Dramatic Monotony

Friday, January 30, 2004

Lots of drama around here.

My comment? It's always the good people that get screwed. This is what you get for being an advocate, huh? It's just a frustrating process for all of us at Parkside.

Also, I think boys are stupid. Very stupid. INSANELY stupid. What's number one pet peeve for Jen? Oh, yeah, BEING IGNORED... and unfortunately that's going on right now. It's difficult to initiate a conversation when the other person doesn't even respond.

I'm addicted to the DaVinci Code. I think the writing is horrible... but the facts are interesting, and the story's rather intriguing. As a devout Christian and a product of a conservative Southern Baptist school, I find the ideas presented to be revolutionary. I like it, but the book certainly doesn't diminish my own personal faith - but I don't necessarily think that's the point. I think the author's trying to present a different take on historical information in the guise of a suspense thriller.

By the way, I think I have an ulcer. Either that or "Irritable Bowel Syndrome," IBS. The doctor hasn't come to any conclusions, but I'm taking a sedative to calm my stomach down. We'll see when I get back to Houston.

I went to the gym today. Let me rephrase that: one of my residents dragged me to the gym today. We did half an hour of weights, fifteen minutes of cardio, and fifteen minutes of stretching/crunches. I'm thinking about emailing Whitney to get her version of a good workout schedule. She's my favorite fitness guru.

Class in two hours... I should shower.

Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Reposted from @rassm

I was pleasantly surprised by a lot of the nominations. My favorite
surprises are the following:

Keisha Castle-Hughes, Nominated for Best Actress, Whale Rider : Great
children's movie. Her performance is phenomenal - it was sophisticated, but
believable. Jill-Marie, your kids would like this film.

Dirty Pretty Things, Nominated for Best Original Screenplay: I saw this
film on a whim with my RA staff. It was dark, suspenseful and moving. I
definitely thought it was worth the $9 for the ticket.

Djimon Hounsou, Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, In America : This was
a simple, but moving film. He was moody, kind, loving... a great role.

Shohreh Aghdashloo, Nominated for Best Supporting Actress, House of Sand
and Fog : I didn't really like the film... I didn't really like the book...
but I DID like this poignant portrayal.

Jude Law, Nominated for Best Actor, Cold Mountain: Again, I wasn't a huge
fan of all the elements of this movie, but Jude Law's role was fabulous.
His performance actually pushes Cold Mountain onto my top ten movies for
this year.

Now, for other not-so-good surprises:

Why wasn't Sean Astin nominated for Best Supporting Actor?
Where was Scarlett Johansson on this list? After being nominated for 2
Golden Globes and 2 BAFTAs, I was shocked by her exclusion from the
nominees list.
What the HELL were they thinking when they nominated Seabiscuit for Best
Picture?

My dad still has my Pink Floyd CDs.

Dammit.

I don't know why he hasn't given them back, yet. He has them on vinyl! He's made copies of my CDs! Why do you need THREE copies of an album? I'm not completely sure.

I just wanted to listen to Dark Side of the Moon.

(But in a way, I think it's cool that we have this father/daughter synchronicity thing going on.)

Saturday, January 24, 2004

I know how Friends will end.

I just saw Part II of the Finale... wow. I saw TV history.

Mary Louise, I have something for you. Email me your mailing address.

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Musical Musings

311 recently covered my favorite song in the world, "Love Song" by the Cure. I heard it on the radio the other day. You know what? I actually like it. I feel like they've captured the soul of the song - it's a good interpretation.

I'm also (unfortunately) addicted to that new Britney Spears single, "Toxic." It's a great song for her - she doesn't have to sing! I really like the James Bond feel of the instrumentation. It's very well-produced... thank god, because she can't sing well at all.

I highly recommend two bands at the moment: Deathcab for Cutie and Travis. Deathcab's latest album Transatlanticism is just magical. And 12 Memories by Travis has been in my CD player (and mp3 player) for the past month and a half. That's a strong recommendation - normally I can only keep Ella and Sarah Vaughn on repeat.

Ah, it's time for class. How sad and unfortunate.

Tuesday, January 20, 2004

Ugh, I have class in a few minutes, and my poor stomach is just flip-flopping inside of me.

I woke up at 2:30 last night with severe cramping and I couldn't get back to sleep until 5:30. Every time I thought the cramping was going away, it would suddenly start again.

I'm really getting frustrated - I've been on a no-lactose, no red meat, no citrus fruits diet for the past three weeks, and my stomach is STILL causing me a lot of problems. Also, all of the tests I took when I was in Houston came out "normal."

I guess I've just got to tough it out and go to class. French will be doubly painful today.

