Impressions and Confessions

Cider Lovin'

2009-03-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

I dislike beer, except for one you can get at Pike Place Brewery in Seattle, and Lenny's in Blommington IN, which means my choices when I go to an establishment are limited to expensive mixed drinks, or my other favorite beverage with a little kick. Cider.

Favorites so far are:
Strongbow - fresh, robust dry English cider
Newton's Folly - found at Trader Joe's, a crisp granny smith apple cider that is quite yummy

Hornsby's - is okay
Wyder's - has more variety than most with a few different types including a pear, but is not as good as the two above.

In a pinch:
Woodchuck and Woodpecker will do, but the others are better so far. I'll update this as I try different ciders and see what else I like.

Maybe I should look into learning how to make my own hard cider.

Some words I Like

2009-02-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

kerfuffle

supercilious

nargels (yes, the beasts from Harry Potter fame)

snargles (my attempt to say nargels and snuggles at the same time)

spiraling symbiosis (thank you Mr. Anthony, high school AP Euro History teacher - that one's stayed with me a long time)

rapture

clusterf**k

Wow, been a long time

2009-02-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody.

I know I have not written in awhile...I will soon. Promise.

Right now life consists of working at the library, finally working again with the art library special materials (yay!), trying to afford my own health insurance, and condo hunting with the bf.

More soon, when I make more sense.

Self Chosen Slippery Slopes

2008-10-14T16:39:00.001-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/10/gay.friendly.school/index.html
In response to this article, I want to ask one question...how does this change the landscape of tolerance in public schools?

I understand that it might be better for these students from a safety standpoint to be in a school with a peer group that is fully supportive of their lifestyle and orientation, but something about this doesn't sit right with me.

If we suggest as a city (Chicago) or as a country, that we should group gays, lesbians, and transgenders together into one demographic of a high school, doesn't that mean, while confrontations and safety may be higher, exposure to other viewpoints and other individuals will be lessened?

I can't help but wonder if my close friends that are gay/lesbian/bi-sexual and transgender decided to go to this public school instead of mine, i wouldn't have been offered the chance to get to know them so well and become such good friends with them. I can respect a decision based on the safety of students, because that is supposed to be one of the most important things a school provides, beyond the "education" factor that is a given. But, what about the whole diversity in schools idea?
There are a lot of high school students out there as it is, that will not meet an openly gay/bi-sexual/transgender person until they get to college...(remember small towns in Iowa are rarely the bastions of liberal ideas/thinking that the state as a whole may be thought to be) and that may be okay for many of them, but I'm sure they often wonder if someone in that school has a different sexual orientation and just hasn't come forward.

I am for people being comfortable in their skin, and if an openly gay/lesbian/bi-sexual/transgender high school will allow that to be the case for some folks, then I'm for that aspect of it...but I can't help but also see this as leading down a slippery slope of self-chosen separation, which will afford few high school students the chance to change their views on certain aspects of the culture/community of GLBTG folks or vice versa.

2008-10-07T17:53:00.000-07:00

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/generic/ae5e/

I think this shirt is funny.

Carving, Taxes, and Friendship

2008-10-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

Costume plans are coming together for the annual Spooktacular Pumpkin Carving party. As ya'll remember from "ghosts of years past" its' a BYOP (bring your own pumpkin) This year we're rockin' the "kid friendly" version, so that my friends and co-workers with kids should bring them along if the spirit moves you. Mulled apple cider, goodies and other such fare will be offered for noshing. Also, there are prizes for best costume, best pumpkin and best non-costume (i.e. the lovely popularity contest...) And of course, because costumes are option, best non-costume usually is a tough crowd, so accordingly and come prepared to bribe.

In other news, life, as I know it, just got more interesting, as it tends to when you're juggling jobs and a social life...more on that later though, as nothing's for sure...

oh and apparently part of that $700 billion dollar bill that passed Congress (and no a $700 billion dollar bill does not exist --who would you expect to see on that paper? Most of the really good presidents have already got their coinage...hmm...answers accepted here...Who would you like to see on a $700 billion dollar bill?
Regardless, there's a little add-on for those of us in flood ravaged Iowa...some sort of tax benefit write-off dealio---I'd simply like to not have to pay tax on the money FEMA gave us, but I think I'll have to claim it as "earnings" ---really not sure about that one...I had the UI folks do it last year cause it was easy with no stocks and three pay stubs...this year might be more complicated with flood money...who knows....anyways, that's the current update.
Pete...if you still read this blog, you should call me so we can catch up, it's been too long Mister.

Is No News Good News?

2008-09-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Been awhile since I've updated. Mostly because not a lot to comment on really. Don't get me wrong, a lot has been going on in my small ego-centric world lately, as well as the real world that is tangential to it. (JK). A quick update....

hmm...work is going well. I'm now responsible for helping set up meeting room equipment for incoming non-profits using the space. Of course my first solo flight yielded a powerpoint that would not open on one of our older laptops downstairs, or a newer one upstairs...so the group waited 20 minutes while I tried to troubleshoot if it was a problem of a 2003 pt file not working on a 2007 version. Unfortunately the creator of said powerpoint was also not in attendance at the meeting, so we were all winging it. The group was good-natured enough about the delay to have commented "they probably don't pay you enough for this do they?" and the like, which was sweet. And when they found out it was my first solo time in charge of everything down there, they were even nicer about it. I'm also now in charge of our facebook page, and updating events pages for the city and on a cultural website. Go me getting more stuff to do.

The wedding scrapbook for Steve and Victoria is starting to come together I've filtered out the pics, put 'em up on shutterfly and starting cropping and editing. I have found the print album I'm going to use, and started scanning for layout design ideas. I'm excited to have it as my "downtime" project.

Not much else is new with me in particular, but I'm not about shameless plugs of things or people I find to be good. So, if any of you have been wanting to see Spamalot and have yet to go..well GO! it's a fantastic show even if you aren't a Holy Grail person, but even better if you are a fan of Flying circus or any other Monty Python show. Also, the national traveling tour features my cousin Matt as Lancelot, starting this Fall. An even better reason to see it! Because Erik and I saw it last year in Des Moines and loved it, but we're going to go see it there again for Matt (and cause we loved the show). It was supposed to come to Hancher, Iowa City's own performing arts venue for Broadway events...but because of the flooding, that is impossible. it also means that matt will spend Christmas in DM, Iowa, but luckily we've got family all across this state and baring any ice or really bad snow storms, he'll get to spend at least part of it with us!

Erik's roommates got kitties this week...well at least year old cats, that are short hairs and people lovers, which is great. The major drawback, since I haven't been around cats for prolonged periods of time in awhile, my allergies flared within half an hour of being there. To my credit, I didn't handle them the whole time, but not too my credit I did spend a good deal of that time playing and petting them. Hopefully as with my own Scotty, the allergies will fade quickly...

Tonight is the roommate's birthday celebration and we are going to the Brown Bottle for dinner (one of my IC favs) though it is also homecoming weekend, which means crazy busy traffic everywhere in this fair city. Go Hawks. I hope we win.

Alternatively I hope that our new president figures out what the bleep she's doing and gets a handle on things. She's just fired two major players in U of I dealings over a case that happened under her watch. of course she'd look to her team to help her with policies, etc...but really firings two days after the investigation into the "handling" of the case? I am glad the regents didn't give her a bonus this year...and since her posted salary this year was 450,000 anyway, i think it's time for her to give a bit more back to the community and accountability also. And my heart goes out to the female student, whomever you are for your willingness to continue with your case against the athletes involved and I hope that some manner of justice helps you put this awful mess into your past. You'll never forget it, but hopefully you'll be able to at least move on with your life and not let them continue to ruin it.

And now, that is all.

Quick update and Pollock Fodder

2008-08-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, I've had a long hiatus from the blog on late...working 40-45 hours a week, and weekends filled with weddings and a beer festival and some soccer games have made this the case...plus my town flooded, which means I've moved out of an apartment, into my parent's basement, and then into a NEW apartment, (because the old building was condemned) all with in the last few months. There are thank you notes that have gone unwritten and many other scribblings to attend to before a proper update to this blog can be made. But, for the gist, I'm allright, and getting settled in the new place, and working, and squeezing in the fun where I can in between.

Also, I'm very intrigued by the discussion of the potential sale of our Jackson Pollock Mural to a "museum institution" and in fact, intrigued is only the beginning and I have just now read one of the more insulting varieties of the elitist art critics who shovel their drivel and insult University collections.

Felix Salmon - a critic says:

All the same, some paintings belong not to "the people of Iowa" so much as to the people of the world, and belong in a world-class collection. Which, frankly, the University of Iowa Museum of Art isn't.

One of the reasons that contemporary art goes for such huge sums at auction is that nearly all the major art of the past is now in museums and therefore can't be bought for any sum. But there's a corollary to that well-known fact, which is that some of the greatest paintings of all time have washed up in relative backwaters which don't and can't do them justice.

All of which is to say that if Mural had ended up in MoMA rather than UIMA, it would probably at this point be generally considered to be the greatest American painting of all time. As it is, it's described as being worth an "estimated $100 million" (which wouldn't even get you an opening bid on such a work in today's market) and as "one of the half-dozen greatest Pollocks". Nothing to be ashamed of there, but I do get the impression that being hidden away in Iowa has not done Mural any art-historical favors.

Indiana Jones, when he sees a priceless treasure, always says that it belongs in a museum. But not all museums are equal, and there's surely a case to be made that the greatest of the great masterworks belong in museums which are worthy of them, rather than in small university collections.

So, I'll break this down for my readers. I've been to many a museum in my day, both here and abroad, and from small art museum collections to places like MOMA and the Louvre, so I think this man has a lot of explaining to do by saying Iowa has done 1) nothing to promote the Pollock painting and 2) the belief that it would stand in some greater pantheon of modern art if it were in a place like the MOMA...part of the draw to a small art museum to see a "masterpiece" is just that, it is a standout in a collection, the collection doesn't overshadow a masterpiece. I'm sorry but when I walk through the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and see how many of the same style and scheme? Do I think any of them are less valuable than the others...no, but do I take a particular interest in them? not really. The point deer friends, is that the Pollock is an imposing piece at the UIMA because it is a large canvas and an important piece to the development of the artist's style. It is hung next to other works by modern artists...perhaps not "masterpieces" in the traditional sense, but still also, works by important artists...Miro, Gris, Feininger and Picasso...but you don't see us complaining that our museum collection was based on some art market issues. No...most of our collection of modern European and American masters came from one family, the Elliots, who traveled and collected. So yes, Peggy Guggenheim herself donated the Pollock to the U of I...and yes in the 1940's a museum didn't exist. But the art school did...and it was well-known and had a reputation for being the "Geenwich Village of the West" at that time.

I also take issue with him calling our collection small or "backwater" are you kidding me? Who is sophisticated society uses such language to describe UNIVERSITY collections? Seriously, has he not seen that most of the images of AFRICAN ART that exist in slide rooms and books and articles come from our very own Stanley collection? Outside of Indiana University (my other alma matter) we have one of the best African collections in the country...but should we discuss selling an Ibeji twin figure no one in the larger art community would bat an eyelash.

It is precisely the famousness of that Pollock piece and BECAUSE it is in a University museum that it gets this kind of attention in the first place. Hello, the MOMA decides to sell a Braque...big deal - would probably barely make it into the papers, they've got others. But a few months ago a similar case was in the news;'

From Wikipedia about Thomas Eakins' The Gross Clinic
After its purchase for $200 at the time of the Centennial Exhibition, the painting was housed in the College Building of Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia until it was moved in the mid-1980s to Jefferson Alumni Hall. On November 11, 2006, the Thomas Jefferson University Board voted to sell the painting for $68 million to the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, now under construction in Bentonville, Arkansas. The sale would represent a record price for an artwork made in the United States prior to World War II.[3]

The proposed sale was seen as a secretive act[4] that many from Philadelphia believed betrayed the city's cultural legacy.[5] In late November 2006, efforts began to keep the painting in Philadelphia, including a fund with a December 26 deadline to raise money to purchase it and a plan to invoke a clause regarding "historic objects" in the city's historic preservation code. In a matter of weeks the fund raised $30 million, and on December 21, 2006, Wachovia Bank agreed to loan the difference until the rest of the money has been raised, keeping the painting in town at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

So here you have a painting kept in its native city - a masterwork by all accounts - in the cannon of art historical research - that was still in jeopardy until the people of the city rallied around it.

I do not think this Felix should be so quick to judge a painting like Pollock's Mural so simply, and nor the people of Iowa or our artistic merits either. And frankly, I'd love to write a more eloquent diatribe to post on the comments page of his article...but alas, perhaps I, in the "backwater" "small collection" vein in which I seem to live, would not do such an argument justice.

Waiting for a Recession of a Different Kind

2008-06-25T10:26:00.001-07:00

Flood of 2008

2008-06-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

Someone in one of the papers said today "If the flood of 1993 was the flood of the century, it was LAST century" because 2008 with not only rival it, but surpass it...
I talked to one of the facilities guys that was trying to stave off the invasion of water into the theater lot monday morning, and in essence he told me this...

"If your place flooded in 1993, it will most likely flood again, and more so this time around."

That was enough for me...I called Cas and she came back to Iowa City and we spent Monday evening (after I worked for 6.5 hours at the CPL) moving all of our belongings into my parents spare bedroom, new basement addition, and one of the stalls of the garage...it's seriously an amazing site to see all of our crap shoved into the garage and basement...(Thanks mom and dad for putting up with your daughter returning for two months at the age of 27! and bringing a roommate and all of her belongings with her.)

We are doing this to be pro-active and as a precaution. The river has not yet spilled on to th earts campus, but they evacuated all of t ebuildings around our apartment...theater, and art building west, and two of the main routes we'd take to access our road (Dubuque Street/Park Road bridge, and Rocky Shore Drive are closed)

Thanks to everyone for the concern...cas and i are stressed, looking for a new apartment, but also, making th emost of it...I'm keeping good spirits, as I consider that now we can have sleepovers with a projection screen for movie watching I suppose.
I"ll post pictures eventually when my memory stick decides to actually work in the card reader I have...or i have another posting option...

but thanks to those who helped us move out...we do indeed still owe you a round of drinks!

update

2008-05-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

Finished the class in Nazi and Stalinist Art at the U of Iowa...the paper kept me busy for a bit there.

Went to Denver for the ARLIS/NA annual meeting, which was alot of fun and a chance to see some fellow IU alums and other new and continuing friends.

Spring Break in Seattle rocked. Pete was a very lovely host for our week there, and it was good times. And I met Rick Steves!

Saw Eddie Izzard last weekend at the Chicago theater. That man is hysterical. It was well worth the money and effort to go.

Spent my "Bush Money" (i.e. Congress tax refund) on new glasses, because I left my other glasses in the hotel in Denver at ARLIS...

Helping move the public library into our renewed space, and yesterday I pulled my hamstring playing softball with the CPL team...it's better today, though I'm still in bed, which is why I actually have time to update this blog, at least a little.

No title left behind except this one

2008-03-02T16:24:00.000-08:00

Like most folks, I am ready for Spring, and I associate the month of March with this changing of the seasons, so lets go! Today showed true qualities of 50 degree weather and a nice thaw of the inches upon inches of snow here in Iowa City. The parking lot of my apartment remains, as I have described to a few folks, a lot like a disneyworld ride that seems to be on track, but you aren't quite sure it'll withstand the test of time and jostles you around alot. My poor shocks. I'm sure Bessie's gotten her fair share of the brunt of the parking lot's ill managed snow/ice removal. At least, now, she's parked across the street in the theater lot.

I haven't written in awhile because I"m suffering from another wonder of winter, that dreaded cold and flu season. Another good reason to wish for Spring thaw. Luckily in my case this second round (I was first sick for new years eve) is a cold...though weirdly I've spent the first three days of it alternating between a really hot neck (usually on me that translates into fever) and cold sweats..all which mostly meant lots and lots of goosebumps that dont want to go away. Today I've actually felt a bit better, and finally was able to tackle some household duties, including picking up all those tissues that didn't quite make it to the wastebasket in the last few days. I always hate having a whole day off from work or three for that matter, in which I do nothing but stay in bed. I feel so unproductive then. With this particular cold though, it's knocked me on my a** completely and even getting out of bed seems to take the energy right out of me. Anyways, enough about the complaining side.

Random Notes of Updates:

1. Janet Evanovich One for the Money - hilarious and finished. I've discovered audio books are my friends! Since I spend a good portion of my week driving in my car on various errands to and from work or to and from one job to another, I've actually been able to finish this book and Alexander McCall Smith's Finer Points of Sausage Dogs. Did I miss the gloriousness of audio books in high school where I could have been reading all those classics? Probably, but no time like the present to catch up...

2. Erik and I are going to Seattle for Spring Break to visit my friend pete (and mooch off him for a free place to stay for a week) Thanks to all of my friends who live cool places that I stay with...you guys rawk my world, especially on a three part time job budget :) :)

***Someday I hope to be able to repay the favor...any one heard about librarian prospects in the Bahamas? I was talking to my boss the other day and we both decided that cruise ships MUST have libraries where the patrons on the ship could check out materials, that way they don't have to haul books back and forth on planes, etc and who better to do collection development of trashy romance novels, or hard hitting exposes like me? Carnival...I'm telling I'm the right woman for the job. I don't get seasick, and we could have books insured on a "lost at sea" option, whereby if they accidentally go overboard, they could be replaced easily. I bet Amazon.com will ship to a number of ports like Nassau.

3. My brother's wedding in May. Erik and I will again be embarking on a plane flight for this one, out to California and the Palo Alto area. ;)

4. Earlier in May I'll be on a plane to Denver for ARLIS NA. yay for seeing and staying with fellow IU Art Librarianship kids! Love keeping those costs down. And for seeing other conference attendee friends and colleagues from last year. I will also be presenting this year (the first time at a conference...might as well make it the annual national one...so wish me luck...public speaking is not something I"m very good at --see previous posts heh) I'm helping with the Tech Kiosk, where members that know newer technologies (web 2.0 and the like) help teach other ARlis members how libraries can use the software in interesting ways. I'm doing facebook and rss readers. So if anybody has suggestions for inclusions in the discussion, don't hesitate to comment here or shoot me an email.

