quick question.

I have so much to say because this has definitely been, besides the week I got diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever back in fourth grade, the craziest week of my life.  But not enough time when the boys will be getting out of their workshop in a few minutes and I can go eat. ACTF is my love right now, srsly, Team Dukakis is the cornerstone of the establishment. 

But right now, all I want to know is this:

Does anybody know the purpose behind people using two ampersands together??

That's all I want to know && bye!

change is coming our way - just like a new day.

That subject is defo a Bouncing Souls quote. Funny story. After watching the inauguration this morning, that song, "New Day" by The Bouncing Souls, popped into my head. I haven't listened to them in ages - Probably not since the last time I drove Finch anywhere - And here I was, rockin' out to it in the shower. Then, I was driving to the library to return a book and guess the second song that happens to come on my ipod...YES. THAT ONE.  I shall take it as a sign. Better things, I hope, I believe, are on their way for America.

As opposed to what my dad believes.  Srsly, I'm enjoying myself, proud to be an American for one of the very, very rare times in my life [could count how many times I have felt that way on one hand] and my dad's there grumbling, saying BS about Obama. I mean, I finally had to tell him to shut up, and I don't know but for the first time ever, he didn't yell at me for saying it [potentially because I'm an adult now, potentially because he realised he was being disrespectful...and just plain ridiculous]. So yes, I couldn't quite enjoy the inauguration to its full potential but still loved it.

This was the first time I have ever, ever heard a speech that mentions equality among the faiths that actually mentioned the non-believers!!  This was the one part of the speech that nearly brought me to tears because for the first time, I did not feel excluded on account of my understanding of the world, because of my beliefs. I noticed many times throughout the morning that unfortunately, this is still seen as a Christian nation [despite the fact the country was founded by deists] - It is a nation ruled by religion. I know it could be worse and today, I have seen change.  We're getting there, world. We're getting there.

Oh! And Barack Obama is a lefty!!  Add that to the reasons I love the guy. He is a fellow lefty.

Final word: No, guys, he did not mess up the oath - The fella having him repeat the oath screwed up, switched up the words, and threw Obama who was a good pres and knew that was wrong.

Actual final word:  After eight years of misery, I can finally, finally say it...

farewell, dubya! GOODBYE, BUSH.

motivate me.

I need to be writing essays and working out and taking a shower and eating some lunch and getting ready to go back to uni next week, but I really want to go to the pond and play hockey. Y'know, take advantage of this disgusting recent sub-zero weather. Weather that reminds me why I can't wait to get out of this country.

Basically, I'm gutted about Liverpool dropping back to second in the league last weekend after being number one for so long. Hoping today's match with Everton [which starts in an hour] will put them back at the top. My uncle and his girlfriend's team, Manchester United, is there now, and we just can't have that! I'm hoping the return of my love, number nine, will help them kick some blue arse. C'mon, Reds!!

Now, if I only I could watch the matches. All that's on the freaking TV is american football or golf.

I was in a real good mood a couple weeks ago, but I can't fight the stress, which is so out of character for me. Trying to get back to that state of bliss.

Getting nervous about my internship, which is in a week. Oh jeez.

Oh! Haven't given a music recommendation in a while, so here it is.

Band of the Day: The Mystery Jets

I was watching a video of them yesterday being sort of ...."interviewed" on Popworld by Alexa Chung in a blonde wig and they grew on me even more. They're a five-piece from Eel Pie Island, UK and include the lead singer's father on guitar and backing vocals, which is just a fun detail. I suppose they fit under the humongous umbrella of British Indie, but really aren't bound by any certain genre. They always keep a poppy beat and remain quirky and unique. You won't find boring, average lyrics with these lads.  My two favourite tunes I recommend an initial listen to are Diamonds in the Dark and You Can't Fool Me Denis.

OKAYBYE!

bunnies?

So I know I spent way too much time BS'ing around on the interwebs this morning when I typed "bunnies" into the google search bar at approx almost 10am and when I finally got out of bed at approx 11am, "bunnies" was still in the google search bar.

this bunny, tipton, is up for adoption. gooo petfinder.com!

Rude & Not Ginger.

