car love

After delaying and ignoring issues with my car for months (since I think June/July), I decided it was time to bite the bullet and take my car to get fixed. In a few weeks, once finals are over and done with (can't waaaait) I will be driving up North for the holidays and figure since it's many miles it would be good to know my car is all set and hopefully will keep me safe.

Since 2 of the 3 issues were specific to my Saturn, I decided to take it to a dealership in Fairfax, just a few miles from campus. I spoke with a dude named HOOK, who was really friendly and told me they'd take care of my car. (FYI - He did not have a hook for a hand, and I was very disappointed) First, my brakes have been clicking every time I press them. I figured it was the ABS engaging and not a big deal, since I tested my brakes - in the rain - and was able to stop successfully and the ABS worked as they should. Found out, it wasn't really that big a deal. Part of my left front axle cracked in half, completely, which left the sensor for my ABS confused. It couldn't tell how fast my left tire was rotating in comparison to the right, so it was always panicking and engaging, click click click! For you lucky people who have experienced this, it's fixed! The dealership picked up parts from an outside vendor so it cost me about $250 less than it should have. Still cost about $400 total, JUST for that (not counting labor, good times)

Also, the bracket for my muffler rusted and broke, not off entirely, just loosely so that my muffler rattled and it wasn't dragging on the ground, I'm not that trashy. As a precautionary measure I used a wire hanger to secure my muffler in place, until I got around to getting it fixed (read 5 months later..) They easily replaced the bracket costing around $125 for parts and labor.

Third and final issue, my sunroof likes to leak into the trunk of my car. Found out it's as simple as replacing the drainage into the hose, the mechanic explained it to me and showed me how I can fix it myself, should it happen again (which it will because this was time #4 it was leaking). This luckily didn't cost me a thing! Which is good, because I have a feeling the last time I brought it in to get fixed and they charged me $300 was BULLSHIT, especially because it was probably just the damn hose again, which I can fix myself, so take that craptastic dealership in Alexandria.

Finally, after many months, my car is in working order and happy. It only cost me $711.28 to get it there, but hey, it's the price you pay for a sweet 3 door black cherry Saturn <3 (and mobility)

wwe bobby shields

As I mentioned previously, my friend Bob was offered a chance to wrastle on the WWE. Well he was able to actually wrestle in front of a giant audience and have it televised! This past Tuesday December 1st at 10PM on Syfy, Bob made his debut! I am so incredibly proud of Bobby Shields and all that he has achieved. We've been friends for at least 6 years and he's always talked about wrastling and wanting to be on WWE. Although he was used to help others progress, he did a fantastic job losing! (As weird as that sounds.) It's one small step and a start that was a really great experience, he is incredibly excited about. Congrats Bob!!

Check out the clip!

a clark thanksgiving

This year was the first year I stayed in VA for Thanksgiving. Typically, I head up to CT to be with my Aunt and cousins and grandparents. I think that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday to celebrate with my family. They make the most amazing food, and with all the people running around (probably more of napping), football, video games, phase 10 - it's never ending maddness and an amazing time. Since I had one final the following Wednesday and a ton of reading and other homework to do, I didn't think it would be smart to head up to CT and risk not getting any of my work done.

Jonna, Evan and their very sweet parents invited me to celebrate Thanksgiving with them at Evan's new condo in DC. Jonna picked me up around 2pm and we didn't leave until almost midnight. The only bad thing was that I had to work on black friday, so I had to get up at my usual 5:15am time. Evan's condo is absolutely gorgeous. He has an amazing view from his condo, he's on the 3rd floor and has a complete large roof top deck. You can see the Washington Monument and other historical landmarks. It will be perfect for seeing fireworks on the 4th of July! Slowly but surely he will get settled into his new condo, and I'll have better pictures.The rain had finally stopped for a while, and we took advantage of that moment. Jonna, Evan, Laurie and I went on a guided tour (compliments of Evan) around his new neighborhood. He lives near H St and Florida in NE, DC. The area isn't the safest at the moment, but there are a lot of changes in the works. They're working on building a trolly system, that will run up and down H St, and we noticed there were at least 6 new bars/restaurants opening within the next few months. It will be exciting to explore a new part of DC.

Before dinner we played Clue, where John tried everything possible to cheat, but Evan won the first round and I won the second. Everything about Thanksgiving dinner was delicious, except for maybe the mashed potatoes. There may have been too much milk added, and they were rather frothy. Once we finished dinner we lazed around and played Apples to Apples. Jonna won that game with ease. There were 3 dessert options, and I had all 3, of course. When Jonna makes dessert, you have to eat them all! There was her famous frozen cheesecake with fresh strawberries, a banana cake with cream cheese frosting and chocolate and a home made pumpkin pie (made by Laurie!) that I think was THE best pumpkin pie I've ever had in my entire life, seriously. The flavors were amazing, all the spices were complimented perfectly.

