2 a.m. challenge - Day 9

So I haven't written a 2 a.m. post in a while, because the truth is I've been good! Haha what I mean to say is that I have not really been out past two, and the nights that I have no shenanigans of any kind have taken place. Is that a good sign? Well I don't know, its not as much fun that's for sure. Last weekend was the closest to a post 2 a.m. shenanigan that I've had in awhile, but alas things fell through. I just wanted to assure everyone that I have not forgotten about the 2 a.m. challenge, I just haven't had anything to write.

O father! My father!

 I had planned to write something about my dad on Fathers Day BUT our A/C was out for a couple of days and Father's Day was the worst! Needless to say I was grumpy Sunday night. My room was literally 85 degrees, and miserable.  But that is all fixed now, and I awoke this morning under the much needed warmth of my comforter.

This is my dad, his name is Marc. Our relationship is unconventional at best. I hate to admit it but him and I are a lot alike. We're both too intelligent for our own good, have accumulated quite a bit of useless information, can't help but say most things with a sarcastic tone, are often incapable of giving a straight answer, enjoy pointing out the follies of others, and have a fondness for everything ridiculous.

We often spend our time together discussing current events/family matters/television etc. trying to outwit each other every step of the way. My dad is definitely a laugh. Other than computers he hasn't truly embraced technology (refuses to get a cell phone, doesn't use his e-mail) but he did start his own blog...on his door. It's more of a message board but my brother and I comment on his "posts" with post-its. It's rather hilarious because most of things he writes are nonsensical. On June 16 he wrote, "squiggly line...oh squiggly line."

Sure he drives my brother and I nuts most of the time. He jokes around when we want him to be serious, has been known to embarrass us in public, does not believe in evolution (this is a huge argument topic between us), is a horrible driver, and can be very annoying when he's feeling playful (think 6 year old). But I can tell him anything, and he will listen free of judgement.  He knows exactly what to say to make me feel better in every situation, and is my go to fix it guy. As much as I joke about trading him in for a newer model, I love him, and he's the best dad I could ask for.

Starr time

I've been on a Beatles kick lately. I can't explain it, especially since growing up I hated The Beatles (haha my dad loves The Beatles and would always listen to them in the car, I think I hated them to spite him). But currently I've been listening to the same two albums (Revolver and the Blue Album) over and over again. Today I watched A Hard Day's Night for the first time on Netflix and absolutely loved it! Not only did it allow me to actually see  them walk and talk but it solidified my love for Ringo Starr. He is by far my favorite Beatle. There is such an ease in his manner and a jovial personality that I quite like.  I also happen to
think he was/is the most attractive of the bunch. I can't explain it, but it may be his puppy dog blue eyes when coupled with his dark hair that I find utterly amazing. And to be honest I don't see anything wrong with his nose. I think I was first introduced to Ringo (sight wise) during the first season of Shining Time Station where he was Mr. Conductor. After the first season he was replaced by George Carlin and the show was never the same. Even now at the age of 70 I still think he's a good looking guy, and is definitely more attractive than Paul McCartney who was often considered the cutest Beatle. I'd join him in an 'Octopus's Garden' anytime.

Moving picture weekend

This past weekend was a definite movie weekend! Of course some were better than others but overall I enjoyed them. However I really don't feel like writing full reviews for them so you will have to content yourself with a score and a sentence or two.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules - 85/100

• Yes, it's a kids movie BUT there were parts that made me crack up. However I didn't like it as much as the first one, partly because there was more Rodrick. I don't like Rodrick.
• Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%

Fast5 - 80/100

• Let me just say that the ending left me thinking "What the hell?" Also the movie reminded me a little of Ocean's Thirteen, but it help my attention and made me want to steal a car.
• Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%

I am number 4 - (20)/100

• I actually didn't finish watching this movie, I just couldn't watch anymore. I'm not saying it was a bad, it just really didn't interest me.
• Rotten Tomatoes score: 30%

