Outraged

Begin RANT

As much as I love living in Georgia again, I have to report the following news.

Gwinnett library board fires director

By DUANE D. STANFORD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/13/06

The Gwinnett County Library Board fired its executive director of 15 years Monday night, enraging a crowd of patrons who wanted her to keep her job.

Sparking cries of "Incompetent!" and "Fire the Board!" from the audience, three of the library board's five members voted to oust director Jo Ann Pinder without cause. The panel's majority also used a parliamentary procedure to block the board's only dissenting member, Brett Taylor, from speaking on the motion.

Phyllis Oxendine, who sponsored the motion, was joined by fellow board members Dale Todd and Margaret Tiller in the vote to fire Pinder. Board Chairman Lloyd Breck abstained but said prior to the vote that he would cast a tie-breaker, if necessary, in favor of the firing.

More than 100 library patrons, many of them wearing red to show support for Pinder, packed into a small conference room at the Five Forks Trickum library branch south of Lawrenceville to witness the vote. The board's decision set off an eruption of angry shouts.

"I hope y'all get fired in public like this!" one man yelled.

Police were brought into the meeting to keep order.

Pinder's attorney then escorted her out of the room as people gathered in the hallway cheered her and patted her on the back. Some wiped away tears.

As Pinder walked to her car, she said she was proud of her work at the library. "I'm just appreciative of all the support of the staff and the people," said Pinder.

She declined comment whether she was considering taking legal action.

"I'm going to go home," Pinder said.

Minutes before Pinder's firing, the board took public comment from about 21 citizens. Most of them spoke in favor of Pinder. Two men in the audience held up manila envelopes scrawled with the words, "Pinder Yes."




This director is in charge of a whopping 15 libraries. She brought the system to its pinnacle in 2000, when they earned the Library of the Year Award (from Library Journal). From what I have been reading in the paper, the most offensive thing she has committed is a skimpy geneaology collection (important in public ibraries).

So this woman had to suffer this act of public humiliation because she yelled at some home-school parents? What is this, the Scarlet Letter? I wonder if she'll have to go around town sporting a big red letter on her chest.

People have way too much time on their hands. Terrible things and people are ignored, and others are condemned. Maybe there is a lot more to this particular situation, but I bet all of that energy could have gone toward choosing some cool books or trying to figure out their confusing computer system (it' s way too difficult to access even the OPAC).

I love the bolded statement in the article. So Georgia, but straight and to the point.



/RANT

Sigh

Moving, my friends, is crazy stuff.

Memorial Day...my apartment ceiling leaks...results in no air conditioning on move-out day. It was hell.

I get to see the new house for the first time later today. I am so pumped. I am ready to move now, if only to quit living out of boxes.

I had an interview today...I really liked the place (fingers crossed). More info to come later.

Has anybody (and by anybody I mean Harry Potter fans) heard about this new Wizard Rock phenomenon? They are all over myspace...I totally recommend the electronic stuff. Too many bands are coming out though...I mean Harry and the Potters, the Remus Lupins, Dumbledork, the Whomping Willows, and the list goes on and on. They should regulate or something.

So this was a pretty pointless entry and I was too lazy to link to anything, but at least you have an update!

Moving and J-O-Bs (well postings at least)

Hi all!

My work days at IU are over...well I work Saturday, but nobody will be there so it doesn't count. I got a small pizza party today...all five workers filled out a card and Charla and Misty gave me a very pretty necklace. I'm sad to leave these people, not only because they have been the most consistent part of my life this year, but also because they're just good people in general. Sigh.

I keep putting off all of this packing because I know that my life will be consumed by it over the next few weeks. First the apartment, and then the house, then everything will be different. I can honestly say, though, that this marks the first time in my life that I am NOT afraid of change.

I've been a job-applying maniac lately. I've had one phone interview and was invited today to an in-person interview at a different school (I have to prepare an instruction session...yikes).

I think that's all I got...I'll probably write next from Georgia!

Stolen from Andrew...

...because I thought it would be fun!

Accent: I'm one of those weird people who can pick up accents very easily (I'm a language person). So right now, I have a little Indiana accent...when I go to Georgia, I'll sound like everybody else in Gwinnett County (I.E. a northerner that says "y'all"...not everybody in the south has a southern accent)
Booze: If I had my choice, I'd say none. I just don't like it. But if I had to, I would say beer over wine (I know, crazy), and a long island for a mixed drink.
Chore I Hate: Scrubbing the tub and yard work
Dog or Cat: I am definitely a DOG person
Essential Electronics: My computer, ipod, and cell phone (even though I rarely answer it)
Favorite Cologne(s): I don't know...the cologne has to react well with the guy. It's funny, I have never liked the cologne on any of the guys I have ever dated, although there was my friend from high school Joey, who always smelled great. If I could ever find the name of the cologne....
Gold or Silver: I think Gold looks best against my skin tone, but I own more silver
Hagiography: Well, I am catholic, and my confirmation saint is Bridget...so we'll go with her
Insomnia: I have trouble falling asleep sometimes, but I can sleep every night
Job Title: Unemployed? oh wait, I still work at wells, so Gaidoz Project Assistant
Kids: Hopefully some day
Living arrangements: For the next week and a half, a small two bedroom apt...by myself
Most admirable trait: work ethic
Number of sexual partners: "What is this, a physical?"...my thoughts exactly Andrew
Overnight hospital stays: None
Phobias: Social Dancing and Bugs...I would say needles, but that's more of a control issue
Quote: I really don't feel like searching for one right now
Religion: Catholic
Siblings: Older brother
Time I wake up: Depends...earliest is 6:30am, latest is 9:30am
Unusual talent or skill: Flag spinning
Vegetable I refuse to eat: Cooked carrots
Worst habit: I open things with my teeth because I am too impatient to tear them apart with my hands or use scissors.
X-rays: I've a had a few
Yummy foods I make: Chilli, Cakes (Chocolate Cake!), Cookies, Chicken Tenders, lots of stuff
Zodiac sign: Aries...rawr

Living the 'Proactiv' life

I'll admit it...I am a 24 year old "woman" still suffering from the socially painful woes of acne. Alright, it's not that bad, and never really has been. I've just inherited my paternal grandmother's extremely large pores, which result in permanent black heads and the occasional inflammatory break-out. They somehow miraculously disappear in photographs though...very thankful indeed.

As an early-bird in the puberty (I still hate that word) portion of my life, I began suffering from this affliction at the ripe age of 9. In high school, my mother decided to do something about it (rather to shut me up) and take me to the dermatologist. I tried the benozoyl peroxide washes...they only resulted in a red neck (haha) and the rude morning wake up call of not being able to open my eyes (puffiness). I also tried other topical medicines, which were terrible when I started doing color guard, as they resulted in sun poisoning at band camps.

So I gave up throughout college...I made sure that I took care of my face. It would all go away during drum corps summers...although if you spend more than 3 weeks of 11 hours per day in the sun, your nose begins peeling off in chunky pieces. I would get home though, and the zits would be back for more (the disease that keeps on giving? oh wait, that's something else).

So here I am, in what is technically my mid-twenties (yikes!) and I'm still suffering. One day on a whim I decided to try Proactiv (because if it works for Jessica Simpson...haha). I get the package and realize that a lot of their products contain the lovely benzoyl peroxide, which isn't so lovely to me. I realized that if I use it once every three days (way under the recommendation) , I'm not affected by the benzoyl peroxide, and it helps clear things up.

Last week though I had a terrible break-out. It was quite possibly because I was finished with school and all of the stress within me combined with a job interview, had finally surfaced in the familiar red mound-like form.

I will continue to live the 'Proactiv' life because I do think it works, especially if your skin isn't sensitive like mine. But I do realize that stress can have far more influence on my looks than a miracle medicine can.

What's up doc?

Reality is setting in...I got my first invoice for student loans...I miss the undergrad days of HOPE scholarship. Georgia is awesome.

I ended up doing very well this semester...completely makes up for all those weekends stuck in my apartment glued to my computer and praying that ella wouldn't go out.

Somehow my key to the office at work slipped off of my key ring...HOW DID THIS HAPPEN, and why now when my days are already numbered?

My friend Adrian recently got an internship at a radio station in Sandy Springs. She gets some on-air time on Fridays at around 6pm. I'm totally excited for her.

Mother's Day is Sunday...don't forget to tell your mom or other women in your life that you love them!!

Faster than a speeding bullet...

I'm pretty sure I mentioned in earlier posts that my parents are selling their house...the only house I have ever known.

This might be a whirlwind record. One week on the market, they sell their house...three days later, they find a new one. We are out as of June 15th.

