Their Compliment of Highs

Now the world can be an unfair place at times
But your lows will have their compliment of highs
And if anyone should cheat you
Take advantage of or beat you raise your head
And wear your wounds with pride

Yeasayer, Ambling Alp

Yesterday I went on a field trip with my British Lit class to see "Henry V" by the Seattle Shakespeare Company. The play was nice - a very good ending that gave the whole thing a lot of meaning that I had been feeling was missing a little. Great scenes where they spoke in French that were really humorous. There was a crazy woman in front of us that clapped during the kissing scene. Also, all these elementary school kids danced in their seats during set-change music (a little odd, haha) and one laughed really loudly at the kiss. It was hilarious.

Overall, though, I enjoyed the trip there and back much more than the play itself. I got to talk to a lot of people in that class who I don't know very well - myself and LFK were appointed the Seattle & Bus experts, so I talked to him for a while. I also actually got to talk to Ms Wolverine, which I've never really done. She is surprisingly fashionable at all times - she had on some amazing rainboots that were really unexpected! Striped in blue and white and red, but they also had some skulls on them. She was nice and asked me about my brother and told some jokes. Plus, after some torrential days, it was really nice and sunny. We didn't transfer buses in the city because it was fantastic weather so we decided to walk from Seattle Center to Westlake (okay, the Seattle & Bus experts decided that we should walk). But it was gorgeous out in the city and over here when I walked home. Truly summer weather!

A lovely shot of LC!'s first Seattle gig, which I was at. My head is probably one of those silhouettes.

On Tuesday I'm going to see Los Campesinos!, which I'm really excited for. I was planning on buying an LC! mug for my tea-drinking pleasure, but I'm trying to save up for a record player with a speaker and adapter built in, so I may just buy some pins/badges/whatever you'd like to call them. Hopefully they've got some because the only LC! ones I have say "WAB" and "WAD" on them, which no one ever understands except actual fans of the band. So I just get asked why I have something that says "wad" on my bag.

I'm working hard on putting together my poetry collection so I can take advantage of my free print copy. It's called "sincerely" and right now I'm trying to come up with a nice cover design for it... which is hard. I can't decide whether I want it to be simple or more detailed... such decisions! It's also hard because for it to sell online there have to be so many pages, which means so many poems...

The Richard Hugo House

I was a finalist in my school's poetry contest so now I'm anxiously waiting for the results of one that the library held - hopefully I win something in that one! Another event I went to recently, in honor of National Poetry Month, was "Dead Poets Society" at the House, where I fell in love with Richard Brautigan - I was bound to, really, because Matt Gano was playing him and I think he's an amazing poet and an even better performer. Other poets there were Frank O'Hara (my all-time favorite), Audre Lorde, and Anne Sexton. It went a bit late and I was the youngest person there (surrounded by martini-downing adults), but it was a nice break from school work. Plus, if I do say so myself, I looked pretty fabulous that day, so it was nice to be in public not looking like a fool. Which is how I usually look...

(taken by my little sister last end of spring/summer)

Here?

Okay, Okay, I'm posting! Since I've last posted, tons of things have happened and I'm pretty sure most all of you are on the up and up since I see C everyday and S and I have seen each other about a bazillion times over the last few weeks (FLORENCE WAS AMAZING JSYK).

Do J or S want to come with me to the French techno dance night on May 7? I'm thinking it will be pretty low key. C can't come and I want to go because one of my friends is president of French Club (who are putting it on) and the last time I was at the Old Firehouse (where it is) there was a really cute guy working there.

And thanks to both C and S for coming to the Night of Noise! It was actually pretty successful, I thought, and the music was surprisingly good (what, there were only like, two bad acts?). Glad your surgery went well, J!

The Arts Commission hasn't gotten back to me yet (or to the other girl I know who applied) but they did send a email to me (and the other girl) saying that they hadn't made their decision and they'd be in touch.

I really, really want new clothes, but I have no money. So I'm going to join C on the job hunt. Wouldn't it be super amazing if we worked at the same place? Although the chances of that aren't very high, (besides the new Metro Market, which C said had a very intimidating app process) I can still hope.

I'll post more with specific stories soon...hopefully.

More to come soon

Hey!
J, I'm so glad to hear everything went well--I'm was thinking about you all morning Friday. I don't have much time tonight, so I'm just saying Hi and will post again soon. Speaking of which, I think it's been two months since A's last post! Get on that!

I tried to upload my video, but I couldn't get it off the DVD (I guess that doesn't work) and it has mine and C's name in it--I'm not sure C is okay with that. You will all get to see it shortly, though.

Much Love,
-S

Wicked Dream

Hello hello!

I survived my surgery!!! I went in on Friday to have the procedure done and it went splendidly, so yay. I was really goofy on drugs for a while (and said some really embarrassing things) and am taking massive amounts of medications, but all is well in J-land!

