Wild Harvest Organic Lemonade

Now I have never been a true lemonade fan, I usually only drink it once in a while, often in the summer months. But Rae discovered Wild Harvest Organic Lemonade a few months ago, and ever since I have been hooked. Best lemonade I have ever had. Hands down.

Not only is it tangy and delicious and made with organic cane sugar, BUT it's almost always BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! Bad news Sally. Constant stock of it in the cabinet.

I will never give up on this lemonade.

When life gives you lemons, throw them out the window and go buy Wild Harvest Organic Lemonade at your neighborhood Jewel-Osco.

AG

Robert Pattinson

Call me immature. Call me a follower. Call me whatever you want, but I will still love R-Patz. This dough-faced British god may seem like an awkward hunchy mess (not quite as bad as his Twilight counterpart K-Stew) but he is much more than that. He is also more than Edward Cullen, the irresistible sparkling vamp wonder in the Twilight Saga. He is also more than a brooding hunk with messy greasy hair and a smile that could make you melt. Ok, maybe he's not more than that...

If you were one of the many who think of Patz as Ed himself, then you obviously haven't heard him sing. His mumbling voice conveys so much emotion. He does a cover of Van Morrison's "I'll Be Your Lover Too." As a classic rock lover, I had to listen to the original and compare it to Patzy. I figured I would like the original better, because, ya know, it's Van Morrison. But R kicked Van's buttocks. His voice is so buttery, so full of emotion, it sounds like he's crying right there in the studio.

Not only can this god sing, he can also ACT. Again, forget Twilight. The hulking squinty mess that is Edward cannot even stand up to R's other roles. I first watched How to Be, a little Indie British film full of dry British humor. But Patz was cute. Alaska watched Little Ashes and just about died. And Remember Me, his new flick to make people forget about his media alter ego vamp boy. SO GOOD. He's got some acting chops! Can't wait to see him do more normal roles and PUT OUT AN ALBUM! I will sleep out in front of Walmart if I have to.

RN

Waking Up Early

Great minds think alike, so Alaska and my posts today are quite similar. Today we woke up at 7 a.m. Granted, my room looks like midnight at any time of the day, due to the lack of windows, so I couldn't really tell the difference. Oh, but I knew. My eyes were heavy and I was cold. Too tired to even think about getting up. But I had an obligation (see previous post) so I rolled out of my heavenly comforter. By the time I had to leave for class at 10 am, It felt like it should be about 2 in the afternoon, because I felt like I had been awake for so long already. And, by golly, I had been awake for a while! When I get home from class at 6:30 tonight, I know I'll be exhausted, but it will be a good exhaustion. I can go to bed early and wake up tomorrow for another run. I may be extremely tired by Friday afternoon, but waking up early feels so great! It leaves me energized and ultimately gives me more useable hours in the day! WHAT UP??!

RN

Running by the lake in the morning

This morning Rae and I went for a run at 7 am. The sun was already shining and it wasn't too cold. We walked over to the Museum campus and arrived alongside the lake.

As we ran we could smell the saltiness of the water and feel the cool breeze. The sun was shining and cast a long reflection on the water, causing it to shine and glitter as the water moved. As birds flew and people ran by us we saw a brief image of their silhouettes against the bright sky. Picture-perfect images.

The atmosphere of the calm lake against the harsh city is really something. It motivates us to be healthy and makes us want to run in that spot every day. Being stuck in the city all winter, it seems we lost our appreciation of the good things Chicago has to offer. As the warm weather approaches we will take advantage of this inspirational setting, running every morning we can.

"It's not about what you lose, it's about how you feel" - Rae Nicholson

AG

Say Anything

This morning I was listening to the radio and the song "In Your Eyes" came on - reminding me of one of my favorite movies, Say Anything. The tale of Lloyd Dobler and Diane Court is one for the books.

Today you probably think if John Cusack as an out of shape action movie star, but in his day, John was adorable and irresistably charming, the perfect level of dough face. Ione Skye was likable, despite her minor speech impediment and god-awful fashion sense.

The two go from an akward first date to true love in a matter of weeks, just naturally fitting perfectly into each others lives whether they wanted to or not. One of my favorite moments being when Lloyd stands outside her house with a boombox raised high above his head, playing their song "In Your Eyes." They overcome some minor setbacks ("I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen") and soon live happily ever after. It ends just the way you want it to, which doesn't happen so much in the movies anymore.

