sometimes seismic

to tumblr!

2009-01-25T18:32:00.003-06:00

So, I've been thinking of moving to tumblr for some time now. I think I'm going to do it. For those of you who have linked to me, thanks so much! Now, please update your links.

barack obama is my president

2009-01-23T16:07:00.002-06:00

I woke up at 3.15a Tuesday and was out the door with Andrea and Aldo by 3.45. We hopped around on the trains talking to all the early birds for some audio deal for Medill on the Hill. You can check it here.

We made it to the newsroom at 6.30ish and started editing. I bounced at 8 with Aldo and it took us forever to even get going in the right direction because no one knew where we were supposed to go. At one point we were in a dark tunnel of doom with all the blue and silver ticket holders who figured out where they were supposed to be going. Aldo commented that it felt like Earth was being invaded by aliens, which is exactly what it felt like. Anyway, after a ridiculous ordeal and after being separated from Aldo, I finally made it in the gate and had a decent view of the Capitol.

Though I wasn’t close enough to see our new president, I could hear everything. It was such a beautiful moment in time and I am grateful to have shared it with so many of my countrymen and women.

(Thanks to Aldo for the picture. I haven't uploaded mine yet.)

oh noes, another recap

2009-01-23T16:01:00.002-06:00

Inauguration weekend was so beautiful.

Friday night I had delicious vegan dinner with Belen at Busboys and Poets and had the special Delaware Dude drink. At first I was kinda mad because it was so expensive, but then it hit me, and I was all, dude, that is what $10 worth of vice presidential booze tastes like.

Then we met up with Andrea and David at the Wonkette Inaugural Ball. The music was great and we dance dance danced the night away. This dude practically fell into me on the dance floor and said, “Don’t worry, I’m more scared of you then you are of me.” Dude was intimidated by my sweet dance moves, obviously.

Saturday was kinda the same as Friday, ha. I had a late lunch at Busboys and Poets with Andrea and Liz. And I went to a party at Luis’ sweeeeeeeeeeet new apartment. He is living large, for real. I felt a little too dirty and poor to be there.

I didn’t wake up early enough on Sunday to make it out to the concert on the Mall, but Aldo arrived, so it was all good.

Monday I had an annoying pre-inauguration meeting for Medill on the Hill, which gave me a headache. Then I stood in line outside of Rayburn for about three hours to get my ticket for inauguration. I was frozen and exhausted by the time I got inside, but CDR was in the office, so I got to say hi, which was cool.

Then I met up with Michael and we got some drinks in Chinatown. It was so good to see him because we hadn’t seen each other since the internship and he was my favorite CHCI 2007 intern. He’s got it all together and makes everyone real jealous except me. I can’t hate him because he totally deserves all of his success. Mark my words, Michael Anthony Vargas will soon be preceded by Congressman or Senator.

That was way longer than I intended to be. Next post: Inauguration!

i was there

2009-01-22T12:00:00.003-06:00

Yes, I was in DC for Inauguration. And, yes, it was phenomenal. This week has been really exhausting, though, so I'll write about it later. For now, check out this audio clip I put together by clicking on my paparazzi shot of Bill Clinton.

floating felt

2009-01-16T11:02:00.004-06:00

I just pre-ordered Ayla Nereo's new album, Floating Felt, which drops 4 February (and you should, too). You should also listen to the Beatbeat Whisper podcast on Band in Boston. The duo will be touring the West soon. Lucky you, if you live there.

green thumb

2009-01-15T23:32:00.005-06:00

Aldo's coming to DC for inauguration and I am really excited. He called to tell me the good news yesterday. Also, he commented on my Medill on the Hill bio.

The conversation went something like this:

Aldo: So, you're a gardener now?
Me: Not yet.
Aldo: You know employers might see this, right?
Me: I don't see the problem.
Aldo: Like, they'll see that you have a sense of humor?
Me: I am totally serious about everything I put in that bio. I'm going to South America to be a gardening apprentice for a growing season.
Aldo: You're crazy.

So that is the new post-grad plan. I will be a gardening apprentice for a year. First for a growing season somewhere in South America, then for a season somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere (haven't decided where yet). Then I will move to New York and maybe get a job at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and do some creative writing, or something like that. I really like this new plan.

ribbit ribbit croak

2009-01-14T20:22:00.004-06:00

So I was a reporter today for Medill on the Hill (lame name, I know) and wrote a piece about biodiversity that probably no one will read or care about because it doesn't have anyone important in it. Whatever. I think the bit about the gastric brooding frog is pretty sweet.

extinction over mutation

2009-01-13T21:59:00.005-06:00

If you have yet to see/ask about my Gchat status or email signature, I need to share it with you because I love it so much. It is from And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks, which I got for Christmas from my little sister (thanks, guerca!).

