[off like a prom dress]

Dear MarotiCats,

I am in the process of packing for my journey to the motherland, I have two loads of laundry going and I have organized the closet - gasp! I'm enjoying some Rilo Kiley on my itunes and I am thinking of what I will eat in the few minutes that it will take for my blood sugar levels to plummet and for me to suddenly realize I need food, yet again (for all those who don't know me, this isn't a medical condition, per se, but rather a demonstration of how dependent my body, mind and emotions are on food).

During my packing, I've taken several polaroids of the kitties hiding in bags and lounging in the bathroom sink (this is what I do when you give me film and time) and I've been slowly picking away at the little things - charging the batteries, juicing up the ipod, preparing to choose the musical soundtrack for our 10 hour trek...ahh, the glorious preparation for travel.

In news, I'd like to give a good luck shout out to my dearest tracie, who is running her first race - I believe it's a 10k - but, whatever...distance is not what matters here. What matters is the fact that she is doing this...she is still training...she is working hard to get healthy and get those eager toes back on the pavement. I hope that this run is nice and easy and relaxed and that she is able to feel for the first time, that total energy and excitement that comes with participating in a race. The feeling of the crowd. The awesomeness of it all. Good luck!

Okay, guys. I guess this is going to be my last post before my trip. We don't have a computer at my parents' house, so I will likely not post - although my bruter has a computer and when I'm over there, I might sneak online to check on you guys - and post about my happenings in MASSland. Let us hope no tunnels fall. Let us hope the Big Dig will not be the end of us.

I want to die in an explosion, not a collapse.


Have a fantastic week!

Love, Kristen

[custom-design]

As you all know from my previous posts, I am about to begin a new stage of my life. And with such changes, of course, come weird reflections on the past, the present and the future. Yesterday I had a strange revelation...a sort of poetic conclusion to my 3 years, 2 weeks, 3 days in this little concrete office box amidst The University Squalor.

When I first started working for The Man, one of my most annoying and important jobs was to photocopy these ugly little brochure/pamphlet thingies that we had for each concentration of study within our department. I hated the job on multiple levels: The photocopy machine was the biggest pain in the ass and I was always whispering swears under my breath - and not so under my breath - to it, constantly slamming it's ugly beige drawers, lids, etc. Oh, and p.s. It never did anything you asked it to do! The brochure originals were truly heinous, as well, and so I was constantly copying terrible-looking propaganda containing awful writing, spelling errors and just terrible layout design. So when you compound the fact that the copy machine never let me line originals up correctly, that the borders on the overpriced and very ugly paper were constantly interfering with the text, and that, in the end, there was absolutely no way for me to fix the problem - I didn't have access to the electronic copies - the job was, overall, a complete and utter failure, bordering on disaster, that I took pride in eventually dumping onto our overpaid "work-study" who just so happened to be exemplary at the "study" portion of said position while seriously disregarding the "work" portion with absolutely no consequence.

Over the course of the cream-filling portion of my career here at The University, I have happily ignored any brochure associations and have survived quite successfully, as our program began undergoing structural changes that put a stop to the reproduction of all old promotional materials, much to my delight. Of course, since the changes were made official about 6 months ago, it was brought to my attention that new brochures were absolutely essential and, utilizing all persuasive powers, They suggested I get right on it, seeing as I was the incredibly talented creative being within the program. How lovely, I thought, as I proceeded to ignore said project for a couple months. Eventually, I decided it best to get a move on and I found that, despite my strong hatred for Word most of the time, I actually really enjoyed the process of completely trashing the old brochures and coming up with my own layout, headings and stylistic choices. It was wonderful. And on top of that, I finished them in a rather timely manner and one day displayed them to my superiors to rave reviews and excitement that I had done such a fine job.

So yesterday I initiated the photocopying process and although the same terrible overpriced papers are being used, they are in no way as ugly as they once were. I did make several margin adjustments to my originals in order to accomodate the unruly borders on those fancy papers, and each adjustment, each copy, everything, perfected itself nicely, calmly, easily. There was no swearing at the copier. There was no slamming of the doors, kicking of that awful beige exterior. I behaved. The machine behaved. And most importantly, the brochures came out beautiful.

I enjoyed sitting at my desk for the first time in a while as I put on some Franz Ferdinand, took out my ruler, and started folding those all-originals. And that's when it hit me! My first days here revolved around copying those crap brochures and they were never right...never lined up....never worthy of distribution. And now, as my exit approaches with a giant smile on its face, luring me out of this world of political University b.s., petty personality differences, and tragic tasks of phoniness and filing, I am able to bask in the self-satisfaction that I am ending where I began, in similar spots, but at the same time, entirely different.

