I feel the sky tumblin' down. You know my heart starts tremblin' whenever you're around.

My Fiction class and I went on this two-mile hike over the Warhol Bridge to the North Shore today, to do setting sketches. I'd forgotten how pretty Pittsburgh is, really.

I've discovered that pretentious people really bother me. I mean, I get that visceral bubbly reaction in my chest where I'm like...stop being a special snowflake, goddammit!

So, yes. There's that.

Mom has decided that I'm not going to Nicaragua this summer. Which sucks, because I'd really like to go, and I never get to go anywhere awesome like that. But she freaked out at the prospect of me working by myself on a coffee plantation with no electricity/running water/close medical care. Plus, there's that whole Sandinistas thing. So no Central America for me.

I drank Kool-Aid today for the first time in years. Orange. I've forgotten how much it tastes like melted Jell-O.

Um...

The Basics

What's the name? Rachel.
And the age? 15.
When were you born? January 3rd, 1992.
Where? Madison, Wisconsin.
Height? 5'7".
Hair color? Brown.
Eye color? Brown.
Sign? Capricorn.

Favorites
Book? Fiction: "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." Nonfiction: "Nickel and Dimed." Play: "No Exit."
CD? The Honesty Room--Dar Williams
Food? Sushi, cheese, pasta.
Drink? Lemonade.
Candy? Chocolate anything.
Car? Le Beetle.
Band? The Decemberists.
Song? "Yankee Bayonet."
Movie? True Stories, Love and Death.
Fast Food Restaurant? Qdoba?

The Friends
Who's your best friend? Annah, Scherer, Miriam, Duncan.
The one you've known the longest? Annah.
The one who is ALWAYS there for you? Annah and Miriam. Duncan, too!
The one you fight with the most? Haha, most like Annah.
The sweetest? Miriam?
Funniest? Annah.
Nicest? Annah.
Best taste in music? Duncan.
Loudest? Scherer.
Who's the best singer? Miriam.
Actor//Actress? Miriam.

Relationships
Do you have a crush? Yes.
Are you willing to say who? No.
Are you going out with anyone? No.
What's the name of your other? Not Applicable!
How long have you two been together? Still not applicable!
What do you like most about you significant other or crush? He's one of the most interesting people I've ever met.
Have you ever been in love? Yes.
With who? Quite a few people.
Are you afraid of getting hurt in a relationship? Yes.
What was your longest relationship? 1 year.
Why'd you break up? Because it was mostly one-sided.
Are you still friends? Yes.
What is your ideal date? A good movie, dinner, quiet conversation.
Your ideal Valentine's Day? I hate Valentine's Day.
Do you believe in love at first sight? No.
What about love that lasts forever? Why not?

Family
Do you get along with your parents? Yes.
Your siblings? Yes.
How old are your siblings? 6.
Do you have any extended family living with you? No, I used to, though.
Where is your family from? Ethnically? Ireland (northern), England, Wales, Russia, Romania, Poland.
Do you have any pets? Yes.
What kind? One cat.
What are their names? Pinkle Purr, after an AA Milne poem.

This or That
Coke//Pepsi: Coke.
Starburst//Skittles: Starburst.
Tootsie Rolls//Hersheys: Hershey's.
Milk//Chocolate Milk: Chocolate milk.
McDonalds//Burger King: Neither.
Chinese//Sushi: Sushi.
Dunkin Donuts//Starbucks: Starbucks.
Icing//Whipped Cream: Icing.
Rap//Emo: Emo.
Radio//CD: CD.
Fork//Spoon: Spoon.

Opinions
Do you think Bush is a good President? He's a madman.
Do you believe in abortion? Yes.
What's your view about becoming a vegetarian? If you want to do it, do it.
Would you rather live paralyzed or die? Die.
Do you believe in love that lasts a life time? I suppose.
Why do you think Disney movies usually have the mother missing? Internalized misogyny.
Do you believe in organized religion? Kind of.
Do you think the girl scouts should be categorized as a cult? WTF?
What about boy scouts? My great-uncle is an Eagle Scout. He has a uniform and everything.
Are insane people insane or just in another state of mind? I've honestly never thought about it.
Do you believe in the war in Iraq? Hell no!
War on Terror. Oxymoron, Contradiction? Oxymoron, and besides, you can't declare war on a concept.

Music
Favorite Band? The Decemberists.
Favorite Singer? Edith Piaf.
Best song? "Yankee Bayonet."
Worst song? "Hey There Delilah." OH GOD, I HATE IT.
Worst band? Plain White T's, naturally.
Best place to get music? iTunes, yay for legality.
Best tour? I don't know!
Last concert you saw? Haha, probably Hollow Vent.
Best music video? "16 Military Wives," the Decemberists.
Worst music video? I...don't know.
Hottest guy artist? I'm not really sure.
Girl artist? Again, not sure..
Band you realllly want to meet? I'M FRIENDS WITH ALL THE BANDS ON MYSPACE!
What band looks like the most fun? Fun? What is this "Fun" you speak of?
Has MTV gone 6 feet under? J'adore My Super Sweet Sixteen, sadly.

Soundtrack to Your Life (put your iPod/iTunes on random to answer these)
Waking Up: "Can't Take Love for Granted"--Mary Chapin Carpenter
In the Shower: "This is Not the House that I Built"--Dar Williams
Breakfast: "Brown-Eyed Girl"--Van Morrison
Meeting Up With Friends: "Blue Divide"--Richard Shindell
First Love: "Darling Lorraine"--Paul Simon
Falling in Love: "America, Fuck Yeah!"--Team America
First Kiss: "Nobody Knows Me"--Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
Saying Good-bye: "We're Going To Be Friends"--The White Stripes
Running Away: "Quarter to Three"--Bishop Allen
Having Your Heart Broken: "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"--Cyndi Lauper (yay! dance tiems now plzkthx!)
Sleeping: "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?"--REM