Venting

So my upstairs neighbors were apparently raised by crack-addicted wolves in an orphanage that had no doors and was situated between a train station and an airport.

Or they are just the worst narcisists ever.

Because, really, I can't think of any other explanation why they would think that it is okay to have parties several times a week---on weeknights---that involve loud people and louder music. Or why they would feel the need to bang around so much that they cause my dishes to rattle. Or why they they think I need to hear every word that they say. Or why they can't figure out how to CLOSE A DAMN DOOR. They either slam the doors shut or they don't bother closing the doors the whole way. Which wouldn't be so much of a problem if it was just their own door they didn't close. But they leave open the front door of the building. The door that is directly across from my front door. And it's winter. In Wisconsin. Which means that it is currently hella freakin' cold. And I already have enough drafts in my apartment. I can't keep my clothes in my closet because it is so cold in there. You could literally freeze meat. Then there's the whole security issue. But I guess they figure that any meth-addicted serial killers would start at the first-floor apartments. Our screams would alert them to flee the building. Except that the upstairs girls are young and pretty. I am old and not-so-much. And we all know that meth-addicted serial killers only attack the young and pretty. So hah!

(Security is an issue. I don't have tremendous faith in the single lock on the apartment doors. And I've had some sketchy characters try to talk their way into the building. Then again, they really probably were friends with the horrible, terrible, no-good neighbors.)

I called a realtor yesterday. I start looking at condos next weeks. Wish me luck!

On the Pile: Winter Break Edition

But before we get to the books, I just need to say: I must have this shirt.
Who wants to get it for me?

Now, back to our regularly scheduled post.

In the rare moments when I couldn't find something to watch on television (although with 84 hours of America's Next Top Model and a constant feed of Law & Order spin-offs, there really wasn't much time when I wasn't glued to the TV) and was between issues of US magazine (JT and ScarJo? And Prince William's girlfriend is really just adorable), I read a few books. Mostly ones with short sentences, simple words, and little need for mental effort.

I indulged my inner geek with a couple of Buffy books. Yep, that's right. I read fan fiction. Seven Crows and Queen of the Slayers. Neither was spectacular or even particularly well written, but they're fun diversions if you're a Buffy fan.

I also picked up a couple of chick lit titles:
The Jane Austen Book Club
Full Disclosure: I only read this because my on-again, off-again crush is playing Dean in the film version (and Will Tippin went and got himself married, so I needed some distraction). I probably would have gotten more out of this if I were a Jane Austen fan. I suspect the stories of the book club members are supposed to reflect Austen's books. But I don't know enough Austen to make the connection, so I was mostly bored.

Happiness Sold Separately
A solid, good read. Anne Tyler for the thirtysomething set. The ending was a bit contrived, but the characters were mostly realistic without being boring.

I started Pathologies of Power, which seems like it will be a very interesting and important book, but it was entirely too serious for winter break. So instead I read Fame Junkies, which I raced through in one snow-bound day. Now I'm trying to get through Fast Food Nation before the term starts next week.

A Meme

Stolen from Scott.

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
Credit cards. Because I'll I'm doing is making a tiny dent in my interest. Bah!

2. Where's the best place to eat a romantic dinner?
On the floor in front of a fireplace.

3. Last time you puked from drinking?
My 25th birthday.

4. When is the last time you got drunk and danced on a bar?
About four years ago, when I was in Australia.

5. What is the name of your 2nd grade teacher?
Sr. Joan

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Watching the final season of Alias on DVD.

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A writer.

8. How many colleges did you attend?
Currently at my second.

9. Why did you wear the shirt that you have on right now?
Because it was within easy reach (at the foot of the bed)

10. Gas prices. First thought?
I was talking about gas prices the other day with one of the girls from my program. I said that I remembered when gas was less than a dollar and I could fill my Dodge Colt for under $10. She said that gas had just hit $1/gallon when she got her license at 16. Which was when I was 22. Man, I felt old.

11. If you could be anywhere and take someone with you...Who would it be?
The coast of Australia. And hmmmmm . . . not sure who I would take.

