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!"

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 valleywhere mister when you're youngThey bring you up to do like your daddy doneMe and Mary we met in high schoolwhen she was just seventeenWe'd ride out of that valley down to where the fields were greenWe'd go down to the riverAnd into the river we'd diveOh down to the river we'd rideThen I got Mary pregnantand man that was all she wroteAnd for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coatWe went down to the courthouseand the judge put it all to restNo wedding day smiles no walk down the aisleNo flowers no wedding dressThat night we went down to the riverAnd into the river we'd diveOh down to the river we did rideI got a job working construction for the Johnstown CompanyBut lately there ain't been much work on account of the economyNow all them things that seemed so importantWell mister they vanished right into the airNow I just act like I don't rememberMary acts like she don't careBut I remember us riding in my brother's carHer body tan and wet down at the reservoirAt night on them banks I'd lie awakeAnd pull her close just to feel each breath she'd takeNow those memories come back to haunt methey haunt me like a curseIs a dream a lie if it don't come trueOr is it something worsethat sends me down to the riverthough I know the river is dryThat sends me down to the river tonightDown to the rivermy baby and IOh down to the river we ride

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.

Bryan Adams – Summer Of '69

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

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.