Monday 31 May 2010

oh.my.God.

Thanks to my friend Erin over at The Man in White Paper and Other Travel Companions for posting this. It's probably the most romantic letter I've ever read. Even more romantic than Wentworth's letter to Anne, mostly because it's real. Pre-8am cry!

I had a really scary dream last night involving a scary amusement park ride that NEVER ended. I woke up just as I was about to enter the "Hell" part of it. WHAAT DOES IT MEANNN? According to Dream Moods Dictionary this means:

To see or be in an amusement park in your dream, indicates that you need to set some time for leisure and more enjoyment in your life. Consider how everything in the park is an expression of some aspect of yourself. Alternatively, you may be too easily distracted lately.

Meh.

Best.Movie.Scene.Ever.

Sunday 30 May 2010

Hmm

Apparently McDonald's ads in France are like miniature indie films.

Fail of the Day

I went into River Island. Big Fail. Why do I love it so much?!

Saturday 29 May 2010

Things aka boring facts for those who are interested

-It's a grey dreary day in London, but I don't mind because it's been so nice recently.
- I've been pretty good with workin' on mah fitness at the gym. I'm not doing anything intense, just 35 minutes of cardio three times a week, but it's something!
-I woke up at 630 am when my calendar fell off my wall. I screamed and thought someone was in my room.
-Pamela and I are getting into The Wire. Finally seeing why people love it so much!
- I started reading Say You're One of Them, a short story collection by a Nigerian Jesuit Priest named Ukem Akpan, it's thus far fantastic.
- I'm tired.
- I started applying for jobs. BLAH.
- I started reading for my dissertation, aka one article. WOO

I lol'd

Friday 28 May 2010

Now here are some burly men. The fantastic Frightened Rabbit. Ah I love Frightened Rabbit soo much. Seeing them live was definitely a highlight of my senior year of college.

Wowzers KRCW has some awesome sets. Yesterday I posted a song the Tallest Man on Earth sang for them, now he're Two Door Cinema Club.


I'd like to state that my crush on the band is ova. They look like they're 19 and either have too much baby fat or not enough (the previously cute guitar player). I still, nevertheless, enjoy their music.

Thursday 27 May 2010

Um just learned (when searching James Joyce tattoos... yea) that Johnny Depp has a quote from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man tattooed on his wrist. COOL.

Here's a pic of it:


Ah. So cool. As you may know, Portrait is my favorite book of all time. And I have dreams of one day getting a James Joyce tattoo. Though, it would be really small. Anyways, the Johnny Depp tattoo comes from the end of the book when Stephen is trying to explain to Cranly why he's fleeing Ireland,

"You have asked me what I would do and what I would not do.
I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do.
I will not serve that in which I no longer believe whether it call
my home, my fatherland of my church: and I will try to express
myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly
as I can, using for my defence the only arms I allow myself-
silence, excile and cunning."

Wow after rereading that Depp's tattoo becomes amazing. What a perfect passage to live ones life by, especially if you're an artist. Ahhhhh!

Aw yesss

There's finally an excellent quality video of The National singing the song "England" from their new album. I've been wanting to post it on my blog since it came out! Wow, sad. It's a REALLY good song. Thank you Youtube for hosting a National concert. Ah I want to see The National live sooo badly. The lead singer looks so mid-western of Scandinavian origin.

still really loving this song

Ummm this movie looks amazing


1- Mah Boyfriend Patrick Wilson
2- Female actresses I DON'T HATE.
3- Harrison Ford in a film that doesn't make me sad for him.

Wednesday 26 May 2010

JANE AUSTEN fanvids

I've started getting ready for my trip to Bath by watching Jane Austen fan videos. Well, Persuasion fanvids. They're brilliant! Aka not at all. But I'm still watching them. And enjoying them...



Omg Capttaiinnn Wenntwooorrttthhhhh

For the Love of Barbara

My night: drinking wine and watching youtube clips of Barbara Streisand. This was spurred by the clip from Glee I saw where Idina Menzel sang Funny Girl, which is possibly my new theme song. I also suggest you go to youtube and look at the comments under barbara songs, I'm majorly loling.

