Street Lights

So my winter break is quickly coming to an end. It was a pretty good break, probably one of my busiest breaks. I wrote quite a few papers, filled out several applications, read a lot of books, worked out at the gym...it was satisfying. I rediscovered my affinity for the New Yorker magazine - I like the seemingly random and non sequitur writing style. Quality. I really want to subscribe because I enjoy reading it a lot, but I deeply suspect that I would not be able to keep up with the weekly publications once class resumes, and school demands my attention. Meanwhile, my parents subscribed to US Weekly for my for my Christmas present, and the first issue arrived in the mail yesterday, so that was pretty nice. I've been reading the New Yorker when I go to the gym and do cardio. It is a pleasant, educating alternative to watching TV, me flipping pages and working out and listening to my iPod.

I was in a bad mood, but then I listened to Metro Station and it made me feel INFINITELY better.

I'm trying to think of what I want out of my last semester...

Who Gives A Fuck About An Oxford Comma?

haven't really written in a while, I know, but chiefly because I haven't really had anything too remarkably interesting to write about. this entry's been in "draft" for such a long time, and as my title is usually the song I'm currently listening to, it has changed from "Acting Like A Fool" (Matt Costa) to "Dance 2Night" (Madonna) to "Who Gives A Fuck About An Oxford Comma" (Vampire Weekend). so here I go

currently listening to: Kansas

the gym's been going pretty well. I've tried running on the tread, but I end up getting really sore and looking even more like a dumbass next to the super-athlete going 9 MPH

work is going really well. I've been carpooling to work with some USC students, so that is really helping on the gas prices. seriously, I haven't used my car for anything else but work and groceries. okay, and maybe the occasional froyo bucket trip, but even then I just feel like I'm bleeding money. but the carpool is great because you get to enjoy other people's company, and you don't have to drive every day! in addition to this I'm getting to know the other interns. some of them are from far places in the United States. today a group of us went out for lunch, and we talked about our classes and ASCE. you know, typical civil engineering stuff. hah hah

ever since I've turned 21 I haven't really had the chance to take advantage of its privileges and 'rites of passage.' that started to change last week, because Tuesdays after work all the USC interns gather for a happy hour. this week, I went to that on Tuesday, followed by another happy hour on Thursday. it was at a pretty crowded bar that reminded me of Rosarito, and the basketball game was showing. of course it was the first half, so everyone was super excited because the Lakers were dominating Boston. saw the rest of the game at the gym though...wow. what a comeback

I have a routine: wake up, shower, work, gym, dinner, teevee, crash

I don't know what I am going to do this weekend. gah

Mercy

currently listening to: Duffy
currently watching: No Country For Old Men, Netflix

I love Duffy! Duffy is a newcomer from Scotland whose power vocals are reminiscent of belting neosoul of the sixties. at first, she was passed off as a "squeaky clean version of Amy Winehouse" (the vocal comparisons are there), but listening to her CD Rockferry needless to say I was tremendously blown away. one song in particular stuck out -"Warwick Avenue". the way she sings "You think you're loving / but you don't love me / I want to be free / baby you've hurt me" gives me shivers. this girl definitely has talent. breathless

other albums or songs that I have on repeat: Madonna, Hard Candy (listen to: "Dance 2night"), Cheap Trick "Surrender" (NEED GH NOW), Coldplay "Viva La Vida", Jason Mraz We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

I also acquired the Justin Nozuka Holly CD. truth be told, it's a disappointment. from his "After Tonight" video, he was seriously trying to pass as a Jack Johnson type (which I am definitely fine with), but the album's kind of a mess. I feel like he spends a lot of his time trying to establish a sound

all your music are belong to us

seriously, I listen to so much music at work that I should start blogging about "what I listened to at work today"

work playlist: Duffy, Justin Nozuka, All Time Low ("Holly Would You Turn Me On"), Portishead, MIA ("Paper Planes"), Oasis Stop The Clocks, Tegan and Sara The Con (BIG bust....wow)

work is going well. tomorrow's Friday already. fast. I want to wear my gladiator sandals soon. I still need to get my pants altered. next Tuesday we're organizing a USC CE intern Happy Hour at Two-Dollar Tuesday. I watched The Office season finale today. it was pretty good (Kevin as mentally challenged? hah hah hah!). Jim and Pam ! Jim and Pam!

I need to find a Jim Halpert

Carry On Wayward Son

I am obsessed with Guitar Hero. there. I said it. at home, I played it (Guitar Hero II) endlessly because I had nothing better to do. started on Medium, then played upwards, until I left today at the threshold of mastering Hard. songs of choice: "Surrender" Cheap Trick, "Message In A Bottle" The Police, "Carry On Wayward Son" Kansas, "Miserlou" Dick Dale

okay, so I wasn't at the point of mastering Hard, but I can definitely play those songs at that level. point is, I MISS IT. I'm already having withdrawals. and I DON'T want my skills to deteriorate!

which means that when I've saved enough money from my paychecks, the first things I will buy are either a PS3 or an x-box 360 and GUITAR HERO! well either that or the ubiquitous iPhone

yes! I am back in Southern California! I start work tomorrow. and I return to the gym. siiiiigh. today, when coming back from the airport, I pick up the second of my Nordstrom denim orders. when I get home I eagerly rip off the plastic and unfurl the jeans, only to find them NOT the petite I ordered, but the regular (which in reality is LONG; denim sizing is seriously for tall people), which was too long. so now I have to get my pant legs altered

currently listening to - Holly, Justin Nozuka
currently reading - The Dive From Clausen's Pier. I finally finished Foucault's Pendulum!

Ain't Nothing But A G Thing

GLADIATOR SANDAL SUCCESS! I've acquired what I set out to get since coming home

currently finishing: Foucault's Pendulum
currently eating: In & Out

tomorrow Memorial Day barbeque. yesss!!

Surrender

Currently listening to: nothing. I haven't touched my IPod since getting home
Currently playing: Guitar Hero II, Level Hard

I've been home for over a week, and I haven't been on the computer for a while. I'm STILL reading Foucault's Pendulum. there are some paperbacks from the library that you can return when you are done, so I am bringing those with me. the hunt for gladiator sandals has not been good. it made me depressed enough to buy a pair of Diesel jeans to feel better. I never owned a pair of Diesels before, but they are very comfortable - I approve

I have a weakness for nice jeans

Memorial Day weekend, so barbeque? but flying back to Los Angeles on Tuesday. starting work on Wednesday