Looking at my wardrobe, I notice distinct style details that get repeated throughout the collection:
1) I like polka dots.
2) I like pink. My favorite color is red, but I prefer to wear pink.
3) Embroidery, ribbons, or contrasting details--if it has any or all of those, I will buy it.
4)I like my clothing soft, hence my love of cotton t-shirts and obsession with cashmere underwear.
I have a secret inner core of girly. Maybe it's not so secret.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Adventures In Apartment Hunting
I need some input from people who are current or recent renters to remind me of what to look for and avoid in a place. I went wandering around work looking at possible apartment complexes.
DrWende confirms that the adjective "luxury" has no meaning out here due to indiscriminate overuse, Aces warned me that a western facing apartment will be hell in the summer, and The Romance Heroine reminded me that single men and families with kids make lots of noise. Anything else?
My criteria are few:
1) Cheap. Because I still own a house in Ohio.
2) Small space. It's me and a cat. We don't technically need more than a studio, but I might fall for a 1 bedroom with a balcony/patio. Cain would like it.
3) Within walking distance of work. I have an older car that I need to get a couple of more years out of, and I am not the world's best driver anyway, especially in heavy traffic. Plus, why did I move here if not to enjoy the outdoors? I am not someone who hates cars or doesn't like to drive (I think they are a necessity in most of the country, and people who are rabidly anti-car seem to have a streak of martyrdom that annoys me) but work is across from a Target, a Costco, a grocery, a poorly reviewed strip club and a Starbucks, 2 blocks from the library, and half a mile from other amenities like a post office, other food, a movie theater, etc. I'd have to buy another babushka cart! It's more convenient than a lot of Cleveland!
4) A decent amount of light. It makes me cheerful.
5) Thick walls. I listen to a lot of music, I wear shoes in the house, and I try to be considerate, but I don't want to feel guilty.
6) A professional management company. No more landlords who buy small properties and have weirdness.
7) Anonymity. Sorry coworker, I don't want to live across the street from you in Tempe in your neighbor's cottage and be forced into commuting with you. I am not a Tempe person anyway.
DrWende confirms that the adjective "luxury" has no meaning out here due to indiscriminate overuse, Aces warned me that a western facing apartment will be hell in the summer, and The Romance Heroine reminded me that single men and families with kids make lots of noise. Anything else?
My criteria are few:
1) Cheap. Because I still own a house in Ohio.
2) Small space. It's me and a cat. We don't technically need more than a studio, but I might fall for a 1 bedroom with a balcony/patio. Cain would like it.
3) Within walking distance of work. I have an older car that I need to get a couple of more years out of, and I am not the world's best driver anyway, especially in heavy traffic. Plus, why did I move here if not to enjoy the outdoors? I am not someone who hates cars or doesn't like to drive (I think they are a necessity in most of the country, and people who are rabidly anti-car seem to have a streak of martyrdom that annoys me) but work is across from a Target, a Costco, a grocery, a poorly reviewed strip club and a Starbucks, 2 blocks from the library, and half a mile from other amenities like a post office, other food, a movie theater, etc. I'd have to buy another babushka cart! It's more convenient than a lot of Cleveland!
4) A decent amount of light. It makes me cheerful.
5) Thick walls. I listen to a lot of music, I wear shoes in the house, and I try to be considerate, but I don't want to feel guilty.
6) A professional management company. No more landlords who buy small properties and have weirdness.
7) Anonymity. Sorry coworker, I don't want to live across the street from you in Tempe in your neighbor's cottage and be forced into commuting with you. I am not a Tempe person anyway.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Wardrobe Therapy, Week 1 Tasks
Bones: Get completely caught up on laundry you can do yourself. If trips to the dry-cleaner are relatively routine for you, catch up on that, too.
Done. I was surprised to find my black blazer is machine washable. Bless those Penney's Worthington line seperates. I even paid for my cleaning in advance to pick up later this week.
Breath: Choose one garment, pair of shoes, accessory, make-up item, skin-care product, or hair-care product that will ultimately belong in the Torture Device, Velveteen Rabbit, or Mystery of the Lost Shopping Trip category and make it go away now instead of waiting for its special week. If you think it best to start a donation bag or turn your old clothes into rags, do that thing -- just get something de-accessioned.
Done. Painless.
Heart: Do something pampering for yourself. (If you've been doing the 8-Week AT Cure, you need and deserve a little pampering by now.) It's not necessary to run out and buy anything -- just to give some attention to yourself rather than the apartment, the family, the dog, the job, and so on. If you can tackle a treat you've been postponing, so much the better.
I got a pedicure! I paid extra for callus removal. My toesies have red nails!
Head: Find a source of clothing pictures that you enjoy looking at. It need not be a fashion magazine or current catalog. Old movies, Old Masters... doesn't matter. The idea is to immerse yourself in elements that nourish your personal style, regardless of whether the nice buyers at the nice stores are on the same page.
I looked at the Anthropologie catalog. I would like $400 heeled, honey-colored leather Mary Janes, please. No? Fine, I saves monies.
I also swiped my aister's copy of Elle. Did you know Victoria's Secret sells cashmere bra and underpants sets? Did you know that if the WT participants were getting nominations, I would totally be "Most Likely To Be Wearing Cashmere Underpants?"
Also, give yourself at least a back-of-the-envelope idea of where you want to go with budget. I'll blog more about this issue later, too.
$50 a paycheck, and I get paid biweekly. My spur of the moment purchase of burgundy shoes put me down to $35 for the next 10 days. And there's bra shopping coming up. That'll be a tale. Stay tuned.
Done. I was surprised to find my black blazer is machine washable. Bless those Penney's Worthington line seperates. I even paid for my cleaning in advance to pick up later this week.
Breath: Choose one garment, pair of shoes, accessory, make-up item, skin-care product, or hair-care product that will ultimately belong in the Torture Device, Velveteen Rabbit, or Mystery of the Lost Shopping Trip category and make it go away now instead of waiting for its special week. If you think it best to start a donation bag or turn your old clothes into rags, do that thing -- just get something de-accessioned.
Done. Painless.
Heart: Do something pampering for yourself. (If you've been doing the 8-Week AT Cure, you need and deserve a little pampering by now.) It's not necessary to run out and buy anything -- just to give some attention to yourself rather than the apartment, the family, the dog, the job, and so on. If you can tackle a treat you've been postponing, so much the better.
I got a pedicure! I paid extra for callus removal. My toesies have red nails!
Head: Find a source of clothing pictures that you enjoy looking at. It need not be a fashion magazine or current catalog. Old movies, Old Masters... doesn't matter. The idea is to immerse yourself in elements that nourish your personal style, regardless of whether the nice buyers at the nice stores are on the same page.
I looked at the Anthropologie catalog. I would like $400 heeled, honey-colored leather Mary Janes, please. No? Fine, I saves monies.
I also swiped my aister's copy of Elle. Did you know Victoria's Secret sells cashmere bra and underpants sets? Did you know that if the WT participants were getting nominations, I would totally be "Most Likely To Be Wearing Cashmere Underpants?"
Also, give yourself at least a back-of-the-envelope idea of where you want to go with budget. I'll blog more about this issue later, too.
$50 a paycheck, and I get paid biweekly. My spur of the moment purchase of burgundy shoes put me down to $35 for the next 10 days. And there's bra shopping coming up. That'll be a tale. Stay tuned.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Department Of Best Lines And Descriptions
"I like intelligent women. When you go out, it shouldn't be a staring contest."--Frank Sinatra
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Wardrobe Prattle, 3
Your Wardrobe
In three bullet points, what is the problem with your wardrobe?
I buy haphazardly.
I wear the same things over and over like a demented Frenchie.
I'm hard on my clothes and wind up with strains, tears, rundown heels, fading, and then I can't find replacements.
If your wardrobe could speak, what would it say is the problem?
You go for the pretty over the practical every time, don't you? And by the way, we are clothes, we are meant to be worn, not kept like a museum collection.
What one thing do you want your wardrobe to do more of?
I want it to spend less time hanging out in my closet being schlumpy, and more time out and about going places with me and looking smart.
What do you want people to say about your look?
I want people to say "oh, of course that's Kerry." That it supports my personality, basically, like my tourmaline ring. Here it is:
And here's the story, with abbreviated background--I was with my sisters who had their own jewelry pursuits at Earth Treasures, and I I don't wear a lot of jewelry, but I fell for this. It makes me happy every time I look at it--it's pink, it's delicate, it's intricate, it looks like a cloud or a flower or just a really pretty shaded mosaic--and my sister Dusie said, "I can't think of anything in this store that is more you." It's wearable art.
In three bullet points, what is the problem with your wardrobe?
I buy haphazardly.
I wear the same things over and over like a demented Frenchie.
I'm hard on my clothes and wind up with strains, tears, rundown heels, fading, and then I can't find replacements.
If your wardrobe could speak, what would it say is the problem?
You go for the pretty over the practical every time, don't you? And by the way, we are clothes, we are meant to be worn, not kept like a museum collection.
What one thing do you want your wardrobe to do more of?
I want it to spend less time hanging out in my closet being schlumpy, and more time out and about going places with me and looking smart.
What do you want people to say about your look?
I want people to say "oh, of course that's Kerry." That it supports my personality, basically, like my tourmaline ring. Here it is:
And here's the story, with abbreviated background--I was with my sisters who had their own jewelry pursuits at Earth Treasures, and I I don't wear a lot of jewelry, but I fell for this. It makes me happy every time I look at it--it's pink, it's delicate, it's intricate, it looks like a cloud or a flower or just a really pretty shaded mosaic--and my sister Dusie said, "I can't think of anything in this store that is more you." It's wearable art.
Wardrobe Prattle, 2
How You Live & the People Around You
If there were a uniform for where you spend most of your time, what would it be?
JC Penny separates and suits, mostly in black. We are civil servants, baby.
If there were a uniform for where you spend your leisure, what would it be?
I spend my leisure time on the Marlboro Mesa, where we wear sloppy clothing resistant to dog drool.
What do you like best about the prevailing style where you are?
I have not really gotten the style here, other than casual and summer.
What frustrates you?
Shopping. Nothing is made for hourglass figures. I think everything is too expensive usually, but I can't risk waiting for sales because they won't have my size. Plus, a 6 week sales cycle in the stores is too short.
Is there another place (one you've lived, visited, heard about, whatever) that better captures your idea of style?
I miss New Jersey, not for the over the top expensive fashion of prevailing cultural values and the ethnicity of the population, but because being dressed up was not viewed with suspicion the way it was in Ohio. Seriously, in Cleveland dressing sloppy is a badge of honor, a sign you're one of the working class, those salt of the earth, Kuchinich voting Democrats who do not care for the fancy ways of larger cities.
And we know how I feel about that.
Construct a quick pie chart of the occasions for which you dress.
Eh. 40% work, 40 % leisure, 20% sleep, 5% other occasions.
If there were a uniform for where you spend most of your time, what would it be?
JC Penny separates and suits, mostly in black. We are civil servants, baby.
If there were a uniform for where you spend your leisure, what would it be?
I spend my leisure time on the Marlboro Mesa, where we wear sloppy clothing resistant to dog drool.
What do you like best about the prevailing style where you are?
I have not really gotten the style here, other than casual and summer.
What frustrates you?
Shopping. Nothing is made for hourglass figures. I think everything is too expensive usually, but I can't risk waiting for sales because they won't have my size. Plus, a 6 week sales cycle in the stores is too short.
Is there another place (one you've lived, visited, heard about, whatever) that better captures your idea of style?
I miss New Jersey, not for the over the top expensive fashion of prevailing cultural values and the ethnicity of the population, but because being dressed up was not viewed with suspicion the way it was in Ohio. Seriously, in Cleveland dressing sloppy is a badge of honor, a sign you're one of the working class, those salt of the earth, Kuchinich voting Democrats who do not care for the fancy ways of larger cities.
And we know how I feel about that.
Construct a quick pie chart of the occasions for which you dress.
Eh. 40% work, 40 % leisure, 20% sleep, 5% other occasions.
Wardrobe Prattle, 1
Who is your candidate for "best dressed," real or fictional?
Andy Warhol, for a combination of artiface, using what you've got and the advice "if you look older when you are not, as you age you look the same."
And I like looking at Ms. Bitch Cakes and Audie at Geek Threads.
Is there anyone you're tempted to see as a style icon, but you'd never dare dress that way?
I would like to have a calm, cool and collected style like this:
But I am more mussy and chaotic like this:
That's Clara Bow, by the way. Yeah, no one ever accused Grace Kelly of high times with the USC football team.
What is your favorite garment/outfit ever?
When I first started working as a teenager there was no point in saving my money for a car or anything (so I was told) so I spent a lot on clothes. I bought this jacket from the Gap sales rack--it was a medium pink, made from a heavier sweatshirt material, long sleeves with mother of pearl snaps up the front. I wore it with a black turtleneck, black skirt, and black tights and shoes. Sometimes I swiped out a white collared blouse. I loved that jacket. I finally gave it way after college, and I sort of regret it.
And my grandma made me a cotton slip when I was about 4, and I wore it all the time. My mom threw it in the trash when I was 7 or 8 and I indignantly dug it out. It was raggedy, but I liked it.
What is your current favorite garment?
My green cardigan. A workmate said she liked its lovely pea color and that it matched my eyes.
What would you wear if you could wear absolutely anything?
White collared shirts. I'd like to be cool, calm and collected and it was a real battle to finally accept I'm not that sort of a person. Plus, huge rack.
What would your favorite store be, if money were no object?
Oh, I'd just employ a full time dressmaker.
Do you have a favorite store now? If so, why? If not, why not?
Not really. I like the discount aspects of Marshalls & TJ Maxx and I'm usually quite lucky on the shoes and accessories there. The Lord and Taylor after Christmas markdown cashmere extravaganza. Some other department stores. Ann Taylor and Banana Republic sales racks.
What's your best fashion faux-pas story, now that the scars have healed?
When I was about 8, I went to Field Day and 2 girls told me my clothes didn't match. I tried to argue that the colors were alike, but was forced to admit that a pastel striped shirt and shorts with a pattern of primary colored ants didn't really go together.
And that's why for the next 25 years, I never wore more than 2 colors in an outfit, or more than a solid neutral and a print.
Andy Warhol, for a combination of artiface, using what you've got and the advice "if you look older when you are not, as you age you look the same."
And I like looking at Ms. Bitch Cakes and Audie at Geek Threads.
Is there anyone you're tempted to see as a style icon, but you'd never dare dress that way?
I would like to have a calm, cool and collected style like this:
But I am more mussy and chaotic like this:
That's Clara Bow, by the way. Yeah, no one ever accused Grace Kelly of high times with the USC football team.
What is your favorite garment/outfit ever?
When I first started working as a teenager there was no point in saving my money for a car or anything (so I was told) so I spent a lot on clothes. I bought this jacket from the Gap sales rack--it was a medium pink, made from a heavier sweatshirt material, long sleeves with mother of pearl snaps up the front. I wore it with a black turtleneck, black skirt, and black tights and shoes. Sometimes I swiped out a white collared blouse. I loved that jacket. I finally gave it way after college, and I sort of regret it.
And my grandma made me a cotton slip when I was about 4, and I wore it all the time. My mom threw it in the trash when I was 7 or 8 and I indignantly dug it out. It was raggedy, but I liked it.
What is your current favorite garment?
My green cardigan. A workmate said she liked its lovely pea color and that it matched my eyes.
What would you wear if you could wear absolutely anything?
White collared shirts. I'd like to be cool, calm and collected and it was a real battle to finally accept I'm not that sort of a person. Plus, huge rack.
What would your favorite store be, if money were no object?
Oh, I'd just employ a full time dressmaker.
Do you have a favorite store now? If so, why? If not, why not?
