Home Alone

Traditionally, when i lived in Ohio, my family and i would watch A Muppet Christmas Carol every Christmas Eve.  In recent years, my best friend had joined in this tradition.  i especially liked pointing out Ebenezer's former lover Belle's flaring nostrils during her solo, "The Love is Gone."  i did this without fail... every year. 
This year marked my first Christmas as a resident of anywhere other than Ohio--South Carolina.  i have no  blood relatives here (although i do consider my spectacular in-laws to be family!), any friendships that i've built here are still painfully new... and i was a little worried about my first Christmas away from my mom.  However, the OCD tendencies i've always had during the holidays made for good distractions from all of this.  i enjoyed Christmas shopping and crafting very much.  i love wrapping presents, and i REALLY love arranging presents under the tree (or, in our case, the clock.  The tree is up on a little end table and out of the way of a certain furry creature).  In fact, whenever more gifts would appear near the clock, i took it upon myself to rearrange them, ensuring the finest display possible.  i love it. 
Well, since i don't actually own A Muppet Christmas Carol, i watched the Home Alone movies instead.  i mean that i watched Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.  i don't consider it a Home Alone movie unless Macaulay Culkin, Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci are in it.  Upon watching them, i discovered many things about these movies.  Here i go:
1.  i think i really started liking Christmas music because of these movies.  i know for sure that the first time i heard "O Holy Night" was when i first saw Home Alone.  i was very young, but i still remember it giving me goosebumps.  Props to the music in Home Alone.  It is absolutely spot-on and set the mood for both movies.
2. i used to watch these movies and think some of the obstacles the thieves faced were more painful or dangerous than others.  i think i vaguely remember thinking that the whole scene where Kevin is throwing bricks at them from the top of a New York apartment building was pretty boring and not much of a threat.  Now, however, i look at that scene and think, Yeah, that would kill Marv.  Don't get me wrong... i totally LOVE these movies and appreciate that they are not gory and stuff, but realistic they are not!
3. The one thing i don't really like about these movies is the notion that one good deed cancels out a bad deed.  It's not a Biblical principle, and i'm sure Perry Noble could have a whole sermon on it.  The pigeon woman has good intentions, but i think she is misinformed.  And if you don't believe me, think about that one person who said something that really hurt your feelings.  i remember when someone says something negative to me much better than i remember compliments.  Maybe that's just me.
5.  If i were into this kind of thing, i think the first two Home Alone movies could be fantastic drinking games.  Take a shot whenever Kevin screams.  Or whenever his mom or Harry or Marv screams.  Or whenever anyone screams.  i don't know if you realize it, but a lot of screaming goes on in these movies.  If i opened a door and suddenly found my head on fire (twice) i'd scream, too. 

Well, it's back to work tomorrow.  i don't know that i could bear to go back if i didn't know i'd be off again after two days.  i like my job, but going back to my regular schedule isn't going to be fun after this blessed break! 

Christmas crafts

Ok, so i remember a time when "home-made" meant lame to me.  i remember an episode of Friends in which Chandler and Monica are supposed to make each other Valentine's Day gifts and neither of them can come up with anything.  And now i look back and go, huh?


Give me some material and i will whip something up.  i love to embroider, sew, crochet, and quilt.  i like making jewelry.  i like to upcycle clothes.  i like working in collage. 

This year i wanted to do a completely handmade Christmas.  i wanted to try out some new jewelry making for my sister, some scarves or little bags, soaps, homemade pretzels and candles and embroidered handkerchiefs... but i didn't really think of the fact that i now live in the South and have hardly noticed Winter coming on.  Needless to say, the idea got away from me. Maybe next year?

A Tidbit

A few people have asked to read the novel i am writing.  It's a work in progress--has been for several years.  i don't write as much or as well as i would like, but i thought i'd put up a little piece for those interested parties.  Qualifier: The story i'm writing isn't anything like what i thought it would be.  i didn't really even mean for this all to come out of me.  It started from a 30 minute exercise in my Creative Writing class in 2007 and sort of branched out from there.  i'm open to opinions, constructive criticism (be gentle!), and, if you feel so led, editing.  Let me know what you think!

Jennifer was smart, studiously smart.  I thought she was brilliant.  We met during a “Silent Weekend” in the Kingsley Library on campus.  The nerds of the school had arranged “Silent Weekends,” in favor of academic-minded fun.  In other words, studying.  The school had passed this activity soon after Fall Break of my freshman year in light of all of the loud revelry that follows all holidays.  Because no one seemed to want to settle down and do homework, the levy for “Silent Weekends” passed unthinkably quickly.  Rob and I took quite a lot of credit for it as well as offense to it.  We were some of those with the loudest and most obnoxious goings-on.  I wouldn’t call them parties, exactly.  We did, however, play hosts to many contests both in our room and around the campus.  Who could eat the most of the cafeteria’s meatloaf, who could go the longest without showering, who could hit the marked targets (usually a girl’s or teacher’s window or car) with cottage cheese-filled balloons, who could let 348 pound Billy Jones stand on his kneecaps the longest.  We called ourselves the Barons, and those we were, of our own society of pranks. 

There was always money involved in the contests and dares.  We had many upper-classmen supporters and sponsors.  The more bet money, the louder the contests. 

Neither Rob nor I, nor any of the other Barons took kindly to being silenced.  We planned an elaborate parade to march through the Kingsley Library in full costume, carrying the loudest noisemakers we could muster.  We had a band about 24 men strong that night, ready to saunter into the Library and cause a ruckus in our loud attire.  Rob and I were to be the bandleaders.  I dressed entirely in lime green, with an enormous fuchsia bow tie, so large I could barely see over it.  I carried a baton with ribbons tied flamboyantly to the ends and wove my fist about.  Rob had somehow gotten a hold of a Geisha costume and a banjo.  We strode into that Library with all of our men behind, some in kilts and some in feathered Indian headdresses.  One guy wore a sandwich board.  One wore a sheet like a toga and carried a tuba.  One was naked apart from a drooping purple loincloth.  The boys carried everything noisy, from spoons to a boom box, from cowbells to snare drums, from kazoos to bubble wrap. 

Not one nerd in that Library kept his eye on his sloppy, cramped class notes.  Not one person could look away.  Everyone stared at us, completely horrified.  Along the walls and under the lit lamps, mouths were dropping open.  Jaws full of chewing gum slowed.  Pencils dropped and mouths slackened.  And we hadn’t made a single noise—yet.  I was on fire.

Not literally, of course. 

As I glanced around to take in all of the revulsion of the studiers, I was swelling to new heights of cockiness.  It was a completely new feeling to be in control like this, and I liked it. 

Then I caught sight of one girl near the History shelves.  She wore the strangest expression I had seen that night.  She looked torn in between the terror of wreckage of her quiet study night and the mad desire to crack up.  I couldn’t stop looking at her, cocking my head to the side to study her face.  I could feel the boys behind me getting impatient, wanting to strut some more, wanting to ruin the silence once and for all, for Barons we were and Barons we would be.  Slowly, the girl took in one costume, then another, then another.  There was the clown and there was the dragon.  There was the huge Billy Jones in sparkly blue fairy wings, and a boy in pirate garb.  When she got to the loincloth, she burst into laughter—the first sound of the night.  And that was when I knew she was the girl for me.  My distraction and my saving grace.

Satisfied with this noise and with the revulsion of the nerds all turning to the laugher instead of the Barons, Rob and I made quick exchanges and decided to only pretend to play.  We stood in front of the Barons and conducted an entirely silent concert in our ridiculous costumes.  The nerds loved it, nearly went wild over it, or at least as wild as nerds could go.  They began to make signs anyway, asking us to play this song or that by means of printer paper and Sharpie markers.  In the end, Rob and I took bows and the band followed as the nerds clapped silently.  Jennifer followed us outside to see us off, and I handed her my huge bow tie with my phone number tucked into the knot.

All of the songs in the world

i wish i knew all of the words to all of the songs in the world.  But only the good ones.

i have had this feeling lately.  i feel like a need a change.  i tried dying my hair, but the feeling was only temporarily satisfied.  i think the change i need might have to do with music.  i never (well, hardly ever) buy CDs, my ipod is broken, and i don't listen to the radio (there isn't one in my car anyway)...  i am pretty bored with most bit of music that i own, no doubt because i tend to acquire CDs and listen to them until they might as well be worn out...  But my problem is that i want to listen to music that i can sing along to... and i can't sing along if i don't know it.

i also want to purchase some harp music.  It's just beautiful.

i have to go dry my hair now.  My red, red, red hair.  Enjoy the day!  =]

i quit?

i didn't actually quit... i just forgot.  About my blog, i mean.

Would you believe that Aerie actually did call me for an interview?  i about fell out of bed.  i went to the interview, but of course i didn't get that job.

i got a much better job.

It's fine.  i'm doing my thing in a place where only three other people work... it pays well and i have regular hours.  i feel like a grown-up.  It's weird.

Many other things have happened in my life as well, such as my beautiful sister getting married, growing long and curly hair and dying it deeply red, and acquiring a tabby kitten.  i also turned a quarter of a century old and took up crocheting.

i have also found a fantastic blog... Please see the following.  i have always loved making "love lists" (since my dearest Kelli introduced me to this concept years ago), and this one is absolutely wonderful!  i think i will start a similar list in my journal.  =]

http://1000-happy-things.blogspot.com/

Now, it's Friday and i am going to eat some dinner with my adorable husband.  ta ta!

How NOT to get a job at Aerie

i'm coming to the conclusion that i suck at job hunting.  i just hate it.  It stresses me out and makes me feel like an idiot.  i start ambitiously and then move on to the more and more mundane and embarrassing.  Next stop, McDonald's i guess.