Jonna and I cabbed back to Arlington to pass out in a food coma. For not being able to be with my family in CT, I was really happy and had the best time celebrating with the Clark's <3

primal conflict part III

Last year, Anthony, Nick and I went to see Primal Conflict Wrestling II, in West VA - which is a spectacular amateur wrestling event. It was my first time seeing True Talent Bobby Shields (Bob!) wrastle, and he told me that they were hosting the event again.

I meant to invite a bunch of people to check out the Primal Conflict Wrestling III, but forgot with school being so demanding. Last minute I convinced Jen to come along for the hour and thirty minute drive up to WV to watch Bob wrastle. We made it just in time to catch Bob's match! I took a few pictures, but they came out a little dark. Bob won his match! and it was very exciting. All kinds of jumping, throwing, slamming and slapping around. Jen and I left just after intermission - as the drive back was long and I had to keep working on my paper. The goal was to finish my paper by Sunday afternoon so I could enjoy my evening before getting back into the busy routine of the week.

He's also been working really hard since last year to gain more weight (muscle) and he's been very successful. I hadn't seen him wrastle since a year before, and I noticed a significant difference. All that hard work, and many hours of eating and working out has been worth it. Bob also told me that he finally heard back from the WWE and over Thanksgiving weekend he was asked to come to a taping. He didn't know whether he'd just be helping out or would get a chance to wrastle, but either way I'm excited for him! He's been wanting a shot at the WWE for a while, and I hope that it goes well!

it's ladies night

Typically I have each week entirely planned out in advance, occasionally I will do something on a whim, but it's not often. I can't really afford to, since working part time and taking three classes has been really demanding; following a strict schedule is the only thing keeping me on track. This past Friday Leigh invited me and Lizzy out to dinner to Matsutaki! for hibachi and sushi. I decided that even though my plan for the evening was reading the book for my paper that was due Monday, I hadn't been able to hang out with them much recently and decided I'd just have to stay up late to make up for it. (which I did, made me entirely sleepy, but sometimes it just has to be). Also, sushi sounded perfect and I couldn't pass it up. It had been a while since we have been able to sit together and chat and it was nice to catch up. Leigh and Nick have been preparing for a new move, and she's still adjusting to a new demanding job and schedule and Lizzy has been busy with work and getting her apartment ready to host Thanksgiving. And of course, hibachi is delicious and entertaining. I can't wait for the semester to be over so I can squeeze in more girls nights :) (before it all starts again in January)

have steve's

As a belated celebration of sorts, Jonna and I decided to get a bunch of people to head out to Steve's Bar in DC. What we were mostly celebrating was my decision to drop work to part time and pick up grad school full time. We were also, less directly, celebrating Evan's completion of law school and also his passing the bar exam. Soon, he will be an official esquire (as he keeps informing me, it's not official yet).

Steve's bar was full and had the usual awesome mix of music and dancing. Leigh, Lizzy, Billy, Stephanie, Evan and Jonna all met at my apartment and we headed into the city. We met up with April, Leo and their crew at the bar. Later in the night Kielbasa-sandwich, and Robin met up with us and brought their group from Public. It ended up being a good night, lots of dancing! (even though I'll always dance regardless of where I am) I even caught a picture of Billy singing and dancing to Miley Cyrus. I've always had a great time at Steve's and I'm really glad that a lot of people were able to meet out (and I got a much needed break from homework).

Billy and I left the bar around 130am, and were in search of Ranch dressing. Apparently it's essential to eat pizza with Ranch dressing, although I disagree. CVS apparently carries salad dressing as we found it there, but not after searching throughout most of the store first, and Billy drawing much attention to himself. Grabbing anything random, talking loudly and trying to embarrass me, unsuccessfully, I finally found ranch dressing on the very bottom shelf. Delicious hersheys chocolate and peanut butter cookies were also bought as a late night snack, mmmm!

More pictures for viewing

deckless housewarming

After having canceled his initial housewarming party due to contagious illness, Billy finally rescheduled his deckless party for November. Since building a deck was going to take longer than expected, many people gathered (if you ask Billy he may say 20-30 people, but he was wrong) to warm his house sans deck. There was beer pong, cornhole and rockband, drinking and delicious food.

It was too chilly outside to set up cornhole, so Jen, Billy, Ben and I decided to move all the couches and play in the middle of the livingroom. This was the first time I played, and didn't do too badly. I still am not really sure what the desire or reason for the game is, but this set had the potential to light up and came with glow sticks to attach to the bags, and was entertaining.

