Progress. Here I am in our bathroom. The wall above me is the last bastion of white. Matt's mom and I started painting this place lavendar last weekend. I finished it tonight. Hooray!
08 December 2006
File: Home
File: Holidays
I'm sitting in our new condo, waiting for food to arrive, as I contemplate the Christmas tree. I am a happy being.
I love going to Matt's folks in Ohio for Christmas. There's something magical about having Christmas morning at Nanny and Papa's. Nanny has so much joy for the day. It's great fun to have the whole gang troop over, gather in a large circle in the basement, and let the present-opening begin. But I know when I'm in Ohio, I'm not in Florida with my parents. There's over a dozen of us that gathers in Columbus. My folks just have us. (Okay, that's not entirely true, as my aunt and cousins come over too. My aunt's parents, who have been like grandparents to me, attend. Often, my friend Travis joins us for the festivities as well.)
I'm not saying what I want to say well. What I'm trying to say is that the holidays are now happy-sad, to use a Cabbage Patch Kids term. I wish I could split myself in two, three, or four (that's really what's needed: one of me with my folks, one with Matt's mom's folks, one with Matt's dad's folks, and one of me soaking in the Jacuzzi tub).
I am especially contemplative because we don't have any real traditions and I'd like to create them. Other than the putting the spinning dreidel on the roof (I'll try and post video as Hanukkah approaches), and the nine-foot menorah on the lawn (the one pictured below was the first incarnation and is only a six-footer), we mostly spent the holidays lighting the menorah and opening presents each night.
Christmas was spent celebrating my birthday, normally with my mom serving a baked ziti. It was great. Now, it's spent in a whole different way. My birthday, which is always remembered by Matt, is often an afterthought by the rest of the gang who are busy and stressed and just trying to make it through Christmas. (I can't really blame them, but I always miss a cake with my name on it and actual birthday paper. I realize it's awkward timing, a tradition I began at birth and continue to this day, but birthdays do get a little lonely for me.)
Hanukkah, too, isn't really mentioned, (not for any real reason, I think) but when I'm away and I don't light the menorah, I feel sad and like I'm not being true to my traditions. (Although last year, at Matt's dad's celebration, we lit the menorah. It was sort of awkward because we did it during the day, but also really cool that he thought of it.) The first few nights of Hanukkah fall while we're in Cleveland next weekend, celebrating an early Christmas. Maybe we can talk to Matt's dad about lighting the menorah again. That would help, I think.
It's ironic, because here I am blogging about the circumstances around an interfaith holiday, but the first thing I thought to do when it turned December was put the tree up. Our tree is beautiful, even though we phoned it in this year, and didn't put on all of the ornaments. It does have a string of Hanukkah lights as garland. I think our electric menorah finally gave up last year (it had been lit for as long as I can remember), so we'll have to get another one this year and place it next to the tree. I love how the menorah and the Christmas tree look together. It reminds me how special and lucky we are to have each other -- and each other's traditions.
I was reading URJ's magazine Reform Judaism, and they talked about how interfaith couples "do" the holidays. One couple asked their family to wrap their stuff in Hanukkah paper. Another family still did the big Christmas shindig, but also hosted a Hanukkah party for the family with potato latkes, dreidels, and much singing. We don't have anything like that yet.
I'm really looking forward to making our own traditions. We have one: the special ornament tradition. Every year since we started dating, we give each other an ornament. It's the last ornament we put on the tree. I can't wait until we spend more time together and create additional traditions that we can pass onto the next generation. (Is that little feet I hear?) And, maybe, one year, we'll just stay home for the holidays. My fourth self really loves the idea of that jacuzzi.
I love going to Matt's folks in Ohio for Christmas. There's something magical about having Christmas morning at Nanny and Papa's. Nanny has so much joy for the day. It's great fun to have the whole gang troop over, gather in a large circle in the basement, and let the present-opening begin. But I know when I'm in Ohio, I'm not in Florida with my parents. There's over a dozen of us that gathers in Columbus. My folks just have us. (Okay, that's not entirely true, as my aunt and cousins come over too. My aunt's parents, who have been like grandparents to me, attend. Often, my friend Travis joins us for the festivities as well.)
I'm not saying what I want to say well. What I'm trying to say is that the holidays are now happy-sad, to use a Cabbage Patch Kids term. I wish I could split myself in two, three, or four (that's really what's needed: one of me with my folks, one with Matt's mom's folks, one with Matt's dad's folks, and one of me soaking in the Jacuzzi tub).
I am especially contemplative because we don't have any real traditions and I'd like to create them. Other than the putting the spinning dreidel on the roof (I'll try and post video as Hanukkah approaches), and the nine-foot menorah on the lawn (the one pictured below was the first incarnation and is only a six-footer), we mostly spent the holidays lighting the menorah and opening presents each night.
Christmas was spent celebrating my birthday, normally with my mom serving a baked ziti. It was great. Now, it's spent in a whole different way. My birthday, which is always remembered by Matt, is often an afterthought by the rest of the gang who are busy and stressed and just trying to make it through Christmas. (I can't really blame them, but I always miss a cake with my name on it and actual birthday paper. I realize it's awkward timing, a tradition I began at birth and continue to this day, but birthdays do get a little lonely for me.)
Hanukkah, too, isn't really mentioned, (not for any real reason, I think) but when I'm away and I don't light the menorah, I feel sad and like I'm not being true to my traditions. (Although last year, at Matt's dad's celebration, we lit the menorah. It was sort of awkward because we did it during the day, but also really cool that he thought of it.) The first few nights of Hanukkah fall while we're in Cleveland next weekend, celebrating an early Christmas. Maybe we can talk to Matt's dad about lighting the menorah again. That would help, I think.
It's ironic, because here I am blogging about the circumstances around an interfaith holiday, but the first thing I thought to do when it turned December was put the tree up. Our tree is beautiful, even though we phoned it in this year, and didn't put on all of the ornaments. It does have a string of Hanukkah lights as garland. I think our electric menorah finally gave up last year (it had been lit for as long as I can remember), so we'll have to get another one this year and place it next to the tree. I love how the menorah and the Christmas tree look together. It reminds me how special and lucky we are to have each other -- and each other's traditions.
I was reading URJ's magazine Reform Judaism, and they talked about how interfaith couples "do" the holidays. One couple asked their family to wrap their stuff in Hanukkah paper. Another family still did the big Christmas shindig, but also hosted a Hanukkah party for the family with potato latkes, dreidels, and much singing. We don't have anything like that yet.
I'm really looking forward to making our own traditions. We have one: the special ornament tradition. Every year since we started dating, we give each other an ornament. It's the last ornament we put on the tree. I can't wait until we spend more time together and create additional traditions that we can pass onto the next generation. (Is that little feet I hear?) And, maybe, one year, we'll just stay home for the holidays. My fourth self really loves the idea of that jacuzzi.
30 November 2006
File: Home
It is official. Here we are signing the deed. We are homeowners, yippee! Matt has a full account over on Larsenopolis.
File: Home
So, today's the day. As you can tell by the time, I'm not sleeping. I've been up since 3. Hopefully, I won't crash too hard as we're signing papers.
I'm giddy and nervous about being a homeowner. As usual, we've packed an ambitious day: post office, bank if needed, closing, moving estimate, IKEA, prime and paint, celebrate.
Shoot up a little prayer for us that everyone goes without a hitch. Go time is in less than six hours.
I'm giddy and nervous about being a homeowner. As usual, we've packed an ambitious day: post office, bank if needed, closing, moving estimate, IKEA, prime and paint, celebrate.
Shoot up a little prayer for us that everyone goes without a hitch. Go time is in less than six hours.
27 November 2006
File: Holidays
On the Friday before Thanksgiving, I was driving to meet up with friends for a night on the town. I was late. It was dark and cold outside. I got off the expressway and saw a man sitting by the side of the road. That's pretty common in Chicago, so I don't know what about him tugged at my heartstrings.
He had a cup and a sign. The sign read "Vietnam Vet," which I guess in some circles explains why he was sitting in the 32 degree darkness on a milk crate next to the Division St. off- ramp.
I didn't have any money in my wallet, but I knew I wanted to give him what I did have. We keep a pink Hello Kitty change purse in the car for use on tolls. I grabbed the change purse and rolled down my window. He didn't turn to me.
"Excuse me, sir," I said, holding up the change purse. "Do you need some help?"
He said yes, and I dumped all of the change into his cup. A few coins, pennies I think, dropped on the ground, he bent to pick them up, which I felt bad about, seeing this grown man bend on the road for pennies.
"G-d bless you," he said.
"Thanks, you too, sir. Stay warm and safe."
"G-d bless you. Bless you."
I don't know why that exchange made me uncomfortable, but it did. Was it just because that's the cliched dialog?
There's an old Jewish proverb that an angel of light and an angel of darkness go from house to house every Friday night, searching for people celebrating Shabbat together. It's traditionally told with the angels looking in the window onto a family dinner. If the family is celebrating together, then the angel of light gets a point. When the family isn't together, the angel of darkness gets a point. Only when the angel of darkness gets no points will the Messiah come.
I'm not sure how I feel about the Messianic age, but I know that our house isn't always contributing to it. We rarely go to shul together, and with shows, and rehearsals, and friends, and sheer end-of-the-week exhaustion, we don't always have a nice meal. Do you think that mitzvahs, done in the moment, just because should count? I do.
We hosted Thanksgiving this year. It was sad to be away from our families, but we celebrated with friends. I feel triumphant about it. We managed to serve a multi-course meal that was delicious while in the middle of packing up the apartment. We cleaned as we went, so the house was back to normal by Friday afternoon. It was pretty awesome.
At my parents' house, we all go around the table and tell what we're thankful for. I instituted that tradition in our house as well. We played Nok-Hockey, another South Florida Turkey Day tradition.
A few things to kvell about this Thanksgiving:
Our friends Karen and Dave are now the proud parents of a son, Henry John. He joins adorable older sis, Evelyn, in the family household. We're so excited and happy for you guys!
My Aunt Ellen and cousins Wes, Shane, and Barrie marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This link from my old paper, the Sun-Sentinel, has the full story, pics, and video. It was so cool to ssee them on national tv!
It looks like the house is going to happen! We've been packing over the weekend, including the initial bins of essentials. We bought paint yesterday. One quart of lavender, one quart of blue, and one gallon of red later, we're on the way to making this place ours!
Hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed and happy as ours was.
He had a cup and a sign. The sign read "Vietnam Vet," which I guess in some circles explains why he was sitting in the 32 degree darkness on a milk crate next to the Division St. off- ramp.
I didn't have any money in my wallet, but I knew I wanted to give him what I did have. We keep a pink Hello Kitty change purse in the car for use on tolls. I grabbed the change purse and rolled down my window. He didn't turn to me.
"Excuse me, sir," I said, holding up the change purse. "Do you need some help?"
He said yes, and I dumped all of the change into his cup. A few coins, pennies I think, dropped on the ground, he bent to pick them up, which I felt bad about, seeing this grown man bend on the road for pennies.
"G-d bless you," he said.
"Thanks, you too, sir. Stay warm and safe."
"G-d bless you. Bless you."
I don't know why that exchange made me uncomfortable, but it did. Was it just because that's the cliched dialog?
There's an old Jewish proverb that an angel of light and an angel of darkness go from house to house every Friday night, searching for people celebrating Shabbat together. It's traditionally told with the angels looking in the window onto a family dinner. If the family is celebrating together, then the angel of light gets a point. When the family isn't together, the angel of darkness gets a point. Only when the angel of darkness gets no points will the Messiah come.
I'm not sure how I feel about the Messianic age, but I know that our house isn't always contributing to it. We rarely go to shul together, and with shows, and rehearsals, and friends, and sheer end-of-the-week exhaustion, we don't always have a nice meal. Do you think that mitzvahs, done in the moment, just because should count? I do.
We hosted Thanksgiving this year. It was sad to be away from our families, but we celebrated with friends. I feel triumphant about it. We managed to serve a multi-course meal that was delicious while in the middle of packing up the apartment. We cleaned as we went, so the house was back to normal by Friday afternoon. It was pretty awesome.
At my parents' house, we all go around the table and tell what we're thankful for. I instituted that tradition in our house as well. We played Nok-Hockey, another South Florida Turkey Day tradition.
A few things to kvell about this Thanksgiving:
Our friends Karen and Dave are now the proud parents of a son, Henry John. He joins adorable older sis, Evelyn, in the family household. We're so excited and happy for you guys!
My Aunt Ellen and cousins Wes, Shane, and Barrie marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This link from my old paper, the Sun-Sentinel, has the full story, pics, and video. It was so cool to ssee them on national tv!
It looks like the house is going to happen! We've been packing over the weekend, including the initial bins of essentials. We bought paint yesterday. One quart of lavender, one quart of blue, and one gallon of red later, we're on the way to making this place ours!
Hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed and happy as ours was.
22 November 2006
File: The Past
Matt and I were in the car yesterday and somehow started talking about 5th grade courses. Part of my health offering was "Me-ology," the study of YOU. (From my recollection, that phrase and capitalization is how they introduced the course to us.)
Essentially, the course was a prep for when they separated the boys and the girls and talked to us about sex. Not sure what kind of souvenirs the boys got, but volunteer moms (thank G-d not mine) threw tampons at us. It was traumatizing, or at the very least, very very strange. The girl cafeteria experience, not necessarily Me-ology.
Me-ology was kind of fun. We had this little packet with a hand-drawn kid on the front. I can't remember most of the course (is that why I'm still trying to figure myself out?), but one of the things that sticks in my mind is the Me-Doll. They had us lie down on butcher paper and then traced our fronts and our backs. We decorated them to look like us, and then we stuffed and stapled them. They were life-size* and were pretty cool.
