a very Good Friday

Last night was awesome. Nicole, her friend Brenna, David, and I started off in their friend Travis' "modular housing." (She told us to go to the trailer with all the booze in it and the Christmas lights. I thought it sounded very similar to Snake & Jake's and thus awesome.) I'll say at this point that Lauren, Storey, Becca, her friend Jamie, Whitney, Jordan, Mike, and Matilda all showed up at some point. And Brenna, Nicole and Travis disappeared eventually. Anyway, we went to Pat O'Brien's, where I bought Nicole and Brenna shots and... reaped the rewards even though no one else except our jack-ass waiter was paying attention. Then some of us went to 80s Night at One Eyed Jacks which was intense and as good or better than pre-hurricane. The line extended forever, but the place was packed and jumping inside. I guess since no one had work or school the next day. We like a prayed, killed the radio star, thrilled, 99 red ballooned, didn't stop believing, spun round like records, and tainted love. Michelle, one of Chad's most favorite Latinas, was there. We "crazy-danced" the way he would and internationally drunk-texted him. At night's end, Whitney and I went to Big Easy for food.

David and I began today by going to lunch at Franky & Johnny's. (In Louisiana, when Catholics can't have meat on Friday, they have crawfish boils.) We each polished off a batch of crawfish, his accompanied by french fries and mine by pepper rings.

Whitney, Tully, and I went to Creole Creamery. Their "skyscraper" (a very tall sundae with layers of chocolate, vanilla, and cookies and cream ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, crushed Oreos, whipped cream, and a cherry) is fantastic.

Lauren's felt "left out" for a while because she's never... partook in an experience almost every "real" college student has. So we, a group of ten or so, commenced this mission at Columns happy hour. After that, some of us moved on to Taqueria Corona for dinner. Sangria, cebollitos (grilled green onions), chips, pico de gallo... and their "numero tres" (tacos, flauta, burrito, beans, rice). I made sure to get everything made of shrimp and a little fish to avoid the meat.

After that, Lauren, Storey, Nicole and I went to Creole Creamery. Yes, again. Nicole took a picture of my plaque and me. I got a "I scream fudge" ice cream soda this time. With chocolate soda. Storey and I agree: No such thing as too much chocolate.

Back here, Becca rejoined our little party, and with Steph, Sarah, and her friends watching, we recommenced the mission... armed with everclear and mixers. We played "Presidents and Assholes," and Lauren was The Asshole most of the time. Mission accomplished!

thickset Thursday

So my day began with a phone call from Mom to talk about the money we were planning to happily spend on "Gradfest."

I put scallops that were in the freezer in the fridge to defrost before going to pick up the package mentioned in yesterday's entry. I took a shower and got presentable (for my last "senior portrait") and headed off to Gradfest. They really should change the name because it's nowhere near as fun as it sounds. It's basically the university's last chance to get you to spend lots of money on overpriced things.

I was on the phone when I heard a familiar voice that I couldn't place calling out "ANDREW MARIN!" and I ignored it for a little so I could wrap up the conversation. It was Claire "Clourkie" O'Rourke. How very exciting, and I wanted to go to lunch with her and Ryanne but had to go do boring things like class and Gradfest.

My day was a little hectic because I only got half the things done at Gradfest that I wanted to, so I got to class a little late. This was complicated by multiple phone calls trying to finalize things with each parent and with Adrian regarding this upcoming Marin Immediate Family Reunion Weekend and other matters that required immediate tending.

After lunch with Tara and a quick visit from Adrian, I got my pictures taken. Mom told me to relax, so they'd come out well, but the photographer told me I looked "great." (I guess relatively speaking because he noted that some people came in wifebeaters and poorly groomed facial hair.) I picked up some announcements, diploma frame, and cap/tassel and gown. They almost gave me the orange engineering tassel, but Tara pointed it out - thank God - so I got the gold science one.

I remedied all that "fun" from Gradfest by going a late afternoon park trip with Rachel and then a dinner with Ben. Lots of laughs that only the two of us would understand.

I took a nap, which was too short, and then went over to Shannon's to watch The Illusionist, starring my favorite actor of all time. The plot's pretty much Eduard (Edward Norton) trying to save this Duchess chick (Jessica Biel) from marrying the Prince of douche (Rufus Sewell). Eduard and Sophie are childhood sweethearts, etc. In some ways, it's better than The Prestige and some ways not, depends on what kind of movie you're looking for. The Illusionist is more romantic and less self-centered, while The Prestige focuses on upstaging your competition. And of course, Ed Norton has more acting ability than the two male leads in The Prestige combined. It's strange watching Jessica Biel not be all tough, given Stealth, Blade: Trinity, and how every paparazzi photo of her is her working out. It's like watching Sarah Michelle Gellar in a horror movie; she can slay vampires, but masked murderers and ghost children are too much?

I was waiting for her to kick ass, but she didn't.

I got back here and between that and 80s Night remembered to cook my now-forgotten scallops. I was on the phone with Adrian and then Ben while in the kitchen, so I think I seasoned the dish twice twice when I wasn't paying attention. It definitely had too much kick to it, but it was still good. Butter, garlic, ginger, peppers, a little brown sugar, and old bay seasoning... It tasted like something you'd have in DC's Chinatown. I fixed this a little by dumping rice into the boiling liquid to soak up and cook.

After that, Lauren and I went down to our usual Thursday 80s Night at One Eyed Jacks to meet up with Ry Ry, B(ig) B(rains) C(laire), the UNO guys, et al. Fun times as always.

three of my favorite ladies - photo courtesy of Lauren Mitchell

March already?

Another week flew by, another weekend flew by even faster, and suddenly it's Sunday night again... in March nonetheless. Seriously, where did January and February go?

My week was laidback, relatively speaking. Wednesday: Classes and LOST. Thursday: Class, lunch and hanging out with Rachel, 80s Night. Friday: Classes, Lunch and hanging out with Adrian, The Boot and The Rat with Keenan and some of his friends, a little bit of Dance Marathon. Saturday: A little more Dance Marathon, a delicious dinner (Ninja for various sushi, tempura, and rare beef tataki) with Shannon, Blockbuster, a Days of Heaven screening, and quality time with Ryanne and her roommates. Today: The ornithological society's crawfish boil in the park with Ry Ry, studying, napping, and I-don't-know.

I've added "labels" (for popular subjects) to all my journal entries and will continue to do so in future ones. The labels should allow for faster filtering if you want to look up something in past entries and at-a-glance notices of a new post's content if you're pressed for time.

Mardi Gras '07: part one

H.R.M. Queen of Oshun '07

big-ass unicorn float at Pygmalion

decidedly my new favorite picture of Whitney and me

Maids of Sparta

H.R.M. King Pegasus '07

Miss Molly and me at New Bruno's

Esteban and his bull's-eye

roommates - and everyone over our shoulders

Nicole, Mike, and the gold people at One Eyed Jacks

Hermes float and riders

this Thursday

I slept in today then went to my one class of the day, terrorism... which is in the 100+ person lecture hall in Richardson. (The largest classroom on campus, for you non-Tulanians.) A guy dressed as a "terrorist" (for lack of a more specific but also more offensive word) came running in yelling gibberish in the middle of it, prompting the girl in front of me to jump out of her seat in fright. (As if an actual terrorist would have nothing better to do than terrorize our class!) And then a guy dressed in fatigues ran in, tackled him to the floor, struggled with him, and then chased him up the stairs and out the backdoor. Even our professor found it funny although he swears he had nothing to do with it.

He let us out of class early, which is great because Tara had to eat early and run errands. So we got our usual lunch half an hour early. How many times can I use the word "early" in one paragraph?

I went to the park to enjoy the warm weather study for my exam tomorrow. Becca joined me before and after her run. We walked back home and then said bye to David who's leavin' for the weekend.

Lauren, Whitney, and I went to Walmart even though they don't have cheap ink cartridges. In fact, they don't have ink cartridges at all, so the main objective of the trip wasn't accomplished. We got some other stuff though then stopped at Subway for dinner. Good times.

There was a campus-wide (possibly uptown-wide) power outage for about ten minutes. That was fun.

The consensus is no 80s Night, to rest up for this weekend and the madness of next weekend.

So I think I'll go the gym and study some more. Maybe.

Rest in peace, Anna Nicole. 1967-2007

weekend's off to a great start

Thursday I made lunch for Adrian, and we caught up. For those of you who don't know, he's pledging Sig Ep and is president of their pledge class. And he has a super-single now. Apparently his former roommate moved to another building to be with his girlfriend (and they broke up within three days). I had lunch with Tara and spent my free afternoon doing laundry and studying. Wes and I finally watched the Legend of Zelda: Animated Series he has on DVD, and he lent me the discs so I could finish it. I've watched them all. I made my dish for Italian Night - more on that later - and dropped off a portion for Sarah as thanks for lending me her mixer, but Maddie found it first. Then I went to 80s Night with a bunch of friends and even more were there.

Yesterday after class I slept away the afternoon. Then I went over to Becca's for the ITALIAN POTLUCK DINNER we planned in honor of Giada De Laurentiis, whom we both love. I was impressed with everyone's cooking. The menu:

• two kinds of bruschetta
• salad with parmesan crusted broccoli and cauliflower
• garlic bread
• stuffed mushrooms
• cinnamon gnocchi
• sausage pizza
• two kinds of lasagna
• several kinds of pasta
• chicken parmesan
• and I made a strawberry tiramisu

Also, like we did on Thanksgiving, we went around the room and everyone said what they were thankful for. But this time the things had to be specifically Italian. After dinner, everyone waddled away to various things and some of us hung around, chatted, and drank too much wine. After that, a few of us decided to go out. There was a brief interlude of Nicole walking around Aron quad with a glass of wine and my knife block, looking like a serial killer, while waiting for Will. We all went to my apartment for a bit, and Becca joined us. Nate had woken up, and Nicole had one of my two favorite quotes of the night when she invited him to Bruno's / introduced herself:

"Put your pants on, and let's go! How many guys have I said THAT to??? Oh and my name is Nicole."

On the way to Bruno's, Will had my other favorite quote of the night:

"Well with Top Chef, I can't eat the food... but with Project Runway, I can wear the dresses... So..."

But at least we all agree that Top Design sucks.

I brought out my waterproof cards since last time Nicole and I were at Bruno's (with Carter and Peter even) we ruined a deck playing Kings. This time we ruined the game by not remembering all the rules and by letting two obnoxious drunks play. But it was still fun. After a little Photo Hunt and another round, we called it quits.

No pics yet but here are some screen captures of that dvd.

Princess Zelda, Ganon, and (my hero) Link

the Triforces of Wisdom and of Power

80s Night Strikes Back

Thursday morning I had my last advisor meeting ever! Emma says I'm all set for graduation.

The day was pretty chill. I had my one class, ate lunch with Tara (and Rachel), and then studied and napped the afternoon away.

Shannon, Stephanie, Lauren, and I went to 80s Night to meet up with Bryan and his crew. I haven't seen One Eyed Jacks SO packed with SO many people dancing since sophomore year.

And of course, "The Queen of 80s Night," Lauren of the Spectacular Boobs made an appearance and the bouncer, of course, personally welcomed her back.

"Don't worry. No one looks sweaty, just a little naked."

There was also a guy dressed up as everyone's favorite Transformer. He must be a Madonna fan. He got on stage for her two songs:

Optimus Prime got a playoffs paintjob.

I think the standard for the rest of the Thursdays of this last semester has been set very high.

Why...

...does everyone else look cute and I look like an idiot???

That was the question Ryanne posed when she walked into Lauren and Stephanie's apartment before 80s Night.

The answer: Because we didn't get the memo "tonight is the night we all dress in eighties garb."

