I know I promised this post yesterday, but I got busy at work with some truly horrible nonsense, which will continue to plague me for the next two weeks, and will likely cause me to threaten to quit (again) but actually suck it up and stay here because no one is hiring right now. Anyway, I've been doing some reading lately, so I thought I'd share.
Several months ago, I was bored at the airport, so I wandered into the book store and picked up The Other Boleyn Girl. I hadn't seen the movie, but I am a huge dork who enjoys reading about European history as long as it's exciting. Enter the Historical Fiction genre. Basically the events that happen are all real, but the characters feelings and actions are fictional. A good historical fiction writer does a ridiculous amount of research before writing a book, and then you get to enjoy the fun book without having to deal with the boring research. See how fun that is? Anyway, the book was excellent, and I've always had a weird fascination with Tudor England (no, I've never watched The Tudors, because I don't subscribe to fancy movie channels, but I'm planning to rent the DVDs when I'm bored over Thanksgiving). Anyway, the book was excellent.
So I went to the author's website, and she has all sorts of stuff about research on there and about her books and whatnot, and I decided to buy The Constant Princess, which took place before The Other Boleyn Girl. It is about Katherine of Aragon. It was so good, that afterwards, I went back and re-read The Other Boleyn Girl in order to go in the correct time order (see? I'm dorky). Last week, I purchased and read The Boleyn Inheritance, which is about Henry VIII's marriages to Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard (wives 4 and 5). It was also excellent. The next book in time order should be The Virgin's Lover, about Elizabeth I. I started it last night.
Philippa Gregory's most recent book moves out of England and to Mary Queen of Scots, but it's not out in paperback yet, so I have yet to purchase it. Seriously. These are good books. I briefly searched for a good book to read about Marie Antoinette after seeing the Sofia Coppola movie, but never found one, so if I have any other dorks out there that know one, let me know.
Well, I have to get back to the grind now, so here's a brief summary: I'm a dork, buy these books, they are good. I'll try to update again soon.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
How did this happen?
So remember my whole "I'm going to take the day off Friday and get lost of things done" routine? It wound up being crap. First, I decided to get to early voting ASAP because I had heard horror stories about the lines. So I went to the library when it opened and OH MY GOD. The uptown library takes up a full city block and the line was wrapped around the damn thing twice. I walked directly out and went to another place within walking distance. The line was much shorter, but it still took me THREE HOURS to vote. Well, it really took about 5 minutes to actually vote, but three hours to get into the room with the voting machines. Seriously. Crazy.
So that not only ate up a substantial portion of my day, but also put me in a foul mood. So I skipped working out and went directly to Target, ate a soft pretzel because I was STARVING from waiting to vote all damn day, and bought a bunch of stuff. Then I went home and made some chocolate rice crispy treats for the tailgate. Then Blake came home and proclaimed that he needed me to go ski jacket shopping with him, and when he added in dinner at Moe's rather than me having to cook, I joined. By the time we got home, it was after 9 and I still had to bake cookies. Crazy.
Saturday was a little bit better. I went to pilates in the morning and then stopped by Cooking Uptown before heading to Winston to sign me and Susan up for a cooking class in January that is all different kinds of risotto. You know how I love risotto. Then I headed up to the game, tailgated a bit, and then watched Wake come entirely too close to losing to Duke. Seriously. WTF. The game went into overtime, and if it hadn't been for Duke's missed field goal that caused us to go to overtime, or the awesome overtime interception by Wake in the end zone, we would have lost. TO DUKE. Not acceptable. The only think Duke is supposed to be better than us at is basketball. And that statement was all-inclusive.
We were super grateful for the extra hour of sleep Saturday night, because good lord, these football games really take it out of you. Yesterday was filled with chores and cleaning and such. I also made some tasty chicken marsala. And throughout last week and over the weekend, I read a book. There will be another post about that later. So, to sum it up, even my long weekend was busy. Good grief.
It's just another normal week in Charlotte now. I'm planning to post later or tomorrow with some suggested reading that I've been hoarding for quite some time.
Now I'd like to take just a minute to congratulate Kristin and David Washam on the birth of their baby girl, Lexie Blake Washam on Saturday night. Best wished to the family, and I hope I can come and see her next week. Look how freakin cute.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Another Early Weekend
Well kids, I'm not terribly busy at work this time of year, so I think I'm going to take tomorrow off. For two reasons really: 1) because it's boring here and I want to sit on my couch instead, and 2) some children are coming to trick-or-treat around the office, and I don't generally enjoy kids.
Most of the reason that I need the day off though is because I want to early vote. However, apparently that takes about 2 hours around here because everyone and their mom wants to early vote. I almost wonder if it would just be faster to vote next Tuesday, but when confronted with the possibility of taking the day off and using voting as an excuse, it's a pretty easy decision to make. I actually just registered to vote for the first time this year (I know, it's pathetic that this is the third presidential election that I've been eligible to vote for but I only just registered, blah blah blah). And really, without sounding preach-y or forcing you all to listen to my political affiliations, I only registered because the mayor of Charlotte is running for governor, and as a property owner in Charlotte, I want him to win. Because right now all the governors have been from Raleigh, a city where everyone thinks that Charlotte doesn't need any taxpayer money even though we provide a crapload of the taxpayer money in NC, and that is lame. To be completely honest, I don't care for either of the presidential nominees, and I have seriously considered writing in Tim Calhoun, the character from SNL, as my selection for that race.
Anyway, after I get the voting out of the way, I plan to hit the gym, get my first Starbucks hot chocolate of the season (a payoff for hitting the gym 5 times this week), lift and do some yoga, stop at Target, do my baking for the tailgate on Saturday, and make dinner. Somewhere in there I'd also like to sit around and maybe read, but I don't think that sounds like it's going to happen. It's going to be a pretty busy day considering that I was supposed to come to work too.
As I mentioned, our main event this weekend is the football game Saturday...we're playing Duke at home and unfortunately there is a very real possibility that we will lose. I will be thoroughly embarrassed if that happens. Other than that it's just errands and chores the rest of the weekend. And an office watching party at Cory's tonight. Yay.
Have a good weekend. And Happy Halloween! And don't forget to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night (yay).
Most of the reason that I need the day off though is because I want to early vote. However, apparently that takes about 2 hours around here because everyone and their mom wants to early vote. I almost wonder if it would just be faster to vote next Tuesday, but when confronted with the possibility of taking the day off and using voting as an excuse, it's a pretty easy decision to make. I actually just registered to vote for the first time this year (I know, it's pathetic that this is the third presidential election that I've been eligible to vote for but I only just registered, blah blah blah). And really, without sounding preach-y or forcing you all to listen to my political affiliations, I only registered because the mayor of Charlotte is running for governor, and as a property owner in Charlotte, I want him to win. Because right now all the governors have been from Raleigh, a city where everyone thinks that Charlotte doesn't need any taxpayer money even though we provide a crapload of the taxpayer money in NC, and that is lame. To be completely honest, I don't care for either of the presidential nominees, and I have seriously considered writing in Tim Calhoun, the character from SNL, as my selection for that race.
Anyway, after I get the voting out of the way, I plan to hit the gym, get my first Starbucks hot chocolate of the season (a payoff for hitting the gym 5 times this week), lift and do some yoga, stop at Target, do my baking for the tailgate on Saturday, and make dinner. Somewhere in there I'd also like to sit around and maybe read, but I don't think that sounds like it's going to happen. It's going to be a pretty busy day considering that I was supposed to come to work too.
As I mentioned, our main event this weekend is the football game Saturday...we're playing Duke at home and unfortunately there is a very real possibility that we will lose. I will be thoroughly embarrassed if that happens. Other than that it's just errands and chores the rest of the weekend. And an office watching party at Cory's tonight. Yay.
Have a good weekend. And Happy Halloween! And don't forget to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night (yay).
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
WTF
I came to NC for college largely for the weather. And I stayed here after college largely for the weather. Do you see where I'm going with this?
Three weeks ago, it was still 85 degrees outside. We went out on the lake when my mom and sister were here on October 7th for god's sake. I was preparing for the NC fall...a string of 70 degree sunny days where a no coat or the occasional light jacket would be appropriate until roughly Thanksgiving. And that's how it went for about 5 days. And then last week was a bit chilly. Ok fine.
This week is has been in the THIRTIES when I walk to work in the morning. SERIOUSLY. I wore zero jacket three weeks ago and I have now moved onto wool coats and gloves. WTF. Where did the fall go? So help me god, if it snows here before January (or at all, really), I'm going to have a coronary.
Remember when I used to complain about how effing hot it was during Wake's home football games in September? I might be a bit concerned about the 4 coming up in November...because it's going to be chilly. Good thing we sit on the sunny side of the stands. And that I have Uggs.
Damn you mother nature.
Three weeks ago, it was still 85 degrees outside. We went out on the lake when my mom and sister were here on October 7th for god's sake. I was preparing for the NC fall...a string of 70 degree sunny days where a no coat or the occasional light jacket would be appropriate until roughly Thanksgiving. And that's how it went for about 5 days. And then last week was a bit chilly. Ok fine.
This week is has been in the THIRTIES when I walk to work in the morning. SERIOUSLY. I wore zero jacket three weeks ago and I have now moved onto wool coats and gloves. WTF. Where did the fall go? So help me god, if it snows here before January (or at all, really), I'm going to have a coronary.
Remember when I used to complain about how effing hot it was during Wake's home football games in September? I might be a bit concerned about the 4 coming up in November...because it's going to be chilly. Good thing we sit on the sunny side of the stands. And that I have Uggs.
Damn you mother nature.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Weekend in FL
First, let's just start with the awesomeness that was Must See TV Thursday. Because I didn't work on Friday, so that counts as weekend time. I've been giving Kath & Kim a go, and it was really really funny this week. You just have to completely embrace its ridiculousness and you'll be good to go. The Office was also awesome, and the SNL Thursday was great, with Will Ferrell showing up to play George W Bush one last time. Can we talk for a moment about how crazy it is that Amy Poeler did that hilarious Palin rap on SNL last Saturday and then went into labor this Saturday? I can't believe she was that boisterous less than a week before having a baby. I imagine that when I'm pregnant, at that point all I'll be doing is beaching myself on the couch with a bucket of KFC. And a milkshake of some sort.
Anyway, Friday I just got up, lifted, packed, and headed to FL. It was hot and humid, but cloudy and rainy the whole time we were there, which was lame. It was good to see the family even though Wake lost an embarrassing game on Saturday. We had an early afternoon flight on Sunday so it was a short trip. But we had lots to do Sunday afternoon.
So this made me want to kill USAir. On the way down, I didn't get automatically upgraded. However, once I was on the plane in my seat, they came over and told me they had a seat in first class for me. I declined because I was already seated and Blake had the middle seat so I didn't want him stuck there if I wasn't in the window seat next to him. Apparently, when I declined the upgrade, USAir somehow "lost" the fact that I was even on the plane. Because when I got to my dad's, I went online to check my email and saw that I had been automatically upgraded for the flight on Sunday. So I go to USAir.com to pick my first class seat (I like the window) and it won't let me because my reservation has been "cancelled." 45 minutes on the phone with USAir later (including about 20 minutes on the phone with an effing recording), I find out that they somehow lost track of my being on the first flight so they automatically cancelled my return flight. Fortunately, I saw this on Friday and not Sunday, so they were able to fix it for me and put me back in first class. The flight was oversold Sunday, so if I hadn't seen this ahead of time, I would have had to scream at airport people, and I was not prepared to do that.
Other than that nothing big really happened. It's back to the grind now. I guess I have to work a full week this week, which is lame...if I actually sit here until 5:30 on Friday I'd be shocked. We'll see. I'm not really busy enough this time of year to stay amused in the office on a Friday afternoon.
Anyway, Friday I just got up, lifted, packed, and headed to FL. It was hot and humid, but cloudy and rainy the whole time we were there, which was lame. It was good to see the family even though Wake lost an embarrassing game on Saturday. We had an early afternoon flight on Sunday so it was a short trip. But we had lots to do Sunday afternoon.
So this made me want to kill USAir. On the way down, I didn't get automatically upgraded. However, once I was on the plane in my seat, they came over and told me they had a seat in first class for me. I declined because I was already seated and Blake had the middle seat so I didn't want him stuck there if I wasn't in the window seat next to him. Apparently, when I declined the upgrade, USAir somehow "lost" the fact that I was even on the plane. Because when I got to my dad's, I went online to check my email and saw that I had been automatically upgraded for the flight on Sunday. So I go to USAir.com to pick my first class seat (I like the window) and it won't let me because my reservation has been "cancelled." 45 minutes on the phone with USAir later (including about 20 minutes on the phone with an effing recording), I find out that they somehow lost track of my being on the first flight so they automatically cancelled my return flight. Fortunately, I saw this on Friday and not Sunday, so they were able to fix it for me and put me back in first class. The flight was oversold Sunday, so if I hadn't seen this ahead of time, I would have had to scream at airport people, and I was not prepared to do that.
Other than that nothing big really happened. It's back to the grind now. I guess I have to work a full week this week, which is lame...if I actually sit here until 5:30 on Friday I'd be shocked. We'll see. I'm not really busy enough this time of year to stay amused in the office on a Friday afternoon.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
It's my weekend (almost)
I don't come to work tomorrow because I'm going to my dad's house in Florida this weekend. While we're there, we're going to go see the Wake vs Miami football game. And Wake had better pull their shit together and win this one. I don't need another Maryland situation on my hands.
So today's going to be a constant struggle to be productive when the weekend is upon me. Tomorrow before the flight I'm going to try to get to the gym and do a pilates video because I have to miss my pilates mat class on Saturday (sad). Our flight is at 2:30, so I should have time to do that and pack and then leave.
Tonight AJ and I are having an office viewing party at her house. I'm so pleased that new episodes of the office exist again. It really makes my life complete.
I'll be back in the CLT Sunday afternoon, when I'll be in a mad rush to get errands and cleaning and laundry done. And then next week it's back to normal. I'm hoping to be able to sneak out of the office early one day next week and go make my scooter purchase (I'm pumped).
It seems like Charlotte has gone ahead and made the executive decision to completely skip the fall this year and go directly to winter. Which makes me sad, because I love the fall time here. It's like 65-75 degrees out and windy, and a light jacket is all you need. It's perfect. However, it was still in the 80's two weeks ago, and now we've dipped into the 50's. It was literally 40 degrees outside when I was walking to work this week. I realize that this isn't really "winter" weather most places, but it is here. Bad News: I'm freezing my ass off in the morning. Good News: Ugg weather. There's no better way to show your coworkers that you refuse to care about your presence in the office than to wear Uggs and corduroys around all day. And that is my plan for the day. :)
So today's going to be a constant struggle to be productive when the weekend is upon me. Tomorrow before the flight I'm going to try to get to the gym and do a pilates video because I have to miss my pilates mat class on Saturday (sad). Our flight is at 2:30, so I should have time to do that and pack and then leave.
Tonight AJ and I are having an office viewing party at her house. I'm so pleased that new episodes of the office exist again. It really makes my life complete.
I'll be back in the CLT Sunday afternoon, when I'll be in a mad rush to get errands and cleaning and laundry done. And then next week it's back to normal. I'm hoping to be able to sneak out of the office early one day next week and go make my scooter purchase (I'm pumped).
It seems like Charlotte has gone ahead and made the executive decision to completely skip the fall this year and go directly to winter. Which makes me sad, because I love the fall time here. It's like 65-75 degrees out and windy, and a light jacket is all you need. It's perfect. However, it was still in the 80's two weeks ago, and now we've dipped into the 50's. It was literally 40 degrees outside when I was walking to work this week. I realize that this isn't really "winter" weather most places, but it is here. Bad News: I'm freezing my ass off in the morning. Good News: Ugg weather. There's no better way to show your coworkers that you refuse to care about your presence in the office than to wear Uggs and corduroys around all day. And that is my plan for the day. :)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
2.5
The amount of time, in days, that I actually dealt with my bangs being in my face. Halfway through the day yesterday, I pushed them over to the side. They still look cute, and they're much easier to tolerate this way. But they're a bit short for this look...so I'm going to let them go an extra week before I get them trimmed so that I can continue to brush them out of my face. Bonus: that's what my hair wants to do anyway no matter how much I try to style it, so it makes my life much easier.
My private pilates lesson last night thoroughly kicked my ass. I'm going to try to use the instructor from last night for the rest of my private lesson life. She was awesome. I was really sweaty. Which was good, because when I went to the gym to do cardio yesterday, halfway through my routine there was a fire drill in the building. Eventually, they told us we didn't have to leave, but I had already dismounted from the bike I was using. So my cardio situation yesterday was piss poor. Today is lift/cardio/yoga day. Lifting was done this morning. And I'm going to have to push myself at the gym this afternoon to make up for yesterday's botch. Sigh.
My private pilates lesson last night thoroughly kicked my ass. I'm going to try to use the instructor from last night for the rest of my private lesson life. She was awesome. I was really sweaty. Which was good, because when I went to the gym to do cardio yesterday, halfway through my routine there was a fire drill in the building. Eventually, they told us we didn't have to leave, but I had already dismounted from the bike I was using. So my cardio situation yesterday was piss poor. Today is lift/cardio/yoga day. Lifting was done this morning. And I'm going to have to push myself at the gym this afternoon to make up for yesterday's botch. Sigh.
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