Not really. I like the discount aspects of Marshalls & TJ Maxx and I'm usually quite lucky on the shoes and accessories there. The Lord and Taylor after Christmas markdown cashmere extravaganza. Some other department stores. Ann Taylor and Banana Republic sales racks.
What's your best fashion faux-pas story, now that the scars have healed?
When I was about 8, I went to Field Day and 2 girls told me my clothes didn't match. I tried to argue that the colors were alike, but was forced to admit that a pastel striped shirt and shorts with a pattern of primary colored ants didn't really go together.
And that's why for the next 25 years, I never wore more than 2 colors in an outfit, or more than a solid neutral and a print.
Scenes Of An Arizona Life
So this week we went to the Arizona Department of Economic Security for the amazing (and cheap!) Fiesta Wednesday. You know what "economic security" is, right? It's polite speak for welfare and unemployment and stuff. Imagine my surprise to see Arizona Lottery at the checkout. No, they really sell AZ Lotto at the DES. The irony!
*****
I heard an accountant joke this week, and the sad, sad thing is that after 5 weeks on the job, I get it.
Why did the auditor cross the road?
Because last year's audit plan said to!
*****
Every night when I leave the audit site I pass by 700 S Grant to get to the 10 then the 60, and somewhere near there there's a bakery. I get stopped at the light, and there's the smell of Wonderbread, and it's a nice way to end the day and get geared up for an hour's worth of crawling traffic.
*****
I heard an accountant joke this week, and the sad, sad thing is that after 5 weeks on the job, I get it.
Why did the auditor cross the road?
Because last year's audit plan said to!
*****
Every night when I leave the audit site I pass by 700 S Grant to get to the 10 then the 60, and somewhere near there there's a bakery. I get stopped at the light, and there's the smell of Wonderbread, and it's a nice way to end the day and get geared up for an hour's worth of crawling traffic.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Dear NPR
Dear NPR,
I usually think of you as a serious news source. Even The Don was listening to you for balance before he died, and you know he also loved Fox News. Sure, I wish Frank Deford would freaking SHUT UP AND RETIRE PLEASE and I generally feel like punching the Youth Radio commentators for their teenage navel-gazing and the "This I Believe" contributors for pretension, but I respect your reporting.
I'm sorry, perhaps it's just me angsting about my financial future but I am a bit confused by the story I heard yesterday on Morning Edition, "Housing Dream Backfires For Immigrant." Let me get this straight-- an immigrant who earned his pharmacy degree from Howard in the early 90's, so he's not fresh off the boat by any means, commits mortgage fraud and he's somehow an example of how the American Dream has been dashed by the financial collapse? Are you nuts? Or are you being ironic? Were you just intent on profiling the first person you found and hoping we didn't notice that he's been up to shady get rich quick schemes? If you're intending a subtle critique within your objectivity, you failed--it comes off as slapdash and poorly thought out.
To say I'm disappointed in your reporting is an understatement.
Guys, you want someone to profile as someone who has been hurt by this insanity but didn't fuel it? Profile me. Details upon request, but I promise you I didn't buy multiple houses to use as an ATM. My house is for sale, at less than what I bought it for, and according to my real estate person, there's just no buyers. It's an old, modest house in a nice neighborhood, within walking distance of restaurants, bars, the hospital, the library, churches and the grocery and other shops. It's on a major bus line. There's hundreds like it in a decaying metro area that's losing jobs every day but was improving until predatory lenders and scammers hit town.
For heaven's sake, stop trying to paint criminals as innocent. Actually press them on the details of the lying they did to get those miracle loans, be journalists not sympathizers and report instead of letting lies stand.
Thanks,
Kerry
I usually think of you as a serious news source. Even The Don was listening to you for balance before he died, and you know he also loved Fox News. Sure, I wish Frank Deford would freaking SHUT UP AND RETIRE PLEASE and I generally feel like punching the Youth Radio commentators for their teenage navel-gazing and the "This I Believe" contributors for pretension, but I respect your reporting.
I'm sorry, perhaps it's just me angsting about my financial future but I am a bit confused by the story I heard yesterday on Morning Edition, "Housing Dream Backfires For Immigrant." Let me get this straight-- an immigrant who earned his pharmacy degree from Howard in the early 90's, so he's not fresh off the boat by any means, commits mortgage fraud and he's somehow an example of how the American Dream has been dashed by the financial collapse? Are you nuts? Or are you being ironic? Were you just intent on profiling the first person you found and hoping we didn't notice that he's been up to shady get rich quick schemes? If you're intending a subtle critique within your objectivity, you failed--it comes off as slapdash and poorly thought out.
To say I'm disappointed in your reporting is an understatement.
Guys, you want someone to profile as someone who has been hurt by this insanity but didn't fuel it? Profile me. Details upon request, but I promise you I didn't buy multiple houses to use as an ATM. My house is for sale, at less than what I bought it for, and according to my real estate person, there's just no buyers. It's an old, modest house in a nice neighborhood, within walking distance of restaurants, bars, the hospital, the library, churches and the grocery and other shops. It's on a major bus line. There's hundreds like it in a decaying metro area that's losing jobs every day but was improving until predatory lenders and scammers hit town.
For heaven's sake, stop trying to paint criminals as innocent. Actually press them on the details of the lying they did to get those miracle loans, be journalists not sympathizers and report instead of letting lies stand.
Thanks,
Kerry
Warning: Wardrobe Prattle Ahead
So you've all seen DrWende in the comments, right? She announced last month that she'll be doing Wardrobe Therapy once she gets settled in St. Paul. It starts Wednesday! I'm so excited!
Here's the deal: Wardrobe Therapy is not designed to get you to spend money on hot trends or prescribe a list of clothing "must haves." It's more Wende asks questions and makes observations, and you think and respond, either at your own blog or over in her comments. Whatever floats your boat--you too can have a mostly untraceable internet persona, and who really cares about your hatred of pencil skirts?
There's a lot of reasons why I'm into this, aside from finding Wende's questions and perspective provocative:
1) I moved from a place that had a daytime high of 65 degrees last week. I moved to a place where that was the nighttime low all week. During the day it was about 92 degrees. Granted, that's about 10 degrees warmer than usual, and the heat really is different here, but I was in TJ Maxx tempted by lovely cheap cashmere, usually an auto-buy for me, but then I hit myself in the head and said, "Self, what are you thinking?"
I have no clue how to dress out here. I moved here partly because I could wear short sleeves year round, but honestly, I'm flailing when it comes time to get dressed. I wore 2 pairs of shorts all summer. I don't own things like cotton sweaters or camisoles/tanktops. Open toed shoes puzzle me.
2) I left most of my clothes in Cleveland, including my professional wardrobe. The only things I shipped out here were my spring and summer clothes. Yes, it's 80-something degrees, but it will get a little colder. I also gave away almost everything-- all my vintage that I bought bought at thrifts because it was appealing or weird, accessories, items that someone should have stopped me from trying to wear in the first place. I have actually started making a formal budget for clothes, but I need to make a shopping list of specific items to buy, not doing my usual random purchases.
3) I like clothes, and my family values being well turned out, but it's like I never got a clue even though I read fashion magazines as a teen and young adult for instruction on how to pose as a girl. The same upbringing that keeps me independent, intellectual and immune from social pressures makes it hard to blend in when necessary. Like most women I have body issues, but honestly I think it's linked more to have a huge amount of social anxiety coupled with a naturally boisterous personality. It's like I just burst forth sometimes, Old Faithful as a quiet female, right after I impersonated the rock in the forest the Feral Care Bear lounged against. Part of it is PTSD from working with the bank bitches, who were fashion bullies. And being a size 16 doesn't help, but honestly--when I was a size 10 I still had a lot of problems dressing myself and finding things I like. These days, I am wearing things I find edgy, but in truth they are not at all edgy. I work with accountants and librarians. The bar is low.
There are some people who read this blog whose thoughts on clothes I'd like to hear:
Tracy H--you're the redheaded bombshell of IT, and you dress like it. I marvel at you--who else would buy herself diamond solitaire earrings at 24 and wear them daily? You always look great, and I'm just wondering about your decision making process.
Genevieve--I know you're busy saving money to move, and you just had a baby. But I know you're trying to not to fall into the schlumpy mommy trap. And honestly, in every picture I've seen lately of you, you're getting prettier.
MFA Jane--Because obsessing about clothes is a nice alternative to obsessing about poetry. Just because you're an academic doesn't mean you are not gorgeous.
Camilla--Because your style was the first thing I noticed about you.
SuperC--You have a severe need for girl chat. And it would be nice to hear from you more!
Anyone else interested? You can post in my comments or mosey over to DrWende's. Internet aliases are also useful!
Here's the deal: Wardrobe Therapy is not designed to get you to spend money on hot trends or prescribe a list of clothing "must haves." It's more Wende asks questions and makes observations, and you think and respond, either at your own blog or over in her comments. Whatever floats your boat--you too can have a mostly untraceable internet persona, and who really cares about your hatred of pencil skirts?
There's a lot of reasons why I'm into this, aside from finding Wende's questions and perspective provocative:
1) I moved from a place that had a daytime high of 65 degrees last week. I moved to a place where that was the nighttime low all week. During the day it was about 92 degrees. Granted, that's about 10 degrees warmer than usual, and the heat really is different here, but I was in TJ Maxx tempted by lovely cheap cashmere, usually an auto-buy for me, but then I hit myself in the head and said, "Self, what are you thinking?"
I have no clue how to dress out here. I moved here partly because I could wear short sleeves year round, but honestly, I'm flailing when it comes time to get dressed. I wore 2 pairs of shorts all summer. I don't own things like cotton sweaters or camisoles/tanktops. Open toed shoes puzzle me.
2) I left most of my clothes in Cleveland, including my professional wardrobe. The only things I shipped out here were my spring and summer clothes. Yes, it's 80-something degrees, but it will get a little colder. I also gave away almost everything-- all my vintage that I bought bought at thrifts because it was appealing or weird, accessories, items that someone should have stopped me from trying to wear in the first place. I have actually started making a formal budget for clothes, but I need to make a shopping list of specific items to buy, not doing my usual random purchases.
3) I like clothes, and my family values being well turned out, but it's like I never got a clue even though I read fashion magazines as a teen and young adult for instruction on how to pose as a girl. The same upbringing that keeps me independent, intellectual and immune from social pressures makes it hard to blend in when necessary. Like most women I have body issues, but honestly I think it's linked more to have a huge amount of social anxiety coupled with a naturally boisterous personality. It's like I just burst forth sometimes, Old Faithful as a quiet female, right after I impersonated the rock in the forest the Feral Care Bear lounged against. Part of it is PTSD from working with the bank bitches, who were fashion bullies. And being a size 16 doesn't help, but honestly--when I was a size 10 I still had a lot of problems dressing myself and finding things I like. These days, I am wearing things I find edgy, but in truth they are not at all edgy. I work with accountants and librarians. The bar is low.
There are some people who read this blog whose thoughts on clothes I'd like to hear:
Tracy H--you're the redheaded bombshell of IT, and you dress like it. I marvel at you--who else would buy herself diamond solitaire earrings at 24 and wear them daily? You always look great, and I'm just wondering about your decision making process.
Genevieve--I know you're busy saving money to move, and you just had a baby. But I know you're trying to not to fall into the schlumpy mommy trap. And honestly, in every picture I've seen lately of you, you're getting prettier.
MFA Jane--Because obsessing about clothes is a nice alternative to obsessing about poetry. Just because you're an academic doesn't mean you are not gorgeous.
Camilla--Because your style was the first thing I noticed about you.
SuperC--You have a severe need for girl chat. And it would be nice to hear from you more!
Anyone else interested? You can post in my comments or mosey over to DrWende's. Internet aliases are also useful!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Who Is Really Cheapening Marriage?
How greedy can you be? No really? She's fighting his parents for her dead former fiance's pension benefits when she wasn't financially dependent upon or living with him, has her own career and married another guy three years after the first fiance's death? How unbelievably tacky. Dear lord.
I have 2 associated rants that tie into this: my 9/11 rant and my gay marriage rant. Let's go with the gay marriage rant. We essentially have 2 types of marriage in this country, a religious sacrament that is recognized as a legal contract by the state and that same legal contract performed by the state. It's a contract, people. It's to ensure the preservation of wealth and the care of children. The California decision was right on. It's a contract, and you can't say that only some people over the age of 18 can enter into contracts with each other and not others.
So please don't give me some nonsense about how gay marriage devalues straight unions. Or at least come up with some actual reasons and examples of how this is being done instead of relying on ridiculous radio commercials that are supposed tug at the heartstrings. Oh wait, you can't come up with any examples, can you? Only mawkish stories about people getting married and how it means so much. Know how and why my people get married? They're horny. Or in the case of my grandmother, they have $300 when a really good piece of land hits the market and that gets the ring on the finger.
Know what devalues marriage? People living in sin. Hey, I've done it myself. People having fake weddings. Giving the benefits of marriage to straight people who haven't actually gotten married because you can't wrap your head around logic and not sentiment, and letting people who aren't married claim millions of dollars as "domestic partners" when they haven't take on the responsibilities to earn it.
I have 2 associated rants that tie into this: my 9/11 rant and my gay marriage rant. Let's go with the gay marriage rant. We essentially have 2 types of marriage in this country, a religious sacrament that is recognized as a legal contract by the state and that same legal contract performed by the state. It's a contract, people. It's to ensure the preservation of wealth and the care of children. The California decision was right on. It's a contract, and you can't say that only some people over the age of 18 can enter into contracts with each other and not others.
So please don't give me some nonsense about how gay marriage devalues straight unions. Or at least come up with some actual reasons and examples of how this is being done instead of relying on ridiculous radio commercials that are supposed tug at the heartstrings. Oh wait, you can't come up with any examples, can you? Only mawkish stories about people getting married and how it means so much. Know how and why my people get married? They're horny. Or in the case of my grandmother, they have $300 when a really good piece of land hits the market and that gets the ring on the finger.
Know what devalues marriage? People living in sin. Hey, I've done it myself. People having fake weddings. Giving the benefits of marriage to straight people who haven't actually gotten married because you can't wrap your head around logic and not sentiment, and letting people who aren't married claim millions of dollars as "domestic partners" when they haven't take on the responsibilities to earn it.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Credit Agency Heads Grilled By Lawmakers
Really, guys? You didn't read the Washington Post the week of November 22, 2004, when Alec Klein covered this conflict of interest? It was in the A section.
The articles are available in Proquest; drop me a line and I'll get them for you if you don't have access.
I should have something pithy and intellectual about information literacy to say, but I have to go to work. Maybe later. My cynicism is boiling over.
The articles are available in Proquest; drop me a line and I'll get them for you if you don't have access.
I should have something pithy and intellectual about information literacy to say, but I have to go to work. Maybe later. My cynicism is boiling over.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Back To Work!
I started my new job last Monday, and I am overwhelmed with awesomeness. And not just because I had today off.
So the answer to "what else can you do with a library degree?" is you can be a performance auditor. I originally applied for a job as a librarian with this office, and didn't get that job. They did like me enough to interview me for this position. They also hired two other librarian candidates into these positions. One sent several years as an archivist/cataloger, and the other has a background in social work/counseling and just got her degree.
I feel slightly less special, but I can suck that up in the joy! of! having! a! job! and the fact that I'm making 20% more than I thought I would as an entry level librarian, and 16% more than at the bank. They keep mentioning that state pay is low and we're at least competitively paid, and I mentally chuckle. Of course 10% goes straight to the state retirement system. But my health insurance is cheap.
I was absolutely knackered and had to stop for coffee on the way home a couple of times last week, but by the end of the week I was better. People are nice. They are liberal arts/social science geeks with a dollop of idealism. My assigned area is interesting to me. I got compliments on my clothes a couple of times. I have a cube with walls, a decipherable phone, and a laptop. Most of the time we are out in the field, but if you spend lots of time in the office you're at the report writing stage and people realize you are under stress and need quiet.
Sorry, those of you who lived through my time at Ye Olde Fortune 500 Bank will know that being given the tools to do my job well, kindness and respect, and not being subtly bullied are novel experiences for me.
Onwards and upwards!
So the answer to "what else can you do with a library degree?" is you can be a performance auditor. I originally applied for a job as a librarian with this office, and didn't get that job. They did like me enough to interview me for this position. They also hired two other librarian candidates into these positions. One sent several years as an archivist/cataloger, and the other has a background in social work/counseling and just got her degree.
I feel slightly less special, but I can suck that up in the joy! of! having! a! job! and the fact that I'm making 20% more than I thought I would as an entry level librarian, and 16% more than at the bank. They keep mentioning that state pay is low and we're at least competitively paid, and I mentally chuckle. Of course 10% goes straight to the state retirement system. But my health insurance is cheap.
I was absolutely knackered and had to stop for coffee on the way home a couple of times last week, but by the end of the week I was better. People are nice. They are liberal arts/social science geeks with a dollop of idealism. My assigned area is interesting to me. I got compliments on my clothes a couple of times. I have a cube with walls, a decipherable phone, and a laptop. Most of the time we are out in the field, but if you spend lots of time in the office you're at the report writing stage and people realize you are under stress and need quiet.
Sorry, those of you who lived through my time at Ye Olde Fortune 500 Bank will know that being given the tools to do my job well, kindness and respect, and not being subtly bullied are novel experiences for me.
Onwards and upwards!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Paging Poets And People Interested In Ideas Of Identity
Go on over to Shelf Check and contribute to the discussion. Please. Don't leave me out in the cold.
In Case You're The Only One Who Doesn't Read The AL
Annoyed Librarian Blogs for Library Journal.
Who's your favorite pseudonymous, martini-swilling, library blogger? The Annoyed Librarian, of course!
Heavens know Library Journal needs the interactive participation. Its adoption of Library 2.0 aspects like comments and blogging is a big FAIL since no one comments. Of course, when you limit the number of characters and screen comments that does discourage the more rabidly fierce nutters. Considering the AL's ability to attract fierce nutters with hard truths about libraryland and delightfully funny satirical writing, it seems like a mismatch but I think the idea is that more moderate voices will emerge and become engaged and that will carry over to the other articles. So picking her up was an excellent decision on their part. If only they didn't allow anonymous comments and forced people to craft some sort of identity.* And hell, she's said she drove a hard bargain.
*I have some ideas on that--look for them soon.
Who's your favorite pseudonymous, martini-swilling, library blogger? The Annoyed Librarian, of course!
Heavens know Library Journal needs the interactive participation. Its adoption of Library 2.0 aspects like comments and blogging is a big FAIL since no one comments. Of course, when you limit the number of characters and screen comments that does discourage the more rabidly fierce nutters. Considering the AL's ability to attract fierce nutters with hard truths about libraryland and delightfully funny satirical writing, it seems like a mismatch but I think the idea is that more moderate voices will emerge and become engaged and that will carry over to the other articles. So picking her up was an excellent decision on their part. If only they didn't allow anonymous comments and forced people to craft some sort of identity.* And hell, she's said she drove a hard bargain.
*I have some ideas on that--look for them soon.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Another Library Video Slays Me With Cute
Gumdrops by The Smittens.
By the way, now is an excellent time to pick up a copy of The Maltese Falcon. It's an atmospheric read, full of San Francisco gray and melancholy, a little bitter, and perfect for the fall and winter months. It's also the NEA's selection for The Big Read. The Phoenix Public Library has programming centered around it this fall. Hammet's a deceptively easy read--there's much more going on between the lines than the style and language suggest. He's one of my favorite 20th century writers.
By the way, now is an excellent time to pick up a copy of The Maltese Falcon. It's an atmospheric read, full of San Francisco gray and melancholy, a little bitter, and perfect for the fall and winter months. It's also the NEA's selection for The Big Read. The Phoenix Public Library has programming centered around it this fall. Hammet's a deceptively easy read--there's much more going on between the lines than the style and language suggest. He's one of my favorite 20th century writers.
The Only Thing I Miss Is The Steady Dose Of Crazy
Ohio is truly a land of weird and crazy. And it really has all kinds: paranormal weird (The Ghost Whisperer), poor people weird (southern Ohio /Appalachia), weird hobbyists (Civil War reenactments or vintage base ball anyone?), weird rich people (the guy who founded Progressive Insurance with his pot busts, art collection, and hate on for Case's management), normal people weird (the neighbors), weird crime . Seriously, living there is an exercise in keeping your mouth shut and a smile on your face as the weird and dumb just assaults you on a daily basis.
This is the kind I miss: Transgender Woman Charged in 73 Year Old Husband's Death. The story includes this detail, "Stehlik said investigators learned that Mason (the victim) had a fear of water so great that he rarely bathed."
So, what month will this turn up on a Law & Order, and which one will it be? SVU, CI, or regular flavor?
This is the kind I miss: Transgender Woman Charged in 73 Year Old Husband's Death. The story includes this detail, "Stehlik said investigators learned that Mason (the victim) had a fear of water so great that he rarely bathed."
So, what month will this turn up on a Law & Order, and which one will it be? SVU, CI, or regular flavor?
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Weekends At The Marlboro Mesa
Fall has come to Arizona. The high was only 85 today with clouds and the predictions are that it won't go over 95 for a week. Tonight it will drop to 70, and we had a brief non-monsoon rainstorm this evening. We even turned off the a/c and opened the windows.
Go ahead and laugh.
Last night we had a lot of fun. I made dal per Dusie's instructions, but because she was feeling diet conscious I only used 1 tablespoon olive oil as opposed to her unmeasured glub so it was a bit dry. Jesse X and his friend Iron Will went to the motorcycle shop and brought back beer and food and Brownie. Brownie is Iron Will's chocolate Lab and like all Labs she loves to swim and has a bit of OCD when she sees a ball. So we had Harley, Brownie, Lola and Holly out in the yard (Holly and Lola are dogs who are staying with us while their owner moves to her new place). Then we started throwing the balls into the pool and they'd swim for it and bring it back to us. The problem is Brownie is the only dog who knows fetch is a game and you have to bring the ball back--Harley and Holly (a yellow Lab) swim out and get the ball, but Holly drops it on the way back and loses it and Harley plays keep away and takes it to a corner of the yard. Lola doesn't swim, so she just ran around the pool. I was drenched. It was loads of fun.
Today I decided to try to go to Donut Central despite Jesse X's skeptical comment "You're going to the barrio to buy donuts?" I had a lot of trouble finding the barrio--I wound up at my new job, and then way far north of that neighborhood, when I wanted to be in South Phoenix. Yeah, I know--I have the directional sense of a bat with a head cold. But it was fun driving around. When I finally got there there was a sign on the door, "We are closed today because we sold out of donuts." They're open 4:30am-7pm, out until they sell out, I guess. It was 12:30 when I got there. Oh, well.
Then I spent the afternoon at Iron Will's cleaning. I made $45. So, a good day. Tomorrow I should go to church but it's pro-life day and I'm still freaked from having the video message from the bishop 2 weeks ago telling us to vote against the gay marriage. That was on top of a service where I felt I should keep explaining, "We don't do that in the Trenton Diocese."
Go ahead and laugh.
Last night we had a lot of fun. I made dal per Dusie's instructions, but because she was feeling diet conscious I only used 1 tablespoon olive oil as opposed to her unmeasured glub so it was a bit dry. Jesse X and his friend Iron Will went to the motorcycle shop and brought back beer and food and Brownie. Brownie is Iron Will's chocolate Lab and like all Labs she loves to swim and has a bit of OCD when she sees a ball. So we had Harley, Brownie, Lola and Holly out in the yard (Holly and Lola are dogs who are staying with us while their owner moves to her new place). Then we started throwing the balls into the pool and they'd swim for it and bring it back to us. The problem is Brownie is the only dog who knows fetch is a game and you have to bring the ball back--Harley and Holly (a yellow Lab) swim out and get the ball, but Holly drops it on the way back and loses it and Harley plays keep away and takes it to a corner of the yard. Lola doesn't swim, so she just ran around the pool. I was drenched. It was loads of fun.
Today I decided to try to go to Donut Central despite Jesse X's skeptical comment "You're going to the barrio to buy donuts?" I had a lot of trouble finding the barrio--I wound up at my new job, and then way far north of that neighborhood, when I wanted to be in South Phoenix. Yeah, I know--I have the directional sense of a bat with a head cold. But it was fun driving around. When I finally got there there was a sign on the door, "We are closed today because we sold out of donuts." They're open 4:30am-7pm, out until they sell out, I guess. It was 12:30 when I got there. Oh, well.
Then I spent the afternoon at Iron Will's cleaning. I made $45. So, a good day. Tomorrow I should go to church but it's pro-life day and I'm still freaked from having the video message from the bishop 2 weeks ago telling us to vote against the gay marriage. That was on top of a service where I felt I should keep explaining, "We don't do that in the Trenton Diocese."
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Because Working Naked Is Not An Option
I went shopping for work clothes today. My work wardrobe is currently stored in Cleveland, where it was 56 degrees today. In Phoenix, it was 100. Back in Ohio, I have pulled out a wool sweater as early as September 11th, and worn a winter weight wool skirt as late as May 15th.
Here, I have no clue what to wear. Most of my summer clothing is too casual for this office anyway. The dress code? "A suit is never a bad idea. When in doubt, don't wear it to work." Oh, dear. When you've only recently decided that a colored top is acceptable with a black & white print skirt, and your purse does not have to be only black or brown, and were puzzled by the whole stockings/closed toe shoe revelation, this means more confusion and a few steps back in style. I really wish I had a personal shopper sometimes. Why can't I exploit a relative with a shopping addiction for my own benefit? I hate hunting clothes.
So what do I have to wear to work?
2 square neck sweaters, one black & one purple, from Ann Taylor Loft. All those 60's inspired, Mad Men fashions? Not quite working my curves. These are absurdly flattering though.
1 suit jacket with 2 pairs black pants. 1 pair has to be hemmed, and I should mark my shoes with numbers and match them to particular pants. Yes, I know, Kerry in pants! I hate pants! I wear skirts in January in Ohio, officially marking me as crazy. As per my mom's suggestion, I went to JC Penney. They had no skirts though, and most of the blouses are weird. Look, I have blouse issues anyway--It took me a long time to learn that I am so stacked, I can't wear them. Not unless I had a nice fellow in Hong Kong making them for me, at least. But I don't think female civil servants are allowed to emulate Gatsby in such a fashion.
My tan suit. Yes, they've seen it 3 times. It's tan/sand/beige/whatever. It goes with all my sweaters.
A collection of short sleeved cotton and silk sweaters in a variety of colors.
An odd brown sleeveless top that was on supersale. I tried it on and thought flattering and wearable with the tan suit. It's got a slit front but conceals cleavage, covers waist and hips. Dusie had the same reaction, that it's fundamentally weird but appropriate.
Black & white print skirt, knee length.
Other clothes that might be mixed in, but either they don't fit or I need dress tape or something else for them.
I do think I have a style, or at least themes that repeat throughout the clothes I like best. I just have a lot of trouble a) affording clothes that fit that I like and b) taking chances with my wardrobe.
Here, I have no clue what to wear. Most of my summer clothing is too casual for this office anyway. The dress code? "A suit is never a bad idea. When in doubt, don't wear it to work." Oh, dear. When you've only recently decided that a colored top is acceptable with a black & white print skirt, and your purse does not have to be only black or brown, and were puzzled by the whole stockings/closed toe shoe revelation, this means more confusion and a few steps back in style. I really wish I had a personal shopper sometimes. Why can't I exploit a relative with a shopping addiction for my own benefit? I hate hunting clothes.
So what do I have to wear to work?
2 square neck sweaters, one black & one purple, from Ann Taylor Loft. All those 60's inspired, Mad Men fashions? Not quite working my curves. These are absurdly flattering though.
1 suit jacket with 2 pairs black pants. 1 pair has to be hemmed, and I should mark my shoes with numbers and match them to particular pants. Yes, I know, Kerry in pants! I hate pants! I wear skirts in January in Ohio, officially marking me as crazy. As per my mom's suggestion, I went to JC Penney. They had no skirts though, and most of the blouses are weird. Look, I have blouse issues anyway--It took me a long time to learn that I am so stacked, I can't wear them. Not unless I had a nice fellow in Hong Kong making them for me, at least. But I don't think female civil servants are allowed to emulate Gatsby in such a fashion.
My tan suit. Yes, they've seen it 3 times. It's tan/sand/beige/whatever. It goes with all my sweaters.
A collection of short sleeved cotton and silk sweaters in a variety of colors.
An odd brown sleeveless top that was on supersale. I tried it on and thought flattering and wearable with the tan suit. It's got a slit front but conceals cleavage, covers waist and hips. Dusie had the same reaction, that it's fundamentally weird but appropriate.
Black & white print skirt, knee length.
Other clothes that might be mixed in, but either they don't fit or I need dress tape or something else for them.
I do think I have a style, or at least themes that repeat throughout the clothes I like best. I just have a lot of trouble a) affording clothes that fit that I like and b) taking chances with my wardrobe.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Time To Ring Some Changes
As most of you know, I got a new job this past week. It's not a librarian job, but it is a position that uses those skills in a new way. I start next week, and if this works out--well, I won't be a librarian any more. How about that?
I'm excited, but not scared. It's been a frustrating battle to find a job and it feels like I've run a long, long time and finally reached the end. It's not where I thought the end was, but hey, it's really nice!
When I think it out, of course I'd wind up in a new profession. In the past year I've gotten rid of most of what I owned, I've left Cleveland and I'm trying to sell the house at a drastically low price without regrets, and I'm recreating so much of my life and my relationships. "Librarian" was a huge part of my identity for a long time, but now I'm moving beyond that into a new professional place.
So you may wonder, "what's going to happen with the blog?" I have some library related and general posts to finish up, including wardrobe analysis freakout, and then I'm probably post intermittently for a while. I can always be emailed, but I am going to concentrate on the new job for a while.
But after that shakes out, you'll get more posts of book reviews, Kerry Reads The Paper, tales of my adventures in Phoenix, dating and living amongst the family, some updated links and a redesign.
And those of you who think I shouldn't be commenting on libraries and librarianship--look, I've worked in libraries since my teens, including 11 years in a professional/paraprofessional capacity, I've been a library user for almost 30 years, and I have a freaking degree. I certainly have a right to my opinion. If you think I don't have that right, go sit on it. I loved being a librarian. I just couldn't find a job. Oh well.
I'm excited, but not scared. It's been a frustrating battle to find a job and it feels like I've run a long, long time and finally reached the end. It's not where I thought the end was, but hey, it's really nice!
When I think it out, of course I'd wind up in a new profession. In the past year I've gotten rid of most of what I owned, I've left Cleveland and I'm trying to sell the house at a drastically low price without regrets, and I'm recreating so much of my life and my relationships. "Librarian" was a huge part of my identity for a long time, but now I'm moving beyond that into a new professional place.
So you may wonder, "what's going to happen with the blog?" I have some library related and general posts to finish up, including wardrobe analysis freakout, and then I'm probably post intermittently for a while. I can always be emailed, but I am going to concentrate on the new job for a while.
But after that shakes out, you'll get more posts of book reviews, Kerry Reads The Paper, tales of my adventures in Phoenix, dating and living amongst the family, some updated links and a redesign.
And those of you who think I shouldn't be commenting on libraries and librarianship--look, I've worked in libraries since my teens, including 11 years in a professional/paraprofessional capacity, I've been a library user for almost 30 years, and I have a freaking degree. I certainly have a right to my opinion. If you think I don't have that right, go sit on it. I loved being a librarian. I just couldn't find a job. Oh well.
I Am Bi. Bi-Caffeinated, That Is.
In my past I was a learned connoisseur of the "Cup of Brown Joy". It turns out there are lots of places in the valley to get your tea fix. A good tea high is better than a coffee high--coffee's all business and sit down and get things done, but tea makes you more creative and flirty. But it's just as effective as a mental stimulant. I like my tea smokey and not floral, so yes to the Assam and Irish Breakfast, and "ick!" to Earl Grey. Genevieve and I are fond of Eastern Shore Tea Company's offerings, but City Roast at the West Side Market had a fine selection.
I am really having a hard time restraining myself from getting the plain scone mix at the Fresh & Easy and going to town.
I am really having a hard time restraining myself from getting the plain scone mix at the Fresh & Easy and going to town.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Is Your Inability To Get A Librarian Job A Sign You're A Stupid Jackass?
Apparently, the perennial "Why can't I get a library job?" discussion has erupted on NewLib. I'm not a member anymore, but here's the background on both the list and the discussion, which just goes on and on: it can really hard to get a library job. It's nearly impossible to get one if your only library experience is the required semester-long practicum, or radically different from what path you wind up pursuing after graduation.
The listserv is about 70% normal, pleasant people looking for job advice or offering advice based on their own experiences or are interested in discussing library issues. The other 30% is a nice mix of really stupid people who could never get a job, people who are employed who are jackasses, and people who are unemployed and extremely bitter about it.
Can you get library job? Yes, but it helps to be extremely flexible in your geographic, wage, and other essential requirements. To a certain degree this advice seems to indicate you should either have a sugar spouse or a superhuman ability to perform miracles and live on cheap coffee and no food. Kind of like a supermodel, except you can't even afford drugs!
Look if you can't get a job, any job, something is probably wrong with you. But if you can't get a library job, I'm not so convinced that it's because you're a stupid lazy jackass and and it's all your own fault. It is very competitive, yes. But honestly, more and more if you talk to people the same complaints emerge: the library schools themselves are out of touch with the job market and pass along myths of a shortage, the coursework doesn't prepare students for the job, and admission requirements are so lax and the programs lack rigor and grant a degree almost meaningless and barely academic. That starts to indicate a widespread, systemic problem in the job market and librarian training. And honestly, no matter how much tough love advice is given to job seekers, if their training doesn't prepare them to meet the needs of employers, they are stuck with their best strategy being a DIY approach to fixing the gaps in their background and skills. That's all fine and good, but honestly--if you have to teach yourself everything, why spend $1200 per grad school class?*
Yes, I understand that you always have to invest your own time and money in upgraded skills, no ones owes you a job on a silver platter, blah blah fishcakes, but here's the rub: librarianship and library school programs promote themselves as a 2nd or 3rd career. Until recently, it was unusual to have students in their 20's or just out of undergrad comprise 50% of the class. When I started my degree 5 years ago at 28, I was considered pretty young for the program even if I had been working in libraries since high school. Mandy got grilled by her admissions committee in 1999 when she applied to library school straight from college. If previous experience in libraries isn't necessary for admission to the program, and the profession itself makes a big deal about diversity of experience and background being what it wants in its workforce but a Master's is the prerequisite for anyone to get a professional job, I don't think it's too much to expect the damn degree to thoroughly prepare you for the job.
Back to the lack of jobs-- here's the thing: there's not a lot of hard data to back up either side. But research and anecdotal stories do indicate that there are not many entry level jobs (ie, those that don't have a specific experience requirement), and that those jobs usually don't go to people with little experience or even with transferrable skills and experience from outside the library world.
Folks, I don't have a big message in this or even a dog in the fight anymore. I just read some links and got irritated. All I know is that librarianship is just like anything else--you do the best you can at any given time with what you've got, and count yourself lucky and spare the rest of us false modesty if it does. That's it.
*Yes, this is the what my last 3 credits cost me in 2007. My first 3 in 2003 cost $900, or a little less. At a state school. That's another rant for another day.
The listserv is about 70% normal, pleasant people looking for job advice or offering advice based on their own experiences or are interested in discussing library issues. The other 30% is a nice mix of really stupid people who could never get a job, people who are employed who are jackasses, and people who are unemployed and extremely bitter about it.
Can you get library job? Yes, but it helps to be extremely flexible in your geographic, wage, and other essential requirements. To a certain degree this advice seems to indicate you should either have a sugar spouse or a superhuman ability to perform miracles and live on cheap coffee and no food. Kind of like a supermodel, except you can't even afford drugs!
Look if you can't get a job, any job, something is probably wrong with you. But if you can't get a library job, I'm not so convinced that it's because you're a stupid lazy jackass and and it's all your own fault. It is very competitive, yes. But honestly, more and more if you talk to people the same complaints emerge: the library schools themselves are out of touch with the job market and pass along myths of a shortage, the coursework doesn't prepare students for the job, and admission requirements are so lax and the programs lack rigor and grant a degree almost meaningless and barely academic. That starts to indicate a widespread, systemic problem in the job market and librarian training. And honestly, no matter how much tough love advice is given to job seekers, if their training doesn't prepare them to meet the needs of employers, they are stuck with their best strategy being a DIY approach to fixing the gaps in their background and skills. That's all fine and good, but honestly--if you have to teach yourself everything, why spend $1200 per grad school class?*
Yes, I understand that you always have to invest your own time and money in upgraded skills, no ones owes you a job on a silver platter, blah blah fishcakes, but here's the rub: librarianship and library school programs promote themselves as a 2nd or 3rd career. Until recently, it was unusual to have students in their 20's or just out of undergrad comprise 50% of the class. When I started my degree 5 years ago at 28, I was considered pretty young for the program even if I had been working in libraries since high school. Mandy got grilled by her admissions committee in 1999 when she applied to library school straight from college. If previous experience in libraries isn't necessary for admission to the program, and the profession itself makes a big deal about diversity of experience and background being what it wants in its workforce but a Master's is the prerequisite for anyone to get a professional job, I don't think it's too much to expect the damn degree to thoroughly prepare you for the job.
Back to the lack of jobs-- here's the thing: there's not a lot of hard data to back up either side. But research and anecdotal stories do indicate that there are not many entry level jobs (ie, those that don't have a specific experience requirement), and that those jobs usually don't go to people with little experience or even with transferrable skills and experience from outside the library world.
Folks, I don't have a big message in this or even a dog in the fight anymore. I just read some links and got irritated. All I know is that librarianship is just like anything else--you do the best you can at any given time with what you've got, and count yourself lucky and spare the rest of us false modesty if it does. That's it.
*Yes, this is the what my last 3 credits cost me in 2007. My first 3 in 2003 cost $900, or a little less. At a state school. That's another rant for another day.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Turns Out I Was A Vampire Myself, In The Devil Town
We have an official song of the Marlboro Mesa these days: Tony Lucca's version of Devil Town. You can hear most of it here. You can also watch the entire awesome first season of FNL on Hulu, including the end of the 2nd episode where the song plays over demonstrations of emotional vamping, the 2nd most important activity in Dillon, TX.
Dusie listens to tv all day as she does her eBay, and absorbed the song from the DirectTV commercials for FNL's third season. I have 3 (!) different versions of the song on iTunes. I say in my own defense, it's a really intriguing song and the Lucca version is only available on the tv show's soundtrack, which came out months after I'd first heard it. One has to pacify the obsessions some way.
The other night I was cleaning up after dinner, and Dusie came in to get some dessert and she was singing the song and I joined in on an attempt to harmonized. It reminded me so much of when we were little--none of us can really identify tune or key, but we spent a lot of time driving around and singing to Cats, Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits and The Highwaymen. And that's one of the warmest memories I have of growing up.
Dusie listens to tv all day as she does her eBay, and absorbed the song from the DirectTV commercials for FNL's third season. I have 3 (!) different versions of the song on iTunes. I say in my own defense, it's a really intriguing song and the Lucca version is only available on the tv show's soundtrack, which came out months after I'd first heard it. One has to pacify the obsessions some way.
The other night I was cleaning up after dinner, and Dusie came in to get some dessert and she was singing the song and I joined in on an attempt to harmonized. It reminded me so much of when we were little--none of us can really identify tune or key, but we spent a lot of time driving around and singing to Cats, Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits and The Highwaymen. And that's one of the warmest memories I have of growing up.
Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth...
How To Avoid Heart Disease? Brush Your Teeth, Say Scientists: So, like many a GenXer, my retirement plans hinge on not living too long. And indeed, ever since the family reunion in 1999 when Norrie the geneology buff told all the younguns, "There's only three things we die of: heart attacks, drinking ourselves to death, and "accidents," this has seemed a pretty likely prospect. Except I have good teeth, damn it. I don't deserve them, but I have no cavities and they are even naturally straight. Dental Ned said I could be a tooth model.
Several years ago I jokingly said I should found a group called "Die By 75" whose members would all pledge to not extend there lives past 75--no chemo if they had cancer, for example. Then Christopher Buckley wrote Boomsday, and it became just another one of my ideas that never quite reached fruition.
Several years ago I jokingly said I should found a group called "Die By 75" whose members would all pledge to not extend there lives past 75--no chemo if they had cancer, for example. Then Christopher Buckley wrote Boomsday, and it became just another one of my ideas that never quite reached fruition.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Home Aspirations
I like to look at apartments on Craigslist. Like with the personals and activities ads, I assume everyone is a lying pervert until proven otherwise.
I am amused by this "New York Style" condo. I don't think the the person who wrote the ad has ever been to New York. It's way too light and airy to be a NYC condo, unless owned by some financier or trust fund baby. It also took me several minutes to figure out what was up with that glass table, if it's cemented into the floor or not, or if there were multiples in the apartment.
I think more "New York Style" is this studio in Mesa--the toilet and shower are in a small enclosed room, the bathroom sink is located in the main room, and there's no stove. There's also a dearth of pictures, it's butt-ugly, and only a 6 month lease, no pets, no smoking. I look at the pictures and feel claustrophobic.
I am amused by this "New York Style" condo. I don't think the the person who wrote the ad has ever been to New York. It's way too light and airy to be a NYC condo, unless owned by some financier or trust fund baby. It also took me several minutes to figure out what was up with that glass table, if it's cemented into the floor or not, or if there were multiples in the apartment.
I think more "New York Style" is this studio in Mesa--the toilet and shower are in a small enclosed room, the bathroom sink is located in the main room, and there's no stove. There's also a dearth of pictures, it's butt-ugly, and only a 6 month lease, no pets, no smoking. I look at the pictures and feel claustrophobic.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Unhappy Anniversary, No Way I Can Forget...
Whoever gives me title and artist on that header can have a cookie...
Today is the 6th anniversary of getting into the car accident that changed my life. Here's the story in short--I was riding unbelted in the backseat of casual friends when a minivan failed to yield. I was the most seriously hurt (wear your seatbelt!) with a broken humerus that needed surgery, a titanium rod and 3 pins to fix, plus 6 weeks off work, 2 1/2 months without driving, and 4 months of physical therapy. That whole experience, the medical humiliations and work and the way various people treated me--it changed me for the better. I mean, I wouldn't recommend a year of rage, scars and physical therapy to just anyone, but I did learn that:
a) I have higher standards and expectations for myself than other people. It was unacceptable to me to have a Barbie arm for the rest of my life. I really worked physical therapy, and it was so hard physically and emotionally, but I got almost anything back. The big thing is I have "poor internal rotation" of that arm, meaning I can't hook my bra in back. Annoying. But apparently this whole not getting addicted to painkillers/going to PT/taking 2 trains and 2 buses to get to work every day shows crazy shit determination and perseverance.
b) It is okay not to like or trust people, and to shun them for their behavior.
c) The Don was right about a lot of things, but mainly a lot of people are jerks.
d) Here is how you apologize: you say what you did wrong, you acknowledge how it hurt the person, and you express regret, and you commit to doing things differently in the future. You also serve your punishment and don't say anything about your damn feelings because it is not about you.
Four years ago tomorrow, I broke up with my ex. And yes, that was directly attributable to the accident 2 years before.
Two years ago next month, my dad died.
So I don't know what the big catastrophe will be this year. I'm on watch.
I would like to say Genevieve Southern has been an awesome best friend through all of this. She took me to the Y and rode the recumbant bikes with my arm in the plastic clamshell cast, found me a therapy practice after the breakup, came to my dad's wake, event hough she'd only heard the stories. Here's to you, Genevieve! I only hope I've been as good a friend to you as you are to me.
Today is the 6th anniversary of getting into the car accident that changed my life. Here's the story in short--I was riding unbelted in the backseat of casual friends when a minivan failed to yield. I was the most seriously hurt (wear your seatbelt!) with a broken humerus that needed surgery, a titanium rod and 3 pins to fix, plus 6 weeks off work, 2 1/2 months without driving, and 4 months of physical therapy. That whole experience, the medical humiliations and work and the way various people treated me--it changed me for the better. I mean, I wouldn't recommend a year of rage, scars and physical therapy to just anyone, but I did learn that:
a) I have higher standards and expectations for myself than other people. It was unacceptable to me to have a Barbie arm for the rest of my life. I really worked physical therapy, and it was so hard physically and emotionally, but I got almost anything back. The big thing is I have "poor internal rotation" of that arm, meaning I can't hook my bra in back. Annoying. But apparently this whole not getting addicted to painkillers/going to PT/taking 2 trains and 2 buses to get to work every day shows crazy shit determination and perseverance.
b) It is okay not to like or trust people, and to shun them for their behavior.
c) The Don was right about a lot of things, but mainly a lot of people are jerks.
d) Here is how you apologize: you say what you did wrong, you acknowledge how it hurt the person, and you express regret, and you commit to doing things differently in the future. You also serve your punishment and don't say anything about your damn feelings because it is not about you.
Four years ago tomorrow, I broke up with my ex. And yes, that was directly attributable to the accident 2 years before.
Two years ago next month, my dad died.
So I don't know what the big catastrophe will be this year. I'm on watch.
I would like to say Genevieve Southern has been an awesome best friend through all of this. She took me to the Y and rode the recumbant bikes with my arm in the plastic clamshell cast, found me a therapy practice after the breakup, came to my dad's wake, event hough she'd only heard the stories. Here's to you, Genevieve! I only hope I've been as good a friend to you as you are to me.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Dumbest Metaphor Ever
"Mr. McCain faulted the Securities and Exchange Commission, saying it had 'kept in place trading rules that let speculators and hedge funds turn our markets into a casino' and said that its chairman, Christopher Cox, should be fired."
Does he not get that the stock market has never guaranteed results and never seen the big warnings not to invest money you can't afford to lose or will need shortly?
Technically, it's more like parimutuel betting, which is the kind you do at the track. Odds=stock prices, you can research the bloodlines and track records of horses, which is like doing research on companies by reading about their products, management and their SEC filings. The CEO levels of management are the jockeys. If the horse wins or the company succeeds, everyone gets an equal payout on their investment/bet after the house's cut. Much fairer than nickel slots at Casino Arizona, no?
I am The Don's daughter, God love him.
Does he not get that the stock market has never guaranteed results and never seen the big warnings not to invest money you can't afford to lose or will need shortly?
Technically, it's more like parimutuel betting, which is the kind you do at the track. Odds=stock prices, you can research the bloodlines and track records of horses, which is like doing research on companies by reading about their products, management and their SEC filings. The CEO levels of management are the jockeys. If the horse wins or the company succeeds, everyone gets an equal payout on their investment/bet after the house's cut. Much fairer than nickel slots at Casino Arizona, no?
I am The Don's daughter, God love him.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Happy Birthday, Don Donaldo
Today would have been my dad's 67th birthday. We're all a little down and melancholy. Personally, I may walk down to the Fresh & Easy for some cake, since lord knows the man and I loved the sweet dessert things.
Happy Birthday, Don Donaldo! You are much missed.
