lunes, mayo 23, 2005

Okay, so the moving to New York thing was sort of pre-emptive I guess, as circumstances have altered the course of things. I got a writing job at the Miami New Times. I'm in New York until June 1st. In Little Rock from June 1st - June 14th or so. Then I move so far from everything and everybody. Make sure you get your farewells in. It's going to be sad. But also, hopefully, very good. It's so fucking great to finally have a career-ish thing happening.

domingo, mayo 15, 2005

There was karaoke at the Gaffney Country Club following my cousin's wedding. The bride sang "Strawberry Wine"; the groom sang "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy." Her cousins on the other side of the family knew the words. We danced.

Other highlights of the day included the bridal luncheon hostess remarking that my aunt, who has lived in the South for thirty years, still has "a lot of North in her". I proudly displayed an arsenal of flowry print dresses that were no match for fake tans, pedicures, and maybeline foundation (shade: very tan) but I had fun, tried to add a dipthong or two, swam at the Hampton Inn's pool (with its spectacular vista of I-85) and was pleased to hear that my cousin has joined the local bridge club, preserving an important family tradition.

Yes indeed, it was a time for family. A time for processed foods we normally avoid and pimento cheese, for Coor's Light and my favorite nuptial item, a culinary event that occurs only at weddings and never in society at large: the genius of the stuffed mushroom.

Nobody caught the bouquet. With family friends muttering that it was a bad omen under their breaths it soared, descended, brushed someone's shoulder and fell into a forest of high heeled flip-flops and pedicures. Then someone picked it up. She was blonde and tan. There were only a handful of us anyway, with most of the girls complaining that "this ree-yung means ah shouldn't be in hee-ah." So.

Also (how could I forget?) mid-way through the reception a tiger mascot entered the dance floor pumping fists as the d.j. played the Clemson alma mater, a chorus joined by 300 of the guests, also pumping fists. And we envisioned football, and victory, and men and pigskins and glory, and there was much rejoicing. I'll be in New York City tomorrow, y'all.

jueves, mayo 12, 2005

ch ch ch changes

I'm coming back to New York. I have a temp job at GQ. I feel a little rotten about the whole thing though; or at least conflicted. But anyway... I start on Monday. If anyone wants to open up their home I could use a couch.

Playing with the Lazy Fair on Tuesday was, by the way, maybe one of the funnest things I've ever done in my life. We silkscreened up a bunch of old t-shirts the day of and handed them all out, so all our friends were there, dancing, wearing our t-shirts, making us feel so nice... Fuck I wish I was in Little Rock now. My cousin's getting married on Saturday in Gaffney, SC so I'm in Atlanta with the family, wishing the suburbs didn't suck so much.

I just read Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson, which lives up to its reputation of near-perfection. Like Jane of Lantern Hill meets Terrence Malick. I mean I always really hated Anne of Green Gables (as soon as I read the words "the lake of shining waters" I decided it was garbage) but as far as L.M. Montgomery goes I always liked Jane. And something in this story reminded me of it. But it's dark and sad and very beautiful.

Last night I stayed out real late hanging and today Kat and Corey took me to the airport and I felt pretty sad about having to go again. Oh well. Except that I really do feel sad.

martes, mayo 10, 2005

Debut

The Lazy Fair
Tonight! Whitewater Tavern, following Lightning Bolt.

lunes, mayo 02, 2005

We went and hiked up Pinnacle Mountain yesterday, and when we got to the top the youth group from The Church of the Nazarene of Searcy, Arkansas was sitting there singing "Our God is an Awesome God."