tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-336099362011-07-08T01:42:01.905-04:00I'd marry New York City if I wasn't already married.heathernoreply@blogger.comBlogger1351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-57823289127629202052009-09-30T20:00:00.000-04:002009-09-30T20:00:26.141-04:00

Most of you know, I am stoutly anti-Twitter.  (No offense, I like you, but I don't care that you're watching Glee, then going to bed early and don't care to read about it.)  But I thought I might turn this tool-of-nonsense into something productive and useful (and a fun experiment).  Over the next goodness-only-knows-how-long, I will be using Twitter to "tweet" Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-28608707906768814312008-10-14T21:57:00.006-04:002008-10-14T22:12:39.188-04:00

I am having a friend over tomorrow night to watch the Project Runway season finale. I was thinking of cooking in a TV dinner style, using aluminum trays and everything. But the truth is, I can't get past the cocktail course. Recipe below:THE KENLEY COOLERPick your fanciest glassCut up pineapples, grapes, oranges, strawberries and whatever else makes a nice garnish, fit these all over the glass

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-33642657166789923132008-09-22T18:26:00.004-04:002008-09-22T18:40:54.970-04:00

So, last Christmas, I told Joe I'd sign him up for a cooking class at the Institute of Culinary Education, which I finally did last week. I got a confirmation email from a woman with what has to be the most unfortunate name I have ever heard: Mini Ho. MINI HO! I wish I actually knew her so that the name isn't second hand. She'd replace, or at least tie with the other most unfortunate name I

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-83929077012446798992008-08-29T19:51:00.006-04:002008-08-29T20:29:59.714-04:00

How long does it take to get to the new Ikea in Brooklyn by water taxi? About 4 hours from downtown Manhattan. Here are directions:Start by leaving your office at 12:30 without double checking the directions you're sure you memorized 4 days earlier. Stop by Subway for some fast nourishment, then get on the wrong train going downtown. Transfer to what you are sure is the right train, and get

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-43243442290958470322008-08-28T21:39:00.005-04:002008-08-28T22:05:51.768-04:00

My junk mail box (junkmail box? junk mailbox?) has been filled with all kinds of wonderful headlines lately, very creative and pop-culture believable. This is not your standard vulgarity or Rolex (authentic!) vendors. These make me think the job market is worse than I thought and my fellow college grads had to really take some poor positions to make ends meet. Below is a list of my favorite

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-10133110285118732902008-08-02T23:34:00.001-04:002008-08-02T23:34:43.483-04:00

An ode to socks:Oh, socks, what a strange and wonderful creature.You are so much more than hosiery.  You are a sleeve for the feet, a pocket for the toes.  You are knitted, darned, and most often, missing.  You are one of a pair, like a twin:  if one goes missing, the other is distraught.  So often, people are searching for you, like an umbrella or a seat on the rush hour subway.  You are kin

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-66264196995267624162008-07-11T15:44:00.001-04:002008-07-11T15:44:09.026-04:00

There is a special summer subway surprise at the uptown 137th Street 1 train stop.  Something wonderful, aside from merely emerging from the ancient underground.  Lingering within the grime and odeur of the tunnel there is a very slight orange scent.  As you approach the turnstiles, it becomes a little stronger.  As you head up the stairs, it becomes a little stronger yet.  And when you finally

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-90710306323383557252008-07-11T15:27:00.001-04:002008-07-11T15:27:26.561-04:00

Just a test post...do emailed posts come up in Hindi too?

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-31687481705280489152008-05-31T23:18:00.002-04:002008-05-31T23:19:32.669-04:00

बुत फॉर सोम रेअसों, आईटी'स अल किंग आउट इन हिन्दी.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-8001187741469302352008-05-14T21:56:00.005-04:002008-12-10T12:15:23.183-05:00

So much for more blogs more often...But listen. There are 40 barber shops in the neighborhood. And they are all very busy all the time. Especially Saturday nights, they are quite the social scene. So we saw the BEST permutation of the happening barber shop last weekend: karaoke. Yes! Karaoke barber shop! It was marvelous. We have many bars that are mainly empty advertising karaoke, and

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-54876723183239173752008-04-22T21:48:00.006-04:002008-12-10T12:15:23.761-05:00

I love the one train. I have to. But just look at this guy. I hope to someday be as completely New York as he is. This was taken around 11:00 PM on a Saturday night, heading uptown. Waaaay uptown. Where was he going?And this? I'm sure there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for this, but I'd rather not hear it if it's all the same to you. Let's conjecture.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-76513385486058244092008-04-22T21:12:00.008-04:002008-12-10T12:15:24.815-05:00

Joe and I discovered that there is a national park in (on?) Staten Island called Gateway. As always, in the spirit of adventure, we hopped on the subway, had a ride on the ferry, caught a bus, and trekked into the part called Great Kills. Actually, it took about 3 hours to get all the way there, and yet the following pictures are technically still New York City. The rest of Staten Island, at

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-88395999455441568512008-04-19T21:48:00.005-04:002008-12-10T12:15:25.253-05:00

