I stole this :-D

A Strange Habit in....

THE LIVING ROOM: I like for things to look well-kept, so even if something is temporarily out of place, it MUST be stacked neatly until it can be properly dealt with. I also start channel surfing on the lowest channel.

THE KITCHEN: If there is anything on the stove top, I have to wipe it down. I'm also frequently wiping down the sink and surrounding areas.

THE BATHROOM: Perhaps it is due to my limited counter space, but I can't have a cluttered sink area. I also like to have my shampoos, lotions, etc. arranged in my own understood order.

THE BEDROOM: I'm very locked in to my sleeping position, which means that I get little to no sleep if I have to change.

THE LAUNDRY ROOM: Whenever I start doing laudry, I take it out, organize it on the floor, then place it back in the hamper (limited floor space) in organized stacks. That way I can just work my way down.

"With every mistake, we must surely be learning"

Images of carefree life are dancing across my brain to the tune of "Baby You're a Rich Man." I can never convey just how therapeutic my anthology is. It's so much more than the story of a band. It's moments of hilarity and sadness. It's footage of people's lives set to really really great music. I highly recommend it.

Anyway...

A Texas man was arrested yesterday after calling to report the theft of his marijuana. ...

In more serious news, talks are continuing to end North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Washington must provide aid, security guarantees, and diplomatic recognition if North Korea is to end their program. I always wonder what life is going to be like ten years from now. What kind of threats will be looming over the heads of my family members? Unfortunately, "FIRE ZE MISSLES!!!" keeps breaking into my serious thoughts. Sometimes I feel as though I have been desensitized to crisis in the world around me. "Oh...North Korea's threatening again? Hmm..." That's one reason I'm not keen on media. You become too used to it. I think that's why I start reaching for things like music footage and other preoccupations. It takes you to where you want to be...

"This clock never seemed so alive"

I don't usually do stuff like this, but it might be neat:

If you read this, you should post a memory of me.
It can be anything you want...good or bad
...just so long as it happened.

Post this to your journal to see what people remember about you...

"I've been doin' silly things when it comes to you..."

I was watching music videos from seven years ago on the launch music site last night. Familiar sights and sounds brought back the ridiculous dreams of a thirteen year-old who was obsessed with...well...nevermind who (or what) I was obsessed with. I suppose it was just one of those phases, but I will never cease to be amazed by just how much I was sucked into the pop culture. I wanted to be Jessica Simpson. I was going to marry Nick Carter (or Leo...whoever asked me first). I wanted the world at my feet, a number one hit on the radio, and I think I was halfway convinced that it just might happen. I'm not sure where my taste reverted to Dad's classic rock, or when I started preferring Johnny Depp. I don't know at what point I broke away from what was considered "it" by others standards and discovered the world where only my own opinions matter. Those were fun (although slightly over the top) times, and it's nice to remember, but I think that I'm much more content with the musings of a "I like to think I'm pretty grounded" twenty year-old. I think... ;-)

Preserve Product Freshness...

The storm of the century is brewing outside. The first fat raindrops are beginning to fall, lightning is alarmingly close, and thunder claps are more insistent. Still, the man across the street is carelessly riding his lawnmower, never lifting his eyes from his work. The hurried look on his face leads me to believe that perhaps he is more aware of what lies on the horizon than I he shows. It's one of those weird storms with intensely varying degrees of light and dark. From one window, 6:00 looks more like 9:00, and the wind is tossing debris in crazy patterns across the sky. From another window, I see sunshine filtering happily through raindrops.

My roommate is home for the weekend, and everything is very still. I'm sure the resident merrymakers of Hart House will grace me with their frivolity in a few hours, but until then, I will soak up the solitude. Unfortunately, I have very little to update on. My apologies. I feel like I'm getting sick, so perhaps tonight will be a night of rest and relaxation. We'll see.

"I'll keep my eyes patiently focused on you"

Good weekend.

Friday = all over the place, incredibly busy, but fun

Saturday = lazy, comfortable, very nice

Sunday = pretty good overall


"Someday..." ::smiles::

I can't believe what is happening in London. There were three attacks on the Underground and one attack on a double-decker bus, killing at least 37 and wounding hundreds. I know the terrorists have struck elsewhere since New York's September 11 (i.e. Madrid train bombing in 2004), but for some reason the attack on London has hit me with more force than anything since the World Trade Center. In 2000, I was standing in Battery Park, looking across the water at the twin towers...buildings that represented united world commerce. A little over a year later, planes were flown into the towers by Islamic militants, leveling the buildings and killing thousands. The day the world changed forever. A little over two years ago, I was taking in the sights and sounds of London, riding the Underground and snapping pictures of the famous double-deckers. London is one of my favorite cities, and as I read the news article, I couldn't keep from crying. My mind jumped back to the 2 AM firedrill at Thistle Charing Cross. A local man discovered that we were all Americans, and said something to the effect of, "They say we're next, you know? Ours is coming soon." That moment is still crystal clear in my memory. I looked up into the darkness, glanced at the beautiful buildings around me, and shivered in the chilly night air. Yes, it would come to them, too...if only because of its prominence and symbolism as a European leader. I remember a sense of dread creeping over me; no one was safe. At the same time, however, a slight flicker of unity prevailed as I realized that we were all in this together.

This attack comes just as the G8 summit (eight of the world's most powerful leaders) was getting under way, and only a day after joyful London was awarded the 2012 Olympic Games. Please keep those affected in your thoughts and prayers. It's going to be a long road.

I love you all.

Victor just clued me in to this super-cool new place that just opened up in Atlanta. They have some really neat stuff for good prices. Check out the website!

What a day for a daydream

I woke up early yesterday morning, smacked snooze repeatedly, and finally drug my sleep-deprived body out of bed. An hour later found me walking down my grandparent's driveway, listening to the sound of workers patching the roof. I was reminded of so many previous summer mornings spent in the same driveway, being greeted at the door in the same manner. Just sitting around the kitchen table, chatting and relaxing was a great way kick off the long drive back to Milledgeville. That was my first favorite thing of the day.

I stopped briefly for coffee and found a handful of businessmen dressed to the nines, discussing matters of importance over the Atlanta Journal. They could be talking about polka dots and ponies, and I would be just as enthralled. For some reason, cosmopolitan scenes have always been striking to me, even though they contrast starkly with the warmth of favorite thing number one. The steady hum of people in motion is the reason I have always loved downtown Atlanta...despite its impersonal nature and the heightened sense of awareness that inevitably follows. The city seems so alive.

I've been on another cleaning spree today, and it feels so good to see the end result. The inside of my car is cleaner than it has been in ages. My psychology class seems like it's going to be incredibly slow and monotonous, but probably not very difficult. I'm watching "Roman Holiday." I adore this movie, but the special effects during the fight scene on the lake are laughably unrealistic.

I keep waiting for the rumble of thunder in the distance, but as of yet, there has been nothing. Strong storms are approaching from Alabama thanks to the remnants of tropical storm Cindy, bringing the threat of tornadoes and flooding. Milledgeville seems to have a protective barrier that shields it from severe weather, but alas, those might be my famous last words. Haha. We'll see! I'm off to watch "Sabrina" and sip coffee. TCM has named Audrey Hepburn "Star of the Month", meaning that they show three of her movies every Wednesday night (starting at 8:00) for the entire month of July. This is another one of my favorites. Life is good. Hehe. The rest of my cleaning and studying can wait until tomorrow.