5. Alot of other weddings this summer! Actually Erik and I will only have 4 non-busy summer weekends left when the weddings and family reunions are over. :) Congrats to you all and I"m looking forward to them. Individual shout-outs etc will be closer to each wedding date!

6. Trying to spend less money on unnec. things. I've developed a very lovely bad habit of buying good movies when they are 10 dollars or less. Now that bluray appears to be winning the war, I'm sure they'll go down in price more, and I'll hold off for 5 dollars instead.

7. Erik's moving to Iowa City in August. With this comes squeezing in moving him out of Ames and into the IC area on some weekend...probably the weekend before my birthday, and of another of the weddings...hmm...

Allright that is all for now..there is rain outside (yay for not snow!) and I must get some rest, even posting has tired me out a bit.

Broadway Baby I ain't

2008-02-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

I awoke yesterday morning at 5:36am with a jolt. The kind of jolt that makes you sit upright, and if you were on a bottom bunk, would surely leave you a shinny goose-egg reminder. The cause of my awakening so much earlier than my 7:15am alarm clock, was a dream, or more aptly, being "stuck in a broadway nightmare" (to quote Willow from BtVS).
Lately I have been surrounding myself even more with people in the field of theatrics, and no I'm not talking about the "drama queen" within. A good portion of my friendships in high school and college involved theater majors. I am by no means a theater person myself though. My most apt description for myself is somewhere along the lines of "theater groupie" - only without the worship part. I know terminology, can work out blocking, can assess camera angles, and analyze director choices. I can tell you if a period piece has the right costumes and set design, and I can swap some of the best stories of stage antics with seasoned vets of the playwrights playground. (ask me about the vodka switched for prop water in Bye Bye Birdie)
However, I am in no shape to be an actress, musician, or in general, under those bright lights. The aforementioned dream, and its corresponding real life influences should prove just that.

Back in undergrad I used to have an anxiety/panic attack nightmare akin to many people who say they dream they've gone to class naked. In my version, I take an art history test where I know all of the images, but I have to formulate my comparison answers in the Russian language, and the questions are all in Italian. Two languages I don't speak/read/write in. Inevitably I scribble something illegeable to my dream-self and wake up frustrated and shaken.

In this new formulation of this same anxiety driven dreamscape, it began with me auditioning for a play. (This, in real life stems from the recent auditions of friends and roommate for City Circle Shorts - and in real life nothing would possess me to try out for a play unless it was upon penalty of death or a failing grade.)
I get the part. (In real life I'd go, "eekk" ) The part is to be the second of two detectives in a film noir stage piece. (Indeed in real life the roommate's role is in a film noir stage piece) I show up for the first day of reheresal and discover that everyone else already knows their lines. (in real life I helped roomie to learn hers) I am appalled to notice that the other female characters are all wearing really short skirts, and claim that these are the outfits we will be wearing on stage (roomie and i watched an episode of Gossip Girl - yay Kristen Bell - and the characters wear really short skirts) I tried to explain that my character, as the detective who investigates the death of the first detective and femme fatale, would wear pants, not a short skirt. obviously all that leaning over bodies and dusting for fingerprints couldn't take place in a skirt, and I asked if I could wear my gray power suit instead. (I actually do own a gray power suit) The director said no, and I threatened to quit. (There's a running joke among the theater folks about quiting, and how there is no quiting in theater...(ala League of their Own and crying) Anyways, I then overhear the director telling other cast members that I'm the $$$ behind the production and that is the only reason I'm in the show. (In real life this relates both to the roomie and the funding for the movie she's in, and also, ala Shakespeare in Love you must have a bit part for the money) Well, I inform the director that I've got no need to actually be in the show, I'm perfectly happy to be in the audience, and the director decides to expand my part instead, and I am now the "singing film noir second detective" Oh yes, he's added a musical number for me. (In real life I believe this part came from seeing a fantastic version of Little Shop of Horrors at Cornell college on Sunday, which always makes me wish I could sing solos and actually act without being terrified to do so) At this point, I open my mouth to object, and suddenly I'm singing some over-the-top ditty wrought with innuendo and discussion of DNA.
The End. Susan awakes up, and a little while later tells roommate about said dream, thus it gets journaled in the blog.

Snow: 4 Susan: 0

2008-02-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

When I bought my Honda civic in 2004, I drove it nearly three weeks later to Indiana. Bessie, as she is affectionately named, did a nice job waiting patiently in my dorm room and apartment parking lots. I barely drove her while at school, because I could get a parking permit for oncampus ---something next to unheard of here at the U of Iowa, and because most of what I needed was centrally located pretty close to that dorm or apartment. I never had to venture too far into the town of Bloomington out of necessity, though I did often for discoveries and random oddities. Bessie handled the Indiana snow, what little there was that I drove through like a pro. However, now that I am back in Iowa, and the snow does not melt usually the same day it falls, Bessie has come up against some challenging issues.
Observe:

Snow 1 Susan 0: Coming home from work at the public library one night, during a not so fun blizard, Bessie could not make it up the hill on Rocky Shore Drive/Park Road. It wasn't really her fault, she's a front wheel drive baby, and the plows had not been out yet...luckily, I could simply turn around in a driveway, and stay with my roommate (who was housesitting at the bottom of said hill).

Snow 2 Susan 0: The next morning, Bessie made it up the hill just fine...the plows had been out, the road was sanded and all was good. Until, I got back to my own apartment. Between the snow from the night before, the lack of the apartment parking lot being cleared, AND the snow piled up in the entrance from the plows going by...there was more than a surmountable bit of snow blocking my way. Well, I did what any logical woman would do in this situation**, looked to the parking lot next door which belongs to the U of Iowa. (The theater building lot to be exact, which is free on the weekends...and this, was a Sunday) Well no such luck...it was early, about 8:30am and the U of I plow crews were just getting to the music building down the street.

I decided I could go it alone.

Because, really, I just needed to shovel out enough of the plowed up snow, and get up enough momentum and I should be able to glide into the parking lot - with some expected minor fishtailing. No such luck. After clearing the first foot of snow with the shovel off the parking lot entrance, and climbing back into the car, and making a nice turn from the road, coming from the left...poor sweet Bessie met her second icky winter weather issue.

She was stuck.

I shoveled out around the car, and still had no luck. Stuck at the entrance to my parking lot. No one else could get in around me...but no one else was up at that hour anyway. Lucky for me the very nice man who was plowing the sidewalks for the University of Iowa, (that I immediately sought out to help) was good enough to come over and attempt to help. He pushed the car from behind, and I pushed the gas. No luck...we tried reversing, and I happened to get stuck again, halfway out into the street, ergo blocking on coming traffic. A few minutes later the public safety officers arrived in thier patrol car...it took all three men pushing on my car to get me BACK out into the street, and I was no better off than before. I drove around the block a number of times, and the UI guy took pity on me, and cleared the rest of the opening to my parking lot for me. I was then able to get into a spot.

Snow 3 Susan 0
A few days ago, I had my third run in with the snow gods. I tried to back out of my parking space to make a doctors appointment. What do you know. Stuck again. This time the cause of the problem, a rut created by ice and snow and other people's tires before mine. Anyways, around 9pm that night, I was finally able to drive out of that spot..while my roommate and friend watched...(I had thought they'd have to push me out) So I ended up looking like an idiot. My other friend was nice enough to give me a ride earlier in the day to the appoitnment, so I at least didn't miss that.

Snow 4 Susan 0
Today marks my 4th frustrating annoying experience with this year's Iowa winter snow. I was dogsitting for friends in North Liberty, near the Coralville Res. Their driveway is almost a mile long and turns and twists a bit, but the only real hill part is right before the actual paved driveway itself, as the rest is gravel. Well, I had no trouble getting into the driveway this morning to let the dogs out and give 'em breakfast. The snow was coming down pretty hard, and by the time I tried to leave at 9:30, probably an inch or so had fallen on the already covered drive. Wouldn't ya know? Bessie couldn't make it up the little hill.

I went from a half gallon of gas to a quarter of a gallon of gas during my rounds of attempts. I shoveled out the whole length of the hill up to its crest. I put down sand and salt around my car and in front and behind it. I tried unsuccessfully 2 times before I called my dad, exasperated. "Why do you always call me when you get stuck?" He spoke gruffly. "Because you're a physics person, you know how these momentum things work" I told him. He suggested all the things I'd already done, but I did get the phone numbers I needed to call into work and tell them I might be late. (Yes I'm working on a Saturday...but it's not busy, so I"m blogging) Anyway, I called both the public library and the art library employees, and they are all very understanding...but I say, I may make it if I can get out. I really just need a good push or something. Then I called another friend who lives nearby, but she didnt' answer, so I called my roommate, and melted down a little. Yes, I had a very "girl emotional" moment, and lost it slightly. I was so frustrated, and I had somewhere to be. My roomie was pretty understanding as she always is, and offered to come and get me. I told her to stay away, since I didn't know if the rest of the roads had been plowed yet either, and I resigned myself to sit in the car for a bit, collect myself, go back inside and wait it out for awhile. (The owners of the house will be home before supertime, hopefully). But then, I saw a group of deer bounding around nearby, and they came over (probably to investigate the smell emainating from my tires) and started to literally sniff at my car. It wasn't exactly an easy moment to open the door, scare them away and retreat into the house. So I waited a bit longer, and watched them move about. They are actually quite pretty, and I wished I had been outside the car to get a picture of one of the deer sniffing at my headlights. Luckily the deer out by the Res are not quite as tame as those by my parents house, and when I hit the car horn, they all dashed back off into the cover of the trees.
I told my roomie on the phone: I want to commune with Nature, but apparently Nature is telling me to shut the hell up. And when I hit the horn, I yelled scatter into the phone because it's an inside joke with a few friends, including Cas. She started laughing, and so did I, which made me take a breath and stop the flow of meltdown in progress, and I told her "wait, listen to how this sounds" and I made the final attempt up the hill.
Apparently enough of the salt/snow/sand mix worked, and Bessie had enough energy again, or perhaps she felt sorry for me after my outburst of tears, that she finally made it up the little hill.

So what I've learned from all this: My dad was right to have me always carry a shovel, sand and salt in my trunk, as well as an emergency kit so that I can be prepared.
Help will sometimes arrive in the form of people, animals, or pity.
And sometimes, you're just going to get stuck.

**logical woman really only refers to what I suggest might be logical, and this is my disclaimer that what I did/do remains not quite logical to some.

An American in Paris #68 (AFI)

2008-01-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

Cas and I also sat down to watch An American In Paris recently. I have to say, having been to the City of Light in 2001, it brought back some fond memories of getting lost in the city and stumbling upon the Paris Opera house. I believe the best scene in the movie is toward the end when Gene Kelly and Leslie Carron are dancing in a fountain, mind you it is not a real fountain, but a stage fountain which includes fabric water "sprays" that rise from the mouths of the figural beasts on the exterior circle of the fountain. They twirl and whirl and it is rather divine and romantic. I'm not much of a romantic sucker. I mean, I laughed when Rose finally let go of Jack's hand in Titanic as his corpse-cicle plunged to the depths. (This was of course after she's emphatically exclaimed, "I'll never let go!" about a million times...well okay, maybe only twice..but it just seemed to ironic for her to say that, and then literally let go, while maybe metahorpically still "holding on") Anyways, I digress.

American in Paris features the fancy footwork of Gene Kelly, and to be honest, he rather remarkably resembles a penguin in many movements. So much so, that when I think on it, and in fact mentioned to Cas that, I now understand where Dick Van Dyke got his inspiration for Mary Poppins. He was mimicing Gene Kelly mimicing penguins. (or at least that's my opinion)

Leslie Carron's performance shows that she's a classically trained dancer with a more modern dancer's build, which makes her endearing if not a little bit more believeable as the "woman they are all in love with"

Overall, it's entertaining, though I felt the dream sequence at the end runs a little too long.

Double Indemnity #38 AFI

2008-01-26T13:44:00.000-08:00

Cas and I sat down last night to watch a movie that I'd rented from the CPL last week. Without remembering that it was on the AFI list, but thinking it looked good. I rented Double Indemnity. It's a fantastic noir genre piece that stars Fred MacMurry and Barbara Stanwyck. I highly recommend it to anyone who is or is not a noir buff. Having finished a paper on Edward Hopper's Nighthawks for my art history course last semester, I could see the influences of Hopper's paintings of isolation and shadow playing into the cinematography of Wilder's direction. Besides the great on screen chemistry of the leads, the film is a good old fashioned murder mystery with a well written script and a slew of Academy awards to its credit. Also, coincidently enough, Cas will be staring in a noir piece for City Circle's upcoming Valentine's weekend theater experience. I think she was definitly finding some character traits to play up while watching the film....

Additionally, we also watched two more films, A Perfect Murder (the Michael Douglas version/remake of the original Hitchcock film) which features another murder/attempted murder, insurance money clause plot. I told Cas she needed to see my favorite Audery Hepburn movie, Wait Until Dark, which is adapted for the screen by Hitchcock first, and originally the play Dial M for Murder.

It was a great night for good classic films and very enjoyable.

caucus time

2008-01-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

There is one very good reason for me to keep my permanent address as my parent's address in Coralville, rather than my apartment address in Iowa City. Round about this time of year, during an election, we get numerous calls to our home asking about caucusing and supporting various candidates. I am a registered Democrat for the reason of having experienced my first caucus at age 18, at the Kirkwood Elementry school gym, and I caucused for Al Gore that year. I am only a registered Democrat for lack of energy in changing my status back to Independant, which I generally more aptly fall in to. So, unfortunately my parents have been fielding these phonecalls and adverts for me for the last couple of months. The few times I have been home, I did receive a knock on the front door, and a woman from the Obama camp asked to speak to me. She asked me who I was voting for and why. But, before I could actually tell her my opinions, my mom told her her own. I found this pretty hilarious. I only had enough time to slip in that I am caucusing for Hillary (haven't decided who I'll "Vote" for yet..), and mostly because of her health insurance plan, and her understanding of international politics that far outweighs that of her fellow candidates.
I will say this though...being in Iowa this is one of the few times we get all this national and international attention, and this year, with the caucus moved up, I know many students at the U of I and ISU and UNI won't be doing the caucus, because they are at home for winter break. THat will be interesting to see, since Obama appears to have a huge following at the U of I campus (this is based only on the # of ppl marching for him in the homecoming parade that I witnessed)...
guess it's anyone's race right now....

Aught Eight aught to...

2008-01-02T16:34:00.001-08:00

While I haven't posted in awhile, I have thought about things I could write, and then just didn't get around to writing them here. So instead, a quick update and a new year's wish.

Finished the semester at UIowa with success in my one art history class, though I've found that high standards of excellence here, in the form of having to maintain a 3.5 gpa (which also counts for courses outside of the Art History program...see taking classes in translating French) means that I am also exploring other possible places to complete this degree (Hopefully my final one). I'm currently looking to programs that have a non-thesis track option, on the assumption that a non-thesis track program isn't trying to churn out professors after the M.A. projects, but instead recognizes that many people with an MA in art history do far more than go on to simply get a PHD. Case and point...me, art librarian, or many of my friends pursuing museum education and curatorial positions, or gallery jobs. So, alas, while I know that someone special is considering moving back to the area to be near me, I may fly the coup after one more year in the ole IC. He's well aware of this fact though, and we'll see how the whole "life" thing shakes out.

If I haven't already said congrats to the friends with recent additions (Ella Jane born December 18th) and those starting lives together (engaged, moving in together etc) well congrats to you all.

Life for me has been pretty nice lately. I could complain about the health related issues, but I hate it when I complain about them enough in person, so I'll spare you all the annoying details of migraines and headaches, and flu bugs, and now apparently a sinus infection. I think my primary reason for voting in this next election (and cacussing tomorrow night will be socialized healthcare for the U.S.) While I have insurance through one of the three jobs, it does not do nearly enough to cover the problems, and because of some past issues, I'm high-risk, so I can't get insurance through independent means. Luckily I have fantastic parents, who are understanding of my needs and have been kind enough to literally fit the bill for a number of things lately. I'm trying really hard to support myself, but unfortunately without a full time position that has health benefits, I'm sort of stuck in a limbo mode.

My roommate is a fantastic example of someone who has a dream of the job she'd like, and is working against the odds to get there. However, she, like me, has to have more than one job to support not only her day to day expenses but also that dream job. So goes the way of most of us in the humanities before we become big shots or big stars in our fields huh?

I do hope that everyone has a very happy and healthy start to Aught Eight, and that you will be able to reach those dreams and realize the potential you recognize in yourself and others.

2007-11-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry Everybody. I know you've been waiting with bated breath for my next post, and it's been far too long. Over a month, wow, I guess I've been a combination of: busy, lazy, uncreative, without Internet, etc etc.

First off, congrats to Jaime on the soon to be born addition to the Ausman family. December 18th...hopefully they'll get a separate Birthday/Christmas ratio of gifts...I always feel bad for December babies for that reason.

Congrats also to the couples that have gotten engaged recently. Traci and John, Michelle and her man, Christy and Scott, Emily and Dan (a while ago, but I'm slow with blog congrats), Katie and Matt and Steve and Victoria. Whew...what this translates into is hope for lots of happiness for the couples - and potential travel and fun for Erik and me.

