one of my favorite movies of all time, and it's definitely my favorite Thanksgiving movie. Here's a clip where the acting is just superb. RIP John Candy. I feel like I can relate to the lines, "I talk too much. I also listen too much." Just some really great writing right there.

So Halloween was almost a month ago

Forgot to post about this. Per usual, Halloween in Madison was magical. Just craziness and laughs. Ohhhh and running into one of the Badger's star football players - John Clay (!)

1

We may or may not have asked John Clay (Badger football player) for a picture while he was in line to go the bathroom. He was really nice about it though! And look at that smile! My roommates and I dressed up as iPods for Halloween. We chose to display songs that they usually play at Badger football games (Cecila by Simon & Garfunkel, Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations and Swingtown by Steve Miller Band). So running into John Clay was obviously just fate.

2

Lauren and her boo Mike. He was Al from Home Improvement (beard + tool belt + plaid shirt = Al) and he was just jamming out to Lauren's music. But for some reason he just looks more confused.

3

Our friends Brandon and Brendan decided to start Halloween two day early (hence why we aren't in our gear). Goofs!

Where I slumber

Last night I slept for 14 hours in this comfy, comfy bed. No joke. Went to bed at 6 p.m. and woke up at 8 a.m.

Two nights ago I spent 10 hours at this desk writing a paper on Jane Eyre.

In the past week I've had about 12 cups of coffee. Must. Stop.

Laaaa di daaaa here are things to check out. Have a relaxing weekend!!!

I've been shamelessly listening to this song on repeat. I love when Faith and Tim sing together.

On a dreary day like today, I really wish I owned my roommate Lauren's cute rain boots.

This might be the prettiest wedding dress I've ever seen.

If it's gonna be all cold out, well then I wish at least I had this beautiful scenery around me. Tessaboo always has lovely pictures and lovely clothes!

Notting Hill and the Badgers

Currently watching Notting Hill (for the first time) with my pa at my parent's hotel. Feeling really good about it. I love being with my parents in Madison. It feels like a mini vacation.

We just watched the scene where they climb the wall to get into the garden and Hugh Grant says, "Whoops-a-daisy."

I specifically remember one day I said that phrase and my high school boyfriend paused and said, "Please. Please. Never say that again."

You know how some phrases really bug people? Well, I guess that was his. Are there any phrases you dislike? I'm not too fond of when people say, "That's genius." In my head I think, "Really? Was it really genius? That's a bit extreme." Maybe it's just because I don't really like the word.

This bench is in the movie. It says, "For June who loved this garden. From Joseph who always sat beside her."

Is this not the cutest?

Someday. Someday.

{via}

In unrelated new:

Today is a very sad day. I just went to my last home Badger football game as a student at UW-Madison. I'd be lying if I said I didn't almost start crying when they played Varsity.

Here is a picture of my friend Ann and me at our first game freshman year. Feels like yesterday.

Tell me what you know about dreamin'

Lissie is so rad.

I don't think her voice could get any better. Shared this Kid Cudi cover recently with my brother and I was glad to hear that he liked it too. I hope you enjoy it as well. Cover your ears after she says, "hands on the wheel." (she swears. and when she swears you can tell she means it).

Crush a bit, little bit, roll it up, take a hit
Feelin’ lit feelin’ light, 2 am summer night.
I don't care, hand on the wheel, drivin drunk, I'm doin’ my thang
Rollin the Midwest side and out livin’ my life getting’ out dreams
People told me slow my roll I'm screaming out f*ck that
Imma do just what I want lookin’ ahead no turnin’ back
if I fall if I die know I lived it till the fullest
if I fall if I die know I lived and missed some bullets

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good.

Tell me what you know about dreamin’ dreamin’
you don't really know about nothin’ nothin’
tell me what you know about them night terrors every night
5 am, cold sweats wakin’ up to the skies
tell me what you know about dreams, dreams
tell me what you know about night terrors, nothin’
you don't really care about the trials of tomorrow
rather lay awake in a bed full of sorrow

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shines ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good

I'm on the pursuit of happiness. I know everything that shines ain't always gold

"Unmistakably him"

I really must watch this movie. Perhaps this weekend I'll get the chance to rent it. It seems touching and funny. And the actors are some of my favorites - Colin Firth, Carey Mulligan, Jim Broadbent.

Super talented + super cute = Matthew Beard.

"I'm trying to recall the last time I saw my father, the last time that he was unmistakably him." - Blake Morrison

Groucho Marx

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."

Well put.

Autumn Leaves

Isn't my roommate Mallory cute?

She's 22 and yet she looks like a preschooler at recess.

Last semester she studied abroad in Buenos Aires. This was taken in March, which is part of Argentina's fall season.