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
"What? Huh? Oh. Alarm."

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
"Why, God, Why?! What have I done to deserve this?"

14- What chore do you despise?
Cleaning the bathroom.

15. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer at an art gallery?
Perhaps

16. Get up early or sleep in?
Sleep in.

17. Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Mighty Mouse

20. Favorite NON sexual thing to do at night with a girl/guy?
Watch a movie or TV.

21. A secret that you wouldn't mind everyone knowing?
That's for me to know . . . .

22. Are you planning on remaining in your current field?
Um, well, not really sure what my field is at the moment, so . . .

23. If you are not married, do you see yourself married in the next five years?
No.

24. Your favorite lunch meat?
I'm veggie. But I used to really like ham.

25. What do you get every time you go into a Wal-Mart?
The willies. And a guilty conscience. I tend to avoid going into Wal-Mart.

26. Beach or lake?
Lake.

27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual that was invented by people who died at 20?
No.

28. Who do you stalk on MySpace?
No one. I don't go on MySpace.

29. Favorite guilty pleasure?
Celebrity gossip.

30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
So many to choose from! I have terrible taste in movies. I love the worst things. Probably Summer Catch.

31. What's "your" drink?
Bourbon and soda. Or an Old Fashioned.

32. Cowboys or Indians?
Cowboys

33. Cops or Robbers?
Robbers

34. Do you cheer for the bad guy?
Sometimes.

35. What Hollywood star do you look most alike?
She's not really a Hollywood star, but I do bear a striking resemblance to Chelsea Clinton during her awkward years.

36. If you had to pick one, which cast member of Lost would you be?
Oh gosh. I stopped watching this show long ago, but I'd probably be the female version of Hurley.

37. What do you want when you are sick?
My mom, sympathy, ice cream, cable television.

38. Who from high school would you like to run into?
My friend G. We lost touch and I actually tried to write to her a couple years ago when I heard that she had gotten engaged, but I never heard back.

39. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
None. I'm rarely in my car and when I am, I listen to CDs.

42. Norm or Cliff?
Cliff

43. The Cosby Show or the Simpsons?
Neither, really.

44. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
Ever getting involved with Joe #1.

45. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work?
I don't have an office. Or a job, for that matter. So . . .

46. If you could get away with it, whom would you kill?
Answering this question truthfully would probably get me sent to a federal detention facility. So let's go with my fourth choice: Peter Angelos, owner of the Baltimore Orioles.

47. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Angelina Jolie.

48. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
No.

49. Last book you read for real?
Fame Junkies by Jake Halpern

50. Do you have a teddy bear?
Many

51. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
I don't think I've ever brushed my teeth in a strange place.

52. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
Santa Monica

53. Number of texts in a day?
None.

54. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or relationship?
A relationship, I guess. I'm already sort of starting a new career.

55. Pencil or pen?
Pen

56. Bueller??? Bueller??? Bueller???
Hee! I sympathized with his sister, though.

57. How many jobs have you had?
Including part-time, about 15.

58. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope I'll be graduating. Other than that . . . not sure.

Tuesday Twelve: On the Road

1. I'm currently somewhere near the border of Ohio and Indiana.

2. Ohio is a much bigger state than it seems.

3. I've meant to post for the past three weeks, but I've been suffering from an acute case of laziness.

4. I had a long list of things I was going to do during my break, including starting my grant applications, getting ahead on my readings, and organizing my notes from last term.

5. I did . . . nothing on the list.

6. I, however, did watch approximately 582 episodes of Law & Order, as well as marathons of Top Chef, America's Next Top Model (Melrose was so robbed!), Friday Night Lights, and CSI.

7. The hair gods have punished me for bragging about not having any grays. In the past two months, a slew of grays have appeared.

8. So I once again experimented with home hair color. The results weren't disasterous, but not what I expected, either.

9. I kept exactly none of my resolutions from last year.

10. I'm not even bothering to make resolutions this year.

11. Guess who got a 4.0 her first term?*

12. I've had the most bizarre dreams the past couple of weeks.


* Answer: Me! (In case you weren't sure.)