Not a liar, I swear

So, looking back through past archives, I realized that I actually DIDN'T complete last year's NaBloPoMo. So! As double duty, I'll be playing catch up and trying to post 2-3 times a day this month, back dating the posts and linking to them here because I can't have a blog archive that doesn't have a (30) next to each and every November.

And now, a slow loris getting tickled.

Back from the Dead: A Melodramatic Return to Blogging

So, even though I do a great deal of writing for my 9 to 5 (read: actually more like 9:30 - 6. 6:30 plus), I find that I've been mentally writing blog posts recently. As if I'm not spending enough time in front of a computer screen, my brain is driving me to bring out my trusty 2006 MacBook and prop it up on my knees while I watch back episodes of Bones.

I've decided to ease back into the online world. Huzzah! And because I'm a three year old and deal well with boundaries and limited choice, I've decided to (try to) stick to a strict posting schedule and themes.

Tuesday: progress on my quest to be a healthier me - workout stuff, weight loss goal updates, food I'm eating, ways I'm motivating myself to get off my bum.

Thursdays: media that I've enjoyed or currently enjoying - movies, books, TV shows, music, viral videos, etc.

Saturday: pretty things I like - clothes, design, favorite outfits through the week.

I know that there are entire blogs dedicated to each of these things but eh, I've got a bit of an attention problem and also, I can only deal with so much structure. An entire blog about me losing weight would get tedious - "Lo, I can either be skinny and sad or fat and happy!". All about fashion - "Look, I'm wearing leggings and boots, how original and iconic." And just media? "Disco never died, it just took up residence in my heart." So, I figure if I pepper all these various sentiments over the blog throughout the week, it would be more interesting.

So, without further ado: Pretty things I like!

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Ready for originality? I just bought these beauties.

[Image from Zappos.com]

In case there isn't enough detail in the photo for ya, those are tall black Hunter boots. So, even in these lean times of saving dollars for going to Australia (3 weeks from today!), I laid down $125 for rain/snow boots. And I have to say, the first time that I got to try them out, even though it was just a small drizzle, I was super happy to have the protection. And because they are lined, I'm pumped for winter - a horrible place to be at the beginning of the summer. Not only because of the boots but also because I'm always. warm.

As an aside, good time to say that I'm always super super warm, bordering on hot. Seriously, I wear sundresses when it is 60 degrees out. Tank tops and flip flops once it is 50. I only break down and wear gloves if I'm biking or outside in windy weather for more than 5 minutes. All of this is to say that I'm looking forward to cooler weather not only to lower my core temperature but also to try out my new purchase. Because I'm just the type of person to buy expensive seasonally inappropriate stuff.

Needs to be done

So, never in the history of this blog have I failed at NaBloPoMo. So even though I'll be post dating these posts like whoa (and honestly, I'll be the only one who cares) it just needs to be done.

...

And now you've caught up! Look forward to one for real-time update tomorrow. And Happy NaBloPoMo.

Shall I Tumbl?

So while I haven't written anything here in some time, I am still active with the whole Twitter business.

Shall I switch to a tumblr? Seems to be more my speed - snippets of my thoughts and photos. But I'm so attached to rizado. Hmm, thoughts.

2009 in Review

This is my third time doing this whole year in review thing. Check out 2007 and 2008.

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What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Acquired a job with a salary. What up, late bloomers!

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Apparently my only real resolution for this year was to get a job. Look who's batting a thousand.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Sam's sister. And though the babe is in MA, I get the privilege of seeing some very cute baby shots on a regular basis.

Did anyone close to you die?
Just all the celebrities of the world. And I feel worst for Farrah. MJ totally stole her death thunder.

What countries did you visit?
Australia to see the sister.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Giant admissions from exes that keep me in counseling. Whoa, who let the TMI fairy in with her pesky dust?

What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 16- grad school graduation, five years to THE DAY of my undergrad graduation. Spooky. October 19- first official day on the *new* job.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Entertaining the thought of a buying a place of my own in the near future. And yes, even thinking that thought counts as an achievement. The obvious one is my Master's but that's been the product of several years. Regaining some of my confrontational personality after being a doormat for awhile.

