November is just adding to its reputation of being a crappy, crappy month. With the exception of my birthday and Thanksgiving, bad things happen in November. And with the death yesterday of George Harrison, November's reputation is just getting worse.
It's so bizarre. Why do I love the Beatles so much? I was born eight years after they broke up. I was only two years old when John Lennon was shot, so pretty much for as long as I can remember, there were only three Beatles. And now there are only two.
The Beatles were really the embodiment of their generation. We saw them go from the nice boys in suits to a bunch of hippies. They were only together for 10 years. Less, really. They didn't hit big in England until 1962; they made it in America in 1964. They broke up in 1970. Yet they had 27 number one hits. They influenced basically every musician since.
George was definitely the most talented Beatle, musically. He wrote some really great songs, and John, Paul, and Ringo benefited from his prowess. The legacy of the Beatles is thanks in large part to George. He might have been the "quiet Beatle"; he was certainly the most spiritual one. And that comforts me. He's been battling so much for so long; throat cancer, brain cancer, the attack a few years back. But he was at peace when he went. And the message throughout his life was simply to love each other. That's all he wanted. And it really depresses me that this man who was devoted to peace and love left the world when it was in such turmoil.
Plus, George did lead vocals on "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" which is one of my favorite early Beatles songs. Also "This Boy."
Since I'm having problems with the thinking and the writing, here's the article from The Washington Post, which is pretty good. You should read it.
Anyway, George, you rock. And you'll be missed.
George Harrison
1943-2001
I have to make a conscious effort in the morning to turn away from my alarm clock when I hit the snooze button. If I remain facing it, I simply hit the snooze button again in my sleep when the alarm goes off 9 minutes after the initial alarm. And that's bad. And that's what happened yesterday. So today involved me actually going through the whole thought process: "Damn alarm."
Anyway, good times at work as I found out that Krishni got sucked into Buffy by watching the marathon on fx on Thanksgiving. Now I have a Buffy protégé! I will teach her the ways of Buffy obsession. I will lend her my videos and all will be right with the world.
And good times tonight. I have my leftover burrito for dinner (mmm, burrito), there's a Harry Potter special on PBS and the Rockefeller Center tree lighting, plus a new West Wing! And this year I'll actually see the tree in Rockefeller Center again! Yay!
Current song in my head:
"See You in Hell" from the Buffy musical
So I was in the shower this morning when I realized that I had to bring in breakfast for our department meeting. It was one of those panic moments. Like, "La la la, everything's fine-GACK!" Particularly since this was coming off of a long weekend (yay! and I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving). Luckily, though, I managed to make it to the Giant and successfully buy bagels, juice, and coffee cake, and still made it to work 10 minutes early. Even though Krishni isn't even in today. Go me.
So now, work. Woo. Products catalog. And I'm listening to this girl across the hall talk. She apparently saw Harry Potter with her mother. They were thinking of seeing Spy Game, the movie with Robert Redford. "My mom loves Robert Redford. All her friends are gaga for him." And then she laughs. Like liking Robert Redford is silly? Has she seen the man? That's it, I'm going out and forcing her to watch The Sting, and then think it's silly to go gaga over Robert Redford. Plus, Brad Pitt. As one MBTV recapper said, "multigenerational eye candy." Indeed.
Yes, I'm random. That's because we're in my very bad, hitting-the-wall, wanting-to-crawl-under-my-desk-and-nap zone. Zzzzzzzz.
Current song in my head:
"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
What I'm thankful for:
* The fact that my office is closing early today
* The fact that today is payday
* The fact that I enjoy my job and that my coworkers are cool
* I get to see my sister and her husband
* I get to see various relatives
* Even though my parents are across the country, they get to spend the day with my grandmother, so I know nobody's alone
* I'm living with friends
* My rent is almost half of what it used to be
* I have a four-day weekend
* Even though the past months have sucked on a national scale, my loved ones are safe
* I'm really thankful for all the people around me who care about me, and whom I care about.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We got our house networked, which is very happy. Woo hoo for the fast internet connection! I've discovered that Audio Galaxy doesn't like Netscape, but it does like Internet Explorer.
