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Even better than the "ILL" (ha ha!) is getting a "consortium" card. Basically, BU gives me a library card that allows me to actually check out books from these other institutions. The only copy of the book that BU had was checked out AND had a recall hold on it. So at 7:20pm tonight, I found myself semi-posing as a Northeastern student as I went to their library. Thankfully, they had the books I needed. Since I had my "consortium" card, they had to go through this whole process at the circulation desk. When she typed in my last name, it pulled up all those within this network. Then she typed in my first name and asked, "Oh, are you a student at Northeastern law school?" Ok, clearly I have this special card (and showed you my BU id) because I'm NOT a NE student, but I replied, "No, I'm a BU grad student, like I mentioned. That's crazy! Is it spelled the same way?" Of course, it wasn't, but how weird is it that there's another 'me' floating around a nearby school?
On a related "name" topic...
Early in the day, I had to stop by BU to find the book (which they didn't have), which led me to getting the consortium card. I filled out the application & they said it would be ready after 4pm, so I dropped it off, went home and came back after 4:30pm. They gave me the card & said to look it over for any errors. OF COURSE, my first name is spelled wrong, as it usually is. I inform the lady helping me & she goes to get someone else. They come back to the desk and he says,
"I hear there's something wrong your consortium card."
Me: "Yes, my first name is spelled wrong. See?" and point to my ID card and the error on the card.
Him: "Oh, okay..." and begins to correct it with a pen, despite the fact that it's in pencil.
Me: "Oh, well do you need to double check that it was entered in the computer correctly? You know, just so it's correct for your records?"
Him, still editing my card: "Oh, I'm sure it's correct and they just wrote it wrong on the card."
Me, semi-chuckling, "Yeah, it happens pretty often."
Him, with a pretty serious face: "Yeah. Have you ever considered changing your name?"
Me, trying not to reach across the counter & punch him:" Ha ha, yeah....maybe."
Him: "See, it's correct in the computer, okay?"
Me: "Ok, thanks, bye."
I'm sure you're trying to be funny, library guy, but you need to work on your comedic approach.
Moreover, in the age of kids named "Dakota", "Apple", "Bronx" , "Sari", "Knox"and "Cujo", I don't think that it takes a rocket scientist to spell my name with an extra "E"...especially when it is written on a piece of paper in front of you! And even if it happens, why should I be at fault because of a name my parents decided on several months before I was even born?
Despite the name debacle, this was the best Tuesday ever because I did not have class from 9:30am to 10pm.
Thank you, Christopher Columbus, for discovering this beautiful continent that was already inhabited by intelligent, peaceful people centuries before your arrival.
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:
sleepy - Music:Bon Jovi classics
On this website, they have a 'gallery of offenders', which show ads & other media that may/may not portray women in negative ways or reinforce negative stereotypes or ideals. A few of them went a little farther than my imagination (meaning that I personally don't interpret the ad in the exact same way), but I can see their point.
I think the website is great because it talks about positive ways to empower yourself as a woman & I think this 'top ten' list is a great start, especially if you need a daily affirmation.
One of the "offenders" was an article on the website, AskMen.com.
Check it out...
I was appalled! First, can't anyone have an open, honest conversation? Weight is not an easy thing to talk about (regardless if it's about being over or under weight), but I would hope that I had gained weight that my guy wouldn't go to such sneaky tactics. It's a bit insulting to my intelligence, among other things. Some of the things I just found a bit cruel. I'd much rather have someone say it to my face, then to find out this 'plan' after the fact. Second, I bet it'd be hard to find a woman's magazine / website that brought up this issue. If it did, I'd like to think that this article would also discuss more positive, less insensitive, yet direct ways to discuss your man's weight gain. Third, I wonder how this all works for gay couples? I'll have to ask one.
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:
pensive
Someone close to you needs to distance themselves -- but it's almost certainly temporary! Everyone needs space sometimes, and if you set them free, they're almost sure to return to you soon.
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words of wisdom Yahoo!. Words of wisdom.
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:
crushed
--ancient Chinese proverb
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:motivated
"We cannot know for certain how long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know God's plan for us.
