Aaaaaaand We’re Back!

My apartment is clean, my boyfriend is happily snoring in the next room, it’s early and football hasn't started yet. Perfect opportunity to catch up on the blogs.

When last we left each other, I was in the middle of finals and gearing up for my first NFL game!! December 12^th, 2010: The Patriots vs. the Bears in Chicago. The best day of my entire life. The pats smashed da bears 36-7…pretty much without even trying. Unfortunately, the pats would meet an untimely end a month later in the playoffs against an evil jets team…but I digress. The game was awesome and I enjoyed every single second of it while simultaneous being afraid for my life seeing how I was one of a handful of New England fans.

It was also the coldest I have EVER been. Oh. My. God. It’s no secret that I love the cold but this was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was about 5 degrees BEFORE wind chill and snowing. Let’s not forget that Solider Field sits right on the lake and the wind gusts were something like 30 mph. I had on about 6 layers of clothing but I’m not sure any amount of clothing would have helped. Cold like that just seeps into your bones. I’m also fairly certain at one point that my blood stopped moving. Needless to say, I could not make it through the entire game. Since the pat were dominating so fantastically, I didn’t feel bad about leaving early. Had the game been a little closer, I would have felt obligated to stay.

After finals were finished, it was time to return home to the frozen hell-scape known as Maine. Christmas day was long but nice and there was a noticeable lack of drama, something new and different for my family. The rest of my vacation was spent just hanging out. After the events of last Christmas, I decided to lay low and not go to the Old Port every night. It was a little boring at times but it was relaxing. Of course, there was also mother daughter football time. It’s a new tradition that I can definitely get behind.

Once back in Chicago (civilization!), it was time for New Year’s, a favorite drinking holiday of mine. It was low-key but it was still a lot of fun and shenanigans were still had by all. Some, more than others haha.

But the holiday season is (un)officially over (I don’t consider it to be actually over until my birthday, which is in 4 days…but who’s counting?) and school is starting back up again. This is my favorite time of year because the days are getting longer and you know that spring is right around the corner. I love winter, and the snow, and the chill in the air, but after the holidays the thrill fades and I’m ready for a change.

Tomorrow starts off the first full week of classes. After a long battle with financial aide (why do they insist on being so unhelpful?), I’m ready to begin another semester. I’m actually excited about my classes for the first time in quite a while and I hope that carries through the semester. I’m taking a couple of criminal justice classes, a sociology class and two classes dealing with cinema. Should be interesting!!

But for now I’m enjoying a wonderful snow covered Sunday and getting excited for the NFC/AFC Championship games. Bears v. Pack and Steelers v. Jets! Yay football! Until next time blogosphere…

My Love Letter To The Perishers

Good morning good morning. You might think this is early for me, but don't worry because I've been up since 4:30. joy. I also managed to rip my nose ring out...! Spend the next hour crawling around on the floor looking for it and you might be at my level of pissed. And yet somehow, The Perishers manage to not only, calm me down, but also make me fall in love with them all over again.

My relationship with the band, The Perishers, is unlike any other. It's almost religious in nature. I can honestly say, without even an ounce of a doubt, that they are, and will always be, my favorite band. I have such an intimate and perfect relationship with each and every perishers song.

"Ah, but it is. That's the thing about The Perishers' music: tender without being sappy, and pretty without ever sounding precious, it's something we can all relate to..." says the band's bio on their website

Each song triggers the memory of a specific time in my life with lyrics that capture the emotions of the memory with shockingly pinpoint accuracy. Every time. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced before. It's hard to really put into words the emotional journey this band takes you through over the course of a CD.

No matter what mood I'm in, that perfect perishers song is there for me. And the music always manages to fit the lyrics exactly. I know it sounds silly, obviously music should match it's lyrics, but The Perishers seem to find a way to do this in such a way that fits. It's just right. You are truly missing out if you've never heard The Perishers.

Anyways, I think I'll go continue my nice, relaxing morning with my favorite movie before settling in to do some studying.

Until next time blogosphere...

My New Year's Resolutions For 2011

It's no secret that winter is here and thus the holiday season is upon us! It is my favorite time of year. I love everything about the holiday season: I love the music (I drive my mother and my friends crazy with it), I love the movies, I love the traditions, I love seeing my family, I love giving (and receiving...) gifts, I even love the weather...the colder the better. Most people think I'm crazy for liking the cold, but there's something about it that's so intoxicating to me. I especially love the days when it's so cold that your first step outside takes your breath away. 

Anyways, the snow and the holiday cheer got me thinking about one of my all time favorite drinking holidays (the others of course being St. Patty's Day and Halloween): New Year's Eve. NYE and I have a storied history together...from getting black out drunk and NOT making it to midnight (I ended up passed out on my home steps, and my mother had to come get me...yeah, that happened) to getting black out drunk (I'm noticing a theme) and making out with a couple different guys (whoops); I've had (a little too much) fun. 

