Time for Friday Five! (only a day late...)

1. Name one song you hate to admit you like.
Ignition Remix by R. Kelly. Rap goes against just about everything I believe in, but somehow I ended up liking this song.
2. Name two songs that always make you cry.
I don't really cry when I listen to songs... but I suppose if I were to pick out two songs that make me sad/wistful, they'd have to be Don't Know Why by Norah Jones and Konstantine (artist unknown to me).
3. Name three songs that make you want to dance.
I really like Breathe In by Frou Frou, Shiver by Coldplay, and basically any upbeat showtune or swing song. K, so that last one would probably have to be In the Mood by the Glenn Miller Band (I think that's who it is anyway).
4. Name four songs that always make you feel good.
Music is my life, it really is. A Long December by the Counting Crows, Clocks by Coldplay, Rio by Duran Duran, and Dance of the Flowers by Tchaikovsky. Hope I spelled that right.
5. Name five songs you couldn't ever do without.
Karma Police by Radiohead, Dosed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, And So It Goes by Billy Joel (oh also everything he's ever written), The Space Between by Dave Matthews Band, and Babylon by David Grey. That's only a small sample... I really, really have an intense love for music. This question doesn't do it justice.

my stupid "o" button stopped working, and now I'm copy/pasting o's in when I type. The "a" button is threatening to quit its job as well.... damn. Anyway, should have studied more today, but instead slept in til 12, hustled to pull off a quartet commitment, and then bummed around the house turning down offers to hang out. Not that watching X2 or Apocalypse Now wasn't appealing, it's just that I felt I should stay home, especially after I told Dad that I would. (Was out til 1 last night and he was a tad pissed off, so playing cribbage with him tonight made up for it, I think. Even though I won.) So only minimal math studying happened today. Will do more tomorrow. Jeez, that last word had too many o's to paste.

i'm not afraid of anything
be it growing old or going out of style
I'm not afraid of anything
who would give up what she wants without a trial
another mile
I'm not afraid

I'm Not Afraid of Anything - Jason Robert Brown

took this quiz today.... guess which Friend I am:





I'm Joey Tribbiani from Friends!

Take the Friends Quiz here.

created by stomps.





I never saw it coming.
Talent show was bunches of fun tonight... can't believe how talented Capital students are. Awesome.
Made a shake for my dinner and now I'm going to bed because I have an IB test tomorrow. Love you all!
and for those of us testing these next few weeks, good luck! (Not that you'll need it...)

also, you should look at this.

lyrics for tonight are straight from the talent show. what an ephenephrine rush.

I think they meant it
when they said you can't buy love
now I know you can rent it
a new lease, you are my love
on life, be my life

I'll Cover You - Jonathan Larson (from RENT)

just had to include this... I laughed out loud when I clicked on the link. Dave Barry comes up with some Internet gems.

ATTENTION, COLLECTORS OF HISTORIC ARTIFACTS

We have no doubt whatsoever that this is the genuine item.


(Thanks to Claire Martin)
posted by Dave 11:03 AM

awesome. Like hot dogs.

now don't y'all go expectin' a whole lotta postin' this week, y'hear...
.. yup it's IB testing time, and I'm going slowly insane. The process is likely to pick up speed once the first test commences on Friday. And it's all downhill from there. Yep, pretty much.
Anyway, if posts are scarce on this page, don't be worried... actually, you should be happy, because it means I'm studying. Woot.
Short summary of recent or soon-to-come activities:
1. Starting second week of not eating sweets (barring Luna bars and coffee) and cutting out snacking. Doing well and feeling fantastic, apart from the occasional "ohmigod must have food right now" feeling, which I feel I suppress quite decently. Wish my dad would stop buying ice cream and snack-y foods, but if it doesn't kill me it'll make me stronger, I guess. Can you tell this is hard for me?
2. Ran by RF's house tonight at about 9... hope he got the message. Also took my sister to get a McFlurry.
3. Tuesday: rehearsal for talent show.
4. Wednesday: Free scoop night at B&R. C'moooon, willpower!
5. Track meet and talent show on Thursday. It'll be a lot of fun but very, very tiring.
6. And, yes, the IB English test on Friday.
7. In case I don't make it back to this page in time, Saturday = Track Meet. (Another one...)

