Archive for January, 2009

ups and downs.

Jan 24th, 09 / 0 Comments

So, inspired by Jocelyn’s lovely post about the Steelers going to the Super Bowl, I was a little inspired to write my own.

Here’s the thing about the Steelers for me right now. My hours just got cut at work– I’m working 4 days a week starting next week– but even though that stresses me (the fuck) out, thinking about the Steelers in the Super Bowl next week makes that really go away. And here’s why.

It’s not really about stats. I know we have the #1 defense. I know that it’s a mix of young energy and tempered experience that makes this team a great team. Our team is made of stars– but the kind of stars you can relate to. Kind of like Pittsburgh. It’s an east coast city that wraps itself around a Midwest attitude. It’s why I love going there when I can.

For me, it’s more personal than that.

This time 3 years ago I’d just gotten back from seeing Uncle Bobby inaugurated as Mayor of Pittsburgh. He eventually became part of the whole media blitz with Seattle’s mayor in the 2 weeks before the game.

And to me, that year, because Bobby won, the Steelers won.

And last week during the AFC title game, when the bar was packed with Steelers fans, my brother came up to me and said, “You realize this isn’t coincidence. We started this whole thing this year, and now we’re in the Super Bowl. Like with Bobby.” And I realized he was kind of right. I feel like because we’ve finally embraced our Pittsburgh roots, it’s like the Universe is giving us the thumbs up with this Super Bowl game. I know. It’s hokey. But I feel like it’s a validation. I feel like this whole season has been really high and really low at points, kind of like the Real Life that happened outside the games: Sean had a health scare, I ran the half, saw friends leave, got to know other friends better.

When the Steelers win or lose, it’s personal. And even though things are tight right now, I feel like when the Steelers win (!) this year will be kickass.

—

On a completely different note. I didn’t want to, but I think I’ve drank the Kool Aid with this Animal Collective record. Wow. It’s gonna take me a little longer to get used to it. But the sound. Wow.



  
being here, football, music, videos

yikes.

Jan 19th, 09 / 0 Comments

First of all: STEELERS! Fuck. Yes.

Anyway.

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Music : The Noisettes - Scratch Your Name
football, music

hey yahoo bloggers! do your research!

Jan 14th, 09 / 0 Comments

Um. Luke Ravenstahl wasn’t elected. My Uncle picked him to take over.

Now I wonder if that was such a good idea, but hey, he really was a little rushed for it, being pumped full of chemo and all.

And, go Steelers.

  
Music : Steve Miller - The Joker
football, jesus, links

listen, outback waitress with the hipster glasses?

Jan 11th, 09 / 0 Comments

Yeah, a couple of things. Listen.

First of all, when there’s a birthday table of 7 girls, at least make an attempt to kiss our asses. You serve even baseline the least you need to do, we’ll tip well.

Second, when the birthday girl’s sister has dropped off the cake at 4:30, and the birthday girl’s mother kindly reminds you that there’s a cake in the back, please don’t get that “It’s everyone else’s fault but mine” tone in your voice and say, “Well, nobody told me you guys had a cake,” and then still ask us if we still want you to sing while the other 3 waiters/esses stand there looking at each other all “WTF are you doing?”

Third, when we say yes, the last thing you want to say, even while trying to say it under your breath, is “Well, that’s awkward,” and then proceed to look to so put out that even your soul is rolling her eyes.

Fourth, when you’re apologizing, and the birthday girl says, “That’s really nice, but your comments were unnecessary,” the last thing you want to do there is put your hands up in exasperation and walk away. Bad form.

We’re a forgiving bunch. The place was packed. We get that. But you fucked yourself out of a really nice tip, even for mediocre service up until the cake fiasco. Oh well.

Ha, The Cake Fiasco. My next band.

But, Kim and I have had worse service. So bad that Kim had to get up and refill our drinks from the fountain herself.

  
Music : South - Motiveless Crime
WTF-ness, about town, and I quote

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Jan 10th, 09 / 0 Comments



  
family

we make the most of it.

Jan 8th, 09 / 0 Comments

I was saying last night that I could probably count on one hand how many really bad points I had last year. I think that’s a good change from where I’ve been.

There are still things I think about in my head, though. Places where I wonder.

But to make this a really relevant post: I’m hitting a point in the novel where I’m doing a massive info dump from out of nowhere, and it’s making me hate myself. But I need to write through it and worry about it later. I just feel like an asshole for doing it.

  
Music : The Very Best - Dinosaur On The Ark
being here, writing

water.

Jan 4th, 09 / 0 Comments

Another new poem. Sorry if the tense switches around. It likes to mess with me.

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Music : Rival Schools - Everything Has Its Point
poetry

Clarion 2009! You know you wanna!

Jan 3rd, 09 / 0 Comments

I can’t say enough about how awesome the Clarion Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writing Workshop is. It really is one of those life-changing experiences.

And they’re taking applications for the 2009 workshop on the lovely UCSD campus in La Jolla, California. You know you wanna go!

Announcing the 2009 Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop @ UC San Diego

June 28 to August 8, 2009

The Clarion Workshop is widely recognized as the premier training ground for aspiring writers of fantasy and science fiction short stories. Many graduates have become well-known writers, and a large number have won major awards. Instructors are among the most respected writers and editors working in the field today. The 2009 writers in residence are Holly Black, Larissa Lai, Robert Crais, Kim Stanley Robinson, Elizabeth Hand, and Paul Park. The six-week workshop is held on the beautiful beachside campus of the University of California at San Diego.

Since its inception in 1968, Clarion has been known as the “boot camp” for writers of speculative fiction. Each year 18-20 students, ranging in age from late teens to those in mid-career, are selected from applicants who have the potential for highly successful writing careers. Students are expected to write several new short stories during the six-week workshop, and to give and receive constructive criticism. Instructors and students reside together in campus apartments throughout the intensive six-week program.

The application period for the 2009 workshop is January 2 – March 1. Applicants must submit two short stories with their application. Scholarships are available. Additional information can be found at http://clarion.ucsd.edu.

—

To be honest, to this day I still have no idea how I got in with 18 other fantastic writers and had probably the best summer of my life.

And to say that Clarion is amazing is really understating it. Seriously.

  
Music : DJ/rupture - Winter Buds: Atki2
Clarion

first post of 2009.

Jan 2nd, 09 / 0 Comments

I always try and say every year that I’m going to blog more, and I fail. And then I always say at the beginning of the year that I’ll write more, and still I fail. But really. We’re going to try. Seriously.

New Year’s was good. Got dressed up, put some glitter on, wore my cute heels. Stopped by Noreen’s to see the girls– Stormye, Deanna and Tammy. Had some fresh Alaskan halibut and a couple of shots.

And then I met up with Kim, Greg, Scott and Stephanie over at The Artisan. The boys wore suits, the girls wore dresses. We danced, drank quite a bit, and took lots of strange pictures. A good time all around.

Got one more anniversary this month, and then I feel like we can really get started.

I haven’t been back to run since the half, but now that month-long eating and drinking binge has passed and it’s time to get back to work. I’m kind of missing it a little.

I have a really good feeling about this year. I say that now.

  
Music : Tony D - Check The Elevation
about town, being here