well. it’s a new semester.

So far, I’m failing pretty miserably at my blog project. I want to try to do a vlog tonight…or maybe tomorrow. Maybe I’ll do Friday recaps, since my only class is at 10 on Fridays.

I guess we can talk about the new semester now! So far, I’m loving it. I don’t have any classes I dislike (as much as I gripe about Talon, sometimes I do enjoy it. I like the people in it, at any rate.), and…really, I just love all of my classes. I’m only taking 12 hours, which, if you’ve known me in college, is a HUGE step down from my usual 17-19 hours. However, I’m a co-editor for Soundings, my school’s literary journal, and I’m doing Spring Sing, which starts Monday night (ack!), and I’m currently looking for a job (know of one? let me know.), so I’m sure I’ll still be as busy as ever.

Let’s go over my classes.

MWF mornings, I have American Lit survey III, which is…crowded. It’s a full class and we’re in one of the small side classrooms of the department, so that’s kind of frustrating. But I’m looking forward to it. It should be interesting, and I think I’m going to learn a lot. The only downside is that we’ve had to cut back on our readings because there are so many people, and we have to make time for presentations. I wish we could cut them from 15 min to 10 min, and that would give us at least another week of reading, I feel like. Oh well. I’m sure it’ll all work itself out.

M afternoon I have Symposium, but we haven’t had it yet. We traditionally don’t have it the first week of the semester, and then WE’RE GETTING OFF MLK Jr DAY THIS YEAR, so we don’t have it next week, either. I’m thrilled to death that we’re getting the holiday – this is the first time since I’ve been here that we’ve gotten a minor holiday. May not seem like much, but…I’m looking forward to it.

W afternoon is Talon. I’m still writing features, so I’m still with my same group of girls, which I’m excited about – I love all of them. And Lori’s back from PacRim, so she’s with us again, too! My story for next week is about The Non CD release this weekend – if you’re going Friday, I’ll see you there!

TR I have two classes: Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition, and Creative Writing I. Spanish…well. I haven’t taken a Spanish class since the summer before last, so I’m feeling pretty rusty. I didn’t publicly embarrass myself this week, though, so that’s good – not to say it won’t happen one of these days, though. If it does, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Creative…I feel like I’ve come home. These are my absolute favorite classes – I get to really write what I want, and the way I want, and at the pace I want. This is the basis for one of my weekly goals, and I’m proud to say that I’ve already blown this week’s goal out of the water. We had a writing prompt on Tuesday about a scene in which the protag is betrayed by a lifelong friend, and…I found a way to work it into my project. Anditmightpossiblybealmost1500wordssofar. I know. It’s too much. But to tell it the way it needed to be told, it had to be that long. I just hope she doesn’t ask me to read it aloud. I mean, I would be fine with that because I love it, but that’s probably a good 8-10 minutes of reading.

And speaking of crowded classes, there are 24 people in that class. Wowee sir bob. Yeah. Oh well. I’m sure it’ll be great.

So, back to polishing my scene. I hope everyone else is having a wonderful week!

Nick Hornby is the best: or, why I want to be a writer.

By showing you this clip, I am sparing you the horror that is the theatrical trailer. Don’t watch that. It’s embarrassingly bad.

It all started with a book called HIGH FIDELITY, given me by a good friend about…two years ago? Has it really been that long? Anyway. The movie adaptation is in my top 10 movies of all time (there are few strangers in this world I love more than John Cusack), but I’d never made time to sit down and read the book.

Well, I read the book, and I found my secret writing instructor in Nick Hornby.

Nick Hornby does not know this. Nick Hornby does not know I exist. But there is really no one whose writing style and voice I admire more than his.

I started reading an excerpt of his newest book, JULIET, NAKED, last night, and while I realize this makes me sound like a Duncan (posting this to the Internet and all), I needed to say it. This is the first book I’ve felt compelled to just sit and read in a few months. I feel like everything I have a question about when I write is answered in this book. Not directly – but isn’t that almost better?

