No, this is not the sweet blog post I teased about last time. I just needed an excuse to use that blog title.
In other news, I'm playing around with the formatting. (Duh, Gretchen, as if they couldn't tell?)
One more random item: Is there a blog that showcases blogs with only one or two entry? Like, where the author started one and then didn't return? For example, I came across this one yesterday (set the world on fire, huh?) and I wanted this to be my original domain, but noooo, it was taken.
That is all.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Here's a video of a panda sneezing.
Okay, so I'm working on this really super cool blog post, but it probably won't be done 'til the weekend.
(And I really can't talk about pandas without linking to this.)
In the meantime, here are some baby panda pics. Jamie may have her new corgi, Dooce has Chuck and Coco, Britney has 15 baby tigers (side note: that's an SNL clip, so watch at your own risk), but I so want one of these.
(And I really can't talk about pandas without linking to this.)Monday, February 25, 2008
Top Three: Status updates you will never, ever see me use on Facebook
1. Generic emotions with no explanation whatsoever. “Blanky McBlankerson is happy/sad/excited/tired/etc.” Yeah, good for you. At least use a bit of interesting vocabulary in there. I’d much rather read something like “Blanky likes using words that make her sound pretentious, like ‘pretentious.’”
2. Observations on the weather. Chances are, most of the people in your network live where you live, and therefore don’t need an update! And if they aren’t in your network, they don’t care.
3. Write something about “what I’m doing right now” and take it literally. Examples include “doing homework,” “going to bed,” and the like. I mean, other than the fact you’re obviously on facebook instead of working on an assignment, this is another good instance of me not caring.
P.S. Acceptable updates include quotes, funny stories, links, pointed observations, song lyrics, pithy social commentary, or telling me you’re auditioning for Jeopardy! (That last one is totally true for one of my friends.) Also, no offense if you actually do these things, just don’t expect me to any time soon.
Oh! You can also now find me on Twitter. This means the Billy Joel feature is gone, but I’ll make sure to include some choice lines from the Piano Man occasionally.
I’ve gotta run. I’m busy, it’s snowing, and I have really got to get going on reading that chapter…
2. Observations on the weather. Chances are, most of the people in your network live where you live, and therefore don’t need an update! And if they aren’t in your network, they don’t care.
3. Write something about “what I’m doing right now” and take it literally. Examples include “doing homework,” “going to bed,” and the like. I mean, other than the fact you’re obviously on facebook instead of working on an assignment, this is another good instance of me not caring.
P.S. Acceptable updates include quotes, funny stories, links, pointed observations, song lyrics, pithy social commentary, or telling me you’re auditioning for Jeopardy! (That last one is totally true for one of my friends.) Also, no offense if you actually do these things, just don’t expect me to any time soon.
Oh! You can also now find me on Twitter. This means the Billy Joel feature is gone, but I’ll make sure to include some choice lines from the Piano Man occasionally.
I’ve gotta run. I’m busy, it’s snowing, and I have really got to get going on reading that chapter…
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Top Three: Reasons why today has rocked (so far)
1. It smells like springtime today--an intoxicating blend of life and sunshine. Evil temptress that springtime is, it doesn't quite feel like it yet, but you know it's right around the corner.
2. The computers were down at work, so I didn't have to stay! There was also the double bonus of a co-worker's office being covered in post-its. Awesome.
3. I've got a big, fat novel just waiting to be read and the time to do so this weekend. Could life get any better? I submit that it cannot!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Top Three: Ways I considered celebrating the Lunar Eclipse
1. Chew Eclipse Gum--Yeah, this one is kind of obvious-town. Plus, Orbit is better and you still get the whole "outer space" feel.
2. Read Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse--Can we take a second to admire the beautifully cast Cullen family? Yum. But the real question at hand is: Edward or Jacob? Discuss.
3. Listening to Bonnie Tyler--Total eclipse of the moon? Try Total Eclipse of the Heart! Turn around, bright eyes--it's the ideal song for belting and provided one of the most memorable scenes in Bandits. Once upon a time, I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart...
2. Read Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse--Can we take a second to admire the beautifully cast Cullen family? Yum. But the real question at hand is: Edward or Jacob? Discuss.