Although, the bus was pretty crowded the day we took them home. (How strange would that have been to a passing car? A busload of kids with kids that looked like them on their laps. Very odd.) I wonder what ever happened to my "me."
*Matt reminded me that they would be slightly smaller than life-size, as they would lose yardage when stuffed and stapled.
Essentially, the course was a prep for when they separated the boys and the girls and talked to us about sex. Not sure what kind of souvenirs the boys got, but volunteer moms (thank G-d not mine) threw tampons at us. It was traumatizing, or at the very least, very very strange. The girl cafeteria experience, not necessarily Me-ology.
Me-ology was kind of fun. We had this little packet with a hand-drawn kid on the front. I can't remember most of the course (is that why I'm still trying to figure myself out?), but one of the things that sticks in my mind is the Me-Doll. They had us lie down on butcher paper and then traced our fronts and our backs. We decorated them to look like us, and then we stuffed and stapled them. They were life-size* and were pretty cool.
Although, the bus was pretty crowded the day we took them home. (How strange would that have been to a passing car? A busload of kids with kids that looked like them on their laps. Very odd.) I wonder what ever happened to my "me."
*Matt reminded me that they would be slightly smaller than life-size, as they would lose yardage when stuffed and stapled.
18 November 2006
File: Home
So, things are better. The home inspection for the new place came back very favorable. (Yay!) So, now we just continue marching forward, getting all of our ducks in a row (as my tenth grade history teacher would say). We close on the 30th, twelve short days until we are homeowners.
I'm excited. I've held back my excitement due to my disappointment with the last place but I'm really starting to picture this place as ours. I bought my first items exclusively for the new home: chocolate brown towels.
Here's what the bathroom looks like now. Here's my idea to transform it. Hence, the chocolate brown towels.
Packing is going well. I hope to finish more rooms today.
I'm excited. I've held back my excitement due to my disappointment with the last place but I'm really starting to picture this place as ours. I bought my first items exclusively for the new home: chocolate brown towels.
Here's what the bathroom looks like now. Here's my idea to transform it. Hence, the chocolate brown towels.
Packing is going well. I hope to finish more rooms today.
31 October 2006
File: Life
Been kind of quiet on here recently. It's gotten a bit rough for me in Chi-town. The routine has been some variation on: get up, obsessively look for houses (more of that in a moment), work, come home, go to bed and obsessively look for houses, come downstairs for edamame and rice, go back to bed, obsessively look for houses, then sleep, exhausted.
The condo purchase fell through. I haven't wanted to blog about it. There's so much going on in the world and I'm sad because buying the condo I wanted is a bad idea, oh, boo for me. But, I am sad.
We lost some money on the deal. ($270 for home inspection, the best cash I've ever spent in my life; $80 for the lawyer.) Turns out that the great big condo had some issues. Examples: faulty electricity, possible plumbing corrosion, insulation installed incorrectly, furnace installed incorrectly, dangerous space heaters/no furnace, ponding water in the basement, mold, weird bugs, either no money in the reserves or no idea where they put the money in the reserves and the big finish of the flaking asbestos pipe.
Grr.
**Update** I realize I never posted the initial ramblings above, written 10/31. Things have gotten better. We found another place that we like a lot. It has central air, central heat, a washer/dryer, (Matt was practically doing cartwheels at this point), a working fireplace, and two secret squirrel rooms in the basement better known as the bat cave. It was completely redone at the turn of this century (2000 -- tee, hee), and it's huge. It's growing on me. It initially lacks the charm of the other places we really liked, but as Matt's dad, the architect, says, you can create charm. Structure is harder. The more we're in the space (and we've been in it the last two weekends), the more I like it. I've been dreaming about wall colors and furniture arranging. We'll have the awesome problem of not having enough furniture for the space, Yay! We had the inspection on Saturday and it went very well. Now, it's just waiting. I think we're going to close on Nov. 30 so a December move is in our future.
We decided not to go to Florida for Thanksgiving. The fare was insane ($800 each!) and we really need the time to get organized and pack. We started packing seriously over the weekend -- one run to the Brown Elephant and 5 boxes and one trunk packed so far. I plan to pack my office in a moment before I leave for work. I love packing. I don't even mind unpacking. It makes me feel in control and organized and I love being organized. It also allows me a chance to go through everything and filter what I have from what I need.
My mom's having surgery at the end of November and my dad is getting shots in his hips in early December. The schedules didn't work, so we're going down in mid January, timeshifting Hanukkah, my birthday, and my dad's birthday all at once.
Okay, I need to pack before work.
The condo purchase fell through. I haven't wanted to blog about it. There's so much going on in the world and I'm sad because buying the condo I wanted is a bad idea, oh, boo for me. But, I am sad.
We lost some money on the deal. ($270 for home inspection, the best cash I've ever spent in my life; $80 for the lawyer.) Turns out that the great big condo had some issues. Examples: faulty electricity, possible plumbing corrosion, insulation installed incorrectly, furnace installed incorrectly, dangerous space heaters/no furnace, ponding water in the basement, mold, weird bugs, either no money in the reserves or no idea where they put the money in the reserves and the big finish of the flaking asbestos pipe.
Grr.
**Update** I realize I never posted the initial ramblings above, written 10/31. Things have gotten better. We found another place that we like a lot. It has central air, central heat, a washer/dryer, (Matt was practically doing cartwheels at this point), a working fireplace, and two secret squirrel rooms in the basement better known as the bat cave. It was completely redone at the turn of this century (2000 -- tee, hee), and it's huge. It's growing on me. It initially lacks the charm of the other places we really liked, but as Matt's dad, the architect, says, you can create charm. Structure is harder. The more we're in the space (and we've been in it the last two weekends), the more I like it. I've been dreaming about wall colors and furniture arranging. We'll have the awesome problem of not having enough furniture for the space, Yay! We had the inspection on Saturday and it went very well. Now, it's just waiting. I think we're going to close on Nov. 30 so a December move is in our future.
We decided not to go to Florida for Thanksgiving. The fare was insane ($800 each!) and we really need the time to get organized and pack. We started packing seriously over the weekend -- one run to the Brown Elephant and 5 boxes and one trunk packed so far. I plan to pack my office in a moment before I leave for work. I love packing. I don't even mind unpacking. It makes me feel in control and organized and I love being organized. It also allows me a chance to go through everything and filter what I have from what I need.
My mom's having surgery at the end of November and my dad is getting shots in his hips in early December. The schedules didn't work, so we're going down in mid January, timeshifting Hanukkah, my birthday, and my dad's birthday all at once.
Okay, I need to pack before work.
22 October 2006
File: Sports
This is Matt yesterday when he picked up his number. We saw him at mile 7.5 and he was looking great. I just got an email from his tracker. He hit the half.
He finished. Lots of emotion from me, lots of tiredness from him. He's recovering. He tells the tale better on his blog. Had lots of fun with Matt's dad and Deb taking the train and skipping all over town. We only saw Matt twice; he only saw us once (at a half mile from the finish).I'm so proud of him, I could just kvell.
13 October 2006
12 October 2006
11 October 2006
09 October 2006
File: Life
Here we are with Iliana, our awesome realtor, with our offer to purchase. After a little negotiation, our offer was accepted. We are on the way to owning!
Yes, this took the cake in terms of excitement.We are buying a house! By house, I mean pretty duplex condo on the northside of the city (Edgewater). It's large and has a lot of potential. And is pretty! And a fireplace! And places for the bookshelves. Oh, so much happiness a girl could burst. Who knew the bank would approve us for a mortgage? It feels so grown-up, but yet at the same time, perfectly normal. Very strange indeed. Yippee!
08 October 2006
File: Life
My photogrqpher.
This is from a moment when he was photographing me and I was photographing him before we went apple picking. Apple picking was a blast, but surprisingly not the highlight of our weekend...01 October 2006
File: Life
Cubs game with Travis. Cubs are down, Trav and I are up. He says We are having fun. He is also worried about his double chin.
He doesn't have one.It was nice for the Cubs to finally win one. We both got pictures of the last pitch.
15 September 2006
File: Life
So, we're back from New York. It was a great place to visit, but we've taken it off the table as a place to live. Well, until we start making $200K. We realized that we have everything we need in Chicago -- why switch it up for a harder life? Hooray.
Karen (who is adorably pregnant) had a Personal DNA Test at her blog. She's a generous idealist, which I think is accurate. I took the test. I'm
Nice to hear some words of encouragement. Things here are a changing.
We went to look at a condo last night. (We figured that since we're going to settle in Chi-town, we might as well own a piece of it.) It had a great living room, and the owner who was selling it was so nice. We wanted to love it. It had nice kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a living room with a beautiful view and ivy-covered deocrative wrought iron out front. Unfortunately, it had tiny bedrooms, no place for a kitchen table, and the most depressing alley views I'd ever seen. Had the moment when we were in the condo of thinking to myself, well, we could knock down that wall... Always a bad sign. Matt set up four more appointments for Saturday. We bought a bunch of books and our friend Kevin, who has a background in construction, has offered to come look at a place with us when we find "the one" to check it for structural soundness. Yay.
So, that's the weekend plan.
Happy Friday!
Karen (who is adorably pregnant) had a Personal DNA Test at her blog. She's a generous idealist, which I think is accurate. I took the test. I'm
Nice to hear some words of encouragement. Things here are a changing.
We went to look at a condo last night. (We figured that since we're going to settle in Chi-town, we might as well own a piece of it.) It had a great living room, and the owner who was selling it was so nice. We wanted to love it. It had nice kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a living room with a beautiful view and ivy-covered deocrative wrought iron out front. Unfortunately, it had tiny bedrooms, no place for a kitchen table, and the most depressing alley views I'd ever seen. Had the moment when we were in the condo of thinking to myself, well, we could knock down that wall... Always a bad sign. Matt set up four more appointments for Saturday. We bought a bunch of books and our friend Kevin, who has a background in construction, has offered to come look at a place with us when we find "the one" to check it for structural soundness. Yay.
So, that's the weekend plan.
Happy Friday!
05 September 2006
File: Vacation
Some dinosaur history. The Apatosaurus, which means deceptive reptile, used to be the Brontesaurus. They replaced the head with the right one and here it is. My dad was excited about us seeing the dinosaurs because he saw the same ones (although in different poses) as a kid.
04 September 2006
File: Vacation
Nathan's hot dog + beer + no reason not to drink beer at 2 pm on a Monday + free Staten Island Ferry = happy Brandi and Matt.
File: Vacation
I think I like NY the best as I leave it behind. We still have another day here, and I am enjoying our vacation, but I miss Chicago. Home sweet home.
31 August 2006
File: Vacation
Look, Mom, Radio Center Music Hall! We passed this just as the MTV Video Music Awards let out. Pretty crazy fun. We didn't see anyone other than a producer and thousands of excited yellow-shirted kids.
File: Vacation
From the top of the Empire State Building looking at the Flat Iron. Awesome. This is the big "touristy" thing we did.
File: Vacation
In NYC half a day. This is the second movie crew we have seen.
Update (Monday): no idea what was being shot. Wall Street was shut down today for what I think was an Audi commercial shoot. Fun.
File: Vacation
Chinatown. The sign reads: For this glittering pearl let drinking the tea for 5000 more years.
I love NY.
26 August 2006
25 August 2006
File: Work
It has been a rough week. I'm so grateful it's the weekend. Work has been insane. I've been getting up every morning and working late into the evening to get everything done. (I got up at 4 today.) My plan is to work all weekend, with the exception of bowling tomorrow night with Matt and a meeting with a friend from the temple on Sunday to talk about membership.
I'm just running on fumes. I worked twelve hours today, until finally the words on the page started dancing and I couldn't focus. Came home, took a nap, went to shul, am going to go to bed, and then start all over again. Oy.
I just have to survive until Wednesday. Then we leave for our NY vacation.
I'm just running on fumes. I worked twelve hours today, until finally the words on the page started dancing and I couldn't focus. Came home, took a nap, went to shul, am going to go to bed, and then start all over again. Oy.
I just have to survive until Wednesday. Then we leave for our NY vacation.
20 August 2006
File: Life
Whenever there's an occasion in my family, I try and call in to attend the party, even though I'm in Chicago. (Everyone else is in Florida.) I did that over the weekend to help my youngest cousin Barrie celebrate her 20th birthday. (As I side note, I feel so old that she's 20. I remember hearing the news that she was born and jumping up and down on my parents' bed because I now had a girl cousin.)
My mom and I were talking about that today. It's amazing how technology can make you feel closer, even when you're physically far apart. My aunt now prefers e-mail to phone conversation, which works well for me because I've never been able to nail her down on the phone because she's so busy. The web has enabled us to time-shift.
Before you start thinking that this is a post about how the Internet has enabled us all to communicate without ever having to talk, you're wrong. Similar to my feelings on the books and the Internet (book publishers will not close their doors because of the web), I think both can co-exist peacefully and one supplements the other.
My mom and I do it. She's a daily reader of Being Brandi. (Hi, Mom!) Part of what I write is because I want her to feel involved and know what's going on in my life, even if it is boring minutiae (see cute cat picture below) not worthy of long-distance or cell-phone bills. But, my mom and my friends are interested, which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
I mentioned to my mom that my friend Erica, who I got to see on Friday, told me about her mom's blog, Tricia Dishes. I read it and really like it.
My mom expressed a little bit of interest in a blog. So, I set her up with one. She wanted it to be called Mom's Pages, but that url was taken. So, my dad named it Mom's The Word. I'm excited for her. And, now I'll get to know what's going on in her life. Mwah ha ha.
No, really, I'm digging this whole technology thing.
My mom and I were talking about that today. It's amazing how technology can make you feel closer, even when you're physically far apart. My aunt now prefers e-mail to phone conversation, which works well for me because I've never been able to nail her down on the phone because she's so busy. The web has enabled us to time-shift.
