Mind Sticker

Things I need more of in my life

2012-01-05T14:12:00.000-06:00

Stevie Wonder's music

Champagne (I realized after new years at Dan's)

Nutella

Bike rides (with or without the Corgi)

New Year's Resolutions 2012

2012-01-02T19:07:00.001-06:00

Lose 15 pounds.
I know very original. I actually want to lose more, but I think this is a good start. It's a pretty reasonable goal. I am going to work out at least three times a week (preferably 4) and eat less food. What an original plan, huh?

Me, being unfashionable in the fashion district.

Get my mile under 10 minutes regularly.
This will just involve more and more running. CONSISTENTLY. I was easily winded during today's run, but it was fun. I may need to C25K again.

Yo world! Look at me now!!

Get Mac to lose some weight.
I weighed Mac today. He weighs 35 pounds! When I got a Corgi, I knew they had problems with weight, and I always told myself he wouldn't have that problem. And now he is at least 8 pounds overweight. Kind of the same plan for him; I already switched him to weight control food and he needs to get a real walk every day.

Fat Corgi is fat

Switch my finances to some new money management system
Well, that was easy, Mint.com and datcu.org now play nice! Merry Christmas to me!

Learn to sew/quilt something

It's less ambitious than last year, but the goals are more concrete.

Short reviews of five star books from 2011

2012-01-01T15:53:00.000-06:00

One of my favorites, a reread. I must be a little sick. I am glad I got to share this with book club.

I actually didn't know this was a self-help book when I got it. Hardwick is so positive and entertaining, he makes you feel like you can do anything.

This year has been a great year for comedians writing memoirs. This book makes you want to go shopping with the author, or have a beer. Her tips for men's fashion is spot on.

A nice portrait of depression.

I really like the story of this, even though my friends gave me a hard time for liking it. However the art is pretty bad.

My first Irving, definitely not my last. I was lost in this world.

I didn't think it was possible, but somehow I love Tina Fey more now. This book made me laugh out loud several times and I really loved the theme of women supporting one another.

The Pluto series is the best series of graphic novels I have ever read, but then again, I have a thing for robots. Someone is killing the great robots of the world one by one, and they must be stopped.

My favorite book this year. This book is not funny, but it is fun. The world has devolved into a world where everyone spends all their time online. This book is part mystery, part action and a small part love story. (I actually really hope this gets made into a movie, I know they have already sold the rights.)

Resolutions and Reflections

2011-12-27T11:56:00.000-06:00

~~1. Run my first race.~~
Well, sort of. I ran the Rahr Brewery 5K with my Cousin, but that was more of a hearty walk than real race. I will definitely be running more races soon though.
2. Get my mile under ten minutes regularly.
Yeah, this didn't happen and will probably be on my list for next year.
~~3.Get my MLS.~~
I finished school (again!)! Now time to find a job.
~~4. Go to that fondue place.~~
Did it! Almost did it twice.
5. Get Mac into some sort of Activity.
I didn't really do this. I looked into some agility, but I would really like to take him somewhere to learn herding skills. It is so awesome when you see an animal that is doing exactly what is bred into them.
~~6. Meet more people.~~
This was kind of a silly goal, because it is not specific or measurable. I do feel like I have met a lot of people this year though.
~~7. Read three books in a month.~~
Good Reads says I have read 69 books this year so far (heh heh). So I guess I nailed it.
8. Get my crosswords under ten mintues regularly.
They are at about ten minutes.
9. Get back into competitive scrabble.
Didn't do it. I am not really sad about it.
10. Some sort of advancement in my current position at work.
Blargh, my review comes up next month. However, I have learned many new skills.
~~11. Seriously unclutter the kitchen.~~

Did it! And redid it last night. I do need to purchase some new dishes and some under counter organization, but this happened.

Ultimately, the things I didn't succeed at were things I didn't care about. If I had really asked myself at the beginning of the year if I really wanted to make these things happen, I probably would have said no. (With the exception of #10)

For 2012, I plan to make goals more specific and measurable and also map out steps I need to take to achieve them. Overall though, I am pretty happy with how things turned out.

Two sentence reviews of all the four-star books I have read this year

2011-12-19T15:11:00.000-06:00

It's Lonely in the Modern World: The Essential Guide to Form, Function, and Ennui from the Creators of Unhappy Hipsters

More than a blog turned book, this book was very informative.

The Internet is a Playground

This guy is an asshole. It is hilarious.

The Night Circus

A good book, but I love the circus. It could have been a bit shorter.

This Year I Will...: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True

I must have read this earlier in the year because I don't remember it. Apparently I liked it ok though.

Traffic

Thanks to both Adam and Howard for recommending this. If you drive at all , this is a pretty interesting read.

101 Things I Learned in Film School

I really like this series, but wish there were more. It takes an expert in the field (cooking, architecture) and teaches the basics one might learn in a 101 class.

Things I've Learned From Women Who've Dumped Me

I do not remember reading this. I guess I like Andy Richter?

Kafka on the Shore

Murakami, nuff said.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Read this before lunch for an appetite suppressant. This was interesting and disturbing.

