Blogger claims I can upload videos now. I'll be sure to inform you the MOMENT I use this feature.
In other things:
Today I saw a (millionthn) Asian boy, roughly age 13, sporting a mohawk. Never ceases to make me laugh.
Despite it being rouhgly 5 kazillion degrees today, I was sweating a disgusting amount before I finished my mile walk home.
I read a lot of fashion blogs. A LOT of them. I noticed something--none of them are geared towards ME! ME! the girl who walks a mile to work every day, neither rain nor hail nor sun withstanding--what should I wear to make my shoes not ugly? How I am supposed to look both fresh and professional in August?
-for my own answer, thus far the best I've done is to go to the in-house gym in the morning so I shower before I go to wor and don't have to venture outdoors. This regime is not without its downfalls, ie, going to the gym at 7am with a hangover or even general sleepiness is not something anyone enjoys.
As with the books (TO WHICH I'VE RECIEVED NO COMMENTS) and reccomendations are greatly appreciated.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
In a bout of cynicism
While I was in college I never felt confused over my feelings for someone. I feel great affection for many people, but that isn't love. I ached for my lovers on occassion, but that too wasn't love. I'd dress up nicer, put on make-up, go to the gym, walk past the commons at a certain time--all because I was infatuated with that guy in my polisci class.
Senior year that changed. I started dating someone and fell head-over-heels--FAST. It was a feeling of desperation; I couldn't go on without it. It was a feeling of trust; he would never abandon me. It was a feeling of desire; I wanted him the moment he walked into a room. And finally it was a feeling of security; he needed me as much as I needed him, he would never go away and we would never fail.
Obviously, since I'm no longer dating this person, this cannot be true. But recently I've been thinking about it. He always claimed that he did not love me. He had loved someone before me and what he felt for me was not what he felt for her. I countered with the love-infatuation differentiation that naturally would be confusing for a 18-year-old college freshman who'd been jerked around by a girl 5 years his senior. What I felt for him and knew he MUST feel for me was different. Better. More meaningful.
But it wasn't, and perhaps I was the one who was full of infatuation. Filled with the attraction of reciprocal desire, infatuated that someone I was attracted would find me smart, caught up in the ardor of being needed. After the relationship ended, I, of course, vowed to never be so immature again.
So what do I think love means now? Respect, kindness, a desire to be with someone through it all, not just what's fun. Mutually acknowledged objectivity in what you both need and don't need. Knowledge of space--what's healthy, not just what feels good. Good sex mandatory--ripping each others clothes off not. In fact, despite believing earlier in my romantic career that celibacy was ridiculous, it can serve its purpose.
I think about these things and love, and I realize that my new mandates cause love to become more manageable and more...controlled. Is this love, or is this settling? It feels like a risk, trying to do it again, but maybe it is in fact the opposite in the form of a sick parody of stability replacing happiness. I feel sure, but perhaps my surety is and symptom rather than the answer; a lack of self-awareness on my part. It is humbling to think that that which I have accused so many before me of doing is something I could be faulty of myself.
...and then I realize I've just been eating too much chocolate today, its overcast and I'm incredibly bored at work.
Senior year that changed. I started dating someone and fell head-over-heels--FAST. It was a feeling of desperation; I couldn't go on without it. It was a feeling of trust; he would never abandon me. It was a feeling of desire; I wanted him the moment he walked into a room. And finally it was a feeling of security; he needed me as much as I needed him, he would never go away and we would never fail.
Obviously, since I'm no longer dating this person, this cannot be true. But recently I've been thinking about it. He always claimed that he did not love me. He had loved someone before me and what he felt for me was not what he felt for her. I countered with the love-infatuation differentiation that naturally would be confusing for a 18-year-old college freshman who'd been jerked around by a girl 5 years his senior. What I felt for him and knew he MUST feel for me was different. Better. More meaningful.
But it wasn't, and perhaps I was the one who was full of infatuation. Filled with the attraction of reciprocal desire, infatuated that someone I was attracted would find me smart, caught up in the ardor of being needed. After the relationship ended, I, of course, vowed to never be so immature again.
So what do I think love means now? Respect, kindness, a desire to be with someone through it all, not just what's fun. Mutually acknowledged objectivity in what you both need and don't need. Knowledge of space--what's healthy, not just what feels good. Good sex mandatory--ripping each others clothes off not. In fact, despite believing earlier in my romantic career that celibacy was ridiculous, it can serve its purpose.
I think about these things and love, and I realize that my new mandates cause love to become more manageable and more...controlled. Is this love, or is this settling? It feels like a risk, trying to do it again, but maybe it is in fact the opposite in the form of a sick parody of stability replacing happiness. I feel sure, but perhaps my surety is and symptom rather than the answer; a lack of self-awareness on my part. It is humbling to think that that which I have accused so many before me of doing is something I could be faulty of myself.
...and then I realize I've just been eating too much chocolate today, its overcast and I'm incredibly bored at work.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Today's Round-Up
Given my fondness for lists, I'm thinking of changing the concept of this blog. More on that if I make a decision.
Congress is in recess which makes my job obscenely boring. The perk of this monotony is that I can read a lot of current events/news/gossip/film reviews/fashion magazines (oh, and study for the GRE). Things of note:
I Blame the Patriachy has an EXCELLENT run-down on recent pro-life/anti-abortion measures happening in local governments in the United States. In recent conversations I've had with pro-lifers, they have argued that the differences between pro-lifers and pro-choicers are mainly cultural (ie, religious) and therefore should be left to regional, local governments. The comment I fired back concerned the ridiculousness of this measure: why ban something in one area if the person in question can easily cross state lines? All you're doing is creating (again) an elitist system where only those who can afford the choice have it...and there again continues my ongoing war of elitism vs. feminism, results not yet tallied.
Wikipedia, which we all love and rely on for way too much information and hilarity (thank YOU, Stephen Colbert), has exposed the conspiracy of the corporate culture on information gathering!!! Ah, this reminds me of the lecture a (British) professor gave on Hurricane Katrina where he quoted statistics from Wikipedia, only to have one of the two American students in the class (this was while I was in school in the UK) point out that no one in academia would take a Wikipedia reference seriously.
In case you missed it, there was (another) Democratic presidential debate on Sunday, hosted by George Stephanopoulos as part of This Week. Hillary was a pleasant surprise (I have been a long-avowed Hillary doubter) while Obama seemed nervous (he who I DID love). Biden, always hilarious, and really Kucinich needs to get a reality check. But the overall feeling is that everyone is sick of listening to these people talk already. And I, for one, am very sad that some states are moving their primaries up. February used to be *such* an exciting month during election years.
I'm going to start a new (pseudo-academia) project looking into (mainly domestic) economics in the 80s. Any reading recommendations greatly appreciated.
Congress is in recess which makes my job obscenely boring. The perk of this monotony is that I can read a lot of current events/news/gossip/film reviews/fashion magazines (oh, and study for the GRE). Things of note:
I Blame the Patriachy has an EXCELLENT run-down on recent pro-life/anti-abortion measures happening in local governments in the United States. In recent conversations I've had with pro-lifers, they have argued that the differences between pro-lifers and pro-choicers are mainly cultural (ie, religious) and therefore should be left to regional, local governments. The comment I fired back concerned the ridiculousness of this measure: why ban something in one area if the person in question can easily cross state lines? All you're doing is creating (again) an elitist system where only those who can afford the choice have it...and there again continues my ongoing war of elitism vs. feminism, results not yet tallied.
Wikipedia, which we all love and rely on for way too much information and hilarity (thank YOU, Stephen Colbert), has exposed the conspiracy of the corporate culture on information gathering!!! Ah, this reminds me of the lecture a (British) professor gave on Hurricane Katrina where he quoted statistics from Wikipedia, only to have one of the two American students in the class (this was while I was in school in the UK) point out that no one in academia would take a Wikipedia reference seriously.
