Weekend Update

This just in: Halloween is 6 days long this particular year. Costume count this year is 3. On Thursday the roomies and I headed to Andrea's house for Halloween party #1 after being thoroughly disappointed that Grey's was a rerun. Damn you, ABC. I was decked out in 80's prom queen attire, which included the sickest makeup I have ever worn. The photo above is an excellent depiction. Lavender eyeshadow, red lipstick, turquoise eyeliner and of course, pink blush. Disgusting. All in all a very excellent evening, which ended of course with a tipsy Jess and I mowing down Menna's dubs while watching The OC on DVD. It's a sickness, I tell you.

Friday we headed to Rochester, New York for some disc-flinging action. The Car O' Debauchery stopped in Canada to have some legal beers and watch the World Series. Booo to the Cardinals. The Family Restaurant and Bar was really fun though, we made friends with the owner and our waitress, although we may have accidentally stiffed the waitress.

Saturday morning brought rain and more rain, leaving the fields we were to play on muddy and unmanageable. We played two games, and won them both. I love how well we've been doing this year, it really inspires me to get in better shape so we can win some more. The tournament was cancelled after the two games because we were tearing the fields up. I've never been so muddy in my life.

After the games we booked it to the hotel, took lightening fast showers, and hit the road back through Canada to Michigan. We tossed on our costumes and went out for the night. Good friends, good times.... although somewhat crazy.

Monster movies are on marathon on the tv at all times, and it's making my life happy. Oh and that it turns out I can write, I got a 4.0 on my first outside reporting assignment in journalism. Score!

I alone am staggering

My hormones are out of control. That can be the only explanation for my raging insanity the past week. The stress is finally getting the better of me. I'm eating like a bottomless pit, not working out enough (no time! no energy!) and my normal mid-day surges of "This week isn't so bad! I can do this for awhile more!" are becoming fewer and farther between.

My intern meeting tonight was a step in the right direction. Having made no progress with it whatsoever up to this point, it was nice to have a concrete goal: write a news release. Ok. Got it. Done. I can deal with writing, with something to write about.

Halloween is fast approaching, and I finally have a costume, thanks to Shannon. I'm wearing her shiny birthday dress, Homecoming Queen tiara and some sick makeup and voila: 80's Prom Queen. Being that there are multiple nights of going out, I may come up with something else as well. We are going to a tournament in Rochester, NY and I hope it will be as fun as it has been the past two years. The fact that this is the third time I'll have been to this particular tournament makes me feel old.

I need to get some balance. Winter break will be good for me, and I absolutely can't wait. Family trip to Florida was cancelled, thankfully, so I'll have time to do all the visiting and snowboarding I had planned on. It better snow, goddamnit. A trip to Chicago is on the docket, as well as Pennsylvania? Of course, obligatory trips to wherever there are sweet runs and people willing to fly down hills with me.

One of my biggest problems is that I am always looking ahead, and I have trouble appreciating the now. Going out doesn't hold the same charm it used to. Our party was amazing, and so are parties with people I adore, but just GOING OUT is lame, now. I've always had the urgent need to move on to the next thing right off, but right now there is no clearly defined "next thing". I started the application for study abroad (Melbourne, Australia, here I hopefully come!) and I'm starting to apply for an internship in the State Senate. I suppose both of these could count as the "next thing", but neither seem to be enough to satisfy me.

For now, watching Shannon run herself into walls with a helmet on will be enough. I did, after all, just about die from laughter.

And I will think fondly to travels, and dream of more adventures....

I don't seem obvious do I?

My Berry-Good tea is the most delightful shade of purple with just the right amount of honey. Outside it's very brisk, my ears regretted my lack of forethought with regards to wearing a hat. The MSU Museum is empty at this hour, so I still have no interview, no quotes, nothing at all for my feature story due WEDNESDAY. Stressed out? I should be. But I spent all of yesterday reading about the intricacies of immune responses and eating ice cream, and tossing disc in the mud. The tea helps, too. I could write an excellent story without quotes, but they are part of the grade. Damn.

