each good rain

2011-01-25T09:18:00.002-05:00

*Three times this week, I have been asked what I want to do when I graduate in December.

I suppose it's time to begin figuring that out.

2011-01-03T16:38:00.001-05:00

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.
Neil Gaiman

My first white Christmas. Perfection.

2010-12-26T18:46:00.002-05:00

This girl!

2010-11-18T13:56:00.000-05:00

Guess who has two thumbs and is excited about HP7??

I cannot wait for Thanksgiving when I get to relax. And sleep.

2010-11-16T12:11:00.001-05:00

via a blog full of nothing

A(freaking)dorable.

2010-11-15T22:11:00.000-05:00

via The Sartorialist

Cloudy and cold Wednesdays can be special, too.

2010-11-03T17:01:00.000-04:00

Lunch at Basil, free treat from Cupcake.

Happy Wednesday to ME.

2010-10-25T14:44:00.001-04:00

I feel like I'm missing fall. A trade-off of living in the beautiful lowcountry is the lack of seasons. Not a lot of crunchy leaves, red trees, and wooded paths to explore down here. I'm living vicariously through everyone else's beautiful autumn adventures.

via dressdesigndecor

Why hello, Autumn.

2010-10-14T14:26:00.003-04:00

Treehouse
and Flickr
and Hilda Grahnat

2010-10-07T10:46:00.002-04:00

If I can make it through the papers, the readings, the midterms and the general sludging through that is today...

it will be FALL BREAK! Which means a fancy night of music, a carefree morning at the crepe stand, and a visit home to play with my dog, pick up some photography tips from my precious father, and drink wine with my mother.

In other words, complete bliss.

I think it's time to write more notes.

2010-10-06T12:56:00.002-04:00

via justin broadbent

Whoa.

2010-10-04T15:31:00.001-04:00

via LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

Why do they say "fall in love"? Why isn't it "rise in love"?

2010-09-30T23:06:00.000-04:00

I absolutely, completely adore this film. And I have a hunch that if you watch it, you will too.

Le Papillon

2010-09-29T15:55:00.000-04:00

Dear Rain,

As far as I'm concerned, you can stay however long you'd like. You make me think about real and beautiful things. And you're lovely to listen to.

Love,
Erin

2010-09-27T12:50:00.000-04:00

Some Sunday night dinners call for 2 growlers from the Charleston Beer Exchange. It's just the way it is.

We were feeling pretty damn adventurous and tried the Pumking Ale from Southern Tier Brewing Co. It felt and tasted like the official beginning of autumn. Spicy and sweet and potent enough to warm you up while the rain poured outside... If cooler weather means delicious drinks like this, I'm ALL. IN.

My Diet Coke has never looked so good.

2010-09-22T09:07:00.003-04:00

Slow Runner

2010-08-23T15:21:00.000-04:00

weheartit

audrey.zooey

2010-08-23T13:56:00.002-04:00

2010-08-23T12:50:00.001-04:00

Anthropologie is convincing me that autumn can't arrive soon enough.

Today my heart is pining for the city. Oh London.

2010-08-23T12:40:00.002-04:00

via Nile Guide

2010-08-09T15:41:00.000-04:00

Marc Johns makes me laugh.

Some days feel like a waste when there's no sea involved.

2010-07-30T00:34:00.001-04:00

via this isn't happiness

2010-07-25T23:11:00.003-04:00

Sometimes, goofing off in World Market and seeing a silly movie while stuffing yourself with milkshakes and french fries is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

(Sorry for the terribly fuzzy picture. It's the only one I took, and it still makes me smile.)

Thrift Store Find of the Day

2010-07-05T17:27:00.003-04:00

I tried so hard to think of a reason to bring this into my life. In the end, a picture is really all that's necessary.

Feels like spring!

2010-07-02T13:05:00.004-04:00

Weather.com and I haven't necessarily been getting along well lately, what with 100 degree temperatures and wacky storms. But THIS is a much more acceptable start to the holiday weekend.

My favorite friends from back home are all headed down as I type, and the cherry on top is that I don't have to work Saturday OR Sunday. Summertime bliss....

2010-06-14T21:59:00.002-04:00

via Summer Pierre

2010-06-09T21:37:00.000-04:00

via PostSecret

2010-06-02T19:55:00.006-04:00

I've been making excuses for awhile now about the lack of time I spend in the kitchen cooking (no time, no money, etc...). But tonight, faced with the prospect of yet another pb&j or hummus sandwich, I just couldn't take it any more.

Veggie stir-fry and champagne - a new Wednesday tradition, perhaps?

2010-05-24T14:36:00.004-04:00

via THXTHXTHX

Why hello thunder. You sound comforting and terrible all at once.

