"There's a man in the room!"

Today, I sound like a man. My voice is low and wispy (i.e. I sound like I'm whispering all the time) because I got sick on Saturday with a horrible sore throat (and a fever/ chills/ aches/ headache/ etc.) and now I can barely talk. It doesn't hurt too much, but that is mainly because I am taking ibuprofen on a very regular basis. On the plus side, this weekend brought many things to me, particularly an excuse to eat popsicles and nap. Not that I need one, but I felt justified in semi-wasting my time.

I did not go to work on Monday (was still not feeling well), but I came in today and copy edited 6 book reviews straight off. For lunch I went to IHOP with Aaron, where we ate too much and had great conversation. Aaron wants to go there every week, which sounds fun, but I am so full at this point that I think I won't be eating till next week anyways. I think I might try to go home early, because I am still not feeling too swell. I was supposed to go to a Hillsdale event this morning with Liz Cheney, but the metro took twice as long as usual and by the time I got there, I would have been a few minutes late and I decided that I would rather read Graham Greene at the metro station (almost done with the book) than walk in late. Not that my fellow Hillsdalians would be surprised if I was tardy, but I think it would be disrespectful and not be a good reflection of Hillsdale, so I chose to skip it.

In sad news, I found out that Mary Lou Forbes died. She won't be given huge press coverage, but she was a Pulitzer-prize winning writer and the Opinions Editor of TWT. She died on Saturday. Here's an article written by one of my favorite editorial writers Quinn. Mary Lou was a great lady, and I always enjoyed being around her. She had quite the mouth, was smart as a whip, and always let me borrow her scissors. She will be dearly, dearly missed.

I have absolutely no Fourth of July plans and I honestly do not want any. I know I shall end up doing something with the Hillsdale kids, but I can think of nothing more lovely than hanging out with Amanda during the day (preferably in the sunshine), and vegging at night. Maybe it is the semi-sick/sleepy Julie who is literally daydreaming about going to bed while typing this speaking, but I do not find the thought of fighting the mass crowds at the Mall appealing. Matt, Zach, and I had to deal with them on Saturday when we were at the Mall (Matt and I went to museums and then met up with Zach later on--before I took a nap and woke up sick, of course). I think I'm also moping because the last time I talked to Davey on the phone, he kept saying I should come home for the Fourth, and I kept telling him it was too far. I'm sure it sounded like bogus to him since he'll be traveling from St. Louis to Cincy, but it would be too much traveling.

Also, the Waxman-Markey Bill passed because the members of Congress actually hate the people of the United States and want them to suffer for the sake of the environment, which really won't be impacted that much. What's going to happen is 2-3 million jobs will most likely be lost (during a recession, nice) and energy bills are going to skyrocket for average Americans (yeah! double nice!). If you are interested in reading the bill (because if you have something to say about something, you should read the original source, not another's opinion or perception on it), here it it.

Need to start looking more seriously for airline tickets to Wisconsin for Marisa's wedding; also to Chicago, for Pitchfork Music Fest with Claire and Frank and hopefully seeing Julia as well. The wedding is in less than 3 weeks, believe it or not...this summer is going way, way too fast.

The letters editor was nice and answered the phone for me since I would have whispered into it, but it's okay because he owes me for all the times I've picked it up for him haha.

And finally, Happy Tuesday:
"You can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right; but spelling isn't everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn't count."
-House at Pooh Corner

Friday Fun!

Electricity went out!! for like, a minute.

Does jelly count as a fruit?

Today is Friday and I am so glad. I am working on fixing my book review and am re-editing my friend's personal statement for her med school application. I did it yesterday, but then the computer did not properly save it. I was peeved, to say the least, since I did a super thorough job, but I'm doing it again purely out of love for Schubes.

The office feels slow, but there's lots going on.

Last night Matt and I got a beer at the Hawk 'n Dove, and it was great to just sit at the bar and enjoy our brews. Tonight is going to be busy, but uber-fun. Actually, I think that about sums up the weekend-to-be.

Great article in the WSJ by Peter Berkowitz called "Conservatism and the University Curriculum." Very excellent read.

And I think this about sums it up:
Brain: Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?
Pinky: Are you pondering cheese sticks?

