Just some fun pictures

I am quite sleepy. In class. Bored. What else is new?

So, today is a happy day.

I've been watching coverage of this all day. Been moved to tears several times. Am so excited to see what becomes of all this!




One fancy hat! Made of glory, as my friend Kathryn said.


And I just think this is a fantastic picture.

Talkin bout my generation...

I am quite a fan of this new Pepsi Commercial.

30 Rock

If you haven't watched 30 Rock, you should probably go to Hulu right now and catch yourself up on the entire series. It is THAT good.

Also, you should know that Tina Fey won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy (or whatever the closest to that is) FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW.

It took me a long time to get into 30 Rock (still not sure why), but it is THAT GOOD. So go forth! And watch!

Ugh.

As a future teacher, this makes me sad. I teared up while reading it.

I will NEVER understand why people don't give teachers more credit. If it wasn't for teachers, those big businessmen and engineers and other "important" people would not have a career. Teachers had to teach them!

Argh. This gets me so worked up.

I don't get upset when engineers get paid a ton of money! This is the part that made the most angry:

"I thought about this the other day when I ran across an online rant about teachers seeking more money in some school district somewhere. "FACT," this ranter wrote. "LAZY TEACHERS JUST WANT A THREE DAY WEEKEND! Just say NO to them, they are already OVERPAID and UNDERWORKED, and the public needs to remind them who they work for ..."

Unfortunately, this fellow is not alone. A few years ago, when I wrote a column suggesting that teachers were underpaid, I got a flood of responses from readers. Some agreed with me, but they were mostly teachers. Others -- perhaps half -- not only disagreed but expressed quite a surprising hostility toward teachers. In essence, they said teachers had some nerve expecting to be paid like engineers when their work was more like filing and babysitting."

Ugh. Anyways. That's that.

Neon Graveyard

I would have a hey day if I got to go here...and really, whenever I get to go to Vegas, it's just going to be fantastic. I'm going to take a jillion pictures. Just warning whoever gets to go with me...




Don't worry, I'm not going to, but I have this ultra-romanticized idea of getting married at 2 in the morning at a Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. As soon as it's over, drive out to the desert and sleep with the Joshua Trees...






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Being Vegan

I'm not going to lie. It's TOUGH. I read every label of everything I put into my mouth. I went out to eat today, at a vegetarian diner, but I felt as though I had to ask about every. little. thing. that. was. in. the. dish. It was a pain. But I had curry ketchup. And that was good. The ketchup was on a veggie burger. I probably could have said that first.

In general, so far, it's been a really great learning experience. I've been drinking homemade smoothies every morning, I'm cooking up a big vat of split pea soup tomorrow, and I'm excited to keep trying out recipes. There's a lot of support out there for vegans (and new-comers, so that's super extra special great), and a surprising amount of restaurants in the St. Louis that have multiple vegan options. I spent about an hour and a half researching that today. Sauce Magazine and Urban Spoon are both GREAT resources for that.

If anyone has any good vegan recipes, or restaurant recommendations, or general advice or thoughts, please throw them my way! I'm in the honeymoon stage of this still - it isn't a pain yet, but I'm wouldn't be surprised if I got sick of it before the end of January...

New Years Resolutions

I always make them. They rarely stick. But 2009 is my year, I hope!

1. Answer the phone when people call
2. Make healthy eating choices (more on that later)
3. Spend more time with friends
4. Cut back on unnecessary spending
5. Make shopping and meal lists and stick with them
6. Spend a couple hours a week writing, instead of mindlessly surfing the Internet
7. Wash face, brush teeth, and floss EVERY DAY (by the end of the day I just get lazy)
8. Promote a well-kept internet persona (geek)
9. Spend quality time with Pete (we spend lots of time TOGETHER, but not doing things together)
10. Stop buying and start using the library and resources that I already have access to (this goes towards unread books I have, at least 10, and supplies for art projects)

So there you have it. So far I've done pretty good. I've made grocery/meal lists, gone shopping, etc. I've flossed a couple of times (I really, really hate flossing). I picked up my old notebooks and re-read the novel I started writing sophomore year of high school, which I think really has potential. I've already filled two notebooks with story, plot, etc...so I'm really excited to dive back in. And I've spent a couple of hours organizing my studio in the basement while I've been at home. I recycled a ton of old magazines, threw away crusty paint, condensed drawers and baskets, etc.