Of course we also played board games! Jen brought a bunch of games, as she typically has multiple stored in her car, and we played Taboo. I don't know which team won, but I do know that I rock at that game. And would definitely play Taboo over Cranium any day (unless Jonna is also there to play, then maybe). Jen and I also played Twister. Which, I remember the mat being much larger when I was a kid. Either they shrunk the mat, or I've grown up.. It's not very difficult to play with only two people, but still inappropriate for picture taking. Jen ended up winning because Billy Ho knocked me over, which shouldn't actually count at all.

It took a while to set up rockband, apparently alcohol affects the ability to function or set up games, and we had a decent group rocking out. Billy had the wii version, which I don't think is as great at the PS3 version. The song choices were really limited and I didn't know most of them. Since everyone sucks at drums, I some how ended up trying to play drums, and did OK. Billy fell asleep mid-song, and missed out on the rest of the evening. But, he usually falls asleep as soon as he finds a couch, so it wasn't unexpected :P

Craig, Sean, Kate and I ended up cleaning a lot before crashing. We are such good guests! We all decided that even though Billy lives out in Centreville he should host more parties, it's worth the trip!

have gory halloween

I have been looking forward to halloween since last years halloween. At one of the parties I went to last year, I was inspired and couldn't wait for this year to get dressed up!

After much discussion it was decided that a group of us would be celebrating halloween up in Bethesda, MD. (My first halloween in MD!) Jen had provided a few bar options, and found 2 specifically because they advertised costume contests. The plan was to meet at Jen's between 7-730pm and hang out until everyone arrived and head out to whichever bar we decide on.

Brendan was in town from Durham, NC visiting some friends and we had planned to hang out a bit before we each went out separate ways for the night. Lucky for him, he got to help Jonna, help me! get ready. Using corn syrup, red and yellow food coloring, chocolate sauce, maple syrup, molasses and vanilla extract (most of those things were used to try to dull out the molasses smell), we concocted a delicious brew of fake blood. After testing out the blood we decided it was time for me to get dressed (and thanks to Mary for providing me with a dress that I had to wear in her wedding this summer, who says you can't use bridesmaid dresses again?!), and time for them to cover me in stickiness. It wasn't too cold, but it was super sticky. I had to stand in the tub for a while until most of the fake blood was relatively dry, or at least not dripping wet, before I decided to venture out into the rest of my apartment. Luckily for me, Brendan documented the entire experience and posted them all online, for viewing pleasure. I was going to wait another 15-20 minutes before heading up to Jen's, but I was promised a surprise if I left sooner, so I dared to set out earlier than I intended. Using towels, I covered as much as I could of the drivers seat and drove up. (In the end, I managed to keep most of the corn syrup off my car. I did however find some on the steering wheel, shifter and seat belt when I drove back to VA Sunday)

I met up with Jen, Billy, Billy Ho, Craig, and Ari in Bethesda. I think I made a great entrance, and successfully creeped everyone out in my gory bloody Carrie costume! Jen's costume was a 70s style roller skater - including Fisher Price roller skates! Billy was an unemployed Redskin, I think. Billy Ho was a vampire - like Bill from Tru-Blood, and even bought some Tru-Blood from the HBO website (read blood orange soda - that he mixed with vodka to create "fangbangers"), which was also my surprise, and delicious. It went along with my bloody motif (which was also sweet and delicious, hehe) :) Craig was dressed up as a skeleton, and didn't wear out his creepy mask. Ari was a mad scientist, complete with dry ice which he thoroughly enjoyed putting in everyone's drinks and making potions and crazy doctor concoctions. We waited around for some of Billy's friends and then headed out to Union Jack's.

The bar was packed with many people, and interesting costumes. We managed to claim a corner in the back by the pool tables and enjoy all the costumes and people. I remember dancing around a lot, because that's what I do, and many pictures. It was fun pulling Jen around in her bitty roller skates and punching Billy in his giant pillow belly. At one point we managed to claim a pool table and attempted to play some pool. I think Billy Ho and I won the first game, but I didn't play anymore after that. I was pretty content to continue dancing around. Jen and I decided to walk around the bar and explore and I thoroughly enjoying being in character and starring at people as we walked past, successfully creeping them out. While we were wandering I was given a card. This card said SCARIEST, and just like that I was selected to participate in a costume contest. We were told it would start around 1am and at that time I should head up to the DJ and get on stage. Once 1am rolled around, maybe it was closer to 130am, everyone joined me up by the DJ where I successfully won FIRST place - scariest contest and $100!! I won second place overall and won a free trip to pick from a selection of cities and a hotel for 3 days/2 nights. Pretty awesome!