Before you start thinking that this is a post about how the Internet has enabled us all to communicate without ever having to talk, you're wrong. Similar to my feelings on the books and the Internet (book publishers will not close their doors because of the web), I think both can co-exist peacefully and one supplements the other.
My mom and I do it. She's a daily reader of Being Brandi. (Hi, Mom!) Part of what I write is because I want her to feel involved and know what's going on in my life, even if it is boring minutiae (see cute cat picture below) not worthy of long-distance or cell-phone bills. But, my mom and my friends are interested, which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
I mentioned to my mom that my friend Erica, who I got to see on Friday, told me about her mom's blog, Tricia Dishes. I read it and really like it.
My mom expressed a little bit of interest in a blog. So, I set her up with one. She wanted it to be called Mom's Pages, but that url was taken. So, my dad named it Mom's The Word. I'm excited for her. And, now I'll get to know what's going on in her life. Mwah ha ha.
No, really, I'm digging this whole technology thing.
18 August 2006
File: Life
I took Matt to see Wait Wait Don't Tell Me last night. It was a blast. Here we are with star newsman, Carl Kasell.
13 August 2006
File: Life
My weekend project. This is the wall to the left of our front door into the apartment. Matt did the video frame (to left of word shelf). The video changes. Currently, I have our baby pictures and summer photos loading randomly at five-second intervals. I also spray-painted the shelves, framed the letters, and designed where the photos would go on the wall.
We chose "Word" because we thought "love" was overdone. We considered our initials, but then "Word" was brought up as a joke. We found it funny. And, as the room is technically the library, it seemed to fit.
In case you can't see, the little shelf spells our last name in actual typesetting letters (hence the reason it is reversed).
Yay for weekend projects!
07 August 2006
File: Life
In high school and early college, I drove a white Dodge Shadow. Coming home from college one day, my back bumper fell off on the highway, a fact my folks always found incredible and hard to believe.
Driving into work this morning, I noticed this white Dodge Shadow in front of me. I took a picture because, you'll note, it is also missing its tush.
File: Art
I did it! This is everything getting ready to be packed for my resubmission of my picture book. Scary! Now I wait.
Update: I took it to the post office. This time around, I opted for insurance and certified mail. I'll know that arrived, at least. Say a prayer for me in my first step to being a published fiction author.
01 August 2006
File: Art
I have a show tonight.
If you're in Chi-town, stop on by.
7pm.
Fizz (upstairs)
3220 N. Lincoln
$5.
PS-- Matt will be on sound, so you'll get to hear him as well.
UPDATE: The air is broken at Fizz. It's 100-something degrees inside. They've called the show until further notice. I'll keep you posted.
If you're in Chi-town, stop on by.
7pm.
Fizz (upstairs)
3220 N. Lincoln
$5.
PS-- Matt will be on sound, so you'll get to hear him as well.
UPDATE: The air is broken at Fizz. It's 100-something degrees inside. They've called the show until further notice. I'll keep you posted.
28 July 2006
File: Art, Life, Work
This is a post about books.
I miss writing about books, but I've put BookADay on hiatus, supposedly to get more writing done. When I manage to hurl myself out of bed early in the morning, I get writing done. Otherwise, I just get sleeping done. It's a work in progress.
I'm reading Making a Literary Life: Advice for Writers and Other Dreamers right now. I'm not very far, but one of the suggestions is to write a sweet note five times a week to someone you admire in the literary world. So, I ordered blue fold-over note stationery. I haven't received it yet, but will let you know what I think. Anyway, I decided to get ahead and think about who I would write to for the first five days. The first few are easy -- I have their works on my shelves, their words inscribed upon my heart. Jeanette Winterson, Anne Lamott, Sandra Cisneros, Nick Bantock, John Lasseter. And, writing to them scares the hell out of me. It'll be a wild ride. Once my stationery gets here.
In other book news, Dad is revising his book, Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances. Buy the new one! His deadline is Christmas, which means it should come out sometime next year. The new cover was just designed. I'm attempting to upload a picture. It's pretty cool, and I'm really excited for him. Fun tidbit: I'm meeting with his editor at McGraw-Hill when Matt and I are in New York this September.
So, I finally checked out audible.com. It took me awhile because once I had found it I was so depressed I couldn't join. (That was my million-dollar idea!) I've been giving a three-month membership as part of a word-of-mouth marketing campaign headed by the BzzAgent.
BzzAgent is a pretty cool concept, by the way. People sign up to participate in campaigns -- in exchange for free stuff, you talk about what they give you and then write about what you did. The things that makes it so dynamic (and interesting for me) are the combinations of cool new stuff, talking, and writing, as well as the freedom factor. Other marketers have a specific list of things they want you to say. The same is true here (they send a packet for every campaign), but I can talk about the products/services any way I want to. If I hate something, I can tell people about it. (So far that hasn't happened. It has a secondary effect of creating brand loyalty for me to brands I never would have chosen on my own.)
Anyway, I'm part of a Bzzcampaign about audible.com. So, they signed me up for three months, and gave me three books to download at one-month increments. The sign-up was easy and quick -- the hard part was choosing which book to download. I'm normally not an audio book reader? listener? because I listened to Like Water for Chocolate years ago and hated it, hated it, hated it, but when I read the book found it to be stunning. So, I was skeptical. Audible lets you listen to snippets of books. I signed up for an audiobook at the library of a language series, but because I owe a library fine, couldn't claim it. So, I thought a language book. The one I wanted was too expensive (boo!). The site is cool because it lets you listen to snippets (most of the time, I was on a Mac, so it didn't always play for me), as well as read user comments, sort of like Amazon. They're ipod compatible, so once I settled on a book A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown, which is her memoir about her life on the street after being screwed by the Child Welfare System) it was easy to place on my shuffle. (It did it all for me, which was pretty cool.
The audio is pretty crisp. I don't know if this is the case of my shuffle, audible, or the audiobook format, but it doesn't have chapters, which is a pain. I can't really fast forward to other parts (the shuffle's not so great at that), but it would have been easier if it was set up like a book, with chapters. For the record, I mostly like the book. Her writing is clear and her story is moving, but she has a tendency to say things like, "And then things were looking up," and you just know that they're not. This was impactful the first few times, but now it's a bit overdone. I'm still going to listen until the end.
And, audible.com is cool (even though I'm not ready to forgive them for doing my idea better than I could have). A lot of NPR content is there. The NY Times is there (you can get it as a daily podcast for free). Their marketing blitz says that they have 27,000 abridged and unabridged titles, which sounds accurate. I think next month I'm going to download Blink, a book I've been meaning to read for awhile. You can try it, too. Here's the special offer: audible.com/bzz gets you a free download. Consider yourself bzzed.
Final work note: my boss told me the other day that we're the company responsible for putting Golden Books out of business. Golden Books! Sigh. For the record, Golden Books have since landed at Random House, so they're still publishing, but holy moly.
Ah, books.
I miss writing about books, but I've put BookADay on hiatus, supposedly to get more writing done. When I manage to hurl myself out of bed early in the morning, I get writing done. Otherwise, I just get sleeping done. It's a work in progress.
I'm reading Making a Literary Life: Advice for Writers and Other Dreamers right now. I'm not very far, but one of the suggestions is to write a sweet note five times a week to someone you admire in the literary world. So, I ordered blue fold-over note stationery. I haven't received it yet, but will let you know what I think. Anyway, I decided to get ahead and think about who I would write to for the first five days. The first few are easy -- I have their works on my shelves, their words inscribed upon my heart. Jeanette Winterson, Anne Lamott, Sandra Cisneros, Nick Bantock, John Lasseter. And, writing to them scares the hell out of me. It'll be a wild ride. Once my stationery gets here.
In other book news, Dad is revising his book, Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances. Buy the new one! His deadline is Christmas, which means it should come out sometime next year. The new cover was just designed. I'm attempting to upload a picture. It's pretty cool, and I'm really excited for him. Fun tidbit: I'm meeting with his editor at McGraw-Hill when Matt and I are in New York this September.
So, I finally checked out audible.com. It took me awhile because once I had found it I was so depressed I couldn't join. (That was my million-dollar idea!) I've been giving a three-month membership as part of a word-of-mouth marketing campaign headed by the BzzAgent.
BzzAgent is a pretty cool concept, by the way. People sign up to participate in campaigns -- in exchange for free stuff, you talk about what they give you and then write about what you did. The things that makes it so dynamic (and interesting for me) are the combinations of cool new stuff, talking, and writing, as well as the freedom factor. Other marketers have a specific list of things they want you to say. The same is true here (they send a packet for every campaign), but I can talk about the products/services any way I want to. If I hate something, I can tell people about it. (So far that hasn't happened. It has a secondary effect of creating brand loyalty for me to brands I never would have chosen on my own.)
Anyway, I'm part of a Bzzcampaign about audible.com. So, they signed me up for three months, and gave me three books to download at one-month increments. The sign-up was easy and quick -- the hard part was choosing which book to download. I'm normally not an audio book reader? listener? because I listened to Like Water for Chocolate years ago and hated it, hated it, hated it, but when I read the book found it to be stunning. So, I was skeptical. Audible lets you listen to snippets of books. I signed up for an audiobook at the library of a language series, but because I owe a library fine, couldn't claim it. So, I thought a language book. The one I wanted was too expensive (boo!). The site is cool because it lets you listen to snippets (most of the time, I was on a Mac, so it didn't always play for me), as well as read user comments, sort of like Amazon. They're ipod compatible, so once I settled on a book A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown, which is her memoir about her life on the street after being screwed by the Child Welfare System) it was easy to place on my shuffle. (It did it all for me, which was pretty cool.
The audio is pretty crisp. I don't know if this is the case of my shuffle, audible, or the audiobook format, but it doesn't have chapters, which is a pain. I can't really fast forward to other parts (the shuffle's not so great at that), but it would have been easier if it was set up like a book, with chapters. For the record, I mostly like the book. Her writing is clear and her story is moving, but she has a tendency to say things like, "And then things were looking up," and you just know that they're not. This was impactful the first few times, but now it's a bit overdone. I'm still going to listen until the end.
And, audible.com is cool (even though I'm not ready to forgive them for doing my idea better than I could have). A lot of NPR content is there. The NY Times is there (you can get it as a daily podcast for free). Their marketing blitz says that they have 27,000 abridged and unabridged titles, which sounds accurate. I think next month I'm going to download Blink, a book I've been meaning to read for awhile. You can try it, too. Here's the special offer: audible.com/bzz gets you a free download. Consider yourself bzzed.
Final work note: my boss told me the other day that we're the company responsible for putting Golden Books out of business. Golden Books! Sigh. For the record, Golden Books have since landed at Random House, so they're still publishing, but holy moly.
Ah, books.
25 July 2006
File: Life
And here I am with my silkscreen adventure. Yeah, it reads "book smart." Because I am.
Matt found the tutorial here: http://community.livejournal.com/craftgrrl/3674467.html. We found the instructions to be straight-forward and easy-to-follow. The Modge Podge did take longer to dry than expected (more like 45 minutes rather than 15), but that may have been the way we applied the glue. The plan is to do more soon. It was fun!
File: Life
We t-shirt screened tonight. Here is Prime by Matt after our friend O.P. It looks awesome!
10 July 2006
File: Life
Anytime I clean the house, I feel like a rockstar. I realize how ridiculous that is, but it's true. I feel like I've just run a marathon, played for the President, conquered a culprit. So, while Matt ran 10 miles yesterday, I scrubbed the kitchen.
I had felt inspired because he did a Make blog project, turning his old Powerbook into a picture frame. It now displays our photos in a continuous slideshow. He hung it on the wall, just to see how it's going to look. It's going to be awesome.
So, I felt like I needed to do something. We both want to solve our house ugly. Our problem is that we clean in manic-like states. The house gets to be too much, then we freak out and do a marathon-cleaning. We talked about this yesterday, too. Part of the reason for this is that we're both designers. To use Matt's words, we'd rather take the time to figure out how to make something to sweep the stairs, rather than just sweeping the stairs. I put up a chore list in the kitchen. It's a weekly chore list. We decided that a week was Monday-Sunday, so I couldn’t check anything off. This was okay because I wanted to clean anyway. So, I cleaned the kitchen. Our biggest problem is the accumulation of stuff. Things just pile upon pile. But, I did it. I made it through the kitchen (and only the kitchen, following the one project at a time rule which I’m notorious for breaking), fixing things that had bugged me for awhile. (For example, we don't hang pictures for whatever reason. So, I stacked them nicely and placed them artistically throughout the kitchen and felt that I made a design choice. I created a space that we want to be in. And I feel like a superhero for that.
Our friend Karen calls cleaning “blessing the house.” I love that term because it feels so true.
Tonight, I conquer my laundry.
I had felt inspired because he did a Make blog project, turning his old Powerbook into a picture frame. It now displays our photos in a continuous slideshow. He hung it on the wall, just to see how it's going to look. It's going to be awesome.
So, I felt like I needed to do something. We both want to solve our house ugly. Our problem is that we clean in manic-like states. The house gets to be too much, then we freak out and do a marathon-cleaning. We talked about this yesterday, too. Part of the reason for this is that we're both designers. To use Matt's words, we'd rather take the time to figure out how to make something to sweep the stairs, rather than just sweeping the stairs. I put up a chore list in the kitchen. It's a weekly chore list. We decided that a week was Monday-Sunday, so I couldn’t check anything off. This was okay because I wanted to clean anyway. So, I cleaned the kitchen. Our biggest problem is the accumulation of stuff. Things just pile upon pile. But, I did it. I made it through the kitchen (and only the kitchen, following the one project at a time rule which I’m notorious for breaking), fixing things that had bugged me for awhile. (For example, we don't hang pictures for whatever reason. So, I stacked them nicely and placed them artistically throughout the kitchen and felt that I made a design choice. I created a space that we want to be in. And I feel like a superhero for that.
