happykatie :: katie rocks out the interwebs

Ghana

I'm moving this weekend, I have psychotic deadlines at work, school is trying to kill me (although I did score a whopping 100% on my last math quiz - woot!) and Nicky is having car issues of the most pressing variety.

Stress.

*breathe*

In an effort to broaden my cultural knowledge, I signed up on a website advertising international penpals. Silly me, I thought it would really be a cool thing to 'sort of know' someone in Uzbekistan (just because), France (to practice my written francais more), Belgium (to keep in touch with home more), Greece (b/c I'm going there) and other places.

Wrong and wrong again. In my email inbox are now sitting: 4 marriage proposals (from some boys from Ghana), 2 requests to 'cuddle' with me (also boys from Ghana) and more than a few requests for 'eternal friendship and maybe more' (also from boys + girls from Ghana). I'm seeing a trend here.

This is almost as annoying as those stupid/hilarious Nigerian investment letters I've begun collecting. I'll probably be ending my brief career with the international penpal world like, uhm, yesterday.

I just like getting and sending mail. Is that so bad? Does that make me sound like a lonely, desperate American with nothing better to do than watch Sally Jess Raphael and seek out marriage proposals from members of third-world countries?

Screwface

So maybe this is lame, but after reading this article about UK Eski supah-star Dizzee Rascal, I am so all about hearing what this kid is about.

I'm thinking that it might have a lot to do with Sasha Frere-Jones, a music critic for Slate magazine. He wrote this article about The Strokes that made me feel the same way, and I totally don't even like The Strokes.

Uhmm... so I guess the point to my ramble is... good job Sasha. Is it weird to be so influenced by someone else's musical taste? Maybe it's just because he uses pretty words.

I like words. So now I'm going to enjoy a musical sensory experience that "is a bit like being trapped in an MRI chamber while somebody yells at you." Cool.

What is up

French lessons/practice
Yoga
Laundry
LCA photos (processed and scanned)
Moving preparations
Cleaning things
Working
Homework
Reading
Planning
Gift wrapping (oops.... it's already like 1 month after Christmas)
Daydreaming
Knitting
Gym time
Falling asleep on my comfy orange velvet couch
Watching cheesy Blockbuster movies
Spending too much money
Random design stuff
Planning other peoples' weddings
Eating
Drinking
Loving
Listening to new music (and some old music too)
Looking for a decent turntable

Wow

So the Sarah Brightman concert was just wonderful last night - lots of sparkles, belly dancing and of course a beautiful, beautiful voice.

Bhangra beats really are the thing to do these days apparently, as the entire show was essentially one big Middle Eastern love fest. I'm not completely opposed to this.

It's been almost 10 years since I saw Sarah in London, and she's looking more glammed out than ever and like she's 20 years younger to boot. Way to be.

Less glamorous was arriving to my office and a desk, floor and computer covered in fine white powder. Cocaine party? Freak indoor snow flurry? Custodians with a dandruff problem? Nope, just some nice guy ripping up the ceiling tiles and leaving me to wallow in foam particles.

Tonight I'm helping Nicky move from one side of town to the other. I hope we can still have late night visits/chats/encounters like we did when we lived a few buildings away. I'll miss you cookie.

Ode to my apartment (and my new car)

Living completely by myself is a relatively new experience for me. I've only had my only swinging Katie-pad for a year now and I LOVE IT!!!!!! love it love it love it.

I totally dig:
... waking up at 3am and turning on all my lights for a cup of tea and Tolstoy, an unexpected midnight conversation with someone awesome or just to get some late-nite knitting in before I hit the sack again.

... lounging on my beautiful orange velvet couch whilst endulging in *yet another* glass of cool pinot grigio and a nice slice of ab fab marzipan.

... returning home with my spoils after a triumphant afternoon of spending money I probably shouldn't be spending in various used book stores and, of course, Target.

... watching endless film after film from my Blockbuster movie pass while sewing, knitting, collaging, eating, writing, cleaning, ironing, etc. (This weekend - CSI Season II episodes, this interesting movie strangers eating dinner together that has a funny Jack Black cameo in it, first half of Amelie (for the zillionth time) and this super scandalous Mexican movie with the hot guy from Y Tu Mama Tambien -- in case you're wondering, I never remember the titles to the movies I watch.)

At the end of the month I'm moving away from all this and in with my parents until early summer to force myself to start saving, paying off bills, etc. It's a tough decision - my independence is exceptionally important to me - but I will have a WONDERFUL time with my family, have more money to travel with (Crete, Tel Aviv and Barcelona here I come) and will also have the funds to buy my beautiful new car.

Lovely. But come June/July, count on getting an invite to a KILLER apartment moving-in party.

Short and sweet(er)

Is anyone as excited as I am about the new mini iPod? This comes as a welcome addition to the family to me, although I'm still waiting for their mini glitter iPod version before I actually get one. (I'm only semi-joking when I say this)

Although I'm not a very active participant myself, I admire people that have the creativity (and sometimes the guts) to do cool culture jamming work like this. Don't ignore the 'User Agreement' pop-up on the site - it's one of the best parts.

Musically speaking, it's so time for me to get out to buy the new Outkast cd.

Completely cliche right? Well, it's a killer album and this time I really don't care if all the mainstream music kiddies already have it in their Aiwas and iPods.

I missed my first Stitch 'n Bitch meeting last night, due to a lack of a car to get there. I'm kinda' bummed out, as this knitting thing is really something I want to keep going.

Cooler diy bloggers than myself periodically post pictures of their knitting creations online, but at the moment my expertise is seriously limited and it would be potentially embarassing to do so at the moment. (LOOK! A giant ball of pretty yarn. Hurray for me and knitting!)

Yah.

My kind of town

I'm planning a trip to NYC in mid-February - mostly to shop, spend time with a friend and take pictures with my Lomo.

It'll be a quickie weekend-long adventure, but I really need some good suggestions on how to maximize my Big Apple experience in a minimum amount of time. Unfortunately, I won't even be staying in Manhattan where I'd like to be - but in Long Island (b/c it's free....).

Thus far, I've found a few yarn and used book shops I've been dying to visit, Moby's tea shop, H&M (as well as the NYC shopping standards - Saks, Tiffany's, etc.), a few bargain basements for the Prada worshipper in me and some other random attractions.

I've got like a month to go until I'm there, but I'm feeling that my itinerary is shaky.

Suggestions?? Anyone?? *I really love to eat - especially Indian and Vietnamese food*

Did you know?

Factoids about me, paraphrased from an icy car ride to work -->

I never really cared about anything, anyway.

I'm not supportive or interested in anything other than what personally benefits me.

My parents control my life.

I'm only interested in things other than myself when it is convenient for me.

...and my personal favorite saying of the morning: If I needed help from anyone, you definitely wouldn't have been the first person I would've called. You just don't care.

Early morning words hurt. They are the kind you can only hope burn half as much going out as coming in.

If you have time to breathe....

.....you have time for music.

This holiday weekend's musical obsessions:

DJ Mark Farina :: Phunkie Decknicians Vol. II

DJ Irene :: Fearless

Basement Jaxx :: Kish Kash

Many thanks to the lovelies that made my New Year (and old 2003 year) so special.

Sometimes I feel that there is no way to express the appreciation that I feel towards the important people in my life. Those that surround me, help define me. I am so blessed.

I hope and pray for a blessed, peaceful new 2004 year; one that is full of wisdom, patience and self-realization. May nothing but the best enter the lives of you and yours.

Much love ~katya