Flannery O'Connor is worth reading, every time

Here's a great article on Flannery O'Connor, written by a Hillsdale professor, Dr. Michael Jordan. I didn't like his class very much (it was Freshman Great Books & Rhetoric--who truly enjoyed it?!), but he's a brilliant man and he still likes me personally, so that's always a plus. Read here.

I'm sorry, do I look like a receptionist to you? Oh wait...yes, yes I do

The letters editor isn't in yet, so I've been bopping around the office answering the phones. I sit for a few minutes before the phone rings and I jump up to answer it. After that, I come back and sit down again, and resume my work until the phone rings again. And so on. I'm sure he'll be in soon, and then I'll settle in.

I'm sitting at my desk, not regretting the choice I made to buy and eat overpriced yet so incredibly deliciousle fresh fruit. I think my body might convulse from so much nutrition entering it at one time. I am also trying to avoid my coffee, but know I must drink it if I am going to be productive today. Getting up was exceptionally hard today, and I am not sure why. (I have my theories, obviously, but they're not nearly interesting enough to discuss here.)

Aaron and I decided it was a coffee morning, so we went down to the cafeteria to get our fix. I got a small, he got a medium, which is the largest TWT offers. He was not amused. Our conversation was fun, with my favorite part being him telling me about this delicious bagel he had, and I saying I'm glad he enjoyed it but it sounds disgusting. He told me I didn't like bagels enough because I'm not Jewish (he is), and then I told him the story of the last time I went into a Jewish bagel shop during high school and the man yelled at me. "Of course he did," said Aaron. "You're not Jewish!" Oy vey.

Later he told me that everything is good in moderation, including bulimia and anorexia, which I disagree with, but the conversation ended positively with our mutual love of alcohol. "That's the one thing you can't take in moderation," said the Oh-Wise-Not-Yet-21 Aaron, "because then you just get fat and you're not even having fun while you're at it." Then he said, "You're Irish, right?" to which I replied "Of course!" and that, my friends, is Aaron's reasoning behind my love of the drink. To those unawares, Aaron and I both started on the same day and sat awkwardly together in the front, waiting for an editor to take us to our respective posts in the building, and thus made conversation and became friends for life. We're going to go to ihop soon because he went last week and now I'm craving pancakes.

The shuttle was extra full today, but it was okay because we were having hilarious conversation (unlike yesterday, which was me trying not to fall off the seat as the shuttle jumped around potholes). Also, the gossip columnist complimented my outfit again today. I'm wearing one of my favorite skirts, and it's always comforting to know that I look nice when I feel crappy. I lost my SmarTrip card yesterday, so I filed my information to the DC Metro and hope to hear back from them soon. I miss the sturdy card that tells me exactly how much I have left on it, although my temp pass works just as fine.

I finished my article for HILF (Hillsdale Intern Leadership Forum) and sent it in to the crew over at the Kirby Center yesterday, and I am pleased to say I got an e-mail back from the Associate VP saying she loved it and to keep writing like this for the other sessions. From what I understand (when I was first approached with the assignment), the college might use this, which would be an awesome for me. I'm not expecting anything, but it is well-written, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Today I'll be starting my second book, writing, editing, contacting publishers, and other little items. I got edits back on my first book review, but, being me, I forgot the book at home so I will be working on that tonight. I also forgot my crackberry at home; I'm not as despondent as I thought I would be, truthfully. I thought I would feel like I had lost a ligament, but really I feel a little freer. (John Mayer's rendition of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" is now going through my head.)

Last night Amanda (fellow Hillsdale KKG) and I had an impromptu date of dinner at this excellent Irish pub, where I ate a burger (I love meat) and drank a Guinness (one of the reasons I know God exists). It was a great atmosphere, and made me feel proud to be Irish, and wish I was in Ireland. I really want to learn to speak Gaelic, just because it looks really interesting, and I feel like it's one of those languages no one can really eavesdrop on haha. I had a friend in grade school whose mom was from Ireland, and I always thought she was the cat's meow. It was funny though, because around quarter to 8 the Celtic music turned off and Kayne came on. Hmm, Celtic, Kayne, Celtic, Kayne...I don't know about you, but the choice seems easy for me!

