Tonight we went and saw the "Global Voices" at the Guthrie and the guest was Sir Ian McKellan himself. And it was fantastic. He was humorous, kind and just generally interesting to listen to. One of those people that has lived a fantastic life and is generous enough to sit and share it with the little people.
I don't have many stories from Homecoming because it was pretty normal, not too many exciting things happened. But, Mark and I did get stopped by an older gentleman in the new campus center and he asked us where the chapel was. To which I replied, we're alumni too, I don't know where they moved it to. He just smiled and wandered off. I must look enough like a student to pass for one. The concert was good and I can't really believe the people that were there, there were so many. Almost 110 people played in the alumni orchestra.
And now I'm home and it's the second week of October and I'm pretty sure that things aren't slowing down anytime soon. They seem to be speeding by me at breakneck speed and I'm not in control any more. So I'll let go, let the dust settle and see where I come out.
Anyone want to guess where the lyric title is from this week?
Quote o' the day:
"I hate quotations. Tell me what you know." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
10.08.2007
10.03.2007
I never seem to do it like anybody else
Three things of note.
Today was a very long day. And here I sit on my couch eating cashews, whilst I wait for my kitchen floor to dry (finally got around to it...SO much cat hair).
First thing to note - I am incredibly lucky. I left my car window rolled down tonight during class (but locked the doors). Nothing in my car was stolen, and there was no weird person waiting in the back of my car to mug me or any other such nonsense. Which is kind of scary-lucky, because we have gotten a ton of emails about the 'security' issues on campus lately. What's even stranger is that this is the second time I've done this and not had anything stolen.
Second thing - my dryer is apparently throwing money at me. First a nickel in with my dry clothing, then a dime in with the towels, and now, a quarter in with my dry sheets. AMAZING.
Third thing is there is a song out there called " 'j' for jules." It's not even remotely related to me, lyrics wise, but I just heard it on my iTunes, and that is extremely random. Apparently, it was on the first ever Cities Sampler. It should be my new song.
And for my token reference to class/literary things, everyone should check out the Twin Cities Book Festival next Saturday (the 13th).
J is for Jules.
Quote o' the day:
"If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time." - Edith Wharton US novelist (1862 - 1937)
Today was a very long day. And here I sit on my couch eating cashews, whilst I wait for my kitchen floor to dry (finally got around to it...SO much cat hair).
First thing to note - I am incredibly lucky. I left my car window rolled down tonight during class (but locked the doors). Nothing in my car was stolen, and there was no weird person waiting in the back of my car to mug me or any other such nonsense. Which is kind of scary-lucky, because we have gotten a ton of emails about the 'security' issues on campus lately. What's even stranger is that this is the second time I've done this and not had anything stolen.
Second thing - my dryer is apparently throwing money at me. First a nickel in with my dry clothing, then a dime in with the towels, and now, a quarter in with my dry sheets. AMAZING.
Third thing is there is a song out there called " 'j' for jules." It's not even remotely related to me, lyrics wise, but I just heard it on my iTunes, and that is extremely random. Apparently, it was on the first ever Cities Sampler. It should be my new song.
And for my token reference to class/literary things, everyone should check out the Twin Cities Book Festival next Saturday (the 13th).
J is for Jules.
Quote o' the day:
"If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time." - Edith Wharton US novelist (1862 - 1937)
10.02.2007
fall asleep with the window open
The hosteas outside my front door are adorned with small, yellow leaves, looking as if they are blooming, the rain won't stop coming down and for the first time this fall, I put on my smartwools and drank a Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale. It was fabulous.
After dropping off my sister (late as usual) early this morning, I made it in to work. What's that Van Morrison song? my mama told me there'd be days like this? It wasn't a truly horrible day, since there were some bright spots in between all of the meetings and general craziness. But it wasn't a good one. So here I sit. Reading my book for class tomorrow night which I am most certainly not excited about, and being a little bit lonely because it's just me and the cats. And listening to some kind of depressing Bob Dylan.
But. I do have some fun things. Like independent bookstores and how much fun they are. I had to visit Micawber's Booksellers in St. Paul for class just to get a sense of the indie feel. And I loved it. For all of you bookish people out there - they had handwritten recommendations that you knew were by Hans or Jen or whoever had hand-selected this book to be a recommendation. I bought two of them. And since it's not SO overwhelming, like Barnes and Noble, I actually got to peruse the entire store in about a half hour. I feel like that is a place I would go back to.
