Horse head pillow And if I'd only found out about this BEFORE Christmas!

I'm at the airport! I'm waiting for my plane! I'm wireless! Whee!

I had no idea PDX had wireless internet. Bruce, the darling man, gifted me with a wireless card and HOORAY I am using it right now. I have books to read on the plane but I hate starting my Plane Reading while in the terminal. It's like cheating - or eating your popcorn before the previews begin at the movies. So I WAS typing up my diatribe in Word and planning to upload it to Blogger tonight, but voila! I can do it here!

SO:

I’m at the airport. Waiting. It’s annoying, this waiting. I spent the morning rushing about, packing and repacking, moving boxes up to the attic (I shipped six boxes of books to Nebrasky yesterday and the remainders will live in my parents’ attic for a few more months) and general stressing. What could I be stressed about, you ask? Well, I packed an ancient suitcase full of letters and some books and am worried that it will not make the trip without exploding. I wrapped straps around it but it’s not like baggage handlers are known for their gentleness. Gah.

It wasn’t until I arrived at my parents’ house and started unpacking that I noticed my checked bag had been sorted through without my knowledge. When did they start doing that? Everything that I packed so neatly was smushed and thrown about. Banana bread mashed. Panties rifled through. Presents poked at and jumbled. If they are going to take the time to open your stuff they should also take time to put things back. Or, they should do their prodding with me there so I can fix everything. So we’ll see. I got through security without my carry-ons being ransacked or my body wanded; maybe luck is on my side.

So after the rush rush of the morning and the traffic en route, I sit and wait and watch. The airport is always a prime place for people watching. When I picked Kristin up from the airport a couple months ago I sat by a woman who didn’t know what a taco was. Later I saw a lady go through security who had on bright pink patent leather boots and a brighter pink belt. I guess we just don't have such style mavens here in Oregon; people here look pretty normal - like they need a coffee, but normal.

I am so excited about my Airplane Book. It was the perfect find - Sarah wanders innocently around the Hawthorne Powell's and OH! comes upon a new, unexpectedly new (the best kind), book by a favorite author. It is Carnet De Voyage by Craig Thompson, a graphic novel artist/writer who [bonus] lives in Portland. The book is a travel journal of his time in Europe while he was doing research for his next book.

My mom packed me some food for the ride. If there are no screaming babies on board, things should be swell.

A man just zoomed by hanging onto a leash connected to a harness attached to a small boy of five years of age who was pushing luggage piled on a Smarte Carte and yelling. Young man in a TOOL hoodie is sitting across from me. A white Boston Terrier just passed by. A woman bought enough stuff at Coffee People to warrant a giant paper bag (we're talking something that could hold two shoe boxes) with the company's name on. Man with pink backpack with pink Nalgene bottle attached. Girl in white tank top, pajama pants and dirty fake Uggs boots. I hope she's flying to California. And to finish, a three-person reunited lovefest. Ah.

I had the great experience of spending an evening with Lori and JulieD Tuesday night. We are all now relatively grown up, gainfully employed and involved in Serious Relationships (JulieD is now technically JulieR), but things still feel the same. I just don't laugh like that on a regular basis. At one point, I looked up through my own wet eyes to see both Lori and JulieD squeezing ha ha tears out of their own. Seeing them and talking - even just BEING there, made me feel more me. Relaxed, silly, no censorship around these people - direct from brain to mouth, filtering not required.

It was very good.

This is my last night here in Oregon; tomorrow it is up up and away to Omaha, back to Bruce and Keaton and my car - in a very particular order. I fear that Keaton will not know me after ten days of acting as Bruce's shadow. I also hope he hasn't picked up any bad habits from Bruce. Eating junk food. Belching. Sleeping all day long. Etc.

Laundry's done -

I think instead of growing in maturity I am just getting more neurotic. Is that normal? Is my life more complex and therefore deserving of irrational thoughts and behavior?

The fam went out for lunch last week, all of us. We talked about where we wanted to be this time next year. Eddie wanted to be employed in his field of study. He has a degree in fisheries and wildlife management but is working as a surveyor right now. If Susie isn’t done with her thesis by the end of next year she’s going to need therapy. Mom wants to put on five more pounds. I don’t know what my dad wants.

FOR THE NEW YEAR.
I want to get back to writing. That would be quite good for my mind and well being. Also, to keep reading – read more books than I read last year. But do not purchase as many. This is hard when my present library system does not satisfy my reading needs. Not that I dislike HAVING to purchase books to read but it is not efficient when I have so many unread books on my shelves. Er, on my floor. All Sarah needs for Christmas is bookshelves. Sooo, how to make that work? Alternate? A limit? I must read so and so percentage of To Be Read Pile books? I’ve tried rules like that before and they don’t stick. I hate making a hard and fast rule that prevents me from picking up a great find at the used book store. So…a moratorium on brand new books?

This is such a losing battle.

Of course, if my biggest New Year concerns revolve around my reading, my life must be pretty good

Arg - I wish this wasn't so washed out. I've been scanning some photos this week and saving them on CD. I'd be better off scanning the negatives...

Today my mom and sister and I drove into Portland. Lunch at the Cricket Cafe on Belmont, one of my favorite restaurants, and then over to Hawthorne to browse and make small purchases. It was sunny and dry and I left my camera at home, of course. Tomorrow I will not forget. I promise.

Today marks my second trip to Powell's, the Hawthorne store. I went to the Beaverton store last week and tomorrow is the BIG store in PDX. Is good.

Later, my dad took me out for a beer at The Grand Lodge and talked lots. It was a nice way to end the day.

Susie heads back to Bellingham tomorrow, by train. Her foot looks swollen and gross from the bunion surgery and she can't wait to buy new shoes. I think she's had her share of Oregon for a while...

I've been meaning to post this:

From: Leda Schubert
To: Subscribers of ccbc-net
Date: Mon Dec 06, 2004 08:58:29 AM PST
Subject: [ccbc-net] best of the year

Anita Silvey and I did a mock-Caldecott at Simmons College on Saturday (Hi, Melody!). These are the results, chosen by a discerning bunch of picture book enthusiasts:

Caldecott: Kitten's First Full Moon, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow)
Honor books: Sidewalk Circus, by Paul Fleischman and Kevin Hawkes (Candlewick)
Sequoyah, written and illustrated by James Rumford (Houghton)

I've been drinking up the green here - not that you can tell from this photo; it looks more appropriate for Halloween. The green is so different and refreshing after the bare brown of Nebraska. We put the tree up today, which means going behind the house and picking one out of what has become a forest. My parents used to do pretty good business with Christmas trees, but now most of them are huge and not able to fit inside buildings. Churches, yes, but not much else.

The whole family is here, though. Eddie drove in this morning with Duke the Big Dog Who Can't Sit Still. Susie is limping around on her new bunion-less foot. It's been a long time since we were all under the same roof.

I am back in Oregon. Things are wet but going well. Tonight we had a group of daughters and mothers together. Lots of alcohol was consumed and lots of stories were told. Susie took 42 pictures of she and I close up.

I forgot how nice it is to have someone else make you a sandwich just because you say you are hungry, Moms are cool.

I’ve got The Wizard of Oz on. It just struck me that the Tin Man reminds me of my friend Julie’s husband, Andy. Maybe it is his voice?

Tonight I almost lost my cat. It all started when Bruce went to the store to get groceries. I made grilled cheese and tomato soup after he got back with the food. We ate and watched The Simpsons. It was delicious; I’ve been craving grilled cheese and tomato soup for a week. Never did it occur to me to wonder where Keaton was – he conks out and sleeps for hours sometimes.

Suddenly I heard a wild scrabbling noise from the sliding door. My first thought was that the squirrels had gone mad and were attacking the screen door (at night?) demanding more food. Then I saw a flash of yellow high up through the glass and realized it was Keaton’s collar. Terrified, I rushed out and snagged him, poor guy. His heart was beating like crazy and his fur smelled cold. He couldn’t wait to get inside; it’s freezing out there.

I can only imagine he snuck out the front door when Bruce brought the groceries in and spent a jolly hour or so running around the house. Luckily, he’s not stupid. Climbing the screen (looking in mournfully at me walking from the kitchen to the living room and back again) was the best thing he could have done.

This morning I finished reading The Dream Watcher by Barbara Wersba. I bought it (under Susan’s supervision in Denver) because the blurb on the back said, ”Originally published in 1968—the same year as Paul Zindel’s The Pigman and the year after S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders—The Dream Watcher heralded the beginning of books written specifically for young adults." I’d never heard of it and Bloomers never mentioned it in YA. It was dated – a touch of propaganda in reference to the Vietnam War here and overuse of the verb DIG there. At first I couldn’t stand the main character – very self-conscious young man somewhat like Holden Caulfield except with a sense of humor. Kind of like The Diary of Adrian Mole and follow-ups, too. The end was predictable but not unpalatable. Good for the YA shelf.

Next up is 48 Shades of Brown, by Nick Earls, which is also about a self-conscious young man. They may be related, except Dan, from 48 Shades, is in Australia and the guy from Dream Watcher was in the US.

Tomorrow I pack. Tuesday I fly outta the Midwest to the good old Pacific Northwest. Get my Portland fix, where you see people like this everyday outside the downtown Nordstrom's. I'll take lots of photos, but my parents have dial-up so they may not get posted until I'm back in Nebrasky.

Did you know The Munchkins were played by The Singer Midgets?

The post brought me a box o' fun from Dana yesterday, including this artsy poseable figure who now resides on top of the coffeemaker. (THANK YOU DANA!)

Dana has one of her own that lives in the dining room on one of the many bookcases. For some reason, back when we were roommates, we started "trading poses." I'd come in and find the figure in a position worthy of a double-jointed, gravity-defying prima ballerina. My response would be a dramatic "flinging of the arms across the face" with the legs running the other way. And so on. (FYI: Dana is double-jointed in her elbows.)

The best thing, and this is part of the reason I consider Dana one of my dearest friends, is that we never spoke about it, never referenced these actions. We never touched the figure when in the other's presence. I would come home from work and find the little guy in some comical position and change him before Dana got in. This went on for a few months before we did speak about it.

You can't plan that stuff; it just happens.

I just got an email explaining that my salon in Boston is no longer doing Ouidad haircuts - that's the only place that ever gave me a great cut consistently. Crap.

Well, things change fast. Last week, Bruce thought he’d be sent to Qatar (to finish training – they don’t have enough planes here) sometime in late December or maybe January. Then we talked on Monday while I was driving back from Denver. He said they’d moved people around and he was leaving Wednesday, as in the 15th. I was not thrilled with this info, but what can you do? He went in Tuesday to talk to the guy in charge and HE said things had changed once again, they wanted Bruce here because of some job shuffling with potential opportunities, and they would do some more switching and Bruce would stay here to finish his training.

Okay – that’s good; he won’t be GONE for a month or more, Keaton will be cared for while I’m in Oregon, and Sarah’s got transportation to and from the airport. And the plants won’t die. Hopefully. So that’s all good. But there is more to come.

This feels like a draggy, uninspired day.

Today I cut, burned and bruised myself, all within one hour, at work. Just feeling generally clumsy, I spose.

More about Coolorado. Is it just me, or does Colorado have a natural, essential coolness about it? I’ve always thought that, even though I’d never been there until recently. Maybe it is the outdoorsy things associated with the state - the snow, skiing, rock climbing, Jeeps, mountains. When I think Colorado, I think active sporty lifestyle. It is one of the “fun” square states. Wyoming – eh. Wyoming doesn’t free associate much of anything, except my knowledge of my brother’s friend Nick attending school there until he got his foot blown off by an exploding trap/mine thing. Utah is squarish and makes me think of Mormons and Moab. Salty lakes. I consider the Dakotas to be square states. They’ve got cold cold cold and few people and Mt Rushmore. Colorado wins.

And Denver wins because its roads are based on a grid system, it has many lovely bookstores, and overall, has a Portlandish feeling. It is a little dirtier than PDX, but I blame that on the snow and frigid temps.

Susan and Mike took me up to Red Rocks, which was practically in their backyard and AWESOME in the most rockin’ out sense of the word. I’ll have to take advantage of their hospitality and attend a concert sometime.

We toured through Golden, home of Coors, and strolled through Boulder, where I got to see the sorts of people Nebraskans gawk at (grungy college students, buskers, street math magicians, etc.). City People. You walk through downtown Omaha, you see folks who’ve come in from the sticks to the Big City to see the purty stores.

I’m so contemptuous. I sit on a high horse, yes.

Anyhow, I’m looking forward to going back in January, with Kristin, if Susan will allow. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun. Friends are good; especially ones with skills - something I learned from Napoleon Dynamite.

And I guess he doesn't look like that in real life (not all the time, anyway), Susan. I'm glad.

I had a picture of Susan here, but she thought it was "sick" so I replaced it with a shot of me looking soulful and twiddling the sticks. You can still see Susan's pic (and MORE!) on my Flickr page - there's a Coolorado photoset if you want to see.

I came back yesterday, driving from Denver straight to work. The drive was not half bad - I listened to a book on CD - From a Buick Eight by Stephen King. I'm not a huge King fan, except for his Dark Tower stuff, but the narrators for this book were excellent and the story held my attention the whole time. Despite the story takes 12 CDs to record, I didn't finish the book and still have a chapter or two left. Part of the reason work sucked yesterday (besides being tired and facing chipper librarians) was that climax of the story was just winding up when I had to stop and go to work. I hate that - feels so incomplete! So everyone is asking, "How was your trip? Did you have fun? What did you do? How was the drive? Were there serious wind gusts?" and I just growled responses because I wanted to go back into my car and find out what happened to that Buick 8. Argh.

And now I'm overwhelmed with things to get done. Bruce might be leaving tomorrow or next weekend or who knows for overseas, which sucks. I don't know what to do about my cat and then the plants and bills because I'm leaving for Oregon next week. Unpacking from a trip is no fun and there is lots of laundry to take care of.

More about Denver later - the bookstore rocked.

Once again, it is Friday and I am alone in the library. In approx an hour and a half I'll be on the road to Denver. Then I will be on the road for a long long time. Then on the road some more, and then a while longer, and still longer, and then I might be at Susan's. Yay!

Bruce gets the whole house to himself this weekend. His mom sent a box of Hickory Farms sausages. He says he's going to chew on them while he watches football. Oh yum.

Steeling Rainbows
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

Pretty!

I'm supposed to be packing for Dever. I also have to use the bathroom really bad but there's a nice warm kitty on my lap...

Okay - nature wins (as usual).

This Is Broken - Signs I've come across lots of sites documenting signs lately. I like the walking man who's not following the arrow. Marches to his own drum, he does.

Austin Craft Mafia. Another installment in my quest to solve your gifting problems. Also good to get ideas for your own artistic tendencies. It's like nine stores in one! (I wish they were reimbursing me for this advertising.)

Errands accomplished today include returning the overpriced shampoo and conditioner I unthinkingly bought Monday (hair trauma does strange things) and dropping off some Holga film for development. I plan on scanning pictures when I'm in Oregon for Christmas so I can post them on Flickr. Stay tuned!

Speaking of travels, I'm off to Denver to visit Susan this Friday. I am SO VERY excited. So excited that I even had a (bad) dream last night that I went and Susan wouldn't let me stay because of some creepy family ritual that was to be held. Her mom said it was "only for family" so I had to leave. My feeling were extremely hurt. I wish I knew what they were going to do. T'was a gothic dream in a rambling, empty, ill-lit house - which is odd, as Susan's family is not only the farthest from gothic one can be but, also, far far away in Massachusetts. Nevertheless, I have a handful of books on CD checked out from the library to keep me from getting bored on the drive. Right now I've got Michael Dorris's A Yellow Raft in Blue Water in the car and I'm not sure I like the reader enough to keep going. (Hee hee - what if it was a blue raft in yellow water?) Hopefully, Susan will not turn me away at the door.

On the musical side of things, I've been obsessed with The Dresden Dolls ever since Bruce stumbled across them last week. One of their albums is on iTunes; I bought it and have been listening nonstop. SADLY, they are a BOSTON band! I never knew about them until now! Have any of you heard of them? Check out the video for "Coin-Operated Boy" on the website. I know what Susie is going to say, but just give them a chance, dear sister.

Welcome to Robert's Snow: An Online Auction of Artist's Snowflakes for Cancer's Cure. Wow - check out the eBay auction. All proceeds go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Chris Van Allsburg, Trina (I bet her's goes for a lot), David Macaulay, Peter Sis, Mordicai Gerstein, David Shannon, Eric Rohmann, Jane Yolen and so many more - what a lineup.

Kinuko Y. Craft's is one of my favorites. Gorgeous.

Ian Falconer did an Olivia one and it is past $1500 already.

Urchin in Hat
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

This photo is self-explanatory.

Maybe if I looked like this in the salon, they would have given me a refund, or, at least another shot at making me happy.

The back looks awful; I'm used to the front

There are other, more "normal" shots on my Flickr site.

Vintage T-Shirts, Funny T-Shirts at The Cotton Factory As a service to the community, I thought I'd give a boost to people who are still searching for a holiday gift for that special someone. These guys have some hilarious stuff.

Hair looks no better this morning. Perhaps some funky barettes/hair clips would help?

There's a book sale going on at the library this week. It is made of books donated to the library that we didn't need/want and books culled from the collection. I was helping Jenette look through books last week and found, of all things, a bookmark! Not impressed? I was surprised to recognize that this very bookmark advertized the Paperback Booksmith in Woburn Mall, Woburn Mass. The font is the same as the Brookline Booksmith and its sister bookstore, Wellesley Booksmith. Dana, do you know anything about this?

I'm not in the sub system yet. Today is cloudy and cold. The squirrels are reworking their master plan to bring down the bird feeder on the back porch. Smarter than the average bear, they are.

I should just stop trying. The percentage of stylists capable of cutting AND styling my hair to my satisfaction is incredibly low. Like I've had ONE, outside of my mom.

After a shower and my own efforts, it looks like the cut itself isn't that bad - it's the default boring "short hair" cut I can't seem to escape. She blew it on the styling part. I looked like I had a nest of fine barbed wire on my head. Then I blindly bought some overpriced conditioner I don't want (and they better take back) and rushed out. I nixed my plans to run errands after my salon visit because I couldn't bear to be seen. She did not know curly hair. She did not know of the following Laws of Curl Management.

1. Don't shampoo daily. Shampoo two or three times a week, max. You need those oils!
2. Don't comb hair unless it is sopping wet. That breaks up curls into FRIZZ and you want to keep the curls together.
3. Apply product to individual curls if possible. Curly hairs are gregarious and don't like being on their own. They tend to panic and frizz.
4. The more you mess with it, the worse it looks.

Gah.

I lost the post I wrote last night. It was here this morning. Now it is gone, never to be repeated. Crap.

I tried posting this yesterday but got server errors in response. This is a basic but informative site on some of the photo stuff I am interested in. FreeStyle Photography carries a Polaroid back for Holgas so you can use the instant film with a Holga camera. I'd love to try some of the Polaroid manipulation techniques with a Holgaroid. I did not make that title up. The only downside is the Polaroid back is $99. I think this would pay off in instant gratification points.

More in film news, I've decided to keep the tripod I got at Buy.com. Incidentally, that is a business I will no longer frequent. Are these two facts connected? Yes. Can I get my wonky tripod adjusted? Yes - I just have to send it to the manufacturer.

So now I have the foundation to do long exposures - I just need to make the Holga tripod-friendly. This means attaching a piece of wood and drilling a hole in it. Very hands-on DIY photography.

I saw the new Bridget Jones movie last night with Teresa. It was funny but not as good as the original. We went out for coffee afterwards and talked. I really enjoyed myself - she's the only friend person I've encountered so far. Where do the rest of my people hang out?

Rain is falling outside. Bruce's old pal Clark is supposed to be coming over. There's a batch of apple cider a la Dana brewing on the stove (the Dana part means you throw in a vey specific measurement of magic cider spices and let the resulting mix fill the house with gorgeous scent).

More later -

This site pissed me off: Parents Against Bad Books In Schools. How about we just read all those for the book club?

Great how they excerpt all the BAD parts (removing context) - makes it really easy for kids to find. No more paging through the books on their own!

Is "pissing" a bad word?

The Starving Artist's Way Cool stuff. Reminds me of ReadyMade Magazine. I need a workshop!

Accomplished things today. Bought toilet paper. Made a hair appointment. (I think I'm gonna have a lot cut off) Called the school district and I should be subbing soon, meaning I need to start going to bed at a decent hour. No more staying up late reading.

Has anyone seen the new Sierra Mist commercial with Michael McKean and Fred Willard? I love those guys.

Made pizza for dinner tonight and it turned out pretty good. Finished Light and it was pretty good. I'm feeling tired, which is not so good.

Things to Do:
1. Make hair appointment.
2. Buy toilet paper.
3. Figure out Bruce's Christmas present.
4. Buy newish teaching clothes.

How can it be December already? Just doesn't seem right.

I'm going to go tidy up and sing along to O Brother.

Okay, it is a start.

The web address is: bookspeak.blogspot.com

(The title is a link, by the way. This new format will take some getting used to.) Here are the results of the award Dana mentioned. It looks like they have a "Young People's" section; I've heard of that book--Godless--but I've not read it.

My trip to Red Cloud was made rather odd by my books-on-tape/CD choices. On the way there, I finished When My Name was Keoko by Linda Sue Park (it was excellent) and on the way home, I listened to Robert Bloch's Psycho which was creepy and dated and rather sensationalist. I've never seen the movie, but am familiar with the Shower Scene. I was surprised at how soon in the narrative that occurred - not drawn out at all. The tapes I had were abridged; I don't know if that accounts for a story I found lacking in detail (and substance, at times) or not. I've read that the movie is better, so that will be my next step. Hitchcock is incredible Still, it was good listening for a four-hour car ride!

Speaking of Hitchcock, his Rear Window is my favorite. Vertigo is supposed to be his masterpiece, but I don't like it as much. The creepy thing about Vertigo is the special effects with the falling scene. When I was at UP they re-released Vertigo in the theatres and some friends and I saw it downtown on the big screen. That was awesome. I wish Omaha had an indy that did such things. Cinema 21 in Portland always has something great showing. Susie and I saw Hard Day's Night; my parents and I saw Dial M for Murder, another Hitchcock, in 3D. What else... Next week they are showing End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones. Dana, if I was a rich and famous substitute teacher I'd fly us both out there.

I was struck by an idea. It hurt. But it could be a lotta fun.

