what's been going on

Just a recap of what I've been doing/things that have happened lately:

Easter
The Berens Family + some Powers + some Herrons got together at Grandma and Grandpa's. It was the usual good time when Uncle Tim made inappropriate comments that made the older cousins laugh too hard, and he was found out, my mother told the family personal information about me that I then had to explain while she laughed hysterically, and someone made my grandmother blush more than a few times. Easter lunch discussions included: Bioterrorism, spitting on the sidewalk, farting, my trip to LA, cockroaches, drinking, and politics. My family is wonderful. Grandpa also made me a CD full of pictures of myself as a child (only me, not anyone else.) Gems include: Eye-patch fishing, hot hair balloon outfit, and sleeping fairy princess.

Watched a drunk girl make her own parking space by backing her car into the car behind her until it moved enough for her to parallel park in front of our building. Before she did this, I saw her circle the building twice. We turned off the lights and watched through the blinds, and eventually Marie yelled out the window "Hey, did you just hit that car?!"She responded a slurred "No!" and Marie came back at her with "You're a liar!" She had a zinger, though: "I didn't hit that carrr!" This apartment rules.

UFO got funding!
SBC statements finally came out yesterday. Of the roughly $8000 we asked for, we were allotted $5,550. This is actually pretty good. So I'm happy.

I've been sucking
I've not been good about my school work. This morning at 8:30, a research paper on the effects of suburbanization in Ohio was due. I'm not finished. I also slept through the aforementioned class, and did not go to History of Dinosaurs, as it was snowing. My focus on anything school-related is just about gone. I am too excited about the summer and living in LA and working for a production company that I cannot seem to care about my classes (except for Writing for Electronic Media, which I adore.) Also, it is 11:00, and I am still in my PJs. I spend way too much of my day looking up hilarious pictures of cats with ridiculous captions, and Google Image Searching "puppies." I suck.

Grindhouse
Sweeeet. It was just a very enjoyable (and gruesome, and explicit) movie-going experience. I am not a big Tarantino fan, so I didn't enjoy a lot of Death Proof. Planet Terror, on the other hand, was a delightful gore-fest. I like to see things get blown up, and I think that there should be more mustaches in movies.

emma-la-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha

I've been "working" on my history assignment for about an hour now. I have one question answered. One of eight isn't too bad.

Home this weekend was good. My father, even though he somehow hurt his back, was in good spirits, and as usual acted like a child. When Michael or I would ask a question, he would respond with either saying something outlandish ("Michael. You should be a preacher!") or singing ("Emma-lyy, Emma-laa, Emma-lee, Emma-laa-ha-ha-ha-ha!") I also got to see Amy and Nichole (and Nichole's new puppy) both of my brothers, my mother, father, and dog. I also saw some other old friends. Mom told me her Hep is gone after a year of treatment. That made me very, very happy.

On the drive home, I listened to some Sounds Eclectic, and also some songs from the mid-90's that I really liked as a kid. I still like them now.

Corey and I talked for a while tonight. We discussed living up to our potentials. The sad fact is: I'm not. That's something I need to work on. That always reminds me of a framed saying my Aunt Becky had in their bathroom:

Isn't it strange that princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and common people like you and me
are builders for eternity?

Each is given a bag of tools,
a shapeless mass, a book of rules.
And each must make, before life has flown
a stumbling block or a stepping stone.

I've been given an opportunity to do some free lance video work with E103 Productions. Hopefully I'll get some work with them to start living up to this apparent potential that I might have welled up inside. I sent my resume their way, and John remembers me from Building Dreams, so I take that as a good sign.

Right, back to answering questions about the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. I wish I had a desk in the apartment, I feel like I'd be able to focus better. I'll just have to wait until next year.

6:40AM: Ew.

Ohh, I have not woken up this early in a while...I am covering Jess's shift at the VIC, so I have four hours to sit around here, drink coffee, read the paper, read my Amy Sedaris book, listen to music, read blogs, and dance like no one's watching (erm, no one is watching...)

I'm starting to have a real bone to pick with Tim Hortons. Now, I want them to be good. I want them to be as great as the SR725 location. That Tim Hortons always serves me my food piping hot and right on time. I have visited the Bowling Green TH's a total of five times since it first opened in late November. This morning was probably the speediest time, but when asked if I wanted cream in my coffee, I said "Yes please, some half & half." I think she thought that meant I wanted a half cup of coffee, and a half cup of creamer. This morning's cup of coffee was a very creamy light brown. Is it really that hard, Tim Hortons? Really? Tim Hortons, listen, I'm not trying to make fun of you. I just want you to be the best speedy bakery that you can be. I know you can do it. You can!

Righht....

So, I got The Virginian by Neko Case and Her Boyfriends (great band name, by the way.) It's lovely. It's interesting to hear her voice being backed up by male vocals with the thick, twangy country music. It's a nice medium between her work with The New Pornographers and her solo work. I kind of want to be friends with Neko Case, in my mind she would be a really awesome friend. Here's a really great performance on World Cafe. And once again, I think that emusic.com is a pretty great service. I never thought that I would subscribe to a pay service for music, but I get 40 downloads a month for only $10, plus most of the music on the site is released on independent labels.

Tomorrow evening, our group of friends is having another potluck. I really love these potlucks, because 1. I get to hang out with all of my friends, 2. I get a home-cooked (sort of) meal, and most importantly, 3. I get to show off some recipe that has been recently handed down to me. I feel very blessed to come from the family that I have. The women in my family are caring and passionate, they are wonderful cooks, and most importantly, strong women. I am so lucky to have been raised among these hard-headed, intelligent women. My mother, grandmothers, aunts, and older cousins are all well-educated in both areas of the home, and in academics. How many women can say that they are the fourth generation of women to attend college? I am so privileged to come from a family that has taught me the importance of being a strong woman.

Corey and I took a drive yesterday afternoon. We went out to see the windmills, and as always, I am in awe of their size. On the way back, we talked about future stuff--something that I have been notoriously known to try to ignore. The more I thought about it, the more scared I got, until I was literally nauseous. (See why I usually ignore it?) As Seth always tells me, "things will eventually come crashing into place." I can only hope.

end of the year list, clarie's, guns

As promised, Uncle Tim took us to the shooting range. We all had a pretty rad time. If we were not shooting, then we were sitting in fear watching a man two tables down shoot round after round after round from his handgun, and being on target every time. Normally he would not have phased us, but he just looked so angry. There was also a man in an electric wheelchair who was exercising his second amendment right. I never thought I would ever see a man in a wheelchair carting around a rifle. The most impressive thing about him was watching him drive a minivan. Tim also took us out on the shotgun range, which was also pretty fun. I was sore for almost two days from the kickback on that gun. Yay guns!

Other things I have done over the past few days: drank coffee and dogsat.

Candice came down on Friday night to hang out and get some free Subway and walk around The Greene. At The Greene (or, as I like to call it, Easton Jr.) we dealt with a very obnoxious assistant manager with a staring problem at Claire's. While in the store for about fifteen minutes, I was informed no less than three times that all earrings were buy two and get the third pair free, and that "the sale" included all earrings in the store, earring backs, and rings. For anyone who is not a frequent shopper at Claire's, that isn't a sale, that's just actually the way they are always priced. She did not appreciate that we pointed out the ridiculousness of many of their items. ie: felt reindeer antler headband with stringy black curly fake hair attached, although I am starting to think that this accessory was just a wonderful dream, I cannot find a picture of it anywhere.

It's the last day of 2006, and as always, it hasn't hit me. Because every year I seem to be missing this feeling that so many people apparently have about the new year, I am starting to think that I should pay less attention to the actual date of January 1st. Over the past few years, I have really come to love CBS Sunday Morning, especially their end of year special. I think it has fantastic commentary on the year. Every year they do a "Hail and Farewell" as Charles Osgood pays homage to many of the great people who have passed on over the past year. I watched this this morning and wept.

