Merry Christmas to all of you 20 Narry-iers. Oh I remember coming over for the Very Tacky 20 Narry Christmas. Right?

Shock me, shock me, shock me 

Newport news

Oh the poor Wave! "Car crashes into Newport statue".

Funny side note, I think it took me all of freshman year before I realized it was a statue of feet in a wave. To be honest, I never really looked at it. Even during all those times I waited for the Loser Cruiser at the post office.

Turkey-lurkey

Happy Thanksgiving all!


Sorry long time no post. I'll make sumthin' up for you all before the weekend is done.

sending kitten pictures till someone else posts...

My new boyfriend, Mike Jones 

Brit and K-Fed made an appearance in Nashville, baby and ugly chihuaua in tow.  

Why you should all move to the South

Yesterday, I had such an "i love the south" day. Honestly, they're infrequent. I really like living here, but it's rare that I LOVE living here. But yesterday, I had two assignments: go to a gathering of Hurricane Katrina evacuees and talk to Louisiana State fans about yesterday's game against Vanderbilt.
At the evacuee gathering, I met several interesting characters. There was a woman who had suffered so much abuse in her life and felt blessed to end up in Tennessee. She got her very first birthday cake in the shelter. She hugged me about 8 times. Then there were these college students who were from Nashville but went to college in New Orleans. We all know that college is more like home than home... they wanted to go HOME. Then there was a slam poet talking about being left to die in New Orleans, the joke that is FEMA and smoking cigarettes just to get the taste of the flooded city from his mouth. And of course, how he felt when he found out that plane he got on was going to Nashville... "Woo, hoo, we're gon' meet Willie Nelson! And Dolly Parton, who I'd like to hug."
Then, on to LSU fans... now, having gone to Salve, we don't really know anything about college team loyalty. But yesterday this whole city was packed with people who drove 6, 8, even 16 hours for the game. I barely even saw any Vanderbilt fans, and they're the home team. I met a guy who hasn't missed an LSU game, home or away, for 24 years. He lost three homes and his business, everything he owns, in the hurricane. But he wasn't about to miss a party.
In short, these Southerners know what's important. It's not stuff. It's being alive... and a good party.

P.S. Love to hear what y'all are doin. :)

Hello, my loves

Well, off I go then.

But, I'd love for you all to do the following writing prompt for me to read when I get baaaack...

Since three of you have been out here already, tell me.

What is your best Nashville moment/story?

My mistakes (hope you have an hour)

My mistakes. Ha ha ha. I'll start from most obvious to least obvious for all you brainiacs.

1) #1 and 2, 4-7, 9-11. If you know what I mean.

2) not agreeing with Jenn and Erica that we should all live together in Newport for one more year. especially since I'm the only one who ended up staying. although if we had stayed, House wouldn't have been. There's an interesting ad in the newport daily news this week for a housesitter, p.s.

3) f

4) Never telling My Husband that I was madly in love with him even though he had that girlfriend with the stupid bangs

5) not trying harder to get Betsy drunk sooner

and lastly, my biggest mistake was spending even a minute thinking I should've transferred or that all my student loans aren't worth it. Because I didn't spend too much time studying. I definitely spent as much time as I could having fun. Really, I wouldn't change a thing.

Except 7. I'd definitely take back seven.

My favorite drunk memory, you say?

Wow. There are so many things I would like to write about. Many of my drunk "memories" are actually reconstructions of what people told me happened though, so as a journalist, I'll just go with one I remember experiencing firsthand.

Schrabotnik came to visit, and we were all a-twitter with the news. It had been almost a year since that crazy fuck was in town, and he did not disappoint. Although slimmer, wearing glasses and acting intelligent, he was still the same ridiculous Schrabotnik.

He was with Patty at the time, I think. We didn't really know her yet, and Schrabotnik brought her over. We were all pretty wasted, and he handed out a bunch of our beers to everyone and ran around with scissors, poking holes in the side and making us shotgun them. I didn't really get how to do it, so beer was flying everywhere. He decided the shotgunning wasn't interesting enough. He grabbed a fresh Coors Light, shook it up and cracked it open, spraying it all over me and the kitchen. Surprisingly, Erica was a little concerned about this-- and surprisingly, I was not. I began stomping around in the ankle deep beer, hair dripping wet and clothes full of brew. Schrabotnik threw out a "Let's hear it for Patty!" And I stood there with a Coors river running through my own kitchen and I splashed in it, clapping and yelling "Patty, Patty, Patty!"
Erica came running out of the bathroom with this ridiculous mop, I grabbed it from her and tried to mop it up. Shcrabotnik basically pulled a 'Welp, see you later' and took off. The next morning, Erica was furiously mopping, wringing, mopping and wringing a pretty deep river of beer in the kitchen. Hank-O and the clan were on their way over.

