What I'm Listening To

I'm pretty sure that when my time comes I'd like to die to the sounds of Sufjan Stevens. His music has basically emcompassed most of my college years, which in turn have been the most profound and important of my life. Everything and nothing have happened in these past three point five years.



Sufjan Stevens - The Lord God Bird

Everyone Likes To Read...Right?

When it comes to President George W Bush and books, the most enduring image remains that of his reading My Pet Goat to a class of primary school children as planes flew into the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001.

Oh, BBC. You never cease to amaze me with your subtle wit.

President Bush is promoting a new book.


Meanwhile, Venezula's Hugo Chavez's has been doing a much better job pushing another sort of book about the US.


Decisions, decisions.

Sleeping Impairment

I'm beginning to resent my pillows.


But in other news the recordings I took while in Italy over a year ago are still on my player. I had thought them lost for some time, but I found them earlier this morning, hidden away in my Disney music file for some reason.

All I could do was smile ear to ear while listening to Lauren and Kenny's version of Tenacious D's "Fuck Her Gently."

It pretty much made my day.

The Future Beckons

Trailer trash party was fun, yet small. It was almost as if a group of us were sitting around and decided "Hey, let's dress up and get drunk!"

Grilling yesterday was amazing. Thank you, once again, Bobby Flay for showing me the righteous path.

I've been emailing people and looking for jobs after graduation most of the day. I've started an application process for Peace Corps and will get one ready for Teach for America soon. Scary but exciting stuff.


Going to buy ticket to Germany this week. Wow.



The Countdowns:
Rochester: 29 days
England/Germany: 4 months, 16 days

It's Not As Bad As It Looks

After much poking, prodding, pushing, pulling, hobbling, and getting an all around feel for what happened after I ran into a ten pound weight I've come to this final conclusion:


I've officially broken the middle toe on my left foot.





Damn.

Sufjan Stevens Should Live at The Fox

Tonight's show was amazing. No other words can describe the swell of music, pride, and happiness that filled my heart when I heard the music play.

I couldn't breathe most of the time because my heart felt so full. And as corny and nonsensical as that sounds it's completely and honestly how I felt.

This concert was completely different than the one I saw a year ago at 40 Watt and for that I'm grateful. Much newer and rarely played music, plus a couple of the old favorites. I died with the acoustic version of "Romulus." Amazing.

"Chicago" made me smile like no other, "The Transfiguration" video made me deliriously calm, and the new songs made me so proud of him and all he and the band have done.

Key note:
The videos were a fantastic idea and I don't think the show would have worked without them. The Fox is too big without something else to watch, especially with everyone sitting down. The clips of the Illinoisemakers on the road were great, second to "The Transfiguration" clouds.

I am extremely and 100% (happily) satisfied and surprised with tonight's show.

Welcome to the 61st UN General Assembly! Come On Down!

Skipped my student observation yesterday to watch the UN General Assembly on CSPAN.

I'm still deciding on whether that makes me a bad person or not, but I honestly didn't want to watch clips on The Daily Show or Colbert Report. For once I wanted to watch it myself, and it was great. Hell, I even took notes.

The first and foremost that President Bush got up there and talked like he owned the place. Seriously, it may have been the placement of the podium, but I got the distinct impression that he was looking down on everyone in the room. I'm still trying to figure out what country he kept smiling and waving to.

I also enjoy the circus spectacle that's going on with our current government. President Bush's speech was very well written, no doubt about that, but it was all about the War on Terror. In fact, one may be pressed to find Iraq in that speech at all. Just goes to show how much the White House is trying to redirect the public's attention to the War on Terror and not the current War in Iraq.

In other News:
Hugo Chavez, leader of Venezuela, told the entire delegation that President Bush is the devil.

Finally, someone else gets it.


Darfur is still in deep shit, but hopefully with so many world leaders calling on action something concrete can be done. Oh wait, the decision to let the AU troops stay in Darfur past September was agreed upon. Still doesn't change the fact that they have no more money left and it's an inadequate amount of troops (7000 compared to the 22,500 the UN wants to send).


Going to see Sufjan Stevens tonight at The Fox with Erin. I feel almost hypocritical paying money to see someone sing when I rant and complain about the world slowly falling to pieces, but then I keep reminding myself that I can't shut down everything. I need to do what I can and fight the good fight while still living my life.

Eh...still makes me feel guilty.

The Hardest I've Ever Laughed, or "Mark! Why Did You Eat All The Eggs?!"

Destination: Murphy, NC
Approximate Travel Time: 2.5 Hours
Should Everyone Go To Murphy? Yes


So today was the journey to Murphy, North Carolina. Lauren's Great-Great-Grandmother (Granny) has lived there all her 85 year life and we made a trip together to see her and the amazingness that is this small town. After hearing Lauren talk about her family and different places around the area I knew I had to make a trip one day, and dammit today was the day to do it!

Talk about fucking amazing. I don't think I've had that much fun in a long time. I've definitely never laughed that hard in a while to be sure, so that's a good thing.

Where to start? For one, Granny's place wasn't how I pictured it, but then again it never is. My own Grandmother is 88, and here is this 85 year old woman who is a
Great-Great Grandmother.

A little bit about GRANNY:
Remembers everything.
Loves sports and ESPN.
Is quiet (because she can't hear anything).
Dislikes Chinese food because she thinks it's really made from cats and dogs.
Is the head of the family, with four generations under her (had first child at 15).
Puts everything in the fridge, from magazines to dog food.
Has a house that decorated in family portraits, angel figurines, and the color blue.

I absolutely love Granny, but out of the entire trip I have to say I enjoyed Field of the Woods the most, which is home to the World's Largest Ten Commandments, which is also viewable from space.

Words can not describe how much I enjoyed Fields of the Wood. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to die. Lauren warned me plenty and with Granny in the car we couldn't really laugh.

At least not until we got out of the car.



I have not laughed that hard in a very very long time. As soon as the car stopped I just walked until I felt I was far enough and just died for five straight minutes. Clutching-stomach-mascara-running-down-red-face laughing. The enorminty of the Ten Commandments, the sight of the tomb Jesus was buried in, and the overall extravagant splendor of Field of the Wood was nearly too much for me to handle. A Christian Amusement park in the middle of nowhere? Sign me up.The heavens were shining down upon the Ten Commandments, families were frolicking amongst the lamb statues glued to the side of the hill, and bikers of all shapes and sizes were roaming the Wood.

In all honestly this place is truely a sight to behold, but I didn't see/feel God anywhere. Lauren said that I need to come back for a lunar eclipse and go on top of the Bible Overlook to see the Milky Way, since there's no lights (or light pollution from the town) at all. In my opinion if God is ever going to show up at Field of the Woods it will be then, for people to enjoy nature at it's most raw and real, not with stone slapped onto the side of a mountain.

The rest of the trip was filled with family bonding, flea market trips, walking around downtown Murphy, looking at old kitcheny things for L's place in Stuff-tiques, and celebrating Granny's 85th birthday with Chinese food and coconut cake.

The drive up and back were absolutely breathtaking and I can't wait to make the trip again when the leaves change in Fall. I've had an itch to see the mountains for a while and a drive through the Smokies was much appreciated. Absolutely beautiful.

Of course it helps when your partner in crime loves listening to Of Montreal and dancing like a banshee when she's supposed to be driving instead.

Now time for RANDOMNESS:
Seeing Uncle Brian's model shots displayed proudly in Granny's home and nearly choking on my Subway.
Stuffed Christmas bears strategically placed on the bedspread.
Downtown Murphy.
Learning Granny's life in Murphy in a 30 minute car ride.
Rib Country!
Provoking motorcyclists with winks and kisses.
Hands that resemble Dr. Suess characters. Where was the tape when you needed it?!
Meeting Uncle Mona (who is actually a woman with the tendancy to say random things).
Realizing that all families have their quirks (good, bad, and ugly).




Ranking Of Today: 10

Parties, Football, and Fox's New Addition

Lauren's housewarming party was a great success. If her complex ever needs to make a brochure they are coming to her place to take pictures. Huzzah for tapas and delicious drinks and great friends.

On a sadder note, did not attend the first official Krush Girls of the semester. Got there too late, waited in line an hour, and sighed with extreme disappointment with the other 100-200 other people outside when word spread that the show was sold out. At least I got my KG fix as soon as I got back to Athens. But still...damn the man. Years of devotion and this is what happens.

Football season has started for me as I attended my first game today. I have numerous new freckles to account for my presence there. It was weird explaining the big school atmosphere to people when I was in New England (as the majority of my coworkers attend smaller private universities), but talking about the football culture in the South is another story. I love it.

And lastly I've come across Fox Faith. Was watching tv and a commercial pops up displaying very Christiany movies-- The Passion, End of the Spear-- and it's an ad for a new branch of Fox called "Fox Faith." At the ending of the commerical I was furious, because how dare Fox promote a branch based off of religious faith when it's only representing Christian faith.

But of course I realized I'm to blame for my anger. Me and me alone. How silly of me to assume that a network like Fox would show anything else besides Christian films? That's my fault, not theirs.

I was puzzled as to why greats such as South Pacific and Hello Dolly! were listed on the site, until I realized they fell under the "Family" portion of this new "Fox Faith: Family and Christian Films Everyone Can Enjoy!" Also of note: most of the Garfiled and Stawberry Shortcake franchise can be found under the "Kids" tab.

Now that I'm thinking clearer I'm not knocking Fox for doing this. I think it's a smart move of their part which many families will appreciate. I just despise the fact that they are promoting it as "FoxFaith" when the only faith represented is Christian.

But like I said before, it's my own fault for thinking they would do anything but.

Sixth Grade Social Studies, or "What's the difference between a country and a continent?"

I have had a headache all day, for the seemingly third day in a row. Let's hope nothing is wrong, because in all honestly I don't have time to get sick right now.

