A Crystal Character

Hello! Geesh, been a while, I apologize. Life has been a good kinda crazy these past couple of weeks. I'm embarking on a new adventure this evening and don't have much time right now to blog, but had to share a few things...of course!

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In my work neighborhood. Will be going someday in the near future...SO cool. Thanks for this link, BCS :)

http://nymag.com/bestofny/fun/2009/blow-steam/

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Love the little girl jump-roping necklace...ah, the sweet, sweet picture of youth.

http://shop.lucidnewyork.com/

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Kafka's Pest Control ad...hm


http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/leawood/story/1282628.html

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An otter love romance...awww


http://achewood.com/index.php?date=06302009

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Literary heatwave quiz:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/quiz/2009/jun/29/books-heatwave-quiz

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Yeah, Chip! [this guy was kind of, sort of, maybe, on some level, almost my boss...once]

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/06/chip-kidd-to-pen-batman-comic-for-dc.html

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Wowzah! ...I wasn't going to say anything, but I cannot help but point out Thomas' photo. I mean. That's all. Good article though. NYT used the word "dildo". A milestone?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/books/26book.html?_r=1&hpw

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I have stuff to actually share too, but I have to take a jaunt to my next location. Had a cool experience today, hoping/thinking it will seep into tonight...

'til next time

<3

Some of us cannot eat poems when we are hungry

...just a little

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Winding down after a wonderful weekend...went out and bought two big bunches of flowers in a rain storm.

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I want to get in on this "reading books that don't exist" action:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/jun/16/reading-books-don-t-exist

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Ha!  Love this little note to William Carlos Williams...a play on his "This is Just to Say" poem:

http://www.marriedtothesea.com/061809/dear-william.gif

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Paradise Lost fashion show...

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_features/displayarticle.asp?id=426200

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NASCAR + poetry= a combination that, much to my surprise, actually exists:

http://www.thespeciousreport.com/2003_nascar.html

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China Mieville suggests 5 literary movements starting with "Zombiefail '09-ism":

http://www.omnivoracious.com/2009/06/neither-a-contract-nor-a-promise-five-movements-to-watch-out-for.html

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Terry Gross interviews Woody Allen:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105400872

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I'll leave you tonight with this play on Green Eggs and Ham that made me chuckle a little...ok, a lot:

what kind of mystical, magical device is capable of such wizardry?

A few weeks ago, upon hand-delivering a pineapple to my office and later realizing that the act was not the focal point of my following blog post, my dear friend Ben proclaimed that one day he'd like to be the centerpiece (or "cynosure", if you will) of an upcoming blog post.  So this is it!

In short, Ben is a crazy, cracky, cranky, cozy, corrupt, coital, caring, contagious, canny, comical, and compassionate guy.  

I think the best way to illustrate our friendship is by sharing random excerpts of Gchat conversations we've had through the months.  Our relationship truly blossomed one fine day in...I want to say November?...when we were both at work and experiencing a significant lull in the day.  And thus it began.  Have I mentioned how hilarious this guy is?  Let's just say that at least 10 times someone has walked into my office to find me red in the face, gasping for air, with tears streaming down my face.  This is extreme laughter.  Anyway, done w/ the rambling.  This will most likely be worthless and potentially annoying for anyone who is not Ben or myself, but here it goes.

This one's for you BenYameen, Boops, Beep, Car, and whatever else I call you...

[everyone else may as well switch screens at this time]

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me: Hey dude

Benjamin: hey dudette

me: (Remember that tv show from the '90s?)

Benjamin: its snowing like what?

hey dude!

i do!

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Benjamin: "my name is Thor Stormborn, I was born on a glacier in helsinki, and I kill bears for a living."

me: I know that guy

Benjamin: "I am also a principal dancer with the bolshoi ballet"

THAT'S a unique guy!

me: "also, I invented the post-it"

Benjamin: "my diet consists of barbed wire, and vegan rice."

"also, I am chuck norris."

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me: yaoun chat furrr a biyt?

Benjamin: maybs

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Benjamin: you are a cool woman

and i am cougar prey...

me: together...we have the power to...

eh...

Benjamin: hm...

gain the respect of older women?

me: slash envy?

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me: ADORABLE, love her

Benjamin: she doesnt understand that that makes her sound like a 14 year old with the IQ of a ballpene hammer


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Benjamin: but come ON!

me: Je comprends

These chips r going to heavenly, btw

Benjamin: i am kind of a hardass, but i have a mostly happy life and there's little that makes me uncomfortable

me: Guacamole

Benjamin: no that doesnt make me uncomfortable, just aroused

me: Good response, huh?

