according to Tom Robbins' "Still Life with Woodpecker":
"The 12 Most Famous Redheads:
1. Lucille Ball, comedienne
2. Gen. George Custer, military maverick
3. Lizzie Borden, hatchetwoman
4. Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary
5. Red Skelton, comic
6. George Bernard Shaw, playwright
7. Judas Iscariot, informer .... aka, Judas Iscarrot-top
8. Mark Twain, humorist
9. Woody Allen, humorist
10. Margeret Sanger, feminist
11. Edna St. Vincent Millay, libertine poet
12. Bernard Mickey Wrangle, bomber
From this list, the analytically minded might conclude that persons with red hair tend to be either dangerous or funny."
"redheads are the result of sugar and lust"
after explaining the possible origin of Redheads:
"So redheads are either descendants of the demigods or are potential demigods. That's nice. I like that."
I like that, too, Tom.
I've decided to start dedicating an individual post to each book from now on. I rate 'Still Life with Woodpecker' an easy 10. Any book that successfully makes redheads out to be simultaneous outlaws and heroes, while claiming that Blondes are terrorists from the planet Argon is a winner with me. Tom Robbins is absolutely an absolutely hilarious genius. This is the first author I've thought I have to meet this person, hear them speak at a conference or somehow find an upcoming booksigning. He's also the only writer who has made me laugh out loud. I'll definitely be reading more of him.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
2009 Book list
My New Year's Resolution this year was to read 5 books, as I couldn't remember the last time I had read. Well, it hasn't even been 2 months and I've met that goal. I've caught the reading bug now and can't imagine giving it up. I might as well keep a list of the books I've read this year.
In order of read:
(enjoyment rating scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest)
Firmin by Sam Savage (4) - The story of a mouse that lived in a used bookstore in a rundown urban area, learned to read, and became aware of his mortality and the his crumbling surroundings. I liked the author's humor in his writing style, and the book was entertaining at times. The subject of poverty and mortality was a bit morose, but realistic. I'd recommend it to someone of dark humor that enjoys literary references that doesn't mind continually being asked, "what does it all mean?"
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien (10) - Of course you know what it's about, and why wouldn't it be a 10? An author cool enough to have 4 initials is inevitably going to produce coolness. I realized there's actually a bit of a science fiction nerd in me after all. I will definitely be reading the Lord of the Ring books, but decided not to jump into them immediately afterwards in order to give a sense of 'lapsed time' just as intended between the two works.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (10) - Okay, so, I'm a sellout and read a bestseller chick-lit paperback, I kinda hated myself when I bought it too. But seriously, if you're a 20 / 30 something woman trying to find your "career path", You'd understand why this book became a bestseller. It's hilarious, just girly enough while maintaining a bit of "hear me roar" feminism, a really easy read, and while it didn't change my view on the world, it made me feel good to be reading a book for entertainment rather than watching the "mass appeal" equivalent on tv.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (8) - When I sell out, I go all out. The way the first book ended MADE me go out and purchase the next one. You literally fall in love with the characters, they became like great friends, and I didn't want to let them go with the first book, so I got the second in the series. The characters were all still there, so I was happy, the situations were as equally entertaining/embarassing, but I will admit, I felt like how much more credit card debt can this girl take? So, the main theme got a little exhausted with me. I will eventually read the next book in the series, but because this one wasn't a 10 like the last, I thought I should take a break from it.
The Cheese Monkeys by Chip Kidd (10) - About a male Freshman Art Student in the 1950's taking one of the first Graphic Design courses offered at a Pennsylvania college with a professor who is the equivalent of Simon Cowell. Although it was based in the '50s, it took me back to some of those same freshman year feelings as a music major. The fact that I'm interested in graphic design didn't hurt either, oh yeah, and I caught all of those PA references in the book. Also, I figured out what a 'cheese monkey' is, and that makes the book an instant classic to me. I HIGHLY recommend this book to any adult with a background/interest in the arts.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (10) - Gotta love the classic chick lit! I thought it would be a much harder read due to that fact, but I think I'm more Victorian era fluent than I thought. I've always been told I have an old soul, and I think it founds its origin. This book reminded me a lot of the Sound of Music, but without the Nazi's and the music. So, probably not like the Sound of Music at all, but to each their own.
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins (10)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (8)
Next up, Fool by Christopher Moore
To come:
The Soloist - Steve Lopez (own it)
Lush Life - Richard Price (own it)
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (own it)
Flatland / Sphereland / Flatterland
The Awakening - Kate Chopin (own it)
The Mysteries of Udolpho
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Northhanger Abbey - Jane Austen; after I've gotten in some more victorian gothic
The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien (own it)
The Road
Wicked (own it)
some David Sedaris *recommended by jus
some James Joyce
...and counting. open to suggestions. let's talk books.
In order of read:
(enjoyment rating scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest)
Firmin by Sam Savage (4) - The story of a mouse that lived in a used bookstore in a rundown urban area, learned to read, and became aware of his mortality and the his crumbling surroundings. I liked the author's humor in his writing style, and the book was entertaining at times. The subject of poverty and mortality was a bit morose, but realistic. I'd recommend it to someone of dark humor that enjoys literary references that doesn't mind continually being asked, "what does it all mean?"
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien (10) - Of course you know what it's about, and why wouldn't it be a 10? An author cool enough to have 4 initials is inevitably going to produce coolness. I realized there's actually a bit of a science fiction nerd in me after all. I will definitely be reading the Lord of the Ring books, but decided not to jump into them immediately afterwards in order to give a sense of 'lapsed time' just as intended between the two works.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (10) - Okay, so, I'm a sellout and read a bestseller chick-lit paperback, I kinda hated myself when I bought it too. But seriously, if you're a 20 / 30 something woman trying to find your "career path", You'd understand why this book became a bestseller. It's hilarious, just girly enough while maintaining a bit of "hear me roar" feminism, a really easy read, and while it didn't change my view on the world, it made me feel good to be reading a book for entertainment rather than watching the "mass appeal" equivalent on tv.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (8) - When I sell out, I go all out. The way the first book ended MADE me go out and purchase the next one. You literally fall in love with the characters, they became like great friends, and I didn't want to let them go with the first book, so I got the second in the series. The characters were all still there, so I was happy, the situations were as equally entertaining/embarassing, but I will admit, I felt like how much more credit card debt can this girl take? So, the main theme got a little exhausted with me. I will eventually read the next book in the series, but because this one wasn't a 10 like the last, I thought I should take a break from it.
The Cheese Monkeys by Chip Kidd (10) - About a male Freshman Art Student in the 1950's taking one of the first Graphic Design courses offered at a Pennsylvania college with a professor who is the equivalent of Simon Cowell. Although it was based in the '50s, it took me back to some of those same freshman year feelings as a music major. The fact that I'm interested in graphic design didn't hurt either, oh yeah, and I caught all of those PA references in the book. Also, I figured out what a 'cheese monkey' is, and that makes the book an instant classic to me. I HIGHLY recommend this book to any adult with a background/interest in the arts.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (10) - Gotta love the classic chick lit! I thought it would be a much harder read due to that fact, but I think I'm more Victorian era fluent than I thought. I've always been told I have an old soul, and I think it founds its origin. This book reminded me a lot of the Sound of Music, but without the Nazi's and the music. So, probably not like the Sound of Music at all, but to each their own.
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins (10)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (8)
Next up, Fool by Christopher Moore
To come:
The Soloist - Steve Lopez (own it)
Lush Life - Richard Price (own it)
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (own it)
Flatland / Sphereland / Flatterland
The Awakening - Kate Chopin (own it)
The Mysteries of Udolpho
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Northhanger Abbey - Jane Austen; after I've gotten in some more victorian gothic
The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien (own it)
The Road
Wicked (own it)
some David Sedaris *recommended by jus
some James Joyce
...and counting. open to suggestions. let's talk books.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
2 interviews
I guess I need to update everyone on my current job status. Two weeks ago, I went in for an interview with a publishing company that wants to bring all their audio needs in house instead of outsourcing it. They found my resume online, and called me in for an interview. The interview went really well, and I REALLY want the job, the only problem is.... they haven't quite convinced their management to go this route and bring the audio editing/recording in house. I have the job though if they do. Today, I was asked to put together a good 30-45min presentation for the execs on Friday to discuss procedures, costs, and answer any questions. Thankfully, no matter what their decision is, I will get paid for my research, preparation, and presentation time. This is why I want this job so badly, this is exactly the level of responsibility and respect I was looking for.
On a side note, I also had an interview with a printing company to do typesetting. They offered me the job, but since it has a high turnover rate, I get to do a 3 week paid trial run, starting at 24 hours/week, and after the three weeks, I can either leave or come on full-time. It's actually a perfect situation, because I'm really wanting to take the other job, but can't know anything until they make their decision.
So, that's the update for now, i'll update after the presentation.
On a side note, I also had an interview with a printing company to do typesetting. They offered me the job, but since it has a high turnover rate, I get to do a 3 week paid trial run, starting at 24 hours/week, and after the three weeks, I can either leave or come on full-time. It's actually a perfect situation, because I'm really wanting to take the other job, but can't know anything until they make their decision.
So, that's the update for now, i'll update after the presentation.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thanksgiving Song
I know this is a little late, but while job searching I ran across a posting for a puppeteer position for a children's tv show. I thought it was kind of funny and I started imagining the interview process for a puppeteer. I vividly pictured my response to the question "what kind of experience do you have with puppets?"
Me- "Well actually, my siblings and I went through a puppet phase once when we decided to perform a musical reenactment of the First Thanksgiving with homemade puppet Pilgrims and Indians. It was very brief but we wrote a song that went:
One day long ago, on a very long trip
There were some Pilgrims who were getting sick
And then all a sudden they spotted some land
They saw some Indians running through the land
The Pilgrims said 'Hi' and the Indians said 'How'
The Pilgrims said 'LET'S MAKE PEACE!'
and they all had a 'GREAT BIG FEAST!'"