I’ve been toying with the idea of writing in third person, maybe even omniscient, but it seems overwhelming. I’m decent at writing in first person – how scary is it to dive into something new? But he does it so effortlessly, I think it must be possible for me. I’m sure it isn’t actually effortless – nothing ever is, for a writer – but he just does it so well. I’ve wondered “How can you write in third person and still get across what you want to say without sounding like a pretentious idiot?” and similar things, but this book is so well-written that I feel like my questions have been answered.

Of course, I’ve learned that the question of “How can I _____ better?” in writing is simply JUST DO IT. Usually, things like this can’t be done better or just improved upon without…just writing better. Making a conscious effort about what you’re doing, and just do it better. Which is unfortunate, really, but…I guess that’s why not everyone is getting novels published (I didn’t say people weren’t writing them – anyone can write a novel. Not everyone can write a quality, publishable novel. I’m not saying I’m above that. I’m just saying it because it’s true.).

Last night, I also started looking up interviews that he’s done with various publications. Most interviews with authors tend to ask the same questions (where do you find inspiration, how do you write, what is your method, do you have advice, etc.), but most authors tend to answer differently every time, depending on the intended audience. I find that fascinating, and therefore I also find that you can always learn something new from an interview.

All of his novels, including About a Boy (1998), How to Be Good (2001), and A Long Way Down (2005), involve, as he says, “situations where ordinary people living relatively ordinary lives get bent out of shape by something quite momentous.”

…

Perhaps it is this combination of momentous changes and rich inner worlds that has endowed Hornby’s books with such widespread appeal—every one of his novels has been optioned or made into a film. Or perhaps filmmakers and readers are attracted to his stories’ strong narrative pulse, or the way he balances a difficult situation—depression, heartache, attempted suicide, teen pregnancy—with humor and, ultimately, redemption.

[The Younger Side of Nick Hornby, The Atlantic]

I guess I’m not really going anywhere with this post. But whatever you do next, I hope it’s reading one of his novels. They’re just really good.

PS If you’re a fan of Hornby and you haven’t read Alain de Botton, I recommend it.

PPS Did I mention that he co-wrote an album with Ben Folds, coming out sometime this year, nicknamed Foldsby? I mean, honestly. My favorite writer and my favorite musician writing an album together. What are the odds?

Don’t worry, Spring Sing is covered (by Mark Thomas)

Karissa and I are sitting in my living room, and my dad and brother just came back from Boy Scouts.  And my dad sat down with us, and this is what happened:

“We’ll start off with Blues Brothers. We’ll do the first minute of Soul Man, except we’ll call it Fresh Man. And then the next song…how many songs do you work into it? The overall theme is my four years in college, we’ll go from being a freshman to a senior. If they’re there for five years….well, I’m going on the past here. Your parents paid for four, and they want you out in four. Four is the new five. After Fresh Man, then it’s “All you freshmen gather round, let me give you some good advice. Who’s making grades in all your classes while you were out having fun?” That’s the sophomore chant. Then the third song is, on the record it’s called Going Back to Miami, but you’ll call it Going Back to MyOC. Then the next song is Aretha Franklin, singing “you better think about what you’re trying to do to me,” but then you’ll do “you better think about you’re gonna be hiring me.” Then you’re pretty much done. There’s your show.

I had one last year that I wrote that was pretty much about who would Elvis vote for, Obama or McCain. It was Elvis, singing about all…you had…some of the Elvises were hip, young Elvises were voting for Obama, and the fat and forty Elvises were voting for McCain. All the upbeat songs were for Obama, and all the funky, old slow ballads, real cheesy, “It’s only make believe,” those were all the John McCain songs. So in the end, Elvis voted for Obama. The young, hip, cool Elvises won. So, once again, nobody used my show. White men say only fools rush in, but I can’t help voting Republican.”

Yes. Direct quote.

