I’ve alluded to this sad, sad addiction previously, but I feel now is the time to do some full disclosure on the blog: I watch Jersey Shore. I love it. I look forward to Thursdays (and not just because it’s the start of my weekend.) This was never supposed to happen. During the first season, I only had peripheral knowledge of this cast of ridiculous guidos and had never seen an episode. Then, right before the second season premiere, there was a Jersey Shore marathon on MTV and a hangover with no cure except mind-numbing pseudo-realistic TV. I blame NPH– he seemed to have an encyclopedic knowledge of Snooki and Pauly D’s shenanigans, was able to catch me up to speed on all the Sammi/Ronnie drama. Suddenly I was doing the Pauly D Point whenever that damn new Enrique Iglesias song came on (for those of you who don’t know, the video for said extremely catchy ditty is just the cast of the show dancing at an Enrique concert. Pauly D’s only dance move seems to be pointing at the crowd in tandem with the beat, my hypothesis being the more girls he points at, the more likely they will be to “smoosh” with him after the show.) I have conversations about these people with friends, and predict that Snooki Snickers will be this year’s Lady Gaga or Kate Gosselin of Halloween costumes. Do I have my favorites on the show? You bet I do. J-Woww serves no purpose for me, and I’ve come this close to shutting off an episode of Sammi’s ridiculous childlike attitude when it comes to the ol’ Ron-Ron. Snooki’s where it’s at, and not just because she and I are kindred spirits when it comes to all things pickles. The Situation used to annoy the shit outta me, but basically I would choose any guy in the house to hang out with over Ronnie. (Is she still blogging about the Jersey Shore? Well you’re still reading it.) If I could recommend the Rolling Stone issue with Leo DiCaprio on the cover, there’s an article about the show that’s well-written, funny, and gives surprising facts about the cast members pre-MTV fame. My roommate Lauren actually just expressed outloud, “I love these people so much.” (Yes, we’re watching reruns before the new episode tonight.) And I do, too. I don’t know why. I feel like an idiot, but the show (as Marc Jacobs, yes THAT Marc Jacobs said in a recent issue of InStyle) is a good brain vacation. One day they’ll all end up on Where Are They Now or surrounded by their bevies of Italian grandchildren (“THEY’RE NOT ITALIAN.” Yes, citizens of New Jersey, I’ve heard you. Humor us, please.) But until then, long live the Jersey Shore. God bless this Guido Juiceheads, protect them from the diseases that must be floating around in the Smoosh Room, and please, please give Sammi a backbone because this fake Ronnie drama has GOT to stop.

Today I learned an important lesson: do not buy the cheapest thing on Amazon. It will come with poorly translated directions and generally frustrate the hell out of your already exhausted self who only needs this music player to get her through her very early run tomorrow morning. Yes, I’m officially on a training plan for the half marathon and it feels AMAZING and I have renewed faith in both the heavens and my shoddy left knee. While I’ve been suffering through with just my thoughts (RIP iPod, you went above and beyond the many years I asked of you) now that I’m going 5+ miles, some heavy dance beats do wonders for my morale. In Iowa City this weekend I did my first “long” run with the help of NPH’s iPod (which he gave me, then TOOK BACK when his newer one broke. Goddamn Indian Giver. Is that a racist term? If it is, I apologize. That’s just literally the only term I know for someone who gives you something then takes it back. Other than Giant Butthead.) I move into my apartment THIS WEEKEND and am beyond excited to have my name on an apartment in IC again after eight months of separation and/or couch-surfing at 713. I’m also looking forward to resuming a somewhat normal blogging schedule since perhaps life around my peers will inspire me more than life working for the man (albeit a very fun, exciting “Man” who has been an amazing experience) does. Back to individually converting MP4 files to MP3 to go on this new piece of shit contraption even though I’m sure there’s ten other easier ways to do this AND I should be in bed if not staying up to watch the season two premiere of Jersey Shore. How I got into this show (just recently! Over the weekend!) is a tale for another post. Or maybe never because I’m very, very ashamed I know what “GTL” stands for.

WHYYYYYY, Cruel World, did I wake up at 6:15 this morning?!?!  It’s certainly not that I went to bed at any decent hour (second 21st bday celebration of the week was a success…)

An example of the power of Twitter: last night at work I was about to pass out with tiredness, so tweeted from my phone “Someone bring me coffee at work, I’m fading fast.”  Not too long after, @codyhromidko brought me a double vanilla latte from his place of employment.  I love him.  You should love him.

Roomie’s alarm just went off at 8 am.  On a Sunday.  Roomie, you are crazy.

After the game yesterday, some Web site said something about the Hawkeyes having a chance at the “Rose Bowl and beyond.”  What is beyond the Rose Bowl??  And I will eat my hat, nay, I will eat ten hats LITERALLY PUT TEN HATS IN MY MOUTH, CHEW & SWALLOW THEM if the Iowa Hawkeyes make it to the Rose Bowl this year.  It just ain’t happenin’.

I think my eyes are bleeding.  Sleep needs to return to me like now.  On one hand, I’ve never done a Powerpoint presentation before 7 am before, but I can check that one off my bucket list.  On the other hand, the amount of extreme bitchiness that I will rise to before this day is over if I don’t get more sleep is quite dangerous.

THERE ARE PEOPLE SHOUTING OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW.  Children… squealing.  This is my nightmare.

Update: Engaged & Underaged is on.  Suddenly being awake is so worth it.  There’s nothing I love more than watching my peers ruin their lives on situational reality television.