Baby's First Take Home Test

ick. That's my first thought.

Prof. Lopez was kind enough to give us a choice of when we wanted to pick it up and drop it off. So, I'm picking it up next Friday, Dec. 9th, and turning it in on the 12th.

The same day as my Contracts final.


Believe it or not, this was the most opportune time for me. Still.....ick. You know they expect perfection when its a take home test. How do I know this? Because she told us.

I am sooo not looking forward to it.

Help!

Its finals time.

I hate finals.

Finals mean barely posting (ha ha, you all know I post at.....during the day.)

Finals DOES mean barely reading all my favorite blogs, though. So, don't think I've turned my back on you all. I'm just drowning under the principles of promissory estoppel on the one hand, and the rule against perpetuities on the other hand.

I'll be catching up with you all after 12/19. Keep those posts warm for me! And feel free to drop your usual pithy and cheery comments here.

They make my day!

Oh yeah

The day after Thanksgiving, when I was flipping channels, I came across one of the zillion eps of World Series of Poker that always seem to be on. I stopped and nearly fell out of my Dad's new comfy big man recliner when I heard this guy's name. Its not a common name, by any means. Add to the fact that they said he was from Moline, Illinois and I was like "WHAT?! I know that guy!"

He didn't win. But it was still kinda funny.


Still not like PPC who sees someone she knows every time she steps out the door.......

Oh yeah

If you haven't seen The Boondocks yet, shame on you. It is HILARIOUS!

Betcha didn't know

Two things we have in the library:

1. Resurrection Blvd. This is one of my all time favorite TV series. I was sooo excited to see that we have it on DVD. Hispanic families are sadly lacking on tv. Hell, Hispanic PEOPLE are sadly lacking on TV. But to find a show that portrays a Hispanic family as something other than drug dealing and/or gang banging? Priceless. I cannot recommend this show highly enough.
2. World Series Collection. I was checking out the sports videos and was shocked to find that we have World Series baseball back to 1948! Who knew, huh? Fantastic! Now to see about getting them on dvd......

Well.....

I drove like a mad woman to get back in time to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with PPC and ML. I didn't make it (even going 90 at times....) but we just went to a later show. Duh. Thank God I didn't get a ticket! Or, you know, die.....


Thanksgiving was lovely. I left early Thursday morning and drove home. Prep was in the final stages by the time I got there at noon (after stopping at Starbucks on the way there.)

Dinner was fantabulous, naturally.

After dinner, there was gambling here. I remember a time when it seemed like I would win money just by stepping onto the boat.

Those days are looooooong gone. But, I only lost $20. Still, that was $20! :o) It was fun, though.

After that, we all went back home and played cards. I fell asleep early (much to the amusement of my cousin) and that was Thursday night.

Friday, I was up early. (again, much to the amusement of my cousin....) and we sat up watching early morning tv until everyone else decided to get up.

Breakfast here before shopping here. I spent so much time in Von Maur that its ridiculous! I still call it Peterson's, though. I can't remember when the name changed. It was quite awhile ago. Von Maur started in Davenport, IA. Its a hometown store. I LOVE it.

Friday afternoon, my two aunts, my uncle, and my cousin went home. They had a very full weekend planned. My cousin was moving, and my uncle was helping him. (Lucky man.) My two aunts were on their way to Minnesota to see another of my cousins. That left me, my sister and my dad and my nephew to our own devices. Our own devices, naturally, involved TV!

My sister and I started watching this movie around 7:30ish while we ate ice cream from here. You can't go to the Quad Cities without stopping here. It just shouldn't be done. I worked here junior and senior year of high school. Great fun. As for the movie........ It wasn't until later that I realized that it wasn't a movie but a mini-series. OOPS! No wonder it wasn't over when I went to be at 12:30! My sister stayed up and watched the whole thing, having been thoroughly sucked in by then. Not me. I went to bed and finished it Saturday morning. Which means I didn't leave on time.....

Which leads me back to being late to see Harry Potter. See how it all comes together?

Stop! Scam Artist!

So, last night, I'm sitting at my computer chatting with a friend. Nothing new about that, I do it every night.

Yes, every night. So what?! Its a ritual. A routine. A time honored tradition....

Anyway,

So, I'm chatting with her and the phone rings. Local number, but one that I don't recgonize. Its after ten, so it can't POSSIBLY be a telemarketer. (Even though I am on the Do Not Call list....)

Caller: May I speak to Robin?
ME: Speaking
Caller: Good evening. I'm calling about your Mastercard application. Its been approved for $5000. I just need to get some information from you.
ME: (long pause) I didn't apply for any Mastercard
Caller: (medium pause) Thank you. We'll cancel that for you. Good night.

Hmmmm, scam artist? After ten? On a Tuesday night?! Come on! When I tried to call the number back, it was a fax machine, or some other kind of data line.

Thoughts?

The Window Shopper Random Gentle Love Dreamer (RGLDf) Loving, hopeful, open. Likely to carry on an romance from afar. You are The Window Shopper. You take love as opportunities come, which can lead to a high-anxiety, but high-flying romantic life. You're a genuinely sweet person, not saccharine at all, so it's likely that the relationships you have had and will have will be happy ones. You've had a fair amount of love experience for your age, and there'll be much more to come. Your exact opposite: The Stiletto Deliberate Brutal Sex Master Part of why we know this is that, of all female types, you are the most prone to sudden, ferocious crushes. Your results indicate that you're especially capable of obsessing over a guy you just met. Obviously, passion like this makes for an intense existence. It can also make for soul-destroying letdowns. Your ideal match is someone who'll love you back with equal fire, and someone you've grown to love slowly. A self-involved or pessimistic man is especially bad. Though you're drawn to them, avoid artists at all costs. BEWARE: The Hornivore CONSIDER: The Gentleman, The Loverboy, The Boy Next Door Link: The 32-Type Dating Test by OkCupid - Free Online Dating

The Veteran You scored 80%!

You've picked up the majority of the classic rock basics. You probably have a classic rock collection and can sing along with most of the songs on your local radio station. This is not the highest score, but it is arguably the best: that subtle combination of impressive knowledge and not being a pretentious geek.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 20% on notes

Link: The BASIC classic rock Test written by allmydays on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

In case you didn't know

Getting out of class BEFORE 7? Yeah, that rocks.

Remove All Drinks

from your mouth, and the near vicinity.

Then, check out my site, as translated by Gizoogle.

Hilarious. Love how the Choo post translated Kelly's blog as "K-E-Double-Lizzy"

You'll never be Kelly again!

In an attempt to further fuel my unhealthy pursuit of Keith Olbermann

He's going to be on with Dan Patrick five (5, cinco, cinq, cinque) days a week! ESPN radio from 2-3 pm EST, starting next Monday.

Sweet God in Heaven! Bring it on!

Playmaker Wisdom

Out of the mouth of Michael Irvin.....

"You always focus on the glass being half empty. I'm telling you, focus on the glass being half full and if you're thirsty, drink what you have in front of you!"

HILARIOUS!

Okay, maybe you just had to be there.

Seriously

Why doesn't Starbucks deliver?

Ow

When you hold an instrument, you get calluses on your hand. When you stop holding an instrument, for five years or so, those calluses go away. When you pick up the instrument again, your hand hurts.

My hand hurts.

But, luckily for me, I can still play. Not as well as before, certainly, but I haven't forgotten everything. Reading music was never the issue, hardly a day went by at old Central when I didn't have to read music for one reason or another. But, since we moved to the Interim Central building, and I didn't have to do music reference anymore, that kind of dropped off.

But, my flute was calling to me the past few weeks or so. It could be because I was trying to avoid contracts. Yesterday, however, I did both. I played for an hour or so, and then did contracts. One was harder than the other.

Yesterday, I also stuffed myself at Cracker Barrel, watched my Raiders pull off an amazing comeback (boy, they SUCK this year) Watched most of the Colts...... Productive day.....sorta.

A great little book

Basically, its a cookbook. But, instead of Sardine, Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches (which I have seen in a cookbook before) its got those great familiar favorites that you'd expect to find in a diner.....or in my kitchen. Stuff real people actually eat! Hey, I'm all for the fancy schmancy cookbooks, too. They have their place. But, so do great little books like this one.

Let's see.....

Is she working on Saturday to keep from studying Contracts? Or Is she working on Saturday to keep from shopping (and still not studying for Contracts)? OR, is she working on Saturday because she was late three days this week?

All of the above?

Is she working on Saturday if she's blogging? Does that count?

End of an Era

Roy Keane leaves Manchester United. Love him or hate him (and many people hated him) he was a heck of a footballer.

God only knows what trouble he'll get into now!

Nice

When I got out of the car today my odometer read 11111.

Whew!

It is a bit chilly out there today. I got to stay up on the NW side this morning, spending the morning hours at Pike library.

That meant I had to go to Starbucks before heading to the branch. It was mandatory.

It was a beautiful, flurry morning. I tried to take a picture of it (yes, with my phone!) and it just didn't work out. Maybe I'd better put digital camera on my Christmas list.

I wasn't a bit surprised to hear "wow, you're the first black person I've seen working on this side of the desk."

I hear that EVERY SINGLE TIME I go to Pike. Every time. No exceptions.

Lots of rugrats in the building today. Story time. They're all so cute. And surprisingly well behaved. None of them were abandoned by their parents.

Dear Dasani Lemon

You're not supposed to be sweet! I've had water with lemon, my friend, and you are NO water with lemon. I shudder to think what your close cousin, water with raspberry, might taste like.

I'll be giving my money back to the original and tell all my friends to shun your lemony badness lest they be fooled as I was.

No, I'm not bitter. And neither are you.



Fraud.

The Sound of Fate Knocking

Listening to XM Classics today, they played Beethoven's 5th Symphony. I get chills every time I hear it. Love the minor keys. Anyway, so they were discussing it, and apparently the beginning four notes (oh, you know the ones) are supposed to be the sound of fate knocking. Fantastic! Of course, that motiff is repeated throughout the entire work, but what a great metaphor, huh?

God, I love music!

Should it stay or should it go?

Tornado siren goes off. Do you take your laptop with you down to the parking garage with you?

I left mine, and it was perfectly fine. Others took theirs and probably felt better having it with them. Is it a peace of mind situation, or am I just an idiot begging to get ripped off?

ick

I got caught in the deluge of rain that came roaring in around 4ish. Not fun. I had on a sweater, and now I must smell.....wet.....sweater for two hours until class is over.

I'm not pleased. I could catch my death of pneumonia wearing a damp sweater!

I was ever so tempted to just cut class and go home, but I wanted to go to the Democratic Law Society meeting. They were talking about Marion County judge elections, and it was very interesting. (Unnamed Source, if you're interested in contact information let me know, and I'll forward it on to you.)

So, was it worth it? Sure. I'm always glad to go to these things. I just wish I wouldn't have gotten quite so rained on.

sooooooo

I'm sitting outside class, on the incredibly shiny floor, waiting for Con Law to get out. I usually don't boot up so early, preferring not to have to pack everything back up to go in the classroom, but I was here super early. No point in just sitting here, listening to everyone eAAlses conversations.

not that they aren't interesting.

So, anyway, I have a ton of things to do this evening after class. A visit from cubs fan tomorrow spurs me to sew up a hole in my sweater so I can wear it tomorrow. Isn't that sad? Well, I have things to do! I can't spend all my time sewing up holes in sweaters! I should just get rid of it, actually, but I love it. Love. And its just a tiny hole. Its a turtleneck sweater, so if I turn the collar down, you might not be able to see it.........

Anyway, and then there is homework. There is always homework.

And then there are thank you notes for my birthday gifts.

And more homework.

Hey, if you complain enough, it will soon be time for class!

Good Morning!

Never take all the CDs out of your car. Let this just be a warning to you. I did this on Friday, and I wasn't really in my car over the weekend because I was driving my sister's car. On Monday morning, though, I was desperate for a CD. I reached into my reserves (my glove compartment) and found two. Two that I like, but not really what I was in the mood for. I'm used to having more choices than that.

Speaking of the weekend, Saturday my dad, sister and nephew came and we were going around town running errands. We came to work, that was a good time. Then we went to the law school. That was a good time. Then, off to Glendale for fall fest. That was fun. Then, off to Charlestons for dinner. The only time that I eat at Charlestons is when company comes. They all love that place. Then, off to visit the sweet Marsh up at Trader's Point. Then, finally, home. Home. Home. Home. Lots of TV watching, and watching everyone drop off to sleep.

Sunday, we went to brunch at the Savoy. I must say, the food was good. It wasn't fantastic, but it was good. The service.....was a little snobby at first. Part of it was my fault, I suppose, because I had made reservations, and more people showed than I thought they would. But, still, it wasn't like I added 10 extra people. They seemed a little put out. But, they warmed up, and everyone had a WONDERFUL time.

Around 1:30 ish, the Colts were on, and everyone was filing out the door back to Illinois. They wanted to be sure they gave me lots of time to study. (gee, thanks!)

Great weekend. Hope everyone had an equally good one.

Choo Me!

Kelly mentioned Choo shoes on her blog, and these are the ones I am now soliciting donations for. If I wore these, I might be a whole 5'5" or maybe 5'6"!

Maybe. I don't like this green color, though.

Wow

This cabbie waived the fare! Unbelieveable!

(that was just a little cab humor.....)

Friday Night Funnies

Cracking my silly ass up!

This is the kind of thing

that drives librarians absolutely crazy. On the one hand, we deal with an absolutely obscene amount of people who are teetering on the edge of sanity. Sometimes, they have fallen over the edge. We see it every day and interacting with them, as if they are sane, is not always the easiest of things to accomplish.

Oh, the stories we could tell! Maybe I'll get PPC to guest blog on here and tell some of her stories. She's got some GOOOOOOD ones. (none about you, though, Chuck! I don't think. We do have lots of sane patrons as well!)

But, the other side of that coin is this story. Okay, if you were to look over everyone's shoulder to see what they were googling...... This is why librarians react so badly to authority type people wanting to look and see what patrons are reading, and doing on the internet. Where do you draw the line? Is it entirely possible that this man (and this is the first time I've ever heard of this case so I obviously haven't done the research) killed his wife? Of course it is. Is it likely that some of his googling may have been a link into how he did it? Sure. People learn all kinds of strange things on the internets. Are the two necessarily connected? Not necessarily. People check out strange things from the library. Does that mean they are going to commit a crime, or are planning a crime? If a crime does happen, should that be a catalyst for pulling a library patron's record? Or taking a hard drive from the computer lab that said person may have used that day?

The reason this is foremost in my mind (today) is because A. I'm a librarian. You all knew that. B. Because we're thinking about adding a service which provides downloadable audio books/e books. This service, while meshing with out computer system, would still be hosted on its own server.......or something techy like that. Anyway, we, as a library system, don't keep a record of everything you have ever checked out. Once you return it, the record of you having checked it out is gone forever. This audio company, however, does keep records of everything you have ever checked out from their service. Technically, they wouldn't be our records, but still. It kind of gave everyone pause when they heard that. Nobody wants to get involved in that sticky situation.

Super Viagra?

My spam email says it exists. Anyone wanna fess up to knowing what that is all about.......

Polite Blood Sucking Schools

I've been to a few colleges. (namely, the ones listed along the links line on this page.) The worst part about that (besides the student loans) is that they seem to believe that I want to give them even more money.

None are so relentless in their pursuit of my alumni dollars as my undergrad. But, now they have taken to sending out little postcards saying that they are gearing up for their fall begging for alumni dollars drive.

Indiana State and University of Illinois are not nearly so bad about bugging me for bucks. But, then, those are two much larger schools than Monmouth College. On the flip side, those two bigger schools charge MUCH MUCH MUCH lower tuition than MC. Which begs the question: why the HELL do they need my donation anyway?

Hmmmmm

Crazy Story #1: Do people actually read those user agreements that are necessary for downloading nearly anything?

Prof. Wilson asked that in class tonight, and three people (out of 80) said that they read those things EVERY time.

Really? Every time? Even he said he's just an "I agree" clicker.

Crazy Story #2: So, I have to get up (and out) way too early this morning to get to the Hyatt downtown. I had agreed to pick up one of my co-workers. Both of these events required me to stop at the gas station beforehand.

Dammit. It was a little chilly this morning. But, of course, not cold enough for me to wear a coat. I had on a sweatshirt AND a turtleneck. What more do you people want?!

Anyway, so, I'm watching the dollars tick away on the pump, and I notice this woman sitting in an SUV at the pump next to mine. She's watching me. But, I'm too busy hiding my hands in my shirt sleeves to wonder what the heck she is doing. Pump finishes (20.81) and I replace the nozzle, put the cap back on my tank, gather my receipt, and get back in the car. While I'm futzing with my seatbelt, and finding a place for my purse to sit that won't be up my passenger's rear end, I notice that SUV woman gets out of her car and starts to pump the gas.

She was waiting for me to finish pumping my gas before she got out of her car? This is the kind of thing that would have made my dad say she was scared to be out in semi-darkness next to a black person.

I won't say that. I'll just say its suspicious. It's like when the woman at Marsh grabbed her purse to her, and glared at me, when I went by her with my cart. I'm fairly sure I hadn't robbed her, although there were those tequila nights as an undergrad that I don't particularly remember......

It's Friday so....

It must be time to steal a quiz from the Unnamed Source! (I love this time of the week!)

How old do you wish you were?
Hmmmmm.....I don't have a dream age. 21 was a good year, though.

Where were you when 9/11 happened?
On the music reference desk at Old Central library. God, I miss that building! It was first thing in the morning (of course) and people from other libraries were calling us to see what happened because NO ONE could get only ANY news web site. There was a big logjam.

What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
Put in more money. Hey, I'm just being honest!

Do you consider yourself kind?
No.

If you had to get a tattoo where would you get it?
The small of my back, probably. That way, you can still wear sexy dresses and it won't show unless you want it to.

If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
Spanish and/or Greek.

Do you know your neighbors?
You know, I know who they are. We have conversations, but we've never introduced ourselves. They're very nice.....

What do you consider a vacation?
Any where that isn't Illinois, Indiana or Iowa.

Do you follow your horoscope?
I'd say no, but I bet that would cause some people to post who have previously been shy! So, I'll be honest. I read it every day, but it hasn't really panned out....

Would you move for the person you loved?
Absolutely. Where are we going? :o)

Are you touchy feely?
I'd like to be......

Do you believe opposites attract?
No.

Dream job?
It changes, so I have no idea. Like Potter Stewart's much too often quoted quote "I know it when I see it."

Dream car?
One that goes..... I'm not a car person. Something with lots of buttons to press!

Favorite Channel?
English! Oh, sorry. What is my favorite channel? Discovery Times. History. A&E or BBC America. Take your pick.

Favorite Place to go on Weekends?
Um......

Showers or Baths
Baths. But who has time for those anymore?!

Do you paint your nails?
Absolutely

What do you like most about yourself?
Its a toss up between my left eyebrow and my sense of humor.

What do you like the least?
You wouldn't like me when I'm angry......

Do you trust people easily?
No, can't say as I do.

Do you live alone?
I do. At least, I think I do. If someone else is there, I don't need to know about it.

What truly frightens you?
Unemployment.

What are your phobias?
I detest clows and dolls. Detest.

Do you want kids?
Absolutely.

Do you keep a handwritten journal?
No

Where you rather be right now?
At home. Sleeping.

Who would you like to be more honest with?
I don't believe ANYBODY wants me to be more honest.

Who makes you feel guilty?
Homeless people. Makes me feel guilty for always saying "I want."

Are you a heavy or light sleeper?
Became a much lighter sleeper when I started living alone.

Are you a good dancer?
I'm not a horrible dancer. Let's leave it at that.

Are you paranoid?
I DON'T THINK THEY BLEW UP THE LEVEES!!! (geez!)

Are you impatient?
In the worst way

Would you ever have plastic surgery?
Sure, why not? (okay, I've seen pictures as to why not.)

Hey there now

Good Afternoon, Bloggerland.

Happy Veteran's Day to all, especially the vets. Your service does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Today, the library had its annual In Service Day. Basically, we sat around and chatted with our buddies from other libraries that we don't ever get to see. This year, as opposed to in years past, it was only a half day. So, for the second half, the fantastic trio of PPC, BBS and I went to Buca for lunch..............which lasted until 3:30!

Lunch consisted of a two Lemon Raspberry martinis complete with sugared rim glasses. (there were two of those for me!) A sampler platter with fried mozzarella, calamari (ick!) and shrimp. Quattro al forno (yum!). A piece of cheesecake that was, thankfully, split between the three of us, and three Irish coffees to end the day. How on EARTH I managed to walk BACK to campus AND come to class is simply beyond me.

Yet, here I sit. I still have time to go home.......

I'm very, very sleepy though.....

update: I forgot to add that after we'd ordered all of that food, and those yummy martinis, PPC pulls out her grape Discover card and decides she's going to pay for the whole thing. God love her. Thanks! It was a happy "Happy Birthday" lunch (for me) and "Congratulations" lunch (for BBS) indeed!

Huh

I log into my email and find that Sports Law has been added to by schedule. Either they opened up some seats, or some people had second thoughts. Yay me. Sadly, my one last day class, State Con Law, has to go. Believe me, I wish it was LARC III that I was dropping instead.

Today's CD

Alejandro Sanz, Unplugged. As always, there are a few really good songs on here, and the rest are just all right. Not really much to say about it other than that.

I'm your pusher

You know what? I get a lot of free books. Free. Free. Free. Books. Books. Books. ARC's or Advanced Reader Copies. Of all SORTS of things. Most of them sit on our shelves for months, and then get tossed. The ones that the staff don't snatch up for themselves, or snatch up for other people, that is. That was a very awkward sentence. Just ignore it.

Anyway, I came across this book that I'm giving to Sean and I thought......I wonder if any of my dear readers would like to read free books?

So, would ya?

We get everything from cookbooks to biographies to fiction, to just everything. Everything that publishers would like to sell to libraries. I'm more than willing to pass them along to interested parties. Just drop me an email, let me know what kinds of things you like, and I'll see what I can do.

Shameless Self Promotion

Today's my birthday
Its my co-workers birthday too, yeah!

Today's our birthday
I'm only working a half day!

Today's my birthday
Happy Birthday to me!


Oh yes, those are mellowcreme pumpkins in that shot. Hot Damn, do they know me or what?!

Yesterday's CD

I love him. I do. I only understand roughly..... half of what he says, but I still love him.

Fun Fun Fun!

Okay, I had a great weekend that I keep neglecting to write about.

Saturday: There was the Democratic Leadership Conference. It was at the law school and it was fantastic. There were Democratic leaders from around the state in attendance. There was much discussion about the issues surrounding the state, and ways to solve them. It was good to meet so many movers and shakers in the Democratic community, and it was very good to feel like I was doing something instead of feeling so......disgusted by our elected officials all the time. I met some very good people, was very impressed by a few, and I look forward to continued involvement.

Sunday: I went to Brunch at Puck's. Whoa. I'll say, right off the bat, that I have NEVER had mashed potatoes so good in all my life. Everything else was good too, but those potatoes are still on my mind three days later. Good stuff. Plus, one of my co-workers in a FANTASTIC piano player, and he plays every Sunday at the brunch. I believe he plays every Sunday. I'm sure he must get a Sunday off every now and then..... He's also very easy on the eyes in an Anderson Cooper kind of way. The food was fabulous, and I look forward to going back to try something off the menu.

The Last of the Trees

The ones around my apartment complex. The prettiest of all. (because I don't have to rake the leaves.)

Is this news?

You are a Social Liberal (76% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (25% permissive) You are best described as a: Strong Democrat Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Stolen from Kelly's page

CD of the Day

I'm so behind in my CD's of the day. So, lucky you, you get them all at once.


Black like me by John Howard Griffin and narrated by Ray Childs.

So, this is very odd. I spend a great deal of time buying books on CD (and cassette) but I detest them. Seriously. I've tried listening to all types, and I really, really, really find them boring. Even books that I loved sound boring on audio. But, every once in awhile, I find one that is tolerable. I don't even know why I keep trying, except that I"m a glutton for punishment. So, I was going to buy this when I realized we already had it. Lovely. And, I love the book, so I figured I would try it and see. It was amazing on CD. Even better than in print. Ray Childs was fantastic, and I highly recommend listening to this on CD, even if you have already read the book. And, of course, you all HAVE read the book, right? Right? I can't imagine that any of my incredibly smart blog visitors HAVEN'T read this book. If you haven't read it, please don't tell me. I don't want to know. Just go read it. or Listen to it. The "experiment" that is the focus of this book happened in 1959. The year my sister was born. Its still as relevant today as it was then.

I can't say enough about this book, and audiobook. So, I'll move on.

Illumination by Earth Wind and Fire.

I was afraid when I picked this one out. I thought, maybe, they had yielded to temptation, and they would be rapping and everything else like so many bands think they need to do to stay relevant after 30+ years of performing. I won't say my fears were unfounded, there were a few songs on there I definitely could have done without, but the overall cd was incredible.

Bach Works for Solo Violin by Lara St. John

She's not my favorite violinist, but she's not bad. I found this on the shelf and decided to give it a listen. I'm a huge Bach fan. St. John is good.


Take a joke America by Carlos Mencia

Not my favorite Carlos Mencia CD, but still funny. I'm looking forward to listening to the two others that the library has on order.


The Truth (with Jokes) by Al Franken

Again with the audiobooks. I knew I wasn't going to read this one, so I thought I would see if it was tolerable on audio. It is read by Franken himself, and has audioclips of speeches and talking heads that he quotes (and then slaughters.) I imagine this one would be better heard than read for just that reason. Very hilarious and frustrating at the same time. Makes work go by much faster, though. I'm listening to this one now, and almost finished, so I'll be back on the music. Thankfully.

Good Morning, Gentle Readers

Hiya! Thanks for all the bucking up about my crappy schedule next semester. I needed it! It'll be fine, I'm sure. And, I have no idea where I might be taking the bar exam, but Indiana is as likely as anywhere else at this point. State Con Law really won't be that bad. I did change my LARC to the Tuesday night version. It was more a "fun with friends" switch than anything strategic, although, I will be much happier with that prof than the other.

Everything else remains the same.

Robin's sad tale of woe: Registration aftermath

Okay, it really wasn't that bad, I guess. I mean, it could have been worse.

I waitlisted Sports Law. I think I'm #10 or 11 so I don't really expect to get in. That's fine. I have until May 2008, so I hope it'll be offered again.

LARC III --- well, I had few choices. The one I wanted, which would have made my life very pleasant, was full. Natch. So, I had two choices. Take it on Tuesday night from 6-8 or take it with someone I'd rather not take it with. Rock, meet hard place. Hard place, rock. So, since my ultimate goal was NOT to have a Tuesday night engagement, I took door #2. Its only a semester, and I think I'll live.

Of course, when I was telling a friend about my choice, she got VERY excitable. And not in a good way. Told me to drop the class and run like hell. I'm made of sterner stuff. I can survive one semester.

Right?

Anyway, so that is going to be a day class. Getting the time off work won't be a problem so I decided I might as well take another day class since I had two more hours to fit in. Legislation was booked, soooooooo......... State Con Lawwas the winner. Its right before (or right after, I can't remember) LARC III so I'm there until 12 on Tuesday/Thursday, and then I have the rest of the time to work late if that's how I wanna make up my time. (the other option would be coming in on Saturday, which is fine too.)

So, the roundup:

LARC III
State Con Law
Property II
Contracts II

Monday, Wednesday and Friday night (Contracts and Property)
Tuesday/Thursday during the day, done by 12.

Not bad at all, I suppose. Just.....not what I wanted.

Strict Constructionists would say......

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

is pretty clear, right?

I'm not sure how they would get around that without a constitutional amendment. For a party who doesn't want the constitution to change, they sure keep trying to change it an awful lot.

Pay your bill, dumbass!

that would be me.

I went to register (not at the appointed time, but an hour later because I forgot!) and found that while I could input classes AS IF I was registering, I wasn't REALLY registering. Classes deleted. Why?

Because, sometime between me having a big fat ZERO balance, and today, a $125 charge appeared on my record. The charge is legit, its for my parking pass. Silly me, I had just assumed that it was paid with all the other things like tuition and Recreational fees. Nope. Its a separate charge that just showed up a few weeks ago. The only time I go into Onestart is to check for grades, to register, and to check for grades! So, I had no idea I owed money.

I promptly paid the bastards, but the BLOCK doesn't come off my record until tomorrow. I'm really only concerned about my preferred LARC III class and, of course, Sports Law. But, its not devestating. I had contingencies (as you all know.) Still, I'll feel much better after I register tomorrow.

Note to self: Don't be a dumbass. Check Onestart more often.

Ugh

So, Keith Olbermann played a bit of the K-Feddy song on his show last night. Of course, we had googled it at work earlier in the day and laughed our butts off so it wasn't new to me. But, KO's comments and facial expressions WERE new. And good. As always.

Why couldn't HE have been holding auditions for wives instead of Tom Cruise? Seriously.

Anyway

Its Friday. I'm sure that means something to most people. To me it means: Property.

Oh yeah, and its Registration Day: Reloaded.

All Woodward no Bernstein

Bob Woodward has been all over God's Green Earth talking about the whole Plame investigation. Bernstein? Not so much. Although, I did find this in Editor and Publisher. Interesting.

Once again, I have to tout the amazing-ness of this library system. Tuesday night, in Immigration Law, Prof. Lopez showed us part of a film called Well Founded Fear about asylum officers and political refugees seeking asylum. It was amazing. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one getting all teary eyed.

In the middle of class.

Maybe I was the only one.

Anyway

So, of course, we didn't have time to see the whole thing. But, at the Central library, there it was, sitting on the shelf. It has NEVER gone out, and yet, our librarians were smart enough to know that even if no one has checked it out, we still need to have it on the shelf. Good for them. Out of the millions and millions of titles that pass across their desks each year, I'm always amazed at how often they pick the RIGHT ones. Don't tell me we don't need subject specialists picking things for our collection. Our library system is going to be less without their expertise.

But, for now, I get to finish watching my video. Yay for me.

I rock

Harlan Coben says so.

Seriously, though, if you haven't read his books, you're missing out on good stuff. He's hilarious as well as just plain good.

And he's got GREAT taste.

(again, sorry about the blurry....)

Jealous Trees

Somehow, the trees outside my office found out that I was touting the gorgeous leaves of OTHER trees, and wanted their day in the spotlight too. Damn prima donnas......

An Endless Sea of Silly Pics.

Someone (who shall remain nameless, PPC) gave me an official blade of grass from Fenway Park. Yes, it was a fundraiser, but who cares?! It's hilarious! Sorry for the blurry photo. My phone doesn't handle the "camera" part so well when it comes to photographing things with words.

Oops

I ordered this book back in September. It appears to be available on Amazon, although the library hasn't gotten its copies just yet. Today, I read a review. Let me just share it with you.


"A bizarre and overwrought first novel, the first in a trilogy, about humans who worship and live side by side with dragons."

Zarq Darquel, daughter of a "dragonwhore" knows as a Djimbi, is a peasaont girl living on the dragon estate Clutch Re. She first learns of her mother's deviant nature during a complex and sexually perverse apprenticeship induction ceremony known as Mombe Taro, and her life is never the same after that. Her sister, Waivia, who sought to become an ebani -- a royal concubine-- but instead becomes a sex slave, is taken far away from Zarq and her mother. Zarq, who then loses her mother to insanity, finds herself with few options and sets off for the dangerous Zone of the Dead and on to other strange places in search of her sister. Cross seems to be trying to make dragons the new vampires. The trouble is that while vampires were once human, dragons would be considered animals, so any sexual tension Cross creates is akin to bestiality, resulting in a truly ridiculous and at times revolting fantasy. The narrative is further bogged down by turgid, faux-archaic prose, with stilted dialogue whose only otherworldly characteristic is the tendency to end sentences with "hey-o"

Wretched drivel of the sort that gives fantasy a bad name."

Well. That's a good review, don't you think? I probably still would have ordered it..... maybe . PW has a much different review (which you can see on amazon's page.) Still....

Almost that time

that's right, for picking classes. Yippee!!! Let's see.....I think I'm going to take.....

Property II
Contracts II

Sports Law (could I BE more excited about this one?)

LARC III (could I be LESS excited about this one?)

If, for some reason, Sports Law is full, I'll be taking Legislation.

That's the plan. We'll see what actually happens on Friday afternoon.

Stupid

fucking republicans

Sweet nothings

emphasis on nothing.....

Happy November, everybody! It looks like we're going to be eased into the month with warm temps. WHOOO! Gotta love the 60s!

Ahem. Anyway....

I'm constantly bombarded with stupid book titles. Puns and the like. Mostly, these are mysteries. Its all in the advertising, though, right? "Knit one, kill two" is going to make people buy the book? It seems so. This one was actually clever, though: Voicemale: What Husbands really think about their marriages, their wives, sex, housework and committment. Of course I'm going to read it. What a silly questions!

On a hotter note, two of my favorite classical musicians were on Saint Paul Sunday a few weeks ago. I would feel bad that I missed it, except I've never ever HEARD of Saint Paul Sunday. Anyway, Zuill Bailey is probably my favorite cellist, even if he's not quite as good as Rostropovich. He's certainly hotter. Hey, hot counts. Sorry. Awadagin Pratt is most definitely my favorite pianist. I don't really like classical piano, but you can't help but like when he plays. He is amazing. Together, the two of them are amazing. I highly recommend clicking the link and having a listen. Its part interview with the two of them, part performance. If you're interest in classical music but have no idea where to start, or if you think you have absolutely no interest, I think you'll like it. If you like classical music already, I'm not telling you anything new.