PLUTO 001

I love this series. I think this is the only one that got four stars instead of five.

Wilson

Humor and loneliness, together at last.

Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?: Bodies, Behavior, and Brains--the Science Behind Sex, Love, and Attraction

Yay! Psuedo-science!

Damn You, Autocorrect!: Awesomely Embarrassing Text Messages You Didn't Mean to Send

Giving this four stars seems generous, but oh well. I guess it made me laugh.

Summer Blonde

Need to read more from this author.

Zombie Spaceship Wasteland

Not so many chuckles, but thoughtful. This year was a great year for comics writing books.

Drinking at the Movies

I may have to read more of her books. She has books called The Fart Party volumes 1 & 2.

The Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide

I am looking up ideas for good tattoos to cover up my crappy one. This book was a good start.

Exploiting My Baby: Because It's Exploiting Me

I am not the target demo for this, but I still find it hilarious. I sort of love this author.

Simpler Living: Over 1,500 Ways to Simplify, Streamline, and Remake Your Life

This is one of those books you read because you want to be a different person. Obviously, I am still a slob.

The Jungle Drinking Game

2011-12-16T17:41:00.000-06:00

The Jungle is disgustingly enough, one of my favorite books. I find that a lot of what Upton Sinclair wrote still rings true today. When I recommended it for one of my book clubs, I felt I needed to lighten the mood and create this drinking game to loosen the blows of having to hear about animal and child abuse. Bon Apetit!

Drink when:

Someone dies
Ona blushes
The word "consumption" it uttered
Jurgis says "I will work harder."
"weakened constitutions"
References to "God Almighty"
The words "toil" "souls" or "life-blood" are uttered

Drink twice when there is:
hyperbole

*Congrats, you're drunk after the first chapter!

Three Star books from Good Reads for 2011

2011-12-14T11:04:00.000-06:00

I guess these were just okay.

New books for December

2011-12-13T12:58:00.004-06:00

It's so wrong it's right; Hunger Games Cookbook

Vacation

2011-11-23T15:05:00.000-06:00

Heading out for my first real vacation since New York. This one will be decidedly more relaxing. Headed out on my first cruise!

I feel pretty great knowing that my dog is in good hands at the vet and that I have someone staying at my place to take care of the cat.

12 in 2012

2011-11-07T12:45:00.000-06:00

Brushing up on the classics.
I will be reading one of these each month in 2012. These are authors or works that I have always been meaning to read, but haven't.
Pride and Prejudice
Things Fall Apart
The Secret History
Wurthering Heights
Infinite Jest
American Gods
One-Hundred Years of Solitude
Beloved
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Gulliver's Travels
Play is as it Lays
Leaves of Grass
Alternates; A Man Without a Country, Ender's Game, Microserfs

12 challenges in 2012

2011-11-04T16:06:00.000-05:00

January-no sugar
February-No processed foods
March-Move at least 30 minutes everyday
April-No spending
May-No Alcohol
June-30 minutes with my dog EVERY day
July-Spend 30 minutes every day cleaning / decorating / uncluttering my home
August-Meditate every day
September-spend 30 minutes a day learning to quilt
October-Bike to work every day
November-No complaining
December- 10,000 steps everyday

How to let your friends know you are not participating in NaNoWriMo

2011-11-02T14:47:00.000-05:00

I have so many things that I would like to focus on, and I am clearly no writer, so I will not be participating in NaNoWriMo. This sucks because I may have sparked the idea accidentally.

Here are some ways you can tell your friends the bad news
a) Passive aggressive blog post (is there any other kind?)
b) Letter
c) Email (oh wait, you did that)
d) Singing Telegram
e) Carrier Pigeon (pigeon is like, really hard to spell, you guys, you can see why I am not participating)

30 day money diet; another list of weird crap I have wanted to buy

2011-10-14T15:32:00.000-05:00

This item is 50 cents, does that count?

None of these are "needs."

Weird crap I have wanted to buy since going on a money diet.

2011-10-07T16:10:00.000-05:00

Presidents of the USA Placemat
Periodic Table placemat
Errol Morris' book
A new subscription to Wolphin
Men's Health?
This sweater with Kermit on it
Phew. Good to get it all out there, plus...Mens Health? wtf?

30 day money diet challenge Don't Break the Chain

2011-10-06T09:35:00.000-05:00

Haven't wanted to buy anything weird, mostly just wanting to stop at Starbucks or Ravelin's.

Now I need to focus on stuff I am going to do instead of spending money;

Finish Reading Unbearable Lightness of Being

Get rid of old iphones

Sell my Wii

Sell some old clothes on the old ebay

Go through wardrobe

Organize a clothes swap

Get my robot camera working

Frame the art I have around the house

Frame the new diploma

Weed through some of my old books and sell

Digitize cds

Work on my Halloween costume

30 day money diet challenge.

2011-10-03T14:28:00.000-05:00

Throughout college I worked, normally full-time jobs. This mean that as my friends struggled to pay bills, I was just fine. However, in all of that time, I have never had to budget or really live without. Boo hoo. I know that I am very susceptible to the impulse buy. So I decided to go on a 30 day money diet.

