World domination

At long last, I finally got to play Risk last night.  I have been jonesing for a rousing, trash-talking game of Risk for months now.  Despite being sick, having to work early this morning and a pre-game trip to the grocery store for dice, I stuck it out until the bitter end.  I did not win, but was the last one standing against the winner (seen on the left strategizing intensely.)  I hope for it to become a monthly thing, but with people my age, it's hard to pin down anything regular.  

I was pink, and as you can see I made a run for North America (my favorite.)  At the beginning of the game I had forces in Australia, but was beat out by the winner, playing green.  How is it that almost EVERY time whoever gets Australia wins the overall game?  It's uncanny.  I feel like my mistake was turning in cards a little early, only getting 6 armies and taking over North America without enough backup to hold it.  I also made a risky (ha ha) run for someone's cards later in the game, succeeded, but stretched myself a bit thin.  Ah well, I still enjoyed myself immensely.  I'm glad I can lose but still have fun playing, despite what my parents may think about my gaming habits - people are able to change from age 10 to 24 you know.  I don't go cry behind the couch anymore.  I can't fit.  

V-Day

Happy Valentines Day everyone!  Despite being single, I am quite the popular one today.  I have three different invitations, none of them dates, for tonight.  The winner is a good friend from school, recently single, with whom I plan to watch movies, bitch about men and listen to depressing music.  Yay!  I also think I'm going to make some bruschetta and possibly margaritas.  The other two invitations were from men, but I shall snub them in favor of a girls night.  Valentines day sucks anyway.  Regardless, I hope you all have a good one!  Unless you're happily partnered.  Then you can eat it.  

The joys of pet ownership

This is what happens when you turn your back on an almost empty cup of milk.  It gets knocked off the table by an overweight tabby attempting to shove her face silently into it.  I'm mad.  I only brought a few dishes with me and most of them are hand painted by me or members of my family.  This one was a marbled tumbler my uncle painted.  One of a kind.  Irreplaceable.  Chasing my cat around the apartment using a dish towel as a weapon just did not seem like enough punishment.  Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to her.  Her brain is only about as big as my thumb, so how could I justify anything further?  She's really cute too.  Stupid cats...

Music is my boyfriend

Recently I have been going through a kind of music overload.  After getting a bunch of new music from my friends I was inspired to create several different mixes of wide thematic variety.  Examples of the insanity are "Dance Mix SUPERFREAK," "A Little Bit Country" and a semi-depressing "Breakup Mix."  I just couldn't stop.  I sent some to a couple of friends and am anticipating excellent mixes from them in return.  

The best part of this music explosion was discovering a bunch of old mix CD's from my sister.  My favorite is one from October 2003 - which is around the time this photo was taken of her.  She was 21 and in her Datsuns/Dandy Warhols phase.  That was a good phase.  She used to introduce me to all sorts of new bands and her mixes are always really fun.  She does take liberties that I would not; in one mix she put three Neutral Milk Hotel songs IN A ROW.  Now, I don't have a problem with putting multiple songs from the same artist, but never too close together.  To each his own mixing methods.  I respect my friends personal mixing styles but I adhere to my self-imposed rules.  They are as follows:

1.  Total length should never exceed one hour

2.  The maximum number of songs from the same artist is 3 (different bands with the same singer count as different artists)

3.  Songs from the same artist should be separated by at least two other songs

4.  Theme mixes are allowed one non-theme related song to be placed at the end as a "Bonus Track"

5.  Songs longer than 7 minutes should be placed near the end so as not to bore the listener

6.  Always include a track list

7.  Male and female vocalists should be spread evenly throughout the mix

8.  Transitions should be as smooth as possible 

Now, these are not set in stone, they are merely guidelines.  What are your mixing rules?  Post them in the comments or email me.  Happy mixing, y'all!