I spend far too much time online. But I like reading, and stranger's blogs are much like novels. The best part about blogs as novels? They don't end, leaving me wanting more. People keep living, and their stories continue for years. There is always an archive with a backstory, always a post for every mood. I think I'm addicted to the lives of other people. Not that my own isn't enough, but something about commiserating with people I've never met, realizing we're all so alike and the human condition is very much a shared experience is very comforting.

Onto the rest of Monday, g'day.

*edit*
One of my life goals is to write a novel. I've got some strange notion in my head that I could possibly write THE Great American Novel, which is strange because I have never believed that one novel could attain such status. There is no one defining American experience, so many cultures come to this place and don't even tend to mix that much at all. Perhaps there is a notion of the American experience, but I think it's probably something misleading like becoming rich and famous, or being able to provide for your family on minimum wage. Land of the free...

I have digressed from my point, it seems. I will just say this: someday I will write a novel, and it will hopefully be an ok read. I will also train for triathlons when I stop being so godawful busy. Let's hope my goals are not unattainable. Back to the grind!

[honesty or mystery? tell me I'm not scared anymore]

big pimpin'

This weekend was just as great as expected. MIP Anniversary party was precisely what we had hoped for. Sipp and I played the part of dazzling hostesses! Words can't describe how fantastic it was to get all dressed up and have the people come to US for a change. We went through three kegs. RIDICULOUS. Guests ranged from lifeguards to randoms to old friends to new friends and of course... ultimate players. Nothing was trashed (except some of the guests) and (almost) everyone left with a smile on their face.

I have been buckling down today and studying bio. I spent countless hours staring at the Web of Science trying to find an article for my 'News and Views' bio paper. Nothing too interesting to be found, but hopefully one of the articles gets approved. Boring, I know.

Does anyone know how to make a slideshow of photos? I am the webmaster for ultimate this year, and I'm trying to make the site fun and interesting.

This week will be another long one. Ultimate tournament in Rochester this coming weekend, though. Wish us luck!!

[go ahead you can laugh all you want, I've got my philosophy]

this is the day and the time

The things that are helping me beat the mid-semester slump:

1. Seeing my brother. No, seriously. He's a Marine now and I haven't seen him since July. He came today to my school to visit me and his girlfriend, and we went out to dinner. We enjoyed pasta, talked about family, life, and his new tattoo. I can't even describe how happy I was to see him. From all the talk about how different he is, I still saw my crazy little brother in the new and shiny Marine body. My grandma gets a kick out of how I call him my big brother now. JB and I joked about how we used to be chubby and can eat a lot of pasta as a result. Former fat kids love food. I love my brother.

2. Friends. Today Nick took me home from class and we talked for awhile. I forget how much I miss hanging out with him, he's so easy going and friendly. Chris imed me for the first time in forever. I missed talking to him. Of course it seemed like it had been two hours, as usual. I don't know how long it takes for the comforting familiarity to go away, but I really hope it doesn't ever. I hope that isn't selfish. I have been going out with the lovely ladies of Infamous on a weekly basis, and it brings happiness to life.

3. Hot frisbee boys. Seriously, some of those new boys are lookers. It's nice when eye candy is enough.

4. Actually, frisbee in general. I love running after the disc on offense, keeping up with my girl when I'm on defense. I love staring down a girl so she is more careful about her cuts, and then just wasting her anyway. I love d-ing the dump pass. I love laying out, even if the disc bounces off my hand. I love the cheering for my team, the sweat and even the blood. I love my team... our uniforms and our energy, and how we always win the party. Wow... I really love frisbee.

5. Planning my future. By future I mean, the next year and a half. After that, it's all up for grabs. I will go abroad next fall. Probably Australia (I am aware I change my mind every two seconds), then I will come back and finish out the bachelor's degree. Oh. Holy. God. What will I do after that?? The unknown is frightening in an exciting way. Optimism! :)

6. We are having a party. And people are going to come. And it will be fabulous!

7. Grey's Anatomy and ice cream. This had to be tacked on because the combination of the two just served to make me very very happy.