Apparently, I most resemble the Tenth Doctor [David Tennant]! With the 5th in a close second. Good thing, though I'm also a fan of the 9th [Christopher Eccleston] and the 4th [Tom Baker, simply for the scarf]. Of course, it looks like I'm also a little bit Davros, which is a little bit scary.

You Scored as 10th Doctor Rude and not ginger. Dressed in a smart suit and very helpfull, you don't let people get away with things, and with your glasses you won't miss much! 5th Doctor 67% 10th Doctor 67% 3rd doctor 58% 1st Doctor 58% 4th Doctor 50% 9th Doctor 50% Davros 42% 8th Doctor 25% a Dalek 17% 6th doctor 17% 7th Doctor 17% 2nd doctor 8%

I swear I have valid thoughts to think. I'll write about em eventually.

007.

There's some new movie out called Defiance.

DEFIAAAAANCE.

Starring Daniel Craig.

So from what I gathered, Daniel Craig has an eastern-Euro accent and makes out with women and there are tanks in forests and a lot of things go boom.  There's got to be a plot in there somewhere.

I do still really really want to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  And Milk.  Both of those.  I have the money to go see neither of those, ever, basically.

That Hotel For Dogs movie? The trailer cracks me up.  "...where kids rule and INVENTIONS ARE COOOOL."  Ohhhh goodness.  Can I explain why it's so funny? No. But it's hilarrrrious.

Re-runs of The Office also give me jollies.  "You are the silent killer." Ohhhh goodness.

I also got $6 from the lottery today. I bought a pack of gum. And I put a letter...in the mailbox.

Remember when my life was exciting every day?

I'm determined and I am positive. Life will be exciting again, soon! This state's a draaaag, maaaan.

Time For Change.

So, Obesity.  I hadn't given it much thought before - I knew it was a health concern in this country, but I had never quite realised the extent.  When it comes to the problem in America, I thought it was a bit of a stereotype - Y'know, it ain't that bad...It's gotta be a problem in other countries, riiiight?

So then I went to Great Britain and met these two awesome guys and one of the first things that came up in conversation was about how unhealthy and overweight America is [Apparently I didn't look like an American because I'm a healthy weight].  It hit me hard, even if they were just joking around, because, I mean, if that's what our country is best known for, something needs to change.

SO, last night, we were watching the show "The Biggest Loser," which is a really awesome show - It's amazing how determined these people are to get healthy and save their lives - Extremely motivational.  But one of the first things the trainers of the show tell us is that one-third of America is obese.

ONE. THIRD.

One third of our country are really at risk for their lives.  It's more sad than I ever imagined.  I honestly don't know what needs to happen to make that change. I think a lot of people are making steps - Things like "The Biggest Loser" may actually be a step toward change because of its motivational effects.  But what causes it in the first place? I'm sure there are a lot of reasons that differ by the situation, but I at least have a few theories...

I think, after living in England for a while and seeing how those people live every day, a lot of it is just America's obsession with cars.  Nobody walks anywhere.  Even outside of London, I saw people walking everywhere and when they weren't walking, they were taking the bus, the train, or the underground.  Our public transport around here sucks, to put it simply.  Nobody trusts the RIPTA, for example - It takes forever to get anywhere. I know in Connecticut, a bus is something I rarely, rarely see, and even when I do, it's only in cities.  Driving is literally my only option where I live and yet, when I was around Minehead UK, amidst a widespread national park, there were still buses going all over the place regularly with friendly, helpful people driving them.  Something needs to be figured out.

Then, of course, there's the fast food.  It's so much harder to find healthy food here that isn't crazy-expensive or slow.  Except Subway, basically.  Even the Starbucks in England have healthier food!  The grocery stores are very different - There isn't really a snack aisle. Their crisps are kettle style and nothing like our Lays, et cetera. Their most popular cookies tend to be oaty HobNobs and Digestives. The soda selection is minute. The fruits n veggies section took up half of my closest Sainsburys. Maybe people here just don't know how to find or make healthy food - Who knows. But there's a way.

