I decided to put my last comment from my previous post into a new post. So now it is its own topic!
I absolutely love make up. I love getting dressed up. I love organizing my products on my sink-I love the colors of eye shadow, the glow of bronzers and blush, the softening nature of moisturizers, the POP of eye liner, the extension of mascara and the subtle hint of color that colored mascaras provide. I like high heels and expensive jeans. I would ideally like to dress in Dior and Tracy Reese. Someday, I will buy those Louboutin heels.
I guess this contrasts with the fact that I don't really do a lot of glamourous things that would merit such luxury. I don't see anything wrong with liking fashion. I like looking good.
And I guess I'm tired of people who say things like "oh, I never wear make up."At some point in life, I think it's ok to realize that a little bit of make up makes a world of difference in how people perceive you. What's wrong with taking pride in your appearance? I don't feel that I need makeup-actually, my skin is quite nice and even. I have nothing to hide. I just enjoy the process and the products.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Literal
As Jaime has pointed out, I am a literalist.
I take things very literally. This is a trait I have had for a very long time. I believe it started when I was around 9 or 10. My brother was making fun of me and he pointed out that I have no common sense. Now, at that time it was true. I lived in my own little world-at that time, I used to pretend that I was a pioneer of the Laura Ingalls Wilder type. I like to think that I have developed a bit more common sense-I am not a complete idiot about paying bills or remembering to feed my cat and I can cook decently and manage day to day operations.
But, I have kept my sense of "literalness." I take things at face value. This doesn't mean that I am not skeptical, but I have a hard time understanding sarcasm or jokes, especially when they are written. If I see something that looks amiss, I will usually try to look it up, because I like statements to be backed up by facts. Only afterwards do I realize that the person making the statement was, in fact, joking. But I feel better because I have done the research!
This is just part of my nature as a librarian-I like to look things up!
I also like to argue. I don't know how this fits in, but I am comfortable enough with myself that I will not back down if someone is challenging me, especially on a topic that I know a lot about.
And I am glad I have my iphone, because I can easily look up facts during the middle of an argument.
Maybe that makes me annoying?
Oh, and I don't even need to discuss the nature of truth. I don't really believe in an objective truth. I don't believe in an objective morality either.
But I do like facts.
I don't know what the point of this post is anymore, except that yes, I embrace my literal nature.
I also like honesty and not playing games. I like telling people exactly what I think. And I like to think that I have the intelligence to back it up.
I used to think that I was a romantic sort of person, but I have realized that I really am not. I don't have grand illusions about what I expect a future partner would be like-in fact, if a guy started buying me presents all the time and writing eloquent poetry about me, I'd probably laugh and maybe wonder whether he was on the level. My greatest joys are sleeping, eating, and reading, in that order. So my ideal days, often spent with J, are like this-wake up quite late, around 11 or so. Eat a delicious breakfast. Sit on the couch and read for a while. Take a nap. Read a little more, perhaps walk outside. Eat a delicious dinner. Have some champagne. Have a little more champagne. Have some beer. Go out and dance. Come home. Sleep. And repeat the next day.
I take things very literally. This is a trait I have had for a very long time. I believe it started when I was around 9 or 10. My brother was making fun of me and he pointed out that I have no common sense. Now, at that time it was true. I lived in my own little world-at that time, I used to pretend that I was a pioneer of the Laura Ingalls Wilder type. I like to think that I have developed a bit more common sense-I am not a complete idiot about paying bills or remembering to feed my cat and I can cook decently and manage day to day operations.
But, I have kept my sense of "literalness." I take things at face value. This doesn't mean that I am not skeptical, but I have a hard time understanding sarcasm or jokes, especially when they are written. If I see something that looks amiss, I will usually try to look it up, because I like statements to be backed up by facts. Only afterwards do I realize that the person making the statement was, in fact, joking. But I feel better because I have done the research!
This is just part of my nature as a librarian-I like to look things up!
I also like to argue. I don't know how this fits in, but I am comfortable enough with myself that I will not back down if someone is challenging me, especially on a topic that I know a lot about.
And I am glad I have my iphone, because I can easily look up facts during the middle of an argument.
Maybe that makes me annoying?
Oh, and I don't even need to discuss the nature of truth. I don't really believe in an objective truth. I don't believe in an objective morality either.
But I do like facts.
I don't know what the point of this post is anymore, except that yes, I embrace my literal nature.
I also like honesty and not playing games. I like telling people exactly what I think. And I like to think that I have the intelligence to back it up.
I used to think that I was a romantic sort of person, but I have realized that I really am not. I don't have grand illusions about what I expect a future partner would be like-in fact, if a guy started buying me presents all the time and writing eloquent poetry about me, I'd probably laugh and maybe wonder whether he was on the level. My greatest joys are sleeping, eating, and reading, in that order. So my ideal days, often spent with J, are like this-wake up quite late, around 11 or so. Eat a delicious breakfast. Sit on the couch and read for a while. Take a nap. Read a little more, perhaps walk outside. Eat a delicious dinner. Have some champagne. Have a little more champagne. Have some beer. Go out and dance. Come home. Sleep. And repeat the next day.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Nothing?
I have a confession to make!
This blog is not really about nothing in particular.....
it's actually about ME!
I think blogging is kind of a narcissistic behavior. You write because you want to share things about yourself-your opinions, thoughts, issues of importance. Some people want to gain popularity-as in followers and ad dollars. Other people write to display their brilliance and skill at writing. Still others write as a way to make their mark on their world: "I exist," they say, "Listen to me. I am here."
And still others do it because....well, I don't know why.
