Preppy is the New Hipster

Apparently. There are loads of people in here. Using the internet. Writing emails, checking on directions, looking at maps. Its crazy. I mean does Apple even care? I don't think so. People around me are talking about how odd it is. There is something oddly satisfying about writing a post from an apple store. Its crazy in here. 

It's weird. I don't know. Its almost like just did a whole eight ball, or I'm just about to have a panic attack. Which come to think of it are pretty much the same thing.

I think I'm happy?

Also a boy just offered to pay for my visa, which is so damn flattering.

So yeah. I just bought a plane ticket to come back to the states on October 5th, which is like a week from right now. I'm so excited. Nothing went particularly wrong I was just un-motivated by the job search/visa situation here, and London is far to expensivo to be un-motivated in. Also, I have this perverse obcession with disaster. Like on 9/11 I really wanted to come back to the east coast, and now with the financial crisis I find myself really wanting to come back to the states. Weird, maybe i think i can help or something.

Honestly, though think of all the hot bankers on the rebound. How could a girl pass that up?

Also, I'm sick of living like a nomad, and not being able to afford a proper gym, and not having clothes dryers, and not having good access too healthy food and salads all the time.

Not sure what city I'm going to land in, but there will be a period of regrouping in Somers for sure.

Also, I miss having friends that can keep up with me. Lots of good stuff. I wish my beach house was more central I would throw a big weekend party. It would be rad, and there would be lots of daring to go jump in the water at midnight and stuff even though it would be really cold.

I get such tunnel vision. A picture of him popped up on my facebook today, and goodness, I must have been wearing bloody mary sunglasses. I think I may have written this exact same post before. Ha. I need new material, clearly.

AJ has this policy (which he sometimes claims is not true, but duh it totally is) that he doesnt interact with unattractive people. I think this is really the best way to go. I'm sick of unattractive people. they are insecure and have way more, or just less interesting, issues than attractive people.

Sometimes when I think about about the gareths, the david pratts and the hot guy I saw on the valporetti that turned out to be a 50 year old retarded person, I like to think about Adam Swain, Mike Clifford and RSK. Those dudes were all total babes. Like in the way that other girls would hit on them even if I was there. That just feels good.

Who else were the ugly ones? Any ideas? I can't remember.

Also. I'm really, not into Australians. I think we can all agree on the fact they are a little bit slutty and too fun loving. They are pseudo-cali style, but without the cali-cool(oh!). Anyway. There are two australians staying at my house right now. They are the kind of people that are totally clean, but never really look it. I don't know if that makes any sence. Perhaps it is a lack of dental flossing?

And, the acents really put me off. I don't know. This city is swarming with them, and their rip curl board shorts and their braided braclets, and their insistent eye-fucking. eh. so over it.

So like nearly 4 or 5 times a day, I have this feeling thought that google mail must be messed up or something because I have not heard back from this person or another. Its terrible, and I think it is a clear sign that I am loosing it, or them rather, my marbles.

So like I am supposed to be writing (actually I'm supposed to be at the editing stage) for my Newsbrief article. Admittedly my mind has been distracted by other things, like housing, going to lectures, applying for jobs I don't want and making an omelet for lunch. eggs, courgette, spinach, red onion and a little pesto, yum. Recently, pretty much as of this morning, I have been directing my attention to other things, such as the economy. I'm a bit f-ing scared to be honest. I mean like, how is this going to affect me, the quasi-expat seeking employment, with a small credit card bill I have to pay off? Seriously, if someone could tell me, it would be amazing.

I know tweaks would be able to explain it to me, but I'm pretty sure after sunday night shananigans, which I cant recall the details of, she isn't talking to me. Anyone else?

Also like what would kj have to say about this. Caveat-I need a haircut. And after reading this article, I want a new tattoo asap.

Halp. Please. Drowning in a sea of distractions.

'Tom, all kidding aside, is that there is a partisanship that has paralyzed our country. Both parties have redistricted themselves such that they don't have to worry about a challenge across the aisle, but they have to have--they worry about a challenge from their flanks, so the conservatives are less willing to move to the middle, and the liberals are less willing to move to the middle, and we've got to get over that, and we've got to understand that we're all in this together. Unless we have bipartisan legislation and bipartisan governing at the federal, state, and city level, we're just going to have one problem after another, and the future's not as bright as I think it should be for America.'-MB on Meet the Press.

