climbing up the stairs

So today I took a major step forward in terms of the graduate school application process. I took the GRE. Don't tell anyone this, but, considering I did about 3 serious days of preparation, it went very well. This was very relieving, to say the least. The test was all the way in Fair Lawn, and now that I think about it, i should have stopped at Guitar Center on my way home. I literally drove past it. Regardless, the GRE took me about 3 hours. I was totally caught off guard by the writing section (forgot it was going to be on there). Luckily this was my only real surprise of the "experience." Now that the GRE is behind me, I can go back to solely doing work for school/just sitting around. Awesome.

In other news, I've acquired a lot of great tunes the past week or so. An LP and an EP by the Avett Brothers, an album by Sarah Jarosz (who is like a 17 year old mandolin/banjo virtuoso who plays very nice sounding folk music), and an album by a band called the Amazing. They're all really good, but right now I can't get enough of the Sarah Jarosz album. I recommend my currently playing if you are interested.

OH! I bought a mandolin!

Time for me to go to sleep. It's been a long day. Goodnight.

peace, love, & folk,

----------------
Now playing: Sarah Jarosz - Left Home
via FoxyTunes

I'll call for pizza! I'll call my cat!

Hello men and women readers,

First of all, this Thursday is 100 Nights Until Graduation! Answer me this: How did that happen? Where did all of my time go? There is no reason that I should be sitting here tonight rushing out graduate school applications to try and apply for school in the fall. I would like at least one year back if you don't mind. I'd like it to be Spring 2008 again, if you must know. Okay, okay, that's two years, but still. Honor my request or pay the price! How nice would it be if all the snow melted and I could just go sit out on Eddie's and play the guitar, toss around a frizz, or just sit for sitting's sake? But I digress...

Not too much has really been happening since we last spoke. The 4 of us on Belmont have started a sort of post-football season fantasy team on Madden. Essentially, we sat down and drafted our own football teams. I'm the Jets, Dan is the Panthers, Mai is the Seahawks, and Jake is the Chargers. If all goes according to plan, the 4 of us will be the 4 teams in the AFC/NFC Championship games, then two of us will play for a Super Bowl. Some say "waste of time." Others say, "Incredible waste of time." We'll see how that goes. I'll keep you all posted. I promise.

And, how about all this snow! My goodness. We had a snow day the past Wednesday. This is great news because it is when i have my night class. Jake and I played snow football during the storm. It was actually my first experience playing tackle football. It was definitely interesting. Luckily I only had to be tackled once. I did make an incredible catch though, so well worth it. The games were more defensive than offensive due to the less than desirable conditions on the field. My play defensively can be described as nothing short of "Revis like" (NY Daily News).

That's all for now.

peace, love & friday night lights,

m.w.w.

After the Goldrush

My, my, my. Things are really in full swing on Belmont Avenue. A lot has happened since you last imagined me reading this blog to you.

Firstly, we had people move in upstairs. This really isn't that big of a deal except for the fact that every few hours or so it sounds like they are dropping a bowling ball on the ground. That or they are construction workers who bring their work home with them. Who knows. And FYI, as we speak it sounds like they are moving around furniture.

Next, when the semester started, we were playing a lot of board/card games here. The game action has cooled down a bit, which is kind of a bummer, but understandable nonetheless. We've played Stratego, Risk, Wizard, Boggle, Scrabble Slam, Pictionary Man, and probably others. I'd definitely be interested in picking that back up.

Other big news is our functioning record player. This is probably the most wonderful new addition to our apartment. Since we've been back at school we've spun many a record. I picked up What's Going On by Marvin Gaye, Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder, Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens, and Gish by the Smashing Pumpkins, which added to my already awesome (budding) record collection.

I also took my senior portrait. I got to wear a graduation gown and everything. I get a special sash because I get my B.S., rather than B.A. Its not as much "special" as it is different from the one the B.A. kids get, but I'll take what i can get, right? I thought it was kind of cool. In that same vein, I filled out my "intent to graduate" form. This ish is getting real, and fast.

I've resumed my practice of yoga, and also look forward to resuming my trips to the gym. On my to-do list for tomorrow is to go buy basketball sneakers so I can play basketball comfortably, as well as do other physical activities without having terrible foot pain, and leg pain, as well whatever other problems come from having bad shoes. I looked into getting the Kobe V's, but they are $130.00, and realistically, I'm probably not even cool enough to own them, let alone wear them AND attempt to play basketball in them. If only I could get $20 Starbury's.

Some of us also made it out to another "brewery." I only put brewery in quotes because it wasn't really a brewery like Yuengling was in the sense that it was like a factory-esqe place that did bottling and stuff. The place in question is the Brooklyn Brewery, located in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. The place was like two rooms: one where they brewed the beer, and another, which was kind of like a bar, where they sold beer. It was a totally different vibe than Yuengling, because of the fact that it was essentially a bar, rather than a beer museum. I still have to get out to the Sam Adams brewery, and the Magic Hat brewery, which is much less likely, because it is in Burlington, VT (how Vermonty!).

well, i guess that's enough for now.

peace, love, & new neighbors,

m.w.w.