So, 2009 is so far so good.

Secret Life of an American Teenager

For some reason my sister is OBSESSED with this show. For multiple reasons, I think.

1. The "high-school aged" boys are "hot"
2. It's about a teenager getting pregnant
3. It's about teenagers getting into petty little fights and arguments.
4. Little sister is always afraid of getting pregnant (I kid you not. But that's a story for another time, and probably not really Internet appropriate.)

So when she's home she tapes all the episodes on our DVR and watches them in succession. She is doing that right now, and since I'm sitting in the same room, I've been watching them with her.

They are weird. The whole premise of the show is that a girl gets pregnant, with some band member's (marching band, not rock band) baby. And this girl (ugh, I already know names...) is named Amy. She has a snarky little 13-year-old sister, and parents that are separated. Oh, and her mom is played by MOLLY RINGWALD. I actually think that part is awesome, but whatever.

As stated previously, this show is pretty much chock full of teenage drama - girls fighting over boys, boys getting defensive, girls arguing about what is wrong with them and why another girl is "prettier"...UGH. GAG ME WITH A SPOON.

Watching this show makes me so thankful that I went to a Catholic school. I know for a fact that NO ONE IN MY GRADUATING CLASS was like this. Because I was pretty much friends with everyone. And I know that not necessarily every public school is like the school in this show, but just the fact that the stereotype is being perpetuated angers me. Seriously. Come on. I'm pretty sure that a girl wouldn't break into the school late at night (we're talking midnight), with her ex-boyfriend (he cheated on her), to look for her birth certificate (she's adopted), only to find the school counselor there. And I'm pretty sure that the 15-year-old girl would not be able to seduce him.

I mean, believe me, I am quite aware that "relationships" happen between teachers and students. But come on. This is just ridiculous.

Anyways. The whole reason I wrote this post...

Molly Ringwald circa 1984, in Sixteen Candles


Molly Ringwald circa now


And finally, if you haven't seen the beautiful "Brat Pack" movies: Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, the Breakfast Club, Weird Science, etc...I strongly suggest you go out and BUY THEM. I just love me some good 80s films.

Planet Earth

I asked, and received - thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Is it super geeky that I asked for this for Christmas? I guess not. I mean, it's fantastic. If you haven't watched it, you best keep an eye out for re-runs on the Discovery Channel. And you're in luck because they just started up again tonight!

Also, with the DVD set, after each episode there are director's notes, with background footage and stuff like that. I highly recommend it!

Gorgeous Nutcracker Pictures

Courtesy of Rachel Papo. The photos speak for themselves, so I'll just let you take a look.






via {frolic!}

Christmas Christmas Christmas

Oh my goodness.

So. Lots of fun Christmas-ey things have ensued the last couple of days. Christmas began for me on Sunday, in Cairo, with Pete and many members of his family. We began the weekend with a whirlwind of wrapping gifts, baking, cooking, cleaning, shopping...all KINDS of good stuff! Cairo is cute when it's dressed up for Christmas, lots of old-fashioned candles and Christmas trees that hang from street lights and little gaudy board cut-outs of snowmen and reindeer in the park. A big lit-up Christmas tree on one of the main streets. I love old-fashioned stuff.

Not only did Pete's family completely bestow loads of gifts upon me (The Office, Audrey Hepburn movies, beautiful books), Bridgett gave me some SCREENS for my GOCCO!!! (Thanks, Bridgett. I've been meaning to get your number from Pete but I keep forgetting.)

Then, due to unforeseen circumstances, me, mom, dad, Emme, and Pete had our annual Christmas celebration, with a new member! I think Pete enjoyed it. And the biggest surprise of all was that dad bought us (the familly) a Wii. Um, it's awesome. Just in case you weren't sure. Insanely awesome.

As of now I have no pictures to show you, but when I do, I will post them. Next up is heading to Chicago (well, the suburbs) tomorrow for a few days, then back down to Cairo for awhile . THEN, come January 1, me and Pete are vegans. For real. And I LOVE cheese. So we'll see how that goes. I will be sure to keep you updated on that.

Oh, PS: This is me and Pete's first Christmas together! I'm pretty excited about it. It will be nice being with each other in person, instead of periodically talking on the phone, on Christmas day. Le sigh.