There's an Intern BBQ on the Hill, so I think I'm going to go to that tonight. Matt will definitely be there, and so will Dakota and Will (according to Matt). Rep. Jim Jordan will be speaking, so that's always fun. I found out that Congressmen have a special pin they wear to show/prove they're in Congress. I feel like half of DC wears some sort of lapel pin. I hopefully won't be out too late, because I'd still like to do laundry, go for a run, and work on my review. Even though my dear roommate may not believe me when she reads this, I'm going to start getting up early to run because waiting until nighttime is getting to be too hard. I'm so exhausted when I get home, and then I eat dinner, and then I have to wait so I don't get sick, and then I'm pumped on adrenaline from my runner's high. I think it will help me become more disciplined too, but that's in theory. I got the chance to talk with Heather last night, which was so wonderful, I can hardly explain it in words, and she's going to try to get up early too, so we're going to keep each other accountable. I'm not exactly sure how because she is horrible at communication, but that's where I step in, because I'm usually good at keeping in touch/ stalking her. (Is it stalking if she's not opposed to it? Can you stalk a best friend? When does it become harassment? All questions I ponder after the fourth or fifth phone call I make, until I finally reach her. I blame the three hour time difference.)

So happy Thursday, one and all! It's been a trying week for some, good for others, but I hope you are all feeling the sun on your face and the wind at your back. The quote below was in an e-mail I got from Gina, a friend from school:
"God passes through the thicket if the World and wherever his glance falls He turns all things to beauty." --St. John of the Cross

Best part about the day?

The best part of the day was definitely having David and Brett (a writer and an editor) come in my office and talk about lacrosse, et al.

It was awesome, to say the least. David went to St. Ignatius in Cleveland, which is the big rival to St. X and Moeller in Cincinnati for high school football state championships, and Brett's high school friend founded Warrior (which is one of the top manufacturers of lacrosse equipment--my own shaft was Warrior!).

My editor had to leave early today, which is not good for me, but I've been editing lots of pieces today. I'm finishing one up right now and I do have an article for the Kirby Center to finish--but still. I hate knowing I have extra time; I like staying constantly busy.

The two editors I work by have been kibitzing all day and asking my input on things, mostly because I'm a girl (I work with all men). It is a highlight of working here, for sure. My favorite discussion they had today was about older men dating younger girls.

Editorial meeting in 5 minutes.

This just in

Aaron (my fellow intern) says the new Regina Spektor cd came out today and it is "fantabulous"!! I might invest...

Until then--off to another editorial meeting!!

And to make an End is to make a Beginning

As some of you may or may not know, my favoritest poem is "Little Gidding" from T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets." It was a favorite before Order and Disorder with Birzer, and now it is a favoritest. However, if there is one thing I cannot abide, it is when people misuse literature for their own means. It's like the 15 year old who quotes "Catcher in the Rye" because they too feel misunderstood, or Kafka, because they want to appear deep, or even reading Thomas Mann. Do you really know what you're reading? Do you understand what the story is about? If you do, fine, but if you don't...too many fall into the latter category because they simply read to read, not read to know.

Today I was reading the Life & Arts Section of the Financial Times (weekend edition!) that one of TWT writers lent me, and I came upon a small column called "The Book Doctor." The purpose of this section is that people write in with a problem, and the columnist responds back with an answer to the problem as shown in works of prose and/or poetry. The problem had to do with freezing up during the interviewing process, and the columnist used an example from a book that I've never read, but the quote given seemed to fit.

What turned the kettle on was when I read the next paragraph, when the columnist not only quoted Eliot's "Little Gidding," but quoted one of my favorite passages: "We shall not cease from exploration/ And the end of all our exploring/ Will be to arrive where we started/ And know the place for the first time."

I felt wronged when I read the columnist not only take that passage and use it in, what I believe, an incorrect fashion, but then twist it around to make it fit. Emphasis on the make because it truly does not work for those who know Eliot's work; I'd like the think my extensive reading of his prose (particularly his critical essays) and poetry gives me slightly more leverage on this point. The passage is meant to reflect returning to one's origin, where one's family comes from, after all the searching one does in the course of one's life. It reminds me of the German phrase Der Weg ist dat Ziel, or in loose translation: the journey is the destination.

