“Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop”

This has been fantastic trip.  I finally got to update my iPod so it holds all that excellent music I got for Christmas.  My iPod now has over 1200 songs on it... Heavenly.  I basically slept and enjoyed a musical nirvana for three hours all the way to Butternut.  

Speaking of such musical bliss, I’ll keep you posted on what pops up on my iPod.  You’re welcome.

Paul McCartney & The Wings- Jet

Finding Shannon on the mountain two days ago was way easier than expected since she happened to be heading toward a lift as we were going to buy our lift tickets.  There was some lighthearted falling, especially as we got tired and the snow developed an awful, gluey consistency, but mainly we just killed every trail on the mountain and enjoyed a lot of conversation and bonding time on the lifts.  Shannon and I were both struck by the thought that the rocky chasm beneath us came very close to resembling ruins.  They also looked like a lot of fun to hike... I’m holding on to that idea.

Last year, at Berkshire East, there was this ski lift operator who kept recognizing me and making conversation... every time we visited that mountain.  He was foreign and his name was Marti with emphasis on the “ti.”  (The Scorpions- No One Like You.  I cannot express enough how awesome this song is.) Needless to say, when we took the lift up to the lodge and a cute operator named Ivan started the same deal, Deels took note and won’t let me live these things down. She couldn’t wait to see who I’d find at Jiminy.  

That night we met Chelsea and Sydney’s family for dinner and argued all night about whether our waiter was gay or not.  

Chelsea: He’s FLAMING.

Waiter: Your carrot cake, Miss.

Good one, Chels. 

Trans Siberian Orchestra- The Three Kings and I (What Really Happened). Don’t even get me started on how much I love TSO. “Oh what a night it must have been, but when God is on your side, you kind of know that in the end you’re gonna win.”

Sydney- Syd is Chelsea’s younger sister who is just as close with Deels as I am with Chels.  She’s a singer, actress, guitarist, and, more recently, a ukelele player.  She’s currently being kind of punky, what with dying her hair dark red and only listening to alternative bands and all.  She’s rather a freak like her sister.

Journey- Separate Ways/ Worlds Apart.  Excellent.

I didn’t realize how much I missed skiing at Jiminy Peak.  The mountain itself, considering there’s been no snow, was in pretty excellent condition.  Chels and I had our usual ski lift bonding time and the four of us had our usual Blue Flamingo bonding time (ONE, TWO, FIVE, BLUE FLAMINGOS).  

Remember when I said Deels wanted to see what boy I came up with at Jiminy?  Well, we got on the lift next to two cute-in-a-younger-way guys who immediately started asking where we were from and what high school we go to.  Excuse me?  (Bomshel- 19 and Crazy.  I can’t wait for this song to officially apply to me.)  They may or may not have been twins; we couldn’t tell because their answers conflicted.  They downright refused to believe I’m in college.  I’m still insulted.  They proceeded to ask our names (Sabrina, Chelsea, Delia, Sydney) and tell us we all have pornstar names.  The maturity.

Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills- Krum.  I’m into Wizard Rock... don’t judge.

Chels and I decided to conquer Whitetail, a black diamond.  It was toward the end of the day, so the snow was losing its powderiness, it was dark out, we were tired, and it was icy as hell.  Not my best analogy, but you get it.  Skiing in wide turns down the mountain was not the way to go, so we pretty much went straight down at personal-record-breaking speeds.  (Sonata Arctica- False News Travels Fast.  Good thing too, I was so in need of a power metal fix.)  We stopped halfway down to catch our breath and take a few pictures, then took our goggles off for the last half since it was dark.  TERRIBLE CHOICE. We started out seeing more clearly, but then the wind blew uphill.  We got to the bottom crying and laughing with our eyes red and makeup running down our faces.

We got on the next lift, still with red eyes and smeared mascara and found ourselves next to two guys who were definitely in college and much more attractive.  Eff our lives.

Since there’s hardly any snow anywhere, there was lots of snow being made.  It’s fun to ski through it slowly and have icicles on your eyelashes and frost in your hair, but when you’re skiing through at already unhealthy speeds, it’s like you’re getting shot in the face. (Boston- Still in Love.  I love Boston the band and I love and miss Boston the city and its inhabitants intensely.)  Seeing the closed trails get progressively snowier each time we took the lift up was simultaneously gratifying and tantalizing since there wasn’t a way to get near it.  It’s interesting, isn’t it?  That our first instinct is to go roll around in and ski on the untouched snow?  To go wreck what’s in perfect condition?  I’m intrigued.

When I was ordering our pizza last night, I accidentally said to skip the pizza instead of skipping the topping. Oops.

There’s lots more I’d love to say but this has already been an obscenely long post so I’ll finish off with the best quotes of the last two days.  

Tom Felton- If You Could Be Anywhere.  Best song to sing to yourself when you’d rather be anywhere but where you are/best to sing when you’re mooning over Tom Felton.

“Let’s see if they can go forever without food or anything.” Eric, talking about Deels and Syd’s card game.

“I think she was talking about her boobs again...” Chelsea

“I’m slow, but I’m quick.” Sydney, being a doof and reminding us of a Blue Flamingo classic quote...

“I may be stupid, but at least I’m not Delia.”

I neglected to mention this wondrous quote from the night Rebecca and Mike were over.

“Just because I can’t blow bubbles out my nose doesn’t mean I can’t beat Voldemort!”  Eloquently put, Rebecca.

Sonata Arctica- Wolf and Raven. Power metal at it’s peak and my first true music love.

"I growl when I'm pleased, and wag my tail when I'm angry. Therefore I must be mad."

Evidently I'm just as good at getting hacked in my own house as I am at school.  Cheers, guys.

I'm not quite sure where to start since I've never gone 4 days without blogging before.  I suppose I'll just recap the highlights of the last few days.  

We baked brownies on Saturday.  Let's be clear here: I cannot cook.  I can make anything in a toaster or microwave and I make a mean grilled cheese but I thought that was all.  However, as evidenced by these brownies and my cinnamon streusel Christmas morning, it turns out I can also make anything that comes in a box and has instructions on the back.

Mass was nice that night.  Father Jim sang O Holy Night as per usual, and the reason for celebrating Christmas finally sunk in, and I got my holiday spirit back after that.

Christmas Eve is just as exciting as Christmas Day if you ask me.  It was excellent seeing Aunt Grace, Marianna, Uncle Ignazio, and (Nonna) Marianna, watching Home Alone, and reminiscing the year we got nineteen people to sing I Dodici Giorni di Natale, or the Twelve Days of Christmas in Italian.  Also, the baccala, linguine with clams, and penne  all a vodka were absolutely to die for.

Santa spoiled me so badly this year.  I got an iPhone 4s, Diary AUTOGRAPHED BY CHUCK PALAHNIUK!!!, a shot glass that reads "This is not a horcrux," seven CDs (Scorpions, Boston, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N Roses, Tchaikovsky... the good stuff), stuff for my guitar, and a ton of clothes and makeup.  "Happy" isn't even in the ballpark of how happy I am.

I'm testing out the Scorpions at the moment.  They are freaking fantastic.

I love seeing all the little cousins at Christmas.  There is now Robbie, Bella, Mike, Luke, Dario, Ava, and Sebastian who are all under eight.  They are generally cute and mischievous in a fairly even ratio with each other.  Then of course there's...

Cassie: Cassie is probably my closest cousin.  We have this tradition where we go apple picking in Brewster every year and see each other a handful of times in between holidays.  In the old days we used to play Super Mario 64 on Nintendo like it was our job.  We're never at a loss when it comes to keeping ourselves entertained and we are legendary at the games Spit and Spoons.  

The best cousin moment was definitely when Ava threw her temper tantrum.  Ava is two years old and the most gorgeous child you've ever seen.  She's absolutely adorable and she's wicked smart. At Thanksgiving, she was making this pout-y face she makes when she's thinking hard about something, so I made it back at her.  After a minute, she blinked and looked at her mom, my Aunt Ang, and say, "Mommy, Sabrina's mad at me."  Two years old!! Anyway, when she has tantrums, it quite literally takes two people to hold her down and one person to go around picking up all the things she throws.  It's terrifying.  Her parents are used to it though, and make light of it.  It was absolutely hysterical.  Uncle Mark tackled her and screamed, "SATAN, IN THE NAME OF GOD, YOU WILL LEAVE THIS CHILD ALONE! AVA, WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!  DO YOU SEE THE LIGHT?  GOD IS IN THAT LIGHT. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, I HEREBY PURGE YOUR SOUL OF THE DEVIL. GOD LOVES YOU, AVA," to which Ava replied "AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!" for several prolonged minutes.  After about twenty minutes of this, she just stopped.  Her dad, my Uncle Mark, just carried her back out and we resumed life.  He suggested that she apologize to everyone for acting up, and she looked ashamed of herself, hung her head, and told us all she's sorry, effectively melting our hearts again.  After this, she proceeded to run around to everyone and individually say she loved them, [insert name here].  UNFAIRLY LOVABLE.

So take a shot in the dark, what losers do you think I spent my night with?  Rebecca and Mike think they're really hot shit.  And of course, they are.  Rolls eyes.

Really though, we spent a delightful three hours Harry Potter-ing and Doctor Who-ing and David Tennant-ing and generally merry-ing all over the place.  Also, Rebecca brought donuts.  Lessons of tonight:  Mike needs to have respect for girls smacked into him, Rebecca will lick or bite anything you put in front of her face (boys, get at her), and no one is above hacking anything I leave unlocked.  Overall, a perfect night.

Seriously though.  I kind of want to write all of tomorrow's blog as a serious analysis of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two.  When I read the book I blatantly sob.  The movie is alright, but not nearly as good, yet I continue to weep pretty openly.  I will never, ever get past Post-Potter Depression.

