horank@xavier.edu...no spam!

After much consternation and a few calls to the ISS department on campus, I finally have a computer profile set up, meaning I have a new e-mail address (horank@xavier.edu) in addition to the hotmail personal account at which I can still be reached. The first week of class has just come to a close for me, ending with my MicroEconomics class, whose homework nearly brought me to tears. I mean really. I was sitting in the cafeteria reading and getting ready to tackle the problems at the end of the chapter, when this table full of girls sits next to me, one with a huge hickey and the others loudly making fun of her and talking about their drunken escapades the night before. I was seething with rage, not just because I was having a hard time finding the percentage of national income that North Korea spends on the military in comparison to South Korea...but also, I jut don't think that getting so drunk you don't remember how you got home or who sucked on your neck is appealing anymore. I remember when it used to be my M.O. (I just put a stick up my ass in the last two years)...but these girls made me want to stab (In the words of Positive Tamsen.) I have the camera back in action, and I am including a few pictures This is the gorgeous day we are having (a few flurries in the morning...but in the sunshine it is positively warm) The building on the right is the Gallagher Student Center, which is where I am now and where I spend lots of time. There are four floors and free pool tables and video games as well as lots of big windows and small rooms to hang out in and do homework. Plus, there is a bar and a Subway and all the club offices. I'm trying to find a few organizations to join, and I am thinking that I want to start a crafting collective or at least begin to host a game night. If there's one thing I want to take from the seamonsters it's the priority of the gathering together. and here I am, listening to a group meet to talk about a Valetine's Date auction. Damn, we should have done that at artsPROJECT, yo! Could you imagine a date auction at the Waiting Room...or in Burlington, for that matter. Come to think of it, we should have done a mock Laguna Beach reality show about B-town...so many good ideas this is my lunch...salad with ranch dressing and (not pictured) a side of fries. there is something about eating fries and a salad that is like the ultimate in freedom...thank you Gloria Steinem for fighting for my right to eat veggies and fried starch without getting a complex. I have not found my Cincinnati shiner equivalent yet...speaking of which... This is a commemorative picture of my second-to-last shiner...you know who calls me Ninja these days...yeah, nobody. I actually introduced myself to a cute boy the other day using my real name...how will he remember be now?! Also included here is a random picture from my Econ. class. I'm feeling behind, as many of my class notes and presentations and even homework are all online...and most of the lectures are from the professors home page. While I love this system and the paper-free lifestyle we're getting used to...I'm not as computer savvy as I thought, and reading 68 pages of theology on the computer doesn't seems as stimulating as turning the pages...maybe I'm just being crabby after getting confused by my economic principles. Plus, as always, I want to take a nap. The boy from the past that was supposed to call me tonight still hasn't called, even to apologize...what the heck do I care for? Because I'm bored and I want to talk to someone face to face for a while, even if it is just about Jackass II, The Movie. My roommates are really sweet...kind of wild...the younger ones anyways (jb, you'll be jealous to note than last night they were drunk and kept showing me their "cute underpants" and asking me to go to the strip club with them.) I told them to get in the car and go to Kentucky...but they passed out about 5 minutes later, and this morning had little recollection of their requests. How weird that I have an actual weekend...nothing planned and nothing to gt ready for except homework. I already have a few papers due next week, so I actually do have things I should do...but...my bed is so comfy!

outside the box

As I mentioned before, I go to the bar after class for a cocktail, and then to the coffee shop (Awakenings in Hyde Park, Gavin!) to have a shot of caffeine before boarding the bus back to school. I'm not sure if it was the whiskey or the fact that I am getting more comfortable...but this is turning out to be a fun adventure (note to self, read this entry when you are sad) Tonight I went to the bar to read my Lit. book and accidentally ran into someone that was supposed to call me tonight...oops for him...ah well. I ended up sitting next to the same guy I sat next to last night...a 25 year-old lawyer who likes movies and goes to the bar (Teller's) by himself after work...he's not a potential crush, but he does like the Jackass movies (Tamsen, take note...he loves Pontius) and didn't seem to mind when I broke into his conversation with the bartender. After speaking with him and watching the XU game (thank goodness, as it staved off the boredom and the task of reading the Lit. book I had originally intended to read...plus, a win for Xavier!!) I went to the coffee shop and was recognized by the barista (Jimmy), who spoke with me for a while before I had to catch the bus, and informed me that there is another bar in Cincinnati that serves Jameson for $3 a glass...what the fuck am I doing at Teller's?! After getting my tea for the evening, I got on the bus and couldn't help the smile that crept across my face...could it be that I am finding my own community? Confession time...the only thing open on campus (as far as late night eats) is Subway...and I'm about to retire with a 6" turkey on whole wheat bread and mayo...I'm so mid-west.

No pictures...just words...like a really boring novel

I'm fighting the urge to nap every afternoon. Today I walked all over everywhere, forgetting for a while that I had my schoolbag and all my books with me. "Why does my back hurt?!" I kept wondering, as I slung the overstuffed bag this way and that in an attempt to ease the burden. I forgot about being a school gypsy...taking everything I need with me at all times. Luckily, the books are not awfully heavy...but can someone please explain to me why a 200 page economics book costs $119.50?? I'd sooner steal the book and photocopy the pages...I may just try that, anyway. Speaking of expensive, I had to purchase my individual insurance plan today. There's no going uninsured in college...or when your father sells insurance, like mine. Want to meet him? www.horanassoc.com. That's him on the welcome video. Nothing makes me miss City Market like paying for my own health insurance. Today in Theology class we were discussing Young Adults and Religion, and the professor said: "I really want the young part of the class to lead this discussion...so Kelly and Joan can just keep quiet." Any illusion that I looked young dissolved with my classmates laughter...I'll get them back somehow! I've been trading phone calls with a boy from the past and he and I and some others are supposed to get together tonight...but so far there has been no follow up call. Can I cut him off and go to the bar, or should I wait another half hour? Being in Cincy has made me impatient. Another boy from the past just called, and against my better judement, I made plans to see him this weekend. I'm making him take me to the art museum for a Georgia O'Keefe exhibit...no undertones there. Actually, this is the boy that told me I made a poor investment...why am I going to see him again?

This is the face of cheddar cheese people...

So...after a few days of getting acclimated and finally buying more batteries for the camera...I ventured into the dining hall to take a few shots of the local fare available to me. I literally laughed out loud when I saw the bin of cheddar cheese...ORANGE cheddar, of course... (a small aside...there are three extremely enthusiastic D&D GM's having a debate at the table next to me...talking about hiring wizards to cast spells, and discussing the new idea of unlimited character concepts. oh, and they HATE Magic, The Gathering) Getting back to the food. Unfortunately, I didn't get a shot of the "Veggie Saute" that was served Tuesday night for dinner...let's just say the prevailing flavor was the cream of mushroom soup that covered the brightly (?) colored veggies on the plate. I ate some out of pity for making the "chef" list the ingredients and methods, without getting a glimpse of the dish. Live and learn. One thing that is awesome... Unlimited amounts of Jello with whipped topping...it may be gelatin...but it's so tasty! So my new routine is to leave the house in the morning and not go back until after my classes are over. I try and hang in the student center during the downtime, and then after classes are over for the day, I get on the bus and go to a lounge to read and do homework. I've tried a few places and found that my favorite drink (Irish Whiskey on the rocks) is only $4 at my new favorite bar! Score! After the lounge, it's off to Awakenings...a sort of Uncommon Grounds style place...no overstuffed couches or booths...and lots of students my age tapping on their computers and listening to headphones. Last night I walked in and saw a boy I had met a month before I moved to Burlington 6 years ago...wild. He and I remembered each other well enough to keep talking, and then he was nice enough to drive me home. It's not that I don't like where I live or anything...but it's still weird to think that it's not just my apartment; the three other ladies can have it in the afternoon...plus I miss my kitty so much, it's kind of wierd to hang out in "my room" without the Green Monster to keep me company. Tonight is the XU/Mass. basketball game, and I am totally going. The word on campus is that ESPN will be there to capture our "school spirit" for some contest. We've been encouraged to paint our faces and dress up...I think I'll wear a blue sweater and sit in the back. Look for me. The D&D kids have broken up, but their conversations were hilarious. I'm jealous of people with campus buddies...I still haven't found a boy to crush on or a few people to eat lunch with...I'm still the old lady that eats by herself...reading the paper and taking pictures of the cereal bar. Peter...unlimited cereal...it's a dream come true! Some dude is walking near me right now...he is wearing an Axl Rose t-shirt (which is awesome) and cut off shorts (ummm...) but the best part is that the kid looks just like Axl's picture...they both have their dirty blonde hair tied back with the same color bandana, and a scowl on their face. If I hadn't seen the kid in my Econ. class yeasterday, I would rush up and thank him for "Use your Illusion II"

I'm here, it's queer...I'll get used to it

Well, the sun has just broken though the clouds for the first time since I arrived. We've had lots of rain in Ohio lately, and the temps are in the low 30's, making everyone comment on the "fierce winter" we're having...I chuckle. I left Burlington Sunday Morning at 6AM (after consuming my final shiner as a resident of VT) and snagged a window seat to say farewell to my beloved state. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see the mountains or the lake, but I took pictures regardless. I could tell that the ultra-trendy couple behind me on the plane were giggling at my attempts to "take a cool picture for her blog" but whatever...I've learned to take it in stride...and then make sure my seat goes alllllll the way back for the duration of the flight. After getting to Ohio, I went right to campus and moved into the apt, which is wicked hot and also inhabited by three other women. Luckily, they are all easygoing (so far) and there is one girl that is obviously "The Boss". I'm fine with that, as long as I can watch TV and don't have to clean up any one's barf. Who says barf anymore? I do. Today was the first day of class, and unfortunately, my camera is out of juice, otherwise I would have more to show you. I had philosophy and theology and I got a great laugh from the class when the professor posed the following scenario: "Some say that Pigs are as intelligent as a 4 year old child. If that is true, and we kill pigs...why not kill children under four too?" There's lots of silence in a class full of 19 year olds...so I blurt out "Because they don't taste as delicious?" I'm eating in a cafeteria...probably the biggest shock to the system. Sodexo food...nothing is from anywhere around here...unless you count the trucking company that distributes the food. Hmmm... Again, I should have pictures, and in fact, I am now motivated to get off the chair in the lounge and go to the bookstore and buy some batteries...some of this stuff is too good to be true...like the girls that came over last night to hang out, both with two 40oz. of Bud Light (each) TAPED to their hands. Crap...I need to get a video camera.

Ninja's "Last Chance to Make Out" Tour Dates 2007

The countdown to the last day in Burlington continues. Today is my last day at the famed City Market...and I am getting excited about moving on to school...the fear and sadness have pretty much waned, although when I see the view of New York from South Union Street, or the full moon lights my walk home...some sadness returns. I'm leaving Burlington on a Jet plane at 6AM Sunday January 14thm, but until then... THURSDAY- Brett Hughes will play at 1/2 Lounge and I will watch from 10pm-midnight...join me for a whiskey and some mighty fine tunes. SATURDAY- Brunch at Sneakers in Winooski, 10AM...let's take over the restaurant...it's the best Brunch in all of Vermont! Until the, I'll be cleaning and giving items away to the Possibility Shop and ReCycle North. I'm available for last minute making-out by appointment only.

Holy Crap, Batman! Where did the time go!

Well, here are some quick pictures of how I've spent the last three weeks... I went home for the holidays, and attended a night of drinking at the Hoffbrau Hous in Newport Kentucky. As I'm sure I will point out in the future, Cincinnati has a very Germona heritage...and most things "in Cinncinnati" are actually located in Kentucky...like the Cincinnati International Airport...in Kentucky. The Hoffbrau House is a place the my siblings (three pictured here) go each time they are home. I had never been, and didn't really want to go, but they made me and it was a great idea. Lot's of drinking and dancing on tables...and lots of Ohio pride. After all the drinking, we went to Skyline... The KKD of Cincinnati, except there's one everywhere. Christmas was wonderful...it was nearly tropical weather...and there was definately no white chrsitmas. I attended a formal dance with a lovely escort named Steve...he is a Rocket Scientist, likes Rum and Coke and pizza bagels and has an extremely dry humor...we had a lovely time that evening, and stayed out until 7AM! After getting home, the reality of the move really set in...and of course, I put off the job of packing and cleaing in favor of seeing friends on New Year's and indulging in the malted hops beverage delight... And now, the job of cleaning and packing continues...I won't post a picture of my messy apartment...it's too depressing...instead, I'll post a piture of the Beauty Queen/Zen Baby of 2006...and the best reason to stop and take a deep breath...