unsettled

He says it better.

2011-11-15T21:47:00.001-08:00

I know many of you are aware of my ardent attachment to Stephen Colbert. But lest you think I have foresaken his forefather, I will tell you that I am an equally avid fan of Jon Stewart. And this is why...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Penn State Riots

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

I love this show. It's funny. It's timely. It's passionate. It's smart. Is Jon Stewart a liberal...I'm pretty sure that's a big YES. Is he a Democrat...hmm, I have a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't want to be put in the same category with such clowns. I only know that he's smart, he's articulate, and he's changed my admittedly stubborn mind on more than one occasion. He's turned being informed into the sexy, hilarious, intelligent trait that it always should have been. Stephen will always have my heart, but it's Jon that stimulates my mind.

side note: Perhaps it's because I have no serious attachment to college football, or football in general, that this story did not have me torn in two. I have no allegiance to this team or this university or this sport, and so I can say that, yeah, it's easy for me. Child molesters and those who harbor child molestors are bad and should be punished. At the very least fired from their high profile positions. But I have to say, that had this happened at U of A, while I was a student, I can't imagine that I would have rioted for the reinstatement of a certain, famous basketball coach.

It's not you. It's me.

2011-10-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Terra Nova,

This sort of letter is never easy. I guess I could start with, I think you have a great personality. You do! You're interesting and easy on the eyes, but there just seems to be...something missing.

When TV Guide set us up, I think we were all sure that this would be a match made in heaven. You are a cheesy, sci-fi, TV show. And I LOVE cheesy, sci-fi, TV shows. How many times have I seen V (the original, not that recent mockery of a remake)? And you are chock full of dinosaurs. I can't even remember how many times I saw Jurassic Park in the theater. Lots. I love dinosaurs so much that I have even seen Jurassic Park 2...more than once. That's how much I love cheesy sci-fi and dinos. And then there's the fact that you're created by the same guy, who had quite a lot to do with Star Trek Enterprise...the guiltiest of my cheesy, sci-fi, guilty pleasures.

Yes, we all thought that this would be perfect.

But I think we're just at different times in our lives. I mean, let's be honest. You seem to be looking for a serious connection. But I'm so busy, that all I've got time for is a light, half hour, quickie. And if I am going to devote a whole hour, well, it had better be mind blowing. I'm talking BSG caliber...great acting, great stories, and it had better look GOOD. And I'm sure that your acting, and stories are good... for some people, they're just not for me. I know you're asking, "But Star Trek Enterprise! Surely if you liked that, you must be into me?!?" What can I say, Enterprise and I just had that special something.

So Hot.

And as for looking GOOD. You certainly have nothing to worry about there. Come on, the hotness is a little more than I am capable of handling. But again, you push with your serious relationship. I mean, your hottest character...and I'm talking the hottest thing I've seen on TV since Joel McHale played naked pool on Community; he's that kind of hot, and you've got him tied down in a serious relationship. I don't want my hot guy living in marital bliss, happily settled down with his equally hot wife. No, I want my hot guy troubled and distant, so afraid of relationships that it's enough to sustain at least 4 seasons of sexual tension (maybe take a little lesson from X-Files) You've taken all the surprise and heartbreak and the waiting, waiting, waiting out of it. Boring!

But let's talk about the elephant in the room, shall we? Perhaps your acting and stories would be better if you didn't have so many kids. Come on! Three kids, two of them teenagers, and the teenagers have teenage love interests, and then last week there were two more kids. We all know what great actors kids make. Especially TV, kid actors. Let's not kid ourselves (hee hee), you've got no Dakota Fanning, no Growing Pains Leo DiCaprio...I just don't think I'm ready to see, let alone commit to some one who has so many kids...so many tragically, awful, acting kids.

I'm sorry Terra Nova. I'm sure that special viewer is out there somewhere, desperately hoping to meet a show just like you, with your dinos, and hot dad. But I think for now, I'll stick with my DVDs of Battlestar Gallactica. Robots, and Jamie Bamber, and all kinds of baggage!

Best Wishes,
Erin

TV Math

Things that I will never do

2011-10-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

Wear leggings or tights as pants.

Watch an episode of Two and a Half Men.

Oh Crow!

2011-10-19T00:15:00.000-07:00

Most of you know how I feel about crows. If not, it's safe to say that they rank right up there with whales and cats. I love 'em! So clever, so funny to watch, and while not quite melodic; possessed of their own kind of compelling cacophony. My fondness is marked and sincere, even if they don't know it and sometimes dive-bomb me while I'm on a neighborhood run, or eat my unattended, reconstituted, backpacking eggs.

Please note the beak holes.

And no, my encounters aren't all bad. What about the time I saw a crow caw on an early, chilly morning, and swore I saw his breath? And all the times out at the bookstore when I would watch their evening commute to the rookery? Standing outside, eyes to the darkening sky while they flew passed in all their magnificent multitudes, heading home after a long day of crow-awesomeness... yes, I like crows. A lot.

And so today when I saw a crow face plant into a pane of glass, I couldn't help the involuntary "OOOOH!" that escaped, and the urge to rush in and help him. Good thing I didn't, as he quickly brushed it off and flew on, with what I'm certain was a backward glance at the glass (and perhaps me as well) of the kind you give that raised bit of sidewalk that trips you up. It sounds much worse than it was.

I was walking along the outside, upper-level of the library at school where a railing, complete with clear glass, encircles the patio. The crow was sitting on the back of a chair, saw me approaching, and attempted to fly down to the lower level until he was abruptly halted by that pesky glass. The clatter of his beak and feet, combined with the soft "woomph" of his body, and his little, post-collision, head shake was pretty funny. Which is why my "OOOOH!" was accompanied by a little bit of a laugh. It's one of the few times I've seen a crow do something stupid, or be less than composed. (Don't crows have that put-together, regal feeling about them, even when they're eating cold french fries out of a crumpled, fast-food bag?) I mean think about it...how many times do you see a crow as a road-kill victim, compared with how many pigeons meet that fate. I'm telling you, survival of the fittest, crows be smart! I'm sure this crow must have been young, or new to the area, but I'm guessing he's not going to forget about that glass pane next time.

I hope he doesn't equate the incident with me, because we all know that crows remember faces... it might be time to transfer schools.

Completely accurate diagram of the incident.

What Matters

2011-10-07T01:05:00.000-07:00

We mourn what is important to us. We mourn what matters.

Steve Jobs passed away this week. And judging from the internet noise, and social media flurry; he mattered. And it's hard to claim that he didn't. As an innovator, he changed technology and altered how we compute, communicate, and consume in ways we are only now realizing. If not for Steve Jobs and I-Pods, I would still be rocking out to the Wallflowers on my Discman. Instead, I rock out to the Wallflowers on my MP3 player. No, it's not an I-Pod, but it's certainly a cousin or other distant relative. My touch screen LG phone would not be the same had the I-Phone not come first. And I'm sure that sometime down the road, a tablet computer is out there, waiting for me. I myself don't own any Apple products, nor do I plan to. I find their cost prohibitive in the sense that why would I pay so much for a cute, little apple icon when I can spend a lot less money, a few months later, on what I believe to be a higher quality, comparable item. Plus, I really don't want to unlearn all my PC ways.

Yes, Steve Jobs mattered, and his passing is terribly sad. So bright, so young. The world is different without him.

But the world is also different without Wangari Maathai. She passed away September 25, 2011, almost two weeks ago. She was 71, she succumbed to ovarian cancer. But that same internet/media noise that bugled the passing of Steve Jobs, was strangely silent for Wangari Maathai. And I saw nothing from my social media friends mourning her passing. It's not a judgment. I myself wouldn't have known had I not happened upon the story at the bottom of another online news item. And at this point, I'm sure you're asking, "Why would I care about someone I don't think I've ever heard of (though I think her name does sound vaguely familiar)?"

Wangari Maathai was a scientist, professor, politician, and activist. Her Green Belt Movement planted trees across Kenya, focused on environmental conservation, and worked to protect women's rights in a place where, let's face it, women's rights don't have an easy time of it. She served several months in jail after being held in contempt of court during her divorce proceedings; a divorce from a man who claimed she was too strong-willed and couldn't be controlled. And, oh yeah, she was the first and only African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize (that same prize Barack Obama won, amidst so much controversy, his first year in office). Incidently, she's also the last women to have done so- winning in 2004- but the next prize is awarded tomorrow...if some of the internet buzz is to be believed, Facebook wunderkind, Mark Zuckerberg is in the running.

And lest you think that Wangari Maathai was simply an "African phenomenon," off of our "Western" radar, I'll just point out that she was also a New York Times bestselling author, with her memoir Unbowed, (available at Third Place Books..SHOUT OUT!), undoubtedly read by countless book groups across the United States; as well as being the inspiration of numerous, English-language, children's books.

So...what am I getting at? First world, gadget innovation, versus "all world," life-long, struggles? Technological consumerism, versus human rights crusading? Land fills overflowing with last year's cutting-edge, out-dated invention, versus Kenyan valleys thriving with, new, verdant life? No matter how I feel, one person isn't better than the other. Wangari didn't live a better, more world-altering life than Steve... and vice versa. All I can say is, I felt a strange "ickiness" with all the Steve Jobs love and the marked absence of Wanagari Maathai props. It's okay for Steve Jobs to matter. But I think we may need to reevaluate our priorities when one life matters SO MUCH and the other is barely a footnote in the next day's obituaries; virtually non-existent.

Mourn for what matters, but don't forget to recognize and mourn for what really matters.

Sick

2011-09-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

I love being an independent woman. But right now, I understand why people keep significant others and cars around. I am so sick. Disgusting, phlegm spewing sick. In describing my current situation, I told someone that I am "Typhoid Mary-sick, patient zero in a worldwide pandemic-sick." And there is nothing worse than being incredibly sick and having to take the bus, or worse, walk to the store. So right now, at this very moment, I wish I had car, or a boyfriend who would walk to the store for me. But mostly, I wish I had a car.