Yankee Stadium is about to become "the site fo the old Yankee Stadium." This is, of course, both disappointing and super exciting. The old Yankee Stadium is quite awesome to visit, while being a little uncomfortable and old fashioned. The NEWYankee Stadium (as opposed to the New Yankee Workshop) is being built from the original blueprints with major upgrades. We can walk to both stadiums, and

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-60178538523294818922008-04-19T21:23:00.002-04:002008-04-19T21:39:58.604-04:00

Last night, Huzbin and I were wondering, what can we do for cheap around here? I googled "free NYC" and got a website called freenyc which lists all kinds of free and cheap events around the city. So after a dinner at Otto paid for with a gift card (thank you Rebecca and Mario!) Joe and I walked up to Union Square, where I'd heard about an event called "Silent Rave." I'm sure you all know

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-90701697498787570602008-04-19T21:14:00.003-04:002008-12-10T12:15:25.468-05:00

K, one of the things about the new format is "I'm just here for the food" isn't working anymore. This will be a "tales from NYC" or "day to day" kind of thing, but the new title isn't making itself obvious to me. Please help me to brainstorm new things, with apples, cities, new york, whatever you think is New York clever or witty. The winner will get her or his picture right here and a whole

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-47957543589883507072008-04-18T22:57:00.000-04:002008-04-18T23:25:24.647-04:00

It's a sing-along! Everyone, please put on your best easy listening voice and join me:Baby, if you ever wonderedWondered whatever became of meI'm living on the air in CincinnatiCincinnati WKRP(key change!)I got tired of all that packing and unpackingTown to town, up and down the dialMaybe you and me were never meant to beMaybe think of me once in a while.I'm at W K R P in

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-17614985444095817872008-04-02T13:03:00.000-04:002008-04-02T13:23:34.557-04:00

Okay, I am unreasonably excited about having a cubicle. I got a new job, which I start on Monday, and I am having cubicle fantasies. To me, this bit of office drudgery is an extension of my home, and I intend to decorate it as such. I have spent my last few days as the receptionist with nothing to do scanning all my favorite sites, nosing out inexpensive, inoffensive to co-workers accessories. I

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-32205689693969394872008-03-09T12:59:00.000-04:002008-03-09T13:26:30.667-04:00

It seems to me that many people my age lose focus at a certain point and get very wrapped up in what is going on presently. I find this a little frustrating, since many are finally financially free enough to really achieve the goals they had when they were younger, but the once-goals have become more aligned with pipe-dreams, seemingly unachievable. I asked Joe yesterday what he wants next, now

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-30732482116575801022008-02-21T09:56:00.000-05:002008-02-21T10:07:26.715-05:00

I know I'm not much of a humanitarian, in fact, I don't like most people. But I do like a charming and hilarious gal named Bettina. Bettina was diagnosed with Parkinson's a couple of years ago, and well, it stinks.So in the spirit of uniting, research, and a walk in the park, I have joined Team Bettina for the Parkinson's Unity Walk. The goal of Team Bettina is to raise $10,000 by the day of the

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1635324784894362262008-02-09T19:44:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:15:26.964-05:00

Lest you think I'm a complete hack, I did finish one room, the living room! Here it is. Well, first a refresher of how it looked when we first moved in (and the first couple of months):I struggled with color choices, since I couldn't remember what the paint we had in DC was, and Joe is emphatically opposed to really bright colors ("I don't want to live in PeeWee's Playhouse!"). So we settled

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-50505655268131613402008-02-09T17:35:00.000-05:002008-02-09T17:52:54.214-05:00

No, no, nothing that dramatic. Our apartment is almost almost done, BUT the bedroom is a challenge that I'm clearly not up to. I have NO inspiration, everything I've tried doesn't work (or not well enough). I know it can be done, but it is beyond me. I need my creative team (that's you!) to send me suggestions. Here are the problems I'm working with (or rather, not working with).1. It's a

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-12581481359000266232007-12-29T00:21:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:15:27.392-05:00

K, so maybe I'm dating myself, but whatevs ("whatevs" counteracts my oldness by using youth speak). I want to know what happened to Joan Rivers. I remember her from my childhood (sorry, Joan) as this loud, obnoxious, hilarious New York lady. She was, I hate to admit now, a large part of the spell New York had over me (NY still has a spell over me, she's just no longer a part of it, really).So,

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-23726567405342960262007-12-27T21:15:00.000-05:002007-12-27T21:33:51.036-05:00

I am sorry I've been gone. Things have been happening very quickly and I haven't had time to mull them over in the form of a blog. For those of you still with me, thank you very very much. I will try to reward your patience.Joe and I now live in Harlem. 141 and Broadway, to be exact. Downtowners (anything south of 100th) think we live far away, our friends in Brooklyn think we live in

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-67444263186481179132007-11-29T10:56:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:15:27.571-05:00

