Brokeback City.

Okay...this is the last one of these...but I had to link to this one because it was Jake's breakout role. Also, a favorite movie from my childhood. To this day, I very vividly remember my dad buying tickets for us at the theater ("...four for ceeeety sleeeeeeeckers" -- David knows what I mean).

Law Revue Review.

Yesterday was the culmination of many, many weeks of Jamie-less nights. The Law Revue's opening night/final performance (approximately 1,000 tickets sold!). You wanna see some pictures of Jamie wearing more makeup than I ever do? Of course you do.

Here's my man as a Backstreet Boy. This number (which Jamie wrote and directed) was one of the biggest hits of the night: "I Want to Get Paid"(based on that unforgettable ditty, "I Want It That Way"). The group of guys sitting behind me kept on calling for "MORE BOY BAND!!!" the rest of the night. All 2 1/2 HOURS OF IT. I think the sweatband is a nice touch. But, I think Jamie went a little nutty with the lipstick.

Or perhaps you'd prefer this one which I like to think of as "Three Guys Trying to Look Manly with Lipstick On".


The show was great and I'm very proud of my man for all that he accomplished. He sang, he danced, he directed, he wrote...he was responsible for the opening act AND the grand finale (a Rent Medley which. was. awesome). He also proved to me that he is capable of doing the Napoleon Dynamite dance quite hilariously. I doubted him...but I will never doubt the dancing skills again.

He also pulled off a funny impression of one of his professors. Although I don't know what the real thing is like, he got lots of laughs from the crowd, so I think it's safe to assume it was spot on. Plus, someone behind me said (and I quote), "That was the best impression of Fredenthal I have ever seen in my life. Ever." So, Jamie, you get a thumbs-up.

After not having him around for the past few weeks (I saw the man for a cumulative 30 minutes the entire week last week -- and he was unconscious for 25 of those) despite the fact that I live with him, it was going to be hard to convince me that it was worth all the work and hours he had been putting into it.

It was.

Return of the King.

A truly wise and wonderful woman Meredith is. OF COURSE, I'm not mad! Except of course now everyone who reads my blog (all two of them) will not tolerate my lameass posts. "MORE Drewie!" they'll clamor...and sadly I won't be able to satisfy their procrastination needs.

Anyway, Jamie is kicking me off the blog because he wants to read your post. It begins...Welcome back Drewie.

[Uninvited] Guest Post: Rudy! Rudy!

It feels like Breaking and Entering. Or maybe, just simple tresspassing. Or perhaps, I've invented a new crime, let's call it "Grand Theft Bloggo". Either way, I desperately feel like this is against the rules. Then again, maybe it's a cry for help...

Despite my unforgivable absence (mostly signified by my loss of "link" status from this blog), "Rudy! Rudy!" of Death Cab for Drewie is alive and well, although being held captive by the IT Forces of his Employer. "Don't post your opinions on the Internet" they said. And I listened. Yet another form of Corporate America stifling the creativity of the very cogs that keep the gears turning. What a fool I am.

Incidentally, should DCFDrewie ever resurface, I should probably change the name to "Drew's on [Arcade] Fire". I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more "Funeral" (not to be confused with what happens should you actually forget to fill a prescription. That would be an unfortunate irony, wouldn't it?) Which also reminds me that I've had the most perfect. idea. ever. You should come to Chicago for Lollapalooza. You know you want to.

And now, I must run, before I've said too much. Venue #1 looks beautiful, but more importantly, regardless of location, you're wedding will be the most perfect day ever, and I will be honored and touched to witness it.

Cheers.
Blogger's own Rip Van Winkle

PS - To everyone who has no idea who I am, Melissa will be back for her regularly scheduled programming soon.

PSS - I will not be offended if you cut me off. Seriously, you should probably cut me off. I'm not kidding. I flunked "self-restraint" all through school. I'm like the kid who couldn't stop eating the glue stick, even though I knew I wasn't supposed to.

PSS - I never ate the glue stick. That's just gross.

PSS - [smacks lips] mmm... glue-y.

PSS - Mere said you wouldn't get mad...