I was just thinking about this because I was reading a post written by J-Train about potential topics.
She likes to write to appeal to a wide variety of readers, and maybe capture a few new ones. I am an avid reader and I greatly enjoy her posts.
I just happened to realize that I don't really care if anyone reads this. I don't care that people know about my writing brilliance (although I do think I have a sort of flair-perhaps that is just my conceit) I just like to update sometimes. To keep a record of my thoughts....which are usually about nothing in particular, but it always comes back to me. :-)
This blog is not really about nothing in particular.....
it's actually about ME!
I think blogging is kind of a narcissistic behavior. You write because you want to share things about yourself-your opinions, thoughts, issues of importance. Some people want to gain popularity-as in followers and ad dollars. Other people write to display their brilliance and skill at writing. Still others write as a way to make their mark on their world: "I exist," they say, "Listen to me. I am here."
And still others do it because....well, I don't know why.
I was just thinking about this because I was reading a post written by J-Train about potential topics.
She likes to write to appeal to a wide variety of readers, and maybe capture a few new ones. I am an avid reader and I greatly enjoy her posts.
I just happened to realize that I don't really care if anyone reads this. I don't care that people know about my writing brilliance (although I do think I have a sort of flair-perhaps that is just my conceit) I just like to update sometimes. To keep a record of my thoughts....which are usually about nothing in particular, but it always comes back to me. :-)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Archiving
I finally started archiving my old blog in a Google Doc. I have finished July and August 2003 so far. It has been interesting reviewing what I wrote.
I am glad that it's still there.
I don't blog as much as I used to, as most of you know. Too many other social networks and all that. I also feel like I have finally reached a stable point-good job, good guy, place to live, etc. So I'm not really as interesting as I used to be.
That's a good thing though. I had fun back in the day, but I also had a lot of really depressing, terrible, no good, very bad times. I don't have regrets about it-in fact, I'm glad I had those times. The crazy times, as I like to call them. I feel like I came through ok and I am glad that I have reached a point where every day is no longer an emotional roller coaster.
I have reached a point where I can work on developing my interests, instead of developing my existence, if that makes sense. I read so much more than I used to-I pay attention to the news (well, NPR, I refuse to watch TV news). I have opinions about things-from literature to movies to TV to military policies.
Also my History degree allows me a really good perspective. It helps in work, but it also helps in life. I see nuances to things. I don't see the world in a linear way, as a system of cause and effect. I look for connections.
I am, I think, a lot more opinionated than I used to be. I used to feel fearful at expressing myself, but I think that I am a much stronger communicator. Perhaps this is the confidence that comes from getting older? Who knows. I know that things could change at any moment, but I have the mental strength to handle it. I still have a lot to look forward too as well!
What I do know is that I am happy that I am not 22 anymore. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. And I hope it will make me sympathetic to my future offspring-Just need to keep things in perspective.
I am glad that it's still there.
I don't blog as much as I used to, as most of you know. Too many other social networks and all that. I also feel like I have finally reached a stable point-good job, good guy, place to live, etc. So I'm not really as interesting as I used to be.
That's a good thing though. I had fun back in the day, but I also had a lot of really depressing, terrible, no good, very bad times. I don't have regrets about it-in fact, I'm glad I had those times. The crazy times, as I like to call them. I feel like I came through ok and I am glad that I have reached a point where every day is no longer an emotional roller coaster.
I have reached a point where I can work on developing my interests, instead of developing my existence, if that makes sense. I read so much more than I used to-I pay attention to the news (well, NPR, I refuse to watch TV news). I have opinions about things-from literature to movies to TV to military policies.
Also my History degree allows me a really good perspective. It helps in work, but it also helps in life. I see nuances to things. I don't see the world in a linear way, as a system of cause and effect. I look for connections.
I am, I think, a lot more opinionated than I used to be. I used to feel fearful at expressing myself, but I think that I am a much stronger communicator. Perhaps this is the confidence that comes from getting older? Who knows. I know that things could change at any moment, but I have the mental strength to handle it. I still have a lot to look forward too as well!
What I do know is that I am happy that I am not 22 anymore. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. And I hope it will make me sympathetic to my future offspring-Just need to keep things in perspective.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Song for the Weekend
Calvin Harris-Ready for the Weekend
Counterfeit, counterfeit
That's what you're shouting at me
I could run but I'd sooner have this
End amicably.
Lick the blood stain from your finger
Say what do you see?
Remind you that whatever you get is
What you want it to be
You want it to be
You get a feeling, that's what you choose
And I was told there is not a minute to lose
So if you're waiting, jump out your skin
To find a cure for whatever state your in
I tell my good friends get out the way!
Of all the lightning hitting the trees today
We get a thrill from clapping our hands
We find the nearest girl
And ask her to dance
Ohhh I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Weekend, weekend, weekend...
Coming back coming back
To a place where, I never knew
Pushing knobs, pushing faders
But I don't know what they do
This reflection in my mirror, reminds me of you.
When I tilt it towards the sunlight, you fall out of view
You fall out of view!
You get a feeling, that's what you choose.
And I was told there is not a minute to lose
So if you're waiting, jump out your skin
To find a cure for whatever state you're in
I tell my good friends get out the way!
Of all the lightning hitting the trees today
We get a thrill from clappin our hands
We find the nearest girl
And ask her to dance
Ohhh I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Weekend, weekend, weekend...
Counterfeit, counterfeit
That's what you're shouting at me
I could run but I'd sooner have this
End amicably.
Lick the blood stain from your finger
Say what do you see?
