I Need A New Hairdresser

I remember desperately wanting bangs when I was growing up.  The closest I ever got to cutting my own hair was cutting approximately 7 strands of hair into bangs that only I could see.  At least, as far as I remember 

Some kids have more balls than I did.  

And they are MUCH funnier because of it.

The 5 year old daughter of an NPR reporter decided to take it upon herself to cut her 3 year old sister's hair.  From the sound of it, she desperately needed a haircut anyway..and their father was there to interview the subjects afterwards.

Classic little kid hilariousness ensues....

Best Haircut Ever

Score One For The Supreme Court

Reading For Pepperoni

I miss reading for pizza.  I do.  I really, really do.

When I was in elementary school, they offered the Pizza Hut Book It! program.  I don't remember exactly what the book goal was but it was something along the lines of "read 10 books, get a free personal pan pizza and a sticker for your cool hologram button".  Being as I grew up in a little Minnesota town who's closest restaurant pizza option was driving miles into town to pick up a Hot Stuff from the grocery store before driving back home (and probably popping it in the oven to heat back up), going to Pizza Hut was like a mini fantastical vacation.  Go to Fargo or Detroit Lakes, sit down at fancy pizza place, show them your proof of book reading, get magic personal pan pizza.  Cue angels singing.

Turns out, Pizza Hut still offers this program! Granted, for kids...but whatever! For the love of pizza gods, can they offer an adult version of this???

Happy Late Pride Day!

Love love love to all those, gay and straight, who have proven time and again that there is NEVER anything wrong with LOVE! 

If love is offered accept it! 

Mad? Or Happy?

Because when I work a Saturday, I just need a laugh...


via BuzzFeed

Covertastic

I love an awesome cover.  Prince's cover of Crimson and Clover might be one of my all time favorites.

I'm also a relatively new fan of The Civil Wars.  My dad sent me the video for their awesome version of Billie Jean.

Turns out, they've got a bunch of other covers as well.  And if you've never heard The Civil Wars before, I highly recommend their album Barton Hollow.

Bartending As A Backup?

There was a point before I started graduate school where every report said librarians were going to be the new hot commodity.  Oh, there's going to be so many librarians retiring and we'll have so many jobs! Fast forward to the bursting of the economic bubble and it's basically the opposite.

No one is retiring, no one is filling empty spots with full-time positions...

And reports like this come out:

Forbes: The Best and Worst Master's Degree for Jobs

Who ranks as the lowest of the low on this list?

Librarians.



FML

Break A Leg...No, Really..

You know what you shouldn't wear for a FitDance class?  A class where you're dancing with lots of arms and legs moving? Often resembling a hip hop dancing gorilla?

These


The normal, responsible foot owning public never expected to need to explain this.  (and yes, I meant "foot owning"..my feet cried for hours thinking about you last night, lady.  My ankles were equally disturbed)

I'm talking to you, lady-wearing-normal-clothes-and-too-much-makeup at FitDance last night.

p.s. No, they are also not appropriate for the preceding Abdominals class either.  Shocking, but true.

Super Sexy Serial Killer

One might think I was referring to Michael C. Hall and his portrayal of Dexter....While I'm a pretty giant Dexter fan, I'm also a HUGE Chelsea Cain fan.  

Who is Chelsea Cain?  She just happens to be the author of a number of books including the Gretchen Lowell series.  Gretchen Lowell is the twisted, violent serial killer that torments the troubled detective, Archie Sheridan.  It doesn't matter if Gretchen is in jail or not, she can still pull off some gruesome deeds.  Probably because she's not only a mental genius, she's also drop dead gorgeous.  The girl can seduce, yo.  This series is one of my all time favorites and I recommend it all the time.  Archie isn't the most likable of characters in the first book but he has substantial emotional growth throughout the series.  Stick with the guy and you can't help but be engaged in his personality.  

Not for the weak stomached....

Anyway, I bring this up because the 4th book in the series is being released on August 7th and I just had a giddy, bounce in my chair clapping session...

 

I'm above and beyond excited...

Series:

Heartsick, Sweetheart, Evil at Heart, and Night Season

p.s. Cain is from Iowa City which makes her even cooler...

Happy Mental Break

Do you need a mental break?  Desperately searching for happiness?

Look at this:

Live Puppy Cam

(turns out, embedding the video stream didn't work)

Shiba Inu puppies...sleeping, playing, being stupid cute....

