The Daily Jones

My Fall

2008-11-11T06:54:00.002-05:00

Ugh. This is always the way. I get a good writing streak going, and then it fizzles. But I think it's all part of the ups-and-downs of life. It's kind of like writing in a journal. Everyone's done that, where you're writing really regularly for a month or so, and then nothing for six months. I know I'm not alone here. Or at least that's what I tell myself. Anyway, I'm back. For now. More tomrrow.

Feeling: Grumpy
Hearing: Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Flat Major

My Muxtape

2008-07-05T14:36:00.004-04:00

My June muxtape is finally done and immediately available for your aural consumption!

BTW, I think that this is my 300th post. Whoo hoo!

Feeling: Moony
Hearing: Shelleyan Orphan, Helleborine

My Fourth

2008-07-04T00:13:00.002-04:00

I like to think this is what the founding fathers had in mind.

Feeling: Bloated
Watching: Designed to Sell

My New Gig

2008-07-03T23:03:00.002-04:00

So I finally got a job! No, not at the liquor store. Unfortunately, that didn't pan out. Instead, I'm work as an Interviewer at IU's Center for Survey Research, completing telephone surveys for research projects. The training was more complicated than I thought it would be, but considering my academic goals, the skills are useful.

Feeling: Gross
Watching: My Life on the D-List

My Gaul

2008-07-02T22:47:00.003-04:00

Are you serious? A news conference about Angelina's confinement? I'm coming down with Brangelina fatigue.

Feeling: Full
Watching: Countdown with Keith Olbermann

My Top Five

2008-07-01T22:41:00.003-04:00

#12: Most Treasured 45s

I started to get an allowance when I was in second grade, and while I can't remember exactly how much it was, I do remember that it was enough to buy two 45 record singles each week. I built up a nice little collection until they started disappearing from stores. Here are my most treasured purchases.

1. "Should I Stay or Should I Go?", The Clash: My babysitter had Combat Rock, and this was my favorite song on the album.
2. "Goody Two Shoes," Adam Ant: I had a huge crush on Adam Ant in fourth grade.

3. "The Reflex", Duran Duran: This is still one of my favorite dance songs.
4. "Shadows of the Night", Pat Benatar: Pat was my favorite singer in elementary school, and this song was the pinnacle of my Pat fever.
5. "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)", Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: Listening to this forgotten song now makes me blush, but I still love it. By the way, no one rocks a shag like Joan.

Feeling: Starving
Watching: Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood (Just keepin' it real...)

My Most Marvelous Summer Day

2008-06-30T16:16:00.007-04:00

Okay, so I feel like crap: I slept terribly last night, and I have a really awful headache. However, that hasn't stopped me from appreciating what an absolutely beautiful day it is. Seriously, this has to be one of the most amazing summer days I have ever experienced in my whole life. It looks gorgeous, and feels luxurious. Here's a video of a brook from my walk around the IU Arboretum.

Untitled from Jennifer Jones on Vimeo.

I love watching water go by. My favorite part is the close-up; it reminds me of a live-action Pollock painting. I could watch it all day. You can see the rest of my pictures from the day on my Flickr account.

BONUS: Make your own Pollock-style painting!

Feeling: See above.
Hearing: AC

My Sweet Swardson

2008-06-29T17:54:00.005-04:00

I can't tell you how happy Reno 911! makes me, and Nick Swardson's Terry is my favorite part.

Feeling: Loopy
Hearing: Pandora

My View

2008-06-28T17:40:00.004-04:00

Train tracks running west through IU's campus, from bridge on Jordan Avenue

Feeling: Breathless
Watching: Our Mutual Friend

My Girl

2008-06-27T21:01:00.001-04:00

No, there's nothing wrong with your eyes or your screen.

Poppy and I are waiting out a thunderstorm. The power just came on, but I think I'm going to cut the computer off now just in case.

Feeling: Achy
Hearing: Pandora

My Confessions

2008-06-26T23:11:00.004-04:00

#5: If Chan Marshall weren't so beautiful, I think most people would find her tiresome.

Feeling: Wary
Watching: The Daily Show

My Top Five

2008-06-25T21:28:00.005-04:00

#11: Most Overrated Films

Now I'm not saying that these films are awful (well, except for the first three). I'm just saying that people seem to like these films a bit more than they deserve.

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: This is my least favorite film ever. I know it's a book, but I haven't read it, so I can't exactly speak about that. I can only attest to the film. I saw it when I was going through my AFI "Top 100 Films" list. I heard so many people talk about how important and inspirational it is, and I can't tell you how many men have told me that it's their favorite film of all time. When I saw it, I understood why. It's basically a dick waving film, no doubt a testosterone-fueled reaction to the feminist movement in the late sixties and early seventies.
2. Garden State: I don't know where to start. This film is... ridiculous. Sophomoric. And it rips off Judy Berlin, a great film from 1999. I love Zach Braff so much that I really wanted to like it, but I couldn't even finish it. Awful.
3. Superbad: Even dorky guys wanna get laid. Shocker. Good job bringing Porky's into the millennium, Apatow wannabes.
4. Pulp Fiction: I give Quentin props for the nonlinear narrative structure. Love that. The rest? Eh...
5. Napoleon Dynamite: Moderately humorous, but earth-shatteringly funny? Mmmm, no.

Feeling: Exhausted
Watching: I Love the New Millennium: 2004

My Muxtape

2008-06-24T23:09:00.002-04:00

My June muxtape is finally up. It's not completely finished: I have two more hard-to-find tracks to add, but the foundation is there.

Feeling: Sore
Watching: The Daily Show

My Girl

2008-06-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

Chasing birdies at Dunn Park

Untitled from Jennifer Jones on Vimeo

Feeling: Pitiful
Hearing: Kettle

My Confessions

2008-06-22T12:28:00.004-04:00

#4: I think that Little Black Book is the single best straight-to-video film ever.

Feeling: Full
Watching: Duh...

My Reunion

2008-06-21T22:29:00.000-04:00

I had a nice visit with my family today. We were all celebrating my second cousin Austin's graduation from New Palestine High School. He was a double varsity athlete in football and wrestling, and is heading to Georgetown College on a football scholarship. Go Tigers!