whoa, there we go. Quite the schedule, eh? And lyrics... can't forget the lyrics...

we live in a beautiful world
yeah we do, yeah we do
we live in a beautiful world
oh, all that I know,
there's nothing here to run from,
and yeah, everybody here's got somebody to lean on

Coldplay - Don't Panic

turns out the short stories for the patron's contest were NOT limited to 60 lines. Curse my inability to interpret things.. ah well. Am frusterated at the moment because of the convo J-Dawg and I were supposed to have auf Deutsch... yeah well my computer decided in the middle of it to make AIM stop working, and so the convo didn't get printed out, and Herr will never know it occured. Scheisse. Anyway.. fun weekend, had a track meet on Saturday that was 90 minutes away from school that lasted a good 11 hours. Yup, I was stupid enough NOT to bring my own car. I was there the entire day. But it was fun hanging out, translating songs with J-Dawg and cheering people on with Teasa. Speaking of her, I wish she wouldn't quit track.. we have such a good time together at the meets. Darn IB tests aren't worth it.
Today felt good - the sun was out and I went to the gym soon after waking up. Had a good workout, felt motivated, even to the point where I stopped at the park on the way home and jogged around there, too, just enjoying the beautiful day and the waterfall and the memories of summer, and anticipating the coming summer. Also went to symphony rehearsal and just remembered how much I love music and what a big part of my life it is. Part of that came from teaching the younger kids again, the 3rd time this time... the real coach is finally back after a month, and will only have one rehearsal with the kids. I wonder if the youngest ones will remember what she looks like, haha. Anyway, I made $35 each time, which works for me.
Been listening to Billy Joel a lot today... especially Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel). He’s got a whole CD of classical-style pieces that he’s written, and the two that I’ve heard are extremely beautiful, and they’re not as long (read: boring) as some classical music is. I intend to buy the entire CD when I get the chance (and the money). Such good stuff. Another of his songs dominated my car stereo on the way to and from symphony.

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along
I spoke to you in cautious tones
Yu answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self-defense.

And every time I’ve held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It’s just as well for all I’ve seen
And so it goes and so it goes
And you’re the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That’s if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes and so it goes
And you’re the only one who knows

Billy Joel, And So It Goes

here's that story I was telling y'all about... wow it's gonna take up a lot of blog space. Good thing there's no limit.

