I Forgot My Password

...but I remembered it just now! Yess!

Again, it's long while since I've written on this thing. But I return with a new sense of commitment to this blog, because I have massive amounts of free time now.

As usual, I have some poems or poem fragments-- I'll eventually post those...

I am in need of new music. Got the latest Ryan Adams, "Follow the Lights." I like the title track quite a bit, and somehow, the man has made me love an Alice in Chains cover ("Down in a Hole"). But there are only a few tracks on this "album," and I'm bored.

Today I received a belated birthday card from my Aunt Beth. She included a note saying that when she got married and moved to Athens (OH) where her husband opened a pharmacy, she often thought to herself, "What am I doing here?" This changed with time, she adjusted. I appreciate the sentiment... It's been an odd shift, becoming somebody's real family and allowing him to become mine (err, slowly). But now I'm reminded of that "What is Home?" conversation in "Garden State," and I'll shut up.

My bro gave me Netflix subscription for a year! I've already ordered "Monarch of the Glen," my favorite Scotland staple. Awesome.

Wooooohooooo

Not been writing all that much lately, unless you count vows and lists. Which I do, so I've actually been writing a lot. Here is a series of lists.

Semi-lame Things I'm Excited About:
1. JELIOT's new joint checking & savings account. (See also: checks with both our names.)
2. My shiny, new, bleached out teeth. (See also: the level at which E & I have learned to communicate while I'm wearing a mouth guard. Impressive.)
3. My seating chart. Rick & Sarah's attendance makes it all work. Phew
4. Our china. (Just kidding. It is pretty, but c'mon.)
5. Our new adaptor for my ipod in the car--no more shaky speaker.
6. The new turntable I bought my dad for his b-day (so he can listen to "The Rover" everyday without having to purchase "Physical Graffiti").

Things I'm Ambivalent About:
1. Pointy little shoes.
2. The purchasing of proper under-garments for the dress. Screw you, not-sports-bras. If I just had some tape or gum, I'd be fine.
3. Packing. Oh God. The packing.
4. The fact that Dad, once in possession of the turntable, will force me to listen to his old Roxy Music albums. Eeek.

Wicked Cool Things I'm Legitimately Psyched About:
1. Friends. And all the people who resemble us to varying degrees.
2. The fact that we ordered enough cake for everyone to have TWO pieces! Hell yeah, cake.
3. San Fran. And, of course, Eugene.
4. Our new, non-stinky running shoes (=non-stinky ten-day car ride).

There's A Piper Down

Hello from Rocky River, everyone. I have actually grown quite accustomed to living at home again, and without a job, no less. Only about two weeks left till the big day, and the jitters have become so all-consuming that I couldn't work if I wanted to. Ha. Just kidding. Tis exciting, though! I think I've figured out the official seating chart (especially important in determining fun level for Woo alumni), and have also accomplished many smaller tasks (such as the up-do test-run...ewww, up-do, sick...but I'm not kidding).

Other than that, I've just been hanging out with mis padres. E and I made it up to Detroit (Cleveland's ugly cousin) for a night to see Missy Chrissy and Derek, and good times were had by all (though I'm happy now that they never made it to Oxford, as our "guest room" was really just the living room floor covered by the nasty futon pad, unlike their pleasantly furnished abode). C-bus tomorrow for a Chrichel (E's word, sorry, Chris Michel) visit, then I get to see Vanessa and the other "ladies" this weekend! Missy Chrissy has promised to bring her bag o' tricks (though sadly, she tossed the whip). Hehe.

Been reading Kenny Moore's book about Bill Bowerman, Oregon's legendary coach... Nothing like poetry at all. A mi me gusta. I'm having trouble focusing on anything at all, and these days are flying... I've been lifting (and running, screw you, strained stomach muscle!) to kill the time (and look like a soldier in the wedding dress)....

Also, I recently acquired the new White Stripes album. I like St. Andrew as much as the next guy, but what's up with the bagpipes on this record??

Peace out, gotta go to lunch with Grandma Eileen.