Well, folks, that was some essay there. I could go on. I'm surprised I won't. But I felt motivated. I refuse to ever be a part of that one third and I hope we'll find a way soon to have everyone else in this country saying the same. I'm not saying that everyone should be stick skinny - Hell, I'm certainly not that. But if you just treat your body well, it should be the body it's meant to be, whether it's shapely or boney or whatnot. But, we're all saying it lately: Time For Change.  Well, in the spirit of that, I say CHOOSE HEALTH. 

Whoa.

Whoa!

I am working out on the daily. I am cooking meals and cleaning up after them. I am feeling, generally, fantastic. I have crazy amounts of motivation. Hell, I even made a To-Do list for tomorrow.

What did those three months do to me?

I'm basically living in the future, so excited about my plans and my goals, but also enjoying the steps and hard work it's taking to get there. Since when is life making sense? How silly!

2009. Well, Here It Is!

I don't have much to say about the whole "new year" thing. Typically, I'd make this humongous novel-length entry about the year, but honestly, despite the fact it was THE BEST YEAR EVERRR, I really don't feel like it, so uhh, I'm just gonna do a photo wrap-up. A picture a month. Yah know.  But that comes later.

First of all, BBC announced the eleventh Doctor today! Yes, as a "Doctor Who" fanatic, this brought me a whole lot of excitement. I found out yesterday that they'd be announcing it on the tele at 5pm England-time, so I immediately told one of my friends in London to tell me the second he finds out. Well, he did. The new Doctor will be Matt Smith. According to my friend, the guy's a twat. According to my observations, he's charming, quirky, interesting, energetic, and pretty durn attractive - The makings of a great Doctor. And he's worked with the National Theatre, so he's got points with me. While I mourn David's farewell this coming year, I'm excited. 

Because this is already going to be an atrociously long entry, I'm cutting straight to the music recommendation.  

Band of the Day:  The Young Knives

The Young Knives are an English indie rock/post-punk-revival band.  Get this, they are from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, UK - Coolest name for a town ever.  Anyway, they're geeky, brilliant, and positively addicting.  I can't very well find a song by them that I do not like [or love], but my favourites at the mo' would have to be the hilarious The Decision, the poppier Here Comes the Rumour Mill, and my personal favourite Loughborough Suicide.  Give these quirky guys a chance - You'll find yourself hooked.

And now...

2008

January

i spent the first day of '08 in the sleetingfreezingsnowrain at the roger williams park zoo, fo' free.

February

i stage managed my first show, the fantasticks, with luci, pictured here.

March

my hair magically became brown again. but red-brown this time.

April

we started to make art of theatre class awesome. we'd take field trips to e-king. chad and i climbed trees. the sun shined a lot and april was really, really awesome.

May

i officially became a member of the stage co e-board, and the barn picnic was awesome.

i also visited my beloved nyc and went to coney island for my first time. 

i was also friends with some kid named scott who later probably decided we shan't be friends, haha.

June

i was proud to represent rwu as an oa! amazing 6 weeks.

July

i was proud to represent my university, bearing the rwu flag for miles, in the famous bristol 4th of july parade.

and proof! i stage managed proof with an amazing cast, a really amazing crew and director, and it made me all the more passionate about my direction in my craft.

August

the annual cape trip with the fam and my awesome cuz after i finished up an amazing week at the z.

and i was a site leader for community connections, which was 

absolutely fun and fulfilling. i heart volunteering!

September

I FINALLY CAME TO ENGLAND.  

the one place i have always belonged, and will always belong.

October

i was still in england.

and dipped my foot in ancient water at the roman baths, pictured above.

and i tore up exmoor on horseback, seeing wild exmoor ponies and wales in the distance.

aand i went to penzance, climbed out to st michael's mount, and had one breathtaking moment after another.

November

i saw the holloways, live, at ulu, had one of the best nights ever,

and met a couple really cool kids in the freezing rain in the queue.

and my family came to visit, we went to salzburg, austria 

where the hills are definitely alive with the sound of music.

December

i said goodbye for now to my beloved uk...

...and hello to a snowy, frigid ct.

So, yeah, that was 2008.  It really was the best year thus far. But, hell, I say that every year for the most part. And if every year didn't get better from the next, well that would be just beyond depressing.