Anyway, my end of the year list. I've been reading a lot of these on blogs and message boards, and I've always had a hard time with listing things in order, especially when they span the past 365 days. So, you will not get to hear my picks for music of the year and movie of the year. Here is my list:

Best Times of 2006:
(in sort of chronological order)

• Seeing The New Pornographers open for Belle & Sebastian with Matt in Louisville
• Trying to ride all of the elevators on campus in one night
• "Hot Summer Days"
• Spending the night in Candice and Meg's room on the last night of school in May, listening to "You Can't Always Get What You Want" in the dark, and singing every word, and Leaving my no-good futon in the courtyard of the Rodgers Quadrangle with a sign that simply read "FREE: JUST TAKE IT"
• Working as a camp counselor for the Girl Scout Challenge and Change program
• Several trips to Athens
• Quitting my job at DSW
• The Ohio State Fair (this one always makes the list)
• Riding in the back of Mike's truck late one night in August, realizing the majesty of Bowling Green, Ohio
• Decorating my first apartment in the most ridiculous way
• Riding in the back of Mike's truck late one night in August, realizing the majesty of Bowling Green, Ohio
• The rise of themed parties (This includes Trashy Prom, BisCasFri, The Rock and Roll Party, The Red Party, Party at the Moon Tower, and Halloween)
• Finding out that Grace was going to be alright
• Seeing Ben Kweller four times
• Making the BITCHSLAP movie
• Two trips to Grand Rapids
• Realizing that I have created a new family from my friends, and feeling loved by all of them
• Family get-togethers
• A trip to Delta
• UFO Benefit show
• The lights at the zoo
• Winter breaking with no real plans

There you have it. My most memorable times of 2006.

Now I am going to eat some Trader Joe's Mac and Cheese, as recomended by the ladies of Heat. Eat. Review.

Break: Days 8-11

I found a new Wikipedia article today to add to my "Favorite Wikipedia Articles."

List of Objects Dropped on New Year's Eve

Others:

Fan Death (My #1 favorite, I go back and reread it a lot.)
Ohio State Fair
Mothman

On to more "What Emily Does Over Break" updates:

Day 7, Christmas Eve:

• Sat and read at Starbucks for a while (#1 activity of the break)
• Braved Best Buy and Borders for the second day in a row
• Saw The Pursuit of Happyness with my family and grandparents. Got dinner at the Cheesecake Factory afterwards. We were all stuffed, and almost everyone brought home a big box of food with them.
• Opened presents (I finally have my own suitcase!)
  
• Watched more songs scrobble on my last.fm page

Day 8, Christmas:

• Sat around with my parents and enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada. The weirdest thing about that is my dad was the one who insisted that we watch it, and he also enjoyed it the most.
• Headed to Al and Lydia's house, where the Berens clan gathered.
• Watched the "little" (everyone under college-age) cousins open gifts
• Annual wrapping paper fight happens at this time, while the kiddies open their presents.
• "Adult" gift exchange (not adult gifts, the adults gave gifts.)
• I got a mug with a quasi-creepy face on it. I like it a lot, and it will hold pencils on my desk.
• Second cousins came, including Brian and his new wife, Heather, who were in from Colorado. I like her a lot, I'm glad she's family now.
• Listened to two unnamed uncles talk (in all seriousness) about how when/if there is a nuclear strike against the country, the family will gather together at one of these unnamed uncle's home. Also that ammunition will be used as currency. This was my favorite part of Christmas.
• Listened to an unnamed drunk aunt carry on about how "smokin' hot" George Clooney is, and how sad she was that his pet pig recently died.
• Looked at photos with my BFF cousin, Sarah

(Anyone wanting more information on the Berens Family Christmas Freak Show, just ask.)

• Drove to Athens with Amy at 11PM to turn her heat back on.
• This was a delightful little trip. Amy and I got two hours of quality time on the way to Athens, then sat and watched a few episodes of Next and played with her new computer (mostly with Photobooth.)

Day 9, Boxing Day:

• Drove back from Athens, more quality time with Amy
• Sat around for a long time, watching scrobbling
• Went out to see The History Boys with Amy. I enjoyed this flick a lot. I'd like to see it again sometime soon.
  
• I thought that Samuel Barnett was fantastic. I hope to see him in many more roles.

Day 10, The day after Boxing Day:

• Sat and read some more.
• Walked around the mall for a while, ran into Danetta and chatted
• Got some lunch with Ratie
• Had to deal with Bandit, the Devil Dog.
• I am currently dog sitting for a family, and their 5 pound Yorkie mix is one of the meanest things I've ever dealt with. After more than an hour, I got him to go outside to go to the bathroom, but not before getting bitten...a lot.
• Val is in town. We went to Skyline in her honor.
  
• Got an unexpected phone call from Matthew Wagner: they were coming down from Lancaster to visit. Two hours later, April, Matthew, and Seth were in Dayton. I had not seen any of them in a long while, and it was a very pleasant surprise.