The metro accident yesterday on the red line has been recorded as the worst accident in metro history, with at least 9 dead at this point and around 76 were taken to the hospital. I wish I could give more definitive numbers, but every newspaper I read has different numbers for the dead and injured.

On a happier note, my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Craig welcomed their second baby into the family! Magdalene Clare Alexander was born yesterday morning! She'll be called Maggie. She's the 18th grandchild on my mom's side, and the 8th girl cousin (I'm the 4th cousin/ 1st girl). Aunt Kathy is my mom's baby sister and my godmother; she married Craig the fall of my freshman year of college, and had Natalie a year or so later. I am so excited to meet her when I go home in August. My family is just raving about how precious she is, and how soft (according to Marianne).

My day is going fine, except I've all ready eaten my pb&j because I was so hungry. Yes, I had breakfast. I don't understand why I get so hungry in the morning, and then can not eat until really late at night and be fine.

I got a postcard from Julia yesterday, and two from Italy over the weekend. I'll be writing my own set of postcards soon, once I buy more stamps and invest in some postcards. This week is going to be very full, as well as this weekend. I just found out last night that Sean is coming in town and wants to get the Hillsdalians together for soccer and spirits, so that will be part of the fun Friday Matt and I are planning. On Saturday, I'm going to meet up with Matt to see a museum or two before we head out to Maryland with the guys to go to this wicked huge bookstore Dr. Gamble was telling us about when he visited.

I am currently working on an article and waiting for a phone call from my editor, who is out dealing with car and kids. I like still having work to do, even when she is not here. I hate feeling like I'm dawdling. The letters editor is editing in my office; it's nice to have company. He never stays very long, but I think he likes the change of scenery.

Okay, back to typing. Today is the 23rd of June--I can hardly believe June has flown by this quickly. Talking to people (Broms, familia, Jules) on the phone last night reminded me of how lucky I am to have the technology to stay in touch with friends and family, and moreover, how blessed I am to have people who care so much for me. It makes life a little bit better in DC, even if I wish they were all here with me. I love it in DC, and I love the people I spend time with here, but I look forward to near-reunions and lots of hugs.

I'm partial to J. Crew headbands...

One of my editors calls me "hairband" because when he first walked into my office, all he could see was my headband peering over the top of the computer monitor.

Today I copy-edited the Sunday section of the book reviews, and it took longer than normal, which I was not pleased about, but at least I know I'm thorough. I also helped one of the editors with a grammar question, and a newsroom writer lent me his Financial Times for the night, which is quite exciting. Also, the letters editor gave me "In Character," which is "A Journal of Everyday Virtues." This is "The Grit Issue," which makes me think of my summers spent in South Carolina, and it actually looks really good. Very Agrarian. It even has an Epstein piece! I'm am excited to read this as well.

Today's been solid, but long. I'm tired, but know I need to keep working. It's my friend's 21st birthday today, but I think I'm going to have to see if he's free on Thursday for a drink because at this point, I think drinking is a bad idea when I'm so out of it. I have a Hillsdale dinner tomorrow and then Amanda and I are going to make dinner together. We were supposed to have a little KKG dinner at the house (because Amanda was sick during senior week, so she never had her b&b senior week dinner), but my roommate is having someone over for dinner that night, so we'll postpone it until later. I'm not terribly concerned; it will happen before the summer is out, and I'd rather do it right than halfway.

This just in: two trains crashed on the red line. 1 dead, 9 injured. Keep them in your prayers.

Peeeeanut, Peanut Butter (and Jelly!)

Eating lunch (pb&j and apple, my lunch staple) and thought I'd give y'all an update (more because I feel like it than you wanting one):

1. Zach has branched out from calling me "ribozome" to "Busy Ribozome" and "rhyma a zone"--he re-nicknames me because "your name is just so versatile" ha! love it.

2. Bill Maher wrote a great article for the LA Times called "Enough with the Obamathon" which is simply hilarious. Read, read, read!

3. There's an editorial meeting at one I might go to (and am thus preparing for right now as well)

and finally,

4. I make a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Thank you, years of experience!

Today in History: Led Zeppelin begins their last European tour in 1980

My alarm went off at 5:30, I rolled out of bed at 6:08, I was out the door by 6:36, the yellow line arrived around 7:03, and by 7:30 we had reached Ronald Reagan. Wait--what?! you think. Yes, that's right. It took us 27 minutes to go three stops.

