Drama

I acted in a friend's short play for his play writing class a few days ago. I read/acted before his classmates in this short-play festival. My friend's play was last, so I got to sit and enjoy his classmates' plays. It was an interesting experience. There were some good short plays, others were a little long, and some were read oddly. There was a really dramatic one that was ruined for me by the way it was read. The "actors" read their lines in a way that made for more comedy than tragedy. After intermission, I just faded out and didn't really pay attention. I started thinking about writing something of my own, and the skeleton of this monologue just popped into my thoughts. Tell me what you think.

"It was a rush, a euphoria, a pure ecstasy I had never encountered before. I tried it before, but the previous times left me unsatisfied and wondering what everyone raved about. But then it finally happened. I couldn't believe it. It was absolutely wonderful. My heart raced. My knuckles clenched. My eyes rolled back. I was drunk on the feeling. I didn't want it to stop. But all good things come to an end, right? I keep trying to reach that experience, but I never can reach that intense rush. Every time I try, I just end unfulfilled and hating myself because I let that feeling end. I let that feeling escape. Nothing else does it for me. That time was something more. You didn't just fuck me like everyone else; you made love to me. You made me feel that I was the only person who mattered to you. Or was it all just in my mind, and you really did just fuck me, in more ways than one?"

Goodbye Blues

Despite dancing with friends on College Green for people to ogle at us, and having tons of fun doing it, I want to go home. But, I don't know if I'm ready to handle what might come my way while I'm at home. I don't know what to expect from a certain someone when I see them. I feel as if I'm losing my mind because of this person. So to help me cope, I've retreated to music, my comfort. Here's how I feel:



I wish I could play an instrument. People keep telling me it's easy to learn guitar. I tried to teach myself. It wasn't easy, especially since I didn't have a designated time to just sit and practice each day. I really want to learn piano, but the class for non-music majors fills so fast, I most likely won't be able to take the class until next year. Here's to hoping a spot opens up during Spring Quarter.

Jiminy Controversy, Batman!

So I wrote a column for Column Writing about hipsters and how they are invading Athens and OU mainly just for fun because I wanted to write something about hipsters, especially since people compare me to one constantly. So Ryan needed a Between the Lines to fill space on the Editorial Page, and he asked me if I could let him run one of assignments from Column Writing. It was between the Quidditch one and the Hipster one, but I decided on the Hipster column because I didn't see any good reason to run a random column about Quidditch and how it's spreading to college campuses. Yesterday, the Web page of my column received 35 comments in one day, and 1447 views. People searched for me on Google and found good 'ol Life of John Nero. My column has inspired some interesting responses. A good number of people cannot seem to understand the joke that is my column. Look the display image on this blog! It screams hipster. Well, I'm going to head back to bed as moving makes me extremely nauseous.

Read the crazy comments here.

Happy Birthday, Darling!

Have you ever seen me at a party? It's probably best you haven't. I'm normally the most sober person there, but also the most ridiculous. People ask why I don't go out to parties more. My main reason is I'm not much of a party person. I like to relax on my weekends by snuggling up in my chair, eating Ben&Jerry's, and watching stuff on Netflix or Hulu. I also try to read, not so much this quarter, but in past ones. And if I went out to every party, I might lose a lot of weight from dancing so much; and if you know me, then you know I don't have a lot of weight to lose. Slight digression time! I recently became obsessed with this song (not really). I keep finding moments to quote the beginning speaking part. Someone usually says something relating to a party, a birthday, or going somewhere, and I respond with, "We're going to a party. It's a birthday party. It's your birthday. Happy Birthday, darling. We love you very very very very very very very much."

Murder, He Wrote

According to my friend Adam, I'm a 40-year-old lesbian. Why? Because I watch Murder, She Wrote (I apparently furthered my lesbianism by admitting to liking Golden Girls also). I can't help myself! Angela Lansbury is so adorably British. She goes around solving murders with her super-human deduction abilities. She's the Sherlock Holmes of three decades ago. It's also super cheesy. The intro to the show has non-suspenseful music and her jogging around her Maine hometown waving to people on boats. It's absolutely hysterical!

Lost in Translation

So tonight was the final season premiere of Lost! I've been so pumped. I watched it on the big screen at The Post, and prior to its beginning, Dave thought it would be fun for me to explain everything that happened in Lost up to the end of season five. I said he should just watch the five-minute youtube video describing everything super fast with hilarious costume changes. He said it would be much more fun if I explained it to him. I'm not going to try that again. I didn't get to finish and was interrupted several times. Tristan became fascinated with the smoke monster and wouldn't stop asking if something had to do with the smoke monster. It was agitating, but they love to drive me insane at The Post. I admit, I react quite humourously. But yeah, Lost was great. Loved it!