We will still be living in Brookwood district (like 7 minutes from the old house), not that it matters because us kids are in our mid to late twenties. The lot is way smaller than the old one, but that's what they wanted. I will also miss the pool, which I totally haven't taken advantage of in a long time. But life goes on and the neighborhood was truly becoming get-tro. It's still sad to give up your first bedroom, the place where you learned how to swim, had your second kiss (and third, etc.), made your first cake, etc. It's all happening so fast, but it's better than it dragging out throughout the summer. I'm going to miss that place.

Anyways, I'm working a lot...going in on Saturdays too! Making money is good, but finishing the Gaidoz project will be even better. I would like to do something like it again in the future. Mmmm moldy books. I love it.

As for tonight, I get to hang out with my girls at Lennies! wOOt

CHANGE!!!

Well folks, the torture known as graduate school has FINALLY come to an end for me!

I wanted to show you guys the projects I have been working on for a while now.

I mentioned in an earlier (I'm to lazy to hyperlink) post how I have been working with the Wyoming State Library System on one of the 7 or 8 re-designs of the small public library web sites. The libraries were supposed to fill out surveys, but mine never got around to it. So I had to make up information in many areas. I was going for something very simple and with clear navigation.

Here is the FORMER site (I did not do this).

Here is my revision.

This project was super fun and I hope that they'll actually end up using it.

I also mentioned in the previous post about my social tagging project. It's not completely finished, but you can find it here.

I'm not the best web designer, but I like doing it and it's leaps and bounds beyond where I was when I entered this program. I love technology!

I still think social tagging is a mess, but it makes for an interesting study!

Susan gave me the idea of revamping my previous pathfinders from my reference and information in the humanities classes. I'm so excited to make these look better. Ella is my best friend (only SLIS people will understand this). I also need to request to continue to use some space after graduation, or else my potential employers will not see the work I have done. Also expect a new layout for this blog soon with added bonus features...something I've been wanting to do for a long time.

I'm so happy to be finished with school. I will be up here working until the end of May and concentrating on the job search, which is finally receiving some results, even while searching within a very specific geographic area. I have to FOCUS.

I'm super excited about being able to read for pleasure again, to be free from my past demons (boys/former bad stuff from Georgia), to be able to go out with friends, to be outside (it still needs to get a little bit warmer), and to have a giant weight of school lifted off of my shoulders.

More non-self-centered posts to come!

Blast from the past

Since everybody is talking about vanity googling or self-googlization, I must relate a recent discovery.

For some reason or another I was in Google Images, when I decided to search "Carolina Crown" (the corps in which I marched for a couple of years during the summer).

On the second page I see a picture of a guard member from 2003, so I had to investigate...turns out, it was me!


I didn't recognize myself because I looked quite different back then, in MANY respects (mainly, I don't wear metallic unitards on a daily basis...the show was about bells, so it was appropriate). I remember the show too...the astro turf was all soggy, so the flag was difficult to spin...and why do photographers always catch you in awkward moments...my hands were going towards the catch, and they look terrible. I am on the front 50 though, which is a good thing in the marching arts world.

The biggest reason that I don't do color guard anymore...being a perfectionist.

Seeing the light

I had to turn on the air conditioning this weekend...there were moments where I felt like I was sitting in my apartment on a summer afternoon. We're back to spring weather though, so at least I can save on my electric bill this month.

I officially have four class periods left of graduate school. I have finished my web site for L-571...conducting the usability testing yielded a few changes and I'm sure I'll obsess over it this week still before it's "turned in" on the 24th. I still have to finish the report and make changes to another assignment, so there's plenty to do. I have also been working on a web site for my Library Automation class concerning Social Tagging...an interesting topic, since it is so new to the field. Part of me thinks it's really cool, and another part of me thinks it's going to be a big mess...but most people don't know what I'm talking about anyways.

It's nice to know that the end is near.

Oh, and Happy Easter!

Potpourri

Just a few things:

Oscar Wilde's LAST words were :

"Either that wallpaper goes or I do"

I guess the wallpaper stayed.

Two things I love about America (there are more, but these are just a sample) :
Heinz Ketchup
Barefoot Contessa

Fantasia won WGI this year...see, they are great when they do a pretty show (I've only seen a clip).


That's all for now...16 days until I don't have to worry about school.

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them. -Sylvia Plath

I've been taking a metaphorical page out of good ol' Sylvia's book lately, and it's true. I am a girl...therefore a big fan of the bath. Although, I don't think I'll be sticking my head in an oven any time soon (do you know your literary greats life stories???).

I decided to take all of my color guard "gear" (clothes, t-shirts, show shirts, the costumes I was able to keep, etc) and pack it in a rubbermaid storage tin/box thing. I figure that maybe one day, just maybe, I'll have children (and a loving husband too) who might be interested in my past life. If I keep wearing the t-shirts, they're bound to get lost or fall apart more than they already are. I never realized how much crap I accumulated from my 3 years of high school, 4 years of college, and 4 seasons of independent involvement...and half of my stuff was lost or resides at my parents house. I also have basically lost my hoodie, t-shirt, and long sleeve t-shirt collection. Humorous discoveries abound...

My exit from AIM has left me with little readers...I didn't realize how many people read this thing from the link on my profile.

I hope everybody is doing well, especially as we embark on the hectic month of April (one month and 7 days until graduation!).

Out Like a Lamb...

I'm pretty sure Bloomington is on the cusp of seeing Spring. We had a grand snow storm Tuesday, which made me less hopeful of ever being in warm weather again. It was quite a shock to return from Georgia to a winter wonderland. The forecasts for the next week are promising, though so I can start smiling again.

I am on hiatus from AIM with hopes of becoming more productive in my studies. So far it has worked fairly well...basically I have less distractions and am left with nothing better to do than school work and cover letters. It works, so I'll stick with it...I was sick of relying on AIM for social interaction anyways.

Last night I saw Andrew and Samantha perform the lovely music of Bach, Mozart, Barber, and Stravinsky with the Bloomington Chamber Singers. Although I have never been musically trained, I highly appreciate productions like these and had a great time.

Nothing else to say really...just looking forward to April and finishing school!

New teeth and other uneventful stuff

So I have always been a bit self-conscious about my teeth. I never needed braces, which is a miracle. My bottom teeth are flawless, minus a bit of crowding between the two front ones from before the wisdom teeth were taken out. My top teeth are straight, but I have always had a gap between my two front ones. It was much bigger when I was little, but it was enough to make me not want to smile for a long time. Most people don't notice the gap...even my brother didn't notice (I'm actually not surprised at this).

I am probably one of the few people who actually like going to the dentist (the doctor is a different story). I'm no beauty otherwise, but they always seem to marvel at my teeth...they are white, have perfect accretion (guessing on this spelling), and are straight. It's nice to have people remark on something that nature/genetics did well for you (although, I have had my fair share of cavities). I have been wanting to fix my gap for ages, and on my last visit, the dentist suggested that I get them bonded. So i finally took the plunge and went through the painless process on Monday. I now have two front teeth without a gap (I might post a picture later). The dentist took before/after pictures, and everybody in the office wanted a look. So while the transition may go unnoticed for the rest of the world, I have no reason to hide my smile any longer. :)

I've been home for a week now. I'm very relaxed and have seen a couple of friends, so it's been nice. I went to Athens yesterday and had a lot of fun with Lauren. I am constantly reminded how much I don't like it there every time I visit though. Not that Gwinnett is wonderful, it's just that very few people remain there who I actually respect/like. Most of the good people have left. I do realize though that things get better with time, and one day I will be able to look at Athens with kind eyes and good memories (because it was fun while I was there) and overlook the crap that is going on now (because it really doesn't matter). Same thing goes for drum corps, winterguard, etc. For now though, it's career concentration time.

A lot of job postings have come through this week...I really need to get started with the application process again, because applying to four places isn't enough. Some of these jobs are a bit far fetched for me, but I am going to apply anyways, because opportunities arise from the least likely places.

My mom and I have done a considerable amount of mother-daughter bonding in the last week. Growing out of that teenage phase has been so nice. We still fight every once in a while, but it's been nice to be able to comfortably talk about things that have been happening in my life, my worries, wishes, etc.

Oh, and I really didn't expect this to be my personality. The muppet DOES live in the back seat of my car though...

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts. You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary. But you sure can beat a good drum. "Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Monumental Event

Tonight I did homework...a week and 2 days before the assignment is due...willingly...on spring break even.

First time since...maybe the first week as an undergrad.

I thought I should record it because I'm usually a 2-3 days before it's due kind of girl at my best.

It's quite possible that I don't have a life also.