This morning Hillsdale hosted another speaker (Jan Crawford Greenberg from ABC News), and we were supposed to get there by 7:45. Me being the perpetually late person that I am (Evelyn Waugh said that punctuality is the virtue of the bored, so I usually justify my lateness with that line), I was floored that even if I worked against my lateness, the DC metro line could also undermine my plot of arriving before the scheduled time. The ride was not too bad, but the train was over-crowded. Amanda called me right when I exited Farragut North, and fortunately the ABC studio is not too far away from the station, so I entered the conference room with 1 or 2 minutes to spare.

Jan was a wonderful speaker: very knowledgeable, approachable, and an obviously fair but critical reporter. What she is mainly known for was her coverage of the Supreme Court. I loved her analysis about Justice Thomas, and how she went to the Library of Congress and looked up Justice Blackburn's notes on sessions to truly have an understanding of how and why the court cases ended the way they did. So many people look at the final decision and base their opinion on that, but it really is the thought-process as well as the conclusion that is crucial. I love how the justices communicate through the written word; they pass around memos and decisions, and save most of the talking for when they are in the actual room, making their actual decision and argument for why they are deciding the way they are for each case. It's absolutely fascinating!

Today is a coffee day, but in my defense I only put three creamers in today to see if three would be as good as four. I really can't have a frank analysis though, I suppose, because I used flavored coffee instead of regular. I know, I'm a coffee weenie.

Today the gossip columnist complimented my outfit, which made me happy since I am wearing one of my favorite outfits (another dress-cardigan-ballet flats combination), and she is a rather fashionable person herself. I introduced myself to her yesterday since we see each other fairly often on the shuttle, so that was lovely. She's quite nice. Well, nearly everyone I've met so far is nice, which is always good for a work environment.

I talked to my mom all the way to the metro, and she gave me the family update. I love it because I can talk to nearly everyone in the family, and they all tell me the same things about everyone but it's in such a way unique to them that I continue listening, even though I know what they're going to say, just not how they're going to say it. Meg's at Uncle Mark and Aunt Tracey's till Thursday for riding, John has wilderness camp, Marianne is at Shakespeare camp, Mike's looking for a job, and Katie's still working for the engineering company. Mom said she might take off work on Thursday to do something fun with the little kids since the family isn't taking a family vacation this year, so she thinks they'll just do fun day activities/ trips sporadically. Mom and the little kids (which ones, I do not know) will be coming out to DC in August to pick me up and sightsee before heading back home so that we can all celebrate Megan's 10th birthday together. (It's her golden birthday this year! 10 on August 10th.) I miss them a lot and love hearing their voices (especially Heidi barking in the background); Mom's really busy at the hospital, so I was happy to catch her in a free moment this morning.

Going to Philly tomorrow--excited for the FIRE conference, but more excited to see Andrew and Jackie, whom I will having lunch with on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. It'll also be good to have a change of scenery. I still need to buy my train tickets...

Finishing my book review today and helping my editor organize all her books in her office. I'll most likely work late, but that's okay; I like working late for some weird reason. Probably get it from my Dad. I'd rather work late than get in early, that's for sure :) Finished my coffee, moving on to my nalgene of water. Today's weather is gloomy with light rain sprinkles: a perfect day to get business done. Editorial office is bustling, and my review is calling. Au revoir!

Krudy Knows Best

Krudy just brought me coffee (and my four creamers!) and gave me wisdom I appreciate--because he's right. That's one of the great things about friends--even when you see eye to eye on most things, they still give you a new perspective.

By the way Krudy, I'm impressed you walked all the way upstairs and into the editorial offices. You've got gumption, son! I loved the visit, and I'm glad you finally got to see my office. It's all I wanted during the intern training tour!! haha

Would You Like a Retirement Plan with that Fiber?

Today I ate grape-nuts for breakfast and really enjoyed them.

I am turning into an old person.

Waiting for the Shuttle provides ample opportunity to grow

Articles and book reviews today. I am currently starving because I went without breakfast this morning. Always a bad decision. After work today I'm going to the Borders at Pentagon City where Dr. Gamble will be (book signing, I am guessing) and I'll meet up with Matt and others. Dakota's 21st birthday is today, but we've pushed the festivities off until Wednesday. Matt and I will still probably buy him a drink today, after seeing Dr. Gamble. It is his 21st, after all!