Benjamin: and also btdubs, i make amazing yam fries

me: I'm making that too (guac)

Benjamin: wait, lemme try that again

also, btdubs, i make amazing sweet potato fries

me: Yam fries ...

Benjamin: the word yam is hilarious

haha say yam fries aloud


me: I did! And I'm cracking up in my kitchen

Yam

Benjamin: yeah i generally avoid saying yam because it makes me laugh

me: We should have a cook-a-thong

Woah!!! Thon. Thon

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me: u there?

Benjamin: YO, what's up?

me: talking to broccoli ... so boring

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Benjamin: oh you'll love it

i saw it on broadway and DIED

me: so excited

Benjamin: hilar

me: ridic

Benjamin: totes

me: love abbrevs

Benjamin: love to hate them

me: hate to love them

it's a double-edged sword

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Benjamin: you am not so bright

me: I are two!

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Benjamin: no no im starting my mullet

me: HOT

Benjamin: oh yeah

me: mullets r so trendy/edgy (in Spain, circa 1993)

Benjamin: but i shaved my head, except for the last few inches above the back of my neck for my mullet

me: sexy, ben

Benjamin: i figure if I rock that with a nice neckbeard, the ladies will be unable to resist me

thick luxurious neckbeard


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Benjamin: nice

did you have a stroke recently ?

me: eff u

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me: art thou therest?

Benjamin: no

me: ok, oh well...i'll try again later

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Benjamin: thats $2,000 a month julia

me: eek!

Benjamin: absurd

do you know what I could accomplish with that

me: the purchase of many McFlurries

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Benjamin: the weth is perf

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Benjamin: its almost sensual isn't it

i love that

me: Had to wait till I had turned over all the chips...vital part

Benjamin: totes vite

me: And yes, it's like a mini org

Benjamin: J.V. org

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me: I was hoping I had read their book so I could moderate

But noooooo

Benjamin: haha moderate?

you're such a bibliophile...

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Benjamin: 3 of my close friends have swine flu

me: huh, just remembered i have a phone call at 8:30

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Benjamin: weak people kinda bother me

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me: I'm chatting via phone

Benjamin: *gasp!

me: I know...don't say anything

Benjamin: what kind of mystical, magical device is capable of such wizardry??

me: ...I'll explain that to u one day, lil' one

Don't sweat it, I will ease your frazzled mind when I return

I know it's a lot to take

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Benjamin: good call

im gonna go poop out of my anus now

me: out of your anus? weird

Benjamin: i know i know

variety is the spice of life

me: your body works so differently than any other i know

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Benjamin: do you use gruyere and cheddar and parmesan??

and butter?

and love?

me: yes, YES, and yes

not parm, actually, not necessary. Or gruyere

Benjamin: and crust on top?

me: double up on the "hunter's sharp" cheddar

what is mac n' cheese w/o crust?

Benjamin: oh the hunter's sharp...

mac and gay

me: i'll tell you what it ISN'T: mac n' cheese

right

Benjamin: god we're so clever

me: mac n' I may as well put this in the garbage disposal

Benjamin: have you heard of the waverly inn?

me: mac n' I just threw up in my mouth a little and it tasted better than "mac n' cheese" w/o crust

ok, im done w. that

Benjamin: we get it

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Benjamin: bus it??

shame on you

don't you dare bus it

me: Well it IS only $15


Benjamin: and you pay for what you get

you can't put a price on safety

and by safety i mean luxury

and by can't i mean can


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Benjamin: i dont think you're there, but i forgot to tell you the story about the mom who basically proposed marriage to me on the cruise

remind me to tell you lates

me: what!?

sorry, work happened

what cruise? what mom?

Benjamin: it's ok, me too

the cruise i take my clients on after the concert

well, there's an overpriced cash bar, and a group of about 3 of the moms were hitting it pretty hardcore

me: of course

Benjamin: by about 1:30, they were all railed

me: you are such cougar prey

Benjamin: and pretended they were in high school on the dance floor and everything it was hilarious

anyway

hahah i am cougar prey


me: yessss

Benjamin: i decided to have some fun with them, so i went over to schmooze with them

thinking I knew full well how it would end

well, we're talking about what i like to do in NYC

"do you see broadway shows?"

me: haha, right question to ask YOU!

Benjamin: "well, i'll see a show if one of my friends is in it, but I prefer the ballet and the opera"

they swooned...

and one says to me

pointing to her wedding ring

"if it weren't for this fucking thing, i would literally marry you right fucking now."

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Benjamin: extra people??

me: in lbs

Benjamin: like a midge for each leg?

midge = midget

me: i knew what that meant, give me some credit

Benjamin: wait what's gross about wetlands?

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me: ben, ok, ok, but what about u?

how is your throat?

Benjamin: she's ok

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me: best nickname. ever.

Benjamin: hahahaha

thats worth ordering broccoli even if you don't like it

"jules hows that broccoli?"

"pretty boring actually, could major use some spice"

"actully it's REALLY boring"

me: "i actually hate broccoli"

"it's always the same"

Benjamin: "def needs to get laid. I pretend to like broccoli, but i actually am annoyed by it"


me: "broccoli has no libido"

Benjamin: "then sometimes I think i like it, but then i have it, and am reminded why I loathe it so"

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Benjamin: anyway, byesies

me: ciaosies

Benjamin: haha nice, we'll talk tomorrow

me: yes

Benjamin: a bientotsies

and so on

me: a tout a l'heursies

ad infinitum

Benjamin: hahahaha enough


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Let's Link

It's that time o' day when I like to share some stuff I've come across...let the fun begin:

1. First, I cannot believe I was unaware of Sedaris's book signing at Strand. Very uncool. It may take me a few days to get over this. In the meantime though, he has apparently signed "at least" 5 kindles, as opposed to the run-of-the-mill autograph on audience member's new copy. Weird. Even the world of autographs is morphing. In weirder news, one of David's audience members once offered him a taste of her breast milk. He, as we would come to expect from such a man, accepted the offer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/business/media/15kindle.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=media&adxnnlx=1245078113-wWQokwrnX/d89GQb59SOuw

2. Who needs a family car?! Just pile the kids in the back. Or, you know, groceries and stuff...


http://www.madsencycles.com/bikes/gallery/cream-bucket.php

3. Heard this on NPR this morning and made me want to re-watch the film (yep...http://catandgirl.com/?page_id=71)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105387235

4. I wanna be a Book Ninja! Hiyah! http://www.bookninja.com/?p=5547

(but I don't have the time ::sheepish look::)

5. R.I.P. Harold Norse: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/arts/music/13norse.html?hpw

6. Want to read: http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/06/novelist_binnie_kirshenbaum_on.html

7. So you know how when you double-click on a word in a NYT article it links you to the definition? Check out this spreadsheet that illustrates the most frequently looked-up words:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rZbzkb-mmQHD6Mru7vUVeLQ&output=html


8. Even though Macmillan isn't on this chart (lame!), I still think this is cool. The biodiversity of publishing logos:

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/06/07/books/felton-ready.html

I think my favorite may be "Libros para Ninos"

9. Some anonymous person commented on one of my posts from a couple months ago about their Family Crest...which made me curious about the Howe Family Crest. Ends up it means: Semper Verus. Translated, this means "Always True". Couldn't really ask for anything better. Thank you, oh ye anonymous commenter, for piquing my interest

10. Number ten...have a wonderful day!

Effulgence

It's true!  I don't mean to be neglecting the blog, but, eh...you know, I have been busy!  I will make it a point to write a real post early this week.

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Oh, I finally got my bike!  Yesterday was full of exploration on two [rickety] wheels.  I felt so good, weaving in and out of traffic on my little red Free Spirit.  Riding a bike through the city for the first time truly makes you feel like you can conquer the world.  I came back after a long day feeling like nothing lingers in the realm of impossibility.  "What?", you say, "That's crazy, how can riding a bike make you feel that way?".  Ride through NYC and answer your own question.

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<3 

quelques choses à partager

Things I've come across throughout the day...


HA! Awesome. Love the photo, too. Utter look of confusion/disbelief/"wait...what?":

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/06/report_miss_californias_been_f.html?ft=1&f=103943429

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Makes me want to dig into my anthology of Renaissance Drama plays. Good stuff.

http://www.bookglutton.com/reader/unbound?id=282&group_id=0&view=ub

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Very messed up:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/06/breaking_news_shots_fired_at_h.html?sc=tw&cc=tw-acarvin

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Yet another reason internet dating is messed up. Guy finds love on match.com and still sues for $5 mill:

http://gothamist.com/2009/06/10/dude_finds_love_on_matchcom_but_sue.php

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Should be good and a little bit freaky (a kind of freaky that this Nation needs). Looking fwd to seeing it...eventually:

http://food.theatlantic.com/the-food-channel/yes-you-have-to-see-food-inc.php

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Ok, I could go on but c'est tout pour maintenant!

...catch you on the flip side

Jump

Punctuate the air with your thoughts, re-shape the molecular formations around you

Human bulb. Plant roots. Cell leaves. Person pod. Mud womb. Earth nest. Real growth.

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Breathe...ok.

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I would cup my hands, realizing I had become what it was I wanted to be...

