hair today, gone tomorrow

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More like hair today, gone today. So I've been thinking about getting my hair cut for a while now. I always have this problem of wanting to grow out my hair and then getting sick of it and cutting it off so it's always just a medium length- boring! Well, I finally grew it out....


And then today I cut it off...


Oh, and I dyed it. It's basically black now. Michigan makes me do crazy things. I'll be donating what was cut off to Pantene Beautiful Lengths who will use it to make a wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair.

juliet, naked

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I'm making good progress on reading books for fun over break. One down, hundreds to go...

First up: Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby. I'm a big Nick Hornby fan. I first read About A Boy when I was 13 or 14, a bit ahead of my age. Anyway, it was a good read and I've enjoyed his work ever since, although I prefer some novels more than others. Juliet, Naked is now at the top of my list.



What is it about, you ask? Let me tell you!
Annie is a 30-something, British woman living in a dreadfully dull seaside town with her boyfriend of 15 years, Duncan. Said boyfriend is obsessed with Tucker Crowe, a Dylan-esque musician who was mildly popular in the 70s but ended his career abruptly and hasn't been seen or heard from since. The release of demos from Tucker's most famous album, Juliet, sheds light on Annie and Duncan's lackluster relationship and everything changes...I won't give away more than that, but it's basically about people who reach a certain point in their life and they realize that they've wasted a good chunk of their life and now they are trying to figure out how to make up for that time/move on/find meaning/etc.

Nick Hornby is excellent at writing about difficult/failed relationships. Oh, and he's funny- that helps. A good, quick read that left me feeling (mostly) good about life.

So basically, you should read this book. It seems like I only post about books I like...I'll try to find a book I hate and write a good, scathing review.

Up Next: Skippy Dies by Paul Murray

thanksgiving firsts

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I think it might be my favorite holiday because of all of the delicious food. And all the squash. I'm thankful for squash.

This Thanksgiving weekend was filled with firsts for me.

1) Turkey-less Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving 2010 = Thanksgiving without a turkey. Well, that's a lie. There was a turkey, but I did not partake in said turkey. Instead I stuffed my face with wild rice & mushrooms, potatoes, vegan stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. It was all so tasty I didn't even miss the turkey! The only thing that could have made it better would have been squash... I was so busy catching up with my family and eating obscene amounts of food that I didn't take any pictures! So here are pictures of the pies I made...feel free to drool.

Apple pie ready to go in the oven, and pumpkin pie just out of the oven! Mmm so delicious

2) Running a 5k. And I didn't even die! Go me! About a month and a half ago, my friend Ashley asked me if I wanted to run the Turkey Trot with her and of course I said yes! Why? Because I think I'm losing my mind. Do I run? Um, no. My friend Paula, a running goddess, was nice enough to create an awesome running plan to get me in shape for the race. Well, I'm sure it's awesome because Paula made it, but I was so busy I didn't get a chance to use it, but I will for the next 5k! So basically there was no training/running at all done on my part prior to Thanksgiving day. Bad idea. I managed to run around 2 1/4 miles total, which for me is great! I finished in 3748th place (out of 6417).


I had an excellent time, surprisingly so. Running = not a ton of fun, but running through downtown Detroit with a good friend and thousands of other people was very motivating. Oh, and Ashley and I had some excellent Turkey hats. Another 5k isn't out of the question, but, needless to say, there will be training involved for that one!

3) Waking up ridiculously early to go shopping on Black Friday. Now I've gone shopping on Black Friday before, maybe twice in my lifetime, but for some inexplicable reason Sarah and I thought it would be a good idea to get to Target at 4 am. Were we getting a TV? Some other fancy gadget that was an unbelievably low price? Nope. We just wanted some dvds. I'm fully convinced that I've lost my mind. We didn't wait in the line that was wrapped all the way around the back of the store, but we were there at 4 am. I think that is enough to have me committed to an asylum. After Target it was on the mall where I didn't need anything but managed to spend a decent amount of money.

Will I do it again? Probably. I have a love/hate relationship with Black Friday and consumerism. It's overwhelming, disgusting, and horrify, but I sure love a good bargain.

