the lakecicle.

Lake Michigan is officially covered with ice. I don't think the lake has really frozen solid, but still. here's a video.

Here are a few pics.

My neighbor took this one, I can't take credit for it

I came across this photo tonight. I like it a lot.

I just bought the new Vampire Weekend CD. Feel free to send any new wonderful CDs to me :)

New Year, New Room

Let's start with a confession. I watch Hoarders and I'm convinced that I'm one personal disaster away from being one. So... I’ve been rearranging/reorganizing my room since last weekend and it's almost done. I’ve added in a 2x8’ chalkboard-- well it was a piece of wood that I made into a chalkboard with some help from Lowe’s. I'm very excited about a new room and I might just have to add in a new purchase from the holidays… a map. It’s an old classroom roll-down map that I got at an antique store when I was staying with my aunt and uncle. I’m thrilled to own it and if I can’t put it in the living room, it will be going up in my bedroom. If the big map goes in the living room, then my other map that I’ve had framed since 2005 and have never hung will go up, maybe beside Aunt Maline’s creepy portrait. I'll also be making room for my Paul Cordes Wilm piece, so stay tuned.

My trip to see my aunt also produced good fruit other than the map purchase. She passed down my grandfather’s camera to me and I was super excited about it because I had never seen or heard about it before. I did some research and it’s a 1935 Zeiss Ikonta 530/2.
He got it in Germany before the war and I’m not sure how much he used it but it’s in great condition and I have 3 lenses for it too. So I finally bought some film for it and have taken 2 pictures so far. It’s super sweet but takes some time to actually take the picture and get everything ready. It might be an expensive attempt to test it out, but I’ll let you know when I get the film developed. They should be pretty cool pictures even if they contain lame subject matter, but we will not be wasting film on stupid faces.

As for SAD, you know the treatment, Liz Lemon: Sun, St. John's Wort and human interaction. Oh and don't live in Chicago or Seattle. If you need actual attention, we can work on that or Casey Clardy can reply with a treatment plan.


Ashley, you asked for some reviews, so here you go:

Fantastic Mr. Fox:
Greatest movie I’ve seen in a while and I went to see it again last week. It’s very clever and fast and not as predictable as I thought. Great soundtrack and it’s amazing to see how much work they put into making movies of this style. It's a cuss of a lot better than others I've seen this year, but that might be because I can’t remember other movies I’ve seen pre-October. Go see it!

Vampire Weekend's "Contra":
They’ve been getting a lot of press lately and some interviews have said the new CD was going to be great. This was much anticipated for me (because I like them a lot), but I feel like I didn’t know this album was coming out until 2 weeks before it did. I know… shocker. Reviewers said VW is known for their unusual African beat and I almost thought they were crazy until I bought the new album myself. Yep, African beat is a good way to describe it, and it’s almost a little “islander” in the rest of the percussion. It’s really good so far and I’ve been listening to “Cousins” since they released it as a single and it’s one of the fastest from the album. "Contra" is a good slow one and "Diplomat's Son" is really good. This album is just as upbeat as the last and maybe even more so. We're still just talking and becoming friends, but I think it will compare well to the previous release. Buy it!

Buyer's Remorse:
Dead Weather's "Horehound" - it should be awesome with all-stars under Jack White's lead, but it's not... sorry. I'm more mad than anyone that this didn't pan out.

Semi-remorse:
The Beatles "White Album" - Okay, before we begin, no I don't think this was a bad purchase or bad album, but I wish I could buys single songs from them on iTunes because let's be honest, who knows all of the songs on this album? You don't, don't act like you do. So I bought the #1's and that helped. Don't get me wrong, I love the Beatles more than you, but I don't have money for songs I'm probably not going to listen to that much. Upside: great album to add to my collection when Jesus judges me on my musical taste. Yes, that's going to happen, read your bible.

I have some other updates on the organization known as my family, but those will have to wait. Okay Tina, I'm out. Miami 2014!

I blame Delilah

Well Melissa, now you've gone and done it. You've given me S.A.D. What's that you say? It's not contaigous? Well, all I can say is that I'm glad I'm not listening to Delilah or living in this grey, sunless land would be unbearable. Yes, I do think I'm battling seasonal affective disorder...not trying to hop on some trend, but I really miss sunshine.

