Oh yeah. Happy birthday, Psally.

posted by Kristin @ 4:45 PM 0 comments

I can't wait to go home next weekend.

I've been studying since 11:30 a.m. I studied yesterday from 3-9 p.m. I studied Friday from 5-9 p.m. I am sick of studying. I feel like such a moron because my Philosophy of War and Peace class makes absolutely no sense. People waste our time by fighting with my teacher instead of asking questions. The readings are written by people who collectively swallowed a thesaurus. I freaking hate it. Write like you talk, people. And if you talk like that, you don't have any friends.

I also studied Media Planning this afternoon, which was a nice break. I do, actually, heart media planning. I do not heart people who freak out when they don't understand it and then confuse my teacher, which in turn confuses all of us.

I called some kid at my house an asshole last night.

I will continue studying until...until a long time from now. I'm babysitting the Purdie girls, so that will be a nice break.

All I really want to do is knit. If you want to make me happy, give me a job where I can knit knit knit all day long. I've found these AMAZING knitting blogs. I will pass them on to you soon. Even if you don't like knitting, they have great visuals and stories. Knitters and crocheters definitely have the most intricately woven hearts. We also have dry hands because the fibers suck the moisture out of our skin. A small price to pay for tactile bliss.

posted by Kristin @ 4:45 PM 0 comments

Dilemma.

Do I study or take a nap? Because I'm really tired. And I studied last night.

I think I just answered that question myself. So I'll nap and then study and then study some more.

Last night was one of the greatest nights I've had in a long time. Old friends are the best friends.

posted by Kristin @ 12:18 PM 0 comments

I love living with Chrissy Mayer for the following reasons:
She is a very good gymnast.
She loves to dance.
She's "intense" about school even though she's by far the smartest person I have ever met.
She's a princess.
She makes mean chocolate chip cookies.

There is nothing better than sitting around your kitchen table on a Wednesday night with your awesome roommates, hating school and eating everything in the house. It's times like that which make you realize how lucky you are to be living with two of your favorite people. I love the late nights when we just sit around and eat. That's what makes this house a home. (Not a crazy person's home, not like that, although we are rather insane.)

P's making the big trip to Chicago with my dad tomorrow. My mom is already there, shopping her little heart out. Just what they need - more furniture. I tell you, they really are running a furniture store in the basement. P's never been to Chicago before. I hope she likes it.

Chrissy is currently having a fashion show for her mom. I feel like playing some RuPaul.

My dad said that I sound really happy. I am. Extremely. Too many reasons to count. But you can bet that Justin picking me up from work, a clean room (alas, not self-cleaning), Twain's crispitos and Jon Sessions all have something to do with it.

I need to fake an agenda now.

posted by Kristin @ 12:07 AM 0 comments

For reasons I shouldn't have to explain, I am very glad that I no longer live in a building cleaned by a man named "Big Jim." That is, unless Abby is willing to change her name and fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a man. A manly man. A man who tromps through the snow-covered woods (golf course) pulling a Bronco (red plastic sled) behind himself chanting, "Men men men men, men men men men." That, my friends, was...good lord. Five years ago. Back when we were carousing with Puritans and a very small boy named Matt Keller.

How long have I known Abby? Hold on, I need fingers to figure this out. Eleven years. Wow. That's more than half my life. It's nice to think that I've spent more than half my life knowing her. And it'll always be more than half my life. Someday it'll be, like 7/8 of my life. That's my happy thought for the day.

Oh, and my hero for the day is Sylvia, the Johnston Hall Coordinator. She is exceedingly prompt and very nice to boot.

posted by Kristin @ 10:11 AM 0 comments

Much love and gratitude to the good people (not a typo) at Parking and Transportation Services. Here's why:
I tried to park in my normal lot this morning, RC15, right behind Mark Twain. Lo and behold, the parking lot is full and there are about 20 facilities vehicles parked illegally. What the hey? So I call Parking and tell them and ask "Where should I park? I don't want to get in trouble." And they tell me to go to Conley and that I won't get a ticket. Hurrah!!!

