/hibernation

I have been extremely lax in my blogging these last several months. You know how it goes: Busy doing fun things. Not organized enough to put photos on Flickr. No photos = no writing about fun things. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. I shall attempt to remedy that this weekend by doing a massive upload of photos. I’ll be doing them in installments, starting with last August.

It’s March. Pretty soon we will have ploughed through a quarter of the year. What have I been up to this year? What’s coming up? Hey, look! A list!

1. Coming up on Friday, I have a phone interview for a Project Archivist position at an area library. The lovely folks at MIT have offered to do a mock interview with me on Thursday to help me prep. I’ve also expanded my job search to include positions back in the DC/Baltimore area.
2. I had a whirlwind trip to Maryland and Florida last week. I left Boston for Baltimore on the 20th, caught the Riveters/CCRG bout, spent several days among friends and family in Maryland (met the BFF’s girlfriend, she’s rad), left for Florida on the 24th, spent a few days on the Gulf Coast with my seester and JeT’s dad enjoying the 80 degree weather, caught a Red Sox spring training game, then landed in Boston just as the snow began to fall Sunday morning. It was a bit of a wild week: one morning I woke up to broken glasses and raw patches on my hands and face. I try to tell people that the raw skin was due to extremely dry skin, and the glasses were on their way out anyway. There are some, however, who refuse to believe this and assert that I must have been in a bar fight.
3. I now have new glasses. They are red. And shaped rather like my pair-before-last, slightly cat-eye. Did I mention they are red? And awesome? Yes.
4. PRD is gearing up for the 2009 season. Our last batch of newbies joined in January, and there are only a couple left who haven’t yet passed their assessments to claim their name. This is really exciting! It’s going to be a fantastic season! I shall be continuing as the Rookie Wrangler, and I’ll also be taking on the job of League Archivist. I’m also going to be playing in two away games. In Canada! Also, PRD is playing host to several travel teams this year. The first Riveters home bout is against Harrisburg Area Roller Derby (HARD) on April 11 at the RICC. The Killah Bees are hosting the Skate Free or Die girls at a scrimmage next weekend, and then we play them at a NH bout in April. I’m not going to be playing in that one, though, as I’ll be playing in Ottowa the following week. It’s going to be a derby-filled summer, indeed. (Check www.providencerollerderby.com regularly for the most recent updates.)
5. I haven’t been very crafty though. I did finally finish my SIL’s hat and scarf, delivered only two months late. The BFF has a birthday coming up and I’m working on something for him. I started a hyperbolic plane in blue and white cotton, which was supposed to be a bath pouf. I ran out of the white, half way through the last round. I might just knot it off and call it done, though, since the whole reason for making it was to do a bit of stash busting. I also have to make another Jayne hat for myself, since I lost the one I made last Fall. Once I actually get going on something, I’ll feel better.
6. I have severely neglected my pen pals these last several months. The end of the derby season in September ate up all my time, and then it was fall, and then winter, and now here it is nearly spring and some of them haven’t heard from me in ages. It’s not due to lack of caring, but rather to severe lack of organization. I just need to cart around my little notebook of writing supplies, then I can write while I commute, just like old times.
7. Saw They Might Be Giants a while ago. They were super great, as usual. They played so many songs! And many many were ones I’d never heard them play before, or hadn’t heard in a long while. We made some concert friends, which was fun.
8. We have a new car: a 2008 Kia Sportage, silvery grey. It’s awesome. We can accelerate. Uphill! And it’s big enough to fit my legs! And passengers!
9. Though I have been bringing my lunch to work nearly every day (thanks to JeT who actually prepares and packs the food), I miss bringing super fun bentos. I shall endeavor to remedy this. We’ve been making some new foods, though, so we’re slowly edging out of our food rut, which I’m very happy about. More new foods to come, and of course bento photos!
10. I’ve recently discovered Wild Turkey’s American Honey. If you’re a fan of whiskey or bourbon, you need to try this. Even if you normally hate the stuff, you need to try this. It’s golden awesomeness in a bottle. Highly recommended.
11. Speaking of imbibing, my librarian friends and I came up with a blog idea to help us broaden our beer horizons. We plan to sample a different kind of beer each month, and report our findings on the blog. We’re still thinking of a name, though. I was all ready to go in January, and then I sort of just forgot about it. This should be quite fun, once we get going!
12. I would like to go bowling. And ice skating. And just go out more often. Maybe stay in town for a bit on Fridays or something. I just need to get my act together and play cruise director, I think. I’ve just been so disorganized; I haven’t felt like myself for months and months. I think I’m finally coming out of my stupor, though. I think the sunshine did me some good. I’ll work on my schedule this weekend, and will start planning some outings. I wonder where my planner is… probably under the laundry somewhere.
13. First outing: This Friday, March 6th! Watchmen! Who’s in? JeT and I are going to see it in Boston (on the Common). We’re buying our tix tonight, if anyone’s interested.
14. And then there are a couple of concerts coming up: OK Go! and The Pogues! So excited!

Ode to Beaker

Too good not to share. Meep meep meep meep meep meep meep meep.

Rock the Cure 2008

Click here for tickets.

Email here for info.

Happy Birthday, Amanda!!

Or rather, happy few days after your birthday! We had a blast last night celebrating your 29th (not your 30th) birthday! We played Rock Band for the first time, and holy hell is that addicting or what? When we went through the list of songs, I wasn’t sure which ones I knew. I’m terrible at song titles, and it turns out I knew way more than I thought I did. Though, what’s up with those lyrics in Orange Crush? I’ve never heard those before? I’m not sure if I like bass or drums better.

Anyway, so much fun! It just confirms my belief that if we had a video game system I’d never see the light of day. They’re way to addicting. Especially ones that let you pretend to play instruments.

If they came out with an Accordion Hero, I’d be all over that!

I’m a real BEEEEEEEE!

Yesterday was my first inter-league bout, even if it was just an exhibition, two twenty-minute period event. It was a million degrees in the sun, and still a million in the shade, since the rink is a giant concrete oven. But I didn’t pass out. Nor did I vomit. And I actually had a couple of jammer take-downs, of which I am exceedingly proud (even if this was NH’s first bout ever). I think I may have gloated over one of them, which is pretty funny, since normally I’m all “Oh, so sorry! Are you hurt?” It really is different playing against another league. You’re not afraid of hitting harder and actually knocking people down. I need to learn to hit harder at practice with my own league now. I think it’s a confidence problem, too. The skaters on my league are way faster than I am, so I know I can’t catch up to hit them, and they’re way better than me and blah blah blah. But NH are just as new as I am, more my speed, and I was able to catch them and actually be of some help to my team, instead of concentrating so hard to keep up with the pack and avoid getting knocked down. It was very gratifying to have the training finally click into place and to be effective. (Oh, I don’t remember the score… I think NH had 11 points, and we had 70 or 80 something… not sure. But we did, indeed, “bring the sting,” as they say.)
The festival in general was really fun, too. There were many cool vendors (clothes, jewelry, housewares, books, records, all sorts of stuff), some really great bands and DJs, too. It reminded me a little of how the River Rave used to be at Great Woods. Before the bout I kept thinking that we’d just head straight home afterwards, since I knew I’d be exhausted and heat-stroke-ish and lethargic. Um, quite the opposite actually happened. I did have to drink a million gallons of water, but once the bands and DJs got the party going, I couldn’t help but dance. I don’t really know how I kept going in that heat.

Anyway, sorry I didn’t advertise this better. I think many of you would have really loved this festival, even if it was in the hot hot heat. Next time, Gadget, next time.

Edit to add: I totally forgot to mention the best thing ever! The “Burly Q” burlesque troupe performed an homage to Frank N. Furter last night! They danced to the sweet transvestite song! Sparkly “lips” pasties!! I asked them before hand if it would be ok to do call back lines, and they were all “hell yeah!” so I shouted out a few. It was fun! Man, you all missed out!

FREE arts festival (FREE DERBY!)

Sorry for the last minute post about this, been meaning to post about it for ages, but summer has stolen my brain once again. Anyway, the IndieArts Festival is today in Downtown Providence. It is going to be pretty rad. And it is FREE!!! Providence Roller Derby’s Killah Bees are playing New Hamphire’s Skate Free or Die at 5:30, and I’m skating, so you don’t want to miss that. (It’s my first inter-league bout.)

