Polar Blast

What is this world coming to?

A popular ice cream shop two blocks from my (parents') home was robbed at gunpoint over the weekend. Although I was home at the time (I am usually about 2 hours away), I was too stuffed from Tom's birthday lunch to pout until I got ice cream (yes, this does usually happen). So, there I was alone in my room, a short two blocks away, hearing pops and sirens, seeing blue an dred lights from my bedroom window, and not knowing what exactly was happening until nearly an hour later.
One teenage boy was shot and killed, while another employee, a 42 year old man was shot and released. Four other female employees were there, but, fortunately, the intruders did not harm any of them.


While I am not reporting this to get sympathy (although I remember him working there, I did not actually know the boy who was killed), I am mostly writing to attempt to put things into perspective.

Most of my time now is spent in Madison, where I work and attend school. This means that I am often found walking home alone late at night from work or friends' apartments in the downtown area. Now, I always walk with a friend or another person if I can, and at the very least I call someone while I walk so that, if something should happen, at least SOMEONE knows. Anyway, I often rationalize walking alone because, after all, its only a few blocks. Now all I can think about is that this happened only a few blocks from where I was sitting.. a most chilling thought.

Luckily, our campus does have a program called SAFEWALK which I could call if I felt threatened, although I'm not sure if they operate during the summer season. Anyway, despite this particular crime having been committed over a hundred miles from where I now sit, all I can think about is: If this can happen where I grew up, in a place I have always frequented.. it really could happen anywhere. Of course, this also brings back memories of a girl who was brutally murdered in her apartment, about 18 months ago, in an area heavily populated by UW students. This crime, to my knowledge, has not yet been solved.

I guess what I wish to say is: we all tend to become comfortable in our surroundings, perhaps artificially so, and, while I'm not suggesting we all live in fear, I would like to say, be careful, pay attention, and if something/someone seems out of place in your neighborhood, be extra cautious and report it.

Stay safe, everyone.

Fly me to the moon.

Two days off.

I feel like all I've been doing lately is (1) waking up and thinking 'I have to work this afternoon, (2) getting very little accomplished while anticipating my work day, (3) going to work until 11, and (4) getting home and thinking 'I'm so sleepy, I should do nothing.'

But now I have two days to stretch my legs and reunite with some friends. So, its 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and I'm still in my pajamas.

I did however get a chance to check out Maxwell Street Days here in Madison, which is a giant tent sale that extends from the capitol square to the end of State Street. I wish I hadn't worked all weekend so that I would have had more of a chance to scope out some fabulous deals, but all in all I think I picked up a few nice things (thank you Urban Outfitters 'Extra 50% off all markdowns' sale). Really I ended up with some housewares items and a few scarves; I didn't really even look at clothes, it was waaaaaay out of control around those bins. And honestly, stuff was either whacked out and already in the 'DON'T' column, or still too pricey for a printed tank top. Overall, though, I was pleased.
Now I will take a break from the couch and the numerous NASA programs airing today (LOVE) and get some "fresh" air. (Why must it be so gloomy lately? And also, how long will I have to breath in the pulverized concrete that has been straining my lungs since spring?)


p.s. not my photo! in the frenzy of the hunt I failed to snap a picture, so I was forced to borrow this one. Thanks, althouse.

Win some, lose some.

Oh my. What a week.

Tom was in town all last week while I was back to work. It was really fun to play house and to come home to a loving smiling face. And now he's gone. Fast forward, please?

My weekend was lonely: work. work. .. work.

And today.. well today started off great, but has since become increasingly frustrating.

1) Wake up to two texts from Tom about cute dogs he sees on his walk to school.
2) Sneak in some extra sleep.
3) Wake up again (for good) to a call from Tom raving about his new classes.
4) Set up shop to wait for most-anticipated package that is "out for delivery."
5) Decided to make lunch and feed Lenny.
6) Find that roommate's mother has thrown away Lenny's lettuce. (WTF!?)
7) Cook pasta, but cannot open jar of vodka sauce. Try for 10 minutes, almost breaking hand in process.
8)Wait for package.
9) Decide to check email.
10) Find out UPS man came. and left. 2 hours ago.
11) Upset that half the day is wasted, rage-shower/blog and decide to go thrift/buy new Lenny food.

And that brings me to now. Let's hope that this afternoon's activities can bring me up before I slip into a deep black hole of "day off depression."

Happy Birthday, Lady Lib.

In the true spirit of America's B-day, I decided to consume like crazy. No, not food, that would be too.. typical. No, I decided to blow about $100 today on things I didn't reallllly need. I could say it was my gift to the economy and justify it right there, but that's not really true. Mostly, I was just bored. So I went shopping. And then I got home and shopped online. And I actually spent this time. And lots.

The good news is I am the proud new owner of two tees, and tank, a coat rack, two pairs of knee high socks, a navy cardigan, a grey vest, two tubes of acrylic paint. And soon (shipping this week!) I will also own two new pairs of sandals (one black, one brown), a summer dress, two wooden bangles, and another tank.

What the hell was I thinking?

I may never know, but at least the damage was only a hundred.. it could have been much worse. On that note, I will do my damnedest to keep my card hidden from the world for several weeks. Groceries only. And maybe a little fun while Tom is in town.. but maybe if I'm lucky he will feel generous and foot the bill while I give him a place to stay. I can only hope..

And now to post my first outfit pic.. here is one from a few weeks ago. I always forget to take pics and am lazy about uploading them in a timely fashion. But now, I will try a bit harder to be more prompt.


Cardigan: Target
Striped Tank: Gap
Jean Shorts: Pacsun
Belt: Thrifted
Clock necklace: Garage sale
Jeweled sandals: Target

Where: Grocery shopping with pals, movie on couch, and walking around downtown Madison