Papers Stuffed in the Cracks in Walls

ooooOOOOOooooo!!!!

2009-02-12T11:11:00.002-06:00

So, thanks to a lovely Christmas present (Borders gift card), I now have 4 new cookbooks (all on sale). I will become so adept at cooking from scratch that I will never need to buy processed foods ever again!

The first is Baking: A Commonsense Guide, which I didn't realize until I got home is Australian, which means all the dry ingredients are measured in grams. Not to worry! They seem to have foreseen this issue and have included regular old cup measurements, as well. The book is split into sections on cakes, cookies, muffins, breads, etc, and each section has a pictoral guide on what the ideal result should be, how mistakes look, and why they occur. Homemade bread, here I come!

Next, I got 400 Best-Ever Budget Recipes, which has some unusual, but adaptable ideas. I need to look at it more closely, but I think I will be inventing up a storm with this book. For cheap!

I also picked up a book called Soup Bowl. All soup, all the time. Some of these look great. I'm particularly excited about the summer soups. Hooray vichyssoise!

Finally, I grabbed one simply titled Lowfat. It wasn't what I expected at all (diet and lite ingredients) but instead has some of the best-looking recipes I've ever seen, including Pasta Puttanesca, Roasted Pumpkin, Onion, and Rocket Salad, and Braised Lamb Shanks. Actually, there are a ton of lamb recipes in the book, period. Anyway, lots of veggies, reasonable amounts of meat, light on the dairy, and an entire section of vegetarian meals!

So anyway, I'm getting ready to experiment. Look for some new recipies soon!

In which I am grateful for what I have, pt 2

2009-02-05T15:33:00.002-06:00

I forgot to post a recipe. Whoops!

Here we go, with Recession Raspberry Brownies

The jam doesn't have to be raspberry. It can be strawberry, apricot (for that Sacher Torte flair), marmalade, or you can just leave it out. Whatever. Also, get ready to mix by hand!

Makes however many brownies you feel like cutting an 8x8 pan into.

Items you need:

a fork
a mixing bowl
8x8 pan

Ingredients you need:

1 c sugar
1/2 c butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
6 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
2 Tbsp canola oil
3/4 c flour
1/3 c raspberry jam

Mix butter and sugar in bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, oil, and cocoa, stirring until color is fairly consistent and there are no big lumps. Mix in flour. Grease baking pan and pour in half the brownie batter. Microwave jam for 30 seconds until it is more liquid than gel. Pour melted jam on top of first batter layer and spread evenly. Cover jam with the remaining batter. Bake ate 425 F for 30 minutes.

You may not have money, but you have brownies! Enjoy!

In which I am grateful for what I have

2009-02-05T14:29:00.003-06:00

As I said in my last post, I have a job. Actually, I am fortunate enough to have two jobs, one 8.30-5.00, M-F, and one 8.00-12.00 (ish) on Saturday mornings. I enjoy these, more or less, and am pretty willing to get up in the morning and get there on time. Many of my friends, however, are facing graduation in May, and are worried. Several have opted to attend grad school in the hopes that by the time they're finished with another degree, the market may have opened up a bit.

It took me a month to find my first job. That's not a bad time frame, but I was terribly overqualified and it was the only interview I got. I couldn't even get an interview as a waitress. My current job I got because I was lucky enough to know someone and ran into her on the street at the right time. It could have been a much longer search.

Sometimes we get portrayed as an uncaring, spoiled generation, and to an extent, I suppose that's correct. My friends and I are privileged enough to have not only attended college, but to have attended one of the top 50 colleges in the United States. We are also, however, pretty inventive and hardworking. We are confident in our competence and our capabilities. Most of us earned either full or partial scholarships, and maintained the GPA needed to keep them. My friends are going to be research scientists, doctors, engineers, judges, writers, astronauts. We are going to have a significant impact on the world.

If we don't end up working at McDonald's.

A new post! For really real and not pretend!!

2009-01-29T11:23:00.004-06:00

I have a Masters degree now.

I also have a job that I really love. I get to do a fair amount of graphic deign for it, which means I get to be creative. That makes me happy, because it's a break from paperwork. I'm also going to be doing a significant amount of web design in the next two weeks. It's a little daunting, but I think it'll be a good challenge, and I'll be able to show off what I can do. I also ordered QuarkXPress 8 for the department yesterday, so I need to learn how to use that by the time it comes in. That's going to be a great program to play around with.

Since I get a waiver, I may use it to get a post-baccalaureate certificate in Media Arts, Marketing, or Public Relations. I need to research it a bit more, but I think it'd be both fun and a worthwhile investment of my time.

In the food department, I've got another recipe for you. It's very simple, but tastes delicious.

Macho Meaty Spaghetti Sauce

Don't let the name fool you- this sauce can be used on any sort of pasta you like, and would probably make a delicious lasagna.

Makes 6-8 servings, or (probably) 1 9x11 Lasagna

Items you need:

Cutting board
Straight-edged knife
Wooden spoon or spatula
Large skillet
Large sieve or colander
Hand blender or food processor

Ingredients you need:

1 lb ground beef
1 can plain tomato sauce
1 can "Italian-style" stewed tomatoes
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Worcestershire sauce
Italian seasonings to taste

What to do:

Brown the meat over med-high heat until it is thoroughly cooked. Drain the meat in the colander and set aside.

Put the tomatoes, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, and seasonings into a food processor and blend to desired consistency. Pour your blended tomato mixture into the skillet and mix in the ground beef. Add Worcestershire to taste. Bring to a simmer and let bubble for 5-10 minutes on low heat.

Serve with pasta! Or don't!

There you have it! Cheap, easy, and tasty.

Feel like babbling

2008-11-18T16:57:00.002-06:00

Things I've noticed about myself lately:

1) I really don't like mess and disorganization, but I have no idea how to go about cleaning my room in order to get it done in a timely manner.
Corollary: I have too much stuff that people have given me as gifts that I feel bad about getting rid of.

2) The older I get, the less I actually like being around people.

3) I care way too much what other people think of me, and am way too worried about pleasing them all the time.

4) Things I work on are never finished because I am never satisfied with how they are.

5) There is very little I actually want, beyond the ability to pay my bills and eventually put some money away.

6) I like early mornings better than late nights.

7) I am so afraid of failure sometimes, I let it keep me from doing things I want to do.

meh... just random thoughts

2008-06-25T22:58:00.002-05:00

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've read 6 and force books upon them ;-)

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (I've only read half of the trilogy)
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 The Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte - These people deserve their misery
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22- Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca- Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby- F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 The Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland- Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (nurr)
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (stupid)
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte's Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (In French no less)
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare (Which presumably is in the Complete Works of Shakespeare #14)
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Internet memes

2008-06-16T09:33:00.002-05:00

Stole this from Allison. And I refuse to give it back.

You know how sometimes people on your friend's list post about stuff going on in their life, and all of a sudden you think "Wait a minute? Since when are they working THERE? Since when are they dating HIM/HER? since when???" And then you wonder how you could have missed all that seemingly pretty standard information, but somehow you feel too ashamed to ask for clarification because it seems like info you *should* already know? It happens to all of us sometimes.

Please copy mine below, erase my answers putting yours in their place then post it in your journal! Please elaborate on the questions that would benefit from elaboration! One-Word-Answers seldom help anyone out :)

1. First Name: Arynne

2. Age 23.

3. Location: NOLA

4. Occupation: Student..... and then who knows

5. Partner: Incorrect terminology for what I've got at the moment. Interesting possibility is better phrasing.

6. Kids: I would like some eventually

7. Brothers/Sisters: Oliver is my brother. He is two years younger than me, and most of the time he's all right. For a brother.

8. Pets: My Cavalier King Charles, Lady (short for Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility), 2 parakeets, Persephone and Orpheus, and 1 sad beta fish, Morty (his name is Muerte! It means death!)

9. List the 3-5 biggest things going on in your life: My life is actually pretty boring. I suppose the major things occupying my mind are:

a. Stage Managing for my masters project/graduating. It is hard and unforgiving, and few people notice when you're doing a good job. Do a bad job, however, and they will all be on top of you. I'm ready to be done with school.
b. Real life (dun dun duuuuuuunnnnnn). I need to find a job here in town that will pay me a decent amount and not make me miserable.
c. For the next few weeks, those are the only things I'm thinking of.

10. Parents: My parents are pretty cool. I think.

11. Who are some of your closest friends: Okay, kinda complicated... I have ties for boys and girls. I am an equal opportunity friend.

Allison and Chris: These two people probably know me better than most of my other friends combined, which is a scary thought. They could rig up an Arynne robot and control it and no one would be the wiser. Maybe they already have.... oooooEEEEEEEEEooooo... Allison fights Nazis and Communists for a living while having wicked sword fights with Cate Blanchett on the back of speeding jeeps in the wild jungles of the American South. Chris is a Russian spy and is currently in law school.