In case you missed it, there was (another) Democratic presidential debate on Sunday, hosted by George Stephanopoulos as part of This Week. Hillary was a pleasant surprise (I have been a long-avowed Hillary doubter) while Obama seemed nervous (he who I DID love). Biden, always hilarious, and really Kucinich needs to get a reality check. But the overall feeling is that everyone is sick of listening to these people talk already. And I, for one, am very sad that some states are moving their primaries up. February used to be *such* an exciting month during election years.
I'm going to start a new (pseudo-academia) project looking into (mainly domestic) economics in the 80s. Any reading recommendations greatly appreciated.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Feminism, marriage and other notes on a mother
It's a bit trite to post on marriage, but after the weekend I've had I've decided to reflect on the practice a bit.
There are quite a few women I've come into contact recently that are either getting married young, are young and wish they were getting married, or are ready/having children. I, at the tender age at 24, have only the vaguest thought concerning these events with regards to myself sometime in the next 10 or so years. I can't claim the authority of this woman, however, the more I see this marriage thing going on, the more it freaks me out.
My parents were married fairly young and have very firm opinions on this matter. They are currently teaching one of those marriage-prep classes with the Catholic Church and this has only served to solidify their viewpoints. They firmly believe a married couple should have (or at least want to have) children, share all finances, and that all decision should be made jointly. Not to knock on them: my parents have an amazing relationship. They are an incredible team. That being said, their views sound ridiculous to me. I won't share my bank account with anyone; it implies a level of trust I have never had for a person. Distributing costs based on which partner makes more? Sure. Putting everything in one pot and divving it up based on 'need'? Seems doomed to fail a la communism...unless there's only one person working. And then you enter into the whose-work-is-more-important arena
Children: well, perhaps I'll go on about that later. What I really want to dwell on is the joint decision making process.
I dated someone for a year and a half. I've known many, many people who have dated/been married in my age group. This joint decision-making thing? Have yet to see it work. Unless both people are in the same career field, or are committed to living in the same place, it doesn't work. Someone loses out, especially in this 20-ish range. One person is willing to give more or has more flexibility, leading to feelings of insecurity from the other person, or the end result compromise is a less prestigious opportunity for the more-flexible partner. The real result? It becomes ridiculously apparent to all parties who is the more-dependent person in the relationship. Power disparities may be a fact of life, but I doubt any couple wants them on display for public consumption.
Some women are fine with this. I see many around me that are proud they didn't finish college/take that job/move to name-that-big-city because they decided to follow someone. I hear much less often of a man doing the same. While it is obvious that compromise is the root of a healthy relationship, why is it always the woman who has to give? Women, many feminists, tout their flexibility as one of the core components of 'femininity'--but why is this flexibility most often geared towards appeasing men? And finally, is it possible to have an even power-relationship within a marriage when these sorts of choices will need to be made?
There are quite a few women I've come into contact recently that are either getting married young, are young and wish they were getting married, or are ready/having children. I, at the tender age at 24, have only the vaguest thought concerning these events with regards to myself sometime in the next 10 or so years. I can't claim the authority of this woman, however, the more I see this marriage thing going on, the more it freaks me out.
My parents were married fairly young and have very firm opinions on this matter. They are currently teaching one of those marriage-prep classes with the Catholic Church and this has only served to solidify their viewpoints. They firmly believe a married couple should have (or at least want to have) children, share all finances, and that all decision should be made jointly. Not to knock on them: my parents have an amazing relationship. They are an incredible team. That being said, their views sound ridiculous to me. I won't share my bank account with anyone; it implies a level of trust I have never had for a person. Distributing costs based on which partner makes more? Sure. Putting everything in one pot and divving it up based on 'need'? Seems doomed to fail a la communism...unless there's only one person working. And then you enter into the whose-work-is-more-important arena
Children: well, perhaps I'll go on about that later. What I really want to dwell on is the joint decision making process.
I dated someone for a year and a half. I've known many, many people who have dated/been married in my age group. This joint decision-making thing? Have yet to see it work. Unless both people are in the same career field, or are committed to living in the same place, it doesn't work. Someone loses out, especially in this 20-ish range. One person is willing to give more or has more flexibility, leading to feelings of insecurity from the other person, or the end result compromise is a less prestigious opportunity for the more-flexible partner. The real result? It becomes ridiculously apparent to all parties who is the more-dependent person in the relationship. Power disparities may be a fact of life, but I doubt any couple wants them on display for public consumption.
Some women are fine with this. I see many around me that are proud they didn't finish college/take that job/move to name-that-big-city because they decided to follow someone. I hear much less often of a man doing the same. While it is obvious that compromise is the root of a healthy relationship, why is it always the woman who has to give? Women, many feminists, tout their flexibility as one of the core components of 'femininity'--but why is this flexibility most often geared towards appeasing men? And finally, is it possible to have an even power-relationship within a marriage when these sorts of choices will need to be made?
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Tagged?
I didn't think I was in the blogging world enough to be 'tagged' for something. I recognize this for the plea that it is (MEOKAT WHY HAVEN'T YOU POSTED IN FOREVER).
ANYWAY eight things about me:
1) I have a slight obsession with my hands, but more specifically my nails. I've received compliments on my nails for as long as I can remember, and the combination of playing tennis and the piano in high school made me really anal about keeping my hands and nails clean and looking nice. The fact that I can't afford manicures on a regular basis often drives me up the wall.
2) I can't leave a kitchen dirty. I'm always convinced a million germs and molds are growing there and will eat me in my sleep.
3) I have a boyfriend who just started a blog and I lied and told him I don't have one and I think blogs are dumb. http://thingsonthings.wordpress.com/ Ssshhh don't tell.
4) I like to make up stories of people that I walk by on the way to work.
5) I really like shoes...which leads me too...
6) I would love to go back to England and see the people I went to school with. But I keep buying shoes.
7) I wish I was more creative but every time I start something I get bored very quickly
8) I'm not tagging anyone because I haven't posted in months and it would be, frankly, embarassing.
UPDATE FOR REALS SOMETIME SOON (soon-ish)
ANYWAY eight things about me:
1) I have a slight obsession with my hands, but more specifically my nails. I've received compliments on my nails for as long as I can remember, and the combination of playing tennis and the piano in high school made me really anal about keeping my hands and nails clean and looking nice. The fact that I can't afford manicures on a regular basis often drives me up the wall.
2) I can't leave a kitchen dirty. I'm always convinced a million germs and molds are growing there and will eat me in my sleep.
3) I have a boyfriend who just started a blog and I lied and told him I don't have one and I think blogs are dumb. http://thingsonthings.wordpress.com/ Ssshhh don't tell.
4) I like to make up stories of people that I walk by on the way to work.
5) I really like shoes...which leads me too...
6) I would love to go back to England and see the people I went to school with. But I keep buying shoes.
7) I wish I was more creative but every time I start something I get bored very quickly
8) I'm not tagging anyone because I haven't posted in months and it would be, frankly, embarassing.
UPDATE FOR REALS SOMETIME SOON (soon-ish)
Thursday, May 03, 2007
I've decided I'm not working today
Oh yes, I'm at work. But I'm more or less taking the day off and just sitting at my desk. It's been a busy week and I'm boycotting it today. Besides, it will leave with me enough to do tomorrow to hopefully make Friday fly by.
It's been, oh my!! over two weeks since I posted. Sorry about that.
Funny things:
It's been, oh my!! over two weeks since I posted. Sorry about that.
Funny things:
- I saw a bum peeing in an alleyway. When he saw me, he said, 'I's sorry, I just had to go!'
- I was walking down the street carrying a Scrabble board and a guy yelled at me, "Scrabble?? I can't even SPELL!"
- I'm taking up tennis again.
- I've become addicted to Naked smoothies (very similar to Innocent smoothies in the UK) which is a slight problem because they're a bit expensive
- I've stopped reading political things and started reading a lot about fashion
Monday, April 23, 2007
Oops!
Something amazing just happened.
A group of 5 people from the South African parliament walked into my office looking for a room for a meeting. It wasn't one of the rooms in my office, so I looked them up in our room reservation system, but didn't see anything. The group had a phone number, so I called it to try and help them out.
