What else is on my mind grapes?

Below are the current things I’m crazy about. That is, until a new slew of intriguing items demand my uninterrupted attention.

• Old TV shows I never got to finish, mainly “Freaks and Geeks”
• Yael Naïm — the French artist featured in the MacBook Air ad who also does a haunting version of “Toxic”
• Researching fusion sports, such as donkey basketball (which is cruel) and WhirlyBall (which I will play in Dallas!)
• Planning vacations, and actually following through on them
• Finding a theater that plays “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
• A pair of wide-legged khakis I found on sale, which have become the only pants I’d ever want to live in
• Wondering what I would look like on currency
• Brushing up on my Korean
• Saving up for: an iPhone, a Wii, the new Anthropologie collection and, possibly, a move
• Checking the day’s front pages

I watched “The Royal Tenenbaums” (on VHS, booya!) before work today, and love this song. Is it because my name is the title? Or possibly because I think the meaning of the song is relevant to how I feel? Or does it simply remind me of Luke Wilson/Richie being visited by Mordecai on the hotel roof?

It’s most likely the third option, but pretending there is a deeper connection makes things a little more interesting. And leaves you with the task of decoding what the Velvet Underground was talking about.

Stephanie says that she wants to know
Why she’s given half her life, to people she hates now

Stephanie says when answering the phone
What country shall I say is calling from across the world

But she’s not afraid to die, the people all call her Alaska
Between worlds so the people ask her ’cause it’s all in her mind
It’s all in her mind

Stephanie says that she wants to know
Why it is though she’s the door
She can’t be the room

Stephanie says but doesn’t hang up the phone
What sea shell she is calling from across the world

But she’s not afraid to die, the people all cal her Alaska
Between worlds so the people ask her ’cause it’s all in her mind
It’s all in her mind

She asks you is it good or bad
It’s such an icy feeling it’s so cold in Alaska,
it’s so cold in Alaska, it’s so cold in Alaska

I’m already over “Cloverfield” due to the hype, countless spoilers and hearing about it for about 6 months.

I’m now eagerly waiting for “Star Trek.” Why? The original show - the 1960s version - used to crack me up, and I’ll admit J.J. Abrams is incredibly creative.

Also Zachary Quinto as Spock, Eric Bana as Nero, John Cho as Sulu, Simon Pegg as Scotty and that guy who played Eomer in LOTR as Bones is enough to get me pushing up my glasses and lining up with some Trekkies.

Other nerdy movies I’m looking forward to: “Iron Man,” “Pineapple Express,” “Indiana Jones,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Dark Knight,” “Baby Mama,” “Leatherheads,” “Get Smart,” and of course “Harry Potter.”

It’s going to be a good year.

“Cashmere Mafia.” “Lipstick Jungle.” And, being shopped as a pilot, “Literary Superstar.”

How many poor “Sex And The City”-esque dramedies with contrived  conversations are there going to be until we’re no longer shocked by women with careers and a strong sex drive?

Although I haven’t made it through an entire episode of either show, I can’t help be critical of the glamour that surrounds journalists in the show. (Let’s not forget the countless of other shows based on journalist women in big cities - “Caroline in the City,” anyone?)

If I’ve learned anything in the early stages of my career is that it is not a fabulous endeavor. At least not right off the bat. But in all these shows, women only gain power in the media world. I can’t help but wonder what their track was. Yes, they are fictional characters, but did they go through the stress, uncertainty and constant questioning if it’s worth it? Or are they always these strong career girls who only worried about getting into Butter or Koi?

I was told when I started working that the first few years are miserable. Little social life, high risk of addiction and a general cynicism. I’m three months in, and these are all proving true. Luckily, my only addictions so far are to caffiene and working out due to me not getting out of work in time to even think about drinking.

Before studying abroad, I was all about putting my head down and powering through the tough times because I know, eventually, the outcome would be worth it. However, in New Zealand it was pointed out to me that I need to live in the moment more and not stress about the laundry list of things I have to worry about.

So I’ve come up with several ideas. Maybe one will materialize, and I’ll return to that feeling of floating aimlessly in my mom’s pool. Or I’ll continue on my track of working hard, watch my sanity disappear and then reap the benefits in a few years.  And after, I’ll put together two nouns, one with a feminine connotation, and it’ll be the title of my book.

Either way, imagining what I could do is keeping me going right now.

an actual mixtape, (not an iTunes list, but a maxell UR-120, straight up) this would be the tracklisting:

1. “Piazza, New York Catcher,” Belle & Sebastian
2. “The Greatest,” Cat Power
3. “I Lost All My Money At The Cock Fights,” Minus the Bear
4. “Absolutely Still,” Val Emmich
5. “I’m Not Gonna Teach your Boyfriend How to Dance,” the Black Kids
6. “Hotel Song,” Regina Spektor
7. “Ring Them Bells,” Sufjan Stevens
8. “From Where I’m Standing,” Schuyler Fisk
9. “Falling Slowly,” Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
10. “West Coast,” Coconut Records
11. “Radio Nowhere,” Bruce Springsteen
12. “Lover in the Snow,” Rivers Cuomo
13. “Half-Awake,” Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
14. “Weird Fishes / Arpeggi,” Radiohead
15. “Paper Planes,” M.I.A.