Blog Project 2010

Well. Well well well. Here we are, time to make some decisions. Remember how I talked about my new blog project for the semester? Well, this is it. I guess you could call it the bucket list for spring 2010. I mean…no one’s kicking the bucket here, but still. It’s kind of the same thing.

Below you’ll find all the things I want to do this semester. But keep in mind that because I’m in college and trying to save up my money, I’m trying to do all of these on the cheap (or free). So, here we go!

I have some weekly goals, things I want to accomplish every week. These are:

• Run at least 4 miles per week. I’m hoping for more, but this is a minimum – since the OC loop is 2ish miles, this is running twice a week minimum.
• Cook a Pioneer Woman meal. Well. Cook something new every week. I’m going to start with P-Dub’s stuff, but if I find something I really want to make, I’m going to try that. This is going to be real cooking. No cake in a cup for this (although it does look delicious).
• Write at least 2,000 words per week on my novel or do some serious editing and revision. It sounds lame and whatever, but with school and Soundings and everything else going on, I feel like this is a good goal. I’ll be required to write at least 1,000 per week for class, so this seems like a good achievement goal.
• Save money for summer rent. I’m going to be working this semester because I’m going to live off-campus starting in May. To do this, I really need to save my money.
• Get a fish and keep it alive all semester. I’m good with bigger animals, but for some reason I just can’t keep a fish. I have everything I need except the fish itself. So. A challenge.

And now, the big list:

JANUARY: Sew something from a pattern

Jan 3-9: Start learning how to sew. I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I haven’t started learning how to use it yet. I know the tiniest bit about sewing…but not much.

Jan 10-16: Start vlogging (video blogging). I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, so…why not start now? This is the actual first week of school, so I figured it’s as good a time as any. I’m going to vlog at least once a week, depending on how I find editing to be. I realize this should be in the “weekly” category, but since I’ve never done this before, I chose to put it here (I already know how to cook and run).

Also my friend’s band The Non has their second CD release the 15th and 16th. Hopefully I can go to one of these. I need to buy my ticket soon!

Jan 17-23: I don’t have anything for here yet! Ack!!

Jan 24-30: Jan 30 is the Chocolate Festival in Norman. I will be attending. Yes. Anyone else want to come? Also the 29th is the release date for When in Rome, starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel – my roommates and I already have plans to go see it.

FEBRUARY: Be a vegetarian

Jan 31- Feb 6: I’m going to First Friday in Oklahoma City this Friday. I’ve never been, and it’s an art walk around the Paseo. Supposed to be fantastic – I’m missing out. Not anymore!

Feb 7-13: the 12th-14th is the Affair of the Heart in OKC. It’s a festival of crafts and things. I’ve always wanted to go and never have.

Feb 14-20: the 19th and 20th are the reenactment of the Battle of Round Mountain in Yale, just outside of Stillwater. I’ve never been to a battle reenactment. A reenactment of any kind, really. Reenactment is hard to type. Again, looking for people to go with.

Feb 21-27: Hopefully going to the Pauls Valley Action Figure Museum this week sometime

MARCH: Take an interesting picture every day.

Feb 28- Mar 6: This is Spring Sing week, so I’m not planning to do anything crazy. Alice in Wonderland comes out the 5th, so…when I’m not doing Spring Sing, I’m going to go see it. Hopefully I can go in the afternoon, since I’m done after chapel on Fridays.

Mar 7-13: I don’t have anything for this week yet! I’m going to take it easy this week, too, since I’ll be playing a little catch up and relaxing, I’m sure. Also pre-enrollment for the fall is this week. My final time to enroll in classes! Wahoo!

Mar 14-20: Spring Break! This week I should be going to St. Louis for Sigma Tau Delta conference. I’ve never been to St. Louis.

Mar 21-27: the 27th is the Arbor Day Celebration in Edmond – close and interesting! I hear they give away free baby trees at this. Maybe I’ll get one.

