Gimme Indie Rock!

wildflowersoul @ 2009-11-11T09:37:00

2009-11-11T16:14:46Z

I won a free personal training session today at the gym. Score! I'd been thinking about buying a session, but have been too cheap to do so. I know this is their way of trying to hard sell you into more, but you can't hard sell someone who has no money! Or you can, but it is not going to work on the girl.

NaNoWriMo update- 22K words, last night I banged out almost 3K in a frenzy of trying to get to my plot. I am really enjoying the process again this year, I really like the structure of having to get something done every day. Though that is also a bit of a curse, because I find myself needlessly drawing out some scenes that are utterly useless because I worry that I'll run out of story before I get to the 50,000 word mark. So there will be a lot of editing to do eventually. But tonight I have to commence with the actual adventure! portion of the story and cease wanking on about music. In my imagination, Neutral Milk Hotel has gotten back together.

Also- I am giddy like a little girl for New Moon.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-11-05T12:24:00

2009-11-05T17:33:37Z

Man. The one Mexican food place in Salem has closed, due to lack of business that can pretty much be blamed on the gigantic Tavern on the Square that moved in just down the block from it. It was tasty Mexican food, if a bit too overpriced, and it was a small local business. I hate to get all Davis Square-y "fresh local foods!" but damn, it saddens me to see a unique local business go under. That Mexican place was where we got lunch the day we closed on our house (is that right? maybe it was the day we looked at the house... it was something to do with buying the house), but we never went back, despite thinking "oh we should go back there sometime." It's not like Tavern on the Square is Bennigan's or anything, but Tavern is not part of the small & local vibe that really attracted us to Salem in the first place. And I'm worried, because reading comments in the Salem News (and I know, comments on newspaper articles on the internet are pretty much a wasteland), people are predicting that a couple other local bar/restaurants are close to going under, because of the new Tavern.

Oh my god, I totally feel like a taxpayer. I've never actually loved the city I've lived in before, but I feel such warm fuzzies for Salem, and I really want it to keep the attractions that made us move there. We definitely haven't been going out nearly as much as we used to these days, so I suppose we need to start spending our dinner & drinks money more wisely and spread it around to the places I want to see staying open (I will absolutely die if Gulu-Gulu closes). I also really need to make an effort to buy at the local bookstore, but I'll admit I'm extremely guilty of wanting what I want when I want it, and if it's not stocked at the Cornerstone, I go to Borders. And the Kindle is making even my Borders spending dwindle to peanuts.

God, I am hyped up on coffee and chatty today.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-11-02T09:33:00

2009-11-02T14:38:16Z

Woe. I can't believe we didn't take any pictures of our Halloween party. If anyone else took some pics, I'd love to see them (and possibly post them on facebook). thiswakingdream, I know you took some, but I don't know if they were digital.

Also, the Governor is talking about closing down the State House Library. This is seriously a really bad idea. How are people going to access legislative materials (historical and current)? Massachusetts is already beyond screwed up with its lack of transparency and acts that never get codified but are still good law, not having access to an organized depository of this information would make legal research in Mass. even more of a nightmare.

Edited to add: So the State Library website is kind of lame, but I want to point out how amazingly awesome the Mass. Trial Court Law Libraries' website is. Free document delivery?! I've already been using the hell out of their free HeinOnline, and that is icing on the cake. They also have free Lexis/Westlaw, but only in the libraries. Still, there are some amazing library resources available, and it makes me sad that so many people don't know about them. You can also get access to the Boston Public Library's databases online by doing a 2 second online registration.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-11-01T11:40:00

2009-11-01T16:43:07Z

NaNoWriMo: 1,000 words in. I think I found my voice, and I am expositioning like crazy, but I have a start! Yays. Still need at least 1,000 more words today, and I should do a bit more than that to build up a buffer. But I can take a break to do some dishes without feeling super guilty.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-10-30T12:05:00

2009-10-30T16:07:05Z

Oh my god. Cooking, cleaning, decorating, ahhhhh! I may run out of eggs. I am attempting to make breadsticks from scratch, with yeast. Things are getting crazy. Halloween in Salem is a responsibility!

wildflowersoul @ 2009-10-28T12:42:00

2009-10-28T16:46:23Z

What?!

Godamnit, why is the White House obsessed with Olympia Snowe? Republicans have no interest in being bi-partisan, why are the Democrats even bothering now? Argh.

You know, I knew from way back in the primaries that Obama is not leftist. Not really at all. Which makes my head explode even more when I read crap like this (sorry for the Salon ads that are required). Argh. This country is completely batshit insane when Obama is considered commie-pink-lefty.

That is all.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-10-27T15:10:00

2009-10-27T19:16:14Z

This book ("Soulless," by Gail Carriger) looks like it might hit a good reading nerve for lots of my friends. Described by the author's agent as "if Jane Austen were to write a Victorian Steampunk fantasy, this vampire/werewolf comedy of manners...". It lost me at steampunk, which I just personally abhor, but it otherwise sounds like a delightful romp.

Also, I caved and bought myself a Snuggie at Costco this weekend, after jealously watching how comfortable Drew is in his. And my god, is it comfortable. I feel like a sad American stereotype in my blanket with arms, but it is like being wrapped in a soft cloud of comfort. Perfect for watching dvds of some dude on PBS travel to Europe and stay in fancy hotels. How can I get that job?

wildflowersoul @ 2009-10-26T12:11:00

2009-10-26T16:26:49Z

NaNoWriMo is coming up in less than a week! Argh. I have competing story ideas in my head and am totally not sure what I want to focus on. I need to make a list of all the things I like to think about and pick just one or two (for instance, I am only allowed two of the following elements: time travel, spies, historical mysteries, Nick Hornby-esque music ramblings, ghosts, capers, 90s nostalgia). Actually, seeing that written out like that, I'm thinking that I could definitely write 50,000 words involving the badassery of all those things.

We had a really great weekend, suckiness of the HarvestFest in Salem aside (the company of friends was fabulous, it was just the crowds and the lack of enough proper food that was the problem). Salem is totally awesome right now, and not just because of the booths set up to give me delicious fried foods and hot apple cider. We are also in the home stretch of trying to get ready for an epic Halloween party. Or at least, it better be epic given the lengths I am going to on themed foods.

Finally, a brief tangent into tv: White Collar on USA is totally adorable. It does feel a bit like a show that's trying very hard for our approval, but that works ok for me. Funny, endearing, and caper-ific. I'm watching Skins from Netflix, and it is superb. British teenagers with loads of angst. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has been striking out more than hitting these days, but I'm holding out hope they'll hit a mid-season stride.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-10-21T09:19:00

2009-10-21T13:30:51Z

Ugh. Home sick, feeling very pathetic.

So Rolling Stone has been running some really phenomenal journalism these days, care of Matt Taibbi. His latest article is great (well, great work, depressing to read through it and realize how totally screwed we are because our government is just completely beholden to corporations).

wildflowersoul @ 2009-10-17T12:44:00

2009-10-17T16:46:08Z

Holy crap you guys! I totally won $150 on my Mega Millions ticket last night. Woot. Now I can get a haircut and a new bag, both things I have needed for about half a year now and couldn't afford!

wildflowersoul @ 2009-10-13T13:15:00

2009-10-13T17:29:09Z

Huh. Lewiston, Maine features prominently on this week's This American Life. Oh, L-town, it's so endearing that you can be a poster child for what's wrong with health care in America.

And oh hey, we had a 3 day weekend. Which was busy. Friday night we had a visit with A-Dot. Saturday I went to a lovely bridal shower, and got back just in time for our next-door neighbors' annual neighborhood party. I was pretty nervous about it, because I don't do super well in crowds full of new people, but being the new kids on the block (you see what I did there?!), we had built-in conversation talking about our house and all the crap we've had to do with it. I was surprised by how our-age-ish our neighborhood actually is. Lots of couples with little kids. So it went much better than I'd worried about, and we chatted it up with a bunch of people. It's nice to know who your neighbors are, and makes our little area feel more homey. Sunday we went to a bbq at starflow and cosmicserpent's place- always delightful! Yesterday I spent most of my day being hassled (where the hell am I living that I can't find chipotle peppers in adobo sauces at any Stop & Shops?) (also: planting tulips is hard work!), but was de-hasslefied for a short beer break. Yay, beer! Also, we ventured into an Irish bar in Salem that I'd never been in before, and it was quite enjoyable. So yay, new bar discovery!

wildflowersoul @ 2009-10-05T09:29:00

2009-10-05T13:41:02Z

We went to an amazingly fun wedding in Maine this weekend. Consequently, I lost my entire Sunday to the throes of a mighty Boones Farm hangover. I seriously need to get a better internal "you are done drinking now" monitor. But the wedding was a blast- you can't go wrong with beer, bbq, good friends, a red bus with a busdriver who let us drink on board, and a dj that complied with my excited request for Everything I Do (I Do It For You). Good times.

On Friday last week our local bank handed out free cider and donuts at the commuter rail station. I really love living in Salem. There was a parade last Thursday to kick off October, and we caught most of it from the comfort of the Lobster Shanty, where we have now attained regular status. I am going to be happy about being a regular without giving too much thought to the shambley state of most of the other regulars.

Finally, I give props to cosmicserpent for recommending The Bugle, because this podcast is a fine way to spend half a commute.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-09-28T09:28:00

2009-09-28T13:35:07Z

Alright, it's 9:30 am on Yom Kippur, I have the day off, and have already been somewhat productive.

Cleaned up a bit after the very fun Bates Ladies, Etc. get together at our place yesterday. I am still craving apple cider donuts, those things are tasty.

Did some MTV pilates, made up a pot of smoked sausage & beans for lunches for the rest of the week, and have a load of laundry in the washer and the dryer. That's pretty decently productive.

On the list for the rest of the day: do some writing, learn some quantum mechanics, take a nap (this is serious business given the next item on the list), go see Sunny Day Real Estate with my brother tonight at HoB. Boo to there being a Sox game at Fenway tonight, though, I think we'll have to park around Gov't Center.

Also this weekend, enjoyed some amazing drinks at Eastern Standard and had a great time hanging out with folks. Yay, drinks! I do wish I had more money to be able to enjoy that place more often, but I like that for $20, plus tax & tip, it's possible to drag out 2 delicious drinks for quite a while.

Electricity & Lust

2009-09-18T12:48:38Z

Holy shit! Pavement! Touring! Pardon me while I flail around in glee for a moment.

I am totally going to attempt to buy some tickets for their first reunion show, in NYC, about a year from now.

You have no idea how very, very happy this news makes me. They're the one band of my all-time favorite bands that I never got a chance to see live.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-09-15T12:23:00

2009-09-15T16:28:04Z

I was going to rant about the dismal state of affairs in this country, but... I just don't have a good rant in me. I'm just so disgusted with everything that is going on these days, and would love for the wingnut righters to take just one day off so I can ignore them for a little while.

Instead of depresso ranting, I give you a blog that just made me lose it with giggles Crappy Taxidermy (I have only looked at 1.5 pages, I make no sfw promises and if you're squeamish about taxidermized animals then this is not for you. That said, it's friggin' hilarious.

Finally, I am beyond excited for tonight's live performance of The Nightman Cometh. Supposedly there will also be a showing of a season 5 episode and some other stuff. I just hope it gets out at a reasonable hour (i.e. before the Red Sox game ends).

wildflowersoul @ 2009-09-14T09:33:00

2009-09-14T13:44:06Z

There is a word I am trying to think of, and it's driving me crazy that I can't remember it. It's right on the tip of my tongue, and it's a word I use often enough that my inability to come up with it is giving me a serious case of the Mondays. If you can think of a word that starts with "p" and means something to the effect that information in a book (or website) can only be found there because it is information created by that publisher or author (think something like expensive Standard & Poors analyst reports and stuff like that)... I will give you a cookie.

In other news, we had a weekend, and it feels like it went by way too quickly. Friday night we went to Christopher's for a Metafilter meet-up. It was a huge group and the space was really cramped, but it was good people, good conversations, and lots of fun. Saturday we went up to Portland (The Lost Bear Bar, I think, which has a great beer selection) for a second meetup, which was also a ton of fun. I really like meeting new people. Yesterday turned out to be a gorgeous day to do some walking for incandes_flower's work with the arthritis foundation.

This week's goal: get srzs bizness about writing. I do not want to get to NaNo time and be exactly where I am right now. Theoretically, if I can get enough of current story done before then, I can try to open up a whole new project for NaNo. But I have to get this story out of my head first. Of course, distracting me from this goal is shiny new television that's starting up now. Though I think only Thursday nights are really affected by this, as I have a full 2 hour block of brain cell killing tv to watch on Thursdays. And really, only one hour of it will actively kill brain cells (Vampire Diaries, I am looking at you). Yes, I will be watching Joel McHale on Community.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-09-01T14:50:00

2009-09-01T19:14:09Z

How is it September already?? I call shenanigans. Where did my summer of summerfun go?

So on Saturday for Drew's birthday celebrating we shuffled up through the rain to Portland to check out Novare Res, a belgian beer bar. That place is awesome. I can't wait to go back sometime, though I do wish I could pick it up and transport it down to Boston. It was so amazing that so many people braved the trek, we had a fantastic time and hope everyone else did, too!

So I'm currently reading this book and am so enthralled with it that I'll be sad when I've finished it (likely to be on the train ride home). Well written young adult dystopian future fiction. It feels so good to be reading a compelling book now, the last few I've read have been total duds. I need stuff that makes my time on the elliptical speed by!

wildflowersoul @ 2009-08-28T13:07:00

2009-08-28T17:07:53Z

Impromptu lunch with tenillypo has totally made my day! Yays.

Tonight: John Oliver! Tomorrow: Portland, Maine!

wildflowersoul @ 2009-08-27T15:48:00

2009-08-27T19:51:17Z

No offense to Teddy Kennedy, I got a bit verklempt upon hearing the news and our country has for sure lost a powerful senator, but damn am I not looking forward to my 20 minute trudge through the throngs of people lined up for the procession. From the waterfront to North Station... there is no way to avoid it. Blerg.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-08-20T09:14:00

2009-08-20T13:16:00Z

So our Home Depot project is, as far as we know right now, actually completed! We have a roof that we hope won’t leak, new siding on half the house that is not melted from car flames, and new gutters. Yays!

Of course, our joy at this development was tempered last night when, as we were enjoying the Daily Show and eating dinner, a frickin’ mouse scurried across our living room floor. OMG.

He’s kind of cute and wee, but we really don’t need a gross mouse messing with the bunnies (who look huge by comparison, even Beef Wellington looks like a giant compared to the mouse). So we went off to Home Depot to pick up a no-kill trap that I really hope works soon.

Also the front brakes on our car need a major repair. Can we please have just one week of no worries? Just one?

On the plus side, I'm loving the new gym in the morning habit. All I'm sacrificing is my puttering around on the internet time in the morning, and I get to make it home at a much more reasonable time. Today I might even have time to stop at Borders before heading home, with a stop at the Salem Farmers Market on the way.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-08-17T17:25:00

2009-08-17T21:28:11Z

Argh. Home Depot is making me apoplectic with rage.

I honestly don't understand what is so hard about doing the work they are contractually obligated to do, doing it correctly, and not breaking shit when they do it.

I am so seriously tired of yelling at them to make them do what they are supposed to. Today was supposed to be it, the last day. Yet, it is not.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-08-17T13:52:00

2009-08-17T17:53:56Z

In a way, this Washington Post op-ed makes me feel a little bit better about the state of current events. Also, it makes me feel worse, because clearly we are never going to be rid of the crazies.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-08-17T09:11:00

2009-08-17T13:19:44Z

Day 1 of this week's experiment in getting gym time over with before work went pretty well. Caught the 6:45 train to Boston, got into the gym around 7:25, easily got a half hour elliptical session done, showered, and managed to get into work about 10 minutes early. Yays! I think I can squeeze a 40 minute session in most days and get in just on time. Not really feeling super energized from the early morning workout, and am now ravenously hungry even though I ate breakfast before leaving home. But I think this could work as a habit! Which is good, because I'd much rather get home around 5:00 than 6:00, and this is the only way to make that happen.

This weekend was fabulous- engagement party for friends and an after-party that was low-key and very fun. Yesterday we hit the Winter Island beach with a few people, and it was totally awesome. Not super crowded, the ocean was only mildly scary, and there was much sun and relaxation. I was never a huge beach person, and tend to pack enough provisions and boredom fighting tools to last me a month in the wilderness, but I do enjoy sitting in sunshine whenever the sun deigns to show itself around here.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-08-12T09:06:00

2009-08-12T13:07:14Z

I want to go to here.

wildflowersoul @ 2009-08-11T12:49:00

2009-08-11T16:54:44Z

This and the "keep the government out of my Medicare" people make my head explode.

I don't really have much to say about the health care debate (though I use the word debate loosely) because it is just so common sense and so obvious that we need change, that I... just don't know what to say. Just today I had to reschedule an appointment for my yearly doctor appointment, the one I've been waiting months for, because the doctor is taking vacation on my previously scheduled appointment day. And that's relatively "gold plated" health care I've got. Nah, our system is just fine.