The more forward-looking dinosaurs mutated into mammals while the bourgeois dinosaurs became extinct.

i said puck, with a p

2009-01-12T21:30:00.002-06:00

Andrea sent me this clip of Summer Heights High and now I need to watch it all the time.

week one

2009-01-10T15:26:00.005-06:00

I don’t really like writing recap posts, but whatever.

First week back in DC was packed with lots of boring stuff like sitting in the newsroom and talking about newsy things, but also fun things, like cool new people and a reception and good food.

Andrea and I walked over to Chinatown after class on Monday and found a Nando’s and almost cried because we miss South Africa.

I went to my first fancy DC reception of the year. CHCI had a ceremony for the Latino members of the 111th Congress Tuesday night. David (I finally met the famous David Spett!) came business extra casual and felt underdressed until he saw a kid in jeans with a backpack. And he almost fainted by coat check when he saw Senator Menendez.

It was packed inside and there were lots of good speeches. And everyone got really excited about Hilda Solis and Ken Salazar because they are best friends with Barack Obama now. (But no one said anything about Bill Richardson because he was uninvited to the party.) Then there was a reception with a great bar, and I talked to Hilda Solis and almost peed my pants.

I got legit press credentials on Thursday. Like an actual journalist. Ha! And we all got a tour of the Capitol on Friday, so I stuck around and stopped by CDR’s office and Reyes’ office to say hi. And we had a delicious Shabbat dinner with the Familia Finkelstein.

Now I’m tired and have to fix up my room, but I’ll probably still go to the Black Cat tonight.

(re)introductions

2009-01-07T05:52:00.007-06:00

So, I’m back in DC and back to orientation business. Whoa, flashback to CHCI week one when we had seminar after boring seminar, then reception after awkward reception (at least I got linked on Wonkette – highlight of my life even though they didn't get the name right). Except for now I don’t have Play-Doh and pipe cleaners to play with and am falling asleep every ten minutes. And now I know that receptions are pretty sweet if you hang out by the free booze.

fire hazard

2009-01-02T10:32:00.003-06:00

Why, hello there, 2009! Did you like the crazy fireworks display we put on for you?

Folks here and across the Rio Grande went nuts and bought lots of illegal fireworks and set off about 47 million of them at midnight and probably started lots of fires because we live in the desert, a place that is really dry. I woke up smelling like smoke.

I also saw South Africa ring in the New Year on the teevee and almost cried.

Now I'm doing last minute laundry and packing for my quarter in DC. I'm in Medill's new political reporting program for undergrads, which means I have to pretend to know/care more than I actually do about politics and chase 'important' people around Capitol Hill. But what it mostly means is that I get to escape Chicago winter and count down to inauguration and hang out with Belen. Because I never sign up for this kind of thing (like, um, CHCI and Cape Town TM) for the academic or professional benefit.

And Andrea and I will be staying with Dinah's mom, which should be really interesting and would probably make a good sitcom or maybe reality show, which is what the kids watch these days.

2008 besties

2008-12-22T22:08:00.004-06:00

Some of my favorite things about 2008 in rough chronological order:

Doug Foster
FADER’s Africa issue
Mini winter quarter vacay in DC with Telma (thanks, NPF)
Cape Town
Kruger Park
Conference calls with the crew
Invasive ant species on my Weekend Argus desk
Cape Argus/Times Photogs
Sneaking Sunday wine from the SevElev on Long Street
Andrea in bed with her most decadent cake ever
Christopher Starr
CDR’s Eagle Pass office
11am movies with my little sister
Encounters at the End of the World
Laughing fits with the fam
Halloween jumpsuits
Desmond Tutu
Barack Obama
On the Road original scroll
Ice skating in Millennium Park
Hogwartz

Here are some amazing photos Henk Kruger took for the Cape Times this year.

See you in 2009!

falalalalalalalala

2008-12-22T10:01:00.005-06:00

Most of my family is in town for the holidays. That's six cousins in addition to the thirteen who live here and four uncles in addition to the four who live here and three aunts in addition to the four who live here. So, I will be busy busy busy for the rest of the year. There's one more post coming soon about the best things of 2008, and then I'm signing off until 2009. Hope the holidays are lovely for you all.

sassy operator

2008-12-18T20:39:00.003-06:00

Rudo y Cursi is set for release in Mexico tomorrow, and I really want to go see it. Problem is, the cines in Piedras rarely screen Mexican movies for some reason. So, I looked up the phone numbers to three cines in Piedras to call ahead and see if they were showing it. And I got a 'your call cannot be completed as dialed' message for the first number, and I was all, well maybe I just need to dial 1 first. Then I got a sassier version of the same message, 'your call cannot be completed as dialed. Granted, I was stupid and forgot I was dialing to a different country, but damn, have a little patience, yeah?