Mar 28- April 3: April 3 is the Mike McDonald Fun Run, OC’s annual 5k in memory of Mike McDonald. My social service club always sponsors it and we either run or cheer runners. I’ve always cheered. This year, I run.

APRIL: Write a poem a day.

April 4-10: I don’t have anything for here yet! Also, my friend Carly is directing her play “Two Rooms” (Lee Blessing) this weekend, so I’m going to support her in that.

April 11-17: I don’t have anything for here yet!

April 18-24: April 20-25 is the Festival of the Arts, the annual OKC gathering of artists and art-lovers. I’ve never been…so…I’ll go this year.

April 25- May 1: April 25th is the OKC Memorial Marathon. I won’t be running the entire marathon (duh), but since OC always has people that go (including my roommates), I’m going to go at least the 5k. I’m hoping to go for the 10k. I guess we’ll see when we get there.

AND THAT’S THE END OF THE SEMESTER.

The week after that is the week I could try turning 22. If I wanted. Man, 22 sounds old. Gosh. After 21 I feel like everything goes downhill, at least in terms of birthdays. Nothing exciting happens on birthdays until you’re 40. And that’s a ways away (I hope).

So what do you think of my list? Any ideas for things? I don’t love all of these, so if you think of something new I could do, I’d love to hear your ideas.

Conversations with Davis: 001

Davis I got 3 chocolate chip cookies when we were out. They were 3 for a dollar, so I got some.

Bailey That sounds good. Three cookies for a dollar. Did you bring me one?

Davis No, I ate them all.

Bailey Whoa, extravagance.

Davis Yeah. But they were really good. I ate them really fast. I got them when mom was in the checkout line and by the time she was done I had eaten them all. It was really convenient.

Bailey That is convenient for you.

I’ve decided to blog some of my conversations with Davis, since they’re always funny and interesting. PS If you don’t know, he’s my 11-year-old brother. It’s just the two of us, so he’s grown up around high school and college kids, and he’s very smart and very witty (usually he wins our verbal spars because he’s quicker on the uptake than I am. I know. I know.).

‘Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the state, a blizzard had arrived, not one day too late.

Yes, you heard that right. We have officially been in a blizzard warning all day. Some people have braved the outdoors, but most (like myself) have stayed in jammies all day and just relaxed. I watched a few hours of season one of Lost, played Wii with my brother, slept some, wrapped a few presents, that kind of thing.

Since I haven’t done any holiday-themed posts this semester, I thought I would give you one. Here’s a list of what I’ve learned this year to take with me into 2010, the new decade, one of adulthood and graduating and learning how to live.

• Be involved in school while you still can. No matter what you think is more important – if you have time, be involved. It makes for better memories.
• Don’t take everything so seriously. No, really. I know everyone says this, but only in the past six months have I realized that not everything is a matter of life and death, and that not everything really has to be about me. Not all decisions people make are based on what my reaction will be. Learned that. It’s useful.
• Twitter is good. Being a Twitterholic? Good when you win free stuff, otherwise makes you look like a dummy. I’m fast approaching 4,000 tweets and still pumping out about 20 per day, but I’m trying to cut back. Can I justify this at all by saying most of them were from this summer when I didn’t have friends with me? No? Okay.
• Blog more, but only if people are going to read it. Blogging is great. But pick an audience and stick to it. If that’s your friends and family, that’s completely fine. Don’t try to blog about everything in the world because, unless you’re getting to paid to do it, you probably can’t win that game. I blogged about my summer in New York, and now I blog about my life in general. And I like it. And Katy still comments on it, so I feel justified.
• Learn how to use Parallels on your OC laptop, make shared folders, save multiple GBs of hard drive space.
• Take pictures. You can delete them later if you don’t want them. But if you don’t take them, you’ll never know.
• Subscribe to Netflix. I’m on the $8.99/month plan and I LOVE IT. It doesn’t get much better than this, folks. Plus, unlimited online viewing of about half their movies and tv? All seasons of Lost available for instant viewing?? Yes, please!
• Don’t take everyone so seriously. Most college people aren’t on the straight path to ultimate ambition and career success. It’s okay to sit back and relax a little, have some fun.
• People are dropping like flies. Especially celebrities. So if you are keeping a secret, keep it no longer. Let it out. You don’t want to wake up and find out your best friend has died of a heart attack in the shower.

