Walk this way

My current apartment has a walk score of 51 (out of 100). "What is Walk Score? Walk Score helps people find walkable places to live. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc." I expected the number to be a bit higher but I suppose 51 isn't terrible.

When was the last time I went on a walk? Hmmm... It was a little more than a week ago in the Everglades. This is what the scene looked like:



Yes, that is an American Alligator in the distance. He wanted to be included in this picturesque photo.

Feel free to steal any of these ideas

This post does not contain any spoilers about HP Book 7. You can read on, knowing you are safe and sound.

After writing the previous entry I began brainstorming Harry Potter fan fiction ideas. This list followed. I won’t be using any of the ideas as I’m not a fan fiction writer (yet), so feel free to make them your own.

Harry Potter Fan Fiction Ideas:

The Hermione, Ron, Harry trio breaks up. In its place is the Luna, Neville and Harry trio. Hermione and Ron are happy with this arrangement, as it gives them more time to focus on their relationship. Harry accepts this arrangement as well, considering he always felt like “the third wheel” when in company of Hermione and Ron.

Cho Chang and Harry Potter get back together. Ginny claims she never loved Harry in the first place. In order to prove her point, she makes out with Draco.

“The new Hermione.” Hermione throws away all her books and goes punk. She takes up smoking, joins a band and petitions for Hogwarts to build an underground wizard’s skatepark. Instead of being known as the smart girl, she seeks out an identity as the punk girl. In order to be even more subversive, she tattoos the crest of Slytherin on her arm.

Dobby and Kreacher unite to form a house-elf union. The union strives to gain equal rights for house elves everywhere. Their first appeal is to gain the right to wear clothing. They devise the slogan: “No nude elves.”

Rita Skeeter publishes a shocking biography on Harry Potter. She titles the book: “Harry Potter: The Book Who Lived and Lied.” When Harry learns of the biography he decides to no longer focus his energy on overcoming Voldermort but instead he will focus on overcoming Rita. He decides “writing well is the best revenge” and sets out to pen a book that will expose her. He titles the book: “The Queen of Ugly Journalism: Rita Skeeter.”

Hagrid leaves Hogwarts in order to take a teaching position at Beauxbatons in France. During this time he reunites with Olympe Maxime. Their courtship is fiery but brief, seeing that she refuses to admit her giant heritage. Hagrid is heart-broken and adopts a goldfish in order to distract him from the pain. He names the fish Frank and opens a vineyard in the south of France.

Out of the Deathly Hallows (no spoilers ahead)

I’ve completed The Book, with a mixture of relief and sadness. Relief, as I will no longer have to worry about encountering spoilers, and sadness, because, well, it is over. J.K. Rowling, can’t you just write a Book 8? Please? Pretty please? Pretty please with a cherry on top? I know a Harry Potter “Encyclopedia” is in the works but that isn’t the same. I told Nate I may have to resort to Harry Potter fan fiction in order to satisfy my obsession. After making this statement he looked at me in silence, as if I’d just announced to him that I was packing my bags and moving in with my gay lover.

Today I found myself at Borders perusing all the HP merchandise. They had a bin of Hogwarts banners for each house (Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Grffyndor). I noticed the only banners they had left were those of Slytherin. I found myself smiling when I saw this and said out-loud, “Good.”

I went on to examine the official HP wand. If you push the button it glows and makes a pleasant, zapping noise. Right away I thought, “I need this!” Which was followed by more practical thoughts: “No, you don’t need to be casting any spells anytime soon. You do not need to go about town with a wand in hand.” So I put the wand back on the shelf, wishing Ollivander could make me a wand instead.

Did I enjoy Book 7? Yes, yes, I did. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending but it could just be I wasn’t ready to close the book.

Unusual pets

This post does not contain any HP spoilers

I’ve returned from Florida but won’t be posting until I get out of the Deathly Hollows. I would totally have the book read by now, except, I was on vacation and made the decision to act like it. I almost skipped Everglades National Park in order to sit in the hotel room and read. After all, being in air-conditioned surroundings and taking in the last of the Harry Potter stories (*sniff, sniff*) is tempting. But no, I made the right decision and will be avoiding the Internet until I finish it.

Photo break

I'll be Florida for the next few days and don't plan on updating during that time. In the meantime feel free to enjoy photos from a recent walk in the park:



To view the photos in a new window click here.

Michigan is beautiful in the summer months, is it not?

8:32 AM at Starbucks

When I left Starbucks this morning a man sitting in the bustling coffee drop off/pick up zone, shouted over to me: “You have pretty hair!”

The words surprised me. I wasn’t sure if he was hitting on me, or possibly a villain waiting for the right moment of attack, or a third option: the very sight of my Rapunzel-like hair blinded him to the point he had no choice but to shout out the words. I found myself saying, “Thank you,” rather awkwardly, as I continued on (picking up the pace, of course). I am in favor of believing it was a genuine compliment. After all, have you seen my hair lately? Do you have any idea how much time and energy I devote to my long locks?

In case you don’t know, let me elaborate. I brush my hair with use of an exotic Conair hairbrush. When my hair needs washing I select the finest shampoo and conditioner in the land. Recently I adopted bangs, meaning, attentive maintenance is required (unless I want to look like an Old English sheepdog). Luckily, I have no trouble cutting my own bangs once they get too long. The result is a series of beautiful, carefree zigzags across my forehead.

Such complex beauty secrets are bound to generate a response. Today it was a stranger at Starbucks who felt compelled to shout at me; tomorrow it will be a personal phone call from Hillary seeking hair advice out on the campaign trail. I know no one wants to talk about Hillary’s hair anymore (this wasn't the case back in the 90's) but in my mind, I don’t see how her hair wouldn’t be a major factor in the upcoming election. Or, I wouldn't be surprised if she abandoned the presence of Bill and simply let her hair win over the necessary votes. I know with the right hair style, she has my vote.

Why you won’t find me on the dance floor anytime soon

On Saturday I attended my first ever salsa-dancing lesson with Nate. I’m not a dancer, despite taking ballet as a child, but salsa is a dance I’ve always admired and I like to put myself in new, frightening situations. The kind of situations in which I end up looking and feeling absolutely ridiculous. The lesson was fairly fast paced, so while focusing on the moves my mind was racing. My thought process went a little like this:

I am clumsy… I am awkward… How am I supposed to remember the difference between a right and left turn? Maybe I can make it up and no one will notice…

I shouldn’t have worn Crocs. All the girls here are wearing heels, why am in Crocs?

That boy looks like Sanjaya from American Idol… He has the outfit, the smile, the hair… his curls are carelessly bouncing as he moves across the floor... Is Sanjaya his inspiration? I wonder if Nate noticed and is thinking the same thing...

I hope Nate doesn’t notice all the errors I am making. Maybe he will be distracted by the music and fail to notice my careful, elephant-like moves. Or, the fact I just turned right when I should have turned left.

I should have put on makeup. All the girls here are wearing makeup.

The dance instructor makes everything look so effortless, so simple… yet she seems to enjoy yelling out one command after another. Maybe she imagines herself as Captain Von trapp (from The Sound of Music). I’m sure if they gave her a whistle, she would take great pleasure in using it. Then, instead of a series of commands the lesson would be taught through a series of precise shrills and pitches.

My thoughts were jumbled and I made quite a few mistakes. Let’s just say, I did not take to the dance floor like a fish to water. It was more like a fish to oatmeal, or rice pudding even. I will take additional lessons in the future but my audition for So You Think You Can Dance will have to wait.

The Harry Potter you don’t want to see

(At least, the Harry Potter I don't want to see.)



As a Harry Potter fan, I have no interest in Daniel Radcliffe the actor but I have every interest in him as Harry Potter. And, something tells me Harry Potter would not dress like this. No student in Hogwart’s would dress like this. I know Harry is growing up but it is doubtful this is the direction he is going in. Of course, maybe Book 7 will offer all kinds of surprises.

Click here to go to Daniel Radcliffe's photoshoot for Details magazine.

Not exactly music to the ears

Ira Glass, your whiny voice irritates me. I know everyone goes on and on about your show (This American Life) but the second I hear your voice, I have to turn it off, or change stations. I would much rather listen to the goddess that is Diane Rehm, who also has a distinctive radio voice. When I listen to Diane Rehm I feel like I’m listening to an old Grandmother. I like the feeling. Also, Diane speaks with confidence and makes sure to ask all the right (and difficult) questions. Meanwhile, the voice of Ira Glass does not soothe me but rather, makes me wonder how many other NPR listeners are bothered by the nasally sound.

Reading

My mind should be on Florida but instead it seems to center on France. I just finished reading, Anything Considered, by Peter Mayle. Here is a brief review of the novel, from Amazon.com:

“It's no secret that Peter Mayle (author of A Year in Provence) loves Provence, so it's no surprise that Mayle's new novel is set that area: it takes place in Saint Martin and in Monaco. Bennett is an Englishman scraping together his last few francs, desperate to stay in France. He places an ad promising "anything considered," a wealthy truffle entrepreneur hires him for slightly illicit work, and the plot is off--a combination of a thriller, romance, and page turner. And through it all emanates the whiff of lavender, the curve of country hills, the bubble of champagne, and the sounds and tastes of Provence.”

I, like many readers, am smitten with novels that allow one to escape to exotic, faraway locations. Mayle’s descriptions of life in southern France are spellbinding. Will I go on to read his other novels? I haven’t decided yet. You see, in the spring I had a course on Faulkner and ended up reading all of his major works during that time. Then I went on an Amy Tan kick, reading every single one of her novels. If I do the same with Mayle, I’ll be busy for quite some time. I don’t read every single day, it varies, but with summer I find more time for reading.

Remembering previous family vacations

I’ll be in Florida next week. Unless, of course, I change my mind once I start imagining Florida weather in July. Or, if I start to contemplate what traveling with family will result in. Chaos? Hostility? Arguments over if we should stop at Starbucks for iced lattes or keep going? In my mind we have been traveling for hours, yet due to the constant heat it feels more like days… when suddenly a familiar mermaid logo looms ahead…

“Pull over!” I shout, overjoyed. “I need an iced latte!”

“No, we need to keep on going. We don’t have time for iced lattes. Save your money for souvenirs at Everglades National Park.”

“No, I need an iced latte…”

At this point the argument grows in intensity. I end up telling one of my sisters, “I can’t stand you!” My Mom steps in, trying to remedy the situation before it gets out of hand. In time everyone is shouting, “I hate you!” to the other. Perhaps hair is pulled? Perhaps someone storms out of the rental car and takes off for the ocean? Perhaps I storm out of the rental car and instead of heading for the ocean, seek out the nearest Starbucks?

I know this argument is entirely hypothetical but I don’t believe it is too extreme. I realize I should just keep calm, relax and push all worries aside. I can survive a few days with family in another state, even if the notion scares me more than the thought of falling into alligator infested waters.

I’m trying to plan out what I will need and what spots should be a “must visit.” We will be flying into Fort Lauderdale. I know Everglades National Park is already on the itinerary… right next to Starbucks.

Pie in the sky

I love that my roommate from Long Island, NY refers to pizza as pie. The other day I caught her using the word pizza instead. I did not find this amusing. Sounding very much so like a school-teacher, I asked:

“Don’t you mean pie?”

She smiled back, replying with cheekiness, “Yes, I mean pie.”

Good, I hope she means pie and not pizza. Just because she has been in Michigan for a month doesn’t mean she can start changing her speech and losing touch with her roots. Is she going to return to Long Island and start throwing around the word pizza? I hope not, for her sake, as I hear Long Islanders can be quite vicious.

I know people love to go on about the soda versus pop debate but what about pizza versus pie? I suppose the pop/soda debate stretches further in the United States. However, I wonder, is pizza known as pie elsewhere?

Photo talk

"Excuse me, can I take your picture?"

These can be difficult words for a photographer. Flickr user, stpiduko, has no trouble saying these words. His People I Have Asked photoset is evidence of this. Of course, I wanted to know more and so I enjoyed reading his entry on how he goes about asking people on the street if he can photograph them.

An excerpt from the entry:

Q: Do people ever say ‘No’ ?
A: Success rate is about 90%, never really minded people saying ‘No’, what’s worse is, if I let someone pass that I wanted to photograph but didn’t bother asking.

Do I ever see people on the street I'd like to photograph? Yes. Do I always approach them? No. I went through my flickr photostream and found this photograph of someone I asked:



(Click on image for larger size.)

The young boy was preparing to take my order at a summer ice cream spot. I like that you can tell he takes his job very seriously.

I am currently wondering if I should be branching out and asking more people, "Can I take your picture?" Right now I'm borrowing a simple point-and-shoot camera but when I have a new camera perhaps I will try my hand at being bolder.

Lessons from My-lan

On Saturday Nate and I ventured to a county fair located in Milan, MI. (Pronounced My-lan, not Milan, because folks in the small town fear being mistaken for Milan, Italy. Which is far from the likes of Milan, MI.) While at the fair we took in all the sights and sounds. As we walked past the various carnival games different carnies would shout out, “Want to win a prize for the lady?” or, “Hey there, son, why don’t you step up and win a prize for the pretty lady?”

There were quite a few carnival games to walk past and the suggestions did not stop. I, the pretty lady who couldn't even imagine being able to play a carnival game (let alone win a prize) simply smiled back at Nate. He must have felt the pressure because he did manage to win me this enormous bear:


Okay, so maybe the bear isn’t exactly enormous but he is pink. And pink equals cute. I carried my little pink bear with pride. Nate was starting to feel a little better. Until we passed a carny who shouted, “Is that all you won her? That tiny bear? Come up here son for the chance to win your lady a real prize!”

Apparently size does matter at the county fair.

Not turning Goth anytime soon

After posting this entry several readers contacted me with the question, “So, did you enjoy Goth night?” I’ve been trying to figure out how to respond to such a question. Let’s just say: Goth is not my cup of tea.

To the right is a somewhat embarrassing photo of me from the evening. I made the photo very tiny on purpose. Did I mention a feeling of embarrassment? Of course, there was a moment in the evening in which I felt some degree of satisfaction.

I was sipping my drink when a boy who looked very Goth approached me.

“Hey, I haven’t seen you here in awhile,” he said with excitement.

I turned to face him.

“Oh, sorry, I mistook you for someone else.”

I replied, “Don’t worry about it,” and sauntered off, a Chesire cat grin appearing on my face. I sought out my friend right away.

“There was this guy and he just mistook me for another person who apparently goes here all the time. He thought I was Goth!” I smiled as if I had just won first place at the county fair.

Perhaps it sounds silly but I was very pleased with myself. It was at that point I decided it was time to go home. I, a proper girl from the city, was able to blend in as a Goth. What more did I have to prove?

---
Please note: This entry is not meant to offend those who are Goth or who enjoy a Goth lifestyle. I apologize in advance.

Also, for anyone wondering, “What is Goth exactly?” The article, Goth subculture, from Wikipedia is very useful.

I'm sending this message to all my friends

I'm not a fan of ecards but I think I found an exception. This is just one of many that amused me.

From Quote of the Day

"The creator of the universe works in mysterious ways. But he uses a base ten counting system and likes round numbers." -Scott Adams

Photo contest over at National Geographic

I enjoy the Your Shot page in National Geographic. Individuals can submit photos online for possible publication in the magazine. Pictures that don't make it in the magazine may appear in the Top Shots section. Hmm. I am thinking I need a digital SLR camera badly.

Goth nights in the city

Friday it was Pride Night at the club. (For a heterosexual girl, such as myself, who doesn’t get out much, the night was very exciting.) Tonight it is Goth Night at the same club, except I don’t expect to hear anyone telling me, “Honey, you are fabulous.” I’m thinking it will be quite a different crowd. I’m expecting moody and edgy. At some point I’ll find myself in a corner listening to dark, torture-ridden poetry. Maybe a small goat will be sacrificed in order to appease a pagan god? I’ve created a completely different "look" for the occasion. Will I, a non-Goth, manage to blend in? Time will tell.

Here are a few interesting Goth links I stumbled upon while doing my "research":
Christian Goth. This one took me by surprise.
How to be Goth. Very useful.
Suicide Girls. Not all Suicide Girls are Goth but many are. I used the photos to get an idea of possible Goth/punk looks I could copy.

The real reason for my recent adventures is my roommate, J. The two of us live quiet, simple lives. She is on her way to becoming a respectable doctor, while I am often tucked away with the latest issue of National Geographic as I play pretend Anthropologist in my head. Now that it is summer we feel the need to mix things up a bit. She is going to be returning to New York in August and I would hate to think her memories of Michigan were dull, or lackluster. After tonight, her memories should be anything but boring.