Snow is on the way soon. You both fail for not blogging more. I am blogging to procrastinate homework. I did conquer my clothes mountain today and did 3 loads of laundry. Load 4 is saved for another day.

My new Reebok EasyTone shoes are on their way from China to Odenville, then will be sent from Odenville to Chicago...they're going to be well traveled. I'll let you know how toned I feel once I get them.

Upcoming Schedule of events:
1/26 - Media Economics assignment due, IMC Strategic Process case due
1/28 - Statistics and Market Research project due
2/2 - LOST! Bella and I are excited to welcome back our favorite show. Hosting a little gathering at my house...so I should call Merry Maids now. :)
2/4 - Matt Hires at Schubas
(tenative)
3/5 - Citizen Cope @ Vic Theatre
3/8 - Finals round one
3/16 - Finals round two followed by...
SPRING BREAK
4/30 - Owl City @ Aragon Entertainment Center

It's amazing how quickly time can pass and how slow it can feel all at the same time.

I'm out of the music loop, so please let me know what CDs I need to acquire.

Ok, I should really do work now.

Walkin in a Winter Wonderland...and it's freakin cold.

Happy New Year! I hope you guys have continued our new year's eve tradition of making new friends and having awkward dining experiences.
Well, school wasted no time in kicking my butt and we've hit the ground running. Meanwhile, Chicago winter is in full force. While you Alabama kids were closing down the state for 1/4 of an inch of snow, I think we got about a foot...and I walked to school during the snowstorm. I finally charged my camera and took pics of the snow that remains to share with you all.
This first photo, the true shore stops pretty much where the white snow stops. We have an ice coast/cliff now from the waves washing up and freezing.
Here's a better view of the ice.

and again

Ice Ice everywhere!!!

Finally, the cutest snow-loving dog in the world.

Take luck!

Ashley and Bella

Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter!

Well little children, it's that time of year again. Time for cinnamon hot chocolate, snuggies and Christmas lights. I'm having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit (maybe because I lost my seal ornament). Even though I've been busy with Christmas stuff, I haven't had time to process that it's really happening THIS week. Glad we got to do holiday specs and Framily Christmas, so thanks ladies. I've exchanged presents with my family three separate times now because my plans for the holidays have been up in the air until now. Happy to report that I'll be spending this Christmas with Forest and his family, so here I come Georgia. I hope it turns into a tour of the state after the short visit with the kids is over, as I'm headed to see my aunt in Decatur. I get to make up my own Christmas plans so who knows how long I'll stay or where I'll go. But while we're on the subject, here is a nice treat from a ghost of Christmas past:


This is a tribute to Forest and my small frame. I'm going to date this as being 20 years ago, and that's really weird to say. And no, that Christmas present didn't belong to either of us.

And now on to real business. It's almost 2010 and I think that means we need to look back at the year in music. Yes, this is going to be a list of music, but not all from the calendar year, so go ahead and shut up about that. I've tried to narrow it down, but I've had a hard time, so deal.

Does This Mean You're Moving On? - The Airborne Toxic Event
Fireworks - Animal Collective
Murder In the City - The Avett Brothers
Sugarfoot - Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Brackett, WI - Bon Iver (Dark Was the Night)
Dying Day - Brandi Carlile
We're Here To Save The Day - The Constellations (feat. Asher Roth)
Little Bribes - Death Cab for Cutie
Ain't No Thing Is Perfect - Derek James
Pony (It's OK) - Erin McCarley
Look For Me Baby - Fiction Family
The Chain - Ingrid Michaelson
Young Forever - Jay-Z (feat. Mr. Hudson)
I'd Rather Be With You - Joshua Radin
Never Gonna Happen - Lily Allen
Paper Planes (DFA Remix) - M.I.A. (Slumdog Millionaire)
Daylight - Matt & Kim
Electric Feel - MGMT
Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti & Spearhead (feat. Cherine Anderson)
Guilty Cocker Spaniels - Modest Mouse
Girl Named Tennessee - Needtobreathe
Nothing to Worry About - Peter Bjorn and John
Lisztomania - Phoenix
Beat It - Pomplamoose (Covering Michael Jackson)
Ghost Under Rocks - Ra Ra Riot
Laughing With - Regina Spektor
Blood, Pt. 2 - Buck 65 (feat. Sufjan Stevens & Serengeti)
Shut Up And Let Me Go - Ting Tings
Percussion Gun - White Rabbits
Tightrope - Yeasayer
Bitter Heart - Zee Avi

Looking over this, it doesn't feel complete. I don't know why I feel so limited by this, but I'm cringing at the thought of this summary. Let's add some honorable mentions from 2008 (and let's not talk about the hippity hop songs I'm embarrassed to add) and maybe that will help.

