Kittens

Jun. 14th, 2009 01:08 pm
erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

kittens!

Someone abandoned these two adorable kitties at my in-laws’ house earlier this week. They keep animals, but they are outdoor animal people. These kitties are caged to keep the large dog from eating them. I’m not kidding.

Sigh.

We visited yesterday, and I am in love. I’m especially fond of the little grey one. So fond, that I am (against all better judgment) considering bringing one home.

Rand and I both have allergies…mine a little more severe than his, and so the list of rational reasons why we should absolutely positively not bring a cat into our house is quite long.

But…but…kitty.

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

That’s me.

If I owe you a return phone call or email (or whatever), I sincerely apologize…the light at the end of my tunnel comes this Wednesday, when my teaching days are over. We still have two weeks after that of exams and grading and other end-of-year business, but the really hard part is over Wednesday.

I’ve been rather hermit-like most of the past two weeks or so…coming home after school and reading, or watching TV, or lurking on the Internet. Rand and I have gone out a couple of times–we managed to see Star Trek, which I liked quite a bit–but other than that, it’s been pretty quiet.

I’ll have some pictures coming soon of things I’ve baked and planted. I’ll probably have a “what I’ve read” update coming soon as well. Until then, happy Monday!

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

As seen on the blog of miss_shortskirt:

I think the best shows on TV right now are

Lost
How I Met Your Mother
Chuck

I think the best show(s) NOT on TV is (are)

The West Wing
Arrested Development

Shows I think I would like but haven’t watched yet are

Castle
Dollhouse

The show I am most anticipating is

Glee (oh, yes! me too!)

My go-to movies for repeat viewings are

When Harry Met Sally
Say Anything
The Princess Bride

I will watch any movie starring

Paul Rudd

I will listen to any CD by

Um…Ookla the Mok? (hee)
Carbon Leaf
Great Big Sea
Hawksley Workman
Ron Hawkins

My favorite musical soundtracks are

Rent
Les Miserables
Jesus Christ Superstar

My favorite Beatles song

Let it Be
or Come Together

My favorite Regina Spektor song

(Sorry, I don’t know who that is)

My favorite Weezer song

Uh….Buddy Holly? I’m actually not all that intimate with Weezer.

*ETA* Just realized that “Island in the Sun” comes up in my Pandora station all the time. I <3 that song.

My favorite Simon and Garfunkel song

Kathy’s Song

My favorite Britney Spears song

Sorry, got nothin’ here

My favorite movie soundtracks

Garden State
Juno
Moulin Rouge
**can’t really argue with those, but I will add:
Once
and also, Walk Hard (the Dewey Cox Story)

My favorite Disney movie

HOW CAN I POSSIBLY CHOOSE?
Um.
The Little Mermaid.
No, The Lion King.
No, Beauty and the Beast.
No, Aladdin.
Definitely one of those. ;)

My favorite song from a Disney Movie

Friend Like Me
or Kiss the Girl
or Under the Sea

My favorite songs at this exact moment are

Pregnant Women are Smug
The Future Soon
Cold, Cold Heart
Short Skirt, Long Jacket

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

Our new furniture was delivered this morning. Whee!

Several pix, so I'm going to hide them under a cut tag.

 

Click here to see them! )

The delivery actually came very early this morning…we were scheduled for between 9 and 11, but they called shortly after 8 to say they were running ahead of schedule. They got here around 8:30.

So anyway…happy new furniture day!

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Tags: ,

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

Yes, this is the quiz that’s been making its way around facebook. I’m amused by it. If you’re not, feel free to move along. ;)

Click here to take it on facebook (if you’re my friend there), or just see below the break for the answers!

Read the rest of this entry »

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

Yes, this is the quiz that’s been making its way around facebook. I’m amused by it. If you’re not, feel free to move along. ;)

Click here to take it on facebook (if you’re my friend there), or see below the break. I’ll post the answers (with commentary) in the next couple of days.

Read the rest of this entry »

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

Ok, so this is now officially yesterday’s news, but I’m still happy about it. ;)

I *heart Chuck. In its odd little way, it helps me get that Alias fix I’ve been missing. It has a cute, nerdy lead! It has ass-kicking spy stuff! It has Adam Baldwin, whose awesomeness cannot be rivaled! It has Captain Awesome, and Gift Shop Girl from Scrubs. It has a theme song by Cake! And the finale? The finale was jaw-droppingly amazing.

