The radio saved us

Today at work we had a boss-sanctioned viewing party of the inauguration. I set up the laptop and projector and we plugged in the speakers to the laptop. Apparently everyone in the universe was also trying to live stream the inauguration, so the page kept reloading and we kept missing things, like Aretha's song and important bits of Obama's speech. So we decided to try the old school method of listening to the radio! We kept the video up but unplugged the sound--at least we were hearing everything live. It was a little jarring to watch the live stream because it was about 5 seconds behind the radio's live broadcast. I guess sometimes it's good to have a reliable back up plan that includes ancient technologies!

It's 2 a.m. on a weekday

I was being good last night and went to bed by 10.

Then I was rudely awakened by the fire alarm at 2:15. This is the third time it has been a false alarm and I feel sorry for the firemen who have to respond to the call. It takes at least a half hour for them to turn off the alarm each time, and thus my sleep was severely disrupted. I'm worried that if there is actually a fire in my building, I won't respond and then get stuck. At least I'm only on the second floor, so if I had to jump I don't think I'd die, just get hurt.

In other news, I started watching season 2 of Big Love. I like it even more since it's set in Sandy, Utah, and I actually get all the references to Utah and the Church.

The Real World at Starbucks

Yesterday I went to sleep at 12:30 and woke up numerous times during the night. So, what better excuse is there for a quad-shot latte at 6:30 in the morning?

I stopped at Starbucks and the baristas were talking with a slender blond woman in her 50s about the Real World: Brooklyn. This didn't surprise me since two of the kids are from Salt Lake City this season. What did surprise me is that it was the blond kid's mom! She was complaining about how much of their conversations got cut on the show, that she was thankful not many people in her neighborhood watched the show so there wasn't much talk of it at church on Sunday, and that the blond kid's girlfriend's (yeah right!) dad was upset with producers because she is mentioned on the show without permission.

I was so tired, before I picked up on the fact that this was the blond kid's mom, I was like, "Oh, are you talking about the Real World?" She looked at me and nodded. Most of the time people in SLC are friendly and talkative. She was not. I don't think she's too happy her son is on the show.

Starting a book club

A few friends and I are starting a book club.

I suggested a few titles to start with:

1) Eat, Pray, Love
2) Reading Lolita in Tehran
3) The Faith Club
4) The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

I've read the first two, but I was hoping, dear readers, that you could suggest some books as well.

It's going to be a varied group--some of the girls are not regular readers, so it can't be too English majorish, like Charles Dickens!

2008 in Review

Thanks to Disaster Kitchen, I found a way to do a year in review without thinking too much, since my brain is on vacation.

1) Where did you begin 2008?
In Maine.

2) What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Married.

3) Did you travel?
To Maine in January, to Ashland twice for the Shakespeare festival, to Walla Walla for Nicole's wedding, to Philadelphia for a job interview, and to Salt Lake City for both a job interview and a permanent move.

4) Did you lose someone or something you love?
Yes: my grandparents.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
If outpatient procedures count, then yes.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
I called the cops to report a domestic disturbance at my apartment complex. And I talk to sheriff's deputies every day at work. Most of them are hilarious. Today I had to explain what usury meant to two of the men in uniform.

7) Did you start dating someone new?
No.

8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?
A car. A graduate school education.

9) Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes, my cousin Nicole.

10) Did you get in any car accidents?
No. But I'm still recovering from the Great Eight Car Pileup of 1999.

11) Did you attend any sporting events?
Yes, a couple of Mariners games in Seattle.

12) Did you move anywhere?
Yes. I am really sick of moving. I really thought I would be in Seattle longer.

13) Did you keep your new year's resolution?
I don't think I made any. This year won't be any different. I would just disappoint myself.

14) What concerts/shows did you go to?
None.

15) What movies did you go see in the theater?
Twilight. Incredibly, I think I really did only see one movie in the theater. When I was still in school, we had a Netflix subscription, so I got to see lots of good movies at home.

16) Did your hair color change?
If I can count three or four white hairs, then yes.

17) Did you get any taller?
No. I wish...

18) Describe your birthday?
I was in Portland for my DFW, and flew to Philly the next day. I honestly can't remember what I did the day of, but Jill treated me to Chinese food in Philly.

19) Did you get any new pets?
None.

20) What has been your favorite moment?
Becoming a librarian!

21) What's something you learned about yourself?
I can live alone, even if it means talking to myself and watching way too much TV.

22) What has been your biggest worry?
Hoping that G would find a job in Utah for the summer. And he did!

23) What was your best month?
December, because it was great to hang out with family and spend time with G.

24) What music will you remember 2008 by?
Chris Sligh's "Empty Me"

25) Censored.

26) Have you had to call the police on anyone?
Yes, see above, #6.

27) Have you gone skiing?
No. I'm waiting for G to give me a refresher lesson.

28) Did you miss work due to illness?
Yes.

29) Any like/love interests?
Of course! G will always be my love interest.

30) Get anything new?
A new job, a new apartment, a new car, new clothes, new friends, and a Wii!