Wordless

Odds and Ends

Sunday Sounds
I was catching up on Fuel/Friends and happened across the band, Noah and the Whale. If the track that Heather put up on her blog is any indication of the rest of the album, this Whale is a keeper. Reminds me of another English band, Boy Least Likely To and a little like Loney Dear.

Download (for free, on a secured server) Noah and the Whale's "Five Years Time"

Five Years Time - Noah and the Whale

Needlework
A couple of years ago I burnt out from embroidering too much. I took a breather, and found that I missed it a lot. I've slowly gotten back into it while improving my sewing skills (and overcoming my sewing fears) and am in the middle of one large project (Nicole and Smokey, your quilt may be done for your 10th anniversary), have finished half of a smaller project thanks to countless hours on the road with my parents(pillow cases) and am nearly finished with another project (artwork for our apartment-since I'm too cheap right now to actually buy artwork). Anyway, here's a picture of one of the pillowcases and the sampler I''m working on.


The light on the sampler was wonky. It looks better than that picture. I may do this next, in either cross-stitch or needlepoint since it should go faster.

Minor Relapse
I was finally better from the flu/asthma episode of last year, but my lungs didn't get that message this past weekend. I had an asthma attack Sunday and Monday (which is why part of this post was written sunday, some was written Monday and finished today. The allergies are just as sensitive as they were in November/December. Hopefully, I can figure out what all is causing it and get it solved before my lungs become too high maintenance. I came home today and am taking today off, and will probably work from home tomorrow. Luckily, I have an awesome supervisor and great friends at work who help me out. I'm feeling a lot better Tuesday, but am working from home since it's snowing and I'm sensitive to the cold when I'm sick like this.

Sorry to those outside the US

Last night's 30 Rock? Best episode to date this season.



Memorable Quotes and Random Thoughts:



"First of all, never badmouth synergy." -Jack

"Fine, I'll go, as long as this has a spa where you are allowed to eat in the sauna, because some places, they get mad." -Liz

"Did you know Janis Joplin speedwalked everywhere and was afraid of toilets?"
Spaceman!!!
"Dee-A-Bees?
Diabetes?
Yes, now we know what we're dealing with!" Tracy and Dr. Spaceman

"If left untreated you could possibly lose a foot
Could I replace it with a wheel like Rosie from the Jettsons?
I suppose, but then you'd have to register as a motor vehicle."- Dr. Spaceman and Tracy

"Each of them embodies a pillar of the six sigma business philosophy:
teamwork, insight, brutality, male enhancement, handshakefullness and play hard." -Jack

"There's no link between diabetes and diet. That's a white myth Ken, like Larry Bird or Colorado." -Tracy

"There's a conspiracy theory that after the Civil War, the US Army spread false information about diabetes to keep the newly freed slaves sluggish and docile, and that's why to this day most African Americans know that diabetes is caused by sleeping on your back.
I don't think that's right." -Harvard and Kenneth

"According to my Wikipedia page, I'm gonna need some cherry juice, buttermilk and tequila to make my signature Janis Joplin Cocktail, the Frankschlongg."-Jenna

"Mr. Jordan, I've seen too many people back home die of diabetes and go-kart accidents to stand idly by while you ruin your health.."-Kenneth

"Noe" N-O-E."-Tracy

"You can't say a-doy to me in mixed company."-Jack

"I give you a simple managerial problem and I get back the second half of a Judy Blume novel." -Jack

"That's what friends do, uh-duh." Liz

Random Thoughts during the episode:

• Jenna doing improv is awesome.
• Love the Washington reference (maybe we WILL find out what happened)
• Reeling up the thumbs at 1:50? Totally cute.
• Yeah! More Janis Joplin, or in this case Janet Jompler or Janey Jimplin
• I like Jenna's hair, and I totally could do that with mine.
• Jack is channeling Stuart Smalley?
• I (still) love Chris Parnell. I'm glad he's back as Spaceman, or anyone really.
  
• The diabetes plotline is kind of awesome.
• The hill witch is just too silly.
• No celebrity guest spots??
• (Robot Penis made me laugh)
• Frank and Jenna hooking up? That's been brewing since the first season. I was hoping that wouldn't happen, but I like how they spun it. The next Ross and Rachel that we actually care about? I hope so.
• Wait, Jenna is kind of wearing my usual hairstyle (when I actually do it).
• Frank's love square? Kind of awesome. Go Frank!
• Jenna's monster bit? Best acting she's done yet!
• Oh no, Stuart Smalley backfired!
• If Liz Lemon can wear boots and skirts together, so can I.
• Liz and Jack are sweet together, and the ending is kind of awesome. No, I don't think they'll ever hook up.
• I hate Smoky Bear. That's one govment program I don't support (Not you, Smokey, you're name-sake).
• Finally, no guest spots! My fave episode so far, and I love the plotlines they seem to be going with. Are they tantalizing us with the gay bomb? Will we see more with that?
  I can't believe I spent time writing down my thoughts and quotes. I hate being a little under the weather. Again.
  

Not Bad

Wendy James: London's Brilliant

This Made me Happy

Inauguration: Yes We Did

Yes, I attended the Inauguration events on the National Mall this past weekend.

From Winter 2009

There was no way I was going to miss the Concert on Sunday. I was planning to just do this for the Inauguration. With U2, Garth Brooks (Yes, Garth Brooks, I like his first couple of albums), Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Beyonce, Usher and others, there was no way I could miss it. Not to mention Jack Black, Steve Carrell, Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson and others doing readings? Awesome.

From Winter 2009

I still find it hard to believe that there were only 400k people there.

From Winter 2009

I work in the first building to the right. Even after the 4th, I've never seen DC streets filled up like this. The coolest thing though? We waltzed onto the first metro and got a seat.

From Winter 2009

I decided to go to the Inauguration at about 9:30 day of with Kell. She thought we'd get on the metro no problem. Well, we were the only two that got onto this car from our station. We were packed like sardines, but the people around us were sweet.

From Winter 2009

We got off at Arlington Cemetary and walked over Memorial Bridge. Did I mention it was cold? That's a frozen Potomac. Oh, and did I mention I wasn't wearing my thermals so I didn't really get warm after the event until evening? Yeah, I'm not so smart.

From Winter 2009

Kelli and I during the Inauguration Ceremony. We just went over to the Lincoln to watch the event from the jumbotron. Still pretty cool. The speech was pretty great too. My favorite part was the excerpt about the unclenched fist.

From Winter 2009

View from the Arlington Cemetary Metro Stop. We weren't the only ones with the idea to get off here. Funny though, we got onto a train with no problem. Very nice.

Okay, so it's not my usual MLK Jr fare but.....

Ryan Adams quit the Cardinals and went on a hiatus from music to write the great American novel, Joaquin Phoenix quit acting to pursue a career in hip-hop? What is the rest of 2009 going to bring us? Daniel Craig in a monastery? Dave Grohl quitting music to summit Everest? Bob Dylan becoming a race car driver? I'm a little scared now.

I put this on my bulletin board a few days ago, but this is too good not to share. Here's Joaquin rapping.

Still Laughing at this one. Seriously?

All My Life

Sometimes Mondays just call for Dave Grohl screaming at the top of his lungs.

Foo Fighters - New Music - More Music Videos

2008 Books I Read

Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World's Worst Dog (Hardcover)
I appreciated this book, but the author's writing voice grated on me. That being said, I enjoyed reading the story for the most part and several antecdotes of Marley made me laugh out loud.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Hardcover)
I would recommend this book to a lot of different people. This book unfolds through letters and tells the story of the Nazi occupation of Guernsey Island during World War II. Well written, easy read, and fun. Reminds me a bit of LM Montgomery's writings actually.

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto (Paperback)
For the most part, I loved this book, and the collections of essays by Chuck Klosterman. The essay on Billy Joel was pretty much brilliant, loved his critique of love and John Cusack.

Crocodile on the Sandbank: An Amelia Peabody Mystery (Book 1)
Perfect for Tricia Jackson if she hasn't read it already. Kind of a dumb book, but hilarious and I found myself really enjoying the read.

