a girl named Sue

All quiet on the western front

2012-01-24T23:12:00.000-05:00

Things are likely to be quiet here for the next couple of weeks as I finish packing up my apartment, tackle some major work deadlines, and hang out with visitors from afar.

This past weekend was a whirlwind, and believe it or not, this is the only picture I managed to take. Allie blew into town from Germany on Saturday afternoon, and we spent the rest of the weekend running from place to place. Target, Anthropologie, Chipotle, Urban Outfitters...I was one tired girl. We also went out to dinner with the #31DDD girls on Saturday night. Despite the fact that you apparently can't get a table for eight people on a Saturday night at any restaurant in Fairfax Corner (even if you're willing to wait over an hour), we still had a blast. I love reconnecting with people you haven't seen for a while and making new friends.

Scenes from a weekend

2012-01-17T20:31:00.001-05:00

, a photo by Serena McClain on Flickr.

Such a full weekend that seemed so incredibly short. So much of my weekend was filled with packing and various move-related things. I managed to pack up a significant chunk of my apartment, all the while managing to find time treat myself to breakfast and sneak out for belated Christmas celebrations with two of my dearest.

Kara Walker: Hirshhorn Twitter chat transcript

2012-01-12T09:06:00.000-05:00

Do you guys like chats or talks hosted via Twitter? The jury is still out for me. If you're looking for an example on how to do it right, you should check out @Hirshhorn. I love how they pair a well-moderated online chat with a series of other artist events to allow you to engage with artists on a number of levels.

I'm rambling! What I really want to share is a transcript of today's @Hirshhorn Twitter chat with Kara Walker. I was stoked to hear that she was going to be showing there. Her pieces are so powerful, political, and convict you. I seriously enjoyed her responses today and appreciated how she seemed more than willing to cut through the crap.

Caveat: I transcribed the chat to share here. It's entirely possible I missed things. Also, I only included the Q&A portion (no comments to KW that weren't addressed).
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@CanningMichael - What effect did the Whitney show have on your studio practice afterwards?

KW - That show traveled for about a year and a half to different venues, and during that year and another year beyond, I was in a slump and a quandary about how to keep my work moving forward. Part of the difficulty had to do with not feeling capable of escaping my "fame". And I found myself trying to avoid making large silhouette installations.

@CityAthena - What is the most unexpected reaction you have gotten to one of your art pieces?

KW - Is having your work removed from a gallery "unexpected"?

@amhill - Why does the silhouette have such power?

KW - Our shadows have a lot of power because they are abstract representations of our bodies. And the silhouette, an a cutout, is an abstraction of that. In some ways the silhouette cutout is an attempt at objective truth.

@MetEveryday - What are the most unsettling and inspiring aspects of the art world for you as a contemporary artist?

KW - The most inspiring - or let's say the best thing - about my experience in the art world so far is having the opportunity to try out all my ideas and find audiences for them. Perhaps the weirdest aspect has been working with institutions with big PR departments. Being followed by photographers.

@RA007THOMAS - In your process, is it first a mental sketch or a pencil drawing?

KW - Usually I begin my process with a combination of reading, writing--a kind of quasi research-based process--and from there I start sketching in a sketchbook and work my way up from there to larger work, sometimes film and video and sometimes the large silhouette installations.

@aziza - 1st, i love your work. here's the question: what do you hope ppl take away or learn from your work?

KW - I don't think that I'm setting out to make work that solves problems in a cozy and narrative fashion. If anything my work poses lots of problems about the way we mythologize race, the way those mythologies carry over into our daily intercourse.

@BlaireGoesToNYU - What do you do with all of the extra paper that you cut the silhouettes from?

KW - Usually the mice in my studio eat it.

@suzisart - Do you have plans for the 150th Civil War/Emancipation anniversary?

KW - Isn't that over with?

KW - I've just been asked in the studio about the 2006 exhibition I curated at the Met in New York called "After the Deluge." I was given the opportunity in late 2004/early 2005 to put my work in one of the smaller contemporary galleries at the Met. After about a year of hemming and hawing it occurred to me that having this venue was kind of an outlet for a semi-political set of questions. Shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the city was flooded, there was a lot of talk among artists, as usually happens in the face of catastrophe, about what an artist can do. So I chose that venue to be the site where I could ask questions, present images, and maybe try to visually contextualize the tragedy we saw unfolding in New Orleans.

@vmfa - Civil War commemoration ongoing until '14. As a topic, it is still alive.

KW - I've been working with the subject of the Civil War since 1994. My work's been shown in Atlanta once in that time, and for the most part the reaction in the South to the work that I've been doing has been tepid or timid.

@jennygolightly - What was, in yr opinion, the most politically-charged work you've ever created? What work is most near & dear to yr heart?

KW - For the most part, the reaction to the work is politically charged, because it's charged material, but I can't think of one piece specifically that stands out from the others. As for the near & dear question, there's the first piece I made at the Drawing Center, "Gone: An Historical Romance of a Civil War as it Occurred Between the Dusky Thighs of One Young Negress and Her Heart." Partly, this was because it was the first time I had the opportunity to make a large-scale piece. I wasn't sure I could do it before that moment.

@suzisart - AW's shadows is large scale spectacle, as are your installations.Are you as intrigued by pop culture?

KW - A lot of the work is a direct reaction to pop-cultural representations of slavery, race, racism, etc. Warhol's kind of blunt honesty, his ironic distance was a point of departure for my thinking about how I wanted my work to be read.

@LadyTerror - i love hearing early stories of childhood exposure to art and art processes of kids. what are your early memories of making art?

KW - Hi, LadyTerror! My earliest memories of making art were when I was probably about two-and-a-half. My dad's an artist and he was always giving me materials to work with, chalk, acrylic paint, etc., so we have lots of pictures floating around of little me drawing on the sidewalk in front of the house. There was a lot of effort to hold on to my early abstractions.

@MusNightwalker - what other artists do you like to see your work exhibited with?

KW - I really prefer to be exhibited alone.

@ablackgirl - Re: The End of Uncle Tom Any connection to it and the way you see yourself in conversation with other Black women artists?

KW - If you're talking about the piece I made called "The End of Uncle Tom and the Grand Allegorical Tableau of Eva in Heaven," it's really a work that's in conversation with Harriet Beecher Stowe. I was specifically asking myself, "What is the author's relationship to the characters she creates? Does she have a responsibility to them or do they operate as free agents outside her control?"

I'm moving...take my stuff!

2012-01-09T20:27:00.000-05:00

For nearly five years, I've lived in a 488 square-foot studio apartment. It's the first apartment I've had that is all my own. This cozy lab has allowed me to experiment with my style and has given me a space to figure myself out. Halloweens, birthdays, dinner parties, Rock Band nights, Gilmore Girls marathons, photoshoots...this space has seen it all.

This studio has also started to seem incredibly small for the last couple of years. Don't get me wrong, I don't need a ton of space. I appreciate how it forces me to make tough choices before bringing things into the house. Still, I dream of being able to shut a bedroom door. I want to throw another party. So, when the opportunity to upgrade to a one-bedroom apartment in my same complex came up, I jumped on it (almost literally). I move in under a month!

In order to pare down a bit before moving, I thought I'd see if could give away a few things and move with less. If you want any of this, claim it in the comments.

letterpress drawer (similar to the one linked)
random box of books (that I haven't read)
random box of yarn
blue and brown floral shower curtain
yellow batik shower curtain
owl scarf rack
set of metal robots
set of urban vinyl toys

P.S. Will also be offering these same things to work peeps.

Stumbling through Staunton

2012-01-08T20:37:00.001-05:00

This weekend I decided to make the most of an annoying situation. Do you remember that 54-hour train ride back from Texas (I'm not going to let you forget it 'til I show you the video)? Well, this shrinking violet had had enough and got off the train in Staunton, Virginia. Instead of sucking it up for the remaining six hours (that isn't a typo), I rented a car and just drove the 2 hours home. I knew I needed a rental car for work and, in my train haze, decided I'd just figure out getting the rental back.

This probably wasn't the most strategic decision I've made. The train made me do it!

Luckily, Ravena was nice enough to agree to follow me down to Staunton for the epic car return. The great thing is that Staunton is charming and has so many things to see and do. With a tasty spiced hot cocoa from Mugshots in my stomach, we did a bit of window shopping. There are more than just a few shops downtown. In just a block and a half walk, we passed a chocolatier, thrift shops, galleries, and even a children's shop called Grandma's Bait. I think my favorite thing that we passed was a tiny boutique hotel called The Storefront. No lobby or accoutrements, it's simply your hotel room. Guess where this girl is staying during her next meeting in town?

I think I may have found my next Searching for Stars Hollow location. :-)

Today

2012-01-05T20:41:00.001-05:00

Today, a photo by Serena McClain on Flickr.

I took this photo as I was leaving work for the #janphotoaday and found it so representative of this week. Missing bow (it's under my desk), orange tights (thanks, mom), and feet that are still swollen from more than 54 hours on a train.

Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been a bad week. It's just been a busy, tiring week following a holiday. I'll spare you stories of 3AM fire alarms, windchill in the teens, and a computer that is being cranky. ;-)

Finding my mornings, a goal for the new year

2012-01-02T19:26:00.000-05:00

I kept my New Year's resolutions simple this year. I usually develop a list of like ten things I want to take on/habits I want to break. Too much ambition can be a recipe for failure. While I fared pretty well last year, I wanted a simpler list to tackle in 2012.

My goal for 2012 are mornings. Specifically, I want to consistently get up early enough to actually have enough time for a morning routine that includes makeup, breakfast, and some prayer or devotional time. A typical morning for me is hitting the snooze button roughly 5-7 times, brushing my teeth, throwing on my clothes and bolting out the door (usually 15-20 minutes after I finally pull myself out of bed).

I was inspired to make this a goal after reading about Inspired to Action's Hello Mornings Challenge. While Kat's challenge is geared toward moms, I think it's just as beneficial to the single career girl. The Hello Morning Challenge doesn't officially start until mid-January, so I'm using these first two weeks to slowly stop using my snooze alarm as a crutch.

All that glitters

2012-01-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

Did everyone have fun ushering out 2011? I usually find the pressure of New Years Eve incredibly stressful. I dislike the whole societal pressure to have an amazing time this one night of the year. I do think celebrating the end of a season with friends and family is worth it though.

I got a little crazy with the spray adhesive and glitter yesterday while prepping for the evening's activities. I spotted this tutorial and knew I had make some to hand out at the bar. Once I busted out the glitter, it was all over. I wanted to glitter everything. Cue my shoes. I've been crushing on glitter oxfords despite how 2011 they may be, but I haven't been able to find a pair in my size.

