Oh, well! Life goes on! I still hope I make it! Chow!

Originally Written on May 17, 1994
Posted on by Jennifer Heller

Today was the tryouts. I would have written last night but I had to get some sleep for the tryouts. Last night I wasn’t sure if I wanted this or not, but I decided I want it today. We were supposed to find out who made the squad today but we ran out of time and I’ll hear tomorrow on the daily announcements. Imagine that, I’ll hear tomorrow on the daily announcements. Imagine that, I’ll hear whether I made it or not with the rest of the school! That’ll be hell. Do you know how many people are going to start crying in advisement? At least half of the people that tried out! I totally messed up at the end of the cheer! But that’s okay. I was looking at my posture in the mirror and I realize there’s no way I’ll make it. My fists are completely rolled out! I don’t really mind, though! what pissed me off was that since they were running very low on time me + Christy had to try out w/ another girl. We were supposed to try out just the two of us! The girl, Jessica?, totally messed up and started to cry! They let her try again. For some reason I want to make the squad now, but unless everyone else was REALLY bad I have like, no chance! Oh, well! LIfe goes on! I still hope I make it! Chow!

(There was a Big change in my handwriting there! Jeeeeeez!

(as if I care!) Continue Reading

First Friday Giveaway! Win a Canvas Print from Easy Canvas Prints

Posted on by Jennifer Heller

Not too many months ago, my office was my home, and my absolute favorite thing to do all day was to stare out the window at the rooftops. Not particularly good for productivity. It was such a relief to move out and into our office space (part one, two), but I was sure going to miss those rooftops.

To commemorate that view, I ordered a canvas print of a photograph from Easy Canvas Prints.

I have to say it’s awesome. Super easy to order, and the color is vibrant. I chose to have the photo stretched on the sides of the canvas and it looks great.

Did we mention that Father's Day is coming up? It would be a great gift for a dad with a sentimental nature. One time I gave my dad some magnets of some photos that I had taken over the years that I thought he'd like. He gave them back a few years later.

Easy Canvas Prints is so awesome, they offered to let me give away a free 8×10″ print!

Enter Now with blog code: JENNIFER2012.  Please note that you need to live in the US, and they don’t ship free prints to Hawaii or Alaska so if you live there you’re out of luck. Poop.

We’ll accept entries until 5pm next Friday, June 6th.  I get to pick the winner!  I’m going to draw a name out of a hat!  I might even put a rabbit in there too mix things up. Continue Reading

Bravery is Rewarded — How I Finally won at Karaoke

Posted on by Jennifer Heller

If you know me (or follow this blog), you know I love karaoke. We go a few times a year to the Shattuck Down Low on Tuesday nights. It’s pretty much the highlight of my life.

I have tried to win their Valentine’s Day and Halloween Karaoke Contests for years. Awhile ago they started a contest every Tuesday where you could win a $50 bar tab by being awesome.

About a week ago I decided I was finally going to perform my favorite karaoke song of all, Pulp’s This is Hardcore.

I had performed it at Jenfest 2007 to much fanfare, but never for an audience of strangers. It’s one of my favorite karaoke songs because I love the song and it’s super long…which means more time with the microphone. #ilovemicrophones

There’s one major reason it’s not ideal: It’s basically about the making of a porno film. I love it for it’s drama and intrigue, but not necessarily the subject matter. Yet, I had decided that I was finally going to throw caution to the wind and sing it…

And then I chickened out, choosing my staple, Talking in Your Sleep by the Romantics, for my first song. It was a truly dissatisfying karaoke experience.

A gin and tonic later, and I was ready. I went for it. My love for the song took over any question that this was an inadvisable song to choose and pure joy overcame me.

No wonder they picked me to win. Though the emcee claimed I won to reward my courage to sing such a naughty song so well. Whatever it was, I sleep soundly now that one of my life goals has been achieved.

A good day, I’d say. Continue Reading

I’ll try out for cheerleading but I will make it only when people can land on Pluto!

Originally Written on May 11, 1994
Posted on by Jennifer Heller

Today was a very eventfull day. In P.E. I raised my volleyball grade to an A-! Be proud of me! In Band Mr. A asked the flutes which one of us wanted to play percussion on Canto. I always raise my hand ‘ cause I’m never picked. Today he picked me! And Ana. He had Ana play the wood block + triangle and “let” me play the gong! That is the loudest instrument in the entire band! Everytime I made a mistake, the whole band heard! I swear I was still trembling in Pre Algebra. It didn’t help that we had to play the last 3 measures many times before I got close to the right time to gong the gone! I was so nervous! And we’re going to play Canto for the concert! How will I survive?

At lunch I decided to stay after school for cheerleading training. I guess you could call it. So we got started. I’ll try out for cheerleading but I will make it only when people can land on Pluto! I don’t care. I’m only trying out for fun. I just hope i don’t get serious about it. Tryouts are on Tues and until then we have to go to training everyday after school. I’ve been practicing what we learned today all night! I’m sooo hot + sweaty. But, I have it down pretty well and I can’t wait for training tomorrow! I’m getting pretty good at it too kinda. While I learned it, I didn’t understand any of it! But now I do! I kinda want to make the squad but since the cost of the uniform is up in the hundreds, I couldn’t accept the position!

Catcha Later!

Do you talk to yourself?

Posted on by Jennifer Heller

Will and I are up late talking about talking to ourselves. He was talking to the record collection, you see…asking what should be played. The Stranglers song Tank won, btw.

He reflects that he always felt ashamed of how much he talked to himself as a child. He was ashamed up until he read that Alexander Hamilton shared the same habit. With Alexander Hamilton, he talked to himself so much that people actively complained about it. But he was a genius, so what were they going to do?

I remember a late night talking to a treasured photo of an ex-boyfriend. It was that talk that got me out of loving him…and into moving on. I think of what fun I’ve had over the years talking to myself…as if I were a character in Days of Our Lives and what I was heard would motivate the next murder plot…and as if I were another person, keeping myself company.

But I’m a people person.

Do you like talking to yourself? Are you ashamed?

poll by twiigs.com

Continue Reading

I just danced – smiling on the outside and crying on the inside!

Originally Written on May 6, 1994
Posted on by Jennifer Heller

God I hate my life. God I miss Wes! God I wish I had met Wes! God I wish there was a Wes! (See a pattern forming here?) I could go on like this for hours but I won’t. Anyway, you get the picture. The dance was hell and I wish I could cry. I really do. But when I like someone or have a reason to cry I will. One of the two times I danced was w/ Jeff! I’m not upset about dancing with him! But I am depressed because it was to “ I Swear.” I know it shouln’t matter but that’s my song! I didn’t exactly want to dance w/ him on my favorite song. I didn’t want to dance w/ him at all! But I did and it doesn’t matter. After we danced he kept talking to me! I know we’re supposed to be friends but how can we be friends when he flirts w/ me? I know he likes me, no matter how he denies it. It makes me feel so uncomfortable! I could feel his eyes on me as a I danced in the fast dances. The he set me up w/ Dylan B! I really didn’t mind.

I tried to have fun, I really did. I just couldn’t. I danced and everything usual happened. I just danced – smiling on the outside and crying on the inside! Continue Reading

Bewildering Forwards #2

Posted on by Jennifer Heller

I am continually mesmerized by what people forward and why…Our first specimen was a not-very-funny animal photo with stupid captions. Here’s an I’m-sure-accurate account of what John Cleese has to say about security that my father passed on.

John Cleese – British writer, actor, and tall person, speaking on the topic of security:

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.”

Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out.

Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years. Continue Reading

Yes, Mom took me bra shopping on Tues! It was the most hellish day in my life!

Originally Written on May 5, 1994
Posted on by Jennifer Heller
Happy Cinqo de Maio (?)!

I haven’t written cause there hasn’t been anything to write about.  Yesterday Jeff got the idea tha Wes wasn’t real!  He started spreading rumors about me going out with a non-existent guy!  Can you believe this guy?  Of course I told Wes about this and Wes is going to call Jeff (compliments of Nikki N.) to prove his existence.   Then I’ll be able to laugh in Jeff’s face!

I can’t wait till the dance tomorrow! Unfortunately it’s the last dance of the year!  I bought a new outfit that all together probably cost about $70!  I only spent about $30! I bought the skirt Mom bought the shirt, sliip and bra.  Yes, Mom took me bra shopping on Tues!  It was the most hellish day in my life! But it’s over with! Thank GOD! Up until now I’ve been wearning one hiding it from the parental units.  it was very hard but I lived and then I lived through the shopping although I don’t know how!

I really miss Wes! To me, Wes isn’t fictional anymore.  He’s real and he’s out there – I just need to find him!  It’s depressing!  Chow for now!  (I’m a poet + I know it) Continue Reading

Jeff said he would fax me something. He asked what he should fax me and Alexis replied, “a love letter!’ Jeff came back with “I would but now she’s got a boyfriend!”

Originally Written on April 27, 1994
Posted on by Jennifer Heller

Today was Alexis’ last day.  I never thought I’d say this but I’m really going to miss Alexis.  I hope her life is good in Arizona, I sincerely do.

Here, my life is improving.  I told Alexis about my plan about getting Jeff off my back in the beginning of block.  So we started talking about this guy I supposedly met at TNT last night.  His name is Wes and he goes to Wells.  Well, we really hit it off and at the end of the evening he asked me out.  I said that I didn’t know and now I’m, like, in love w/ him.  Jeff ate it all up!

Anyway, in block I gave Christy my phone number and Jeff wanted it, too.  So Alexis gave it to him wrong.  The last two numbers were switched.  Jeff said he would fax me something.  He asked what he should fax me and Alexis replied, “a love letter!’ Jeff came back with “I would but now she’s got a boyfriend!” Alexis totally cracked me up and told me, “I told you so!” over and over.  Then Jeff said, “I only started to yesterday!” I just sat there thinking Oh my GOD! OH MY GOD! He actually told me he liked me!   I swear JEEEEEEEEZ!

But he fell for my plan!  I’m so happy, I got him off my back.  Now he won’t ask me out!  Of course he could still like me, but he won’t show it nearly as much now!  Thank God! Now I don’t have to worry about saying no!  Thank GOD! Thank you Alexis! Now all I need to do is keep the story going!

More later! Continue Reading