Me: Hello, this is Kat from ***. I'm calling because I have a group from South Africa in my office that is looking for a meeting in X room at 1:30. They have your phone number as a contact. Do you know anything about this?
Woman: Oh yes, they're expected by Mr. Z at 1:30.
Me: Ok, where should I send them for the meeting? I don't know where this room is...
Woman: The meeting isn't till 1:30. They have loads of time. Don't send them over yet!
Me: ....It's 1:30 now.
Woman: No it isn't!! It's 10:30!!!
Me: No..it's 1:30. (pause) Wait, where are you?
Woman: Where are you? I'm in the Washington State legislature.
Me: I'm in Washington, DC.
Together: oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Man, that really sucks.
A group of 5 people from the South African parliament walked into my office looking for a room for a meeting. It wasn't one of the rooms in my office, so I looked them up in our room reservation system, but didn't see anything. The group had a phone number, so I called it to try and help them out.
Me: Hello, this is Kat from ***. I'm calling because I have a group from South Africa in my office that is looking for a meeting in X room at 1:30. They have your phone number as a contact. Do you know anything about this?
Woman: Oh yes, they're expected by Mr. Z at 1:30.
Me: Ok, where should I send them for the meeting? I don't know where this room is...
Woman: The meeting isn't till 1:30. They have loads of time. Don't send them over yet!
Me: ....It's 1:30 now.
Woman: No it isn't!! It's 10:30!!!
Me: No..it's 1:30. (pause) Wait, where are you?
Woman: Where are you? I'm in the Washington State legislature.
Me: I'm in Washington, DC.
Together: oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Man, that really sucks.
Friday, April 13, 2007
YUM Caffeine
I very heartily apologize for being such a wet blanket in that last post.
Moving on....
I sent a dish of mussels back to the kitchen at a restaurant I went to last night. It was a turning point in my life, I feel. I was polite, but firm. And they were taken off my bill without me even asking.
I saw a random punk band last night that was pretty entertaining. AWESOME.
These two Australians came to hang out with me in my office because they think I'm gorgeous. Ok I'm lying. Actually they had a meeting with me regarding an event they're planning. But they were really lovely. And the one was quite cute--and wearing a green polka-dot tie!!! Adorable!! They 'invited' me to an embassy party-we'll see if that happens. Here's hoping. They DID hang out for like a half hour AFTER the meeting was over, so I'm going to keep thinking they liked me. And that the cute one was sporting a little crush.
I got a little drunk and made fun of my roommate's current victim. I use the word victim in the truest sense possible. To be fair--the poor girl has had a rough time with relationships and an even rougher time getting over them. So she dates boys that will make her the complete center of attention and patronize her every need. Then she chews them up and spits them out, thus far before any 'I love yous' are spoken.
Eh, its better than sleeping with a different guy every night and getting some funky disease, I guess.
Don't read this next sentence if you're the type who will vomit over sappiness.
My boyfriend is great, and here's why: last night I went to be a little earlier than him, but was still half awake when he crawled in. He leans over, cuddles me, gives me a kiss and says "Cute! Yum!" before firmly tucking my head into his shoulder and passing out.
*blissful sigh*
Now if I could just stop having the nightmares where he calls me an awful person and says he never wants to speak to me again.
jk.
not really.
Moving on....
I sent a dish of mussels back to the kitchen at a restaurant I went to last night. It was a turning point in my life, I feel. I was polite, but firm. And they were taken off my bill without me even asking.
I saw a random punk band last night that was pretty entertaining. AWESOME.
These two Australians came to hang out with me in my office because they think I'm gorgeous. Ok I'm lying. Actually they had a meeting with me regarding an event they're planning. But they were really lovely. And the one was quite cute--and wearing a green polka-dot tie!!! Adorable!! They 'invited' me to an embassy party-we'll see if that happens. Here's hoping. They DID hang out for like a half hour AFTER the meeting was over, so I'm going to keep thinking they liked me. And that the cute one was sporting a little crush.
I got a little drunk and made fun of my roommate's current victim. I use the word victim in the truest sense possible. To be fair--the poor girl has had a rough time with relationships and an even rougher time getting over them. So she dates boys that will make her the complete center of attention and patronize her every need. Then she chews them up and spits them out, thus far before any 'I love yous' are spoken.
Eh, its better than sleeping with a different guy every night and getting some funky disease, I guess.
Don't read this next sentence if you're the type who will vomit over sappiness.
My boyfriend is great, and here's why: last night I went to be a little earlier than him, but was still half awake when he crawled in. He leans over, cuddles me, gives me a kiss and says "Cute! Yum!" before firmly tucking my head into his shoulder and passing out.
*blissful sigh*
Now if I could just stop having the nightmares where he calls me an awful person and says he never wants to speak to me again.
jk.
not really.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
All I want is to be thin and have nice clothes
Good LORD has it been boring. boring boring boring boring boring.
Last weekend I went home for Easter. Ate lots of food, got a book, a new steamer pot, some new knives, two new pairs of shoes and two skirts for work.
In case it isn't ridiculously obvious I have a thing for shopping.
This week, despite being in session, work is boring boring boring and there's nothing to do. A project that I'm supposed to be working on is on hold because the person I'm working on it with doesn't have his act together (and yes, he gets a harassing phone call EVERY DAY). My coworker doesn't need any help because his responsibilities are also boring boring boring. I'm tired of obsessing over new-relationship because frankly everything is dandy. I keep looking for jobs but then balk at applying for them because I've only been in my current one for 5 months and maybe I don't really WANT a job that's going to require things like actually earning my paycheck and working overtime. Which leads me to the point of this rant:
I think I want to get married. To someone rich. Who will finance my shopping and traveling needs and not be a pain in the ass to be around. I'm not looking for love here. Just some freedom from working boring jobs. And we all know that money=freedom=happiness=lots of shopping=personal trainer=gorgeous body so I can attract men who are amazing in bed, thereby reducing the need for said rich man to be attractive or virile (I think I spelled that wrong).
Sorry, current awesome boyfriend who is also fabulous in bed BUT doesn't make 7 figures a year: you're out. Maybe we can work something and you can be my man-on-the-side.
WHY IS IT ONLY THURSDAY.
Last weekend I went home for Easter. Ate lots of food, got a book, a new steamer pot, some new knives, two new pairs of shoes and two skirts for work.
In case it isn't ridiculously obvious I have a thing for shopping.
This week, despite being in session, work is boring boring boring and there's nothing to do. A project that I'm supposed to be working on is on hold because the person I'm working on it with doesn't have his act together (and yes, he gets a harassing phone call EVERY DAY). My coworker doesn't need any help because his responsibilities are also boring boring boring. I'm tired of obsessing over new-relationship because frankly everything is dandy. I keep looking for jobs but then balk at applying for them because I've only been in my current one for 5 months and maybe I don't really WANT a job that's going to require things like actually earning my paycheck and working overtime. Which leads me to the point of this rant:
I think I want to get married. To someone rich. Who will finance my shopping and traveling needs and not be a pain in the ass to be around. I'm not looking for love here. Just some freedom from working boring jobs. And we all know that money=freedom=happiness=lots of shopping=personal trainer=gorgeous body so I can attract men who are amazing in bed, thereby reducing the need for said rich man to be attractive or virile (I think I spelled that wrong).
Sorry, current awesome boyfriend who is also fabulous in bed BUT doesn't make 7 figures a year: you're out. Maybe we can work something and you can be my man-on-the-side.
WHY IS IT ONLY THURSDAY.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Call me well-adjusted
I'm doomed. Completely, totally and UTTERLY doomed.
He said, glowingly, "You must be the most well-adjusted person I've ever met."
Uh-oh.
At first, I was pleased. This means 1) He's dated weirdos with psychological problems and while I CAN be a bit weird there is nothing psychologically wrong with me in the needs-medication-hospitalization sense which leads us to 2) I just became a lot more awesome in his eyes. Less hassle, not in a I-can-ignore-you-now way but more along the lines of I-don't-need-to-second-guess-everything-I-saw-because-you're-crazy-neurotic way. No lose situation here. Take the compliment, Kat, and just love it.