2011-09-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hmmm...I find myself procrastinating. Not on anything important, except going to sleep. So this newly, re-imagined blog was to be the cure for procrastination, or at least the more productive outlet of such. And here I am, on my virtual Friday night, with nothing to share and nothing to write.

Oh sure, I have plenty of things stored up in my head that I wish I had the time to draw a picture of so you could see it too. Or the time to really explain the little events of the week, so I wouldn't come off like some sort or raving, deranged, weepy fool.

Like the awesomest outfit I have ever seen, ever:
Super tight royal blue pants (no, not jeans, not even jeggings; seriously royal blue, skin tight pants), with a matching royal blue and black-checked, cabby hat; knee-high black boots; and...what would be the outfit's crowning glory, a tight black t-shirt with gold, sparkling lettering, declaring, "I want you to want me." And man, did HE ever wear that outfit. Just kidding, it was a woman...just seeing if you were keeping up

Or when I cried:
a little reading this story. About a high school hero.

Or the girl who was so terrified of a squirrel:
She was frozen in place on the sidewalk. I saw the squirrel before I saw the girl.. He was doing his squirrel thing, running, jumping, eating things in the cutest way. And then he stopped, and I looked up, and this girl was frozen right in front of him. She couldn't move. She thought about sidling around him, but any tiny squirrel movement had her taking a step back. Man, I could hear the Jaws theme in my head.

Or how I know what costumes the cats will be wearing for Halloween!:
Brody will be reverse Battlecat. You know, Orange body, green stripes

And Opal will be Dr. Claw's cat, M.A.D Cat

I think that's enough for now.

On the Midway

2011-09-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

Carrie needed to (wo)man a table at the Puyallup Fair on Friday, so I tagged along as her textbook-reading non-volunteer. It was pretty great.

Here we are at the Grange exhibits. Pretty cool!

My Scarecrow friend

Carrie doesn't quite measure up...as a carrot.

Washington: Canning Liberty for Freedom

Carrie! Don't get squashed! HAHAHAHAHA!

I love these things!

Next, we checked out my favorite part, the hobby hall. There were paintings, dollhouses, Leggo sculptures, but I couldn't get enough of the collections

My Little Pony heaven

Interesting that the boy ponies resemble the Village People

Carrie approves...before realizing it was new Star Wars

Harry Potter Leggo mini-figures

Muppets!

Cats rule!

And pandas drool.

And then we made it to the Midway, where we finally realized why our parents never let us ride too many rides at the fair...man are they expensive. and not nearly long enough for the price. We rode 2 rides. And had another realization, our inner ear capabilities aren't nearly what they used to be.

Just before our ride on the swings

While on the swings

Our feet on the swings

Of late, there seems to be a general ennui exuding from everyone. Trapped in this never-ending rut of the same-old, same-old. Maybe it was last night's adrenalin-inducing, and pocket-draining rides that convinced Carrie and I to venture out on at least one new adventure a month. It doesn't have to be pricey, it doesn't even have to cost any money, it just has to be something new... and out of the house...and adrenalin-inducing. How about the opera? Kayak carol singing? Just the beginning.

One Perfect Summer

2011-09-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe not perfect; I can think of a few faces I would have loved to see. But as summers go, it was truly wonderful. I'm not sure I have ever really appreciated a summer break as much as I did this year. Perhaps more so now, looking back as I burrow deeper, and deeper into the cold, dark, reeking, endless tunnel that is the 2L year. Side note: as that is my assessment one month in, I can only assume that things will be looking up soon...or at least by May. So as your neglectful blog author, short on time (mine) and attention span (yours), I simply offer some of my favorite photos of the summer, and a promise to be a better chronicler in future...

PS: not all of these photos are mine...sorry friends for taking without asking. I'll be sure to credit you if anyone comes calling!

Various Summer Fun: Me and SalmonPants together at last, thanks to Patrice!; finally our own Washoe board (Carrie and I are sharing joint custody); playing said washoes with Colleen; delicious 4th of July barbeque; The AZ parents in kayaks, on Lake Union, in front of the Space Needle; and me with a PBR in my back pocket...classy!

Harry Potter 7.2: The end of an era.

Warrior Dash: Carrie and my legs after the mudpit; Wendy and her warrior clan.

Finally finished with 1L year: Debbie and I float off on the water taxi for pizza and illegally consumed beverages in Alki. Nothing like breaking a few city ordinances to say, "Fuck you!" to the first year of law school

Shi Shi Beach Backpacking trip: Me, the seastar scavenger, and Trish the coffee/firepit maven, plus some pretty amazing scenery

Guatemala: It's hard to summarize this magical trip. So that's all I will say, it was magical.

The Arch

Try juggling to quit smoking!

This is Dennis' photo, but I love it SO much

A blurry menage a trois

Some awesome girls on an awesome volcano

Saying goodbye

Aidan: I wasn't there for this shot, but I think it is the greatest picture ever.

2011-09-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

It's been a long, long, long, long time. I find myself wiling away my free time (what little there is) viewing and reviewing all the same old websites. Nothing special, I check facebook, oh, 8 or 9 times...an hour. I page through countless celebrity fashion images. And I check out the news. (Thankfully, I seem to have lost the desire to waste countless hours playing word games...if you don't count Words With Friends, but that's only on my phone, during my commute.) But this year, it's only taken a little over a month of school to become utterly bored with the same old routine. So I thought, why not spend that time in an actual creative pursuit. Say, writing, and sharing stories with those of you that I don't get to talk to as much as I'd like. That was the point of this blog in the first place. And Lord knows, I am sorely lacking in creativity of late. Produce, create, contribute, share. Those will be my procrastination tools from now on.

Hitler to Hipster

2011-07-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Read this:
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2011/what-would-godwin-say-hipsters/

And if you don't want to take the time, at least read this...you damn hipster.

Calling someone ‘hipster’ is the ultimate judgmental move. It’s a superficial word that essentially means nothing – you use it when you don’t know someone well enough to hate them for a specific reason. Getting to know someone gives you the ammo you need to hate on them in a proactive way. You can target your insults and make them count. You can say, “So-and-so needs to take a fucking shower and read a goddamn book that wasn’t written in the 20^th century,” and it’ll feel good, because you’re hating based on concrete observations and not on snap judgments.

Let’s just accept that we have ruined the word ‘hipster,’ that it means someone wearing flannels and skinny jeans or like… a onesie, or Buddy Holly glasses or deck shoes or… I don’t know, feather hair extensions or elbow patches or cardigans or… black pants, it means someone who listens to music and reads books; that it quite literally means nothing anymore, that everyone is a hipster and no one is a hipster. Let’s retire ‘hipster’ from the lexicon and start insulting each other with some goddamn dignity.

I'll Give You a Renaissance

2011-04-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

Various parents, avert your eyes. I've finally decided on my celebrity threesome. Stephen Colbert (natch) and James Franco...CURVEBALL! You never saw that coming! That's right, James Franco. Not that other James (ahem, McAvoy...sorry, my love). Watch all of these clips and you will understand.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Renaissance Nemesis - Frank Jameso

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

James Franco Pt. 1

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

James Franco Pt. 2

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

The interview reaches its climax (hee hee) when it devolves into an honest to goodness Lord of the Rings debate. Nailed it!

Also, who wants to see Your Highness?

Backpack, Backpack

2011-03-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

My new backpack. Isn't she the most beautiful backpack you have ever seen? She is an Osprey Brand, named Ariel, like the Little Mermaid! And she is orange like the color of the Little Mermaid's hair. And like the Little Mermaid, I covet and hoard possessions and store them in some catacombs. Also I comb my hair with a fork. And I sold my voice to the Sea Witch for some legs and a chance to meet a man who has no idea I exist. And I can talk to fish....off topic. Ariel and I are going to have some pretty fantastic times this summer. First in Guatemala and then out to Shi Shi Beach. Here's wishing her

a long life and many travels...mostly because she was very expensive.

Here I am wearing the backpack the improper way, much like the Little Mermaid would probably try to wear the backpack.

And a little movie 'cause it makes me happy, and it's so true.

TV's Brian Dennehy

2011-03-19T21:47:00.000-07:00

       At wine tasting today, there was a baby that looked
       just like Brian Dennehy. I couldn't stop staring. Carrie
           took this covert photo...sorry it's not bigger, the
                          parents were starting to notice.

Clear Vision

2011-03-19T00:50:00.000-07:00

Dear friends Carrie and Trish
convinced me about the wisdom
of Vision Boards. A bulletin board
featuring your hopes, dreams, aspirations,
or just pretty things to look at for the
next little while. They update their boards
every year, but I think I might try a
rotating vision. Complete something,
add something new.

It just serves as a reminder, a little nudge...
helping me remember the person I want to
be, the things I'd like to do.
I imagine learning to surf may be tacked to
my vision board for quite some time,
but some day I'll do it.

PS: Beautiful wine cork board compliments
of Carrie for gluing, and both Carrie and
Trish for drinking...I may have been
involved in the drinking.

Text Message of the Day

2011-01-27T21:16:00.000-08:00

Me:
Brody has highlighter on him, but I'm not sure how it happened. I mean, there are a lot of highlighters around here, but I didn't write on him.

Carrie:
Maybe he's relevant to your legal reading.

Mittens on Strike

2011-01-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

Tough day for the cats. A spur of the moment trip to the pet store meant teeth brushing, flea medicine, and protective covers on their favorite scratching post...THE COUCH! But hey, at least I got them some treats, and a new filter for their water. And all the thanks I get are some fairly deep scratches, Brody pouting in the closet, and Opal making faces at me. I give and I give...

Did I Ever Show You the Ducks I Made?

2011-01-13T22:39:00.000-08:00

No? Well, here they are...

Also, this carrot rattle.

And this giant Davey Crockett hat that is eating my nephew.

Happy New Year?

