After I wrote the last post, I was blessed even further. I was leaving the library and was thinking to myself that it sure would be convenient if I got the call to interview this afternoon, instead of driving up to Denton another day this week--and spending another 2 hours and $15 in gas in the process.
I was about twenty yards from the library when my phone rang. I was wearing jeans and a Batgirl shirt, but my non-professional attire wasn't an issue, so the interviewer asked me to come by in half an hour. This gave me just enough time to drop off my timesheet at the CDL and chat with Tihleigh for moral support (thanks, T!) before checking my lipstick and heading back to the library.
The interview went really well, and if I get the position, it's even better than I had thought--this is one of the rare day positions that opened, instead of only evening and weekend hours. Also, one of the available weekend shifts is Fridays, 10am to 2pm! The only problem in sight is that I have to take three classes this semester to be eligible (I only need two to graduate on time)--so that might cut into my packed schedule even further. But on the plus side, this way I may be able to take the course on Book Preservation!
Also, I got the call last night that Carmax got the truck back early, so Alex and I picked it up at 9pm. It was such a huge surge of relief to see our trusty paid-off vehicle in our driveway again!
...Well, back to work and school! :-)
8.31.2005
8.30.2005
A Sad Day
Not only because it's my last day at the Digital Lab, but because after 4 1/2 years of our fear of Nortel laying Alex off, it finally happened. That is, he got notice that it will happen "sometime" next month--how's that for news? "Yeah... we'll be laying you off, but how about you work for awhile in the meantime? And did you get the memo about the TPS Reports?"
So it's a time of tightening belts and folding hands in prayer. I am extremely thankful that upon calling Carmax, I was able to get our truck delivered back to the local store, and we should be able to pick it up tomorrow--so, hello again, baby truck! That's good, because I was incredibly scared and depressed that we'd sold our paid-off truck five days before getting laid off. I'm still disappointed, since we were going to buy a beautiful dark blue with white racing stripes 2005 F-150 with crew cab, four doors, electric seat, 5.4 engine, and the tow package... if this had only happened last month, before I'd had my heart set on it. But once again, God was faithful to provide us with a way back to our paid-off, usually dependable vehicle. May He bless it to run without fail for another 100,000 miles!
Particularly if I continue to work in Denton! Another thing up in the air; my application to the UNT Willis Library has been filed for three weeks now. I was prepared to settle for the remaining position, a Cataloging one, but was informed yesterday that the filled Humanities and Social Sciences position, the one I originally wanted, is open again. I've contacted the woman in charge and she responded that she would set up an interview with me soon. A ray of hope!
For several reasons, in fact. Alex's benefits cover us through December, but if I get a GLA (Graduate Library Assistantship) at Willis, then I can get benefits starting in January, even though I'll only be working 20 hours a week in that position. Plus, it would count as my six months of experience (in lieu of an unpaid internship) that I need to graduate in May.
This is in a way a mixed blessing. As I told Alex, we no longer have to wait for the other shoe to drop. For four and a half years, he's worked every day with the intense fear that he would be laid off. Since July, he's worked every single day, every single weekend. Now, that pressure is at least released, and I pray that in his next position, he will never face such chronic stress.
So, now we just need to get out Alex's resume to the four corners and get down on our knees.
So it's a time of tightening belts and folding hands in prayer. I am extremely thankful that upon calling Carmax, I was able to get our truck delivered back to the local store, and we should be able to pick it up tomorrow--so, hello again, baby truck! That's good, because I was incredibly scared and depressed that we'd sold our paid-off truck five days before getting laid off. I'm still disappointed, since we were going to buy a beautiful dark blue with white racing stripes 2005 F-150 with crew cab, four doors, electric seat, 5.4 engine, and the tow package... if this had only happened last month, before I'd had my heart set on it. But once again, God was faithful to provide us with a way back to our paid-off, usually dependable vehicle. May He bless it to run without fail for another 100,000 miles!
Particularly if I continue to work in Denton! Another thing up in the air; my application to the UNT Willis Library has been filed for three weeks now. I was prepared to settle for the remaining position, a Cataloging one, but was informed yesterday that the filled Humanities and Social Sciences position, the one I originally wanted, is open again. I've contacted the woman in charge and she responded that she would set up an interview with me soon. A ray of hope!
For several reasons, in fact. Alex's benefits cover us through December, but if I get a GLA (Graduate Library Assistantship) at Willis, then I can get benefits starting in January, even though I'll only be working 20 hours a week in that position. Plus, it would count as my six months of experience (in lieu of an unpaid internship) that I need to graduate in May.
This is in a way a mixed blessing. As I told Alex, we no longer have to wait for the other shoe to drop. For four and a half years, he's worked every day with the intense fear that he would be laid off. Since July, he's worked every single day, every single weekend. Now, that pressure is at least released, and I pray that in his next position, he will never face such chronic stress.
So, now we just need to get out Alex's resume to the four corners and get down on our knees.
8.29.2005
117 Online Student Questions
I'm working, and likely not to finish until 11:30 tonight--that is, if I'm lucky. The first day of classes is always a doozy. After I logged into my own online courses and quickly completed my first assignments, I found 117 messages from panicked students waiting in my work inbox. Yikes!
Well, that's my two-minute break. See you tomorrow!
Well, that's my two-minute break. See you tomorrow!
8.27.2005
Bye-Bye, Baby Truck
Adios! It was a sad goodbye to our first jointly purchased vehicle--90,700 good miles later, we put our truck in the good hands of Carmax. Sniffle--thanks for all the memories! Today, we picked up our loaner vehicle, a Ford Explorer, and dropped by Hot Topic on the way--Shrek shirt for Alex, a Batgirl shirt and Empire Strikes Back shirt for me. And soon we'll have the new vehicle... I can hardly wait!
8.26.2005
Attack of the Killer Ants!
Fingers the size of watermelons do not make for easy typing; neither does Benadryl make for easily maintaining consciousness. Alex and I woke up at around four thirty this morning being attacked my fireants. My old allergic reaction from childhood decided to flare up, and now I've got a couple of puffy, pink, grotesque fingers. So, I tried to work a little today, but it's funny how fingers are fairly necessary for navigating a computer. And when the Benadryl kicked in around 12:30, I was unconscious on the couch for a looooong time.
Once in fifth grade, I had to miss three days of school due to a single antbite, elevating my swollen foot. When I came back to school, either doctor or parents insisted that I use a crutch for a few days--try explaining that to your grade-school classmates.
Classmate: "Hey four-eyes, why the crutches? You sprain your ankle?"
Me: "Um, no. It's an antbite." I feel pretty silly when their looks get skeptical, and I become urgently defensive. "Look, I'm allergic to fire ants, okay?"
"Huh. So... How many ants actually bit you?"
Silence. I can tell I'm going to be the butt of jokes for weeks on the weirdness of this one. "Um, err, just one."
Like I needed any help being a dork in school. Let's check off the list, shall we?
1) Glasses (Plastic-rimmed ones with a pink and blue tint. In my defense, I can only say: It was the 80's.)
2) Braces (Not so bad on their own, but they kind of worked in tandem with the glasses)
3) Short & Skinny (Just at a time when the other girls started wearing bras for an actual reason.)
4) Teacher's Pet
5) Read Books for Fun (Works in tandem with #4, of course.)
6) Best Friend was a Six-Year Old (Granted, I'm proud of this--Amy is certainly the most awesome person I knew. But this had to look bizarre.)
Sigh. And why do I have this sick desire that my own children possess similar qualities? (Well, at least geek/nerd potential, not necessarily dorkiness: see here for the difference.) I think it's dual. First, I think it's natural to desire that you have kids that share your own interests--not some sad desire that they live the life you never had and fulfill all your dreams, understand, but so you have kids that are easy to enjoy and to understand. And second, I think it's because for myself and my husband, school from first to twelfth grade may have been less than ideal, but we had a blast in college. I have this theory that your enjoyment of college mathmatically equals the inverse of your enjoyment of high school.
Wow, this is suuuuuuper long, so in parting let me say: audiobook downloads from libraries: supremely awesome idea!
Once in fifth grade, I had to miss three days of school due to a single antbite, elevating my swollen foot. When I came back to school, either doctor or parents insisted that I use a crutch for a few days--try explaining that to your grade-school classmates.
Classmate: "Hey four-eyes, why the crutches? You sprain your ankle?"
Me: "Um, no. It's an antbite." I feel pretty silly when their looks get skeptical, and I become urgently defensive. "Look, I'm allergic to fire ants, okay?"
"Huh. So... How many ants actually bit you?"
Silence. I can tell I'm going to be the butt of jokes for weeks on the weirdness of this one. "Um, err, just one."
Like I needed any help being a dork in school. Let's check off the list, shall we?
1) Glasses (Plastic-rimmed ones with a pink and blue tint. In my defense, I can only say: It was the 80's.)
2) Braces (Not so bad on their own, but they kind of worked in tandem with the glasses)
3) Short & Skinny (Just at a time when the other girls started wearing bras for an actual reason.)
4) Teacher's Pet
5) Read Books for Fun (Works in tandem with #4, of course.)
6) Best Friend was a Six-Year Old (Granted, I'm proud of this--Amy is certainly the most awesome person I knew. But this had to look bizarre.)
Sigh. And why do I have this sick desire that my own children possess similar qualities? (Well, at least geek/nerd potential, not necessarily dorkiness: see here for the difference.) I think it's dual. First, I think it's natural to desire that you have kids that share your own interests--not some sad desire that they live the life you never had and fulfill all your dreams, understand, but so you have kids that are easy to enjoy and to understand. And second, I think it's because for myself and my husband, school from first to twelfth grade may have been less than ideal, but we had a blast in college. I have this theory that your enjoyment of college mathmatically equals the inverse of your enjoyment of high school.
Wow, this is suuuuuuper long, so in parting let me say: audiobook downloads from libraries: supremely awesome idea!
8.25.2005
But I Don't Wanna Go!
Monday will be my official last day working at the Willis Library Digital Lab. I'm so sad! It was only a summer position, but I love the work and I love the fun people I've worked with there. To prove the value of the fun people at the DigiLab, I present:Exhibit A, Nancy's pet goldfish website.
Exhibit B, Nathan's pig photo, recently shown at the UNT Union Gallery.
Exhibit C, passionate conversations with Nancy and Vale concerning Stargate SG-1, Battlestar Gallactica, and other sci-fi TV delights. (Um, no actual exhibit here, as I didn't make transcripts of said conversations.)On an unrelated note, we watched Sin City last night. I liked it; having recently read several graphic novels, I was more attuned than I might have been to how the cinematography echoed that visual style, and I loved it. That was fantastic! I liked the story and the interwoven chapters, but this is one movie that I have to say I couldn't watch all the violence in. Kill Bill has limbs and blood flying everwhere, but it's so outrageous it becomes near campy, which I like. Sin City was brains and white blood and ears coming off and the limb severing was probably the most extreme I've seen--think what happens to Mel Gibson at the end of Braveheart--only you see what happens, instead of merely seeing reactions to it. Ewwwww. So my take is:
Cinematography: 11 out of 10
Writing: 9 out of 10 (only because there are a few lines that are great in comics, and sound weird in actor's mouths)
Direction: 9 out of 10
Elijah Wood Creepiness Factor: 10 out of 10 (this isn't necessarily a good thing...)
Violence Comfort Rating: 3 out of 10
I'm not saying I wasn't amply warned about the violence. I was just glad that I was physically able to turn my eyes away when the occassion arose.
8.24.2005
Optical, Schmoptical
I just received two emails from my dad (see ridiculously low-res photo below), who is famous for sending interesting and odd links, often of an optical nature (appropriate enough, since he works with optics). I thought I'd share these fun tidbits with you: Optical Illusion Site 1 and Site 2. (The Mona Lisa one seemed easy, but then again all that Art History coursework probably trained my eye pretty well.)
These reminded me a bit of some similar optical illusions at the ColorCube site. The color cube is a three-dimensional take on the color wheel, and this site offers the cube as an actual puzzle of plastic pieces that you construct to make your own nifty cube (see photo above). Dad bought me one my freshman year as an art major, and it's served as decoration for years in my dorm room, art studio, and now my home. If you're completely obssessed with color, as I am, then this is your toy.
Wanted: Denouement
This literary device is desperate and on the run. Last seen in classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird, this character has been a fugitive from more recent literature, not to mention the cinema. Its absense was notable in the novel The Nanny Diaries, in which the end unsatisfactorially left the protagonist, and tha narrative, hanging with a recent apartment eviction, job loss, and romantic relationship barely resolved. This stressful and abrupt scenario must not be allowed to continue. Do your part to combat feelings of literary unresolve by communicating any knowledge of denouement's whereabouts to the authorities (probably best to try Thursday Next and her fellow Literary Detectives at SpecOps Division 27; or perhaps Jurisfiction).
Sigh. I HATE non-endings. What's the point of a book if it stops just when it gets interesting?
Speaking of books, and of Thursday Next's creator Jasper Fforde, I finally got to Borders yesterday and purchased Fforde's The Big Over Easy and Batman: Year One (in hardback, no less--woohoo!). I debated about buying Eldest, the sequel to Eragon, because it's 30% off in hardback right now, but declined because I haven't read, or even bought, Eragon yet. However, once Alex and I got to Sam's (to purchase our all-important dietary staple, tortilla chips), we found Eldest there for only $12--50% off! Woohoo! So, I still need the first book... Not that I know for sure that I'll like the series, but: they each have a big colorful dragon pictured on the front. Need I say more?
Although I've got to say, any "About the Author" blurb that begins by telling how the author began writing the book when he graduated high school at fifteen, and was a best-selling author by nineteen, has to make you feel a little inadequate. Or maybe that's just my guilty conscience grumbling about the three abandoned novels and the one dusty work in progress sobbing in neglect deep in my computer. Sigh...
If you're looking for a good excuse to avoid doing any actual work online, then this GE site seems like a good bet. I've only puttered around on it for a few minutes, having been alterted to its presence by a webcomic artist's blog, but it seems that you draw with the funky tools, then email the results to friends. It also looks like you can create stuff online with online friends--now that's a neat idea!
8.22.2005
Bright and Early
5am sucks. It sucks going to bed at 11pm, it sucks being really really awake trying to go to sleep because your body isn't used to going to bed that early. And it sucks that by 11am, you've been up so long that you're really just ready to leave work, take a nap, and ingest your caffeinated beverage of choice from the comfort of your home.
Especially when only about four freshmen showed any interest in the booth that you painstakingly set up at 8am this morning, for which you hauled yourself out of bed this early and applied makeup in a semi-professional fashion while trying to pry your eyelids open.
On a brighter note, the incredible wit that is Unshelved has hit a new high with a weekly color feature called Book Club--"the first rule of Book Club is: do not talk about Book Club"--that talks about a classic or otherwise beloved book. Sheer genius, now available in brilliant Technicolor!
I had a little time off waiting for my work partner to come help me lug my unwieldly booth equipment back from the Coliseum (no, not the one in Rome), so I read a little (for me, this translates as 75 pages) of The Nanny Diaries. It's either so funny it hurts, or so painful it's funny--I have painted murals for some of these people, and I am genuinely glad that I did not additionally provide childcare for them. The downside of getting extra time to read for pleasure--I'm now officially in the middle of four books, counting the audiobook but not counting the graphic novels. Arg. My brain can't keep up.
Especially when only about four freshmen showed any interest in the booth that you painstakingly set up at 8am this morning, for which you hauled yourself out of bed this early and applied makeup in a semi-professional fashion while trying to pry your eyelids open.
On a brighter note, the incredible wit that is Unshelved has hit a new high with a weekly color feature called Book Club--"the first rule of Book Club is: do not talk about Book Club"--that talks about a classic or otherwise beloved book. Sheer genius, now available in brilliant Technicolor!
I had a little time off waiting for my work partner to come help me lug my unwieldly booth equipment back from the Coliseum (no, not the one in Rome), so I read a little (for me, this translates as 75 pages) of The Nanny Diaries. It's either so funny it hurts, or so painful it's funny--I have painted murals for some of these people, and I am genuinely glad that I did not additionally provide childcare for them. The downside of getting extra time to read for pleasure--I'm now officially in the middle of four books, counting the audiobook but not counting the graphic novels. Arg. My brain can't keep up.
8.19.2005
An August Afternoon
...Another phone call for Snazzy Decor today! This is beginning to be a bit startling. I've had good periods of business, but this is truly insane. Was my business featured on the Google homepage or something when I wasn't looking? Not that I'm complaining. I can get paid to paint on lots of people's walls, no problem!
I'm beginning to get nervous about the start of classes on August 29th, though. I feel overloaded as it is and feel behind in classes that don't start for another week! Egads! Plus, not knowing my job situation as of next month makes my insides a little fluttery. I can always work 20 hours a week in my current job, so money's not really an issue, but if I don't get a library position--I'm currently waiting for word on one in particular--then I have to 1) pay for a six-week intern position (instead of getting paid for six months) and 2) try to get a job after graduation with only six weeks' experience.
Wow, graduation is only two semesters away. And with my current schedule, it won't seem long--amazing how not having enough hours in a day makes time rocket past at light speed.
I just looked at the course details for my digital imaging course (SLIS 5715), and I am delighted to realize that for the first time, using Photoshop is a requirement, not a handy way to avoid doing actual schoolwork. This, I could get used to! Now, if I could just manage to order my textbook on time and read the articles due before the first day of class--yikes, it's like they think it's grad school! Oh....right.
Random Note:
If life was fair, they'd still have small ladies' sizes of this shirt.
I'm beginning to get nervous about the start of classes on August 29th, though. I feel overloaded as it is and feel behind in classes that don't start for another week! Egads! Plus, not knowing my job situation as of next month makes my insides a little fluttery. I can always work 20 hours a week in my current job, so money's not really an issue, but if I don't get a library position--I'm currently waiting for word on one in particular--then I have to 1) pay for a six-week intern position (instead of getting paid for six months) and 2) try to get a job after graduation with only six weeks' experience.
Wow, graduation is only two semesters away. And with my current schedule, it won't seem long--amazing how not having enough hours in a day makes time rocket past at light speed.
I just looked at the course details for my digital imaging course (SLIS 5715), and I am delighted to realize that for the first time, using Photoshop is a requirement, not a handy way to avoid doing actual schoolwork. This, I could get used to! Now, if I could just manage to order my textbook on time and read the articles due before the first day of class--yikes, it's like they think it's grad school! Oh....right.
Random Note:
If life was fair, they'd still have small ladies' sizes of this shirt.
8.18.2005
Filled to Overflowing
Wow. I just got off the phone with another potential Snazzy Decor client! That makes two definite jobs this month, one of them involving 2-3 murals, plus two other very interested potential clients to meet with. I am scheduling out into September because I don't have that many evenings and weekends!
Talk about a mixed blessing--"overflowing" definitely means that I am thrilled but overwhelmed. Why can't I get one call a month, instead of four calls in one month? And how on earth are these people suddenly coming out of the woodwork? Maybe mural jobs are like relationships--you never find them until you stop looking.
Talk about a mixed blessing--"overflowing" definitely means that I am thrilled but overwhelmed. Why can't I get one call a month, instead of four calls in one month? And how on earth are these people suddenly coming out of the woodwork? Maybe mural jobs are like relationships--you never find them until you stop looking.
Frivolous Blogging
Sometimes the network fizzles out at work and they tell you you're on the clock, but to go enjoy a frivolous half an hour goofing off while they try to fix it. In a perfect world, I'd have brought the two new Batman graphic novels I got at the library last night with a raspberry frappaccino. But since I live in a flawed, although positive, universe, I'm sitting in the UNT computer lab printing reference photos for a mural, reading the newest episode of Digger, and blogging. And no frappaccino. (In a perfect world, frappaccinos would cost a nickel, involve no calorie consumption, and caffeine would be as healthy as vitamin C.)
I turned in my two audiobooks last night--I wasn't particularly impressed with either, although they helped make my commute to Denton bearable. I now have Interview with the Vampire and The Lost Mother, the only two audiobooks I could find in a two-minute period that looked interesting (I didn't have a lot of time to spend at the library last night, since I had mural sketches to complete). And don't ask me why I borrowed two more graphic novels when I'll be spending the weekend painting at least one mural. At least I can renew books online!
I turned in my two audiobooks last night--I wasn't particularly impressed with either, although they helped make my commute to Denton bearable. I now have Interview with the Vampire and The Lost Mother, the only two audiobooks I could find in a two-minute period that looked interesting (I didn't have a lot of time to spend at the library last night, since I had mural sketches to complete). And don't ask me why I borrowed two more graphic novels when I'll be spending the weekend painting at least one mural. At least I can renew books online!
8.16.2005
Weekend Summary
Alex and I were excited about going to play frisbee golf--just the two of us, this time--and I was going to practice the new moves he schooled me in a few weeks ago. But instead, we ended up selling his beloved "blurple" VTX1800. It sucks making adult decisions.
Then my mom and my Aunt Paula came to visit us for a few days. We had an adventure going out for ice cream in a thunderstorm that poured water in Biblical proportions--that's how far my family will go for a frozen, sugary treat! Then the next evening, I just finished cooking when the power went out--for about two hours! So, we enjoyed a nice candlelight dinner and then talked on the couch about hooking the fridge up to the generator to save the ice cream.
Today, mom and Aunt Paula left for Denton at the same time I did. I went to work, while they met a friend at Beth Marie's--only the best ice cream north of Antarctica. (See, I told you my family had a thing about frozen treats.) I'm still waiting to go get my Beth Marie's treat of one scoop raspberry truffle, one scoop raspberry sorbet for my birthday. I think I might have time around June 2006.
Once I post this, I'll work on some more mural sketches. It's weird how much longer it seems to take to create one tiny sketch than it does to paint something huge on a wall. Now drawing with pencils makes my wrists hurt. Linda Fawcett should be proud that her teaching succeeded!
Then my mom and my Aunt Paula came to visit us for a few days. We had an adventure going out for ice cream in a thunderstorm that poured water in Biblical proportions--that's how far my family will go for a frozen, sugary treat! Then the next evening, I just finished cooking when the power went out--for about two hours! So, we enjoyed a nice candlelight dinner and then talked on the couch about hooking the fridge up to the generator to save the ice cream. 
Today, mom and Aunt Paula left for Denton at the same time I did. I went to work, while they met a friend at Beth Marie's--only the best ice cream north of Antarctica. (See, I told you my family had a thing about frozen treats.) I'm still waiting to go get my Beth Marie's treat of one scoop raspberry truffle, one scoop raspberry sorbet for my birthday. I think I might have time around June 2006. Once I post this, I'll work on some more mural sketches. It's weird how much longer it seems to take to create one tiny sketch than it does to paint something huge on a wall. Now drawing with pencils makes my wrists hurt. Linda Fawcett should be proud that her teaching succeeded!
Dream Journal for the Last Three Days
8/14: Rutger Hauer played Lex Luthor in my dreams--talk about a DC comic villan crossover dream!
8/15: First I was Superman, then I was a chick and Dean Cain was playing Superman. At least this time I got the right actor in the right comic.
8/16: I was talking to kids in Africa, then Iraq, and it was really spooky for no apparent reason. Not a superhero in sight.
I wonder if the black tea is affecting my brain.
Nah.
8/15: First I was Superman, then I was a chick and Dean Cain was playing Superman. At least this time I got the right actor in the right comic.
8/16: I was talking to kids in Africa, then Iraq, and it was really spooky for no apparent reason. Not a superhero in sight.
I wonder if the black tea is affecting my brain.
Nah.
8.12.2005
Randomocity
Creative things you can do with boxes: FedEx Furniture.
What I'm Reading:
Inkheart
The Mists of Avalon (picked up about a month ago, will probably start reading again over Christmas break)
Chasing Vermeer (audio-book)
What I'm Looking Forward to Reading:
Inkspell (sequel to Inkheart, out in October)
Knife of Dreams (out in October)
What I'm Watching:
Deep Space Nine, Season 2 (and yes to Brandon, Gareth, and everyone else who always said you had to see the whole series and then you love it, it's beginning to get a whole lot more interesting...)
What I'm Reading:
Inkheart
The Mists of Avalon (picked up about a month ago, will probably start reading again over Christmas break)
Chasing Vermeer (audio-book)
What I'm Looking Forward to Reading:
Inkspell (sequel to Inkheart, out in October)
Knife of Dreams (out in October)
What I'm Watching:
Deep Space Nine, Season 2 (and yes to Brandon, Gareth, and everyone else who always said you had to see the whole series and then you love it, it's beginning to get a whole lot more interesting...)
8.09.2005
Once More, With Feeling
And here I was, promising not to overload you with multiple lengthy posts.
Ha, you foolish peasant, I lie!
Check it out: for those upcoming winter nights when your feets are frozed, the perfect answer: Killer Rabbit Slippers from Spamalot, the musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail! Not only do they keep your tootsies toasty, they also fend off things that go bump in the night, feral dogs, and unwanted relations springing in for unexpected visits.
And as if the slippers weren't reason enough to stage a musical, the cast features the talents of David Hyde Pierce, Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, and Alan Tudyk. Forget DragonCon, now I just want to fly to New York and check this thing out! (Well, okay, not "forget" DragonCon...)
...And Alan Tudyk provides an excellent segue into my next feature: more snaps for all things Serenity. I'm in the midst of reading a joyously long interview with Joss Whedon that you might want to check out. Not only does he discuss Firefly, Star Wars, and sound in space, he also talks about... okay, so I haven't got that far yet. But it's great, and you know you need the shirt.
Ha, you foolish peasant, I lie!
Check it out: for those upcoming winter nights when your feets are frozed, the perfect answer: Killer Rabbit Slippers from Spamalot, the musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail! Not only do they keep your tootsies toasty, they also fend off things that go bump in the night, feral dogs, and unwanted relations springing in for unexpected visits.
And as if the slippers weren't reason enough to stage a musical, the cast features the talents of David Hyde Pierce, Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, and Alan Tudyk. Forget DragonCon, now I just want to fly to New York and check this thing out! (Well, okay, not "forget" DragonCon...)
...And Alan Tudyk provides an excellent segue into my next feature: more snaps for all things Serenity. I'm in the midst of reading a joyously long interview with Joss Whedon that you might want to check out. Not only does he discuss Firefly, Star Wars, and sound in space, he also talks about... okay, so I haven't got that far yet. But it's great, and you know you need the shirt.
To And Fro
It's been a long day of errands, and now I can finally sit down to a refreshing cup of cold Blueberry Breeze Green Tea--thanks to Kali for introducing me to it!
Actually, I spent a relaxing time this afternoon visiting Kali's cat Riven. It's been awhile since I had some warm-and-fuzzy one-on-one time, and it felt good to have a furry friend curled in my lap and purring while I read a new book. I just spent $11 on two hardbacks at Half Price Books--is that one of the greatest stores ever, or what? I bought Summerland, which I had read about last year on Amazon, and Inkheart, which I had borrowed from the library, read almost half of last night, and decided I needed to own. The only thing is that since it's translated from German, I keep wondering if I'm missing some great descriptive language that can't be translated, or something. Yes, as in many other aspects of life, I am a paranoid freak.
I've been enjoying my new Toby Mac CD that I got for my birthday, and the song that I bought the CD for, Slam, is now featured on the Transporter 2 trailer; check it out! (It's in the last third of the trailer.)
...An added thought... It's now been over three months since I spent a month in line at Legacy for Star Wars. Pretty wild. But what's wilder yet is that even now, I am getting comments on it. A few weeks ago at the dentist, they told me they kept a newspaper article about me in my file. The same week, I had a meeting with someone I'd never met at UNT--for work, so I'm trying to act all professional--and the first thing out of her mouth when she sees me is, "Oh, you're that girl who lived at the theater!"
...sigh...
I never thought that the hard part would be after that month. It was fun then, when we had wallball and harassing teenagers and the Xbox; now I just feel like a big weird freak anytime someone in the non-geek portion of my life mentions it, particularly so late after the fact. Hasn't the statute of limitations run out on those comments by now?
Actually, I spent a relaxing time this afternoon visiting Kali's cat Riven. It's been awhile since I had some warm-and-fuzzy one-on-one time, and it felt good to have a furry friend curled in my lap and purring while I read a new book. I just spent $11 on two hardbacks at Half Price Books--is that one of the greatest stores ever, or what? I bought Summerland, which I had read about last year on Amazon, and Inkheart, which I had borrowed from the library, read almost half of last night, and decided I needed to own. The only thing is that since it's translated from German, I keep wondering if I'm missing some great descriptive language that can't be translated, or something. Yes, as in many other aspects of life, I am a paranoid freak.
I've been enjoying my new Toby Mac CD that I got for my birthday, and the song that I bought the CD for, Slam, is now featured on the Transporter 2 trailer; check it out! (It's in the last third of the trailer.)
...An added thought... It's now been over three months since I spent a month in line at Legacy for Star Wars. Pretty wild. But what's wilder yet is that even now, I am getting comments on it. A few weeks ago at the dentist, they told me they kept a newspaper article about me in my file. The same week, I had a meeting with someone I'd never met at UNT--for work, so I'm trying to act all professional--and the first thing out of her mouth when she sees me is, "Oh, you're that girl who lived at the theater!"
...sigh...
I never thought that the hard part would be after that month. It was fun then, when we had wallball and harassing teenagers and the Xbox; now I just feel like a big weird freak anytime someone in the non-geek portion of my life mentions it, particularly so late after the fact. Hasn't the statute of limitations run out on those comments by now?
8.08.2005
School's Out for Summer (Finally)
Euphoria!
Or at least, that's how I thought I would feel once I turned in my final project five minutes ago. I had planned to read something just for fun--gasp!--for an hour or two before starting work, to celebrate the course's end.
Instead, I'm hungry, suffering a sinus headache, and tired. It's thundering and dark and I just want to lay down and have my aching shoulders rubbed.
But enough complaining. I was all chipper and ready to write a blog entry yesterday, only I had to discipline myself to work on my final project instead. I'm currently all excited because I've been reading two Frank Miller graphic novels, The Dark Knight Returns and The Dark Knight Strikes Again. They are tres enjoyable--I really like the interplay between Batman and Superman's personalities, in particular. It's very gritty, particuarly the first one. Some of the art is almost too harsh and heavy for my style, but it is interesting to look at. That, plus thinking about Scott McCloud's book again, really makes me want to try my hand at comic art--just for fun, mind you; I have no aspirations to publish! I have enough creative projects to keep me occupied for five lifetimes, thanks.
Alex and I spent Saturday shopping for tax-free clothes. We were absolutely exhausted by the time we finished, but we managed to get everything we needed without having to face the mall! Our last stop was the new Super-Wally in McKinney, which is the most gorgeous Walmart I've ever seen.
One of the reasons that the Frisco mall would have been a bad idea beyond the tax-free rush is that IKEA opened there last Wednesday. I actually had a meeting with a Snazzy Decor client there on Friday, and let me tell you--I love this place! I bought five items with $25, and two of them were large stuffed animals (yes, I bought myself a dragon and a frog prince--leave me alone, it was my birthday money!).
Speaking of Snazzy, business is going well. I have a previous client interested in two or more new murals, and I just got a call this afternoon about another nursery possibility. I love this work! I just wish it was more predictable--now I'm wondering how I will fit in the fall semester classes and my 20-30 hour a week job(s) at UNT. Sigh.
Well, I still have the headache, hunger, and weariness, but I sure feel more positive after remembering what a good week I just had! Cheerio!
Or at least, that's how I thought I would feel once I turned in my final project five minutes ago. I had planned to read something just for fun--gasp!--for an hour or two before starting work, to celebrate the course's end.
Instead, I'm hungry, suffering a sinus headache, and tired. It's thundering and dark and I just want to lay down and have my aching shoulders rubbed.
But enough complaining. I was all chipper and ready to write a blog entry yesterday, only I had to discipline myself to work on my final project instead. I'm currently all excited because I've been reading two Frank Miller graphic novels, The Dark Knight Returns and The Dark Knight Strikes Again. They are tres enjoyable--I really like the interplay between Batman and Superman's personalities, in particular. It's very gritty, particuarly the first one. Some of the art is almost too harsh and heavy for my style, but it is interesting to look at. That, plus thinking about Scott McCloud's book again, really makes me want to try my hand at comic art--just for fun, mind you; I have no aspirations to publish! I have enough creative projects to keep me occupied for five lifetimes, thanks.
Alex and I spent Saturday shopping for tax-free clothes. We were absolutely exhausted by the time we finished, but we managed to get everything we needed without having to face the mall! Our last stop was the new Super-Wally in McKinney, which is the most gorgeous Walmart I've ever seen.
One of the reasons that the Frisco mall would have been a bad idea beyond the tax-free rush is that IKEA opened there last Wednesday. I actually had a meeting with a Snazzy Decor client there on Friday, and let me tell you--I love this place! I bought five items with $25, and two of them were large stuffed animals (yes, I bought myself a dragon and a frog prince--leave me alone, it was my birthday money!).
Speaking of Snazzy, business is going well. I have a previous client interested in two or more new murals, and I just got a call this afternoon about another nursery possibility. I love this work! I just wish it was more predictable--now I'm wondering how I will fit in the fall semester classes and my 20-30 hour a week job(s) at UNT. Sigh.
Well, I still have the headache, hunger, and weariness, but I sure feel more positive after remembering what a good week I just had! Cheerio!
8.04.2005
Random Postscript
Kodiak just sent me the comic that proves once and for all that there is a logical explanation for how cute and cuddly Ewoks can easily kill tall, strong, armored stormtroopers. There, Ewok-haters; I rest my case.
And..... for all of you waiting for Robert Jordan to go ahead and finish his darned series before you're put into a nursing home, rejoice! Book Eleven--oh, how did we let this devotion go on this long?--aka Knife of Dreams, is coming out . (Yes, that's this year. I've checked it five times already to be sure, trust me.)
And..... for all of you waiting for Robert Jordan to go ahead and finish his darned series before you're put into a nursing home, rejoice! Book Eleven--oh, how did we let this devotion go on this long?--aka Knife of Dreams, is coming out . (Yes, that's this year. I've checked it five times already to be sure, trust me.)
It's Been A Quiet Week In Lake Wobegon
My new transcription soundtrack is Garrison Keillor's Prarie Home Companion (primarily the Lake Wobegon segments). A story I was listening to on This American Life, added with my recent itch to read, reminded me not only that I have several of Keillor's books on my shelf waiting to be read, but also that if I looked online, I might find the radio shows in streaming audio. The slow pace of the stories is less distracting than TAF, and thus I am actually transcribing slightly more quickly. It's very comforting and nostalgic--it reminds me of when those shows used to be broadcast on the television fifteen years ago, and my parents and I would sit in the living room, me sprawled on the carpet on my stomach, feet dangling in the air, and we'd watch this odd-looking man with the soft voice standing on this bare stage in St. Paul, telling stories that were funny and sad.
As you can tell, Lake Wobegon stories put me in a lyrical mood.
I was already feeling creative... I was cooking up story, painting, and sewing ideas when I came into work this morning, a mood inspired in part by my most recent Mary Englebreit magazine, and in part by a phone call I received yesterday for Snazzy Decor. A client I painted a mural for two years ago is moving, and wants the mural re-created in her new home. It seems interesting to revisit the same thing in a new place, and of course as usual, I am always excited to get paid to paint on someone's wall.
Last night, Alex and I spent a very pleasant evening with a woman from Hardin-Simmons, talking about scholarships and other alumni giving options. It was fun because Cheryl is a very fun person, but it was also so exciting to be actively involved in HSU again, just like last weekend's BYA activities. Last year, Alex and I both were feeling a bit homesick for HSU and wanting in some ways to return to Abilene, even though it's obviously not the same when you're not going to school and many of your friends have left. This is such an exciting way to not only be a part of HSU again, but to make a difference and give back something to a place that has meant so much to both of us.
I'm in danger of this becoming a long post again, so I'll quickly sign off!
As you can tell, Lake Wobegon stories put me in a lyrical mood.
I was already feeling creative... I was cooking up story, painting, and sewing ideas when I came into work this morning, a mood inspired in part by my most recent Mary Englebreit magazine, and in part by a phone call I received yesterday for Snazzy Decor. A client I painted a mural for two years ago is moving, and wants the mural re-created in her new home. It seems interesting to revisit the same thing in a new place, and of course as usual, I am always excited to get paid to paint on someone's wall.
Last night, Alex and I spent a very pleasant evening with a woman from Hardin-Simmons, talking about scholarships and other alumni giving options. It was fun because Cheryl is a very fun person, but it was also so exciting to be actively involved in HSU again, just like last weekend's BYA activities. Last year, Alex and I both were feeling a bit homesick for HSU and wanting in some ways to return to Abilene, even though it's obviously not the same when you're not going to school and many of your friends have left. This is such an exciting way to not only be a part of HSU again, but to make a difference and give back something to a place that has meant so much to both of us.
I'm in danger of this becoming a long post again, so I'll quickly sign off!
8.01.2005
Purtiest Town That I've Ever Seen
(Tell me again: how did it get to be August already?)
On Thursday, I had a wonderful birthday evening with friends and shishkabobs. Alex showered me with more presents on Friday and then we left to go to Abilene for the weekend. I had a Board of Young Associates meeting at our alma mater, Hardin-Simmons. (Go, cowboys!) I had a great time catching up with old friends like my "mudbuddy" (sometimes you have to be an art major to understand these things) Kathryn, who is making me proud in her dream job at the Old Jail Art Center in Albany. I'm on the Student Recruiting Committee, which means we're trying to interest high school students in attending HSU. The meetings were fun and interesting, and I'm really excited about what my committee is attempting to accomplish.
...And in case my title seems a little obscure, it refers to the song about Abilene that plays in an infinite loop if you are put on hold while calling the Abilene Visitors & Convention Bureau. While at HSU, my roomie Martha worked there, and since I called her a lot, I heard this song... a... lot. It's now physically impossible for me to hear the word Abilene and not start humming--or, heaven forbid, singing--this song.
Alex got to hang out with our buddies James and Jared, our Abilene host, and discuss their destructive plans for the next fireworks display at New Year's. I had a great time hanging out at Jared's, as usual, although his fridge has something against me. I banged my head on its doorframe for the second time--causing minor swelling, a cut, and an annoying bruise. Alex says he's never known someone so short who so routinely bashes their skull into objects. I think it's because my eye-level is so low that I don't notice objects that are in easy eyesight for people or normal height--such as refrigerator doorframes, cabinet doors, and Assorted Items I Have Banged Into In My Garage (including, but not limited to, plastic tubs and metal piping).
And that's all the news from Starrlett!
On Thursday, I had a wonderful birthday evening with friends and shishkabobs. Alex showered me with more presents on Friday and then we left to go to Abilene for the weekend. I had a Board of Young Associates meeting at our alma mater, Hardin-Simmons. (Go, cowboys!) I had a great time catching up with old friends like my "mudbuddy" (sometimes you have to be an art major to understand these things) Kathryn, who is making me proud in her dream job at the Old Jail Art Center in Albany. I'm on the Student Recruiting Committee, which means we're trying to interest high school students in attending HSU. The meetings were fun and interesting, and I'm really excited about what my committee is attempting to accomplish.
...And in case my title seems a little obscure, it refers to the song about Abilene that plays in an infinite loop if you are put on hold while calling the Abilene Visitors & Convention Bureau. While at HSU, my roomie Martha worked there, and since I called her a lot, I heard this song... a... lot. It's now physically impossible for me to hear the word Abilene and not start humming--or, heaven forbid, singing--this song.
Alex got to hang out with our buddies James and Jared, our Abilene host, and discuss their destructive plans for the next fireworks display at New Year's. I had a great time hanging out at Jared's, as usual, although his fridge has something against me. I banged my head on its doorframe for the second time--causing minor swelling, a cut, and an annoying bruise. Alex says he's never known someone so short who so routinely bashes their skull into objects. I think it's because my eye-level is so low that I don't notice objects that are in easy eyesight for people or normal height--such as refrigerator doorframes, cabinet doors, and Assorted Items I Have Banged Into In My Garage (including, but not limited to, plastic tubs and metal piping).
And that's all the news from Starrlett!
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