tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54990792012-02-15T22:39:44.463-08:00"To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame,<br/>to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life."Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.comBlogger6321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-2352131924136184292010-06-03T19:49:00.000-07:002010-06-03T19:50:18.933-07:00

"Even now, 30 years on, Highsmith's bold denouement makes one want to squeak like a lost baby whale joyfully rejoining its pod." -- Terry Castle writing for Slate

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-52852780265958476242010-03-20T10:34:00.001-07:002010-03-22T11:44:27.824-07:00

Last night Helene & I took a long walk to 20th and Irving to see about a coat-rack for the hallway. On the way, as we were walking up Haight and had just passed three homeless men who called us beautiful, I suggested we maybe walk along Page so as to have the sidewalk to ourselves. Because, as I said, even though I have this fantasy that I'm going to meet someone while walking on a crowded street

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-10373639519464842782010-03-17T23:32:00.001-07:002010-03-17T23:36:22.654-07:00

so. I went out for a drink with a guy last night. and he told me about this study: apparently, tapeworms can actually help people with allergies. people have always gotten tapeworms and tried to fight them off. tapeworms have always retaliated and can suppress the immune system. then your immune system doesn't waste energy (or have the energy to waste) on fighting shit like dust mites and

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-30290447347942019592010-03-17T23:25:00.000-07:002010-03-17T23:31:58.955-07:00

how does this always happen??life can be summed up, however --I MOVED. I live with Helene and Kimon and Adam in a charming victorian with a backyard.I read and write in the sunroom.for valentine's day I went to steve's makeout party. I had a lovely time. then j. broke things off with me. I continue to date. but I run into j. whenever I walk by duboce park. THE BASSET HOUNDS PLAYING = WORTH IT.for

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-18920848396831421642010-01-17T22:15:00.000-08:002010-01-17T22:35:59.142-08:00

FRIDAY - Sushi w/ J. We ate seaweed salad & mackerel with bitter melon & homemade mochi & purple yam ice cream.SATURDAY - A walk with Helene. A nap. Made dinner. Went to see the Sioux City Kid at On the Corner. Half-heartedly played scrabble. Made an appearance w/ H. at Kimon's friend's party. Hung out downstairs with the musicians. Sing along to Tangerine, Last Dance with Mary Jane. Warded off

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-27810211775445058582010-01-11T13:17:00.000-08:002010-01-11T13:29:42.191-08:00

I once said that, for a twenty-something woman in SF to say that she's into yoga, is wasted breath. Every twenty-something woman in SF is into yoga. Or at least says she is. Despite that observation, I went this past year without a yoga class. Last night changed this. I went with Helene & Kimon & JBK to yoga flow, and now I get it. You enter from a side street in the Castro, and climb a wide set

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-35245460024485343702010-01-06T21:44:00.001-08:002010-01-06T21:50:18.041-08:00

Today I had a mini-crisis over applying for fellowships for next year. Then a reassuring phone conversation with Sarah. Then a productive early/late afternoon copying notes and writing the start to a draft of the Halifax chapter at Soleil. And THEN I made beef stroganoff while listening to billie holiday. And then I ate dinner with Helene & we opened a bottle of bubbly rose wine. And THEN we made

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-89844826362877859422009-12-31T17:43:00.000-08:002010-01-01T21:57:34.356-08:00

Had a great Oregon visit... I should have kept track of comings & goings. But I do remember:- Two quiet days at home with just Mum & Tim. - Mer's arrival with Brian, Sunny, and the gerbils.- Our kids' night out in Hood River with Joe -- from the British pub to the brew pub.- Sister time in Portland, at Powell's and the Pearl Bakery, while Brian took the GRE's.- Dinner at Celilo. - A walk in the

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-66186928215582283062009-12-18T18:43:00.000-08:002009-12-18T18:53:13.605-08:00

Tonight Merrie & her boyfriend, Brian, arrive. With Sunny the sheltie & two gerbils in tow. Wondering what it will be like to add these creatures to the current mix -- Mum, Tim, me, Sasquatch the cat, and Benny the luck dragon dog. I arrived Weds. night, and Mum & Tim both had trouble sleeping. So last night, the dog and the cat ended up on MY bed. Funny story, that. Benny was quite fine, sitting

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-28865369631439289332009-12-13T21:13:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:14:55.269-08:00

