Long hair, don't care

My life has come full circle - Hanson is now covering T. Swift.

Also, what's the little one in the middle playing?  Is this chair/hand percussion?  Isaac has gotten significantly cuter... he was the old (and by that, 16 year old) gangly lookin' one, right?

I kinda love it, even though I haven't decided if I'm into the original.  Random comebacks, FTW.

Plenty o' Fish

(Source)

A big thank you to Brendan for being the unsolicited but ever-supportive friend.

Spotify is embarassing

I was smart enough to hide my Spotify selections on Facebook - they only appear as visible to me, Thank God - but apparently the little sidebar on the program lists each and every song you listen to all day.  Like when you've selected Latin radio for the last 6 hours of listening enjoyment, and receive the following question:

Max: are you currently DJ-ing a quinceanera?

I assumed Spotify would list maybe the first song that played.  But no, I'm dominating the sidebar like Agador Spartacus.  C'mon, Gloria, let's get out of here.

But I don't want to

Alyson: yea for sure!!!
i think say yes to everything
unless there is something blatantly wrong with him-- like he is a murderer-- i think you should at least go on the date

What I'd rather be doing...

WHEN I WATCH TWO SEASONS OF

MAD MEN IN ONE WEEKEND

(Source)



August Reads

My pleasure reading ain't wait it used to be.  I basically took a hiatus from high school until the last year or so, with the exception of Twilight and Chelsea Handler books.  But I've been making an effort to read better books when I can (i.e.; this summer, and not again until January) and I made it through two books in my last week of "vacay".

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing was a super quick collection of short stories about a girl sifting through all the various love advice we ladies receive from childhood on. Chronicling various relationships, their flaws, and the idea that women are supposed to sit back and wait for a man to come to them, when the main character just wants to be funny and act naturally.  It's definitely worth an afternoon.  I especially liked the depiction of women without boyfriends as in their "seahorse" period: "when we were told that we didn't need mates; we were supposed to make ourselves happy just bobbing around in our careers."  Obviously, this is an idea that I can't relate to at all.

I've wanted to read this for years and finally made good on it.  It was at times crass and jarringly violent, but a vivid depiction of multiple generations of Dominican-American culture, struggles, and heartbreak.  I loved the use of Spanglish, even though a lot of it was slang that I had to look up.  A lot of images will stay with me (spring break 2007 in Punta Cana suddenly has a different tinge to it?), and I'll spare you that kind of haunting.  I especially liked the voice of the narrator, almost justifying his urgency and tone throughout: "If you didn't grow up like I did then you don't know, and if you don't know it's probably better you don't judge."  

This was my set up:

This was my soundtrack.  Doesn't do justice for how close the loons were, and there's a hawk flying overhead and dive bombing the loons and their bebe.  (Maybe the dingo ate your baybay?)  

Now I'm mourning summer and back to classes tomorrow.  

(Source)

City Sports

If anyone's looking for online shopping entertainment this weekend, City Sports has 20% off if you buy two clearance items.  I got new running sneaks and this North Face fleece for almost 2/3 off each.

 (Source)

God, I love deals.

Happy Labor Day weekend, y'all!

Stock Exchange/Finance Boy's a real casanova

Messages 3 and 4:

He went from three times to more than once for the fourth message.  Hot.

Anyways - I've backed off of this venture because it's a lot of work and thus far negative reward.  Which is to say, I've put a lot of time into being entertained and mildly horrified by it.  BUT a classmate discovered me (Hi Val!) and offered to fix me, because apparently my interests attract weirdooos.  So there's that, and now I'm sure all the eligible bachelors will come out of hiding.  (Def holding my breath.)

ALSO - there's a question on OKC that asks if you're more intense or carefree.  I answered carefree.  Val said my profile itself is intense, but that's good, because so am I.  I'm intense?? Is that true?  Guys??

Forearm workouts, please.

I spent yesterday on a painting jamboree for my new home owner, birthday girl best friend from home.  My forearms got a mean workout - who knew paint rollers were so strenuous on forearms!?  But based on this photo from last week's relay race - which, very kindly, the running organization I joined made the cover photo of their FB album:

Apparently my forearms need some working out?  I've tried to replicate this arm situation and cannot for the life of me.  If I never replicate anything in this photo, it'd be too soon.  Woof, Kait.  Hence, I took paint roller charge yesterday and ran with it.  Also, judging by this picture, I need to run more often.  And work on my gait.  And my weird claw.  Some people burn such pictures, but given that it's going down in infamy on Facebook, I might as well get my self deprecation on. (I promise there are others that make me look like a mildly athletic, normal person, but they're not entertaining in the least.)