Danielle pointed out to me that there was a perfect Cheshire Cat Smile moon out tonight.  That kind of moon gives me chills.  I can practically see the cat poised mid-air and feel madness coming on.  

"Still she haunts me, phantomwise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes."

I so apologize for my inattention to this blog.  I'm also rather flattered by the number of people who've approached me about reading this garbage regularly.  Thanks for that!

i'm in love with rebecca and had to make that even more known on her blog!!!!!

also for those who are unaware , i am now currently going out with Mike Emerson. He is the love of my life and i dont know where i would be without him.

"No, I do mean impassible. Nothing's impossible!”

If I remember correctly, I'm starting off today by writing about the Amazing Eight.  Though we've all been friends in various smaller groups dating back to 2001, this group solidified about a year ago.  Since we arrange ourselves in no particular order, I'll introduce the stunning seven ladies in the order I met them. 


Alyssa:  Alyssa and I go way back to kindergarten.  We've been through many adventures together such as the Fifth Grade talent show, Jonas Sisters Era, Sweet Sixteen season, proms, and Graduation Party season.  Whenever I think of Alyssa, I clearly see her beauteous smile and hear her laughing.  Loudly.


Chelsea:  Oh, where to begin?  I don't remember meeting or becoming friends with her, but I do remember meeting her mom at someone else's birthday party in first grade.  Her mom and my mom started bonding from day one, and our dads and sisters would shortly follow suit.  Our families have vacationed at Woodloch together eight times, and we go skiing together once a year.  This girl is certifiably weird.  She'll speak in a Russian accent for the hell of it and is NEVER afraid to make herself look like a door publicly.  This is fortunate, given the frequency at which this occurs.


Sarah F: We spent our very first playmate in fourth grade creating play-doh bakery goods, and the rest is history.  Our most intense bonds come from AP Bio, Badminton, and Stacy's Pita Chips/proper eating etiquette.  Also, there was Nolan's English class, in which we made fun of each other and got graded for it.  She also has a Sabrina Strand in her hair, AKA the most purdy piece of hair on her head.  


Christie:  It's a wonder Christie hasn't come up before now, seeing as she's also a Husky.  She's about a foot taller than I am, and consistently has been since we met in fifth grade.  We share a love for tap dancing and Broadway musicals, but otherwise have very little in common.  I think this speaks for the strength of the friendship though, because it means we can make conversation out of anything.  Evidence: two hour lunches like twice a week.


Paige: Firstly, let's set the record straight.  Paige is definitively a Gryffindor.  Plus she's a ginger, so she MUST be a Weasley.  (Underlying message, she's as obsessed with Harry Potter as I am.)  She loves anything and everything Disney and is incapable of smiling with her mouth closed.  This isn't an issue though since we love her big smile.


Cristina: I'm fairly certain the first conversation we had was about Twilight in tenth grade BUT she has successfully been converted to a Harry Potter fan, so there is no need to hate on either of us for having read and mildly enjoyed Twilight.  Cristina is a hugely supportive and thoughtful friend, who shares my passion for reading (particularly during class).  


Sarah D:  This is weird because we went to elementary school together and she lives closer to me than any of the other six do, yet we got to know each other most recently.  She's the most organized (and a tinyyyy bit OCD) person you'll ever meet.  I promise. 


The Amazing Eight!




Moving on, I spent six and a half hours baking Christmas cookies at Nonni's today.  We made tricolored cookies and rugalas.  If you don't know what either of those are, you are severely missing out.  (I am speaking partially to my mac because it keeps trying to tell me I misspelled "rugalas.")


I was looking at all the family Christmas cards when Nonni pointed out how much my little cousin, Ava, age 2, resembles Aunt Maria.  Aunt Maria lost her second battle with cancer a little over a year ago.  Nonni's comment caught me off guard.  Although I'm saddened to be thinking about how much I miss Aunt Maria, it's a wonderful comfort to look at Ava's face and see her there.  




On a lighter note, Matt, Sean, James, Aaron, Brian, and I got to go see the Trans Siberian Orchestra tonight!!!  I've known every word to every one of their Christmas songs inside-out since I was ten, so this was a childhood dream fulfilled for me.  TSO perform and write Christmas carols in a rock style.  They even have Christmas-themed rock operas.  Half of tonight's show was the Christmas Eve and Other Stories rock opera.  The other half contained songs from their other albums, including one called Beethoven's Last Night, which draws inspiration from the musical mastermind's own compositions.  The show tonight included re-arranged pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Lizt, and Grieg.  It was more wonderful than I can articulate.  I could honestly die satisfied right now.  This is the grand finale of the show.  Go watch it.  Beethoven's Fifth into Siberian Sleigh ride into the finale of Sarajevo 12/24.  Their best three compositions to date.  There were tears in my eyes.  


Matt: We've been in each other's lives for fifteen years, despite the fact that he's a Transformers fan.  He's a talented artist and shares my affinity for metal.  Also, we shared Lifeteen for a solid three and a half years.  We are the definition of "antagonistic," church or no. 