Remind you that whatever you get is
What you want it to be
You want it to be
You get a feeling, that's what you choose
And I was told there is not a minute to lose
So if you're waiting, jump out your skin
To find a cure for whatever state your in
I tell my good friends get out the way!
Of all the lightning hitting the trees today
We get a thrill from clapping our hands
We find the nearest girl
And ask her to dance
Ohhh I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Weekend, weekend, weekend...
Coming back coming back
To a place where, I never knew
Pushing knobs, pushing faders
But I don't know what they do
This reflection in my mirror, reminds me of you.
When I tilt it towards the sunlight, you fall out of view
You fall out of view!
You get a feeling, that's what you choose.
And I was told there is not a minute to lose
So if you're waiting, jump out your skin
To find a cure for whatever state you're in
I tell my good friends get out the way!
Of all the lightning hitting the trees today
We get a thrill from clappin our hands
We find the nearest girl
And ask her to dance
Ohhh I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Ouuw I put on my shoes and I'm ready for the weekend
Weekend, weekend, weekend...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
One Reason I like Twitter
...it forces a person to be concise. 140 character limit, no more. It is a lot easier to update Twitter than to update a blog. Especially for me, because I think too much and delete and re-write multiple times. Of course, Twitter can be incredibly inane. But it's a nice way to get something out there, especially if it has been stuck in your mind for a while.
I was going to write more on this topic, but I seem to have passed the limit. So, goodbye
I was going to write more on this topic, but I seem to have passed the limit. So, goodbye
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Hate is too strong
My good friend J-Train posted a while back about hate vs love and indifference. I guess I should revise my previous post, because really, I don't hate Friends. I don't hate much of anything, really. Hate is a very strong word. Instead, I will say that I am indifferent. The only times I encounter Friends is when I hear others talk about it. I never watch the show. It is barely on my radar. It is only when I hear references to it or read articles about it that my annoyance comes back. Ok, I'm not completely indifferent....let's say indifference with a touch of dislike.
Because Hate means that I actively think about how much I dislike the show. That is too much of an effort, and a silly TV show does not deserve that much consideration.
I will admit though, I am fueled by others rampant love of Friends, so perhaps that makes me more combative and militant in my dislike. But again, I am really a peaceful person. I will try to refrain from using the term Hate in the future. It's just not worth it!
Because Hate means that I actively think about how much I dislike the show. That is too much of an effort, and a silly TV show does not deserve that much consideration.
I will admit though, I am fueled by others rampant love of Friends, so perhaps that makes me more combative and militant in my dislike. But again, I am really a peaceful person. I will try to refrain from using the term Hate in the future. It's just not worth it!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wow, I really am a unique snowflake
So I was reading this article "Why are Friends Reruns so Incredibly Painful?" and I was like "Right on!" Totally agree! Except, well, I never really watched the show when it was on. But that was ok, because I pretty much agreed with the fact that Friends doesn't hold up to the test of time, while Seinfeld is absolutely timeless and always funny. And Gilmore Girls, well, meh, I never watched that show either.
But anyway, I read through the comments. There were like, 300 of them. And almost every comment disagreed with the article.
It was creepy. People said things like, sorry I disagree. There were long threads of quotes from Friends. None of which I understood, and none of which I found funny.
People said it was their "comfort food."
I was happy to see this:
But anyway, I read through the comments. There were like, 300 of them. And almost every comment disagreed with the article.
It was creepy. People said things like, sorry I disagree. There were long threads of quotes from Friends. None of which I understood, and none of which I found funny.
People said it was their "comfort food."
I was happy to see this:
-Heh. I feel terribly smug with my always and forever hatred of Friends.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Blah
I seriously wish I could update this more. But now I am maintaining a WordPress blog for my class, the library blog for work, I am updating on Twitter, and I recently started a Tumblr blog. I may consider switching over to Tumblr because it's just so fun!
You won't be interested in reading my WordPress blog.
Perhaps someday I will consolidate all of this Web 2.o media. For now, I will just let it all float around.
Also: I am working on archiving my old Xanga posts. I don't want to lose them...I hope I haven't lost them already because I maintained that blog for nearly 5 years. Better get on that...
You won't be interested in reading my WordPress blog.
Perhaps someday I will consolidate all of this Web 2.o media. For now, I will just let it all float around.
Also: I am working on archiving my old Xanga posts. I don't want to lose them...I hope I haven't lost them already because I maintained that blog for nearly 5 years. Better get on that...
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Who Do I Look Like?
Inspired by Jaime....
The celebrity/famous person that I have been told I resemble is:
Emmy Rossum
I don't know what she has been in recently, but she was the lead in Phantom of the Opera (the movie). The first time I heard of my resemblance to her was from her appearance as "Sean Penn's daughter" in Mystic River.
I don't usually get "you know who you look like?" comments, but more than one person has told me that I look like her. So that's nice. Maybe it's the hair?
The celebrity/famous person that I have been told I resemble is:
Emmy Rossum
I don't know what she has been in recently, but she was the lead in Phantom of the Opera (the movie). The first time I heard of my resemblance to her was from her appearance as "Sean Penn's daughter" in Mystic River.
I don't usually get "you know who you look like?" comments, but more than one person has told me that I look like her. So that's nice. Maybe it's the hair?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I don't update this very often
But actually, I do update it quite often. I just hide a lot of the posts. I sometimes write things in reaction to other stuff I have seen online. Then I review it and decide it's too incendiary for mass publication and retract it. I should be less afraid to publish my thoughts, but for some reason, I feel fearful. I feel that people will read this and form an idea of me that is not quite true.
Why should I care?
Well, because I have a lot of strong opinions on things and I don't like to offend people. I should feel proud to say what I think. No one comments here anyway....but I should be able to express myself without fear of negative feelings.
I just don't know.
Why should I care?
Well, because I have a lot of strong opinions on things and I don't like to offend people. I should feel proud to say what I think. No one comments here anyway....but I should be able to express myself without fear of negative feelings.
I just don't know.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
There is Nothing Wrong With You
I occasionally read the blog of a YA author that has written some excellent, if a trifle long and in need of editing, books. Her works are far, far better than the tripe that Stephenie Meyer writes and that girls suck up like desperate vampires. wait...did I say that out loud? Oops.
Anywho, this is her entry on Proposition 8, titled "There is Nothing Wrong with You."
Beautifully written. Rather long, as is most of her writing, but worth reading. I don't know who reads this, and I don't care, but I just had to share this. That is all.
Anywho, this is her entry on Proposition 8, titled "There is Nothing Wrong with You."
Beautifully written. Rather long, as is most of her writing, but worth reading. I don't know who reads this, and I don't care, but I just had to share this. That is all.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Nothing in Particular...
I found the lyrics that represent my blog, via Morrissey. Morrissey is a musical SUPERSTAR and I am so sad that I have only recently learned about him. Oh well, better late than never! I remember my flatmates in London talking about him and The Smiths....I remember reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower and the main character talks about making mix tapes with The Smiths...too bad I didn't pay attention. There is a time and a place for everything, and Morrissey fits my life perfectly right now. Anyway, let me explain myself before I cause further confusion.
I was looking for new music the other day, and I was exploring 80s new wave bands. I heard the name The Smiths and I thought "what the heck"...so I began researching on Wikipedia. I discovered that The Smiths were a hugely influential band from England in the early-mid 80s. Morrissey was their lead singer. He has an amazing distinctive voice. I am sure that even if one is not familiar with their songs, one would at least recognize the sound.
The Smiths broke up and Morrissey began a solo career. He is pretty much a legend-and he's only 50!
So, I have been collecting some songs. I haven't felt this way about a band in a long time. My faith in music is restored!
Here are some lyric samples:
I'm so glad to grow older
To move away from those awful times
I want to see all my friends tonight-Break Up the Family
So the life I have made
May seem wrong to you
But, I've never been surer
It's my life to ruin
My own way -Alma Matters
And this, the lyric of my blog:
I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular
-How Soon is Now
I mean really, it's like a sign or something! A sign that I have discovered my cosmic music connection. or ummm something.
Music is a very personal thing for me and I am very particular about what I like...I am glad that I have found something to represent my current state of existence. Happiness ensues!
I was looking for new music the other day, and I was exploring 80s new wave bands. I heard the name The Smiths and I thought "what the heck"...so I began researching on Wikipedia. I discovered that The Smiths were a hugely influential band from England in the early-mid 80s. Morrissey was their lead singer. He has an amazing distinctive voice. I am sure that even if one is not familiar with their songs, one would at least recognize the sound.
The Smiths broke up and Morrissey began a solo career. He is pretty much a legend-and he's only 50!
So, I have been collecting some songs. I haven't felt this way about a band in a long time. My faith in music is restored!
Here are some lyric samples:
I'm so glad to grow older
To move away from those awful times
I want to see all my friends tonight-Break Up the Family
So the life I have made
May seem wrong to you
But, I've never been surer
It's my life to ruin
My own way -Alma Matters
And this, the lyric of my blog:
I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular
-How Soon is Now
I mean really, it's like a sign or something! A sign that I have discovered my cosmic music connection. or ummm something.
Music is a very personal thing for me and I am very particular about what I like...I am glad that I have found something to represent my current state of existence. Happiness ensues!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Nerd
Here is a list of why I think that I am a real nerd. Not one of those people who giggles and says "oh I'm such a nerd!" I mean a real, nerdish nerd.
Anyway, here is the list.
1. I took 6 AP courses in high school and entered college as a sophomore with 30 hours of credit.
2. I was the only girl on the Scholastic Bowl team. I was also co-captain.
3. I was in band, orchestra, marching band, and basketball band. I also played in district honors band and orchestra. For fun. Oh, and I am still in a community band today. Also for fun.
4. My major is one of the most liberal arty majors out there. If you were to rank my major on a "how useful will only a BA in my major be for getting a job related to what I studied" scale, it would probably come in a close third place, behind Philosophy and English. What was my major? History.
5. I did not major in History because I wanted to teach it. In fact, I avoided all thoughts of education when I switched my major from Chemistry to History. I had visions of grad school when I was 19. And I was excited about it.
6. I wrote and defended my senior honors thesis my junior year of college. I wrote about the history of computer science at the U of I. The topic interested me.
7. In 6 years at U of I, I completed a BA, cum laude and with distinction in History, I studied abroad for a semester, I completed a Master's Degree and I student taught for a semester.
8. I thought that I was going to attend MIT to get a PhD in the History of Science and Technology in Society Program. Then I finished my thesis and decided I'd had enough of writing...for now....
9. I am a librarian. A high school librarian. I teach classes on MLA style, research using databases, and evaluation of sources. And I Like it.
10. I read YA books, not because I have to, but because I enjoy them.
11. I read almost anything, really.
12. I have yet to meet a person who shares my music tastes. My taste is incredibly eclectic, from classical music to techno to classic rock to New Wave 80s music. You might find some songs that we have in common on my playlists, but most of the time, people do not recognize most of the music on my ipod.