What was your biggest failure?

Trying to figure out the damn html for this question. I know it is easy, but I'm lazy. F it.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing more than you typical colds. Oh, that's a lie. I found out I have the cholesterol of a dead person.

What was the best thing you bought?
Most recent haircut because I was way overdue for a change. Luck ring. Money spent towards mending clothes instead of buying new things.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
All my friends for putting up with my CRAZY. (same from last year. And from what I can see, every year going forward).

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Republican teabaggers. Seriously, you crazy.

Where did most of your money go?
Grad school (same for the past three years. Getting smart costs mad money, yo.), food stuffs, impulse purchases (hello, PedEgg)

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being done with school. Pig Pickin'. Moving to DC proper.

What songs will always remind you of 2008?
MILEY CYRUS- PARTY IN THE USA. AND YES THIS TOTALLY DESERVES ALL CAPS. All of Lady Gaga, the Fame Monster, but specifically Bad Romance. Darude- Sandstorm. Shakira- She Wolf. Good King Wenceslas.

Compared to this time last year, are you...
I. Happier or sadder? This exact time? Probably happier because I'm not putting any pressure on myself for NYE. Not that I'm not excited about my plans, I'm just not hanging all my happiness in the new decade on how tomorrow night goes.
II. Thinner or fatter? eh, lord knows. I back up at my heaviest weight (seriously, that TMI fairy is getting WAY too liberal with her dust) but the weight has arranged itself better this time.
III. Richer or poorer? Richer, but I'm no one's sugar mama.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Trusted my gut instincts. Cooked at home more.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent time obsessing about the past. Eating full fat cheese.

How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas Eve was at cousin's house in south central PA, Christmas Day- Chinese food and "It's Complicated"

What was your favorite TV program?
Of the year? Glee. That's obvious.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is pretty strong. I don't think there is anyone I hate, that I know personally.

What was the best book you read?
The second book in the Wideacre trilogy. Seriously, maybe one of 5 books I read this year that WASN'T a romance novel. And there's still a healthy dose of sex (be it incestuous) in it. I need real book recommendations and how. The whole in grad school so I only have the brain power for romance novels doesn't cut it anymore.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Miley Cyrus. Shut your face. Party in the USA makes me happy.

What did you want and get?
To move into DC proper.

What did you want and not get?
A museum job.

What was your favorite film of this year?

Oh lord. Well, I love most films, so really, pretty much anything I saw, I liked. Away We Go was cute. I loved the music in Pirate Radio and couldn't stop myself staring at the glasses. Star Trek was FANTAB. I feel like I answered the question a few weeks ago and was more erudite but it just isn't coming to me right now.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old?
The big old 26. Had many celebrations, including drag bingo and some good old fashioned bar time.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting my license- on my way with the permit! ---> always getting my license. Still holding fast with the permit.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
"You look Amish, but in a good way." direct quotation from coworker from this summer.

What kept you sane?
Professional help. Friends. -----> some things never change

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lee Pace. Ah, lovely pie maker. Also, I just finished Wonderfalls and the man is too cute for words, unless the words are TOO CUTE.

What political issue stirred you the most?
The fact that people don't want universal health care. I don't know much more about the debate but I just want to slap people who don't believe in health care for all. Because they've never been uninsured and boy howdy, does it suck.

Who did you miss?
My ladies out west. My ladies in Baltimore.

Was 2009 a good year for you?
I truly think that each year since high school graduation has gotten better and better (for the most part). Which makes me really excited to get old.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Graduating is pretty up there. Any and all champagne Mondays (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, etc.)

Where were you when 2009 began?
Logan Circle, one of a few peeps dressed up at a dinner party.

Who were you with?
Folks from Haverford and the lovely folks I know through them.

Where will you be when 2009 ends?
Birthday/NYE party in Adams Morgan.

Who will you be with when 2009 ends?
A bestie from work, Monica, and greader friends. What up, Google Reader!

What was your favorite month of 2009?
March had me in Australia but also learning that I didn't get a dream job. May had me graduating but also moving. October had me starting a new job AND dressed up as Maleficent, so that's pretty awesome

How many different states did you travel to in 2008?
MD, VA, DC, FL, PA, NC.