3. Listening to Bonnie Tyler--Total eclipse of the moon? Try Total Eclipse of the Heart! Turn around, bright eyes--it's the ideal song for belting and provided one of the most memorable scenes in Bandits. Once upon a time, I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart...
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Top Three: Music items of note I’ve been meaning to write about…
(Ha! See what I did there with music and notes? My friends say I'm “pretty clever.”)
1. Dear Bandwagon,
Hi. It’s me, Gretchen. I know, it’s been a while. Mind if I jump back on for a while? I’m writing to thank you for introducing Yael Naim, via Apple’s always catchy advertisements. (This time, for the sleek and super-thin Macbook Air. It’s like the Heidi Klum of laptops!) I’ll admit, I did hear about Yael a few months ago, via the Awesome girls and meant to get around to listening to her, but it never happened. (Fun fact: the Awesome girls also introduced me to Feist before her “1-2-3-4” fame. You should pay attention to those girls more often.) Anyhow, Yael is pretty dang fantastic, with her French-Hebrew background and those lovely cheekbones. I doubt she’ll stay mainstream for the long haul, but I’m glad to have found her.
Hugs and kisses,
Gretchen
P.S. You might want to become familiar with Courtney Jaye (see #3), because if I had any say in these matters, she would be your next target.
P.P.S. Please do something about Uggs for next winter, like banishing all those who wear them to Northern Siberia. (But at least their feet will be warm, right?)
2. Okay, peeps. Listen up. You know how I like a good deal, right? Joshua Radin’s new EP, Unclear Sky, was released last Tuesday on iTunes for $2.99. It’s four songs of pure talent for only three dollars! His album comes out this summer, but this is enough to tide me over until then. Seriously, I must have listened to it over fifteen times since Tuesday. Music review time! Yay!
Track 1: Sky (Feat. Ingrid Michaelson)—Okay, first off, it has Ingrid Michaelson, so you know it’s a winner. It’s the catchiest song of the four and makes me happy every time I hear it. I’m dying for someone to get the tab online, since I can’t really transpose music yet.
Track 2: Lovely Tonight—This is what Radin does best. It’s slower, but not boring. The guitar is impeccable and the female vocals are by Catherine Feeny (he runs with some seriously amazing chicas) with electric guitar by Ryan Adams (!).
Track 3: The Fear You Won’t Fall—Easily my least favorite of the four, but that isn’t saying very much. It’s still very much beautiful and it includes the return of Priscilla Ahn (love her), who’s his back-up on “We Were Here.”
Track 4: You’ve Got Growin’ Up To Do—Radin evokes a perfect sense of raw desperation on this demo version. His myspace blog mentions a “very special female vocal” on the album version. Oh, the suspense! The best part is that he also says he’s saving his best stuff for the actual cd release. Can’t wait!
(Note to Joshua: If you ever get over that on-again/off-again thing with Schulyer Fisk, I think I deserve at least one date.)
3. I fell in love with Courtney Jaye about four years ago during the all-too brief radio run of her song “Can’t Behave.” (The link is to a hilarious fanvid of Hawkeye featuring that song.) She spent some time in Hawaii and she describes her sound as “tropicountry.” Her new album, “Queen of Sabotage” is expected to be out this year, but I can’t for the life of me find an actual release date. Anyhow, you can listen to five of her new songs on her myspace page. Her lyrics are honest and she’s got this great voice that’s also easy to sing along to. Perfect music for a luau or driving along the coast.
1. Dear Bandwagon,
Hi. It’s me, Gretchen. I know, it’s been a while. Mind if I jump back on for a while? I’m writing to thank you for introducing Yael Naim, via Apple’s always catchy advertisements. (This time, for the sleek and super-thin Macbook Air. It’s like the Heidi Klum of laptops!) I’ll admit, I did hear about Yael a few months ago, via the Awesome girls and meant to get around to listening to her, but it never happened. (Fun fact: the Awesome girls also introduced me to Feist before her “1-2-3-4” fame. You should pay attention to those girls more often.) Anyhow, Yael is pretty dang fantastic, with her French-Hebrew background and those lovely cheekbones. I doubt she’ll stay mainstream for the long haul, but I’m glad to have found her.