I can't think of a title

I am happy to report that I arrived safely in Georgia...it's the start of my spring break, but I have two assignments due Friday, so technically, the "fun" starts then. My drive was fairly uneventful, save the three times I was cut off by semi trucks. Semis make me feel like I need to take an anger management course. Or maybe they just give me an inferiority complex.

I arrived here in the middle of the afternoon. It was sunny and in the mid-60s. I immediately went to my flag to spin (this used to be an automatic reaction). I somehow remembered my 2003 opener from Crown. It was enough to safisfy my color guard needs for a while though, which tells me that moving on from the activity was a smart choice. I am enjoying the taste of spring...it's like instant happiness.

Kirby Puckett died this week. Sad day in baseball history. I don't follow the sport as much as I used to, but the name is stuck in my memory.

I finally saw the new Pride and Prejudice movie. I not too sure what kind of reviews it received, but I loved it. The cinematography was beautiful (as if I didn't love England enough already)...and I think it is one of the greatest love stories ever. I'm no sap, but Jane Austen was on the mark when she wrote this. What an incredible way to fall in love.

I have quite a bit on my agenda for the week...I'm just hoping to see everybody, and that everything goes well (this includes my adventures into PHP...the bane of my existence).

Some of the jobs that I applied for close this week as well. Waiting is no fun.

In like a lion...

I don't think I have ever been more eager for a month to be over than I have this February. My mother says that bad things seem to always happen to her in October. Well, February has gained quite the negative reputation in my mind. I've never been particularly fond of it...the weather sucks, my grandmother died during that month 13 years ago...and as I got older, Valentines Days usually sucked, because they always seem to coincide with the breaking of my romantic relationships, or when a guy decides to not speak to me. The past three years in paticular have been terrible. I wake up and something new would go wrong with each passing day.

This year's February was surprisingly pleasant until around the 10th or so, when things went awry. I'm not really willing to go into the details, but let's just say I've lost respect for a couple of people whom I had a lot of respect for in the past (this has been happening to me a lot lately...and I thought I was cautious to begin with). My computer is on the verge of a breakdown. I finally got a flash drive to back things up, so I can basically reload the computer, but I'm kind of scared that it is a hardware issue...which in that case, I am literally screwed...because I can't get a new computer (I'm saving up for a Mac) until I start a full-time job. I LIVE on my computer, especially since my classes are based around technology...no print resources this semester. Other sucky things have been happening as well, but they're not of any grand importance.

Normally, I let these things get to me, because quite frankly, they're frustrating. But honestly, are my problems really PROBLEMS? I mean, things suck...like school and the job search and crappy luck. But these are the things that in the whole scheme of life, don't really matter. I realize that I am in grad school limbo and that my life ACTUALLY starts in May...school is NOT real life (it's not, my parents still support me). I have to get through the limbo though and push myself, because I have to get to my goal of graduation, and moving on with my life. Bad things keep on happening while I'm here, but I'm not even close to giving up, especially this late in the game. I wish other people would realize how good their lives are too. They just have to sort through the crap on the surface.

More about the good things that occured in February later (all two of them). Welcome March. May you bring a new perspective.

Windy City

It has been a while, but my weekend was super eventful, so I figure an update is in order.

On Friday, I drove through a torrential rain storm in western Indiana, on my way to Springfield, Illinois (yes, the capital of Illinois...which got me wondering, do you remember your state capitals???). Well, actually I drove to a village called Chatham, about 10 minutes from Springfield, to my aunt's house. I arrived at 8:30pm and promptly went to bed...4:30 (yes, am) wake-up time.

The rude awakening was well worth it because my aunt and I were able to take a train and arrive in Chicago by 10:15. We met my other aunt and cousin and promptly decided to take a cab (it was freezing and snowing, and my aunt was sick) to Michigan Ave. I won't bore you with all of the gory details, but the shopping was amazing (very few disappointments). This is the fourth year of the family tradition (my second), originally made to celebrate my cousin's birthday. We stay at the same hotel, eat at the same restaurants (oh and yes), and eat the same chocolate every visit. It is definitely one of my favorite times of the year (and that's saying something, because I LOATHE winter). Next year, my mom is getting in the action, and I can't wait to add another girl to the mix. I'm not a girly-girl (really), but I love this bonding weekend.

I have a bit of homework/projects to do for next week. I have a weekend visitor :) and some stuff planned with other people, so I am going to do my best to stay dilligent througout the week. I know inevitably I will be writing a paper this weekend though...slacker!

I'm still looking for jobs...it is difficult for sure.

Some stuff I just have to show...

I can't believe I am writing again so quickly, but I did have a few things to say...

First off, one of my favorite books of this year, Looking for Alaska has just won the Printz award. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's the award for outstanding young adult literature, presented at the American Library Association's Mid-winter meeting every year. Very cool. Read the book.

I also have acquired a few pictures recently that I would like to share...

The plant in the silver pot has been with me since I have moved up north. I have killed it almost three times. I recently acquired the plant in the green pot. They are my babies, since I don't have pets. Their friends Snouty, Alice, and Mr. McCheese all requested to be in the photo as well. I know what you must be thinking...but I live alone (and love it).


Here are a couple of pictures from New Years...they are self-explanatory. The girl is one of my best friends, Lauren, and the boy is John. Kelly (a boy, Lauren's boyfriend), was also present for the evening.


If you read my blog, you know I love my dog. This picture has been on my desktop and I think he looks sad. My dad tried to cheer me up by sending the picture below...


He kind of looks like he is smiling.

Finally, if you know me at all, and went to UGA with me, you'd know why I love this picture....yesssss.


That is all.

Patience has its limits. Take it too far, and it's cowardice.

-George Jackson

Very true...either give up or be agressive

This past week was excellent. Besides the fact that the week only lasted three days, things were just wonderful overall. I finally found a client for my Web design class. Dr. Rosenbaum sent out an e-mail about this SLIS grad who has 8 libraries in Wyoming in need of new Web sites. Since Wyoming is my favorite state, I had to take up that opportunity. I'm totally excited about it. It's kind of sparked my interest in travel again. I hope I get to travel a bit this summer. I'm making a list of all of these national parks (like this and this) that I have to see...and there are blueberries and lobster to eat in Maine. Anyways...

My grandmother turns 80 this week. My grandparents visited my parents last weekend. My brother, who is quite the wise guy, decided to put a grand total of 80 candles on her cake, as observed in the following picture:


This leads me into my next topic...I have only one free weekend in February. Normally I am not the biggest fan of February. The past two years have been horrible in the frigid month (well last year was just horrible in general), and I've just gained a sort of pessimistic attitude for February. Well this year, I'm going to Chicago for shopping with my aunts and cousin (possibly one of the best traditions ever) on the 4th. John is probably coming up on the 10th (and he has proven that he actually comes to see me when he says he will)...with a possible three hour road trip to Waffle House-the rea one (the things we do for Waffle House). The trip will depend on whether or not Erik visits Susan though. I go to Quincy, the town where I completed my internship this summer on the 24th. My grandmother won some merit award for the town, so a good portion of the family (including my parents!) is travelling for the ceremony. So I have a lot to look forward to and keep me occupied during an otherwise nasty and yucky month.

One sad piece of news did reach me this week. Apparantly, the business is getting rid of Vanilla Coke. I only allow myself one coke (coke meaning soda in general for the mid-western readers out there) per week, but I love that stuff. Oh well, can't win them all.

I am sending off the first resume of the job-hunting season this week, so wish me luck.

Board games

Being from Georgia, it amazes me when schools don't declare MLK day as a holiday. Luckily, IU is not one of them, so I had the day off. It has been nice, except for the ella server breakdown, which means I am unable to work on an html tables assignment...or rather see the results of my coding...very annoying.

This semester will definitely be different from the past three. I am at school more, because I work at the library more. I'm also not driving to Brazil three times a week. It's different, but nice, and much more economical.

I had a great weekend. John drove from Athens, Georgia to visit me, which was very sweet. Saturday evening, Susan and I hosted a cocktail/board game party at my place. Being the insane ocd planner that I am, I had a layout of different game tables organized. Of course the 11 people (everybody we invited!...and all that can fit in my miniscule apartment) opted to play one game at a time in the living room...everything from Apples to Apples to Cranium. Overall, it was a very successful and fun night. In the future, I am looking forward to having a larger place in which to entertain...because I hate messes mingling with parties. Sunday I got to go to my favorite restaurant here (Snow Lion), and today John left and I finally got to my homework, which minus the ella incident, has successfully been completed.

Tomorrow (or this morning rather) it's back to the grind...work work work, school school, job searching, finalizing references...

Nothing much to say...I think I am going to wait until there is actually something interesting to say before I post again.

"mmm that it's all for the best...of course it is"

So my last semester of grad school has officially began. I can't believe I have been up here so long. It seems almost impossible that I have gotten this far, given the fact that I was completely miserable last year (and not just because I was in Indiana). Anyways, today was interesting. I had my Information Architecture for the Web (Web Design) class. The professor really knows his stuff. While some of the information he was giving completely went over my head, I still remained interested...which is a good sign. I'm glad I am only taking two classes this semester, since this one will definitely take up most of my time. Tomorrow I have my library automation class...hmmm.

I started my new job today...well I still work in the same place, I just have an added 10 hours of working on this specific project. Apparantly IU bought this collection from this man named Gaitoz in the 1970s. It's basically boxes and boxes of folklore books, journal articles, photographs, and everything else under the sun, from this one guy's collection. Most of the items are in french, which is good for me. The collection is going to get digitized since it is in such disrepair, and we are trying to index it before it gets sent to the appropriate place. That's where I get to help out. I am coming in kind of late, since a couple of other people were working on it last semester, but it's better pay and good experience. I also have my normal job working for Charla, with the potential for more hours, if Molly goes to the poli sci librarian. Basically I am at work WAY more than class this semester.

Break was wonderful. I had a wonderful time with my family, friends, and dog. I don't think I can remember a time in the recent past that I have been this happy. I'm still happy even up here in Bloomington. I got rid of the crappy things that used to weigh down my life. I thought I would be empty without them, but there have been plenty of things and people to fill the void spaces. I just like being optimistic not only about my future, but also my present.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

Those Chuck Norris things honestly crack me up. Sometimes I wish I could roundhouse kick people too...put them in shape...but then I start thinking about the old Nickelodeon show called Roundhouse, and my mind is on yet another tangeant...anyways.

It's been a while, and things have been great. As I look back on 2005, I realize some amazing things happened. I got to walk around Stonehenge (no stanchions holding me back), with my shoes off (only for a second, it was cold) to feel the lines of power. I got to go shopping in Chicago. I finally got to see Crater Lake. I started working in libraries. I finally became comfortable in Indiana. It's too bad a lot of crap happened...this year had a lot of good qualities, and ended wonderfully.

Christmas was great. I am truly blessed for having my family. I did a lot of shopping, which normally doesn't happen. Retail truly is therapy...I just can't get used to it. A few days ago, my boss from collection development called me. She said that the project that I was originally hired for is finally going to start in January. They want to work me 10 hours a week, on a higher pay. In addition, she wants me to work 10 hours of the same job I had the previous semester, on my current wage. So I get 20 hours a week of work, making more money than I did last semester...and I don't have to drive an hour and 15 minutes one way, so it will all go to me (minus taxes, etc) and not my credit card bill for gas. I'm also glad I don't have to pick up a library job that pays like 5 bucks per hour. I am okay paying my dues, but it will be nice to actually be making money while I am here.

New Years was probably the best I have had in my life. I cooked dinner for my parents, nephew, and Krista. I then went to Paige and Jason's for an hour, which sucked because I couldn't stay long. I then make my final trek to Athens, where I spent the rest of the night with John, and Lauren and Kelly. We were in East West Bistro (my favorite bar in Athens) when the clock struck midnight. I got tipsy off of one long island (the strongest and grossest one ever) and was good to go for the rest of the night. The only thing that sucked about the night was the lack of godiva martinis due to the absence of ice cream...my favorite drink ever. It was nice to get to hang out with Lauren again though and talk about cool kids books and play Harry Potter Scene It (which I never won...I don't pay attention to the movies well enough).

This week is pretty busy. I'm going to try to see Danny and Adam, Krista and Ashley, Krista and Lauren (two separate occasions), John, my family, and Adrian and Paige before I leave. Luckily, I will be back in March for spring break (does anybody want to go to Florida with me?), so no 4 month absences this time. This is my first visit back here that I've truly been happy. It's nice.

Home

Wow...I can't believe one week of my four week stay here is almost up. Interesting, but not much has happened. My grades ended up as expected...it was obvious that I completely liked two classes more than the third, but all who know me know that I am an obsessive perfectionist, so I did fine.

It sucks that all of my friends have full-time jobs. Well it just sucked this week because my mom was still teaching and I basically had nothing to do. I think I needed to just sleep and stare at the wall or a good 4 days, just to clear my mind of the past semester. This week is going to prove to be more hectic. Monday I'm going shopping and going to spend the night in Athens. Thursday, I'm going to the Atlanta aquarium, which should be interesting. Another trip to Ikea is in store since I have to get a birthday/christmas present for an obsessive fan :). There's also the whole Christmas thing going on.

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite times, mainly because of the family dinner. We've finally settled on the tradition of surf and turf (lobster tails and steak) along with so much else (my mom is an excellent cook). My best friend Adrian always attends and we are shaking with anticipation by the time dinner is served (we are pathetic, I know).

Today I was forced to go through boxes and boxes of my childhood to decide what I wanted to keep and sell, since my parents are getting ready to sell the house. I found all of my report cards, which contained mostly all A's. I did notice in the earlier grades that I had a difficult time "staying on task when working independently". Once I realized that the teachers were saying stuff about me, I began to play the game, but I still see myself wasting time on things less important. My aptitude was also the same when I was young. Looking at all of the standardized tests, I always scored so high in mathematical skills, and linguistic stuff, and sucked at other things. I'm not even remotely good at math, but sure enough, my math score was higher than my english on the SAT. It's weird how much we think we change.

I have to say the best boxes were the ones from high school. I found so many notes from friends...the things we used to come up with. I also found all of my old auxiliary bears from Christmas parties and Brookwood crap from football games. There were french awards, scholar musician awards (I never played an instrument), rookie of the year for color guard (repeated that at Carolina Crown), band spirit, and so many other things that I completely forgot about. I wouldn't want to relive the drama again, especially after reading my diary, but those years really shaped who I am today.

To continue with the nostalgia, I saw The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe tonight. I have been reading The Chronicles of Narnia (all 7) every Christmas since I was little (I'm not a new comer just because of the movie). I love the stories. I have to say that Disney did an excellent job. Usually I don't plug movies, but after the disappointment of Harry Potter (mainly because of the length of the book did not translate well to the movie), this was absolutely amazing. I like that C.S. Lewis had all the Christian allusions, but the stories themselves stand alone. I would go more into this, but then I would just be preaching, and my religion discussions are definitely reserved for a more private audience. Anyways, my interpretation of the Chronicles does justice to my beliefs.

Well, I am ridiculously tired and wish to go to bed now. I might update before I go back to Bloomington.

Good times, bad times, and all the stuff in between...

So, I am officially done with this semester. I normally work on Friday mornings, but I worked extra on Monday, so I don't have to this Friday (and I got to ride the cherry picker to the top of the staks in ALF!). I also normally have class on Friday afternoon, but it was cancelled, and I turned in my final project today (nerves!), so it means I am REALLY done. What a great feeling, knowing that I am two classes away from a masters degree. I can't even explain how great this feels (I will need to remind myself during the job search next semester). Tomorrow night calls for a beer celebration with the girls at Lennie's (did I spell that right?). Anyways, it will be my first time, so I am très excited.

I would go home Friday, but a wonderful snow storm is due tomorrow, so I will wait until Saturday. It's been 4 months, and I've been getting homesick, so I shall be making the 8 hour drive come Saturday. I'll be home for 28 days or something like that. By that time, I'll be ready to be back here.

Yucky things have been happening lately...a lot of deaths. I'm not close to any of these people, but I wish those who are peace in their lives. What a terrible thing to have to deal with.

I haven't had to deal with any deaths recently, but one major personal battle took over my life for a good week or two. I sat down and thought about my near and far future, and evaluated my present. One major involvement in my present not only majorly conflicts with my near future, but also has nothing to do with my distant future. That combined with a bunch of other things helped me come to the conclusion that I had to let go of something I have loved more than any person (excluding my family of course). It's not a big deal, because I'm not important (which that never mattered to me), but I do feel like I am letting people down in time of greater need. I loved where I was and the people in my immediate surroundings, but the activity itself and some of the people (again, not in the immediate vicinity) have almost soured before me. I needed to leave everything where it was, to know that I had some good feelings toward it. I did just that. I will miss it, but I think it is the best decision I have made since I have been up here.
I'm happy to know that a poem a former role model once gave me still applies in my life. Part of it is as follows:

"...Believe in the incredible power
of the human mind.
Of doing somethng that makes a difference.
Of working hard.
Of laughing and hoping.
Of lazy afternoons.
Of lasting friendships.
Of all the things that will cross your path.
The start of something new
brings the hope of something great.
Anything is possible.
There is only one you.
And you will pass this way only once.
Do it right"

I'm glad I let go.

Anyways, no more retarded sappiness...It's Christmas time bitches!

Oh and before I go, I was "tagged" (but refuse to tag others...I hate that game) to "list ten thing that make you happy in no particular order"

1. MY DOG
2. Getting up early the day after Christmas and going to Perimeter Mall to go crazy at Crate and Barrel and Bloomingdales
3. Dialog! (and I don't mean conversation)
4. Being told I am beautiful by a man (and having them actually mean it, not a concept I am used to)
5. a bath
6. anything retro
7. nature
8. reading for pleasure
9. knowing I have friends who I've known since I was a kid
10. stars

I love random stuff...

1) My uncle once: Was a student at Harvard
2) Never in my life: have I been skiing
3) When I was five: I wanted to be named Tiffany
4) High school was: good…in retrospect
5) Fire is: something I don’t want to be close to…
6) I once saw: David Sedaris talk about animal porn
7) There’s this woman I know who: was in the army in Isreal
8) Once, at a bar: I was told I looked like this guy’s sexy secretary
9) By noon I’m usually: a bit tired
10) Last night: I was in class
11) If I only had: money
12) Next time I go to church: will be on Sunday
13) What worries me most: a big decision I made that I have to deal with on Saturday
14) When I turn my head left: i see the couch side
15) When I turn my head right: i see the chair on the other side of the room
16) You know I'm lying when: usually the tone of my voice sets it off
17) What I miss most about the eighties: crimping hair
18) If I were a character written by Shakespeare, I’d be: Kate from Taming of the Shrew..haha
19) By this time next year: I hopefully will be working in some kind of library as a professional
20) I have a hard time understanding: infidelity
21) You know I like you if: I avoid you and act shy
22) If I won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: my mom
23) Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: different subject areas
24) Take my advice, never: give people multiple chances…three strikes and you’re out
25) My ideal breakfast is: tutto bene!
26) If you visit my hometown, I suggest you go to: um, Stone Mountain?
27) Why doesn't everyone: take a nap
28) If you spend the night at my house: don’t kick me out of the bed!
29) I’d stop my wedding: if i found out: he cheated on me
30) The world could do without: romance novels
31) My favorite blonde is: strawberry blonde.
32) If I do anything well, it’s: worry
33) And by the way: School’s almost out!

"It's peanut butter jelly time!"

Of course Thanksgiving beak went by in a flash...and I had an extra day and everything! Whatever...it just means that christmas break will be here soon. 5 more classes, 4 more assignments, 12 days until I am done with classes, and 21 days until I go home to Georgia. Then one semester left...the end is so in sight.

A bunch of stuff has happened lately, and luckily I have had time to think things through.

But what happened during break? Hmmm...purchase of the Martha Stewart Baking Handbook, too much driving to Illinois and Indianapolis, a great talk with my aunt who lives in California (the one I don't see much), a practical job offer, a proposition at a gas station in Martinsville (and I called him a rogue...ew), pictures on campus, trying to be a "model", Harry Potter, Family Guy, tibetan food, and sunday brunch. Overall, good times. Tomorrow it's back to work and school...I can see the stress level rising now.

I have decided not to label people as "idols", or "rolemodels" anymore. I mean, they're human, so there's no point...mistakes are bound to happen. Plus if they're not idolized, then I won't be disappointed when weird things happen. Admiration is a great thing...I'll stick with it, rather than promoting them to the "rolemodel" level.

I also need a new hobby...does anybody have any ideas?

Oh and if you saw last week's Family Guy and were greatly confused by Brian's dressing up as a banana and singing some song about peanut butter and jelly, this should clear things up...thanks to Erik.

A Dream Worthy of Posting...

I was happy to find out that I don't have to go to Northview this week...I thought I had to go tonight, but Jon V. and Jim are in town, so I didn't! I decided to supplement some of my time with a nap...I dream a lot, and most of them I remember. This one is too weird to not share.

At some point toward the end of the dream, I turned into Harry Potter (I've been re-reading the books and obsessing over the movie). Hermione, Ron, and all of the Order, Deatheaters, and professors were around (I guess you have to know the books to really follow me). For some reason we were having a baseball tournament. By baseball, I simply mean a pitcher and a batter. No outfield or first, second, third base...basically just hitting the ball (which was a blue tennis ball, by the way).

So I am Harry Potter and it's raining and dark outside, and I am set to bat with Voldemort as the pitcher. Why he has been invited to this, I have no clue. Mad-Eye Moody and Hermione come up separately to give me bats (which are wusthoff, sankoutu knives-my knife of choice...in cooking). I am Harry, and stubbborn, thinking that I can take on Voldemort with my wand...I don't need a knife to do the work. Voldemort finally shows up, but he isn't the snake-like messed up non humanish existence, he's my FAVORITE tech from Crown 2002 (nobody from crown 2002 reads this, so more confusion...), Andria, who is a girl. I adored her, so why she is Voldemort, I have no clue. She is accompanied by some trendy high school girl wearning knee socks and talking on a cell phone (Peter Pettrigrew???).

So I am batting with a knife...she throws the ball and I catch it in the inside of my elbow and somehow hurl it out to make it look like I hit it. I scream to my audience, who is the Order, to save me, and I get no response. Andria goes crazy and lunges after me. I am confused because my audience is frozen about 20 feet away from me. I manage to pin down Andria/Voldemort...her eyes start bulging and she's blaming the frozen audience and his lack of power on me, because that's where all of it has been transfered. By that time I am being strangled and I freak out and wake up.

Interpret THAT dream!

In case you were wondering...

Check this out.

Class discussion was interesting to say the least yesterday in my Information for the Humanities class. Yay for the performing arts.

Oh, and it snowed for the first time this school year yesterday...yay? Yes, yay, as long as I'm not driving.

Filling the empty place...

Every time I drive back up to Indiana my demeanor sort of sinks. Part of my heart is still in Georgia. It's not Georgia itself, but I pine for something I once had, but no longer experience. Some sort of unconditional love...a cuddle buddy...a friend...a fighter. I miss my damn dog. I have always been, and always will be a dog person. I got to see my dog a lot in college, since I lived only an hour away from home. My longest period away from him were the two summers I marched corps. My senior year I taught at my high school, so I was able to see him multiple times each week. Now it's been 3 months and I miss him. He just turned 13 and has always been "crotchety"...he bit Lauren, him and Adrian have always been enemies, every boy that comes into the house is under his close watch. But I love him, and miss him greatly. A dog would not have been the smartest choice for me in grad school...especially since I drive a lot and go periods of time away from the apartment. But I have made the decision to buy a dog as soon as I move to my new place, wherever I will live, after graduation. I think I am ready for the responsibility, and it will fill the gap that has been missing in my heart ever since I moved up here.

So on to some normal stuff. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom today...praying that I didn't die in a horrific tornado. Two major tornado warnings and scary sirens. Why don't I know where my apartment's storm shelters are located? Of course I am on the third floor too, so the only option was the bathroom. It would suck to have my last life vision to be a flying toilet.

Yesterday was really weird on far too many levels which I will not discuss. I went to Northview and ended up running rehearsal by myself. I haven't run a dance class in two years. I definitely enjoy the technician existence. The kids were at least in semi-good spirits last night.

School has been fine...only 9 classes left...3 major projects, none of which I have started :).

Who is excited for Harry Potter?!?! I have to wait a freaking week and day after it is released because I told Philip I would see it with him. The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe comes out December 9th (I am equally excited). I can't believe I haven't seen a movie in the theater since summer 2004. Yes, I have problems.

Something to leave you with...a quote by Honoré de Balzac :
"If she had been happy she would have been enchanting; for happiness makes women's poetry, and style and fashion are just the powder on their skins"
This is saved for a later dissertaion dealing with men :).

"...there is a feeling that you should just go home and spend a lifetime finding out just what that is..." -Jump Little Children

I amaze myself every Wednesday. I mean, it could be worse. But class, then work, then class (12 hour day)...on twoish hours of sleep isn't great. I always get great anxiety for presentations. If I have notes, I am perfectly fine. There was only one incident last year where I sucked when giving a presentation where I wasn't allowed to use notes. I was fine today, but I still dreamt about it and had to wake up constantly to assure myself that I was prepared. Things went well for presenting my database, minus the forgetting to search in OneSearch, but it proved to be the crack addict that all federated search engines are anyways, so it didn't matter. I can't promise that it was A material, but I am happy to be done.

This past week and a half has been interesting. One great thing to have come out of my absence from blogging has been hanging out with new friends. Too bad the majority of them are graduating in December...but oh well, if I can't become an adult, at least I can admire people who are taking the plunge. I have actually been "out" two weekends in a row, which is quite surprising. This weekend, Susan, Mary, Kate, and I might all go see Andrew sing, which would be really cool. I'm really going to miss this place come May when I have to leave.

I'm still amazed that I haven't driven home to Georgia yet. Even though the best friends and I keep in touch almost regularly (especially Adrian), I haven't felt the need to be there. It has been ultimately nice to start over. I don't have to dwell on color guard or drum corps, or how people have changed (or is it me?) and how I view them in a complete opposite light than I did as little as six months ago, or even have to wonder what it would be like somewhere else. I do regret missing out on seeing my nephew grow up (yay digital cameras), and not being there to deal with illness of a close one.

My level of "slacker-ness" has reached new heights. I have finished the majority of work, minus final projects and such. Lokman cancelled our Dialog midterm...and angel sent from Heaven that man is. So now I can relax a bit and try to concentrate on things. I also set my work schedule at the library for next semester to coincide with my class days.

I really didn't mean to write about the fundamental fuddy-duddy stuff about my life. I do want to discuss my notion of "home" at some point, which was where I was originally attempting to aim. I have given up all hopes of this being some intellectual opinionated blog, so deal with my stupidity!

Happy Halloween

I'm such a proud aunt!!!

Actions have consequences...first rule of life. And the second rule is this - you are the only one responsible for your own actions. -Holly Lisle

Wow Wow Wow. Friday was a wonderful day...I know, that never happens. I wake up and check my e-mail only to find out that my cataloging class was cancelled, which was great, but I still had to go to work. I had to pull pre-1821 books from the fourth floor, which sucks because they're all dusty and nasty. But I got to listen to my ipod and had a nice chance encounter. I finally got my pathfinder back, in which I was extremely pleased. I think that is it for the day, but it was enough to keep me happy.

Saturday had its ups and downs...I worked on an essay all day, which sucks. Georgia lost to Florida, which sucks. Susan's lasagna was a success, as was the rest of the food (I made diva cupcakes). Then four of us decided to go out. Susan was a devil trying to be an angel. Her boyfriend, Erik, was Magnum PI (mustache and everything), Jackie was a cowgirl, and I was a naughty business girl. Kristina and Chris came and met us, so our group grew. We had a lot of fun, but I was definitely reminded WHY I don't drink much. My mom says our wierd tolerance runs in the family and that it gets even lower as we get older. I know I was able to handle more in college...although weighing 20 lbs. lighter has to have something to do with it as well. I am once again lucky to have such good friends. The crazily placed pictures (per Sus) are as follows (L to R, top to bottom)
1. Me fulfilling my wishes...taking matters "into my own hands"
2. The girls--Susan, Kristina, Jackie, and me
3. The group
4. Susan wanted a picture of me flicking her off
5. Susan and a cherry
6. Erik in Jackie's cowgirl hat with his rum and coke
7. Me and the walking stick (yes!)

Overall a good night (with a couple of downers).

Everybody needs a fun weekend once in a while.

Everybody likes to go their own way--to choose their own time and manner of devotion. -Jane Austen

My father woke me up this morning (I get to sleep in on Thursdays). I thought something was terribly wrong, but he just called to ask me if I wanted to go travelling right before christmas. So right now, if everything goes well, I'll be in San Francisco for a few days before Christmas...I love that place and haven't been there in 3 years, so I am excited. Arizona is plan B (which I would be psyched about, since I haven't been there). I am continually amazed with the generosity of my parents, even if the plane tickets are free.

So I'm sitting on my couch all excited, when something crawls on me. It's fairly big, but I'm still sleepy and can't see well. I brush it off and it runs under the coffee table like lightning. Perfect. I HATE bugs. I come into the room a few minutes later and lo and behold...it's one of the cricket/grasshopper/alien hybrids that have been scaring the crap out of me from my mailbox. Killing that bastard was nasty...so big. Did I mention how much I hate bugs? I am taking applications for a husband...if you're not comfortable killing bugs, you will be automatically eliminated.

I have absolultely LOVED this week. I kind of miss marching band, but my sanity has been salvaged simply because I haven't had to go to rehearsal. I am also *gasp* going out to the bars this Saturday night...and I will be dressed up in costume (after a pumpkin carving lasagna party). Don't worry, I will take pictures.

Kristina stopped by today. I have been terrible at keeping up with friends lately. My main lines of communication have been devoted to a few individuals. I still talk to Lauren and Krista some, but everybody else outside of Bloomington has suffered tremendously. Heck, I talk to Susan's boyfriend more than I do some of my closest friends from home...and he lives in freaking Chicago.

I have a new obsession with Target. Susan hasn't been helping me much lately because we keep forgetting stuff. But I am not allowed to visit that wonderful store for the next three weeks. Bad Traci.

I'm ready to graduate. I want a job. I want to have a stable future.

But I am enjoying my life :)

Oh yeah, what the hell is a fall break?

Two things because they're super fun!

1. Open up the music player on your computer.
2. Set it to play your entire music collection.
3. Hit the shuffle command.
4. Tell us the title of the next 20 songs that show up (with their musicians), no matter how embarrassing. That's right, no skipping that Carpenters tune that will totally destroy your hip credibility. It's time for total musical honesty.
5. If you get the same artist twice, you may skip the second (or third, or etc.) occurrences. You don't have to, but since randomness could mean you end up with a list of twenty songs with five artists, you can if you'd like.

1. Glass, Concrete, and Stone - David Byrne
2. Sun - Live
3. One Way Out -Allman Brothers
4. Blacking Out the Friction - Death Cab for Cutie
5. Dinner at Eight - Rufus Wainwright
6. Lucky Trumble -Nancy Wilson
7. Annie Waits - Ben Folds
8. Dig Your Grave - Modest Mouse
9. Don't Panic -Coldplay
10. Seeing Things for the First Time -Black Crowes
11. 11:11- Rufus Waineright
12. Lullaby- Bregovic
13. Dim and the Dark - Jump
14. A Whisper -Coldplay
15. I'm Pulling Through- Diana Krall
16. This Place is a Prison- Postal Service
17. Brisk Young Sailor- UGA School of Music
18. Young Hearts Run Free- Kym Mazelle
19. Strange Fruit- Billie Holiday
20. Mary Jane's Last Dance- Tom Petty


And another...


If I were a month, I'd be March...unpredictable and lots of Green
If I were a day of the week, I'd be Wednedsay...hump day!
If I were a color, I'd be Orange...because I've just become so attached to it.
If I were an animal, I'd be a puppy...kind of floppy you know?
If I were a movie, I'd be Baz's Romeo and Juliet...because my mind is crazy like that
If I were a class, I'd be a Online Search and Retrieval...you think it's easy, but it's really hard.
If I were a shoe, I'd be anything Cole Haan.
If I were an ice cream flavor, I'd be Sherbet!
If I were a place, I'd be Crater Lake...deep!
If I were an element, I'd be Helium...light
If I were a perfume, I'd be Body by Victoria, because it was meant for my body
If I were a state, I'd be Vermont...snowy, slightly liberal, and Ben and Jerry's!
If I were a country, I'd be France, duh (but like 17th century France, not France today)
If I were an instrument, I'd be a cow bell...the best one ever
If I were a season, I'd be fall...all of my colors
If I were a body part, I'd be hands so i could touch everything
If I were a flavor, I'd be ginger...a bit of a bite
If I were an alcoholic drink, I'd be a longisland...a mix of everything
If I were a shape, I'd be a pentagon!
If I were a number, I'd be 18
If I were a president, I'd be Theodore Roosevelt...yay for national parks
If I were a beauty product, I'd be foundation:)
If I were a book, I'd be The Lion Witch and Wardrobe
If I were a letter of the alphabet, I'd be T!
If I were a word, I'd be superfluous
If I were a store, I'd be J Crew, duh
If I were a song, I'd be Reflecting Light by Sam Phillips
If I were an item of clothing, I'd be a shirt
If I were a clothing line, I'd be J Crew again
If I were a facial feature, I'd be expressive eyes
If I were an emotion, I'd be thoughtful
If I were a sound, I'd be a sigh
If I were a scent, I'd be color guard and cookies
If I were a car, I'd be a CRV
If I were a fruit, I'd be a peach
If I were a planet, I'd be Neptune
If I were a feeling, I'd be amazed
If I were a bone, I'd be humurous
If I were a flower, I'd be a tulip
If I were jewelry, I'd be any necklace
If I were a show, I'd be Gilmore Girls
If I were you, I'd be confused

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want. -Ben Stein

Funny thing about doors closing. I had my last (well hopefully my last) experience with marching band today. While I technically ended marching band two years ago (the last time i actually participated), Northview has definitely felt like home to me. Even though I play a "non-essential" part, I have really enjoyed these past two seasons. The band received 4th today at state, which came as quite a shock, especially after placing first in all captions, except for one. But I was so impressed with how the band and staff took the surprise, almost more than the great performance they gave at 10am this morning. I will miss marching band color guard so much, but I hope this was the last one...time to become an adult. On to winterguard now?

This week was interesting. It finally got cold up here, so I guess this is the beginning of my end. I think this is as far north as I can go (with the exception of the north east). I really dislike winter and am not looking forward to it. School is going to blow this week...so much to do...so little motivation. I had the strangest Thursday/Friday. It started when I got home from Northview. I found this random poem and became overwroght with emotion. I went to bed in such a state, and slept so soundly that I slept through my alarm on Friday, making me almost 30 minutes to work. I am a very light sleeper, which made it odd...and I didn't "wake up" until sometime in the middle of my cataloging class (I guess Dewey Decimal Classification will do that). Last night was an inpromptu visit to Target with Sus, then watching Finding Neverland, which I hadn't yet seen. Today was state finals.

I registered for classes for my LAST semester at school on Friday...right now, I'm only taking computer classes (database design and web design), which will be helpful, but extremely difficult. Plus, with one less class to worry about, I will have more time to concentrate on the two. I'm so excited...the end is in sight!

I'm trying to "go with the flow" in a lot of situations right now...it's definitely a good philosophy for school, definitely a good philosophy for work, and has been for other things too. It's amazing how much happier I am this year...and I really think it has nothing to do with knowing what's going on...it has everything to do with my confidence. I'm still a bit self-depricating, but for the first time in two or three years, I can say that I have myself back.

"Two Headed Calf"

Tomorrow when the farm boy finds this
freak of nature, they will wrap his body
in newspaper and carry him to the museum

But tonight, he is alive and in the north
field with his mother. It is a perfect
summer evening : the moon rising over
the orchard, the wind in the grass.
and as he stares into the sky, there
are twice as many stars as usual.

-Laura Gilpin

If my hands are fully occupied in holding on to something, I can neither give nor receive. -Dorothe Solle

So first off, congratulations to some SLIS friends on the marriage this past week. How exciting to see two people in love commit themselves. I get to attend a wedding for another SLIS friend in November, so "love is all around".

Now that I have succeeded in planting the Mary Tyler Moore theme song in my head, I shall switch subjects. The weather up here has been warm, so I can safely say that my last season of marching band has been awesome climate-wise. I think this weekend will be the turning point though and everything will go to crap. I like winter...I like snow...but it gets old really fast, especially post-Christmas. I always deem February my worse month, because bad stuff usually happens...but 2005 showed me that April, May, June, July, and August were far worse than February (although it was bad too). So I guess I shouldn't dread any month and take things as they come.

I have successfully made it two months without having to make a trip to Georgia. Two more and I will have doubled my record. I'm so proud of myself. I'm even staying after school ends in December to work.

I have some things to look forward to...I have a visitor for Thanksgiving (spent a hefty amount to come to Indiana!). I have been promised a leprechaun from John's trip to Ireland/Germany this week. My New Years is in the works. Winterguard starts soon (do I look forward to that?). Next semester I only have to take two classes. I graduate in May. Job hunting. Dog Buying.

School has been a female dog lately...but I'm doing well, so that is all that matters.

The above quote kind of reminded me of some things...I hold on to what I feel is failure in hopes of someday fixing it. Letting go does seem the better option. Why do I have to be a perfectionist?

Well I should go and finish dialog stuff...

Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else. -Judy Garland

So it's Thursday. I just got back from the Northview Party Room. I was so happy to be able to go this week...since I was so stressed with school the past few weeks. This week has been great...I had a lull from school (that will quickly pick up next week to the usual stress). I also did great on two separate assignments in school. Having the weekend with my parents was wonderful. The slacker-ness has continued on into the week...but I actually have had the time to be that way.

So I realize that I am pretty content up here. I like my program, I like Bloomington...seriously, so much prettier than the already beautiful UGA. I like my jobs...simply for the fact that I am working for great people. Seriously, this job at the library has helped me understand the inner workings of a large academic library. The Northview job has given me a chance to be around Michael and Katie for two extra years and meet such wonderful people as the Medworth's and Jon Vanderkolff, etc. I am finally doing something I want in school. I have good friends here. I keep in touch with my friends back home and elsewhere. I have as my friend and I have been discussing "immediate future plans".

It's funny because I realize that the "little things" not only make me extremely happy, but have been the cause for my demise in the past. I do tend to dwell, especially in things that I consider failures. Grades for instance...I freak out if I see anything below an A. I didn't do this in undergrad, so why now? Guys are another issue. I don't want to do the bad things to a guy that were done to me....it would be hypocritical. It's hard for me to think about anything with a guy as not serious. I don't think I will ever be capable of casual dating, but I have noticed myself flirting with people lately (even if they're far away). It's healthy for me to not be so realtionship-oriented. I smile a LOT more...makes waiting for "Mr. Right" so much better. So, the transformation of the association of the little things from bad to good has made a positive effect on my life. Now it's on to concentrating on hopeful visits from friends, other possible future encounters, and other things in which I am being awfuly vague...

But I should go and get stuff done. I can't believe marching band is almost over. Funny how winterguard will start the next week...so I'm not done with this color guard thing until April.

Take Judy Garland's advice and "carpe diem...seize the day boys...make your lives extraordinary".

As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around. -Oprah Winfrey

So true Oprah... :)

First off, I would like to thank Gilmore Girls for getting me through last week and the whole pathfinder fiasco. I think having all of the witticism in the background has ultimately made me smarter. Hey, we all have guilty pleasures.

The amount of work I have had this semester still amazes me. I think Wednesday night was the pinnacle of graduate school stress. Susan, Jackie, and I stayed after to finish a problem for an assignment due this comming week. We messed up slightly on a problem, and had to start all over again. We had to turn in another assignment, which my partner and I (notice the "and I" Susan) didn't fully complete (we left out a part of a question). The professor said he was going to stay until we finished the problem on which we were working. All I can remember were my eyes welling up with tears, but never actually crying. I thought my brain was going to explode. Susan even came over afterwards and looked over my cataloging assignment...I was thinking about the humanities/dialog/oclc for 13 straight hours. No kids, don't stay in school...it isn't the "fun" that college was. You don't have free weekends, unless you want to get behind, and it isn't the constant party...unless you're just damn lucky.

I think the bitterness is coming from the fact that I haven't felt any satisfaction with my classes yet. I like all of them...and I feel like I am learning stuff...each class seems to have a purpose...but each has its terrible quirk. I'll be over it in December, I promise. It's just hard watching myself go through it, as well as my friends. I was listening to my friend Jeff this morning talk about all of the stuff he has to do. I listened to mary snyder this morning and her theory on our info. in the humanities class. Susan just called me worried about our client search project. geez. I'll quit complaining. At least I'm not alone.

Despite the stress, life has been pleasant lately. My parents visited Friday and Saturday. I love my parents...I have never met people more selfless in my life. I hope to do the same for my kids someday. We shopped in Indianapolis yesterday and just hung out the rest of the time. I don't know what I would do in life if I didn't have a good family.

Gilmore Girls isn't the only thing that has gotten me through the week. I've been reacquainting myself with my past...past people to be exact. Friends have been getting me through who live as close as down the street, and as far away as the great white north, (and red and black south). It's been nice, especially since I lost one of my best friends a couple of months ago.

Okay, I'm back to the real world...can you believe it's already October?

Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets. -Arthur Miller

I have no clue why I am updating right now...I am in the middle of craziness and I should be doing work because I will regret sleep tomorrow. But Philip informed me that I don't update enough, so I guess I will give it a try.

Busy is the best word to describe my life. I am kind of liking it that way because things go by fast and fast means closer to graduation. School is stressful. I have a pathfinder
due tomorrow along with a presentation that I am going to wing...I'll be able to read the thing while I present, so I'm not too worried. I also have an assignment due tomorrow in my other class, which I have yet to complete. My client thing is still in the background and cataloging has definitely taken the back burner this semester...oh crap I have an assignment due in there on Friday. I start working on some french project at library work soon, so that should be fun. I really thought last semester was the pinnicle of stress, but even with two less classes, this semester takes the cheese (or whatever cliché that is...I am so bad with them).

