In order to prepare for school, I'm trying to buy all the things I would like in my apartment while I still have an income. None of these things are necessary, just stuff that would be nice to have. They include:
1. Warm dress winter coat that fits well.
2. Black leather boots with 2' heels.
3. Food processor
4. Blender
5. Printer/Scanner/Copier
This stuff isn't particularly expensive but it will all add up.
Also, do I replace my VHS tapes with DVDs? I have them all sitting in my Amazon cart. Ready to go. But the cost seems TOTALLY unjustifiable. I already have them movies. This is more a collection thing than a "I'll watch these movies all the time" thing.
I guess I'll let them sit for a little while longer until I make up my mind. (I really shouldn't obsess about this stuff so much.)
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
T Magazine Time!
Awww Yeah! It's that time ladies and gentleman. What time? T Magazine time where we learn about ridiculously overpriced and funny looking fashion!
I was happy to see Emily Blunt on the cover. (Devil Wears Prada is MUCH better than you might think. Watch Streep when she discusses the women on the US Supreme Court. Classic. And telling.)
This issue was kind of a letdown. Most of the fashion wasn't awful and only mildly overpriced. Until you get to "Drama Queen." Grown women should never, EVER wear minis with thigh highs unless they're in the business. And spending $39,500 for a jacket is just silly. Especially one that looks like that.
I was happy to see Emily Blunt on the cover. (Devil Wears Prada is MUCH better than you might think. Watch Streep when she discusses the women on the US Supreme Court. Classic. And telling.)
This issue was kind of a letdown. Most of the fashion wasn't awful and only mildly overpriced. Until you get to "Drama Queen." Grown women should never, EVER wear minis with thigh highs unless they're in the business. And spending $39,500 for a jacket is just silly. Especially one that looks like that.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Hair
The barber cut my hair short today. Really short.
He's supposed to use a 1.5 guard. But he used a 1. I was sitting in the chair thinking "Ask him if he has the right guard on. Ask him. Ask him now." But I didn't. Two strokes and it's over. Almost bald head. No choice but to keep going.
*sigh*
The 1 is 3.0mm (1/8 inch) while the 1.5 is 4.0mm (5/32 inch). This might seem like a minuscule difference in hair shaft height but it isn't. With a 1.5 I look like I have some hair but with a 1 I look like my hair is just growing in. It's subtle but important.
The main problem with the whole really short hair thing is that I have to CONSTANTLY think about my eyebrows. The shorter the hair the more prominent the eyebrows and I'm not much of a groomer. I wash my face. Put on moisturizer and that's about it. Short hair means that I have not only think about my eyebrows--I also have to pluck them. Everyday. One of the reasons I have short hair is so that I don't have to think about it.
This too much hair coming off my head thing happens every so often. The worst time was when some poor woman shaved my head. Totally bald.
Of course, no one really noticed. "Oh, Emily, you got your hair cut! Looks good!"
If you only knew of the tears that came earlier.
He's supposed to use a 1.5 guard. But he used a 1. I was sitting in the chair thinking "Ask him if he has the right guard on. Ask him. Ask him now." But I didn't. Two strokes and it's over. Almost bald head. No choice but to keep going.
*sigh*
The 1 is 3.0mm (1/8 inch) while the 1.5 is 4.0mm (5/32 inch). This might seem like a minuscule difference in hair shaft height but it isn't. With a 1.5 I look like I have some hair but with a 1 I look like my hair is just growing in. It's subtle but important.
The main problem with the whole really short hair thing is that I have to CONSTANTLY think about my eyebrows. The shorter the hair the more prominent the eyebrows and I'm not much of a groomer. I wash my face. Put on moisturizer and that's about it. Short hair means that I have not only think about my eyebrows--I also have to pluck them. Everyday. One of the reasons I have short hair is so that I don't have to think about it.
This too much hair coming off my head thing happens every so often. The worst time was when some poor woman shaved my head. Totally bald.
Of course, no one really noticed. "Oh, Emily, you got your hair cut! Looks good!"
If you only knew of the tears that came earlier.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Libraries at Night
Tonight I walked home from the Prospect Park YMCA (which isn't all that close to Prospect Park.) It was nice out so I decided to take the scenic route by Grand Army Plaza, Mount Prospect Park, the Botanic Garden, the Museum, and the Library.
Walking up to the library, I noticed that there were people sitting around the brand new plaza. That wasn't much of a surprise--I figured a few homeless people found their way there every night. But then I saw that a couple of the people were sitting on benches with their computers open.
The library closed at 6 pm tonight (and it was 9 by the time I walked by) but people were still using the library's resources. Everyone can appreciate free wi-fi in a beautiful on a brisk almost spring evening.
Walking up to the library, I noticed that there were people sitting around the brand new plaza. That wasn't much of a surprise--I figured a few homeless people found their way there every night. But then I saw that a couple of the people were sitting on benches with their computers open.
The library closed at 6 pm tonight (and it was 9 by the time I walked by) but people were still using the library's resources. Everyone can appreciate free wi-fi in a beautiful on a brisk almost spring evening.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Phoning Librarians
Every Wednesday, my former classmate Greg Schwartz, moderates Uncontrolled Vocabulary a podcast for librarians.
For the second time ever, I called in. It always makes me a little nervous; the library I work at is much different from others. If you listen, you'll notice that I have absolutely NOTHING to say about the Swift/Computers in Libraries thing.
I get the Computers in Libraries glossy promo but there is no way my boss would pay for me to go. We're still trying to get our copiers networked. And I don't think I have a cable for our scanner. I didn't even know what Swift was.
But, if you're a librarian, you should listen to Uncontrolled Vocabulary. It's a great way to find out what's going on in the library world.
For the second time ever, I called in. It always makes me a little nervous; the library I work at is much different from others. If you listen, you'll notice that I have absolutely NOTHING to say about the Swift/Computers in Libraries thing.
I get the Computers in Libraries glossy promo but there is no way my boss would pay for me to go. We're still trying to get our copiers networked. And I don't think I have a cable for our scanner. I didn't even know what Swift was.
But, if you're a librarian, you should listen to Uncontrolled Vocabulary. It's a great way to find out what's going on in the library world.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Speech
Did you hear it? Incredible. A presidential candidate speaking about race.
"The profound mistake of Reverend Wright’s sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It’s that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country – a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen – is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope – the audacity to hope – for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."
Just take 37 minutes and listen. Really listen.
"The profound mistake of Reverend Wright’s sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It’s that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country – a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen – is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope – the audacity to hope – for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."
Just take 37 minutes and listen. Really listen.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Nueva Jersey
Spitzer
What are we to make of powerful men who can't keep it in their pants? Or at least can't keep it in their pants in a discrete manner.
I don't know. I think Bing's assessment is fairly apt--powerful men tend to be assholes.
What I think is more interesting are the ten million stories regarding the legalization of prostitution and additional ten million stories on the "Stand by Your Man" phenomenon.
I don't really think about prostitution much. My problem with the discussion is that it assumes that all types of prostitution are the same. The woman on the street working for her pimp is really nothing like Ms. Dupre These are two completely different levels of body selling. Maybe the best remedy for prostitution is decriminalization rather than legalization. This would protect the women on the street but let the high-class call girls continue their (apparently highly prized) services.
The Stand by Your Man thing has got to stop! Please, political wives, just let him stand there and look stupid. He deserves whatever comes his way because of it.
I don't know. I think Bing's assessment is fairly apt--powerful men tend to be assholes.
What I think is more interesting are the ten million stories regarding the legalization of prostitution and additional ten million stories on the "Stand by Your Man" phenomenon.
I don't really think about prostitution much. My problem with the discussion is that it assumes that all types of prostitution are the same. The woman on the street working for her pimp is really nothing like Ms. Dupre These are two completely different levels of body selling. Maybe the best remedy for prostitution is decriminalization rather than legalization. This would protect the women on the street but let the high-class call girls continue their (apparently highly prized) services.
The Stand by Your Man thing has got to stop! Please, political wives, just let him stand there and look stupid. He deserves whatever comes his way because of it.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Figuring stuff out.
I've thought about getting my Ph.D. since I was in grade school. First, it was going to be in Mathematics, then Psychology. The life of a professor really appealed to me. The teaching, the office, the idea of tenure.
