Thursday, April 29, 2010

Sometimes We Make It. Sometimes We Fake It.

Andrew McMahon had this on his blog a couple months ago. It is an excerpt from a journal of Bukowski's:

"I write as a function. Without it I would fall ill and die. It's as much a part of one as the liver or intestine, and just about as glamorous."

Now, I don't feel that way. And, for that reason, I have always known my career as a writer is unlikely. But, I do love to write. Clearly. I mean I keep updating this ding-dang blog, don't I?

I finished my play this week. My capstone of college. It's not done, but it is a complete piece as of Monday. Something I find so ridiculous about making art is how it really doesn't mean anything unless it means something to someone else. Like, a great basketball player, let's say my roommate Grinz can play, and get baskets, and it's clear she is fabulous. But, I could write a great play, and people might not like it. Not so black and white. I mean, one of my favorite plays of all time--Faith Healer--tanked on its first run. For no reason.


Where all the "magic" happens. My room Spring 2010.

To be frank, I am proud of what I have written so far. Two people have read it and approved. That's a great start. A great great start. But, I have to present this to my community. It's on the calendar. People will attend. I am not excited at all. They may hate it. I am working up the courage slowly to stand and say, "Well...this is what I made. Who knows if it Good. What is "Good"? Just sit there and watch."

Count-Down: T-Minus Four Weeks.

And even if my voice comes back again, maybe they'll be no one listening. Even if I find the strength to stand, doesn't mean I won't go missing.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

LOOK HOW COOL I AM...Not

Read the Rolling Stone story on Glee cast members. Pretty interesting, and of course, Chris Colfer was the superstar. Playing my favorite character, Colfer is actually younger than me. He graduated from HS in '08. In the interview he said that he had a really rough time going through school but he always fit in on HIS SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM.

Blaaaaagh! Speech and Debate 4 Lyfe!

So, naturally, my next mode of action was to look him up on the National Forensics League Database. I found him and quickly realized I totally kicked his butt in interp. I was so thrilled. I totally smoked him in districts, and it doesn't even look like he broke to Nationals! I had to tell everyone! Then, suddenly, I was all,

"Um. Alice are you about to brag because you have more speech and debate points than the gay kid on the TV show about Glee club?"

GD.


Nats '06, so many rice cakes, photo by Wilhelm

PS My recent reflecting on Speech may or may not have to do with my future. Details forthcoming.

The stars are out tonight.
Look at the fireworks.
You're not alone tonight.
Lighting the night sky.
You're not alone tonight.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Breakfast, Baby Ghal!


Blanche's adoption day, August 2009

A of all, while on our Chicago LZ trip with Bradley steering the massive van through the icy streets, he and I found it hilarious to mimic a rastafarian trying to pick up various "Baby Ghal"s. Like a woman walking with a Whole Foods bag became "Organic Baby Ghal" and pick up lines to her included "I'd like to see dat Kashi rump Baby Ghal!" I don't really know. At the time it was funny.

So, this morning I was feeing my hamster and to her/myself yelled "Good Morning Baby Ghal!" And, then, I looked at the Fiesta Mix I've been feeding her which labels itself as "More Protein! More Fun!" Wait...what? My hamster food is "More fun?"

More fun than what, and secondly, why do I care? What? Who marketed this stuff?
Then again, I did buy it.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Big Ears

Bradley and I were walking to his house at around 11:10 PM. I had my little shuffle on in preparation for us to part ways and exclaimed "Oh! Guess what's on!" and belted

You were my sky, my moon, and my stars, and my ocean.
We can never go back to before.


because it's from Ragtime which we LOVE!

Bradley laughed, went inside, and I walked on. But! A booming voice from some other location amidst the flock of dormitories and academic buildings screamed "PUT A CORK IN IT ALICE!"

I found this endearing because it was clearly a threat of love. I mean, heck it was personalized, the yeller was able to recognize my name weren't they? So sweet.

Back in the day when I let you make all my choices. We can never go back to before.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Parents' Weekend

The last Parents Weekend Variety Talent Show I will ever be in. I was talking about the dress rehearsal with Pookie-

Alice: I have to go to rehearsal at seven for the Parent Weekend Variety...Gosh what a long name.
Pookie: Shorten it. Pee-double-you...okay not worth it.