Something Borrowed - 87/100

• Even though I had originally protested to watching this movie (from the trailer I feared being in a similar situation) I really enjoyed it. I love romantic comedies, and I would have rated this movie higher, but the ending upset me a little.
• Rotten Tomatoes score: 15%

Super 8 - 78/100

• What was going on in this movie? I watched it and I'm still not entirely sure.
• Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

Tangled - 96/100

• I loved this movie! It was super cute and funny. The ending also had a twist I didn't entirely expect. Definite Disney magic!
• Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

Thor - 80/100

• I was slightly disappointed when Natalie Portman handed Chris Hemsworth a t-shirt. But physical physique and amazing accent aside, I didn't enjoy this movie as much as I have other Marvel films. Don't get me wrong I liked the movie, but I felt something was missing.
• Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%

Draw me a story

I'm currently back on my drawing kick. I've loved to draw for as long as I can remember, but I go through phases. My current medium of choice digital, using my pen tablet that my mom bought me for Christmas three years ago. I posted a couple of other pictures I drew a couple of months ago that are done in graphite (fancy way to say I used pencils). I tend to alternate between the two mediums, mostly because I think charcoal and pastels are too messy. Anyway, I don't know how long this current kick will last but I think I've drawn my best digital sketches yet. I drew one of my friend Amy and incorporated photoshop layers for the first time. I'm tempted to play around with different textures now and see what sorts of things I can come up with.

A song for every occasion: restlessness

I've had a headache all day, and it's not just a headache, it's a sinus headache. These are the worst but are usually the only type of headache I ever get, and I don't get them too often. But my head has been fuzzy all day. I feel like I can't comprehend things correctly at present, and since the lyrics to this song don't make sense, I thought it was a perfect fit.

The Beatles - "I am the Walrus"



I am he, as you are he, as you are me and we are all together.
See how they run like pigs from a gun, see how they fly.
I'm crying.

Sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come.
Corporation t-shirt, stupid bloody Tuesday.
Man, you been a naughty boy, you let your face grow long.
I am the eggman, they are the eggmen.
I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob.

Mister City Policeman sitting
Pretty little policemen in a row.
See how they fly like Lucy in the Sky, see how they run.
I'm crying, I'm crying.
I'm crying, I'm crying.

Yellow matter custard, dripping from a dead dog's eye.
Crabalocker fishwife, pornographic priestess,
Boy, you been a naughty girl you let your knickers down.
I am the eggman, they are the eggmen.
I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob.

Sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun.
If the sun don't come, you get a tan
From standing in the English rain.
I am the eggman, they are the eggmen.
I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob g'goo goo g'joob.

Expert textpert choking smokers,
Don't you thing the joker laughs at you?
See how they smile like pigs in a sty,
See how they snied.
I'm crying.

Semolina pilchard, climbing up the Eiffel Tower.
Elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna.
Man, you should have seen them kicking Edgar Allan Poe.
I am the eggman, they are the eggmen.
I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob g'goo goo g'joob.
Goo goo g'joob g'goo goo g'joob g'goo

Nightfall

Whatif

by Shel Silverstein

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!

Fight On!

I AM a Trojan. I have both a bachelors and masters degree from the University of Southern California. While I was there I was part of The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe, otherwise known as The Spirit of Troy. This is my school, and those are my people. Earlier this week someone referred to USC as my ex-school and the statement has continued to bother me so much I felt compelled to write this post. See to me the prefix ex refers to someone or something that for whatever reason you no longer want any association with. I do not feel this way about 'SC at all.

I love USC. I love everything about USC, from the famed Tommy Trojan, to my dear Cromwell field, to the smell of the magnolia trees. Not to mention Traveler VII is just about the best mascot any university could ask for. How many times during a semester did I ride my bike alongside our beautiful brick buildings, and smile because I was happy to be there, smile because I felt I was part of some exclusive club others only wished they could belong to. And words can not describe how magnificent it is to hear Tribute to Troy and Fight On! play in the background while you are sitting in class.