In an unrelated note...selling the Jackson Pollock Mural from the University of Iowa Museum of Art collection: uhm, DUH! not likely to happen, especially since the intended use of the funds from the sale would be to purchase "other smaller works to diversify the collection" - um, do you remember the museum's mission statement and collection development policy? Much like that of a library, you've got to stick to it. Also the AAM would frown quite a bit on selling that work for the sake of buying others, unless Peggy G. said that was okay when she gave it to the U of Iowa. She did that before the museum was even built, so technically, does it even realy belong to the museum or the U of iowa in general? How does that work? If you want $$ for more art, ask the community to help you out...btw, did you really think it nec. to buy a giant Big Boy statue that you can't even display adequately and where it is now looks like a giant eyesore? And moving the museum downtown? if so, make sure Moen doesn't make you pay an arm and a leg for rent...make sure you get ALOT more actual gallery space to make it worth while, AND don't ahve it on the ground floor. Too easy without full time all night security for drunks and idiots to break windows and destroy works of art afterhours...remember Sweden's issues a few weeks ago? Plus, that building was JUST rennovated, AND it's the surrounding grounds that provide the best atmosphere with the outdoor works nearby that the museum cares for that make a walking tour very easy from teh doors of the current museum around the Iowa River and grounds, rather than downtown. Sure downtown has public art works too and local art galleries, etc...but do we really want a 3 story museum? I'm not sure...plus, consider the parking situtation...Right now, museum employees and patrons can park in the theater lot on the weekends to vist, or after 4:30pm without paying...downtown they'd have to park in a ramp no matter what and fight for parking during festivals and events.
Just my 2 cents...

Why I Like October

2007-10-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

Halloween, Anniversary

2007-09-19T15:44:00.001-07:00

Been a bit busy lately with work and school, so to tide you over:

Comic
My boyfriend found this one for me. It is nice that he embraces his girlfriend's career choice.

Locating My Grad Carrel

2007-09-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

The last week has been quite interesting. I showed up for the first day of my graduate level introductory art history methods class, and it's held in the same room I've been in most of the summer. Hehe. The De Caso Seminar Room at the University of Iowa Art Building West, was paid for by Professor De Caso, who is the mentor of our current director, Dorothy Johnson. His specialty was 19th century art, and he has graciously donated funds to build the room, as well as sent his collection of scholarly materials to the UI. My voluntary position over the summer was as the "collection development specialist" or something along those lines. I am basically in charge of the De Caso books. The first shipment is in the room, stored in the glassed in bookcases along the wall, and I've done a decent job of organizing the materials and arranging a workflow process.
It was funny the first day of class, because there are only 6 people in it, and they are all ta's in the program (besides little ole me). Also that first day our "guest speaker" professor happened to be my own undergrad mentor, with whom I did my honors thesis on the library of Jean de Berri. He was surprised to see me, not knowing that I'd returned to the UI (he'd been on research leave over the summer so never saw me in the building or anything either).
Following the class, he approached me and caught up a bit, and remarked that he'd tell the new grad students he had another resource for them about the area. HAHA. yes, I can tell them were the good places to eat are, and the best places to go for nature moments.
I then joined the colloquim, with the intent to just "sit in and observe" - it was on getting grant monies for dissertations and MA theses, (though hardly anyone pays for an MA thesis), informative yes, in my immediate future, no.
After the talk, the art history department held a reception for the undergrads/grads/and faculty so we could all mingle and introduce ourselves. I was pleasantly surprised and very happy to see that the Undergraduate Art history club still exists. :) :) --This was an organization that I formed with some friends in 2003, because I felt there was a disconnect between the graduate students/undergrads and faculty. The graduates all seemed to have great relationships with the professors, and the undergrads seemed both scared of the grad students (many of them were in fact our TAs at the time) and seemed disillusioned about knowing what you could do with an art history BA, or what was the next step. I am so glad to know that the club is still filling a need and people are still interested in keeping it alive.
The funny thing about my return to the U of Iowa academic arena, is that I'm not technically a graduate student in the department. I am, as of yet, a non-degree seeking student who took a French class and now an art history class. I feel fairly comfortable in the history of art history class though, because I have some training in there from Undergrad...but the higher level of scholarship and forming my "own ideas" about these folks is a little daunting. I'm not saying I take everything at face value - honestly how could I after 5 years of looking at paintings and learning there are different methods to how works are interpreted. Still, I feel sort of as if I am treading water...and if I get to lazy or tired, I might just go under, so I need to stay on top of the reading and get my academic brain back into gear.
I feel so comfortable in the Art Library at Iowa now, and so comfortable with art historical resources, and can even give you the names of scholars in particular fields (especially 19th century haha)
This part of my journey all seems very right, despite last night's small panic over the first presentation and the one page analysis paper I turned in this morning, I think I do truly belong in this realm of discussion of scholars and researching.
The only real drawback is that the school is changing the MA thesis to a requirement for graduation - before it was optional. I'm not adverse to doing the research, as I love reading about art and the interpretations of it, I'm just not sure I"m cut out to give my own ideas on it, sort of the "what qualifies me to say this other than my opinion?" philosophy. I think my mom's thoughts will come back to me many times though, as she was prepping to do a masters thesis in German literature, she sort of realized-her entire bibliography sitting before her-the reading had been fun, but there was no way in hell she wanted to try to put it all into cohesiveness on paper.
Will see if I can overcome the overwhelming desire to follow in her very footsteps.
For now though, the pressure isn't there, and I need to see what the policy is for grad carrels, because if I can get a carrel, I'll feel more official even. Especially since at Indiana, SLIS didnt' have carrrels in the library (it was too small for them) and the FAL's carrels were all reserved by art history masters and phd candidates. Do I really think my full sense of belonging will come from a small glass drawered box to which I have a key? And a nice desktop with a hole for my laptop charger?

Hmmm...yea...I think I kinda do...

2007-08-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted in awhile. Been busy I guess, or lazy, or both.
Indiana was fun last weekend. Saw Rena and Christa, the IMA, the Trojan Horse, a newer Turkish resturaunt, Bloomingfoods, and Lennie's. Generally a good time had by all. Rena went to places she's never been in B-town before. I figure every six months or so I aught to go back and expose her to some B-town culture she was unaware of haha.
Schedules have changed, I'm working new hours, and so far so good there.
Start my class athte U I in the art history grad program tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Happy birthday to all the August bday kids out there (there are alot of us!)

Going to St. Louis next weekend (labor day) perhaps with Erik and his sis and bro. fun times I'm sure will occur.

All for now. Outties.

:)

2007-08-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

SSBar has internet again. In her new apartment, located in the heart of the arts campus at the U of Iowa. She's also got a job at the Arts Library for fall, in addition to the Coralville Public Library and still some hours at Mercy Hospital, and two graduate level art history courses. She'll also be helping her parents prep for their new housing project of remodeling and expanding. :)
She'll be a busy girl...but she's purdy happy with things the way they are right now. *knock on wood*
The apartment is still in flux...meaning we haven't totally settled, but we're getting there and slowly the needed improvements are being taken care of.
:)

Recap and Future

2007-07-18T20:32:00.002-07:00

Recap:
Just finished the audio version of Elsewhere by Gabriella Zevon. Not bad for a YA book.

Now on to City of Ember which I'll listen to in the car on the way to Ames tomorrow to see SPAMALOT.. (woo)

Saw HP5, and Transformers. Both decent shows. I think Erik made good points about Transformers...lines were a tad cheesy in some spots but the movie owns up to its own cheese factor. over all entertaining.
People have been giving mixed opinions on the HP5 movie. Personally I think it is the best in the series so far. If I had to rank them from best to worst it would go: Order, Stone, Chamber, Prisoner, Goblet
People are saying they felt the ending was rushed - I'd agree, but I think they did the least damage to the central plot and character development in this one than Goblet. I also think it has better action sequences than Stone or Chamber, which are much more expository.

Saw the UI Summer Opera: Marriage Contract by Rossini and Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial By Jury. Both were well done - and I"m not just saying that cause I'm biased by the stage manager. I really enjoyed G and S's, though i wish Rossini would have been in Italian rather than translated. But I'll never win that battle with the UI. Accessibility, etc etc...

Future:
Friday I will drive with Erik to the northwest portion of Iowa for a Saturday afternoon wedding, which will be in both Vietnamese and English. I am looking forward to it. It will actually be the first time Erik and I have stayed in a hotel room with just each other. I plan to watch LOTS of t.v. all night and annoy him (haha, really hon....)

Saturday - we'll go to the wedding, and also pick up a copy of HP7. (if you don't know what HP7 stands for skip down another paragraph anyway) I can't believe that folks digitally photographed pages, much less the WHOLE BOOK. jeesh people. DUH....as if you didn't get the idea of violating copyright to start with. Have fun in court...and paying lots of $$$ for your use of technology.

Sunday we'll travel to Okoboji Iowa for my family reunion. This year's additions include Spencer and Arden. Spencer I got to meet when Erik and I went to NYC in Dec of 06, but Arden was just born, so I haven't met her yet. I'm looking forward to having dinner with my grandmother also....and making sure Erik can draw the family tree...with ages ;) (jk)

Monday - lake time = hp7 AND French take home final (ick)

Tuesday - drive back to Ames, and then back to Iowa City.

Wed-Friday - French class/work

Friday - leave for Ames

Saturday - wedding in Ames

Sunday - come back to IC...(remember to water mom's plants)

Monday - Friday - work, and move in to new apartment..(yay)

Friday - to Ames for my central Iowa bday celebration (my first time ever at a drive-in theater!)

Saturday - work at CPL, then out for my eastern Iowa Bday celebration ---any ideas for what we should do? I'm taking requests...

Sunday - actually really move all my stuff into my new apartment and start living with new roomie.

Monday - Friday - work (Ames?)

Saturday - drive to Lisbon for another wedding. :)

Sunday - back to IC.

Monday-Friday -work..possibly see Cassi's sister play at the Mill. http://www.kelliraepowell.com

She's a red headed spitfire with a badass voice and a ukulele.

Friday evening - Sunday -- Going to BLOOMINGTON, IN to visit Rena and Christa and Julie...**

Monday -work

Tuesday - start my class in Art History Methods at the U of Iowa as a "non-degree" seeking student, because I was too lazy and burnt out on school to register and try to get in as "grad student" status again.

sept 15 - speaking of GRE test date.....any help/suggestions/comments/complains about the GRE and its testing process? vent here...:)

that pretty much sums up my busy sched.

**also motivated by the chance to eat at the Trojan Horse and Esan Thai two places that blow the I.C. ethnic food choices of these countries out of the water.

Hey Dollface, I ain't no mam, kiddo.

2007-07-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

I was walking to French class the other day, at 8:30 in the morning. I was coming from the hospital where I work as a temp administrative assistant. I was dressed in business attire, and wore my hospital id badge around my neck as I walked. As I neared the building, Philips Hall where language classes are held, I heard a voice call out "Mam, mam,...um...mam."
I would have thought nothing of such spoken words, if it weren't for the lack of people out and about at 8:30 am near this part of campus. Still, I didn't assume the voice was addressing me. After all heading to a college level French class didn't make me suspect I was the object of such 'mam-ing'.
When the girl finally caught up with me and made a frantic gesture to get my attention, I realized she had, in fact, been expecting me to answer her.
"Do you know where the Union is?" She asked, pretty exasperated.
"Oh, " I replied. Typical freshman, I thought to myself, though I didn't notice a yellow orientation folder peaking out of her belongings. "Do you mean the IMU or the Union bar?"
After all, I am a NATIVE, not just a mam from Iowa City, I know the difference between the two. I've spent time in both places. I quickly realized, while having spent time in both places, I was an official full time undergraduate student the last time I was really in either.
"The IMU" She answered.
"Straight down this hill, it's the pentacrest. At the bottom, the IMU will be off to your right."
"Thanks"
And she bustled off in that direction.
Hah, freshman, I muttered under my breath. I came to the conclusion that this was my moment of realization that I've entered the nebulous area between "miss" and "mam". Come on ladies, you know what I'm talking about. That time when someone lumped you into the "old lady" stereotype. I was sure I was one step away from the hairnet-school-lunch-forty-cats-no-husband bracket according to this barely legal blond.
I also realized, fair is fair, and she was judging me with her "mam" as much as I was judging her with "freshman"
The people that call me mam at the library, do it out of respect for my position as an authority figure and to be polite. Since I was on my way to French class, I mussed about all of the different ways we address each other in any given day. In English, Mam or Sir, just about covers it for anyone over the age of 25 as a "safe" bet. Though be careful of calling a "miss" a "mam" too quickly. It didn't bother me after I sat through my class and ironically we were discussing the idea of "jeune filles" as young girls, "madmoieselle" and "madame". Obviously I figured "mam" originates as a shortened still polite form of madame or madmoieselle mixed together.
Southern Gentleman (to play on another stereotype) often use it, it can't be all that bad after all.
With this sudden heightened interest in what people use to address each other. I had two more interesting experiences this past week.
One of the patrons at my library - a male in his thirties (most likely but who really ever knows) finished off our transaction (me checking out his books to him) with a resounding "Thanks, dollface."
Dollface? *gasp* Isn't that like lingo from the misogynistic men of the 1950's? It caught my attention at least.
Then, at work, a co-worker addressed me with "have a good day, kiddo."
Uh?!? kiddo? So in the same week I'm a mam and a kiddo.
Go figure.

Frak! this show was so good...

2007-06-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

I first learned of Veronica Mars because I know someone named Ryan Hansen. Ryan posted in his blog about "Self-googlization" and noting that he'd not seen the show in its totality, but that the character on the show seemed like an idiot. He wasn't that far off on the character of Dick in the first season. But, by now, in the third (and probably almost 95% sure) the last season, we were JUST starting to see more of the peeled back layers and dynamics of this character.
More to the point of this blogpost. this is my outlet. this is the first time I have ever considered actually writting to a network or joining a "save the show" movement. When Buffy switched to UPN from the WB, I couldn't watch it because we didn't get UPN here at my home, but I was comforted to know that I had a friend up the street who did and I could watch it loyally at her house.
have i ever been concerned about nielson ratings? Not in the least. I don't think my house is a nielson(splg?) house though. If there was an easy way to convey to the executives at the CW (the UPN WB merged project that happened this year) that Veronica Mars is a great show...it has already been done over and over by the fans of the show.(http://www.saveveronicamars.net) Much in the same way that Firefly was promoted by fans when it was cancelled after one season, i think the Veronica Mars fan presence in the blogosphere and posting threads has spoken to its popularity. yet, people are arguing that the "ratings were terrible" so no wonder it was cancelled.
well, again I point out that the WB put a little known mid-season replacement on the air back when i was highschool called Buffy the Vampire Slayer...I saw the VERY FIRST EPISODE of that show when it aired, and was hooked from day one. with Veronica Mars, I came in late in second season, saw one episode and was again immediately hooked. I went out and bought season 1 on dvd. I even tried to get as many clips as possible via Utube to piece together what I might not have seen first time around.
it is true that word of mouth is a powerful tool..but indeed, not quite as powerful as the "proof is in the pudding" approach, or maybe it is. I have now managed to hook at least 4 female friends in my quote unquote demographic of 25-30. now I feel bad because i've hooked them, and left them with no season four and a nasty cliffhanger to end season 3.
i will most likely be sending mars bars wrappers to the head of the CW network (if i can find Mars bars in my hometown) and as the newest member of my VMARS club suggested, they'll be just the wrappers - because the CW hasn't told us the whole story. They don't deserve a sweet reward of chocolate. They only deserve the outer cover, because that's all they supplied to us. Many of the characters are like Dick, in the respect that they were on a VERY great and realistic development of their arcs. There haven't been many shows where I laugh outloud during each episode at the same time that i notice I am so tense about the season long arc of mystery that I've actually ignored the melting Ben and Jerry's ice cream under my nose. I've already read college film class papers about comparisons of strong female role models and "episodic" structure of both Buffy and VMars. This by a male in the film studies program. this proves men are watching to. Kevin Smith and Joss Whedon, two of my FAVORITE directors, felt that the show was worthwhile enough for them to make guest apperances with minor cameos. Meaning that the show was important enough for them to join, but not "steal the story spotlight" The viewers were also starting to find higher-pofile stars like Paul Rudd lending their talents to the show's plots.
Basically, i think the CW has made HUGE mistake and underestimated their biggest asset. The CW isnt'a major 3 network. Upn and the WB weren't either. These were the networks for the fringe demographics and those people who knew what they were going to watch certain nights of the week. i have heard numerous comments on VMars podcasts and threads that suggest the viewers of this show were not JUST in my demographic. Older women and men, in the ranges of their 40's were also watching because the show is smart and well-written. But it was not promoted well enough outside of CW's own commercials by the CW network. CW relied too heavily on the word of mouth of its cast and the t.v. critics. well, huh. the critics liked the show too. So if the fans like the show, and the critics like the show...i don't see the complicated problem of why not to continue this show.
instead cw's fall line-up includes more reality tv shows, which we all know are over produced looks at people wanting to be on camera, and shows that follow teenage rich girls as they stab each other in the backs. I am highly surprised that the Cw isn't giving vMars another season to prove itself as a viable ratings candidate. I may not have a nielson tv myself, but I do have my voice and a blog. Thank god for the internet allowing us to do these sorts of rants. oh yeah, and I've ranted with those 4 friends too...and they've done likewise.
I think it is true what they say, "one bad experience at a resturaunt doesn't cost the resturaunt one customer, it costs them all the people that customer tells." Well, CW, I think you're going to find yourself with even fewer viewers of your "fine programming" in the Fall 2007 line-up. I only watched gilmore girls and Veronica mars. one it was time to end because the actresses wanted to move on in their careers. The other...was ended prematurely and before the actors could truly develop their characters as they should have been able to do. As a closing remark, I'll just say this. Ryan, I agree, the character the other Ryan Hansen plays is indeed in need of improvement and more dynamic to be more than a "surfing buddy to the lead," but he is a character on one of the best damn t.v. shows I've ever had the pleasure to watch by myself and with friends.
so I'll leave you with this:
Piz: I promise you, karma is going to take care of it for you.
Veronica: I know. I'll run him over with my karma.

2007-05-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know who decided that the symbols for the word #$&% should be these??? Just a random curiosity I had while typing in the name of the movie.