2010-05-23T17:56:00.001-04:00

MUSTHAVENOW

2010-05-18T16:18:00.003-04:00

Now, where to get the $278 to pay for it? Hmm...

Roots Small School Bag

Oh Wednesdays. You've never felt so good.

2010-05-12T17:18:00.000-04:00

Aw. Bicycles rock.

2010-04-18T23:31:00.005-04:00

true.

2010-04-12T13:11:00.002-04:00

via designlovefest

OK Go "This Too Shall Pass"

2010-03-04T12:07:00.004-05:00

2010-02-27T13:53:00.002-05:00

I'm not one to dream of my future wedding... But. This dress? Is perfect.

AND it's named after my favorite local street.

AND it's designed by a lovely hometown friend!

Legare Street Dress by Carol Hannah

2010-02-25T22:07:00.005-05:00

What a glorious project. The moon gets my heart going in a way that no other celestial object can.

Completely jealous of her bangs.

2010-02-25T21:38:00.002-05:00

via the sartorialist

Yum.

2010-02-02T13:24:00.006-05:00

This morning I made the possibly ill-advised decision to bike to work in the rain. While wearing jeans. I not only underestimated the heaviness of the rainfall, but also the amount of comfort we take from wearing dry jeans. The first three hours of my morning were the definition of uncomfortable. And then, wouldn't you know it, that darn groundhog saw his shadow and predicted MORE winter (which, honestly, is fairly obvious if you've been outside lately).

So, in my quest to enjoy at least part of this miserable season (even if it is the shortest month), I think this beautiful soup is today's answer. With some warm garlic rolls, a glass of wine, a big blanket, and The Godfather (yes, I'm finally going to watch The Godfather), it seems I may be able to save this damp Tuesday from the land of wasted winter days.

Why hello, February.

2010-02-01T20:04:00.003-05:00

I'm celebrating the end of long, dark, dreary January and the beginning of short, spunky February with an exciting bright color on my cold, cold toes

and being impatient for my newest Amazon splurge to arrive (2-day shipping my foot).

(read a fun bit about the editor John Bowe here)

2010-01-28T09:22:00.005-05:00

Space is a big place.
A little too-big sometimes
If you are
young and at the beginning and have a long way to go.

"Agorophobia" by Austin Kleon
via 20 x 200

mmm, new spoon

2010-01-13T14:30:00.001-05:00

listen here.

gosh i love npr.

2010-01-12T14:38:00.003-05:00

Saw this today at Cup of Jo about the poor, disappearing seals in San Fran. Oh no! They were a highlight of my trip in 2008, and I hope they come back. Or at least that their departure isn't indicative of a coming natural disaster...

Shoes and Streets, Sniffles and Students.

2010-01-11T20:33:00.005-05:00

I am probably a bit too excited about my most recent purchase... new Keens! On Sale! Their called the "Erin Ballerina" shoe and their color is called Firebrick! My poor feet have forgotten about the hours of walking a normal day in downtown Charleston requires. Oof. Time for memory foam and a recycled footbed! Plus, living on a tight, student-loan-driven budget makes all purchases exciting including gallons of milk and cold medicine.

Additionally, I have a cold. Doesn't that entitle me to a fun online purchase? I thought so.

In other news I began graduate school today. Growing up, my mother would take a picture of my brother and I on the first day of school. We'd stand next to the piano with the early morning sunshine beaming through the window onto our anxious, newly-scrubbed faces. I had this pink and yellow messenger bag with music notes on it that I LOVED. It was in the pictures from grades one through four.

Anyway, today I became a student again, with a notebook and desk and professor drama. No "first day" photo kicked off the day, and I may be 5 years older than the average person I pass on campus. But, I still have a really awesome messenger bag. So I consider it a success.

Library books and sustainability are HOT.

2010-01-07T11:53:00.004-05:00

This woman at Attic Journals takes old about-to-be discarded library books and makes them into new hardback journals. What a fabulously sustainable idea!

via Dooce

The Tree 2009

2010-01-05T16:17:00.007-05:00

I live in Charleston again

2010-01-04T17:03:00.004-05:00

and it's COLD. Don't believe me? Believe the frozen fountain at Kudu. Brrrrr.

Haha. Love it.

2009-12-16T16:52:00.003-05:00

Vocalo

Sometimes my Story of the Day is right on.

2009-12-16T08:56:00.007-05:00

Beautiful People

I have a friend who reads people's auras. He sees all sorts of colors like green & red & purple. He says anyone can do it. All it takes is forgetting everything you think you know & just looking. I've tried it & even though I haven't seen any colors yet, everyone I meet looks so beautiful when I stop knowing everything, that it's pretty hard to go back to the old way.

Storypeople

2009-12-05T13:43:00.006-05:00

Homemade cookies at work when I'm the ONLY one here on a Saturday?

Disastrous.

Also delicious. But mostly disastrous.

Oh I hope it snows this year.

2009-12-05T11:38:00.001-05:00

via this

2009-12-01T21:56:00.011-05:00

I'm so tired right now, but my mind is racing a mile a minute which means I'm wasting time on the computer. (Side note, whenever I spend too much time staring at my screen, I hear Greg Kinnear's voice from "You've Got Mail" saying, "You think this machine is your friend but it's not!" and I become weary and ready to curl up with an honest-to-God, made-of-paper book.)

But before I do, tonight I stumbled across some old photos taken with the phone I had during college, and there are some surprisingly decent (or at least nostalgic) shots. Trip down memory lane, anyone?

2009-11-30T20:44:00.006-05:00

November always seemed to me the Norway of the year.
Emily Dickinson

(pic via wili_hybrid)

"When I'm done, you'll look like a tree."

2009-11-22T18:14:00.002-05:00

I always forget how much I love the opening credits from "Funny Face."

2009-11-18T12:35:00.004-05:00

with all big decisions come a heavy dose of self-doubt. it's even begun affecting my choice for breakfast, as if choosing cereal over a bagel will toss the world into an irreversible tailspin.

but sometimes breakfast is just breakfast.

and sometimes any change is good change.

right? right.

2009-11-17T14:43:00.002-05:00

There's been some unfriendly neighbor drama on Maple Street this week, which makes me want to give this a try. World peace, one city block at a time? It just may be possible.

via David Horvitz

Currently obsessed with finding my Christmas present

2009-11-09T16:26:00.013-05:00

Look at that basket! Swoon.

This shiny lady would be mine today if she was a bit larger. Curses on my long legs!

This vintage beaut is for sale. And more than a tad out of Santa's price range.

Do you love your bike? Do you have any ideas of where I can find the perfect two-wheeled companion? As I prepare for my move back to CHARLESTON (!) I find myself excited about the tiniest things. Such as bagels with mozz from Bull Street Gourmet, movie dates at the Terrace, and biking my way through the gorgeous brick campus every day.

(Thanks to Becca and Ben for pointing me in the right direction about Mixtes!)

2009-11-04T16:07:00.004-05:00

Never Mind the Pity

2009-11-01T20:53:00.004-05:00

Oh fall. You arrive, the leaves barely begin to change, and then (before a girl can say, Isn't fall grand??) the leaves billow down in yellow sheets. Sitting by my dark window tonight, I cannot tell if I'm hearing rain or falling leaves and acorns. Autumn is loud and powerful and quiet and quick and leaves everyone wanting a little bit more.

(Across the street from my office window is the most glorious red and yellow tree, and its leaves are all pooled around its base and all I want to do is throw on a scarf and jump right in, creating a colorful chaos. If you are similarly inclined when you see large piles of fallen leaves, we should be friends.)

What will you be for Halloween?

2009-10-30T16:49:00.004-04:00

Whatever it is, I hope you have more fun than this tiny witch. The three little piggies are planning to have a raucous weekend in the capital city full of parties, dancing and face paints. I love Halloween!

Happy Trick-or-Treating!

steve chasmar's flickr

2009-10-30T10:34:00.002-04:00

I adore this lovely Italian's pretty style.

via The Sartoralist

2009-10-13T21:39:00.004-04:00

Tuesday night = Not as productive as I planned, but at least I remembered to breathe.

Perhaps I'm still running on leftover zen from my New England weekend. Lovely leaves tend to have a lasting effect on me.

State of Disarray.

2009-10-12T17:17:00.005-04:00

You know it's auction week when your office looks like this.

(ps - In the Cola area on Thursday? Come out to 701 Whaley to party and buy fun things. I personally promise that you will have fun.)

Ominous clouds in my Gmail mean rainy fall days ahead.

2009-10-05T09:52:00.006-04:00

So much better than those old history text books.

2009-06-26T13:52:00.002-04:00

A pretty history refresher for your Friday afternoon from Maira Kalman.

2009-06-22T21:39:00.005-04:00

the prez at the dairy godmother?...
holy custard, batman.

too bad he was one week too late for the out-of-this-world tollhouse cookie flavor.

let's feel good for just a moment.

2009-06-22T21:32:00.001-04:00

my saving grace on sticky summer carolina nights.

2009-06-22T19:25:00.002-04:00

my soul sings me.

2009-06-18T21:10:00.005-04:00

Pretty album cover. Pretty album.