And we might've, had she actually sent one out.

She was rocking the side ponytail though.

We went to One Eyed Jack's to meet up with Bryan&Co.

Easily the best post-Katrina 80s night...

Easily the best Thursday of senior year so far...

The place was packed with dancing people, the mix of music was top notch, Ashley Merhottie was there, Tara made a post-Vaughan's surprise experience, we drank a lot and smoked just a little, and I even got a cigarette burn or two from She of the Spectacular Boobs.

Drunken Debauchery December is on its way, and I can't wait. "Be there or suck at life," says Chad. He informed me yesterday that he'll be back in New Orleans before the semester ends.

That is motivation to study hard and spend easy in preparation.

Chad: andrew you really need to write a book
Me: "how to go to college but not really?"
Chad: no, your book should be like, i do all the shit other people wish they did all the time but only do once in a while

For anyone else who missed the amazing new Spider-Man 3 trailer last night, here's a link to it.

broker than the ten commandments

I know I haven't posted in forever. I've been busy being a "student."

So news I forgot to mention last week: H.R.H. Camille called me out of the blue, so I guess the princess got her cell phone back. She asked me to be her confirmation sponsor next year!!! I was very honored and proud to say yes. How could I ever refuse my dearest Camiltoe? I guess now I'll have to be a good person (or whatever) until June.

Last Wednesday after writing I went to Stephanie's room at midnight with some of the chicks to hang out and greet her happy birthday, and we celebrated Thursday with a cake and penis balloons. (Yeah, my friends are resourceful.) I went to 80s night with some of the girls and Bryan & Co afterwards.

Friday was the real celebration of Steph's turning 21. She, Lauren, Peter, and I went to POPEYES and it was delicious. After that, Lauren and I went to Kory and Mike's show at Jay's Bubble Tea. It was incredible... some classics from previous performances and new numbers like an audience participation one and covers of "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" and Eve's "Gangsta Loving."

After that, it was off to Matt's "anything but clothes" birthday party, the concept of which was kind of purloined from Steph.

Becca and I at the party's start, and we
just can't take a bad picture together.

comments on what I was wearing:

• "Your 'belt' makes the outfit."
• "I'm surprised you didn't make a polo shirt."
• "There's a crocodile on your penis."
• "You're wearing Lacoste but no pants???"

"That girl with the fantastic boobs" showed up wearing a political statement about ending racism, and I assure you all the guys at the party felt driven to her cause... or something.

Lauren and I at night's end and just a bit drunk.

cfter changing into actual clothing, we went with Ted to St. Charles Tavern for breakfast. (I got chicken and andouille sausage hash (like corned beef hash but not) with eggs, and it was awesome.) It was four A.M. and kind of looked like...

Nighthawks, Edward Hopper, 1942

Saturday night Ben and I were supposed to go drinkin' uptown, but I acquiesed to his asking go down to the pub. It was fun enough, and I got a free drinky or two out of it. Always nice. And David who very well may be my favorite bartender ever showed me you could make hurricanes with Bacardi 151. So I got drunk obviously.

All I remember from Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday was studying and test-taking and being slightly miserable but not enough to deserve pity. (David infected both Peter and I with whatever congestion he had last week, so if you stand between our rooms you can hear the sniffling and coughing in stereo. But apparently Nate gave it to David, so it's his fault. Let's hand it off to some non-roommates.)

Tuesday afternoon I did take a looong study break. I had sushi lunch with Rachel at the bubble, spent the afternoon with lots of "reading" at the park with Tara, and then grabbed a delicious Vietnamese dinner and bubble tea at Jazmine Leaf on Carrolton St.

Like I said, lots of "reading"

I had my last test today, so I'm semi-free for a while. I watched the hour-long "previously on..." LOST episode with Whitney and then project runway with Skye and her boys. I borrowed All Dogs Go To Heaven from Whit! Was I retarded as a child because that movie was blatantly set in New Orleans and I only realized it tonight???