Ok, yes I never go on here anymore, but to be fair, I really am not on the internet that much because I still have the computer i started college with and it is...tired.
Here Are my comments on the last couple entries by my Miche;;e though...
CONGRATS ON THE JOB I LOVE YOU.
You saw Jenny Lewis? *jealous* I am so into Rilo Kiley right now and I really like her new Cd too.
As for the whole HArry Potter thing, I could take it or leave it. I like the world of HP as a whole. The guy who plays him is sorta whatev.
I do want to come visit, but right now I am having trouble paying y bills...I guess that means I should ge a real job, but I have no idea what i want to do so I am havign a tough time. I have a really great support sysem here though, so I am optimistic.
I am sorry I suck at woohu, but here is my entry. Enjoy.
This morning my thesis situation was going to make me shoot myself in the face. The bureaucracy bullshit is driving me mad. I won't post the details on the internet because I'm not retarded, but there are some problems with the higher-ups at the Medical Examiner's Office preventing me from moving forward (or moving at all) ... oh, and she's rude as hell to me for NO REASON. Jason -- I have stories for you when I get home.
After a lot of running around among different floors and departments, and um, some unhappiness, I talked to Zoran. He is going to give me a new thesis project because my previous one is obviously not going to work out (thanks to a supervisor). So then I calmed down, as Zoran will often make me do, and I will be moving to the Pathology department to work underneath him. This is convenient because he's also my professor at Pace.
But this isn't even the most important part.
I got a phone call today.
Yeah, that phone call.
Like a half hour after all that crap, the NYPD calls me.
Lean in real close...
You ready?
I'm officially a Forensic Scientist in the NYPD Crime Lab!!!
Who can pay her rent?
Michelle can pay her rent!
Hooha!
inside the actor's studio
is up and running at my school. Bravo has started filming episodes this month.
We've had two guests already - Anthony Lapaglia, and for those Harry Potter nerds out there (hello Alicia) we had Daniel Radcliffe tonight. Last time I talked to you on the phone you said you were gonna use that free plane ticket you had to come visit some time this year ... I guess we should have had you come this week. I get in for free and can take one guest. Har. Oops.
Also I know you very rarely read this and therefore I am likely talking to myself right now. ::prances around naked::
Next two guests on the docket are Laura Linney and ... ... ...
Ricky Gervais!
I don't care about the other guests, but I'm definitely going to see Ricky Gervais. Too bad they can't make it a double date and invite Stephen Merchant as well.
Alicia -- No worries about not seeing the Harry Potter dude though, he's currently performing on Broadway in some homosexual-looking-horse play called Equus so there's plenty of chances to see him. I don't like theater, but even if I did I wouldn't pay $100 to see this.
This got me wondering how many bands I've seen since moving to New York. Thankfully my obsessive boyfriend catalogs his life in Access and Excel files so this information is readily available to me.
Concerts in New York since 2006:
Arcade Fire
Augustana
Ben Gibbard (solo acoustic show)
Bob Dylan
Bright Eyes
Cake
David Gray
Death Cab For Cutie
Eels
A Fine Frenzy
Foo Fighters
Imogen Heap
Jenny Lewis
Jonathan Rice (solo acoustic show, not with Jenny)
The Killers
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
The Raconteurs
Serj Tankian
Snow Patrol
For only two years, I think it's respectable. Probably more than I ever saw in Michigan during the entire 21 years I lived there. Of course I did see Ricky Martin when I was of teenybopper years. That should count for like, infinity.
Jason and I just went to a street fair on Austin Street, a block from our apartment. We bought a candy and sprinkle covered apple, chocolate covered marshmallows, a pepperoni and cheese calzone, and funnel cake with apples. Now my head is buzzing, we are watching football, and there are powered sugar streaks on our futon.
Nick's little sister got married last night. She turns 20 in November. As much of a horrible ideas as I thought getting married at that age was, after it all, I am so happy for Jess and Ryan. They obviously love and care for each other quite a bit and share the same ideas and faith. They're both silly and a little ditzy. And besides, people probably think the idea of Nick and I getting married is ridiculous too.
