you're going to see the reason why when they're spittin' in your eye

This exam season has been fairly low-key for me. It's pretty anti-climatic when you have a week between exams. I'm already out of the exam mode, and when it comes to those final two (Friday and Saturday, respectively), I really couldn't care less. And multiplying that by knowing this is the final exam season I'll be forced to painstakingly experience has made me even less motivated than I normally am at this time of the year.

So I've been filling my time with watching old episodes of Sugar Rush which, if you have not seen, is quite lovely. I watched them all this summer, but when I think back on that time, it seems like a mere week filled with getting drunk in Jill's basement and yelling at the TV for England to step up their game, and far more trips to CTO than necessary (but hell, it was the summer, and CTO became a second second home (a sad admission in and of itself), and those sunny walks home from Costco that seemed like heaven because I had been trapped in a shitty warehouse all day doing something I hated, and walking home from Blockbuster at 2 or 6am, depending on the shittiness of my shift. So yeah. Not much room in their for a short lived (2 seasons only!) British comedy about a lesbian who falls for her best friend, a total skank named Sugar. It's delightful. The protagonist, Kim, has to deal with her fucked up family while navigating her own awkward feelings toward Sugar, and it's totally endearing. So yes, I am glad to be revisting the show, especially as it hasn't been renewed for another season (sigh).

I've also started knitting again, which pairs itself nicely with watching televison shows. My project now is a backpack, which I figure will come in handy for things like concerts and such, where a backpack is far more practical than a purse, but store backpacks tend to be too large and protrude-y in a crowd setting. I'm debating how to decorate the front of it. Should I jump into the world of intarsia (the fine and advanced art of 'picture knitting') or should I wimp out (or be more practical) and go for a stripe or plain front? I'd like to argyle it, but I don't know how to; perhaps that would be a nice change? I know that no one reading this cares nor understands what the hell I'm talking about, but man, I'm putting a lot of effort into this, and I don't like doing things unless I know they're going to turn out as I want them to. Don't worry guys, you'll see my sexy finished product.

Speaking of sexy finished products, I got an 86 on my comic book final project! It really does feel good when you put the effort into a project and are rewarded handsomely for it, but for the most part, I don't care about the projects I have to do. That's one thing I like about this no school thing: I'll be investing my time into projects that I actually like and want to be doing (such as my grandma habit of knitting). When I get home, I'll scan the pages onto my computer and post a link to them so you can check it out if you so feel inclined. The reception I've gotten from friends has been really positive, so who knows, I may go somewhere with this.

And I finally saw Grindhouse, and it was just as delightful as I had expected it to be. Of course, I got squeamish during Planet Terror, but that was to be expected. The camp factor was right where I wanted it to be, and Rose McGowan and Freddy Rodriguez were perfectly cast (with a special mention to Marley Shelton). I just love seeing Rico (as he will always be known to me) get great roles, and this was a nice follow up to his tiny role in Lady in the Water (which everyone but me seemed to vehemently hate). Death Proof was really the crowning glory for me (although I've heard differently from others who say Death Proof was "boring". Boring?? Craziness.). I mean, you have Kurt Russell doing what he does best, and a large of cast of very hot ladies in short shorts (so what if I have a soft spot for Rosario Dawson, okay?). The soundtrack was really the cherry on top. So download the soundtrack for Death Proof even if you have no desire to see the movie, because it's hot like fire.

Anyhow, I should really get to finishing/starting writing/studying for tomorrow. As a parting shot, my puddle flower of the week (a Fuji mum in a sunny yellow, so delightful)


























and France Gall being a total fox, as is her style

amanda

the flora, the fauna, the crazy banana

So today turned out to be a lovely day. At first, it was all cold and gross, but it got warm and happy (-ish)! Yay! And just in general, I love spending days downtown, even if London's downtown is kinda sketchy, what with all the crazies and druggies. Fuck that noise, I got a hot new vase.

Yes, that's right, a vase.


Ain't it cute? It looks like a puddle! I swear, going into Bloomer's just delights me so. They're not particularly interesting with their arrangements (and blergh, overpriced!), but they have the loveliest assortment of interesting flower vessels that I ever did see. So puddle vase and I are pals now, and I may even grab some more before I leave (because imagine how cute they'd look in a grouping! Ah!)

I have totally become one of those lame premature grandmas. I know that I've always been a little lame, but I really revel in it now. But seriously, being lame is so so much better than acting "cool" (which I recognize is a now outdated term, but do we have an accurate replacement yet? Please someone notify me if they have this information). And I say acting cool, because no one really ever just IS cool. There are standards to be upheld if one is to remain cool. And boy am I glad I stopped trying there. Because my lameness is more awesome than all of the cool kids have ever had it, so ha!