Seriously, it's so cute your teeth may fall out

There Goes An Hour

Sorry I've been missing for the past couple weeks! The library is moving to a temporary location and because of that, I haven't spent much time in front of a computer...which meant I haven't wandered across much awesome stuff lately...Until now!

I just lost more than an hour of my life at All Women Stalk.

(Pretend there's an cute image here..for some reason, I can't get anything to come up correctly)
It's a website with tons of lists in different topics.  Hair, diets, wedding, fashion, travel...I will admit, I'm not a huge fan of the format of their lists as each item is listed on the "next" page...I'd prefer to not have to click "next" to see every single thing...just put it all on one page....BUT it still has some great lists and it's seriously addictive....

WTF Glamour Shots??

I'll admit it, I wanted nothing more desperately than getting Glamour Shots when I was growing up.  If there are 2 things in the world I remember wanting, it's one of those little red Little Tikes cars


and my chance at supermodel superstardom via Glamour Shots.

Clearly my mother is a fun hater because I got neither one of these things.

Because I have no professionally taken Glamour Shots to prove that I would have RULED that camera, I'll take comfort in all these other ladies that probably scarred that camera for life.


Is this dominatrix GS??


Nothing like a well places boa...


Maybe the red hat on a red background wasn't such a great idea? I didn't realize your head was normal size until I had looked at this 4 times.  Oh, and I assume they refer to this as your "Joker pose"?

12 Ways to Achieve the Very Best Glamour Shot

Playing Business Hardball

I wish this kid lived in my neighborhood!
I'd pay him double!

DIY Is FLY

My new DIY project comes from



I Spy DIY





Engravable charms

This blog is FULL of great fashion DIY ideas and while I'm not sure I could (or would want to) pull all of them off, I envision myself making loads of cute charms.  In reality, I probably won't...but ya never know! In the meantime, I'm going to continue digging through her blog to find really fun ideas!

32 Is A Big Year

So you should probably chip in and get me this for my birthday



Is that a LV golf bag, you ask?  Yes.  Yes it is.

It's only $12,000.

I prefer the monogram.

You're welcome for the idea, Mom.

p.s. the extra genius of this post is that, clearly, anything thing else I ask for will look like chump change compared to this! Smarter with age....

Bring On London

US swimmer,Ryan Lochte, along with some Olympic babes...



Michael Phelps being awesome as usual....

I can't wait for the Olympics

I can't wait to watch Michael Phelps destroy the pool

July 27th....

Making Out Is Super Fun

Just ask Jon Hamm

Arranged Marriage In The Future?

My friends, Pharon and Holly, and I once video taped ourselves watching television for 6+ hours.  The camera was set up on top of the VCR and pointed towards the couch where we spent the entire day watching who knows what and recording it.  Why did we do this?  I have no idea.  What did we do with this video?  Clearly, we watched it.  Duh. Not the entire 6+ hours, of course but the highlights.  Again-- duh.

10 years later, I realize we made a GIANT mistake.  Obviously, videos like ours are meant to be edited down to shorter length genius.  Probably also set to music.  I don't know what we were thinking.

Because we let the world down, I'll attempt to make up for it by introducing you (if you haven't already caught it) to one of the best at-home-video-edited-to-shorter-genius I've had the pleasure to see.

These kids rule.

So I'm Thinking About Streaking

I have a subscription to Runner's World magazine.  I got it as a prize from Nike+ so don't be tricked into thinking I paid money for this because I'm such a serious runner.  However, I do find it to be a really great magazine and am occasionally inspired to do more running because of it.  One of the things I've noticed a lot of lately, is talk about "streaking".  Running naked?  Not quite.  Streaking refers to the act of running at least 1 mile every day, rain or shine.  From what I gather, the longest streak is currently at 43.79 years.  That's as of today--Mark Covert owns the streak with 15,995 consecutive days of running.  When I got my newest issue a week or so ago, there was a small article about Martha Staten (follow her on Twitter) who drank a different beer every day of her 2011 streak.  365 different beers!  Totally earned with 365 runs! That's awesome and that's a lady I can appreciate.

Anyway, I keep finding myself thinking about taking on this challenge.  I can't decide if I could pull it off, if I have enough dedication to follow through, what my starting goal would be?  More importantly, what sort of treats am I giving myself?  Do I follow Martha Staten's example and drink a beer a day? Treat myself to a different bottle of wine on Sundays? I don't know...All I know is it seems like a good challenge...Anyone care to join me?  I'd be much more inclined with a buddy!

Check out these articles and blogs--

The Streaking Runner

In It for the Long Run- Wall Street Journal

Run Drink Repeat

Beer Runner Blog

Friday's For Everyone!

I have a lot of random things in my brain right now.  Namely, trying to wrap my head around how all of my belongings will be moved out of my apartment, sorted through, and occasionally reused in the house.  The set up in the master bedroom is slowly driving me nuts so I'm daydreaming about awesome things that I wish were in it.  Like these things


Preferably not with the name "Billy" on the side...


I think I actually just miss my nice yellow West Elm bedding that's being ignored right now...


I still think I should own some sort of octopus....

note--none of these things actually go together....this is one of my problems...I need some sort of cohesive plan...uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............

For now, I'm gonna rock all my troubles away...

In memory of MCA

Stephen King Has A Potty Mouth And I Like It

Stephen King is a man I can appreciate.  His novels set the standard for horror.  He reads a ridiculous amount of books but ONLY blurbs the ones he actually likes (which would be a nice change of pace for other authors).  Most of all, he does cool things with his wealth such as donate money to keep homes of low income residents of his hometown heated in winter.

With all the discussion of the wealthy paying more in taxes (which they absolutely should), I find Stephen King's essay the most cheer-worthy.  Right on, man.


Tax Me for F*#@*'s Sake by Stephen King

I'm Prepared To Be Good Lookin'

I may be getting a bit ahead of myself...but I reached my January goal of losing 10lbs yesterday (yes, I know, it took much longer than it was supposed to) and I'm determined to lose another 10lbs in the next 2 months.  By "determined" I mean, I'm hoping this is like a ball rolling down a hill and I'm going to magically pick up speed and only take 2 months to lose it instead of 4.9999999 months.

This needs to happen because this girl is heading to PUNTA CANA (!!!!!!) in a little over 2 months! Not only would I like to look super hot in a bikini, I'd also like to give myself a bit of a cushion for the massive amount of eating and drinking I plan on doing at our all-inclusive resort.

As a pat on the back for hitting goal numero uno and as a nudge to keep going, I purchased this sweet little number for myself...if it doesn't scream "Hey, I'm resort chic in a looking like I tried but not too hard kinda way" than I don't know what does....


James Perse Racerback Dress with Baha Stripes
via HauteLook

Try not to be too jealous and I'll try not to jump up and down squealing...

Workin For The Weekend

Or working ON the weekend...whatever..

I feel like this today:


So I'm making myself happy by looking at things like this:











(I don't know why that makes me laugh but it totally does)

In Case You've Been Under A Rock

Our President has swagger...

Read In Your Sexy Voice

Happy belated St. George Day!



This book lovers holiday was meant to be celebrated yesterday but I kinda missed it...so I vote keep the party going! From what I understand, St. George Day is celebrated by men giving their ladies a rose and ladies returning the love by gifting their men with a book.  According to Wikipedia (yes, librarians use that from time to time too), there is a lot more to the holiday than just that but I choose to ignore it...Book love is blind!

Maybe it's wrong to celebrate on the wrong day but I don't think the giving of flowers and books ever turns out badly.  Spread the love!

St. George Day history

Speed Reader

Andy always teases me for being a fast reader.  But I'm feeling pretty slow lately and I'd be lying if I didn't admit that it kinda stresses me out.  This, I know, is a GIANT sign of nerdiness.  I'm also fairly confident that I'm in a weird speed reading competition that is just not being spoken about publicly.  So when I see friends finishing books at a crazy fast pace, I realize I'm losing.

I also debate the idea of not watching television at night and reading instead but then I realize that I'd be missing some crucial information on the Voice.

Anyway, Staples has posted a speed reading test online where you read a page and then answer 3 questions to prove you read it.  I didn't feel very speedy while I was doing it but according to the test, I read 352 words per minute.  Which places me at 52% faster than the national average.  So that's cool.  However, it also claims that the average college student is reading faster than that?  I find this hard to believe but then again, I haven't had to skim a textbook chapter in a number of years so maybe I'm just out of practice?  

