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Wednesday, March 13, 2002

 
That's it. Screw this, mister. For further entries, start here.
posted by Emily Rothwell 1:26 PM

Tuesday, March 12, 2002

 
Question: can anyone teach me how to use Blogger's archives?
posted by Emily Rothwell 11:43 PM

 
We kept seeing Columbo's car around. First of all, we saw it outside Burger King on Buyer's Road, badly parked, about five feet away from the curb and at the craziest angle, as if he'd stopped there in a hurry. Then my borther saw it outside the place where the swimming pool and the badminton courts are, and later again I saw it parked outside the off-licence, closer to the pavement this time, and parallel, too. We only ever saw the car parked, but it always seemed to be outside somewhere I liked to go. And then, when we went out for dinner on wee Cam's birthday, and we were hanging our coats up on the coat rack, we saw Columbo's old Mac already hanging there, in amongst all the expensive fur and leather and things. I had a quick look around while we were being taken to our table to see if he was there, but I couldn't see him anywhere.

But then one night, when I was sitting outside on the steps playing my GameBoy, I heard a car stopping on the gravel in front of me. While I tried to figure out where to put the L-shaped Tetris piece that was falling, I felt someone sit down on the steps beside me, and I heard them scratching their head. And then, in the reflection on the screen, I saw that it was him.

"Those really are the most fascinating little machines," he said, but I'd built up a whole high pile which needed a single line for down the side, and I couldn't look up in case it came.

"It certainly is nice around here," Columbo said, and I heard his Mac moving as he looked around. The single line I'd been waiting for didn't come, though, and soon my screen was filled all the way to the top, so I put it down and asked Columbo if someone from around here had been murdered.

"Not murdered, sir, no," he said. "I don't think you could call it murder."

"Well, what are you investigating?" I asked him.

"Well, sir, it's a case of counterfiet notes. Perhaps you'd call it theft, but I'm not rightly sure. It's new for me, I'll tell you that." Then he picked up the GameBoy and stared at it, all fascinated. "Could I, would you mind?" he said, and I showed him how to start up a game. But pretty soon the screen was full and he shook his head. "Well, well," he said. "You know, Mrs. Columbo, she's great at these sorts of things, but me, I just can't seem to get the hang of them." And he stood up and handed it back to me.

"I'm sorry if I've troubled you, sir," he said. "I'll let you get back to your game. You know, this really is a lovely area." And as he walked off down the steps, I watched until he opened the door of his car, and I went to start up another game. But then he stopped.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, holding one hand up in the air, a cigar between his fingers and looking down at the ground. "Just a little thing," he said, and he scratched the back of his head with the hand that had been up in the air. "Well, something like that, sir - that little machine you have there - would someone be able to make samples with that, from records and stuff?" I laughed and shook my head. "That's fine, sir," he said. "I was just curious."

Then he got in the car and drove away.

I didn't think I'd see him again after that, but I was very wrong. I began to see his car around a little more, quite often outside the houses of people I knew. And not only that, but just lately he started turning up wherever I might be, asking me all kinds of crazy questions about technology and sampling and stuff, pretending he's trying to learn all about it.

It got me quite worried for a while, but I think it'll be alright. I think I've got him foxed. I think I've been way too clever for him...
- Looper, Columbo's Car
posted by Emily Rothwell 10:55 PM

Monday, March 11, 2002

 
Possible titles for my essay (due in 40 minutes):
- Locksley Hall: "What's up, Comrades?"
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Professional Ass-Monkey
- I Want To Punch Someone In The Face
- Amy Got Out Just In Time
- Lord Tennyson: Small Prick Who Thinks Only With His Dick (as suggested by the lovely Ni)
- Why England Is Now Weak
- Insert Witty Title Here

I need some help, people.
posted by Emily Rothwell 3:36 PM

 

Which Rock Chick Are You?
Lick my legs, baby.
posted by Emily Rothwell 1:18 AM

 
My roommate has been outdooing herself in terms of weirdness lately. Besides staying out until all hours of the night doing Batgirl-related things, disappearing for whole weekends, and keeping strange powders in my now smelly fridge, she has recently taken to selling her clothes. I came back from a Film meeting to find her setting up a little booth right outside my door with items priced either "Free", "$1", or "Best Offer". Strangely enough, though, she sold about thirty dollars worth of clothes. What scared me most, however, was the talk amongst the other girls on my floor about how cool it would be to have us all sell our clothes to each other, like, have a floor-wide rummage sale. Wouldn't that just be neat? Oh, dear God, please no.