To know Lloyd Dobler is to love him. Diane Court is about to know Lloyd Dobler.

AG

Shitting

Everyone knows the feeling when your large intestines start rumbling and the only way to relieve it is to sit down on the john and let it out. Taking a dump, pooping, laying a deuce, busting a dookie, dropping a load, whatever you may call it, shitting is great. Sitting there, after eating one too many one dollar cheeseburgers from McDonalds, your stomach lets out a low grumble. You cross your legs, shift your weight, talk louder, do anything to keep other people from noticing that you really have to shit! Not being able to hold it in anymore without a colon explosion, you run to the bathroom and drop trou. You let it out into the porcelain bowl of wonder. You instantly feel better and decide to eat some more cheeseburgers. What a vicious cycle.

My friend once told me a story about her creepy suite mate that she intimately called "Weird Al" because this girl not only looked just like the lovely Al Yankovich, but she was also the president of her own Weird Al fan club. "Al" would take laxatives and thoroughly enjoy spraying her shit all over the toilet. My friend and her roommate used to hear her various bathroom noises and then hear her giggle. If you like shitting as much as "Al," you may have a problem. Otherwise, you're just another average American who likes talking about shit, shit jokes, farting, and shitting. Even Elvis died while on the shitter. I think I may go shit right now.

RN

The HOLLYWOOD Sign

The Hollywood sign is a landmark that anyone in the world could recognize. As simple as it is, large white letters on a mountain, there's something so fascinating about it. Every time I look at that sign it makes me happy.

The best part about it is that it pops up out of nowhere while you are driving around Los Angeles. You look in your rearview mirror and it just so happens to be in perfect composition, or you look down a random street to your left and you see it, if only for a brief second. Every time I just want to take a picture of it. It's like I can never have enough pictures of it.

I think what is so special about it is that its a strong reminder of where you are. You are in HOLLYWOOD - the land of fame and celebrity. A place full of opportunity. That simple sign does not let you forget where you are and why you are there. For me, it's a reminder of finally being in a place I dreamed of my whole life. A dream becoming a reality.

"Here I am for the first time. Look to the right and I see the Hollywood Sign..."

AG

Sweating

I've always been a pretty sweaty person, needing super extra deodorant applied at least 15 times each day. And that was from just sitting all day. But, when I'd play sports, run, work out, or exert any kind of additional energy, I would be dripping. My armpits, my head, my forehead, my back, my legs. Ugh, pretty picture, I know. But the thing is, I always feel so much better after I've sweat out a lot. I feel lighter, less doughy, totally exhausted but so EXHILARATED. It is like detox without all the peeing and shitting.

This weekend, Alaska and I were feeling really cooped up and trapped in Maison Devils, so we decided to blow the dust off of our sneakers and take a walkrun outside. Even though I could feel my fat ass jiggling with every step and my lungs burned, I felt great. And afterwards, wiping the sweat off my brow, I felt so much healthier and PUMPPPPPEDDD!

RN

Quotes

Sometimes there's a line from a movie or something your friend or some famous bitch says that really sticks to you. Here, in Casa Hell, we love quotes. Andy Warhol's cray-cray quotes are posted up on the walls in the front room and just about every art piece I've done revolves around some quotant quotable. But, the best kind of quotes come from song lyrics. I love lying in my bed, listening to music, looking up the lyrics to the songs playing and just jamming along, sometimes jotting down a line or two that resonates. Alaska had the brilliant idea of keeping a quote journal, writing down any quote or song that she liked. And since we always do what the other does, I, of course, starting using the back of my journal to write down the quotes that I like. It's getting fuller and fuller.

A veces, someone else's words really connect to what you're feeling at the moment. Butttt how do they know what I'm thinking, Rae?? Ahh, the answer is easy. We are not alone, my brother. Some people just have a way with words. Repeat it to your friends and sound smart.

RN

The Penis Game

In the movie (500) Days of Summer they play the "Penis Game" - this is when a group of people take turns saying "PENIS" aloud, gradually getting louder until they are shouting, in a public place. Ever since I have thought it was hilarious.

Rae and I did it while walking to class one Wednesday afternoon. We started saying "Penis" but obviously everything we do evolves into something even more vulgar in a matter of minutes, so we ended up saying a bunch of different words. These include, but are not limited to, Weiner, Butthole, Sphincter, Vagina, and Asshole. Sooo funny.