The Last Lecture (Hardcover)
I pretty much loathed this book. There were a few good points, but really? A shoddy book. However, his kids are pretty much set for college, and that I respect.

Living Well with Asthma (Paperback)
I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 12, but this book was still very beneficial.

Deception Point
So, uh, I pretty much despise Dan Brown but I read and enjoyed this thriller about a meteorite at the north point that may or may not prove the evidence of extra-terrestrial life.

The Thin Man (Paperback)
The way Dashiel Hammet writes dialogue is brilliant. This is the first Nick and Nora detective story I've read, and is supposed to be the best. Personally, I found myself in awe of Hammond's mastery of the english language.

The Dirty Girls Social Club: A Novel (Paperback)
The first ten pages in I pretty much hated this book. But, by the end, it was a decent read. I enjoyed the stories albeit a little predictable and stereotypical.

Mary, Called Magdalene (Paperback)
Historical fiction accounting (and speculating) the story of Mary Magdalene. The book was interesting, especially from a non-mormon point of view and I find myself thinking about it occasionally.

Freedomland (Mass Market Paperback)
Thank you to the person who introduced me to Richard Price. Although not quite as good as Clockers, Freedomland comes close. This is a crime drama that takes place in '98 I believe and is a haunting crime thriller about a kidnapping in New Jersey. Reading Price though write genre fiction is like reading Cormac McCarthy write genre fiction. Both are such skilled writers that their book eclipses the category. Well done.

Playing For Pizza: A Novel (Hardcover)
Grisham isn't a great writer, but this book isn't half bad. Entertaining, light fluff.

The White Rock
What a great book. The author strikes up a conversation with a guy in a bar in England and soon finds himself in the jungles of Peru looking for a lost archaeological site. He brings great insight in the ruins around Cusco and in Peru.

Holidays on Ice (Paperback)
Sedaris does nothing for me, but I really like his sister Amy. I also enjoyed the essay about the washing machine.

Oliver Twist (Penguin Classics)
I'm glad I waited until now to read Oliver Twist because I'd probably think that Oliver is a whiner. That being said, I find Dickens funny, and really found myself enjoying this story of little Oliver.

Wild Life (Paperback)
I still can't decide if I love or despise this book. Perhaps Gloss's strongest book, but there's something about it I can't put my finger on that unsettles me about this novel. The story of a feminist widow raising five boys who lives in Oregon at the turn of the century. She accompanies her housekeeper to a logging camp when the housekeeper's granddaughter goes missing and embarks on a great adventure.

Hoot (Paperback)
I liked it until I realized it's just Huck and Tom retold.

Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission (Paperback)

Hampton Sides is a great writer, and this book is no exception। I was a little bothered with no footnotes in the book, but the notes in back assured me the documentation and research was legit. A harrowing, emotionally draining, ultimately rewarding true story of one of the most difficult episodes of WWII.

Beginner's Greek : A Novel (Hardcover)
This book is a light romance, but well-written। A debut novel, but a great read throughout. As I was finishing the book about "love at first sight," a friend I trade books with approached me. I was asked by the book and am sure had a big goofy grin on my face. I gave it up, and this is one I'll be sharing with others too.

The Jump-Off Creek (Paperback)
Molly Gloss is rapidly becoming one of my favorite living writers-I'd equate her to Haruf, probably। This book, a tale of a widower who settled a neglected homestead in a remote part of Oregon sticks with you. Although Hearts of horses is probably a better written book, this book is worth the read. Towards the end of the book, I flipped to Gloss's bio and found a kindred spirit when she said she admitted to find a shamefaced love in westerns and especially the tough women in L'Amour's novels.

Contract With God (Paperback)
The stories and images are powerful।

Road to Perdition (Paperback)
My neighborhood public library has a graphic novel section right by the front desk so I've been checking out a few graphic novels at a time। I really wish I would've read this before seeing the movie, but it still is a powerful book and the illustrations astound.

American Pastoral (Paperback)
Philip Roth's masterpiece. Not for the faint of heart.

Thunderhead (Mass Market Paperback)
Nothing more than popcorn entertainment, but because skinwalker myth scares me like none other, it was intriguing. The story of a lost Anasazi colony.

Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began (Paperback)
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History (Hardcover)
The author of the Maus books uses cats, mice, dogs, frogs and pigs to retell the story of his father's imprisonment during World War II.

The Complete Persepolis (Paperback)
Graphic novel by the author recounting her childhood and young adult years in Iran.


Princess Academy (Paperback)
Good, not great. The book fell flat.

The Blue Star: A Novel (Hardcover)
Not quite as good as Jim the Boy, but still a worthy sequel.

Jim the Boy: A Novel (Paperback)
A simple, spare book for all ages. The story of a 10 year old boy with no father during the Great Depression. One of the themes about family resonated with me.

The Book of the Dead (Diogenes Trilogy, Book 3)
I loathe Dan Brown, but I had fun reading this book. Normally I struggle with this genre, but this was a mindless page-turner.

Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen (Hardcover)
Julie, the author, decided to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in her tiny apartment in New York City. She does it, she learns life lessons.

March (Paperback)
Normally sequels of beloved classics don't win Pulitzer Prizes. This one did however, and merits its own page on the shelf of great Civil War Literature. This book chronicles the story of the father of the March girls from Little Women and tells what happened to him during his year as a Chaplain during the War.

Assassination Vacation (Paperback)
Sarah Vowell rocks and is one of my favorite essayists. She's also very educational and you learn a lot about the assasinations of various U.S. Presidents by the time you finish this book.

The Hearts of Horses (Hardcover)
I adored this quiet, unassuming book about a young girl who rides into Eastern Oregon to break horses to saddle during WWI. The book's descriptions of the horses, the people in the county she encounters and befriends is priceless.

The Reader (Oprah's Book Club)
This book recently came out as a movie and tells the story of a young boy who embarks on an affair with a woman who has a secret.

Goodnight, Nebraska (Paperback)
Reminds me a lot of Haruf--The first 50 pages are set in Salt Lake which was fun to read. The book is more or less about loneliness in small town America.

The Street (Beacon Paperback, 699)
The story of an African American woman who wants to give her young son a better life by leaving WWII Harlem. Poignant, straight forward, but the "street" is described in such a way that is almost suffocating to the reader. Petry writes in such a way that the reader experiences the desperation and hopelessness the protagonist and other characters feel.

Amended 11/08

This is one of those books that haunts you far beyond when you finish it. I still think back to this book in random conversations I have with people, when I am reading something else. This is one of those books that shapes your world-view. At least it has shaped mine.

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Mass Market Paperback)
Better than Confessions of a Shopaholic, but I would have never read these except for they were given to me.

Rhett Butler's People (Hardcover)
I liked this book and it gave me an excuse to reread Gone with the Wind, one of my all-time favorite novels. Rhett Butler's People tells the story of Gone with the Wind (but starts before and ends after GWTW) from Rhett's point of view. The author does a good job actually of retelling a timeless, beloved story.

Child of God (Paperback)
The simple, spare prose is wonderful to read, but prepare yourself for this one. This book is just as affecting as McCarthy's later work.

Cat's Cradle (Paperback)

The Natural (Paperback)
This is the novel the Robert Redford movie is based on, the difference between the two is night and day however. The first 50 pages of this book is very similar to the movie and then the book veers off into a different story. Loved it.

The Tie That Binds
Kent Haruf has made a name for himself writing about characters in a fictional town in Eastern Colorado. These stories are haunting, especially this one about a former high school football star.

Where You Once Belonged
Another Kent Haruf novel about how ties to a farm can destroy a family.

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West (Paperback)
Mesmerizing, well-told fascinating story of the Conquest of the American West.

Gone With The Wind (Paperback)
If you haven't read this story, please do.

The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn
I reread this masterpiece while I was getting better from the flu/asthma complications last month and I was struck again about how brilliant this book is.

The Secret Life of Bees (Paperback)
Not brilliant, but decent.