Feeling: Tired
Hearing: Poppy snoring

My View

2008-06-20T22:10:00.000-04:00

Ride from carnival in parking lot at Memorial Stadium

Feeling: Excited
Watching: The Soup

My Career Opportunity

2008-06-19T23:35:00.000-04:00

I've been looking for a job almost all summer. For a while, it looked like I was going to be teaching a class at Indiana University Purdue University Columbus, but unfortunately, it was canceled. Counting that job, I've applied to over twenty jobs this summer, and I've basically had no bites. Finally, this week, there's a ray of hope. I might end up working at Big Red Liquors. I know, I know, that's not quite in line with my graduate training, but it's actually a nice job. I'd be working primarily as a wine clerk in a brand new wine cellar at a store a hop and a skip from my apartment. The job's not set, but I've been encouraged. Keep your fingers crossed...

Feeling: Hopeful
Watching: Chelsea Lately

My Gifts

2008-06-17T22:03:00.003-04:00

To Kristin

Feeling: Upbeat
Watching: Unmade Beds

My View

2008-06-15T23:31:00.004-04:00

Rose Well House

Feeling: Standard
Watching: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

My Top Five

2008-06-14T19:57:00.005-04:00

#10: Girl Baby Names

Don't worry: there's no particular reason to have this list. Like all women (and I imagine some men), I have my preferences, but the tops are almost beyond negotiable: I've already made some agreements with my brother and sister-in-law.

1. Charlotte: Both my mother and grandmother are named Carol; both Carol and Charlotte are derivations of Charles.

2. Lucille: This is my maternal grandmother's middle name.

3. Maxine: I'm not ashamed to admit that this comes from the Maxine character on Living Single. Love her!

4. Cybele: This is the name of an ancient goddess, and I found it on a statue at the Brooklyn Art Museum.

5. Helene: I've always just liked the way this name sounds, except for the "hell" part.

Oddly enough, I don't have a similar list for boys' names: the only ones I'm focused on are Henry and Robert, my grandfather and father's names, respectively.

Feeling: Overheated
Watching: Something New

My Confessions

2008-06-13T09:00:00.002-04:00

#3: As much as I love The Forty-Year-Old Virgin, I'm getting really tired of Judd Apatow, his proteges, and bachelor flicks in general.

Feeling: Better
Watching: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

My Girl

2008-06-12T12:00:00.004-04:00

No land shark yet, but here's a good video of Poppy's wacky water antics.

Untitled from Jennifer Jones on Vimeo.

Feeling: Droopy
Hearing: AC

My View

2008-06-11T22:49:00.005-04:00

Sorry I've been gone for a week. Why? I have no idea. I've had several people get in touch to check on me during the Indiana rains and floods. Although we've had a lot of rain, Bloomington was relatively unscathed by the flooding, and I'm grateful for that. Here's a pic of some damage to a bridge near our dog park.

Feeling: Hungry
Watching: Keith

My Metaphor

2008-06-04T19:55:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking about this scene throughout the Democratic nominee race; I don't know why I haven't posted it before.

Feeling: Braised
Watching: Hardball with Chris Matthews

My Message

2008-06-03T01:22:00.003-04:00

Alright, Hillary, it's time to take Dave's advice.

Feeling: Hopeful
Watching: Juno

My Gift

2008-06-02T23:38:00.003-04:00

To Shelley

The mystery of the broasted chicken appears in Indiana too...

Feeling: Silly
Watching: Sex and the City

My Ridiculous Semi-Religious Partly Racist Self-Righteous Stand

2008-06-01T12:51:00.006-04:00

Watch out, Michelle Malkin. I see your Dunkin' Donuts campaign, and raise you to Pontiac...

Shwayze is clearly wearing a keffiyeh in this Vibe ad, so I demand Pontiac remove the ad, or I will boycott Pontiac. Yeah!

Feeling: Focused
Hearing: Pandora

My Girl

2008-05-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

I'm leaving you anticipating the land shark...

Untitled from Jennifer Jones on Vimeo.

Feeling: Foolish
Watching: Young American Bodies (more on that later...)

My View

2008-05-30T10:55:00.000-04:00

Old-fashioned IU lamppost in front of the Student Building

Feeling: Tired
Hearing: Cocteau Twins, Blue Bell Knoll

My Top Five

2008-05-29T08:00:00.005-04:00

#9: Reality Shows I Don't Get

1. America's Next Top Model: I have many friends who watch this religiously, so I realize I should tread lightly, but I just don't get it. I only watched half of one episode, and I turned it off when Tyra was describing how to practice your facial expressions.

2. Trading Spaces: Why would I let my neighbors redecorate my apartment? One has an apartment that looks like a jail cell, the other took down his fluorescent kitchen ceiling light and leaned it up against his living room wall next to a picture window. To brighten up the outside? Who knows?

3. Ace of Cakes: Oooh, cakes. So punk. And who wants to eat a cake that looks like this...

4. Iron Chef: Gourmet cooking is not a sport, and I don't want to watch every cut.

5. Color Splash: I hate decorating shows without any kind of challenge, like a limited budget or participating owners. I feel like this is a disappointment from the first Design Star winner.

Feeling: Content
Watching: Morning Express with Robin Meade

My Right Stuff

2008-05-28T08:00:00.002-04:00

Another In Style questionnaire, this time based on the "Man of Style" section.

Book: Right now, it's Julia Child by Laura Shapiro.

Plant: I love African violets.

Sweatshirt: IU and UTK hoodies

Lip balm: Trader Joe's minty Virtuoso lip balm

Juice (switched from juicer: how can anybody really have a favorite juicer?): Pink grapefruit

Shoes: Black Danskos

Skin care: Cetaphil, baby

Eyewear: Target

Feeling: Stiff
Watching: Small Space, Big Style

My Guilty Pleasures

2008-05-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

Ever read In Style? I love it, and at the end of each issue is a "Guilty Pleasure" celebrity interview. Here's mine, in case you're interested.

Midnight snack? Ice cream

Bag binge? I love cute hand-printed canvas bags.

Late-night TV? I'm loving Chelsea Lately.

Reality TV? I'm kind of sick of the silly competition- and drama-oriented reality shows. My favorites now focus on home/fashion designs and makeovers, like Small Space/Big Style and What Not to Wear.