So i was turning in applications at the Haywood Mall yesterday and decided it couldn't hurt to apply at Aerie, the American Eagle undies shop.  (Oddly enough, i could never see myself working at American Eagle).  i filled out the application form and handed it in to the disheveled sixteen year old behind the counter who proceeded to look it over.  "Oh, so you just moved here, huh?" she asked.  "Why are you interested in working at Aerie?"
-i want to imagine what everyone looks like in these underwear.
-i want to follow people around, tantalizing them with deals on "tangas" and thongs.
-i am fresh out of undies and could really use a discount.
Not.  i just need a job.
Next, she asked, "Do you have any management or retail experience?"
-This coming from a sixteen year old?  How about i have a Bachelor of Arts degree?
-Yes indeedy, i was the top lollipop salesmen of the Leetonia High School choir.
-Oh, this is a retail/management position?  i thought i was applying to be a model/bouncer.

Seriously. 

Dreams

Last night i dreamed that i was in a scavenger hunt (think Amazing Race) with Kyle and we were given our destination ahead of time.  We did a dry run and found the coordinates led to a junk yard.  Kyle stayed in the junk yard and i went to do laundry with some random dude from college.  

So then, this dude and i were walking along this alley when a guy and girl approached us.  i knew somehow that they were up to no good and wanted to beat us up and take our money, but this guy i was with (who i wish to remain nameless) didn't know.  The guy who approached us was also sometimes in one of those scooter chairs.  He asked us if we had any extra underwear.  (HAHA).  i told him that i didn't, but the guy with me said, "No, man, i only have what i'm wearing."  So, the kid in the scooter said, "i wouldn't ask you for them, but could you help me out?  i've... blasted mine a few times."  i believe that i laughed in my sleep at this point.  My brain is so weird.
But of course, the guy with me was trying to be Christ-like, and why not help out this helpless dude in a wheelchair who crapped himself?  He proceeded to try to get his underoos off without revealing himself.  i helpfully held up a washcloth to cover him (HAHA), all the while urgently whispering that we needed to get out of that alley.  Then i knocked the scooter kid down and we took off toward the junk yard where Kyle was located.  i was screaming, "Kyle!  Kyle!!!!!"  And he ran out to help me.  i quickly explained what i could as the "thugs" chased us in, and Kyle ran out and heroically beat some scooter butts.  i felt so safe.  hahahaha

i also dreamed of an underwater world filled with treasure!  It was beautiful and magical.  Precious stones hung from delicate chains from spikes of coral, glittering and swaying with the waves.  Ornate wooden furniture sat waiting to be occupied.  It was so relaxing and gorgeous.  And then i woke up....

Day Two

Hello again =]

It's been a chilly and frustrating day.  i have to say, i am really tired of job hunting.  i kept myself busy in other ways today.  i dug out the box of books that has sat in the garage since we moved to SC and then had to reorganize all of my bookshelves in order to incorporate them.  This task kept me busy for longer than it should have because sorting my books is almost a religious experience for me.  i get very emotionally attached to concepts and characters.  i like my books to be next to books i think they'd get along with if they were human and i also wanted to sort what i have read vs. what i haven't read... vs. what i have read in part.  And then there was the matter of book size and shelf size.  And journal upon journal.  Oh dear.  i would like to have one of those walls that is lined completely with bookshelves one day.  Here are some other things i would like to have:
-a Cadbury chocolate bar
-a haircut
-a cat... namely, my one-eyed calico, Fiona, who is living with my mom right now
-a good eyelash curler
-my own home
-a job
-a sewing machine
-friends in this area of the world.

It is awfully lonely in your world when you move away and know only your husband and his family.  It seems like everyone is busy but me.  hmmf.

 

Brand New

Today i decided that i would like to exist. 

Whilst nursing a headache and getting frustrated by the job hunt, i thought it would be a good idea to watch The New Adventures of Pipi Longstocking.  As a girl, i was obsessed with Pipi.  i dressed up like her for Halloween one year.  i'd like to do that again, actually.  i think what i liked about Pipi was her independence, courage, and spunk.  i regret to say that i visibly lack these three traits.  And so, in a fit of bravery, i decided that the time is ripe to exist... i created a blog.

Since Christopher and Yanira, the two Career Service Specialists i spoke to today, were SO interested, i thought i'd tell the world my greatest ambitions:
-i would like to sing for Disney movies. 
-i would like to be a published novelist.
-i would like to be glamorously beautiful.
-i would like to participate in a reality tv show (The Amazing Race).
-i would like to be a lifelong student.
-i would like to invent the flavors of ice cream and and the names of nail polishes and lipsticks.
-i would like to be a darling wife and mother.
-i would like to make arts and crafts for a living.

Christopher and Yanira did not care for these responses.  Well, they wouldn't have, so i didn't tell them.  But someone might.  And i most certainly do.

This is my first post and i'd like to see what becomes of this blog as i continue.  =]