I would have that puppeteer job in no time.
Note the reuse of the word "land"... there may have been 'sand' for one of those, but I'm pretty sure we said land for both lines, which makes it that much more humorous now. We may not have even written the song, I was about 5 or 6 and in my memory we created it, I could be a wrong though.
Me- "Well actually, my siblings and I went through a puppet phase once when we decided to perform a musical reenactment of the First Thanksgiving with homemade puppet Pilgrims and Indians. It was very brief but we wrote a song that went:
One day long ago, on a very long trip
There were some Pilgrims who were getting sick
And then all a sudden they spotted some land
They saw some Indians running through the land
The Pilgrims said 'Hi' and the Indians said 'How'
The Pilgrims said 'LET'S MAKE PEACE!'
and they all had a 'GREAT BIG FEAST!'"
I would have that puppeteer job in no time.
Note the reuse of the word "land"... there may have been 'sand' for one of those, but I'm pretty sure we said land for both lines, which makes it that much more humorous now. We may not have even written the song, I was about 5 or 6 and in my memory we created it, I could be a wrong though.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thanks a lot Bush.
Chalk another 1 up for the Economy in the reasons Whitney remains unemployed.
I feel like I was waiting for this morning as anxiously excited as I was waiting for Christmas morning as a child. This was to be the "Morning of my *Interview*" (said fantastically), something that now seems to be as imaginary and frequent as visits from the tooth fairy. I wake up early, ready to make this the first day of my new life as a *Production Manager*--looks in the mirror and repeats title to self and place arms on hips, elbows out, chin up, superhero posing. This is my "Morning of my *Interview*" (said fantastically) routine. Well, I guess it can't qualify as a routine if this is the first experienced "Morning of my "Interview*". But I will carry on the tradition, it worked well. I was pumped, I was confident, I was the BEST potential Production Manager in the world! I was also minutes away from a phone call canceling the interview due to "the state of the economy." I put down the phone, along with my chin, and the superhero pose took on more of a fetal position back in bed to sleep off the news. I dreamed of better times, where the economy was fruitful, jobs were a-plenty, that's right AAAA-plenty, and George W. Bush was no longer in office. I woke up still unemployed. Any one hiring superhero stand ins?
I feel like I was waiting for this morning as anxiously excited as I was waiting for Christmas morning as a child. This was to be the "Morning of my *Interview*" (said fantastically), something that now seems to be as imaginary and frequent as visits from the tooth fairy. I wake up early, ready to make this the first day of my new life as a *Production Manager*--looks in the mirror and repeats title to self and place arms on hips, elbows out, chin up, superhero posing. This is my "Morning of my *Interview*" (said fantastically) routine. Well, I guess it can't qualify as a routine if this is the first experienced "Morning of my "Interview*". But I will carry on the tradition, it worked well. I was pumped, I was confident, I was the BEST potential Production Manager in the world! I was also minutes away from a phone call canceling the interview due to "the state of the economy." I put down the phone, along with my chin, and the superhero pose took on more of a fetal position back in bed to sleep off the news. I dreamed of better times, where the economy was fruitful, jobs were a-plenty, that's right AAAA-plenty, and George W. Bush was no longer in office. I woke up still unemployed. Any one hiring superhero stand ins?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Stay
After a brief visit home for Thanksgiving, I came back ready to tackle the job hunt and make a success of it here. Thankfully, I finally got a callback to set up a phone interview with an audio archiving studio up here. That is this week, and I'm hoping for the best. I would like to be able to stay, but if the job hunt is still unsuccessful by the end of January, then I will have to consider moving back to VA. It's crazy how the emotions flip flop so severely. All of November, I could think of nothing but how much I wanted to move back, but then the last two weeks, I've been incredibly happy and motivated here. One thing that has helped is with all my unemployment free time, I set up an art nook in my living room, and spend a lot of time drawing, painting, whatever I feel like doing each day. It's definitely helped take my mind off of how I'm doing nothing but filling out applications and waiting on phone calls. So far, one phone call for about 300 applications....I need this to go well. I will update after the interview.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Homesick
It's been two months and I don't know how much longer I'm going to make it here. I'm really missing the mountains, my friends, and Virginians in general. Maybe I'm being bias, but 90% of people I meet here have no sense of human decency, most are self-centered douche bags. I knew that Autumn would be the hardest month for me to be away from the valley because it was my favorite season there, but I had no idea it would be THIS hard. I'm not making enough money here to be able to take advantage of city life, and I'm actually missing Rosetta Stone a lot. I've become addicted to HGTV, and my heart breaks a little every time a RS commercial comes on. Also, watching home improvement shows just remind me of how just one year ago I was looking into getting a house in Harrisonburg, and now I can barely pay my rent. If this keeps up I may go home for the holidays and decide not to come back.
Life isn't going too well right now for this nomad.
Life isn't going too well right now for this nomad.
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