Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
teitur
My stolen-slash-borrowed ipod has been stuck on Teitur. It's kind of bad because when I wake up in the morning and turn it on, instead of standing up, I lie there listening to the lyrics. And the guitar. I don't love the lyrics, but the guitar is genius. Lots of plucking. Lots of lovely chord changes.
I wrote my brother to tell him to download the album, Poetry and Aeroplanes, but I couldn't quite describe its sound. The first song on the album sounds like Sting, but the second one is like Plain White T's "Delilah," and then the next few are like a paired-down Dave Matthews, and there's a Jack Johnson-ish one, and also a Radioheady one, and one or two like Aviv Geffen. I might place Teitur between Iron & Wine, Pearl Jam, and Sufjan. And slightly west of AWESOME.
Buy it.
I wrote my brother to tell him to download the album, Poetry and Aeroplanes, but I couldn't quite describe its sound. The first song on the album sounds like Sting, but the second one is like Plain White T's "Delilah," and then the next few are like a paired-down Dave Matthews, and there's a Jack Johnson-ish one, and also a Radioheady one, and one or two like Aviv Geffen. I might place Teitur between Iron & Wine, Pearl Jam, and Sufjan. And slightly west of AWESOME.
Buy it.
dreamy
So you know I'm like a total internet stalker, right? Over the summer, when I was kind of obsessed with Craigslist personals, I visited this one guy's MySpace a million and one times because his song hypnotized me. Then I became positive that he was the one for me and asked him out over email. It didn't go well, but that's a different story.
The song was Breathe by Telepopmusik. I swear I've heard this song before in a commercial or something. Since the Craigslist incident, I've been kind of reluctant to revisit his page just to take a listen, because doesn't everyone have a statcounter that reveals who is checking them out? God forbid he would discover my stalkage and make his page private! So I thought about Telepopmusik A LOT, instead. And then I found them on youtube, of course.
In early January I purchased a bunch of CDs on amazon, because I do that. Me and my dad are the last people to buy actual PLASTIC CDs. As I compiled my purchases, I remembered this band. I bought Angel Milk, which doesn't include "Breathe," but is reportedly their best album. Also, doesn't it sound yummy? It sounds just like how you think angel milk would taste. It's been running in my living room stereo. It's cozy with the rain.
The song was Breathe by Telepopmusik. I swear I've heard this song before in a commercial or something. Since the Craigslist incident, I've been kind of reluctant to revisit his page just to take a listen, because doesn't everyone have a statcounter that reveals who is checking them out? God forbid he would discover my stalkage and make his page private! So I thought about Telepopmusik A LOT, instead. And then I found them on youtube, of course.
In early January I purchased a bunch of CDs on amazon, because I do that. Me and my dad are the last people to buy actual PLASTIC CDs. As I compiled my purchases, I remembered this band. I bought Angel Milk, which doesn't include "Breathe," but is reportedly their best album. Also, doesn't it sound yummy? It sounds just like how you think angel milk would taste. It's been running in my living room stereo. It's cozy with the rain.
writing is no longer a quiet subject
If Ben Harper went to Appalachia for a year, he would come back as Sufjan Stevens.
The first time I heard Sufjan, I fell in love. He sings real close to the microphone. He harmonizes with himself. He plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, piano, and more. He recorded an entire album paying homage to the state of Michigan. Then another one for Illinois. He's like the kid who was a know-it-all dork in elementary school but discovered manners and girls and guitar in high school and now after college is a total catch.
It is the Michigan album that I brought to school and started playing every afternoon while prepping for the next day. I give myself about an hour before I go home. Having a soothing soundtrack as I grade and chart and hang and rearrange is pleasant. Plus, when the music ends, I get to leave!
On Friday, on the third day of this wretched rain, after five hours with no relief from child-care (or a bathroom break), I thought, To hell with this mandated curriculum and silent writing time and following my lesson plans! I am fucking stir crazy and I simply must do something that I enjoy! So I put on Michigan and we all sat down to write letters to our pen pals. Everyone was allowed to talk, but few did. The music made me feel human. The rain tapped at our windows. We kept the lights half-off. We wrote for a good forty minutes, which was twice the time I initially scheduled. Some students finished writing early and so they created colorful "envelopes" for their letters. Breana told me afterwards, "I didn't even notice the music was one!" That's how you can tell your soundtrack is good.
