Oh High School

Thank you facebook (and past friends for posting pictures) for the ultimate boost in confidence.

Work? What's that?

I think my coworkers have too much time on their hands. And for that, I'm much appreciative.

What Would Jesus Do? The Robot, of Course

And be sure to check out He's Our Promised Seed.

Nashville has a Gas Problem

Seriously spent 35 minutes in line for gas last Friday. Good thing I only fill up every couple weeks. I think I'll be walking to work for awhile until this nonsense dies down a bit. Craziness.

Sad Day for the CD House

Fallify Me

diamonds and tear drops - this is a love letter from the bordello of your imagination. - Yard Dogs Road Show
In a fantastic effort to kick off the 2008 Fall season, Mother Nature has blessed us with some seriously gorgeous weather. This week has been in the 60s and 70s with crystal blue skies. It makes my heart melt and soar all at the same time. I walked to work yesterday and just soaked it up and this weekend I'll be out in Soddy Daisy, TN, doing some trail and bridge building on the Cumberland Plateau. I honestly can't wait!

And to top off all of this Autumnal Excitement, I went to see the Yard Dogs Road Show last night. If these folks caravan to your area, please please please check them out. They are a phenomenal collection of bohemian (or hobohemian as they call themselves), burlesque, vaudeville, old-timey, rockabilly, creepy band of awesomeness. Their show kicks off with the Indigo Girls Belly Dance Troupe and the show is a lovely/creepy mix of amazing music, complete with an accordian and horns section, a sword swallower, magic tricks, glitter, confetti, and dancing. The tone is Tim Burtonesque with a serious underlying funk-fun feeling. It's wonderful. And so perfect for fall and Halloween. I loved them.

I also am hoping to check out the book written by the manager/leader, Eddy Joe Cotton. He was a hobo for 10 years, hopping trains around the country. He kept 23 journals throughout the course of his travels and the book is his story. It is even endorsed with a quote on the cover by Dave Eggers, which makes me want to read it all the more. I'm thinking something along the lines of Dharma Bums, but for real, and thus more exciting. It is not available at my library, although I may borrow it from my friend Jenn if I don't cave and buy it. I think it will be an amazing read!

I hope you are enjoying the weather as much as I am. I'm feeling it in my bones and it feels fantastic. Carve a pumpkin, make some cider, go for a hike, but whatever you do, don't sit on your ass and let this season pass you by.

Douchebaggery

AKA Ticketmaster:

Couldn't Have Said it Better Myself..

Who doesn't like a little Spam on a Tuesday afternoon?

From: Marion Donahue
Subject: the next time you're
Date: September 9, 2008 11:40:45 AM CDT
To: tschena@taylorrific.com

his stunningly clever use of Command by its very nature A consequence of these complaint. However it one day a week. the Trading Spaces show. any possible this should be your and credible investigation data it would be useful format designed for the way irritating and consequently super parents, I believe this message just do their academy committees for

provided, this letter sets

Oh Marion, you are quite the eloquent one, aren't you.

The Wrath of KU Public Safety

Just when you thought you were safe...
Shelby, my younger sister, went to register her car at Public Safety today. This car happens to be the same car I used at Kutztown. Supposedly she can't register the car because I owe them $45 in unpaid parking tickets??? Huh what? First of all, I couldn't have graduated without paying my parking tickets, a diploma would not be sitting in my apartment if I had had outstanding tickets. At first I thought that maybe I had gotten a ticket after I graduated, but I would have visited friends at Kutztown in my own car, not the Mazda, so it wouldn't be on that file. According to the overly rude woman, I WAS sent a bill and I probably just "forgot" about it. I'm not the kind of person to let things like bills slide, I don't just "forget" to pay them. I tend to be overly responsible in that way. If I ever received a bill for $45, it would have been paid and if I had a $15 parking ticket, I certainly wouldn't have let it go to $45.

I'll know this afternoon the exact time that I received a ticket and where. Their system conveniently went down while I was on the phone. I also want to know EXACTLY when a bill was sent, because as far as I know, I never received a bill. I have a little bit of an idea that perhaps Shelby took the car to Kutztown last year and maybe got a ticket and since the car is in my name, it would be on my file.

I totally got in an argument with the lady at Public Safety. Sigh. Happy Friday Y'all!

Kermit Bale

If you like Christian Bale and Kermit the Frog, check this out:
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/27350111.html#cutid1

Guilty Pleasure....

I suppose they call them that for a reason. Sigh. My latest guilty pleasure? The relatively new, über-shallow, pop-tastic, OMG-overloaded sitcom: Gossip Girl.

The worst part? There is absolutely nothing about this show that is good. Nothing. The whole premise (if you couldn't guess from the title) is drama and everyone talking about said drama. It's all a bunch of teenagers/early 20-somethings that cheat on each other, lie to each other, spend gobs of money on clothes and shoes, just a whole bunch of awful. Everything I ordinarily hate and loathe.. yet I'm hooked. And I have zero good reasons why. So sad.

Maybe I should spring for cable and start watching something educational. Or just read more. The CW should not be included in free rabbit-ears-style "cable." Totally defeats my purpose for not getting full cable.

Oy vey.

Go Commodores!

As of today I'm "technically" a Vanderbilt student. Not really, but kind of. I registered for a Figure Drawing class today that will be every Wednesday from 6-8. I'm really excited about it! Turns out Vandy has a ton of art classes open to students, profs as well as the public. And the price was pretty cheap, $160 included registration and supplies so all I have to do now is show up.

I do have to say, it was strange being on their campus. Felt like a fish out of water. Lots of students all dolled up and looking preppy, but it was still reminisce of Kutztown's campus. I guess most campuses have that feel to them.

In other news, I thought I'd make a list of my favorite things that the South has to offer to combat the recent level of homesickness. I love:

• my church and all of my many Nashville grandmothers that go there. They are all so friendly and welcoming.
• random friendliness and the ability to ask almost any random person a question and they will almost always answer it with a smile and also ask how your day is going
• cheese grits (they are surprisingly delicious and even more surprisingly easy to make)
• sweet tea
• pretty much all other southern comfort foods including: fried chicken, collard greens, fried okra, meatloaf, macaroni & cheese, just about any vegetable casserole. biscuits.
• short winter and a long spring, and even though fall won't be brisk and cold, i think i'll like being able to go out hiking longer
• barbecue
• the pace is not as crazy (which on occasion is annoying, but not usually)
• the use of y'all (it's growing on me)
• i really enjoy the accent
• did i mention how friendly everyone is down here?

I hope everyone's been enjoying the long weekend!