Annnyway, while painting, I got a full day of listening to other iPods and finally heard a song that I've been trying to find for a couple of years.  It played a lot at home at restaurants and is so summery and mellow, and I jumped at finding out who it was finally!  Strangely enough, when I hummed and mumbled "make it better" over and over, nobody recognized my rendition.  Yeah it's oldish and everybody probably knows it, but this was a great triumph for me.



Especially like this line: Cause I know the grass is greener but just as hard to mow.

Nothing like helping out with house projects, finding a new song, and hanging with a good friend on her birthday to feel like you've accomplished something and you're right where you belong.

New Moves

I can't look away.  I don't know what to say, but it's from Smashy, and it's important that you watch this. 

Just know that I'm busting this move out everywhere.  Especially in elevators.

I also spent the better part of a day learning the Wobble cold... which only took 6 months of learning part and then forgetting parts.  I'm now fully versed in the Wobble, the Cha Cha Slide, the Frankenbush (kind of similar to the monstrosity above, minus the horse riding hand motions), and the Macarena.  I pretend to do Dougie moves well enough, and I can Charlie Brown with the best of them, but the Electric Slide is my White Whale.  Just can't nail down the sequence.  

For those new to the Wobble:

Endless Entertainment

With an inbox like this, who needs TV?

From "hotstuff" -
how would you like to go for a ride in jeep


with the doors off and get an ice creem

an go from there

see ya

No.  And his favorite movie is pulpfison.  No no no.

From (redacted/my screen name points out that I work in finance twice) -   Msg 1: Something about you stands out to me (smarts, sassy & dressy- love all of this). You've shared just enough to make me think we have have some potential..

and I guess we both are on the same levels with a lot of things - We might have a lot to offer each other. So I want to try this out with you

Msg 2: Hey, I also noticed you value career stuff and hold a lot of passion for it... Sound like you also have put a lot into it... we could connect on that level. I also notice you like the water! I could direct you to the best 'pools' in Boston... would love a partner to do them all with! Have you been to Colonnade Hotel's pool bar?!

You just sound normal & you could have this awesome sassy side to you... let's try this! we are both in Boston

Here's my sassy side: I like water!!!!!!!! Let's try this!! We are both in Boston!!! Same level!!!!!

From a coworker just shamelessly calling me out:

XOXO - let's pretend this never happened.

Keepin' you posted, one set of heeby jeebies at a time.

GPS Dating

Well, all that checking in on foursquare just got obsolete.  Ironically, I didn't understand why all these "LET'S GET BEERS" text messages from the okcupid app were popping up on my phone until I read this article.  (Keep it classy, Southie.)  Also, good thing I'm an early adopter who just has her GPS on like donkey kong and doesn't know that I'm putting myself up on display like a freakin cinnamon roll in a bakery window.

My new BF is INSIDE my phone.  Like this:

Well this is reassuring

I suppose it's nice that he gets that out in the open.  Is it weird he doesn't mention prison time?  Or should I just take the drug/sex-addiction-free thing and count myself lucky?

You learn something new everyday

My New Year's Resolution on becoming more financially literate is going well.

Polite Company

In the early stages of getting to know someone - be it dating, new friends, new employers, honestly, anyyybody - I have a big secret to tell people.  A major bomb from the way it's been received by some.  No, I've never been married, I don't secretly have six kids, I'm not a vegan, and no, I didn't experiment with my gender in college. 

My job does kind of hint that it's a possibility - but good God man, it's Massachusetts.  It couldn't be.  She can't... be... the R-word?

I thought this article was funny - LA might be just as anti-Republican as good old MA - and it actually kind of inspired me to pay a little more attention to Meghan McCain.  A more recent bit on her site shows her on Chelsea Lately, and I can get involved with any Republican who's pro-gay marriage (let's just call it pro-marriage, mmk?) and hangs with Chels and her coslopus.  Check it out.

http://mccainblogette.com/blog/post/dropping-the-r-bomb

Get it?

Get it?!  (I didn't). 

My Best Friend's Wedding

So this weekend I get to take part in the wedding of one of my very very best friends from childhood and the best guy.  Weddings are so much more fun when two people are as perfect for each other as Jen and Gav, and I am so so so pumped for a weekend with my HS girlfriends who haven't been altogether since... I don't even know.  Probably freshmen year of college?  Too long, regardless.  Oh, it's gonna be good.