Tomorrow my Uncle Tim is taking the older cousins out to a shooting range to play with his guns. Had the invitation come from anyone but Tim, I would have politely declined. Jazz musician + guns + nature + my family = a good time.

Break: Days 5 & 6

Friday:

• Lunch with Grandma and "The Grandgirls" (Josie, Sarah, and I)
• Nice, long nap
  
• Dinner and gossip with Centerville Woodbourne Troop #1087
• Congrats to Laura and Jenni on their engagements!
  

Saturday:

• Braved the mall area (Dayton Mall, Best Buy, Circuit City, Half Priced Books, Target)
• Had Taco Bell for the first time in months with Merek
• Ran into an old friend from church
• Hung out at my cousins' for a while
• Aunt Becky gave me a sneak-peak at the cookbook my grandmother has been putting together for the past six months. It is a large compilation of our family recipes. Also included was a short history of my Great Great Grandmother.
  
• Ventured back to the mall area for a trip to Borders
• Contemplated having the words "FAITH, FAMILY, COUNTRY" tattooed somewhere on my body; it was quickly ruled out
  
• Saw The Good Shepherd with Amy
• Matt Damon's performance was excellent. I wish he would have been a little bit older.
  
• Lee Pace (of Wonderfalls fame) was also very, very good.
• Alec Baldwin did not charm me as much as he did in The Departed, or his role on 30 Rock, but I enjoyed him nonetheless.
• Joe Pesci's age shocked me. I think that he had some great dialogue, though. He said: "We Italians have our families and The Church. The Irish have their homeland [...]"
  

And so tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Merek and I discussed for a little while, and we both agree that it doesn't quite feel like Christmas this year. Both of us are unsure why. I think by tomorrow we will both be a little more in the spirit.

I apologize for these somewhat boring entries. I know that I simply compile the things I've done over the days. Maybe I'll make some "Best of 2006" lists.

Break: Day 3

Today was much more busy. The run-down:

• Woke up early and finished Queen of the Oddballs by Hillary Carlip. Funniest book I read all year. As I was reading it yesterday at Starbucks, I laughed out loud multiple times while reading. I recommend it to anyone who likes memoirs about ordinary people with extraordinary situations arising in their lives. I sent a message her way, and have already received a response. I like her. I want to be friends with her. I'm a creep.
  

• Started into The Screwtape Letters.
• Headed over to CHS to see Mr. Barry Peters. We chatted for a while about what I was up to, his classes, what movies we have seen. Both of us agreed that Jackass 2 was very entertaining. He almost started crying he was laughing so hard just thinking about it. I recommended that he see The Departed, and I told him that I thought it was the best movie of the year. He says he will see it.
• Noticed that there is now a mirror in our garage that used to be in the bathroom. Took a picture of myself in it.
  
• Got coffee with Daniel. There's a new cafe open down by UD, and they have reasonably priced coffee and free popcorn.
  
• Went to Trivia Night at Harrigan's with my father and little brother. Dad drank a few beers. Let's not forget how fun Alan is after a few beers. (File Photo) Eventually would do anything Merek and I told him to do. This includes an acapella version of "Dog Pound Hop" (the Ren and Stimpy theme song) that sounded nothing like it, and also the Pee Wee Herman dance when the DJ played "Tequila." For anyone unfamiliar with this dance, see below:
  

I wonder what great adventure will be in store for me tomorrow afternoon. Target maybe? More sitting at a coffee shop alone reading? I can only hope.

Jell-O

More news on the Jell-O front: Dad has bought black cherry flavored Jell-O, and according to Mick, "it's awesome."

We are still baffled at my father's sudden obsession with Jell-O.

I am looking forward to seeing the family this week. Dad and I will probably sit around, watch Caddy Shack, and eat Jell-O. Maybe Jaws will be on, or if I'm lucky, Vacation. He loves those movies, and drops everything to watch the edited versions of them on television. Mom will drag me through Target, asking my opinion on towels and bathmats. Mark and I will most likely drive around and walk through discount stores. Michael and I will bicker about who gets to use the car. (He will win.)

Who is going to be in Bowling Green over the holiday break?

"Emily, they'll follow your lead by the letter"

Thanksgiving break was a very nice vacation from Bowling Green. I got a few things done at home, and saw friends and family. Thanksgiving dinner ended with half of the family sitting around a fire in my cousin's backyard. After most everyone left, Paul, Sarah, my brothers and I went to see Borat: Cultural Leanings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. I enjoyed it.

Friday night the whole family got together again for pizza at Aunt Ann's house. The girl cousins played cards while the boy cousins fought over who got to play the next game of Halo. I'd rather play Uno any day of the week.

Amy and I also got to see Christopher Guest's latest film, For Your Consideration forgiven because 1. Fred Willard, and 2. Fred Willard with a , which I loved. (That's unfair, because anything with that cast I will absolutely adore.) At some points, I wished that they had made it in his usual mockumentary style, and I almost feel like they did originally and changed mid-shooting. A lot of the shots were handheld, and I thought that the sections with Fred Willard were a little awkward. That section of the movie was completely forgiven because 1. Fred Willard, 2. Fred Willard with a fohawk, and 3. Fred Willard dressed as Sherlock Holmes with a giant magnifying glass.

I've also got my paws on two new delectable little musical gems: Ys by Joanna Newsom, and Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens. I have been listening to Songs for Christmas pretty much non-stop for the past few days. I feel like he has given his fans a fun little present (that I only had to pay 16.99 for!) The little box came complete with a sheet of stickers, a song book, a "family portrait" (is that really his wife and kids? anyone know?) oh, and five CDs full of Christmas cheer. Merry Christmas, Sufjan. I haven't really sunk my teeth completely into Ys yet, but the first track is long and beautiful, and it's called "Emily." I need to take another long listen. I love my harp-playing elf!

UFO Benefit show is Thursday night. I'm very excited to hear a night of good music, and know that my $5 is going toward supporting student film making. It's at 9P at Howard's. Who's playing? The Tapes, Pseudobook, Joey Catullo, Nate Cogan, A Friend of Mabels, and One Nation Under.
/shameless advert.

Thanksgiving

In addition to the usual "I am thankful for my family and friends" I am going to add that I am thankful for my education, living in a country where I can pursue the livelihood I choose, my health, and all of the general goodness that has been put into my life in the last year. I have no right to ask for anything more.

Things at home are still pretty slow. Like every holiday, my father decided that it was a good time for a home improvement project. Mark and I were woken up fairly early (for it being a holiday) and told to put on our shoes and meet him in the roof. About an hour later, Mark and I were (reluctantly) up on the roof. Dad was in a fairly good mood considering we had not made it out on the roof yet, and he is usually in a bad mood if he is working on any sort of improvement project (he is not handy.) I soon realized why he was in such a good mood: moments before, he had opened Michael's window from outside, poked the leaf blower into his room, aimed at my sleeping brother, and turned it on. Yelling ensued, my father's hysterical laughter/crying also ensued. The rest of the time on the roof, he thought it was very funny to point the blower at his good helper children (opposed to his bad sleeping child) and laugh as our hair and clothes flew around. While on the roof, Mark sat picking at the roofing, I danced and teased the neighbors' dogs from over the fence.

Consumerism overtook Amy and I yesterday as we wandered the aisles of Target. We stumbled upon the holiday aisle and found lots of fun goodies packaged especially for the holidays, and neither of us could resist buying at least something from the area. I stumbled upon two Christmas flavors of Jones Soda: egg nog and super plum. The sugar plum was very tasty, but I have yet to untwist the cap on the egg nog flavor. But why wouldn't I like it? I love egg nog, and have yet to try a Jones Soda flavor that I did not enjoy (this includes the chocolate flavor.)

Countdown to Berens Family Thanksgiving: 2 hours

clap your hands

I had another wonderful weekend. I had Friday off from work, and I spent the entire day with friends. Friday night my neighbor from freshmen, Jacky, year invited us over for an early Christmas party, and we got to see Becky, as well as Pete and Jeff. We also had people over that night. Jacky, Becky, Pete, and Jeff did not come over for that.

Our apartment has become a gathering place for all of our friends. This is odd, seeing that of all our friends, we have the smallest apartment. I guess my room mates and I are just that great.

Meg and Kyle enjoy cheese (Kraft Singles) and wine (from a box)

Saturday evening Corey, Matt, Meg, Mike, and I went to church at St. Al's. Every week I enjoy that church more; I'm very glad that Steve brought me to a Catholic church in the area that I feel good in. Before mass, a woman stood in front of the congregation and greeted us. She said "Welcome. We are glad that you are here." I doubt that she even thought twice about saying it, but it was very heartfelt and I believed that she was glad that we were there.

