redbrickeverything's Xanga

Friday, July 18, 2008

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:24:17 GMT

No one here can love or understand me
Luck: "Bye Bye, Blackbird" Peggy Lee

So, clearly, Xanga sucks.

I just tried to update the profile section of this page, and it removed the list of blogs I read. This isn't the only problem I've had with Xanga, and even though I've had some good times here, I think it's time to take a step in a new direction.

I'm moving to Blogger.

More later
Kelli

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:26:20 GMT

A lot of swing in your eyes, there's love
So: "You Better Go Now" Billie Holiday

I'm currently excited about several things. I'm planning on another trip to Seattle this weekend, which is so cool, because I'm used to explaining to people that my best friend lives across the country and getting this weird look, like we met online in a chat room about Anthony Hopkins or something. For the record, we met at the 3rd grade regional spelling bee (which, for the record, I totally won) and bumped into each other several times during the years afterward at various summer camps and choir functions. We became good friends in high school as duet partners for the Speech Team and continued corresponding with each other regularly after going to college. We do both really like Anthony Hopkins, though. Now that that's settled, a few other things that I'm psyched about: John Green's novel, An Abundance of Katherines, is going to be reprinted in paperback on August 14. I will also be back in Louisiana by that time! I expect parades upon my arrival. The last thing I'll mention that I'm somehow still excited about is my internship. The editors and reporters at the paper are incredibly helpful and understanding. My managing editor, Kathy, picks up on interesting details in her writing and she's always checking in with me and asking me how I am, which is one-on-one support I didn't really expect coming into this. The head of special sections, Cory, is a dream editor. He makes warranted suggestions and corrects your mistakes without making you feel like a moron. He's a fantastic writer, and he apparently lived abroad for a semester in college and wrote some story that won him a big scholarship. There's Rodger, the news editor, who wears suspenders and has this perfect radio voice. He knows everyone in the whole town and he is constantly on his desk phone. He loves computers and comic books and has a little Snoopy the Baron figurine on perched on top of his monitor at his desk. And that's just a few of the editors. They all have great senses of humor and they're really laid-back; I love it. I've already learned a lot that I can take back to school with me and apply in my writing at the school's paper -- and I think I'll get a few really good pieces for my clip file. All in all, I'm really glad I got this internship.

Now I'm off to cover a public meeting for the first time. Knock on wood?

More later,
Kelli

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:48:41 GMT

Stolen from Sarah's Facebook note.
(Don't read this if you don't feel like reading one of those long survey/list things.)

Do you have any pets?
My family currently has three dogs - a collie named Beau (Technically, his name is P.T. Beauregard, but it's Beau for short), a dalmationish mutt named Spot (whom I've renamed Spoticus because I think it's more interesting) and a bearded collie named Jeff Goldblum.

What color shirt are you wearing?
One of those white collared shirts with an attached sweatervest. The vest is black with blue argyle.

Name three things that are physically close to you:
A water bottle, a guitar pitch pipe, a big-ass spider that will be dead by the time you read this.

What is the last book you read?
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.

What kind of perfume/cologne do you wear?
Lately, just suntan lotion and VS Heavenly. When I have it, I wear Beyond Paradise by Estee Lauder.

Are you or were you a good student?
Define "good."

What's your favorite sport?
To watch: basketball. To attend, but not watch at all: baseball. To play: Oh, I'm sorry, you must have me confused with someone who has ever played and enjoyed a sport.

Do you enjoy sleeping late?
Yes.

What's the weather like right now?
Hot.

Who tells the best jokes?
Tom Hanks' character in Catch Me If You Can. Although it's really just one joke...

What was the last thing you dreamed about?
Oh my gosh, get off my back, Lisa Loeb!

Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?
Yes, I drive. Surprisingly, I've never "crashed." I've bumped into a couple of cars while backing up, though.

Do you believe in karma?
I don't really use the word "karma," but I guess the principle makes sense.

Do you believe in luck?
Yes.

Do you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up?
Scrambled.

Do you collect anything? If so, what?
Candy tins. Boxes.

Are you proud of yourself?
I'm keeping Sarah's answer: "I'm proud that I am where I am. That I'm in college and following God's will the best I know how."

Are you reliable?
I hate letting people down, so I try to be. It's hard sometimes.

Have you ever given money to a bum?
To a bum? No. I always give money to sidewalk musicians, though.

What's your favorite food?
Lasagna.

Have you ever had a secret admirer?
Well, I got a letter recently from an inmate who read my introductory column in the paper who wanted to be my pen pal. I suppose that's not really a "secret admirer," but it definitely "creeped the hell out of me."

Do you like the smell of gasoline?
Yes! Orange mocha frappucino, indeed.

Do like to draw?
Yes.

What's your favorite invention?
Brakes for cars.

Is your room messy?
Yes.

What do you like better: oranges or apples?
Oranges.

Do you give in easily?
No.

Are you a good guesser?
Not unless I'm guessing what Bryant got me for my birthday and it's a bicycle.

Can you read other people's expressions?
Only sometimes.

Are you a bully?
No.

Do you have a job?
Yes.

What time did you wake up this morning?
7:03.