I majored in Religion in college and immediately embarked on my academic career.
It was the biggest mistake I ever made. After two years of grad school, I was burned out. I was in tears when I heard my last papers had to be in two weeks early in order to graduate on time. I wrote the papers (they were incredibly crappy) and graduated. I had applied to and gotten into the Ph.D. program, but turned it down. I was 24 and had been in school since I entered pre-kindergarten at 4. Enough was enough. I needed to work.
But then, I couldn't find a job. All that education and nothing. I temped for awhile and finally got a job at a law firm as a legal assistant's assistant. The work wasn't bad and it paid well but I didn't want to do it for the rest of my life. So, I went to library school.
I really like being a librarian. I get to help people find stuff and the work isn't overly stressful.
But, I've decided to go back to school. Again. I think it's a good career moves.
But I'm not always sure this is the best idea. I'm excited about my topic but maybe I should just make some money. What if I do all this school and, once again, have trouble finding a decent job? Do I really want to spend the next four years or so living on a students salary? It was one thing when I was 22 and library school was only one year--at 32 it's a whole different story. I'll be uprooting my entire life for what? More education? Will having this education truly raise my earning potential? I wish I could see that this will be worth it because at the moment, I'm just not sure...
(I promise not to have too many diary entries on this thing. I'm just not thinking about much else at the moment.)
I majored in Religion in college and immediately embarked on my academic career.
It was the biggest mistake I ever made. After two years of grad school, I was burned out. I was in tears when I heard my last papers had to be in two weeks early in order to graduate on time. I wrote the papers (they were incredibly crappy) and graduated. I had applied to and gotten into the Ph.D. program, but turned it down. I was 24 and had been in school since I entered pre-kindergarten at 4. Enough was enough. I needed to work.
But then, I couldn't find a job. All that education and nothing. I temped for awhile and finally got a job at a law firm as a legal assistant's assistant. The work wasn't bad and it paid well but I didn't want to do it for the rest of my life. So, I went to library school.
I really like being a librarian. I get to help people find stuff and the work isn't overly stressful.
But, I've decided to go back to school. Again. I think it's a good career moves.
But I'm not always sure this is the best idea. I'm excited about my topic but maybe I should just make some money. What if I do all this school and, once again, have trouble finding a decent job? Do I really want to spend the next four years or so living on a students salary? It was one thing when I was 22 and library school was only one year--at 32 it's a whole different story. I'll be uprooting my entire life for what? More education? Will having this education truly raise my earning potential? I wish I could see that this will be worth it because at the moment, I'm just not sure...
(I promise not to have too many diary entries on this thing. I'm just not thinking about much else at the moment.)
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Change might be coming....
Healthcare
Just watched 60 minutes. They featured a segment on the health care crisis in America. A group called the Remote Area Medical goes around the country providing medical care to the un- and under- insured.
Remote Area Medical was originally created to go to remote areas in the developing world and war zones. Not the United States.
Like the woman at the end of the segment, I wonder why the richest country in the world can not take care of it's own citizens. It makes no sense. It's ridiculous and embarrassing.
No matter who gets elected, I hope they will work for universal coverage.
Remote Area Medical was originally created to go to remote areas in the developing world and war zones. Not the United States.
Like the woman at the end of the segment, I wonder why the richest country in the world can not take care of it's own citizens. It makes no sense. It's ridiculous and embarrassing.
No matter who gets elected, I hope they will work for universal coverage.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Ridiculous Fashion
It's that time of year again. Fashion Week is over so the New York Times publishes its cash cow, TMagazine.
And what craziness we have this year. Under "The Goods:The Must Haves" you'll find a $36,000 purse. That's THIRTY-SIX THOUSAND dollars. For a purse. I couldn't even bring myself to buy a $400 handbag at the Coach Outlet.
The Times also features some poor model wearing these "shoes". No, they don't have a heel. Do you think women need a heel on 5.5 inch platform shoes? What's wrong with you? Fashion is pain.
And what craziness we have this year. Under "The Goods:The Must Haves" you'll find a $36,000 purse. That's THIRTY-SIX THOUSAND dollars. For a purse. I couldn't even bring myself to buy a $400 handbag at the Coach Outlet.
