85

This morning, I completely forgot to check the news to see if John McCain had announced who his running mate would be. I got to work at 745a. Ate breakfast at 10a, I didn’t even go into the breakroom, where there is a TV. Then I went on my lunch break, checked my phone to find this text messg from Ant: “What do you think of McCains veep pick. Seems like a joke to me. Or insincere.” First thought was that he had chosen Colin Powell, something completely out of right field that had been speculated about. I ran to the break room to check the TV. The TV in the breakroom is old and doesn’t get great reception. Through the snow on the TV, I thought, is that Tina Fey? Why would she be campaigning for John McCain!? Then I realized it was a woman. (And she doesn’t look like Tina Fey btw.) I seriously cannot believe John McCain has picked Sarah Palin, for his running mate.  The thought crossed my mind that he would pick a woman just for the gender card, but I never thought it would actually happen.  I am stunned.  I feel like I’ve been slapped in the face.  Here are a few good pieces from Feministing and The American Prospect. Wow. I am just speechless.  This is not how the glass ceiling is supposed to break.  

UGH.

So tonight I finally get to see my new apartment.  St. Anthony’s Feast is going on this weekend on my block, which is making it hard to move.  There’s no parking and no driving on any of the streets around my apartment AT ALL.  Fuck the North End.  I hope it rains all weekend.  Tomorrow Ant and I head to NY for the Portraits of Past reunion show.  SO EXCITED.  Also, I talked to my team leader at work today about transferring to the Prospect St. store.  I think it’s going to happen!  I’m excited about that, but also sad because I really like all the people in my department.

 

84

This was one of the speakers I really wanted to see yesterday:

Hilary Clinton’s speech was so moving. I loved the video tribute, especially when they flashed “Hilary’s Husband” under President Clinton when he was speaking about her. I love love loved that. There were so many great remarks during the speech. The “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuit” was hilarious. “We are on the same team, and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines.” “No way. No how. No McCain.” I teared up about Seneca Falls, and when she said “My mother was born before women could vote; my daughter got to vote for her mother for president.” And quoting Harriet Tubman. Sigh.

If you missed it:
Tribute:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

:::::::::::

Last night was so fun! Ant and I rode our bikes from my house to the Other Side for drinks with Amie and her friends. After that, headed out to JP for Andrew and Casey’s night at Milky Way. Saw Mike as soon as we got there. That was awesome. And Ant’s friend Corinne came and hung out. After a while of hanging out behind the bowling lanes, the tournament ended and it was our turn! The four of us bowled one round. Then I went to go talk to Casey for a few minutes during the Archers of Loaf song (wanted to tell him it was a good pick!) saw Mary and her friend Suzie sitting at the bar, so I invited them to come bowl with us. It was fun! After the bar closed, said bye to everyone then Ant and I rode home.

 

83

Tonight:

AND Happy Birthday 19th Amendment!

 

82: moving addition

My apartment is filled with random stuff.  The stuff used to make up our living room, but now it’s just scattered everywhere and purpose-less.  Kinda makes me sad.  We just moved the couch in front of the windows, and I’m sad we didn’t move it here sooner!  It’s sad that our living room looked the same for a whole year.  I just never thought of rearranging our furniture at all.  I guess that’s a good thing; we were happy with the way it looked.

Tonight Ant and I (and maybe Rob) are going to The Other Side to send Patrick off, again, as he “drifts” back home to Denver.  I am also buying his bike to convert it to a fixed.  I rode Ant’s bike around the other night (worst night ever, but ended really fun with a late-night bike ride at 2a) and was hooked.  Or should I say clipped? haha. GOOD ONE!  

Anyways, next weekend will rule, not sure if we are going to the PA show or Portraits of Past reunion (Christina!!).  Think the latter.  Monday will be a moving day-extravaganza, complete with $500 movers so we don’t have to touch a thing.  Wednesday, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!  Summer’s over.  :(  I never did get to Singing Beach…

On another note, I really wanna go to The Fest this year.  I’m trying to convince Ant.

 

81

Party at Bianca’s tonight. I need to remember I have my cam.
I got a message on Flickr today from Katy, who plays bass with Vivian Girls, asking me if they can use one of my photos from the Great Scott show for an upcoming interview in Maximum Rock N Roll. I’m kinda stoked on that!

 

80

Last night Sterling and Shiphrah came over to look at our stuff. Shiph really wanted to see what our furniture looks like so she can start planning where everything goes in her head. I personally don’t care where anything goes. We went over to Ill Panino Express to eat then got some gelato and ate at the park. It was really nice outside last night.
I got my credit card in the mail today! I signed up for 2 classes. I’m only going part time this semester, since I don’t have any idea how much financial aid I’m getting for this year. IF I get it all, I’ll go the first summer term. But I keep hearing that people aren’t getting grants OR loans… I’ll have to see. It would suck to have to pay for school with my credit cards.
My 2 classes are:
History of Western Civilization I - M,W 1-2:15
Gov’t and Politics in the US - M,W 2:30-3:45

Time to look for books! I start on Sept 2nd. Summer’s over in 1.5 weeks. And moving soon as well. Really excited about that!