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
A glass (and when I say glass, I mean plastic cup) of grape juice.

When was the last time you showered?
This morning.

What do you plan on doing tomorrow?
Working.

What's your favorite day of the week and why?
Currently Sunday because I'm used to it being the day before I have to go back to work/school and it's not, because I don't work on Mondays.

Do you have any nicknames?
Yes.

Have you ever been scuba diving?
No.

What's your least favorite color?
Beige.

Would you ever go skydiving?
No.

What toothpaste do you use?
Colgate or Crest or whatever.

Do you enjoy challenges?
Yes.

What's the worst injury you have had?
A scratch on my eye. I had to wear an eye patch (before I realized how awesome it was to be able to wear an eye patch in public, so I was all whiny) for two weeks.

What's the last movie you saw?
Silence of the Lambs.

What do you want to know about the future?
Nothing.

What's your favorite school subject?
English.

What's your least favorite school subject?
Math.

Would you rather have money or love?
Love.

What is your dream vacation?
Italy. Egypt.

What is your favorite animal?
Dogs.

Do you miss anyone right now?
Duh.

What's the last sporting event you watched?
I read an article in The New York Times about Wimbledon, if that counts.

Do you need to do laundry?
Yes.

Do you listen to the radio?
Sometimes.

Where were you when 9/11 happened?
In my 9th grade second hour french class, drawing and talking with my friends. I didn't even know what was happening until I went into my next class (Geography) and my teacher was staring at the towers on a TV. Even then, I didn't understand the magnitude of the situation. I never truly understood it until last year.

What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
I perform a soliloquy about how much I hate them (ahh, Speech auditions...).

Have you ever caught a butterfly?
No.

What color are your bed sheets?
Red.

What's your ringtone?
Some random melody (my phone doesn't have good ringtones).

Who was the last person to make you laugh?
Rodger, the news editor at work. He was taking a picture of his hand. In retrospect, not really that funny.

Do you have any obsessions right now?
Getting home. TV on DVD. Wanting to cut my hair and then wanting to grow it out longer.

Do you like things that glow in the dark?
Sure.

What's your favorite fruity scent?
J. R. Watkins lemon cream.

Do you watch cartoons?
Sometimes.

Have you ever sat on a roof?
Yes.

Have you ever been to a different country?
No.

Has a rumor even been spread about you?
Yes.

Do you like sushi?
No.

Do you believe in magic?
In a young girl's heart? How the music can free her whenever it starts?

Do you hold grudges?
Always.

More later
Kelli

Monday, July 14, 2008

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:03:06 GMT

When clouds up above wash the blues away
Enough: "Breakin' Up" Rilo Kiley

Here's a bit of mindless materialism:
This is probably the coolest business-card organizer I've ever seen.

ThinkGeek is awesome.

More later
Kelli

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:05:19 GMT

The papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Peculiar: "Space Oddity" David Bowie

Saturday is my favorite day to work because I usually get to go out and report on interesting things. Today I got a guided tour of a pioneer wagon at a history museum and it was awesome. The best part was that the guides dressed in period costumes. (Well, except for this one chick who was wearing Versace glasses. Totally not period.) They weren't actual reenactors and they didn't do the whole first-person characterization thing, but seeing them all sitting together, talking amongst themselves, reminded me of reenactors. What that life must be like. After reading that Thomas Dyja book, all I wanted to do was research Civil War reenactors. It's fascinating that there are people who spend that much time (and money and sometimes physical effort) to replicate the lives of people who died decades ago. It's also a little to scary to wonder whether we are living lives worth replicating.

I stayed at work until 6 today, partially because I had a lot of writing to do and partially because while looking for some good feature stories to inspire me, I discovered a story by Tom Hallman Jr. of The Oregonian. I read it and it was absolutely captivating. I felt chills. It is amazing. The story, the writing. Read it if you want to read something real: The Boy Behind The Mask.

Tonight, I plan on sleeping, missing Bryant and reading as much of Confederacy of Dunces as possible. Have a great weekend.

More later
Kelli

Friday, July 11, 2008

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:14:14 GMT

Wondering where I'll be on my birthday
So good: "Underdog" Lisa Loeb

Just remembered a weird dream I had like two months ago in which I met Lisa Loeb. In the dream, I went to her concert with Bryant and Jordan and we met her afterward, but I was too shy to ask for a picture with her. She had dark reddish-brown hair at the concert and she was wearing it in braids. I left the concert hall and went down this big hallway (which, for some reason, looked a lot like the hallways in my old middle school) because I wanted to fix my makeup and I saw Lisa Loeb coming out of the bathroom and taking off a wig she was wearing as a disguise. She had bleached hair in a page boy haircut underneath. Took a picture with her, then realized no one else would realize it was Lisa Loeb. The end.

