Currently Youth Novels By Lykke Li see related

I gots me a new blog. I don't think anyone has really read it so far, but you could be the first!

http://chrisisshort.blogspot.com

Currently Listening Soviet Kitsch By Regina Spektor see related

I went to Denver last weekend and my cousins took me to the aquarium. It was so much fun. I loved it. The whole day was perfect. I always need plenty of those.

Currently Listening Honeysuckle Weeks By The Submarines see related

I've been way too lonely this summer. When will it end?

Currently Listening o By Tilly and the Wall see related

I don't write in here too often. Does anyone read this anymore? But tonight, why not.

This summer has kind of been a test in tolerance or patience or some other word. The last two months I have had what can probably be called "mild carpal tunnel." In fact, I probably should be resting my wrists, but whatever. I've tried lots of things - wrist braces, exercises, icing them, etc...but still they've just been bad this summer, and it's not like I type all day or do things with my hands that could lead to pain. But bottomline, on Wednesday I'm finally seeing a specialist to get an evaluation and to go from there. Because like a lot of things in life, I start to realize, it's not just going to go away, and it's time to take this head on.

It's slowed me down majorly. I've been just working part-time this summer (I graduated from college in May). I've probably gotten about 1/4 done as what I could have had my wrists been good (plus I had surgery on my foot in June). I've been writing some and have finished a rough draft of a novel that my friend is now looking over. I'm also trying to write some short stories and have sent in several to magazines (I've gotten several rejection letters, but that's all apart of it). I'm also about halfway through an essay talking about all the people I used to meet online (mainly Xanga) back in high school, so it's funny to be typing on here once again. And I've been doing some work on an online vintage clothing store - www.1918vintage.com

So there's been highs and lows. Nights that made me feel alive: the Fourth of July, talking to random people at bars, interviewing Jamie from Tilly & The Wall, conversation in cars as both my wrists were in braces--any conversation to take my mind off of the pain. And then there was the low times: the day I learned my former bandmate and friend, Jeremy, had succumbed to brain cancer, and I attended his funeral along with hundreds of other people. And then there's been the quiet nights like tonight: a walk around the neighborhood, from the sidewalk looking into someone's window as a boy and girl watch Scrubs, two people sitting on a front porch and coming home, alone, to watch a black and white movie from 1939: The Roaring Twenties.

Here's where I spend more of my time:
www.myspace.com/principalskinner
www.myspace.com/anotherholiday

Here's my favorite picture from the Fourth, probably my favorite of the summer. I'm the one on Katlyn's back:

Currently Reading Bright Lights, Big City By Jay Mcinerney see related

Everyone is depressed at the post office. 

Maybe it's the whole design of the place.  It seems lost in the 80s with its gray and navy blue color scheme and the awkward-looking post office logos and symbols.  The big heavy doors.  The drab uniforms that have yet to make a single person look good. 

And then what goes on there is no fun either.  First, you walk through the big heavy doors and then you get in line, where everyone is depressed.  Some might smile and act like they're having a great time, but they're not.  Most people stare at the ground or try to set their package down on one of the nearby counters to maybe ease some of the stress - you're 10 days late mailing a Christmas present.  You have to buy stamps even though it seems like you just bought them because once again they've raised stamp prices and didn't ask how you felt about it. 

In line there's usually the nervous wreck of a mother who brought her two young kids along who insist on running around, bumping into people's legs, and making people reluctantly smile at them as if they are really cute and not annoying as hell.

The line slowly moves forward.  The nervous wreck of a mother has to call her kids over.  "Joey, Amanda!  We're moving.  Come on, honey."  The balding guy has to move his package down the counter thing.  That guy on the cell phone won't shut up.

And then you finally get to a clerk and there are just so many options you don't know what to do!  Parcel post, next-day, first-class, media mail, priority-mail.  And then all those questions!  "Is there anything fragile in here?  Do you need confirmation?  Do you need insurance for this?"

And then you walk out past all the depressed people that are in line to take the plunge and now you feel their pain and sympathy washes over you.

Everyone is depressed at the post office.