Well, that about wraps up my Thanksgiving weekend. I spent time with friends and family, caught up on sleep, and ate too much food. All around a good time. Did you have any 'firsts' this Thanksgiving?

witmark demos

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Oh Bobby D.,
How I love thee
I'm glad I got the memo
About your new demo
When I listen to it
My love for you grows a bit
With each track
I wish it was me you would mack


Was that a bit much? Oh well, now you know. I'm in love with Bob Dylan. And his newly released Witmark Demos. They are fantastic. The sound quality varies from track to track, but just a few are very fuzzy. The demos are from 1962 to 1964 so most of my favorite songs are on there. Including, 'Mama, You've Been on My Mind,' 'When the Ship Comes In,' 'Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," "Masters of War," and so on...pretty much every track. I think Bob Dylan is ridiculously talented. Hence the obsessive love.

The 47 tracks on this 2-cd set made the last few weeks of the quarter much more tolerable. Bob Dylan makes my life better.

hector and the search for happiness

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I picked up a copy of Hector and the Search for Happiness by Francois Lelord a few weeks ago at the Tattered Cover in LoDo. The Tattered Cover is a great place; I could spend hours wandering around there, but I love bookstores. A lot.

I bought it because a) it has a lovely cover and b) the description on the back sounded interesting. In order for me to buy a book these days I have to really like the cover, otherwise I just get it from the library. This is because I am a very poor graduate student and because I am somewhat shallow when it comes to the appearance of my bookshelves even though no one ever sees them.


Well, anyway. On to what I thought of what was inside the book.

Hector and the Search for Happiness is the story of a young psychiatrist, Hector (obviously), who goes to China, Africa, and the United States in order to figure out what happiness is. He has quite a few adventures along the way, reunites with old friends and makes a few new ons, and yes, he does learn a bit about happiness, too.

I liked it and for more than just the cover. I felt good after reading it and slightly illuminated. Lelord doesn't weigh the story down with unnecessary details and I could see myself applying Hector's life lessons to my life because of it. I highly recommend it. Plus, it's short! This is a good balance to the Dicken's novel that has been on my beside table for, oh 8 months?

two days in

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Hey, it's grey and cloudy in Michigan. And cold- don't let me forget the cold.


So I've been back for 48 hours? And what have I done? Quick recap:
  • Gone to Starbucks 4 times
  • Eaten an obscene amount on bread and noodles (let's call this CarbFest 2010)
  • Saw the new Harry Potter film (some girl was sobbing uncontrollably....uhhh, yeah)
  • Went to Ann Arbor 3 times- maybe I should just stay in Ann Arbor since I'm there all the time anyway
  • Cursed up a storm. Mainly at my computer and people driving out of Ann Arbor after the UofM football game
  • Spent time with quality people
What does all this mean?

I should be hyped up on caffeine, but it's really just being absorbed by the bread. I'm at a coffee shop right now. Avoiding my last final exam. Where's my homework machine?

Maybe after this is all over I can get into the holiday spirit (aka excessive baking, decorating my tinsel tree, and listening to Bing Crosby non-stop).

dear michigan

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hello, old friend
it's been a while

I'm headed back to Michigan (I'm on my way as you read this). I'll be there for the next six weeks (more or less), so expect some good (metro-)Detroit adventures. Oh, and lots of baking.

I just have this itty bitty final standing in my way. It's only 60% of my grade...no pressure. That'll be all over by Tuesday. I hope! Sorry for the lack of posts; it's finals time afterall, cut a girl a break!

week 9

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Well, folks. Somehow it happened. It's week 9 out of 10. I'm almost 2/3 done with grad school. Unfortunately, around this time each quarter I get a bit loopy. This temporary insanity is most obvious is my musical choices. Last fall quarter I listened to the same two songs by The Clash over and over again. It was a constant loop of Rock the Casbah and Should I Stay or Should I Go. I don't know why, that's just how it was?


Winter quarter...I can't remember. It was probably non-stop Girl Talk.
Spring quarter was Kaskade.

And now?

I've returned to my angst-filled high school music...Taking Back Sunday. Don't judge. I do what I need to to get me through!


I promise that once finals are over I will try to reclaim some sense of normalcy. I do listen to decent music, most of the time. But I am human, I have my guilty pleasures and they help me kick grad school butt in the last weeks of the quarter!

election day

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Dear Friends,

Today is election day in the United States. Unless you've been living off the grid or in a cave, you should be well aware of this fact. I hope you're registered to vote. And that you are actually going to vote (if you haven't already)!


In my opinion, you shouldn't really complain about government if you don't vote and try to change it. SO. No complaints unless you vote. It's a rule.

Hugs and Kisses,
Lauren Kirsten

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