Things about this that don't make any sense:

1) I don't even know if Lisa Loeb tours anymore, but if she does, I doubt she performs in enormous ampitheaters like the one in my dream. We could barely even see her; her image was projected onto a giant screen. Also, there were security guards protecting her as she left the building.
2) Why would Lisa Loeb need to wear a disguise? I like her, but I honestly don't think that many people know who she is. Not specifically, anyway; I'm sure everybody would recognize the song "Stay" or that "All Day" song from the Rugrats movie, but they'd probably be like, "Oh, yeah, I know that song, it's by that chick with the glasses" and leave it at that. Why would she need a wig? And why would she bleach her hair as her disguise? It doesn't seem very Lisa Loeb to me. I don't understand my imagination.
3) If I went to a Lisa Loeb concert, I'm pretty sure Bryant and Jordan wouldn't be the first people I'd invite, as thev have never expressed any sincere interest in her music. They would be bored stiff and I would have no one to convince me that wearing a Hello Kitty costume in Lisa Loeb's honor would be completely insane.
4) Why has it taken me two months to process this dream? Is my brain really this backed up with information?

I need a break.

More later
Kelli

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:48:10 GMT

Today:

I saw a doe and about a dozen horses.
I went innertubing with Mormons (It was awesome -- I'll explain later).
I took pictures using a fancy Nikon.
I got a major farmer tan (sunburn, actually).
It didn't rain (again).
I miss Bryant even more than I did yesterday.
I am going to drive to Seattle.
I am going to see Margaret-Katie in Seattle.
I might also see my old friend Shirley in Seattle.
I'm going to eat yogurt. A lot.

More later
Kelli

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:16:12 GMT

All the wonder of the Western sky
Voices: "Stars and Stripes Forever" Acoustix

I can't believe it's Barbershop Week and I'm on the computer. I'm amazed by the things I actually miss when I'm away from home. Every year around this time, my mom commandeers the family PC to watch online broadcasts of barbershop chorus and quartet competitions. I always hated Barbershop Week because it meant that a) I'd be forced to listen all day to repetitious renditions of "Good Night, Ladies" and "My Wild Irish Rose" and b) I never got a chance to check my e-mail or chat with my AIM buddies (ahh, how the times have changed). Now, just knowing that this week is passing in silence is eerie. I miss my mom. Sometimes I find myself getting frustrated with her, but I think everyone does that with their parents. She is truly one of the most selfless, generous, thoughtful people I know. She always listens to me and offers me decent advice when I need it most. She chaperoned speech trips in high school and is helping to put me through college. I don't know if I will ever be able to explain how grateful I am for all her help and guidance. It's so strange to think about parents. I mean, we're basically extensions of our parents, altered versions of their DNA, combinations of recessive eye genes, Punnett squares. Our personalities are different, but we all follow the same patterns and experience a lot of the same things. Even if you disagree with them or don't get along well with them, you are connected to your parents by a force that you can't ever interrupt or change. Biology is magnificent. If I didn't love language so much, I would love to find out more about science. Apologies for the digression. Happy fourth of July, everybody.

More later
Kelli

Friday, July 04, 2008

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:24:32 GMT

First the window, then it's through the wall
Diction: "Oxford Comma" Vampire Weekend

This sucks.

More later
Kelli

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:43:09 GMT

Moving so fast, going nowhere
Fast: "Carnival Town" Norah Jones

I don't feel particularly philosophical tonight (and even if I did, I'd pour every ounce of those feelings into the human interest pieces I'm writing for the paper so that they wouldn't turn out dreadfully boring), so I'll lead with a list about things I've discovered while in Oregon.

1. It is windy here. All the time. Okay, there are occasional calm days, but for the most part, I have to brace myself before I step outside. The air is also incredibly dry, which is not so good for my lips, but my hair has never looked better. I'm also thirsty all the time -- I'm not sure whether this has to do with the wind or not, but I'll attribute it thusly because I have no other explanation.
2. There are spiders everywhere, especially all over my apartment. Who knew there were so many spiders living in the world? I have probably killed at least eight already. (Yeah, thou shalt not kill, I know -- but I can't help my actions if the spiders are climbing into the shower with me. That's just plain rude. They could at least ask.)
3. I am addicted to Wheat Chex. It is the forgotten Chex, but it is definitely the best of the three or however many varieties are available now. I haven't walked down a cereal aisle myself in awhile because the economy right now is too depressing. The food bank is starting to look really good right about now, Margaret-Katie.
4. I do not have a southern accent. At all. Every single person I've met has pointed it out to me. (Damn it.)
5. This town has an ever-expanding population of immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries. Guess I should learn something else besides "¿dónde está la biblioteca?" soon.
6. The pizza here is delicious.
7. You don't even want to know how much the gas costs.
8. There is no sales tax, which means if you go to Wendy's and order something that costs $2.99, you get a penny back when you give them three dollars. Most of the shopping here is boutiques and thrift stores, which is awesome. There is also a Walgreens. You might not realize this, but Walgreens is one of my favorite stores. I love it. The organization. The rebates, the cleanliness. The vague, uninterested disposition that somehow, every Walgreens cashier I've ever encountered has had in common (except for one peculiar gentleman who checked out me and Jordan when we bought candy before Sex And The City -- very chatty). I love that I can go in and look at the greeting cards for an hour if I want to and not be pestered by an employee. Anyway, no sales tax.
9. Have I mentioned the wind yet? Because damn, it's windy.
10. I miss home.

More later
Kelli