I wanna say happy b-day to C again, as well :) I had lots and lots of fun seeing everyone at your birthday and am SO bummed I won't be able to go to LC!'s concert coming up because I think it would be a lot of fun. I haven't been to a concert with y'all in such a long time, it's ridiculous. I'm looking forward to Sasquatch with S but I miss going, all three of us.

It is so pretty out today, it makes me want to make plans for this summer! I wanna do something wickedly awesome, I've gotta think up something good for the four of us to do...not sure exactly WHAT though. Maybe go somewhere neat? We'll see, I'm sure we'll come up with something neat.

Whaaaaaat else...I've got lots of homework to get to, which is weighing on my thoughts right now...I really really really should be doing that but I wanted to make a post first, haha. Oh yeah, priorities, mine are so in order, haha :)

OH YEAH, THIS STARTED LAST NIGHT! Did you watch, C? Omg, no spoilers or anything in case you haven't seen yet, but I really loved it. Amy Pond as a little kid sort of annoyed me, but I like her as a teenager and Matt Smith has done a great job of stepping in as the doctor, although I'm not incredibly in love with him yet...Tennet was just so extraordinary, you know? But we'll see ;)

Over and out!

The Seaside

Do you want to go to the seaside?
I'm not trying to say that
everybody wants to go...
The Kooks, Seaside

About a week or so ago my family went on a mini-vacation to the seaside. Well, it wasn't really the sea, it was a bay, but that it pretty much close enough. These are some pictures from one of the only times I went outside during the vacation -- I was very ill and mostly stayed in to watch Harry Potter on television or listen to some podcasts. Or mope around drinking cranberry juice.

The other time I went outside was for an antique fair where I bought a floral pin. I would have bought a pocket watch for a necklace, but the only guy selling real ones (who also had amazing pins) had really high prices for everything. The only affordable one I found was hard to open once you had closed it and wasn't actually an antique of any sort. It wasn't even real.
My parents bought a really cute painting there of a farmhouse (it reminds me of some of the things we had in our third/fourth grade classroom).


(I post this in a fit of completely ignoring what happened with our musical today.
A will probably go into that... so I thought I'd post something happier.)

Why Aren't You in My Bed?

So this weekend I went to Camano Island with Tom, as y'all know. But do you know the back-story? I THINK NOT.

You may or may not have heard of Tom and I's "inappropriate sitting" on the couch at his house during movies. Tom got lectured about it, and thus he lectured me about it. Basically, his mother was upset because we were sitting a little too cuddily.

So when his mom and my mom met (in order to let us go to Camano together or whatever) they, as moms tend to do, exploded a little. By which I mean, they "figured out" that Tom and I are sexually intimate and that I was going to get pregnant and, as I have my bleeding thing, get an abortion and die. Or have the baby and die. Basically, Tom+J=death to J.

Seriously, I'm not exaggerating. That was the result of an afternoon coffee together.

So when Tom and I went to Camano we were put as far apart from each other as possible. I was in the attic and, yes, Tom was in the basement.

It was pretty funny. We were watching Lord of the Rings and his mom came in and told us to be responsible. It was cute. The entire "weekend" was cute, in fact :)

Although I was a little let down by the way we both had to be really well behaved. Falling asleep, I was kinda like hey, where the hell are you right now, Tom? But I guess I'm lucky he's respectful. Or unlucky.

Ah well.

Give Us Your Vote

Oh! Give us your vote,
give us your vote
if you know
what's good for you.
Tokyo Police Club, Your English is Good

Last year at school I entered a poetry contest. The winning poems all had to do with love and peace, as I recall, which I think is okay to write about - but they were also reminiscent of the fourth grade, so I thought they were a little undeserving of first, second, and third place.

Not that my poems were much better - looking back, I like what I wrote, but that is a lot different from being proud of it. Being proud of it means that I could spit it out, memorized from so much work on it, at any moment. That I could read it, myself, over and over and enjoy it every time instead of seeing every flaw.

I see lots of flaws in my work, lots of the time.

But I'm entering again this year, trying to reign in my generally aloof topics to something semi-universal (or at least capable of being universally appreciated). I'd really love if you guys would read some of my more recent things and tell me what you think? Either here or there or in an email. I know people have liked what I've read at open-mics, but the judges of this thing are school librarians, not Seattle teenagers.

There is a big difference. (sla.org.uk and needle+thread)

Plus the librarian told me that there is scholarship money involved, which had better stretch out of state, cos I'm in it to win!

Hi

Negative Cosines

My week was like a negative cosine it started low, gained some goodness, peaked halfway, and then slowly plummeted. The problem? I'm not sure when the next period of increases starts--this was also the problem I had on my math test. Needless to say, things didn't really go well today.

J, I hope you're math test went okay. Nina told me that you still had to take it, but that you finished before she did--so assume that means it went fairly well (but stressful).

Have any of you ever been to the Volunteer Park Conservatory? I've been, but not in a long, long, time, but I really want to go. If any of you are up for a trip I would love you to join me. It reminds me of that cute little book about the women who lives on the lane full of lilacs and then goes to the conservatory (ring a bell?). I've talked to C and A a lot this week, but have really heard from J. What's up?

