geeking out

geeky like me

by ameena on June 9, 2013 · 2 comments

in a day in the life, good reads, internet finds, Pop Culture, television

Tonight while at work my boss asked me what I studied at university and when I told him I studied biology he got all excited and was like, “That’s right! You’re all geeky like me!” and I concluded right then and there that that might be one of my favorite compliments of all time.

I’m not entirely sure how he knew I was geeky like him, I think we’ve maybe discussed Game of Thrones twice if that counts? But I don’t really care. I like to assume I just give off that geeky air. And I know in the past I have written about how I am more of a fake nerd, but whatever man. Don’t kill my vibe. Also, I’m totally interchanging geeky and nerdy and pretending I am both because it’s my blog and I’ll be a fake geeky nerd geek if I want to.

Just in case you were ever doubting my nerd status, here are some things that will hopefully boost my cred:

1. I have really, really been hankerin’ to do some intense algebra or even calculus problems. Like, I just want to sit down with an old math (or physics!) (but never chemistry) textbook and get to work. What is that even? Is Candy Crush not enough for me? I guess I just really miss my scientific calculator sometimes…

2. After a lot of careful thought and consideration I think I might try to finally tackle those Game of Thrones books everybody is always going on about. For a while I really liked not knowing what was going to happen next on the tv show, but it has recently come to my attention that i am missing out on a lot of the many intricacies of the plot and I’m sick of being so confused all the time. We’ll see though, every time I see how thick they are I turn and run (is what she said?).

3. I finally ordered a hitchhiking ghosts decal for my car and you don’t even know how happy this makes. You don’t even know.

4. Today Brandy pinned a Harry Potter fan made video and it made me cry. So then I watched this fan made video that I’ve seen at least thirty times and cried some more.

5. I’ve finally started working my way through Buffy the Vampire Slayer and am about to start Doctor Who. But I can’t make too many promises because I am finding it nearly impossible to tear myself away from Friday Night Lights long enough to get anything at all done ever.

Okay I don’t know what any of that proves. But Happy Sunday!

{ 2 comments }

on passion, real talk, and moments

by ameena on July 22, 2012

in a day in the life, movies, Pop Culture, random musings

Friday night my friends and I watched the first two Batman films while playing the most ridiculous drinking game. Did you know the characters in Batman Begins really like to talk about fear? (DRINK!) And Christopher Nolan is an awfully big fan of showing off that Gotham City Skyline? (DRINK!) We didn’t either. Well, until it was too late. But none of that could have prepared us for the moment we learned that EVIL JOFFREY BARATHEON IS THE CUTE, INNOCENT LITTLE BOY IN THE FIRST MOVIE.

Caption: WHAT?!

(CHUG ALL THE BEAR)

(and maybe cut yourself off because clearly chugging a beer = appropriate reaction, chugging a bear = certain death).

It was while I was sitting there, drinking to the bats and sandwiched between some of my favorite people, that I realized I was in a Moment. The kind of moment you wish you could fold up and carry with you in your pocket. The kind of moment that reminds you how wonderful the people in your life truly are and just how much you are going to miss them.

The highlight of the night, for me, came in the form of several mini-debates we shared throughout our movie marathon (is Christian Bale one of the greatest actors of our time? Just how important is Christopher Nolan’s trilogy? Best Joker moments? How big of an asshole is Jesse for unleashing major Game of Thrones spoilers FOR NO REASON? (just kidding Jesse, I forgive you. Sort of.)). My favorite by far was the Katie-Maggie debate. It turns out that pretty much everyone has some strong feelings on who is the better Rachel Dawes. Alliances were formed. Voices were raised. And of course we all agreed to disagree, as can be the only conclusion in the debate of the Rachels.

(For the record I am team Katie Holmes. TRY TO CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE)

What I am trying to say here is that I am so happy to have found people who love to passionately discuss movies as much as I do. You see, I have been thinking about passion a lot lately and the sorts of conversations that passion can foster. These are the interactions I crave. I strive to surround myself with passionate individuals. The kind of people who use their passions to turn their dream life in to reality and save the world. These are the people who do not fear diving head first in to real conversation.

I find that more often than not these people challenge me to be a better person, and I hope that I in turn inspire them as well. It is in these interactions that I always find my best ideas. Lately I have feared that the majority of my conversations hover in this weird place where the conversation isn’t necessarily shallow, but it doesn’t quite make it to the deep end, either. I miss the real talk.

And not just about television or movies either (even though I am aware that is what 80% of my conversations revolve around). I love getting past the surface and debating views on LGBT rights or debating what is more important – the environment or the economy. I love getting real passionate about the best way to spend a free Saturday afternoon or the top five moments of LOST. I love learning why people do what they do and discussing our big scary dreams and all that we plan to one day accomplish. And I will never tire of explaining why John Cusack sucks and Twitter > Facebook.

Friday night was a wonderful glimpse back in to that world of passionate conversation. Now how do I visit more often?

What about you? What are you passionate about? What kinds of conversations do you crave?

casualties of the move

by ameena on July 4, 2012 · 8 comments

in a day in the life, half-baked ideas, life and times of bilbo baggins and mr toad, random musings

A couple of months ago I realized I was being bogged down by everything I own. As I looked at my possessions with the utmost distaste, I could hear Tyler Durden reminding me, “the things you own end up owning you.” And that didn’t sit right with me. I don’t want to be a slave to my IKEA coffee table. I refuse.

As my personal priorities have shifted and I have tried to focus on consuming less, I have also decided it is time to start decluttering my own life and getting rid of most of my posessions. I promised myself that as I prepared to pack up and vacate The Cottage at the end of July, I would try to get rid of as many things as I possibly could. For the most part this process has been surprisingly easy, considering I have often been accused of being ridiculously sentimental. However, even I couldn’t have foreseen how difficult it would be to part with some of my belongings.

I like to refer to these dearest of items as my Casualties of the Move and I would like to ask that you join me as I honor them here.

1. My Junior Prom Dress. (also known as the love of my life)

2006

The second I saw that pale-yellow beauty sitting in the back of my closet I knew it was time. As I delicately removed the plastic covering so that I could try it on one last time, I could feel my heart grow heavy with sadness. Saying goodbye to an old friend is never easy. I couldn’t even adequately express to you why I love that dress so much. If you have to ask, you’ll never know. In fact, I love it so much that three years ago I somehow convinced a group of 20-25 year olds to dust off their old prom dresses and suits just so I could have an excuse to wear my dress one more time. Now that you are safely back in your plastic blanket dear dress, I offer a toast – thanks for the memories old yellow. You will be missed.

2009

2. Fabio.

fabio

Fabio, oh dear Fabio. You always find yourself in the crossfire don’t you? Thank you for always being such a cherished guest at our many affairs. As a parting bit of advice I offer that maybe for your new home you could at least bring a shirt? I mean, I’M NOT COMPLAINING, but sometimes you’re a little intimidating at first when you’re standing there all smoldering and shirtless with your weird chains in your hands, ya know?

3. Baby’s First Lightsaber && Darth Tater and the Spud Troopers.

First of all, someone please name their band “Darth Tater and the Spud Troopers” immediately. I promise I won’t even ask for any royalties. Just like, thank me in your album book thing or whatever.

My lightsaber has been with me since the glory days of my sophomore year of high school. After the midnight showing of Star Wars Episode II, it took residence in my car and there it lived for four years. I often suspect that this is most likely the reason I safely made it to my car so many times. Those mo’ fo’s saw my light saber and knew I must be dangerous. But then one tragic day the batteries died and it has been collecting dust ever since. That’s no life for a light saber, guys. No life at all.

Then there is my band of misfit spuds. I don’t even know what to say about those guys. I guess I just want them to know it isn’t them. It’s me. It’s definitely me.

4. Christmas.

I’m not gonna lie. Parting with my Christmas decorations wasn’t easy, but I know in my heart it was for the best. In the two years that I have lived in this house, the tradition of The Cottage Christmas has always been a favorite of mine. During the past two Decembers you could pretty much count on me spending 80% of every paycheck on any and all Christmas decorations I could get my hands on. But now I fear that Christmas anywhere else just won’t be the same. Also, who needs Christmas decorations when my only plans for Christmas this year involve Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and openly weeping while watching this movie five times AT LEAST:

5. The Movies.

This one is too hard. I can’t. Not today.

just in case you were planning on getting me something for christmas

by ameena on December 20, 2011 · 1 comment

in lust list

First of all, thank you so much, really you shouldn’t have.

But if you insist, these are some of things I have my eye on this year:

For my inner sports geek: 30 for 30 Box Set

For my print-obsessed side. I am going to live this print so hard.
see also this, this, and this.

Because no list is complete without Harry Potter. Also, when
the mug gets warm it changes to “Mischief Managed.” WHATTTT.

For my Hanging with Friends addiction. These gloves are
iPhone compatible! Also, let’s play Hanging with Friends? Please??

For my love of film. Perhaps any book on the movies would do, really.

Finally:

and

Cause, OH YA KNOW. Girl can dream, amIright?

What is on your wish list this year???

because this is the kind of thing that happens when I should be studying for finals

by ameena on December 5, 2011 · 3 comments

in sorry for party rocking

Olivia and I figured our time would better be spent planning a fancy cocktail party, this is the invite we came up with:

‘Twas the weekend after finals, and all through the land
Not a student was studying, and a party was planned;
Dresses were selected with tender love and care,
In hopes that cute boys would surely be there;The students were nestled all snug in their beds,
As visions of cocktails danced in their heads;
And Olivia in her antlers and Ameena in her thinking cap ,
Had just settled down to write this sweet rap,When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the window we flew like a flash,
To see all our friends ready to get trashed.

The moon on the breasts of so many did glow
As they all stood there waiting outside in the snow,
When, what to our glazed over eyes should appear,
But a party in The Cottage, with plenty of beer,

So bring a designated driver, lively and quick,
Who can take you home should you get sick.
With more liquor than Vegas, it’s time for a drinking game,
These partiers whistled, shouted, and to this party they came;

“Down, 1300 South! and, Main Street!
Now, Fancy Drive and 3!
Past the Subway! and goodwill! and then you will see,
The Cottage on 27th Street is the place you should be!
To the top of the porch! Just say you’re a guest!
Of house 8973! With hor d’ouerves you’ll be blessed!”

Unlike heaves that before wild stomaches do fly,
You’ll meet with no obstacle, if you simply reply,
Up the stairs to the housetop you’ll find,
A cute house with vodka for you to unwind.

And then, in a twinkling, you’ll hear that night
Songs by Mariah, and Britney, you’ll be able to recite.
As you pour a shot, and take a look around,
So many friends in fancy outfits will abound.

Girls in cute dresses and the men dressed up too,
There will be greens and golds and reds and blues,
Quick to escape the cold frosty air,
Everyone was ready for a fancy holiday affair

Your eyes — how they’ll twinkle!
After some stoli with berry!
Your belly will be full, with peppermint schnapps and cherry!
We’ll provide plenty of food both savory and sweet,
It will be hard to resist so many good eats;

Ugly sweaters are so two thousand and late,
But feel free to bring with you a date;
Even ones with broad faces or round bellies,
As long as you promise to shake your jellies.

There will be peppermint patty shots, atop a shelf,
And you’ll laugh when you take one, in spite of yourself;
If things get too rowdy we’ll provide you a bed,
Alas, we like you better alive than dead;

Now don’t fret too much, for once you finish finals and work,
You can come join us on a snowy night in December; now don’t be a jerk,
Laying aside this invite after you’ve read,
Hopefully a “yes” will be all that you’ve said;

So spring to your sleigh, and head up the hill,
For a night full of fun, it will be quite a thrill.
You’ll hear us all exclaim, after this one epic night,
“Happy Christmas to all, we did this thing right.”

We’re pretty damn proud of ourselves, yes we are. Although we can’t take quite all of the credit as we did run in to some writers block (studying will do that to one’s brain) so we did take some amazing pieces from this genius piece of work. Because hello! that girl is a amazing.

Oh and don’t worry that’s not my real address, creep.

because it would be cool (aka the one where i kind of lose my shit and kindly request that you tell me what to do)

by ameena on October 19, 2011 · 11 comments

in a day in the life, disney adventures, plight of the twenty-something

This morning was pretty spectacular. Not only did I wake up early enough to actually make and enjoy breakfast like a real adult, I also found out that I no longer have to take summer classes in order to complete my degree. This means I officially graduate this spring. Eeeep! I mean, it only took me five years, but as of May 2012 I will finally have a Bachelor of Arts (don’t ask) in Biology.

That’s right, I am the ultimate badass.

!!!

I was so overly ecstatic that I immediately texted, called, and tweeted pretty much everyone I know. I greedily commandeered my conversations in to I HAVE THE BEST NEWS territory. I happy danced. I smiled from ear to ear. I wanted to open mouth kiss everyone. Phampants suggested I instead kiss a squirrel, I think to avoid lawsuits. I worried about rabies. I decided dancing was enough.

Oh what a glorious morning!

But then,

slowly

gradually

morning turned in to afternoon and with it my ecstasy turned in to sheer panic. Because, you see, I have spent the past four and a half years refusing to give legitimate thought to what happens next.

YOU GUYS I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN NEXT.

Whenever I am in doubt there is always one place and one place alone I turn to for answers – Disney.

The next thing I knew I was tumbling down the Disney Careers rabbit hole and positively drooling over the sheer amazingness of their science internships. It was around the time that I was researching local zoo internships that I realized that “It would be cool.” is probably not a sufficient enough essay response or reason to be pursuing a career I hadn’t given much thought to prior to today.

I spent so much of my college career insisting that there was “no rush” when it came to determining what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. It is how I ended up on this here five year plan because I couldn’t decide on a major. I didn’t want to rush in to such a big decision! There was even a time when I was convinced I would be an English/History/Business/Biology/PoliticalScience/Music major. I wanted it all.

Perhaps it isn’t that I lack a clear vision for my future, okay okay, the reason I lack a clear vision of my future is that it is clouded by the fact that I want to do All of the Things.

The truth is I have absolutely no idea where my biology degree will take me. I always just hoped that my overwhelming love and admiration for my field would cause everything else to fall in to place. But instead it has had quite the opposite effect. I am so in love with every aspect, I just want to do it all.

I want to use my biology degree to continue to fight the evils of cancer and learn more about the fascinating world of disease. I want to spread the joy and wonderment that is zoology and marine biology. I want to save lives as an EMT and eventually as a physician’s assistant. I want to celebrate evolutionary genetics and the mechanisms of the cell. I want to solve criminal mysteries and neurological mysteries. I want to work for the CDC and DisneyWorld and Boston University and and all. of. it.

I was talking to a friend today about my uncertainty concerning the future and he mentioned a paper he recently read in which a researcher unveiled that most of the jobs students obtained directly after college ended up being completely different from their eventual careers. Clearly I interpreted this to mean I can do whatever the fuck I want.

Maybe I will just leap in to DisneyWorld’s Animal Kingdom or a research lab somewhere in Boston or even an EMT course. After all, I still have one more semester to figure it out, right?

…

Right?!

you guys, i vlogged

by ameena on October 12, 2011 · 5 comments

in (mis)adventures in vlogging

i know, right?! the things i do for the internets.

i would just like to thank phampants for ~~forcing~~ helping me to take the plunge.

raindrops on roses and some more of my favorite things this week

by ameena on August 13, 2011 · 1 comment

in reasons to smile

Oh heyyyy, I’m just going to start with some sad news and say I only have one week of summer left. Where the hell did this summer go? I am so sad. Fortunately the second to last week was pretty stellar. Here is a recap in smiles.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. So prior to getting tickets I was completely unfamiliar with the story (reading the Old Testament is in my life list, clearly I haven’t gotten around to that one) but thankfully I have friends like my Bestie who help me get all caught up. I think even if I hadn’t completely known the story I still would have loved this musical. It was so well done and entertaining and I just loved it. Oh and also someone please buy me a hale centre theatre season pass because I am ADDICTED to that incredible venue. Please? Oh also, Joseph? Call me. Marry me. Do it.

the aquarium. Today, on a whim, I decided to go to the Living Planet Aquarium. Because I want to become more comfortable with doing things by myself, I also decided to go alone. And oh! What a relaxing way to spend my afternoon. The aquarium is just so neat you guys. I stood transfixed by the jelly fish for what felt like hours and it didn’t even matter how long I stood there because I was by myself. oh how glorious! I was able to just stand and watch all the sharks and giant turtles and jellies and THE PENGUINS and it really all was a wonderful experience. I rather like the aquarium. I think I’ll go back.

touring the lofts of salt lake. Lately I have found myself caught in the same day dream. I find myself coming home from a long day at work to a gorgeous loft apartment in the sky. I just…I feel like my life just won’t be complete until I spend at least some of my years living under exposed pipes and walking on cement floors. So when my friend informed me that the Downtown Alliance was doing tours of some of the lofts around downtown I knew I couldn’t pass it up. And after spending the afternoon with some of the most gorgeous places to call home I know I NEED a loft. But also I really NEED a money tree. Details…

parties that take place in a log cabin in the mountains. sometimes I just really love Utah and it’s silly mountains.

my new spiffy red hair. I like to think of it as Jessica Rabbit meets Rihanna with a dash of Kate Walsh. And then I get to walk about pretending I am Christina Hendricks because curves please! What I’m trying to say is that my red hair is quickly growing on me. Sadly, I must inform you that spent the past twenty minutes trying unsuccessfully to take a picture for you. I will try again tomorrow.

exciting Bloggers in Sin City updates. So effing excited. Le sigh, nine months will fly by right?

The Sound of Music at Sundance resort. There is just something about seeing the Sound of Music performed at an amphitheater located in the mountains that is so magical. The hills are alive with music indeed.