The Times also features some poor model wearing these "shoes". No, they don't have a heel. Do you think women need a heel on 5.5 inch platform shoes? What's wrong with you? Fashion is pain.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Back...maybe.
So I'm thinking about starting this thing up again b/c I have a lot going on and it's fun to tell the whole world.
Things that are happening:
1. I applied to Ph.D. programs and have been accepted into two so it looks like I'll be going back in the fall.
2. I was asked to submit a book proposal based on the article I published. I should be working on it right now but instead I'm writing this blog.
3. My relationship with my boyfriend is overly complicated at the moment.
4. Obama! (but I'm voting for the democrat no matter what)
Things that are happening:
1. I applied to Ph.D. programs and have been accepted into two so it looks like I'll be going back in the fall.
2. I was asked to submit a book proposal based on the article I published. I should be working on it right now but instead I'm writing this blog.
3. My relationship with my boyfriend is overly complicated at the moment.
4. Obama! (but I'm voting for the democrat no matter what)
Friday, November 16, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Published!
This morning a nice, big package was waiting for me beside my mailbox. "Haworth Press" it said. "I didn't order anything from Haworth," I thought. But as I picked it up, I remembered, "My article!" They sent me three copies of the journal. I'm too afraid to read it--the editing process was a nightmare. But I did look at my name in print.
Knox, Emily. "How One Part-Time Library Staff Member Can Provide Interlibrary Loan Service" Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Electronic Reserve 17:4 (2007): 87-94.
Boo-yah!
Knox, Emily. "How One Part-Time Library Staff Member Can Provide Interlibrary Loan Service" Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Electronic Reserve 17:4 (2007): 87-94.
Boo-yah!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
A keeper
I got sick on my last night in Paris and came home sick yesterday. I walked into my apartment and promptly went to sleep. So, I didn't go to the grocery store. Or get my hair cut. Or do my laundry.
But, my boyfriend brought me my groceries. From Astoria. This might not seem like a big deal but Astoria is about an hour and a half away from where I live. He brought the groceries, made sure I had everything I needed, and then went home. An hour and a half back.
But, my boyfriend brought me my groceries. From Astoria. This might not seem like a big deal but Astoria is about an hour and a half away from where I live. He brought the groceries, made sure I had everything I needed, and then went home. An hour and a half back.
Paris, je ne t'aime pas...
I was wrong when I wrote that Paris was multicultural. It's multiracial but not multicultural. People from all over the world live there but they are all...French. No group seems to have made any sort of mark on Parisian culture. Yes, there are Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants but that's about it.
I found this most readily displayed in clothing. Everyone dressed tastefully but boringly. Lots of black and neutral colors. I sat at a cafe and watched the people go by for about an hour and a half and nothing was all that interesting.
Paris seems to be missing sub-cultures. There were no skateboarders or kids from the hood or anything. I did see three semi-Goth kids but other than that it was just a bunch of French people in different races. There also wasn't much of a night life.
This lack of multiculuturalism also showed up in advertising. Although France is full of brown people there are non in ads anywhere. Everyone is white including all the mannequins.
I can see how the hijab issue became so volatile in France. The country, or at least Paris, is a melting pot of fondue rather than a salad bowl.
Paris was beautiful. Everywhere you go there is some magnificent statue or building. I can see why people love it there. It must be nice to wake up every day and be surrounded by beauty. But there was no undercurrent of excitement rising from the street and, for me, that's what makes a city.
Favorite things:
1. Musee de Quai Branly--I didn't actually go in (8 euro entrance fee!) but the building itself is amazing.
2. Les Deux Abeilles--A little cafe with EXCELLENT food.
3. French wine. Especially sancerre.
4. The Louvre--too many beautiful paintings but awesome nonetheless.
5. Le Metropolitan--it is ridiculously clean and easy to get around.
And here are pictures. I haven't labelled all of them but they are in reverse chron order with pictures of my friend Nathan's wedding at the end.
I found this most readily displayed in clothing. Everyone dressed tastefully but boringly. Lots of black and neutral colors. I sat at a cafe and watched the people go by for about an hour and a half and nothing was all that interesting.