Conservatory (http://ostertagphoto.com/Gardens/WA527I.jpg)

C, I'm sure that your hair was glamorous--don't worry about it. Oh, and A, today I skipped the assembly and hung out in the film room with Louise (a friend from school who is also in newspaper with J) and Sheila ( a girl I eat lunch with). Anyway--I asked her about P.N., and (bad news, you may want to sit down) he has a boyfriend. He is apparently very attractive and can be easily tracked via Facebook. Sorry A, but it may not last.

I'm very ready for summer now. I want those long warm nights--I may like summer evenings better than summer days (except days at the beach).

Loves,
-S

On My Head

Darling, I'm with St. Bernards and we are
scouring the Alps and the Andes.
If they die then it is on my head.
They followed paw prints in the snow to my throne,
to my bed.
Los Campesinos!, Romance is Boring

Happy Weekend!

Today all of the AP English students (or most of them, anyway) showed up for school dressed up in our Great Gatsby costumes; I got some looks from the ignorant sophomores and the creepy comment "I like your lips" about my makeup from my Chemistry teacher (who is now a man, a substitute, as our real teacher has just had a baby). I'll just call him Mr. Kale because he is as bland as that vegetable. (I'm not a huge kale fan - I don't like that wrinkled texture at all.)
I've now tried curling my hair, after a suggestion to do so for the musical. It worked in a semi-curled way - they were messy, because my hair is so short and it's hard to do, but they were sort of cute - but after about twenty minutes my hair was just very bird-nesty with loads of volume.
I'd take a picture of it, but that seems so social-networking... it's not a good look.

Last Friday I got Contra from the library (finally!) and I love it. It reminds me a lot of The Great Gatsby, actually, and I really wanted to use at least one of the songs in our musical. No such luck - it would be really hard. But the theme of social class, and the differences between them, is so prevalent throughout both this album and that book; I think that Vampire Weekend is a band that has really mastered that topic in such a nonchalant way that you almost could think they were faking it. The fact that they can do it in such a catchy, beautiful way is reminiscent of F. Scott Fitzgerald at his finest.

I did manage to get a Los Campesinos! song into our musical, though, which I think is applause-worthy.

Other note-worthy news: I can say "I don't know" and "I don't understand" in three languages, I'm going on vacation next weekend, and I would really like to go to Value Village this weekend. And I am writing an essay, or should be, so I should get back to that...

Halfway Somewhere

So I guess this post is sort of pointless since I'm going to see y'all tomorrow anyways, but I feel the need to write about something or other and so here I am...writing about something or other, and nothing in particular.

What has happened to me this part week? Let me seeee...

Last Sunday: Oh, the closing ceremonies were incredible you guys! Truly. We arrived in Vancouver (hands down my favorite city in the whole wide world) and wandered about Robson Square...then the Canadians won gold in hockey and the place went completely mad! People were screaming and running around and leaning over their balconies dropping Canadian flags on the crowd below. It was like those pictures you see of the celebrations after WWII's end--people honestly had tears pouring down their faces. It was ridiculous. And then, the ceremonies themselves were neat too--we got to go in the VIP seating (one box over from the Prime Minister of Canada, mind you) and wear the white ponchos and wave red and white lights around and stuff. I was so upset to leave--and want to go to London's 2012 games and Sochi's 2014 games sooooo badly...the coolest news of all, though? The next event--the World Cup--is supposed to take place in this town called Vos in Norway...and if my dad gets picked as the TD, we'd get to go! I would go to Norway! I have my fingers, toes, arms, legs, and vocal cords crossed. Oh, and the reason for the picture is I bought that Sasquatch at the Olympics (he was the officially mascot). I was pretty thrilled and carried him around everywhere with me. Here, I'm given' him some love.

Oh, and A, this picture is for you. It's Avril singing "Girlfriend" at the Olympic Closing Ceremonies. Thought you'd appreciate it! (And C, I was going to get a picture of Nickleback singing for you, cause I know how much you love them, but I just couldn't get the angle right xP )

Last Monday, Tuesday: God, I am so sick of school. So unmotivated, so stressed out. Like, the entire thing seems so pointless to me. Half the reason I'm going anymore is to just see friends, and out of habit. I'm doing well and all, it's just...I'm so tired. But something changed this week. Something cool is happening. I can feel it...guys, winter is coming to an end. Maybe I have SAD or whatever, but when it comes down to it, waking up with the sun in the morning and the temperature being arm enough to not shiver as I dodge from classroom to classroom during the day...well, lets just say that there is hope. Summer is coming, ladies and gentleman. Three and a half months. We can make it.

Last Wednesday: Dance gave me a little bit of a boost, but I'm so sleepy! This had been such a crammed week, ehhh...I've slept hardly at all.

