So, if you don't already know, Winona State lost on Saturday, ending an amazing winning streak that lasted over 2 seasons (14 months), the longest in NCAA Division II history. WSU literally lost at the buzzer, which was devastating and depressing.
As my friends & I were walking back to the bar where all the WSU'ers congregated before the game, we were all sullen (Even the drunk undergrad students behind us following us like we were Pied Pipers) and then someone yelled, "We'll do it next year!" and everyone cheered and was relatively merry.
But what Reid and I did succeed in was drinking everyone else under the table. Friday night we went out so hard that Pough couldn't get out of bed the next day when Reid & I got up at 5am and left for Massachusetts. There were shots involved, though, which helps to excuse Pough's demise.
By 11am on Saturday, we were drinking again, this time with Reid's friends Heather & Lee. We had five beers each before the game and then took a hiatus during the game (they didn't sell beer). Then we went back to the bar for six more before going back to the hotel to change to go out in Springfield for the night.
When we went back to the hotel, Lee went down and stayed there instead of going out. Then we went to the Salty Dog Saloon where Heather, Reid and I danced, Reid got spanked with a giant paddle on top of the bar (apparently that's how they roll in Springfield) and I rode a mechanical bull. The next morning, Heather was so sick she couldn't eat breakfast.
But through all this, Reid and I fought hangovers, dehydration and the occasional shot to survive the weekend. Although we made it, I can't lift my right arm over my shoulder (apparently because of the bull) and I lost my voice screaming at various drinking establishments. But with three returning starters next season, Winona will probably be heading to Springfield again next March.
And Reid, Heather, Lee and I will dutifully don our purple shirts in order to massively binge drink and drive three hundred miles to cheer on our alma mater---when we could have been cheering from the couch. But that's not nearly as fun.
Pictures soon!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
No Sleep 'Til Springfield
The brilliant plan:
1. Party all night on Friday
2. Get up at 5am (ouch) and drive four hours to Springfield, Mass.
3. Start a tailgate party at 10:30 am
4. Proceed to drink through NCAA Division II game
5. Celebrate
6. Pass out at random hotel
7. Drive four hours to New York City
8. Collapse on couch.
And all of this, because I want to see my undergrad win the Division II Men's Basketball Championships. Even though they a) won last year; and b) it will be broadcast on CBS.
If you picture this sort of irrational and money-wasting decision making spread over the course of five years in a town with less entertainment, you are imagining Meg: The Undergrad Years.
My college friends are so much fun: they're people who I've drank with through any occasion and/or holiday, who remember someone who once climbed inside her own refrigerator "just to see if I could do it" and who find nothing wrong with paying $425 to fly across the country to watch a team that we know no one on and could watch on our own TVs.
So watch Winona State kick ass while you're hungover--the championship game will be on at 1pm on CBS. And if you're lucky, you may catch a view of a drunk, tired me cheering on my alma mater.
1. Party all night on Friday
2. Get up at 5am (ouch) and drive four hours to Springfield, Mass.
3. Start a tailgate party at 10:30 am
4. Proceed to drink through NCAA Division II game
5. Celebrate
6. Pass out at random hotel
7. Drive four hours to New York City
8. Collapse on couch.
And all of this, because I want to see my undergrad win the Division II Men's Basketball Championships. Even though they a) won last year; and b) it will be broadcast on CBS.
If you picture this sort of irrational and money-wasting decision making spread over the course of five years in a town with less entertainment, you are imagining Meg: The Undergrad Years.
My college friends are so much fun: they're people who I've drank with through any occasion and/or holiday, who remember someone who once climbed inside her own refrigerator "just to see if I could do it" and who find nothing wrong with paying $425 to fly across the country to watch a team that we know no one on and could watch on our own TVs.
So watch Winona State kick ass while you're hungover--the championship game will be on at 1pm on CBS. And if you're lucky, you may catch a view of a drunk, tired me cheering on my alma mater.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Winona on my mind
Pough and I recently noticed that we have recurring themes. We have been hearing or noticing random things multiple times within a short span of time. For example, we heard "500 Miles" by the Proclaimers three times in one day (on different radio stations) while driving to Lake George.
