There are no words...

You Have Been Denied!

2009-02-09T23:38:00.004-05:00

The last place I worked, I felt a little sad about our mealtime routines. I can only remember one time when we went somewhere together and it's because we were all forced to take an hour lunch.

So I was so jazzed when a coworker asked me to go out to eat. It's what I had always been hoping for! So what if it was Wendy's? I was free! Free!

Except apparently this is a once a week thing. Sometimes twice a week.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy some Frosty from time to time. But guys, I cannot eat at Wendy's twice a week. That makes my stomach lurch a little.

Which means I have to do something I never thought I would have to. I have to turn down a coworker for eating lunch together. There is no good way to do this. After my first blustering attempt where I said I already had my heart set on eating somewhere else, I had to endure a look of devastation. I feel torn, but I have limited options. Trinity usually caps these sessions off by being Suze Orman:

The second time, I knew I had to lie. I am not a good liar, friends. I have a horrible tell where I pause right before I lie to you, which is when I am trying to think of the lie and not being smooth. So it goes something like:

CoWorker: Christy, let's go to Wendy's!
CLW: Oh, um, Wendy's? Oh, I can't. I packed my lunch.
CoWorker: Then why are you wearing your coat?
CLW: Oh, um, because I was thinking about leaving, but I need to lose weight? Well, you know, not like lose weight-lose weight. Like, eat healthy. And eat home lunch. I'm going right now!

I go an fetch my library book reserves and come back in.

"Don't say it" I say to Trinity.

"You have been denied!" Trinity carols.

Up, Up, and Away!

2009-01-28T22:18:00.008-05:00

Superheroes have been coming up a lot lately in my life.

The other day, Adam asked me a good question. If I were a superhero, what would I be and what would my super power be? At the time, I didn't have a good answer. Well, at least not as good of an answer as my colleague who had her answer ready in detail.

Today, I was watching American Idol with Nancy, since we were snowed in. When a 6'1" 16 year-old appeared, I cocked my head to the side. "She's like Wonder Woman" I said. Wonder Woman in the big and tall Amazon woman kind of way. Not in a saving the world kind of way. Nancy understood this.

But today, I realized my savvy along with a few of my superhero accessories (although I'm pretty sure superheroes don't call them accessories):

(The last one is my superhero hipster bangs, not the superhero Rory Gilmore)

Need a car pushed out of a ditch? No problem! Car with an inch of ice? Piece of cake! I would totally go by the moniker (moniker? I definitely need to brush up on my superhero-speak) Snow Angel. It's a good thing I live in the snow belt and all. The costume though? Still in the works.

...Maybe I've overthought this??

Ch-Ch-Changes

2008-12-29T22:38:00.004-05:00

It's that after Christmas pre-New Year's time period where no one really knows what day it is. Well, aside from yesterday. That was my birthday. But from now until new year's, I will have no idea what day it is. No idea what the date is, no idea what the day is, no idea what the time is. My life is very much like a casino at this point in time.

The nice thing about the holidays is it's just about the only time when all my family is in one place at one time. All my extended family lives about four hours away in Pennsylvania, which is pretty much a separate time zone for me. My parents both have a ton of brothers and sisters, meaning I have tons of cousins. There's ten of us and we're all pretty close, since we grew up together. There's something about seeing each other during the middle school years where you just feel a bond that doesn't go away, even after you grow into your face.

Anyway, we decided this year we were going to have a separate party just for all of us. We pretty much create our own kids table at family holiday dinners anyway, so why not a party? My cousin Zack just got an iPod and was eager to show us how great his music taste was, so he volunteered to have that be our background music. As Christy Lou Who has more to drink, she gets more and more excited. Everything is an adventure to me after a couple drinks. And I decided there would be nothing more exciting than listening to Bowie's "Ch-Ch-Changes". I needed this song.

When I asked Zack to play it, he asked me, "well, do you want to hear Tupac's 'Changes' or Biggie's 'One More Chance'?"

I blinked at him. "You're kidding right? David BOWIE. CH-CH-CHANGES (because I am yelling and I am excited)"
Cousin 1: Zack, she even said the ch-ch part. That's a Bowie reference
Zack: I said Changes!
Cousin 1: Yeah, or the Notorious BIG. That's like asking her if she wants "Sail Away" or "Teenage Dirtbag"
Cousin 2: Or choosing between "All My Life" and the "YMCA"
Me: YMCA? We're not listening to DAVID BOWIE? NO CH-CH-CHANGES?!
Zack: I hate you guys.

Gotta love the holidays.

You Think You Have It Rough

2008-12-20T17:30:00.001-05:00

Facebook Message to Julie from ChristyLouWho

December 18 at 8:59pm

miss you! Let's get together after the holidays. I'll tell you about the strangest date I've ever been on that happened the other day!

Facebook reply to ChristyLouWho from Julie

Today at 12:34pm

Strangest? If he sang journey songs to you and told the hostess at the waitress to seat for 2 and a half and suggested a restaurant just because he had a gift card, well, ya got nothin' on me sister...Jules

Facebook reply to Julie from ChristyLouWho

Today at 5:01pm

ok, nevermind. I got nothing. (Journey songs? Really?)

Sitting Around

2008-11-18T00:28:00.002-05:00

It is well-known among friends and nonfriends alike that I love Christmas music. I do.

It is also a well-known fact that I listen to Christmas music all year long. There is really no bad time for me to listen to Christmas music.

However, I have been behind this year. Not only in Christmas music, but in life. I love the new job, but I am there all the time. In my free time, I have been trying to have some semblance f a social life. What that means is there has been a severe cut into my sitting around time.

I enjoy sitting around. I think it's healthy to sit around to some extent. It helps center you and return you back to a state of normalcy. I don't sit around a lot, but I like to sit around. This sitting around time is usually when I blog. I hope this makes some semblance of sense.

This is kind of an apology to anyone who has asked himself or herself the question,, "where did ChristyLouWho go?" Thanks for worrying. But no need to worry. The job is well. The social life is going well. But the sitting around time has dropped off significantly, which is not so great. I know you're not supposed to apologize for where you've been on a blog, but I feel bad. I feel like this blog is my every-so-often letter to all of you telling you what I've been thinking about and what I've been up to and how I've embarrassed myself lately.

Speaking of, I plan to tell you about my first day on the job soon. The day where I embarrassed myself even beyond the orange Snoopy underwear incident. I know. You're shocked.

Hang in there readers! Don't leave me now! I will reclaim this sitting around time if it's the last thing I do!

Lock It Down

2008-11-03T20:14:00.000-05:00

Let's vote, y'all

I'm so jazzed about tomorrow.

Let's Chat about gchat

2008-10-24T14:16:00.000-04:00

I just asked a friend without thinking if she wanted to "gchat about her bad day". I'm not sure how I feel about the fact that I'm verbing "gchat". It also made me think about other situations where it would be appropriate to use gchat as a verb:

*Let's gchat it out
*He just won't gchat with me anymore
*I don't want to gchat about it
*She's always gchatting behind my back

Maybe Google should be paying me.

Boy Form

2008-10-22T22:34:00.001-04:00

Today was my second to last day at my current job. It made me a little sad, which intensified as throughout the day people came up to me saying, "you're leaving!" and then making a sad face, which I had to return with a sad face. I don't mind making these sad faces because when I go home, I try to go to sleep and I can't because I'm so excited about my new job.

Another significant thing that happened was that I think I found me in boy form. Girls always say that whenever they meet a boy they think they have SO MUCH IN COMMON WITH, which makes me reluctant to declare that. Usually girls say that when they just want to be like a boy they meet. But this is not the case in this case! I am pretty sure this was me in boy form. Mainly because I have had the following exchange before but in reversed roles. Here's what happened with my new foreign friend Paolo:

Me: You look intellectual today
Paolo: Unlike usual?
Me: Yeah, usually you look pretty dumb
Paolo: That's all part of my plan
Me: Your plan is to look dumb?
Paolo: Yeah. That way they don't suspect me when I steal their wallet.
Me: Paolo, we're the same.
Paolo: What?

Maybe we should not tell Paolo that I am him (I am he?) in girl form. I just don't know how he would take it.

Less Talking, More Cutting

2008-10-21T21:25:00.000-04:00

I know I don't talk about it a lot, but I am actually pretty monogamous. At least when it comes to hair stylists. But this was not always the case. A little over a year ago, I used to cheat on hair stylists all the time. I could never decide what I wanted. And sometimes, I would think the stylist understood my needs, only to find six weeks later that same stylist had no idea. It was like they didn't even know me anymore. But this was all before I met Rachelle.

I met Rachelle (isn't that such a hair stylist name?) last July. She was the one who gave me my stylish hipster bangs. She's also the first stylist that I've gone to more than twice. Rachelle and I are pretty serious. But because I never stayed with a stylist that long, I never understood the whole talking while hair cutting thing.

See, before, me and the stylist would small talk a little and then lapse into silence. This was on purpose. I kind of feel like when some people talk, they cannot cut. So the silence helps ensure the cut will be even and not stupid. Although it's not a fool proof plan, it's served me pretty well. But now with Rachelle, we have things we talk about. It started small but now, I know about her hair decisions and how she always seems to date musicians and her interesting fashion decisions. It reminds me of those tv shows where the manicurist is all pals with the client. I mean, it's nice or whatever.

However.

I can't get past the fear of the talking and the bad haircutting. In my head is an exponential chart of how as the talking increases, so does the potential for a bad hair experience.

Dear Rachelle,
If you're reading this (which there's no reason why you would be, but if you are), please don't mess up my hair. And if you think you might, then maybe we can just have some silent solidarity for a couple minutes? And then maybe it will pass. I mean, I'm glad we're friends and all, but there is lots to be said for silent solidarity.
Sincerely,
Christy Lou Who

Picture Day

2008-10-20T14:01:00.001-04:00

School pictures have changed since my day.

Mind you, I am only a 24 year old Librarian (I love being able to say that), but already the photography industry for education has ceased to exist as I know it.

Sister, being the Fine Educator that she is, just recently got her school pictures back. Did you know they get three pictures now? One of the class, one of the staff, and then the classic school picture day with bluish-grayish backdrop shot. Pretty classy set-up right? I thought so.

However, when I was telling Sister this, she looked at me with open confusion on her face.
"What about that seems great to you? They're kind of useless" Thus, I present:
Things to do with School Pictures

pass them out to your friends who do not work as teachers. They will think it's hilarious.
trade them with your friends who do work in schools. They will still think it's kind of funny.
put it up next to Al Pacino's bed to be ironic.
paste it into a sister or roommate's planner. They will find it one day and think it's kind of funny and kind of annoying.
make them into business cards. I will laugh about it silently in my head.

And this is only off the top of my head! I bet there's all sorts of things you can do with your school pictures I haven't even thought about yet!

The B Roll

2008-10-17T00:47:00.000-04:00

It's not really a secret that I have a tiny crush on 21 year-old Rick Astley. Okay, maybe it should be a secret. I'm kind of embarrassed I brought that up yet again. But seriously, how did I not know about this until tonight?

This video was pretty much made for me.

ChristyLouWho: Librarian

2008-10-12T23:00:00.000-04:00

I've been working in libraries for years (man, I feel so old writing that). However, they have always been in support staff positions. In order to hold a forril "Librarian" job title, you have to have a Master's in Library and Information Science. This is why I tell you all library school stories. I'm trying to be a forril librarian.

And a few days ago, it officially happened. Remember when I had that traumatic experience where my orange underwear were on display? The one where I was supposed to be a professional? The one that was supposed to seal my doom in library world?

They liked me. Like, they like me so much they want me to come hang out with them everyday, provided I zip up my skirt (I mean, they didn't say that, but I assume that would be better customer service). Most importantly, they want me to come hang out with them and be a Librarian. Like, a forril librarian. Like, if I had a nameplate, it would say ChristyLouWho, Librarian. They offered me a job.

Guys, I'm crazy jazzed about this. I am still a couple months from finishing my degree, so it is big news that they hired me before I have the piece of paper in my hand. It blows my mind that everything I've been working towards for the past eighteen months is going to be put into practice everyday, more so than I already was putting it in practice. I'll be going on school visits, hanging out with teens, getting to know new colleagues, and singing in public.

And I am so excited.

Maybe Groucho had this Problem

2008-10-06T13:20:00.000-04:00

The majority of people have no idea what I look like. Or you might have an idea what I look like, but you don't know to connect that look with what I look like. Something you should know about me is that I do not have bushy eyebrows. I look pretty Italian. I have dark hair and dark eyes. I have hipster bangs. And my eyebrows, they are very proportionate to the rest of my face. This will be important later.