Listen, I put up with their drunken ramblings every Thursday and Saturday night (I don't get it, they get drunk on every night but the right night - everyone knows Friday is the night to party), I tollerate their chatter outside the bathroom doors (right across from my room, at 3 in the morning on a friggin' Tuesday), and I smile nicely and keep my mouth shut when they make anti-lesbian remarks. But I will not, will not stand by and watch as they paw over each others' clothes for a full day. That just won't be happening.

Oh, God, I've got to get out of here soon.
posted by Emily Rothwell 1:02 AM

Sunday, March 10, 2002

 
I have a confession to make.

When writing essays, I intentionally screw myself over out of habit. I routinely force myself to stay up all night writing. And why do I do this? Because I enjoy it.

I love being the only one awake in the building. I love making myself cup after cup of tea. I love looking out the window and seeing nothing but darkness, feeling like I am the only speck of light in the city. I love seeing the beginnings of the sunrise. I love everything about it. I really do.

And I don't know why I do.
posted by Emily Rothwell 10:37 PM

 
It is windy here, and my window doesn't close all the way. The wind comes up the field between Morris and Gordon/Brockington, hits Leonard Hall and comes slamming into my window, making horrible noises and sending shiver after shiver up my back.

I will put on another sweater.

In between working on my essay, I have been daydreaming about third year. I am now absolutely certain that I want to go here for a term. I've been reading other people's experiences (though not through Queen's), and I'm all excited. I've even chosen most of my classes.

The things I'll do to get away from writing my essay, huh?
posted by Emily Rothwell 2:33 PM

 

you are the most likely of the smashing pumpkins to lead a happy, normal life. your innate shyness conceals a wicked sense of humour and a fondness for sweet love songs. which pumpkin are you?

You know, I've never really been a Pumpkins fan, but wow! Look at me! I'm so fucking cute!
posted by Emily Rothwell 12:15 PM

Saturday, March 09, 2002

 
Yay!

You are the classic yellow squeeky toy.
Find your inner rubber ducky.
posted by Emily Rothwell 10:45 PM

 
In other news, I think that crunch may be dying. Fortunately, I took a crash course in First Aid a while ago, so I'm all over resuscitating it. Would anyone like to help me out?
posted by Emily Rothwell 7:48 PM

 
My mother calls me at 8:30 this morning. Because if she's up, why in the hell aren't I?

me: Uh-huh?
mum: Emily? Oh, did I wake you up?! It's 8:30!
me: Muh? Oh. Uh, that's okay, mum. What's up?
mum: Well, I just wanted to call and tell you that your father and I are leaving the country for the weekend.
me: What? Hm? How- what- uh, where's are you going, mum?
mum: Buffallo!

And there you have it, folks. My parents think a weekend in Buffallo (featuring, as a highlight, a trip to the Apple Store!) is incredibly romantic. They're so cute.
posted by Emily Rothwell 4:41 PM

Friday, March 08, 2002

 
Okay, we are presently working on getting my (loaned) computer hooked back to the net. In the mean time, I've confiscated Geoff's.

I had a dream last night. In it, I was attending my own funeral. Well, not really attending. Somehow, I was stuck inside the priest's body, but I wasn't controling it. I was seeing my funeral from his point of view, but he was still conducting the service as though I wasn't there. Anyway, I was watching all this - my mum crying, my dad looking all solemn, my sister looking kind of pissed, and my friends (well, I could only see Jessa) - but the only thing that irritated me was the fact that a word on my tombstone was misspelled. It really annoyed me.

So there's that. In the shower, I thought about becoming an editor for a publishing house. I want to be just like David Hyde-Pierce in Isn't She Great. But then I told Geoff about my idea and he insinuated that I would never make it. Maybe he's right.