By this point it was last call, we lost Craig for a bit, then we lost Billy Ho, and then we found him, but still couldn't find Craig, and part of the group left. We tried to find Craig only to find out he was outside the entire time. We all crammed into Jen's new car and headed back to her house to crash and eat delicious pizza. I very gratefully was able to shower before bed, and clean off all the corn syrup and blood at Jen's. I didn't dye her bathtub too badly, hehe. But was really very glad to be free of stickiness and in nice warm pjs. To top off a very successful halloween, it was daylight savings and we got an extra hour of sleep!

I have NO idea what I'm going to be next year. How can I possibly top first place scariest costume?? I will have to find a way! Many pictures (which most have seen) on FB thanks to Jen!

have spring class

Its apparently become pretty difficult to sign up for the classes that you want at George Mason, at least for the history students. A lot of my classmates were concerned about getting the classes they wanted. I had a lot of problems getting into the three I have this semester, but I was only a little worried. Registration started at 3pm on November 3rd and I knew I'd be home and ready to sign up for the classes I wanted at the exact time! As predicted each class filled really quickly, at least one of them managed to fill in less than 15 minutes! But, I successfully signed up for all three classes that I chose for the spring!

If anyone is interested, these are the classes I've registered for (and am excited to take!):

HIST 615/001: Storm-Cradled Nation: The Confederate Experience 1860-1865
Even before the Civil War’s last shot was fired in the spring of 1865 the history of the Southern Confederacy was already being shrouded in myth and legend. In the following decades ‘Lost Cause’ advocates blended fact with fiction to romanticize Confederate history leaving it to modern scholars to ask hard questions as to why mid-nineteenth century southern leaders believed that creating a slave holding republic was not only viable, but desirable. This seminar takes a critical approach in examining how national political disputes morphed into a ‘conservative revolution’ that was intended to protect southern society, but instead unleashed America’s bloodiest war resulting in the ruin of the Old South. The course will examine the rise of southern nationalism and views on slavery, critique southern military and political leaders, review the Confederacy’s war effort and home front problems, and explore southern Unionism and dissent. Arguments that the South ‘lost the war but won the peace’ will also be addressed to explain how growing post-war legends warped the historical record and tinted public perceptions about the Confederacy for over a century after Appomattox.

HIST 615/004: Problems in US History: Politics & Entertainment in the 20th Century
In this course we will explore ways in which the worlds of American politics and entertainment have impacted each other throughout the twentieth century in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of both. Specific areas we may examine include the influence Hollywood has had on the political process and conversely, ways that politics have affected the motion picture industry; the role of actresses and female variety entertainers in creating a modern feminist identity during the first decades of the century; the rise of politically-oriented popular theater during the Great Depression; the adoption of jazz and American dance for cultural diplomacy purposes during the Cold War; the mainstreaming of political satire and the folksong revival during the Kennedy era; how rock music of the Vietnam War era attempted to affect social change; and recent blurring of the lines between the two worlds as television became a dominant force in political campaigns, advertising techniques infused the creation of political images, and entertainers ran for high public office.

HIST 690/001: Administration of Archives
This course is an introduction to the principles and practices in the administration of archival and manuscript repositories and an orientation to the place of archives in society. This course is designed for students considering employment as archivists or manuscript curators, as well as for those who desire a broader understanding of the role archives play in shaping a collective memory of the past. Emphasis will be placed on examining core archival functions – selection, preservation, and access – in conjunction with professional ethics of stewardship and use of primary source material. The course will also explore issues of archival advocacy, public outreach, program development, and the challenges and opportunities of new technology

no more monkeys

When I'm doing research, I make an organized mess. I was on my bed with laptop, and at least 4 or 5 books open with notes and papers strewn about. Yang was stopping by to pick up his jacket and he knocked on the door. Now instead of moving things aside, or calmly walking around my bed I decide instead it's a good idea to stand up and jump off my bed, over my books and things, to answer the door. It seemed like a good idea until upon landing I slammed my hand into my nightstand. (To which my brother asked me - why were your arms moving? Apparently when I jump, I still move my arms like I did back in cheerleading. It's the only explanation I have for why I would need to swing my arms up and then down) So now I'm in great pain, fingers swell up and bruise immediately and I have to let Yang in, and ask him to give me a minute while I writhe in pain. Frozen spinach and Ibu later, I'm no longer doing research as I can't write or turn pages with my right hand. I didn't break anything (other than my nails) luckily, but they were sore for a good 4 days.

You'd think I had learned my lesson about jumping off my bed. A few years ago I was on the phone and jumped off my bed but when I landed I rolled my ankle and watched myself fall in my full length mirror, and sprained my foot. (At first I laughed really hard because seriously, watching yourself fall is hilarious, and then came the pain/swelling/bruising) But nope, here I am years later still jumping off my bed. It seems that I have a greater success rate though!