I’m sure there are more, but this is all I can think of on the spot. If I think of more, I’ll add them.

What have you learned this year? Have you made any mistakes you feel like you should’ve known better about?

Don’t think I haven’t forgotten about my blog project for next semester. I’m still working on it. I think it’ll be my New Year’s post. Instead of resolutions, it’ll be my projects and ideas for next semester. I’m still taking contributions, by the way. Comment or email them to me at bailey (d0t) thomas (at) oc (dot) edu.

Have a very Merry Christmas and I’ll see you soon!

Christmas time is here!

Well, fall semester is finally over. It was probably the longest semester of my life – emotionally, mentally, strategically, grammatically…you name it, it was there. I didn’t do as well as I had hoped on my grades, but I have two more semesters to make 4.0s, so that’s the plan there. I’m only taking 12 hours in each, so I’m really not that concerned about it.

I have two new dilemmas to tackle:

1. I need a job next semester. I’d really prefer something on-campus, but unfortunately, I’m not work/study, so that cuts out about 90% of campus jobs, I’m pretty sure. Do any of you know of any on-campus jobs I could work? Anyone? Or, barring that, I’d really like to work a part-time job (probably retail, since that’s where I have experience) within a few miles of campus. I have a really great schedule next semester – nothing after 12:30 on MWF, so that leaves afternoons open for working. It’s really convenient.

So if you know about anything I could apply for, I’d be forever grateful.

2. Starting next summer, I’m going to be paying rent and living off-campus. But right now, that’s as far as I’ve gotten. My number one choice is sharing a house in Edmond with a few people, and after that it’s apartments and things. I’d really like to get a dog sometime, so pro-pets is preferable.

Here’s the kicker: I’ve never rented an apartment (the one in NY I found on Craigslist – I am not doing that in Oklahoma) before, so I don’t really know what I’m doing or where to start.

Do you know anything about this? Any tips? Websites to go with? People to talk to? I’m preparing to move in May 1 and stay for at least a year or so.

Help?

(In other news, there’s a season 1-5 recap of Lost up on iTunes for free. I recommend it. Season 6 starts up February 2.)

Making a list, and checking it twice…

Wish I would’ve done that. I’ve been home for three and a half hours, and I’m already remembering things I’ve forgotten in my apartment. And since I go to OC, I can’t get back in until break is over.

SO a live updating list of things I wish I would’ve brought home, as I need them and realize I don’t have them:

• Digital camera (1:00 pm, 12/19)
• Rubber hair bands (1:00 pm, 12/19)
• Infinity loop scarf (6:26 pm, 12/19)

More to come, I’m sure…

But I am glad to be home. I hope it goes well.

What did you forget? Anything? I hope not. If you remembered everything, I’m jealous.

even if it’s bold italic.

posts on my life forthcoming, now that finals are almost over. don’t worry. i haven’t died (yet).

It’s like Christmas, but better – double fashion giveaways!

Well, I have some absolutely fantastic news for you: I’m about to introduce you to two completely free and completely awesome giveaways.

The first: My friend Jaime, the Denim Debutante, the very same who wrote the Black Friday article for me on her blog last week, is holding a denim giveaway with Marc Allison Jeans.

Here’s a little info about Marc Allison Jeans, straight from the DD herself:

Marc Allison Jeans (formerly Marc Alan jeans) is a brand new line that has only just come out this quarter. It’s available at Theory and is part of the new wave of premium denim: lots of stretch combined with lots of comfort. Utilizing not only the two-way XFIT Lycra (a pretty new innovation from Invista), but blending that with 70% of oh-so-glorious Supima Cotton. Yes kids, you read that right. Supima.

I was sent a pair of the Mishi Skinny in Resin (a very, VERY dark blue) to try out, and I’m very pleased with how they’ve panned out for my figure. The jeans run small (very similar in sizing to J Brand and DL1961) but are a snug fit that really is flattering. You know how some jeans are just tight and make you look bigger than you really are?

These are not that pair. They’re snug, yes, but a way that keeps everything in and looks leaner and sexier.

And how can you win a fabulous pair of these jeans? Well, the first way to enter is to trot yourself over to her blog and just leave a comment on that post. It’s really that easy. She also has several ways to get more entries, so if you’re interested in these very awesome jeans, go check it out.

And, the second giveaway…

It’s the “You Deserve The Best” giveaway from Fantabulously Frugal, another great website that I highly recommend. Here’s a little note from the writer:

When people asked me what I was thankful for on Thanksgiving, the first thing that came to mind was this website. Fantabulously Frugal started out as a hobby – a way for me to fill my time once I completed grad school. What it has turned into, however, is so much more than a hobby! I am thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to get to know all of you readers, Etsy shop owners, and companies. Everyday I am so thankful that one of you decided to subscribe to this site, let alone the (almost) multiple thousands of you that keep reading as well. You are all awesome and everyday you make my day. Seriously.

To share my extreme gratitude with all of you, I decided to call up a few of my favorite Fantabulously Frugal supporters (OutfitAdditions.com, BeautyTicket.com, and Go-Girl), as well as cash in a bunch of sample sale credits I’ve been saving up from RowNine, RueLaLa, Ideeli, and Gilt to create the best giveaway I could come up with because, and I cannot stress this enough, You Deserve the Best.

There are THREE gift packages to give away here, so be sure to read all of them!

Here’s what’s included (starting in the top left corner):

• $50 Gift Certificate to BeautyTicket.com
• Warm Vanilla Sugar Triple Moisture Body Cream from Bath & Body Works
• Lint-On-The-Go-Sheets from GO-GIRL
• Gucci Buckle Sunglasses
• Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubble Bath Candle
• Pencil case from Etsy seller Made by Hank stuffed with little goodies
• Paper Source note cards
• Gold leather Kate Spade passport case
• Gold Amrita Singh twisted hoop earrings

Here’s what’s included in Gift 2 (starting in the top left corner):

• $50 Gift Certificate to OutfitAdditions.com
• Paper Source note cards
• Tom Ford Fiona Sunglasses
• Dancing Waters Body Lotion from Bath & Body Works
• Silver Amrita Singh twisted hoop earrings
• Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubble Bath Candle
• Lint-On-The-Go-Sheets from GO-GIRL

Gift 2 goes to the person who refers the greatest number of people to the giveaway, so be sure to put my blog in your entry form!! PLEASE refer to it as Midwest Meets Manhattan! I wish I would’ve had that name in mind when I made it, but…what are ya gonna do, I guess? But there you go. Tanks, frens!

Gift 3 will again be chosen completely randomly and the value of this gift is approximately $125.

Here’s what’s included in Gift 3 (starting in the top left corner):

• Lint-On-The-Go-Sheets from GO-GIRL
• Vera Bradley Paper Weight
• Burt’s Bees Essential Body Kit
• Paper Source Note Cards
• Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubble Bath Candle
• Coin Purse from Etsy Seller Made by Hank
• Yes to Carrots Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Mud Mask
• Sparkling Sage Open Teardrop Earrings

SO how can you get into any of these absolutely fabulous giveaways from Fantabulously Frugal? Well, let me just tell you.

For the initial entry, you have to go to the site and enter in the official comment form. It’s super short and super easy, and completely worth it! Once you do that, you’ll see a few other options for multiple entries. So do with that what you will.

Best of luck to all of us!