In a few minutes my room mates and I are heading downtown to reserve an apartment. We've decided on Campbell Hill. Frazee 14 is a great location, but there is simply not enough room for the four of us. Marie and Candice are sharing the large room, and Meg and I will get the other two rooms. I'm already excited to move in (in August...)

I have one more class until I can go home for Thanksgiving. My Texas cousins are in town; I can't wait to see Grace! My father told me last night that she is doing very well after her surgery back in September.

Also, anyone hear about this? Oh giant media conglomerates, when will you stop fighting?

i love clap your hands say yeah.

Moonsik <3

Editing was amazing today. Moonsik played our chroma-keying projects, and then he gave us presents (candy). He was very jolly, and he let us out of our two hour class an hour and half early.

I did something bad today: went to the craft store. I managed to buy only two odd postcards (they feature generic animal photos and the words "HELLO FROM BOWLING GREEN, OHIO" stamped on the top), and some yarn. I'm already a few inches into my next scarf.

OU this weekend was amazing. I saw Amy, my brother, Nichole, and a few other surprises from Centerville (namely Phil Clark.) The ride there and back were pretty fun as well. We stopped at Sonic in Nelsonville, and listened to The Boss. Candice relieved me for the final leg of the trip, and we were back with time to spare before Candice's newspaper meeting.

me, mick: berens siblings

I have lots of work ahead of me this week. I have a research paper on feminist theory and Sex and the City due on Thursday, and more script analysis also due on Thursday. All I want to do is hang out, though. And eat cheese sandwiches.

enjoyable!

Major Event went pretty okay. They told me that they liked my script, but also told me that I should change it. One of the judges said that he thinks that there should be some sort of twist in it. I brushed that off, because that would change the whole thing, making it not a slice of life story, which is what is it. The other judge, who was much more helpful, told me that I should build up tension more between characters in the awkward moments. Other than that, they told me to have more confidence in my presentation. I wanted to say to them "Well, I want to be a unit production manager. I don't want to pitch scripts. No one let me make a call sheet and turn that in," but I held myself back. Candice came for some moral support and cheered me on from the back row. I was very thankful for that.

The rest of Saturday was spent with family and friends. Mark and my father came up to visit. We were going to see Borat, but didn't make it out to Maumee in time, so we went to Grand Rapids instead. We walked along the river for a while, and checked out the campsites that are in the state park. We made some tentative plans for them to come back up in the spring and go camping along the river. We came back to Bowling Green and got some Campus Pollyeyes. Mark spent some time over at Matt's apartment (since Matt is the big brother that Mark never had...nevermind that Mark does have a big brother.) My father bought me some groceries, we watched a little of The Wedding Singer and they went back to Dayton. It was very enjoyable.

I fell asleep on Matt's floor while Dustin, Matt, Corey watched Chris play FFXII, and then Corey woke me up to see if I wanted to rent a movie. We stood around in Video Spectrum for a while, like we always do, and decided to just go back to my apartment and watch either Drop Dead Gorgeous or Election. (We chose the former.) Michelle, Chris and the room mates watched with us, it also was enjoyable. I fell asleep on the floor while some people played Sorry! and was eventually coaxed into going to bed.

Sunday I was lazy, and that was also enjoyable.

Things lately have just been very enjoyable. I am very thankful for that. There's not a lot of stress in my life right now, and I'm hoping for smooth sailing for the rest of the semester.

I hope that UFO goes smoothly tonight. A representative from The College Film Tour is coming to screen something. Steve set it all up, so thank you to him.

I am skipping my Thursday night pop culture class to go to a potluck at Corey, Mike and Grant's. This isn't really an acceptable excuse. Those boys, plus my room mates and a few other select few are my family up here, and I like family dinners more than class.

It's election day. Bob Taft's gubernatorial days are numbered. He is pictured below with his wife, Hope, and four esteemed Girl Scouts from Montgomery County: Ashley Kuflewski, Jenni Crist, Emily Berens, and Sarah Crist:

Hope was a very nice lady.

