Finally, Klosterman!

"Here is what I know about Harry Potter: nothing.

I haven't read any of the books about him, nor have I seen any of the movies. I know the novels were written by a rich middle-aged British woman named J.K Rowling with semi-lush hair, but I have no idea what the letters J and K represent. I don't know the name of the actor who portrays Harry Potter, although I think he has eyeglasses. I don't know the names of any minor characters and I don't know the narrative arc of the plot. I don't know where the stories take place or if they are set in the past or the future. Somebody at a steakhouse recently told me that Harry Potter doesn't die at the conclusion of the seventh book (and that this detail was important), but I wasn't even aware he was sick. I assume there are dragons and griffins and werewolves and homosexual Frankensteins throughout these novels, but I honestly don't give a shit if my assumption is true or false. In fact, if somebody told me that the final Harry Potter novel was a coded interpretation of the Koran that instructed its readers how to read my thoughts, I could only respond by saying, "Well, maybe so." For whatever reason, this is one phenomenon that I have missed completely (and mostly, I suppose, on purpose).

Now, do not take this to mean that I dislike these books. I do not ... in fact, I suspect they're quite good. Moreover, I find it astounding that the unifying cultural currency for modern teenagers are five-hundred page literary works about a wizard. We are all collectively underestimating how unusual this is ... [but] I have no interest in any of it."

-from "Death by Harry Potter," by Chuck Klosterman, Esquire, November 2007

He's right, you know. We're all underestimating how truly unusual it is that 700 page books have unified a global culture.

Signs I may not be coping so well.

One of my least favorite things about myself is my incomprehensible ability to completely switch from a happy go lucky mood to downright drained and stormy cloud. This is exponentially worse when it happens on Friday afternoons. Friday afternoons are for happy times and planning fun weekends, if I am not mistaken.

I have been listening to the Darjeeling Limited soundtrack all day today. Have you seen this film? I thought it was lovely. Here is my ranking of Wes Anderson films from most loved to not loved as much:
1. Rushmore
2. Royal Tennenbaums
3. Bottle Rocket
4. Darjeeling Limited
5. Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

That makes it seem like I didn't like it, but I did. Although the symbolism was a bit oversimplified, i really enjoyed it.

And finally, here is a picture of the two cats that live in my house:


Napkin, on the left, is wearing her unfinished Halloween costume. Ball, on the right, is being awkward for Halloween (shown here in costume).

In the depths of winter, I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer. -Albert Camus

On Radiohead's new album:
Swirling love, treacherous love, knock me on the ground love. Its Radiohead, so its certainly not love in any conventional terms. 'Videotape' is sublimely heart wrenching.

On Napkin, my cat:
After two years and a move to our new home, Napkin has decided that she wants to be a snuggly cat after all. She's always been the cat that chills next to the action, but now she's my best coworker.

Everything else:
I was made for the fall. Also, due to a horrific haircut this week, I will be wearing a hat or headscarf for the next four months. Does anyone have any haircut horror stories? Share them please.

My recommendations for things to do in New York City:
1. Broadway show
2. Dinner at the Rainbow Grill
3. Staten Island Ferry
4. See a rock show at Irving Plaza
5. Hang out in Washington Square Park
6. Empire State Building
7. Greenwood Cemetary in Brooklyn
8. St. John the Divine cathedral
9. UCB Theater

Also this:

Over.whelmed.

Dear Internet. I'm really sorry for absence lately. The truth is that I am full. Filled with creative endeavors, professional endeavors, professional creative endeavors. You know Internet, without really trying, my days have been filled from the tippy top to the bitty bottom. Something you may not understand, Internet, as an omnipresent entity, is that moving is the pits. Its picking your stuff up and putting it back down again. Its bending and lifting and sweating. But it feels really good in the end. I'm starting to settle and I feel like I found the best apartment in NYC! Right now, I can see kids playing at the park at the school across the street- from my office!

Moving has kickstarted my crafty mind again. I have big plans for the new coffee table. Big, decoupaged plans. Every corner holds new potential. I'm wiping the dust off my sewing machine and getting apartment number three (the penthouse suite) looking spectacular.

I've started thinking about my Halloween costume for this year and I've narrowed it down to two possibilities. It will involved a little crafty work, and I'm excited about costume parties this year. (maybe)

Every minute of every day is allotted for some task, project, idea. Its nice to stay up late and wake up late. And working in your unmentionables sure has its perks. Honestly Internet, I'm really excited by all these projects swirling around, so loaded with potential.

October is bringing many visitors to me here in New York. I'm really excited to share and show New York to my family, my friends. I love New York and I love sharing it with awesome people.

Otherwise, my time is spent passively spreading my smell all over this new apartment. Lighting lilac candles and blowing tiny tendrils of incense through every room to make sure there is no doubt. That apartment number three is pure with our four bodied-12 legged family smell. Yesssssss.

Internet, what is your favorite color? Mine, undoubtedly right now, is ORANGE.

The abbreviated version.

Life has jumped back into full swing mode lately, but in the best way imagineable.

Abridged:
& Moving! I found a sweet little apartment three blocks north of our current abode. The new place is so great and is owned by this nice lady who speaks Spanish, but will let us paint however we'd like. It also has ceiling fans and a separate office for me, which is better than anything I could have dreamed of when I started this battle. Have you ever been apartment hunting in New York? Its miserable and everything about getting this apartment was incredibly atypical of that process.

I have thoughtfully decided on the colors for my bedroom and the kitchen, but still undecided as to whether to paint the living room right now. My soon to be bedroom is a poop brown color right now, so I'm glad that's going.

& I am currently fighting off feelings of wanting to dress in layers and autumn kissed sweaters. I know everyone says it, but I really love dressing for fall. Truth be told, I love summer and fall and dressing for them.

& I'm going to Ohio in October. That's all.

& I tried acupuncture for the first time last week. It felt prickly and relaxing and tingley.

& I saw Walmart: A Rock Opera* last week. I appreciated (and agreed with) the sentiment and message, but ultimately I think those things may have been lost in a format (musical theater) that traditionally doesn't foster for "the big picture message". Walmart is bad. Walmartopia is silly.

& I saw Rent starring Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal a while back. They've reprised their roles, and yeah, they are too old to play Mark and Roger, but it was fun and I loved it all the same.

& I have been drinking too much Belgian beer recently.

& I swallowed the septum retainer I have kept hidden for the better part of the last 3-4 years and as a result, have been wearing a septum ring that shows. All my new friends say, "Woah! You got a new piercing!" to which I say, "No....I swallowed the old one. This is almost six years old." Six years with this honkin piece of metal shoved up my nose. I won't stop wearing it or let it close up because it holds special meaning for me. Perhaps someday I'll go into the details of why I chose to modify myself in this way, but six years later and I still haven't shared that story with anyone for quiet, personal reasons. Additionally now, I'm trying to redefine the septum ring from being a confrontational statement to being something even adorable girls can wear. Scarlett Johanssen has a septum ring too, and while she's a picture of pretty, I think its bold that she has a septum ring too.

& Is anyone on Goodreads? Find me! Let's be bookworms together!


*Not actual title of play.