...that sent me on an Internet frenzy.

I am perhaps a perfect specimen of Internet surfitude (yes, I made that word up). I was even crazy distracted writing this post and had to come back to it no less than seven times.

Seven.

Here are a few things that sent me surfing...

1. I read about the loneliest whale in the world on A Cup of Jo, and since I can't stand to not substantiate my information (hello, librarian), I went surfing for the original article from the New York Times. Easy enough to find since it was referenced in the articles. The Times article, which can be read here, sent me to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) site so I could listen to whale songs...

2. ...here. Pretty awesome. Listening to quicktime files I was reminded that...

3. ...I have to put some songs on my iPod for work tomorrow. We're hosting a junior high concert, and since there are only two bands, my boss is worried about filling the 3 hours. The solution? Call me, since I'm probably the only person she knows that possibly has music to suit middle schoolers on my iPod...and she was right. Justin Bieber? Check. Kelly Clarkson? Check. Lady Gaga? Uh, check and CHECK. Seriously, I have the strangest taste in music (mostly I love bluegrass and old country...oh, and classical. Liszt makes me weep). Which led me to thinking about what I'm going to wear for my first day of work at my new job on Monday. So I thought I'd go on over to see what Kendi was wearing today. She's much cuter and taller than I, and she can wear heels, which I can only ever wear in my dreams (thanks, asshat feet), but still inspiring. Browsing around her site, I found a link to the Modcloth blog, which had some design ideas in it, which lead me to...

4. ...this insane kitchen.

( I did not take this photo and this is not my beautiful home. I borrowed it from flickr user, Candy Pop. I know that I should have asked to borrow it, but I'm throwing ethics aside for the moment because I am exhausted, and explaining what i'm writing about without an even longer ramble would just be confusing for poor Candy Pop. So, I apologize.)

PINK REFRIGERATOR? WHAT? I love this. Love. Her flickr stream also featured a picture of a Boston, the original American Gentleman, my most favorite dog.

And I was pleased.

...grabbing my attention in the paper world

I have a thing for paper. Really. Stationery, nubble-y paper, watercolor paper (eek!). The accoutrements (pens, glues, lovely ephemera) are also fair game in my world. I suppose it stems from growing up in a household headed by a printer and a graphic designer.

1. I find Rifle (and its accompanying blog) particularly distracting. I'm also kind of jealous of Ms. Bond's talent, and have thoughts like "I think I could do that...naaaaah...I'll just purchase her excellence and revel in it."


2. In catching up with the world of Oh Joy! today, I noticed this little British gem, P&C (Present & Correct). Sometimes I wished I lived overseas...


3. I ordered some squirrels forest cats masking tape from Uguisu, and I can't rave about the service enough.


picture of Squirrels Forest tape from http://uguisu.ocnk.net/

The pricing was great, the shipping was crazy fast, and the packaging made me feel super special.


4. I visited the brick and mortar store for OrangeBeautiful last weekend (for those in Chicago, it's at 4658 N. Damen Ave.) and just loved the "Get your sh*t together" letterpress cards.

Happy Friday! Whoot!

...I'm keeping in mind for my cousin's wedding shower.

I've realized that while I've been away from blogging (finished up graduate school, trying to find a job, very busy), I do need a place to keep ideas online. Even if I bookmark something, chances are, it disappears into the ether. Even sites like de.lic.i.ous (is that right?) and Diigo can't keep me organized. So here are four things I'd like to remember while I help my mom plan for my cousin's wedding shower.

1. Fringed streamers via Oh Happy Day.

http://jordanferney.blogspot.com/2011/02/fringey-streamers-diy.html

2. Carrot cake whoopie pies, from Abbey Goes Design Scouting. Holy yum. I may be alone on the awesome-ness of carrot cake, so the "decorating committee" (me) will have to check with the "food committee" (my mom).

http://www.designscouting.com/2010/02/12/carrot-cake-whoopie-pies/

3. Tissue paper pompoms. Thank you, Martha!

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to

4. I love this arrangement, showcased on Once Wed. Lovely colors, and the ribbon on the jar? Very sweet (and something my mom can use her stockpile of saved ribbon bits on? Just a thought...)


photo from Once Wed, www.oncewed.com

http://www.oncewed.com/25355/diy-wedding/flowers/diy-wedding-centerpiece/

...that I've got to do.

Greetings, tiny (but mighty!) readership. It is July, which I find utterly unbelievable for several reasons. Here are four, though, per usual:

1. I'm moving back to Chicago at the end of the month. What?! My year in Pittsburgh is almost up, and I'm feeling pretty sad about it. Yes, Chicago is my home. Yes, my beau lives there, as does my family. Yes, I miss Chicago. However, I have grown to love Pittsburgh in only a way that folks who live here, and never leave, know.

2. As a library science graduate student in the school certification program, I have to student teach in a library for a semester. Yes, I am PAYING to go to school and WORKING in a school. Seems a bit strange, but hey. It will be a wonderful experience, I know. I am starting student teaching in September. Good gravy, help us all. Here I come, high school.

3. My sister is leaving in early August to teach in S. Korea. This is new news (isn't that what news is, anyhow? New? I digress...) to the family, as in, she told me Wednesday. She's sneaky like that. I knew that her position at the high school where she was teaching was being eliminated, but I didn't think she'd go around the world to find a job. I'm excited for her (and for the possibility of visiting. Again, student teaching, paying for grad school...blahblahblah...broke).

4. Summer is almost over. For many people, this is sad- either you are a teacher who gets summers off, or you just love the longer days, barbecues, sunshine...Me, I like fall and winter. Leaves changing, wool sweaters, scarves, snow! I crave these things all summer long with an intensity I can't relay. Seriously. Seventy three days until fall, but who's counting?

A boring post, I know, but I needed to get these things out as I most likely won't be posting for a while (as usual, though, right?) because I'm wrapping up school. Oh! That and I'm selling a lot of my closet in a blog. I'll have it up hopefully in a few days, and it will be listed on the dash so if you're a size M/L, 12/14, shoe size 8.5/9 perhaps you can find something nice for a lovely price! Hooray, shameless self-promotion!

Here's hoping you're having a wonderful day, and that you are enjoying the summer...

...that knocked my socks off at ALA this weekend.

This past weekend was the annual American Library Association conference, aka Nerdfest 2010. I'm not quite sure how many people were there (I know, I know, I'm a bad librarian because I *could* find the answer, but I'm so...tired...I can't even google. Yes, that's a verb now) but just know that it was the most busy, crazy thing I have ever attended.The conference was held in Washington, DC this year, and because it's close (roughly 4 hours) to Pittsburgh, several students from my program attended. It was great for many reasons, but here are the requisite four:

1. Authors GALORE! Mo Willems, Jon Scieszka, John Green, Toni Morrison, Kadir Nelson, Rebecca Stead, Coe Booth, Laurie Halse Anderson...good grief, I could go on for days. The thing is, they were signing autographs, walking around enjoying themselves, giving amazing keynote addresses (right?). I felt like I was in my own version of Hollywood.

2. Free SCHWAG. Oh yes, it can only be described as such. Buttons, pins, posters, ACRs (advance reader copies), galleys, pens, pads of paper, book bags...I had to cut myself off because I'm moving at the end of the month and I just couldn't do that to my friends and family that are helping me move. I got a sizable bunch of books, though.

3. Did I mention Mo Willems?

4. BOOK CART DRILL TEAM. You may be scratching your head wondering, "To what on earth is this crazy woman referring?" (Actually, the way I worded that sentence, I picture you, whomever you may be, thoughtfully stroking a goatee). Go here and watch the madness.


That's my team, The Pitt "Night of the Living Librarians".

Since May we've been driving evening classes in the education building nuts with our loud, clunky book carts and even louder music. Book carts in formation? Yes please! Librarians letting loose? Yes please! Our prize for taking first place is a golden book cart, supplied by Demco. How wacky and wonderful!

Did I mention Mo Willems and Jon Scieszka hosted the drill team event? That's me, having a bit of banter with Mo at the end. Tee hee! He and Mr. Scieszka are, by far, two of my favorite authors. "Naked Mole Rat" slays me every time.

...I'll miss about Jake.

1. Staring contests. He only had one eye, but boy, could that eye STARE.
2. His "check-ins": he would sit all day in the yard, walk in, make sure everything was okay indoors, and then head back out. An hour later, repeat.
3. The look on his face when I found him with 4,000 calories worth of birthday cake in his stomach. Holy mackeral, I thought he was going to explode. Only his tail could move!
4. How happy he made my parents.




We'll miss you, buddy. I don't know what your life was like before us, but I know what ours was like after you. What an advocate for rescuing "old" dogs.

Thank you, PAWS Chicago for such an amazing friend. (heart)

...that keep me energized.

As I write this, I am totally exhausted, by the way. Grad school will do that to you, apparently.

1. Emergen-C: the hype is real, people. I love this for a boost in the morning, or when I'm feeling really...mlar. (Say it, "muh-larrrr". It means "down in the dumps.")



2. Pictures of PUPPIES.
(I found this on on Caitlin Mociun's blog, by the way)



3. Parks/green spaces.

4. Hanging out with good people.

p.s. I passed the PRAXIS! (doing controlled victory dance).

...i'm excited about this weekend.

(photo by flickr user niznoz, used under creative commons. fair use HAS a posse, people)
1. Making bagels. I'm using this recipe, as recommended by one of my favorite must-read-daily blogs.


2. Hanging out with my beau.




(photo from spotlight.com)
3. Finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on audiobook, as read by Jim Dale. I'm officially obsessed. (that's Jim Dale, circa 1973)


4. Going, for the first time, to "America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park," Kennywood.

...recent picture books I'm loving right now

Lesléa Thompson's board books Mommy, Mama, and Me and Daddy, Papa, and Me. I just reviewed these for a collection I did for school. Not only are the soft, mixed medium illustrations beautiful and fun, the theme is same-sex parenting without making a "big deal" out of it. The parents and child in each book do things like go to the playground, play pretend, and get tired out from a busy day. A lovely, gentle way to promote diversity and send the message that families are about love.



Dogs by Emily Gravett. For me, her books (The Odd Egg, Spells, Wolves...) are always winners, but this one takes the cake. I love dogs so I'm a little biased, but what I love best about her books is that she manages to have a twist- even with a tiny amount of words. That and her dogs have such intense, amazing personalities I'd adopt all of them immediately, allergies or not.



Ella Kate Ewing grew to be over 8'4", and at a time when giantism was virtually unknown, she overcame her fears and shyness as a child, and traveled the world to exhibit at museums, and in shows. I love the author/illustrator team of Kate and M. Sarah Klise- they never fail to disappoint.(check out the Regarding the... series for further proof!)


Older kids love picture books too, and I think Richard Michelson's Busing Brewster would be perfect for older elementary students and other students who have some background in what "busing" means. Younger kids, however, will directly relate to Brewster's fears about going to a new school. I believe this book was originally written a while ago (I'll have to check the author's note) but its timeliness is spot on.


Since I'm interning in the children's section of a public library, I see a lot of wonderful new and older books pass under my nose. I try and stop to read all the new ones, and if an older book (older than six months- our "new shelf" only goes back that far!) looks appealing, I'll stop and read that, too. These are just a few of the more recent books I've seen that I've loved.

I know my boss would laugh at how many picture books I actually read while I'm working. I'm a quick shelver, so I think it's okay to pause every once and while.

...I did with my parents this weekend

1. Went to the zoo.


2. Took in a baseball game (Bucs win! Bucs win!)



3. Rode the Duquesne incline (what a view!).



(lady peacock strutting around the zoo)
4. Celebrated by 31st birthday. Thanks, mom!

the pittsburgh "bucket list"?

(a particularly pretty spring day in Chicago last week; on our way to dim sum...yum)

It's funny, but I saw an ad on my Facebook page mentioning something about a Pgh bucket list (I hate that Facebook spies on me, by the way, but here I am spouting to the world! Hello, world!).

So, here's my list for before I leave this August (sniffle):
Andy Warhol museum
Mattress Factory
Pirates game
Falling Water
Gettysburg
bowling, again
another hot dog (or two) from Dee's
walk or two down the Strip

scandinavian love.

so clean and lovely!



ditto...


magical.




just begging for tea (also comes in the most beautiful blue!)

all images from http://www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com/

I've been so busy with school lately, but we have an ACTUAL WEEK OFF. Hallelujah! I'm driving home to Chicago for a few days...

wish list...

It's not my birthday or anything so exciting, but lately I've been seeing things I like on the internet, and then forgetting where I found them. Where does one make a wish list of sorts, especially when said person is living off Uncle Sam until graduating from grad school? My solution- post it here, since I have maybe two people EVER who've looked at my blogs (thanks, guys!).

This notebook. I love the COLORS...
http://supermarkethq.com/product/queens-2-mini-memo


http://tinyurl.com/ycphk4m
Irreverent, indeed!


http://supermarkethq.com/product/arc-tote-red
A bag to carry my things, since the one I bought from Moop is TERRIBLE!

it's been quite some time...

...because I've been so busy with graduate school.

I love living in Pittsburgh, although it's quite cold right now (not nearly as cold as Chicago, nor as cold as Vermont usually was, but my apartment...well...she makes me cry).

tired, broke and going to blog about it.

Since no one reads this blog except for me (hello, empty room!), I'm going to blog about how crummy I feel.

I am broke.
My eyes are twitching (yes, for real. The right one is kind of...twittering, on and off).
I think this is from reading too much.
Yesterday, I cried in front of some of my grad-school 'friends'.
And I put friends in quotes because, well, they're not really friends.
They're people I talk to in class.
They are very nice, and very supportive, but I am still by myself in my apartment. With too much homework.
Going a little crazy.
I am waiting for the cable man because Comcast screwed up.

So what will make me feel better?

Boston Terriers. Any dog, really.


