Librarian Days

Meeting new people is hard, or at least I think it is. That could be partially because I am reluctant to ever leave my home, but that's neither here nor there. My cousin was in town over the weekend, and with her I was able to meet a couple new people. The realization that came along with that whole experience is how much I love having a one-word job title. Let me illustrate.

In 2009 when I met a new person, this happened:

stranger: So what do you do?
me: Well, I'm a proposal manager.
stranger: Like wedding proposals? Har har.
FRIENDSHIP OVER.

In 2011 when I met a new person, this happened:

stranger: So what do you do?
me: I work in a library.
stranger: You're a librarian?
me: Well no not technically since I don't have my Master's yet, but mumble mumble.
STRANGER ASLEEP.

In 2012 when I meet a new person, this happens:

stranger: So what do you do?
me: I'm a librarian.
stranger: Oh cool.
ZING.

P.S. This is just a long-winded way of telling my blog that I've finished my Master's. BOOM SHAKALAKA.

Christmas Time

I am really in the Christmas spirit this year! I've gotten most of my Christmas presents! I bought myself a real tree! I made some garland! So pumped for Christmas! I'm also trying to keep my living room clean (at least) just in case anyone wants to come sit in the presence of my decorations (because that is pretty much all I want to do).

Happy birthday, Kaydee!

Kaydee and I went to school together beginning in kindergarten but it wasn't until fifth grade that we became real friends. The following summer we tearfully expressed our mutual love for one another and became official best friends. We passed notebooks back and forth in school to write notes to each other, we created a secret handshake, and we made up nicknames for other people and actions so we could talk about them freely while they were around. We went to the creek near her house and treated it like a huge adventure. We spent days at the pool, and evenings at Chili Peppers for the monthly ska night. She cried at the meanish sarcastic way my family communicates and I grew uncomfortable with the emotional nature of her family's interactions. We became unofficial members of each other's families.

I have always been pretty nerdy and bookish. By the time I was 7 or so, I was shockingly shy and reserved. Kaydee was the opposite. She loved it when people called her "weird" (but not "strange"!), and she was very theatrical and outspoken. Through our odd-couple type friendship, she really encouraged me to come out of my shell and to make my nerdiness something fun about myself rather than something to separate me from other people. Kaydee is and has always been intensely creative, which was something else she encouraged me to be also. She would force me (often against my will) to participate in art projects with her, to act in plays we created, to join an art and acting organizations at school, and to look at every day activities with a whimsical, imaginative eye.

We spent nearly every day together for four or five years, and I honestly feel that I would be an entirely different person if Kaydee and I had never been friends. We don't see each other often or keep up as well anymore, which I regret, but we're such old friends now that we can go months without talking and still be able to pick up right where we left off. Kaydee is unlike anyone else I have known. She and I are so different, but our lives have been woven together for over fifteen years now.

With all that said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAYDEE.

These are the only pictures of her that I can get to at work, but I think they're pretty representative.

Dad

I created my LiveJournal on January 24, 2001, which I realize is now over 10 years ago. WEIRD. Anyhow, I was an avid user during my high school years but have wisely since gone through and made private the 1000+ angsty entries I posted there. BUT in 2006, I wrote a post including a great series of photos of my dad. Because these photos are so great, I have decided to repost them here for mostly a whole new audience. (Sorry for the repeat, G!)

So this is a series I like to call, "MY DAD IS AWESOME BECAUSE..."

... he once was a baby who couldn't walk.... he has been an avid bike rider for over 50 years.... he wore this funny Gunsmoke tshirt.... he appears to have had at least one broken arm for most of his childhood.
... he could carry ten times his own weight.... he was friends apparently with "The Outsiders." (He's front/right, the small one).... he has this jawline that I have never seen.... he sported the comb-over for his senior picture.
... he is a smart ass.... he wore hats and drove this car (which later caught on fire).
... he thinks weddings (and that ruffle shirt) are HILARIOUS.... he loves my mom.... he had these bowling friends in the '70s and still has them now.... HE'S MY DAD!
(We also apparently only take pictures together around Christmas time.)

New Orleans

I went to New Orleans recently for a conference, and IT WAS FANTASTIC. I love it there! I also love every place I go, but New Orleans is special. I think maybe it's the perfect blend of slow southerness and urban walkability. The people are nice, the city is colorful, the food is delicious, and the sun was always close by. There's also a great balcony culture that I'm really into. In summary, I loved it and I want to go back. I could even see myself living there!

All the pictures I posted are here, but here are some highlights:


French Quarter








Garden District






People

The Last Couple Months (in Photos)

In April, I went to Massachusetts for Tim and Kate's wedding.

And spring happened.

And I went to Roanoke.

And Laura, Gabrielle, and I went to some wineries.