Those brochures will be what I remember.

[lover]

I love bubble gum.
I love change.
I love trees.
I love the smell of freshly cut grass.
I love this font.
I love crisp small wifebeaters in summer.
I love the smell of grapefruit.
I love the smell of the lumber yard.
I love ice cream.
I love thunderstorms.
I love rolling my own coins.
I love waitressing.
I love collecting things.
I love mosaics.
I love slush.
I love the smell of horses.
I love old weathered leather.
I love women with long grey hair.
I love drinking games.
I love tree houses.
I love white socks.
I love live music.
I love old cameras.
I love chalkboards.
I love rollerskates.
I love dark red lipstick.
I love sports bras.
I love down comforters.
I love postcards.
I love walking fast.
I love steak.
I love going home.
I love singing.
I love picture frames.
I love dishes.
I love little kitty paws.
I love bike riding.
I love dirty trails.
I love collecting shells.
I love jars.
I love old painted factory brick.
I love bacon with swiss.
I love to bake cookies for The Boyfriend.
I love new towels.
I love redecorating.
I love sewing.
I love old wood boxes.
I love black nail polish.
I love braids.
I love bulletin boards.
I love ticket stubs.
I love traveling.
I love cleaning out the truck.
I love new clothes.
I love thrift stores.
I love cupcakes.

Oooooooooh, I love cupcakes.

















(Photo: Courtesy of www.teacakebakeshop.com)

[uh oh, it's magic...digitally remastered, part II]

Is it time for more MilChic Summer Gig 2006 recap? I think so...

So, as you remember, we ended our first night in Miltown by taking the free school bus to Caffrey's where we closed the bar and then headed out for some chili. The next morning, Mahoney, The Boyfriend, Nugget and I woke up (I was actually up super early - and was entertained by Speed 2: Cruise Control while waiting for the others to save me from the train wreck of a movie...) and we headed down to the Miller Time Pub for some rather terrible lunch. Don't even get me started on the beer cheese soup. Can you say liquid Port Wine Cheddar in a bowl? Yeah, it was that awkward.

Next, we visited the pool atop our luxury Holiday Inn roof where we basked in hot midwestern sunlight and enjoyed the lovely pool. The Boyfriend and Mahoney frolicked in the pool and praise be to that pool, for that is the very water in which Mahoney conjurred up the most genius plan of all.

1. Let us explore some new bars.
2. Let us enjoy different parts of Miltown.
3. Let us go to Bryant's.
4. Let us be drunk.

So once we left for our drinking exploration, we first stopped at a place called Steny's. At this location, we started off the drinking festivities with some truly awe-inspiring Bloody Mary's. They were served with a beer chaser which was also very charming. Ahhh, Milwaukee. It was also at Steny's where I enjoyed multiple Leinenkugels on behalf of my dear Running Guru Fred. (RG Fred also has a strong attachment to the Brewing City). All I have to say about Steny's is great drinks, strange crowd. And we're talkin' construction workers, 60-year old men, some Latinos and us. Oh yeah, and the hot 30-somethings who kept taking pics with the strange men. Weird.
















Next we moved onto Bryant's. Oh, Bryant's. This place is one of only two official lounges in the Milwaukee area. It is housed in what literally looks like a house...in the middle of a totally suburban feeling area. We had to take a cab there. It was literally sign-less and dark as hell, upon entering. I flat out admit. I was scared sh*tless! Inside, the room was only illuminated by a large Lethal Weapon-style fish tank sporting lots of fishies (even they were sketchy) and we instantly sat down to be greeted by the strangest bartender I've ever met. His name was Thanha. For the first 30 minutes, I kid you not, Thanha simply cut limes with the biggest knife I've ever seen, rarely taking his eyes off of them, while answering our 20 million questions about the drink flavors. I bluntly told him that I thought he was going to kill us. I was serious. I located all emergency exits. I even had to ask if there was a light in the bathroom. The place was so dark, so sketchy, so bizarre. And the drinks were out of this world.

Please note: The look on my face may say holy sh*t, we're all gonna die... but my brain is saying ...but dear sweet Jesus, this drink is gooood!