Hugs and kisses,
Gretchen
P.S. You might want to become familiar with Courtney Jaye (see #3), because if I had any say in these matters, she would be your next target.
P.P.S. Please do something about Uggs for next winter, like banishing all those who wear them to Northern Siberia. (But at least their feet will be warm, right?)
2. Okay, peeps. Listen up. You know how I like a good deal, right? Joshua Radin’s new EP, Unclear Sky, was released last Tuesday on iTunes for $2.99. It’s four songs of pure talent for only three dollars! His album comes out this summer, but this is enough to tide me over until then. Seriously, I must have listened to it over fifteen times since Tuesday. Music review time! Yay!
Track 1: Sky (Feat. Ingrid Michaelson)—Okay, first off, it has Ingrid Michaelson, so you know it’s a winner. It’s the catchiest song of the four and makes me happy every time I hear it. I’m dying for someone to get the tab online, since I can’t really transpose music yet.
Track 2: Lovely Tonight—This is what Radin does best. It’s slower, but not boring. The guitar is impeccable and the female vocals are by Catherine Feeny (he runs with some seriously amazing chicas) with electric guitar by Ryan Adams (!).
Track 3: The Fear You Won’t Fall—Easily my least favorite of the four, but that isn’t saying very much. It’s still very much beautiful and it includes the return of Priscilla Ahn (love her), who’s his back-up on “We Were Here.”
Track 4: You’ve Got Growin’ Up To Do—Radin evokes a perfect sense of raw desperation on this demo version. His myspace blog mentions a “very special female vocal” on the album version. Oh, the suspense! The best part is that he also says he’s saving his best stuff for the actual cd release. Can’t wait!
(Note to Joshua: If you ever get over that on-again/off-again thing with Schulyer Fisk, I think I deserve at least one date.)
3. I fell in love with Courtney Jaye about four years ago during the all-too brief radio run of her song “Can’t Behave.” (The link is to a hilarious fanvid of Hawkeye featuring that song.) She spent some time in Hawaii and she describes her sound as “tropicountry.” Her new album, “Queen of Sabotage” is expected to be out this year, but I can’t for the life of me find an actual release date. Anyhow, you can listen to five of her new songs on her myspace page. Her lyrics are honest and she’s got this great voice that’s also easy to sing along to. Perfect music for a luau or driving along the coast.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Things I Love: A Valentine's Day Special
Dove Dark Chocolate Promises (“When two hearts race, both win”)
Mi Familia
Cherry Pop-tarts
Books that make me slightly sad
Books that make me incredibly happy
Chick-lit books
Tina Fey singing about books
The end of the writer’s strike
Neurons
LOLcats
My IRL friends and my bloggy friends
Joshua Radin’s new EP
Mindy Kaling
The KEXP Podcast
Discovering new music
Boys that hold the door open for me
Stacey & Clinton
Jim & Pam
Webcomics
Fry sauce
Jemaine
Actually, Bret.
Hmm. No, Jemaine.
Alpine, AZ
Pandora Radio
Welsh Corgis
Google Reader and Site Meter
Ferris Wheels
Words like “redonkulous” and “adorkable”
3-Day Weekends
Dorothy Parker
Meaningful gifts, like a ham
Monday, February 11, 2008
Top three: TV nerds I still have huge crushes on
1. Niles Crane--He won me over at a very young age. His quirks and intelligence are only rivaled by his brother's, but Frasier isn't quite so endearing. Daphne Moon is one lucky lady.
2. Radar O'Reilly--Sweet, slightly naive, and ever loyal--the later episodes of M*A*S*H are not the same without him.
3. Simon Tam--I truly less than three Simon! He's so...proper and awkward all at once. Firefly did not deserve its early demise, but that's a rant for another post. Anyhow, his gradual acceptance with the crew (especially Mal) is one of the best character developments this side of Veronica Mars. Plus, he's entirely dreamy. (Fun fact: Zac Efron played a young Simon in the "Safe" episode.)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
What do I write under "reason for visit?"
Jim: Concussion. [Michael scribbles out something on the clipboard.] What did you write?
Michael: Nothing. I wrote "bringing someone to the hospital."