“Actually, I’d rather not go to the show tonight,” Erica muttered, looking at the floor. “I think I’ll stay home tonight. See you tomorrow.” She ducked back into the shadows of her apartment and closed the door, leaving me standing alone in the hall.
I stared blankly at the numbers on Erica’s door as the idea sank in: She doesn’t want to go to the show? Walking to the elevator, I reached up into my purse and pulled out the pair of Jimmy Eat World concert tickets I had bought the previous month. Erica had seemed so excited then, when I had told her I had tickets to the show. I vividly remembered her dropping an armful of books on the floor in the midst of it – her giggling, hysterical, “Oh-my-gosh-Brynne-this-is-gonna-ROCK” ecstasy.
Well, I thought as the elevator closed, the band will be rocking in a few hours, and apparently Erica isn’t going to be there for it. I felt hot tears welling up in my eyes, but I decided I didn’t care enough to cry about this. She doesn’t want to go? Fine. I’ll call Joey, I thought as I pulled out my cell phone. At least he cares about me.
Twenty minutes later, Joey and I were climbing into my red Miata, heading for the concert in Portland. I turned the bass way up, joking about how the noise would prepare our ears for the decibel level. Joey smiled and said something that I couldn’t really hear. The music flooded my head and I hoped it would carry away the feelings of anger and resentment I was beginning to feel towards Erica. But seriously, who did she think she was, anyway? Just ditching me like that without so much as an explanation. Four weeks’ worth of planning, and for what? Nothing. You’d think that your best friend of 10 years would do more to maintain the relationship. What a terrible person…
The car went silent. Joey’s hand was on the stereo power button.
“Hey, now, what was that for?” I asked lightly, brushing his hand away from the stereo. “There’s no reason to –”
Joey grasped my hand. “There’s every reason,” he stated. “Something’s wrong.” A pause. Then, “Your knuckles are white.”
Observant boy. “Here, let’s listen to something else. I’ve got Pink’s latest in the backseat. Or how about some Chili Peppers?” My cheery tone belied my irritation.
But Joey was persistent. Massaging my hand every so slightly, he waited a minute before asking me, “Is this about Erica?”
“Sort of,” I replied hesitantly. I could have said no, perhaps, and avoided the topic altogether. But Joey had always been sympathetic to my pain; he would understand. “It’s just that, you know, she was supposed to see the show with me tonight, and at the last minute she cancelled.” I ventured further. “She has been such a brat lately. It’s incredible. We used to be so close, but these last few weeks she’s been impossible. Always in her apartment. Never calling. What is her deal, anyway?” I looked over at Joey, expecting support, for him to say Yes, Brynne, you definitely shouldn’t have to put up with this.
Joey’s sad eyes gazed back at me with such painful intensity that I almost swerved in shock. “What?” I asked incredulously. “It’s true.”
“Pull over.” The urgent tone in Joey’s voice struck a chord. I took the next exit and slowed to a stop on the shoulder. “Joey, I –”
Almost inaudibly, Joey whispered, “She’s dying.”
I froze.
“She was diagnosed two weeks ago leukemia.” He paused, running his hand over his face. “The doctors said they could have done something about it three years ago, but now it’s so widespread –”
“Stop it!” I screamed, flinging my arms at his chest. “Erica doesn’t have cancer! She would have told me –”
“She couldn’t tell you!” he shouted as I continued to thrash. He wrapped his arms around my tense torso, holding my arms down. “She couldn’t bring herself to do it. It hurt her not to, but she knew how much it would hurt you.” And then, softer, “Honey, come here. Calm down.”
But I couldn’t hear him anymore. My body had collapsed against his and he sat there, rocking me gently back and forth, holding my head against his chest as I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.

I was back at Erica’s door, almost two hours after leaving her hall with my stupid feelings of resentment. I hated myself for being so petty and ignorant. How to tell all this to Erica, I didn’t know. All I could do when she opened the door was stare at her beautiful eyes and skinny arms. Eyes that seemed to be growing in her pale, shrinking face. Arms filled with the burden of a heavy secret. Eyes that noticed my tear-stained cheeks and slumped shoulders, and arms that engulfed me even before I could choke out the words: “I’m so sorry.” Eyes that closed tight to forever shut out our shallow grievances, and arms to hold on to me, hold on to the moment, and hold on to life for as long as it would let her.

aha. Finally the blog lets me in to post... none of that [The system cannot find the file specified] scheisse. Not that I have much to post. I just finished typing up this story for the patron's writing contest, and I want people to read it, so maybe i'll post it here at a later date. it's short but pretty long for a blog so I guess I'll only do it if it's in demand. It should be because I think it's a good story and it deserves more than just to be read by the judges of the contest. I guess 50 bucks would make up for that, too.
Excited for tomorrow: ArtWalk, Dinner, Morp. Also very tired of typing, so I'll go to bed now. more updates later I suppose.

p.s. as a warning, my o button has been semi-stuck for a while now. When i get to words containing two o's, the key sometimes just runs like this: foooool. So, if I get lazy and stop deleting the extra o's... you'll know why.

there's too many people you used to know
they see you coming, they see you go
they know your secrets, you know theirs
this town is crazy, nobody cares
...I'm tired of fighting, fighting for a lost cause

thank you Beck

like, total whoa. The Scrub let me drive his Saturn from study group to my house yesterday, and it's a stick shift. it was quite the experience... I only killed it, hmm, let's see, 7 or 8 times? I'd love to watch Batman learn how to drive a stick... it would be amusing. that's all the news for now cuz I'm at school and because of the wacked-out schedule I have to go to orchestra now instead of two hours ago. peace.

were you there? No? I didn't think so. I don't care if you talk about it as long as you don't try to pretend you were there, because you weren't.

goddam knot.

I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
but stay awhile and baby then you'll see
a different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
but soon enough you're going to think of me
and how I used to be

Old e-mails open the floodgates of nostalgia, and all the half-dead memories come rushing back into living, breathing existence. Hard to imagine that I really felt this way all the time only a year ago. I remember - my feelings remember - and I wonder, how the hell did I get myself into all of that? ... so attached, so involved, and at the same time so alone. At least now I'm at a point where I know I can walk away from it. Just walk away. Heh...perspective is a wonderful thing.
Funny how I'm so willing to accept the facades that my friends put on, when I know, have known, that much more lies beneath, and that my cheerful, funny comrades are in fact more than "a little unwell." I tend to think of my younger self as a more innocent, more oblivious girl. Looking at these emails reminds me just how grown-up I've had to be. I've been that way for many years, it seems, and there's just more ahead. What happened to the carefree childhood days?
We're on the verge of life - standing on the edge of the cliff with hangliders, waiting for the perfect breeze to carry us away, one by one. Sucks that the preparation had to be the confusing, troubling teenage years.
On a lighter note, I should have sent some of my homemade cookies home with the Scrub and the Barrelmaker. They're just sitting here, and I keep eating them. Time to go to the gym, or perhaps help with some housework.
Homework? What homework?

Today's lyrics brought to you courtesty of Matchbox Twenty.

have I proved yet just how much I need to get a life?
No? Okay.


Legolas


Who is your Ideal Lord of the Rings (male) Mate?
brought to you by Quizilla

*dusting off hands* That should do it.

almost forgot... Friday Five!
1. Who is your favorite celebrity?
Not into celebs all that much, but I guess Harrison Ford would be right up there at the top of the list. He's just so... cute. I think something needs to be done about the colossal age difference between us, but other than that... yeah.
2. Who is your least favorite?
Again... I don't think I do enough research to have a least favorite. If I did, it would probably be somebody who did something despicable... somebody like R. Kelly.
3. Have you ever met or seen any celebrities in real life?
Nope. Sad life, eh?
4. Would you want to be famous? Why or why not?
I could stand for 'mildly famous', that is, to be quoted or cited for my research or something. Being insanely famous would mean a lack of privacy and loss of normal life.
5. If you had to trade places with a celebrity for a day, who would you choose and why?
Dave Barry. Writing humor columns? Hell yeah. Or maybe Eddie Izzard, if he were on tour, because I'd love to have that kind of talent. Okay, so I'm a big fan of comedy.

Came across a random site today that was rather odd, but one of the stories did include luncheon meat truncheons.
.....
Yeah, that was my reaction, too. You can check it out at your own risk, although I regret including a link to a site with such revolting sexual innuendos.
So bored today. Went to the gym already. I suppose I could clean house, but I've been supposing that for a few hours now. Am wondering how my truck would look if I washed and waxed it. Actually doing that would be another thing altogether.
Hell, I might as well go and do one of the two aforementioned activities, because otherwise I will just sit here, surf the web, and eat. No good.

out across the endless sea
I would die in ecstacy
but I'll be a bag of bones
driving down the road alone
my heart is drenched in white
you'll be on my mind forever
Something has to make you run
don't know why I didn't come
feel as empty as a drum
don't know why i didn't come

Norah Jones, Don't Know Why