Pretty hands do pretty things when pretty times arrive.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

"Leap year is late."

Some news updates...

The band Ok Go has made quite a splash with their hit new video for "Here It Goes Again". In it, the band, using a home video camera, film themselves performing a self-choreographed "dance" involving the use of treadmills. The video has since become a popular viewing on the streaming video site youtube.com. What does it say about a culture if, when a large percent of the population is obese, people won't look at treadmills unless a catchy power pop band choreographs a dance on them...in pink trousers and sunglasses?



Plans have been made to send a moderate group of UN peacekeeping forces to aid the African Union in assuaging the violence in the Darfur region, although their true role is unclear. Here's hoping that Operation: Remember What Happened in Rwanda? goes well.



Brad Pitt has continued to maintain his position that he will not marry Angelina Jolie until everyone has the right to marry whomever they wish. Apparently, Brad Pitt lives in a TV reality show where he thinks people care. Gee-whiz, Brad! What the heck do we care? I have a better cause, Brad. You should promise to never ever open your mouth until mute people have the right to talk. Please, take that one up.



The Dallas Cowboys have celebrated their seat at the top of the NFC East and playoff entrance.....by getting shanked by the Philadelphia Eagles in probably their most important game of the season. Wide Receiver Terrell Owens offered his own helpful suggestion for the loss: "Meh, they didn't throw me the ball enough, meh..." Apparently, Terrell Owens thinks that he is the difference between a W (win) and an L (loss), because his teammates forgot to throw the ball to him. T. O. seems to not realize that he forgot to catch the ball. In a related story, I just want to point out that Terrell Owens has 1 more L in his name than he has W's. So, he's already one game behind himself.

The Dallas Cowboy's publicity team has tried to put positive spin on the situation. Their solution is to sell small blue and white necklaces which fit tightly around the neck. They're being called the Official "Chokers" of the Dallas Cowboys. (hehe) Proceeds will benefit the "Hey, T. O., you want some cheese with that wine?" fund.

---Brandon


"We're lookin' at a thing in a bag."

I hate so much about the things that you choose to be.

So here are the final pictures from my trip to England. Now that I have a new computer I can post them up here.

There's also some from Christmas Day.


Sunday, December 17, 2006

Wuh-oh

So that last song should be the fourth one. I made a boo boo. Siah, you pick two now.

"I love you through sparks and shining dragons I do"

"Well, I'm back."

Hmm, I guess Samwise did say it best. Wow. I feel like I just woke up from a 14 week long dream (a mini Van Winkle) and I can't shake the memory. I don't want to though. I'll miss England forever I think. I'm even choking up just writing about it.

On the plus side, I did finally get to listen to my Lovedrug EP....and it's everything I hoped. Man I love them. Also, I had a huge and greasy cheesesteak about 2 hours ago, washed it down with an Arizona raspberry iced tea, and then watched the Redskins hand it to the Saints.

That was a homecoming treat. Thanks guys, especially Carlos Rogers for making the block when we needed it.

Downsides now. I still have to finish my Ethics paper by Tuesday night. But i am all researched, so now I just need to outline and write. I'm going for it.

And to make good on a promise I made like 2 weeks ago, here is the third song in that whole "songs that can save the world" thing:


"Made Up Lovesong #43" by the Guillemots

I love you through sparks and shining dragons, I do,
now there's poetry, in an empty coke can.
I love you through sparks and shining dragons, I do,
now there's majesty in a burnt out caravan.

You got me off the paper round, just sprang out of the air,
The best things come from nowhere,
I love you, I don't think you care.

I love you through sparks and shining dragons, I do,
and the symmetry in your northern grin
I love you through sparks and shining dragons, I do,
I can see myself in the refill litter bin.

You got me off the sofa, just sprang out of the air,
the best things come from nowhere,
I can't believe you care



and the first two, just to recap, were "Bike" from Pink Floyd and "Big Trucks" from Pedro the Lion (correct me if I'm wrong, Siah).

And if my England peeps are reading, you all are ace.

--Brandon

"Sometimes I could cry for a mile"

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

"Fall into pairs like two ugly fish..."

So it's been almost two weeks since I updated. That's bad news.

I managed to get two of my assignments pushed back a few days, which is ace because I would not in any way have had time enough to write them all. But what a weekend I've had!