I'd like to tell some stories, but don't really know where to start. Leave a message in the comments with any suggestions or questions or starters (white food? Jesse X's GRE scores? Mama the cat? when I broke my arm? what The Don would have thought of Sarah Palin?). The Month of Mourning ends October 10th, which is the anniversary of his death. Some of you know my particular paranoia ramps up in September-October due to a pattern of bad things happening in these months--I have a contender, but we've got weeks to go before I will feel in the clear.
Happy Birthday, Don Donaldo! You are much missed.
I'd like to tell some stories, but don't really know where to start. Leave a message in the comments with any suggestions or questions or starters (white food? Jesse X's GRE scores? Mama the cat? when I broke my arm? what The Don would have thought of Sarah Palin?). The Month of Mourning ends October 10th, which is the anniversary of his death. Some of you know my particular paranoia ramps up in September-October due to a pattern of bad things happening in these months--I have a contender, but we've got weeks to go before I will feel in the clear.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Stop Me Before I Read More
And we've moved onto people posting nonjudgmental instructions on listserv email management (hint, digest mode is your friend), desperately polite attempts to introduce other topics of conversation, and someone who did not put her academic title in her email being snippy about not being addressed as "Dr."
Oh, I am so impressed.
And the Robot Librarian is chiming in in his usual charmless, self-important way.
Someone else took offense with the perfectly polite but strongly worded sentiments of another and wrote that the point of discussion was to learn from one another and suggested rephrasing the sentiment in an utterly milquetoast manner. That's when I started to fight the urge to beat someone with my shoe. First off, strongly worded and clever writing is much more fun to both read and write. It's also a more effective tool to influence your audience. Why wouldn't you use the sharpest knife to get the meat cut?
But what bothers me most about that comment is the sexism, which I'm sure is unintended but nonetheless present. That female poster said to another woman (and indeed the whole of a listserv that's probably about 85% female, as is the profession) that she should tone down her language and to be civil, to compromise--in my interpretation, to be embody traits that are more acceptably female. In a field that's mostly women, we don't need that--we need to be encouraged to fight against our profession's inculcation of indiscriminate niceness and bland conversation, to embrace thorough discourse and analysis in its mess and meaness. Because face it, that niceness and its partner doubt are what prevents us from being taken seriously, from fighting for the tools we need to do our jobs, and from drawing lines of unacceptable behavior.
I frequently wrestle with the notion that librarianship is sexist. It's usually small things like this, little asides designed to get others to tamp down intelligence, sharpness and instinct for the sake of being nice or welcoming. I have also bookmarked some glaring examples from Library Journal that have been published in the last year that I've been meaning to write about because I can't believe no one else has noticed this and thought it worth discussing. Stay tuned.
If anyone wants to check out these listserv posts, email me--they are openly archived, just a little hard to find. And yes, I'm interested in hearing if I'm off my nut or not.
Oh, I am so impressed.
And the Robot Librarian is chiming in in his usual charmless, self-important way.
Someone else took offense with the perfectly polite but strongly worded sentiments of another and wrote that the point of discussion was to learn from one another and suggested rephrasing the sentiment in an utterly milquetoast manner. That's when I started to fight the urge to beat someone with my shoe. First off, strongly worded and clever writing is much more fun to both read and write. It's also a more effective tool to influence your audience. Why wouldn't you use the sharpest knife to get the meat cut?
But what bothers me most about that comment is the sexism, which I'm sure is unintended but nonetheless present. That female poster said to another woman (and indeed the whole of a listserv that's probably about 85% female, as is the profession) that she should tone down her language and to be civil, to compromise--in my interpretation, to be embody traits that are more acceptably female. In a field that's mostly women, we don't need that--we need to be encouraged to fight against our profession's inculcation of indiscriminate niceness and bland conversation, to embrace thorough discourse and analysis in its mess and meaness. Because face it, that niceness and its partner doubt are what prevents us from being taken seriously, from fighting for the tools we need to do our jobs, and from drawing lines of unacceptable behavior.
I frequently wrestle with the notion that librarianship is sexist. It's usually small things like this, little asides designed to get others to tamp down intelligence, sharpness and instinct for the sake of being nice or welcoming. I have also bookmarked some glaring examples from Library Journal that have been published in the last year that I've been meaning to write about because I can't believe no one else has noticed this and thought it worth discussing. Stay tuned.
If anyone wants to check out these listserv posts, email me--they are openly archived, just a little hard to find. And yes, I'm interested in hearing if I'm off my nut or not.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
In Which I Feel Rage, But Mostly Just Sick And Bored Of It All
Oh, THE RAGE, as my friend Mandy would say. Why are librarians so...arrrrgghhh! Frustrating. Dumb. Oblivious. Self-righteous. Pompous. Annoying.
It's coming from my alma mater's listserv these days. First it was a fellow who in all seriousness wondered if he could count a webcomic as his "scholarly publishing" requirement once he hit the big time as an academic librarian. I restrained myself from responding that if he wanted to write webcomics, he should do so (and Jeph Jacques manages to do it as a fulltime job!) and why the hell was he getting a MLIS then or that no, a webcomic isn't what most academic institutions consider a scholarly publication contributing to the body of research and knowledge about the profession. Even if your webcomic presents your findings about federated searching and student populations or bibliometric analysis. And frankly, who the hell would read that?
Oh, it gets better.
So in case you haven't heard, Sarah Palin was of the mind to ban books and fire the librarian when she got elected mayor of Wasilla. Pro-Palin, con-Palin, whatever political affiliations my 5 readers have, I don't care--it is a big deal, and she scares the shit out of me on general principles. So now we've been inundated on the list by people posting links and stories, getting in a huff about "that's not appropriate!" and my favorite "Stop cluttering the listserv with your comments and wasting my time." And when I say inundated, I mean 12 posts over 3 days.
For the love of Mike.
So I am going to have to drop that listserv like I dropped the new librarians, because I just can't take it.
So I have to wonder, as my best options for employment are increasingly coming from non-library sources and the more time I spend away from working in libraries and the more my frustration level with them increases and I worry that my skill level is decreasing--why should I bother? Face it, getting rejected for jobs in your field sucks, and after a while it feels like chasing after a guy who doesn't want you. What would you say to that girl? GO FIND ANOTHER GUY WHO WILL APPRECIATE YOU, right?
"But Kerry," you may ask, "didn't you go through this dilemma in your romantic life? And didn't you just wind up with a crush that has lasted 14 years now, a relapsing and remitting malarial fever of lust and regret?" To which I reply, "YES. AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP."
It's coming from my alma mater's listserv these days. First it was a fellow who in all seriousness wondered if he could count a webcomic as his "scholarly publishing" requirement once he hit the big time as an academic librarian. I restrained myself from responding that if he wanted to write webcomics, he should do so (and Jeph Jacques manages to do it as a fulltime job!) and why the hell was he getting a MLIS then or that no, a webcomic isn't what most academic institutions consider a scholarly publication contributing to the body of research and knowledge about the profession. Even if your webcomic presents your findings about federated searching and student populations or bibliometric analysis. And frankly, who the hell would read that?
Oh, it gets better.
So in case you haven't heard, Sarah Palin was of the mind to ban books and fire the librarian when she got elected mayor of Wasilla. Pro-Palin, con-Palin, whatever political affiliations my 5 readers have, I don't care--it is a big deal, and she scares the shit out of me on general principles. So now we've been inundated on the list by people posting links and stories, getting in a huff about "that's not appropriate!" and my favorite "Stop cluttering the listserv with your comments and wasting my time." And when I say inundated, I mean 12 posts over 3 days.
For the love of Mike.
So I am going to have to drop that listserv like I dropped the new librarians, because I just can't take it.
So I have to wonder, as my best options for employment are increasingly coming from non-library sources and the more time I spend away from working in libraries and the more my frustration level with them increases and I worry that my skill level is decreasing--why should I bother? Face it, getting rejected for jobs in your field sucks, and after a while it feels like chasing after a guy who doesn't want you. What would you say to that girl? GO FIND ANOTHER GUY WHO WILL APPRECIATE YOU, right?
"But Kerry," you may ask, "didn't you go through this dilemma in your romantic life? And didn't you just wind up with a crush that has lasted 14 years now, a relapsing and remitting malarial fever of lust and regret?" To which I reply, "YES. AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Questionable Content
A recent find worth checking out is the web comic Questionable Content. It's the fictional life I wish I'd had back in my 20's--passive indie rock guy finds his life taken over by a bitter and witty girl who becomes his roommate, her boss and coworkers at the local coffee place, and adventures and love ensue. Throw in robots, a girl raised on a space station, the superheroine Pizza Girl, and occasional trips to the local dive bar and the romance novelist who lives there and you've got a daily comic about relationships, music and life's uncertainty done with wit and verve. Yet even with the outlandish details the comic retains truth and bite due to the way Jacques grounds bizarre plotlines with believable details and relatable characters. Even with my hatred of the Monk-ification of mental illness, I root for Hannelore and her small improvements.
I got turned on to it through my weekly ALA Direct email, where they spotlighted a recent story line featuring the anxious Hannelore visiting Marten at work in the local college library and enduring tales of library spiders and innuendo from his coworker. It's worth going back to the beginning to enjoy the subtle way Jeph Jacques builds his cast and characters, from the gradual revelation of the trauma that turned Faye into the new Dorothy Parker to the corruption of Winslow by Pintsize. It's a timesuck that's rewarding--go for it!
I got turned on to it through my weekly ALA Direct email, where they spotlighted a recent story line featuring the anxious Hannelore visiting Marten at work in the local college library and enduring tales of library spiders and innuendo from his coworker. It's worth going back to the beginning to enjoy the subtle way Jeph Jacques builds his cast and characters, from the gradual revelation of the trauma that turned Faye into the new Dorothy Parker to the corruption of Winslow by Pintsize. It's a timesuck that's rewarding--go for it!
Monday, September 08, 2008
Wild, Wild Life
I will say this about Cleveland: I do miss squirrels.
And seriously, I think there are many times I would have preferred bobcats to the neighbors I had.
And seriously, I think there are many times I would have preferred bobcats to the neighbors I had.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Sex By The Numbers--Marie Donovan
Here's the deal--while I cheerfully admit I read and like romance novels, I'm not a big fan of contemporary romance and even less a fan of category romance. That section of the genre exists in the same mental space I use for fashion magazines and home decorating blogs. Oh, so you mean there are women who are 5'10" and a size 4 and wear a $375 dollar dress while the tide rushes in and splashes their legs in an artistic manner? Okay, your fantasy, you do what you want! Hot sexy men who want a commitment falling for ordinary women ? Your fictions do not bear a resemblance to my life, whatevs!
I lack aspiration in so many ways.
But back to the book. Why is it so interesting and what makes it a good read? Yes, there's hot sex. It's a Harlequin Blaze title. But there's also accounting, and a female character with an interesting personal dilemma, some humor and a romance that you can believe in.
Dane Weiss and Keeley Davis don't know each other, but both get pulled into a secret, off-the-books investigation at Bingham Brothers. Dane is a protege of Charles "Binky" Bingham, a charming roue who should be in his oatmeal years, but is still a hands on manager of his family firm. Binky is also fond of strippers and targeted for retirement by his priggish grandson who cannot wait to get his hands on evidence that Binky's incompetent. Keeley has mad forensic accounting skills and is enticed to help by her friend Sugar, Binky's latest girlfriend. Oh, and how does Keely know Sugar? She used to dance at the same strip club under the name Cherry Tarte. Matter of fact, because of her dancing days Keeley is the go-to accountant for Chicago's exotic dancers (hey, you can deduct your makeup, but not your boobs, and keeping track of receipts is very important!)
Right, so the idea is Dane will go into Bingham Brothers as the new controller, and Keeley will pretend to be his secretary because no one would expect the female secretary to be able to examine the books in minute detail. Keeley knows this role will require her to play down her intelligence and competance, but it's her own perverse notion to play with people's expectations by donning Cherry's red wig and lucite sparkly heels, left over from her stripper days. Dane already fancied Keeley in her business suit and bun, and well, who wouldn't be attracted to a tall redhead in her stripper garb while she gives off a "I like you/No, not interested" vibe. Their relationship is believable and enjoyable, since they have a lot in common besides the sex and levels of extreme hotness--devotion to family, belief in hard work, sharp minds.
And seeing how Keeley manages to reconcile and integrate her past with the person she's become, who is indeed the woman she's always been-- a combination of sharp accountant and flashy dancer-- is a pleasure. I'm a sucker for an integration tale. I think it's my favorite theme of personal growth.
Another point of interest--her bio indicates Marie Donovan is a Chicago area librarian, so I have this "yes! kickass librarian" good vibe thing going for her work. She's definitely one to keep an eye on.
I lack aspiration in so many ways.
But back to the book. Why is it so interesting and what makes it a good read? Yes, there's hot sex. It's a Harlequin Blaze title. But there's also accounting, and a female character with an interesting personal dilemma, some humor and a romance that you can believe in.
Dane Weiss and Keeley Davis don't know each other, but both get pulled into a secret, off-the-books investigation at Bingham Brothers. Dane is a protege of Charles "Binky" Bingham, a charming roue who should be in his oatmeal years, but is still a hands on manager of his family firm. Binky is also fond of strippers and targeted for retirement by his priggish grandson who cannot wait to get his hands on evidence that Binky's incompetent. Keeley has mad forensic accounting skills and is enticed to help by her friend Sugar, Binky's latest girlfriend. Oh, and how does Keely know Sugar? She used to dance at the same strip club under the name Cherry Tarte. Matter of fact, because of her dancing days Keeley is the go-to accountant for Chicago's exotic dancers (hey, you can deduct your makeup, but not your boobs, and keeping track of receipts is very important!)
Right, so the idea is Dane will go into Bingham Brothers as the new controller, and Keeley will pretend to be his secretary because no one would expect the female secretary to be able to examine the books in minute detail. Keeley knows this role will require her to play down her intelligence and competance, but it's her own perverse notion to play with people's expectations by donning Cherry's red wig and lucite sparkly heels, left over from her stripper days. Dane already fancied Keeley in her business suit and bun, and well, who wouldn't be attracted to a tall redhead in her stripper garb while she gives off a "I like you/No, not interested" vibe. Their relationship is believable and enjoyable, since they have a lot in common besides the sex and levels of extreme hotness--devotion to family, belief in hard work, sharp minds.
And seeing how Keeley manages to reconcile and integrate her past with the person she's become, who is indeed the woman she's always been-- a combination of sharp accountant and flashy dancer-- is a pleasure. I'm a sucker for an integration tale. I think it's my favorite theme of personal growth.
Another point of interest--her bio indicates Marie Donovan is a Chicago area librarian, so I have this "yes! kickass librarian" good vibe thing going for her work. She's definitely one to keep an eye on.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
It's Like A Drive By, Only You Get Shot With Sarcasm
Arizona Developers Welcome Spillover From Las Vegas Here's a water table, let's suck it dry!
So the housing market in Las Vegas is collapsing partly due to overdevelopment. Hmmm, so what should you do? Move onto the next section of virgin territory down the highway!
Sigh. This is why I think I'll never own property again--I just can't bring myself to trust the diffused responsibility of American capitalism and culture and blindly think it will work out in the end anymore.
The Don was right. Other people cannot be trusted, and anything that puts us in a metaphorical boat with them is a bad idea.
Time Warp Wives: Sometimes you meet a guy and really hit it off, he urges you to return to school and get a degree in biostatistics. Sometimes you meet a guy, and you find yourself submitting every bit of sense or morals to him, and you wind up helping him murder children. Or sometimes you just wind up with a guy who wants you stay home and not worry about a thing and pretend it's 1950 and you're so happy to be able to stay home and cook now that the war's over and you don't have to work in that nasty munitions factory anymore.
Notice none of these people have kids who might spoil the illusion time is passing.
Seriously, I think this is a kinky fetish thing. Somebody needs to call Dan Savage.