What we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose, and love, and joy. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we can know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of other human beings."
Probably the most eloquent 'meaning of life' summation that I've ever heard.(To read the whole eulogy, click here)
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:
touched - Music:"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"
Seriously, I am sad. Bummed out. Hell, more than misty-eyed. Admittedly, I've shed a few tears while watching all the on-line news, which is like a train-wreck for me...I cannot tear myself away from reading every single article. Like I'm considering going to the public wake on Friday. And I'm not even that in to politics.
And I have no idea why.
Obviously, it's sad when 98% of people pass away. Noted exclusions include mass murders, rapists, etc. and even these people have someone (i.e.-family) who cared about them enough to shed tears.
Still, I always find it slightly odd when famous figures die and people who did not personally know the deceased become (devastatingly) upset by it. I mentioned this in a previous LJ when Heath Ledger had died & my roommates were upset. Maybe I didn't 'get it' because he was an actor & always playing a character, so even if for some strange reason, you felt close to him or whatever, it wasn't the real him. Maybe it was his short life, which is sad because he didn't have more years to live, but which also means we have less to mourn about him. Maybe it was because he made a mark on some people, but not necessarily the world, or me for that matter.
However, there are plenty of famous figures--Michael Jackson, members of the Beatles, other actors (i.e. Paul Newman) & humanitarians like Princess Di or Mother Theresa--who have defined their craft, made an everlasting mark on the world and the world is way better off for it. But no tears shed, no LJs or Facebook posts dedicated to them.
But, for whatever reason, I get it now.
Maybe it's because I now live in Massachusetts, home to Kennedy lore, Hyannis Port and Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, and this state is feeling quite a blow from his death.
Maybe it's because I'm am a cause-head & always sending in petitions about environmental & health issues to Senators Kennedy & Kerry .
Could be due to my internship with the state dept of public health & my new found appreciation for the dedication & hard work of public officials.
Or because of my near-life time Simpson's obsession that includes "Mayor Diamond Joe Quimby" as a composite of the Kennedys.
Because of my slight obsession with JFK and the "Kennedy Curse".
Because I've been to Hyannis Port & signed a 'get well' book for Senator Kennedy last summer.
And, of course, that famous Kennedy accent :)
Despite all these reasons, which I'm sure all have some validity, I think it has to do more with the iconic Kennedy clan (or idea of it, anyways) and Senator Kennedy's lifetime of public service, particularly in the health care field. During his 47 years (!) in the Senate, he has had an extraordinary impact on legislation in these areas, including nutrition related areas: food safety, nutrition labeling, WIC, Meals on Wheels, allergy labeling (ie--wheat, gluten, nuts, etc), prevention funding for controllable, chronic disease. He was also strong supporter of Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT) (after personal experience) & has helped get dietitian services (both preventative & non-preventative in terms of disease) recognized as an important & necessary part of our medical system.
And there's that Kennedy charm and charisma, that thing that some people have, that you can't put your finger on, but they make you believe, they give you hope, and you're willing to overlook all their past grievances. Thus, it's probably a good assumption that JFK would've left an extraordinary legacy if he lived out his term, or that Bobby Kennedy would have also made a great President. But it was probably the best thing for America that Kennedy lost his presidential bid. Instead of just 4- 8 years, America witnessed a lifetime, literally, of greatness & achievement.
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood: sad
We had a great, fun filled time. Despite not knowing each other that well (or rather losing touch), it was very comfortable, not weird or awkward at all, as Stacey has always been a smiley, friendly person. It was Restaurant Week (which means a 3-course dinner for $33, even at fancy places!) and we went to Azure, which is inside the Lennox Hotel (Ebz, you may recall using their bathrooms one crazy night during Boston '05). The food was amazing & we had a great time catching up. The next day, I went into work for a few hours and then we headed over to Fenway for the Sox game. We stopped @ Boston Beer Works and had some blueberry beer (yep, it's even better than it sounds!) & food. We watched the game with my friend Jon and proceeded to drink the day away. As a result, we never made it out that night. However, Friday night more than made up for it.