(Check it out. Especially the cover of the Decembrists' Shankill Butchers.)

I'm just not a cat person.

2009-05-21T20:07:00.006-04:00

I learned that this week. With the most precious, sweetest, friendliest kitten ready and willing to adopt me, I only kept her for a night before finally admitting to myself that through and through, I am a dog person. If a pound-and-a-half of pure gray kitten softness can't win me over, there's not much hope that it'll ever happen. At least I know that I'll never be the crazy cat lady, right?

This week's other lessons include the rediscovery that a bit of yoga each day is essential and addicting (how did I walk away from it for so many years?), that writing letters I'll never send (while cliche) is an extremely effective way to begin moving on, and that my new Brita filter is one of the best $2o I've spent in a while (I mean, clean cold water on demand? In the weeks before I give in and turn on my ac, this is priceless!)

I've been so preoccupied with my circumstances, my responsibilities, and just "getting through the week" lately that I've lost focus. My goal for the upcoming summer months is to regain the focus I once had for my future, whatever that turns out to mean. But even more than that, I am trying to focus on the numerous things in my life I currently take for granted: the way the moonlight pools around my pillow on clear nights, the easy jokes with my favorite coffee shop server, how my hair shines shines shines as I drive - sunroof open - under a canopy of tall oaks on my way to the water...

Green thumb.

2009-05-17T21:29:00.006-04:00

While I was at home this weekend, I couldn't get over my parents' lawn. It's an electrifying green color and the grass is thick and the hills beg to be rolled down. It's exactly how I remember the grass while growing up, but I think I convinced myself that my childhood memory had fictionally enhanced the alright, just so-so grass that I've seen in recent years past. But oh man. This lawn is begging for a game of touch football and firefly catching and bare, dirty feet.

Last week I finally bought myself an orchid, something I've wanted for years but just recently acted on. It's tall and graceful with four bright blooms that just so happen to match the new "plum seduction" nail polish on my toes perfectly. It's no sprawling yard of soft grass, but it still grounds me in a way that brings my mind back to "one step at a time"...

Inhale.
Exhale.

Please God let it rain again tonight.

2009-05-05T22:43:00.005-04:00

i'm so close to remembering why i love what i love that one more gentle nudge in the form of a 5 a.m. downpour would surely bring me back...

(more posts, of a less-vague nature, to come soon. cross my heart.)

2009-03-19T14:37:00.007-04:00

Our volunteer in the office this morning spent her time making bright origami butterflies for the staff. They are lovely, and a nice break from the calendars and to-do lists on my dull gray wall.

In other news, I'm off early tomorrow morning to scratch that persistent travel itch once again. Across the country to a new city to visit some old and not-so old friends. Deeeelightful.

Let's hope not.

2009-02-24T12:33:00.003-05:00

via gouliard : via imgspark

Things in this picture of which you should be jealous:

2009-02-16T17:21:00.005-05:00

`Beeeautiful Valentine's Day tulips, reveling in their afternoon shade.
`HUGE mug of green tea with mint, my new fave.
`Extremely quaint view from my front window, complete with waving neighbors (not pictured) and my ornate garden chair.
`Zooey D. crooning at my heart (also not pictured).
`Using my day off to buy a large stack of new books and being able to begin each of them while following the sun as it passes through the different rooms in my house.

A girl like me could get used to four-day weekends...

Oh C'monnnnn.

2009-02-11T11:00:00.003-05:00

If you like love, sign this.
Think of it as a Valentine's gift to humankind.

a thing so simple

2009-02-05T10:15:00.003-05:00

via Skirt! (via John Clark)

I swear that I'll actually write something here again one day. But I love these sharpie and book page creations from John Clark. Deeeelightful.

Fresh pepper?

2009-02-03T13:01:00.008-05:00

via eb (via nyt)

Laughing. Out loud. At my desk.

It's official.

2009-01-27T13:11:00.007-05:00

My longing for the iPhone has turned into full on lust. I just spent my lunch break learning about all the marvelous things this one tiny gadget would add to my life. If only I didn't have all those pesky other bills like rent, electricity, car payments...

With Valentine's, St. Patrick's, and my Birthday all coming up oh-so-soon...any secret benefactors in hiding out there?

2009-01-27T10:19:00.006-05:00

"I like these cold, gray winter days.
Days like these let you savor a bad mood."

Bill Patterson

My what a big bow you have.

2009-01-20T23:30:00.000-05:00

via Paste

bwahahahahahaha! love. it.

Today I've used far too many exclamation points.

2009-01-20T22:35:00.011-05:00

But it's Inauguration Day!!
And Obama is now PRESIDENT!!
And it snowed in SC today!
Bright, soft, fat flakes!!
So how in the world can I not be excited?!?!!

