Hear My Memories

Every once in awhile, I'll be driving home or to a store or wherever I happen to be going, and I'll hear a song on my radio or iPod that takes my mind somewhere else. Those songs have ceased to remain simple songs that I like or remember or occassionally listen to and have instead become a part of my memories themselves. 

I had one of those nights tonight, when I was on my way home from the newsroom, so I thought I'd sit here with my iPod and write down some of those memories as they come up. Keep in mind, my iPod is set to play at random. Here we go:

"Danger Zone" - Kenny Loggins, Top Gun Soundtrack

I'm sitting in Thomas's navy blue '87 Chevy Nova and we're driving down some highway near here around here at about 90 m.p.h. I don't feel very safe knowing that if we crash in this car (I know, I owned a white '88 model), we will certainly die. At the same time, it's kind of exciting.

Wow, teenagers are stupid. Moving on...

"God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You" - NSYNC

I must be back in high school. I'm sitting in my room after Diane and I got home from an NSYNC concert. We just finished seeing the same show we saw the last concert we went to. It must have been part of the same "No Strings Attached" Tour. I have a hairbrush in my hand and I'm trying to convince myself that I can sing. My room is covered in Justin/JC crap. 

Aww.....

"You Make Me Wanna" - Usher

Now I'm in 8th grade, and I'm at a friend's house. Her name is Jana. We're likely talking about some guy I like. I have a crush on about 50 black guys, probably because before this year I have never known any. 

Life experiences...

"All That She Wants" - Ace of Base

We've now journeyed back to my St. Ambrose days. I'm in Tara Meisenheimer's basement with Abby, Jennifer and likely Lauren. We're plotting which boys we might want to try and kiss during this weekend's party, also at Tara's house, during which we will likely play spin the bottle. I'd like it to be Pat. Or Barry. Or ... 

OK, that's enough. I obviously had crushes on EVERYONE...

This is actually kind of fun.

"Gold Digger" - Kanye West

I'm in my room at 1718 12th Street in Charleston, Ill. trying to relax and watch some Food Network, and this song is playing LOUDLY and eminating from my Asian roommate's humble abode. I'll bet it's Thursday, and she's doing her hair so we can make it to BINGO!!! WOOOO!!

God I miss Bingo.

"Barely Legal" - The Strokes

I am hiding under a bed in Alison Hanold's house nervous because someone is walking around out there in the dark, and I hope it's not Brett, cuz he's it. Someone slides under the bed next to me. There aren't any good spots left. Andy?? That was before I dated him. I'm a senior in high school but I think it's awesome to play Hide and Seek. Mostly since Tim and Elaine invented HAGMO (Hide and Go Make Out). 

OK that was loads of fun. Until next time...

Do You Realize

what a damn fool you are that you missed The Flaming Lips show Friday night at the Pageant? Well, maybe this will give you some sort of idea. 

OK so that wasn't the show we were at, but it looks similar. You get the point.

I went with David and Justin, and it was tons of fun. Unfortunately, we had a wasted ticket no one wanted to buy, so everyone else missed out. 

When I was listening to "Do You Realize" and confetti filled the air and the lights were flashing, everyone's hands in the air, I looked up and felt a rush of exhileration I have rarely felt before. That moment was one of the happiest of my life for some reason. It made me think of how lucky I am to be so happy in the relationship I am in, and it was compounded by the fact that he was standing right behind me with his hands on my waist and the fact that the song makes me melt. 

Just thought I'd share with you one of the happiest moments of my life in recent past. 

Season over for Cards, Mets

So the Mets completely and utterly blew it, and the Phillies are going to the playoffs.

And, which I'm sure you already know, the Cubs are going this year instead of the Cards. The Cards slumped right before their elimination just like NY, and then magically got good again once that E was posted next to their name on mlb.com. Then, they played spoilers. 

The situation has left me with no choice but to remember the better times, and look forward to getting pissed when they haven't made any good off season acquisitions... (i.e. pitching and a power guy)

As much as I dislike the Cubs, it is good news that there is a guy called The Riot playing in the playoffs I guess. Chuckle chuckle.

That is all. 

Cholestorol Check

I have to work a late shift tonight because Missy is on vacation. I guess that works out, except the only way I can make it to volleyball is by skipping dinner and going on my break. Even then, I'll be cutting it close. 

One good thing tho-- without volleyball, I won't be going out like I do every Thursday. Why is that a good thing?

I'm not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight tonight. 

I recently had to switch doctors because mine hit the road recently. It's OK really, because he was kind of a douche and it turns out my new doctor actually knows what he is doing. And he's really nice. But this fasting thing is the negative that comes with the switch. He wants to check me for everything, and with my dad's heart problems, he wants to check my cholesterol levels. 

That means they're going to take my blood. Only a vile of it, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I have grown accustomed to nausea and feeling faint when they do it. I'm scared. 