We had dinner & drinks at Sonsie's on Newbury, headed down on Bolyston to Vox Populi for more drinks, then went over to Jose McIntyre's to meet up with my friend Scott (well, Nick Dale's friend) and his crew. The 5 of us were a rowdy bunch. Drinks were pounded, Green Monstahs shooted & "Sarcastic Kelley" was in full affect. We proceed to take a cab over to The Playwright in Southie, which we were promptly denied b/c the security guards said Dave was swaying too much. (Some how, Stacey & I made it in just fine). We walk down the street to the Boston Beer Garden. This is now the 4th time that I have gone to this bar & each time, I have been rip roaringly drunk. At one point, the other guy, Chris, went up to these 2 guys who were wearing Army (?) clothing. Apparently, he was in the Navy (or some other armed force) and you're not supposed to wear those clothes out drinking. [ This was the jist of it, but by no means I am 100% sure of this. Damn boozahol.] The bar closed around 1pm and he was STILL in there arguing with the guys. Security kicked them out & there verbal argument got super heated out on the mean streets of Southie. Friends were trying to hold both Chris & the other guy back. At one point, the Army dude took his shirt off & was about to hop over a car. Everyone is screaming & yelling and here's me & Stacey, in girly attire (skirts, super high heels, etc) trying to stop these clowns. Amazingly, a cabbie drove by & we hopped in and headed back to Boston.
Happy that the drama was over, we went in search of more booze & went to JJ Foley's in the South End. This is a favorite bar of mine, as I've mentioned before, because they serve booze past 2am & the ratio of dudes to girls is 8:1 ( Note to self: I really need to NOT go to this bar with a gaggle of guys.) We continued to drink, well past 2am. At one point, we couldn't find Scott or Dave, so I started to worry. Turns out they had gone outside to smoke and being drunk boys, decided to wrestle with each other. [ I find this hilarious because it's obvious that all men still have a 12 year old in them AND there's no way in hell that two women would ever decide to wrestle each other in the middle of a city street for 'fun'.] At one point in their rough housing, Dave took a pretty hard spill & got a gash in his forehead! And because he was drunk, his blood was thinner & wouldn't coagulate and he just kept bleeding. We hoped in a cab back to Stacey's hotel (about 1/2 a mile away) & cleaned up his wounds. Thankfully, we didn't have to take him to the hospital, but it was close. The guys left around 3am. And in true drunk (and Boston '05 fashion), Stacey and I attempted to order pizza. I apparently called the front desk & was denied, but I'm sure we would've passed out anyways.
The next morning, we woke up at 8:30am, still in our clothes from the night before & discovered bloody wash cloths in the bathtub. Ridiculously hung over, we ate some greasy breakfast food at The Pour House. I promptly went home & passed out, while poor Stacey had to make the drive up to New Hampshire. She came back Sunday afternoon & we had a chill evening.
It's always fun to show my friends this crazy town. Stacey is quite a trooper for putting up with the guys' crazy antics. And at least we managed to avoid a hospital on this trip....just barely though!
- Location:bar hopping all over Boston, MA
- Mood: exhausted
Pisces (2/19-3/20)
Every now and then, you need to get emotionally intense, experience a tender exchange of sentiments or just sit down and have a heart-to-heart with someone. This is definitely one of those times. You won't settle for anything that even remotely smacks of a surface encounter. You want depth, intensity and passion -- and if you don't get them, you'll take your toys and go home.
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word, Yahoo! horoscope. word.
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood: pensive
You need to get serious about a choice that has been facing you for some time. You've got all the info you need -- now you just need to figure out what you really want on the inside.
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Is this "boy" related? Is this about possibly moving back to So Cal? Damn you horoscope, don't be so vague!
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood: curious
The t-shirts have glitter on them, the sweats say "PINK" on the butt, and they have ass shorts that say "Red Sox" in glitter (interestingly, i already have a pair of Sox ass shorts). If I wear this anywhere BUT around my apartment, I will get laughed at. Girls who wear the light pink colored Sox baseball hats get made fun of. Obviously, this means not wearing it @ Fenway, which was my intention. I may be able to wear it to the Orioles game in Sept because it's in Baltimore.