Paris seems to be missing sub-cultures. There were no skateboarders or kids from the hood or anything. I did see three semi-Goth kids but other than that it was just a bunch of French people in different races. There also wasn't much of a night life.
This lack of multiculuturalism also showed up in advertising. Although France is full of brown people there are non in ads anywhere. Everyone is white including all the mannequins.
I can see how the hijab issue became so volatile in France. The country, or at least Paris, is a melting pot of fondue rather than a salad bowl.
Paris was beautiful. Everywhere you go there is some magnificent statue or building. I can see why people love it there. It must be nice to wake up every day and be surrounded by beauty. But there was no undercurrent of excitement rising from the street and, for me, that's what makes a city.
Favorite things:
1. Musee de Quai Branly--I didn't actually go in (8 euro entrance fee!) but the building itself is amazing.
2. Les Deux Abeilles--A little cafe with EXCELLENT food.
3. French wine. Especially sancerre.
4. The Louvre--too many beautiful paintings but awesome nonetheless.
5. Le Metropolitan--it is ridiculously clean and easy to get around.
And here are pictures. I haven't labelled all of them but they are in reverse chron order with pictures of my friend Nathan's wedding at the end.
Monday, September 03, 2007
French Keyboqds
So, did you know that the French keyboard is completely different from the English one?
The A, M, and W are in a completely different place.
I finally found an internet cafe near my hotel but i cant type too much because of the crazy keyboard.
France has been pretty great. After visiting the Louvre (which has a starbucks btw) I ate lunch at the cafe Marly and had the best croque monseiur ever. I'm not a huge fan of french food in general but the sandwich was great. it was also 12 euros. 18 dollars. Have i mentioned that France is expensive? After lunch I walked to La Place de la Concorde and then back to my hotel.
Yesterday I went to Notre Dame and I happened to be there during Mass. It was strange to be a tourist during the service.
I also walked up all the steps to Sacre Ceour. All of them. I wandered around Monmartre and had an excellent Italian Lunch.
I'm sorry this is so short and unspecific but the keyboard is driving me crazy. Ill have to right more after I return.
The A, M, and W are in a completely different place.
I finally found an internet cafe near my hotel but i cant type too much because of the crazy keyboard.
France has been pretty great. After visiting the Louvre (which has a starbucks btw) I ate lunch at the cafe Marly and had the best croque monseiur ever. I'm not a huge fan of french food in general but the sandwich was great. it was also 12 euros. 18 dollars. Have i mentioned that France is expensive? After lunch I walked to La Place de la Concorde and then back to my hotel.
Yesterday I went to Notre Dame and I happened to be there during Mass. It was strange to be a tourist during the service.
I also walked up all the steps to Sacre Ceour. All of them. I wandered around Monmartre and had an excellent Italian Lunch.
I'm sorry this is so short and unspecific but the keyboard is driving me crazy. Ill have to right more after I return.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Ah France
One of my favorite historical concepts is An Embarrasement of Riches. It is sometimes used to describe the Dutch during the 16th and 17th century when they were ridiculously rich and drove up the price of tulips. The Dutch have nothing on the Louvre though. Every chambre, hallway, courtyard or whatever is filled with magnificent art. Your eyes start swimming.
France is quite lovely and much more muliticultural than I expected. I didn't see much of Nice but I had a lovely time at my friend Nathan's wedding. Unfortunaely, while I was waiting for the train to Paris, I receivd horrible news--my father had a heart attack. He's okay but they had to put in a stent and do an angioplasty. I didn't sleep much last night.
Now I'm off to eat and wander around.
Au revoir!
France is quite lovely and much more muliticultural than I expected. I didn't see much of Nice but I had a lovely time at my friend Nathan's wedding. Unfortunaely, while I was waiting for the train to Paris, I receivd horrible news--my father had a heart attack. He's okay but they had to put in a stent and do an angioplasty. I didn't sleep much last night.
Now I'm off to eat and wander around.
Au revoir!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Trapped in the closet
Of course, you knew he was a Republican before you heard the entire story. But still--how cliche can you be? A freakin' men's room!!?! At the airport?
Let's get creative closet cases!
Let's get creative closet cases!
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