Cocktail? Mojito

Shopping addiction? I'm quick to buy home organization supplies.

Fashion addiction? Accessories always fit.

Karaoke song? "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

Feeling: Tired
Hearing: Morning Edition

My Premiere

2008-05-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

I was born an Indiana Jonesie and I'm yet again an Indiana Jonesie, so I'm celebrating by meeting up with the Tennessee Jonesies to watch the premiere of the new Indiana Jones. Be back on Tuesday.

Feeling: Busier than I should
Watching: As much Clean House as possible

My Top Five

2008-05-22T08:35:00.004-04:00

#8: Best Song Remakes

1. "Hazy Shade of Winter," The Bangles: Perfect and all too short

2. "Burnin' Up," Ciccone Youth
3. "Boyz 'n the Hood," Dynamite Hack
4. "Mad World," Gary Jules
5. "My Humps," Alanis Morissette

Feeling: Bleary
Hearing: See above

My Perfect New York Night

2008-05-21T10:01:00.009-04:00

Florent is closing. The legendary bistro has been in the Meatpacking District since 1985. I knew it might close: my friend Laura knows the owner, Florent Morellet, and did a documentary on him last year where he talked about the possibility, mostly due to rising rents in its trendy neighborhood.

I'm really sad. Florent was just one of those places that everyone knew and loved. And Florent seems to be one one of those people that everyone knows and loves. I haven't met him, but I've been touched by his graciousness. Last year, a group of us in the New School Doc Studies program went to Florent the night after our final cuts were due. Even though Florent was not there, the staff took great care of us. They set us up with a special table outside and treated us to Champagne. It was a lovely night, and the experience at Florent felt luxurious. I remember toasting to my friends and seeing people look at us walking by on the sidewalk as the Friday night crowd was heating up. We were laughing and celebrating. It was a quintessential New York experience on a perfect New York night, and I have Florent to thank for it. That night will always be in my memories, and Florent will always be in my heart. Here is a slideshow from the New York Times if you'd like to experience some of Florent's magic as well.

Feeling: Umm, sad
Watching: MSNBC

My Real Life

2008-05-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

Do you ever read that magazine, Real Simple? Well, I love it, and at the end of each issue, it usually has a "reader questionnaire," where a random but special reader gets to respond. Here's my questionnaire, in case anyone's wondering.

Most useless invention? Bobby pin: who's hair does that little thing hold up?

What makes you laugh? I'll laugh at just about anything, like you (ooooh, snap!).

Bath or shower? I love a good soak when I have the time.

If you could change careers now without consequences or financial loss, what would you switch to? Travel writer (You see how fast that was.)

What was your most embarrassing moment? Oh, geez, let's just say my parents have really bad timing...

How often do you exercise? If you count bicycling, every day; if you don't, every other day.

What surprises you most about your adult life? How young I feel, and by young, I mean immature.

The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is... whether or not to travel to New York this summer. I really want to go, and I have a good friend there who's going back to Germany soon, but I'm so poor, it's really hard to justify.

Feeling: Energized
Hearing: Morning Edition

My View

2008-05-19T10:52:00.007-04:00

Showalter Fountain

Fountains are looking more and more refreshing as we head closer to summer...

Feeling: Tired
Hearing: Alanis Morissette, "Thank U" (I'm not ashamed... BTW, did you know I saw her at the Astor Place Starbucks in New York? She did a surprise concert there in coordination with the McDonald's of Coffee release of her Jagged Little Pill Acoustic album.)

My Top Five

2008-05-18T08:00:00.004-04:00

#7: Favorite Bloomington Food

I still feel like a newbie here, so this list will definitely grow. However, right now, these are the places that I frequent the most and would most likely bring visitors.

1. Mother Bear's: There's a lot of pizza in this here college town, but in my book, Mother Bear's is the best. It was also voted one of the best pizzas in the nation by People magazine in 1980.

2. La Charreada: Between the old repurposed family-style restaurant and the new remodeled swanky "lounge" area, the restaurant itself looks a little uneven, but the food is anything but.
3. The Village Deli: Paxton's Patty Melt is perfect.
4. Scholar's Inn Bakehouse: They satisfy my cinnamon bun and cupcake cravings.
5. Baked!: Hot cookies delivered! What could be better than that? It's also locally owned by students.

Feeling: Rushed
Hearing: Kettle

My Girl

2008-05-17T00:00:00.004-04:00

Look, it's a Poppy burrito!

Feeling: Accomplished
Watching: Chelsea Lately

My Confessions

2008-05-16T10:57:00.002-04:00

#2: I think that Bloomington has the worst drivers in the world.

Feeling: Focused
Hearing: Fridge

My Girl, In Name Only

2008-05-15T13:00:00.000-04:00

Poppies between Rawles and Swain Halls

Feeling: Annoyed with Blogger
Watching: Arrested Development

My Small World

2008-05-14T11:56:00.004-04:00

I went to get a mani-pedi yesterday... and that statement alone makes me feel like a huge douche. But read me out: I usually get just one each season, and one of the main reasons is that living in New York jacked up my feet. Anyway, I was getting all nice and relaxed when I noticed the manager turned up the television volume. Looking around as I was roused from my mani-pedi meditation, the manicure technician nodded at the television and said, "China earthquake." And then I understood. All of the workers at the nail salon are from China.

I talked to a few of them about the quake. None of them are from the Sichuan province, but know people who are and have family there, so they're still concerned. And we all should be: the numbers of projected deaths between this earthquake and the Myanmar cyclone are close to unimaginable. I've heard estimates between fifty and hundreds of thousands. To put the situation in perspective, this is at least triple the numbers of immediate deaths from two of the most recent comparable American tragedies, the 9-11 attacks and the Hurricane Katrina disasters. I'm not writing this to downplay these tragedies, but to give some context for comparison. Those events were terrible enough; these more recent Asian disasters multiply those events two or three times over. Even in these difficult economic times, I hope that my fellow Americans are able to empathize and assist as much as possible. Below are two links for aid donations.

MSNBC Myanmar Aid Donation List
Red Cross International Services

Feeling: Lame
Hearing: Morning Edition

My View

2008-05-13T08:00:00.003-04:00

Stopping by IU's Bryan House on a sunny afternoon...