Our scene opens with a group of college kids bundled up to the max. We drive over to the upper playing fields, home to a massive sledding hill. The four sleds and inner tube are pulled out of the back of the car and we tromp through the snow. At first, we start up one hill, then conclude it's just a bit too crowded for our taste.
"Let's try over here--that way we can all stay together!" a friend decides.
It's freezing outside, very literally, but there's something magical about all the powdery snow and commotion. Kind of exciting, really.
I wait at the top of the hill with some guy I don't know.
"Go ahead," I say, since I'm still slightly apprehensive.
"No, you were here first."
"Okay, sure." So I sit down on my neon green sled, grab the handles, and edge my way towards the drop off. Boy-I-Don't-Know gives me a push and off I go! I gain speed very rapidly and scream out of terror and delight. Near the bottom, there's this teensy, tiny bump. I grab hold to my sled just a little bit tighter and get some major air when I hit the bump. The sled and I come crashing down at a ninety degree angle and I feel this shock reverberate straight through my back. Suddenly, I can't breathe or move. Aw, crap. Eventually, a crowd gathers around and I'm placed on a sled. The next hour is kind of a blur, but I remember there being tears and phone calls; paramedics and police. I carefully explain that I have asthma and can't really breathe right now, so they ask where my inhaler is located.
"It's in my purse, by my bed," I sputter. "It's red. Both my purse and the inhaler," I clarify. For some reason, this strikes me as really funny and I begin to laugh, which hurts like the dickens. They ask if I can move my toes and fingers--never in my life have I been so grateful for working digits!
I hear the sirens off in the distance. Realizing those sirens were for me is when I think it really began to dawn on me just how serious this is. The EMT's are full of questions and it keeps me distracted while they strap me down to the board. I know there's no chance of falling off the board or of being dropped, but I still hold my breath on the way to the ambulance. My roommate stays with me, reassuring me the whole time that things will be alright. It's in the ambulance that I realize two things: 1) I haven't lost my sense of sarcasm. They ask how I'm feeling and I reply, "Oh, I've never been better. This is great!" (which, I'm pretty sure, isn't helpful) and 2) I'm also extremely polite.
I'm shunted to a side room in the hospital, as there have been multiple car accidents that night. The nurse draws blood and gives me morphine--I've never been happier to get poked in the arm with a thick needle in my life. I take a short trip to the X-ray room, but the scenery doesn't change much. Finally, Dr. Mayberry arrives and informs me that my L1 vertebrae has a compression fracture of about 10 to 15 percent. Oh, joy! Really, it could be worse, but I'm stuck in the hospital overnight on a clear liquids diet.
That, my friends, is the story of how I broke my very first bone earlier this week. Nothing has been quite so eventful as that first day, although I did get fit for the HellBrace. HellBrace and I get to be constant companions for the next six weeks, much to my dismay. I did get to move on to solid foods and my mom arrived in one piece, ever the hero. I've had very understanding teachers and co-workers, but now I get to move on to coping with my injury in real-life situations. I have to admit, I'm going to miss the naps and magazines and cheesy chick-flicks (*cough*Win a date with Tad Hamilton!*cough*) that have filled my hours.
P.S. If I die, I'm going to donate my eyes to Stevie Wonder.
Feel free to share any of your horrific medical tales in the comments!
Michael: Nothing. I wrote "bringing someone to the hospital."
Our scene opens with a group of college kids bundled up to the max. We drive over to the upper playing fields, home to a massive sledding hill. The four sleds and inner tube are pulled out of the back of the car and we tromp through the snow. At first, we start up one hill, then conclude it's just a bit too crowded for our taste.
"Let's try over here--that way we can all stay together!" a friend decides.
It's freezing outside, very literally, but there's something magical about all the powdery snow and commotion. Kind of exciting, really.
I wait at the top of the hill with some guy I don't know.
"Go ahead," I say, since I'm still slightly apprehensive.
"No, you were here first."
"Okay, sure." So I sit down on my neon green sled, grab the handles, and edge my way towards the drop off. Boy-I-Don't-Know gives me a push and off I go! I gain speed very rapidly and scream out of terror and delight. Near the bottom, there's this teensy, tiny bump. I grab hold to my sled just a little bit tighter and get some major air when I hit the bump. The sled and I come crashing down at a ninety degree angle and I feel this shock reverberate straight through my back. Suddenly, I can't breathe or move. Aw, crap. Eventually, a crowd gathers around and I'm placed on a sled. The next hour is kind of a blur, but I remember there being tears and phone calls; paramedics and police. I carefully explain that I have asthma and can't really breathe right now, so they ask where my inhaler is located.
"It's in my purse, by my bed," I sputter. "It's red. Both my purse and the inhaler," I clarify. For some reason, this strikes me as really funny and I begin to laugh, which hurts like the dickens. They ask if I can move my toes and fingers--never in my life have I been so grateful for working digits!
I hear the sirens off in the distance. Realizing those sirens were for me is when I think it really began to dawn on me just how serious this is. The EMT's are full of questions and it keeps me distracted while they strap me down to the board. I know there's no chance of falling off the board or of being dropped, but I still hold my breath on the way to the ambulance. My roommate stays with me, reassuring me the whole time that things will be alright. It's in the ambulance that I realize two things: 1) I haven't lost my sense of sarcasm. They ask how I'm feeling and I reply, "Oh, I've never been better. This is great!" (which, I'm pretty sure, isn't helpful) and 2) I'm also extremely polite.
I'm shunted to a side room in the hospital, as there have been multiple car accidents that night. The nurse draws blood and gives me morphine--I've never been happier to get poked in the arm with a thick needle in my life. I take a short trip to the X-ray room, but the scenery doesn't change much. Finally, Dr. Mayberry arrives and informs me that my L1 vertebrae has a compression fracture of about 10 to 15 percent. Oh, joy! Really, it could be worse, but I'm stuck in the hospital overnight on a clear liquids diet.
That, my friends, is the story of how I broke my very first bone earlier this week. Nothing has been quite so eventful as that first day, although I did get fit for the HellBrace. HellBrace and I get to be constant companions for the next six weeks, much to my dismay. I did get to move on to solid foods and my mom arrived in one piece, ever the hero. I've had very understanding teachers and co-workers, but now I get to move on to coping with my injury in real-life situations. I have to admit, I'm going to miss the naps and magazines and cheesy chick-flicks (*cough*Win a date with Tad Hamilton!*cough*) that have filled my hours.
P.S. If I die, I'm going to donate my eyes to Stevie Wonder.
Feel free to share any of your horrific medical tales in the comments!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The sledding hill of doom
In the truly craptastic news category, I broke my back while sledding last night. (It's a minor compression fracture on my L1 vertebrae.) There will be a huge post about the tragic tale later today tomorrow, once I can think coherantly. But in the meantime, here are three things I'm grateful for at the moment.
1. Morphine--this needs no further explanation.
2. My roommates--To M, who stayed with me in the ambulance. To K, who stayed with me overnight so I wouldn't have to be alone. To E, for the beautiful card. To J, for letting my best friend know. To T, for packing my bag and calling my family. Love you girls!
3. My mom--she's coming up later today to help out. I don't know where I'd be without her.
1. Morphine--this needs no further explanation.
2. My roommates--To M, who stayed with me in the ambulance. To K, who stayed with me overnight so I wouldn't have to be alone. To E, for the beautiful card. To J, for letting my best friend know. To T, for packing my bag and calling my family. Love you girls!
3. My mom--she's coming up later today to help out. I don't know where I'd be without her.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Top Three: Haikus I've written about The Office
1) It says chicken of the sea. So is it chicken or fish?
Pam chickens out--there
Are other fish in the sea
Have you tried tuna?
2) Hai-coup
Crentist sure can’t help
Dwight replace his princely crown
Michael’s throne is safe
3) FEAR
Fight for Dwight's friendship?
I'd put my money on Mose
Yeah, he's a schur thing
(A/N: These were all written in the fall of 2006, hence the S3 emphasis.)
Pam chickens out--there
Are other fish in the sea
Have you tried tuna?
2) Hai-coup
Crentist sure can’t help
Dwight replace his princely crown
Michael’s throne is safe
3) FEAR
Fight for Dwight's friendship?
I'd put my money on Mose
Yeah, he's a schur thing
(A/N: These were all written in the fall of 2006, hence the S3 emphasis.)
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