I never would have developed that fear had I not tried so desperately to give blood four times, only once successfully, over the years. Dealing with all those newbies poking my veins and missing more than they actually hit them has created a fear I just can't seem to get over. 

I guess getting blood taken will be small pudding compared to what it will be like if I have a cholesterol problem. ON the bright side, I'm young and not very unhealthy, so it probably won't be much of a problem, but if it is, I should be able to control the problem with diet. 

Wish me luck.

Sexual Healing: Rick Ankiel

Actually, I was just listening to the song, and I was thinking about stud Rick Ankiel's recent comeback. And his sexy mug:

So, after a 7 for 55 slump since the HGH report came out Sept. 7, Ricky did it. He finally hit another home run, and went 3 for 4, against Pittsburg Saturday night. 

Then, Sunday, he hit the game winning double for the Cards. 

Sexy. 

Listen to the Music

Hey everyone!

My personal blog has gone musical. 

I will soon be working on a playlist that is different from the one on my MySpace (especially one that isn't black and actually matches the page) sometime soon. 

For now, enjoy some of my favorite music while you listen to me rant and rave. Enjoi.

You should watch these

Harry Potter vids on YouTube.com

DON'T READ ON IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE "DEATHLY HALLOWS," AND WANT TO, SPOILERS AHEAD...

Here's why:

This tribute video for the characters that died took me back to reading the 7th book. I actually shed a tear for Hedwig, Tonks, Lupin, Sanpe, Moody, Sirius, James, Lily, Cedric, Colin Creevey, Dobby and Fred Weasley. They did, in all fairness, forget Dumbledore, but it's still a great one. Go on. Giggle. I don't care, it is a sweet video. If you are a HP fan, you HAVE to watch this.  

Fields of Gold: Harry Potter Tribute to the Fallen

ALSO, remember when all those Brokeback spoofs came out just after the movie? It's amazing how many other movies fit so well in the trailer. Observe. 

Harry Potter and the Brokeback Goblet

My updated calendar

Through Christmas

Sept. 21-23- I'm participating in my third fantasy football draft this year. Since I hate football, this may be surprising to many of you, but let me tell you something. The STL Puppet Jugglers and the Turf Munchers could whoop your asses any day of the week. Let's just hope I Eat Dirt, a team that will be entirely drafted BY ME ONLY, can at least beat the Butt Sluts, who, by the way, are 10-8 this week in their race to 9th place. This is an amazing feat, being that they finished 80+ games out of first and in 12th place of 12 teams.  

Sept. 28-30- David, Justin, anonymous and I are going to see the Flaming Lips at the Pageant on Friday.

Oct. 5-7- begins the Halloween season in this area. No plans yet. 

Oct. 12-14- The 13th is mine and David's  5-month anniversary. Go us.

Oct. 19-21- EIU Homecoming- I might go up for the day on Saturday to see the game and then come back, since I can't get Sundays off anymore. 

Oct. 26-28- It's almost Halloween and I'm on VACATION for nine days. Hopefully I'm doing Halloween stuff! 

Nov. 2-4- I'll be visiting Diane in Austin Nov. 1- 3, then it's back to work on Sunday. 

Nov. 9-11- No plans yet.

Nov. 16-18- MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!! Erin and Brian coming for a visit.

Nov. 23-25- No plans yet.

Nov. 30- Dec. 2- No plans yet.

Dec. 7-9- No plans yet.

Dec. 14-16- No plans yet.

Dec. 21-23- It's almost Christmas! No plans yet.

Dec. 28-30- No plans yet, which is sad to say since I've been attending interesting New Year's parties at Emily's for years now. Guess it's time for a new tradition. 

TO DO: 

*Visit Thomas and Beth in Ohio. 

*Visit Chicago.

*Visit Lincoln/EIU

Quick Post: Harry Potter

I rented "Prisoner of Azkaban" last night. 

I have a real problem. 

Quick Post: V-ball

Tonight is our last night of sand volleyball-regular session. The next two weeks will be the tournament. Hopefully we can do better than we have been -- we've recently been through a funk that has been worse than that of the St. Louis Cardinals. And that's sad, because an 8-game streak is almost the entire session. We've been picking it up a little recently, though, and hopefully we'll get back to our old selves.

 

Still haven't heard back from Roxie from Norb's. If we don't soon, we may have a new sponsor, the Regal Beagle. Although I will miss Norb's Thursdays. 

 

--

Oops, I Wapped My Pants

My Journey into Dorkyland

Hey everyone! I read FAN FICTION now!

Laugh all you want. 

It's a serious affliction I contracted from Brian O'Malley's most recent visit. 

And the fact that I can't get enough Harry Potter. 

Here are the sites I have checked out:

www.checkmated.com - a Ron and Hermione site

www.veritaserum.com

www.sugarquill.net

(Those two speak for themselves I think.)

Anyway, I have a thing for Remus Lupin. I don't know why, but it might have to do with the fact that he is a werewolf, but a good guy, which I find interesting. 

The first fan fiction story I read was one that filled in the gap where Tonks and Lupin died, since it happened away from Harry and the "Deathly Hallows" just glances over it. It was told from Tonks' P.o.V. 

The only problem I have so far with fan fiction is that I'll have certain ideas about the way that these "hidden" scenes must have played out and they don't always hit the mark like J.K.R.'s writing usually does. Can't wait for that encyclopedia!

(There will be more as I read on...)

P.S. Wouldn't it be sweet to dress up like Tonks for Halloween?? I am such a nerd.

A Cards v. Cubs weekend

Brian came this weekend. 

It was reminiscent of the last time we saw each other about three weekends in a row, which, obviously, is a good thing. Sadly, we won't make it to three this time. Better luck next time I guess. 

Mr. O'Malley arrived around 1 p.m. Friday and David and I took him to David's favorite restaurant-- Moonlight, in Fosterburg-- for some fried chicken and the house salad that makes it famous around here.

After that, we headed into the city for the game, which we watched from my Pujols Pack seats, in section 447. It was my last game in those seats, behind that black railing you have to look over or under. :(

Adam Wainwright pitched against Carlos Zambrano. Waino looked rocky at first, but basically kept the pace with "Chucky Z" as Brian calls him.

Blasphemy. (see above)

Anyway, the Cards ended up losing 5-3, but not before hitting back to back home runs off Ryan "Dumpster," the Cubs' closer. Oh yeah, did I mention their best player was Jason Isringhausen? Grrr he made me mad. But I was a good loser. I did get my Rick Ankiel shirt (sexy No. 24), so I guess we accomplished something. 

After the game we came home and talked Harry Potter, a recurring theme over the weekend. (By recurring, I mean every 10 minutes or so.) When David got off work at 2, he came over and the subject veered toward sports and Mike Shannon and his dumb quips. Good times. 

The next day, Brian and I headed to the St. Louis Zoo (with the Cubs v. Cards game on the radio, which the Cards lost, again. The good news is, we heard a Shannonism. Something about bringing the bacon...) We rode some Dinosaur simulator, which was a gas, and I took a sweet video of some sort of chimp playing on a fake vine. We were standing next to a bear when some dude told us to find the exit. Apparently the zoo closes at 5... I don't go there often enough to know that already. 

Next, we planned to head downtown to eat and watch the game at JBuck's, only 365 steps from Busch Stadium (or whatever). And on our way there, we planned to ask a scalper how much for a ticket to the second game of the day's doubleheader, just for fun. 

The way there was hell. The balloon race was going on and there were cars EVERYWHERE. Police blocked the highway I needed so I got to Delmar, the quickest way open I knew how to get downtown. 

Who's thirsty?

Need to get somewhere fast?

When we finally got downtown, we got money from an ATM just in case we could get tickets, but every scalper we saw was already talking to someone. So we stopped in front of the ticket windows, where I told Brian to ask if there were any tickets left-- standing room only, whatever-- I mean, what could it hurt?

Good timing= two tickets had just gotten released. We bought them for $44 and saw our second Cards v. Cubs game in a row. Joel Pineiro beat the Cubs' Sean Marshall for the Cardinals' win this time. 4-3. We were even, even if the Cubs and Cards themselves were not. (And they weren't/aren't.)

After the game, we picked up David and played Mario Party at Kevin and Abby's and then went back to David's and asked each other some trivia. I fell asleep so they figured it was time for us to leave. 

Look for an additional post about all the Harry Potter on my mind now...

Forget iMesh

Unless you want to pay.

I think the service still has some bugs in it, even though I liked it.

Also, it costs money after a free trial, which I don't want to pay. 

Trying eMule at David's request. 

Apologies, all around

I haven't blogged in forever and a day. 

I hope to get better at it. See, the way my world works is I get on a kick about something and then it distracts all my time. The good thing is, I always come back to whatever I've left behind. 

So here we go again. 

You can expect updates soon. What you missed:

*Stephen and Mal's weddding :)

*Rick Ankiel's HGH news and major hitting slump :(

*David and I have made it to 4 months, and we have made dinner without poisoning anyone. :)

Upcoming:

*Brian coming into town for Cards v. Cubs. Probable pitchers are Zambrano v. Wainwright. Finally, a game Anthony Reyes/Brad Thompson is not pitching. 

ALSO:

*I downloaded, iMESH. It has a few kinks but its a little like MySpace only you download buttloads of music. Gotta watch out for some viruses, but it's fast as hell and free. And as a peer-to-peer music sharing network, there's a lot of diversity. Good news to add to all that, it's legal. Look for a review of the program soon. 

*Speaking of downloading music. I will now plan to start reviewing some. 

That is all for now.