I think I saw a Kappa this morning at the metro. She was wearing a fleur-de-lis necklace and pearls (a risky combination), and two different shades of blue. How much more obvious did she need to be? I didn't say anything though because she was sending off semi-hostile vibes (morning does that to people) and I'm trying to stop myself from starting conversations with strangers. I do it fairly often out of genuine interest, but I've started to think this is how I get myself into the situations I do haha.

A Caucus-Race! In Alexandria, not Wonderland

Most of you know that I'm rather competitive. Well, this morning was no exception. I slept in because I was up late working on my article, and since I've been running on less than 6 hours of sleep a night for the past couple days, I thought sleeping in for a little less than an hour would be okay today (completely worth it). I left the apartment cutting it a little close, and thought about waiting for the bus, but then decided that was for wussies/ I didn't feel like waiting. So off I went, down the street, and wouldn't you know it? There's a man slightly ahead of me, walking in the same direction. He was tallish, bald, and perspiring on his back (it is muggy and hot today, in his defense). I decided we were going to race to the metro station.

Rules of Engagement:
1. Your opponent cannot know you are racing.
2. You have to keep a reasonable distance. (It should not look like you are following. That is bad racing form. I, for instance, was across the street.)
3. Look both ways before you cross the street. (Just because your opponent doesn't does not mean that you will not get hit by a car.)
4. No running, only walking.
5. No contact. No touching, no talking, and try to avoid eye contact. (Eyes on the prize!)
6. Be a good sport. Some people are better walkers, some people are worse. You never know when you start to race, so keep an open mind. Otherwise, you might be tempted to breach contract and break rules.

The baldish tallish man and I split paths when he went towards an office and I continued on for my final stretch before the metro. I wanted to shake hands with him, but that would break Rule #5. I kept a steady pace all the way to the metro, swiped my card with ease, took the escalator at a trot, and arrive with one minute to spare before the yellow line pulled into the station. Success! And off I went to work.

And here's a fun fact for the KKGs following (officially and unofficially): I have a light blue heart shaped pin which says "Kappa" in dark blue cursive lettering on my messenger bag I take to work every day. Berlucchi gave it to me at Senior Wills this past year. Anyways, I was on the very crowded metro today, standing in front of this man and woman. Right before my stop, the woman asked me where I was a Kappa. I told her Hillsdale College in Michigan, and she said she had been a Kappa in Orlando, FL. We shook hands right there. It was so great, and really made my day. Hail Kappa!

Interview today for my special project; wish me luck! The Financial Times had an excellent story that provided new information. I think I'm going to go at this story at a different angle, but I really need the interview to cement where I want this piece to go. Until then, I'm going to keep typing, reading, and talking to the letters editor. My editor isn't in today; her son is getting his wisdom teeth out, which is funny because so is my sister Katie!

Shuttle Etiquette Fact of the Day

Don't sit so close to the person next to them that you are sitting on their dress and cannot move. Also, there is no need to sit right next to/ on a person when there are open seats elsewhere on the bus.

Whatever happened to respecting the personal space bubble?!

In other news, it's raining today. Again. I would not mind so much, except my umbrella is broken. Thank you DC high winds and rain. I'm supposed to go to the Reds-Nationals game tomorrow with friends, so I would prefer lovely baseball weather. I have a lot of work to do, so it's okay to be dark and stormy. I woke up this morning to thunderstorms. I love half-sleeping through thunderstorms. Unfortunately, I had to get up this morning and go to work; but I did seriously consider not, and just larding around the apartment today. I have orientation in 20 minutes though, and I had 3 book reviews I copy edited that I needed to get to Carol, and I have my special project to work on/ meet with people about. Another busy day! At least I got to wear my wellies into work (kelly green with little navy blue sea horses on them, so classic).

I'm wearing this cornflower blue necklace with my dress today, and I feel like it is really bringing out my sunburn today. How chic of me.

In other news, Quinn (one of the Editorial writers) just walked in and said Jon Voigt is outside the Times right now, fiddling on his BlackBerry. How fun!