Today I went on a school visit to a local elementary school. The first class was great. We talked about safari animals and they sang a song for me about wanting their parents to buy them a pet. After lunch and recess duty (I am all about recess duty. Kids follow you around like you're a little celebrity) I went to the second class. As I sat in the storytelling chair, some girls from the class came up to me and asked me questions (How old are you? Why is your hair shiny?). And then one girl moved my bangs and FELT UP MY EYEBROW. She then said, "hmmm".

Librarianship is not all fun and games, friends. Sometimes it means letting some kid pet your eyebrow.

Facebook Who?

2008-09-26T17:12:00.000-04:00

I've been on the Facebook train for awhile now. It got big when I was still in college, and as soon as it was open to my college (because this was before it was open to anyone but college students), I was the first to sign up. I even signed up for them to send me an email if/when they opened it to students at my school. You could say I was a pioneer of Facebook. You could say that.

What I wasn't prepared for is how Facebook has infiltrated my dating life. I mean, if we really think about it, Facebook is dumb and awesome at the same time. It's an invitation to allow people to know all about your life and show them the very best pictures of yourself you've ever taken. Or pictures of you at bars. I also saw some girls at my library taking pictures in front of the palm trees in the library the other day. I think we all know those weren't for their scrapbook entitled "I Love the Library!"

But I digress. Back to Facebook. When I meet someone, I'm pretty lackadaisical about it. I figure if they want to see me again, they'll find a way to do it. If they want to talk to me again, they'll get my email from someone. But it never ceases to fascinate me that Facebook is now the method to make contact. I understand it's kind of the safe way out, kind of like "We should hang out some time" is the safe way of going on a maybe date with someone. I get that.

What I don't get is when people who are friends of a friend want to "friend" me. They send me friend request messages like, "Hey, I'm friends with Kevin! Where in Italy are you from?". Maybe that shouldn't weird me out, but it does. I think it's the term "friend". They want to be my friend on Facebook. But we're not friends! I know it's a looser connotation of the word, but come on. We don't hang out on weekends. I don't snort when I laugh in front of you. We don't even talk about how much I love cleaning supplies. I mean, we should at least reach that level in order for me to be all confirming we're friends.

In fact, I think that's a standard we should all demand of our friends. The kind of knowledge that goes beyond friend of a friend or familiar face. It could be a prerequisite to confirm:

"STOP! Before you proceed, do you know at least one (1) of the following things about this person?
A. What are their favorite cleaning supplies?
B. What are their feelings on Scrabble (online or board versions)?
C. How many pairs of shoes do they own?
D. Do they like You've Got Mail a lot (maybe too much...)?
E. Do they do embarrassing things all the time?

I'm just saying. If you know the answers, raise your hand. If you don't, raise your standards.

Moral Dilemma: Scrabble Style

2008-09-24T23:35:00.000-04:00

It has been a long time coming that I write a post about Scrabble.

You see, Scrabble and I go way back. My mom used to make me play Scrabble with her growing up. I think she had this idea that she was Qui-Gon Jinn and I was Obi-Wan Kenobi and I was going to be her Padawan learner (nerd alert.) It seemed that no matter what I did, Scrabble was inevitable. Thus, it was only a matter of time until I added the facebook application for Scrabulous. And then added the subsequent facebook application of Scrabble.

Right now, I am involved in what could be the Scrabble game of my life. Three superiors in my organization and I are playing a game of Facebook Scrabble. No big deal, right? It's just online Scrabble.

But there's a snag.

All the letters I've been getting this game can only spell inappropriate words. Like, words you could play if you were playing your best friend, but not work people. Like, the 4 letter variety. It's bad. I'm getting desperate. I mean, do I play the word and look kind of, um, freakish? Or do I hold back and possibly throw the game, which is somewhat against my Scrabble ethics? I feel like the Shoeless Joe Jackson of Scrabble. It's quite the moral dilemma.

Well, you know, as morally dilemma-esque as Scrabble can be.

Cautionary ChristyLouWho

2008-09-22T19:05:00.000-04:00

I should probably post this before I lose my nerve.

Today I met some very important people. In fact, I had to do a presentation for said very important people. So important I was wearing my a business suit dealy. There was no business casual. This was full on BUSINESS.

A couple people arrived early while I was setting up. They drifted in, kind of spoke with one another, and seemed to not pay much attention to me. Which is fine. I was busy stacking, organizing, and going over my notes. I then felt a hand on my back and a voice tell me, "Um, I just thought you should know, the zipper on your skirt is down".

I distractedly mumbled a thanks before I realized what she just said. The zipper. The one in the back of my skirt. It's open. Then I remembered I was wearing my lucky underwear. That were orange. They were these stupid boy cut Snoopy underwear that say "Peanuts" across the back (My face is burning just writing this). They're the type that I think are really cute when only I know I have them on, but are very embarrassing when someone I was trying to prove my importance to sees them. I hurriedly zipped up the back and tried to be as professional as possible, considering....you know. The above circumstances.

I thought stuff like this only happened to Bridget Jones. I am a cautionary tale.

On the plus side, I will never forget to zip a business skirt again.

The ChristyLouWho Car Ride

2008-09-19T18:54:00.000-04:00

8:25: Throw ugly tote bags filled with books, cardigan, breakfast bar, and mold (library program, I swear!) onto passenger seat and get into car barefoot.
8:26: Ignore flashing "buckle up" sign for passenger seat. Try to push away thoughts of what that many books is doing to your shoulder if the car thinks it's a small child.
8:27: Get new shoes from Target from backseat
8:28: Contemplate ripping the cord with teeth
8:29: Settle on ripping with keys to the work puppet closet (oh yes, there's a whole closet)
8:35: Success! Ignore throbbing finger that got snapped with elastic.
8:36: Eat Luna bar.
8:41: Sing along to "How Does She Know?". Pretend you can't see everyone seeing you sing along. Use hand motions.
8:45: Avoid getting hit by school bus.
8:48: Put shoes on.
8:50 Arrive in parking garage
8:55: Wave to security guard who looks like Eddie Murphy
9:00 Help patron look for photography books for tattoo ideas/Begin Work Day

Love You Like a Sister

2008-09-17T20:13:00.000-04:00

If you've read this blog for awhile, you may have gathered that my sister and I are close. You could also know this if you're one of my long-distance friends who has this blog address to keep up with what I'm up to (although I'm sorry that the majority of the time I just want to tell you about singing at inappropriate times and way too many library stories). Sister and I are pretty close. We're like those people that say "love you like a sister" or "I feel so close to you, it's like we're related" except it's true in our case. In your face, fake sister people.

One of the things Sister and I do now that she moved back to our thriving metropolis is weekly tea. There's a cool tea salon downtown that we go to every week. We have the same server every time and talk about what's been going on since we last spoke. The last couple times we were there, Sister has pondered if Tea Girl knows our relation to one another. Our conversations end up going something like

Sister: Do you think that Tea Girl thinks we're lovers? (pronounced "lov-ahs" as if she's Thurston Howell or something)
Me: No, I don't.
Sister: She might think that! We're in here all the time and we always look like we're having a great time!
Me: Sister, we kind of look alike. And we have the same last name on our credit cards.
Sister: Maybe we made it official! Maybe we were inspired by Ellen and Portia!
Me: No! That's ridiculous!

And then I'll roll my eyes and then Tea Girl will come back over and then the conversation gets aborted.

I was still thinking about how weird it was when I got a confirmation call about a class Sister and I were checking out at a hippy/community/grass roots kind of place. She wanted to double check that I was still planning on coming to the class and I said I was. And then she asked, "And will your p-you signed up with a girl named Sister?" And I confirmed that yes, she was my sister, but all the while thinking, did that girl just almost say PARTNER? I have got to be losing it.

Of course, when I tell Sister about it to get her stance, she just beams in an "I-told-you-so" kind of way.

Me: Please shut up.
Sister: I didn't say anything! Besides, it's what we lovahs do!

Maybe it would be better to have a theoretical kind of sister.

Like Apples and Oranges

2008-08-27T23:16:00.000-04:00

My friend Stella and I both work for the same library. It recently came to light that both of us know a colleague who works for another branch and who I may or may not have briefly (very briefly!) dated. Stella asked me if he had some kind of problem with her. "I kind of get a weird vibe from him like he doesn't like me for some reason" she explained.
"Well...I mean, he mentioned you really like Macs and he doesn't but I don't think that's worth not liking someone over" I reasoned.
"Yeah, I don't know either," Stella continues, "but he always acts like I'm Hillary Clinton and he's Fox News, you know?"

Oh, Stella, I totally know. And I applaud your use of political similes.

Re: Awesome Work Emails

2008-08-21T00:15:00.000-04:00

To: ALL STAFF
Subject: fridge smell

Hello, everyone!

Today I threw away a tupperware container full of mold I found in the fridge. The smell is improving, but I think we can do better. I'm asking that everyone basket their food by noon, when I will be ready to throw away any unclaimed food and give the fridge a good old-fashioned cleaning.

Thanks!

Oh, work emails. If I was writing in your yearbook I would tell you to never change. And yes, you read right, we all have our own basket for our refrigerated foods.

You Make Me Feel So Young

2008-08-14T15:36:00.000-04:00

Today, a teen told me I am like the sister she never had. Kind of cute right? I was alittle bit touched, not going to lie. She then turned to another librarian about five years older than me and said "and you're like another mother to me!" My colleague was horrified, but tried to play it off like it was no big deal. It made me realize that I don't ever want to be like a mother to someone. The transition from "cool big sister librarian" to "motherly nurturing librarian" is not a chasm I wish to cross. When I spoke to my friend Fox about this, she played realist and said "It's coming sooner than we realize."

"But maybe I'll be the exception and look 24 for the rest of my life? It can be like Tuck Everlasting?" I say half questioning, half hopefully.

Fox is quiet for a moment and seems intent on thinking. When she comes out of her reverie, she says, "I'm sorry, that reminded me. My boss had plastic surgery yesterday. I think that's our key to staying young"

Plastic surgery is my only option? Why does that not make me feel better?

Hot Topics

2008-08-07T21:09:00.001-04:00

Library Teens Speak
Topics we have covered this week

Why I always smell like pretty baby powder (it's Clinique Happy Heart)

That, contrary to popular belief, I am not 17 (I am not, in fact, skipping school to work day shifts at the library)

When I'm going to start having babies (I would prefer to be married first)

What kind of men I like (Men that are older than 18)

That since I am 24, I should probably have kids this year so I have them by the time I'm 25 (Mostly answered by me laughing in their face)

Gangster's Paradise

2008-08-01T00:23:00.000-04:00

Earlier today, I was having dinner with some friends on the north side. I was telling them about a conversation I had with a girl at work. It went something like:

Girl at work: I think if I had to pick a board of advisers, I would make it all gangsters
Me: Like Al Capone?
Girl at Work: No, like Puff Daddy and Mary J. Blige and Fifty Cent

To this, my northside friends say:
Katie: Puff Daddy? Who even calls him that anymore? And he's not really gangsta as much as making millions of dollars. She should have picked a really gangsta rapper.
Noelle: Yeah. Like J. Lo.

I'm beginning to wonder if anyone in my social circle understands what gangsters really are.

MARC who?

2008-06-26T14:59:00.000-04:00

Garner and I are in a cataloging class right now. Cataloging is the most serious subject I have yet encountered in library school (which is not that surprising, considering my other classes are about playing Wii and henna tattoos). And seriousness combined with many hours of class with a sun peeking through the window does not combine well. So, as if we have not proved out nerdiness enough, we begin telling cataloger jokes. Well, jokes about cataloging. I would assume catalogers have a better sense of humor than we do.

Garner: Christy, if something ever happened to me, I would bypass Groom. I would give you authority control.

Me: Garner, you are as trustworthy as a Library of Congress MARC entry

Garner: Maybe I should tell Groom he's my main entry.
Me: You should! I think I'm going to say that in my speech at your wedding
Garner: Actually, I hope that we forget that we ever talked about this by then

The greeting card line is totally on its way.

He's Got Two Left Feet and He Bites My Moves

2008-06-25T16:49:00.000-04:00

Confession: I just got caught in the library school computer lab busting out to this:

Did I mention I was wearing headphones? Did I mention I was singing out "You are the girl that I've been dreaming of ever since I was a little girl" in a quiet room? Excellent.

In other news: I used a randomizer for the big winner of Pay It Forward and it ended up being...

Jen @ Loveletter Typewriter

Guys, thank you for entering. I was worried. I wish I could send all of you something but then I look at my bank balance and remember my poverty. And Jen, you should email me and tell me your address so I can send you some awesome mail!

It's For a Friend

2008-06-18T16:07:00.000-04:00

Sometimes my friends and family imagine me a human bookmobile. They send me with books to be returned to my thriving metropolitan library as well as request their reserves to be delivered to them.