Writing is no longer a quiet subject.
The first time I heard Sufjan, I fell in love. He sings real close to the microphone. He harmonizes with himself. He plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, piano, and more. He recorded an entire album paying homage to the state of Michigan. Then another one for Illinois. He's like the kid who was a know-it-all dork in elementary school but discovered manners and girls and guitar in high school and now after college is a total catch.
It is the Michigan album that I brought to school and started playing every afternoon while prepping for the next day. I give myself about an hour before I go home. Having a soothing soundtrack as I grade and chart and hang and rearrange is pleasant. Plus, when the music ends, I get to leave!
On Friday, on the third day of this wretched rain, after five hours with no relief from child-care (or a bathroom break), I thought, To hell with this mandated curriculum and silent writing time and following my lesson plans! I am fucking stir crazy and I simply must do something that I enjoy! So I put on Michigan and we all sat down to write letters to our pen pals. Everyone was allowed to talk, but few did. The music made me feel human. The rain tapped at our windows. We kept the lights half-off. We wrote for a good forty minutes, which was twice the time I initially scheduled. Some students finished writing early and so they created colorful "envelopes" for their letters. Breana told me afterwards, "I didn't even notice the music was one!" That's how you can tell your soundtrack is good.
Writing is no longer a quiet subject.
sia
Some People Have Real Problems
I bought this album three weeks ago when it came out, and at first it sounded like a lot of whining, but now I literally cannot stop listening to it. It's gone through maybe sixteen, maybe twenty rotations in my car CD player. And I'm like, "YEAH!" when every single song starts. I keep thinking that I'm going to get sick of it and maybe I should change my music before that happens, but when I get to the end of the album I think to myself, ok, just one more time through, and then I'll change it. "Buttons," the hidden track, is addictive like coke. I think one afternoon I played it five times over before realizing there was another person in the car and maybe he wasn't crazy like me.
Sia is the sometimes lead singer of my all-time favorite band, Zero 7. She has a previous solo album that became all popular because of her single, "Breathe Me," which was in the Six Feet Under series finale. I've just discovered this second that she has two other albums, and maybe I should check them out. I cannot understand a single lyric she sings, and I'm totally ok with that.
I bought this album three weeks ago when it came out, and at first it sounded like a lot of whining, but now I literally cannot stop listening to it. It's gone through maybe sixteen, maybe twenty rotations in my car CD player. And I'm like, "YEAH!" when every single song starts. I keep thinking that I'm going to get sick of it and maybe I should change my music before that happens, but when I get to the end of the album I think to myself, ok, just one more time through, and then I'll change it. "Buttons," the hidden track, is addictive like coke. I think one afternoon I played it five times over before realizing there was another person in the car and maybe he wasn't crazy like me.
Sia is the sometimes lead singer of my all-time favorite band, Zero 7. She has a previous solo album that became all popular because of her single, "Breathe Me," which was in the Six Feet Under series finale. I've just discovered this second that she has two other albums, and maybe I should check them out. I cannot understand a single lyric she sings, and I'm totally ok with that.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I love the new Centrum ad where two girls are each playing a giant foam vitamin, one is calcium and the other is vitamin D, and they are talking about how much they love each other, and one starts crying so the other starts crying... hilarious.
Go to their website and click on "watch new commercials."
Go to their website and click on "watch new commercials."
Monday, January 21, 2008
my life, last week
It's been what -- eight years? since I last wrote. I feel like I've gone through several lives since last week. There was picking up the boy from the airport, a decidedly girlfriendish thing to do (and I am not his girlfriend), and then christening the car, there was the first choir meeting of the new season in which I was picked to be part of a smaller, more talented choir, there was a meh blind date, a "hike" around Beverly Blvd because drizzle canceled the real hike, meeting Glenda's boyfriend FINALLY, and a whole bunch of No Child Left Behind bullshit.