Travis and Jenae: I normally spend a fair amount of time with these two, but now that i'm living in Dixon, I don't see anyone. They are the ice in my glass of milk.

Amanda and Daniel: She kills things. With science. He is my roommate, so I guess it's good we get along, huh?

Addendum (other things you should know about me):
I tend to consider introverts a personal challenge. I hate mushrooms and tomatoes. I am a gastro-intestinal responder to stress... and excitement.... and pretty much everything else.

Halloween, Part the Second

2007-11-01T09:56:00.000-05:00

Halloween went well, I suppose. I had an awesome costume and got a ton of compliments on the lanterns o' jack. Not many trick-or-treaters, though, so anyone who wants candy come get it. It's not staying here.

This fellow wasn't carved when I did the last post. He is Tiny Lantern, made from a decorative mini-pumpkin.

And now for the costumes. Firstly, there was my lovely roommate, Jenae.

Secondly, my good friend Travis. He was... something...

Finally, there was the master of all costumery, the Lon Chaney of her age... me. Sorry a couple of the pics are a little blurry. That's what happens when you don't have a tripod and your photographer/roommate is laughing at you.

Truly, I am so cool.

Stay tuned the next couple days for some restaurant reviews that are long overdue!

Halloween, Part the First

2007-10-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

While this is not exactly a food entry, it does deal with pumpkins. Specifically, my jack-o-lanterns for this Halloween.

First of all, there is my Halloween tree. I carved this using a template from the booklet that came with the little carving tools.

Then, there is my Draculantern. I created my own template by Photoshopping a still from the old Bela Lugosi version. I'm quite pleased with the results.

Next is my traditional scary face. It is a scary face.

Here's a shot of all of them on my steps, looking spookily awesome. The second from the top is Jenae's fencer.

There will be a couple more pumpkins, plus some incredible costumery tomorrow night. I plan on hanging out with a couple friends, handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. I'll post more pics later. Y'all have a great (and a safe) Halloween!!!

Cooking with a lack of Autumn

2007-10-08T20:06:00.000-05:00

Finding something to cook in New Orleans isn't tough- most of the time. However, autumn can present difficulties. It's rainy and dark out, which makes you want soups, stews, and other warming foods. Then you actually step outside into the 85 degree heat with 90%+ humidity and realize that a steaming hot meal is the last thing you want. You go to the store to find something fresh and light, only to find that all the summery things are now out of season. So what to cook? Personally, these are the days that I cook panini and/ or a light tomato soup (a recipe I've used even in the midst of a good old NOLA summer).

Equipment for panini:

indoor grill (like a George Forman or something similar) or a cast iron skillet
heat-resistant spatula
if using a skillet, a plate and a couple cans to use as weights

Ingredients for panini:

crusty, sturdy bread. I use ciabatta or baguette.
soft or semi-soft cheese. I've used brie, swiss, cheddar, and feta.
meat of preference. This is a nice sandwich. Don't use bologna. Grilled chicken breast is particularly nice.
lettuce, tomato, onion, other desired veggies
dressing (chutney, mustard, olive oil, etc., to give the sandwich some moisture and keep it together)

How to make it (serves as many as you are willing to make):

Turn on your grill (or preheat your skillet on medium-low heat).
Assemble your sandwich. Make sure the bread has some of your chosen dressing on it, or your sandwich will be pretty dry and may fall apart.
Place sandwich on grill and close, applying pressure, and let cook for 4-5 minutes, or until cheese has begun to melt and panini is warmed through. If using a skillet, set the plate on top of the sandwich and weight it with the cans. Flip the skillet panini after 2-2.5 minutes to make sure both sides get nice and warm.
Use spatula to put your fancy-pants panini on a plate. Serve with salad, fruit, or yummy tomato soup.

Well that was easy enough. Let's see if you can handle the soup.

Equipment needed for homemade tomato soup:

1-2 qt saucepan
handheld blender
knife
cutting board
can opener

Ingredients needed for homemade tomato soup:

1 tsp olive oil
1 can or 1.5 cups of chicken or vegetarian stock
1 can whole peeled tomatoes, plain variety
3 cloves garlic
1/2-1 tbsp dried herbs de provence (or whatever herbs you prefer)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup milk, heavy, or sour cream (optional. Keep in mind, each will yield a slightly different final product)

How to make it (serves 2-3):

Peel and chop or crush garlic cloves. I crush them, but it doesn't really matter.
Measure oil into saucepan. Add garlic and sautee over low heat.
Add can of tomatoes, juice included, increase heat to medium.
Add herbs, salt, and pepper.
Bring to simmer, allow tomatoes to soften, but don't let them burn.
Add stock to tomato mixture, bring back to a strong simmer.
Remove from heat and blend with hand blender until soup is as smooth as you like it.
Return to heat, bring to simmer once more.
Turn off heat. Add milk/cream/sour cream if so desired and stir in.
Serve with salad, grilled cheese, or the posh panini you made yourself.

Both of these only take about 15 minutes, and neither is terribly expensive to make. Enjoy!

Two Liberal Hippie Stores (and why I love them)

2007-10-06T15:11:00.004-05:00

There are lots of shops in NOLA I love, but these two are my favorites.

IN Exchange: A new store in Tulane's newly refurbished Lavin-Bernick Center (the student union in the center of campus). It's a fair-trade, non-profit shop specializing in hand-crafted items from around the world, as well as works by local artists. I've bought incense from Indonesia, Masai bracelets from Kenya, a tote bag from India, and a silver ring from Mexico. I plan on doing all my Christmas shopping there. Erica, the business student whose idea started the whole project is a wonderful person who has put a ton of hours in to make this project work. Tulane's New Wave did an article on IN Exchange recently. Click here to read it.

Whole Foods Market: This place is awesome. Yes, it can be expensive. No, they don't carry all the cheap, convenient stuff that the big-box stores do. So why do I like it? If you shop there (wisely) you can come home with a wide variety of fresh, local products that make wonderful meals without spending much more than you would buying prefab food in glitzy packaging somewhere else. Fresh veggies and meats encourage you to cook from scratch more often. when you are doing the cooking, you can control sodium, fat, portion size, and you get the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment of creating something delicious for yourself and others. In their stores and on their website, they also have "Meals for 4 under $15" which is great for a family, or for planning a week's meals if you're cooking for one. They also have a list of "50 Great Reasons to Shop at Whole Foods." I encourage you to check it out and compare their policies to other chain stores in your area. Besides giving you a nickel off for every bag you re-use (or if you bring a cloth tote, etc.), their list includes the following:

#9 No artificial colors, additives, or preservatives. Ever.
#11 Whole Foods Market is the only Fortune 500 company to offset 100 percent of its electricity use with wind enegry credits.
#24 We put our money where our mouth is. We created a local loan program, providing low-interest loans to local farmers and food producers.
#34Our internal Green Mission Task Force, made up of team members, focuses on innovations in environmentally sustainable practices.

I find these reasons, along with the other 46, to be compelling enough to spend a little more money a little more wisely, and take the time to cook a real meal at least 3-4 times a week. If I can afford it, you probably can, too.

Ok.. so I got sidetracked from bed...

2007-02-12T01:08:00.000-06:00

Section 1
1: your name: Arynne
2: your gender: F
3. age: 22
4: hair color: brown
5: eye color: brown
6: dominating hand: right
7: your location: sitting on my bed

Section 2 [ HAVE YOU EVER ]
8: fallen off the bed? yes
9: fallen for a relative?: no
10: had plastic surgery?: no
11: broken someone's heart?: yes
12: had your heart broken?: not really
13: broken a body part?: yes. several.