For some reason, I always do it. And for some other reason, I usually have some problem with them (the library items, not my family and friends) requiring me to go to the circulation desk. And for this reason, I am usually embarassed. After all, who really believes those books are for your friend/sister/mom?

And so, I present to you the most embarassing books I have picked up for other people from the library:
1. An Introduction to Feng Shui-DVD (actual cover seen to the left)
2. The Slow Fat Triathlete by Jayne Williams
3. Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen
4. Eat Mangoes Naked :Finding Pleasure Everywhere by SARK

And for all the marbles...

5. If I Did It by O.J. Simpson

I can only hope Kanye was telling the truth when he said that that don't kill me can only make me stronger.

Payin It Forward

2008-06-17T23:18:00.000-04:00

Make no mistake, library life is taxing. Between our full schedule of press conferences (cleverly disguised as "library school classes") and movie premiers (I got invited to tonight's advanced screening of Get Smart! I felt like quite the library VIP) we have neglected something very important. Why am I talking as if I contain multitudes? And why am I talking in Walt Whitman poetry?

The point is, I have won a couple Pay It Forward contests!

Jamie at Oh! How Lovely! sent me some goodies (including some very cool cupcake soap!) from the Windy City (do they even call it that anymore? At least I didn't call it Chi-Town, right?)

And Lacey, who is also a formidable opponent at Scrabulous, sent me a winnah's package from NYC (including madlibs! I love madlibs! It says so on my facebook profile)

I would post pictures because both girls are so sweet and are so awesome, but my camera is temporarily unusable. But that is a blog entry unto itself. But Lacey and Jamie, thank you both so so much! I felt all happy when I went to the mailbox to find packages from you two. I'm smiling like a goon even as I write this.

But that means I now need to fulfill my end of the bargain and pay it forward to some other bloggers. If you want free stuff from me, drop a comment for me off this entry. If you've never commented, this is the perfect time to start. And if you already comment, you should also comment. I have that blog anxiety that I am going to initiate a contest and no one's going to enter. It's like a birthday party you throw that no one comes to. And no one likes that.

Monday is the day to comment by. Do it! Also, feel free to play me in scrabulous.

ChristyLouWho is a Jerk Sometimes

2008-06-11T16:59:00.001-04:00

This post was originally planned for yesterday evening, but I ended up playing my Scrabulous moves and passing out. I know, the life of a library school student is very glamourous.

Since I work at Main Library, there is an atrium before coming into the library. Because of this, petitioners love coming to Main because they don't have to stand outside in the elements. Since I work at the library, I tend to see these petitioners more than the average library patron. Try every day. Although I am all for the democratic system, the aforementioned circumstances cause me to develop some canned responses for petitioners so as not to waste my time or theirs.

The straightforward:
Petitioner: Are you a voter?
Me: Yes, but I'm really not interested in signing.

The lie:
Petitioner: Can you sign a petition?
Me: I already signed

The avoid:
Me: (avoiding eye contact)

And most recently,
The all-encompassing denial
Petitioner: Will you sign a petition?
Me: Probably not.

Yup, that's your friendly neighborhood ChristyLouWho. Friend of the working man.

New Baby Smell

2008-06-09T16:47:00.000-04:00

A woman at my library recently went on maternity leave to, you know, have a baby. That was last week. Exactly 7 days later, she marched back into the library with baby in tow. Maybe I'm just not old enough for the whole baby thing, but I never quite know what to do when people bring babies in. All the veteran moms know all the questions to ask, about sleeping through the night and feeding and all that. But I always say stuff like "little shoes!" and "that's a nice dress you have on" and then spend the rest of the time looking at the baby.

It is times like this that I become very aware of the fact that I am the youngest person at my job.

So while New Mother is standing there talking to the veteran mother librarian types, the teen coordinator and I crouch down and stare at the baby.

TC: I wonder if it smells like a baby.
Me: I don't see why it wouldn't smell like a baby.
TC: You know, how babies always smell like baby powder and static electricity?
Me: Static electricity? I don't even know what static electricity smells like.
TC: I'm going to smell the baby and see.

So Teen Coordinator leans over and sniffs the baby's head. I just stand (crouch?) there trying to look nonchalant. Luckily, New Mother isn't paying attention because she's talking about a Pampers sale they found or something. Teen Coordinator straightens up and smiles at me. "Static electricity and baby powder" she confirms with a victorious smile.

Just then, a colleague of ours walks by. Teen Coordinator says "Hey, you know that new baby smell?"
Without missing a beat, he replies, "Is that like a new car smell?"

At least I'm not the only one who doesn't have the whole "Baby in the Workplace" thing down.

Solidarity!

2008-06-06T18:47:00.000-04:00

One of my best friends growing up was really into Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although I am usually not one for vampires, I watched a few episodes of it, just for solidarity. She sat through Breaker High (does anyone remember that show? It was one of Ryan Gosling's first gigs), so I figured the least I could do was watch some vampires get schooled.

But see, the thing with Buffy the Vampire Slayer was that no matter how good the actual episode was, you always felt stupid telling other people about it. It never came out sounding quite as cool as you knew it actually was. You're all, "Buffy's friends resurrect her through a powerful spell. Buffy finds a job at a fast food restaurant while conducting a secret, mutually abusive affair with Spike that later leads to him seeking a soul to be worthy of her love. Tara is killed by a deranged murderer, Willow descends into darkness and begins a rampage that nearly causes the end of the world." Do you see? But when you watch it, it doesn't seem as weird.

That is kind of what it's like to work in youth services at a library.

When I tell people how my day was, I end up saying stuff like "Well, we talked about Saturday and I'm going to puppet the fox that judges the race between the tortoise and the hare. Then I'm going to get a life-sized alligator and tell a story of a kangaroo that gets eaten, but don't worry, he gets spit out when he tickles the alligator's tonsils". But, you know, that's my job. And getting to be the fox? That's semi-exciting. I may have mouthed to Garner "I'm going to be the fox!!" as I was going to practice and she might have mouthed back "I'm so proud of you!"

If there is anything to learn from this (and there might not be) it would be 'tis better not to be alone in your weirdness. Bring someone else along for the ride, whether it be Buffy-ing or Library-ing.

Dreamgirls

2008-06-05T22:53:00.000-04:00

Me: I had a dream last night about Northside Library
Sister: Yeah? What happened?
Me: They opened a bunch of homework help centers and I had to staff them all.
Sister: I had a dream about Carrie and Big.
Me: Hm. What were you guys doing?
Sister: Sitting around, hanging out in the hot tub. They got in a fight and I had to mediate.
Me: You just made my dream about libraries look almost normal.

Your (and My) Mom

2008-06-05T19:02:00.001-04:00

Library school, at least my library school, is populated with lots of older people types. I'm not saying OLD old but probably almost twice my age. I could be their children no problem. Lots of these people are women. I think talking about books and research all day is a unisex kind of thing, however, the rest of the population is apparently not with me. So we have a bunch of people your mom's age taking class with me, a girl who wears pigtails on bad hair days. Thus, when the women want to interact with me, I usually end up talking about things I would not usually talk to my friends about.

Some topics include:

sensible footwear
the weather, especially big storms heading our way
how kids are screaming for boundaries
the eye doctor
urinary tract infections (I wish I was joking)

However, these are the same women who brought me cupcakes (plural) today so that I could eat them even though our class together is over.

I think it's a pretty even trade.

Opposing Viewpoints

2008-06-04T14:05:00.000-04:00

Summer classes are good and bad at the same time.

They are over a lot quicker. Usually semester long classes, which is like an eternity to me. I had quarters in undergrad, so semesters feel like an endless marathon with no gatorade breaks. I hear the Chariots of Fire theme all semester long in my head.

Also pro, sometimes people bring you snacks.

The problem with summer classes is that they happen during the summer. In the summer, all my friends who are teachers and friends who hibernate all winter (I'm looking at you, Beka) decide to do things and have fun in the thriving metropolis where I live. I am all for this. However, being a library school student in summer class is kind of like studying on a Friday night. No one likes to do it and you're slightly annoyed by it the majority of the time it's going on. I don't care how much you like Trig, it's not fun on a Friday.

I suddenly feel a lot of solidarity with Marshall:

Being a [forril] librarian had better be awesome.

Day 1: Hungry Eyes

2008-06-03T20:35:00.000-04:00

Recently I had a request to document a month in the life of library school Christy LouWho.
"It'll be just like True Life: I'm in library school!" they say excitedly. I make no promises. Library school is just kind of a lot of work to prove that you really want to be a forril librarian. True story.
But I will tell the real story of what it's like to be in library school. Which I kind of do already. But if you're into getting the real skinny on library school, have I got the story for you!

To catch you up on library school so far, it's summer session. I'm in a class before the actual summer classes (intersession class) on reference resources. The class itself is not as important as what has been happening during the class.

People have been bringing me snacks. Like, a lot of snacks. I'm beginning to wonder if they made a consortium to bring me a different snack everyday. Last Tuesday, it was cookies. Thursday it was cheez-its. Today it was a pack of m&m's someone bought me from the vending machine. Why? They said I look hungry. Am I looking hungry all the time? Do I have hungry eyes? Should I actually be learning to dance in the Catskills for the summer? I think that's something I would want to know about myself.

They better not try to put me in a corner. Just saying.

Stay tuned. It could be a long month.

That Doggy in the Window

2008-05-14T14:54:00.001-04:00

My sister wants to adopt this dog:

It looks like it's wearing a toupée/helmet, am I right?

She was hoping to name it after a celebrity it reminded her of, leaning towards Al Pacino.

I suggested someone who may have a little more in common with the canine like Burt Reynolds or Donald Trump.

Sister was not amused.

Girl, Put Your Records On

2008-04-30T11:38:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, when a serious subject comes up, I can't react how adults are supposed to react. For these times, I developed a system where I'll insert a song lyric, but say it as if it's my next comforting thought. For example, if a girl friend is telling me how about her break up and how hard it is to hear their "Our song", I'd say something like "I know what you mean. It's the same old song, but with a different meaning since he's been gone". Most of the time people don't notice/acknowledge that I do it. I don't know if they're caught up in their emotion or they just don't feel like dealing with my shenanigans.

Anyway, yesterday Katie was telling me about her roommate.
Katie: I'm just tired of playing games with her. I don't see why we can't just talk about it.
Me: Well, maybe if you told her these foolish games were tearing you apart.
Katie: And how her thoughtless words are breaking my heart?
Me: They're breaking your heart!
Katie: I can't believe you just quoted Jewel.

This is also a good summation of why I'm friends with Katie.

Sometimes You Wanna Go...

2008-04-28T19:52:00.001-04:00

People I Have Been Mistaken for at Chili's

Carly, that Irish girl on American Idol

Jessica, a server who apparently used to work at Chili's

A wedding planner

I'm beginning to think Chili's might be my anti-Cheers. It's a place where everyone thinks they know my name, but they've mistaken me for someone else.

Mistaken Identity

2008-04-22T21:25:00.000-04:00

My mom called me tonight and asked me if I was watching "Dancing With the Stars"
Me: No, Mom, I'm doing homework. Why, what's going on?
Mom: This girl is on and I thought she was having a baby but she looks really skinny
Me: (flips on tv) Uh, Mom, are you thinking of Jamie Lynn Spears?
Mom: Yes! I thought she was pregnant!
Me: Mom, that's Ashlee Simpson.

The Cheese Stands Alone

2008-04-22T14:10:00.001-04:00

This past weekend, I hung out with my college best friend Beka in Lexington, KY. Beka and I are kind of like the town mouse and the country mouse. She grew up on with a horse as a pet and 4-H and I grew up with my dog Muffin as an (awesome) pet and golf team. Okay, so not all town/city people grow up with Muffin and golf team, but they were definitely not apart of Beka's upbringing. Anyway, after college, I stayed in the city and Beka moved out to the state of Kentucky.

While I was in Kentucky, we decided to go see Smart People. So we moseyed down to the theater (I feel like I saw quite a bit of moseying this weekend) and I bought a soft pretzel with that processed nacho cheese stuff. Now I know nacho cheese is not really known for its appetizing look or gourmet qualities. However, when I had settled in my seat and opened this cheese, I found this cheese was kind of...yellow. And it didn't move. And it smelled questionable, despite the expiration date assuring me I had five months. It seemed rather unfair, paying $1.50 (processed cheese is expensive in Kentucky, apparently) for something I wasn't even going to consider choking down.

That's when I realized I had to get rid of the cheese. And before I could change my mind, I marched out of the theater and back to the concessions stand. I plunked the open cheese container onto the counter and announced. "I need my money back for this"

The Movie Guy blinked at me. I blinked back. It was then he realized I was serious.