Last Thursday: Well...I went to the doctor about my throat thingy, to arrange for surgery. It's officially all set up for April 16th. Oh my god, you guys, I'm so scared. The doctor was telling me about how they're going to use the same drug on me as they did on Michael Jackson that killed him and then the doctor was like, "Well, that doesn't usually happen." Huh. So reassuring. It's not a high-risk surgery, but any surgery is risky. And it's my THROAT. Like, I need that thing.

Yesterday: It was 5:00am and I said, "Today is going to be excellent." And it was. Chinese was a breeze, I aced my Dubliners test and got Kafka as my author for English. Science, history, math, satisfying conclusion to our Spanish ethics trial. No 7th period, hung out with Tom and ate chips and salsa on a park bench and then explored the woods barefoot. Spent the night at Evvy's, watching Doctor Who (I miss Rose!)

Boog si efil*

*by which I mean "Life is Good." But backwards-ly.

Halfway Somewhere picture: bear
Picture of me and Sasquatch: me
Picture of ickiness: Google Health

There Ain't No Cowboy in My Hair

This week has been extremely busy-but, still no excuse for not posting. As off four hours ago I finished 1/4 of my IB film test. It was very stressful, but I'm incredibly relieved. Speaking of which, I've gotten Sunday off so plans for filming are confirmed. What times work for you? It needs to be midday (I have some nightish scenes, so I'll need both evening and daytime). Also, C, I realized you need at least three outfits--it happens over a few days.
More importantly, though-- I now have a little feline friend. He doesn't have a name yet, but is adorable. He's a teenage cat (less than a year) and very friendly. I was doing my biology homework last night and he came and curled up next to me with his arm and head resting on my leg. He also attacked my mom, though--he really loves cat nip and went a bit insane when we gave him some. We adopted him from the Vet where my older sister works. He still needs a name, though. Everyone loved Emmet, but I put my foot done. It's my favorite boy's name and I wanted to save it-- I suggested Lincoln. Any suggestions?

Update: He is now called Jimmy--I had a cuter picture (he was asleep), but for some reason I didn't grab it off the camera. I'll tie it on to the end of the next post.

Jimmy The Cat

At lunch Monday I went to sit with Alicia (can we change this? It will just confuse me) and she was sitting with this extremely cute boy. Turns out he was a German exchange student, and when I say "cute" I mean beyond adorable, attractive, and fit. He has really nice greenish eyes, light brown hair that is a bit shaggy and curls around the edges, has that nice tan you get from sitting outside in the summer (little freckles), and is extremely tall. He's really sweet, nice, and speaks very good English. He told me he was turning 16 on March 11th and that he was a Junior, but I talked to Tom (J's boyfriend) about him and he said he thinks that he knows who I'm talking about and it's actually a sophomore-- I really couldn't care less. Anyway, on Tuesday I was looking forward to sitting next to him so I rushed to Alicia's table and she wasn't there! Our Spanish teacher had switched lunches for that day. I only really know one other person who sits there (and not very well) so I couldn't sit done. I gave him a smile, though, and ( I think) he smiled back. Anyway, I have a feeling I made a really bad first impression on him--which I need to fix. Today, Alicia and I fully circled the cafeteria twice, trying to find him, but we think that he doesn't have our lunch Wed/Thurs. We will find him Friday, though. Oh! Guess what his name is? You know my favorite movie with the Cat Stevens soundtrack? He has the same name a the mail lead (but is nothing like him). J, you must help me with this--you have his lunch two times a week.
What kind of movies do I like... well, I really do like artsy movies, foreign films, indie films and all of those (both funny and serious), and to be honest that's usually what I end up watching. I also, though, really enjoy romantic comedies-- I mean, I'm a teenager girl, it's practically part of my DNA to be a bit sappy. I also, though, like mystery movies (and books--it's a weakness, I have to know what happens), and some action/horror. I'm fairly varied-- the only thing I can't stand is when artsy films go wrong and just turn weird and sometimes creepy.
A, I know you were talking about needing 20's flapper clothes. You can find those hats at Forever 21 (14.95, I think), but you can also get feather clips and stuff there for a few dollars. Also, isn't the key to 20's fashion dropped waist dresses that fall just around (usually, just below) the knee? I looked through my wardrobe and found 2 outfits that were 20's--I'm sure some people in your class will have stuff like that two. 20's accessories are really in style now. I agree with Clair, boys will be harder--but suspenders are an easy way to look more 20's, right?

I never wrote at all about going to Portland--it was very nice, and general population is alot more stylish. Yeah, I think I told you guys the rest.
Sorry, I felt that was just a list of facts--I'll update again this week and it won't be so jam packed.
Also, C, I've been absolutely loving The Tallest Man on Earth (thanks for recommending it). I want to learn this song... While, there would be a song here, but I can't figure out how to put it in. Just follow the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa3lyo_Eowc
Loves,
-Sophie

Dreaming of Paris

Bring the smile we used to cry
This smile is all for you
Then we have to play the game
And to let it go again
Just dreaming of Paris at night
BB Brunes, You Belong to Me

Each night I watched the Olympics, I waited patiently through all the commercials to get back to the games - but I was also waiting for this amazing Windows commercial in French. It was the highlight of the night each time I saw it (which was only twice), and rivaled my love for the two-men bobsled.

