Sigur Ros
is my friend.
My order of favorite albums:
1) Takk... (thank you)
The first album I bought, and it's still the best. So intimate at times, so celebratory at times. Truly it has brought me comfort in my darkest hours. My life would not be the same if this did not exist.
2) Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust (with a buzz in our ears, we play endlessly)
I may be biased for this album, because I listened to it--almost exclusively--in a very happy time of my life. Here is another masterpiece of Sigur Ros. There are definitely some songs on Takk... that are better than others, but every song on this album is awesome. So free... it's like a beautiful musical party.
3) Hvarf-Heim (roughly: haven/home)
Half of the album, "Hvarf," is new songs. The other half, "Heim" is live acoustic versions of old songs. I will refer to the "Hvarf" half. These songs are expansive, barren, hopeful. There isn't too much popular music out there that can be called "beautiful," but this is, it really is. It is my Hvarf.
4) Ágætis Byrjun (an alright start)
An alright start indeed! The album is pretty varied, with carefree songs like Olsen Olsen, mysterious mixes of music in Ný batterí, or cool grooves like Hjartað hamast. Most people would agree that the best song on the album is Starálfur, which uses minimalistic techniques--I've been a longtime fan of minimalism :)
5) ( ) (untitled)
You can tell that these last two albums are a bit earlier in their career. They still have Sigur Ros magic, of course, but they are not as exciting. This album is calm, very calm, like still water. It's peaceful.
If you have never checked out Sigur Ros, please do yourself a favor and go listen. I promise you that if you have any appreciation for beauty, you will like this music. I am a musician myself, and never anywhere else have I heard music so heavenly, like it doesn't even belong in this world.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
So here's what I did. I put balloons in my roommates's backpack, lunchbox, bag of food on the counter, her food cabinet space, and the refrigerator. I also filled her bathtub with balloons (as much as it could handle without them falling out), stuffed them into her vanity, put some in the bathroom trash can and sink, and scattered the remaining balloons over the bathroom floor.
I wasn't there to witness the reaction to this, but I did hear about it later. Apparently in the middle of the night, her boyfriend needed to use the bathroom very badly, and had to fight against the balloons on the ground to even open the door. Once her got the door open, it was a battle to get to the toilet, and then a battle to use the sink. After these efforts, he went to get a refreshing drink of water, and... there were balloons in the refrigerator. Hahaha! I got em' pretty good :)
The next morning I was wondering what I was in for. All they did was try to blockade my door with balloons by taping them to the floor... did they really think that would work? I am not very strong, but I am strong enough to pull some scotch tape off of the ground. I thought it was a weak attempt, but it still made me laugh. Last night we popped all of the balloons and there was a balloon graveyard. However, this did not stop me from finding a balloon in my toilet later that day. Yuck.
ANYWAY...
First day of New Year Fest tournament today. I had a lot of fun and now I am SO TIRED! I am going to bed at 9:00. Yup.
I wasn't there to witness the reaction to this, but I did hear about it later. Apparently in the middle of the night, her boyfriend needed to use the bathroom very badly, and had to fight against the balloons on the ground to even open the door. Once her got the door open, it was a battle to get to the toilet, and then a battle to use the sink. After these efforts, he went to get a refreshing drink of water, and... there were balloons in the refrigerator. Hahaha! I got em' pretty good :)
The next morning I was wondering what I was in for. All they did was try to blockade my door with balloons by taping them to the floor... did they really think that would work? I am not very strong, but I am strong enough to pull some scotch tape off of the ground. I thought it was a weak attempt, but it still made me laugh. Last night we popped all of the balloons and there was a balloon graveyard. However, this did not stop me from finding a balloon in my toilet later that day. Yuck.
ANYWAY...
First day of New Year Fest tournament today. I had a lot of fun and now I am SO TIRED! I am going to bed at 9:00. Yup.
Friday, January 28, 2011
I am happy right now. I can sleep in tomorrow! The VOTS welcome clinic went exceptionally well--8 people from our new team were there, about 3 times as many as any other team. And they played WELL. And I feel somehow that we bonded together. It's like they're all friends already. I feel so good about our team right now!
When I got home after the clinic, I went to use the bathroom, and found this little surprise:
Paul's birthday was last week, and my roommate and her boyfriend got some balloons (like 10 maybe) for the occasion. We didn't know what to do with the balloons after our little party, so naturally, the next time I went to use my bed, there were balloons hidden under the covers.
I laughed and fished them out and threw them into my roommate's closet. Later that day, I hear "Ashleeeeeeey!!"
haHA!