The One with A Lot of Hyperlinks.

Just changing gears here. On Friday, Jamie and I went to see Capote. While I could see why people thought it was a good movie -- and I thought it was a good movie -- I just wasn't very entertained. There was great acting...the story was interesting...but for some reason I kept on waiting for it to be over.

Anyway, seeing that movie got me thinking about the upcoming Oscars. More specifically, thinking about the Best Actor nominees. Don't get me wrong: I LOVE Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He made me cry like a baby in Magnolia and I can't look at him without thinking about Boogie Nights (even though he had a teeny part in it), but I'm rooting for Heath Ledger.

While Hoffman does a phenomenal job capturing Truman Capote's emotions, mannerisms, and "that voice", I think it's somewhat easier to adjust your acting when there is an eccentric person who really existed for you to base it upon. In contrast, Ledger had to create his character -- granted there was a script and a rough outline of the character -- but he has to bring Ennis Delmar to life. Not only that, but he needs to play a subdued character that has "penned-up-angry-bull" emotions and I think that's really difficult to portray. And he does it! Amazingly well! Heath Ledger for Best Actor!

Ultimately both actors did amazing work -- and I'm sure Joaquin Phoenix, David Straithairn, and whoever Terrance Howard did too. So I guess the message to take home is that this was a good year for acting.

Oh, and congratulations to Jake for winning the BAFTA. Go Wolverines!

Finding "The One".

Today Jamie and I got up bright and early to do some reception site shopping before we strapped ourselves to our computers to get some work done. It was our first official wedding venture. We drove 40 minutes to Annapolis, crossed the Bay Bridge, and braved the cold...I loved it.

Since it was our first time we weren't all that efficient with our time -- we only ended up seeing one place...but it was one of our favorites from our preliminary searches online. Wanna see? (Wait, is it bad luck for guests to see the reception site before the wedding? Whatev. We probably can't afford it anyway.)

The first one is of the "altar". The second is of the ballroom. I am a fan of this place, but the wallet is not. I look at this one as my ideal venue -- it even had rocking chairs on the porch outside of the ballroom! Dream come true! I love love love the altar -- I think it has a Shinto temple quality (okay, just the shape) that my dad would appreciate. Plus, the bridal suite was awesome.

Okay, I'm done gushing about the expensive place. To tell the truth, this is actually in the middle of the spectrum (maybe upper-middle) available to us. There are some really, truly, crazy expensive places to get married around here! I'm talking $8,000 to get married places (I'm thinking I shouldn't visit those places). I can't imagine what it would be like trying to get married in a city like Los Angeles or San Francisco would be like.

So...what do you guys think of contestant number one?

"You Hold the WooKEY to My Heart."

Happy Valentine's Day!

And of course, we all deserve a little geek lovin' so...

hee hee hee.

Just got back from a lovely night on the town with the fiance. We went to see some Shakespeare at a playhouse in D.C. after he cooked me some yummy risotto. (Which I just burped). He's a good man. We saw Measure for Measure -- Shakespeare's last comedy...ever! It was good -- I had never heard of it before, so it was nice to get some fresh Shakespeare. It was also law-related so Jamie got a kick out of that. There was also sex in it...so you know, I liked that. Kidding. Sort of.

So I have to complain a little bit about my neighbor. I'm not exactly sure which neighbor it is, but ONE of my neighbors has a severe snoring problem. So severe that it keeps me awake at night. At first I thought it had to be a television, but its regularity and the fact that it's. every. NIGHT. led me to believe otherwise. I don't mind loud neighbor sex (that at least has some entertainment value -- especially when it shakes the walls). I can stand the bad hiphop music every once in a while. I tolerate the loud t.v. BUT THE SNORING???

Seriously. He snores so loudly it keeps me -- in a completely different apartment -- awake. I was thinking about writing a note to him pretending to be a doctor and saying "as a doctor, I feel as though you should have your sinuses checked. You got problems." I thought that might be unethical. Also, I'm a huge coward that I'm unable to confront my neighbor about the fact that his snoring sounds like a garbage disposal.

Suggestions?