13. I enjoy knowing about obscure things. See: my thesis. I love old movies and not really even the movies themselves, but the process that created them. See: the studio system. I have a fascination with old scientists, alchemy, Victorian Britain, India's days as the "jewel of the empire", the interwar years in Germany, the history of mental illness, Dadaism, surrealism, the streets of London, the Spanish Civil War, pastels, Toulouse Lautrec, the periodic table of the elements, SPDF notation, analog computers, Christian Louboutin, and celebrity blind items. All of these things contribute to the wide variety of things that I am interested in. Now try inserting those topics into regular conversation, and see how far it gets you. Also insert an obscure sense of humor and you will see why I am largely uninterested in many people. Of course, I can fake it as well as anyone, but my true friends understand that I enjoy being obscure and they grant me my little quirks.
14. My lifelong dream has been to be on Jeopardy! I took the test, and will be attending the in person audition on May 30. I am extremely excited about this!!!
15. I love Agatha Christie. I have over 40 of her mysteries and I also have all 5 of the books that she published under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. One of my favorite books ever is Unfinished Portrait by Mary Westmacott. Let me know if you've heard of that one....This book was given to me by my grandma several years ago, and I am eternally grateful to her for it, because Mary Westmacott books are out of print. I sucessfully located the other 4 books on ebay my sophomore year of college and I treasure them.
16. I read Agatha Christie books for the class issues and characterizations as much as the mystery. I understand English country life quite well because of it.
17. I played badminton in high school and quit my senior year because of AP tests. I do not regret it.
And that is why I am a nerd.
Anyway, here is the list.
1. I took 6 AP courses in high school and entered college as a sophomore with 30 hours of credit.
2. I was the only girl on the Scholastic Bowl team. I was also co-captain.
3. I was in band, orchestra, marching band, and basketball band. I also played in district honors band and orchestra. For fun. Oh, and I am still in a community band today. Also for fun.
4. My major is one of the most liberal arty majors out there. If you were to rank my major on a "how useful will only a BA in my major be for getting a job related to what I studied" scale, it would probably come in a close third place, behind Philosophy and English. What was my major? History.
5. I did not major in History because I wanted to teach it. In fact, I avoided all thoughts of education when I switched my major from Chemistry to History. I had visions of grad school when I was 19. And I was excited about it.
6. I wrote and defended my senior honors thesis my junior year of college. I wrote about the history of computer science at the U of I. The topic interested me.
7. In 6 years at U of I, I completed a BA, cum laude and with distinction in History, I studied abroad for a semester, I completed a Master's Degree and I student taught for a semester.
8. I thought that I was going to attend MIT to get a PhD in the History of Science and Technology in Society Program. Then I finished my thesis and decided I'd had enough of writing...for now....
9. I am a librarian. A high school librarian. I teach classes on MLA style, research using databases, and evaluation of sources. And I Like it.
10. I read YA books, not because I have to, but because I enjoy them.
11. I read almost anything, really.
12. I have yet to meet a person who shares my music tastes. My taste is incredibly eclectic, from classical music to techno to classic rock to New Wave 80s music. You might find some songs that we have in common on my playlists, but most of the time, people do not recognize most of the music on my ipod.
13. I enjoy knowing about obscure things. See: my thesis. I love old movies and not really even the movies themselves, but the process that created them. See: the studio system. I have a fascination with old scientists, alchemy, Victorian Britain, India's days as the "jewel of the empire", the interwar years in Germany, the history of mental illness, Dadaism, surrealism, the streets of London, the Spanish Civil War, pastels, Toulouse Lautrec, the periodic table of the elements, SPDF notation, analog computers, Christian Louboutin, and celebrity blind items. All of these things contribute to the wide variety of things that I am interested in. Now try inserting those topics into regular conversation, and see how far it gets you. Also insert an obscure sense of humor and you will see why I am largely uninterested in many people. Of course, I can fake it as well as anyone, but my true friends understand that I enjoy being obscure and they grant me my little quirks.
14. My lifelong dream has been to be on Jeopardy! I took the test, and will be attending the in person audition on May 30. I am extremely excited about this!!!
15. I love Agatha Christie. I have over 40 of her mysteries and I also have all 5 of the books that she published under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. One of my favorite books ever is Unfinished Portrait by Mary Westmacott. Let me know if you've heard of that one....This book was given to me by my grandma several years ago, and I am eternally grateful to her for it, because Mary Westmacott books are out of print. I sucessfully located the other 4 books on ebay my sophomore year of college and I treasure them.
16. I read Agatha Christie books for the class issues and characterizations as much as the mystery. I understand English country life quite well because of it.
17. I played badminton in high school and quit my senior year because of AP tests. I do not regret it.
And that is why I am a nerd.
This is hilarious!
As you all know, I am a book fiend/reader.
Here is an amusing piece from McSweeney's Internet Tendency on a hypothetical college course teaching students about the new age of Internet Writing:
Here is an amusing piece from McSweeney's Internet Tendency on a hypothetical college course teaching students about the new age of Internet Writing:
Internet-Age Writing Syllabus and Course Overview
- - - -
ENG 371WR:
Writing for Nonreaders in the Postprint Era
M-W-F: 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Instructor: Robert Lanham
Course Description
As print takes its place alongside smoke signals, cuneiform, and hollering, there has emerged a new literary age, one in which writers no longer need to feel encumbered by the paper cuts, reading, and excessive use of words traditionally associated with the writing trade. Writing for Nonreaders in the Postprint Era focuses on the creation of short-form prose that is not intended to be reproduced on pulp fibers.
