With steadfast love but varying ability.

From Shmi85

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:48:15 GMT

For the first three people that reply to this post, and who re-post this challenge: you win!

For your prize, I will send you a gift.

Whatever it is, I promise I will get it to you in 365 days of your posted comment or less, and I will need your snail mail.

The only thing you need to do to receive your gift is PARTICIPATE.

Be one of the first three journalers (or maybe more than three, if this seems to be particularly popular ;)) to reply to this, and post this very same thing in your journal, and YOU are the lucky giftee.

Leave a comment and we can get mailing information in a more secure fashion

Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:19:09 GMT

So has anyone seen Eastern Promises? Because it is **excellent**!!! Viggo Mortensen with a Russian accent and russian prison tattoos is so sexy. Although I always hoped that I would see him naked under happier circumstances...

From Elisa

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:11:21 GMT

1. Go to http://www.careercruising.com.
2. Put in Username: nycareers, Password: landmark.
3. Take their "Career Matchmaker" questions.
4. Post your results.

So here are mine:
1. Professor
2. Historian
3. Foreign Language Instructor
4. ESL Teacher
5. Computer Trainer
6. Corporate Trainer
7. Criminologist
8. Curator
9. Anthropologist
10. Writer
11. Activist
12. Critic
13. Translator
14. Print Journalist
15. Communications Specialist
16. Public Policy Analyst
17. Archaeologist
18. Desktop Publisher
19. Director of Photography
20. Special Effects Technician
21. Cartoonist / Comic Illustrator
22. Set Designer
23. Costume Designer
24. Tour Guide
25. Librarian
26. Director
27. Fashion Designer
28. Dental Assistant
29. Craftsperson
30. Sign Maker
31. Jeweler
32. Animator
33. Potter
34. Judge
35. Musician
36. Comedian
37. Graphic Designer
38. Artist
39. Makeup Artist
40. Picture Framer

I love how right on the first two (and even a few of the later ones, like writer, curator, librarian, tour guide, etc.) are. These are seriously the answers they gave me. I didn't just put in what I wanted it to say!

Exciting News

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:13:09 GMT

I got into Indiana University!!!!!!

I got the letter yesterday, and I am very excited. Of course now I have to wait to until about the end of March to hear about fellowship. Indiana is far and away my top choice, hence the excitement. I was also accepted to University of Illinois's MA program, which is good and all, but not nearly as exciting as Indiana. The other two, I haven't heard anything from.

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:15:11 GMT

Hello

My name is

Erin

I am

adult, assertive, bicurious, big sister, bondage, brunette, cousin, creative, cute, daughter, dreamer, extrovert, female, feminist, flirty, friend, intelligent, kinky, liberal, lover, ms., multifacetted, myself, nerd, niece, passionate, pro-choice, pro-gay, pro-sex feminist, promiscuous, sex positive, social democrat, straight?, submissive, unique, woman

Who are you?

Looked like fun

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 13:10:38 GMT

1. Copy and paste this into your journal:<*font color="yourusername"> <*b>yourusername<*/b>
2. Eliminate the asterisks.
3. Replace "yourusername" with your user name.
4. See what color you are.
Ms. Glass

Leaving Romania

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 12:58:02 GMT

Tomorrow I leave for home. I won't get there until Wednesday evening. I don't want to go. I'd much rather stay here. In the middle of fucking nowhere in Romania.

Just hung up on my mother.

Thu, 25 May 2006 20:25:33 GMT

Very mature, I know, but if you had been on my end of that conversation, you'd have done the same. Lately, every time I talk to my parents, they make me feel like I am irresponsible, lazy, and just generally fucking everything up. Yet from where I'm sitting it doesn't look that way. I'm doing the best that I can, and if I'm not living up to their expectations, maybe they should think about trying to be more supportive rather than critical.