Poppy decided to investigate the brains of IU.

I don't know exactly what it is, although it looks like either water-shaped wood or limestone.

Then we noticed something that first looked like a tombstone, but turned out to be a chair carved out of a tree stump.

Feeling: Sublime
Hearing: The Shins

My Quirks

2008-05-12T13:20:00.000-04:00

#6: "Do you have any tattoos? If not, what would you have and where would you put it?"

I don't have any tattoos. I've thought about it, but I don't like to do anything permanent to my body. However, if I did have one, I would get a small image of a New York water tower on the left side of my back, directly behind my heart. (The water tower I would choose is actually near the corner of 10th and Broadway.)

Feeling: Content
Hearing: Solemn Sounds on Pandora

My Top Fives

2008-05-11T11:30:00.001-04:00

#6: My Summer Television

I don't watch specific tv shows very regularly anymore. It seems like almost every show I really like gets canceled. However, last summer proved to be some great viewing for me, so now I'm psyched for the upcoming season. Here's what I'm planning to watch.

1. Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List: I love Kathy Griffin. She seems to be the butt of other people's jokes a lot, but I think she's hilarious. Maybe it's just because I like the celebrity gossip so much, but I also like that she can make fun of herself. Here's a clip from one of my favorite episodes from last season, when she visits two penitentiaries in Arizona.

2. Army Wives: I got so addicted to this last summer. I love to knit and watch it; gives me my estrogen fix.
3. Mad Men
4. Weeds, Season 3 on DVD: I fell in love with this show by accident. I had just moved to Bloomington, had no cable and therefore no television, so I went to the closest video store looking for Scrubs. They didn't have it, so I settled for Weeds. I was completely seduced by the second episode. The DVD for the third season comes out on June 3rd. Here's a clip from one of my favorite season one episodes with Uncle Andy, my favorite character.

5. The Wire on DVD: I've been wanting to watch The Wire for years, but I wanted to finish The Sopranos series first. Now that's out of the way, I'm ready to go. (By the way, I think Tony got whacked.)

Feeling: Useless
Hearing: Solemn Sounds on Pandora

My Confessions

2008-05-10T10:18:00.005-04:00

#1: Whenever I pass those campus tour groups on my bike, I wanna yell "IU rocks!"

Feeling: Lazy
Watching: Kathy Griffin: Allegedly

My View

2008-05-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Bicycling through Dunn's Woods on a sunny afternoon...

Feeling: Sad
Hearing: Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet (Thanks to Todd Steed)

My Girls and My Game

2008-05-08T09:30:00.004-04:00

Happy, Jessica?

Some of my Hoosier girls and I went to the Reds-Cubs game yesterday at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. There's Kate trying to wiggle out of a picture with Valerie, Jessica, and Laura. The Reds won 9-0. Below you'll see some of the fireworks after Joey Votto's first homerun.

It was good to see the Reds do well. The rain was a bummer, but I feel like sitting through three soggy innings proved my mettle as a baseball fan. Check my Flickr set for a few more photos.

Feeling: Anxious
Hearing: Birdies

My Top Fives

2008-05-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

#5: Things I Miss about Knoxville

My parents will be happy to read this. Despite my protests, they seem to think I try to stay away as much as possible, but that's not true. The first thing that I usually want to do at the end of the semester is go straight home. Unfortunately this time I can't, partly because I need to find a job, and partly because of gas prices: this is the first time ever that cost has kept me from coming home. So here are a few of the things that I'll be thinking about doing when I do get a chance to go back to the Sunsphere City.

1. Driving on Northshore: I don't feel like I'm really at home until I hit the road and take that bend going east right after the intersection with Concord Road. When I see the lake and the hills emerge from the trees framing them, I sigh and think, "Yes, I'm finally home."

2. Eating Buddy's Bar-B-Q: I crave it weekly. Like right now.

3. Visiting Sequoyah Park

4. Listening to WDVX, WUTK,or WFIV: I'm more likely to get WDVX and WFIV out by my parents' house, but when I head downtown (another must), I make sure to get some bonding time in with WUTK.

5. Stopping by the Disc Exchange: So many of my favorite Knoxville stores have closed over the years, but the Chapman Highway store is an old-standby.

Feeling: Dotty
Watching: Morning Joe

My Girl

2008-05-06T01:00:00.000-04:00

That's my happy girl!

This is Poppy at her happiest, usually when we're outside. This picture comes from training in the lawn yesterday at St. Mark's United Methodist.

Feeling: Ashamed
Watching: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

My Muxtape

2008-05-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

My May muxtape is now available. Stick it in your ear.

Feeling: Confused
Hearing: Morning Express on Headline News

My Epiphany

2008-05-04T08:00:00.005-04:00

So I haven't sold any scarves at my Etsy site, ohmygoodknits! or omg! That had me a little down, so I went out to take Poppy for a walk. Along the way, we ran into a woman and her dog from my apartment complex that we often see when we're out. Poppy and the other dog, Delta, are friendly, so I stopped to let them cavort. Delta's mom was leaning over with her back to me when I approached, so I didn't have a full view of her, but as Delta began straining at the leash, she pulled herself up and turned around.

This was the first time that I realized that she had cancer: she had covered her chemo-ravaged head with a blue-and-white scarf. She's younger than me. It reminded me of a family I used to babysit in high school. The mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer twice in her twenties, one case in her early twenties and the other when she was twenty-nine. She eventually died in her early thirties, probably when she was my age. It's shocking to think of that now.

Delta's mom and I aren't friends. Her dog is friendly, but she's a little closed off. I never understood why. So I didn't ask her about her illness. Maybe I will in the future.

However this encounter did make me more resolved than ever to continue with my philanthropic knitting at omg! The next fundraiser will be a variety of pink scarves for the fight against breast cancer, probably for a local organization. I'll let you know when they're ready.

Feeling: Lethargic
Hearing: Weekend Edition Sunday

My View

2008-05-03T10:55:00.005-04:00

Today we're revisiting an old view from a new angle, the Sample Gates with red and white tulips, in honor of IU's commencement!

Congratulations, new graduates!

