When your Apartment Floods…

…many unpleasant and unwanted situations will result.

Yesterday morning a pipe in the ceiling above our bathroom decided to burst. This left inches of water in our living room, one bedroom, and all over the bathroom. Luckily Crazy was home to take care of things! I can safely assume that I would have freaked out, ran down to the office and yelled at somebody. She chose the more logical path, teaching me a few things about how to handle a situation like this.

First, call somebody who can do something (i.e. the Maintenance people?). Then, take some action….

-Turn OFF the Power ( I never would’ve thought to do that….) to avoid being electrocuted. Nobody wants that. Especially when you are standing in water. Ehhh, not good.

-On that note, remove all electronic things from the floor! In this situation, that happened to be LB’s computer. Normally it is sitting happily on her desk, but on this particular morning it was in the living room from the night before. Problem. No worries though, Crazy is smart, and thought of that right away! Another reason that my apartment is lucky that I’m not the one who happened to be home…..

It’s also a good idea to unplug everything, because you won’t want to be doing that later while everything is wet.

-Do NOT try to use towels to soak up the water. Inches of water will win this battle every time.

-Remove all other valuable belongings from the floor, if possible.

Fortunately for us, the only things that got damaged were a few rolls of toilet paper. Lesson learned: don’t keep TP on the floor?

-Put on some rainboots, and head on down to the office to explain that your apartment is currently Flooding. Right Now.

They will say things like, “Why? What did you do?”
You will want to say things like, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”
Please refrain. Keep your cool. People don’t want to help you if you are mean.

We are currently living in 100000% humidity, with very loud fans and very wet carpet. FYI Maintenance people: the fans are not doing anything. We can’t open the windows, because it is Zero degrees outside, therefore the wet air is circulating and driving us crazy.

The only good thing to come of this so far has been eating dinner with the “fam” (all roomies) in the “Fun Zone” (aka LB’s room), because it’s so noisy in the living room that you can’t hear yourself think.

I came home from work and dinner was waiting for me, yummm! We all fixed ourselves a steak fajita and watched “That 70’s Show”. Good stuff.

On the Road Again….

Destination: East to Philadelphia.

This weekend I was back on the road with my iPod and trusty SUV. Actually, I was back on the same roads that I traveled last Saturday on my way to MD. A minor change was traveling 76, otherwise known as the Turnpike, to the city of Brotherly Love.

I went to visit one of the first/best friends I made here at school. She graduated last December, so I don’t get to see her very often, aside from a few football games and Art’s Fest in the summer. She’ll always be one of those people where you just “pick up where we left off”. I love that about our friendship.

Next Fall I’m going to be in her wedding (yay!), so there’s been a lot going on for her. I got to see her dress, and try on a sample of my BM dress since it won’t be in until April. She also showed me where the ceremony and reception will be, which are both going to be so beautiful! That’s one thing I love about Pennsylvania, all the old stone churches surrounded by grass, trees, and old brick houses.

We also did a little shopping, went out for dinner, and followed that with some drinks. Something I love about the city: No cover charges for the bars! Which means you can actually go on a “bar tour”, which is exactly what we did.

We started thing off with a beer at “Pitcher’s”, followed by complimentary shots (thank you, random guys who bought blue shots and intrigued us), and another beer. Then we headed over to a place called “Bayou” (pronounced “Buy-you“), for some VTs and R&C’s (Vodka Tonics & Rum and Coke ). The crowd here was a little slow so we strutted on down to enjoy a “club scene” at “105 Social”. Considering it was only about 10 o’clock by now (we started early?), it wasn’t too crowded yet and the DJ might have been the only one actually dancing. But we don’t need a crowd, we had a good time!

Favorite comment of the night:

…in reference to my very-out-of-state-ID…

Bouncer: “Wow, you came a long way for a drink!”

It was a quick trip, but it was definitely worth it. The only thing I could’ve done without would be the 1 1/2 hours of sitting, stopped, in traffic about 15 miles away from State College.
Word to the wise: If you have to go to the bathroom and you’re thinking “Eh, I’m only 20 minutes out, I’ll be fine….”, that will be just about the time that they decide to close the road and let you sit for almost 2 hours. GO to the bathroom. You will regret it otherwise. And you will be very cranky.

Music to my ears

It’s amazing to me how quickly a smell, sound, or song can revert us back to specific memories, thoughts, and moments.

While I was working away in the lab this morning, I turned on the radio for some company. Usually it’s set on the Country station, which I’m okay with, but not today. I heard the Maroon 5 song “Harder and Harder to Breathe” and thought, this will do.

I have to say, the DJ was doin’ his thing this morning. I found myself listening to the perfect balance of old-but-good ones and some of the new “hits” that I’m a fan of. When you’re working alone for 2 hours listening to music, your thoughts tend to wander….

“Harder and Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5

2002: We put the tailgate of the truck down so we had somewhere to sit. The guys are in charge of starting the fire, we just watch. It isn’t very cold out, but having “a bonfire” gives us an excuse to come to this spot and be outside at night. We put in the Maroon 5 CD because it’s neutral. Not everyone likes rap, and not everyone likes Blink 182. We all love these guys though. It plays all night. We’re happy.

“Low (apple-bottom jeans, boots with the FUR)” by Flo-Rida

2007-2008: I look down from the top deck and find my sister dancing in the middle. I’ve never heard this song before, but apparently everybody else has. I listen to the lyrics and have to laugh a little bit, I guess it’s catchy if anything.
We’re shopping in TJ Maxx the next day, Lauren and I dragging Z along into the girl’s shoe section. From around the corner he starts yelling, “Apple-bottom jeans, boots with the FUR!”. We both laugh and turn around. He’s holding the ugliest boots I have ever seen. They look like they came straight off of an animal, maybe a buffalo…or something with long, disgusting black hair.

We’re at Lulu’s dancing, drinking, and enjoying the night. I can finally sing along to this “hit”, and I think it’s growing on me. Good beat, catchy lyrics, happy dancers.

“In the Middle” by Jimmy Eat World

I’m in the passenger seat, so I’m the DJ. It’s warm outside so we decide to be “cool” and put the top down. With nothing better to do after school, this will take up most of our afternoons. We go to “Sonic” to get a Route 44 (large) slushee. The drums start, and we sing.

“Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé

2007: LB turns up the volume, “This is my favorite part!”
“Keep talkin’ that mess that’s fine, but can you walk and talk at the same time??”

We all start singing as loud as we can. We’re driving back from a dinner out, elated from our meal that started with cocktails, involved some wings, and ended with free beads and crazy-straws from our waiter. It’s still nice outside, it’s Thursday, and we can finally go out to dinner and order drinks if we want to.

Maybe we’ll go out, maybe we won’t. It’s only the beginning of the semester, and we have that option should we choose it. Maybe we’ll wear dresses, just for fun. Maybe we’ll sit outside at the Café, while the weather is still cooperative. Maybe we’ll go to the Grill and be classy. It’ll be a good night.

“Sugar We’re goin Down Swingin” by Fall Out Boy

2005: Em is probably so sick of this song, but I’m so addicted to it! In fact, if you look at my iTunes, it’s been played 278 times. You’d think I’d be sick of it by now. I put it on for number 279. Back to my homework: Chemistry, Nutrition, coming up with a Speech for next week.

I hope she gets back soon, I’d much rather be watching “Will & Grace” and getting ice-cream.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Greenday

2005: I crawl into bed and put my headphones on. I can’t fall asleep without music, but I don’t want to bother the roomie. Oh, the awkwardness of freshman year.

I press play, turn the volume down, and skip to track #5.

“Last Dance with Mary Jane” by Tom Petty

Our taste in music is radically different. He introduces people like Tom Petty and the Postal Service, I make him listen to 50 Cent and Toby Keith. Neither one of us care or complain, we like it all. We like each other. With at least 10 hours of driving ahead of us, the variety keeps it interesting.

I put in the latest “mix” that he made and sent to me in the mail while I was away. I want him to know that I love when he does little things like that. I turn it to track #4 and smile at him as I start to sing along, encouraging him to join in. I know we both like this one.

“This is one of two songs I would totally do Karaoke to”, he says. I laugh, one day I’ll make him do it.

Bus Stories

Every day I ride the bus, and every trip to and from campus is different.

I wait. I get on. I sit. I ride. I exit. I say “Thank you”. I am at my destination.

I’ve shared my bus experiences once or twice before; they are never the same. There’s the bad-driver, the crazy-driver, the friendly-driver….the list goes on. But there’s also the passengers.

There’s the older guy who goes bowling every afternoon with his buddy. They get on at Allen Street with their bowling balls in a rolling-suitcase (fit for a bowling ball. Yes, these apparently exist), and they chat with those around them. He always has a “Steelers” hat on, sometimes a jacket too. I always wonder what he does before his bowling time. Maybe he eats lunch at “The Corner Room”. Maybe he even has a specific “pre-bowling” meal. I wonder if he gets Strikes and Spares, or is he in it for fun?

There’s the guy with the back-pack. He will randomly get on and off the buses, taking “Ride Guides” and saying “hi” to the drivers. His bag always sags off his shoulders, and his jacket always looks too big. He walks up to everybody at the stop and says something. “Good morning”, “How are you?”, “HI!”. He always has headphones. What does he listen to? Sometimes he walks around the library too, I only know because I work here. Where else does he go?

There’s the people who are always there in the morning. We share the frustration as full buses pass, paying no attention to us. We share the relief when we finally get on, and it’s warm. We share the dreaded departure, because it means that we are going to class.

These are the people I see frequently. What about those that I don’t? What about the woman sitting next to me today?

I sat down and put my bag on my lap. She got her phone out of the pocket closest to me, I moved a little so she had room. Without thinking about it, I looked down at her hands. At first I thought she had gloves on, it looked like a faux-snake skin material. I quickly realized that this was her skin. The age of her hands didn’t match that of her face. Another look would tell me that she was scarred.

What story would her hands tell about her? I wondered. How long ago did this happen? Does she even notice anymore? I thought about how I put lotion on all the time, does she do this too?

The guy standing in front of me had let me go on the bus before him, gentleman-like. As we rode to campus, he held onto the bar over-head. He pulled Carmex out of his pocket, and as he unscrewed it we were turning. I thought, if I knew him, I’d offer to unscrew it for him so he didn’t fall. He managed, which I found impressive. I always have to hold on the entire way, or I feel so unbalanced. I hate holding the bar on the top, because my arm falls asleep. He didn’t seem to mind.

The three of us got off at the same stop, and went three different ways.

Who’s the Best??

Player: Eli Manning. MVP, and definitely deserved it!

NOT Randy Moss! Contrary to his personal opinion.

That was probably the most exciting Super Bowl Fourth Quarter. Nice work Giants!!!

Commercial: Victoria’s Secret.

Completely unexpected, and perfect timing. There was definitely a lack of wit, humor, and general interest to the majority of the ads we just watched over the past four hours. Then, we have VS to the rescue! A simple, silent, clever commercial. That’s all we wanted, and they delivered.

I would have to say that a close-second would be the E*Trade baby. That little peanut was too cute!

Performance: Alicia Keys

This girl defines musical talent. While I am not endorsing her costume selection (where did those pants come from?!), that girl can SING. And play the piano. And write beautiful songs. I am blown away at how amazing her voice sounds every time she performs.

On another note, Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers gave us a great half time show. My only complaint: I didn’t get to hear “Last Dance with Mary Jane”. C’mon now, thats a classic too!

Drink of the night: Bud Select.

Budweiser had a few good ads (one in particular, the horse-in-training), but nothing special. Although apparently they did provide us with our “Aerial Coverage” for the night. Hmmm, good thing I could see the dome from the sky.
All things aside, the Bud Select pulled me through some wings, chips & Salsa, and brownie ice cream. That deserves some sort of recognition!

Overall Super Bowl 42 Rating: B+. Thanks for a great game, work on the commercials for next year!