My English class is really getting out of hand. Not only do we do practically NOTHING English related, every book we read, my stupid teacher has to pick it apart with his dumb ass liberal agenda! It's getting so old. We never get to simply read a book and enjoy it. One fucking sentence can taint an author's reputation in the impressionable minds of high schoolers! Seriously! Every book we read is not racist! F. Scott Fitzgerald is certainly not racist! He's brilliant and one sentence does not make him a bigot. He spends PAGES in which Tom Buchanan's white supremacist views are cast in an unsympathetic light. Everyone in the story ignores him! They change the subject. And clearly, Tom Buchanan is not Fitzgerald's favorite person...look at the descriptions of him! And honestly, if someones personal beliefs are repugnant, does that change their contributions to society? If Fitzgerald was racist, would that make his work any less beautiful and meaningful? I certainly don't think so. It's not that I'm supporting racism, as my idiotic classmates now think, but I just can't stand the daily helping of liberal crap that is shoved down my throat. It's quite ridiculous. Every poem we read is carefully chosen for a message that serves his purpose. Every book we read, chosen by the school board, is pinched and tinted to fit his meaning. I think it's stupid! He's projecting his opinions onto everything. Instead of simply reading and enjoying The Great Gatsby, he reads it looking for things to pick at! It's intolerable! If this is what higher education is like, count me out! I do not think that people should be subjected daily to being told what to think or being maneuvered into an uneducated opinion because what they are being told is completely one sided! My idiotic teacher believes that just because he says that he respects everyone's opinion and wants us to voice it in class makes it true! He most certainly does not respect my opinion! He lets me say it and then patronizes me and maneuvers me into a corner. If I say one thing, he makes me look like I support racism or that I don't have any facts. I think that's a horrible thing. There is no reason to dislike someone based on their physical appearance or race---that's just stupid. Let me just say this---you've gone too far! I will sit there and here the many praises of Obama. That's just fine, but when you start insulting my favorite author, expect it to get ugly fast. I'm so sick of sitting there and not saying anything. I can't live this way. I don't care that I'm in school and I'm supposed to learn. I know for a fact that my parents dislike the idea of this brainwashing in the guise of a school subject. It's fucking insanity. This is war.

Alone on Valentines Day?

Valentine's Day is here! Hoorah! And, unsurprisingly, I am alone. But I think that makes it even better, don't you? If I had some silly boy to put up with, I'd be out in some crowded restaurant tonight, making small talk, and pretending to gush as he says something idiotic and "romantic". Besides, what about the inevitable, "I love you" followed by "...uhhh"? That sucks. I'll be home, listening to Alex Carpenter's emo V-Day tributes, but that's okay. So here's my V-Day battle plan:

a). Guitar Lessons...you gotta love 'em!

b). gorging myself on See's Candy (purchased with that handy dandy birthday gift certificate)

c). taking care of my poor little doggie...she ate floss this week and had to have surgery. So, while my parents are off doing the dinner-and-dancing extravaganza, Fredi and I will be cuddled up at home. She'll be attempting to jump onto the furniture and I'll be constantly jumping up to stop her....not fun. But that's okay!

d). watching some movies: Bringing Up Baby, Gigi, You've Got Mail, The Philadelphia Story, followed by High Society, Dedication, and definitely some Instant Star reruns!

Sounds good to me!

Your Valentine,

Lauren Snailbrain

xoxo

Go on, say it

I got a bunch of ARC's at Pizza and Pages on Thursday. What is it about advanced reading copies that makes my head spin? It's like just because it's beyond new, no one's going to see it, much less read it for months, these book have this siren call. I don't really understand. Especially because now, with a clear head on a Sunday evening, there seems nothing extraordinary about these books at all. All but one. But that one's special. It's my series. I know it's vapid and ridiculous, but compared with brain rot like The Elite or Gossip Girl or The A-List, I can honestly say that E. Lockheart's Ruby Oliver series is not that bad. In fact, it's fun. I know what you must be thinking---Lauren read a bubble-gum pink chicklit and call it fun? What the fuck?---but it is...leave it to those revolting rom coms (which I simply adore). They put you in the mood for the meet cute and happily ever after. Sometimes, it's quite nice to read a book without suicide or depression or excessive cursing or complicated plot lines. Sometimes it's quite nice to take a break from thinking for a while and just relax mentally as well as physically. So, day-of-rest-Sunday was a stunning success, much to the chagrin of my parents and homework. Oh well...I'll worry about that some other time because in the here and now, I can't honestly give a fuck.
I had my first guitar lesson on Saturday. It was a grand success! Of course I was awkward and terrible and odd noises came out of the guitar, but I had so much fun! Even with being repeatedly referred to as "Little One" by my teacher...Next week he's teaching us a song. Hurrah! Guitar was followed by a peek in Mood. SO COOL! So many different bolts of fabric and all sorts of colors and everything! I love it! Ten million times better than Joanne's and ten million times more expensive. But that's okay. I think I might just save all my money from now on and buy quality fabric instead. Even since Florence Fabrics closed, making things has been more of alterations and refashionings of ripped or stained vintage.
Oh, and I saw two movies:
1. The Pallbearer- labeled a comedy. It is not. Don't watch it. It's not even remotely funny.
2. My Sassy Girl- don't let the title fool you. This movie is amazing. It's a remake of a Korean film and it's SO cool. I am now in search of the original. See it.