Charlie Brown Happy Dance.

Literally the second I published that post, my phone rang and it was my teammate, Eileen. This is our conversation (which may, or may not be slightly dramatized for the occasion):

Me: [frustrated] What??

Eileen: How long ago did you refresh the website?

Me: [frustrated] two seconds ago.

E: I want you to go to this website, http://wbal.com and click on the School Closing button...because WE'RE CLOSED, BITCH!

M: NU-UH!

E: YUH-HUH [screaming]

M: [screaming]

E: I'M CALLING ALL MY FRIENDS NOW AND RUBBING IT IN THEIR FACE!

M: IN THE FACE! IN THE FACE!

There is no one on God's green earth that can convince me that kids get more excited about snow days than teachers. No way.

Charlie Brown UUUUUUUUUUG!

That's how I feel every time I check the school closings website and see that five more schools are closed for tomorrow and Baltimore City schools are not. I think every school district around Baltimore City is closed tomorrow -- or at the very least delayed for 2 hours.

Perhaps the superintendant likes to torture people. Or at least torturing me. The tally is up to 74 school districts closed for tomorrow. UUUUUUUUG!

Cross your fingers for me.

It Snowed!

But, first things first: CONGRATULATIONS to my friends Jamie and Joel on their engagement. They are the first of my friends to get engaged, and I think the feeling that I got as soon as I heard the news was one of the most overwhelmingly great feelings I have had in my life. It puts everything in perspective.

Another reason it's a good day? I looked out the window and saw this:

Our first big snow of the season. Probably will be our last too. I love waking in warm bed and looking out and seeing a fresh blanket of snow. Cody liked it too...

"Some Play the Game, He Changed It!"

Just got back from a yummy seafood dinner with Jamie for and early Valentine's Day celebration. Really yummy. The dinner was originally scheduled for yesterday, but we had to reschedule because of car trouble. Jamie's car died so I had to buy some jumper cables to try and rescue him. No luck. So we waited for the tow truck guy.

A conversation with the tow truck guy revealed that he worked the 12 hours between 6pm and 6am. Yikes. How does he keep himself entertained if no one needs a tow? I wondered. Jamie's ride with him to the gas station answered my question. Apparently, he watched DVDs. WHILE HE DROVE. He had his laptop hooked up and on the dashboard so that he could watch Boss'n Up with Snoop Dogg. With Jamie in the car. While towing his car. Needless to say that guy was weaving all over the road.

Seriously, people.

It's that Time Again...

...another pressing due date...another set of procrastination tools.

Here's one I have clicked on a couple times for a few chuckles. I enjoy the "Email from God" one. Oh, and this one.

Weekend in Review.

I decided for sure that my next cell phone has to have a built-in camera. Friday, on our way home from our party, Jamie and I witnessed a hit-and-run. Some guy bashed into a car...paused...and then sped off. In front of a ton of cars. That guy probably got off completely scot-free. I just hope someone had a cell phone camera to take a picture of loser's license plate. When I got rear-ended last year, the guy sped off and all that was going through my head was that I wished I had a digital camera.

Verdict: next phone will have camera.

Also on Friday, I saw a friend from elementary through high school. Jamie happened to bump into her on the street while walking from our parking space (over a mile away) to where our cocktail party was. He brought her up to see me and it was so surreal! I hadn't seen or spoken to her in 5 years, but it was so great to catch up with her and reconnect. It really inspired me to do a better job catching up with old friends that I know are in the area...

Quickie.

My feet are about to fall off. Just got back in from a nice night of dancing with Jamie...so I guess that makes it worth it.

Here is a new one of those recut movie trailers. They seem to be all the rage now...I dedicate this one to my dear friend, Abby. Oh, and another one for my dear friend, Jess.

G'Night!

Hi, Pop!

So I may not "get" White Ninja (is he a person? how old is he? what's the point?) but I still think he's funny.