"Look," he said Wednesday as we walked through Chelsea, "Unicorn DVD. That's the third "unicorn" reference we've had in the past hour."
"Weird," I agreed. But as I thought about themes lately in my life. Winona, the town in MN where I went to college, has been popping up ALOT. First of all, Pough & I are planning a stopover there during our cross country adventure to my hometown in Wisconsin to visit my friend Alison and spend time in that beloved city where I spent five years of my life; Alison herself is coming to visit in April or May, which I'm super excited about.
And I've been in touch with two girls from my alma mater, Winona State University, who want to go into publishing and are coming out to NYC for a weekend in April to check things out and meet with me and a couple of my friends in publishing. Those two girls were referred to me by a former English professor of mine, who called me this week at work to congratulate me on all my successes and to give me her home phone number so we can catch up while I'm in Winona with Pough.
Also, as I mentioned before, my favorite country station is KQ98 which I've listened to online pretty much all week----and, to top everything else, the Winona State Warriors men's basketball team, currently the defending NCAA Division II national champions, are heading to Springfield, MA for another championship game. As promised last year, I'm going this year with my friend Kiddo and a couple of his friends if WSU goes all the way.
I initially questioned it: do I miss my life in Winona that much? Do I want to move back? And then I thought, no, I don't. But it's a part of who I am, a part that I celebrate. And I can't help but be amused at all the Winona references this week--and that I'm a role model for two girls that are pretty much exactly like me, only a few years younger.
Hopefully next weekend I'll be riding on a bus to Massachusetts to meet one of my good friends from college and to join a ton of people that are wearing the very same Winona State sweatshirt that lasted me through three years of college, multiple camping trips and gave me comfort when I first moved here that I had the strength to succeed in this big, bad city. It's always heartwarming when things come full circle.
"Look," he said Wednesday as we walked through Chelsea, "Unicorn DVD. That's the third "unicorn" reference we've had in the past hour."
"Weird," I agreed. But as I thought about themes lately in my life. Winona, the town in MN where I went to college, has been popping up ALOT. First of all, Pough & I are planning a stopover there during our cross country adventure to my hometown in Wisconsin to visit my friend Alison and spend time in that beloved city where I spent five years of my life; Alison herself is coming to visit in April or May, which I'm super excited about.
And I've been in touch with two girls from my alma mater, Winona State University, who want to go into publishing and are coming out to NYC for a weekend in April to check things out and meet with me and a couple of my friends in publishing. Those two girls were referred to me by a former English professor of mine, who called me this week at work to congratulate me on all my successes and to give me her home phone number so we can catch up while I'm in Winona with Pough.
Also, as I mentioned before, my favorite country station is KQ98 which I've listened to online pretty much all week----and, to top everything else, the Winona State Warriors men's basketball team, currently the defending NCAA Division II national champions, are heading to Springfield, MA for another championship game. As promised last year, I'm going this year with my friend Kiddo and a couple of his friends if WSU goes all the way.
I initially questioned it: do I miss my life in Winona that much? Do I want to move back? And then I thought, no, I don't. But it's a part of who I am, a part that I celebrate. And I can't help but be amused at all the Winona references this week--and that I'm a role model for two girls that are pretty much exactly like me, only a few years younger.
Hopefully next weekend I'll be riding on a bus to Massachusetts to meet one of my good friends from college and to join a ton of people that are wearing the very same Winona State sweatshirt that lasted me through three years of college, multiple camping trips and gave me comfort when I first moved here that I had the strength to succeed in this big, bad city. It's always heartwarming when things come full circle.
Monday, March 12, 2007
207 Facts in 2007: Part Deux & Tres
#2:
My two favorite genres of music: country and hip-hop.