Mistress or Master?

Okay, so it's been a while. Okay, so it's been several months...who reads this anyway? Well, nobody anymore, as I quit updating quite some time ago.

But I've been busy: Got engaged. Almost lost mind. Defended thesis. Am just now recovering and beginning to help plan, and have begun acquiring marital possessions (a crock pot, for instance). As John Lennon said, strange days indeed...

It's not just me gettin' weird either. My friends have started spawning (a mini K-hole will be terrifying! soon a mini Missy Chrissy??). E is watching "The Rocketeer." Well, okay, so he's always been a weirdo.

In other news, Ryan Adams released a new album, Easy Tiger, last week. I'm very much enjoying it, particularly "Halloweenhead." That guy loves my birthday.

Will write more regularly, as I am now running more, reading novels, and doing all the things Pope and Milton kept me from doing earlier this summer.

We've got less than two weeks left in Oxford, and I'm about ready to get this show on the road.

Here's to a Chaste, Pop-Tartless Year (2007)

I've decided to give up Pop-Tarts. E brought this terrible vice into my life when he moved down to Oxford, and I've decided that enough is enough. This will not be the Year of the Pig for me! I put the box on the top shelf so that I won't be tempted. This morning, though, was the true test. E and I had the following exchange:

J: What's in the toaster?
E: Nothing. Never mind it. Something you gave up.
J: Sex doesn't fit in a toaster.
E: Ha. There, that's a poem for you: "Things That Don't Fit in the Toaster."

[Addendum: If he doesn't start taking my work seriously, I'm leaving. (Ha)]

Anyway... on to other things. I acquired some new Damien Rice (9), Cat Power (You Are Free), and Belle & Sebastian for Baby Jesus' Birthday. Good stuff.

Back at home in Oxford now (attempting to write, read, and revise my syllabus). The Land of Cleve was fun. Played lots of Apples to Apples with my family (proving the following: 1. Grandma doesn't quite understand the *spirit* of the game, and 2. E has too much in common with mi padre, Tom). Rang in the New Year with the Veg and Eliot. (Good luck to the former on her return trip to the DC area!!).

"Time is contagious/ Everybody's getting old..." (Damien Rice)

GIDDYUP

I'm excited. It's been a long time since Veg and I went road-tripping, and we've got a good reason: she got the job in Baltimore, so we're taking off for D.C. in a few short days to investigate the housing options. Will she accept the room with the creepy threesome? Will she take what sketchy Joe has to offer (which he claims is a great deal!)?? Only time will tell.

In other news, I told E that I was going to get him a promise ring for Christmas. Hehehe. A pinky promise ring. And I'd make him wear it, too. Four years, folks (with some, err, vacation time??).

And now, my favorite line from The Grinch:
"You're a crooked, jerky jockey, and you drive a crooked hoss."

Happy Life Day, as they said on the Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978 (thanks, Ted).

Older Brother My Arse

Hello, friends. It's been a while, and I've been relatively quiet (busy), but I am again overcome with the urge to post. The semester is nearly over, and E is making breakfast. These are good things.

I really want to stop grading papers and watch "Love Actually" for the next few weeks straight. I've already accomplished the season's first viewing with my bff, Vanessa. Perhaps she will considering moving to Oxford for the holiday season?? E hates "Love Actually." Yes, really.

More weddings to come over the break: Karen (of Pam & Karen, Inc.) and Ashley (whose real name is apparently Peter, yet he chooses to go by Ashley), Veg's mom and Tom (not to be confused with my dad, Tom). Both should be quite fun. Karen and I decided yesterday that we (all the old SJA crew) would start breeding or spawning soon, and then we would force our tots to socialize.... "Go get your Auntie Karen another mimosa!" (Meanwhile the kid would be thinking, "That lady is not related to me, and we're not from Connecticut.") This plan reminds me of when Gracie decided (in high school) that we'd all live in a mansion on the east side with our babies (sugard daddies??). How ambitious.

Anyway, pancakes are calling me.