Also: I think I am going to see Death Cab for Cutie on Monday night, with Erin, Matt, and some other people(?). I saw them once, back in 12th grade with Ben Kweller, and I'd like to see them again. So, yay. Nevermind. Sold out. So, boo.

Thank you Panera.

Using free wireless. Yay! I don't like their select blend of coffee this morning, though. I like the free visitor center coffee better.

This morning at work I managed to go an entire shift without getting marker all over my hands. The last pass I wrote out proved to be the messiest, and I do have blue spots on my skin now. Grrreat.

I am still disgustingly behind in my script analysis class. Hopefully I'll catch up this morning.

I got word from my cousin Sarah last night. Grace woke up fine from surgery. We find out today about the tumor. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

After work in the shower, I thought about the difference between information and knowledge. I think that my brain is filled with mostly information. The way I compute that information determines whether or not it becomes knowledge. (Or so I've decided.)

Go listen to Old Crow Medicine Show. You can thank me later.

My cousin Grace went into the hospital this morning for some surgery. She has been coughing up blood, and they found a tumor on her lung. It was removed, and all is relatively well. In the next few days, we find out if the tumor was cancerous.

Please pray for her recovery, and for my family.

mac and cheese

My mother recently sent me my grandmother's recipe for my favorite dish ever. I guess I'm growing up now that my mother sends me recipes. Hopefully the next one I get is for stuffing.

Lydia Mae's Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

1 pound tube pasta, cooked for 6 minutes
1 1/2 pounds cheese (Colby, cheddar, combo), shredded
1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
4 eggs
4 cups milk
Salt, to taste

Pre-heat oven to 425
Put 1/2 pasta in casserole dish.
Sprinkle Parmesan, 1/2 mozzarella, and 1/2 Colby cheeses on top of pasta.
Add rest of pasta on top, as well as the remaining cheese.
Beat together egg, milk, and salt, pour over dish.
Bake for ten minutes at 425, then turn temperature down to 325, bake for 45 minutes.

Enjoy.

Also: Marie and I have been watching Rosanne just about every afternoon. It's really a great show.

That's right. I'm a Berens.

This morning I got to sleep in (all the way to 7:20!) I switched shifts with one of my co-workers so that I could help good ol' Matt Fredericks out with some interviews at PBS. While conducting the interviews, I decided that I want to interview everyone in my family. I'm not sure what I would do with all the hours of footage, but at least I would have it. I would have a little part of their existence documented on tape for future generations of Berens.

Even though I think my mother is a bit of a nut, and I don't really get along with my father, I love my family, and I am very proud to say when asked, "Yes, yes, I am a Berens" (it happens more than you would think.)

Also, since I am at work and have nothing to do with the time I have, I started doing some Google Image Searching. First off, I did my own name, not in quotes, and only one photo came up:

photo by max eberle
Oddly enough, it was a picture of me!

I also just googled "Berens," just to see if I recognized anyone. No luck at first, but I do hope a few of these people are distant relatives.

Dale Berens, Texas State Trooper


Peter Berens, author of some German book


Brad Berens, operator of Berens.org


Herr and Frau Berens, inkeepers


Richard Berens, swimmer


This Berens, wearer of funny moustache


Stephanie Berens, thinks she's a medieval princess


Thomas Berens, podiatrist

Five pages in, I came across this cool guy:

I pigsit for him. I also like to go see him play guitar. He's also one of the coolest people I have ever had the chance to know. He makes me very proud to be a Berens.

I saw Crank last night. It was terrible; I loved it.

Weekend, Attack of the Communist Gorilla from Mars

Weeks have been flying by faster than I can keep track of them. It is almost July 4th (what I always gauge as my halfway point in summer, even if it is not) and my room is still not completely cleaned from the move in the beginning of May. I figure that I'll just keep everything that is still packed in it's boxes and crates. Why unpack things that I haven't needed in two months for just a month? I should, however start doing a good job of cleaning my at home things, and getting rid of things that I haven't needed, or felt a need to keep in a while. I don't really see a point in keeping all of the clutter in my room that I've had since elementary school if there's no real reason for it.

Kyle didn't end up coming on Friday night. He was going to get a really late start, and he would not have been able to stay very long. Matt, Erica, Amy, and I were all very sad. Because we were so sad (and bored) that Kyle was not coming to visit, Matt, Merek and I got some ice cream, then drove to Springfield to visit his family. Their new house is very nice. Matt's mother had also just picked up a new stray cat, however they cannot keep it, because it is a boy-cat, and they only like to keep girl-cats.