Farewell Indie!

This week has got to be the worst week. ever. Not only is school and home and life stressing me out, but I was extremely sad to learn that Indie 103.1, the only true alternative station in southern california, has died. Well, not exactly, as it will continue to be boradcast online, but I can't help but be depressed at all the quiet car rides ahead of me.

This is an important message for the Indie 103.1 Radio Audience -Indie 103.1 will cease broadcasting over this frequency effective immediately. Because of changes in the radio industry and the way radio audiences are measured, stations in this market are being forced to play too much Britney, Puffy and alternative music that is neither new nor cutting edge. Due to these challenges, Indie 103.1 was recently faced with only one option --- to play the corporate radio game.We have decided not to play that game any longer. Rather than changing the sound, spirit, and soul of what has made Indie 103.1 great Indie 103.1 will bid farewell to the terrestrial airwaves and take an alternative course. This could only be done on the Internet, a place where rules do not apply and where new music thrives; be it grunge, punk, or alternative - simply put, only the best music.For those of you with a computer at home or at work, log on to www.indie1031.com and listen to the new Indie 103.1 - which is really the old Indie 103.1, not the version of Indie 103.1 we are removing from the broadcast airwaves.We thank our listeners and advertisers for their support of the greatest radio station ever conceived, and look forward to continuing to deliver the famed Indie 103.1 music and spirit over the Internet to passionate music listeners around the world.

Yeah...so on the bright side, Indie will still be around. but I'm still not happy. Some people say that this is the future of radio-- everything online, with podcasts in the car, but is this what we really want? I love radio! What is so wrong with the radio? I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm not happy. To risk being corny and sentimental, I've had a lot of good times with this station and I have bonds with certain friends basically BECAUSE OF Indie 103.1. Must all good things die?

New beginnings?

Well...now isn't this strange? Key IDs finished a day early? what is this horror?!

And actually accomplishing things I want to do...?

Living dangerously.

But seriously, aaaackck. Doesn't it just drive you absolute bonkers when you want to talk to someone and don't know what to say?!?! I can't stand it. It's bugging me. Someone better figure out how to solve this pretty quick if I'm ever going to stay friends with anyone.

I know I can have it.

Well, Christmas has come and gone, my birthday too...
SEVENTEEN, BABY!
Yeah. Now I'm really the dancing queen. hahaha.
Birthday/Christmas goodies: reccord player, guitar lessons at McCabes, a lovely virtual note from Gaines, a tiger painting, an ice cream maker, and tons of heartfelt cards.
I have been offered a moose, Alex Carpenter, Alex Carpenter riding a moose...ah, good times.
Now here comes New Years, and I have such a conumdrum! I go sixteen years without one invite to a party and now I've got two! YES. But how to choose? Well, I know to which one I'll go, but wondering which is all the fun!
Anyway, love love love from me!
and happy birthday semra. <3

Birthday Wish?

RACHEL ZOE COAT, Currently owned by Kime Buzzelli, soon to be owned by an ebay person. Please let it be me! :)

Just watch this fancy footwork

Wonderful Happenings in the Life of Lauren:
1. I saw reindeer! Their antlers looked like slender tree branches and their shiny fur could have participated in a shampoo commercial.
2. Gave a gift without expecting anything in return. I got a hug. :)
3. Mamma mia love. Danielle and I are movie soul sisters. I take Mamma Mia love very seriously, doncha know.
4. Watched Jack and Jill vs. The World
5. My favorite big sister in the world is engaged. Hoorah!
6. DISNEYLAND. epic.
7. Parental agreement to dye hair blue. FROM MY DAD. He's going to dye it! A christmas miracle! The catch: temporary only.
8. Attended my first Surprise Party completely by accident. Lora and Ana and Kitty threw me a chakra themed birthday party complete with yarn streamers and a Kitty-made chocolate and walnut cake. yum. We listened to system of a down, panic! at the disco, elton john, and weezer, and talked about Kitty's fireplace, her conversation with JC, and aura reading. I'm not too good. I'll just keep practicing and see what happens. Apparently my aura was blue on Thursday. Pretty nifty. :)
9. Succeeded in not yelling at idiot English teacher. Major feat.
10. Duran Duran = Lauren Lauren?