The other fun thing? Independent publishers like Milkweed Editions and Graywolf. Support them if you can because it is worth it. I may not like this professor very much, but I am certainly appreciating books more than I did. It takes a LOT of effort, especially if you are an unknown to get things published. So support and you will see.
And on that note - I got to meet one such author at a reading last Thursday and it was fantastic. Except my mom was disappointed that I did not use my Norwegian to thank him. Since he was Norwegian. I was too busy trying to not look like a goggly-eyed idiot when he was signing my book.
Saturday night was spent at Electric Arc Radio, which is put on by some Hamline graduates and it is fantastic. October 13th the musical guest is Storyhill, so anyone who wants to go should. It's like a new Prairie Home Companion. Ask me if you want to know more/go with me.
Sunday was the launch party for rock, paper, scissors, and I was stunned at the amount of people that turned out and at how well the magazine itself turned out. It's beautiful! I can't believe that all the work we did actually is done and that it is a finished product now.
And the Shipyard Pumpkin Ale. Fantastic. I promise it is worth the $7.95 for the six pack.
I'll be heading up to Fargo/Moorhead this weekend and hopefully running into some of you fantastic people that I miss. Because we all have news and things that we're doing that we don't share enough.
My lofty goals for the evening? In no particular order:
1. Clean our kitchen floor
2. Do a couple of loads of laundry
3. Practice my violin (might be too late for that)
4. Drink a cup of tea and take a hot bath
5. Read the rest of my book... (maybe that should be first)
Quote o' the day (yes, MORE Robert Frost):
"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length." - Robert Frost
After dropping off my sister (late as usual) early this morning, I made it in to work. What's that Van Morrison song? my mama told me there'd be days like this? It wasn't a truly horrible day, since there were some bright spots in between all of the meetings and general craziness. But it wasn't a good one. So here I sit. Reading my book for class tomorrow night which I am most certainly not excited about, and being a little bit lonely because it's just me and the cats. And listening to some kind of depressing Bob Dylan.
But. I do have some fun things. Like independent bookstores and how much fun they are. I had to visit Micawber's Booksellers in St. Paul for class just to get a sense of the indie feel. And I loved it. For all of you bookish people out there - they had handwritten recommendations that you knew were by Hans or Jen or whoever had hand-selected this book to be a recommendation. I bought two of them. And since it's not SO overwhelming, like Barnes and Noble, I actually got to peruse the entire store in about a half hour. I feel like that is a place I would go back to.
The other fun thing? Independent publishers like Milkweed Editions and Graywolf. Support them if you can because it is worth it. I may not like this professor very much, but I am certainly appreciating books more than I did. It takes a LOT of effort, especially if you are an unknown to get things published. So support and you will see.
And on that note - I got to meet one such author at a reading last Thursday and it was fantastic. Except my mom was disappointed that I did not use my Norwegian to thank him. Since he was Norwegian. I was too busy trying to not look like a goggly-eyed idiot when he was signing my book.
Saturday night was spent at Electric Arc Radio, which is put on by some Hamline graduates and it is fantastic. October 13th the musical guest is Storyhill, so anyone who wants to go should. It's like a new Prairie Home Companion. Ask me if you want to know more/go with me.
Sunday was the launch party for rock, paper, scissors, and I was stunned at the amount of people that turned out and at how well the magazine itself turned out. It's beautiful! I can't believe that all the work we did actually is done and that it is a finished product now.
And the Shipyard Pumpkin Ale. Fantastic. I promise it is worth the $7.95 for the six pack.
I'll be heading up to Fargo/Moorhead this weekend and hopefully running into some of you fantastic people that I miss. Because we all have news and things that we're doing that we don't share enough.
My lofty goals for the evening? In no particular order:
1. Clean our kitchen floor
2. Do a couple of loads of laundry
3. Practice my violin (might be too late for that)
4. Drink a cup of tea and take a hot bath
5. Read the rest of my book... (maybe that should be first)
Quote o' the day (yes, MORE Robert Frost):
"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length." - Robert Frost
9.24.2007
my friends, my habits, my family, they mean so much to me
Again - from a song.
See if you can guess. Hint - it's not from what I'm currently listening to.
I haven't blogged in awhile, mostly due to the major craziness with work. Yes friends, it's true. I got to take crazy boss' place! They offered me the job straight up, which was what I wanted them to do. Now I've got a little bit of a - oh my god, what did I do - thing going on, but this too, shall pass.
After our class last week, I now know what I want to do when I grow up. I want to be an editor or work at a small publishing press. However, since most of these people are in it for life and LOVE it, someone would have to die for me to get a job at one of these coveted places.
We visited Graywolf Press and got to meet four of their eight employees. They talked, we listened, we toured and were told to take a book. Just pick one. Take it right out of their review copy storeroom stash. This, friends, is precisely why I took this seemingly stupid class this semester and I'm positively thrilled and actually looking forward to class this week.
It also makes me wonder how people that are not much older than I am manage to land spectacularly cool and awesome jobs like that. But then again, my job is pretty sweet now too.
And on that note, I'm off to bed since I have decided that I want to be AT work by 7:30 tomorrow. But first, I'm writing a response paper on book buying experiences. Wahoo.
See if you can guess. Hint - it's not from what I'm currently listening to.
I haven't blogged in awhile, mostly due to the major craziness with work. Yes friends, it's true. I got to take crazy boss' place! They offered me the job straight up, which was what I wanted them to do. Now I've got a little bit of a - oh my god, what did I do - thing going on, but this too, shall pass.
After our class last week, I now know what I want to do when I grow up. I want to be an editor or work at a small publishing press. However, since most of these people are in it for life and LOVE it, someone would have to die for me to get a job at one of these coveted places.
We visited Graywolf Press and got to meet four of their eight employees. They talked, we listened, we toured and were told to take a book. Just pick one. Take it right out of their review copy storeroom stash. This, friends, is precisely why I took this seemingly stupid class this semester and I'm positively thrilled and actually looking forward to class this week.
It also makes me wonder how people that are not much older than I am manage to land spectacularly cool and awesome jobs like that. But then again, my job is pretty sweet now too.
And on that note, I'm off to bed since I have decided that I want to be AT work by 7:30 tomorrow. But first, I'm writing a response paper on book buying experiences. Wahoo.
9.12.2007
where my soul once stood
I am in disbelief about how many people have not heard of or read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Last week, our first week of class, we had to say what our favorite book is. I had a moment of total panic/forgetfulness/spazziness and totally forgot. Then I proceeded to run on at the mouth for about 5 minutes and now the whole class thinks I'm crazy, for sure.
But in reality, my favorite book of all time is the afore mentioned tree growing in Brooklyn. And surprisingly, many people have not read it/heard of it. And this makes me sad to no end. It is a fabulous book and one of only three that Betty Smith published. So go. Go and read it.
For those who might be curious, and even if you don't care - most of the time, my blog titles are song lyrics. If you can guess right - you might get a cookie.
All right - I'm tired and it's going to be a long two more days of the week - I swear that in my mind, it's already November.
Quote o' the day:
"We do what we must, and call it by the best names." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, US essayist & poet (1803 - 1882)
Last week, our first week of class, we had to say what our favorite book is. I had a moment of total panic/forgetfulness/spazziness and totally forgot. Then I proceeded to run on at the mouth for about 5 minutes and now the whole class thinks I'm crazy, for sure.
But in reality, my favorite book of all time is the afore mentioned tree growing in Brooklyn. And surprisingly, many people have not read it/heard of it. And this makes me sad to no end. It is a fabulous book and one of only three that Betty Smith published. So go. Go and read it.
For those who might be curious, and even if you don't care - most of the time, my blog titles are song lyrics. If you can guess right - you might get a cookie.
All right - I'm tired and it's going to be a long two more days of the week - I swear that in my mind, it's already November.
Quote o' the day:
"We do what we must, and call it by the best names." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, US essayist & poet (1803 - 1882)
9.11.2007
all these vanishing points...
Right now I'm supposed to be reading a book called "So Many Books: Reading and Publishing in an Age of Abundance," and writing 500 words on my reaction.
So far, my reaction is to be completely ADD and not be anywhere near finishing the book.
