Grrr.

My people, I'm in a bad way. For one thing, I keep sensing Spring right around the corner and you know what? It most definitely is not right around the corner. Not by a long shot. That's right. We've got February, March, and probably most of April. I don't understand why my mind would play such a cruel trick on me. I'm like one of those dogs that starts to think that a stuffed animal is its puppy. Either way it ends in heartbreak. Not only am I ready to move on from winter, I'm sick of complaining about it and I LOVE to complain! I'll leave the winter rant at that.

There are other things holding me down, y'all. Work? Busting my balls. On the list of things that I complain about the most, weather is #1 and work is #2. Right now, there isn't a lot of benjamins being tossed my way with this whole economy fiasco. That's bad enough, but the bosses are choosing this time to be all "we're not providing uniforms anymore" and "you need to get your shirts dry-cleaned" or "blah blah teamwork through hard times." And I'm all "teamwork goes both ways" and "no, I won't pay to have my shirt cleaned because I'm not making any money." Plus, I kind of feel like I've somehow stumbled onto my manager's bad side and don't really know when this happened. All I know is that lately she's been scolding me like I'm in elementary school. I think that I'll shift back into her favor because, well, we're friends. Like 'have hung out outside of work' friends, but until that time when I'm welcomed back into the fold, I'll just have to give her no reason to be annoyed at me. When she picks me out of the crowd to quiz me on what grape varietal a Vouvray is, I can say "chenin blanc" and then we'll high five or maybe have a toast.

And then there's school life. It's not all bad. My classes are pretty interesting and I only have one day a week when I have to be on campus before noon (that day is Friday so some of my crankiness might be explained). Still, it kind of feels like my mind is still on vacation or maybe it's already graduated. It's the same with living in Madison. I'm here and will likely continue to be until I graduate (which is at least a year away), but my mind feels about a thousand steps ahead. Perusing Chicago apartment and job listings are a weekly event for me... or maybe it's just weekly torture.

In short, all I want to do is quit my job in exchange for one at The Daily Show, move to a big city (because then all of my problems will be solved, right?), and live in a world where it's only winter for a month out of the year. Or at least have a marathon of The Wire this weekend and not think about school or work or the cold. Until one of these options becomes true, I'll just look at this photo:

small spaces #1

Come August, I will likely be making the move from a quaint three bedroom house to a studio apartment. These are sad tidings as I love where I live. The house is cute from the outside, cozily furnished from the inside, I've painted my room the perfect color, and one of my roommates often makes lasagna or other savory goodies that he is generally willing to share. Our living room is full of records and band equipment (none of which belong to me) that frequently provide a relaxing soundtrack to my Sunday mornings (as long as they stay away from reggae). As someone who has a hard time getting out, another perk of my living arrangement is having friends who live right across the hall. Alas, these friends are ready to move on to different things and I'm both too lazy and socially sensitive to try and find new roommates.

Luckily, I'm finding ways to stay positive about the whole thing. There are some great perks to living alone. For one, I get to go to bed without worrying whether or not I'll be woken up by my roommates when they come home at bar time (respectful as they are). And what if I don't want a Sunday morning soundtrack? No problem... unless I have awful neighbors.

One of the main things that I'm looking forward to is the prospect of decorating my own place and making the best out of a very small space. There will be no need to compromise if one roommate does not like this painting here or there. It will go where I like it. And if I stop liking it there? I will move it.

I've been spending a lot of time at interior design blogs like Apartment Therapy, looking for inspiration and have certainly found plenty. It's amazing what people do with small spaces.



Though I'm quite certain that I won't be moving to a tiny cabin, I do love the idea of it, right down to the dog on the porch.

STEVE HOLT!

image taken from weheartit.

This is what I imagine Steve Holt's childhood to have been like had he grown up with a father.

Grass and suitcases

Just to be clear, I'm not getting married. I don't mean that in an "I'm never getting married" type of way. I'm all for marriage. In fact, I think that any adult should have the right to experience wedded bliss. Or not. You know, do whatever is right for you. Boy, do I love rights. Back on topic, I'm currently not getting married, but that doesn't stop me from reading blogs from people who are. Recently, reading Cup of Jo, I found the most charming save-the-dates.



The couple, supposed middle school sweethearts (gag me with my own loneliness), lied in the grass to have this picture taken. Despite my bitterness, I love the way that it turned out.

Thank God...

...I won't have to look at this stupid mother fucking piece of shit's face anymore.

A few notes on the inaguaration:

-I'm pretty sure that Cheney didn't actually hurt his back. They needed to use the wheelchair because the monster that lived in his body has vacated, leaving behind an humanish-looking shell that is completely inanimate when cut off from it's mother.

-Does any one think that the whole Rick Warren thing was worth it just to hear him try to make Sasha and Malia unneccessarily "ethnic" sounding?

-Did you hear people booing?

-Did ABC really have to keep noting that no one seemed to be wearing hats?
A. Who gives a shit?
B. Didn't Aretha Franklin's hat make up for the lack of others? Seriously, the thing should have gotten separate billing.

Good luck, Mr. President. I'm ready to paint the White House black.



"Your people will judge you by what you build, not what you destroy."

You Can Vote However You Like

In her car, my mom likes to listen to the hip-hop station. The other day, we were driving and the song "Whatever You Like" came on, making her squeal with glee (an admitted overstatement on my part).
"This is T.I., I believe," she said.
What's funny is that I had no idea who it was because I never listen to the radio and, yes, had never heard the song before.

Today, combing the blogosphere, I came upon this little video that I'd like to dedicate to her.



1. My ovaries just exploded over the abundance of adorableness.
2. I know that the election is over.
3. They've been invited to perform at the inauguration!

Hey Girl

So, there's this new website called Fuck Yeah! Ryan Gosling and the concept is kinda like lolcats, but, wait for it, instead it's about Ryan Gosling and what it would be like if he was your boyfriend and started every sentence with "Hey Girl." And (PLUS!) he speaks in grammatically correct(ish) complete sentences. Some of them are stupid and expected, like "Hey Girl, let's cuddle," but others are totally awesome.

Like this one.



Here are a few things that I would like to hear Ryan Gosling say:

"Hey Girl. The amount of time you spend on the internet makes you really attractive."

"Hey Girl. It's not unhealthy to find me most sexy when I play a skinny crack-addicted history teacher in "Half Nelson." P.S. I was awesome in that movie."

"Hey Girl. You can totally eat my left-overs."

"Hey Girl. No, I really would like to hear more about Chuck and Blair on last night's Gossip Girl."