Sean: It's a shame we only got to know each other this past summer, but we became good friends relatively quickly.  Also a Transformers fan, however.  He is a technology junkie and has poor taste in music.


James: James is a music person.  This makes me happy.  He's a singer, and therefore earns a fair amount of respect.


Aaron:  Enjoys making fun of teachers and people he dislikes in a fairly cruel fashion.  He makes lots of racist jokes, including a fair few about himself.  He's a cellist and is teaching my brother at the moment.  


Brian:  I wish words would begin to describe how lucky I am to have Brian in my life.  He is my twin.  We talk about anything and everything for hours at a time, share music, bond over orchestra (he's also a cellist), and generally offer lots of support when one of us needs it.  Also, I could talk to Mrs. Ralph for hours too if we're left unchecked.  She's the sweetest lady you'll ever meet.  Really though, Brian is honestly the reason I have any sanity left in me at all.  He's also the hardest working student I know, and works as a full-time genius.



In the light of the fantastic ensemble I was privileged enough to see, I offer a prayer in remembrance of Daryl Pediford, former lead singer of TSO.   

"The Time Has Come!" the Walrus said.

Today was honestly wonderful.  Playing piano, seeing friends, having your mother cook delicious Italian style pasta, getting Starbucks, and watching Doctor Who; it literally does not get any better than today.


My one and only complaint would be the two vaccines I needed this morning.  Yech.




Rebecca and I had a wonderfully long lunch today.  It is not New York until you've gone for pizza.  Now I'm officially home.  One thing it made me realize though was exactly how much has changed since we graduated.  I obviously knew when Graduation came that life, my friendships, and my goals would undergo major revamping in the months to come, but I underestimated how permanent those changes would be.  What I truly resent is the limited time I have to see my friends when we're home.  Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and now--it's "When can I see you?" with everyone.  If you're lucky, you can see some people multiple times, for a good few hours each time.  The messiness of that sunk in with me today:  It will always be about forcing these people to fit into spare room in our lives.  We're too busy spreading out all over the country to study, and then later trying to find work.  From now on, none of us will ever be free to hang out whenever and wherever with whomever we want.  I never really considered that before.  I was so fixated on dealing with missing each other when we're apart that I never considered the time constraints associated with seeing each other.    The same goes for the friends we've made at school--away from college, we're from all over the country!  We're from New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.  As soon as school's out for a break, it's impossible for us to all see each other.  


That was a rather disheartening conclusion.  Additionally though, I did get to considering just how long ago Graduation seems.  Prom?  Concerts?  Senior Trips (or whatever you want to call what Nolan managed)?  It all seems like more than a few months ago.  I don't mean it seems like a longer time ago--I mean it feels like a deeper measure of time ago.  It's almost as though those days were several people ago.  A bunch of versions of me ago.  This, I can't categorize as good or bad.  It's just a fact.  




I saw Mr. Nolan today also. Nolan in a nutshell:
Mr. Nolan: The single greatest teacher I've ever had.  He is responsible for keeping me sane through high school and pushing me to work harder in English than I even knew an English class could make you .  He can make any classroom discussion relate to his lesson plan.  He helped me with my college essay, college apps, and wrote my letter of rec.  He's strongly opinionated, but also always right, so it works, somehow.  He's definitely the teacher I miss most.  


My sister has not had the joy of having Mr. Nolan yet.  When we were chatting in his room today, he gave her his signature "GPAs don't matter and you need to appreciate the important things in life" speech.  It was so weird seeing him give that speech to someone besides me.  Between when I met Mr. Nolan in tenth grade and Graduation, I needed a ridiculous amount of those talks.  Apparently the time has come for Deels to need them to.  Godspeed, Mr. Nolan.   She's even more neurotic than I was.




We had spaghetti with red clam sauce for dinner. HEAVEN IN A BOWL.




After dinner I met some of the girls for Starbucks and to catch up.  Those girls make up half of the Amazing Eight.  I shall explain the Amazing Eight tomorrow because that will require effort and brainpower, neither of which I have the energy for at the moment.  




Oh, and I just watched "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit" Doctor Who episodes.  No clue what the hell just happened, but I'm pretty sure it was a genius plot line.


"GET HAPPY."  Rebecca's idea of an appropriate treatment for the clinically depressed.

“Well, now that we have seen each other," said the unicorn, "if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you.”

My mother seems to have mistaken me for a digital art major because she keeps employing me to design the invitations for my sister's party.




Additionally, the only other things today consisted of were doctor's appointments related to the braces and next summer's surgery.  It was a really lighthearted day.  




The pretzel I just ate looked a lot like a chromosome.  Maybe that's just residual daydreams from trying to help Deels study for AP Bio yesterday. Here's to never needing another science class in my life!




