Below are the 16 most recent journal entries recorded in i am atlas shrugging's LiveJournal:

Friday, September 22nd, 2006
7:14 am	oops I am supposed to be on duty at school . . . right now, but I just checked LJ for the first time in months and realized I missed cracking up about things like cornish game hens. So I am thinking writer friends, that for no reason except for the fact that I'm a weirdo, it would be fun if you wrote a story, bad teen movie, book, whatever . . .about our friends. So we all get a label like "the writer" "the crazy lumberjack" "the bleeding heart" etc. Okay, I really just want a to be labeled by a literary genius like yourselves. whoa. forgive grammar and lack of structure. gotta go. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, March 16th, 2006
12:40 pm	finally getting what i deserve Being on vacation is so awesome that I laughed when I got a speeding ticket. P.S. I miss everyone. I promise to show you a good time if you come visit me. Current Mood: bouncy Current Music: sirens (Comment on this)
Thursday, March 9th, 2006
6:01 am	smoochie smoochie I have been officially blown off by the Pittsburgher, but it was all made up for by this past weekend when: A) My students saw me stumbling around drunk outside my house Saturday night and gave me hell for it on Monday; B) I made out with an arrogant prick named Ed - definitely a northeastern snob who spends his summers on the cape (but super cute in his own skinny biker kind of way); C) Four of us were sitting on my bed post-hookup doing damage control, when said hookup's best friend (frat boy from Wake Forest) kept leaning behind his roommate's head trying to make out with me. He was unsuccessful, but may have better luck next time. He's very tall. mmmmm. Yay for drunk teacher parties. time to ready myself for the children. (Comment on this)
Monday, February 20th, 2006
10:47 am	no school!!!! My day was not chalking up to be a good one. I woke up at 5:30AM resenting that I was the only one in my house who had work today. I went through my typical routine, gathered my things together, stepped out the door, and promptly slipped and fell down the stairs. What a great way to start the freaking day. It took me twenty minutes to scrape the layer of ice off of my car. Which, after fighting with the ice, I eventually started and drove to school. Now, I am frequently the first person to arrive at work, so the lack of other cars in the parking lot did not surprise me initially. It was only after walking/slipping/almostkillingmyself and looking around the school that I realized that there was a good chance everyone else who worked there knew something I didn't. A few phone calls later I was on my way home elated. School is canceled. These pansy-ass Southerners shut the school down rather than brave the icy roads. Score one for me. Anyway, my shitty morning has been redeemed . . . and the Pittsburgher sent me a poem via email letting me know just how unfair it is that I have the day off and he doesn't:) The ice on my window Made my eyes burn red, For this meant that I Would still have to work While the others stayed in bed. And it pained me to see, Walking outside briskly, That white block of ice where my car should be! Slightly cheesy (and of course nothing compared to the literary genius of my dah-ling friends), but cute. He might be kind of okay after all. pax - t$ P.S. When are you coming to see me in Mississippi? Trust me, this place is excellent fodder for all things literary! Current Mood: chipper Current Music: Jason Mraz (I'm a loser - get me back in the music loop!) (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, February 19th, 2006
9:06 pm	pittsburgher Last night I made out with a Pittsburgher in Mississippi. It was kind of fun. I forgot it could be fun. The smooching came after a day-long date in Starkville. When the evening came to a close (sans touching I might add), I got in my car, and I drove away. As I pulled onto the highway about ten miles from his house I realized (in dramatic, hollywood form) that I was, in typical Trez fashion, running away, and that I would never talk to him again if I didn't slow down, pul a U-turn and head back east. My rare impulsive side surfaced and I ended up on Mr. Pittsburgh's doorstepfor the second time that day. He was confused but seemed pleased that I was back. He kissed me and I stopped him. There was one an important thing I needed to know. "Jason?" I asked him, "did you vote for Bush?" and as he shook his head no, I knew it was going to be a good night. In conclusion, another name can be added to the list of people in the world who think I am crazy. Yay for crazy. Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: giggling (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, January 30th, 2006
10:13 pm	mmmm...boys I just want to say that I went to a conference this weekend and I met a cute boy. He e-mailed me today. Yay! He is from Pittsburgh and meeting him made me think of Erinn - happy belated birthday by the way. I love cute boys. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, January 17th, 2006
1:55 pm	back in the delta I really need to be doing work right now, but slacker that I am, I have decided to post instead. This weekend was crazy but awesome. You will never hear me complain about a weekend full of travel, booze, and great friends. Friday night I left the Delta and found myself transported to Halo, a gay bar in DC. Now normally this may not have had too significant an impact on me, but as a have spent the past six months in a place devoid of men between the ages of 18 and 35, I kind of wanted to cream my pants. Imagine my dismay at the fact that not a one gave a shit how cute I looked. The disappointment of my raging hormones aside, I had a fantastic time. James has awesome friends, he bought me fun, classy drinks (they mashed up real raspberries!) and it couldn't have been a better introduction to the weekend. After sprinting home in the rain we crashed only to wake up early to catch the Chinatown bus to Philly (not without stopping for bagels though . . . mmmm bagels . . . how I miss thee) to begin leg two of our weekend. After some shitty sushi in this crazy kick ass market (name escapes me) we visited with rats in the SEPTA station and showed up at Chuck's impeccably neat apartment. It's strange to realize you haven't seen someone in over a year and half and slightly depressing. Anyway, eventually Mandy showed up and the night of harassment and rude comments began. It was fantastic. Well, that is until I got wasted and those hormones started kicking in again at which point I was happy to throw myself at anything, including James and Chuck. Oops. Note to self. Don't get drunk unless you're alone. Aside from some drunk dials I can't remember, I am confident no permanent damage was done. Next morning was painful. Chuck didn't even make it to lunch. I died and went to heaven at Taste of India (still dreaming about it actually) and I think I won super boggle. Come to think of it, I'm not positive that happened. Jessie and Kevin are awesome and I love them. They carted us to the Metro and James and I crashed back in DC. I survived my flights back to the Delta with no major mishaps outside of accidentally flinging a full cup of coffee all over the floor of Regan Int'l Airport. I was that asshole trying to talk on the phone, drag her luggage across the floor and drink coffee all at once. It was super embarrassing and a cute German guy made fun of my and eventually wished me luck with my next cup. That concludes my weekend. Now I have to prepare for the kiddies. Peace and love. Current Music: Jason Mraz (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 11th, 2006
6:36 am	uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh So this having a real job and getting up at 5:30 every morning thing is really kicking my ass. I mean becoming a responsible adult is bad enough, but 5:30AM??? Every single day??? It's really too much to ask. I need to start doing yoga in the morning to get me focused or something. (btw, I do yoga twice a week now at the YMCA - if you are lucky, I may return to the east coast a tree-hugging vegetarian or something...oh wait...I already am.)Now, this week has not quite met expectations thus far. There was almost a fight in my homeroom on Monday (it was only prevented by my body barring the doorway to my class), the crazy Spanish teacher from the school the town over came to observe my worst class ever and I went home sick only to come home and fill out report cards and grade papers for six hours (with the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice as background noise), none of that matters though, because I am going to be in DC and Philly this weekend!!!! Yay!!!! Civilization! Yay! Friends! I may even have time to read something . . . for leisure . . . on the plane. The best news of all is that when I come back to Mississippi, I have no students for a full week. My crazy school gives the kids a week off for MLK. I have professional development, but somehow, by the grace of the powers that be, sitting through long boring meetings takes absolutely no prep time at home. I am practically peeing myself at the thought. I need to get my act together now. My class can't run itself so it's time for me to depart. Peace yo. Current Mood: eek Current Music: chirping of obnoxious birds (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, January 9th, 2006
6:39 am	holy shit i'm a teacher So, I begin my foray back into the world of live journal. The past six months of my life have been pretty intense. The absurdity of the fact that someone thinks I am qualified to teach high school Spanish, or anything at all, is almost more than I can handle. Whoever gave me the keys to my classroom would probably also give a nine year old the keys to their brand new BMW. Anyway, I am dragging myself into school this morning with a scratchy throat and an overwhelming desire to crawl back under my covers. Alas, power struggles with high school seniors (and freshman) almost as old as me awaits. It's time for me to put on my teacher face and pretend to be an adult. At least I can console myself with the knowledge that I spent my Friday night at a seedy Southern bar decorated with underwear, danced with a man with intense wandering hands, shot "please save me looks" to my friends as they looked on in gleeful delight, and had my ass made public property by said friends. I haven't had my ass grabbed so much since . . . well . . .ever. Now, it's off to school, where little (big) minds are waiting to be filled with propaganda and bad Spanish. Adios. Current Mood: sleepy Current Music: the silence of the early morning (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 7th, 2005
7:45 pm	my life in a nutshell So I probably deserve to be beaten with a stick or something considering what a non-existent friend I have been lately. Jessie, I got the package. I loved it. I have been listening to the CD over and over. It makes me all nostalgic. I spent a couple of hours last week organizing the trip pictures you sent me and I have since resolved to put together an album. It will happen. It is my new project. This is my solemn promise. The past few weeks have been crazy for me. Two consecutive weekends of plays (different ones!), my TFA interview, and a brief, but enjoyable, social life have left me struggling to keep my eyes open during the day. Tell me, how on earth did I survive on so little sleep in college? I digress. My TFA interview was eh. My lesson went well, the group discussion went well. My personal interview, however, was sub-par. Now I know you are all thinking, but Trez, a personal interview is where you can really shine. Alas, such was not the case last Friday. I did not connect with my interviewer. She was a flat, non-responsive, no eye-contact, furiously taking notes, and watching the clock girl with no personality that I could see. As you can imagine, this threw me off from the get go - was I on the right track, was I boring her, was I wasting her air? Perhaps trying to provide identical interview conditions for the thousands of people across the country makes congeniality in the interview process impossible . . . but I think not. Anyway, I left the interview day unsure and lacking confidence. Then, a few days ago I get an email from TFA saying that they have to expand the corps this year because SEVENTEEN THOUSAND PEOPLE APPLIED!!!!!! My guess is that even though more people will be admitted, the percentage will be lower than ever. Needless to say I am actively looking into my graduate school options at the moment. Before I talk about grad school I must take a moment to talk about the plays. First of all it was awesome to be onstage again. I forgot how intense the rush is. Even though I have performed many times in the past, this was a new experience for me as both of the plays were originals and were being directed by the playwrights. Being in a brand new show is a bit nerve-racking, because, no matter how good the acting is, the play could still flop. We had no idea in advance how the audience would respond. Neither play is going to go on to become a huge Broadway success, but I think everyone was happy with the end results. I never imagined how enjoyable dressing up in a mini-skirt, heels, and a cleavage shirt could be. I can't say I minded the attention I got after the show either. Flattery will get you everywhere dah-lings. So my post-show hours were spent at Rascal's, a local bar, drinking with long time residents of Wayne County and dancing to country music with a local farmer named Buck (he's about 5'5" when he's wearing his boots). The experience was actually a wonderful one and I have really enjoyed becoming a part of this community. I will be sad to leave it behind this summer. But leave it behind I will, because if TFA doesn't accept me I think I will be heading off to grad school. Of the five I applied to, I was only accepted by two: Columbia and American. There seems to be no logic to the admissions process, so I have decided to shed no more tears over my rejections. Finances taken into consideration I am strongly leaning toward American. They will pay over half of my tuition, whereas Columbia will give me squat. I am going to check out the school this weekend while I am in DC visiting James. Hopefully I will like it. There are lots of other things I want to say, but I am sick of writing and I know I don't have Erinn and Jessie's literary flare (btw E - mad props - you know what I'm talking about!) Okay, now I am done. (Comment on this)
Friday, March 18th, 2005
2:53 pm	stupid nebulous future Yesterday I received a letter of acceptance into Columbia University. One would think (due to my slightly elitist tendencies) that I should be residing somewhere in the realm of bouncing off the walls happy right now, but instead I am disconcertingly indifferent. My indifference to my acceptance into Columbia is matched only by my indifference regarding my acceptance into American (even though they are giving me money!) Why is it impossible for me to get excited?!!??! Lately I have been plagued by an all-too-familiar anxiety that may be a result of one of several things: being on the pill again, living in Sodus, NY, the prospect of leaving Sodus, NY, fear of being a shitty teacher if I get into Teach for America, missing my friends, having no friends, residing in limbo, my stupid nebulous future. Maybe spring will help. Maybe I am frustrated that even after a year at home I am still not exactly sure what I want. Sometimes thinking about the future makes me feel claustrophobic, even though I have a plan of action that covers pretty much the next decade. My Plan: 2005-2006 Teach for America Summer 2006 Intensive Language Study in France 2006-2007 Teach for America Summer 2007 Volunteer in French speaking African country 2007-2009 M.A. International Development at (blank) University 2009-2011 Work in Africa doing International Education Development 2011-2014 Law School 2014-???? Rest of my life Unfortunately, that little timeline does not make me feel better at all. Suddenly I see doors closing. I am never going to learn guitar or write a play or become an engineer and that bothers me. Maybe I just miss having friends around to distract me from being sad. Oh well, I'll get over it. Current Mood: blah (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, February 17th, 2005
6:51 pm	oh the hilarity I showed this picture to Johnny and he asked if it was of my new boyfriend. Oh Johnny....how I've missed you! http://www.ulf-uwe.de/fun/jpg/First%20Date1.jpg P.S. Definitely not a picture of my boyfriend. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, February 15th, 2005
4:01 pm	way too much coffee . . . So now that I have rediscovered the fabulousness that is livejournal.com, I am going to have to abuse it by posting twice in one day. My tolerance for caffeine has decreased - only two cups of coffee and a diet pepsi today and yet I am practically careening off the walls. Too much energy and nowhere to put it. Why is it that there is no one to make out with in Sodus???? Making out would definitely be an acceptable place to channel my excess energy. OOOh story to tell. A few weeks ago I went out with for my friend Erica's 23rd birthday with some old friends from high school (one of whom just got engaged to a HUGE asshole who would probably be a lot nicer if he would just come out of the closet and end this whole engagement charade) and ended up at some weird private party at a bar in Rochester. The guy to girl ratio was about 30:1, which would have been cool if it weren't for the fact that I felt like I was at some sort of pathetic frat party for people who wished they were still in college . . . and then the strippers showed up. I digress. My purpose in telling this story is to convey how I sabotage my potential make out opportunities. So, I am at weird ass private party chatting it up with a nice, attractive, young lawyer (friend of a friend, so not as weird as all the others) who seems totally interested and even "wants to come see my play," he proceeds to try to give me his card and what do I do? I tell him not to bother because even though he seems very nice I won't ever call him. He seemed a little offended after that. Now, if someone could tell me why I do these things, I would greatly appreciate it. I think that is the end of my story. Current Mood: chipper (1 Comment |Comment on this)
7:16 am	and we found she was the awesomest one of all . . . Last weekend I had a crisis of faith. My tunnel vision regarding Teach for America was broadened when I finally took the time to read what some of its critics had been saying. In doing this, I also discovered just how competitive the damn program is. Only 13% of applicants are accepted and I still hadn't written my damn essays. Long story short, my rose colored glasses had been stomped on - being accepted was no longer a guarantee and I had to face the fact that TFA has some systematic flaws that many believe serve to undermine the education system. Thank god this happened this week and not a year ago, because I definitely would not have bounced back. The 13% acceptance rate is still a bit daunting, but hey, I am awesome, maybe the awesomest one of all. Plus, I already know how to keep those little buggers in line - literally and figuratively. So you guys can still plan on coming to visit my class in New Mexico or Texas or Louisiana next year. As for the systematic flaws of TFA, they will not bind me. Just because TFA teachers don't generally stay in the classroom after their two year commitment or have higher rates or success on standardized tests than their non-TFA counterparts, doesn't mean that I will not. Oh and if I don't get into TFA, I will just get to hang out with James all the time in DC. Crisis averted. In other news, the plays are going well. On Sunday I was experimenting with potential costumes for the show and I managed to squeeze into the uber-cute little black and red cocktail dress (which was really not appropriate for either show, come to think of it) I somehow managed to get it over my shoulders, chest and rib cage, when I quickly realized that there was in no way in hell it was going to zip. Then I tried to get it off. No such luck, that bad boy was good and stuck. Of course I started to have nightmarish visions of being trapped in this unzippable little cocktail dress for the rest of my life and I panicked. With some help, I was eventually able to get the damn thing off without having to cut off the dress or my boobs - but I was definitely worried for a little while. Conclusion: don't assume you can get out of everything that you can get into. That is it for now. I haven't posted in about six months. Whoa. Current Mood: productive Current Music: James Taylor - Sweet Baby James (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 26th, 2004
11:20 am	being a lazy ass = big pay payoff Taking this year off from life has been the best decision ever. True, my life is lacking in interaction with individuals within a decade of my age, which has led to massive amount of introspection and painfully boring Friday nights. In the grand scheme of things though, it's been great. I have come unstuck. That narrow tunnel of serious future opportunities in life (totally self-imposed, might I add) has been obliterated and for once I am thinking outside the trez-box. So I am hauling my bored ass out of Sodus this weekend and driving down to swing-state Pennsylvania to help James attack the undecided voters and make them go blue. I am starting to shed the "four more years with this asshole will kill me" attitute, though certainly if Bush wins a little part of me will die, a lot of the environment will die, probably a lot of deathrow inmates and innocent Iraqis too. As the election draws near (and as I become more jaded by our political process) I realize that I won't be giving up if regime change doesn't happen next Tuesday. None of us should - nope - we just need to get more determined and make Bush's second term in office a living hell by staying active. Of course Novemeber 2, regardless of winner, should be a night of drinking ourselves into a stupor. I just hope it's out of celebration. In other news, I think I might try out this whole teaching thing. I like subbing and I believe that good education is one of the best ways to begin building a better future for tons of underpriviledged kids. So, simultaneously with applying to grad school, I am going apply for Teach for America. I think if I get in I might request placement somewhere like South Dakota or Southern Texas. I figure I can work from within the system and prevent more little republicans from being produced in the Texas public schools. Well, I am going to go now - I have to pick up my absentee ballot. Not super happy about this fact - was really looking forward to pulling a lever, but i suppose I am making a sacrifice for the greater good or some shit like that. peace out yos, trez Current Music: gillian welch (Comment on this)
Saturday, September 25th, 2004
1:38 pm	i am so dying so, i just went for a run. awesome, right. i am such a motivated, active individual, you should probably give me stuff or something. yeah, so apparently the powers that be decided that i should not be running, because after about a quarter mile i got the worst cramp EVER (it is just going away now - two hours later) and then i thought i was going to have to vomit in the ditch. subsequently i started worrying about what would happen if i collapsed on the side of the road with appendicitis or something. my brother probably wouldn't even notice i was gone until tomorrow when i am supposed to drive him back to college. man, i learned my lesson: running = potential death from appendicitis alone in a ditch on my street. damn, i guess the exercise phase is over. it's about time. is there a place in your hometown where you always bump into the most random people from your past? well, in my town (actually the town next to mine) it's the williamson express mart and every visit is an adventure since you never know who you are going to see. well last night, i stopped there en route to the movies to fill up on gas and for some reason i was thinking about this kid i used to make out with in tenth grade. i am not sure why, maybe because there were a bunch of high schoolers in the parking lot and i was feeling nostalgic. anyway, suddenly this little black focus drives up and i look in and holy shit it's my former make out partner dan. he got super hot, even though he needed a shave and his eyes were pretty red and he was smoking a cigarette. those things aside, super hot. i gave him a little wave and he walked straight over to me and gave me a hug which is weird because i've only seen him about three times in the past five years and our relationship was based on making out, not a deep intellectual connection. he has super intense blue eyes and i was sort of melting while he talked to me and i got to wondering why our fledgling relationship failed seven years ago. then i remembered. i almost got fired from the ski slope i worked at for making out with him and of course my mature response was to immediately call dan and kick him to the curb. also, he always mumbled and seemed to be lacking in the motivation and intellect department. whatever the reason, i think i hurt his feelings at the time and was very insensitive. did i mention that he is SUPER hot now. so i asked him what he was up to and he told me he had just come from the house of this kid who had died in a car crash earlier that day - the details were unclear because he still mumbles. now i know the wrong thing to be thinking about when you find out about the death of an eighteen year old kid is jumping an old flame in the parking lot of express mart, but alas, my mind was full of impure thoughts. in conclusion, i am going to hell, i still want to make out with dan in public and i am an asshole for not asking for his number. the end. Current Mood: i want to make out! Current Music: cars beeping at my pda in the expressmart parking lot (Comment on this)