Also, leaving London offers me those odd sense of nostalgia for something that is present. "This is the last time I'll ever eat at Ben Thanh" and stuff like that. It's sad, because it's the end of an era, but it's also not sad, because I won't have to live in a dump, attend class, or pay for necessities anymore (at least until I move out again, in which case I'd embrace all three with open arms). But seriously, when your house has been taken over by bugs, has caving in ceilings, and electrical that will probably cause a house fire at any second, you begin to appreciate the little things, like the ability to shower without having to worry if the mold has become sentient. YUCK, this house blows.

amanda

i'm the type of girl who'll look you dead in the eye

I've been distracted by a series of little handdrawn images that I am responsible for! My sexy comic book is coming soon to an MIT drop box near you. And I'm thinking I'll scan it and post it onto here when I'm done, because while it is cheesy and somewhat nostalgic, it is also hella sexy in a big way.

Also hella sexy? Timbaland's new album. The standout being "Bounce". It takes a lot for me to like hip hop or whatever the designation Timbaland falls under; I can't keep track of all of these subgenres anymore (nor is this a genre I care to learn any of the subgenres of). Timbaland finds the art in a genre I usually find has a lot of limits, but admittedly, those are mostly in the subject matter. I just don't like songs about likening girls' bodies to cars, THANKS. But I don't even care about the subject here, because he makes it uncomfortably comfortable. He draws you in with his, um, mad beatz, but you never feel very comfortable in the position you're in - he's always on the verge of movement. But dayum, boy has some anger issues (and he ain't the only one - I'm looking at you Timberlake).

BUT I should get back to "studying". There is no actual studying being done. You see this blog entry? The product of me "studying". You know what else is the result of me "studying"? Books with no spines cracked. They have virginal spines. I am depriving books of their chief pleasure in this world. That's what. "Studying", pfft.

amanda

Tonight I ripped off my friend's style, but I acknowledge him with some props

Tonight I googled "inspiration". I found none.

Tonight I changed my typing voice, with merely the addition of some caps.

Tonight I listened to John Mayer, which I haven't done in a while. I still believe the guy has some serious guitar chops, but the sentiments, which I once believed were so poignant, are really trite for the most part. Note that I never believed that any of his singles have been poignant, so don't fear that I ever once thought "Your Body is a Wonderland" was the height of expressing true love. Blergh.

Tonight I considered writing a comic book about my guinea pig. Yes, I know he is awfully cute, but I am better than Once Upon a Hamster.

Tonight I wished that I didn't need to believe something was a good idea to put the effort in, but I retract said wish. I'm glad I only want to be part of things I believe in.

amanda

Props Luke

d'you want to to go to the seaside?

so i've been having problems with motivation this year. i think a lot of people have, but i've been feeling really trapped lately. i'm in a program where it is inevitable that i will be writing many more essays, and where i have to read a lot of things for class, and i am supposed to have another year left. i don't want to be doing this anymore.

so i'm not going to.

i'm finishing up the last two requirements i have through distance studies this summer, and as a part-time student next year. i'm getting a 3 year BA, which is just as good as any other BA except if i want to go into a Master's program. which i don't. i've been keeping it open as an option just in case i change my mind, but why? when do i think that will happen? so many people in my life want me to go to teacher's college or into a master's for library sciences, but i really don't think either are for me. so i'm closing those doors (but not even permanently, because if it happens that i DO want to go back, upgrading what i've got shouldn't be too difficult).

i have an apartment for next year, and i plan on living in london. i am NOT ready to move back in with my parents longterm, and i don't plan on it. i'm going to do the part-time student thing and work full-time, so i'm even chipping away at my debt!

but more importantly, i'm going to start doing things that i feel are more related to where i want to go. that includes a floral design course this summer and, with luck, beginning at seneca next year for their event and exhibition design course. and after that, england.

i feel so much better knowing that my life will be shaping up in that way instead of the previous trajectory of one more year filled with essays i couldn't give two shits about, books that have all the fun in reading sucked out of them, and sleepless nights from all-nighters and stress. and i still don't have to move back home for good. YES.

so things are looking up.

and also, fuck you western. i hate the fact that i'm paying for a class that is impossible to pass, and no one has done a fucking thing about it. how much of an outcry does there need to be before the administration understands how unfair EarthSci 089G is?

amanda