In the end, I had so much fun dancing and dressing up and partying and celebrating with them that none of it mattered. Not waking up at 7 to get my hair sprayed into a fake updo at 8:45. Not getting my makeup done and feeling guilty about Nick's mom spending over 200 dollars. Not the stupid fights we had only weeks before. The only thing that mattered was seeing Jess walk down that aisle yesterday and feeling so happy for her. For everyone.
Lost Character Cup
So, as one of my new Lost-hiatus pastimes, I entered into DarkUFO's (www.darkufo.blogspot.com) March-Madness style tournament where you predict user-favorite Lost characters, and the winner gets a copy of the Season 4 set. They recently finished a similar contest for favorite Episodes, but my predictions were a bit off on that one. I am proud to say, however, that I ended up 33rd (out of 1214 users) for the Character Cup. Alas, I don't have anything to show for it, but it's nice to know I know my Lost characters.
aujourd'hui
I randomly met the NYC Chief Medical Examiner, Charles Hirsch. His name is on my badge, but I had no idea what he looked like. He works in the other building, and I work in the DNA building so I never thought I'd ever meet him. But we were in the elevator together and he introduced himself. I told him I've worked here 4 months and he wanted to know how I liked it so far. (Bueno, thanks.) Seriously, he's like this sweet old guy who could be your grandpa. It's hard to imagine he's the guy that sees all sorts of nasty deaths. Every unnatural death in New York City has to go through this guy and his team. And he's this pleasant old man...
In other news, tonight is the one and only VP debate. I'm equally amused and horrified. Even my mom, a conservative voter her entire life, is like wtfPalin?
In other other news, I love Fringe.
If you're one of those cool people who watched the X-Files and absolutely adore the show Lost (comme moi), then you will probably like this show. Jason and I watched the fourth episode last night and it was the best episode yet. Fringe was created by the same guy who created Lost and you can definitely see it shine through at times, especially in the music. Even more so though, it reminds me of the X-Files. Every single episode. I thought that I would be annoyed at another show ganking from the X-Files style, but instead I just want to rub my face in it. It's mystery sci-fi goodness and the old scientist character is my favorite. I hope to be old and kooky like that someday and know lots of government secrets.
Note to self:
Do not eat curry and Indian food during your lunch hour at a tiny NY ethnic restaurant while reading a true crime novel about the Torso killer of Cleveland chopping up bodies and leaving decomposing flesh around the city.
Also, I'm convinced this killer was the inspiration for the show Dexter (which is about a Forensic Scientist who is a serial killer). The M.O. is eerily similar and he neatly chops up and wraps the bodies just like Dexter. If I'm wrong, then the creator of Dexter and the Cleveland Torso Killer must be soul mates, in a morbid not-to-be-proud-of kinda way.
pie party
This weekend Jason & I went to Brooklyn for a pie party with the forensic gang. This delicious affair came about because we noticed that all of us watched the show Pushing Daisies. So Darlene cooked up a plan for us to get together and watch the entire first season of the show before the second season premiered this week. In case anyone doesn't watch the show, the main character (dreamy Lee Pace) is a pie maker who has a nifty secret ability--he can bring people back to life (with a few caveats). There's pie-eating during every episode and it always looks delicious. I end up craving me carbs. Plus it's a quirky, unique, and lovely show with lots of pretty colors. Colors and carbs.
Anyway, Darlene baked a pie, Jess baked a pie, three more were bought, plus two different types of ice cream, whipped cream, and everyone brought a dish to pass of food. It was basically heaven.
Here we are at Jess's apartment, stuffing our faces.
Then Jason thought it would be SO MUCH FUN to cover my plate with whipped cream. Under that glowing mountain of white are five pieces of pie. I pretended to be mad. ;)
Until he smashed my face in it.
>_<
The rest of the pics are at the top of my photostream for now, or nestled somewheres in my commrades set.