Why is 'SC so dear to my heart you ask? To make it short, it was/is my first home away from home. It is within the gates of Cardinal Gardens that marked my first apartment. It is drinking SoCo with my section on Friday nights before football games. It is the four story bookstore that entertained me between classes. It is Tommy Trojan's majestic presence that always makes me feel at home.

 My time spent at USC is some of the happiest I have ever known. It was an experience that I would not trade for anything in the world. Though I may face adversity in the future, and though I may find myself in less than desirable situations, should the world end in a year, one thing is certain, for as long as I live, I am a Trojan.

On the go

So blogger finally decided to launch an official blogger app. So this post is brought to you courtesy of my android phone, which by the way has been behaving wonderfully after it was reset to factory settings. The downside was that I lost everything (minus pictures and contacts) and I have only now begun to redownload my apps. This blogger app may turn out be one of my favorites.

Hello there

Invitation

by Shel Silverstein

If you are a dreamer, come in,

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...

If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire

For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.

Come in!

Come in!

Along came a creeper: supplemental guide

So after writing "Along came a creeper" a couple of days ago I came across a rather helpful guide from College Candy. After reading this I realized I had a stage 3 creeper who wouldn't get the hint.


How to Shoot Down a Creeper at a Bar

Creeper [kreep-ur] -noun. 1. A person or thing that creeps. 2. A domestic fowl having malformed, short legs, due to a genetic defect. 3. An individual who stares, lurks or makes awkward and unwanted advances to undeserving women.

Stage 1 Creeper (Loosely defined as an awkward guy, your age or older, who won’t stop staring and/or making small talk. Naturally, you have accepted a drink already.)

1. Who wants to come to the bathroom with me?
After accepting a free drink (you earned it, little miss push up bra!), a graceful way of parting is to go to the bathroom. When drinking, it is perfectly acceptable to bring 3-10 girls with you into a bathroom, so your whole crew can be removed from the creeper situation.

2. Ahhh, I love this song!
As soon as you have that free drink safely in your hand, raise it up and toast to your favorite song, turn your back to your friends and get in the middle of the dancing circle. Migrate away from the bar and in time, your creeper will be gone (but that buzz he bought you won’t!).

3. No thanks
Saying no to a drink is incredibly hard for a cash-strapped college lady, but it’s the easiest way to get the point across to someone that you just aren’t interested. You won’t owe him anything and you can get away ASAP. I applaud girls who do this on a regular basis… but can’t say that I am one of them.

Stage 2 Creeper (Loosely defined as an undesirable guy, your age or older, who won’t leave you alone and/or follows your group around. He may have friends, and they may all be drunk, which makes him even harder to get rid of. You may have already accepted drinks.)

1. I love being out of the closet!
Okay, I may have done this, like 2 weeks ago, and it works. I grabbed my friend and said something like, “OMG, I am so glad we are lesbians now!” Our creepers heard this and were either drunk enough to believe we were gay or thought we were immature/permanently disinterested. Either way, we got our point across.

2. Honestly…
All you gotta say is “You can buy me a drink, but honestly, I have no interest in hooking up with you whatsoever.” A friend of mine told me she did this the other night at a bar and the guy who was hardcore creeping felt so bad he bought her a drink and left her alone! Hey, if guys can be sketchily forward with us, why can’t we be forward back?

Stage 3 Creeper (Loosely defined as a generally creepy man, most likely older than you, who just won’t get the hint. These responses are for when you are up Creeper Creek without a paddle (or a tazer), and/or just want to have a little fun. Do not get drinks from this one. Seriously.)

1. You’re the one
Desperate times call for desperate measures, so why not try this counter-intuitive example? Freak him out Wedding-Crashers-style and tell him, after he stops talking/ogling, something along the lines of “My psychic told me I’d meet my husband tonight and he was right!” I am sure he will stay a good 30 feet away from you for the rest of the night.

2. Baby Mama
If you can keep a straight face, tell that creep you are either a) Preggers and unable to drink b) getting a text message from your kids or c) a combination of the two. There is nothing less attractive then the prospect of coming back to your place and being interrupted by contractions or crying babies.

