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 (!)

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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.

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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.

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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.)