In any case, I'm going to go back to my room and nap for a bit. Or maybe I'll go get some food and then nap. We'll see.
posted by Emily Rothwell 2:32 PM

Tuesday, March 05, 2002

 
Hello, guys and dolls!

Guess what? I no longer have a computer!

That's right! I got it back from the computer shop on Wednesday, used it for a few hours, then all of a sudden, I no longer had a hard drive. Super. So, it's in the shop again. Ho hum.

I'm actualy writing this in the Jeffery Hall computer lab. Chelsea said she had to come here to work on politics, and I was like, dude! I'll come, too! It'll be a party! Besides, I hadn't checked my mail in six days. And I hadn't blogged in six days. And I missed you all.

The thing is, though, this past week, without my computer, I've felt like I had nothing to do. Normally, my evenings are filled with reading everyone's blogs, then making my own, then general exploring on the computer, and if I have time, I do some actual readings for class. But this past week, without the computer, I've been doing my readings early, then having nothing to do. I soent a good amount of time this weekend reading things for next week and getting some work done early, then cleaning my room (and washing my dishes, a herculean task in itself), then reading books for fun. I read all of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (for like, the fourth time - part seven is my favourite), every one of my Jane magazines, and the entirety of The Bell Jar ( my copy is so nice - it's all hard covers and red fabric). I went out not just Friday night, but Saturday night as well. And I never go out. And I slept a lot. I called my mummy a lot. She's swell. I keep forgetting how very cool my mum is. We talked last night about rock and roll, and how she went to an Iron Maiden concert when she was younger, and about how ridiculous modern nighthood is. She made a joke about Elton John leading an army. We both laughed ourselves silly.

What I'm getting at is, without my computer, I have more free time, and I get more work done. I feel healthier without it. I miss it, but I feel like I'm not wasting my life anymore. Do you get me?

So I don't think I'll be blogging again until I get my computer back from the shop later this week. Take care of yourselves, and each other, while I'm gone. I'll be missing you.
posted by Emily Rothwell 8:07 PM

Wednesday, February 27, 2002

 
I am very sick, people. I've gone through a whole big carton of Tropicana orange juice since 11 last night. I'm halfway through a box of kleenex from yesterday, too. I've had three naps today, and I'm still really out of it.

On the plus side, my dad says that Tylenol will cure me. Maybe I'll get some of that tomorrow.

Today, I only had one class, so in the afternoon, I went to pick up my computer from the shop. I've been using a loaner for the past month, so it's a great relief to have my computer back. Unfortunately, I forgot that I'd erased my copy of Limewire form my hard drive before giving it in (I didn't want to get caught with it and banned from resnet). I'm working on fixing that right now.

Something I was pondering while at dinner with Chel: is it possible to be cool and not know it? We were looking at this girl, this really pale girl with short, dyed black hair, who was dressed all modern punk-y. Chelsea wondered if she ever felt the pressure of having to act how she looked, of having to be as bad-ass as she dressed. I would find it hard to do so, but then again, I'm as far from a bad-ass as you can get. This girl has purposefully chosen to dress like this, so she must be either naturally like that or willing to try her hardest to act like it. But can anyone be a certain style and act the same way naturally? Or do they dress to reflect their attitude?

That started off all philosophical in my head, but now it just sounds really shallow. So I'm just going to stop thinking about that now.

And now I'm just going to stop completely.
posted by Emily Rothwell 8:14 PM

 

Attention test-maker: they're called spelling and grammar. You may want to look them up.
On the other hand, maybe it's supposed to be funny...
posted by Emily Rothwell 6:51 PM

Tuesday, February 26, 2002

 
Sometimes, when I blow my nose, I get really, really dizzy. It's kind of fun.
posted by Emily Rothwell 11:14 PM

 
Feeling: relieved. Essay is done and handed in.
Wearing: wet jeans. Curse you, Mr. Raincloud!
Thinking: about having a nap. Only had a half hour's sleep last night.
Listening: to Stereophonics - Step On My Old Size Nines
Sniffing: due to a cold that developped over the past two days.
Talking: in whispers and squeaks. Lost my voice some time during Film.
Looking: for something to read. Where are all you people?
posted by Emily Rothwell 2:37 PM

Monday, February 25, 2002

 
So Lauren's making me do this. This little "quiz" of hers. And I can't say no. Because I'm procrastinating. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. A little procrastination is good. A lot is bad, but a little is good. So, on with the show!