Salaam, Salinger

I wish you hadn't been a recluse, and that I could have possibly trekked to your place of living before you died, but alas, the best laid plans. Thank you for your amazing works, Mr. Salinger. I know this is a day late, but I needed a day to accept that this was true and not another twitter faux death report. Here's to you, Salinger! The Onion by far did the best memorial for you, written in your most memorable character's fashion.

Singing Real Loud in My Room

I wonder if my neighbors ever get annoyed with my singing. I tend to play music and sing to it a little loudly. Like right now. I'm singing to The Hush Sound. They'll always have a special place in my heart. They were one of the first bands I started listening to when I finally found out about good music in good old tenth grade. Those were the days. Now it's four years later and I'm still singing them. I love music. This girl complimented me a few days ago when I was singing a song by Cold War Kids. She told me I should sing at the open-mic nights, but I need to find someone to play accompaniment so I don't speed up.

National Soup Month

So I've gone this whole month without knowing it was National Soup Month! I need to be on the planning committee for this month! We could totally plan a soup-a-day calendar! How did I find this out? Why Yahoo!'s home page! Here's the link. It just proves what I've always known! Soup is the most amazing food creation ever! Other than cheesecake of course!

Unidetified Liquid

So construction guys have been working on the roof outside my window, and they left their drinks right outside my window. There's an empty Minute Maid orange juice bottle, two Mountain Dew cans, and an unidentified liquid in a KFC paper cup. I want to know what's in it! It's going to drive me mad! What did that construction worker drink?! ARGH! I'm just kidding. Actually, I'm not. I'm sort of intrigued. I wonder if he'll get KFC tomorrow. I'll stake out in my room and try to catch a glimpse of the liquid's color that rises in the straw. Then I'll search KFC's offered soda fountain drinks. Huzzah! The game is afoot! Have at you!

Act I

So I went through with my Shakespeare in the Streets idea today. I performed Marc Antony's "Friends, Romans, countrymen..." speech. It was a little nerve-wracking, and I flubbed the lines a little, but it was fun. There was a woman radioing someone, but I was done and gone before anyone showed up. I'm not sure if I'm going to do another one right away though. I think I'll prepare for a few days, then shoot for this Friday. I'll plan on doing it in another location so I don't scare the Baker staff into thinking I'm off my rocker...even though some might say I am. Bah! I bite my thumb at those who say such things!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Though it's nice to have a day off, that is not what this day is about. It's about celebrating the life of a wonderful person who was so hatefully taken from the world. Though his loss was tragic, it was also a catalyst. Here is his beautiful speech in front of the Lincoln memorial.

First Column

So I finished my first assignment for Column Writing. The theme was seasonal, so I decided to go with New Year's resolutions after bouncing around ideas covering Athens' weather. So here is the final product that I sent to be graded. Tell me what you guys think!


It's a new year, and we all know what that means: New Year's resolutions. Those are those plans you make at the beginning of the year, but never stick to, remember? Most people make resolutions to improve or change something about themselves. But this year, how about making some unconventional resolutions?

A Cookie a Day

Eat a cookie a day. Everyone loves cookies! Sure, it sounds somewhat unhealthy when you read it, but delve past the surface. You only eat one cookie a day and no other desserts. As long as you eat properly along side your cookie, you'll be fine. Plus, allowing yourself only one cookie a day makes that one cookie even more delicious. Just make sure not to give a mouse your cookie. It's your only cookie!

A Book a Week

Books seem to be going to the wayside because of new-fangled gadgets such as television and the Internet. Who doesn't love a good book? Curling up in an armchair, sipping whatever drink you prefer, petting the cat, and turning the pages are just a sample of the many fun things that come of reading a book. The books don't have to be classic or long works, just a book.

A Word a Day

Not one for reading? Why not try picking a new word from the dictionary each day? It's simple. Pick a random word each day, and then try to use that word once during the day. You'll impress your friends and co-workers with your advanced vocabulary, and also teach them. Plus, with your plethora of new words, crosswords will be a breeze!

A Food a Week

No one likes the same old thing week after week! So this year, try a new dish at one meal each week. There are so many cultures on the planet, so branch out and try the food of a different one. Sure Indian food may sound odd, and hummus may not look appetizing, but try it anyways. The only way to know if you like something is to try it! The worst that can happen is you end up not liking it.

A Picture a Day

The world is a busy place. People are constantly rushing and missing the beauty around them. So to capture the beauty around you, take a picture every day of something you find interesting. You only get one picture though, so don't waste it. Capture a moment that makes you laugh, smile, or remember a happy memory. It doesn't have to be artfully composed! Just have fun and take pictures!

A Movie a Week

New movies are being made every day, so who has the time to watch them all? I know I don't. Instead of trying to watch every movie ever made, watch one a week this year. Pick a day during the week and watch a movie you've never seen before. Don't stick to one section! Move around the video store or library, pick a random one at the movie theater, or check every genre's box in your Netflix options. With your new movie knowledge, at the end of the year you can apply to become a movie critic. Who wouldn't want to watch movies all the time?

These are just a few of many thing that you can fit into the a-day/a-week formula. If none of these appeals to you, then choose something else. Take some time and dance each day. Sing a song every day, Or say hello to someone you don't know each day. The possibilities are endless. Just make sure you stick to your resolution. If you don't, there's always next year, right?

And the Rain is Falling

And the snow is falling no more Belle & Sebastian. Now write might I for awhile like the Bard. I don't really remember where I was going with this post. I wish I had more money. Then I could help the people of Haiti. I also have to write my first assignment today for my Column Writing class. It's a seasonal piece. I have ideas, but I'm not sure if I can milk 500 words out of them. We'll see. On a side note, we finished Titus Andronicus, and have moved on to Hamlet! Yay! I can't wait to reread Hamlet. It's my second favourite play by the Bard.

Between the Lines Again

I wrote another Between the Lines for The Post again. It ran yesterday, but I've barely been in my room today, so here is the link. I hope you like it. I would also like to give a shout out to my girl, Sandra! I had her as a professor for News Writing last quarter, and today she had a minor stroke in class. Thankfully, she is doing alright. She taught me a lot of things that come in handy while working at The Post. She also loved my previous Between the Lines. I'd like to think that she felt better after reading my current one. And if she hasn't read it yet, then she will feel better when she does.

Acting in the Streets

So I've been thinking, dangerous I know. I'm in a class on Shakespeare's Tragedies this quarter. It has really gotten me into wanting to perform Shakespeare. I've come up with a brilliant idea. Shakespeare in the Streets! Friends and I shall perform scenes from Shakespearean plays on street corners, sidewalks, public areas. They would be key scenes, or if enough interest is garnered we could do more. We could possibly do a scene a day sort of thing. We also could do an act a day and only perform on weekdays since most of Shakespeare's plays are five acts. I think I really want to do this. It would be a lot of fun, especially if people stop and actually watch us perform. We would not have advanced costumes and only necessary props though. I could also try to get together a Shakespeare on the green thing going where we would use the Scripps Amphitheater to perform. Then maybe we could think about adding costumes. I'll keep you guys updated.

2 Atoms in a Molecule

Over break, I built up my music library so I can be more knowledgeable about music. I would like to thank NPR for turning me on to Noah and the Whale. I just actually listened to their music today. This is the first song on their album Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down. I instantly fell in love with it and the band. So, to spread my love, here they are singing 2 Atoms in a Molecule.

She's Got Me Dancing!

So this song has been stuck in my head for a few days. Now I shall get it stuck in all your heads, though I still think no one reads this despite what Google Analytics tells me. Be warned, it's pretty strange. It's something akin to 70's movie camp.

Fun Things Are Afoot at the Shively-K

I'll think I'll shoot for one odd pop culture reference per post. But to the point of this post, some fun things have happened today. At one point today, I heard what sounded like someone knocking on my dorm room wall from the other side. So what did I do you ask? Why, I knocked right back. We had a knocking game for like three minutes before my neighbors became bored and went back to whatever they were doing. The other thing is that there was a jam session going on two rooms away. They're taking a break right now. Oh wait, they're starting up again. My hall mates found some life over break because last quarter the only thing that happened was their shouting about sports they were watching. There is one non-fun thing that happened. The dining hall in my building that just opened this quarter does not serve breakfast. I cannot wake up and go eat breakfast in my pajama pants. Instead, I have to get dressed and put on my winter gear so I can walk five minutes or so to go eat at Nelson! The outrage! I'll get over it though. Stay tuned for more pop culture packed posts!

Morning Greetings

There are guys sweeping snow off the roof outside my window. One guy starting singing about sweeping and brooms and such. It made me think of Mary Poppins. To bad they're not soot-stained, British chimney sweeps. A boy can dream though...I feel I've said that several times. I like to dream a lot. If only I remembered my dreams that occur while I sleep. Mostly, I remember black, but every once and awhile I'll have these crazy narrative dreams about people who have no connection to me. Like recently I had a dream about some crazy skilled little boy who tried to bring something to The Rock so he could change back to a normal person and not be a tooth fairy anymore. This kid was chased across suburbia by some government agency. It was crazy. He was blowing stuff up, killing people, opening secret passages in his house that led to a crazy underground city with a waterfall and ivy everywhere. Eventually he got caught, but it was intentional. They put him under house arrest, and he escaped into the ruins under the city. They chased him there and then my dream ended. I rarely in my dreams.