Northview is going well. I like going to the contests a lot...I have only missed Greenwood so far, and will miss Carmel this weekend. I am actually kind of sad. The show is great, and I am so glad that this will be my last impression of marching band. Last Saturday as we were glittering them up (they wear lots of glitter), one of the girls called me over...she said she heard a rumor that I was leaving after winter. I told her about the whole graduating thing and people actually started telling me to not leave...something to the effect that they think they will bring in somebody mean to replace me. It was so nice though...I was flattered.

My parents are coming up this weekend and I can't tell you how excited I am...I am so lucky to have great parents. It's great to have the whole unconditional love thing, and my mom helped me get through some stuff when I was home in August. The whole teenage angst thing is definitely gone now.

I apparantly have a small fan club at the University of Iowa now...haha thanks to my friend Susan. We have been kind of going through this stress thing together...it's going slowly but surely.

To add to the school stress...I feel like Violet Beauregarde in full blueberry stage right now (minus the color blue). I know I look it too.

Anyways, I updated, and will regret it tomorrow when I am tired and cranky.

And I will get to Alaska.

31 Days

Anger is natural. It's part of the force. You just have to learn to hang out with it.

-Tori Amos (and no, I'm not angry)

This week was...I'm not too sure actually...it went by too damn fast. Monday and Tuesday were definitely a blur. Wednesday was stressful (as all Wednesdays are). Friday, my aunt visited, which was great. I highly recommend the Tibetan restaurant here. Yesterday was rehearsal and another contest...and now I'm sitting here...doing my best at the homework thing.

The next two weeks are going to be painful. I have so much on my plate...a lot of commitments...and I'm so afraid I am going to break down. But usually when stuff like this happens, I become surprisingly calm, so I am counting on that to take over.

I'd like to thank HGTV for being the background of my home life this week. It's nice to know that people are improving their places all over the country. Seriously, anything that gets me away from the food network is a miracle. Also, a thanks goes out to my high school best friend, Adrian, for the multitudes of e-mails sent this week.

I've noticed that I've become a bit more talkative lately. Part of it is the delirium of classes, part of it is the fact that I am more comfortable up here, and part of it is me being sick of people's interpretations of my "quietness". I come off as a snob a lot apparantly...which if you know me is definitely not the case (well I hope). Plus the quietness has contributed to my invisibility here. I figured that I would freak people out more with my stream of consciousness, than just being quiet. Luckily I have Susan who just makes a quote page out of all of her friend's interesting sayings. So should I blurt out to the world that I found a relevant article and want to have it's babies, or just stay quiet? Decisions.

I backed into a concrete thing yesterday in Terre Haute...it scared the crap out of me, but luckily everything on the car was fine. I love my Honda, even after her first fender-bender. My nephew also turned 1 yesterday...so cute.

40 days.

"to be interested in the changing seasons is...a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring"

-George Santayana

Let's see if I can post a picture on this thing...my connection with the lines of power

It's starting to get cool up here. One thing I like about living up north (yes, this is the north to me) is the four seasons. Fall here is beautiful. It rains a lot, which I hate, but on a sunny day with all of the colors, this place is amazingly beautiful...not quite as beautiful as spring here, but close enough. Fall is my favorite season for sure...the colors, the smells, football games, marching band, fall clothes...proof that there is beauty in dying. Winter is going to suck though.

I updated on Friday, which is far too recent. I actually haven't seen much of my apartment in the past week. Friday was honestly the surprise of the century for me. The day kind of sucked because I was working on assignments and such, but the evening/night was wonderful. SLIS had a beautiful reception at the Woodburn House. Large events like that make me pretty weary, but it ended up being really nice. Everybody was dressed up, many conversations were had, new classes were created, careers were discussed, alcohol was free. Afterwards (probably as a result of the free bar), around 30 people or so decided to go to the vid, some bar and hang out. Everybody was happy and playing pool...I got to see Kristina and Chris (what fate!)...I got to see half of my program drunk (myself included)...I got to see one of my professors playing pool...overall, so much better than class. I have a new-found respect for half of these people, mainly because everybody let loose some. It was also proven to me this weekend that I am not invisible to men up here which is nice to know...

Yesterday I spent 12 hours at Northview, well a few were in Indianapolis for a competition...basically the next 5 weeks or so will be filled with contests. The announcer forgot to call my name out as staff, and Bob actually noticed it, which was impressive. Katie Townsend's subsequent arguement against Michael's name being called off first was incredibly funny...yeah women's rights.

I'm taking some big steps this week...well one. I am going to send in my first job application tomorrow, thus beginning 8 months of job-finding hell. Another one of those hellish "learning experience"s. I can sum up my entire grad school stay as a "learning experience". I guess it's how we become wise as we get older.

You only grow when you are alone.

-Paul Newman

As long as I don't grow outward, I will be fine.

I have a little time between now and work, so I thought I'd update. The bus driver took the wrong turn today, thinking that he was driving the C route instead of the 6 route. People got so pissed...granted they had places to go, but essentially they were being dropped of at the same place, so I didn't understand the wild uproar. I will definitely think twice before I would ever criticize anyone like that, because everybody makes unintentional mistakes...it's the intentional ones we need to worry about, or take to mind.

I am at school for a long time today...my class was cancelled, so I am going to work on stuff in it's place, in the hope that I don't have to come here on Sunday. I have an ALA meeting tonight and a reception to attend, which should be fun...dressing up is always fun.

Found out some interesting news last night at Northview. Tomorrow, I'll be with them all day doing the rehearsal and contest thing.

My client for the online information retrieval is british...soo freaking cool. I am producing research for her next book, which is really exciting.

Okay, I am late for work...have a good weekend everybody!

"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it. "

-Julia Child

This past week has been crazy. I'm finally into things...and there's not much time to breathe. Both work situations are fine right now. I'm becoming acquainted to the library job. Northview starts their competition season next weekend. Yesterday we had a six hour rehearsal in the 90 degree weather. It was long, but I won't ever have to worry about this kind of stuff after next month...I'll miss marching band, probably the most because it's the form of colorguard I have participated in every year since 1997.

After rehearsal yesterday I went to school (yeah, I know) with Susan to work on our dialog assignment. It is difficult sometimes figuring out some of the questions, but when something makes sense, it is so cool. I think that's why I like online searching so much. It's a challenge, but you do see results. Lokman, our professor, came in to answer our questions and we ended up talking with him about everything from football to where we came from (he knew that UGA's mascot was the bulldog). Anyways, it was nice. He has totally changed my perspective on professors.

I have so many assignments to do, it's not funny. I had one due today- a paper on the concept of humanities...I don't think one person in the class is excited about posting their thoughts on oncourse, to be criticized by other members of the class...probably the only assignment in that class I will ever refute. I also have to start my cataloging assignment, since Charla and I like getting stuff done early.

Basically if you don't know me from school, this entry had to be extremely boring. I think this is the way it should have always been though...thoroughly immersed in my interest. Other things have happened in the non-school sense :) don't get me wrong. Right now, I am interested in completing school because I want a good job. Basically if you're interested in drama, I don't think you'll read about it in my life for a long time. I like it so much better that way.

9/11/01

"Oh, God, the great and terrible beauty of it."

Part of me wishes that I would have taken a class in summer I session, so I could go ahead and graduate in December. But the combination of no six month leases at my apartment and the level of work in my classes for fall semester makes me breathe a sigh of relief. It's just going to suck in spring...watching a lot of my friends get jobs because they have already graduated, while I am taking two classes and hopefully still working two jobs. I just feel sometimes, even in the middle of the craziness, that I am sitting around twiddling my thumbs waiting for something to happen.

I finally got in touch with my D.C. friend. She's okay, but terribly busy. She also decided to plant a little idea in my head that has been growing since last week. It's a big decision to make, but if everything goes well, what a great accomplishment it will be.

I like my classes. My boss is my cataloging partner, which is extremely conveinent. The humanities class is going to royally kick my butt with all of the work, but it is useful work...some stuff to put on resumes. I am also learning how to searh Dialog in online information and retrieval...so if you read rants in the next 5 or 6 weeks about it, you'll know why. I'm trying to not freak out about all of the work I have to do and all of the frustration ahead. I'm used to this, so it shouldn't be bad. One thing I can say about this year is that I am lacking any distrations. I'm not attached to anybody or thing or activity, so all of my focus can be concentrated on doing well here, graduating, and moving ON (hopefully away from the midwest).

I'm trying not to complain about things, because I have my life...it hasn't been ruined by mother nature. I can't even imagine. It's hard to have visited New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl in 2002. I loved that trip and have so many memories from it. It would be horrible if that memory was my everyday life. Anybody not affected by this has some serious issues.

Ob la di ob la da life goes on brahhh... la la how the life goes on...