Sometimes I like this Robert Frost guy. I've heard this quote a million times, but I really needed to hear it today.

(found via quote-book)

Greetings from the bus.

It's absolutely disgusting outside today. I had to walk up my very steep hill to the bus in the rain and then wait on the side of the highway until it arrived, and I'm quite pleased to say it actually arrived on time today. Even though my iPod is broken, and that is usually my glued to my ears during my commute to class, I tried to make the best of the situation by putting on my raincoat, pulling on my rainboots, bringing my umbrella, and carrying a cup of coffee in my hand. It was a lot of juggling, but the only way I would survive without ending up in a cranky mood.
After the walk, I discovered I was ten minutes early to my bus stop, so I stood and watched the cars go by, as I do every time I take this particular commute.

Before my iPod broke, I was listening to The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle audiobook, and one concept in particular so far has resonated with me. He says the best way to release tension and anxiety is to treat the present with as much care as you treat your future. He doesn't say it in those words exactly, but he says by practicing mindfulness, you can turn everyday things into a meditation. Without even trying, I began thinking about these things quite often.

My wait for the bus has become a sort of meditation. I try to only think about what's going on at that moment in time. Today it was the sound of cars and trucks whizzing by on wet pavement, the chill, damp air, and how refreshing it was to simply feel that air on my face and not be annoyed about the fact that it is rainy and wet outside today, and that I had to walk through it. Once I sit on the bus, I usually will listen to music, or not, and simply watch the cars and very hideous new jersey scenery go by. I would prefer to be looking at an ocean or snow capped mountains, but I take what I can get.

Waiting for the bus today, it occured to me that the exact situation I was in at that very moment was something that would be very effective in some sort of indie movie. In my black raincoat and black rainboots and breathing out clouds into the cold air, this sort of bleak scenery with the protagonist lost in thought is not uncommon in those films. The one exception, I thought, is that it was not a cigarette I was holding, but a cup of coffee. My drug of choice. I definitely laughed to myself about this. I tend to talk out loud to myself quite a lot, too. I'm told its relatively normal.

This is all well and good, but holy moly I am dying for some sunshine and warmer temperatures.

(photo via weheartit)

The Last Dining Room Day!

Well this is it, the last day before classes are done for the semester. I have spent many, many hours, sitting in this same spot in the dining room. I can't get any work done in my room. Even so, notice how much more I post during finals season. Because I feel guilty leaving my computer for too long a period of time lately, I have found other ways to occupy my time whilst using the computer. I have found Photo booth and Blogger to be amongst my favorites. Online Christmas shopping is pretty entertaining, too. And tumblr.

Anyway, I woke up at 5:30 today, I guess because I was so anxious to get my last final started and finished. That's right, I have ten pages to write today. I can do it, I've done my research. Also, I don't have a choice. It's now 7:15, and so far I've chosen to spend my time taking pictures of my bedhead hair on photo booth and helping mom load CD's into her itunes library. After this, no more excuses, except, I have to eat breakfast of course.

Here are a few awful pictures of me for your entertainment. I hadn't seen Melina for a long time so she came over last night and helped me study. Right.

Hot Cocoa Pt. II

Next time I drink hot cocoa, i hope its out of one of these.
Who can help me translate this website so I can order one??

Hot Cocoa

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that hot chocolate can fix anything.
What it can't do, however, is write my final exams for me. Guess I'll have to do that on my own.
Oh well. Maybe someday.
What I really want to know is when we'll get some swiss miss in this house that isn't diet or sugar free... Mom?

What It's About

The last couple weeks have been crazy. Lots of ups and downs, lots of firsts, lots of new things, and lots of old things resurfacing. I must remember, though, this is what I signed up for. And if I thought that I was going to just cruise my way through this and have everything come naturally, then there would be no point to all of this. But I actually am really really happy with things for the first time in a long time. And even if things happen and I can't be perfect at them, I still feel like I'm doing what I should be. So that's good. That's great.

I've come to conclusion that I put a lot of pressure on myself. Way too much. And I freak out leading up to everything, and then after it happens I think, "now why did I make such a big deal out of that?" Because in the grand scheme of things, this is what life is about. The bumps in the road. When I'm old, and my memory is even worse than it is now, I won't remember the days that ran smoothly. I'll be more likely to remember the big picture. So right now I'm in the process of learning to chill out and laugh a lot of things off. In this life I am planning for myself that is going to be a very important thing to be able to do. I know I am going into this field because I want to help others, but as they keep telling us, you must be able to take care of yourself, too! If you don't, then you are in no position to help anyone else. So, I'm working on that. Being less hard on myself.