Feeling: Lackadaisical
Hearing: Queen Majesty

My Pet Peeves

2008-05-02T14:25:00.002-04:00

#5: University and Sports Paraphernalia without Team Colors

Who are you rooting for? They chose colors for a reason!

Feeling: Peevish
Wathcing: 30 Rock

My Quirks

2008-05-01T09:38:00.004-04:00

#5: "What would you do if you won a million dollars?"

If I won a million dollars, I would pay off all my debts, pay off my parents' debts, buy a vacation house in the Smokies, then split the rest between a high-return savings account and investments in the stock market with two goals: setting up a permanent philanthropic foundation and buying more real estate, including an apartment in New York and a vacation house for my family in Maine.

Feeling: Determined
Hearing: Queen Majesty

My View

2008-04-30T10:27:00.005-04:00

I noticed that all of my recent views have been nature. They're pretty, and I like them, but seriously, I'm a graduate student, and I spend a lot of time indoors. So with the view today, I'm keepin' it real.

This is my postcard "Inspiration Board" above my computer, to keep me relaxed and centered. I made the board myself with some corrugated steel from a diy store!

Feeling: Beleaguered
Watching: Top Chef

My Pitch

2008-04-29T06:00:00.002-04:00

So, as you may have read a few days ago, I am trying to raise money for my cousin's student ambassador trip to Europe by selling my hand-knitted scarves.

As such, I have started my own online shop! Check it out here, and please pass the info on to others who may be interested!

Feeling: Dazed
Hearing: Boiling kettle

My Girl

2008-04-28T08:23:00.006-04:00

Here's my cutie at the dog park this week. I call it Poppy is a Rolling Stone.

Untitled from Jennifer Jones on Vimeo.

Feeling: Happy
Watching: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

My View

2008-04-27T00:00:00.004-04:00

One of the best parts of the craft fair yesterday was that I finally got a chance to see a flowering dogwood this season!

They're planted all around the church building, but I had never noticed before. Maybe they just hadn't blossomed yet. Now it's really spring!

Feeling: Tired
Watching: Reno 911!

My Good Deed

2008-04-26T19:51:00.006-04:00

Today I sold knitted scarves at my church craft fair to raise money for my cousin's student ambassador trip to Europe.

Unfortunately, I only sold one scarf. I did receive an extra donation though, which was very sweet. I realize that the season's not quite right for scarves; I just thought that pretty colors would trump need. I was wrong.

Feeling: Hot
Watching: 100 Greatest Songs of the Eighties

My Sweet Rides

2008-04-25T18:54:00.004-04:00

As most of you know, I try to ride a bike as my main form of transportation. My favorite old bike, Billy, got stolen when I was in New York. Here's my current ride, Bluebell.

I got her outfitted with all the baskets at Bloomington bike shop Bikesmiths.

I'm also building a bike at the Bloomington Community Bicycle Project.

I should be done with her once I finish making the chain and fixing the gears. I don't have a name for her yet, but I'm thinking of Sparkle. What do you think?

Feeling: Buzzed
Watching: Thirty-Minute Meals (Don't hate.)

My Quirks

2008-04-24T09:23:00.005-04:00

#4: "What food do you dislike for no particular reason?"

I hate tomatoes, but I wish I didn't. I want to like them, but I can't. I try to eat them, because I like most vegetables, and I feel like I should like them, but whenever I try them, they overwhelm every other flavor in my mouth and they just taste too fresh. My father and my brother have the same kind of reaction, which makes me think it's a genetic thing.

Feeling: Unruly
Hearing: Morning Edition

My Top Five

2008-04-23T00:23:00.009-04:00

#4: Things I Love About the Greater Cincinnati Area

This Top Five is dedicated to my friend Clair, who's getting ready to leave NoKy for NH. It's hard to believe that it was only four short years ago that I left my happy and all-too-brief home in Newport, Kentucky, for graduate school at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Since then, I've moved from Tucson, to New York, to Bloomington, with lengthy stays in Tennessee along the way. However, leaving Northern Kentucky was a difficult decision. I was very happy there, and if I hadn't decided to go on to graduate school, I was making long-term plans to buy a house and settle down in the area. And since then, I've been nothing but a rolling stone.

I'm finally feeling a little bit more settled here in Bloomington. And I'm especially glad that being here brings me closer to Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area. So here's to you, Clair, and my third favorite place on earth.

1. It's a fascinating mix of cultures. It's north and south; rural and urban; German, Polish, Greek, Italian, and Irish; black, white, and increasingly brown.
2. It has a distinct culture. All those different cultures have not only mixed together, but left their mark. Cincinnati chili is just one part.
3. It has beautiful scenery. It's full of hills and trees and green and blue. On three-day weekends, I would take one day and walk from my apartment in Newport across the river through Mt. Adams up to Eden Park, soaking in all the amazing natural views.
4. It has great museums. The Cincinnati Art Museum and the Contemporary Arts Center are nothing to sneeze at.
5. It has gorgeous architecture. From Newport to Covington to Mt. Auburn to Mariemont, this area is an architecture buff's dream, particularly in its mix of Victorian and Arts and Crafts styles.

Feeling: Full
Watching: Countdown with Keith Olbermann

My View

2008-04-22T09:27:00.006-04:00

The campus is so beautiful now that spring is in full swing.

This sea of daffodils is located between the IU Auditorium and the Wells Library.

Feeling: Strangely calm (in the eye of the finals storm)
Hearing: Pandora

My Girl

2008-04-21T07:38:00.008-04:00

It's been a while since Poppy's made an appearance. Here's a good one.

Feeling: Chilly

Hearing: Morning Edition

My Top Five

2008-04-20T09:41:00.005-04:00

#3: Docs I Wish I'd Made
Not all of these films are among my favorites (the first three definitely are), but I admire them enough to wish I'd made them. I don't just admire them because they're good films, but because they have some connection with my own interests and styles. Even if I am a little bit envious that someone else got to these ideas first, they still encourage and inspire me to continue my own doc work.

1. DIG! (Ondi Timoner, 2004)

2. Rules of the Road (Su Friedrich, 1993)
3. Family Name (Macky Alston, 1997)
4. Camp Hollywood (Steve Markle, 2004)
5. For the Love of Dolly (Tai Uhlman, 2006)

Feeling: Rested
Hearing: Weekend Edition Sunday

My Muxtape

2008-04-19T08:51:00.002-04:00

I have finally put together my first Muxtape mix! Check it out here. I plan to make one each month featuring songs I'm listening to at that time.

Feeling: Rushed
Hearing: Running refrigerator

My View

2008-04-18T09:08:00.003-04:00

I miss the dogwoods, but I do love the saucer magnolias that grow around here.

They make me crave strawberry milkshakes.

Feeling: Slow
Hearing: Morning Edition

My Quirks

2008-04-17T10:13:00.003-04:00

#3: "If an archaeologist in the future digs through your trash, what will they learn about you?"

They would learn that I tend to make too much rice, I blow my nose a lot, and I throw away a lot of plastic because unfortunately my recycling center doesn't take most of it.

Feeling: Hungry
Hearing: Birdies and tapping keys

My View

2008-04-16T09:31:00.005-04:00

Alright, so I'm posting pictures of art. Call me a hypocrite.

This is Robert Shakespeare's Light Totem, and it's installed outside the IU Art Museum through May 2008. It's absolutely beautiful. I first saw it last December, when I was riding my bike around 7 am. Finding it was completely unexpected and so magical.

Below is a short video from my digital camera. I really want to do a lengthy long-take video of it in the mode of Andy Warhol's Empire.

Feeling: Annoyed
Watching: Small Space, Big Style

My Pet Peeves

2008-04-15T07:31:00.003-04:00

#4: People Who Take Pictures of Art in Museums

This annoys me so much that it makes me want to perform my own spontaneous piece of guerilla art on the photographers. First of all, it's distracting to my experience: I want to look at the art, not get blinded by flashes. Secondly, the effect is never the same. The picture is never the same as the original work, so you might as well just take your time interacting with the piece so that you can remember the experience rather than taking a picture of it. And finally, I find that most of the people that take pictures at museums are treating the experience more like browsing at a department store than a thoughtful interaction. Taking the picture is more like mindless consumption instead of real appreciation of the piece. And anyone who disagrees with me, notice who's taking pictures the next time you're at a museum or gallery. Notice what they're photographing, and how long they look at a piece before they take a picture and move on. In my experience, it's usually the most expensive and/or famous piece, and the time spent looking and interacting with it are minimal. And lest you think I'm alone, check out Lele McLeod's work on Flickr.

Feeling: Harried
Hearing: Humming Hard Drive

My Top Five

2008-04-14T08:36:00.001-04:00

#2: Songs I Stop Everything For

I can't exactly explain this. I wouldn't call these my "favorite" songs or even my favorite bands, and I don't exactly know why two of them have the same title. However, these are songs that retain a strange, strong hold on me. The most sense that I can make is that I first heard them during key developmental stages, the first three roughly during middle school and the last two during my early twenties, at a point when I was going through some difficult relationships and living on my own for the first time. Otherwise, you got me.

1. "Head Over Heels", The Go-Gos

2. "Head Over Heels", Tears for Fears
3. "Overkill", Men at Work
4. "Bittersweet", Big Head Todd and the Monsters
5. "The Old Apartment", Barenaked Ladies

Feeling: Scared
Hearing: Teapot (not a band, just heating water)

My Quirks

2008-04-13T09:37:00.004-04:00

#2: "What were you going to be when you grow up?"

In chronological order, I wanted to be a waitress (check!), an actress, an astrophysicist, and a writer.

Feeling: Crabby
Hearing: All Things Considered from yesterday

My Quirks

2008-04-12T09:12:00.003-04:00

On Facebook, I have this "My Weekly Quirk" application, where I answer a question each week about my personality. I thought it would be fun to transfer the application to the blog, so here's my first question.

#1: "What do you collect?"

I collect magnets, mugs, postcards, and bookmarks, mostly from my travels.

Feeling: Peaceful
Hearing: Morning Edition

My View

2008-04-11T09:06:00.003-04:00

Clock across from my office building

Feeling: Frustrated
Hearing: Morning Edition

My Top Five

2008-04-10T10:29:00.003-04:00

#1: Aliases

Now, I don't often pretend to be someone else, but every now and then, it's necessary. And at least one of these was necessary for a school assignment. Here are my favorite aliases from the past.

1. Kendall Jackson: For restaurant reservations
2. Elly Higgenbottom: For skeevy guys
3. Jane Curtin: For cop trouble in high school (it didn't work)
4. Rennoc Strav: For video projects
5. Ellyn Rhys: For a counseling assignment; based on a couple of names I like

Feeling: Slow
Hearing: Morning Edition

My Girl

2008-04-09T17:46:00.003-04:00

...has an upset tummy.

But she's recuperating nicely.

Feeling: Sweaty
Hearing: Birdies

My Pet Peeves

2008-04-08T00:03:00.005-04:00

#3: Pretentious People
And Alex from The Real Housewives of New York City is their creepy, clueless queen...

Feeling: Sore
Watching: Countdown with Keith Olbermann

My Roots

2008-04-07T23:15:00.004-04:00

Ah, sweet youth...

I recently ran across a couple of Metropulse articles that brought me back to my musical roots in Knoxville. The first is a four-part series from 1995 by sublime Secret Historian Jack Neely on the history of punk in Knoxville. The second is an undated story on "The Greatest Knoxville Records of All Time." These brought back so many memories from high school and college, and frankly, I'm really glad that I was able to be a grow up in Knoxville when I did. There were plenty of venues, and most of them either had underage shows or rather "loose" maintenance of their door policy. I remember shows at Vic and Bill's, Planet Earth, The China King, Annie's, The Library, and Ella Guru's. I saw some great nationally known bands, like fIREHOSE and the Goo Goo Dolls (way before "Name"). I also saw plenty of Knoxville bands that got some broader play, such as The Judybats, Superdrag, and Smokin' Dave and the Premo Dopes, plus plenty of awesome and largely unsung local bands, such as the Taoist Cowboys, The Gonedogs, and The State Champs. I even saw Scott Miller's first live solo performance! Seeing shows was such an exciting, exuberant experience, and I'm so glad that I was able to enjoy them when I was growing up.

