An Ode to Grad School

I wanted you, worked hard
So many highs and lows
Years of rejection and nights left wondering

You said you'd be mine
And my heart overflowed
Visions of happiness, dreams fulfilled
I was so eager, so impatient to know
All your secrets
There was so much to learn

So I took an extra class,
And then another
And now all I do is dream of summer

Live From West Rox

Boston -- West Roxbury

So Excited

FIRST LADY OF FITNESS

The Chicago Sun Times is killing me with their "US Magazine" inspired coverage of the Obamas:

No one disputes that Michelle Obama has earned the right to bare arms. They are perfectly toned. They aren't scary like Madonna's guns, or skinny like the Olsen twins' useless appendages.

"Michelle Obama's arms are attractive because they are toned enough for you to see the muscle distinction but not to the point that it takes away from her femininity," says Jennifer Smith, fitness and sports director at the High Ridge YMCA in Rogers Park. "This proves that women can do weight training exercises and reach their desired results without bulking up."

Some are going even further in their praise. On the Huffington Post, media maven Bonnie Fuller wrote that she sees them as nothing less than symbols of the audacity of hope. "Michelle's strong arms convey the message that if she can personally hug and lift us out of a lousy economy and a lack of top health care or education for everyone, she will," Fuller said.

Michelle Obama (left) has earned the right to bare her arms, which are perfectly toned. Jennifer Smith of the YMCA demonstrates one exercise to help build the perfect arms.

I don't think Michelle can hug us out of the economic crisis, but maybe she could use her big, smart brain instead? She's a lawyer, people, Harvard Law School.

U.S. Administration Can Spell W-O-M-E-N

The Obama's are the gift that keep giving. Michelle is talking about the importance of eating locally grown veggies, and on International Women's Day, she and Hill teamed up to drop some feminist knowledge on the State Department. It's so refreshing to hear Hillary Clinton saying cool things again. We had to wait a long time, but it's good:

You "can't solve problems of financial crisis, climate change, disease and poverty if half of the population is left behind," Clinton said. The rights of women will "always be central to our foreign policy."

In a commentary published Monday in honor of International Women's Day, Clinton warned that "women still comprise the majority of the world's poor, unfed and unschooled."

Weasels Gone Wild, Spring Break '09!

Spring break began for me on Thursday at 9:20pm, when I busted out of my copy editing class after finishing the midterm (don't think I did well). Since then I've been up to all manner of crazy hijinks. First thing I did was take myself down to the Tam, a nice dive bar near Emerson, scrape together all my coins, and buy a PBR. I've had a little cash flow problem the past few weeks, so that was all I could afford, but the bartender said she didn't mind me paying with quarters. We're in a recession after all.

Things have only gotten more awesome since then. Friday I went to Harvard Square with Tory, and ate Indian Food while watching Californiacation and Wizard People, Dear Reader (cray cray). Saturday I took my grammy out to thai food with my cousin, Jen, which was just about the sweetest thing anyone has ever seen. And today I quilted and watched Keeping Up With the Kardashians (too sickening for words). How will I detox from such toxic pop culture? With a four day stay at Kripalu of course!



My mom and I leave tomorrow for our yoga retreat adventure, and I am so excited. Here is part of our itinaray: Tue 3/10
6:30–7:45 am Kripalu Gentle and Moderate Yoga Classes
9:00–10:30 am Ayurveda: Life in Balance
Come learn simple, everyday approaches for increasing your health and vitality through Ayurveda, an ancient approach to health care that originated in India. Ayurvedic wisdom teaches us to connect with our deepest selves, the source of all healing.
11:00–11:50 am Breath of Yoga, Breath of Life
Explore the integrative power of breath, both on and off the yoga mat. We'll talk, move, meditate, and breathe. All levels welcome!
12:00–1:00 pm Kripalu YogaDance
2:00–2:50 pm Transforming Stress
With the economic challenges facing so many of us, stress is the single greatest medical risk to maintaining good health. Come learn how stress affects your health and how self care is your best insurance policy.
4:15–5:45 pm Kripalu Gentle and Vigorous Yoga Classes
4:15–6:15 pm Kripalu Extended Moderate Yoga Class
7:30–9:00 pm Whole Foods Cooking Demo
Join us for a comprehensive talk and hands-on demonstration on the joys and benefits of whole food cooking. Learn simple methods for a healthier diet that you can maintain throughout the year.

It is so on! (Hippy Style)

Current Celebrity Obsession: Peter Sarsgaard

I used to be seriously freaked out by Peter Sarsgaard, then I realized he was doing it on purpose. Probably most queers will remember him as one of the rapists in Boys Don't Cry, which was a convincing and terrifying portrayal. For a while his beady eyes and greasy hair were the personification of evil.

But slowly my opinion of Peter started to changed. It helped that since then he has played in such homo loving movies as Kinsey and Garden State (OK, Garden State is totally hetero and not gay at all, but I love it). He has continued to take creepy roles, but I think he brings complexity and depth to each character.

When I heard he was with Maggie Gyllenhaal (isn't it weird how they both have two a's at the end of their names?), I thought "This guy has got to be cool." Last year he starred in Chekov's The Seagull on Broadway, which my friend Jess said was amazing, and now he and Maggie are both doing Uncle Vanya--could he get cooler? Apparently yes, because he referred to Maggie, his fiancee and baby mama, as his "lover" in a recent interview. So cute. Here is a fun quote from my friend, and fellow Catholic, Peter:

"I like the death-cult aspect of Catholicism. Every religion is interested in death, but Catholicism takes it to a particularly high level...Seriously, in Catholicism, you're supposed to love your enemy. That really impressed me as a kid, and it has helped me as an actor...The way that I view the characters I play is part of my religious upbringing. To abandon curiosity in all personalities, good or bad, is to give up hope in humanity."

You are so intriguing Mr. Sarsgaard, who would have thought there'd be a special place in my heart for you?

Jack Black is Gay Jebus

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... from Jack Black

Monster Child

This kid is like the GOP version of Britney Spears; equally brainwashed and hell bent on destruction.

No Mas!

Please stop snowing, snow. I can't take it anymore. Between you and homework, I just can't deal anymore. Spring break isn't for another week, I have a f-ing copy editing midterm on Thursday, and you are crushing my will to live. That's not what you want is it, snow?

I know you have a reputation for being harsh to even the most gentle creatures, but all I am asking is for you to go away and not come back for another year. I think it's a reasonable request, which I hope you will honor.