And because it is FALL, friends.
The air is crisp, I snuggle up to my cats, homemade soup and biscuits actually sound good and taste better. Leaves turn colors, my mom makes apple pies, I can break out my collection of sweaters and fun socks, and my down comforter is actually useable. Barley John's has bonfires at night and once a week I get to meet intelligent people and talk to them about things that matter to me. And even though my hair has to be this ridiculously long for another week and a half, I am happy that the humidity has vanished. Photos of a new hairstyle forthcoming in a couple of weeks!
I've finally finished my summer project, Hamline's student literary magazine, rock, paper, scissors. I was on the design team and did most of layout. I met some really awesome people and I can't believe that we will have a finished product soon! Stay tuned for information on the launch party.
All right...I need to go and get on with reading about too many books. Which I still think is impossible. Hmm...maybe I have the start to my paper?
Too many things to do!
Quote o' the day:
"Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone." - Gertrude Stein, US author in France (1874 - 1946)
So far, my reaction is to be completely ADD and not be anywhere near finishing the book.
And because it is FALL, friends.
The air is crisp, I snuggle up to my cats, homemade soup and biscuits actually sound good and taste better. Leaves turn colors, my mom makes apple pies, I can break out my collection of sweaters and fun socks, and my down comforter is actually useable. Barley John's has bonfires at night and once a week I get to meet intelligent people and talk to them about things that matter to me. And even though my hair has to be this ridiculously long for another week and a half, I am happy that the humidity has vanished. Photos of a new hairstyle forthcoming in a couple of weeks!
I've finally finished my summer project, Hamline's student literary magazine, rock, paper, scissors. I was on the design team and did most of layout. I met some really awesome people and I can't believe that we will have a finished product soon! Stay tuned for information on the launch party.
All right...I need to go and get on with reading about too many books. Which I still think is impossible. Hmm...maybe I have the start to my paper?
Too many things to do!
Quote o' the day:
"Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone." - Gertrude Stein, US author in France (1874 - 1946)
9.10.2007
turn yourself around, you weren’t invited
I have not blogged in forever. I just haven't had that much to say.
However, in the last month, the following things have happened.
1. They fired my boss - yippee!
2. I slightly seperated my shoulder playing softball. It still hurts.
3. I had a flat tire that cost a bundle to fix because when I hit the pothole that caused my hubcap to fly off, it also so severely dented my rim that my tire has been leaking air for the last two months. And I drove to Montana on that tire. Fantastic. So I had to replace the rim AND the tire.
4. I started class again and had to pay $30 for a $10 book because the prof seems a little disorganized and did not order any of our books ahead of time.
5. I got tickets to see Sir Ian McKellan at the Guthrie (that's actually a positive thing as well).
So that's me in a nutshell. I'm sure I will have more blogs forthcoming, but for now, I need to ease myself back into the school year and normality. I need routine, people. I don't do well without it. I spend too much money and eat out too much (thereby getting a little bit chubby).
At least my dress for Anna's wedding still fits.
Cheers.
Quote o' the day (oh I bet you all are so excited!!):
"A man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her." - Oscar Wilde, Irish dramatist, novelist, & poet (1854 - 1900)
However, in the last month, the following things have happened.
1. They fired my boss - yippee!
2. I slightly seperated my shoulder playing softball. It still hurts.
3. I had a flat tire that cost a bundle to fix because when I hit the pothole that caused my hubcap to fly off, it also so severely dented my rim that my tire has been leaking air for the last two months. And I drove to Montana on that tire. Fantastic. So I had to replace the rim AND the tire.
4. I started class again and had to pay $30 for a $10 book because the prof seems a little disorganized and did not order any of our books ahead of time.
5. I got tickets to see Sir Ian McKellan at the Guthrie (that's actually a positive thing as well).
So that's me in a nutshell. I'm sure I will have more blogs forthcoming, but for now, I need to ease myself back into the school year and normality. I need routine, people. I don't do well without it. I spend too much money and eat out too much (thereby getting a little bit chubby).
At least my dress for Anna's wedding still fits.
Cheers.
Quote o' the day (oh I bet you all are so excited!!):
"A man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her." - Oscar Wilde, Irish dramatist, novelist, & poet (1854 - 1900)
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