If I could only get rid of this cold, I'd go outside and play in the leaves. Instead I'll drink this pumpkin spice Dunkin Donuts coffee next to me and finish reading Lakota Woman which I have to give a 50 minute presentation on for Thursday.

(With two other girls. So, like, not too bad.)

Ess and Gee

I just really love Simon and Garfunkel. Hands down, they're the number one group I wish to see live. (Well and The Beatles. But that's, like, duh.)

Q

October 30th marked the one year anniversary of my grandma Q's passing. While of course I miss her dearly, I have a calm reassurance that she's spent the last year catching up with her friends and family, laughing the entire time. She's likely been playing golf with my grandpa on acres of freshly mowed grass that stretch for miles and miles, the view so pretty and the company so pleasant they don't even care if they lose a ball in the pond.

{via}

1) A pillow Q stitched that I keep on my bed. In the bottom left corner you can see her initials.

2) Jar of buttons that I inherited from Q. Growing up I use to always sneak into her closet to look at them. There are brass buttons from my grandpa's uniform from WWII along with pearl buttons from a blouse she wore as a little girl. It's such a nice keepsake that I'll always cherish.

3) A quiet forest that looks like a good spot for contemplation.

The Cowboy

Lenny, definitely not by choice, is a cowboy every Halloween. It usually lasts for a good half hour, but then we just feel too bad and take it off him. With his old(er) age, and simply because he is the best dog in the whole word, he doesn't even put up a fight when we put the costume on him. Unfortunately though, he kept slipping in the costume so it had to be taken off. Lenny looks petrified in this picture. I'm glad that my mom threw in the pumpkin as a nice touch. I think it adds a lil something something to the picture (and it hides Lenny's ba-dunk-a-dunk).

DANCE DANCE DANCE

Those moves are sooooo fine.

Brothers

Having two older brothers is a healthy reminder that you're always closer to the bottom than you are to the top.

- Andy Roddick

Dear Andy, I couldn't agree more.

I must say

I have been very pleased with my Zazzle purchases.

This one I got for my roommate Mallory for her birthday. Because, well, plain and simple, we both think Billy Madison might possibly be cinema at its finest.

This one I got for my brother Kevin's birthday. Because, well, we both think Karl Pinkerton, Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais are the bomb diggity.

What? People don't say bomb diggity anymore?

In unrelated news: I am at the union doing homework (kind of) and writing my column for the week (kind of). There is a man asleep in a chair about ten feet away from me. He has three empty Coke bottles next to him. And he just farted really loudly. Was it immature that I laughed? Would you have too?

Football + Family weekend in Madison

This weekend I had to get stitches on my chin.

In short,

slippery bar floors + sandals with no traction whatsoever

=

Kathleen plummeting like a rock and smacking her face against the hardwood floor.

Having these stitches on my face has made me realize how

A) often I rest my chin on my hand

B) difficult it is to put on a shirt without touching your chin

C) laughing is a good thing EXCEPT when you have a laceration (what the doctor kept calling it) on your face.... every time I move my jaw my entire chin has this swelling and pulsing feeling that makes me want to cry.

But the chin incident (hence chincident) came after a laughter and smile filled weekend with my family. 23 of my relatives drove up from Chicago (or flew in from Florida) to experience a weekend as a Wisconsin Badger. We went to the game, ate popcorn and drank beer at the terrace that overlooks Lake Mendota, played bags and flag football, ate pumpkin bread and probably had too many cheese curds.

It was such an overwhelming joy to share this city with my family.

I want a repeat of the weekend !

(minus the whole falling in public and having a huge gash on my face. That, I could do without.)

The Giving Tree

I've decided that if you don't like this book, then you don't have a soul.

That simple.

Viva Las Vegas

{Me and the roommates at the tailgate}

Catch up time. I went to Vegas two weeks ago for the Wisconsin vs. UNLV football game. Well we didn't actually go to the game (we didn't have tickets), but we did tailgate at the stadium and eat brats and drink beer. It was a fun (to say the least) but exhausting trip.

I'm convinced that in Vegas people don't have faces. Just bodies. Everyone is moving so quickly it's difficult to make out who anyone is. And most people have cameras pressed up to their face so it is actually quite literally difficult to see them.

Highlights of the trip:

1) Piano bar where our requested song "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding was played and we sang and danced along. Another good song we jammed to at the piano bar included Sweet Caroline.

{PS I have told many a person that if I were to ever try out for American Idol (which I wouldn't because I can't sting) I'd sing "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay". Sara Bareilles version is "whoa good" too}

2) Saw a Beatles Tribute band play at Planet Hollywood! Costumes and all! My favorite was when they played "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Twist and Shout".

3) Laying out at the pool with my gals and lazily reading.

4) The water show at The Bellagio.

