Daily life

After the relatives go home for the holidays, it is my grandmother's annual cleanup of everything. She routinely goes through every drawer in the house, wipes it out, and rearranges things how she likes them. Having so many people in the house causes a great upset in the fine-tuned organization of the house, and she takes great pleasure in setting things back to rights. Earlier in my visit we had a conversation regarding general habits, and she claims that she is never happier than when she is cleaning and singing to keep herself occupied. Sure enough, today she is rummaging around in the basement area (which resembles a perfectly organized and arranged version of the The Junk Lady in Labyrinth. "Don't you like your toys?") and singing 'Jingle Bells' as loud as she possibly can.

I don't think I've ever seen her happier.

So I just learned about...

... Stalker Sarah. Apparently there's a girl who follows celebrities with the intent of getting a picture with them. Aside from the incredible creep factor (and who has the money/time to do that?), I am somewhat morbidly fascinated by Flickr account and its terrible organization. She doesn't tag with names, locations, shows, genres, or type of celebrity. Frankly, it's a mess and I want to fix it. I don't want to touch it, but I want to fix it.

She seems to have a small fandom of her own on Tumblr, fangirls who are jealous of her perceived connection with their favorite celebrities.

I... I don't even know what else to say here. I'm just creeped out, and my OCD is being confused by her methodical stalking of celebs with a distinct lack of organization.

Oh, and.

I got my internship.

Finals Week

This week is trying me. So much of me is still processing through the last year. The more I go back and revisit episodes at my old job, the more negative memories come up for me. Day to day I remember the fun times and how much I enjoyed my morning duties, my coworkers, and snapshots of laughter. But there are times when I remember faces and voices that are harsh, hopeless, angry, manipulative, and better left forgotten. Often these were the faces of friends turned self-promoters and politics-players or passive workers who didn't care how they effected others, the occasional manager who would rebuff concerns. Above all I can see one face, stubborn and angry, sullen and withdrawn. That face I could not help, could not guide.


Trying to let all this go and remember that I don't ever have to see those people again. That is not my life anymore, and they prepared me for a lifetime of crazy. Today for the first time in ages I entered into conflict with grace and subverted what could have been a thorny situation into one where everyone felt heard, respected, and ultimately created an environment of compromise and progress. Victory tastes sweetest when no one loses. I learned that the hard way at my old job, and while I know that not every win will be so sweet I will cherish this one.

Everything's coming up Gert

One step closer to my internship! Here's a mix to geek out to and celebrate. I discovered yesterday that Jonathan Coulton makes me happy/focused/motivated to do school.  \o/

Tracklisting:
Glasses - Jonathan Coulton
Ana Ng - They Might Be Giants
If You're Into It - Flight of the Conchords
Ego Tripping At The Gates of Hell - The Flaming Lips
Hey Julie - Fountains of Wayne
I Think I Need A New Heart - The Magnetic Fields
Buckets of Rain - Bob Dylan

Out on a limb

There are many factors that could enable or prevent my current internship prospect from falling through.

It's a long shot, but I've applied for another internship. So. We'll see.

Today's job interview went well, but it ultimately showed me that I can't simply take the first job that comes to me. It isn't precisely what I need nor is it precisely what I want. Fortunately I'm not in a position to be obligated to take the first job that comes along.

Fortunately my classes are going well and I'm making good grades so far. Four weeks left of the semester and there will be three more As on that transcript... somehow that makes me even more determined to find a job that will make these last six years of self-doubt and fear of failure worth it.

I have to remind myself, though, that no matter the job, I will have my degree and I will have earned it. Take that, self-pitying inner feelings!

My happy place

Books for him and books for her

This week is a nerve-wracking one so far. I have a job interview tomorrow (yay!) and I may hear back about my internship on Friday. If I get one it may influence the other as well as possibly cause the shortening or cancellation of my archiving plans for January.

January us important to me. I want to spend time learning about the seniors n the Midwest and their history. The town is important to my family, and they've done a lot of good. It seems sad that so much of the town will die with the seniors, and if I can do anything to slow that decay, I will.

I'm making a quilt to take with me, and once I finish that project I'm moving on to testing out the slide scanner. That will be interesting. We purchased the Wolverine slide and photo scanner. 14 megapixels with the capability to scan negatives as well. It's my new toy, and it feels like Christmas.


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Location:White Oak Library

A Mix for Paris

Track Listing:
1. Goodbye My Love, Goodbye - Demis Roussos
2. Raindrops (Matrsuri) - Grand Hallway
3. Become Someone Else's - Jens Lekman
4. These Days - Nico
5. No Provenance - Joanna Newsom
6. He Wants You - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
7. Complainte De La Butte - Rufus Wainwright
8. Rue St. Vincent - Yves Montand

Chipper Autumn Mix

Tracklisting:
1. Dawned On Me - Wilco
2. I'm Waking Up To Us - Belle & Sebastian
3. Feeling The Pull - The Swell Season
4. Modern Nature - Sondre Lerche
5. New Soul - Yael Naim
6. Ne Me Quitte Pas - Regina Spektor
7. All Is Love - Karen O. & The Kids
8. Secret Heart - Feist

Harmonies

Tracklisting:
1. Do You Remember The Riots? - Jens Lekman
2. Bats In the Attic - King Creosote & Jon Hopkins
3. Homesick - Kings of Convenience
4. You Really Got A Hold On Me - She & Him
5. Paperweight - Joshua Radin
6. Gone For Good - The Shins
7. Chicago [Acoustic] - Sufjan Stevens
8. Love That Conquers - The Swell Season