Brittney Has Something To Say » blog

On weddings

Brittney — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:41:44 +0000

I’ve mentioned weddings on the blog before– they were a part of my internship this summer and my apartment certainly has no shortage of ladies already thinking about theirs. Perhaps it’s because an uncanny amount of my peers seem to be getting hitched, but I’m just gonna put it all out there when I say I’ve been thinking about weddings a lot lately. I don’t feel it’s necessary to insert the disclaimer about being only 21 and hell NO my current relationship is not anywhere near even possibly the iota of a thought near anything resembling a semi-serious event involving a clergyman, but there it is for you, just in case. It’s just that– and I realize I’m playing up gender stereotypes here– I’m a girl and dammit weddings are pretty. They’re fun to look at it, they’re fun to think about, and I know for a fact I’m not in the minority on this one. Natalie and I had a classy sushi date last week, and the subject of our respective eventual nuptials came up. From what kind of ring we want, to how we want him to propose, to who we’d have in our wedding party if we were to have a ceremony tomorrow– we’d both already both put a lot of thought into it and had some pretty entertaining thought processes leading up to our decisions.

I’ve had a Knot.com account since shortly after my freshman year of college (stop laughing. I had a job that required a ridiculous amount of free time on the computer, and you have to register if you want to see all the dresses!) This summer, it became far more legitimate for me to have had this experience since I got my place of employment to be advertised as a ceremony/reception venue. One of my roommates also has one just for fun, and she gets at least one postcard in the mail a week related to wedding photography, bands, etc. I won’t rat her out, but she knows who she is. Lately, in order to prolong the inevitable, painful post-graduation job search, I’ve found myself spending shameful amounts of time on 100 Layer Cake and Green Wedding Shoes, poring over elopement posts (the way to go) and having mini-freak outs at every single cake (the CAKES! and pies… and cupcakes.)

Don’t even get me started on following real people who are planning their weddings. A classmate of mine recently tied the knot after being engaged for what seemed like forever– you can bet I did a shameful amount of Facebook stalking throughout the ordeal (but seriously, where are her honeymoon photos?) I’ve only recently discovered people who are blogging about their wedding planning experiences, for example Mary, who’s having BBQ at her wedding (perhaps I’ll have to go un-vegetarian for my reception. There WILL be German food served.) I need to stop, or perhaps just channel my obsession into something profitable. If you’re in the wedding planning business, I certainly have a large amount of free time coming up around May.

Lots to do

Brittney — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:32:44 +0000

25 hours til I’ll be heading toward the airport for DC, and I’ve got lots on my plate. Between both jobs, some assignments due while I’m away or immediately upon my return, and an under the weather Fergs, to say I’m a bit stressed is an understatement. Obviously instead of tackling any of these head on, I’m blogging instead
Last night I finally made it to Target to professionalize my wardrobe, which I’m happy to report was a giant success. Thankfully I didn’t get too distracted by their ridiculous line-up of sweaters (gift card, anyone?) and I even sniffed out a $14.99 pencil skirt. I also found a desperately needed new pair of jeans, though as I’m wearing them they’re proving to be a bit too big. My favorite pair is from Germany, and sadly I don’t see myself returning anytime soon to stock up. (Oooh, that’s where we can go over Thanksgiving Break, Dad.)
Now if you excuse me, I need to go rip my hair literally out of my scalp over something for work. Not sure if I’ll be able to blog from DC– I should really get a smart phone– but expect a full-ish recap of the exciting, non-conferency stuff upon my return.

Blogiversary

Brittney — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:38:01 +0000

On this day, one year ago, I wrote my first post about absolutely nothing. Happy one year blogiversary to my myself! There have been 154 posts in 365 days, not too shabby considering I took a few months off to blog elsewhere about my study abroad adventures. Am I doing anything to celebrate this glorious occasion? Well it’s four-meeting Friday (it’s exactly at it sounds– even though I don’t have class on Fridays, I consistently have to be more on my game than any other day of the week) and then later I’m going to get real domestic around 713 with some bacon mac ‘n cheese for NPH and deep cleaning sparked by Bryce’s amazing job on getting the upstairs bathroom to sparkle. One of my meetings this morning was about trip to DC in six days, and it got me really excited. I’m probably more excited, however, to go shopping tomorrow for super professional clothes to wear while I’m there. I suppose you could say I celebrated this morning with a FREE bagel at Bruegger’s (the ridiculously friendly register lady hooked me up with some coupons) and Roomie Lauren said something about a pumpkin pie shake at Hamburg Inn before the weekend’s over. Ahem.

Overheard in Apt 1

Brittney — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:18:42 +0000

“Brittney, can you get married soon so I can wear this dress?”
“No. Never. Not for a very long time.”
Roomie Lauren holds up a photo of some floor-length, navy blue bridesmaids gown.
I was not a fan. “Ehhh, I look better in warm colors.”
“You’d be wearing white, you idiot. I look really good in dark blue, just saying.”
A beat later: “Ooh, ooh or do black so I can wear this one!”
Roomie Rachael then enters the room, Lauren poses the same question to her.
“Yeah, but I don’t know if I want you guys to wear long dresses.”
“Maybe I’ll just wear it for mine as a sign I’m not a classic bride.”
Now that our minds have switched to bridal mode, not a far stretch for us 20-something females, Rachael takes the time to ask us, “What are your thoughts on long bridesmaids dresses? Do you prefer long or short?”
“Short.” Lauren and I answer in unison– we’ve formed our opinions of all ceremony attire long before this night.
“I want a short wedding dress,” I inform them, just so they can be prepared for the eventual casualness of it all.
“Ooh, that could be cute.”
And this is why I love my roommates.

…please let me know how you feel about the bold/italic/regular font when involving a conversation of three. Not sure I’m feeling the bold, though it breaks up a lot of text. Ohhh, the things I give far too much thought.

I’m so proud

Brittney — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 02:30:30 +0000

Someone found my blog by Google searching “What to do when I’m surrounded by dickheads.” I love each and every one of my readers, but especially you, random person who stumbled up on my site.

Things I love

Brittney — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:02:48 +0000

Because I just got back from running five miles and am apparently delirious with endorphins, here’s a list of things I LOVE:
1. Comments. Not that you people write many of ‘em, but when I do get ones, nice ones that say “I’m reading! You’re funny! (Blush) You write better than my seven-year-old nephew!” I get all warm and fuzzy inside.
2. My new apartment. I will be posting pictures with roommate permission soon (no, not so you can know where I live then break in and kill me in my sleep– you best know I read that issue of Cosmo.) We have so much SPACE! I look around my room wondering if I should buy more things (shame on you, capitalism.) I literally have so much room for activities! In my past four or five– I move a lot– places I’ve lived, there have been multiple flights of stairs, leaving my father and other strong-armed helpers extremely agitated at my inability to use any sort of common sense when choosing places to live. Not this time; FIRST FLOOR, baby! Also, my roommates are kinda the shit, and we’ve already named our dining room (!!!) Booze-a-palooza because of the unhealthy amount of shot glasses we’ve used for decoration. In the classiest way possible, of course.
3. Running. You knew this, but here’s an update– half marathon training is going (knock on wood) really well, and I’m constantly surprising myself and getting really proud of how far I can run. Cue the Rocky music or get Oprah on the phone because I am becoming that person.
4. NPH. Only because he’s taking me for sushi today since we still haven’t gone after our foiled attempt on Memorial Day. And because he helped me move in yesterday. But those are the only two reasons.
That’s gonna be all for now. My runner’s high is crashing and I’m now ready to chew off my arm– sustenance is greatly needed. Ohhh that reminds me of another thing I’ll add to the list:
5. Restaurants with food before the food. I’m talking bread baskets, chips and salsa, peanuts, etc. If I go to a restaurant, I’m hungry. The WORST wait in the world is the one between ordering and receiving your food. Ok, maybe not the worst, but dare I say it’s comparable to the wait on Christmas morning? My stomach is audibly growling here, Server, let’s get a MOVE on putting my order in.

Mixed feelings

Brittney — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:26:45 +0000

The next season of Teen Mom on MTV starts on Tuesday. This has to be in my Top Five times I’ve ever been this excited for a television event. I’m not going to apologize for being MIA because silence is better than forced posts that are me recapping another booze-fueled weekend in Iowa City, my growing attachment to my boyfriend, owning up to the fact I’m barely running anymore, or the angst-y trials of feeling like an adult while living with the ‘rents. I could tell you about the glowing mid-season internship review I had at work, but that would just be gloating. I suppose a problem I’ve been having with blogging is that my insides are rebelling against this whole sharing-everything-with-the-Internet thing. I’m starting to become agitated with the blogs that fill my Google Reader– if I read another race recap or see another photo of a perfectly nutritionally-balanced breakfast I’m going to leave my laptop lying in an intersection. My Facebook usage has plummeted and absolutely no one on Earth has been negatively affected by this. I’ve many times contemplated deleting my Twitter account altogether, though I won Pancheros Twitter Trivia a few weeks ago and dammit those burritos are reason enough to stay activated. I actually– drumroll, please– went to the LIBRARY the other day and checked out a nonfiction book that I am LOVING. It’s called The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller and it’s quite thought-provoking (a phrase I don’t like now that I’ve used it.) Lollapalooza’s in three weekends, and I seriously need to sit down and provide instructions for NPH in the very likely event that I undergo some sort of physical bodily reaction from being in the same airspace as the Lady herself– i.e. heart attack, stroke, seizure, or just peeing my pants in public. Once the excitement of that dies down (WHO scheduled her to play Friday night– aren’t you supposed to save the best for last??) I’ll be making weird amounts of toast at Neil’s parents house because I don’t know what kind of bread they buy but DAMN it’s good. And then after that, well, summer will almost be over and I don’t really wanna think about that yet.

Hiatus

Brittney — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:00:41 +0000

Yeah, so the whole two blogs thing isn’t going to really work for me while I’m here having the time of my life in the most awesome place in the world. For the duration of my study abroad experience (I’ll be back with plenty to say in a non-German setting in May) I’ll be posting exclusively on Iowa Girls Gone Wild. Despite it’s name, it’s completely safe for work. Ya’ll tell all your friends now, ya hear?

Ch-ch-ch-chaaaanges

Brittney — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:02:31 +0000

“When are you due?”

“Excuse me?”

“Aren’t you pregnant? You must be having triplets or something, at least eight months along I’d guess.”

“Nope. Just a food baby. A pretty epic Christmas indeed.”

And THAT’S how I imagine a random conversation going in the grocery store tomorrow should I find the motivation or ability to get up from the prone position I’ve just kind of fallen into.

SO.MANY.THINGS. happened today:

1.) My father noticed the um, crack in my laptop that’s been hanging out on the right hinge of the screen for like, I don’t know… a month or so? Or three? It was way worse and I kind of just popped it back in place (yep, he’s not thrilled. I am a dumbass.) He asked what my genius self planned to do if the screen decided to just crap out on my one day, perhaps when I’m say, ohhhh THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY FROM HOME. And I said “Uhh… Internet cafe?” Wrong answer. So now I get to decide whether to take my chances with this slightly handicapped Dell OR use some of my Christmas money to buy a new one. I’m no math wizard, but the voices of reason in my life are gunning for me to get a new one to ensure (insure?) my sanity while abroad. This option does not work well with my natural frugalness (parents, do NOT laugh– just because I can spend money like a drunken sailor at a strip club doesn’t mean this is something I want to spend said money on.)

2.) That guy tried to blow up that plane while landing in Detroit. Normally, I don’t give two shits about things in the world not directly affecting me (I know, how mature of me) but this DOES alter my life, don’t you see?!?! We fly out on Tuesday for Miami and sure as shit the FAA has already been all “We’re stepping up airport securtiy” AGAIN. Even though everyone knows that if some guy on the news gets busted for sneaking bombs on in his shoes, the LAST TIME you’d want to repeat said manuever would be directly following said criminal activity. Because that’s the first place they’re gonna look. This is not rocket scientist, it is simply a childhood of a few too many Saturday morning cartoons.

3.) AND THIS IS A BIG ONE: So my friend Lauren (@laurensieben for all you Twitter freaks) was all “Yo Brittney, your blog is rad, we’re both studying abroad, let’s be rad together.” So she and I now have a NEW BLOG that is devoted to our adventures in Europe. (It is conveniently listed in the blogroll to your right!) We have a lot in common–journalism majors, severe sarcasm, the wish to one day not be stuck busing tables forever, the ability to make at least two people outside of our families chuckle with our writing. She’ll be in Spain, I’ll be in Germany. Props to Papa K for getting creative with the doman name (Iowa Girls Gone Wild…hehe– we have no moral objections to our target audience being misguided perverts) and getting it all set up.

BUT WAIT, BRITTNEY– what does that mean for this little gem of a site?!?! Never fear, you all know I’m much too self-serving to let my little Brittney Has Something To Say (dot com! T-shirts available soon!) go by the wayside. Perhaps when I’m lazy I’ll copy/paste the same post on both blogs. There will certainly not be fresh content on both every day, or even every other– I plan on actually experiencing Europe and then perhaps filling in the details for you as an afterthought. I haven’t actually thought that far ahead. My main concern at the moment is what to wear home tomorrow since I’m quite certain I didn’t pack any muumuu’s big enough to cover this post-holiday girth.

Ohhh and I forget to tell you the absolute best part of today:

4.) I’m learning how to look into the webcam while Skyping instead of using it as a mirror. Baby steps, people– baby steps.