Obviously when it was on actual TV there were subtitles.

Sticking with the French theme, on Saturday I watched the 1966 Jean-Luc Godard film, Masculin, Féminin, starring the extremely hot Jean-Pierre Léaud as Paul and the jealousy-inducing Chantal Goya, who plays his girlfriend Madeleine Zimmer.

That's right, over an hour of him (click to watch).

It was a really beautiful and funny film, if a little bizarre. It was about young people in Paris, but I think it basically shows young people in general. Lots of "why don't you love me?" moments, rising pop stars, smoking, 'intellectual' discussions... I would have invited all of you over to watch it, but it was due back and I watched it at about nine in the morning (by myself, I might add - which is probably good as there were a lot of really hilarious discussions that my parents probably wouldn't have liked).

Do you guys like foreign films with subtitles or are you more for the American, Hollywood-type stuff? Artsy films, serious films, action films? Big names and budgets? I mean, I also just watched the new remake of Fame and while it was similar to M/F in that its plot was a little off, I'm fine with saying that it was one of the worst films I've ever seen. I didn't care about any of the characters - they were honestly nothing to me (especially that "cute" guy who would swear like he didn't know what he was saying... some of the weirdest delivery of lines ever). But in M/F the plot was anything but major, anything but predictable and I was still rooting for Paul to completely win over Madeleine or for her friend to admit that she loved him... they mattered.

Sometimes I think that's what Hollywood misses out on.

What do you guys think?

Picture of Jean-Pierre Léaud from here.

The Great Beginning

Biggest project of the year for C and I has just begun. Great Gatsby musicals! Our group is pretty good. KK is in it. God know's she'll be a horrible actress. There are a couple people in our group that won't be able to act AT ALL. It's rather unfortunate. We have one singer, which is good, especially since it's the singer we wanted haha.
We don't actually know who will be playing who yet, or what part of the book we have (or do we have the middle because we were group two? I don't know). I'm not sure what we'll do about costumes because we can't expect everyone to go out and buy new clothes for this project. And even aside from that, I certainly don't want to spend time out in Seattle at Redlight or value village looking for costumes with certain group members...Well at least 20's style flapper dresses aren't that hard to find...and those hats that they wore are coming back in style too (not that I've seen them anywhere besides UO or UA...
I'm looking forward to it though, it's going to be a lot of fun if we do it right. Not so happy about having to learn lines again, though.

Speaking of acting, S's thing is happening next weekend!I helped edit her script and it looks pretty good! You's better give me a large part, S.

Last Tuesday I skipped three classes to help out with some of the Youth Eastside Service panels going on at my school, and one of them was SO TERRIBLE, haha. It was mostly bad because we made a few mistakes at the beginning (we forgot to give the typical disclaimer where we just say that this is a good opportunity for them to ask any questions they want, they don't have to worry about being politically correct or offending anyone, blah blah), so people didn't really feel at ease. But also, the whole front row of kids in the class were REALLY not feeling it. I'll have to tell you guys about it in person or on the phone because there's too much to write here, but it was pretty bad haha.

Also, we had the performing arts assembly yesterday, and J, Jules did a song with his girlfriend and they SUCKED. It's weird because they're both good singers, but it was really horrible. One of my friends performed a Beatles song and she was much better.

I love Dragonette!

Unicorns Always Give 100%

I believe Olympic athletes are unicorns. Or at least they seem to abide by number eight in the Unicorn Code.

So how were the Olympics, you may ask? Completely incredible. Seriously, one of the coolest experiences of my entire life. The energy up there is electrifying--there are so many people from ALL over the world, and they're all crazy about their team, dressed up with faces painted, holding signs. And because my dad is a pretty important official, we get "backstage passes" and free tickets and awesome opportunities. For example, one night we went out and were eating with the judges and I was chatting it up with the French judge and she gave me two tickets to go see ice dancing--my favorite of any Olympic (summer or winter) event!

The events I saw were Women's Aerials (those ladies are stunning, seriously, they get AIR and FLIP AROUND and stuff. Which is the point, I guess, but I was like whoa), ski cross (so exciting to watch), and ice dancing.

Oh yeah, and tomorrow we're going up one last time to see the closing ceremonies!

Who knows if I'll ever go to the Olympics again, you know? But I have so many memories from that weekend. Here, let me share a few pictures...

we always had great seats, since they were technically for "family and friends" of the athletes

I've gotta learn how to do that

me showing off my olympic spirit

well found he liked vancouver pretty well

In other news, I have watched way more Doctor Who in the past 12 hours than is probably healthy...and I am completely loving it! I'm only four episodes into season two, but I thought the season one finale was extraordinary, especially the end. I was scared I was going to hate season two because of the new doctor but oh my god I love David Tennant! Now I'm scared I'm going to hate season four because I love him so much! I'm just afraid that from here, the next step is to wrap up Doctor Who and get hooked to Torchwood, since I'm a pretty humongous fan of Captain Jack as well.