Remember that there are only about 10 balloons at this point. A few days pass and I see nothing of the balloons, and I start to think that the war is over. NOPE. I came home tonight and my bathroom door was closed. I knew something fishy was going on, because I never leave my bathroom door closed (I don't need to, as it's connected to my room). I open the door to 150 balloons filling up my tiny bathroom. THEY GOT ME AGAIN! It was hilarious and I laughed and laughed and even posted on facebook about it.
What am I supposed to do with these now? I ask my roommate.
"That's for you to decide."
Hmm. It IS for me to decide. I might have spent a good 40 minutes tonight transferring balloons, but it will be TOTALLY worth it. Stay tuned for an update on what happened next!
When I got home after the clinic, I went to use the bathroom, and found this little surprise:
Paul's birthday was last week, and my roommate and her boyfriend got some balloons (like 10 maybe) for the occasion. We didn't know what to do with the balloons after our little party, so naturally, the next time I went to use my bed, there were balloons hidden under the covers.I laughed and fished them out and threw them into my roommate's closet. Later that day, I hear "Ashleeeeeeey!!"
haHA!
Remember that there are only about 10 balloons at this point. A few days pass and I see nothing of the balloons, and I start to think that the war is over. NOPE. I came home tonight and my bathroom door was closed. I knew something fishy was going on, because I never leave my bathroom door closed (I don't need to, as it's connected to my room). I open the door to 150 balloons filling up my tiny bathroom. THEY GOT ME AGAIN! It was hilarious and I laughed and laughed and even posted on facebook about it.
What am I supposed to do with these now? I ask my roommate.
"That's for you to decide."
Hmm. It IS for me to decide. I might have spent a good 40 minutes tonight transferring balloons, but it will be TOTALLY worth it. Stay tuned for an update on what happened next!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
So there's a notice on my mailroom door for a found doggie. It says, no joke, that the dog is a "whight femal."
Yup.
In other news, today is Paul's birthday. Happy birthday, Paul!
Also, I watched probably my favorite episode of 30 Rock (so far) today. I'm working my way through the series and just got to episode 3 in season 4--where Liz and Jack go to Stone Mountain to try to find a new cast member for the show. It wasn't the funniest episode I've seen, but it sure did make some good social commentary.
Liz and Jack go to Georgia with different expectations. Jack thinks that the country people he will meet are simple and therefore more pure and good. Liz believes that no matter where you go, you will find both kindness and evil. Turns out Liz was right. Best quote of the episode:
Jack: "Why are you people laughing at this? You are supposed to be better, nicer... but you're terrible! You're all terrible, just like the people in New York!"
Liz: "All God's children are terrible."
It's true, isn't it? You think that there is one person out there who isn't terrible--well you're wrong. We all act in selfish, evil, ways. Remember that. We are all terrible.
Yup.
In other news, today is Paul's birthday. Happy birthday, Paul!
Also, I watched probably my favorite episode of 30 Rock (so far) today. I'm working my way through the series and just got to episode 3 in season 4--where Liz and Jack go to Stone Mountain to try to find a new cast member for the show. It wasn't the funniest episode I've seen, but it sure did make some good social commentary.
Liz and Jack go to Georgia with different expectations. Jack thinks that the country people he will meet are simple and therefore more pure and good. Liz believes that no matter where you go, you will find both kindness and evil. Turns out Liz was right. Best quote of the episode:
Jack: "Why are you people laughing at this? You are supposed to be better, nicer... but you're terrible! You're all terrible, just like the people in New York!"
Liz: "All God's children are terrible."
It's true, isn't it? You think that there is one person out there who isn't terrible--well you're wrong. We all act in selfish, evil, ways. Remember that. We are all terrible.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
So I had an adventure at airport security yesterday. I was running late. As I entered the long lines of security at MCO, I had 45 minutes left before my flight took off. I though I'd be fine, that I'd be sure to get to my gate on time. And I was ...until I got to the x-ray checkpoint.
I am taking Craig's N64 to Tempe because, well, why not? Anyway, it turned up as a "suspicious item" at the checkpoint. So the suitcase had to be pulled aside and checked. A security dude opened my bag, found the system, and did some test on it where he wipes it with a little tab and puts the tab into a machine. All at the breakneck speed of a turtle. While doing this, he kept teasing me about having an N64. "What, you don't have a Playstation or Xbox?"
"No," was my curt response.
The machine beeped, which I guess was bad, because they he had to summon a supervisor. Then they asked me to put all of my other items on the table to be checked. This included my flute. I waited and waited as the time ticked by. I looked at my cellphone. I had TEN minutes before my flight took off. WHAT? I needed to get out of there!
