June at long last

Once upon a time this was a blog that was updated on a fairly regular basis. I’m afraid it has now turned into a neglected blog. And what have I been doing instead of writing here?

I am still in the process of looking for a new job, what I call a Real Job. I realize there are people in this world who make their living as a coffee barista but I am not one of them. I can’t afford it. So, the job search is on and will probably end up lasting the entire summer. The remainder of my life has been occupied with work, spending time with friends and Skype conversations. A friend of mine has introduced Grey’s Anatomy into my life and so I’ve also become a recent addict to the show.

My longtime friend, Steve B, will be back on US soil this June and this fact is making me very happy. He has been in Iraq for the past year working in an army hospital. I am working on convincing him to take a trip to Michigan… Well, that is it in terms of news here. I hope those of you who still tune into this blog are doing well. Enjoy the summer!

6 Random Things About Me

Srah just completed this meme and so I thought I would give it a go...

1. I tend to freak out when someone enters my apartment but refuses to remove their shoes and ends up WALKING ON THE CARPET. WITH SHOES ON, NO LESS! This drives me quite mad and I try my best to hold it together. I take a deep breathe, imagine a happy place (Southern France usually works) and then I prance on the person and end up throwing their shoes out the window. I live a few floors up, so the fall is quite dramatic. This usually reinforces my stance on the No Shoes on Carpet Rule.

2. I can’t snap my fingers. I just can’t, I don’t know why.

3. Once I have a new favorite album I tend to play it over and over again on repeat. Often I narrow this down to the favorite song(s) on that favorite album, so I will end up only listening to track 5 a few thousand times before I move on.

4. I agreed to attend a friend’s graduation ceremony that takes place this Saturday, starting at 9 AM. I said, “Yes,” and then thought, “No. I can’t. Please don’t make me get up that early on a Saturday.” But I kept my mouth shut because this is part of being a friend and maybe I can still find a way to get out of it...

5. One of my favorite stores to go to is Whole Foods and while in NYC this past April I discovered the Whole Foods at Columbus Circle is even cooler than my Whole Foods at home. I am not a person who goes around bashing Michigan, or who likes to the use the line, “New York is better,” but in this one area there is superiority. I’m sorry if this offends some of you but have you compared the two Whole Foods lately? I thought not.

6. At my apartment we happen to have the worst magazine selection of all time on our coffee table. My roommate signed up for Cosmo Girl, Good Housekeeping, Redbook and Glamour (all for an art project) and we also receive Martha Stewart Living (which I used to read/love). With this many magazines arriving each month, things can get cluttered fast.

What is practical

I am finding the search for a Real Job to be a challenge. When I sit at my laptop and begin analyzing my resume or searching for potential jobs online I suddenly lose inertia in the process. The trouble might have something to do with the fact I don’t want a serious job at the moment. Actually, not working at all sounds ideal. And if I am forced into working can’t the task be exciting or glamorous at the very least? Is that too much to ask for?

A month ago I received an unexpected letter from National Geographic. I was terribly excited while opening it because I let my imagination rush ahead of me. “They probably want me to go on assignment and are writing to tell me to pack my bags… I must remember to bring a Passport, sunscreen, chewing gum for flying…” Once the letter was opened I discovered they were merely asking for a magazine subscription. I tossed the letter into the wastebasket, thinking, “Fine! Send someone else to cover the situation in Myanmar! See if I care!”

I have a friend who recently graduated and had the chance to go on an archaeological dig this summer but turned it down for a pointless, well-paying job instead (the job also allows her to stay in Michigan). Her so-called practical decision is haunting her and she has taken to calling herself a, “sell out.” I imagine not being able to play in the dirt all summer must be painful. It may even become more painful if they discover the next Kennewick Man or a fossilized insect and she won’t be there to witness it because a memo needs to be delivered ASAP.

There is also the added pressure of finding a Real Job because I happen to live a life that requires the transfer of US dollars, often on a daily basis. Working at a coffee shop is not enough to survive on, even if I feel great loyalty to my café and would probably work there for the rest of my life if it were in fact practical.

My beating heart

This past Sunday my family put together a party in order to celebrate my graduation. After the party ended a few of my siblings came over to my apartment in order to fix my wireless Internet problems. Theresa worked at it for hours, while I served tea and made small talk. She wasn’t able to fix the problem after hours of work and explained she would need to leave for now. My sister had just devoted her entire weekend to planning and putting together a party in my honor and she appeared exhausted, so I decided she had clearly earned the right to leave.

Me: “Okay, don’t worry about it… I’m sure we can get to it later. Thank you for trying so hard. I guess I can live without Internet for a second or two…”

My brother, Alex, jumped in just then.

Alex: “Are you sure it is okay? I thought you said earlier that it was causing you heart attacks. That sounds serious.”

Me: “Oh, well, it was causing me heart attacks… but I guess I can get by…”

Alex: “Are you sure? I mean, even one heart attack sounds serious. But you said you had several.”

Me: “Yes, I know… but maybe I exaggerated a little bit…”

Alex ended up staying after Theresa left and worked on the problem for another few hours. He wasn’t able to fix it but I appreciated the effort. I left my apartment to run up to the store and when I returned my new roommate, H, had a message for me. Apparently she had taken over while I was away and had devoted her night to tackling the problem. My new roommate was a stranger when she moved in but she is clearly on the right track to winning my heart.

As I sit in my apartment now I can’t help but feel quite lucky. I don’t have reliable Internet here, not yet, but I have so many people in my life that will go out of their way to help me. This is no small thing. I am fortunate. And even if reliable Internet never reaches me, I'll still have people around me who will step in and care.

Apartment listings

I've been reading through all kinds of apartment listings as of late. Many are dull or in some cases questionable. I know a listing for "Room for Rant" caught my eye and I considered emailing the individual with the proper English corrections. But then I stopped because I refuse to turn into that kind of person. The type who is offended by poor grammar and feels the need to preserve the language. No, I refuse to become a William Safire. So "Room for Rant" is fine. Besides, the "rant" part gives the listing a certain amount of flair, don't you think?

One of the more interesting listings I've found is shown below.

Who I'm looking for:

Sweet, down-to-earth, cultured people who are kind and considerate, would appreciate the artistic, family vibe of our building, and be able to return all the good Karma that's floating around the place. Seeing as two out of three of us are musicians, making noise is not a problem. The building is couple-friendly, foreigner-friendly, pet-friendly and queer-friendly. Basically just friendly period.

After I read this I wanted to scream, "That's me!" But then I stopped myself because the room is going for $1000 a week. Apparently living a Bohemian lifestyle does not come cheap these days. Not in Manhattan, at least.

My second favorite listing I came across was written in the form of a poem. The poem was organized into exact stanzas and made use of clever rhyme. Except, there wasn't a great deal of information concerning the actual apartment. I mean, it was clear the apartment was in Chelsea and the landlord had a knack for poetry but that was about it. I passed up the offer but made a mental note that poetry might be useful for apartment listings, if done right. Here is how I would list my current apartment:

You, in your own room, imagine it
We have cable TV and wireless Internet
At 955 total square feet you can't go wrong
And the rent is cheap, so there is no need to frown

I wonder if a haiku would be more effective?

Because Michigan is sometimes boring

It hasn’t been easy transitioning from a life of college classes followed by a week in New York City and then back to normalcy in Michigan. The fact I finished college is a good thing, don’t get me wrong. I imagine my parents will be able to rest easier at night knowing their daughter won’t be in college until the end of time. And, I must admit, life might be easier without exams, or papers to consider. I don’t have my life plans mapped out at the moment, so please don’t ask, but I imagine this will become clearer with time.

I have been keeping an eye on possible apartment openings in Manhattan. Please note: I am not looking to permanently move there. However, a summer in the city might be what I need. Already I had plans to visit my sister again over the summer but then I thought, “Why not just stay for a month? Or why not make it two or three?” At that point it would be easier to have a room of my own. And so, the search is on. I would love to live in Chelsea or Soho but will settle for other locals as long as I’m in Manhattan. And in the meantime I would sublet my room in my Michigan apartment. I would also work a summer job in the city, just to make sure I have enough money to pay my bills.

Of course, everything is still very much so up in the air and I may just be suffering from The Grass is Always Greener Syndrome. Is there a cure for those experiencing this? I think not.

New York City, I miss you.

Trip recap

I had a fantastic time in NYC. I stayed for a total of seven days and was hosted by my lovely sister, Sara, who lives in the city. She abandoned me for four of the seven days but this ended up adding to the excitement for I had to explore the city as a solo traveler. And, for the record, solo travel can be quite fun. I recommend it. As a solo traveler you rely more on your wits and have to actually pay closer attention. You set your own schedule and can take more time to stop and smell the roses, if that kind of thing suits your fancy, that is.

This does not mean traveling with Sara was a burden. Oh no, I love my sister very much and it is refreshing having a “guide” on hand who knows all the secrets of the city. When I traveled with Sara I didn’t have to worry about Subway routes, or where we were actually going. I could just follow along blindly. Also, Sara is the kind of guide who is flexible and asks for suggestions so at any time I could interrupt our travels and suggest a new location. We had a terrific time in the city together and already I miss her.

While in NYC I also had the pleasure of meeting an old classmate named Virginia. We go back to the days of Catholic school at St. Philip and it was refreshing seeing an old face from my childhood. Virginia is a science writer living in NYC and has wonderful taste in shoes. She also maintains a hip science blog, which you can read by clicking here.

“What were your favorite spots in the city?” is the most asked question since my return. My favorites include: Brooklyn, Soho, Chelsea and Central Park (even though everyone picks Central Park as a favorite). I documented my travels extensively in photos but by the end of the trip I had to put away the camera. At that point I focused more on living in the moment, rather than simply photographing each moment. Balance is healthy.

Conversation over lunch, after returning from my week in NYC

Friend: Rachel, you look different...

The friend leans in to examine my face more closely.

Friend: Your hair is looking darker... That's it!

Me: Oh, really? Well, it is probably just because New York is a dirty city.

It may be April for another month or so

I would like to post a new masthead in a few days for May but something tells me this isn't going to happen. I'm still in NYC and the last thing on my mind has been spending time in Photoshop. I had a simple idea for a masthead, too. Maybe Alexander McCall Smith. Scottish kilts. Cups of tea... I know AMS always puts me in a good mood. My second idea was a NYC themed masthead. If this doesn't happen I apologize in advance for being a fickle blogger. If someone wants to design a masthead for me... feel free. I will credit you and love you forever.

Today in the city...

I used a public restroom (that is a single room) and discovered the lock was broken. Not knowing what to do, I shrugged my shoulders and used the bathroom anyway. I felt very brave considering I'm in NYC and when in public can't seem to stop thinking about dirt and germs and all the negative toxins I am breathing into my body...

I was mistaken for a Swedish person but discovered this made me happy. I regretted having to explain, "No, I'm not from Sweden..."

I used the Subway on my own and I didn't get lost or end up back home in Michigan. I consider this a small victory.

I overheard a rather amusing conversation between two girls in Central Park. Here is the conversation:

Girl #1: I'm not going to think about it. Thinking about it just drives me crazy.

Girl #2: I know! Don't think about it!

Girl #1: I know, I shouldn't think about it. (Pause) I'm still thinking about it! UGH!

I was reminded of the website, Overheard in New York.

Also, I've taken a ridiculous amount of photos thus far and am in the process of uploading them onto flickr. Here is the start.

I am really enjoying NYC.

Product names

Product names often amuse or interest me. Right now I'm a fan of Herbals Essences Long Term Relationship. I have long hair, so maybe this is the shampoo for me (even if long term relationships don't seem to be for me). Click on the Collections tab in order to view other great names.

One way or another

When I am melancholy, or weary, or simply stressed I find myself escaping to the coffee shop I work at. Under normal circumstances I would not recommend turning one’s workplace into a kind of sanctuary. I’ve worked plenty of other jobs by now to know the workplace is often the center of stress, the place where one considers jumping off a cliff, rather than a place of happiness… But the coffee shop I work at is in fact unique. My pet name for the shop is Rachel Café, or House of Rachel and this name is highly suitable, I find. I know the life stories of my workers right down to their mannerisms and accents and I also have an attachment to the customers who visit… It is a bit like the Cheers theme song “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” but not completely, of course. We do serve coffee, after all, not beer.

I also find the job thrilling because I work with incredibly interesting people. We have a field herper on staff and a former librarian from Albania and a boy who rocks out for Jesus on his guitar. Our customers are just as eccentric and lovable. Many will play trivia with me before I give them their drink, or will ask, “How are you?” with genuine concern each day.

And the truth is, I will go far to make customers love the café as much as I do. Last night I gave a customer an extra teabag (no charge) “for later” because I knew he needed it (who doesn’t need Earl Grey?). If someone isn’t satisfied with their drink, I will make them anything on the menu with specific customizations until that person is delighted. Of course, if someone is rude my attitude changes swiftly and I tell them, “You need to leave. Your negativity is ruining my positive energy. Take your sorry self to Starbucks.” Actually, I haven’t used these words yet… I am saving them for the day I stop caring about customer service or keeping my job.

Last week my coworker brought in a mix CD for us to listen to and suddenly a Blondie song came on. K informed me, “I put on this song just for you.” You see, “Blondie” has become a nickname my coworkers call me. And no, I don’t mind being called it. I have blond hair, I get it. This is the song she selected:



Perhaps this will sound childish to some of you but here was someone who had put a song on a mix CD in my honor. I felt touched; I knew that song will always be associated with this specific memory and I didn’t really know how to respond, except to sing along to the lyrics and dance.

And yes, sometimes dancing at work is necessary.

High heels from Saturday night

This past weekend I found myself getting all gussied up for two parties I was invited to. If a girl is invited to two parties in one night then she must make a show of it, I reasoned. When I found a pair of black heels in my closet I knew they were perfect for completing my look. Even if my true instincts told me, “Rachel, your feet are not going to thank you later.” Because, to be honest, my feet prefer comfort and wearing high heels can be quite torturous. I put on the heels despite this and carried on. The evening was going rather smoothly… until my friend and I left for the second party, which required a 10 minute walk/jog in the rain…

“I hate wearing heels,” I whined.

“Yeah but you gotta have the heels,” he replied in all seriousness.

At that point I considered taking off my heels and chucking them at him in response to his outrageous statement. You gotta have the heels? Hello? What kind of gal does he think I am? But then I remembered I was the one who selected heels in the first place and so sometimes one must grin and bear it... and wear flats in the future.

Nevada Barr

It should be no secret I look up to and idolize authors. When I worked at a bookstore I had the chance to meet countless authors personally. (I also had the chance to brew their coffee…) Most of these authors had penned books no one had heard of, books that simply rested on some obscure bookshelf and would never achieve high readership. Once a local author appeared and after we put out thirty chairs we noticed only two customers arrived to sit in them. I was horrified by the scene and acted fast- making sure us booksellers filled a few more of the chairs. After all, what could be more horrifying than showing up for a book signing only to discover no one was interested in your masterpiece?

Yesterday I attended a book signing by mystery writer, Nevada Barr. The event was packed. She has a strong fan base and the fact she just penned a novel set in Michigan’s Isle Royale National National Park and was giving her talk in Michigan only added to the excitement.

Here is where I should casually mention the fact I’ve never read a single Nevada Barr novel… But my older sister is a huge fan and I’ve been hearing about her stories for years now.

So, what is Nevada Barr like in person?

She is tiny. She is adorable. And she has a fantastic personality. She knows how to work a crowd and loves to mix in humor with her stories. I was amazed and slightly jealous to be honest. Here was a woman who could be talented, charming and funny all at once! Also, in the past she has worked in several fields, from acting to law enforcement to being an actual park ranger. And not only does she pen bestselling novels, she is also a painter. And did I mention she has a beautiful smile? So yes, Nevada Barr is charming and I look forward to reading her mysteries.

My photos from the event are up on flickr.

Later this month (on April 19 to be exact) I meet AMS... MUST FIND A WAY TO CONTROL MY EXCITEMENT. I should also settle on what my one question for AMS will be. Something tells me, "Will you marry me?" won't work.

George Clooney for Nespresso

Petit Anglaise posted a link to this Nespresso commercial featuring George Clooney yesterday and since then I have gone on to watch all the Nespresso commercials featuring Clooney on YouTube.



They are extremely clever and I can identify with the commercials on so many levels. Sometimes coffee comes first, men second, and I'm not sure what comes third. Air, maybe?

Link list

I have a growing number of coffee related links and it is high time I post them rather than collect them for my eyes only. Here are a few:

Barista Brat. Another coffee barista is out there keeping a blog on her adventures in the coffee shop. I hope she updates more than I do. :)

How to Choose Your Coffee Barista. Interesting article, although I disagree with a few points but generally the information is quite good.

The Barmaid Blog. The blog of a barmaid living in Manhattan. Yes, I realize this isn't coffee related but I often feel like bartenders and baristas must deal with some of the same situations (not all, but a few).

Save the World with Tea. A beautiful tea blog.

Starbucks Gossip. This blog gives the insider scoop on the coffee giant, Starbucks.

Coffee vs. Tea, which analyzes the benefits and risks of both beverages. Here is another link that weighs in on the battle. Also, Coffee vs. Tea for Weight Loss. I happen to drink tea and skim lattes... of course, my skim lattes often have a flavor shot included and so I am far from perfect.

Vancouver Coffee. All kinds of coffee related information.

April a little early

Please forgive the fact I'm posting an April banner on March 31 rather than April 1. I just can't wait, people. Also, I realize this banner may scream EASTER BUNNIES to some of you but please realize April is the month of Spring and bunnies are always a good thing. Even if you are someone who was scared by them after seeing a certain bunny in Monty Python and the Holy Grail as a small child..

Today I woke up the sound of my cell phone. It was an urgent call from a coworker that our night manager's birthday is today. I looked at the clock, noting I had one hour to pull something together (especially since I wasn't scheduled today and I had made other plans). I found a card, purchased gourmet chocolate and arrived at work in record time. Our night manager was thrilled I knew it was her birthday and had made an effort to celebrate it in some way.

"How did you know? How did you know?" she continued to ask me. After all, she hadn't told anyone in advance. I just smiled. "Oh, I know these things," I replied. I imagine this must be one advantage to being a psychic.

Taste and smell

How can one put into words taste? Or smell for that matter? Scents and Sensibility by John Lanchester tackles this matter right on.

In a coffee shop I often use the following descriptions when dealing with customers:

"It has a bold flavor."

"It is a light roast with a touch of hazelnut."

"Decaf? Well, it has a dash of disgusting followed by an aftertaste that will make you want to immediately scrub out your mouth... but with almost no caffeine content, who can say no?"

I once worked with a barista who was very creative with his descriptions. If someone asked about a particular coffee, he would have five minutes worth of speech to share. He would also make it a point to discuss the origins of the coffee bean. "This blend is a combination of Costa Rican and Sumatran beans..." Such details were interesting to include, except the majority of our customer base had no idea as to the differences and usually just wanted something to keep them awake.

One day I decided to actually listen in to the information this barista was sharing with customers. Within minutes I was surprised to discover he was making it up! Often on the spot. Some details were correct but the majority of his speech was a jumble of misinformation. Customers did not suspect a thing and he spoke with great authority and eloquence, so who would think to question him? This discovery amused me. Many customers had come to view him as an expert on coffee and he himself took great pride in this persona. I stayed silent on my discovery, for their would be no good in exposing his lies tactics and after all, at least he sounded correct.

NY in the spring, what a wonderful thing

At the end of April I will be celebrating my birthday but more importantly, I’ll be taking a mini-trip to NY to spend time with my dear sister, S. I’ve been eyeing travel guides and am amazed at how much is packed into each section of the city. I’ve done many of the standard tourist spots in NY in the past (Statue of Liberty, Times Square, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, etc.) and so I would love to see the city as an insider. Of course, if I end up spending all my time taking trips to Starbucks or Whole Foods I shouldn’t be surprised... Last July when I went on a trip with my sisters and Mom we ended up spending more than half of our time in Miami Beach at this location:



We had plans to drive from Miami Beach down to the Everglades but we needed to find a hotel room. So, out came everyone’s laptops and the searches began. I hadn’t brought my laptop (which is probably for the better) and so I entertained myself. By the way, this Starbucks happens to have terrible seating. But the baristas were kind and luckily, the arrangements were made and we were able to continue on.

While traveling I’ve often found the familiar is a comfort. Of course, one should try to find balance. Meaning, take in the sights and places you can’t find at home.

I am also reading Girl's Guide to City Life New York for travel ideas.

Monarch of the Glen

If you lived with me for any period of time one of the many things you would discover is my love for BBC shows. The library has just about every BBC show known to humankind, which is why my free time has been devoted to Monarch of the Glen. The show takes place in the Scottish Highlands (the region of Badenoch and Strathspey to be exact) and tells the story of a ridiculously wealthy family who lives on a large estate complete with castle. The son, Archie MacDonald, who has always been at odds with his family has recently inherited his families estate. Except he discovers the family home is in dire financial trouble...

Of course, I can relate to this show on so many levels. My family home may not have a glen but we do have a pond... and my parents somehow manage to continue taking cruises to Alaska but can't simply purchase their own boat in order to cruise at their own leisure, which is an obvious indicator of real financial trouble. My guess is I'll be expected to step in one day and smooth out the family troubles. I know I have other siblings but I am the most reliable when it comes to picking up the phone or returning missed calls and this will probably be the determining factor.

Also, I recommend visiting this website which takes one through Monarch of the Glen Country.

Gypsy Dances from Rajasthan to the Nile

Last night I saw Leila Haddad perform in Gypsy Dances from Rajasthan to the Nile. I found a video on YouTube which was taken from a New York performance of this same show:



I enjoyed the show quite a bit. In the middle of the performance I was wondering if I missed my calling in life* and should have become a professional belly dancer. I was enrolled in ballet classes as a child but gave it up after my teacher, Flower, retired. Perhaps if I had stayed with it I would have moved on to other forms of dance... perhaps I would have studied among the gypsies and have traveled from village to village learning new dance techniques, as Leila Haddad did...

My roommate attended a Wedding in Turkey last summer and a male belly dancer performed for the occasion. She said he was amazing. I hadn't heard of male belly dancers before but apparently they exist and are just as skilled as female belly dancers.


* I'm always having these thoughts. My "true calling in life" could really be anything, depending on the day of the week or my current mood.

A quick check

After writing about yesterday's dream I was curious as to if Starbucks really has made it to Gaylord, MI (a place I spent way too much time in during my childhood). I did a quick Google search and apparently they have. I guess this isn't a big surprise but sometimes you never know. There are cities where Starbucks hasn't reached yet. Ypsilanti, MI is one, while in so-called liberal Ann Arbor the franchise coffee shop is everywhere.

The dream

In last night's dream I traveled to our old family chalet up north. (Just outside of Gaylord, Michigan to be exact.) I took the trip with my roommate, The One from Spain, and was eager to show her the chalet... Which is somewhat odd because I've never been a fan of family trips to the chalet. I suppose I resented the fact my parents selected a chalet outside of Gaylord of all places rather than somewhere exciting. Anyway, in the dream I was very excited about the trip and was eager to reach the destination.

When my roommate and I arrived everything was as I had remembered it and I was thrilled to be deep in Michigan wilderness. Then I looked closer, noticing the forest had disappeared and our chalet that had once stood in the middle of nowhere was now a part of suburbia. Development had arrived. A golf course was in place, along with a ridiculous amount of new homes and fast food restaurants. I turned to my roommate, feeling a wave of disappointment because what was once a part of my childhood had been replaced and was simply no more (due to the vicious spread of globalization of course). I couldn't find the right words to express my sorrow. Then, an idea hit me and I suggested with optimism, "Well, maybe we can find a Starbucks."

From then on the dream was quite happy and we set out looking for the franchise coffee shop, something one simply couldn't find in the Gaylord of the 1980s/1990s. I woke up, smiling at the absurd nature of my dream. Now that I'm awake I can assure you: I don't prefer a world of sameness rather than a world of the unique. Also, even though I hated the family chalet I would never want to see its destruction. And the fact I can be completely shallow and superficial in my dreams? This matter is equally scary.

In the cold of winter

This photo is a reminder of warmth, Art Deco, and endless amounts of sunshine. (It is of Miami Beach, Florida from July 2007.) It is also a reminder there are exotic and warm places in the world and that my sister who lived in Florida has now relocated to the cold civilization that is Manhattan. *Sigh.* I suppose one can't live in Florida forever. Is it possible to get tired, or bored of having constant sunshine and warmth? I've pondered this before but haven't found an answer. So if anyone from Florida happens to read this entry and has particular insight on this issue, please share. I am in the process of uploading old photos onto flickr and will continue to do so for the next few days.

I am also finished with the entire The Sunday Philosophy Club and The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I have started on The 44 Scotland Street series. Right now my first impressions are: Poor Bertie. Parents need to just let their kids be kids, even if this means things tend to be messy or awkward or your child doesn't master Calculus by the age of six... Wait until the child is seven, at least!

Good Cop, Bad Cop

I have to keep a close eye on the new workers, who are quite unpredictable and do not always have an understanding of what means it means to be a coffee barista. You see, after working at the café that employs me for a period of years I have moved into a position of seniority or supervision, which actually doesn’t change my job title or pay dramatically. (Don’t worry, this is not my future career.) However, it does mean I have to sometimes play the role of Good Cop, Bad Cop. This requires a delicate balance of when to appear all smiles and when to frown.

There is a new worker who has fallen into a routine of showing up 20-30 minutes late for every single shift. He repeated this behavior just last week and while I stared at the clock, knowing he would most likely arrive at any minute, I concluded I would have to say something. The official manager had talked to him concerning his tardiness in the past but obviously this warning did not sink in. When someone is late it often means we become short staffed and often this brings about complete chaos. After all, no customer wants to wait for their coffee.

He arrived, at long last, rushing in at full speed and throwing aside his personal items. I looked at his face, which was terrified and on the verge of tears, and I immediately knew he was waiting for my words. “Look, you can’t show up late and expect to keep working here…”

I had planned to play Bad Cop that day but immediately knew I needed to change tactics.

“How are you?” I asked. And, he went on to tell me about his horrible day. When it was over I smiled and said, “Don’t worry about it. I hope you feel better,” and we returned to work.

I didn’t say anything about his tardiness. I didn’t resort to scolding. I did, what I believed, was the right thing to do at the time. I felt very good about it because I knew it was what management would say was the wrong thing to do. How can you stand by and allow workers to show up late and then pat them on the back rather than sending them home! How is a business supposed to function or profit with negligent workers in place! Well, you know, I’m not very interested in business matters and I’d probably make a horrible Bad Cop but I can do Good Cop and sometimes it is best to stick with what you know.

Current consumption

Enjoying on the WWW:
This post from Loose Tea.

I am sick of the "Yes, I can" campaign. I would rather Obama talked about his plans as a presidential candidate (if any plans do in fact exist) rather than chant this phrase endlessly. Also, "borrowing" lines is a big deal. If the words aren't your own, don't steal them and use them in a speech that is meant to inspire others.



Eating:
Burgers and fries from Sidetrack.



Reading:

In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith.



Listening to:
Barnes & Noble's Meet the Writers Podcast. So far, I've listened to the following interviews: David Sedaris, Yann Martel, Alexander McCall Smith and Frank McCourt.



Watching:

Lost Season 4. Who is Jacob? Where is Walt and Michael? Is Patchy still alive? I hope this season brings some real answers.



Waiting for:
Warm weather. The end of Winter. Being in NYC in the Spring.

When shopping is painful

My boyfriend spends nearly every day at the gym. If not every day, then every other day. Sometimes he sleeps there overnight in order to get in more time. This also guarantees he’ll be first in line for the machines he prefers to use. Meanwhile, I have no interest in going to the gym. Oh, I know it would be good for me… I could easily benefit from an active lifestyle, one that involved matching gym clothes and sweating to my favorite music courtesy of my microscopic iShuffle but I am, in fact, quite busy and capable of finding other things to do with the free time I have.

Because it has been a very cold winter, one that has forced me to favor being indoors 99% of the time, and because I haven’t been following any particular exercise routine, I find going into any clothing store at the moment to be quite painful. You see, spring wear is out at the moment and with this comes swimwear. And, after freezing to death outside one really doesn’t want to walk into a store and immediately be confronted with images such as this:



And, let's be honest, in Michigan no one will be looking that skinny come spring and summer. Simply add about 20 pounds or so and then you’ll be closer to reality. For me, you will only need to add 5 pounds (*Cough, cough*). Also, I would never wear a bracelet to the beach but obviously this girl is more flashy than I am.


* The swimsuit featured in this post is from J.Crew.

How I would spend Valentine's Day if I were single

Many of my single friends who are spending Valentine's Day alone have expressed considerable bitterness at the mention of today. So, you know, I thought I would rub salt in the wounds and compile a post about what I would be doing today if I were a single gal myself. Because although I'm fond of the boyfriend (who I imagine is looking into renting the Taj Mahal in order to declare his love today) I do believe I could survive Valentine's Day on my own. Here is everything I would do (although I admit some of these tasks may require more time):



1. I would have tea with my sisters and discuss the news of the day. Perhaps Victorian attire would be worn as shown in the photo above. (I look most like the one in the middle. I even style my hair that way. Every morning.)

2. I would go to a movie theater and finally take in the film, Atonement.

3. I would go to the store and buy myself something pretty, or cute. Maybe something to wear in Spring, which I'm telling myself is just around the corner.

4. I would treat myself to Mari's New York brownies.

5. I would Tango dance with my roommate. She is an expert and has tried pushing me in this direction for some time now. And yes, she knows both parts.

6. I would compile a collection of my favorite love songs. Or I would simply listen to David Gray.

7. I would read up on Emily Post etiquette even though etiquette in the year 2008 is essentially dead.

8. I would spend all day bathing in rose water. (Actually, this would probably last five minutes as I tend to get bored while taking baths. Who has the time for such things?)

9. I would spend time in Scotland at The Elephant House.

10. I would spend all day reading this particular author, of course, because I don't read enough of him already.



*The photo in this post is courtesy of Getty Images.

Meeting The Poet

For one of my courses my Anthropology instructor invited a guest speaker to come in and talk to the class. She selected a poet and once I heard these words I was immediately intrigued. (I love meeting all authors but rarely meet poets. Also, poetry has a sort of romantic edge to it, so how I could not be intrigued?) When The Poet arrived I quickly had to tell myself, “Do not judge, do not judge,” for his appearance was quite… shabby. Of course, being a tormented poet may warrant such appearance and writing poetry doesn’t necessarily give one the luxury of paying bills, or having clean clothes to put on. I tried to keep an open mind, nonetheless, and proceeded to listen to the worst advice ever in regard to writing. Here are a few examples:

Don’t stress over word choice. Any word will do.
Edit your own work. Avoid editors.
Don’t set a schedule for writing. Instead, let it be random.
Don’t write daily.
Don’t seek out an agent. Instead, use your own money to go through a self-publishing company.
Talk to a friend about getting published in New York because said friend has connections and might be able to get you a spot.

There is more but I’ll leave it at that. I realize there is no one correct way to becoming a writer and what works for one writer may not work for another. However, writing is a discipline and successful writers tend to treat it as such. Word choice matters. One should write daily (or frequently, at the least). Agents are useful. You can’t sit around and be lazy; expecting that one day you’ll be a hit and your work will be read by anyone other than the people who personally know you.

It seems The Poet, although rich with advice, has never been published except by means of using a small scale self-publishing company. He works a full-time job, which is respectable, and in his free time writes poetry. He shared his complete life story with us, which surprisingly revolved around dropping out of college, getting and staying wasted, and a short-lived stint in San Fran before returning home penniless.

When his presentation ended my instructor asked politely, “Do you have a ride?” He answered, “Yes,” and let us know his younger sibling would be picking him up. At this point I was quite confused about the whole event. I’ve met small scale writers before (often while working at my former job, the bookstore) but even in these cases the writers had acquired some degree of success or at least they had it somewhat “together.” Was the lesson here: Avoid the life of a poet? Or: There is no money to be made in poetry? I’m not certain what the lesson is, or why my instructor chose him rather than someone who has achieved some degree of success.

On a side note, Alexander McCall Smith writes on a daily basis. He also wears a traditional Scottish kilt and appears polished for his book tours. I imagine he would shower before meeting fans, too, and I would argue the taking of showers can be incredibly helpful... And necessary.

Danger, danger*

Which sport is the most dangerous: bullriding at a Rodeo in the United States, or traditional bullfighting in Spain? One might even argue that The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is the most dangerous of these activities. My roommate, The One From Spain, and I discussed this matter last night. She is from Barcelona and is not a fan of bullfighting but has been to several bullfighting matches in the past. Her boyfriend, who is from Turkey, even tried convincing her that they should take part in The Running of the Bulls, to which she said, "No." It seems she is in favor of keeping her limbs intact. (Smart girl.) Of course, Hemingway would have probably been right there with her boyfriend. Or, he would have taken enough photos to make it appear so.


*The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, would often recite these words throughout his show. One mention of "danger" is not enough to drive the point home. One must say the word twice in order to emphasize the seriousness of the issue. "Danger, danger" is far more effective than a simple "danger."

Around 10:30 last night

The night was winding down, customers were few, and so my longtime coworker, K, and I began going over all the necessary gossip. Standing around for hours can be exhausting and there comes a point in the night in which there is nothing left to do. No pots of coffee to brew, no counters to wipe down, no restocking of cream or sugar. Until closing time one can only wait and if no customer appears, this waiting can be tiresome. So, it is natural that gossip (or conversation, if you will) should take over. I am fond of K, we are of similar ages and although she is an avid smoker (I am not) and a bit more carefree than I am (meaning: she is a party girl who spends her weekends at the bar), we have quite a few things in common. We were in the midst of our most recent topic, the current election and our disgust for the endless supply of Hillary hatred (If you don't know what I'm talking about then I suggest you read this thoughtful article), when a customer interrupted our conversation.

"Unfortunately, someone has to win," he sneered and walked off as if he had just made the most brilliant statement ever.

I looked at him as he walked away. How could I not? He had interrupted my conversation. He looked to be in his early 20s, with shaggy, flowing hair, and K jumped in to describe him as a "hippie." Well, he was wearing Native American-looking boots with fringes that swayed as he moved and his patched clothing was snug on his frail body. Also, I got the impression he hadn't showered for days, or weeks even, so maybe one could describe him as a "hippie" if that is what the modern hippie has become (Has it? I don't know). What struck me, however, is first the rudeness. He interrupted my conversation, after all, and secondly: the attitude. If he had stayed around longer I would have replied, "Yes, because apathy is the solution to politics."

Or maybe I wouldn't have said anything at all. Often the angry, apathetic young man (or woman) is simply seeking attention and wants to create a response from others. In these cases it is best to ignore the behavior and give the person a few years to work out their issues or to figure out that there are better ways of interacting with others than going around and throwing out cynical statements to the world.

Perhaps what really bothers me about his statement is the fact apathy has become a common trend, or a religion in its own right. I imagine this young man views the political system with cynicism and disgust, or perhaps he is deeply angry that only two parties have political power in an election and if you don't find a party to represent your own views your voice is largely silenced in the process. Or, perhaps the young man hasn't given politics much thought at all but has better things to do, such as update his MySpace or meet with friends over drinks (and, perhaps such activities are more entertaining than listening to Obamarama or Ann Coulter whining about McCain). However, whatever his reasons may be, I can't understand how apathy is a worthy solution or how far apathy will get us. ("Us" being the larger society.)

When I put in my vote for the last Presidential election I was filled with hope. Oh, I had the thought, "My candidate might not win and in a few hours from now I'm going to have to listen to my friend Steve B. gloat about it," but I also knew that didn't matter. At least I was doing something powerful, something symbolic, I was putting forth my support in who I wanted to win. I suppose this has a lot to do with my tendency toward optimism and even optimism is dismissed these days as old-fashioned or naive but tell me this: What is the alternative? And where does that alternative lead you?

2008 US Book Tour for Alexander McCall Smith

I realize I am not the only one smitten with Alexander McCall Smith and so I thought I would share his book tour schedule. This is for April 2008 and only includes the United States. If you are elsewhere in the world then you should go here.

Tuesday 15 April: B & N Lincoln Triangle bookstore event, NYC
Wed 16 April: Harvard Bookstore event, Boston
Thursday 17 April: Washington DC Bookstore event
Friday 18 April: Borders Michigan Avenue event, Chicago
Saturday 19 April: Ypsilanti District Library, Detroit*
Monday 21 April: Des Moines Public Library, Des Moines, IA
Wed 23 April: Book Passage event, Corte Madera, San Francisco, CA
Thursday 24 April: Carlsbad City Library, Carlsbad, CA (San Diego area)
Friday 25 April: Powell's Books, Cedar Hills Crossing/Beavertown event, Portland, OR
Saturday 26 April: Pierce County Library, Tacoma, WA
Sunday 27 April: Las Vegas Clark County Library

*I'll be attending.

While at work

The coffee shop I work at (sometimes known as my home away from home) has experienced an influx of new workers. This is to be expected, as we can barely keep up with business as it is (which leads me to wonder about the true state of Michigan’s economy). With the wave of new workers inexperience seems to be a common trend. I walked into work the other day, poured a cup of coffee for a customer, noticed that with the coffee came a surge of coffee grounds and all but panicked. I asked my coworkers (new employees, of course) if they had noticed the grounds inside the coffee pot.

“No, why?”

Apparently they had been serving coffee all day without noticing the grounds seeping through. Apparently countless customers had been served cups of coffee complete with coffee grounds in them. And, apparently my coworkers had no idea this was a problem. When confronted with such a situation it is very difficult to not resort to scolding, panic, or screams. I explained to everyone who was working the importance of NOT SERVING COFFEE WITH COFFEE GROUNDS IN IT and took the next step, which is to write a note for everyone to see.

Here is what I wanted to write:

“Thou shall not serve coffee with coffee grounds in it. This is a mortal sin of which sinners shall not be forgiven.”

Instead I ended up writing the rather obvious:

“Do not serve coffee with coffee grounds in it. If you do, you’re fired.”

Okay, I’m kidding about the fired business. No coffee barista should be fired for serving lousy drinks, should they? And coffee grounds in the coffee, does it really make a difference? I, for one, haven’t tried it so who am I to judge?

Later in my shift I ended up explaining the following items:

"You can not reheat milk that has already been steamed over and over again."

"If you are serving tea, the water for the tea needs to be hot. Cold water won’t do."

"You cannot take off your shirt simply because standing by the espresso machine makes you feel hotter than usual. I don’t want to see your hairy chest, or your Chinese character tattoo."

Cupcakes

I was making cupcakes tonight for my brother A’s birthday, which we plan on celebrating tomorrow. I resorted to using a cake mix and pre-made frosting (the kind that is sold in a tube) and I decorated the tops by spelling out his name. Getting each letter right proved to be a challenge and when I did a sample taste of the final product I was immediately disappointed. The cupcakes tasted okay but, well, they were nothing to write home about. For a few brief moments I considered scratching the whole thing. I could go to the store, Whole Foods probably, and buy the most delicious tasting desert in the world. I wouldn’t pass it off as my own creation. I’d just explain, “I’m a horrible baker but you won’t have to suffer through it because these cupcakes are from somewhere delicious. And they’re organic.” But I stopped myself from doing this because I knew, my sentimental brother who is turning 28, would overlook my poor excuse for cupcakes and probably smile inside because I put forth so much effort. Even if such effort involved one Duncan Hines cake mix.

Alexander McCall Smith

Let's talk about Alexander McCall Smith, shall we? He has been an author on my "To Read" list for some time now but between all the busyness in my life and other novels I've been reading (or listening to in the car) I've never managed to work him in. Until now.

On Saturday, April 19 he will be in Ypsilanti, Michigan at Eastern Michigan University. His talk is scheduled for the evening and will probably be packed with hoards of screaming fans. My sister, T, will be one of them I'm almost certain. I need to read his entire works now, of course, so I can be prepared for this event. That way, when he shakes my hand or gives me a kiss on the cheek I can be the well-read fan rather than the clueless blonde who merely showed up at random. And yes, I would prefer the kiss over the handshake because this is Alexander McCall Smith we're talking about.

Here is a recent photo of the author:

Alexander McCall Smith with Jill Scott, the actor who plays detective Mma Ramotswe in the film. Image from the Daily Mail.

And here is a photo of him in a kilt for good measure:


I should also mention Alexander McCall Smith lives in the same neighborhood as JK Rowling, although he moved there first. I imagine they must swap scone recipes and writing tips often. He may even be writing Rowling's next novel for her.

"Joanne, leave your next novel to me... I've always wanted to write fantasy."

"Okay, but only if let me select the next setting in your book. I'm tired of all the stories involving England and Africa. I say, put your new series in Siberia."

This is how I imagine their conversations. I am starting with The Isabel Dalhousie Novels first. Then I'll move on to The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

How to photograph your pet

When I was a child I wanted to be a veterinarian or zoologist very badly. My love for animals was so great my family ended up taking in pets on account of me. My parents are not exactly animal lovers, so I did not inherit this trait from them. They tend to view animals as animals and not as creatures that can be cuddled with or trained or loved in close proximity.

I continue to love animals and am very passionate about photography. However, taking photos of animals is not always a walk through the park. Often there is constant movement to deal with. Or if I am taking a photo of my sister's dogs they like to lick my face in the process or they will move closer in order to inspect the camera... "Sit still" doesn't always register. So, here are the strategies I use for pet photography:

1.) Take more than one photo. Like maybe 100 at one time in order to get 3 adequate photos.
And (I can not stress this enough):
2.) Get close. How close? Very close. So close you can smell your dogs malodorous breath or you can hear the vibrant purr of your cat. (Interesting enough, these two strategies also apply to taking photos of people.)

Here are a few examples:






Of course, there are other methods for taking amazing pet photos that do not involve close-up photography... but that will have to be another discussion for another time.

Dress up your burned CD

From time to time I will burn CDs to give away as mini-gifts. Last year when Nate moved away I was a CD burning machine. I would provide him with new music (or podcasts) for his frequent road trips back and forth. Usually I pulled out my Sharpie marker and drew a simple design on the actual CD. Nothing too fancy, as my drawing skills are limited. Today I came across a beautiful CD Packaging Kit. I love their designs and am thinking this would be useful. Here is a small sample:




And if pink is a little too much to stomach all at once:



You can find the CD Packaging Kit here and here.

The Minotaur

I’ve been experimenting with listening to audio books (mostly while driving) and my newest audio selection is The Minotaur by Barbara Vine. An Amazon review summarized the novel as follows:

“Barbara Vine (a.k.a. Ruth Rendell) is back with yet another fascinating psychological portrait of what could be called the ultimate dysfunctional family. A young Swedish caretaker (Kersten, pronounced "Shastin") is sent to work for the Cosway family, four unmarried daughters and a disturbed son who are ruled by the apathetic 80 year old Ida Cosway. They live in a rambling ivy covered mansion which features a mysterious maze inside a locked library. Kersten soon finds that the family members pretty much hate each other and their lives are governed by sexual jealousies, secrets and lies.”

There are countless aspects of this story that intrigue me. It is a Victorian gothic novel set in modern times. There is a mystery involved. The family is quite eccentric. The home of the Cosway family reminds me of the setting for the recent film, Atonement. I also keep imagining scenes from The Secret Garden.

In addition, there is a labyrinth within the home that is a gigantic library and the walls of the labyrinth are made up of books… How exciting is that? I imagine this scene but darker, far darker and with dust and cobwebs in place.

The narrator, British actress Sian Thomas, is excellent. Her voice is perfect for the novel and is what I would describe as lovely. She is British and is it is a British novel so I think the word lovely is spot on.

Throughout the first half of the novel they continue to reference the geode. I figured out it was a physical thing but this is where my mental knowledge ended. Tonight I looked up the answer. A geode is essentially a beautiful rock formation. *Whew.* I can rest easy now. You see, while driving I can’t stop and look up information… so I end up sorting it out in my head, which in turn distracts me from listening to the story…

While listening to audio books I always feel like I am missing important details. With a mystery novel I know I am missing important details. This could be because I am driving and to some extent paying attention to the road and in turn my listening comprehension decreases. Oh, if only I would ignore the road and listen to the story in full, complete detail! I’m sure I would have solved the mystery by now. Instead I’m still trying to put all the pieces together.

Previous audio books I’ve listened to include:

Naked, by David Sedaris. This was very easy to follow. Sedaris reads all of his own work.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by JK Rowling. I had already read this (like a true Harry Potter fan, of course) but I listened to the audio version as a refresher. I will listen to Book 8 once it is available from the library.

Do you listen to audio books? If so, when and where?

I will be posting 100 Things About Me Part II very soon... I've just been incredibly busy learning these dance moves with my boyfriend:



We also might need a few extra dancers for the background. Any takers?

Current consumption

Enjoying on the WWW:

Things I've Bought That I Love, the personal shopping blog of Mindy Ephron. She is a writer/actor on The Office, a show that may never return due to the writer's strike... Okay, maybe I'm being melodramatic but this is my blog and therefore I have the right to assume the worst. The worst being: the show will never return and when this day comes I shall cry. Like a baby. And between my sobs I shall find the courage to blog about it.

If you are not familiar with Mindy Ephron then I suggest you watch this clip that will give you an idea of the character she plays on the show.



Eating:

Banana bread from Be Happy and Healthy. These are mini sized breads that are a tasty and healthy treat.



Reading:

Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose. This book came as a Christmas gift from my Mom. (Thank you, Mom.)



Listening to:

Carrot Pan-flute "Old Castl's moon "(Koujou no Tuki) on YouTube. This is a shining example of the Internet at its best.



Watching:

Lost Boys of Sudan. A friend recommended this documentary to me last year and I finally got around to watching it. I'm still taking in the film and so I don't have a suitable response ready, except: Everyone can learn from this movie. Go watch it.


Waiting for:

January 18. Nate will be one year older and celebrations will be in order.

In case you were wondering about my current mood

I am feeling quite chipper at the moment. Life is good. Here are a few factors that may or may not be contributing to this moment of sheer optimism:

I'll be done with college (for now? or forever?) at the end of April. I will have a degree at that point and will proceed to find a job that will shower me with money. My interest is money at the moment, perhaps later I can move on to saving the world.

My laptop has been reformatted and my room is clean. Organization is complete. (Thank you for your help, T.)

I've been watching Felicity, a show I watched in high school and loved. Watching the show makes me happy. There are a few things that are becoming amazingly clear to me now... I'm not sure if I felt the same way in high school...

(You can skip this next section if you have no interest in the show or my thoughts on it.)

Ben is not worth Felicity's time. It's a bit like Beauty and the Beast in the sense she is drawn to the bad boy but must train him to be good. I say, skip the work and find a guy who is genuinely good to begin with. This doesn't mean she has to be with Noel but at least Noel is domesticated. Ben is not. Also, I am smitten with Felicity's hair. Although I wouldn't want her hair, I decided. Curls are charming-yes-but I wouldn't want the high maintenance associated with curly hair. You can tell my mind has really been debating key issues, right?

I went to a tea class yesterday and learned if you drink tea daily you will basically live forever and stay incredibly healthy. Who knew health and immortality were so attainable in this lifetime? In short, I will be drinking more tea. Loose Tea gave me permission to use her tea rating system which may appear in future posts.

The art of "Thank You"

When I was growing up I could never bear the end of the holiday season for with it came the gloom of returning to life as normal and the burden of writing each and every soul who gave me a present a “Thank You” note. My Mom insisted on this. She would tie me to a chair and table, place a pen in my hand and command: “Write!” I would cry, I would moan, I would try to reason with her.

“Why do I need to send out a thank you note? I said thank you in person when I opened the present… I’m sure they heard me…” I would also point out I had better things to do with my precious time. Like practicing singing for my future on Broadway, or stealing clothes from my older sister’s closet... I never managed to get away from writing thank you notes, although I did manage delaying the chore until February or sometimes March. But even then, I would be forced at some point to obey and the dreaded thank you notes would finally be sent.

Now that I’ve had time to separate myself from my childhood I actually make it a point to continue to send thank you cards in the mail. I enjoy old-fashioned mail and feel this is a form of etiquette that shouldn’t be replaced or killed off by modern rudeness. I have noticed, however, very few individuals take the time to do likewise. Even my niece and nephew get away with not sending out thank you cards. Obviously, their parents have not introduced them to this form of etiquette, so I’m afraid they are simply missing out on all the fun. When they are older and readers of this blog, perhaps then they will learn the importance of this ancient and exciting form of etiquette.

This Christmas I received a card from an elderly woman who is somehow distantly related to me who I send cards to from time to time. Her husband died last year and she currently lives alone. She was also close to my Grandma Winnie. She wrote in her brief letter to me, “You never forget me.” These words jumped out the page at me. They are a startling reminder as to why old-fashioned mail should not go out style and how it can, in fact, move people.

One of my favorite gifts from this Christmas

This Christmas I received a yoga DVD and a cute yoga mat. Both are part of the Gaiam line of yoga products. I know they sell this line of products at many stores throughout the US, including Target. I was very excited about this gift because: 1.) I have an interest in healthy living and 2.) while yoga offers countless health benefits it also offers countless accessory options. At the moment I am more interested in my yoga mat than in finding a sense of inner peace or mastering the Warrior Position. I am also deeply concerned that I do not have a strap for my mat (thus I am forced to carry it around with the risk it will unfold at any second!). Also, I am without suitable clothing for yoga. The other night I followed my DVD in tacky running pants and a Michigan football t-shirt. I'm afraid the sight was quite ghastly. This is the DVD I followed:



And this is what my yoga mat looks like, minus the strap:



I am doing yoga at home, which for some people may not work but in my case I have the right setting and believe I can pull it off. It is too early to predict if I’ll stay with yoga or if this is merely a passing phase in my life, an activity I’ve taken on by a whim that will be replaced by quilting or taxidermy next month. I am going to make an effort to follow the DVD at least a few more times before moving on to something new. And if I do move on to something new I’d like it to be fitness related in some way. Suggestions are welcome.

Puppies and J.Crew

I have a soft spot for sweaters, the prep look and puppies, but never have I envisioned what would happen by combining all three. If you do combine all three you get something wonderful:





Puppies in J.Crew sweaters! I would love seeing these sweaters on my sister's dogs, Chester and Maverick. I dogsit them from time to time and always contemplate dressing them up during these periods. And serving them tea, of course. My sister has a firm belief that dogs should not wear clothing of any sort. One should not anthropomorphize your pet. I agree with her on this issue to an extent but what if the puppy wants to wear cashmere or wool? What do you do then?

The Best of 2007 (in my life, at least)

Trips to Florida in April and July. A few highlights include: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, The Everglades and Key West. I saw a considerable amount of Southern Florida and have developed a deep understanding of why Hemingway spent so much of his later life in the state. Florida is alluring.

Meeting my longtime friend, Steve B. in Chicago before he left for Iraq. He is still in Iraq but will returning in 2008. I’ll be happy when he returns safe and sound. For the record: I may not support the war but I do support the troops.

My brother’s wedding in May. There is something comforting in knowing he married someone I admire and respect. There is also something comforting in knowing he’ll be taken care of. He needs someone to supervise him, believe me.

My boyfriend, Nate, moved back to this area. I missed him terribly while he was away and hadn’t quite adapted to the distance (and by distance I mean 2 ½ hours) so I was thrilled by his return.

In October I sold three photos to Mastercard.com. This is the first time anyone has ever paid me for something I do as a hobby (taking photos). Therefore, I was very excited.

I read more books in 2007 than I read in 2006. I also managed to read notable works. Meaning, I didn’t spend all of 2007 reading trivial smut. The most striking novel I read in 2007 is Lolita, which I enjoyed quite a bit (even though I was initially hesitate about reading a novel that is so risqué).

I became a better cook in 2007. I credit this to the amazing cooking blog, The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

The Harry Potter series is officially over. *Whew.* I finally have a sense of closure after all these years of praying JK Rowling will get to Book 7, finish it and deliver it to the public (rather than hiding it in her Scottish castle or delaying the final release for another five or ten years). I can relax now, knowing the series has reached its end. *Whew.* It really is over.

In fall of 2007 my new roommate, The One From Spain, moved in and she has been a fantastic roommate and friend since then. I’m starting to believe everyone from Barcelona must be kind, intelligent, funny and talented.

My sister, S, moved to Manhattan at the end of 2007. Meaning, I will be taking countless trips to The Big Apple in 2008. I look forward to all the adventures.

Happy New Year

Tonight Nate and I will be at a Bingo Hall, then meeting up with friends at a Greek restaurant and then attending a party. I'm actually most focused on the Bingo Hall at the moment. We both want to win and we don't exactly Bingo... so it should prove to be an interesting evening.

Happy New Year!

Christmas in Spain

My roommate, The One From Spain, returned to Spain for the holidays in order to spend time with her family. Countless people have asked me where she is and what she is doing, which just goes to show how easily she can make an impression on people. I've told everyone she is Spain celebrating the holiday season to the max. You see, this time of year in Spain is essentially one nonstop party. I recommend reading this article that explains all the festivities in Spain. My roommate had explained many of these details to me before leaving but I hadn't paid enough attention. For one thing, she kept talking about King's Day and I assumed it was a day in honor of the King of Spain. It is not. Three Kings Day (Los Reyes) is actually in celebration of... Can you guess? You can confirm your answer by checking out the article.

* The image in this post is from Getty Images.

Coming soon

- The Best of 2007 (my favorite moments and picks for the year)

- A Christmas 2007 recap

- Plans for the New Year

- 100 Things About Me

... Stay tuned!

Photo selections

Yesterday I finished designing the family Christmas card for my parents. During the process I had to decide on a photo for each family member. This posed a great challenge as I had to some searching through my files in order to find a photo of each person. While I had countless photos of certain individuals I had maybe one or two of others. The lesson here? Take more photos of everyone. Even family members who drive me crazy or hide whenever a camera appears.

For my nephew I used this photo:



My nephew can handle critical phone calls and iPod listening at the same time. He is no stranger to technology. Also, I love his expression in this photo. It seems to say, "Please leave me alone. Can't you see I'm in the middle of important business?" I found out later he was listening to Eragon on his iPod. Children don't have time for opening up real books these days. Oh no! Audio books seem to be all the rage. Don't worry, I'm still giving him real books this Christmas. Last year I gave him this fine work of English literature (soon to be considered for the canon) and this year I am giving him this book with the hope he will take up potions.

For my niece I used this photo:



First of all, I never take action shots. I never take sports-related shots. I rarely go to sporting events and if I do I'm usually completely oblivious as to what is going on. However, in 2007 I happened to attend one sporting event and it was my niece's soccer game. I was actually quite thrilled by it all because first of all, my niece is a fantastic soccer player and second, she plays with heart. She is the tallest player on her team and she has no trouble racing up and down the field with passion.

During halftime (Is it called halftime in soccer?) I saw she was giving pointers to another player on her team. She wasn't being bossy. Rather, she was offering suggestions, such as, "You might want to try this..." Instead of being a player who is only interested in their own performance or glory, she was taking the time to help someone on her team. Where did she learn this from? Could it be Disney? Or ESPN, perhaps?

I should also mention many of the other players on the field did not display this same amount of enthusiasm. Many of the girls appeared bored or indifferent. One little girl kept running off the field in the middle of the game(!) in order to whine to her Mom who was sitting on the sidelines. This little girl had no interest in being there for her team or in kicking a soccer ball. Instead she resorted to tears and begged her Mom to take her for ice cream. The mother gave up after a certain point and they left which was probably for the best because this girl was obviously not too keen on soccer.

My niece's team didn't win the soccer game that day and after the game ended I was worried she might be feeling a little disappointed. She had fought so hard, she had pushed herself to the limits and somehow it didn't seem right that her team hadn't won the game. In my mind I silently blamed the other players on her team. After all, even Beckham can't do it alone. I was expecting disappointment from my niece but instead she smiled and told me with all honesty, "I had fun and that is the only thing that matters. If you have fun then it doesn't matter if you win or lose a game." I was moved by this statement at the time and in remembering it now I still feel a sense of amazement.

You see, it's so easy to fall into the trap of being competitive or constantly moving forward toward the win (whatever the win may be). But to abandon these notions and simply focus on fun? This is something I need to work on for 2008. My niece seems to have mastered this concept at the age of nine, maybe I can master it at the age of 24.

Holiday Links

I love peeking into the holiday plans of others. Here are a few links of interest:

Alexis Stewart (daughter of Martha) has been very busy this Christmas.

Jenny of ljcfyi.com always has the best Christmas projects. You can view her past Christmas projects by going to this page. Look under the Craftiness section.

Artist Camilla Engman has some beautiful gift tags available for (free) download.

Amy of Angry Chicken always inspires me with her creations. This time I am in love with her cupcakes in a jar!

In case you missed it last year I made peppermint bark to give away to friends and family. This year I bought traditional presents with each person in mind. I may do some holiday baking but I haven't settled on any one recipe. Suggestions?

Effect vs. affect

I thought this was funny and useful.



Illustration from Grammar Girl.

Update: Grammar Girl also has a useful episode on Greeting Card Grammar.

Pump it up: The use of music at coffee shops

At the coffee shop I work at we don’t play music in any form, which is very different from most coffee shops in the US. I tend to appreciate this because if I am in a particular mood I have the option of singing while making drinks or completing the latest crossword puzzle. In comparison, Starbucks always has music on. Usually I appreciate their selection or I can ignore it as background music. The other day I ventured to Espresso Royale in order to complete a paper and the experience was nothing short of horrible.

I suppose if I had been in the mood for angry rock music it would have been the perfect location. This, of course, wasn’t the case. The building was packed with college students, like myself, in between studying and writing final papers. I had trouble finding a seat and even then I was stuck between a sea of bodies huddled over laptops and textbooks. But what really stood out to me was the music, the angry rock music blaring at top volume. I felt like I was at a concert rather than at a coffee shop.

“Excuse me, but can you turn down that racket?” I wanted to ask the barista. I didn’t get around to saying this because if I moved I feared my seat would be taken, or I would miss the end of the enlightening conversation between the two male students sitting near me.

“Dude, she’s 27? She’s soo old. You’re gross.”

“I don’t care. If she’s hot, I’d do her.”

“Dude, I bet you’d do a 40 year old. You’d so do a 40 year old. That’s disgusting.”

This conversation lasted for about a half hour. The two went back and forth, debating if a 27 year old girl was too old and if one of them was in fact disgusting. It was a very passionate debate, which made it even more difficult for me to focus on my paper. I kept thinking the debate would end or they would stumble upon a new topic for conversation but no, they recited the same material over and over and over. The rock music did not lessen, either, and I eventually gave up any idea I had of quiet concentration. I returned to my apartment, making a mental note that ERC is not a worthwhile study location.

Dickens didn't skip Christmas

My favorite holiday movie is the 1951 classic, Scrooge. This is the movie that is very much so a part of my childhood Christmas memories. My mind has been replaying scenes from the movie for the past few days, scenes I know very well. In particular, I keep thinking of Ebenezer Scrooge and his total indifference to the holiday. For him Christmas has nothing to do with presents or family or warmth. He is cold-hearted, selfish and cruel. He is content with spending December 25 ALONE. Furthermore, he is content with spending all of the holiday season ALONE. (Yes, I know he changes in the end but that isn't until much later in the movie and my mind hasn't been replaying those scenes.)



This year at Christmas my entire family won't be able to get together. I suppose my siblings claim to have their reasons. One of my sisters will be working. My brother, W, will be spending the holiday with his wife's family in Green Bay. I have another sister who doesn't know how much time she will have to come home... It's not as if anyone is skipping Christmas on purpose... They have their reasons... However, I can't help but think such behavior is so Ebenezer Scrooge. I bet when he was younger he found reasons to avoid spending Christmas with his siblings. "I need to work." "I need to go to Green Bay." "I really need to finish dusting out my curio cabinet."

I should also mention the holidays are a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to see all of my siblings. To have all my family together. To silently wish I was an only child like my boyfriend, Nate. Perhaps you are thinking, "Umm. Aren't you from a freakishly large Catholic family... Meaning, won't you be spending the holiday with a few of your siblings, at least?" Yes, this is true. I'll see a portion of my family. I'll spend time with my parents. I'll pet my old cats. But a part of me will feel like something is missing because, well, something will be missing from the scene. I'm confident Dickens would understand and I'm even more confident he would never skip Christmas. It's no wonder he has been loved throughout the ages. The man had a clear understanding that a life of "Bah humbug" is really no life at all.

The Dalai Lama is coming to Michigan

My sister, T, will be taking a class with the Dalai Lama this spring. She recommended that I take the class, too, but I haven’t decided. I read the Dalai Lama’s book when I was fourteen and am intrigued by different elements of Buddhism. Catholicism… Buddhism… they really aren’t as separate as one would think. I may attend his lecture at the university rather than take the class at Crisler Arena. I don’t want to make Richard Gere jealous by spending too much with his BFF! Also, I'm sure my sister will fill me in on all the details.

To answer your question

The semester is almost over. Meaning, I have three papers to finish and then I can officially start enjoying December 2007. Someone emailed me and asked what my papers were on. Here is a rather vague answer to that question:

-A paper examining the character, Martha, in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
-A paper on Lolita
-A paper on the reception of Harry Potter (in regard to the Christian Right, book bannings, etc.)

The three papers are wildly different (which is a good thing, I suppose) and all in need of completion. Meaning, I really need to stop updating my blog while writing papers.

Sustainability starts here

I am currently writing from the dining area inside Whole Foods. I needed to go somewhere with wireless in order to finish my paper (knowing my apartment is a little too distracting). My Whole Foods offers free wi-fi, which is fantastic, except there are very few power outlets available. This explains why I am sitting in the hallway, next to a pay phone and garbage can, feeling slightly uncomfortable… I have no choice as the only power outlet is in this rather awkward location… people keep walking by and have to step over my cord each time. It’s a bit risky, I admit. I don’t want anyone to trip on account of my computer cord. Of course, I don’t want to not finish my paper, either.

Whole Foods (if you happen to come across this entry): please offer more power outlets in your dining area. I know you are committed to saving the world and all but could you please focus on saving your customers, first? Thank you.


(I feel like I might have written a similar entry on this matter in the past but I’m not certain… This is what happens when you have a blog: your memory becomes hazy about what you have and haven’t said over time.

UPDATE: I did right about this very issue back in May 2006. This is proof I love to repeat myself! Or perhaps it is proof that the fact Whole Foods does not offer more power outlets is one very near and dear to my heart.)

Censorship

"Most disturbing is the fact that much of the censorship is never reported or discussed because it is done by teachers themselves."

This quote is in reference to English teachers who also have the power to "burn books." Except, this kind of censorship won't be obvious and no one will have the chance to rally against it. I sent the quote onto my brother, W, who just started work as an English teacher. (Okay, he teaches math, too, but let's just ignore those details...) I sent him the quote with the hope it will haunt him. Also, I don't want him turning into a teacher who is afraid of approaching novels that may be controversial, or risqué. Even if a day may come where is forced to ask himself: "Do I really want to jeopardize my career? Is [Insert a Challenged Book Title Here] worth it?" The answer to this question is, "Yes, it is worth it." This way he avoids the wrath of his sister and he is making the world a better place. Who could ask for anything more?

WWF Polar Bear Tracker

I don't think I've written enough about animals lately. For this I apologize. I hope to make it up to you. From now on every post will be animal-related up until December 25. At that point I'll switch over to writing about my love of this BBC show. And so, in animal news...

The World Wildlife Fund has just introduced a new website where one can follow six female polar bears (with cubs!) in Canada's Hudson Bay region. The project will go on for about a year. Click here to go to the official site. The WWF also provides the chance for you to adopt your own Polar Bear. Or an Asian Elephant. Or a Panda. Or, my personal favorite: The Boreal Forest. This is the gift I would give this holiday season if I hadn't already purchased all my presents.

"Mom, this year I thought you could use the gift of The Boreal Forest. Please take care of it for future generations... The responsibility is now in your hands."

Striving for perfectionism

Unhappy? Self-Critical? Maybe You’re Just a Perfectionist
By Benedict Carey

"Yet several recent studies stand as a warning against taking the platitudes of achievement too seriously. The new research focuses on a familiar type, perfectionists, who panic or blow a fuse when things don’t turn out just so. The findings not only confirm that such purists are often at risk for mental distress — as Freud, Alfred Adler and countless exasperated parents have long predicted — but also suggest that perfectionism is a valuable lens through which to understand a variety of seemingly unrelated mental difficulties, from depression to compulsive behavior to addiction.

Some researchers divide perfectionists into three types, based on answers to standardized questionnaires: Self-oriented strivers who struggle to live up to their high standards and appear to be at risk of self-critical depression; outwardly focused zealots who expect perfection from others, often ruining relationships; and those desperate to live up to an ideal they’re convinced others expect of them, a risk factor for suicidal thinking and eating disorders."

(Link via Kyle.)

I recommend reading the entire article.

I have a few perfectionist tendencies. Because I’m finishing up my degree I find it useful to focus on my performance. Meaning, I expect an A on almost all occasions (unless, of course, it is a subject I don’t care about and have ignored-like Chemistry). The other day I was a part of a group presentation and really felt my need for perfection kicking in. It was someone else’s turn to speak for our group and the poor girl was choking with nervousness. Her hands were quivering, her words were jumbled, it was quite clear she wasn’t prepared to carry on. My immediate thoughts were, “Oh no-this poor girl!” followed by, “I must step in or else her performance is going to bring down the grade of the entire group!” So, at the right moment I intervened and stole the show. She gave me a tiny look of relief and the rest of our presentation ran smoothly. I felt a little arrogant because at that point I was dominating the presentation but my interest was in the grade and I wanted to make sure that grade would be an A.

I also have a few perfectionist tendencies in other areas of my life. Such as, I can’t handle having guests over who refuse to take off their shoes at the door. My poor heart can’t take it. My apartment is lined with beige carpeting. Have you seen what happens to beige carpeting over a period of time? It’s a sight for sore eyes… My dream is to live somewhere with wooden floors that do not require such constant care and concern but right now that dream is on hold. Certain members of my immediate family do not understand the importance of taking off their shoes at my door and have knowingly ignored this rule. On these occasions I’ve had to take off their shoes for them. This usually makes the point that I am quite serious about the "no shoes in my apartment" rule and that I’m not the kind of carefree host who can simply look the other way. To further drive home the point, I’ve considered throwing their shoes off the balcony but something has stopped me from doing so. Maybe it’s my need to demonstrate some degree of sanity, however faint?

Plan early

Holiday Baking. Now I really should be getting back to my paper.


* Image from Martha Stewart Living.com.

Link to share

Interesting link: The Female Body Proportion Guide Has Been Updated. Great use of art to make a point.

The now-infamous words of Hillary Rodham Clinton

"I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas."

I'm writing a paper on Hillary and this passage made me smile. I want to know what kind of tea she would have served. English Breakfast? Japanese Sencha? Earl Grey? We may never know.

My new favorite blog

My new favorite blog is The Daily Coyote. The blog features photos of an adopted coyote named Charlie.

"Charlie came into my life when he was just ten days old, orphaned after both his parents were killed. He lives with me and a tomcat in a one-room log cabin in Wyoming."

I saw a coyote around my neighborhood about a month ago and it was the cutest thing. I stopped and stared at the coyote, wondering, "Can I keep him?" In that same week I ran into a family of raccoons and later, a small herd of deer. I live in the city. Meaning, I don't have nature encounters very often... but for whatever reason, all the animals of the forest decided to come out and greet me that week. I felt very special. This is my current favorite photo from The Daily Coyote. Although all the photos are fantastic.

In time for the holidays

You may need to hit refresh. A new banner should appear at the top of the page. For those of you who wonder about these things: The font used in the banner is Home Sweet Home, which I downloaded from 1001 Free Fonts. I made the banner this afternoon in Adobe Illustrator and my roommate, L, gave me input which I appreciated. I would like to be an expert at using Illustrator one day but I know it is going to take some time... I need to learn how to draw with a Wacom tablet and I want to create graphics that are more professional and dynamic. Also, a lot of the time I don't know what I'm doing in Illustrator and so knowing more basic skills might be helpful, too.

All those years of being a Student Safety finally paid off

Sometimes I have the feeling my two roommates are trying to sabotage me. Mold appears in the area above the kitchen sink. Does anyone notice? Of course not, but when I see the mold a part of me panics. “This is a health emergency!” I think. “We can’t have mold in the kitchen! Especially so close to the sink, where we are constantly washing dishes!” Five seconds later I return to the scene with bleach*. The mold must be contained. I do my part, scrubbing away, musing to myself, “Whew, that was a close one.”

A few days later one of my roommates returns home with a space heater she has just purchased from another girl in the building. “The right side is broken but the left side works… I’m not sure if this is a fire hazard or not,” she tells me. I consider this for a few seconds and ask if the heater has instructions on it. She checks and discovers the heater clearly states that it is not to be used if one side is broken. A few days pass and I discover my roommate has taken to using the partially broken, dangerous, fire-waiting-to-happen space heater anyway. *Sigh.* First, the mold… now the risk of fire... I feel as if I must be on constant safety alert or else this apartment may not make it. Luckily, I have a copy of this book close by.


* Yes, I know bleach shouldn’t be kept in the home. Bleach is evil… I get it. However, have you seen how quickly and efficiently it kills mold? Also, I love how every time I use bleach I end up getting it on whatever I’m wearing. When I look at my spotted clothes later I am reminded of my own competency.

Beowulf

Sometimes my brother, W, makes wild statements that I cannot ignore. During Thanksgiving dinner I was quietly eating the corn on my plate, somewhat ignoring the loud sound of my family hopping from one topic to the another when my brother, W, uttered these words:

“I feel like I have to go see the remake of Beowulf. Now that I’m an English teacher I need to be familiar with the contemporary portrayal of the stor...”

“What?!” I exclaimed. “You do not need to see a CGI based film in order to understand Beowulf! The movie doesn’t even follow the epic poem!”

(I haven’t seen the movie but I’ve read up on it. And, it seems to me there is a drastic difference between the (boring) epic poem and Angelina Jolie’s scary, animated braid or the fact you get to see Angelina naked! In CGI! Oh my!)

We debated this topic for quite some time before W admitted he liked someone involved in the film who is also a comic book writer… at which point I felt utterly exasperated. Let me explain: My brother has recently become an English/Math teacher. He has also taken a recent liking to comics. Meaning: instead of reading Shakespeare and other great works of English literature (or novels, even) he is delving into how the X-men became united or about how an ordinary boy discovers he has the power to move through time… which, by the way, you can skip reading because it has been covered extensively in movie form.

I believe everyone has the right to read whatever suits his or her fancy. The average Joe might not need to read Beowulf or A Tale of Two Cities in order to survive. I do, however, feel like my brother is in a different position. I feel like as an English teacher he should be replacing Ultimate Spiderman with The Great Gatsby. The Sandman should be replaced with Paradise Lost. He should be reading each and every boring story that English literature has to offer. After all, if he doesn’t read and love it, who will?

I suppose this matter is close to my heart as someone who almost became an English teacher. I had a lot of time to think about the kinds of things I would and wouldn’t do in this position. Being well-read and loving literature in its original form seems important. I came to this conclusion early on. (Then, after taking countless teaching courses I discovered teaching was not for me.)

Also, a part of me likes the idea of my brother reading Beowulf and trying to silence such thoughts as: God, this is awful followed by No, this is really awful and Do I really have to read this? Or should I just go kill myself now in order to skip the next few pages? This is the kind of torture every older brother should have to endure.

Watch your mouth, Santa

Someone told me public Santas can no longer say, “Ho, ho, ho! Happy Holidays!” Apparently the “Ho, ho, ho” is not politically correct. So what do Santas say now? Ha, ha, ha? Hum, hum, hum? Hee, hee, hee? What is it? I don’t have small children so I might need someone with small children to clue me in. Wait, here is a related story on the matter.

Christmas/Holiday card giveaway

I bought a box of Christmas cards today and have just finished putting together my list. What list? The list of people who are in my good graces and therefore deserve a Christmas card… I have to be honest with you, not everyone made The List. Cuts had to be made. I won’t be sending a card to everyone this year. Yes, I am a bit of a Grinch but it suits me. It turns out I will have extra cards left over… quite a few extra cards… and I don’t want them to go wasted. I would simply save them for future use but one can’t exactly reuse the same Christmas card design two years in a row. I would never do something so… tacky.

So I’ve decided the best option is to offer free cards to the readers of this blog. If you are interested, leave a comment and I will contact you via email. If you have an idea for what I can do with the extra cards, then leave a comment with your suggestion. I think this could be great fun.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I know I enjoyed mine. I made the trip to my hometown in order to meet up with family for a Thanksgiving feast. My oldest brother and his wife, my sister-in-law, held the event at their house. Here are a few things they did that I found clever:

Turkey was served but they also served ham (for those who like options or don’t like turkey).

They had an excess of mashed potatoes. This is important because running out of mashed potatoes during Thanksgiving dinner only puts everyone in a bad mood. Also, mashed potatoes go fast.

Appetizers were available before and after the meal.

I was not pleased that we played Apples to Apples… A game with no strategy! A game that we now play at every family gathering! Meaning, we never play my favorite, Balderdash. How tragic. Although I did find it amusing when for the category “Unnatural” my nephew insisted on picking The Vatican. “I don’t know what it is but it just sounds strange!” he declared.

And now, it is time for much needed sleep.

Holiday buzz

I'm thinking of getting the Wee Wonderfuls Mr. and Mrs. Gnome pattern so I can make little gnomes of my own. I don't sew. I don't know how to sew. But do those kind of details actually matter? My mind has been fixed on the holidays lately. I have a special place in my heart for this time of year.

If you are in the 3rd grade, don't worry, you can handle reading this blog

I just tested the reading level of my blog (all the cool kids are doing it, after all). My results are shown below:



Um, something a little higher than Elementary School would of been nice but I guess this means my posts are highly accessible... I'm going to throw in a sentence a 3rd grade might have more trouble with: Colorless green ideas sleep furiously. If you can explain this sentence, you win a prize. And, let's throw in some Shakespeare for good measure: “Love to faults is always blind, always is to joy inclined. Lawless, winged, and unconfined, and breaks all chains from every mind.” Maybe I need one advanced sentence per blog entry to boost my score and then at that point I can reach a Middle School Reading Level. How exciting!

Life in a cold apartment

This link is useful: How to improve our efforts to winterize our drafty, old apartment. (Via not martha.) My apartment gets very cold in the winter. It's a bit like living in the Arctic tundra. I whined about it last year but didn't take action to counter the problem. This year I'm thinking action may be needed. My new roommate, The One From Spain, has asked about the cold several times. I told her, "Don't worry, it is going to get much colder," in an effort to prepare her. Perhaps I will teach her how to build an igloo next month as well.

Link to share

I am in the middle of putting together a group program for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? but I wanted to share this article Nate just sent me. It looks intriguing and when I have more time to read it, I will. Coffee shops and gender discrimination? What a hot topic! But I can't go into it now because Virginia Woolf is calling me.

What is there to do in Buffalo, NY?

I might be going on a road trip this November to Buffalo, NY. Why Buffalo? Well, you see, my old-roommate/doctor-in-training friend resides there and she is desperate need of my companionship. We lived together during the summer but she had to return home after the summer ended. Ever since my absence she has been suffering from serious Rachel withdrawal. How bad is it? Well, she has a shrine dedicated to me in her room, with lockets of my hair strewn about and my printed flickr photos pinned to it. Except, her printer only prints in black and white and so my images actually look quite sad. I think the shrine could use some improvement. Actually, I have been missing her as well and I’m excited about the idea of a road trip.

(I’m not a fan of flying. Have I ever mentioned how I’m not a fan of flying? I’ll do it, when necessary, but the process of air travel always makes me quite squeamish. I’m not afraid of flying but I have problems with motion sickness… Meaning, you should never sit next to me on an airplane. I’m the one with People magazine or some other trashy tabloid in one hand and a barf bag in the other. If you do end up sitting next to me on an airplane at some point in the future, I apologize in advance. You might want to consider upgrading to first class because I never sit there and besides, why not fly in luxury?)

The main purpose of the road trip will be to see my friend but I’m wondering what else there is to see and/or do in Buffalo. Any suggestions? I know Buffalo is involved in the Northern Cities Vowel Shift but it would help to know more.

Yet another wedding

I’ll be going to a cousin’s wedding this Saturday. She is 19 and marrying another 19 year old. No, we aren’t living in the 1950’s. You see, my Mom’s one sister (my Aunt) had eight children. My Mom had seven children. However, her sister’s children have a habit of marrying and producing children. My brothers and sisters, in general, haven’t followed this same trend. I know I haven’t followed this trend. Oh, sometimes I wake up in the morning and have a sudden thought, “Why not go get married? Today would be the perfect day for matrimony!” But then something distracts me along the way… such as my need for sanity and total selfishness. Also, I’m not sure if I want an elaborate Catholic wedding. If I get married in a Catholic church there would be pressure to include the mass as part of the ceremony, meaning, the whole event would take days. How can I consider marriage without working out these details?

I know at this weekend’s wedding (like every wedding) I will be asked: “So, when are you getting married?” I’m a witty, cynical girl and I can’t just provide any answer. I’m thinking my reply will be:

“Tomorrow. I’m getting married tomorrow.”

“Are you already engaged?”

“Yes. I just didn’t tell anyone.”

“Who is the lucky guy?”

“Well, I have two options… my current boyfriend, Nate… Or if that falls through I have my friend, the chef, as a backup.”

It is important to be prepared.

Secrecy and reading

My boyfriend, Nate, is what you’d call a closet reader. In general, reading is not an activity or hobby of his. I gave him a copy of the first Harry Potter book years ago and he still hasn’t finished it. I joke with him that the reading level is a little too high and he should be reading something simpler, perhaps Hop On Pop or Fun with Dick and Jane. The truth is: not everyone feels the same way about the Harry Potter series. Yes, this is somewhat sad and tragic for me to comprehend but I’ll manage. Somehow. So although Nate isn’t what I would call a reader, he is what I would call a closet reader. And there is a difference.

“Let’s just stop in for a few seconds,” I say, as we pass a bookstore. The seconds turn into hours, the hours turn into days and I have nothing to do with such madness. I’m fine with a bookstore hit-and-run. I only need a half hour or maybe an hour at most before I start itching to leave. However, by the time I’m ready I must go find Nate, who is always in the middle of reading an entire book. From start to finish, no less. Sometimes he is standing up reading; sometimes he is sitting down on the floor. In these moments he is a vision for literacy in the United States.

“Can we go? I’m ready to leave,” I cut in.

“Okay, just give me a few more seconds.” Translation: We will leave in an hour, or perhaps the following day.

I was waiting in the bookstore for Nate to “finish” reading today and so I had time to go over these details. I began to wonder, are there other closet readers out there? Can certain places, like bookstores, morph non-readers into readers? I don’t have an answer to these questions but I do know this: bookstores do not make for a hot date.

NaBloPoMo is here!

It is November, which means NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) is here. I'm going to try to stick with it... knowing that sometimes sitting in front of my computer is the last place I want to be. However, if November is going to be as cold as it was today I might be spending every second of it happily indoors. With a warm drink close by. My slippers snug on my feet. Wondering how my sister in Florida survives being seconds away from the beach.

On the bookshelf

I am currently reading Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. Before reading the memoir I read Lolita and so the timing is appropriate. Here is one passage of the book that I have enjoyed, thus far:

"I wrote on the board one of my favorite lines from the German thinker Theodor Adorno: "The highest form of morality is not to feel at home in one's own home." I explained that most great works of the imagination were meant to make you feel like a stranger in your own home. The best fiction always forced us to question what we took for granted. It questioned traditions and expectations when they seemed too immutable. I told my students I wanted them in their readings to consider in what ways these works unsettled them, made them a little uneasy, made them look around and consider the world, like Alice in Wonderland, through different eyes."

It is worth noting that Lolita is not the only novel read in the meetings between Nafisi and her students, even though the title may misled some readers. They also read Persian classical literature and the following Western novels: Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, Madame Bovary, Daisy Miller and The Dean’s December. I always get excited about knowing what novels get picked for instruction (or reading) and why. This may be a symptom of all the time I’ve spent sitting through literature courses.

Dear Abby is not the only one with answers

Sometimes the idea of working in a coffee shop as a coffee barista sounds like the most romantic job in the world. Right next to being a professional ballet dancer, or being an underground, undiscovered, starving poet. So, is it a romantic job? Yes, and no. I don’t have a final answer to this question but something that needs to be stressed is: life in a coffee shop is a whole lotta work. If you like moving nonstop, then the job is probably for you. If you are lazy and don’t care about the importance of crafting the perfect foam, then you should probably seek employment elsewhere. Also, an important part of the job is the ability to answer a wide range of questions. Here is a small sample below.

What is the difference between whole milk and skim milk?

What drink has the most caffeine… Let’s say, enough to keep me alert for 72 hours? Or, is there a way I can inject the caffeine directly into my veins and essentially speed up the process?

Will you marry me?

Are you a natural blonde or is that Revlon Ultra Blonde at work?

What was your personal reaction to James Joyce's Ulysses?

Do you support Obama?

What is the capital of Argentina?

And, one of most frequent (and challenging!) questions of all:

How do you feel about Starbucks?

To which I reply: “Leave this café at once!”

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain

My roommate, who I shall refer to as The One from Spain, has been spending the past few days in Chicago with her Turkish lover/boyfriend. While in Chicago they are going to a Bob Dylan concert, which is great, if you are into that kind of thing and happen to be my parent’s age, of course. I’ve found myself missing her while she is away to the extent I selected an appropriate song for her return.



I will be Eliza Dolittle. I suppose she will have to step in as Henry Higgins. I hope she is familiar with her lines so we can cut straight to the singing and dancing.

The perfect costume for my boyfriend

If I had the power to force my boyfriend to do anything in the world, I would use that power to have him wear this costume for Halloween. Let’s just say, he has the body to pull it off.



I apologize to those of you who are easily offended by German stereotypes. This young man is obviously not a representative of all German men. He looks like he is on his way to the movies and threw on some "street" clothes before meeting up with friends. But do all German men dress this way? Of course not! I imagine his orange suspenders come in a wide variety of colors for men to choose from.

Mario Batali lives here

I just read that celebrity chef, Mario Batali, has his "getaway home" in Northern Michigan. (In the Grand Traverse Bay/Leelanau Peninsula area.) “Michigan is my antidote to Manhattan. This is where I come to relax,” says Mario. It’s interesting to know an Italian chef would select Michigan over, let’s say, Lake Como. My getaway house would have to be outside of Michigan… somewhere far, far away. Where? Oh, the location changes by the day. Sometimes by the hour.

Martha blogs

Martha just started a blog. I know, she is a little late to the blogging world, but this is the woman who isn’t afraid to attempt to run over her husband with her SUV but at the same time understands how to make the perfect bundt cake, so one can’t criticize her too harshly. Now if only she will add tales from the bean to her link list...

Clip from Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

We're watching this for one of my classes. If you haven't seen the movie, you should rent it today.



More about the movie: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Add some French to your day

If you need a second language to speak in order to impress guests over drinks at dinner parties, or you spent years in high school taking foreign language courses that you ignored*, then French Word-A-Day may be helpful. I like the site because it is simple and therefore, I can fit in to my daily schedule. Also, I love the “A Day in a French Life” stories that are included with each entry.

* This applies to me.

Dumbledore, gay?

Over the weekend it was revealed by JK Rowling that Professor Dumbledore is, in fact, gay. "Oh, well that makes sense," my friend replied after hearing the news. Does it? Were there stereotypical "gay" scenes that appeared in the series that I somehow missed? I suppose there was the casual mention of how a younger Dumbledore "loved to shop." And the character Dumbledore always reminded me of being molded after Tolkein's Gandalf, who in the LOTR movie series was played by Sir Ian McKellen, who also happens to be gay...

I am curious as to why JK Rowling has decided to have a main character "come out" now, when there wasn't mention of it in the series. I suppose the answer to this question shouldn’t matter. After all, there could be a lot of information about each character that never made it into the final books. We never found out Hermione's favorite color, for example, or if the house elves were avid tea drinkers considering they also lived in Great Britain...

However, I am left wondering if JK Rowling decided to have Dumbledore “come out” in order to spark additional controversy. Perhaps she decided, on a whim, let’s stir things up. The Religious Right hasn’t been as strongly anti-Potter lately and the “Dumbledore is gay” fan fiction is compelling… so why not give fans and foes something to talk about?

In equally compelling news, why not check out Giuliani in drag. I am not trying to make the suggestion that Giuliani might be gay, I just envy the fact he was able to sing alongside Julie Andrews. Who wouldn’t go in drag for the opportunity to sing alongside Maria? I know I would. (Maria from The Sound of Music is my favorite Julie Andrews character.)

Fall activities

I try to make the most of fall before the weather takes a turn for the worse and suddenly I am caught scrapping snow off my car windshield and cursing the dreariness of winter in Michigan. So on Saturday Nate and I went over to Jenny’s Farm Market. We cuddled with the farm animals. A calf tried to eat Nate’s pants, while showing no interest in mine. We devoured pumpkin spice donuts, followed by homemade apple cider. AND! We went on a horse drawn hayride. I would mention how Nate forced me into crawling through the hay maze designed for kids only but I have too much pride to go into those horrific details.

And, because Kroger had a sale on Halloween items I ended up making Halloween themed cupcakes. I’m not an expert at applying frosting but I tried my best.



The green is supposed to resemble slime... Toxic slime.



This is a view of all the tiny cupcakes together. (I used tiny cupcakes instead of the regular size because, well, I think they are cuter. And eating a tiny cupcake is so much healthier than eating a normal size cupcake.)



It’s a pumpkin! Or is it? The frosting was out of control at this point.

I have photos of Jenny's Farm Market up on flickr from a trip in October 2005. I didn't take any photos this time.

Kermit would fit in here

In early September I painted the Living Room of my apartment. The walls ended up being bright green. This is the wall above our sofa:



On some days I appreciate the brightness and it puts me in a cheery mood... on other days I regret the color selection and take comfort in knowing I won't be living in this apartment forever. As of now, I've painted two rooms in my apartment. The second being my Bedroom, which is pictured below:



Ahhh, how refreshing. I think the blue is a better match for my personality.

MSL Tote Bag

My Martha Stewart Living tote bag came in the mail the other day. It was free with a new magazine subscription.



I like it. I might end up using it as a grocery store tote bag (instead of using plastic bags). Or, I may just stare at it all day and feel that much closer to Martha.

John Paul II speaks from the grave

I think this is a great story as Halloween approaches. Also, I am reminded of a scene from Harry Potter but I can't remember which one off the top of my head. If you know the scene, please tell me.

Pope Fire The Vatican says Pope John Paul II has appeared in the shape of a bonfire. The internet is going crazy for the Papal fire, in which the former Pope appeared in flame format at a gathering in Poland.

I think his* message is clear: "Don't listen to anything this man says!"

* The "he" being Pope John Paul II from the grave, of course.

Quick update

I'm making a few changes around here. You may want to hit Refresh. I don't have everything up but am working on it.

Outside it is rainy and cold. What a sad combination.

Ann Coulter

If you are looking for a frightening Halloween costume this year here are is one option:

Pictured above: Ann Coulter.

Tips for your costume:

Wear all black.

Attempt to make your face longer and pointer than usual.

You may want to use makeup to make your skin appear vein-like and extremely pale.

Don a long blonde wig. Your hair should be straight and flowing.

Make controversial (and hateful) statements in order to attract attention. Remember: no one will notice you unless you master this first.

Do not hesitate in using generalities, which some individuals may interpret as wit.

Bash Democrats for being Democrat. Praise Republicans for being Republicans.

If you encounter a single woman, let her know she shouldn’t have the right to vote. She is one screwing everything up!

If you encounter a Jewish person, let him/her know Jews should be “perfected.” Try giving the suggestion: “Can’t you guys hurry up and be Christian already?” You may want to mention Jesus in order to seal the deal.


* The image in this post is from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Conversation over dinner

Emily (who is 4.5 years old): “My middle name means Jade… I like it because it reminds me of diamonds.”

How does a 4.5 year old understand expensive jewelry? My guess? Radio Disney. Or possibly that subscription to Tiffanys is actually sinking in.

Where is the Isle of Woman?

Random factoids I find interesting…

There is an Isle of Man but there is not an Isle of Woman. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state and she holds the title, Lord of Mann. During the reign of Queen Victoria the title was switched to Lady of Man. Apparently, Elizabeth II can’t be bothered with such distinctions. Also, the flag of the Isle of Man is rather peculiar. I'm not sure how I feel about it. 3 legs? 3 manly legs? I don’t know what to make of it.

Republican candidates battle it out

Alternative title: Pick your poison




This is not going to turn into a political blog but I realized sometime today I’ve posted about Hillary, Obama and Edwards. However, I haven’t said anything regarding the Republican candidates for the 2008 presidential election. I realize some of you reading this blog may be “into that kind of thing.” I’m not so much but in the interest of fair and balanced reporting, one should note that Giuliani and Romney are at each other’s throats for the Republican vote.

Giuliani wants you to know he knows how to “keep it real”:

“That’s my appeal. I am me. I will be straight with people. I think the most important thing we’re facing is the challenge of terrorism.” -Giuliani

Meanwhile, Romney wants you to know he isn’t the best Trivial Pursuit partner:

“Now, I don’t have all the answers. I don’t pretend to be the answer man. But I do know how to get all the answers.” -Romney

* All images in this post are from NY Times.com.

Mind reading

My sister, L, had a recent stint as a psychic tarot card reader. She would offer readings through ebay and surprisingly (or not surprisingly, depending on how you look at it), people were seeking her advice. She stopped doing the readings after awhile and her cards are now tucked away. I don’t take tarot card readings very seriously (nor should you!) but I was reminded of this when I found the article, Mind Reading, from Psychology Today. Apparently, all of us are “street-corner psychics” who use our ability to see inside the minds of others.

“Mind reading of this sort—not to be confused with the infallible superhero kind of telepathy—is a critical human skill. It's the way we make sense of other people's behavior and decide on our own next moves. Mind reading enables us to negotiate, compete, cooperate, and achieve emotional closeness with others. It lets us figure out when we're being manipulated or seduced. It's how we know when someone finds our jokes hilarious or is humoring us out of politeness. Mind-reading ability is perhaps the most urgent element of social intelligence.”

I know I see inside the mind of Nate all the time. I see when he is hungry, when he is moody, when he is happy, or is in desperate need of a trip to the beach. (The last vision rarely comes up.) Oh, he might deny my ability to interpret but that doesn’t mean he won’t turn around and apply his psychic powers on me.

“Are you stressed because you found out So-and-So died?

“Are you stressed because your friend, Steve B, is in Iraq?”

“Are you stressed because you received your 99th parking ticket this year?”

He will go through all these possibilities, until he finally gets closer to the truth:

“Do you need a latte?”

Pretty things from Lekker

I must be suffering from window-shopping syndrome. I have it bad. Here are a few items I found that I love:



My wallet will be staying shut. I just like to dream from afar.

Top row (from left to right): Exploration Placemats, Birch Lamp Set.
Bottom row (from left to right): Vacuum Carafe Soft, Bamboo Bowl Collection.

Amy Sedaris and Martha cooking up cheeseballs

If you have a soft spot for Martha Stewart, Amy Sedaris and/or bong water, then you will love this clip:



Funny, funny.

Here is the recipe for Amy Sedaris' Li'l Smokey Cheeseball:

2 cups of shredded smoked Gouda cheese
16 ounces of cream cheese
1/2 cup of butter
2 1/2 tablespoons of milk
2 1/2 teaspoons of Steak Sauce
1 cupped of chopped nuts

Bring all ingredients to room temp. Add milk and steak sauce and beat until completely blended. Chill over night. Turn it into a ball the next morning. Roll it in the nut mixture. Serve it room temp, spread on a Ritz cracker.

John Edwards, somewhere between cute and sexy

The man has a good grasp on the wheel.


He is willing to work toward fixing the problems facing America.


Oh, and did I mention he is cute?


Some find him cute, while others find him sexy. The word "handsome" also comes to mind.

* All images courtesy of Men's Vogue.com.

Where everyone goes bang-bang

A reader pointed out that I never clarified what happened with the roommate situation. (This is not the first time I’ve failed to provide a follow up to an entry in this blog. I tend to do it all the time. In my defense: there is only so much time in the day!) Here is the complete story, which should catch everyone up to date:

During the summer we were looking for a new roommate to move in for the year. The first girl signed the lease but decided she would rather live with her boyfriend. He is completing his PhD in Engineering and has a certain nerdy look about him, so it is no wonder she has fallen passionately in love. Then we found girl number two, who was a promising roommate from Taiwan, except her plans changed and the arrangement fell through. Finally, we (meaning, my roommate, L, and I) found a roommate we loved. Not only did we fall in love with her but she is not fickle. She is from Spain, quite stylish and chic, and is a grad student studying Japanese culture.

I have been doing part of my undergraduate work in Anthropology and so the two of us have quite a bit to talk about. She tells me stories of Europe and Japan. In exchange, I tell her stories about the US and how things are done. I’ve even shared how one would use slang, including phrases such as: “I'm gonna holla at ya,” or: “Let’s bounce.” It is worth mentioning: I never use such phrases in my own speech. However, there may come a day when I need to utter the words: “Let’s bounce,” instead of the much longer: “Let’s leave this place.”

I do like feeling as if I am an authority on my own culture and have all the special insight into American life. Except, the other day we ended up in a conversation regarding Texas and guns and my ability to exaggerate may have crept into the conversation... I ended up saying something along the lines of: “You see, in some states they are a little more gun-happy than others. In Texas if you are feeling blue you might just want to shoot your gun at random, sort of like a pick-me-up. That doesn’t happen here.”

I was joking when I said these words but despite this, my roommate only looked back at me in horror. She replied, “I don’t think I’ll ever go to Texas.” Suddenly I realized my careless statement had convinced her Texas is this dangerous, gun-toting state… and who knows, maybe there is truth to that statement, maybe there isn’t… but what do I know? I live in Michigan. So I spent the next half of the conversation trying to correct my mistake. “Texas is fine, it’s a safe place to visit and live… it isn’t that bad,” I reassured her. “Not everyone in Texas carries a gun. Little kids in Texas? They don’t carry guns. They have to wait until they turn eight.”

Then she brought up a point I could not refute: “But George W. Bush is from Texas.”

To this I had no reply.