1-if you could work for any magazine, which one would it be? For fun, I'd pick Jane (they seem to have fun making it each month), but for thrills and meetings of people, I'd say Q. Me meet The Who? Oo!
2-if you could play any famous person in a movie about their life who would you play? Mary Shelley, the Princess of the Romantic Era.
3-pick an actor to play you in the story of your life: Christina Ricci. But she'd have to stop ageing right now. Let's chryogenically freeze her, and revive her once I'm dead, okay?
4-top five bands: at the moment? 1, Sloan; 2, Radiohead; 3, Belle and Sebastian; 4, The Beatles; 5, Travis.
5-top ten songs of all time: I so cannot do that.
6-where do you see yourself in five years? Probably interning somewhere for very little pay.
7-where do you see yourself next year? In 69 Mack, baby!
8-closest thing to your theme song: Coldplay - Such a Rush
9-do you remember what you would have said to these questions in grade seven? oh god, yes.
10-how did the answers in fact turn out or change? I would have said Barenaked Ladies were the best band ever. God, I'm such a dork.
11-here's your chance to predict a couple up and comers who you think will someday be big: Paul Dunn, super-cutie at the Statford Festival. I've seen him in Henry IV Pt 2 (he brought the king his boots and trimmed hedges), in Henry V (he wore a tunic), and I'm so going to see his play debut this season.
12-biggest sell out of a band/actor: Everyone always calls someone making big money a "sell-out". Like it's a bad thing that they're successful. Me, I can't blame someone for hitting it big. That said, though, I totally hated BNL as soon as they broke the American market. I was like "Call and Answer? Call and answer this, you dweebs!"
13-tv show that should never have been cancelled: The Critic. Best cartoon ever.
14-black and white or color? Filters.
15-fave tom cruise movie. yes, you know you have one: I am not ashamed to admit that I love Far and Away. Maybe it's the crappy Irish accents, maybe it's the freaky Irish humour, maybe it's the presence of Colm Meaney, but I just think it's tip-top. Tom Cruise, though? I care not for him.
posted by Emily Rothwell 11:21 PM

 
Here, for your reading pleasure, ladies and gentelmen, the next Irvine Welsh.
posted by Emily Rothwell 6:22 PM

 
So, as you may have noticed, I broke down today, in the midst of a super-procrastination marathon, and converted this here journal thingie into a blog. Complete with comment function, which I stole shamelesly from Catherine. I'd been looking for a comment service for a while, and was just about to bite the bullet and buy a copy of software, when lo and behold, Cat comes through for me. You rock, Cat!

To update yesterday's ooky post, I was, in fact, sick shortly after I wrote that. And then everything was okay again. I went to bed, and Ally came home a little after 5 in the morning. I guess Batgirl's back in business.

Today, however, I felt superbe when I woke up. I had a lovely shower in my lovely res showers (mmmm... limitless hot water and lots of pressure....), met Geoff for breakfast, and then went to Art History, which was cancelled. Then I came back, had a nap, checked my mail, and went to Film (new prof) and English (we did TS Eliot's Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock - I heart Eliot!) Could things go any better for me?

On the other hand, tonight I have to write a 1500 word Philosophy essay, the topic of which I have not yet picked. Sheet.

I doubt I'll get too worked up about it, though. I mean, despite the fact that I totally don't get Philosophy, there's the fact that I totally don't care about Philosophy. And also, the fact that I'll probably still be giddy about having done this today. Yay me and my mad html skills!
posted by Emily Rothwell 4:38 PM

 
Success!
posted by Emily Rothwell 4:23 PM

 
Let's see if I'm as brilliant as I think I am...
posted by Emily Rothwell 3:44 PM

Reading:

and also,