Today my boss bought me coffee because we needed it. She likes hers black coffee, with one half and half. I like French vanilla coffee plus three French vanilla creamers because I not so secretly hate coffee but drink it in order to function as a human being. Now when I say she bought it, I mean she gave me money and I trekked down a couple flights of stairs to the cafeteria where I got two small, forest green styrofoam cups that say "cafe" on them in gold cursive lettering because it implies that somehow the coffee is now fancy. I like the French vanilla because it's the only flavor (of the flavored coffee) that doesn't slightly scare me in terms of how it will taste. I technically could have regular coffee and then add creamer to it, but I don't want to clean out the creamer bowl every day and they do not offer milk for one's coffee, which is what I usually dilute it with when "forced" to drink it. (Bear, I thought you would like the quotation marks around forced.)
What I really want from the cafeteria is the fresh fruit, because it looks oh so fresh and delicious. It's got raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, grapes, pineapple and more I did not notice. Hillsdale should take a lesson from this newspaper who manages to get actual fresh fruit for meals. Nutrition is always appreciated. Nonetheless, fresh fruit does not have the immediate results that coffee produces in my system, even if the fruit may help with my longevity. I shall not be buying the fruit today, however, because I am determined to spend money on necessities. My lunch today will suffice fine (peanut butter and jam sandwich, banana, and yogurt!), I'm just having fruit envy.
McFadden's last night was a lot of fun. John and I got there early-ish (I'm never wholly on time for anything, much to my chagrin) and had a Yuengling to start us off. Well, a few Yuenglings. Then Dennis got there, and we had a few more before JJ found us. He said there were six people signed in under my name, but I never did find out who else was there. I didn't really care. I had a great time talking with the guys, and then after JJ left and we finished off the alcohol we had been collecting, John, Dennis, and I went off in search of Chipotle in Chinatown. Unfortunately, we got there a little too late, so we went to RFD and had grilled cheese and tomato soup (and more beer). It was so delicious. I think I might make myself a grilled cheese for dinner tonight. Then we went home, because the thought of work in the morning was looming. I, of course, got locked out of my apartment because my key was being difficult. I felt horrible for calling Rachel, but she was such a sweetheart about it.
I don't have any plans for the weekend because I am trying to lie low until I get paid, but my friend Deb from school is in town, so I shall most likely see her. We've been going back and forth. Also, Mrs. O'D's former student is coming into town Saturday, so I am thinking I shall be taking her out to dinner on Saturday or Sunday. If I do, I am taking her to Tonic.
I keep finding books I like, and they keep
A) being all ready assigned to someone else
B) are going to be assigned to someone else
C) being too old (i.e. published over 3 months ago)
I can tell my editor feels bad, but she shouldn't, and I suppose it's a good thing that I keep picking out all the good books!! I'll find one eventually. I'm actually loving this book called A Neighborhood Guide to Washington D.C.'s Hidden History by Jeanne Fogle. I know it sounds super-touristy, but it's actually really great!
I'm excited to go for a run, take a shower, eat dinner, lard around, and sleep tonight. TGIF.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Let's Play Charades!
One word, three syllables: Rol-o-dex.
Pure genius. Using my editor's rolodex and handy dandy Literary Market Place (it is like the White Pages of the Publishing world), I had a lovely time today calling and e-mailing publishers to send us hardcovers of books we shall be reviewing in this Sunday's paper. We need the books by Monday, and I have a feeling I might have to call back.
I also sorted through Books to be reviewed/ not reviewed and am currently about to embark on copy editing more reviews. My editor says I have an excellent eye for edits, so she's giving me more. My big project I want to work on is how to keep her organized AFTER I leave for my final year at Hillsdale, because she keeps telling people how happy she is that I'm here and how she'll be organized for 3 months. Well, I'd like to keep her going longer than that...maybe long enough to hire me after college? Ha, we'll see.
Also, one of the editorial writers is really pushing for The Washington Times Editorial FaceBook page, definitely check it out. These people are amazingly intelligent and so hilarious. (I would know; I eavesdrop on their conversation every day! We share office space.)