::
2008 27 September :: 12.51am
:: Music: Arcade Fire :: Neon Bible
Well, to be completely honest, I think both candidates did very well tonight. I agreed with each of them at various points. I look forward to the next two. Well done.
And I especially look forward to the VP debates. I anticipate lots of forehead smacking on my part. Epicness awaits.
PS: My DVR cut off the last few minutes of the debate tonight. So not cool.
stupid politics
I have to get on my political high horse at least once this year. I'm being bombarded by political news as of late, however I'll admit I'm seeking it out a large percentage of the time because I find this election fascinating.
Allow me to preempt this by saying I'm not a liberal. I have never voted liberal. Yes, I will say it publicly, I voted for George Bush. Please don't stone me. Now, with four years of hindsight in the bank, I would not have voted for him. That does not mean I would have voted for Kerry. I wouldn't have. He was utterly unimpressive. I guess I would have just thrown my vote away on a third party. Was Ron Paul around? I like that libertarian old nutter.
Background:
I have always leaned somewhat more conservatively on issues. I never liked the thought of "big government" and unchecked social programs. I do not like excessive spending. And I absolutely HATE welfare abuse. I will never forget working my first job as a cashier at Gordon Food Service and scanning in SHRIMP, STEAK, AND CHEETOS for a FAT woman with FOUR screaming kids running around the cash register with no concept of polite behavior and then watching as she hands me her EBT FOOD STAMPS CREDIT CARD. I'm working as a cashier for $6.50 an hour and you're buying shrimp and steaks for your family with too many unruly kids and you're buying food I DON'T EVEN EAT with the taxes taken out of my pay check. Oh yeah, and you're fat. I learned this lesson at the age of 17 and it has always stuck with me. I know there are people who need this service and don't abuse it, but that doesn't make me any less bitter about those who do.
That being said, I've come to learn (the hard way) that a conservative government does not equal a low spending government. They just spend copious amounts of money in other ways...business, oil, war...instead of social programs.
Okay, I concede. That's retarded.
I guess if we're gonna blow money on things I hate, we might as well blow it on things that help people back here at home, rather than a business half way around the world. Because make no mistake, Iraq is BIG business.
And if you know me, then you know ...
I hate bureaucracy.
I have always felt distaste toward politics. I like to know what's going on of course. I watch the nightly news if I'm home. (Jason can attest to my Brian Williams obsession.) And I catch up with the news online. But when it comes down to listening to the talking heads jabber on about the issues, I'm often left with a bad taste in my mouth. It always seems as though no one's heart is in quite the right place. And I don't care what party is talking. The extremes of either side make me sick.
Despite my conservative background, I am not in the least bit impressed with John McCain. And for the love of God, do not get me started on Palin. Hey I'm a female, I'm all for getting a woman in the White House, but holy crap are you kidding me?!
The interviews she does are horrendous. I cannot possibly fathom by any means how the McCain campaign is not seriously embarrassed.
I don't even have that much beef with McCain. He loves our country. He's involved in Washington. What I can't possibly let him get away with is his judge of character and thinking that Palin could in any way be a good candidate.
McCain, you're old. There is a reasonable chance that you could croak after getting in office. Which means Palin would be President. I honestly, truthfully, think that is terrifying. And I'm speaking for what would be best for this country, not for a political party.
She has hurt my view of McCain in many ways. Not only was she a lame political ploy (grab the Clinton supporters away from Obama), she's terrifyingly unequipped for the position. Every interview with her is difficult to watch. Especially the Katie Couric one ... and that was her third one. She's getting worse and I'm not the only one who thinks so.
As for the debate tonight, which I'm very much looking forward to, I'm happy that McCain decided to follow through with it. I would have given him a lot more shit if he hadn't. But I will say that he looks pretty silly going back on his previous statement that he was going to stay in Washington until a deal was made. Which, you know, kinda never happened.