5) Watching my roommates make money. I quickly learned I am not cut out for gambling. I ost $30 within 1 minute. YIKES! But then I regained $6 of it by playing the slots. Oh yeaaaaaa.

{Mal saw some Wisconsin fans doing the Cupid Shuffle and, naturally, she wanted in}

{Scenery at the tailgate}

{Mallory, me, Lauren at The Flamingo}

{Mal, me, Shauna, Alli, Lauren, Ann and the Beatles}

Home Sweet Home

Land o Lincoln, some other places, family & friends.

Who enjoys a pixelated video? I know I sure do!

Song: "To Go Home" - M. Ward

Marcel the Shell

Is anyone familiar with this? I was crying while watching this because I was literally laughing THAT hard. Omg I want Marcel!

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

I'm always happy when I'm reminded of how much I love this song. Thank you iPod shuffle for shuffling your way to this beauty when I was walking to class yesterday. A crisp wind on my face, a pumpkin bar in my backpack, and a gem ringing in my ears.

Oh, also. Once a week I write a column for my school newspaper. Silly shenanigans and such.

My column prints/is posted online every Wednesday. Here is my 3rd column if you care to take a look.

Anyway, here's the song!

{Considering his far too early death, I find the lyrics "I can hardly wait to see you come of age" particularly heartbreaking}

Fortune Cookie

Usually whenever I get a fortune cookie it tells me something stupid or heartbreakingly disappointing.

Stupid = "Your cat is on the roof again. This will bring you good luck." Ummm I don't even own a cat.

Disappointing = "On the 6th of this month you will meet your soul-mate." Too bad the 6th already past and I definitely didn't meet no Romeo.

Bummer.

Well, this summer I went to a Chinese restaurant downtown with a few galfriends. Surprisingly, I opened a mention worthy fortune cookie:

"Very little is needed to make a happy life."

The fortune came at the perfect time in my life too.

I was just about to head back to school.

Needed to get rid of crap I don't use.

Needed to stop holding onto things that cluttered my life.

Needed to take time to appreciate the people in my life.

Needed to take time to relax and laugh.

Needed to stop worrying about things I have no control over.

So freaking simple, right?

Not quite. But I'm getting there.

Here is one of those little things that definitely add to my happy life.

PIE.

{Pie from the Madison Farmers Market. Eeeeek!}

Back to School

I had my last, first day of school yesterday (Thursday). My mom left me a really sentimental voicemail wishing me luck the next morning and saying oh how many years it has been and telling me how she wished she could be there with me. Only problem was that she sent the message two days early. For a moment the voicemail really made me question whether or not I did have class the next day. And if I did in fact have class the next day, I was going to really regret playing chandeliers at Whiskey River. But alas, she was wrong.

So, ya.

Today was the first day of school.

If I owned a sharpener I probably would have sharpened my pencils.

If I owned shoe polish I probably would have polished my shoes.

If I owned an alarm clock I probably wouldn't have slept through my first class.

PSYCH!!!

One time my friend Sam slept through her Spanish final. At the time it was pretty horrific. But now we can joke about it. Right, Sam?

Too soon?

Well anywhoooooo, here is my favorite movie EVER (well top five). And guess what? It takes place in a school setting. So, uh, I thought it would be appropriate to post it. Not the entire film, silly. But just the trailer.

The Lull

{via}

Here is a contemporary Shakespearean sonnet that I kind of really really like.

The Lull by Molly Peacock

The possum lay on the tracks fully dead.

I'm the kind of person who stops to look.

It was big and white with flies on its head,

a thick healthy hairless tail, and strong, hooked

nails on its racoon-like feet. It was a full

grown possum. It was sturdy and adult.

Only its head was smashed. In the lull

that it took to look, you took the time to insult

the corpse, the flies, the world, the fact that we were

traipsing in our dress shoes down the railroad tracks.

"That's disgusting." You said that. Dreams, brains, fur

and guts: what we are. That's my bargain, the Pax

Peacock, with the world. Look hard, life's soft. Life's cache

is flesh, flesh, and flesh.

hot and muggy

I very rarely dress for the weather. Today I went to see my advisor at nine in the morning. Jeans, t-shirt, flip flops. By the time I reached her office, I was quite sweaty. Pretty darn disgusting. Shoulda worn gym shorts. I think the people on the elevator with me were a little grossed out. Whatever. Hopefully I won't see them again.

What I'm really trying to say is, Summer, as much as I love you, me and heat/humidity just don't mix. I need me some fall weather. Sweatshirts and jeans. That's all I want. And maybe a cozy knit sweater. And a breeze. Some leaves falling wouldn't hurt either.

Anyway, aren't these earrings pretty?

{kate spade}

I wouldn't mind wearing them with this hairstyle. Now I just need to learn how to braid. And then talently (not a word?) make it look messy.
{via A Cup of Jo}