Friday at the Federal

This is the Federal. I know that Joe Fitzpatrick hates this place, but I love it. And I love their patio. Especially when I roll up and everyone is there and the Casey gets the partay started. Its awesome.

Friday Night Rocked!!!!!

A beer, you say? Yes, I'll have the social beer on a balmy Friday night, thank you.

Me and My Friends

Erica, I don't even know how you can say you don't take good photos. Look at how gorgeous you are! I like this one of us, Casey. What do you think?

Ah, friends! Allison and Patrick (so happy and cute!) and Erica and Casey. Don't you love nights when everyone decides to come out? I know I do.

Friday Night Continued

Different moments from Friday, hanging out and having the social drink. John found the "arty" setting on my camera. It made the photos so much cooler.

Saturday Sucked

OK, I just don't want to put a picture of Gavin up, so Im substituting a picture of our house up instead. We had our final session on Saturday and it was just crushing. So thanks to everyone who supported me over the weekend--far too many to namecheck--you guys really picked me up when I was in a bad way. Also, if anyone wants to buy our house, it will be up for sale in May.

My List

OK, this is something Ive been working on for awhile. Its my list of flaws. Feel free to comment away or counteract with a list of perfections.


1. I have no lobes on my ears. They are lobe-less freaks of nature. Note that my lobes cannot be detected in the picture above.
2. I really honestly feel my toes are too short and stubby for the rest of my feet.
3. I have to play the LA Times Sudoku every morning before I feel like the day can begin. This is not optional for me.
4. I'm a really good sport about losing until I lose three in a row. then I start getting flushed.

5. I don't think of myself as a picky eater, and yet here is a partial list of foods I don't like/won't eat: mushrooms (raw or cooked), onions, too much garlic, pork, most shellfish, hard deep-fried foods, greasy foods or anything with mayonnaise and banana pudding. Because of this, I almost always have a little pile of unacceptable bits on the side of my plate at every meal. Even if I just don't like the look of something, it goes in the pile.

6. I can't stand ice in my water, but I prefer apples to be chilled
7. I cannot for the life of me alphabetize without singing the ABC song. Also: (7a) can't sing well.
8. I plan on sleeping with my blankie until I die. Im 31 now, and I think I can keep going for awhile.
9. I enjoy the awkward exchange. In other words, I like watching people squirm a bit.
9a Despite that, I wear my heart on my sleeve and am half in love with the world all the time.

10. (I really just put this in so I'd have ten things on the list. It's not really a flaw) The thing that makes me cringe most in the world: I cannot stand listening to people pee. It's just so effin' gross. I really wish that all bathrooms would have a waterfall noisemaker in them.

White Light/Black Rain

So I am interested in how trauma gets represented in visual culture. This film, White Light/Black Rain by Steven Okazaki is really truly amazing--he interviews survivors from both cities, as well as the men who dropped the bombs. He shows how the human cost of the bombs is higher than either Japan or the United States is really willing to face. Its pretty gory though. I saw it with my friend Patrick, because he was interested in seeing it from a horror vs terror viewpoint and we were both flinching in lots of places. Still though, its fascinating.

Yes, I'm Pretty Sure He Thinks Im Nuts

Post-film, Im all "great, anyone hungry? can we order some pizza?" and Patrick's all like "you're sick. Please get away from me."

Seriously though, its a really great film and one that deserves to be seen. But it is a lot to handle, for sure.

Sarah Duke Garden in Bloom

My favorite, the cherry blossom has bloomed. I love them! They are like little clouds descended from above to brighten up spring. My current obsession is finding a way to sneak on the "reconditioned" lawn and sit on that bench while someone shakes the branches to make the petals fall on me. Any takers? Please?

Just So You Knows, Okidu is Doing Just Fine

I ran into Gav and Oki on East Campus. She is looking so fine and fierce. Oh, I love that dog. Three pounds of pure delight.

My Mom Has Cute Feet

Does my mom not have the cutest feet ever? She even did a little foot modeling for me. She's effin' adorable.

Easter Monday at the English Department

This is Carol. God bless her, she loves to party at work. Occasionally she'll just bring in a homemade cake with whip cream and homemade ice cream just for fun. This morning our boss, affectionately nicknamed "The Beave" announced that she hid 110 eggs throughout the department for us to find today. We've learned from past experience to check everywhere. I usually don't find all mine until at least Thanksgiving. But Carol, god love her, just isnt prepared to give up. Note that her office is still decorated for St Patty's day. The woman loves a good time.

Here is the Easter Egg Hunt at Work

These are two of the eggs that we found. Please, no one call the police about the fire hazard that the egg in the fire extinguisher plainly creates. Fortunately, Rebecca added them to her basket and saved us all from possible fire hazards. Thanks Rebecca for taking one for the team!

This Was My Haul

Out of 110 eggs, I collected a total of three. But I found two of the transformer eggs (basketball player and robot, respectively), so I think that's some good finding for me. Also, I have flowers and my name means "flower" in Japanese. Its an Easter Miracle!!!!

You'll be Up, But You Won't Really Care

This image comes courtesy of engrish.com, one of my very favorite sites on the interweb. It's Japanese, Korean and Chinese versions of English. There might be a part of your overdeveloped brain that tells you not to laugh at these, but I give you permission. It is really ok. This is funny stuff.

Over 200 Views!!

In just a little more than a month Ive got over 200 views on my blog! Thanks everyone for reading. I hope you're all celebrating with a little engrish.com

I Have a Car!!

I got a car last week and I LOVE it. Its a Scion xA. Its my first car for five years, when I had a Nissan Bluebird that I drove across Hokkaido. omg, I love it. I havent named it yet, but I feel like it should have a name. Suggestions? Thoughts? I know some people are anti-car-naming, but I think naming anything you spend so much time with seems appropriate. On the other hand, I just realized that I havent named my computer and I spend plenty of time on here, so whatevs.

Casey Wasserman Skunked Me in Cribbage

I haven't lost a match this badly in years. YEARS! Casey played her hands beautifully and was a graceful winner.

(I will get you next time. I swear this. You will be skunked, Casey. Yes. You will be skunked.)

Casey Wasserman Gets Knobs

And she is excited by that. Explanation of knobs to follow.

Knobbed

I know that many people think cribbage is a game for chain-smoking old men, but I actually love it. It's fairly simple, but there is this thing called knobs, where if you have a one-eyed jack that is the same suite as the turn card (in this case, the seven of hearts), then you get an extra point.

Casey got knobs. She is pretty effin' skillful, that one.

My Saturday Night Will Be Better Than This

There are so many things wrong with this photo, but it makes me laugh every single time I look at it. And I know for sure: my Saturday night will be better than this. Fo' sho'.

Pantless in Ashibetsu

My friend Sam took this photo of a festival in Ashibetsu (in Hokkaido, Japan). There are so many funny things happening in this photo. I mean, technically these guys are going to start carrying a shrine and chanting and stuff, so they're just standing around waiting for it to begin. But the variety of facial expressions is priceless. My favorite pantless man is the one in the middle with his rope firmly tied to his butt cheeks, hands on hips and grimacing like "yep, yep. hope my ass doesnt get chafed this year again."

Shibuya Cool

This, I think, should be the Summer Look for all men everywhere. The huge sunglasses, the long hair parted in the middle. The awkward chin stubble. It all points to either massive coolness or a cult leader in the making. If you want up-to-the-minute Japanese street style, check this site out. It even has the past twelve months of street snaps avairable!

Sorry! Sorry!

I've been caught up in spring. I'll do better at posting regularly this week.
Thanks for reading.
xoxo
Hannah

My Dad Wants to Send Mrs Squirrel to Sleep With the Fishes

Now, I don't know how anyone can look at this squirrel and want to take her away from the life that she has become accustomed to, but somehow my dad has become obsessed with ridding the yard of the many hundreds of squirrels that scamper across it.

It involves squirrel traps and baiting them just right so the squirrels go all the way inside. Then he drives them out to the country to release them.

Now I admit that the squirrels are sort of out of control, but I want to capture one and dress it in a suit and ascot so Mrs Squirrel can remarry and resume some semblance of a normal family life.

Vacay Time is Coming!!

This is me on vacay at the beach. I can't wait to go this year. Even just a weekend. Anyone down for a Wilmington weekend? Kendra? Maybe?

Tilda Swinton's Boy Toy

OK, this post will probably only make sense to the people I watched the Oscars with. But here is a picture of Tilda Swinton and her boy toy (from Fame Pictures) named Sandra Kopp in Spain. For those who don't know, Tilda has a super-hot set-up. She has an old dude that stays home with her kids and tends the house and stuff and then she travels the world with her young hunk of lovin'. Thus, when she won the Oscar and started to deliver her speech, she started with "Oh no . . . ." She didn't know who to thank! Young lover or old househusband? Ultimately the thanked neither--ouch. Oh, and all three of them live together in one house along with her kids. Damn! (ok, thats enough gossip for one week.)

Silda Spitzer

Is a fellow Meredith College alum. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Is This The Weirdest Crime Ever?

You guys will have to decide this one. It sounds weird as hell to me.

Your Morning Octopus Fix

OK, I love octopus suckers. This is from the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, the largest fish market in the world. I nearly fainted from tentacle overload because this is one part of rows and rows of octopus. Little ones, big ones, bigger ones. I don't like eating octopus (too rubbery), but I adore the tentacles and suckers. Quick Japanese lesson: octopus is "tako" (pronounced "taco"). Octopus and tacos: two foods that could not be more different. Trust me, this linguistic similarity can lead to profound disappointment in restaurants.

Dear Mom Part 3

I'm so glad you're my mom! Thanks for the deep convo tonight. You're a big slice of alright in my book. And also, I love you.

A Lovely Little Thing

I don't know why, but I always really like Urban Outfitters quilts and coverlets. This one of flowers and branches is really nice for spring.

Oh Eliot

This just breaks my heart. I don't even know what to think anymore.

First Things First

Behold! My pedicured feet. Some of you may know I feel that my toes are freakishly short, but I think Maria did a fine job of making them look good. Im ready to go on vacay, walk in the sand and wear flimsy little sandals.

Mom is Happy

Carolina is off to an early lead and Mom (a Carolina alum) doesnt feel any need to hide her enthusiasm from the Duke fans in the house (me and Dad). Umm, good for her, I guess. I've got an ace up my sleeve though . . . .

I Pray to the Basketball Gods

Please, basketball gods, hear my prayers and let us whip Carolina. Don't let Zoubek foul too much and let Singler have his 3's on lock.

We are ahead!!!!

Scheyer makes a basket and temporarily puts us ahead. Im so happy I do my kick dance. Mom looks on in amusement.

Mom thought she could mess up my mojo by tickling my feet. (My perfect pedi-feet). It turns out, she was right. Damn. I am helpless with the foot-tickling.

Accepting the Inevitable

We are stunned. We cannot believe it. Coach K really let us down. I just can't believe we lost to Carolina. Mom, on the other hand, is pretty happy today. Ick.

Woman Down!

I've caught the bug that is going around. I may be out of it for awhile. But since its Spring Break, I doubt many people will worry. I'll be back when I can.

Before

I promised Katie and Matt I would post the best photo ever taken of a lamb in a sweater. (Thank you cuteoverload.com.) Need I point out the monkey pattern in the sweater? The clean hooves? I could go on, but I won't.

After

I love how dainty and yet slightly devious Katie looks in this photo. Holding (and enjoying) the ribs of lamb! Katie, really. Look at that photo! The lamb is wearing a sweater, for crying out loud. And you, looking so dainty with your pinky out chomping down on his brethren with glee. Goodness me . . . .

And Now, Cherry Blossoms

I can't believe that it is so warm that the cherries are blooming. Cherry blossoms rate highly in my list of favorite things. (sigh) Aren't they just lovely?

Welcome to Your Recruitment, Final Phase (Bar Setting)

I love this photo! Molly and Lindsey look so nice. I, on the other hand, look like I am suffering from a serious case of the hillbilly overbite. But seriously--thanks to everyone who came out and made it a great night. I had a good time--hope you guys did too.

Oh Me, I Need My Tea or I May Swoon

I liked wearing Molly's glasses, but I like Maggie's thoughtful pose even better.

A Lovely Evening Out on the Town

Right? Bill, Ashon and Kate? How about you, Ashon and Colby? Absolutely delightful.

Just Come to Duke, OK?

I think I made my point, Bill. Don't you?

What Im Listening To

"Foundations" is awesome. The video is here.

Shark Vs Octopus

Layla wants a shark tank. I want an octopus tank. Not sure we could ever be roomies, but she's going to make me into a guitar hero, so Layla--here's to you!