The first review for Joe's book, Sunflowers: the Secret History, is out. Below, read Kirkus' glowing words:SUNFLOWERSThe Secret HistoryAuthor: Pappalardo, JoeReview Date: DECEMBER 01, 2007Publisher:OverlookPages: 256Price (hardback): $22.95Publication Date: 3/20/2008 0:00:00ISBN: 978-1-58567-991-1ISBN (hardback): 978-1-58567-991-1Category: NONFICTIONAir & Space magazine editor Pappalardo forms

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-57276966433504448262007-11-16T10:11:00.000-05:002007-11-16T10:22:57.253-05:00

Well, folks, I finally got a job. After 6 months of looking and interviewing after graduation, it's my turn. I will be at the most entry level position, receptionist, at Harcourt Trade Publishers. The person in the role before me was promoted into the publicity department after just 3 months. And while I'm told this is unusual, I have hope that it won't be much longer for me. It's an

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-88133942779054183382007-11-14T19:37:00.001-05:002008-12-10T12:15:29.178-05:00

I have had a request or two to see the apartment in the "during" phase and since we're doing everything so piecemeal, I thought now would be a good time to show you how little we've gotten done in 2 weeks. Here you see the hallway, the living room, kitchen, back room (office? library?) and the bedroom. Pretty, right?Here are a couple of things we did get done: we made a closet (except for the

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-39885316743799649302007-10-15T21:36:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:30.524-05:00

They said we were crazy. They told us it couldn't be done. They warned us not even to try.But we did it. We got an apartment in New York City in one day. It's a two bedroom, in Harlem (141 and Broadway, or Morningside Heights) and it has a dishwasher. Yes, it does and I'm not at all lying.Getting it was a complete accident. We had arranged to see a no fee apartment with a woman who was a no

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-86801915038541716322007-08-30T13:49:00.000-04:002007-08-30T14:03:14.880-04:00

I thought you all might enjoy this bit from the Des Moines Register about my dad!Don Alexander, 65, AmesCharacter name: Kilt ManWhere you'll see him: Merchant, Scots DragonThe key to slipping into a kilt by today's standards probably has more to do with courage than skill.But before the modern kilt came into being in the late 1700s to early 1800s, there was the "Great Kilt," a piece of fabric 5 1

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-90208413892732496422007-08-27T06:18:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:30.688-05:00

I meant to post this a month ago! I can't believe I forgot to share with all of you. The weekend of our wedding anniversary, Joe shaved off his beard. Or rather, let me shave it off for him. It grew back immediately, but for the first time in our 10 years together, I saw his fresh little face underneath all that. It was shocking, really.

heathernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-11158349211660256232007-08-16T22:23:00.000-04:002007-08-16T22:29:37.757-04:00

I'm just watching Ace of Cakes on FoodNetwork, which has to be one of the best shows ever, and they are making a pirate ship cake for a pirate wedding on the Clipper City, which is the boat Joe and I got married on! Yay! It's very strange to see other people getting married on our boat. Especially in pirate costumes.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-54364482242762031222007-08-14T13:44:00.001-04:002007-08-14T13:47:52.301-04:00

So the reason my degree wasn't awarded was because I had an Italian course approved for Study Abroad, but ended up taking a higher level course when I got there, so I had to get that course approved. Yes. It's true. The Study Abroad office pushed my paperwork through, so now they appear correctly on my transcript (as transfer credits) and I should be getting my degree any time now, barring any

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-79939594984141799322007-08-08T09:27:00.001-04:002008-12-10T12:15:30.869-05:00

And so, as it goes, I am basically unemployed, “working” only about 10-15 hours a week in the Philosophy Department, as I’ve mentioned before, my old work-study job. I got this great idea to temp. Be a temporary employee. Temp.And so as it goes, I got a temp job. First I got a temp agency, then they got me a temp job. The job was in McLean (muh-clayn) Virginia, and I had to take the bus to

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-45607918105093388532007-07-25T21:17:00.000-04:002007-07-25T21:18:24.432-04:00

My husband really likes talking animals. So he's really happy about Underdog, and he likes those cows who shill California cheese. I guess you never stop learning things about each other.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-41012432332639123902007-07-24T21:43:00.000-04:002007-07-25T21:52:03.808-04:00

Just in case you weren't sure, I'm a total geek. Not in the technically savvy kind of cyber cool kind of way, but in the I-joined-an-online-HarryPotter-reading-group-and-reread-the-entire-series-one-chapter-at-a-time kind of way. Yes, that's right. We started in March and we read and discussed minutiae and wondered and theorized and generally helped build the hype and anticipation for the

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-64611902004730009392007-07-17T17:03:00.001-04:002007-07-17T17:12:04.955-04:00

I got the best letter the other day from my university. Apparently, my degree cannot be conferred, because they are waiting for my study abroad credits from Fall '05 to post."In reviewing the records of graduating seniors, we find that you did not completeStudy Abroad Credits not posted-FA '05For this reason, we cannot award your degree at this time."What? Are you serious? I didn't graduate

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-74812219984451277702007-06-29T17:28:00.001-04:002007-09-24T11:06:34.344-04:00

