What if you could hook up twitter to your brain to collect all your thoughts under 160 characters?

Newman's Own pineapple salsa is much sweeter than that organic kind I got last time.
Maybe Glee will redeem television.
I hope it's sunny on Saturday.
What book should I read next?
My roommate made peanut butter cookies! I wonder if she will notice if I take one.
Man. That free haircut service still hasn't gotten back to me
My roommate's mom is in town. Is it awkward that I'm sitting here?
Just got offered a cookie. Delicious.
I wish I were at the Grizzly Bear/Here We Go Magic show now.
The girl from Ponytail is so cute!
Maybe I'll cut my hair off.
I wonder if you could put a peanut butter cookie in a milkshake.
Psychologists should look to twitter to learn more about the human psyche. Free data.
I was just commenting that I rarely see dead animals in NY. Then a dead bird appeared on the patio. Gross.

I've switched to one space between sentences. I have mixed feelings about the change. Part of me feels like a traitor.
A glass of white wine while sitting at the computer. classy.
Computer battery dangerously low.

Ever have one of those moments?

Those 'what the hell?' moments? Yeah. I feel like I get those about 7 times a day now, but last night and today really took the cake.

What the heck am I doing back at the Strand?
back in New York?
living with a stranger again from Craigs List?
trying to fit a full size mattress down the world's steepest and tiniest stair case?
waiting for the free IKEA shuttle at 8:35 when apparently the last one leaves at 8:30 (even though the store closes at 9:00)?
in a subway turnstile with 30 pounds worth of wooden planks haphazardly tucked under my arms?
in an apartment without a microwave?
with less money in my bank account than when I was a student?




















nothing but a pack of cards?

Here we go again...

Packing. I feel like it's all I do. As I might have mentioned in a previous post, since graduating (just last May, mind you--less than a year ago), I've lived in 3 apartments in Brooklyn and 1 house in Takoma Park, Maryland. Monday, I move again. That will be my 5th address in a year, and that's not including the brief stint at home for Christmas or at my friend Alex's before moving into my new digs in DC.

The past four months have flown by in a whirlwind. Amazing internship, amazing people at work. I'm 22, and I've already had my dream job, and now I have to leave it behind. I worked at NPR. NPR! Now, I head back to the Strand bookstore in New York

My dad half jokingly said I should write down my experiences... maybe serialize it or something. It could be partly humorous, but mostly just sad, confusing, anxious, and maybe even a little hopeful. A real bildungsroman, as they say.


and this time around,
one year out of school
hours upon hours spent on Craigs List
six Brooklyn apartments visited in 24 hours
fifty pounds of books to transport
one bed and one desk to buy
one new person to learn how to live with
1280 per month to live on
too many people to leave behind

This is not a poem, but is there still poetry?














Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn -
my new abode

This one's not a sublet though... maybe I'll be there longer than four months... maybe. But then again, what would be the adventure in that? To settle or to stay transient and prone to every passing whim and overwhelming fancy?

Financial like Whoa!

Scrolling through the postings on Media Bistro, I can’t help but notice that about 70% of the ‘job’ postings are actually for unpaid internships, 20% require at least five years of experience in the relevant field, and the other 10% seem too sketchy to possibly be legitimate.

I fully realize that times are tough now. Many companies are laying off people by the hoards and replacing them with 19 year old unpaid interns. I am by no means an economic expert, but I wonder how things are ever going to get better if people keep getting laid off from work. Seems to me like more people having no money will lead to a worse economic situation, which will in turn lead to more lay offs, etc.

What the heck is a recent college graduate to do? Join a commune? Run away with the circus? Continue taking unpaid internships until he/she has that five years of experience (all while struggling to keep a crap minimum wage job and babysitting during the non-existent free time?

Can I run away to Sweden yet? Do you have any better ideas?

Technology... and the death of the modern metereologist

While I still have the same cell phone I had when I was 15, I realize the times are a'changin'. i-phones and blackberries seem almost ubiquitous these days to the extent that I sometimes find myself thinking I possess a phone that is capable of such useful features as Google Maps. From time to time, I find myself a bit turned around, and actually pull out my cell phone only to realize that it can't help me.

It seems like these i-phones could actually be useful though. What if, for instance, there were an i-phone app about the weather that allowed for user input. Upon walking outside, something on your phone could pop up where you select the current weather conditions: light rain, thunder and lightening, foggy, clear, etc. Just a quick check list with weather conditions. The i-phone could then supply weather updates online that were up-to-date and accurate about your exact location. No more will you log on to weather.com and see something ridiculous like 70% chance of rain only to walk outside and see that it is actually raining.