I'm practically a walking exclamation point today.
And it feels goo-ooo-oo-ood....

(i spent a good amount of time gazing at the falling flakes today, and letting them fall lightly on my nose first thing this morning, but did not capture any pictures. luckily other people did. mmm mmm snow.)

you celebrate chaos.

2009-01-18T21:13:00.000-05:00

i LOVE this movie.

This is what happens when I can't sleep.

2009-01-08T00:28:00.003-05:00

This is my "Mosaic of Me," which I happily stumbled upon at the SCOOP. Want one do ya?

Answer the following 12 questions about yourself
(my answers are in parentheses after each question):

1. What is your first name? (erin)

2. What is your favorite food? (pasta)

3. What high school did you attend? (hanna)

4. What is your favorite color? (leaf green)

5. Who is your celebrity crush? (cary ann hearst)

6. Favorite drink? (coffee)

7. Dream vacation? (new zealand)

8. Favorite dessert? (chocolate)

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (happy)

10. What do you love most in life? (laughter)

11. One word to describe you? (learning)

12. Your Flickr name? (each good rain)

Type your answer to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL’s into the Mosaic Maker.

This is going to seem like a great use of time when my alarm wakes me up a few hours from now...but so pretty, right?

photo creds:

1. THE OLD BOG ROAD (NO 3) (Mar 21, 2008 #424 EXPLORE) KILKENNY, IRELAND., 2. Shell pick 'n' mix, lightly arranged, 3. Hanna, 4. Against the Colors, 5. Day 123: Cary, 6. coffee & the city, 7. One of each, 8. there's nothing better than summer, 9. Perspective Matters (1483 unique and cool people count this photo as a favorite), 10. Laughter In The Rain, 11. Moon / Luna, 12. There are different wells within us. Some fill with each good rain, others are far, far too deep for that.

The disposal of a year.

2009-01-05T21:53:00.002-05:00

Copying birthdays, throwing out old notes, reliving the year in 52 short flips. The shiny new 09 calendar seems to laugh at my worn and bulky 08 calendar as they lay side by side. But as the weeks pass from page to page, 08 begins to stand a little taller, realizing the crucial experience it has that the newcomer does not. 2009, so far, is all business, while 2008 may be bulky and worn, but is bulky with laughter, worn with emotion. A tough year, no doubt, but with beauty tucked in if you know where to look. And then, in late July, a simple scrawl claiming the weekend for "excitement!" I still can't quite remember what the excitement was, but in that moment I realize that despite our disagreements, power struggles, and disappointments in each other, 2008 and I had an alright run after all.

Oh 2009. I've got my coffeepot (resolve #1: no more diet coke), fancy new pens (resolve #2: keep writing writing writing), and a few jokes up my sleeve (resolve #3: stop taking everything so daggum seriously). Perhaps a bit of glamour will find its way in as well...

My name is Erin. And I have hips.

2008-12-04T21:52:00.004-05:00

"Hi Erin."

Let's talk for a second about curves. In our current world, curves on the road in a fast fancy car commercial? Good. Curves on the girl driving (or, more likely, riding in) said fun fancy car commercial? Not so good.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the role body image plays, in my life and beyond. This is largely (no pun intended) on my mind because I, who used to be the stick-thin, long-legged, gangly girl am...well, no longer stick thin and gangly. I've grown up, in some sense of the phrase, and have recently had to accept that the body I inhabit has also grown up, changed, and perhaps doesn't WANT to fit into those jeans from college. That realization alone is enough to send you straight to the pint (of Ben and Jerry's, that is). However, recognizing this shift and dealing with this change is not what upset me. What really gets to me is that my first reaction to this whole situation was guilt. How could I let this happen to me? I'm going to have to *gasp* go up a size! How dare I allow my body to mature past the age of 18!

A look at art throughout the ages is often used as an illustration that heavier women were once the ideal shape in the Western world, and how bodily ideals change as a result of the current societal and cultural views. And to an extent, I agree. A part of me is convinced that the "ideal" body shape is dictated only by the shape for which current fashion designers create clothing (Can't find a blouse that fits? Your body must be the wrong shape). But don't you also have to take into account that artists from the Renaissance and beyond painted many different shapes of women, not to mention they all had patrons who dictated the image they were to create? Ideal, schmideal.

A recent article in the Salt Lake Tribune reported that neither the hourglass figure, nor any figure for that matter, are "ideal" as once was thought, stating that all body shapes have their trade-offs ("the human body is a compromise"). It goes on to remind people, "In the past, women were their bodies. Now it is about what we're doing in our lives and who we are as people." So yes, bigger hips may mean scientifically more fertile, which at one point in time may have been an "ideal" way for women to be. And maybe now, as an assertion of our independence from that mode of thinking, we somehow managed to create a culture that worships straightness, flatness.