In other unrelated news (that got lost in the posting debacle at the old site), my dad is in Arizona right now. He's being interviewed for a position with Medecins Sans Frontieres (aka: Doctors Without Borders). As of right now he is tentatively placed somewhere in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At once I am terrified and I am in awe. For years I have thought that MSF has been one of the best humanitarian organizations out there. It is one of two organizations that I have actually donated money to on more than one occasion -- still, I never thought I would be able to donate something as precious and valuable as my dad.

While I know their doctors are well-protected (and very much needed), I worry more for his health. It's hot...The medication he'll have to take before he goes there for malaria and whatnot will wreak havoc on his body...It's a conflict zone and undergoing a lot of civil unrest...He will be out of contact with us for weeks at a time....The minimum commitment is 6 months. Whenever I think of it I get teary-eyed and I can't tell if it's because I'm scared or because I am so proud.

When I was growing up (and sometimes still) my dad always said that the main goal in the life of a parent is to raise their child to be a better human being than they ever were. He never mentioned how hard he was going to make it for me. The day that he told me that he had applied for the position I knew that I would never be able to catch up to him. I guess I get all misty because I'm proud of him.

A New Record.

Last night I peed four separate times within half an hour. I have been trying to drink more water lately and I think it is to the point where it just runs right through me. All Jamie could do was laugh and laugh...

Tomorrow is a day off of the kiddies. "Professional Development". What that really means is hours upon hours of sitting in frustrating meetings where all we can do is feel sorrier and sorrier for ourselves. But...it's amazing to not have to worry about planning for tomorrow. Hooray.

Hey! You people who actually read my blog. You need to start leaving comments...NOBODY reads this thing except for people you already know and love. SO COMMENT. Also: I need to start hearing about possible date conflicts for a wedding. Is mid-May 2007 a bad time for people? (looking at those people in Med School) Let me know so I can bully Jamie into planning something (anything) with me...

Pick Me Up?

So I just realized what a downer that last post was...so a quick-pick-me up is in order:

These are the rubber duckies that Jamie put on the Whirlpool tub that was in our engagement suite. Makes me happy to look at them.

P.S. You like my new look?

Crawling Back to Blogger.

After my sad stint at another blog, I decided to come back to Blogger. It's more reliable, and they've added on a lot of features that were missing before. Also: for some reason a whole bunch of (read: 3 or 4) posts that I made at the last site were lost. I'm thinking some problem with my account -- it's enough for me to come back to my old website.

I swear I had been better about posting.

Nothing super going on in my life right now -- same old. I'm overwhelmed and underrested, but I love my fiance and most days I love my students. They like to keep me manic depressive: one day I'm laughing at them, the next I'm fuming at them, the next I just want to hug them all, and the next day I'm just so sad for them.

A couple of weeks ago I actually saw a boy get beaten to a bloody pulp on the street. I was driving home from work and about three blocks from our school I saw that traffic had stopped. I mean, even the public transportation had stopped and busloads of people had gotten off to watch these teenagers fight. Three or four boys were all attacking one and I immediately called 911 (they had already been called). Then I called Jamie to cry to -- I had never felt so helpless. I couldn't bear to watch after that so I drove around the traffic and passed the police cars and ambulances coming from the opposite direction.

That was on a Friday. On Monday morning when I was driving to work there were crosses and flowers laid on the ground where the fight had been. When I saw them there, I had a wave of regret that I am not a more religious person. My students walk to school not far from this street. Sometimes when I drive home at 6 or 7pm I can see first graders playing on their own in the alley. It scares me to think that once my students leave the elementary school, they are completely out of my hands. They go off to middle-school...they turn into teenagers, and some of them might fight in the street and stop traffic. And others will cheer them on like those busloads of people.

Ch-ch-ch-changes.

Out of boredom I decided to update my blog. I'm still in the process of beautifying it, but update your bookmarks anyway.

Latest post is already there...

I need an excuse.

As weird as it may sound: I knitted a poncho a couple of months ago. Even weirder is that I have actually worn it a few times. To tell the truth, I made a poncho because its easier than a sweater and because I felt that I should graduate beyond scarf.


Poncho with Cat Butt.

The thing about the poncho is that every time I wear the thing, I am roped into making another one. I think I have four on queue. Very exciting. Actually, I am excited. Easy and guilt-free.