on the radio

in procrastinating on my finals, i came across the most adorable music video:


Get this video and more at MySpace.com

day off

happy veteran's day (observed)! (i always thought those parentheses in calendars were weird when i was little).

i, of course, had to start my day taking my grandma to run errands while she passive-aggressively blames me for the fact that she can't drive. hey, i didn't give you cataracts lady.

the rest of the day was ok. i had some yummy butternut squash soup for lunch with the little sis, i got to watch beverly hills:90210 on the soap network, and now i am snuggling with my cat.

you should probably watch this video:


and i don't know who you are- because, i'm pretty sure it's mainly me reading this. in that case, amy, watch this video ALL THE TIME.

kiva

Last night Domino and I went to a comedy show at Harvard. It was pretty crude and sometimes funny, but we enjoyed hanging out as always. The best thing about it, however, was that it benefited this really cool organization called Kiva.
Kiva is a micro finance company that provides loans to poor people in other countries to help them start or expand their business. Since I am a college student and I have loads of loans myself, I never thought I would be able to make a significant loan to anyone else, but Kiva makes it possible.
Right now, you can only makes loans of $25. Plus, since it's a loan, you will get it back. Although, most people just keep putting what they get back into the system.
So, because of this organization, I was able to help a woman in Nicaragua with her store. This is her page here. It's cool because other people are a part of her loan too. So from Canada to England, California to Florida, Louisiana to North Reading, Massachusetts, strangers have come together to help someone they don't even know have a better life. It's so cool, you should do it!

overhearing

I love the whole "Overheard" website concept. I often overhear people saying strange things, but more often, people probably overhear me saying strange things.

The best recent instance of this was probably two weeks ago when I was on the Orange Line and late to work. I needed a phone number, and my only hope to get it was guiding my grandma via phone to get on the computer to go online and get it... "Ok do you know where the internet is... Now, hit enter. It's on the keyboard Gram...V as in Victor. No, not winter VICTOR."
I had to talk really loud too. I bet my fellow commuters enjoyed that.

The other day at school I overheard a girl complaining, "My girlfriend is living with my ex-boyfriend!!" Must be complicated...

But here is a gem I saw on the Overheard Everywhere site today:

From Jane Austin's Nonsense and Insensibility
Guy: Hello, pot, this is the kettle! You're black!
Girl: I am not black. What are you talking about?
Guy: It's a metaphor. Do you know what a metaphor is?
Girl: Yes -- it's a giant flaming rock that comes out of the sky. You never make any sense.

Seattle, Washington

via Overheard Everywhere, Oct 8, 2007

January 1996

I found a story that my brother dictated to his teacher on January 19, 1996. It comes with some awesome graphics, most likely made with Kid Pix, but I don't have a scanner, so you'll have to imagine.

"The dragon went and tried to blow fire on the spider man. But he was too strong. The rat helped the spider man. They found a little boy climbing a mountain. The rat went to the banana tree and got a banana to eat. He was rich."

Amazing. I am so proud. That was by Erik, by the way. The next youngest brother was junior in college in January 1996. But you never know...

pumpkin pie.

There is something about the smells of fall that makes me feel absolutely compelled to write. Right now, it's pumpkin.
Today I smelled a pumpkin candle and instantly was transported to the giant pumpkin contest at the fair near my hometown. Then I walked down the dusty paths, amidst the flashing lights and sounds of the ferris wheel for hot apple cider. I pulled my sweater up to shield my neck from the brisk fall breeze, and realized I was just in the craft store.
I bought the candle and now the scent, the fair, the whole idea of autumn is with me in my bedroom. Maybe I'm being overly sentimental, but something about the impending New England fall fills me with anticipation and excitement akin to those suffering from spring fever.
I've felt this way about fall for as long as I can remember, but it's not until now that I feel old enough to wax poetic about it. And I'm not that old, but there is something extra exciting about this being the first fall I can celebrate my birthday with pumpkin beer.

Or, it could be the fact that an ex-New Kid on the Block will be performing at that fair this year...