2011-01-13T22:18:00.000-08:00

Checked off the life list in 2010:

-race in a triathlon
-go whale watching
-sing at kareoke
-go to law school

I am a resolution maker. I find something cleansing and invigorating about starting fresh. But this past year clings to me like a dead weight. For some reason 2010 felt so challenging to me. It still feels challenging, like I'm trying to shake off the phantoms of a year that didn't go quite the way I wanted it to.

For one thing, looking back at my life list check marks for 2010... there just weren't that many. And some of you will say, but you're going to law school. And, yeah, that's big, and maybe if I enjoyed it more, I would feel some sort of accomplishment in it. But right now it's an everyday struggle to remember why I'm going in the first place. So it's more ho hum than wa hoo. And I want to hold out hope for a better semester, a better year; but it's tough when a wallow in the mud of self pity feels so much better than picking myself up by my bootstraps.

Carrie and Trish say that it was the tumultuous year of the Tiger that has us all feeling just that little bit off kilter. I want to believe that, if only push away my own responsibility in not trying hard enough.

Fall Thoughts

2010-11-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

Seems everyone is thinking about fall these days. It's that melancholy time between Halloween and Thanksgiving that has us all looking a little deeper. Here's a lovely email I received from my Step-Mom this morning. It's fall everywhere, in Nebraska too.

October and the start of November have been incredible, to say the least. We start most of the days with 50 degrees and daytime highs reach into the 70 degrees and over. An aging person's dream.

When I was a child I had to recite a poem and this poem stuck with me all my life. I don’t really know why but I assume there is some truth to it, at least for me.

When fall arrives, the leaves begin falling, I automatically think back to that poem. The last verse goes something like this: If you haven’t built your house, you won’t build it anymore. If you’re alone, you will be for quite some time; sleepless, reading, writing long letters, walking back and forth in alleys when the leaves are drifting.

I believe it was two weeks ago, when Dad and I went on the spur of the moment, to Summit Lake to do some afternoon fishing. We had a wonderful time. Dad out-fished from the shore the fishermen in the boats. The instant he put his fishing pole in the water he had a bite. He caught at least over 10 little crappies before the big ones started to bite. Usually I am bored out of my mind, since I have no interest in fishing, but this was fun. Dad caught enough fish to have a fish-fry the next day.

Yesterday was another one of those perfect fall days. We decided to go back to Summit Lake. The field had been harvested and everything was brown. We arrived at the lake and more fishermen, in their boats, were on the Lake. We went to our old spot and Dad started to fish. No fish, not even a bit. We went to another spot. Again, no fish. When Dad was reeling in the line a lonely Bass followed. The sun was low on the horizon casting long shadows, an old couple bickered getting their boat out of the water, and we decided to call it a day.

When we went to bed I asked Dad, "Did you have fun at the Lake even though you didn’t catch any fish?" He assured me, he had a good time. I went on to say, it was different than the last time. It felt somber for some reason. Dad agreed and the old German poem came back to mind. We re-hashed the afternoon and came to the conclusion; the harvested fields, the leafless trees, the cold lake, the quiet fishermen and the bickering couple had put us in this somber state of mind.

The point of me getting poetic, I never before felt quite like this. Wonder if getting old had something to do with it.

This is one of her great photos too. Thanks Marion!

Seattle Fall

2010-11-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

For all of you out there with a less than stellar autumn...I'm looking at you Arizona. Pictures don't really do justice to what fall is doing to our fair city. These images captured on my walk over to Carrie's house. I'm not sure I've ever seen a sky quite so blue.

Priceless Opal

2010-10-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

My Backpack Exploded

2010-10-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

A law school bomb went off in my house today.

Note the extreme interest of the cats.

NPR...I love you

2010-10-23T00:22:00.000-07:00

If you've been watching, or internetting the news today, you've heard that NPR has got itself in a bit of a bruhaha by firing renowned news analyst, Juan Williams. Now, Juan Williams knows his stuff, but it turns out, he's also a bigot. A bigot who gets nervous when he sees people in "Muslim garb" getting on the same plane as him. And people are saying it's okay for him to say those things because that's how he feels, it's honest, and we need to be honest when we talk about these things...bullshit.

Side note, here is a fantastic site to check out...it's a bunch of Muslims, in some garb...

I'm all for being honest, but not when your honesty is defending Bill O'Reilly for saying that "Muslims killed us on 9/11." I'm all for honesty but not when it only applies to this one group...although I think in the minds of people like Juan Williams, it applies to maybe Mexicans, feminists, Gays and Lesbians, and yes, even African Americans. Why are people defending him for saying this about Muslims when it's certainly not right to say, "I get nervous when I get on a plane and see someone in Black/street/gang garb." Maybe Juan Williams should be saying to himself,

"Hmm, I've been on several planes now where anyone could have been Muslim and still those planes have not blown up or crashed. Maybe my view of Muslims is a bit skewed by media sources like Fox News and Bill O'Reilly. Maybe I should go out and befriend some people who practice the Muslim faith. Maybe I should see what it's all about before I decide that I'm afraid of it."

Now I know NPR is Liberal leaning, especially compared with that bastion of morality, knowledge and truth, Fox News. But I stand by their decision. This isn't the first time Juan Williams said something inappropriate, and it's certainly not the first time he has violated NPR's code of ethics which says journalists should not participate in media "that encourages punditry and speculation rather than fact-based analysis." And besides, why should a news group like NPR have to support an "analyst" who does double duty with their complete opposite, Fox "News."

So, I was a rock; I ignored the Fall Pledge Drive, listening while they berated me to pledge my money...the money I use to buy the Top Ramen that feeds me. But today I ask myself, what's more important, my "nutritional" well being, or my intellectual well being? The $40 I just gave to KUOW seems to point to the intellectual.

Please, if you have any positive feelings about NPR's decision to fire Juan Williams, I urge you to pledge now. I finally did. I want a news outlet that doesn't just claim to be "fair and balanced"; a news outlet that may have liberal leanings, but leanings that I equate with intelligent, rational, kind thinking...even if Garrison Keillor wheezes through his nose when he exhales.

NPR is important, and if Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee are going to convince the federal government to revoke what funding it does provide (less than 2% of NPR's actual budget), they're gonna need my $40 bucks...and yours too.

Seattlites, click here for KUOW
Everyone else, find your station here and support it

Would like a bag for that?

2010-10-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

I found this while going through my computer, from less pleasant days at the bookstore. In this rainy season, this one goes out to all my TBP homies.

Would like a bag for that?

Correct Answers:

-Yes.

-Yes, please.

-No, thanks.

-No, thank you.

-I'm fine without one.

Incorrect Answers:
-Yes, it's raining.
-Oh, no! I don't take bags! Have to save the trees!
-That would be nice.(said with snark)
-Yes, I think it's going to start raining soon.
-Yes, I need to go to another store.
-Yes, I don't want you to think I'm stealing it.
-Yes, please...oh, don't you have plastic. Well, then no, I don't want a paper one...it's raining.
-Normally, I would say no, but I have the dog in the car.
-Oh, dear! I forgot my bag. I'm trying so hard to remember to bring my own bags. But I forgot it. So, I guess I should have one.
-Well...is it raining? I can't tell. Well, maybe, just in case it rains.

I ask this question over 100 times a day. I don't care why you do or do not want a bag. I don't care if it's raining, news flash...it's always raining. I don't care where you're going next or if you "normally say, 'no'". All I care about is getting you the bag with as little personal contact as possible. By the end of my shift, I wouldn't care if pigs were flying around outside and the bag was just to protect your book from flying pig feces. I just don't care.

Have You Heard?

2010-10-13T20:33:00.000-07:00

I have a nephew...and I'm pretty sure he's cuter than your nephew.

Told you.

Getting Schooled Part II

2010-10-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Joy! My favorite professor knows who I am! She is so awesome! Smart, funny, invested in teaching, passionate about her subject. I'm not gonna lie, I have a bit of a lady crush on her. I haven't been to office hours, and she's never called on me, and I sit the last row, aaaaaalllllll the way to the side of the room (not on purpose, I just got there late on the first day and all the good seats were taken). And she STILL knows who I am. That's how much I talk in class. I saw her on campus yesterday and she waved and said, "Hi." Omigod! It was like seeing a famous person! And realizing the famous person knew who I was!

I spent my undergrad cowering in the shadows, never, ever volunteering an insight or a thought, and now I think what a sad waste. I didn't have any professors to look to for recommendations or resources; it was like I was a ghost on that campus. And now, I really believe that participating in class is one of the best ways to learn. Maybe not raising your hand every two minutes, but actively listening, forming answers in your own mind, taking notes, engaging.

Though, don't be misinformed, there are countless days where I am too shy to look people in the eye. That terrified, little, younger me takes the reigns, and it's hard to wrestle them back from her. In fact I think she may have been in the driver's seat all along during those the first few months of school. But things are shifting. I'm working more on being myself; not for anyone else, not to get people to like me, but because I like that version of myself. And I've heard from others, that they think she's pretty cool too.

It's Finally Happened

2010-10-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

I knew. I knew, if I was just patient enough, waited long enough, and diligently charged my camera batteries...I knew the day would come when I would capture my very own lolcat. Ladies and getlemen, I present for your consideration....lawlcat.

Socialism

2010-10-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

As I grow older, the difficulty of saying goodbye increases ten-fold. Maybe because the more I live, the more I realize that friends don't stay friends for ever. It's not a lack of desire to remain friends, it just happens. Time and distance can't help but increase and amplify our changing lives. And facebook does nothing to help, I actually feel farther apart from people as I read their updates. Sure I'm in the know, but being in the know doesn't involve me and makes me feel sad for not being there to have fun with dear friends. Being in the know doesn't do anything but curtail conversation when I do meet up with people.

Friend: "Guess what I saw yesterday?!?"
Me: "A mime, walking an iguana."
Friend: "yeah..."
Me: "I read it on facebook"
Friend: "oh"

So I guess the lesson is...people grow up and move on, and social networking media is actually making us all anti-social.

Ironic to post these unbelievably obvious revelations on a blog and then link it on my facebook. Your welcome.

PS: This post is brought on by the birth of my nephew and saying goodbye to Christy.

100 Pushups!

2010-09-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am trying this again. Given the number of things I've accomplished this year, (also my flagging commitment to accomplishing things) I thought this the ideal project to re-invigorate myself. For one thing, lugging around pounds of law books doesn't have the same effect as tossing around countless boxes of books, and consequently my arms are re-flabbing themselves. And for another, this is a relatively small time suck. Just three times a week. Join me won't you! Here's the website...

http://hundredpushups.com/

On a hilarious note, as testament to my non-existent sense of commitment to a challenge; when I was searching for the push-up website I came across a website called 100 layer cake, which was actually a wedding blog. But not to be un-distracted I searched for the World's Largest Cake, which may or may not have been the birthday cake made for Las Vegas' 100th birthday, there's some debate on the subject.

Also, I found this picture of a giant pumpkin pie.

Summer at Last

2010-09-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

A terrifically beautiful, sunny day. 70, glorious degress. I told myself, that if I got through 2 days worth of reading I would let myself go outside for a run. And then I thought, you idiot! Get out and enjoy the sun right this minute! So I did. I packed up my Torts book and a towel and jaunted down to the park for a sunny, 2-hour, study session. Fantastic.

How Would Jesus Drive?

2010-09-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Last week I was reminded why I am happy to not drive. While house sitting for Carrie and Trish, I was granted car privileges. What a luxury! To be able to hop in the car and jet off to the store, or my house to check on my own cats. I will also admit to some fast food drive-thru. But above all, having wheels meant driving out to Lake Forest Park for a lunch date at Third Place Books. Seven miles may seem a short jaunt, but on the bus it can take upwards of an hour and a half.

So, off to see Wendy I went. Except, just minutes from the house I realized I had forgotten the little something I had for her. I was first in line at a rather busy intersection, and I decided loop around by turning right. But the light was red. And among other things, I wasn't sure that I could turn right on red; I couldn't see completely clearly, and since it's not my car, I'm a little hesitant to involve it in accidents; and I am very conscious of blocking crosswalks given my penchant for pedestrianism (new word, just invented it).

So I sat and waited. I had the windows rolled down, the music blasting. I was enjoying the breeze and the timid sunshine, and the freedom to go and do as I chose.

Imagine one of those blissful moments when all you have to look forward to is a delicious lunch and the company of a good friend... also maybe a compulsive book purchase. Can you picture it? Okay, now imagine you hear a weird noise, like shouting. You glance around, but see nothing amiss. Then you turn down the music and realize it is shouting. Pretty pissed off shouting, and it's coming from right behind you. There's a man leaning out of his car window, screaming. And turns out he's screaming at you.

Now, I'm not sure you get the picture when I say screaming. This man seriously wanted to murder me. Because, in essence, I was stopped at a red light, and he was stopped behind me. I would not have been surprised if he had had a heart attack from the fit he was throwing. And it was a fit. Like when a preschooler has had too much sugar and not enough sleep, and just melts down because they can't reach the light switch (Autumn would call this the sneaky, hate spiral). There was nothing rational about the incident. Nothing that connected the sheer vehemence of his rage with the one minute he had to sit there waiting.

One minute. That's all it was. Maybe less. I was mortified, because it wasn't as if we were the only people on the road. And more than a little worried, because how rational can a man be who reacts so disproportionately?

There were so many things I wanted to do. Starting with screaming back at him; childish. Staying put when the light changed; but there was the fear he would just ram the car. Part of me wanted to walk calmly back to his open window and advise him that the doctrine of turning right on red is simply a suggestion, not an obligation. And, that embryonic lawyer in me wanted to stomp back there, get him to punch me, and then sue the asshole for battery.

But, I did none of those things. I just drove off, out of sorts, and thinking; I can't imagine getting that worked up over something so small. Over nothing essentially. I thought I'm so glad I'm not like that, and what a trial it must be to be him. I'm not sure if that's compassion or self-importance. At any rate, just a few thoughts for the next time you unload some road rage. Maybe you're pissed at some girl that's just out enjoying life, and you being an asshole is going to ruin her day.

Won't You be My Neighbor?

2010-09-12T22:38:00.000-07:00

I have new neighbors. I don't like them. Here is a comprehensive list of why I don't like them (in no particular order)

They smoke: Okay, whatever, kill yourself, do what you want. Except when doing what you want means your second-hand smoke wafts into other peoples' basement apartments, which let's face it, don't have a lot of ventilation to begin with.
They are philosophical: Which, judging from the weed smell permeating the building (when not enveloped in a cloud of tobacco smoke); and the snippets of conversation I have been blessed to hear ("I mean, people should be terrified of other people, but they shouldn't be cowards...d'ya know what I mean?"); I'm guessing they're just high.
They have a dog: Now, don't let anyone tell you I'm anti-dog. Sure dogs are needy and smelly and dirty and dumb; but I love dogs. Okay...maybe call me pro-cat. But when your dog runs around the building, leash-less; peering into every ground-level window (which happen to be the basement apartment windows); thus scarring the shit out of any feline inhabitants of said basement apartment. Then yes, maybe I am a bit anti-dog.
They're artists: I'm not certain what exactly is their medium of choice, but I can say with somewhat certainty, that they consider themselves to be woodcutters. Hence, the terrifying Yoda-like statue, carved from a tree stump that graced the driveway earlier this week

I can't wait for the next building potluck!

Hairdo Joy

2010-09-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

Behold. The magical wonderment of the Mohawk Mullet.

No, it's not a mythical being. It lives and breathes.

Like a wild unicorn prancing on the meadows of Atlantis.

This is just an artist's rendering of the magic witnessed by Carrie,

Trish, and myself. We saw it at our favorite Mexican Eatery,

ironically named...El Chupacabra.

Getting Schooled

2010-09-11T00:07:00.000-07:00

I'm still not adjusted, but I will venture to say that I am adjusting. Of my five classes, I have two favorites, one that baffles my mind, and two that I find aggravating... though I'm on the lookout for improvement. But even the trying classes feel like a blessing. At least I have emotions about them, whereas the first week, it was all I could do to bring the right books to class, let alone form any sort of corresponding opinion.

I'm surprised to find myself enjoying Torts and Civil Procedure. The subject matter in itself is engaging but it's also the professors who make it so interesting. I'll even go so far as to say, my Civil Procedure Professor makes due process seem pretty damn sexy. Who could have imagined I would get so wrapped up in the ideas of proper notice and equal representation. Each day in these classes leads me to believe I made the right choice. Every time I sit down to study their giant books, I find myself giddy at the concepts I am able to tug out of the endless paragraphs, and how easily I am comprehending them.

But if Tuesdays and Thursdays in Torts and Civ. Pro. (that's cool law school talk) are my haven, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are a barren wasteland. A wasteland filled with mind-boggling Contracts theories and vocabulary; a Professor/Overlord demanding I sign up for a twitter account; and 50 minutes trapped in a class where it turns out, I don't know anything about writing...at least not the kind of writing they want me to know about. It's quite the set down. But as I said before, at least I am functioning enough in these classes to realize I loathe them. Strange to take comfort in that.

Tasmanian Lament

2010-09-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure that you are allowed to lament the death of a Tasmanian Devil if you are the asshole that injected it with face cancer.

This article talks all about Cedric, a famed Tasmanian Devil that may have been immune to a facial cancer that is wiping out the species. Sad, right? Didn't know Tasmanian Devil's suffered from a contagious face cancer transmitted through their bites, did you?

Turns out he wasn't immune to face cancer after all...oops! Too bad, they didn't figure that out before injecting him with the disease. But really, how are you gonna know if any of them are immune until you inject every last one of them. Seems like good science to me. RIGHT?!

Where exactly is the logic behind injecting an at-risk animal with the disease that is putting it at risk. And now you're sad that he's dead...BOO-EFFING-HOO! What did you think was gonna happen, you morons?!? Here's a tip, why don't you turn your astute minds to pandas next, save us all a lot of grief.

Rant, complete.

Do Over

2010-08-31T23:01:00.000-07:00

Starting off on the right foot means, starting off in a pair of shoes that are all your own. I chalk my horrible first week of law school up to the fact that I wore one of my shoes, and one of Christy's shoes on the first day (for those that don't know, my good friend, Oxford-bound Christy, is couch surfing at the Casa de la Ball until October) And yes, I really did put on two different shoes that first day... though in my defense they were both black Chuck Taylors, only 1 size different.

Transition is hard. I always forget that. I get so impatient with waiting for the transition to come, that the difficulty of it always blindsides me. When I moved to Seattle, I was hung up in my past life and I forgot to settle into my new life. I wasted months being unhappy in a place that now I am so sad to be leaving behind. So, I will learn my lesson. I will not mope and mourn. The classes may be hard, and the work never-ending, but schedules will be created, and assignments will get done. My classmates may be last year's Fraternity alums, but there is a Women's Caucus to join, and a Boy's Club to upstage.

Week two seems off to a somewhat less rocky start, or at least more well-weathered as I make sure I am wearing the right shoes everyday.

Greatest. Text. Ever.

2010-08-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

"Your cats hate Tennyson.

They run away when I read him out loud"

-Christy

Thoughts on Transition

2010-08-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

My first official day of law school is over. I only had 2 classes, which were filled with lots of first day stuff. I was the first to get called on in my Legal Writing class. Luckily the answer I made up seemed close enough to being right that the professor let me off the hook relatively quickly. After class I came home, tried to do some reading, which boggled my mind...and I took a nap, with my cats, among the various books strewn about the bed. Books, and cats, and naps. Happens to be the subtitle of this blog. Which I initially started as a way to keep friends and family back home informed on the goings on in my life. But it seems to have evolved, as I think most blogs and lives do, and probably should.

So the cats are the same. Still Brody and Opal. Still troublesome. Still my favorite animals on the planet, and one big reason why I haven't gone insane yet.