I took my glittery bows out to an Irish bar in the wilds of Virginia to meet up with friends.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

I considered doing a number of different wrap-up style posts for 2011, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I'm still tired from all of the train travel and stuff. Plus, there's some celebrating to do. I'll be back in the new year. I hope you all are able to ring in the new year with style and grace!

Catching up on some #31DDD

2011-12-29T20:04:00.000-05:00

A few photos from my trip to Texas.

I fell behind on my #31DDD prompts over the holidays, so I'm taking a cheat day to knock a few out.

What was the last real, personal piece of mail you received? Who was it from?
The last piece of personal mail I received was a surprise cookbook from my mom. She saw me mention it on the blog and mailed it to me. :-) She's putting me to shame in the mail department!

If you could have chosen your own name, what would it be? Why?
You know, when I was little I remember wanting a different name, but I can't remember for the life of me what it was. I'm pretty sure I even lied a told a couple of people my fake name.

What dish do people wish you would make all the time?
I don't share my cooking enough with other people for me to know what people would request. Is that weird? I bring people food, but I never seem to bring the same thing. I guess you could say I don't have a signature dish that I'm known for.

How old were your parents when they had you? What were you doing or hope to be doing at that age?
My mom was 26 when she had me. When I turned 26, I had just started at my current job a few months before. I took a huge cut in pay to work for a non-profit, so I was also moonlighting for an environmental group called Clean Water Action. Essentially, I was working my tail off when I turned 26. That birthday, in particular, hit me pretty hard. I think it was a combination of crossing over that mid-twenties hump and because I knew it was how old my mom was when she had me.

What's your dream job, no holds barred?
I'm still like a little kid who wants to be a fireman and a doctor and a baseball player. My dream job would be able to do everything I've always wanted and not just one. Can I run a gallery, write novels, and travel to Africa doing humanitarian work? Want to know a secret? I'm pretty sure I still can ;-)

Will you have resolutions for 2012? If yes, what are some of them? If no, why not?
I'll likely pull together some resolutions for 2012. I always set new goals around my birthday and try to think of tackling loftier life changes around the new year. It's an important tradition and kind of neat how we all band together in pursuit of betterment. Maybe I'll post a few once I figure out what they should be.

On gifts and giving

2011-12-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

My goal was to post this leading up to Christmas, but life has a way of changing the best laid plans. Still, as we bask in the post-family/present/gluttonous food* haze, the train of thought below may be even more relevant.

As you can see from the photo above, we were pretty darned blessed this Christmas. However, as I was putting together the list of wants Santa requested, I couldn't help but think about how I should be giving something back. I like doing stuff for other folks and have dabbled in volunteering and giving (from candy striper to teen hotline volunteer to giving circle member) for pretty much my entire life. I know that probably sounds like a humble brag, but it really isn't meant to be. I just want to provide some context for where I'm coming from. The fact of the matter is that I've stopped doing those type things the past few years and have instead largely focused only on me. I could give you excuses, but that just continues the whole "all about me" theme.

Anyway, the point I keep dancing around is that there are some amazing organizations out there that have reignited my enthusiasm for giving. I've already pledged to support at least one of these in the new year and thought that, with all of the resolutions being made, someone else might also be on the lookout for a good organization to support.

Can you spare a few dollars a month/year? If so, do it.

Compassion International - I stumbled across this organization in much the way I stumble across any number of things online. I was looking for podcasts and found myself listening to an episode of the Simple Mom podcast where they discussed their recent trip to the Philippines on behalf of Compassion. [Don't even ask why I was listening to a podcast geared toward moms. I'll never tell.] Listening to the story of their trip and the children they sponsor, I was hooked. I ended up spending some time reading blogs from other Compassion participants and researching their rating on Charity Navigator. Nothing I found scared me away. In fact, I found myself even more impressed with the commitment this organization makes to children and to the real impact they have.

Girls Write Now - I was always encouraged growing up, but what if no one had been there to tell me I could do it? What if I hadn't been prodded and challenged? I'd like to think an organization like Girls Write Now would have found me and given me that structure. Maybe not. As someone who works for a nonprofit, I know organizations like this can't thrive only because folks think they are peachy. Money talks. Girls Write Now is in the final stretch of an end-of-the-year drive to raise $80,000. They're close and could use all the help they can get.

*The most sinful thing I ate this holiday season may have been during a late-night dinner Christmas evening at an Austin Dennys. I had a burger with a hashbrown and cheese sauce on it!

A salad for Christmas

2011-12-26T18:01:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty sure I don't possess the skills to make the above dish look appetizing, but let me assure you that it is damn good.

For the past three or four years, I've taken charge of cooking Christmas dinner (really lunch in our house). I always tend to try out one new dish on the masses. Last year, I experimented with acorn squash and fell in love. This year, in my quest to lighten up the meal, I tried Homesick Texan's tomato and cucumber salad with cornbread croutons.

Okay, so perhaps the addition of cornbread takes something away from my attempts at a healthier side. I don't care. This salad was refreshing and contained just the right amount of kick. The cornbread croutons were spot on. I might have to make it more often once summer rolls around.

Btw, my version didn't include the red onion or the cilantro, and it tasted just fine. Also, I think all of you need to run out and buy the Homesick Texan cookbook. This is the third recipe of hers that I've tried, and they all have pretty much knocked my socks off.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T01:35:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone!

We wrapped up a lovely celebration tonight with Super 8 and a few intense rounds of Uno. Getting to spend time with my family is the best part of the holidays. I hope everyone gets to spend it with someone they love.

whoa (#31DDD)

2011-12-24T00:08:00.001-05:00

We passed this sign on the way to dinner last night, and I immediately knew we needed to take a photo there. I also wanted an excuse to wear the new vintage hat I scored. It's turquoise with satin and velvet bows, some of my favorite things. Plus, a cold front moved in last night, and temps were actually in the 30s this morning!

Today's #31DDD urges us to brag a little. I really don't like outright bragging and would prefer to slide in the regular humble brag. Ha! That said, you should probably know that I have a talent for finding "what I wore" shoot locations. It kind of sucks because taking outfit shots isn't something I do on the regular. Instead, I need to be able to transport these location ideas to folks around the web.

Can you tell how excited I am about this sign?

Holiday DIY: how to wrap a gift

2011-12-23T01:18:00.000-05:00

One of my Christmas/birthday superpowers* is my ability to wrap presents. I'm not talking about super cute embellishments or unique boxes. I'm referring to the simple act of neatly creased corners, hidden seams, and tightly bundled paper. While I've seen plenty of inspiration on the web for livening up your gifts, no one really shares how to get the actual gift wrap to look good.

So, as my gift to you, I'll share how you can claim this superpower for yourself!

1. Gather your supplies.
2. Take the bottom of your wrapping paper, and use your fingers to create a crease. Tape it down (location doesn't matter, since this part will be covered up).

3. Take the top of your wrapping paper, and fold it over the top. Create a crease along the seam.
4. Fold the wrapping paper under, along the crease you created. Tape down.

5. Trim any excess paper off each end.
6. Fold the wrapping paper along lateral edge in toward the box. This will form a triangle or point with the wrapping paper. Repeat on all remaining sides.

7. Take your first triangle and fold it down, creasing it as you go. Tape it down. Make sure the first triangle you fold down points away from where your one taped seam is.
8. Fold the other triangle down. If the point hangs over the edge, crease it and fold it under before taping. This taped seam should be on the same side of the package as the seam on the long side. Repeat these steps on the other side of the gift.

9. Put a bow on it.

By the way, I'm totally using this for my #31DDD and what I was doing 5 minutes prior to reading the prompt. Of course, if I'm being totally honest, I first saw the prompt in the morning, right after I had a breakfast burrito from Julio's. Have I mentioned before how awesome breakfast burritos and tacos are in Texas? I've found nothing similar in Virginia.

*I spent one holiday season in college wrapping gifts at a department store. I had to watch a training video on wrapping gifts, and it stuck. :-)

Holiday DIY: Quill's Brush Bottle Trees

2011-12-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

I've had fun over the past couple of days creating some fun vintage-looking brush bottle trees with my mom. I discovered Kristin's DIY for taking newer trees available at craft stores and bleaching and dying them for a more colorful, vintage feel. The shot above are my trees post-bleach.

I'm thrilled with how they turned out! These pink and blue trees are going to turn my lovely forest fabulous.

#31DDD: Unusual family traditions/eat only three things

2011-12-22T00:08:00.000-05:00

I'm struggling to complete these last few prompts. I gave serious thought to skipping today's, but knowing that I missed a day would drive me crazy. I also struggled to think of any weird traditions my family has. These may not be all that unusual, but in honor of the season, I offer up an inside look at S.O.P. at the Dennis-McClain house.

We open presents on Christmas Eve. Always have, always will.
Saturdays growing up almost always followed the same schedule: grocery shopping, the mall, lunch at the mall, Wal-Mart.
The tea towels and potholders changed with every holiday or season.

Moving ahead to today's prompt, could I choose three things to survive on for the rest of my life? Yep. I could easily live on Mexican rice, refried beans, and flour tortillas. If you are what you eat, I'm not sure I want to know what that says about me. All I can say is that I'm hoping salsa is considered a spice and not one of my three ;-)

#31DDD: Best story about New York City

2011-12-20T01:42:00.000-05:00

Bleaching and dying brush bottle trees, today's DIY project

I first moved to the DC area in June 1998, about a month after I graduated from college. My friend Michael and I loaded all of our possessions into his car and, roughly 36 hours later, landed just north of Baltimore. Some of my fondest memories of those early days were our Sundays spent in New York.

We were young and having so many major cities within a four-hour radius felt like an amazing gift to two kids from West Texas. A quick roadtrip to the city shortly after we moved was all it took. We were hooked; she had her claws in us. Shortly thereafter, we started driving to New York almost every Sunday. Did I mention we would drive back later that same night?

Our days didn't even involve anything all that exciting. Many, many evenings were spent simply hanging out in a couple of different cafes in Greenwich Village, people watching and pretending this was our city. New York pizza and browsing the Strand. Jazz in a dark cafe. Our weekly tithe was the sleep we never claimed for ourselves.

#31DDD: Where to find the best fried chicken

2011-12-18T19:43:00.001-05:00

I grew up with chickens. When I was in kindergarten, we had some (one or two...I don't remember how many) that lived in a pen in our front yard. These were the brief days we lived in Sterling City, TX in a mobile home. Clerks who called me "Heidi", Reagan getting shot, a grasshopper plague, and those damn chickens, these are the things I remember.

Walking outside in my long, flannel nightgown without shoes when feeding the chickens was a mistake. They pecked my toes, and I hated those chickens. It's nice to type this while sitting by my mom because she can fill in the gaps in my memory. Evidently these were baby chicks we received for Easter some months before.

Not that the two are connected, but I can't write about where to find the best fried chicken because I don't really care for fried chicken. Blame a toe-pecking pet. Blame the fact that I don't like eating meat served in its original form. Either way, I'm leaving this one to my resident southerners.

