This is the mode of writing that I have thus far undertaken in writing my masters dissertation. I would like to point out that because I have a specified due date for submission, this approach is going to get me nothing but heart ache and an F (in UK terms an 8).

So I need your help - all of you. Please post comments of reasons that I should get in gear or helpful things that you do to keep yourself motivated when no one is around to do it for you. Please do not be smug and/or use the "fire and brimstone" approach -- it will just make me stubborn and insolent and therefore be a deterrent rather than an aid.

HELP ME!!!!

*singing* Tag Team back again.....

Good tags everybody - +5 for all. Here's my list of the top ten songs that I am currently listening to. (please note that the songs are slightly *ahem* skewed at this time.)

1. Time is Running Out - Muse (Absolution)
This song is seriously quite good. Despite the fact that Muse is popular and most of my friends are anti-them, I have to come clean and confess that I adore this song.

2. The Ballroom of Romance - Chris De Burgh (Into the Light)
My 80's guilty pleasure. I don't have to justify myself to anyone.

3. Life on Mars? - David Bowie (Several albums including the Life Aquatic Soundtrack)
David Bowie is just absolutely amazing. No matter how many times I hear this song it still makes something in my heart twinge (in a good way). That probably explains why I just keep listening to it and it will NEVER get old.

4. Such Great Heights - Iron and Wine (Garden State Soundtrack)
For those of you who didn't know I&W before the recent movie soundtrack stint, this song is also on an M&M's commercial. Peace + Achy + Tears + Honey = This song.

5. The State I Am In - Belle and Sebastian (Tigermilk)
I refuse to explain it.

6. This Year's Love - David Gray (White Ladder)
Are we sensing a theme? The best feature of the song is the piano - again, it should be completely monotonous but instead seems to mold itself to your heart beat and instead becomes soothing -- the same principle behind continually rocking a baby.

7. Mr. Brightside - The Killers (Hot Fuss)
Am I pissed off about a crappy situation?- Yes. Am I tormented and just need a second to vent?- Yes. Am I better than every other song of this genre because I offer a semi-hopeful outlook on the future and a much better beat?- Yes and Yes.

8. Left and Leaving
8.5 Pamphleteer - The Weakerthans (Left and Leaving)
In my housesitting adventures the absolutely best part is being able to raid other computers and build my music library. I heard The Weakerthans about a week ago and immediately bought their cd's. These two songs are the ones that have impacted me the most so far.

9. Amanda - the way it is (It's Somebody's Fault, But Not Mine)
I have been uncommonly blessed with songs written about me... I am such a STAR! This one is my favorite due to its wonderful sappy sweetness. I'm also digging the idea of Min Amanda Var Fra Kerteminde - but since itunes music stores are country specific the music of Denmark is currently unavailable for download.

10. A Pretty Girl is Like...
10. Come Back From San Francisco
10. Reno Dakota - The Magnetic Fields (69 Love Songs Vol. 1-3)
There are 3 cd's and all of them are wonderful. I'm counting them as number 10 because I constantly listen to the band... these are my 3 faves though.


duck..... duck...... duck....... GOOSE!!!

I tag Niki and Shauna...

This is not the last year of my life - It's just a tribute

Bangers and Mash
Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer Mini Flapjack Bites
Devon Scones
The Belmont
Nachos at the Vue
Luke Bartosik



Wine
Ninja Burger
Phil
David Hewitt's Nose and Ear Hair
Arg!
Blackwells
The Librarians (Evil Monsters) at the QML
Seaton Park
Erik Hillskemper wearing hair gel
Liquid
Contact Solution that costs 15$
Glasgow
The largest Planetarium in the UK
Tribecca
The Castle at 8am
Forts
David Howie
David Howie - Wig
The Hillhead Snack Bar/Snack Lounge/Comp Area
THE HOLE!
Manhattan
Chips at 2am
Dot to Dot
The Girls of 203
The Helpful Boys Upstairs
OLAF!!!! TONY!!! JAMES!!! FABIAN!!! (Could we have any more personality?)
Multiplies
Richard's Hair
Public Transportation
Bus to Glasgow - 2 rude Italians?
The Embassador
Car Ride Thrills
Ainsley, Sally, Christina, Kimberly, Ali, et all
Dr. Ray's Stories
Zeste Fajitas - with Erik
The Cleaning Woman
Halloween Parties
Learning how to eat with Chopsticks
Ally C
The Balcony
Football
Andy
Computer lab printers (I didn't say it was my FAVORITES list)
Taylor Coffee Women - haircut and key day
Modernism class
Alex and Roland - El Presidente lol!
Luke's Futon
Frederick - The Pretty Sweedish Boy
Veronica Mars
HollyOaks
Makosi
Tetris Wars
Business Card Machine at ABZ
Hillhead Shop
Bon Accord Centre
Spar
Aveda
The Burn
Beary Rap - El Oso Peligroso
The Tunnel
Bunnies - The way Abby says it
John Lewis
The Pen Clicker
What the HELL is Genre!
Espionage
Olaf's Birthday
I am FLOD!
Ben and Jerry's
Dish Wars
Blonde
Bruno and Layla

and....

Philosophical Ducks

Insights - "My Roominess"

Thankfully all of this has changed and I have moved the large majority of my worldly possessions into my Grandparents' home. This move has taken up a large portion of my time in the last week or so as I get everything organized, put away, re-arranged, and purchase new items to complete "My Roominess". This is the insight that I am sharing. I have "My Roominess". Others may have a chakra or a chi or some other inner peace - my harmony quotient is "My Roominess".

Is my room clean? Are things organized? Is it cute? Does my room portray my inner being to others? Does my room make me feel safe and warm? The answers to these all important questions determine "My Roominess". The following picture is the layout of my new room at Gram & Gramps house:

As you may have already guessed from the mere oozing "Roominess" that comes across from the skewed diagram.... "My Roominess" is in a state of harmony at this time and therefore my own mood is good.

*SNAGGED!*

However, not everything involved in "Roominess" is easy... sometimes things can happen. Despite the Roomarmony I am still housesitting for another month and living out of my suitcase with the same 7 t-shirts that I've been wearing for the last month. You know the tees I'm referring to - you've seen them - you'll see them again. BLEH!

Not all insights must end happily. For now, dry your eyes and soothe your woes with the comfort of knowing that my room and I will someday become one.....

READ THIS IF: You're first impulse is to say "Hey Amanda. It's been a while."

This post serves to fulfill anyone's time gaps or memory lapses regarding things that I have been doing in my life. This post is by NO MEANS designed to make anyone feel bad about not knowing about my life - in fact, I understand forgetfulness (I forgot to leave my keys at the auto shop this morning) especially in connection with semi-friends and their plans. (Click the title to see what kind of friend you are)

And in your defense I do move around a lot.

I graduated from Cascade in 2000. I moved to Lubbock, Texas in January of 2001. In the Fall I began AIM and served a year and a 1/2 in Mexico City. The girl in the picture is Carla and she has a 4-leaf-clover sticker on her forehead. (James, please note my hair is red)

After AIM I stayed in Portland for a year with the job and money making decision and such until I went to Grad School in Scotland. This is my walk to school through Seaton Park.

I am back in P-town right now (about to move in with my Grandparents) at least until my dissertation is completed at the end of October. After that I'm going to inherit 6 million dollars and travel the rest of my life. If that doesn't pan out then I may stay for a while. Or I might take off again.

In addition to being a snob I am also quite impulsive...

I am a snob...

Please don't be mad or think less of me....

I don't like old things (not as in antique, but as in OLD) that need to be replaced. I don't like old couches or old dishes, drinking glasses, pots and pans..... that are tired and just want to go to a more needy family as I buy new ones.

I clean my items that are dirty so they look new again. Fan, Plastic Storage Containers, Hairdryer, Curling Iron.

I AM SUCH A PRODUCT OF MY GENERATION!





am I going to hell?...