Resurrection, take one

As posted originally on Facebook: the dreaded 25-things-about-me-you-may-not-know list:

1. I regularly make lists of my top ten favorite people just so I can track how my preferences change over time.

2. I've been to Iceland. twice.

3. I like to eavesdrop on people in public spaces. Sometimes I wear headphones for no reason just to make it look like I am not listening.

4. I once bit my orthodontist's hand when she was messing around with my braces. I played it off as an accident, but let's be honest: you'd have some pent up frustrations, too, if you had had braces for seven and a half years.

5. I am kind of in love with Ira Glass, and when I found out he lived in New York (while I was also living there), I started carrying around a resume with me wherever I went... just in case I ran into him. (I also sent him an email in college, asking him to be our commencement speaker. Just to make things easier for him, I attached mapquest directions from Chicago to Winston-Salem.)

6. I am extremely ticklish… to the point that I will inadvertently injure myself or others to get away from the assault.

7. I lived in six different places in 2008.

8. I've never had a boyfriend. nope. not even in second grade. not even for a week.

9. I dreamt I was a lesbian. twice. But even in those dreams, it was clear that my heart was not in it.

10. I had to take a hunting safety class in order to graduate from high school.

11. I only shower every other day, and I'd probably shower less often if it were socially acceptable. As much as I love how hot water feels on my skin, I hate being wet and cold after it's done. On a related note, after taking showers in the dark for a couple of years (because I heard it improves your coordination), I now shower by candlelight.

12. I didn't drink a single beer until after I was 21.

13. When I was about 8, I became a brownie because I was under the impression that I'd get to bake the cookies and eat as many as I could stand to eat. I quit a week later when I found out that was not the case.

14. I seriously hate the question, "What's up?" and will inevitably always say, “Oh… nothing much” because I just have no figured out how to respond to it. Anything is better: “How are you?” “What have you been up to?” etc.

15. I worry that my former self would see my current self as crazy while simultaneously worrying that I used to be crazy. This is a confusing affair.

16. I was so violently ill one morning on my way to Sweden that I literally pooped in my pants because the ONLY restroom at the train station was occupied for at least the 25 minutes I spent waiting desperately outside the door. Despite my setback, I still somehow made it to Sweden that day, and spent the rest of the weekend biking and canoeing around the countryside.

17. Although I am typically an easy-going and mellow individual, I actually really like to argue and have something to get pissed off about.

18. I avoid swearing at all costs. I know it’s weird. It’s just one of those things that stuck with me. I think this relates in some ways to my enormous guilt complex.

19. I am very much annoyed that plaid has taken off so much because it makes me feel like a poser or a tool whenever I wear it (which is about 4 days a week since I have no money to shop).

20. I have not worn makeup since 7th grade. I know it makes me look young, but I guess I feel like as long as I look younger than I am, I don't have to act like an adult yet. (same logic applies to how I dress.)

21. I take comfort in the routine, the familiar, and the predictable. One of my favorite things is knowing someone so well that I can predict what outfit they will wear for any given occasion.

22. I can't read in my room... or do anything productive for that matter. It's not a problem if I'm in other peoples' rooms... just my own. It's a weird psychological thing. My room is for sleeping and watching movies. That's pretty much it... and composing my identity on facebook of course.

23. I got food poisoning at Disney World when I was 10 from a bad hot dog. That, and a trip to Myrtle Beach once were literally the ONLY two vacations my family ever went on... and I loathe Myrtle Beach.

24. I have made it a life goal to read all six volumes of Proust's masterpiece, In Search of Lost Time

25. I judge people based on what kind of music they listen to, how they dress, how loudly they speak, what kind of shoes they wear, and how much tv they watch. That said, if I like someone, I let things slide for them that I would condemn in someone I didn't like. I know it's bad to be judgemental, but I enjoy it too much to stop it.

I feel as if it is my duty to at least put this out there for you...

The uncomprehensive list of my favorite albums from the year 2008 alone. Please note I only included the albums I found myself listening to most, and I was unalbe to sample some of the stuff that has appeared in other lists...

That said, here goes:

Runner up: A Weather - Cove
(Totally overlooked by most, but a great little album in its entirety with a handful of addictive songs. "Pinky Toe" kills me. Beatiful analogy.)