We didn't get any weird looks, I swear.

"PENISSSSSSS!!!!!!"


AG

Senior Photos

The tackiest phenomenon that surrounds our modern society (SOCIETY!!!!) is the need to take a Senior photo at the end of high school for the yearbook. There's a few things wrong with this practice. 1. They are usually taken at the end of Junior year, not even during Senior year. I sure as hell looked different a year later. 2. The creepy photographers. I was told I could be a model. No, sir, I can't be. But, thanks for playing. 3. The retarded poses. Even though this is probably the worst part about Senior photos, it is also the part that makes me the happiest. The poses are so unnatural. Nobody sits sideways with their head tilted while smiling. They also don't lie down on the ground with their feet up or holding a diploma or resting their head on a closed fist. AHHHH SO FAKE!! Yet so funny.

RN

Bis

I have a dog named Bis, and she is my best friend. We have been together for almost 7 years. I love her more than any other creature that can't talk. She doesn't even have to say anything, I know she feels the same.

Apart from the fact that she eats her own shit, barks at every sound and becomes a savage when food is around, she is a great pet. Just look at that face.. irresistable. Bis Abuela forever.

"Are you wanting Buel?!"<3

AG

Never Think by Robert Pattinson

I should never think 
What's in your heart 
What's in our  home 
Is all I want  

You'll learn to hate me 
But still call me baby
Oh love 
So call me by my name 

And save your soul 
Save your soul 
Before you're too far gone 
Before nothing can be done  

I'll try to decide when 
She'll lie in the end
I ain't got no fight in me 
In this whole damn world

So hold off 
She should hold off 
It's the one thing that I've known  

Once I put my coat on
I'm coming out in this all wrong...
all wrong 
She standing outside holding me 
Saying oh please 
I'm in love  

Girl save your soul 
Go on save your soul
Before it's too far gone 
And before nothing can be done  

Cause without me 
You got it all 
So hold on 
Without me you got it all 
So hold on 

AG

Hot Valets

It all started when we decided to move into an apartment above a row of gourmet restaurants in a no-parking zone. With 5 star dining comes a Valet service.. an all male valet service. We have spent much too much time gazing out our front windows as the hotties in their uniforms run up and down the streets parking cars.

Almost everyday as we leave and return to the apartment there is at least one outside, leaning against a light post all brooding-like. They rarely speak to us but don't hesitate to stare. They stand there, shooting the shit, smoking cigs and otherwise, just looking mighty fine.

Today we even got the privilege of watching one strip down 5 layers of sweatshirts and shirts, stopping just before exposing his rock hard abs to customers. Free show. We aint complaining.

Tall, short, dirty, clean, scruffy, black, white - it doesn't matter. As long as they can drive a car, run fast, and look smokin' in a pair of black pants and running shoes.


AG

Creepy Yet Hot Old Men

Like a fine wine, men just get better with age. Although I'm a young sprite, I have quite the thing for older men. Give them a suit, a gut, and a receding hairline, and I'll be all over that. Yet not all older men are as handsome as Robert Redford or Paul Newman. But do I care? Of course not. Some men start out just so-so and get better with old age, but in their old age, they're still a little weird looking. Yet, they stay so hot. What an enigma. Here's a list of some famous men who didn't start out so great, and just got better...but not too much better...kinda the same with some wrinkles...but still creepy...but hot...but have always been kinda fug...but so appealing...WHATEVER....here's the list:

1. Jack Nicholson

2. Jeff Bridges

3. Alec Baldwin

4. Steve Buscemi

5. John C. Reilly

6. Iggy Pop

7. Adrien Brody

8. Benicio del Toro

RN

Crooked Teeth by Death Cab for Cutie

"It was one-hundred degrees as we sat beneath a willow tree
Whose tears didn't care, they just hung in the air
And refused to fall, to fall.

And I knew I'd made a horrible call
And now the state line felt like the Berlin wall
And there was no doubt about which side I was on.
Mmhmm.

Cause I built you a home in my heart
With rotten wood that decayed from the start.
Cause you can't find nothing at all
If there was nothing there all along.
No you can't find nothing at all
If there was nothing there all along.

I braved treacherous streets
And kids strung out on homemade speed
And we shared a bed in which I could not sleep
At all.