I would totally be his vice president. I like to sleep with dems and republicans. That is what I call bi-partisan.

On a side note. There is a hot Irish 19 year old cooking in my kitchen and making weird noises. Its very distracting.

I think I found a new flat. I will hear back today from the guy Jeremiah if I am the selected occupant. I think I will be. I was being charming, but not flirtacious. So that kind of a thing usually works for me. The dude seems really cool. The house is homey, and the price is right. The location is okay. Short bus ride to Islington, walk to borough market, near a co-op, and next to a big park. Also completing things is really good for my mental health right now. You know, in the same way that I felt gratified about helping Steuart out with his painting last week, is the way I will feel if I can complete this process. I don't really want to keep looking for more places. So this works for me.

Now to find a job! Ta-da! I don't think the Jackson Hole thing worked out, I haven't heard back from this Matthew Taylor fellow. Its okay. I was looking for an adventure and I thought that might have been it. Getting down to my pioneering american roots, but not this time. Hmm. Its cool. I'm feeling good today and writing my article which is mildly fascinating. yeah!

What do you think about women in American politics, or the armed services? I'm not really sure. There seems to be an upswinging trend, or am I just being blinded by Sarah Palin's holier than thou smile? Or perhaps it is the nausea induced by the Hillary-Pant suit that is causing me to make rash judgments. Either way, I am interested to hear what people have to say about this. Mostly because I think all 8 of my readers are bright and shining individuals, but also because I have to write an article on it, by the end of the week.

Also, I was going to volunteer for the Obama campaign and stuff over here, and I even went to a few things, but then I realized that I don't really like politically actively democrats. Sorry, I don't not like them all. In fact I know a few that I like quite a lot, but as a group they made me want to slit my wrists, which admittedly doesn't take much.

So after a good long week of feeling sorry for myself. I capped it all off with a boozey afternoon-turn-evening and then came home and passive-aggressively tried to pick a fight with Tweaks. It wasn't nice of me at all. Oh well, its a new day, its gray outside, and I just found a whole bunch of jobs i want to apply for.

Yesterday afternoon was quite fun. Went to a law society rugby match. Basically I think I now know the sensation of how guys feel at strip clubs, except that I wanted about six of them to be my boyfriends. I did have a proud moment yesterday in my cheap red wine-induced haze. One-I was able to pick a sleezey guy from across the field. I spotted this kind of hot guy in a pink shirt with a near forest hanging out of his shirt. He was hot, after consultation with his co-worker I found out that he was the firm sloot. Clearly, I have a preference for guys that dont treat women well, and I can spot it from afar.

Also is acerbic in anyway endearing? I was called it twice last week, by two different people.

So recently, I have been on an iceberg lettuce kick. Ultimately, I am totally embarrassed about this. It seems so non-progressive to be really into iceberg. But, I can't seem to resist the crunchy watery goodness. I have been eating it with onions, and red wine vinegar. Something must be wrong with me, maybe its a low-grade uti? On a related note, I think I have a low grade uti. I feel like I have to pee ALL the time. I mean even more than usual, which for me is a lot. I'm choking down cranberry juice which gives my mouth a dry pucker, reminiscent another crevice on my body.

I think I'm going to blame this whole iceberg thing on 'Tweaks' bc last time I was in DC, she made this really good iceberg salad. We ate it with hotdogs. haha. fancy pants. once she gets into business school its going to be all mixed greens, and filet minions(sp?).

Arg, and now I have to go to an interview for a volunteer position that I really don't want, but since I flaked out on my other commitment of the week, I figure I should go.

Also, I applied for a job in Jackson Wyoming for a Christian neo-con hedgefund manager. Weird I know.

My friend, Steu and I haven't had the chance to catch up recently, based on busy schedules and my total laziness. Yesterday we finally get to over dinner, at Hakkasan with a friend of his who is in town. As we are waiting at the table for our two other dinner companions to join us, Steuart mentions that Lee(his friend) is a sort of larger than life character. This was the understatement of the evening.

Dinner was delicious. The duck and mango starter was particularly good. But, the meal was really over-shadowed by Lee, who at 6'6" must over shadow a lot.

Among other funny shenanigans of the dinner, which included some mild verbal abuse to the waitress, and random spotting of a female friend of his that must be a super high-class prostitute(how else would you pay for that body), was the international sex symbol for mid-western-stay-at-home-moms was the highlight of the evening. Lee is apparently best friends with Fabio. Yes, Fabio of the I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Butter celebrity. When faced with the rest of the table's doubt, Lee decides to get Fabio on the phone. The dashing milanese himself is on speaker-phone for a while, saying hello, proving Lee's point. Then Steuart proceeds to talk with him for about another 15 minutes on God-Knows-What? Butter substitutes? Hair styles? Lee also claimed to be friends with the original Greg Brady(real name unknown), but didn't want to call him because apparently he is going through a messy divorce.

All in all it was hilarious, but I am not ashamed to admit that the c-list star name-dropping session outside of the dim mahogany glow of Hakkasan seemed kind of sad and pathetic. Admittedly, part of that could have been simply because I feel like DFW would have never wanted to be at that dinner.

Anyway, in light of that random occurrence, I am starting a poll: Would you rather have dinner with Fabio or Jackie Chan? You can go for an opt-in and write the original Greg Brady if you so choose.

is dead. I find myself completely sad. I have many mixed feelings about suicide; I don't understand it. It has never directly affected me before. I do understand depression, to some degree at least, and I can see how it may be the only escape for some people.

I am sad about DFW, specifically, but even more so about the complexity of human emotions. They are bigger than us, but ours at the same time.

The first story I ever read by DFW was the story called Good Old Neon about the advertising executive that killed himself. I want there to be meaning about that story and the timing and everything, but I don't know if there is.

So the aforementioned meeting with my old boss Jonathan went really well yesterday. He didn't give me a job or anything, but he gave me some encouragement about writing, and life, and careers and shit. It was great.

On top of that he said I could write another article for RUSI. This won't make me any money, but it will be good practice and another thing to put on my CV. More than that I am really excited about the topic. Women in American Politics. Palin, Hillary, Condi, Pelosi, the whole nine yards. Since its going to be for an international security publication, I have to write something about women in the military too, (boring, but it will only be a part of it). The great part is that I get to talk about something really important, which is the acsending trend of women in powerful positions. Its excited. Oh wow, I should contact that lady, Ann Wright that I met at Steuarts a few years ago. She will have some ideas. Awesome.

L

'as always, my passes as omniscience are absurd, but you, of all people, should be polite to the part of me that comes out merely clever. Years ago, in my earliest and pastiest days as a would-be writer, I once read a new story aloud to S. and Boo Boo. When I finished, Bpo Boo said flatly (but looking over at S.) that the story was 'too clever'. S. shook his head, beaming away at me, and said cleverness was my permanent affliction, my wooden leg, and that it was in the worst possible taste to draw the group's attention to it. As one limping man to another, old Zooey, let's be courteous and kind to each other.'

If you don't know already. Sedaratives are awesome, and you should read them. I have discovered while browsing through the free content on the website that Amy often lets guests answer in her place. Last night, I was tired, but feeling particularly clever(1.5 gin&tonics) and thought Amy should let me answer the questions. I wrote the following email:

Dear Sedaratives,

I was wondering if I could be the guest respondent to Sedaratives for an upcoming issue of the Believer? My friends are always asking my advice. I always give truthful responses to tough questions like: Should I cheat on my girlfriend? Do I wear too much perfume? How concerned should I be about my cankles (calf-ankles if you didn't already know)?

I think I could handle more challenging ones too. You can test me if you want. If you don't want me to do it, since I am a nobody (I keep telling people I am going to write a book someday, but I don't know how much truth is in that. I also said I was going to learn to play bridge, and I don't even know how many decks of cards you are supposed to use), can you get Alec Baldwin to do it? It would be super if he could respond as the character he used to play in 1990s movies.

Thanks for your time, if you bother reading this.

Best Regards,

Ruthie I'm-not-sure-if-that-was-

the place i really reallly wanted to intern is not offering positions at the moment. its okay, the pay wasnt so good.

anyway, what do you think i would be good at?

My post have been lame. I have been lazy. I need to resolve the lack of coffee maker-ness in my house. Maybe that would help. I did drink 2 monmouth white filter coffees today. That is nearly 8 dollars of awesome deliciousness. it was worth it. i had the energy to go shopping at my favorite store, COS. German minimalism in all its glory. I have an interview with my old boss tomorrrow. Jonathan. First-I am going to ask him if I can write an article on Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. Second-I am going to ask him for the job of coordinator, which is filled, but I'm going to ask anyway. Third-I am going to as for career advice.

On the bright side of things, my friend Annina took me to this amazing Korean place. Its in the basement of a supermarket called Hanna. It looks like a simply Asian supermarket when you walk in. Neon packaging and big bags of rice. You go to the til, order spicy pork(there is no menu and that is the only thing that annina knew they had) take your receipt, and go down stairs. You give your receipt to the little old lady and she goes in the back and starts cooking it up. The downstairs seating is rather interesting. Its like three shitty tables with plastic stools. The walls are just shelves and shelves of VHS tapes, all labeled in Korean. So obviously I had no idea what they were. I like to think they were Korea snuff, but they were probably just soap operas. Anyway, the the spicy pork comes in a bowl with white rice, a side of Kimchi, a styrafoam cup of miso cup and a plastic cup of water. It was worth every last pence of the FOUR POUNDS!!!! it cost.

It was great it was the perfectly kitchy, bizarrely authentic experience that I want to have everyday. I do like London, but I think Berlin might be a better fit!

Now i need to go remove my navy blue nail polish for my interview. I need a new line of work.

Okay, I swear no one loves googlemail as much as I do, but wtfitd(what the fuck is the deal)? you take so long to load, you go in and out. don't make me think of switching to mac mail. i mean really, its been too long, so be so distant, take so long to respond, generally get on my nerves. please?

I feel like Franny. I realized today, that if I ever wanted to be in a play, I would play franny and john would play zooey. it would be great. i imagine the apartment to be sort of like franks moms. lane would obviously be mpc - stupid, but attractive. has anyone ever produced it? i'll have to look into it.

Okay, I know I have already blogged about Gareth waaay too much, but I was just chatting with Franky about this and it is soo gross that I just have to talk about it.

I will leave our sexual chemistry problems out of this post bc i dont feel like going into it. But there is one thing I must articulate. Gareth does not like to take his shirt off when we are cuddling, etc. Its grossing me out just thinking about it. Maybe it is better that what is surely a pasty and scrawny upper body, joined in the middle by a some what flabby waist. Frankly, sure I prefer a hairy chest and a some muscles. But, I'm not Kate Moss and don't expect everyone to have the perfect body, and I dig imperfections, but come on. Let's own up to them.

Maybe its his choice of undershirt that bothers me too. its not like a good 'ol hanes. It has this weird dainty thinly pipped colar, it might even be micro-ribbed. Eh, im shuddering just thinking about it.

Thoughts on this? I mean it all ties in with the rest of our problems and his inability to be the alpha male (like Alec Baldwin characters) that I need.

I love this guy. Really, he has become an obcession for my brother and I of late. He is really phenomenal. Its Monday, as for tomorrow I will have been in bed for a week. Does that make me bed-ridden?

It seems like cigs in my room. I live with three French girls, so duh.
To deal with the smoke do I:

A) Leave the doors and windows open even though its raining.
B) Smoke in my room.
C) Drink two gin and tonics so I don't care anymore
D) Make up a solution for me.

Thanks!

why does the new yorker use an the umlaut over the second o in cooperate (and its variants)?

Whose better looking democrats or republicans?

Okay, so. Typically my answer has always been Republicans...the way I see it, there are two inter-related explanations for this, 1-I went through my years of sexual exploration (hopefully they aren't over...fingers crossed) when Bush was in the white house (well Clinton too lets be honest, but I was still a guppy at that point). and 2-I'm a power junkie. Another secondary reason, was this elongated southern phase that i went through at some point. I like the way they say my first name, and the bow-ties are just hot. RSK was kind of the icing on the cake of this phase, having it all save the bow-tie.

I think times they may be a changin' and I don't mean that is the populist Obama way, I mean it is the superficial Ruthie B way of basing political choice on aesthetics. I mean duh, its not new.

So I have been watching the DNC and the RNC on nytimes clips. So much for the Michael Jackson song, 'dont matter if your black or white'(one of my all time favs). I think I saw like 5 shots of black people at the RNC. The DNC enjoyed a much higher percentage of white people, young white people. Anyway so here is the skinny on levels of attractiveness of the political parties

DNC-lots of weepy superemotional(based on racial segregation, and the so-called need for american unity), young-ish, mostly moderately attractive multi-ethnic people, starting to look better the closer obama gets to the white house. I think we can thank michele obama's stylist and her jackie 'o steeling tactics for a boost since the clinton years.

RNC-lots of weepy superemotional(though unclear as to why, bc they are scarred of iran, russia?) doughy pastey mid-westerners, older, flabby. there are some token hottie in bow-ties and some barbie looking cindy mccain wannabes, but mostly just a stale looking crowd.

I have to keep thinking about this, more on it later, there is too much information to convey here.

Tony:
Is this character from the skins the bbc-america's show (whose ass i am kissing in order to try to score some free dvds and buy myself some good karma credit). There are two tidbits about tony that highlight some current conundrums
1-the hotness of british guys. okay, so on this program(me) Tony is suppose to be the hot guy in school. Maybe its because he is actually 17 that i dont find him attractive, or maybe hot british guy' aesthetics don't translate very well. Come on those eyebrows, that pastey translucent skin? No way is he the hot guy in school.
2-the morality of creating drama: okay so if you look at this clip and you watch the show you will see that tony behaves in such a way that usually results in hurting other peoples feelings, but he does keep things interesting, and is always looking out for himself. I respect him tremendously on this level. In fact unrelated to tony this was problem of the morning: Selfishness is the only thing when faced with complex social situations that makes sense. But, often selfishness often ends up hurting others, then how to resolve selfishness and the social good? I'm not sure Tony knows either, but perhaps a trip to the eyebrow lady might help

I have a proper bedroom for the first time since May 2002. That is over six years if anyone is keeping track. It is so beautiful. I have a dresser, a double bed, plenty of shelves, a decent/shitty closet (I’ll settle on this occasion), I have a desk, bedside table, a balcony, a window next to my bed (did I mention it’s a double) two lamps, ceiling lights, and a nice big glass of Jameson to help digest it all. I don’t know my roommates yet. I think I have three girls-one American, one French and a Dutchy-if I am not mistaken.

(‘everything in its right’ place just came on the shuffle on my itunes)

The big question is…..am I going to keep it clean? I have made the excuse for years now that I can’t keep my bedroom clean because it is too small, or too big in the case of the bedroom at my parents place. I mean that is the most bullshitty argument ever, seriously. I don’t know. Recently my big theme has been all about being true to myself and truly knowing who that person is, so on that note, I am going to say no, which leaves no room for disappointment. Besides, really, its way too big to keep clean.

I can’t wait for sleepovers. Too bad I only have it for a month. Oh well! I’ll enjoy it. By for now, I have to keep unpacking/making it look lived in/making it messy.

Oh yeah.

Which is why no posting. plus no internet, so you can imagine how psyched i have been, watching arrested development dvds.

I think I am reverting back to my teenage years. Last night was my last evening in Knightsbridge and to celebrate we made chopped salads and watched Empire Records. It was great to watch that movie again, and now that I am going to look for a part time job, i definately want to work at a record store. there are so many sweet ones in town. Sounds of the Universe, Rough Trade East. It would be awesome. There is no way they would hire me, since any knowledge I have about music is completely superficial. oh well.

If anyone has time, and is interested, i highly reccomend taking a little trip back to teenage land. Its way better now though because no braces. yeah.

Is it healthy to have crushes on teens? Probably not, I just can't seem to help it. Decide for yourself on Sunday at 10 on BBC america, when you otherwise would have been fantasizing(or wanking as they would say) about the grocery store clerk with a mild acne problem that you secretly want.