Damaged Yet Delightful

…Yeah, cliched, I know, but it fits with both the blog theme and the content.


Surprise, I’m in Seattle!


Okay, that’s not really a surprise unless you don’t have me friended on Facebook, but whatever. I AM in Seattle.


So at 6am on Wednesday 19th I woke up (I know, right? Me, waking up at 6am??) and got ready, and then Beth and I put my big suitcase and stuff down in her storage area, and she drove me to Union Station to catch a Megabus. I had a little purple suitcase I borrowed from Michelle so I could just take carry-on luggage and not have to pay $20 for a checked bag (because that adds up! But also, omg, what kind of crazy person leaves for a month-long trip with HAND LUGGAGE? This is doomed to failure already because it was pretty full when I left and I already bought quite a few things today. I hasten to point out that ALL BUT ONE THING was for other people! I’m a giver.)


So anyway, Beth took me to Union Station, which was lovely of her, and I caught the Megabus, and it stopped at a Route 66 trucker store or something, I took a picture of it anyway, and I bought a little book of crossword puzzles and a copy of USA Today, because I am a journalism nerd. The air conditioning was broken so the driver couldn’t do anything about it and it got pretty warm. Also my pockets were full of laundry quarters and I lost one of them down the side of the seat, so I transferred them to my purse. I’m pretty sure I spent a few today though on a couple things.


Anyway XD So we got to Chicago at like 2pm or so, and I put my iPod away (I’d been listening to a playlist of new music - Lecrae, which I only bought the night before on Amazon, (Do You Wanna Date My) Avatar by the Guild, and some Jonas Brothers (well of course, it’s ME, people) and got off. Then I hit a snag. I went into Union Station to find a bathroom (yes, Union Station in Chicago. They’re BOTH Union Station. That happens a lot in America though right? Like Portland and Springfield XD) and then got completely, totally lost. I didn’t know how to get out in order to get to the Clinton blue line stop. The instructions on the website had said the night before, “Go two blocks South”. What do I know from South? I’m a Sociologist.


So I wandered around and asked a guard, whose instructions I couldn’t understand, then eventually bought a Cinnabon (because they looked so tasty and omg, it totally was) and then I tweeted about being lost, and nothing helped, and just as I was starting to freak out a little bit, like omg, I’m going to be stuck here forever because I don’t know what way to get out, and the six hours between the bus and my flight is starting to seem like it was an excellent idea, Danielle called me. So I called her back and she Googled and talked me through it, and I ate my Cinnabon and then I went on my way, and sure enough there it was - tucked away and with not a whole lot of signage. NEEDZ MOAR SIGNS. Also I totally maligned Chicago and the fact that I couldn’t find a free map of the station, it turned out there WAS one, I found it after I tweeted. So, sorry, Chicago. I was just a bit overwrought. But I was like “I can navigate the London Underground with no freaking problems but I can’t even find my way out of a Chicago train station? WTF?” and wishing I was in Covent Garden or even Leicester Square.


Anyway. So I got on the proper train and was soon at O’Hare airport. Too soon. At like 4pm. For an 8.50pm flight. So I killed some time, then I ate my leftover Pei Wei honey-seared chicken (SO TASTY), and then I went to the self check-in machines to check in and somehow there was a wad of watermelon gum on the floor and I somehow managed to set my Whomping Willows tote bag RIGHT ON TOP OF IT. It was disgusting. I scraped off as much as I could with my plastic fork and then I gave up. Then I went through security and sat down to wait.


I did crosswords, Sudoku from the paper, word games…I managed to plug my phone charger into a laptop outlet and charge it up so at least it didn’t die on me, thank goodness. And then I found out the flight was delayed until 10pm. At 9.15 I called Beth and went in search of McDonalds fries. Then I headed to the gate, only to find that they were BOARDING THE FLIGHT. Even though there were no announcements and the board just said “Now 10.05pm”. I was like, OMG. So I shoved the fries, in their to-go bag, into my tote and got on the plane (I know, I know. Anyone who’s ever encountered fast food on public transport probably just groaned right now. It IS a distinctive smell, shut up, I wasn’t thinking straight XD). So then people around me are going, “I can smell food!” and I was like, trying to keep my head down. I’m pretty sure my seatmates (I was in the middle of a row of three, my LEAST FAVOURITE place to be. Ugh. I think I have window seats on all the other flights that I’ve been able to confirm seating though. I HOPE.) totally clued in, but they both kept silent and went to sleep. So I went to sleep, although I did also read a little of An Abundance of Katherines, which I finally got a few weeks ago but had been saving for the plane XD


So we got to Seattle like an hour late and Jenn was waiting, which was really awesome and straightfoward, and then we drove back to her house…it’s a pretty long drive that late at night, so thank you Jenn <3


Today we got up earlyish (haha, 9.30, that’s earlyish for me) and had breakfast - omg, cinnamon and brown sugar Pop Tarts are sooo good - and then went to do touristy stuff. First was the Space Needle (SO AMAZING. The view is phenomenal! Also they took our picture and we bought it. And I got some souvenirs).



Then we went on a log flume and a rollercoaster, which were hilarious and we just could NOT stop laughing throughout. It was kind of silly but fun Then we went to get something to eat, and we had fish and chips, which I found ironic because it’s sort of an iconic British dish, and it was really good, actually.


After that we headed to the Experience Music Project, which was SO GOOD. There were all these interesting exhibits, and I flailed a tiny bit over the Heart drum kit, which was so cool, and when I came to the grunge section I thought of Hannah N XD And then we went downstairs to the Science Fiction Museum and OMG, Beth, you would have loved it. There was sooo much Star Trek stuff, and some Star Wars stuff, and a bunch of things I had no clue even what they were about, but they didn’t allow photography (grrr) so the only photos I have from there are the giant sculpture thingy, if you can call it that, made up of mostly guitars but also drums and stuff, called “VI to IX” or something (http://www.flickr.com/photos/empsfm/3331485060/), which was amazing, and Jenn and I hugging a furry pink wall left behind by a now packed-up-and-ready-to-ship Muppets exhibition XD

After THAT, we got the monorail downtown to just wander about for a little bit and miss the traffic, and then we took it back again and drove back to her house. We had chicken and pasta for dinner and it was really tasty


So yeah, that’s the skin-and-bones details of the day I guess. But it’s funny. Sometimes I just get all “You know, I feel like life is totally passing me by.” And then there was today, where I was with a friend, outside, going on rides and learning about music and even just driving, listening to music. And I thought, actually no, this is what life is supposed to be.


So that was day one of my great American adventure. Tomorrow we’re meeting Rebekah and she’s taking me places since Jenn has to work, and we’ll see what that brings. Just know that I’m super excited for the rest of this trip.

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I have been ridiculously busy. No, that’s a lie, because I’m pretty sure most of my time has been spent watching West Wing DVDs. And yet it’s July 19th. When did THAT happen?

Things I have actually done since getting here:

• Went to the Botanical Garden with Beth (just today actually)
• Saw Half Blood Prince (um, twice)
• Went to SLAM, with Beth and with Paul
• Went to the History Museum, with Michelle and Abby
• Took a road trip to Chicago and went to Hot Doug’s and Krispy Kreme
• Rode the Metro all available ways (into Illinois, into St Louis on both red and blue lines, almost the whole way along both of them)
• Took public buses
• Saw Transformers 2, The Proposal, Star Trek (twice), Up!, Night at the Museum 2, Year One, at the movies
• Saw Fight Club, Supernatural seasons 1-3 and some of 4, West Wing seasons 1-3 almost, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Twilight, on DVD,
• Ate stuff from McDonalds, Imo’s, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Lee’s, The Creve Couer Lakehouse (last night), 54th Street Grill, Olive Garden, Sonic, KFC, A&W/Long John Silver’s, That 50s Place, Blueberry Hill, Cold Stone Creamery, Chick-Fil-A…
• Tried corn on the cob, zucchini, corndogs, fried green beans, toasted raviolis, root beer, Italian soda, Italian cake, ‘American’ cake, American baked beans, pulled pork…
• Seen The Remus Lupins, Gred and Forge, Tonks and the Aurors and The Whomping Willows Live. (G&F twice, TRL three times - after having missed TRL a year ago, I then saw them three times in the space of a month here. Random and awesome.)

As for things I still need to do, well attending a baseball game is up there, along with visiting the Arch, and I know Danielle has a list.

…I felt bad for not having updated so I overcompensated. Sorry.

I bought the issue of Time magazine with the wrock article in it (and also an article about why Scotland’s sheep are shrinking, which I’m actually wondering about now so much that I really want to read it XD) and y’know, some kind of commentary may be forthcoming…you know I love to comment on Muggle coverage of wrock

Anyway. I’m going to go now and watch some more West Wing. I found Heinz baked beans today and that made me happy

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So I’m in America! I can’t believe how awesome it is here. I mean, one long weekend did not fully demonstrate to me the awesomeness.

I flew from Glasgow airport at 10.15am on Saturday and arrived in Philadelphia at 12.30pm on Saturday…hahahahaha. It’s a total brain thing with the time difference. But it’s pretty cool. So anyway, I arrived, and then I had Chick-Fil-A waffles in the airport (which, btw, OMG SO TASTY). Then I got my connecting flight to St Louis, which was an hour late because there were two identical US Airways planes at adjacent gates and they put our luggage in the wrong one…wtf, airport…but we made up the time in the air and ended up only 20 minutes late. Also I spent the whole three hour flight talking to the guy next to me, who reminded me so much of Tim (but with a little bit of Jack-from-Peeved added in) that it was creepy. He’s doing a PhD in engineering so that was fun.

When we got to St Louis I realised Danielle didn’t actually know anything beyond “I’m getting in around 6!” and then I was like *facepalm*. But she was sitting there and it was ALL GOOD. So then we drove (well, she drove. I sat and was like OMGSOHOTHERE!!!) to her house and dropped off my stuff, and we went to Imo’s for pizza (well she got pizza, I got toasted ravioli, which OMG SO GOOD. I mean really. I’ll definitely be able to go to Imo’s with SLAW now and just have the toasted ravioli. It’s amazing) and thennn we watched some Supernatural and then we went over to her friend Ben’s house. It was really pretty, like a showhome, you know, with the fancy kitchen and all - and Ben was so freaking awesome. He had an Y Tu Mama Tambien poster on his wall which was a brillant start XD and also a copy of Augusten Burrows’ memoir “Running With Scissors”. Not to mention the largest DVD collection I have EVER seen. Bar none.

So yeah, I met the mysterious Ben and then we drove back to Danielle’s and went to sleep.

Sunday we slept until 10ish then got up and went to Sonic for lunch that was actually more brunch. I got my first tater tots since Wrockstock and I was ridiculously happy about it XD Also, their lemon slushies are SO GOOD. Next we drove to Target where I got a US phone, something else I’m really happy about, and I bought a new pair of sunglasses because Danielle was like “Oh yeah, they’re awesome, you should totally get them!” So now I have three pairs here XD The new ones are pink and they’re really rad, though.

After that Michelle came over and we watched Ten Inch Hero, which is freaking AMAZING, really, and then some Supernatural (these girls are SPN obsessed, it’s pretty great, especially since they’re making me watch them and I’m really enjoying it XD) Then we went out for KFC and had a really random, hilarious conversation.

Yesterday, Danielle had to work and I basically stayed in all day getting people’s numbers and setting up Twitter and Facebook notifications for my phone. And then I discovered the Disney channel so I watched like five episodes of Wizards of Waverly Place, which is epic. And then Phineas and Ferb, which is also funny. And then even a little bit of Suite Life, which I’d been sure I wouldn’t watch. Drat XD Then we went and got McDonalds and then came back and ate it while watching Supernatural.