Had my first observation today at one of the local schools. My field mentor is a great teacher who's been there for about five years. You can definitely tell that these kids are smart, but when I watch them I was constantly wondering "was I like this in sixth grade?" They frantically wave their hand to get called on (as if the teacher can't already see you in a relatively small room), they love to tell stories of their friends ("Oh! I have a friend that has this book that had pictures of people in it that looked like monkeys.") and they can not stay still unless they are about to fall asleep.

All in all it was a great class and I can't wait to go back. I've been itching to get into a classroom since the semester started and now I can finally do some work. Also took a copy of the book-- which is tiny compared to my middle school geography book-- to read up on.

Tomorrow is Lauren's housewarming party and I'm making miniburgers. I've been wanting to test some more recipes out on the grill but I'm going to do the ones I made at home Labor Day weekend. Bought a cheap-ass portable grill to get the job done. It'll be fantastic. Tomorrow is also Krush Girls at 40 Watt. Comments on the momentous event will be done later.

Going to buy my plane ticket for Germany this week and also another for NY at the end of October. Anna and I are visiting some kids from work this summer and I can't wait to see them. It's crazy how much I miss some of these people. And besides, Fall in upstate/central NY? Hell yeah.

I'm In The Mood For...Steak?

Just saw an Outback Steakhouse commercial set to the tune of Of Montreal's Wraith Pinned to the Mist (And Other Games).


Seriously...?

Grateful. Fortunate. Lucky. Call It What You Will.

I love my family.

I am in love with my family.

I would die without them.

Today was testimony to this fact.





It's weird that I'm ready to leave them then. Ready to go off and start my life. Prepared to live through phone calls and email and twice a year visits. Once a year visits.

Their worst fear is going to come true in January. I'm ready.

Are they?

The Weekend of John Cusack

Life is good. I have this weird itch to go see the mountains though. And I wish it were Christmas.

Actually, I wish it were just cold. I desperately want to wear my scarf and mittens.

John Cusack movies I've seen in the past 20 hours:
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Better Off Dead
The Sure Thing

and now about to watch...
America's Sweethearts

All on tv, though I do own the first two. I am a fan of the Cusacks. I love it when siblings are are actors, especially when they're in the same movie together (ex: Grosse Point Blank for John and Joan, Donnie Darko for Jack and Maggie).

Change of Title (And Other Things)

The new title is from Rufus Wainwright's "Waiting for a Dream." The last title wasn't that fitting anymore, since I do know where I'm heading (at least most of the time). I know where I want to go in my life-- I'm just waiting for it to happen. And it will, I assure you.

Things of Note:

If you are ever traveling on 129 South from Athens to Macon the best album to listen to is Rufus Wainwright's Want Two. The album will need to play more than once, since it's a two hour drive. On the way back you should listen to Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips, once again on loop. Both of these albums should only be listened to on a clear day with the windows down.

Tomorrow is my Father's 55th birthday. Celebrated with the parents this weekend and made cuban-style burgers on the grill, Bobby Flay style. Best burgers ever. I highly recommend them.

Saw a girl crying outside the Law building today and wanted to hug her. But I didn't and I kept walking. Someone else will take care of her. Maybe it's not that serious. Turn around. Still there, still coughing and crying. Should I walk back? She'll be fine, besides some people are fickle about crying around other people. I wish I had done something, though I have no idea what.

Currently frustrated with the lack of citizen action in the world. Seriously kids, get off your asses and do something. Everyone seems to be leaving Darfur, so what's going to happen after September? Find out what your senator and congressmen are doing here. Just click on the top right tabs labelled 'Senate' and 'House.'

Off to fix the door handle for the bathroom, which was apparently obliterated during the party somehow.

Oh, and what the hell is going on with facebook? What's next, being able to see who looked at who's profile and at what time? Lord.

What. The. Hell. Just. Happened?

Ahem.

What the hell happened tonight?

Seriously, I'm sitting here with Anja after a long night and wondering what exactly took place within my home within the past five hours.

200+ jello shots.
1 keg
3 batches of Hunch Punch

ALL GONE within five hours and people still showing up for more.

There is a certain code people need to abide by when going to house parties. The first and foremost being that you need to have at least two degrees to a member of the house.

"Oh! I know Steven, who is friends with Sara." Okay, totally legit.

"Umm...I'm a friend of Rob's who's girlfriend knows a girl in Sara's community sorority." Hell no, get your mooching ass out of here.

If only we had done this. If. Only.

This was definitely one of the craziest parties we've had here, but I'm mad at myself for not taking better care of who came in and who went out. At one point Joe came out on the back porch, announced "Who the fuck are all these people?!?!", and about half of the party left because they knew they had been had.

Five hours and everything was cleaned out. Unheard of in the history of Church St. Unheard of.

I still hear people out in the hallway but I refuse to deal with it anymore. Tomorrow I'm driving back home to celebrate my father's 55th birthday and I'm making sure I get enough sleep.

Highlights from tonight:
Norwegian Guy
YOSH!!!!!!! (hell yes)
Secret Squirrel venue (that happens to be right across the street from me).


What a night. I'm spent.