I guess I thought it wouldn't be all "PINK"-ed out, like all other gear, which is a silly idea.
I still want the 3/4 sleeved t-shirt, and the sweats, but I'm either going to wait for them to go on sale, or get them as a Christmas gift.
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood: crushed
- Music:Simpsons, Season 12
http://www2.victoriassecret.com/collecti
I know that I'll get made fun of for wearing this ( like the women who wear the pink Sox hates do) but I don't care!
I just wish the Red Sox stuff was on sale like the Mets gear is :(
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:
excited
However, the bad thing about this study (besides it having animal subjects instead of humans) is that their comparison group was a "low fat" diet where fat intake account for only 7.5% of total calories. They should have had a moderate fat intake (say 20-30 %) which is way more realistic & is more inline with general intake guidelines. You need fat in your diet. Maybe it's mentioned in the actual article, but this little snapshot doesn't mention the type of fat that was being used in the study (saturated, unsaturated, etc) or if the fat came from pure source of fat (ie, lard, olive oil, canola oil, etc. ) or if they were fed food that contained fat (ie, almonds, red meat).
Hmm, so ok....this article is a bit misleading, or rather glosses over some important details that I mentioned above.
Still, the take home message (as my prof. would say): watch your dietary fat intake for a multitude of health reasons.
- Location:heading to Fenway, Boston, MA
- Mood:analytical
- Location:3000 miles far away, Boston, MA
- Mood:
flirty
I have never spent much time in this neighborhood before, as it's not really T-accessible & none of my friends live over here. I've enjoyed the past week that I've been here. I discovered that one of my favorite bars, JJ Foley's, is about a 10 minute walk from my office. This could get dangerous, real dangerous. But there is a yoga studio next door, so I can get my ommm on before I get my drink on.
Yesterday, on my walk up to the T, I went down a different street and discovered a super cute cafe called the South End Buttery. While waiting for my iced coffee, I noticed all the people sitting around, reading, yet not exuding "ironic hipness"*. The inside is really cute & was filled with men when I arrived. Unfortunately (as far as romance goes), a majority of these men appeared to be undoubtedly gay, but were snazzy dressers and friendly. I may return tomorrow on my "extended" lunch break (aka 'leaving work early') & get one of their homemade "Harriet" cupcakes. There are several other retail shops on the same street that calling me to "window shop" as well. There are so many places to try, but these are on my "to do" list: Appleton Bakery, Clery's bar, and Lionette's Market (for locale, 100% grass-fed beef !)
The office building itself is nice. It's quite & chill and my PI has left me & the other research assistant to our own devices. Downstairs, there is a cafe and French brasserie called Gaslight. There is even a Boston Sports Club gym, which has me contemplating a gym membership because of the convenience (it's right downstairs!!), even though I can use the BU gym for no added cost. The parking lot next to my building hosts the SOWA open market, a cute farmers' market / arts & crafts combo, which I may hit up this Sunday, since I can't make it to the Brookline farmers' market because of work.
So far, I'm quite happy & pleasantly surprised. Keep it up, South End, and maybe you'll be a keeper.
* For a brilliant essay on the ironic hipster, click here. Hilarious!
- Location:South End, Boston, MA
- Mood:
refreshed
'Misty' is good for waterfalls. It's not good for long-term plans, ideas or goals.
Overview
You're feeling a little unsettled about some new arrangement, and that means it's time to reevaluate. You should be able to spot hidden flaws and strengths and come to some surprising conclusions.
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Today's (Wed July 29 2009) Horoscope:
Overview
Someone is trying to bowl you over on their way past you, but you don't have to let that happen. It's a good time for you to make sure that you're using every last bit of your reserves.
****************************************Again, Yahoo! horoscope, you are eerily accurate. Glad I listened to your warnings. And "misty" is good for those people who cry over shit that isn't worth a lick of their time.
I am not one of 'those' people.
