Humor, Linkstorm, Weekend

Friday Links LI

“There is little chance that meteorologists can solve the mysteries of weather until they gain an understanding of the mutual attraction of rain and weekends.”
~ Arnot Sheppard

Another hectic week, another near collapse…until Thursday when a reserve officer fell out of the sky (aka, the Sheriff’s Department) and took the front desk job! Praise Jupiter, Odin, and Quetzalcoatl! Already my life is substantially easier at work…although that doesn’t mean I got out of the office on time today. People do love to wait until five minutes until the end of the work week to get things done, don’t they? But at any rate, I have a pleasantly uneventful weekend lined with with research for the MP and a massively deep cleaning of the house. Here are your links, enjoy!

Even the greatest criminal mastermind can’t plan on everything.

If only I’d known, braiding my friends hair as a young teenager, that I could have tried this!  And now J.’s making “I liked your hair shorter” noises.  A history nerd can’t win.

This story is equal parts endearing and heartbreaking.

My stationary addiction continues without hope of cure.

Couture fashion fascinates me. You can say it’s over the top and impractical, and there are certainly designers who are, but haute clothes-making is an art that has dwindled in artisans to the point that couture houses are some of the few places you can find it. Not only that, but compare the massively priced but still cheap prom dresses of today to the creations of the House of Worth just a century ago – not even close. And those massive gowns were all done by hand; all the seams, the embroidery, the embellishment were individually created by someone without much use of machinery at all. We live in a world utterly removed from such work.  Here’s a short vid that shows, even briefly, the handcrafting that goes into a Chanel gown.

Still don’t want kids for a few years, baby enthusiasts stand down, but come on.  How adorable are these collections?! I had a whole Peter Rabbit tea set as a kid, bits and pieces of which are scattered about my parents’ house still, I’m sure. J.’s on the side of Pooh, I’m on the side of Potter – who shall win the battle to pick the decor of Someday Stormageddon’s nursey?  Now accepting bets.

Weekly sheep.  Seriously, I’m thinking of switching this thing up some, but I keep getting lazy.

Humor, Work

Check Yourself

Dear World At Large,

checkTime for our occasional chat about the rules and regulations of living in a well ordered society – and how not to go about it.  Today’s lesson: know what you’re talking about before you cause a ruckus.

Do not, for example, come into a police department foaming at the mouth about how incompetent police officers are for mistaking the letter “O” and a zero if you yourself are not positive you personally know the difference yourself.  Because after making a scene, when we check the state database and it shows that you entered the wrong character in the university system – you look like an idiot and a real jerk.

It’s satisfying to fly into a righteous rage sometimes, but always double check that the fault doesn’t in some way lie with you before you go the way of the Hulk.  There are times where it is absolutely appropriate to get assertive, and even aggressive, but I maintain not until you have thoroughly examined it to ensure that you truly did not contribute to the mess.  Your indignation rather loses the moral high ground if you did.

Yours with love,
– C.

Friends, Humor, Linkstorm, Weekend, Work

Friday Links L (With a Prelude in C – see what I did there?)

“I should warn you, I’m awfully perky today.  Don’t worry, I don’t think it will last.”
– C.

jonah-hill-meme-generator-i-m-alive-404bbbMinions!  Well beloved minions, the crazy has passed!  …Well, not entirely since my chances to eat are a bit sporadic, but nonetheless, healing has commenced.

The semester is up and running and despite the continuing drama of doing the work of three positions, my desire to throw myself from the rooftops has all but dissipated.  Which isn’t to say busyness has ceased, I’m currently doing a crash course in legal contracts, I just signed up for a training course in blog, website, and online portfolio design, and I’m up to my elbows in spreadsheets.  Happy as a clam now that all of this is scheduled out instead of falling on top of me at once.

And it’s not all work!  The ever lovely Margot has invited me to the theatre with her tomorrow evening (dinner and black dresses required, of course).  And then she got even more generous by offering me an extra ticket to an event where a well-known author will be speaking on the writing and publishing industry.  Okay, that’s kind of work related but in the nicest possible way!  Many thanks, lovely, for inviting me!

We’re – mostly – over the date change shock and have already found a number of shiny silver linings.  I’m sort of putting on a good front for public viewing, as internally I’m still reeling, but like Deborah Kerr whistling to make her character brave, faking it does wonders at convincing one’s self.

