July 31, 2007
Housing Authority
Your Score: GRYFFINDOR!
You scored 16% Slytherin, 36% Ravenclaw, 48% Gryffindor, and 32% Hufflepuff!
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart.
Gryffindors are known for their courage, audacity, and devotion to what is good and honest.
Link: The Sorting Hat Test written by leeannslytherin
Posted by criminal at 10:26 PM | Comments (1)
July 25, 2007
Cynical To the End
Amy: am so in love with my new job
Amy: remind me of this day when I'm totally burnt out and cynical in a year or so :)
Posted by criminal at 4:23 PM | Comments (0)
July 23, 2007
Stamping Saturday
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I wanted to have a stamping workshop/class at the end of the month. Since I haven't had a big response, I figure it might be easier to open it up to anyone who wants to come get their papercraft on. No need to pay me, just come stamp with me this Saturday. I have a big counter-height table, lots of paper-crafting supplies, and central air. And my husband will be out of the house all day. Who's in?
Posted by criminal at 2:53 PM | Comments (0)
The Right Fit
If you wear a size 12 or larger and have trouble finding pants that fit you correctly, run, do not walk, to the closest Lane Bryant. They have completely revamped their sizing and fits. As in starting over from scratch. You pick a size based on your waist measurement (1-8) and a then a "fit" based on your hip measurement. So there are now jeans for people with straight or super curvy figures and everything in between. I'm wearing a pair of the straights and they fit perfectly. No fabric saddlebags or giant pant legs, no pinching waistband or bulging pockets, just fabulous jeans. It's an idea I've advocated for years and I'm ecstatic to see it put to use.
Posted by criminal at 1:00 PM | Comments (0)
A Very Harry Weekend
Contains NO spoilers.
After swearing I wouldn't fall victim to all of the Harry Potter mania and pre-order the last book in the series, I found myself waiting in a long line of Potter fans at midnight on Friday. Since we're reading it for book club I needed to get the book soon, but didn't need to have it in my hands the moment it came out. So I planned to pick it up at the Wal-Mart just down the road on Saturday afternoon.
But a hunt for a decent skort found me at Wal-Mart late Friday night. As I was checking out I discovered that they would be open for an extra half-hour to sell the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I reasoned that it wasn't worth making an extra trip on Saturday if the book was going to be available where I was in less than an hour. There was no line at the time, but several people near me at the check out asked to start one. I wished them well and hid out in my car with a magazine, the radio, and a box of Wheat Thins. With 20 minutes to go I noticed that the line had begun to wrap around the building. Not wanting to spend all night waiting, I took a place in line with dozens of other normal-looking people. There were a few teenagers with lighting bolts on their foreheads and a harry potter t-shirt or two, but that was the extent of it. All of the hardcore, dressed-up fans were across the river at the Barnes & Noble where there were several hundred people in line hours before the release.
The whole thing was a little underwhelming. Employees rolled out two palettes of books at midnight and each person took one (or two) and formed new lines at the registers. Despite technical difficulties at my register I was home before 12:30. After seeing Jon to bed I was only able to read for a couple hours before falling asleep myself. I started again when I woke at 10 and put it down a few times during the day (with some difficulty) to do laundry and take phone calls with my sister, step-mother, and mother. I sat on the deck in my pajamas reading for what felt like an eternity. I made it through the epilogue just after 8, a satisfied reader. While there were some plot twists and turns, it all worked out in a way that just felicitous.
And if that were not enough Harry Potter, I caught the latest installment of the movie series Saturday night as well. After Jon and Steve came back from the baseball game we all headed up to Merrimack to watch the boy wizard meet the Order of the Phoenix. They plagued me with questions about the plot of the movie, the end of the series, and the all-important "who dies?" I couldn't tell them much about the last book without spoiling the movie. And I couldn't help but sniffle at a few poignant scenes with characters that are lost in the following books, thinking of how much they would be missed. While I wasn't terribly impressed with the development of the continuing characters in the movie, I was pleased with the portrayals of Umbridge and Luna. They were spot on. I really wanted to see more about Neville and Harry's self-doubt.
Now that I've read the entire Harry Potter series, I'm tempted to start again. I only have the last few books though, so I would need to buy or borrow the others. Maybe I could convince Jon to read them too, since he seems to like the movies.
Posted by criminal at 12:25 PM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2007
Crash
I started writing a long, bulleted list about the things going on this week, but my browser crashed and ate it all. It was boring, so I'll spare you all the details and just leave a summary. The week has been quiet so far. I have a follow-up with my endocrinologist on Friday which I'm utterly unprepared for. I'm determined to get past the first two extremely dry chapters of James Michener's Alaska. I have been intrigued by the concept of serial fiction. I'm going to the Pacific Northwest in two weeks. My appetite has all but disappeared. And that's it.
Posted by criminal at 1:36 PM | Comments (2)
July 13, 2007
Is it Friday Already?
I can't believe that it's already Friday. This week has gone by so much faster than I expected it to. Work dragged on terribly at times, but my time at home with Jon seemed to rush by. I do feel that no matter how unsatisfied I am professionally right now, I'm at least happy at home. In fact, I used to hang on at work, hoping to get more done or solve another problem, but mostly I just want to go home now. I've even set reminders for myself so that I don't overstay my already late quitting time. My afternoon is really stretching out before me, knowing that I still have more than six hours here before I can pack up and head back to Jon. There's plenty to do, probably more than I can even recall, but when you don't want to do it, it feels like an eternity.