Our friend Karen calls cleaning “blessing the house.” I love that term because it feels so true.
Tonight, I conquer my laundry.
21 June 2006
File: Art
I feel like a rockstar.
I did it. I revised a story. This may sound like nothing, but it's something big to me. This is my kid's book that I took out for a spin last year. I sent it to a publishing company, never heard back, so did nothing. So much for persistence (which, ironically, is what the story is about).
As part of my revised schedule, I've been working in the mornings on writing. Some mornings I actually write. But most mornings, I've been revising my work. It's hard to tear something down that I once thought was so good. I still think this story has a weak point, but I'm proud of it. I took it from a draft to a polished story.
It makes me feel amazing.
Yay!
Btw, I'm searching Chicago for a writer's group.
I did it. I revised a story. This may sound like nothing, but it's something big to me. This is my kid's book that I took out for a spin last year. I sent it to a publishing company, never heard back, so did nothing. So much for persistence (which, ironically, is what the story is about).
As part of my revised schedule, I've been working in the mornings on writing. Some mornings I actually write. But most mornings, I've been revising my work. It's hard to tear something down that I once thought was so good. I still think this story has a weak point, but I'm proud of it. I took it from a draft to a polished story.
It makes me feel amazing.
Yay!
Btw, I'm searching Chicago for a writer's group.
19 June 2006
File: Friends
Congrats to Erica and Fuzzy on their upcoming nuptials. Here they are cutting the cake at their bridal shower.
15 June 2006
File: Life
I've been back from Seattle for a few weeks now.
I've been struggling with a funk. Things are hard right now. Working through them, but they're hard.
I've been trying to establish a new routine. I kept feeling that I was cheating myself out of time; that I wasn't accomplishing anything. So, I decided to change that.
Most mornings, I get up early. I go to the gym. I write. I have a bunch of writing projects that I'm working on. Revising the screenplay. Dusting off the short stories. Figuring out how to really shop my kid's book, Voza Sings. A memoir. It sounds pretentious to even write that.
In typical Brandi style, I jumped in with both feet. I feel more creatively fulfilled, but haven't had the time and energy for my beloved blogs. Sorry about that, but I need to do this for me.
It's hard taking ownership on things. Putting a stake in the ground and saying, "Mine!" I'm learning how to do that more. I may have gone too far in the other direction because I've mostly stopped cleaning the house and the fishtank is turning greenish. It's all about balance.
I've been struggling with a funk. Things are hard right now. Working through them, but they're hard.
I've been trying to establish a new routine. I kept feeling that I was cheating myself out of time; that I wasn't accomplishing anything. So, I decided to change that.
Most mornings, I get up early. I go to the gym. I write. I have a bunch of writing projects that I'm working on. Revising the screenplay. Dusting off the short stories. Figuring out how to really shop my kid's book, Voza Sings. A memoir. It sounds pretentious to even write that.
In typical Brandi style, I jumped in with both feet. I feel more creatively fulfilled, but haven't had the time and energy for my beloved blogs. Sorry about that, but I need to do this for me.
It's hard taking ownership on things. Putting a stake in the ground and saying, "Mine!" I'm learning how to do that more. I may have gone too far in the other direction because I've mostly stopped cleaning the house and the fishtank is turning greenish. It's all about balance.
27 May 2006
File: Travel
This is Isabelle. Darrah and I joked that she and Patrick are betroved. She's been sleeping holding onto this stuffed puppy.
Behind her are the staples of our Seattle trip: Gatorade, saltines, Emetrol, Sprite, this hotel
room. Poor Darrah has been sick since Wednesday night. Hopefully, she'll be on the mend soon.
We can see downtown Seattle from our window. And an unidentified mountain that's not Mt. Rainier. The Space Needle, too. It's behind the Kmart sign.
25 May 2006
File: Travel
I landed. This is a cute suitcase sculpture I saw. It's true you can't throw a rock without hitting a coffeeshop. Six so far and I haven't left the airport.
24 May 2006
File: Life
Wow, it has been awhile since I've posted. Nothing bad, just busy.
Tomorrow, I leave for Seattle where I'm going to hep Darrah find an apartment and tour around the Space Needle town.
Pictures to come, maybe even some cell phone camera shots.
Cheerio!
Tomorrow, I leave for Seattle where I'm going to hep Darrah find an apartment and tour around the Space Needle town.
Pictures to come, maybe even some cell phone camera shots.
Cheerio!
25 April 2006
File: Religion
Brothel ad in Germany (via BBC) is upsetting.
Like every other brothel/strip club ad, it's insulting to women. At least that's the way I feel. It has the flags of all the World Cup countries (it's that time of year over in Europe), which has brought threats of Violence from some Muslims.
They find it as an insult to Islam that the flags, bearing Islamic symbol, were used in the ad, which is the size of a tall building.
From the article:
Are these people just wacko? Don't Muslims find violence to be against Islam? Have they twisted an ad into an attack? Or, are they right? (I don't think they are, but I'm getting all turned around.) Please help me answer this.
I feel like the world is getting crazier every day.
Like every other brothel/strip club ad, it's insulting to women. At least that's the way I feel. It has the flags of all the World Cup countries (it's that time of year over in Europe), which has brought threats of Violence from some Muslims.
They find it as an insult to Islam that the flags, bearing Islamic symbol, were used in the ad, which is the size of a tall building.
From the article:
First there were telephone threats of violence, then about 30 hooded protesters armed with knives and sticks arrived..."The situation was explosive,"
Are these people just wacko? Don't Muslims find violence to be against Islam? Have they twisted an ad into an attack? Or, are they right? (I don't think they are, but I'm getting all turned around.) Please help me answer this.
I feel like the world is getting crazier every day.
24 April 2006
File: Blog, Art
Changed the sidebar. Added some new reads.
Spent the majority of the weekend putting together a stage reading from Anne Frank's diary that I'm doing tonight at Kol Ami. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but it was intriguing to culminate the four weeks of work I've put into it. I chose, edited, and rehearsed parts from her diary to create a 15 minute performance. Hopefully, it'll be moving and respectful.
I walked a thin line, trying to decide what to include and what to leave out. In the first half of the book, she's going through all of these awful changes that involve going into hiding and living with seven other people in a cramped space that you can never leave; however, she's still 13 when she begins writing. And so she's got all the drama that comes from being 13. She's whiny, she hates her parents, people treat her like a baby, she wants her period to come.
It's the second half of the diary that she becomes the Anne Frank that everyone wants to remember. She's insightful, she writes beautifully, and she's slightly older (14-15). The weird thing is that her writing only changes after she hears a report on the radio. There's a news story about people who keep diaries after the war. She decides she wants to publish hers as the Secret Annexe and even goes back to rewrite and edit some of her earlier entries. (She goes as far to change the names of the other housemates.) After the war, her father only decides to have the diary published because of her constant entries detailing this very same desire. (There are a lot of them.)
It's true that writing for publication changed the way that she wrote. Most people (self included) write differently when they believe that someone may be reading. Does that make it any less true? I'm not sure what I think on this one. She wanted to be seen as insightful; therefore she is. I realize that there's more to it than that, but still. One never knows that, if she lived, what she would be like, or if the diary would have been published. I'd like to think that she would have gone on to great things, like I hope to do.
I need to go back and read my own journals from 13-15. What will I find in there? Did I leave myself a message in those forgotten pages? Is there something that will give me conviction and courage? Or will I only find the "unbosomings of a schoolgirl?" (Anne Frank.)
Her writing made me think about my personal heroes: Anne Frank, Nellie Bly, Anne Lamott, my husband, my dad. These are all people who worked to change their corner of the world. Sometimes, in light of the first three, they changed more than their corner. in the case of the second two, the jury's still out on how much of the world they ahve changed. They sure changed me.
Spent the majority of the weekend putting together a stage reading from Anne Frank's diary that I'm doing tonight at Kol Ami. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but it was intriguing to culminate the four weeks of work I've put into it. I chose, edited, and rehearsed parts from her diary to create a 15 minute performance. Hopefully, it'll be moving and respectful.
I walked a thin line, trying to decide what to include and what to leave out. In the first half of the book, she's going through all of these awful changes that involve going into hiding and living with seven other people in a cramped space that you can never leave; however, she's still 13 when she begins writing. And so she's got all the drama that comes from being 13. She's whiny, she hates her parents, people treat her like a baby, she wants her period to come.
It's the second half of the diary that she becomes the Anne Frank that everyone wants to remember. She's insightful, she writes beautifully, and she's slightly older (14-15). The weird thing is that her writing only changes after she hears a report on the radio. There's a news story about people who keep diaries after the war. She decides she wants to publish hers as the Secret Annexe and even goes back to rewrite and edit some of her earlier entries. (She goes as far to change the names of the other housemates.) After the war, her father only decides to have the diary published because of her constant entries detailing this very same desire. (There are a lot of them.)
It's true that writing for publication changed the way that she wrote. Most people (self included) write differently when they believe that someone may be reading. Does that make it any less true? I'm not sure what I think on this one. She wanted to be seen as insightful; therefore she is. I realize that there's more to it than that, but still. One never knows that, if she lived, what she would be like, or if the diary would have been published. I'd like to think that she would have gone on to great things, like I hope to do.
I need to go back and read my own journals from 13-15. What will I find in there? Did I leave myself a message in those forgotten pages? Is there something that will give me conviction and courage? Or will I only find the "unbosomings of a schoolgirl?" (Anne Frank.)
Her writing made me think about my personal heroes: Anne Frank, Nellie Bly, Anne Lamott, my husband, my dad. These are all people who worked to change their corner of the world. Sometimes, in light of the first three, they changed more than their corner. in the case of the second two, the jury's still out on how much of the world they ahve changed. They sure changed me.
20 April 2006
File: Life
Karen asked how the seder went last Thursday. Today's the last day of Passover, so here's my seder wrap-up.
We were lucky because some wonderfully cool people showed up. The table looked beautiful, especially because we used hand-painted plates (painted by yours truly and Matt), which was a nice touch.
As I was the only Jew, when putting together the Haggadah, I really mixed up. I wanted it to be accessible, fun, and meaningful. So, I started out with the Muppets. I found this great song online set to the Muppet show. "It's time to start the Seder..." It was so popular that it got requested at the end, too.
It was long, with people leaving around 12:15, but it awesome. Much singing, multiple plagues. I did a progressive approach. After we named the ancient plagues (which include blood and frogs), we named current plagues (AIDS, poverty). Then, we opened it up to plagues we're worried about (corporate greed was among them). It was nice. New additions to the seder plate: an orange and an olive. I thought that the orange signified the inclusion of women as Rabbis, but I read that it actually means the inclusion of all of those on the outside of Judaism, especially gays, lesbians, and transexuals. I think it also stands for those of us who chose intermarriage. The olive stands for peace in the middle east.
We told the Passover story, but we did it in our own way. There was a lot of joy at that table. And it was great. It wasn't mom's Seder, but it was the seder I've always wanted. I think we're going to make it a tradition to throw the second night seder every year.
We were lucky because some wonderfully cool people showed up. The table looked beautiful, especially because we used hand-painted plates (painted by yours truly and Matt), which was a nice touch.
As I was the only Jew, when putting together the Haggadah, I really mixed up. I wanted it to be accessible, fun, and meaningful. So, I started out with the Muppets. I found this great song online set to the Muppet show. "It's time to start the Seder..." It was so popular that it got requested at the end, too.
It was long, with people leaving around 12:15, but it awesome. Much singing, multiple plagues. I did a progressive approach. After we named the ancient plagues (which include blood and frogs), we named current plagues (AIDS, poverty). Then, we opened it up to plagues we're worried about (corporate greed was among them). It was nice. New additions to the seder plate: an orange and an olive. I thought that the orange signified the inclusion of women as Rabbis, but I read that it actually means the inclusion of all of those on the outside of Judaism, especially gays, lesbians, and transexuals. I think it also stands for those of us who chose intermarriage. The olive stands for peace in the middle east.
We told the Passover story, but we did it in our own way. There was a lot of joy at that table. And it was great. It wasn't mom's Seder, but it was the seder I've always wanted. I think we're going to make it a tradition to throw the second night seder every year.
19 April 2006
File: Art
We have a freelancer whose book was just published. I saw it on the front table at Borders, and on a special interest table at Barnes and Noble. It’s kind of exciting, knowing an author.
I say this despite being an author myself (at least a co-ghost-author, a slightly less sexy, but more accurate title).
That said, his book is just okay. The writer is a good one, but the book is just about a certain time in his life. Publisher’s Weekly called it “juvenile,” which is a pretty accurate description, if you ask me.
Yet, I love this book because it inspires me. If this guy can write a book that someone deems worthy enough to publish, what’s stopping me? As part of the spring of stuff that scares me, it’s time. I started two different titles over the weekend.
And here’s one of them:
What Question Do You Most Want Answered? My plan is to ask people all across America (and, hopefully, the world!) this question, find out the answers, and publish them in a book.
I’m not entirely sure how to get the word out. I started on Craig’s list, and have received two questions so far. (Yippee!) As Chicago’s a pretty major market, I almost want to send out a press release, but that does seem a tad garish. Also, I need to get more things in place. Need to get the website up (a one page holder will be fine), need to get a form on the site so people can really send it anonymously, need to get a p.o. box, really need to get an agent/publisher.
Interested? Send me the question you most want answered. You can send it anonymously, or you can send me your city, state, and occupation with it. Or, if you’re a friend of mine, let me know if you want me to use your name or not. By sending me your question, you give me the right to publish your words. Help my dream while finding out the answer to your big question! Send the question you most want answered to: questionyoumostwantanswered@gmail.com.
I say this despite being an author myself (at least a co-ghost-author, a slightly less sexy, but more accurate title).
That said, his book is just okay. The writer is a good one, but the book is just about a certain time in his life. Publisher’s Weekly called it “juvenile,” which is a pretty accurate description, if you ask me.