2007-05-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

I saw my first "in person" MLB game yesterday. MinniTwins and Chi-Sox. It was mostly entertaining, though I learned awhile back that going to watch a baseball game in person is infinantly better than watching on t.v, it was still not as much "riviting sports action" as I'd find watching horses jumping in Olympic qualifiers.
I did find it interesting that the Minnesota fans felt they had to boo a certain White sox player that used to be a Twin. I think I can never be in professional sports, I couldn't take a whole bunch of people boo-ing me before I even made it to the plate. I'd just want to buy them all an ice cream cone and say "can we call it even?"
Anyways, so this guy is apparently a jerk, even according to his new fans, and it seems he proved it, by perhaps stepping on Justin Morneau's foot as he went to the base. Okay, Jerky McJerkerson, you're mean sure, but they should boo you because you're an ass not because you had to switch teams.
Also - the Wrigley Field homerun throwback??? um, yeah right. If I hapen to ever catch a ball at a baseball diamond it will more likely be described as an "oowww, that ball hit me in the head, it now must die" -- though I did like the idea the Twins promoted of throwing the first foul ball in the 5th inning back to the field so the players would sign it. however in days of yore didn't people actually get to meet the athletes if they happened to catch a foul ball and have it signed?
To end my random baseball mutterings with one out of "left field"
Yay for Mall of America ---and I never thought I'd utter that phrase. Leave it to me when I should be honoring those who have done service to this country, instead I go shopping at one of its most recognizable capitalist commercialist establishments, and find what I've looked for at five other stores belonging to this particular chain.
well as they say in the ballpark: three strikes and you're out...

"Tagged"

2007-05-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

Well, rather than finish my work, or my book -- currently reading Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes, and she's got a great writing style, though the subject matter is very heavy--I am instead, going to give Traci's blogging game a try...
It's called 8 interesting facts/habits about myself....

1) I broke my collarbone when I was a senior in highschool by falling off a horse. I was told by my instructor to jump over a series of fences with no hands, no eyes, and no stirrups. The first jump was gorgeous -according to those who remember it --second one, I fell off --I don't remember either, as I was knocked unconscious.
At the Emergency Room, they told me I couldn't have pain killers in case I had a concussion and my mom had to wake me up every 4 hours to ask me easy questions like "what day is it" It was during the Clinton Impeachment Trial, so when she asked me who was president, I told her "Clinton, but I'm not sure for how much longer" She likes to tell people I still had a sense of humor and that's how she knew I was going to be okay.

2)I have a list of buildings/architectural and nature wonders that I want to see before I die. --I am an art history nerd afterall.

3)I want to have something published before I die...self-publishing may or may not count - I haven't decided --anybody wanna weigh in?

4)I can tie cherry stems in knots, and unwrap starbursts using only my tongue.

5)I was an English major in undergrad and I admit I am horrible with spelling.

6)I am, however, a grammer snob. I will make note if you say something grammatically incorrect - I will not however make that note vocal. But I may queitly judge you slightly, with an internal thought like "she/he probably didn't learn that while growing up."

7)I have only traveled to two continents, North America and Europe

8)I wish I had studied abroad while in undergrad

2007-05-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

I promised to update post Atlanta...well here it is. Sorry it isn't much. The conference was a blast. My first national professional conference as an "art librarian in training" and it was informative, fun, and impressive. Here's the only pic I'm putting on the blog...

more to follow :)

Reasons for Rocking

2007-04-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

The Quad City Airport/Airtran rock for the following reasons:

1. fairly cheap non-stop flights to Atlanta 4 times a day
2. Easy and quick check-in. (Of course this is because I was indeed 2 hours early for my 4:30 flight :)
3. They were nice enough to give me a plastic bag at Security so I didn't have to discard my "liquids, gels, and so forth" --which incidently consisted of a small bottle of hand sanitizer (since I"m still battling with the germs apparently)
4. I am currently comfortably positioned on the floor, sprawled out, recharging the laptop battery (i.e. stealing a lill electricity)
5. Mediacom ACTUALLY did something VERY cool. They must be trying to improve their image because they're offering FREE wi-fi in the airport terminals. That's right. Free. It's not a secure connection - but not many free ones are anyway. But I could spend those two hours of early bird worry about the flight shopping on the Internet or something now. (Instead I'm going to plug in the ipod and listen to harry potter 6 on audio)

Hotlanta

2007-04-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ill be in Atlanta for the next couple of days folks. Ill return with pictures, Southern culture, and a tan (not really). But see you in a few....

2007-04-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

If anyone knows of the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die, they'll understand this list. I was inspired to go through the book and mark down what I've seen from the lists because the Travel Channel has a new show dedicated to a newlywed couple who are seeing 100 of the things on this list. If Travel Channel wants to pay me to see others that this couple doesn't get to..I'll more than gladly sign up ;) :) Just point me to the dotted line....
What I've Seen Before I Die (So far)

ENGLAND

LONDON
British Museum
Hyde Park
National Gallery
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Tate Gallery
Westminster Abbey
Shakespeare’s Globe
Harrods

CAMBRIDGE
Kings College chapel

FRANCE

PARIS
Arc de Triomphe
Napoleon’s Tomb
Louvre
Musee D’Orsay
Notre Dame
Cruise on the Seine
Jardin des Tuileries
Ste Chapelle

VERSAILLES
Chateau de Versailles

GERMANY

Bodensee
Alpenstrasse
Romantic Road

Near FUSSEN
Neuschawnstein

MUNICH
Deutsches Museum

OBERAMMERGAU

BERLIN
Brandenburg Gate
“Museum Scene”

COLOGNE
Cologne Cathedral

HEIDELBERG
Heidelberg Schloss

CZECH REPUBLIC
PRAGUE
Castle District
Charles Bridge
Old Town Square

NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAMN
Anne Frank House,
Oude Kerk,
Red-Light District,
Rijksmuseum,
Van Gogh Museum,

U.S. and CANADA

CALIFORNIA
Monterey Peninsula,
Pacific Coast Highway
Napa Valley (California’s Wine Country)
SAN FRANCISCO
Cable Cars

COLORADO
ASPEN
Rocky Mountain National Park

FLORDIA
Everglades National Park,
KEY WEST
MIAMI
South Beach
ORLANDO
Walt Disney World Resort

HAWAII
Maui

ILLINOIS
CHICAGO
Art Institute of Chicago

IOWA
DES MOINES
Iowa State Fair,

KENTUCKY
LEXINGTON
Bluegrass Country,

LOUISIANA
NEW ORLEANS
French Quarter,
New Orleans Restaurant Scene,

MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON
Freedom Trail,

MICHIGAN
Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel,

MISSOURI
KANSAS CITY
Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue,

NEW YORK
Hudson Valley
NEW YORK CITY
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park
Empire State Building
Frick Museum
Lincoln Center
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum of Modern Art
Rockefeller Center at Christmas
Statue of Liberty
Times Square
Cloisters
Grand Central Terminal
Carnigie Delicatessen
Museum Mile

OHIO
CLEVELAND
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,

SOUTH DAKOTA
Badlands
BLACK HILLS
Mount Rushmore
Crazy Horse
Custer State Park

WASHINGTON, D.C.
National Mall and Its Monuments,
Smithsonian,

WYOMING
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park
JACKSON
Jackson Hole

ONTARIO
Niagara Falls

2007-04-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

Happy National Library Week for those of you in the profession and those who partake in the offerings of their libraries public, academic, special and otherwise!

What Do You Do with a BA in ENGLISH?*

2007-04-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Write a blog post while sick. I stayed home from work today because I'm in the midst of a nasty little cold. The sadest part about staying home from work during this particular week, is that I have been inundated with news coverage of the Virgiina Tech massacure. I say sadest for two reasons, one: it is very much a tragedy and two: the news coverage sickens me just as much as my physical symptons of a cold. Cassi and I watched a small amount of the coverage on Monday night while a student was interviewed who said something like: he knew what he was doing when he reloaded the gun, like he was trained. And the reporter asked do you think t.v violence and video games played a part? As if this shooters knowledge of how to use guns could be so easily blamed on video games. It was like the reporter was trying to lead and steer the questions into the direction he wanted for his report.
And now, the backlash, people are starting to criticize the media for getting too involved and too personal too quickly with the victims and survivors. Well, I do wonder what a happy balance would be, between intrusive reporting and making sure the news was gathered and information shared. Obviously the shooter knew that NBC would air his manifesto as he apparently wanted. But, really, should they? Why not just turn it over to the FBI and leave it at that? Well, they showed it to the world because it's a news story, and, of course, for the ratings. It's like having an exclusive interview from beyond. People were grasping for the "why" of his design. They thought the video would provide it.
In a class I took in highschool we were posed a scenario in which we were to be a war correspondant. We were granted access to interview the leader of an enemy camp who tells us that they will be attacking American forces at dawn. What do you do? Tell the American forces so they can get out of the area? Or keep it quiet and report on the battle as it unfolds.
The MTV production company had the same moral problem with allowing one of their castmembers to get behind the wheel of a car when they were obviously too drunk to drive and could potentially kill someone. But, their contracts stipulate they are not to be involved with the cast members in anyway.
I don't know what grey line morality exists on, but certainly it is not an easy decision in any situation.
I will say, I am looking forward to getting over this cold, not only so I'm healthy for my conference next week, but also because it will help me escape the reporting of tragedy and all of the fall-out from it.

*I realize, having just found out that the shooter was majoring in English and wrote disturbing plays that this title might seem in poor taste, however I'm referencing Avenue Q's lyrics, so I don't mean to offend anyone.

Recent Ideas

2007-04-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

**Art History class focusing on comparing the use/impact of illegal substances (or at one time legal substances) on the imaginary/grotesque/demons in works of artistic merit** ---haha that sounds more like a broad ranging thesis idea no? Basic plan. Bosch and others, particularly early 19th c. artists partook of things like absinthe and opiates when they created their art. IS there any way to know for sure which works they created while "under the influence" and can we compare these to known works made while they weren't? I have no idea...but the thought came to mind while driving with Courtney to see the Clasical Mystery Tour on Saturday evening.

**While watching Classical Mystery Tour in C.R. Symphony Orchestra's theater. Has anyone ever done an architectural survey purely of theaters? Dating from the beginning of "stage" arts to the modern day black box spaces?? Mixing performance art that is "staged" in gallery spaces and travels, to blockbusters like Les Mis...different theaters reflect the time periods in which they were built, the architectural styles/theories that governed those times, and also had to be functional spaces much like other building types.**

**Ideas can't really by copyrighted on the internet can they? If so, I invoke the copyright laws as such - should either of these become fodder for my possible MA thesis in art history...

Upcoming Excitement and Past Fun

2007-04-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

Beware, this is "listy"

* Saw La Boheme put on by the U of Iowa Opera department on last Friday night. Fun times. A special friend did the assistant direction, woot.

* Saturday Fondue party at Liz's and Party at the "Quad" in Ames. With the exceptions of taking care of people who partied a little too hard (but were grateful for the assistance) and the guy who LICKED MY CHEEK!!! It was a fun evening. Liz's second choice of white wine, a yummy organic Riesling was supurb.

* Finally getting to start cataloging the collection at the UIArtLib...

*A French class for reading/research - how scholarly - to start in June

*Introducing Erik and his almost common law Iowan butt to the MUSIC MAN. If you are going to date an Iowan Librarian it's required viewing. - I can't believe he got this far without the torture.

*New reading material, Grand Complication. It stars a reference librarian with a prediliction for musty old books and enclosures...I"m on page 20 and so far I"m enjoying it.

*Watching They Might be Giants instruct children in the art of their ABC's.

*ARLIS/NA in ATLANTA! at the end of APRIL (chance to see Traci, and perhaps Kathy)

*Indiana in May

*Mason City for Frank Lloyd Wright's Iowa prairie style home

*Pella for the tulip festival

*White Sox baseball games via traveling with White Sox Fans.

*Return of Veronica Mars May 1st

*SUMMER!!! --It is too freaking cold in Iowa right now. Yesterday it snowed. If it had been the 1st of April I'd have assumed mother nature's april fool's, alas. It's just her cruel joke.

*The End of this Post

Recurring Dream; Things not as they Seem

2007-04-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

I used to have a recurring dream when I was in undergrad. It was one of those panicky types we've all had. Basically I call it my own spin on the "show up to class naked." In that dream, I am walking into the auditorium of the old art building at the UI and sit down and open my test booklet. I await the slides. They appear. I know them all. Score...except...the test asks for their titles in Russian. The essays for the compare and contrast section ask me to formulate my response in...surprise Russian. I do not now, nor have I ever studied the Russian language. It is not on the list of expected languages I should know before my master's degree in Art History either (FRENCH and GERMAN). The whole point I guess is that I know the material and I recognize the works, but I just can't do what's asked. It causes me to stress out, and then I usually wake up.

The new version of this cropped up this past September. It begins with me freaking out that I have not actually turned in my final paper for Art Librarianship. It continues with me frantically trying to throw something together the day the paper is due. Realizing that I've failed to turn anything in at all or that perhaps it wasn't good enough (that part is unclear in Susan Dream Consciousness) and surprise...I don't get to graduate.

Now I ask you...why do we do this to ourselves? Dream interpretation books would probably suggest it is a manifestation of our own nervousness in the conscious realm.
Who knows. But man, I wish it would stop. Jeesh, I've graduated, I've gotten the masters degree, can't these dreams stop too? Or is it the future Im worrying about? The next degree, or the next hoop I'm jumping through?

I'm actually pretty happy about my life right now, where I'm at, and the direction I"m heading in...it feels comfortable, with just a hint of unknown and that's causing excitement instead of trepidation...

*shrug*

Marat/Sade

2007-03-26T16:05:00.000-07:00

I saw a very interesting theater production over the weekend. I came across the annoucment for it via Facebook (I am both sad to say that, and also embrace the fact). Courtney is involved with the theater department at Cornell College (which by the way, I realized as I arrived, was just as cute a small liberal arts college campus as I remember it from my elementry Writer's Workshop days)
The sun had set, and a drizzling mist had fallen upon the grounds. I parked on the far left side of campus, not entirely sure where the theater was, but knowing I'd have fun wandering around a bit before the performance started. Well, I wound up at the library. (Ironic huh?) The Cornell library is in the middle of the campus, and yes, the metaphorical irony of centrally located and the "heart of knowledge" wasn't lost on me. Courtney called shortly after my assessment to ask where I was. She had secured a ticket for me. YAY! (Initially there was a possibility I wouldn't see the play because it was sold out. Honestly it wouldn't have bugged me to not see it, as really I'd come in order to give Courtney birthday gifts from her brother and myself, and hang out with her. The play was a bonus, and a chance to see her in behind the scenes action. She was the head of the student costume design workshop for the production.) And for sure, telling people that you are going to see the play "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade" does raise some eyebrows. In fact, Cassi remarked as we were leaving the Sanctuary after dinner, "I'm impressed you could work the word esoteric into any dinner conversation description"
The play was, in fact, quite esoteric. If you don't remember your history book lessons on the French Revolution, this play wouldn't have much substance. You could still marvel at the abilities of present day actors to play mentally/physically ailled patients acting out the death of a man in a bathtub, but the why and the so what would probably be lost. Even for myself, (an avid theater buff, and literary afficianado) I went into the Armstrong theater lobby with a sense of expecting to not understand the real "meaty bits" of themes, character analysis, or plot. And well, as I like to say "if you can't understand the plot, then what have you really got?" Answer: not much.
I can appreciate most theater productions in many aspects. Becuase I have alot of friends and some family involved with theater, in capacities from playwrights and actors to lighting designers and sound mixers, I know some of the "lingo" and some of the more intricate problems that arise with productions.
I can say, this production appeared as a smooth running machine, and that is a hard task to accomplish when three fourths of your "actors" are Asylum patients and vocalizing at seemingly random intervals. I credit my Art History and my AP European History for my ability to remember what happened leading up to and after the French Revolution. I couldn't for the life of me remember the Marquis de Sade. But, because of this painting, I did know a bit about Marat. In fact, a friend that is a current art history major saw my away message about seeing Marat/Sade and asked if it was about Marat from the David painting.
More importantly than the historical aspects of the play, are the themes and questions it provokes(yes I know, how 'english major' of me) You see, basically, all of Marat's efforts, as displayed by debates between the Marquis and Marat, show that, really, no one was better off after the Revolution. In fact, they even stop, right before Corday murders Marat, so that the Marquis can tell him what happens in between Marat's physical death and the date of the play's performance. 1808. In the 15 years since his death, Napoleon took over, and the opression still reigned. Once Napoleon was overthrown, the monarchy was restored. So really, in the Marquis opinion, Marat just signed peoples' lives away. Marat is plagued not only with a skin disease requiring him to stay in that bathtub and not venture into the streets but also with the souls of those who died in the name of the Revolution. I don't want to spoil the ending, but suffice it to say I saw it coming through some great forshadowing, and if it's any indication the rest of the "crowd" was pretty unsure of what to do at the end. Partly this was understandable because usually at the end of a play, the stage lights go down and the houselights go up. If you want to really mess with your audience and what they've been trained to do. Leave the stagelights and houselights on at the end. In a fantastic move, someone began a slow-clap to signal the rest of us that the play was over. We left the theater not from the way we came in, and it was great.

First Comes Love, then comes marriage. and well you know the rest...

2007-03-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

The adage, "when it rains, it pours" always struck me as sort of funny, because really, if it hasn't rained in awhile, Nature doesn't usually decide to unleash a massive storm or something. But, in terms of the reality we live in day to day, perhaps it does ring true sometimes. Lately, I have be introduced to a number of couples that are in the stages of post-proposal bliss, or are planning to welcome a bundle of joy, or are entrenched in life with the first bundle. It isn't nearly as hard to grasp these events as "marking the time when we grow up" as it was four years ago.
Four years ago, I was settling into my senior year at the University of Iowa, working on dual degrees in Art HIstory and English. I had a slight inclination that library science was the way I wanted to go career-wise, because I enjoyed my part time job at the Health Sciences Library. I also enjoyed working as a photographer's assistant, partying with my friends, and generally trying to figure out my life. I knew I was taking a fifth year to do an honors thesis so that took some pressure off and allowed me a little more time to prolong that college experience, and avoid the "real world" and "real world" activities.
The first of my close friends to get married was Heather. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding, which seemed to come too quickly, only because we were still in college. She and John were prefectly matched in all ways, and the wedding was really just the formal celebration to their life together, which had begun much earlier. But, when it rains, it pours....soon, I had 7 wedding invites for that summer. The next summer I had a few, and then a dry spell. But now, I again find myself in the "it rains, it pours" camp for proposals..and also...babies.
I guess the point of this post is mostly to wish my friends and friends of friends, and co-workers the best of luck with their new life milestones.