10.d. Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
(I mean it was fun, and the album artwork was insanely amazing but geeze. how much music can these guys put out before I get sick of it, right?)
10.c. Department of Eagles - In Ear Park
(to be honest, I was more a fan of their earlier stuff, and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about his voice, but still worth a nodd.)
10.b. Sigur Ros- asldkfja;lsdkjfa;lskdjf;owaje
(yeah. that one. so surprising. so upbeat and jaunty complete with the delightful naked runners on the cover.)
10.a. MGMT - Electric Feel
(I gotta admit... seeing them in the Fall of 2005, I thought they were easily the worst band I had EVER seen... and that show was pretty terrible, but these kids have certainly tapped into something interesting.)
9. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
(certainly good, and with an impressive opening, but not matching the genius that was Apologies to the Queen Mary. Also... what is with that melody in "Bang Your Drum"?? Does it not remind you of something else? Some other pre-existing song?)
8. Benoit Pioulard - Temper
(very nice. ambient.)
7. Little Joy - Little Joy
(I only got this album a couple of weeks ago, but it's nice and fresh not only for being new, but just in how in sounds.)
6. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
(hauntingly retro without being shoddy and ill thoughtout. "Kim and Jessie" = amazing. I still swear it should have been in Donnie Darko.
5. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
(She's Swedish and therefore georgeous and absolutely enthralling. Ok, so there is on song I absolutely can't stand, and her voice can be kind of whispey, but her persona did it for me... and some of those tracks are so darn catchy. They actually made me want to dance. no pun intended.)
4. Deerhunter - Microcastle
(I really got into this over the past month or two. Always good live. good record, though in my opinion, quite a different sound for the band. Bradford Cox blows my mind.)
3. Beach House - Devotion
(This album took up where Bon Iver left off at the beginning of the year. I played it TONS. Dreamy.)
2. Mount Eerie with Julie Doiron & Fred Squire - Lost Wisdom
(Definitely didn't make it onto many lists, but an absolutely georgeous and wonderful album. Seeing them play a few months back was such an amazing experience that I couldn't wipe the goofy grin off my face for maybe 5 solid hours, and I felt at peace with the world. soooo good. Female backing vocals = a nice addition to the typical Phil-heavy mix).
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
(Yeah. I'm counting it as 2008. Deal with it. If this is what Wisconsin sounds like, I don't care if it's -18 degrees. I will pack my bags and move. Hauntingly gorgeous, sparse and simplistic yet well-crafted and intentional. A stellar debut that EASILY makes the top slot for this year.)

A lesson in irony

The other day i was going about my business at The Strand as usual. In my attempt to get down a book from the top shelf, another one came tumbling down, unexpectedly, and hit me in the head. It was only after I bent down to pick up the book that I saw the title... This Is Going to Hurt. Indeed.

sometimes I go to the park just to see who will sit down on my bench

The other night, it was this well-dressed but presumably homeless old man. He spoke in a thick French accent though he claimed to be from China and instead of booze, he carried a red duffle bag full of old, worn-in books. I guess my 'mistake' if you will was making eye contact with him as he ambled by. I couldn't help myself. Before I knew it, he was sitting at my side and asking me all sorts of crazy questions. When I mentioned that I had been an English major, he asked me what single line of literature would be on my lips right before I died. wow. He also asked me if I thought he were crazy (to which I responded that I thought people were never entirely crazy or entirely sane, but a unique combination of the two).

I never know what I will encounter at McCarren Park. Once, I saw two guys, decked out in full armor, holding a medieval-style duel. Amazing.

Live Models Needed

An IKEA just opened recently in Brooklyn. While I admit that I have not been able to check it out yet, I am pretty excited that it is so close by. Reminding me every day that I need to go is an IKEA van parked out on the street (not the one pictured, obviously, but a similar one):


While the display is quite lovely, I think it would be a more effective selling point if there were people inside it, lounging around. How else am I supposed to know if it would make for a comfortable living environment? They could be talking, dancing, or even just reading.

The Great Laundry Fiasco

I have adapted fairly well to New York life. Sure, I think the lack of cheap grocery store chains is lame, but I have learned to deal with it. One thing that threw me was the laundry situation.

OK. let me just preface this by saying that I've never had to pay for my laundry before. I know. I've been totally spoiled, but there you have it. It's not that I haven't done my own laundry for years. I just haven't had to pay for it.

Right, so here's what went down:
A. I carefully put my tokens in the washing machine only to realize that the door locks immediately after you insert the last one... whether or not you have actually put your clothes in. So I stood back in horror as the soapy water swirled around behind the locked door of the washing machine I had just spent $3.50 to use.

B. The matron o' the laundry mat came over and had a good laugh at my behalf before giving me the 14 tokens I needed to start a new session that would this time include my clothes.

