A lack of posts due to a lack of motive. Blame the winter weather. In the city it drags me down, in the wilderness it brings me up.

AJ and I went Snow Shoeing in New Hampshire on Sunday.

We took the Nineteen Mile Brook trail in hopes of reaching Carter Notch Hut. Unfortunately a late start in the morning made us miss out on much needed sunlight. This endangered us from reaching the hut at the end of the trail in time to make it back to the car before dark. Still well worth it!







Last week I saw Coraline. I loved it! Why? I don't know it was just so good. I know it was good, but why? I don't know it was just so good!


I must read the book!

and I loved the other father's song!



That's all for now!

Negative One Sip!

So last week I finished my first book of the semester for my English 355 class "American Prose."
"The American" is a classic novel by Henry James about a wealthy man named "Newman" symbolically standing for "New Man." This book involves the merging of 19th century aristocratic French culture with American culture. Newman has acheived the American dream of starting from nothing and accumulating great wealth, once doing that he has found himself overseas in Paris to become "cultured." Unfortunately Newman does nothing of the sort, if anything he pushes culture upon the stuck up Marquis of Paris and they simply reject him. The main problem of the book is that Newman has fallen in love with a beautiful widowed woman who is incredibly sheltered by her Mother and two brothers. Newman cannot fully comprehend why they would not want him to marry her as a result of all his wealth- to him money can buy everything. The plot twists and turns with lies, murder, and deception, but I'll stray from getting into that in an effort not to spoil a book you probably will never read!

However, I think if you get around to it, maybe America can throw down their copies of "Twilight" and get into a classic that will actually do more than entertain with hot vampire sex. Hmm, actually I've been meaning to get into that book. I'm sure its good as well as thirlling. It's also great when a book gets so big among kids in todays culture, it's like a CD selling big (kind of).


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SO recently I downloaded Ben Nichols of Lucero 's solo album "The Last Pale Light in The West"



This folk album is beautiful. It's Lucero without the harsh electric guitars that usually grind against Nichols' vocals present. So if you liked "The War" By Lucero, you'll probably appreciate these tracks. The classic folk chords bounce off the acoustic guitar accompanied by a harmonica help showcase his voice on a whole new pedestal formulating seven different versions of "The War," "Across The RIver," and "Mine Tonight" by Lucero, only upbeat (well musically, not lyrically)

There's only seven tracks, but all are memorable. My two favorite tracks are "The Judge" (instrumental) and "Davy Brown."

Here is a video I found on Youtube of Davy Brown Featuring Chuck Ragan of Against Me! I saw this tour this past fall at the Middle East.





OH AND...

Is It My Imagination?

Or have I finally found something worth living for?






Tonight in my education class my prof handed out a rather amusing handout. I thought I would share it.



No Child Left Behind:
The Football Version

Author Unknown*

l. All teams must make the state playoffs, and all will win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable.

2. All kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the same time and in the same conditions. No exceptions will be made for interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities. ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL

3. Talented players will be asked to work out on their own without instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their instructional time with the athletes who aren't interested in football, have limited athletic ability, or whose parents don't like football.

4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the 4th, 8th, and 11th games.

5. This will create a New Age of sports where every school is expected to have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimal goals.

If no child gets ahead, then no child will be left behind.



Moving on (Free People should start paying me for advertising)! I stumbled upon something amazing. If I had infinite amounts of money to spend I would most definitely purchase this Vintage Steamer Trunk.

A more feminine interpretation of the classic early 1920's steamer trunk. Brightly colored patchwork quilts cover the outside, while the inner drawers are lined with beautiful hot pink satin and decorated with hand-painted flowers. Once used to fit under the bunk of a steamship cabin, our modern day interpretation can be used as a decorative and functional piece in your home or wardrobe.

On the inside of the trunk, you'll find drawers on the left side, ideal for camisoles and scarves, and a hanger bar on the right for displaying your favorite pieces.


The outer shell is made of thick plywood, while the drawers and decorative framework are made of Burmese teak, with brass hardware throughout. The trunk is 23.5" long, 23.5" wide, and 46" high.

I like the way they dribble up and down the court

Today I went to The Springfield Hall of Fame Hoop Hall High School Classic.



This is probably my 9th year attending with my dad. One year I saw Saw Kevin Garnett play, ill.


Today I saw three games. The first one was whatever, but the next two were amazing.


Game 1: Abraham Lincoln High School from Brooklyn, New York Vrs. St. Benedicts from Arkansas. St. B's won with the help of their extremely tall center that was equipped with quick twirling feet and a speedy yet smart guard that held a nice tempo. Lincoln had skill, but lacked the ability to hold up momentum. Just when it seemed like they were catching up they fell behind.

Lincoln won the NY state championship last year.










St. B's head coach was one angry man, I would hate to see what he looks like when his team was losing. One would think with the way he yelled across the court (using what was left of his dying voice) that his team was down 20 in the state championship, and yet they held the lead for about 85% of the game. As soon as the buzzer that signified the game was over went off he became a cool and compassionate man, congratulating his players and embracing them- opposed to his prior attitude to them 5 minutes before when he was yelling in their faces and slapping their butts in a rages. Yes I said Butts.



Next game up, a team from Chicago, Illinois vrs. Mater Dei from California. I saw Mater Dei last year and they killed it. Same thing happened again this year.


Did I mention Michael Jordan's son was on the team from Chicago? Did I mention Mater Dei has a set of twin brothers playing for UNC next year? And another playing for UCLA?

These twins were numbers 12 and 24, both smart players, to tell you the truth I couldn't pick one thing the one did different than the other.





#5 Marcus Jordan






This game was really a shame matchup wise. Mater Dei Dominated with the help of the twins, and yet the team from Chicago still made some amazing shots and remained pretty consistent throughout the game. A few uncalled fouls by stripes possibly could have led to the 20+ point lead Mater Dei ended up with.



Can't wait for next year.

I want these!

Some call me a tease, but I want these!!






I really do love Free People. It seems as if Studs are all the rage now. Which makes me pretty happy I hung onto my studded belts from high school!!!!!!



A flashback from 03! Gross! You'd Holler.


These are also very cute, but for $388 I will have to pass.




Hey JC,



My friend Gil "Young Gil the Prince/ Dunce" Sayfan have a cooking show exclusive in the works...if this happens (which it probably won't!) We will post it.

A Lot of People...

seem to be asking the same question.

How do I get salt stains off my boots?

I did some research and the common response was to "Wipe boots and shoes with a cloth soaked in vinegar."

I will try this soon and let you know how it goes.

We are Parallel Lines, We're Running in Circles...

We are never meant to cross.


Today not having a better camera was a huge regret... This is because around 4:15 PM after getting a coffee at the School St. Sbux downtown I was walking past 1 Beacon on my way to class and saw a massive St. Bernard! Just hangin'.



It doesn't look half as out of place as it did in real life. Oh well.


Now that I'm back at my apartment I've been getting rid of some clothing and working on organizing the clothes I am keeping. Here's an example of how my new dresser drawer system is:




School is back in session and since my laptop is much smaller than the last beast I had I decided I would get a new laptop bag.
I stumbled upon an absolute steal at Free People.



Apparently I got it an hour after it was put back on the shelf from being returned. Clearly it was fate.

Here are some photos from the "Big Freeze" that occurred last week while I was home in WMASS.



Even JC got PWNED by the snow

That's all for now.