This whole debate debacle is another political ploy in my book, but I think I'm going to leave that one alone. It will be over in a few hours anyway, and I don't think he fooled anyone from what I can see in the comments on Internet news sites.
Side note:
Do not even get me started on this financial bailout of Wall Street. I'm disgusted. When did America become socialist? It's a FREE MARKET society. So I'm here in NYC watching Wall Street make bad decisions, sell loans to people with no money, then they wonder why their company tanks after thousands of people default on their mortgages.
Yet another reason I judge business majors. They have easy classes and they still can't do it right.
Geez, I'm being a bitch today aren't I? And a long-winded one at that.
Anyway, McCain took a lot of shit for his decision to bail on the debate, so he said Welp, I guess I'll fly to Mississippi and hope that people think I was a hero for staying in Washington, and by the way totally disregard that statement I made about not debating unless Washington made a deal. Unfortunately for McCain, Obama was in Washington too. Sitting right there with Bush and McCain. But he wanted to follow through on the debate. Imagine that...a President who has to do TWO things at once.
Anyway. This just kinda poured out of me after soaking up the events of these last few weeks. I don't wish to come across as angry or bitter. Most of my exclamations in this post are simply bewilderment. I don't want to be a liberal douchebag any more than I want to be a conservative douchebag.
I do know this:
I have no idea which side I'll support four years from now. Why? Because I'm not a blind political minion who aligns herself with one political group and is willing to blackball myself from differing points of view. The US government does not allow me to vote in primary elections because I refuse to chose a political party. I will not allow one party alone to own my allegiance. Therefore I get one vote every four years in the main election only. You're damn right I'm gonna make it count.
Bottomline,
McCain isn't the best thing for this country right now,
but I do appreciate what he has done for us.
Palin scares the shit out of me.
I don't feel the least bit sorry for Wall Street.
wii fit
I decided to be sneaky when Jason was getting his hula on and secretly record his vigorous hip action. I also enjoy the flailing of his arms. Too cute.
And here we have Jason's rhythm. This time he knows I'm recording.
We're examining post-mortem changes in Forensic Pathology and my professor (Zoran) asked us what sustains life.
Class: Food, water...
Zoran: Yes, what else?
Me: ATP
Zoran: Yes, what else?
Me: Jesus
Zoran: Wrong class.
Five people we know in Queens had birthdays this weekend, most notably Mike & Tiffany, so we indulged in the velvety red sassiness of Madame X. It was overwhelmingly packed. I think they're loved. :)
There's a bit more on my photostream.
I've been organizing and cleaning up my Flickr in my spare time. It's a favorite past time of mine. I added random photos to my NY Graffiti set. They're not necessarily all graffiti, sometimes just things I notice around the city. I noticed I have over 37,000 views on Flickr, which is kind of nutsoid considering I only have 731 photos online. 731 also hurts my brain because it makes me realize I've barely uploaded any at all. Then I look at the gigabytes of photos on my HD and my face hits the keyboard.
Durr.
I also revamped some areas of my Facebook and MySpace recently. All these silly little things that needed tweaking or an update. Ah, the time-sucks of the 21st century. Why I choose to do these things now when I'm in school, rather than during the summer, is beyond me.
So I have this bad habit. I keep deleting people on Facebook. I used to just add anybody I knew. Oh I had you in one of my classes that one time two years ago?Ok!Oh I knew you in high school but we never really talked because you annoyed the shit out of me with your petty shallowness?Ok! Then after adding these people I realize I don't really care what happening in their life and their updates are taking up room from the people I actually do care about. It's especially bothersome to read updates from someone you knew in high school and realize that they haven't changed a bit. Even if I don't really know you, at least be interesting.
