Once upon a time

Once upon a time...

I didn't know about SLIS or ella or ssh or UNIX or much of anything about computers, and especially not about grep.

Thanks to SLIS and L401, however, I have a basic understanding of these interesting but most likely useless terms.

Ah, life! Learning piles of mostly useless information.

Thanks to my good friend Liz, I got a new job.

Not the job I applied for and had an interview for last week. Nope, not that one.

A much better one.

You rock, Friend. You rock!

Matt Nathanson, here we come!

Explanation needed

My new profile picture is me (obviously) in front of a map.

Maps are one of my most favorite things in the world. They allow you to dream simply by glancing at them.

And I love traveling, so naturally, maps inspire me.

My mom gave me two maps for my birthday - a world map and a US map. I hung one up in the basement near my work station. It's laminated, so I can write on it with dry-erase markers. I chose to outline my major road trips and the major cities I've visited. I'm pleased to announce that because of this past year's trip to Boston, I've made it to all coasts - Atlantic (Boston, NC, and FL), Gulf of Mexico (FL), and Pacific (San Diego). I really need to travel more in the Western part of the US. But living in Arizona will make that a lot easier.

When Maddie called last week, she asked me when I was moving out.
14 months, I told her.
"I'm counting down the days, too," she said.

I needed a new profile picture

and it's October - the month of Halloween.

One thing that really disturbs me is the lack of appreciation of this month for what it is. People overlook the changing of the seasons - the amazing natural beauty this time of year - in their anticipation of what...a ghoulish holiday? It's strange to me.

Why would one choose to celebrate vampires, witches, and monsters instead of Fall with perfect outdoor sports weather and crisp breezes, leaves falling from the sky at any given moment and swirling in the streets. It's beautiful. Vampire costumes with blood dripping from teeth are conversely not beautiful, not even appealing.

Anyway, that's my rant.

I love Fall, as I've said before. And this year, I've discovered a love for October. Must be living in Bloomington.

For Mary...

Mary, this one is for you, so you'd better appreciate it. I'm throwing myself out on a limb here, remember. Don't show this to anyone...

And what's this I here about you not liking Vin Diesel. Come on!

Nothing is cuter than my nieces. It's a fact. No one can deny it.

Maddie has been calling me a lot recently, and nothing pleases me more or can make my day like the sound of her little voice on the other end, "Hi, Lana! Hi! It's Madeline. What're you doin'?"

She was making jokes yesterday and today she was acting as the mediator between her mother and I - telling me what Emily wanted to say to me, and then telling her mom my response and asking questions for me. It was awesome. And she's very good at enunciating.

She actually perfectly pronounced the name of a complex eastern European country yesterday, one of the 'stans'. I was so impressed I was speechless.

This is in honor of Maddie, for being my greatest joy and a constant light in my life.a

Just for fun

For kicks last year I dressed up goth with some friends. It was an incredible experience, especially at our very conservative university. We hung out in the very small student union just to see others' reactions. And it was definitely worth it.

I never thought I could pull off this look, but really our little shindig changed my mind. I could have passed as a legit goth-chick in high school. Too bad I didn't know that until I was 22.

This picture includes my friend Elaine. Aren't we sweet?