The edge of dignity, found

George and I were browsing Found Magazine the other night. This post caught our attention. After our initial round of giggles subsided, we started parsing the nomenclatural details.

Me: "George Michael... Andy Ridgy?"

George: "I think they mean Andrew Ridgeway. He was the other guy in Wham."

Me, making fast mental calculations about the consequences of revealing that I correctly remember the name of the other guy in Wham: "Um, actually I think it was Andrew Ridgeley."

George, looking at me closely: "Wow. Did that cause you actual pain?"

Me: "Yes, but my fear of your teasing me was totally outweighed by my need to correct you."

George: "You are such a librarian."

More tactics for dealing with The Winterminator, Director's Cut, Part IX.

1. Strawberry-scented conditioner. I believe this is a universally-guaranteed mood booster for any female of the species, even those of us who think we're too mature, earthy, or NPRish for such things.

2. If your back gets itchy and dry, use a kitchen spatula to put lotion on the hard-to-reach parts. You're welcome.

3. This one's obvious: Girl Scout Cookies.

Also, I'm thinking of taking up a hobby that will remove me from the space-time continuum, like, I don't know, shooting heroin or watching all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls.

Chihuly meets Lovecraft

My roommate got a new plant. We're hoping it doesn't try to take over.


Here it is emerging from the White Abyss soaking up some morning sun.

First leaves

I picked up this mug at the overpriced fancy kitchen store in Montpelier. Another mug is easily the last thing I need, and I felt silly buying a new mug when the Salvation Army has so many healthy ones that need a good home. But you know what? It has leaves and butterflies and it makes me feel warm inside. And it was LESS THAN A TICKET TO CALIFORNIA.


When my landlord realizes that I have crammed yet another mug into the already overcrowded kitchen cupboard, his disapproval will probably melt the flesh from my bones. But it will be worth it.

Danger Zone: Falling Mood

I made it to late February before the Vermont winter started eating a hole in my will to live. Over the last few weeks, my mood has plummeted like a big, sharp icicle breaking off the edge of a roof. Since this is my first full Vermont winter, I'm impressed that I held out this long. Unfortunately, our winter doesn't really end until late April.

My mood seems to have a cycle that's about nine days long: I'm fine for maybe six days, then I have two or three days of utter despondency and despair, when I don't even have the energy to do the things that I know would cheer me up.

Part of the problem is obviously lack of exercise. I miss going running and biking, but I have no desire to take up skiing. My body is starting to feel stiff, and blubbery around the edges. When I roll my shoulders forward, I feel an acute ache along my spine, right where my rhomboids attach. Fortunately I do all my errands on foot, and working at the library gives me a good run-around.

Also, I think some of the novelty of Vermont is wearing off. For several years, I lived in big, coastal cities with temperate climates, where I could get around on my own via bike or train. When I lived in the Netherlands, I could go to a different country more easily than I can now go to Boston.

Thus, my seasonal sanity checklist. Feel free to bug me about whether I'm keeping up.

1. Keep a regular sleep schedule.
2. Go outside every day.
3. In the morning, do crunches, supermans, and push-ups. (On Day 2 this has already helped my back pain.)
4. Listen to 'home' music. (Music that I've loved for so many years it feels like part of who I am. Includes Peter Gabriel, Sinead O'Connor, Kate Bush, The Waterboys, and Tori Amos.)
5. Pet the dog.
6. Take pictures.
7. Write poems.
8. Bake.