Although I'm fully aware that these two musical genres couldn't be farther apart, both culturally and musically, they are my two ultimate favorites. I miss CMT for lots of reasons (no country stations here to keep up on new music and industry goings ons) but especially for Crossroads. For those not familiar, Crossroads pairs pop artists with country artists, and both artists sing each other's hits. John Mayer's renditions of Brad Paisley songs are my favorites, although the Sheryl Crow/Wilie Nelson pairing was pretty awesome too.
If I was the producer of that show, I'd invite Ludacris to redo some Montgomery Gentry songs; Martina McBride or Sara Evans would kick ass on the female vocal for Ludacris' hit right now, "Runaway Love," which Mary J. Blige sings (and who I also adore). Although I would kill to see Sean Combs/Puff Daddy/P. Diddy in the same room as George Strait.
Imaginary Crossroads pairings aside, I think what draws me to hip hop and country is the same. Despite their differences, hip-hop and country were both spawned out of an uniquely American experience and subculture that I identify with. Growing up in the Midwest with bluegrass musicians as my grandparents, country is in my blood. But since moving to NYC, I've seen a side of Black and Hispanic America that most (white) people don't get to see, thanks to living in Washington Heights and working on black books.
I strongly believe that if anyone digs the beats of Mary J or the steel guitar of Sawyer Brown that they, too, are part of that community. Sometimes I wish people would be more open minded to both of these genres, since they have so much insight to offer past the gang-banging and hillbilly stereotypes. If you feel like giving country a try, listen to KQ98's stream. KQ98 played in my college town and is the best country station I've ever heard. (And my friend Alison works there!)
#3:
As of today, I have 5,577 songs in Itunes and on my Ipod. It's getting to the point where I can't make a new playlist without giving my self a headache and making my ass hurt from sitting on this desk chair too long. But somehow, I still feel out of touch with new music.
My two favorite genres of music: country and hip-hop.
Although I'm fully aware that these two musical genres couldn't be farther apart, both culturally and musically, they are my two ultimate favorites. I miss CMT for lots of reasons (no country stations here to keep up on new music and industry goings ons) but especially for Crossroads. For those not familiar, Crossroads pairs pop artists with country artists, and both artists sing each other's hits. John Mayer's renditions of Brad Paisley songs are my favorites, although the Sheryl Crow/Wilie Nelson pairing was pretty awesome too.
If I was the producer of that show, I'd invite Ludacris to redo some Montgomery Gentry songs; Martina McBride or Sara Evans would kick ass on the female vocal for Ludacris' hit right now, "Runaway Love," which Mary J. Blige sings (and who I also adore). Although I would kill to see Sean Combs/Puff Daddy/P. Diddy in the same room as George Strait.
Imaginary Crossroads pairings aside, I think what draws me to hip hop and country is the same. Despite their differences, hip-hop and country were both spawned out of an uniquely American experience and subculture that I identify with. Growing up in the Midwest with bluegrass musicians as my grandparents, country is in my blood. But since moving to NYC, I've seen a side of Black and Hispanic America that most (white) people don't get to see, thanks to living in Washington Heights and working on black books.
I strongly believe that if anyone digs the beats of Mary J or the steel guitar of Sawyer Brown that they, too, are part of that community. Sometimes I wish people would be more open minded to both of these genres, since they have so much insight to offer past the gang-banging and hillbilly stereotypes. If you feel like giving country a try, listen to KQ98's stream. KQ98 played in my college town and is the best country station I've ever heard. (And my friend Alison works there!)
#3:
As of today, I have 5,577 songs in Itunes and on my Ipod. It's getting to the point where I can't make a new playlist without giving my self a headache and making my ass hurt from sitting on this desk chair too long. But somehow, I still feel out of touch with new music.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
My Boyfriend is Broken!
My brilliant boyfriend Pough had back pain--not horrible, but uncomfortable. So he went to a chiropractor on the Upper West Side. He found out that one of his legs was shorter than the other because his hips were misaligned.
While we both found this hilarious, I was suspect. If your arms are different lengths, why shouldn't your legs be? But a month later (last Sunday night) he had incredible pain in his legs and back. So he calls out of work due to a lack of sleep and the pain, goes to the chiropractor, who fixes him again, and he's a happy camper.