The great news is that I'm planning on reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck for my 3rd classic and according to this, I will be able to finish it in 7 hours and 27 minutes.  Which is pretty convenient if you ask me.  

Try your speed reading skills out!

Source: Staples eReader Department

Cocktails in the Sunshine

I knew I wasn't alone in my love of day drinking. But I'm now totally validated.

NY Times- The Subversive Charm of Day Drinking

Put My Name On It

I just wandered across NameYourDesign.com via YoungHouseLove.com (my favorite blog..go fall in love with them if you haven't already) and I kinda heart them.  They make some of the cutest personalized stuff including old school metal kids lunch boxes.


They have even made the inside of the cover a chalkboard so you can write a little note to your punkin!

Who doesn't love a metal lunch box?

NameYourDesign.com

Go Tell Someone About A Great Book

And for the love of god, please let that tidbit of publicity coming from your mouth not be about Fifty Shades of Crap Grey.


Also, read this fantastic op-ed piece by Ann Patchett about the disappointment of not having a Pulitzer choice for Fiction this year.

And The Winner Isn't...

Patchett mentions some wonderful books that came out this year.  I suggest reading them all.

But my tidbit of publicity will be for

The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson


Read it.  It's wonderful.

A String Around Your Finger

Interesting Play, Sir

The 2012 Pulitzer Prize winners were just announced and they have given "No Award" for Fiction.  According to the Pulitzer FAQ

According to The Plan of the Award "If in any year all the competitors in any category shall fall below the standard of excellence fixed by the Pulitzer Prize board, the amount of such prize or prizes may be withheld"

I find this fascinating and a little bit shocking.  Granted, I suppose I'm not surprised that there was also no award for "Editorial Writing" but Fiction?  There really wasn't a single book that warranted the award? According to my quick research, the last year this happened was 1977.  Since 1918, this is only the 10th time they have abstained from awarding a prize for Fiction.  The 70's take the top honors of being owners of 3 of those "No Award"s. 

This being said, I don't have a great idea as to what should have won but considering the titles that got MASSIVE press....1Q84, Freedom, The Marriage Plot, The Tiger's Wife...

To fiction writer's everywhere--here's your kick in the ass. Love, Pulitzer.

**UPDATE** One thing I didn't realize--The Pulitzer is meant for American authors writing stories preferably "dealing with American life"..which I guess takes 1Q84 and The Tiger's Wife out of contention...

All Too True

Busy Girl Comics

Do What You Love And Success Will Follow

This kid is going to be a millionaire someday...

ROFL Hillz

Texts From Hillary

Someone Deserves A Prize

Whoever came up with this idea needs to be awarded something.  Something awesome.



Each stack of wine comes in 4 sections.  Each section is its own stemless wineglass filled with wine.  Which means that this might possibly be the worlds best picnic idea ever.  I'd like to buy a case of these to bring with me to Ravinia because you not only don't have to drag wine glasses there with you, you don't have to haul the dirty ones home! Just throw them away! (or now that I think about it, drag em home and don't feel bad if they break outside...I should really try to be more green)

It's ridiculously smart.

Buy them here- Stacked Wines

Why Wuthering Heights Makes My Brain Hurt

black line: brothers or sisters: dotted means adopted
red line: wedding: double line means second wedding
pink line: love
blue line: affection
green line: hate


yellow area includes the main characters
purple area includes random background characters

Even reading this map is exhausting....oh, and I copied it off of the Wikipedia page that I was reading to try and figure out what I was missing...turns out, I wasn't really missing anything...it just has giant gaps on purpose...uuuuuuuugggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

God's Farts

This movie looks ridiculously hilarious.  As well as just plain ridiculous.  I figure this is the sort of movie that could really screw with people on drugs.  But being a non-drug-doing type person, I'm just going to go and laugh my ass off.  

Ya Gotta Do What Ya Gotta Do

Mike Montiero

*I'm not currently burning any bridges but I'm not scared either*

Martini And A Side Of Shame, Please

I'm sure you've all heard of it by now.

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

They're referring to it as "mommy porn".  I'm referring to it as a giant pain in my librarian ass.

I could go into a whole rant about my feelings on this and the lack of common sense that I think lead to this book's popularity...but I won't...

Instead, I just think you should read this and laugh

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Fifty Shades of Grey by Julieanne Smolinsky