This prompts me to add as an addendum two country songs I'd forgotten:

Take a Back Road by Rodney Atkins which makes me want to get in the car and immediately start driving north.  It reminds me of high school and finding big mud puddles to drive through with Jen and my big black dodge ram.  This is the only nostalgia I have for high school and I find that in no way depressing.

Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean.  Adding Luda really is never in poor form.  Never.  It takes the song from slightly too low key for me to something I've been listening to on repeat.  Can I just get him to drop a beat in my life at low points?  Immediate game changer.

Notice that my two addendum country songs involve back/dirt roads in anticipation of this weekend.  I'm starting to feel like Country magazine (which Barbara faithfully subscribes to) with the tagline "people who live in or long for the country."  Nothing like a summer heatwave and endless pavement to make me want to pick up and move back to the woods.

Rambles

ON LOVE

So, recently, for the first time in a long time, I'm entirely single.   Technically I haven't been in a real-life, local relationship in a year and a half, but now the lingering relationship is done too.  I leave my phone in the other room at night to stop myself from looking at the texts that aren't there.  I am back to self-deprecating KK, pointing out idiosyncracies and musing on whether or not THAT is why I've scared all the men off.  (Case in point, I have been asked numerous times whether I'm dating a classmate that I'm always around and who's engaged - obviously why suitors are intimidated.)

Ultimately this is a process that I needed to tackle in order to find happiness in the present.  Sucks.  But summer is the best time because I'm right out straight until school starts again, at least - and then it'll be another crazy year.  I'm also thinking about signing up for match - eep?  Thoughts?  It just hadn't really occurred to me, and now it seems to be popping up in conversation with friends, on blogs, etc.  Apparently we're getting to that age - and it couldn't hurt?  Well, it probably will hurt to go on painful dates, but in the end I need to work on my interview skillz anyway.  Let's play multi-tasking with my emotions and job prospects... heyoo.  I'll keep you posted with my adventures, and hopefully it will be less painful than this.

POSITIVE UPDATES

Loneliness, (and let's be clear, I've been everywhere but home for the past 6 weeks and living the dream and I am so so so whiny to even be admitting that I feel a tenth of what so many other people do), has been a great motivator!  I am a gym rat like I haven't been since probably 2008, I'm down 5 pounds, I get into the runners high thing where I don't really need to stop but kind of do because I'm ready to do something else or it's hot out.  I found a gym at school where there are no thugs just parking themselves on the weights, so I lift! My arms are getting definition back!  I have been eating like a girl (instead of like Cartman) and have gotten myself back on the kick where I crave protein rather than salt and sugar.  And sugar!  I'm trying to go without artificial sweeteners - going back to one packet of sugar in my coffee - and coffee is going down to ONE cup a day.  I think my stomach has always been kind of mushy, and it turns out that artificial sweeteners and beer are super bloating, so I'm avoiding those.  I'm trying to ween myself down on my compulsive gum chewing.  But I'm still loving ice cream.  Can't stop, won't stop.

All of this is doing WONDERS for my sleeping.  I have never been a great sleeper, and tuckering myself out physically and cutting way back on my coffee intake is doing great things.  WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?  Oh right.  Everyone. 

And because this is the most happy thing - everyone I know has complimented my tan.  Thank you, thank you, I look like a beach baby while still working full time and taking summer classes.  That's dedication, and I will happily accept the accolades and all those "hey, nice tan"'s from coworkers.

COUNTRY MUSIC

It's back in my heart in a big way. I think I just made the definitive new country playlist for summer 2k12. Overwhelmingly about summer, happiness, and dranking, with a teeny tiny bit of heartache - but nothing too cheesy. Sorry this is blurry, but I think it's legible enough.

Any other suggestions for me?  Keep em happy or angry, I don't do sad, unless it's in a wistful "you don't know her like I do" way.  Then I'll consider it.

That's one of the reasons I never wanted to get married. The last thing I wanted was infinite security and to be the place an arrow shoots off from. I wanted change and excitement and to shoot off in all directions myself, like the colored arrows from a Fourth of July rocket. - Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar.

Summer Jams

Fun.  Some Nights.  In love.  Sorry for the f bomb, mom.  I think this is my summer anthem.

Airborne Toxic Event, Changing.  What, I'm a year late?  Whatever.  I am a gentleman.  I keep expecting to see Baxter the dog punted off a bridge.

B.O.B., So Good.  I just want to travel, particularly with B.O.B.  I'll be your senorita, indeed.

Adam Levine's a pompous asshole, but I love the wiz khalifa drop.


The kids nowadays are saying YOLO.  I missed that happening and now I can't get enough of it.  Dedicated to Sonypants, who's leaving our beloved Boston to pursue some you-only-live-once dreams. 

