Okay, here's what I don't get:

Fine, if they're going to reprise some of their old songs along with the new songs they're performing (which, not surprisingly, sound like their old songs). I get that they "have to" do that, based on all the weird people singing along in the audience.

But why do they still make that angry lips-pursed squinty-eye face? Maybe it worked in 1992, but it doesn't work now. It's like 13-year-old boys trying to look gangsta.

New blog post.

Sports Plus is closing!

On a lighter note: I thought Hot Fuzz was really funny. And so did Ian.

In at Minnesota. Game, set, match - Twin Cities, here we come.

I'm having a lot of fun in Pittsburgh. and I guess that's all I have to say about that.

It seems like such a shame to go through the whole JFK rigamorole just to end up in Pittsburgh. Last time I was here I was flying to Santo Domingo.

So in my search for a new magazine to subscribe to, I've been shopping the en espanol versions of the English language magazines I usually avoid. I've been reading Cosmo en espanol, and although I'm excited to finally have the Spanish to follow what's going on, being Cosmo there wasn't anything going on in the first place. For example, I learned that you cannot have too much sex, but you do have to watch out for urinary tract infections. Really, I think I'm ready for something a little more challenging. But what?

Stupid Times. If I wasn't so goddamn trendsetting and ahead-of-my-time, I could have been in this article. Hell, I could have been the focus.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/education/edlife/07nakedparties.html?ref=edlife

Should I renew my subscription to The New Yorker?

impromptu new year's party at my place in brooklyn. call/comment if interested!

Why is everyone off for vacation already but me?!? Don't you people have work?!?

Yay! I didn't totally suck at the GRE! I even rocked the math section, relatively speaking, though there was definitely something left to be desired in verbal. I guess I should have studied verbal more, but whatever, I'm sure my analytical score will be my highest scoring part anyway, and I spent a grand total of an hour and a half studying that. So there.

If you wanted to read my stuff and get back to me, I'm starting to re-write my essays now. If you want to read them after the re-write, I'll post those too, about a week from now. Thank you all for being so supportive through all this - I feel like my head is going to explode and your commenting and reading and support keeps me sane. Thank you!

cure for the writing portfolio blues:

-take the day off of work (in my case, the morning)
-bring your laptop to central park.
-write to your heart's content, or at least until you have to go pick up the kids.

Hi Everyone,

As you probably know, I'm applying for MFA programs in creative nonfiction and I'm working my portfolio. I've gotten to the part where I need people to read my stuff and tell me what they like and what sucks and maybe support it with a reason or two. Basically, I need feedback. You don't have to be a literary writer person to do this - in fact, it may be prefereable if you're not - but I won't hold it against you if you are.

I have three essays, 31 double-spaced pages total, and I need to pick two that represent my "best work" and fix those up. I need feedback by Nov 10th, so that I have time to make final revisions before sending out my applications. If you only have time to like, read one, that's fine. Seriously, I need all the help I can get. I know I have a lot of friends here whose opinions I respect and who would be good readers of my work. Any feedback you can give me is a huge, huge help.

If you are interested in reading my stuff, let me know and I will email it to you. If you'd rather, I can just post it here and you guys can post comments. Let me know.

Thank you thank you thank you in advance!

Thank you,
Sheena

My personal statement:

Look. I'm a good writer. I went to a good school, where I did well enough. You're an okay program, I think...frankly, your program might suck - it's hard to tell with nonfiction. I'm sure I'm smart and creative and prepared enough for Midwest/Southwest State U. What do you want me to say? I want to spend 2-3 years not having to leave my house at 8am and get home at 9pm just so I have some time to write and so I can afford half an apartment. I want to write full time. I want to live somewhere besides New York for a while, just so I don't feel pressured to attend every new play, reading, concert, etc etc. I want to get away from the sensory overload, just to get a head start on my writing. I'm willing to pay you to do it, too (though not much, so please have scholarships and TA-ships available). I want to TA, and I'd be good at it, but I don't pretend like I'll be a professor after I graduate. It's not going to happen.

So, what I'm trying to say is: read my portfolio. If you like it, great; if you don't, I probably don't belong in Montana/El Paso/Iowa/Pittsburg/Indiana/Minneapolis/etc etc anyway.

Sincerely,

Sheena Warrior Princess

On the front page of the New York Times website there is a slideshow of "reactions" to the crash. I am surprised at how accurately it represents the character of the Upper East Side on a weekday afternoon. A nanny with her Buckley boy, a woman carrying a puffy white dog, the skinny, smartly dressed forty-something mother on her cell phone, the teenage girls with hoodies over their school uniforms - they're all here, watching the building. Except for those of us at Starbucks, wondering why our cell phones won't work.

I'm seeing Borat on Saturday!!!!

[New Yorker festival, midnight screening added, buy your tickets now!!!]

As of reading this article in the New York Times today, I'm considering giving up reading the Times altogether - it just makes me too angry.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do at work, though, since I can't possibly check my email any more often.

Hello?

[Car noise, background.]

Hello?

Hello, GRACIE?

I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong number.

HELLO?

I THINK YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER.

Oh. Sorry.

'Bye.

One, seven one...