Yes, time is a priority for some of you - not really for me, not yet - but would anyone out there, specifically former Children's Lit people and generally anyone else (Susie, Dana if she ever has time, etc.) who reads this, want to maybe try doing a children's lit book clubby thing? I'm thinking one book a month, something one can find at the library and easily read over the course of that month.

I won't even demand to choose the books because it was my idea first.

It would be extremely easy to set up a separate group blog where everyone can post their reactions, opinions, declamations, etc.

This would be a good activity for many reasons:

1. You love reading.
2. You need positive brain activity.
3. You need to interact with people who like you rather a lot but aren't afraid to give you honest feedback explaining why your opinion of the book is sick and wrong.
4. You need a New Year's Resolution you can actually keep.
5. You like Sarah to be a Happy Sarah.
6. Sarah might take it into her aggressively curly-haired head to make things related to the book to mail to you but only if you participate and that means making comments, not excuses.
7. There will be no essay or term papers but by the end you'll have earned your MFA.

Extra Bonus: You get points for making comments in the voice of fellow Simmons Child Lit'ers. For example: "This book made me think blue, feel blue, smell blue, and hear blue. Ahhhhh, blue. And then I cried for five hours. Delightful!"

If you have an opinion on this topic, or SUGGESTIONS for books, let me know! We need a kicky club title, for starters.

I spent most of yesterday either in or driving to/from Red Cloud, where Willa Cather did some of her growing up. Nebraska claims a handful of "famous" authors; she's the only one who is qualifies in my mind. Four hours there, four back. Ugh. But I'm really happy with how this photo turned out.

I have more to say about this trip, but not right now. My Red Cloud photos are in correct order in the NEBRASKA photoset, starting with the seventh row. I dreamt about the round barn last night.

More later - there's about 2 inches of snow on the ground.

I cannot wait until this comes to the US. Many of you know Diana Wynne Jones is mostly my favorite author and this movie has been years in the making. Miyazaki is the only person to be trusted with her work!

Today I changed the oil and filter in/on my car. I did this on my old car, but always had my dad's tools at hand. I ended up going to two different places trying to find a filter wrench that worked with Saturn's setup, so it took way longer than it should have. Also filled the washer fluid tank and vacuumed and washed the whole auto. It looks quite prosperous. I, on the other hand, look greasy and smell like oil. But I am ready to drive to Denver in a few weeks.

It was a nice surprise to find jumper cables in the trunk, snaked around the spare tire. I'd forgotten about them and now don't have to worry about buying any OR getting stuck.

I got my teaching certificate today! I'm official! Monday morning I shall zoom down to the school district office and let them know I'm available to sub. I hope I can start in December. And then I'll be making the big bucks.

Finished Dracula and am now reading Light by M. John Harrison. It's been a long time since I read any SF.

Sorry if I sound like I'm 12 in the following entry.
Amazon.com: DVD: Home Movies - Season One

AAACK! I can't believe this has been out for a week already and I just found out tonight when we went to Target and Bruce bought it without telling me and it is sooooo great!

Also, at Brendon Small.com he says that they are already working on Season Two.

I'm sure Dana will be getting all this info right from the horse's mouth (Will) and may even have some extra dirt.

This has totally made my month, I swear. I'm all hyper and everything.

I took this photo a while ago, but the color is a refreshing change to the cold drearyness outside. Odd though - I wouldn't mind some snow about now. Not lots; just enough to chance the scenery.

The Sound of Music is a very cheering soundtrack.

Okay, now I'm all depressed. But here's a site that posts found photos, most quite entertaining. I think Dana gave me this link a while ago; it is fun to check in on because new ones are posted daily.

I found a great photo at an antique shop this weekend - I swear the woman is a kindred spirit. Or, as Anne Shirley would say, a bosom friend. Once I get a scanner I will post her.

Still plowing through Dracula. Those stupid Victorian men! They shut Mina out to "protect" her and then dum dum da dum! Guess Who gets his claws on her!

Susie and I have talked about reading David Copperfield together. I'm not a big Dickens fan but happen to have a random copy floating around. I got 2/3 through Great Expectations a few years ago and did not finish it. Is DC a good idea? Dana?

Tea tea, must have tea.

I am so shocked - did anyone know she was fighting cancer? That makes me so sad.

Not like I knew her personally, but we saw her at Simmons and all. Wow.

Freecycle is the coolest idea. You have something you don't want? Post it. You want something? Post it. Here's the deal:

One rule: everything posted must be free. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door to be given away, it can be posted on the network. Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself? Respond to the posting directly and you just might get it. After that it is up to the giver to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.

And Portland, OR is the biggest group!

I joined the Omaha group and offered to take one of those plastic file carrier things. For free! Yay!

This is where I found out about the booksale in Plattsmouth. Looks like the Brattle is having a huge sale, dear Boston people.

I think this is the most darling grocery store I've ever seen. I wish I'd got a close-up of the Jack and Jill pictures on the left side.

Bruce and I drove down to Plattsmouth (so named because it is where the Platte and the Missouri rivers join - the CONFLUENCE) yesterday to check out their library's booksale. I found some excellent stuff:

• Best Loved Fairy Tales of Walter Crane with lots of illustrations.
  
• A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes with fabulous and funny illustrations by Charles Robinson.
  
• The Luck of the Bodkins by P.G. Wodehouse. I just can't get enough of this guy. His books are the only ones I can read on planes.
  
• One of the few mystery books I like, The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. I got this copy for Bruce.
  
• The First Book of Paintings to cut up and use for collage.
  
• A battered paperback of Where the Wild Things Are to cut up.
  
• The Song of Roland to satisfy my frequent yearnings to read Old French Epics.
  
• A hardback copy of Metropolitan Life by Fran Lebowitz, which Dana has and in my quest to emulate, I must also have.
  

I also found something else, but it is for Susie's Christmas present. Not too shabby for $2.45. (The whole lot, I mean; Susie's present was $0.25)

Next stop was Mom's Diner where we feasted most deliciously before wandering around downtown for a while. I found a couple old postcards and an old photo at an antique store. Later on I picked up some frames at Michael's and they look great.

One of Bruce's old roommates, Theresa, came by for dinner last night; the first dinner guest since I left Boston. I like her lots because she has a good sense of humour and is just a fun person. Theresa is one of the few people here that I feel is a friend, even though we've only met twice now.

After dinner we had drinks (well, I had a drink while I was cooking because I get so anxious that things will suck) (I'm still loving gin and tonics, thanks to Dana) and talked for hours, often about embarrassing things from the past.

FYI: Dinner consisted of Sweet and Sour Spinach Salad; this has bacon and bacon grease in it and is soo good. Not as good as my mom's Wilted Lettuce Salad, but a nice dish nonetheless. The main meal was Penne and Ham Primavera. Both are horribly simple to make.

Bruce threw a watermelon off the back porch this morning and it splatted all over the back yard. Looks like roadkill.

Ah, my idol, Jinny. You just don't hear that name anymore.

Today started rough, got rougher at work but then smoothed out alright, thanks to Jinny. I was working the desk and a small girl, maybe 4 years old, came right round the counter and asked me where the bathroom was. I asked myself, "What would Jinny do?" and found The Way. I told the little girl the restroom was the door to the left of the drinking fountain. She didn't know her left, so I got down on the floor and explained how you can see the "L" in your left hand. I watched her through the window - she went to the drinking fountain, put both hands out in front of her, boldly traced the "L" with a finger on her right hand, as if reading a map, turned to the correct door, and went inside.

I need some hot chocolate.

Flickr: what's in your bag? To satisfy your nosy tendencies. Also a chance for people to brag, but interesting nonetheless.

I like to think that I don't hold grudges, but I think I do. Just until the feeling passes or I get used to the situation. I'm good at arguing. The frustrating thing is that people deal with anger in different ways. Frankly, I prefer yelling. Get it out, get it over with and move on. Can't do much with silence except pester.

I wish there was a running path around here. Concrete hurts my back. I used to do laps around Glendoveer Golf Course in PDX - they had a barkchip path that ran through the woods surrounding the course.

There's a deposit of squirrel pebbles on the porch railing.

Books sorted by color A bookstore in SF did this for a week for kicks. The link at the bottom has more info.

I'm up watching Conan, which reminds me of college, having just finished a round of artsyness that was rather successful. I'll see if I can take some photos tomorrow and post them. I've also been digging through discarded magazines from work looking for collage stuff. I shouldn't read Lucky; it makes me want want want by showing me things I can't afford at HIP sites like this: stevenalan.com. The emu oil is quite intriguing though not much of a bargain at $50. There's a ostrich farm down the road and I bet I could get a decent substitute oil for a few bucks.

I'm four chapters into Dracula. Sometimes it is funny/ridiculous and over-the-top but still creepy.

Someone rang the doorbell tonight but when Bruce opened the door, no one was there.

While she was in DC, Susie found out she's rather handy with .40 handguns. Most people learn about past presidential burial rites or see old paintings when they visit the Capital. Susie learns the ins and outs of firearms.

Personally, I've only fired a shotgun and a .22 (in 9th grade, we went down to the school's rifle range under the auditorium for a unit on shooting as part of PE. A whole class of hormonal young ladies lockin' and loadin' and shootin'. It was a blast - my year was the last they did that. Understandable, but I really enjoyed it. Segued right into Hunter's Safety (no, I didn't get mine))

Yes, my hometown has a rural background. Not so much anymore. I think the population is pushing 90,000 now?

I want glasses for Christmas.

Today was Good. That sounds simplistic, but having had so many bad days over the past two years, I like to acknowledge it when I have Good Days.

• went to the post office to mail a package and buy stamps (I like Getting Things Done & I love stamps)
  
• took some photos on my way home
  
• dumped Bruce at my Gretna coffee shop while I worked and he bought me coffee
  
• finished I Can't Tell You and it was quite good. The format (it's about a college guy who decides not to talk anymore and only writes notes - one ANYTHING handy) was awesome.
  
• I narrowed it down to two brow places to call tomorrow to wax my worries away
  
• I'm getting my money back on my tripod and using it for Something Else
  
• my Lemurgurl Art Prints came in the mail (check out her House Photos)
  
• a letter from Doris, my Swiss penfriend also came
  
• Susie's Christmas presents came in the mail today
  
• (it was a great mail day)
  
• I used my new teapot for the first time today - Lavender-Grey Black Tea
  
• I get to start a new book tonight
  
• I'm going to have hot chocolate momentarily
  

But I'm still worried about people. I found out one of my PDX coworkers had a miscarriage a few weeks ago. My friend Molly's mother is very ill. Ed, one of the guys who's attended UP soccer games with my dad for years (and is the only one of "the guys" who isn't an ass) is in a nursing home, hopefully temporarily. And I talked to a college friend yesterday and she's got some serious credit card debt.

Erg.

Here we see the pretty, oh so pretty flame. merrily burning away. Ah.

BUT NOT FOR LONG!

Poof! The flame is GONE! And for my next magic trick...

I'm sure there are people who think I am cruel to let my cat play with fire. I can understand this. But let me explain the situation

1) It is always supervised.
2) If he is not naturally afraid of fire, he needs to learn it can be uncomfortable if used incorrectly, because:
3) I enjoy burning candles.

He does not appear to injure himself - he darts in quickly, puts it out, and walks away. Maybe he was a firehouse cat before I got him; the shelter said he was a stray. Maybe Keaton is just living up to his true calling.

Danke, Dana!

getcrafty: This is an awesome site. I'm all over the Home Spa stuff.

Major entertainment - the foul words exchanged between Keaton and the three squirrels that skulk around the deck eating fallen bird food. He races from window to window following them. All business; don't get in his way.

Today I picked up a teapot at Goodwill for five bucks. Also found some decorative items I'm going to use for my own deviant artistic purposes.

Hope to do a photo outing this week - maybe on Omaha Signage.

OH - I finished Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell last night! How long have I been reading that brick? The 782 pages were worth it, though. A book that long better have excellent character development, and this one did not disappoint. I'm missing some of them - or at least I miss knowing what's going on in their lives. Good stuff.

In Oregon, good things come from, well, Oregon. Or Washington, for things that just can't be done in Oregon (Walla Walla Sweet Onions, for example). In Boston, good things come from Vermont or Maine. In Nebrasky, it looks like good things, at least those of the egg sort, come from The Land of Kansas.

Not much has happened in the way of Car Winterizing yet. I don't know where to go to buy chains. Bruce would say Wal-Mart, but I don't shop there. Today's been busy, but with little, non-ending tasks that make me feel ant-like, trudging here and there, placing items where they rightly belong, tidying up, moving paper piles. The kind of day where you feel tired but also like you've not done anything.

iTunes has an Internet radio feature and I've had WUMB, UMass's folk station, on all day, hoping they'll play some Jake Armerding (that goatee looks silly on him). Nevermind I could play it on my own.

Today brought an awesome envelope from Susie (yay! Thanks!) with a blue-tone print [cyanotype, says Susie] of Velcro, my last cat, and Jeffrey Foucault's new CD, Stripping Cane. Susie got to go to a concert in Portland where, for all of $12, she saw Jake, Jeffrey and someone else...can't remember the name. [Mark Erelli, says Susie] An amazing concert I wish I could have attended.

JoJo, you should go see him (and Lori McKenna, who is awesome) at Borders and tell me how wonderful Mr. Jeffrey looks and how lovely his raspy-velvet voice sounds live.

11/16/04 BOSTON, MA
IN STORE APPEARANCE BORDERS Books & Music

Downtown Crossing location
with Lori McKenna
FREE, 12:30pm

Sigh. I need to find good local music here.
Time to do more ant-like scurrying.


But while I'm recommending music, let me list others I can't get enough of:

Rachael Davis
Dan Bern
Erin McKeown
Hanneke Cassel

Most of the artists I've linked have free MP3s available on their sites.

This has to be a sign. I am not meant to own a tripod. Perhaps I should scrap it all and get a scanner instead. But I want one that will do medium-format negatives...

THE SAD TALE

I finally got the tripod I thought I wanted in the mail today. Yay! I'd previously purchased the selfsame tripod at one of Omaha's independent camera shops where I found they'd screwed me over and charged twice as much as I could get it online. So I returned it and bought another through the Magic of the Internet. Tonight, after messing around with it, I find the quick-release plate does not sit flush in the tripod and when it is in, the release lever does not close completely so the camera can fall out. And with me, if it can fall out, it will.

The company will take it back. But this means packaging and shipping and waiting and forms to fill out and do I really want another go with this tripod? I don't need anything fancy - just a stand to hold the camera still.

Tomorrow's main goal is to winterize my car. Chains! Flashlight w/batteries! Jumper cables! Change oil! Check fluids! Actually, I don't know if it is due for an oil change. Probably. I need to check that Bruce has oil changing tools, like that springy grippy thing to take the filter out.

I got Hillary Frank's new book today - I Can't Tell You, of Houghton's new GRAPHIA line! So far, so good.

Thanks for all the comments on Russian novels. Hm.

If I were to choose a Big Fat Russian Novel to read, which one should it be?

Ever since I left Mass I've mourned for the loss of the use of Dana's Tweezerman. Yes, I have my own tweezers, but it sucks. Last week I finally ordered my own and he came today. Isn't it exciting? He's red, he's sharp, he's ready to rip out those cumbersome and ornery brow hairs.