How many concerts did you see in 2009?
Um, just one, I think. But it was awesome. Guster. Hello, college.

Did you have a favorite concert in 2009?
See above.

Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Shame is heavy. I pretty much am embarrassed by most things I do but they make me, me, so shame doesn't enter the picture.

What was the worst lie someone told you in 2009?
"Yeah, a second date would be fun."

Did you treat somebody badly in 2009?
Certainly brusque or brash at times, but always out of love.

Did somebody treat you badly in 2009?
Nothing out of the ordinary.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
Say yes to moving into the place I lived over the summer. Oh the headaches.

What are your plans for 2010?
Lower my cholesterol to that of only someone on the brink of death. Save money so that when my lease is up, I can move to my own place or only have one roommate (big girl dreams!). Take stock of my life more often and have my choices reflect my desires. Stop writing sentences like that.

Not nearly as energetic as I get during Boston, let me tell you

Some Black Friday Rock Band for your entertainment pleasure. That's my sister Erin on the bass and my dad Tim on the guitar. Stepmom Nancy, thanks for recording this for the whole world to see.

And with that, I'm NaBloPoMo'd out! I'll let you know if I won anything other than pride for posting once a day for a month.

Just Under the Wire

Only my third day and I'm already barely making. With going away this week (w00t, pig pickin'!), I'm going to have to some magic and post some things ahead of time.

For now, if you are on the internet, I'm sure you've seen this, but if you haven't: you're welcome.

NaBloPoMo

So, today is November 1st, which means one thing around these parts: NaBloPoMo. This marks nablo's fourth year, and my third (god, let that sink in), so be on the lookout for daily posts. May not all be words, probably a fair amount of pictures and songs on the busier days.

Some changes you might see. I've been thinking a lot about my various blogs, for work, for me, and how much easier it would be to combine them all here. A few major things are defining me at the moment: my new job (E-Activism Fellow at Oceana! w00t! go me!) and the fact that I'm a single gal in DC. These things are always subject to change, but for some reason, segmenting my writing feels a little like segmenting up my life. So, that means that there will likely be more work and dating writing here on these parts. But we'll see, we shall see. Sharing an email I'm sending out to over 300,000 people is one thing, writing about my latest dating debacle when I know my family reads this is another. So... we'll see.

In a totally unrelated note, today, I've watched Sleepless in Seattle, About Last Night, Vikings v. Packers, parts of Ghostbusters, Knocked Up, Brothers and Sisters, and Game 4 of the World Series. Let's here it for a solid couch day.

Direction

So, the posting here has been light. And that is in direct proportion to how HEAVY my summer has been in terms of stress. Starting back on 3 April, I've been in Australia for a few weeks, came back just in time for a 4 day conference in Philadelphia, graduate, move, job hunt, have landlord issues, job hunt issues, and will be moving again and probably losing full time employment in the coming month. Not because I'm getting fired but because my work is just kinda piecemeal right now. So, yeah, feeling a bit less pithy that I normally do.

However, for the month of August, I will be doing more content writing for Oceana and I would love it if you checked it out over here. Of course, my last name will now be eternally liked to rizado, but alas, tis my fate. If things calm down, perhaps I'll come back here for more quips, but for the time being, my writing energies are focused where the dollar dollar bills are- work.

i can haz updates!?!11?

So, the end of April through the end of May almost killed me and it just may still. I basically got back from Australia, went to a four day conference in Philly, finished up school, graduated with my master's, found a new place to live, and will be moving on Sunday. So yeah, to say that this time in my life has been a bit busy is an understatement. I've been dying to be able to sit down and pump you all full of the fun thing I've been doing and thinking but when I get home from work/internship/other city, all I want to do is watch so much TV that my butt falls asleep.

But! my trip to Australia provides me with a more than legit reason to post on my work blog, so that will certainly have to happen soon.

Oh and PS, maybe the reason I've been slow to blog? I'm obsessed with Google reader and often comment on the things I share there. Seriously, go get a reader.

Also, my museum blog is back up and running. Because I'm so good at keeping on top of the three blogs I write for now. It is very museum centric, so I'm tempted to say it will be boring to those of you not in the biz, but come on, I'm hilarious and I can make exhibition development exciting to EVERYONE!

Back from Brissy

Just got back from Australia. Whew, long haul flights are exhausting. In a (probably vain) attempt to get over jet lag as soon as possible, I'm trying to stay awake as long as I can today- shooting for 8pm- by visiting my aunt, applying for jobs, and (just maybe) updating this here blog.

If not here, than certainly look for me at my work blog in the next week or two. I've got some great posts floating around my brain right now.

Hello again... and good bye again

Howdy! Whew, it has been way way way too long. But it has been for good reason. Since we've talked last, I've had a second interview for a real job in exhibits, took my comps, was in charge of my office while most people were out of the office, celebrated St. Patrick's Day, and more.

And oh the stress. THE STRESS. I'm waiting to hear back from the job. It is in Baltimore, so if I get it, I will have to move pretty much right after graduation. And even if I don't get it, I'll be moving from my current place anyway. Apartment searches are one of my least favorite things ever so I'm not looking forward to May anyway, but the added stress of the job hunt is getting to be too much. I do know that I passed my comps, so that's one less thing to worry about.

I plan on doing a whole lot of no worrying while I'm in Australia. I leave on Thursday and will be gone until the 19 April, which again means that I won't be writing terribly much for the next month. I may be updating here and there, hopefully with some photos, but I can't promise anything- I will be on the beach afterall.

But stay tuned anyway- hopefully I'll have good news regarding the job/apt front!

Spring is springing and taking me along with it

Yeah, I don't know what that title means exactly. This is my semi yearly post where I write to explain why I'm not writing a lot. If you remember, I said that I was going to Australia in about 3 weeks. Before I go, I have to take my comps this Friday. Comps as in if I don't pass them I don't graduate in May. I'm not too worried- went to a study group last week and we are all pretty set about what we need to know but the prospect of the writing I do in a three hour window determining whether I can walk in May... a bit daunting. And on Friday the 13th. I don't pretend that I'm not only a little superstitious. But I'm trying to not focus on that.

Besides comps, there is a large all staff meeting for most of next week that I won't be attending (pout) but that I have been helping plan. Because of this meeting, I will be in the office 4 days next week, which will help make up for the days that I'm missing while in Australia, but in addition to time abroad and the meeting, I've had to rearrange my schedule to get in enough internship hours so that I can graduate in May (see a theme?). I am creature of habit like WHOA and always hate the first few weeks of the semester when my schedule isn't locked down so this switch up mid Spring is throwing me off. I mean, I'm happy to deal with it because hello, AUSTRALIA, but it doesn't mean that I like sitting down and rearranging both jobs AND the internship. It is a lot to handle.

Also, my coworkers have slowly become my friends, with dinners and random happy hours. This makes me happier than words can say- can you say impromptu dance party after homemade Middle Eastern feast?- but it also means that I get home later and later. And when I do get home, I plop down and watch TV with this ho.

So, that's why the writing has been light. And why it will be light for probably another week or so. Because I know y'all care.

Review

So, I've been meaning to do a year in review post but I'm old and it takes me so much LONGER to recover from fun times. And we all know New Year's Eve is all about the fun times.

So instead of an enlightening meme, covering the year, I figured I would share some of the things that come up when you google my name.

For starters, this blog. Which, um, I don't really like. Not that I'm ashamed with anything here but still, I don't know if future employers need to know about my shoe purchases. And how I take my own picture in the mirror.

What seems like a fantastic movie and something I should heed in my real life: Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatiana

My thesis. Which is slightly NSFW, if your work isn't hip to sex education. If you really want to read it, you can just google my name and thesis. And um, click on Boners and Twats. Because even though you can get to my blog through my full name, I'm not really in the mood to start using my full name here.

That being said, my full name- you would love it. It is awesome.

WHEW!

I did it! 30 posts in 30 days. Go me. I'll let you know if I win anything.

I'm probably going to take it easy for a bit. The last month was long- Thanksgiving being so late kinda threw things off- and I know December is going to fly, with finals, making Christmas gifts, holiday parties. So hard, being popular, right? But I like the trend that I've gotten into here, with the more frequent posting. So, for your sake and mine, I will do my best to be a bit more regular!