#31DDD: Post one of your favorite cell phone pics

2011-12-18T00:11:00.004-05:00

I have a confession. This isn't my favorite photo on my cell phone right now. I don't really want to tell you about that photo, preferring to keep the girly feelings that picture gives me to myself.

The photo of these vintage German puppets certainly counts as one of the recent photos I'm quite fond of though. I find myself drawn to these haunting figures. Maybe it's just me, but I find puppets of any kind incredibly creepy. These were hanging around a German antique store in Leesburg, awaiting their next gig. If you managed to tear your eyes away from Christmas ornaments from 1920s Germany littering the table in the center of the room, you would have noticed an old puppet theater in the opposing corner. A whole world was for sale in that little room.

If you ever find yourself in old Leesburg, stop into German Favorite Antiques. So many beautiful (and creepy) things are tucked into its crevices and cabinets.

#31DDD: The Ramen Chronicles

2011-12-16T16:04:00.000-05:00

Illustrations by Mike Houston for Lucky Peach magazine, via Hyperallergic

Today's prompt via April: If there was a book entitled, The Ramen Chronicles, what would its first line be? How does it end?

First line:
He ducked mere seconds before the noodles hit the wall, evidence of his failure flecked across his left shoulder.

The opening scene of the The Ramen Chronicles throws you right into the behind-the-scenes action in the kitchen of one of Japan's hottest ramen spots. As the story unfolds, we follow young Daigo-kun as he struggles to become the newest ramen rockstar.

Last lines:
Daigo-san pauses, inhaling evidence of the myriad of activities buzzing around his stall. These are his people and this his place.

By the way, have you been keeping up with the other #31DDDers? If not, here's your chance.
Patty, April, Donna, Ravena, Jonah, Scarlet, and Maria...give 'em a read!

#31DDD: What song encapsulates how you feel today?

2011-12-15T17:11:00.000-05:00

DMX - Ya'll Gonna Make Me Lose My Mind

Such a great song for so many different occasions. This is definitely one of my go-to songs when I'm feeling frustrated. Guess what. The new slate of passengers surrounding me on the train from Chicago to Texas are inspiring me to pull this out today.

Let me give you an idea of mentally what I'm up against. Sitting across the aisle is a gentleman smacker. If you know me at all, you know noises made while eating will break me into a thousand pieces. Even my own noises drive me crazy. To add insult to injury, he was eating a combination of Funions, tuna, and chili cheese dip.

I soon discovered that food noises were the least of my worries. I'm surrounded by a group of late teens/early twenty-somethings who are simply obnoxious. I curse. I've confessed here that I curse. However, it isn't every word out of my mouth in a public setting. Add to that drinking and the fact that I swear I heard one of them ask another if they were still high, and I was ready to pull my hair out.

The straw that broke this camel's back was the playing of music, loudly and with no headphones. When I politely asked if he had headphones, I was informed that he didn't. How am I going to survive 30 hours of this? Seriously? If you don't believe in Jesus, you should because he's certainly my only hope.

Lest you think I'm typing this from a prison cell, my prayers were answered in the form of available seats in the observation car. I'm camped out here for the time being and couldn't be happier. I think people forget that, when traveling, you have to tone down the extreme versions of yourself. I'm 100% for authenticity and self-expression, but many situations put us in close quarters with a wide variety of people. Sometimes, in order to all get along, we have to place common courtesy higher than our own wants.

My watching year, 2011

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Saving seats back in 2008 for our 48 Film Fest premiere!

Inspired by this post from Austin Kleon, I decided to post my own list of movies watched in 2011. To be honest, I didn't expect the list to be quite this long. I originally intended to just list out my favorite movies viewed this year, but when I saw the list, I couldn't help but post everything. All the fame, all the shame right here before you.

Caveat: I've said it before, but it bears repeating. I have been known to readily embrace crappy flicks. Judge all you want. If you want to see me get snooty, we'll have to talk books.

Movies that I loved (i.e., own or would like to own)
Midnight in Paris
Bill Cunningham New York
Beautiful Losers
Helvetica
Herb and Dorothy
Contagion
Black Swan
Real Steel

Movies I enjoyed a heckuva lot
Fast five
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Super 8
Bridesmaids
Fright Night
Hanna

Pretty entertaining
The Hangover 2
Columbiana
Tower Heist
Captain America
X-Men: First Class

Meh
Tree of Life
Horrible Bosses
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon
I am number 4
Bride Wars
Gnomeo and Juliet
Hoodwinked

Save your money, save your brain
Sucker Punch

Movies were listed in no particular order. Thanks to all my cohorts who ventured out or shared a couch with me to watch these. Of course, quite a few of my favorites I happened to see alone.

What have you been watching this year?

#31DDD: draw your picture on a post-it

2011-12-14T15:11:00.004-05:00

Right now I'm on a train barreling through West Virginia, headed to Chicago (and eventually San Antonio). As such, I'm fresh out of post-it notes. Still, writers always manage to have a notebook with them, right?

Do you know what I forgot about train travel? It's extremely bumpy. Just four hours into my trip and I am the best shaken martini on the block. I'm super thankful I don't get motion sickness, but it does hamper my ability to snap a non-blurry shot.

The second part of today's prompt asks me to talk about my facial expression in the drawing. If you can't tell, I'm giving the side eye to a fellow passenger. While this gentleman is perfectly nice, his lungs, blackened with tar, are in the process of giving up the fight. My dear smoker can't seem to quit coughing and hacking (and asking when the next smoke stop is).

#31DDD: one of the recipes you're willing to share

2011-12-13T22:02:00.000-05:00

Since I'm not really one to create recipes, I have no problem sharing a few every now and then that have been working for me. One of my favorites I discovered this summer comes via fresh356.

Now, while I'm not to the point where I whip things up from scratch, I am quite the tinkerer. Rarely do I meet a recipe that I'll make exactly as it's written. This is usually because (1) I'm being lazy, (2) I don't like a certain ingredient, or (3) I don't want to spend the money on a particular ingredient. So, without further ado, I present to you the bastardized version of Erin's black bean and sweet potato quesadillas. These are amazing!

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Quesadilla

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
2 T olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
~~2 small jalapenos, finely chopped~~ (no thanks!)
14-oz can diced tomatoes
15.5-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
juice of 1 lime
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
~~1 large handful fresh cilantro, leaves chopped~~ (I really dislike cilantro.)
~~1/2 small red onion, finely chopped~~ (Shudder.)
1 c crumbled ~~feta~~ goat cheese
8 whole-wheat tortillas
1 c salsa (I use Wegman's pineapple salsa or TJ's peach salsa.)

If I'm feeling extra fun, I'll throw in some corn or another veggie.

Preheat oven to 400F. Toss your chopped sweet potatoes on a baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, until tender. Set these aside when done.

In a large pan, heat olive oil, over medium heat, and add garlic. Sauté 1-2 minutes, until garlic just begins to brown. I usually burn the garlic (accidentally). Add diced tomatoes, black beans, lime juice, salt, and pepper. If you're adding corn or another veggie. Add them here. Seriously, don't skimp on the lime juice. It makes it awesome. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until well heated. Turn off heat, stir in goat cheese and sweet potato. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

I usually let it cook, then package the mixture up for future meals. I just place the mixture between two tortillas, add some of my favorite salsa, and pop it in the microwave for about a minute.

Holiday crafting

2011-12-12T21:56:00.000-05:00

Last night I took one of my cardigans and attempted to whip up an over-the-top Christmas sweater (that I'd wear ironically, of course), and this is what I came up with. I actually went in search of one to purchase a couple of weeks ago but just couldn't find anything crazy enough. I didn't realize I had to be in Texas to experience the crazy. We even have fancy Christmas sweatshirts with faux polo collars back home.

You, too, can make your own holiday sweater. Grab an old cardigan and go to town. Writing DIYs really aren't my thing because I tend to just grab supplies and make it up as I go. I did use Elizabeth's tutorial for making felt poms and then just cut out some circles and a top hat.

Sew them on and embellish to your heart's content.

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As for today's #31DDD topic (your thoughts on Beyonce), all I can say is that he finally put a ring on it. ;-) Go read about Patty's engagement this weekend.

Simply Sunday

2011-12-11T23:24:00.000-05:00

Today was simply a Sunday. After a late Saturday at Steven's band Christmas concert (apparently I'm a local band/orchestra groupie) and bubble tea-filled conversation, I spent much of today doing chores around the house. I did sneak out for lunch at Pho Bistro with a friend.

Sure wish Sundays could be longer.

#31DDD: Keebler elves or Santa's workshop elves

2011-12-11T16:26:00.001-05:00

My obsession with Elf led me to whip up some elf hats for Christmas photos one year. I laugh so
hard every time I see this photo. The only thing I managed to capture is the tip of Charlie's head.

Santa's workshop elves rule the roost! This is particularly true when the elf is Will Ferrell.

Elf has quickly become one of my favorite Christmas movies. It goes beyond being able to laugh at a grown man in yellow tights. It's the childlike joy with which he experiences Christmas and life. Don't you wish more people would remember what that was like? Plus, the snowflake-filled winter wonderland he created at the department store is all kinds of fabulous.

While we're on the subject, last night we happened upon the topic of favorite Christmas movies, and I once again confessed my love for Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. Have you seen it? Jim Henson puppets with good old-fashioned class struggle mixed in...what more could you want? It really isn't as depressing as it sounds. It's chock full of uplifting moments and heartwarming songs, too. :-)

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

#31DDD: two

2011-12-10T15:06:00.000-05:00

Two. It's the number of togetherness. It's the land of pairs, other halves, opposites, and winners and losers. Two may be the least lonely number in the world. Think about it. Once you hit three, there exists the possibility for overcrowding and being left out.

In honor of the #2 (and being forbid from using any scatalogical humor), I give you some link love inspired by this lovely number.

These felt baby shoes. Quite the pair! I have two little babies sort of in my life that I want to make these for. Thanks, Purl Bee!
Two frolicking, baby goats. If it is indeed possible to die from cuteness, you may want to have a doctor handy. via @cyprinellaj
A Christmas Duel by Cyndi Lauper and the Hives, which also happens to be #2 in my playlist. Thanks, Danny Brito!
Two if By Sea. Doesn't this Nova Scotia coffeehouse and bakery look adorable?

#31DDD: which celebrity is living the life you were supposed to lead?

2011-12-09T22:00:00.000-05:00

Can I write instead about how I feel so blessed to have the life that I do? I realize that sounds incredibly cheesy and much less fun than a little celeb talk, but it's true.

Sure, there are many, many things I want that celebrity funds would make easier. I could envy hot husbands, exotic travel destinations, and creative endeavors. I guess maybe I'm cocky, though, because I feel like those things are all within reach and in my future.