Section 3
14: wearing: shoerts and my Duke shirt
15: listening to: the trains down by the river
16: chewing: nothing
17: feeling: strangely awake
18: reading: these prompts
19: chatting: nope

Section 4 [ DO YOU...
20: brush your teeth?: duh
21: like anybody?: I like most people
22: drive?: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
23: believe in Santa Claus?: Of course
24: ever get off the computer?: often

Section 5 [ THE LAST PERSON YOU...]
25: hugged: Amanda
26: talked to on the phone: Eric
27: fell in love with: John
28: tripped: don't remember. it usually backfires on me.
29: turned down: Amanda for the parade excursion

Section 6 [ DO YOU . . . ]
30: Like to give hugs? yes
31: Like to walk in the rain?: yes
32: sleep with or without clothes on?: i like my pyjamas
33: prefer black or blue pens?: black
34: Like to travel?: i like to be other places. i hate getting there.
35: Like someone?: Yeah
36: Think you're attractive?: I have my moments. Some better than others.
37: Want to marry?: Yes
38: Have a goldfish? no
39: Have stuffed animals?: a few

Section 7 [ THIS OR THAT ]
40: Pierced nose or tongue?: nope. too distracting.
41: Be serious or funny?: each at its proper time. but usually funny
42: Single or taken?: taken
43: Single: ?
44: MTV or BET?: VH1
45: 7th Heaven or Dawson's Creek: House
46: Sugar or salt?: Sugar

47. Silver or gold?: silver
48. Tongue or belly button ring?: neither
49. Chocolate or flowers?: flowers
50. Angels or miracles?: both
51. Colored or Black-and-white photos?: depends on the subject
52. Sunrise or sunset?: sunset
53. M&M's or Skittles?: m&m's
54. Rap or Rock?: Jazz
55. Stay up late or sleep in?: i prefer both
56. TV or radio?: BBC radio 4
57. Hot or cold? cold
58. Taller members of the opposite sex or shorter?: taller
59. Star or moon?: moon
60. Diamond or Ruby?: both
61. Left or Right?: right
62. Vanilla or chocolate?: Vanilla
63. Cat or dog?: dog, cat, rabbit, bird, whatever. What? I like animals.
64. Mustard or ketchup?: ketchup
65. Newspaper or Magazine? depends on the paper and the magazine available
66. Spring or Fall?: Fall
67. A year of hot sex or a lifetime of friendship?: friendship
68. Sneakers or sandals?: barefoot
69. McDonald's or Burger King? Bud's Broiler
70. Mexican or Italian food?: depends on my mood
71. Lights on or off?: on. i have too active an imagination
72. Candy or soda: Soda
73. A house in the woods or the city?: neither
74. Kiss in the rain or kiss in the movies: rain
75. Birds or fish: birds
76. Computer or tv: computer
77. Shower or bath: bath
78. Movies or shows: movies, usually
79. Christmas or Easter: Easter
79. Myspace or xanga: Blogger

Ok, bed for real now.

Be Mine?

2007-02-12T00:56:00.000-06:00

John came into town Saturday night, and we celebrated Valentine's early, since he obviously won't be here Wednesday. It was a nice time. We went to Martinique Bistro, which I had only heard about, and it is a very nice restaurant. I had New Zealand venison in a cabernet reduction that was just amazing. John had a yummy duck dish that involved goats cheese and grits. Odd combination, but tasty.

The house is really quiet without Liv around, but Allison is coming into town from the 15th -21st, so that will be nice. I've been mopping the floor out of boredom lately, and I got excited about a new dishwasher detergent I got. I'm obviously losing it. My laundry is sorted, my clothes are folded, most of my books are where they should be... I even usually remember to pick up my shoes and put them away. It's weird.

Oh, also got a cute little stuffed animal for V-day. He's a little puppy, and I've named him Trouble.

Anyway, it's time for bed. Cheers!

It Don't Mean a Thing

2007-01-29T19:35:00.000-06:00

So PinkSonia came down this weekend for a lark. We haunted some bookstores that I didn't know existed, but now I'm glad I do. The first was Octavia Books on, you guessed it, Octavia Street. It's actually within walking distance of my house, and it's got a really good selection. second, we stopped at McKeown's on Tchoupitoulas, which is possibly my new favorite due to the large amount of secondhand and antique books that litter its shelves. If you're in town, it's certainly worth a stop.

After booking for a bit, we went and saw Pan's Labyrinth which was a good movie, but brutal in its violence and definitely left me a bit numb. It was interesting to see how another culture (in this case, Spanish) protray fantasy and fantastic creatures. I also liked the way they use color in a number of the scenes, especially the toad scene and the closing sequence.

Saturday night we went swing dancing, well, actually it was jive Allison tells me. Whatever it was, it was a lot of fun. Fast-paced and way over my head in terms of my ability, but fun.

Anyway, I've got things to do, so until next time stay out of trouble. Or at least don't get caught.

So it's time for a change

2007-01-26T11:05:00.000-06:00

A change that will be reflected (hopefully) here in my blog. More updates, more on what I'm doing, that sort of thing. Anyway....

My room is clean (wheee!) and I have a new rug, dresser, and upholstered rocker. I've been trying to trim down my book collection, too, but it's quickly turning into a veritable hydra. That, or they're multiplying like rabbits when I'm at school. Pretty much any book that I've forgotten or didn't know I had is going to the public library. Clothes are going, too, either to charity or Funky Monkey, though probably charity. My clothes aren't cool enough for resale.

School is going great (so far), mostly because my MWF classes were cancelled this week. So I have yet to experience my first business class, and I've only just dipped my toe into Producing. Although I do have a name for my theatre troupe: the JunieMay World Players. We're doing Dames at Sea in musical theatre. It's a Busby Berkeley parody, and looks like it should be some fun. Voice and piano are also going well. Lots of practice, but still pretty ok.

At any rate, that's the way things are going right now. See you later: same bat-time, same bat-channel!

Just a question...

2007-01-25T09:35:00.000-06:00

If gas prices are dropping, why are airline ticket prices rising?

We're going to Eng-uh-land

2006-10-22T13:04:00.000-05:00

So I just may do an internship in London next summer or fall. I'm thinking maybe at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, or perhaps at the Savoy.

Salt and vinegar chips. Mushy peas. Mince pies. Drizzle. Cadbury Flakes. Tea. Digestives. Cold and rainy. Charming accents.

Wooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Weeeeee!

2006-09-27T18:13:00.000-05:00

I have a new MacBook. Joy!

Hooray!... sort of!...

2006-09-10T09:58:00.000-05:00

I have a job! It's not exciting, but it'll pay the bills and give me some good accounting experience. Also, tuition waiver's been credited. Now if they'll just let me keep the $5000...

Also, I must say the band kids are some of the best, sweetest, most awesome people I know.

Life after Undergrad

2006-09-07T13:51:00.000-05:00

So here's what's been going on, as well as some things I've learned:

-My hard drive failed.

-I'm looking for a job because the ideal job hated my face.

-Tulane has yet to credit my tuition waiver, despite repeated calls, leaving me with a bill of over $14,000, which I cannot pay.
-Facebook went insane (but you knew that already)

-No matter how many times you do the math and how many deductions you take into account, your paycheck will never have as much money as you anticipate.

-Very few people care about helping anyone, especially those whose job it is to help people.

-Keeping a collection of things (let's say, hypothetically speaking, a bunch of post-graduate programs) while simultaneously abolishing the organizing mechanism (again, hypothetically, an administrative body we will call "The Graduate School") that provided coherence and order within the collection is a poorly-fabricated decision, with obvious and, simply put, bad consequences that could possibly adversely affect hundreds or thousands besides the desicion-maker(s).

-Tetanus shots are still not fun.

Spear and Magic Helmet?

2006-03-22T17:44:00.000-06:00

New Orleans Opera is performing The Barber of Seville at McAlister tonight. That + free tickets = awesome evening. I'll let you know how it goes.

*****EDIT*****

The opera was quite good, especially since it was free (last dress rehearsals are free for students). Someone was humming (off-key) and talking through the performance, though. I was really annoyed by it. Come to find out, it was the conductor. Wonders never cease. Still pretty good.

Yay for Saturday!!

2006-03-18T12:20:00.000-06:00

Why? Because it's an awesome day, that's why.

Went to the Tulane - South Alabama baseball game with John last night. Couldn't have asked for better weather, although we could've asked for a better umpire. Oh well, we won in spite of his obviously advanced state of ocular degeneration. Afterwards, went to O'Henry's for burgers and fries. Yum!

Also bought my regalia (cap, gown, hood) for graduation this week, as well as my honor cords and stole for English Honor Society. Announcements should arrive soon, too, so hopefully I'll be able to send those out in a timely fashion.

Wednesday is my interview for Newcomb graduation speaker. Wish me luck!

BEWARE!!

2006-03-15T16:52:00.000-06:00

Those tricky Roman senators have done it again! Only this time, instead of committing murder in a futile attempt to preserve the republic, they made one of my wisdom teeth shift, causing great pain and swollen suffering to me, but little affecting anyone else. Except you all, who get to hear me whine about it. Waaaaaahhh.

Anyway, I'm gonna go dope up on ibuprofen, so enjoy some Shakespeare and heed any soothsayer who warns you of impending doom.

DECIUS BRUTUS: Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Caesar:
I come to fetch you to the senate-house.

CAESAR: And you are come in very happy time,
To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come to-day:
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius.

CALPURNIA: Say he is sick.

CAESAR: Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

DECIUS BRUTUS: Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.

CAESAR: The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know:
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
She dreamt to-night she saw my statue,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it:
And these does she apply for warnings, and portents,
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day.

DECIUS BRUTUS: This dream is all amiss interpreted;
It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.