Fall, especially in Vermont.


Scarves.



Hot chocolate.


I feel slightly better already...

shelf reading.

Lots of homework, these days, and schedule that keeps me up (and wakes me up!) at odd hours. I rarely have time to surf the web (tear) and keep up with blogs and readings I enjoy (mostly reading things I don't enjoy). A coworker at the library turned me on to this amazing site, and I had to look through it.

Pitt and several partners have collaborated to create digital archives of historic Western Pennsylvania. One archive in particular, the Smoke Control Lantern Slides, is absolutely breath-taking. Before 1941, at the height of industry, Pittsburgh (which basically sits in a bowl in the earth) had ridiculously terrible air-quality. Apparently men who worked downtown brought 2 shirts to work because by midday, the first show would be completely soiled. You can read about the legislation passed to clean the air on the site, and see shocking before and after pictures.

This one is my absolute favorite.



(photo Smoky Church, ca. 1940, creator unknown, via the Historic Pittsburgh Digital Library as cited above)

Good night!

pgh.

So far I'm really liking Pittsburgh. I had a chance to explore last weekend when my sister came out here with me, and then when E visited for a few days.

There are some really neat things to do and see:
*the strip district (this gritty, wonderful market area; fish, flowers, cheese, pasta, spices, you name it)
*funicular trains (Pittsburghers take them to work up the mountain!)
*lots of yummy restaurants (Pho Minh, D'z, Primanti Bros.)

I had two days of orientation after E left; I'm excited about my program and the people in it. My particular concentration (school librarianship) has a wonderful set of women (yes, all women!) who seem perfectly suited for what we're doing. I think everyone is pretty dedicated to this, and I am, by far, the oldest person in the program. I'm a little worried about this whole writing papers thing.

All that said, I really miss Chicago. Odd, since I was having plenty of it the past year. I also miss E, and I know that this first month is going to be hard.

With that, I leave you with this amazing photograph that put a lump in my throat.

(via maplesyruponly's flickr photostream. thank you, it's beautiful)

one foot out the door...

I'm always a little bummed out when 'Teen Jeopardy!' is showing. While it signals the start of a new Jeopardy! season at it's end, the Teen tournament leaves me feeling bad about myself. One one hand, I gloat when I get the questions right. On the other, I feel really terrible about myself when I don't know the answers. It's a lose-lose situation. One thing I love about this season, though- the 'Ask Alex' bit during the commercials. Viewers get to ask Alex Trebek things like 'why did you shave your mustache' and 'what do you think of Will Ferrel's impression of you on SNL?'. Love it.

This morning we moved most of my things- packed boxes, posters, some furniture- into my mom's 1985 Westfalia VW camper. Most of it fit, thank goodness. We're going to have to do another trip later in the month, but it won't be as much stuff. Still, I'm a little nervous. I'm really going to miss...

E, of course
this tasty, delicious can't-get-enough gelato
the metallic earrings at Penelope's
Napoleon

my neighborhood, at night especially


Mario's Ice on a cool day
and a host of other things...

still...packing...

Feeling a little overwhelmed, but that's how it goes.

I spent the last six days in Vermont, my yearly pilgrimage to see my extended Vermont family. The main reason for celebration? Carmen and Matthew's wedding! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures (E took his camera, mom's was out of batteries, and I'm too cheap/broke to buy one) and the wedding photog is taking his sweet time posting the pictures he took. It was a really lovely time, starting Thursday night all the way through Sunday (whew!). Carm had asked me to sing, and I did. my favorite part? Halfway through the ceremony we had to move it inside (unpredictable VT weather!) and I was asked to start singing the song I had just sung to help Matthew and Carm down the aisle, again. I started singing and everyone joined in! It was one of my favorite moments.

More later...

never lived by myself...

While I'm packing for Pittsburgh, I'm making piles. Oh, piles of things to give away, to throw away (straight to the rubbish bin!) and to perhaps sell in a yard sale that will most likely never come to fruition.

Making piles, listening to back-logged This American Life podcasts (what a crime!) and thinking about how I might decorate my new place.

Really, this should be the last of my thoughts, as I still have this book to finish for a discussion on my first day of grad student orientation. There are more pressing issues, I know, but what to put on my walls?! Where to put the (yet to be purchased/found on craigslist) sofa?! I've never lived by myself and this is a serious conundrum.

I know for sure I'll put up some pieces that E has drawn for me (and framed! What a nice beau) but I was thinking I might steal some of his Mat Daly prints, too.

(This is off the CHAIN in person! via MatDaly.com)

Mat and E have a sort of mutual admiration thing going and often trade posters (that's, apparently, the thing to do around here. I must say, there are loads of great poster artists in Chicago). I really, really love his work.