Kid you not, this is the description for ATT's LG Neon:Looking for a fun and flirty texting device that will get you noticed? Get ready for the LG NEON(TM) by AT&T! This compact and colorful phone lets you stay connected to your social circle wherever you go. Dial quickly using the external touch screen or slide out the full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy messaging. Use Bluetooth® capabilities

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-43415112344119577832009-11-23T06:47:00.000-08:002009-11-23T06:51:19.694-08:00

productive workshops all day in class (well, after the xeroxing was done, during which interval we played "fuzzy wuzzy likes" and "around the world in 80 days"). commenting on stories via email in the afternoon. best butter chicken ever at a totally deserted indian restaurant. man at toast box anticipated my order: I've ordered the same thing around the same time in the evening enough times that

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-75369470062579968142009-11-15T06:03:00.000-08:002009-11-15T06:25:10.051-08:00

Writing because my camera = NOT WORKING (a story for another time -- how not to lend your camera to a guy you're sleeping with for the hell of it and have no emotional/ intellectual interest in, because the camera MIGHT NOT WORK when it comes back to you. Also, he might forget to return the cord to upload the photos. Actually, this might be more about not sleeping with people you have no interest

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-3697722675944601492009-10-28T22:25:00.000-07:002009-10-28T22:45:29.378-07:00

1) Mer & Brian's visit: Excellent SF introduction. We went to Hardly Strictly, out in the Mission for Pakwan and Bi-rite ice cream, Tartine for brunch, Ocean Beach for sights... Then it was sadly already time to say goodbye. Mer is too adorable. Especially when she climbs into bed with you in the morning to chat. 2) Hardly Strictly w/ the roommates, Steve, Irena. Best moment: listening to Neko

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-33075505597208826752009-10-01T20:40:00.000-07:002009-10-01T20:50:56.696-07:00

And back again to the bay area. It was lovely, but I think for now I'm leaving the journal notes where they are -- in the books that I was reading along the way (namely, Goethe's Werther, Baldwin's Giovanni's Room, and Zola's Belly of Paris). Maybe I'll transcribe them on some cold, rainy November day.Back home & trying to be more serious this year. Also cooking and baking a lot. A week ago we

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-58556058371230978422009-09-03T22:06:00.001-07:002009-09-03T22:07:06.659-07:00

I feel like angel hair pasta with olive oil and parmesan.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-21826278124420307102009-08-24T21:38:00.000-07:002009-08-24T21:39:38.525-07:00

by the container. that's what people do, right? cure-all?

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-29836616304268186932009-08-23T21:46:00.000-07:002009-08-23T21:50:49.333-07:00

Last night Steve & I made dinner for our dinner party with Helene. We were in the kitchen for hours. We made: ceviche with avocados and tortillas, spicy-cilantro chickpeas with patty pan squash, agua fresca out of a cantaloupe, and, for dessert, a tart that Steve said would give me Iron Chef cred. Almond essence in the tart dough, a blueberry compote with vanilla bean & spices, a layer of

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-3123970546237161912009-08-15T22:26:00.000-07:002009-08-15T22:28:31.307-07:00

I made:- plain rolls and rosemary-olive rolls- potato salad- rhubarb cobbler, and two smaller blackberry cobblersin preparation for the picnic tomorrow!

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-26509648347892045692009-08-15T01:23:00.000-07:002009-08-15T01:44:05.308-07:00

After a night of:- making pizza from scratch (both dough and marinara sauce!)- vanilla gelato with rhubarb compote- drinks with helene and ben's friends- dancingI ate:- leftover pizza- homemade pickles and pickled carrots- peanut m&m's(in that order)

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-40174250181204262972009-08-04T10:17:00.000-07:002009-08-04T10:23:32.094-07:00

The last few weeks have been an adventure. From befuddled revisions that seemed to be going nowhere, to feeling tres-productive teaching middle schoolers through Stanford's summer gifted youth program. I felt teacherly. I liked having an audience. I got good student evaluations. It made me feel better about the fact that my own research and writing needs plenty of work.The social life wasn't so

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-59553398549490576962009-07-13T14:49:00.000-07:002009-07-13T14:51:13.758-07:00

This past week I've been cat-sitting for Emilie and Randy in Mountain View. Have been enjoying the cats and the swimming pool. And being able to walk to the Milk Pail and Target.Before I leave the cats (Bob and Samantha), I felt the need to document my observations.Things that bother Bob, the twenty-five pound, orange, extra-toed house bobcat:1. Samantha2. Seeing Samantha3. Not being able to see

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-2714611129582889242009-07-13T14:47:00.000-07:002009-07-13T14:49:46.126-07:00

To catch up:School is out! This doesn't mean much for me. I've been revising my chapter draft, and when that gets me down and unproductive, as it often does, I do something else. Recently I've started redirecting this energy into research for the next chapter. And a new blog idea. We'll see if it develops.One very fun thing to report: Meredith's wedding, Coker Butte, and the road trip! Someday

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-55516522194671936712009-05-28T17:44:00.000-07:002009-05-28T18:09:04.549-07:00

10th day, Weds: Another long teaching day. Followed, though, by an outing with Marissa, her TA Wafa, and Wafa's boyfriend Ian. Went out for some amazing Indian food in Little India (duh). Awesome masala chicken. MOST AMAZING biryani I have EVER EATEN. Sandalwood. Then we had a taste experience that wasn't so much amazing as disturbing: durian fruit. A fruit stand with outdoor seating (so you

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-60229929789677783872009-05-19T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-19T06:21:33.860-07:00

6th day (Sat.): Had kaya toast and kopi (the local coffee with condensed milk) for breakfast, headed back to lesson plan... Had a very quick lunch on the corner at a sandwich place (good bread), had class, and headed out to the botanical gardens afterward. Amazing place. Orchids. We took pictures. And carried around the fruit that C. had given us earlier that day. Because even though we had

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-9610766539790959452009-05-15T07:55:00.000-07:002009-05-15T08:29:06.857-07:00

First full day: Hotel breakfast. You can go with local breakfast items (like bee hoon, something noodley with something green like kale; or rice porridge, which is basically watery rice) or with the British inspired side (baked beans, many types of meat, boiled eggs). It started raining around noon -- right when I wanted to go out exploring and find lunch. I wandered around Little India in the

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-28537804199006667302009-05-10T04:34:00.000-07:002009-05-10T05:15:58.184-07:00

adventure!My first trip to Asia -- second trip outside of the U.S. -- is underway. No disasters (ie, lost luggage), just lots of realizing that nothing is intuitive without training. The trays work by different mechanisms on Cathay Pacific's planes, meaning that I fumbled the handle so ineffectively that the woman next to me on the way to Hong Kong had to intervene. They drive on the "wrong" side

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-58071551866258896422009-04-30T00:30:00.000-07:002009-04-30T00:36:31.276-07:00

I hate the n-judah. And sports. And people who like sports so much, that they go to Giants games and then take the n-judah home.What I like:-Interesting guys who hit on me at Safeway. Or rather, the one interesting guy who did that. In the candy aisle.-The Seventh Generation grocery bag I got with my drugstore.com order, filled with samples. Including a carrots chapstick. I love samples.-Gardenia

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-18766879761773820042009-04-22T22:20:00.000-07:002009-04-22T22:43:56.971-07:00

The title being an allusion to a conversation with Helene last night, as we were sitting on the front porch because it was crazy hot all day, and I was eating dinner (finally). Because the night before (Monday), I went to a concert with Steve: The Black Kids and Mates of State. Best part, M of S covering Tom Waites's Long Way Home. And when some dudes in a car tried to pick me up. I love that.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-73014036424391115232009-04-05T20:47:00.000-07:002009-04-05T20:58:38.601-07:00

On the working class and unicorns:"One feature of prole catalogs is the frequency with which the unicorn, of all things, appears. We find plush unicorns, pewter unicorns, brass unicorns, 'Porcelain Revolving Musical Unicorns' -- every conceivable avatar of unicorn. As one catalog announces, 'Unicorns are all the rage these days.' I've spent six months trying to find out exactly why, and I'm

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-16555917377354370182009-04-02T22:05:00.000-07:002009-04-02T22:18:38.508-07:00

New lows with the updating!But it's because I've been busy...The apartment has changed! Holli is gone, Emily is back, and we now have a MATCHING couch set for the living room. Four pieces, $400, split five ways. Very proud of ourselves. Especially after four of us carried a love seat up four blocks (including our hill) at 11 pm last Thursday. Luckily we got Holli's couch out, because she

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-68926334512503103942009-03-15T00:01:00.000-07:002009-03-15T00:02:35.457-07:00

From an art show that I wanted to go to tonight... but fresh spring rolls can NOT be rushed:

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-8960712177334813872009-03-03T22:20:00.001-08:002009-03-03T22:20:51.942-08:00

AND this

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-2323717843876103612009-03-03T22:13:00.001-08:002009-03-03T22:13:59.423-08:00

Am loving on this.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-5512479492886168292009-03-01T22:27:00.000-08:002009-03-01T22:32:22.916-08:00

After a busy weekend...Ra Ra Riot concert Friday, with not one, not two, but THREE opening bands (amazing to live walking distance from the venue)Bachelorette party prep, bridal shower, bach. party Sat nightScience museum in golden gate park today, in high heels, as my overnight bag was left behind the night before in the trunk of a friend's car... it's nice to sit with the cat sprawled across my

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-12565514440860862022009-02-19T12:58:00.000-08:002009-02-19T13:06:05.316-08:00

Over material conditions:- The bed arrived, and I put it together all by myself. Well, and with the help of some books to prop up the side rails as I fastened them to the head/footboards.- At some point before Saturday I will have a cushioned reading chair.- I carried a lamp home in the rain.- Saved 15$ at Rainbow Grocery with scavenged 20% off coupons. Oh, AND turned in an application for part

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-91845413236999140392009-02-09T00:22:00.000-08:002009-02-09T00:30:12.297-08:00

After a long hiatus...I'm somewhat settled in the new apartment (Overstock.com foam mattress arrived! adorable shabby chic dresser/desk in place! $3 yard sale wood chair carried home! hamper from Ross precariously carried home on a WAY crowded bus from downtown SF!). I've had some exploring, lots of reading in cafes, some dinners out (Chaya for vegetarian sushi, Great China in Berkeley, pizza

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-36020212325909241902009-01-21T22:23:00.000-08:002009-01-21T22:57:35.959-08:00

Shorter version: It's tough, despite the fact that the recession is pushing out the recently unemployed as well as the chronically unemployed hipsters who seem to be supported in part by bougie parents.I arrived last Wednesday with 6 to 7 places to visit, and kept accumulating more as I emailed every viable post on craigslist. the places I've been!Saturday morning: started with a trip downtown to

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-88479135662467505902009-01-01T21:54:00.000-08:002009-01-04T17:30:44.958-08:00

"My mouth tastes like I licked a barbecue grill" - Mer on smoking."I really think the future of collecting macaroni and cheese boxes lies overseas." - Overheard on late night Food Network"Make tea not love" "This is an EX parrot""I hope that dog is in our compost and not going over to the neighbors." - Mom on relative evils.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-26024439039204595082008-12-25T20:19:00.000-08:002008-12-29T23:55:55.966-08:00

Christmas Eve here with the family.Christmas dinner with Grammy in Hood River.Crazy weekend trip to Portland: Devotchka concert, meeting up with Nate and Annie, shopping the sales. Lots of food: Henry's tavern for happy hour; Roxy's at 1 am, the 24 hour diner with suicide chocolate cake and a Jesus sculpture over the jukebox; Mother's for the best brunch in town. Visiting Dad and going for pizza.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-26677318175647580432008-12-21T15:39:00.000-08:002008-12-21T15:48:06.342-08:00

It's snowing like hell. We no longer leave the house. This morning we saw an elk herd trapped in the orchard that borders our house -- the owner built a fence to keep them *out*, but now that they've managed to get *in,* it's proving difficult to remove them. Even though all the gates are open. Mer and I trudged up, waded through the snow and cold, to check, and yes, the gate nearest the woods

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-23899403338431349652008-12-20T11:54:00.001-08:002008-12-20T11:54:11.986-08:00

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-74427422812816448582008-12-14T19:05:00.001-08:002008-12-14T19:11:35.847-08:00

Best part of Thom Hartmann on Olbermann, as transcribed on Crooks & Liars:Hartmann: David what he needs to do immediately is read Alexander Hamilton's 1791 report to Congress on manufactures. Hamilton laid out this six step plan to build an industrial economy in the United States and we followed it. We, Congress actually put into place in 1792 and it stood until Ronald Reagan came along and

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-8306216199530214342008-12-09T22:55:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:18:41.669-08:00

Where have I BEEN?The studio in the Haight is DARLING. 1920s apartment building, wood floors, bay windows, separate kitchen with old school ironing board cupboard... I wish it were mine. Karl is subletting it to me for two weeks. And not only is he from Oregon, but he also lived on Harvard St. for a while. A little like things aligned and the mechanism could be overheard. We had a good chat about

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-3233915667333804722008-12-02T19:46:00.000-08:002008-12-02T21:47:33.306-08:00

Strange times: In two weeks, I'm out of this cottage where I've been renting a room. I'll be in Oregon for at least three weeks over the holidays (have yet to book a plane ticket back to CA: maybe will take the train?). And then I'll probably be here in CA till the end of January in a studio in the Haight (sublet: I'm checking it out tomorrow... kind of an adventure to take a bus somewhere new).

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-5839340099274715772008-11-30T21:14:00.000-08:002008-11-30T21:22:27.758-08:00

so I was just compiling a bibliography...

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-19117954414044468742008-11-25T18:12:00.000-08:002008-11-25T18:22:00.914-08:00

I made the mistake of going to Whole Foods on this, the day before the day before Thanksgiving. Courtesy is no longer even a half hearted pretense. So many women (it does seem that women still disproportionately do the grocery shopping, doesn't it?) with baby carriages, carts, purses -- blocking the bulk foods section, comparing prices (altho. not as much of that here in Palo Alto), quieting

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-68414101296064316952008-11-14T22:52:00.000-08:002008-11-14T22:54:55.686-08:00

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.if I have a baby and show her cartoons in french, what are the chances she'll become fluent? and entertain me with crazy animal fables?

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-1009812572134535782008-11-10T12:51:00.001-08:002008-11-10T12:51:45.802-08:00

My random subject category is "Alcoholics Fiction," featuring, Death Will Get You Sober.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-21248891993195092742008-11-08T12:56:00.000-08:002008-11-08T12:57:58.662-08:00

Horse-shoeing as it is and as it Should be. By William Douglas. 1873.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-76912075062212022302008-11-02T15:00:00.000-08:002008-11-02T15:02:11.197-08:00

Why did I ever waste my time on the Palo Alto Baking Company's chocolate croissants, when Boulangerie Bay Bread exists, and when they sell their delicate, buttery croissants at the same farmers' market?

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-83543058490170651422008-11-01T23:59:00.000-07:002008-11-02T00:10:58.385-07:00

Today was the first honest to God full day of rain. In the past couple of weeks, there was a morning or two when it was hard to tell whether the pavements were wet from sprinklers or from rain that conveniently fell overnight. But today was earnest rain. At first I tried to embrace it, got lunch on CA Ave. with umbrella in tow and flip flops (because I figured, skin dries faster than shoes),

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-68865818002151472862008-10-26T01:24:00.000-07:002008-10-26T01:26:54.200-07:00

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-71370872988505889092008-10-23T00:43:00.000-07:002008-10-23T00:44:40.688-07:00

Finally found this Sedaris quote on Dooce that Andrew told me about: I look at these people and can’t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention? To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-26268321459893516202008-10-23T00:19:00.000-07:002008-10-23T00:21:43.780-07:00

By NO measurement is Sarah Palin and her family working class. And how the fuck does one even spend 150,000$ on clothes?!

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-25525753333044832662008-10-19T10:33:00.001-07:002008-10-19T10:33:59.966-07:00

5 years (and also on a Sunday!) since I met up with you at The Thirsty Mind.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-52734167772181106522008-10-15T00:07:00.000-07:002008-10-15T00:49:10.076-07:00

Today started off frantic.I woke up at 8:30, dragged myself out of bed, checked my email -- realized I had a meeting on campus at 9 am. Which meant prioritizing what I REALLY NEEDED TO DO: shower minus the hair, no breakfast, bike like hell. After, I was sitting in the terrace room brooding over my notes before meeting with Franco. And this freaking BIRD FIGHT breaks out on the terrace. At first

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-80405694925417384432008-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:002008-10-14T00:04:28.689-07:00

So I bought this chocolate at Target, and the insert, with (not so) helpful pictures and descriptions, is for the wrong collection. So all I have to go on, is that the box contains: "sparkling pomegranate currant, golden Jamaican-spiced caramel, sunny tangerine coconut, sweetly floral almond jasmine, sensuous hazelnut orange, subtly spiced ginger pear." WHICH IS AMAZING. But the problem is, I

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-75879522380790791912008-10-12T22:02:00.000-07:002008-10-12T22:16:08.638-07:00

The weekend means little these days. Except for the welcome party on Friday -- Long, who's dj-ed in the past, turned it into a dance party. Any English function that turns into dancing to Billie Jean is a success in my opinion. My work this weekend has been: brainstorming around five or six different ideas toward a dissertation. It was back to the drawing board after my meeting with Franco last

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-27089208866181542652008-10-11T11:35:00.000-07:002008-10-11T11:37:15.037-07:00

nataliedee.com

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-26834719257271452392008-10-09T23:42:00.001-07:002008-10-09T23:42:43.301-07:00

It was a day in which I gave up on my illusions of progress.But at least this song is incredible.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-66294880480470982382008-10-06T23:16:00.000-07:002008-10-06T23:18:38.356-07:00

"The staircase was sacred to rabbits." -- Martin Chuzzlewit

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-80459441450770716162008-10-05T19:29:00.000-07:002008-10-05T19:31:23.059-07:00

After agonizing over an email (in this case, emailing Alex with paragraphs on *why* this topic), I reward myself with food.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-26926480287393857992008-10-03T23:19:00.001-07:002008-10-03T23:19:30.725-07:00

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-58608500804394634252008-10-03T19:58:00.000-07:002008-10-03T20:01:00.458-07:00

I'm finding it uncanny to read A Christmas Carol and HEAR Scrooge McDuck delivering the dialogue.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-52474509560094103172008-09-30T23:10:00.000-07:002008-09-30T23:24:01.900-07:00

I think I had a good day.I got to campus before 11 am -- reviewed and compiled some notes in Google docs, which is a brilliant application; had lunch while catching up with Lupe and Whitney; went to yoga; had a meeting with profs, administrative assistants, and a statistics person to talk about a research project I'm going to do data crunching for (yay, a project with FINITE GOALS!); prepped for

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-89290941782460019692008-09-22T19:09:00.001-07:002008-09-22T19:17:02.283-07:00

So I'm skimming through a 1000 page Oxford Companion to British History in the Lane Reading Room (because it's non-circulating), looking for 19th century entries to read, as Jessica W. recommended brushing up on the historical context of my period at this point in the process. Some highlights:Under "dueling":"A ludicrous duel, averted in 1782 by the intervention of the Speaker, was between Lord

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-50212576056645233552008-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:002008-09-22T09:54:13.529-07:00

Andrew: exactly are you familiar with "punting" on the cam river ahem, "the river cam"... i did notice, while walking on a small path next to a big open field, what looked like wild raspberries and blackberriesme: cool =) I'm surprised at raspberries, but blackberries it's definitely still the season in a not too-hot climateAndrew: ah,

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-63548530162156968242008-09-20T20:10:00.001-07:002008-09-20T20:10:28.408-07:00

because this is probably the biggest problem that I would ever confront.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-32248544653532932302008-09-18T22:08:00.001-07:002008-09-18T22:24:42.473-07:00

The trip back to CA was smooth. I LOVE ALASKA AIRLINES. Why can't other airlines be like them? Not only do they have a higher concentration of funny/interesting flight attendants, but they STILL GIVE YOU SNACKS. GOOD SNACKS, made with unbleached flour and no trans fats and EVOO. And FREE BEER AND WINE. With freaking *refills.* Do they even do that in Europe anymore? And we made an almost

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-77170939962134529192008-09-17T12:33:00.000-07:002008-09-25T22:33:24.083-07:00

Last Saturday we (ie, Mum, Tim, & I) embarked on the great LaPine adventure. We drove south-easterly, lunched at Smith Rock, consulted with Mer, who decided to leave a day early, set up camp, fed the golden mantled ground squirrels (think: larger, more aggressive, & pudgier version of the chipmunk), and waited for Mer. Here's one golden mantled jumping out of the frame after grabbing a piece of

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-78931250015341662502008-09-17T12:11:00.000-07:002008-09-17T12:33:48.475-07:00

Before I forget what I did last week:Monday: Hung out at Laurance Lake.Tuesday: lunch with Grammy at Twin Peaks. Followed by an afternoon visiting Dad -- walked the Indian Creek Trail, explored our favorite used book store, etc.Weds: Brunch with Dad at Acre, followed by hiking with Mum. We finally made it up to Cloud Cap, where we hiked from Tilly Jane, STRAIGHT UP HILL for what they claimed was

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-58040361931394385292008-09-09T21:39:00.001-07:002008-09-09T21:39:39.794-07:00

ohmygod CUTE.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-90348956189556441522008-09-08T11:45:00.001-07:002008-09-08T11:45:19.136-07:00

Santogold: L.E.S. Artistes

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-12596556655099756582008-09-07T22:43:00.000-07:002008-09-07T23:42:34.518-07:00

Still my favorite stretch of ditch trail -- about a quarter of a mile from home, and right before "the pipes" (old cattle guard).Thursday: Hiking in the big backyard, up the old logging trail.Friday: Black lake, Rainy Lake, and, after a hike, North Lake. We found tons of huckleberries -- I was glad I didn't miss the season. And got home so late we ended up eating down the highway at the Sawtooth

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-3388688952511087842008-09-04T13:24:00.000-07:002008-09-04T13:38:31.280-07:00

Gloria Steinem makes me happy:But here is even better news: It won't work. This isn't the first time a boss has picked an unqualified woman just because she agrees with him and opposes everything most other women want and need. Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman. It's about making life more fair for women everywhere. It's not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-5658384108638981732008-09-02T21:48:00.000-07:002008-09-03T00:38:58.236-07:00

Day 1 in Oregon: walking along the ditch to the blackberry patch, conveniently hidden behind some brush. No one else seems to have discovered it... and luckily the first wave was ripe.The take:Then some reading on the porch. Caught up with Mum in the garden, picked more produce (green beans!):After dinner, Mom and I watched a bit of the RNC... which I was having trouble distinguishing from the

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-12134540779322164392008-09-02T18:14:00.001-07:002008-09-02T18:14:33.452-07:00

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-86813678900235430632008-08-27T15:02:00.000-07:002008-08-27T15:09:31.595-07:00

Crooks and Liars sets CNN straight on tax plans under McCain and Obama. Obama is better on taxes for all voters making under $110,000 -- yet people continue to pass along the meme that Republicans = lower taxes. Well, at least for the top 1%. This is a totally handy graph.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-28790040830565617482008-08-24T19:02:00.000-07:002008-08-24T19:11:10.611-07:00

There's also an awesome video -- a woman with a midwestern accent describing Katya as "round" three times in under a minute and a half.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-71491047417741496682008-08-22T15:54:00.000-07:002008-08-23T20:39:20.567-07:00

So the Madison apartment is *almost* set up. Except for the boxes that are still in the mail. This process would have been less draining if we hadn't just moved out of my studio at Stanford and deep-cleaned the hell out of it. Even though we did have one night out at a French restaurant in Menlo Park as a reward after the keys were returned.We flew into Madison late Monday, and were met by

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-61886061368195087072008-08-22T11:48:00.000-07:002008-08-22T11:49:52.696-07:00

If you suddenly get to the backlog of youtube posts that never posted, DON'T ALLOW THEM THROUGH DURING THE ONLY THREE DAYS I DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS. Jesus.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-54362518729758185892008-08-15T20:51:00.001-07:002008-08-15T20:51:53.842-07:00

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-51719976272829280512008-08-15T18:56:00.001-07:002008-08-15T18:56:43.086-07:00

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-5858898676851510232008-08-14T17:30:00.000-07:002008-08-14T17:36:56.240-07:00

Just saw this at Crooks and Liars -- The Boston Globe tallies the most-used words on the respective candidates' sites:

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-65812237840169225012008-08-13T22:47:00.000-07:002008-08-13T22:59:57.269-07:00

He's not very progressive. From The New Republic:McCain's maverick reputation and his calculated political meanderings on choice add up to one thing: The public thinks McCain just might be a moderate on abortion.The fact that he's not could matter a great deal in the election. According to one poll, about half of all women voters backing McCain said they were pro-choice, including 36 percent who

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-84750308748607631862008-08-10T22:39:00.000-07:002008-08-10T22:40:54.724-07:00

Because for some reason we can say we want lighter periods, but not more worry-free sex?

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-83648507648102560552008-08-09T19:23:00.000-07:002008-08-09T20:36:21.090-07:00

Pictures from the beach -- at Big Sur, where land previously shut down by forest fires has just been reopened... and where the beach was too pretty to miss, even though it meant no hiking. And from Pescadero, where we DID go hiking at Butano State Park, & explored another mostly deserted (but foggy) beach.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-78048689360766168992008-08-08T23:06:00.000-07:002008-08-08T23:13:19.300-07:00

I'm kind of intrigued by apocalyptic visions, especially as they keep, you know, NOT COMING TRUE. Amanda at Pandagon had a great post linking the fear of death to the strangely persistent (and growing?) belief that the Rapture will happen 'in our time':Apocalypse scenarios put that fear to rest, especially if the apocalypse comes in your lifetime. Consider that 55% of Americans believe in the

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-62613950765487836962008-08-03T22:26:00.000-07:002008-08-03T23:01:41.754-07:00

Except for when it's Gaskell. I'm back from Santa Cruz, after a week of intensive listening, reading, and bonding. It's crazy how close I felt to the group of fellow female Victorianists. One afternoon we cut an afternoon talk (which weren't really pitched at us anyways, but rather to the elderhostelers, who were often grumbly and grumpy, and resented reading Gaskell so much that they wanted

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-73685226185690300012008-07-27T23:07:00.000-07:002008-07-27T23:25:55.121-07:00

I feel like I'm at summer camp. When Andrew left, I had that same feeling that I used to get before Bible or 4-H camps -- that feeling like, shit, are you LEAVING ME HERE? (Although when I was in grade school that feeling never went away and I ended up calling Mum to tell her she NEEDED to come rescue me. Except one year, at 4-H camp, they knew how that plot would develop, and didn't let me use

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-72308660850854011112008-07-22T23:38:00.000-07:002008-07-22T23:39:29.874-07:00

it's red and half full.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-80869035220066857372008-07-18T20:46:00.000-07:002008-07-18T20:50:58.420-07:00

Sarah Haskins has been my hero since the analysis of yogurt commercials that target "that class of women that wears gray hoodies":

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-90076802171609103532008-07-17T22:08:00.000-07:002008-07-17T23:40:44.395-07:00

Back already but it feels like I've been gone longer.Yesterday morning we headed to Microsoft (early!) and then waited around as they had padded the leave time by fifteen minutes TWICE. Apparently very little faith in interns showing up on time for a free trip to Napa.I was surprised that our first stop was Andretti -- I've only been to three wineries in Napa before, and we're overlapping one?

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-42735441790058038392008-07-17T21:35:00.000-07:002008-07-17T21:38:03.665-07:00

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-90360576586226408152008-07-17T21:25:00.000-07:002008-07-17T21:31:05.143-07:00

Cindy McCain: "In Arizona The Only Way To Get Around The State Is By Small Private Plane."

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-79146458553673427682008-07-17T20:03:00.000-07:002008-07-17T20:31:17.737-07:00

marriedtothesea.com

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-91527724554562383472008-07-15T19:40:00.000-07:002008-07-15T19:50:43.198-07:00

Taking off tomorrow for one night in Santa Rosa, in pursuit of the ability to differentiate between types of wine, and because it's compliments of Microsoft.And here is a picture of a crepe that I meant to post long ago, documenting my new-found love for Nutella:

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-57926650009518859222008-07-14T16:19:00.000-07:002008-07-14T16:34:52.073-07:00

The noteworthy events of the ten (eek) past days:- Andrew's father visited. Which meant lots of eating out, watching movies, and socializing. We spent fourth of July with friends of Andrew's dad -- including playing some version of kick ball (literally: kick the ball back and forth) and monopoly with a five and eight year old. Although at least we didn't sit at the kids' table for dinner.-

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-15597396498938925742008-07-02T11:30:00.001-07:002008-07-02T11:30:25.841-07:00

It was kind of awesome. Ecological disaster, obsolete 80s toys, "stay the course" allusions, mac start up noises, and plants. [My one concern: what happened to everyone who couldn't afford the cruise space-ship?]Pandagon reviews on politics/gender/fat politics in the film (many spoilers): by Auguste and by Amanda.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499079.post-14798444322015694072008-06-30T18:13:00.000-07:002008-06-30T18:17:33.860-07:00

Around noon, boot camp was all sunshine and rainbows for about half an hour. Because Safeway brought us not only goldfish crackers, pretzels, and ritz snack mix, BUT ALSO CHEEZ ITS.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801096916551002040noreply@blogger.com0