3. GET AWAY FROM ME
The creepiest of creepers are never good with taking hints. If you are hammered or just really fed up/revolted, tell that creeper straight up to GET AWAY FROM YOU. I have a friend who does this a lot, and her hostility sure wards em’ off. And of course, if he still doesn’t get it and starts getting even creepier, get a bartender or bouncer involved.

Seeing double

I am an odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, and caprice but with a lively, playful disposition and a fondness for anything ridiculous.

This is my description of myself. I have been called weird more than once, but I'd like to think I'm never boring and my manners endearing. I can understand people thinking I'm odd, I am definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but honestly I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't pretend to make sense, I enjoy having nonsensical conversations with a straight face. I am entertained by the absurd, I find humor where some may find meanness, and I'm usually able to laugh myself out of awkward situations.

Awkward situations...on Friday night I found myself in a definite awkward situation [see previous post]. See, my encounter with Mario, the creep, might have passed without incident had it not been for someone encouraging him along. I described the source of the encouragement in my last post as having pert opinions, a fondness of certain things ridiculous, and sarcasm to boot (sound familiar?).  Well the more I talked to this guy, the more I saw my own personality reflected back at me.

Since that night he and I have been texting back and forth and I would love to see what people would think about some of the conversations we have. Usually, I attempt to have similar conversations with others but they lack the quickness or imagination to continue the conversation with me* But it appears this guy understands me, and I can appreciate everything he says because I say/think very similarly.

I couldn't believe all he did on Friday to encourage that creep, honestly who would ever call over a creepy person for amusement? ...oh wait, I would. Had the tables been turned had I found a girl who was staring at him and make him feel as "loved" as Mario had made me feel, I could have done everything I could to get them together, in a heartbeat! Because that's what I do, and I find such situations hilarious (not so hilarious when it's happening to you though). At some point that night I told him I hated him so much he could be my best friend. I was being serious. When I said I hated him, I didn't actually mean hate, I was more amazed by him. It will be interesting to see how this goes, because this kid rocks my socks.



*The only person I've ever had conversations such as these with is my dad, where we talk about having "fabulous fun," why cats eating chicken is wrong, and the properties of Jell-O in relation to pudding. Haha now my dad is high educated, he majored in political science then went on to obtain a Juris Doctorate. Perhaps ridiculousness is a family trait.

Along came a creeper

I have seen my fair share of creepers before. I have witnessed as others are awkwardly approached by them, I have encountered them at parties, I have even been asked out by some on the streets of LA while riding my bike to class. But never in my life had I properly encountered a creep! Never had I encountered someone who made me feel so uncomfortable I wanted to run away flailing my arms screaming. Never that is, until Friday night.

However to properly tell my story let me take you back a little further, back to a couple of weeks ago (May 21st) when I bit a bullet to talk to a guy so my friend could meet his friend [This is a weekly occurace, apparently it is my job to talk to people other wise she won't talk to anyone. Now as annoying as this may be sometimes, I really don't mind because I like meeting/talking to people]. Anyway, the entire time I was talking to this guy, Anthony, who may I add is drier and more boring than sitting atop a dune in the Sahara desert, I noticed a guy kept staring at me. I continued talking to Anthony while pretending that I did not have a pair of eyes strongly fixated on me (I really do hate being stated at). In any case the night ended without incident.

Friday night my friend and I go out, and shortly after we arrive I notice that same guy who two weeks early had been staring at me all night. It did not help that my friend and I were standing near him, it became obvious that he remembered me, as his eyes were fixated on me again. This time however, he had a friend.

Soon it was apparent that the guys friend also entertained himself by staring at me. The guy, who was wearing an overly bedazzled t-shirt that blinded me with its brilliance, to be relief soon turned his attention to a string of other girls. His friend's attention however was more constant. By this time I believe, I had met a guy with pert opinions, a fondness for certain things ridiculous, and sarcasm to boot...it was as if I was talking to the male version of myself (I realized I'm quite fun to talk to, though perhaps a little trying with an odd sense of humor) but this shall be discussed in another post. It was this new friend though that propelled the events that followed.

