I Write Nasty Things About My Cousin on My Blog.

That's a lie. I was just using that to get you here, Alicia.

Recently, I was nominated for a Liebster award by Lauren. When I say recently, I really mean two and a half weeks ago. . .close enough. She and I were in a movie together a few years ago, and she's such a cool person. Her blog is really great, too. So check it out.

Okay. So about how long it took me to get around to doing this. It's just been a weird couple of weeks. I haven't necessarily been busy, just not in the right mindset to write. Whatever. I'm over it and writing now. 

Here we go.

The Liebster Award is an award distributed by bloggers for blogger with under 200 followers. Rad, right? It's a cool way to learn more about the writers behind the blogs you read.

The Rules:
1. Choose 11 other up-and-coming bloggers and link to them in your Liebster post.
2. Answer the 11 questions the previous blogger set for you, then create 11 different ones for the bloggers you will choose.
3. Let those bloggers know you nominated them.
4. No tag backs. No mulligans. No puppy guarding. Okay, just don't tag the person who nominated you. Or puppy guard. It's the worst.
5. Display the Liebster logo. Nailed it.

Lauren's Questions to Me

1. Did you like coffe the first time you tried it?

Like, straight, black coffee? No. I still don't like black coffee. When I do drink coffee, which is a rare occurrence indeed (I'm a tea person), it needs to be so diluted with cream and sugar it just vaguely resembles the drink it began as.

2. Quick. Fast. Most beautiful celebrity ever. Male or female. I don't care.

Ryan Reynold is the prettiest man I've ever seen. He's also hilarious, so that helps.

3. Which book have you most enjoyed over the past 5 years? Why?

Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey, for a couple different reasons. A) Up until spring 2011, I had never read a novel about the environment. B) It made me fall in love with Arches National Park - a real place I've never been. It's easy to fall in love with a fantastical environment, however, this book doesn't romanticize the park. It just is what it is. And it's a beautiful, decaying/living place. I love it.


4. What is your favorite season of the year? Why?

Baseball season. Go Royals & Giants! (I can do that because they're in different leagues. And because I do what I want.)

5. Is there a blog that you read every day? Which one?

I don't know if this really counts. . .I'm  on If You Can't Afford to Tip a lot. There are just a lot of relatable things for anyone in the service industry. And I love laughing at stupid people.

6. Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?

Milk chocolate. Hands down. Any day of the week.

7. Which cartoon did you watch the most when you were little?

Either Rugrats or Cowboys of Moo Mesa

8. If you could be a kitchen appliance, what would you be? Why?

I've actually discussed this topic before. I'd be an ice cube maker because I want everyone to chill. (:

9. How do you feel about the Oxford comma?

You know I have an opinion on this. I was an English student. It's a necessary part of punctuation that's frequently overlooked.

That last comma makes all the difference.

10. If they made another Austin Powers movie, who would you cast as the newest leading lady?

Cloris Leachman. . .is she still alive? I don't care. Her. I'd cast her.

11. Which are cuter, puppies or kittens? And no saying "baby hedgehogs," because obviously they would win.

This is an impossible question to answer. I love both sooooooooo much. Baby red pandas? I cheated and I'm not ashamed.

My Brainbusters for you:

1. Crumple or fold? (toilet paper, that is.)
2. How do you feel about people who chew on ice?
3. How do we know each other?
4. *NSync or Backstreet Boys? Why?
5. What is one book that changed your life? How?
6. How is your life different than what you had imagined it would be at age 11?
7. Is there one piece of jewelry that you always wear?
8. Why aren't tattoos/facial piercings acceptable in the majority of professional workplaces?
9. Could you survive without sunglasses? Obviously I'm being dramatic. How would forgetting your sunglasses at home impact your day?
10. What language do you love to listen to, but don't understand or speak any yourself? Why?
11. What is your favorite color combination?

AND THE NOMINEES FOR A LIEBSTER AWARD (from Britni) ARE:

Can I Get That in Cornflower Blue? - Josh

In These Shoes - Chelsea

Grace and Peace - Mairin

Stepping Out From the Old and Into The New - Amanda

Coffee and Crayolas with Ms. Roemmich - Kat

Jealous for Me - Hillary

Things I See God Do. . . - Stephanie

Point of Focus - Laura

I know there are only 8. I honestly don't follow a lot of blogs, but these ones are my favorites. Some of the people don't post often/haven't posted in a while, but I hope this sparks them back into writing. *fingers crossed*

Lauren, thanks so much for nominating me! I can't wait to read what everyone else writes. (:

Swiggity Swag, What's in the Bag?