Eastern Europe Blog

Mon, 22 May 2006 15:38:37 GMT

I may or may not be posting in this journal during my study abroad, but if you'd like to keep up to date on my Eastern European adventure, you can check it out at: http://ekay28.blogspot.com/

I leave in 9 days. I am so unprepared.

Why is Friday afternoon SO LONG?

Fri, 19 May 2006 19:51:30 GMT

I have one hour and thirteen minutes left of wokr for the week. But I am already so tired of being here that it seems like time is going incredably slowly. My back feels better, though. I adjusted my chair so that it supports my back a bit more without me having to learn way back, and Adam gave me a nice back massage last night which helped as well.

Maybe I should just try to get some more work done. This morning when I was actually doing work, time didn't go this slowly.

A few words about me, my parents, and money.

Wed, 17 May 2006 21:04:51 GMT

I just got off the phone with my mother. I called to ask her if she had recieved my email about the cost of my books for the study abroad. I emailed her that information because she told me to, after she said that she and my dad would loan me the money to cover my books until I get paid for these three weeks of working full time. Here is how the conversation went:

Me- So did you get my email about the cost of my study abroad books?
Mom- Yeah, I did. I thought you were going to pay for them because we just sent a check for $4000 for the program. (which I apparently am taking out a loan to pay them back for...)
Me- (Aside: If I was able to pay for them right now, don't you think I would just fucking pay for them and not send you an email about it?) Don't you remember talking to me about this before?
Mom- No.
Me- Well, because I didn't work very many hours in April, my last two paychecks haven't been very big. So until I get paid for these three weeks, I only have enough to pay my June rent.
Mom- Oh, so what are you trying to tell me? What's the bottom line?
Me- (Another aside- Is it really that hard to figure out?) The bottom line is that I need to borrow $100 to pay for my books until I get paid for these 3 weeks.
Mom- Well, I'll talk to your dad and see what he says.

The whole process of paying for this study abroad has been very painful. When I got accepted to the program, I spelled out the costs for my dad. He said that he would help me to take out a student loan to pay for it. That was in February. Between then and now, I asked him about it periodically, but he kept saying that we would figure it out soon. So two weeks ago, I went home, and he wanted to talk about how we were paying for this study abroad. Now, of course, it is too late for me to take out a loan for the summer semester. So my dad asks me how much I have saved up.

I found that to be a very funny question to ask someone who pays her rent and other living expenses (excluding tuition and fees) on $7.50 per hour. Let's take a moment to look at how that all breaks down:

* I supposedly work 15 hours per week at the 4-H office (in April is was more like 8, and before then it was ususally closer to 20).
*After taxes, that works out to aproximately $420 per month.
*My rent is $300 per month. That does not include utilities.
*Between gas, electric, water, and cable/internet, utilities usually run me about $60-$75 per month.
*So, best case scenario, that leaves me with $60 per month for food and any other expenses that I might have.

But this semester, I ended up putting in a lot more hours at work. So what happened to this money? $300 of it went towards fees for my study abroad. But aside from that, I wasn't really sure, so I started to feel very irresponsible. As though I have been throwing money around like nobody's business. So I took a look at my checking acount to see if I could get to the bottom of this mystery. And what did I find? $80 spent on new clothes that I needed rather badly. Maybe a little bit too much money spent on going out to dinner or to the bar with my friends. A few books that weren't strictly necessary. And a few impulsive purchases (as in $10 or $20 spent on something not absolutely necessary). So I'm beginging to feel that the problem is not that I am irresponsible, but that my parents don't quite understand what is going on here. But who knows, really?

Another thing before I go: the reason that I worked so few hours in April was because I had been neglecting my coursework because of my work here at the 4-H office. So I had to take some time off in April to pick up the pieces. So my grades this semester were not what they should have been. Which, of course, did not make my father happy. Maybe I am just a selfish, spoiled brat, but this pressure is sort of getting to me. I feel like they won't be happy unless I am self-suffiencent and have a 4.0.

