/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!

Merry Decemberween!

Merry Decemberween!

I know it’s almost over, but I hope everyone’s December festivities have been super wonderful. We’re down at my folk’s house in MD for the week and having a great time. Christmas was super fun. I love watching the kids open presents. Since there are only two kids in the family at the moment, everyone was putting the pressure on for JeT and I to contribute to the younger population so that there’ll be more kids to watch on Christmas morning. Yeah, probably not anytime soon. Though woo hoo for all the friends who have announced their expected little ones! (You’ve all been busy: there were two baby announcements and one engagement! Hooray!)

I’ve finally uploaded photos from the last couple of months. Geez, we were wicked busy, weren’t we? There are photos from Thanksgiving with friends, the Fancy Schmancy Dancy Birthiversary Party, the Hooray for Repeal Day Party with librarians, the Ugly Sweater Party, snow, birthday, and Christmas. It’s been crazy-fun. There are also pictures of recent crafty projects: felted bags, and a doll of The Dude (from The Big Lebowski). And cupcakes. Yum!

See you all in the New Year!

Done.

Yes, as of Thursday, 12:30 pm I finished the work for my MLIS. Woot! To celebrate, the skies dropped a foot of snow on us. I went to lunch with a fellow graduate, The Spinstah, and another GSLIS student, The Boss Lady. We had lunch and beer at Thornton’s while we watched passers-by stumble in the snow, and drivers sit in the city-wide gridlock.

Walking to the T (and to and fro the restaurant) was a bit of an adventure, because I am wicked smart: I forgot my snow boots at home. I was wearing dress shoes. I might as well have been walking bare foot. By the time we got back to the car (3 1/2 hours later) we had to shovel it out and then drive home on the treacherous roads. We got stuck at one point because the plows cleared (sort of) the main road, but when we turned on to our own road we couldn’t get over the plow pile. Because JeT is awesome, he dug us out (with our emergency shovel, because at least one of us is thinking clearly about winter weather) and we were home very shortly afterwards.

Once I got home it was really weird. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I kept thinking there was something I was supposed to be doing, and I’d get this momentary panic, like “what am I forgetting.” It was kind of funny. Today was wonderful. I woke up at my leisure (7:30, which is wicked late considering we get up at 5 on weekdays) and we watched Saturday Morning Cartoons for hours and hours. I even took a nap. And then made cupcakes. And we’re going to a party later this evening. Hooray for leisure!

I do have to figure out the details of my Christmas shopping list, especially the knitting that I’ve neglected for ages and ages. Shouldn’t be too difficult, considering I’m giving myself a couple of weeks after Christmas to get things done. Some stuff will have to be done before then, as we’re traveling to Maryland to spend Christmas week with my family. It’s going to rule.

I have tons of pictures to upload: from the Birthiversary party onward. Perhaps I’ll do that tomorrow, since, you know, I don’t have any homework to finish. Ever. Rock!

remember that list?

rusty orange hat

I have only completed a couple of things off of that list from the other day. I wanted to make two skirts and an apron, but only got one skirt done. I did, however, finish M’s book. (And repaired it.) It is now wrapped and ready to hand over to her on Saturday, hooray! (Along with the last of the dish rags, which I’m sure she’s happy to see the end of.)

I’ve also finished the not-so-fun stuff that I was supposed to do (school stuff, mostly). I’ve gotten a couple more projects done that were not on that list (see previous post.)

Christmas knitting is now in full swing. For obvious reasons, I’m not going to post any details regarding presents for people who actually read this thing. Though, I might be surprised, I’m pretty sure my family doesn’t read it. (Hi Mom and Dad! Just in case.)

The hat above is going to be for one of my brothers. Here it is modeled by JeT. I tried it on, and it fits me just fine. I come from a large-headed family, so if it fits me, I’m sure it will fit my brother. For hat details, click through to Flickr.

I’ve got a chart with all the presents I need to make between now and Christmas. If I didn’t get the planning done before school started, I wouldn’t be able to stick to any sort of schedule. I’ve picked mostly really easy stuff to make, which is perfect for the trains. Anything a bit trickier (or larger) will be my at home knitting.