Clearly the napping is still happening. I love naps. I can't help it. So decadent and fantastic. Plus some one had some first day of school jitters and didn't get much sleep last night.

And that leaves the books. Sure, I'll be reading...a lot and even if I have officially deemed bus time, pleasure-reading time, I still feel like I am losing my right arm.

Christy asked me last night if I was nervous, and I said I was, but upon reflection, not because of the first day, but more because today starts a completely new life for me. No more work. How strange to not be working. I've only been working a little over 10 years now, still it feels like forever. I worked through school, I worked in the summers, I've worked 2 jobs at a time more than I ever want to do again. But more than getting over not working, I have to get over that I won't be working with books. I have been employed or volunteering in libraries or bookstores since I was 16...almost half my life. My AmeriCorps service, and the big reason I'm going back to school, was with a literacy foundation. I love books, I love readers, I love bookstores. And I think this is what is weighing me down as I completely change direction. How do you remain yourself, when something you identify with so completely, is suddenly stripped away? Even with the cats and the naps...without the books, am I still the same me?

Go West Young Woman

2010-08-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

Just finished re-watching West Wing Season 6. I check the DVDs out from the library whenever my spare time and their availability happen to coincide. It's been about a year now, one more season to go, and I can't believe how good this show is. In fact I would say that I love West Wing as much as I love Sports Night, or even The American President. Huh. Funny how they all happen to be created and written by the same genius. Aaron Sorkin; funny, smart, and compassionate, writing funny, smart, compassionate entertainment. I could watch these shows over and over again; in fact I do watch them over and over again. I love Aaron Sorkin. I LOVE HIM! I love that he constantly uses the same actors. Same snappy dialogue style. And I can even forgive him for using the same jokes and occasional episode formats in the 2 totally different television series. It's all just as good the second time around with different actors!

The writing never fails to move me in some way. Crying, or laughing, or simply by provoking thought. There's a character in the earlier episodes of West Wing, Ainsley Hayes, a Republican who comes to work in the very Democratic White House. In this one episode which brings up the Equal Rights Amendment, that doomed bit of legislation pushed by the Feminist movement in the 70s, another character is shocked that Ainsley doesn't support it, because even if she is a Republican, how can she, as a woman, disagree with it? And her response resembles something to the tune of, "I don't need a law telling me that I am equal to a man. I am equal simply by being a citizen of this country. Nothing could be more patronizing." Of course it's much more eloquent, and I'm not sure I entirely agree, but still, food for thought.

I love the idealists Aaron Sorkin champions, the decent politicians he creates. I adore the men he writes. They are all decent, and sensitive in some way. All flawed, but striving to be better. Funny, kind, vulnerable, and genuine. It's hard not to look for these men in all men.

But as much as I love the men he writes, I love the women more. It's not easy writing a smart, strong, funny woman in a leadership role, who maintains her femininity without cliched damsel in distress moments. These women have it together and even when they don't have it together, it's not the men who save them. And the actresses who play them could not have been cast better...Annette Benning as Sydney Wade, Felicity Huffman as Dana Whitaker, and my favorite, Alsion Janney as CJ Cregg. No they aren't real, but it doesn't mean they aren't admirable, and it certainly doesn't mean I can't strive to be like them.

So I'm having a West Wing love affair. Excited to finish up the last season, and start stalking Aaron Sorkin on IMDB to see...in the words of Jed Bartlett..."what's next."

Here's a great clip from season 6 which also features my new theme song...enjoy!

I have only one tip for Aaron Sorkin improvement...let's see a little more racial diversity in the main characters.

What I Found Under the Fridge This Weekend

2010-08-22T22:51:00.000-07:00

15 assorted cat toys. This time I know it was Opal, as those leopard-print,
feather balls happen to be her favorite toy.

What I Found in the Toilet This Morning

2010-08-18T11:22:00.001-07:00

I love my cats. I'm guessing this was Opal as she's the klutzy one, but you can bet Brody didn't do anything to stop her.

Directorial Finale

2010-08-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

For those who haven't seen it, my last video at Third Place Books. And you wondered why I
was sad to leave!

The Great Purge of 2010

2010-08-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

On a bit of a cleaning blitz. Yesterday was under the bed and the closet. I've take so many things to Value Village, the apartment feels lighter. Among the cast-offs were several old books I was going to make into shelves, an old VCR (why I carted it here from AZ, I have no idea), clothes, never-played games, cat toys that failed to interest the cats, and my hockey gear. I had held onto my gear because up to this point I couldn't dream of giving it away. I was surprised how easy it was to do this time around. Perhaps I'm just at the point where after dealing with so much junk it doesn't matter how meaningful it is, if it takes up space, and has been unused for over 3 years, it's out. Of course the big benefit has been moving a lot of things from the closet in an orderly manner to under the bed. Meaning the closet is no longer a dangerous mountain of precarious piles, and while the space beneath the bed is packed, it's an organized packed.

Before & After of the bed:

The closet:

Today I worked on my plants including the indoor ones and my container garden. Pruning, planting, sweeping. I didn't take before pictures, but here's the finished product...

Next up is the kitchen.

! Siesta de los Gatos !

2010-08-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Los mittens son muy contentos en el bano de mi casa. !Que adorable!

Bountiful Harvest

2010-08-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

With my wee container garden, it seems to be a rather wee harvest. Though, I think the weather wasn't exactly on my side. Cilantro is happily growing away, and my tomato is crazy huge, just waiting on the fruit. Now for round 2 of lettuce and green onions. Maybe someday, I will have enough room and enough sun for more than 3 green beans at a time...until then, looks to be a a bit of an eensy, spaced-out feast.

So Long

2010-08-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

It seems at last, after years of work (and it has been years), and years of waiting, I am off and running toward that ever-present goal, while not always solidified at least tugging somewhere in the back of my brain, "Erin, this is what you want... this way." I find myself exhilarated by the new changes coming; buzzing with electric, terrified anticipation. But with new beginnings, come endings, and saying goodbye to Third Place Books was very hard for me. At times, I found myself joyful & energized, loved & embraced, and thrilled about new possibilities. But at other moments, there lurked the toxic pull of darker emotions; I felt bereft, broken, mortified, and unsure. Certain never to recover. But new horizons will always emerge, and tonight's outlook appears slightly more cheerful.

-Strengthening friendships both old and new can't help but lift the spirits.
-Physical challenges, while immense and frightening, invigorate me and spur me on.
-An interminable transition period finally comes to a close, and I feel a freedom; an exhalation of a long-held of breath

So, while I may be sad to be moving on and saying goodbye to dear friends and coworkers; and I may be frightened of what next comes 'round the bend; it is these other empowering forces that drive me on, and leave me with a light heart and clear head.

Ice Cold Beverage Economics

2010-08-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

Driving down 65th today, we chanced upon a handwritten, poster for lemonade. You know, one of those little driveway operations little kids get up to. Carrie awwwed for a split second before gasping, "ONE DOLLAR!?!... Effing inflation." High-larious.

High-lights

2010-07-24T18:48:00.001-07:00

I think I can with confidence begin to report on the quailty of high-lighter brands. I would have to say, the Zebra brand Zazzle high-lighter far surpasses the Sharpie Re-tractable, or the Papermate Intro. I high-light...a lot.

Mark suggests instead of high-lighting, I black out the parts I find unimportant. I'll consider it Mark.

Moonlighting

2010-07-16T20:28:00.001-07:00

Just in case you don't know, I spend most of my blogging time over at Third Place Blog nowadays...here is what I think constitutes some of my better work...

We got a new author events podium yesterday...and wouldn't you know it, as soon as it was put together Stuffed Toy Horse King just had to make a speech about it.

That's right people, they pay me for this...and guess who put that podium together? You guessed it! Yours truly. Also guess who initiated the Stuffed Toy Horse King Prank. That's right...they pay me...actual money.

KRAKEN!

2010-07-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

My most recent film effort (for those of you not friends with Third Place), I guess this is my directorial debut!
That's Steve releasing the Kraken, Jason with special effects, and Mike as the frightened citizen...I'm camerawoman.

Study Hall

2010-07-13T22:23:00.000-07:00

The cats have really taken a liking to this studying business...Momma's Boy, Brody especially. I think it might be the extended amounts of time that I'm around now, or the stillness while I'm home. There isn't a lot of movement or cleaning or vacuuming, just lots of sitting and reading and typing. While I lay on the bed, or at my desk, or on the couch; the cats are there trying to jump in my lap or sit on my books. They are a welcome distraction. Here is Brody attacking my pen. I charge him with adorableness in the first degree!

Just Two Things

2010-07-09T00:07:00.000-07:00

Of the many, Many, MANY things I have crammed into my brain in the past 3 weeks, one thing sticks out as being the most sanity securing idea ever...
Pick two things that you enjoy that you want to continue doing during law school, and continue doing them.

When I first read that I thought, don't be ridiculous, I'll have time for more than two things. Um...further reflection leads me to say, no, not so much the case. I'm not speaking in hyperbole when I say I have put more effort into the last three weeks than I did my entire freshman year of undergrad. I'm not sure if that's depressing or simply a testament to my seriousness about this lawyering thing. In any case, it's a lot of work, and this is just one class.

But even with just one class, I realize the importance of balance. Are we seeing a bit of a coincidence with my self-professed year of balance? (while not widely reported on, a huge success on most accounts)... I spent the entire first half of this year working on balancing myself to get ready for this "adventure", and I'll be damned if I give up on it now. The last three weeks may have careened wildly out of control but I chalk that unbalance up to, working & school, out-of-town visitors, and basic terror. I've got three more weeks of class, and then three weeks of freedom before it starts for real. I plan to get the equilibrium back.

And based on what little I have learned at this point, I say that one of the things I'm not giving up...reading...I will continue to read for pleasure. There's not going to be a lot of pleasure reading, but there are few things in the world that bring me as much joy as reading, and I think giving it up would be a severe detriment to my sanity.

The other thing I am not giving up is a little more intangible. Me... I'm not giving up myself.

These last few years; in Seattle especially, I feel like I've really come into my own. I know who I am, what I want, what I like, and what I don't. Maybe it's cheating, because there are a lot of things I can roll into the idea of not giving up myself, but I'm gonna try. Using the balance I have tried to perfect in the past few months, I will not give up juggling, knitting, puns, Battlestar Galactica, playing with the cats, blogging, cooking, laughing, running, friends, journaling, trying to garden, James McAvoy, discussing Harry Potter, naps...I will not give up the things that make me, me.

Sounds like a tall order? Well, if all goes as planned, you'll be able to mark my success in future blogs.

Um...

2010-05-29T23:32:00.001-07:00

So, here is my first official law school textbook. Looks riveting, doesn't it? Well, I think it looks terrifying, and Carrie says it looks like a cliche. I wonder if they make Cliff's Notes for these?

My first class starts 3 weeks from Monday, called Criminal Law, of course. It seems unbelievably surreal to think I'm taking a class called Criminal Law...crazy.

These next three years are going to be; well, to speak plainly, fucking expensive. And if I may not know what kind of law student I will be, I do know that I am nothing if not frugal. So I thought I might keep a tally on all the money I'll be saving. The computer the school suggested (the best, most expensive computer they suggested) is $1200. I got a better computer at a better price and saved about $400. And this beautiful book bought new is about $150, used from the college, about $100. I got it online from a place called Better World Books for $64 (including shipping). So far the tally is at -$486. I'll keep you posted on my future money saving adventures!

Not too bad.

2010-05-17T22:13:00.001-07:00

Created by Oatmeal

I'm surrounded by fcking goblins and sht all the time.

2010-05-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

These videos are genius! Check out all of the hilarity at Potter Puppet Pals.

I'm Number 2!

2010-05-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

Some of the fantastic goings on at the bookstore. The rap video isn't quite ready, but it will be soon!

Tremors

2010-05-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

I know it's just jitters, but I don't want to go to law school. This morning I think the truth really hit me for the first time. It's Saturday, and I woke up at 8AM, and couldn't go back to sleep. If you know me at all you must know this is practically unheard of. If there is anything I do well, it's sleeping in, but I couldn't. I tossed and turned, thinking about how soon my summer class will start. One month from Monday. One month. I am running out of time to enjoy all the things I'm able to do without worrying about tests and homework and grades. And what about all the things I wanted to get done before the first day of school? So I got my nervous self out of bed and went for an hour-long walk. It worked to stave off the panic for awhile, but now I'm back at it.

A big part of my reticence about school is in leaving behind Third Place Books. I know it's not often that people find something they love to do. And while, of course there are days where I want to scream and burn the place down; I count myself lucky that those days are few and far between. On the whole, I am genuinely happy at work. And things are going really well right now. I love all my new responsibilities, and I feel like I've hit a creative stride that's been transferring into my personal life. Leaving that sense of security will be hard, but I'm mostly afraid that leaving will mean saying goodbye to all the fabulous people I've met. After moving to a city where I only knew two people; this bookstore and my lovely, kind, hilarious co-workers, feel like home. I don't want to start all over again. I feel like I just did this.

So there it is. I'm incredibly nervous, and while everyone keeps telling me to 'calm down,' 'don't be nervous,' 'this is a great time in your life!'; I will continue to be nervous until I set foot in that classroom and finally get this interminable waiting game over with.

Under Construction

2010-05-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

Clearly, there has been a bit of a shake-up. Things aren't looking too pretty right now, but in my defense, I did get side-tracked by District 9. Can I just say, "Wow, what a movie!" Anyhow, hopefully things will be back to normal, or at least greatly improved, in no time.

Wow.

2010-05-10T13:07:00.001-07:00

White Rabbit Syndrome

2010-05-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

Remember that Year of Balance I was going for? Well I have made some good changes, and failed spectacularly at others. Some things, I find, will just be forever and always out of balance.

I cannot go to bed on time. And I cannot wake up in the morning. I will hit the snooze button countless times. On all three alarms. Yes, three alarms. Needing to leave the house at 8:35AM to catch my bus, I will always be rushing out the door at 8:38AM, and consequently always running to catch my bus.

In fact, my bus driver has noticed my nearly ritualistic morning dash. He asked me if I was transferring from another bus, and I lied and said yes. I couldn't stand the shame from his accusatory stare if I were to tell him that I just have trouble getting out of bed. And also, I think if I told him the truth, he would be less likely to wait for me when he sees me running. I can picture him driving off, leaving me in the dust, maniacal laughter swirling amongst the bus exhaust, as he curses me, "Just get up 5 minutes earlier!"

So in trying to break my habit, I have learned that I am a creature of habit. I am habitually late. Constantly three minutes tardy. Perpetually unpunctual.

Opal Acrobatics

2010-05-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

Here is Opal doing what Opal does best. Note: the basket she is trying to extricate herself from is wedged under that wall outcrop. So, the opening she has to navigate through is less than 3 inches wide. I'm not sure how, or why she does the things she does, but I can pretty much guarantee an accidental dunking in the toilet just below the shelf where the basket sits. I'll post pictures when it happens.

An Albatross Around One's Neck

2010-05-02T00:14:00.000-07:00

While commencing The Great Purge of 2010, I stumbled upon a blurb in an old Mother Jones magazine about photographer Chris Jordan, and his study of albatross chicks on Midway Atoll. Maybe it's because I have a strange urge to see an albatross in real life, or maybe it has to do with the Great Purge of 2010 and the unavoidable feelings of waste and guilt, but these photographs had me near tears. Taking a tour around his website is admittedly, depressing and gruesome, but I think it's terribly important stuff. You can argue all you like about the scientific veracity of Global Warming and climate change, but does it seem right to wreak this kind of damage if we don't have to? Anyways, these are just thoughts, not condemnations, but I think the age of me buying anything with a plastic, screw-top lid is over. Incidentally, the secondary definition of albatross in my copy of Webster's reads as follows...

2. a seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, as of guilt or responsibility. Often in the phrase an albatross around one's neck.

Greetings...Again

2010-05-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Praise be! I have the interwebs!

After an excruciating 2-hour visit from the cable man, in which I needed to use the restroom desperately (incidently a 2-hour visit which caused me to miss the May Day Immigration March, though it's my own fault for scheduling the appointment on May Day), I am once again connected to the outside world. It's not as if I am a Luddite; though I do think computers and eventually robots will mean the destruction of the human race. So, I'm not quite sure how I lasted the better part of the year without internet. But make it I did, though I will say that towards the end of this sad technology drought, the walls were beginning to close in on me here in my comfy little hovel. So with my apologies for the blog-out, please check back for future posts about the cats, law school updates, craftings, and my general egomaniacal musings on things that you probably care little about.

2010-03-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

Dear UPS,

I understand that you are attempting to deliver a package to my place of residence. Unfortunately all of your efforts will be in vain considering that my workday, including commute, lasts from 8:30AM until 7:30PM. And because you choose not to deliver on Saturdays, or to leave a package unsigned for or with a neighbor; I fear you may not be able to fulfill the task that was assigned to you.

It is also my understanding that I could collect my parcel at your warehouse, but as your warehouse is in the industrial district, south of downtown, I do not foresee myself attempting a 3-hour bus ride to pick up a package for which you were paid to deliver to me. Perhaps I could be tempted to journey to the industrial district, south of downtown, if you would agree to pay me the cost of the shipping, because really wouldn't that mean that I am doing the job that you were paid to do. However, because I doubt you will agree to this, I will have you deliver it to a different address; an address that I will actually be at between the short hours that you operate your mail delivery service.

Incidentally as I completed the form to have you redirect my package to my place of work, I discovered that you would be requesting an additional 4 dollars. Correct me if I am wrong, but you are asking for 4 dollars on top of the shipping charge you have already been compensated for? So really it's as if you have been paid twice for something that thus far you have failed to accomplish once.

In closing, I think you may need to re-evaluate your business model, and oh yeah...you suck.

Sincerely,
Erin Ball

Yikes.

2010-02-23T12:32:00.001-08:00

I am currently suffering from a bit of OMT (Olympic Mascot Trauma).

Olympic Rant

2010-02-22T12:40:00.000-08:00

I watched a lot of Olympics with Carrie and Trish this weekend. I enjoy the Olympics though I have to say, that I care little for Men's Olympic Hockey. I wonder, what exactly is the difference between Men's Olympic Hockey and the NHL, or the All Star game? The Majority of the players are NHL. We see them all the time as it is. Or at least in theory considering ESPN would rather air that fast-paced sport of poker instead of hockey. Yes, people say the Olympic version of the game looks more European, moves faster, is more interesting; but if it's a faster more interesting game, watch women's hockey. Though good luck finding more than just the highlights broadcast in this country. Women's hockey relies on speed and passing combinations rarely seen in its more physical, lumbering, male counterpart. Don't get me wrong, I love hockey, but in the realm of an amateur competition, I would rather watch actual amateurs and not multi-million dollar professionals.

As a side note, there's been a lot of talk about Team Canada pulling my baby, Martin Brodeur, and replacing him with Roberto Luongo after last night's loss to Team USA. By all means, give Luongo a shot, but Coach Babcock, when's the last time you've seen Martin Brodeur routed two times in a row? God, I hate how underrated he is!

Monday Greetings

2010-02-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

Blurg, grumble, gripe.

Must See

2010-02-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

I just watched the most amazing movie...ever. If I had a top ten list, which I'm thinking of putting together, this one would rank in the top 5. It's a British film called Boy A. One of the reviews on the back says it will be "rattling around in your head long after the final credits roll". For a movie this good it's hard to understand why it was so overlooked, though if you consider it came out the same year as that other "indie" fave, Slumdog Millionaire it makes a little more sense. It's sweet, and funny, and dark and so very, very sad. I won't say much about the plot except that it centers around a young man, recently released from prison, where he has spent most of his life for a horrible crime he committed when he was a child. It's a tough subject, but the compassion with which it's dealt is...poetic. I hate to sound so cheesy about it, but it's just such a wonderful movie. Go out and rent it... hell, buy it. You won't regret it.

PS: I'm not posting the trailer because I think it gives too much away.

Bad, Bad Cats

2010-01-31T13:55:00.001-08:00

Popcorn tragedy.

My Work Day in 3 Conversations

2010-01-25T17:56:00.000-08:00

Me: I just wanted to let you know that I got into law school.
My Boss: Oh, wow! So, this fall?
Me: Yeah.
My Boss: Bummer...congratulations, but bummer.

Me: My cats destroyed a bag of popcorn seeds this weekend. There was popcorn everywhere!
Jon: My God! Your cats need jobs! Clearly they're just bored, they really need to do something with their lives.

Me (singing): "Wilco, Wilco!"...those are the only words I know.
Jason: But this isn't that song.
Me: I'm sorry, do you want me to stop?
Jason: No, I just didn't want you to think you were singing along.

Little Monster in the Closet

2010-01-21T10:34:00.000-08:00

This is Brody's new favorite place at home...in the very back of the closet, on the very tippy top of the perilous tower of boxes and bags. I'm not sure how he gets up there without everything crashing down on him. Note the glowing laser eyes at the top of the photo.

Closer...

closer....

even closer...

there he is!

Wisdom for the Day

2010-01-18T13:31:00.000-08:00

While on the subject of the blahs, I can't help but notice that the monotony of the days really emphasizes the whole life passing by idea. Day after day of nothing. I am currently reading The Journal of Jules Renard, and he has this to say...

"The days are long, but the years are short."

A Bad Case of the Mondays

2010-01-18T12:34:00.000-08:00

I've got the blahs. And it feels like they are going around, so I can't really blame it on a weekend spent hovering, face first, over the toilet. Every day is the same. I ride the same bus, go to the same work, people make the same small talk, and the same smallest little things annoy me to no end. It's even sunny out and I still have the blahs. Blah, blah, blah. I wish something new and exciting would happen. Like a sudden windfall that would allow me to do something new and exciting. Or a school admitting me. Or an unexpected visit from a friend. Anything to kill the monotony.

Brody & the Books

2010-01-16T22:07:00.000-08:00

Completely unstaged...how adorable is he?

Oh the Carnage

2010-01-16T21:39:00.000-08:00

Dead Cats everywhere!!!

The Joy of Cooking

2010-01-16T21:16:00.000-08:00

My new favorite thing to eat is Ramen Deluxe Soup. I invented it. It's super fast, super cheap, and super delicious. It's just 1 pack of chicken ramen, an egg, green onions, a dash of soy sauce, and some Chinese 5 spice.

Delayed Picture Posting Alert

2010-01-16T20:08:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Seattle Ghetto Style. Note the Yule Log in the background.

An Appeal

2010-01-14T10:17:00.000-08:00

Would someone please, please, please let me into their law school. The waiting is making me crazy. Literally, insane. PLEASE, I'm begging.

Brigadon't

2010-01-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

I recently watched Brigadoon. I'm not sure what possessed me to pick this up at the library, but I need to remember to fight that urge in the future.

My friend Arianne claims that even bad pizza is good pizza. Musicals are not pizza. Bad musicals are just bad. And Brigadoon is among the worst I've seen.

Even if I could suspend my disbelief of the farcical accents, ridiculous plot line, mediocre choreography, and outrageous plaid tights, I don't think I could ever believe that Gene Kelly is the dashing hero he's supposed to be. Especially with those pantylines. It's so bad it's just bad.

The only slightly redeeming quality in this hot, steaming turd is Van Johnson as the surly, alcoholic, friend who accidentally shoots and kills one of the fantastical Brigadoonians. I can't imagine a better use of a fake bullet.

2010-01-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

Perhaps this is the answer to my snooze button issue.

Balance: Week1

2010-01-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

Recap: January's project is establishing routine, which currently entails going to bed and waking up at the same time, and also shooting for 8 hours of sleep.

Progress Report: I have no trouble with the evening portion. In fact I rather enjoy it. At 9:30 I stop what I am doing and tidy up the house, get ready for bed, and I'm usually reading or knitting by 10, if not a little after. As long as I am physically in bed at 10, I can do whatever I want (within reason), and I find that after about 30 minutes I'm ready to hit the hay.

Morning is a different story. Monday and Tuesday were fine. Monday I woke up at 6 intending to go for a walk. It was raining. Instead of falling back into bed I did yoga...success! It was very nice. I felt rejuvenated and awake all day. But problems started Wednesday and on. I can't seem to stop hitting that damn snooze button. I even put my phone(back-up alarm) in the kitchen and still managed to completely ignore it. This morning my cats had even abandoned me. Usually as soon as the alarm goes off they are in my face...but today those little ingrates were nowhere to be found.

I'm a little perplexed. I am getting plenty of sleep.
7 to 8 hours. Perhaps I am one of those fabled people that needs 9 hours. I shall experiment, in the meantime, does anyone know how to disable a snooze button?

Phase II starts tomorrow wherein I tackle the dreaded weekend nap. Eeek!

Don't Be Ashamed...It Happened to Us All

2010-01-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to two great Twilight comics. I know these are so yesterday's news...but they make me laugh. Every time.
Here's the link to her website. Take a gander, she's pretty cool.

INVASION!

2010-01-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

My computer was invaded by an army of Wheedles while I was at lunch today. They say, "Hello Erin. We want you to play with us forever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever." Creepy.

Photo and Wheedles courtesy of Jon Brock

Balance

2010-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

¹bal·ance

Pronunciation: \ˈba-lən(t)s\

Function:  noun

 

1 : an instrument for weighing: as a : a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends b : a device that uses the elasticity of a spiral spring for measuring weight or force
2 : a means of judging or deciding
3 : a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence
4 : an oscillating wheel operating with a hairspring to regulate the movement of a timepiece
5 a : stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis b : equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements c : equality between the totals of the two sides of an account
6 a : an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements b : the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel constructions containing similar or contrasting ideas
7 a : physical equilibrium b : the ability to retain one's balance
8 a : weight or force of one side in excess of another b : something left over c : an amount in excess especially on the credit side of an account
9 : mental and emotional steadiness

Paying particular attention to definitions 2, 5a, and 9; this word will be the driving force of my year. I find that while I am mostly happy in my everyday life, there is room to be happier. And the happiness that eludes me on those certain days seems to stem from being wildly out of balance. I either go full tilt or sleep the day away. I'm either a miser or a spendthrift. Desperately morose or obnoxiously cheerful. There is no middle ground. Moderation is not my middle name.

Well, hopefully all that will change. Taking a cue from my friend Autumn, I plan to focus on one area of my life every month. January being the month of routine, I mean to go to bed at roughly the same time every night, and wake up the same time each morning. It also means no more snooze button, and a moratorium on weekend naps. EEEK! Well, maybe not completely, I can nap on Saturday, but not Sunday...this is the year of balance after all.

I'm really looking forward to this, I'm ready for a challenge and a project. There will be false starts I will stumble many times, but this year isn't about being perfect. This year is about finding the in between; the balance between the best I have done in the past, and the best that I can do. The balance between the child that I sometimes am, and the adult I should probably start being.

Things I am Looking Forward To in 2010...

2010-01-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...part 1
Visiting AZ in February
Erintine's Day...there will be flag football
The new A.L. Kennedy book
Summer

Out with the Old

2009-12-31T12:53:00.000-08:00

Last day of 2009. My main resolution of the year was to stop procrastinating. I think I did okay. Seeing as how I started studying for my September LSAT in March and got 8 of 10 applications out before December. But also ran around like a fool while I continued to procrastinate on less important matters. Maybe I need the pressure to function. Who knows?

It was a busy year with trips to Arizona and Nebraska. My parents, Jilly, and Andrea each came for visits. I saw The Killers in concert. Took the LSAT and applied to schools. Read 79 books. And much more.

I also knocked off 5 things on my life list, including...go backpacking, learn to juggle, and throw a Cher-themed party.

I have dubbed 2010 "the year of balance," in which I bring...well, balance to my life. More on that as it develops.

Meowy Christmas

2009-12-29T13:16:00.000-08:00

I bought my cats their Christmas presents 2 weeks ago. New collars for both(because Opal broke hers); these catnip, ball-shaped things called "pawbreakers"; and a mouse on a string with a feather replacement. I had all of their things in a plastic bag inside my bookbag. When I woke up the next day they had pulled the plastic bag out of the bookbag, ripped a hole in it, and strewn their presents all over the house. Brody had left teeth marks in all the plastic packaging and it was too late to pry the "pawbreaker" out of Opal's clutches. Everything else went immediately into a dresser drawer. I debated not giving them their presents at all, something I vaguely remember my mom doing when I had found my Christmas present early. But then I thought it wouldn't be fair for me to accept what the cats got me, Harry Potter 6 on DVD!!!

Last Wednesday I couldn't wait any longer, I had to give them their presents if only to allow me to watch my movie. Opal looks particularly fetching in her new metallic silver collar. The second "pawbreaker" was kind of a bust seeing as they had been playing with the other one since Saturday. The mouse on a string was the real hit. Brody went insane over it. Running back and forth and back and forth. Leaping and climbing, jumping and spinning in mid air. Diving and somersaulting and stopping on a dime. At one point he was running horizontally along the back of the couch. He was out of his mind for that stupid mouse!

And then he just stopped. And stood there. And started breathing really heavy, and twitching his tail. At first I thought he was mad because Opal was trying to play too. But then he laid in the corner on his side and wouldn't stop breathing so quickly. He got this glazed look on his face and wouldn't move. I poked him but he was all limp. And when I picked him up, he dangled like a sack of potatoes, and on the floor where he had been...poop! POOP! He went over in the corner, laid down, and pooped! But definitely not normal intentional pooping, he never goes outside the box. I thought something was terribly wrong. So, I took him to the litter box and pointed him at it but he wouldn't go in. He went over to a corner again and this time pooped standing up. It's like he couldn't stop himself, not even to get in the box. When he was done he tried to run away, in shame I think, but I stopped him and he was still breathing heavy. I was pretty freaked out at this point so I brought him to his bed and just sat there petting him. He eventually started purring and 2 minutes later he was fine. I swear to you all, he pooed because of that toy. He was so excited, he actually shit himself. Hand to God.

Also in the realm of cat stories... I forgot to pick up cat food at the store before Christmas and the cats were hungry. So I thought to tide them over I would make some scrambled eggs. That's what one feeds sick animals, I figured it would be fine for them. Of course they wouldn't eat it. So I thought, they drink my cereal milk, I'll give them some milk. I had heard that cats are lactose intolerant, but my cats seem to stomach it fine. Turns out they are lactose intolerant, as evidence by the several puddles of vomit around the house a few minutes later. Poor babies, at least they weren't hungry anymore...

Helpful Holiday Hints

2009-12-22T16:10:00.000-08:00

As the craziness of the holidays rises to a fever pitch, I thought I would give you all a few last minute gift giving ideas if you haven't yet found me the perfect holiday hint.

A scooter...Vespa, Buddy, whatever, as long as it's adorable.

A hockey team. Preferably the New Jersey Devils, but since they aren't for sale and the Phoenix Coyotes are, I guess they will do.

Joel McHale.

Law, law, law law law law, law law law law law!

2009-12-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

For those that don't know, I have successfully taken the LSAT...well if not exactly successful, at least it's done. I have labored for several weeks over my personal statement. And as of December 4th, I have 6 applications floating out there in the law school admissions process ether. I still have 5 more applications to go, but I'm waiting for my next paycheck...and quite frankly most of them are my second tier choices, and I'm not sure I would go to them even if I got in. I've pretty much nixed any ideas of going to Michigan based solely on last week's frigid temperatures.

So now I wait. In the meantime, several of the schools I've chosen have an online status check and yesterday Seattle University sent me a link to theirs. They also said that I can check "your admission status anytime, 24/7". And after checking my status yesterday and seeing that my file was under review...that's exactly what I do...though it's more like 60/60/24/7.

On a side note, Seattle University sent me a Christmas card. What does that mean? Are they trying to tell me something? Am I in and they just can't say it yet? You know, nudge nudge, wink wink. Or are they just being nice? After all, they are Jesuits.

Logs O' Yule

2009-12-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord! Christmas Cheer has arrived (finally) in the form of a burned DVD from my mother. The Yule Log!!!! Thanks Mom!

I watched it for 2 hours last night and finally put together my Christmas To Do List. Number one...bake that cherry pie I've been meaning to bake since Thanksgiving.

Ava...what?

2009-12-14T11:09:00.000-08:00

Since becoming a relative Luddite with the lack of television and lately no internet, I have a difficult time keeping up with the latest trends and entertainment gossip. Though having Carrie and Trish Tivo The Soup helps a little.

This weekend I happened to be house-sitting for them and I was looking forward to boning up on my useless celebrity/entertainment news. How surprised I was to find how useless the TV was. I think I must have seen more than 30 commercials for Avatar and I still have no idea what it's about. I know as much about it as I did before which is only that it's from MEGA-DIRECTOR James Cameron, and that it's supposed to change movies forever...and that it seems to star a bunch of really pissed-off smurfs. So, thanks TV, thanks for nothing.

Bah Humbug

2009-12-13T20:37:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas. I always have. When I was little, my mom would let my brother and I decorate the house. It was always awful. As if Christmas had thrown up in our house. There was crap everywhere. And then on Christmas Eve, we would go to church and then get Kentucky Fried Chicken and bring it home and open presents. It was great.

Even after moving out I have loved Christmas. Lately I make my own gifts, partly because I am not able to buy presents for everyone, and partly because I just love making gifts. But this year, something is different. Maybe due to the fact that I can't afford any gifts, or even the material to make gifts. It's not as if I hate Christmas, it's more like I don't really care. Which is sad. Because I do care...or more precisely, I care that I don't care. Does that make sense? At any rate, the holiday spirit seems to be eluding me this year. Any tips from fellow Scrooges?

Book Musings

2009-12-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

I've been reading Gail Collin's latest, When Everything Changed : The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present, and it is pretty great. It's not often that non-fiction title grips me like this one has. It's funny, smart, and packed with information. All delivered without an agenda. There are foolish men...and women in these pages. It's not a bitter diatribe, it's a hopeful history. Very well done. In fact, the other night I was reading it on the bus home, and found myself with tears in my eyes at one particularly stirring moment.

The book has also sent me on tangential, fact-finding missions. Like the search for Robin Morgan's article, Goodbye to All That, about the rampant machismo and sexism in the New Left radical movement of the 1970s.

Reading this has also heightened my admittedly acute feminist's eye. For example, while watching Saturday Night Live last night, I noticed that there is only one full-time female cast member. And while unpacking a box of books at work the other day, I came across this book...
What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women, by Dr. James Dobson. Great, just what we need, a book telling men what women want them to know...written by a man. But don't worry ladies, he's a doctor. This is a bit of a low blow on my part seeing as it was written in the 70s. Although I have to say it's good for a laugh.

Caw

2009-12-10T23:52:00.000-08:00

I am totally obsessed with crows! I can't get enough of them. It is so cold here right now, that all the crows are walking around all puffed up, trying to keep out the frigid temperature. Poor crows! The other day while I was riding the bus to work, I looked out the window and saw this crow cawing. And I swear to God, I saw that crows breath. I texted my brother, and he says it must be some sort of omen some where. I haven't found anything out yet, but I will keep you posted.

Back

2009-12-09T21:40:00.000-08:00

So...you are all clamoring for more. Well, maybe not all, and not really clamoring, but my attempts to quit the blog have met with a slight resistance... mostly from Carrie. However, the other day my brother told me he was checking out my blog but there hadn't been any new posts. Even at my advanced age, I can't help but love when my brother thinks something I do is cool. Or if not cool, at least worthy of checking out. I believe I will forever be the little sister, pestering and annoying her brother. I think I'm okay with that.

All This Has Happened Before...

2009-11-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure it will happen again because I'm not sure I can stand to be so utterly let down by yet another series, again. Why is it that everything I love must end so horribly wrong? Harry Potter...need I say more. But this is about Battlestar Galactica. I really loved this show, though I may have burnt out watching it night after night, trying to comply with library constraints. But I did love it. Great characters, great drama, great effects. Just Great. And the first half of the finale was also great. It was that awful, horrid last half. And it wasn't even all of the last half, just some of it. Well, not wanting to give anything away, I guess you'll have to watch it for yourself, and then we can discuss.
And I know that it's impossible to please everyone, I'm just asking that they please me. Is that too much?

This Morning on the Bus

2009-11-11T13:52:00.000-08:00

I was riding to work this morning, feeling so very happy about having caught my bus, and the warm coffee in my mug and the Killers music blaring in my headphones, that it took me a minute to realize that the clicking noise behind me was the tell-tale sound of someone clipping their nails. On the bus. Clipping their nails on the bus! I have to admit, that this is not the first time I have seen this. Since when did it become acceptable to clip one's nails in public? Would it be okay to clip your nails in your friend's car? Um, I'm gonna go with no. So why is it okay to do it on the bus? The funny thing is, that when I got up to move because I couldn't get the image of fingernails flying into my hair, I saw that it was a woman cutting her nails, and she had a mask on. One of those masks people wear to protect themselves from swine flue. There's something wrong with that picture. She's afraid of other people's germs, but not aware that her airborne fingernail bits might be equally disturbing to her fellow bus riders. Well played, lady, well played.

I Have Seen the Light

2009-11-04T15:32:00.000-08:00

Regina Spektor is a god...dess.My friend Jill and I just saw her in concert. Speechless. I can't wait to get home from work tonight and fall into a Regina Spektor induced coma. Or perhaps, a Regina-empowered creative blitz. How can one listen to this music and not be inspired?

unsettled

He says it better.

It's not you. It's me.

Things that I will never do

Oh Crow!

What Matters

Sick

On the Midway

One Perfect Summer

Hitler to Hipster

I'll Give You a Renaissance

Backpack, Backpack

TV's Brian Dennehy

Clear Vision

Text Message of the Day

Mittens on Strike

Did I Ever Show You the Ducks I Made?

Happy New Year?

Fall Thoughts

Seattle Fall

Priceless Opal

My Backpack Exploded

NPR...I love you

Would like a bag for that?

Have You Heard?

Getting Schooled Part II

It's Finally Happened

Socialism

100 Pushups!

Summer at Last

How Would Jesus Drive?

Won't You be My Neighbor?

Hairdo Joy

Getting Schooled

Tasmanian Lament

Do Over

Greatest. Text. Ever.

Thoughts on Transition

Go West Young Woman

What I Found Under the Fridge This Weekend

What I Found in the Toilet This Morning

Directorial Finale

The Great Purge of 2010

! Siesta de los Gatos !

Bountiful Harvest

So Long

Ice Cold Beverage Economics

High-lights

Moonlighting

KRAKEN!

Study Hall

Just Two Things

Um...

Not too bad.

I'm surrounded by f*cking goblins and sh*t all the time.

I'm Number 2!

Tremors

Under Construction

Wow.

White Rabbit Syndrome

Opal Acrobatics

An Albatross Around One's Neck

Greetings...Again

Yikes.

Olympic Rant

Monday Greetings

Must See

Bad, Bad Cats

My Work Day in 3 Conversations

Little Monster in the Closet

Wisdom for the Day

A Bad Case of the Mondays

Brody & the Books

Oh the Carnage

The Joy of Cooking

Delayed Picture Posting Alert

An Appeal

Brigadon't

Balance: Week1

Don't Be Ashamed...It Happened to Us All

I'm surrounded by fcking goblins and sht all the time.