T minus 17 days...

Sun, 14 May 2006 21:23:47 GMT

17 days until I leave for Budapest. I suppose I should start doing some packing/planning/etc... I'm excited but a bit apprehensive. I'm not ready at all. I have so much left to figure out and do.

Friday and other equally exciting things

Fri, 12 May 2006 15:48:41 GMT

1. It is Friday, which is very exciting because it means that I don't have to come to work all day tomorrow!

2. The Magnetic Fields are absolutely amazing, and listening to 69 Love Songs is making my Friday even more enjoyable. The album is made up of three volumes, each of which have 23 'love songs'. And the love songs are fantastic. Most of them are rather short (but there are some longer ones thrown in as well), and they range from cynical and ironic to downright ridiculous or self-mockingly sweet and sappy. Stephin Merritt, the lead singer, has a fantastic voice, and the way that he delivers the more ridiculous lyrics is excellent. So the moral of the story is that you should all check out The Magnetic Fields. Two of my favorite Magnetic Fields songs that are not on 69 Love Songs are "When you were my baby" and "You love to fail," both of which are on The Wayward Bus/Distant Plastic Trees. So anyway, check them out.

3. I talked to my dad about study abroad today, and thankfully he was much more understanding about my financial situation. My parents have been upset about the fact that I haven't saved any money for the trip. This is simultaneously understandable and frustrating, because most of the time I barely make enough to pay rent, utilities, and miscellaneous expenses, but at the same time, there were times this semester when I really could have saved a bit of money had I been more responsible/showed some restraint. The problem is that when I have a bit of money it burns a hole in my pocket. I need to work on that. But fortunately, my parents have decided to go ahead and pay for the study abroad and figure out financing (I'm assuming for next semester ) later on.

4. Adam and I had dinner at my house last night, and once again I made the mistake of trying to cook something new and exciting rather than something I know that I can do well. Someday I will learn. But in any case, I had a great time, and I have a funny story to relate:

The following is a conversation between Adam and his father as told to me by Adam (note, he had not yet told his parents that he had a new girlfriend, so this was the big announcement. And of course it is paraphrased because you are getting this third hand):

Adam: So I'm thinking of coming home for a week or so in August.
His Dad: Oh, we should go to a ball game.
Adam: Yeah, and I might bring my new girlfriend with me for a bit.
His Dad: (pause) We should take her to a ball game.

I found this simultaneously hilarious and awesome, but it took me a while to convince Adam that I actually thought it was awesome. He seemed to think I was being sarcastic. But in any case, it looks like I'll be going to a Mets game in August. :)

Working on my "Worst Student Employee" Award...

Thu, 11 May 2006 18:35:55 GMT

Working full time, I get to hear LOTS of stories from the Most Annoying Woman in the World.

On a brighter note, my jeans have dried, and I remembered to bring some different CDs today. So I have been listening to Green Day and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs all day.

::cries::

Thu, 11 May 2006 13:05:24 GMT

I am at work, and I am MISERABLE. It is raining pretty hard outside, and because I overslept and didn't have the time to walk, I rode my bike to work. Therefore, I am sitting here in tight, wet jeans and a shirt with wet sleeves (apparently my raincoat is not as waterproof as I thought it was). It is unbelievably uncomfortable. So I am sitting here being uncomfortable and irritable and feeling sorry for myself. Can I go home yet?

Bored again...

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:46:03 GMT

I'm beginging to notice a pattern where I update this thing a lot when I don't have enough to do at work. Incidentally, I gave Adam the address for this journal, which means that I now feel a great deal of pressure to be witty, profound, and charming rather than silly, childish, and (sometimes) cryptic like my usual entries. But I suppose that is what I get when I let slip that I have a livejournal. ::shakes head:: I really need to stop drinking around him, because I tend to admit things that I wouldn't when sober... But in any case, post lots of comments so that I look very popular and impressive.