This year started out pretty shitty but is ending in a place I can feel optimistic about. It's been a little while since I've been excited about the upcoming year. So I've decided to make a list of seemingly attainable goals and call them my New Year's resolutions:

1. Learn basic French. I went to Paris in 2006 and instantly fell completely in love with it. One of my dreams is to run away to Paris for an extended period of time...maybe a summer internship...maybe a whole year doing who knows what. But in order to make that dream come true, the first thing I need to do is learn the language haha. I took years of Spanish (though we probably could not have a conversation...woo public school) and Latin (which I'd like to get back into...we'll see how this French thing goes), so hopefully that experience will help me a little.
2. Actually have hobbies. I love photography, literature, and drinking (stick with me). And I've decided that if I'm going to claim these as my hobbies then they actually need to be my hobbies. I'd really enjoy being an amateur photography, but in order to do that I need to actually go out and do it. Similarly, I wish to be well read and well versed in brew. My friends Sarah and Joe have recently started brewing their own beer. I'm intrigued by this idea and kind of want to steal it haha. 
3. Volunteer at a victim's advocacy organization. if possible. Last year, I took a class in victimology, the study of victims, obviously, and it really grabbed me. It was the first time in a while that I was, once again, interested in a class. I don't think that I would be able to become a victims advocate as a possible career (I think after a while I would burn out), but I'd enjoy being a volunteer for some time and feeling like I was making a difference, however small. Plus that should look great on my resume for the FBI. 
4. Explore the Arts. In keeping with the theme of having hobbies, I'd like to become more well versed in the arts, and the local underground art scene. I want to check out local galleries, theatres, and concerts. In the summer, they have free concerts in grant park...not to mention tons of festivals and activities. I live in a kick ass town. I should really be taking advantage of all the Windy City has to over me. 
5. Read the Red-Eye daily. Speaking of things Chicago has to offer me, I need to be more in tune with current events. I feel like I'm starting to reach an age where (although funny and very much a favorite) the Daily Show is no longer acceptable as my soul news source. Sorry Jon :( However, I don't think I'm quite ready to commit to a Chicago Trib. or a Sun-Times. Maybe Sundays.
6. Learn basic cooking skills. Now don't get me wrong, I have basic cooking skills. But I want to learn to do them well and the right way. I'd like to find a community cooking class that won't cost me a ton (broke college kid yay!) but will give me a solid grasp of the basics. Once I have those basics, I'd like to explore recipes and flavors and use my skills. 
7. Be a better friend. Of course, my last resolution had to be the cheesiest of them all but it's something I really think I need to focus on. I don't want to become one of those girlfriends whose boyfriend's are their entire lives. It's like I love spending time with Matt, but I miss my friends. Especially Captain and Leafy Sea Dragon (all of my friends have nick-names). The three of us have been through a lot together and I've made a lot of stupid mistakes, but I think we've come out the other end a lot closer then before and I don't want that to go away. 

Hopefully, these resolutions will turn into realities that I will likely chronicle through this blog. What are everyone else's New Year's Resolutions? 

Until next time blogosphere...

Peyton Manning Can Die In A Grease Fire//Tom Brady's Inoperable Tumor

Little bit of background: It's safe to say I'm obsessed with football. Like border line have a problem. I LOVE it and if it were a person, I would marry it. That being said, I LIVE AND DIE by the New England Patriots. I super duper heart them. However, I fucking hate Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

This season in the NFL has been horrendous. Usually there are a few stand out teams and a few awful teams and everyone else is just ok. Not the case this season. Everyone kinda sucks (except my pats, of course) and then there are some teams that should just pack up and start preparing for next season (looking at you cards, 9ers, panthers, etc).

This week in football was no exception. Da bears can just close their eyes and win again despite doing everything in their power to lose. Now dont get me wrong, I like the bears and dare even say I'm becoming some what of a fan. But Jay Cutler is not good. Sorry Chicago friends, I know you wanted him to be your saving grace :( 

It's clear that he's got talent but he obviously has no idea how to use it. He makes bad decisions (you cant argue with 35+ turnovers in 2 seasons), he doesnt handle his emotions well, and lets not forget that he's been in the league for like 5 seasons now. He should be better than this, and I'm not convinced that at this point in his career he's just going to wake up and get it. 

Kansas City gets a much needed win at home over Denver after an embarrassing loss to them a few weeks ago in Denver. I would've loved to have seen the game, but no such luck. The fact that they won is good enough for me. 

And then there was my personal favorite: watching Peyton Manning and his media blown Colts lose in OT to the "all of a sudden, we've got heart" Cowboys. 

It. Was. Delicious. 

it's stupid shit like this that makes my blood boil

Nothing pleases me more than watching the team I fucking hate lose to a worse team. And the satisfaction of knowing that Manning is probably going to cry himself to sleep tonight, is just the icing on the cake. I've also greatly enjoyed watching his team just crumble around him this season. 

I hate everything about Manning. I hate his big dumb face (he looks like a giant baby...and not in a good way). I hate his number. I hate his commercials. I would hate his wife and children if he had any. 

The kind of deep-seated sports hatred that I have for Peyton Manning is only matched by that of my boyfriend's for Tom Brady. Naturally, it would end up that I'm dating a Steelers fan who wants to see Tom Brady die on the field.... That's cool. 

And since we're on the subject of QB's I hate, Fuck Brett Favre. Retire already. You're 137 years old, you're reputation is shot, and you're an asshole. Also nobody wants to see your penis. 

Grrrrrr. 

I realize that this post has been pretty football-centric...That's gonna happen sometimes, so just bare with me haha. As for now, there's a pan of chocolate peanut butter brownies calling my name. 

Until next time blogosphere...

PS - GO PATS!!

Under Construction

Hello Folks!
Welcome to my blog! As with most of the blogs you see today, this one will be centered around the life of it's writer (in this case, me! yay!). However, unlike most blogs, I dont want mine to be overly journal-y. By that I mean, I dont just want a public diary for all to read .It's probably going to end up being a mish mash of everything that I'm interested in haha. Its really hard to explain what I do want out of this because I have no idea, and I think that's really exciting.

It's not as though I feel I have so much to say or that what I have to say is important, I mostly just want to see if I can do it. I've had a history of starting projects and then abandoning/forgetting about them somewhere down the road. Hopefully, that will not be the case with this! Fingers crossed!