To begin, here's my new theme song.

And here's Barbara looking lovely, singing "People."


And here's a personal fav, Barbara singing "Send in the Clowns."
Hipster Bike War on Judge Judy (via Gawker). The guys face around 339 is priceless. They probably love being on this show. So ironic. Wrong use of the word irony. Deal with it!

Things that are not fun: Applying for jobs. Especially when you have no confidence in your ability to get a job. Wahhhhh

Tuesday 25 May 2010

passive aggressive notes

I left two tiny specs of sweet potato on a plate I used during lunch. Here's the note that awaited me in my kitchen:

Congrats writer of the note, you have gained entry into my journal, underneath my Miike Snow ticket and a funny text from Patrick.

This is all kind of funny because I was known as being one one of the clean roommates last year. Now I'm the slob. Tears.

Photographic Evidence of why I haven't been blogging



omg omg omg Sun Sun Suuuun!

Saturday 22 May 2010

HAIRCUT


Most amazing haircut of my life! I guess that's why it cost sooooo much. You can't really tell how good it is from this photo. But it's amazing


Song for this HOT (by England standards) Weekend


I love how the lead singer looks like he studies Computer Science at MIT. Riiigghhtttt? Look at those mutton chops. Not.At.All.What.I.Was.Expecting.

Today: Reading a book in the sun in Russell Square, HAIRCUT, forcing Pamela to drink Sangria outside with me.

And here's my favorite photo from my last summer in England:

Friday 21 May 2010



I think tomorrow I want to ask my stylist at my expensive haircut to cut my hair like Jane Birkin (mostly her fringe). Then perhaps I'll find a man like Serge Gainsbourg. On second thoughts, I'd just like to have hair like Jane.

Omg such a hot bitch. GIRL CRUSH

Miike Snow Tonight!

Thursday 20 May 2010

Eeek the other Data entry girl (another UCL student) and I are running the office today at work since everyone else is going to a golf tournament. I'm finally going to have to get over my fear of phones! NERVOUS!

Yeah you're worth the trouble and you're worth the pain
And you're worth the worry, I would do the same
If we all went back to another time
I will love you over
I will love you

EMOOOOOOOOOO

literary riddle

I'm increasingly afraid that my life will end up as a series of The Remains of the Day and "The Beast in the Jungle."

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Why do I increasingly fear my Post Italy summer will intensely resemble The Graduate. And by that I mean, The Graduate without the affair with Mrs. Robinson. And without any sort of love. And with an added helping of feeling lost and confused.

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Things Alec Baldwin and I have in common:
-GW
-Our Parent's live in Upstate New York
- We see why Wegmans is so amazing.

His mom seems like a wise woman.

Pheonix Tiny Desk Concert for NPR's All Songs Considered. Watch it. It's non-surprisingly awesome.

also

Have you ever had a dream where someone you know was SO mean to you that your mad at them the next day? Well I did last night. And I'm still mad at the person who was mean to me. THEY WERE SO CRUEL!

Things

- I finished my last exam yesterday! And started drinking pretty much immediately after. Ooof.
- I need to never be allowed into River Island again. Let me explain River Island to my American friends, it's like Forever 21 blended with Abercrombie. It caters to the teenage market, but I effing love it. From I was in Oxford up until two months ago I thought River Island was lammee. How wrong I was! It's like they had me in mind when designing dresses. They're all SO cute and fit me absurdly well (to the point where I was to buy a size smaller than my normal size). Also they have nice dressing room mirrors AND they play that kind of enjoyable pop music that is boarderline hipster. God I love River Island. So, surprisingly (not), I spent too much money there yesterday. But I bought two supa cute dresses and a rocking cool headband.
- I need to not spend money for a while. Unfortunately I'm getting an expensive hair cut on Saturday. I need to not spend money after that for a while. Thank God I have my job to marginally support me.
-I ate dinner at 10pm yesterday.
- According to the forecast the lovely weather here is going to get more lovely and continue into the weekend!

Monday 17 May 2010

Once again, why aren't my nights out like this?

Sunday 16 May 2010

such pleasant weather!


NOT

annddd this was literally like watching a train wreck happen.