Then I looked up the country code and called, but the first two numbers were out of service, and I think the last one was some dude's cell phone, but I thought someone answered at the cine. I didn't really understand what he said but I went ahead and asked about the movie anyway and was answered with silence. So, some random dude in Piedras is going to have a voicemail from me asking about Rudo y Cursi. Ha!

fotc season two, present

2008-12-17T17:32:00.001-06:00

Season 2 Online Premiere - Flight of the Conchords (US Only) - watch more funny videos

washable and reusable

2008-12-17T14:08:00.003-06:00

This is the future, or something. Maybe a stocking stuffer. (Thanks, prima.)

a red, white, and blue christmas

2008-12-15T13:50:00.001-06:00

gifted

2008-12-15T13:15:00.002-06:00

N.A.S.A.'s new track featuring Lykke Li, Santogold and Kanye West is hot. Go get it.

my tops

2008-12-08T22:25:00.004-06:00

This is the music I listened to the most this year. My top 32 albums of 2008.

1. Youth Novels - Lykke Li
2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
3. A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night (What’s Your Rupture?) - Love Is All
4. Wonder Continental - Beatbeat Whisper
5. Nueva América - Quiero Club
6. Santogold - Santogold
7. Barracuda - Kinky
8. All U Need Is Mosh - Plastilina Mosh
9. Motion to Rejoin - Brightblack Morning Light
10. Efecto Dómino - Chetes
11. Donkey - Cansei de Ser Sexy
12. Metropolis: The Chase Suite - Janelle Monáe
13. Mediocre - Ximena Sariñana
14. A Thousand Sharks' Teeth - My Brightest Diamond
15. Made in the Dark - Hot Chip
16. Reptilectric - Zoé
17. Chunk of Change - Passion Pit
18. High Places - High Places
19. Phylactery Factory - White Hinterland
20. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
21. For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver (I know this was self-released in 2007, but whatever.)
22. In Our Space Hero Suits - Those Dancing Days
23. Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
24. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
25. Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust - Sigur Rós
26. Modern Guilt - Beck
27. Third - Portishead
28. Dear Science - TV on the Radio
29. Rip It Off - Times New Viking
30. New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) - Erykah Badu
31. Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis
32. Sea Lion - The Ruby Suns

making it

2008-12-08T14:22:00.007-06:00

BLK JKS signed to Secretly Canadian and their Mystery EP drops 10 March. But it's up now on Other Music for free. Go get it.

ftw

2008-12-08T13:57:00.000-06:00

(As of 12.30p today) I am officially done with fall quarter. Hollerrrrr.

hero

2008-12-05T12:20:00.001-06:00

In case you haven't seen it yet...

dress up

2008-12-04T12:07:00.004-06:00

Everyone wants to dress Michelle Obama for inauguration (and pretty much all the time). Check the slide show on WWD.

I like these two:

one week

2008-12-04T11:44:00.004-06:00

In one week I'll be back in Texas for winter break. This quarter was okay. Two really good classes, one decent class and one terrible class. I still have two papers to write and an exam to prepare for, but the end is in sight!

And then I'll be in mi casita for almost a month. My sister just told me about these crazy secret underground tunnels in some of the old houses in town that were once used to smuggle people and other items from Mexico into the US. I don't know how I never heard about this, but methinks it's documentary makin' time!

Here is a sweet picture that my sister creepily took of the house next door.

downgrade

2008-12-03T13:32:00.005-06:00

Bill Richardson is your new Secretary of Commerce, or whatever. This is about as important as Bill Richardson shaved off his awesome beard because, um, dude has a killer resume and he gets this job no one cares about. But he gets to be on Team Obama, so I guess it's all good?

r.i.p.

2008-12-03T10:08:00.002-06:00

all i want for christmas

2008-12-02T10:48:00.010-06:00

Is happiness. But I know that's a little much to ask for. So here are some other easier-to-find things that I want.

An autoharp and autoharp lessons.

Swedish lessons.

Leggings and tights in cool prints and colors.

Books.

A vintage record player with some good records.

Some cool necklaces.

And a good haircut. I know I probably can't rock this, but whatever. Suggestions are welcome.

maureen dowd makes me wanna vom

2008-12-01T14:30:00.004-06:00

As if her New York Times column wasn't bad enough, she had to go and write Vanity Fair's Tina Fey cover story. And, of course, she made the article a too long piece about how Tina Fey used to be ugly but now is pretty hot.

culinary conundrum

2008-11-26T08:38:00.005-06:00

Laura's on Time.com! Talking about pie! Click on the pie above to read and listen. And have a lovely Thanksgiving.

economy en español

2008-11-25T15:23:00.005-06:00

I'm sitting in Norris eavesdropping. The conversations in this place aren't usually interesting enough for me to pay attention to, but there are two dudes (probably Kellogg students) discussing the economic crisis in Spanish at the table next to mine. This economic crisis thing is usually terrifying, even though I don't really understand it, but is so much sexier in Spanish.

Also, this game is way more fun than it should be.

here we are now

2008-11-24T13:35:00.002-06:00

Read this article that ran in The American Prospect last week about keeping the youth mobilized after the election.

el futuro

2008-11-24T13:14:00.003-06:00

I’ll be trekking up to Career Services today to talk about designing a brochure for the Summer Internship Grant Program. I got the grant this past summer, so it’s part of my duties as a recipient to help promote the program.

And, while I’m there, I figure I might as well set up an appointment with someone to discuss The Future. Everyone around me seems to be talking about it, and I can only avoid it for so long.

My majors (journalism and religion) are irrelevant at this point. Just help me find a job that will make me happy. Please.

delightful treats

2008-11-21T00:47:00.005-06:00

I haven't really kept up with the campus music scene, but I'm glad I went out to Bill's Blues tonight because Howling Poppies played a pretty sweet show. Chicago area folks, keep an ear out for them. And Milwaukee people, get ready because they're coming your way soon.

images from inside

2008-11-19T09:38:00.003-06:00

Please come to Chicago, Beatbeat Whisperers!

creative projects make me wanna vom

2008-11-17T15:57:00.003-06:00

I've been feeling especially cranky lately because one of my classes has become increasingly ridiculous over the last couple of weeks. (I guess that's what William Blake does to you?) And it culminated today in a series of creative project performances (I almost recited a really obscure poem to mbira music).

At one point, the class had to participate in one of the performances by skipping merrily across the room. And I was all, you have to be kidding me! I didn't want to be rude to the performers by sitting in the corner and rolling my eyes, so I quarter-heartedly went along with it. By the end of it all, I had a bad headache and woozy feeling in my stomach.

Am I just getting cynical in my old age? Am I like your cranky old neighbor who sits on her front porch in her mumu with her hair in curlers and yells at the neighborhood kids when they're having too much fun?

cursi

2008-11-14T16:15:00.001-06:00

(Thanks for that second video, prima.)

puppies for everyone!

2008-11-13T20:32:00.000-06:00

my country

2008-11-12T13:33:00.005-06:00

Trying to pick a topic for my psychology class (Native American Thought and Environmental Decision Making) project. Here's what I'm looking at:

1) Evaluate the environmental impacts of the Lucky Eagle Casino outside of my hometown of Eagle Pass, Texas and how this conflicts with the idea of the Ecological Indian and the beliefs of the Kickapoo tribe.

2) Profile Honor the Earth and research current projects that the organization is working on.

3) Look at images of the Ecological Indian in contemporary Native American music.

Thoughts?

exhiliratingly true

2008-11-11T14:23:00.003-06:00

Read what Desmond Tutu has to say about the election of Barack Obama.

good bye, mama africa

2008-11-10T12:52:00.004-06:00

Miriam Makeba has left on this earth her voice and message. May she rest in peace. (Check Born to Be Nervous for a free download.)

still not over it

2008-11-08T09:21:00.003-06:00

keep on

2008-11-07T13:05:00.002-06:00

The excitement died down quickly, or so it seems. Because, yes, people have work and classes and lives to go back to after Tuesday night. But if they are like me, when they walk down the street to work or class or somewhere else they have to be, every now and then something will spark that excitement again. And they will break out in a big smile or maybe get a little teary. Yes, Maya Angelou, we did rise.

But we still have a long way to go. Even though we elected Barack Obama, three states banned same-sex marriage and countless other injustices occur every day in this country and around the world. Tuesday night was an epic victory, but we must keep moving.

mavericks for obama

2008-11-05T15:25:00.004-06:00

That's right. The name of the county in which I cast my vote is Maverick County. You probably can't tell in the picture, but 78% of the voters in my little part of Texas voted Obama.
We also helped re-elect Ciro D. Rodriguez to the House of Representatives for Texas' 23rd district. Shout out to Team 23! Y'all did a fantastic job!

together

2008-11-05T14:47:00.010-06:00

Despite not being lucky enough to have a golden ticket to the rally, I arrived at Grant Park yesterday at three to hang out in the park with the other non-ticket holders and watch election coverage.

We knew it was over when Obama took Ohio, but we waited patiently with the CNN folk. And when the giant screen flashed with the projection of victory we all erupted with pure joy. There were loud yells of victory and applause and whistles and hugs and kisses and tears and a powerful, beautiful energy. The city of Chicago, fueled by sheer euphoria, propelled into the starry sky.

And when Obama took the stage it was surreal. We were looking at our next president. We believed in him, and he believed in us and, together, we made it happen.

I was so grateful to be sharing that moment in time with my Chicago brothers and sisters and to know that all over the planet people were sharing that moment in time. We were ready for this. And we are ready to move forward together.

2008-11-04T00:04:00.002-06:00

here to recruit you

2008-11-03T10:54:00.005-06:00

Block Cinema hosted a special advanced screening of Milk last night. We were promised an appearance by Emile Hirsch, so I was bummed when we were told that he wasn't able to make it. But, even better, we got the real Cleve Jones!