Happy December!

Now return to your regularly scheduled posting

Hey folks! By the time you read this, I will be thousands of feet in the air (shudder) heading to Florida for Thanksgiving (yay). I wish it was a total vacay: yes, it will be warm and I'll get to hang out some family a ton, but I will also have a lot of school work to do. Barf.

But I don't have to worry about daily posting because through the magic of the interwebs, they will magically appear on time.

So, while I'm sitting on a Florida beach, trying to get a bit of a tan and worrying about final projects, I won't have to worry about getting to a computer to entertain you. Because I'm entertaining you from the past- oooooo.

Time to fess up

So, I'm a bit guilty of reposting here. Eak, I'm sorry! But you see, I recently discovered decor8 - know, WAY behind the times there- and I'm a bit obsessed with a) the fact that she lives half the year abroad, half the year in the states (my new dream) and b) pratically everything she features on her site. I love stationay and planners and prints, oh my! And while I can buy all the ones that I want to, I can at least share them and perhaps get you to buy them so that I may one day look at all the things I like in person. Vicarious shopping fun.

Next item up is this financial planner from See Jane Work. There are tons of very pretty and nifty things on See Jane Work (check out the sales!) but I love this planner the most because as much as I love the ease of online budgeting, there is something about having a tactile organizer that calms me. Lets me lay things out. Same reason why I still have a paper planner instead of an electronic one- I just can't give them up.

On sale now for $10. Am considering giving it to myself, in hopes that I will collect receipts and track my spending. And then probably cry.

And don't forget your decor8 sale code- CJanedecor8 - good through 21 Nov.

[image from See Jane Work]

broken, but important, record

As you can tell from my nifty reader over there on the left (yeah for new features!), I'm not the only person using the interwebs to encourage you to vote. VOTE. I can't tell you how many times I've teared up in the last few days over the inspiring words of one Mr. Barack Obama. While on one hand, I can't wait for the campaigning to be over, I am also incredibly anxious about tonight and the upcoming four years.

Because I work in DC but live in VA and knew that the lines were going to be crazy, I voted absentee in person last week, still waiting about two hours for the privilege to support the Obama/Biden ticket. And while it means that today I got to sleep to a reasonable hour and not worry about rushing to the polls after work, a part of me is a bit sad that I won't be part of this hostoric election, not the same way that those of you who are voting today.

But I still got to vote! And you should too. Even if you support a scary ticket that will surely lead us into a position where the rest of the world hates us even more. And while a McCain/Palin White House would be a nightmare, it would certainly push me to really find a job/school abroad.

I hope that's a silver lining I won't have to rely on.

this thing again

So, I did the whole NaBloPoMo or National Blog Posting Month last November and decided to give it a whirl again this year. Hopefully, it will be the kick in the pants that I need to start being better about this thing. Because, I, the person who loves birthdays and anniversaries and all yearly celebrations of events... totally missed the one year mark of this blog.

Oh the shame. I'm so sorry, rizado! I think it might have had something to do with the fact that it passed just around the time that I was newly single but that is no excuse- a three year relationship ended half through last November and I was still able to blog away. Whatever the reason, I apologize.

Now, if you've been with me the whole way, you might have noticed that things have changed. I used to have some semi regular features- best of my blog roll, favorite stumble upon, thematic timelines of my life- but I have done any of those in months. Instead, the blog became a bit more personal, while still being fairly guarded. So I open it up to you, my readers- is there anything you would like to see in the following year? Resurected features? Something new? More of the same?

And to those in know- I'm thinking of filling up a certain bucket more regularly too.

excuse me miss, your apartment therapy obsession is showing

my posts here are still sporadic but i'm trying to get back into the habit of writing more because a) nablopomo is around the corner and b) sam and i have agree to go to blogher next year and i want to have a site worth the trip.

but i'm also writing on other sites! well, one other site. yes, you can learn about ocean activism from most of the people i work with. or you can read all about the pretty water filtration systems i find on apartment therapy. you know, because georgeous filters are just as important as sea turtles.