So. I don't apparently use this anymore, regardless of the fact that I still insist on paying for a paid account. Really, that's just so I don't lose my rockin layout and my multitude of user icons that need some dusting off. The reality of the situation is, I feel like my life is boring and I'm past the point of needing to post about every little thing. Especially since nobody I know really reads this anymore. Livejournal is dying. I use it for the potterporn :)

Anyway, when I say my life is boring, what I really mean is humongously stressful and intensely panic-inducing at the moment. I'm getting married in NINE DAYS. This is stressful, no? The good news is, everything is done. I hesitated for the longest to say that, because every time I would say that, something else would come up that I forgot about, inducing said panic-attack and making me hysterical for no reason. Seriously, Hunter is a fucking saint. But really, we're done. All the tiny bows have been fitted and tied onto the bubbles, the place cards and the programs. We have our toasting flutes (courtesy of Ireland) and our cake-cutting set, thanks to our registry. We have our Guest Book and favors. All the sunglasses are done and P-Touched. The seating arrangement is done and our final count is in.

Hunter keeps telling me that I'm wonderful, mainly because I'm so freaking organized. Seriously, I put together an excel spread sheet for EVERYTHING. It's kept me sane and kept us on track with what needs doing at any given point. The florist is paid, the djs are paid, Brigid will be paid when she gets here, Joe is ordained and ready. The Rehearsal Lunch is set up and paid for. Our honeymoon is totally paid for and we know when we have to be where for the entire 14 days of it. The Hyatt will be paid off on Monday at our final meeting, and then Hunter and I are going to get our marriage license. My dress gets its final fitting next Friday. They didn't really change anything, but took it in a bit in the waist and re-did the back panel (it's a corset back) to accomidate my still-ginormous boobies. Oh and the bustle, which I sincerely hope Melanie and my mom know how to handle. I'm still epic confused on it.

Everything is DONE. Like, really and truly done.

Now the only thing I have to stress about is the weather.
HA.

Current Mood: anxious

Eleven days.

Current Mood: stressed

Once Upon A Time...
There were two people who loved each other. They decided to get married. They looked like this:


(Bridal Shower at Scoozi! in Chicago)

But before they could get married, the Bride had to make a complete fool of herself, covered in Penis Paraphernalia and getting Drunk Off Her Ass in boystown.


Today, she feels like she's Going To Die and wishes she could remember that she's Not 21 Anymore.






(but it was Totally Worth It!)

The End.

Current Mood: sick

Alright. So I saw Hunger Games tonight with Hunter. He hated it; I'm not so sure. I haven't read the books, nor do I have any particular desire to. I realize I'm breaking a bunch of my own rules here, but I don't really want to read them. Yes, even after seeing the movie. I got a tip off about these books almost three years ago from a customer at Old Navy who noticed my Harry Potter watch and recommended them to me. I went online and read a few segments, did a bit of research and decided they weren't for me. I still stand by that decision. They just don't appeal to me at all.

That being said, I thought the movie was pretty good. ( Cut for spoilers ) I'm sure it's explained much better in the books and that had I actually read them, I would have gotten much more out of the movie.

And that's The Big Problem with making these amazing books into movies. There's just not a whole lot you can do in two and a half hours to explain every little loving detail that the author put into these characters. I'm sure I would LOVE the characters in the books and bawl my eyes out when Rue dies (as it happens, I didn't. I got slightly farklempt after the fact when Katniss salutes the "audience" and the man from District 11 --who I am assuming is her father-- freaks out and starts a rebellion.) I'm also assuming there's much more to it than that, but I don't know because the movie inadequately portrayed it to me.

I really liked the filming style, though. It made the movie seem much more "real" in a way that I really liked. I enjoyed that Katniss wasn't all-powerful and she did get hurt, and frequently. I'm kind of surprised the movie was only rated PG-13, though. Hunter defends it by saying that all the killing was passively shown, but I disagree. Even if we didn't actively see the majority of the murders happening, the idea and implication was certainly there. We watched a group of 24 teenagers kill each other mercilessly, violently and brutally for the better part of an hour. Even though it wasn't gory in the True Blood way, it was still gruesome and for gods sake, they're meant to be teenagers. Am I the only one that thinks that deserves a rated-R? Maybe I just need to tell said kids to get off my lawn, but still.

The idea is clever and not really done before (as far as I can remember), which is refreshing. Hunter says it's "unrealistic" due to the fact that "people wouldn't really watch a group of teenagers literally killing each other for entertainment," to which I reminded him forcefully about the Gladiators Way Back In The Day. He conceded that, but argued that our society is much more sophisticated these days. I beg to differ, but that's besides the point.