So today we’re at the SIUE campus, Danielle has a class and I’m squatting in the computer room, AIM-ing with Jess and trying to defend Twitter on a facebook status conversation. I got a text a little while ago saying “What t-shirt size do u wear? I have myrtles transparent shirt too big 4 me. U’re a sm girl, but w/big rack.” and I was like “Ok, random message from a number I don’t know talking about my rack. Uh huh?” but it turned out to be Lauren iSL hahaha. Which isn’t really that surprising XD so it’s all good. So that’s what we’ve done so far. Once Danielle’s done we’re going to apply for my social security number and then we’re going job hunting! And food will be involved somewhere, too. I had a smores pop-tart for breakfast and it was amazing XD

I’ve rambled enough for now XD I’ll catch you later

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So I totally haven’t been blogging…after a good start it sort of became a chore and I started forgetting and that was it. This is probably going to be the last one for at least a few weeks, too XD Sorry.

Anyway, if you’re reading this you probably know already, but I’m flying to America at the weekend. I have an ‘exchange visitor’ visa and I’m going to spend the summer working and then travel around for a bit before flying home to my loving family. This means that I’ll be gone from literally this weekend through mid September!

I’m pretty excited because I get to stay with Danielle for 9 weeks. She lives in IL, but technically I’ll be working in St Louis, MO, and I’m thrilled to be going back there and seeing all of St Louis Area Wizards (SLAW) again, especially my name-buddy Lauren. And then I’ll be travelling, and the idea right now is: West Virginia (to see Trinity and possibly go go-karting XD); Virginia (to see Sarah and probably hand-feed giraffes), maybe a road trip up to DC with Sarah, then to Ohio for “Hogwarts Class of ‘84″ which is going to be an 80s themed gig and then dance party, 80s costume encouraged, and after which I’m going to be rooming with Danielle, Michelle from SLAW, Carrie (who my BFF Jess knows but I don’t really, but is apparently lovely :-D) and the awesome Susie. After THAT it’s looking like it’ll be New York (if not before Ohio, actually, that’s not really sorted out yet, Ohio was a last minute addition to the itinerary after Danielle told me about the show) where new and lovely friend Jenni has offered to show me around, and then hopefully to Washington State if I can swing it (I know, it’s a REALLY far place to get to from NY) to see Washington Jenn and Rebekah, my first ever fandom friend who is confusingly ALSO named Jenn XD and Hannah who might tattoo me. Then back to MO and then home XD

So it’s shaping up to be a freaking exciting summer. Not least because I’ll actually be in the same state as Maggie, too, so we could possibly meet at some point (even though she’s Kansas City, not St Louis) and HCo84 means I might meet Allie and Vago since they’re in Ohio, and y’know, the general awesomeness of OMG I’LL BE IN AMERICA!

So yeah I’m going to try and keep this blog updated sometimes but I might not have net access very often. You can follow my adventures on Twitter though, by clicking here.

Here’s to a really great summer and lots of pictures and video when I get home!!

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So I had an altercation with my family today. Or rather, I sat there while they told me some ‘truths’ about how I should have a job but I’ll never get one, even after I graduate, especially the kind of job I want. And just other general stuff. There’s no point rehashing it I guess, but it left me all mixed up and not sure what to believe any more. I know that I can’t stay here my whole life though, no matter what happens in the future I can’t be here forever. And then I came through here away from them and grabbed my guitar to sit and play, and the first song that came into my head was Carry You Home by James Blunt. I got the lyrics and chords up on the screen here to sing and almost started crying in the middle of it. I’d picked the song for Margo Roth Spiegelman, I had this short-lived idea that I was going to make a Paper Towns fanmix, but I never found any other songs that fitted. It’s pretty much perfect for me too, though. So I’m going to post it here for you to read, in case you don’t know it.

I don’t have anything else to say today I’m afraid. Well, I spent $14 US (£9-something) ordering 7 mini rolls of Korean packing tape on Etsy. My love affair with stationery rages on.

Trouble is her only friend, and he’s back again
Makes her body older than it really is
She says it’s high time she went away,
No one’s got much to say in this town.
Trouble is, the only way is down…down, down.

As strong as you were, tender you’ll go
I’m watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart, but when it is quiet
I know what it means and I’ll carry you home,
I’ll carry you home.

If she had wings she would fly away
And another day, God will give her some.
Trouble is, the only way is down…down, down.

As strong as you were, tender you’ll go
I’m watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart, but when it is quiet
I know what it means and I’ll carry you home,
I’ll carry you home.

And they were all born pretty in New York City tonight,
And someone’s little girl was taken from the world tonight
Under the stars and stripes.

As strong as you were, tender you’ll go
I’m watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart, but when it is quiet
I know what it means and I’ll carry you home,
I’ll carry you home.

Oh, I should point out that I found a new theme that I like, as you will have noticed if you were here yesterday. What do you think of it?

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So, I started a blog. Because apparently people are interested in reading about my ’super awesome’ life. Or at least, that’s what they told ME. See how interesting you find the following account of my day.

I was up until 5amish last night, so I slept until 1 today. I woke up to hear my dad telling my mum off. Apparently she finished half-smoking a cigarette, stubbed it out and left it on the PVC windowsill. It wasn’t right out though, and burnt into the plastic. It wasn’t a big thing - he walked in, smelled smoke and realised what it was and sorted it out - but there’s an ugly mark on the windowsill now and she’s sworn never to do it again. It’s too much to hope for that she’ll give up smoking altogether.

Then I spent the day sitting with a borrowed laptop, alternately goofing off on Facebook and Twitter (I @reply spam a lot when I have net access. It’s worse if people are visibly Tweeting, too. I do apologise) and actually doing some dissertation-proposal reading and note-taking. It’s due April 14th and I’m not freaking out YET, but I have to read two books (one involves sections critiquing the other) and I know as the deadline approaches I’ll be totally freaking out and will need some kind of emotional support, or someone to stop me drinking excessive amounts of caffeine, as that will no doubt only make it worse. Can you do that for me, anyone?

Lots of people are doing this Maureen Johnson “Blog Every Day in April” thing, it seems. It’s fun reading people’s blogs - I’m usually online when Christie posts her links to Twitter and FB and her posts are always so informative…dang, the Ravenclawness runs deep!

Anyway so this evening I spent hours choosing a blog layout and it turns out that the one that’s on RIGHT NOW (might not be when you’re reading this, bear that in mind XD) does not show the pages I’ve created, only blog posts. This is annoying. I love this layout. But I guess I’m going to have to find another one It only took me like two DAYS to find this. Ellie thinks I’m being insanely picky XD I’m not even going to attempt to argue.

The title of this blog, by the way, comes from a song of my friend Zoe’s. She released an EP online recently and it’s awesome. The song is called Broken Bird I’ll give you a download link at some point, if I log in to Facebook now I’ll just get distracted and stay up even LATER. And that would be bad.

Anyway, so then I just continued typing up my list of wizard rock. I’m attempting to list every album and song, alphabetically by band (it makes more sense if you actually see it) and it’s…taking forever. I have 27 pages already and I’m only partway through The Remus Lupins, with The Whomping Willows and the prolific Split Seven Ways (Zoe again, but in her primary magical guise) still to come. It may require a few hours’ work yet. But I’ve done all my Myrtles, Parselmouths, Draco and the Malfoys, Harry and the Potters and Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls so for maybe 7-8 hours’ total work I figure I’m not doing so badly. I have a LOT of wrock

Anyway, not much else to report. I saw Small Soldiers today which was funny, at first I thought the Gorgonites were the bad guys. I’m so judgmental - just because they’re monsters! We should never judge books by their covers.

On that thought, I’ll leave you XD Have a good day/night x

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