1. Some British people got married today, I think? Ha!
2. Here in America, the Allen Telescope Array has had to go quiet due to lack of funds. Part of SETI, the radio telescopes were just getting ready to start focusing on the Earth-like worlds identified by Kepler. Donate here; they need $5 milllion.
3. And finally, Llama Font is exactly what it says. Llama Font!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Anna Karenina, Part Seven, Chapter 16
(Levin is meeting his son for the first time after Kitty has given birth in Chapter 15. I have not met my nephew yet--I think he changed his mind--but it seemed likely last night so I got this typed up.)
Levin, gazing at this tiny piteous being, vainly searched his soul for some indications of paternal feeling. He felt nothing for it but repulsion. But when it was stripped and he caught a glimpse of thin, little arms and legs saffron-colored, but with fingers and toes and even with thumbs distinguishable from the rest; and when he saw how, as though they were soft springs, [the midwife] bent those little arms which stuck up, and encased them in their linen garments, he was so filled with pity for that being, and so alarmed lest she hurt it, that he tried to restrain her hand.
[...]
The odd-looking little face wrinkled up still more and the baby sneezed...What [Levin] felt towards this little creature was not at all what he had anticipated. There was nothing merry or joyful in it; on the contrary, there was a new and distressing sense of fear. It was the consciousness of another vulnerable region. And this consciousness was at first so painful, the fear lest that helpless being should suffer was so strong, that it quite hid the strange feeling of unreasoning joy and even pride which he experienced when the baby sneezed.
Levin, gazing at this tiny piteous being, vainly searched his soul for some indications of paternal feeling. He felt nothing for it but repulsion. But when it was stripped and he caught a glimpse of thin, little arms and legs saffron-colored, but with fingers and toes and even with thumbs distinguishable from the rest; and when he saw how, as though they were soft springs, [the midwife] bent those little arms which stuck up, and encased them in their linen garments, he was so filled with pity for that being, and so alarmed lest she hurt it, that he tried to restrain her hand.
[...]
The odd-looking little face wrinkled up still more and the baby sneezed...What [Levin] felt towards this little creature was not at all what he had anticipated. There was nothing merry or joyful in it; on the contrary, there was a new and distressing sense of fear. It was the consciousness of another vulnerable region. And this consciousness was at first so painful, the fear lest that helpless being should suffer was so strong, that it quite hid the strange feeling of unreasoning joy and even pride which he experienced when the baby sneezed.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
I Would Get A Gold
During the process of getting the drapes cut, sewn, and finished, I measured a lot (and did you notice how evenly they were hanging in yesterday's pictures?). Fortunately, I've gotten pretty good at wielding my metal tape measure alone--which is why I had to grin when I saw this xkcd comic (click for big):
I would win that event for sure.
I would win that event for sure.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday Project Roundup: Public Service Announcement
"Please, if you or anyone you know is thinking about making lined drapes, don't let them. There's another way. Get professional help."
I wish I had heard a PSA like that before I started this project--but at least they're done now:
Drapery construction is not complicated, which was the source of my hubris initially, but it is just so. much. fabric. to wrangle and feed through the machine evenly. And of course I wanted to line them, so that doubled the fabric to wrangle.
But they are done (I know I said that already; I just can't believe it) and it's really nice to have them to close at night:
And with these finished, all the windows in the house are now covered. That only took 2.75 months!
I wish I had heard a PSA like that before I started this project--but at least they're done now:
Drapery construction is not complicated, which was the source of my hubris initially, but it is just so. much. fabric. to wrangle and feed through the machine evenly. And of course I wanted to line them, so that doubled the fabric to wrangle.
But they are done (I know I said that already; I just can't believe it) and it's really nice to have them to close at night:
And with these finished, all the windows in the house are now covered. That only took 2.75 months!
Monday, April 25, 2011
What Homeowners Do
Homeowners get really, really excited about basement storage. But do you blame me? Look at this shelving unit! 
I was looking at the IKEA wood shelving units because they were cheap and because they had an option for a wine rack, but then my dad offered to make me something. The materials were the same price as IKEA, but I ended up with more storage and exponentially better quality. (I could use those shelves as bunk beds if I had to!)
And I even got a wine rack:
Dad surprised me with one that holds twenty-five bottles and takes up exactly half of one shelf. I blame exposure to the J. Peterman catalog at a young age, but I've always wanted to be the person who has the right wine on hand (including champagne). Now I can be that person--thanks, Dad!
(Somebody else gets excited about basement storage, too.)
I was looking at the IKEA wood shelving units because they were cheap and because they had an option for a wine rack, but then my dad offered to make me something. The materials were the same price as IKEA, but I ended up with more storage and exponentially better quality. (I could use those shelves as bunk beds if I had to!)And I even got a wine rack:
Dad surprised me with one that holds twenty-five bottles and takes up exactly half of one shelf. I blame exposure to the J. Peterman catalog at a young age, but I've always wanted to be the person who has the right wine on hand (including champagne). Now I can be that person--thanks, Dad! 
(Somebody else gets excited about basement storage, too.)
Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday Unrelated Information
1. I was invited to my first knitting group last night (my first in six years of knitting!) and the lovely ladies there taught me how to crochet. Look--a new skill in my crafty arsenal:
2. Here's something to think about, especially for people who share things on the internet:
"Loneliness does not come from being alone, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important." (Jung)
3. I've had "The Rainbow Connection" in my head for two days now. Would you like it in your head too? Watch it here.
2. Here's something to think about, especially for people who share things on the internet:
"Loneliness does not come from being alone, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important." (Jung)
3. I've had "The Rainbow Connection" in my head for two days now. Would you like it in your head too? Watch it here.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Happy Birthday, Charlotte Bronte
Many happy returns to you, Charlotte. I'm glad you didn't die of tuberculosis at boarding school, and I'm glad you gave Jane Eyre a happy(ish) ending, especially when you didn't do so with Villette. (Although I understand why you didn't, given the events that inspired that one.) I just wanted you to know that I've been reading Jane Eyre for about twenty years now, and that I think you (and your sisters) were pretty revolutionary. Happy birthday!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Meeting Face
There have been a slew of long meetings at work lately. They've actually been pretty enjoyable for long meetings, but I have to be careful with my face, as some pictures lately have made me come to the conclusion I have Chronic Bitchface (click for big):
As the image source says, "there is no known cure." I just have to remember to keep some sort of smile pasted on during the meetings.
(Image found first via Kara's Pinterest. Pinterest deserves its own post, I think; I have an account now too!)
As the image source says, "there is no known cure." I just have to remember to keep some sort of smile pasted on during the meetings. (Image found first via Kara's Pinterest. Pinterest deserves its own post, I think; I have an account now too!)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday Project Roundup: Tunic Two
I am not complaining about the cold and wet weather this spring, because if I do, the weather wins. Instead, I am sewing more tunics to keep the skinny jeans in rotation until it's warm enough for bare legs.
This is the final piece of the fancy fabric stash I got last summer, sewn up in the French pattern I made as a dress. As we all know, it's not a hippy smock if the pattern is from France--and I think the print takes the look a little more towards worldly bohemian than drum circle.
What is the print, you ask?
Art Nouveau viking ships, of course--to remind us to be brave, to be fierce in the face of cold Aprils, and to seize whatever prey the heart longs for.
This is the final piece of the fancy fabric stash I got last summer, sewn up in the French pattern I made as a dress. As we all know, it's not a hippy smock if the pattern is from France--and I think the print takes the look a little more towards worldly bohemian than drum circle.
What is the print, you ask?
Art Nouveau viking ships, of course--to remind us to be brave, to be fierce in the face of cold Aprils, and to seize whatever prey the heart longs for.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday Night Conversations, II
During a brainstorming meeting at work last week, the subject of what we wanted people to say at our funerals came up. Telling this story to my friend over the weekend, I said, "I didn't even think of an adjective; I just thought to myself, 'I hope someone GOES to my funeral,' " and went on to tell him my latest irrational fear: outliving all my family and dying childless and friendless.
My friend, who is turning 50 in a couple of weeks, looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Well then, you may want to look into younger friends."
My friend, who is turning 50 in a couple of weeks, looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Well then, you may want to look into younger friends."
Friday, April 15, 2011
Friday Unrelated Information
1. It's my mom's birthday today! What can you say about moms? They're moms--they're great. And my mom is in the top .05% of all moms (I'm pretty lucky). Happy birthday!
2. Since my mom told me she was looking forward to today's space link, here is a thoughtful essay from the Bad Astronomy blog about the future of space exploration (marking, of course, the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's orbiting the earth).
3. Last night I found myself, as an agnostic, in the interesting position of picking out an Easter card for my deeply Christian grandmother that would satisfy her but not make me sound like too much of a hypocrite (any more than sending a card on a religious holiday does anyway). Fascinating times in the card aisle.
2. Since my mom told me she was looking forward to today's space link, here is a thoughtful essay from the Bad Astronomy blog about the future of space exploration (marking, of course, the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's orbiting the earth).
3. Last night I found myself, as an agnostic, in the interesting position of picking out an Easter card for my deeply Christian grandmother that would satisfy her but not make me sound like too much of a hypocrite (any more than sending a card on a religious holiday does anyway). Fascinating times in the card aisle.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
And We Have Mrs. Steinbeck To Thank For The Title
This morning's Writer's Almanac had a lot of good background about The Grapes of Wrath, which was published today in 1939. Originally Steinbeck was asked to do a piece for Life magazine, but when it wasn't published he ended up writing a novel, finishing the first draft in 100 days.
A quote taken from the article:
I break myself every time I go out [in the fields] because the argument that one person's effort can't really do anything doesn't seem to apply when you come on a bunch of starving children and you have a little money. I can't rationalize it for myself anyway. So don't get me a job for a slick. I want to put a tag of shame on the greedy bastards who are responsible for this.
I think you succeeded in doing that and more, John. Good job.
A quote taken from the article:
I break myself every time I go out [in the fields] because the argument that one person's effort can't really do anything doesn't seem to apply when you come on a bunch of starving children and you have a little money. I can't rationalize it for myself anyway. So don't get me a job for a slick. I want to put a tag of shame on the greedy bastards who are responsible for this.
I think you succeeded in doing that and more, John. Good job.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Coat Poem
You didn't think I'd miss a chance to quote from "Le Manteau de Pascal," did you? I had to go read it mid-way through the coat sewing. Here's the whole thing and here's the parts I thought about:
A Jacob's ladder with hovering empty arms, an open throat,
a place where a heart might beat if it wishes,
pockets that hang awaiting the sandy whir of a small secret,
folds where the legs could be, with their kneeling mechanism,
the floating fatigue of an after-dinner herald,
not guilty of any treason towards life except fatigue,
a skillfully cut coat, without chronology,
filled with the sensation of being suddenly completed —
as then it is, abruptly, the last stitch laid in, the knot bit off —
[...]
the neck like a vase awaiting its cut flower,
a skirting barely visible where the tucks indicate
the mild loss of bearing in the small of the back,
the grammar, so strict, of the two exact shoulders —
and the law of the shouldering —
and the chill allowed to skitter up through,
and those crucial spots where the fit cannot be perfect —
oh skirted loosening aswarm with lessenings,
with the mild pallors of unaccomplishment,
flaps night-air collects in,
folds.
Now I'm going to go around muttering, "Oh skirted loosening aswarm with lessenings" all day.
A Jacob's ladder with hovering empty arms, an open throat,
a place where a heart might beat if it wishes,
pockets that hang awaiting the sandy whir of a small secret,
folds where the legs could be, with their kneeling mechanism,
the floating fatigue of an after-dinner herald,
not guilty of any treason towards life except fatigue,
a skillfully cut coat, without chronology,
filled with the sensation of being suddenly completed —
as then it is, abruptly, the last stitch laid in, the knot bit off —
[...]
the neck like a vase awaiting its cut flower,
a skirting barely visible where the tucks indicate
the mild loss of bearing in the small of the back,
the grammar, so strict, of the two exact shoulders —
and the law of the shouldering —
and the chill allowed to skitter up through,
and those crucial spots where the fit cannot be perfect —
oh skirted loosening aswarm with lessenings,
with the mild pallors of unaccomplishment,
flaps night-air collects in,
folds.
Now I'm going to go around muttering, "Oh skirted loosening aswarm with lessenings" all day.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday Project Roundup: The Coat
Today's project reinforces why I'm glad I can sew: I wanted a new spring coat that was long enough to look good over dresses, but there just wasn't anything out there. So I made one:
Looking good over a dress, oh yes.
I used an out-of-print Simplicity pattern (which I sewed once before, about four years ago) and made it in striped canvas from IKEA, cutting everything so the stripes were horizontal. Here's a hanger shot, so you can see how the stripes line up across the front and the sleeves. (Check out the yellow lining, too!)
This came together easily and quickly--I worked on it nearly non-stop for a week, just because I was so excited that what I saw in my head was working out. I like it over dresses, but I think I like it even more with skinny pants and ballet flats , all buttoned up and looking like some mod character from a Fellini movie.
(That, or the Hamburglar.)
I'm going with Fellini, though. See?
Dramatic collar, weekend hair.
Looking good over a dress, oh yes.I used an out-of-print Simplicity pattern (which I sewed once before, about four years ago) and made it in striped canvas from IKEA, cutting everything so the stripes were horizontal. Here's a hanger shot, so you can see how the stripes line up across the front and the sleeves. (Check out the yellow lining, too!)
This came together easily and quickly--I worked on it nearly non-stop for a week, just because I was so excited that what I saw in my head was working out. I like it over dresses, but I think I like it even more with skinny pants and ballet flats , all buttoned up and looking like some mod character from a Fellini movie.
(That, or the Hamburglar.)
I'm going with Fellini, though. See?
Dramatic collar, weekend hair.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Brain
As I try to deal with some emotions and make sense of others, I've been thinking about the brain a lot (not The Brain, although I have been enjoying this, too) and about the cerebral cortex, as described by my science boyfriend Carl Sagan:
The cerebral cortex is a liberation. We need no longer be trapped in the genetically inherited patterns of lizards and baboons...No longer at the mercy of the reptile brain, we can change ourselves.
The "reptile brain" is in charge of aggression and territoriality and a host of other things that the cerebral cortex can overcome, a comforting thought.
Naturally, I was delighted by this "Ode to the Brain" from Symphony of Science (the same people who brought you this) which contains that Sagan quote, along with lots more good stuff.
Because the reptile brain isn't in charge!
The cerebral cortex is a liberation. We need no longer be trapped in the genetically inherited patterns of lizards and baboons...No longer at the mercy of the reptile brain, we can change ourselves.
The "reptile brain" is in charge of aggression and territoriality and a host of other things that the cerebral cortex can overcome, a comforting thought.
Naturally, I was delighted by this "Ode to the Brain" from Symphony of Science (the same people who brought you this) which contains that Sagan quote, along with lots more good stuff.
Because the reptile brain isn't in charge!
Friday, April 08, 2011
Friday Unrelated Information
1. In addition to the fact that there are tigers Photoshopped onto surfboards, the names of the tigers also delight me: Princess, Laser, Proudy, Bravery, etc. Oh yes, it's tigersonsurfboards.com.
2. Since there's been a space theme here for the last few weeks, here's a link to It's Full of Stars (recognize the quote?), a roundup of space news and really subtle animated gifs.
3. Found via friends (whose tweet was featured!) here's Peanutweeter, in which random tweets are inserted into Peanuts cartoons. Who knew the cartoon lent itself so well to parody?
2. Since there's been a space theme here for the last few weeks, here's a link to It's Full of Stars (recognize the quote?), a roundup of space news and really subtle animated gifs.
3. Found via friends (whose tweet was featured!) here's Peanutweeter, in which random tweets are inserted into Peanuts cartoons. Who knew the cartoon lent itself so well to parody?
Thursday, April 07, 2011
The Unbearable Adultness Of Decorating
I have made some serious purchases for the house lately. I know refrigerators and washers and dryers are serious, but these latest purchases feel more weighty, if only because they're essentially frivolous. (Bear with me here.)
Remember how I wanted to copy a painting instead of buying real art? Well, the artist has been doing a lot of smaller work lately and I just went for it. Meet "Amber":
The long view:
I love "Amber." I think she needs a frame, but she is gorgeous.
And remember when I wanted to buy a love seat for my old apartment--because a real couch wouldn't fit--and I found one at Target.com? (That was so long ago that the images got lost when I moved to the new Blogger.) I remember back in 2007 that I worked two jobs to get the $400 to get that foam masterpiece.
Well, things have changed a little, because Monday I ordered this baby:
Made in Virginia to my own specifications, with my own upholstery choice (orange, of course), in six to eight weeks? I kind of can't believe it. Because I remember working two jobs to get $400. Yes, I was in debt then, but not only am I out of debt now, I bought a house; and lately I just plop down money for non-essentials like real art and real furniture without batting an eye.
Tax returns help with the plopping down of money, of course, but regardless--it just sunk in that I'm not a struggling 20-something anymore. The unbearable adultness, indeed.
Remember how I wanted to copy a painting instead of buying real art? Well, the artist has been doing a lot of smaller work lately and I just went for it. Meet "Amber":
The long view:
I love "Amber." I think she needs a frame, but she is gorgeous.
And remember when I wanted to buy a love seat for my old apartment--because a real couch wouldn't fit--and I found one at Target.com? (That was so long ago that the images got lost when I moved to the new Blogger.) I remember back in 2007 that I worked two jobs to get the $400 to get that foam masterpiece.
Well, things have changed a little, because Monday I ordered this baby:
Made in Virginia to my own specifications, with my own upholstery choice (orange, of course), in six to eight weeks? I kind of can't believe it. Because I remember working two jobs to get $400. Yes, I was in debt then, but not only am I out of debt now, I bought a house; and lately I just plop down money for non-essentials like real art and real furniture without batting an eye.
Tax returns help with the plopping down of money, of course, but regardless--it just sunk in that I'm not a struggling 20-something anymore. The unbearable adultness, indeed.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
My Job Is Great, Except When It's Not
Writing for a living sounds difficult and mysterious, but the truth of the matter is, it's pretty easy for me. Except when it isn't. My agency job is usually great, but there are times when writing for clients is like the most dreaded and tedious school paper you've ever been assigned--if that school paper went on for weeks and you had to make sure the paper made your professor money and you had to act really excited about the whole process and your ability to pay your mortgage depended on the grade you got.
Which is why I was so happy to see this last week: a graph of the levels of fun involved in the writing process. Let me tell you, it's 100% accurate--especially that last step.
(click for bigger--from the Not Exactly Rocket Science blog, found via BoingBoing).
Which is why I was so happy to see this last week: a graph of the levels of fun involved in the writing process. Let me tell you, it's 100% accurate--especially that last step.
(click for bigger--from the Not Exactly Rocket Science blog, found via BoingBoing).
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Tuesday Project Roundup: Sticking With A Theme
My sister-in-law had a second baby shower over the weekend, which meant more BABY THINGS. Since the sweater for her other shower turned out so big, I wanted to do newborn-sized things for this one. I didn't think I needed to move away from my randomly-picked theme of "elephants," though:
Elephant blankie!
Elephant bib!
Onesies decorated with iron-on elephants! (and a lion)
Little knit diaper cover!
And yes, I resisted the urge to try any of the clothes on Toby.
Elephant blankie!
Elephant bib!
Onesies decorated with iron-on elephants! (and a lion)
Little knit diaper cover!
And yes, I resisted the urge to try any of the clothes on Toby.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Sunday Night Conversations
My best friend and I check in once a week (sometimes more), usually on Sundays. Last night's conversation ranged from one's capacity for self-delusion to what happened at the store this week, and ended on the weather:
Him: "The snow is not helping."
Me: "But think, everything that's blooming now has adapted to being snowed on. It's like magic, but it's science."'
Him: "The snow is not helping."
Me: "But think, everything that's blooming now has adapted to being snowed on. It's like magic, but it's science."'
Friday, April 01, 2011
Friday Unrelated Information
1. I'm late posting today because I slept in--because I took the day off! AND it's sunny out!
2. Have you seen the images coming in from MESSENGER, now in orbit around Mercury? Here's the first one:
3. Similar to Garfield Without Garfield, 3eanuts has discovered another genius comic strip omission:
Charles Schulz's Peanuts comics often conceal the existential despair of their world with a closing joke at the characters' expense. With the last panel omitted, despair pervades all.
2. Have you seen the images coming in from MESSENGER, now in orbit around Mercury? Here's the first one:
3. Similar to Garfield Without Garfield, 3eanuts has discovered another genius comic strip omission:
Charles Schulz's Peanuts comics often conceal the existential despair of their world with a closing joke at the characters' expense. With the last panel omitted, despair pervades all.
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