Now, as a reward for getting through all that, here are your links!

What an interesting cultural choice!  Here’s a bit more background on the practice.

Makes sense?  No, of course it doesn’t.

God Save the Queen.

There’s something about an impending move that makes you want to get rid of old knickknacks.  And, apparently, be on the lookout for their eventual replacements.  This one is even cuter and I covet it deeply for my work out reward jar.

J. could probably speak more to this, as he lived there for a couple of years, but there have been a lot of stories recently about the surgically obsessed culture of South Korea.  Jezebel has a lineup and links to more of the pictures of patients – though I’m sure not a few are photoshopped to exaggerate results.  There are links at the bottom of the story that are well worth a look in, especially the This American Life story.  I can’t make up my mind if this sort of culture needs a major adjustment, or if it’s just more honest than most about the importance we all place on purely external properties…

My current guiding mantra.

There’s a lot of people with a lot of ideas about when/how/why/why not/if other people should have children.  Including governments.  Here’s an interesting article on how nations encourage or forbid their citizens to spawn.  (Sidenote: seriously, Russia?)

This is genius.  Overindulgence officially has no excuse.  Drat.

Humor, Linkstorm, Weekend

Friday Links – Who Cares About the Numeral?

“Well, look on the bright side, you know, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
“I’m allergic to citrus.”
“Well, look on the bright side, you know, when life gives you lemons, swell up and die.”
– Scott Adams, Dilbert

Shout of to Peregrine, she understands.
Shout out to Peregrine, she understands.

Sorry for the delay, well-beloved minions, but (as I might have mentioned) this week has been insane, and the Universe saved her biggest punch for the end.  We got some rather surprising news – J.’s start date has shifted until September.

You may imagine the series of emotional shocks we’ve weathered in the last 24 hours, our internal seismographs are shot.  We’re reeling a bit here at the Small Dog Headquarters, but already sneaky plans are formulating to combat the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.  I’ll admit to a full half hour of hysterics, but never fear, it passed (many thanks to Peregrine, Mum and Dad).  We’re bloody but unbowed.  I’ll keep you updated.  In the meantime, and in the spirit of Just Getting On With It, here are your links.  I’m spending the weekend working on the MP and scheming to restore equilibrium, what are you up to?

I approve of modern takes on classical art.

Welcome, our future canine overlords!

There is a reason I refuse to eat these!

I’m kind of excited that Jay Z is involved with the perpetually delayed Great Gatsby film, let’s celebrate by testing your knowledge of hip hop and the Jazz Age.

Here are two NYT Magazine articles I enjoyed this week.  Tell me your thoughts!  I particularly loved the second article, but it does come with a trigger warning for sexual crime.

Downton Abbey is back, and the drama is alive and well!  Here is the Evil Overlord himself in a fun interview where we get some insight into the inspiration behind Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham – aka, my spirit animal.

If you’re grumpy (and goodness know I am) have a look at the most cheerful thing on the planet.  Damn happiness…

Here’s the weekly sheep.  I dunno, I’m sort of getting bored with them, I think it might be time for a new creature for a new year?  What say you, minions?  Sound off in the comments!

Humor, Work

This Girl is on Fi-yah!

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood… Make big plans; aim high in hope and work.”
– Daniel Burnham

What have I been doing, you ask?  Well, inquiring minion, as it so happens today I:

– Hired nine people, and outfitted them with gear
– Fired three
– Put two months’ worth of records into their proper databases
– Spent my lunch break working on the Mysterious Project!
– Fixed a major problem with our storage area
– Organized a last minute series of tasks for a training event
– Wrangled the office of IT and won
– Processed raises for worthy student employees (the unworthy ones are thrown to the lions)
– Cleared out my inbox
– Performed triage on a breakdown in Federal and local program communication
– Fingerprinted a significant chunk of the School of Social Work

Be-DeterminedOn the other hand, dinner wasn’t happening.  Many thanks to my fabulous godparents for the gift card that fed us this evening.

Here’s the thing, as awesome as I feel typing all that out, the truth is the pace I’m currently sustaining is only possible because I know I’m leaving in a couple months and because I got a double shot in the arm from the new year and the MP.  The first week of the term is rough, kittens, there are no two ways about it.

Pity my replacement, she’s going to be thrown into the deep end.

Chocolate.  Chocolate and enthusiasm power us through until March.

Humor, University, Work

Dispatch From the Front

Academe, n.:  An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught.  Academy, n.:  A modern school where football is taught.
~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

Dear me, I think the semester has started.

The evidence: lines out the door, barely a third of my To Do list done (and it’s length growing exponentially), swarms of student pin-balling around campus in various states of befuddlement, calls from hysterical parents, and no lunch break.

Normally this would feel either overwhelming or at least a bit irritating, but it’s amazing what the prospect of London and working on Mysterious Projects can do for a girl.  Once she makes it through the midday “Where is my bloody chocolate bar?!  What New Year’s diet?!” episode anyway.

Don't judge me.
Don’t judge me.

(via)

Humor, Linkstorm, Weekend

Friday Links XLVIII

“The really idle man gets nowhere.  The perpetually busy man does not get much further.”
– Sir Heneage Ogilvie

busy-dog-300x225Just a quick batch of links for you this week, ducklings.  I’ve spent the past three days at work scrambling to get a multitude of projects done, and have yet more projects to do this weekend.  Farewell, vacation, we hardly new ye!

I am shocked.  Shocked!  And so are these guys.

How fun is this photo project?

What a great tour!

I’m rather baffled that this is a thing – the years I spent with my mouth being forcibly rearranged have not yet left my memory.  They say beauty is pain (I say they’re not doing it right, but whatever), but I still think this is a silly trend.

I’m also baffled that this is a thing too.  Granted I’ve spend time, energy, votes, and effort keeping a lot of people (politicians, total strangers with breeding opinions, etc.) out of my uterus.  So, throwing a party to give people a tour strikes me as a bit weird – but I’m not exactly child friendly.  What’s the verdict, kittens?

Inspiring story of an artist.

This weekly sheep…clearly doesn’t have the hang of it yet.

Holidays, Humor

Come At Me, 2013!

“People need revelation, and then they need resolution.”
-Damian Lewis

I like resolutions, I just don’t always like New Year’s resolutions; anything with a culturally built in expectation of failure sort of annoys me.  But every year I make them – in more recent years I’ve kept them extremely well.  #humblebrag

A format I came across for resolutions that I really liked was by Carly at College Prep: she divided her coming year up by monthly goals and aspirations to work on one at a time.  Much nicer than listing all the things you want to work on, tackling them all at once, and collapsing in a heap in early February (likely stuffing yourself with chocolate cake, skipping that class you signed up for, and whipping yourself.  Literally or metaphorically, depending on your resolutions – no judgement here).  Since 2013 is going to be a bit touch and go, months aren’t quite feasible but quarters definitely are, so here’s what I’m thinking:

Q1: Work
As weird as it is to think about, I’ve got about two months left here at good old Nowhereford, Noneofyourbusinessshire University police.  I’ve learned a lot and am grateful for my what I’ve done here, but I am excited for new challenges and opportunities – one in particular that I’ll talk about soon!  My goal is to finish up my job well, leave it in a better state than I found it, and throw myself into new jobs with enthusiasm and and energy.

Q2: Document
We’re moving in Spring, which will require a lot of organization, creativity, and good humor.  I’ve jumped continents before and believe you me, it’s fun but it’s work!  But I still want to make an effort to be better about taking pictures, writing things down, blogging, and keeping in touch with people in the midst of the chaos.  Apart from anything else, it should provide you minions with a lot of amusement watching us scramble.  We live to serve.

Q3: Writing
Once we’ve settled, I’m jumping into writing again.  We’re still unsure of what my work status will be in Britain, I may only be allowed to be the National Gallery’s latest unpaid (but eager!) volunteer, but so be it.  I’m going to relearn how to pitch myself as a writer to US publications, print and online, work hard on this mysterious opportunity I’ve alluded to, and bloody find other chances.  They are out there and for the first time in a long time, I can stalk them.  Aggressively.

Q4: Travel
Travel makes me happy; seeing new places or even revisiting old ones, hearing new words, trying new foods, just getting up and going somewhere is like a cool breeze for the soul.  My soul could use some airing out.  Yes, yes, I know.  “Selfish, C., you were just in London this past summer!”  Fine.  I’m greedy.  Gluttonous, even.  Sue me.