Cause at night the sun and the tree
Made the skyline look like crooked teeth
In the mouth of a man who was devouring us both.

You're so cute when you're slurring your speech
But they're closing the bar and they want us to leave.

Cause you can't find nothing at all
If there was nothing there all along.
No you can't find nothing at all
If there was nothing there all along.

I'm a war of head versus heart.
It's always this way.
My head is weak, my heart always speaks
Before I know what it will say.

Cause you can't find nothing at all
If there was nothing there all along.
No you can't find nothing at all
If there was nothing there all along.

There were churches, theme parks and malls,
But there was nothing there all along."

-Crooked Teeth
Death Cab for Cutie


AG

Barbra Streisand

If I could be anyone else in the world, I'd be Barbra Streisand, no doubt. Let's count the things Babs has going for her:

1. She's JEWISH

2. She's beautiful

3. She's timeless

4. She has been in more movies and stage shows than I can even count

5. She's still loved even though she's 400 years old

6. SHE CAN SING

I first watched her in Funny Girl with my mom, and fell in love with Don't Rain on my Parade. Broadway days in Casa Verds are nothing without this HIT. I then watched her in The Way We Were with the love of my life, Robert Redford, as K-K-Katy. What a masterpiece. She stills melts my heart, every time I hear her voice or see her on tv or in movies. God, Babs, if you only knew...

Hello, Gorgeous...

RN

The Twilight Saga

Hate on it all you want, we don't give a shit. And no, its not a kids thing. We will blatantly admit that we like the Twilight Saga. As unrealistic and fantastic as it is, it's just too good to pass up.

We like the books and the movies, and especially Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Lawlz. But really the whole idea is just so much fun to talk about. Rae and I spent like an hour last night debating the idea of Vampires and Werewolves existing and how freaky it would be. It's nice to live in a fantasy world, if only for a couple hours.

I'm chapters away from finishing the third book, Eclipse, and I am eager to find out what happens. The Twilight Saga books are the kind where its boring at first, then suddenly you reach a part and you just CAN'T stop reading. That's where I am right now. I need to find out if the wolves and the Cullens will defeat the newborn vampires and if Bella will finally become a vampire!!!!

Yes, it sounds rather dumb, but its fucking great.

TEAM JACOB!


AG

Springtime

Today is the first day that really feels like spring. It's warm and sunny, yet slightly humid. The air smells fresh and people are happier. This first day signals new growth, things turning green and lovely. Flowers will soon be sprouting out of the ground, shyly making their way into the spring as well. I don't need a coat, and the air feels good against my face. It isn't bitter or cold, just clean. We're in the city, so how can clean air be possible? Well, I know it's actually dirty and full of pollution and dirt, but at least it doesn't hurt me when I walk into the wind. The clouds are moving, the sky is blue, my windows are open, the snow is gone, life is good.

RN

Pink Sunsets

Sunsets are so beautiful. The colors that are created in the sky are so perfect, its hard to believe they aren't paint - that it is nature. My favorites are the ones that produce pinks, reds, oranges and yellows. The warm colors are always the brightest.

One of the things I love most about this apartment is the ugly glass tiled window in the kitchen. Its so gaudy, but when the sun is rising or setting it creates a beautiful glow in the kitchen that creeps into the rest of the house. I love when I enter the dining room and see hints of pink and orange, cause I know the kitchen will be glowing brightly. It's like a reminder to go outside and look at the sky. I think we take the beauty of the world for granted. We are so caught up in our lives that we forget to look up at the sky and take it all in.

"The freedom and simple beauty is too good to pass up" - Into the Wild


AG

Pretty Bottles

Alaska made fun of me yesterday for cleaning off the label from a bottle of Kiwi Strawberry juice. But it was such a good looking bottle, I couldn't bear to throw it away. I love the way that empty bottles look, all lined up next to each other. What's even better is when they are in front of a window. The light glints through them, casting a cool image on the floor and on the walls. Now, I'm not talking about empty alcohol bottles lined up on top of the cabinets, as a sort of alcoholic college trophy. That's just trashy. I mean some real bottles. Ones that held soda or juice or wine, but look better without their respective liquids in them. Throw in some rocks, or some gems, or a flower or two. It's not just trash, it's ART.