Good Morning!  A blog post on a Friday morning from the comfort of my own little kitchen...which, by the way, has a fresh batch of beautiful pink flowers sprouting from the table.  Coffee, rain outside, a ridiculous conversation already under my belt, a good day ahead...YES!

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Is it a little creepy that I am very attracted to the "shot through my heart" necklace in the "boutique" section?  I mean, really, I have been thinking about this necklace for about a week now...I don't understand!  I think I like that it's simultaneously beautiful and disturbing; a combination I've always been partial to.  Check it out: 

http://www.thefetty.com/

I like the one w/ the tooth, too

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...Which reminds me of my visit to Colorado about 5-6 years ago.  I had been skiing all morning and around 1pm decided it was time for the good ol' traditional ski lodge meal: grilled cheese (or mac n' cheese) with waffle fries (lunch of champions) and some poisonous soda beverage.  Anyway, I found a table and started taking of my 304,786,506 layers of fleece, wool, cotton, , etc.  THEN, I shift my cold little fingers around in my mitten and feel something hard.  Hm.  So I take the mitten off, clutching to the hard object that I somehow hadn't felt all morning long.  I unfold my hand in in my palm rested a......can you guess?......a human molar!  The first thing I did was feel all of my teeth with my tongue.  Nope, they were all there.  Nobody else in the group had lost a tooth, as we were all beyond 10 yrs of age.  So, random molar in my mitten.  Very strange, but I thought it was pretty cool.

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Elderly people still madly in love melts my heart every time.  Meet Marcia and Seymour (what great names!):

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104979771

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According to Mr. C-S, eating cheese before you go to bed results in crazy dreams.  Huh...I'll have to look into this.

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NPR's "Summer Reading 2009": 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104067703

I remember last Spring I wrote a "Summer Reading" article for UVM's newspaper, The Cynic.  I spent a week carefully selecting books that [hopefully] would appeal to a range of people...writing out 50-100 word descriptions for each, carefully crafting my synopsis, etc.  At the same time, the paper had asked me to do a piece on long-boarding and how we were seeing many more girls on campus w/ longboards/skateboards than any other year.  Of course, for this article, I strolled around campus for about 20 min., interviewed about 5 males/females and chalked the article off in the 10 min. before it was due.  MUCH to my dismay, they took the longboard article and chopped out the summer reading piece because it was too long and intricate.  Ugh.

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I can't believe I won't be able to go to this...

http://www.poets.org/viewevent.php/prmEventID/7860

...but it's ok, because where I am going is pretty magical, too

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I WILL, sur l'autre main, be going to this:

http://www.poets.org/viewevent.php/prmEventID/7861

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Paul Miller (DJ Spooky)'s remix of D.W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation"?! WHAT?!  I can still feel the first time I saw that film and I am eager to experience it in a new way.  Going. To. Be. Awesome:

http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/films/967?tmam_intro4

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I am going to go out into the day!

xo

Looking at the Sky

Tree prints...

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If you were in any way involved with BEA this past weekend, or are just curious about the wild world of publishing and this annual convention, you must read this hilarious article on how to be inappropriate at BEA...so good:

http://therumpus.net/2009/05/how-to-be-inappropriate-a-bookexpo-america-guide/

Here are some select parts I'd like to share:

Selected Factor Loadings of Specific Inappropriate Behaviors of Four Inviolable Proscriptive Norms at BookExpo America

Comments, Sexual and/or Non-Predatory

Q65 “Creepy” brush of hand atop young publicist’s buttocks: skirt.
Q66 “Hug-and-Tug” atop the oblique depression above young publicist’s buttocks.


Intrusive Interpersonal Behavior

Q77 “Close talking” with coffee breath.
Q78 “Close talking” without coffee breath.
Q79 “Close talking” on microphone at plenary discussion; see Q81 Plosives.
Q101 Use “Colonel Klink accent” exclusively in International Rights Center.
Q129 Leave freebies from publisher A on publisher B’s table.

Regarding Learned Helplessness at BEA

We know from the literature that mice, when placed in a Zero Maze, experience an increase in thigmotactic and locomotive anxiety levels. Recent research indicates that manipulating the D2R and D2L dopamine receptors play a prominent role in mediating emotional response to novelty and inescapable stress.

In a similar way, conventioneers wend their way through the Javits Center or are placed in eight-by-ten-foot booths experience a “learned helplessness”—a kind behavior that can be broken down into the categories of “desperate looks” and “grooming deterioration.”

Public and Private Flatulence

Q11 “Crop dusting” Left Behind Books/or Tyndale House Publishers booths.

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More another day, just wanted to share that!