Finally a supervisor came to check my stuff, but I had to wait a little bit longer for a female security person to give me a pat-down. After being thoroughly violated, I look over to my stuff and see someone unzipping my flute case. OH NO HE DI-INT.
I began to panic and completely lose control. Stories of ruined instruments run through my head. "Please be very, very, very careful with that," I say as urgently as possible.
This is not a good time for me. I am sick. Snot is running down my nose. My flight leaves in 7 minutes. And someone who has no idea of the value of my flute (both monetarily and to my life) is handling it. I am pretty sure that I started crying at this point.
Finally, someone told me that I could go. Knowing that I would be unable to easily zip my suitcase back up with everything inside (it was pretty tightly packed), I pile my arms high with sweaters that were inside, and RUN to the tram.
I made it to my gate literally 4 minutes before the flight was scheduled to take off. There was a seat left for me. Believe me when I say that I was thanking God at the moment.
On the plane and in the air, I gradually calmed down (my heart rate was alarmingly high). I went over the scenario in my head and realized what I had done. I had lost control. I had let my emotions control me. I was rude to the security workers, I am sure of it. I was short in my responses to questions, I had a very condescending tone to my voice, and I didn't treat them as they ought to be treated as respectable human beings. It wasn't their fault I was running late for my flight. They were just doing their job.
I felt bad for my actions. I could not tell the employees that I was sorry, but I could ask for God's forgiveness, for whenever you sin against a human, you sin against your Creator as well. I do regret being rude and if I went back in time, I would have handled the situation much differently. I wish that someone could have been there with me, someone more logical in dealing with their emotions, who could have told me to calm down. We keep each other honest, you know, and two decent humans are often better people together than apart. Maybe this is one of the reasons we get married--to keep each other honest.
(Unless you're Bonnie and Clyde.)
I am taking Craig's N64 to Tempe because, well, why not? Anyway, it turned up as a "suspicious item" at the checkpoint. So the suitcase had to be pulled aside and checked. A security dude opened my bag, found the system, and did some test on it where he wipes it with a little tab and puts the tab into a machine. All at the breakneck speed of a turtle. While doing this, he kept teasing me about having an N64. "What, you don't have a Playstation or Xbox?"
"No," was my curt response.
The machine beeped, which I guess was bad, because they he had to summon a supervisor. Then they asked me to put all of my other items on the table to be checked. This included my flute. I waited and waited as the time ticked by. I looked at my cellphone. I had TEN minutes before my flight took off. WHAT? I needed to get out of there!
Finally a supervisor came to check my stuff, but I had to wait a little bit longer for a female security person to give me a pat-down. After being thoroughly violated, I look over to my stuff and see someone unzipping my flute case. OH NO HE DI-INT.
I began to panic and completely lose control. Stories of ruined instruments run through my head. "Please be very, very, very careful with that," I say as urgently as possible.
This is not a good time for me. I am sick. Snot is running down my nose. My flight leaves in 7 minutes. And someone who has no idea of the value of my flute (both monetarily and to my life) is handling it. I am pretty sure that I started crying at this point.
Finally, someone told me that I could go. Knowing that I would be unable to easily zip my suitcase back up with everything inside (it was pretty tightly packed), I pile my arms high with sweaters that were inside, and RUN to the tram.
I made it to my gate literally 4 minutes before the flight was scheduled to take off. There was a seat left for me. Believe me when I say that I was thanking God at the moment.
On the plane and in the air, I gradually calmed down (my heart rate was alarmingly high). I went over the scenario in my head and realized what I had done. I had lost control. I had let my emotions control me. I was rude to the security workers, I am sure of it. I was short in my responses to questions, I had a very condescending tone to my voice, and I didn't treat them as they ought to be treated as respectable human beings. It wasn't their fault I was running late for my flight. They were just doing their job.
I felt bad for my actions. I could not tell the employees that I was sorry, but I could ask for God's forgiveness, for whenever you sin against a human, you sin against your Creator as well. I do regret being rude and if I went back in time, I would have handled the situation much differently. I wish that someone could have been there with me, someone more logical in dealing with their emotions, who could have told me to calm down. We keep each other honest, you know, and two decent humans are often better people together than apart. Maybe this is one of the reasons we get married--to keep each other honest.
(Unless you're Bonnie and Clyde.)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Alas, my last night in Florida has come. :(
Soon it will be back to the ol' grindstone. This is a big semester for me. My success now not only affects my resume, it affects the entire direction of my life. I am going to have to be militaristic in my practicing. No excuses anymore. This is where we separate the men from the boys.