I know one day I'll have that husband who rocks my socks.

I've been to exotic places, and there's nothing really stopping me from going to more. All those obstacles I complain about in my head (no time, too expensive)? They're all mine and pretty surmountable when you think about it.

And those creative endeavors? I love my career and know that I have plenty of years to make my creative dreams come true, too.

This message has been brought to you by a mother who never stopped telling me the sky was the limit and that I could do anything I put my mind to. I believed her.

#31DDD: tell me about your first crush

2011-12-08T21:31:00.000-05:00

Michael Gaines was a ginger with a bowl cut. Ruddy freckles ran amuck across his face and arms. It was the early '80s, and I was smitten. We were both in elementary school and had swim lessons at the municipal pool in the summer. It was during those blazing summer days that I started envisioning our life together. Do you ever wonder if guys do this, too?

He was tall, a bit gangly, and seriously dorky. True to type...even from the start.

Honestly, my first crush was so long ago that the only memories left are a couple of fleeting images at the pool and knowledge of those faint flutters finding a special boy on which to focus my attention.

#31DDD: take a picture of your fridge

2011-12-07T21:21:00.000-05:00

This fridge was an accident. Once I started I just couldn't stop. It isn't completely full, but I haven't used my polaroid camera since they stopped making film. I've been watching the progression of the Impossible Project from afar and secretly stalk these polaroid giants. Perhaps I'll treat myself to a package or two for Christmas. It just may be worth it for the lovely, square memories.

#31DDD: most embarrassing moment ever in life

2011-12-06T20:38:00.000-05:00

I believe storytelling is such an important part of life and is one of the reasons I was first drawn to blogging. Do any of you listen to The Moth podcast? On one of their most recent episodes, the host tells a poignant story as part of his bit, and in that story he quotes from Stephen Weeks on what the speaker later coins the law of anecdotal value.

"...sometimes I think the best way to live your life is to choose the experience that will have the most anecdotal value."

Now, this has nothing to do with why I feel storytelling is so important, but it does speak to a part of me that was touched by that simple sentence. Collecting experiences, leaping into the void, pushing your own boundaries.

Like Jonah mentioned on twitter, I have way too many embarrassing moments to choose from. Because I subscribe to the above storytelling philosophy and the sharing of life's funnier anecdotes, I've shared a few embarrassing stories before. What I haven't talked about are hugs, specifically hug etiquette.

I suppose I should start with the fact that I'm not a natural hugger. Don't get me wrong, I like a good hug; however, I'm rarely a hug initiator and feel uncomfortable at the thought of even having to make that decision. Many of my teammates are huggers though. I chalk this up to the fact that all of them work out of state, so a hug is more natural when you see each other.

A couple of years ago, I had one of the most awkward hug events. Over the period of three or four months, my working relationship had progressed with this one particular Fish and Wildlife Service employee. There were periodic meetings, and we eventually discovered we shared a commute after crossing paths on the orange line. One evening he happened to come into Barnes & Noble back when I was moonlighting there. We chatted briefly and then (WHY?) I leaned in and hugged him goodbye!

I'm fairly confident that the secret to the space-time continuum lies in those awkward moments when time stands still. I don't hug! I especially don't hug federal employees I work with and have developed no real friendship with. We both played it off, but needless to say, I was mortified. In every subsequent meeting, I couldn't even make myself go in for the handshake, preferring instead to proffer the slightly more casual distant wave.

Help a girl out. What's your hug etiquette?

Walking in a winter wonderland

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

I finally sprinkled some Christmas cheer around my apartment on Sunday. Because I'm leaving for Texas in less than two weeks, I decided to not put up my tree. Instead, I had visions of a white winter wonderland. I've been slowly amassing a collection of brush bottle trees and got it in my head that my apartment needed a forest scene. Who needs a kitchen island?

I also ended up wrapping lights around my tripod to create a more modern tree. I'm kind of a fan. How did you decorate for the holidays?

#31DDD: last song/album you bought

2011-12-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

The last song I purchased was Brand New Key by Melanie (the song from the HP commercial). I was hanging out in Texas between conferences last November, preparing for an 8-hour road trip to Galveston with my mom. I was making a mix CD for our trip and snagged this one after my mom told me how much she liked it.

Saturday at the Old Lucketts Store

2011-12-05T08:30:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning I went with Ravena to Lucketts, VA to pop into one of my favorite antique stores. They have such a well-curated, repurposed collection that it's difficult to not want everything. I'll admit I walk around in a bit of a daze when there.

I was on the hunt for brush bottle trees for my winter forest (pics in the next post) and found it difficult to maintain my focus. Sometimes it's such a struggle to differentiate between want versus need. Little ballerina cake toppers and majestic headbands? So tempting.

I did manage to steal away with a miniature house for my forest and a tiny bell jar. For more pictures of their offerings, check out Flickr.

#31DDD: best experience you've had in another country

2011-12-04T18:52:00.000-05:00

Excuse the pictures. These were in 2004 (i.e., pre-digital in my world) on an old 35mm.

I've written about my time in Taiwan earlier on the blog*, but it really does represent one of the best experiences I've had traveling in a foreign country. Over the years, I've developed a recipe--largely centered around avoiding tourist traps and making sure you follow the locals--for my own successful travel. My time in Taiwan had all the right ingredients.

I actually found myself in Taiwan for work reasons, so I was automatically positioned to experience it in a way that many others wouldn't. I was the only American (practically the only English speaker) on each leg of my trip, determined to throw myself into the culture in hopes of really living it and avoiding, in any way, being thought an Ugly American. From the moment I stepped off the plane and my first host offered me a betel nut** to visiting with local fishing families who had been devastated by cancer from dioxin-laden water, I was consistently blown away by how much of themselves people were willing to share. I went places your Fodor's wouldn't send you and didn't have to worry about standing in line at tourist attractions, surrounded by everyone but locals.

My resolve to avoid acting like a typical American was pushed to the limits as I popped open the white styrofoam container that held lunch that first day. Resting on a bed of rice, staring up at me with its milky eye, was fish. This was no salmon filet but rather a whole fish, replete with coral scales, fins, and that damn eye. Day after day mysterious fish, gelatinous molds, and tiny plates of insects would appear before me. While I can't claim to have gone at them rapatiously, I did make sure to try everything. I developed quite the close relationship with rice during this trip. By the time I arrived in Tainan, I hit my stride and really enjoyed taro and stinky tofu from roadside shops***, chicken (finally...without the claws and beak!), and pearl cream tea (well before it was called bubble tea and sold all over the US...yeah, I went there).

I was blessed enough to have gracious hosts eager to show me the best and worst of their island. I spent my last day exploring more of Taiwan's natural beauty in the Meishan-Yakou Recreation Area. If you check out my original post, you'll see photos of the earthquake damage we traversed from earlier that same week.

I'm firm believer that travel should change you, not necessarily in an all-encompassing, Eat Pray Love kind of way but perhaps small changes blossoming in you. I like to think Taiwan allowed me to shine a little brighter and fight a little harder once I got home.

*Holy crap...2004?! Hard to believe I've been writing here that long. Thankfully someone invented Twitter because many of my early posts are akin to a twitter rant.
**Taking an unknown substance in a foreign country probably wasn't the smartest move in the book, but it's all about the experience, right?
***Shout out to Foodie and the Beatz.

#31DDD: tell me about your grandfather

2011-12-03T15:12:00.000-05:00

My grandfather has been the father figure in my life for just about as long as I can remember, gladly filling in where the contributor of the other half of my DNA fell short. As the sole adult male, he seems content to cede power in our largely matriarchal tribe.

Some of my earliest memories of my grandfather were when he would take me along with him when he served as an election judge for local elections and primaries. I distinctly remember sitting beside him, crossing names off a register as folks walked up to vote and pleased as punch to be there. The belief in voting, being politically active, and speaking up for what's right has definitely been his influence.

Following his lead, I, too, got involved in campaigns at a young age. However, I'm pretty sure he never imagined how much his plans would backfire. Despite all of that grooming at the Republican primaries, his bullheaded granddaughter grew up into a progressive, God-fearing Democrat. During Clinton's election, I'd finally turned 18 and found a candidate to get behind. I'll never forget coming home from school one day to have my grandma tell me I needed to take the Clinton sign out of the front yard. Evidently, the surly old man (aka my grandfather) had made it pretty clear that either the Clinton sign went...or I did. Hahaha. This probably wasn't the first but what I like to consider the beginning of what has been a long history of political debates between us.

I wouldn't have it any other way and always relish the argument.

At 81-years old, he's still surly and active. He works pretty much every day, gorges himself on books, volunteers at prisons and nursing homes, seems obsessed with women's college basketball, and thinks the only way to drink coffee is black (and hot). This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you can't tell, I'm one of his biggest fans. Maybe, if you're lucky, I'll let him write a guest post some day. He is obsessed with technology and recently joined Facebook*. ;-)

*Don't even get me started.

#31DDD: write a poem to an apple

2011-12-02T20:19:00.000-05:00

rusted leaves down fifth
catching a breeze to soho
another tourist

#31DDD...it's not just a bra size

2011-12-01T22:48:00.000-05:00

My friend, Patty, got the wild idea to organize and participate in Reverb this year. Reverb, at its simplest, is a daily writing/blog challenge with prompts to encourage creativity and the opportunity to share with your community. Patty partnered up with her friend, Ding*, to develop the topics and put the whole thing together. They even gave the challenge a fun title, 31 Days with Ding and Doy (#31DDD). You should check out what she has planned and read up on how they got those crazy nicknames. Of course, if you know anyone who has ever been overtaken by a wild idea, you know they always attempt to recruit followers to the fold. Who am I to resist a challenge with the words Ding and Doy in it?

So, without further ado, today's challenge topic/question: why are YOU participating in #31DDD?

I decided to jump on board #31DDD for a couple of reasons. First, I am a firm believer that, when a friend asks you to do something, you should do everything** in your power to make it happen. Not only does it give you warm, fuzzy feelings doing something for someone else, you may actually experience a little personal growth. When that friend happens to ask you to participate in something you actually enjoy, saying no would be ridiculous.

However, I have another reason for wanting to participate. I like to write. As a young girl, I would fill spiral-bound notebooks with stories of adventure and intrigue. I've always had words bound up inside me, clamoring to get out. Phrases, ideas, and sentences play on repeat in my head until I get them on paper (or computer). Why not embrace the opportunity to flex those muscles and develop ideas around a daily challenge? You should ask yourself why you aren't participating (and then hop on board).

Once folks start posting their responses, I'll link up with other participating.

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent. You can read the full story here.

**This should probably exclude breaking the law and things you really do hate or that make you incredibly uncomfortable (maybe).

Coffee house therapy

2011-12-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

Is it odd that, while I'm not a huge coffee drinker, I have an affinity for coffee shops?

Dirty latte at Demolition Coffee in Petersburg, VA

Don't get me wrong, I love caffeine. Coffee just doesn't happen to be my preferred delivery system. Coffee shops, however, are one of my favorite places to rest my feet during a busy day spent shopping, touring, or art seeking. I love grabbing a table and tossing around ideas and dreams with a friend.

Bayou Bakery in the Courthouse area of Arlington, VA

If we're going to get specific, I fall hard for independent coffee shops in historic buildings that do things like use reclaimed wood and pay attention to their decor. Picky much?

The ceiling at Shoe's Cup and Cork Club in Leesburg, VA (a new discovery this weekend)

Do you have a coffee shop I should check out?

2011-11-30T07:30:00.000-05:00

Last week the New York Times published a gift guide with 100 notable books of 2011. If this were a required reading list for the classroom, I'm afraid I could expect to fail. Honestly, of the novels on the list, only three are on my list to read at some point in the future: 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta, and The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan. Do I feel like less of a reader because of this? Nah.

We all have varied tastes and frames and reference that draw us to different books. Most of the books that found their way into my hands this year were published in previous years. A few of my favorites that did come out this year include Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin, and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

What about you? Did you read any of the books on the Times notable list?

Censorship: ruminations on words of ill repute

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Print by Brainstorm Print and Design. On my want list for my typography wall.

I've been thinking a lot lately about censorship. Until recently, my posts here would automatically get reposted to Facebook. In fact, it was darned near my only activity on the site. However, as the number of work colleagues "friending" me through the site increased and my connections to those on the site grew thinner, I found myself rethinking topics or language I'd naturally use in potential posts.

I was censoring myself.

Those who know me well know I'm wont to bite my tongue and don't always shy away from peppering my speech with a colorful word or two, so I couldn't help but be disappointed with myself when I realized I was holding back. Don't get me wrong. Very few posts tempt me to drop the f-bomb (if I get political, watch out). On the other hand, if I'm leery of posting a picture of my William Powhida print, I think that's cause for concern.

You see, these are simply words. It is us who give them special status, empowering them and deeming them unsavory. Are there hurtful, racist words I refuse to let enter my repertoire*? Absolutely. On the flip side, what did 'fuck' ever do to anyone? I want to take back the power we've given certain words.

Two events early in my childhood played pivotal roles in my view on curse words. The first time I ever learned that 'fuck' was a bad word was in 2nd grade. One of my new classmates was named Phouc. Not realizing how to pronounce it, I chose the phonetic route. I remember telling my mom and grandma about this kid one day and quickly learning this was a word I wasn't supposed to say. Later that year, my teacher, Mrs. Dodds, attempted to steal back the word's power by teaching us about its historic use.

Cut to several years later and me sitting in a church pew. I forget the overarching message the preacher was giving, but I'll never forget this one piece. He said that nowhere in the Bible did it say cursing was sin. That's because it isn't. They are simply words and, perhaps, a more ignorant way of expressing a thought. However, the words themselves aren't a sin to say but rather the intent behind their use. I couldn't agree more. I'd go out on a limb and say that 98% of the time I throw out a curse word there is no anger or evil intent behind the word (all bets are off if I'm driving).

*stepping down from soap box*

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest :-)

*Flinging the big words today. How you like them apples? ;-)

Passing on holiday food traditions

2011-11-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Christmas 2008, at the nursing home

The holiday season always sparks conversations about traditions, often centered around food, among my friends. This Thanksgiving was no different. I find historic and regional eating habits fascinating.

After our conversation on Thursday, I found myself flipping through a cookbook my mom and grandma made for me a year or so after I moved up north. While there aren't stories accompanying the recipes, reading over many of the entries transported me back to our kitchen table. I've included a couple of recipes below.
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Long Boy Cheeseburger - These beauties were a Christmas Eve staple. They were sort of like an open-faced burger baked in the oven. Topped with ketchup, they were tasty and a quick fix before we began opening presents.

In a 2-qt bowl, mix the following ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 cup catsup or chili sauce, 1/4 chopped onion, 1/2 cup cornflakes, and 1/2 evaporated milk.

Cut three 6-inch Brown 'n Serve french rolls in half lengthwise. Put equal parts of the meat mixture on the cut side of each roll. Spread evenly.

Bake on a cookie sheet at 375 degrees about 20-25 minutes or until the beef is done. During the last 5 minutes of baking, top with a slice of American cheese. Serve.
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Cookie Logs - Charlie and I called these turds (because, let's face it, that's exactly what they looked like). Despite our disgusting nickname for them, they were my favorite Christmas treat. I'm pretty sure they made an appearance on every tray my grandma sent to my mom and grandpa's offices and to school.

1 lb powdered sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup chunky peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup coconut, 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers, 1 cup melted margarine

Mix all together and roll into logs. Put in the refrigerator and chill. Then, melt chocolate bark with about 1 tbsp of shortening. Dips logs into the chocolate. Let set.
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I would love to start a collection of regional cookbooks. I've been kicking myself for passing up a cookbook of recipes from the Crooked Road, Virginia's scenic music trail. I spotted it a few weeks ago while in Rocky Mount on a work trip. If you're interested in regional food culture and oral histories, you should check out the new Foodways project in Texas.

holidaze

2011-11-26T00:29:00.000-05:00

Another year, another friendsgiving (seems to be the popular term around the internet). I combined the powers of my pumpkin cupcakes with pumpkin cream cheese to form the cake above. I also brought brussel sprouts, but they weren't as pretty. :-)

I always miss my family even more around holidays I can't spend with them, but I'm lucky to have good friends who will take me in. I'll even forgive them for not letting me win at Uno.

scenes from my weekend (sort of)

2011-11-20T21:42:00.000-05:00

My weekend has been fairly lazy, and I'm perfectly okay with that. I countered a 2.6 mile walk around my neighborhood with a day on my couch spent catching up on The Vampire Diaries and Hart of Dixie. I made up for time spent cleaning my apartment and making meals for the week with a four hour nap. It's all about finding the balance in life ;-) The photos above include the final results of my pinata making, Amanda and Brent at her birthday dinner, and homemade mozzarella sticks (damn you, pinterest).

List: random thoughts and links taking up brain space

2011-11-16T22:59:00.000-05:00

If you were camped out inside my head, you'd have to wade through all of these links and thoughts. Strap on your waders and come on in.

Have you ever noticed when you discover a new thing suddenly it's everywhere? I couldn't resist picking up a pint of Jeni's salted caramel ice cream at Whole Foods last night, and later that night I see a mention by one of the people I follow on the Twitter. Tonight I see that they also got a shout out on the Anthology blog. (By the way, it was kind of amazing.)
Wal-Mart is coming to DC. You have no idea how angry and frustrated this makes me. I have been in my fair share of Wal-Mart stores. Hell, I'm from Texas. Every weekend used to involve a trip there. Proponents herald the number of jobs the stores will bring to the District and the injection of funds into the economy. What about the number of independent businesses and smaller stores it just might force to close?
I may have bought ingredients to make this pumpkin cream cheese Shutterbean posted the recipe for.
I want(!) this Kate Spade hedgehog coin purse, but it seems like such a decadent, unneeded thing.
Do I take the train or fly home for Christmas?! I just can't decide. I really want to a relaxing journey via train, but the plane ticket (note: just the ticket...doesn't include baggage fees, transportation to and from the airport) is cheaper. Grr.
I made my momma's recipe for tater tot casserole tonight. Might have been a dangerous decision.
Earlier this week I made a mini pinata (beginning stages above) using Jordan's tutorial. So fun. I will definitely be doing this again.

Three random things

2011-11-14T23:22:00.000-05:00

One of the blogs I read on the regular is One Pearl Button. When Alli posted today asking people to delurk and post three random things about themselves, I figured the least I could do was oblige. So, without further ado, I leave you with three random, silly things you may not know about me.

1. I have multiple (yes) funny, embarrassing bathroom stories. Most of them involve what could be argued as exotic locales, so I don't feel too bad that I seem to collect them. Have you ever been used a public restroom in Taiwan? Most of them are are porcelain holes in the ground and involve levels of coordination I do not always possess.

2. The only form of travel I haven't taken home to Texas is boat. Hmm...maybe a cruise to the gulf is in my future. I don't even know if that possible.

3. Speaking of Texas, I got kicked out of the capital for crossing the velvet rope and "impersonating" a state senator. No one else was around but a friend of mine, but security still came running. "Ma'am, are you a member of the senate?" You really need to imagine a drawl here.

The art on my walls

2011-11-13T22:56:00.000-05:00

The morning light was finally bright enough in my dark little apartment for me to attempt to capture some of the wall art I've got up. I've been wanting to take some photos in here for a long time, but my place gets horrible natural light (and I lack the skill to create my own natural-looking lighting).

I've recently done some rearranging in order to focus the wall behind my bed on art featuring typography (first photo above). My 20x200 piece by William Powhida (lower right corner) started it all. The other photo shows my small collection of Berkley Illustration prints.

The photograph in the picture above was the first (and only...so far) piece of original art that I have purchased. A few years ago I went to the DCist photography show and fell in love with the colors in this shot of graffiti. The picture beside is what happens when you walk into West Elm and find the clearance section. I love trees and found wood, but I have to say that I've wondered more than once what I was thinking when I brought home that (all sales final) wooden sculpture.

I keep wanting to type "this one's my favorite!" but have to stop myself. The first print above was from Ravena on my birthday last year and is by Tabitha Bianca Brown. I really do love it and what it stands for. You might remember it made an appearance in an earlier blog post.

The pieces in the photo on the right are also special. The girl on a unicycle was from Allie one Christmas. It's so simple and so me. The print below it was from Steven (also a Christmas gift). It's my only Elsie Flannigan print and means a lot to me. It's an incredible feeling to know someone out there is really listening to what you say and cares enough to remember.

I'm quickly running out of space for new prints/pieces on my walls. If anything prompts a move to a bigger space, that just might.

Pumpkin cupcakes: the easy way

2011-11-13T02:08:00.000-05:00

I've been hoarding* two cans of organic pumpkin ever since the season began and decided that today was the day to put it to good use. All of these fall leaves have me in the spirit. That said, I'm not much of a baker. I always have to fight the desire to tweak the recipe (usually because I don't want to add a certain ingredient), so the more precise chemistry of baking sometimes alludes me. Plus, my stuff never turns out as pretty as the pictures, and that frustrates me to no end.

I used this recipe from Real Simple. Tweaks for this recipe include: store-bought icing, a splash of maple syrup, and my own mix of spices.

My favorite part of the picture above might just be my grandmother's Thanksgiving potholder.

*All it took was rumors of a pumpkin shortage for me to decide to buy two cans of the stuff. It should be noted I've never purchased pumpkin puree in my life.