There was an old man from Nantucket...

Krudy sent me another fun fact: Nantucket means "faraway land" in the language of the original natives, the Wampanoag tribe.

And here's my latest, thanks to my pressed apple juice: Nantucket Memorial Airport is the second-busiest in Massachusetts.

I got invited into the Editorial meeting today, that was intimidatingly awesome. I discussed my special project with the writers and listened to everyone pitch ideas and discuss. I'll be working long hours this week, especially considering I will not be at work on Thursday (I have CN stuff from 9:30-2:15...I could probably go in for a few hours before the CN reception at 6), and I have to call up two more sources and look up more files. Oh baby.

One of the girls I recruited for book reviewing for The Collegian in the fall e-mailed me book possibilities today. I am too busy to deal with it at this moment, but I am loving the enthusiasm. I'll have to e-mail the other girls too soon so that we can get this ball rolling.

Finally, to close, one of my favorite limericks by William Cosmos Monkhouse:

There once was an old man of Lyme
Who married three wives at a time,
When asked, "Why a third?"
He replied, "One's absurd!
And bigamy, sir, is a crime."

Intern Orientation, Part 1

Today all the interns had a meeting at 9:30 a.m. What does that mean? That means I could not take the shuttle at 9:30, as I usually do. My friend Aaron and I complained about it for ten minutes while waiting for the shuttle today. It was great fun, and I'm definitely going to miss riding the shuttle with him once he gets his car next weekend.

Riding the 8:45 shuttle means I had to get up earlier than planned, come to an office where the rooms were locked and dark (of course none of my bosses were in before 9:30, let's get real here people), and forcing myself to break my coffee-less streak, which has gone on for a little over a week now. I had half a cup of coffee and two Irish cream creamers. That may seem like a lot of creamer for only half a cup of coffee, but I do in fact hate the taste and smell of coffee, so I deemed it completely necessary.

The meeting was fine--pointless, but fine. I got there right on time (obviously; why would I get to a pointless meeting early?), listened to people introduce themselves, introduced myself, and helped myself to a large blueberry muffin while everyone else filled out paperwork I filled out 2-3 weeks ago. I kibitzed with the five interns who have also been here since May, feeling awesome for not being the newbies. Then Carleton asked us about what we're working on, and when I talked about the book I'm reviewing ("What's New?" which is ten science essays about the future of science, and where it's going to take us), three of the interns I'm friends with burst out laughing and told me how horrible my book sounded because I told them it was fascinating (which it is). Then I told Aaron that why I'm in Books and he's at the Foreign desk. I love bantering back and forth with people.

We hung out in the conference room drinking juice (did you know the piece of ocean between Nantucket and Massachusetts is called the Nantucket Sound?) until I decided to go back upstairs and get work done, because I certainly have enough. I ran two books down to Graphics, but their office wasn't open yet, so I'll be doing that after I post this. I chatted with Brett (editor) for a bit, and he wants to talk about my special project today, so I'm going to keep prepping for that. I have a ton of articles from The Financial Times that I need to look over. Dad found them in his paper, and had Tina (his assistant) scan and e-mail them to me. It is so great, and I'm excited about the free four week subscription to FT that I just signed up for. FT is my favorite newspaper, it is so well-written, informative, and witty.

I need to learn how to upload pictures to this blog, because I think that will be fun. So wait for that :) Start of a busy, busy day and a busy, busy week--it's going to be great!

Ring Ring

I've learned that while e-mail is very convenient, it is sometimes better--when trying to reach specific publicists to send you specific books--to call the publishing house and be transferred through six different people. Believe me, it makes everything much better. Suck it up, make the call.

Finally!

I found my books! I have two to review. So excited. Back to copy editing Sunday's section.

In addendum: I've also been given a special project. And it is big. More to come on that, most likely when it is published.

Newest Intern in the Mail Room

My editor is not coming in till later because she had to take her son to his wisdom teeth consultation. I finished my work for her, and then I went down to the mail room to pick up the books which had yet to be delivered, so that I could open them and put them in the boxes outside her office. I think I may have found two books to review. One is on the history of Iraq, and the other is on modern science and where it is going. We'll see what the editor is thinking. I can tell she feels bad for turning me down, but she shouldn't. I'm still a lowly intern.