 

79

Ant and I have been wanting to find big rocks or high cliffs to dive off all summer!  So we picked up Sarah Court and drove up to the north shore.  We think we’ve found some in Rockport, but with all the NO trespassing signs, and someone actually standing around the quarry yesterday, we didn’t get to give it a go.  We WILL be back though.  I wish I would have taken photos of the first quarry we went to.  

After looking for swimming quarries, we went to a state park called Halibut Point, where there’s no swimming.  We walked around, picnic-ed and walked around some more.  I took lots of photos.  

 

After coming back to Boston, we ditched the car and walked to the south end to a place where Ant valets for called Masa.  They have fifty cent Tapas and five dollar pitchers of sangria from 5-7p.  Rob met up with us also.  The four of us ended up spending maybe $40 altogether.  Everything was delicious.  My favorite things were the empanadas filled with cheese and jalapenos, pulled pork spring rolls, and the tuna ceviche, although I think the ceviche has made me feel a little ill this morning… :x

So this morning I called Citibank to see about sending me out a new card.  The lady was supernice, telling me that she doesn’t know why one wasn’t sent out sooner, and that she would OVERNIGHT me a new card and waive the $15 fee!  AND she said that she could lower my rate to 4.99%, good for six months.  She was really helpful.  So I’m going to look for classes today and see what I can find.

 

Nastia Liukin was robbed!!!!!

 

78: school schmool

I am very frustrated.  I finally found four classes that aren’t waitlisted or closed and don’t start at 7a, so I register for the classes.  Since I am STILL waiting to find out how much financial aid (aka loan money) I am receiving, I have to set up a payment plan through Sallie Mae to pay for my courses until the loan money comes in.  Which really sucks because I have to pay an application fee of $35 which doesn’t get reimbursed.  But as I’m filling out the form online to set up the plan, I look down at my citi card, which I NEVER use anymore, don’t even carry around, and I notice it has been expired since 3/08.  WTF.  I will have to wait at least a week for another card (not sure why they haven’t sent it already), not to mention my classes will be dropped by 7p tomorrow (or Monday).  I’m not really sure what to do now, since I’ve waited so long, yet again, to register and get things in order to go to school.  I’m feeling really dispirited.  Fuck school.  Maybe I’ll just take this semester off.

 

77

Sometimes, when I’m at work and I see a cute girl or boy, I write their names from the credit slip down and later search for them on myspace or facebook.  I know that sounds creepy, and it probably is, but I just like to see if they know anyone I’m friends with or what kind of music they are into etc.  Most of the time though, the cute girl or boy isn’t on myspace or facebook, and I wonder how could they NOT have either one??  Do they even really exist?!  (I don’t either, by the way)

Before work today, I have to go up to my school and wait in an hour long line at the financial aid office.  They never pick up the phone or respond to my emails.  The problem is, I am still waiting for my award letter, so I don’t know how much I am getting in loan money, which is why I have yet to sign up for any classes.  

I tried making my own iced coffee yesterday.  Not sure if I did it right, but I boiled water, poured it into the press along with the coffee and some sugar, and put it directly into the fridge.  Left it overnight.  It’s a little bitter.  I might try brewing it with cold water and putting in the fridge next time.  

Today I am talking to Jody to see if she will forward my online app to Prospect St. and Philimon from produce about what I need to know to be a produce team member.  I am trying to transfer to a cambridge store that has a produce opening so that I don’t have to commute/work at Charles River anymore.  I hate the customers that shop there.  

Friday is Shannon’s party.  I’m really excited to go because I usually blow parties off.  Then the next day I regret blowing it off because I hear from everyone that EVERYONE WAS THERE!! and WHY DIDN’T YOU GO?!  Arg.  But I’m excited.

Still waiting to confirm our plans for Ant & Rhi’s mini road trip to PA/NY to close out our exciting/heartbreaking/slingshot dakota/sunny/rainy/bridge and tunnel/boring/beachless/title fight/lakes-full/traverse/car breaks down/latterman/alex/north shore/pill/beers/shorebirds/breakfasts/the view/justin & Jess/NEW JERSEY/get bent/rob/whole foods/valet/best friends/fun-filled SUMMER.  (Did I leave anything out?) :)

 

76

On Saturday morning, Rob and I took the train to Lechmere, where Sterling, Shiphrah and David picked us up.  We drove up to Ipswich, Ma where their friends Nick and Allison were having a one-year marriage anniversary/renewing of vows.  Or something like that.  The story is that they got married in Vegas without anyone knowing (I guess?) and so this is the “wedding” for their family and friends.  There were a lot of people there.  Woodman’s catered and everyone ate lobster.  I finally got to meet Malcom and Andrew was there with a friend from NY, Peggy.  Rob did a bad job of introducing me to any of his friends, which I find so irritating.  I never even officially met Nick, who is the person Rob went to Stockholm with to visit Adam (who was also there).  Beside all of that (which wasn’t really THAT big a deal anyway) a bunch of us went to Crane’s Beach.  Some went swimming.  I thought it was way too cold to even sit on the sand, let alone enter the water.  After the beach, went back to Nick’s for a short while, then stayed in Amesbury at Sterling’s mom’s house.  The next morning, I made french toast for everyone (Sterl, Shiph, Rob, David, Sterl’s mom, and Andy, mom’s boyfriend).  It was really fun.  After that, we went over to Salisbury where we drove go-karts and walked on the Salisbury Beach boardwalk.  We played games, won a basketball, ate ice cream and I bought some cotton candy.  Then we dropped the car off and took the train back to Boston.  It started to rain and we took a cab to Sterl’s.  Ate burritos, watched For Your Consideration.  Rob and I went home.  

Now I’m staring at a bunch of boxes, wishing I had some packing tape.  Grr.  Trying to decide if I want to meet up for Indian food.

 

75

This is going to sound funny, but sometimes I wonder if bands realize that their songs become soundtracks to our lives. Today Ant and I watched the Engine Down dvd that came out this week at his place. There is a documentary of their last tour, as well as the last show in Richmond. As soon as we popped the dvd in, live footage of the band came on and the familiar feeling of seeing them came over me. I almost started to cry. I instantly remembered seeing them the last time they played Boston (at the Mideast downstairs, right?). I remember that Rainer Maria played a show the same week, but we skipped out on it. This show also fell within a week or two of Ant and I moving out of the first studio we shared when we moved to Boston. We were already broken up by then, had been for months, and doing the best friend thing, but to me, our relationship didn’t feel over until we moved out of that studio. A lot of things were just coming to an end at that time for me. I just remember feeling so sad that a band I had been listening to so much at the time was doing their last tour, and I wasn’t ever going to see them again. I didn’t want the show to end because I didn’t want to sleep alone in the new apartment that didn’t feel like home. Today, I didn’t want the dvd to end. I hadn’t thought about those feelings in a long time. Everything just came flooding back. I’m really happy with my life now, of course. I just like when songs or bands have kind of been there for you.

Tonight Ant and I went and saw Vivian Girls play at Great Scott. We loved them. I’m so excited for this band. We’ve been looking forward to this show for a while.
Photos:

Video:

 

74

It’s now after the 1st of August.  I’m starting to feel the stress of the impending move back over to Cambridge.  I’m nervous and excited.  We’ve hired movers this time, so it shouldn’t be too hard.  I just hate to have to pack all of my stuff up AGAIN.  Every year I tell myself I am getting rid of this or that to make the load lighter.  This year, I really want to follow through with that idea, for once.  I’ve gotten rid of A LOT of clothes that I’ve been meaning to sell.  I have a huge trash bag full of (un-sellable) stuff that needs to go to Goodwill.  I went through all my old magazines and books last night and have piles on the living room floor of stuff to keep and stuff to recycle.  I still have a couple bags to  try to sell.  

Yesterday, Rob and I walked to Newbury St to look for a pair of jeans for Rob. I didn’t buy anything. We met up with Heidi and Elise at the Imax Theater for the Sharks 3D movie. The movie was a lot shorter than I had expected and wasn’t really as informative as I was hoping. I guess these kinds of movies are designed for kids so I guess it makes sense. It was a little disappointing though.

Later on last night, Ant and I went to The Other Side and met up with Patrick, Alex, Ashley, her bf, and Shannon for drinks. We only stayed for a little while. Ant and I were hoping Jon would meet up too, but I’m glad he didn’t..

Patrick has been staying with us since his ex tossed him out on the 30th. It’s been kinda fun. Ant comes over and we make breakfast like we always do, but now we have a 3rd person to make food for. I think he’s here till the 6th, then not really sure what his plans are after that.

I’m talking to Zach on ichat, and well, I really miss him.

This summer has been really amazing, but sometimes I feel like I’ve made some dumb decisions. Going forward though…more adventures to come! Including but not limited to: swimming at Simmons pool w/Traverse, Ipswich Quarries (maybe?!), Yo Man Go! and Street Smart Cyclists last show in Allentown, PA on Aug 31st (!!!!!!!), etc.

 

72: JP Licks

Fresh Cucumber   & “Vanilla Ice” Cream

 

71: disappointing brunch

FFFFFF. Atwood’s took their biscuits and gravy off the menu. I’ve been talking about this dish to Ant for probably 3 or 4 months!!! Rob and I took Ant, Justin and Jess there this morning, and it’s not on the menu!! UGH. So Ant and I are going to invent our own version of biscuits and gravy. We’ll see how that turns out. Atwood photos:
After a while, Sterling and Shiph met up with us. Around 1, Ant drove J & J to their car so they could get on the road. So Rob and I stayed at Atwoods and chatted with our future roomies. Then we all went to downtown xing for H & M because Sterling needs pants for a wedding. I didn’t buy anything, I’m doing pretty well with that. AND I’ve made over $200 on my ebay sales!!
OH and I finally get to see Patrick tomorrow!!!!!!