C. I sat back to read but was distracted by awful daytime television. I watched more television sitting there than I had watched in the last five months combined since I don't own a TV. Geeze I mean Kelly Rippa was on... and Rachael Ray has her own tv show?!!! since when? Wasn't she famous for being a chef and not a talk show host? Please stick to your daytime job, Rachel Ray!

D. I wrote a letter to my friend Charles for his birthday, and deposited it in the blue bin right outside the laundy mat only to realize fifteen minutes later that I had of course forgotten to put a stamp on the envelope even though I had had 7 in my bag with me. (I found out later that it did indeed get to him though... stampless and all, so a big 'thank you' to the postal service for that one.)

E. I let the dryer tumble for over 80 minutes, but my clothes were still wet.

F. I was late to my internship.

Did I mention I moved to New York?

Well it's true. I did.
I fly into the city on Sunday with a backpack, a messenger bag, and one suitcase. I kind of pride myself in being so mobile, but at the same time I of course long for a life to call my own. I guess that doesn't necessarily have to include a long list of material possessions and ideally speaking, it shouldn't, but it often seems to in the mind of the masses.

Sunday night/Monday were cool. I stayed with a friend and four other guys in their loft in Bushwick. Though I had never really spoken to most of them, there is something so intimate about sharing such an open space with people. Their bedrooms more often than not lacked at least one wall. At any given time, you could look up and see feet dangling off a mattress resting on the floor.

Then I moved into a new place... a place of my own until August 1st. Here, I am in the minority. It's kind of strange/frightening, but cool at the same time.

I just watched the movie Into the Wild, and although my experience is nothing compared to what Christopher/Alex went through, I feel a kindred spirit in him. New York City may be as far as you can get from the wild technically speaking, but in a more abstract sense, it certainly is the wild to me. It is the unknown... potentially dangerous, but full of possibilities and discoveries. There is the chance to forge a new life.

I wonder where it will take me...

Really?

The other day while I was reading, a fly literally fell dead from the air onto my arm.

Maybe it's because I'm an English major, but I find myself searching for the hidden meaning behind the metaphors of everyday life

She was dressed in a bright red two piece skirt suit and a fancy black hat--the kind reserved for church and funerals and considering the time (it was 12:57pm on a Sunday), I assumed it was for the former. She was maybe 70 years old--out of place at a hip and rather rundown coffee shop/bar. She walked in and instead of getting in line, made eye contact with me, walked over to where I was sittin in the corner by the open window, and said,
"Do you need someone to carry you home? We could carry you home if you wanted us to."
I, confused by her oddly phrased question and general appearance, hesitantly responded, "Oh no thanks. I'm fine."
She then sat down in a booth and continued to sit there for about five minutes before she got up and walked to the door without saying another word.

I only wonder what would have happened if I had said "yes."

Overheard in Winston

"Wait. You know who the murderer is?
...We know her?...You'd better tell me.
...Yeah. I'm sitting down.
...Oh my God! Oh my God!
I can't believe she did that!
Poor Jackie!"


Perhaps not what you want to hear your bus driver say on her cell phone when you are the only passenger on the bus.

Really?

Tonight at work I had a conversation with a woman that went something like this:

me: ok that will be $1.65
her: you know who you look like?
me: no. who?
her: {pause for 20 seconds, squinting eyes}
One of them Hanson brothers
me: oh.
her: you know who I'm talking about?
me: yeah

she walks away.

I wonder if she meant the 12 year old or the 17 year old. I assume she was referring to the early years of Hanson.

Hanson is coming to Raleigh in a few weeks. I'd better steer clear of that so as not to confuse people.

In other news, last night I had a dream that I had a horrible boy haircut, so she did a good job on playing on my subconscious insecurities.

more with time

If time sped up, would you be able to hear it passing?
Hear the clouds move at a rapid pace across the sky?
Hear the shadows dart across the sidewalk?
Hear the faint buzz of life as people mature and die before you can even exhale?

Spring update

It gets increasingly harder to be a student as the weather gets warmer and more pleasant.

Foreign ÅłρĥăβέŦ

Lately I decided that I would like to live in a city that contains a letter in its name that is not included in the American alphabet. You know, there are many choices: ö ø ü å... and of course all the ones with accents. I figure that if I live in a place with one of these letters, than I maybe I won't have to abide by the norms and expectations characteristic of the US.

Unfortunately, København will be harder to come by now as I found out this week that I did not get that DIS internship. Maybe sometime in the future it will work out, or I can try out Malmö, Zürich, or Münich... you get the idea.

Squirrels beware

They're installing an electric fence around the perimeters of the quad this year to keep off the students.



















We've got to have the quad looking good for when we put all those thousands of folding chairs on it.