From this moment on to my horror the guys eyes are transfixed on me. Did it make me feel uncomfortable? fk yes! But he had not yet solidified his creeper status. At some point the guy decided to stand next to me, this caused me to hyperventilate a bit, but I avoided all eye contact by talking to my new very unhelpful friend. It was at this point that the guy starts to earn his creeper status...he begins to nudge me about 10 times while I ignore him keeping my attention elsewhere. Did he get the hint? No, of course not! Luckily the bar was close to closing, but fearing that said creeper would attempt to follow me out, I asked the continually unhelpful boy to walk out with me.

Good thing I did because said creep and friend walked out behind us. Now once outside you would think that with people dispersing it would be somewhat difficult to find those you were talking to inside. Nope, the guy didn't skip a beat and continued to stare at me, however it now appeared more like stalking, as he lurked in the shadows of corners and behind pillars. This continued for several horrifying minutes.

After this encounter I was terrified to run into the creeper again, who apparently is named Mario. On Saturday when my friend and I went out and after my British friend had left, I felt a disturbance in the force. Well I didn't just feel it, I saw it...and it was horrible, like a coward I ran to my friend for refuge, but since she was standing near where they had stood the day before I decided it would be best for me to venture out and make new friends. I found a guy named Mike who at 6'3 I thought would be an amazing shield from Mario. I quickly told him my situation and he was more than happy to help, but I knew I couldn't stay in one place for long since I had seen Mario walking around. On one of my visits back to my friend, it was obvious that Mario had not only recognized me but my friend as well. While I stayed with them, the guy she was talking to said that Mario kept staring at me. I knew it, I felt  a pair of eyes attempting to piece through me. I then saw Mike and asked him to see if he could tell who I had been avoiding all night. It took him all but 30 seconds to find Mario.

I again attempted to venture off and find someone to save me from the madness. I found Derek, a 6'5 once college baseball pitcher. Well...it turns out Derek turned out to be a creep too, who told me to shut up one to many times, and attempted to put his hand on my knee on more than one occasion [gag]. Again it was about time to go so I practically ran to the door, but thought it would be best to be sandwiched between my friend and her British friend. But Mario and his friend appeared to have foreseen this, as they were standing on opposite sides of the door. After some strategic planning on my part we managed to escape undetected, at which pointed I wanted to yell out flawless victory! And so ends my creeper tale though I would be lying if I said that I'm not completely terrified to run into  those two boys again.


[note: throughout this entire ordeal and on both days I want everyone to know that my friend did nothing to help me. At least nothing worthy to be called help. More and more I feel like I'm in this alone and my relationship with her needs to be seriously reevaluated but that's for another post]

A bittersweet farewell

A couple of posts ago  (like 3 weeks ago) I dished on a crush I had on a boy I had just met. I wrote that I didn't think he knew I existed. Then some time later I wrote about how he wanted to meet up soon. After that I wrote how he breaks my heart. This weekend he sent me a message on facebook asking if I wanted to meet up, ecstatically I said yes!

On Friday when we were supposed to meet, he send me another message saying he was sorry but that they (he and many other British military guys) were now on curfew and he couldn't go out, but said we could meet the next night. I was only slightly disappointed since there was the promise of the following day, and I went out with my friend where I met my complement and a creeper*

Well the next morning (Saturday) he sent me another message saying he could meet that night. I asked him when and where and soon after everything was settled. Well about an hour before we were to meet he sends me another message saying that he was sorry to do this again, but he couldn't go out, and that he was leaving Tuesday and probably wouldn't be able to go out again. To say I was devastated would be an understatement.

I didn't let this end my night, and my friend and I decided to go to dinner before we went out. Well when we get to the bar and walk back to our favorite bartender guess who we see? Yup, my British crush! This of course made me uneasy and I can't even begin to describe the range of emotions I felt. But in any case after some encouragement from Angie▪ I walked up to the guy and started talking to him. He apologized about not messaging me again, and said he had been dragged out by a friend. Now he seems like a very honest guy and I, who majored in human behavior, like to think I can read people pretty well. I did believe him.