Yet, I love this book because it inspires me. If this guy can write a book that someone deems worthy enough to publish, what’s stopping me? As part of the spring of stuff that scares me, it’s time. I started two different titles over the weekend.
And here’s one of them:
What Question Do You Most Want Answered? My plan is to ask people all across America (and, hopefully, the world!) this question, find out the answers, and publish them in a book.
I’m not entirely sure how to get the word out. I started on Craig’s list, and have received two questions so far. (Yippee!) As Chicago’s a pretty major market, I almost want to send out a press release, but that does seem a tad garish. Also, I need to get more things in place. Need to get the website up (a one page holder will be fine), need to get a form on the site so people can really send it anonymously, need to get a p.o. box, really need to get an agent/publisher.
Interested? Send me the question you most want answered. You can send it anonymously, or you can send me your city, state, and occupation with it. Or, if you’re a friend of mine, let me know if you want me to use your name or not. By sending me your question, you give me the right to publish your words. Help my dream while finding out the answer to your big question! Send the question you most want answered to: questionyoumostwantanswered@gmail.com.
06 April 2006
File: Art, Life, Work
Just as I was leaving work today, Diane, a co-worker of mine, posed this question to me: If I won the billion dollar lottery, what would I do with myself? (An aside: I love that it's a billion dollar lottery, as inflation has finally won and a simple million won't cut it.)
I sort of whiffed on the question. I told her I'd keep working part time, just to keep myself on a schedule, as I'm at my best when I'm working on deadlines for others rather than myself. She countered with a follow up, "Yeah, but doing what? What industry?" My first answer was reading and books. But that quickly followed with my other loves: video, technology, theatre, writing. I'd definitely write that book.
I was thinking about it on the drive home. It's not really about medium for me. I love content. It's such a stale word, but it can describe so much, and that's why I'm using it. I love producing content, absorbing content, and almost most of all, sharing content. I'm just as happy to send a link to a cool website that's helped me, as I am to send a photograph I've taken, talk about a book I love, or recount a scene that made me laugh so hard I hyperventilated.
I like to help others.
Information sharing, especially through writing, is the method I'm best at; perhaps the only method of helping others that I really trust for myself. That said, there are so many other methods of information sharing that intrigue me. I think I would feel that I was missing something if I had to give up any one of those mediums.
Maybe it's the art school background. Communication arts, my area, exposed me to so many different playgrounds that I didn't want to choose just the slide or the swings. I just want to explore them all.
I should have said that as long as I have my hand in content creation, I'll be happy. I think a billion dollars would enable me to work smarter towards that, but I think it would also give me the opportunity to find new ways of content creation (maybe even ones that haven't been invented yet; it would be cool to invent something). I think what I'd really like from the lottery fairy is to split my winnings: some money (say, 8-12 million) and the rest in time. That's the biggest problem: I don't have the time to explore (and get really, really good at) all of the areas of content creation that pique my curiosity.
But, at least I can narrow it down. Cheesy business card here I come: Content Creator, Medium Flexible.
I sort of whiffed on the question. I told her I'd keep working part time, just to keep myself on a schedule, as I'm at my best when I'm working on deadlines for others rather than myself. She countered with a follow up, "Yeah, but doing what? What industry?" My first answer was reading and books. But that quickly followed with my other loves: video, technology, theatre, writing. I'd definitely write that book.
I was thinking about it on the drive home. It's not really about medium for me. I love content. It's such a stale word, but it can describe so much, and that's why I'm using it. I love producing content, absorbing content, and almost most of all, sharing content. I'm just as happy to send a link to a cool website that's helped me, as I am to send a photograph I've taken, talk about a book I love, or recount a scene that made me laugh so hard I hyperventilated.
I like to help others.
Information sharing, especially through writing, is the method I'm best at; perhaps the only method of helping others that I really trust for myself. That said, there are so many other methods of information sharing that intrigue me. I think I would feel that I was missing something if I had to give up any one of those mediums.
Maybe it's the art school background. Communication arts, my area, exposed me to so many different playgrounds that I didn't want to choose just the slide or the swings. I just want to explore them all.
I should have said that as long as I have my hand in content creation, I'll be happy. I think a billion dollars would enable me to work smarter towards that, but I think it would also give me the opportunity to find new ways of content creation (maybe even ones that haven't been invented yet; it would be cool to invent something). I think what I'd really like from the lottery fairy is to split my winnings: some money (say, 8-12 million) and the rest in time. That's the biggest problem: I don't have the time to explore (and get really, really good at) all of the areas of content creation that pique my curiosity.
But, at least I can narrow it down. Cheesy business card here I come: Content Creator, Medium Flexible.
03 April 2006
File: Life
You probably can't see me like I see me. But, right now, I look like who I imagine myself to be.
File: Life
I keep forgetting how old I am.
I hadn't been asked since my birthday back in December. I realize that's not the longest time, but it's incredible that I just can't seem to remember. Am I 27 or 28? Both seem scary and neither seem like 26, which I thought I was.
Read an article in Jane about why it's awesome to be in your 20s followed by an article about a bunch of amazing women in their 20s. It made me blue. What am I doing with myself? How do I get mentioned as a "30 under 30"? If I die right now, will anyone remember me in five years? Blue kitty, I.
I need to remember to continue on my path and redefine my goals. The spring of stuff that scares me helps. Maybe? It's possible that I'm just diluting my goals, once again shying away in a passive act of self-sabotage. Plan: one weekend a month dedicated to goals. Current big goal: publish something. Matt's counter: I already have. My counter counter: Not good enough. Secondary goal: stop discounting self.
So there it is. Show shopping (matching Chucks) helped. Newfound love of piano playing helps. Cats who hate one another does not help.
Okay, off to conquer another week.
I hadn't been asked since my birthday back in December. I realize that's not the longest time, but it's incredible that I just can't seem to remember. Am I 27 or 28? Both seem scary and neither seem like 26, which I thought I was.
Read an article in Jane about why it's awesome to be in your 20s followed by an article about a bunch of amazing women in their 20s. It made me blue. What am I doing with myself? How do I get mentioned as a "30 under 30"? If I die right now, will anyone remember me in five years? Blue kitty, I.
I need to remember to continue on my path and redefine my goals. The spring of stuff that scares me helps. Maybe? It's possible that I'm just diluting my goals, once again shying away in a passive act of self-sabotage. Plan: one weekend a month dedicated to goals. Current big goal: publish something. Matt's counter: I already have. My counter counter: Not good enough. Secondary goal: stop discounting self.
So there it is. Show shopping (matching Chucks) helped. Newfound love of piano playing helps. Cats who hate one another does not help.
Okay, off to conquer another week.
File: Life
I keep forgetting how old I am.
I hadn't been asked since my birthday back in December. I realize that's not the longest time, but it's incredible that I just can't seem to remember. Am I 27 or 28? Both seem scary and neither seem like 26, which I thought I was.
Read an article in Jane about why it's awesome to be in your 20s followed by an article about a bunch of amazing women in their 20s. It made me blue. What am I doing with myself? How do I get mentioned as a "30 under 30"? If I die right now, will anyone remember me in five years? Blue kitty, I.
I need to remember to continue on my path and redefine my goals. The spring of stuff that scares me helps. Maybe? It's possible that I'm just diluting my goals, once again shying away in a passive act of self-sabotage. Plan: one weekend a month dedicated to goals. Current big goal: publish something. Matt's counter: I already have. My counter counter: Not good enough. Secondary goal: stop discounting self.
So there it is. Show shopping (matching Chucks) helped. Newfound love of piano playing helps. Cats who hate one another does not help.
Okay, off to conquer another week.
I hadn't been asked since my birthday back in December. I realize that's not the longest time, but it's incredible that I just can't seem to remember. Am I 27 or 28? Both seem scary and neither seem like 26, which I thought I was.
Read an article in Jane about why it's awesome to be in your 20s followed by an article about a bunch of amazing women in their 20s. It made me blue. What am I doing with myself? How do I get mentioned as a "30 under 30"? If I die right now, will anyone remember me in five years? Blue kitty, I.
I need to remember to continue on my path and redefine my goals. The spring of stuff that scares me helps. Maybe? It's possible that I'm just diluting my goals, once again shying away in a passive act of self-sabotage. Plan: one weekend a month dedicated to goals. Current big goal: publish something. Matt's counter: I already have. My counter counter: Not good enough. Secondary goal: stop discounting self.
So there it is. Show shopping (matching Chucks) helped. Newfound love of piano playing helps. Cats who hate one another does not help.
Okay, off to conquer another week.
02 April 2006
30 March 2006
File: History (The Originals)
In high school, my friend Christel and I had this bit. The Olan Mills dorky picture bit. Most people took them seriously, with boyfriends posing sweetly with their girlfriends and the what not. Our group of friends didn't and I have many the photographic evidence.
The above pic being proof. I love these pictures of us. This frame has sat on or near my desk for almost ten years now. Wow.
In college, Christel and I shared an apartment we named Tahiti which, until we found out that Danny Rollings killed someone there, was a great place to live. In any case, we had a cute frog decor, complete with a stuffed frog that smoked a cigar.
I saw the above frogs in Borders right before Christel's birthday this year. (Her birthday is in Feb., so as usual, I'm running a bit late.) I knew I must do a photo shoot with them. And, so it is.
The next phase will be separation, alas. Frog one "Bito" will be sent to Florida to keep Christel company. I will keep frog two "Chito" so I can remember Tahiti.
23 March 2006
File: Art
So, my worry was not needed. (I suppose it never is.) I felt really good about class. Man, I've missed doing improv. It's neat to come back to it. When I was doing it last time around, Charna told me that I have the knowledge about the ways to do it and knew the rules, but that it needed to come out in my body, that I needed to take my knowledge and translate it to the stage. I felt able to do that last night. I don't know why, I just reacted to what as going on around me.
Upon arrival, it was a little weird. I thought we were supposed to meet in the lobby; nobody was there. I heard the voice of Keith, my temporary teacher, in the theatre and walked in. I wasn't sure if I was in the right place, as I wasn't on his roster. Turns out, they put me on Matt's roster, but we had decided last night that wasn't a good idea, so I stayed in Keith's class.
I like this class. The people have different backgrounds: from a law professor, to an English teacher, to a carpenter, and all degrees of experience both inside improv and outside improv. They were all together for the last level so I'm the newbie, but they were all very nice to me and made me feel welcome. From what I saw in class and afterward (we went for beers), I like them as people, too.
Keith had us place ourselves on stage based on different criteria (improv history, placement in family, etc.). Then, we walked around embodying different emotions (the most joyful person we know, the most emotionally repressed person we know), Then, scenework. He's a good teacher. He gave us some great tools. The first came from the psychology book Games People Play (note to self: read). He gave someone in the scene a game, someone in the scene picked an action from the hat, and at the right moment, someone in the scene picked an emotion from the hat.
I didn't do so well with the emotion part. My emotion was affection (is that an emotion, really?). I didn't know how to play it, and the scene that was going on was a living room scene with Grandma trying to one-up everyone else, which was a fun game, but it got a little scrunched together and talky. I just was very huggy. Looking back, I wish I would have walked in with an animal or something else to care for so I could give the affection but wasn't the other players so I'd be able to play the game.
I did better on my action. It was in a kitchen. I cooked eggs. My object work is horrendous. It was fun because the staging placed me in the middle of a game (I'm really not attracted to you) which was well-played by a girl in my class, Caitlin. Matt, a classmate not my spouse, played someone who wanted fried eggs, which upset my character because he ordered scrambled eggs every morning. I wish I could capture the scene, but it was fun to do. I realized, after this scene, that I'm better than I used to be because in the past I was afraid to speak if I didn't have anything in mind. Here, I had nothing in mind and would just look at what was ahead of me and come back to it. "Pepper, salt?" Occasionally, I would come back to it with whatever came to my mind, "Pepper, salt, hand?" Someone in my class commented that was funny. I had no idea.
The first scene I did was the game. It went really well and was a nice relief that I was capable of doing improv. The game Keith gave me was "I'm so bad, see if you can stop me." It was so much fun. So much fun. I was nervous upon reading it because I had just seen another classmate, Louis, do the same game very, very well. He kept throwing apples and moving his feet like circles. It was damn funny. In mine, my scene partner was walking his dog/sheep (it kept changing). I don't know what made me do this, but I decided to love it till it hurts to see if they would stop me. "I'm going to lick it." At one point I was underneath the sheep/dog hugging it with my whole body. My third scene partner (I haven't learned everyone's name yet) walked in and said that it wasn't the same since our mother had died. At which point, I just reacted. I screamed a high pitch whine. And held it. And held it. And held it until people laughed. My partners would speak, but then I would scream again, playing with the volume and pitch length. It was a lot of fun (although it sort of hurt my voice). I didn't plan anything--I was just in the moment and reacting to the people and emotions around me. This is what I had been trying to do in my improv planning and performing before and never quite accomplished. It felt great to be able to do that.
We did some more object work, walking into a room with an emotion (rage) and interacting with all the stuff left in it by previous occupants, create your own, and then leave. I was the last one and didn't do the best job. You can't always hit home runs.
We played emotional symphony which is a cool game that's a lot of fun. (People emote to a given emotion conducted like a symphony). After class, I was emotionally and physically tired. I understand why Matt's so wiped after a CSZ show.
I realized that I have some potential. Some of my classmates found me to be funny (hooray!). Most importantly, I was relaxed, open, and enjoying everything that was going on around me. I need to remember this attitude and feeling because it's so much easier t be than to try. I hope I'm able to retain this as the weeks go on.
In the meantime, it feels so good to be back.
Upon arrival, it was a little weird. I thought we were supposed to meet in the lobby; nobody was there. I heard the voice of Keith, my temporary teacher, in the theatre and walked in. I wasn't sure if I was in the right place, as I wasn't on his roster. Turns out, they put me on Matt's roster, but we had decided last night that wasn't a good idea, so I stayed in Keith's class.