The film was amazing and inspiring and heartbreaking and so many words that are usually empty but here are not even enough to express how wonderful it was. The story was told beautifully and all of the performances were fantastic and you will cry so much and feel terrible for not fighting for what you believe in. And then, hopefully, you will realize that you can still join the fight or start your own and make this space we share a better place.

blue forever

2008-11-03T10:35:00.004-06:00

My high school sophomore self was madly in love with Conor Oberst and his pain and brilliance. And on Friday night, I finally saw him live at the Vic. He and the Mystic Valley Band were Ghostbusters for Halloween and played a sweet cover of Corinna, Corinna. While the love was not rekindled (we are both in very different places today), it was definitely worth the wait.

happy halloween

2008-10-31T12:57:00.002-05:00

of lightning, breath, and bone

2008-10-31T08:28:00.003-05:00

Ayla Nereo has a lovely new song up on her website. It is an impeccable live recording of Lily Moon from her new album, Floating Felt, which is set to drop in January. Can't wait, can't wait!

for this moment in human time

2008-10-30T15:55:00.003-05:00

A lovely message with a free song from my two true loves:

hello friends!

in this crazy changing time we are living, there are a lot of words being slung around, a lot of thoughts and emotions flying wild... and we just want to say, thank you, for being our community of friends. for being a community among one another. for communicating what you feel, honestly, clearly, and with care.

we love you all a whole lot. here's a free song for you, sort of relates to things happening around us right now.

download away! it will be up for ONE WEEK -- feel free to share this with your family and friends until then.

keep listening to each other, keep the doors opening up!

let me in!

2008-10-29T23:10:00.004-05:00

Dear Barack Obama,

Remember the $40 I donated to your campaign? That was not easy to come by. I am poor. But I believe in you so strongly that I made the sacrifice. I think I deserve a little love.

Please please please let me into Grant Park the evening of 4 November. I know there is room for me. I will even volunteer to clean up the mess that everyone leaves.

I would also settle for an invitation to the inaugural ball.

Sincerely,

Blanca

just wanna play with you

2008-10-28T09:33:00.005-05:00

The of Montreal show last night at the Riviera was spectacular. So much stage presence! And there was glitter and feathers and so much energy. It was like the heart of every single person in that crowd was pumping inside of me.

angry time teevee

2008-10-27T15:34:00.003-05:00

Best idea ever. Elisabeth Hasselbeck has a hard time not being sassy, and Sarah Palin has a hard time not being folksy. Fox ratings will go through every roof!

so you want to be a nobel laureate

2008-10-24T19:57:00.004-05:00

Archbishop Desmond Tutu says you only need three things:

1) An easy name, like Tutu.
2) A big nose.
3) Sexy legs.

break it down

2008-10-24T19:37:00.004-05:00

I made it out to Abbey Pub last night with Justine for the Mad Decent Tour. We missed Telepathe and only caught the tail end of Abe Vigoda, but the Diplo set was pretty sweet and we dancedancedanced the night away, making sure to steer clear of Pizza Dude, who was causing commotions on the dance floor.

cast

2008-10-23T18:24:00.003-05:00

My vote. That thing best get to Texas' fightin' 23rd pronto. I need all my TX-23 peeps to vote to keep CDR in the House. And to put Obama in the White House, of course. Get on it!

ubuntu

2008-10-22T10:28:00.005-05:00

The Soweto Gospel Choir was in town last night to help kick off the 60th anniversary celebration for Northwestern’s African Studies program. I forgot my camera, so I don’t have pictures of their glorious outfits or any video of the magical performance, but you should have been there!

It’s music that seeps through your skin and rushes through your bloodstream and echoes in your bones no matter what you believe. More than being about praising God and giving thanks to him/her, the music was about unity - about one world where we are all connected, where all the plants and creatures of the world are brothers and sisters. And that’s something I can believe.

The performance took me back to that time and space of autumn in South Africa and walking along narrow streets after a day at the paper and going steady up the slope to a hilltop to gaze down at the rooftop patchwork in the hazy light of dusk, not believing my good fortune.

better than a bookmobile

2008-10-21T10:54:00.003-05:00

A man in Colombia spreads the joy of reading with his Biblioburro.

everybody wants to go to their party

2008-10-20T15:15:00.007-05:00

Plastilina Mosh played an amazing free show at The Congress on Friday. Even though we had to wait it out for hours and endure three terrible opening acts, it was worth it.

We were in the front row of the cheap people section, which was behind the VIP section. The VIP spot was right in front of the stage and had tables for the lazies with money. But Plastilina fans are hardcore (albeit codos), so when the band finally hit the stage (ya llego la acción, ya llego la Plastilina Mosh!) at around midnight, kids started jumping the barricade into the VIP section. And security couldn't really do anything about it, so they let us all in. I bet the suckers who shelled out the $20 for VIP seating were pissed.