Goodbye, Mrs. Korte

We will all miss you beyond words.

MILK

You gotta go see it. The story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician ever elected to office (where else, but in San Francisco? One more reason why I LOVE THAT CITY).

Me and Pete saw it opening weekend, and it was just...awe-inspiring. I wish that I had been alive at this time. And the thing is, I talked to my parents about it afterwards (this isn't really a spoiler, but Harvey Milk was assassinated in office in 1978, a couple years after he had been politically active), and they had NO REMEMBRANCE of this happening. They don't remember a gay politician, they don't remember an assassination, they don't remember Proposition 6, which was all about firing openly gay teachers, and the people that support them...

And the thing that I found so odd about this was that my parents are extremely open. I mean, we live in SOULARD. I love Soulard, with my whole heart. I loved growing up around lots of gay men and lesbians, because this is one of the big reasons why I am so open towards all types of people. I was exposed to all types of people as a kid, and from a young age, I have HATED hearing anyone say "that's gay" or "ooooh you're so gay". I HATE it. I correct the kids at Wilson who say it (which happens so much. It breaks my heart.) I correct my friends.

I remember one time, my friend Katrina was over at my house. We had a list of emergency phone numbers by our phone in the playroom, because I was probably in like 6th grade. We still had babysitters sometimes, but if mom and dad were just going to be next door, me and Emme would just stay home by ourselves. The "emergency" list consisted of phone numbers of our neighbors, doctors, family members, etc...and John and Steve were at the top of the list (which makes sense, because they live next door). So Katrina is reading the list, and she reads "John and Steve", and says, "Hey, Kaylen. Where's the lady in that one?" And it was at this time that I realized, hey. Most kids my age have NO clue whatsoever. They think that "gay" is demeaning, and vulgar, and gross. They think it's a joke.

And unfortunately, I still believe that most people my age (and really, lots of people EVERYWHERE) don't understand being gay. They don't understand that it isn't a choice. They don't understand that when two people love each other, they should have ALL RIGHTS POSSIBLE. So many married couples that I have known haven't had kids. So many straight couples I've known have gotten divorced. There are so many families that I have seen torn apart, because of divorce, because of cheating, because of problems...and I know many, many more long-term happy gay couples than long-term straight couples.

In short, this is a topic that I am extremely passionate about. I'm not the type of person to shove thoughts and ideas down another's throat...but this is something I just DON'T UNDERSTAND. I hate that people so strongly oppose gay people's unions. Like I said, what about the straight couples that get married and don't have kids? It's the exact same thing. And no one says that you can't get married unless you plan to procreate.

Anita Bryant said (this is in real life, in the 1970s) "If homosexuals are allowed their civil rights, then so would prostitutes, or thieves, or anyone else." They showed archive footage of this interview in the movie, and I think that the whole theatre just sort of gasped. I was amazed that this woman thought this at all! And then I realized, well, if she thinks that...then lots of people must think that.

Harvey Milk said, "All men are created equal. No matter how hard you try, you can NEVER erase those words!"

No words have been truer. To Harvey Milk, thank you. Thank you for putting yourself out there. I wish I could have met you. I think we would have had a lot of fun together.

Now, please, everyone watch this. I cannot think of a more inspirational movie that I have seen. Everyone is brilliant. And please, please, PLEASE...go see it.



Also, if you are so interested, here's an article that was published on Thanksgiving of this year. This was the 30th anniversary of Harvey being assassinated. Reading this made me cry, so be forewarned. The movie and this article have lots of parallel thoughts and ideas, so it's nice to supplement.

This is the epitome of everything I love.

I know, I post a LOT of commercials on here. And I am sorry about that.

BUT. BUT. BUT. This one is PERFECTION! I have wanted Miss Dior Cherie for quite some time now (I smelled it in a magazine and was, like, drunk with happiness). This commercial is wonderful because:
1. It was directed by Sofia Coppola. So, not only is it full of light (one of her trademarks), but it's really reminiscent of Marie Antoinette, which I LOVE
2. There are balloons
3. There are pink dresses
4. They are in Paris
5. There are sweets, in a patisserie!
6. There are cute boys
7. There are smiles and happiness

Yeah. Perfection. Not sure? Check it out for yourself: