I am boring

Hello friends and family! I realized today that I haven't posted in almost a month, but then I realized why: I am boring. I don't think a single significant thing has happened to me in the last month except that my shows are back on. Whee!

After thinking about it for a while longer, though, I realized what the problem is: I have been blogging a lot (like, once a week a lot) for work, and it's using up my creative energy! So, I am going to link you to my work blog, and you'll see why I can't think of anything clever to say here. 

If you decide to read it, you should start with George in New York and work your way up from there. It's pretty fantastic if I do say so myself. Enjoy! Or not. I don't know your life.

Next up: Plague of Locusts!

I have survived 2 separate natural disasters in one week: an earthquake and a hurricane! First up, there was a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Virginia last Tuesday that was felt all the way up in New York. So we definitely felt it in Baltimore. I was at work, talking with some coworkers at the circulation desk. We heard something by the windows, and thinking it might be the window washers or some kids messing around outside, I said I would go and see who it was. Before I had taken two steps though, the entire building started shaking, and people were freaking out. My branch manager yelled, "Everybody get outside!" And to set a good example, she reached the door in about 1.2 seconds.

After about half an hour outside trying unsuccessfully to use our cell phones (I gave a helpful speech about why an earthquake might disturb cell phone service to a bunch of children), we were told we could go back inside. Then about 5 minutes later they changed their minds and told us all to go home. And I had only been at work for about three hours! I ended up spending the afternoon with Maren and Grace, making tropical squares, hiking in the woods, watching The Electric Company, and eating dinner. It was a really nice day. Thanks, earthquake! The only damage at work-some cracks in the walls that might have gotten bigger. The only damage at home-one of my pictures tipped over. All in all, my kind of natural disaster.

My second natural disaster was Hurricane Irene. I'll admit, this one wasn't as pleasant as the earthquake because:

1. We knew she was coming. So we spent a lot of time getting really nervous about her. 
2. Even though I got out of work 2 hours early on Saturday, I have to use my own time for it. Boo! 
3. The main storm hit while I was asleep, so I didn't even get to appreciate it. 
4. There was apparently some kind of leaking by the front door of my house, so it is now freakishly hard to open and close it. We're really hoping that it will dry out in a couple of days and go back to normal. If not, our landlord says he'll come and shave down the doorframe or something. I don't know. 
5. Church was canceled. Of course, I had already made my food for munch and mingle, so now I have a ginormous bowl up substandard (I messed up the recipe) German potato salad to finish off, and I don't think I can do it. Plus, having home church is way hard. You can only do churchy things for so long by yourself before you start to go crazy. 
6. The tree in my front yard was almost completely blown over in the storm! I should have taken some pictures of it before I staked it up, but I didn't think to. So you'll just have to trust me. It was leaning over a lot more than this. Also, trust that it is a heavier tree than it looks. I literally could not get it to stand up any taller than this.

But by far the worst thing about the hurricane was the power outages. We got lucky at my house, and the power never even flickered. But I'm pretty sure that was just our street and a few houses around the corner. A good portion of the rest of the neighborhood was still without power as of this morning. Maren and Dave had no power for about 42 hours. Several of the libraries in the city have been closed because they have no power. And most tragic of all, the schools have been closed! The first, blessed day of school was supposed to be Monday, but since many of the city schools had no power, they have been off for the last two days. It just isn't fair. I was supposed to be free! Free!!!

Update: Since typing the above, I have heard that school is starting tomorrow! I'm saved!

Anywho, those were my two natural disaster experiences. Since I have gone my whole life without living though any natural disasters, it's pretty amazing to have had two in one week. I can only conclude that this trend will continue and try to prepare. I think we'll be facing a plague of locusts next, but for our fourth disastrous occurrence, I can't decide what it will be. I'm torn between Rise of the Machines and Zombie Apocalype. The way things are going, we might get both! But rest assured, unless it's the Rise of the Machines, I will be blogging about it!

I rewatched it so you don't have to: Roswell, Season 1

Aka, my obsession for two years of high school. This post is for Chelsea! And any other closet Roswell fans who read my blog. Once, our friend John had to plan a fake campaign trip for his fake run for office, and he said one of his stops was going to be Roswell, NM because Chelsea and I would surely be living there. My computer password for all of high school was "Roswell." Don't get any ideas-that's not my password now, so stop trying to hack me!

Okay, so eventually I plan on rewatching the entire series, but after binging on season 1 (I honestly watched it in about a week), I needed a break. So, without further ado, my thoughts on Roswell Season 1.

First of all, I can't believe these kids were supposed to be the same age as me! They look older than I do now, and it's been 10 years(!). Seriously though, they're not even trying to look like teenagers! Max is actively looking middle-aged.

Speaking of Max: What a buzzkill! Honestly, he has no personality at all except boring. Is boring a personality? On the other hand, that makes him perfect for Liz, who, in spite of her super shiny hair, is about as exciting as watching paint dry. And man, those two are gross together. I honestly reached a point where I would automatically cringe and look away whenever they would kiss. Gross! They disgust (and bore) me. And when Max isn't wearing a shirt: EW!!! I have never been so disgusted by someone's muscles before (or since). At the end of the season, when we find out that Max is the leader of the aliens, I believe I said something like, "Oh you have got to be kidding me!!! He is going to be so much more lame than before!" C'mon Max! Remember when you were in that one episode of Buffy? You were awesome! What happened to you? I can only conclude that Roswell sucked the fun out of you. It's a fun sucker.

On to more interesting/exciting things, namely Kyle. Seriously, when Liz dumped him, I kept yelling very rude and uncomplimentary things at her. She's a fool! Kyle is the best/funniest character on the show! Honestly, the extra helping of Kyle is what I'm looking forward to most in season 2. Woo! Kyle! I love you and your cowboy outfits! And your hair!

While we're at it: Sheriff Valenti, good job for being the grown-up on the show. You always wore a cowboy hat. That's about it. Oh, and stop trying to arrest Max for saving Liz's boring life! It's not illegal! Good job becoming less crazy by the end of the season, but really, you should have paid more attention to your son Kyle (aka, the light of my Roswell life).

Okay, on to Isabel! Um, I feel uncomfortable by the fact that really old guys are always hitting on her. Because she's supposed to be 17. But she is a better actress than Liz and is about a million times more interesting that Max, so there's that. Plus, she's definitely the most famous Roswell alum. You go, Isabel! True, many people find you to be incredibly annoying, but at least you're not irrelevant! P.S. If I were you, I would just tell Max to shut it and tell my mom the truth. She deserves it/Max sucks. And BTW, you should really not pretend to like Alex. It makes us all feel weird on the inside.

Hey Alex! She's not into you! And your BFF Liz is totally suck! You should try to hang out with Maria and Kyle more. And maybe get a new stylist. This totally baggy look is not good for you.

Last but certainly not least, we have Michael and Maria! YAY!!! Aside from Kyle (ILU, Kyle!), Michael and Maria and definitely the reason to watch this show. I feel like this is what they might have been going for with Liz and Max, except that Michael and Maria and interesting, funny, and not painful to watch. Yeah, I said it. Plus, Michael is all damaged because of his crappy childhood! And Maria and all quirky because of her weirdo mom! Thanks for making Roswell swoony for me, you guys!

Okay, other stuff about the show. Since this show takes place when I was actually in high school myself, the fashion is really representative of how people looked (or wanted to look) at that time. Some of the fashions are hideous! But I was very surprised by how nostalgic it made me for some of those fashions. Not belly shirts, though. That does not look good on anyone. Also, I totally remember loving Maria's hair, but it is really stupid. So I obviously had bad taste.

Other things to mention-the technology! Remember when Miss Topolski is trying to send a secret message to the FBI, and she has to wait for her dial-up internet to connect? Good times! I remember dial-up! Mom would always need to use the phone while we were trying to use the internet or vice versa! So frustrating. Anywho, while we're on the subject of technology, will someone please get busy with inventing my flying car? Thanks.

Finally, the theme song! Oh man, I love!!!!!!! this theme song. Even now, I still totes love it. In fact, one of the first CDs I ever owned was a Dido CD, which I got because of the Roswell theme song. Whoever picked that theme song did a real grood job.

So, overall, this is a totally cheesy and kinda dumb teen show, but I can see why I loved it so much as an actual teenager. And I really am looking forward to season 2. If only Liz and Max weren't in it...

I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me: a review of the final Harry Potter movie ever (Sob!)

Readers, you are lucky that this is a review of the last Harry Potter movie, not the last Harry Potter book. Because if it was the book, I would be crying too much to be coherent, and my tears would probably short out the keyboard I am typing on. Because, SPOILER ALERT: it's sad. Which is not to say the movie wasn't sad. It was. But at least when I was watching the movie, I knew who was going to die, so I wasn't shocked and stunned sad.

Anywho, without further ado, my review, in bullet points.

• Times I have seen the movie: 2
• I saw it with my roommate Kate on Friday (opening day) at 7 and again on Monday after work. But aside from the next bullet point, my review will focus on the first time I saw it.

• Times I saw the movie in 3D: 1
• Philosophy confirmed by finally seeing a movie in 3D: If I wanted to see things in 3D, I would be out living my life, not watching a movie! Honestly, there were only about 2 cool moments, and the rest of the time the 3D was distracting. Definitely not worth $3 extra.

• Time I waited in line for the bathroom: 20 minutes. It's a good thing we got there a little early! Kate and I saw the movie at a very cool old theater that has about a billion seats and a ginormous screen, but they have the smallest ladies room in the world! Luckily, people were going super fast. 
• Number of people who gave up and left the line because they were worried the movie would start while they were waiting: at least 5. The panic about missing the opening minutes was hilarious, but I was starting to get nervous myself, so I can't judge. My favorite moment: A girl who was actually in the stall doing her business saying in a totally panicked voice, "I can't believe this is happening!" We had started a rumor that the movie was starting early. Ha ha!
• Number of friends I made in line: 4! People waiting to use the bathroom at the final Harry Potter movie ever are super friendly. Except for when we started that rumor. That was kind of mean. Good times.

• Number of people I saw in costume: more than I could count. I was a little amazed, because I thought people only dressed up at midnight showings. But it was so fun! And it made me really glad that I wore my muggle shirt and my Luna Lovegood earrings.

• Number of times my little neighbor (he was probably about 15) asked me if that happened in the book: at least 3. My answer: Isn't this your favorite book ever? Isn't that what you told me right before this movie started?? Isn't it??? 
• Number of times he asked me what the people onscreen just said: about the same. To be clear, I actually did try to answer his questions. But since it's his favorite book ever written (not just his favorite Harry Potter book) it seemed like he would know better than me. Perhaps he recognized my superior intellect and naturally gravitated towards it?

•  Number of time the audience spontaneously started cheering and clapping: So, so many. I can count at least 10 times, but there may have been more. And since I was cheering and clapping right along with them, I didn't mind one bit.
• Person who got the most spontaneous cheering: Neville Longbottom. I'm pretty sure. In any case, he's fabulously awesome, plus he grew up to be extremely handsome.

• Number of times I cried: 4. I won't say when for the sake of those who've not read the books (Shame!!!) or seen the movie yet, but I will say that 3 of those times, they were quiet tears and restrained sniffling. And the 4th time, which was when the credits started rolling, Kate and I were both full-on sobbing. We sat through the credits so we could pull ourselves together. And I definitely heard other people crying throughout the film. Oddly enough, when I saw the movie for the second time, I didn't cry as much, but I did cry at one different place in the movie. 

• Number of things left out/changed from the books that I wish they had left in: at least 6. But to be fair, I didn't think of those things at all while I was watching the movie. It was only later while I was thinking about it in depth that I remembered what was missing.

• Number of people shorter than Daniel Radcliffe: 1. Spoiler Alert!!! It's Seamus. Dude turned out tiny. 

• Number of super awesome special effects: Trick question, all the effects are awesome.

• Number of times I wished I was a wizard: continuously, throughout the entire film.

Is this movie as good as the books? No. Don't be silly. But I'd say it's one of the best films in the franchise. One segment in particular (it features Snape, but you'll get no more specifics from me) was wonderful. Alan Rickman, I officially revoke my opinion that you are too old to play Snape. I mean, you totally are, but you're super awesome, so I'll allow it.

So, the real reason I'm sad? The one-of-a-kind, shared Harry Potter experience is over.  Sure, it's been different since the last book came out (I don't know if anything will ever top going to midnight book releases, then feverishly reading and obsessively discussing with other fans), but as long as we still had the movies to look forward to, that communal experience could go on, at least in part. Sure, we still have the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but that's a really expensive trip away. I sometimes envy kids who are just starting to read Harry Potter for the first time, because they have such a treat in store for them. But really, we're the lucky ones. We got to experience it as it happened, with our friends, and with perfect strangers that became friends through the magic of Harry Potter.

To conclude, I'll quote from my book review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Will there ever be another series like Harry Potter? I don't know. I hope so. But even if there isn't, we'll always have Harry Potter!

More Harry Potter, aka "I'm not sick of it yet, and you shouldn't be either!"

Besides, faithful readers, the last Harry Potter movie ever is coming out this week. I think that deserves celebrating/crying. Which is why my roommate Kate and I just had an excellent Harry Potter party at our house, called, appropriately, "End of an Era." Sniff. But this isn't a post about being sad. It's a post about being awesome!

First and foremost awesome: the food! As any good HP fan knows, the food described in Harry Potter sounds both magical and delicious. So we put on our aprons and slaved away like house elves to make some delicious snacks. We had the ever popular pumpkin pasties, cockcroach free (probably) cockcroach clusters, and licorice wands. We also had toad-in-the-hole, which was extremely popular, if only for the fact that it was our only snack not completely stuffed with sugar. Also, sausage is good. And of course, we had delicious beverages. The pumpkin juice was delightful (I keep drinking the leftovers), and the Butterbeer was so rich and delicious that one diabetic guest had to take insulin after drinking it. Good times. I'm not sure that it was as good as the Butterbeer we got at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but this was our first time making it. We shall persevere! But not too soon. The Butterbeer hangover is unpleasant.

 Finally, a chance to reuse my Butterbeer mug!

 Mmmm...Snacks...

Second and probably even more awesome: the costumes! We had a lot of muggles show up to the shindig, which was a little lame, but the people who did dress up brought it! And of course, since it was a contest that I was determined to win, I think you'll be pleased to know that I came in...second. But the girl who won was very deserving. I voted for her. Plus, I think I'm still the real winner, because I got the awesome lion hat.

 Dobby (Sabrina) is a free elf! Behold the winner.

 It's Cho Chang (Nella), y'all! Most authentic costume?

 Professor Trelawney(Jessie)! She did not tell any weird fortunes. Unfortunately.

 Madam Rosmerta (Kate) is sassy! And she's the best cook in the ward!

 Harry Potter (Zefron) and Hedwig. Can you believe no one else dressed as Harry? Also, note his yellow eyebrow, a joke that not a single other person there understood.

Yours truly as Luna Lovegood! I will probably not wear this hat to the movie. It's a bit too tall. And warm.

 

Look at all those muggles! It's shocking! And these were just the early arrivals!

Third, and pretty awesome: we watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. That's mostly so we'll be totally ready this Friday to watch the final film installment. Sniff.

Last, and most awesome of all: We are popular! We had more than 20 people come to our party (more than attended the ward activity earlier in the day. Sorry, ward! I couldn't come because I was working!). But the really amazing thing was how many of the people were not even Harry Potter fans. They are, of course, crazy. But the point is, these people who have never read the books (or only read 1) and only seen 1 or 2 of the films still totally wanted to hang out with us. Because we're cool. Yeah, we make this look good!

 Group shot! 

Back row, L-R: Madam Rosmerta, Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter, Professor Trelawney, Cho Chang

Front row, L-R: Hedwig, Dobby

I'm in a rage! This is the maddest I've ever been!

Slight exaggeration, I suppose, but only slight! True story-this week I was planning on blogging about my summer obsession, So You Think You Can Dance. I would mention how much I love certain competitors past (call me, Pasha!), how many times I voted for Robert last season (so, so many), and my girl crush on Cat Deeley. We would be great friends, I just know it! And she would take me shopping, and we'd be super happy together! As best friends.

But last night, the unthinkable happened: my favorite dancer of the season got booted from the show. NOOOOOOOO!!!!! Nick, I love you! How did this happen???? So early in the season? After I already declared my undying love and devotion to you on Facebook? Sniff. Now I'm sad. I'm sure that I'll keep watching this season, because it really is my raison d'etre in the summer, but I am not happy. All I can say is "Boo! Hiss!" to America for not voting for Nick (how could you, America? I thought we were friends!). And to the judges who made the final call--I can't even. Ugh. You make me sick!



Sniff. Again. Look how cute, tall, and charming he was. To reiterate: I am most seriously displeased.

ABC Autobiography

Some kids who come to the library had to do this for school, and I thought it sounded both fun and time consuming. Plus, they kept complaining about how hard it was, and I made fun of them, so I figured I ought to give it a shot. Here I go!

A-Aunt. I love being an aunt! I'm related to the cutest kids in the world, and at the end of the day, I get to give them back to their loving parents. It's the best of both worlds.

B-Blind-At a recent trip to the eye doctor, the people made fun of my crazy prescription. Rude. But yeah, it's really strong.

C-Church-I don't just go on Sundays! I don't blog about church often, but it's the most important thing in my life.

D-Dogs-I wants one!

E-Eileen-My middle name, inherited from both Mom and Grandma. If I ever have a daughter (fingers crossed!), she will also get this middle name.

F-Fish-The only pet that I personally have ever owned. I miss you, Dexter!

G-Gorillas-My favorite animal. For a little while, I wanted to be a gorilla scientist! But I didn't want to live in the jungle.

H-Harry Potter-I have blogged about this often, so you guys know how much I love HP.

I-Internet-The thing that makes blogging possible.

J-Jam-I really like that reduced sugar kind. It's kind of tart, and the color is less weird.

K-Kickball-It starts with K. I don't really like playing it.

L-Librarian-It's my profession. And, oddly enough, the profession of many, many people that I know.

M-Meredith-Yay me!

N-Nedric-My car. Mostly I just call him Ned.

O-October-Only the best month to be born in.

P-Pink-My favorite color for most of my life, although now I'm not sure that I have a preference. I might like red.

Q-Quiet! I say this a lot as part of my profession.

R-Reading-My favorite hobby, which led to my profession.

S-Sisters-I have a lot, and they're all great! I always feel bad for people who don't have sisters.

T-Twins (like us)-Chelsea! My favorite twin! We have so much fun together, it's always kind of hard to remember that we don't get to see each other very often. Sob! If only someone would invent instantaneous molecular transport!

U-Utah! Best. State. Evah!!!1!11!

V-Victory! V as in Victory! A common phrase in our family.

W-Watching TV-I was going to lie, but this is an autobiography, and I really like doing this activity.

X-X-ray. When I broke my arm when I was 7, I distinctly remember that the x-ray technician was missing 2 fingers on one of her hands. Kind of like Fingerless Steve.

Y-Yo-Yo Ma-I wanted to say something about playing the cello and the piano, and this is how I fit it in.

Z-Zefron-My roommate, and the star of only the best trilogy ever made, High School Musical.

Well, if you're still reading, I admire you. And I feel really bad for making fun of those kids. This was super hard. It took me several weeks to finish, and as you can see, I'm really reaching with a few of these letters. I think they had to put in pictures too, but I am not that ambitious. Anyhow, there you have it. Me!