I manuevered my way to the front and danced around and jumped up and down and was oh so happy to be at Plastilina's party.

i know i didn't sign up for a theater class

2008-10-17T08:55:00.004-05:00

Soon, I will be reciting two passages from Paradise Lost from memory to a room full of people I don't know or really much care for. So, I will wear my gold sweater to distract them from the mess I am about to make. Maybe my gold Picasso jacket, too.

Update: SUCCESS!

right now

2008-10-16T14:45:00.003-05:00

I should be writing a paper for my Christian Poets class about obedience and hierarchies in Paradise Lost. But I found this video and I am watching it over and over and over.

thanks?

2008-10-15T13:08:00.003-05:00

I wrote two poems in reaction to the last assigned reading for my psychology class, which the professor made me read aloud. Another kid in class wrote poems in reaction to the reading and wanted to read his work, which apparently meant I wanted to read mine, too. The professor said my second poem sounded like a poet laureate he's heard on PBS. I don't know how to take that.

tell me anything you want

2008-10-13T12:53:00.003-05:00

I went to see Fleet Foxes at the Metro last night and was front row (right of) center for all the splendour. Seriously, folks, I think I am still emanating a glow of giddiness after the magic of last night's epic performance.

And I got some video on my little camera. It's when the fellas played White Winter Hymnal and it doesn't start right at the beginning because I didn't get my camera out in time. Nor does it end in the right place because I forgot I was recording. And I was too close to get the whole band in the shot. But at least I kept my crack addicty hands fairly steady!

shudder

2008-10-09T16:30:00.001-05:00

david david, make my clothes

2008-10-08T13:20:00.004-05:00

but i don't want a job

2008-10-07T14:46:00.004-05:00

I am getting constant reminders that I am old and ripe for the (job) picking. Reminders like a sudden barrage of emails from Medill pretty much telling me to get a job because that is what you're supposed to do when you graduate from college. Especially if you are getting a degree from the best journalism school in the country, or whatever.

But I don't graduate until June! And I don't want to think about getting a job. Don't make me think about that!

Can't I just play on the beach?

is maverick code for crook?

2008-10-06T13:31:00.002-05:00

career expo makes me wanna vom

2008-10-02T16:00:00.003-05:00

Norris was swarming with lots of disgustingly overdressed students today because it is career expo day, which means they are giving out jobs to kids with 'business cards' and 'ambitions'. They'll even wait until you graduate in June because you look so sharp and talk so smart and kinda smell like cubicle already.

chicago bar man is a perv

2008-09-30T19:56:00.005-05:00

A creepy old bar owner in Chicago painted his vision of a nude Sarah Palin. And his daughter was the model.

fight for your rights

2008-09-29T18:20:00.002-05:00

"Nature...has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution."

the end of the world is upon us

2008-09-29T14:35:00.006-05:00

Ohemgeeee, I was reading Paradise Lost this morning and then I read the news and the House said no to the bailout and Dow dropped five hundred some points in less than an hour and now we are all going to end up on the streets.

let me get back to you on that

2008-09-24T19:12:00.001-05:00

free sarah palin

2008-09-24T14:18:00.000-05:00

in swing

2008-09-24T13:57:00.005-05:00

Now that I've been to every class, I have an even better feeling about this quarter. It's going to be a lot of work, particularly work that involves actually speaking in class (aaaah!), but I'm cool with that.

Here's what I'm taking:
Psychology 314: Native American Thought and Environmental Decision-Making (which will count as a religion credit)
Religion 349: Christian Poets
Religion 369: Performance in Politics
Sociology 356: Gender, Politics and Policy

I will also return to my job in the Speech Perception Lab and the Infant Studies Center and am looking for Job Numero Dos so I can save money for next quarter, when I will be in crazy expensive DC.

NO!

2008-09-23T15:39:00.003-05:00

PBS has a poll up asking America if Sarah Palin is qualified to be our vice president. Looks like the Republicans have rallied up all their forces to vote yes, so take a little time to vote NO. Because PBS is a respectable source and Republicans will be all over the poll results if they turn out in their favor.

the energy

2008-09-23T08:43:00.004-05:00

Today begins my final year at Northwestern with a mixture of excitement and terror. I'm looking forward to this year because I have a really good feeling about it. There's a beautiful energy in the air that tells me things are going to be great.

I moved into the apartment Wednesday night and it was great to have these last few days to catch up with friends. The crew was scattered all over the planet last year, so it was lovely to be back together and ridiculous again.

Yesterday, I met up with one of my Cape Town loves, Andrea, at around noon, and we ended up spending the entire day together before meeting up with the rest of the South Africa crew for dinner. Andrea took me to the Village Discount Outlet in her neighborhood. We we there way longer than we intended to be, but we both scored some really cool pieces. Here's my favorite:

that was quick

2008-09-22T09:22:00.004-05:00

CERN's megaproject has shut down for repairs because the LHC was too much science for the CERN geniuses to handle. It must suck to work on something for fourteen years and throw a big party when you've finished it, then have it crumbling before you two weeks later. Sorry, CERN folks.

capadocia

2008-09-17T16:20:00.002-05:00

¡viva méxico, cabrones!

2008-09-16T09:39:00.005-05:00

no tickety tack right now

2008-09-15T20:02:00.008-05:00

If you want to die of barfness, see Michael Kors' Spring 2009 collection. But there will be nothing but brilliance if you look at Christian Siriano's collection.

Since I was busy packing Friday (I'm in Illinoise now, but still somewhere in Lake County. Hopefully Evanston tomorrow), I missed the end of New York Fashion Week and, thus, missed my fave Project Runway winner. Dude is mad talented.

numbers

2008-09-15T12:45:00.004-05:00

There are two poems by Bob Dylan in this week's New Yorker: 17 & 21.

northward!

2008-09-11T12:42:00.022-05:00

I'm off to Chicago on Saturday and will start my final year at Northwestern(!) soon. So, I should probably finish (or start) packing.

In the meantime, check out some (okay, a lot) of my favorite collections from New York Fashion Week.

Marc Jacobs

Vera Wang

Twinkle

Jonathan Saunders

James Coviello

ThreeAsFour

Sue Stemp

Rodarte

DKNY

Rachel Comey

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

Oscar de la Renta

Nicole Miller

Nanette Lepore

Anna Sui

Milly by Michelle Smith

epic science

2008-09-10T10:21:00.006-05:00

The extent of my knowledge of subatomic particles comes from my high school physics class, which is to say I know nothing. Nevertheless, I think what CERN is doing with the Large Hadron Collider is amazing. And this video makes it easier to understand.

We know so little about this beautiful universe, but now we have the power to explore this place at a much deeper level and come a little closer to discovering its mysteries. Or a lot closer if the brilliant people at CERN discover the Higgs boson. My mind is blown with the power of a thousand hurricanes right now.

vest friends

2008-09-09T17:04:00.002-05:00

Vests are awesome. I got two new ones today. And CNN's Don Lemon got really excited when his boss finally let him wear one on the teevee. Tell me when you are going to wear a vest, and I will wear mine, too. We can be vest friends (Ashley).

Also (and unrelated) I like Izza Kizza's new video.

Izza Kizza -Hello from Izza Kizza on Vimeo.

presidential candidates fight over latino vote

2008-09-08T14:41:00.009-05:00

CHCI has a big fancy gala every year during Hispanic Heritage Month with politicians and celebrities and other important people. And, of course, lots of schmoozing. Because I participated in their Congressional Internship Program last summer, I am on the CHCI Alumni mailing list and get periodic emails about all the important things that CHCI is doing and all the upcoming schmooze fests.

And this year's gala is going to be the biggest schmooze fest CHCI has ever had. Here's the press release I got over the weekend:

Presidential Candidates McCain and Obama
Headline CHCI’s Hispanic Heritage Month Events

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) today announced that presidential candidates Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois will address a crowd of more than 2,300, including as many as 40 Members of Congress in attendance, at the CHCI 31st Annual Awards Gala on September 10, 2008 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center.

Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez and actress Rosie Perez will receive Medallion of Excellence Awards. The Chairman’s Award, selected by CHCI Chairman Joe Baca (CA-43), will be presented to three pioneering Members of Congress, Reps. Solomon P. Ortiz (TX-27), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18), and Jose E. Serrano (NY-16).

CHCI prepares to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month on September 7, 2008, with its Annual Public Policy Conference celebrating the theme The Power to Make the Difference.

Hispanic Members of Congress, prominent Latino experts, and national leaders will gather at the Public Policy Conference on September 7–9, 2008, at the Washington D.C. Convention Center for provocative discussions on critical issues for the Latino community, including education, immigration, the economy, civil rights, health, housing, labor and technology.

This dynamic three-day conference will also feature a CHCI Board of Director’s Tribute to the Honorable Sen. Ted Kennedy (MA), the unveiling of a new U.S. postage stamp honoring Latin Jazz, and a lively discussion on the power of the Latino vote.

CHCI’s 8th Annual Reyes of Comedy Night takes place on Tuesday, September 9 at the Warner Theatre, featuring a dynamic lineup of comedians who will draw from their personal experiences to present a comedic portrait of Hispanic life in the United States.

Can CHCI please hook it up for alumni with a one hundred percent discount? Because you a know a girl broke as I am can't fly to DC for a couple of days, much less drop five hundred dollars on a ticket for the gala.

lactose intolerant

2008-09-04T21:12:00.000-05:00

mitakuye oyasin

2008-09-04T11:51:00.006-05:00

In wildness is the preservation of the world. - H. D. Thoreau

facebook wants to save me

2008-09-03T14:06:00.010-05:00

This article in WaPo today talks about advertising on Facebook and how specific (and possibly bullying) it can be. And, with all the information you can provide about yourself, that is to be expected. I don't really pay attention to advertisements, so I decided to check them out today to see what Facebook thinks interests me.