CAESAR: And this way have you well expounded it.

DECIUS BRUTUS: I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now: the senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say
'Break up the senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love
To our proceeding bids me tell you this;
And reason to my love is liable.

CAESAR: How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.

Julius Caesar Act II, sc ii, L62-112

A Day at the Races

2006-03-04T19:22:00.000-06:00

Well... not quite...

Anyway, pictoral post!!!

The Marching Band marched in several Mardi Gras parades. Here's the banner I designed.

Here are some of my favorite trumpeters doing what they do best.

And here's the brass looking very smashing indeed...

For much of the parades, I danced with a second line umbrella. Woohoo!

After Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Museum of Arts opened for the first time since the storm. What an awesome party! Free admission, beautiful weather, and tons of music!

My friend Scooter and I checked out the sculpture garden.

Then Scooter decided to ride a Tortle (hey... it's my blog, I'll make up words if I want)

As did I. (You know you wish you could've, too).

Scooter was also attacked by a giant spider!

Luckily, it was chased away by the sounds of sweet, sweet jazz coming from these guys at the back of the garden

And from Delfeayo Marsalis and his band at the front.

After his set, Delfeayo really wanted to hang out with Scooter and me, but alas, we had time only for a brief photo. Maybe next time, Delfeayo.

teh endzorz

It's been Oh So Long...

2006-02-24T14:13:00.000-06:00

Since I last wrote to you. I am back in my Great City, but it's a very bittersweet experience. To walk down the street I never really thought I'd looked at before and notice that something is missing, or to pass an empty, boarded-up house and wonder what happened to the people who used to live there. But life has gone on here, even with such sadnesses on every corner. The parrots are back. I see them in the oaks that remain. Camellias, azaleas, and even some crocuses and daffodils are blooming. I saw a patch of wild violets in the park the other day.

And then there's Carnival. Fewer tourists, more locals (i.e., families with small children) than I've ever seen before. The Marching Band will be leading Krewe d'Etat tonight, and will also make appearances in Thoth and Rex on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. I'll be there, second line umbrella in hand, ready to lead a dance or two.

Lets, see, what other news...... I got my hair cut, so now I have a bob. Very cute. I've had a major change in career paths; instead of Special Education, I'll be getting my MFA in Musical Theatre, with a concentration on production and directing, which makes me happy. Speaking of Musical Theatre, I got cast as Jack's Mother in this semester's production of Into the Woods. Great comic character, with an on-stage death scene. Wunderbar!

J made an interesting observation last time I saw him. He commented that the three people I seem closest to here are male. It's true. Not that that's a bad thing- they're really great people. But I do miss having any really close female friends to just sit and talk to. You know who you are. Come visit me!

I also miss Oliver. Last semester was the most time I've gotten to spend with him since I graduated from high school. He's all right. For a brother. Who smells. Really bad.

Anyway, I need to get ready for the parades.

Pray for my city.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Return, Rebuild, Renew

2006-01-11T17:52:00.000-06:00

So I am back in New Orleans after four months of hurricane-related exile in North Carolina. There's a lot of work to be done, but to be perfectly honest we're doing a lot better than the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Even those whose homes were flooded to the roof have had a chance to attempt to salvage their belongings. From Slidell to Mobile all I saw on I-10 was complete and utter destruction. No flooded and warped houses, just no houses at all. Instead of balconied and pillared beauties there's only massive piles of pretty kindling. If there's anything at all. Oak trees are littered along the gulf shore and in the water. I'm frankly surprised more people didn't die in Mississippi. Of course New Orleans had a terrible, horrible, heartbreaking loss of life. Nothing like this should ever happen to anyone.

I'm pretty psyched about the new rebuilding plan. Rebuilding Storeyville as a jazz district, pouring money into the schools, improving public transport, creating more parks... New Orleans has a big chance to make the city truly great. I hope they use it wisely.

Betrayal...

2005-12-09T10:31:00.000-06:00

Tulane has guaranteed itself a place in history. I hope it rots slowly and painfully until its name is nothing more than a sarcastic joke.

http://www.renewal.tulane.edu

So much is explained...

2005-12-08T13:40:00.000-06:00

16 S Sulfur 32.064

Vitriol

Oil of vitriol is nothing but concentrated sulfuric acid. But, applied lightly, it can blister the skin, and, when heated, it will eat its way through steel. Loaded into a pen, it can be used to write reviews.

The terrorist organization known as the International Brotherhood of Critics grades its vitriol from one to ten. Grade one vitriol is known informally as "break-down-in-tears." Grade two is called "punch-the-wall-and-kick-the-cat." And so on. Grade ten vitriol—the best there is—is sometimes called "career-killer" and other times "cause-for-suicide." So much depends on the skill with which it is deployed!

Vitriol is distilled by the critics themselves from the embittered blood of writers. A quick kill, therefore, produces a weak vitriol. It is for this reason that a skilled critic will leaven his criticism with small praise in order to keep his victims alive and suffering for as many years as he can. It is for this reason that the critics refer to their distillation as the Great Art.

The vitriol of London is very, very strong. Connoisseurs delight in the vitriol of Paris. But for good old-fashioned ridding the world of talent, there's just no beating the vitriol of New York.

Michael Swanwick's Periodic Table of Science Fiction

Beacuse it's this or write a paper...

2005-12-06T10:32:00.000-06:00

Name: Arynne
Nicknames: Mouse, Wren, Adams, the Ninja, and some that I can't say in polite society
Address: New Orleans by way of Durham and Guam
College Plans: Graduate in May, then get my MA in Special Ed
Birthday: July 27, 1984
Birthplace: Missouri
Horoscope Sign: Leo
Siblings: Oliver
Parents: Mama and Dad
Best Friends: Christina, Sarah, Allison, Oliver, John
Marital Status: unmarried
Pets: 1 dog, Lady
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Glasses/Contacts: yes
Height: 5'3
Peircings: two
Righty, Lefty, or Ambidextrous?: Righty
What's one thing you would change about yourself?: I wish I weren't afraid
Whats your most comfortable piece of clothing?: pyjamas!
Goal in Life: To be a better person by the end
Song to Describe your life: I prefer to use my own words to describe my life than anyone else's
Five words to describe yourself: Impatient, sensitive, warm, giving, happy

SOCIAL LIFE

Best Girl Friend: Christina
Best Guy Friend: John
Where can you usually be found?: Behind closed doors
Who would you be with?: Depends on my mood. No, really.
Are you the center of attention?: When I want to be
What's your idea of a dream date?: Venice
Where's the best hangout?: O'Flaherty's, may it Rest in Peace. Death to Katrina!
Do you like being around people or alone?: little from column A, little from column B
Which EX now induces the gag reflex?: If you know I dated him, you know who it is
What's your biggest turn off in the opposite sex?: Bad table manners
Who was your first boyfriend? Eddie
Who was your first kiss?: see above
First husband?: que?

OUT OF YOUR FRIENDS...WHO?

Have you known the longest?: Sarah
Do you argue the most with?: Adam
Do you always get along with?: Kea
Is the most trustworthy?: Allison, John, Kea
Makes you laugh the most?: John, Jason
Has been there through all the hard times?: Oliver
Always has a man/woman?: umm..... actually, I think I'm 'that girl' now that I think about it
Is the most sensitive?: Sarah
Has the coolest house?: i dunno
Has the coolest car?: me! ha ha!
Is the most encouraging?: Christina
Is the most blunt?: Katie
Is the shyest?: Sarah
Is the most outgoing?: Christina
Is the most rebellious?: Adam, but usually just to piss me off
Is the most perfect?: I choose not to answer
Is the laziest?: Katie. Also, she smells really bad and needs to bathe.
Is the most conservative?: Christina or John
Is most likely to become famous?: Oliver
Is most likely to become rich?: Oliver
Is most likely to end up in jail?: Well, Christina is a lot of trouble
Is most likely to have a million kids?: Allison. I deem it, therefore it is so!
Is most likely never to have kids?: i dunno. I know a few people who shouldn't have kids
Will get a boob job?: No one I know
Will get married first? Sarah
Always wears a smile?: Christina
Is the smartest?: Katie, Oliver, John... not necessarily in that order
Would, without thinking, die for you?: oreos sacrifice themselves for me all the time
Complains the most?: Richard Karn is a born whiner
Complains the least?: Richard Karn is the embodiement of contentment
Is the biggest flirt?: Steve, of the Steve-Cliff-Jason trifecta. Hands down. Also, they are the drunkest.
Has the best fashion sense?: Katie
Could be an alien? : I have some theories...
Best form of entertainment?: All my friends are entertaining.
Are you most jealous of?: everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses
Is a bad influence?: Again, the Steve-Cliff-Jason trifecta