Ooooh, man. I'm lazy. I promised the pattern to my ewok hoodie probably a month ago on instagram and twitter. I had it all written up, correct stitch count, materials used, everything. But I never got around to it. I am a piece of work. It's not like I've been too busy to post it, just lazy. Anyway, here it is.

EWOK INFINITY HOOD

Supplies Needed: 3 Skeins Main Color (I used Loops & Threads Impeccable in Pumpkin)

1 Skein Contrast Color (I used Loops & Threads Fabulous Fur in Wolf)

U.S. - K 6.5mm

Stitch markers

Gauge: 10 dc x 6 rows = 4 inches

Scarf

ch 175 (yarn held doubled), and connect to first chain

Row1: ch 2, skip 1st stitch, dc in every stitch to end. sl st to 2nd chain at beginning of the row.

Row2-7: ch 2, skip 1st stitch, dc in every stitch to end. sl st to 2nd chain at beginning of the row.

finish and weave in ends.

Hood

set place marker where you broke off yarn. count out 21 st from pm on both sides.

Row1: join (yarn held doubled) with sl st to outer marked st.  ch 2, dc in each stitch across. move center marker up to new center. end with a dc in last marked stitch. turn. [43 stitches]

Row2: ch 2, dc in each stitch to 1 before center, 2 dc in next stitch, dc in center, 2 dc in next stitch. dc across to end of hood. turn. [45 stitches]

Row3-10: repeat row 2. turn. [47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61]

Row11: ch 2, dc in each stitch to 2 before center, dc2tog, dc in center, dc2tog, dc in remaining stitch to end. [59 stitches]

Row12-17: repeat row 11. turn. [45 in last row]

fold in half and sl st closed. weave in ends.

Ears

ch 6, sl st through 1st stitch to form magic ring.

ch 3, dc 11 into center of ring, sl st into 3rd ch.

ch 3, 2dc into each stitch, sl st into 3rd ch.

ch 3, dc 1, ^dc1, 2dc. repeat from ^ around the circle. sl st into 3rd  ch.

finish and weave in ends.

fold the circles to make them look like ewok ears, and whip stitch onto hood.

weave in ends.

rock your new hood like a champ.

_____________________________________________

Really. A lot of new stuff is going on. Okay, not a lot. Two new things. One thing I've been planning for three years. Yes, since I was living in Maryland and I've been too much of a baby to actually do it. Can you handle the anticipation??

I finally got my anti-tragus pierced! I love it so much.

I won't lie to you guys, it hurt. Quite a bit. Just enough for me to say, "Oh, there it is," when the needle went through the cartilage. What really hurt the most was putting the earring in. I settled on a gorgeous white opal labret. It hasn't been too sore. The only thing that has set me back was sleeping. I get a little paranoid that I'll rip it out of my ear in the middle of the night, lose gallons of blood, and ruin my bedding.

I've been itching for another one ever since I walked out of Studio 51/50 in Kearney. I think maybe a snug or orbital helix is somewhere in my near future. Maybe when I go in three weeks from now when I get this one checked. I'll keep you posted.

Also, I dyed my hair blue.

It took me three freaking times.

And bleach.

But I love it.

I am an adult. Hire me.

And look at my new Giants shirt.

Love it.

Love them.

I'm so freaking vain.

Whatever.

Things I Thought I'd Have By My Twenties

I believe adulthood is some sort of construct placed in our minds by our parents when we're young. "BRITNI NICOLE, YOU ACT YOUR AGE," was heard countless times in my childhood, but I'm not even sure what that means. What 8-year-old chooses to be a stuffy brat? What 25/35/55/85-year-old chooses to be a stuffy brat? When does adulthood happen? Does God have feet? What the hell is the stock market? I just have so many questions. . . 

I think technically/legally/whatever I am one, but I don't feel like it. As far as I'm concerned, I will sit at the kids table for eternity, and that's totally cool. Because I think everyone else has a skewed perception on what it means to be an adult. Just me? Fair enough.

           The following is a list (I love lists) I have compiled of things I thought I'd have by my twenties, and so far, at 23, I don't.