I had a really good meal at IHOP and a watermelon martini at the Pressman fundraiser, where I also ran into the Temple Israel Rabbi who may or may not have been fired because of his porn habit. Or drugs. We really don't know. Thus followed a slew of text messages on how to properly ascertain his reason for leaving.
I had a great dirt session with Nicole, and then a great Facebook session with Glenda, in which I shamelessly hated on my ex while eating butternut squash. Then we watched Bring It On: In It To Win It. It's our new slogan. It applies to both blow jobs and life experiences. Do you like your new administrative position? No, I'm just in it to win it. Are you a serious runner? Yeah, I'm in it to win it. What are your thoughts on giving head? I'm in it to win it.
I finally, FINALLY got my wireless router to work, by disabling password encryption, so just about anyone in my building can use my internet, but I can use my computer in my bed! Or in the bathroom! I could be taking a shit right now! (Speaking of, my bottom system has also finally started to work again after the series of winter break viruses. (Viri?) It was touch and go for a while. I thought I might never poop again.)
This coming week, I have plans EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I'm having dinner with Margie (happily refriended), BTSA (still sworn enemies), choir, Jeopardy episode in which someone I met on New Years competes, a house-warming party, and then choir again. I haven't been this busy since ever.
Stay tuned.
I had a really good meal at IHOP and a watermelon martini at the Pressman fundraiser, where I also ran into the Temple Israel Rabbi who may or may not have been fired because of his porn habit. Or drugs. We really don't know. Thus followed a slew of text messages on how to properly ascertain his reason for leaving.
I had a great dirt session with Nicole, and then a great Facebook session with Glenda, in which I shamelessly hated on my ex while eating butternut squash. Then we watched Bring It On: In It To Win It. It's our new slogan. It applies to both blow jobs and life experiences. Do you like your new administrative position? No, I'm just in it to win it. Are you a serious runner? Yeah, I'm in it to win it. What are your thoughts on giving head? I'm in it to win it.
I finally, FINALLY got my wireless router to work, by disabling password encryption, so just about anyone in my building can use my internet, but I can use my computer in my bed! Or in the bathroom! I could be taking a shit right now! (Speaking of, my bottom system has also finally started to work again after the series of winter break viruses. (Viri?) It was touch and go for a while. I thought I might never poop again.)
This coming week, I have plans EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I'm having dinner with Margie (happily refriended), BTSA (still sworn enemies), choir, Jeopardy episode in which someone I met on New Years competes, a house-warming party, and then choir again. I haven't been this busy since ever.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
just another MLK birthday
It's eight forty-five on Tuesday night, and I'm cozy in my sweatpants and slippers, eating rice-a-roni and watching a PBS special on Quantum Mechanics. Have you ever heard of Bose-Einstein Condensates? Me neither. I can't say that I appreciate that such states of matter exist, but it's cool when people devote their lives to the pursuit of science. One guy actually just said, "Why build a quantum computer? Because we can!" It reminds me of when I was reading a National Geographic article on alternative fuels and decided that after teaching, I'm going to devote myself to the study of algae production. Did you know they are trying to figure out how to get fuel from algae? We humans are amazing.
A nasty flu is spreading around my class and the kids are dropping like flies. On Friday, we finished the day with only eleven kids. Normally a small group is preferable, but only when you've planned on it. I can feel it in my throat that I'm going to get sick.
Lastly: I can type eighty words a minute.
A nasty flu is spreading around my class and the kids are dropping like flies. On Friday, we finished the day with only eleven kids. Normally a small group is preferable, but only when you've planned on it. I can feel it in my throat that I'm going to get sick.
Lastly: I can type eighty words a minute.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Omigod, I'm totally crying here watching Hillary Clinton's winning speech. It's been so long since I've been moved by a politician. I don't even know if I like her best, but the fact that she is articulate, (unlike Bush), female, (inspiring), and preaching the evils of health insurance companies and greedy rich people (Democrat).
Amen
I'm an Edwards supporter, but I'll vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is. If they nominate a can of corn, I'll vote for it. And it will be more intelligent than W.