Lest you think me odd for going on about such things, please know this is a lifelong committment, not a petty fling. Free sharpening, free alignment, lifetime guarantee. He's the last tweezers I'll ever buy. Plus they advertise in Utne and I do adore that mag.

So that was pretty cool. I won't be losing anymore sleep, though I still have to find a trustworthy aethestician...the perils of moving.

Today was alright. The last few days have been up in the positive-positive quadrant; it's a nice change. I'm doing some creative artsy things. Oh crap - I have to buy plane tix tonight. --

Okay, people. Here's the situation.

It is 12.31pm. I am at my new coffee hangout in Gretna, close to work, and I am set to rip through the hype and get my essay in the finito stage. You will have the privilege of viewing my success. Because it will be a success. There may be setbacks, there may be some messiness, but I will prevail, triumph and reign supreme. Etc.

And away we go -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Timestamp: 1:23 PM
I've addressed the rest of the questions. My skeleton is complete. Now it is time to flesh out my answers and cut the fat. Sounds like I'm a surgeon.

Incidentally, if I was in the medical field, I'd be either a cardiologist or ophthalmologist.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Timestamp: 2:37 PM
There are some youthful hicks freaking out about the amaretto flavoring in their lattes, loudly exclaiming that it tastes just like di Saronno. How tough can you look drinking amaretto flavored lattes? Of course, they are doing this all to impress me.

Um, I got off target. I called home to discuss tripod issues and then did a bit of surfing. But I also emailed Susie asking if she'd look at my essay. She's good at finding the glaring mistakes I overlook. I've got time for a bit of polishing before I leave for work.

N-Vision Special Forces 14 Goggles.

If I get these for Christmas, I'm gonna dress all in black (tank top, F-Me boots, miniskirt) and drive up to the Air Force base and see if the guard will let me in. "I just wanna look around, darlin'." I'll accessorize the goggles with a beaded choker and vibrant red lipstick.

Good weekend.

Worked on essay.
Went for a walk.
Cleaned up.
Got some packages in the mail and prepped others to go out.
Saw The Incredibles. Was v. good.
Drank good coffee.
Watched Good Neighbors.

Crappy blog entry, though.

Duke at the Beach. I better see him before he grows ugly and boring, Eddie.

Salon Since You Asked Directory. A guilty pleasure. I spent a lot of time on this site when I worked in the comp lab. Lots of interesting people out there...some WAY out there.

Aside from a raging and still present headache, work was pretty good today. I did one of my kick-ass art lessons with the 3-4-5th graders (Abstract Art) and they didn't want to leave. It was a lot of fun to talk and pick their creative brains. I think they liked the story I read - a funny modern version of Red Riding Hood from Vivian Vande Velde's Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird. Good stuff.

I feel like watching some Home Movies (click for video). Perry and Walter, may you live on in happiness despite lactose intolerance and spastic colons! Eat the cheese! Bruce has a tape with a few episodes...

My body is in a stage of revolt. We're talking multiple levels, here. The back is unhappy, which includes the neck area and influences the head. Face has some jawline eruptions, horror of horrors. Body wants more sleep but also feels antsy from a lack of exercise while the brainal cavity rattles on and on about Shoulds, Musts, Need Tos, Better-or-Elses, and Why I Oughtas, all screaming for attention while laziness runs rampant across the plains.

If JulieK was here, she'd tell me I'm being a perfectionist and trying to do everything at once, perfectly. This causes major stallage and widespread panic.

If my mom was here, she'd recommend I make a list and attack things one at a time. I love lists. I am idealistic and I have lots of them, most quite unrealistic in accomplishability.

If Susie was here, she'd tell me, "Relax, Spankypants--you'll be fine. Stop being an anal tightass spazz for five minutes and have a beer."

I'm gonna go read. And breathe. And finish with a quote from one of my goodly friends, which I will keep in mind for tomorrow:

“I think it is fitting that I act a rebel this morning.”
—Lori, Tue, 9 Nov 1999.

...

(Not taken by me) machete has some great architecture shots on Flickr. Check them out.

So cease and desist, you election commercials, radio spots, lawn signs, etc.! Enough!

From Dana, The Gallery of Stick-Figure Warning Signs, which can also be called Things Companies Have to Post Because People Are Stupid.

Keaton's in the doghouse (ha ha) for some glass-breaking action. He's a spazz.

I had strong yearnings to watch Help! today but ran out of time. "Look out -- it's a fiendish thingy!"

Detonographics Here's an art form you don't see every day.

Today I erased several items from (one of) my To Do list(s). Kristin kindly wrote one up for me, including such tasks as PLAN TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, COLORADO AND ENGLAND and RE-PICK UP THE CELLO. I managed to FIND SUNGLASSES and checked it as done. From my Whiteboard List, I opened a NEBRASKY BANK ACCOUNT (I got to choose my checks and am getting superhero ones), found a place that carries my HAIR GUNK and bought a TINY WALLET. And SOCKS.

I found the tiny wallet at a Super Target, something I've never encountered before. It's a regular Target that carries Groceries, which reminded me of Fred Meyer's back in Oregon. One stop shopping!

While looking for the hair gunk place I went into a Gordman's, a store similar to T.J. Maxx except it has better decor. I really need some new clothes because mine are wearing out. It was hard - I haven't bought new clothes in such a long time it took me a while to let myself think I was allowed to. Nevertheless, I didn't buy anything, or even try stuff on. There was a nice scarf that I carried around for a while but when it came to leave, I asked myself, "Sarah, would you rather spend $8.99 on a scarf when you have some at home or buy books?" When you put it like that... But it was nice to look. (I avoided the shoe department altogether because I never feel bad about buying them.)

And it's time to get ready to leave for work.

Coraline Booktrailer

A gorgeous and tantalizing introduction to Neil Gaiman's Coraline.

Well, I drove Kristin up to the airport today and she should be back in California by now. It was great to have her visit, though I'm sure she got tired of accompanying me to work. It was pretty mellow - we went to my favorite bookstore (where the owner has apparently started smoking inside and stinking up the merchandise) and ate out a few times and watched Big Fish, which I liked a lot. A very positive and fun and relaxing time for me; it's nice to talk to someone I KNOW.

I finished Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan today. The Applewhites reminded me of the family in Saffy's Angel, artistic and unpredictible. Last week I read the companion book that is about Saffy's brother Indigo, Indigo's Star.

Keaton's on high alert hunting the ladybugs that have sought refuge in the house.
I bought the Amelie soundtrack the other day. Kristin and I listened to it nonstop and pretended we were enjoying cocktails at Elizabeth's.
Tomorrow I open my Nebrasky bank account at the credit union down the street.
Tomorrow is November - and I am still not teaching.
Time to shift things into high gear.

NE Front Pages Man, those guys are acrobatic!

Parade on Saturday - please go and take photos so I can share in the celebration from a distance. I left Boston a few months too early! Ack. I've got some Sam Adams Octoberfest in the fridge; maybe I'll have my own party.

Was it just me or was Pedro seriously hyper during the game last night? Every time the camera showed the dugout, there was Pedro with a silly smile on his face. I guess he just knew it was going to work out - plus he pitched amazingly yesterday, so he knew he did his job. Everyone did - what a team.

Wow.

I don't know how to feel! All's I know is I want to be where the celebration is! Bostonians, please let me know what's happening!



This is off the Boston Dirt Dogs site.
What are they going to do to the "Reverse the Curse" sign on Storrow? Bruce says to just add a "D" so it's "reversed."
Whee!

Incredible! What an amazing team. And Pedro even got on base!

Boston Dirt Dogs

This is hilarious and always good for a laugh. I love the spoofs of A-Rod's slap (have to scroll way down).

I got a new phone today, so expect calls alerting you to my new number. My Boston phone will work until Thursday, I think.

Marionette Puppets

Tootsie

I've tried two and they are okay. I'm glad they didn't get rid of any old ones!

Kristin flies into Omaha today (!) and I am meeting her for lunch. Why don't the rest of you get jobs that necessitate travel to locales around Nebrasky? Then you can come see the corn!

Tomorrow I'm going up to Verizon and getting a new cell phone. No more Boston phone number (my last connection to Taxachussetts!) and hopefully no more crappy service.

I think I mentioned how I was looking forward to the high school book group at the library. My supervisor and I talked a month ago about it. She told me which books they were reading and gave me the discussion questions the kids were going to work with. I bought the books, one still in hardcover. The group met a couple days ago - I brought my books, some internet research I did (one book was historical fiction) and the YA-class-style writeup I worked on. This is something I've been looking forward to, even one of the reasons I wanted this job so badly. All's I did was work the desk while my supervisor and the high school librarian ran the show in the other room.

Yes, I'm a little bitter about being out $30 and losing all the time I spent prepping, but what really frustrates me is she set me up to participate and then -- nothing. I need to talk to her.

The problems I'm running into with this position are largely due to the fact that I am used to being in charge - of my own classroom. I also assumed that children's library programs would be book-based, not craft-based. I don't agree with finding some Cute project and then picking out some random Cute book to read to them. (And I'm using CUTE in the negative Bloomers sense, here)

I was so looking forward to using some of what I picked up at Simmons.

Prior to watching the Sox clinch Game One, Bruce and I went to a nursery to admire the rocks.

I uploaded them to a Flickr photoset called Texture-y. Take a look!

Bellhorn sure is taking his vitamins.

Note to Susan in Colorado: At work a couple days ago, I noticed the library owns The Big Orange Splot, your favorite book. After flipping through it and chuckling and remembering you, I fronted the book and will let you know when it is checked out. I do this in your name, my friend. Spread the Splot!

The Photoblog Resource

You can kill a lot of time here in a lovely manner, filling your eyes with loverly images.

Time for another cup of hot chocolate.

Susie will appreciate this more than anyone else I know -

Long long ago, like 23 years, U2 had a briefcase stolen while they were in Portland, Oregon. It has come to light, in Tacoma, Washington.

Bono's stolen briefcase returned after 23 years

Bruce took me to that Team America movie. It sucked. I don't think I was in the demographic. I wanted to leave after the puppet sex scene and I should have, to avoid the projectile vomit passage and the implied male-on-male oral sex action but I kept thinking it couldn't get any worse. Not impressed, very disgusted. Don't take movie recs from guys Bruce works with.

Crap - I posted yesterday, a long one, and it didn't take.

The past three days have been overcast and foggy. It's odd, because I can almost imagine myself to be at the coast - when I am further from an ocean than I've ever been.

How'd you like it if you came home from a lovely vacation in Greece and found a strange woman living in your house, even to the point of wearing your clothes?

Hoping to go to a movie tonight -

Beautiful Sox!

I am so impressed. These guys played their hearts out to the end and won as a team. Amazing.

And how endearing to see my first and true love, Johnny Damon, come through when it really counted. Sigh. I wish I was back in Boston so I could join the celebration! My car does get rather excellent mileage...hm.

Great shot of Sox spirit from the Globe.

Dana sent me this link - great use of the Pru! Awesome.

Foulke, you are wicked awesome. I'm in awe. Awe-full, you might say.

Now it's up to Lowe! (probably) Go Lowe! (sorry - I had to do something that rhymed)

Another good thing - Kristin is coming to visit! She's got some work-related business in Sioux City, Iowa and will be flying in and out of Omaha. I'm extremely excited. She will get to see all the corn.

I was in charge of keeping the kindergarteners occupied for a little while today so we sat and discussed Halloween costumes. This quickly and for some unknown reason turned into a "Let's See How Many Kindergarteners Can Sit on the Librarian at Once!" So I feel accepted by the raging mob.

This cracks me up. Those Nebraskans!

Dana sent me this and it's hilarious:

Headline: Lighter Side vs. the Dark Side
Date: September 23, 2004

"Check out the Lighter Side vs. the Dark Side Photo Gallery on Boston.com."

He still sets my pulse racing.
Even though he has a very dirty mouth.

Time for Schill to shine.

Stalker
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

You might have to click on the photo to see it large enough, but there's a dangerous creature in the back. We're both pretending not to see the other to maximize the stalking, leaping and pouncing experience. He even flattens his ears to lower his profile.

Predator
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

Up close and dangerous! Keaton is actually very good at play-fighting. When he launches himself off the couch to attack he keeps his claws in (unlike some black cats, notably one in Jamaica Plain whose name starts with an S). He great fun to stalk.

See above.


Let's go Pedro!

Please look at my brother's photo of his dog on his blog.

Duke at the Beach

It will cheer you.
Eddie, I wish you had a Flickr account.

Rebel Shoe
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

This is just to show you all that I am NOT a goody two shoes...you can see by this picture I'm a goody one shoe.

That was bad, I know.

Looking back, I had a pretty good day. Felt good. Did a lot of emails. Started on my Human Relations essay. Read a chunk of Jonathan Strange.... Had Annie's for lunch. Played fetch with Keaton - he's very good! The best is when I backhand the mouse over the couch and down the basement stairwell. He leaps, charges, stumbles and returns triumphant.

I've been dreaming of my Boston students. Odd.

Oh dear. They've gone and made a Fat Albert movie. He does have the "Hey hey hey!" down.

Exit 3
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

The Dam photos have been posted and placed in the NEBRASKA photoset. It was a creepy place.

I spent part of the afternoon downtown (YAY!), taking pictures of Old Market. They've been uploaded to my Flickr account and placed in the NEBRASKA photoset. It is time to figure out the other doohickeys on my digital camera so I can get it to do what it should. I need more control! The flash gets the better of me.

Afterwards I got a chai and finished reading The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume II in my favorite coffeeshop. I liked it better than the first volume, which was fabulous. Still searching for a decent place to buy graphic novels here. I want Neil Gaiman's 1602 collection and no one here carries it. The guy at the comix store didn't even say Neil's name correctly and he couldn't find the book in the catalog. Gah. But then again, I saw maybe three graphic novels in the whole shop (even the Gretna Public Library has a whole shelf of them!) so maybe that's not his specialty. The place was full of sweaty gaming boys.

I was way spoiled in Boston - kickass comix shops, like Million Year Picnic in Cambridge; they had lots of stuff, mainstream and alternative alike, including the FOUND Magazine I was in!!! Even the Harvard Book Shop had a nice collection of graphic novels. Sigh. Barnes and Noble just doesn't cut it.

There's an odd dam that I pass every day on the way to work and keep wanting to photograph. Today I did and those photos will be posted tomorrow.

This was supposed to be short.

Incidentally, anyone who is in the Harvard area tomorrow, Maria Tatar is doing a spiel on her new book - The Annotated Brothers Grimm there at 3pm. It's great stuff. Jo?

The Loveliest Librarian
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

As I recently took an assistant position, I expect the following to happen to me, just like it happened to Katie. After I get a stylish beret, of course.

Since she had decided to take the job as library assistant at the college's huge old main library, Katie had met and made many lifetime girl friends, had acquired an apartment with color TV and a tiny balcony, bought and paid for a used red Porsche, and had been in and out of love--all within the brief space of seven months.
The light changed, and Katie walked briskly across the main street.

Decidedly beautiful, Katie carried with her that continued air that lovely girls often do. Katherine Anne Dugan had long ago realized that being pretty helped her to be a better librarian, actually stimulating interest in learning and reading. [p. 8]

What do you think? Only six months to go!