Anyways, I pushed the mail cart up to Books, did my job, and pushed it back. On the way back, I stopped to tell my friend Aaron that a few of us (i.e. the Hillsdale interns) were going to lunch at 1, and he was free to join us. Anyways, so he asks about why I'm pushing the mail cart around, and then Carleton (the guy in charge of us interns) asks me in a concerned voice if I am now working in the mail room, to which I then explained to him of course not, I'm just doing extra work for Books. He seemed relieved, to say the least, although I do not think working in the mail room would be that bad. They have parties where they grill out. I want Editorials, Books, and Commentary to grill out too!

I've been paling (is that a word?) around with the Letters Editor today, which has provided much entertainment and keeps me from getting bored. I (along with the rest of campus) also found a great article in the WSJ on why Hillsdale is better than Harvard. No, really. Check it out.

I'm hungry, but still have to wait until 1. Hmph. Will now find other toady tasks to distract myself with until my editor returns. Rich, who is one of the heads in Editorials, has a special project for me, but he wants to wait until Carol (my editor) is back until he gives it to me. I am feeling like I am in Limbo until Carol gets back! Coooome baaack! Maybe I shouldn't get my work done so fast; oh the ironies of being efficient!

I am coffee-less today. I'd like to see how long I can go for (so far: two days), but I know I'll need it tomorrow. Maybe I shall start this over on Thursday.

Happy June!

Happy Birthday to Miss Kate Martin today: fellow Ursuline lion, Hillsdalian, and founding member of Club Chez. She turns 21 today. Oh yes she does.

Brief update on my day:

Today I copy edited a book review on George Eliot and her affinity for Zionism and Jews. That was interesting, especially since the only book I've read by her is The Mill on the Floss. Most of my day, however, has been spent contacting major publishing houses to request books. This usually is not too bad with a little sleuthing; a phone call here, a transfer there, an e-mail and voila! The book is overnighted and my editor is happy. Today, because it is Monday, publishing houses have decided to be particularly hard to get in touch with; I'm not complaining, because it's my job, and I have nothing else to do besides my job, but it is a little frustrating to find a contact, e-mail them, get the 'out of the office' auto reply--which usually points me to another person,who, in turn, also gives me 'out of the office' auto reply, as well as a phone number to people who transfer you to a very large answering machine, which I will not leave a message on, because I want assurance that my request has gone through. So I keep calling and e-mailing, until I get that assurance. It sounds daunting, but it's almost like navigating through a labyrinth, and can be rewarding.

Ahh, just got an e-mail back from a major publisher's publicist (who you usually have to go through to get copies of books for reviewers), and it's got all her contact information. I have a feeling we're going to be in contact frequently this summer. Success, so sweet.

Bonus of the day: I got my badge today! My picture looks fine, opposed to the fact that my eyes are half-closed. Carol says it looks great, and that other people's badge pictures turned out horrible. I'm satisfied to even have a badge, i.e. no more signing in when entering the building, just flash the badge.

Today I signed in with Aaron, my first friend/ fellow intern at the Times (we both started the same day) and Kat, who goes to Hillsdale with me. The security guard was giving Aaron slack for not signing in properly and I was waiting for Kat, to show her where to go, when the security guard started mouthing off about people not signing in properly.
"And look," he said, "here's another one. Juulie Roobison."
I resisted giggling, and quickly pulled Kat towards the newsroom, and handed her off to Carleton Bryant, who is in charge of TWT interns. I asked him about orientation, which I thought was going to be today, but Carleton said it's going to be another time. So I went to the Books office, dropped off my stuff, went to security to see if I could get my badge done (that was probably my twelfth time down there), FINALLY got it done, and now I've got it attached to a white lanyard with The Washington Times in red around it. I look like a tax-paying citizen! When I had lunch today with Krudy, Liz, Kat, and Aaron, Krudy told me that no one cares anymore about getting a badge because he likes to rain on my parade.

Okay, mail's here, off to open packages! I like opening the books up because it gives me a chance to see them before them enter the different stacks. I'm keeping my eyes open for a book I get to review, which is so exciting. I'm reading The Unvanquished by William Faulkner now (quite excellent!), but I would like a book to review of my own.