I really like this idea called Every Monday Matters. Maybe this will help lift me out of the "I don't want to go to work funk." Although, the funk doesn't just occur on Mondays...I suppose I have to start somewhere :).

I've been listening to music I want to try out by having you tube videos play (but I'm not really watching...I find music videos sort of boring). The interesting thing is that many of them are actually clips from TV shows (Grey's Anatomy, Prison Break, etc.) that people have put together with the song in the background. And there are thousands of these - apparently lots of people make montages of their favorite shows with a sort of related song. What's up with that?

The Ultimate Cheesy Mixed CD

Last night I was driving home from tutoring (yet again!) and found myself singing loudly along to Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes." Now, this is a very cheesy song, I realize, but I happen to really, really like it. It's all wrapped up in something to do with the over-the-top lyrics and its inclusion in "Say Anything." It got me thinking about songs that I am slightly embarassed about enjoying, because they are terribly corny or silly or whatever, but not so embarassed that I would change the station to hide my enjoyment from people around me and thus miss hearing the rest of the song.

So with that as the intro, may I present to you, Rachel's Ultimate Cheesy Mixed CD:

Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice
Christopher Cross - Sailing
Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
Berlin - Take My Breath Away
The Cars - Who's Gonna Drive You Home?
Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes
The Ronnettes - Then He Kissed Me
Dadoo - Making Off (Generiq) (I know none of you know this one, but in the spirit of full disclosure I had to include it. It's French rap. Don't judge me.)
The Corrs - What Can I Do?
Sophie Hawkins - As I Lay Me Down

Which ones have I missed?

The Weekend in List Form (hello, lazy!)

Bob and Edith's French toast with coffee, catching up with Ryan about life after law/grad school.

Double, double, toil and trouble...do it yourself beer brewing here. Tried something called a chocolate donut stout, which I was a little skeptical about but it was in fact delicious.

Much, much tutoring. Spanish and world history. The subjunctive and the scientific revolution. I'm going to be so glad when mid-terms are over (but not as happy as the students!).

Such good movies! Finally finished "Once" (was already lovin' the soundtrack), and PBS' Masterpiece series is doing all Austen for the next few weeks (swoon!). This week was "Persuasion," next up is "Northanger Abbey."

Attempted some cooking, but forgot to buy the major ingredient for my intended lunch for the next few days. Oops. But was solaced by the almond/bacon/cheddar spread from the cookbook Holly gave me for Christmas (drool).

Hope your weekends were good too!

Thai Food for Dinner

I had really, really strange dreams last night. Including a leak in my room ceiling, but it wasn't my actual room so much as a combination of all of the bedrooms I have ever had, and it had this weird plastic ceiling that sort of resembled the one in the yoga studio in Waxahachie. And then I was going on a trip with some friends from college (reminiscent of the cruise?) but my mom had my luggage and everyone kept trying to leave without me.

I blame the penang curry.

Hmm

I have never participated in a strike. I don't really have much of an opinion on them, to be honest. I assume that the people striking feel that they have one or many grievances that need to be addressed, and that they would like to be taken seriously.

So why, I ask you, do they do very silly things while striking? I was also listening to NPR this morning on the way in (as I admit to doing every morning...my nerdiness was established long ago on this site, so no shame) they were covering the writers' strike in LA. And what do I hear in the background? Singing. And not just any singing...I'm thinking I've heard this before...ah, yes, the song from "Remember the Titans" (everywhere we go...people want to know...who we are...so we tell them...). Granted, one of the picketers probably wrote that song, but it still didn't come across as particularly dignified. And the chants are usually stupid too (hell no, we won't go!). I mean, really.

In DC, they have this huge inflatable rat that they camp out in front of the building where I assume the Man and his friends reside. But it's like a communal union rat, because I've seen this same rat all over town, and for different unions and causes. I wonder if the AFL-CIO headquarters keeps this rat and then lends it out, like a library book? I wonder if they'll let me check it out?

Fun Game (with a little charity thrown in)

At work, we are sponsoring several second grade classrooms in a DC public school. When we got the list of "needs", I have to say I was a little appalled. I mean, I realized that DC schools have a bad reputation and are very underfunded, but seriously. The main request is for copy cards from places like Kinkos or FedEx, because there isn't a working copy maching in the entire school and as such the teachers are spending their own money to make copies of worksheets for the kids. They also requested used books for the classrooms, anywhere from pre-K to 4th grade reading levels. So being that I once was a reading nut (and still have that nut somewhere deep inside of be, which will be nurtured in approximately 1.5 days when I leave for Texas on Christmas break and have free time), I went to Border's over the weekend, just to see what I could find.

Shopping in the children's section of a bookstore is some serious reminiscing fun. I wanted to buy everything in sight, and I really wanted to buy some of the books for myself, just to have. Who wouldn't want to curl up with a nice new copy of the Berenstein Bears or Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel? I did a quick texting poll of friends to ask what their favorite books were at the age of 8, and got this list: Little House on the Prairie, Captain Underpants, Choose Your Own Adventure, anything by Roald Dahl, Hardy Boys, The Hurry Hurry Book, Where the Wild Things Are, Dr. Seuss, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, and "something about animals." What I failed to take into account in my texting is that my friends were probably a wee bit more advanced readers than the average attender of a DC public school, so many of those will be over their heads, for now anyway. So I settled on Amelia Bedelia, Little Bear (the same guy that illustrated Where the Wild Things Are did the illustrations for Little Bear too, which was a fun thing to learn), Curious George, and a children's world atlas that was on sale and had pretty pictures.

So now I'll ask you - what were your favorite books when you were 8?

Two Songs and a Phrase That Confused Me at the Age of Six

"Hark the Harold angels sing...."

"Give my regards to Broadway, remember me to Harold Square..."

"Okay kids, get in the car so we can run some Aarons..."

Just some Christmas stuff

I absolutely love the holidays. I do not, however, enjoy in any way the most of the holiday commercials. Most particularly, the jewelry commercials are wearing me out. Between the vapid "every kiss begins with Kay" to the stupidly named "Jared's Galleria of Jewelry" (this one, really, who knows anyone named Jared that they also would associate with diamonds? I've known many a Jared, none of whom brings to mind any sort of gemstone), I want to throw things at the TV. But they are EVERYWHERE, on the radio, on my computer...and most of it is really ugly. Guys, not that any of you read this for shopping advice, but just in case, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES buy the featured Christmas gift. They are all ugly, and it will not end well for you.

I'm still behind on my Christmas shopping, but progress is being made. I haven't had any particularly brilliant ideas this year, but I'm slowly working through what I hope will be meaningful gift ideas. I've still got some movies to see as well, to get me into the reminiscing that I so enjoy. These include, but are not limited to, Santa Claus: The Movie, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and Babes in Toyland. I have already seen the Charlie Brown Christmas and White Christmas, so they're crossed off my list. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Mostly I'm looking forward to being away from my desk, which is currently involving things including, but not limited to, intellectual property rights, university administration, and natural disaster relief. But not all in the same project, thankfully :).

Talent

I would imagine I'm the only person you know that has burned the roof of their mouth while eating an artichoke.

So, this blog...(sigh)

You have probably noticed, but I haven't really been updating all that much. It's not that I'm not busy with things to report (quite the opposite, in fact), it just turns out that I don't really feel like relaying it all, or nothing strikes me as things that will be particularly interesting for others to read about.

So, in quick recap, things that I have thought about recently and/or enjoyed, that might have been full blown entries if I wasn't so blah about the whole thing:

This website is awesome. I already paid my $2 in search of some books I read at age 10-ish. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I'm getting a bonus at the end of this month, and I think (against some of my better fiscal judgment) that I will be spending a chunk of it on one of these.

I'm obsessed with the New Pornographer's (it's a terrible name for a band, I know! Please don't judge me!!) "Go Places," "Myriad Harbor," and "Mutiny, I Promise You." Actually scratch that, the whole CD is wonderful.

I want my next car to be a Volkswagen Golf, even though I keep hearing how often they break down. Can I help it that I think they are so adorable and cute and little? Nope, I sure can't.

This is a great way to kill some time and also laugh out loud every now and then.

Holy cow can you guys believe it's mid-November already? I better start coming up with some Christmas ideas pronto.

That's all for now. Let's all hope for more creativity in the days ahead :).

Quick Update

Sandy won! She's number 132 in the comments, and that was a good number to be on Friday!!

Thanks to all of you for dropping by, and for offering so many nice things as well!

Taxi Strike in DC

Okay, so maybe it's a little mean of me as I do have a car and as such am not dependent on taxis to get me places. But really, a taxi driver strike? Best day for driving ever. No crazies cutting you off and honking at you if you don't leave within .5 seconds of the light turning green. No super slow cab blocking your way as he trolls at 5 mph for a fare. They should have these more often.

Oh, and happy halloween. I barely even remembered it was today, except that all my tutoring students had to reschedule, because duh! Halloween is totally like today, and they totally do not want to be studying French while all their friends are at the cool party. Can't say that I blame them :).

Follow Up: Whoa, Y'all

Okay, so I'm a bit impulsive. I know it doesn't seem like it sometimes, but every now then I just jump directly into something with so little forethought it is quite incredible.

Take for instance, this contest thingy I posted. I don't regret this a bit, mind you, but now feel totally like the weird kid who thought that this fall party was a costume one, but it is fact NOT and now I'm the only person in a room full of adults dressed like a lady bug (or a rabbit, a la Elle). I did NO research whatsoever, and come to find out this group of bloggers are all some serious moms. For the real. Except for Anne, who got me into this in the first place :). I have no problems with moms. Really...I read some mommy bloggers regularly, I have a mom, I would like to be a mom someday, but I'm soooooo nowhere near that now. So imagine my surprise that most of the other blogs are giving away kid/baby related stuff. Awkward.

All that being said, I still think the concept is awesome. And I'm still totally making that hat and scarf. And if you're here reading because of this, and you're a mom with a blog (and probably a church-goin' one at that!), you are more than welcome and I will gladly check out your site as well.

Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway

Okay, so I got this from Anne, who got it from here, and I completely love the idea.



I'm giving away a matching hat and scarf set, made by me, and in fall colors like dark red or brown or orange or yellow or really whatever your little heart desires.

I'm going to ask Anne about this random number generator thingy, otherwise I'll just ask someone in my office to pick a number. I'll choose and post the winner on Friday afternoon. Don't forget to shop around at the other sites, as they have tons of cool stuff!

The Trip for Ginger's Wedding in Review

Flying: D-
I seriously had the most hellish trip getting from Philadelphia to Houston. The only reason flying didn't flunk entirely was that my trip home was uneventful (albeit a little tight, as I was in a window seat with two rather large people next to me, and they encroached on my seat space a bit). Getting to Houston involved being bumped off a flight, melting down at the ticket counter (at which some nice lady took pity on me and gave me her seat and some kleenex), hanging out on the runway for an hour, running low on fuel and having to stop in Shreveport, having mechanical problems in Shreveport and waiting there for two hours, and finally landing in Houston approximately 4 hours late. And then my taxi got a flat tire on the way to the hotel, which technically doesn't count as flying, but was a fitting end to the journey, I think.

Clothing: B
Mercifully after that trip everything in my luggage arrived on schedule, with nothing spilled or damaged (including my dress for the wedding, which I was stupid enough to pack in my checked luggage, but it all worked out). Unfortunately, the red dress for which I spent a great deal of time hunting in the spring ended up being a wee bit snug in the um, bosom area, so I was not the most comfortable person on Saturday night. I got a few compliments though, so apparently I was the only one aware of the squeeze situation.

Food: A+
I ate so well - favorites included my fish (trout with almonds) at the rehearsal dinner, Dos Salsas in G-town, and of course some good old-fashioned BBQ at Rudy's. I think the wedding food was pretty good too, but I wasn't all that hungry due to adrenaline and such. And the dress, as mentioned above, did not really lend itself to comfortable eating.

Book, Devil in the White City: A
Now I really, really want to visit Chicago. And am very glad I wasn't born in like 1880 or anything. If you like history/architecture/murder psychology, this is a good book for you too!

Amtrak Station at BWI: F
Seriously, BOTH of the elevators are out of service? Both? What the heck am I supposed to do with this giant suitcase and a freakin' sewing machine in a box, huh? Better yet, what do people in wheelchairs do?

People to whom I would send thank you letters if I knew their names and/or addresses:
Nice lady at the PHL airport
Two guys at BWI that helped me lug suitcases up and down the train station stairs
Taxi driver who continued all the way to the hotel on a flat tire
The people who invented champagne

Happy Marriage, Ginger and James!

It's Tuesday, But I Want it to Be Friday

And not just in that "I'm so done with work and wish the week were already over" sort of way (even though that's a little true as well...).

Here are the lovely activities I have to look forward to this upcoming weekend:

Arlington Library Book Sale! I limit myself to $20, and usually walk away with a sack full of books. I know it's uber-nerdy of me to be so into it, but if the books were not on shelves, but in a big pile on the floor, I would probably roll around in them, because they are THAT EXCITING.

Dupont Circle Farmer's Market! Not for shopping mind you, I will be selling this super smelling soap. I don't exactly know why I'm so into farmer's markets anyway, but the thought of working at one is a whole other level of happy. Plus there's the added bonus of taking a twenty minute break and buying all of my fresh veggies and fruits for the week.

And then there's also sleeping, which is going to be exciting too.

**EDIT: There's also Crafty Bastards, featuring stuff from Joi!

Signs I might be aging

Hello interweb,

Today is my birthday! I am now 28. I've spent most of my birthday so far writing work emails and answering the occasional birthday call/email. Getting in touch with all of you lovely people out there is my favorite part...but the presents, they are also nice too :).

I took off yesterday as a present to myself, since it just wasn't going to happen for today with my work schedule, and let me tell you, I sure do know what I need, present-wise. I didn't even do anything exciting: I slept in, I ran errands, I began a major overhaul of my room. Everything just seemed nicer though: I slept with the windows open with a hint of a fall breeze coming in, I ran all of my errands in record time since no one was around, and my room is actually approaching some form of organization, which it hasn't in well...years. I also picked up my new glasses (which are very nerd chic - I like them). Then later I met up with friends and ate Caribbean food in the park, picnic-style. There was (and will be) no big party, no bar hopping, no super fancy dinner, but I am already relaxed as I head to the beach for the weekend, and that in and of itself is a lovely birthday place to be.

I'm it, apparently...

Courtesy of Joi. See comments in last post for details.

Seven (oh so very) random facts about me. In the order that they popped into my head :).

1) Any time I get really nervous or stressed out, I get sick to my stomach. I inherited this trait from my father, who got it from his mother, so basically anyone on that side of my family is ill at any given moment. Actually, my father promptly threw up after I was born, because there had been some problems with the delivery, and as an OB, he knew what that might mean. I think with that sort of christening, I never really stood much of a chance to avoid the stomach thing.

2) I love just about anything that is cheese flavored - cheeze puffs, cheetos, cheese straws.

3) I have read (and own, come to think of it) practically every book that L.M. Montgomery ever wrote (there are LOTS more than the Anne books, in case you were wondering).

4) I have terrible, terrible eyesight, and sometimes have nightmares where I have to do something very important or there's a big emergency but I can't see anything.

5) I took a semester of beginning figure skating in college for a PE credit, and was pretty good at it, if I do say so myself.

6) I love snuggling into bed when there's a big thunderstorm raging. I don't find them the least bit scary.

7) I can still perform the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in it's entirety, although probably not that well.


Whew...

I tag Ebony, Barbara, Stephanie, Ava, and Anne (Like I have much choice. More of my friends need to start blogging. Not that y'all aren't fabulously entertaining...you get what I mean...I hope :).

Re-Entry

As a few of you may know, I recently ventured back to Texas for a long weekend. Which ended up feeling like a week (at least) due to a lot of activity. Not that I had anything planned mind you. Actually I had no plans at all, beyond eating things and visiting and staying up too late and sleeping in, at which I was remarkably successful.

I also managed to make a purse for Ebony (happy birthday Ebony!), and make coin purses for others with the leftovers, visit with both sides of my family (all of the grandparents, which is a miracle in and of itself, and no less than 6 cousins if you count spouses), and track down our repeat offender escapee cat. My mom talked me into yoga twice, and I am still feeling the after effects. It was freakin' hot in Texas...like lay in your living room languid on the couch because you have lost the will to move hot. I shopped at my favorite cheap jewelry store, went to a Target that was not completely stripped free of sale clothes, and visited the new hip store that Sarah's managing. I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning and still managed to miss my flight, and as such had to take one that left four hours later. Yep, FOUR hours. So I finished reading one mindless fluffy book and then bought another. Part of me felt a smidge guilty, in that I should probably be reading something more high brow, and even though I recognize it's pretty much a waste of time, I still have to admit that I enjoyed myself immensely, and it was a great way to push through an entire day. Plus, a girl can only be so intellectual on 4 hours of sleep.

Coming home to Arlington is a little less hot, a little more crowded, and a little bittersweet. Apparently I'm going to be straddling between here and there for quite some time.

Oh, and my car died. Awesome. So for another $600 (that brings the total to a whole, whole lot that I've put into my car this year) it will be fixed and ready to trade in for something more reliable. Any advice on that front would be very, very welcome, if any of you are so inclined :). It seems like such a grownup sort of thing to face.

So tomorrow, back to work. And oh, there is so, so much work to be done. So. Much. Work. But it was totally worth it.