Dark day. I just can't seem to get going. Work was okay; I wiped glue outta some kids head. The perils of preschool.

Sox make me sad. Johnny's playing for crap.

Tomorrow I'm going to get out before work and head downtown to take some photos of Old Market. I've been making envelopes out of old maps also, and they are turning out nicely.

DSCN2327.JPG
Originally uploaded by jenlight.

Still coughing! Gak. But this makes me laugh.

Omaha is severely lacking in quality comic book shops. Just an FYI.

I finished reading The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty. It was fun stuff without being too fluffy. I'm thoroughly enjoying Jonathan Strange... still (hard not to when it is 700+ pages long). Delicious writing.

To bed.

Are there books a person could own that would make/break a relationship? I'd be really creeped out if all someone owned were the sort of books where the author's name is larger than the title. Like all DANIELLE STEELE or JOHN GRISHAM. Erg.

This is a very interesting discussion - and if you don't know of Chicklit, it's a good taster. Great site.

Gak gak. I've got that same damn cough I had last year - only this time there isn't any codeine cough syrup to let me sleep at night and talk without depositing my lungs on the table during the day.

Ooh, how I long for that little brown bottle. Tea with honey isn't cutting it for me.

I swear I saw one of those Canadian pharmacies here - but I think you still need a prescription.

Big Balls
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

I know many of you have seen this photo, but it always makes me smile. I could use a smile right now!

Hope all is well - I'm working on catching up on emails and phone calls.

and I'm making pizza for dinner.

Today's my dad's birthday. My gift arrived in time. Is good. Card's late though, which sucks, as it was sposed to get there first in case the package didn't.

I finshed both GTO books and found another manga series at the library, megatokyo which I liked lots more. Not nearly as many - none, in fact - pictures of the view incurred when looking up a girl's skirt. Though I've never seen such a sight before, it was not very intriguing. I finished the books nonetheless and it seems the character does grow, in a good way. But I don't think I'll be doing any follow-up. megatokyo started as a webcomic but they've printed up two books. I'm definitely going to follow it online now. Great stuff.

Also nice to see that megatokyo's publisher is Dark Horse, a company of my beloved Portland, Oregon. They do lovely things, including a whole lotta Tim Burton.

It sucks to be sick and still go to work. Especially when you are minding your own shelving business and ew, what's that smell? Oh, look. One of the mommies is changing her infantile creature's diaper on the floor in the middle of the library! UGH. And there's even a changing table thing in the bathroom. T'will never happen again while I'm on watch. Nasty business, that. Especially since, while she's doing her origami act on the baby's butt, her preschooler is running around yanking books off the shelf and frisbee-ing them across the room.

More ranting:

Has anyone else noticed that all parents have purchased small tanks to stroll around in with their pre-perambulating offspring? If more than one is in the library at once we have major traffic issues. Blockage, people, BLOCKAGE! A stroller that big better have a minifridge in it so they can placate the librarians with beer.

Garg!

Tomorrow is Bruce's birthday. I think I will make a cake. It would have been nice to have one on my birthday [chock-full-of-guilt nudge] but we can't have everything. Can't have our cake, nor eat it, too.

And I MUST MUST go drop off my Holga film. If Sister Susie is feeling benevolent, perhaps she'll allow me to send her stuff and then scan them? Hmm.

Feeling sickish with the sore throat and headaches. Had a dark morning, just not moving.

Keaton doesn't have those basic Laws of Nature down. Last night he stuck his paw in a candle flame, extinguishing it and toasting himself in the process. The worst bit is that I don't think he learned his lesson.

I feel so worn out.

After rearranging the graphic novel and manga collection at the library today I've decided to go ahead and give it a shot. The GN collection there is rather sad, though they do have both Maus books. Tons of manga books, though, so perused and chose two about this bad-ass who wants to be a high school teacher so he can meet hottie girls, GTO. I think there are at least 20 issues, but I am starting with #1 and 2, as that's all the library has.

The book description:

Meet Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old virgin and ex-biker. He’s crude, foul-mouthed, and has a split second temper. His goal: to be the Greatest High School Teacher in the World! Of course the only reason he wants to be a teacher is so he can try and score with the hot students Before he can become a teacher, he’s got to work as a student teacher to earn his credentials. Onizuka may think he’s the toughest guy on campus, but when he meets his class full of bullies, blackmailers, and scheming sadists, he’ll have to prove it.

We'll see. At least there is crude humour, right?

Okay - question:

I was poking around on Bruce's blog and I see that his Profile has been viewed 52 times. Very interesting, I think. Now, I know I have been on Blogger LONGER and have even had random people drop by and make comments - I wonder how many I have.

32.

How is this possible?

Is Bruce checking himself out multiple times a day to get that counter up? Does my Ramona image deter people from wanting to know more about me? Do my friends, the sweet people, already know me so well that they know no Profile explanation could possibly bring us closer?

Veddy veddy interesting. Hm.

Thanks to all of you who sent me kind birthday wishes yesterday. No comment for the rest of you. I watered my plants with the tears you made me cry.

Been busy with work and trying to get some other October birthdays in order. I had a crew of 21 kindergarteners today at work. We read the very cool The Three Pigs by David Wiesner and made paper planes piloted by pigs who rescued fairy tale characters. Lots of fun. Especially the big countdown with TAKEOFF! yelled by all.

But overall, nothing really exciting, which is why I've not blogged.

An FYI:
No More AOL CDs

I hate those things.

Comma - closed
Originally uploaded by webmink.

This technically is in Susie's domain, but wow - too gorgeous.

That's my full name is an anagram.

Not too exciting, though it is somewhat better if I add "Ms." at the beginning: Heat rash immoralism. Not nearly as exciting as Bruce's:

Wrinkled, able musician.

Want your own fun? www.anagramgenius.com

I'm listening to Paul Fleischman's book Whirligig in the car. The main reader sucks, mispronouncing words now and then, but the supporting ones are excellent.

Tomorrow I'm spending a couple hours at the booth the library is running at the Health Fair. And...reading, I spose. There are three trillium bulbs to be planted in the backyard before the cold comes on. They remind me of Oregon.

PS: I have to add that Dana's full name anagram made me laugh out loud. Hee. Dana, will you share with the rest of the class?

Students at a Catholic school complained about new Haribo sweet wrappers which they claim portray fruit having sex.

Ah! A website where you subscribe to socks - www.blacksocks.com/ - they ship you a new pack every few months (you choose how often) so you never have to go buy them. Bruce's birthday is coming up. He's really lazy. That might be a good gift idea.

Today was spacey. It ended well because I bought Maria Tatar's new The Annotated Brothers Grimm and treated Bruce and myself to coffee as celebration for my first paycheck. Yay!

But I ate too many crackers and now I feel ill.

Hiyaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!
Originally uploaded by dreadfuldan.

This isn't mine but I came across it on Flickr and it made me laugh out loud.

Great moment with the woman in the back looking at the camera, too.

Showerhead
Originally uploaded by arahsae.

This is what I face everyday. Yes, my showerhead resembles a UFO. Or some funky microphone. Macrophone is more like it.

Couldn't sleep last night, again. I couldn't figure out why until I decided to go read in the living room. I walked out, leaving the lights off, and saw the backyard illuminated by the moon.

It was full and partially obscured by the woods behind the house. I grabbed a blanket off my bed and sat on the back porch with Keaton in my lap. It must have been 1.30am or so and it was so centering to sit there cross-legged with a black cat in my lap. His eyes were WIDE open and his fur gleamed.

I've been reading a couple books on the Salem Witch Trials and thought how, if I were back in Boston, and it was that time in history, I'd be so busted!