I am really psyched to see Kathy and Robert this week. It sucks that they live so far away. I'm jealous of people who have siblings really close by. How sad is it that she lives 7 hours away. I'm trying to convince her to move east. Darn her two-year contract at her school. Oh well. It should be fun. Plus, family gatherings are good. I just wish Mom and Dad could be there, too. Having your family spread all over the country sucks (right, Becca?).
Anyway, good times. I did my copyright meeting presentation thing today and it went well. Ed, who's the second in charge at AOTA, was there, and he seemed fairly impressed. So that was happy. And Krishni liked my handout. And really, as long as my boss is happy with what I did, that's all that matters.
Current song in my head:
"Walk Through the Fire" from the Buffy musical
I woke up this morning from the middle of a very pleasant dream. And though I wasn't happy about being woken up from it, it put me in a very pleasant frame of mind for the morning. Since I know you're all dying to know what I was dreaming about, I'll share.
I was in a pub in England. I think it was the set from an earlier dream that involved me being in a movie with Colin Firth (yes, these dreams are related). Anyway, a pub. I was at a large table with a group of people. I remember Mary Wilkes was there, because I was asking her about a scarf she had. She told me I could buy it at the pub, but I had to take a quiz about the pub to be able to buy it. I guess I got up and did that. When I came back, I sat down, and sitting next to me was Mark Darcy/Colin Firth (I was thinking of him as Mark Darcy-in the first dream though, he was Colin Firth). We were kind of casting glances at each other while talking to others at the table. So I grabbed his chair and pulled it closer to me. Then I put my arm around the back of his chair. He looks over at me. Our eyes meet. He gently puts his hand on my leg, then I put my arm around him, and he puts his head on my shoulder. And it was so happy. And I woke up. In this very content, happy place. Definitely a good thing.
This is what I get for watching my Bridget Jones DVD right before bed.
Current song in my head:
"Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega
The director of my division decreed that each of us would pull a name out of a hat. Then each of us had to take the person whose name we had out to lunch. So each of us would go out to lunch with two people. Today was my second lunch. We went for sushi. And yes, Becca, I thought you the whole time. Um, that's the whole story.
Current song in my head:
"Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba
I went to Barnes & Noble at lunch today. I like going there. It's the wonderful, quiet, peaceful world where I'm surrounded by books. It's the middle of my workday, but I feel like I'm a million miles away from work. It's really lovely. And it's so strange to look at books now, knowing what goes into them. I'd love to work at a publishing house that publishes fiction. That would totally different, I think. But cool. Really cool.
Anyway, I'm doing just peachy. Very well. Yesterday was also good. You know, except for the plane crashing in New York and the fact that I had to pay about five billion dollars to have my car repaired. Not that those two events are comparable. Our kick-ass-but-guilt-inducing landlord sent over some large loaves of bread. I got to lie on the couch and finish my book. I listened to my radio boyfriend Jason Pullman who went on a blind date that apparently went okay but then a friend of the girl he went out with called him at the station and cussed him out (literally) for no apparent reason and he left a message on the girl's answering machine but she didn't call him back. So obviously he shouldn't be with her, he should be with me. Uh huh.
Anyway, tonight is more relaxation. Good time. Friday is Harry Potter. Saturday is lunch with Lambert. And yay, no other plans! Woo! Sleep! Relaxation! More sleep! God, I'm tired. *thunk*
Current song in my head:
The Hickory Hill song from Camp Hoover (Girl Scout camp I went to when I lived in New Jersey)
I love picking people up from the airport. It's one of life's little pleasures. I love the anticipation as you drive to the airport, and the excitement as you watch people debark. When you go to the airport, it's just you, or maybe you and one or two other people. On the way back, there's more! And even if you've spoken that day to the person you've picked up, there's still stories to tell of the trip. What was the food like, who were you sitting next to, what were the delays, how was security.