The rules I have set for myself are pretty simple.
1. No dining out.
2. No purchases that are not food.
3. No fast food or coffee from coffee bars or drinks at bars.

I have allotted a small amount for trivia night (two beers) once a week, and my Halloween costume (most of which I believe I have already). The purpose is to use the stuff I already own and be more creative.

It's only been three days and it's fine, however there have been a number of weird items that I have wanted to purchase. I have no idea why some of these were tempting me, but here is the short list so far;
1. A swim cap
2. goggles
3. This map I found on ebay.
4. This thing
5. This shirt (to be fair, I own this in a different color and I am right to want another, so soft)

USWNT vs Canada in Kansas City

2011-09-29T12:58:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from my trip to Kansas City to see the USWNT play. It was also really cool to see the new stadium, which looked a little unfinished on one side.

The usher behind us was pretty funny during the game. She kept saying that she liked this team better than when the men play.

I don't know how they knew my nickname.

Hope Solo

Rahr Brewery 5K

2011-09-27T16:57:00.000-05:00

One of my resolutions this year was to run a race, and I did that...sort of.

The Rahr Brewery had their second annual Oktoberfest 5k and it was so much fun. My cousin, James, signed up for the race as well. We started off running, but I hadn't worked out for the past four weeks due to my ankle (and I did have a soccer game the night before), so I wasn't exactly race ready (not that I am that speedy to begin with). I had such a fun time talking with my cousin one on one, that we walked most of the race.

Afterwards, we went and had some beer (free with our race entrance fee, along with a pint glass and an awesome New Balance wicking tee.). They tapped a new keg of their fall brew and it was quite delicious. There was a huge party with healthy swag and the weather was perfect.

I went to the Rahr Brewery earlier this year to take their tour and fell in love with the place. This place is everything that is great about my hometown, it's like a giant family-friendly BBQ with live music and a ton of friendly people. It made me wish that I had gone on the tour sooner.

Here are pictures of the day. Note, when my mom read my t-shirt, she read it "ZEEK ZAK ZEEK ZAK. HOT HOT HO!" The last pictures are just of the surrounding area.

Reflection

2011-09-22T10:20:00.000-05:00

Last year I took part in a project called 10Q. The site's tagline is "Reflect. React. Renew." and it is made to mimic the time of reflection found during the High Holidays. They send you a question everyday for ten days, you answer, they save your answers and send it to you the next year.

The questions were pretty fun to answer and they made me think. I was surprised about how spot on my predictions were for the next year. I won't share all of my questions and answers here, as some were very personal, but I will share some.

Day 2

Is there something that you wish you had done differently this past year? Alternatively, is there something you're especially proud of from this past year?

Your Answer:
I would have worked a little harder to graduate a semester earlier.
I would let things slide and forgive more because holding a grudge doesn't really help anything.
I am proud that I am taking good care of Mac, but I need to spend more time with him.
I am proud that I am more financially secure, but I need to quit wasting my money and save up to buy a house or a new car. I just need to quit wasting my money.
I am proud that I have been decluttering my home, but it is always sad that I am so wasteful.

My Response Today:
I am much better at forgiveness than I was before, but that is always something that can be improved upon.
I have been spending a lot more time with Mac, but he still needs to lose weight, as his vet let me know.
I bought a new car, we'll see how tough the payments are for me. Although I am better about budgeting, there is always room for improvements in this area as well.
My home is a much more sane, clean place than it used to be. I have been pretty good about keeping with a routine.

Day 6:

Describe one thing you'd like to achieve by this time next year. Why is this important to you?

Your Answer:
I hope to have my MLS by this time next year. I can't wait to have my free time back and get started on my career (not so wild about paying the student loans back though.)

My Response Today:
I have my MLS. I have not started to pay back my loans, which I am worried about. The student loan people called last night!

Day 7:

How would you like to improve yourself and your life next year? Is there a piece of advice or counsel you received in the past year that could guide you in this project?

Your Answer:
I would like to learn to relax again. I haven't been able to do that lately on my own without a beer or a glass of wine.

My Response Today:
I had forgotten that I had written this a year ago. It was funny because I was thinking about the fact that I never relax without a cocktail anymore. So that is worrisome.

Day 8:

Is there something (a person, a cause, an idea) that you want to investigate more fully in 2011?

Your Answer:
I would like to become better at communicating, mostly in the written form.

My Response Today:
Sadly this is still the case. Although I have realized, not necessarily in this post, that less is often more. Also PROOFREAD PROOFREAD PROOFREAD.

Day 11:

What are your predictions for 2011?

Your Answer:
FC Dallas will go to the playoffs and lose the last game. :(
I will break up with my current boyfriend. (or vice versa, things aren't going great)
Josh and Diana will be awesome parents.
I will struggle through Capstone but ultimately get my MLS.

My Response Today:
All of these things totally happened. (Except for Capstone, that was easy.)

New Books I am Getting Excited About.

2011-09-21T14:44:00.000-05:00

Brutal Simplicity of Thought.

Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks

The Night Circus

River Cottage Veg Everyday

The Extraordinary Cookbook: How to Make Meals Your Friends Will Never Forget

Me First and the...Fuck you, Me First

2011-09-05T20:42:00.000-05:00

"No one trip on my soap box on the way out."

--Janeane Garofalo

There are certain things in society that we have all agreed upon are unacceptable. Not to be Miss Manners 2011 here, but I am noticing the breaking of these agreements more and more.

Whether it's having my gynecologist call herself “retarded” while my lady bits are being examined* or bikers feeling like stop signs do not apply to them, so they run the stop sign and cut off motor vehicles. **

One interesting thing that has happened twice this weekend (and is the impetus for this post), is not fully stopping for passing emergency vehicles. I am not talking about people who are driving along and Carry on My Wayward Son comes on, and they are daydreaming about how awesome they would be at playing it on Guitar Hero.*** I am talking about people who pull over and before all the emergency vehicles pass, they see a great opportunity to bolt into traffic ahead of everyone.

I don't look at that line of emergency vehicles as a chance to screw everyone else in traffic. **** I look at them and think, “Man I hope those people that our public servants are helping are okay.” or often the more selfish, “I hope that's not my house or anyone I know! Better move!”

This is why I don't think I could ever live in a big city, because I would probably lose my shit one day if I saw enough of this stuff go down. Although my friends who live in big cities claim that living in a small, congested place makes people adhere to these rules even more, because they will be called out.

Anyway, I know only like three people will read this, but this is a call to civility damnit! You know that shit you're doing isn't right. We've all signed off on it, join us in society, won't you?

*Well this is awkward.

**By the way, this is a very bad idea considering that 87% of drivers are now distracted at all times. This is a fact I just now made up. Seriously though, bikes, you do not have the right of way. Also not such a great idea to ride with headphones, no helmet the wrong way down a one way street. I have seen this MANY times in Denton. (But you look cool cause you're on a fixie.)

***Yup, this is what it's come to.

****I'm the best!

Books I am excited about for August.

2011-08-10T16:01:00.000-05:00

Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America

Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference

Hamlet's BlackBerry: Building a Good Life in the Digital Age

Awkward.: What to Do When Life Makes You Cringe - A Survival Guide

Day 14 Eyes

2011-08-04T15:19:00.000-05:00

I lied when I said I wouldn't take any more pictures of my dog.

Day 13 A picture with 13 things

2011-07-26T08:57:00.000-05:00

I really have no idea why it's upside down.

Day 12 A Sunset

2011-07-25T06:55:00.000-05:00

Day 11 Something Blue

2011-07-22T20:20:00.000-05:00

Day Ten: a Childhood Memory

2011-07-20T13:52:00.000-05:00

A few notes:
Note the utter look of terror on my face; big stuffed versions of your favorite Sesame Street character are totally scary and not like on tv.
I have no idea why my eyes are wonky in this photo. I don't think I have messed up eyes in real life...Maybe I do but I have friends that are awesome enough not to tell me or dwell on it.
Sesame Place was awesome.
That little short set I was wearing was fantastic.

Day 9 Someone you love

2011-07-19T14:50:00.000-05:00

She stares creepily at me while I'm at my desk.

Life with Mr. Dangerous

2011-07-19T14:45:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for an excellent portrayal of depression in a young person, while searching for love, this is the book. The art is fantastic.

More books I am looking forward to in July.

2011-07-19T12:43:00.000-05:00

Don't Cross Your Eyes, They'll Get Stuck That Way and 75 other Health Myths Debunked.

The Chairs Are Where the People Go: How to Live, Work, and Play in the City

The Elements of F*cking Style: A Helpful Parody

Day 8 A bad habit

2011-07-18T14:16:00.000-05:00

I never wear my glasses.

Day 7 Fruit

2011-07-17T17:15:00.000-05:00

Keeping myself accountable

2011-07-16T16:56:00.000-05:00

My goals for next week are to:
Run three times
Eat five servings of fruit and veggies everyday
Don't drink for four days.

Day 6 From a low angle

2011-07-16T15:22:00.000-05:00

I will quit posting pictures of my dog, he's just so damn cute.

30 day photo challenge:Day 5 From a high angle.

2011-07-15T17:30:00.000-05:00

30 day photo challenge Day 4: Something Green

2011-07-14T17:53:00.000-05:00

30 Day Photo Challenge Day 3 Clouds

2011-07-13T19:32:00.000-05:00

30 Day Photo Challenge Day Two a photo of what you're wearing

2011-07-12T07:07:00.000-05:00

30 Day Photo Challenge Day One A self portrait

2011-07-11T16:33:00.000-05:00

I bought this print from Jordan Crane and when it was delivered at work, my boss saw it and asked why I bought a portrait of myself.

Library Love

2011-07-07T15:56:00.000-05:00

After dealing with other peoples' stress, I really need to take things easy.

These are recent tags on Pinterest. I have a board for pretty or cute library things.
For references, please check the original post here.

Ultraviolet Comic book

2011-07-06T12:11:00.000-05:00

Oh man this looks rough on the eyes, but so amazing.

Weird things customers say in bookshops.

2011-07-05T16:30:00.000-05:00

I got some similar questions when I worked at Borders:

Woman: Hi, my daughter is going to come by on her way home from school to buy a book. But she seems to buy books with sex in them and she's only twelve, so can I ask you to keep an eye out for her and make sure she doesn't buy anything inappropriate for her age? I can give you a list of authors she's allowed to buy.
Me: With all due respect, would it not be easier for you to come in with your daughter?
Woman: Certainly not. She's a grown girl, she can do it herself.

Weird things customers say in bookshops.

June in pictures

2011-07-05T13:38:00.000-05:00

Denton got a train!

Where we found an Indian enclave.

I had way too much Frosty's lately.

Finally back to my favorite pool in the world with awesome friends.

Oh and I passed my Capstone! In a month, I will be a Librarian!

How do I know you?

2011-07-01T12:34:00.001-05:00

Ah this is stolen from Drink Five Alive's blog. I am going to describe how I know each of my followers.

Dustin and I may or may not know each other from Denton, but met in New York last October. For some reason, anyone else pulling this move would be sort of creepy, but there is not a creepy bone in Dustin's body as far as I can tell. I wish we hadn't met on the last night when I had to catch a 6:30 flight the next day, because he seems really interesting and I think we could talk about books for a while.

Baby bones, okay I have no idea who this person is or why they are following me. Your link that you shared says barely legal so I don't know if you are a real person or a spambot or what. You following me is actually kind of creepy. You are the anti-Dustin.

Just James my favorite cousin if you don't count his wife! (Don't let the rest of the family see this) He is smart, funny and has the most awesome family ever. He also wears monkey shoes.

Douglas we worked together at Sci-tech. He's a player.

Herod Dotus is Shaun? I don't know who this is. If it's Shaun, we worked together at UNT.

Josh Berthume new media guru. We met in puppy class. Your new office is awesome. Your new addition to the family is awesome. Your wife is awesome. Your brother in law thought my heart was a soccer ball. We enjoy twitter tagging and going to lavender farms where the is no lavender.

Ryan is my Canadian soccer pal who is on the twitters. :) You are very active on twitter, but we haven't talked in a while. Why the distance, Ryan? Don't say it's because you live in Canada. I hate that excuse.

kittykatx and I met the one time I worked in public service at work. She is a cool, comic con person who is probably too cool for me.

Greg I don't know how we met, but Greg is one of the most awesome librarians around. You have to give it up for any male librarian putting up with all that estrogen all the time.

Matt Wilson is my college crush. Smart, funny and kind of mean, Matt didn't really have a way with the ladies in college, but I am sure all that has changed now that he cut off that mullet.

Coffee n Cake Jen is another friend that moved to NYC, but it was so sudden. We used to go to epic parties at her house on Bryan Street and she is the most fun to play croquet with. She doesn't break up with dudes before she heads to Europe.

beverlopolis I have no idea about the good times we have had.

So this is pretty much the best Harry Potter-themed invitation ever

2011-06-30T15:28:00.001-05:00

From the Mary Sue

New Books for July

2011-06-30T15:21:00.000-05:00

There really isn't enough time in the day is there?

Got this on ARC, but have yet to crack it.

Books I am excited about for June.

2011-06-23T12:35:00.001-05:00

Steampunk Softies: Scientifically-Minded Dolls from a Past That Never Was

Drawn In: A Peek into the Inspiring Sketchbooks of 44 Fine Artists, Illustrators, Graphic Designers, and Cartoonists

Rip the Page!: Adventures in Creative Writing

Nerd Do Well: A Small Boy’s Journey to Becoming a Big Kid

Weird stuff I have bought through Itunes while tipsy

2011-06-12T16:27:00.000-05:00

We've got tonight Kenny Rogers Sheena Easton
Annie (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Talk of the Town The Pretenders
Brass in Pocket The Pretenders
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Proclaimers
Call Me Blondie
Tomorrow (The London Theatre Orchestra and Cast)

Really regretting that last one.

Resolutions-an update

2011-06-10T17:03:00.000-05:00

1. Run my first race.
Haven't yet. I paid for the Cowtown, but got REALLY sick before.
2. Get my mile under ten minutes regularly.
I am still working on this, but it is not going well. The important thing is that I am running again.
3.Get my MLS.
Funny, I am taking what is basically an exit composition this week. This started today.
~~4. Go to that fondue place.~~
5. Get Mac into some sort of Activity.
I have been asking around about this, I think I may put him in agility in the fall.
~~6. Meet more people.~~
I have been meeting a crap ton of people lately, but I guess this is ongoing.
~~7. Read three books in a month.~~
I am certain I am meeting my quota on this one. A quick check of Good Reads says I have read 24, so I am up by one!
8. Get my crosswords under ten mintues regularly.
Not really very close yet.
9. Get back into competitive scrabble.
I have asked around but not done anything about this.
10. Have a real party (possibly Christmas party).
My house is so much cleaner, so I could probably have people over any time now.
11. Some sort of advancement in my current position at work.
Probably not happening, though I did interview.
~~12. Seriously unclutter the kitchen.~~
Probably could use a little update though. I still haven't bought a new dish set like a grown ass woman, but I am looking.

The ABCs according to my web browser

2011-06-03T12:17:00.000-05:00

amazon of course
blogger makes sense
Central Market Cooking School
datcu.org checking on that paper
ecampus.unt.edu earning that paper
facebook
goodreads
hootsuite A big thank you to Dustin for the rec.
20 things I learned? Apparently I don't go to any "i" sites.
jezebel Getting to snarky for my taste lately.
kids.woot.com Hmm, that's an odd one.
library.cityofdenton.com making that paper
makeupalley.com That one is kind of embarrassing, but I am being honest.
netflix
okcupid speaking of embarrassing
pinterest new obsession
quizrocket.com? spammy site I looked to when I was trying to figure out what kind of new car I want.
runningandbeautifulabs.tumblr.com Fitspo site that appears to be down.
slickdeals.net
twitter Tweeting for work
unt.edu figuring out what the hell I need to do to graduate
wellsfargo.com Insert paper comment here.
http://www.h-net.org/announce/show.cgi?ID=169112 Gen-X Perspectives on Librarianship?
yelp I long to be a vip yelper.
zillow Looking at real estate, I was surprised this wasn't Zappos.

Wow, I am boring.

30 Day Song challenge Day 30: Your favourite song at this time last year

2011-05-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

Sorry to end on this note...or am I? I have to find the MP3 of this so that I can add it to my morning wake up list.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 29; A Song from your childhood

2011-05-08T07:51:00.000-05:00

Glamour and glitter? Damn.

I was a little more partial to the Misfits.

30 day Song Challenge Day 28 A Song that makes you feel guilty

2011-05-05T09:58:00.000-05:00

Seems kind of sexist.

At least Google knows what's up

2011-05-04T12:14:00.002-05:00

Pet peeve

30 Day song challenge Day 27: A song that you wish you could play

2011-05-04T12:11:00.000-05:00

Easy.

April was pretty cool.

2011-05-03T12:11:00.000-05:00

I went to Scarborough. And the weather was windy, but awesome. One of my friends has a picture of me on an elephant somewhere.

I also went to the Arboretum, which was beautiful, but oi the allergies.

And I met some robots.

30 Day song challenge Day 26: A song that you can play on an instrument

2011-05-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

I used to play bass. I think this was the first song I learned. (That or a Toadies song, but that got boring really quick.)

I love how sweaty everyone is in this video.

Day 25 A song that makes you laugh.

2011-05-02T09:38:00.000-05:00

I also want this played at my funeral.

Day 24: A song that you want to play at your funeral

2011-05-01T09:08:00.000-05:00

From my favorite Christmas album. The shot at :38 is pretty unintentionally hilarious though.

Day 23 - A Song to Play at My Wedding

2011-04-29T11:16:00.001-05:00

Originally I was going to say Rehab, but this is probably more appropriate. It's a little cheesy, but oh well. Also, I don't think you can correctly answer this without the other party being involved and I think I've yet to meet him.

On a side note, I am pretty sure that Mumford & Sons song was written for hipster weddings.

Day 22: A song that you listen to when you’re sad

2011-04-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

Many years ago in Sociology class, I was reading the Douglas Coupland book Eleanor Rigby and a classmate mentioned how much he liked the song. For some reason, I acted like I had never heard it. I don't know if I just didn't feel like talking to the guy or what, but he (correctly) thought that I was a weirdo and left me alone.

I am sorry I was a bitch to that guy for no reason. I have regrets.

Day 21 - A Song I Listen to When I'm Happy

2011-04-27T15:08:00.000-05:00

This is probably the most joyous song of all time.

An addendum to a song I hate

2011-04-26T12:35:00.000-05:00

I had completely forgotten about this song until I heard it at the gym the other day. It was playing so loud that I actually heard it over my ipod.

I don't hate this song for the obvious reasons; it's horrible and contrived teen pop, because I am completely okay with teen pop. But I thought about how awful the lyrics are. Did Avril Lavine really need to tell the story of unrequited love from an unpopular guy's point of view as though it's a fresh take? It would have been nice to hear this story from the female's point of view. She strikes me as one of those women that doesn't "have any female friends."

I guess I can't complain about someone not being original when I am making fun of Avril Lavine.

30 Day Song Challenge A song that you listen to when you're angry

2011-04-26T12:22:00.000-05:00

I had a tough time with this one because I don't get pissy and then decide to listen to music.

Lately though, getting through the last bit of school, this song has definitely helped.

Yay! The Healthy Tipping Point published my mini reviews!

2011-04-22T12:03:00.000-05:00

Read all of today's reviews here.

30 Day Challenge Day 19: A song from your favorite album

2011-04-22T09:12:00.000-05:00

One album? Damn. Okay, but I am not married to this choice.

Day 18 - A Song you Wish You Would Hear on the Radio

2011-04-21T15:47:00.000-05:00

You would maybe hear this on KXT, but that's about it.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 17 - A Song You Always Hear on the Radio

2011-04-20T09:41:00.000-05:00

30 Day Song Challenge Day 16 - A Song I used to Like but Now Hate

2011-04-19T16:57:00.000-05:00

Shut up.

I take that back

2011-04-19T16:52:00.000-05:00

I am NOT the clean up woman, I am the singer.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 15 A Song that Describes Me

2011-04-18T19:42:00.000-05:00

I was trying to find the original 30 Rock theme, the one that has lyrics from the first season that is essentially a Mary Tyler Moore spoof, but I couldn't find it so....

I picked 9 to 5 because I love Dolly Parton so much, she has such a great attitude. Also, I am the only one of my friends who seems to have a "regular hours" job. Also, this song is what I like to call my "walking song." (It is sometimes replaced by New Sensation, by INXS)

Dancing robots at Coachella

2011-04-17T13:57:00.001-05:00

:25 is where it starts getting really awesome.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love

2011-04-16T16:46:00.000-05:00

I really miss story songs. I really like Coward of the County too, even though it's totally messed up.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure

2011-04-15T09:33:00.000-05:00

It was a close race between this and some Hall and Oates. But I know that Chicago has really helped me when I have felt down.

I got dumped once a few years ago and thought that I would listen to Chicago and cry and cry. But as soon as I heard this song, I laughed and laughed. It's so emotionally over the top. It ended up making me feel a lot better.

Austin Day One

2011-04-13T14:28:00.000-05:00

30 Day Song Challenge Day 12 – A song from a band you hate

2011-04-13T13:59:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's right. I'm the one person who doesn't like them.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 11 – A song from your favorite band

2011-04-12T09:44:00.001-05:00

I think this could fall under Day 3 as well (Song that makes you happy.) (It's also almost a toss up between Talking Heads and TMBG at this point.)

30 Day Song Challenge Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep

2011-04-11T11:49:00.000-05:00

To be honest, there aren't any. Music does not help me fall asleep. So this is kind of cheating.

There are, however, two movies that make me fall asleep and those are the Shining and Tiny Toons How I Spent My Summer Vacation. I am not kidding. I dated a guy and we would try to sit down and watch the Shining and no matter what time of day, ten minutes in, I would fall over asleep. I think it's the snow.

Blood Bones and Butter.

2011-04-11T11:44:00.002-05:00

Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Gabrielle Hamilton must be one of the world's first hipsters, because she doesn't like anything; her husband, her mother or her forced trips to Italy every year.

The first part of the book is engaging and funny. It tells about her growing up with her French mother and then being abandoned by her and her subsequently tough teenage years. The best parts of the book happen when she discusses the differences between her life in the kitchen and in the academic world.

This book goes downhill once the author meets her husband. She tells a *charming* story about going into labor for the first time and going by her husband's apartment to pick him up. He proceeds to take an hour meticulously shaving and getting dressed. As a writer, I think she needs to work harder in explaining exactly why she chose to be with him in the first place. She doesn't talk to her mom for twenty years, she says, because she was happier without her.

The end of the book becomes very whiny. She complains that the husband she married out of his need for a green card doesn't hand make pasta or take her on long motorcycle rides through Italy now that they have kids. Boo hoo.

View all my reviews

30 Day Song Challenge Day 09 – A song that you can dance to

2011-04-10T08:24:00.001-05:00

No comment needed.

30 day song Challenge Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to

2011-04-08T11:48:00.000-05:00

Well, this is a weird one. I know the lyrics to lots of songs. Who only knows one song? Probably not anyone taking this challenge, I would bet.

So I thought about all the songs that I may not have WANTED to know the words to, but do. This was the first musical I did when I was in high school and try as I might, I cannot replace the knowledge of these lyrics with something useful.

The show is ridiculous, but this particular staging of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat looks particularly atrocious.

30 Day song challenge Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event

2011-04-07T14:06:00.002-05:00

The Fray's Look After You will forever remind me of the only Ben Folds concert I have gone to so far.

My friends Chris, Jen, Chase John and I drove out to Nokia for an evening of pianoriffic crooning. Our first surprise was that our seats were the worst ever, not because they had the distinction of being in the LAST row of the massive complex, but the SECOND to last...behind a pole, I believe.

The Fray opened up for Folds before many people really knew who they were. They were just bombing with the crowd. Most were polite, but it didn't seem like anyone was into it. Then they play this number, but beforehand, they try to get us involved in a little Folds-style audience participation. They tried to get the audience to sing along to the WHOA portion of this song. And it really fell flat. It is a pretty tough move as an opening act to try to get a sing along going even if it is only one word.

Maybe it was the $20 parking and the $12 Smirnoff Ices talking, but this seemed to be an extended version of the song that lasted twenty minutes...totally falling on an audience that did not give a shit. They kept trying though. God bless 'em, but every few minutes, my friends and I kept looking at eachother like we could NOT believe this crap was still going on.

Anyway, I heard that shit at Krogers the other day and could not stop laughing.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere

2011-04-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

I took this one very literally. But any time anyone mentions Houston I think about the time I was there for a few days and had this song stuck in my head the entire time. God, I miss Soul Coughing.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone

2011-04-03T08:31:00.000-05:00

My life and my friends' lives turned into a musical for a few minutes because of this song. We were having a birthday party for my friend Chase. This song came on the ipod and we automatically danced around him yelling his name. So this song always reminds me of Chase and I can't hear it any other way in my head.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 04 – A song that makes you sad

2011-04-02T10:49:00.000-05:00

Carole King So Far Away. It reminds me of my friends who have moved on from Denton.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 03 – A song that makes you happy

2011-04-01T10:14:00.000-05:00

This one is easy Dogs Die in Hot Cars "Lounger." Empowering. Danceable. Jumpable. Singable. Look at how much these gentlemen are enjoying themselves.

It also uses the word "gobblesegeek" or is it gobbletygeek? And there is some talk of Nero and Charles De Gaulle.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 2: You least favorite song

2011-03-31T10:15:00.001-05:00

I really had to dig deep with this one. Even songs that I really hate, I can find value in.

The other day, I was in a restaurant with a friend and a song that was just a minute of air raid sirens came over the P.A. system. I almost named that one, but I know it was supposed to be a concept album, but seriously WTF? Who wants to hear that while they are eating a burger at Five Guys?

I think it must mean I am a little high strung because I was the only one looking around worried. Either that or I was the only one unfamiliar with the entire Pink Floyd catalog.

I needed to come up with a song that was so bad that I would have a physical reaction to it. I actually had to listen to this song to make sure. And yes, it fits the bill.

Let's never speak of this again.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 1: Your favorite song

2011-03-30T09:49:00.000-05:00

They'll Need A Crane by They Might Be Giants.
A Sunny favorite; happy sounding sound + incredibly depressing lyrics.

(On a side note, I went back to NYC last year and was excited to go to Central Park because this was filmed there and not because it's, you know Central Fucking Park.)

30 Day Song Challenge

2011-03-30T09:44:00.001-05:00

Taking a page from the neener. Today I am starting the 30 day song challenge.

Day 01 – Your favorite song
Day 02 – Your least favorite song
Day 03 – A song that makes you happy
Day 04 – A song that makes you sad
Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone
Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to
Day 09 – A song that you can dance to
Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 11 – A song from your favorite band
Day 12 – A song from a band you hate
Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 15 – A song that describes you
Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 19 – A song from your favorite album
Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry
Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you’re happy
Day 22 – A song that you listen to when you’re sad
Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 24 – A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 25 – A song that makes you laugh
Day 26 – A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 – A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 – A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 – A song from your childhood
Day 30 – Your favorite song at this time last year

St. Patty's Day outfit

2011-03-17T12:37:00.001-05:00

St. Patty's Day outfit by whereismyrobot featuring a cotton cardigan

Other Adams? WTF?

2011-03-04T13:04:00.000-06:00

Lest I ever get too high falutin' with that fancy Master's degree I'm about to have (what the hell kind of sentence is this?), you can point to this blog post. I tried to name all the presidents I could in a minute. Note the "other Adams."

I'm an idiot.

List the cities you plan to visit

2011-02-11T11:39:00.002-06:00

Well, not really planning to, but this list devolved into me talking about places I want to go in the U.S.A. Anyway:
Denver
London
Chicago
Um, anywhere is Hawaii
Berlin
Oslo
Portland
Marfa
Boston
Tokyo
Baton Rouge
Anywhere in Canada
Seattle
San Fransisco (Oh hai, Mark!)
Las Vegas
St. Louis
Orlando
Chapel Hill

Summer Version of the Silk stitches dress.

2011-02-11T11:36:00.001-06:00

Summer Version of the Silk stitches dress. by whereismyrobot featuring hair bows accessories

Summer please come soon.

Winterizing that dress

2011-02-11T11:25:00.001-06:00

Winterizing that dress by whereismyrobot featuring cashmere cardigan sweaters

Deal with it.

2011-02-09T22:29:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to me.

List sports teams you've seen play

2011-02-07T15:23:00.002-06:00

I'm sure that I have seen more than this. Especially if you count opposing teams. I am really surprised that I have never seen the Mavericks because I love basketball.

There are probably about a billion more soccer teams I could add, but this is all I could come up with at the moment.

Listography question of the week: List your favorite artists

2011-02-03T13:47:00.001-06:00

Waiting for Spring

2011-02-01T15:06:00.001-06:00

Waiting for Spring by whereismyrobot featuring stud earrings

List the places you'd like to visit

2011-01-27T14:58:00.003-06:00

Japan
All the states-especially Hawaii.
CANADA!!!
Germany (again)
The Netherlands
England

Four Stars this year

2011-01-04T12:37:00.003-06:00

These are a list of the books I gave four stars to in 2010.

Four:
What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets

Why We Make Mistakes: How We Look Without Seeing, Forget Things in Seconds, and Are All Pretty Sure We Are Way Above Average

Norwegian Wood

Pizzeria Kamikaze

The Bedwetter CD: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee

Billy Hazelnuts and the Crazy Bird

The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1)

Half Empty

Hey Nostradamus!

I Know I Am, But What Are You?

In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks

The Lonely Polygamist

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)