My bottom line with all this? Beauty doesn't have to be (and SHOULDN'T be) curves or no curves or some magic ratio in the middle. Why is there so much importance placed on what size we are and not how healthy or happy we are? If we actually are the strong, independent and no-nonsense women we claim so loudly to be, why do we let the number on the tags of our clothes dictate how we feel and treat ourselves?

A little help?

2008-12-02T21:14:00.003-05:00

Untie my brain that it may be drop kicked into clarity;
fuse open my eyes that they may always see;
unclench my heart that it may absorb the incoming;
reprimand my negotiator for serving negativity over easy,
like an elegant Sunday brunch.*

(I've always been hopeless when it comes to making decisions)

* Susan Mrosek, Leaks

A dash of ambition...

2008-12-01T22:57:00.002-05:00

I prepared the entire Thanksgiving feast this year for my family. I know what you're thinking. Isn't this the Erin that subsisted solely off of mac n' cheese, special k, and takeout during college? The same Erin that was terrified at the sight of uncooked chicken until a few short years ago? And yes, you are correct. My mother (who, by they way, is the oldest of seven children and has always held a not so secret grudge against me for my lack of cooking, sewing, and other domestic skills) has been threatening me for years with the prospect of taking the lead on this most important culinary day. And this year, I was ready.

I am, by no means, an excellent cook. But I began preparing for the big day weeks in advance, planning my menu, scheduling dishes that could be made in advance. The preparing began on Monday last week with the baking of pumpkin bread and continued through Thursday, the day when roasting, mashing, stuffing, peeling, chopping, and simmering took up a solid 8 hours(!) of my day. And by 5:00, the 26 pounder came out of the oven, and dinner was served.

I didn't get pictures of all my tasty sides (like this butternut squash soup- SO delicious), and they didn't stick around for long after we sat down, but I did snag a look at my maple sweet potatoes and green bean casserole. The meal was lovely, and I was asleep by 9 pm, full, exhausted and a little bit proud that a frozen pizza kind of girl can evolve so much in just one short year.

Important lessons my mother wanted me to learn from this experience: that she is a saint for having made Thanksgiving dinner for our family for over 25 years; that we all owe her for the rest of our lives; and that her methods of cooking are the best ever employed.

Lessons I learned all on my own: I will never marry a man/have children that don't help me cook (they don't peel potatoes, they don't eat potatoes); cooking is WORK and you shouldn't have to clean up (luckily my lovely father already knows this); spending all day working with your hands, not listening to tv or answering your phone, and actually having a real conversation with your extremely wise mother is a beautiful way to spend the holiday.

Relief.

2008-11-05T10:53:00.010-05:00

"I loved that he cleaned up after himself before leaving an ice cream shop in Wapello, Iowa. He didn't have to. The event was over and the press had left. He is used to taking care of things himself and I think this is one of the qualities that makes Obama different from so many other political candidates I've encountered."

My new President cleans up after his tasty cone. And I think that says a lot. These incredible photos taken by Callie Shell throughout the campaign cause the goosebumps that began the moment "Barack Obama elected 44th President" appeared on my TV screen to continue, two days later, and allow me to fully realize that I am part of something so big, so exciting, and so important that I will be proud of this week for as long as I breathe.

America, welcome back!

Catching up

2008-10-06T21:08:00.001-04:00

I do believe I missed September. The same sad post sitting at the top of the page for far too long. Let's fix that.

It's funny (or bizarre) how the universe takes so much time barely nudging you to do anything greater, become anything greater, and then SMACK out of the blue, in the least subtle way possible, it provides an obvious and clear path that moments before was completely shrouded. And my restless self jumps all over this exciting realization. Story of my life. Make a big change, adjust to said change, be comfortable and happy, become restless for next big change. Repeat as necessary.

I got a bit of my restlessness out a few weeks ago when I, along with my lovely parents, ventured to California, where I had never been before. I've got a lot of country to see in between here and there, but it was a good start to exploring this big ol' land. We went to San Francisco first.

We hiked through quiet redwoods as the morning fog lifted, saw and heard the loud sea lions at Pier 39 (the whole time I couldn't get Feist's "Sea Lion Woman" song out of my head), explored both the deep hills of the city and the calm Marin headlands, ate absolutely fantastic food, and generally enjoyed ourselves. We stayed at Old St. Mary's, California's first cathedral, where my mother's best friend is the pastor. The part of me that feels a bit bad about not attending Mass as regularly as I used to (damn Catholic guilt!) was concerned with this idea, but they have an entire hotel-like setup for guests, and were such funny, kind, witty men that I quite enjoyed it. And being so close to church bells, so close to a sacred space stirred up something that can wait until another post.