Caution: Driver May Be Surfing The Web: You know, when my grandparents were driving around with their 5 kids in the car, if you started acting up Grandma Jane brought out the rosary for enforced Hail Marys. When I was a child, we absorbed feminism from Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits and sang along to the Cats Broadway cast album. There has not been some weird genetic change in the American population in the past 20 years that now everyone has to be plugged intot he internet 24/7. Neuromancer is not here yet, even if I would be first in line to become a cyborg.
Want A Face-Lift? First, Better Stop Smoking: I like how this article never mentions that huh, maybe if you'd never smoked at all you wouldn't have needed a facelift.
So the housing market in Las Vegas is collapsing partly due to overdevelopment. Hmmm, so what should you do? Move onto the next section of virgin territory down the highway!
Sigh. This is why I think I'll never own property again--I just can't bring myself to trust the diffused responsibility of American capitalism and culture and blindly think it will work out in the end anymore.
The Don was right. Other people cannot be trusted, and anything that puts us in a metaphorical boat with them is a bad idea.
Time Warp Wives: Sometimes you meet a guy and really hit it off, he urges you to return to school and get a degree in biostatistics. Sometimes you meet a guy, and you find yourself submitting every bit of sense or morals to him, and you wind up helping him murder children. Or sometimes you just wind up with a guy who wants you stay home and not worry about a thing and pretend it's 1950 and you're so happy to be able to stay home and cook now that the war's over and you don't have to work in that nasty munitions factory anymore.
Notice none of these people have kids who might spoil the illusion time is passing.
Seriously, I think this is a kinky fetish thing. Somebody needs to call Dan Savage.
Caution: Driver May Be Surfing The Web: You know, when my grandparents were driving around with their 5 kids in the car, if you started acting up Grandma Jane brought out the rosary for enforced Hail Marys. When I was a child, we absorbed feminism from Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits and sang along to the Cats Broadway cast album. There has not been some weird genetic change in the American population in the past 20 years that now everyone has to be plugged intot he internet 24/7. Neuromancer is not here yet, even if I would be first in line to become a cyborg.
Want A Face-Lift? First, Better Stop Smoking: I like how this article never mentions that huh, maybe if you'd never smoked at all you wouldn't have needed a facelift.
The Next Hot 'Hood
I was driving in East Mesa today when I passed a shopping center with a trifecta of Ohioness: Firestone Tires, JoAnn Fabrics and a Cici's Pizza. I got slightly excited and thought "Santa Fe Plaza, my ass! Maybe this is the fabled neighborhood of 'Little Akron!'"
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Lakewood Public Library
I've mentioned my disappointments with the new Lakewood Public Library before, but hey, I don't live there anymore! SuperC sent me the PD's architecture critic's take on the finished building. "Emotionally cool to a fault" is an excellent phrase to encompass its tone and failures. If libraries are moving more and more towards becoming community gathering spaces, between new policies aimed at treating patrons like criminals and an uninviting environment, one has to wonder if LPL will continue to enjoy the support of the community.
Although I do think Litt lets LPL off the hook for at least one important point--it's not design rocket science to realize that if you make a majority of the collection reachable by a backdoor that leads directly out to a parking lot and not past a cop or circulation desk, your collection is going to get ripped off. Form follows function, people!
Although I do think Litt lets LPL off the hook for at least one important point--it's not design rocket science to realize that if you make a majority of the collection reachable by a backdoor that leads directly out to a parking lot and not past a cop or circulation desk, your collection is going to get ripped off. Form follows function, people!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Highland Trillionaire's Feminist Princess
Go play with The Random Romance Novel Title Generator. It's a fun time-killer, I promise.
My plot for this romance novel, starring me--so I get hired by a chain of inauthentic Scottish tea rooms coming to the Phoenix area as a server, quickly rising to the challenges of a managerial position. Faolan MacMonney,**the head of the company comes to check on things and is as impressed by my ability to upsell* his family's cherished scones and analytical business sense as he is transfixed by my large breasts. I am awfully attracted to his height, dun coloring and distinctive nose.*** We clash on the offensiveness of the nickname "Princess" and the question of whether women can have it all and if so, isn't that kind of a pain, as his jealous sister prepares to alter the quick dining market with the launch of a string of curry and vindaloo takeout carts.
*It's a pun--this is fantasy.
**As my friends at Rainbow Connection can attest, I am very good at the upsell. It combines my talents in flirting and sales.
***What can I say, I have a type, even in my fantasies.
My plot for this romance novel, starring me--so I get hired by a chain of inauthentic Scottish tea rooms coming to the Phoenix area as a server, quickly rising to the challenges of a managerial position. Faolan MacMonney,**the head of the company comes to check on things and is as impressed by my ability to upsell* his family's cherished scones and analytical business sense as he is transfixed by my large breasts. I am awfully attracted to his height, dun coloring and distinctive nose.*** We clash on the offensiveness of the nickname "Princess" and the question of whether women can have it all and if so, isn't that kind of a pain, as his jealous sister prepares to alter the quick dining market with the launch of a string of curry and vindaloo takeout carts.
*It's a pun--this is fantasy.
**As my friends at Rainbow Connection can attest, I am very good at the upsell. It combines my talents in flirting and sales.
***What can I say, I have a type, even in my fantasies.
Friday, August 29, 2008
You Know It's Fall When...
Kerry is sitting outside watching the weather with a Salty Dog and a serving of Belgian chocolate mousse and and strongly wishing for a cigarette. Indulging multiple vices at once is my efficient use of resources.
'Tis depression season, people.
'Tis depression season, people.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
More Girl Chat
Bright Young Things: Look at what I bought for $2.50 at the Goodwill! Granted it's vinyl, not leather, but I like it. It was the pink that attracted me. I also realized in the car that it reminds me of my pink tourmaline cocktail ring. For a woman who tries to look very sober and adult and who has worked mostly in conservative industries, I buy a lot of pink. It's my favorite color to wear, and possibly the most stereotypically feminine thing about me.
There was a stink inside the purse and some purple smutz outside, but used dryer sheets and a kitchen sponge took care of that. I am pleased.
Inadvertently Benefiting Society, One Comment At A Time
Web Security Words Help Digitize Old Books: Dusie gave me a head's up about this story. If you missed it on NPR, go give it a look.
I found it interesting because back around 1992-1993 I was part of Princeton's digitization of its catalog, which digitized the actual cards. This was one of the first digitization projects (and you can see the results here), and they were doing it on a tight schedule and budget. They pulled all the summer workers from Firestone Libraries that summer for 2 hours of quality control a day, and we hated the tedium, and there were a fair amount of quality control issues due to the age of the cards, handwritten notations, the fading of ink.
I found it interesting because back around 1992-1993 I was part of Princeton's digitization of its catalog, which digitized the actual cards. This was one of the first digitization projects (and you can see the results here), and they were doing it on a tight schedule and budget. They pulled all the summer workers from Firestone Libraries that summer for 2 hours of quality control a day, and we hated the tedium, and there were a fair amount of quality control issues due to the age of the cards, handwritten notations, the fading of ink.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks--E. Lockwood
Let me explain: last Saturday I read half the review of this book in The New York Times, stopped myself as so not to quash my enjoyment, and immediately went to the library unbathed and in dirty clothes to check it out. Sartorial crimes aside, I am glad I did so, as this was one of the best books I've read this year. YA fiction is very hot right now, deservedly so because the quality is there. This book has a more engaging plot, better characters and intellectually involving themes that most adult fiction, even so called 'literary fiction," doesn't bother to touch.
So, the plot: Frankie Landau-Banks is 15 and headed into her second year at Alabaster Preparatory Academy, an upper tier Northeastern boarding school. To her family she is "Bunny," and while they are very happy she's grown into her looks, it worries them that she'll be all alone at school without her big sister. To the outside world she's an attractive, intelligent, slightly geeky, but ordinary, girl who like clothes, books and debate. And to most of Alabaster, she's just the girlfriend of gorgeous, wealthy Matthew Livingston.
And that is really all anyone expects from or imagines of her, until Frankie seizes control of The Loyal Order of Basset Hounds, Alabaster's all-male secret society, and launches a series of clever and pointed pranks highlighting the absurdities of privilege and forcing change. That she does this without anyone knowing she's behind it, including the Order, how and why--well, that's the story.
Here's the part where I go into rapturous glee about the book, and if you think you might read it, stop reading the review now because some things are best when you don't know. Drwende, you are warned--this book directly takes up some of the questions you were pondering about Emily when you were wrestling with motivation and the format of the quest while planning out her story.
Things I love about this book:
1) E. Lockwood has obviously spent some time in the East Coast upper crust prep school milieu. And so have Dusie and I (although our school was a little third rate and we were day students), so this book causes flashbacks. "Chapel is non-denominational despite the fact it's held in a Christian chapel in front of a cross, so suck it up, Jews!"--that happened in my school.
But other aspects are right on too: the odd formula by which status is conveyed by money, excellence in academics and certain sports, general coolness and exoticism, the speed and depth at which relationships develop without scrutiny by adults, the relative absence of adults, unspoken rules and class lines, the grant of limitless independence and self-determination in an atmosphere where you have no actual power. (Another hilarious aside from my school days--so one of the English teachers went to teach somewhere else for a year, came back and made a chapel speech about how he realized they were selling us a false bill of goods by telling us we could achieve anything but giving us no real power to affect change. So EVERY SINGLE PERSON running for school office made "get us some power" part of their platform. Did anything change? Of course not. But it looked great on college applications.)
2) Frankie herself--she's an intelligent, perceptive heroine with flair. Her pranks are awesome, and the way her mind works is elegant. Oh, and she's logical and argumentative and likes herself. This is not a girl who we as readers is told is "smart" but couldn't find her shoes if they were strapped on her feet. How rare is that?
3) The feminism: Kate Chopin, eat dust. This is the best novel of a feminist awakening I've read in a long time, partly because of the modern intelligence of Frankie, and also because it's realistic and not polarizing--what she wants, what drives her is a desire for respect, a desire to point out inequity and agitate for change, and a desire to belong on her own merits to a group of interesting guys who have the power inherent in their maleness to think big and go out and do things. This is a desire that's intrinsic to almost everyone regardless of sex. Frankie's not just a victim of men; the book also explored the boxes women put themselves in and the behaviors they enforce upon each other.
Additionally, Lockwood has a lovely writing style, detailed, amusing and perceptive but grounded in character. This is a good book for reading aloud. Someone please, please, please read it besides me and want to talk about it. I booktalked Dusie into giving it a try, but she's not a big reader.
So if you're looking for readalikes--Booklist has this list of other modern boarding school stories,, The P.L.A.I.N. Janes touches on the pranking, but what I'm really hoping for is this comic Genius to get picked up.
So, the plot: Frankie Landau-Banks is 15 and headed into her second year at Alabaster Preparatory Academy, an upper tier Northeastern boarding school. To her family she is "Bunny," and while they are very happy she's grown into her looks, it worries them that she'll be all alone at school without her big sister. To the outside world she's an attractive, intelligent, slightly geeky, but ordinary, girl who like clothes, books and debate. And to most of Alabaster, she's just the girlfriend of gorgeous, wealthy Matthew Livingston.
And that is really all anyone expects from or imagines of her, until Frankie seizes control of The Loyal Order of Basset Hounds, Alabaster's all-male secret society, and launches a series of clever and pointed pranks highlighting the absurdities of privilege and forcing change. That she does this without anyone knowing she's behind it, including the Order, how and why--well, that's the story.
Here's the part where I go into rapturous glee about the book, and if you think you might read it, stop reading the review now because some things are best when you don't know. Drwende, you are warned--this book directly takes up some of the questions you were pondering about Emily when you were wrestling with motivation and the format of the quest while planning out her story.
Things I love about this book:
1) E. Lockwood has obviously spent some time in the East Coast upper crust prep school milieu. And so have Dusie and I (although our school was a little third rate and we were day students), so this book causes flashbacks. "Chapel is non-denominational despite the fact it's held in a Christian chapel in front of a cross, so suck it up, Jews!"--that happened in my school.
But other aspects are right on too: the odd formula by which status is conveyed by money, excellence in academics and certain sports, general coolness and exoticism, the speed and depth at which relationships develop without scrutiny by adults, the relative absence of adults, unspoken rules and class lines, the grant of limitless independence and self-determination in an atmosphere where you have no actual power. (Another hilarious aside from my school days--so one of the English teachers went to teach somewhere else for a year, came back and made a chapel speech about how he realized they were selling us a false bill of goods by telling us we could achieve anything but giving us no real power to affect change. So EVERY SINGLE PERSON running for school office made "get us some power" part of their platform. Did anything change? Of course not. But it looked great on college applications.)
2) Frankie herself--she's an intelligent, perceptive heroine with flair. Her pranks are awesome, and the way her mind works is elegant. Oh, and she's logical and argumentative and likes herself. This is not a girl who we as readers is told is "smart" but couldn't find her shoes if they were strapped on her feet. How rare is that?
3) The feminism: Kate Chopin, eat dust. This is the best novel of a feminist awakening I've read in a long time, partly because of the modern intelligence of Frankie, and also because it's realistic and not polarizing--what she wants, what drives her is a desire for respect, a desire to point out inequity and agitate for change, and a desire to belong on her own merits to a group of interesting guys who have the power inherent in their maleness to think big and go out and do things. This is a desire that's intrinsic to almost everyone regardless of sex. Frankie's not just a victim of men; the book also explored the boxes women put themselves in and the behaviors they enforce upon each other.
Additionally, Lockwood has a lovely writing style, detailed, amusing and perceptive but grounded in character. This is a good book for reading aloud. Someone please, please, please read it besides me and want to talk about it. I booktalked Dusie into giving it a try, but she's not a big reader.
So if you're looking for readalikes--Booklist has this list of other modern boarding school stories,, The P.L.A.I.N. Janes touches on the pranking, but what I'm really hoping for is this comic Genius to get picked up.
I About Start To Cry
Highlands, NJ--this isn't where I grew up, but it's very close. My dad took the ferry from there to NY my junior/senior years of high school. If I stayed in NJ, my dream place to live would be in Highlands or Atlantic Highlands for the old houses and to be near the water. Of course, now that I'm older and slightly wiser, I realize that would be a mistake.
Friday, August 22, 2008
You Know, This Attitude Problem Is An Inherited Trait
If you're Slovak or intimate with some sort of Eastern Europeans, check out this. It's funny because it's spot on.
I have a pet theory about Cleveland--it's not just that the weather and the economy are bad. Face it, Cleveland's best days are in the past, and not even the upcoming global drought and the Great Lakes Water Compact will be able to save it. Cleveland has an congenital case of depression born from its immigrant/migrant past as a stopping point for Eastern Europeans. We're not the happiest of people, we like security, and we don't challenge the status quo. Hard workers though.
I have a pet theory about Cleveland--it's not just that the weather and the economy are bad. Face it, Cleveland's best days are in the past, and not even the upcoming global drought and the Great Lakes Water Compact will be able to save it. Cleveland has an congenital case of depression born from its immigrant/migrant past as a stopping point for Eastern Europeans. We're not the happiest of people, we like security, and we don't challenge the status quo. Hard workers though.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Librarianship Is My Bad Boyfriend
So maybe that dream about the job interview in Prescott was prophetic, as I got a postcard in the mail today informing me "other applicant's more closely meeting the needs of the city" were chosen for interviews. The grammar mistake was theirs.
As for the rest of my job hunt: I applied for the academic job up the mountain, but they did not even require a cover letter or any background information other than answers to the questions "Do you have a MLS?" "Do you have reference experience?" and "What is your desired salary?" I have little hope. I have an application out for a part time librarian position out where I interviewed unsuccessfully in April, but who knows. I was turned down for an interview at the unaccredited law school, but really, as it was an unaccredited law school I do not feel particularly bad about that. I had a second interview this week with the state and certainly hope for that, but do not know. I am still on the certification list for a couple of other jobs I applied to in The Large Library System That Is Still Hiring (as opposed to The Large Library System That Has No Money To Hire) but I don't have much luck with that system.