"You're returning the cheese. And why would that be?" he smirked.
"because I am uncomfortable with both the color and smell of this cheese" I said formally, trying to ignore the ridiculousness of the situation.

It was then I realized that maybe I was making a big deal of nothing. Maybe $1.50 is not a big deal. What was I doing, insisting on returning cheese? In the middle of Kentucky, to boot.

But then they gave me the $1.50 and took the cheese. And it was awesome.

I returned to my seat, ready to eat the pretzel sans cheese.

"How's that pretzel taste?" Beka asked/mocked.
"For your information, it tastes like freedom" I said.

Beka rolls her eyes. "City people" she mutters.

Suit Up!

2008-04-18T12:06:00.000-04:00

Signs I Need to Stop Watching So Much
How I Met Your Mother:

I've yelled "Phone Five!" to Sister on the phone

I've said "Say What?" in falsetto on a couple occasions

I made a Get Psyched mix for my trip to Lexington with the idea that "People often think a good mix should rise and fall, but people are wrong. It should be all rise baby"

I wanted to quote Barney's blog in my own blog

(ex: "Sometimes we search for one thing but discover another...

I did find out something really important about myself...
I am awesome")

Converting the Masses

2008-04-07T13:29:00.000-04:00

Last night, I went to a dinner party at a friend's place. A girl who had been balancing her checkbook at the beginning of the get-together announced how much money she had to her name (which admittedly wouldn't even buy you much at Target). "I just wish there was a way to get movies on the cheap!" she said, "I spend so much money at Blockbuster."

I nervously cleared my throat. I don't like to be the crazy evangelist trying to bring everyone to the public library. "You know," I start, "you can get those movies at the library with a library card for free and keep them for, like, five days. I think that might be longer than you get to keep them at Blockbuster". Her eyes widened. Other people begin listening to our conversation. Someone else chimes in "I wish I could find that book I read about the guy who keeps penguins everywhere. I think he even kept them in his refrigerator or something!"
"Mr. Popper's Penguins?" I ask.
"Yes! That's the one! I want a library card now!"

For real, people? It gets better.Then they all started asking about services their public library could provide. Seriously? Really? I felt like the librarian version of Buddha, teaching the masses. I started seriously thinking about carrying library card applications with me. Yup, you can say it...

Nerd.

Let's Stay Together

2008-03-30T22:19:00.000-04:00

I wrote not too long ago about how my friend Garner is going to get married next year (although she was more concerned about me moving to Chicago). I've been helping her with colors and that sort of thing for the wedding, making me feel like I am intimately connected with this wedding. At least the bridesmaid dresses anyway. The other day, amid a discussion of whether that orange could go with that pink (it couldn't), I asked Garner when she knew she wanted to marry the groom. She thought for a minute and then said, "Groom dated me even when it was a dumb idea to date me".

Judging from the confused look on my face, Garner continues, "When I first was interested in Groom, he was my mentor for the master's program I was entering. They always say at the end to contact them if you have any questions. I used to email him with the most inane questions just so I could have a reason to talk with him again. I must have came off like a complete freak. But Groom dated me anyway. I think when you're with the right person, all the weird, psycho, awkward things you do to get close to them don't seem so weird, psycho and awkward. They think it's cute."

I nod my head. "Everybody is somebody's weirdo" I say.

"Everybody is somebody's weirdo" Garner echoes, nodding her head.

P.S. If you have not read Postcards from Yo Momma I strongly recommend you do. It's a collection of all those emails your mother sends you that you then have to forward to your friends because they are so ridiculous/funny.

Fame

2008-03-26T18:52:00.000-04:00

Stella (she's going to love that nickname) texted me a couple nights ago suggesting we go to a Library Careers Night at our university if for no other reason than the swag. I was running pretty low on pens and stress balls so I agreed. The night opened with a panel (the woman next to me falls asleep). It then continued with some exhibitions of People We Could Work For (swag everywhere!). We were about to leave when Stella saw the chip basket. We stopped and talked to some people and that's when it happened.

What, you ask? I'll tell you:

Fame.

A woman came over to us and said, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, but I'm with the press. Could I have a few moments of your time?"

Um, yes. Yes, you can. Especially since you're from the biggest newspaper in the city (it's like this city's New York Times).

The short version is that it came to light the photographer and reporter had been following us around all night with the intent of incorporating us into the story. Was it because of the way we were dressed? Maybe. I mean, I saw someone wearing purple cords and an electric blue sweater together-obviously the competition was stiff.

Stella's parting words to me were, "Well, good work today. See you tomorrow!"

See? Famous AND down-to-earth! I bet we're going to live forever too.

The Old Man and the Christy

2008-03-21T14:37:00.000-04:00

When I run, I'm very cliché. I think of how running is like poetry and how I feel free when I run and crap like that. You runner people know what I'm talking about. Or maybe you don't. Maybe I'm alone in my principles. The point is I go into ChristyLouWho World when I'm running and I'm not as aware of my surroundings.

Somewhere between Interpol and the theme from Rocky, I realized my hair tie had fallen out. It wasn't really a big deal. I figured I'd see it at some point lying on the track. I kept running (but I did stop doing the boxing fists I realized I was doing). Since I am in my own little world, I almost run into a senior citizen in my path. I stop like the roadrunner with the little blast of smoke (at least in my mind I do).

Man: (holds out the hair tie to me)
Me: (wheezing and stuttering) Oh...thanks...
Man: (sheepish) I should have just left it there, I just didn't want you to lose it
Me: (still slight wheezing) No! Thank you! That was really nice of you!
Man: (looks at my black capris) You kind of look like Audrey Hepburn
Me: (looks at my Target black sweat pants) I do?
Man: Yes.
Me: (under my breath) Why aren't you, like, 25 and single?
Man: What was that?
Me: What? Oh, I was just thinking outloud. Thanks for my hair tie.

Spring Break

2008-03-20T23:36:00.000-04:00

Last week was my "Spring Break" from Library School. Here's the thing: spring break during library school and holding down a job? It's not so much like undergrad spring break where people decide to go to some thriving metropolis or beach locale. It's not even so much like sleeping all day and watching Gilmore Girls reruns. It's more like regular life during the work week with two open evenings that weren't there before.

However, Garner and I have separation anxiety when we don't see each other at least weekly, so when she called to get together for dinner and some breaking news, I was in.

Me: So what's been going on this past week?
Garner: Oh, I got engaged-
Me: Garner, congratulations! That's terrif-
Garner: Christy, get a hold of yourself! I have big news!
Me: That's not the big news...?
Garner: No. The big news is that I found your mantra for life*. I think it's going to power you onto your future city and career.

Life mantra more important that life commitment? I don't know if I agree, but I'm glad I have friends who do.

*P.S. It's Wilco's "Via Chicago"

Re: DEATH

2008-03-19T15:06:00.000-04:00

To preface this entry, I don't think death is funny. Death is very real and sad and affects people's lives. I am not making fun of that. I do think I have become temporarily immune to what death actually means because of all the teen books I'm reading about death. It's the only way I keep from falling into a depression. But anyway, on with the show.

All the things that are hilarious about work-related email can be summed up in the following email I read today:

Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:15:44 -0400
Subject: DEATH
FLAGS WILL BE AT HALF MAST - TODAY THROUGH MONDAY
THANKS, JUDY

Let's review the things that are note-worthy about this message:
1. The subject line is "DEATH". You know the emos will love it. You also know the old people will be intrigued because there are always old people dying so the chances of knowing someone who died increase as you get older. I am intrigued as a 24 year-old Italian girl because of the originality. How many times can you really use Death as the subject line and have it be relevant to what you are emailing out?
2. The entire message is in all caps. Because I am an internet-age girl, I take all caps as meaning yelling. Ergo, "Judy" is screaming in my head about the flags at half-mast.
3. I realize we live in an age where we end a lot of business emails with "Thanks" because there is only so many ways you can end a business email. But what is Judy thanking me for? Is it because I read her email even though she subject lined it "death"? Is it because I stuck around to read the whole thing even though she was yelling? Is it because my stylish bangs and knowledge of Target apparel is unmatched in the greater city area? I guess I'll never know.

Unless maybe I should send her an email back and ask? And then you know what the subject line will be.

Re: DEATH

Proof of Immaturity

2008-03-13T17:03:00.000-04:00

Multiple Choice

You are running late. Do you:

A. Hurry up and run into the building and pretend you were there the whole time.

B. Start dancing around in your car to that Gloria Estefan song about doing the conga on the easy listening station.

C. Don't pick C.

You Can Tell By the Way I Use My Keyboard

2008-03-10T17:02:00.000-04:00

There's a couple communal computers at work where they sit face-to-face with a big desk inbetween. So even though the computers are face-to-face, you can't see the person on the other side because of the big wooden shelf desk thing between. It's like being on the other side of the Berlin Wall. Okay, I exaggerate, but seeing the person on the other side doesn't happen very easily.

So today, I sat down and started typing on one of the computers. A voice from the other side says, "Christy? Is that you?" I recognize the voice as one of my coworkers. Feeling a little weird about the whole situation, I call back, "Yeah, it's Christy."

And then I ask, "Hey, how did you know it was me? Before I spoke, I mean. Did you recognize my shoes or something?" My coworker pauses. "Uh, haha, actually I recognized you because of your typing. I recognize the speed of your typing".

Mark this as the first day in the history of my life I have been recognized by my typing speed. Forget recognizing people by their footsteps or the way they clear their throat. The future is knowing someone's typing speed.

iPod, Crosswords, and Wonder Woman (oh my!)

2008-03-06T22:44:00.000-05:00

Co-Worker: Oh, hey, Christy. What did you do today since you're working night shift?
Me: Oh, you know. I went to go running at the gym, but I forgot my iPod so I went home (as an aside I'M SO EMBARASSED I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE) and then I just did a crossword puzzle and read a Wonder Woman comic book.

When did my life get like this? Oh, that's right, grad school.

I'm Not a Cat Hater But...

2008-03-04T19:01:00.000-05:00

Things that come up at work that I would be okay with never talking about again
-Cats
-Why I don't have cats
-Where I should get a cat
-How you just need to train a cat to love you
-How cats really are better than dogs
-How if I had a cat I could buy it all sorts of accessories
-Pictures of cats that I could (and "should") adopt
-Things people's cats do
-Why people name their cats what they named their cats
-Why it's better to have cats than children

Sing It Again!

2008-03-02T22:02:00.000-05:00

Are you guys sick of hearing about Gwen yet? I mean, I see Gwen on a very regular basis. I think she's funny because she kind of reminds me of a certain nerdy librarian, except she has a crush on the late Heath Ledger while I was totally crushing on Taylor Hanson at 16. I may or may not have written him a fan letter. Let's not talk about that.

Anyway, Gwen and I were in the teen room talking about bad rap music, which is unfortunately what the teens of my library like to listen to while chatting on myspace. No teens were in the teen room while we were having the following conversation, luckily.

Gwen: Manga. Manga and bad rap music. I like the teen room and all, but come on.
Me: Manga. What is it good for?
Gwen: Absolutely nothing!
Me: Sing it again!

Thank God we both listen to before-our-time oldies.

IDK, my BFF Beka

2008-03-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Phone conversation with Beka, my best friend who lives in Kentucky (AKA too far):

Beka: wow, so that's what's been going on lately
Me: yeah, things are just so...you know.
B: Oh, I know.
M: and I just feel like-
B: Definitely. I think you're right
M: Because that wouldn't happen-
B: No, it definitely would not.
M: But what if-
B: There's no way.
M: So you think that-
B:Yes. I do.
M: I feel so much better being able to say all that.

Dating is good for the environment

2008-02-28T16:22:00.000-05:00

I think my family is really weird. However, I will indulge the fact that probably everyone thinks their family is really weird. Therefore, until college, Sister and I had no idea how weird our family actually was. It was in college that we started talking to our friends about our family and realized our family does things other families would never consider.

Like, most people's moms? Don't dress like Miss Frizzle. (That picture doesn't even do Miss Frizzle, or my mom for that matter, justice). And most people's dads? Don't get topics of discussion from what he saw in the trash can earlier that day. And most people's parents? Don't get divorced and date for the rest of their lives.

Yes, they do, you're saying. People's parents get divorced and date other people all the time. But I'm not talking about other people. I'm talking about each other. My parents got divorced, decided they're really into each other but don't want to be married, so they're going to date one another for the rest of their lives. They have separate houses and separate lives, but they go on dates and have couple friends. It's weird.

Anyway, just when I thought I had started getting used to it, a proverbial wrench was thrown into my concept of understanding. Not an actual wrench, that would probably bonk me on the head and hurt.