FAVORITES

Color: Green
Clothes: Cozy Pyjamas
Animal: yes
Book: too many choices.... (head explodes).... Nah, Scarlet Pimpernel or Phantom of the Opera
Food: Chinese, curry, sushi, curry, and also, curry
Restaurant: Trolley Stop, Ninja, Tandoori Chicken
TV show: Good Eats
TV star: Alton Brown is the coolest
Movie: Emma, Sense and Sensibility, BBC P&P, Mystery Men
Movie star: Alan Rickman- his voice is so neat (I second Kea's motion)
Song: Walkin' on Sunshine. It's so happy!
Singer: i dunno
Band: Tulane University Marching Band, of course!
Music Video: Thriller
Hobby: cooking, reading, long walks, the polka
Holiday: Easter
Month: July
Season: Fall
Flower: Lily-of-the-valley, snowdrops, white roses, daisies
Girl's name: Elizabeth
Guy's name: Joshua
Vacation: I like to travel
School Subject: English
Number:4
Cartoon Character: Mr. Peabody
Clothing Brand: i dunno. as long as it fits and looks half-decent, I don't really care
Game: Balderdash, Scattergories
Radio Station: WWNO, New Orleans public radio (not to be confused w/ NPR)
Sport to Watch: Basketball
Soda: Fresca... Or Welch's grape soda
Breakfast food: breakfast taco
# of kids you want: some
Candy: dark or white chocolate, Bassett's licorice allsorts
Place: I haven't been everywhere yet, so how can I decide?
Shampoo: Rosemary Herbal Essesnces
Outrageous Hair color: I'm not a fan or outrageous hair color. It's just not me.
Cologne/Perfume: Oscar
Nail polish color: I hate nail polish
Gum: Juicy Fruit or watermelon Bubblicious
Video game: Duck Hunt
Family Member: I have no favorites (total lie, but I'm not stupid enough to tell)
Fast food place: Whataburger
Alcoholic beverage: Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale. It's tempered over burning witches.
Thing to say in a foreign language: Uhali gani mabibi na mabwana!
Stuffed Animal: Beara, my teddy bear. Don't laugh. You die now.
Disney movie: Beauty and the Beast
Odd Make-out spot: Que?
Midnight snack: leftover curry
Beach: I'm going to go out on a limb and say Guam's beaches. Soon!
Amusement park: Disney World, esp Epcot. Troll ride!
Lip Gloss flavor: cherry and vanilla
Shoes: my pretty gold and leather slippers
Thing to do when your bored: walk
Smell: brand-new crayons, old books
Concert: American Composers for Kids at the Kennedy Center
Quotes: I wanna red one. (The 'The South!' man) I'm gonna! (Er)

STUPID QUESTIONS

Have you ever been suspected of committing a crime?: Not outside of Soviet Russia
How long does it take you to get ready to go out?: 5 minutes-2 hours depending on what I'm getting ready for
What super power would you want?: Invisibility
What would you like to be reincarnated as?: Myself
Do you make fun of your friends?: Some yes, some no.
Words or phrases you over use: I'm sure there are some, but I can't think of them right now
If you were an animal what would you be?: A small brown bird
Do you enjoy talking to your self?: ... who said I talk to myself? 'Cause I don't. Much.
What's your biggest fear?: Disappointing people I care about
What would you have liked to be named?: I like my name
What's your most prized possession?: I don't know. A lot of things have sentimental value, but they're still just things.
What's the funniest word you can think of?: turdburger
What songs bring back the most memories?: Daddy's Little Girl
Do you have a bar trick?: no... I'm so boring
Who/What are you thankful for?: Most everything. Mushrooms I could do without.
Do you believe in fate?: I believe in God. That's different.
Do you get along with your parents?: I have my moments
Could a pack of wolves done a better job raising you?: What sort of wolves? Just kidding...
What time do you go to bed?: eventually
What was the most difficult thing you had to do?: Keep my mouth shut
If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you want to be stuck with?: Houdini. He'd know how to get off the island.
If you could relive any day of your life either for good or to change it, what would it be?: A day in September 2004
What's the worst feeling in the world?: Helplessness
The best?: Making someone happy when they don't know it was you
If you could meet anyone who ever existed who would it be? why?: Faulkner. So I could ask him why he dedicated his life to writing crap.
Have you ever been in love?: None of your business
What's your best physical feature?: Eyes
What's your summer job?: Administrative assistant for TU Marching Band
What was the meanest thing you ever did as a little kid?: Told my brother no one wanted him
What have you learned about love?: I can't decide to be cynical or sentimental in this answer
How have you changed in the past year?: I have slowly been forced to realize that there are some things I cannot control, so I just need to accept them, and move on

Most likely to be with me when I am followed by a sketchy guy: Jason. Of course, he's equally likely to be the sketchy guy.
Person I confide in most: John, my mom, Oliver
My friend that I can have fun with no matter what: Allison
The friend that I have to call the police with the most when I am with: no one wins this prize
My friend and I that have the strangest stuff happen to us and even started a random event journal: Katie
My friend that I always have something to talk about with: Kea
My favorite people to decorate with for Christmas: Oliver
Attracts more screwed up guys than I do: There are a couple
My favorite people to stay up with all night with: Depends what's going on
My favorite friend to shriek with and imitate dinosaurs: Oliver
My favorite people to watch West Wing with and advocate for Martin Sheen's Presidency: Allison
Someone I would like to know better: John
A friend that is always supportive and has a shared understanding of my past: Oliver
My favorite friend to tip cups with: Oliver
My most articulate and funny friend: Oliver, Katie, Allison
Most likely to leave a potato and a bottle of liquor on my doorstep: Jason

Meet Beans!

2005-10-16T00:06:00.000-05:00

So I am, in fact, not dead...

2005-10-13T23:25:00.000-05:00

... I'm just in North Carolina. Durham is apparently known as 'the armpit of the South,' so I know, Dear Readers, you must be saying to yourself, "Self, what countless joys and frivolities must be found in a place to earn it such a unique and colorful moniker!"

At this point, I would advise shaking yourself roughly by the shoulders, because it is a lie. A cruel, deceptive lie.

Due to meteorological complications, I am not currently in my Favorite City. A pressing need to graduate has brought me here, to a lovely, picturesque, neo-Gothic campus located in charming 'the Armpit of the South.'

It's actually not that bad. They have a place here that all the students go to, called Ninth Street. Which reminds me a lot of Oak Street. But not the good part. The sketchy part. Well, at least most students here don't realize they have nothing to do. They're all to busy studying and over-preparing so that in class the next day, they can be both pedantic and irrelevent.

Okay, that's a little unfair. While there are a lot of students like that, there are also some really nice, friendly people here. The administration has certainly gone out of the way to help us refugees, and believe me, that has been a big relief. The Chapel (more like a cathedral, but whatever) is gorgeous. My professors are understanding and always offering help. My brother is here, and that's probably the nicest thing. Having a friend as good as him here has kept me from completely going off the deep end.

Durham is not the most exciting place in the world, but there's a lot of pretty countryside just outside the city. And there are seasons here! It's actually Autumn!! Wonderful, beautiful leaves everywhere. And thanks to Allison, I have a lovely new scarf to keep away the chills.

Well, I've done enough damage for one post. Until next time!

It was bound to happen...

2005-08-05T15:26:00.000-05:00

There's actually a reason for my having posted the previous entry, but most of it is purely to remind me of What I need to be doing. Because there's a delicate and volatile situation involved, suffice to say I'm finding it difficult to stay out of the midst of a fray while still maintaining the ability and presence of mind to stand up for what is right, without fear of others' opinions. More difficult even than that is figuring out what is right in a convoluted and complicated matter. Not who is right, but what is right. Sometimes people forget there's a difference.

On a slightly different note, I'm starting a choir at my church. It's going to be very small, at least to begin with, and we are not possessed of a plethora of musicians (at least that I know of). If anyone's got suggestions for some easy but pleasant-sounding choral arrangements (SAB or SATB), I'd appreciate the input.

2005-08-01T10:59:00.000-05:00

Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

2005-07-21T22:18:00.000-05:00

My pirate name is:

Mad Anne Flint

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from fidius.org.

Shameless Plug, and other things...

2005-07-20T14:57:00.000-05:00

So my birthday's in a week. Yay!

Also, I bought and read the new Harry Potter. For you Potter fans, and more specifically for you Snape fans, here's a great analysis. WARNING! CONTAINS SPOILERS!!! Don't say I didn't warn you.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/garlandgraves/3409.html

Dennis the pain in the butt...

2005-07-08T13:19:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all, I'm heading out. If you don't hear from me, I'm not dead, I'm just in Baton Rouge.

-A

You ought to see my Cindy...

2005-07-06T12:50:00.000-05:00

Well, that was a surprisingly damaging tropical storm. Relatively little rain, but I guess the wind was something else. 250,000 people without power right now. Limbs and trees down all over the place. No idea if anyone was hurt. At about 12.30 in the morning, Roomie and I heard what sounded like a gunshot right outside our window. It was, thankfully, a branch snapping.

Low barometric pressure causes nauseous sinus headaches

But today, what a difference. Sunny, warm, fairly low humidity-- a beautiful day marred only by trees in the street and no air conditioning.

Now to brace ourselves for Dennis. Storm adventures!

The Magnificent 4th

2005-07-04T23:45:00.000-05:00

A terrible day. A reminder as to why when actually presented the opportunity to be around others I usually choose solitude instead.

EDIT: Oh, who am I kidding.... I was in a really foul mood yesterday. Enough angsty crap.

Boredom causes injuries....

2005-06-27T19:17:00.000-05:00

And this city's sidewalks are not rollerblade-friendly.

So, since both my knees are now swathed in sterile gauze and surgical tape, I thought I'd give a little update. Work for me is better than it is for others, with end-of-summer plans for the band really starting to take shape and finalize. We still have old Summer Lyric sets and costumes and props filling the band room, but it makes things a bit interesting and different, I guess.

As you see from Katie's wonderful imput, the jam turned out great. Food is just better when it's fresh and made from scratch, be it preserves or puff pastry (which I also make myself).

A sticky situation II

2005-06-22T19:21:00.000-05:00

Jams are good!! Strawberry and peachy deliciousness!

A sticky situation...

2005-06-21T12:52:00.000-05:00

So I tried my hand at jam-making last night. I have three jars of what is, theoretically, strawberry jam in my fridge now.

I'll let you know if it turns out ok.

I am, I admit, extremely fond of the potato...

2005-06-18T23:05:00.000-05:00

Hello, Dear Readers. One of you informed me that I need to update more often, and I do so hate to disappoint.

So let's see, what's new?... The Music Department held its first annual National American Composers Conference, centering around Leonard Bernstein to go with the all-Bernstein season of Summer Lyric Theatre. Different bigwigs and experts on Bernstein came down and read papers, talked ad nauseum, and generally acted like bigwigs and experts. Barabara Cook, a septigenarian Broadway diva who was the original Cunegonde in Bernstein's Candide, gave a master class; I was disappointed with her, to be honest. Not with the class per say, just in general.

Summer Lyric's production of Candide, however, was stellar. Words cannot describe... It was like an aneurism of joy.

Also, I am dating someone. No, you probably don't know him. But he's v. different from my usual type of fellow. Surprise!

Goooooood Morning

2005-06-13T10:39:00.000-05:00

It is going to be a beautiful day today.

Sorry STJers. I couldn't resist.

Anyway, this is just a little random Team Spirit post, seeing as how I may get to hit the baseball game today. Therefore:

GO GREEN WAVE!!

also,

GO SPURS!!!

Sports is fun.

Thar she blows!... well.... maybe not

2005-06-10T22:45:00.000-05:00

Well, looks like Arlene is gonna give us a miss. Pity... I was looking forward to a good flooding.

It's been a long week and a short week all in one. I'm awfully tired, too. I think my bed is too soft. Darn dorm beds, ruining everything.

Everyone I know is getting married, except for a very few who're going to Oxford, or to archeology field school, or doing other equally unique and interesting things.

Also, I'm bored.

Why look, it's neighbor Noah!

2005-06-06T12:18:00.000-05:00

Rain. Lots and lots of rain. Half the shoes I own are soggy and attempting to dry out in my kitchen. Soggy shoes smell almost as bad as soggy dogs. Almost.

I don't really mind the rain, except I walk everywhere. And I mean everywhere. The flooding of streets and sidewalks is a minor annoyance, however, compared to the prolific glowing branches of cloud-to-ground lightning. I agree it's pretty and all,but you see, I like living. Crazy, I know.

I think the most annoying thing about this rain is that it only serves to raise the temperature.

But it does make a nice sound, even if it traps you inside or seeps under your front door. And it means that the sun isn't blazing down. And as long as it's raining, the mosquitoes and roaches stay in hiding. It's when the rain stops that you have to worry about them. And malaria, West Nile, yellow fever and countless other bugs of the microscopic variety.

It's as dark out now as it was at 6am. There is no sleeping aid like rainstorms in the South.

Now I just have to figure out whether it's better to starve until suppertime, or to risk getting yet another pair of soggy shoes so that I can check my mail and eat.

Welcome home, Katie. Your intellect, class, and rapier wit have been sorely missed. Now if only Allison would have the sense to come back.

Nothing of Major Consequence

2005-06-02T12:13:00.000-05:00

And a fine View Halloo to you, Dear Readers.

I came in to work today, only to find that there is no work to be done. I've gotten ahead of the ball game somehow. I'm sure it will all come crashing down next week, never fear. In the meantime, I have yet to be paid, because this Grand Old Institution hates my face. It would be rude to say they suck, but they're got better intake than a Dyson vacuum.

I should do something fun on Saturday. I've no clue as to what, but it should be something different, something worthwhile, something unique. Something that does not involve sitting around the house watching telly.

Hmmmm......

Any suggestions?

Why hello there

2005-05-26T10:10:00.000-05:00

My, it's been a long time.

So this summer, I'm in The City working for Tulane's new Marching Band. It's shaping up pretty well. The new conductor is great, and is definitely trying to make this a first-class endeavor, even though it will be small the first couple years. "But did you have to stay for summer?" you ask. Look at it this way: my duties as a secretary and archivist are performed mostly indoors except for those rare occasions when i'm walking between buildings. Hehehehe.... I'm not the one who has to march in New Orleans August Heat.

Everything else is looking pretty sunny. The brother is heading to Duke, majoring in History and Chemistry, the crazy kid. A friend who has never met him saw his picture and said, "He's a force, isn't he?" He certainly is. And I couldn't be prouder.

And for all those who say there's no spirit left in the old Olive Green and Blue:

Tulane Fight Song

Quiz Time II or How to Avoid Doing Work

2005-05-10T14:58:00.000-05:00

Aphrodite/Eros

?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

You are 'regularly metric verse'. This can take
many forms, including heroic couplets, blank
verse, and other iambic pentameters, for
example. It has not been used much since the
nineteenth century; modern poets tend to prefer
rhyme without meter, or even poetry with
neither rhyme nor meter.

You appreciate the beautiful things in life--the
joy of music, the color of leaves falling, the
rhythm of a heartbeat. You see life itself as
a series of little poems. The result (or is it
the cause?) is that you are pensive and often
melancholy. You enjoy the company of other
people, but they find you unexcitable and
depressing. Your problem is that regularly
metric verse has been obsolete for a long time.

What obsolete skill are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

You are Psalms.

Which book of the Bible are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Little bit o' Quiz Time!!

2005-04-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

Minerva
Indeed, you are 75% erudite, 62% sensual, 54% martial, and 41% saturnine.

Another virgin Goddess (Diana or Artemis being the other), Minerva was, just like her Greek counterpart Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and Freedom as well as an all powerful Goddess of War, which made her a most formidable opponent indeed.

Among the many disciplines that fell under her control were: writing,
the sciences, architecture, embroidery, and just about anything else
dealing with artistic skills, wise counsel, and of course battle and
warfare.

Like Athena, owls were considered sacred to Minerva, representing wisdom. She was a very wise warrior, respected by the Roman legions.

She was also, no kidding, the Goddess of Women's Rights and patroness of career women.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 52% on erudite
You scored higher than 20% on sensual
You scored higher than 55% on martial
You scored higher than 29% on saturnine

Link: The Mythological Goddess Test written by Nitsuki on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Sorry for the delay....

2005-04-06T13:20:00.000-05:00

Hello, Dear Readers. You have been missed. I am terribly sorry for my extended absence, but these professor people seem to like giving me work to do on an all-too-regular basis. But here is my Schedule for nest semester, should any of you care to take a gander:

MWF
Islam: Prophet to Present
Intro to Women's Studies (at least I pretend to care)
Ethics

TR
Paul the Apostle (should clash nicely with WS)
Ballet I

A good selection, on the whole, I find.

Johnny, tell 'em what they've won.....

2005-03-22T09:00:00.000-06:00

That's right! It's an all-expenses-paid two-year assignment to Guam, the tropical island just above the equator between Japan and Australia!

Yay for mangoes, hibiscus, and snorkeling. Boo for 20-hour flights.

It's only a story- it doesn't mean anything....

2005-03-09T17:20:00.000-06:00

Wow..... watched a movie in South African Women's Lit today called A Dry White Season. It's about the demonstrations in Soweto in 1976, and the miscarriages of justice (to use a gross understatement) under the system of apartheid in South Africa at the time. It was one of the most emotionally draining things I've ever seen. Watch it if you get a chance.

Also coming out soon: In My Country based on Antjie Krog's novel Country of My Skull, which takes place during the establishment and hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (please, please, please read the book).

Not too terribly much...

2005-03-07T11:58:00.000-06:00

Hello, Dear Readers. I trust you all are well.

It appears that the gracious Mistress Katia has been subjected to another round of Human Stupidity. I urge you to peruse her harrowing tale and offer your most sincere condolences, as I know you have been brought up to do.

It is interesting to live in such a removed state of limbo. While my Venerable Parents have been informed that they are, indeed, transferring to a new location, there has been, as yet, no indication of where that might be. The choices range from Wyoming to Turkey to South Korea. I don't understand why the military doesn't just give them a globe and say, "Here's a map of the area you'll be most likely to live." But perhaps I am mistaken, and they will not be posted on Earth at all. I admit I have not been following the news, so it is a possibility that we have colonized Mars and a few other small planets and I have simply not noticed.

Also, I find it terribly interesting (and terribly disturbing) that this Asian avian flu has killed three out of every four people afflitcted. Even more interesting and disturbing than that, no one really seems to care. It's very akin to the moments when I realize that if the levee decided to give way, nearly everyone in the Great Metropolis would die, and then I go cheerfully about my business.

I will leave you, Dear Readers, with a little children's skipping rhyme dating back to 1918.

I had a little bird
Her name was Enza
I opened up the window
And in flew Enza.

Sweet crackers, I'm blind!

2005-02-28T11:04:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I'm not blind. But I did have my pupils dilated at my eye exam today. And they didn't even give me the funny glasses, so I walked home squinting and stumbling like some drunken wino bag-lady. Hey.... I think I have my Halloween costume planned out... to Thrift City!

Saw the Kingston Trio last night at O'Flaherty's on Toulouse. It was a great evening. So maybe I'm a dork, but I love folk music. You ain't sung until you let out with, "Dooley was a good ol' man, he lived below the mill/ Dooley had two daughters, and a forty-gallon still..." Take that, Berlioz! Anyway, it was the best night out I've had in quite some time.

So it's been a while...

2005-02-24T17:59:00.000-06:00

Sorry, Dear Readers, to have deprived you from my intellectual presence for such a vast period as three whole days. I know it was hard to survive, but you'll be the stronger for it in the end.

Not too terribly much has happened, to tell the truth. The boiler in the basement of Dixon exploded during my voice lesson. White noise can be exceedingly painful if it's loud enough and reverberating between two stone buildings. I also noticed that the average student cannot tell the difference between clouds of steam and clouds of smoke. For those of you with this problem, let me enlighten you: Steam is white. It looks like clouds. It can make a very loud sound, just as it does when you steam milk for your latte. Smoke is usually dark, black, smothering, and accompanied by flames. So anyway, Mozart has to wait until next week to be butchered.

Shocking!...

2005-02-21T15:06:00.000-06:00

When I Wore Red to the Debutante's Ball

When I wore red to the Debutante's Ball
My gown was all shimmer and glitz.
My high patent shoes
And black satin gloves
Were sure to startle the wits of them all
When I wore red to the Debutante's Ball.

When I wore red to the Debutante's Ball
I strode up the Country Club stairs
And swept into the room
With an air all my own--
Snobbish manners and airs I was bound to appall
When I wore red to the Debutante's Ball.

When I wore red to the Debutante's Ball
A silence fell over the crowd.
A boy asked for the chance
To lead me in dance.
The crowd parted-- we bowed in the midst of the hall
When I wore red to the Debutante's Ball.

When I wore red to the Debutante's Ball
I waltzed with each boy in the room.
The hushed and shocked whispers
Of gossiping spinsters
Made me laugh, for I was the belle of them all
When I wore red to the Debutante's Ball.

--Arynne, 2/20/2005, 12.53am

Cryptic writings in emerald ink...

2005-02-21T09:51:00.000-06:00

Hello my lovelies, and Happy Monday to you all. I know, I know... Monday is your most dreaded day of the week-- the end of the much-needed weekend, a return to neglected work, the bucket of ice water that rudely awakens you out of your pleasant dreams of leisure and luxury. But don't hold the day accountable, Dear Readers. It can't help what it is.

Spring is in the air in the Great City. Camellias and azaleas are in bloom, massive, heady blossoms of pink and white. Soon the daffodills and irises will join them in a symphony of colors that Crayola couldn't dream of matching.

As you can tell, I'm in much better spirits that I was when last I wrote. Whether this is due to the death-like slumber that sucked me into oblivion yesterday afternoon, or weather it's because I have cranked out yet another somewhat passable poem, I know not. But I do have two questions for those who would be so bold as to put forth a theory:

1) Is it possible to think in four dimensions, and if so, how would one go about it?

2) How is a raven like a writing desk?

No, no. It will not rain...

2005-02-20T13:29:00.000-06:00

How is it, Dear Readers, that rebukes hold so much more sting when they are well-founded? And why must I smother in this too-close City when what I most need right now are perpetual grey skies above and hills and fields where I may walk until I have nothing left within?

I am a most miserable creature.

Another one bites the dust...

2005-02-18T19:41:00.000-06:00

So a friend came into choir today. With a ring. Apparently there's a husband attached. She's my age. I'm happy for her. I'm heading up a bridal shower. I think the world has gone mad.

So many weddings all of a sudden.... so many weddings. I'm really happy for every single one of my engaged friends, and they seem over the moon. I'm über-excited about being one of Sarah's bridesmaids. I have no doubt that I'll serve Christina in the same capacity in the next couple years. They're my best friends, and I love them dearly. We were girls together. We giggled, gossiped, rambled over England's "green and pleasant land", and plotted pranks. We did everything together. It's strange to think that one is becoming part of something that doesn't belong to all of us. Something of which I've never actually considered I might want to be a part. Something at which I've scoffed and jeered to the point where I'd almost convinced myself with my own scorn. I can't even properly say it here. Tying the knot. Taking the plunge. That word. The M word.

::shudder::

But something's changed. I don't know whether it's this seemingly constant barrage of pre- and post-matrimonial bliss, or whether there's something in the air. No one knows this, and I know you'll never tell, but sometimes, when everything is very still, and the moon is hidden behind a cloud, in the most secret, silent, shadowed time of night, a small, thin, quiet voice whispers, "Perhaps... just perhaps... I might like to get married one day..." I know you'll be relieved, Dear Readers, to hear that I quickly snap back to my jolly, cynical self with the words of Shaw's immortal Eliza:

"Garn! 'Oo'd marry me?"

Which is worse, the Disease or its Cure?

2005-02-18T00:04:00.000-06:00

An interesting Finish to the evening, all things considered. No I won't explain, so I'm afraid you'll just have to suffer in silence. Not that most of my Dear Readers need any lessons in silence ::insert menacing glare here::. What I will say is that I think I have undertaken something bigger than that with which I am accustomed.

In the meantime, perhaps I should brush up on my Tennyson, or reread and examine the story of Bluebeard's wife...

This is my letter to the world that never wrote to me...

2005-02-17T19:32:00.000-06:00

I suppose the time has come to put some of my own work up here, in addition to the work of those better than I. An older sample, but I had to start somewhere. Tell me what you think, Dear Readers, as long as you can do so with tact.

Adagio

There is a poem in your dance-
The swaying of the willow in the breeze,
Golden summers
Crisped by Autumn's
Frost.
The bold and graceful spirit,
Struggling,
Striving to pierce the
Wrinkled, faded frame.
Searching for a gilded past, and
Finding only
Dust-filled reflections of a memory
Sighing with the wind.

Light breaks through the Darkness-
Once again, the glass is clear.

-Arynne, 7 Nov 2002

I shall strike as I end the Refrain...

2005-02-17T11:02:00.000-06:00

Well, well... what havoc has passed of late?

I survived Valentine's Day. Thank goodness for Colin Firth in Regency costume.

Swahili is going well. I aced the first quiz and set the curve, much to the dismay and chagrin of many of my classmates. Not that I care about their dismay and chagrin, mind you. The ones who were really upset are the same who took the class because they thought it would be easy. It is a dying East African language with fairly ancient tribal roots. It does not follow the rules, expectations, or conjugations of French, Italian, English, or any other Western tongue of Germanic or Romantic descent. Therefore, in this case the squeaky wheel gets the beating.

On the other hand, I had a little rendez-vous with an Abnormal Psychology test this morning, just as the silver mists of the previous night were fading away. I am not certain of the outcome, as I can remember no question from the exam.