2007-03-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry Everyone, apparently my blog posts have become longer ramblings than even I can stand. From now on, I'll try to limit the posts in both length and content, so they are easier to understand and follow. I am afterall someone with a degree in the English language so we'll see if I can put that education to better use. No promises though...

Vindication that Marketing Makes Holidays and Valentine's Day Mussings

2007-03-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

Usually, Valentine's springs to mind with visions of jewelery, big soft bears holding pink hearts, chocolate, cards, and flowers or lonely Misses with Ben and Jerry's and a chick film.
The true origin of Valentine's Day may often be lost on today's couples that get more caught up in the commercial nature of it all. "I have to remember to get my girlfriend flowers this year" or "I hope he'll get me something really special for Valentine's Day, becuase I hand made a gift for him" In fact, the roots of Valentine's Day really depend on which belief you hold. A pagan holiday adapted by Christianity, a priest that died while trying to secretly marry couples to avoid a war draft, the day birds pick their mate, or Hallmark's Ultimate ploy...
I think we all probably remember designing Valentine's Day boxes to hold our cards from fellow classmates, and sorting through the candy and chocolates. We all remember, "Everyone in the class must get a Valentine from everyone else." But you know you gave your friends and secret crushes the best pieces of candy.
I have sucumbed to the world of Valentine's Day cards for many many years...giving them to friends even in college. I'm not jaded, per say. I like reminding people that I care, and that Valentine's Day should really be like any other of the holidays ( a chance to party or hangout with friends/loved ones)
But You see, I have been single for every Valentine's Day except for this one, and the last. And now, it seems my still single, or newly single friends, aren't calling me a "turn-coat" or something, but it seems just below the surface. Because I am now a happily relationship'd woman, I can't possibly understand their pain, heartache, and loneliness.

I have done the following things on past Valentine's Days:

* Made a protest t-shirt that read "Chocolate, My only boyfriend"

* Avoided phonecalls from a stalker, who called to tell me he was sure I had three or four dates lined up that evening, and when I said, I had no plans as ofyet, he tried to invite himself over to where I was dogsitting. I responded kindly that the "puppy is my Valentine this year"

* Went to an art museum with a friend

* Was given a poem of friendship from someone I once had a crush on, but no longer had any feelings for

* Was meant to get a carnation delievered to my 6th hour English class via the HighSchool's fundraiser, and instead, the boy I thought was a friend and only saw as a friend, showed up at my house door at 3:35 with the carnation and a card that read "Love" - to my credit I almost threw up on his well-intending shoes, not from disgust mind you, but because I hadn't gone to school that day as I was wrecked with a 104 fever and the stomach flu.

*the ever loving 5th wheel on a blind date, set-up by another well-intending friend and her boyfriend. My match "made in heaven", ran into his ex-girlfriend and invited her to join us...And yes, the date was already going so badly that I welcomed her addition

*teeth cleaning at the dentist

This year was a lovely and calm celebration. Erik and I went to Fired Up! (as mentioned before). We had fun, and he created a very lovely stick bowl for me to use when I visit him (it says turtle in Japanese on it, and the inside looks like a turtle shell). So, when my mom and I went for her birthday, she created a utensil holder with a cat stamped to the side, and I went a little "star crazy". I wanted to design a stick bowl to compliment Erik's for me, by making one with something he's interested in. I had to go across the street to the ICPL to check out a constellation book because I had initially thought I'd stick the line drawing (star chart?) of the Big Dipper on the inside of the bowl. Unfortunately I quickly realized I didn't know the exact number of stars in the Big Dipper. Having an astrophysicist be the receiver of a bowl that says "Astronomy" in Japanese, and isn't accurate would be plain folley. So, armed with a Summer Constellations star chart, I put Hercules, Draco, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and a few others in the bottom of the bowl. I was surprised and pleased it turned out as well as it did (I had to scratch the drawings into the glaze, rather than just paint them on)
I also had a good time going to the Habitat for Humanity Valentine's Day celebration with Laura. Chocolate-covered strawberries alone would have been a big enough draw to get me there, but knowing that the organization does a world of good by not only building literal houses, but metaphorically building communities, made me quick to say yes. (On a huge sidebar - if you are in need of a charity to donate to, I'd suggest Habitat -they take cash, checks, older working appliances, new appliances, and will gladly accept your time)
So, as you can see my relationship with Valentine's Days past is tenuous at best, But, that's not quite the point here...and my relationship with the present Valentine's day was amicable, also not the point. The point, my friends, is that I've been introduced to ANOTHER version of Valentine's day. Not just it's history, but the actual day. Sort of a "bizzaro" world Seinfeldian day....
Korean White Day happens on March 14th, and is the "opposite" of Valentine's Day, or at least the opposite of Valentine's Day in Japan. In Japan on Valentine's Day the women give the men candy/chocolate. White Day was imported from the Koreans, and it represents sort of the Saddie Hawkins' of holidays. The men give the women candy/chocolates, and it's suposed to be three times as great, in honor of all the wonderful things the women do for them. According to Wikipedia, and some other sources (speaking of, Wikipedia has now been banned from being cited as a source at a certain small liberal arts college, consult, okay, cite, noway) this was done initially by a marshmallow maker in one Korean town, soon it morphed into chocolate companies and candy shoppes weighing in. So, a holiday perpetuated by marketing? Can't imagine who would believe such a thing exists.
Our White Day was spent at a korean place in Chicago with Melissa and other JETT alum, and then Karoke next door, which was also alot of fun to listen to...and yes, I did actually sing "Goodbye Earl" with Melissa.
For those of you wondering about the single people. Rather than saying Valentine's Day is "Single's Awareness Day" you've got your very own day in Korea/Japan. It's called "Black Day" and you eat black noddles with other single friends, and the couples can't join in. ;) I think the asian cultures have it all figured out then. 3 days should keep everyone happy. Now, if only I could figure out what I'm doing for St. Patrick's day as someone 1/16th Irish...

2007-02-26T20:14:00.000-08:00

Well the month of February is coming to a close, and this one has by far been better than last years. (*knock on computer desktop*)
What to report? Really not a whole lot. Promotion at work is fun, I love looking at art books all day. I've also got an actual office at my other job, as the assistant/filing whiz...even have a window...goody.
This past weekend Iowa found itself smack in the middle of a nasty ice storm. Because I am dog sitting on the opposite side of town from my parents and some of my friends, we were all comparing notes about when our power was lost, when it came back on, if we used flashlights or candles, had heat or didn't, fireplaces or no fireplaces, lost trees, cable etc. For my two cents, the furnace here was already on the fritz, so no heat was already being experienced anyways. Poor puppy was pretty stressed by all the people and plows parading back and forth in front of the windows (she's a big protector in a very small body hehe) so I have relocated the center of operations to the basement family room, which is located next to the furnace room, so that I can keep an eye on the thing and reset as needed. This way puppy has no windows to peer out of either, and she's a stitch. She keeps bringing down a different toy each time we come downstairs from feeding her or "playing" upstairs (playing really means she runs around and I chase her good naturedly and then i collapse in a pant and realize that dogs are like children and adults are like adults==translation where they heck do they get all that energy??) Regardless, shoveling the ice off the driveway Sunday morning was okay, and Cas came over to play too. We did a Buffy marathon of sorts, to make up for my lack of power the night before.
Otherwise life in IC is pretty ok.
Things I am looking forward to:
***Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Gnarls Barkley in DM this weekend.

***Starting my volunter Collection Development Project at the UI art library on Friday morning

***ChickFlick with Jaime tomorrow night.

***Picking up Erik's and My Finished creations at Fired Up! on Wednesday (I decorated a vase, he decorated a stick bowl...) and
***celebrating my mom's birthday by taking her to Fired Up! so she can release her inner artist with glaze.

***Wildfire, Veronica Mars, GilmoreGirls (though not so much lately), Heroes, Studio 60 and Scrubs. (Oh yea, way to show my life is ruled by television shows)

***Spring Break for ISU/Iowa which means Chicago w. Erik for "White Day" which is a Japanese Valentine's Day like deal...He can explain it far better than I can. But I had fun at the New Year's gig, and in VERY small world moment ran into one of my NYC cousin's ex girlfriends who is also a JETT alumni...too bad I didn't re-introduce myself haha...I first tried sake with her.

***Lis' return from Boston for Spring Break fun. That girl's had a rough time of it this past year, and I am ready for her to be able to kick back and relax a bit with us. My heart really aches for her for all she's been through!

***La Boheme at the end of March which Cassi is assistant directing.

***Possible visit to Indiana for "my own invented" Spring Break/long weekend

***Seeing Guster at Luther College in Decorah Iowa in April - if I can pose as a Luther student and/or the public is allowed to attend Campus Consciousness tour...

***April 26-May 1st Atlanta for ARLIS/NA and visit to Traci's stomping grounds in Athens, etc. Gwinnett County here I come######

***Possible commitment to Ships and Dip III with Cassi, Pete and my boyfriend???? How cool would it be to go on a cruise to islands with bffs? *I'll take a cue from Andrew and Sam though if I do go and make sure I stock up on the seasickness drugs...

**Ryan and Khahn's wedding in July, which will also be the week of Spamalot at the DM Civic Center AND Harry Potter 7 release. Hahah, we've got it worked out b.c we cannot possibly do a 4am stand in line at Barnes and Noble when we'll be attending a wedding later that day. We'll be amazoning (okay go with me here it's a verb like "googling") the book to my Great Aunt and Uncles in Hinton IA. The wedding is in Sioux City IA, 20 minutes away. We'll see Martha and Alan...pick up the book, and then get to read it on the way back to Ames/Iowa City. Now, question is...audiobook version, or make Erik read aloud to me while I drive us home.....decisions decisions

***Sara Whited's bachlorette party and wedding (also occuring sometime this spring/summer)

***Teaching Cassi to say "Noch ein bier bitte." and many other fun phrases before her European adventure ---and devising a way to fold myself into a little cube so I can fit in her carryon luggage.

It's now 10:30 and time to watch the tape of Wildfire...then streaming video of Heroes/Studio 60...ttfn folks.

######
Apologies Trac, but whenever I pronounce that in my head it comes out with a fake Southern accent that makes me chuckle. And makes me think of that Dialog class with our favorite guest speaker....
######

I joined the pods....again

2007-02-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

My 60G ipod has decided to start acting very funny. I will leave it with the "hold" button in the off position, so that I think the ipod is off and the battery is being saved. No such luck, a few hours later I come back to find it has been playing the whole time...but nothing has happened to make the ipod turn on. hold is still in the same spot. no items of clothing or bookish nature have touched said ipod. it is also sticking when I try to play the songs. So, of course, logical course of action...I know have 2 ipods. I bought a video ipod last weekend.
I find it so much fun...especially since I can now take my podcasts on the go. Including Rick Steve's Travel in Europe, Art History in a Minute, NPR Books, Veronica Mars, Photoshop Killer Tips, all of them include video spots.

In an unrelated but truly awesome sidebar. Guster signed my shirt!! :) Hehe, Cassi got it signed during the Ships and Dip Cruise for me...she's awesome, to almost quote Jayne from Firefly/Serenity "it is my very favorite shirt"

Also, those of you still in the Bloomington area...I will most likely be venturing back to town on the 24 of February because Guster is performing there, AND I haven't seen you guys in awhile and miss ya.

There ya have it. Oh yeah, and other good news. Found a temp job for the next couple of weeks, and got a promotion at the public library I work at now...woot. So far my February has started well. I cross my fingers for the rest of you that you get the same results.

Blogarian Burnout

2007-01-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

I have been a professional librarian for all of about six months now, working a minimum of 10 hours per week, and a maximum of 30. This is because I am in a position as a substitute librarian at a public library. Now, I will go on record as saying I really do like my job. It makes me more satisfied to know that I also like working in a public library to the same extent as an academic one, at least to a certain degree and capacity.
I don't typically comment on the work, per say, on this blog, because this blog is personal in nature, and I like to think I can keep my "working world" agendas and needs out of this more public space. Also, because I know that my readership is mostly fellow librarians/new professionals and friends/family, I don't particularly think the day to day of my working life pertain or would interest these folks.
I do however read a number of blogs in the "biblioblogosphere" in an attempt to figure out the latest topics, greatest new tools, or what problems/gripes other people in the profession run into. Today though, I realized that most of the more "personal" in nature blogs that I run into, blogs that use swearwords or legitmately seem sarcastic in tone and tell what-I-was-really-thinking-when-soandso-asked-where-are-the-kids-books, when a giant sign says "kids books" right in front of them. Perhaps I have just not come to the point of job burnout. I find it interesting that people choose to use blogs, read by many people as an outlet for this pent-up anger. While I agree it's best not directed at the patrons that ask the not so intelligent sounding questions...I'm baffled that these professionals use the blog format mostly and primarily to gripe. Sure, I tell my parents about the occasional patron that I feel sorry for because they do not know how to use a computer in this Information Age, but I don't really go into how frustrated I am when they don't take my word (5 times mind you) that their floppy disk is corrupt, and despite clicking other icons they will not get their document back.
What did librarians do to complain about patrons before blogs?
I guess I've just noticed in the past few days that many of these blogs that are by professional librarians, aren't talking about what's new and innovative that they have discovered, or what's on the upcoming conference agendas, it is talk of the "actual phonecall from patron to library X, #64" and the entry digresses into the librarian's annoyance that Patron didn't realize the library closes at 5:30 instead of 6:00.
I apprecaite these blogs on another level though, as to the pitfalls of both needing an outlet for frustration at "stupidity" of others, and as to what type of venue is suited for such display.
It is true, I can be accused of recently telling a few of my friends about a patron at the library. I am sure most of us can be accused of such. Anyone that works in a customer service position, or even works with people in general will run across those events/situations that we just HAVE to tell someone else about. But the consistancy of these blogging librarians in their determination of posting stories about the "problem" patrons or the "stupid questions" is fairly prevalent.
Are they all that fed up with the profession?

JETs, Chocolate and Bears

2007-01-22T13:59:00.001-08:00

This weekend I joined Erik and Melissa in a visit to Chicago for the JET new year's party. I'll let the pictures speak...

2007-01-17T20:48:00.000-08:00

Kelli Rae Powell

Podcasts R Us

2007-01-09T20:47:00.000-08:00

I love podcasts. Podcasts with video are even better. Language learning, photoshop techniques, travel tips, audiobooks in the public domain, my favorite bands. Oh yeah, and all for just a little bit of memory on my computer. Everyone should join the podcast generation. Especially because you can control the content you listen to. It's great---flipping the channels on your t.v. and realizing there are 78 channels and nothing you want to watch? Perhaps there's a video podcast for free that will be up your alley...
I've found podcasts for a bunch of my friends, tailored to their personal interests in just a few minutes of scroll through the iTunes list, and yes, there are many more podcasts that exist than those indexed there. Go ye and multiply your casts. ;)

BTW, I know there's been a lot of disgruntled talk over Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2006. Well, you can probably guess where I fall on that list. As a beginning professional in the field of librarianship, I see this trend every day. Social software and tagging, blogging, user-centered design, it all revolves around the consumer of the resources folks. That consumer is all of us. I think the cover probably cost them more to print than just opting for a photo of their "famous" person year to year. I'd bet that reflective surface bumped up the printing costs a bit. So, in short, cut Time a break, I'm sure by the end of aught seven, they'll have had enough time to weigh candidates and as Steven Colbert pointed out maybe they'll pick "Us" or "We" or "the World".

In A New York Minute

2007-01-02T11:37:00.001-08:00

It seems fitting for me to use this title for the first post of the new year. Not only did 2006 retrospectively seem to go very quickly, but I also spent a week in New York City just before Christmas.
To recap the recent trip:

Erik and I spent 5 days in NYC, staying at my cousin's apartment right near the Museum of Natural History. We did a number of activities while there, including art museums and libraries, a broadway show, ice skating, and visiting friends at Columbia U. All in all Erik's blog sums it up pretty well. I'm also happy we didn't want to kill each other after ;)
Also, a recent holiday note: the "Santa" House on my street seems to draw flocks and droves of people every year. I am all for people having the "Christmas Spirit" and enjoying the holiday lights...but seriously, this is causing a huge traffic flow problem in the neighborhood and I'm worried someone will get hurt. This is a semi-circle street so those of us at the bottom of the circle can just opt to go the other way. The problem stems from the people that drive 5 miles an hour down the whole street in what appears to be anticipation of the house. Don't worry folks, it's lit up. You won't miss it if you go 25 miles an hour for the rest of the street. Also, please either stay in your car and TURN OFF your own car's lights, so those of us passing by on the street do NOT think you are going to pull out at a moment's notice and run into us. Also make sure your kids look both ways before they get out of the car and run across the street to marvel at the little train or penguins okay?
Now that that rant is out of the way.
New Year's Eve:
I made turkish pizza for some friends, it was successful: yay for me and basic baking.

We went to the Dublin Underground. It was also fun. I even got the doorman to take a picture of all of us at the end of the night.
So, mostly, my point is, things happen quickly in life. You'll blink and miss something wonderful. So as 2007 is upon us, remember to stop every once in awhile and reflect on the great stuff that happens. It's alot better than stopping to dwell on the negative. Here is wishing you all a happy finish to 06 and a healthy happy start to 07.

2006-12-23T19:01:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays All!

2006-12-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

Who is with me on requiring that the Iowa legislature pass a law saying that local gov'ts can decide to ban smoking in public places? Who is with me in saying Iowa City should have at least one bar that remains non-smoking ALL of the time? Because to my way of thinking, yes, I could just stay home and not go to bars at all because of the health risks and nasty aspects of it. Well, sure, but then when would I get to see my friends? Iowa City should have at least one place that I can go, and sit and have a drink (if I want) or at the very least sit and converse with my friends without having to soak up second hand smoke, and all the horrible icky side effects I get. I am allergic. Seriously allergic to cigarette smoke. If there was an alternative place for my friends to go out downtown, where I could join them without suffering, I probably would. I can't even go and play pool anywhere past nine pm in this town without being exposed to it. I can't go bowling without being exposed to it. So I ask, where is the place that if my friends really want to see ME, they'll come? The vis versa happens often, I go to the bars because this is where my friends hang out when they come home from overseas, and then, I suffer for wanting to spend time catching up with them. Well, screw that. Donnelly's was smoke free, for awhile, and now, they allow smoking after 10 pm, so I can't go there any more. It is frustrating to say the least. I can talk my non-smoking friends into going there with me to hang out, because drink prices are the same as other places too. However, now where will I get people to go who want to go dancing? Donnelly's doesn't have a dance floor. The Mill will have non-smoking events for the back room (yay for wylde nept performing smoke free concerts) which is awesome. I will gladly go there and not subject myself to smelling like an ashtray when i get home, and having to shower immediatly upon my return to my home.
Also, I think it's really rude for people that know of someone's allergies, to continue to smoke right in front of them, or in their face specifically. It would be the same thing as feeding strawberries to someone who is allergic to strawberries. Actually no, that's a little wrong. The person allergic to strawberries can ask and be told strawberries are in the food and then not have to eat it. If I ask a smoker to not smoke around me, and they don't oblige me, what's my course of action? I have to leave the establishment. I'd be fine with just leaving the establishment and going somewhere else, if such a place existed that had the same other amenities sans smoking. It's like telling someone who is a recovering alcoholic that they can not go out to any bar anywhere because there is always going to be drinks served to people around them. Where is their bar that doesn't serve alcoholic drinks, where they can go and not be tempted? Answer is, there isn't. No bar would survive without serving the drinks people want, and that's alcoholic. Sadly, that has become the case with bars for smoking also. No bar in this area can feel as though they do as much business and make as much profit if they don't allow smoking. I understand in some sense the "discrimination" claim that smokers may make if suddenly they can't smoke in a bar, however, what about the discrimination that we feel for not being able to find a place where such activities DON"T occur?
There are two places in Coralville that are non-smoking resturaunts. Mondo's and Sluggers. People, GO THERE!!! Support local establishments that choose to be smoke-free.
And I'm done with the rant for the day. Feel free to tell me your thoughts folks...

2006-12-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

If the librarian thing doesn't work, I guess I'd be happy being a professional pet and house sitter. Right now I am caring for 3 dogs and a cat. The dogs are a big black sweetheart named Isabelle, a cute Bischon Frieze named Ferdinand and Sweet Pea, a little something or other dog..plus Mishka the old man kitty. It is fun. I think animals hold a special comforting ability for the people in their lives. They all have such special personalities also. They seem to know when you're feeling down and they like attention (well who doesn't). Plus pet sitting in home is nice for the animals because they don't have to be kennelled that way. It's less disruptive to their standard routine. And they get mor playtime with me because I don;t see them often. :)

2006-11-30T08:45:00.000-08:00

Good luck to all my friends taking finals, giving presentations, writing papers and embarking on the end to another semester. Good luck also to everyone else out there in your endeavors, because, well, sometimes a general wish of good luck can go a long way.

Deck the Halls

2006-11-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this will be a random smattering (as most of my posts seem to be)

** Happy Thanksgiving ( a day or so late) to everyone in the blogosphere

** Thanksgiving for me was spent partly in Chicago and partly in IC. I drove to Naperville on Wednesday afternoon (after joyfully discovering I didn't have to find a sub for Wednesday night's library shift because we closed the doors at 5pm that night) The drive was crowded, especially on I-80, and for a change, there was significant traffic on I-88 also. My mistake though, was that the Naperville Road exit on 88 was closed, so I had to take Illinois Hwy 59 partway to get to Erik's. This did not make me very happy in the end. At the beginning it was fine because I hadn't explored the outskirts area, but, to my dismay, this area was mostly shops and resturaunts, and with a holiday fast approaching, there was SOOO much stop and go traffic. I did discover a DSW shoes which may warrant a return someday.

** Other drawback to Wednesday's journey: my car smells like new paint not new car. Seriously, the inside smells like the inside of your house when a fresh coat arrives. I think I did get a lill contact high from the fumes. *Car was hit in a parking lot the day of Cassi's opera and after getting my insurance company to pay fix the dent (after 250 out of pocket because person didn't leave insurance info, probably because they didn't have any, or b.c since the dent was rather small, they didn't think it was worth leaving info. But it's noticable to mama)
Now I have to take the car back to the body shop because they didn't finish touching up the scratches, it's been a hassle.

**Wednesday night we drove into the city to visit with one of erik's friends from japan who recently moved to Chicago from Seattle (wooo all of you Seattle-loving friends can pick her brain if you'd like). We were courageous enough to try a place called the Paragon in the area, and the general population was at least twice our age. We deduced this was because it is situated near the hospital. After dinner Erik and I drove to UIC for the Bloc Party/Panic at the Disco! concert. Knowing nothin about Panic at the Disco! but looking forward to Bloc Party's set, we were drastically disappointed to learn that Bloc Party wasn't performing due to illness. Sign said "refunds at point of purchase" which for Erik was ticketmaster. (Insert groans of annoyance for ticketmaster here) after being on hold for 20 minutes, we learned certificed mail to customer service was the way to attain said refund. (I took a camera phone photo of the sign though, just in case). So, we drove back to Naperville, while commenting on choice music of another person. Scrabble and bedtime finished out the evening.

**Thursday I spent with Erik's extended family having a traditional Thanksgiving Day set up. Yum yum. It was great, swapping stories about ruining other holidays, watching NFL games and trying not to be "THAT GIRL"^ Incidently I never check out football players, and I know a thing or two about college football - just not NFL rules or announcers.

^THAT GIRL meanin the one that knows nothing about the teams playing and continues to ask questions like "Why did he throw it to that guy?" or "Gee, his butt looks cute in those pants"

Kyle, Erik and I left when the Scrabble challenge was made. Truly I think Erik's family is out of my league for Scrabble. Last time I played I got my mom tipsy first and had to argue that hijinx didn't have a hyphen.

**I left Naperville at roughly 7:30 and got back to IC around 10pm. I went back via 55 to 80 though, since it was Thanksgiving Day and I assumed that at least a few gas stations might still be open there. Luckily the BP in Genosca (splg?) was, but they were closing in 10 minutes. whew!

**Friday I spent the whole day organizing and cataloging via Librarything.com. I have roughly 250 books in my collection now. Including a large # of undergrad art history and english texts, and some library science books from gradschool...harry potter, horsey books, etc. They will all be put into boxes, labeled, and easily locatable via librarything tags. Now, to get my folks to donate some of their collection to the library. Really the rafters aren't the best places to stick outdated encyclopedias.

**Erik joined me on Friday night and we joined some friends at the Field House (not so affectionatly known in IC as the "meatlocker" or "fieldwhore", these monikers are ascribed because older guys often sit at the top level of the bar, and can look down upon the dance floor two levels below. You are free to draw your own conclusions as to what they hope to see.) It is not one of my favorite bars in IC...honestly beyond Billiards Club, none are favorites anymore, since Martini's redesigned after the tornado. Regardless, I seem to still attract strange men wishing to dance with me. I'm not saying I'm the cutest of my friends, far from I think, but for some reason, guys see me dancing with my other guy friends, and yet, still think I'd want to dance with them more. Why is that? Fellas, if a woman is dancing in the middle of a group of 4 or 5 guys for most of the evening, or with a guy who is obviously her gay guy pal, please do not assume she wants to dance with you. If she's already got a smile on her face, is laughing and all over seems to be enjoying herself, this does not mean she's "on the hunt" or looking to strike up a new/brief friendship consisting of dancing with you. You may be a perfectly wonderful guy, or you could be a sleeze. It wouldn't make a difference. She's not there to find you.
(I say this not to hurt the feelings of guys who ask women to dance and get rejected, just to point out that when she says no thanks the first time, she really does mean no thanks. No amount of reasking will make her change her mind, in fact it will probably make her really annoyed and prompt her to write a blog note about how drunk guys that don't listen are extremely annoying.) I don't need rescuing by my guy friends, but I was quite glad that Patrick was there to help me prove my point that I already had a dance partner. The response of "aww, you're no fun" doesn't win me over to your desires either, drunkie. This guy wasn't nearly as bad and "slap your ass when you look away" guy from last week at the Loft bar in DM. Geez guys, figure it out. Women out at bars are not of only "one type" --seemingly most males think one type of woman goes to a bar, the type that secretly want the unwanted attention. Incorrect assumption. There are actually a number of types of women who go to bars. Some of us go because our friends frequent these environments, and in order to see our friends, we have to be willing to go to a bar on occasion. Some of us go simply because we love to dance, and in order to dance, we need music, music is played by djs in bars. It is true that some women do go to bars because they want to socialize and meet new people and have guys pick them up. Rarely will these women actually invite you back to their place that evening(though sometimes they will). Sometimes you might get a phone number. But the majority of women in a bar, after initially saying no to dancing with you, will not change their mind. Not as they drink more, and not as they get more sober. Your window of opportunity doesn't exist. Also, to guys out there that think it is okay to slap a woman on the ass that you do not know, be prepared that if you do act upon your instinct to slap her, she will most likely slap you back, across the face, and hopefully report you to the bouncer or management. This is VERY IMPORTANT FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN: DON"T ASSUME ANY PERSON IN A BAR WANTS YOU TO TOUCH THEM IN ANYWAY. ALWAYS ASK ASK ASK FIRST!!!! If they tell you don't. Don't. Simple rule to live by.
Mr. "Slap My Ass" Guy was standing at the bar, while I was talking with Liz, and we were all trying to help her get over her hiccups. He taps me on the shoulder and says "look over there" and points toward the emergency exit of the bar ( i didn't actually look at the exit, but I knew that's where he was pointing) I gave him a quizical look and asked "Um, why?" He goes "oh, just look." "Uh, I'm okay thanks anyways." I respond and turn slighly back toward Liz. I get the "Aww, you're no fun. I was gonna slap your ass when you looked." What is that? I mean seriously. My response: shook my head, ignored the guy, and moved to the other side of Erik. What my response should have been: "Had you slapped my ass, I would have requested you get kicked out of this bar for sexual harrassment." I don't know what I do to spur on this kind of behavior. If it's me, or them, but I'm more inclined to believe it's them. So get yourselves into the mindset of preventing this type of behavior folks. Don't instigate it, and don't tolerate it.

**Moving on...Saturday I worked at the CPL til 4:30pm, then Erik and i went to dinner at the Jade Sisters. I'll recommend their California rolls. We had invites to Wylde Nept, which I'm sure would have been fun, but I was so dead from the night out on Friday and working all day, that I really wanted a night in, and Erik had school work to get done also. So my apologies to the nepts.

**Sunday we lounged around because that's what Sundays are made for. ;) Bears game, and sushi at Misa's. Thanks Misa for hosting and preping and viv and trish for rolling, yummy yummy, two nights of sushi in a week? wow, I'm spoiled.

**Monday, well, I've written this blog, my car is now fixed (by 3pm) and the errands are calling to me.

Thanks for listening folks, and until next time...

Choose Your Own Blogging Adventure

2006-11-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

Okay, taking a quick poll. Of those of you out there who like reading blogs...would you like reading a "Choose your own adventure" that revolves around daily entries in a person's life? It would be fiction of course..but designed with that basic premise in mind. i.e. what could happen in each situation if said character made one decision, or said character made another decision (and YOU get to make those decisions) and advance to the new dated entry...
I'm just curious...a creative outlet for my writing at this point I guess...

2006-11-15T19:53:00.000-08:00

Oh my god. Give me a break. O.J....didn't you have more than your share of 15 minutes of fame.

2006-11-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

I saw Marriage of Figaro last weekend at ISU. We went on Thursday night, and I realized just how spoiled I was at Indiana for opera performances. The singers did a good job though and it was entertaining.
Kudos to everyone who went out and voted. Gold stars all around.
I'm hoping to see borat tomorrow night with some friends here, since I've heard such good things about it from other sources.
Then Sat morn it's off to Chicago for a mini reunion with some of the Indiana U art librarians and students, yay! ;)
back here Sunday for Thanksgiving with Steve and Victoria.
okay, that's a wrap.

2006-11-06T17:21:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY HEDDASISSY

2006-11-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAI!!

#000 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Apartment #93

2006-11-05T15:31:00.000-08:00

Watched both of these recently. Apartment was good, entertaining albeit some heavy subject matter also, including affairs and suicides. Tin roof was even worse for heavy subject matter, but the message comes through. Show your family members love, and tell them that you love them, frequently. Also, possessions may be 9/10ths of the law, but they mean jack in the end. (*my apologies to people named Jack with that expression) But yes, the quest to finish the list continues.
In other recent news: I visited the DM Art Center finally. Bought a book about it. Reading it during all the downtime which is alot. Also went to the zoo. Tiger scared me. It was pawing at the glass, glass didn't look so sturdy. Lions were vocal. monkeys were cute. Fell asleep early Friday night. My apologies to the ISU folks, since I missed the party, but my costume would have been "signholder" and that isn't nearly impressive enough anyways. Boy, I was tired that night. Whoops, time for dinner.

More Halloween Fun

2006-11-04T15:25:00.000-08:00

Rest of the Halloween Recap:
The Pumpkin Party was tons of fun. I was amazed we were able to turn the garage into crazy "spooky" venue for carving. The cider was a hit, and our pumpkins were all lovely (if not a lill burnt hehe) After carving we got pizza and watched Mr. Vampire. Mr. Vampire has now become a facebook group, the movie was so funny. You should all check it out if you haven't seen it and then ask to join the group after. ;)
Other points of Interest/discussion.
misa, Faraji, Erik and I went to a costume party on Friday night hosted by some former West High folks, and yes, I was pretty proud I didn't bring an IC townie with me. Though the banana did have to throw down for bragging rights upon our arrival. But, as any good fashion expert knows, it's all in the accessories. Because Erik had the sign and the maraccas, he can claim victory. I went as a devil, misa was a firewoman, (and I pointed out to her that really, with a viynl costume, she's probably be the first to go up in smoke) and Faraji was a vampire.
Saturday was spent doing something, but I can't remember what..(woo hoo for my memory being shot after a week, jeesh) Saturday night is the aforementioned post about Wylde Nept. And that, deer folks, was Halloween. Pictures, as promised, follow now...

and then:

Wylde Nept and Halloween Festivities

2006-11-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

My introduction to Wylde Nept consisted of watching some cowboys (and one mexican?) swagger to the stage at the Mill to Kid Rock singing "I wanna be a cowboy, baby" which blarred through the bar's stereo system. I was not alarmed though. I had come to see an Irish/Celtic folk song band, and, given the number of people dressed for the holiday of Halloween, it was comforting to know that the band didn't abandon the idea of getting in the costume spirit.
I was more alarmed when the first song they played was "Save a horse, ride a Cowboy."
Nothing against Wylde Nept, but I have a complete aversion to that song. It stems from my days of riding horses. As a blonde teenager who circulated in the Eastern Iowa 4-H and local showing scenes, I was exposed to both country music and breeches and everything that went along with this set of folks. That set included overly-friendly guys, usually 20 years my senior, in their Wrangler jeens and dusty boots, who were quick with a smile, AND quick with an arm, that they'd throw over your shoulder as a form of howdy. I can't count the number of times I saw this phrase plastered on the bumpers of their beatup ole Dodge trucks/trailers. To this day, that song conjures up these images and leaves me with a slightly off-putting feeling in my stomach. So I just sighed and watched as everybody else began pounding on the tables to the rhythm. I perked up at the end when they shouted "Slaggo" and the clinking of glasses announced what I assumed to be a traditional Irish equivalent to prost or kanpai.*
The rest of the night was a lot of fun. It wasn't too smokey, so I was able to take pleasure in the whole concert without sneezing. They played a number of songs I couldn't join my seatmates in singing along with, but I could tap my feet to show I was enjoying myself. Lindsay even taught me the basic steps to an Irish gig. (Lord of the Dance I am not, but fun regardless) They even did a request and sang "Serenity" for a little Joss Whedon cowboy shout out. Also, the costume contest was funny. First place went to the Pulp Fiction couple, though I pointed out to a slightly dejected Erik, who claimed he couldn't compete with a hypodermic needle stuck in her chest, that this particular Mia Wallace wasn't nearly as tall as Uma Thurman, so their realism was a bit "eh". Erik was only slightly dejected, because, well you really can't be totally dejected when you've won second place in a costume contest. Third place went to both Wylde Nept look-a-like bands, which prompted me to wonder about the label the fans took. Lindsay says they are the "Neptiles" but honestly, I think the "Neptitudes" has a better ring to it. :)
We stepped out during one of the breaks between sets and headed over to Joe's place where Cas, Pete, Beth, Misa, Viv and Trica were. I was surprised to run into Adam there also (sans costume, for shame!). I really could only stay there long enough to give him a hug and pose for a photo before I began to choke on the smoke fumes. My eyes were watering five seconds through the door. We finished out the night back at the Mill. Yes, I did later till Erik he probably had nearly 3 pitchers of beer and a few shots.
Sunday was spent watching NFL football and lounging around. For some reason I am even more lazy on Sundays when Erik's visiting. Not that he really complains about the down time those days. One really interesting thing we caught on t.v was the Food Network's Candy Castle challenge. I am a huge fan of shows where I get to watch people be creative with food items. It reminds me of younger days spent making ghetto gingerbread houses with Becca and Misa for the holidays. You'd be amazed how easily those darn graham cracker walls cave in. I suggest we all tune in to admire the professional's abilities.
More about the Halloween festivities of other nights to come...

*I later discovered this is a particular made-up Wylde Nept toast, but it has the same effect. Everybody drinks. My conclusion, Wylde Nept is a good drinking game with good live music.

Blah blah blah

2006-10-30T11:34:00.000-08:00

test test test

How Many

2006-10-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
83
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

2006-10-23T01:01:00.000-07:00

Every one of us has a problem, or maybe many. Maybe our problems are related to worrying about our loved ones, or maybe our problems come from what actions we take. In any event sometimes when you just want to escape your problems, and you wonder, what really is the point to life, it's time to remember that usually the cosmos works in mysterious ways.

Alot of crappy stuff has been happening lately, for my friends, my family, and to a lesser extent to me. But, I think the mature way to look at this is to go, why do I want to escape feeling badly for others and myself? Sure, it sucks right now, but often timesbec there is a silver lining, or a realization that I can make after these events happen. In a way it's the quote "what doesn't kill me makes me stronger" that comes to mind. Life is in deed a series of ups and downs. I often wonder why people get what they get, and do they deserve it? because bad things can happen to good people, and good people can sometimes do bad things. Is it karma? just unlucky? are they mean otherwise?

I can't spend so much time doing this anymore. It is far better to accept that sometimes shit happens. And what determines your strength of character is how you deal with the aftermath. Also, no event is really a singular occurance. there are smaller moments that lead to those that stick out in our minds. Those particularly great and those particularly lousy.

For what it's worth, my prayers go out to you all.

Musical Moments

2006-10-15T20:43:00.000-07:00

Guster's performance on Oct 6th was super fun for me. I'm not so sure it was as fun for the friends I dragged along...
Cassi knows some of Guster's songs because she will be cruising with them on the Ships and Dip cruise. Yup, she's a huge BNL fan and is following them south very soon. I have the option to send a video as to why I want to be Scooter for a day (if I win I would go on the same cruise). Scooter is the drum tech for Guster. I introduced Cas to Guster for this reason. She'll get me an autograph (I hope) hehe. Misa saw Guster at the 10,000 hrs show, and knows most of the songs from Goldfly and a few from Keep It Together. Viv and Beth and Huey were there because they'd been with us at the parade, though as Guster themselves wrote on their road journal "There will be 15,000 people there, probably 5% Guster fans, 15% Kansas fans, and 100% drunk people." They were somewhat correct...

Advantages: Lead singer, Brian wore a Hamburg Inn #2 shirt.
They played a rendition of "In Heaven There is No Beer" and a version of "Homecoming King" dedicated to Iowa's newly crowned King and Queen.
Astrophysics Boy was able to make an arrival and only missed a few songs.
Guster also modified "In Heaven" to explain "Guster has no gear, that's why we're singing here" because their drumset and keyboards didn't make it from their last gig. However, I think that makes the IC concert that much more unique. And they did a geat job regardless. (though Brian couldn't play with his hands on a rented drumset...can't get that set bloody or anything)
Drawbacks: Really tall guys standing pretty much right next to me on my right who were very drunk (seemingly) and kept yelling stuff like: Play Dust in the Wind.
And the girls who showed up half way through the concert, and tried to push their way to the front, complete with their tavel sized (luckily plastic) bottle of Smirinof Raspberry. Security (two guys standing on the edge of the stage) didn't seem to mind that at all, as they just looked on and laughed.
The stench/aroma? of marijuana was also an annoyance for me, as I am pretty damn allergic to it, even via contact exposure.
But, advantages outweighed.

Also, last night I had the opp. to be "hired" to videotape an opera production. This was a $65 dollar a seat affair at the hotelVetro in Iowa City. So I got to see the hotelVetro - which appears to be an attempt at a "modern" style, even though to me it came off as more of a "sterile" style. I got to try sushi from Formosa though, which wasn't too bad and give away my drink tickets to those adventurous enough to try Saketinis. I did snag a great looking bottle of VOSS water for my collection.
(I'm not sure I've mentioned my habit of collecting interesting looking bottles that are aesthetically pleasing to my senses/sentimental but I've been doing it for a few years now. There is in fact a Jazz vodka bottle that Astrophysics Boy is working his way through for me, it looks like a trumpet!)
The best part though, was everyone believed I was the sister of the director and why shouldn't they, as she's my twister. (i.e. twin sister in theory)

Not only that, but I got to be incrediably proud of her official professional opera directorial debut. The blocking was great, even though it meant I spent a bit more time panning. Cas did a great job staging Cox and Box in the lobby of the hotel. A triple challenge, because the audience was on EITHER side of the hotel's entrance, it's a public space, and she had only three days to work it all out. It was an enjoyable spectacle and her cast did a lovely job. Cedar Rapids Opera Company would do well to keep her employeed. I just hope the video turned out well, as associated people were clamouring for a copy afterwards.

non-fiction writing class...

2006-10-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

April 10, 2000
"Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you got till it's gone? They paved Paradise, and put up a parking lot."

Amy Grant belted out this line on the radio the other day as I was driving back from Ames. These simple lyrics jump-started my brain. I began to evaluate my life and the things that I tend to take for granted. The things that I don't know I have until they are no longer there. Maybe they didn't ever pave over my Paradise in the literal sense of the word. I don't lament the loss of a favorite oak tree that became the Seven-Eleven parking lot. But, they, or rather Fate, as I see it, wanted me to see what I had, and what I could easily lose. It was one of those moments that stick with you. You can see it in such vivid detail and play it over and over in your head despite how young you were. And sometimes, even now, as you are doing some mundane task, or looking at some ordinary object, you are reminded of that day. The day you suddenly realized you had something great, but lost it.

I was five years old when my first best friend died. I know that at five years old I was perhaps too young to graps the implications of such a tragedy, yet as I listened to the refrain piped through my car speakers, I began to remember what it feels like to know that your individual paradise has been crushed.

We went to the same pre-school. We spent all our time together. We were the classic definition of best buds. We were content to play with each other, instead of other children. When the teachers used to split us up "to socialize and increase our friendship and sharing skills," like heat-seeking missiles intent on finding that one locked target, we'd scan the playground, sight, zero-in and proceed. In front of the teachers we were always casual and simply ambled over to each other. But we knew we were drawn by comfort of familiarity and fun. We played with the same toys, shared our snacks, sat in the shade of the same tree, and built block towers in the grass.

This was my version of Paradise. This was my simply childhood innocence and indestructible logic. Everything made sense. Brad and I. We made sense. We, and only we, got our secret jokes, knew our secret language and understood our world of blurred make-believe and reality.

Brad's death serves as a reminder to me today, that sometimes events are so complicated that as a child we don't understand why things happen or what impact they may have.

"Brad doesn't go to pre-school anymore, he has gone to Heaven."

This was my mother's attempt to explain such a difficult concept to a five year old girl, who simply couldn't seek out her best friend on the playground earlier that day. There were no secret jokes, no language, no snacks, and no block tower. Looking back on that day, I realize my childhood world of sheltered playtime and pretend could only last so long before some event would become real enough to make that blur come into focus.

My mom believes that it is better he died when i was five. She thinks there is less hurt, because there was less to be hurt about. I'd known him for two years. That was all. Maybe she's right and maybe she's wrong. I can't help wondering if we'd made it through more of life's journey, would I have hurt more to lose someone so abruptly? Or would I have had the chance to grieve more fully, the way that an adult friend should be able? If we'd grown up together, shared more memories, developed our connection more deeply, would I have hurt more at his death? I can't answer that last question for myself. I can't answer it for others either. I can only say, hearing that song, caused me to remember this event and muss on its potential impact.

You don't always know what you had, until it is taken from you. The flip side is that sometimes you don't appreciate the especially great people and rare things you experience. Upon remembering, you tuly see that Paradise is not as much of an illusion or make-believe as it first appears to be. Brad and I shared something, no matter how short it was, I can look back and not simply think, "Gee, I didn't know what I had," because I do. I am grateful for it. I am grateful for the acknowledgement I gain in noticing some of the effects his death has had on my own life.

hollywood boulevard #12

2006-10-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

I think I can say that Sunset Boulevard is the first Billy Wilder film I've ever seen. Kinda surprising considering he wrote and directed a good portion of the films of the Hollywood Hay Day era, and also, the Apartment. Now, I had thought I'd seen the Apartment, however, I don't believe I did, since the plot seems totally different from the movie I remember seeing. So, Sunset Boulevard has sold me on Billy Wilder films. Or at least, I'll be taking a look at his other films (not to mention others are on the AFI list anyways)

As a movie, it has a definate old Hollywood feel, and it reminds me of how quickly new technology can put people out of business. The movie is about a silent film star making her "return" to the screen, or at least attempting. It traces a writer hired to help her modify a screenplay she wrote for this "reintroduction." The movie starts with this writer face down in a pool, having been shot. I won't spoil the plot by saying that it's an entertaining movie. The musical score was noticable also, which I found interesting. As I believe, most times, the musical score shouldn't be noticable in a movie, except in the very dramatic moments when it's heightened and additive. Sunset Boulevard had a score throughout, and throughout it was noticable to me. Perhaps that has since changed, or it was more delibrate to highlight the silent film to sound film aspect. Regardless though, I'd say it's worth renting/checking out and watching.

Congratulations!

2006-10-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Congratulations and Best Wishes are in order to Lindsay and Josh Elliot as they join the officially married couples of the world.
This weekend brought a close to my time at ACT, mountains of laundry, $10 loss at the new Riverside Casino, (but I made up for it in enjoying time with friends), a wedding, a football game, and a brunch.

Memory Circle

2006-09-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Christa, on her acceptance of a position on the OTHER side of the ILL department at IUB. :) May you find the borrowing as much fun as the lending.
Also, for those of you who believe in the power of prayer, or you believe that just thinking about someone can send them "good vibes" then please do so for Christa and her family, as they are going through a bit of a rough patch.

I took my grandmother's ring to a store tonight to see if they can replace the missing stone. No surprise that since it's an antique ring, they'll have to cut a new stone with the same "cut style" from a piece of original rock that is of the same coloring...i.e. a peridot of particular shade....so it sounds like it's going to cost quite a bit to fix, but to me, it will be worth it. What can I say, but that I am attachted to sentimental things such as these. My grandma let me pick one piece of jewelry from her jewelry box for my birthday when I was either 14, 15, or 16 (and we still had the old cottage at Okoboji in the family). I picked the ring, because it looked like it was my birthstone (and I didn't have anything else w. my birthstone except for my original studs from piercing my ears). But, I have to say half the fun of that time was the pleasure I got from looking through her possessions. I'm not saying that in any sort of sick, money-hungry type tone...but more in the tone of, it's neat to think about what other people collect as far as personal adornment goes. It was more fun for me to hear the stories that went along with other pieces in her collection, than to really settle on something.
I found the same thing to be true when I recently raided my mom's box to find a gold object to go with my "Roman Goddess" costume, and found "Care to Teach" pins, and some cufflinks of my dad's, and a neat tennis bracelet with various charms for her to explain.
In a way, it is funny that I don't remember the background of the particular peridot ring. I remember more how I felt getting to spend some quality one on one time with Grandma Madeliene. A rare commodity when there were 14 other cousins (a few with their own new additions), her own 5 remaining children, and my Grandfather, plus NUMEROUS stoppers-by that could occupy her attention on the front porch downstairs.
My grandma is great. I think maybe that's a universal for people that love their grandparents to say, but for me, it does hold true.
She's one of a kind, in the way that I'm sure all grandmothers are. And to have a small reminder of that uniqueness in something I can keep in a box and pass on to my own offspring will make repairing it worth the monetary expense.

Happy Birthday SASSY! :)

2006-09-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

--to my twin. She's the best.

Sensory Stimulation

2006-09-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

This week's netflix pix: (for sight)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead- Tom Stoppard...
Good night and Good luck
Walk the Line
Liked all three to a point. Fell asleep during GN and GL at first, but I was exceptionally tired that night, having driven to Ames from Iowa City, with a stop over in Ankeny, and had an exceptionally annoying headache to add to the mix. Walk the Line was decent - I knew nothing about Johnny Cash before watching the movie, except that he wrote that song "The Burning Ring of Fire" - and I was quickly corrected that it is just "Ring of Fire", and RC and GS R Dead was okay. Far less funny than I had expected, but still, somewhat contemplative. I hope they make a movie out of Steve Martin's play - Picasso at the Lapin Agile (though it would be more like a "short")

This week's music pix (for sound)
Ray Lamontagne
Bonnaroo Music Festival 2004 (Bob Dylan, Dave, Ani, Gov't Mule, Guster)
Matt Bar

I discovered Lamontagne because he was recently touring with Guster. I discovered Bonnaroo because I checked the CPL to see if we had any Guster. Matt went to highschool with me, and I helped him scan photos for his first website. He's also "folksy" in a sense like Guster and Ray (Ray seemingly a bit more jazz, and Matt is alot more "rap" haha, yes, folk rap - think Jason Mraz, but local to the IC.)

This week's food pix (for taste)
Granite City's Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Chinese Pasta Salad
Despite recent outbreaks of e.coli in fresh spinach, Granite City's dish was still being served (though their spinach salad wasn't) And their Chinese Pasta salad was a great choice - and will make my third meal of it for the weekend in about 20 minutes...yummy! Gotta love a dish I paid 9 dollars for that lasted for 3 meals.

This week's fabric pix (for touch)
Victoria Secret Silk PJ's and my awesome Japanese blanket
All I can say is I love to go to sleep with these items...I just wish I got more sleep!

This week's candle pix (for smell)
Party Lite's Zen...
this candle scent rocks. I've been giving it away to all my friends (here in iowa city anyways) if you live out of this area, get them!! It's tranquil and relaxing.

This week's read pix (for the "mental" sense)
Banned Books Week September 23- 30

2006-09-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Very Merry Scandalous Birthday to you!

2006-09-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, movie attempt...this is much easier than loading one right into the blog - javascript and coding aside, linking is just better :)

here?

Hope that worked.

2006-09-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Belated Blog Announced Bday to Drew. (Was Sept 15th) If I figure out how to post movie clips to blogger I will also include a rendition of Kriss Kross "Jump" that earned free beer.

Also, have an interview on Wednesday. Wish me luck.

Broken But Reassembled Like New

2006-09-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

How many of you out there find successful outlets to venting anger or releasing stress and anxiety? Sometimes life is just so annoying or messed up or worriesome that you have very little recourse than to exhaust yourself in a fight with a pillow, a good bitch session with a friend, journaling, or an attempt at relaxation techniques.

Well, I know I have. Often, Stitchy, my fearless stuffed bear takes the brunt of my frustrations, both in becoming "SuperStitchy" (which means he gets hurled across the bedroom in hopes of hitting a wall) or playing kleenex to my more oft found faucet of tears. I guess psychologists say there is a "good way" to deal with stress and frustration and a "bad way." A good way would be to go and exercise. A bad way would be to exercise your fist into someone else's face. A bad way would be to drink yourself into a drunken oblivion. A good way would be to smash a tomatto and drink a home-made V8. (This is not being mean to veggies but creating a healthyoutlet) Of course, I'm not advocating combining the two (Bloody Mary) and calling it even.
The levels of stress and anxiety or frustration that many Americans feel today are prevelant. A look at the number of prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications can easily tell you this. It is no wonder that not managing stress/frustration can lead to so many physical health problems.

Mind over matter isn't just a saying folks. But maybe matter does play a part. Perhaps there is a reason why companies are able to sell "Stress balls" to squeeze, and mini punching bags for your office desk. That emotional outlet when directed toward an object instead of a person is better for sure, but then, that also can lead to some damage. What we all really clamour for, is a way to express our anger without suffering irreparable consequences. This guy has the right idea.

I don't have the answers. I just have random mussings. But I'll leave you with one image that often comes to mind when I think of frustrated, stressed-out folks...Click here.

Find a Spot.

2006-09-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

blah. I apparently currently suck at life. Is it the weekend yet?

On to lighter and more fun fare. Of the top 24 spots I would be "best suited" to live... 6 are in Wisconsin, 2 are in Illinois and curiously, none in Iowa or other midwest states...hmm...

http://www.findyourspot.com

That's all today kiddies.

*

2006-09-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

I can tell Fall is coming. Actually it is starting to permeate the Iowa Summer Air. This excites me.*
hiking to see the color-changing leaves, wrapping myself in big fluffy sweaters and drawstring hoodies, football games, tailgating, hot chocolate and apple cider, halloween (this year's costumes already include Family Guy and Bubble people from Dude, Where's My Car
**
and hayrack rides and October will also be a month of anniversaries.
DRAMATIC PAUSE...and the BESTEST NEWS OF ALL....
GUSTER IN IOWA CITY!!!*** SEEING GUSTER LIVE!!!
concert is on the Pentacrest, which means, not only is it free, BUT, if I try I can get a good lawn chair seat, and maybe meet the boys!! Oh this makes me so happy. And I know someone who will be happy to see Guster with me (if it doesn't start at 6:30) than Lifehouse.****

*A random list of things that exicte me will be a future blogpost. Feel free to take notes.
**Incidently, does anyone know where to purchase/rent a banana costume for a person over 6ft tall? Or where to get pre-made bubblewrap suits?
***This is an anniversary of sorts for Guster, as this will be their third time in Iowa City.
****Thanks for seeing Lifehouse.

Renovation or Relocation?

2006-08-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

So I have been contemplating a few other blog services out there recently. I am considering a move. Either a move, or at least renovating this blog, so it's a bit more snazzy. (I am giving myself bonus props for using the word snazzy)
I have been scoping out wordpress.com specifically because I can organize tags to classify posts....I know, maybe not nec...but the librarian in me is screaming "oooohhhhh" about that. (and the rest of you are probably screaming "whoooo, nerd" at that too)
we'll see what I come to decide, but this is forwarning in case change does occur. I know I know, some of you are probably resistant to change, well, guess what, the only constant in life, is that some stuff changes :) so embrace it if you can.
Also, got Season II of Dead Like Me from a little birdy tonight. Hung w. some friends at a place called the Red Poppy tonight, which felt dangerously like I was on the borderline to a potential drugbust for "hookah" which I guess IS legal, but doesn't it sound soo illegal? Regardless of legallity, place had really good organic tea. :) The conversation wasn't bad either.

When in Rome...

2006-08-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

I wasn't actually in Rome. But I did attend a toga party hosted by a good friend of Astrophysics boy. It was a pretty good time. People were friendly, pirates were present, and a golden retriever licked my hand. Sadly, the party didn't end on the best of terms, but luckily it had nothing to do with us and many of the other party goers who were all very nice and the wonderful hosts/hostesses.

Had I been in Rome, I may have missed the news that Pluto is now a "dwarf planent", cause well I don't speak Italian. Instead I got to hear a very logical explanation from a knowledgable source. So yay for science learning for the weekend.

Also went out to Bo James on Friday night for a going away party (been having many of those lately) so I wish her the best of luck (though she won't really need luck where she's going - a lot of coffee and a Boston Globe will get her through).

The other departed friend is hopefully doing well in her relocation. Hang in there girl. Mucho supporto from over here.

That is all for this update.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

2006-08-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

"damn straight they do. lol" - anthrogirl.

I watched this movie the other night. it's not on the afi list (at least I don't remember it being on the list).

I didn't really like it though. There was something sort of undercutting about a woman who "plays dumb, and is really smart" in that "women lose their charms over the years but diamonds are always like hard currency" I mean, then she goes and tells the guy she loves him, but that she wants diamonds from him and gets a tiara from another dude, that she seems to basically be leading on. Perhaps it's just because I didn't grow up during this era...but PUH_LEASE. It just didn't sit right with me. I did enjoy the musical aspect, and Jane Russell's character, but overall the movie left me feeling pretty cold and jaded toward blondes with alterior motives.

Here's Looking at You (Casablanca) Kid #2

2006-08-07T23:56:00.000-07:00

I've seen the ending to Casablanca at least 3 times. I always seem to catch it playing on some television station right as Bergman is tearful, and Bogart on the tarmac doing his oh so very selfless, chivalrous thing. Of course I did not understand his actions as benevolent until all the pieces fit together by watching the whole film.
This was also the first film on my AFI list that I watched on the projection sceen in my basement and with 3 other people. Thanks for joining in guys. ;) (was contemplating cooking couscous and honeycakes)
So, first off, I've got to say, I hadn't known that the song with the lyrics "a kiss is just a kiss" was from Casablanca. (can we say Sleepless in Seattle and a whole ton of other romantic movies that have since used this?)
Another familiar plot line. Woman falls in love with another man, when she believes her husband is dead. I called this as soon as Ilsa walks into Rick's. Can you say Pearl Harbor? (same time period...coincidence? I think not..."of all the gin joints...")
Anyways, I can understand why this film is included in every Film 101 syllabus. And I would have regretted not seeing the film in its entire grandour, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day, and for the rest of my life.

Rapid Eye Movement

2006-08-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been a blur of activity around the household. Starting with the return from the family reunion in Okoboji, and discovering to my dismay that my mother broke her leg. Or rather, her fibula at the base of where it connects to the ankle. For those of you medics out there, that's right, the hip bone is connected to the leg bone and the leg bone is no longer connected to the ankle bone for mom (at least until November) I feel so bad for her :( For such an active person to be inactive will be tough. My first joke though was that because she's immobile, she's easy to get by mobile. She's been on the cell quite a bit. Luckily my mother is a fantastic woman, and has many many friends here in IC that have been out to visit her and bring her food, and at the same time my friend Cassi has been staying with the Winklers, and she's been great at pitching in with the family chores. I love that girl...not just for her attitude but her wonderous ability to have so much energy when it comes to household duties that aren't even hers. She's a guest for goodness sake, and yet, she's washing dishes and clearing the table just like me. She's my bestest twin sister ever. :)
In related news, I was hesitant to go due to mom's injury, but leaving her in capable hands (and feet of others) I did head up to Ames to help with the move in process for the Astrophysicist in training. It was a very smooth gig and his folks and sis were very nice, (they even got me a cake, gift and dinner for my birthday! How very very very thoughtful of them! THANK YOU!)
The rest of the birthday festivities commenced in IC this weekend, which included a wonderful birthday cake designed by Maggie for Laura, Elissa and myself. Thank you!!! Special thanks to Laura for sharing her nighttime activities with me. Such fun.
Thanks to everyone who called, emailed, facebooked (and yah, that's gonna be in Webster's in a few years) and well-wished in person. You all make my time here on Earth that much more enjoyable. (Sounds sappy I know...but it's true)
This next week will consist of working, and helping mom and then this weekend will be Madison for Beerfest. Should be an interesting time.

Vacation all I ever wanted, time to get away

2006-07-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

Returned from Okoboji on Tuesday night with an injured passenger :( but I think we had a good time overall. Tried some waterskiing, had a baby shower for a cousin once removed (but not quite removed from the womb yet) nutty bars, night boat rides, a little air hockey (one of the best comebacks in a long time!) swimming and sleep.
We also went to Pirates of Penzance on Friday night which was so much fun! It's a good funny musical/opera. We also joined some friends at the campground to hang out for a bit, which was also fun. The new bikini fit well, and the stomach rash has gone away. So the outlook is good at the moment. Still working on the full time job front (the CPL is only part time) ACT has apparently started interviewing for the Information Resource Specialist position, but they haven't called me yet...
Had a good swim in the North Liberty pool today also.
Allrighty, that is all.
Congrats to Trac on the job!

Dead and Gone Like Me

2006-07-20T15:35:00.000-07:00

Actually this title comes from a t.v. show I just discovered via Sci-Fi, which I now want to go out and rent the entire first season to watch. It's totally the type of shows (movies) I like. Dark Comedies are the defence mechanisms of the mundane daily existence for the rest of us I guess. Dead Like Me is an interesting premise with a well written script and it is also well acted. I caught this last night while my father and I watched t.v. and mom and I played Scrabble ( i beat her 219 to 216. yes, that's right TOm, I BEAT someone at Scrabble, imagine after all these years playing with you online, I simply needed the board in front of me to win, though I don't count a 3 point differential "kicking ass" or anything.)
In other news the "gone" part. I will be gone to Okoboji Iowa this weekend, through Tuesday for my family reunion. Much rejoicing and such will occur (or so I hope) though this gal has to apparently stay out of the sun! WHAT!?!?! stay out of the sun on a LAKE? are you kidding me? Doctors are on crack btw. Or at least those I apparently wind up seeing. I've been on an antibiotic (which I'm posed to be on for the whole month which says on the bottle "avoid prolonged exposure to the sun) okay, well, fine, I heed bottle warnings. I was out for all of an hour on Monday, wearing a new bikini (which makes me self-conscious enough anyways right?) and low and behold about half an hour later, I start to itch on my stomach...well surprise....rash city! lovely right? so I'm thinking, okay, go see the doc. Tuesday morning, i see the doctor, and he's like, stop taking that antibiotic, this is a photo-sensitivity rash, and you can develop allergic reactions to drugs even after taking them for a week and a half. so, tah-dah, I stop taking it call the doc that prescribed it, and she says, "NO, keep taking it, it doesn't cause photo-sensitivity." - Except that it has to, b.c otherwise they wouldn't put a label on the bottle warning about it right? and besides the other doctor that saw me actually saw the rash and diagnosed it...so I go with his answer.
I seem to have rotten luck with health these days :( blah. otherwise everything else is going well...still looking for that full time job, so I can move out of the basement, and the ability to pay rent somewhere else (perhaps moving in w. laura or pete or cassi? who knows!)
anyways, the "gone" part also means I'll be in Naperville next weekend - going to see the King Tut exhibit with Erik and his folks...hooray. I am looking forward to that. and I promise I won't collapse in the museum ---been there and done that already.
Hope all is well with the rest of you out there.

Please Return to the Library

2006-07-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

I started work officially at theCPL today. The staff was very helpful in answering all of my bumbling questions. It was funny, as the Assistant Director did say I was the first substitute librarian they've hired in the middle of the summer, or rather, the most busy time of the yaer. However, I think I have gotten comfortable enough in a library setting--corporate, academic, public--to know enough about automated systems and generally where things are located, that I had no major mistakes, and very few minor ones also.
It felt good to be back behind a Circulation Desk. For my friends out there not in the library profession, now is the time to go "Weirdo", and the rest of you in the career will smile I'm sure.
I think working at the CPL will lead me to a very long list of new authors and books to read. Bring it on! I love reading ;)
I'm still awaiting word on the other job prospects, but I am in a very good place after the first day with a six hour shift and no real "shadowing" hehe. Throw me into the fray I say.

In other news: Okoboji plans are firmed up. Sat July 22 through Tues July 25. HOORAY!

I'm helping to design the ARLIS-STUDENT BLOG...woot for professional development contributions while not actually in an art library environment. and yay for the other IU gals and their combined effort in making the student voice heard in the organization.

So that's the update in this gal's world. What's new in yours?

Fourth Fun

2006-07-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

Your Own Fireworks

Defining BodyArt and Other

2006-06-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

My friend recently got three more tattoos to add to his existing collection of two. I was also discussing the BodyWorld exhibition the other night. All this makes me wonder about the definition of body art. Piercings and tattoos have been around long before the modern conception of ink and needles. For a history, click here.

In other news:

Oh yea, there's a holiday coming up. Something about celebrating our nation and freedom and the like...observe it if you wish. :)

Caryn's wedding is this weekend, which means Steve and Victoria are going to be in the Iowa City area for a few days. yay, I can give them the thank you note from SF that never got mailed....whoops...

Okoboji is fast approaching

My full-time w. benefits job is also hopefully fast approaching?? *cross your fingers folks* (ACT got my online resume, they won't start interviewing for awhile though)

I have too much free time on my hands. Am considering re-employment at previous sites..(B & N and PS) if they'll have me...as well as volunteering at the Herbert Hoover museum (though that's gas $ each week) Or in the slide library IF they'll have me.

That is all. Good night.

Feeling Wicked?

2006-06-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I attended Wicked at the Ford Center/Oriental Theater.
What a great show! The set was amazing, costumes were great, musicians were wonderful, and the lyrics were awesome. I highly recommend that everyone try to get tickets and make the sojurn into the city for a little escape from our own reality and entry into the land of Oz. It's based on the book of the same name (though loosely as I am discovering). It was very entertaining, heartfelt moments, as well as comedic moments. And the best part for me, I had some very cool people to see it with! So thanks for joining me guys, on a little trip to find the yellow brick road.

2006-06-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading the book Smashed and I recommend it to everyone. Yes, that's right, not just girls that are pre-college, but I'd also recommend it to the guys that I know. The author does a good job of describing her experiences growing up in the 80's and 90's, and it's a refreshing look at how raw those initial experiences where and how much time must pass before one can really evaluate why you did the things you did, or at the very least, what type of perspective you will bring to them much later.
I see many aspects of myself and my own college experiences in her writing and choices. This is what writing I guess is all about. How to find your personal voice, and yet, be able to make something that is identifiable and universal. So that, your audience, when reading goes: Ya, I hear you. I've been there. Or, Oh my god, I can't believe that happened to you. Her vehicle to achieve this reaction: alcohol. Something I have come to lately identify with a strange love/hate relationship myself.
You may think, wow, perhaps Susan is admiting in a blog that she suffers alcoholism. Well, I'm not. I don't need a drink a day or anything like that. You see, that's also a distinction the author makes. She basically says she abuses alcohol, but she's not an alcoholic. Interesting huh? But when you think about it, how many college age males and females do just that?
I'll admit I've thrown up from drinking too much and thought, gee that was stupid, I should know my limits, and not do that. (granted that's only happened twice, and once it was because I ate the mint leaves in the mojito w.o realizing you aren't supposed to do that). I'll also admit I've been drunk enough that I don't entirely remember the sequence of events of an evening. Ya, that was a scary night. I stopped drinking for a long time after that one.
Have I had to have other people take care of me after drinking? Well, yeah, that one scary night, and one other one that I can definately remember. Have I now learned to drink responsibly? I hope so....but one must ask themselves what exactly does that mean?
Does responsibly mean that you simply make sure someone's gonna be the DD? Does it mean you always use the "buddy system"? Does it mean you don't get behind the wheel of your car or someone else's if you've been drinking at all? Or had one or two drinks? Does it mean that you don't drink when you're underage? Does it mean you don't drink in a bar? Does it mean you watch the bartender making your drink? Does it mean you don't accept drinks from people you don't already know? Does it mean that you go up to the bar with your guy friends when THEY buy drinks for you? Does it mean you don't drink and then do something else, like pot, or hallucinagentic drugs? Does it mean you get drunk, but make sure you meet your friends when you're supposed to? Does it mean you don't get drunk and make out with someone on the street corner? or get into a fight in the ped mall?
I am a firm believer that underage (i.e. not 21) year olds in college or not, should, in fact, be allowed into bars. Because I went to bars when I was 18,19,20 and did not drink, but socialized with friends and danced. I also went and did the same at 21-24. I also believe that if I go into a bar, I am accepting that I'll be exposed to second hand smoke (unless the bar is smoke free)- and I'm also allergic to it. Sadly, I also expect that if I go into a bar, I am going to subject myself to possibly crowds of people, having drinks spilled on me, potential cigarette burns, having guys attempt to grab me, or dance on me, or try to pick me up, or feel me up. Should this be the case simply because I am a woman in the right age range? Of course not.
Have I regaled my tales of drinking that were more unusual or interesting to other people as "this one time when I was drinking" oh yea, I have. Am I proud of this? I don't know....I don't think i really am, and yet, what stories get told the most often when you're out with people in these contexts? Usually, it's, we got drunk and such and such happened. Or "man, my sister got drunk last night and it was soo funny." or "god, my roommate got drunk last night, and I had to take care of her ." And the inevitable "I don't remember doing that, I'm sorry, I was drunk."
Yeah, that sucks.
Have I spent a number of years taking care of my friends, making sure they had a DD, and offering to be it? Have I watched a number of them get sick from alcohol, yea. I've also tried to make sure they didn't do anything that was too crazy, that they'd seriously regret the next day. Have I been pissed at them for some of the stuff they'd said or did while drinking...ya? Have they been pissed at me for things I've said or did while drinking or trying to take care of them? quite possibly. Don't get me wrong, when I say I've spent years taking care of my friends, I am no martyr, and I am not trying to take any moral high ground here. I am simply trying to sort out the mess that I consider my relationship with booze.
I just finished my second year of graduate school, so I've got a master's degree now, and do you think that equates with being smarter about drinking? well, I shall hope so. I didn't drink much in grad school, I went out the first year with a friend, she'd drink, I'd go to dance. And yet, one night I did go out and get wasted...and I went to class while I was still drunk the next morning. And this year, I only went out a few nights and drank, but halloween, I drank, and then I walked back to my apartment through wet grass with no shoes on...was that stupid? of course. and did I not control my emotions? yup...cause that happens to me sometimes when I drink also. Did I go out one night and drink a lot of long islands, so I was definately passed my limit, and then go back to my apartment and decide to drink more? Yup, I remember doing that also.
Did I have a party at my parent's house last August for my birthday while they weren't home, and buy alcohol to serve my friends? yes. They are all over 21 btw Did I make sure those planning to drink stayed the night or had a DD? yes. Have I been out drinking, and had a pint of beer or a glass of wine with some friends to celebrate graduation, or catch up on old times? Yup and I walked home, or had a DD each time. Did I have some liquid courage in my system in order to finally tell someone I like them? yes, but I had a dd that night also. Did I have a shot bought by a friend, and a few margarittas one night? yup....did I get drunk, no. Did I have fun with my friends playing pool, yes. Did I go on a wine tour in Napa Valley, which meant I had a few glasses of wine, yup. But I didn't drive, and I had a great time socializing with my family.
So have I learned what responsible consumption of alcohol is? Perhaps. Did it come at a high price? Maybe, though maybe not as high a price as some of my other friends. And not as high a price as those that have died due to alcohol use, or the alcohol use of others.
So what have I gained from reading this book that is on the ny times bestsellers list? Well, I guess, in alot of ways, I'm like a good portion of the general population my age.

2006-06-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

P.S. Happy Birthday also to Casey and Ryan.

2006-06-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

In between passing out resumes, begging for jobs with health benefits, and watching a TON of soccer games (YAY, for the last one at least). I stumbled upon this website, via the Musematic blog...and boy, it's a fun fun creative way to waste a little time. Andrew, this would be up your "right" brain alley, if you wanna take a break from all that science, moving, wedding partying etc.
Creative
Enjoy.

Also had a great weekend. Excited to see WICKED in Chicago on Sunday....pictures to follow soon..

2006-06-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Erik!
(this is past due, as his birthday was actually on 06/08, but alas, blogger wasn't cooperating, and I was also quite busy after the initial 3 tries.

And yes, I did decorate the cookie cake.

2006-06-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Maggie

My first phone interview for a library job is coming up! Wish me luck!

2006-06-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

2006-06-05T23:24:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Steve!

2006-06-05T23:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Will!

2006-06-02T21:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jon!

2006-06-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

I heard a surprising and horrifying statistic just two days ago that I'm sure many of you are aware of, and maybe some of you are not. Regardless of whether or not you are aware of the statistic itself, more than likely you can put a name and a face of someone YOU actually KNOW with this statistic, even if you don't know they've had this type of experience, or maybe you can put your own name to it.
Perhaps it is just that I am, by nature, a very emotional and empathetic person, but, hearing these types of statistics does in deed make me want to mourn (and in fact, it did make me cry).
Statistics
Myths and Facts
So I urge you to do what you can to contribute to the efforts to combat these acts of violence.