Feeling: Anxious
Watching: Friends

My View

2008-04-06T00:00:00.006-04:00

I was riding my bike home from mass at St. Paul's when I noticed how busy the IU Golf Course was.

God, it was such a beautiful day.

Feeling: Weary
Hearing: Belle and Sebastian

My Drag Queen Name

2008-04-05T11:17:00.003-04:00

Your Drag Queen Name Is:

Felicia Fellatio

Drag Queen Name Generator

I have a feeling that this name will get my blog a few extra hits.

Feeling: Frustrated
Watching: The Real Housewives of New York City (I didn't say I was proud of it.)

My View

2008-04-04T22:50:00.005-04:00

Sample Gates, Formal Entrance to Indiana University

Feeling: Bushed
Watching: Countdown (without Keith Olbermann)

My Funny Bone

2008-04-03T22:11:00.003-04:00

This series of shorts on "The Logic of Hillary '08" is hilarious! They're posted on YouTube by a group called Irritable Colon. The fifth installment is my favorite.

Feeling: Hopeful
Hearing: This American Life

My Girl

2008-04-03T00:22:00.001-04:00

Watch out!

Poppy's on the loose!

And she likes to chase the big dogs!

If you want to run with Poppy, friend her on Dogbook!

Feeling: Satisfied
Watching: Hardball with Chris Matthews ("College Tour" with Barack Obama at West Chester University of Pennsylvania)

My Porn

2008-04-02T00:03:00.004-04:00

Ooooooooh, yeah...

And this blog is my centerfold.

I don't know what it is about cupcakes. I hate baking them, but buying them? Irresistible. Apparently, I'm not alone: cupcake bakeries are on the rise. You can't miss them in most urban areas, particularly New York. My theory is that they're the perfect snack for the flaneur: adorable and portable.

I have to admit that I do attribute my own current cupcake obsession to Magnolia Bakery of "Chronicles of Narnia (Lazy Sunday)" fame. However, I come by this honestly: I tried Magnolia's goods before the rest of the country got clued in. However, one thing that I have learned since my own cupcake epiphany is that the quality of Magnolia's cupcakes is apparently the most divisive topic in New York, and there are few moderate opinions. Every New Yorker seems to either love 'em or hate 'em.

I think most people who hate 'em get sidetracked by the size of the line: witness Exhibits A and B. I admit it's daunting and often annoying. I remember when I was there one night last spring, and a couple of tourists walked by asking for directions to Seventh Avenue, which is about two or three blocks east. They were at least three yards away from me, but I could still hear them ask someone in line. No one answered them. They asked again, and got more of the same: nothin'. That was when I realized that everyone else in line was a tourist (and not just rude, 'cause trust me, New Yorkers will help you if they can). I had to wave them back to me to give them the very, very simple directions.

This is frustrating, and I get that. However, Magnolia has the best yellow cake with chocolate frosting cupcakes I've ever had in my whole life. And trust me, I've had a lot, including samples from every bakery I came across in New York. So stop hatin', and just take a bite.

Feeling: Bloated
Watching: The Real Housewives of New York City

My Broadcast

2008-04-01T16:03:00.003-04:00

So I'm already on the way to meeting one of my goals! The Documentary Channel is broadcasting the film I produced last year in the New School Documentary Studies program, in/sight. I do not have a date or time yet, but the contract deliberations and details are underway. More news as it becomes available!

Feeling: Excited
Hearing: Random undergrads

My Pet Peeves

2008-04-01T00:51:00.002-04:00

#2: Ignorant and Polarizing Political Commentators (a.k.a. "My April Fools" HA!)

Speaking of douchebags, it's hard to beat Rush Limbaugh.

It's also pretty easy to pick on Bill O'Reilly, but the one I particularly don't get is CNN's Glenn Beck. As far as I can tell, he has no professional credentials aside from a lengthy career in broadcasting, mostly as a disc jockey. I actually find myself talking back to the television when he's on more than anyone else. Here's a little sample from my favorite MSNBC host. Wait for it, wait for it...

Feeling: Full
Watching: Anderson Cooper 360

My Crisis

2008-03-31T00:04:00.003-04:00

Feeling: Anxious
Watching: Will and Grace

My Favorite SNL Skit

2008-03-30T00:00:00.003-04:00

Ever.

Saturday Night Live - Season 1 - Land Shark

Feeling: Tired
Watching: Arrested Development

My Mess

2008-03-29T09:31:00.005-04:00

I have a problem with cleaning. Sometimes I'm great at it, but every now and then, no matter how hard I try, I can't get it together. Part of it's due to this perfectionistic part of my personality: I want to clean so perfectly that I can't clean at all. As my friend Palmer once told me: "You're always cleaning, but your room still looks like a bin!" Then eventually, part of it becomes that the cleaning seems so overwhelming that I just can't do enough to make it worthwhile. I'm getting to that point right now. My apartment looks about as bad as Natasha Lyonne's trashed junkie pad.

Feeling: Sleepy
Watching: Headline News

My Experiment

2008-03-27T23:07:00.002-04:00

Feeling: Wired

Watching: Anderson Cooper 360

My Department

2008-03-27T12:56:00.003-04:00

Today and tomorrow my department is welcoming new admits to the graduate program, so I'm going to a lot of departmental events to meet my potential future colleagues. It's hard to believe that just a year ago, I was one of these new admits.

I remember flying in from New York, landing in Indianapolis, and thinking, "Look at all the white people!" Of course, I was one of them, but between Tucson and New York, you get pretty used to being a minority, and I kind of like that. Then when I arrived on campus, I remember thinking, "Look at all the green!" Whatever fears I had about moving from the metropolis to the agropolis were pretty much dissipated by the campus. During a trek to the Indiana Memorial Union, a student took us along the creek path which runs through the middle of campus and I was in awe. Trees! Water! Green! They were just what I needed, and they helped me make my choice.

And the people were so nice. I really can't overemphasize that. The professors and students were immediately so friendly and kind, particularly in comparison to some of my past experiences, that it made a huge impression.