But now, in the past week, I think I've hit a snag: yes, I'm well-adjusted. Generally a stable, logical person. There's a GIANT GIANT flaw in where I DO act neurotic:
1) When I start to really care for someone leading to...
2) I'm...um..how shall we say? I like the word POSSESSIVE
NOT JEALOUS. I don't throw fits of weeping and worry every second that he's going to cheat on me or that's I'm inferior because I'm jealous of someone else no no no. NOTHING like that. But goddmanit when your 4-year-long-relationship-ex who you've been broken up with for a year but kept sleeping with AFTER you broke up with her AND you still consider her to be one of your closest friends comes into town for an extended weekend....
HOW'S A GIRL SUPPOSED TO REACT?!?!?!
But I didn't. I kept it subdued, minimal, said nearly nothing, in fact. It's not that I think he's going to cheat on me (she's here this weekend and I'm not grrrrr), I fully trust he won't. I've seen pictures; I know I'm more attractive. I'm DEFINATELY less pyscho. But I'm still annoyed about it. Annoyed that I got the impression that he wouldn't have told me if I didn't end up naked in his bed yesterday and as a not-so-subtle way of saying I can't spend the night he says he's going out for drinks with her (to be fair, it was only 6pm and I had plans anyway but STILL). Add to that she's probably staying through the weekend and I'm not here. Add to THAT since I'm going out of town till Tuesday silly me ASSUMED he would want to hang out Thursday night before I left but since SHE'S in town that's probably not going to happen and he actually had the AUDACITY to say "well, if you want to hang out I guess you could give me a call"
That was my moment. My moment, as I'm re-clothing myself, of great anger where I turned around, laughed at him, and said, "No. I'm not calling you tomorrow. Don't be an idiot. You have 'someone' in town."
After all, its only been two months I BARELY have room to claim him for my own yet LET ALONE pull the flip-out my brain my mentally doing.
I need to go for a run.
He said, glowingly, "You must be the most well-adjusted person I've ever met."
Uh-oh.
At first, I was pleased. This means 1) He's dated weirdos with psychological problems and while I CAN be a bit weird there is nothing psychologically wrong with me in the needs-medication-hospitalization sense which leads us to 2) I just became a lot more awesome in his eyes. Less hassle, not in a I-can-ignore-you-now way but more along the lines of I-don't-need-to-second-guess-everything-I-saw-because-you're-crazy-neurotic way. No lose situation here. Take the compliment, Kat, and just love it.
But now, in the past week, I think I've hit a snag: yes, I'm well-adjusted. Generally a stable, logical person. There's a GIANT GIANT flaw in where I DO act neurotic:
1) When I start to really care for someone leading to...
2) I'm...um..how shall we say? I like the word POSSESSIVE
NOT JEALOUS. I don't throw fits of weeping and worry every second that he's going to cheat on me or that's I'm inferior because I'm jealous of someone else no no no. NOTHING like that. But goddmanit when your 4-year-long-relationship-ex who you've been broken up with for a year but kept sleeping with AFTER you broke up with her AND you still consider her to be one of your closest friends comes into town for an extended weekend....
HOW'S A GIRL SUPPOSED TO REACT?!?!?!
But I didn't. I kept it subdued, minimal, said nearly nothing, in fact. It's not that I think he's going to cheat on me (she's here this weekend and I'm not grrrrr), I fully trust he won't. I've seen pictures; I know I'm more attractive. I'm DEFINATELY less pyscho. But I'm still annoyed about it. Annoyed that I got the impression that he wouldn't have told me if I didn't end up naked in his bed yesterday and as a not-so-subtle way of saying I can't spend the night he says he's going out for drinks with her (to be fair, it was only 6pm and I had plans anyway but STILL). Add to that she's probably staying through the weekend and I'm not here. Add to THAT since I'm going out of town till Tuesday silly me ASSUMED he would want to hang out Thursday night before I left but since SHE'S in town that's probably not going to happen and he actually had the AUDACITY to say "well, if you want to hang out I guess you could give me a call"
That was my moment. My moment, as I'm re-clothing myself, of great anger where I turned around, laughed at him, and said, "No. I'm not calling you tomorrow. Don't be an idiot. You have 'someone' in town."
After all, its only been two months I BARELY have room to claim him for my own yet LET ALONE pull the flip-out my brain my mentally doing.
I need to go for a run.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The weather is gorgeous; here's what I'd rather be doing than sitting in my office...
Next week is recess. Thank god. I still have to come to work (of course) but I doubt I'll have to stay past 5:30 any of the days and it will be slow. I plan on doing a lot more GRE studying, an action that has quickly approached zero in the past month.
This week it got gorgeous. It's not muggy yet, its sunny (I miss my sunglasses) and its hovering around the 60s. Woooooo. Here is a list of things I'd rather be doing than sitting in my office:
1) Running
2) Playing tennis
3) Going on a picnic
4) Drinking margaritas outside
5) Playing on swings
6) Having sex
I'm hoping to be able to do all of these things this weekend. While racking up a credit card bill because I realized today I have $50 to get me until April 5th and no food in my house. Oh well.
This week it got gorgeous. It's not muggy yet, its sunny (I miss my sunglasses) and its hovering around the 60s. Woooooo. Here is a list of things I'd rather be doing than sitting in my office:
1) Running
2) Playing tennis
3) Going on a picnic
4) Drinking margaritas outside
5) Playing on swings
6) Having sex
I'm hoping to be able to do all of these things this weekend. While racking up a credit card bill because I realized today I have $50 to get me until April 5th and no food in my house. Oh well.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Pornography
As part of my brief journalism training, I was required to take a class in mass media ethics. We spent a week discussing pornography and the different interpretations of the word. I was reading the NYTimes today and saw this
..which immediately brought to mind my professor's accusation that pornography really isn't about nudity or sex, its about something that is unslightly and exploitative. It's about crossing the line between telling a story that needs to be told and sensationalizing a catastrophic event to emphasize the theatrics and entertainment value. It is, sadly, a line which is more often crossed in journalism than in porn.
I understand the need to tell this story, in fact, I find it an incredibly important story to tell. However, the photograph of someone shooting up in a ruined building on the front page of World section of the New York Times is shocking and sickening. Opening the article with a man crying over the 'youngest Afghan known to have H.I.V.' is disgusting. I won't even go on about the tragedy of the 'normal' person with H.I.V., the woman who was raped but can't go to a clinic for help because she will be killed for being 'promiscuous', or the hundreds of young men who just didn't know any better. All are equally as tragic--perhaps even more so--than this young boy. But they aren't as sensational, or sickening. This isn't news--its a ridiculous Hallmarkian piece of shit. It's not telling the real story; it's selling the newspaper.
..which immediately brought to mind my professor's accusation that pornography really isn't about nudity or sex, its about something that is unslightly and exploitative. It's about crossing the line between telling a story that needs to be told and sensationalizing a catastrophic event to emphasize the theatrics and entertainment value. It is, sadly, a line which is more often crossed in journalism than in porn.
I understand the need to tell this story, in fact, I find it an incredibly important story to tell. However, the photograph of someone shooting up in a ruined building on the front page of World section of the New York Times is shocking and sickening. Opening the article with a man crying over the 'youngest Afghan known to have H.I.V.' is disgusting. I won't even go on about the tragedy of the 'normal' person with H.I.V., the woman who was raped but can't go to a clinic for help because she will be killed for being 'promiscuous', or the hundreds of young men who just didn't know any better. All are equally as tragic--perhaps even more so--than this young boy. But they aren't as sensational, or sickening. This isn't news--its a ridiculous Hallmarkian piece of shit. It's not telling the real story; it's selling the newspaper.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
New underwear=personality changes?
Soooo back by demand, I'm posting. It's been insanely busy in the KatWorld so the moments where I get free time I'm spending it shopping or hanging out with flavor-of-the-month (who--wait a second--has actually been around for a while month as of yesterday!).