Paddle like a river otter

2011-11-11T22:32:00.000-05:00

Video from our (much smaller) program retreat back in July

I spent the past three days in the wilds of West Virginia for a work retreat. I always go into these things dreading them because the thought of being surrounded by 80+ people--even if I know them--makes me incredibly uncomfortable. That said, I always come out the other side pretty inspired and glad to be working with such a great group of people. There are almost always memories I'll carry with me for years to come. The current memory from this retreat with top billing is a post-midnight hike down to the river.

When you care enough to send the best

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

I came back to my desk this afternoon to an email about a package waiting for me at the front. When I saw the return address was from the Berdoll Pecan Farm, I knew it had to be from my mom. You see, the pecan tree is the state tree of Texas. You can't drive through a small town in the state without seeing a pecan processing plant offering to buy and sell you pecans. Stores dedicated to selling only pecan goods are also pretty common. When you're in Texas, it doesn't seem that odd, but once you've spent some time living somewhere else, it can seem a little precious.

Last year, my mom and I were driving to Galveston from San Angelo when we spotted Berdoll's. She's always up for making random stops with me, and seeing this package today was a perfect reminder of that trip and the quirkiness that is my home state. Thanks, mom!

this & that

2011-11-08T08:33:00.000-05:00

I love Oh Joy's this & that series. When I noticed two of my recent finds were aesthetically suited to each other, I couldn't resist. Both of these artifacts are great examples of the fact that some of my favorite things didn't cost me a dime. I'm the friend who will stop to collect a cool rock or twig as we're walking along.

This: Piece of concrete that was tossed off to the side at a recently graffitied wall. It looks like something the artists would first test their colors on, but to me, it's art.

That: Broken piece of a plate I spied while walking home from the bus one night and was immediately drawn to its colors.

36

2011-11-06T18:40:00.000-05:00

This is the face of 36. I've spent the last two days celebrating with some of my nearest and dearest. I went to my first roller derby match, shared Mexican food (and sangrias), was silly enough to try a Mexican Car Bomb (which we might want to rename it the Edgar Car Bomb), was rewarded with homemade birthday cake and attempted homemade birthday cake, and saw a funny show. It's been a good weekend.

Best of you

2011-11-04T21:25:00.000-04:00

The end of the week, and I'm officially having one of those days. I didn't want to come here, didn't want to write. I think the result of burning the candle at both ends is emotions that are too close to the surface. I've been quick to anger and even managed a little cry. I suppose I could hide the fact that I've had a long day, but sometimes you've just gotta be real.

Lion king

2011-11-03T23:51:00.002-04:00

Keeping it light on the road. One of today's pit stops featured animal hats. I tried on the panda, but you'll find no evidence of this on the internets. I excel at getting colleagues to do silly things in front of the camera. Had some deep conversations tonight with this one about getting older.

A day in the life

2011-11-02T20:29:00.000-04:00

Taken today in the Patapsco River while checking out storm damage I've been crafty enough to hide.

Some days I'm lucky enough to spend time hiking little trails and splashing around in the water. Some days. Balanced with an abundance of office work, it's enough to keep me sated.

List:October:Update

2011-11-01T21:17:00.003-04:00

Taken under an overpass in Cumberland while walking to a dam site.

Always up for a challenge, I thought I'd try NaBloPoMo (i.e., post something every day for the month of November) and what better place to start than to look back at how much of my October list I accomplished.

- ~~take White's Ferry across the Potomac River~~
- ~~record a podcast (plans are in the works, people!)~~
- finally do a corn maze
- ~~host a beer tasting in an effort to finally find a beer I can stand to drink~~
- make a pie (including the crust)
- find a local trail to hike and do it
- go camping (really pushing for tent camping, since I've never done it)

I'm afraid I can only report a 43% success rate. :-/ What can I say, peeps? October was a busy month for saving rivers. That said, I managed to squeeze in some awesome things, including recording that podcast and conquering beer.

Alright, November, I'm ready for what you've got!

Ready Player One

2011-10-30T23:48:00.000-04:00

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

There was much fist pumping and a few dorky tears shed when reading this book. Ready Player One is a love letter to nerds and children of the 80s packaged in a beautiful quest novel.

Ernest Cline creates characters with beautiful souls and plunks them down in a dystopian society. These are the folks you cheer out loud for at the critical scene in a movie and then look around, embarrassed that you're actually one of those people who claps during movies. Not that I do that (she types, studiously avoiding capturing your gaze).

Thank you, Ernest Cline. I hope your book becomes required reading.

List : October : Beer Tasting

2011-10-27T08:45:00.000-04:00

EarIier this month, I went with Scarlet to Baltimore Beer Week, largely for the purpose of conducting research into whether a beer exists that I can stand to drink. We made it to two bars, Hudson Street Stackhouse and The Wharf Rat.

Hudson Street Stackhouse was in a great location with lots of potential. The bright sunlight and continual, fresh breeze coming through the open door made it really hard to not fall in love with the Canton neighborhood. Toss in a worn bar and the ability to buy beer samples for the win. Even the other patrons were neighborly. We weren't there 15 minutes, and Scarlet was letting a friendly stranger taste one of her beers. I tried the following five different Belgian samples: Dubuisson Scaldis de Noel, Scotch Silly Ale, Echt Kriekenbier, Achouffe la Chouffe, and Silly La Divine. I found I liked the non-Silly beers better than the others, since they weren't quite as dark.

Second stop was The Wharf Rat, which is much closer to Fells Point. TWR had really good specials (3 for $6) and a fun bartender. Can I just interject here how much I like sitting at the bar? If you do it right, it gives you a great opportunity to interact with others*. I added three new sample beers to my tally at TWR, including Kolsch Style, Blue Point Toasted Lager, and Manchester Cream Ale. Despite inclusion of the word 'cream' in the title, I couldn't drink the ale. I really need to stop thinking beers taste like the flavor in their title.

While I didn't find that beer I couldn't wait to drink, it did feel good to find beers I could nurse. The whole experience did make a little cocky about beer. TWR had run out of their pumpkin beers, so when I spotted a singled bottle of a pumpkin ale at Whole Foods a few days later I picked it up. Dudes, I ended up spitting it right out. So bad.

*Not that we met a lot of people. We went early in the day when the bars weren't exactly packed.

That's What She Read, Episode 1

2011-10-25T23:41:00.001-04:00

Remember when I added "record a podcast" to my list of October goals? I guess I cheated a little by including it because I knew this was brewing. Ravena and I both read a lot and find ourselves debating/arguing about books quite a bit. Sometime our tastes intersect, sometime they don't. I got the harebrained idea that we should take turns selecting a book and record our chats about it.

*drumroll*

Welcome to the initial episode of That's What She Read, a book review podcast where Ravena and I ramble on way too much. This episode is a bit manic, and a lot went wrong with the recording. For example, the metronome-like beeps, I had no idea those were actually recording. Don't hold it against us! Instead, consider this a test. We promise to work out the kinks by the next episode. Also, if you're expecting a formal, snooty book discussion, you probably want to skip this one. In fact, it's so FAR from snooty that I used the word turpitude when I meant fortitude. Forgive me, English Nazis.

Without further ado, click on the photo below for a fun ramble about The Magicians by Lev Grossman.

Let's get nostalgic: first adult novel

2011-10-25T08:10:00.000-04:00

Continuing with Friday's theme of pop culture firsts (inspired by an older PCHH podcast), next up is my first adult novel. I pretty much had the same problem when trying to remember the first official adult book I read that I did remembering my first cassette. I devoured books even faster back in the day than I do now.

Where these days I have a soft spot for post-apocalyptic and dystopian novels, I cut my wannabe adult teeth on the romantic dramas of Danielle Steel. I read a lot of her early catalog, and I'm fairly confident that one of the first real adult novels I read (thank you, Tom Green County Library) was Palomino. Lost love, new love, tragedy, and love again. Ah, sweet formula of happiness. I blame my steady diet of romance novels at a young age for the fact that I've steered pretty clear of them the past 15 years.

What was your first adult read?

Ghosts of Halloween past

2011-10-24T22:54:00.000-04:00

With Halloween approaching, I thought it only fitting to post a few photos (which I was too lazy to scan) of my various costumes growing up. Every time I think back to going as a playboy bunny, I just have to shake my head and give my mom a hard time.

Can you believe I've never been trick-or-treating? We did always go to the school's Halloween carnival. Several of the pictures below were taken there. I mentioned school Halloween carnivals and the cake walk to Ravena this weekend, and she didn't know what a cake walk was? These are normal occurrences, right? Cake walks?

Graffiti hunting on the red line

2011-10-23T17:50:00.000-04:00

I find myself on the red line once every few weeks, usually commuting from DC to a meeting in Silver Spring, and despite all of the drama surrounding red line delays, I always look forward to the trip. Instead of burying my head in a book, I'm always treated to an ever-changing art show along the tracks. I don't go so far as to press my nose against the window, but I always get a little hyped spying all the different tags. If you haven't figured it out, the red line is known as one of the major graffiti corridors in DC.

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion over illegal versus commissioned graffiti. The red line is certainly near the center of this debate, and the folks behind The Red Line D.C. Project are driving the dialogue. You guys know I struggle with my own opinion on commissioning "graffiti".

Despite the fact that I sit on the fence about whether "approved" graffiti takes something away from the people, you can't deny that these murals are beautiful. You also can't deny that talented artists deserve a platform from which to be seen. I decided to go graffiti hunting today and capture some the things I saw last week on the line. Before we even really began the trek, we came across these murals commissioned by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and painted by Chor Boogie, Decoy, Joshua Mays, Pose 2, and Quest Skinner.

Despite falling for the colors and stories told by the murals, we continued on, following the line and searching for ways in. There were a couple of entry points we stumbled upon, and we were lucky enough to meet a nice city worker who actually let us park on city property to duck around a corner and shoot a few pictures. Thanks to him, we discovered the section below. Some of us get tired of living in a beige world, and it's these splashes of color that make things exciting.

What do you think? Are you able to appreciate random, colorful tags? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I urge you to join the conversation over at the Red Line D.C. Project.

When the waters rise

2011-10-22T23:23:00.000-04:00

My map in progress.

For the past couple of months I've been trying to find a work-around for an idea I have for a series of embroidery pieces. Thanks to Elsie, I finally have an idea on how to transfer the maps I want to use. My ultimate goal is to create a bit of activist art by using embroidery and other materials to depict flood risk in newly built areas.

Turns out I'm not the only one with this idea. Last week, Grist ran a piece on Eve Mosher's public art project that marked areas of NYC that would be submerged if sea levels rise. I love the idea and have already come up with ways I'd love to work (for AR) with Mosher. Check out what she's trying to do.

Small Demons

2011-10-21T21:29:00.000-04:00

Piece by Shaunna Peterson snapped by me at Art Whino last year

I think I just had a pop culture orgasm. I snagged a beta invite today to Small Demons, and I'm already in love. Imagine a site that takes the books we love and maps out their broader links to people, movies, music, and places referenced within its pages. As someone who has been known to fall down many a rabbit hole following the little eggs left throughout shows like Gilmore Girls or visit music clubs referenced in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, this site has potential to be such a fun tool in broadening the way we experience books and the universe the characters we read about inhabit.

Do you read The Other Boleyn Girl and find yourself googling Anne Boleyn or the Tudors? Visit the site and snag yourself an invite.

Let's get nostalgic: first cassette

2011-10-21T00:33:00.000-04:00

Why, yes, that is me busting a move. I bet you're wishing So You Think You Can Dance had been around when I was young.

I've been catching up on older episodes of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour during my recent car trips and happened upon an older episode where the cast talks about some of their pop culture firsts. I thought it would be fun to take their lists and blog about my own firsts. I love looking back and thinking about how much my taste has changed (or not). I was also a little motivated by the fact that I actually had a hard time digging that far back. I can't promise these are my true firsts, but they are the ones that managed to stand out.

Let's get one thing clear. We're talking cassette purchases here, no 8-tracks or vinyl. Don't even talk to me about CDs because I'm pretty sure they weren't around. I have to confess that I kind of miss cassettes. How many of us spent many hours perched over our boom boxes with a blank cassette at the ready, waiting to capture our favorite songs as they played on the radio? Why didn't I think to keep some of those mixtapes?

One of my first music purchases was Def Leppard's Hysteria, largely because of Pour Some Sugar on Me. I was more than a little into hair bands. Also, let us not forget Love Bites.

Party @ the Walters

2011-10-16T21:47:00.000-04:00

As a little girl, I wasn't above dreaming about getting all dolled up and going to fancy parties. Recently, I got a bug up my butt (clearly, I need a little class in my life) and decided that I wanted to put on a shiny dress and go to a place where dancing was expected. Enter the Walters Art Museum stage left and their Party @ the Walters.

I grabbed a partner in crime, and we headed to the museum with the promise of dancing, fanciness, and an open bar. The fact that I also got to experience all this in an art museum while previewing Lost and Found: The Secrets of Archimedes (not really the type of art that calls to me) before it opened today was just the cherry.

There was lots of laughing and sizing up the competition. Can you believe they played Golddigger at a fundraising event? Perfect. And, yes, I did let an older gentleman twirl me around on the dance floor for a few seconds. :-)

Signage

2011-10-16T10:28:00.000-04:00

One of my small collections is the letter 's'. This currently resides at one of my favorite vintage stores in Lucketts, Virginia. While it might overwhelm my apartment, I can't help but want it for my collection. I do have a birthday coming up. :-)

OccupyCumberland

2011-10-11T20:58:00.001-04:00

Sometimes you have to stop and have a little fun while walking to a project site.

We just happened to walk pass a few protestors who had taken over the corner. Trust Jim to join in while we waited for the light.*

*No government dollars were used in the taking of these pictures. ;-)

Absence

2011-10-10T21:39:00.003-04:00

photo by me, art by Sara Stepahin

This week's going to be something of a wild ride. I'll see you on the other side.

Artomatic @ Frederick

2011-10-09T22:44:00.001-04:00

Saturday was an action-packed day. That morning I grabbed Ravena, and we headed up to Frederick, Maryland to check out Artomatic. It's been a sad state of affairs not to have Artomatic's annual exhibit in DC (believe they've struggled to find a suitable temporary space), so I was stoked to hear there was going to be an offshoot up in Maryland.

I was not disappointed. All four floors of the old Board of Education building were packed floor to ceiling with art. It was such a great use for this old space and made wandering the rooms, hallways and stairwells an adventure. I've enjoyed past Artomatics held in massive office buildings, but the richness of this year's space added depth and atmosphere that I think makes even the crappiest art look just a bit better. One of the things I seemed to notice more this year was how much presentation and framing of the art affected how much I enjoyed it.

It surprises me how much my taste has evolved. I still notice and feel drawn to things like painted skulls (yes, they were there), but I don't get that same thrill when I see them. Instead, I found myself drawn to natural colors. The photos here are a few of my favorites.

Christine Rounds

I wish I hadn't been in such a hurry and had taken a better shot of this display by Christine Rounds. I want her to come to my office and make it look like this.

keepsake/inventory by Deborah Winram

Sweet Dreams by Rhonda J. Smith

kokeshi dolls by Andrew Hendricks

I had to end with this photo of Ravena posing near some Frederick street art. I call this pose 'atonement'. Why? I really wanted to grab barbecue for lunch at Black Hog, but a restaurant centered around a pig isn't exactly vegan friendly. We wound up eating at La Paz, which should have also been great (hello, #1 Mexican food fan here). Sadly, I can now say I've experienced the worst Mexican food of my life. So. Bad. If you follow me on twitter, I'm sure you saw my snarky comments. ;-)

Almost a love letter

2011-10-07T23:37:00.001-04:00

I was searching for a specific photo at work today when I came across these images I shot back in 2005. In no time, I was flooded with a huge wave of nostalgia.

Sometimes I get blindsided by how much I love my job and how incredibly lucky I am. Do I get pissed off? Absolutely. Is the work frustrating? More than you want to know. Have I been called names? You betcha. However, it also stimulates me intellectually and allows me to be creative. I can look at the work that I'm doing and know that I'm leaving something in this world a little better off (such a wonderful, selfish feeling). Beautiful rivers and trees are my remote office.

I read a number of blogs, and there seems to be a growing trend with people quitting (or wanting to quit) their "day jobs" to pursue blogging or other creative ventures. I'm thrilled that these folks have found their passion and are trying to turn it into a way of life. At the same time, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude that I get to do what I do every day and that it is a passion.

Discovering these photos also made me want to bust out a film camera again. I'm smitten looking at these photos.

Sustainable fashion?

2011-10-06T22:01:00.000-04:00

The fall issue of Bust Magazine has a spread dedicated to eco-friendly fashion, and I have to admit that it made me want to go all high fashion (and maybe frolic in the woods). Cozy. Stylish. Edgy.

Skirt: Study NY
Philosophy: Believes in ethically sourced material, no-waste patternmaking, and sustainable design.

My favorite!

Vest (photo 2)/dress (photo 3): Suzanne Rae
Philosophy: Evidently owes her eco-friendly label to her use of hemp and wool fabrics.Original photographs by Glynis Selina Arban in Bust, Oct/Nov 2011

vintage motels, #1

2011-10-05T22:35:00.005-04:00

Breezeway Motel, Fairfax, VA, October 5, 2011

List:October

2011-10-04T21:10:00.004-04:00

Is it wrong to enter a month already prepared for it to fly by? That's the way I feel about October. The combination of it being my pre-birthday month and a particularly crazy time at work mean that I know I'm right. In an effort to drag the month out as much as possible and ensure I take the time to enjoy it, I've compiled a list fun things to accomplish (my own personal activities scavenger hunt).

- take White's Ferry across the Potomac River
- record a podcast (plans are in the works, people!)
- finally do a corn maze- host a beer tasting in an effort to finally find a beer I can stand to drink
- make a pie (including the crust)
- find a local trail to hike and do it
- go camping (really pushing for tent camping, since I've never done it)

Any suggestions for me? Sadly, I'm afraid this list might already be too ambitious. Oh! I should absolutely mention this list was inspired by the list Carrie put together.

Super Sad True Love Story

2011-10-03T22:33:00.000-04:00

***Warning: This post contains words you might find offensive. Stop reading if you can't take the heat.***

Cliffs Notes Version: I really enjoyed it!

Norton Critical Edition:

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart almost escaped my notice. When I heard someone describe it as dystopian, I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. The book tells the story of a sensationalized, desperate country as seen through the diary entries of Lenny Abramov, an almost-40 year old drone working at a life extension company, and GlobalTeen (think Facebook) posts of Eunice Park, a recent college grad seemingly caught between meeting only the expectations of the world around her and striving for a life with greater meaning. Am I revealing my bias a bit early?

Despite my immediate interest, the book turned me off pretty quickly once I started reading it. The United States has devolved into more of an authoritarian nation under the guise of the bipartisan party (not the part that bothered me). Really, it was the highly sexualized nature of this world that I found myself having to get used to. I don't consider myself a prude, but being plunged into a world where the girls* wear transparent jeans known as onion skins and favor underwear that pop off at the push of a button set my teeth on edge. The place to shop is known as Juicy Pussy and fuckability is rated and posted on everyone's äppäräti.

Because I'm stubborn I hung in there and was rewarded (see Cliffs Notes version above) for my efforts. Shteyngart essentially took many of the realities of today, added a little acid, and baked for 45 minutes at 450 degrees. The country is a downtrodden shell of its former self run by corporations and on the brink of selling its soul to China. Youth, consumerism, and media are what everyone values. In case you doubt this, just whip out your äppäräti and check your friends' credit rating, personality and hottness as compared to everyone else.

For me, Eunice's struggle was one of the more redeeming parts of the book. She's caught between honoring her Korean culture and family, living the life of a sex-crazed shopping genius, and searching for something more (both in love and her desire to help the downtrodden), and it's this complexity that grabs you.

This book left me with so much to say and struggling with how to do so. It's tempting to devote pages to analyzing the book and characters, but let's be real. I'm not hosting a lit class up in here, so I'll get to the point. The book, while clearly a satire, was not funny. Not once did I laugh or crack a smile. The world that Shteyngart creates could very easily be a thinly veiled look into our future, and frankly, I found it all too disturbing. Disturbing but thoughtful.

Coincidentally, I was reading this book around the time Facebook rolled out many of its newest features. Rumors of Facebook being able to post things I'm reading, watching, or listening to without me proactively clicking "like" is frighteningly similar to the world of Lenny and Eunice, and that, my friends, is a world that has gone a bit too far.

*Yes, girls. Youth run the world and are the hot commodity.

Tim Conlon @ Art Whino

2011-10-02T20:11:00.002-04:00

I was excited to make it back out to Art Whino this weekend. I haven't been since the opening of Richard Salcido show and, when I happened to walk by earlier last week, knew it was time to go back. The current show being featured is Derailed 2 by Tim Conlon. I was immediately pleased with what I saw from Conlon, but I think it's pretty obvious to guess why. {His roots are in graffiti and aerosol is his medium.}

Honestly, I tried to form an opinion about these pieces beyond the fact that I generally found them pleasing to the eye, but they weren't powerful enough to spark that much emotion in me. Instead, it was akin to walking through a documentary of interesting graffiti art observed. You can check out a bit more from Art Whino by clicking the photo below for a few more shots of what I saw on Flickr.

