Carbon Copy

Wanna Be on Top

Today is the best day ever (or at least this week). For one thing, they finally replaced our dryer. We've been without for the past two weeks and let me tell you, things were getting desperate. Second, today is payday. Yay!!! And to top it all off, tonight is the return of America's Next Top Model! I need me some Tyra Wisdom to get through life. (Her talk show doesn't count.)

Recruitment Weekend '07

The best thing about Recruitment Weekend is the department party and the chance to lie to the prospective students who are right then feeling pretty great about the fellowships they were offered. I should've practiced my lies in advance, though, because I froze. One of them asked me how I like it and all I could do was open my mouth and utter "uhhh" like one long car horn. I tried to cover it up, but they could tell. They even told me that it was ok. I didn't have to say good things, but yes, I did. Not so much to make the program look good but so that I don't feel like a loser for hating it. Yes, I blame myself for hating Purdue. But none of that mattered because we were at a party with ample chances to gossip, especially because of the locale.

Let me catch you up. Typically, we have the first department party in the fall at the home of the department head. Well, last September, we got the expected email inviting us all to a welcoming shindig, but it was at the home of one of the History professors who wasn't even American Studies affiliated. Our curiosity was peaked. It soon became apparent that our department head was having an affair with this other professor. This based on first-hand sightings of them making out in the driveway. Scandalous! Well, now that we've all seen them making out all over campus (and apparently the divorce is finalized?) it's become commonplace. None of us were surprised when the invitation invited us back to the home of the history professor that was now dubbed as "our home." We have affectionately termed it the "love shack," and it now sports photos of the two of them (on a beach!). So yes, plenty to discuss.

Spanke becomes a much better conversationalist when he's guzzling down 40 ounces.

While the alcohol flowed, the discussions grew more and more animated. Eventually, we had to take it to Cox's.

I love Cox's. Let's move beyond the obvious fact that karaoke is alway entertaining and just think a minute about who patronizes a karaoke bar in Lafayette, Indiana. A little bit of everyone. We had annoying undergrad girls, some cowboys, metalheads, and colorful locals. Yes, we even almost had a barfight, but luckily the bouncers acted fast to throw the disrupter out. He was still out there later, arguing with some girl about his girl who was at Cox's with another man... It was a full night of scandal!

So what does a Mormon do at a bar? Take pictures, of course. (You knew it was coming...)

Here's a cute couple, Tom and Cassie.

I think you'll get a better idea of how cute they are if they have a picture together, so I worked a little Photoshop magic and voila!

Here's British Kevin, looking tolerably British and terribly serious.

And these fellas put the "stud" in AmStudies.

Spanke was cracking me up. Erica has a great little video of him that I'm hoping she will upload to youtube and I can steal it to post on here, but for now I'll just post a series of photos. (If you scroll down quickly with your mouse, it just might look like a video.)

I enjoy this picture of Cristen very much.

And here's a signature self-portrait.

Kevin took some pictures of Cristen and me.

I never did end up singing a song, but I've decided that next time we go to Cox's, it's all about "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'."

Winter Sunset

Last night, I chased down the sunset. I was driving home from dinner and it was so beautiful. I had already missed the sunset on Sunday night (which was also lovely), so even though I wasn't feeling very well and wanted to get home, I couldn't let the opportunity pass. The problem with sunsets, though, is that you have a limited window of opportunity. They are always changing, so even though I like the pictures I ended up with, I really didn't capture the full-fledged beauty of it. I also threw in some of the scenery around it (and a self-portrait because why not) because I liked it.

Gold.... and Silver

I can't get enough of this video.

Bitten

This swissbit has totally captured my fancy because there are just some times in your life when you need a nail file, scissors, red light, pen, and USB port. You can even get one that has an MP3 player, up to 2 gig. SwissArmy is always just a little bit ahead.

Blizzard 2007 Update

I think it's over. And I was finally able to get out. A nice man from my apartment complex came with a shovel and then helped push my car out. Yesterday I went to class and work.

I'm kind of missing the mandatory inside time.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I feel like since I'm doing my thesis on valentines that Valentine's Day should be my most favorite ever. It isn't. But I do like valentines, and I thought I'd share some with all of you.

If you missed the valentines I posted on here the first time around, here they are.

Stuck

Seriously, I'm stuck. I tried to dig myself out with a dustpan. It didn't work. Apparently the guy next to me got out, but then his wheels just kept spinning on the ice that is our roads. I just really want to go somewhere, anywhere.

Just so you know...