Saturday, January 17, 2004

Cheesy Song of the Moment:

I've never been alone
But you're the only one I'd trust
To show me the way
I always hear your voice
And in my dreams I hear you calling my name
What is it about you
Some kind of light shines from your face
And I can't turn away

I'm like a prisoner captured by your eyes
I've been taken, taken by surprise
I'm like a prisoner captured by your eyes
I've been taken, and I've been hypnotized

Your eyes say everything
You want to keep me here forever
I can't escape
One minute's so sincere
Then you completely turn against me
And I'm afraid
You don't have to say you love me
If you want me I'll stay
'Cause I can't turn away

I'm like a prisoner captured by your eyes
I've been taken, taken by surprise
I'm like a prisoner captured by your eyes
I've been taken and I've been hypnotized


"Love Theme from Laura Mars," Barbra Streisand

Why is this song on repeat? Why can't I stop listening to it?

I swear, I'm a 40 year old woman. Just give me a corny love song and a couple of romantic comedies - I turn into a blubbering idiot.

Hopefully this is hormonal.

(By the way, this is a rather ironic song, if you've actually seen the movie it comes from - basically the plot involves a serial murderer and a woman's uncanny connection to the killer. Craziness. It's still a great song.)

I went to a party in Malibu tonight.

I took a resident. We got there late, and we laughed at the drunk people. Then I introduced her to Nels, Jon, Shawn, and Neil. We had a good time, standing on the sand, exchanging stories. Tania and I laughed some more as the sound of the surf added another mellow element to the conversation.

We didn't stay very long, but I haven't had that much fun in a while. I miss hanging out with Nels and his crowd - I really haven't done it since the Radiohead concert back in September. They always make me smile. It's nice to know a group of fun-loving, attractive boys. I feel pretty when I'm with them, not cheap or boring. It's rare to find decent people in the shallow 'SC social scene.

Tania and I went to Norm's for after-party grub. I've discovered the joys of turkey burgers without cheese.

Oh, yes, and I also saw Part I of the Series Finale of Friends today. I went to the second-to-last taping EVER... I saw the last use of Central Perk. Everyone was crying. Except for me. I was never very emotional over television shows.

My residents are funny. I'm going to have a headache tomorrow, though. There's a huge roommate conflict brewing, and I know that I'm going to be mediating something rather soon. Right now, I'd rather go to sleep.

Friday, January 16, 2004

You know, after using email for eight years, I should be able to send a message.

I just made a complete fool out myself because I could not properly send an email to my faculty master.

Argh, my father would be so embarrassed.

Oh, well.

Monday, January 05, 2004

National Champions!

USC is officially the AP pick for National Champions. We will share this title with the lsu tigers, the BcS champions. Out of 11 split championships, USC has been involved in 3 of them. And hopefully this caused enough controversy to re-vamp the ailing BcS system. And this has been a great year for 'SC athletics... we've won national championships in Men's Water Polo, Women's Volleyball, and Football! I *heart* Mike Garrett, Pete Carroll, Mike Williams, and Matt Leinhart, to say the least.

And now I've got an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

Saturday, January 03, 2004

The Rose Bowl T-Shirts... More Money!

It's been a long week, but I will cherish the 2004 Rose Bowl for the rest of my life. After a week of practice, gigs, the Rose Bowl parade, and a complete pre-game, halftime show, and post-game, I feel like I put in a lot of effort with a great pay-off. 'SC dominated Michigan... our band outplayed Michigan... and we came out winners, with a valid stake on a co-national championship.

I love our team's style of play. We're a classy football program with a smooth, effortless style. Our offense is beautiful, but our defense is the true star of the 'SC football program. Look at those nine amazing sacks on the Michigan quarterback! Every time I see our "Wild Bunch" in action, I'm in awe. Every time I look at an amazing run by Reggie Bush, Mike Williams, or LenDale White, I'm thrilled. And Matt Leinhart? His precision is a think of beauty. It doesn't matter who wins in the Sugar Bowl - no one is playing the kind of football that we're playing.

Other highs of the trip back to Los Angeles:
- Seeing Serena! I love this girl more than life itself. She's truly an amazing person, and I aspire to be just as driven and kind-hearted.
- Having dinner with Jill in lieu of Disneyland - somtimes I just have to say no to Disney... so I said yes to El Cholo. Jill's one of my favorite people in the marching band. She's funny, slightly irreverent, but very dedicated. I appreciate her serious approach to life.
- The Starbucks practice. Coffee instead of twirling? Oh, yes. That was a good time.
- Being seatmates with Karina on gameday. I rarely get to talk to this girl, but I enjoy my times with her. She's hilarious, and I enjoy her perspective on band politics.
- THE STEAK DINNER! Woot, woot!
- Breakfast with Meesh, Alex, and Serena. Even though there was a crazy woman yelling at me, I had a wonderful time with three of the coolest people I know. And John O'Groats always has amazing food. I highly recommend their "Baxter" omelet.
- The wait for the airplane back to Houston - I sat next to a bunch of rabid 'SC fans and a former LSU football player. Needless to say, the conversation centered around football, a favorite topic of mine.

I need to post some of my pictures... Hopefully I'll have a gallery up in a couple of days. I mean, what else am I supposed to do in Houston?

Fight on, 'SC. And fuck the BCS.