defying clarity

Literary snobbery.

2007-07-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

Nothing irks me quite like literary snobbery. It's for people who aren't pretty/rich/cool enough to feel superior based on their looks/possessions/fashion... so they feel superior based on what they read. Same difference. Just let people like what they like, and shut up, OK?

This from the WaPo...

The vast majority of adults who tell me they love "Harry Potter" never move on to Susanna Clarke's enchanting "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell," with its haunting exploration of history and sexual longing, or Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials," a dazzling fantasy series that explores philosophical themes (including a scathing assault on organized religion) that make Rowling's little world of good vs. evil look, well, childish. And what about the dozens of other brilliant fantasy authors who could take them places that little Harry never dreamed of? Or the wider world of Muggle literary fiction beyond?

First of all, I've read both Jonathan Strange and His Dark Materials AND all 7 Harry Potter novels (I reread the first six) since January. My mom has read all of the above as well, so NYAH.

Secondly, so a lot of people read Harry Potter. That doesn't mean it sucks. More people eat cows than dogs but it doesn't mean it's morally superior to eat dogs, or that dogs are higher quality. (I'm just saying.) Heck, way more people read the WaPo than the Times. And not everybody can devote as much of their time to reading as a paid literary critic, or simply like all the things the critics like, just like not everyone can weigh 105 pounds/own a lexus/be one of the cool kids.

As far as I see it - you could have "the vast majority" of Americans reading Harry Potter - or nothing at all. I don't think anyone is making a choice between Harry and something else. It's not like people are saying "Well, I read Harry Potter so I guess I can't read Jonathan Strange now."

I'm just ranting I guess. There was a similar article in American Libraries a few months ago that similarly pissed me off. Instead of just whining about how not everyone is as good as you are, maybe just get over yourself and enjoy sharing what you like - and don't get in a snit if the entire country doesn't follow your command.

2007-07-22T15:46:00.001-07:00

My predictions...

2007-07-22T14:58:00.001-07:00

I have finished. To protect the slow readers ;-) I am placing my commentary on my predictions in a comment to this post.

Final thoughts.

2007-07-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

Note: Book SIX spoilers here but really, if you haven't read book six by now, you probably don't care.

Well, here I am trying to convince myself to wait just a tad longer before running off to Borders to pick up You-Know-What at midnight. Ah the moment I have been waiting for - since finishing off Book Six two years ago, yelling in frustration as I reached the last page.

Six months or more ago I pre-ordered my copy and picked up my TRUST SNAPE sticker which is now displayed prominently on the Beer Fridge, next to EQUALITY MARYLAND and GREENPEACE.

Here are my final predictions -

1. Snape turns out to be good, or at least redeems himself. Honestly, JKR can NOT make her big, takeaway less of her 7 books be "don't give anyone a second chance, especially if they're ugly." She just isn't that kind of person.

2. Snape will die somehow saving Harry as Harry finishes off Voldemort, or dies enabling Harry to finish off Voldemort.

3. I'm undecided on Harry living or dying. I give him 55% odds of being alive at the end of the last sentence.

4. Remus and Tonks will live happily ever after, to my great disdain. So will Ron and Hermione, to my great joy.

5. At least one Weasley will bite the dust. (Well there's just so many of them! It's statistics!)

6. Harry is a horcrux.

7. We learn more about Regulus.

Well, there you have it. Of course, I was 100% confident that Mr. Weasley was going to die in book 5, and 110% confident that Hagrid was the half-blood prince - so - well at least one of those has got to be right!

somewhere only we know...

2007-05-20T15:05:00.001-07:00

It's been a long time since I really posted on this blog, and even longer since I posted on my "serious" blog. Whatever.

I stopped by the Dupont Circle farmer's market this morning. I had meant to go to the H Street Market yesterday, but realized I had left my wallet at work near Farragut Square, and I didn't have time to fetch it before the market closed. Someday I'll make it to that market, I swear. The Dupont market was fine; full of yuppies with designer babies and $400 emo glasses, but I bought the most fantastic (if slightly expensive) tomatoes. I made a great sandwich - toast, mayo, a thick slice of bright red tomato. I could eat a thousand tomato sandwiches. (Name that book/movie!)

This afternoon was an Ikea run; they didn't have the coffee table I want *again.*

Still I got a chest of drawers

and a floor lamp

along with some smaller things. I've always been cranky about having to do my own bagging at Ikea... well... now you have to pay $0.05 per bag. Screw that -- I stuffed the small things in my purse and just threw the rest in the cart and later the trunk.

This afternoon on a PBS nature special, there was a baby horse that couldn't walk, and the leader of another group of horses BIT it, then picked it up in its mouth and shook it and threw it down on the ground until it was dead. Nature red in tooth and claw and hoof, apparently.

LOST!

2007-05-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

I think I have a crush on the ENTIRE cast of Lost. Well, nearly. I mean, seriously, apparently only gorgeous people can survive plane crushes.

LOST CHARACTERS I HAVE A CRUSH ON:

Desmond. He speaks SCOTTISH, and has great hair. Plus he's so "too good to be true."

Claire. She speaks AUSTRALIAN, and has great hair. She's whiny and an idiot, but super-cute.

Sawyer. He speaks SOUTHERN, and has great hair. He's such a bad boy with a heart of gold

Sayid. He speaks WITH WHAT IS PRESUMABLY AN ARABIC ACCENT EVEN THOUGH THE ACTOR IS ACTUALLY INDIAN, and has great hair.
Charlie. He speaks MANCHESTERIAN, and has great hair. Whiny and an idiot (like Claire) but he's got such a cute nose. (He had BETTER NOT DIE TONIGHT.)

Ben. He doesn't have an accent or great hair. He's so clever. Sure, he's evil, but he had a rough childhood - makes you want to pat his head and give him an ice cream cone while he plots his next move.

Sun. I love how at first you think she's a huge wuss, but then she turns out to be TERRIFYING and sweet at the same time.

Rose and Bernard. How can you NOT adore them???

Mr. Eko. Mr. Eko KICKED BUTT. I really miss him.

No accent and seriously needs a new hair do, but everybody loves Hugo.

Bakunin. He speaks RUSSIAN and heck, his name is BAKUNIN which is just awesome.

LOST CHARACTERS I DO NOT HAVE A CRUSH ON:

Kate. Too high strung. Plus she's using Sawyer.

Jack. Has his head too far up his butt.

Juliette. I still think she's evil, or a huge tool.

All the others except Ben, because they are boring.

Alex, because her nose is always running, and she has too much teen angst.

Karl, because for some reason he likes Alex.

Jin. He's kind of an idiot, and Sun has to take care of him way too much.

Rousseau. She terrifies me, and doesn't have Sun's sweet side.

Locke, because I cannot figure him out. He is slippery.

Shannon. I know she had a quasi-rough time when her dad died but I still wanted to slap her constantly.

Boone. He was loveable but a little creepy.

Michael and WAAAAAAAAAAAAAALT. I really liked Michael at first but... well.

Nikki and Paolo, duh.

Ana Lucia. Drove me nuts. Control freak.

I am probably leaving characters out. So, I guess it wasn't really ALL or even MOST. But still, this show has awesome, fantastic, loveable, AND hot characters.

And tonight's episode may be the best ever....!

The Songs In My Head Get Nerdier.

2007-04-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

I give you these Belle & Sebastian lyrics:

The bourgeoisie, historically,
Has played a revolutionary part
To end all feudal, idyllic relationships.
It has resolved personal worth,
And in place of freedom
Is exploitation for profit alone.
There is a spectre of the past
In my bold assertion.
We could learn much from the past.

Bonus nerd points if you can tell me what leftist political tract is being paraphrased here.

Nerdy on so many levels...

2007-04-13T04:07:00.000-07:00

... that I have this song stuck in my head:

A la volonté du peuple
Et à la santé du progrès,
Remplis ton cœur d'un vin rebelle
Et à demain, ami fidèle.
Nous voulons faire la lumière
Malgré le masque de la nuit
Pour illuminer notre terre
Et changer la vie.

A la volonté du peuple,
Je fais don de ma volonté.
S'il faut mourir pour elle,
Moi je veux être le premier,
Le premier nom gravé
Au marbre du monument d'espoir.

(Rough translation...)

To the will of the people,
and to the health of progress [it's like a toast]
Fill your heart with rebel wine,
And to tomorrow, faithful friend.
We want to spread the light
Despite the mask of the night
To light up the world
And change life.

To the will of the people
I give my will
If it is necessary to die for it,
I want to be the first
The first name graven
In the marble of the monument of hope.

baseball

2007-04-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the Staffer and I walked over to RFK Stadium (during daylight hours of course) to see the last game of the Diamondbacks' sweep of the Nationals. Now, my team loyalties are as follows:

Arizona Diamondbacks
Washington Nationals
Minnesota Twins
Anyone but the Yankees

The Staffer's favorite teams are:

Minnesota Twins
Washington Nationals
Arizona Diamondbacks
Anyone but the Yankees

So, following this equation, I was happy with the outcome of the game and the Staffer was resigned. We were both FREEZING COLD. The stadium is right by the Anacostia River (doesn't it sound like something that should be slithering through a rainforest eating people?) so there was an icy wind in addition to the already-chilly day.

The coolest part of the day, however, was when the Staffer and I were standing by the ticket booth trying to figure out if we wanted the $5 tix or if we were going to spring for the swanky $16 tix. Two Japanese guys came up to us and said "Here! You need tickets, I have these, please!"and shoved two $40 tickets into our hands. We were too stunned to say much since they ran off immediately. We managed to catch up with them inside the park and we offered them cash, but one of them said "No, I got these from company!"

We figured out later that, with snacks (including precious, precious hot chocolate), we got a $95.75 experience for $15.75. Thank you, anonymous Japanese guy and company!

vingt-et-une heures, jeudi

2007-03-27T18:05:00.000-07:00

on a tuesday night
or is it wednesday?
no, it had better be tuesday
because i'm writing a paper
due thursday

it's about
international e-
government sites for women

leading up
(paul and i have
agreed)
to my thesis
(starting
this summer, continuing throught the fall)
on vaguely the same topic

check out
http://www.femmes-egalite.gouv.fr/

What I've been....

2007-03-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

Reading:

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. (NOT the Family Feud guy.) Freaking amazing. The man's brilliant but his writing is very accessible and easy to understand.

Web Redesign 2.0 - this one was for work. Pretty good though.

The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood (my hero). I have only just started it but everything she writes is brilliant.

Watching:

Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 - Japanese anime. There's this family, and they're under a curse - they all turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac whenever they touch a member of the opposite sex. It's really weird, but so far I kinda like it.

Children of the Corn - the Staffer netflixed this one. Whatever. OUTLANDER!!!!!!!

Arrested Development, Season 3 - picked this up at Target. I can't BELIEVE it was canceled. This is the funniest show of all time. We just finished up the thread with Charlize Theron... fantastic.

Eating:

Most importantly, I am getting back onto the diabetic exchange diet. I'm not diabetic, but it's the only way I will be able to force myself to eat the right proportions of things. If I just count calories, I end up eating bread and dairy all day, finishing up with multiple healthy choice fudge bars. Sure, it's a reasonable amount of calories but it's still that many calories of JUNK.

Cheerios! I'm on a serious Cheerios binge. With honey. 1.5 cups of cheerios + 1 cup milk = 2 starches and a dairy...

V-8 Juice! The best way to get 2 servings of veggies out of the way in a hurry. I can't choke down the low-sodium kind yet, but I'll get there.

Poultry! I have been red-meat free since March 10. I'm pretty proud of myself. Someday I will make it to the point where I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian (eating milk and eggs) but I'm not quite there yet. I've tried to cut back on the pork but occasionally bacon shows up and I can't help myself.

PWNED!

2007-03-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

I just had this very amusing conversation with Abbie... my uncle's wife... responding to her post about how she's "going to be an aunt" in July when her brother has a baby.

me: You're GONNA be an aunt???
Abigail: uh huh
me: ... you're not an aunt already???
Abigail: a bonafide...certifide Aunt
Abigail: uhm no
me: ....
me: are you SURE?
Abigail: OMG

Yeah. OUCH. Thanks Abbie!!! I feel so loved! :-P

FineTune

2007-02-19T11:45:00.000-08:00

FineTune is a new service that, sadly, doesn't work through my office's firewall, but it would be super-cool if it did. You pick out individual songs to put on your playlist (minimum of 45 songs, limit 3 per artist per playlist). They have a good selection and getting to choose your own songs makes them more personal than Pandora or that Yahoo service. On my first playlist, I have some Veggie Tunes, some Atom and His Package, some Belle and Sebastien, and some Police. Apparently it works with your Wii, too. IF YOU HAVE A WII.

Dream Journal

2007-01-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

Last night I dreamed that Donald Trump had a school for underprivileged children which, for some reason, I was going to attend. But once I got there, it turned out it was REALLY an underwater coal mine. Well, it would flood with the tides, which seemed somewhat unpredictable, so we all had to work the mine in scuba diving gear so we wouldn't suddenly drown. Except there weren't quite enough air tanks, so some of the kids had to go without. So there was this one kid who didn't have a tank, and he decided to try and blackmail Trump into giving him a tank by threatening to release some sort of evidence that Trump used racial slurs. And I told the kid, dude, you're just ASKING to get a faulty air tank and have an "accident" because on TV blackmailers ALWAYS end up getting killed. Then the water started coming in and we had to try not to drown.

Interesting.

2006-12-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman		70%
Batman		65%
Spider-Man		60%
Hulk		60%
Green Lantern		60%
Supergirl		55%
The Flash		55%
Robin		52%
Iron Man		45%
Wonder Woman		40%
Catwoman		35%

You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Your results:
You are Dr. Doom

Dr. Doom		84%
Lex Luthor		64%
Apocalypse		60%
Two-Face		56%
Magneto		53%
Poison Ivy		46%
Catwoman		46%
The Joker		45%
Dark Phoenix		42%
Mr. Freeze		40%
Green Goblin		36%
Riddler		36%
Venom		36%
Juggernaut		36%
Mystique		32%
Kingpin		30%

Blessed with smarts and power but burdened by vanity.

Click here to take the Super Villain Personality Test

It's Christmas time, again....

2006-12-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

... it's time to be nice to the people you can't stand all year
I'm growing tired of all this Christmas cheer.
You people scare me -- please stay away from my home
If you don't wanna get beat down,
Just leave the presents and then leave me alone.

I had an awful time buying presents this year. Basically, I didn't. I'll save my War on Christmas post for some other time, but I just have no Christmas spirit, at all. Never really had one. I got a nice present for my parents and really bad presents for my brothers (just couldn't find the perfect gifts! ugh!). The only person I got really excellent presents for was the Staffer -- strangely, I came across too many perfect presents for him. I ended up buying him three, which is probably three more than I'll get from him, but they were just too good -- they go from good to better to best. I'm leaving them in the living room for him to find when he flies back from SDak on Christmas day (he has to Staff on the 26th).

In other news, it looks like I will finally have a decent New Year's - the Staffer and I will be together for the first New Year's in... years... and Mr. Blair has graciously extended an invitation to his New Year's Eve party. People I love and people I like, all staying up past 9 p.m.! Such a change for the better!

New blog.

2006-12-18T20:36:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it, I'm addicted to starting new blogs. It's just so much fun to play with new services, especially now that everything's all 2.0. I'm really enjoying Wordpress, though, and my new blog that is..... http://suedoc.wordpress.com/.

I'm going to keep using this one -- my plan is to have this be my unglamorous, personal, whiny blog, where I talk about dumb things. In other words, "the blog for my mom to read." The Wordpress one is actually going to be really cool. And painfully nerdy.

Bloggers suck.

2006-12-14T03:23:00.000-08:00

Seriously, I am beginning to hate the bloggers. Them's CRAZY folk. Sure, the vast majority of them at least pretend to be concerned about Sen. J*'s health for his own sake, at least have that decency. Then there are the freakazoid Republicans who talk about how this is a sign that God doesn't want the "demoRATS" in the majority. (So... he couldn't just rig the election? God has to resort to assassination? Whatever.) On the other extreme flip side, there are scores of liberals talking about how it's probably a "Rethuglican" conspiracy. Swear on my grave, there's even someone suggesting Putin did it.

No more news now then when I went to bed four and a half hours ago. We slept with the Staffer's phone right by the bed and were waken up several times by friends, but no news -- not that anyone would call him personally, but you never know.

And everything was going SO WELL...

2006-12-13T22:29:00.000-08:00

This has been a crazy, crazy week. First, at work, it seems like half of our geographically diverse department is in town - the Director and my new manager, both based in DC - a new teammate from CA, and an old teammate from AZ, and coincidentally new people from Tyson's and Delaware were also visiting. So lots of meetings, strategizing, planning, etc.

Then I found out I got an A+ in one of my classes, including an A+ on my 20 page report. Hello, thesis topic.

Hours later, I discovered a $600 charge from Best Buy on my ATM card. Alas, I do not have $600 worth of new toys -- so I am now atm-card-less and can only hope I get my $600 back.

Less than 24 hours after that -- with everyone still in town, driving me bonkers at work -- the Staffer's boss lands in the hospital. This is what is keeping my brain on at 1:35 a.m. The Staffer -- the one most affected by all this -- is sleeping/snoring like a log, go figure. Not that he isn't really, really upset. He's just exhausted. I guess he battled with reporters and cameras all afternoon. At the moment everything he has related to me about the incident has been reported in the press, although it was weird knowing certain things a few hours before they were reported.

It's all very distressing, on so many levels. It's weird for the news to be personal. My first thought was "Oh my god, not T*" - as if I actually knew him. In reality I've only shaken his hand and briefly discussed the relative safety of Northeast DC. My next thought of course is "$#&^%, the Staffer's job..." and then "Oh man, his poor daughter K*" whom I have met a few times -- again, weird to be actually acquainted with the people who are suffering right now. And only after all that do I even begin to think about the damn "balance of power." And quickly block it from my mind, because surely it will be a moot point soon. Right? Ugh.

I should probably try to sleep, I guess. Long day tomorrow -- longer for the Staffer, of course, but I have to plough through my mundane, meaningless job (however dorkily much I love it) and worry about him.

Seriously. There are 99 other senators. Why does this have to happen to OURS?

P.S. Names are blocked out here not to keep anyone from knowing who I'm talking about, because, well, duh, but to circumvent potential gratuitous googling. Because I for one am hitting Google blog search pretty hard, scavaging for gossip. Also, the press has somehow got ahold of the Staffer's cell phone number, which is bizarre, since it's not even technically listed under his name.

Playlist meme.

2006-12-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

Opening Credits:
"Finale B" - Rent
Well, that's a depressing start!!!

Waking Up:
"Feed Me (Git It)" - Little Shop of Horrors
Haha, it totally works. I'm always starving in the morning

First Day of School:
"You Get What You Give" - New Radicals
Um, I guess that's a lesson about studying?

Falling in Love:
"Beautiful Night" - Paul McCartney
Awwww.

Fight Song:
"My Life" - Billy Joel
Yeah, I can feel it.

Breaking Up:
"Barbie Girl" - Aqua
Um... not sure how it's applicable...?

Life:
"Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitudes" - Jimmy Buffett
That works too.

Mental Breakdown:
"Fernando" - Abba
Yes, I must have been INSANE to put this on my ipod.

Driving:
"Jackass" - Green Day
I do silently yell that at people a lot...

Flashback:
"Dreams" - The Cranberries
This would totally work for a flashback scene.

Getting Back Together:
"I Am Not That" - Michael Nesmith
Seems like more of a breakup song.

Wedding:
"Without You" - My Fair Lady
whoa. That's not a very good wedding!!!

Birth of Child:
"Bad" - Little Shop of Horrors
oh DEAR.

Death Scene:
"Baby One More Time" - Britney Spears
Death by Britney??? I guess there are worse ways to go... maybe...

Al Gore...

2006-12-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

is... is... sexy? I'm so confused...!

Christmas.

2006-12-02T05:20:00.000-08:00

Just in case, you know, anyone was wondering, not that you would, but IF you happened to be my mom and HAPPENED to be wondering what to get me for christmas, well, IF that were the case, just about anything from this site would send me into spasms of joy.

Where to begin??? For goodness' sake, just start with the earrings! The grapealicious earrings, the cupcake earrings, the BACON AND EGGS earrings, the lego earrings, the fortune cookie earrings, the LEGO HEAD earrings, the vinyl record earrings, THE CASSETTE TAPE earrings, the strawberry earrings, the pie earrings, the soda earrings! THE BURGER AND FRIES EARRINGS, TOO MUCH!

But that is not all, said the cat. Oh no, that is not all.

The watermelon scarf! The rainbow scarf with little clouds on each end! The strawberry knit hat! The cherry scarf! The chocolate dotted bucket hat! The cupcake hat! The overpriced but still adorable boot disk plaque! The jumbo holiday cuties magnet set! The chocolate candy soap set! The Jiffy Mix notebooks! The Absolut salt 'n' pepper shakers! The happy cinnamon bun! The happy bread slice! THE HAPPY TOILET PAPER! THE DISKETTE HANDBAG OMG!!!!! The argyle messenger bag!

I.... I need to go lay down... too much excitement...

STICK THE IRS!

2006-11-19T17:14:00.001-08:00

Today I trekked out to Hyattsville (or is it Adelphi?) with The Staffer and Spoofy to check out Value Village. For those of you out-of-area, it's a HUGE thrift store. It has clothes and furniture and all that, but the best part are the rows of STUFF. Knick knacks, weird mugs, things to hang on the wall, whatever. Last time I went I got a tarnished steel milk jug to keep change in, a really ugly "praying hands" wooden plaque, and a painting of a matador on black velv... no, black velour. Today I got two small shelves, ($1.81 each), The Staffer got a "Bosnian Football League" scarf ($2.95) and then I found, for 60 cents, on the game shelf, a game called...

STICK THE IRS.

Now, for 60 cents, how could I NOT buy a game called "Stick The IRS?" It's from 1981. There's a review of it here: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/7094 that mostly describes it better than I can. It's a lot like monopoly.

Anyway, my jaw nearly dropped off when I found, while flipping through the "AUDIT" cards (think "CHANCE" cards) a card that said... swear to god...

Your tax attorney is gay. Your auditor isn't. Pay $30,000.

I... whaa?

Friday Five

2006-11-19T05:54:00.000-08:00

1) What was the first CD/Record/Album/Artist you ever bought and what format was it in? (Vinyl/Cassette/CD/MP3 Download)?
It was an early Rolling Stones album, on CD.

2) How do you usually listen to music? (iPod/Walkman/Stereo/Radio)
Walking to work, walking home, and frequently when I can't sleep or when I'm trying to wake up.

3) What is your favorite genre of music and why?
Showtunes and punk pop, I guess. I am not a music snob at all, I will listen to just about anything.

4) What is your opinion on music video shows and music televion?
I think they mostly suck, although I really never watch music on TV so how would I know?

5) Do you usually agree with who the winners of the Grammy Awards are?
I rarely care or watch - 'my' music is never on the grammies.

Sunday, 11/19/2006

2006-11-19T05:48:00.000-08:00

Breakfast: 1/2 c. instant oatmeal (it's not that bad, but I really wish I'd bought some raisins), 1 c. grapes, 1 c. skim milk.

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 protein.

Total: 369 calories, 3 g. fat, 75 g. carbs, 13 g. protein 5 g. fiber.

Of course, tonight, I'm going to Jefferson's Pre-Thanksgiving Bash, where all healthiness of the day will be RUINED. Oh well. I'll try to save all three of my "fat" exchanges for tonight!

I sound like Darth Vader when I breath!

2006-11-06T16:32:00.000-08:00

Not really. More like a broken squeaky toy.

Gnugh.

2006-11-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Woke up in the middle of the night with an awful sore throat, got a Hall's, fell asleep with it in my mouth and woke up with a blue tongue and the rest of the lozenge stuck on my teeth. And a sore throat. Gross. Also I have yellow sputum. Wheee... Funny, V8 worked better for my throat than the Hall's.

I am starting a new diet today, inspired by Jay & Abbie & Emma doing the same -- diabetic exchange lists. I think it will work better than just trying to count calories or fat or whatever, which just gets depressing. I get at least 4 (or more) veggies, at least 3 (or more) fruits, 4 carbs, 3 protein/dairy (this will be hardest), 3 fat, and 75 calories of sweets (will also be hard). I had 2 veggies this morning already from the V8, so I'm glad I get unlimited veggies... if I get hungry I'll just grab a V8...

Singin' in the Rain is on WETA. It's creepy how much of it I remember verbatim.

While Meatwad is in the tundra, I am inventory-ing our food supply. We're both bad about forgetting what we have, but he's also bad about buying stuff anyway. Thus our freezer has 3 1/2 packs of bacon, 27 hamburger patties, and 17 hot dogs. *sigh*

No health care for YOU, Baby!

2006-11-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 — Under a new policy, children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants with low incomes will no longer be automatically entitled to health insurance through Medicaid, federal officials said today.

Undocumented immigrants are generally barred from Medicaid, but can get coverage for treatment of emergency medical conditions, including labor and delivery. In the past, once a woman received emergency care under Medicaid for the birth of a baby, the child was deemed eligible for coverage as well, and states had to cover them for one year from the date of birth.

Under the new policy, an application must be filed for the child, and the parents must provide documents to prove the child’s citizenship.

For heaven's sake, they're BABIES. They're BABY CITIZENS. How jaded and racist does our country have to be to reject giving health care to BABIES??? What is this going to get us, beside a bunch of dead latino babies? Will that make us happy?

*fumes*

Snark.

2006-10-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

Google just lost a whole lot of my respect.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/do-you-google.html

What are they afraid of? Interesting.

Friday Five

2006-10-29T05:41:00.000-08:00

Feed Me Seymour

1) What was the last thing that you ate?
- Plain bagel with light cream cheese (tastes the same. if you close your eyes.)

2) Who was the last person you shared a meal with?
- I had pizza with Brett last night.

3) What is your favorite all time dish (recipes welcome)?
- Too many! I like my grandma's goulash, my mom's spaghetti with meat sauce, Moonstruck on Madison's onion soup, Uno's pizza skins (pizza dough, cheese, sauce, potatos, and bacon)... the list goes on!

4) If you could eat one thing for an entire year, what would it be?
- I'm not sure, but it would definitely be some sort of pasta or bread.

5) If you could have dinner with any five people (dead or alive) who would they be?
- Eeew I don't want to have dinner with a dead person!!! That would really stink up the place. But a really interesting dinner would be Neil Gaiman, my Info Policy professor, Noam Chomsky, Sergey Brin, and Ewan McGregor.

Everything is overrated.

2006-10-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'm jaded and bored
Always looking for more
Wait around for the next big fix
I know I'm a wreck, I'm a mess
But I couldn't care less
Don't know what it would take to change me

Maybe the problem is me
But I won't make believe
And I can't take this mediocrity
What if this is a test?
And I deserve what I get?
Will I wake up with all the answers?

Everybody's too afraid to be different
Please excuse me now if I don't listen

I think sex is overrated
So is always getting wasted
All my friends and family
They make my life so complicated
I'm so sick of apathy and TV show reality
How can I be satisfied?
When everything is overrated.

(Less Than Jake)

Seriously,

2006-10-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

how can you not love a tv show that has a giant people sized skinner box?

In other news...
* Friday I saw Neil Gaiman and got a book signed
* Monday I saw the New Mexican Disaster Squad (meh), the Loved Ones (cool), Catch-22 (cool for ska I guess), and Less Than Jake (very cool)
* I get to go to Chicago for a business trip. Having never been to Chicago, and since I'm going with 3 other people from work that I like - I'm excited.
* Paint Shop Pro is cool.

Friday Five

2006-09-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

1) What TV show(s) do you find yourself watching the most?
- Lost, Studio 60 (giving it a try)

2) What if any TV shows do you own on DVD?
- Arrested Development, House, West Wing

3) Can you name your favorite TV show theme song?
- Give us any chance, we'll take it
Give us any rule, we'll break it
We're gonna make our dreams come true
Doin' it our way...

4) Have you ever been on TV and if so for what?

Apparently I was on the local news one night when I was dancing at a concert in the park.

5) What is your favorite YouTube video (feel free to post a link)?
You'll find them with these searches....
"laughing quadruplets"
"kirk cameron bananas"
"tucker carlson dancing"

rhapsody

2006-09-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

My awesome coworker Julia turned me onto this subscription music service called Rhapsody, by RealPlayer. It's .... AWESOME. I had always shied away from subscription music - why rent when you can buy, right? but you can get LOADS of music, and access it straight from your browser, so I can listen to music all day at work, whatever I want, whenever I want. And if you have the right mp3 player (do they still call them that? i doubt it, i'm so old school) (right = not apple) you can even play them on there as long as you stay subscribed. Very tempting...

... anyway the coolest "bonus" feature is that you can listen to all these bands you like and see what "genre" they're in, something I'd never paid attention to before. I didn't think I had a favorite genre. But I started putting in my favorite bands and songs and what have you, and lo and behold a pattern emerged...

Green Day: Punk-Pop
The Strokes: Post-Punk
blink 182: Punk-Pop
Simple Plan: Punk-Pop
The Clash: Punk

Seriously. Who knew? Brett loves punk, but he loves real punk like Operation Ivy and the Sex Pistols and Anti-Flag, stuff that's just too rough on my ears. I never thought that my music (and these are all bands I like on my own, i.e. brett doesn't have any of their stuff (except the clash) so he didn't influence me towards these) was a sort of red-headed stepchild to his music.

Friday Five at the Movies

2006-09-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

1. What's your favorite line from a movie, and why?
"Why are you wearing that stupid human suit?" (Donnie Darko)
"Why is the rum gone?" (DUH)
"FUCKABEES!" (I <3 Huckabees)

2. Who's your favorite villain from a movie, and why?
Ralph Fiennes/Voldemort = AWESOME
Captain Nemo isn't really a villain, but I like him too

3. Name one movie everyone else loves that you hate?
The Godfather. Mission Impossible.

4. Name one movie everyone else hates that you love.
Left Behind! Including Tribulation Force and World at War!

5. What's your favorite Pixar film, and why?
Uh, did they do Toy Story? I like Toy Story.

Slightly nerdy...

2006-09-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Not my final answer!!!

2006-09-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

Can I change my answer to one of the last Friday Five?

1. If you could pick your own theme song, what would it be?

I was just introduced to Minority by Green Day. Tickles me to death.

I pledge allegiance to the underworld
One nation under dog, there of which I stand alone
A face in the crowd, unsung, against the mold
Without a doubt
Singled out
The only way I know

One light, one mind, flashing in the dark
Blinded by the silence of a thousand broken hearts
"For crying out loud," she screamed unto me
A free for all - fuck 'em all - you are your own sight

'Cause I wanna be the minority
I don't need your authority
Down with the moral majority
I wanna be the minority

Friday Five from Abbie

2006-09-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

1. If you could pick your own theme song, what would it be?
-- Great Big Stuff, from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Now I know where I belong
A life of taste and class
With culture and sophistication
POURING OUT MY ASS.

2. Now be honest...if others had to pick a song that described you, what would they choose?

-- Ooh. Tough one. Uh... Mr. Cellophane, perhaps.

3. What song would be/was the first dance at your wedding?
-- Down Together by the Refreshments.

4. What song gets stuck in your head most often?
-- Barbie Girl by Aqua

5. What song would you want played at your funeral?
-- Heh. Maybe Loathing from Wicked? Seriously though, probably No Day But Today from Rent.

2006-09-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

In other news - shoe news - my mommy bought me the following shoes at Target. TOO CUTE.

4 8 15 16 23 42.

2006-09-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

I have a widget on my mac... you have to enter in the code and push the button ever 108 minutes. I'm so amused. I wonder how long it will be until I tire of it....!

Friday Five

2006-09-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

Abbie tells me these are a week or two old, but that's ok. :-)

1. What book or books were special to you in your childhood?
All of them? I read a LOT of books when I was a kid... I have been trying to get back in the habit but I will never read like I did when I was little. Let's see, I really loved the Bobbsey Twins. Chroni-WHAT?-cles of Narnia were favorites, too. One called "Cub Scout Mystery" was a surprise favorite. Encyclopedia Brown, and later Sherlock Holmes. And Jules Verne - oh man. 20000 Leagues, Around the World in 80 Days, Mysterious Island, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Michael Strogoff - LOVED 'em.

2. What was particularly special or memorable about those books?
Adventure! Villains! Excitement! Clever heroes and heroines! No romance!!!

3. Have you re-read any of them as an adult?
Other than the Verne, I actually haven't.

4. If so, were the books as good as you remembered them?
In some ways, yes. But the magic wasn't quite there.

5. What do you think about movies being made out of children's classics (like the Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of The Rings, etc.)?
Abbie's right when she says: "Nothing wrong with making movies out of children's classics, as long as they were done right."

Friday Five

2006-08-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

Stole these from Abbie... I'm going to try to do them from now on.

1. What was the last new song you discovered?
- Tubthumping by Chumbawamba (yes I'm waaaay behind the times).

2. What was the last new dish you tasted?
Fish & chips. I'd never had it before. It was good until I realized "Oh man I'm eating A FISH."

3. Where was the last place you visited for the first time?
Oh man I don't travel much. Does Alexandria count?

4. Who was the last new person you met?
An obnoxious friend of a friend of Brett.

5. What was the last new toy you played with?
A PDF editor at work. :-D

It's not like we'll never know love

2006-08-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

I am completely addicted to the Left Behind books and movies. I'm very very sad at the lack of merchandising, however. I would buy it ALL. Meatwad and I are both very excited about the upcoming video game. One of these days I'm going to CafePress.com myself a "Carpathia for Potentate" hoodie or something.

Occaisionally I like to look at what the top 25 most-listened-to songs are on my iPod. I haven't done this for a long time - last time it was heavy on the Spamalot as I remember.

1. Out Tonight/Rent (Broadway version)
2. American Idiot/Green Day
3. Rent (Film version)
4. Stacy's Mom/Fountains of Wayne
5. La Vie Boheme B/Rent (Broadway version)
6. Little Shop of Horrors (new version)
6. Dirty Rotten Number/Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
6. Find Your Grail/Spamalot
9. Everybody Fits/Altar Boyz
9. Welcome To My Life/Simple Plan

11. Spice Up Your Life/Spice Girls
12. Touch Myself/Divinyls
13. Mad World/Donnie Darko Soundtrack
13. And She Was/Talking Heads
15. Double Trouble/Harry Potter Soundtrack
16. Church Rulez/Altar Boyz
16. Number 918/Altar Boyz
16. Harder to Breath/Maroon 5
19. I Believe/Altar Boyz
19. Potions/Draco and the Malfoys
19. Accidentally In Love/Counting Crows
19. Everywhere/Michelle Branch
19. Another Day/Rent (film version)

Conclusion: I'm still a loser!

All around, people looking half dead...

2006-08-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

and contrary to the song, the nights are NOT a different world, they are creepy "Where on earth is all this heat STILL coming from???" worlds. Fortunately there is A/C at work, and on the bus. Work has been kept icy cold, and we all shiver and put on sweaters, but not a word of complaint do you hear from anyone.

Have been very busy at work. People found out I can Do Stuff (oops, how did that happen?).

Pissed at the Entire Middle East. They should all Go To Their Rooms And Think About What They Did And Not Come Out Until They're Ready To Apologize AND MEAN IT.

Speaking of which, am very nearly finished with Tribulation Force. It is a tribulation to read. They could have fun, interesting plots, if only the writers weren't completely untalented. It enrages me so sometimes that I'm tempted to just rewrite the damn things myself just to prove that I can. Have actually thought of a cool fantasy-type plot sort of mixing Left Behind, Stargate, and The Twilight Zone, with a vague memory of Paradise Lost for good measure and a nod to Wicked. Heck, I should probably go ahead and write it. If Left Behind stuff can sell, as well as all the other horse hockey that passes for science fiction these days... **ponders** I would probably end up being shot though.

Am also reading Atonement and Alias Grace, both absolutely beautifully written and such a relief from the unholy terror that is LaHaye/Jenkins.

It is REALLY [insert favorite expletive here] HOT.

From Salon.

2006-07-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

Even the neurotics and worrywarts weren't prepared for this week's fantastical slide into worst-case scenarios. Isn't it amazing how the world can appear to be going to hell in a handbasket, and then someone douses the handbasket with gasoline, lights a match, and drop-kicks the whole flaming mess straight into a stadium filled with toddlers, adorable baby animals and flammable trash?

link

like heaven on a sunday

2006-07-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

Life has been crazybusy. Friday was great- I got to hang out with J** and see pictures of her dog and her ultrasounds and such, and she showed me a lot about asp.net and SQL and she loaned me some really cool books. I'm very excited, she pointed me to a site where I can download some junior programming software for free. She also seems excited about having not only an adoring fan but someone at work she might eventually be able to talk to about her projects and bounce ideas off of. I'm thrilled, I think she's just brilliant.

Meatwad and I have been talking about how funny it is that we've gotten OLD so quickly. We were awake sans alarm clock by 9:30 today (it was 8:00 yesterday). We rented a U-Haul (I am old enough to rent cars now! Yay!) and drove to Takoma Park (20 minute drive) to pick up a couch from a friend who is moving out of her apartment. It's old and beat up and bits of it are taped together, but she gave it to us for free (!!!!). Sure, we had to pay for the U-Haul (came to about $54) but considering all the thrift stores within walking distance only have ugly, smelly couches (*SHUDDER*) for NO LESS than $100, it's still a great deal. It's VERY comfy. We just threw a big denim comforter over it. It's perfect. She also gave us a set of IKEA shelves (the same ones I had when I was a kid!) that manage to straddle our TV cart perfectly to form a makeshift entertainment center. She ALSO gave us a little yellow shelf that, as soon as I get some nails, will go in our kitchen as a spice rack. I'll have to find something else for it, too... since Meatwad and I are a midwestern/southern couple we don't have that many spices.

Speaking of food, yesterday we went to The Dubliner near Union Station (E St NW and N Capitol, I believe). We had some potato skins (C - not hot, sort of overcooked and not flavorful), Brett had the fish 'n' chips (A - I only had a bite of his fish but it was YUMMY despite my general aversion to fish!) and I had the shepherd's pie (B+ - perfectly good shepherd's pie but it's just no Pat Troy's). And they have Woodchuck!

After that we went to see Pirates. It was pretty fun. Like Brett says, really good direction covers a multitude of sins, and Pirates II doesn't have that many sins. Of course, it's not as magical as the first one, sequels never are. But there are some great fight scenes, amazing sets and scenery, a really great Kraken, and absolutely awesome looking monster-villains. It was a lot more gorey than the first one, which surprised me. Eyeballs getting plucked out and whatnot. Ick. But a thoroughly enjoyable 2.5 hours, I never tired of it.

I bought a lot of stuff from Old Navy.Com last week and to my great pleasure and surprise it all fits. All of it. Yes, now that I make tons of money I could buy things from other places. But I can get SO MUCH from Old Navy. And I need a lot of work-acceptable clothes, I'm not at the point where I can start slowly buying fancy pants stuff. Quoting Huckabees, It's not quality, IT'S QUANTITY. So I got two of those long camis that I love, in brown and olive green, some grey slacks long enough to wear with heels, shorts, *adorable* denim capris, some subdued espadriles, some black pointy flats, and two polo shirts. (Heaven help me, I work for republicans and I wear polo shirts.)

Epiphany

2006-07-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

Now, some of you may already know this about me (only because I've told you in the strictest of confidences). To the rest of you, this will come as a complete shock. It may shatter every preconcieved notion you've ever had about me. But I'm beginning to realize that it will only get more and more difficult to hide the truth, if my academic and career path continue on as they are now. But here goes.

I am a huge giant dork.

Yes, I can hear the gasps, the protestations, a few people perhaps falling to the ground in a surprised faint. But it's true. I've always known it, to some extent, but only recently has it really, truly hit me what a bad case of dorkiness I actually have. This morning, for instance, I googled the phrase "classification of literate societies." Because I wanted to.

I've been getting terribly excited about my master's thesis. No, my program, being a sort of bastard academic field, doesn't require a thesis. But I'm writing one. Because I want to. The idea is still a little vague but has gotten better this week... I won't bore you with details except to say I've been searching extensively on the terms "information ecology" and "social capital."

At work the other day I was talking to an extremely cool lady who is our "User Experience Engineer." (How awesome is that job title?) In the wake of my old boss J* leaving (sniff) I may very well end up being "adopted" by J**. This would please me immensely. She's absolutely brilliant and does all the kinds of things I would like to do when I get my degree. So even though I will miss J* terribly, at least if J** "adopts" me, my life won't suck.

Work in general has been going well, although I've only spent two days without J* so who knows. I'm learning a lot of really useful things, and although, as Dr. O* warned, a full-time job just makes taking classes that more exhausting, I'm having a great time with both. Having an income - making more than I spend! - releases a lot of stress and allows me to look at my academic career in a different light - more "what do I want to accomplish/learn" and less "omg I have to graduate FAST so I can get a JOB so I won't be HOMELESS and so I can PAY OFF MY LOANS." I have a job, a home, and I will start paying off my loans in the very near future so... why rush overly much, if I'm learning and developing my career?

In other news, spending independence day with (among other, much cooler people) two racist homphobes is not my idea of a good time, but so it goes.

EDIT: I went through my closet to find something patriotic to wear today - sadly, the most patriotic thing I own is my "Republicans For Voldemort" teeshirt. It'll have to do, although I'll probably get beaten up by irate Oklahomans.

look right through me, walk right by me...

2006-06-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Email from a professor: "We missed you in the second half of class last night. I hope all is well with you."

Yeah. You obviously didn't miss me TOO much, professor, because I WAS THERE AND I TALKED TO YOU. Gaaaaah. Seriously, second class in a row that this is happening to me. Am I that completely unremarkable?

I think I need to do something to my hair. Dye it brighter, cut it shorter, put in a pink streak? SOMETHING. Something has to happen. Maybe some funky glasses, too. I AM SO ANNOYED.

People let me tell ya bout my...

2006-05-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce two of my best friends...

Amber:

and Granny Smith: .

I have not known them long but already we have become fast friends. I feel very close to them. In fact, I only met Amber today. It was a long hot sweaty sticky humid walk home from Union Station, and all I could think of the whole 15 minutes was how much I was looking forward to spending some time with my dear friend Granny Smith. I stopped by the local Quickie Mart to see if she was there. She wasn't, but Amber was, so she came home with me and now we're hanging out. Amber is less sharp than Granny Smith, but more spicy. There is definitely room in my life for both of them.

Bustopher Jones is not skin and bones, in fact he's...

2006-05-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted much lately, but then, nothing of much interest to anyone else has happened to me. I could say things like, "Oh, did you hear about the new director of DCPL?" or "My boss had me proofread his really cool new cataloging policy" but... really, who would care or understand?

My last grade is still not in. Fortunately, no one else in the class has gotten their grade either so it's not just me.

Meatwad and I went to a Nats game today, and for the first time in my life, the home team won at a game I attended! Of course, this was just my 5th baseball game. I've seen two Dbacks/Brewers games, one Twins/Brewers game (enough with the Brewers!), one Dbacks/Red Sox game, and now one Nats/Dodgers game. We sat in front of three VERY excited little boys. Two were brothers; they were all under 5 years old. Adorable. They didn't really care who scored, they just cheered whenever.

Uh. Work is fine. Free breakfast on Fridays - fruit (which I skip, because it usually hurts my throat because of my bizarre allergies), granola, yogurt, cereal (not those little dinky boxes, the bigger plastic tubs), milk, bagels, assorted pastries. They seem to be well picked over by 9, so I will have to get to work a little earlier on Fridays. I had fruit loops and a piece of iced lemon poundcake. Mmmm. Also work-related, I finally got my photo ID, which means I can join the free gym in the basement of the main building. Doesn't mean I'll go.

But I probably should go. I have grown remarkably fat since the beginning of the year. (Coinciding with a certain midwesterner's taking up residence with me, and bringing his cheese and pork and George Foreman grill with him.) It wouldn't kill me to just go and walk on a treadmill, or sit on a bike, for 1/2 hour after work every day. Would it? I'm not sure what/how much equipment they have, but I can't imagine it being very crowded ever. Everyone's pretty busy.

I have made a Great Discovery. Anyone who knows me knows that while I am addicted to caffeine, I greatly dislike drinking coffee black, or even with cream, although I'll drink it that way if I have to. (No sugar though - GROSS!) So usually I either brew coffee and dump a lot of vanilla CoffeeMate into it, or if pressed for time, I grab one of those Starbucks frappucinos. Costly. There is free coffee at work, but no free CoffeeMate. HowEVer. They have free packets of Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix. Staring longingly at the free coffee this week... it dawned upon me - a brilliant idea - if you mix the hot chocolate mix in with coffee, instead of milk or water... you have a FREE INSTANT MOCHA. Caffeine that's free and tastes ... well, not great, but decent! Hurrah!

I have not gotten much done this weekend so far. But I'll get everything done tomorrow, right? RIGHT?!

The Power of Prayer and Protein.

2006-05-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

News flash: Pat Robertson can leg-press 2000 pounds, apparently through a combination of God's power and Pat's own energy shake recipe.

Uh huh.

Shoes

2006-05-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

I bought these shoes from Zappos and they came today. I had to get them shipped to me at Slightly Evil because there is no one to sign for them at our place. Anyway, they are adorable but I have to send them back because the toes fit... just... oddly. Perhaps my feet are freakishly shaped, I don't know, but it just wasn't perfect enough for me to keep under my new "perfection or nothing" motto for buying stuff.

These babies, however, are Rockports, and they feel AWESOME. They're suede, so I won't be able to wear them in the rain, but I don't plan on wearing them to/from work, anyway. I can't bear the thought of ever wearing fancy heals on the Farragut North "Crazy Crowded Hellhole" escalators.

Poseidon

2006-05-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Meatwad and I saw Poseidon last night. It was far better than I expected -- in fact, it was very good. Tightly written, didn't try to be anything it wasn't, good cast, good effects, and far more emotionally jarring than you'd expect. I do have a beef with one of the characters, though, and I realize this was just for the plot, but still...

SCENARIO: You are a single mom on an upside-down, sinking boat with your insanely adorable 10 year old son (see picture, left, click for bigger version). There are fires, floods, things crashing around, electrical stuff swinging from the ceiling (floor?), dead people underfoot everywhere. Now. I ask you.

HOW MANY F*ING TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO F*ING LOSE TRACK OF THE F*ING KID BEFORE YOU F*ING HOLD HIS F*ING HAND????

I mean. SERIOUSLY.

Grade obsession.

2006-05-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

Two grades are in... an A in Social Process (the one with the terrible teachers... I am surprised it's not an A- because they consistantly confused me with someone else in that class, who had poor attendance). And an A- in Information Access which stuns me, because I had an A+ on 55% of the assignments. I knew I probably did pretty badly on the final, but I guess I got nicked for participation, too. I just never asked questions because I understood everything. Oh well. If I got an A-... I wonder if maybe some people flunked, because I know there were people who didn't even finish some of the assignments because of the time constraints.

I am rather grumpy now, but having a good job makes grade outcomes a lot less stressful. Whatever happens, at least I won't be frantically trying to find some kind of employment before my student loans come due. I'll certainly be trying to find something better that will make use of my MLS, but I won't be having nightmares about bankruptcy! And I'm hoping there will be internal opportunities at Slightly Evil. My new boss, when I interviewed, said they didn't expect the person they hired to stay in that position terribly long past getting their MLS, but that the firm was growing very fast (which it is) and they have lots of opportunities for new MLS people (which, from what I've observed, is also true -- there were lots of new hires at the meeting).

Oh yes, I was flown to Miami for work, and given a free iPod shuffle. Oh how I love the corporate world...

pillows a la carte

2006-05-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

So the hotel I'm staying at for work tomorrow night has a pillow menu. I had to Google it. I thought it was a fancy pants term for room service at first.

I did some training-by-phone the other day. It actually worked out pretty well.

I also enrolled for my benefits tonight. Someone in the insurance biz doesn't get out much, because when working through the form online I was presented with the message...

"Your employer provides enrollment in the following at no cost to you: Group STD"

That's a very unfortunate acronym for short-term disability...

Mmmm rice.

2006-05-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

Today was my first "real" day at Slightly Evil. Nothing interesting to anyone else happened... lots of dorky learning curve stuff. Billing for electronic serials, yay!!! Still, my desk is nice, even if it's not in my own office, and I got lots of office supplies -- I'm so excited. I've found that taking the bus straight down H Street is cheaper, easier, and faster than walking to Union Station and then taking the train to work. I have no idea why I was the only white person on the bus the whole way down. It's so convenient, and cleaner and less crowded than the metro. But shhhh don't tell anyone, my little secret...

Tonight I have to work on my last final. Blah. Blaaaaaaaaaah.

First day at the new job.

2006-05-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day at Slightly Evil, LLP. Gorgeous bathrooms, a gym in the basement, and a great view of snipers running around the roof of the White House. The people I'll be working with seem pretty grounded and fun.

My professors for one class are... well, they don't put a high priority on this class. Or keeping their students' identities straight. Or fulfilling promises. This grumpifies me.

But still, I'm happy about the job and the paycheck and the dental and the 401(k) and the nameplate and the keycard and the free gym.

More warm fuzzies.

2006-05-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Meatwad has been so nice to me lately. He's been cooking and cleaning for me all semester, while I've been too frantically busy to do so. Seriously, if it wasn't for him, I'd just eat crackers and Oreos for every meal. As it is, I've gained 10 pounds since he moved in. He's also been buying me a LOT of food while I'm in my temporarily impoverished state. I can' t wait until I get my first paycheck, and I can finally stop mooching off him.

I just realized that I haven't actually told anyone about this blog, even the one person who has been bugging me to start it up again. Although I did link to her.

Today is for Costco.

Shopping spree!

2006-05-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

I can over hear Meatwad's phone conversation in the other room. He's telling a friend what I'm in school for, and now I can hear him defending my career choice. "It's actually pretty cool, cuz she knows all these different places to look for just about any information..." An overstatement, but it gives me the warm fuzzies anyway.

Today I took my Christmas gift card (I'm a hoarder, as so many librarians are) and hit Target and Gap with it, looking for business clothes. Since before today, I had basically NONE. One suit. One dress shirt, whose sleeves are a little too short. And that would be it. I grabbed a lot of loot that I will probably detail later. I was pretty pleased, most everything I picked out fit me in the dressing room. I came home and ordered some shoes from Zappos, although those won't get here until late next week, probably, and they may or may not be comfy. But hey -- free return shipping, you can't go wrong! SO, for the day, I ended up with skirts, polo shirts, dress shirts (3/4 length because of my monkey arms), and some slacks. And a pair of pumps from Target, but I'm not sure if I'm going to keep them. Meatwad scored by finding the 5th season of the West Wing (we're catching up on them slowly) for $22. He got a nice dark blue shirt and a matching green/blue tie, too. He looks very cute in dark blue shirts.

Bloggity blog.

2006-05-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

Alright, so, I've had about 35,000 blogs in the past few years... I've done blogger, typepad, livejournal, myspace, another blogger, tried just doing it on my own... never really kept it up. Except that now people are - ok, one person is - bugging me to start blogging again. And my life is actually interesting now - who'd have thought. Well, it's more interesting anyway. And I was checking out Bryan D., and his blogger looks very nice, which makes me think blogger must have had some improvements in the last few years. (Wait... I was checking out Bryan D's blog, that's what I meant.) And since I just spent the last three months doing a project on the history of Google's acquisitions - there's a psychological principle for this, although I forget the name... if you force yourself to spend enough time or money on something, it will become precious to you even if you initially hated it. So I feel like I need to involve myself in everything Google, since I spent three months of my life immersed in it. Wallowing in it. Wallowing in Google, yes. Ask me about the history of Blogger. And Evan Williams. And what Evan Williams is doing now, and how I put it all into an ACH matrix. Actually, no... don't ask me. But trust me, I know...

defying clarity

Literary snobbery.

My predictions...

Final thoughts.

somewhere only we know...

LOST!

The Songs In My Head Get Nerdier.

Nerdy on so many levels...

baseball

blogroll

vingt-et-une heures, jeudi

What I've been....

PWNED!

FineTune

Dream Journal

Interesting.

It's Christmas time, again....

New blog.

Bloggers suck.

And everything was going SO WELL...

Playlist meme.

Al Gore...

Christmas.

STICK THE IRS!

Friday Five

Sunday, 11/19/2006

I sound like Darth Vader when I breath!

Gnugh.

No health care for YOU, Baby!

Snark.

Friday Five

Everything is overrated.

Seriously,

Friday Five

rhapsody

Friday Five at the Movies

Slightly nerdy...

Not my final answer!!!

Friday Five from Abbie

4 8 15 16 23 42.

Friday Five

Friday Five

It's not like we'll never know love

All around, people looking half dead...

From Salon.

like heaven on a sunday

Epiphany

look right through me, walk right by me...

People let me tell ya bout my...

Bustopher Jones is not skin and bones, in fact he's...

The Power of Prayer and Protein.

Shoes

Poseidon

Grade obsession.

pillows a la carte

Mmmm rice.

First day at the new job.

More warm fuzzies.

Shopping spree!

Bloggity blog.