And scene. Sorry for the boring entry, I had to make a happy list.

[we're compatible, maybe a bit too much, that's our ambiguity]

we both go down together

I am bored out of my mind. I've hit the mid-semester slump, when I don't feel like doing much of anything, especially anything that requires homework or... moving from my computer chair (or bed....).

I almost jabbed pointy things in my eyes today trying to figure out the frisbee website. I'm glad I volunteered to do it, but the old website is so complicated it's tricky to figure out. I need to figure out how to put the pictures on without making it slow-loading and awful. I shall peruse the internet...

One of my co-workers bought me lunch today. That was happy. I've had a thing for him for ohh... forever. Anyone who appreciates East of Eden is high up in my book. But of course, I think it was a friendly gesture and not a friendly gesture, if you know what I mean. That's ok, there are plenty of fish in the sea. And a surprising amount of them enjoy Steinbeck....

I need to make some internet friends. Some comments on occasion would probably brighten my day :)

And if anyone knows the cure for CONSTANT LINGERING ILLNESS, I would be much obliged to figure out how to kill it.

I'm contemplating going to Singapore next fall, but the possibility of caning is somewhat daunting. According to the tourism website, caning is no walk in the park. You'll hurt for weeks and be scarred for life. Uhh... thanks tourist info. I'll have to weigh my options. I still would love to go to Norway, but if I go to a program sponsored by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences I've got more chances for scholarships. Which means Singapore, Jamaica, or Australia. I'm leaning towards Singapore as the most exotic locale. I can scuba dive in any of these places...


The pictures on my wall look like postcards. I can't wait for a whole semester's worth of postcards.

Everytime we're down, you can make it right

Oh Ultimate Frisbee, you complete me. This weekend was another one for the records ladies and gentlemen. Infamous and the Burning Couch went down to show the Buckeyes how to play frisbee, and we lived the dream.

Saturday we played Kenyon (won), Ohio Northern (won), Pittsburgh (lost :-( but they were sweet so it's ok. Oh, and I handblocked their best player. sweet life!), and Edinboro (won!). It was pretty fantastic.

Later that night, after the games, we headed to BDub's for some (veggie) burgers and cocktails for the birthday girl. Watched the Tigers rock the Oakland Athletics, and had a great time with the dudes.

Saturday night, we won the party, naturally. MSU ladies and dudes came out and took over the flip cup table, and the dance floor. The newbie dudes are really fun, and it was great to be able to bond with the men's team and get to know our own newbies much better than before! :)

Sunday.... ohhh sunday. We started off the day by beating UofM. Talk about an excellent way to start things off! We then lost to JMU (but not without a rousing fight... we played so hard and all did ridiculously well), and then lost a game to Edinboro, pretty much just because we couldn't run anymore.

It was an amazing weekend, and I predict great things for our team come spring semester and our true season. We've already won a tournament, and we came in 4th out of 13 in this one.

Life. is. good.

Aaaannnddd now back to the books. Why do classes always seem to get in the way of school? ;-)



[and that makes you larger than life]

p.s. yeah I quoted BSB lyrics... what?

Interpersonal relationships gone terribly awry

why must relationships be so complicated? I feel that if two people like each other, then that should be it. But no. Now there is liking someone only for one thing, or another. One person liking someone too much is suddenly a problem. Especially if they like you too little. Or just for that one thing. And if you should give yourself away, oh beware. You've put yourself on the line. Don't even get me started on distance, that's a whole ridiculous can of worms that should be saved for fishing.

Why can't it just be easy to like someone, and have them like you back? And maybe go on a date? I think I'm too romantic for this game.

I need the fuel to make my fire burn bright

Ohhh life. My boss is completely incompetent and I can't seem to keep myself afloat these days. The constant pace is dragging me down. I don't have time to do the things I want. I need a break. Or at least something really happy to happen. The good grades aren't helping as much as they were. Sometimes the spirit needs a little something extra.