The shopping is getting out of control. This happens when I'm bored and don't have the motivation to do something constructive. Note to those who knew me in England: this didn't happen nearly the ENTIRE TIME I was there. However, 6 months back in the U.S., I'm back into this nasty habit. In the past three weeks I've bought:
1) 3 rugs
2) a coffee table
3) a chair
4) a new button-down
5) 7 new pairs of underwear
6) 1 bra
7) 2 new pilates DVDs
8) a new cookbook
In my defense, the chair and coffee table were presents for my birthday, the rug I'd been eying up for months and it FINALLY went on sale, my pilates DVD got scratched, and I only have those shitty Country Cookbooks my mom gave me when I moved. The underwear--while on the surface looks excessive--is in the face of:
1) new boy
2) new anti-thong/G-string resolution
3) anything I have that isn't a thong/G-string is over a year old
Why buy the non-sexy underwear when I have a new boy, you ask? It's part of my new resolution. As I reported a few weeks ago, I've decided not to speak to my ex anymore. It was a painful conversation, but I did make the break and I'm very proud of myself. Underwear enters this equation because anything I bought for myself over the past two years was with him in mind--I've never been much of a practical lingerie type of gal. So now I've decided to buy only underwear I like that hugs my butt ever-so-nicely. Because I like butt-hugging. I'm over the butt-cracking phase. While I don't really care if the new boy likes this change or not, it was encouraging to hear him say while he doesn't DISLIKE fancy lingerie, he's more of a girl-in-my-old-T-shirt-is-sexy kinda guy.
Yayayay. So that's the personal end. I'll post the professional later. Stupid work.
The shopping is getting out of control. This happens when I'm bored and don't have the motivation to do something constructive. Note to those who knew me in England: this didn't happen nearly the ENTIRE TIME I was there. However, 6 months back in the U.S., I'm back into this nasty habit. In the past three weeks I've bought:
1) 3 rugs
2) a coffee table
3) a chair
4) a new button-down
5) 7 new pairs of underwear
6) 1 bra
7) 2 new pilates DVDs
8) a new cookbook
In my defense, the chair and coffee table were presents for my birthday, the rug I'd been eying up for months and it FINALLY went on sale, my pilates DVD got scratched, and I only have those shitty Country Cookbooks my mom gave me when I moved. The underwear--while on the surface looks excessive--is in the face of:
1) new boy
2) new anti-thong/G-string resolution
3) anything I have that isn't a thong/G-string is over a year old
Why buy the non-sexy underwear when I have a new boy, you ask? It's part of my new resolution. As I reported a few weeks ago, I've decided not to speak to my ex anymore. It was a painful conversation, but I did make the break and I'm very proud of myself. Underwear enters this equation because anything I bought for myself over the past two years was with him in mind--I've never been much of a practical lingerie type of gal. So now I've decided to buy only underwear I like that hugs my butt ever-so-nicely. Because I like butt-hugging. I'm over the butt-cracking phase. While I don't really care if the new boy likes this change or not, it was encouraging to hear him say while he doesn't DISLIKE fancy lingerie, he's more of a girl-in-my-old-T-shirt-is-sexy kinda guy.
Yayayay. So that's the personal end. I'll post the professional later. Stupid work.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Ickity ick week..but with some nice icing
I can't decide what I think of this week; it's been so full of ups and downs.
At work I become more convinced of the ridiculous wretchness which is my job. I've even stopped being entertained by it. This feeling was furthered by the fact that I DIDN'T GET OFF FOR THE SNOW. I was so ticked. I thought it was going to be like an extra vacation. But no. Back to admin bullshit. On the entertaining side, I had a Crazy in my office that I got to pawn off on the office across the hall (hahaha...suckers) and there appears to be a power war going on between some of the high-ups around here...enough of a war that some people have come to me and asked me to do slightly suspicious things. Ha. I am more adept at manipulation that you fools and therefore can recognize it miles away. Go bother the interns. They're more susceptible.
On the upside there's a silly boy who I think I finally (subtly) convinced that I'm not interested in him as more than a friend...which I think has made him more relaxed and open around me. And it means I have a friend. I'm also becoming better friends with one of the girls I work with. She likes to tell me funny stories about ridiculous politicians. It lends more hilarity to my life.
But the big upside--surprisingly--is that a boy called me. A nice boy. A smart, funny, cute, weird, dorky adorable boy. We did fun things like look at cartoons and play in mazes. And I feel like I've actually been through this initial crush-smitten phase enough in my life that I'm not diving in too quickly. He's nice. And funny. And I like the way he kisses me. Yay. So we'll see.
At work I become more convinced of the ridiculous wretchness which is my job. I've even stopped being entertained by it. This feeling was furthered by the fact that I DIDN'T GET OFF FOR THE SNOW. I was so ticked. I thought it was going to be like an extra vacation. But no. Back to admin bullshit. On the entertaining side, I had a Crazy in my office that I got to pawn off on the office across the hall (hahaha...suckers) and there appears to be a power war going on between some of the high-ups around here...enough of a war that some people have come to me and asked me to do slightly suspicious things. Ha. I am more adept at manipulation that you fools and therefore can recognize it miles away. Go bother the interns. They're more susceptible.
On the upside there's a silly boy who I think I finally (subtly) convinced that I'm not interested in him as more than a friend...which I think has made him more relaxed and open around me. And it means I have a friend. I'm also becoming better friends with one of the girls I work with. She likes to tell me funny stories about ridiculous politicians. It lends more hilarity to my life.
But the big upside--surprisingly--is that a boy called me. A nice boy. A smart, funny, cute, weird, dorky adorable boy. We did fun things like look at cartoons and play in mazes. And I feel like I've actually been through this initial crush-smitten phase enough in my life that I'm not diving in too quickly. He's nice. And funny. And I like the way he kisses me. Yay. So we'll see.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Don't I Work for the Government?
How is it that the Federal Government has shut down, yet no one (including me!!!) that I know who works for it gets to go home?!?!
It's a sham, I tell you, and absolute farce.
It's a sham, I tell you, and absolute farce.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Sufjan Stevens
That's right. I got tickets. My roommate and I woke up at 5:15am, hopped on the second bus of the morning and waited in line until 9:30 only to be told that we weren't getting tickets. We were roughly 100 people away from getting tickets. Close, but yet so far.
But wait, Meo, didn't you say you got tickets?
YES. That night my roommate went out with one of her friends. While out, she met a guy. As a course of their conversation she mentioned our earlier ticket-fiasco. The guy mentions he might be able to get a hold of extras. My lovely roommate gives him her number, figuring this is never going to work out. Way too random--he would never call.
BUT HE DOES. And we get tickets. 10 rows away from the stage. The concert was amazing and might be my best memory of a concert yet. In addition to the fabulous music, there were chocolate fountains, candy and free champagne because Target was sponsoring the event (I know, I know I shouldn't love it as much as I did...but free cake and Swedish fish? Come on).
As a good sidenote, the guy and his friends seemed cool. So I might have some new friends out of the whole deal :-). Although I feel like that could be taking a good thing a little too far.
But wait, Meo, didn't you say you got tickets?
YES. That night my roommate went out with one of her friends. While out, she met a guy. As a course of their conversation she mentioned our earlier ticket-fiasco. The guy mentions he might be able to get a hold of extras. My lovely roommate gives him her number, figuring this is never going to work out. Way too random--he would never call.
BUT HE DOES. And we get tickets. 10 rows away from the stage. The concert was amazing and might be my best memory of a concert yet. In addition to the fabulous music, there were chocolate fountains, candy and free champagne because Target was sponsoring the event (I know, I know I shouldn't love it as much as I did...but free cake and Swedish fish? Come on).
As a good sidenote, the guy and his friends seemed cool. So I might have some new friends out of the whole deal :-). Although I feel like that could be taking a good thing a little too far.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Doesn't this feel good??
Hello blog! It's been a while!! And frankly, I've been a little depressed without you. Work has been difficult. Not for me, really, but everyone else in my office has been running around like maniacs and being stressed out so me, the lowest peon in the room, gets snipped at a lot. Not to mention there was a brief spurt of my favorite coworker going on a job interview so he might be leaving me :-(. I know our relationship has to end, being that we're both in a boring job doing admin crap we don't like but it had only just begun. Thankfully, it looks like he's sticking around for a little bit.