I hate dropping people off at the airport. It's so depressing and lonely. You've lost a member of your group. And chances are, if the person is flying away, you won't seem him/her again for a while. It reminds me of when I was little, and we'd go to my grandparents' house. For a while, it would just be my sister, my parents, my grandparents, and me. And we'd sit around and watch tv and read and it was all be very quiet and peaceful. Then my aunt, uncle, and four cousins would show up and it would be completely chaotic and loud and wild and fun. And then they'd leave. And it would just be the six of us again. And it would be quiet. But the quiet is no longer good. It's just no fun.
Current song in my head:
"Here's to the Night"
Suzanne has this habit of wandering the halls of AOTA in the middle of the afternoon when she's feeling unmotivated. So she'll come up to my cube and stand in the middle of the door and go, "Hi! How's it going?"
Barb: Fine.
[pause]
Barb: And you?
Suzanne: [inching further into cube] Okay. Just taking a break. I'm not feeling very motivated.
Barb: Uh huh. [stares at computer]
Suzanne: I'm not here for anything work related. Just a break.
Barb: Right. [stares at computer harder]
[pause]
Suzanne: Well, you look busy. I should go.
Barb: Right. Bye.
Every day this happens. Sometimes she gets more encouraged by my "How's it going for you?" and babbles on more.
Today, however, the routine was interrupted by Jeff, department director, who was asking me where the thing I had done this morning ("Get this done. NOW!") was. The thing that I had put on his chair AND emailed to him when I was done. So naturally I had to stand there while he looked at it and made comments and asked me questions that I didn't know the answers to ("Is this just a proposal, or are we doing it?" "It's just a proposal." "Are we going to do it?" "I really don't know." "Okay, could you divide this up into definites and proposals? And make a summary sheet putting everything into various categories so the head of our division can just glance at it?" "Um, okay."). Thank God he leaves at 2:30. So I'll do this, and leave it for Krishni to find and review tomorrow morning. That'll be fun for her.
ANYWAY. So I feel I was totally justified in getting that cookie. Totally.
Also, you should check out Tomato Nation. The girl who writes it is really really amusing. I aspire to be her. Except for the smoking part. She's "Sars" from MightyBigTV, for those of you who go there. I highly recommend it.
Current song in my head:
"It's Just One of Those Days"
I ate outside again today. It was warmer outside than it was inside. Every day I can eat outside, I'm convinced it's the last time I'll be able to this year. Surely it won't be warm enough again? It's already November. But nature surprises us. As does life. God's way of keeping us guessing. And no, I'm not saying this in reference to anything that's actually going on in my life. Just in general.
So I was reading the Bridget Jones sequel. I had heard that it was an update of Persuasion, but it didn't really occur to me until the chapter I just finished. An very Persuasion-like incident occurred, and one of the characters is even called Benwick. The connection didn't even come to mind until I was like, "What book does this remind me of?"
I can't believe that it's practically Thanksgiving. Time really does pass quickly. I've been thinking that a lot lately, but it's probably just the time of year. Almost the end of the year. It was just my birthday, which is definitely one of those things that makes you think about time passing. In July, you don't ponder time. You revel in the warm sun and running around and light traffic. In November, you scurry down the sidewalk, huddled in your coat, counting the days you have until Christmas and the number of presents you have to buy before then.
But at the same time, winter makes being inside so fun. You know you're all warm and you can hear the wind whistling by, but it doesn't matter. You're inside. You have a nice blanket and some hot chocolate and a book. And what more do you need?
Current song in my head:
Certainly not one from the Buffy musical! Damn. Various ones from the Buffy musical.
I woke up this morning and my first thought was "Wow, this week went quickly!" Yeah, and then I realized it's only Tuesday. I don't know whether I actually thought it was Friday or whether it related to something I was dreaming. Bizarre.
Anyway, Buffy musical episode tonight. I am so pumped! My theories on what will happen: Since they're allegedly going to sing their deepest secrets, Buffy will reveal that she wasn't in hell. Spike will be tormented (mmm, tormented Spike). And the stage will be set for Giles to leave. He'll still be around at the end of the episode, but I bet he'll leave next week. Anyway, my speculation.