September

So August kinda flew by, huh?

It was a very difficult month for me, so my apologies for not posting, like, at all, the past couple of weeks. I just haven't had the mental capacity to think about ideas for posts besides my quotes of the week.
I'd say things are about to get better, but...
it's about to get really crazy around here.

Tomorrow is my first day of classes.
Monday is my first day of field placement.
I am SO excited, but so much so that I haven't been sleeping well (hence the difficult month I've had).
My life is about to completely change and I think my body is reacting in the only way it knows it will truly get to me.
The good thing about it is that its forcing me to take much better care of myself than usual.
I am sure that once the scary first days are over and I settle into a routine that I will be feeling much better. But then I am not sure I will have much time for posting. Or you never know, I might post more, because this blog has proved to be an excellent procrastination tool.

I had orientation last week, and I learned a lot about the program and I think it's going to be really great. I definitely made the right choice by picking NYU. It's in my favorite part of the city, and I am so happy I can actually go there. Walking around, it occurred to me, that even though I am going to be so busy, I am going to have a great time. And my placement is only ten minutes from home, which is more than I can say for a lot of the other students I met at orientation!
So even though I have to travel to the city two days a week for classes, at least the other three I only have a quick drive.
I'm a lucky girl.

Anyway, right now I should actually be doing homework (eeeek!) so I just wanted to drop in and tell you what's going on.
Or I guess to tell you I don't really know what's going on?

Learning to Relax

The journey to relaxation is a difficult one. I have come to learn that I am not good at relaxing. This can actually be a blessing in disguise. But once in a while, when I have a little too much time, when I have a short list of obligations, I actually start to go a little crazy. Sometimes I daydream about living on an island somewhere, or in the mountains, just spending days left to my own devices- spending time creating, reading, cooking, relaxing. I think how nice that would be.

But then I realize that I would quickly go insane. I need assignments, I need obligations, I need to be needed. I need to have chores, errands, homework, conflicts. Or else I can get cranky. Sure, I can spend a few days just reading what I want to read, sleeping in, being lazy, doing inconsequential things. But as I'm doing these things, there's always a little part of me that's worried about what I am going to do next. God forbid I run out of things to do!

At this point in the summer I'm in limbo. I've had a great summer and I've kept myself relatively busy most of the time with fun things and some work. But now I'm only a couple of weeks away from school and I'm anticipating a time that I am going to be so busy, and life is going to change as I know it now. I'm looking forward to it. But at the same time, I'm looking forward to it, and in the meantime I am a little panicked about the lack of activity in my life at present. It's just a tiny lull, but my mind is humming with activity, a little nervousness, and a lot of excitement. This combination can be a little bit crappy.

It's okay though. I am coming to grips with the fact that I will have tons to do in a few weeks, but there's not much I can really do about it right now. In the meantime, I am doing what I can to burn off my excess energy- working out, and reading A LOT, and generally keeping busy in the silly little ways that I can. I am trying to enjoy it, because I know I'll be missing it soon enough.

Neglectful

Sorry I've just been so busy lately that I haven't had time to even think about something interesting I could write about. In all honesty, my life is not that exciting at the moment anyways. But this week is the last week of classes, then I have a couple final assignments to do, and then 3 weeks from today is graduation!

Here's a list of some of the things I've been doing while I've been absent:
1. trying to be healthier, which includes
a. cooking my own food (I'll admit, I could have posted those recipes here because they were quite successful).
b. exercising a lot more (yoga and running). I am dabbling with the idea of training for a half marathon, which would be a challenge for me so we'll see.

2. Drawing lots of lifesize dinosaurs. My final review for drawing class is on Tuesday night, and I have to have ten drawings, 3 of which are lifesize drawings of my dinosaurs (my height, about 5'4).
That will take a huge weight off my shoulders because drawing class has been very time consuming, far more than my other classes.

3. Lots of reading and writing, but none of it for pleasure, except for the other day when I read part of a SHAPE magazine.