Is anyone else having difficulties getting into the fact that Christmas is only 5 days away?  I've been listening to Christmas music since two weeks before Thanksgiving (ask the Ninth Floor Common Room, they would know), and I've had my room decorated since then too.  My shopping is essentially done, and I'll be spending this week wrapping things, going to a Trans Siberian Concert, and helping bake Christmas cookies.  There's still no recognition of the rapidity with which Christmas is coming at us.  I'm just musing, but it may be because I've missed two out of four Advent masses.  My attendance to church has been miserable while I'm away. It's just so much more enjoyable to go when I'm home and know the band and priest and at least half of the congregation by name.  I'm not sure what's up. Some extra prayer and wearing of Santa Hats should do the trick.
Also, my nails are now green and red.  I'm giving it everything I can over here.  




You must all know of my preoccupation with fairytales and Disney magic.  Anything the slightest bit ethereal or dreamy can capture my attention like nothing else.  I'll refer to my quest for "grandeur in the struggles of everyday life" in a previous post here; I'm always looking for things that don't align with the logistics of this world.  I want to be a part of something larger than life, something absolutely otherworldly.  Alas, I digress.  I just wanted to explain my passion for magic before showing you what I came across today.  I'm in love.  Check out the other princess pages as well.  Be forewarned, it's very girly.
Princess Inspired Clothing

“Take care of the sounds and the sense will take care of itself.”

Kudos to the Beavcoons, my brother's dek hockey team, for a riveting run in today's tournament.  The game I saw was so stressful that you successfully raised my blood pressure.  




It was great to go back to the Lifeteen mass at Holy Cross this evening.  The band, the core, and the teens have all been a huge part of helping me grow up, and it's difficult to be away from it all.  One way, Jesus.




Just as wonderful as going back to Lifeteen was spending a few hours with Mike and Rebecca.  We did absolutely nothing for three hours besides bask in the glory of being together again, and it was beautiful.




Mike:  We met at Lifeteen two years ago and the rest is history.  We've bonded over duck feet skits and Adorations, which are the perfectly balanced ingredients in creating a friendship.  He's into classic rock, cars, guitars, track, and Doctor Who.  Even though he chooses Transformers over Harry Potter, a usually unforgivable offense,  I'd confidently name Mike as one of my best friends.  Perhaps the most effective way of communicating how close we are is to reference one of his texts.  "You're closer than a sibling to me."  Also, he and Rebecca and I are a freaking epic combination.  




I wish my writing would be as beautiful to read as music is to listen to.  I want to take the feeling, that huge emotional spectrum that music opens up for me, and be able to explain it.  I want to have the power to make others understand and feel the way I feel.  If I can make you understand how music feels, we'll have created this unbreakable connection, but there is no way to say in words what composers say in notes.  


I wish I could make everyone listen to this.  I hope you react as strongly to it as I do because it's a wonderful feeling.


"It's like asking why is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony beautiful. If you don't see why, someone can't tell you."  Paul Erdos, mathematician




List of Places I Want to See:
-Hogwarts
-Sistine Chapel
-The Lamp-post in Narnia
-Nashville
-Every Hard Rock Cafe
-Every famous concert hall
-King's Cross Station
-Thunder Road




"I like reading your blog.  It's like I'm in your life when I'm not anymore."  Rebecca

"If I wasn’t real," Alice said, half laughing through her tears, "I shouldn’t be able to cry."

I'm finding the song Music Box Blues by the Trans Siberian Orchestra really moving and cathartic right now.  His voice and the words and the style are beautifully tragic.




One quick amendment to a previous entry:


Scott:  In addition to being a not-so-scrawny hockey player, he's a pretty kick-ass friend.  Impressively, he's just about as versed in Harry Potter as I am, and is a fan of the Very Potter Musical and Sequel.  He's amusingly ticklish and makes a habit of calling people "a towel."  On a more sincere note, he really is a dependable friend who gives great bear hugs and really thought-provoking advice when you need them.  Despite the snarkiness in my initial description of him, the truth is I'm blessed that we crossed each other's paths.  Here's to friendship.  




Do you ever feel emotionally hungry?  Sometimes the desire to immerse myself in really emotional material is just overwhelming.  A play, music, books; anything that can give me a bit of emotional movement is great.  I really wanted to learn Bruce Springsteen's Thunder Road on piano, and was just so moved by the poignancy of both the lyrics and music.  The name "Thunder Road" also brings to mind the car race in Grease, which is possibly my favorite movie.  It's silly and shallow, I know, but there is such an emotional sincerity and such good music there that I can't help but be tied to it.  So generally, the song and memory associations are really strong for the words "Thunder Road," and I measure the emotional value as passionate and gratifying.  So many of his songs have this power.  Atlantic City, Darkness on the Edge of Town, and Something in the Night, to name a few.  One good bio I read of Bruce Springsteen phrased it this way: "His most famous albums... epitomize his penchant for finding grandeur in the struggles of daily life."  That's exactly what I look for in life.  The mundaneness of the comings and goings of this world is only okay when I can derive some pathos or some emotional lesson from these goings-on.  That's difficult to do without the help of intellectual art, sometimes.  As a general rule, I wander around immersed in fairy tales and with earbuds to get away from this constant factor in life.  For this reason, I know my life needs to be about music.  Music has been a staple for me since I first plucked an E string on some high school student's bass when I was ten.  For eight years, I've become more sure every day that music allows for emotional growth.  Music equals emotion.  That's one of the few things I'm sure of anymore.  