Posted by criminal at 12:11 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2007
Pajama Day
I switched shifts with a coworker today so that he could get his car inspected. That meant that I had to be at work before I would've even touched the snooze button on my alarm during a normal day. It was difficult, but I made it a little easier on myself by selecting comfortable clothes to wear. First, a pair of knit pants, black, with a crease sewn into the front of the leg and a normal trouser waistband. They look fairly presentable, but they feel like sweat pants. I added a camisole and flowing knit tunic. And Crocs sandals. Because every comfortable outfit deserves Crocs. I'm sure the ensemble looks just fine, but I feel like such a slouch! It feels like I'm wearing pajamas to work it's so comfortable, and that just doesn't seem right.
Posted by criminal at 12:57 PM | Comments (0)
Spoke Too Soon
Nickel Creek is also going to be in Boston at the Bank of America Pavillion on Friday, August 17. Except this time they'll be bringing Fiona Apple. If I had to choose between the two, I think I would prefer this show.
Posted by criminal at 10:27 AM | Comments (1)
July 11, 2007
Nickel Creek
Ohmigawd. Nickel Creek is coming to Lowell next weekend!
Anybody want to go with me to see their Farewell (For Now) Tour? They're bringing Glen Phillips with them too. Tickets are $21 in advance and $25 at the gate. The show at Boarding House Park in Lowell starts at 7:30, so we would have time to grab dinner downtown.
Posted by criminal at 11:46 AM | Comments (0)
July 10, 2007
Introversion
I've been feeling more introverted than usual. Although I like my husband, friends, and people in general, I have been experiencing a strong desire to just be alone with my thoughts. It's a little different from my normal escape mechanisms, like shopping by myself among throngs of people or scouring craft supplies for the next bit of creative inspiration. In fact, I have no strong urge to create at all, and I'm not sure what that means.
The one thing that I do want to do is read. I'll read just about anything I can get my hands on right now: journal articles, magazines, books, wikipedia, cereal boxes. You name it, as long as it offers even a small amount of educational value to me, I'll devour it. And go searching the Internet for more.
In many ways I wish I could apply that energy more productively: to my work, home, education, and relationships.
Posted by criminal at 3:51 PM | Comments (0)
July 9, 2007
Like a Weed
she says, i've got a darkness that i have to feed
i got a sadness that grows up around like a weed
and i'm not hurting anyone
i'm just spiraling in
and then she closes her eyes
and hears the song begin again
[Ani Difranco, Jukebox]
Posted by criminal at 6:23 PM | Comments (0)
July 3, 2007
More Than Meets the Eye
Just saw Transformers in the theater with Jon and Steve. Each transformation (with accompanying sound effects) was a little throwback to my childhood in front of the TV set. I don't know how accurate it was -- I don't remember the details from the cartoon series -- but I can say that it was a great summer movie. Loads of action, explosions, and cool robots. Not to mention the product placement for GM and the armed forces. It was far funnier than I expected, light-hearted and almost child-like. It was a nice counterpoint to the usual warring-alien-robots-hell-bent-on-the-destruction-of-the-earth Transformers theme.
Posted by criminal at 11:57 PM | Comments (1)
Save the Date
Saturday, July 28, Noon - 6pm
I'm putting together a card and gift stamp camp that will make you feel like it's Christmas in July. We'll spend a couple hours making cards and gifts for birthdays, weddings, and babies. And I'll show you how to transform those same stamps and designs to get a head start on your Christmas crafting. To top it all off, stick around for a little open stamping time to work on your own projects using your ideas and my stamps!
You just need to bring yourself, a pair of scissors, paper trimmer, and your favorite adhesive. I'll provide the snacks, supplies, and directions. The total cost will be $20. I ask that you RSVP and get your payment to me before July 20 so that I have time to prepare your supplies. I only have room for eight people, so be sure to reserve your spot early!
Like Christmas in July Stamp Camp
July 28, 2007
Noon - 6 p.m.
at the Little Gray Townhouse
Hudson, NH
Posted by criminal at 1:23 PM | Comments (1)
July 2, 2007
Making the Most of Monday
My Monday is not shaping up to be the glorious day that I had hoped. I'd like to make a detailed list of its defects, but honestly, the whole whining about life thing is not making me feel any better about myself, so I won't. Instead, I want to tell you about the things that keep me from crawling right back into bed when the alarm goes off. A throwback to the old Participation Positives if you will...
- I like driving. As I was figuring the number of miles I've put on my car in the last four days, it occurred to me that I actually enjoyed doing it. In fact, I like everything about my commute except ending up at work. Which makes me wonder if driving would lose it's luster if it actually was work.
- I make damned tasty cupcakes. And those cupcakes make for decadent breakfasts, especially if they're light, buttery and filled with fresh lime curd. I would live through a life on Mondays if it meant cupcakes every morning.
- The new Stampin' Up! catalog is chock full of pretty things. Finally being able to see the catalog, in person on Saturday with fellow stampers and online today, has taken some of the sting out of not having my copy yet. The color combinations are fresh and innovative, the designs are modern, and the new accessories are just plain fun. It makes me excited to be a part of it and eager to introduce others.
- My husband loves me. Yes, I know he's "supposed" to, but I still like that he does. He picked up movies for us last week, brought me flowers this weekend, and keeps putting up with my under-developed house-keeping abilities. I don't want to take that sort of thing for granted.
- I saved the laundry! The Iron Out and a couple trips through the washer have removed all traces of rust from my white clothes. In fact, I'm wearing my lovely white sweater set today and feeling very satisfied with myself. Now, if I could just find a way to save all of the clothes with assorted grease/oil stains...
- Wednesday is a holiday. And I don't have to work. I also get to leave early tomorrow.
- Summer Flex Time starts up this week. Every other Friday is a half-day for the rest of the summer, starting this Friday. I still have to work a regular 40 hours, but I can rearrange it to leave earlier on Fridays. A full day every two weeks would be nicer, but I can't argue with time away from the office.
Posted by criminal at 5:57 PM | Comments (1)