Sorry, random geek fest. But I'm so buying this poster.

all photos from bear, other than the photos from the olympics which were taken by moi

Your Choices

And you have your choices -

these are what make man great
his ladder to the stars

Mumford & Sons, Timshel

Today, 16 February 2010, the Secret Project has begun.

None of you know what this is right now, but one if you will in a few days's time. The first recipient is obligated to pass on the Project to the remaining Katrina members - anyone beyond that is up to you.

The Rules:
1. You must include these rules when you pass the Project on so that people will know what to do.
2. You can not discuss the Project with anyone outside of it.
3. You should pass it on to at least two people. These people can be anyone, from anywhere.
4. At least three random, funny, or meaningful things must be included with the Project.
5. You may pass the Project as many times as you want, with any amount of time in-between.
6. The Project is not a chain - it is an attempt to promote meaningful communication and make people happy.

Let the games begin!

Will you be my valentine?

Like A, I am looking forward to seeing the lovely Florence in April. I have a feeling that it her show will have great energy--although her live stuff seems to be a whole lot less polished when it's live (which, I suppose, is typical).

In response to J's question, I would have to say I believe in true love. I mean, I agree that you have to work to make it last, but I don't think that's it's fake. I mean, you have to water a flower to make it grow--but it's still a flower (god, that was cheesy). I also think, though, that "true love" doesn't have to last--it's still love only if it last for a year. There's two types of love--the love you have for family and friends, then there's being "in love." For something that lasts I think you need both. I'm sure my view will change, but I believe in true love--I don't think, though, that everyone finds it. I just hope I'm one of the lucky ones--and that all of you guys are too. I was talking about this the other day--well kind of. I was talking to a man in the meat department at the grocery store where I work. We were talking about how a knew an elderly couple who come in frequently who are also my neighbors who I love like grandparents. He was saying how he thinks they are amazing, lucky, and so sweet. They are both in their mid eighties, married sixty years, and still head over heels in love--hold and hand and skip, in love. They're amazing people--they've lived all over the world, one's a spectacular artist, and the other one plays blues harmonica. I'm sure, though, that they've had their conflicts and have tough parts in their lives--but they're still together. I don't know, maybe love flows like tides and comes and goes--but I think it can be found.

I worked today, though, and it was Valentine's day madness. The floral department was about three times as big as normal and everyone was buying cards, flowers, and sweets. It was all a bit sad for me, having no one, but I was also a little glad I wasn't in any of the relationships. I mean--I bagged so many thirty dollar bouquets of baby's breath and slightly wilty red roses (probably from Columbia) wrapped in plastic. I only bagged two sun flowers (what I would have chosen). It was all too consumer oriented for me--not as sincere. Except for a few people--one (actually, I think it was the butcher) who said he'd bought his wife this bike she had really wanted. I thought that doing that was just so sweet. Plus, there were allot of kids in there with their dads--and that's always nice (little kids buying balloons for mom).

Chocolat--one of my favorite romantic stories

I haven't seen Dear John, yet, so I would very much like to go this week if any/all of you are up for it. Also, I think I'm busy on Sunday around dinner time--but I'll call one of you in the morning. I was under the impression that A, J, and I may being do something on Monday--I'm free until around 2:00 and then after 6:00. We should try to get all four of us together sometime this weekend (but I don't know if that's possible).

Oh, and, before I forget--I still can't post. Plus, how do you place videos in a post?

I feel, although I have some more updates, that my post is becoming a bit long. So long for now.
Loves,
-S

Florence!

Florence and the Machine! It's gonna be awesome.

I haven't updated in SO long, so I have a bunch of stuff to say!

So first of all, the project that Caboose was so excited about (making a mobile for our english teacher's baby) was totally ruined by C's arch rival KK, who not only stole her project, but did it in kind of a lame way. Her mobile was pretty ugly, but our teacher still loved it and told the rest of the class that we should be so inventive. I mean seriously, it was sooo funny (read: horrible). Like this is just the sort of thing KK WOULD do. And C was so mad, it was a great moment. But Caboose has another really good idea, so all is well. And hopefully she'll be writing to Mr. Crow about it later next week.

Beauty and the Beast was great! Although I didn't think Birdie was so hot. He was a good actor though, and he was really funny. It was too bad though because I thought Lafou upstaged him a bit (if only because I think the guy who played Lafou was more suited to his part than Birdie was to his). We saw so many people from Comm school there, it was weird.

Okay so am I write in thinking that we're meeting tomorrow for baby stuff at C's house? Times? I'm guessing you'll probably be busy all day, J, but if you can swing it you should stop by.

I wish we could go see movies, but that costs money....

Ahh, and there was also Tolo, which I don't think I've talked to anyone about! We didn't actually go to the dance, just hung out at my friend's house. I think there was like fifteen people maybe? I'm not sure, I left at like 9:30 ( got there at 4:30). They had really cute dogs! All we really did was make dinner, have food fights, play pool, and zombie video games. Well, that's all I did, but I left at 9:30. The next day I heard there had been some making out going on later in the night haha, I wish I had seen it because it was between two people I NEVER would have expected.

I've just recently started to get A LOT of college letters.

And oh yeah, I really miss the summer.



P.S. I'll probably be updating this post later as I remember the rest of the things I had to tell you guys.....

The B Side to Your A Side

So why the lovely ladies?

Because I am so envious of their hair! I wish mine was that long! Ugh, and I have so long to wait. If I'm lucky, it will be reaching that point at the end of senior year. Ah well, I am patient.

So mid-winter break has officially started for me, although it hasn't exactly been an "off-with-a-bang" kind of situation, really. Last night was pretty lazy--I went and watched the opening ceremonies at Tom's house (my opinion on the ceremony: I loved the orcas, but was confused by the plaid riverdancing fiddle guys). There was some VERY notable oo-er action later that I need to tell y'all about, as well ;)

I am so excited for the games!
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, which I am obviously spending with Tom. But I wanted to give you guys a little something. The young lad above is specifically for C (I hope you like him! He reminded me of you) but don't despair, A and S, I have a whole archive for you. Open up this website and rejoice in knowing that Singles Awareness Day doesn't come every year :)

What, you may ask, am I planning to do on Valentine's Day? No idea. Not a clue. Tom, apparently, has been asking my friends what I am planning (I'm supposed to plan something?) but every time I try to bring it up with him he changes the subject. Ugh! Boys boys boys.


I want to watch ridiculously romantic movies now. My favorites movie couples include those in Titanic, 500 Days of Summer, 10 Things I Hate About You, Pretty and Pink (Duckie, not that other loser) and, of course, The Notebook. God, my chest gets all tight whenever Noah and Allie interact. Ah! They're so adorable! S, did you ever see Dear John? Maybe you, C, A if he want to, and I should take a trip to the movies and see it?

Speaking of romance, I was talking to my mom yesterday--and she told me love doesn't exist. And before you get all up in arms, it wasn't actually that blasphemous and she had an interesting point. She said that it takes a strong conscious decision to stay in love, or stay out of love. It sort of brought up another topic that I'm always switching sides on--fate, or free will in terms of relationships and love? What are your opinions?

My last question (after best movie couple, free will or fate, can we see dear john together and whatever else I asked y'all in this post) is...what is the best love song? I had a tricky time trying to even narrow it down. The song I want to dance to at my wedding is 'Octopus's Garden' by the Beatles, and other than that it changes depending on my mood.

My vote today goes to this Dylan song (he is quite fit, isn't he S?)

She lit a burner on the stove and offered me a pipe
"I thought you'd never say hello," she said
"You look like the silent type."
Then she opened up a book of poems
And handed it to me
Written by an Italian poet
From the thirteenth century.
And every one of them words rang true
And glowed like burnin' coal
Pourin' off of every page
Like it was written in my soul from me to you,
Tangled up in blue.

Where I Want to Go

I don't know where I am

I don't know where I've been

But I know where I want to go,

so I thought I'd let you know

That these things take forever

and I especially am slow

But I realized that I need you

Bright Eyes, The First Day of My Life

Next year I need to get in the rest of my "occupational" credits, and when I met with my counselor that seemed like one of the most tedious parts of my Senior Year schedule. She asked me about college and what I hoped to major in and immediately said, "Did you know we have a community volunteer class? You help out in classrooms in the community and get credit for it - I don't know why you couldn't just help out in the ELL classroom right here!"

While being an ELL teacher in the States insn't exactly my ideal job, it's far closer than any other classes that would count for this credit. Teaching English as a foreign language in a foreign country is what I hope to do with my life, and helping in the ELL room will hopefully reinforce that dream! And if it doesn't, I guess I know what I don't want to do with my life... So I'm crossing my fingers that the ELL teacher will let me help out next year!

I've also been thinking about all the cool stuff we used to do together. Faith is in the movie-making class at her school this year and they're finishing up their first project and transitioning into their first live-action video: a music video.

Do you remember our first music video? I don't even know if anyone has it any more, but it was fantastic. The absolutely literal translation of "YMCA" was hilarious and we even got that guy working at the YMCA desk to participate... good times. Today I watched my copy of our video for "Mine's Not A High Horse" by the Shins and was pleasantly surprised by its quality; it was a lot better than I was expecting. Annoyingly, I thought I had a copy of our "Bike" video, but I couldn't find it.

Last summer we meant to make a video for "Your English is Good" by Tokyo Police Club and never got around to it, and since then there have been countless songs I've thought up stories for or just thought would be fun to do videos with. I feel that we sould get back into this habit of making movies. With S's project I see this as something we could bring back... anyone with me?