My response: "Did he take Xrays? Give you an explanation?"
Pough: "He just said I did something to really throw it out of joint. I can't think of anything I did, though...."
Me:"You need to go to a real doctor, right now. Let me ask Sick Roomie where she went since you guys both have Oxford."
Pough: "okay, I'll schedule an appointment for Monday."
Me: "NO. You call as soon as I give you the info."
Pough: (reluctantly): "fine"
The very next day, the pain is back and its worse---and a real doctor (a GP and a orthopedic) give him Xrays and a diagnosis: a herniated disc in his back. So last night, I went to hang out with him as we usually do. He was bitchy about the pain while trying to be masculine.
And I was a bad girlfriend:
While we both found this hilarious, I was suspect. If your arms are different lengths, why shouldn't your legs be? But a month later (last Sunday night) he had incredible pain in his legs and back. So he calls out of work due to a lack of sleep and the pain, goes to the chiropractor, who fixes him again, and he's a happy camper.
My response: "Did he take Xrays? Give you an explanation?"
Pough: "He just said I did something to really throw it out of joint. I can't think of anything I did, though...."
Me:"You need to go to a real doctor, right now. Let me ask Sick Roomie where she went since you guys both have Oxford."
Pough: "okay, I'll schedule an appointment for Monday."
Me: "NO. You call as soon as I give you the info."
Pough: (reluctantly): "fine"
The very next day, the pain is back and its worse---and a real doctor (a GP and a orthopedic) give him Xrays and a diagnosis: a herniated disc in his back. So last night, I went to hang out with him as we usually do. He was bitchy about the pain while trying to be masculine.
And I was a bad girlfriend:
- As soon as I got to his apartment I said, "What am I? Oh yeah, I'm right. Unequivocally right. Ha!" ( Although the truly kick ass moment was when both of his roomies looked up from watching UFC and nodded.)
- We got Chinese food last night. Not only did I allow him to pay, but I made him go down the stairs to get it and get me a bowl to eat it with.
- While he was tossing, turning and getting frustrated because he couldn't find a spot to stay in for two minutes to sleep, much less cuddle with me, I fell asleep during the conversation and then again in the morning to a similar conversation.
- I lamented about not being able to go out on our planned weekend of awesomeness (a viewing of COMPANY Friday, a relaxing do-nothing Saturday, a Sunday afternoon spent drinking and bowling and Monday off).
But karma got me back. I had an unexpectedly bad day at work today and then a hopeful epiphany on the train ride home, all of which I wanted to relay to him before I heard about his day of pain. But Pough, alas, was too busy cavorting around Brooklyn with his roomies in a borrowed car to hear about my pains. When I told him I got a new boss, he said, "what? ha ha ha (to his roommates).... What?"
Pough's pain apparently disappears when he hangs with the boys in a car, but I bet it will be back in time to take care of him all weekend (which comes with the stipulation that he recovers in my apartment, not his.) Still, I get a sick feeling of joy (accompanied with a twinge of ironic revenge) that I can withhold sex with good reason. See? I'm a horrible girlfriend with no sense of compassion--or remorse.
Especially since I think its hilarious that Pough has the same medical condition as his grandmother.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Inspired by Genius and the Ghetto Revival
So I'm blatantly copying. Jess can sue me if he wants, but here begins:
207 Facts in 2007:
#1: I love movies that have anything to do with free speech and disenfranchised and/or disenchanted youth. Songs are preferable, but not mandatory. An example is my living room wall. I spent over $200 to transform our red accent wall into a personal shrine: The Breakfast Club, Footloose and Rent. And even I'm a little bashful to say that Footloose is the biggest. Kevin Bacon is nearly as big as me.
When Pough watched FOOTLOOSE with me for the very first time (at the age of 25! Can you believe it?) I got teary eyed at the school board meeting like I always do, and he said, "I told you that I thought you'd cry" and I replied, "It's about free speech, damnit!"
Thus, it should not be all that uncommon that the newest add to movies I love is FREEDOM WRITERS. I have to admit that I purposely pirated it so I could sob in the privacy of my own bedroom rather than give myself a sinus infection by holding it back in the theatre.
I'm not sure why, but if you involve free speech in a movie, TV show or a book I'm a big fan. If you include gangbangers or life in the urban ghetto, I'm also there. The combination is simply catnip for the Megster. Probably also the reason I love when hip-hop artists remake 80s songs: combine the cheese and the streets and I'm down, bitch!
207 Facts in 2007:
#1: I love movies that have anything to do with free speech and disenfranchised and/or disenchanted youth. Songs are preferable, but not mandatory. An example is my living room wall. I spent over $200 to transform our red accent wall into a personal shrine: The Breakfast Club, Footloose and Rent. And even I'm a little bashful to say that Footloose is the biggest. Kevin Bacon is nearly as big as me.
When Pough watched FOOTLOOSE with me for the very first time (at the age of 25! Can you believe it?) I got teary eyed at the school board meeting like I always do, and he said, "I told you that I thought you'd cry" and I replied, "It's about free speech, damnit!"
Thus, it should not be all that uncommon that the newest add to movies I love is FREEDOM WRITERS. I have to admit that I purposely pirated it so I could sob in the privacy of my own bedroom rather than give myself a sinus infection by holding it back in the theatre.
I'm not sure why, but if you involve free speech in a movie, TV show or a book I'm a big fan. If you include gangbangers or life in the urban ghetto, I'm also there. The combination is simply catnip for the Megster. Probably also the reason I love when hip-hop artists remake 80s songs: combine the cheese and the streets and I'm down, bitch!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Newly Improved & With Discussion of Fergie
Just yesterday, I had decided to just let the blog sit for a while, post-free. But tonight I spent a little time reading the utterly fab blogs of my friends, including this one about Avril Lavigne, and I was struck by inspiration. After all, I make random commentary to my friends ALL THE TIME. So this site just needs retooling. And here is the brand new ROCK CENTER MEG, complete with bitter culture-related complaints.
Culture Complaint #1: Fergie, contrary to common belief, you are not cool, and nor are you black.
I don't know if anyone else remembers Kids Incorporated, but ahem, I do. I love the show so much to this day that I have the theme song on my Ipod, and can recite it from memory. It launched the careers of Jennifer Love Hewitt and that guy that played Marisa's abusive Chino-based boyfriend on the OC.
It also featured (For several years) a blond with poufy hair and skirts named Stacy Ferguson, who doesn't look familiar now but soon will:
Quite a striking similarity, wouldn't you say? Now, don't get me wrong. The chick's got a killer body (she certainly did away with the knobby knees) and an even better voice. And she did save the Black Eyed Peas from college station hell. But every time I hear "Fergalicious" in a bar, I want to start singing the damn Kids Incorporated theme song and remind her that a lot of spray-tan and a beat box on your song about yourself does not a hip-hop artist make. Perhaps she should have stuck with singing the hook for the Peas.
Unlike Amanda Bynes & Hilary Duff, former Disney-ers who are proud to be Caucasian, Fergie not only decided to keep a blatantly copied nickname (which rightfully belongs to one of the coolest ladies in Britain) but also to sing about it.
Certainly, I believe that Non POC (people of color) folks CAN cross over into the POC (people of color) areas of hip-hop and R&B, and vice versa. I'd be a hypocrtical reader/editor/fan of all things Mary J. Blige and Beyonce if I said that we as a society should be multiculti and cross racial and socioeconomic boundaries, etc. But I am a strong believer in respecting subcultures.
We white folks should take heed and respect traditionally black music by following the path that Justin Timberlake and Lily Allen have forged for us---and stay far, far away from the Fergie/Vanilla Ice method of becoming a celebrity.
Yet again, I'm just a chick from Wisconsin. What do I know? I listen to hip-hop covers of "She's Like the Wind" for god's sake. If that's not crossing some boundaries, I don't know what is.
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