Soph, Doug, Rachael, Rose Marie, Patrick, and I all went to the great city of London again on Friday for shopping, fancy dinner, and a show. Yeah, we bought cheap tickets to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria, with the original actress playing Elfaba. Sweetness!

Then there was the Christmas ball. It started out fun because the DJ played interesting songs...and then they left and some ding-dong just started playing whatever songs would make 300 drunk teenagers dance (does every Brit know the words to "Livin' On A Prayer"?). But still, a fun night.

That weekend also saw me shut myself in my room and the Learning center to finish not one but two papers. I got 'em done in time for dinner on Monday with Sandy and some Americans at the Hog's.

I can't believe I'll be home in two days! Although after tonight, I want to get as far away from Moda as possible. It was fun, until creepy guys started showing themselves. But everyone was alright, so that's what counts. Thanks goodness.

I'm gonna miss the English like I'd miss my arms and legs.

But I'll get to see some quality Americans so that's a good trade.

--Brandon

"Aliens ain't farmers."

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Songs that can save the World.

Oh wow, it's been a long long time since I have posted.

There's only like 6 days until I'm in America again. I'm definitely getting a cheesesteak and Mike 'n' Ike...and sleeping. Oh yeah and hanging out with everyone i haven't gotten to for the last 3 months.

I have two essays due tomorrow, one I am mostly done with and one I am only 30% done with. It'll be a fun night tonight. Especially with all of the fun-planning that's going on this week. O, I also have a law test on Wednesday, a Strategy case study, and an ethics paper for Friday. If you all back in the States would pray for me, i would appreciate it greatly.

The last weekend in town was amazing though! London and The Apollo Victoria filled the itinerary for Friday. And after a three hour early morning bus ride, wow! was that a fun day. Some shopping before dinner at H+M and TopShop; I picked up a sweater for the Christmas dance and then I convinced everyone to go to a Borders, so that I could be around my books.

The Christmas dance was its own story. Goofing off + crazy dancing + laughing at the people who drank a little too much = one fun night.

In conclusion, Josiah and I are starting a back and forth sort of deal. We each pick songs that we think can save the world and include them. The first was "Bike" by Pink Floyd and the second was "Big Trucks" by Pedro the Lion.

So this time the song is...

"Killer Queen" by Queen

She keeps her Moet et Chandon in a pretty cabinet
'Let them eat cake.' she says just like Marie Antoinette
A built-in remedy for Kruschev and Kennedy
At anytime an invitation you can't decline

Caviar and cigarettes,
Well-versed in etiquette,
Extr'ordinarily nice,

She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind (anytime)
Ooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable in appetite (Wanna try?)

To avoid complications she never kept the same address
In conversation she spoke just like a baroness
Met a man from China went down to Geisha Minor
(Killer, killer, she's a killer Queen)
But then again incidentally, if you're that way inclined

Perfume came naturally from Paris (naturally)
For cars she couldn't care less
Fastidious and precise

She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind (anytime)



Well there you have it. Enjoy.

--Brandon

"It's a fine line between stupid and clever."

Saturday, December 02, 2006

"The monster's round that corner..."

Wow, University is much harder without a computer.

Just to pass on the news, sometime in the last few days, my Compaq decided to conveniently forget that it has a hard drive. I fiddled with it and consulted some reliable sources and...yeah, pretty much it's done. Eh well, At least it was only a couple of weeks before I get home.

I still can't believe I'll be back in the States in 2 weeks. I'm still just getting settled here, with friends, and classes, and knowing the town I'm living in...but I am looking forward to not having five loud Brits come back drunk from the club and hang out in my flat's kitchen....at 3 in the morning. Plus I miss my VA crew like crazy.

The loss of my computer aslo means that there cannot be any more pictures posted for you viewing pleasure, at least for a little while. Which is a shame because I have some beautiful ones of the town of Winchcombe and the tea room that Rachael and Mark and I ate at. Hooray for scones and cream and tea.

Next week should be sweet especially with the trip to London to do some Christmas shopping and sight-seeing, as well as a short stop at the Apollo to see Wicked! Oh yes, a good week indeed. i just have to get through three more essays.

Goddess feminism, dharma vs. postmodernism, and a business law essay. Woo and hoo.

Also, props to Cincy for beating Baltimore in an upset. Not that I have any dislike for Baltimore. I just like upsets.

Football tomorrow, library tonight, and church in the morning.

--Brandon

"And in the right light, we're just angels with enemies"