Damon Lindelof, Lost executive producer, tweeted this and said it's fanmade and rocking and I AGREE.


I can't believe it's ending!

Saturday 15 May 2010


Okay, so I get what this video featured on HuffPo is trying to arise in me. But the first paragraph got it right, I was reminded of the greatest youtube video time and time again and this video in no way surpassed it. Mostly because Damian Aspinall seems a little mehhh high Renaissance man (apparently he's a super rich aristocrat who dates models, besides being a conservationist). Good for him for forging a bond with the gorilla but.... it's not like the love show in this:


chiiilllsss teeeaaarrrsss loveeeee

Omg keennneethhh

Seriously though, I think I might love Kenneth more than Cieran. This needs to stop. I NEED TO STUDY.

wow I really want to marry Kenneth Branagh.


And I really should do some work. Because I have a huge final on Monday. Hold me.

My two favorite people from Belfast

Cieran Hinds and KENNETH BRANAGH. Don't make me choose which one I love more. TOO HARD.


Who knew Kenneth was so FUNNY?

Why Can't I marry Wentworth/ a young Cieran Hinds? WHY

And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.


If I could download this to my ipod I would. Such an inspiring story.

Friday 14 May 2010

9 o'clock and all is well


Except for my immense procrastination and huge feeling of general life confusion.

Sooo young Ian McKellen was surprisingly kind of dreamy. Am I right? YEA I AM.


Thursday 13 May 2010


There is a light down in the castle kitchen. To-night I shall have my bath in front of the fire, with Simon's gramophone playing, Topaz has it on now, much too loud-- to bring father back to earth in time for tea-- but it sounds beautiful from this distance. She is playing the Bereceuse from Stravinsky's "The Firebird." It seems to say, "What shall I do? Where shall I go?"

You will go in to tea, my girl-- an a much better tea than yo would have come by this time last year.
-I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Wednesday 12 May 2010

Laura Bush surprises me more and more! Not only does she support gay marriage, but she's also pro choice! I wish I knew what a relatively progressive cool lady she is when Georgie was in office.
Wow just realized my blog header had an awk grammar/syntax mistake. Awkward. Especially considering I have a degree in English.

Wow

This is officially the best thing I've seen all day.


Coming in a close second is this:

Things

- I was drunk by 1pm today. FUNNNN. PIMMSSS
-I have yet to go to the gym I joined. Okay considering I joined yesterday. I'm aiming for saturday.
-Seeing The Ghost tonight, which was released as Ghost Writer in America.
- I need to stop spending money.
-I'm nervous about the Lost finale.
- I'm just about to read the paper from last Sunday.

One final left! The two hard ones out of the way. I can't believe I'm done with research methods and econ. AMAZINGGGGGG.

Tuesday 11 May 2010

I just joined the UCL gym for the summer and I'm going to fail economics.

Top Lost scenes of Love

1- I agree with number 1, a thousands times over. I dream of one day being that in love with someone. I almost started crying watching it (I cried the first time). Ahhhh LOST.
2- I watched this video in the library. Awkward?

Monday 10 May 2010

If you want to be happy, you have to believe in the possibility of happiness…Let the dead bury the dead, but while ever there is life,you must live and be happy.
WAR AND PEACE, LEO TOLSTOY
(from amazing blog- Fuck yea, Literary quotes, well, from Tolstoy originally (obvs).

Woooww thanks to my amazing friend Sara for introducing me to this amazing blog of literary quotes. HELLLOOOO post midnight study procrastination.
I've had the same song in my head whenever studying for the past month. I don't know why, but it comforts me greatly.

Final Number One Complete

And I celebrated by going to the grand opening of the first CHIPOTLE in London!!!!!
Unsurprisingly, the customers were about 90-95% American, as confirmed by my friendly burrito maker. Also, the burrito's are more expensive (£6.45 for veggie) and slightly smaller. Ohhh well. Still Delicious!

Sunday 9 May 2010

baabbbieeesss

In my deranged study state, I'm not going to lie, these pictures brought tears to my eyes. HOLD ME.
Why do all the amazing things in Upstate New York happen when I'm not trapped there? And btw I can't remember any other amazing things, so that statement was made up. But still, so bummed. Rufus and The National performing at an art gallery! Amazing!
I just realised where I got one my favorite phrases- "good times"- from. The classic delicious dish NPR sketch from SNL. Brought back into the world last night with Betty White. How I wish I could watch the whole episode.

Saturday 8 May 2010


Amazing.
George Rekers may be a hypocritical asshole, but he does have good taste in men. "Lucien" is a good looking rentboy and seems like a nice guy (albeit with a really dubious career choice). I also think he is completely right in spreading this story in the media. Why is it always that the people who are so critical and outspoken turn out to be 100000x more effed up and sinful than the people they're supposedly trying to save. HYYYPPOOOCRRRITTEE. And religious hypocrite's really are the worst in my mind.

Practice makes perfect


aww yeaaa. Risotto attempt 2 went amazingly. Now that's a meal I could woo a man with. Risotto with broccoli, spinach, goats cheese and parmigiano. Parmigiano that I grated with a vegetable grater. The secret is, I think, that once the risotto is cooked you whisk in the cheese with all you've got for like two minutes. Then it gets nice and creamy. yuuummmm.



My new favorite British political blog, a satire on Jacob Rees-Mogg aka the most posh and possibly insane politician eveeerrrrrr (aka of this election). Just read it, it includes real videos and quotes he said so you'll get an idea of what we're dealing with here. Thanks to the amazing India Knight who tweeted this.

awww yeaaaaa


Lunch: Sweet Potato and Spinach quiche from an awesome stand at the Brunswick Centre Saturday market. I was more than tempted by their brownies but I somehow restrained myself.
Wooowww 10£ is currently worth $14.80. UNCLE SAM IS BACK! This is the best I've literally ever seen it. Two years ago, I remember for a long period of time 10£ was worth $21.00. Those were dark times.

Ohemgee. So much studying to do.
"Malcolm Tuckers" final (?) column for the guardian. It's amazing as usual.

And for those of you who are unfamiliar with the splendid show The Thick of It or In the Loop, here'a little clip that should explain Malcolm. It's not for the faint hearted:



and this doesn't so much feature Malcolm, but it does feature if bff4eva Jamie:

Friday 7 May 2010

I am so stressed right now it's disgusting.

BOOOR-RING

The UK election was/is boring. I don't even know what's going on. This hung parliament thing is tricky and I just want someone to softly explain it to me like a scared 5 year old- ie nothing involving reading or big words. Also, awk for the lib dems, right? To "celebrate" the election I went to the Kings College Union with Tori and Pamela. It made me feel old. So many undergrads. Ah to be young.

Other things I have been up to:
- I worked all day yesterday at my job so now I must spend the entire weekend studying. I'm so nervous for these finals. I don't feel confident in any means about the two next week. I keep studying and not comprehending at all. FML
-My bank account had -.25 p in it yesterday. Thankfully I got paid today and my loan check is being processed.
- My future scares me.
- I have no food.

Wednesday 5 May 2010

Dinna


Dinner tonight: Risotto with spinach, onions and goats cheese. My first attempt at making it. It's okay, the rice is a little too al dente and the vegetable stock I used wasn't diluted enough so it's too salty, but overall, a valiant first effort.

The Best Carrot Cake in the Entire World



THQ on Grays Inn Road is probably my favorite cafe in London. Not only does it have amazing food/coffee but it's so unpretentious and friendly. And they have the best carrot cake I've ever had in my entire life. Like. Unbelievable. The owner also knows me know from how much I love it. She apologised to me on Saturday because they didn't have any. Luckily they had some today. Also, if you go after 230 you can get any cake and any beverage for 2.75! A delicious steal! And they have free wireless. Best.Cafe.Ever.
Thanks to Gawker for introducing me to this amazing school chorus that I somehow have missed knowing about until now.


I want to send my future children to a school with such an edgy forward thinking choir.

Wow.

Wow.


Don't fuck with Mexicans. At least in Hollywood productions. Arizona take note.
Good speech GB


I don't really have an opinion in this election besides the fact that Cameron creeps me out a bit and I'm not sure if Labour's policies are working. But I, once again, don't know enough to really choose a candidate. I do however know that Obama does better speeches than any of the British leaders (cut to Conservatives screaming, it's all speeches he has no policies! Which I don't agree with, but too tired to argue).


omggg patriotic chills. Teeeeaarrsss of patriotism. And now for my sole passionate Republican friend, here's probably the greatest ever speech by an American politician. A republican! Read by Jeff Daniels, who I love, but I kind of was hoping for a Morgan Freeman version. Meh.


This post has been some fabulous procrastination. Sobs.

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Seeing Iron Man 2 tonight with the lovely Allison... so.ridiculously.excited. Especially since I'm using a 2 for 1 cineworld ticket. 3£ for a film! AMAZING

Monday 3 May 2010

Behold: the song that will get me through finals. Also, funnily enough, the song that got me through childhood.

Really Liking this Song

I can't find the studio version on youtube. But this live version is good. Sweden produces so much wonderful music!

Cut to 1:25 for a scene from my future wedding. Minus the man-tights.


I should be studying.

How I'm Procrastinating this evening part 2

Same way as yesterday. Though, you really should watch this one where he carefully and I think accurately explains why the new Star Wars films SUUUCCCKKKKKKK. Seriously though, biggest let down ever (along with the newest Indiana Jones film).

Oh Ma Gaaowwddd


The Tardis has landed amongst mah shit!

Thanks Lianne for the coolest airfreshener ever!


A Modern Day Love Story in the Daily Mail

There's an article in the Daily Mail today about a man who went to Vegas, met and girl and got married within 3 hours. I don't really know why it's news/in any kind of newspaper. Neither is famous. I'm sure shit like that happens in Vegas a lot, a la Britney Spears. I know it's the Daily Mail, but, really?

Sunday 2 May 2010

My post One Day depression has yielded a bright spot. My youtube search for melancholy songs brought me this amazing version of one of my Bert Jansch songs, "Running from Home." It's a seriously wonderful version. And fairly recent, considering how old the song is. Old boy still has it in him.

Just finished One Day by David Nicholls. Read it. If you can, I'm not sure if it's out in America yet. I feel like my heart wants to escape my body, if that makes any sort of sense. What a powerful, thought provoking, sad but hopeful book. Also, profoundly real. It definitely made me cry. And now I want someone to hold me wahhhh.

How I'm Procrastinating this evening


Yup, there's a long series viciously mocking Phantom Menace too!

Lunch today

Homemade pita chips with hummus, Goats Cheese, Spinach and orange pepper salad with homemade mustard dressing. MMM

Amount of productive study time achieved today: zero.

Saturday 1 May 2010

My Spring Jam

Old I know. But I imagine myself driving through the English countryside in a convertible on a pleasant evening whenever I listed to Fleet Foxes. Is that weird? Considering they're super Americana.

Theme song for May:


Thanks to Lianne for putting it on Twitter and reminding me. And by theme song, I mean, I'll sing it in my head but my life will never live up to it.

Not Funny


I want to be outside.

Procrastination victory!

Aw yea, apparently Ruth is in London today so there's a good chance I can spend my afternoon procrastinating with her. Now I have motivation to do some work. Maybe.

go away sunshine!

Today is one of those days that I'm praying it's going to rain. I have so much studying to do and it'll be SO much easier if I'm not tempted to go outside. Right now it doesn't look like that's going to start until tonight. UGhhh. Luckily it'll rain alll dayy tomorrow.

We had an econ review session yesterday and I left early because the terrible professor was stressing me out so much. I went to my job early instead. At least it wasn't a stressful day at work. My computer didn't break down and everything went smoothly woo.

Ahhh the sun is pleasantly shinning into my room. WHYYYYYY.

Then last night I met some uni friends at a happy hour in the University of London Union. After 6 it was 2 for one drinks. I got very drunk very fast. But luckily I only made one awkward comment (involving asking a ginger if he saw the MIA video where ginger's are slaughtered.) and only awkwardly texted Ruth, which was fine because she's probably the best person in the UK I could text when in that state, or Pamela but she was with me so that would be further awk. Then I went to Pizza Express and like inhaled a pizza. Fun times.