Things I Thought I'd Have By My Twenties

(but definitely don't)

1. Acceptance into a Master's Program
2. A larger video game collection
3. A relationship moving towards the idea of marriage
4. A better understanding of life, the universe, and everything
5. A swanky apartment with chic leather furniture
6. A meaningful career as a rock star/archaeologist/illustrator/dinosaur
7. More tattoos
8. The ability to make myself presentable
9. The skills of a witty conversationalist
10. A grip on reality via Cosmo and my Twitter feed
11. The closet of a responsible adult
12. A working definition of the words "responsible" and "adult"
13. More guitars
14. More Twitter followers ahahaaha
15. A really awesome MySpace page
16. The ability to stifle childish laughter brought on by anything remotely sexual
17. The experience of beating Donkey Kong 64
18. A home bar and library
19. No student debt
20. Money
21. Self-control when it comes to chocolate
22. Social skills
23. Dignity

Thirty's a way off. . .maybe by then. Until December of 2019, I'll be the one at the kids table with black olives on her fingers, Kool-aid moustache on her face, and a plate full of snickers salad. Don't you judge me.

One. More. Semester.

Last night, at approximately 5:23, I had dwindled my college career down to one semester left. And I can tell you, it's a dang good feeling. This semester has been testing. Seriously. Hated a lot of it. Mostly the class part. I figured since this is half-time of my senior year in college I would do another one of my infamous end-of-the-year lists. I think it will help me when I'm hating everything come spring. So here we go.

GERMAN

• Wake up on time.
• Two vowels go walking, the second one does the talking. (In German at least)
• Oktoberfest is actually in September.
• Umlauts make me want to jump out the window.

PAINTING . . . something

• Canvases are expensive as crap.
• My professor's a douche.
• I love James Ensor and Paul Cezanne.
• I didn't learn anything about oil paint.

ILLUSTRATION

• I should have been working with ink the whole time.
• Black and white is my forte.
• Adobe Illustrator blows.
• Skulls should be done with stippling.

SHAKESPEARE

• Becoming an English minor was the worst decision of my life.
• The Lion King was based on Hamlet. I think that's why I enjoyed this play best.
• You can get through an English class without reading any of the plays. Just show up and watch the movies.
• Don't try to follow Purdon's bunny trails. It isn't worth the headache.
• It's all a construct.

Well, next semester, I'm bringing the same distress to myself -- more German, Printmaking, World Literature, and another Painting class. I know it's not a lot of credits, but it will suck on top of track meets/practice and working at the dirty bird.  My one saving thought is the idea of spending all of January talking about baseball . . . for a class. Whaterrr.  I'm just pumped about being this close to graduation.

Continental Stereotypes.

I am stuck on the N of republicans. Also known as southeast Nebraska. Perhaps not the most chic of glorious Amurrrrican locations, but alas, it is home.  I could be hanging out with only cowboys and livestock. Or sweating balls in the Amurrican southwest. Or drowning in fried chicken. Who am I kidding, I wouldn't mind that one bit. I sometimes dream about how different my life would be if I were living somewhere more glamorous. Like with the fabulously unhappy people. Not only am I perpetually pissed, but I'm an avid anti-socialite. I can definitely do angry and rude, but I can't deal with the huge number of other angry, rude people that have flocked in that direction. Or imagine me living with the obnoxious, life-of-the-party people. I mean, seriously, California, calm down. You keep it up, and the rest of the great states are kicking you out via earthquake. And speaking of intolerable douchebags, rainy hipsters: shut up. We get it, you're rad. And if there is indeed a question about whether or not you are a hipster, chances are it's a yes - a caffeinated, beanie-wearing hipster (I wish I was cool). Somewhere I really want to be is in the middle of that glorious cheese steak. Stuck in a Philadelphia (lol, Mairin), no, but physically in the beautiful city. Basically I just want to see me OCMDSP '10 buddies. Or I could live anywhere there are sailors. I love me some salty men.

Honestly, I think stereotypes like this, albeit hilarious, are inaccurate (so don't get pissy with me).  I mean, look at me: I'm a communist in Nebraska who is also a fan of Sooner football. Lawl, right? I love people that go against the social norm. They're fabulous.

Reflections on baseball and things of that sort.

I feel like it goes without saying, but sometimes I really suck. Like, really suck. Yes, it probably has something to do with the fact that I'm undoubtedly the most socially awkward person I know. And emotionally inept. And sometimes just too blunt for my own good (and I'm well aware that I sound like Dr. House, thank you).  Perhaps what bothers me the most about myself ('cause let's face it: I love being the girl who cannot and will not sugar coat anything) is the fact that I tend to overlook things that aren't bearing down on me, such as homework and other deadlines. For example: tonight before the Cru meeting, for which, of course, I was scrambling to finish slides, I was crushing it with the multitasking and watching the Texas-Detroit game and Aretha Franklin's weirdo pants. Somewhere between typing Came to my Rescue and the opening pitch, it hit me. I do not appreciate things I used to. I get so wrapped up in my monotonous, every-day life, that I have just gotten to the point where I coast through a day, rather than fully enjoy what God has given me. Even this summer, I would have made time to watch a baseball game with my dad, albeit, I worked during a lot of the games, but I would have made time to hang out with Papa Goodner afterwards. Sadly, it's as if the things I once appreciated have enhanced the monotony. If I keep repeating them, nothing stands out, so I stop for a while, neglect them, and ask myself why I even stopped in the first place. It is, indeed, a vicious cycle. Perhaps I need to do some reevaluating of my life. (Want you all to know I just heard someone hack the gnarliest lugie known to man. It was awesome.) Anyway, moral of the story, so none of y'all follow my example, don't forget what makes your life enjoyable. The drudgery interwoven into college is tough to get around, but do not, for the love of all things decent, allow it to confine your life. Yes, it's menial, and no, you'll never use that again, even though your professor specifically told you that you will, don't let it weigh you down. I think most of all what I'm trying to say is that I've really missed watching baseball with my dad. And stop sucking. All of y'all. I'm serious.

and i know this has little to do with anything,

but i just wanted to share it.

i laughed for a solid 5 minutes.

The soundtrack to my life is fueled by sleep deprivation.

This post is lovingly ripped off of my freshman roommate's facebook profile (holla atcha, Mandy) and formatted to fit my musical taste.  


THE RULES:

1. Imagine a movie is made from your life. Now: tell us the story through music, through the soundtrack of your life.
2. Don't talk about Fight Club.

And action.

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's the pop song that would be played in the trailer?

Feel the Pain by Dinosaur Jr

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during the opening credits?

Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty by Nature

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing on the radio as you wake up or as your alarm?

I Wish I Was a Hipster by Bassnectar

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as you rush off, late to work?

New Wave by Against Me!

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as you stay-in on a rainy Saturday?

Intermission by Senator & The New Republic

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing on the radio while you're stuck in traffic?

Where to Start by Tommy & The High Pilots

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during the montage of your daily tedium, ie. work, school, family?

Truth by Alexander

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your heroic theme?

Force of Nature by Pearl Jam

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your comedy theme?

Take it Slow by Vibenhai

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your party theme(s)?

Luxury by The Randies

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your "down on your luck" theme?

Fine for Now by Grizzly Bear

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your scary/suspenseful theme?

Viktor's Misery by Bobot Adrenaline

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your heartbreak/death theme?

Berkeley Pier by Tilt

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your action/badass theme?

Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your elementary school flashbacks?

Two Way Monologue by Sondre Lerche

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your high school flashbacks?

Rock & Roll by Eric Hutchinson

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your first kiss scene?

Angel, Won't You Call Me? by The Decemberists

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your first break-up scene?

Santa Monica by Everclear

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your high school prom scene?

Tiny Dancer by Elton John

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your college years?

Mouthful of Diamonds by Phantogram

Windstorm by School of Seven Bells

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during you training/endurance montage? (a la Rocky)

Show Me What I'm Looking For by Carolina Liar 

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your love theme?

If My Heart was a House by Owl City 

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your wedding scene?

Waiting on an Angel by Ben Harper

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your honeymoon/sex scene?

You and I by Lady Gaga

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing as your through-the-years montage? (a la UP)

The Girl by City and Colour

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing when you're old?

I Don't Mind by The Decemberists

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during your funeral scene?

Steal Your Words by Sundowner

In 'YOU: The Movie,' what's playing during the end credits?

Goal/Wide by Javelin

Just Like Heaven by Dinosaur Jr

Crash and Burn by Buckra