I just wanted to give a little background to my job hunt--I have been applying for any job out here that I am suited for since November. I apply mostly at public libraries because that's where I'm most effective and I do have experience in that area, and that's what's open. But I've also applied at special libraries, the community colleges, and ASU. I have 10 years of special libraries experience in varied industries which I think gets me the boot--I am an odd combination of overqualified, yet not qualified. And it doesn't help that when I started the degree 5 years ago, all the jobs that interested me required it and now--not so much. Thanks, deprofessionalization!
Yes, I also applied for a couple of jobs back in Ohio, but they were pretty special jobs, ones that made sense financially or emotionally/professionally. And I just as deliberately did not pursue other opportunities that would have trapped me.
I am at the point where I'm applying for library jobs that don't even require a MLS, but are also not paraprofessional--just deprofessionalized. I am also applying for any business analyst jobs that seem to fit my background, and admining up my resume. But I honestly am beginning to think that the whole Master's degree was the equivalent of shooting myself in the foot employment-wise.
So please, for the love of Mike, do not tell me any crap about how I haven't been looking that long, that you have to apply for hundreds of jobs before you get one, that to expect that my skills and degree should be applicable and saleable is an "entitled" attitude, that it should be so easy for me to get a job, or stay hopeful.
Just don't say anything. I don't want to hear it, and I may kick you in the shins.
In short, I am beginning to feel about librarianship the way I do about men sometimes--that what is wonderful about me is apparently not what is wanted, that only the younger, stupider and cuter need apply, and nothing good is ever going to happen again.
As for the rest of my job hunt: I applied for the academic job up the mountain, but they did not even require a cover letter or any background information other than answers to the questions "Do you have a MLS?" "Do you have reference experience?" and "What is your desired salary?" I have little hope. I have an application out for a part time librarian position out where I interviewed unsuccessfully in April, but who knows. I was turned down for an interview at the unaccredited law school, but really, as it was an unaccredited law school I do not feel particularly bad about that. I had a second interview this week with the state and certainly hope for that, but do not know. I am still on the certification list for a couple of other jobs I applied to in The Large Library System That Is Still Hiring (as opposed to The Large Library System That Has No Money To Hire) but I don't have much luck with that system.
I just wanted to give a little background to my job hunt--I have been applying for any job out here that I am suited for since November. I apply mostly at public libraries because that's where I'm most effective and I do have experience in that area, and that's what's open. But I've also applied at special libraries, the community colleges, and ASU. I have 10 years of special libraries experience in varied industries which I think gets me the boot--I am an odd combination of overqualified, yet not qualified. And it doesn't help that when I started the degree 5 years ago, all the jobs that interested me required it and now--not so much. Thanks, deprofessionalization!
Yes, I also applied for a couple of jobs back in Ohio, but they were pretty special jobs, ones that made sense financially or emotionally/professionally. And I just as deliberately did not pursue other opportunities that would have trapped me.
I am at the point where I'm applying for library jobs that don't even require a MLS, but are also not paraprofessional--just deprofessionalized. I am also applying for any business analyst jobs that seem to fit my background, and admining up my resume. But I honestly am beginning to think that the whole Master's degree was the equivalent of shooting myself in the foot employment-wise.
So please, for the love of Mike, do not tell me any crap about how I haven't been looking that long, that you have to apply for hundreds of jobs before you get one, that to expect that my skills and degree should be applicable and saleable is an "entitled" attitude, that it should be so easy for me to get a job, or stay hopeful.
Just don't say anything. I don't want to hear it, and I may kick you in the shins.
In short, I am beginning to feel about librarianship the way I do about men sometimes--that what is wonderful about me is apparently not what is wanted, that only the younger, stupider and cuter need apply, and nothing good is ever going to happen again.
My "Style" Is Things I Buy Used, Or Pick Up Off The Treelawn
So I am holding the Ikea 2009 catalog and looking through it (because they will send you a print catalog unasked if you live in a city near an Ikea, but not if you are willing to drive 2.5-3.5 hours to reach one if you request a catalog), and I am unenthused. Yes, I'd like to move out into my own place, get Cain back and his new brother, retrieve my belongings from Ohio (okay, mostly I want my winter clothes), but I just don't want new house stuff. That way lies trouble. And it's all pretty and cheap, but truthfully I just can't bring myself to take the bait. I don't want a home--I want the ability to cut and run at 2 weeks notice.
And this is my idea of hell: if it's all so important, why is it in such disarray? Why didn't Dr. Lattimer catalog the items himself? Clutter and unintended damage, people!
And this is my idea of hell: if it's all so important, why is it in such disarray? Why didn't Dr. Lattimer catalog the items himself? Clutter and unintended damage, people!
Do You Believe In Magic? Or Sunscreen?
I used to think it was me. Why is it so easy for others to move through the world, trusting experts, accepting things? Well, it looks like the medical industry is again selling us a lie. Sigh.
But still, let's review more sunscreens! They're all equally effective on my pearly skin, and while the slight tan I've accumulated on my right arm highlights the scars, I do think the regular application of sunscreen has benefits. Proof will be if I ever need Mohs surgery.
Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock Spray SPF 45: There's a lot to like about spray on sunscreen. The smell is minimal, and it absorbs quicker and leaves less residue than other sunscreens. You also don't need to rub it in. The problem is you wind up overspraying yourself when the can is fresh, and wandering around naked until you dry off.It's easier to apply when the can is half empty. The other thing is that you get fewer applications out of a $9 can--it only lasts me about a week.
Murad Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30: This was a Christmas gift from Genevieve. Dr. Murad has a whole line of skincare (ah, the things you learn reading Elle!), and this is an excellent daily wear sunscreen. The texture is very fine, like moisturizer, and absorption rate is about medium. It sits on your skin, but disappears at a reasonable rate. A slight powdery feeling remains on the skin but it's not unpleasant.
The lotion smells faintly of lemon, which might set up a craving. I recommend the Whole Foods lemon tart.
Zia Age Defying Solar Care Body SPF 30: I was so please to find this stashed under the sink. I thought I had lost it back in April, but no, my sister just moved it out of sight so I couldn't find it.
This is expensive crunchy granola sunscreen, but it is amazing. I first used it driving to NJ, when I noticed I was getting burned. One quick application and I was no longer burning. It takes effect very quickly. and I swear I cannot tell that I have it on at all.
Terribly expensive though--a 4 oz tube was about $13. This was originally a gift from Genevieve, but I had to sacrifice my original tube to the TSA ogres at Newark. It's worth it for its effectiveness. Points off for having no expiration date on the tube. The smell is the best, a little like pie crust. Oh, and the only place I've seen it is Wild Oats. Like I said, crunchy.
Yes, Genevieve is my sunscreen source. Along with beauty world connections, she also has Celtic/Slav skin. It takes one to know one.
But still, let's review more sunscreens! They're all equally effective on my pearly skin, and while the slight tan I've accumulated on my right arm highlights the scars, I do think the regular application of sunscreen has benefits. Proof will be if I ever need Mohs surgery.
Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock Spray SPF 45: There's a lot to like about spray on sunscreen. The smell is minimal, and it absorbs quicker and leaves less residue than other sunscreens. You also don't need to rub it in. The problem is you wind up overspraying yourself when the can is fresh, and wandering around naked until you dry off.It's easier to apply when the can is half empty. The other thing is that you get fewer applications out of a $9 can--it only lasts me about a week.
Murad Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30: This was a Christmas gift from Genevieve. Dr. Murad has a whole line of skincare (ah, the things you learn reading Elle!), and this is an excellent daily wear sunscreen. The texture is very fine, like moisturizer, and absorption rate is about medium. It sits on your skin, but disappears at a reasonable rate. A slight powdery feeling remains on the skin but it's not unpleasant.
The lotion smells faintly of lemon, which might set up a craving. I recommend the Whole Foods lemon tart.
Zia Age Defying Solar Care Body SPF 30: I was so please to find this stashed under the sink. I thought I had lost it back in April, but no, my sister just moved it out of sight so I couldn't find it.
This is expensive crunchy granola sunscreen, but it is amazing. I first used it driving to NJ, when I noticed I was getting burned. One quick application and I was no longer burning. It takes effect very quickly. and I swear I cannot tell that I have it on at all.
Terribly expensive though--a 4 oz tube was about $13. This was originally a gift from Genevieve, but I had to sacrifice my original tube to the TSA ogres at Newark. It's worth it for its effectiveness. Points off for having no expiration date on the tube. The smell is the best, a little like pie crust. Oh, and the only place I've seen it is Wild Oats. Like I said, crunchy.
Yes, Genevieve is my sunscreen source. Along with beauty world connections, she also has Celtic/Slav skin. It takes one to know one.
Sometimes It Pays To Procrastinate
August 29th, sing-a-long "Mamma Mia!" launches. Please, the only reason to see the movie was the infectious singing of ABBA songs. This will just make it better. At the Marlboro Mesa, we have a lot of problems getting out of the house to see movies. Don't ask about the whole Pineapple Express near debacle. Aces and I have been thinking about going to see Mamma Mia! since it came out, but were at the point where she decided she might wait for video. And unfortunately Dusie hates musicals but loves Christine Baranski, so she was on board with that.
Now I'll have to go alone. I love to sing.
Now I'll have to go alone. I love to sing.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Show Report: The Octopus Project, The Diagonals & Treasure Mammal
Monday night I drove over to The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, which is this dingy retro kinda club over by some Phoenix grit. Yes, Phoenix has grit, quite a lot. It was a nice surprise. The Rhythm Room bears a striking resemblance to the basement of Leutner Hall at college, of which I have some fond memories. Not as pretty as The Beachland Ballroom, but it does have a regular BBQ schedule and a shaded patio.
So, the music. Starting us off was Treasure Mammal (warning, these links goes to myspace).
Oh, Treasure Mammal. How can I describe you? It was like watching my pompous ex-neighbor play his "music" which is more like sound collages of screechy electronic sounds and rapid-fire beats. However, Treasure Mammal performed clad in a black lycra bodysuit with a small, strategically placed, florescent green oval. And sometimes a mask.
He had to take the mask off sometimes to see what he was doing and to perform the singing/spoken word part of his show, which consisted of a lot of ranting, howling, and saying "motherfucker" in praise of Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.
And sometimes yipping like a small dog being kicked.
I sat dumbfounded and worried. Thankfully, things got better.
The Diagonals are good--the lead singer has annoying patter, but the music is quite good. Garagey rock beats and quirky lyrics, although what is up with the image stream that has nothing to do with anything? They remind me of Cake without a trumpet.
The Octopus Project though--they have the whole package. Excellent pounding punky but tuneful instrumentals that had everyone in the club headbanging and dancing. The energy was amazing. It's a show experience that's like having sex in a good exhausting, happy fun way. They play along with the image show behind them in excellent timing. They have a cohesive visual image, the guitarist mc keeps great control, and everyone is having fun. The music flows over you and plays with different parts of your brain and forces you to pay attention--it's like a brain stimulation machine that makes you smarter. After the set, you will do calculus! If I were in Austin, I'd have a party just to book them to play. Highly recommended.
So, the music. Starting us off was Treasure Mammal (warning, these links goes to myspace).
Oh, Treasure Mammal. How can I describe you? It was like watching my pompous ex-neighbor play his "music" which is more like sound collages of screechy electronic sounds and rapid-fire beats. However, Treasure Mammal performed clad in a black lycra bodysuit with a small, strategically placed, florescent green oval. And sometimes a mask.
He had to take the mask off sometimes to see what he was doing and to perform the singing/spoken word part of his show, which consisted of a lot of ranting, howling, and saying "motherfucker" in praise of Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.
And sometimes yipping like a small dog being kicked.
I sat dumbfounded and worried. Thankfully, things got better.
The Diagonals are good--the lead singer has annoying patter, but the music is quite good. Garagey rock beats and quirky lyrics, although what is up with the image stream that has nothing to do with anything? They remind me of Cake without a trumpet.
The Octopus Project though--they have the whole package. Excellent pounding punky but tuneful instrumentals that had everyone in the club headbanging and dancing. The energy was amazing. It's a show experience that's like having sex in a good exhausting, happy fun way. They play along with the image show behind them in excellent timing. They have a cohesive visual image, the guitarist mc keeps great control, and everyone is having fun. The music flows over you and plays with different parts of your brain and forces you to pay attention--it's like a brain stimulation machine that makes you smarter. After the set, you will do calculus! If I were in Austin, I'd have a party just to book them to play. Highly recommended.
The "Stupidest Librarian 2008" Award Goes To...
So let me get this straight: you write a book showing contempt for your patrons, self-publish it ($18 for a 153 page story?), use a pen name that is traceable back to your identity, include a picture of the library you are mocking on the cover, ask the local newspaper for a review, and then you are shocked when this gets back to your bosses in your small town and you are fired? Really? No, seriously?
Sally Stern-Hamilton has a lot of problems aside from losing her job--possibly being unsuited for public work, a severe lack of judgement, not understanding that along with a right to free speech comes responsibility for your words--but I admire a bit that she managed to torpedo her life so thoroughly while denying that even subconsciously that was what she wanted to do.
BTW, that link above goes to Annoyed Librarian's comments where someone violated copyright and posted the whole story, as the newspaper website wants you register to see stories older than 7 days.
Sally Stern-Hamilton has a lot of problems aside from losing her job--possibly being unsuited for public work, a severe lack of judgement, not understanding that along with a right to free speech comes responsibility for your words--but I admire a bit that she managed to torpedo her life so thoroughly while denying that even subconsciously that was what she wanted to do.
BTW, that link above goes to Annoyed Librarian's comments where someone violated copyright and posted the whole story, as the newspaper website wants you register to see stories older than 7 days.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Don't Piss Off Miss Bridge And Tunnel
Chunky Pam's Dirrrty Jerzy video.
Special thanks to Aces and her boss for that video. We've got a little expatriate colony here on the Marlboro Mesa, and everyone misses different things. My sisters' long for decent Italian food and bagels. My list has jughandles, naked aggression, bagels, decent thin crust pizza and subs with vinegar.
Special thanks to Aces and her boss for that video. We've got a little expatriate colony here on the Marlboro Mesa, and everyone misses different things. My sisters' long for decent Italian food and bagels. My list has jughandles, naked aggression, bagels, decent thin crust pizza and subs with vinegar.
I Love August, The Month Of Spectacle
The heat, job interviews and the hope of a monsoon aside, why I am I so excited?
The Olympics--Busby Berkeley spun in his grave with jealousy that he had never got his hands on 15,000 Chinese and a nearly limitless budget. I was impressed with the opening ceremonies both times I watched them, once woozy with sleep dep and the next day with a cocktail. I don't follow sports, but I enjoy the reminder that interesting weird sports exist like the competitive weightlifting and handball, and who can resist scandals about lip-synching, faked artwork, and draconian physical standards for hostesses? Plus that nasty censorship and suppression of democratic movements and human rights, and sweatshop slavery! Whoo hoo, China!
The Democratic and Republican Conventions--I don't belong to either party, and frankly when I was a wee little one was corrected by someone who said that no, we didn't live in a true democracy because and that was so much better Kerry, because we'd have to be voting all the time otherwise. And I distinctly remember thinking that was the dumbest thing I'd ever heard, trusting people to vote in your interests. Let's not even talk about my issues with compromise between two factions.
And I spent the last 2 Presidential races in Ohio. Ahem.
The best is yet to come. I'm talking about Burning Man: What! Kerry is a fan of Burning Man?
Oh, no. Burning Man is pretty much my idea of hell. I lack the planning ability to even begin to come up with a supply list for heading to this thing. Camping in the desert? Charges for leaving the area? Bartering? Drugs, alcohol and hookups galore? Art (I use the term loosely)?
Yeah, if you have issues trusting strangers, tend to be reserved, don't alter your consciousness, read fast, and like your art structured, Burning Man is not your scene.
But man, the news from last year really propped up my prejudice, what with the suicide and the Face Tattoes burning down the Man early, and Violet Blue's hilarious columns covering the phenomena.
I loves the crazy, even secondhand. There's one person who gets a free pass from me on attendance, but it is such a ridiculous situation overall I cannot begin to discuss it. My neighbors the performance artists went to Burning Man every year until 2007, when they hosted their own knockoff in rural Ohio. It was so sweet, the 3 weeks they'd be gone.
It's good times to be a newshound.
The Olympics--Busby Berkeley spun in his grave with jealousy that he had never got his hands on 15,000 Chinese and a nearly limitless budget. I was impressed with the opening ceremonies both times I watched them, once woozy with sleep dep and the next day with a cocktail. I don't follow sports, but I enjoy the reminder that interesting weird sports exist like the competitive weightlifting and handball, and who can resist scandals about lip-synching, faked artwork, and draconian physical standards for hostesses? Plus that nasty censorship and suppression of democratic movements and human rights, and sweatshop slavery! Whoo hoo, China!
The Democratic and Republican Conventions--I don't belong to either party, and frankly when I was a wee little one was corrected by someone who said that no, we didn't live in a true democracy because and that was so much better Kerry, because we'd have to be voting all the time otherwise. And I distinctly remember thinking that was the dumbest thing I'd ever heard, trusting people to vote in your interests. Let's not even talk about my issues with compromise between two factions.
And I spent the last 2 Presidential races in Ohio. Ahem.
The best is yet to come. I'm talking about Burning Man: What! Kerry is a fan of Burning Man?
Oh, no. Burning Man is pretty much my idea of hell. I lack the planning ability to even begin to come up with a supply list for heading to this thing. Camping in the desert? Charges for leaving the area? Bartering? Drugs, alcohol and hookups galore? Art (I use the term loosely)?
Yeah, if you have issues trusting strangers, tend to be reserved, don't alter your consciousness, read fast, and like your art structured, Burning Man is not your scene.
But man, the news from last year really propped up my prejudice, what with the suicide and the Face Tattoes burning down the Man early, and Violet Blue's hilarious columns covering the phenomena.
I loves the crazy, even secondhand. There's one person who gets a free pass from me on attendance, but it is such a ridiculous situation overall I cannot begin to discuss it. My neighbors the performance artists went to Burning Man every year until 2007, when they hosted their own knockoff in rural Ohio. It was so sweet, the 3 weeks they'd be gone.
It's good times to be a newshound.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Kerry Leaves The House For..The Octopus Project
I feel so busy. Tonight I plan to hit The Octopus Project's show at The Rhythm Room. No smoking at shows in AZ makes it safe for Kerry to go out, plus no need to drink and get caught by the fuzz.
I have never actually heard more than one of their songs, but MFA Jane both vouches for their excellence and knows one of the members from elementary school. And it's $10, and I need to expand my horizons beyond the grocery store.
I have never actually heard more than one of their songs, but MFA Jane both vouches for their excellence and knows one of the members from elementary school. And it's $10, and I need to expand my horizons beyond the grocery store.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Technical Difficulties And Stuff
I'm having technical difficulties with my connection at the Marlboro Mesa, hence limited posts.
I also have a job interview on Friday morning. Any good vibes are appreciated.
No, I did not get the other job. I figured I didn't get it when the next week passed and I hadn't heard anything, and when my email to the HR contact was ignored. However, when the HR person says specifically that you will hear from her either way, it's pretty freaking tacky to get the final big "NO" when you log into the recruiting website.
My language would be much bluer if you did not read this blog, Aunt Mary Jane.
I also have a job interview on Friday morning. Any good vibes are appreciated.
No, I did not get the other job. I figured I didn't get it when the next week passed and I hadn't heard anything, and when my email to the HR contact was ignored. However, when the HR person says specifically that you will hear from her either way, it's pretty freaking tacky to get the final big "NO" when you log into the recruiting website.
My language would be much bluer if you did not read this blog, Aunt Mary Jane.
Happy Birthday, Andy!
Today is the 80th anniversary of Andy Warhol's birth. Check out his art here.
If this poem intrigues, take a listen to Lou Reed and John Cale's tribute album Songs for Drella, or a look at A Visit With Uncle Andy his nephew James Warhola's children's book about the down to earth weirdness of Uncle Andy, who wasn't that odd when considered the whole family. Slovaks, you know.
I like Warhol. A first class weirdo, a star pimp, and the conceptual stuff was quite out there, but at the very least you have to admit the man could draw, and his ideas were amazing. I find his cynicism refreshing, and I think he was amazingly, depressingly prescient about quite a bit of American culture.
And the whole Slovak connection. He's the only famous Slovak-American I know of.
If this poem intrigues, take a listen to Lou Reed and John Cale's tribute album Songs for Drella, or a look at A Visit With Uncle Andy his nephew James Warhola's children's book about the down to earth weirdness of Uncle Andy, who wasn't that odd when considered the whole family. Slovaks, you know.
I like Warhol. A first class weirdo, a star pimp, and the conceptual stuff was quite out there, but at the very least you have to admit the man could draw, and his ideas were amazing. I find his cynicism refreshing, and I think he was amazingly, depressingly prescient about quite a bit of American culture.
And the whole Slovak connection. He's the only famous Slovak-American I know of.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Better Check The Lakewood Housing Code
Aces sent this story to me with the question "Worse than the performance artists??"
And the answer is no. Let me explain. Only the person who has actually done so would think that buying a portapotty and installing it in the front yard is an acceptable solution to problem of large parties, not wanting family members in the house and dogs in the backyard. Perfectly logical, right? Gosh, I don't know how the Mesa housing code people overlooked this possibility and didn't write code against it.
The performance artists were masters of walking the fine line and making you wonder if it was really that bad and worth confronting them. Band practice? Okay, it was tuneless, but it was also early in the evening. Dead baby garden? Bad art, but free expression. Recycled Rainbow? Beyond stupid, but if it's not disrupting my life in my house, go on. Talking on the front porch? Even if you're an idiot, that's what it's for. The pot? It's Lakewood.
Setting off fireworks at 1am? That I called the cops about. And I was pissed and went over when they were showing a film against their garage with the soundtrack blaring. And I'm glad that one of the other neighbors busted them for the fires. Friends parking on my side of the drive? Yeah, no--park on the street, get out and hike, sugar.
I kinda miss the constant irritation though.
And the answer is no. Let me explain. Only the person who has actually done so would think that buying a portapotty and installing it in the front yard is an acceptable solution to problem of large parties, not wanting family members in the house and dogs in the backyard. Perfectly logical, right? Gosh, I don't know how the Mesa housing code people overlooked this possibility and didn't write code against it.
The performance artists were masters of walking the fine line and making you wonder if it was really that bad and worth confronting them. Band practice? Okay, it was tuneless, but it was also early in the evening. Dead baby garden? Bad art, but free expression. Recycled Rainbow? Beyond stupid, but if it's not disrupting my life in my house, go on. Talking on the front porch? Even if you're an idiot, that's what it's for. The pot? It's Lakewood.
Setting off fireworks at 1am? That I called the cops about. And I was pissed and went over when they were showing a film against their garage with the soundtrack blaring. And I'm glad that one of the other neighbors busted them for the fires. Friends parking on my side of the drive? Yeah, no--park on the street, get out and hike, sugar.
I kinda miss the constant irritation though.
Opinions Wanted--Shoe Edition
Should I keep these shoes or not? They were an implulse purchase when I went into Fabu Footwear looking for nude sandals as per Sal's advice at Already Pretty.
Pros: Very cute. Black. I love the gray stitching that makes them look like they've been basted. The heel is just perfect in terms of making my legs look sexy, and being stable enough so that I won't trip and injure my arm.
Cons: Closed toe, and suede. On one hand, one can actually wear suede shoes here and have them last longer than the first ill-timed snow or rainshower. On the other hand, I also have a tendency to rub heels together, leading to scuffs or bald patches. Is it worth $60 to get pretty shoes in my size that are attractive and comfy, but won't be wearable for another 2-3 months? Waiting isn't really practical, as I wear a very popular size (8.5).
September 2008 Bon Appetit--The Issue Of Kerry Enterprises
Feel free to grab the September issue of Bon Appetit and turn to page 28 for the R.S.V.P. recipe request letters. That first letter is mine--I wrote it 5 years ago. You now have the ammo to stalk and defame as you wish!
There is a funny twist to that story: the wonderfully talented and much loved Genevieve whom we were feting was graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a degree in digital design. Within 3 years she and Patrick had decamped to New York where the folks at CondeNet were lucky enough to hire her. And in 2008 she spearheaded the redesign of the Bon Appetit website!
There are other very funny intersections with my life in this issue--the featured cocktail recipe is The Widow's Touch, which calls for Laird's Applejack, a Monmouth County, NJ-based company. I grew up 15 miles away from their homestead headquarters. By the way, applejack rocks. Despite that I doubt we'll be making The Widow's Touch--it calls for too many expensive ingredients.
Plus, Sweet Pea Bakery and Catering has their recipe for Brownie-Chunk Cookies featured in the article "Best of the Bakeshops." I knew Dusie and Aces were big fans of Danielle's goods (and they are excellent), but I didn't know that she's also got NJ ties.
There is a funny twist to that story: the wonderfully talented and much loved Genevieve whom we were feting was graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a degree in digital design. Within 3 years she and Patrick had decamped to New York where the folks at CondeNet were lucky enough to hire her. And in 2008 she spearheaded the redesign of the Bon Appetit website!
There are other very funny intersections with my life in this issue--the featured cocktail recipe is The Widow's Touch, which calls for Laird's Applejack, a Monmouth County, NJ-based company. I grew up 15 miles away from their homestead headquarters. By the way, applejack rocks. Despite that I doubt we'll be making The Widow's Touch--it calls for too many expensive ingredients.
Plus, Sweet Pea Bakery and Catering has their recipe for Brownie-Chunk Cookies featured in the article "Best of the Bakeshops." I knew Dusie and Aces were big fans of Danielle's goods (and they are excellent), but I didn't know that she's also got NJ ties.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Dream Analysis, $5
I had a dream this morning that I went up to Prescott for a job interview. When I got there and went up to the information desk I got this list of discussion questions, or just found them amongst my papers. And oh crap, there was some esoteric stuff in there, stuff you really had to prepare for. Something about shelving in Hebrew, like what, the conversos have rediscovered their roots and want Harlequins to practice their Hebrew? The Hasidim have moved up the mountain?
So the interview takes place in this long, dark paneled room with desks in it. And people just start shuffling in. Some of them are clearly patrons--some kids are goofing about on the rug and wrestling. Some of them are the clearly the other staff who will interview me--wearing suits and nice clothes, joking with each other. But no one says anything to me. And I'm being patient and quiet because you're not supposed to be bitchy at an interview. And I'm just standing there, and the din gets louder and I have to leave because it's just too noisy.
As I start to leave this woman pulls my arm and asks me "Do you have your Access assignment?" And I just look at her because, an Access assignment? WTF? And then I just let loose, not shouting, but definitely in my librarian voice (and it was really funny trying not to shout in my sleep):
"Listen, this is supposed to be an interview! You lot (pointing to patrons) have to leave unless you want to sit in on my interview to be your librarian but be quiet. No, I did not get an Access assignment, so I did not do that. I also did not get this list of questions until just now, so I will be speaking off the cuff about that. If you want, we can do this later. Or not at all."
And then the director type person smiles at me, asks me a convoluted question, and like the sucker I am I answer in a perky and positive and accommodating manner.
I swear I think I put all my professional angst and frustration and about half of my general personal issues into that dream. All I needed was a good dose of sexual humiliation in that dream, and the sad picture of my fraught emotional landscape is complete.
So the interview takes place in this long, dark paneled room with desks in it. And people just start shuffling in. Some of them are clearly patrons--some kids are goofing about on the rug and wrestling. Some of them are the clearly the other staff who will interview me--wearing suits and nice clothes, joking with each other. But no one says anything to me. And I'm being patient and quiet because you're not supposed to be bitchy at an interview. And I'm just standing there, and the din gets louder and I have to leave because it's just too noisy.
As I start to leave this woman pulls my arm and asks me "Do you have your Access assignment?" And I just look at her because, an Access assignment? WTF? And then I just let loose, not shouting, but definitely in my librarian voice (and it was really funny trying not to shout in my sleep):
"Listen, this is supposed to be an interview! You lot (pointing to patrons) have to leave unless you want to sit in on my interview to be your librarian but be quiet. No, I did not get an Access assignment, so I did not do that. I also did not get this list of questions until just now, so I will be speaking off the cuff about that. If you want, we can do this later. Or not at all."
And then the director type person smiles at me, asks me a convoluted question, and like the sucker I am I answer in a perky and positive and accommodating manner.
I swear I think I put all my professional angst and frustration and about half of my general personal issues into that dream. All I needed was a good dose of sexual humiliation in that dream, and the sad picture of my fraught emotional landscape is complete.
Little Bits Of What's Up
I'd like to know what's up with the library I applied to back in spring that had 2 openings for Librarian I. Of course they had no interest in my special self. And now they are advertising 2 positions again, same level, same description, same salary. Libraries that size do not have 4 openings in 6 months.
Also, after reviewing my food logs, I was forced to notice that I drink about 50% of my calories. So I'm going to try this for a week--I'm only allowed to drink water, coffee, and milk. The Sonic chocolate milkshake made a strong argument that it's actually ice cream, but was disallowed. Sigh. Any ideas for a reward if I make it?
In general I'm down, although I have an adventure from last week to write up.
Also, after reviewing my food logs, I was forced to notice that I drink about 50% of my calories. So I'm going to try this for a week--I'm only allowed to drink water, coffee, and milk. The Sonic chocolate milkshake made a strong argument that it's actually ice cream, but was disallowed. Sigh. Any ideas for a reward if I make it?
In general I'm down, although I have an adventure from last week to write up.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Verbal Tics Of The Phoenicians
In every conversation, a Phoenician mentions the weather. Note that I've only been here a few weeks, and pretty much think yes, it's hot but I kinda like it, surprisingly. And I'm from central New Jersey--look, when you can't go out side and walk 10 steps before being unable to breathe, then it's humid and hellish. And I've lived without air conditioning for 10 years, once in a 3rd floor apartment during a heatwave where it reached 100 degrees in the bedroom. Even in my house, the second story was over 90 degrees for at least a month of summer and it was tolerable. Not that I don't love a/c and think it makes this place livable. And the misters!
So the Phoenicians ask me where I'm from and then comment on how hot and humid it is, and then bust out "I just tell myself it beats shoveling snow!"
Yes, as someone who was shoveling snow as recently as March, and has been hit with 18 inches of snow on April 18th, I concur. It may be 98 degrees at 10pm, but if you can walk to the grocery it is pretty sweet.
And is it just me, or is Phoenix a really friendly town? Three times today I got involved in really nice, friendly conversations with people. Maybe they were all just bored, but even if people are bored in Cleveland, they won't talk to you. My god, it was like I was speaking Russian most of the time to get more than a grunt out of people. They also only want to discuss sports teams as their verbal tic, and I'd rather get asked where I'm from and is it hot enough for me?
So the Phoenicians ask me where I'm from and then comment on how hot and humid it is, and then bust out "I just tell myself it beats shoveling snow!"
Yes, as someone who was shoveling snow as recently as March, and has been hit with 18 inches of snow on April 18th, I concur. It may be 98 degrees at 10pm, but if you can walk to the grocery it is pretty sweet.
And is it just me, or is Phoenix a really friendly town? Three times today I got involved in really nice, friendly conversations with people. Maybe they were all just bored, but even if people are bored in Cleveland, they won't talk to you. My god, it was like I was speaking Russian most of the time to get more than a grunt out of people. They also only want to discuss sports teams as their verbal tic, and I'd rather get asked where I'm from and is it hot enough for me?
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