Remember the good times, the costumes, the I-don't-know-if-that-was-a-costumes!

I've got a three-point-five hour stint at the House tomorrow, including open-mic. I'm planning on reading something I wrote last month after Olive died, but maybe I'll write something amazing during Write Time beforehand.
I've also been informed by my mother that my church is having a Pancake and Open Mic Night (I personally don't see how those go together, plus I'm not a fan of pancakes unless they are of the buckwheat variety) and she took the liberty of signing me up while I was at home reading Pride and Prejudice for nine hours.

So that should be filled with brilliant works of literary merit... maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. I'll let you know how it goes.

This coming Monday I'm going with my good friend Natalia to the Olympic Sculpture Park. If I had a camera of my own I would say I'd return with pictures for this blog, but I don't. So I won't! It will be really fun, though, because I haven't seen her since July when we went to the mall together and she was badgered by Evangelists. I still have the birthday present I made for her back in October, so I'm going to bring that along. And I will finally get the USB that belongs to some guy at school so I can give it back to him - Natalia has had it since last spring and somehow I am the only connection to her at school. It will be good to get that albatross out of here...

Can't wait to see some of you this weekend!

Aaron the Tortoise

This past week has been busy, but I'm looking forward to the mid winter break--when I will then be busy with film stuff which is way better than math (but still time consuming). Since all of you are going to be busy during mid winter break (J heading off to Canada to do Olympic stuff and C and A in school) I decided to leave the state. I'm going to Portland to visit my Aunt, but it's over the state line--so it counts.

Downtown Portland

I'm taking the train and leaving Thursday morning and then coming back Saturday night (so A, I kept to my promise and changed the date so I could go see you and C--I thought we were working on that baby project for your english teacher, and what I mean is I'm going a week from this Thursday, I already bought tickets for B&B THIS Friday--the 12th). The slightly iffy thing about this, though, is that I'm not that great with airports and I think that's one of those things that translates to other situations--like trains. Once I figure out where to go, though, it should all be fine.

The train I would like to take (well, without the plume)... but really I'm taking Amtrak

Today I turned in my outline for my film project (the short movie proposal). C will be my leading lady and it should be a lot more realistic to film than any of my other plans. I'm basing it off that town where all the residents received letters from an anonymous sender. C or J sent us this article about it a while ago, I tried to find it, but only creepy stuff came up (like Jack the Ripper). My story, for the record, has nothing to do with Jack the Ripper. J and A--if you would still like to help I could use you and it would be extra excellent.

J, I'm glad you liked Beauty and the Beast. I'm really looking forward to going--I've heard that it's ace!

C and A, for your English teacher I still have the Dan Logan stencil--would you like it? I was thinking you could just spray it on a baby shirt, and wa-la, fashionable baby attire (babies love Dan Logan because he has cute little chipmunk cheeks).

Also, how many college emails have you been getting? I get about fifteen a day. On that note, if any of you want to go to Ohio University I have the brochure and map that they sent me--you can have them.

Vampire Weekend new album: Contra

Oh! I almost forgot, I (like C) have been loving the new LC! album. Romance is Boring is different from there other albums, but it's great and, again like C, I really adore the lyrics. It's still all very LC!, but the songs are have a more serious tone, and it seems very cohesive. I've also been listening to Vampire Weekend's Contra. They've done it again--I thinks it's very catchy and can't turn it off. Plus, Ezra Koenig is probably the most attractive singer since Bob Dylan (he's at least up there in the top 5).

Loves,

-S

Jellyfish

This week has made me feel like a jellyfish.


I know we've all talked at this point, and I know everything is still far from perfect, but I am really hoping to transcend everything...cause friendships can do that. We have the advantage of having a particularly strong friendship, however it will no doubt take some time. And lots of band-aids.

Just because I have a new group of friends doesn't mean I'm any less your friends, just like A is no less of friends with us because of the time he spends with the "Homecoming Group," or C with her writing group. I know I've been more neglectful than A and C, and I've promised to improve on this. I'm hoping we can all do something next Friday or Saturday? We need some time together. I think that will help, although some open(er) minds wouldn't hurt, either.

I'm starting to sound a little bit like a parrot, I'm sure, repeating myself over and over again to you guys. At the sake of making y'all bored, let's move on...

I went and saw our school's production of Beauty and the Beast last night, with Well, Evvy and her group of friends (who don't go to our school). It was extraordinary! Belle has always been one of my favorite princesses, and I mean, who can resist dancing enchanted household objects? Especially when they're kids from your class with plates strapped to their backs! It was done fantastically, I would so go again. Particularly because Birdie played Gaston. Swoon. Luckily Tom didn't go, or I may have had a bit of explaining to do...

And doesn't Drew Barrymore make a lovely Beauty?

Oh, and we have a new song in dance!


And C--thank you SO much! Oh my god, I am EXCITED!
all photos from here except this one from here