I will be graduating from college soon, so the get out of debt adverts are no surprise. Neither are the Obama ads. I've been a fan for a while. But what was striking was the number of religion-related ads. I saw adverts for Hillel, AdvancedMinistry, Evanston Baptist Church, "a contagious worship gathering" in San Antonio, and a conference for Christian journalists. I mean, I am studying religion, but I don't provide that information. And I don't even list any religious views on my profile. Is it because I don't list religious views on my profile? What are you suggesting, Mark Zuckerberg?

flannel folk

2008-09-01T14:11:00.003-05:00

Last week, this sweet video of two Swedish teenagers singing a Fleet Foxes song in the woods was posted on Born to Be Nervous and The FADER. I love Fleet Foxes and I love the way these girls sing that song. I can't stop listening to it.

In a time when the world is going crazy over Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, it's nice to see kids actually making good music.

no bathtub gin for me

2008-09-01T11:13:00.007-05:00

My soon-to-be-roommate, Dinah, had a Great Depression-themed birthday celebration this weekend, and I missed it because I am still en Tejas and will be here for another two weeks. Bummer. The party was amazing, I'm sure, if the Facebook invite is any indication:

So, we've got this new apartment, and Dinah's got this birthday. Trouble is, the dollar is approaching worthlessness, unemployment is on the rise, and the Illinois cigarette tax is prohibitive to the enjoyment of vice.

Solution: Attend our Great Depression party.

The stock market should crash sometime before 11, and then it'll be all bathtub gin and busking the blues in our living room Hooverville. COME IN COSTUME. Overalls and barrels would be appropriate, or come as a demoralized stock broker or very dirty flapper. Bonus points for creativity, but if you come dressed for a Gatsby party I swear I will not let you in my home. I hear FDR will be there, maybe with the New Deal. Or the entire dust bowl. Grapes of Wrath?

And if that party is any indication, I am going to love my roommates and fall quarter in Evanston is going to be sweet.

a sky ripped open

2008-08-29T15:09:00.006-05:00

A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

the verdict

2008-08-29T00:29:00.002-05:00

He killed it!

change is good

2008-08-28T21:04:00.003-05:00

Ohemgee, The One is about to take the stage in Denver to accept his party's nomination. People want him to rock harder than he did in 2004.

Dude has a lot to live up to because that speech was insane. Not to mention today is the anniversary of another little speech.

Let's see how he does.

introductions

2008-08-27T14:26:00.003-05:00

The CW posted interviews with the models from the upcoming cycle of ANTM, which starts 3 September.

I'm still digging Marjorie because she has a cool look and is a huge dork.

Nikeysha, who needs a new weave, and Sheena from Harlem promise to be entertaining.

Hannah was chased by a moose in Alaska.

And Isis is a ladymanlady, which I guess is a big deal for ANTM and their diversify!diversify!diversify! agenda.

wake up!

2008-08-26T19:14:00.002-05:00

flash flood

2008-08-26T13:18:00.005-05:00

Eagle Pass residents know that Mayor Foster has opposed the border fence from the beginning. He told me so in the summer of 2006, when I interviewed him for the Eagle Pass News Guide. His refusal to give in even led to a lawsuit. Now, things are not looking good.

I was talking to my dad the other day about the fence and how it would affect Piedras Negras, the city right across the border, which already has serious problems with flooding. Then I saw Grist post this article.

To push forward with construction, environmental restrictions have been waived and the interests of our neighbors to the south have been disregarded. Mayor Foster knows this and the people of Eagle Pass know this. So, why doesn't anyone else care?

dame un momento, dame un lugar

2008-08-25T13:30:00.003-05:00

I've been listening to Ximena Sariñana a lot lately and really digging her stuff. So, I went back in time and looked up the Luz Clarita theme song, which she sang.

And a scene from the novela.

Girl was good when she was a kid and is even better now.

(v)eeeep!

2008-08-23T00:45:00.008-05:00

So, I've been waiting for an email or text message from The One all week. I was expecting to wake up one of these days to a message like this:

hillary for vp! lol, jk. OBAMA-BIDEN '08!!!!

And I still have no official word from Barry and his people. What gives? WaPo (and everyone else) already told me I was right.

Ultimately, I think Obama made a good choice. I am content with the decision, though I would have preferred an Obama-Kucinich ticket (or a number of other combinations). Or, better yet, just OBAMA '08 because dude is cool enough to run without a VP.

Now, I have to figure out how to get my hands on an invite to the inaugural ball.

UPDATE: It's official.

i missed something

2008-08-20T17:31:00.002-05:00

I read The FADER blog every day, so I don't know how I missed the WTF freeload from Tittsworth f. Pase Rock and Kid Sister posted a while back. The track is hot and you can listen to it here.