Gator Week

I know I said I would write about why Parks and Recreation is the best show on television, but I fear I may have been living a lie. You see, season one of Swamp People is now on instant Netflix. My life has been changed.

First, I should inform you that I do not have a television in Minneapolis, so if it's not on Hulu, it takes me a while. Also, I am a TV purist (read: obnoxious), so I can only start shows from the beginning. If I try to start in the middle of a season, my brain explodes. Cannot compute. I need character backstories, no matter how irrelevant.

Second, it should be noted that I am way more into television than I am film. I like getting emotionally invested in plots and subplots that last for months and then leave you hanging. I will tell you that I hate it, but almost never believe me. Because I love TV, I also love recommending/forcing people to love shows. Many of my friends have learned to trust my studied recommendations, but normally I have to hook my parents by just turning the show on. It's like fishing (I'd assume); set the bait and wait for a catch/laugh. Right? That's like fishing.

OR ALLIGATOR HUNTING!!!!

Oh my word. Swamp People has taken Deadliest Catch's place in my heart as number one show about hunting-water-based-animals, a very specific, competitive category. Thank goodness I don't have to include Shark Week in there, because I wouldn't know what to do with myself! For those of you who don't know what the show is, it's about essentially a small group of Cajun men in the Louisiana bayou who hunt alligators during their hunting season. One also has a gator/turtle farm.

This is his story.

Yeah. He never wears a shirt. Also, he has a precious and mildly creepy dog that eats zebra cakes and licks alligator eye's right after they're killed. WEIRD but INTRIGUING. I love dogs.

This is HIS story.

Basically, like most other shows of this nature, the episodes follow similar plot lines. Challenges. Gators. ONE BIG NICKNAMED GATOR. Gotta catch 'em all! Someone succeeds, someone fails. Close on one of the guys talking about the importance of family and tradition and getting all the fat off of the gator meat. Classic television formula.

To close: I highly recommend this. I sat in my bed and watched hours of it. You could easily watch it with friends, if you're committed enough to put pants on, as I rarely am after 9 PM. Lastly, it's Roy family approved. I shall exhibit proof now.

Normal father-daughter conversations/PROOF

With that, I bid you a good night. Also, look at me go! Posting on here and everything.

Rapture Attack in River City!!!!1

As you may know, today was the rapture. Heaven is working out really, really well. The Dominos guy who delivered my Cinnastix to heaven was a sweetheart, and it was the only time I put on pants all day. So, yeah. Really unsure as to whether or not this is actually heaven and I was chosen, or if it's just a rainy summer Saturday where my main responsibility is to nap.

The best part of nap-rapture was my super intense nap dreams. I don't know if it's just me or a general rule, but my nap dreams are always 10,000x more interesting than any regular dream I can ever remember. (If anyone tries to explain the cognitive reasons behind this, I will punch you. Let me have my magic.)

I normally think that reporting on dreams is terrible and boring, but this one was one of those half memory/half dream scenarios, and the memory half is hysterical. I'll open with this, and you tell me if you're not enthralled (read: don't actually): I woke up trembling with the "Wells Fargo Wagon" song from The Music Man.

Exhibit A: the song in question

Exhibit B: a much superior song from the same musical

Where did this Music Man dream come from? Well, I don't want to intimidate you, but I happened to star as "a child" in the 2001 Catholic Memorial production of this classic musical in Waukesha, WI. So, I mean, it's not a big deal, but that's where I got my break. Look at me now!!!

In my rapturenapdream (copyright Alicia Roy, 2011), I was back in fifth grade, in this production. Fifth grade Alicia is a lot like current Alicia, but pre-braces, awkward as shit, with long hair and is 98% limbs. Also, afraid of speaking. I was super popular. Naturally, with all of these great qualities and a natural pre-teen fear of boizzz, being in a high school was a horrible, horrible thing. Even with theatre kids who are debatably more awkward than any pre-teen I have ever met ever.

ANYWAY. So I'm backstage, being bitter that I wasn't chosen to be in the Music Man's band of children and girl who is supposed to be my mom or something has sweaty hands and an obvious crush on my fake dad. I vividly remember that he was not into her. I knew my fake parents would be fake divorced by fake Christmas, and I used this to build character. "A child"?! Methinks not. I was a multifaceted character who just wanted to stay of TROUBLE down at the POOL HALL.

This is where I'm assuming the trembling comes in. The song "Gary, Indiana". I don't know if you have ever been to/driven through Gary, Indiana, but it is a terrible place. It smells terrible. I hate Gary, Indiana. Also, most of Indiana, but that is a different story for a different day. In the dream, they suddenly point to me and tell me I'm taking lead on "Gary, Indiana" even though I don't know the words! So I started doing the Nicki Minaj verse from "BedRock" and was kicked out of the children's cast. Nailed it.

Hope ya'll had a great rapture!! I'm gonna go kick it with my patron saint/main girl, St. Theresa the Little Flower!

JK, see you in hell, am I right?

an Explanation

SO. I haven't posted in almost exactly a month, and I feel somewhat obligated to offer some sort of explanation for my absence, even if I am the only one who has noticed (a great possibility). Thus begins my first and potentially one of the only actually kind of serious posts that shall ever grace this blog.

In short, this semester has been a killer. A huge reason I started this blog was to form a diversion against how I've been feeling, but, alas, mental ailments tend to win. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder a couple of months ago, and have been seeking treatment since. Basically, I am doing much better and this is hardly a situation that needs any sympathy. I am taking the appropriate steps to getting better, I have a solid support system, and the semester is almost over. All-in-all, things are looking up.

I have finals this next week, but I am not too terribly overwhelmed since I did have to drop two of my courses as I've been dealing with my illness. After this week, I am going home for about a week for some relaxation and family time before my summer in Minneapolis actually begins!

It'll be another slow couple of weeks on the ol' blog, but I hope to be posting much more regularly throughout the summer.

POSTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
-An analysis of who my neighbor actually is based on their music choices (claims to be 20-something woman, likely is a 40-something flamboyantly gay man)
-An analysis on who my neighbor probably thinks I am based on my music choices (claims to be 19-yr-old young woman, actually is your dad)
-My fervent argument on why Parks and Recreation is the best show on television
-Meal choices when going to the grocery store is too much work (hint: are all peanut butter-based)
-AND MORE!!!!

So, stay tuned, kids. I'm done being serious, and have a LOT of thoughts and feelings and all those aforementioned topics. Get ready.

P.S. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

(Don't forget to call your moms.)

Movies You've Already Seen Vol. 1: Romance

Now, I was raised in a household where unless it was imperative that a movie be seen on the big screen, we followed a "wait for DVD" policy. (Read: poor.) I vividly remember making cases for various films in order to be allowed to see them in theaters. Some winners: Toy Story 2, Spiderman, all Lord of the Rings films.

Based on this principle and my current college-induced state of poverty, I rarely make it to the movie theater. Thus presents the first installment of "Movies You've Already Seen" where I share my deepest thoughts on movies that you have probably already seen, but I just got around to watching. Completely on accident, volume one has a romantic theme. Don't puke yet.

Love and Other Drugs (2010):
No. Just... no. I am not difficult to please in the RomCom/RomDram genre. I have willingly watched When in Rome as well as the classic Harry Connick Jr. work in New in Town. The latter, I watched twice. When my reaction to a film is simply "no," I can't imagine what someone who actually cares would think about it. Following the classic "banging-turns-to-love" plot and adding a chronic disease twist, Love and Other Drugs manages to fit into bad romance stereotypes while giving none of the perks. It tries to be deep, and fails. Anne Hathaway cries too much, and I don't like her face.

Blue Valentine (2010):
This film was really, really great. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams portray a couple falling in and out of love with almost startling realism. Don't watch the whole film if you want to feel...happy, though. I'm not kidding about the startling realism. If you do want happiness, just watch this clip.

P.S. I Love You (2007):
Due to extreme emotional reactions, I will never watch this movie with another human. I learned this trying to watch it on a Megabus from Minneapolis to Milwaukee and silently bawling for two hours. (The girl next to me had a fun ride. Sorry, girl.) On a related note, let's never talk about it.

When Harry Met Sally (1989):
Yes, I did just see this for the first time two nights ago. I know I'm a terrible RomCom fan, sue me. All I want to know after seeing this film is how many women used it to mess with their guy friends. Seriously, someone reading this, DO IT. "Hey, I have a movie for us to watch! It really speaks to me." And then just stare. No flirty crap, just turn on the movie and deadpan stare. If you don't break character, this would be hilarious. Unrelated thought: I can't hear Billy Crystal's voice without seeing him as the old hobgoblin guy in The Princess Bride. As you can imagine (or at least will after reading this), picturing ol' Billy the Hobgolbin hooking up with Meg Ryan was a horrible, horrible image.

That's all for Vol. 1. I welcome your opinions on these films and suggestions for my next genre and leave you with this gem:

Keep it Together

This week has been a long one. I have been in sort of a funk lately, and motivation has been low all-around. (I probably mentioned that last time around... I promise it's not a life theme, yikes.) Today was a fantastic change of pace, though! The weather was absolutely gorgeous and I was able to bust out my Birks. Instead of sitting in the office at work all afternoon I got to post flyers around campus and enjoy the sun as well. To add to today's goodness, Mama Roy is coming up to visit Saturday and Sunday, so I very much look forward to that.

If there's one thing I'll miss about winter, it's having a chilly apartment at night. This probably seems like an odd thing to miss, and it probably is, but I would prefer a cold room to go to sleep in. That being said, I'm writing this from my bed which currently has: two comforters, two fleece throw blankets, and one Packer snuggie. I have three more throw blankets ready to go between my futon, under-bed storage, and my car. (Emergency picnics/when my car breaks down on winter country night drives.) I am prepared for all sorts of snuggle-type scenarios with a variety of blankets. As it warms up, I have to put more blankets away, leading to various degrees of pouting on my part. However, considering this is the only thing I like about winter, I'll say goodbye to my barely-appropriate-in-any-season amount of blankets and welcome the warmth.

In an effort to make this post not entirely about a 50 degree day (I'm in Minnesota and that's a heat wave, cut me some slack), I'll mention my weekend adventure to La Crosse. I stayed with my friend Allison and got to enjoy the company of some friends from high school I haven't seen in a long time. Some serious truth circle went down, and there were only minor injuries. Note: If you're trying to physically roll out of a conversation to obtain pizza, be careful. Very rarely is any pizza worth spilling any blood over. All in all, a very successful weekend. The pizza in question was worth the injury, in case you were concerned.

Not from this weekend. Mostly for a context photo of Allison and I being ladylike.

CONCLUSION: My April is off to a solid start, and I hope yours is as well.

Wanderlust

As the semester wears on and my level of school-crazy increases exponentially, we can all thank the heavens that the sun is out today and it's a balmy 40 degrees. The crazy has subsided. However, it has been replaced with my intense desire for summer. Too antsy. Attention span at all time low. Ruh roh.

Thus, I'm sitting in front of my computer at work fantasizing about all of the things I have coming up instead of what I should be doing, which is sitting in front of my computer working on this five-page paper. Ah well, everyone needs a break, right? Right.

Anyway! Things in the works/near future:

• A lot of good ol' Wisconsin time. This weekend in La Crosse to visit some friends, a long Easter weekend in Milwaukee, and then Mifflin Street Block Party in Madison.
• A whole Minneapolis summer! No class, just time to finally explore the cities a lot more and hopefully some serious time spent at any of the 10,000+ lakes Minnesota has to offer.
• Maybe another New Orleans trip to celebrate Annalise and my birthdays?
• Not winter. Finally appropriate weather for me to continue my boycott against wearing pants.

There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel, thank goodness. I'm sure this is a super common complaint from every other college student, but I am running out of steam! I slept 12 hours last night (7:30PM-7:30AM, not even ashamed) out of sheer exhaustion. My current goal is to do better at time management so I can also do better at relaxation time/sleeping at appropriate hours...

For anyone interested, I made a playlist of some songs/artists I especially like to listen to while I am actually taking the time to relax. It can be downloaded here.

Playlist:

1. Sounds Like Hallelujah - The Head and the Heart
2. Christchurch Woman - Justin Townes Earle
3. Greetings in Braille - The Elected
4. Brown Trout Blues - Johnny Flynn
5. The Temptation of Adam - Josh Ritter
6. Down in the Valley - The Head and the Heart
7. The Greatest - Cat Power
8. Red - Okkervil River
9. Chains, Chains, Chains - Elvis Perkins in Dearland
10. You Should've Seen the Other Guy - Nathaniel Rateliff
11. West Coast - Coconut Records
12. Be Set Free - Langhorne Slim
13. Dirty Dishes - Deer Tick
14. Decatur - Sufjan Stevens
15. Your Rocky Spine - Great Lake Swimmers
16. Bully - Lissie
17. Volunteers - Megafaun
18. Hazelton - Justin Vernon
19. Terrible Love - The National
20. Two - Ryan Adams

Hope you enjoy it! And now, back to real life and real work and a real work out and then really writing this dang paper. Wish me luck.

UPDATE: Now comments from err'body are allowed, so feel free to express your feelings in my general direction. 

In the beginning...

Hello, internet. Welcome to my brand new precious baby blog.

I will start with a policy of full disclosure: this blog is purely self-indulgent, a method for me to get my thoughts out of my head that probably don't even need to be shared. I have always been more comfortable with writing things down than verbalizing them (little known fact). This does not mean that I am more eloquent in writing. Far from it, actually. I have the tendency to write exactly how I talk.

So, like I said, this is a self-indulgent experiment that others may or may not choose to read and partake in along with me.

A brief introduction.
I am a college student in Minneapolis, MN, studying American history and hoping to go to grad/law school to pursue a career in education reform, probably in a political forum. I like:

• Adventures, interpreted almost any way. I include road trips, country night drives, concerts, late night grocery runs, anything. It sounds cheesy, but I feel like if you do something with an adventure in mind, you can't go wrong.
• Conversation
• Music, especially Americana
• America (not sarcastic)
• "Everybody and television!" -Kenneth from 30 Rock

I also like other things, but that I'm sure will come up.

Anyway. I'm going into this whole blog thing with no real direction, because I feel like that will figure itself out in no time. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings; we'll just see which ones come out on top.