I've come to the 100%-total conclusion that I cannot cannot cannot cannot be friends with my ex. We talked last week (on AIM wooo) and it still wasn't a fun experience. It left me feeling overall hollow and wondering why were we ever together, what was wrong with me that I would be with such a shallow person who seems to have so little to offer me in terms of interesting conversation. Of course, its because we're not close anymore, we don't have intimacy anymore, we don't talk about anything. It's all a ridiculous CNN tickertape THE WORLD TODAY. In light of that, after now being broken up for over 8 months, I'm going to get the balls up to do the unthinkable: ask him to take the pictures of us off his website.
That's right. They're still there. They haven't been updated in over a year, and the vast majority of them include me-him-dating. They're a bit of a documentary of our romantic career, in fact. I haven't had the courage to bring this up thinking he would just respond with just-stop-looking or that the girl he dumped me for would get ticked enough about them to make him take them down. But no. It hasn't happened yet. So I'm going to say something. And then I'm going to tell him we're not friends. We're not going to be. It's impossible. As a friend counseled me this weekend: I need to stop beating myself over the fact I can't forgive him for hurting me. Sometimes its just not worth the effort to work at trusting someone again. There are better things to do with your time.
And that, my dear blog, will be how I will wash the remnants of this man out of my hair.
I've come to the 100%-total conclusion that I cannot cannot cannot cannot be friends with my ex. We talked last week (on AIM wooo) and it still wasn't a fun experience. It left me feeling overall hollow and wondering why were we ever together, what was wrong with me that I would be with such a shallow person who seems to have so little to offer me in terms of interesting conversation. Of course, its because we're not close anymore, we don't have intimacy anymore, we don't talk about anything. It's all a ridiculous CNN tickertape THE WORLD TODAY. In light of that, after now being broken up for over 8 months, I'm going to get the balls up to do the unthinkable: ask him to take the pictures of us off his website.
That's right. They're still there. They haven't been updated in over a year, and the vast majority of them include me-him-dating. They're a bit of a documentary of our romantic career, in fact. I haven't had the courage to bring this up thinking he would just respond with just-stop-looking or that the girl he dumped me for would get ticked enough about them to make him take them down. But no. It hasn't happened yet. So I'm going to say something. And then I'm going to tell him we're not friends. We're not going to be. It's impossible. As a friend counseled me this weekend: I need to stop beating myself over the fact I can't forgive him for hurting me. Sometimes its just not worth the effort to work at trusting someone again. There are better things to do with your time.
And that, my dear blog, will be how I will wash the remnants of this man out of my hair.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
National Security referred to as Alice in Wonderland
The New York Times has a hilarious yet frightening article about the case involving government wiretaps. It's really nice to see these judges call the Justice Department out on the carpet.
More Strange Happenings on H Street
As mentioned previously, I live just off H Street. H Street isn't a BAD neighborhood, per se, but it isn't a GREAT neighborhood either. There are a lot of bums and smelly people that hang out on street corners and general harassment for little white girls such as my roommate and myself is pretty common. On the plus side, I am constantly reading about things the long-time residents are doing to promote the area and make it safer. Go H Street!
The most recent push is to ban 'singles'. For the uninitiated, such as myself, this is confusing: only couples can live on H Street? What is someone gets divorced? If there's a nasty break-up, who gets to stay--the one who finds a new mate the fastest? But no, no, these singles refer to ALCOHOL. Single beers and 40s and banning the sale of them at grocery/convenience stores. Here's the link. While I am a general fan of reducing the number of smelly bums on the street, and have never been a fan of buying 'singles', I'm not entirely convinced that this is a productive way to combat the problem.
But the BEST PART of that article is at the end--the Red and Black is trying to offer haircuts+a shot for $12!!!! Wooohooo!!! I'm all over it.
The most recent push is to ban 'singles'. For the uninitiated, such as myself, this is confusing: only couples can live on H Street? What is someone gets divorced? If there's a nasty break-up, who gets to stay--the one who finds a new mate the fastest? But no, no, these singles refer to ALCOHOL. Single beers and 40s and banning the sale of them at grocery/convenience stores. Here's the link. While I am a general fan of reducing the number of smelly bums on the street, and have never been a fan of buying 'singles', I'm not entirely convinced that this is a productive way to combat the problem.
But the BEST PART of that article is at the end--the Red and Black is trying to offer haircuts+a shot for $12!!!! Wooohooo!!! I'm all over it.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Birthday dilemna
My parents are coming to visit for my birthday which is in a little less than a month. They are going to take me shopping for a day as my birthday present. They figured out a few years ago that this is preferable for all parties involved over buying me presents on my own. However, for the past few years I haven't had the opportunity to really go shopping, so I would figure out one of two things for them to get me. But this year they're coming, and I'm working on narrowing down my list.
This is much harder than it seems. I just moved and just started a new job. This means I'm in need of suits (since the job requires suits and I only own 2) but also in need of furniture. I'm also in need of quality shoes because I spend large parts of my day walking around. The best shoes I've ever found are Campers...and they're really expensive. My last pair died about a year ago and I've been itching to get a new pair ever since...and this birthday seems like the perfect time to do it. But they're really expensive. And I could really use a rug...and a coffee table...and a new suit. All of which I could get for much less than two pairs of shoes.
What to do what to do?!?!?!?!
This is much harder than it seems. I just moved and just started a new job. This means I'm in need of suits (since the job requires suits and I only own 2) but also in need of furniture. I'm also in need of quality shoes because I spend large parts of my day walking around. The best shoes I've ever found are Campers...and they're really expensive. My last pair died about a year ago and I've been itching to get a new pair ever since...and this birthday seems like the perfect time to do it. But they're really expensive. And I could really use a rug...and a coffee table...and a new suit. All of which I could get for much less than two pairs of shoes.
What to do what to do?!?!?!?!
Confessions of a Bonifide Politico
I get a thrill out of working in the Senate every day. It doesn't matter what's going on, it doesn't matter that the reality of my job is exceedingly dull and unexciting, I still get a kick out of walking down the hallway of the Russell building with its high ceilings, dark woodwork and lush carpeting. I gawk out the door every time John Kerry and Ted Kennedy walk down the hallway, sit in on any hearing I can get to, and giggle when I hear Trent Lott whistling. I've developed crushes on Joe Biden, Chuck Hagel and Amy Klobuchar. It's not that I see anyone as important, really, the entire Congress is a shame, but I still love it. A lot.
So last night I did something I've always wanted--I hosted a State of the Union party. And it was great. Many snickers from all parties involved, very little talking OVER Bush (which is REALLY annoying and has always happened at other SOTU parties I've been too). I was really excited. I feel as though I've fully embraced my politico self and its wonderful. When I was in York I loved being surrounded by others who got excited by the political process and by political research. I didn't think I would be able to find it once I left. And while I have yet to really feel as thought I have, I know I'm making progress. And it's pretty awesome.
So last night I did something I've always wanted--I hosted a State of the Union party. And it was great. Many snickers from all parties involved, very little talking OVER Bush (which is REALLY annoying and has always happened at other SOTU parties I've been too). I was really excited. I feel as though I've fully embraced my politico self and its wonderful. When I was in York I loved being surrounded by others who got excited by the political process and by political research. I didn't think I would be able to find it once I left. And while I have yet to really feel as thought I have, I know I'm making progress. And it's pretty awesome.
Monday, January 22, 2007
March for Lifers
ARE EVERYWHERE. They hang out in the hallway, they come into my office, they ask me if they can go on our balcony (NO!!!) , they march past yelling Hey hey ho ho Roe v Wade has got to go!!!