Please don't think of me as a young girl who was just mean to boys, even though that is probably accurate...Someone asked, "How did you spend your summers as a kid?" Here's what I came up with, without writing an *entire* novel. I could really go on and on.I grew up in Iowa. When I was young, I spent summers at various day camps, YMCA, Camp Fire, the office where my mom worked. We had

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-81022237333019413422007-06-29T12:39:00.001-04:002007-06-29T18:02:48.131-04:00

I have been receiving complaints about the ability to comment, darling readers. I have updated both blogs so they can take anonymous comments. Sorry about that! And if you don't know how to comment, it's this easy...at the bottom of each entry, you will see the word "comments." Just click on this and fill in the form, including choosing your identity as "Anonymous." But I ask that if you

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-90719440018868259722007-06-20T14:04:00.000-04:002007-06-20T14:10:43.835-04:00

Last night, I saw the strangest bumper sticker. We're all familiar with those that say things like "I'd rather be fishing!" or "I'd rather be kayaking!" but this one said "I'd rather be fighting global warming!" To me, this just didn't make sense. It's not as though fighting global warming is a fun weekend activity. The car it was on wasn't even a hybrid! I imagined the driver, a 20

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-79004450049590423832007-06-20T00:20:00.000-04:002007-06-20T00:26:33.452-04:00

Once, when I was a fourth grader, there was this super duper geeky fifth grader named Troy Rutter. Me and all of my super duper snotty fourth grader friends used to tease him because he was tall and skinny and had thick glasses and looked like that guy who made robots on that show in Miami that wasn't Miami Vice. Riptide, I think it was called. We teased him so much that one day, as my class

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-55796991980868702042007-06-19T10:37:00.001-04:002007-06-19T10:41:03.864-04:00

I know I've posted in the past about cellphone abusers, but I sat down on the bus today next to the exact same mobile jabberer as yesterday! She talks to her boyfriend on her way to work about absolutely nothing at all, and clearly hasn't noticed that *no one* else is on the phone. Here's a snippet from today's convo:"Cereal is my comfort food. I like Kix, Special K with red berries, Rice

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-16098355162799664812007-06-14T16:13:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:31.168-05:00

This will be my first experiment with video on this blog. Thanks Jono! This is my nephew, Oskar. Devon and Molly's first kid. This slide is plastic. See what happens when dry air and plastic slides combine? Hil-hair-ious.Here's another pic of him, from the same day, but many hot hours of adult time later:Click the pic to get good and close up to the ketchup covered naked baby. He's

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-46708891189662482722007-06-14T15:29:00.001-04:002007-06-14T15:34:08.918-04:00

So, I started a secondary blog, for all my style fantasies. It's sort of a holding spot for things I love. There will be loads of photos of clothes, shoes, accessories, and housewares, and perhaps some book reviews and new music I'm loving. There might be links to websites for design, or art, or theater, you'll just have to keep up there to find out!

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-28018107309558225982007-06-14T10:40:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:31.391-05:00

Many of you have asked me what my job in the Philosophy Department demands of me. I answer, usually, that I answer phones, photocopy stuff, direct students to advisors, etc. But the thing I'm most proud of is my rubberband ball. I'm thinking of adding it to my resume: "originated and maintained one of the largest and tidiest rubberband balls in the district." Anyway, it's taken about 2.5

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-7223879739267743722007-06-13T17:14:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:31.516-05:00

When was the last time you saw strawberries like these? In a food magazine? I'm not surprised. Good, really really good strawberries just don't exist in real life, do they? Well, they do in Virginia. I have proof too. Joe and I walked to Virginia (relax, it's only a couple of miles away. Do you know Joe's nickname of Mr. Walk-a-Mile?) and ended up at the Arlington Farmer's market, where

heathernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-47915488064277459992007-05-31T14:29:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:33.050-05:00

I know this post is way overdue. I've been waiting for inspiration to strike for the big graduation post, and it just hasn't come in the narrative way I was hoping. But I will tell the story as well as I can.Well, folks, I'm a college graduate! My parents flew in for the weekend of festivities, and my brother and his wife brought the kids down too. Jenny came because she thought she owed me (

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-30446376291450263982007-05-10T16:43:00.000-04:002007-05-10T17:00:06.681-04:00

So, today I had my very last final exam, which means that aside from pomp, circumstance and the turning in of official grades, I am a college graduate! I threw my hands in the air and waved them like I just didn't care (although I totally did) and hopped in the car to run some errands. I'm free to do what I want any old time, and I want to run errands. Typical.First Target. Target sells wine

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-52182370894628715312007-05-09T19:37:00.000-04:002007-05-09T19:56:17.491-04:00

Washingtonians, there is a fantastic new bakery in Alexandria called ShoeBox Oven. I met Krishna Brown, the woman who owns it and does all the baking at a party last week, where she was giving out samples of Papa Rums and Champagne Chocolate, both absolutely to die for. Now, her website is up and running, and her creations are creative, unusual and gorgeous. If Alexandria is out of the way to

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-32853063887756695132007-05-08T22:57:00.000-04:002007-05-09T19:51:52.291-04:00

Isabella Blow died today, she was a maverick in fashion. She never had any money of her own, she was not a designer, but she had the rare talent of seeing talent in others and she championed those she truly believed in, like the amazing haberdasher Phillip Treacy and the now uber famous Alexander McQueen (of whom she bought the entire graduation collection over a decade ago). She was a rare

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-75259764418922442912007-05-07T16:57:00.000-04:002007-05-07T17:03:27.859-04:00

I was on the bus today with about one jillion third-graders. I don't know where they were going, but in third grader fashion, they were discussing their favorite subjects in school with a nice man. It got me thinking about what my favorite subjects were as a third-grader. They were reading and language, by far. So isn't it funny that I'm getting my degree in a couple of weeks in the grown-up

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-4824428930627569462007-04-25T00:05:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:34.652-05:00

Finally, a trip to Miami that Joe and I both enjoyed! We'd both been there together and separately, and we were not big fans. But my friend Mina got married there, our friends Svenja and Anna live there again, and Jim and Ximena too. The first night we stayed with Jim and Ximena in North Beach (literally just about a mile north of South Beach) which was fantastic. They live 2 blocks from the

heathernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-36553615246088725672007-04-21T14:35:00.000-04:002007-04-21T14:36:15.904-04:00

Cookies in real life are never as good as the cookies in my imagination.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-55075235822544678552007-04-16T13:43:00.000-04:002007-04-16T13:45:27.280-04:00

Well, I did not get in to the program at Columbia University that I applied for, the 6 week publishing course. Oh well, now I start looking for jobs! Just putting a little polish on the ol' resume, looking up old contacts in the industry, getting my interview suit hemmed, reading books with interviewing advice...hopefully I'll have a job I like within the next couple of months! Wish me luck!

heathernoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-65429430613026461332007-04-11T09:02:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:36.041-05:00

This is the best time of year in DC, no doubt about it. The beauty is fleeting, and has in fact already flit. These pictures are from a week and a half ago, and as I understand it, the blossoms are gone now. They had just bloomed when we got there on the first day of the Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival doesn't end until the 15th, but it's always a risk trying to see the blooms at just

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-12272027804773229632007-04-04T10:31:00.000-04:002007-04-04T10:35:53.843-04:00

Whenever I ask Joe questions about job interviews, he tells me I should talk to his co-worker, Jay. I'm a big fan of Jay, he's smart, funny and has great ties. So yesterday as I was thinking it was about time to get "the interview suit" I decided to email Jay and get his opinion. He gave me permission to share it with the world. I asked, because it was such a good answer I'd give him an HR

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-67238420359198535702007-03-28T16:05:00.000-04:002007-03-28T16:13:53.727-04:00

Yesterday was that day that you wait for all winter, the one where you wake up with birds chirping and the sun is out and you can't wait to get outside. It was 80 with a side of 60 and a nice breeze blew all day. All the teenage girls on campus broke out the halter tops and short skirts, as though it was 95 outside and had been for weeks. The cherry blossoms have bloomed and are almost done,

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-16952165310641651302007-03-21T15:49:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:36.956-05:00

Today was a pretty regular day. Except I had half a midterm (it went fine), tennis was canceled (what a surprise) and I ordered my cap and gown for graduation. I'm actually pretty giddy about that last part, and I teared up a little thinking about it, so on the big day, you just lookout.Lookit. Steve Madden, who's shoes are for teenagers, but not so much anymore, lets you design your own shoes

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-54007580597922295512007-03-14T10:56:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:15:38.029-05:00

Ah, now is that time in Washington where spring is starting. It's only the middle of March, and surely it will get cold again, but it's been in the 60s and 70s, and things are starting to bloom. Joe and I walked around the National Cathedral garden the other day, and it was obvious that spring is almost here for realsies. The Cherry Blossom Festival starts in two weeks, so stand by for more

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-38840596228240914492007-03-09T11:10:00.000-05:002007-03-09T11:13:18.738-05:00

If you can't wait for HP7, like me and most of the rest of the Western World, know that if you read 2 chapters a day of the entire series starting Monday, it will take you up to the release date of the last one. I need to find the first one again. And yes, I am blushing.

heathernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-79650388712842078332007-03-08T13:14:00.000-05:002007-03-08T13:15:35.538-05:00

Click here to see my new favorite thing. It seems like the ideal apartment, if you ask me.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-90135331741371916112007-03-07T16:15:00.000-05:002007-03-07T16:16:30.050-05:00

I really hope this place gets built soon. My friend Julia said, "It looks like space!" China, where it's at.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-45986374920817448442007-03-05T22:01:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:15:38.903-05:00

For realsies. Plus all my relatives in a kilt too. Males at least. From left to right, my dad, my cousin Mike, Devon lifting his skirt, Dan smartly hiding directly behind him, Joe, my Uncle Jack, my cousin Raymond, my cousin Matt.So that's my dad, my mom, Joe, me and my brother on the left, my aunt Linda and her daughter Penelope in the front, Dan, Mike, Candy and Kathy in the front, and Jack,

