Hey, kiddos.

I don't have much time before work, but I wanted to get in some blogging before I leave.

Well, work is going really well--I really enjoy it and I like the people I work with (mostly)--unfortunately, there aren't enough hours for me, so I'm getting another job soon. I have to keep a lookout in the next few days for places I might be able to apply.

Only one more month of rent to be paid on my old place! :D Then I'm done with that crap, and I can ceremoniously delete my landlord and my super from my phone. Hooray!

Speaking of school, I got a phone call from my friend Paul Capetola the other night (you met him, Em). It was SO good to talk to him. I missed him, and my other friends from school. I feel more in-the-loop when I talk to them.

In relation to my last entry--that's (mostly) sorted out, although a related problem has surfaced that we're dealing with. Right now is just about protecting and taking care of this person for the time being. But, I know it will turn out alright.

Went to my cousin's grad party last night, and I met my eldest cousin's tres hot friend Mike. But it was only half way through the night that I was told he had a girlfriend. Dammit. :P

I miss you guys! ['You guys' being Drea and Emily and Bri and Abby.] I'm all alone now! Which is okay because it leaves me more time to work, I guess, but it would be nice if we were together. BUT, I bet you guys are having a good time and/or getting things done, so it's okay for now. But, we're pretty much spending everyday together when you guys get back.

I'm just sayin'. :P

Well, I have to go, but I'll post again soon. :)

--Alyssa

Repressure: A Symphony of Ridiculous Metaphors about Concert Halls.

I'm angry. I don't know how not to be (nor should I be un-angry--I'm fully right in my anger), and I don't know how to express it. I feel like I can't.

This is not the first time I've sacrificed my own feelings for the sake of someone else's, and it won't be the last. But it really, really sucks.

Maybe I'm being too hard on the subject of my anger. But I don't think I am. I think I'm ONE of their pity-parties away from yelling and yelling and not stopping until I've reached some core piece and snapped it back into place. Whether that core piece is in me as well as in them is still out with the jury.

I want to be everything I know I am/have been--understanding, helpful, a good listener, a problem solver, an advisor, a comfort. But, well, imagine this.

Imagine a concert pianist, who is staring at a piano. You know they can play it--they played it for years, but one day they stopped, and they claimed they didn't know how anymore. You know they know how, but they ask you for your help instead. You don;t know much about their piano, but in an attempt to jog their memory, you try to teach them the scales. But instead of watching and listening, they plug their ears and hum their own tune instead. Then when you ask them to play it for themselves, they start snapping the strings under the piano's hood, almost irretrievably damaging it's ability to be played. Then they turn to you and ask for help again, but again refuse to take it. Over and over.

Okay, that was a complicated metaphor, but maybe you've gleaned something of what I mean. The point is, it's impossible to help someone who refuses to be helped. It seems simple, but once you put in the mechanics of chemicals and feelings and obligation and abandonment, it's an almost impossible puzzle.

Maybe it's not about the piano, but about that new conductor they're thinking about hiring. The conductor is a good one, and they'll definitely be good at their job, but they still refuse to make a decision about hiring them, and instead of just choosing, they call you, someone ignorant in concert hall matters, to interview the conductor and consult with the pianist. You offer your best guidance, but the pianist deliberates for so long that the conductor gets frustrated and withdraws to take an offer elsewhere. And so the pianist takes pity on the poor orchestra that was deprived of such a grand conductor by such a dreadful pianist, and instead of being proactive and giring another conductor, decides instead to allow the orchestra to fall into discord and slink off to wallow.

Well, this second fiddle isn't about to allow that.

Sheeze. I'm not sure whether to delete this metaphor or be proud of myself for being introspective for once in a long while.

Up, up, and Blog List!

Apparently Blogger added the closest thing to a LJ friends' page a few days ago: The Blog List.

This is a fantastic way to look out for you guys' blogs without having to type the whole URL. So, yeah, you guys should add it, too.

There's even a handy how-to video on your Dashboard! :P

As far as life is here, I've been drawing comic-type superheroes for the past week or so. They're based on my friends and my sister and her friends, so if you guys want to be included, use this template. :)

Your Power:
Your Name:
Costume Requirements:

It's been fun for me, and people seem to enjoy the results, so, why not? Hopefully I'll be able to scan/photograph the inked/colored drawings at some point. I think they look pretty good! :D

More soon--love you!

-Alyssa

Friday the Thirteenth, 2008

-Get my driver's permit renewed. Well, I'm halfway there. I sent in the request.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI. Make final plans.
-Apply to SACI by November.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.

The MICA people have this policy where students can only transfer abroad credits if they go through MICA. At least, that's what I've been lead to believe. So it looks like I'll be taking the MICA avenue to get to SACI (Studio Art Center International, because I don't think I specified), and at this point, I am going to Florence in January of 2009. Whoa.

I talked to my mom about SACI this morning, and she had this way about her that sort of said 'Why are you asking me? As long as you can afford it, you can do whatever you want.' In fact, she may have said those words.

I guess I'm not used to not asking for things, or at least running them by authority for the OK. I was brought up in a house where I feared, not necessarily punishment, but my mom's disappointment, and I knew I had to ask to do anything, out of respect and a need for approval. This is where Lauren and I differ GREATLY. She doesn't ask. She just does.

Or doesn't, in the case of her college plans. Meh.

So, I'm going to SACI, and taking Illustration, Painting, Art Conservation (yippee!), and I may even put my new-old camera to good use and take a photo class. And Italian I, of course. :)

Eep! This is actually happening! :D

So, to update the lurvely Emily about the Sewickley life while she and Bri gallivant around in Europe: Drea, Nick, Dan, and I had a sort-of double date thing last night. It was SO fun, in the most mundane and small-town teenager way--we hung out at the SA playground, then went to Giant Eagle and bought ice cream and Oreos, and just played with Drea's dog, Tucker, and talked. And then, we all went up to Bell Acres baseball field, climbed onto the dugout, and watched the stars for a couple hours. (And, of course, I missed the big, gorgeous shooting star that apparently streaked past.) It was one of the nicest nights. :) I've had a lot of nice nights lately.

As far as Dan and I go (and I know this has been a ridiculous saga, so I apologize! :P) we are just going to stay how we are. I'm comfortable and he seems comfortable (and who wouldn't be? Nothing too official, just having a good time together and smooching from time to time.), and if he wants to bring up something more serious he can. My apprehension (well, there are a couple, but, well...) is that, okay, let's say we make it official, get serious about each other in the coming summer months. At the end of the summer, we're in two different states. And even if we decided to do the long-distance thing (which I'm not really interested in) I would be headed to Florence in January. And, I mean, come on. I think you all know what I'm saying.

;)

Work was slow today, so less tips, but more time to talk to Brandon, my co-worker Sara Beth's boyfriend. I think they're both really funny and smart, and they're really fun to talk to. I'm pretty dissimilar from them (and the majority of the world :P) in the sense of morals, religion, and politics, but we're all respectful and open, and it's a pleasure to air out my ideas with them.

Have I rambled enough?! I'm off to text Drea and help her set up HER blog, darnit!

Love you,

Alyssa

One down.

-Get my driver's permit renewed.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI. Make final plans.
-Apply to SACI by November.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.

I've sort of mentioned it to Mom, but I need to do more than just put it out there. Heh, and just a few months ago, when Melissa introduced this idea for us to go together, I was totally hesitant. Now I'm really working to make it a reality. Well, look at that. :P

I should call the DMV. Hm.

I got my Voter ID Card today. :) Officially a registered Republican now. Weird. I'm, like, a grown-up!

Now I just need to work on getting my absentee ballot. So much to do!

-Alyssa

Lists.

Made the Dean's list. :)

Also, my old roommate makes all kinds of lists at this blog:

http://mparkermakeslists.blogspot.com/

Check it out. It's pretty cool.

Le Premier.

I should probably be posting that title in Italian due to my pending trip to Florence for next spring, but this is in honor of the lovely Emily, who is being glamorous en Paris maintenent avec sa mere pour le semaine, et pour une classe.

I have to:

-Get my driver's permit renewed.
-Take my driver's test.
-Talk to Mom about applying to SACI. Make final plans.
-Apply to SACI by November.
-Getting my passport.
-Call MICA about withdrawing for a leave of absence in order to go to Florence.

For those of you who are reading this (aka, Em, and maybe Drea :P), I transferred-sort-of from Livejournal to start this blog, so, here's the one I've used for 4 years. Get acquainted. :P http://blahblahcakes64.livejournal.com/

I'll make a more informational post later, but for the time being: I have to sleep, Drea has to get a blog, and Emily has to respond to my comment. So there. :P

Love you,

Alyssa