4. Trying to catch up on sleep and failing miserably, except for today when I got to sleep 12 hours!

5. Trying to spend as much time outside as possible before the allergy attacks begin.

6. Spending some quality time with my friends before I return to New Jersey indefinitely.

7. Tying up loose ends of all sorts, such as packing, doing some of the things I haven't had an opportunity to do during my time here (more on that later), or running errands like picking up my cap and gown ($75 for something I will only wear once! Ridiculous.), etc.


In regards to #1, my sister is a dietetics grad student at NYU right now, and she is having me write down everything that I eat for her and is helping me to fix my habits. She has a great blog that I would suggest you all check out:
http://keepingitrealfood.wordpress.com/
She is much more consistent with her postings than I am, and I have learned a lot from it!
This is a picture of us. C'est cute.

Lazy?

I could say that I'm lazy right now.

That's how I feel.
But I think maybe this is how people feel when they don't have homework to do and nowhere to go, and it's a Wednesday night.
I showed up to yoga class this evening, but no one else did!
So my attempt at being active backfired, and I will perhaps have to resort to doing yoga in my room.
I hate feeling bored, because it's so preventable. But I'm tired, man.
And I had a large Indian dinner.

(This cute picture is from mukul.soman's photostream)

Creepy Flying Buzzing Crawlies

This warmer weather is such a tease.

Yesterday I sat on my back porch and just felt the sun on my face and listened to the sounds of my neighborhood and allowed the vitamin D to perk me out of my winter coma.

Even when there's no sun, I take a vitamin D supplement every day, because I will get noticeably more depressed in the winter if I fail to do so.

However, there is absolutely no substitute for being outside, and yesterday felt amazing.

My dad and I also took the dogs for a brief walk which was good for all of us.

However, with springtime comes the opening of french doors, and creepy flying buzzing crawlies decide to make my house their home. And they like the smell of my leftover pasta from Maggianos. And I have a very inconvenient phobia. So, when I had my first intruder of the season last night, I left the ravioli on the counter and left the house. And then my dog got to eat the ravioli, not me.

Anyway, what I guess I'm getting at is, though I hate insects, the warm weather is completely worth it. It protects my health, my happiness, and my sanity. So if someone told me to pick between winter with no bugs and summer with bugs, I'd pick summer every single time. So I really need to get over this dumb little hang up and be able to enjoy my ravioli. and my favorite time of the year.

But I won't get too excited about springtime just yet. After all, on April 1st last year we had a snowstorm in Boston. The trick is to never get too comfortable with a weather pattern, but hopefully we'll have some really warm weather days in between the anticipated random snowy ones. You gotta take what you can get.

(photo via thingssheloves.tumblr.com)

Good Morning!

Good morning, friends!

I don't really have much of anything to say right now, but I wanted to check in and say something, because though I've been checking on your posts regularly, I've been so busy I've been at a loss of things to write about.

I just wanted to let you guys know all of my classes are great so far, but since I am taking a drawing class and a writing class and two other interesting classes, my brain is fried most of the time! But I am sure that I will get back in the groove soon. This is the first semester that I've truly fully enjoyed (as of now). I like all of my classes.

It's also gotten to the point where I am dying for some warm weather.

I just found out my parents rented a 3 bedroom apartment in Florence for a week in June, and I am so excited! When I see pictures I will be posting them to show you guys! I can't wait to go there and explore and eat and take pictures.

But for now, I'm in Boston, and it's January, and it's flipping freezing.

We'll get through.

(photo via girlinlondon.tumblr.com)

Homework Season

Well, the time has come yet again to start doing homework.

My schedule this semester is quite unique, so I expect to work hard but also have fun!

Here's what I am taking:

Women, Race, and Gender in the Media: The title is pretty self explanatory. It has a similar format to an English class but it seems much more casual in the whole atmosphere of discussion. The class is all women, so we can pretty much talk about whatever we want! In the first day, we already talked about waxing. There seems to be a hell of a lot of room for creativity in the assignments, which I'm pretty excited about.

The American Revolution and Its Afterlives: This is a senior seminar, and fulfilling my last English requirement. The material is not the most current or exciting, but my professor seems very clear on that and he has already shown us some very humorous, yet relevant contemporary connections to the material. All in all, I was a bit worried I wasn't going to like it, but it actually looks like its going to be a class I look forward to going to!

Introduction to Drawing: Another hilarious professor who said on the first day, "We aren't going to get stoned, look at naked people, and have a bunch of feelings." It seems like its going to be very rigorous- 6 hours a week of line drawing and at least 3 outside of class, but he guaranteed that we will all be better drawers once we leave. I'm excited to work hard on something that I find enjoyable.

Creative Writing: I haven't been in this class yet, but we already have an assignment to write a few poems for the first day of class. I really look forward to having a reason/opportunity to write creatively. I used to write things all the time, but then I ran out of time, since my classes have consistently demanded me to churn out paper after paper each semester of literary analysis. It fries the brain. I'm actually a little nervous, because I have been writing essays for so long I hope I can break out of that pattern to do something more interesting.

Anyway, you'll definitely hear more about this. And when I have some interesting drawings/ writing to show you I will post it and you can all witness my progress. However, if I keep sleeping in this late I'm never gonna do well! I don't EVER sleep till noon so I don't even know what to do with myself. Do I eat breakfast?

The Countdown...

Well, its almost time to go back to school for my LAST SEMESTER AT BU!

I can't even tell you how thrilled I am to finish my undergrad and move onto bigger and better things. Though I have learned so much from my experience there, it hasn't been the easiest time in my life. Good or bad, I've learned a lot, and at this point I think I've learned the bulk of what I am going to. I could be wrong. but, now that I am 100% sure of what I want to do after BU, I am just excited to get to it!

Yesterday, I went to an information session at Columbia University School of Social Work.

Going there, hearing about the program, asking questions... after it all I felt this overwhelming sense of relief. I thought to myself, "I am making the right decision."

Finally, some direction! Even if I don't get into Columbia, just knowing what path I want to pursue and being so positive about it... it feels amazing.

It's weird, on the inside I feel like I am done with undergrad. I keep forgetting that I have 16 more credits to fulfill before I can even be considered for grad school. So in the few days I have left before heading back to Boston, I have so much left to do:

1. Finish my applications. I have already submit my applications to NYU, Sarah Lawrence, and Fordham. I have to finish my Columbia application, which is a little more specialized, and also complete my application for CUNY Hunter.

2. Clean out my room. I am getting it repainted and refurnished for when I move back home. New start, new room, new productivity. Right now, as you've seen in previous posts, my room is a dark teal color. I am going to paint it a light yellow color.

3. Pack my things. I feel like this break went way too fast, so I am totally not in the mindset of gathering my belongings, saying my goodbyes, and driving back up to school. This break, this past semester, these past few years, they have really flown by.

I know that a lot of people say, "People never change."

Though people may never change, they certainly do learn, and I have learned so much. Mostly about myself and the world and how life really works. Though I haven't been completely thrilled with my experience at BU, I am afraid to think about what things I wouldn't have learned if I had chosen a different school, made different choices, etc. Weird to think about, isn't it?

(photo via tumblr.com)

So This is the New Year...

So this is the new year,

and I don't feel any different.

For some reason, these lines from one of my favorite Death Cab for Cutie songs come to mind, as it has for the past few years.

But for once, I want it to feel different.

Yesterday morning, New Years Eve morning, I woke up with a terrible feeling in my stomach. Turns out I had some sort of bug. I also ended up not having any plans, so as a result I hid out in my room and fell asleep before the stroke of midnight.

Though it was a little depressing to be stuck in bed on New Years Eve, it occurred to me that this time last year, I probably would have forced myself to go out and do something, just for the sake of being able to say that I did.

So, through all the difficulties, loneliness, and stress of this year, I have learned that simply being comfortable enough to say, "You know what, I'm going to stay in. I don't feel good," is something good that came out of this year.

I went through a lot of experiences that forced me to grow up in 2009 (some bad- a nasty breakup, some good- six weeks on my own in London), and though I didn't end 2009 on the most positive of notes, I can definitely say that I truly feel things will only get better in 2010. After all, I've got goals, I've got personal strength, I've got some wonderful friends and family, and I've gotten through some trying times a little worse for wear, but I'm still pushing through. I've got perseverance, and as long as I've got that, I've got nothing to worry about. I'm so proud of myself for staying true to who I am through most of this year, especially recently.

I don't want to be naive and say that 2010 will be the best year of my life, because it might not be, and why pressure myself to end up disappointed at the end? Chances are, some really great things will happen, and some really hard things will happen. Either way, things will change, I will grow even more (hopefully just mentally and not physically!), and I will be in an entirely different place in my life by 12/31/10. So much can happen in a year, and it's always the things that you don't plan on happening to you that end up being the most influential. That is also something I've learned. For all challenges I've been through in 2009, many of them have been unanticipated. Little things turned out to be big things. People I thought would be there for me ended up letting me down, and people I thought I would lose touch with ended up becoming the dearest of friends. Funny how that goes.

This year, I think, will be a year of big changes.

I'm graduating from Boston University in May.

I'm moving back home.

I am (hopefully) going to make it into grad school for Social Work in the New York City area.

Then I will be moving into said city eventually.

I have one more semester to go, and then its time to start a whole new phase of my life that will be completely different.

And I am SO ready for a new scene.

Bring it on 2010!

(bedazzled oven mit?)

Christmas is over :(

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Santa brought me a cold, so I've spent a lot of time relaxing and watching movies. I guess it's better to be sick now then at a time where I don't have time to rest and need to get lots done. Besides the fact that I have the sniffles, Christmas was really nice this year. No drama, lots and lots of good food, and some excellent presents. It's really just so amazing to have time to relax for once! I am also getting very excited to graduate and start making plans for the future! While I am home I am going to start re-doing my room (ex. picking paint colors, getting new furniture, etc.) for when I move back in. I don't know how long I will be moving back in for but I figure it's about time, and my parents will have an easier time selling the house once my room isn't a bright teal color anymore.

Now that Christmas is over, I have a lot to get done before returning to school! For example, I HAVE to finish my grad school apps. There are also a few people that I want to get together and catch up with. And also I want to make a lot of progress on my room! I am really excited for the new year, because I always consider it to be a fresh start. This year, I'm really going to pay attention. It's amazing to see the sort of things that can happen in one year's time. 2009 was not really the best year in a lot of ways, but one thing it has awarded me is a better knowledge of myself. I really think I am starting to know who I am, and what direction I am headed in more than ever before. I know there is a lot I have to learn, but I am getting a better idea of what I want out of life.

The pretty winter sun!

Me with the cam

My dad with our dog, Mickey

My cousin Dan and his wife, Kim, with my Grandpa Jim

me and my family by the tree in Rockefeller Center

My pup, Janey, in the kitchen

Our tree

A Different Kind of Busy

Hello everyone! I hope you are all getting ready to eat, drink, and be merry tomorrow and Friday! Since I've gotten home, my life has pretty much been one whole Christmas celebration, and I certainly have no complaints about that. Needless to say, I have been very busy, and I will most likely continue to be that way for the next few days, but I'll tell you the sorts of things I have been doing so far.

Friday: Took my last final (grades are pretty good this semester) and drove home and stopped for some Christmas shopping. I was quite tired, so I relaxed a bit, waited for my mom to get home, and then the two of us went out to dinner and watched Julie and Julia and waited for my dad to get home from his business trip.

Saturday: Unpacked all of my stuff, relaxed, etc, then went to my friends house for some drinks. Then I slept at Melina's because she lives nearby and went home the next morning.

Sunday: Went to my aunt's house to spend time with my family that would not be making it to Christmas Eve this year. We spent quite some time eating, laughing, and hanging out. Then we came home, decorated the tree, and had some dinner.

Monday: Got some Christmas shopping done, worked out (kinda) and watched my cousin for a little. Then some of my other family came over for dinner and we hung out till it was my bedtime.

Tuesday: Wrapped presents for my aunt, as it has sort of become an annual tradition and a good way for Mel and I to make money for last minute Christmas gifts. Then came back here, watched Julie and Julia yet again, and then got ready to go out. Went to Michelle's house to do Secret Santa with the girls. Then we all stopped at my friend Kyle's because he was having a little Christmas party, and then went to our friend Pat's to see the boys. From there we all went to the diner, ordered gravy and mozzarella cheese fries (New Jersey thing) and that brought me to about 3:30 in the morning.

Wednesday: Now I am up. And tired, and apparently a bit congested. I think it's a combination of allergies, staying up late, and just plain old being run down. Even so, today is going to be a big day! Me and the fam are going to Les Halles, Anthony Bourdain's french restaurant in NYC, and then to the MoMa to see the Tim Burton exhibit I posted about before, and then hopefully to see the tree! There will be pictures.

These pictures I have put up are from decorating the tree. we had a little fun with some net lights and I only had my iphone handy so apologies for the poor camera quality.

mom

jess and chris

chris

jess

me with no eyes! ( i was told this photo is frightening, my apologies.)

Oh Hello, December!

December, I can not believe that you are already here.
Of course, I am always happy to see you.
And here's why:

Christmas!
Hot Chocolate
The first snow
Fireplaces
Reindeer (and regular deer)
ear muffs
crocheted hats
warm blankets
snuggling!
The end of the semester
Christmas music
Wintery music (not the same as Christmas music)
the 25 days of Christmas on ABC family
having a legitimate excuse to watch Elf over and over again
quoting Elf
watching other holiday movies, such as "The Family Stone"
Christmas time in the city! (New York City, that is.)
decorating the tree
Christmas cookies!
Gingerbread and Eggnog Lattes

Well, I hope that list got you excited.

ps. I am apologizing in advance for my even larger lack of updates coming up. It's finals season here at Boston University, and I intentionally did not add this to the list.

pps. if you're struggling to find me a christmas gift, you really can't go wrong with a large coffee mug

A Little Holiday Update

"I'm coming home from my hardest year, I'm making plans not to make plans while I'm here."

This week has still been crazy, albeit for different reasons.
I came down to New Jersey on Sunday, went back up on Wednesday, had Thanksgiving up there on Thursday, and then drove back down here yesterday morning, and then I'll be driving back up to Boston on Monday.
Though the point of it has been to get home more to relax, it's been relatively contradictory.
I absolutely love it here, but sometimes it feels different than others.
Other than completing some assignments, including the one I just remembered that was due on Tuesday ( I usually never forget!), I am going to take it easy.
It's gotten to the point where I find many of my assignments, and the process of doing homework, to be pretty therapeutic. That is, if I invest an interest in what I am doing, be it a Flash project or a research paper.

I didn't have my computer with me when I was in Boston for the holiday, but here's a little list of things I am thankful for the make up for it:

1. My mind- Though I've always known how to use it, I love noticing how my articulation changes and my growing ability to form solid opinions on so many things. I am amazed every day by the mind's capabilities. Learning keeps me sane.

2. My body- I am healthy (knock on wood), I can run, I can jump, I can walk. I'm breathing. I have all my hair, fingers, toes, and appendages. That's something people take for granted all too often. People forget how lucky they are not to be limited by their own bodies, and how amazing it is to simply be alive.

3. My family- We drive each other crazy, but we could be a lot worse off. Some people don't even talk to their family members, some people don't have any family members. I do, and I'm very thankful for that.


I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

(photo via tumblr)

New Jersey

This week, I am home in New Jersey.
When I come home, I always watch all the of the Anthony Bourdain No Reservations episodes that my family keeps on Tivo- something wonderful that I do not have in my apartment in Boston. Coincidentally, I watched an episode about New Jersey. Anthony Bourdain is from Leonia, New Jersey. Though Leonia is in the same county as my town, it is a place I don't venture to often, and Bourdain's take on New Jersey really proves to me how different everyone's experience of New Jersey can be. Leonia is not much like the little town I grew up in. He addresses the stereotypes, all of which are somewhat true, but most of which that don't apply to my own general experience. When I drive around, I rarely see chemical waste plants, unless I am on my way into New York City or down to the shore. He mentions everyone's fascination with the Soprano's, and the fact that you judge the quality of the New Jersey business based on whether or not there's a signed Soprano's photo on the wall. Though the Soprano's also took place in my county, it still seems so different. Yes, maybe I used to be great friends with the daughter of the owner of "Satin Dolls" strip club, but that was never really a huge part of my life.
To me, New Jersey is home. It's my family and my friends. It's having all four seasons at their finest. It's beautiful, it's about pride, it's about balancing between being a native and a tourist in New York City. It's about driving around on weekend nights with your friends and stopping into a diner at 2 am for gravy and mozzarella fries. Its... a lot like Anthony Bourdain's experience, now that I really think about it. And maybe I see that one of the Soprano's cast members has been to the same pizza place, and maybe I know that Reverend Run is a lousy tipper and uses the same car wash as me, but none of that really makes any difference. I love this place, and I've never seen a single episode of the Sopranos.