I decided last night that I needed to come up with an Amazon Wish List. Mostly because it's kind of like shopping, and since I was stuck inside all day because of the snow, I needed an outlet. Anyway, if you're ever in the market for a present for me, you can check this out. I'll continue to update it (probably).

Snow Day

Purdue canceled classes for the first time in about 7 years!! Yay! But now I'm getting cabin fever. If it were just snow, no problem! But it's not. It's wind and sleet and potentially lightning! So I'm wrapped up inside reading and taking tv and internet breaks. Oh, I did step out briefly to check the mail (nothing) and took a few pictures.

A Little Trip to IKEA

I love IKEA. I think it's mostly because in Utah, people have to make a special trip to California to enjoy its modern stylings and inexpensive prices. The very difficulty of visiting IKEA added to its charm. I remember the first days of my arrival in Innsbruck when Angie and I would ride the bus around, trying to get oriented and see what's available. I saw the distinctive bright yellow and electric blue and immediately determined to visit IKEA. It didn't really make sense. I mean, IKEA is primarily known for home furnishings, and I didn't have a home in Austria. Just a measly dorm room. But I found a fleece blanket and comfy pillow to take home with me anyway. I left them in the Utah Box when I left for home. Every once in a while I would go back and pick up little things here and there, ruby votive candle holders, metric measuring cups. One time, I even tried to send a terra cotta pot home with sheaves of lavendar sticking straight up. It didn't turn out so well. Imagine my delight when I found an IKEA not two (three) hours from here near Chicago. Even though I'm stateside now, I still don't really have a place of my own since I will be moving ... somewhere... in June. It still makes no sense to go, but I couldn't help it. I took Liz there back in November when we had a couple extra hours to spare. After that introduction, she's been back twice and this last Saturday we went again. Liz was in the market for a new bed. I was in the market for some window shopping. And some Swedish meatballs.

First things first. After our long trip, we needed some food, so we took the escalator up to IKEA's third floor cafe for the aforementioned meatballs. This was my first experience with Swedish meatballs, and I must say, they were delightful, especially with a little lingonberry preserves.

What I love about IKEA is all the model rooms set up. I like to pick and choose which elements I would incorporate into my own little place. Some things, of course, just aren't me. Some things I wish were me. Like this round bed.

It's totally romantic. My favorite thing was watching all the kids flop onto it and lay there for a bit. First it was two boys and then two girls came over. They giggled and said, "It's just like a princess!" And it was!

My other favorite thing about IKEA is how they have special escalators for the carts. I don't know. Maybe they have these in other places, but I just think it's so clever. I like to see them perched and riding alongside me down to the next floor.

Liz successfully found a beautiful new bed frame. She was less successful with the rugs.

All in all, a fantastic little trip to IKEA. I didn't buy anything, but i've got ideas. And if I end up back in SLC, there will be a brand new IKEA just waiting for me in Draper. Sadly, such easy access may lessen its appeal.

Updates

I just submitted two job applications. 1) Visitor Services Information Specialist at the Library of Congress. I would get to give tours and point out architectural details, among other things and 2) writer/editor for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Sparks, Nevada. I know what you're thinking... Sparks, but it's not that far from home and it's close to neon lights, which I like. Anyway, we'll see what comes of them. If not, there are other jobs I will be applying for and there's still moving home. It's weird to think that this is all coming up pretty soon.

Amanda got to have another ultrasound the other day and turns out, it is still a boy. I was nervous there for a moment.

It snowed quite a lot today. Wouldn't you know it would snow on the day I wore my cute suede shoes? Paging Alanis - totally ironic.

Otherwise, things are going pretty well. I still haven't folded my laundry from a week ago. I keep dumping it on my bed in the morning thinking that will force me to fold it, but it doesn't. It just means that I shove it back into the laundry bag at night. Eh. At least it's not the floor.

On the Turntable

Lately I've pretty much kept on repeat two very different songs.

The Essex Green: Mrs. Bean

and

Of Montreal: Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse

Lovely Rita

Last night we had a little visitor, Rita, the chihuahua. She came dressed in a little purple puffy vest because it has been extra cold here in W/Lafayette. We all wanted to hold her and tried to get her warm, but all she could do is tremble and stick out her tongue. We tried to get her to play, but she just kept that cute, vacant look in her eyes. Anyway, she was pretty adorable and cute enough for one of my favorite sites, Cute Overload.

Kyle was dogsitting Rita and brought her over last night while we played Trivial Pursuit. The fact that three girls who don't really like dogs all that much wanted to hold her attests to her tiny cuteness.