I like this class. The people have different backgrounds: from a law professor, to an English teacher, to a carpenter, and all degrees of experience both inside improv and outside improv. They were all together for the last level so I'm the newbie, but they were all very nice to me and made me feel welcome. From what I saw in class and afterward (we went for beers), I like them as people, too.
Keith had us place ourselves on stage based on different criteria (improv history, placement in family, etc.). Then, we walked around embodying different emotions (the most joyful person we know, the most emotionally repressed person we know), Then, scenework. He's a good teacher. He gave us some great tools. The first came from the psychology book Games People Play (note to self: read). He gave someone in the scene a game, someone in the scene picked an action from the hat, and at the right moment, someone in the scene picked an emotion from the hat.
I didn't do so well with the emotion part. My emotion was affection (is that an emotion, really?). I didn't know how to play it, and the scene that was going on was a living room scene with Grandma trying to one-up everyone else, which was a fun game, but it got a little scrunched together and talky. I just was very huggy. Looking back, I wish I would have walked in with an animal or something else to care for so I could give the affection but wasn't the other players so I'd be able to play the game.
I did better on my action. It was in a kitchen. I cooked eggs. My object work is horrendous. It was fun because the staging placed me in the middle of a game (I'm really not attracted to you) which was well-played by a girl in my class, Caitlin. Matt, a classmate not my spouse, played someone who wanted fried eggs, which upset my character because he ordered scrambled eggs every morning. I wish I could capture the scene, but it was fun to do. I realized, after this scene, that I'm better than I used to be because in the past I was afraid to speak if I didn't have anything in mind. Here, I had nothing in mind and would just look at what was ahead of me and come back to it. "Pepper, salt?" Occasionally, I would come back to it with whatever came to my mind, "Pepper, salt, hand?" Someone in my class commented that was funny. I had no idea.
The first scene I did was the game. It went really well and was a nice relief that I was capable of doing improv. The game Keith gave me was "I'm so bad, see if you can stop me." It was so much fun. So much fun. I was nervous upon reading it because I had just seen another classmate, Louis, do the same game very, very well. He kept throwing apples and moving his feet like circles. It was damn funny. In mine, my scene partner was walking his dog/sheep (it kept changing). I don't know what made me do this, but I decided to love it till it hurts to see if they would stop me. "I'm going to lick it." At one point I was underneath the sheep/dog hugging it with my whole body. My third scene partner (I haven't learned everyone's name yet) walked in and said that it wasn't the same since our mother had died. At which point, I just reacted. I screamed a high pitch whine. And held it. And held it. And held it until people laughed. My partners would speak, but then I would scream again, playing with the volume and pitch length. It was a lot of fun (although it sort of hurt my voice). I didn't plan anything--I was just in the moment and reacting to the people and emotions around me. This is what I had been trying to do in my improv planning and performing before and never quite accomplished. It felt great to be able to do that.
We did some more object work, walking into a room with an emotion (rage) and interacting with all the stuff left in it by previous occupants, create your own, and then leave. I was the last one and didn't do the best job. You can't always hit home runs.
We played emotional symphony which is a cool game that's a lot of fun. (People emote to a given emotion conducted like a symphony). After class, I was emotionally and physically tired. I understand why Matt's so wiped after a CSZ show.
I realized that I have some potential. Some of my classmates found me to be funny (hooray!). Most importantly, I was relaxed, open, and enjoying everything that was going on around me. I need to remember this attitude and feeling because it's so much easier t be than to try. I hope I'm able to retain this as the weeks go on.
In the meantime, it feels so good to be back.
22 March 2006
File: Art
So, tonight's my first improv class. Matt's teaching the same level, but a different class. I feel strange about the whole thing. I wanted to be in his class, but understand it's a conflict of interest. That said, I feel safe around him.
Truth is, I'm scared. That's part of the reason I'm taking the class. I miss performing and I think I miss improv. I realize that I may just be in a place where I remember the good of improv and that's what I'm coveting. Yet, as I get ready for my class tonight, the bad of improv is starting to rejoin me: hugging the backwall, praying for the show to be over, that nobody would notice that I have nothing to contribute, no ability to create a believable world out of nothing based off what my stage partner has said. I have that knot in my stomach that it's there again, that I'm bound to fail, the gawky girl in the corner who everyone likes but nobody has the heart to tell she's horrible. Or the girl who really is horrible and it's just acknowledged. Truthfully, I don't know which one is worse.
Matt said some really nice things to me last night—about the ensemble in general, about the amount of people who believe and want me (and everyone in the classes) to succeed. I am coming to improv with a different attitude. I no longer have anything to prove. I don't have to earn my space or justify my reason for being there, as I thought I had to the first time around. I'm taking a class because I want to, and have accepted that I am a student, nothing more, nothing less.
Maybe that's why I'm taking so many classes this spring (currently signed up for this, piano, and voice). I want to return as a student for the joy of studying, not for any real reason than a desire to better myself in areas that interest me.
I'm still nervous and scared, but am excited about it and think it's going to be fun. I feel inspired by our friend Dave who blogs about his Tai Chi classes. Some go well, some don't. He's a student (I think) because he wants to learn and he puts his best effort into each one, not knowing if that night will be a success or failure. I'm going to attempt to emulate that tonight.
Truth is, I'm scared. That's part of the reason I'm taking the class. I miss performing and I think I miss improv. I realize that I may just be in a place where I remember the good of improv and that's what I'm coveting. Yet, as I get ready for my class tonight, the bad of improv is starting to rejoin me: hugging the backwall, praying for the show to be over, that nobody would notice that I have nothing to contribute, no ability to create a believable world out of nothing based off what my stage partner has said. I have that knot in my stomach that it's there again, that I'm bound to fail, the gawky girl in the corner who everyone likes but nobody has the heart to tell she's horrible. Or the girl who really is horrible and it's just acknowledged. Truthfully, I don't know which one is worse.
Matt said some really nice things to me last night—about the ensemble in general, about the amount of people who believe and want me (and everyone in the classes) to succeed. I am coming to improv with a different attitude. I no longer have anything to prove. I don't have to earn my space or justify my reason for being there, as I thought I had to the first time around. I'm taking a class because I want to, and have accepted that I am a student, nothing more, nothing less.
Maybe that's why I'm taking so many classes this spring (currently signed up for this, piano, and voice). I want to return as a student for the joy of studying, not for any real reason than a desire to better myself in areas that interest me.
I'm still nervous and scared, but am excited about it and think it's going to be fun. I feel inspired by our friend Dave who blogs about his Tai Chi classes. Some go well, some don't. He's a student (I think) because he wants to learn and he puts his best effort into each one, not knowing if that night will be a success or failure. I'm going to attempt to emulate that tonight.
20 March 2006
You have new Picture Mail!
Rio is feeling better. Here she is breaking into the weather proofed window. Hopefully spring will come soon.
17 March 2006
15 March 2006
You have new Picture Mail!
Rio is not feeling well. So, we are currently at the vet. Poor thing has a very upset tummy.
14 March 2006
File: Work
Humpday jokes have begun.
As in, "It's almost Humpday. The week's almost gone."
True conversation from the hallway.
As in, "It's almost Humpday. The week's almost gone."
True conversation from the hallway.
File: Goals
This is the spring of scare-the-hell-out-of-me. That means I'm going to do things that scare me, despite being afraid. Why? Different reasons for all, mostly just to better myself and try things that I've failed in or haven't tried because of failure.
My goals this spring:
1. Exercise on a regular basis, between 2-3 times per week. I've never been good about this, perhaps because, in my house growing up, I always had to defend physical activity and still harbor remaining guilt everytime I exercise. How to conquer: I'm taking a pilates class, I am trying to find time for running, and I joined my new company's softball team.
2. Expand musical vocabulary. I've always thought I was bad at music, especially singing. Apparantly, all I needed was a little training. My choir at Kol Ami has helped. Our choir, and a buunch of others from around Chicagoland (I hate that phrase), performed with Julie Silver. Last night, I sang in the purim spiel, titled Rhapsody in Shul. We took Gerswhin songs and rewrote the lyrics. I had my first solo ever. It scared me to death. Matt took pictures and Karyn's Matt took video. Initial pictures are at larsenopolis.blogspot.com. How to conquer: Well, last night helped. But, it just gave me the bug to do more. I'm going to take voice and piano lessons.
3. Return to performing. I miss it. It's been awhile. After leaving improv to explore scripted work and then having my worst audition of my life (on the CSz stage, no less), I stopped doing theatre. The wedding helped, then life got away from me and I didn't have time for theatre. I've decided to make time and return to performing. How to conquer: I'm taking an improv class at ComedySportz. I'm pretty sure my skills are rusty (read: lost, bad), and I'm afraid of looking like an idiot in front of a friend, but I've decided this is a needed hurdle in order to get back on the horse.
4. Get serious about my writing. I have pieces I'm really proud of that sit on my desk and gather dust. It kills me, but I'm too afraid to do anything with it. Why? No idea. How to conquer: I'm going to start sending things out seriously.
I realize it's ambitious, but ambition is one of the few things that doesn't frighten me.
My goals this spring:
1. Exercise on a regular basis, between 2-3 times per week. I've never been good about this, perhaps because, in my house growing up, I always had to defend physical activity and still harbor remaining guilt everytime I exercise. How to conquer: I'm taking a pilates class, I am trying to find time for running, and I joined my new company's softball team.
2. Expand musical vocabulary. I've always thought I was bad at music, especially singing. Apparantly, all I needed was a little training. My choir at Kol Ami has helped. Our choir, and a buunch of others from around Chicagoland (I hate that phrase), performed with Julie Silver. Last night, I sang in the purim spiel, titled Rhapsody in Shul. We took Gerswhin songs and rewrote the lyrics. I had my first solo ever. It scared me to death. Matt took pictures and Karyn's Matt took video. Initial pictures are at larsenopolis.blogspot.com. How to conquer: Well, last night helped. But, it just gave me the bug to do more. I'm going to take voice and piano lessons.
3. Return to performing. I miss it. It's been awhile. After leaving improv to explore scripted work and then having my worst audition of my life (on the CSz stage, no less), I stopped doing theatre. The wedding helped, then life got away from me and I didn't have time for theatre. I've decided to make time and return to performing. How to conquer: I'm taking an improv class at ComedySportz. I'm pretty sure my skills are rusty (read: lost, bad), and I'm afraid of looking like an idiot in front of a friend, but I've decided this is a needed hurdle in order to get back on the horse.
4. Get serious about my writing. I have pieces I'm really proud of that sit on my desk and gather dust. It kills me, but I'm too afraid to do anything with it. Why? No idea. How to conquer: I'm going to start sending things out seriously.
I realize it's ambitious, but ambition is one of the few things that doesn't frighten me.
10 March 2006
File: Links, Tech
CNN Money has this article: http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/10/technology/business2_writerly0310/.
I love it. Writerly is a program Matt and I both use and love. I'm both hapy and sad Google's acquired it. I love all of Google's services, but am not a big fan of their ads. Sigh.
I love it. Writerly is a program Matt and I both use and love. I'm both hapy and sad Google's acquired it. I love all of Google's services, but am not a big fan of their ads. Sigh.
09 March 2006
08 March 2006
File: Links
06 March 2006
File: Art, Life, Love
We watched the Oscars last night on the big screen at The Vic. Very fun. I hadn't seen any of the big movies. Two movies I saw: March of the Penguins and Wallace & Grommit. Voted for (and won) March of the Penguins. Voted against (and lost) Wallace & Grommit.
My optimism knows no end. Even though I only got 25 percent of my picks correct (that's 6 out of 24 for the kids in the back row), I still feel like I have a chance of recouping my $3 in the office Oscar Pool. I really feel like I could have a chance. My correct picks: Best Picture (Crash), Best Supporting Actor (dreamy George Clooney), Best Feature Documentary, Best Sound Mixing (King Kong), Best Visual Effects (King Kong), Best Actor (P.S. Hoffman). This does make me want to jump onboard Matt's Netflix train and start renting movies.
We celebrated our second wedding anniversary this weekend with a trip to Starved Rock. It's crazy that we've been married two years, and together for five. I feel so lucky and happy to have found Matt. I'll post pictures from our trip soon.
Special birthday note: Happy Birthday, Karen (I know it was yesterday). Here's to many more penguins!
***Update*** I didn't win the Oscar pool. But, I didn't come in last either. I was a very respectable (for me) third from the bottom.
My optimism knows no end. Even though I only got 25 percent of my picks correct (that's 6 out of 24 for the kids in the back row), I still feel like I have a chance of recouping my $3 in the office Oscar Pool. I really feel like I could have a chance. My correct picks: Best Picture (Crash), Best Supporting Actor (dreamy George Clooney), Best Feature Documentary, Best Sound Mixing (King Kong), Best Visual Effects (King Kong), Best Actor (P.S. Hoffman). This does make me want to jump onboard Matt's Netflix train and start renting movies.
We celebrated our second wedding anniversary this weekend with a trip to Starved Rock. It's crazy that we've been married two years, and together for five. I feel so lucky and happy to have found Matt. I'll post pictures from our trip soon.
Special birthday note: Happy Birthday, Karen (I know it was yesterday). Here's to many more penguins!
***Update*** I didn't win the Oscar pool. But, I didn't come in last either. I was a very respectable (for me) third from the bottom.
02 March 2006
File: Writing
Jenn asked about favorite words. I posted a comment over at www.milkring.com, but it got so involved, I thought I'd post it here too.
Ilk.
It means 'type or kind.'
Here's the word history, according to dictionary.com: "Middle English ilke, same, from Old English ilca. See i- in Indo-European Roots. When one uses ilk, as in the phrase men of his ilk, one is using a word with an ancient pedigree even though the sense of ilk, kind or sort,” is actually quite recent, having been first recorded at the end of the 18th century. This sense grew out of an older use of ilk in the phrase of that ilk, meaning of the same place, territorial designation, or name.” This phrase was used chiefly in names of landed families, Guthrie of that ilk meaning “Guthrie of Guthrie. “Same” is the fundamental meaning of the word. The ancestors of ilk, Old English ilca and Middle English ilke, were common words, usually appearing with such words as the or that, but the word hardly survived the Middle Ages in those uses."
My favorite moment with this word: When my dad and I wrote his book, I was in charge of the introduction. Dad never read it until the book was in print. The day the book shipped, he was standing in our living room, thumbing through the hardcover fruit of our labors. He starts to read the introduction, gets halfway through, comes upon my favorite word, and swears to the room at large, "What the hell does ilk mean? BRANDI!"
Lesson: Sometimes a little word is a big word. And, it's no fun to be a pretentious word snob because, above all, words are supposed to be the vehicle for communication.
Okay, I realize I'm getting way too dorky with this, but I'm a writer, love reading, and above all, love words. This is my favorite because of its quirkiness.
And now I ask you: What's your favorite word?
Ilk.
It means 'type or kind.'
Here's the word history, according to dictionary.com: "Middle English ilke, same, from Old English ilca. See i- in Indo-European Roots. When one uses ilk, as in the phrase men of his ilk, one is using a word with an ancient pedigree even though the sense of ilk, kind or sort,” is actually quite recent, having been first recorded at the end of the 18th century. This sense grew out of an older use of ilk in the phrase of that ilk, meaning of the same place, territorial designation, or name.” This phrase was used chiefly in names of landed families, Guthrie of that ilk meaning “Guthrie of Guthrie. “Same” is the fundamental meaning of the word. The ancestors of ilk, Old English ilca and Middle English ilke, were common words, usually appearing with such words as the or that, but the word hardly survived the Middle Ages in those uses."
My favorite moment with this word: When my dad and I wrote his book, I was in charge of the introduction. Dad never read it until the book was in print. The day the book shipped, he was standing in our living room, thumbing through the hardcover fruit of our labors. He starts to read the introduction, gets halfway through, comes upon my favorite word, and swears to the room at large, "What the hell does ilk mean? BRANDI!"
Lesson: Sometimes a little word is a big word. And, it's no fun to be a pretentious word snob because, above all, words are supposed to be the vehicle for communication.
Okay, I realize I'm getting way too dorky with this, but I'm a writer, love reading, and above all, love words. This is my favorite because of its quirkiness.
And now I ask you: What's your favorite word?
File: Writing, Life
Tuesday was our two-year anniversary. I feel like our relationship keeps getting more incredible with every day. Okay, not every day, as we have our days when we're not as close, but overall, the more time we spend together the more I feel alive. I feel so happy, lucky, and blessed. We didn't celebrate on Tuesday,, but we're going to the Landers house out in Utica this weekend. Can I hear it for Utica? It's near Starved Rock, which is supposed to be a really great state park. Matt planned it, so I'm really proud of him.
Only minus about hitting our two-year anniversary: we're no longer newlyweds. Hopefully,we'll keep the spirit.
I miss writing BookADay, but with the contest I'm judging, there's no time to really write. Two more weeks and I'll get to return to reading what I want.
Also, I'm going to put into the Oscar pool at work. I haven't seen any of the movies. Suggestions?
Only minus about hitting our two-year anniversary: we're no longer newlyweds. Hopefully,we'll keep the spirit.
I miss writing BookADay, but with the contest I'm judging, there's no time to really write. Two more weeks and I'll get to return to reading what I want.
Also, I'm going to put into the Oscar pool at work. I haven't seen any of the movies. Suggestions?
01 March 2006
File: Life
Totally rocking out on the way home. 2 cars have stared at me. But the woman in the minivan was doing a literal head bop to Shakira. I muted mine just to hear her.
Looking at this picture in my browser, I've realized that it says "Closer to Fin" instead of "Closer to Fine." I'm not sure which song title I prefer, but the former seems to work with the topic.24 February 2006
File: Links
It's a family portrait throughout the years. This is fascinating. Their middle son is the same age as me. Thanks, Karen.
I want to do this. I've had the idea for awhile that when we have a child I want to take a picture of her/him every day. That way you get to see the true growth, and it'll make a cool flipbook.
I want to do this. I've had the idea for awhile that when we have a child I want to take a picture of her/him every day. That way you get to see the true growth, and it'll make a cool flipbook.
23 February 2006
File: 365, The Fam, Friends
I started the new gig on Monday.
I like it. It's completely different from where I was, which is a good thing and a bittersweet thing as well. I miss the boisterous atmosphere of the old gang. I miss green walls. I miss the dog.
Things that amuse me: a co-worker eats beef jerky from a bag he keeps in his filing cabinet, Matt went to college with a co-worker and a co-worker's wife, my boss toured the country with the WWE, the place has so many books, I read for a living.
The job is a little different than thought, but pretty close. I'm not doing as much writing. It's a good blend of editing the work of freelancers and publishing articles. Right now, it's all about production, getting these articles to the client. I like thinking too and had a bunch of ideas which I talked about with my boss. He was open to almost all of them. Hooray! He's a really nice guy and I feel lucky to be there.
Something cool: we use Lotus Notes, the program Uncle Mike wrote back in the day. It makes me feel connected to him just by being at work. It's been 14 years this month since his death. That's crazy, I think about how much he's missed and how much I miss him. I'm sure it was better in the 90's, but the program's kind of wonky. I want to call Lotus (now IBM) and ask them what's up.
We work on Macs. I have the Mac Mini, the Mighty Mouse, and the big monitor Matt and I drool over whenever we're in the Apple store. That's pretty cool.
It's strange working in the burbs. Granted, it's the closest burb to the city (Lincolnwood), but it's still weird. The people who have windows have amazing views of the parking lot and the power tower which stands in the parking lot and makes me wonder if I'm going to get cancer if I work there long enough. Mom and Dad would love this burb, though. There's a lot like it in South Florida. And lots of chosen peeps. There's a temple on every corner. Very cool. So, Mom and Dad, move to Lincolnwood! I'll come home for lunch.
I'm a little lonely at work. Maybe it's the isolated nature of cubes and offices vs. the loft. Maybe it's that I don't have friends there yet. I joined the softball team (the Boppers) in an effort to change that. I know it'll get better, that it's just time, but it makes me a little blue right now.
A bunch of friends touched base with me last night. It made me feel loved and happy. Thanks, guys. Christel and Steve are in town for a wedding, so we're going to see them tonight. I'm excited to see them in Chicago. In other news, Darrah yelled at me for reading books and not going to her for style advise. My response: You will always be my fashion idol, but I'm a slow learner. This could be sped up if you move to Chicago!
Ok, really need to hop in the shower now.
I like it. It's completely different from where I was, which is a good thing and a bittersweet thing as well. I miss the boisterous atmosphere of the old gang. I miss green walls. I miss the dog.
Things that amuse me: a co-worker eats beef jerky from a bag he keeps in his filing cabinet, Matt went to college with a co-worker and a co-worker's wife, my boss toured the country with the WWE, the place has so many books, I read for a living.
The job is a little different than thought, but pretty close. I'm not doing as much writing. It's a good blend of editing the work of freelancers and publishing articles. Right now, it's all about production, getting these articles to the client. I like thinking too and had a bunch of ideas which I talked about with my boss. He was open to almost all of them. Hooray! He's a really nice guy and I feel lucky to be there.
Something cool: we use Lotus Notes, the program Uncle Mike wrote back in the day. It makes me feel connected to him just by being at work. It's been 14 years this month since his death. That's crazy, I think about how much he's missed and how much I miss him. I'm sure it was better in the 90's, but the program's kind of wonky. I want to call Lotus (now IBM) and ask them what's up.
We work on Macs. I have the Mac Mini, the Mighty Mouse, and the big monitor Matt and I drool over whenever we're in the Apple store. That's pretty cool.
It's strange working in the burbs. Granted, it's the closest burb to the city (Lincolnwood), but it's still weird. The people who have windows have amazing views of the parking lot and the power tower which stands in the parking lot and makes me wonder if I'm going to get cancer if I work there long enough. Mom and Dad would love this burb, though. There's a lot like it in South Florida. And lots of chosen peeps. There's a temple on every corner. Very cool. So, Mom and Dad, move to Lincolnwood! I'll come home for lunch.
I'm a little lonely at work. Maybe it's the isolated nature of cubes and offices vs. the loft. Maybe it's that I don't have friends there yet. I joined the softball team (the Boppers) in an effort to change that. I know it'll get better, that it's just time, but it makes me a little blue right now.
A bunch of friends touched base with me last night. It made me feel loved and happy. Thanks, guys. Christel and Steve are in town for a wedding, so we're going to see them tonight. I'm excited to see them in Chicago. In other news, Darrah yelled at me for reading books and not going to her for style advise. My response: You will always be my fashion idol, but I'm a slow learner. This could be sped up if you move to Chicago!
Ok, really need to hop in the shower now.
15 February 2006
A Picture Share!
Meet Pip, our new Scion XA. He only had 3 miles on him when we found him. Here is to many many more!
A Picture Share!
After three long hours doing paperwork (they were very nice to us), we finally got to take him home.
File: Car, Art, Shopping
Yesterday was spent as a battle with auto loans. Bank of America literally gave me 7 different phone numbers which I spent the majority of the afternoon calling. Boo hiss. We decided to go with the financing at the dealership anyway, just because they seem like the easiest and least amount of paperwork. The rate is pretty good, too.
Got a call this morning: our car is in! Woo hoo! I got insurance--Geico was very nice, the process was blissfully simple, and their rates were low ($418.00 every 6 months to insure both of us). Matt and I are going to pick up our new car today, which is a great way to celebrate our Post Valentine's Day Date Day. I want to name the car Cupid. Matt's very much against that. Boo hiss. Perhaps the car won't get a name at all. We're going to celebrate our new found car freedom by going to dinner.
Heather said this to me last week--new job, new car; I'm getting to restart my life. She might be right. I'm scared and excited. In an effort to help me figure out who I am, I've decided to relook at my wardrobe. 4 years working in the ultra-casual office scene has made my wardrobe a little out of date. My new company is also casual, but I want at least some semblance of a style. I went to the library yesterday (before all the auto loan drama) and checked out a bunch of books on image. Those who know me won't be surprised when I say I've finished all of them already. (My comeback: they're nonfiction with big type-- they're easy. Also, this is the best way to procrastinate--instead of reading the 20 books that are currently sitting in my office for the book contest I'm judging.)
My Thoughts:
Beyond Business Casual. Perfect if you're over 50 and want to dress like it. Set in question and answer format, the book is meant to be a dialogue, but it's obvious author Ann Marie Sabath hates business casual. There's an entire chapter and a whole appendix that talks about the trend of business casual leaving the modern office. Also has a section devoted to what to wear for videoconferencing, which made me wonder how often the average office worker is attending videoconferences. I worked for an Internet video company and only attended one, ever. I got one tip out of the 207 page book: Fabrics considered business professional material are wool gabardine, silk, cotton and oxford (for shirts). For those not informed, the author makes a point to mention that hair scrunchies should never, ever, be worn in the office. Or, in my opinion, at any other time later than 1995.
Real Style. Wow. Sam Saboura's fun and to the point book is awesome. I feel like I learned so much and now have an idea about things. I actually got excited about the prospect of cleaning out my closet, going through it and reorganizing everything, donating what I don't wear. He gave some great tips on basics, body shapes, tailoring, and definitions on fashion. I now know what a pencil skirt is--and how to wear it. I really like this book and am considering buying it just to have in my personal library. Even if I don't, I'm going to redo my wardrobe based on his basics--shopping will be a breeze with this book in my purse.
What Should I Wear? Dressing For All Occasions. I picked up this book because Wendy Wasserstein, who just passed away and was one of my all-time favorite writers, had a quote on the back telling me this is a great book. But when I think fashion, Wendy Wasserstein isn't the first woman role model that pops into my head. Unfortunately for me, this is another book for the over 50 crowd. I liked the way it was organized (by season and the basics needed) and it had pretty pictures that inspired me in two ways: what I could wear and what I would never wear. It was a good supplement to Real Style because the pictures gave me the ability to see what Saboura was talking about (his book is all illustrations), but I'm definitely not the target audience for this one. Nevertheless, I'm planning on taking the basics they've listed for each season and adding them to my basics to buy list, which I think will help as I work to update my wardrobe in every season.
Before You Put That On. I liked this one, too. Lloyd Boston is the fashion consultant for the Today show and a whole bunch of other places. His style is breezy and fun. His book takes the year day by day and gives fashion advice from great designers as well. It's a coffee table sized book which will make it a pain to tote around (if only it was smaller), but has given me some great tips. He puts together outfits in ways I wouldn't have thought of and gave me courage to try new things. He also has a basics list--I'm planning on compiling into one major list and posting. Today's tip: "Be your own fashion editor. Study the red carpet looks but don't mimic them." He goes on to talk about how it's important to choose a style/color that you like but to not lose your own style because you want to look like Halle Berry.
These three are going to be open as I attempt to organize the beast that is my closet, also known as Narnia. More on that as it happens, hopefully tomorrow or Friday.
I also read these two books:
How to Gain The Professional Edge: Achieve the Personal & Professional Image You Want. I liked this book and would recommend it, especially to bright creatives who want their outward appearance to match their inward one. I expected a professional makeover kind of book, like what you need to know to dress well in the office. Author Susan Morem goes much further than that talking about how a person needs to appear to make it in the modern workplace. It's more than just clothes, it's also about details and attitude. A well-timed smile remains the best accessory. Also, if you're taking a client out to dinner, ask him/her what he or she likes to eat, provide a few restaurant choices, make a reservation, show up early because you're the host, don't drink too much (or at all if the client isn't drinking) and pay the bill. Those kind of tips made sense and helped remind me that image is more than just how you look. For tips on how you look, she provides a nifty color characteristics chart on page 108. I wore a red suit for my last interview, apparently that got the message across that I'm assertive. If I wore the dark brown which I had thought about, I would have been seen as conservative, but paired with a pink shirt, approachable. It's fun. Two favorite pieces of advice: 1) Don't dress for the job you have, dress for the one you want. 2)Think about your goals for the day and dress accordingly.
Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers. Yeah, um, okay. Maybe it's having been the president of the Women's Studies Club in high school. Maybe it's growing up in the household I did, where my dad told me I could do anything. Or maybe it's just me. This book had a lot of empowerment techniques, but not all that much that really applied to me. I picked it up because I had heard so much about it but found, like reading The Rules, the advice in it wasn't something that I could really appreciate. There's lots of business tips here and there are some mistakes I make (I'm too concerned with hurting others' feelings), but a lot of it just doesn't ring true to me. I'm not willing to step over anyone or anything in my path to get what I want. I am willing to stand up for myself and be clear about my goals, but that's something I've been putting to use for a very, very long time. I could see how author Lois P. Frankel's advice may help a woman who's always felt held-back because of her gender. That woman just isn't me.
Wow, I just went over a lot of books. In my defense, did you really think for even a minute that I could a write a book publishing/book review blog without mentioning what I'm reading "for fun" in my personal one?
On the writing end, Matt introduced me to a great web-based program called Writerly. It's like MSWord, but it's all on the web, in a non-searchable format. We've been writing collaboratively again. It's wonderful. I've been needing to write creatively for so long but have felt so tired and uninspired. I'm really proud of what we've started working on, and we're working in a format that's different for me. I'm finally excited about writing again.
Maybe this is the start of something new for me.
**Hooray, it's 5pm. Time to get ready to meet Matt and go pick up Cupid.**
Got a call this morning: our car is in! Woo hoo! I got insurance--Geico was very nice, the process was blissfully simple, and their rates were low ($418.00 every 6 months to insure both of us). Matt and I are going to pick up our new car today, which is a great way to celebrate our Post Valentine's Day Date Day. I want to name the car Cupid. Matt's very much against that. Boo hiss. Perhaps the car won't get a name at all. We're going to celebrate our new found car freedom by going to dinner.
Heather said this to me last week--new job, new car; I'm getting to restart my life. She might be right. I'm scared and excited. In an effort to help me figure out who I am, I've decided to relook at my wardrobe. 4 years working in the ultra-casual office scene has made my wardrobe a little out of date. My new company is also casual, but I want at least some semblance of a style. I went to the library yesterday (before all the auto loan drama) and checked out a bunch of books on image. Those who know me won't be surprised when I say I've finished all of them already. (My comeback: they're nonfiction with big type-- they're easy. Also, this is the best way to procrastinate--instead of reading the 20 books that are currently sitting in my office for the book contest I'm judging.)
My Thoughts:
Beyond Business Casual. Perfect if you're over 50 and want to dress like it. Set in question and answer format, the book is meant to be a dialogue, but it's obvious author Ann Marie Sabath hates business casual. There's an entire chapter and a whole appendix that talks about the trend of business casual leaving the modern office. Also has a section devoted to what to wear for videoconferencing, which made me wonder how often the average office worker is attending videoconferences. I worked for an Internet video company and only attended one, ever. I got one tip out of the 207 page book: Fabrics considered business professional material are wool gabardine, silk, cotton and oxford (for shirts). For those not informed, the author makes a point to mention that hair scrunchies should never, ever, be worn in the office. Or, in my opinion, at any other time later than 1995.
Real Style. Wow. Sam Saboura's fun and to the point book is awesome. I feel like I learned so much and now have an idea about things. I actually got excited about the prospect of cleaning out my closet, going through it and reorganizing everything, donating what I don't wear. He gave some great tips on basics, body shapes, tailoring, and definitions on fashion. I now know what a pencil skirt is--and how to wear it. I really like this book and am considering buying it just to have in my personal library. Even if I don't, I'm going to redo my wardrobe based on his basics--shopping will be a breeze with this book in my purse.
What Should I Wear? Dressing For All Occasions. I picked up this book because Wendy Wasserstein, who just passed away and was one of my all-time favorite writers, had a quote on the back telling me this is a great book. But when I think fashion, Wendy Wasserstein isn't the first woman role model that pops into my head. Unfortunately for me, this is another book for the over 50 crowd. I liked the way it was organized (by season and the basics needed) and it had pretty pictures that inspired me in two ways: what I could wear and what I would never wear. It was a good supplement to Real Style because the pictures gave me the ability to see what Saboura was talking about (his book is all illustrations), but I'm definitely not the target audience for this one. Nevertheless, I'm planning on taking the basics they've listed for each season and adding them to my basics to buy list, which I think will help as I work to update my wardrobe in every season.
Before You Put That On. I liked this one, too. Lloyd Boston is the fashion consultant for the Today show and a whole bunch of other places. His style is breezy and fun. His book takes the year day by day and gives fashion advice from great designers as well. It's a coffee table sized book which will make it a pain to tote around (if only it was smaller), but has given me some great tips. He puts together outfits in ways I wouldn't have thought of and gave me courage to try new things. He also has a basics list--I'm planning on compiling into one major list and posting. Today's tip: "Be your own fashion editor. Study the red carpet looks but don't mimic them." He goes on to talk about how it's important to choose a style/color that you like but to not lose your own style because you want to look like Halle Berry.
These three are going to be open as I attempt to organize the beast that is my closet, also known as Narnia. More on that as it happens, hopefully tomorrow or Friday.
I also read these two books:
How to Gain The Professional Edge: Achieve the Personal & Professional Image You Want. I liked this book and would recommend it, especially to bright creatives who want their outward appearance to match their inward one. I expected a professional makeover kind of book, like what you need to know to dress well in the office. Author Susan Morem goes much further than that talking about how a person needs to appear to make it in the modern workplace. It's more than just clothes, it's also about details and attitude. A well-timed smile remains the best accessory. Also, if you're taking a client out to dinner, ask him/her what he or she likes to eat, provide a few restaurant choices, make a reservation, show up early because you're the host, don't drink too much (or at all if the client isn't drinking) and pay the bill. Those kind of tips made sense and helped remind me that image is more than just how you look. For tips on how you look, she provides a nifty color characteristics chart on page 108. I wore a red suit for my last interview, apparently that got the message across that I'm assertive. If I wore the dark brown which I had thought about, I would have been seen as conservative, but paired with a pink shirt, approachable. It's fun. Two favorite pieces of advice: 1) Don't dress for the job you have, dress for the one you want. 2)Think about your goals for the day and dress accordingly.
Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers. Yeah, um, okay. Maybe it's having been the president of the Women's Studies Club in high school. Maybe it's growing up in the household I did, where my dad told me I could do anything. Or maybe it's just me. This book had a lot of empowerment techniques, but not all that much that really applied to me. I picked it up because I had heard so much about it but found, like reading The Rules, the advice in it wasn't something that I could really appreciate. There's lots of business tips here and there are some mistakes I make (I'm too concerned with hurting others' feelings), but a lot of it just doesn't ring true to me. I'm not willing to step over anyone or anything in my path to get what I want. I am willing to stand up for myself and be clear about my goals, but that's something I've been putting to use for a very, very long time. I could see how author Lois P. Frankel's advice may help a woman who's always felt held-back because of her gender. That woman just isn't me.
Wow, I just went over a lot of books. In my defense, did you really think for even a minute that I could a write a book publishing/book review blog without mentioning what I'm reading "for fun" in my personal one?
On the writing end, Matt introduced me to a great web-based program called Writerly. It's like MSWord, but it's all on the web, in a non-searchable format. We've been writing collaboratively again. It's wonderful. I've been needing to write creatively for so long but have felt so tired and uninspired. I'm really proud of what we've started working on, and we're working in a format that's different for me. I'm finally excited about writing again.
Maybe this is the start of something new for me.
**Hooray, it's 5pm. Time to get ready to meet Matt and go pick up Cupid.**
12 February 2006
File: 365
I didn't post this because it happened so fast.
Leading publishing company seeks experienced Editors for its Web Content Department. Editors will work with existing books and prepare the content for deployment on the Web.
It's definite--this is where I'm headed. Working in book publishing, reading books and turning them into articles for a cool website. I'm really excited. I start 2.20.
Leading publishing company seeks experienced Editors for its Web Content Department. Editors will work with existing books and prepare the content for deployment on the Web.
It's definite--this is where I'm headed. Working in book publishing, reading books and turning them into articles for a cool website. I'm really excited. I start 2.20.
File: 365, recap
We had a really fun time when the folks from "Breakfast Around The World" came over to film last Sunday.
At 8 am, the camera crew (director, cameraman, assistant and producer) showed up. They were all very, very nice. They liked our house and the cats seemed to behave, for the most part.
Breakfast went without a hitch, with the exception of the matzoh brie which wouldn't flip. That's never happened. We stopped rolling until I chiseled it out of the pot and was able to flip it on camera. Despite its stubbornness, it wound up tasting really good and I think I just introduced the joy of matzoh brie to an entire culture.
It was a cooking show, so they had me cut all the ingredients up and place them into little bowls before the filming. Big thanks once again to Karen and Dave who bought us the glass nesting bowl set for our engagement.
Some things were a little odd: we did the majority of the cooking things in one take. They filmed me turning around with a big smile for nine takes. The format of the show was also interesting: I cooked, Matt "slept," then they filmed me "waking" him up. We then sat together at the table and I watched as he ate and complimented me on my cooking. Then, we made out. They had to instruct us to "kiss longer." There was a long monologue that I delivered to the camera on how I make the meals all the time because Matt likes them. I hope I get dubbed.
Outside of shooting: they loved our refrigerator. They opened the fridge (thank G-d I cleaned it till it shined) and stood there talking about it for 5 minutes. They would pull out different foods and talk about them. They thought that putting protein into smoothies was "very American." They loved Bacos. I mean an-eating-out-of-the-bottle-love for Bacos. It was cute.
We had a lot of fun and would open out house to them and any other foreign tv crews that want to fly halfway around the world to film us in natural habitat.
My favorite quote, from Darrah: "I can't believe my intellectual feminist friend is going to be playing the wifey on international tv." Yup, that's where it's at.
If anyone's in Japan, it airs 2.18.06. Otherwise, we'll be hosting a DVD watching party. I'll make the recipes I feature.
At 8 am, the camera crew (director, cameraman, assistant and producer) showed up. They were all very, very nice. They liked our house and the cats seemed to behave, for the most part.
Breakfast went without a hitch, with the exception of the matzoh brie which wouldn't flip. That's never happened. We stopped rolling until I chiseled it out of the pot and was able to flip it on camera. Despite its stubbornness, it wound up tasting really good and I think I just introduced the joy of matzoh brie to an entire culture.
It was a cooking show, so they had me cut all the ingredients up and place them into little bowls before the filming. Big thanks once again to Karen and Dave who bought us the glass nesting bowl set for our engagement.
Some things were a little odd: we did the majority of the cooking things in one take. They filmed me turning around with a big smile for nine takes. The format of the show was also interesting: I cooked, Matt "slept," then they filmed me "waking" him up. We then sat together at the table and I watched as he ate and complimented me on my cooking. Then, we made out. They had to instruct us to "kiss longer." There was a long monologue that I delivered to the camera on how I make the meals all the time because Matt likes them. I hope I get dubbed.
Outside of shooting: they loved our refrigerator. They opened the fridge (thank G-d I cleaned it till it shined) and stood there talking about it for 5 minutes. They would pull out different foods and talk about them. They thought that putting protein into smoothies was "very American." They loved Bacos. I mean an-eating-out-of-the-bottle-love for Bacos. It was cute.
We had a lot of fun and would open out house to them and any other foreign tv crews that want to fly halfway around the world to film us in natural habitat.
My favorite quote, from Darrah: "I can't believe my intellectual feminist friend is going to be playing the wifey on international tv." Yup, that's where it's at.
If anyone's in Japan, it airs 2.18.06. Otherwise, we'll be hosting a DVD watching party. I'll make the recipes I feature.
10 February 2006
08 February 2006
File: Car
Holy moly, we bought a car!
Well, we put a deposit down on a car. Here's a factory picture of what will be our new 2006 Scion XA.
We went to Kevin at Grossinger Scion in Lincolnwood. So far, very nice experience.
We'll be able to pick it up in the next couple of weeks, when it comes into the states.
This is the first major purchase either of us has made. Woah!
Well, we put a deposit down on a car. Here's a factory picture of what will be our new 2006 Scion XA.
We went to Kevin at Grossinger Scion in Lincolnwood. So far, very nice experience.
We'll be able to pick it up in the next couple of weeks, when it comes into the states.
This is the first major purchase either of us has made. Woah!
04 February 2006
01 February 2006
File: 365
Score! I received word from the Japanese production company. We’re the cute couple that will be featured on the ‘Breakfasts Around the World’ show. The concept: an hour long show in select cities all over the globe. The wife cooks breakfast/brunch and then goes to “wake” up her husband and then they eat.
Currently on the menu: matzoh brie, Matt’s Mom’s chocolate bread, smoothies, and then a meat dish. They want ribs (“For breakfast?” said Matt.), but we’re also talking about beef muffins or cornbread beef casserole.
We’re shooting Sunday.
Currently on the menu: matzoh brie, Matt’s Mom’s chocolate bread, smoothies, and then a meat dish. They want ribs (“For breakfast?” said Matt.), but we’re also talking about beef muffins or cornbread beef casserole.
We’re shooting Sunday.
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