For my recently-survived college reunion and the head injuries sustained during a dance party to this song, (not mine).

Notably not included in this list is call me, maybe, which has been retired indefinitely.  Didn't think it was possible, but so so so over it.  Substituted is the always in fashion BC version of what should we call me, more aptly titled what should bc call me maybe. 

Becuase you know you've been there.

I forgot I had a blog

Yep, we're back.  Mostly just to show you this:

Never really got into John Legend, but add some Luda, and wassssup babe?  You have nice eyes.  I'm Kait.

Oh and I never ate that jicama (sorry, couldn't wrap my head around the recipes that I was reading? You are a crunchy, juicy root I am supposed to eat raw? What?)  And Stop and Shop doesn't have an *exciting* food section like Hannaford.  Who knew my central Maine grocery store would have more exotic offerings than the Irish Riviera?  I'll try new things later.

Stolen from Smackey

Best Video Proposal Ever

What is it about this song that's so awesome?  I find myself yelling "FISH FILET" as an inappropriate response to questions.  Is it Will Ferrell with the "it gets the people going" line?  I think this writer sees my dreams because this is approximately what a night in Kait's head looks like.  Gwyneth Paltrow driving around and trying to find Jigga in Paris.  Ninjas in a hotel room.  Kanye giving this girl a dirty look when she asks to get married at the mall.  Skrillex appearing behind the curtain at the ending.  It's all too perfect.  A+++ on artistic vision.  If this girl isn't a director for Ye's future videos, he's slipping.

Wanna make out?

http://www.qdoba.com/

And because this likely won't make sense when the promotion ends...

 
Burritos and babes? Best day ever.

Speaker Gingrich, so hot right now.

I can only assume that this is how the women of South Carolina actually think, because yes, it is more important to seek out the most hypocritical proponent of traditional family values than to wind up with a competent candidate that wouldn't have a beer with you.

Go Newt?

So you want to go to law school?

Let me paint a picture for you.

You sit in a small group of 4 people in front of a class of 100 students, prepared to explain the legal definition of obscenity as defined in the Miller case.  You are well versed in the previous definition, the change Miller hands down, and the implications of each.   You’re ready to explain why the state has the power to ban subject matter, even with the general “avert your eyes” doctrine, and most importantly, you're grateful that this professor assigns groups particular cases, so that you can prepare for the public flogging of getting called on.  Then the professor turns to your group, looks over his glasses at you, back down at his papers, and smiles.

“Alright, first up.  Have you heard of crush videos?”

“Um.  No.”   This is not in the reading.  You rack your brain for if you skipped a footnote.  You decide you’re about to be set up with an awkward argument.  You’re terrified.

“They are sort of fetish videos, where women wearing stiletto high heels stomp baby animals to death.  They’re all over the place online, and they’re really gruesome.  They show all kinds of different animals, kittens and squirrels, and different women, but always wearing high heels.  Just extremely violent, nauseating videos.  Are these obscene?  Can these videos be banned according to the Supreme Court?”

Yep.  You’re about to argue why weird fetish videos are a-ok by SCOTUS, but sex is not. Proceed to collect your bearings and argue your way out of the corner the professor has painted you in.  Good luck with that.

Constitutional Law is one of the more interesting classes – given it explains so much of how our country is the way it is – and it’s amazing how many cases could have been decided differently with a single changed vote.  But Lord, it’s difficult to rationalize why we do what we do.  The Miller case defined obscenity as solely sexual acts, therefore, I spent the better part of my humiliation session arguing that Crush videos are acceptable material and cannot be outright banned by the Supreme court.   Not surprisingly, I also seem to be going down in history as the girl who got to argue that Crush videos are less offensive than simple porn. 

But that’s what being a lawyer is – making an argument that could make you uncomfortable but is grounded in law.   I didn’t want to defend these Crush video deviants, but I didn’t get a choice. It’s easy to then make the mental jump that’s required to be a defense attorney.  I dread the feeling of being called on in class and having n-o i-d-e-a what might possibly be coming down the pike, but it certainly thickens up my skin.  And like all public speaking, practice doesn’t make perfect, but it makes it a hell of a lot less scary.

So much of law school is bone-dry reading and cantankerous professors and eccentric students, and it’s too easy to lose the end game in this hellacious process.  As much as school can suck, I have to remember what the fun part is – I’ll be ready and able to interpret, challenge, and work with the law.  That’s a pretty awesome skill that I’ll have at my disposal.  With the threat of insufficient job prospects looming, I need to remember the positives: I like what this process will grant me and that school is making me grow in ways I didn’t expect.  And I can’t argue with that.