I still stand by that assessment. The people are probably the best part of the department. The worst part? Well, I'm not exactly sure yet. The Film and Media Studies section is different from most other comparable programs. It's one of three areas--including Rhetoric and Public Culture and Performance and Ethnography--in the department called topoi. Because of this intersection of these three areas, Film and Media Studies are different here than they might be in other comparably-named programs. Primarily, it has less focus on the media text than on circumstances and situations surrounding it: industries, identities, audiences, politics, history, and culture. Most media professors in any program will tell you that the field is growing in this direction. I think that's true, and I think that's important. At the same time, I think that the area often tries too hard to move away from the text, creating some complicated academic contortions, and you know, sometimes I really miss the texts that brought me into this field in the first place.

So overall, am I happy here? Yes. Is it perfect? No. But I do think that it's the right place for me to be.

AND NOW IT JUST GOT BETTER BECAUSE MY NEW COMPUTER JUST ARRIVED!!!!!

Feeling: Exhausted
Watching: No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain

My New Favorite Epithet

2008-03-26T10:53:00.005-04:00

And here I mean epithet as invective, not nickname or sobriquet... well, unless you really don't like somebody. "Douchebag" has worked it's way into my vocabulary recently. I'm not quite sure how. I've always thought it was a strange term. After all, what does it really mean? You're obviously not referring to the specific physical product. So what about a person would make you call them that?

I still don't exactly know the genealogy of the term, from feminine hygeine product to denunciation. I realize that it has a sexist tinge. However, I think I like the derogatory use because of its specificity. The Urban Dictionary definition #7 seems to be the most accurate:

"An individual who has an over-inflated sense of self worth, compounded by a low level of intellegence, behaving ridiculously in front of colleagues with no sense of how moronic he appears."

I usually use it to refer to a man who is pretentious and completely oblivious, and somehow no other term seems quite as fitting or satisfactory. I admit, it's not nice, and I think part of the reason I embrace it is because I feel a bit naughty saying it. But until I come up with something better, sorry but I'm sticking with it.

Feeling: Frustrated
Hearing: Stephin Merritt-infused JJ Radio on Pandora

My Pet Peeves

2008-03-25T21:13:00.004-04:00

This is first in a series.

#1: Jackass Knockoffs

From Kenny vs. Spenny

Do we really need any more of these? Do we really need to watch more dumb guys do more dumb shit?

Feeling: Hopeful
Watching: Verdict with Dan Abrams (crosscut with a rerun of The Real Housewives of New York City)

My Itinerary

2008-03-24T00:05:00.000-04:00

Travel is one of my main goals in life. I define myself as an explorer, and I love discovering new places, with others as well as by myself. Here's my current list of places I want to go.

CITIES
1. Banff, Alberta, Canada
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. Meridian, MS
4. Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5. New Orleans, LA (again)
6. Oxford, MS
7. Paris, France
8. Philadelphia, PA
9. Pittsburgh, PA
10. Prague, Czech Republic
11. Portland, OR
12. San Juan, Puerto Rico
13. San Diego, CA
14. San Francisco, CA (again)
15. Savannah, GA
16. Seattle, WA
17. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
18. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (again)
19. Vienna, Austria
20. Washington, DC (again)

COUNTRIES
1. Argentina
2. Chile
3. Cuba
4. Finland
5. Iceland
6. India
7. Ireland
8. Japan
9. Mexico
10. Scotland
11. Spain
12. Thailand
13. Vietnam
14. Wales

Feeling: A little drunk (There was leftover champagne from the risotto.)
Watching: Will and Grace

My Easter Basket

2008-03-23T12:24:00.003-04:00

My mom loves holidays, and my brother and I continued to receive Easter baskets until about four years ago. Although the family tradition has been suspended due to age and distance, I still require my own particular dose of Easter candy. Here are my minimum requirements.

1. Cadbury Creme Egg: They're so rich that I only need one, and after that, I'm good for the year.
2. Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs
3. Snickers "Creme Sports Eggs": I don't know why it's a "sports" egg, maybe just the carb count, because it's really just an egg-shaped Snickers.
4. Starburst Jellybeans: In my opinion, the best jellybeans ever!

Feeling: Determined
Hearing: Simmering Mexican Vegetable Soup

My Bucket List

2008-03-22T01:10:00.005-04:00

I've had a list of things to do before I die for at least six years now; I just haven't had a shorthand phrase to describe it until the recent Morgan Freeman-Jack Nicholson starrer. The list has gotten longer over the past few years, and I'm sure that it will continue to grow. Here are the current items.

Row on a crew team.
Bike across the country.
Hike the Appalachian Trail.
Run a marathon.
Own a home.
Own an apartment building.
Own a coffee shop.
Travel to every state.
Visit all seven continents.
Become fluent in Spanish, French, and one language with a different alphabet.
Learn how to cook authentic Mexican food.
Live in Manhattan (again).
Run for and serve in political office.
Become a full professor at a Research I institution.
Publish at least five academic books.
Publish at least twenty journal articles and/or chapters in anthologies.
Write at least one non-academic book.
Write a regular column for a magazine, newspaper, or other periodical publication.
Earn at least one major award for a documentary.
Show at least one documentary at a major festival.
Show every documentary at a festival.
Show at least one documentary at an art gallery or museum.
Broadcast at least one documentary on a prominent television channel.
Get married.
Have at least one child.

Feeling: Annoyed (specifically by this stupid formatting)

Watching: MSNBC

My Sentiments Exactly

2008-03-21T12:49:00.006-04:00

"IU seniors Eoban Binder and Andrew Webber protest the Iraq War on Wednesday with Indiana Students Against War."

This photo is from a 3-20-08 story in the Indiana Daily Student about a Bloomington protest on the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War.

Feeling: Anxious
Hearing: Chatter

I Heart Keith Olbermann

2008-03-21T00:02:00.006-04:00

...but not Hillary Clinton.

Keith Olbermann is my new boyfriend. This tirade from the March 12th broadcast is one reason why. (His natty suits are another.)

Also check out Poplicks' analysis of Olbermann's comments and the contemporary interpretation of racism. Very smart.

By the way, for anyone wondering about Hillary's spiritual advisors, I found this Huffington Post article enlightening and frightening. And if you were looking to sign a pro-Obama, anti-Hillary petition, then today's your lucky day.

Feeling: Achy
Hearing: Kitty Hawk