Tired - Adele
You Don't Know Me - Ben Folds (feat. Regina Spektor)
OK, It's Alright With Me - Eric Hutchinson
Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis (feat. Chris Robinson)
Jack Killed Mom - Jenny Lewis
Forevermore - Katie Herzig
When It's Good - Marc Broussard (feat. Leann Rimes)
Jenny Don't Be Hasty - Paolo Nutini
Against All Odds - The Postal Service
You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne
Inní mér syngur vitleysingur - Sigur Rós
The Con - Tegan and Sara
Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend

Okay, I feel better about this now; it feels more complete. Hope you agree with me on some of these. AND I hope you have a great and safe holiday break. I don't know if I'm ready for another year yet, but I look forward to the challenge. 2009 was equally bad and good (if you leave out the month of May) and I hope 2010 will bring me a social work job. Maybe I should find a mall Santa and ask him for that. But then again, mall Santas might need a job more than me. So here we go... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

iPhones and Texas! Woot woot!

present? present.

well, I've certainly been lacking in giving this blog the attention it deserves. so, I've stared at it for the past 20 minutes, gave it a couple winks and now I'll write a little something. it seems that it's December 11, 2009. I'm not sure how that happened, but I'm looking forward to the new year. I mean, I think it's a little cheesy and unecessary to feel like you can make a fresh start just because we're using different numbers to designate the year, BUT I am looking for a fresh start. to be honest the past few months have been kinda blah. alternate spellings/definitions can also be found under "blaaaaah," "blaaaaachh," and "uuugggggh." I'm tired of not doing much and feeling unmotivated, so I'm trying to make a conscious effort to focus and move forward. although, I do like going backwards sometimes, but that's usually only in my car. since, you know, it decided not to do that for a couple weeks back in October.

so to now give a little humor to this post, I will share that I have been asked to be a part of the "unofficial" morale committee at work. this effort is being spear-headed by our new business guy, and I'll be honest with you, our first meeting was a little Michael Scott-esque. however, I always applaud someone trying to put a positive spin on something. and I definitely will never turn turn down a free lunch that involves Mexican food. or Mexican people. unfortunately the majority of the staff at Pablo's was Asian (or as my dad likes to say....."oriental"). but I digress. our new business developer is new to the agency and is trying to get a feel of how we work, what our "culture" is and what we can do to improve "work enjoyment." I suggested instituting a "take 10 seconds" or "don't be an asshole" policy, and I probably got most excited when someone suggested we start playing intramurls. I don't know how long they will keep me on the committee.

I'm looking forward to this weekend. many fun things ahead, and it means that we're even closer to Christmas and Christams vaca days! I'm really excited to be with the fam and experience our first C'mas on St. Simons Island! I was hoping I could get everyone to wear hawaiin shirts and play ukuleles, but I don't think that's gonna pan out and the island isn't quite as tropical as I make it out to be.

and in keeping with the Christmas excitement, I will close with this little treat I found this morning. halleluia!!! shhhhhhhh.

keep bundled up and keep breathing,
mj

p.s. Amy, I promise to post the requested pics very soon.

finals

Finals are here, and I have been doing homework for WAY too long already this weekend. I see no light at the end of the tunnel. My eyes kind of feel like they are crossing and I didn't interact face-to-face with another human being until after 6 today....oy vey. I like that yiddish word and shall continue to use it.

So yes, I'm MIA. Yes, it's cold. I'll try to take pics/video whenever we actually get a real snow around here.

Feel free to call and say hi! See y'all in a week or so! (unless you read this blog, and don't live in B'ham, then maybe see you never.)

Here's your culture lesson. In Korea, they don't t type LOL or haha, they type kkkkkkkkkk or if they're really tickled they'll type kyah kyah kyah. I like it!

Paz y felicidades!