Chuck is fun, clever, well-written, and genuinely emotional, and it’s definitely become one of my favorites. I look forward to its return…hopefully in a time slot where it’s not against everything the world loves (seriously…it was up against House, Dancing with the Stars, and the CBS Monday comedies. Gee, I wonder why the ratings suffered?).

So, um…get yourself some DVDs. Netflix them, whatever. Then watch Chuck when it comes back next year!

Blargh

May. 7th, 2009 06:39 pm
erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

That’s how I feel right now.

I woke up yesterday with a scratchy throat. I woke up this morning feeling mildly icky, but not icky enough to warrant staying home. I’ve been consuming liquids like a madwoman all day.

Since sometime this afternoon, I’ve been sneezy/sniffly with a bit of a headache. I did have a slightly high temperature a while ago, but I think it’s gone now. I’m pretty sure we’re dealing with a run-of-the-mill cold and not ZOMGswinefluPANIC!!! (If I call in sick to work, by the way, I’m supposed to report whether or not I have “flu-like symptoms”)

I did somewhat prepare for the possibility of being out tomorrow…right now, I’m thinking it would probably be a good idea to stay home and rest and not continue to infect people.

Yeah. Anyway.

Don’t forget to enter my name that blog! contest. :)

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.


You Are Likely an Only Child


At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated.

At work and school, you do best when you’re organizing.

When you love someone, you tend to worry about them.

In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic.

Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management.

You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books.

In fact, I am an “oldest” (of two), but I’ve always suspected that I had more than a little “only” in me, as I was 7 when my brother was born.
erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. Please leave any comments there.

I’m not sure where I left off last time, so here’s the updated list. ;)

1. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy–Ally Carter
2. Dead Until Dark–Charlaine Harris
3. Sweethearts–Sara Zarr
4. Rise and Shine–Anna Quindlen
5. The War at Ellsmere–Faith Erin Hicks
6. Life as We Knew It–Susan Beth Pfeffer
7. The Walking Dead–Robert Kirkman
8. Don’t Judge a Girl by her Cover–Ally Carter (ARC)
9. Paper Towns–John Green
10. Ironside: A Modern Faery’s Tale–Holly Black
11. Jinx–Meg Cabot
12. Persepolis–Marjane Satrapi
13. Persepolis II–Marjane Satrapi
14. Pants on Fire–Meg Cabot
15. Hitman–Garth Ennis
16. The Little Prince
17. Heart-Shaped Box–Joe Hill
18. Romeo & Juliet*
19. Julius Caesar*
20. Alis–Naomi Rich
21. Flashforward–Robert J. Sawyer
22. Living Dead in Dallas–Charlaine Harris
23. To Kill a Mockingbird–Harper Lee*
24. The Fantastic Four–Mark Waid (2 volumes)

*Books I’ve previously read, but am teaching

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

My blogfriend Mac just got dooced. She’s asking her readers to share their firing stories. I started this as a response in her comments, but it got way too long.

Let me share just a bit of my own crazypants nonprofit story for now. I started working for a local nonprofit in their “communications” department (more on that later). Soon after I started, I found that the last person in my position had quit after three days. This should have been a sign…anyway, part of my position involved writing grant proposals, which I had zero experience doing (and was entirely up front about in the interview process). I was assured that I would have plenty of support. Hahaha.

It was bad from day one. My first assignment was to write a letter of recommendation for the ED about some high school girl/summer employee/friend of the ED’s family that (of course) I had never met. I silently screamed WTF? while doing my best to complete the task. My first attempt was given back to me with the instruction, “No, it needs to be *glowing*.” WTF.

Probably by 6 months, I knew that I needed to get the hell out of Dodge…but I was advised by people I trusted to try and stick it out for a year b/c it would be better for my resume.

Now, here’s where things really went crazy. I was assigned to work on a BS grant proposal–ED was fond of chasing the money, regardless of whether or not that particular grant actually made sense for the organization or not, but whatever. He teamed me up with another employee and had us basically building a program around this grant he wanted. I wanted to beat him…but again, I tried. During all of this, the opportunity came up for me to go on a trip to the UK with my then boyfriend. I talked to the assistant director about it, and decided to go. Immediately upon returning, I was scheduled to attend a week-long grantsmanship training with a couple of other employees, which I did.

When I got back to the office, I was given a “test.” The ED wanted to fire me. The assistant director and the guy who took me to the grantsmanship training convinced him to give me another shot. Basically, I was given a “fake” proposal to write and told that it was do or die–I would be kept or let go based on the ED’s assessment of my performance.

I failed. He fired me, which is what I am convinced he wanted to do from the moment I was hired.

It sucked…but the job sucked more. I was never more miserable than I was when I worked there, which is too bad…because I liked a lot of the people who worked there, and I really believed in the organization.

The “communications” department was a laugh, too. It was a hodgepodge of jobs that included grant writing, PR, event planning, running the youth service program, as well as anything else the ED felt like throwing in our direction. He treated us like secretaries (despite the fact that he, um, HAD a secretary). He had misguided notions about the press…he frequently wanted me to write and submit feature articles about whatever and submit them to the local paper, and no amount of, “Um, that’s really not the way it works,” would stop him. I wanted to scream, “You want good PR? Pissing off the newspaper is NOT the way to do it.”

I could go on, but I won’t. Suffice it to say that it got better…

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

Just thought I’d pop in and say hi…so, hi.

We had our first successful gathering of friends (aka “party”) at the new house Friday evening. It was enjoyable, so perhaps we’ll do it again sometime. ;) I’ll post pictures sometime in the next couple of days. They have yet to leave my camera. In the meantime, I finally got around to posting some pics from St. Patrick’s Day as well as some fun that was had on my classroom whiteboard.

IMG_2353.JPG

Easter was pleasant and mostly uneventful.

Today, Rand and I looked at some living room furniture that we would both be happy with. Also, I bought two cute new spring dresses because they were 30% off.

Now, I am contemplating whether I want to stay in and relax (doing things like blogging/chatting, reading, and so forth) or take myself out to, say, Barnes and Noble and hang out in the cafe doing writerly things. Hmmm.

“Stay in” is currently in the lead. ;) Have a good one, everybody!

Two days

Apr. 6th, 2009 10:05 pm
erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

Two days until break.

Grades had to be verified today, and I traveled over the weekend…so yeah, I’ve been a bit busy.

But it’s two days until break.

I’m gonna make it!

(aside–snow? Really? Feh.)

I’ve got stuff to say, and pictures to post, but it’s going to have to wait. Later, gators!

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

Is it spring break yet?

Ah…the days creep by, and I try desperately to cling to my sanity for just a little while longer. ;)

Here’s what’s been going on since I last checked in:

Saw I Love You, Man. Cute. Charming cast makes up for somewhat lackluster script.

Visited several furniture stores looking for new living room furniture options. Didn’t fall in love with anything.

Hung out with Rand’s brother and played Rock Band for the first time. Fun! I was the singer, because I didn’t have to operate any controls. Overall, did pretty well. Discovered that I don’t know the song Everlong *at all*. I wasn’t even in the same area code as the right notes.

Dinner at Amy’s Place.

Saw Greg Klyma at the Sportsmen’s Tavern. Great show, and great people to hang with. (More on this when pics get uploaded.)

Purchased material for bedroom curtains, to be made by my mom.

Got invited to church by random couple at Wegmans while browsing Nature’s Marketplace.

Started reading Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer.

Whee!

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. Please leave any comments there.




me right now

Originally uploaded by erinbellavia27.

BufBloPoFo 09 Topic for Day 11

Holy crap! Four more posts to go! YOU CAN DO IT, PARTICIPANTS. As you can see by my sparse entry above, things are getting a little sluggish. I’ll let up on the accelerator for a day and give us a slow pitch. For tomorrow, follow these directions:

1. Take out your cell phone.
2. Turn it around and take a picture of yourself AS YOU ARE RIGHT THIS SECOND NO CHEATING.
3. Post that pic and describe it. Where are you? Why are you wearing that? Maryface, there’s something in your teeth.

Here I am, in my kitchen, dirty dishes behind me, wearing my purple bathrobe (as I am wont to do when lounging about my house). I had just finished making brownies. I’ll post photos of the brownies later.

;)

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

BufBloPoFo Topic for BufBloPoFoMonique Day (Day 10)

On day ten last year, I found out about a girl named Monique who graduated from law school a year before me. She kicked cancer’s ass long enough to graduate, study for and then take the New York State Bar Exam. She passed away soon after that, cementing her status as one of my all time greatest personal heroes. I regret that I never met her, but I’m a better lawyer today because I know her story. For BufBloPoFoMonique day, tell me who inspires you. Who is your hero?

Interestingly enough, Kelly tagged me in a “Women I Admire” meme a while back. I started a draft post and never finished it. So, I guess I’ll finish it now.

Women I admire

You can click on over to flickr to read my notes.

This is, of course, not a comprehensive listing. I could (and perhaps will) add to it. Just off the top of my head…there’s Margaret Atwood, Madeline L’Engle, and Anna Quindlen. Plus, there’s a whole host of other real-life ladies I’m lucky to know. But it’s late, and I’m getting tired.

Just as a bonus…a few women I wish were real (but can still admire in their fictional form):

CJ Cragg
Buffy Summers
Sydney Bristow
Veronica Mars
Jaye from Wonderfalls

And this doesn’t even mention any men. But it’ll do. Good night!

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

I know this isn’t today’s prompt, but since I didn’t do it yesterday…

Tell me about your first home away from home. Tell me about the first apartment you had that wasn’t under your parents’ roof. A dorm? A loft? A cardboard box? Give us a tour.

Hrm…well, the first place I lived away from my parents was a room in Baldwin Hall at Allegheny College. That was followed by two years in Caflisch, then senior year in Red House (it was a house. It was red. Ah, good times…)

After college, my first apartment was right here in Buffalo. I lived there with Jen and another friend of ours from college. After that, I lived by myself for a while in a third-floor apartment off Elmwood. Then Jen and I lived together again on Lafayette, before I moved in with Rand.

Last year, as you all know, we bought a house:

house side view

And here we are. ;)

I wish I had photos of the other places. Actually, I know I *have* them, I just don’t know where they are.

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

7-8 am: drift in and out of consciousness as Rand gets ready for work. Roll over and go back to sleep

10:30 am: get up, take some medicine, drink some water. Make oatmeal. Sit on the couch and eat oatmeal while checking email, etc.

11:30 am: fall asleep on couch.

1:30 pm: get up, make noodle soup for lunch. Go back to couch, watch CMT Crossroads (Taylor Swift and Def Leppard).

3 pm: call Rand at work. Get mail. Fall asleep on couch.

5:30 pm: wake up when Rand gets home from work. Lie on the couch whimpering softly while watching The Daily Show.

Spend rest of evening lounging, trying to get rid of horrible headache.

I still pretty much feel like death warmed over. Standing up for more than 15 minutes at a time has been challenging. Debating about whether to call in sick tonight, or wait and see how I feel in the morning.

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

Well, I nearly forgot about BufBloPoFo today, being sick and all. I dragged myself through the school day. If I don’t feel any better tomorrow, I’m calling in sick. Blech.

I’ve been drinking fluids nonstop all day. Of course, that means I’ve been in the bathroom approximately every 40 minutes.

Now I’m sitting here watching TV with Rand. We just watched last night’s American Idol, and I continue to fail to understand the judges’ unconditional love for Megan Joy Corkrey. Really, I don’t. Oh well.

I showed my freshmen a bit of the Baz Luhrmann Romeo & Juliet today. I forgot how much I liked it. (Really, I do. I know it’s a love it/hate it thing for most people.) I also forgot that my movie boyfriend Paul Rudd is in it (he plays Paris).

paul rudd

We might go see his new movie (I Love You, Man, with Jason Segel and Rashida Jones) this weekend. Yay!

Oh, back to Romeo and Juliet…like I said, I love the movie. It had a pretty polarizing effect on my students. Some of them liked it, and others really hated it.

Ah…on that note, I need to use the facilities for the 27th time today. And just so I’m not totally ignoring the post prompt, here’s my response from last year.

erinwrites: (Default)

Originally published at erin-go-blog!. You can comment here or there.

1. School has been crawling with germs, and it seems they’re catching up with me.

2. The not really unexpected but still crappy news that came my way last night, totally bumming me out.

3. Ants. I don’t really feel like going into more detail on that one, but ant traps have been purchased. Argh.

4. Fourth place in the Biggest Loser contest. Not that I’m surprised…but getting so close made me want to taste victory!

5. Hrm. I thought there was more, but I can’t remember.

Oh well. Off to drink lots of fluid, take lots of vitamins. and try to rest as much as I can. Bah.

January 2019

S M T W T F S
  12345
6789101112
131415161718 19
20212223242526
2728293031  

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 8th, 2025 03:27 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios