Archive for the ‘lists’ Category
The Year In Pictures: 2010
December 31st, 2010 by
Tagged: 2010, pictures
Christmas Times is Serious Times!
December 24th, 2010 byThis year I am at Steven’s house for Christmas, something that everyone is treating as this big dramatic thing, when in reality this is at least the third time it’s happened. But I have quickly discovered that I can easily get things by whining that “it’s just not Christmas without ice cream for breakfast” etc. As I learned from the claymation Community Christmas special, Christmas means different things to different people (“Remote control Christmas pterodactyl!!!“), and to me, I’m always reminded of three things. I wish I had pictures, but alas, you will have to use the power of your imagination!
Gingerbread Men Ornaments
Until I was about ten, my mom would always make these gingerbread ornaments for the Christmas tree. The recipe was a little different than for cookies you are supposed to eat, and I was warned multiple times when younger that they were NOT FOR EATING and POISON! I was convinced that eating even a little bit would have killed me instantly. There were gingerbread men and also gingerbread hearts that had people’s names or “Merry Christmas” written on them in a similar NOT FOR EATING kind of frosting. The tree would smell like tree AND gingerbread, and it was fun to make new decorations every year. Then we moved to Florida and having food on a tree inside the house only attracted all kinds of bugs. That, and my brother’s allergies, necessitated moving the tree to the enclosed back porch, which brought on one of my most vivid and most terrifying Christmas memories ever.
Since the small bugs that can get into the enclosed back porch weren’t really a problem, it was the humidity that eventually brought about the retiring of this Christmas tradition. Because Florida Christmases tend to be somewhat balmy, the gingerbread men soon fell apart in the repressive moisture found in the Florida air. Since their weakest point is their narrow necks, the Christmas tree would be surrounded by decapitated gingerbread bodies, the tree itself strewn with their severed heads. It was like gingerbread Vikings had attacked our tree and made examples of all the gingerbread menfolk. After a few years of this, my mom gave up the gingerbread decorations. It’s weird that I still think about them every Christmas–and about the horrific aftermath of gingerbread carnage I’ve witnessed.
A Christmas Story
This movie is my dad’s absolute favorite movie ever, possibly. Half of it is because it’s funny, the other half is because my mom hates it. I think she feels too much empathy for Ralphie, feeling bad for him when Santa pushes him down the slide, when his mom makes him wear the horrible pink bunny suit. Or maybe she feels bad for the mother character who has to deal with her husband’s obsession with the tacky leg lamp, her Christmas dinner being eaten by the neighbor’s dog, and her authority undermined by her husband who buys Ralphie the coveted Red Rider BB Gun, even though she keeps insisting that “you’ll shoot your eye out”.
The movie itself is good, I like it, and think everyone should see it at least once. But it’s not really about the movie. It’s about having the movie on 24/7 on Christmas Eve, having it in the background of everything, and having my mom complain and my dad glory at the “best parts”–which are, of course, the parts that annoy my mom. I feel like I could almost recite this movie, I’ve seen it so often.
Michigan Rummy
My family is super serious about Michigan Rummy. You know you’re grown up when you graduate to playing by yourself instead of as on a team with some adult. It’s part skill but a lot of luck, and we usually play for pennies, kept in a tupperware in my brother’s closet for this express purpose. The only downside of the game is that it’s more fun with more people, so I only get to play at times when there are 5-9 people around, times like Christmas. Hopefully I will be able to convince Steven’s family that it is the best thing ever! I have been saving my pennies.
So, yeah, that is Christmas in my heart: gingerbread carnage, my dad being happy that my mom is vaguely annoyed, and gambling. So festive right now!
Tagged: Christmas, memories
It’s the little things
November 8th, 2010 byNovember is the worst month. Ever. It’s cold. It’s close enough to the end of the semester that I suddenly become all about writing research papers. Everyone has Christmas stuff out already, so that I get annoyed by December 1st. I dislike turkey. NaNoWriMo is making me crazy. Whenever anyone asks me how I am, I can’t even muster the strength to blandly lie and just go “Bleeeeeeh”.
So, here are some little things:
1) Ever since I got my netbook (after my laptop decided to fulfill its lifelong dream of being a refrigerator by keeping its fan on at all times) I have been using Steven’s computer when he’s not home to be able to a) see everything on a freakishly huge screen and b) use Microsoft Office products. This has the added benefit of getting to fill his Pandora gadget with Lady Gaga to break up all that LOTR1-themed Euro pop/metal. You’re welcome, Steven.
2) Compiling course evaluations in my head. Some classes, thinking about writing that 15 minute evaluation, no matter how inconsequential it will actually be to the Powers of UNC, is all that gets me through.
3) The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. I am a little more than halfway through this book, and it is AWESOME. Basically, aliens called The Boov conquer Earth. They oppress us, but it’s hilarious! Observe:
Gratuity Tucci, sassy eleven-year-old, is having none of that. Then she makes friends with an outcast Boov who has decided his “human name” is J.Lo. If that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will. Best alien invasion ever. I can’t wait to see how it ends.
4) Coloring. And being happy that wordpress is not as temperamental as Tumblr.
5) Doing impressions of animals that are pretty much overlooked in the impressions world. Like the walrus. Or the sandpiper. Complete with exciting sound effects. The best part is leaping into Steven’s office and shouting “GUESS WHAT ANIMAL I AM!!!” I was surprised he got the walrus.
Tagged: books, crayon is mightier, grad school, nanowrimo, optimism
Blogroll or People With Better Blogs Than Mine
September 21st, 2010 byI was all ready to post another review of a banned book this morning until I realized that between Friday and now I have only been reading this engrossing book my mom lent me for the plane and congratulating myself on remembering so much about To Kill a Mockingbird. So that is out for now. Instead, I have decided to take you on an odyssey through my Google Reader, since my blogroll sidebar has been flitting in and out of functionality since the host transition. Also, because it’s way easier than thinking up something original. I am saving all my originality for today for the super fun times surprise group project due Thursday that has just been sprung on us. Yeah, you WISH you were in library science grad school.
Blogs By People I Know
The Adventures of Cynthia Bova!
Written by: Cynthia Bova
Who I Know From: THE 434
Updates: Whenever Bova feels like it
Mostly About: Bova’s adventures; occasional angstiness
Once Bova challenged me to some kind of dramatic blog contest, but since she is five times better at being dramatic, she was the clear winner. Unfortunately, she hasn’t really updated much since spring–at least I PRETEND to update twice a week.
inhale prepare/exhale release
Written by: The Lovely Natalie Gallagher
Who I Know From: Illustrating This Freakin’ Book I Wrote
Updates: Usually when Natalie is freaking out about something
Mostly About: complaints, rants, random quotes, art
I only get to see Natalie maybe once every two or three years since she lives in Minneapolis, which is like on the other end of nowhere from the generally snow-free places I tend to hang out. Reading her blog is therefore pretty much the only way I can still pretend that we are friends for later when I will need favors in interior design/wedding dress fashion help/illustrations/fabulousness counseling.
Always SomeThings
Written by: Deya
Who I Know From: Rice; specifically breakfast and Chicano Lit class
Updates: Regularly, until a month ago. Maybe I should leap into Nancy Drew-like action and get to the bottom of this by sending a facebook message.
Mostly About: Books! My favorite thing!
Deya’s book reviews are usually much more considered than mine, and are usually about books that adults might actually care about. However, she never has long-winded rants about how sucky grad school is, so we each have our strong points.
Typical Adventures
Written by: Caitlin Miller
Who I Know From: My sordid past aiding and abetting the WSS Mafia.
Updates: Sporadically
Mostly About: Caitlin’s life in L.A.
So far, Caitlin has mostly written about moving and decorating. I am vaguely annoyed that I have lived in my apartment for a year, and hers already looks nicer than mine. My feeble attempts at decorating ended at The Wall of Hats (for hatmergencies) and the World’s Largest Crossword (best picture ever). I am hoping that if I keep it in my Google Reader, over time her life will eventually become an action-packed rollercoaster of L.A. intrigue when she is cast for an MTV reality show and/or starts fighting crime. This may be the secret reason I follow anyone’s blog, including my own. And if not, at least I will get some decorating ideas.
Blogs Written by Strangers (or just Strange People)
Better Book Titles
Written by: Dan Wilbur
Updates: Whenevs
Mostly Covers: Book covers with the words replaced with what the title SHOULD be
Maybe it’s only funny if you were an unhappy English major/read way too much like me. My favorite lately has been Don Quixote.
Bookshelves of Doom
Written by: Leila Roy
Updates: Pretty much daily
Mostly About: Books, libraries, things vaguely related to books and libraries
Leila Roy is my hero. She is hilarious, we share similar tastes in literature, and she is a super-successful librarian sans an MLS degree. Since one of my goals in life is to end MLS snobbery, I think that’s awesome. Anyway, the book reviews are hilarious, but she also provides random tidbits of lit-related news like Harry Popper condoms in Switzerland and Archie Comics/Twilight crossovers. In fact, I feel like I should stop having a blog and we should all read hers instead.
Go Fug Yourself
Written by: Heather, Jessica, Intern George (Clooney)
Updates: Multiple Times Per Day
Mostly Covers: Ridiculous Celebrity Fashion
This probably seems like a weird thing for me to read religiously given that I am generally clueless about 1) celebrities and 2) fashion, but sometimes I need to feel better about myself. Because sometimes celebrities wear things like this.
PostSecret
Written by: Frank Warren; International secret-filled masses
Updates: Every Sunday
Mostly Covers: Postcard submitted secrets
If you haven’t heard of PostSecret, you might be legally dead.
Catalog Living
Written by: Molly Erdman
Updates: Daily
Mostly About: Gary and Elaine, two fake people who actually live in the houses and rooms pictured in catalogs.
The concept here is pretty simple: picture of ridiculous rooms found in catalogs that no one would actually live in followed by a one line explanation (attempt at explanation?) about what Gary and Elaine were thinking when they decorated this way. A good example: this or this.
Cute Overload
Written by: Meg, and some other people
Updates: Daily
Mostly About: Adorable things
I feel like this blog and my reasons for liking it are entirely self-explanatory.
Food Gawker
Written by: Mostly hungry people with good photography skills
Updates: Multiple Times Daily
Mostly About: Food
Whenever I don’t know what to make for dinner, a few minutes on Food Gawker will usually sort that out. It’s perfect for me, since I hate all cookbooks that don’t have pictures for every recipe. I just can’t get excited about making a recipe until I can see the finished product first. I know it’s judging a book by it’s cover, something I’m supposed to be wholly against, but I don’t care. Seeing a picture of how tasty it is will help me know it’s delicious.
There are more plus some webcomics, but I don’t think you’re READY for that information yet.
Last School Year Ever: Why My Week Has Sucked
August 28th, 2010 bySorry about not posting yesterday; this week has been like a perfect storm of small amounts of tragedy that mix together to make a Long Island Iced Tea of despair.
–The bus route is going through its awkward teenage years, trying to reinvent itself, but remaining confused and unsure of what its peer group wants. At least, that’s how I’m interpreting its persistent, erratic behavior. The first day it was just massively late every time I tried to ride it, which is not that surprising on the first week of school. Then one afternoon at a random stop in the middle of the route, the bus driver told everyone to get off because she was done. It wasn’t an off-shift kind of thing–those happen at the end of the line–and we were all forced to wait FORTY MINUTES for the next bus–the two that should have come in the intervening time apparently having stopped off somewhere for after-school aperitifs. Or the happy times when the bus mysteriously fails to change direction at noon as it should, and I am forced to walk in a pack of my disconsolate cohorts along the side of the road. Walking in the sweaty, sweaty heat is kind of annoying, but not the end of the world. However, it’s throwing havoc to my carefully balanced schedule.
–My advisor is going on sabbatical the semester I’m supposed to be writing my Master’s Paper. Since I’m “aggressively competent” this will probably not adversely affect me to the extent it may some people, but it still means that I will 1) have to do a lot more work more quickly and 2) plead my case to the few remaining professors who care about things like public libraries or books way more aggressively than should be necessary. I mean, whose idea was it to only have two professors who are remotely interested in children and teens? I’m feeling the love.
–Once again, my classes only have vague relevance to my future career path. After yet another summer spent working in an actual library doing what I actually plan to pursue, this is even more aggravating than before.
–Our apartment is broken. We haven’t been able to use the shower for two days. Since Steven was going on one of his “if I wash my hair too much it’ll fall out” kicks even before that, it is a smelly, smelly world.
–Everything I eat or drink lately has a weird metallic taste. It took me forever to realize that I’m not dying of arsenic poisoning and that it’s just our dishwasher not washing the soap entirely off our dishes.
–I finished Hunger Games in like five hours yesterday and, despite loftily thinking myself immune to pop-lit trends, am now desperate to read the sequels. My choices are: wait three months on the library request list with all the other teen girls or pay money. I am in an agony of anti-BigBoxBookStore, cheapskate, frantic teen girl indecision.
–Steven keeps beating me at our jury rigged two-person version of Settlers of Catan. My honor is furious.
Hopefully I will at least be able to sort out the last two today.