for boring times

I do this thing whenever I'm bored, like when I'm driving, trying to fall asleep, I used to do it while modeling as I was forced to sit still for hours.
It's like a dialogue about me, I think I've mentioned it before.
Sometimes, back when I wanted to be a teacher, it was me introducing myself to my new class.
After listing off all the languages I speak (oops, killed that one too.), and all the places I've been (so far I can really only list off HK and Bejing) the not-easily-impressed freshman would ask: "are you related to the Becky Froelich (now they'd be saying Pitcher) the author?"
Now of course, that is also me. The conversation would follow in a similar manner.

Now when I do this little thing, I pretend that I'm being introduced at my five-year high school reunion, since (due to the fact that imagined future-Becky is such a big deal) everyone wants to hear about her accomplishments.

The announcer, who I imagine to be one of those annoying girls that I disliked in high school, says something like this:
"Becky went to BYU where she married Travis Pitcher, and then they moved to New York where she finished school at Columbia, while he went to grad school at NYU. She published her first book when she was twenty and has another coming out in the fall. She works now as a comedic writer while her husband works for [some prestigious documentary thing like "This American Life"].
Everyone will clap, and Travis and I will stand up so everyone can see how good-looking and well-dressed we are.

Even though I'm always really busy, and should be thinking about things, I find myself playing this game more and more.
Like while addressing envelopes to send you announcements. Or sitting at work from 1-6.
Or driving to school through heavy traffic at 7:45 this morning.


(p.s. email me your address if you want an announcement)
(p.p.s. I was at work today before 8, and I'll be at work again tonight until 5, followed by a class from 5-7, followed by, if I'm lucky, not death, but dinner.)

most people know me as Becky

but I am called different things in different circles.
The blogging world knows me as Rebeccah Louise.
My mother's parents know me as Becksterama the Cool One.
My siblings know me as hero.
Apparently some people in my English class know me as the smart, mean, feminist that talks too loudly.
My boyfriend knows me as sweetheart sugar baby cakes.
No, I'm just kidding. He would so never, ever call me that. Or even pieces of that.
He also knows me as Becky.

BUT, in the insect circles of the world, I am know as the gnat killer extraordinaire.
In just the last 22 minutes I have killed a grand total of 26 filthy little gnats.
They think they can buzz in into my eye, crawl into my ice water, or get tangled in my long, illustrious hair.
It just so happens, they are wrong.
Dang now, I've killed 27.
What have you?

I'm at Travis's work right now, and I think I'm going to go fish around the kitchen for some dishsoap and vinegar, and set a trap to lure more gnats to their very timely death.

And p.s. this picture is completely unrelated, but it was on Sophie's blog, and I keep forgetting to show Travis. Now he'll see it.
If we look silly and tired, it's because we are silly and tired.
We we also out getting sushi.
It was SO yummy.

In some circles I am known as the bottomless pit. I love to eat.

did I mention I seem to be sharing a bed with a lab?

this post is long, but they are just some of my musings written on my journey from Virginia to Minnesota.
which is where I happen to be.
here goes:

Reading in a car makes me feel carsick, and being on a plane makes me feel planesick.
Just plane sick.
I’m sorry. No more of those truly embarrassing jokes. Just plane sick. Honestly.
But really, people talk about motion sickness, as if there is one type of nausea that you feel when you’re in motion, and it just intensifies with speed or bumpiness or something.


I pretty much hate doing anything without having music playing. My ipod is almost dead, and if it gives up then I will steal my neighbor’s.. The girl next to me has a Macbook Pro. The guy on my other side is watching a movie on his PC. Until he pulled that out I thought that he might be mildly cool.
He seemed nice.
Clearly, you can’t judge a book by its cover. But you can judge a person by their Macbook.

Hello Michigan.
Thank you for letting me stay in your airport for a while.
My iPod appears to love the Michigan airport as well, and has fine-tuned its musical ear to help me appreciate the beautiful body of water outside.
With no help from me, the song “Lake Michigan” by Rogue Wave began literally as I stepped into the airport. Immediately followed by Sufjan Steven’s “To be Alone With You,” which, if you didn’t know, begins with the line, “I'd swim across Lake Michigan,”
Also, in the two hours that I spent in the airport, I wrote a poem about dying in Lake Michigan.
It rhymes, can you believe it? Maybe my first poem that rhymes since tenth-grade English.


I’m really into my Lily Allen It’s not me, it’s you album right now, but it’s actually kind of sad. The music is brilliant, but her topics cover: how everyone is on drugs, either prescribed or illegal, Anti-gays and conservatives are worthless bigots, Just because she sleeps with you doesn’t mean she likes you, You will never find prince charming, God may still be around, but he certainly doesn’t know what’s going on, and um.. all she wants is sex and money, nothing else is important.
Yeah, okay. I know.
I’m sure she sold her soul, and that’s why her songs are both awesome, and totally horrifying.

So, my flight is over half over already, and I’m in aisle 12. The drink cart has only just gotten to the row in front of me,.
Ooooh. The smell of coffee is so strong, and wonderful. It’s perfectly soothing, and rich. It’s one of my favorite smells, and in Utah I only ever get a whiff of it in Target or Barnes and Noble.
Maybe that’s why I love the smell. Target and bookstores happen to be my favorite places ever.
Huh, everyone in my row denied drinks and cookies. Interesting.

I think that thirty or forty years ago the idea of being a flight attendant must have seemed like a saucy, sexy thing to be. All of the young women in their twenties looking for a bit of adventure, and a chance to travel must have rushed flight attendant school.
Then, when all the positions were filled, they just stopped hiring.
I don’t think I’ve ever been on a plane where the attendants were younger than fifty or sixty. I wonder how long that stayed fun for them.

I just found a spilt end and I pulled it apart for more than an inch.

As soon as it stops raining

we head outside.

The afternoon is spent in the shallow, choppy water, pushing over exposed sandbars.
The evening is spent on the couch or in the kitchen.

The night?

I guess it's spent inside, because we were wandering around for two hours to no avail.
We found 1 music venue: the Jewish Mother.
The show was an afrobeat band, and it was an eighteen dollar cover charge.

That appears to be the only place in town (excepting bars) that is open past nine.
We considered just going into a bar, and not ordering anything, just lurking creepily, and doing something (anything) besides sitting inside.

But that would also be sitting inside. So we chickened out.

Now we're home again.
Skype me? rebeccah.louise

I can't IM anymore, because I don't know my sn or my password, and its no longer saved into my computer.
I am bored.
Contact me.

The BYU bookstore wants my money

I know this is true, because it is exerting all its energy to pull me into its trap.
Today, while strolling through, I passed a book of T.S. Eliot poetry for three dollars.
Above the book was a sign that declared everything an extra 20% off.
2.50$.
2.50 for T.S.Eliot.

I can spare 2 dollars, right?
The cashier held up the book.
"A lot of people have been buying this," she said.
"Yeah," said I. "For 2.50 how can they say no?"
"Is he a good poet?" she asked, reading off the cover, "T. S. Eliot?"
"Depends on what you like," I say. "He's a good modernist poet."
She stares at me.
for like thirty seconds.

"okay," she finally says.

Anyway, here is my summer book list. I am not including poetry, because even though I have TONS of new poetry, I usually just sit down and read for a half hour or hour and then read something else. I never read poetry books straight through. Anything to add? What are you planning on reading?

SUMMER READING BOOKLIST:
Extremely loud and incredibly close and Everything is Illuminated (both by Jonathon Safran Foer)

The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan)

Gang Leader for a Day (Sudhir Venkatesh)

A Mercy and Jazz (both by Toni Morrison)

House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros)

Krik? Krak! (Edwidge Danticat)

Me Talk Pretty One Day (David Sedaris)

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Michael Chabon)

I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings (Maya Angelou)

Lakota Woman (Mary Crow Dog)

How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (Julia Alvarez)

A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini)

I'm currently half-way through Everything Is Illuminated. I know this seems like a lofty reading goal, but it has been over a year since I could really read leisurely, and I want to take complete advantage of it.
These are all books that have been recommended to me by actual people. Do you have other suggestions for me?
Thanks!

finals destroy me

when finals come a knocking, and beg me to study, work, buckle down, blah blah blah, I find that I cannot study, work, or buckle down AT ALL.
and I mean, AT ALL.

Instead of doing the above things, I find myself lounging at Lauren's or Sophie's. Painting. Watching movies. Stealing music. Being in the ER (don't worry, Travis is fine). Cutting my bangs. Eating Easter candy. Competing in Model-walk races. Riding my bike. Reading poetry. Filling my journal. Editing my book. Reading YA novels. Taking Facebook Quizzes. Going to the dollar theater. Eating pancakes for breakfast. Being barefoot. Blogstalking. Watching chick-flicks. Finding YouTube clips. Stealing Lauren's food. Stealing Lana's bedcouch. Watching movies like Walk the Line.
and of course,


What is wrong with me?

I should be prepping for my D&C Test.

Oh, did I mention that I am in the middle of my American Literature final RIGHT now?
Yeah, Good work.

Cycles

I noticed I go through writing cycles.
For months I won't write a line of poetry, though I spend all my time scribbling away at my book.
and then, one day, I wake up, and can't write the last thirty pages of my book, because all I have a mind for is verse.

That circle has begun to repeat itself.
I am back into poetry phase.
NO, MY BOOK. I need to finish it, but I don't want to right now.

Yesterday I wrote a poem for Shakespeare as I walked across campus.
It is a haiku:

your poems are dumb
your plays are super boring
I hate you, William

these are the kind of gems I provide when I am in poetry mode.

among others.

also, I received no less than SEVEN (yes, seven) books of poetry for my birthday.
Thank you, friends.

Bangs

I want bangs again so bad.
This is what my hair looks like now.
I took these this morning:

It's not very long, and there are almost no bangs left anymore.
But it's certainly getting longer, and in a few months I want to get my bangs cut like this:


She's so freaking cute.
I cut these stills from a Sigur Rós music video, so I could show you all how much I love them.
or Jenny Lewis:
I love her bangs always.
I want them!
GAH!

body world

I went to Body World with my Biology class this weekend. Of course, we all brought our cameras, but no pictures were allowed. Needless to say, it was one of the COOLEST things I've ever seen.
It was literally a museum full of cadavers without skin in different positions, and missing different organs and muscles, so you could see how the human body worked. I stole these pictures offline. I didn't have to pay for the ticket, because it was a field trip, and tickets were twenty-five bucks a person, but if you get the chance to go, then GO. Especially if someone else is paying...


However, the time allotted to us to look at body world was about four hours, and after about one hour several of us were pretty much done. So, as we were in Salt Lake, we took off to enjoy the city. We spent most of our time taking pictures in the U of U library.


(See this boy in the blueish-grey? That is the cousin of Elder Facer, for those of you who know him.) These kids are all in my class.
There are about thirty more pictures, but I'll spare you.
Let me just say, that field trip (body world + SLC) was the most fun I've had in a long time.

weird.

I had no friends on AIM and several friends on Skype.
what's going on here?
This is unheard of.

because it had to be done

often my roommates and I catch ourselves labeling others as too normal.
that is usually because they are too normal.
on a more frequent basis we can be heard to say that those surrounding us are crazy.
that is usually because those surrounding us are completely crazy.
but where do we draw the line? is it not safe to be either normal or craaazzzy?
well, tah-dah! I have solved the problem.
you can click on it to see it bigger. I hope that you can read it well.

if you desire, I can elaborate. sadly, I've given this a great deal of thought.

Things to do with your pulled teeth

I googled "Things to make out of teeth" and "Teeth Crafts" and "How to use pulled teeth"
guess what, apparently no one on the internet ever thought of doing sweet things with one's wisdom teeth.
Bring it.
Here are my two best ideas to date.
Any suggestions?

please continue to be impressed

I just posted last night about my newly completed Gryffindor scarf. Guess what else I just finished.
A HAT.
geez. why am I so awesome and capable?
This is me wearing my new hat.


See how it looks like a beret? I did not use a pattern. Just winged it.

I tried to tuck my hair into my hat.

This is the hat from the back, minus the pom-pom.

this is my dear love, Lana, making me a pom-pom, because I don't know how. She already made me a hat in its entirety, this is not it. The hat she made me was white.
Lana is also very capable. Lana is coming with me to LONDON. She's going to the French Pastry cooking school, Le Cordon Bleu. We just found out last week. Hilary and she and I will all be there together! Talk about best study abroad EVER. We can wear our homemade hats ans scarves and look so lovely, while being freaking awesome at Buckingham Palace.

Today's Letter is S

Things I need in order of importance.




a shower


a somewhat bloody steak

Things I want in order of greatest desire:


a somewhat bloody steak



and a shower.

It's gonna be me.

I just titled this post that because my ipod, which is on shuffle is now playing some good ol' fashioned NSYNC! whoot.
i'm wearing lauren's clothes today.
i'm texting kaylie right now.
i just spent an hour blog stalking you.
i invented a new game.
it's called Library Stalking.
it's exactly what i do every time i'm in the library anyways, but now it's a game so it's not creepy.
i write down things about the people i'm secretly watching.
want to read my first entry?
In this game, I watch people in the library instead of doing my homework, and I write down all the things they are doing, and what they are wearing and such. Best game ever. I know I’m creepy and that does not bother me.

Monday 10:30 AM
Male
Age guess: recently 22
Possible name: I would say Kevin.
Holding his book in front of his face, the same as a moment before, but now his eyes have shut
His fingers curl, a little as he tries not to sleep.
His legs are stretched out in front of him, nice dark jeans, and black high top converse.
Sprawled out, relaxed.
His head bounces down and he sits up yawning, glancing at me.
Don’t look at me, there’s nothing exciting here. I’m just stalking you a little.
He sits up straighter, and pulls his legs in, laying one horizontal over the over, now bobbing with the beat of his music, which he is listening to through the huge black head phones that kids who care about music have. He’s rubbing his eyes and yawning. He has a scruffy little beard and I wonder how he’s getting around the honour code. He is trying to read again, but is distracted, brushing imaginary dust off of his brown corduroy jacket. It has patches on the elbow, though his arms are too long, and the patches are on his upper arm. He just cracked his ankle, rolling it, touching his eyebrows, and scowling up at the ceiling instead of reading.

yeah. tell me i'm not creepy.
oh, hey. the song just changed to Kate by ben folds.
it's from the sabrina cd.
did anyone else have that? BEST CD EVER.
i loved it so much. it had spice girls, aqua, and i don't know, even. the backstreet boys. SO GOOD.

oh man. a super good looking boy just walked by. i think it's the converse that does it for me. why am i such a nerd?

Can't you tell I'm trying to study?

see my note cards?