On a happier note, I talked to Lance, and he made me smile a lot. And I got some laundry done. My life is hella exciting, I know.

Tournament at OSU this weekend. Should be awesome. Can't wait to smoke UofM again. Let's f-em up ladies.

[come to me again in the cold, cold night]

bend the pieces til they fit, like they were made for it

It's hard to be a friend. It's hard to keep optimistic when the world is relying on you to be the rock for them. It's hard to wake up every morning and be as fruitful as you need to be when all you want is to take a nap. It's hard to not have a shoulder to cry on.

It's even harder to know that you used to have everything you thought you needed, and now it's gone and complicated and never final.

[but they weren't made for this]

Alicia!: The Musical

set iTunes to shuffle... see what your life is like. Sweeet I love music (lyrics added for extra fun!)

Opening Scene: Such Great Heights/The Postal Service

they will see us waving from such great heights,
"come down now", they'll say
but everything looks perfect from far away,
"come down now", but we'll stay...

Wake-Up Scene: Feel Good Lost/Broken Social Scene

instrumental

Average Day: Neighborhood #3/The Arcade Fire

I went out into the night,
I went out to find some light.
Kids are swingin' from the power lines,
nobody's home, so nobody minds.

First Date: Bring on the Terror/Robbers on High Street

Now all of the sons and the daughters
Don't want just what comes along
So give them something more
Come on, Oooh

Falling In Love: Knockin' on Heaven's Door/Eric Clapton (cover)

Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can't shoot them anymore.
That long black cloud is comin' down
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Fight Scene: Army Corps of Architects/Death Cab for Cutie

call in the army corps of architects
to flatten the skyline and begin again
I knew the years would move quickly,
but never quite as fast as this
so bring the discrepancies, I'll pour the drinks.

Break-Up: Dirty Little Secret/Sarah McLachlan

Been up all night drinking, to drown my sorrows down...
But nothing seems to help me since you've gone away.
I'm so tired of this town, where every tongue is wagging.
When every back is turned, they're telling secrets that should never be revealed.
There's nothing to be gained from this, but disaster.

Back Together: Don't Speak/No Doubt

Our memories
They can be inviting
But some are altogether
Mighty frightening

Secret Love: Superspy/Save Ferris

Out of the corner of my eye
Caught a glimpse of the Superspy
When he saw me look his way
He jumped down that alleyway

Life's OK: Do You Remember/Jack Johnson

Do you remember when we first met?
I sure do, it was some time in early September
You were lazy about it, you made me wait around
I was so crazy about you I didn’t mind

Mental Breakdown: Nine Lives/South

We'll talk about forgiveness
I'm here to find the meaning
I miss you at the best of times
You help me walk that fine line

Driving: Under the Bridge/Red Hot Chili Peppers

I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion
I walk through her hill 'cause she knows who I am
She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy
I never worry, now that is a lie

Learning A Lesson: Does He Love You?/Rilo Kiley

Get a real job
Keep the wind to your back and the sun on your face
All the immediate unknowns are better than knowing this tired and lonely fate.

Deep Thought: D'yer Mak'er/Led Zeppelin

When I read the letter you wrote, it made me mad mad mad
When I read the news that it brought me, it made me sad sad sad.
But I still love you so, I can't let you go

Flashback: Oh It's Love/ hellogoodbye

Oh, your heart may long for love that is more new
So when I'm gone these words will be here
To ease every fear
And dry up every tear
And make it very clear
I kiss you and I know
It is love from the first
Time I set my hips against yours
Thinking, "Oh, is it love?"

Partying: Fancy Claps/Wolf Parade

We can sing
Two cracks in the crossbeams
We can sing
Very, very quietly
We can sing
We can sing for each other

Happy Dance: Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon/The Flaming Lips

instrumental

Regretting: Pictures in an Exhibition/Death Cab for Cutie

i think you caught me on the downslide, downturn
i was busy writing with a pen and paper thin dream
and all your plastic people with plastic hearts and smiles
they had the worst intentions all along after all...

Long Night Alone: Speed of Sound/Coldplay

how long before I get in
before it starts, before I begin
how long before you decide
before I know what it feels like
where to?
Where do I go?
if you've never tried then you'll never know
how long do I have to climb
up on the side of this mountain of mine?

Death Scene: We are all on Drugs/Weezer ...ha!

but the world don't care
if you are or are not there
cause you're on drugs

Closing Credits: Paint's Peeling/Rilo Kiley

the paint's peeling off the streets again
and i'll drive and close my eyes in michigan
and i feel nothing, not brave
it's a hard day for breathing again

I got nothin to give you, you see, except everything

I rode a lightning high all weekend, but I promise I'm back down to earth now and not so godawful chipper. Honestly, it was probably the mind-numbing shift at the pool today that killed it.

I think I've come to a decision on study abroad.... *drumroll please*.... After much deliberation I think I'm going to choose the Norway program. My theory: there is no language barrier in Australia, so I can go anytime and not feel overwhelmed (well... I suppose I can get along just about anywhere by now, but you know). I am scuba certified for life, so I can go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef later on. However, I won't always have the chance to visit the Motherland, and take a Norwegian language course, and naturally... snowboard in Scandanavia.

In other news.... I'm filling this silly gaping void with busy-ness, planning, and optimism true Alicia-style. I'm getting together with my fellow interns to plot out a plan for our first step, and I feel oh-so-managerial with my e-mailing and meeting setting skills. Soon I will be meeting the child I will be mentoring in Okemos and I'm breathless in anticipation. There's nothing better for pushing silly thoughts out of my head like diving headfirst into a challenging and rewarding project. I am hoping both of these projects (intern and mentor) will turn out to be beneficial for everyone involved.

And because I'm still a college student and not entirely given over to adult responsibilities, I am going out three nights in a row this weekend. Damn. Thursday some friends came over to watch Grey's Anatomy, which is possibly the most satisfying guilty pleasure of my life, aside from ice cream and sugary coffee drinks. We drank some rum, tipsy-giggled to South Park, then went and played some beer pong. It was a fun night.

Friday was equally awesome. Strongbow party at the Village, I came equipped with the amazing Ogden and we loved life. I was bouncy and social, chatted up friends and strangers alike, and was a member of Team Domination for flip cup. Josh and I stumbled Jessica home, went to Menna's and attacked some Dubs, and then I fell asleep on his bedroom floor. Textbook example of a college party gone right.

Tonight it's out with the Tripod (Trapezoid?).... FRISBEE LOVES! Tomorrow is a tournament in Ann Arbor, and I will probably be over-tired. A night out with these ladies is totally worth it, though.

My current obsessions include chill music and YouTube videos. CrackTube it should be called. Evil site draws you in and won't let you go until you've seen every music video worth seeing. And then some parodies....

[I'm a modern girl, but I fold in half so easily]

bring on the terror

Good news: I got an internship! Director of Public Relations/Community Relations!
Bad news: I have no idea what's happening. But I think that's a temporary freak-out situation. I have enough confidence in my plan for the franchise that I'll just breathe in and start making phone calls and writing e-mails. It's time to apply these people skills to "real life" situations.

Life is good. I am still sick but I got to scuba dive today anyhow (we weren't going deep enough to worry about overexpansion injuries as a result of congested sinuses), and I skipped my first class of the year! It was a very necessary break from the boring sociology lecture. I figure, it's only one lecture, and I'm acing that class anyhow. I showered off the chlorine, looked over some journalism lectures for the quiz today, then made myself some cappuchino. I accidentally burned my finger on the milk steamer tube though, so my finger hurts like a mother. But... it's ok. I iced it. First aid skillz.

Most random post ever. I don't think anyone reads this anyhow.

[an eye for her tiger, a bee for her bloom]

stop.

ok I need to stop being so ridiculous. NOW.

Grades, school, friends, ultimate.... concentrate

ugh