Here’s the schedule for the day, as it’s a day-long event:
IndieArts Fest
Saturday, July 19th
1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
IndieArtsri.com
IndieArtsFest.com
Myspace.com/IndieArtsFest
FREE!!!

Main Stage:
Bank of America City Center

Master of Ceremonies: Diamond Dan White
1:00 PM – Zebras
2:00 PM – Alec K. Redfern & The Eyesores
3:00 PM – Cold War
4:00 PM – The ‘Mericans
5:00 PM – The Danger Danger Birds
5:05 PM – General Burnside’s Best Facial Hair Contest
5:30 PM – Providence Roller Derby
7:00 PM – FreshKills
8:00 PM – The Chinese Stars
9:00 PM – Swiss Chemistry Club (Tim O’Keefe & Hoska)
10:00 PM – Mahi Mahi

Fringe Stage:
Burnside Park at Kennedy Plaza
1:00 PM – Spoken Word Showcase with Christopher Johnson
2:00 PM – Poorly Drawn People
3:00 PM – Area C
4:00 PM – Channel Zero
5:00 PM – Make-Up Break-Up
6:00 PM – Badman
7:00 PM – RI2PN Dance Showcase
With Bella Curva, Doubleshift Dance Theatre, Evolution Movement Co, Hortense Gerardo, Eostre, Jennifer/Kathryn, Bald Soul and 401 Rockerz
8:20 PM – Triangle Forest
9:05 PM – BellaMinx Burly-Q
9:15 PM – Joey Beats
10:00 PM – Ty Jesso

Tunnel of Lumina:
Directly behind Bank of America City Center
1:00 PM – Films with Live Soundtracks
2:00 PM – DJ Dublin
3:00 PM – Nick De Paris
4:00 PM – Joel
5:00 PM – Gregor
6:00 PM – Morgan Louis
7:00 PM – Ted James
8:00 PM – DJ Flack
9:00 PM – Gil Kuruneri
10:00 PM – DJ C

Grant’s Block Stage:
Across From Tazza Cafe
(the Corner of Westminster & Union Street)

4:00 PM – Anthony Loffredio of Barn Burning
4:55 PM – Chris Rosenquest
5:50 PM – Matt Everett
6:45 PM – Chris Monti
7:40 PM – Ben Pilgrim & Mary Bee
8:30 PM – ACME Video Animation & Film Showcase

Free Dance Party!!!

Merci beaucoup!

Thank you, thank you! Thanks to everyone who came to the Derbytaunt Ball last night!

It was a super fun time, and the Bee Hives totally ROCKED!!! Holy hell, that guy sounded just like Fred, it was uncanny. I just wish I didn’t have to work the raffle table during their performance so I could have seen them better. Oh, well. Hey, if I ever hear that they’re doing a show some time, I’ll let you all know, and we can go rock lobstah with them.

My dress came out pretty good. And once I get pictures up, I’ll post about it. (No time now, since computer is running out of battery, and I need to go track down my power cord.)

So, thanks again!!!

ETA: click through to see a few photos of the dress. The ones taken at the event didn’t come out at all; I’ll have to wait for others to upload theirs.

This is how I roll

Aw, thanks everyone for your support! It means a lot that you are all cheering for me!

So, this is the deal: I am now eligible to scrimmage, and once I’ve been scrimmagable (I swear that’s a word) for 12 practices, then I get placed on a team. I’m wicked jealous of everyone else who’s already on teams, but I totally understand why I can’t be placed yet. They have to be able to examine my skills in action for several practices so that they can see where I best fit in. I’m just happy I have my name. (Still waiting on official approval. Soon, soon. Must be patient.)

I participated in two jams at last practice, and let me tell you, that is one of the most overwhelming situations I’ve ever been in. It was so much fun, but so confusing. I was given two instructions: hold the inside line, and keep up with the pack. I managed to do both well enough, I think, but it’s more than enough to focus on at one time until I get the hang of it.

I hope to expect a bunch of you at the Derbytaunt ball next Friday! It’s the debut of all the rookie skaters, and in addition to raising money to help us produce the summer season, it’s going to be so much fun! I’ll be there pretty much the whole night, and I am running the raffle for the latter half of the event. The best part is that there’s going to be a B-52s tribute band there! How awesome is that?! You should totally come!

Here’s the info again:

Not your average debutantes: