“Dramas based on classic literature? Netflix, it’s like you’re inside my head!”

The quote is courtesy of me last night. I have subscribed to the Netflix movie service for about a year now and I love it! They just changed the layout of their website and it is scary how well they know me based on my interest in certain movies and the types of reviews I give others. One of the new categories they put on my homepage was specifically movies based on classic literature. It scared me a little and Doug thought it was hilarious that I said that quote.

It turns out I did not get the flu entirely. I do have a nagging cough however, and continue to take Airborne like it’s my job.

Also, I decided that I will be starting a series on profiling my professors, for future character purposes. All four of them this semester have a small dose of crazy in them and it is fascinating to hear them talk about their lives. This will begin very soon. Possibly this weekend when I have more time.

Also, also: in FOUR(!) days, baseball starts all over again!!! It will be nice to know the team is back in town come Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday, I am going to a gala event for a local theatre in St. Paul. My roommate has connections over there because of his internship and I am volunteering for it, which means free dinner? And I hear Garrison Keillor is invited to attend. If I get the chance to meet him, you know I will be writing about it!

The Flu, Long Days, The Fear of Writing, and Baseball

I think I might be coming down with the flu.  I had my flu shot and even made sure to get it early!  But alas, I am fearing the inevitable.  I was home for Spring Break last week and my younger brother was sick with the flu the entire week, so it makes sense that I might catch it.  I don’t have time for this?  (Does anyone?)  I thought I was feeling better later today, but I am afraid today is just a teaser of the symptoms to come later this week.  It wouldn’t be a big deal, but I would like to work so I can get paid and I have a quiz in psychology on Thursday and I can’t miss my Chekhov class because it is my favorite.  I don’t have time to rest until Thursday evening, so that’s out.

Yesterday was a long day.  I woke up at five in the morning to go to the sunrise service at church, per usual for Easter.  Then I proceeded to drink 3 cups of coffee with the breakfast at church afterward and kept going all day.  I packed everything and did a little homework like writing the story I have been putting off before leaving to drive back to the cities at five in the evening.  We returned home at ten thirty, which wasn’t too bad.  I have yet to unpack.

I had a story due for my fiction writing class again.  That’s the one giving me the most trouble.  I am doing just fine in the class, but it makes me feel unworthy of writing at all.  I usually end up getting stressed out about how I shouldn’t write because I am horrible at it, but in the end inspiration hits and I feel like I have written something significant.  The story I ended up writing was derived from a My Girl and My Girl 2 movie marathon and thinking about Chekhov’s stories.  It’s a heartbreaker.  We’ll see how my instructor rips it apart next Tuesday at my story conference!

Speaking of next week, since we have story conferences, I can in theory go to the Metrodome to see the Twins on Opening Day!!  I can’t believe it is only a week away!!!    I don’t have anyone to go with, however.  We’ll see how I even feel next week.  I might have the flu!

Sorry Dad…I guess I am not a “real” Irishwoman…

My Dad told me last night that real Irish people don’t drink green beer, they drink Guinness.  Well, I opted for the green beer yesterday.  This was my first St. Patrick’s Day being 21 so of course I had to go out and try it.  My friend Angie and I went over to a local bar here at home (as it is Spring Break this week) and had one.  It is strange to think that my friends in my close group of pals during high school are all over the age of 21.  We never drank during high school like most kids our age did, and I am afraid to think of what would have become of us if we actually did.  We were strange enough sober!  Now when we go out to bars and parties we still don’t drink just for the sake of getting drunk, but because we can.  Because we are allowed.  This summer here at home we are going to go to the annual Waterfront Festival.  Basically it is an excuse to drink.  There were talks of eliminating alcohol from the grounds altogether, but that was quickly discouraged as they all realized no one would show up.  Angie and I are excited to go and get a wrist band and walk around with a beer in our hand not because we necessarily want to or have to, but because for the first time we CAN.  And at Waterfront, you see everyone in the area.  It was nice sitting and catching up with Angie last night.  People in general do not keep in touch as well as they hope, and when moments arise where you can meet up with friends, it is nice.  We didn’t stay too long at the bar because they had a DJ start playing music REALLY loud, and the point of getting together was to talk…so we left.  Since I had to work for my Dad today I only wanted to drink one glass of green beer mostly because I could say I did…not because I LOVE the taste of Bud Light or anything like that. 

The puddles…are everywhere.

It is 51 degrees and there are puddles EVERYWHERE!  I think I may need to invest in some knee waders or something.  Those big yellow waterproof boots?  Yeah.  Apparently it is the warmest it has been since November 13th.  That was awhile ago.  The puddles themselves don’t matter much except for the fact that I am unable to get out to where the car is parked.  Unless I want to wade in water that is deeper than my ankles, that is.  Not in heels!

Is it Spring yet?

I was puddle-hopping today as it was almost fifty degrees outside!!!  But now my socks are dirty because the tops of the shoes I wore today are mesh and the water seeped through.  ‘Twas a small sacrifice for the weather.  More of this and the sidewalks won’t be as treacherous to walk on anymore!!  That would be fantastic.

I really love cats, and I find these pictures hilarious.

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

It may or may not matter, but…

As I was checking the weather for the week I happily discovered that the high is in the low 40s for Tuesday and Wednesday. Maybe now the gigantic ice road block will melt at the end of our alley. It is hard to describe, but all I can say is I no longer leave the alley in that direction. It is a hazard and will break Doug’s car.

I am a Daylight Savings Time advocate.  I didn’t mind springing forward today because I know tomorrow will be nice to go to class when it is still light outside!

Tonight I am working on critiques for the workshop in our fiction writing class tomorrow night. There are three other people in my group and after reading their stories, I have come to the conclusion that nobody writes happy stories. There are many reasons, one being it is cooler and more hip to write about difficult subjects and the other being no one likes happy stories. One story dealt with abuse, another with murder, and the last one rejection. My story was (supposed to be) suspenseful and the ending was surprising I hope. I still don’t know what exactly I want it to really be. We’ll see what the classmates have to say.

I was in Eau Claire this weekend visiting friends and ushering for and attending a performance of one of them. We also took a quick jaunt up to Chippewa Falls to the Leinenkugel’s Brewery for a tasting/tour. This is slightly embarrassing and girly and kind of sissy, but I think my favorite flavor is Berry Weiss. It tastes like a wine cooler. But the darker ones are good too. Bocks are quite delicious.

Spring Break in four days. My mom is coming on Thursday and she is staying with me and we’re driving home on Friday. I am looking forward to being home. It has been a couple months.

Thursday Thirteen

1.  There is only one more week of class until spring break.

2.  I guess Favre really did mean it when he said he was retiring, judging by the tears during the presser today.

3.  I am going to visit the Leine’s brewery on Saturday!

4.  I had two midterms this week and they were rough, but I am sure I passed just fine.

5.   It is cold again.  Below zero cold.  AND I slipped on the ice in front of our house yesterday and fell down.  Today my right knee and arm hurt.  I have a really cool bruise though!

6.  Doug’s cat Emma is being really clingy lately.  Doug also told me he thinks she is diabetic.  AND if that’s the case he’ll have to put her down.

7.  If that happens, I will want to get a cat of my own sooner.  I already have a name: Atticus (the catticus, haha.)

8.  Back to Favre–I am really glad I am not home right now because I am pretty sure I would get sick of the Green Bay news stations and everyone around me talking about it to no end.  Living in Minnesota means the focus is indirect.

9.  When the Viking fans over here found out about his retirement they were really happy and proclaimed that they now have a chance to win.  There are so many things wrong with that logic.  First of all, Favre didn’t always beat the Vikings.  And, just because he leaves doesn’t necessarily mean the Packers will now be terrible.  Third–that is a really positive outlook Viking fans if the only way you think your team will win is if one guy retires.  Maybe if Minnesota’s players actually played well and didn’t choke in the end year after year you wouldn’t be so bitter?

10.  Apparently the professor who teaches the History of the Holocaust class died on Tuesday.  I really wanted to take that class sometime next year, so I am hoping another person will teach it again.  But I hear he was a great guy, so I really missed out.

11.  The cast of the TV show The Office went back to work today with filming new episodes!!

12.  The Twins have been doing very well in Spring Training this week.  Actually, it is the rookies and newbies who are outperforming the veteran players.  I have no idea who half the lineup is now.

13.  It could get up to 40 degrees next week.  I can’t wait!

I really can’t think right now. It hurts too much.

Why Brett?  Why?