Looking ahead to 2013, I have so much in store I’m almost dizzy thinking about it – and if I’m honest, a bit nervous to see if everything will work out, as my optimism has been rather strained over the last year.  But I believe in tenacity and how far it can get you if you grit your teeth and keep pushing for what you want, as long as you keep grinning.  I can’t wait to see where we get!

2013
via
Holidays, Humor

Year in Review

Years are such big things, aren’t they?  I know for me at least, they seem to go by quicker and quicker, but when I really think back over what happened this past year, I’m a bit boggled!

We had some struggles this year.  I was personally spared a great deal, but many of those I love had some rough times.  Friends got divorced, health problems continued to dog others, and my brother-in-law lost his parents.

There were other, better times.  I got a tiny little addiction (and found out many of you were already strung out), and enjoyed it entering the cultural zeitgeist.

Friends got married, a few had babies, and there were parties.

J. was gone for half the year (which is weird, because it doesn’t seem like we were ever apart), and we missed each other.  And apparently baffled not a few people who prophesied all sorts of cheery things for us (including infidelity) – so thanks for all you guys who didn’t take that train of thought and instead provided support, distraction, and encouragement.

Margot lived with me for a while before she got married and J. came back.  Hilarity ensued.

I committed to getting healthy this year and had a lot of fun doing so.  Of course, a year of working out at least one hour a day did wonders for me – but it took a bout of food poisoning to drop that last ten pounds.

The universe dropped a happiness bomb on us!

I was Best Man in a wedding.

Half the country caught fire over the summer.  Other, less destructive things happened too.

J. graduated, and we spent a week in London to celebrate and reported on our adventures.  I can’t want to go back.

I turned 26 and J. 27.

The election, a production the better part of a decade in the making happened.  I was annoyed with the more wailing and gnashing of teeth reactions, but then the Mayans predicted the end of the world so maybe November signalled the end…

…Oh.  Wait.

J. and I ran off to Virginia for Thanksgiving and gave you an insight into the Small Dog clan, and we stayed put for Christmas.

And all throughout, work was…typical.

2012 wasn’t a stellar writing year, but I think was one of the best pieces I’ve done in the last twelve months.

And that was the past year here at Small Dog HQ.  The world at large did not end (to some people’s annoyance), but Gangam Style, the terrible Liz and Dick TV movie, and Rush Limbaugh made a few of us wonder if it might.  Things are politically tricksy in this country, and even more so elsewhere, but there were a great many small ways the human race showed that it’s going to get through it – small boys held signs reminding the world that the act of a few radicals did not and would not be allowed to speak for him, and neighbors shared power after cities went dark from storms.  Sure things, got a bit snarky and grim from time to time, but there were always bright sparks of humor, real good will, and happiness – and if that doesn’t sum up what we’re trying to do here, nothing does.

And 2013 is already looking so breathlessly hopeful I can barely stand it.

Happy New Year, kittens!  I hope it brings good things for all of you!

champagne

Holidays, Humor, Linkstorm, Weekend

Friday Links XLVII (Last of 2012)

“The friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.”
~ Elbert Hubbard

It’s after midnight and therefore technically the wrong day, but here are your links anyway.  I had to stay a bit after at work to finish up some chores (bless the long weekend) and then had a last minute chance to hang out with an old friend before she hopped back to teach English in South Korea again for goodness knows how long.  But the minions will not be denied!

“Beefsteak is her mainstay!” is now a Small Dog Inc. approved catchphrase.  Ten points to the first duckling to employ it in everyday conversation and report back.

And in other interesting women from history news, there’s this lady.

These are all sorts of adorable.

Sorry for partyrocking?  (Honestly, people, stay off the UNESCO world heritage sites!)

Apparently, grenade launchers were turned in.  I have friends who range in opinions from “You can pry my gun from my cold, freedom loving fingers, you hippie!” to “Make love not war, man,” so I’d like to hear the minion coterie’s thoughts.

I have heard of this, but I still find it a funny problem.  The title rather sums it up for me.

Still in the mood to shop, but trying to balance it with New Year resolutions to be a better person?  Behold the solution to your dilemma.

So, we’ve discussed how I’m not a purist and love a good adaptation – here is a rather clever one in my opinion.  No joke, I took the whole series in in two sittings last weekend.  Start at number one and enjoy.