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-49364371407161562622007-03-05T21:46:00.000-05:002007-03-05T21:54:36.310-05:00

I'll miss you, Grandma. You were a marvelous lady and the sweetest of all people ever.Joe and I came back from my grandmother's funeral this weekend. It was in Marshalltown, Iowa. It was a lovely ceremony that my Uncle Jack gave, and my dad delivered a beautiful eulogy. They asked me to do a reading, but I knew I wouldn't be able to keep myself together enough to do it. My brother did one,

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-62280686163913993452007-02-26T00:17:00.000-05:002007-02-26T00:18:44.567-05:00

Okay, so this is my running commentary on the 79th annual Academy Awards. Get ready for nonsense. I love this. Joe is sitting over there, nearby, but with headphones on in order to properly ignore tonight’s festivities. Joe says this is liveblogging. Red carpet notes? Thank you Andre Leon Talley for agreeing with me that Kirsten Dunst was a vision. Fantastic dress. Cate Blanchett, always a

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-33870172712564998762007-02-23T10:53:00.000-05:002007-02-23T10:56:42.771-05:00

My brother is moving to Philadelphia! That means my niece and nephew will only be 2 hours away while we're in DC and an hour and 20 minutes from New York! I'm so excited and I hope it all works out and they stay there forever and ever. At least until the kids are old enough to come into the city alone. I won't be Auntie Remote anymore! More excuses for my parents to come out East! Emily and

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-81673811409681804032007-02-14T17:10:00.000-05:002007-02-14T17:11:26.971-05:00

That's not a prison jumpsuit below...it's a monksuit.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-286187872852152852007-02-14T16:28:00.000-05:002007-02-14T16:52:48.287-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day, dearest readers! I have heart shaped cards with sweethearts inside for you all (here in my hand, just trust).So, I joined a new yoga class, and I have been there twice. I'm dropping this class like a hot potato. Let me tell you why! The instructor is a man with an unidentifiable accent, like maybe British or just pretentious. Hard to say. He wears those pants that

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-13397670128139628552007-02-12T20:49:00.000-05:002007-02-12T16:35:36.755-05:00

I had quite a day today. First of all, I was so excited because my tennis class was finally meeting outside on the real courts instead of the basketball courts at the gym. When I got to the gym to change, I realized my wallet was missing. I ran out, retraced my steps including Italian class, although I was relatively sure I left it at the library. It wasn't there, so I went to the library,

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-54221109624754456412007-02-11T23:31:00.000-05:002007-02-11T23:35:07.006-05:00

I dropped my small business class. Well, technically, I withdrew from it (that means it will still show on my transcript, with the notation "W" next to it). I'm sorry to say that means no more Toftoy anecdotes for you, although I'm sure once was enough. I feel like I let my team down, but I could not be bothered with all the nonsense and stress that class was bringing me.On another note, I

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-63371335931288103982007-02-10T20:25:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:34:48.446-05:00

So my whole life, I've worn an 8 in shoes. Well, my whole life until about 2 years ago, when strangely, they went down to a 7.5. I thought, "well, the shoe industry must be making shoes bigger and calling them smaller." So I did an informal poll of my peers, and no one else seems to have experienced this. "Well," I thought, "maybe they just haven't noticed." But yesterday, I went to Payless,

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-83418291714969151652007-02-05T21:54:00.000-05:002007-02-05T22:03:09.925-05:00

I'm SO a college senior right now. I have no idea what I want to do with my life after graduation. I know I've told you all different things, but don't take any single thing I've said as "I'm going after this job." Darling Karen of Florence Roommate fame told me to just start writing things out, mind mapping she called it. I haven't gotten to the big picture like that just yet, but I started

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-42737600480409465012007-02-02T10:43:00.000-05:002007-02-02T10:44:36.160-05:00

No photo this time, unfortunately. I just wanted to tell you about the man who brings the mail to the Philosophy Department every day. He always says, "Hello, nice lady!" I try not to laugh, but it really tickles me.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-81854830012017550152007-02-02T10:26:00.000-05:002007-02-02T10:38:40.120-05:00

This is Charles Toftoy, my Small Business Management Professor. He has white hair now that is much shorter, and he is at least 10 years older than this photo. I thought you might find him as amusing as my entire class does. Apparently, he was very successful in business (and still is), but he is absolutely one of those nice-guy business men. He says things like, "Shoot!" when you raise your

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-70240411519660759622007-02-01T15:45:00.000-05:002007-02-01T15:49:43.350-05:00

Do you know about Library Thing? I'm obsessed. You can catalog all the books you have (or have read for you library users--Mom) and then it tells you what other users have read your books, and then you can pillage their lists or make suggestions, or get suggestions. It has this fun graphic thing called "author cloud" and it is like a picture of all the authors you read with the ones you read

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-86711066989806776882007-01-31T16:32:00.000-05:002007-01-31T16:56:43.449-05:00

Tanny says I should post more, so here you go.Uh, we went to the Auto Show at the convention center on Saturday. Have you seen the Ford Interceptor? It was the most interesting car there, I think. That is not to say there were not loads of interesting cars, but most of them were the same thing again, just updated (and the new car colors coming out are *ugly*). Under the hood is a 400

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-19447423485404062692007-01-25T15:04:00.000-05:002007-01-25T15:16:49.210-05:00

Maybe I haven't told you about Professor Griffith yet. He is the chair of the department of Philosophy here at George Washington University. He is in his late 60s/early 70s by my best reckoning, and is quite a character (read: from Texas). He is also technically my boss. I should say first of all, that I like this man very much. I find him very amusing. Now I can tell you that he treats me

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-10949292183618934162007-01-25T12:56:00.000-05:002007-01-25T13:05:06.618-05:00

So much for regular blogging! It turns out that if I try to treat (read: torture) you with daily or almost daily blogs, it would turn out something like this:Today I got up in time to have tea at home before I got on the bus to go to "work." I had class and then went home, where I made dinner (chicken and salad) and did homework and went to bed.Whee!Joe and I are going to the Auto Show on

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-37922108289758955482007-01-18T15:00:00.000-05:002007-01-18T15:16:10.399-05:00

I was talking to some people about general mass transit annoyances after arriving via bus then metro at rush hour to a happy hour where people are always glad to complain about anything you offer up. My problem was that a man was standing right next to the door of the metro with a backpack on the size of one of those Easter Island guys. He didn't take it off to create room for other passengers,

heathernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-67754925977112593842007-01-18T14:34:00.000-05:002007-01-18T15:00:42.968-05:00

I forgot to mention that my fabulous husband got me a banjo for Christmas. I have mentioned to some of you that I would like someday to learn how to play it, and that someday turns out to be today. It's a beginner's banjo, which is great because I'm a beginner banjist. If that is not a word, it should be. I found some online lessons, but I have yet to take one (although I DID figure out how

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-19946061420970773252007-01-18T14:26:00.000-05:002007-01-18T14:34:21.459-05:00

This is for you, Bettina. You better link me up if you want me to keep writing. So I get this weird message yesterday from a woman named Ellen. "Hello, Heather? This is Ellen from Dr. Wexler's office (famous NYC dermatologist). You were referred by Phyllis Posnick at Vogue. The Dr. wants to know if you can be at her hotel to do her hair. Call me at xxx"No mention of which hotel, which CITY,

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-25836455548194893862006-12-19T12:17:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:15:39.585-05:00

Okay, so the last time I bleached my hair, it fried. I fried it. I tried not to, but I did. So now, I am no longer super blonde, more like a honey blonde or dark golden blonde. Just so you're not shocked when you see me in person, here are some photos for you, self portraits of course, senza pineapple.

heathernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-66177793024399926412006-12-18T10:44:00.000-05:002006-12-18T10:50:13.122-05:00

Internet at home? Shut up! Green money? How strange! Things are open between 12 and 3 AND on Sunday? You're joking!That's right, everyone, I'm back in the states. Well, I'm not specifically in a state, DC being a district and all, but you understand. I think I was the only one from my program who got home on Friday, due to travel dramas that I'm sure you don't want to hear about (let's

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-90830931778965517522006-12-13T04:07:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:15:40.502-05:00

This man uses walnut halves to hold his paint, and they jiggle around on his tray. He must have them affixed somehow, but I can't figure it out.They put up a tree in Piazza della Reppublica, and if you look closely, you can see Karen in front of it, probably annoyed that I had to try every setting on my camera to get this shot (no flash).Karen and I in the Tuscan rain (that's what it does

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-57982296028974665242006-12-13T04:00:00.000-05:002006-12-13T04:07:22.331-05:00

So I was watching a downloaded epi of South Park, where the creators feature Hell, and they put all kinds of famous people in there, and it’s hilarious. But somehow, my education kicked in, and I thought “Well, Dante was doing that in 1303.” But how funny is that for a paper topic? Thesis: Matt Stone and Trey Parker were inspired by literary classics ranging from Dante to Dickens…So I texted

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-28902667488293754932006-12-12T12:21:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:15:40.988-05:00

Here's the emperor Hadrian, looks just like Joe, right?

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-18089761675071641832006-12-11T04:02:00.000-05:002006-12-11T04:04:28.584-05:00

Ooh, we had an adventure yesterday! Well, not so much an adventure as a huge pain in the butt. Our sink was clogged for a day or two, and we couldn’t get it unclogged, although we tried everything, even this stuff called DIABLO! that made smoke come out of the sink (I’m going to have to get that video from Liz). Nada. I mean niente. We were working with this, since we didn’t want to deal

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-10167014979954286562006-12-04T09:14:00.001-05:002006-12-04T09:14:53.500-05:00

Well dear readers, you few loyals who didn’t give up on me in my long absences, time here in Firenze is winding down at an alarmingly fast pace. Everyone, even the whiny homesick teenagers who couldn’t wait to leave a month ago, is (are?) sad and saying it’s not enough time. But we have allowed ourselves to look forward to returning to the US, although some (like me) have mixed feelings. In