Goal: Finish knitting the baby blanket by Sunday night. Everyone hold me to this, okay? Okay.

Things I wish:
1. That my parents would come visit.
2. That Penny would come visit.
3. That I had a piece of chocolate this minute.
4. That I did not have two tests this coming Monday.
5. That my room was self-cleaning, just like the oven.
6. That I got to see Justin today. I miss him.
7. That Kate Jeffries would call me to schedule a date.
8. That Abby's birthday was NOW so I could give her her present.
9. That my feet weren't cold.
10. That I really COULD be the Homecoming police. Somebody make me a badge, or else I'll cite you for pomping more than 770 square feet of your house decoration. So take THAT.

posted by Kristin @ 11:56 AM 0 comments

My pirate name is Captain Bess Bonney. I really like the name Bess, so feel free to use it. What's your pirate name?

posted by Kristin @ 6:24 PM 0 comments

Listen, idiot boy in my Philosophy of War and Peace class. I'm freaking GLAD you're in the army. I'm glad you see the army as a "gentleman's profession." The gentlemen I know, however, don't KILL PEOPLE. I hope someone shoots you just so I don't have to listen to you tell everyone how cool war is and fight with my teacher instead of reviewing for the test. THANK YOU for completely WASTING my Monday morning, jackass. And to your little redneck friend sitting on the floor, the "hippies" who drive "electric cars" and "conserve energy" are going to kick your sorry ass.

In other news, my media planning class is going to Chipolte for lunch today. Ole!

posted by Kristin @ 10:59 AM 0 comments

In the spirit of avoiding homework, here's a scary story for all you youngsters out there.

First off, my parents have more friends than I do. This group of hellions is known as "The Gang." The Gang gets together every Friday night to cause trouble at some Quad-Cities' hangout. It consists of six couples - The Emmersons, the Lenzes, the Lauritsens, the Kipps, the Bereskins and, of course, my parents. Two of those people were once my teachers. Four are parents of my friends. One is a bearded lady.

Anyway, The Gang was at my house Friday night, having a pizza party and nuclear martinis. At this party, the following things happened:
1. My mother called to ask me if my sleepover was loud, but it turned out she was louder.
2. Penny Lane took a beer out of the cooler and dropped it at the back door for the boys (because the boys and girls never hang out together - when they're in a restaurant, they sit at opposite ends of the table). She's a multi-talented dog.
3. My mother sang and danced in the family room, supposedly by herself.
4. My dad told her to "settle down."

She's a wild woman, my mother. Now don't think my dad isn't without his own problems - he's painting the floor of our garage to look like a showroom for his Audi TT. (Yes, we realize he's the coolest person in the world. Yes, it's hard to live up to his greatness. No, I will not help clean the garage when I come home in two weeks.)

Since we're talking about the people who spawned me, here's a top 10 list of Buel family moments:
1. "Kristin Buel's All-Request Hour," which consists of me singing the tribal part of Paul Simon's Graceland at the top of my lungs.

2. The three of us spending the night in a bed with two pillows after arriving in Chicago at 4 a.m. during the "Storm of the Century." My mom had no coat, I was sunburned from the Mexico sun, and my dad yelling at us to be quiet in the bed at Howard Johnson's. Then he said "Goodnight, Johnboy," and my mom laughed so hard she almost fell out of bed.

3. Even though I wasn't there, the "Strangers in the Night" story. My parents got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. The lights were off, and when they came back, they ran smack into each other, full force. My dad started singing "Strangers in the Night."

4. Trying to find Rigazzi's in St. Louis every Christmas Eve. Here's a tip: DON'T take Elizabeth.

5. Teaching Penny how to swim.

6. Watching movies in the basement. My mom can't work the DVD player and my dad has to make sure we have the right English setting. Penny crawls onto my lap but leaves one paw on the floor because then she's technically still on the ground.

7. Trying to climb the icy driveway after bowling league. My dad finally had to get a hose from the garage to help me and my mom get up the rest of the way.

8. Watching Maggie (and now Penny) opening her Christmas presents.

9. Thanksgiving morning: Mom gets up at the buttcrack of dawn to start cooking, Dad works in the basement and I play with the dog. The parade comes on and Dad and I watch it. We eat Thanksgiving dinner in about 10 minutes and then go to a movie and have pie when we come home. It's my favorite day.

And my favorite moment:
10. Coming home. Everyone cries, even the dog.

posted by Kristin @ 8:57 PM 0 comments

If I had to add up all the good times I've had and divide it among the friends I have, the times with Abby would be disproportionately greater. Not because we have known each other the longest of any of my friends (we have), not because we know how to have fun better than anyone else (but we kind of do, as long as it involves eating and Nintendo), but Abby is a pirate. Pirates make me laugh. In honor of yesterday being National Talk Like a Pirate Day, a tribute to Cap'n O (with much love from Admiral Eyecandy).

10. "Hitting the deck" in an Indianola, IA, hotel, when there were boys being frogs outside of our room.

9. Her never-ending war with nasty Jason Walters.

8. Sombrero in our bed.

7. The Jem backpack (AND matching fanny pack).

6. Breaking up with our best-friend-boyfriends on the same day without planning it.

5. When Stevie Wonder takes over her body and she has to "feel her surroundings."

4. Eating one cake a week in the attempt to be a combined weight of 300 lbs.

3. Putting the skirt of a formal dress over her head.

2. Being the Paul McCartney to my Michael Jackson on the way to and from Iowa.

1. The Annie Get Your Gun theater spectacular.

posted by Kristin @ 5:36 PM 0 comments

Kate Jeffries speaks the truth.

Slumber Party tonight! Wheee!

posted by Kristin @ 1:10 PM 0 comments

This iz Penny. Kristiiin got emales from a friend nd i licked it so i did it two.

Name On Birth certificate: Penny Lane Buel
Nicknames: P, P Lane
Birthday: February 12, 2001.
High School: i flunked out of puppy school
Hometown: Tipton, IA, but I live in Bettendorf now
E-mail: mbuel@mchsi.com (it's my mom's)
Eyes: brown
Hair: i'm a golden retreiver, so it's gold
Height: 2'9"
Length: 3"
Shoe Size: my dad wears big shoes. I eat them.
Who lives with you: mom and dad and sometimes, when I'm lucky, my big sister Kristin
When is your bedtime?: all the time

-----------------HAVE YOU EVER------------------
Missed school: my mom made me skip puppy class once. We were too good for it.
Put a body part on fire for amusement: no, but I like to try to eat it
Kept a secret from everyone: yes. I hid Dad's sock.
Had an imaginary friend: he's not imaginary, but I love the bouncing Tigger in Kristin's room.
Wanted to hook up with a friend: no! Bailey, the three-legged dog down the street, is a big baby.
Cried during a Movie? I was scared of Jurassic Park III.
Been on stage: at the high school
Cut your hair: no. it just falls out.

------------------FAVORITES------------------
Shampoo: ewwww. I hate shampoo.
Colors: red
Day/Night: 5 a.m. - time for walk
Summer/Winter: summer. the snow is scary.
Fav food: potato chips under the table
Fav. Advertisement: the one with the dog and tv
Fav. Movie: 101 Dalmations
Fav. Ice Cream: anything dad drops
Fav. Subject: gardening with mom
Fav. Drink: water from the hose

------------------RIGHT NOW------------------
Wearing: i'm naked. mom won't put the collar on me
Hair is: very dirty.
Eating: socks and Martha Stewart tennis ball toys
Listening to: dad snore
Talking to: mom

---------------When Did You Last------------------
Cry: when Kristin went back to school
Meet someone new: i played with new dogs a few weeks ago
Cleaned your room: i pick up my toys every night
done laundry: i ate a sock yesterday

----------------DO YOU BELIEVE IN------------------
Santa Claus: YES. he is a good man.
Tooth Fairy: mom kept all my teeth.

----------------FRIENDS AND LIFE------------------ *
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: no. boy dogs are gross.
Who have you known the longest of your friends? Annie the dog next door
Who's the loudest?: dad when he snores
Who's the shyest?: Bailey the scaredy-cat dog
Who do you go to for advice? the bees in the back yard
Who do you cry to? Kristin, every time she comes home
What is the best feeling? snuggling with Kristin and being chased around the kitchen by dad and stealing mom's yarn
Worst Feeling: when dad catches me eating a hole in the wall

posted by Kristin @ 10:00 PM 0 comments

I am angry.

I am angry because I fell down in the street today and cut my arm, knee and hip.

I am angry because I waited for two hours for Justin and Vox still wouldn't let him go.

I am angry because MY CRAZY TEACHER MAKES ME TURN IN MY HOMEWORK ON THE INTERNET AND THE INTERNET IS A FREAKING PIECE OF CRAP AND NEVER WORKS.

I still don't feel any better.

The Wilco concert was fun last night. Not the greatest concert of my life, but far, far, FAR from the worst. During a particularly long, slow song, I was trying to come up with my favorite concert moments of all time. Here they are, in no particular order (except one):

* Screaming "Ohmygod, there he is!" at the top of your lungs at an *NSYNC concert before the show starts and watching all the little girls freak out.

* Dancing to "Hot Legs" with my mom at Rod Stewart.

* Seeing 112, more commonly known as "One-one-two."

* The freak of nature that is Steve Fatone. "Hootie-hoo!"

* Seeing the F-word in all its flaming (really, it was on fire) glory at the Blink-182 concert.

* Meeting the girls who drive the *NSYNC winnebago.

* Every single time Abby gets the binoculars, some sort of explosion happens on stage and she is blinded for the next 10 minutes.

* The almost-fight between 14 year-old smokers and Dream fans at the 2001 *NSYNC concert at Soldier Field.

* Annie eating all of her candy before we even get to the concert.

* The *NSYNC boys WAVING TO ME AND ANNIE from just 10 feet away and we knew Abby would die when she heard about it.

...and the best moment of all time...
* July 23, 2001. We got the *NSYNC Celebrity CD at 12:01 a.m. at Wal-Mart (kind of took it out of the shipping boxes before we were supposed to), listened to the CD all day at work. Went to the Janet Jackson concert that night. Melissa drove. We sang every word to the new CD and Abby and I danced in the back seat. We did the "Pop" video and were Celebrity demons while Melissa tried to find a parking spot for more than 20 minutes. Favorite phrase of the night "If I didn't have cheese, like, ev-er-y day." That was the best night of my whole entire life.

I'm not angry anymore.

posted by Kristin @ 10:53 PM 0 comments

Did you know that I can't get drunk? It's physically impossible. Just can't do it. And drinking a lot (well, a lot for me) is pointless because you get really sleepy and then have to get up and go to the bathroom. What a waste. I'll stick with cookies.

I am a knitting goddess, just like Athena. Kicked that sorry thing's butt, I did. Make it and take it out twice, that's what I always say.

I wish Melissa would send me more fleece pants. I love them.

posted by Kristin @ 10:21 PM 0 comments

You wait your whole life for Prince Charming, and when you finally get him he says, "Uh, I don't care."

Sometimes you just wish he did.

posted by Kristin @ 10:55 PM 0 comments

Mom, you have to do this. You HAVE to. I'm going to. So you must too. In fact, everybody should do it. Why didn't anyone think of this before?

posted by Kristin @ 9:21 AM 0 comments

Today...today made me want to chop off my own legs and look just like my bear, CB. He had an unfortunate Abby-related accident last week in which she pulled off one of his legs. I looked at the other leg to see how to reattach it, but took off the other leg in the process. He is now wrapped up in one of my dad's button down short-sleeve shirts (a Chuck Buel classic that I stole in 8th grade) with strips of cloth tied around his middle, holding his legs in place. He really is in the worst traction I have ever seen. (And if you didn't figure it out, he's named after the original CB - Chuck B.)

Anyway. Today. Long. Work. Class. Work. Ad Club. Babysitting. More work. Grocery shopping. Whee.

Things other people learned today which I already knew well in advance:
1. Everyone in the J-School is on crack. (Kathy, my boss)
2. Justin is indecisive. (Justin)
3. There really ARE cats in America and the streets AREN'T filled with cheese. (Fievel)

In the words of the great William Lichter (Can't Hardly Wait), "I can't feel my legs. I have no legs."

posted by Kristin @ 11:29 PM 0 comments

So instead of going to the football game I saw an excellent movie and ate toasted ravioli with friends. We then studied. As the drunkards rolled onto LaMesa, someone looked into our window and went "Dude! Those girls are studying!" No shit, communications major. We will also be graduating in under six years, unlike yourself.

Things I am glad I am not:
A polyester bride.
Hungry.
A sea hag.

I bought some art today. Ragtag has this amazing artist featured this month and he does near-impressions of album covers and city streets and lots of casinos. I wanted the Alicia Keys painting, but it was already reserved by Zola's dad (Matt Agnew and Zola, what are you doing?) so I got the No Doubt painting. Twelve dollars, people. Twelve dollars. Amazing. It'll look super in my room. Big Mar's gonna have to show me a good place to put it in my room.

Speaking of Big Mar, she was added to Justin's cell phone today as he was looking up "chicks" he knows. She's the biggest chick of them all. How he could go so long without her phone number I'm not sure. She is, after all, the BOE (Boss of Everyone for those of you who haven't encountered her reign of terror).

The cutest story ever about my dog:
My parents were goin' out with the gang (el gang in Spanish) last night and hadn't fed Penn. They left her food in her bowl and didn't put her in her cage. When they came home, she had eaten all of her dinner and put herself to bed in the cage. She is the best dog in the whole entire world. She should send me presents (not socks, that's my job).

posted by Kristin @ 12:18 AM 0 comments

Update on the car situation:
Joe Machen is what we like to call a bastard. Greedy bastard, at that. One-thousand dollars to fix my car? I better get fries with that.

Everyone has been so awesome giving me rides and stuff. Special thanks to Abby for loaning me Senior (not to be confused with Junior) and taking me to class. Thanks to Colleen for hauling my car-less butt across town when I discovered I couldn't pick up my car. And thanks to Jen and Stacy for taking me home the other night. I hate having to ask for rides and you ladies have been the best.

If you didn't notice, the boyfriend wasn't mentioned. That's because he's still infected with a virus. But he's taking me to pick up my car tonight. So thanks in advance, buddy.

In other news...
Today one of my teachers was wearing the following outfit: A navy blue and white striped t-shirt. A flaming pink (think magenta on acid) blazer. Maroon velvet pants. Does anyone see a problem with this? I very nearly died every time she stepped out from behind her table. Nice lady, but a mite color blind.

Big props to Kate Jeffries for playing white trash better than anyone I know.

Ladybird - I hear you have new pictures of P. Send 'em my way.

posted by Kristin @ 1:38 PM 0 comments

Today has been officially the worst day of my life. I managed to keep good humor throughout most of it and I kept all homicidal rage to myself.

Drumroll, please:
1. My car is broken. The power steering has just decided it's done it's duty and went AWOL.

2. I won't get paid for the News Bureau until the end of the month because it's too late to add me to the payroll.

3. The university tried to charge me more than DOUBLE of what my actual bill turned out to be.

4. My garage has a lot of water in it because the boys next door didn't hook their washing machine hose to the wall. Their garage is now filled with cardboard boxes, water and a keg.

5. I can't get on the network at the News Bureau. Even the computer guy can't fix it.

6. Justin has the flu. If he liked soup and if I had a car that turned corners without the help of gladiators, I would bring him some.

I think there's more but I'm trying to erase it from memory. I did, however, get to try Rold Gold Honeywheat pretzels. Two thumbs waaaaay up.

Now I must read Nancy Drew.

posted by Kristin @ 9:54 PM 0 comments

Want something new and fun to take up your precious time? Check out the new Mizzou Ad Club website. It's better than J-Net.

posted by Kristin @ 1:58 PM 0 comments