Interesting post, yes? I thought so.

catching up

Lion head drool

Today has been a catch up day. I spent the morning catching up on sleep. I spent the afternoon catching up on photographs. I’ve finally uploaded all the photos that have been sitting in the camera since May.

I uploaded them in order, so that the most recent are the photos from Harry Potter day, and the earliest are from the End of the Semester party. There are photos of flowers, friends, family, all sorts of things. There are photos from our summer holiday in Maryland, too. I don’t have any photos from M’s wedding, though, as I didn’t have my camera on me all day. (See previous post for links to those photos.)

The photograph featured here is one of the drooling lion heads on mum’s new fountain. She wouldn’t call it a drooling lion, though. For some reason, JeT thought that particular sequence of events quite interesting, as there are many photos of my brother taking down the dead trees where this fountain was to go. Fascinating, eh?

Click through to see what else we’ve been up to.

“There is too much; let me sum up.”

The last couple of weeks have been rather crazy. Some upsetting things, some wonderful things, and everything in between. Chronologically, earliest to most recent, this is what’s been going on:

1. We still don’t know what killed Phoebe. Rather, we know she died of internal bleeding, but do not know its cause. The Shanks has had many blood tests and will continue to take Vitamin K until his blood coagulation rate is back within the normal range.
2. In happier news, Miss Kitty and 007 got married! We’re so happy for yous! Yay! I was a bridesmaid and had a fantastic time. JeT was the DJ and rocked the house. My favorite dance was the polka with the best man. Our “secret meeting” dance was a hit. We performed our version of OK Go’s C-c-c-cinnamon Lips, and kicked quite a lot of arse, if I may say so. Interested parties can find photographs of the event here, and here. (The latter has amusing commentary.)
3. We went to Maryland to visit my family. It was great! Some of my Canadian family came to visit my parents at the same time, so that was a treat as well. My little cousins aren’t so little anymore. My nephews are growing up, too. You know, when these kids aren’t being terrors, they’re quite funny.

   We played a Newfie game called 120. I’ll have to show you all some time. I learned it when I was 15, and am finally getting the hang of it. Really, it’s not so hard, but I only play every few years or so. I actually won a couple of games this time! Much fun was also had playing darts in the garage and bocce in the lawn.

   I also brought home a ton of books from my parents’ house. ‘Cause, you know, I’m really short on books. Mostly they’re the Harvard Classics, which my mum read while they were stationed in Spain. And some of my old books from when I was a kid, which were given me by my Great Aunt Eunice, to whom I bear a great resemblance. Speaking of my aunt, I also brought back this mechanical bird/music box thingie she left me. It’s rad. It’s really old and still in fantastic shape. If ever we should encounter an “Antiques Roadshow” event, I’m taking that.

   MO was kind enough to watch the Shanks while we were gone. He was happy to see us when we returned, and I’m not ashamed to say the feeling was indeed mutual. Poor little (ok, not little, but still) guy was left on his own without The Phoebes for a whole week. We almost didn’t go on our vacation, but since he didn’t look to be in imminent danger, we decided to go. I’m glad we did.

4. There was a fantastic party at BlogSEA manor last weekend. Muchos foodies and drinks, though despite my best efforts, sober I remained. Gathered ’round the firepit (which was, of course, used for cooking, why do you ask, officer?) ’til the wee hours of the morn.

   We received a late night visitor. Stranger’s name was Andy, i think. Looking for someone called Mitch, was it? I don’t know. I couldn’t understand a word he said. I don’t do well with mumblers. He chilled for a bit, and then left. Then in the middle of the night, there was a bit of a hullabaloo in the parking lot across the way. Many officers, a bit of yelling, someone kicked our car in frustration (no damage done), a car being thoroughly searched (not ours). Bunch of savages in this town. An eventful evening, though.

   The next day was spent riverside, enjoying the sandy beach and swimming. I need to live near clean, moving water. NEED! It was wonderful and relaxing.

   On the way home, the alternator broke, and we were stranded on the side of the Mass. Pike. Apparently, our Kia Roadside Assistance doesn’t serve that particular highway, so we had to pay $80 bucks to be towed 5 miles, so that we could then phone the Kia people again to tow us the rest of the 30 miles home, which cost $13. I must mention that this song began to play just as we were being picked up by the first tow truck guy. Hilarious. The second tow truck guy was wicked funny, and laughed heartily at JeT sitting on my lap for the ride home. I told him that I was not laboring under the misapprehension that I am a small person. We finally got home more than six hours after we had left.

   I should also mention that our vet was kind enough to pop by the house and give ‘Shanks his meds and a bit of food. He’s a friend of the family, and is very good to us and our kitty.

The rest of this week has been uneventful, thank goodness. Just enjoying the not-so-hot days and eating popsicles. Tonight we resume our secret meetings for some wrap-up filming and whatnot.

Tomorrow is HP day in Harvard Square!

“People of the fog”

I always say to people (usually when discussing skin and my inability to tan) that my heritage is not tied in any way to ‘the people of the sun.’ It turns out that the Mi’kmaq word for the area whence my mother’s family hails is Unamakik, or the Land of Fog. Turns out, I was right after all.

Ok, back to work. I’m trying to find oral history articles or books about Newfoundland for one of my assignments. The main book I want is deemed “in library use only” at the BPL. Bummer.

Wrapping up

I’ve turned in all of my assignments from home. Well, all but one, that is. The internship project actually requires me to be physically in the archives to complete. Since I’m not supposed to have contact with people until Saturday, I haven’t been able to get to the archives to finish up.
Being quarantined for a few days has actually been quite nice. I mean, besides the coughing. That part rather sucks, but I’ve been resting and doing homework and what not. I been in my pajamas all week, too. I get up, change out of my pajamas, shower, then put on different pajamas. It’s great!

For my internship, all I have to do is type my notes, do a little rearranging, make a task list for Saturday, and put together the prose of the finding aid. I can totally do all that in two days. Oh, and I still have Sunday to edit and smooth out the kinks. I’ll be emailing the assignment to my professor Sunday night. Grades aren’t due until 9:00 Monday morning, so I don’t even have to take an “Incomplete” for that class. Yay!

Our school has been particularly “buggy” this semester. There’s some sort of gastro-intestinal thing going ’round, too. I think I’d rather have whooping cough. Still, who gets whooping cough? I’ve been accused of making out with the 15th Century. You know us librarians, always making out with the 15th Century.

I’ve had to cancel most of my birthday fun, but I’ll be un-contagious by my actual birthday-day (which is Tuesday), so I can still have fun then. I’ll be going to Salem for the afternoon, which should be great! Then it’s off to Maryland for a week to spend Christmas with my family. I haven’t seen most of them in ages, so that will be really nice.

I’ll have to reschedule my birthday festivities for January. I wouldn’t want to miss out on bowling and boozing completely!

Home again, home again, jiggity-jig

(As my Grandmother used to say)

Well, we’re back. A day earlier than we thought we were going to be home, because I can’t read itineraries, apparently.

We had a fantastic time in Newfoundland. I’m exhausted, sad to leave Canada, but happy to be home. The cats missed us terribly, I think. Well, Crookshanks did. Phoebe just scarfed down her food, and meowed to go outside. ‘Shanks hasn’t left our side since we got home.

We took tons of photos, and I’ll post the highlights once I have a chance to sort through them all. I tried to send out as many postcards as I had time for, but some might not come for another day or so, since I just mailed a bunch of them from the boat Wednesday night/Thursday morning. They probably went out in the post from Cape Breton.

Now I have to shift my brain to get ready for school in a couple of weeks. Argh. After traveling about 3000 miles (round trip) I don’t want to think about much of anything, really.

Anyone who has a chance to see Newfoundland, though, should take the opportunity. It’s absolutely beautiful and wonderful. Long live The Rock.