yesterday my sister's roommate ashley fell off of her horse. she was airlifted to the uva hospital and it the doctors are 99.9% sure that she is permanently paralyzed from the waste down and will never walk again. this being less than two months before graduation. although look what happened with kevin everett this fall - you never can say never.
my thoughts go out to her and her family and friends.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
hotel cafe tour
last night we drove up to annapolis to catch a show at rams head. and not just any old show - three and a half hours of straight music. it was like an indie/folk/rock/popish combination of music. five artists - no breaks.
for those of you who haven't been to rams head think birchmere on a much smaller scale. but even better than the birchmere - the food's better, you can eat in a separate restaurant and you have reserved seats.
since i bought us tickets the day they went on sale (obviously) i managed to snag some first row seats. it was totally awesome and awkward at the same time. and we definitely made it more awkward when we started passing notes across the table. it had to be done - there were too many crazy characters not to be commenting.
first up was meiko. i'd heard one of her songs (how lucky we are - aka shitty apartment) and knew i liked that one a lot. it was her first night on the tour (the artists change constantly over the five week tour). you could tell she was a little nervous, but her singing didn't show it. she's a cute little indie girl, but sings with what sounds like a british accent. that might sound weird - but it works for her. best part of her set was when she asked the audience if anyone had a bobby pin. sus totally came through in the clutch.
next came eric hutchinson. it was three years ago when i first saw eric hutchinson - at the rams head! he's pretty good (ha!). the only problem is i've seen him so many times that some of his jokes are getting kind of old (mainly this one). but i still love his music and he puts on a killer show. plus he was playing all alone, which i think is when he sounds his best.
and then the organizer of the whole tour came out to play - cary brothers (one guy - first name cary, last name brothers). and you've probably heard some of his stuff. he went to college with zach braff, which lead to his song "blue eyes" being on the garden state soundtrack. and then there was "ride" on the last kiss soundtrack.
and ingrid was there! i've also seen her quite a few times - but i thought she was great last night! she's so quirky - and i love it! and i even liked "keep breathing" last night - usually i switch it when it comes on my ipod. also she rarely plays the hat (my favorite) - so i was happy she got around to that one last night. and she plays the ukulele. seriously.
last up was joshua radin. he's the quintessential sensitive singer-songwriter (which is exactly why he's on this tour). i have his cd and i can't get enough of it - his voice is so soothing. although i was surprised to hear how deep his voice was when he spoke - nothing like when he sings. also, i kind of love how he smiles/smirks as he sings. and his duet with ingrid is pretty hot.
and then there's the band. where do i even start with them? first there's the emcee/guitar player - jason kanakis. i know him from somewhere, but i still haven't been able to place him. it's kind of killing me. and then there's the drummer (didn't catch his name). just think an italian looking peyton manning. he was weird. but he played the box, so i can't hate too much. and then there was the guy in the back (again, don't know the name). he played 42 different instruments. well maybe not 42 - but at least the keyboard, trumpet, clarinet and guitar. and i saved the best for last - the bass player. think josh kelly + javier bardem. we had a hard time keeping a straight face when he was on stage. he made the most awkward faces and movements. he also had the largest hands i have ever seen - they were easily twice the size of mine.
for those of you who haven't been to rams head think birchmere on a much smaller scale. but even better than the birchmere - the food's better, you can eat in a separate restaurant and you have reserved seats.
since i bought us tickets the day they went on sale (obviously) i managed to snag some first row seats. it was totally awesome and awkward at the same time. and we definitely made it more awkward when we started passing notes across the table. it had to be done - there were too many crazy characters not to be commenting.
first up was meiko. i'd heard one of her songs (how lucky we are - aka shitty apartment) and knew i liked that one a lot. it was her first night on the tour (the artists change constantly over the five week tour). you could tell she was a little nervous, but her singing didn't show it. she's a cute little indie girl, but sings with what sounds like a british accent. that might sound weird - but it works for her. best part of her set was when she asked the audience if anyone had a bobby pin. sus totally came through in the clutch.
next came eric hutchinson. it was three years ago when i first saw eric hutchinson - at the rams head! he's pretty good (ha!). the only problem is i've seen him so many times that some of his jokes are getting kind of old (mainly this one). but i still love his music and he puts on a killer show. plus he was playing all alone, which i think is when he sounds his best.
and then the organizer of the whole tour came out to play - cary brothers (one guy - first name cary, last name brothers). and you've probably heard some of his stuff. he went to college with zach braff, which lead to his song "blue eyes" being on the garden state soundtrack. and then there was "ride" on the last kiss soundtrack.
and ingrid was there! i've also seen her quite a few times - but i thought she was great last night! she's so quirky - and i love it! and i even liked "keep breathing" last night - usually i switch it when it comes on my ipod. also she rarely plays the hat (my favorite) - so i was happy she got around to that one last night. and she plays the ukulele. seriously.
last up was joshua radin. he's the quintessential sensitive singer-songwriter (which is exactly why he's on this tour). i have his cd and i can't get enough of it - his voice is so soothing. although i was surprised to hear how deep his voice was when he spoke - nothing like when he sings. also, i kind of love how he smiles/smirks as he sings. and his duet with ingrid is pretty hot.
and then there's the band. where do i even start with them? first there's the emcee/guitar player - jason kanakis. i know him from somewhere, but i still haven't been able to place him. it's kind of killing me. and then there's the drummer (didn't catch his name). just think an italian looking peyton manning. he was weird. but he played the box, so i can't hate too much. and then there was the guy in the back (again, don't know the name). he played 42 different instruments. well maybe not 42 - but at least the keyboard, trumpet, clarinet and guitar. and i saved the best for last - the bass player. think josh kelly + javier bardem. we had a hard time keeping a straight face when he was on stage. he made the most awkward faces and movements. he also had the largest hands i have ever seen - they were easily twice the size of mine.
Friday, March 21, 2008
observations from the week
1. it's spring break and you know what that means. tourists. lots and lots of tourists. look out for loud and obnoxious kids on the metro, lots of escalefters and the chain restaurants to be packed. seriously, i don't get that last one. why would you travel to a new city just to eat at all the same restaurants you have at home?
2. dogfish has red & white on tap. seriously. i don't think much more needs to be said about this one.
3. now a literal observation. my office is across the street from the renaissance hotel. the duke basketball team is staying at the renaissance hotel. at about 4pm yesterday i noticed a bus with a police escort idling in front of the hotel. i mentioned this to the guys in my area and they all sprung up to see the commotion. all the players were getting off the bus in suits and filing into the lobby. and how did we know it was duke? well one of the guys i sit with conveniently keeps binoculars at his desk. so sketchy, i know.
4. what's with the weather this week? it's been a different season every day. (yes, i realize there are five days in a week and only four seasons. just roll with me here.) if i go to bed one night and it's seventy degrees how am i to guess that early the next morning it will be blustery and cold?! needless to say, i have been severely inappropriately dressed each day.
5. i swam a lot in the last week. like probably ten miles. i'm so going to dominate all those 50s and 100s i just signed up to swim next month! woooo!
and now i'm looking forward to a weekend of music, basketball and food!
2. dogfish has red & white on tap. seriously. i don't think much more needs to be said about this one.
3. now a literal observation. my office is across the street from the renaissance hotel. the duke basketball team is staying at the renaissance hotel. at about 4pm yesterday i noticed a bus with a police escort idling in front of the hotel. i mentioned this to the guys in my area and they all sprung up to see the commotion. all the players were getting off the bus in suits and filing into the lobby. and how did we know it was duke? well one of the guys i sit with conveniently keeps binoculars at his desk. so sketchy, i know.
4. what's with the weather this week? it's been a different season every day. (yes, i realize there are five days in a week and only four seasons. just roll with me here.) if i go to bed one night and it's seventy degrees how am i to guess that early the next morning it will be blustery and cold?! needless to say, i have been severely inappropriately dressed each day.
5. i swam a lot in the last week. like probably ten miles. i'm so going to dominate all those 50s and 100s i just signed up to swim next month! woooo!
and now i'm looking forward to a weekend of music, basketball and food!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
south by southwest!
so i'm sure you all know about sxsw. no, it's not a hitchcock movie. it's the music event of the year. each spring thousands of bands (with the corresponding thousands of fans) converge in austin, texas for a week of non-stop concerts. to me it sounds like heaven (although i haven't been able to make it out there just yet).
thankfully i subscribe to npr in my google reader and have been listening to full concerts from sxsw here at work (with my sweet wireless headset of course!). actually the whole npr music site is really cool and has a lot of fun features (like full length live concerts, studio sessions and exclusive interviews).
and all this talk of music is just getting me even more excited for summer concert season. get excited - wolftrap announces their summer lineup on monday!
thankfully i subscribe to npr in my google reader and have been listening to full concerts from sxsw here at work (with my sweet wireless headset of course!). actually the whole npr music site is really cool and has a lot of fun features (like full length live concerts, studio sessions and exclusive interviews).
and all this talk of music is just getting me even more excited for summer concert season. get excited - wolftrap announces their summer lineup on monday!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
piñata apples
has anyone seen these around anywhere? the "soft texture" description makes me weary, but i figure with a name like that i have to at least give them a try.
Monday, March 10, 2008
observations from the 8k on sunday
we braved the frigid weather sunday morning and headed downtown to run in the st. patrick's day 8k. [side note: did you hear about how the pope - or some high ranking catholic - decreed that st. patrick's day 2008 will be on march 15th so not to interfere with holy week? seriously, they can do that?] back to the race - here are some random thoughts and observations from the morning:
- warming up with a guy nicknamed "sarge" is probably not in your best interest. i think we all pulled muscles from doing his crazy exercises (butt kickers!). the best part is when we started doing some stretch that required us to bob up and down and then "sarge" started going off about how runners have no rhythm (hence why they run). and then he made everyone stop because he couldn't handle watching those three girls do it so out of rhythm. yes, we got called out in front of 5,000+ people.
- mayor fenty is fast. i guess that is expected for the son of the owners of a local running shoe store. but doesn't being the mayor of dc (and the father of twin boys) keep him pretty busy? when does he have time to train?
- bagpipes are surprisingly good motivators. mainly because you want to run fast to get away from the god awful sound (and the sight of an old man in a skirt).
- they actually had water left at the end of the race! although after the debacles of last year i doubt any big race will ever run out of water again.
- i almost felt bad for those young girls with super curly hair who were doing some irish dancing after the race (you know since it was so cold outside and all). but then i realized they're the idiots who decided to curl their hair up and dance around in crazy outfits in the cold.
- running through the city is so fun. well except for the fact that the courses are so contrived and you are forced to make random sharp turns. but running past the capitol totally makes up for it.
10k next? or maybe 10 miles? maybe after my swim meet...
- warming up with a guy nicknamed "sarge" is probably not in your best interest. i think we all pulled muscles from doing his crazy exercises (butt kickers!). the best part is when we started doing some stretch that required us to bob up and down and then "sarge" started going off about how runners have no rhythm (hence why they run). and then he made everyone stop because he couldn't handle watching those three girls do it so out of rhythm. yes, we got called out in front of 5,000+ people.
- mayor fenty is fast. i guess that is expected for the son of the owners of a local running shoe store. but doesn't being the mayor of dc (and the father of twin boys) keep him pretty busy? when does he have time to train?
- bagpipes are surprisingly good motivators. mainly because you want to run fast to get away from the god awful sound (and the sight of an old man in a skirt).
- they actually had water left at the end of the race! although after the debacles of last year i doubt any big race will ever run out of water again.
- i almost felt bad for those young girls with super curly hair who were doing some irish dancing after the race (you know since it was so cold outside and all). but then i realized they're the idiots who decided to curl their hair up and dance around in crazy outfits in the cold.
- running through the city is so fun. well except for the fact that the courses are so contrived and you are forced to make random sharp turns. but running past the capitol totally makes up for it.
10k next? or maybe 10 miles? maybe after my swim meet...
Saturday, March 8, 2008
the must list
does anyone read entertainment weekly? i've been a loyal subscriber since at least high school and it's probably the reason i have such a wacky sense for pop culture. two years ago they started a weekly must list where the editors pick ten things that they're into at the moment. so, in true copycat fashion - my very own must list:
1. obama.
he's a must for america.
2. march madness.
be it beer, lost or college basketball.
3. strawberry cupcakes from baked and wired.
seriously, there's nothing better.
4. alice smith.
i could listen to her cd on repeat every day. ok, maybe i do. she's playing at the black cat tomorrow night. the fact that it's a sunday and that i'm running a race in the morning puts the odds of me making it at slim to none. oh well, maybe next time.
5. snl.
so glad the writer's strike finally ended so snl could make it back just in time for prime political season. my only complaint? the music always sounds so awful.
6. amy adams.
definitely the it girl of the year (for good reason). i've seen all of her movies this year (save the one that came out yesterday). and i've added all of her older movies to my queue. ooooh and she's hosting snl tonight (w/ vampire weekend!!).
7. ice cream sandwiches.
be them homemade, from potbelly, from neilsen's, or anywhere else. i certainly do not discriminate when it comes to ice cream sandwiches.
8. hoyas.
growing up in dc made me a hoyas fan from the start, but it's been fun these past few years when they've been so good! and honestly last weekend's game against marquette was one of the best basketball games i've watched in my life.
9. yellow.
it's been my favorite color since i was sucking my thumb (although back then i could pronounce the "y" and it was more of a "lellow"). i'm so pumped (ha!) that it's the it color this season. i've already scored some hot yellow shoes and don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
10. lance reddick.
first he's on the wire (which could/should be it's own must, by the way). and now he shows up as the bad guy (?) on lost. probably the two best shows on tv right now. wooooo!
1. obama.
he's a must for america.
2. march madness.
be it beer, lost or college basketball.
3. strawberry cupcakes from baked and wired.
seriously, there's nothing better.
4. alice smith.
i could listen to her cd on repeat every day. ok, maybe i do. she's playing at the black cat tomorrow night. the fact that it's a sunday and that i'm running a race in the morning puts the odds of me making it at slim to none. oh well, maybe next time.
5. snl.
so glad the writer's strike finally ended so snl could make it back just in time for prime political season. my only complaint? the music always sounds so awful.
6. amy adams.
definitely the it girl of the year (for good reason). i've seen all of her movies this year (save the one that came out yesterday). and i've added all of her older movies to my queue. ooooh and she's hosting snl tonight (w/ vampire weekend!!).
7. ice cream sandwiches.
be them homemade, from potbelly, from neilsen's, or anywhere else. i certainly do not discriminate when it comes to ice cream sandwiches.
8. hoyas.
growing up in dc made me a hoyas fan from the start, but it's been fun these past few years when they've been so good! and honestly last weekend's game against marquette was one of the best basketball games i've watched in my life.
9. yellow.
it's been my favorite color since i was sucking my thumb (although back then i could pronounce the "y" and it was more of a "lellow"). i'm so pumped (ha!) that it's the it color this season. i've already scored some hot yellow shoes and don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
10. lance reddick.
first he's on the wire (which could/should be it's own must, by the way). and now he shows up as the bad guy (?) on lost. probably the two best shows on tv right now. wooooo!
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