I know that people don't know this, and it's not a crime because I frequently ask others the same question, but I've really grown to dislike the question, "so what are you going to do after you graduate?" I boil up inside every time someone asks me.
The short answer is "I don't know." To answer this query I usually shrug my shoulders and smile as if I am joking. But I'm not. I don't know what I am going to do after I graduate. I know what I WANT to do, but as for what is actually going to happen--I have no clue.
If you are reading this, please do not ask me what I am going to do after I graduate. Don't ask me until I've graduated. I might have an answer then.
ANYWAY
My time in Florida was good and restful as always, good for the soul. Every time I leave (and the times have been many), I am sad to say goodbye such good people and true friends, and the love of my parents and relatives, and the place where I lived for most of my life. The good news is, it will not be long before I come back.
There's no sadness in leaving
If you leave for a reason
The best of all reasons
Is to come back again
(Oh, and having a t.v. in my room--with cable!--is pretty cool too.)
For now, I get to look forward to seeing my wonderful boyfriend again! See you guys on the other side of the Mississippi!
Soon it will be back to the ol' grindstone. This is a big semester for me. My success now not only affects my resume, it affects the entire direction of my life. I am going to have to be militaristic in my practicing. No excuses anymore. This is where we separate the men from the boys.
I know that people don't know this, and it's not a crime because I frequently ask others the same question, but I've really grown to dislike the question, "so what are you going to do after you graduate?" I boil up inside every time someone asks me.
The short answer is "I don't know." To answer this query I usually shrug my shoulders and smile as if I am joking. But I'm not. I don't know what I am going to do after I graduate. I know what I WANT to do, but as for what is actually going to happen--I have no clue.
If you are reading this, please do not ask me what I am going to do after I graduate. Don't ask me until I've graduated. I might have an answer then.
ANYWAY
My time in Florida was good and restful as always, good for the soul. Every time I leave (and the times have been many), I am sad to say goodbye such good people and true friends, and the love of my parents and relatives, and the place where I lived for most of my life. The good news is, it will not be long before I come back.
There's no sadness in leaving
If you leave for a reason
The best of all reasons
Is to come back again
(Oh, and having a t.v. in my room--with cable!--is pretty cool too.)
For now, I get to look forward to seeing my wonderful boyfriend again! See you guys on the other side of the Mississippi!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 09, 2011
These past few days have been just awesome. I am so happy. I feel safe and loved and comfortable. I can be myself and not be judged for it.
I have friends in Arizona, but not people I have known all my life (like my parents) or since high school (like my friends). It takes time to build up trust and love in relationships.
I suppose though that I should be thankful for not being here all the time. As the saying goes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. I have experienced loneliness in Tallahassee and Tempe. And now I am qualified to appreciate true friendship.
Pure friendship--it's what I find when I come back home.
I have friends in Arizona, but not people I have known all my life (like my parents) or since high school (like my friends). It takes time to build up trust and love in relationships.
I suppose though that I should be thankful for not being here all the time. As the saying goes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. I have experienced loneliness in Tallahassee and Tempe. And now I am qualified to appreciate true friendship.
Pure friendship--it's what I find when I come back home.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Monday, January 03, 2011
A cold on the first day of work... boo. Didn't get much done today. But now that I've started, I'm determined to finish before I leave for school.
Also, I went to the back doctor today. Apparently, one of the discs in my back (one that he did surgery on back in the day) is rapidly aging and that is why I get back pain when I play a lot of ultimate. However, he did not recommend that I stop playing or change anything at all. He said, be young, do the things you want to do, and if it gets worse and there is pain all of the time, we can fix it. So... that was good news.
(For those of you who don't know, I had major back surgery in the summer of 2000, so I have a history of back problems).
Also, got to see my high school flute teacher today. It was great. She told me that someone had shown her the "Clew Crew" on facebook, lol. I guess she was going to find out at some point.
Also, I went to the back doctor today. Apparently, one of the discs in my back (one that he did surgery on back in the day) is rapidly aging and that is why I get back pain when I play a lot of ultimate. However, he did not recommend that I stop playing or change anything at all. He said, be young, do the things you want to do, and if it gets worse and there is pain all of the time, we can fix it. So... that was good news.
(For those of you who don't know, I had major back surgery in the summer of 2000, so I have a history of back problems).
Also, got to see my high school flute teacher today. It was great. She told me that someone had shown her the "Clew Crew" on facebook, lol. I guess she was going to find out at some point.