RN

Who are You by Tom Waits

Some songs make you cry, no matter what. Who are You by Tom Waits is one of those songs for me. The music is so slow and his voice is sorrowful and piercing. And the lyrics are so fitting for anyone has recently lost a friend or a lover. This man has the incredible ability to tell a story by using poetic imagery and language. Wonderful.

They're lining up
To mad dog your tilta whirl
3 shots for a dollar
Win a real live doll
All the lies that you tell
I believed them so well. Take them back
Take them back to your red house
For that fearful leap into the dark
I did my time
In the jail of your arms
Now Ophelia wants to know
Where she should turn
Tell me...what did you do
What did you do the last time?
Why don't you do that
Go on ahead and take this the wrong way
Time's not your friend
Do you cry. Do you pray
Do you wish them away
Do you still leave nothing
But bones in the way
Did you bury the carnival
Lions and all
Excuse me while I sharpen my nails
And just who are you this time?
You look rather tired
(Who drinks from your shoe)
Are you pretending to love
Well I hear that it pays well
How do your pistol and your Bible and your
Sleeping pills go?
Are you still jumping out of windows in expensive clothes?

Well I fell in love
With your sailor's mouth and your wounded eyes
You better get down on the floor
Don't you know this is war
Tell me who are you this time?
Tell me who are you this time?

RN

Old Hollywood Starlets

If I could race back in time and become anyone for a day, I would choose to spend my time as a Hollywood Starlet of the 40's or 50's. These women were the definition of beauty. They were adored by the entertainment community not only for their talent, but their grace, elegance and style. Ginger Rogers, Ingrid Bergman, Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelly - all stunning and timeless.

"They had style, they had grace. Rita Hayworth gave good face." - Vogue, Madonna

AG

Logan Woods-Darby

Now I don't know much about this guy, but I was touched by something that he said. I was on a flight from NH to Chicago and I found an article about him in Sky Magazine. I wrote down an excerpt of something he said in my quote journal, and it goes like this..

"A while ago I thought, people go to school and study hard to get good grades so they can get into college. They go to college and study hard so they can get good grades so they can get a good job. They get a job and work really hard so they can make money to buy the things they think will make them happy. I decided, if all this is about getting happy, I can take a short cut. I can be happy right now."

What truly makes you happy?
Think about it.


AG

A Single Man

Alaska and I have seen some pretty great movies in the theater recently. First, we saw Precious which was nominated for a few Oscars, Monique winning for Best Supporting Actress (Hell yeah, Mama!). Then we saw coughnewmooncough, and Brothers, a heart wrenching look at an army family dealing with death. However, most recently, we saw A Single Man, which we really decided to go see because Tony Stonem (Nicholas Hoult) from our favorite BBC teen drama Skins was in it. Even though he was looking hot as always in his furry white sweater and orange fake tan, we quickly realized this movie was about more than just Tony. Directed by Tom Ford, a prominent fashion designer, A Single Man was undoubtedly beautiful. Ford used colors so intensely, showing the main character's moods with subtle blues and oranges. Julianne Moore was incredible as an aging English woman dealing with the changing times in 1960's Los Angeles. Colin Firth was amazing as well, flawlessly illustrating the sorrow and pain that a gay man in the 1960's had to deal with. He was sad and funny, depicting his character impeccably. Despite all these great qualities, my favorite aspect of the movie was its representation of the early 1960's. The fashion, the architecture, the colors, the way of talking. It all came together to make a phenomenal film. We left the theater feeling a little sad, but so taken aback by this extraordinary movie. It even inspired us to have a 1960's dress-up night and photo shoot, beehives, black winged eyeliner and all. And, to top it off, Colin Firth was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars. And he was looking just as dapper as he did in the film.

"A few times in my life I've had moments of absolute clarity, when for a few brief seconds the silence drowns out the noise and I can feel rather than think, and things seem so sharp and the world seems so fresh. I can never make these moments last. I cling to them, but like everything, they fade. I have lived my life on these moments. They pull me back to the present, and I realize that everything is exactly the way it was meant to be."

RN

Pretending to be Seth Rogen when we're out of breath

Well, we live in a 4th floor walk up, and its always been a struggle to walk up the stairs and not get out of breath. One day, it was especially hard. Rae could not breathe out of either of her nostrils due to a sinus infection. Alaska was having unexplainable stomach pains. Basically, we were both a big mess. Rae collapsed during the last flight and began wheezing uncontrollably. She proceeded to exclaim "Fastest kid alive, he's a freak! he's a freak!" as Seth Rogen does after he chases Michael Cera down the street in Superbad. Then she puked and said "Its just beer." Just Kidding.

Now almost every time we go up the stairs we over exaggerate and act like overweight, unfit Jewish cops.

Shit! The COPS!

AG & RN

Crossword Puzzles

When I still lived at home, on Sunday mornings, my parents and I would wake up early to go to church. We'd get dressed up and leave together when it was still quiet outside. After church, we'd stop at New York Bagel, getting hot, fresh bagels and schmear to go. We'd finally get home and we'd sit down together at the table, me with the funnies, my mom with the weekly store ads, and my dad with the crossword puzzle, eating our bagels. Even when we finish eating, we still sit at the table, still in our Sunday best, working together on the crossword. My dad would leave the easy ones to me, asking me the answer even though he knew it, and sometimes had already written it in the squares. We could sit their for an hour or so, doing the crossword together, refreshed when it was finally finished. Now that I'm by myself, I still like doing crosswords, but find that I can only complete the easy peezy ones in the daily Red Eye. But I don't mind, I still get one everyday and take about an hour to write in all the answers. And wouldn't you know it, I'm getting better at them. Maybe one day, I'll be able to complete a New York Times crossword, just like my dad.

RN

Katy Carlson

I have met a lot of people in my short existence. Some of them are wonderful and some are total shitbags. Other than Alaska, the only other person who has made a huge impact on my life is Katy Carlson. Originating from Texas, stereotypically you'd expect her to think big of herself but very conservatively about political and social issues. But Katy would surprise you. She's so well-rounded, knowing about pop culture and stuff that doesn't matter, but also more importantly, she knows about worldly issues, especially when it comes to Africa. She is so intelligent, having an opinion about anything and everything, yet she doesn't push her ideals into your face. I could talk for hours to her about things that really matter to us as human beings and us as women. In addition to being exceptionally smart, she is also very kind. She is gracious and thoughtful, ultimately caring more about others than about herself. She brings out the best in me, the powerful, strong person I know I can be -- and that's what really matters.

"Rae, I just love Africa so much. And I love learning. And I love learning about Africa." --Katy Carlson

RN

Vinyl Records

Before college I had never really been exposed to vinyl records. It wasn't until Rae moved in with me that I first touched a record player. Ever since I have had a great appreciation for the things. For some reason the music just seems much more important when it comes from a record player.

We put our player in our front room, the place where all you can really do is sit and relax or work on art. Rae and I like to light some candles and play a good record. We just sit there and listen. Sometime we sing and relieve stress, and sometimes we get up and dance. There's nothing quite like the sounds of an old fashioned record player..

"Its your turn to change the record, I'm too old to get up"
"You're only old when you don't want to change the record"

AG

Talking in Accents

I think it's safe to say that most Americans wish they had a foreign accent - I know we do. Breaking out in an accent mid conversation is a common occurrence in our lives. Sometimes it is the accent of a foreign country, sometimes its the voice of another person or celebrity, and sometimes its just the weird ways of speaking we've made up. Here are just a few of the accents we just love to use:

1. British
2. Australian
3. Spanish
4. French
5. Emile Hirsch in Lords of Dogtown
6. Minnesota
7. Bis
8. Angry black girl
9. Blaise
10. Boston
11. New York
12. This really high pitched voice that emerged from the word "Yummer!"

ETC.

I'm really surprised we haven't begun using the Southern accent - I think that one is just TOO annoying. Anyways.. we gotta have fun somehow right? With our lack of American pride, why not pretend we're from somewhere else? Pahk tha Cah in Havahd Yahd.

AG

The Zefron Pen

If you have written anything at all in your whole entire life, you know there's good pens and bad pens. Bad pens are usually the ones at stores that are attached to chains or the infrequent plastic spoon that barely work so you have to bother the cashier for another one. Bad pens leak. Bad pens don't write. Bad pens make your handwriting look sloppy. And then there's the good pens. The moment you put it in your hand, it just feels right. The ink flows across the paper with no insecurities, gliding perfectly without stopping until you lift up your hand and kiss your fingers like an excited Italian chef. For Alaska, it's a pink uniball. However, to me, that pink uniball may glide well, but the inky ink smears and jumbles my already sloppy half-cursive letters. My pen -- a glorious fake Bic covered in gay photos of Zac Efron from High School Musical. Although he's quite the looker, it's not about his pretty face, it's the way my hand feels when I'm writing with it and, more importantly, how kick ass my handwriting looks when I'm done. Troy Bolton and the Wildcats: 1, shitty other pens: 0!!!!!!

RN

Claire

Claire is an senior citizen that Rae and I discovered at my Orthopedic appointment back in September. The minute she got rolled into the office with her solar system inspired skirt by a hot black woman in a headwrap, I knew we hit the jackpot. We observed Claire and her nurse, who we rudely named Imogene, for the 2 hours we sat waiting for my appointment that never happened.

Claire was a happy soul, probably, at some point, long before that particular day. She sat there with a pout on her face looking unfortunately miserable. At one point I assume she decided to take a nap in her chair, and when Imogene tried to wake her up I thought for sure she had just started her eternal rest. "I think she's dead," I whispered not so quietly to Rae, unable to control myself from being a total asshole in public. Luckily Claire woke up and was dragged, I mean rolled backwards, feet dragging and all, into the room for her appointment.

Fortunately we were still in the waiting room when she was done and I had the privilege of holding the door open for her wheel chair. Claire made such an impression on us that we have since tried to locate her. It's harder than you think to find people like Claire on Google. Though we have no picture to remember her by, she will not be easily forgotten, cause...

The party don't start til Claire rolls in.


AG

British Slang

Have a dekko at this, mate. Being a Yank makes me honk in the khazi. It's a real naff. All these Nancy boys are not my cup of tea. Across the pond, I'd be pissing around, having a knees up! The Brits take the biscuit! I should quit stropping and give it a welly because I'm really fagged here! All these damn wankers! Cheers!

Translation: Have a look at this, friend. Being an American makes me vomit in the toilet. It's

really uncool. I do not like all these pathetic people. In England, I'd be fooling around, going to parties! The British people out-do everything! I should quit sulking and give it a harder try because I'm really bothered here! All these damn jerks! Holla!

RN

The Weiner Folder

It was the summer of 2009 and Rae came up with the idea of the century. After Googling numerous things and finding countless pictures she wanted to see again and again, she decided to make a desktop folder to hold them. To name the folder "Pictures" was too boring, so she wrote the first word that came to her mind - WEINER. And the saga began. WAINS Alaska has no individuality and copied Rae and made one for herself. Though their Weiner Folder's contain the same exact 74 Emile Hirsch and Zac Efron images, they are unique in their own ways.. for example, Rae's contains her dreams of becoming a Native American while Alaska's contains a 1988 Headshot of John Stamos. 400 pictures later, with plenty more to cum, the Weiner folder won't stop 'til the hard drive blows.


RN & AG

The Movie Experience

We may not be film majors, but we sure have an overwhelming appreciation for the cinema. What started as a simple trip to the movie theater one day has turned into something I like to call "The Movie Experience." It usually starts months in advance. We see a preview for a movie and decide we just HAVE to go see it. After an almost daily (definitely weekly) countdown, we prepare ourselves for the experience. First we have to pick a time, and since we are cheap and want to avoid avid fans, we opt for the Saturday matinee. Excitement mounts on Friday and we don't hesitate to retire to our boudoir's that night. We wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy and our adventure begins. First stop, Dunks. Hazelnut coffee and a bagel. 2nd stop, Bus Stop. Once we get to the theater we get to our seats as fast as we can. We proceed to eat our bagels and make a whole bunch of noise - choosing to be those obnoxious girls that everybody probably hates. Once the previews start we are hooked, longing for a movie to spark a future experience. After the film we spend the entire ride home talking about every little thing that happened and how great of a time we just had. It never fails.

It's not just a movie.. It's an Experience.


AG

Pretending we're going to go into the wild

After watching our man Emile Hirsch play Chris McCandless in Into the Wild, dreams of doing the same thing immediately flood our heads. Leaving behind money, family, friends, and all material possessions, and getting on the journey into the wild. The only thing that matters is finding enough food and water for the next few days. Meeting people is important, but there won't be any lasting impressions since you'll be back on the road soon anyway. Living life without a care in the world sounds great.

"The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences."

RN