Tonight John and I (and others) are going to McFadden's in Foggy Bottom for the open bar I won when I was in DC 2 or so weeks ago dropping my stuff off. It shall be two hours of free drinking for me, and super-reduced drinking for my friends. I've invited a few people, but it will be packed full of interns regardless. It should be a lot of fun! Mrs. O'D called me today to tell me about a former student of hers who shall be in DC; she wants me to take her out to dinner, etc. when she gets into town on Saturday. She's 20 though and John told me that this is why people think I'm an alcoholic when I say things like, "Well then what am I going to do with her?" Maybe I'll take her to the zoo or a museum. Or around Foggy Bottom, since I know it pretty well by now thanks to my GW friends.
Back to copy editing! I'm having a ridiculously good time. I love editing. Tomorrow I shall find a book to review. I'm hoping for at least 3 published reviews by the time I leave.
Pure genius. Using my editor's rolodex and handy dandy Literary Market Place (it is like the White Pages of the Publishing world), I had a lovely time today calling and e-mailing publishers to send us hardcovers of books we shall be reviewing in this Sunday's paper. We need the books by Monday, and I have a feeling I might have to call back.
I also sorted through Books to be reviewed/ not reviewed and am currently about to embark on copy editing more reviews. My editor says I have an excellent eye for edits, so she's giving me more. My big project I want to work on is how to keep her organized AFTER I leave for my final year at Hillsdale, because she keeps telling people how happy she is that I'm here and how she'll be organized for 3 months. Well, I'd like to keep her going longer than that...maybe long enough to hire me after college? Ha, we'll see.
Also, one of the editorial writers is really pushing for The Washington Times Editorial FaceBook page, definitely check it out. These people are amazingly intelligent and so hilarious. (I would know; I eavesdrop on their conversation every day! We share office space.)
Tonight John and I (and others) are going to McFadden's in Foggy Bottom for the open bar I won when I was in DC 2 or so weeks ago dropping my stuff off. It shall be two hours of free drinking for me, and super-reduced drinking for my friends. I've invited a few people, but it will be packed full of interns regardless. It should be a lot of fun! Mrs. O'D called me today to tell me about a former student of hers who shall be in DC; she wants me to take her out to dinner, etc. when she gets into town on Saturday. She's 20 though and John told me that this is why people think I'm an alcoholic when I say things like, "Well then what am I going to do with her?" Maybe I'll take her to the zoo or a museum. Or around Foggy Bottom, since I know it pretty well by now thanks to my GW friends.
Back to copy editing! I'm having a ridiculously good time. I love editing. Tomorrow I shall find a book to review. I'm hoping for at least 3 published reviews by the time I leave.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner
Okay, I shall update more later (because work is amazing!!), but I just think this is funny. So I started work, and I rotate between two offices/ work stations: both are in corners, both have no views. Ha!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Fish are Friends, not Food
The benefits of having a CrackBerry: When you're on a walk with your dog, and you suddenly have three article/ essay ideas, you just type in their basic skeleton and come back to the idea later. Voila!
In other news, I cooked fish all by myself. Watch out! Julie's going domestic! (Then I ate a bowl of cereal, but still! haha) Also, Marisa is now getting married this summer instead of next summer, so now I have to figure out my internship around flying out to Wisconsin...
Two days?! and a loooong train ride till DC...I can hardly, hardly wait.
I love this:
"Meek young men grow up in libraries, believing it their duty to accept the views, which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon, have given, forgetful that Cicero, Locke, and Bacon were only young men in libraries, when they wrote these books."-Ralph Waldo Emerson
In other news, I cooked fish all by myself. Watch out! Julie's going domestic! (Then I ate a bowl of cereal, but still! haha) Also, Marisa is now getting married this summer instead of next summer, so now I have to figure out my internship around flying out to Wisconsin...
Two days?! and a loooong train ride till DC...I can hardly, hardly wait.
I love this:
"Meek young men grow up in libraries, believing it their duty to accept the views, which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon, have given, forgetful that Cicero, Locke, and Bacon were only young men in libraries, when they wrote these books."-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Monday, May 18, 2009
Case of the Mondays
Today I had breakfast with my dog Heidi on one side of my chair and one of my cats, Beau, on the other (We have three cats, whom I call The Snobs). I know it's dumb, but I realized it's just another thing I'm going to miss when I leave on Friday for DC.
On that note, I bought my train ticket today. It is scheduled to leave at 3:29 a.m. on Friday, and arrive at Union Station at 5:55 p.m. I am dubious about the accuracy of those times, considering past experiences on trains, but still optimistic. I talked to my friend Emily (from Hillsdale, fellow American Studies major, all ready in DC), and she recommends inducing sleep. I think I might, seeing as I cannot sleep on public transportation unless I am literally passing out from exhaustion--and even then I'm fighting it the whole time.
I'm working at Dad's office for the rest of the week. No comment, except to say the only reason I am still in Cincinnati is to make a few more dollars (especially since I'm not getting paid till mid-June) and to see family/friends, if only for a brief time. I hung out with Claire, Jimmy, and Jeff last night and it was so unbelievably fun. It's weird to think I've known them for six-seven-eight years now. Claire and Jeff will be in town this summer, but Jimmy's off to Chicago.
Just found out Dakota will be in Old Town! He's an American Studies major with me, and oh-so-awesome. We became friends in Birzer and Gamble. Ithink it's an unofficial requirement for American Studies majors to be in DC. This summer we'll have Ryan, Matt, Emily, Dakota, and me--that I know of so far! Yay Dogwoodians!
Okay, that's enough DC excitement for the day :) I'm starting to read Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine because I've only heard wonderful things about it, but it's always hard for me to get through the initial chapters of any book, so I'm struggling before I completely get enveloped by the story and can't put it down.
If you need a new musical artist to listen to, I recommend Brett Dennen.
Quote from Dandelion Wine:
"Mom, Dad, Tom, wake up."
Clock alarms tinkled faintly. The courthouse clock boomed. Birds leapt from trees like a net thrown by his hand, singing. Douglas, conducting an orchastra, pointed to the eastern sky.
On that note, I bought my train ticket today. It is scheduled to leave at 3:29 a.m. on Friday, and arrive at Union Station at 5:55 p.m. I am dubious about the accuracy of those times, considering past experiences on trains, but still optimistic. I talked to my friend Emily (from Hillsdale, fellow American Studies major, all ready in DC), and she recommends inducing sleep. I think I might, seeing as I cannot sleep on public transportation unless I am literally passing out from exhaustion--and even then I'm fighting it the whole time.
I'm working at Dad's office for the rest of the week. No comment, except to say the only reason I am still in Cincinnati is to make a few more dollars (especially since I'm not getting paid till mid-June) and to see family/friends, if only for a brief time. I hung out with Claire, Jimmy, and Jeff last night and it was so unbelievably fun. It's weird to think I've known them for six-seven-eight years now. Claire and Jeff will be in town this summer, but Jimmy's off to Chicago.
Just found out Dakota will be in Old Town! He's an American Studies major with me, and oh-so-awesome. We became friends in Birzer and Gamble. Ithink it's an unofficial requirement for American Studies majors to be in DC. This summer we'll have Ryan, Matt, Emily, Dakota, and me--that I know of so far! Yay Dogwoodians!
Okay, that's enough DC excitement for the day :) I'm starting to read Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine because I've only heard wonderful things about it, but it's always hard for me to get through the initial chapters of any book, so I'm struggling before I completely get enveloped by the story and can't put it down.
If you need a new musical artist to listen to, I recommend Brett Dennen.
Quote from Dandelion Wine:
"Mom, Dad, Tom, wake up."
Clock alarms tinkled faintly. The courthouse clock boomed. Birds leapt from trees like a net thrown by his hand, singing. Douglas, conducting an orchastra, pointed to the eastern sky.
Friday, May 15, 2009
C'est la vie!
Got back from my initial D.C. visit last night. I drove there Monday, stayed Tuesday-Wednesday, left Thursday morning, home Thursday evening. Moved most of my stuff into Katie and Rachel's apartment in Old Town, hung out with friends at GW, and got my car towed. That led to me NOT leaving on Wednesday as planned, but rather spent the majority of Wednesday running around the city to pay my fee, find my car, get keys from Rachel so that I could finish unpacking (I had left a few things in the car since it had been raining so heavily when I initially got into Old Town), drive to Old Town, etc. I am now more or less settled, and I got to enjoy the beautiful mid-Atlantic/ Midwest scenery on the way back (I've decided WV is vastly underrated). I shall take the train back next Friday, around 3:26 in the morning.
This past trip to DC was an adventure to say the least, and I can't deny I had fun (minus the money I dropped on the ticket). I hailed my first taxi (one of the three I would ride in that day), ate a hot dog from a street vendor for lunch (Julia Spiotta and I hold a special place in our hearts for those hot dogs since our hot dog endeavors during the 2009 March For Life, although I talked to her on the phone last night, and she has since forbidden me to eat any more hot dogs without her, which will be virtually impossible), and got the chance to spend more time with people. I especially enjoyed talking with Rachel and Katie--to quote Katie, during one of our gabfests, "We are going to get along famously!" Not that we didn't get along before; they obviously liked me enough to invite me to live with them before this...but I really am excited to live with such two wonderful, beautiful women. And they're Kappas :)
I got an e-mail last week from the Times confirming my internship and asking for start and end dates, as well as contact information and the whole she-bang. I of course e-mailed back right away, and asked them about Memorial Day, since that is the day I am supposed to start work. I told them it wouldn't be a problem, I would be there. I got the following response:
Julie:
Your eagerness is commendable, but no one will be here on Memorial Day to process you and get you started in the Books section. Please make Tuesday,May 26, the first day of your internship. Thanks.
Ha! So I guess things are looking good from both ends. I also got a message on FaceBook from Amanda, who runs the CN (the organization I got my internship through and who helps fund the Hillsdale Forum, the paper I co-run on campus), and she told me she ran into Tracy (the director of the Dow Journalism program/ my teacher and writing mentor) at a Phillips Foundation dinner, and they discussed how perfect the Books section is for me! It really is. It's neat that Amanda talked to Tracy, because he's the one who "taught" me how to write a book review (I don't think writing can truly be taught, because everyone has a different style, but in this case, he formally exposed me to the art, opposed to, say, what Dad did, which was just giving me the Financial Times book reviews to pore over and read. Tracy gave me specific feedback for my own writing of reviews.). The other neat thing is that I am starting the Book Review section in The Collegian, the school paper. I've contacted three other girls to help me write the section since
A) I can't do it by myself (nor should the section by Julie Robison's Thoughts On This Book)
B) The girls (whom I picked based on their interest in publishing after college, as I am) get experience writing book reviews, which I think will be excellent for their resumes and will give them a leg up when it comes to a job after college.
C) The Collegian needs more culture in its paper. This is perfect!
D) Clips, clips, clips.
Anyways, I now have a little less than a week before I return to D.C. I am very, very excited. This is going to be a great summer. I'm starting to write out my to-do list for D.C. because I all ready forgot my pillows in Cincinnati, and it is going to be no bueno if I forget other important things in the Nasti when I am across PA-WV-MD in VA. This weekend is my brother's Midwest Regatta, which I am excited about, but Dad signed me up to work long shifts, so that depletes my excitement for sure. I was supposed to get lunch with Bianca today, but I had to get into work (I was all ready running late--slept in, had to do chores around the house for Mom, walk Heidi), so we're going to do that next week.
Besl and I are most likely going to get Chipotle for dinner and then bum over to Ault Park, where we traditionally sit on the steps of the pavilion overlooking the park and enjoy watching our fellow Hyde Parkians while discussing life. I got a call from Bromley today, which was nice since I shan't be seeing her till August. The twins shall also not be in my summer since they won't get back from SLU till June, and even then, they're going back for an internship and summer classes. Davey promised me a phone call and Andykins woke me up at 4-something this morning with his text. But Jimmy, Jeff, and Claire and I are going to get together on Sunday (whoops--Sunday dinner with the family--I'll have to call Jeff back), and I'm sure there are more people available for shenanigans around Mt. Lookout. Oh joy! So many people, not enough time. (I suppose there is August, but who wants to wait that long?)
Finally, someone in my house took my copy of Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies. I want it back. I want to re-read it before I go to DC! I suspect Death, Doom, and Destruction will quickly follow if I do not find this book, along with a feeling of unfinished business.
Here is a Waugh quote to end the post. It comes from Put Out More Flags:
"Basil lay back on the divan and watched her with fascination. This was how he liked to see women behave in moments of alarm. He rejoiced, always, in the spectacle of women at a disadvantage: thus he would watch, in the asparagus season, a dribble of melted butter on a woman's chin, marring her beauty and making her ridiculous, while she would talk and smile and turn her head, not knowing how she appeared to him."
This past trip to DC was an adventure to say the least, and I can't deny I had fun (minus the money I dropped on the ticket). I hailed my first taxi (one of the three I would ride in that day), ate a hot dog from a street vendor for lunch (Julia Spiotta and I hold a special place in our hearts for those hot dogs since our hot dog endeavors during the 2009 March For Life, although I talked to her on the phone last night, and she has since forbidden me to eat any more hot dogs without her, which will be virtually impossible), and got the chance to spend more time with people. I especially enjoyed talking with Rachel and Katie--to quote Katie, during one of our gabfests, "We are going to get along famously!" Not that we didn't get along before; they obviously liked me enough to invite me to live with them before this...but I really am excited to live with such two wonderful, beautiful women. And they're Kappas :)
I got an e-mail last week from the Times confirming my internship and asking for start and end dates, as well as contact information and the whole she-bang. I of course e-mailed back right away, and asked them about Memorial Day, since that is the day I am supposed to start work. I told them it wouldn't be a problem, I would be there. I got the following response:
Julie:
Your eagerness is commendable, but no one will be here on Memorial Day to process you and get you started in the Books section. Please make Tuesday,May 26, the first day of your internship. Thanks.
Ha! So I guess things are looking good from both ends. I also got a message on FaceBook from Amanda, who runs the CN (the organization I got my internship through and who helps fund the Hillsdale Forum, the paper I co-run on campus), and she told me she ran into Tracy (the director of the Dow Journalism program/ my teacher and writing mentor) at a Phillips Foundation dinner, and they discussed how perfect the Books section is for me! It really is. It's neat that Amanda talked to Tracy, because he's the one who "taught" me how to write a book review (I don't think writing can truly be taught, because everyone has a different style, but in this case, he formally exposed me to the art, opposed to, say, what Dad did, which was just giving me the Financial Times book reviews to pore over and read. Tracy gave me specific feedback for my own writing of reviews.). The other neat thing is that I am starting the Book Review section in The Collegian, the school paper. I've contacted three other girls to help me write the section since
A) I can't do it by myself (nor should the section by Julie Robison's Thoughts On This Book)
B) The girls (whom I picked based on their interest in publishing after college, as I am) get experience writing book reviews, which I think will be excellent for their resumes and will give them a leg up when it comes to a job after college.
C) The Collegian needs more culture in its paper. This is perfect!
D) Clips, clips, clips.
Anyways, I now have a little less than a week before I return to D.C. I am very, very excited. This is going to be a great summer. I'm starting to write out my to-do list for D.C. because I all ready forgot my pillows in Cincinnati, and it is going to be no bueno if I forget other important things in the Nasti when I am across PA-WV-MD in VA. This weekend is my brother's Midwest Regatta, which I am excited about, but Dad signed me up to work long shifts, so that depletes my excitement for sure. I was supposed to get lunch with Bianca today, but I had to get into work (I was all ready running late--slept in, had to do chores around the house for Mom, walk Heidi), so we're going to do that next week.
Besl and I are most likely going to get Chipotle for dinner and then bum over to Ault Park, where we traditionally sit on the steps of the pavilion overlooking the park and enjoy watching our fellow Hyde Parkians while discussing life. I got a call from Bromley today, which was nice since I shan't be seeing her till August. The twins shall also not be in my summer since they won't get back from SLU till June, and even then, they're going back for an internship and summer classes. Davey promised me a phone call and Andykins woke me up at 4-something this morning with his text. But Jimmy, Jeff, and Claire and I are going to get together on Sunday (whoops--Sunday dinner with the family--I'll have to call Jeff back), and I'm sure there are more people available for shenanigans around Mt. Lookout. Oh joy! So many people, not enough time. (I suppose there is August, but who wants to wait that long?)
Finally, someone in my house took my copy of Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies. I want it back. I want to re-read it before I go to DC! I suspect Death, Doom, and Destruction will quickly follow if I do not find this book, along with a feeling of unfinished business.
Here is a Waugh quote to end the post. It comes from Put Out More Flags:
"Basil lay back on the divan and watched her with fascination. This was how he liked to see women behave in moments of alarm. He rejoiced, always, in the spectacle of women at a disadvantage: thus he would watch, in the asparagus season, a dribble of melted butter on a woman's chin, marring her beauty and making her ridiculous, while she would talk and smile and turn her head, not knowing how she appeared to him."
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