On Saturday, my father and I went to a wedding of an old friend of ours. We met Sasha when I was in first grade, and she was in fifth. We were both members of the Blackfoot tribe in the Kettering nation of the YMCA Indian Princesses program. (The name and a lot of the traditions of this program have since been changed to be more politically correct.) My family has always been good friends with the Harrish's, but when they moved to Atlanta, we lost touch, until we were invited to Sasha's wedding. It was good to see the family, as well as the Waterworths, another family we knew from Indian Princesses and Indian Guides (the boys version of this program.)

Saturday night, Amy and Garrett came over, and we all had a few drinks (well Garrett drank a bottle of cheap wine) took a walk, and enjoyed each other's company. It was a very enjoyable time.

Sunday was less eventful, I worked at DSW. This week we are allowed to wear business casual clothing in order to promote sandal sales (???). The store is also being reorganized tonight from 7PM to 7AM, and I know that tonight when I go in, I will be very confused and not be on top of my shoe-selling game. Hopefully I'll just have a register.

A lot of exciting things are happening this week. Tomorrow night, Attack of the Communist Gorilla from Mars is being premiered at The Neon Movies. This is an extremely exciting event for us, we started production on this the summer before I left for college, and since then, there has been re-writes, re-shoots, and just total re-dos of pretty much everything on the project. I doubt that any of the original footage will make it into the final cut. Props to Garrett and Steve for finally getting this monster finished. Who would have ever thought it would be finished, let alone premiere at our hometown movie theatre?

Later in the week I am going to Athens to help Amy start to make her new house more homey. And also to have a get-together with her friends in Athens. Unfortunately, the trip will be cut short, because I have to work at DSW on Saturday afternoon.

Until then, I'll be working a lot, and spending any free time playing in the woods or laying in the sun listening to a number of albums that I've recently been in love with.

Customer harassment, Outbacks

Michael's graduation was this weekend, it was long. We celebrated by having dinner at Figilo's, and then there was a celebratory campfire, featuring a wide variety of guests.

DSW has gone crazy for customer service lately, and we have a new sales strategy: dressing in business casual clothing, walk around and talk to customers. Not just "Hi, how are you today?" or a simple "Did you need help with anything?" but starting conversations with the unprepared shoe shoppers. Frankly, if I was shopping for shoes and someone approached me in business clothing wanting to know things about my personal life, I would get scared, and possibly aggressive.

So, lately, I have been searching to find a car to buy (well, pay for most of. I am still a poor college student.) I'm looking to buy a Subaru Outback Sport, circa 1996 or later.

While visiting Amy, I found one in Athens for only $4,300, however my mother was not keen on the idea of buying a car that is two hours away (never mind that it was in my price range, had all of the requirements I was looking for, and we have yet to find one in the Dayton area.) I have also found an Outback (Legacy, not Sport) in Bowling Green through the myBGSU service, but again, my mother has ignored me whilst telling her about the automobile. If anyone knows where I could get one of these, please clue me in!

Michael Berens: High School Graduate

My brother, Michael is graduating from high school tomorrow afternoon. I have the day off in celebration. I hate to be bitter, but he is the favorite child. I do get to see all of my cousins, though, and I am excited about that.

In honor of Michael's high school graduation, I am buying myself a digital camera today with this week's DSW paycheck. I don't know how I convinced myself that was good reasoning.

Also in honor of Michael's graduation, here is a photo of me on my high school graduation. Somehow, I got lined up next to none other than Miss Hillary Bennett. We were infamous in advisory for talking during morning announcements, Channel 1 News, and at any other point when talking was not allowed. We are being followed closely by my friends Julia and Ross. Oh high school.

Since Michael is graduating, my grandmother, Bernice, on my mother's side has come for a visit. As usual, she is driving us all insane, especially my mother. Yesterday while we were at work, Bernice decided that all of the trees in the backyard needed a trim. She somehow rounded up the woman from across the street to help her with this insane project, and a few hours later, our best shade tree had been brutally hacked, as well as our sugar maple. Our once shady (and almost completely private deck can be seen from our neighbors yard--and the road behind the house--once again. Thanks, Gram. Don't get me wrong, she's my grandmother, and I love her, but she's insane.