After a few days in the city, we rode to Napa to meet up with family for the wedding that occured that weekend. Wine tastings, beautiful weather, dancing, lovely new friends and spending time with family are five things very much my style. It was incredible. And very very easy to forget that a completely different, and much more responsible life awaited my return.

Traveling normally settles my restless feet for awhile, but now I find that I'm even more restless, or perhaps just ready. Ready for the next step. For so long my focus has been on the present, on being happy being exactly where I am, regardless of what will happen eventually. Now I'm beginning to feel the shift to what's coming next. No drastic moves in the immediate future, but still it seems the restlessness has settled in for good. At least until the next big change occurs.

Figures.

2008-08-26T20:07:00.007-04:00

It figures that the one day I actually feel like going for a run is the same day we have torrential rain and a tornado warning.

I guess that's the universe's way of telling me to finally make those phone calls to faraway friends, light a candle and doze off with book in hand.

Or maybe I'll sit on my dark porch, catching glimpses of my still unfamiliar street as the lightning crackles from above.

I think this qualifies as a win-win situation.

Oh August.

2008-08-05T22:41:00.000-04:00

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." You've Got Mail

I will always always associate August with new beginnings. Possibly more so than springtime and definitely more than New Year's. In August I get the itch to start something new, to revamp my routines. To buy new colored pencils and take on crafty projects. To navigate the messy, picked-over aisles of folders and glue sticks in search of something new and bright to make me want to be organized and on top of everything once again.

If new trapper-keepers and locker combinations don't get your heart racing anymore, you'll be happy to know that August hosts many other worthy reasons for excitement. It happens to be Romance Awareness Month, National Picnic Month, and Admit You're Happy Month. So head outside with blanket and basket in tow. Lie in the grass and admit that you have it good. And bring along someone kind of special, you know, if you feel the urge. Annnnd...if you do all this tomorrow (August 6) go barefoot in recognition of National Wiggle Your Toes Day.

~Stephen Frykholm, Herman Miller Summer Picnic August 5, 1977~

A Good Day

2008-07-24T22:04:00.004-04:00

I have, literally, the most amazing friends in the world. I mean, who would meet Matt Nathanson, hear him mention "making the kids", and STILL think of little ol' me?

Summer reading

2008-07-18T08:45:00.001-04:00

Tonight I ventured to the lovely public library to:
a) return my embarrassingly overdue books
b) check out more books to maintain the overdue tradition, and
c) continue my now-annual light summer re-reading of (wait for it...) the Harry Potter series.

Did you realize I was such a nerd? Don't answer that. The truth is, I allow myself to relax and read "comfort" books during the hazy days of summer. Like comfort food, comfort books are familiar, filling, and predictable. There's no risk of the unexpected, and mental exertion is kept to a minimum. I love getting cozy with a well-worn book in the afternoon, drifting into a light doze, and awaking to pick up at the exact same sentence, no re-orientation necessary.

This doesn't mean that I completely rule out new and more literary options (my current recommendation is Jeffrey Eugenides oddly touching and often unsettling anthology, My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead.) But my main goal during the summer is to relax, devour easy pages and take things a little less seriously than I usually do.

So when I go to the library to check out the next volumes of my light reading, on a night specifically set aside for me to read/sleep at my leisure, and all the copies are checked out, I have to improvise. My first thought?..."Well, this is the perfect time for me to pick up one of the titles on my 'Books I Can't Believe I Haven't Read Yet' list." And, I happened to land in the Fal-Fea aisle, bringing me to The Sound and the Fury (quite the leap from Harry and his Hogwart's pals). I haven't battled with Faulkner since American Lit. And I'm a little nervous because last time I'm pretty sure he won...wish me luck.

Lesson of the night? Gas prices and stamps aren't the only commodities creeping up in price. The unfriendly woman at the desk wouldn't let me walk out with the book until I paid my exorbitant late fees. $11 people! And I've lived here less than a year! And to think that not too long ago, a few nickels would settle the score..

Columbia Haiku

2008-07-08T22:27:00.001-04:00

The last steps to home:
A new place to rest my head
And old, true, close friends.

The everyday-ness of love in my life right now is a bit overwhelming, and definitely not something I've experienced in this capital city before. But as I prepare for a bit of reading this Tuesday night, I feel full. For the first time in a long time.

ps- I thought of writing an ode. But odes are lonnnng. Haikus are much better for my about-to-go-to-sleep, writing-on-a-whim style. 5-7-5 and done. Woot.