Instant messaging. Twittering. Facebook updates. These 21st-century literary genres are defining a new “Lost Generation” of minimalists who would much rather watch Lost on their iPhones than toil over long-winded articles and short stories. Students will acquire the tools needed to make their tweets glimmer with a complete lack of forethought, their Facebook updates ring with self-importance, and their blog entries shimmer with literary pithiness. All without the restraints of writing in complete sentences. w00t! w00t! Throughout the course, a further paring down of the Hemingway/Stein school of minimalism will be emphasized, limiting the superfluous use of nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, conjunctions, gerunds, and other literary pitfalls.
Prerequisites
Students must have completed at least two of the following.
ENG: 232WR—Advanced Tweeting: The Elements of Droll
LIT: 223—Early-21st-Century Literature: 140 Characters or Less
ENG: 102—Staring Blankly at Handheld Devices While Others Are Talking
ENG: 301—Advanced Blog and Book Skimming
ENG: 231WR—Facebook Wall Alliteration and Assonance
LIT: 202—The Literary Merits of Lolcats
LIT: 209—Internet-Age Surrealistic Narcissism and Self-Absorption
Required Reading Materials
Literary works, including the online table of contents of the Huffington Post’s Complete Guide to Blogging, will serve as models to be skimmed for thorough analysis. Also, Perez Hilton’s Twitter feed.
SECTION 1:
LECTURE AND DISCUSSION
The Writing Is on the Wall:
Why Print/Reading Will Go the Way
of the Pictograph
Four weeks will be devoted to discussing the publishing industry and why―with the exception of wordless celebrity glossies―the print medium is, um, boring and, furthermore, totally dull.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Religious Folks and Torture
The Pew Research Center, a well known nonpartisan thinktank, has recently published a study showing that the more often Americans go to church, the more likely they are to support the torture of suspected terrorists.
Among White Evangelicals:
18% say that torture can often be justified, while 44% say that torture can sometimes be justified.
Compared to non affiliated people-15% say that torture can often be justified and 33% say that it can sometimes be justified.
And, among weekly churchgoers: 16% say torture is often justified and 38% say it is often justified
For those who attend services seldom: 12% say torture is often justified and 30% say it is sometimes justified.
Here is a link to the study.
Among White Evangelicals:
18% say that torture can often be justified, while 44% say that torture can sometimes be justified.
Compared to non affiliated people-15% say that torture can often be justified and 33% say that it can sometimes be justified.
And, among weekly churchgoers: 16% say torture is often justified and 38% say it is often justified
For those who attend services seldom: 12% say torture is often justified and 30% say it is sometimes justified.
Here is a link to the study.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Gray
Just wondering when the sun will come out again. It has been gray, drizzly, and cloudy for the last 4 days.
I would appreciate some sun, thanks.
It is that time of year...the march to the end, the AP tests, the final exams, prom, graduation, college, and preparing for next year.
Always exciting, but kind of stressful, as the kids get antsy...especially the seniors!
6 weeks left...
I would appreciate some sun, thanks.
It is that time of year...the march to the end, the AP tests, the final exams, prom, graduation, college, and preparing for next year.
Always exciting, but kind of stressful, as the kids get antsy...especially the seniors!
6 weeks left...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tragically Unhip?
Yesterday, I discovered that I am tragically unhip.
I realized this as I was perusing music and I discovered a band called The Smiths. Now, I have heard of them throughout the years, but I never pursued listening to them. And of course, once I listened to a song, I was hooked.
So yeah, I was only about 20 years behind the times, as The Smiths are a band that was popular in the 80s. One of the first alternative post punk bands out of Manchester, England.
Aside from that, I have discovered, that for most of my life, I have felt like I am living in the wrong time. I am merely an observer to my modern life. My soul belongs in another era. What era depends on where I am in my life. These days, I feel like I am lurking somewhere in Europe during the first part of the 20th century.
Let me explain: it all started when I began reading the Little House books in 2nd grade. I devoured those books, beginning with Little House in the Big Woods, all the way through The First Four Years. After I read those, I began to imagine that I lived in the mid 19th century. I was a pioneer person. I used to imagine that I was the eldest sister in a large family, and that my parents were often absent or busy. I had to take care of my younger siblings. I had a running narrative in my head of this story. While I was at school, the story was sidelined, but at home, I definitely lived my historical narrative. This period lasted until about 5th grade, culminating in my dressing as Laura Ingalls Wilder for Halloween. Around this time, I began to discover other historical fiction works, namely the Anne of Green Gables books. My time period shifted to the late 19th century. I imagined myself as a playmate of Anne's and I live in her world. Again, the actual world I lived in was immaterial. I was always a quiet kid, and I spent most of my recesses reading. I had few friends, but it never bothered me. I had enough to be satisfied, while still maintaining my parallel historical existence.
By 7th grade, I discovered the Beatles, and my time period shifted rather drastically to 1960s England. I became obsessed with the Beatles and with 60s music. I only listened to the Oldies station (having not yet discovered Classic Rock) I devoured every Beatles book I could find. I imagined myself an "Apple Scruff" (or, a Beatles groupie-and no, I didn't know what groupie meant.) I developed my first real crush-on George Harrison. I collected images of the Beatles. I felt like a total anachronism, as none of my friends seemed to understand my obsession. I eschewed the popular music of the time, which was mostly Green Day and early alt rock. I had my Beatles.
My Beatles obsession lasted quite a while-until my junior year of high school. Along with the Beatles, my reading tastes veered towards Agatha Christie novels. Some of them took place in the 60s, others took place during the first part of the 20th century. I loved them all, and developed a real obsession with British culture.
I discovered Led Zeppelin when I was 16. My world was once again shifted, this time to the late 60s/early 70s. Now, along with the Beatles, I had Led Zeppelin albums to collect. This phase lasted until probably my sophomore year of college.
Then I briefly discovered some new music. But that phase quickly passed.
Now, I believe my music tastes lie somewhere in the early 80s, as I mentioned earlier.
I'm not sure if it will shift again. It probably will. To some other time period other than the one in which we currently reside.
I have always felt a strong connection to the past. My obsession with history goes back even further than the Little House Books-I believe it started with my grandfather, who was the single most important person in my life. He died when I was 8, but I always loved hearing stories about his youth, about the Depression, about the War. I am lucky that I had a grandfather who lived through all of this and was able to tell me about it. Most people my age have younger grandparents than mine. I am almost a whole generation removed from most of my peers, as my mom was one of the first baby boomers-literally, she was born in 1946.
My mom is the other major influence on my life. She is, of course, my best friend, and my favorite person in the world. And sometimes I think that she and I should have switched places in time! She lived through it all-growing up in the 50s, going to college in the 60s, the liberal 70s, studying in Spain, traveling through Europe, meeting my dad by chance in a park....she has had so many amazing experiences-and that was all well before I was born!
I can't forget my dad though. He grew up in a foreign country, under a fascist dictatorship. How many people can say that about their dads??
My life has been full of an appreciation of the past. I am sure this contributes to my sense of feeling out of place in time. I don't think I'll ever fit in completely.
And I don't think I want to.
So, I will forever be tragically unhip. Listening to music that either a) people no longer listen to or b)very few people have heard of.
Watching movies that are a) really old or b) really odd and 'cult' favorites
Talking about events that happened long ago.
Reading obscure novels, many in translation. For example, Louis Aragon's Paris Peasant.
I don't mean to say that I am unhappy with my existence. I just feel like there are so many layers to life beyond the every day, the mundane.
I guess you could say I enjoy living in the past!
I realized this as I was perusing music and I discovered a band called The Smiths. Now, I have heard of them throughout the years, but I never pursued listening to them. And of course, once I listened to a song, I was hooked.
So yeah, I was only about 20 years behind the times, as The Smiths are a band that was popular in the 80s. One of the first alternative post punk bands out of Manchester, England.
Aside from that, I have discovered, that for most of my life, I have felt like I am living in the wrong time. I am merely an observer to my modern life. My soul belongs in another era. What era depends on where I am in my life. These days, I feel like I am lurking somewhere in Europe during the first part of the 20th century.
Let me explain: it all started when I began reading the Little House books in 2nd grade. I devoured those books, beginning with Little House in the Big Woods, all the way through The First Four Years. After I read those, I began to imagine that I lived in the mid 19th century. I was a pioneer person. I used to imagine that I was the eldest sister in a large family, and that my parents were often absent or busy. I had to take care of my younger siblings. I had a running narrative in my head of this story. While I was at school, the story was sidelined, but at home, I definitely lived my historical narrative. This period lasted until about 5th grade, culminating in my dressing as Laura Ingalls Wilder for Halloween. Around this time, I began to discover other historical fiction works, namely the Anne of Green Gables books. My time period shifted to the late 19th century. I imagined myself as a playmate of Anne's and I live in her world. Again, the actual world I lived in was immaterial. I was always a quiet kid, and I spent most of my recesses reading. I had few friends, but it never bothered me. I had enough to be satisfied, while still maintaining my parallel historical existence.
By 7th grade, I discovered the Beatles, and my time period shifted rather drastically to 1960s England. I became obsessed with the Beatles and with 60s music. I only listened to the Oldies station (having not yet discovered Classic Rock) I devoured every Beatles book I could find. I imagined myself an "Apple Scruff" (or, a Beatles groupie-and no, I didn't know what groupie meant.) I developed my first real crush-on George Harrison. I collected images of the Beatles. I felt like a total anachronism, as none of my friends seemed to understand my obsession. I eschewed the popular music of the time, which was mostly Green Day and early alt rock. I had my Beatles.
My Beatles obsession lasted quite a while-until my junior year of high school. Along with the Beatles, my reading tastes veered towards Agatha Christie novels. Some of them took place in the 60s, others took place during the first part of the 20th century. I loved them all, and developed a real obsession with British culture.
I discovered Led Zeppelin when I was 16. My world was once again shifted, this time to the late 60s/early 70s. Now, along with the Beatles, I had Led Zeppelin albums to collect. This phase lasted until probably my sophomore year of college.
Then I briefly discovered some new music. But that phase quickly passed.
Now, I believe my music tastes lie somewhere in the early 80s, as I mentioned earlier.
I'm not sure if it will shift again. It probably will. To some other time period other than the one in which we currently reside.
I have always felt a strong connection to the past. My obsession with history goes back even further than the Little House Books-I believe it started with my grandfather, who was the single most important person in my life. He died when I was 8, but I always loved hearing stories about his youth, about the Depression, about the War. I am lucky that I had a grandfather who lived through all of this and was able to tell me about it. Most people my age have younger grandparents than mine. I am almost a whole generation removed from most of my peers, as my mom was one of the first baby boomers-literally, she was born in 1946.
My mom is the other major influence on my life. She is, of course, my best friend, and my favorite person in the world. And sometimes I think that she and I should have switched places in time! She lived through it all-growing up in the 50s, going to college in the 60s, the liberal 70s, studying in Spain, traveling through Europe, meeting my dad by chance in a park....she has had so many amazing experiences-and that was all well before I was born!
I can't forget my dad though. He grew up in a foreign country, under a fascist dictatorship. How many people can say that about their dads??
My life has been full of an appreciation of the past. I am sure this contributes to my sense of feeling out of place in time. I don't think I'll ever fit in completely.
And I don't think I want to.
So, I will forever be tragically unhip. Listening to music that either a) people no longer listen to or b)very few people have heard of.
Watching movies that are a) really old or b) really odd and 'cult' favorites
Talking about events that happened long ago.
Reading obscure novels, many in translation. For example, Louis Aragon's Paris Peasant.
I don't mean to say that I am unhappy with my existence. I just feel like there are so many layers to life beyond the every day, the mundane.
I guess you could say I enjoy living in the past!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Dream
I am usually pretty bad at remembering dreams. However, this past weekend I had a dream that my local Chevy dealership had gone out of business. I was driving by the place, and the whole lot was empty. There was nothing left. The place that I had gone to only last week to get my tires checked was now an empty shell.
This dream scared me because I just got a new car from said dealership. It's a place that I know well. My parents have gotten cars from there.... The place has been around ever since I can remember-probably over 20 years, although it has changed names since I was little.
This dealership does a lot for the community. They always provide the cars for the homecoming parade at our high school. For prom, they actually raffle off a new car for students who attend the post-prom activity. They host car shows on summer evenings with food and entertainment. They also have displays at our local fourth of July celebration.
Anyway, I would be really sad if this place left. And this dream seemed so real. Perhaps it's because the dealership is next to an abandoned K-Mart lot, but it was quite easy to imagine it all disappearing.
I guess I'm fearful for GM?
I really don't want them to go under. I guess we will see what happens March 31. That's when the government is supposed to respond to the bailout requests.
I can't help but worry.
This dream scared me because I just got a new car from said dealership. It's a place that I know well. My parents have gotten cars from there.... The place has been around ever since I can remember-probably over 20 years, although it has changed names since I was little.
This dealership does a lot for the community. They always provide the cars for the homecoming parade at our high school. For prom, they actually raffle off a new car for students who attend the post-prom activity. They host car shows on summer evenings with food and entertainment. They also have displays at our local fourth of July celebration.
Anyway, I would be really sad if this place left. And this dream seemed so real. Perhaps it's because the dealership is next to an abandoned K-Mart lot, but it was quite easy to imagine it all disappearing.
I guess I'm fearful for GM?
I really don't want them to go under. I guess we will see what happens March 31. That's when the government is supposed to respond to the bailout requests.
I can't help but worry.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tag Crowd
The website, http://tagcrowd.com, lets you plug in the text from any source. It then looks at the text and picks out the most common words. You can set the number of words you want it to pull, and it also eliminates common words such as a, the, an, etc. I was playing with it today....I plugged in the text of Shakespeare's sonnets from 51-154 (a lot of text!) and this is what it came up with:
age alone although art away bear beauty best better black bright days dead dear death deeds desire earth eyes face fair false far faults fire found friend full gentle give grace grow happy hate hath heart heaven hold ill knows leave lest lie life live looks lose loss love making mayst mind mine mistress muse name night none nothing others painting poor power praise pride proud prove reason rich roses shadow sight sin soul speak spirit state stay store summer sun sweet therefore thine things think thought thyself till true truth verse whilst whose wilt woe words world worth youth
created at TagCrowd.com
Kinda neat!Monday, February 23, 2009
Sin City...Again!
I'm going to Las Vegas this weekend. I am sure it will be a great time because:
1. We are staying at the Bellagio. Yes, that Bellagio. The one featured in Ocean's 11...perhaps the fanciest hotel on the Strip.
2. Another female will be coming with us, so if I get bored by J. and his brother playing craps all night, I will have someone to shop and/or drink margaritas with. Also, she's very nice and I am sure we would have a great time perusing the Prada, Dior, Armani, Gucci, and Chanel shops. No, I will not buy anything. But it will be fun to look!
3. The weather: currently predicted to be in the 70s throughout the weekend.
4. I might try my hand at Baccarat, the game of Kings. I was reading up on Baccarat the other day, and it is surprisingly easy to learn. Of course, I kind of hate gambling and don't like throwing money away, but I am willing to wager a little bit to test out my skills. I've been practicing online...I probably will be too intimidated and/or chicken to go up to the actual tables, but maybe I'll just hang around them and watch.
1. We are staying at the Bellagio. Yes, that Bellagio. The one featured in Ocean's 11...perhaps the fanciest hotel on the Strip.
2. Another female will be coming with us, so if I get bored by J. and his brother playing craps all night, I will have someone to shop and/or drink margaritas with. Also, she's very nice and I am sure we would have a great time perusing the Prada, Dior, Armani, Gucci, and Chanel shops. No, I will not buy anything. But it will be fun to look!
3. The weather: currently predicted to be in the 70s throughout the weekend.
4. I might try my hand at Baccarat, the game of Kings. I was reading up on Baccarat the other day, and it is surprisingly easy to learn. Of course, I kind of hate gambling and don't like throwing money away, but I am willing to wager a little bit to test out my skills. I've been practicing online...I probably will be too intimidated and/or chicken to go up to the actual tables, but maybe I'll just hang around them and watch.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Note to self:
Do not write about the merits of Amtrak before you actually take the trip. As it turns out, I did not actually take the train to Minnesota. The train was delayed about 25 hours and I waited for 11 of those hours at the train station. I got home at 1 am. My brother then drove down from Minnesota to pick us up and drive us to Minneapolis. Then, on the way home, my train was delayed again. So I took the bus and got home earlier than I would have on the train. The bus also cost only $55, compared to $130 for the train. My mom couldn't take the train back either. Luckily, my brother's friend was visiting and he drove her home.
I will never take Amtrak again. At least we got our refunds.
I will never take Amtrak again. At least we got our refunds.
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