NCAA... Leister Trivia... TGIF

For your entertainment: A few quick updates...

1) A video of the Nicaraguan Clifford pinata incident, (see details below), has been uploaded to my facebook page. Check it out to experience the hilarity of my Latin American adventures.

2) My school's basketball team played in the first round of the Big Dance last night! I joined the school's lady lacrosse players, (I am such a wannabee), to watch the game in our student union. Although we were up by 10 points at halftime, we ended up losing to some crazy wildcats who tore us apart with their undeserved free-throws. So long, March Madness :(

3) I just had lunch in my school's cafe(teria) with my Ohio cousin's next door neighbor: a junior in high school looking at apply here in the fall. It turns out that she knows more about my family than I do... (Who knew that 8 aunts, 10 uncles and 18 cousins could be so entertaining?)... I was quite impressed, and only slightly creeped out.

4) A quick reminder that Teddy Graham's band will be playing at The Rock'n'Roll Hotel tonight at about 9:00. Doors open at 8:30 & the cover charge is $10. (I would be happy to pay for any DC-based friends that are interested :)

5) TGIF!

Deville: (Rock'n'Roll Hotel... March 20 @ 8:30 pm)

The editors working at my school's student newspaper need to die!

I spent several laborious hours interviewing Teddy Graham's kick-ass band and writing a fabulous Q&A article to promote their concert on Friday night. I sent the article in to my editors Tuesday night, (aka: damn early!), and received a confirmation that it would be published in today's issue.

Anyways... I flipped through the paper this morning scanning the pages for my byline and sipping my caffeinated beverage. After carefully searching through the paper three times, I faced the reality that my article had failed to be published!

I've stomped over to the paper's office 4 times today... searching for some source of authority to be the target of my wrath. The door as been locked every time... no dice. I am therefore publishing my article here. I promised the band that I would promote them, and promote them I shall! Spread the word friends... Deville is on FIRE...

What do you get when you combine a tall guitarist sporting a sexy beard and a fedora hat, a witty bassist who looks like an Irish version of Kevin Jonas, an energetic drummer who blasts head-banging rhythms and a petite lead-singer with a soulful R&B and gospel background?

Answer… Deville: an emerging local band that uses rock, punk, blues, R&B and pop influences to create memorable songs that could grab the attention of almost any listener.

The four members of Deville, (Trevor, Ian, Pat and Gabby), have very different personalities, tastes, styles and talents. These local musicians found one another on Craigslist and joined forces to create a powerful sound that is rocking the stages of local venues across the DC area.

Some of the band’s members live together outside of Silver Spring, Maryland where they all gather several times a week to practice for their upcoming shows. Deville is influenced by and compares their music to that of No Doubt, Paramore, The Killers, Nirvana, The Beatles, The Ataris, and the list goes on…

Because Deville has been packing the houses of hot DC bars like The Red & The Black, they have been invited to play at the Rock’n’Roll Hotel and will be performing this Friday, March 20th at 8:30 pm. The Eagle sat down with Deville to talk about the band’s development, their goals for the future, their musical inspirations and their favorite DC hangouts.

How did you guys meet each other? How was Deville formed?

Gabby: I posted an ad on Craigslist for a guitar teacher because I was singing for another band at the time but wanted to learn how to play. Ian answered my ad and came over to teach me some chords.
Ian: I realized that she was a really great singer and we had so much fun just jamming together. We decided to take a chance and post another Craigslist ad for a drummer. Enter, Trevor…
Gabby: He pretty much came to the audition and beat the hell out of the drums. It was awesome, we loved it! All we needed now was a bassist, so we placed another ad and found Pat. We should seriously be spokespeople for Craigslist.

Who are your musical influences? Who or what inspires your songs?

Pat: Well, I know that Ian likes the blues, Gabby likes to be emotional, Trevor likes to hit things and I’m just kind of fun and funky.
Gabby: A lot of the lyrics I come up with somehow tell the story of my life. Pretty much all of our songs are inspired by things we are going through, except for City Girl, which Ian wrote for our friend Eleena. She helps take pictures for the band and lives with us here in the Deville house.
Pat: Wait a minute, City Girl was written for Eleena!? I totally feel like I’ve been dating a girl and just found out she was a stripper! No one told me this!
Gabby: Forgive Pat, he just joined the band a few months ago. He’s still learning the ropes. Chill out man!

What distinguishes you from other bands in DC? Why should AU students come out and see your shows?

Ian: We’re different than other bands because we aren’t trying to be something that’s already out there. Most groups are aspiring to be Radiohead and random Indie hipsters. All of their music ends up sounding the same. Deville, on the other hand, tries to incorporate lots of different sounds to create something completely original.
Pat: We are influenced by almost every genre and really try to stretch our musical abilities… without selling our souls.

Where do you guys see yourselves going in the future? What’s next for Deville?

Trevor: We really try to keep ourselves in the present. I personally like to think about the next show and the shows coming up in the near future. It helps me to enjoy everything as it happens and appreciate what we’re doing.
Pat: I think our main goal right now is to become one of the premiere bands in DC. It’s all about baby steps. Step one is to rock this city… then maybe concentrate on bigger things in the future.

Individually, what are your favorite hangout spots in the city?

Ian: Freedom Plaza Skate Park… it’s where I go to relieve all my stress.
Trevor: I like riding the metro and listening to music.
Gabby: Trevor, you are so weird. I like U Street. They have some incredible resturants.
Pat: There’s a little restaurant I like on 2nd Street in NW called “My Brother’s Place.” I have so many great memories there. Definitely go and check it out… but make sure you come and see Deville beforehand.

"Spring Break": Rum & Love in Nicaragua

Buenos Dias faithful readers! I’m back in the States after a fabulous week in Nicaragua full of gallo pinto, cheap souvenirs, dirt, Spanglish and a whopping dose of “That’s What She Said”…

It would be very difficult, (and obnoxious), to recount the entirety of my trip via blog post. Ergo: I’m going to sum it all up by sharing some of my favorite Nicaraguan memories, interesting details about the trip and amazing experiences that only Latin America could offer…

1) Day #3 in Nicaragua was the birthday of one of my fellow travelers: JP Morgan. Several of us pitched in a few cordobas, (Nicaraguan money), to buy the birthday boy a red Clifford piñata stuffed with lollipops and other delicious treats.

Because we didn’t have a bat handy, the group decided to put a coconut in a grocery bag and wildly swing the contraption in the direction of the piñata. Being his birthday, JP took the first whack at Clifford’s head. The coconut smacked the piñata and immediately exploded sending coconut juice flying across the room. Because of the explosion, Clifford’s red dye began to bleed and spill all over the floor. It looked like a crime scene… coconuts + piñatas = FAIL!

2) On the group’s vacation day…our driver, (Arnolfo), took us to Grenada for a relaxing boat ride on Lake Nicaragua. Half of the boat ride was like traveling through a tropical bayou and the other half was like sailing through a beautiful lagoon with private islands and spider monkeys. Sitting on the boat reminded me of childhood adventures sailing on Lake Wylie at Camp Thunderbird. It was incredibly peaceful and nostalgic.

3) Now that I have tasted the pollo y carne, (chicken and beef), at Casa Grande, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to appreciate US meat again. This upscale restaurant in Madagalpa marinated its meat and poultry in the most delicious spices and roasted vegetables to make it explode with juices during your mouth-gasm. Another delicious Nicaraguan dish… “Platanas Fritos”… (aka: fried plantains)

4) Some horrible child, (that remains unknown), started a very strange fad at the school of Santa Theresita in Madagalpa by asking us Americans to sign our names in their notebook… Just picture hundreds of little ninos swarming around you as if you were a Disney World character or Angelina Jolie. By the end of the week I had given my “autograph” to about 250 kids. Next year… I’m buying a stamp with my name on it!

5) I taught 3 classes of English at the school of Santa Theresita for four days between the hours of 8:00 AM and noon. The 3 levels I taught were second grade, sixth grade and eleventh grade.

The second graders were absolutely nuts. They were adorable and thought I was a goddess… but never stopped jumping, shouting and competing for my attention and praise. One little boy felt the need to kiss me… constantly… it was slightly inappropriate.

My sixth grade class was more reserved but still managed to disrupt the class by showering me with stickers, key chains and lollipops. Being the sucker that I am… I simply couldn’t deny their tokens of love.

The all-female eleventh grade class was made up of girls ages 15-17. While Antonio taught the class, I humbly sat at the professor’s desk and watched the girls stare at me because of my bright blue eyes. (To them… my china blue ojos made me a freak!)… Despite our rocky beginning, the girls and I bonded during the week and they ended up giving me a gorgeous manicure and a Nicaraguan dress shirt on the last day of class.

During our final hours at Santa Theresita, my travelers and I through an enormous Nicaraguan dance party! The 11th and 10th grade classes along with every one of my fellow travelers broke it down to the sweet sounds of Nicaraguan pop-music.

There are so many other amazing memories that I made this past week in Nicaragua… I befriended/flirted with 2 crazy cab drivers, I watched as my buddy’s face went numb after he ate a hot chili pepper, I saw a man peeing in a public park and slept in a hostel with some very shady characters… But most importantly: I made some wonderful new friends and can’t wait to travel back to Nicaragua with them next year… Spring Break 2010!

Hola Nicaragua: Yo quiero un taco con queso!

Just a quick little post this morning to share with you all my plans for the upcoming week.... (Spring Break wooooo!)

I've been up since 6:00 studying for my last midterm at 10:00. At 11:10, I am going to CVS to take pictures for my study abroad forms due this afternoon, (I'm going to Rome this Summer!) I then have to start packing for a grand adventure that begins tomorrow: a William & Mary Catholic Campus Ministry missions trip to Nicaragua!

There is going to be a grand feast at my house tonight with all 16 of my fellow travelers. At noon tomorrow, we will be on a plane headed to Nicaragua to teach English to poverty-stricken children and assist their incompetent teachers with lesson plans, (I guess I should brush up on my Spanish?)

ERGO: There probably won't be any posts till the 15th or 16th of March (gasp!)... I know it's going to be hard for you all... I truly apologize for leaving you stranded. BUT- I promise to recount all of my amazing adventures as soon as I return. Wish me luck, adios mis amigos!

The Backyard Annunciation

My head is still swimming with art history… BUT…at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon, I will be 1 exam down and 1 to go before jumping a plane and flying south to spend my Spring Break in Nicaragua… “Una cerveza por favor!”

Let’s take a look at “Madonna & Child,” “Enthroned Madonna & Child” & “Virgin & Child”… (a.k.a…. the paintings I’ve been memorizing)… Renaissance artists clearly had little desire to break away from the teachings of the Catholic Church… Mary & Jesus, Jesus & Mary: the most worshiped mother-son combo in history and popular models for Florentine frescoes, temperas and alter pieces.

The Virgin Mary plays a very special role in my life… One summer day when I was 2 ½ years old living in a small town in New Jersey, I skipped outside to pick some juicy red raspberries from the garden in the back of our house. At this time, mommy dearest was washing dishes in the kitchen sink and keeping a watchful eye out the back window to make sure I didn’t try to jump the fence and run away to Grandma’s house.

While peeking out the window, Mom noticed that I was behaving very strangely… I was sitting cross-legged on the grass, ignoring the delicious berries and having a full-on conversation with absolutely no one. My mouth was moving 100-miles per minute as I smiled and stared up into the sky.

While tucking me into bed that night, Mom hesitantly asked me who the hell I was talking to in the backyard that afternoon. Although I don’t remember any of this, I apparently put-on an innocent smile and said….

“Oh Mommy, Mary came to visit me today! You know…Jesus’s mother. She was soooo beautiful!”

Mom took a second to grasp was I had just said… and then replied: “Oh, umm, that’s great sweetheart. What did she say to you?”

“She told me that she loved me very much!” I replied.

Now a bit frightened… Mom turned off my light, kissed me goodnight and immediately ran to the phone. She quickly dialed her mother. The conversation went something like this…

“What the hell have you been telling Hilary! She just told me that she saw Jesus’s freaking mother in the backyard today! Are you brain-washing my kid with your rosaries and holy water?”

“Oh, Maryellen, that is so wonderful! The virgin has come to bestow her blessings on MY granddaughter… MY granddaughter! I knew she was a special child. Oh that Hilary, she’s such a Princess!”….

“AHHHHHH!” (Slightly angered…Mom hung up the phone)

I don’t remember seeing the Virgin Mary in my backyard… I have no idea whether I made-up the whole story or whether Jesus’s mom really did come down to tell me that she loved me. Either way… I earned eternal adoration from my grandmother that day. I also created my mother’s undying belief that I am psychotic. Well, you can’t win ‘em all friends… Amen, and God bless!

The Joys of Dog-hood

My brain is literally about to fall out of my head. My eyes are drooping, my head is wobbling and all I want is a big-ass candy bar!

I’ve been sitting in the Library for 4 hours creating a study-guide for my “Art of the Renaissance” midterm on Thursday. (Big mistake: I didn’t take a break to rest my mind and build up my cramming endurance for Thursday morning)… Therefore- I am taking a break NOW to raise my blood-sugar and momentarily excuse myself from Giotto, Ghiberti and Botticelli.

So, anyway… Mother dearest just rang me up to recount her adventure this morning with Becky, (my small, annoying, smelly, bad-breathed, little rat-looking dog). On the way to the groomer, the malodorous Becky was doing her usual car-routine… She was howling at the top of her lungs, jumping over the seats and trying every possible way to stick her little head out the window, (dogs sure love that breeze!)

Because of all her excitement and nervousness, Becky did something very inappropriate… she took a gigantic poop on the backseat of my mom’s (sort-of) new car!

To put it lightly- Mom was NOT a happy camper… especially when Becky took ANOTHER gigantic poop next to the first one! Apparently, (but not surprisingly), the smell was absolutely unbearable… (ewwwww!)

Thinking that she could just clean it up with some paper towels and Lysol at home, mom kept driving to the groomer with her scarf tightly wrapped around her nose. To her “astonishment” and complete disgust, Becky continued to run around the car and proceeded to smash the poop into the beautiful leather seats.

For the past half-hour, Mom has been scrubbing down the seats with every cleaning product known to man. All I can say about this situation is I’m glad I decided to spend my afternoon stuffing my brain with art history. Despite its torturous nature… memorizing artists and mediums is NOTHING compared to cleaning up poop… The End

Beverage of the Month

I’m going to ignore the fact that I have class today even though there is a freaking snowstorm outside (I just measured… 6+ inches so far!) … and concentrate instead on the warm and chocolaty cocoa that is happily floating in my special “cow-mug” while comforting my soul.

Cocoa… what a delightful little beverage… (Beverage: a liquid substance that one drinks to quench their thirst; usually accompanied with food)… Where would the world be without the concept of beverages? How would we wash down our food?... Fix a parched mouth?... Wake up in the morning!?

In dedication of beverages around the world, I have taken the 12-month calendar and selected a drink to proudly represent each month. Save this list so that you can celebrate the western-year while sipping and guzzling these wonderful drinks…

January- Milk…What is white and beautiful? Milk of course!!... (and so is snow)… Pair the two together this wintry month by building a snowman and then enjoying a warm bowl of oatmeal topped with creamy milk or chocolate-chip cookies dunked in a glass of dairy goodness.
February- Shirley Temple… Ginger ale, grenadine syrup, a slash of orange juice and tons of maraschino cherries. What could possibly make the month of love sweeter?
March- Beer… Make your way down to the pub on March 17th to party with the leprechauns and down a few pints. Help yourself to a Guinness Draught, a Harp Lager or a Smithwick’s Irish Ale… and don’t forget to wear green!
April- Pina Colada… Do you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain? If so, then April is the month for you! Splash in puddles, pick some flowers, blast some Jimmy Buffet and treat yourself to this blissful tropical cocktail.
May- Coca Cola… What do we celebrate in May? (Mothers Day)… What happens on May 8th? (National “Have a Coke” Day)… What is my mother’s favorite drink? (Coke!)… Kick back and relax with your mom while sipping this old-time American favorite.
June- Ice-cream Soda (a.k.a. Rootbeer/Coke float)… June 20th is National “Ice-cream Soda” Day... So stop by your local malt shop or ice-cream parlor & order yourself this scrumptious treat to celebrate the start of summer… (If you want to save $$... make it yourself: Vanilla ice-cream, soda, glass, straw & spoon… DONE!)
July-Snapple Peach Iced-Tea… If you haven’t tried this amazing drink, July is the month to do it! The sun is shining down and you’ve been swimming for hours… go find some shade and savor this delicious mix of sugary perfection and ultimate comfort.
August- Water… Don’t fuck around this month. Dehydration and heat-stroke are common occurrences in August because of disgustingly high temperatures and unbearable humidity. Ergo: skip the liquor, pass the fruit juice, throw away the soda and pour yourself a glass of quality H20.
September- Coffee… September 14th is National Cream-Filled Donut Day! What goes better with donuts than a grande cup of flavorful coffee? Caffeinate yourself after a wonderful August vacation as you head back to the daily grind of school/work.
October- Starbucks Caramel-Apple Cider… Obvious fact: Apple cider is a classic fall signature. But instead of buying a gallon at the grocery-store, make a trip to Starbucks and sample their Caramel-Apple Cider specialty drink. Sweet and warm, it rightfully accompanies the brisk fall weather.
November- Wine… Everybody knows that a large glass of wine is the perfect compliment to turkey and stuffing. Watch the Macy’s Day Parade on Turkey-Day Thursday then march to the kitchen to baste the bird while pouring yourself a generous glass of Chardonnay or Merlot.
December- Jack Daniels… Forget the eggnog. Screw the peppermint cocoa… It’s time to get serious during the holiday season. Dealing with obnoxious relatives, maxing out credit cards and listening to one more version of “Silver Bells” can only be tolerated with an adequate buzz… Grap your flask, say Happy Birthday to Jesus and get ready for a very pleasant holiday :)