This is a guy who plays by the rules. It was obvious he is very responsible and not much of a risk taker. Since they were on curfew and had to be back on base by 1, he kept looking at his watch, to make sure they weren't going to be late. We talked about everything and nothing at all. I remember looking at his watch at 11:30 and then the next thing I know it's 12:15, I swear it was like a blink of the eye. His rebellious friend decided to stay but could only do so if my crush would sign him back in. Before he left he asked if I would walk outside with him. I did.

We talked outside by his car for a little bit. He said it is possible for him to get sent back here in the future, and that if I'm ever in England to look him up. As the time drew near for him to leave, I gave him a hug, and he kissed me goodbye.




*To be continued in other posts

▪ Angie is a 30 something year old woman, my friend and I once saved from an uncomfortable situation a couple of months ago. We hadn't see her in awhile, but we saw her again Friday (and Saturday) where to our surprise she remembered us and offered to introduce us to the guys she was with.

Two guys & a creeper

So much happened this weekend, I honestly do not even know where to begin! There are about 3 different story lines that I would like to talk about. They are mostly unrelated but they do tend to over lap.

Friday

• Met a guy who in so many ways is the male equivalent of me
• Had my first encounter with a true creeper

Saturday

• Saw the British guy I genuinely have a crush on (from previous posts)
• And the creeper is back!

So the next three posts will be about two guys and a creeper!

The rhyming game

I don't pretend to like poetry, nor do I pretend to understand half of the writings people call poems. Like a 5 year old, I think poems should rhyme. This being said, I like Shel Silverstein. I like his poems, because they are cute, fun, rhythmical, and sometimes odd (I like oddities). This is one of my all time favorites!

Hungry Mungry
by Shel Silverstein

Hungry Mungry sat at supper,
Took his knife and spoon and fork,
Ate a bowl of mushroom soup, ate a slice of roasted pork,
Ate a dozen stewed tomatoes, twenty-seven deviled eggs,
Fifteen shrimps, nine bakes potatoes,
Thirty-two fried chicken legs,
A shank of lamb, a boiled ham,
Two bowls of grits, some black-eye peas,
Four chocolate shakes, eight angel cakes,
Nine custard pies with Muenster cheese,
Ten pots of tea, and after he,
Had eaten all that he was able,
He poured some broth on the tablecloth
And ate the kitchen table

His parents said, "Oh Hungry Mungry, stop these silly jokes."
Mungry opened up his mouth, and "Gulp," he ate his folks.
And then he went and ate his house, all the bricks and wood,
And then he ate up all the people in the neighborhood.
Up came twenty angry policeman shouting, "Stop and cease."
Mungry opened his mouth and "Gulp," he ate the police.
Soldiers came with tanks and guns.
Said Mungry, "They can't harm me."
He just smiled and licked his lips and ate the U.S. Army.

The President sent all his bombers--Mungry still was calm,
Put his head back, gulped the planes, and gobbled up the bomb.
He ate his town and ate the city--ate and ate and--
And then he said, "I think I'll eat the whole United States."

And so he ate Chicago first and munched the Water Tower,
And then he chewed on Pittsburgh but he found it rather sour.
He ate New York and Tennessee, and all of Boston town,
Then drank the Mississippi River just to wash it down.
And when he'd eaten every state, each puppy, boy and girl
He wiped his mouth upon his sleeve and went to eat the world.

He ate the Egypt pyramids and every church in Rome,
And all the grass in Africa and all in ice in Nome.
He ate each hill in green Brazil and then to make things worse
He decided for dessert he'd eat the universe.

He started with the moon and stars and soon as he was done
He gulped the clouds, he sipped the wind and gobbled up the sun.
Then sitting there in the cold dark air,
He started to nibble his feet,
Then his legs, then his hips
Then his neck, then his lips
Till he sat there just gnashin' his teeth
'Cause nothin' was nothin' was
Nothin' was nothin' was
Nothin' was left to eat.