A Week of Wonders

At last, another post!  I was feeling particularly obliged to write today due to the glorious mood I am in.  Despite the cold creeping up on me [don't think I don't see you!] and the gloomy weather, my heart patters with joy.  This week will be one for the books.

 

On Monday, I went to the delightful vegetarian/vegan restaurant with Donny, a new friend who I must say, I share a lot in common with.  Not only is he a fellow dreadhead [alright, so maybe I only partially relate in that field], but he's a mutt and a nomad.  Our conversations consist of similar views and uplifting laughter.  We then proceeded to watch en episode of Mr. Bean, which in a flash brought back memories of my brothers and I watching the comical Brit on the floor of the living room.  I enjoy impromptu ballet and the absence of parking tickets...I'll leave it at that.

 

Thursday at the Blind Pig, Dr. Dog will be performing, and I'm thinking I should pay them a visit.  I was miserably hot when I saw most of their set at Lollapalooza, perhaps I owe it to them to listen in a more pleasant environment.  I think my main goal for this year might be to see as many bands live as my wallet can handle.  Is that wrong, considering it's my first year at a rigorous university?  I say music can never be wrong, or at least that's my excuse.

 

Friday, as I mentioned in my previous post, is the Bob Pollard show.  I've given The Boston Spaceships a good listen, and I have to say, I am in for a treat.  I'm more than excited to see some 50 year old indie kids rock out on stage.  I'm getting a little nervous about approaching Sellers at the show, mainly because he will be there to see his favorite musician perform, not to be bothered by some girl who would love to be his apprentice.  Nonetheless, I owe it to fate to give it a shot.  Luckily, if something goes awry on Friday, it will be impossible to be disappointed.  I will have Leslie, Ben, Chops, Donny, and maybe more there to guarantee a fabulous day/night.  What else are friends for but to assist you in begging a 38 year old journalist to attend a house show hosted by 20 somethings in Grand Rapids?

 

Saturday!  GR friends will still be in town, and Ann Arbor Soul Club will be creating another intense dance-filled night to remember.  Oh, Ann Arbor!  How you never let me down!

 

Intensive Spanish this week has been quite interesting, as we're analyzing the various sides regarding the immigration debate.  It hurts my soul to see so many people label Mexicans, as something other than human.  We need to act as one species, and unite to create a worldly alliance for each other, where no one is left ignored.  Anti-immigration activists aren't seeing that they're rejecting love for their own sharers of a beating heart.  Open your hands and accept another, no matter what color it may be.

 

Well, now insert a random summary of last weekend.  I went home!  It was splendid to see those beautiful faces my friends own, once again.  This time, I played host at my house for  a night of fire, kayaking, laughter, and of course, snacks!  The picnic table was religious debate central, primarily lead by a certain Cameron Navis.  I hope you find you way, Cammy, because you're the tops.  The fireside lent itself for a softer side of conversation, but interesting of course.  The night ended in a nice cuddlefest, that is until I was awaken by the loud and unusal snoring stylings of one, once again, Cam.  I plugged his nose, I shut his mouth, and his snoring intensified to spite me.  Relocation was necessary.  Sunday mornings, of course, set the stage for breakfast feasts.  Shane on potatoes, Brandon on eggs, and Evan and Ben on french toast [I'll reclaim my role next time].  It was a wonderful, music filled morning, consisting of smiles and hugs.  My friends could beat up your friends.  Well, probably not, but they'll trick you into cuddles instead.

 

I'm sensing a closer to this post, I'll try to make is more interesting next time.  But until then...

xoxo Gossip Girl...just kidding.

I love you and I'm here for you, 

Coco

There's a First Time For Everything...

So here I am, entering the Blogging World one thought at a time.  Who knows how this is going to work out or what the hell I might write about.  Chances are, it will be as random as my manner of speaking, but here's hoping it's a little more graceful.

I've been in Ann Arbor now for 23 days now [well, that number isn't a shocker or anything,ahem, Leslie] and a lot has occurred.  I have grown closer to the two friends I met at orientation, Chops [who now remains Chopsless, temporarily I can only hope] and Logan [who is in fact, of the female sex].  

Chops is a unique fellow, who breaks the rules of a heterosexual male in regards to a vibrant fashion sense and a wide knowledge of designers, which in turn makes him one of the best straight men alive. He's never heard of the cult classic "Daria," yet he could spit out 10 names of obscure Brazilian bands before you could say "Bossa Nova." In his "baddest" of clothing, he looks like he could tear you into tiny unworthy shreads if you said "The White Stripes suck because of their drummer," but in reality, he's a sweetheart beyond words [although, on second thought, we might kill you together for saying that]. 

 Logan could be the reason I accomplish the "Negative Freshmen Fifteen."  No matter where we are or how inappropriate it is to laugh my high frequency laugh, she can manage to force me into a humor conceived fit without notice.  Whether it's mimicking the voices on her Electronic German Flash Card Program, or her killer Chola accent, her comical nature is unsurpassable.  I luhv joo, hawney...

School has been a trip in itself.  They weren't exaggerating when they called it "Intensive Spanish."  I have two classes of Spanish a day, Monday through Thursday, and mandatory Spanish lunches and coffee hours.  ¿Demasiado Español para Courtney?  Tal vez.  Just don't be surprised if the next time you see me I'll respond to everything you say in Spanish.  That's not annoying, right?  Then there's History of Photography.  "Ohh, photography!" you say, but no, this class is not passing off snapshots of a crying boy in eyeliner wearing a dunce cap on a carousel as art, this class is a point by painstaking point the history of photography from the beginning of time.  Luckily, it's only 3 times a week, and the professor has days of inspiring thoughtfulness that make up for the repetitive bullet points discussing daguerreotypes.  Social criticism, thank goodness, is my savior.  What?  A class where I get to bash all of the groups who make me say "People like you are the reason God doesn't talk to us anymore!" An open-minded professor mixed with the freedom to rant makes Courtney a happy girl.

Ann Arbor has opened its bike-friendly arms to me, and I glad to call it home, whatever "home" may be.  Indie dance parties and shows fill my free time, and wonderful vegetarian foods fill my tummy.  Any exciting news for the future you wonder?  "Yes!" I tell you!  I've just finished the book "Perfect From Now On: How Indie Rock Saved My Life," and I just have to say the author, John Sellers, and I share many similarities.  Not only does he obviously adore Indie Rock of all types, but he's from Grand Rapids!  And he went to U of M [for awhile]!  On top of all of this, he's a journalist specializing in music occasionally, and it just so happens I want my name as a byline in some wonderful music magazine someday.  What's this all lead to you might wonder?  Well, Sellers will be in Grand Rapids for the month of October in order to finish a book.  Of course, being in the not-so-distant area, he will be attending the same Bob Pollard show as I am at the Blind Pig.  I plan to work some magic with the smooth stylings of Mr. Benjamin DeFever  and perhaps invite Sellers to a house show in Grand Rapids. What else is he going to do?  Choke from smoke in the corner at Morningstar?  Or, you know, at least get my book signed.  Either way, the sky is looking blue at this point in time.  This has officially turned into a run on report on my current status, therefore achieving my life-like approach.

Be safe, take risks, and know I love you.

With eternal love,

Coco