I'm still not going to read them. If they make a second movie (and I'm sure they will, unless this movie was the whole of the book series, which I sincerely doubt), I'll probably go see it. I'm not sure what else to say about it, therefore commence the comment spam!

I knitted you a hat all blue and gold
To keep your ears warm from the Binghamton cold.
It was my first one and it was too small.
It didn't fit you at all, but you wore it just the same.

I remember the first time we danced.
I remember tunneling through the snow like ants.
What I don't recall is why I said,
"I simply can't sleep in this tiny bed with you anymore.".

I should tell you that you were my first love.

So it's Christmas time, it's been three years.
And someone else is knitting things for your ears.
I have come to know I'll only see you interrupting my dreams at night
And that's alright. And that's alright. And that's alright. And that's alright.

I should tell you that you were my first love.

And it's alright. And it's alright. And it's alright.

And it's alright, We were seventeen again together.
And it's alright, We were seventeen again together.
And it's alright, We were seventeen again together.

I should tell you that you were my first love.
I should tell you that you were my first love.

We were seventeen again.
We were seventeen again.
We were seventeen again.

Current Mood: loved
Current Music: the hat, ingrid michaelson

When I was in London (way back in 2004), I primarily was there to study theatre. We had a theatre class that met twice a week, but the important part of the class was conducted on Wednesday nights. Every Wednesday, the entire Lawrence London house would go see a play. It was mainly for educational purposes, i.e. we would read all or part of the script for class on Tuesday, go see the play on Wednesday night and chat about it with or without written reports on Thursday. I actually ended up writing a final paper back in Wisconsin on The Changeling, which is probably my favorite of the ones we studied. We also saw the worst production of any play I've ever seen (a really unfortunate production of Hamlet) while I was there, but that's beside the point. That being said, we were encouraged to go out and use our limited poor-college-kid resources to see as many other plays as possible. I saw a couple others over the months I lived there, but by far my favorite theatre experience to this day was The Woman in Black.

A few of my friends had gone to see it a couple weeks before I talked my friend Michelle into going with me. Tara and Sarah wouldn't stop talking about how scary it was. I couldn't believe it. I mean, how scary can a play be? It's a play for gods sake. But we mustered up our twelve pounds fifty each and got excused from class on a random Tuesday to see a matinee. The show had been playing at the same theatre off Picadilly Circus (the Fortune Theatre --yes I still own the ticket stub) for something like thirteen years in 2004, and by the way, it's still showing there. That was encouraging to me. I mean, if a play could successfully take over a theatre with ever changing audiences in the same place for thirteen years, it must be good. Michelle was less enthused. She told me as we gathered our playbills and shuffled into seats two rows from the back on the main floor, that she was actually really afraid of ghost stories. I laughed and told her she apparently should have stayed at home, but not to worry because I don't scare easily and again, for gods sake it's a play. How bad can it be?

The theatre was more or less full. Being a matinee on a Tuesday, we were seated with about a hundred and fifty school kids on field trips with ages ranging anywhere from sixth grade to junior year of high school. We bought our tickets there, so we were stuck kind of in the back, but that was ok. The playbill was short (in London, the playbill is actually more like a handbill one-to-two pages long that announces the actors' names and the sponsors of the theatre. If you want the full playbill, it's another two or five pounds and has much more detail) and it has listed only two men as the actors. I found this both intriguing and amusing. So either the fabled "woman in black" was a special effect, or they were being clever and leaving her out of the credits as a surprise for the audience. But I'm MUCH more clever than they are and have a LOT of theatre experience, so I know things like that. Yep. The play starts and they left the house lights half up, which annoyed me a bit, but I was interested in the play, so I let it go for now.

The script itself isn't spectacular. In fact, I went to see the same play here last October and it wasn't nearly as good. The plot is pretty much predictable. It's laid out like a typical ghost story: an old woman dies leaving no heirs or anything, so this solicitor Arthur has to go sort out her paperwork, etc. The house is creepy, people from the town won't go there, nobody will talk about the woman who died and you can only get to the house at certain hours of the day because it's built in the middle of a marsh that floods with the tides. Of course. Arthur is actually the solicitor, but he hires "The Actor" (no really, he doesn't have a name in the handbill) to help him portray his story to his friends and family so they can finally understand this terrible ordeal he's gone through. The two act out the story in "preparation and rehearsal" for the following week when Arthur and The Actor will show it to his family. I huffed in my seat, knowing exactly the whole plot in detail ten minutes in, including the obnoxious tag-line, "I saw no woman!"