My mom? She's moving. Where? Across the street from my dad. Because apparently this is completely normal. My dad is all, "this is the best idea we've ever had! Now we can save on fossil fuels because we won't have to drive to each other's house!"

My head hurts.

Decision 2008

2008-02-27T13:46:00.000-05:00

Maybe you live in the United States? And maybe you live in one of the united states that has not voted in the primaries yet? And maybe you're wondering who to vote for? I am in the same boat.

Maybe you would like to see a video that will help you evaluate the candidates in a new and different way? And utilizing anagrams to boot? I thought you might.

Bad Ideas

2008-02-24T16:35:00.001-05:00

I may or may not have made some bad decisions as of late, I don't really know.

Okay, yes I do know. Bad decisions.

In my defense, I am a victim of circumstance. It all started very innocently. The wireless router, it failed me. All of a sudden it was all "you don't have an IP address, fool" and I was all "I do too! I had one yesterday!" And then it stopped working. The wireless and I, a couple who always had such a solid relationship, is witholding internet from me. I'm pretty sure that's against the relationship rules, Linksys Wireless.

Anyway, I decided I was not going to be defeated. Deciding to forsake feng shui, I lugged my desktop computer from the living room into my bedroom. I plugged it directly into the DSL port and turned my computer on. Maybe you're wondering what I put the computer on? Nothing. That's right. In my fit of annoyance, I decided I would simply lay on the floor while using my computer and that would be a really great idea.

In actuality, it is quite possibly one of the worst ideas I've ever had. But I refuse to give in. I'm like that 6 year-old who tells their mom they don't need to wear a coat outside because it's not cold outside, but then freezes the entire walk to school. I am a frozen 6 year-old. And my elbow is numb.

That sounded tougher and cooler in my head, I think.

Strawberry Facebook Forever

2008-02-21T16:11:00.001-05:00

I usually make it a rule to not accept applications on Facebook. I don't know, I've just never felt strongly about what color my personality is or recruiting people to be a pirate. Maybe it's just me. That does not, however, stop people from inviting me to applications I would never have been able to dream up. Today, I got one called the "Little Green Patch" request.

This was the tagline:
Here is a strawberry plant for your green patch. Could you help me by sending a plant back? Together we can fight global warming!

I don't even know what that means.

2008-02-18T23:31:00.000-05:00

Things the gas attendant will not take in exchange for gas (even though there's an ice storm happening):
-a Chili's gift card
-an expired AAA card
-a brochure for the Newberry Library in Chicago
-an Othello playbill
-Tide To Go

Things the gas attendant will take in exchange for gas:
-your "muffin money" you keep to buy breakfast from that woman at the library (a grand total of $4)

I'm ready to not have a car now.

Christy Lou Who with the Snowboard in Colorado

2008-02-18T16:10:00.000-05:00

Growing up, my mom ruled the television. As a result, I watched a lot more "Murder She Wrote" than "Power Rangers" but I like to think I ended up pretty okay. However, like my girl Nancy Drew, I can't seem to tear myself away from a possible mystery. The most recent one? The Mystery of Why I am Broke. There have been very little developments in this case since, say, age 16. Even now, when I have a steady job that pays me, I have no idea where it goes. Of course, this could all be attributed to my budgeting skills, but I think the case goes deeper than that.

This morning, I find an email in my gmail that goes something like this:

Dear Ms. LouWho,

Thank you for booking your travel through Travelocity.

Your trip to Colorado Springs, CO (COS) is confirmed. A summary of your reservation is provided below.

Um, what?

I vaguely remember Sister calling in the middle of the night and talking about...something. I also remember saying something along the lines of "Sis, just do what you want, I trust your judgment" so that I could go back to sleep. Other people walk, talk, or cry in their sleep. I apparently book trips. This case is far from solved, but the plot is definitely thickening. Next time, maybe I'll tell you about suspects I think are in cahoots.

So I guess I'm going to Colorado?

Tuesdays (and Thursdays) with Gwen

2008-02-15T00:37:00.001-05:00

Usually Tuesday and Thursday involves a lot of talking with Gwen, my pint-sized teen friend. I enjoy most of my conversations with Gwen, since she reminds me what it's like to be 16. Our V-Day conversations go a little something like
Gwen: I've never dated a guy that doesn't, like, have curly hair.
Me: Hm. I've never dated a guy that doesn't wear chuck taylors.
Gwen: I could never date a guy that wears tight pants.
Me: That's understandable.
And then Gwen goes on to tell me about how there's a site to find out your pokemon name (no joke).

Or something like this:
Gwen: my mom always makes me listen to the National Talk Radio channel
Me: (smiling) I can see your family being National Public Radio-friendly. Does she make you listen to a particular show?
Gwen: well, I actually like "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!" and sometimes I like that other show...the one where they talk...?
Me: Um. Gonna need more than that, Gwen.

De Plane! De Plane!

2008-02-13T13:43:00.000-05:00

I am kind of anti-tattoo for myself. Other people? Definitely. Very cute. Manly. Whatever. I will be amazed or supportive or whatever it is you're looking for when you show me the ink. However, on me? That's more than likely not happening. I just don't think I can commit to liking something for the rest of my earthly life. It seems like a long time to be looking at the same thing. But you know what I am a big fan of? Pretending I have a tattoo. That's right. I am a tattoo poseur.

My first and best attempt at this was my second year of college. My back really hurt so one of my house mates gave me an icy hot patch. And that's when I got the idea. I went home that weekend to visit my parents and sister. During the "what's new" portion of the conversation, I lifted up the back of my shirt, revealing the patch on the small of my back. "I got a tattoo!" I said proudly. My dad stared. My mom looked like I told her I joined a cult. My sister smiled, looking ready for the punchline. I never was a convincing liar with Sister.

My mom quickly attempted to compose herself and appear a Cool Mom with a rebellious daughter in college. After dragging it out a little longer ("I am totally an individual now!") I eventually told her the truth. I think it was after I told her I got a bar code tattooed onto my back so that everyone would know how stupid consumerism is or something. My 19 year-old self was very worried about consumerism. Sorry, Target. It was before I knew you.

So, natch, when my boss led some maintenance guys up with a bunch of boxes with storybook characters taped to the outside I went back into my tattoo mode. "Are those...temporary tattoos?" I ask, trying to keep my excitement under wraps.
"Yeah," my boss sighs, "they were donated and now I have no idea what we're going to do with all these"
"I LOVE temporary tattoos!" I blurt out.
And that's how it was decided that I would be in charge of cataloging all the temporary tattoos of storybook characters. And also how I decided that this weekend, I will have an undying commitment to children's lit to everyone I can convince that actually, I am a tattoo person.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Madeline? The stinky cheese man? It's just such a hard call.

Fun Activity

2008-02-07T16:55:00.000-05:00

I was shelf reading the other day when a co-worker's daughter came and sat next to me. She started talking to me about her hair and how she wasn't sure she wanted bangs anymore etc. I told her how great bangs were etc. Then her mom came over with an "I'm about to punish you" look on her face, which I assumed was for her daughter.
"Audrey, you are grounded. You are not allowed any fun activities" she said
"This is fun?" I ask confused. They both look at me.
"I mean, not that I don't like talking to Audrey" I hedge, "I've just never thought of myself as a fun activity"
My co-worker smiles at me sympathetically "Christy, that's why there's kids that follow you around the library all day. You're a fun activity".

I'm a fun activity. How about that?

Dish Date

2008-02-06T17:00:00.000-05:00

The following is a brunch conversation I had with my friend Katie. For your convenience, my part of the conversation is in bold. Because, as you know, I like it being all about me.

Katie: Clinton has the best argyle sweater on today

me: haha, best argyle sweater ergo she should be our prez

Katie: no not that clinton, clinton kelly!
me: of course, Clinton Kelly, how could I possibly think you meant Hillary on this, the day after Super Tuesday
Katie: (ignoring me) So I was over at the 21 year-old's house the other day-
Me: good times, dating 21 year-olds.
Katie: shut up. Anyway, I assumed his mom lived there but apparently she doesn't.
Me: why did you assume his mom lived there?
Katie: well-one bathroom is done entirely in Americana. And the other one has a gold shower curtain.
Me: hold up. A gold shower curtain? I didn't even know they made those.
K: Oh, they do. They have swags. And tassels.
M: Get out. There were not tassels.
K: Oh, there were tassels. There were tassels everywhere. There were even tassels on the towels.
M: Tasseled towels? Let me make a face that conveys me trying to wrap my mind around a 21 year-old boy owning tasseled towels and a gold shower curtain (I commence making a face that conveys the sentiment)
K: I haven't even told you about his living room where he likes to "kick it"
M: direct quote?
K: direct quote.
M: Like I said, good times dating 21 year-olds
K: shut up.

I'm Afraid of Everything

2008-02-04T17:10:00.000-05:00

This is kind of going to be a Catholic girl post, so go into it knowing that.

I went to Mass yesterday and I realized that Wednesday (like, two days from now Wednesday) is Ash Wednesday. How did that happen? Didn't we just finish the birth of Jesus? I really didn't even see it coming this year.

So then, I can't even focus on what's happening in the Mass. I keep thinking about how I need to figure out what I'm going to "give up" for Lent this year. And I think I know what I'm going to do this year. Eleanor Roosevelt said to "do one thing that scares you everyday". And I don't think I've done enough of that, even though I am a big advocate for getting out of your comfort zone. When a friend of mine was going be a stripper for the night, I was gung-ho. When someone else wanted to try out for American Idol, I was all for it. Supportive!

I've taken chances and been scared. I publicly defended a thesis. I tried out for the Amazing Race with Sister. I've fallen in love. But I think I should do that more. And that I should blog about it. My theory is that if I'm scared more often, I'll pray more often because I'll be freaked out and I won't know what else to do. Thus, I'll be closer to understanding God's role in my life. It makes sense in my head, I swear.

What I was hoping you guys could help me with is thinking of scary things to do. And by scary, I mean, kind of rewarding but hard to make yourself do. Do you hear about someone doing something and think, "man, that sounds amazing, but I don't know if i could do that"? Because those are the type of things I want to do. Amazing and scary. Forty days of amazing and scary. Maybe that can be my alterna-blog's name?

In conclusion: help!

Sass It Up

2008-02-02T18:35:00.000-05:00

One of my friends who I feel obligated to call by her actual name is Kathy. I met her in college and somewhere along the way I started referring to her as Crazy Kathy. Not really in direct conversation, but to other people (to differentiate Kathys) and in my phone (just for novelty). I didn't think too much of it when I got a call from Kathy this week asking me to promise her my Friday evening. I should have begun to wonder when she uttered the phrase "just wait, we're going to sass you up" but I didn't. Maybe it was because I started singing Color Me Badd after that, only slightly changing the words.

"So, why am I here?" I ask as four of us are being ushered into her apartment.
"You look like Barbie" Kathy says very matter-of-fact.
"I have no idea what that means" I tell her.
"Hm, maybe not Barbie. More like Skipper" she muses.
Well. That settles that.

As we're getting ready to go out, Kathy tells me she's going to go get the girls, which I understand to mean the other women going out with us. No. She meant um, enhancements. I'm slightly amused, until she holds them out for me to take.
Me: Haha. Nope.
K: Come on! B to a C! You could wear v-necks with these puppies!
The group we are going out with start chanting "sass it up" as I roll my eyes.

I bet Skipper had to put up with these same shenanigans in her day.

Just Me.

2008-01-31T20:54:00.000-05:00

People in college used to tell me that once we were graduated (I think that's the correct grammar, but who knows) they were never going to have a roommate again. In some cases, I can understand that. There's some people that shouldn't live with other people. There's also people who enjoy their space and that is 100% cool with me. However, that has never been me.

I always kind of liked that when I came home, someone would be blaring Arrested Development or Alias, depending on who i was living with at the time. I liked that there was someone who would want to know what happened that day and what that day meant. I liked that if my day was beyond crappy, someone would already be there, take one look at me, and motion for me to sit down and talk about it. Yes, there are some definite annoyances about someone else up in your biz-nass, but I think I was so used to it, I didn't even notice.

Until now.

This week, Fay is attending to a serious family matter and gave the dog to my dad. However, she still needs someone to stay at her house, someone strong and tough to protect it in case of burglars (stop looking around, I meant me). So after class tonight, I came to her place and I heard absolutely nothing. And now, I don't feel obligated to do anything. I don't have to keep the music down. I don't have to think of anyone else in my dinner plans. I can use all the crap I want from the fridge and not replace any of it. There's no imaginary time schedule. I don't have to restrain from Risky Business-ing in the kitchen. I mean, I'm going to restrain because there are no blinds on the glass doors, but I could if I wanted to.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is although I have always valued some alone time, I don't think I realized how much I needed it until now. The past few days have offered me a ton of stress and worry. Being in a house that doesn't belong to me with just me is something I didn't know I needed. So I'm alone. And even though I'm still fighting it a little, maybe that's the way it's supposed to be.