I have two hours and twenty minutes left of work, and I have absolutely no motivation left. I used it all up by being productive this morning... And now my back hurts. I think it might be this chair. I keep meaning to bring in some different CDs to listen to at work, but I haven't managed to do it yet. So I am stuck listening to The Last Five Years, Ramones Mania, the soundtrack of Shrek 2, and that CD that Elisa made for everyone after we went to Kiawah Island senior year over, and over, and over again.

Being real people.

Tue, 09 May 2006 19:09:04 GMT

I am at work, because now that classes are over I get to work full time until I leave for Europe. So I have been here since 8:30 this morning trying not to go insane. It is a beautiful day outside, and an 8 hour work day is entirely too long. Seriously, my attention span is not that long. I have 2 hours and 15 minutes until I can take off, so I am trying to keep myself entertained until then. I suppose I could actually do WORK... But I've been working all morning. ::whines::

So in order to pass some time, I will fill you in on the exciting new development that I have been writing cryptic entries about for a week or so. Adam (the same guy I was dating on and off all year) and I officially became 'an item' (or a couple or 'in a relationship' or however you want to put it) last weekend. I was dating a few other guys, but it got to the point where I didn't want to anymore. I decided that I liked Adam too much to keep dating other people. And I'm really happy about it. It is exciting to be at the begining of a relationship, and I'm having a wonderful time with Adam. If I've talked to any of you at all in the past week or so, you are probably sick and tired of hearing about him, but for better or for worse, that's how I get when I'm infatuated.

So let me tell you a little bit about this guy with whom I'm so infatuated. He is 26 years old, and he grew up on Long Island. He has two younger sisters. I believe that Kaitlin is 23 (maybe 24), and she went to culinary school and is now working in a bakery in New York City. Kiera is my age, and she is majoring in theatre at NYU. Adam has a bachelors and a masters in Cinema Studies from NYU, and last year he worked full time in New York after finishing his masters degree. He just finished the first year of the American Studies PhD program at MSU, and the freshman writing class that he was teaching just ended. He is a big Mets fan (which I find amusing because he is Italian, a New Yorker, and he really likes baseball. Shocking, isn't it?), and he reads science fiction and comic books. He also likes all kinds of obscure bands that I have never heard of (and some good ones which I have), so he has introduced me to some fun new music. And I love hearing stories about his "misbegotten youth," as he calls it. So, that's my new boyfriend in 500 words or less. What can I say, I can't resist those nerdy, highly educated types...

I guess I should get back to working i.e. being real people.

...sigh...

Mon, 08 May 2006 03:28:41 GMT

Being in love makes me silly...

Stolen from Elisa (aka Angela Davis).

Sat, 06 May 2006 22:37:17 GMT

Which Western feminist icon are you?

You are Emma Goldman! You are the mama of Anarchist/Communist feminism and you inspired millions to embrace the labor movement. Without ever directly saying so, you directed efforts toward saving wymyn and children from exploitation. Oh yeah, you were also a total sexpot!
Take this quiz!

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Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

And by not in a big hurry, what I really mean is within a couple of days.

Mon, 01 May 2006 16:19:17 GMT

::grins:: I have a boyfriend. It is strange and exciting to be at the beginning of a new relationship. It's been a long time since I've found myself in this position. I like it.

I remember this feeling...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 23:13:08 GMT

Today it hit me. Every time I see that I have a new email, I get this surge of excitement; maybe it's from him. I'm downloading songs by his favorite band to see how I like them. I'm daydreaming about him during class. And all of the sudden, waiting three days before seeing him again seems like a long time.

And yet I don't like it. I see myself getting jealous and petty already, just like the last time. Not that I am acting that way yet, but my anxious wait for his next call or email seems to foreshadow such stupidity.

I need to relax. Gain some composure. And try not to screw this up.

ETA: Ok, so maybe I'm not as head over heels as that entry sounds... or maybe I am. I am certainly doing all of the aforementioned things. But I'm not planning on ending things with either of my other guys in a big hurry. I've got to have fun while I still can, right? ;)

Happy International Women's Day!

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 16:03:58 GMT

From Wikipedia:

"International Women's Day (IWD) is marked on 8 March every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. The first IWD was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. Among other relevant historic events, it commemorates the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (New York, 1911), where over 140 women lost their lives. The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions. Women from clothing and textile factories staged one such protest on 8 March 1857 in New York City. The garment workers were protesting what they saw as very poor working conditions and low wages. The protesters were attacked and dispersed by police. These women established their first labor union in the same month two years later.

"More protests followed on 8 March in subsequent years, most notably in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. In 1910 the first international women's conference was held in Copenhagen by the Socialist International and an 'International Women's Day' was established, which was submitted by the important German Socialist Clara Zetkin. The following year, IWD was marked by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. However, soon thereafter, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City killed over 140 garment workers. A lack of safety measures was blamed for the high death toll. Furthermore, on the eve of World War I, women across Europe held peace rallies on 8 March 1913.

"Demonstrations marking International Women's Day in Russia proved to be the first stage of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Following the October Revolution, the Bolshevik feminist Alexandra Kollontai persuaded Lenin to make it an official holiday, and it was established, but was a working day until 1965. On May 8, 1965 by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet International Women's Day was declared as a non working day in the USSR "in commemoration of outstanding merits of the Soviet women in communistic construction, in the defense of their Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, their heroism and selflessness at the front and in rear, and also marking the big contribution of women to strengthening friendship between peoples and struggle for the peace". However, it didn't have too much political flavor and was an occasion for men to express their sympathy or love to the women around them - somewhat similar to Western Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day mixed together.

"In the West, International Women's Day was commemorated during the 1910s and 1920s, but dwindled. It was revived by the rise of feminism in the 1960s. In 1975, which had been designated as International Women’s Year, the United Nations gave official sanction to and began sponsoring International Women's Day.

"The 2005 Congress (conference) of the British Trades Union Congress overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for IWD to be designated a public holiday in the United Kingdom.

"Today many events are held by women's groups around the world. The global women's organization Aurora hosts a free worldwide register of IWD local events (www.internationalwomensday.com) so that women and the media can locate local activity. Many governments and organisatons around the world support IWD. For example, HSBC hosts a range of IWD activity including co-hosting of the UK's flagship IWD event with women's group Aurora. Global interest in IWD shows a steady increase."

I really like the fact that I was born on International Women's Day. I think it is pretty awesome.

March 8th is coming up!

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 19:46:20 GMT

I will be 21 in one week. Crazy.

Keeping you posted, as promised.

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 18:19:03 GMT

So it is past noon on Friday, and he still has not called. I am starting to think it is not a date. Ah well, if he does call, it will still be fun to hang out with him. And I love sushi, so all is not lost.

In other news, The Most Annoying Woman In The World now works in my office. But I'll tell you all about her later, when I am not at work.

And one other good thing.

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:37:11 GMT

Lately I have been sleeping all the time. I can't wake up in the morning. I want to go to bed at 9 or 10 pm. I take long naps in the middle of the day. I have been tired a lot, and it has been keeping me from reading for my classes and from performing well at work. I even skipped a class last week so that I could go home and take a nap.

I was a bit worried, but not overly so because although I have had trouble waking up in the morning for a while, it has only been as bad as I describe above for about a week. When I came home this weekend, I mentioned it to my mom, and she asked if I had been taking vitamins, which I had not. So she suggested that I take a multi-vitamin and an iron supplement. So I did, and I feel 100% better already. It makes sense. I mean, I don't know why I didn't think of it myself.

I think it might also help if I develop a more consistent sleep schedule. I had no trouble waking up this summer when I got up at the same time every day.