It's never the best LZ show, but it is an LZ show, and I love the cast, and I love not being in charge anymore. Yesterday the show's director called us an hour and half early...not so good for a rowdy bunch of people with nothing to rehearse. We got antsy and started playing Truth or Dare (of all things to be doing in my last quarter of college). Bradley started making up dares about mooning the audience, and for a moment I started to freak out when I remembered I am no longer responsible for anything that happens with LZ. Oh, it felt so good.


Great Things about This Picture: XTian's pits & it's resemblance to the DVD cover of One Tree Hill Season One

Anyway, my dad was here. Doling out grades to all the acts as usual. Saying things like "This musical number? So what? C." and "From joyful to joyless--F."

This morning Pookie made us tiny almond croissants and we had a heated discussion on how we all hated our PE educations.

"Oh, I hated the rope. It's like...here climb this. It's two stories high. There's like...a little mat underneath you. And, I'm like 1) I don't like doing this and 2) If I screw up I'LL DIE. I mean...the mat is really just there to sop up the blood." - My Dad

Saturday, April 24, 2010

SIN, COSIN, COSIN, SIN! 3.14159!

Yes, the Mathletes cheer we did sophomore year when WE WON SECTIONALS! Yeah. Represent! Too bad Illinois Mathletes is nowhere near as exciting as Mean Girls makes it seem. It's the movie's greatest flaw. What? Alice SHUT UP! This is not the point of this entry at all.



The point (pun intended) is that I love to celebrate Pi Day. LOVE IT. For the past six years Mia and I have made it our personal holiday. Even if we're abroad on the official day, we celebrate some other time. There is always cause for pie! Yesterday was that day. Our pies were apple and berry. They were delightful.

Today I am working on my capstone and uploading more stuff from my external hard drive onto Kurt. I found an old iChat convo between Mia and I from winter 2008. It is too good not to share.

Mia: I CALLED YOU
Mia: AND LEFT YOU A MESSAGE
Mia: WITH MY NAME AND NUMBER
Mia: AND I WAS NEVER CALLED BACK
Alice: Ughhh I'm sorry!
Alice: I did get that and I just checked it at a bad time and I meant to call back and did not...
Alice: Sorrry!

Alice: You said you couldnt get mad at me!
Alice: In your LJ!
Alice: Circa '05.
Mia: wow
Mia: way to bring up the past
Alice: Yeah well it was true then and it is true now!
Alice: It wasn't over.
Alice: It's still not over!
Alice: I wrote you a letter every day you were gone.
Mia: uhhhh
Mia: if you are quoting what i think you are
Mia: then i hate you
Mia: as much as i hate that movie
Alice: I hate that movie too.
Mia: why
Mia: why quote it
Alice: Because it is so bad that it is funny.
Alice: Like Popstar.
Alice: And How to Deal.
Alice: Many fond memories.
Mia: HOW TO DEAL IS A GOOD F______ MOVIE

Alice: Well do you need anything from me?
Alice: IE what you wanted to know form the phone call?
Mia: i was telling you about your present actually
Alice: I'l tell you something exciting in exchange for this future present.
Mia: nope
Alice: Ok well I'll still tell you the exciting thing.
Alice: New Jack's Mannequin comes out April 22!
Mia: gross
Mia: i hate them
Alice: Why do you hate Jack's?
Alice: I mean both bands are basically Andrew McMahon.
Mia: they are the jesus to socos moses for the jews like me
Mia: opposite for you
Alice: Hahah.
Alice: Right right.
Mia: im busy waatching roswell
Mia: now
Alice: Haha ok peace.
Mia: bibi


Yesterday.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Come Home

Some people hate that we are mandated by this school to live in dorms all four years. But, I've always liked it. It is a closer community, and you never have to worry about rents and locations etc. It's a flat rate. You've got a house. It's done.

Tonight as I was about to brush my teeth I saw a hallmate of mine all glammed up like she was heading out. I am wearing Phyl's old purple tank top with hearts on it and gym shorts. I'm sleepy, and it's showing. I like that--that in my own home, in my own hall, I can remember that some people go out late on Fridays and others write on their blogs and go to sleep. Some are with boyfriends and others are texting their long distance dudes while watching 30 Rock. Some are hosting several friends in a room and others are together as roommates, soundlessly.

when you've got a problem you come home
you don't go out and make matters worse on your own