It is time, Dear Readers, for you to have another glimpse of something worthwhile. This is a wonderful piece by Yeats, entitled "He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven." If you have seen the film Equilibrium, you may be familiar with it.

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night, and light, and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Pour, O Love, sweet consolation on my lonely broken heart

2005-02-13T00:37:00.000-06:00

So..... Valentine's Day once again approaches..... How very lovely indeed.

I do believe I shall be spending the greater part of it watching girl movies, if any of my Dear Readers would care to join me. For those of you who have other plans, pray don't be offended if I seem a little on the outs. It is not you in the slightest; it is the day. The 15th shall find me bonny and blithe once again.

My fondest love to you all.

All the world's a stage....

2005-02-11T00:23:00.000-06:00

...and every happening in it is just more drama.

This is Arynne. See Arynne smile.
Arynne is at a parade.
The parade is called Bacchus.
Arynne has a mask on. See the feathers? See the sequins?
Isn't it a pretty mask?
See Arynne rack up resin hand-painted medallions at Bacchus.
See those coins? They are doubloons.
See Arynne catch doubloons.
Look at those pretty boas. They are made of colored feathers.
Arynne cathches two boas made of colored feathers!
Now it is the day called Mardi Gras.
Arynne is at home because she does not like crowds.
Arynne's friend is in an accident. See how sad she is?
Her friend is okay. Now she is happy again!
Arynne has to go back to school now.
She has to read and write and do lots of homework.
Read, Arynne, read.
Write, Arynne, write.
She must work very hard and make good grades.
Wouldn't you like to have an exciting life like Arynne?

Discretion is the better part of valor...

2005-02-07T01:50:00.000-06:00

So.... We've all had the experience, and most of us are among the guilty, as well as the offended.... One is in mixed company (at best) and one of one friends or acquaintances blurts out something about oneself which one would rather not be said. At all. In front of anyone. Much less the other people present in the room. Whether the comment is true or false has no bearing on the matter. Tact and social grace requires, nay, demands that certain things be left unsaid, as they can cause nothing but harm, regardless of intentions.

Pray, dear Readers, keep this in mind, and be aware of when subjects should and should not be brought up; if they are to be brought up at all.

Agent of the Underworld...

2005-02-05T01:29:00.000-06:00

Whether that term applies to me, or the themed medallion i got at Hermes tonight is left to your discretion, Dear Readers. The night and parades went all right. A bit stressful; too many crowds. But I think I really made a new, true friend tonight, and that warms my heart more than anything. Except maybe Darling James's Mint Juleps..... But on the grand scale, I'd say friendship ranks higher.

Anyway, I send my fondest wishes to all of you, and I hope you have a wonderful time here in the Great Metropolis. And if you're not here, I hope you have a good time anyway.

Not a fit night out for man nor beast...

2005-02-02T01:23:00.000-06:00

The monsoons have returned to the Great City. Strange that in February we should have the sort of thunderstorm usually found in the hottest days of summer.

I had thought, as I sat in my inner sanctum of The Library, that I heard a heavy truck passing down the street, or the rumblings of the nearby elevator. Imagine my dismay, Dear Readers, when I emerged from that literary temple to find rain coming down in pewter sheets and the pitch black sky streaked with such forks of lightning that I could see my way as clear as if it had been daylight. The lower sections of road were well-flooded by that time, and my poor, weary umbrella straining against the gusts of wind did very little to keep me dry. As I scrambled from cover to meager cover, I prayed that I would make it safely to my room, no one being out and about to help, should some evil have befallen me. But, as you see, I have made it safely and soundly, if a little on the damp side.

On with the Monsoons!

HTML hates me...

2005-02-01T13:20:00.000-06:00

So I'm a technological moron. I have trouble with code and computer stuff. I can't get my sidebar to look like I want it to look. Brain surgery looks like child's play by comparison in my eyes. I'll just have to buckle down and learn, I suppose.

Parades are here! Friday and Saturday were good nights, even though Friday consisted of getting drenched and then inadvertantly standing too near a colony of fire ants. Muses is tomorrow night, and Krewe d'Etat is on Friday. Thursday, I'll be working on my newest editing project (a book being written by a friend), and somewhere in all of this, I have to do my homework. Thank goodness we get next Monday and Tuesday off.

I bought a book of John Donne's poetry. Here, Dear Readers- amusez-vous:

Holy Sonnet X

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and deperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

All right, so I made a mistake...

2005-01-31T15:20:00.000-06:00

Okay, okay.... I realize now that my settings didn't allow non-bloggers to comment... But now, dear readers, you have no excuse! You should all be more like Stephen, who I am now promoting to the Grand Rank of Lord High Cafe Patron. Rise, good sir, and survey your new realm!

I have had occasion to notice how striking white camellias look against black kid gloves. It is an interesting composition. Very old-fashioned and elegant.

Love or facination, Part the Second

2005-01-31T11:19:00.000-06:00

Let's face it; some people we just wouldn't take much notice of if they didn't do what they do. Look at Alan Rickman. A personal favorite of mine, but were he not an actor, how many of you would sit near him in a cafe breathing sighs *breathe* of unutterable love *sigh*? Unless, of course, he spoke. That is a different matter entirely. But if he did not, if instead he sat at some table next to you crunching financial reports for next week's board meeting, I bet most wouldn't give him a second glance. Despite this, I know that should I be in some cafe, and he came and sat at the table next to mine, I would promptly spill whatever beverage I was in possession of; most likely all over myself. Alas! Such a little sentimental fool that I am...

On this line of thought which leads to Colonel Brandon, I have a related question: What, dear Readers, think you of Mr. Knightly? What think you of Darcy? For that matter, what think you of anything? It is most frustrating to have no comments from anyone.

Is it love, or just a simple fascination?

2005-01-30T14:07:00.000-06:00

MMMM....... deliciousness on sale.... who would think that corn and cheese could ever form a combination as wonderful as cheetos? It seems impossible.

I shall miss out this week on the usual Monday night caterwauling. The Back Row Ladies will simply have to do without me, I'm afraid. I'm traveling to a Bookstore of Great Repute to meet with an Author of the Highest Esteem. That's right, my darlings, I'm going to see Alton Brown the Magnificent. Iasonix the Bold will be accompanying me. It will be most delightful.

The Jane Austen Guide to Dating seems to have had a roaring success amongst the girls. It's very well-written and easily worth the time.

That's all for now, my dears.

They say no kindness goes unpunished...

2005-01-25T22:56:00.000-06:00

but they're wrong. I got the sweetest 'thank you' note from a lady from church today, and all I did was send her a little stuffed animal because she's been sick. Who would have thought such a small thing could cheer someone up so much?

The worst, which was very, very bad, is past....

2005-01-24T14:11:00.000-06:00

So said a survivor of Hurricane Betsy, as I learned in the Annals of History today.

This evening, I shall attend choir with the elevated Mistress Katia, Euterpian Gossip Buddy extraordinaire, as well as Wish, the Wench of Much Fluffiness, and Scarlett, the Austen Devotée. There will be much work, and hopefully much amusement as we dutifully follow the dilligent instruction of The Great and Honored Leonardo. Unfortunately, we are plagued by a small number of... inexperienced sopranos, of the sort which believe a squawk is equal to a properly sung note of the same pitch. Alas, for the second time in as many days I find myself wishing that our Fair Metropolis had catacombs....

It's comin' up a bad cloud....

2005-01-24T10:06:00.000-06:00

Good morning my Few, but Lovely Readers. At the moment I am researching hurricane preparedness in our Great City, as well as historic storms that laid waste to this entire area. If you happen to have, oh say, a file of photographs of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Betsy, or the Hurricane of 1947, or even the Great Flood of 1927, I would be much obliged. Alas, I fear I will be in either the microfilm room or the university collections for the better part of the day. Should I not make it to choir, I will have drowned in the flood of information, another victim of the terrific tempests that tossed our town. Hail and Farewell!

Such a pity...

2005-01-23T18:28:00.000-06:00

As the season of Carnival consumes the city, I am once again reminded of Poe's wonderful tale, "The Cask of Amontillado." There's something so compelling in the sickly-sweet openness of the betryal; perhaps because every reader knows deep down that he or she is capable of comparable, if not identical acts. Fortunately, most of us will not go to the lengths of burying a fellow man alive by walling him up in a catacomb, but the fact that we don't does not mean we couldn't. The downside of this is that our betrayals are much more devious. We use slight of hand to attack in secret, and anonymous rumors to undermine reputations, all the while pretending to soothe the hurts that we ourselves have caused. But we feel the sting from others, even as we seek to sting them. Every one of us walks a narrow thread of spun glass. Eventually, the shards from the falls we cause will pierce us as well, bringing everything down with us. Perhaps it is a pity there are no catacombs here.