"A loose interpretation of work"*

2008-06-20T09:37:00.003-04:00

After a little too much recent web browsing, I stumbled upon this funny nugget. My personal favorite is the entire text of George Orwell's "Animal Farm" disguised as an ad agency's power point. Geeeenius.

(Now, obbbviously, I would never dream of doing this at work. But it is certainly original and if you find yourself in a mind-numbingly boring job with a computer monitor that faces office traffic, it may be just the stimulation your intellect needs to survive until 5:00.)

Also, the lovely Skirt! Morning Muse directed me to the 'advice to sink in slowly' site. I love all these quirky posters created by recent graduates with words of wisdom for first year students. If you're the gift buying sort, I need nothing more than the postcard pack wrapped in a big blue bow. And it's only 6 quid!

What will you be doing with all your extra light on this solstice day?

*Andy Warhol

There is only one man in the world allowed to take care of me.

2008-06-16T21:58:00.006-04:00

I have a pretty good track record with males in my life. And I think my luck, or good judge of character, can be traced back to the very first male in my life- my father. This is a man who laughed instead of getting angry when my brother and I accidentally set the toaster on fire. A funny man with leathery skin that smelled like summer after he would mow our lawn. A man who taught me to make the gooiest grilled cheese sandwiches, the value of working hard, and the art of asking for help. Financial adviser, roadside assistance operator, and giver of honest hugs.

I was able to be home on the day we are told to honor and recognize all the father figures in our lives. We celebrated with church, a trip to Best Buy (how cliché) and arguing over who would fill my car with gas (I lost...surprise surprise. I'm a spoiled girl, but at least I know I'm spoiled, right?)

I was also home long enough to scrounge up these gems of us in all our 80s glory.

Weekend Lessons

2008-06-08T22:10:00.001-04:00

Summertime is here, and that means great live music in abundance. Sadly though, almost all of these shows require a bit of travel, and travel requires tanks of extremely pricey gas. So even though one of my favorite bands was playing at one of my favorite venues this weekend, I opted to play it cheap and find adventures here in town.

I finally visited the local art museum, and while the flashy Egyptian exhibit was impressive, I was drawn mostly to two smaller galleries upstairs. One displayed the amazing photographs from Constantine Manos' book, "A Greek Portfolio." The other was a small collection of etchings by Alfred Hutty depicting Charleston and various lowcountry beauty. Hutty arrived in Charleston in 1919 and immediately sent his wife the message, "Come Quickly. Have Found Heaven." Oh Al. I know exactly how you feel.

In addition to the museum, I fought off the triple-digit heat by lounging in the pool, hopping from one air conditioned boutique to another, and grabbing gigantic iced mochas from Adriana's. I also realized that Publix commercials will make me tear up for the rest of my life (have you seen the new Father's Day one? I'm such a sap), and that I could probably spend entire Sunday mornings in bed (and probably would if the sun didn't come out).

It was a good weekend. But that doesn't mean I'm not willing to travel for some of the good music happening this summer. Who's with me?

Magicians and motorcyles.

2008-06-05T12:53:00.002-04:00

On my way home from work yesterday afternoon, I found myself behind a man riding a motorcycle. He was wearing a fancy suit with a bright green shirt and (are you ready?) a top hat. A tall top hat. My amusement was immediately followed by concern because top hats, while dashing, do not usually function as helmets also. But I concluded that since he was obviously a skilled magician, on his way to pick up his magic scarf/doves, or his rabbit to later be pulled out of the fancy hat, he probably didn't need the protection anyway.

I tried to take a picture as I passed.

Obviously, my taking-pictures-while-driving skills need vast improvement.

Summer Storms. mmmmmm.

2008-05-20T20:11:00.006-04:00

There is the most magnificent thunderstorm happening outside right now. I LOVE thunderstorms. Nothing can really live up to a good storm in the mountains, but this one right now in the middle of this city comes pretty close.

I was supposed to work an outside event tonight, which ended up being canceled, but it gave me the opportunity to witness the energy of the storm gather, to smell the first cool drops hit the dark pavement. I've been frustrated lately with my current music selection, and it seems God responded with heart-shaking thunder and startling cracking lightening. The rain is coming down in sheets and my porch door is open and I can feel the dampness seeping into my bones and it feels right.

What to do with my unexpected two hours off of work?
Blog?...check.
Laundry?....maybe.
Cloud gazing and curling up early with three good books?...definitely.

Remember, God, that we are the plants in your fields
so connected to the
earth

that you know what would happen
if you did not rain
upon us.

St. Teresa of Avila
(who, fyi, was a badass. obviously.)