However, as the play went on, the production was remarkable. When the woman in black finally showed up I crowed to myself, knowing I had one up on the play, having predicted her involvement and even patted myself on the proverbial back for knowing how they did that nifty disappearing act when she dropped through a trap door on the stage and "mysteriously vanished." I was feeling pretty good about all of it, actually, until about halfway through the first act when the first truly scary thing occurred. I was grateful then for the houselights being still on and ruing how close I was to the back of the house, and therefore close to HER, wherever she was, and in fact right in front of the speaker system that was pumping out the horrendous sounds of a blood-curdling, gut-wrenching scream that seeped through my bones and made me scream aloud in turn.

Then it all went pear shaped. From that moment on, the slightest noise made EVERYONE jump in their seats, scream and then laugh embarrassingly at each other as we all sat on fraying nerves. The final straw was when The Actor (playing Arthur) finally managed to get into the mysteriously locked door on the second floor, causing me to scream aloud again and Michelle to literally jump INTO MY LAP. Literally. Over the arm rest and onto my thighs. I had a bruise. The ending did it, however, and Michelle and I practically RAN (along with everyone else, mind) out of the theatre and kept glancing over our shoulders as we walked back to the nearest tube station, avoiding anything that even LOOKED like a rocking chair or music box.

The production I saw was so amazing, in fact, that I can remember every single minute detail about it even EIGHT YEARS LATER. I remember how fast my heartbeat sped up. I remember the exact sound of that scream. I even remember what freaking DATE I went to see it (December 7th). And by the way, if you want my initial reaction, here's my original post about it from 2004.

So now there's a movie.
I heard something about it a while back, but didn't really think anything of it until the trailers came out and I found out Daniel Radcliffe of all people was to be the star. I like Daniel Radcliffe. I really do. I think he's got amazing potential and from everything I've heard about his roles on stage and in movies, he's got talent. He is not and never will be my Harry Potter, but that's neither here nor there. The reason I was upset about this is because he's physically too young for the role. Even if they scrap the whole "The Actor" versus "Arthur" bit, Arthur's supposed to be in his thirties! But whatever, he'll sell tickets and that's probably what they were going for and like I said, he's supposedly a really good actor. You all know my enthusiasm for things I love in their original forms (ahem, Harry Potter), but I'm going to see the movie tonight. The trailers are intriguing to me. They can obviously do many more special effects on screen than they can on stage, so I'm assuming it's going to be the scariest thing ever created. I mean, the play was still to this day the scariest thing I've ever seen and that's including all the supposed horror films I've viewed over the years. I'm excited and not excited at the same time. I suppose time will tell.

I'll let you all know how it lives up to my very high expectations.

I saw no woman...

Current Mood: expectant

really really really far outside

Hey guys! I haven't really posted in forever and I just had an urge to do so this morning before I hit the gym. Things are rolling along in my life right now, kinda big important things, y'know? I don't even think anybody reads this anymore as I've been absent for nearly a year (let's be honest), but since I still pay faithfully for a paid account, I might as well use it for something other than Potter porn ::grin::

WEDDING
Good lord what a nightmare. I totally understand now why brides are always stressed out. I was so proud of myself for being cool as a cucumber until about a month ago. Now I'm dry-heaving sometimes with all the crap that needs to be done in the next three and a half months. It's totally overwhelming and not a little bit scary. We decided to forgo the save-the-dates (after WAY TOO MUCH STRESS and a bit of fighting), so if you don't get one and you feel like you should, fear not. The invitations are picked out and being printed and will be sent out at the end of February.

The DJs called me a few days ago just to re-connect and chat a bit, seeing as it's getting to crunch time and we haven't actively spoken to them since I think September. We have to book a tasting at the Hyatt sometime after February 12th (this year's bridal expo and also my birthday), but before the end of February. We have an appointment with the florist to finalize things February 6th, I bought Brigid's ticket, so that's photography down. We still haven't contacted Jones Sodas about our give-away gifts, but that can be done next month, so I'm not super worried. So far I have one half of the gifts to the girls done, but I'm still looking for the other half. Hunter I don't think has even thought about his yet for the groomsmen. We also still need to order our customized chucks for the reception. I also haven't found shoes for the ceremony yet. I mean, how fucking hard is it to find a pair of cream colored flats?? It's ridiculous. Anyway, I can't decide if I want to break my chucks in first or if I just want to wear them new and shiny. Le sigh.

Honeymoon is booked, bought and paid for. Thank god for that.


WORK-OUT
Well, as I was afraid of, I gained back about 15lbs after the marathon. So instead, I've been going to the gym every day (minus a few hangovers) and I'm now doing Personal Training sessions. I've also joined the competition at the gym: it's like Biggest Loser, only small-scale. That being said, whoever wins gets $10,000. Kinda huge, yeah? Jake (my trainer) is really enthusiastic and I'm determined to win this thing. The last woman who won lost EIGHT dress sizes. I'm just looking for four. God I hope I win.

It's weird now, but I'm getting "guns." Our office christmas party was last weekend and I got WAY too drunk and danced like a fool all night. Everyone the next day was muttering about how their legs and quads hurt, but despite wearing heels and getting really low to the ground, my legs were fine. I blame squats and lunges. Jake was pleased.


ANI DIFRANCO
Ani's new album (Which side are you on?) came out last week and I'm SUPER into it. I like this one better than the last two she's produced, even if it is like three years late. I'm obsessed with a few of the songs and they keep getting stuck in my head. I missed her concert this past September. It's the only concert she's been in Chicago for in the last ten years that I haven't been to, and it was depressing. But tickets were like $60 and I couldn't afford it. Hopefully when she comes back in the fall, I'll be able to go.

In other news, Hunter and I are talking about buying a house in the next two years. It's weird how suddenly grown-up I feel. We were talking about it in the car yesterday and we both realized that we are now each others' longest relationship. We've been together now nearly three years. It's bizarre to me how long that sounds, and yet it doesn't feel like we've been dating that long. I suppose that's a good thing. We're not bored of each other yet and we're still in love. Cheesy, I'm aware.

Ugh. I can smell myself. I'm getting in the shower. Later everyone!

Current Mood: busy
Current Music: splinters, ani difranco

Rain spat in my face, thanks a lot mate
And I lost a tenner on the way
Thinking about it, did I spend it last night
When I was drunk and I wanted to get more drunk

Missed the train, thanks a lot mate
I didn't want to be late today, cause I'm always late
And I really hate always being late
And now the other train's delayed. Great.

Carrier bags and a navy taxi, man said
"Take your time love, 'Cause you don't have to rush
'Cause it's your life and it's no one else's, sweetheart
Don't let someone put you in a box."

So I take all that other stuff that I said before
And I'm gonna make it work
'Cause I'm losing my mind and it's driving me up the wall

So I tried to help you carry your shopping
But I wasn't concentrating, I was talking
And I got it caught on the side of this thing and it split
And I'd try to help you walk along but I'd probably end up pushing you over
But don't worry, I'll never let you fall

And I'm stubborn and I shout and I'll cut you out
And I'll make you feel like I never wanted to make you feel

And I'm stubborn and I shout and I'll cut you out
And I'll make you feel like I never wanted to make you feel

Carrier bags and a navy taxi, man said
"Take your time love, 'Cause you don't have to rush
'Cause it's your life and it's no one else's, sweetheart.
Don't let someone put you in a box."

So I take all that other stuff that I said before
And I'm gonna make it work
Because I'm losing my mind and it's driving me up the wall

And this time, it will be different,
This time, it will be different
This time, it will be different
This time, it will be different

And this time, it will be different,
This time, it will be different
This time, it will be different
This time, it will be different

Current Mood: stressed
Current Music: navy taxi, kate nash

Dear world,

I think it's awesome we live in a society where the majority of people work Monday through Friday, 9-5. It makes it easy for businesses to target clients, for "regular" hours and meal times, and it makes partying on the weekends fairly common for the general population.

However, not everyone works a lovely 9-5. And when I have to get my happy ass out of bed at 5:45 on a Saturday morning to service YOU, I'd really appreciate it if you'd shut the fuck up and let me sleep at 4 in the morning when you're stumbling your drunk ass home.

Next time you're thinking of throwing a raging party when you get home from bar time at 2:30 am, please consider your neighbors or roommates who are not fortunate enough to work The Grind. We'd also like the luxury of sleep. Perhaps that is why the service you received at the brunch place or the department store was a little short and maybe rude. We just want sleep.

Thank you.

Current Mood: bitchy

That was the Best/Worst day of my life so far! It was by far the hardest thing I've ever done and I don't think I'll ever do it again, but it was worth it just to finish. I sprinted the last 100m after shouting "FUCK ALL Y'ALL!" as a battle cry. I didn't meet my goal of under six hours (by a lot), but I don't really give a damn. I powered through it and finished, got my medal and that's all I care about.

Current Mood: accomplished