Amen
Sunday, January 06, 2008
pitch black and quite silent
On New Year's Eve, I went home at around two in the morning. It was pitch black and quite silent. I bumped into one of my neighbors in the courtyard, he was leaving and I was coming in. I think he was holding a Slurpee. I wished him a happy new year and he wished it back, then asked me my name. I gave it and he told me his.
There was a short awkward moment and I turned to go, but he called out, Wait! I looked back expectantly, and there was another pause, and then he said, "Can I have a hug?"
There was a short awkward moment and I turned to go, but he called out, Wait! I looked back expectantly, and there was another pause, and then he said, "Can I have a hug?"
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
the year 2007
spend New Year's Day with pregnant Haley and baby Charlie
give my red car, "Juegato" to charity
first gyno appt with a man
several non-dates with BJ
watch Alpha Dog with the Jew Crew and cry uncontrollably
Burke Williams massage
WRITE A THESIS
siblings picture in Benja's front yard
UCLA Wednesday night classes, oh how they sucked
Ischia sushi and dancing birthday
spearhead Ella Fitzgerald unit for third grade
faculty meeting in my classroom
Abbey's Orthodox/African wedding in Boston
disastrous New York trip
fuck buddies (continuing feature)
thank God Stephanie moves out of the apt
Mike moves in with his turtle (surprise!)
take Tova to Big Sunday at my school
bad, bad sinus infection
two cases of strep throat
Cinco de Mayo with BJ (he gets drunk, we talk sex)
Aaron and girlfriend break up
Mother's Day brunch spread at Benja's house
Hustler store with Sierra
LACMA kid's art and Western Landscapes
Elisheva's wedding (Linda and I both get some)
Karen's make-your-own pizza dinner
see Knocked Up with uncomfortable company
parents announce they are separating
get my Master's Degree (was it really worth it?)
faculty year-end party and my interpretive dance
Nederlands and Belgium with mother dearest
Aunt Janey's wedding in Providence
Liz and Dale reunion at CPK
summer of Nicole, pt IV!
apartment hunting
visit Haley
Jury Duty! I dress cute! Hot lawyer!
roommate Mike's play, Twelfth Night
hang out at Phyllis's pool
move out of ex-fabulous apartment
full medical physical: prognosis healthy
The Lion in Winter with mum and Phyllis at LACMA
delusions about Wicked rush tickets with Karen
house sit at Glenda's
dates with lawyer / singer David (bar, bowling, painting)
audition for choirs
visit Haley Bojangles and her fat baby, Luke
move in to glorious one bed apartment!!!
paint the walls!
buy green velvet chair
buy orange velvet couch
buy refrigerator
baby Hadar's Simchat Bat
sell white chaise lounge
cavity filling without novocain
join Angel Chorale
third grade teacher, take two
Haley fancy dinner and Death statue present
Entourage marathons with Karen
Naomi visits my classroom
Mummy publishes a book!
BTSA year two sucks just as much as BTSA year one
Tova, Margaret, Karen at Gaslight karaoke bar
long babysitting of cousins with Stephanie, by mistake
Shabbat dinner at Margaret's, with her dad
I turn twenty six
awesome first dinner date with Bradd
new cell phone with camera!
family birthday dinner at Pink Taco
awesome hike date with Bradd
dermatology fuck-ups at Kaiser
weird napping / not kissing with Bradd
eating twelve Clementines at Thanksgiving dinner
Angel City winter concerts
Angel City Tour of Hope
Ezra publishes a book!
faculty holiday party at Mimi's: gingerbread houses
winter break illnesses begin
Wicked with Daddy and Israeli teachers
visit Haley, drop the kids off at church
TIOH classroom / hallway visit
minor surgery
Courtney and Liz and Dale and Jayita reunion
Nick reunion (so fun, shame)
Watts Towers pre-field trip with Naomi
serious LOST Netflixing
brunch at Jayita's parent's almost ranch house
ice skating in Santa Monica with cousins
game night New Year's at Margaret's (and lame after-party)
give my red car, "Juegato" to charity
first gyno appt with a man
several non-dates with BJ
watch Alpha Dog with the Jew Crew and cry uncontrollably
Burke Williams massage
WRITE A THESIS
siblings picture in Benja's front yard
UCLA Wednesday night classes, oh how they sucked
Ischia sushi and dancing birthday
spearhead Ella Fitzgerald unit for third grade
faculty meeting in my classroom
Abbey's Orthodox/African wedding in Boston
disastrous New York trip
fuck buddies (continuing feature)
thank God Stephanie moves out of the apt
Mike moves in with his turtle (surprise!)
take Tova to Big Sunday at my school
bad, bad sinus infection
two cases of strep throat
Cinco de Mayo with BJ (he gets drunk, we talk sex)
Aaron and girlfriend break up
Mother's Day brunch spread at Benja's house
Hustler store with Sierra
LACMA kid's art and Western Landscapes
Elisheva's wedding (Linda and I both get some)
Karen's make-your-own pizza dinner
see Knocked Up with uncomfortable company
parents announce they are separating
get my Master's Degree (was it really worth it?)
faculty year-end party and my interpretive dance
Nederlands and Belgium with mother dearest
Aunt Janey's wedding in Providence
Liz and Dale reunion at CPK
summer of Nicole, pt IV!
apartment hunting
visit Haley
Jury Duty! I dress cute! Hot lawyer!
roommate Mike's play, Twelfth Night
hang out at Phyllis's pool
move out of ex-fabulous apartment
full medical physical: prognosis healthy
The Lion in Winter with mum and Phyllis at LACMA
delusions about Wicked rush tickets with Karen
house sit at Glenda's
dates with lawyer / singer David (bar, bowling, painting)
audition for choirs
visit Haley Bojangles and her fat baby, Luke
move in to glorious one bed apartment!!!
paint the walls!
buy green velvet chair
buy orange velvet couch
buy refrigerator
baby Hadar's Simchat Bat
sell white chaise lounge
cavity filling without novocain
join Angel Chorale
third grade teacher, take two
Haley fancy dinner and Death statue present
Entourage marathons with Karen
Naomi visits my classroom
Mummy publishes a book!
BTSA year two sucks just as much as BTSA year one
Tova, Margaret, Karen at Gaslight karaoke bar
long babysitting of cousins with Stephanie, by mistake
Shabbat dinner at Margaret's, with her dad
I turn twenty six
awesome first dinner date with Bradd
new cell phone with camera!
family birthday dinner at Pink Taco
awesome hike date with Bradd
dermatology fuck-ups at Kaiser
weird napping / not kissing with Bradd
eating twelve Clementines at Thanksgiving dinner
Angel City winter concerts
Angel City Tour of Hope
Ezra publishes a book!
faculty holiday party at Mimi's: gingerbread houses
winter break illnesses begin
Wicked with Daddy and Israeli teachers
visit Haley, drop the kids off at church
TIOH classroom / hallway visit
minor surgery
Courtney and Liz and Dale and Jayita reunion
Nick reunion (so fun, shame)
Watts Towers pre-field trip with Naomi
serious LOST Netflixing
brunch at Jayita's parent's almost ranch house
ice skating in Santa Monica with cousins
game night New Year's at Margaret's (and lame after-party)
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
perspective
I guess it's exciting that we have a black man and a white woman running for president, but I haven't really given it much thought. It's quite a big deal. The type of thing that could be featured, years from now, in soft-focus lenses with swelling music in the background. Some kind of PBS documentary about civil rights or women's suffrage or dreaming big. Bringing me to tears. I'd like to start caring. Maybe this is my new year's resolution? Follow politics? That's not quite reasonable. Think smaller: Follow the election.
Maybe here I should state that I desperately want a Democratic president. The past eight years have pretty much sucked, government-wise, and have you seen the Republican candidates? Scary.
Maybe here I should state that I desperately want a Democratic president. The past eight years have pretty much sucked, government-wise, and have you seen the Republican candidates? Scary.
happy two thousand eight
It's a good omen to start the new year with a man between your legs. 2008 is going to rock.
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