Bryant's has a cool theme going on. It feels very loungy, obviously, but also very Asian. The drinks were very tropical and fruity. You actually picked drinks based on flavors, not liquor. You say, I want a Peach, Coconut, Strawberry drink, please. Me and Mahoney (and maybe Nugget, can't remember) went with their specialty drink, the Magic Hat. This drink tasted like grape and it blew my socks right off. RIGHT OFF! Yeehaw! The Boyfriend got some combo of the above...so tasty. And very alcoholic. One and I was buzzzzzzed. Oh yeah, and the other fun fact, is that Bryant's does not allow swearing (or cussing, as Thanha stated). We're talking strange strange place! I also didn't mention that we got there at like 6 p.m. We, the early drinkers. I am proud to say, though, that we were not butchered to death by Thanha, the crazed knife-wielder, and that, despite the ominous presence of sleezy lounge murder vibes, we were able to make Thanha smile before our departure, alive.

Next we met up with Cousin Louie K and his Marquette Boyz at the New Brew City Pub. We got some giant beers and eventually scattered to the restaurant interior bars as the rain began to fall on our lovely outdoor post. If you go to the city, I highly recommend New Brew City. They had the most amazing food - grilled fresh veggies with hummus, out-of-this-world potato skins and the Boyfriend really enjoyed his first brat. We stayed there for hours, Mahoney and The Boyfriend bonding over possible website endeavors while Nugget and I were tangled in a messy one-sided conversation with a very speedy Marquette Boy, among other things. We had a blast...except during that speedy convo - have you ever become drunker just by watching some one speak...and bounce?
















[Cousin Louie K with Nugget at the bar]

We closed the night at the Miller Lite Pub...the food sucked, but beer is beer, right?















[Nugget cracks Mahoney up]















[The Boyfriend and Kristen look tired, buzzed and entertained - The Milwaukee Way]




Have you booked your flight yet?

[bottled water and other clear liquids]

A Tuesday List:

1. Happy 74th Birthday, Gram!
2. It's 100 degrees outside and I hate it.
3. My pizza santorini from Port of Piraeus was kickass.
4. I cannot wait for the road trip! Friday is so near!
5. I was given the choice to go into work tonite...I vote NO.
6. I hate when water tastes like plastic.
7. Evian never tastes like plastic.
8. The Showtime Original, Weeds is so good.
9. I'm reading The Devil Wears Prada...I could be a writer.
10. Thursday is the day I tell her I'm leaving.

What is your favorite water?

[ye ol' road trip]

How are you? No, really. How are you?

I'm having a pretty good day and week, I suppose. Aside from my monthly case of intense irritability and emotional overload, I'm really doing well. The Boyfriend and I just bought a new kennel for Charlie and Roxie for the road trip home. What? I haven't told you about that? My apologies for the less frequent postings. I guess I've been so busy that it really hasn't been a priority and I know how insulting that must sound. You are most certainly a priority, just not a top-of-the-list-must-get-done-immediately priority. Oh, on a side note, I did receive another comment from a stranger and that is the most awesome feeling ever - knowing that someone you do not know has read something you wrote. It really makes the whole internet/blogging thing a little more real. And it's especially nice when they compliment you. Sigh.

So - roadtrip. The boyfriend and I will be hopping in the ol' red pick-up for yet another summer highway journey back to the land of less humidity and clam chowda. Back to see the fams and grass and trees and streets with no street lights. I'm eager to wake up and just walk out the the front door in my pjs....or go swimming in the pool....or sleep in my old bedroom. I'm especially excited because we have decided to leave on Friday and that will extend our week by about 2 full days. How awesome is that? So, yes, we'll be going on yet another vacation this month. I'm also excited because my mother's birthday is that week and we will be able to do something exciting - can't tell you about the plans right now because I suffer from anyone-can-read-this-and-I-won't-be-able-to-tell paranoia and I would hate to ruin my own surprise. That would suck.

In honor of the road trip home, The Boyfriend bought a new cd (a 2 disc compilation, in fact) to provide us endless hours of Kristen singing at the top of her lungs for the duration of the road trip home - a grand whopping total of typically 10 or so hours. You are so jealous right now, aren't you? Yup, I provide the in-flight entertainment via highway. The cd is a Neil Diamond Greatest Hits. The jealousy meter just skyrocketed the second I mentioned the 'D' word. Who can resist such hits as Sweet Caroline, America, and Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon. There is something so American feeling about the road trip....and I mean that in a rare good American way. The way of the old songwriters....the way of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel...the way of John Mellencamp, the way of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. I love the road trip. It is a truly timeless endeavor.

Well I should get to packing up some stuff, organizing what we'll be permanently relocating to our respective family garages for safekeeping and storage. Our haven for excessive owned goods. Thank the gods for our families and their large dwellings in suburban American.

God bless ye.