Crafty Bastards Redux

2011-10-02T01:28:00.000-04:00

We made the trek to Crafty Bastards today. Despite the rain and battle for a parking space, it's always time well spent. It is one of those rare places where I can handle massive numbers of people moving through a confined space and huddling under tents to view and purchase goods. This has to have something to do with the fact that folks attending the craft fair tend to be pretty chill and happy. The photo above is the loot I took home. Why, yes, that is a lunch bag with the anatomy of a unicorn. I also snagged another print from Berkley Illustration for my wall.

I should probably also mention that a couple of us grabbed Hill Country Barbecue Market for lunch. This was the first time I've had a chance to sample it, but you guys have to go. The brisket and sweet potato mash were really good, and I'm even willing to go out on a limb and say the barbecue was definitely reminiscent of Rudy's*.

*In case you're not in the know about Rudy's, it's pretty damn good and situated at classy places in Texas like gas stations.

September Photo Challenge Day 30: in motion

2011-09-30T22:57:00.000-04:00

The end! I wish I could say I was able to snap a new picture today, but it was just one of those days. I actually managed to convince a bartender at a local watering hole to juggle bottles for me. However, he was backlit, and it just didn't turn out. Nothing else struck my fancy, so I pulled a fall favorite from November 2009. I love this photo of Ravena and Steven playing in the leaves though.

September Photo Challenge Day 29: purchased

2011-09-29T18:47:00.001-04:00

Check out my ukulele. Isn't she lovely? One day I'll make happy music and foist it on you all. For now, I practice Mary Had a Little Lamb and a few cords on my couch. I'm determined that I'm going to disprove that whole "can't teach an old dog new tricks" cliche.

September Photo Challenge Day 28: daily routine

2011-09-28T22:46:00.000-04:00

Commuting. I do it every day. After more than 13 years in the DC area and none of those living anywhere near where I work, I suppose I've gotten used to it. Reaching for my umbrella today reminded me of one of my morning commutes that gave me hope for humanity. I had run out of the house quickly, running late to catch the bus and not taking the time to check out the weather (sadly, this isn't an uncommon occurrence). I made it about halfway to the bus stop when it started pouring rain. My hasty departure meant I had no umbrella, and as it turns out, the bus was running late. The bus stop isn't close enough to my apartment to just pop back in, and I needed to catch that bus. I stood in the rain, getting thoroughly soaked, when a car rolls up. A woman leans across the driver's side to hand me her umbrella. I attempted to decline, but she insisted, informing me I looked pathetic. Despite the fact that I likely couldn't get any wetter, I was grateful to this kind stranger. Sometimes people are so brusque and, well, rude up here that I forget how much compassionate gestures mean.

September Photo Challenge Day 27: after dark

2011-09-27T07:30:00.000-04:00

When the sun goes down and the witching hour hits, the things that hold us back sometimes slip away. We dance. We dance with the abandon and the freedom our mother's dreamed for us.

November 2008.

September Photo Challenge Day 26: something old

2011-09-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend I turned an old pinto beans sack into an overstuffed pillow. I picked up this old sack at one of my favorite antique malls recently and knew it was either going to become a pillow or a tote. I've eyed too many of this style of pillow on Etsy but knew I could easily make this with the right materials. Did I set out looking specifically for pinto beans? I'll let you decide.

September Photo Challenge Day 25: sunflare

2011-09-25T19:58:00.001-04:00

Taken in April 2009 on a day trip to Philadelphia. Terra, a great believe in all things GPS, swore her gadget was going to take us there on the scenic backroads. Well, we were definitely off the beaten path (can you say 6 hour drive to Philly), but it wasn't necessarily scenic. I'm still a sucker for roadtrips, even if it means I end up spending several hours winding through industrial America.

September Photo Challenge Day 24: a smile

2011-09-24T13:13:00.000-04:00

Taken in June 2008 when this girl came to visit me while I was camping out in Texas for a couple of weeks. The goal was the ultimate Texas roadtrip.

- Buying a baby pool and using it to cool down in the front yard (Hello, Texas...in June).
- Temporarily "adopting" a stray kitten that decided to make the yard its home.
- Taking said kitten on short car trips and nicknaming him Kitty in the Car.
- Feeding said kitten McDonalds and having it bring us dead birds.
- Taking said kitten to the nursing home to visit my grandmother and having it subsequently get loose.
- Discovering a place with $1 margaritas and managing to only have one.
- Trying to trick Allie into thinking Marfa was only 3 hours away (it's more like 5).
- Austin.
- Some of the best margaritas and Mexican food I've ever had on the Riverwalk in San Antonio.

September Photo Challenge Day 23: sunset

2011-09-23T22:43:00.002-04:00

Given how overcast it was today, I didn't think I'd see the sun.

September Photo Challenge Day 22: trees

2011-09-22T21:03:00.003-04:00

Snapped roughly four years ago. Though I was surrounded by a forest on the verge of turning, it was only a scene as I shot through on my way to meetings today. I was torn between posting this shot or one of the many photos I have of my favorite trees. Yes, I have a favorite set of trees. They're symmetrical, and each seasonal transition is markedly different than the one that came before it.

If you don't know this about me, I get really pissed (and a bit melodramatic) when trees are bulldozed for sprawl.

September Photo Challenge Day 21: pretty pattern

2011-09-21T18:31:00.000-04:00

I am obsessed with stripes. Seeing them automatically triggers my endorphins, making me even happier. I know I've mentioned this before, but I practically stalk two local companies who have the most pleasant stripes running alongside their work vans. One day I'll manage to photograph them in the wild. The photo above was snapped earlier this summer at a school in Waynesboro, Virginia that has been converted to government office buildings.

I really am an easy girl to please.

September Photo Challenge Day 20: what I'm reading

2011-09-20T21:26:00.001-04:00

Two books I've started but haven't finished. What I'm reading at the moment is on my phone and a bit hard to capture on film. If you were able to step into my phone, you'd find I'm currently reading The Magicians by Lev Grossman.

September Photo Challenge Day 19: where I slept

2011-09-19T21:45:00.001-04:00

Taken as I rolled out of bed this morning. Fall is definitely on its way. I no longer wake to the sun streaming through my blinds. I might miss the morning sun just a tad, but I'll gladly trade it for the crisp air.

Search for Stars Hollow: Catonsville, Maryland

2011-09-18T23:06:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you think you know an area, driving the same routes and seeing the same buildings every time you return. Suddenly, one day a colleague mentions stopping for coffee at a new (to you) coffee shop rather than the cookie cutter Starbucks in what could be any random strip mall.

As we rounded a corner on Frederick Road, I caught a glimpse of what might be in store. If you blinked, you'd miss it, but there, off to the right, is a sign noting that you've just crossed into Catonsville, music city Maryland. Seriously? Yes. Evidently this small downtown area is home to four music shops, a summer concert series, and a monthly Appalachian bluegrass jam session. In honor of this tradition, I popped into Bill's Music and later went back to pick up a new ukulele (more on this later).

But let's get back to this coffee shop. I fell in love with Atwater's immediately upon crossing the threshold. I may have actually fallen for it when I saw the sign.

I realize I'm easy to please, but using dry pasta to stir drinks seems borderline brilliant. We may want to bring these folks into the next set of peace talks.

A quick check of the community calendar indicates a slew of community events, though nothing to rival Stars Hollow's 24-hour dance-a-thon. I've got a couple of community meetings I'm speaking at coming up in the local library. Cross your fingers for me that I don't run into a real life Taylor Doose.

September Photo Challenge Day 18: in my bag

2011-09-18T18:14:00.003-04:00

1. hand-me-down bag (which I adore) from Reishia
2. reading material (Garden & Gun, Saving Land, and Pastoralia)
3. wallets
4. Tums, a recent purchase that made me feel incredibly old
5. random stickers and a box I picked up at Quirk
6. Burt's Bees lip gloss and the new tuner for my ukulele
7. sunglasses, hair doodads, bug wipes, and hand santizer
8. small notebook, random work papers, business cards, and a ziploc bag

September Photo Challenge Day 17: on the shelf

2011-09-17T23:01:00.002-04:00

Spied at an antique mall called Objects Found today. I love this vintage German poster but have finally come around to the fact that I live in a studio apartment and just can't take home every thing that I love.

September Photo Challenge Day 16: what I ate

2011-09-16T22:41:00.000-04:00

I find I'm having a hard time getting outside of my head and am taking this challenge too literally. That said, I skipped the gym tonight in favor of grabbing some dinner at Whole Foods. It has been a long time since I've been able to motivate myself to actually go out or do anything besides the gym (or the simple act of grabbing food) on a Friday. It's always the point in the week where the full weight of what has come before settles on my shoulders and my mind kind of melts.

September Photo Challenge Day 15: my shoes

2011-09-15T19:01:00.001-04:00

I considered throwing on a different pair of shoes just for the purposes of this picture, but why front? One of the "benefits" of the job I suppose. I can't even claim that a photo of all my shoes would be more impressive. I appreciate beautiful shoes, but I was just born to a family of women with bad feet.

However, here's a photo from a couple of weeks ago. You know...just to prove I do wear real shoes, too ;-)

September Photo Challenge Day 14: flowers

2011-09-14T21:19:00.000-04:00

I've been in DC long enough that I take things like cheap flowers right outside the metro for granted.

September Photo Challenge Day 13: from a distance

2011-09-13T21:25:00.001-04:00

This one was taken a week or so ago. I was feeling a little under the weather today, so I wasn't motivated to find a new photo to take. I'm drawn to the straightforward signage and starkness of the building.

September Photo Challenge Day 12: close-up

2011-09-12T19:34:00.002-04:00

A shoddy picture taken on the fly. I'm even letting you see some of the more embarrassing books on my shelf.

Feverishly devouring the written word

2011-09-11T21:37:00.000-04:00

I have been on a tear with the books as of late. Never one to read more than one book at a time, I find myself having to fight the urge to juggle titles, feeding my growing need for stories.

Stories, in fact, have been haunting me as of late. These are stories I want to read, tell, know, write.

Currently reading:

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart. I'm currently listening to the audio version of this book thanks to a free credit from Audible.com. More on this dystopian (re disturbing) book once I finish.

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway. I'm re-reading this book thanks to raves by Amy. I've changed so much since I first read it that I know I'm going to get so much more out of it this time.

Black Boy by Richard Wright. This is another book I'm re-reading (though not in its entirety). I'm attempting Yale's English 291 course, The American Novel Since 1945, through iTunes U. Why not, right?

Books I'm hoping to tackle next:

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Pastoralia by George Saunders
Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Sad to be only two books away from being caught up on the Agent Pendergast series.

I've got some other book ideas that I'll hopefully share on here soon, including a potential collaboration and a rant on Michael Connelly's inability to write female characters.