"It doesn't seem like so long ago that we'd pack up your backpack and go on walks to the jungle, but that was fifteen years ago already, chiacchierone." --Nonno

“I said you LOOKED like an egg, Sir. And some eggs are very pretty, you know.”

Rebecca wanted to know if the new hair color made her look smarter.  I had to contain my laughter.  But really, it kind of does, somehow.  When you read this, dear, I'm not saying you look like an egg.  I'm just saying your hair and eggs are both pretty.




Oh, it's so good to be home.  I've always gone to see all of Deels's recitals, life-permitting.  I upheld the tradition by watching both of her Father Charles/Laurie Mangano orphanage fundraiser shows.  She had already been at Cure of Ars for hours by the time I got home, so I didn't get to see her until after her show.  She was, of course, as stunning as usual.  I'm serious.  Her eyelashes are insanely long.  She's the most beautiful and graceful little (literally, tiny) ballerina that ever was.  She and the other June Claire Dancers were fantastic on both nights.  Overcoming knocked-over poinsettias and awkward entrances all over the place.  The best part was the bear-hug I smothered her with afterwards.  I miss her an insane amount.




I never realized how good bra shopping makes you feel.  Even though no one sees it, it just boosts your confidence to be wearing a pretty bra.




Despite the fact that I know one of my followers (MICHAEL) has developed some weird aversion to musicals, I feel the need to mention how brilliant some really are.  They are the emotional value of a story plus that of music.  Only sometimes, it's less like addition and more like multiplication inexplicably leading to exponential growth in value.  (Math majors, that may involve imaginary numbers.  Don't stress about it.)  I found the most wonderful version of RENT, theater version, online last night.  I hadn't watched the movie in years or seen the play since the time I saw it on Broadway in high school.  The characterization and music and storyline are al so poignant and tragic and meaningful.  It's heavenly.  
Moo with me.




Being in Boston made it difficult to get into the Christmas spirit, outside of my room anyway.  Here, sprawling suburbia is decked out in all kinds of lights and inflatables and signs and garlands and figurines imaginable.  Boston, I love you, but get on our level.




My grandma and grandpa, Nonni and Nonno, both have this weird disorder where they force me to take money every time I see them.  When I refuse, they say "Someday, we won't be around to give you money, so take it while you can!"  It is a morbid disorder to be afflicted with.  




Hanging out at Jacqui's after Deels's second show with Andrea, Meghan, Alissa, Rebecca, and Jacqui was wonderful.  Props to Rebecca for the most excellent hug I've had in a while.  I dare everyone else to try and top that.  Apparently I missed story time though and have to wait for the picture slide show to hear about Alissa's time in Australia.  (Welcome home and I can't wait to see you around Northeastern!)  It was heartwarming to be together again.




Tremont Street raiders, brace yourselves.  Jacqui and Rebecca are coming to town in a few weeks!






Nonni: Grew up in Italy and Belgium, immigrating to America before she was twenty.  She's trilingual and the sweetest of grandmothers.  She's adept at making particularly sumptuous food, including but not limited to clam sauce, clam dip, tri-colored cookies, polenta, Cornish hen, baccala, and meatballs.  She taught me to sew and always used to read Sleeping Beauty to me before bed.  We argued over whether the dragon-lady's name is pronounced "Ma-le-fi-cent" or "Ma-le-fi-shent."  She won, years after the fact.


Nonno: Also grew up in Italy and came here at a young age.  He taught himself English, with a few twists.  His trademark words are "sangwich" and "scream door."  He makes his own wine and vinegar, employing the feet of Deels, Eric, and me to squish grapes for him.  He also likes talking about catching and eating snakes and squirrels.  His bark is worse than his bite, I swear.  


Rebecca: I keep trying to think of a more poetic or witty way to say it, but the fact is that she's my best friend of five years.  Despite the fact that she dislikes talking about emotions, I'm flattered by how much she cried when we said our goodbyes in August.  We've been through school plays and kickline and Nolan's English class and sparkly-hatted Christmases and proms and sweet sixteens and orchestra and Lifeteen retreats/Adorations and Harry Potter books/movies/musicals and Lifetime Sports taught by Coach Leverich and Graduation and traumatizing yearbook signings together.  Nothing changes.


Jacqui: Our friendship dates back to elementary school, taking the bus every day.  The bus holds a special place in our hearts, serving as a place to read, listen to Disney music, collapse after badminton, exchange horoscopes, interpret dreams, and learn each other's family heritage.  There was also that one time in fifth grade when she explained to me where babies come from.  (Editor's Note: A commercial for a band called KARMIN just came on.  I'd be thinking of you even if I wasn't writing about you.)


Andrea: Future crazy cat lady.  Most remembered for the epic video in which she told us she just wants to hug all the cats in the world.  The again, also remembered for talking about naked old men and Jacqui's boobs as normal parts of conversation.  She shares my affinities for Harry Potter and the Very Potter Musical and generally makes me happy.


Meghan:  Really enjoys telling the story of how she remembers my mother being pregnant for my brother.  We met circa kindergarten and shared a few years as Daisies/Brownies/Girl Scouts together.  She's a singer in a band and there's never a dull moment when she's around.


Alissa:  We bonded in PIG last year, particularly over Esmerelda Goldenblatt and her lesbian lover running for President.  She just got back from spending a semester in Australia and will be joining us at Northeastern this semester!






"I'm learning about what led to the American Revolution, and so much happened in Boston!  It seems like Massachusetts is always getting into trouble." -Eric




Only thing to do is jump, only thing to do is jump over the moon.  

“Contrariwise, if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic.”

I miss taking long car rides with my dad.  The moon roof would be wide open, a classic rock radio station would be blasting, and we can talk about everything.  Junior and Senior years he drove me around rather a lot... bass lessons and orchestras were always inconveniently far away, and met frequently.  Then, of course, there were the countless college visits, so we trekked all over the New England area together.  It’s raining and Dream On is playing and all is well.  

See what I did there?  When I look back on this moment, I can say “All was well.”  I shall feel magical.

Also, he told me my phone has seen better days and then asked to smell it.  He wrinkled his nose and said he bets I piss a lot of people off and talk a lot of shit on that phone.  I forgot he knows I dropped my phone in the toilet.  

Harry Potter was playing in the dining hall today. It was the ending cadence in the music that made me notice.  There is no better way to start a day. Especially the day you’re taking a final in Music Theory.

I appreciated Janis, the voice of the elevator, more than usual today.  When she said “Ninth Floor,” it sounded much less like an informative statement and much more like a personal greeting and welcome.  I’m using Ninth Floor as a proper noun the way I use Common Room.

A taco would be nice right about now.

I overuse the word “cute.”  I just described a lake as cute.  “Tranquil” would have worked.  “Picturesque” would have been a good choice.  “Cute” should be for things like Elf and fuzzy socks and little cousins and Lauren & Sarah.

It was awful saying goodbye to people today, even though it’s only for three weeks.  Time to talk about more of the amazing people in my life!

Joe:  He likes to purr.  He’s big on hugs, which is always good in my book.  Also, he’s a guy and therefore watches a lot of sports, usually with his door open, and sometimes sitting at his CEO desk.  

Jackie:  She pulls off short hair like a boss.  She enjoys tea and yoga and Occupy movements.  She’s also just as much of a boss at hugging people as she is at having short hair. 

Shannon: She’s a dancer and a Cinematic Studies major who enjoyed the power metal I shared with her a few weeks ago.  She was also a kick-ass captain of the Rubik’s Cubes during Husky Hunt, abduction and all!

Lauren (B): We recently got to know each other and have bonded over Doctor Who and Harry Potter, among other things.  She’s the neat roommate who gets cookies put into her stocking by Saints Andrew and Alaric.

Meredith: Also a recent addition to the Tremont Street Raiders.  She hates surprises and keeps being given apples by Saints Alaric and Andrew.  Oh, and she’s the messy roommate.  We ran down the hall to see her and Lauren’s room because it was a major accomplishment when you could see the floor for the first time in weeks

Tasha: I’m beyond lucky to have been assigned such a wonderful roommate.  She’s funny and festive, has the same taste in books as I do, and makes excellent crepes.  Talk about separation anxiety, we haven’t spent more than four or five days apart since we met in the beginning of the school year, and we now have to go three weeks!  But really, I’m glad for her to go home to sunny and tropical Florida and see her family.  

Dad:  See above comments about the toilet phone, and you’ll get a good feel for my dear father.  He just shared a story with me about turning off the lights and listening to Elton John’s Funeral For A Friend during a storm when he was young, a lot like when I blasted classical music to enjoy the snow this time last year.  We’re two peas in a pod.

Mom:  I’m not entirely sure why, but she likes to call me Eunice.  And her idea of punishing me for acting up is licking the side of my face.  Now you all understand why I never put a toe out of line.   Many of my t-shirts originated as hers, including an authentic 1980s Bruce Springsteen Tunnel of Love shirt, a Tokyo Hard Rock, and a comfy, baggy Giants Superbowl one.

Delia:  AKA Deels, she’s my best friend.  We’re closer than most sisters, due in part to sharing a room for ten years and in part to separating rooms when we started to need our own space.  She’s a prima ballerina, a theater buff, a splendid singer, a thoughtful writer, and a world-class sister.  She’s also known as the Atomic Elbow.  

Eric:  Honestly the best little brother in the whole world.  He’s never nosy or obnoxious, just curious and witty and awesome.  He’s great at hockey and is sort of my protege on cello.  I can’t actually play cello but I love giving him long-winded answers to casual questions.  And when I need to bribe him, he’d rather be paid by the penny than by the dollar.  WIN.

The song No One Like You by the Scorpions is so freaking good.  

The car in front of us has a Northeastern sticker.  #FuckYeah.

We just got off the ferry and we’ll be home in less than 20 minutes.  This is highly convenient because in an hour we have to leave to see Deels’s Charity Fundraiser Father Charles Something dance show.  I can’t wait to be home.  

“I’m tired but my eyes are open.  It’s like being on Life Support and you’re dead but something’s keeping you going.”- Dad, on the subject coffee.

"Famous last words!  That should be the title of your blog: 'I WASN'T THINKING.' "- Mom, on the topic of me

“No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time.”

This floor has enough bloggers chronicling the day-to-day adventures of the Tremont Street Raiders, so please refer to the blogs of Andy, Angel, Al, and Meredith for more life-and-times takes on life at Northeastern.  I plan to just comment on whatever calls for commenting on.

Think of what they say as the denotation and what I say as the connotation.

Meanwhile, let's have a bit of exposition.

My current home: 9th floor, IV, NEU, Boston, MA.
The songs inhabiting my brain: Pirates of the Caribbean and Montagues & Capulets, Epica versions.
How I spend most of my days: Writing, analyzing, practicing, and playing music.  And eating.
What I love most about being here: The people.
What I miss most while I'm here: The people.
My life in a few choice words, circa now: Whimsical, musicality, Harry Potter, Common Room, Christmas.
My posse(s): The Liberals (and their nameless derivative), the Amazing Eight, and The Tremont Street Raiders.

I suppose this brings me to that trademark new blog, introduce-all-my-friends-as-the-need-presents-itself portion of today's show.  Today the majority of my time in the Common Room was spent in the presence of:

Sarah: Most things out of Sarah's mouth today consisted of "THAT'S ME."  She also modeled her handmade HPDH shirt, much to the pleasure of the common room's inhabitants (or at least, me).  She's fun and generally wonderful.  I am blessed to have met her.  AKA December Bellamie, self-proclaimed Diamond of the Universe, who nobody likes.  

Lauren:  Another funny and wonderful person who I am privileged to have met.  I adore Lauren's curly hair and general amazingness.  I'm pretty sure I just walked over to her and hugged her yesterday in the common room to demonstrate my appreciation of her wonderful-ness. AKA Mirabela, potentially the True Gentleman.

Scott:  Scrawny hockey player.

Sean: AKA Justinian Galahad, AKA Jonathan Green, AKA JohnBoy.  A TF2-engaged math major who analyzes the world from a highly logical point-of-view.  

Andy:  Characterized by the act of rubbing worldliness against my head each night during his movie nights and also playing TF2.  King of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID jokes and back rubs, and from upstate New York.  AKA Telemachus Bombadier.  Dat name just says it all. "Exciting, exactly."

Laura:  Running, red-headed fireball from Pennsylvania.  She's a Biochemistry major and genuinely one of the sweetest, most maternal people you'll ever meet.

Ryan: A chemical engineering major and viola player from Centereach, Long Island!  We actually played in MYO together for two years, including performances at Staller Center at Stony Brook University; Stern Hall, Carnegie Hall; and Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center.  He is highly ticklish and generally a sweetheart.

Common Room: Despite the fact that the Common Room is not a living being, it deserves recognition.  For the last month or so, the Tremont Street Raiders have taken to inhabiting the common room at any and all hours of the day.  This is where most hanging out and the creation of most inside-jokes occur.  I will sincerely miss it and all its inhabitants during the next three weeks.


The highlights of today include watching Elf with Lauren and Sarah, the two of them making out through Sarah's hand "like a magic trick with a box and a saw," at dinner, having all men feel up Scott when his shirt is off, fighting tooth-and-nail for the right to eat cookies, beating people up to find my Husky Card, painting our nails, and generally enjoying each other's company for my last time of this year in the Common Room.

I apologize to anyone who I frisked unnecessarily in the search for my Husky Card.  I also apologize to anyone who was not frisked and would have like to have been.  I have no idea who had it/returned it to the Common Room table, but since it was probably the same person, I'm incredibly torn between wanting to hug and throttle you.  I'll probably go with both if I ever find out who you are.  

I'm psyched to go home and also dreading leaving tomorrow/today.  As long as I can give everyone from the Ninth Floor (notice the purposeful capitalization) a proper goodbye, we'll be alright.  Separation Anxiety is a serious concern, however.  Good Lord.  This may very well be a traumatizing month.  

I love everyone who reads this blog because you obviously care about me.  I also love many of the people who won't read this.  I may even love them because of their laziness.  

For tonight, adieu, dear reader.  I do sincerely love you.