Multiple Choice

2008-01-31T15:49:00.000-05:00

Since I no longer have TiVo (direct TV cut me a heckuva deal), we only really see each other sporadically. At the end of the program, TiVo asked me,
"Are you done with this program?
Delete now
Keep this recording
Satire never stops at the Onion!"

Um?

So Texty

2008-01-29T18:00:00.000-05:00

Texts in my phone's inbox I just can't find it in my heart to delete:

-Yay for weddings where I know no one-you best believe I am open barring
-Now I know what hell must be like...a file room with soft rock playing. I also now know why people bring guns to work
-I need to start playing the lotto
-I forgot to tell you something. I love you!
-Hahahahahhaha yeah I hate my life
-Damn you, LouWho!
-Stop freaking out!

Book Hugger

2008-01-28T16:13:00.000-05:00

In Library School this semester, I am taking a teen reads class. I've gone to it a couple times. So far, all we do is kind of reference the textbook for about 5 minutes and talk about books we love the rest of the time. Well, no, that's a lie. We also talk about other interests we have, and then someone pipes up with "well, if you really like cows, you should read Dairy Queen." I'm still trying to decide whether I think this is too geeky for my taste, or whether I love it but am pretending to be too cool.

The other day, my teacher was talking about Blankets. "Even when you look at this book, you just want to hug it!" she said. And this is the only woman I have ever met who can say something so geeky like wanting to hug a book and I still think she is ridiculously cool. I don't mean cool like the way nerdy people (such as myself) bond with their professors because everyone is entirely too into learning kind of cool. I mean she's for real cool. The woman has street cred with teens. I don't even have street cred with my parents. In other words, I think I would be okay with emulating this woman, should my future hold teen librarianing.

That's the only way I can explain what happened today. We all have to join GoodReads for this teen class. Today I started and finished a book called The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian which is all the hype right now in teen reading world. The librarians, they love it. The high school teachers, they love it. The parents like the minimal swearing. You get the picture. After I finished it I thought to myself I don't want to give this book back because of course, it's the library's copy. And then I thought I'm kind of in book love. And then I had to create a tag called "nerdy book love" and look through my "read" category to ask myself whether I was in book love with any other recent reads. It's quite the exclusive club.

Let me be clear there was no hugging involved, however. That is still just a little too crazy woman with her crazy books for me at this point in time. But I still feel like I'm caving.

Love Story

2008-01-24T23:56:00.000-05:00

It seems Gwen's Beatles observance was very apropos. Because today, I am at a crossroads. A crossroads I never thought I would see myself at. Despite trials and tribulations, I always thought that I could rely on my good judgment. But today I wonder if that judgment was misguided. I think I've lost my faith.

Target. What. The. Hell.

Target, the only store I've ever loved. We've been through thick and thin. Our love story was even better than Love Story. Now it seems I have to pick between the Beatles and Target. Because I'm not really sure I can have it both ways. I'm just at a loss. I think I need some time to think about things.

Things I Learned Today
1. Sometimes you do have to make decisions regarding the Beatles
2. Love means saying you're sorry. I accept bribes and pay-offs, Target.

Teen Talk

2008-01-22T20:39:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite teens came up to me today looking penitent. We'll call her Gwen.
Gwen: Christy, I am so sorry.
Me: (confused) Um, what could you possibly need to apologize for?
Gwen: (whispers)
Me: Um. What?
Gwen: (softly) I forgot the Juno CD
Me: the CD you were going to burn me? I forgot all about that
Gwen: No, you didn't! I am a terrible person! I am so lucky you are even still speaking to me!
Me: seriously, Gwen, it's not a big deal.
Gwen: I just can't believe I did this. I'm like those people who say they hate the Beatles but they love the Doors. Everyone knows you can't hate one and love the other and I'm just like them
Me: Oh Gwen. You are not like them. They are ruining their lives forsaking the Beatles. You just forgot to bring me a CD.
Gwen: You are such a good librarian (I swear I see her eyes watering)

Apparently the secret of being a good librarian is music taste and leniency on CD deliveries. Maybe I could start teaching a class?

Deja Vu

2008-01-17T17:08:00.000-05:00

Maybe you've gathered that I work at a library? It's true. I work at a library. Sometimes this means that I have special perks, like no late fees on stuff I have checked out (hence why that book you reserved is taking forever to come in--sorry!!). Other times, it means nothing at all. Or heightened suspicion. Or living the same day over and over. Allow me to elaborate.

I checked out a compact disc about six week ago. I got to keep it for four weeks. Then they wanted me to bring it back. No problem. I would be happy to. I bring the CD back. Circ then calls my home phone to tell me there was no CD in the case. Whoops. I make a mental note to bring the CD in the next day. When I get to work the next day, I find that Circ has also emailed me and put hard blocks on my account (basically meaning I can't do anything checking out or renewing wise till they get this sucker back). Wow, Circulation. I feel a little Big Brothered (if I could verb that) but the CD is returned so no more problems, right? No.

I check my account a couple days later and I am still flagged as a delinquent that does not return CDs. I go talk to my Circulation pal who kind of looks like Rivers Cuomo. He's all "no prob, I'll take it off your account right now". I thank him and compliment his glasses (not really, but I always want to). Problem solved, no? No.

TODAY I am coming into work. Circulation's Top Guy (CTG) sees me coming in and says hey. I say hey. CTG and I are on good terms. "Oh! While I have you here, I have something to ask you" CTG says. I think maybe he wants to know how I look so stylish everyday, or how I know so much about Target's merchandise. Nope.

He takes a case from a shelf next to the reserves. It's The CD. "Have you returned this CD yet?" he asks. I blink at him, thinking maybe this is all a dream, considering it's still before noon and I'm not even sure of my name before noon. CTG waits and continues to look at me.
"Yes, I have returned that CD" I say finally. CTG gives me a disbelieving look.

Bill Murray, I understand your plight in a whole new way.

Comedy Car

2008-01-10T16:01:00.000-05:00

Today I took the elevator up to work instead of the stairs. I almost always take the stairs because we have these signs everywhere with the top ten reasons to take the stairs ("it's good for you! it improves your leg strength! it's faster!") and those usually have enough time to guilt me into the stairs before the elevator car comes.
Anyway, I got into the elevator with these two british looking guys (or am I supposed to call them blokes?).
"We thought we'd keep you company on your ride up" the one said
"Well, that's very thoughtful of you," I said back, "riding the two floors up with me"
"We're comedians, so we're actually working out a routine right now talking to you"
"Huh. Well, I'm very flattered that you consider me worthy of being in the comedy routine" I said back, thinking myself pretty witty with this whole banter with a couple comedians.
The guy laughed. "It's no problem, considering how attractive you are"

I didn't know what to say back to that.

Operation Rescue Childhood

2008-01-07T13:41:00.000-05:00

Unlike me, "Fay" aka my mom is not really into cleaning things. She is pretty supportive of me being a clean freak (what with bringing me scrubby sponges and brillo pads judgment free) but no one would mistake my mom for someone with an unexplainable love for Pine-Sol. Imagine my surprise therefore, when I caught her cleaning out our basement. Now, I don't know what your basement looks like, but ours is basically all the stuff we've decided we don't want (or don't want to think about) all in one place. It's something like an episode of ChristyLouWho, This Is Your Life.

Apparently, that basement is so 2007 and things are going to be different in 2008. Mostly, she just tossed out a bunch of papers and handbooks she used when she was a school psychologist. However, she also tried to throw out this: Now, I haven't thought about this game in years. Sister and I used to love it when we were younger though, always busting it out when the babysitter came over. I gaped in unbelief when I saw it out in the pile. As if my mom knew exactly what I was doing, she yelled from the basement something about how we need to simplify our life or some other phrase that would make me more okay with her throwing out our beloved (yet creepy, check out the cover) childhood game.

So I took it. I took it and threw it on the front seat of my car, covering it with my hoodie. she came up to the passenger window and I tried to act like I did not just take Tales of the Crystals out of the trash. It must have worked, as I was allowed to leave.

Later, I realized I didn't even know how to play the game anymore. I remember there were, um, tales involved. Also, crystals. But that's all I could recall. So I looked up the directions.

Man. I didn't realize what big freaks we were. It reminds me of mini dungeons and dragons or something. Maybe Fay was right to send it back to the big board game in the sky.

Parental Unit AKA

2008-01-05T19:23:00.000-05:00

My parents kind of know I blog. I mean, they know that I read blogs and sometimes reference them and recently, I confirmed for them that I could among some circles be considered a blogger. My mom was confused. "If you write about your life, how do you know people aren't reading you complaining about them or making fun of them or something?" she asks. And I explain to her that it's pretty anonymous. "I change everyone's names" I explain to her. This prompts my dad to decide that he would like to pick out the name I refer to him as in my blog (apparently "Dad" is too personal). The name he decided on? Adolfo.
"Me too! I want a blog name too!" my mom says excitedly, getting in on the action. And the name she decided on? Fay. What the heck, parents.

Hot Dog

2008-01-02T15:35:00.000-05:00

I've been working at the same library for a year. For that whole year, there has been an office couple who, when they go get hot dogs, get an extra two for me (with cheese and mustard, no chili). They always tell me not to pay them for it, but I feel like I'm developing quite the tab. Although I like to think maybe they are charmed by how much I love hot dogs (causing me to create quotable quotes like "there's always room for hot dogs"), I feel kind of bad about them picking up the tab on my hot dog fixes.

Maybe I should buy them a gift? But what do you buy someone to embody the sentiment, "Thanks for buying me hot dogs"? No, really, I'm asking.

Auld Lang Wine

2008-01-01T11:44:00.000-05:00

I always feel like New Year's Eve is packed with pressure. You're supposed to spend it in the right way, and at midnight, be doing something significant. That's why I kind of hate New Year's Eve. I can't take the pressure and I'm always doing something insignificant at midnight. This year was no different.

It's about ten minutes to midnight. Sister and I are trying to open a bottle of wine with this corkscrew that looks like a chicken wing with a metal spiral in it. I kept this one around because we usually have a friend who can get the cork out with the thing, but it is not a talent I have yet mastered. So I'm pushing (and my sister keeps yelling, "keep your head out of the way! you're going to poke your eye out!") while Sister is tugging on the corkscrew part. It is only budging a little at a time when they start the ten-second countdown.

I start hearing the "Chariots of Fire" theme song in my head, but then I remember to concentrate on keeping my head out of the way. "Happy new Year!" Dick Clark yells. We look at each other, annoyed. "We'll rewind it" Sister says grinning, "open that wine!" and miraculously, I somehow do.

"Happy New Year!" Dick Clark yells again. Sister and I clink glasses, smiling.

Addicted to Text

2007-12-31T11:31:00.000-05:00

I've never had text messaging as part of my cell phone plan. I always thought it took too long and, for all the trouble it is, that I should just call someone instead. So I paid for text messages people would send me. Recently, Sister and I upped our plan (yup, we're on the plan created for spouses) to include 400 text messages a month. To me, this might as well have been unlimited. Then I went to the family Christmas get-together. Even though my grandmother lives in a decently metropolitan area, we stayed with my aunt, who is not in a decently metropolitan area. She kind of lives in the sticks. I woke up to the sound of horse hooves everyday, if that tells you anything.

So I started texting. I didn't text very much at first, but then almost my entire day was consumed with the texting. I started doing that thing I hate where people text someone else while you're telling them a story. I also told myself this was my way of saving minutes because I would text until free nights and weekends and then call people.

Anyway, I was talking to my sister about it, and she got curious how many texts I had left. So I punched in the code and the phone cheerfully told me, "376 used, 24 remaining! Bill close 01/08"

I think I have a texting problem. Also, it is now a harsh reality that infinity>400.

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to buffet

2007-12-24T15:20:00.000-05:00

Since my sister and I were both off work/school today, we were assigned the task of recollecting my mom's car from the dealership. Where is this dealership? I think my sister put it best when she said, "Did I mention that we're going to the other side of the world now?"

However, driving to the other side of the world does have its perks. The dealership is also really close to a pocket of Amish people. Sister and I have been craving buffet for some time now (stop judging us. You have to experience buffet every once in awhile to remind yourself why it's a bad idea) so we decided that today would be a great day to do it. We took the dog to the kennel, picked up my mom's car in record time, and still had an hour and a half before the Amish restaurant closed.

Once we were seated, Sister said, "I really do think we could have our own tv show". This is one of our favorite topics of discussion.
"What made you think of it right now?" I ask. Usually we talk about our reality show when something ridiculous happens to us, like when I slammed my head into the car roof earlier.
"Look around us, Chris. Look at the clientele"
So I look around and realize what Sister is referring to. There are senior citizens as far as the eye can see. I look back at sister and laugh a little. We are the youngest ones there by a few decades. We check our watches and realize we're eligible for the early bird special buffet option.

Just then, our waitress comes over to take our order, and we both order the Amish buffet. Sister stands up to go, but I stay seated. Sister looks at me questioningly.
"Don't you think one of us should stay here with our bags?" I ask.
"Um, I don't think that's really something we have to worry about here" she reminds me.
And that's when I realize I could probably outrun every person in the restaurant. Even that woman who was taking entirely too long inspecting the fried chicken bin on the buffet. Especially her.

Mixed Messages

2007-12-20T16:28:00.000-05:00

In a 48-hour time span, I have been hit on by a man old enough to be my father (with the suave line "Do you think there will be a day when there's no books in the library and we all read eBooks?) and been befriended by a 12-year-old because she thought I was a cool high school kid. How's that for mixed signals?

Patronizing Chit-Chat

2007-12-14T01:05:00.000-05:00

I had the following conversation with my friend Mac as he is finishing up his finals. I think finals really suits both of us, as we were at our witty banter best (or at least better than we've been for quite some time). Somehow, the topic of patronizing came up.

ChristyLouWho: I really enjoy the word patronizing
Mac: thats strange. It has such negative connotations
CLW: I know, but I like it
Mac: why?
CLW: um. I don't know. I really do though.
CLW: not that I like when people patronize me, but I like the word itself and I like using it
Mac: that's respectable
CLW: really? or are you just patronizing me?
Mac: maybe...
CLW: because if there was a time to patronize, this would be the perfect time to do it
Mac: it is quite the patronizing opportunity...

Maybe I'll submit "patronize" as the secret word of the day?

Crowbar Hotel

2007-12-11T20:34:00.000-05:00

I got nostalgic for a pen pal because of this book I'm reading (it's a teen book called The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty) because they talk about the "lost art of letter writing". So I did a little research online and there are people who want pen pals, but most of them live in the same place: the big house. You know. The slammer. Jail. Apparently, the only people who are into pen pals are me and people in the clink. I don't know how I feel about this, but I think I'm leaning towards intrigued. I don't think it would work out for me to write to people in the pokey though. It has less to do with that they are in the can and more to do with how I would want to use all my bad slang for "jail". And I don't think people in the pen appreciate that kind of thing like I do.

Maybe I should post on Craig's List?

Nerdy Italian girl with hip bangs seeks pen pal. Someone who has not done time at the crowbar hotel preferred. Liking jail slang is not a must, but a definite positive. You don't have to be in the pen to have a pen pal! (Definitely reply if you find that funny).

it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Pleasing on the Eyes

2007-12-10T16:53:00.000-05:00

oh you guys. You are always so helpful with my crazy personal life problems. I'll have to let you guys know how things progress (with the work gossip, not with Adam (although, you're a sneaky one, TKTC!))

Today was a group presentation day as our final for one of my classes. It worked out pretty well. Maybe you don't believe me and would like to hear what some of my classmates had to say? Okay, okay. I'll leave you with my favorite comment:
-Both Alex and Christy had very good voices and smooth transitions
-Christy's appearance is very pleasing to the eye
What does that mean? What does it mean when someone writes that on a peer evaluation?

Although I like Alex overall, Alex has made me hate group presentations. I did almost all the work and had to email him to make sure he was doing the part of the presentation I assigned to him (he kind of liked being bossed around, I think). To Alex's credit, however, he came up to me after class (and after receiving our grade) and said, "Man, you really saved my butt on this project. You were great. Thanks. I owe you one" And then, "Give me some" and gave me his fist to hit the rock. Obediently, I hit the rock. It made me feel like a frat boy.

ChristyLouWho on Office Romances

2007-12-06T22:36:00.001-05:00

Here's the thing about me and office romances: I seem to have a higher rate of being assumed as hiding an office romance than I have of ever actually being in one.

The best known version dates back a couple years when I met a former colleague for lunch at the high school where he taught, we'll call him Ken. He showed me the break room, where Ken stops and frowns at the stale coffee in the coffee pot. So we walk and talk all the way over to the staff restroom. Since we are still talking, Ken goes into the men's room and dumps the coffee pot in the toilet (weird, but whatever, Ken), with me propping the door. A period bell rings, making me realize that everyone is staring at me because I am propping the men's room door, so i walk in and let the door shut behind me.

There's a knock on the door and I answer it. A male teacher looks in at me with Ken in the background and chuckles knowingly. I redden, trying to stutter out why we are in there. Ken (my former friend and now assumed lover) introduces us. "Christy, this is Mr. Greg, he's the science teacher for 9th grade. Mr. Greg, this is Christy". Just Christy. No explanation of who the heck I am or a good reason why I am in the men's room with Ken. Did I mention Mr. Greg is adorable too?

So obviously, I'm due for another misunderstanding. This week was the Holiday party for the library. One of my coworkers had been going around all week taking pictures of all the workers she could in the building. Another coworker (Adam) and I are the test shots to make sure the camera works each morning. In the test shot, I don't really know what to do with my hands or anything. So I stand next to him and cheese. Adam, on the other hand, does not seem confused. He wraps me in a bear hug and grins at the camera. It ends up being an okay picture (I do have my stylish bangs after all), and I assume the picture will be deleted, as it is a test shot.

At the party, people from my department keep coming up to me asking if I've seen the slideshow. Another couple who is actually in an office relationship motions for me to come over. "we saw you and Adam in the slideshow" they say, with the knowing smile (I hate that knowing smile, especially when it knows nothing).
"hmm" is all I can muster. They smile, egging me on for more.
"There's nothing going on" I trudge on.
"Oh, we know" they say, but in a tone that means "obviously, you are feeling like you need to hide this from us, but we will be here for you when you want to come out about your relationship". I walk away, slightly dazed. Well, that clears the awkward moment for today...

Wrong. "Hey, Christy" my manager sidles up to me. "wasn't that you and Adam in the slideshow? You guys are so cute together!" I laugh nervously and avert my eyes. In my mind's eye, a men's staff room door of awkwardness swings wide open for my arrival.

Brillo Lover

2007-12-05T22:42:00.001-05:00

My mom: Hi, sweetie. I bought you some stuff from the grocery
Me: Oh, thanks, Mom. (rifles through grocery bag) Brillo pads! Oh my gosh, Mom! I can't believe you brought me Brillo pads! This is the best day ever! (hugs)
My mom: (ignores my weirdness) And didn't you say you needed some of those scrubby sponges?
Me: oh man. 3 pack! You are the best mom ever! I'm going to put the sponges in a ziploc so they keep that squishy feeling they have right out of the package.
My mom: (busies herself unpacking Triskets, probably to avoid saying what a weirdo her daughter has become)

When did I start getting so excited over cleaning supplies from the grocery store? Is this a growing up thing?

(I can't believe I just posted this for all of you to see)

She Bangs

2007-12-03T23:46:00.000-05:00

They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Or the sincerest. Or something. However, I have never been a big fan of people imitating me. Because when people copy me (let's just call a spade a spade, shall we?) it causes people to get confused.

I met this girl in college. She told me she was from the next town over from where I hailed from. "Next Town Over!" I cried, "I live in Christy Town!" She was pretty jazzed. Flash forward, and she has started telling new people she meets that she is also from Christy Town. She told me where she lives. Exactly where she lives. It is not in Christy Town. She is definitely from next town over. Christy town is mine, hear?

So this was awhile ago and I got over it (or maybe I didn't, considering I just brought it up again). Today, a girl comes into library school class. Something is different about her. I then realize: it's the bangs. She has added bangs to her look. Not just bangs bangs. Christy Lou Who style bangs.

Maybe I did not make it clear. Bangs are my thing. I have bangs. They are stylish hipster bangs. They are MY BANGS. They can't be my bangs and random library school girl's bangs. It doesn't work that way. But once you cut bangs, you can't take it back. So our prof comments on random girl's new look and random girl smiles at me like she and I are the same now. We are the same, with our bangs. No. We are not. I smile weakly. In no way does my smile say "solidarity, sister".

I'm trying to act like I don't care about people copying me, but I just wrote a whole post about it, so clearly, I'm not okay with it. That might be completely jerky of me, not being okay with people copying me. But come on! I just sat through a presentation today on copyright. I write stuff down and it's mine, but I wear bangs and anyone can take them? That's a crap deal.

I wonder if there is any way I can copyright my face?

Confession, Chicago, and ChristyLouWho

2007-12-02T23:17:00.000-05:00

Oh, guys.

There is so much to catch up on and I miss all you NaBloers already. I never thought I would be the type of person that has friends whose diaries I read but I've never met. But now, I am that person. I'm pretty happy about it. while I was in Chicago, I referenced a couple things some of you Chi bloggers talk about to Sister. I think she's kind of getting used to the idea that i don't "know" you guys, but I know you guys. You know? It was really nice not having to blog yesterday, but I was uneasy all day, feeling Catholic guilt like I had knowingly blown it off and I needed to go to Confession. I'm sure that feeling will ease though, right? The blogging guilt, not the Catholic guilt I mean. I don't think the Catholic guilt ever goes away.

I'm off topic though. I wanted to tell you guys about the rest of my weekend in Chicago, which was so good. Our flight home was hell, which made me kind of feel like maybe Chicago loved me too and was trying to get me not to leave. "You're never going to find something with another city like what we have together!" Chicago warned. But we both knew I needed to go. When I landed back in my state, I started missing Chicago already. And when I drove my car instead of taking public transit, I felt weird and resented driving. I tried to look through my city in the eyes of someone coming from Chicago and it kind of didn't thrill me. Don't get me wrong, I love where I live. It's a good fit for me and I miss it when I'm not there. But I think Chicago gets a special place with me. Besides, I don't think this is the end of Chicago's and my love story. There's so many individual stories I have that I want to blog about, but I don't think tonight is the night. I am worn out (in a good way).

Well, maybe one story. You know how everyone was singing in Chicago on Friday? That continued on Saturday. We were eating at a sandwich place in elmhurst and Sister asked the owned what side of the tracks we needed to be on for the train to take us back in the city. The guy said he didn't know. Then, after I walked past him, he began singing Christmas carols in a falsetto voice. Then! we had some time to kill before the train came, so we went exploring through the town. As we set foot down the main drag, a speaker system from...somewhere (heaven? God? Is that you?) started blaring music (and I mean blaring in the most pleasant way possible). Oh, people of chicago and vicinity. You sure know the way to a girl's heart. I think maybe Chicago wants to try a long-distance relationship. I'll let you know how that goes.

To Chicago With Love from ChristyLouWho

2007-11-30T22:15:00.001-05:00

Not packing my running shoes was a really good idea, considering the amount of exercise I got today just from running around the airport and Chicago. But it is wonderful wonderful wonderful (God, how cheesy am I) and I've been smiling a ridiculous amount since we got here at...10. That's the nice thing about being from the eastern time zone. We leave, we get there, it's an hour earlier in Chicago, thus making it the same exact time. I mean, I understand how the whole thing works, but I still feel like I've time traveled a little.

I can't give you all the stories because it would take forever (and maybe you have an idea of how chatty I am able to get when I'm not being socially awkward?), but here are some highlights:
*Sister got us bumped to first class after our flight got canceled and we got thrown on another flight a half hour later
*I got us bumped to a more spacious hotel room
*We had quite possibly the best hotdogs ever at Portillo's (I might go back for a t-shirt, that's how amazing I thought they were)
*we shopped, of course (there are two floor Targets in Chicago! I think I'm moving)
*we took pictures of ourselves in ridiculous old woman hats
*we ate dinner at the Corner Bakery Cafe and it was delish

Also, as an aside, I am surprised at how many men there are walking around Chicago. Maybe I've been in the library profession too long, but I really think there's more guys walking around here than women. Not that I'm complaining, I just didn't think that happened anywhere, let alone major cities. Maybe they're just all hanging out on public transit though and making the count uneven? I don't know.

Also, I think lots of people in Chicago sing, because there were at least five people singing around me today. I'm not stereotyping, I really like that you all sing to me when I'm in the city.

And NaBlo is over! Although now I finally have something interesting going on (this weekend) and it's all said and done. Well, maybe not all said. But NaBlo is definitely done.

Chicago's Eve

2007-11-29T22:56:00.000-05:00

So I'm going to Chicago tomorrow as previously mentioned. I am in the process of packing. What I did was packed everything I could possibly want into two bags. The next step is to consolidate and make some decisions on what just has to go with me. But the biggest problem I'm running into is the footwear.

I've pretty much decided I need it all. I need my comfy boots. I also need my Pumas. It would also be really nice to have my Rocketdogs just in case. I made the executive decision that this is a no running kind of weekend, so my trainers stay here. Also, do I take sweaters? Do I take fun clothes? Do I dress like a eskimo (maybe there's snow there)?

I even want to take two different belts. Maybe I need to remind you I'm only going to be there until Sunday. In my head, I know it's ridiculous. But also in my head is this (whinier) voice saying, "But you neeeeed all of it".

In all truthfulness, I am so excited. I am excited Sister and I are going. I'm excited I'm going to see all sorts of stuff I've only heard about before. I'm excited to see some sweet libraries and where the Time Traveler's Wife was set (nerd). I love that we're seizing the day and doing this for us. I am excited to have the right footwear so I don't look like a freak (I'm just saying).

If all goes according to plan, my next blog post will be from Chicago!

Are My Mobster Roots Showing? Is that it?

2007-11-28T15:10:00.000-05:00

As usual, I have no idea what to expect when I go to my job. I've seen a lot, from a random kid running up and hugging my legs to being catcalled by a teen. I haven't had too many weirdos or crazy people. Today, however, was a first.

Since we're loading up our bookmobiles, it became my job today to wander through the picture books and find nice looking ones to ship to Outreach. As I was wheeling an empty cart carefully through the library, I came around the corner to see a seemingly normal mom and her son. I park the cart on the edge of a shelf and the woman says to her son, "You better be careful or she's going to get you with that cart. That librarian is going to get you and put you in with the fish if you don't behave". Ummmm.

Now, I am definitely not an expert on parenting and I consider myself pretty lenient with the families that come in and do random stuff in the library. But really? You're going to tell your kid I'm going to "get him" and put him "in with the fish"? Seriously? And! I had my hair in pigtails again (it's what happens when I need a haircut real bad). How can you think the pigtail wearing children's librarian is vicious?

It gives swimming with the fishes a whole new meaning. No wait, maybe it's the old meaning all over again.

Shuffle Pod

2007-11-27T21:55:00.000-05:00

The other day I was thinking, "Man, wouldn't I be embarrassed if all my bloggy friends knew what kind of music I really listened to?" and let it go at that. But then, Jamie and Lacey both tagged me for an iTunes type meme. That's when I realized I have to be honest with you guys. I have to let you know the real me. So even though this could be incredibly embarrassing, I'm doing this for you, the reader. Yes, you.

MEME Rules:

1. Put Your itunes/ music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT

After you’ve answered all of the questions, tag 5 other people and then let them know they’ve been tagged to do the meme themselves!

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
If You Leave-OMD

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
You Can Call Me Al-Simon and Garfunkle

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Far Far Away-Five Iron Frenzy (haha)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Video Killed the Radio Star-Buggles

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Sushi-Shonen Knife

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Play with Fire-The Rolling Stones

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Rockey Theme (awww)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Like a Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan

WHAT IS 2+2?
Tambourine-Eve

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
I got my mind set on you-George Harrison

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Gumption-Hans Zimmer

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Break on through to the other side-the Doors

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Drive Away-Gratitude

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Be Mine!-Robyn

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Fame-Irene Cara

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
The way I Are-Timbaland

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Les Champs-Elysees-Joe Dassin

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Like U Crazy-Mates of State

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Love You I Do-Jennifer Hudson

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
What Goes Around Comes Around-Justin Timberlake

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
It's a Fine Life-Newsies Soundtrack

Not going to lie, I might have cheated a little. But I couldn't let you guys know that I listen to Michael Bolton, could I? Oh wait...whoops...

And Lacey! I promise I have a ridiculous amount of Journey! My iPod just wasn't having it apparently...see, maybe I should be keeping this stuff to myself.

Maybe you should read the previous post about my social awkwardness for clarification?

So Awkward

2007-11-26T23:28:00.000-05:00

Today I had a socially awkward day. That happens to me sometimes, socially awkward days. Just about the time I think I'm immune to them they strike again.

Let me set a scene for you. Someone comments on how it's raining outside. Chatty ChristyLouWho is able to chat on and on about how yuck, it's raining, but the plants need it, just think of how that will be snow soon, then it will be christmas, oh man! You see where I'm going with this? I can be chatty like that comments asks for. You don't comment it's raining unless 1. there's nothing else to say or 2. you want to make small talk. Both of which I'm ok with and do well with, usually. We'll now use the previous example to show the difference today. It's raining out: yeah....*awkward silence). That kind of happened all day long.

I could give you other examples of how awkward I was today, but I'm wondering if this is enough awkward for one post. I mean, i could tell you how I told Garner I needed longer for an evaluation because I'm a mean jerk, or how I blurted out to my favorite coworker that I really liked her (what is that? why did I just blurt out, "You know, I like you"? It was platonic and superior to inferior but still. I'm so socially inept.)

So, really guys. I need to end the post here. don't make me say something I'll regret. Because with NaBloPoMo, I can't delete it. But beware of your comment sections. I have a streak going here.

Juanes is the New Stravinsky

2007-11-25T19:21:00.000-05:00

So I am developing this theory. You know how they've done studies about the best music to study to, and if certain kinds of music can make you smarter (and even if you can get Muffin to shut up when she hears certain genres of music)? I think that I realized what music makes me the most productive.

It all started because Sister is doing this thing with her 3rd graders where she enlisted my help finding all sorts of different music. We ended up with a ridiculously good cross-section (especially considering we had to practically run through the library to make it in time for the LouWho family tree farm experience). So Sister ripped them to her laptop and left them with me to return.

Right after Sister left, I had to continue the Library School Group Project from Hell. PowerPoint was involved. Hopefully, I don't have to say anything else for you to understand. I was in pain.
In an attempt to reduce the pain, I put in Now Latino.

It was amazing! I was creating slides at twice the pace! I was bopping and typing at the same time! I was smiling! Before I could say Las Posadas, my presentation was done. Is it because I don't know what they're saying? Is it their jazzy beats and tempos? I have no idea. All I know is I may need to go find Now Latino 2. I think I know something going on my Christmas list.

Oh, and if this post has not struck you with oddity, you should really check out "Na Na Na (Dulce Niña)" by A.B. Quintanilla III presents Kumbia Kings for further listening. especially if PowerPoint is about to suck your soul out of your body.

Now if only Muffin was around to test it out on...

Pillow-Therapy

2007-11-25T00:26:00.001-05:00

Sister has this eye mask pillow thing. She really likes aromatherapy so she has things liek eye pillows and incense and mist and all that. Tonight I asked, "do you really feel more peaceful with this thing on your eyes?" and plopped it on the bridge of my nose.
"Yeah, I really do"
"Even though it kind of smells like tree bark?" I said, my nose twitching a little.
"It's supposed to be relaxing" she explains.
"Hmm" I said, taking the thing off my face and handing it back to Sister.

A little later, I finally received a reply from my partner for a Library School presentation thing happening on Monday. I had been waiting all day for it, so i read it eagerly. Unfortunately, the reply just further stressed me out about this presentation.

I walked back into the other room. "I think Library School might kill me" I tell Sister.
Sister hands me the eye pillow.
It kind of grows on you.

It's me! ChristyLouWho!

2007-11-23T18:56:00.000-05:00

I have an appreciation for all things spy. I'm not sure why or when this originated. All I know is that I like Alias a little too much. When I was about to graduate from undergrad, I looked at the CIA website for possible career paths. When I had to evaluate a web site, I picked CIA.gov. I think you see where I'm going with this. Sometimes I even get a charge out of when something spy-esque occurs in my life. Maybe you're asking yourself what would qualify as spy-esque? Well, I'll tell you.

I recently got my hair cut so I have bangs. I know, it's not really a big deal at all--it's just bangs. But for some reason, people don't recognize me anymore. It's like I got plastic surgery or something. I've started having a lot of interactions that go something like this:
Me: Oh my gosh! Hi!
Them: (give me a strange look) Do I know you?
Me: you don't recognize me?
Them: (give me a funny, questioning look)
Me: It's me! ChristyLouWho!
Them: (squint a little and decide to believe me. Mostly.) Oh! It's you!

So today I was with Sister prancing around Kohl's (it's the most wonderful time of the year. Clearly, that calls for some consumer prancing). We saw a girl we were camp counselors with, we'll call her Campy. We weren't exactly going to go say hi since it was crazy busy and we haven't seen Campy for some time. But then we went to leave, and the metal detector at the door yelled to the employees that Sister was stealing things, so she went up to a Kohl's elf. The Kohl's elf didn't even care if Sister was stealing, but Campy noticed us and started yelling my sister's name. They small talked and she didn't even notice me. Finally, Sister said we had to go and Campy gave me The Smile. You know, The Smile. When you are talking to someone and another person is standing there, but you have no idea who they are but you want to include them so you throw The Smile in their direction. I gave her The Smile back.

When we were outside, I told Sister that our interaction with Campy probably meant I could be a spy. I mean, if I'm with a relative and they don't recognize me, when would they? The bangs are changing my life. And by changing my life, I mean probably leading me to a career with the CIA. Or a life filled with The Smile. Either or.

The hottest in the library

2007-11-22T21:06:00.000-05:00

What do a retired elementary school teacher, a upcoming elementary school teacher, and a youth services librarian in the making talk about over Thanksgiving meals? Children's book writers/illustrators. Who are also cute. After a Google image search of the ones we thought we would like the best, here's our top picks:

Mark Teague

Todd Parr

And Lastly...

Jarrett Krosoczka

And I like him even more after watching his Video about how Monkey Boy got published. Maybe you want to share in my nerdiness?

I totally want Jarrett to be my friend. We can bond over our unpronounceable last names and swing around park lampposts. I guess the real question is how are he and I not friends yet?? My mind is boggled too.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Home for the Holidays

2007-11-21T20:16:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I like getting together with everyone for the holidays. Everyone comes back in town, my family is all in one place (being loud and obnoxious and awesome).
And then other times, I end up being hoodwinked into seeing Enchanted. And that's when the holiday fun ends. Maybe it'll be better than I think it will?
(Sorry for the lame-esque post. The holidays are taking their toll on the blog)

Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra

2007-11-20T20:33:00.000-05:00

Today at work, I explained how when I was growing up, my family was very big into singing around the house. Not actual songs, just little snippets of some music reference that went along with the conversation. For example: if someone shines a flashlight in your eyes? It is expected someone will burst into "Blinded by the Light". Imagine thinking not only that this was normal, but that everyone did this at their home. That was me.
So today was the day I learned that not everyone grew up as if they were a member of the Von Trapp family. I was cajoled into thinking others grew up this way because of my friendship with Garner, who also grew up with an elementary school teacher as a mother. Garner and I are apparently the only people who grew up bursting into song like we're in a musical or something.

Anyway, the library folk found out I have no problem singing (not very well) in public and were amazed. Consequentially, I will be leading the Christmas Polar Express sing-a-long sans tacky Santa hat this holiday season. Get excited. Maybe I'll learn guitar in time to play some Christmas blues?

Additionally: I am in disbelief over this article about Sesame Street not being acceptable for children. Pay careful attention to the part where it says Cookie Monster is a model for early onset diabetes. I can't even handle it.

Also: We went to get Chinese food tonight. It made me think of A Christmas Story. We didn't get any duck, though.

Bad Hair Day

2007-11-19T12:39:00.000-05:00

I've never had an honest-to-goodness Bad Hair Day. I don't even count the permullet years in the 80s because I meant for it to look that way. I just didn't know it was not as stylish as I believed it was. But today? Today is my first bad hair day. I washed it. I blow dried it. I then put all this in my hair:

Nothing. So my hair is in pigtails. Again.

Apparently, I should get it cut or something.

Chicago

2007-11-18T03:40:00.000-05:00

So something has happened (that is a long long story) that has created a need for me and Sister to go to Chicago from Nov 30-Dec 2. And we are kind of poor. So if any of you have good ideas of how to get a cheap flight (airline choices, discount websites, etc.) it would be much appreciated.
And Elmhurst? Can I take public transportation from the city to Elmhurst?
It's times like this I wish I had decided on a career in flight attendant-ing instead of librarian-ing.

Dressed to Impress

2007-11-17T17:20:00.000-05:00

I accidentally wore the colors of the college football team from my state today. As usual, my boss and one of my male co-workers had quips to share with me about my clothing choice.
Boss-man: why is everyone wearing red today?
Me: early Christmas?
Jackson: look at you, supporting the team
Me: I am not supporting the team, at least not on purpose. You're wearing blue, that's anti-supporting the team.
J: I actually didn't even think about it. I'm a winter, so I can't wear red anyway.
Me: I'm Italian, so I can wear red anytime I want.
J: I value these conversations between you and I.