Current song in my head:
"Where Do We Go From Here?" from the Buffy musical (v. frustrating, as only know one line of song)
After long break, have continued reading single-girl-in-the-big-city books. Am in middle of the Bridget Jones sequel, which has led to turning my inner monologue from actual sentences to Bridget-type fragments. Obviously. In thinking over the number of these books that I've read, have realized that job does not equal life. Job simply equals distraction from friends, boys, sleep, and television. Love my job, but cannot think of it as career. Only wish for a Mr. Darcy (Mark or Fitzwilliam) to distract me from work. Or, you know, even a Hugh-Grant-as-Daniel-Cleaver would work for me. Mmm, wet Hugh Grant.
Birthday was perfectly lovely. Had an excellent time, and have not been that tipsy in quite some time. Plus, new DVD player v.g. Only wish more friends could've been there. Too many friends live too far away. Now am contemplating where I want to be taken for lunch. Tough decision. Too many restaurants near office.
Oh, and happy Guy Fawkes Day!
Current song in my head:
"It's Raining Men"
Today is one of those days that you go outside and you can't help but smile. It's sunny and you can smell the fall leaves in the air, and with every gust of wind, more leaves fall from the sky. And even though it's November 2, it's in the 70s. So the wind blows, and instead of pulling a jacket closer, you revel in it. You let the wind blow through your hair, and you walk down the street and smile at everyone. At the world.
As I walked back inside, I ran into a coworker and Joe, the executive director of my company. They were chatting, and I joined in, and know that Joe noticed the fact that I was carrying four books with me (having just come from the library). That can only make a good impression. Look! I read! I just hope he doesn't think, "Wow, four books. She must have a lot of time to read and clearly doesn't work enough." But I don't think he will. And thankfully he couldn't see that two of the books were Bridget Jones and the sequel. They're totally cancelled out by the fact that another book was Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. I don't even like Hemingway, so clearly I get bonus points for that. And for the other book, which I've never read and am reading solely on the recommendation of someone's post in an online forum.
Have a happy weekend, all! Enjoy the world.
Current song in my head:
"Beautiful Day" by U2
Because I am at Steve's beck and call, and because he has decreed that I should blog, here I am. Here to entertain you. Tra la la la. Though he does have a good point in that I'm all procrastinator girl and not doing much work. What do you want? It's a Friday morning and my boss is telecommuting. Now the key to look busy to your boss who's telecommuting is to send emails periodically. Then you're all set.
The big bowl o' candy in the kitchen has been emptied of all chocolate, which is sad. I'm now going to have to subsist on lollipops. Mmm, lollipops.
I've started looking for a church to attend. There are a number of churches in the area. I don't know why I feel so compelled to go to church. Maybe it's so I can shut my dad up when he asks me about it (as he invariably does). Maybe it's because I'm still searching for some clarity on my beliefs. Maybe it's because I look at how involved my sister is in her church and it looks fun. Maybe I miss it. Of course, there's the conflict with my docenting at the Smithsonian, but it's not like I have to go to church every week.
Umm. Nope, nothing else to say. Hopefully Monday will find me back with a DVD player. Birthday present to me from miscellaneous relatives. Whee, fun! Oh, and I got my planner for next year, which is also fun. I like planners.
Current song in my head:
"Absolutely (Story of a Girl)"
I randomly wound up in a conversation with Leslie (the AA for my department who sits next to me) about musicals. Which was fun, because really, I haven't gushed about musicals in quite some time. She went through the same Phantom of the Opera obsession that I did. Of course, after my PotO obsession came my Les Mis obsession. And then…well, I go through phases. Most recently it was Ragtime, but nothing like what it was for Phantom and Les Mis. Maybe it's because I'm older. Maybe my musicals obsession has switched to my Buffy obsession. Well, tv is a lot cheaper to experience than theater, that's for sure. Or maybe it's just that I've gotten older. And have matured.
It's amazing how quickly time seems to be going. I don't remember days, months, years, flying by this quickly when I was younger. I blinked, and it's November 1. Again. And four years have passed. And we're all very different people than we used to be.
edited to add: We all lose our innocence at some point or another. That day was my day.
Current song in my head:
"Look Down" from Les Miserables
