Playin' Hooky

Ok, so it's not playing hooky if you requested the day off, but still. It's Monday, by rights I should be at work but I'm not, so neener.

Erin, my oldest friend in the world, my friend since, like, the womb is coming to visit me! Together we shall ponce around Philadelphia! We shall take pictures! Eat at the Market! Possibly go to the Mütter Museum and look at medical freakies! Act like damn fools! It's going to be a good day, I think.

The only damper on the day is that there is a time limit. I have class tonight, so I am going to have to be the nerd and cut the day off. I'm a little peeved since the class was originally supposed to be on Tuesdays, but then they switched it to Mondays. The only good news about this is that Stephanie, Henry and I can continue to have regularly scheduled Whosdays.

Anyway. I have camera batteries to charge, showers to take, and carpets to vacuum before Erin arrives. Updates and photos soon.

P.S. - Happy Birthday to Renal Failure.

Pretty in person or in pictures?

Talking to my parents last night it occurred to me that I hadn't told them about my hair cut yet, and my first attempt at bangs since 8th grade. My mother was especially wowed at this since after the 8th grade disaster, I swore with the dog as my witness I would never have bangs again.

So today I sent them a picture, namely the one I posted in this entry apologizing to them like I did you for the harsh Photo Booth quality. This is the email I got back from my mom (I swear I'm not making this up):

"You look prettier in person. Have a great weekend!"

Wait, what? I'm not sure if I should take as a dis or a compliment. THANKS, MOM.

Dubyah - Duh, Doy, and No Shit, Sherlock

I just opened my browser to be greeted by this headline "Bush, officials made 935 false statements on Iraq."

And my response was "Oh gee, REALLY? YOU THINK? Pardon me while I clutch my pearls in SHOCK and CONFUSION."

Christ. Welcome to the Bush Administration, media. They are lying liars who lie.

To the country at large and Congress: CAN WE PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW? Jeezus. What if I told you he was stealing office supplies? Or that he's been peeing in the coffee urns? Could we throw him out of the White House then? WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE? I mean, it's not enough that the death toll in Iraq for U.S. soldiers alone is now nearing 4,000. I mean, I guess the country just doesn't care that its finest men and women are dying because of a lying fucktard. So what is it going to take?

===

I've been avoiding speaking about the '08 elections, for no particular reason other than there is just a media frenzy going on over the caucuses and primaries and I'm already tired of analyzing candidates. But in case you were wondering, I am supporting Obama. I have nothing against Hilary Clinton per se, and I think she would make a fine president, however I do think she is too polarizing and if she wins the primary I think she would have trouble winning the general election. And we cannot afford another 4 years of Republican twaddle. Also I genuinely like Obama, a lot. I know he's young and doesn't have much experience, but I am strangely comforted by that. I also truly believe that he is honest and hard working, and that he has not only the country's but the world's best interests at heart. I think he is smart and thoughtful. Seeing as I agree with him on a lot of the same issues, come April (really, April? Why are we not a part of Super Tuesday?) I am casting my vote to him. Short of a damned miracle and Dennis Kucinich (which, I don't care what you say, my little liberal heart LOVES him) winning, I think Obama is our best bet. We shall now commence with mad obsessing over the polls.

Today's forcast: Kidnappings and Firings

9:45am, Google Chat between me and Stephanie.

S: What are you doing today?

K: Working.

S: Working is rubbish. I'm taking a half-day and you should too.

K: But I'm taking next Monday off. And we're having a Wall of Fame today. So I would like to be here for that. And I should work on charts.

S: Aww, look at you. You're such a good company girl.

K: Thanks.

S: That wasn't a compliment.

---

2:00pm, Stephanie calls me.


"Are you ready skivv off work yet?"

"Well, I have to do an FMA chart."

"For fuck's sake!"

"I'll tell you what. I need to pick up my car at the garage. You can take me to the garage if you like."

"Can I take you to the garage and then keep you?"

"I'm...Stephanie, I'm at work. I can't just up and leave."

"Are you done with all your deadlines for the day? Miss J is cool. She'll let you leave."

"That's not the point."

"Finish your fragging chart. I'm coming to take you to the garage."

---

2:15pm, Stephanie arrives at the office.

"Come on, I'm kidnapping you."

"OK, hang on. Miss J, Stephanie is taking me to pick up my car...and then she, uh, she wants me to...she might... keep me. Is there anything you need be--"

"LET'S GO!"

---

2:17pm, in Stephanie's car.

"Do you mind if I run a quick errand before I take you to your car?"

"No.."

---

2:36, Phoenixville.

"Stephanie?"

"Yeah?"

"We're at a bowling alley."

"Yes!"

"I thought you had to run an errand."

"I do!"

"...And...it's at a bowling alley?"

"Yes! It was in my list of errands to bowl two games with you and Henry."

"I'm supposed to be at work! I can't just go bowling."

"Why not?"

"It's taking advantage of Miss J's kindness. What if something goes wrong and they need me and I'm not there. I'll get fired!"

"I kidnapped you. You don't have a car. You have no choice. Let Miss J fire me."

"..."

"Are you going to sit in the car and wait for me and Henry while we play? Or are you coming in with us?"

"Coming in. I guess I can make up the time."

"For fuck's sake. Get your ass in the alley. I'm about to house you."

Hop the pond

Sunday at Su Tao lunch with the Doc and the Triplets, I got what may be the best fortune EVER in my fortune cookie:

"You will soon be crossing the great waters."

Oh, HELL YES.

Let's just pretend I don't already have 17 pairs in my closet

Question: Since I have to go to Target this evening to pick up some various supplies in preparation for Triplets QK and Becky visiting, should I buy these SUPER ADORABLE shoes that are only TWENTY DOLLARS?

I think all of you know that the answer is yes.

Edited to Add: Or OH MY GOD these awesome boots which are only $14.99!

Winter Blahs

Around this time every year -- mid-January and early February -- I get slammed with seasonal depression. It always manages to sneak up on me too, hitting me when I least expect it.

It hit me on Tuesday night. I was in my car driving back from a function in Chestnut Hill when I realized that I hated the world. I wanted nothing more than to curl up in ball and not move for days and days. I don't want to be social. I don't want to do any thing. Stupid darkness and cold. Stupid winter. Blah.

Since this happens every year, I've gotten remarkably good at coping with it. Namely knowing when to let myself be "down" and knowing when to give myself the "Sack up, Ho" talk. I've also gotten good at faking it, so that I don't bring others down with me. Seasonal depression is so stupid. It's not like I have problems in my life or anything that would make me sad and anxious. It's just the weather, for fuck's sake.

Anyway, the long and short of it is that I'm ready for spring. And I say that fully realizing that we haven't even had a hard winter by any means.

Still, fun is on the horizon. I finally ordered a new 55mm lens to replace the one that broke in October. I'm getting an itchy trigger finger when it comes to photography, so that's good. I've placed other much-needed photography stuff on my wish list, so sugar daddies take note. I'm signing up for another photo workshop in the spring, AND I'm trying to figure out affordable ways to print up my photography so that I might -- *gasp* -- sell some of it. Or rather, donate it to a womyn's center in Baltimore that is looking to take on artwork from female artists and have them sell it. (I would most likely donate my portion of profits back to them, minus printing fees.) Anyone know of a good place to print up and nicely frame digital photography in the greater Philadelphia area for cheap? Hit me in the comments. And the rest of you? Go to my Flickr page and start making suggestions on which stuff I should consider offering for sale. Seriously, I suck at this. I need your advice.

Meanwhile, QK and Becky are coming in for the weekend, so that is happy. Tomorrow night we are heading into the city to celebrate Mike's birthday a week or two early.

Classes start next week. This semester is my big design semester. I'm taking a class in color (so, so needed) and a digital imaging course (not so needed, but can't hurt). I'm looking forward to a semester where I won't have to be quite so cerebral. On the flip side, this means much more practical work.

And aside from all that, not much has been going on. I know I haven't been blogging much, awesome clips of David Tennant dancing to The Smiths aside, but it's because I'm in my winter limbo period. It's hard to be funny and amusing on the intarwebs when there's not much going on, or when I'm feeling Blah. Stick with me though, I promise things will liven up around here soon.

For Renee

Why Blackpool makes me happy in my heart, and is the perfect show for you:



*dies*

Project Fugway

I'm stealing a bit of Renee's thunder here, but seriously. Tonight's Project Runway made me SO STABBY.

First of all, I can NOT BELIEVE that Victorya's ugly bubble dress WON the challenge. Sweet Pea's dress was much much prettier, not to mention it didn't have cheap-ass rhinestones covering a retarded-looking neckline. HATE your designs (apparently "clean lines" translates into "make all girls look as flat-chested and frumpy as possible"), HATE your passive-aggressive attitude, HATE that you always whine to other designers until they tell you what to do, HATE the way you spell your name.

Thank God the divine Tim Gunn agrees with me:

Frankly, the decision to toss Victorya this win eluded me. In my view, the electric blue textile said “superhero” not prom. Furthermore, the jewel emblazoned panel on the front of the halter made the dress look more appropriate for a hostess at a Vegas cocktail lounge than a teenager attending a suburban prom.

Fuckin' word. I mean, look at this thing:



Ugggggh. That poor girl looks stumpy and slouchy. It's beyond me how the judges thought this looked good.

Meanwhile, Sweet Pea rocked it:



As did Chris, who I am secretly rooting for again (but trying not to get my hopes up because the good die young):



Speaking of the good dying young, Kevin!



I will admit that his design and dress had problems. His model may have looked a little...wanton. The dress looked cheap. And the hem was atrocious. BUT, I thought throughout the past challenges he consistently designed and sewed well, UNLIKE OTHER PEOPLE.



OH MY GOD RICKY STOP CRYING, TAKE OFF THAT AWFUL HAT, AND GET OFF MY TV SCREEN. It boggles my mind how you have been in the bottom two for every challenge, and yet, still manage to live, Wendy Pepper-like while better designers get auf'd. I swear by all that is good and holy, if I have to look at you crying in those stupid mesh hats for one more week, I will have an aneurysm, jump through my television, and beat you down. GOD.

Phew. I feel better now that I've gotten that off of my chest.

She bangs

You guys. I got my haircut. And I got bangs. Sort of. They're longish bangs. Half the time they drive me nuts and the other half of the time I love them.

Thoughts?



Taken with the harsh harsh Photobooth. Ignore the washed out and unfortunate complexion.

I love my friends

Happy New Year

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Even though I had a blast in Baltimore, I'm sort of sad that I missed the live version of this show.

Don't look a gift semester in the mouth

I got a B+ in that Critical Theory class. I know I should be happy because it was a difficult-ass class that nearly BROKE my BRAIN, in addition to working full time in the middle of the Editorial Conference, yadda yadda yadda. But all I can think of is that I no longer have a 4.0 GPA.

Clearly, I need therapy.

Favorite Shots of '07

One of my resolutions for 2008 was going to be to "Do more photography." And then I thought, take more than the 2500+ photos that I took this year? When in fact, I probably took something along the lines of 4000 shots but just didn't upload them, since I combed through for the crap ones (or in the case of the work I did for the office, I can't upload them). So my revised resolution is to be more adventurous with my photography. I think I've improved a lot since I got this camera and I'm starting to feel proud of the work I've done. But I notice bad habits -- I ALWAYS hold my camera horizontal. I rely on angling my camera to make shots interesting far too much. And if you look at my pictures, I'm sure you'll notice this trend: They're all portraits. Not that it's bad, obviously I like taking pictures of my loved ones, but I think I need to branch out a bit. More street photography. More landscapes. You get the idea.

This may just be the least dial-up friendly post ever. Among my favorite photographs of the past year (in reverse order):





















This was for a writing project that I am still struggling with. Part of me really wants to finish it, but a greater part of me wants to just Let It Go, since the subject matter is something that I've tried to put behind me. I no longer think that writing about it will help me. Rather, I feel that it will cause me to regress and get a little bitter. We'll see what I decide. Still love the picture.









































































Not manipulated in photoshop, by the way. I had done something funky with my aperture, and this was the result, in-camera.
























2008, you look pretty. Say "cheese."