One twenty five!

To keep with my creepin', I commented on Liz's  post about coming to Boston and subtly suggested that she have Boston meet up.  To prove how awesome she/I/we all are, she hosted the meet up at the scene of the crime/my 27th b-day party/one of my fav bars.  And then this happened:

You're nailing it, so hard right now.

I love when the internet turns into real life and when bloggers are just as cool as their writing make them seem!  Liz -thank you so much for being super friendly and for sharing some of the best gossip I've heard in months.  Canada for the win?  #topicsthatwon'tbetrendinganytimesoon?

PS - how awesome are the friends that are as excited to meet someone new/a mini internet sensation as you, are down with creepin', and up for anything?  Love love love pants and turkey. Love.

Pepino

In case no one else knows what this is: http://nutsaboutfruit.blogspot.com/2010/04/get-to-know-mellow-pepino-melon.html

So I tried that pepino.  Verdict?  It's very blah tasting... maybe mine's not particularly ripe.  However, the purple streaks are supposed to "itensify" when it ripens, and mine's pretty purpley right now.  It tastes like a bland melon with a bit of pear consistency.  Apparently pepino means cucumber in Spanish.  Makes sense.. very mild flavor.  Also, despite looking like a melon, it's a nightshade, and I can see the comparison to eggplant in texture.

Here's hoping for a more exciting jicama review - which, considering it goes well with rice and beans and mexican plates, I should love.

The Bach

I'm usually more into the Bachelorette than the Bachelor... something about 25 girls stabbing each other over a guy that they barely know is much less appealing than 25 dudes wooing a lady.  The Bachelorette - call me crazy - is more about romance.  And a little classier.   The Bachelor turns into this cut-throat, whiny sloot fest... but how do we turn this down?



ABC, you had me at *sniffle*.

And spoiler alert for this first ep - this biddy spends most of the 2 hours crying, and from the upcoming scenes of this season, she makes a pattern of it.

This poor sweet Ben - though I'm not into his floppy hair - I'm rooting for him..  And yes, I'm aware that Ali Fedotowsky just left Roberto... who was a total babe.  But Trisha and Ryan are still together, and dammit, I'm an eternal optimist.  I just love love.

And really, the Bachelor is filling a void in my poor little DVR's heart: it will significantly up the amount of crying on my DVR when added to the Biggest Loser, but until those Jersey Housewives come back, the back-stabbing bitchiness level was nearing a dangerous low.  Dance Moms and Mob Wives, I need you.

New Year, New Kait

I've never been a resolution girl.   Every day should be the first day of the rest of your life, and if I want to make a change, I should seize the carpe then.  That being said, I'm feeling a little lax.  School sucks the life out of me, yadda yadda.  So, I'm taking this cliche moment to check in and reevaluate.

1.)  I've fallen off the gym wagon.  I'd rather sleep until the last second than get up a second early - but, endorphins make people happy.  And happy people don't just shoot their husbands.  And there's a reason Elle Woods managed to make it through law school with so much grace and style.  And pep.  Ergo, 5 days minimum each week have to involve sweat, even just a 20 minute shake out run before work or after class.  No excuses.  In 2012, I'm getting hot.

(Side note: Santa brought me Zumba for the wii!  Me + Pitbull + dance party in the privacy of my living room?  Fair warning to all visitors to call in advance.  I butchered the Cupid Shuffle on NYE... that should give you a picture of my moves.)

(Second side note: an interesting turn of events in a raucous yankee swap graced our home with a shake weight.  It's so wobbly?  It doesn't really feel like it's doing anything.  I think the instructional DVD is full of it.)

2.)  2012 needs to be the year of understanding money.  I've never invested, so (in all my spare time) I will start reading up on stocks.  True story: I won the sixth grade, year long project where we fake invested money and tracked stocks all year.  12 year old Kait had her money on her mind, 27 year old Kait needs to take some of her advice.

3.)  I'm getting out of my comfort zone.  Whether it's new activities, new foods, new friends?  Let's go.  Case in point, I went on a mini day hike yesterday on New Year's Day.  I bought a jicama and a pepino at the grocery store.  I'll keep you posted on how both of those actually go - cuz they're foreign territory to me.  When I studied abroad I tried crazy new things every single day, and until I can hop on an avion and have a fresh guanabana whenever I want, I'm taking advantage of the new and exciting right here.

Feel free to hold me accountable.  I'll need it.  Happy New Year friends, let's make 2012 one to remember.