into the woods

I'm sitting at home, eating my favorite cereal (which I had thought had been discontinued) and listening to the new Sleater-Kinney record. I am priding myself on getting this record within the month it was released, as this is a small victory in my behind-the-times world.

I'm really liking it so far, even though my heart will always belong to Call the Doctor and Dig Me Out (especially for the Kinks-emulating cover art). I liked One Beat, but it treaded into wanky territory. The Woods has gratuitous use of the cowbell and just rocks. I'm enjoying it. Shannon pointed out that S-K is the band that makes her want to be in a band. I am inclined to agree. Every time I've seen them, I've wished I could be up there, rocking out and wailing in that urgent caterwaul that Corin Tucker does so well. For the most part I have resigned myself to my station in the audience for the rest of my life, but occasionally I feel the need to do more, to participate. Sleater-Kinney is the band that if I had to describe it in one word, it would be "inspirational."

Of course, I'm going to miss seeing them when they come to Philly, as one of my other inspirational groups is coming to town for interleague play, and I am going to be screaming my head off for Papi, Johnny et al.

So, what do y'all think about the new S-K record? (Anne, I'm looking in your direction...)

P.S. I also really dig the artwork.

rockers wanted

I know I sent out a mass e-mail a few weeks ago, but are any of you up for the Old 97's on June 10th at the TLA? How about Slooooan at the North Star the next night? I realize I have been remiss in rocking lately, and I want to rock out with two of my favorite groups that are still together. Any takers? (This includes the NYC contingent, who should be all about road tripping to tha Illadelph.)

sunny days and fridays

As is my wont, I waited until today to start work on my conference presentation this Sunday. While this is actually causing me to be ahead of the game (I am the Queen of the Procrastination), it sucks because today is the day when the sun finally decides to come out. So I'm inside polishing the turd that is a year-old paper while other kids get to frolic and play. Ugh. Can't complain. Must be happy about presenting at Big Conference.

I need to be happy about all the sunny days I can because as of June 28, I'm in a cast for 4-6 weeks because of ankle surgery. Give it up for the Grade 3 sprain! Guess the honeymoon will be in August after all. Ugh.

In other depressing news, Janice Dickinson is leaving ANTM. Twiggy will be replacing her. In happier "model" news, the fabulous Miss J. will become a permanent judge. Now that is "fierce"! Guess I'll have to watch The Surreal Life this season to get my Janice fix.

(Oh, and writing that last paragraph totally caused flashbacks to my life as Miss Teen Entertainment "Reporter." Guess I still have it in me. Frightening...)

lame attempt at a recap

I don't even know where to begin with the past week. My husband (haha!) is up in NYC for work. I feel like I'm still in recovery mode: napping, taking it easy. I didn't think I would be so drained. I guess all the stress winding up to the Big Day is manifesting itself in sniffles and the need to sleep. Sta has an apt description of the bachelor/bachelorette night, so I won't go into that.

The rehearsal was initially chaotic, but my fabulous Maid of Honor ran it like a matrimonial drill sergeant. Homegirl should get a job J.Lo wedding planner style if she decides the Ph.D. is not worth pursuing. The rehearsal dinner was fabulous, even though I missed out on the stuffed mushrooms, which were my only menu request. I got to see folks that I hadn't seen in ages. My nieces and nephews are all growing up, and it was great to see all these people from different worlds meeting for the first time. I love my friends and family and was so thrilled to have them all together in one place. After the rehearsal, I headed back to the hotel to put the damn ankle brace back on. I joined everyone at the Brewery and then had to leave because I was just. so. tired. I turned into a cranky mccrankypants. But I slept pretty well.

The next morning was spent finishing up last minute details with Mikey. After that, I just wanted my bridesmaids to hang out with me. My nerves manifested itself in the form of not wanting to be alone. I had Stiner come with me to my nail appointment, and then Jen took over, hanging out while I got my tiara put in. This was really hilarious, as she already had her hair in an updo, so she just looked like Mary Poppins. She kept me sane. My mom had the cheeseburger waiting for me in my suite when I got back. I was eating said cheeseburger when the dress arrived, which began the first flurry of tears. The bridesmaids and I got dressed, my mom ordered champagne and we all toasted. I chugged my first flute and quickly sipped the second.

We then headed downstairs to the "holding room" where I realized that I had forgotten to put on more deodorant. This made me sweat more. Luckily, Stiner ran upstairs to hook me up. We then got in line for the terrifying walk down the aisle. I tried my damndest not to cry while my dad and grandfather walked me down the aisle. I don't even want to think what sort of bizarre grimaces the photographer captured. My face was twitching during the ceremony, but I think I remained fairly composed. It was short and sweet.

Then we took 8,000 pictures and danced and danced. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. But it was a great time, and I'm incredibly happy that all the stress, all the stupid details, it was really worth it.

wedding preparation

wedding preparation, originally uploaded by heathalouise.

This sums up the day...

old married lady.

Wow. It was a great weekend. Thanks to everyone who made the trek up, through traffic, car breakdowns and everything else. You guys are the best. I'll recap more tomorrow, once we unpack more housewares than we have house for...

not mrs. b---------, but his wife

I'm stealing wireless access from someone in my parents' neighborhood. It is really weird to be typing into the laptop in the living room of my childhood home. Dad's watching The Transporter on FX. Good, good times (I guess).

I guess this is a pointless entry to displace my commercial for cleaning products. I probably won't update again until we get back from Portsmouth. I'll see some of you up there. Those of you who can't make it, think of us on Saturday. It's still incredibly surreal that in little more than 72 hours we'll be married.

Yeah, so I'm totally late to this party, but I really have nothing but praise for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Mike has heard me whine for nearly two years about how no matter what I do, the bathtub is not completely clean. The eraser changed all that. I'm sure it features some sort of nasty chemical that researchers will eventually learn is carcinogenic and that it will destroy the environment, but I don't care. My tub is spotless.

Stiner is my date for U2 tomorrow night. It's a good beginning to Wedding Week '05.

You Know What's Awesome?

In the latest edition of "You Know What's Awesome?", the question is answered with "almost getting into a fight at an Earlimart/Okkervil River show." Read that again; let it sink in. Earlimart. Okkervil River. Next thing you know, I'll be kicking ass at a Tullycraft show. Dumb guys who are the reason the insult "douchebag" was coined wearing Jagermeister visors should watch it. Invade my personal space, I will shove back, tell you to get the fuck away from me AND give you the finger.

And yes, Earlimart were pretty fucking awesome. And then Martha and I almost came to blows with two stupid drunk girls. I think I'm going to start my own girl gang.

Oh, and the other answers to the "You Know What's Awesome?" question are:

1. (Sincere). I am finally done with everything for the semester!

2. (Sarcastic). I left my power cable for my powerbook plugged into the wall of the adjunct office, so I have to go back to campus tomorrow!

3. (Sincere). My advisor has requested me as her research assistant next semester!

4. (Sarcastic). I have a ton of wedding crap to finish in the next week!

5. (Sincere). Mike and I will be married in 12 days!

To recap: Sincere: 3, Sarcastic: 2, Tie: 1

pack up the babies, grab the old ladies

A hot August night, indeed! No, I'm not kidding...