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:
apathetic - Music:"So What" -- Pink
Because weekends were, made for fun"
Since I don't have summer school, I was able to find a full time, 40 hr /week job, which means that I haven't been working weekends. The last weekend day I worked was June 6th. I cannot tell you how great it is to have my weekends back. I can actually have a life & do things & go out & not have to wake up at the butt crack of dawn (4:30am on a sat or sun is rough!). Although, I have chosen to get up early (by 7am) & run errands or go running on most of these days, it's been for stuff that I've wanted to do vs a job, which you have to do. (18 units doesn't leave a ton of time in the week to put in a decent amount of work). Sleeping in til 9am (occasionally) is great & I even managed to sleep til noon one day (after going to bed @ 3am)!
I haven't done anything super exciting--it's not like I'm flying off to Europe every weekend--just the general going out, seeing friends & finally exploring more of Boston. It's definitely made me more relaxed & more of a happier camper :)
the only downside I see of this is that I've definitely 'live for weekends' now, whereas before, when I had school and work everyday, I didn't really care about the weekends. Now, I definitely catch myself thinking, 'Is it Friday yet?'--not because I dislike my job (thankfully!) but because I'm excited to do what I really want on a weekend.
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood: peaceful
Settle an old score today, even if it means forgiving a long-standing debt or grudge. Your karmic balance sheet needs to be rezeroed before you can really feel right about how things are going.
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Hmm, I hope the FASFA peeps are Pisces too!!
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood: curious
I got orthotics in mid-June but had to break them in before I could actually run in them. Meanwhile, I bought a new pair of running shoes (Mizunos) since my other ones are on their last leg. I had to break them in a little, so I wore them on the treadmill sans orthotics. No pain, no problems. I wore them in the Seattle half marathon & they didn't give me any pain. (They did give me a wicked blood blister because w/out the orthotics, they are waayy too big.)
After the race, I decided to give the new shoes + orthotics a shot. Good news: the orthotics felt really good, minimal to no ankle pain & helped make the heel feel a little more cushiony (I think this is because there's an extra layer....foot, orthotic, shoe, ground). Bad news: the supportiveness of the orthotic + a super sturdy shoe = shin pains. After just 3 miles, my shins would hurt during or they would be sore after my run. Considering I don't normally get shin pains AND recently ran a half, I knew this wasn't normal for me.
Last Friday I went back to the PT lady who made my orthotics and had me walk & run in the shoes again & do some other tests. She suggested that the shoes I got are too supportive when I wear them w/ the orthotics and that I needed to get a less supportive running shoe.
Thankfully, the running store let me exchange them (keep in mind I have run about 30 miles in them.) I got the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9, which is made with Bio MoGo, . The shoe has a biodegradable midsole, which my environmentally conscious self loves. (FYI--you can turn old sneakers/running shoes into Niketown & they recycle them into materials for playgrounds & gyms in poverty stricken areas.) These shoes were actually less than the Mizunos, so I used the store credit to buy myself the new Nike+ band, in pink of course.
The shoes are pretty comfortable & are much lighter than the Mizunos (9.4 oz vs. 11.4 oz .)
Keeping my fingers crossed for no shin pain!
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:
hopeful
You'll need a glass jar (or plastic cup), plastic wrap, a rubber band, a knife & an banana peel
- Place an old banana peel in the glass jar. Don't put the lid on.
- Put a square of plastic wrap over the lid of the jar.
- Tie a rubber band around the neck of the jar & make sure the plastic wrap is taught.
- Punch 3-4 SMALL holes ( you don't need to put the knife all the way in, just a little bit; the holes should be slightly bigger than the fruit fly) in the CENTER of the jar (NOT along the edges)
- Set on counter top or wherever flies are near. The fruit flies will be attracted to the banana smell & get stuck in the jar!
- Location:Boston, MA
- Mood:
impressed
Marge: "Homer, that's your answer to everything! Well, it's not gonna happen!"
Homer: "Pssh, not with that attitude."
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So I can't really live under the sea, but I can stay in a swanky suite in Fuji for 1 week for the low low price of FIFTEEN GRAND.
Now all I have to do is find an extra $15,000 lying around.
Sigh.
- Location:BMC, Boston, MA
- Mood: hopeful