I've also started becoming more aware of those I let into my life because of the emails I get at the Medical Examiner. Forensics is one of those fields where we are under constant scrutiny. It's part of our job to be called to court to testify on the stand as an expert witness. The defense attorneys will do what they can to discredit us. So I've just become very aware, through real situations presented to me at work, that I need to be picky about who I let in. That being said, to those people in high school who have sent me multiple requests to be my friend and who will probably never read this: How many times can I hit ignore before you get it? I've never blocked anyone on Facebook or anything petty like that, but seriously can you take a hint? This guy Chris? Like 6 times now, no joke. I even added him after a few requests because I was like gawd, maybe he really wants to talk to me. But no. No words exchanged. Boringness ensued, so I deleted him ... only to receive another request a few months later. Also this girl Sheri. No. Your orange tan annoys me. I thought you would shed that tinted skin after high school but it's apparently stuck on there. I don't like predictability and boringnimity.
To people reading this and asking themselves what bug crawled up my butt: oh don't be alarmed, I'm just pokin' a bit o' fun. ::smiles amicably::
So the doggies went to the vet to get their teeth cleaned yesterday. Since they have to put them under to do it, they do a blood test first. According to the test it wasn’t fully likely that Callaway would wake up afterward, so only Shelby got her teeth cleaned. For whatever reason they did further blood tests, Callie’s kidneys appear to be failing :-(
I filled out my app for degree yesterday and Pichot turned it in to the office today. I'm graduating in May. This is the weirdest, scariest feeling I've felt since those four months in France. And I feel bad eating Tums like candy here.
Classes are going okay. Ceramics class sucks because on a scale from one to a lot, I have negative five art skills. And there are art students in class even though the title specifically says FOR NON-MAJORS. GET OUT OF MY CLASS, ART KIDS, YOU'RE MAKING MY BAD ART LOOK WORSE.
Quote du Jour
Guy walking past me on my way to work, talking to no one:
I don't shoot women, I shoot men.
Well, at least my vagina keeps me safe.
So Jason bought Wii Fit and it is fannnntacular. We accidentally got drunk the first night we played it, which made everything funnier. Especially Jason's balance. But the lunges must have worked because my arse was sore the next day. Also played it naked. (true story). Which also made for some amusing predicaments.
This obnoxiousness brought to you by a hungry Michelle with too much coffee in her empty stomach.
PS: I like prefixes. They make the world go 'round.
::
2008 14 September :: 6.28pm
:: Mood: pensive
:: Music: David Gray
9/11/08
Keeping with my tradition of visiting the WTC site early on the morning of 9/11, I went this year once again.
It wasn't anything like last year, which was a ... how should I call it? ... an experience for me. There were no protests this year, which surprised me given what I'd seen the last two years.
The first time I went to the ceremony was for the 5th anniversary of the attacks in 2006. The memorial was above the entrance to the New Jersey PATH trains and the NY subway E line. There were plaques, photographs, flowers, letters; they read off the names of the dead over a loudspeaker and a silver bell clanged intermittently. Most people just wandered around and looked at the memorial, or sat and stared at the disruption of the NY skyline. That platform no longer exists because of construction on the new towers. There isn't really any room for a memorial like that anymore. This year I had to walk around the nearby streets to find where it was. They still read the names and people will always bring flowers, but the ceremony felt different this year. It was a lot calmer. There were still crazies out for sure, as some of my photographs will tell.
Anyway, another reason I went this year was because I heard Obama and McCain were going to be in rare company (each other) at the WTC site and I was hoping to catch a glimpse of them. No such luck. The memorial was family-only this year and security was very high. I was left to taking photographs of the crowd and the site. There were still mobs of people there, especially once the 9 a.m. rush hour rolled around and Wall Street woke up.
Going to the WTC on 9/11 reminds me to remember. Every day that I have school I walk past it. It doesn't take long to lose attachment. Going early in the morning on 9/11 renews that. Just seeing the faces...
While uploading my photos to Flickr I searched around for some photos of Pace University on that day. I found these.
This was taken from the courtyard of my school.
I can't imagine going to class that day, how frightening it must have been.
Looking at these makes me sick.
47 Pace University students and faculty died that day.
They went to their morning class and died in a terrorist attack.
A stone pillar on my campus remembers them.
And we move on.