The worst part is I REMEMBER PARTICIPATING in this march in high school. I went to Catholic school until I was 18 and the sophomore class trip was going to the March for Life. Why not? Get a day off school, walk around for a bit, go to the museums. The issue was presented simply as thus: there's a law that allows for women to kill babies they don't want. It was morally wrong to kill anything, therefore allowing abortion to be legal is morally wrong. I won't break into my common rant against religious schooling, but suffice to say that this is one of many issues I had with going to a religious school. The inability to tell the whole story combined with the convincing ability to twist the story to fit into the organized tenants of the religion is, frankly, terrifying.
Or else my soul has been taken over by the devil and I'm damned to hell. Depends on how you look at it.
The worst part is I REMEMBER PARTICIPATING in this march in high school. I went to Catholic school until I was 18 and the sophomore class trip was going to the March for Life. Why not? Get a day off school, walk around for a bit, go to the museums. The issue was presented simply as thus: there's a law that allows for women to kill babies they don't want. It was morally wrong to kill anything, therefore allowing abortion to be legal is morally wrong. I won't break into my common rant against religious schooling, but suffice to say that this is one of many issues I had with going to a religious school. The inability to tell the whole story combined with the convincing ability to twist the story to fit into the organized tenants of the religion is, frankly, terrifying.
Or else my soul has been taken over by the devil and I'm damned to hell. Depends on how you look at it.
Friday, January 19, 2007
My Pop Culture for the Week
Stephen Colbert meets Bill O'Reilly!! I'd been looking forward to it allll week!!
And it was much less hilarious than anticipated. I remember when I REALLY LOVED watching John Stewart doing interviews on the Daily Show, and then sometime last year he STOPPED doing interviews and instead TALKED during the whole thing. Don't get me wrong--love John Stewart, want to have 10 million of his babies etc, but I enjoyed watching him set people up to dig their own graves. When the Colbert Report began I laughed hilariously when Michael Brown slaughtered himself, and Ariana Huffington proved her idiocy...but the Bill O' Reilly 'interview' last night? Colbert's comments on O'Reilly are funny, and when O'Reilly got a word in edgewise he lived up to the assholeness we love. But frankly, Stephen, I left this encounter with you feeling a little dissatisfied.
Saving the evening were the first 10 minutes of the Daily Show. Fucking brilliant.
And it was much less hilarious than anticipated. I remember when I REALLY LOVED watching John Stewart doing interviews on the Daily Show, and then sometime last year he STOPPED doing interviews and instead TALKED during the whole thing. Don't get me wrong--love John Stewart, want to have 10 million of his babies etc, but I enjoyed watching him set people up to dig their own graves. When the Colbert Report began I laughed hilariously when Michael Brown slaughtered himself, and Ariana Huffington proved her idiocy...but the Bill O' Reilly 'interview' last night? Colbert's comments on O'Reilly are funny, and when O'Reilly got a word in edgewise he lived up to the assholeness we love. But frankly, Stephen, I left this encounter with you feeling a little dissatisfied.
Saving the evening were the first 10 minutes of the Daily Show. Fucking brilliant.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Strange happenings on H Street
Last weekend I was walking down H street and noticed a red jeep with flames stickers on it parked on the side of the road. I glaced inside, as one does and saw.....
A black penis. With a man attached. Jerking off.
The terrifying part is that this isn't the first time I've seen it. It also happened to me once in Madrid.
AAAAHHHHH
A black penis. With a man attached. Jerking off.
The terrifying part is that this isn't the first time I've seen it. It also happened to me once in Madrid.
AAAAHHHHH
Friday, January 12, 2007
WWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO
SENATE ORGANIZING RESOLUTION HAS PASSED YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY
Now I can finally stop explaining to people why the chair of my committee hadn't switched to the Democrats and dealing with their disbelief. ROCK.
Now I can finally stop explaining to people why the chair of my committee hadn't switched to the Democrats and dealing with their disbelief. ROCK.
A TaxiCab Confession
Yesterday, after partaking in a stomach-bursting feast at the Melting Pot, I went to get on the metro only to find that I had just missed the last one. Awwwwwww SHIT.
I looked at the busses--it was going to be a pain, so I decided to grab a cab. Being that I'm fairly new to DC, this would only be my third cab experience...and my first two were enough to make me dread it. I'm also a horrible cab-rider; I've mainly used cabs in Europe, and as a result I never know how much to tip. This has colored my few cab rides in the U.S. and turns them into pressure-filled events where I'm terrified the cabbie will throw me out or beat me on my doorstep because I tip so poorly.
SO I grab a cab and ask him how much the fare will be. I'm about a dollar short, I tell him, and ask him if he could take me however far for the amount I have. He says, don't worry about it, I'll take you anyway!!! Gasp!! Amazement!!! A NICE DC CABBIE (in my other experiences they were TERRORS)!!! He NOT ONLY takes me a $8.80 trip for $7 (I had $7.50, he declined to take the change) but also INSISTS on waiting for me to unlock the door and wave so he's sure I'm safely inside at 'this late hour' in 'that rough neighborhood'. 'I think a young lady such as yourself should not walk around her at night,' he said to me. 'I wait for you to get inside.'
I love DC. I'll probably change my mind again in a week, but this week? Love it.
I looked at the busses--it was going to be a pain, so I decided to grab a cab. Being that I'm fairly new to DC, this would only be my third cab experience...and my first two were enough to make me dread it. I'm also a horrible cab-rider; I've mainly used cabs in Europe, and as a result I never know how much to tip. This has colored my few cab rides in the U.S. and turns them into pressure-filled events where I'm terrified the cabbie will throw me out or beat me on my doorstep because I tip so poorly.
SO I grab a cab and ask him how much the fare will be. I'm about a dollar short, I tell him, and ask him if he could take me however far for the amount I have. He says, don't worry about it, I'll take you anyway!!! Gasp!! Amazement!!! A NICE DC CABBIE (in my other experiences they were TERRORS)!!! He NOT ONLY takes me a $8.80 trip for $7 (I had $7.50, he declined to take the change) but also INSISTS on waiting for me to unlock the door and wave so he's sure I'm safely inside at 'this late hour' in 'that rough neighborhood'. 'I think a young lady such as yourself should not walk around her at night,' he said to me. 'I wait for you to get inside.'
I love DC. I'll probably change my mind again in a week, but this week? Love it.
A quickie gloat
Why my job rocks:
I've spent the past two days watching hearings about Iraq. That's it. And it's considered legitimate work.
Woooohooo!!!!
I've spent the past two days watching hearings about Iraq. That's it. And it's considered legitimate work.
Woooohooo!!!!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
On smoking
With the smoking ban in place for 8 days now, I, as someone who once enjoyed smoking a great deal and now still does on occassion (although less and less frequently now), I am a fan of the smoking ban. Waking up the morning after a rough night out and having my room reek of cigarettes ON TOP of the nasty stale beer smell that most bars have was never fun--now if I stink like smoke its because I was smoking. And I'm fine with that. I understand all the bitching about secondhand smoke and the like, the complaints about this affecting small businesses (don't raise the revenue loss to 15% that's fucking ridiculous--and can mean the difference between paying your workers and not for a small business). The only arguments I wholeheartedly agree with are those against the paternal state as I generally think this is an area where the state is overstepping its bounds.
HOWEVER I really really really REALLY mind the self-congratulating holier-than-thou bullshit I keep reading from non-smokers about ever damn 'victory' they win over the horrible people who smoke--obviously just to piss off and inflict harm on the non-smokers. Get off your high horse for christssake. Anyone who smokes knows it--non-smokers don't like to be around smokers 99.999999%, if not all, of the time. Smoking is bad for your health. Smoking smells bad/makes kissing gross/harms those around you. We know; everyone know. No one is denying it.
But just like I don't rub in to the fat girl I went to high school with that I've lost weight since I last saw her, the kid who dropped out of high school that I recently finished my MA, or the friends who are still living with their parents in bumblefuck no-where that I moved out and now live in a metropolitian area, would you please stop posting about how great the smoking ban is and how wonderfully healthy everyone who doesn't smoke will now be? Seriously. It's really annoying.
