stupidity and relief

Much like Randall in Clerks II, it looks like Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is "takin' it back." His spokesperson claims he was discussing a "sticky situation." Whatevs. I'll be much more impressed when he writes "t-- b--- for life" on the back of his suit in masking tape.

Meanwhile, in grad school world, I passed in the first draft of my dissertation proposal! I've actually accomplished something. This is amazing...Now I just have to finish up a bunch of crap before I leave for a conference in SF on Wednesday. My work is never done...

my brain hurts

Writing this proposal is killing me. Must stop overanalyzing and just start writing! Adding stupid blog posts is not making the process go any faster...

it's a godawful small affair...

At the behest of Toby, I watched Life on Mars on BBC America. It had a few things going for it from the get-go: it's a cop show, it references the '70s and its title comes from my favorite Bowie song. I am now hooked and pissed that the DVR for some reason did not want to create a series recording. I have to remember to watch.

I'm fascinated by the premise: Is the protagonist in a coma? Did he actually travel back in time? What are the ramifications of anything he does in 1973? I want to know more, now, dammit! But I will try my best to remain spoiler-free. Of course, the word is that David E. Kelley is supposed to be making the American version. I can't even imagine the Ally McBealification of this show. Ugh. (And this is coming from someone who used to actually like The Practice a long, long time ago.)

Scroll down for the funniest effin' photo you'll see all day. I am so glad that I am not related to this man...

looking for a dare-to-be-great situation

No, this woman is not me or any of my friends. I do find it interesting that she is my age, though. It seems someone took Say Anything a bit too seriously when she was 14...

i got yer voir dire right here!

I made it through federal jury duty relatively unscathed. I wasn't picked for any panels, and I don't have to return tomorrow. I'm glad, because it is really hot in the city (heh! Billy Idol reference!) this week. On the other hand, given what rocket scientists I saw in the waiting room, I'm really frightened for anyone going on trial this week. Everyone knows jury duty is a pain in the ass, but hearing all these people whine about what amounts to a free day off of work made me want to throttle them. Especially when they start coming up with "strategies" on how to beat the system. I just wanted to scream, "WHY DON'T YOU JUST ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTIONS? THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO WANT YOU ANYWAY, WOMAN WITH THE TATTOOED NECK!" Tattoo Necked Lady didn't understand the difference between federal and state laws. She thought it had something to do with kidnapping and bringing someone over state lines. Oy vey. I weep for our justice system sometimes.

Meanwhile, my 2-hour lunch break allowed me to go shopping! I hit Loehmann's and got a Nanette Lepore suit for $80! It was originally $500! I felt like such a bargain goddess.

question

How am I supposed to finish unpacking when I've thrown out my back? It happened sometime yesterday. Walking is agonizing (I'm really hating the stairs in the new place right now) and sitting doesn't feel too great either. At least this gives me plenty of time to read, read, read for my damn proposal (which, yes, I should have been writing all month long). I will get there. I will get there. I just wish there were fewer boxes in my office right now. Yup, we should have hired movers.

sluttin' it up

Apparently it's OK to call girls sluts now. After all, the EIC of Seventeen says it's OK. This cracks me up because the debate about whether "slut" was appropriate to put on the cover of said magazine is what propelled me to go to graduate school. How everything comes full circle...

a house is not a home...

...until you unpack all the CDs and books and other media. Right now, we're still in a "house" and we're inching ever closer to "home" status. Most(?) importantly, we have cable. This is exciting. Our phone gets hooked up tomorrow. We still have random stuff back at the old place, but all the furniture is here. The kitties love the new digs, since Walker can look out several windows and Linus likes hanging out at the top of the stairs. We have stairs! I'm still excited about this. Giddy, really. I am a nerd. I guess I should get around to more "nesting."

Next time you see me or Mike, ask about the puke bucket. It's an epic tale about a task that took a week to finish. Thanks to the old tenants for leaving their kitchen garbage can in front of the house. It became a repository for a mixture of rainwater, red bull cans, cigarette packs, and, finally, after the 4th of July, vomit. The barf smell will not disappear. I don't want to be the person with the smelly stoop on my block.

"nobody looks good in pinstripes"

I have a new favorite website. So what if it's shilling for a New England sandwich chain? I love hearing the wit and wisdom of my beloved Big Papi.

mooooving

Our life is being boxed up and moved 7 blocks west. I'm continually annoyed by the sheer amount of stuff that Mike and I have accumulated over the past three years. We're moving to a (slightly) bigger place, so I don't want the clutter to follow. Every time I look around the slowly emptying apartment, I see more little things that need a box, a home or their place in the garbage can.

We have the luxury of doing a "slow move" since our lease on the house began this month, and our apartment's lease is up at the end of July. Our goal is to be almost completely done by the end of the week, with our furniture moving on Saturday. I think it will happen. Plus, once we get the "big stuff" out of here, the little stuff won't be as intimidating.

I must admit that I am unbelievably excited about moving to a row house. We have a patio! (Granted, it's teeny-tiny...) We have a basement! (Which right now is disgusting...) We have an office! (I actually will finish that damn proposal on time.) I think what I'm most excited about, however, is that we have room for a kitchen table. Look out, honey, cuz I'm using cooking technology. Dinner parties should commence in about a month.