Next question!

What's one (or 9!) mistake from college you would take back if you could?

Why? Because I like you

I've gotta be honest. I miss when we used to blog every day.

So, I've been thinking about perks that might get you all to write more. I contemplated a strip show reward, then remembered I'm 1,200 miles away without a Web cam. I thought about offering goodies, but I am broke. So here's where I ended up.

Honestly, I can't believe all my blogging teacher friends haven't started this. In a small way it's been done, but I think it should be done daily.

Writing prompts! Duh!

OK, I'll start. What was your favorite room in 20 narry and why?

While the bathroom's dirty deeds and the sleepovers on Erica's floor can't be overlooked, I have to say I always loved the living room most. Even in the winter when we had to cuddle under my electric blanket in tundra conditions, it was the only place we could all sit together (upright, that is).

I'd come home every day and bounce up the steps on the porch and peek into the window, that window Jenn broke into that time, to see who was on the couch. Often it was Betsy or Brian or Shaun.. or Shaun's guitar and amplifier, but no Shaun in sight. It was the first place I saw my friends when I got home and the first place people crashed when they came in the unlocked door to our house. And, of course, The Head lived there.


YOUR TURRRRRRRRRN

and... we ate

Gail came down this weekend, and in true "us" fashion, we ate all there was to eat in Music City.

We did the fast food- Popeyes chicken and biscuits, little White Castle burgers. We did the southern thing- pulled pork and burgers. And, lest I forget... we did the upscale romantic thing. We went to the Melting Pot and ate fondue. Man, it was great. All these couples around us delicately dipping their strawberries into their swirls of chocolate... and I smacked myself right in the face with a chocolatey fruit. Gail drank leftover chocolate with a spoon and burned her mouth. And, we nearly peed our pants and ruined the ambience for everyone else but oh man, was that fun.

And, of course, we honkytonked. We hit up several bars and chatted up a couple (wannabe) cowboys. And, I borrowed her shirt feeling all proud of myself because it was cute... and I broke the strap. Oof. Picture me even wearing a strapless bra in the first place then picture me after one of the straps busts.

I HEART NASHVILLE AND WELCOME VISITORS :)

Let me sing you a song

This weekend I got a mix cd from a stranger through an exchange on "el jay." I like this girl's style. But there were just a couple of songs I HAD to share with 20 Narry. You may or may not know them but here are the lyrics.

Few Drinks to Fall in Love
by Gavin DeGraw

You don't understand my jokes
You're burning my eyes with your smoke
If I wasn't alone, I'd ask you to move away
So I order up another round
Sipping my last one down
You're the best deal in town
And I've only got dreams to dream of
Sometimes you need a few drinks to fall in love

If you need a few drinks
You might as well start with a couple of shots
Give a couple of winks
And later blame it all on the buzz
Sometimes you need a few drinks

And this year burned a hole in my hope
I got debts that could choke out a rope, (spoken)like college,
And it's not my approach it's the way I go summing things up
And there ain't really nothing great about this bar
Except here I am and right there you are
We're both shooting way under par
But soon we'll forget what par was
Sometimes you need a few drinks to fall in love

If you need a few drinks
You might as well start with a couple of shots
Give a couple of winks
And later blame it all on the buzz
Sometimes you, Sometimes you,
Sometimes you, you need a few,
You need a few, you need a few,
I'll buy you one too, Drinks

32 Flavors
By Alana Davis
Squint your eyes and look closer
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am 32 flavors and then some

And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
So you might want to turn your head
Cause someday you're going to get hungry
And eat all of the words that you just said

I am what I am
I am 32 flavors and then some

God help you if you are an ugly girl
Course too pretty is also your doom
Cause everyone harbors a secret hatred
For the prettiest girl in the room
God help you if you are a phoenix
And you dare to rise up from the ash
A thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy while
You are just flying past

I am what I am
I am 32 flavors and then some
I'm taking my chances as they come
I am 32 flavors and then some
I'm nobody but I am someone
Someone, yeah

I'd never try to give my life meaning by
Demeaning you
And I would like to state for the record
I did everything that I could do

I am beyond your peripheral vision
So you might want to turn your head
Cause someday you're going to be starving
And eating all of the words that you just said
That you said

I am what I am I am what I am
I am 32 flavors and then some
I'm taking my chances as they come
I am 32 flavors and then some
I'm looking for truth but there is none

Ahe-he-HEM

Excuse me, if I may.

But, aren't we all in some kind of transition here? Right? I mean, we're all starting new jobs or looking for new jobs or learning new things about the birds and the bees, right?

So, why are only me and Erica J. blogging? Is it an English major thing? Because, I mean, I don't think so. 'Cuz we've had almost 200 entries since this thing began like 6 months ago. So uh, hello?

GOD, at least make comments so Erica J. and I can feel like you're paying attention!

Oh, the places you'll go!

This post is dedicated to the TOP TEN fun things me and Jenn are going to do when she comes to Nashville in like two weeks.

10) Go to the honky tonk bars and watch Jenn interact with Redneck Women (that one should be worth the trip alone)

9) After said honky tonk bars, get a taxi driver to take us on a tour of all the fast food joints that stay open for 24 hours- Jack in the Box, White Castle, Krystal... I know what you're saying, Jenn. Are these fast food restaurants or children's toys? Rest assured, they have chicken. But KFC will NOT still be open, Jenn, so keep your clothes on and don't ask.

8) We will cherish the expressions on the faces of the professional karaoke crowd out here when we put it down with "Magic Stick"

7) I will drive Jenn through the projects early in the morning so she can see them. Then, I will patiently explain to her that WE CANNOT GO THERE AT NIGHT FOR FUN! THEY SHOOT PEOPLE!

6) We will spoon on my aero mattress, albeit down a Guat :-( , and this time folks, my new roommate will NOT be having sex in the same room! Sorry for all you thrill seekers.

and the number one fun thing me and Jenn are going to do in Nashville in two weeks when she comes:

1) you think I'm going to give it up that easy? Ha! You'll have to come to find out for yourselves! OK, granted that two of you already came and it's only been three weeks but CAN'T YOU ALL JUST MOVE HERE?!?!

Move over, JFB

I've found Erica's soulmate. He's a big dork and he videotapes himself dancing to 80s-early 90s rap songs, assisted by white socks and an exercise ball. His 'wave' isn't as good as yours, Erica.

http://dailydancer.com

Seriously, check him out. I ain't got nuttin on this brotha.

Of all the random things

I am sitting at my computer, waiting for my brother to call so we can make plans to go see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, reading the links at the MSN homepage when I come across this: "West Coast girl's Big Apple blog"

Well obviously I like reading blogs so I figured why not see how it got linked on MSN's website. I clicked to the page and kind of browsed around, not really reading just looking what was there. A rather large headshot of this women Alexandra draws most of your attention. There is a slide show in the bottom left corner that I flip through: Summer in the City - Fourth of July - London - Paris - Newport, RI.

There are just a few pictures of NPT and nothing truly great. She made a little post on her trip too.

Welcome to Tennessee

Well, here I am.

Moved to Nashville.

Yep.

Honestly, the only thing I need to discuss right now is the insect situation. I have seen my first cockroach. I am pretty sure this is because of the heat and Nashville's status as the fifth buggiest city; not because I live in a slum, which I don't. Or even because we leave food out, because we don't. Although, Stella does suspect putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher as a culprit- she'd prefer to use it for clean ones, but I explained to her the whole process and she seemed a little skeptical but agreed to try.

Another progressive breed is the gotcha bug. It's skinny and jumps fast. I slam it hard with my favorite flip flop. Then I take off for a paper towel to dispose of its lifeless body only to find it shaking off our fight and standing up again. Thought I was dead, huh? Gotcha!

Anyway, good thing I spent all that time in Miss M's spider-y house. Oh, who am I kidding, I still couldn't sleep last night thinking about roaches. But I've only actually seen two and they are both dead now, so don't let that sway you from coming to visit or anything.

But overall, good city!

My j-o-b

That is one of the posters adorning my very own cubicle at work. The other poster I couldn't find an image for on the Corbis website (that is one of the stock photo companies we work with) - it features Andre 3000. I'm jealous that two of my coworkers got to Will Ferrell before I did. The poster in the makeshift hall outside my cubicle features a construction site with a sign saying "No Dumping." It faces a poster of a toilet fastened to the wall.

Yep a toilet as decoration for a work place. We get to be "creative" like that in Photo Research. Really it just means we get to act immature. My department is all fairly young and they have just undergone a change so many of us are new to the company and in various degrees of training. We can wear jeans and flip flops to work, listen to Ipods while surfing our computer databases for pictures like "A chicken has a beak" or "Make sure to wear sunglasses on sunny days to protect your eyes." (I've been working on a lot of K-2 books, haha). We take field trips around the building and to the library as part of our training.

It's not hard work but some concepts can be a challenge to find for the right price, that the designer/editor likes. This week alot of the projects I took over from the girl who left are nearing their due dates so I'm really busy all day. I am also setting up my first shoot with a group of kindergarteners for a series on conservation.

Basically I feel like I am back in school, only getting paid to be there and never doing homework.