HOWEVER I really really really REALLY mind the self-congratulating holier-than-thou bullshit I keep reading from non-smokers about ever damn 'victory' they win over the horrible people who smoke--obviously just to piss off and inflict harm on the non-smokers. Get off your high horse for christssake. Anyone who smokes knows it--non-smokers don't like to be around smokers 99.999999%, if not all, of the time. Smoking is bad for your health. Smoking smells bad/makes kissing gross/harms those around you. We know; everyone know. No one is denying it.
But just like I don't rub in to the fat girl I went to high school with that I've lost weight since I last saw her, the kid who dropped out of high school that I recently finished my MA, or the friends who are still living with their parents in bumblefuck no-where that I moved out and now live in a metropolitian area, would you please stop posting about how great the smoking ban is and how wonderfully healthy everyone who doesn't smoke will now be? Seriously. It's really annoying.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Losing the blues
It was raining men in KatWorld this weekend.
Friday I went on a pseudo-date. First one since the nasty break-up...and wow does it feel good to have someone flower me with attention, act like I'm brilliant and have eyes for no one but me for a little bit. I say psuedo-date 'cause it definitely was a first-time-hanging-out-do-I-like-you-or-not kind of thing, and it wasn't one-on-one. He's sweet, very nice, really, but I'm not feeling any chemistry. It ended up being a bit more of a friend-date than anything. Still, very nice.
Saturday went out to a bar with my roommate and was chatted up by not one but two attractive and not horrible men. Perhaps the creepy-men-come-here sign has been removed from my forehead. Male number 1 was roughly 10 years older than I and works for the EPA and I was fine talking to him until he decided we should talk about life one the Hill....blah blah BOREDOM. Male number 2 was nice and funny and cute and flirty--seemingly perfect until about 10 minutes in the conversation he decided to tell me about his struggling business that hasn't gotten off the ground yet and how he's working construction until it does....yuck.
Sorry, call me shallow, but after the last ex who STILL lives with his parents and works a shitty temp job but liked to 'talk' about how he was 'going places'--give me someone whose made it a reality. I'm sick of listening to all these 'plans' that never work.
Despite the none of these boys sticking yet, I consider the weekend a great success. My uncharacteristic shyness and awkwardness that manifested after moving to DC seems to have left...and hopefully for good. I feel like I'm getting back on my feet again. Yipee!!
Friday I went on a pseudo-date. First one since the nasty break-up...and wow does it feel good to have someone flower me with attention, act like I'm brilliant and have eyes for no one but me for a little bit. I say psuedo-date 'cause it definitely was a first-time-hanging-out-do-I-like-you-or-not kind of thing, and it wasn't one-on-one. He's sweet, very nice, really, but I'm not feeling any chemistry. It ended up being a bit more of a friend-date than anything. Still, very nice.
Saturday went out to a bar with my roommate and was chatted up by not one but two attractive and not horrible men. Perhaps the creepy-men-come-here sign has been removed from my forehead. Male number 1 was roughly 10 years older than I and works for the EPA and I was fine talking to him until he decided we should talk about life one the Hill....blah blah BOREDOM. Male number 2 was nice and funny and cute and flirty--seemingly perfect until about 10 minutes in the conversation he decided to tell me about his struggling business that hasn't gotten off the ground yet and how he's working construction until it does....yuck.
Sorry, call me shallow, but after the last ex who STILL lives with his parents and works a shitty temp job but liked to 'talk' about how he was 'going places'--give me someone whose made it a reality. I'm sick of listening to all these 'plans' that never work.
Despite the none of these boys sticking yet, I consider the weekend a great success. My uncharacteristic shyness and awkwardness that manifested after moving to DC seems to have left...and hopefully for good. I feel like I'm getting back on my feet again. Yipee!!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right
I used to smoke a lot of pot. Not really of my own accord, I had a bunch of stoned-hippie friends that smoked all day and I would smoke with them most of the time. Numerous ultra-lazy boyfriends, poorly written papers and missed appointments later, I came to the conclusion that I wouldn't smoke anymore. Not only was I annoyed with the listlessness it inspired in my relationships and general life-outlook, but the overwhelming cynicism and paranoia I get while stoned, not to mention my uselessness via pot-hangover the next day, in incredibly depressing and painful.
HOWEVER DESPITE KNOWING THIS I decided it was a good idea to get stoned last night. First time in roughly six months...and before that six months...you get the point. NOT ONLY did I get stoned, but I also went out in public. From a girl who hung out with stoners that smoked pot and watched movies, this is never a good idea.
So we smoked, then went out to the Palace of Wonders where we watched a magician. Who made lame jokes with sexual innuendos (Frank's big magic DECK helps him pick up girls har dee har). The most entertaining part of the show was the wasted guy who kept yelling 'NO HOW'D HE DO THAT?!' in a childlike incredulous voice. I left around 11:30, after becoming convinced that my friends hated me and wanted me to leave. Then woke up this morning with a head full of cotton that has yet to dissipate.
Stupid pot.
HOWEVER DESPITE KNOWING THIS I decided it was a good idea to get stoned last night. First time in roughly six months...and before that six months...you get the point. NOT ONLY did I get stoned, but I also went out in public. From a girl who hung out with stoners that smoked pot and watched movies, this is never a good idea.
So we smoked, then went out to the Palace of Wonders where we watched a magician. Who made lame jokes with sexual innuendos (Frank's big magic DECK helps him pick up girls har dee har). The most entertaining part of the show was the wasted guy who kept yelling 'NO HOW'D HE DO THAT?!' in a childlike incredulous voice. I left around 11:30, after becoming convinced that my friends hated me and wanted me to leave. Then woke up this morning with a head full of cotton that has yet to dissipate.
Stupid pot.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
I will sell this house today
Today is the swearing in ceremonies for all the incoming and re-elected Senators. Me, the lowly peon in the office, is nervous as hell. The number of dignitaries, not to mention the incoming chairwoman and all of my new bosses will be in the office for the first time and have 'informed' (read: warned and scared the shit out of) my co-worker and I to be on our best behaviour. Its truly ridiculous, all this pomp and circumstance, and probably more ridiculous that I'm actually concerned that if there was any day where I could lose my job if everything doesn't go perfectly, today is the day. My co-worker even brought in a lint roller to ensure out suits stay fresh. On the plus side, one of the receptions down the hall is being catered by Legal Seafood so hopefully I can score some tasty food.
I am definitely going to need a beer after work today.
I am definitely going to need a beer after work today.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Post-holiday cheer!!!
Now that Christmas is over I'm seeing a gigantic influx of attractive men on Capitol Hill. A friend of mine in college always said that it paid off being liberal more than being conservative because liberals tend to be more attractive (think Bono vs Mel Gibson; Angelina Jolie and Ann Coulter...actually if someone can name me a really HOT conservative I'll be impressed). While I don't think this means that I'll end up finding a better pick of men as Hill staffers thus far don't seem to be overly friendly, interesting or unpretentious, I can't complain about the eye candy. It's refreshing.
How was your Christmas? How was your New Years? Yeah? Really? How interesting. blah de blah de blah. I went with some friends to the Rock and Roll hotel, solidifying my favorable impression of the place...and its helluv convenient to be able to walk home from New Years escapades. The upstairs DJ was pretty rocking and creative while the downstairs DJ was full of the necessary cheese. $50 and free drinks till 1 left me with very little to complain about by the end of the night. Oh, except the obnoxious frat boy who offered to give me a New Years make-out sesh despite the New Year having been rung in well over an hour earlier. Bring it on, 2007. I just went through a rough year and look forward to what shit I'll have to fend next.
How was your Christmas? How was your New Years? Yeah? Really? How interesting. blah de blah de blah. I went with some friends to the Rock and Roll hotel, solidifying my favorable impression of the place...and its helluv convenient to be able to walk home from New Years escapades. The upstairs DJ was pretty rocking and creative while the downstairs DJ was full of the necessary cheese. $50 and free drinks till 1 left me with very little to complain about by the end of the night. Oh, except the obnoxious frat boy who offered to give me a New Years make-out sesh despite the New Year having been rung in well over an hour earlier. Bring it on, 2007. I just went through a rough year and look forward to what shit I'll have to fend next.
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