thanks

this past weekend was a good time to reflex on reasons to be thankful

here are just a handful of mine

a job i like

a car with working heat

the genius bar in my itunes

wireless internet

a down comforter

netflix account

parents who let me live rent-free in their house

milwaukee visitors

what are you thankful for?

tales of mere existence

these videos are my new obsession

lev yilmaz's book, sunny side down, will be bought asap

here are some of my favorites

i can't sleep

"nyquil the sniffling, sneezing, stuffy head, aches, pains, fever, so you can get drunk medicine"

god

"that's a good idea man, let's go write a bible"

subtext

i love this last one!

i am a classic over-thinker when sending emails and texts

this blog is one of the only places where i hardly think before i write

so enjoy my unedited text... and subtext

ear flair

what do you get when you take

a girl

a budget

buttons

earring posts

and

a glue gun

?

homemade earrings!

soon to come:

narcissistic pictures of me sporting the new flair

wedded to calamity

i normally don't encourage car-crash-gawkers

you know, those people who slow down to stare at an accident

...usually on the other side of the road

but sufjan's new album is just that... a collision

a collision to be gawked at

i am conflicted about my opinions on this album

it is both terrifying and beautiful

a far cry from 2003's seven swans

and thinking nothing could top the resounding tunes of illinois

i was surprisingly impressed

age of adz is an experimental piece that is crucial to his growth

his sweet voice sneaks through the haunting percussions

and the listener is still left humming some catchy harmonies

p.s. i've heard some of you aren't able to view videos when i post them. if that's the case, just youtube "sufjan steven age of adz" all 8 minutes are totally worth it.

uncensored

"put some damn pants on!"

aka leggings are not pants

via

do you have the kind of friends where you don't have to think before you speak when you're with them? you can talk about politics and make fart jokes only sentences apart? you can discuss hot button social issues and not be afraid to share controversial opinions? you can admit personal, embarrassing stories and don't care because you know they're going to love you anyways? the kind of friends that make your face hurt at the end of the day because you can't stop smiling and laughing?

i do.

i was too busy wiping away tears of joy to take any pictures this weekend,

but these two on an isthmus is as good as christmas

let the wedding paper-chain countdown begin!

imagine pictures of us

(here)

strolling down state street and along the lake(s)

we're on an isthmus after all!

(here)

splitting pitchers of spotted cow in the uw student union

that's right, in their student union.

(here)

screaming at slutty college girls across the street because they're trying to pull off leggings as regular pants in 45 degree weather

(here)

discussing ethnic wedding rituals over bottles of wine and pesto bruschetta

(here)

snooping/stealing ipod playlists and car sing-a-longs

to artists i forgot i love until i'm with people who also really appreciate them

via

papa was a rolling stone

dod's bday itinerary:

history channel on in the background

hanging out with the fam and friends

bison pot pie from the elegant farmer

leinenkugels

the big bang theory

turtle sundae frozen custard from kopps

the red green show

bedtime

happy bday dod!

vote with your fork

via

i would love

an intimate

local

organic

dinner date

with this man

while he

read to me

from his many books

and filled my head

with "did you know..."

phenomenons

unfortunately

i have to share him

with other admirers

but maybe tonight

i can pick his brain

and get a book signed

7pm

uwm

be there.

counterpart

and my head told my heart

"let love grow"

but my heart told my head

"this time no, this time no"

~ mumford & sons

tell the ones that need to know

happenstance

i am not afraid of heights or snakes or public speaking.

bloods, guts and gore do not scare me.

but this, is what frightens me to the core...

it is terrifying to think that every little decision i make at every moment of the day will effect the rest of my life. what's going to happen if i drive through starbucks instead of going in? or if i return that outfit to target tomorrow instead of today. maybe i'll meet the love of my life at brunch at the new honeypie cafe instead of the old standby hotch-a-do. or maybe he's AT hotch-a-do the ONE time i don't go. what if there's an important networking opportunity at the antique mall, but i found what i'm looking for at a rummage sale. what if, what was supposed to happen already happened but i never recognized it as happening? ...get it? neither do i.