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-22118539543498937872006-11-30T06:19:00.000-05:002006-11-30T06:22:33.189-05:00

So, apparently, Rachel met some Fiorentinas (the soccer players) out dancing. She is seeing one of them now, which makes her the coolest girl at school, easily. They all came over last night and we drank wine and then they left. They were funny, but I looked at the roster this morning and their names did not appear there...very fishy. Anyway, they're still the worst team in the league, so

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-10701360790569114092006-11-28T08:37:00.000-05:002006-11-28T09:02:04.723-05:00

So last week instead of class, we took an early morning bus in the rain to Fiesole, an Etruscan town near here, and walked back. It rained most of the way, but it was so lovely. We started at a Franciscan monestary, passed a Domincan one on the way, and also passed a villa that Hemingway wrote at (he sure got around, eh?). It was such a nice morning, I wish all classes were that nice. I don't

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-74134989865029327162006-11-26T16:11:00.000-05:002006-11-26T16:17:02.060-05:00

And here's why...well, obviously the food. I have a zucchini in my fridge that has been there for 2.5 weeks and has not shown the slightest age. I plan to eat it tomorrow.School. It can't get any easier. People complain that it's hard here, but I don't know what their home schools are like. I have 5 papers to write this week, no problem.Coffee. It takes literally 4 minutes to have some at a

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163700773198361252006-11-16T12:58:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:53.813-05:00

heathernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163699918926426252006-11-16T12:47:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:53.587-05:00

Joe really was here, I promise.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163696010795429152006-11-16T11:53:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:53.458-05:00

I really am sorry about the lack of visuals on this blog. I know I repeat myself, but it's *really* hard to get enough internet time to post things. Okay, enough complaining about the internet. Here comes the soccer game!This is, from left to right, Val (aka Vava Hore, which was printed on her ticket. You can call her Vava), me and Karen having a ball with the crazy Italian fans.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163415303335539662006-11-13T05:54:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:53.351-05:00

My parents are here! My dad is so skinny and my mom is so cute! They had a terrible time getting here, but I found them at their hotel last night around 7 or so. We walked around a bit, you should have seen their faces when we got to the Duomo! Even at night they were freaking out. We had dinner in the Piazza della Republica, and then gelato, of course, and then I walked them home. Today Karen

heathernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163415234243113902006-11-13T05:53:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:53.227-05:00

Okay, I know you’re all dying to know how I did on midterms. So I’m happy to report an A for Cinema, an A+ for fashion history, a C+ for Italian (eeee) an A for Medieval lit and an A for 20th century lit. Good thing they make school so easy here. I won’t be able to keep up next semester! My Medieval lit professor assigned us 15 pages of reading for homework, and then asked if it would be okay

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163414945372448942006-11-13T05:47:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:53.130-05:00

Okay, I can’t resist any more. One of my roommates (not Karen) is SOOO stupid… “How stupid is she?” She’s so stupid, she asked, “So London is English and Paris is French?” She’s so stupid, she thought a green patina-ed bronze copy of Michelangelo’s David outside the city was the real one, and was happy to show it to her parents. She’s so stupid, she compared a story of wealthy Jews

heathernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163414835660308982006-11-13T05:46:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:53.025-05:00

Oh, I forgot to tell you about Halloween! That was the night my school friends were supposed to come out and meet Joe. Only two made it, Dionisia of scooting fame, and Paul who is very funny and cool (he’s coming over on Friday to watch my downloads of the Project Runway finales). As you all know, Joe has this incredible manner of meeting excellent people really quickly, and was outside

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163011817785267612006-11-08T13:49:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:52.920-05:00

I love you and miss you and am sending you cake through space. Happy birthday, Mr. Adorable.

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1163011741933123792006-11-08T13:48:00.000-05:002006-11-16T13:16:52.830-05:00

Sorry for being so missing, dear readers. I was on vacation from my vacation, and so here is a very abbreviated version of what has been going on here. Joe was here and we had a marvelous time. We hung around here in Firenze, and then we were off to Cinqueterre, which has to be one of the most gorgeous places on earth. We hiked a bit, but some of the trails were closed. We had an ocean view

heathernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1161791081666294812006-10-25T11:40:00.000-04:002006-11-16T13:16:52.724-05:00

Why oh why, in the giant wonderful YOU ESS of AY, have we not found out about the DARK CHOCOLATE KIT KAT? It's heaven. I many come back with a whole suitcase full and petition the company.

heathernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33609936.post-1161604103769814162006-10-23T07:45:00.000-04:002006-11-16T13:16:52.600-05:00

Today was the soccer game! Karen and I went to get paninis before the game at our excellent local shop, and the guy who works there asked if we were going to the game (we were decked out in our purple and scarves). Turns out, he’s from Calabria, where the rival team, Reggia, is from. We met Val and took the bus to the stadium. Someone asked us how to get there, but we didn’t really know,

heathernoreply@blogger.com0