Productivity

Saturday- Casey and I pulled down some old, rotten wood lattice work, replaced with with wire net, and planted beans. Then I pulled weeds like crazy. It was awesome.

Sunday- I finally started cleaning my place. After a couple more cups of disgusting, and new filters my vacuum started working again, and I used the carpet cleaner on 1/5 of the carpet in my apartment. It looks very nice. I just need to get around to the rest!

Today- I finally got rid of the bottles (Hey, Ellie - look along the side of your fence :) ), all 4 1/2 bags of them, and got rid of the waste from the construction work at Casey's. Awesome, again. All of this after working 11.11 hours today. Not bad!

My favorite songs this week are:

"Bag of Hammers" - Thao

"You Can't Say No Forever" - Lacrosse

"Faster Than Cars" - Kate Tucker & The Sons of Sweden

"Truck" - the Octopus Project

"Cheap and Cheerful" - The Kills

"Pull Me Out Alive" - Kaki King

I know for sure that all, except The Kills, are available (as of last week) at Fingertips Music. I got The Kills off of iTunes for free a week or two ago.

The Cure for Melancorley

I've been in a funk for a month or two now. Just generally melancorley, unmotivated, and a little miffed that I'm living in filth and not getting anything done.
This morning I woke up feeling totally different. I've had moments of euphoria - laughing, dancing around a little while I relate a story - acting the way I do when I am happy or excited, if you know me well enough to know what that is like. I am a spazzy goof-ball. It is fun for me, and those around me who get to laugh about it. Unfortunately, this is followed by absolute exhaustion. A tsunami like attack of "tired head" (I don't know what else there is to call it), crashes into my brain - I feel it most behind my eyes, and in the center of my brain, if that makes any sense at all. This makes it hard to think, to gesture, even blink. Everything slows down until it passes.

Ah, Narcolepsy, my insidious companion. How jealous you get!
So what changed? Last night I helped Casey clean house, and while I swept and mopped, my "Top 25 Most Played" play list blared over the speakers Casey hooked up for me, and I sang as enthusiastically as I could. Using the broom as an occasional mic or dancing partner. While the floor dried I danced alone, sang to Emma, and then danced with her. Casey and I both got up to sing along and dance around ridiculously to "The Mariner's Revenge," and I cleanly sang all of the difficult phrases in "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood" and "John Saw That Number" without switching into my breathy "head voice" (remember that one, choir kids?) which is easier to control, but sounds like crap.
Emma got so worked up at one point that she was bounding around his house, hopping like a grasshopper and sliding on the tile floor.
Then I got an e-mail from Mark saying he was still interested on working together on some of his songs - which means that one day I might actually sing on a stage again, and not in a god-awful black dress or choreographed medley.
The latter part is exciting, but not what did it for me. I think that the singing and dancing is. I had more fun than I've had in a pretty long time. I almost feel like I should incorporate it into my daily routine (true, I'm too scattered to have a routine) for the sake of mental health.
When I think of it, back in high school, Lauren and I did something similar on a somewhat daily basis. To preface, there were rumors that I was a lesbian, and since Lauren and I spent all of our time together...
So we decided to just live it up. If they wanted lesbians, they'd get it. We would BLARE Melissa Ethridge, Cher, Tracy Chapman, etc. roll down the windows, and SING. I always felt great returning to school from lunch. Maybe I should do that now - spend my whole lunch break singing.

Hey, do me a favor?

My incredibly talented boyfriend has created more art for another contest. So PLEASE, help him get the credit he deserves, and take the time to register and vote on his photo (4 stars are in order) Outside Chance (I came up with the title - Hooray for thesauri!).

Thank you, kindly!

Thinking of the Great Blog Re-Design

Casey came up with this last night:

Click to see full size.

We had been talking about a design based on the other illustration he did of me:

Click to see full size.

I don't have an example of the header he finished on the blue (I know that it did not include much of my bust), but think in terms of colors and the type of digital art - photo or illustration? I think that they are both awesome, and wish I had some good admirer art to give back.

So which do you prefer? Do you have any constructive criticism or words of wisdom?

I'm not the only one bored at work...

Mr. A is too!

Gloomy

I didn’t work my restaurant job today. I really needed some money, but I had lots of errands to run, so I gave it up. I wound up with a little time left over, so I took myself to lunch thinking I could knock out some reading while I was there.

In the end I was able to. But at first all I could think of were two similar events. One is a scene in the movie The Idiots. In an introductory scene a woman, dining alone, is ridiculed by her server for being cheap. In the last minutes of the film it is revealed that she was dining out to have time to her self, an attempt to do something nice for herself after the recent death of her infant son.

The second happened a month or two ago while Casey and I ate at The Omlettry. A woman unexpectedly flew off the handle when she was told that she couldn’t serve herself. It wasn't that she was receiving poor service - actually, its a little complicated. I was irritated with her for quite a while before I understood what was going on. The Omlettry is cash only, and she had not remembered this when she arrived. She wanted to serve herself so that she wouldn’t be taxing the servers because she didn’t have money for a tip. So, being told that she wasn’t allowed to do so frustrated her, and she quickly began to quiver, yell, and then sob. With fragments of speech, sandwiched between sobs, she told the manager that her husband had recently died. It was raining and she was sad. She kept repeating that she had just wanted to have a nice lunch. They had frequented the place, she said, and he had proposed to her there. The situation made me extremely uncomfortable, and extremely sad. The manager did the only thing that could be done and listened while she spoke of him until she was calm enough to go home.

It's been swimming around my brain all day. I had to write it down before I could get any studying done.

****The Omlettry is another of my favorite places here. I think I need to make a huge "Guide to Austin - Through The Q's Eyes" post. This would be a huge undertaking. Do not expect it any time soon - I'm reading Chaucer.****

Austin Apocalypse

The folks at the news stations were referring to it as "The Ice Storm of '07." Their titles always suck. The Daily Texan called it "Icepocalypse." I thought that was a nice touch.


Icicles and snow!


We decided to walk to the Dobie Theater to see if it was open (it wasn't). We cut through campus to get there (avoiding drag rats). Here is Mr. A taking a break to make a phone call and enjoy his hot chocolate.


School spirit.


This is my most favorite fountain/statue on campus. I believe it is a WWI memorial. The back says, "In memory of sons and daughters lost in the world war." I am assuming it predates WWII.


This is not the photo that I had hoped it would be, but it gives you an idea of the amount of ice that we had.


More ice.


Austinites panicking in 2 inches of icy slush!


Maybe the happiest snowman ever! He was on the roof of a truck at the grocery store. He looks so content. He makes my heart hurt with his little spread arms - like I should pick him up and spin in circles with him.

Click on any photo to enlarge.

For Casey -

The Apple iPhone : how big is it?

For those of you who were so concerned, Mr. A has found a lovely apartment. Though it is not in '04, it IS very near campus. It's small and charming, located near all sorts of fun places, and is the apartment right next door to his best friend. Who could ask for anything more?

I get a free parking permit SO close to campus?

That is so bad-ass.

Once he's all moved in, and we've capitalized on it's fabulous-ness I may post a photo or two. That might be all it takes to capture it all. It is small. I love small spaces, they are cozy. Who needs all of that extra space anyway? It's wasteful.

"Waking up without you is like drinking from an empty cup."

Mr. A left for Michigan last Sunday. Until this week I hadn't realized how much time I spend with him, or how boring I am without him. Oh yeah, and how I turn into a sniveling baby when I get lonely. If I hadn't fallen asleep in front of CSI: Miami I was seriously considering watching Garden State and finishing off a six of Negra Modelo so that I could cry myself to sleep.

Hooray CSI: Miami and its sleep inducing powers! When I actually made it to bed though I didn't sleep so soundly, nor did I get out of bed so easily this morning. He'll be home Tuesday afternoon. Most likely after I go to work, so I won't get to see him until that night. Tuesday will SUCK because I have the whole morning off to sit and think about the fact that my man is a mere 2 1/2 hours away, as opposed to being across the country. *sigh*

Now do you understand why I am incessantly listening to melancorley Damien Rice, Samantha?

Can you see the love and admiration in my eyes?

Quoted

Who doesn't love text message love letters?

Mr. A: "I love hdtv."

The Q: "I love you, and that's kind of like hdtv."

Mr. A: "You're way better than hdtv."

Have you listened to Damien Rice?
You should. You really, really should.

Some of his songs rock my soul.

I looked all over his band site, just in case,(http://www.damienrice.com/) and understandably only found his record label's address. So here is an invitation for Damien Rice:

Mr. Rice -
I know you have been to Austin a few times, I hope that we have shown you a good time. I'm inviting you and the band back because I think you are phenomenal musicians. I'd like to take you out around town, I think you'd blend in beautifully. So I'm inviting you to join me to drink, chain-smoke, eat greasy food in the middle of the night; actually, do just about anything, I love showing off Austin. As an added bonus, if I drink enough I'll sing Dolly Parton for you (I only know 1 1/2 songs, and I'm a decent singer. It's not too painful). I imagine you are interesting company, I'd love to find out.

Sincerely,

The Q

I abide by Murphy's Law.

Today I went out to the farm around 11 am. Casey met me out there, and left around noon. I tried to leave shortly thereafter, but the law said, "NO!"

You see, my truck is still all f-ed up. Her bumper's hangin' pretty low. Actually, it's hanging low enough to catch on the edge of a bitchin' pot-hole and get smashed against my tire. Bringing me to an abrupt stop. I know better than to drive with that rubbing my tire. So I parked in the middle of the dirt road to wait. I was on a horse farm, surely someone with a big truck and a chain would drive by any minute.

Or, 75.

Hey, someone showed up, and that's all that mattered. Well, my 2 o'clock final mattered too, but because my professor actually knows me by name I got off easy. She didn't think I was trying to get out of the final. Plus, who makes up a message like, "Hi Professor Hunter, this is The Q from your Government class. It's about 12:15, and I am desperately trying to make it to the 2 o'clock final, but I am stranded on a horse farm in Pflugerville. See, my bumper was damaged from a previous wreck, and I hit a pot hole and now it's mushed up against my tire. (chuckle) I even got it appraised for repair today.. Anyway, I wanted to let you know I'd be late. Call me if you need to, 512-555-5555. Bye!"

She even called back and left a reassuring message. I sat in the bed of my truck in the sunshine and studied while I chain smoked and waited for someone to show up and help me. It was almost nice.

I made it to the final by about 2:30, and she seemed please and surprised to see me. I finished the exam with time to spare. I just hope she can read it. It's a six page hand-written essay. Anyone who has ever seen my hand-writing knows how problematic this might be.

Rough day.

I did do well on my final today.

Here, have a comic. Casey particularly likes this one.

To see it in better detail click on the comic, and then the title "Game Boy" at PBF.

Eau de The Q

Mr. A took this photo with his new camera Friday night. He says this captures my essence.
Kids, I'm a drinker.
He showed it to my dad last night and told him the same. My dad said, "Yeah, it runs in the family."

We were at Star Seeds, I normally love it, in spite of the predictably bad service. Friday it was worse than usually and I was really disappointed. Actually, I was very angry about it. I think that is the only part of my "essence" this photo lacks. How seriously pissed I was. The girl is lucky Casey paid.

Dinner Date

Remember how I craved curry in September?

Last night Casey and I finally made it to Bombay Bistro.

Color me impressed!

The restaurant is located in a strip center, but once you're inside you have no idea. The lighting is dim and romantic, the decor is at once striking and unobtrusive. It is a very nice place. Where you could take a date - and not break the bank. Pre-tip, our meal was $30.oo, which included a glass of wine, soup, an appetizer (which was my entree), and one entree.

Service was SUPERB - and I don't say that often. Our waiter was extremely helpful, making suggestions and offering comparisons to foods we might be more familiar with. He even suggested a really perfect Pinot Grigio to accompany my meal. As a server I have always found this difficult - despite my love for wine.

We wound up with TONS of food, and I will be having left-overs for lunch or dinner today. I look forward to it.

The only this I found disappointing was the fact that menu items did not indicate whether or not they were spicy in many instances. I don't mind. I LOVE spicy food. However, Mr. A and I have a completely different sort of tolerance for heat in a dish:

The Q: (reaching across the table to sample his side dish) "Mmm.. It is a little bit spicy, but it's really good!"
Casey: (takes a bite, coughs, and send me a good-natured, albeit dirty, look) " A little spicy??? Ha! You have a different definition of spicy!"

I was extremely pleased, and I will definitely return, and share the Bombay Bistro love. North Austin needs a place like this. So, when you're in town let me know, and I'll take you there.

Want more glowing information? Here's what the Austin Chronicle has to say. They are dead on!

Other interesting things from 'The Times'

I just realized that you have to have a 'log in'.. I hope you do! I just get a daily e-mail - I never thought about it!

From November 25, 2006

Still, these are worth looking at:

For Graphic Novels, a New Frontier: Teenage Girls
by GEORGE GENE GUSTINES

On Traffic-Signal Boxes, Art That Stops Traffic
by ALISON LEIGH COWAN

In South Korea, Immersion in Buddhist Austerity
by CATHERINE PRICE

All That’s Missing Is Mr. Whipple
Editorial

I Need Some Musical Help

1) A couple of years ago I heard about a band on a NPR show. Each of the songs starts out with a historical audio clip and then is about the event - or something like that. I remember liking it, I thinking, "I should look up _____ when I get home." Guess what? I forgot. Does anyone know who they are?

2) Love songs with no despair. I have a great book, 17 Love Poems With No Despair, by BJ Ward. I love the idea and most of the poems. Why pair love and despair so often? It brings us all down. So, not too long ago - right after my sister's wedding, actually - I was trying to think of love songs with no despair that are not mainstream country. Not too much luck. Casey gave me the first two :

- Eight Days a Week, The Beatles
- Love Me Do, The Beatles
- All That Heaven Will Allow, Bruce Springsteen
- For You, Tracy Chapman
- Wedding Song, Tracy Chapman
- The Luckiest, Ben Folds
- Your Charms, Cinerama
- Naked as We Came, Iron and Wine (maybe a tinge of despair here with the death theme and all)


Help me out! I need input! Post a comment or e-mail me (link on profile) and I'll add to the list.

Casey sent me this saying he thought I'd like it. I do, but it also makes me kind of sad.

s.i.c.k.

That's me. I've got some sort of crud that is attacking me from the chest up. Which means coughing, sneezing, snot and headaches. I had been fighting it off for about a week, but it finally took over. Mr. A brought me soup and OJ last night and watched a film for class,Erotikon, which is a silent film from the 20s, with me. He is such a great boyfriend.

Speaking of his fabulousness, the template he's making for me is gorgeous. He's not happy with it yet, but the title bar is bitchen. I have an idea for another, so I might have him make two so that I can switch out at will. I tried to get him to take a snapshot of it on his computer and send it to me, but he wasn't happy with it, so he didn't.

Speaking of snapshots, here one from my day:

(at copy center on campus, picking up a class packet)
Guy in front of me: I need Hunter's packet for GOV312L.
Me: Ooh! Grab two, I need one as well.
Guy, turns to me: Reading last minute before Thursday's
quiz?
Me: Yep. You too, then?
Guy: Yeah, I didn't even read any of the stuff for the last one. I did
okay, but I thought I'd study.
Me: Well, don't worry. The next book is short with large print and
pictures.
Guy: Really? (looks at it) Man, that is short. Maybe I can just borrow
it instead of buying it before the next quiz.
Me: I'll try and finish it tonight at work. If so I'll let you borrow
it Thursday.
Guy: No rush -
Me: You're a procrastinator like me, right? What's your name? I'll get
in touch with you over Black board.
Guy: Nick. I was that guy who kept talking about the environmental
stuff.
Me: Yeah! I was the girl who talked about biodegradable soap! Well,
I'm right there with ya.

We were the only two people in class talking about the lack of Environmental movement in class.